Pending Contract

I can't believe that Alexandra and I were supposed to leave for Prague today...its kind of a sad day. Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited about the Republic of Korea and I know that we'll have fun anywhere, but it would be awesome to be drinking Pivo tomorrow.

I've been talking to a few recruiters and a couple hagwons (private schools) via email. I've had two interviews and was offered a job contract last week. I've been researching the school, but I want to take a look at another contract. I was supposed to have a phone interview tonight, with a school that is looking to hire two teachers. And while I did get a call, I don't think that it was the person I was supposed to interview with. It was such an awkward conversation/interview. I only have one other phone interview to compare it with, but it was really short and the interviewer said "like" 20 times. And I thought that I sometimes spoke like a valley girl!

So I have to make a decision on the offer that was made to me last week by tomorrow. Which would mean I would leave either at the end of October or in early November! I just received my official transcripts from UCSB. I still need to obtain a criminal background check, which is going to be so much fun! And did I mention that they want my official diploma?! Crazy!

Other than that, life has been pretty good lately. I've been baby sitting a lot, which is super fun. And hanging out with random friends here and there. I watched The Time Traveler's Wife last week and totally cried my eyes out (great movie). I also saw Inglorious Bastards, which I didn't like. I should have known that it was going to be bloody/gory, but I wasn't expecting it to be that bad!

Well, I'll keep you posted as to my decision on the pending contract once I decide!

Time To Apply

Hi Everyone!

I know that its been a long time since I last blogged, but I was waiting until I got my resume out there.  For the past couple of weeks I've been working on my resume, obtaining my letters of recommendation, taking pictures for my resume, requesting my official transcripts and a duplicate copy of my degree.  Next I need to get a criminal background check and a physical.  But that's on the list.  

Today I spoke to my Asia TEFL advisor and she gave me a lot of information, but the most important was to post my resume ASAP, so I did.  Its up on www.eslcafe.com, and I've already applied to a couple recruiters and received a couple responses.  So there is some promise, but I really need to focus on applying directly to schools.  

I'm planning on leaving in late October or November, since I'm now attending Donya & Jeff's wedding in Maine in October, and taking a flight out to Boston to see Alexandra and meet her family.  Since we pushed back out start date, it really on leaves us with the option to work at a private school (Hagwon), which has its pluses and minuses!  The most positive part is that we'll be working with at least one other English speaking teacher, if not more.  At the public schools its pretty much guaranteed that you'd be the only foreign teacher there.  But the Hagwons will work us or expect us to work quite a bit more than the public schools.  Either way, I'm excited.

I also went on www.amazon.com to purchase a couple books on South Korea along with a beginner's CD and workbook to learn to speak Korean.  I'm sure that its going to be tough, but I'm going to get some basic phrases down!  

Had a great weekend in SF with Nici and Mike.  I got a lot of things on my list that I want/need before I go abroad.  New digital camera, a backpacking backpack and a new purse that has a compartment for my laptop!  Now all I need is a couple converters and I think that I'll be finished purchasing supplies.  

Some other great news....got a bit of a refund on my flight to Prague!  Sure it wasn't a refund of the entire ticket, but I'm getting money back into my account, so I couldn't be happier!  I also received an email from the Asia Program Manager at my online school, which contained a ton of information.  Basically they are helping us secure a job before we go and advising us of what we have to get together in order to get the work visa situation completed.  She advised that it could take anywhere between 30-60 before we leave.  Which is exciting because it gives me some more time here with friends and family!  

Seoul WHAT?!

I know what you're thinking...I though they were going to Prague...what the heck happened?!  Well, a few things...we booked our flights...then I started to freak out about everything.  For the longest time I was overly confident about finding a job, apartment, etc.  Then, one night last week I tried to fall asleep and I started to freak out about everything.  You see, I still have quite a bit of debt that is always looming over me...and making $800/month, not knowing how much rent will be, or how much flights will be when we come home all started to make me worry!  So I wrote Alexandra an email with all of my concerns and she proposed we go to Seoul.  

For the longest time I was anti-going to Asia.  Partly because I want to live in Europe, travel around Europe and just mix in.  Alexandra sent me a posting that showed that Seoul pays for almost everything, flights both ways, a studio apartment, $2000/month with really low taxes.  So I did what I always do, I made a pro-con list for Prague and Seoul and Seoul won!  We're still going to do a bunch of traveling....just to all of the Asian countries (Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.)  

There are a couple of issues with the change... 1. We've already purchased our flights to Prague on www.cheapoair.com, and they are non-refundable flights.  So if anyone knows how I may be able to talk them into giving us our money back or giving us a credit, that would be awesome.  I've already called them, and they told me something like it would be a $350 change fee and our flights were only $400 so it wouldn't be worth it.  2.  We have no idea when we're leaving now.  It takes a while to obtain a work visa in Korea...and I still have to finish my cover letter!  

On a side note, I've been put in touch with people who have lived in Seoul and people who are still there teaching!  So I have a couple "ins" if you will!  Thank you Brad and Annie!