So, I had my interview  with S.M.O.E. and it seemed to go very well. Two days later I received an offer through the recruiter to work at the Seoul English Education Center in Gapyeong city.

During the interview I was told this was 1 hour away from Seoul. I’m thinking I should have asked specific questions about that!! Since the interview I read somewhere it’s more like 1.5hrs away. The plus side out about being “outside” of Seoul is 300,000 won more per month. The downside is that it will take a little longer to get to certain places and that means having to plan a little more getting places and meeting up with old friends.

Anyone mind if I couch surf on the weekends?

On another note I really hope that this mean less smog!?!?!

Then a few days later I receive an email letting me know that positions are filling up fast … whoever gets their information (below x several copies of each) to S.M.O.E. first – and it’s alright with no mistakes, legit, with all i’s dotted & t’s crossed – gets the job!

* Criminal Record Check & Copy of Authentic Degree – both with apostille
* completed application form
* sealed transcripts
* sealed & signed letters of Recommendation
* copy of passport page
* copy of Contract & Addenda
* resume & cover letter
* passport photos
* and any certificates you might have

PANIC!!! several small heart attacks later…  and finally I get it done! Now it’s somewhere between here and South Korea.

It’s amazing how the night makes things better and brighter.

Yesterday was Saturday and at the end of a long day non-stop shopping this is the image I left Seoul with. Well, that and the couple standing by the entrance making out!!

Shopping wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be…or maybe I am just enjoying it more.

Beware of the different prices they’ll scam you on though. Even though that’s a fake Gucci purse the price will range from $30 to $100… remember it’s a knock off! The key is getting the merchant who will undercut his own staff
All in all it was a good day with good company a few good laughs

video of various photos & video taken in Seoul, 2007-2008

Finally… I have arrived!

Two planes and one stop over at San Francisco for what was suppose to be a 2 hr stop that turned into a 3 hr stop. Thankfully, I am here now.

It’s all very interesting. It’s nothing I expected and yet very real and here.

I have been blessed to meet many people…great people who have shown me various things, places and meals. I keep meeting interesting people and that’s just in the expat community.

Life is exciting and I am a grinning like an idiot all the time so much so that my cheeks have perma-blush!

So, this is what the great wait is like…

Well, it’s been later than expected, but soon I shall arrive in the Land of the Morning Calm.

First, it was waiting for my visa confirmation, then my actual visa and now… I shall arrive in Korea at the end of Lunar New Year’s celebration.

This is when Seoul is mostly deserted due to the fact that Koreans return to their ancestral roots … or at least that is what I was told and hence my arrival date moved back yet another week. Guess I’ll soon find out!