Ok, It has been awhile. I don't really have much time to do anything really. School is an all day thing. I go at 9/9:30 and leave around 6 maybe later. The walk to and from work takes 20-30 mins. I have been in my apartment for over a week and I just unpacked yesterday! And I only did that because someone was coming over. :-) But, Korea is great! 
My opinion on the English teaching in the hagwon is still up in the air. I love the people I work with and even the people I work for. However, I am trying to figure out if this is something that can make me happy. I miss math! I get to do (not teach) pages in a Math book at school.. but.... you can't teach 5 yr olds who are on different levels in English and Math with efficiency. So, that doesn't really fulfill my mathematics needs. 
But, you know.. It is only week two. In a few months time I will be more accustomed to my school and class and I will be able to gauge how I truly feel, at that time. What I do know is that I love this city! I can't go back to sleepy Montgomery, AL after being here!!! ok.. it is bed time.. hopefully the next blog post will be within the next week! 
Bye!

Frustrated now!

Ok, So... I decided to take a little time and write about my experience so far...

I am FRUSTRATED!!!! ok, I had to get that out... :-D Why am I frustrated??? I am frustrated because I thought that I would be about to leave in a matter of days!!! Instead, I probably won't leave until a week or week and a half from now. This is a total bummer!!! 


Oh, also, I am frustrated because the IRS is playing around with some people's tax refunds this year. I need my refund so I can pay my bills the first month I am in Korea... I filed on the 4th and when I called the IRS yesterday they said it could take 3 - 4 weeks to process my E-FILE!!!! Really? Because I paid for my refund to back to me in as little as 7 days... I did a little research on the TurboTax website and it seems to be TurboTax and the IRS... People who didn't use TurboTax have already gotten their refunds and avoided this security software update mess... This has put me in a bind. I have to go back to my job and work for a few more days---- which I don't want to do!!! But, it is either that or overdraft on my account... Which is not an option.. 


Oh, sorry, I started ranting about the IRS..


I am frustrated about not leaving when expected due to the fact that the Korean government hasn't issued me a work visa number. I assume this is taking so long because this is when the Korean school year starts and every school is trying to bring in English teachers. But, STILL! I am not to happy about leaving a week later than excepted. I emailed a man at the Korean Consulate in Atlanta and he said that it takes 3- 5 days to process the  visa once I turn my visa app in to them. This is a bummer, as well. This means if I get the number today and go tomorrow then the time frame for me to be able to pick up my passport is the 21st-23rd! So, that means no Korea until the 24th or 25th or later! Bummer... I just hope I get this number today or tomorrow!


On another note! I received my CultureSmart! Korea book last week and I am half way through it and I just received my LonelyPlanet Korean Phrasebook! I am so excited to learn some more words in Korean! Alright, I am done for now! About to wash my hair! BYE!

Getting close!

OK. So, I just wanted to do an update of my journey, so far. 


I have received my background check from the FBI and sent it to be apostilled in DC. This is the step that took the longest! It was like 7 or 8 weeks to get the background check back, then I had to send it to DC to the State Dept to get apostilled, which took about two weeks to get back..
From there, I sent passport size photos( 6 ), apostilled background check, apostilled degree, and signed contract to Korea. I sent the package through FedEx on the 30th and it was received by the school on the 2nd! It was around 50 dollars with my FedEx account. 


Now, I am just waiting for the school to get a number for me that I will take to the Korean Consulate that says I can work in Korea. I believe, the day I will be leaving the country is the 18th of Feb. If I can get the number by the 14th or so.. Otherwise, I will be leaving the last week in Feb. 


One issue I have encountered, thus far, is that I might have to cut my hair! I twisted my hair so I wouldn't have to pull on it so much and so I could maintain it better. I was thinking that it might be hard to find some of the oils and products I use on my hair in Korea. Not to mention, my hair is ridiculous to maintain in cold weather when it gets long. Heck, it's ridiculous to maintain when it is long---period! Well, this guide my school sent me says that teachers must not have hairstyles contrary to Korean standards--locks were on the list!!! I really hope I don't have to cut my hair! I will have to try and find a barber in Korea that knows what a fade is! Hopefully, the boss will say that my hair looks good and it is OK to have locks. I don't think it should be a problem because I will wash my hair 2-4 times a month and keep it looking nice and neat. But, you never know what people will say when it comes to things they don't understand. A lot of people think that locks(dreads as most call them) are nasty. It is assumed that people with locks don't wash their hair. This is true for some people, especially in the beginning of the locking process. However, it is not necessary to not wash your hair. It is actually better for your hair to wash it often.  Anyway, sorry I ranted. But, my hair isn't nasty and I will wash it and keep it looking neat, so I hope my school's boss will allow me to keep my hair in this style. I also asked if I could wear a head scarf or wrap. I just really don't want to cut my hair! I have finally gotten comfortable with this look and I would hate to cut off the time, effort and money that went into getting my hair to this point.


Also, there are a few thing that Americans need to know before they move to Korea. 
Women are advised to bring: feminine hygiene products
Men and women are advised to bring: toothpaste, floss, hand sanitizer, deodorant, condoms, clothes and shoes if you are larger than the average Korea, and slippers.


Some of these things are available in Korea, but they might be extremely expensive or not the same as products in the US. Example, deodorant is only available in the summer months and you probably won't be able to find the kind you like. Another example, hand sanitizer is like 10 dollars a bottle! Finally, Korean toothpaste has no fluoride. So, when you are heading to Korea be sure to pack a suitcase full of your favorite products and DO NOT forget your year supply of deodorant!! 


Alrighty, that is all for now! Next, post should be around the time of my departure!

So, it has been several weeks since I last blogged. The reason is primarily that I am just waiting to get this background check back. Once, it is sent to me the process will begin. I have to send it to DC to get an apostille attached to it. Then, I will send that along with a copy of my passport, apostilled degree, transcripts, visa photos, and signed contract to my school. From there, they will send me the information I need to take to the Korean Consulate(in Atlanta). I will be sent my visa shortly thereafter and I will be on my way! The background check website says it takes 8 weeks to process. It is looking like this will be the case. I sent it off on the 16th of November(it probably left the post office on the 17th). So, the 2nd of January will be six weeks. So, I am hoping that I receive it back by the 23rd of Jan. I think I will try to drive to DC and get the apostille put on it. That way I can send all my paperwork off by the beginning of Feb. Otherwise, I might be leaving in late Feb, not mid Feb. That wouldn't be a big deal if I wasn't ready to move a month ago! 

On another note... I have done a few things to prepare myself to leave. One thing is that I signed up for a checking account with USAA. With this account I can transfer money easier between my Korean account and that account. This will make it easy to pay all of my bills. I also started locks yesterday. I have had a natural hairstyle for 3 years now and I didn't want to have the task of trying to find certain products that I use on my hair in Korea. I mainly use natural oils and products that don't contain mineral oil(which are most products sold for black hair!). It is easy to go to a health food store here and buy items I need but I am not sure if it will be that easy in South Korea. So, with locks, I can maintain them myself and I can bring the few items (locking gel and oils) I need with me. I am also in the process of trying to sell several items that I own. I need to sell a huge dining room table with chairs, a computer desk, clothes, and various electronics. This task might be left up to my family if I cant get it done within the next month..

Well, that is all for now! Please comment if you have any questions or any experience with this process! 

Thanks for reading! 

OK. So, this is the first time I have ever attempted to write down my thoughts and share them with the world---but, here goes!!!


I am planning on leaving for Korea in Feb. 2012. I started on the whole process 2 weeks ago. Everything moved quickly considering what I have dealt with here in the US job market. 


side note: I graduated May 2011 with a BS in Mathematics and since that day I have been unable to find a job. Heck, forget finding a job!!! I hardly got any call backs!!! I had one interview and then on the second interview the ignorant GM left me waiting for an hour while he chatted it up with the district guy. I was annoyed that I  didn't even get a call back to say, "I am sorry, but we have chosen someone else for the position." Heck! An email would have been acceptable! I have gotten several emails saying, "I am sorry to inform you..." Times are hard(as the old folks would say). 


But, yes. Back to the story. I need to get some things done before I can actually leave the country. Federal background check, passport, extra passport photos, apostilled degree, apostilled background check, transcripts and a few little things dealing with getting a visa. So far, I have the apostilled degree, my passport(it came back in a week and a half!), transcripts, extra passport photos, and a few of the small things needed for the visa. The background check takes about eight weeks to process! Crazy! You would think the Federal government would be faster.... BUT, NEGATIVE! 


So, now, I am just patiently waiting on the government to send it back. Once they send it back, I have to send it to DC to get an apostille put on it. So, this makes my time line a little cramped in the final stretch. But, I am hoping that it comes back sooner. 


Today, I made passport photos(www.epassportphoto.com), ordered official transcripts, and opened a new bank account for when I head across the water! 


I am so excited about this! I have been waiting for someone to believe in what I am capable of and give me a chance. And thanks to my friend Briggies! (my nickname for him) I have been given that chance. I have the opportunity to travel and save money, while I pull myself out of the financial hardship that too many college grads are in these days. 


I thank God for everything that I have been through and experienced and everyone I have met, because I am who I am and where I am because of those experiences. 


OK, so... that's all for today. I will update this as things develop! 

~*God is good all the time; and all the time God is good*~