So today the school where I work is closed for staff training and team building. I was invited by the bosses to attend the day. It meant that I had to take time off from my second job and arrange someone to take care of my daughter.

It has been an interesting experience. First of all I arrive on the time I was told, only to find out that there is no one to open the gate for me despite me calling the buzzer but I can see people inside -- they can't see me.

Then the secretary arrives and tells me ; hey the school is closed today for staff training  don't you know? Yes I know, I am taking part....Oh ok, lets get in.

Then I get in and they are all have a meeting, and it finishes as soon as I get in the room. I was obs=viously told the wrong time.

Then off we go for team building section. I seat alone in a circle, no ones sits next to me until someone calls me to sit next to them. I didn't sit next to no one before because I was one of the first person to get into the room, and the ones who were there were in their closed groups...people just didn't sit close to me.

Then we do activities, fine.

There is one activity where everyone receive before hand 3 personal questions to answer in front of the group. I didn't receive it, so I had to think about the answers there and then.

Break time and few people make very little effot to include me in anything.

Then back we go to more team building and we have to get in groups. My name is not in any group. I am not officially on the list. But few people are missing so I can be put in a group.

Then is lunch time, and they will be there for 1 hour having lunch together and bonding. I wasn't told I had to bring in my own lunch and even though I wasn't hungry I wouldn't hang in there at the staff room with no food and no one to talk to as no one is making an effort. I just came home to have some lunch. I need to go back now as they will all drive to a location for more team building and a BBQ. Someone offered me a lift, so this is a plus since I don't drive, but they had all the lifts organised before hand.

I am nearly not going back but I will endure. I have so many things to organise in my home and a very busy weekend ahead but I will keep going to finish this day. Even though it turned out completely different of what I was expecting. I wanted to get to know people and feel part of the team.

I get it. I am a parent and these people have worked, works or will work with my child. I am now member of the staff as well, less than a month in the job. I am on a very low position at the moment, and the only person who is in the same situation as me decided not to go despite work there for 5 years. I am the last in the pecking order, even though I probably have the same capability or even more capability and qualifications than some...but few people know it.

Also I am the only foreigner who is a non native speaker. I think people struggle to relate to me maybe. Mix my low self esteem and confidence problems...I am feeling like a small child unsure what to do, say etc.

Any way, I like to be adventurous so I will go back and carry one.

Need to remember not to take anything personal and not to bother about what people might be thinking about me.

I am just sad on how disorganised the place is. it is a small school, would be so easy to communicate effectively... I knew it as a parent and I see it now as an employee....

I don't do well on chaos, for obvious reasons.