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

After a year of sitting here in Korea I open this blog and realize that no matter how good my intention is to blog about my year in Korea that I have failed… er, well!  I was never good at faithfully keeping a dairy, so it’s not that surprising to see I have lapsed with this blog.

Just as well as since it was the best of times but it was the worst of times but mainly due to having a death in the family and not being with my family during the grieving not that I was good at that either … but then again no one needs to remember that sort of thing.

So… to make this a fresh start at the anniversary of it’s creation I have decided to post this comic strip like picture of me.
I had way too much fun with the comic life application on my mac this morning… way too much

It’s been a long void without creativity and I’m standing on the abyss that will come into an overload of creativity.

The year of 2008 has a lot of hope and promise attached to it… it can only go up from here. Good bye to 2007, you’re misery I live no more!

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

Haeundae Beach, Busan South Korea
panorama view at night during the week of CH’USOK, Sept 2007

Sept 2007 Day 1 tour: Busan trip from Seoul Station to Busan on the fast train. Beaches, Buddhist temple, harbour tour, etc

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 …the big decision has been made.

I am off to South Korea for my first year of teaching English. I have signed the contract and am waiting for my Visa to come through.

My contract starts on February 7th, 2007. I am working for ICEV, Incheon English Village. ICEV is located in Incheon, which is right next to Seoul… well 40 minutes away

I have told everyone that I know in one form or another. It’s been one of the best, if not toughest, things that I have had to do thus far. Challenges have come in many different forms but this has been one of those that I had wanted to do well.

It’s been one of those months were everything was not as it seems. However, I am glad to say that I am happy, excited, and eager to see how life in South Korea will unfold.