I have mentioned on and off about my landlord and cleaning lady. As far as I know they are the only ones that have keys to my apartment. The cleaning lady used to come on Monday and every Monday when I got home my TV had been set to Russian and I couldn't get my few stations in English. Sometimes when I would push every button on both remotes I would get it figured out. But the next Monday it would be back again in Russian. Well, the landlord came to school one day because he wanted an advance on 3 months rent because he said he was going to London. My director usually doesn't give advances, but he ended up paying him for the 3 months rent. I translated to him about my problem with the TV and he just smiled and actually said "cleaning lady" in English. He told me that he would be over that Friday to fix it. I got home on Friday and found the TV still not working, but I knew he had been there because he had eaten one of my prized plums! On Saturday I unopened my door and the computer (not my personal computer) had been left on and the TV was working.
Going backwards in my story ---- right before I went to Almaty for the workshop I had $300 saved up to take with me. I had even asked the other staff how much money they were taking and found out $300 was a good amount. When I went to the drawer to get the money I only had $200. I tried not to freak out, because I could have made a mistake, but I keep track of my budget on a piece of paper and it also showed that I hadn't spend that $100. I let it go.
Then right after the landlord ate my plum I looked in my bright green envelope that had $92 in small bills and there was only $42 and I know for 100% certainty that I hadn't spent it.
So someone had been looking through all my things to find that money.
I went to my director, Art, and he was so angry and upset for me. And the other staff all were so angry too. It was so weird because I felt more angry at the loss of my plum than the money. I kept wondering what was the manner with me that I couldn't get angry???????
Anyway, the landlord was called and he blamed it on the cleaning lady and said nothing like this had ever happened before. He called the cleaning lady and told her to bring my keys to school. Well, she never came and when I got home she was there cleaning my apartment. She had gotten the call about the missing money and in Russian she was trying to tell me that she didn't take it. I got Dinara on the phone to translate and she was pleading her innocence. I didn't have the heart to fire her because I believed her. I had already felt like it was my landlord, because if he could have eaten my plum he was sure capable of stealing money. So I ended up getting the key from her and she comes when I am home. This week when she came I found out that the landlord has not paid her and she can't get ahold of him.
So who do you think is the thief?
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Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteAs a seasoned expat and also lived in Kazakhstan, you need to not have a soft heart. You need to either fire the cleaning lady and give your landlord a good talking or you may find something really important missing. It is sad to say but usually they find American women soft targets...well until they meet me. Best thing is to find a man who can speak Russian and talk to them both sternly. The agreement of him paying her isn't for you to worry about...trust me you will do yourself a favor if you are a bit tougher. I remember when I had to deal with these issues and I disliked it so much. I was young and really sweet. Pfff Those days are gone. Hugs and I hope you get it sorted.
Ditto, Hugs and I hope you get it sorted out. Carry your money with you at all times! What did you do during your vacation????
ReplyDeleteLast Saturday Cayden raced his go-kart at the first indoor race of the winter and he won one class and got second in the other one. It was at the National Dairy Cattle Barn in Waterloo. It has all been remodeled since we showed our cows there. Do you remember that?? I tried to take pictures of the races, but the karts were doing a lap in five seconds and it was really hard. I was using a zoom lens and a lady told me I was using the wrong lens. I found a lens that I had used with another camera and I'll have to try it at the next races. I'll try to put some pictures on facebook, sometime later this week. Love you.
I appreciate you gal's advice about me getting tougher, but I am afraid you are wasting your breath. You would not believe all the people in my life that have given me that advice - especially colleagues and principals of the schools I have taught at. I have tried to be tougher, but that soft heart just won't go away. I think you have to have a few soft hearts in this world to balance out the tough ones. I do use my street smarts and am careful in my day to day adventures. I have survived for 61 years, so some angels must be taking great care of me. Love, Rachel
ReplyDeleteEveryday I have been checking to see if you are ok. Wow! 61 years old.... you are looking fantastic gal! I hope everything gets sorted. I am still not sure if I want to come to Aktau. I want a house not an apartment and well just tired of roughing it. Also still want to continue my music career... sigh Today is one of those days.
ReplyDeleteI hope your friends and coworkers know how lucky they are to have experienced Rachel's legendary baked goods!
ReplyDeleteSome of my fondest childhood memories are of your kitchen and your food, especially the pies.
Happy Birthday!
-Laurel
Yes, sis, the one who ate the plum took the money! Can you ask other tenants if they have had this problem?? Just keep being YOU for God loves a cheerful giver! :o) PS this whole thing is creepy. PS2 I have ALWAYS thought that there have been angels watching over you constantly! PS3 My protection prayers have been and are being answered!
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