Random Youtube

I realized today that I will not miss driving that much. In a matter of a few miles here near the house, I was almost hit by 2 idiot drivers. I don't live in a densely populated area either.

This is one of my favorite youtube videos of all time. I figured since the World Series is going on (GO Phills!) I would post it. I am actually a Mets hater (Die Hard Braves fan here) but this is not only one of the most classic WS moments, but if you are around my age and grew up on the original Nintendo this is that much better.

Quick Trip to Big D

Clouds in Louisiana

It has been a very busy week for me as I prepare to leave for South Korea. I decided I needed to go see some friends before I left town, and pick up some things from storage while there.

Friday started out with a long drive to Dallas. It took a little longer than usual with a few slow downs for construction and then some rush hour traffic in Dallas when I got there. I made it in about 12 hours when it usually takes between 10.5 and 11. So after a long drive I was ready to relax and catch up on how my friends were doing with their new baby girl.

This will always be home.

Saturday was a lazy day consisting of watching football and playing some Wii. It was a good day however, since I needed a rest. Sunday was what I was looking forward to the most. After a trip down the road to Paul and Krissy's new found church (which was very good by the way), we settled in for some BBQ and football. P&K had invited old friends over for the day and I showed Paul how to make whitewings, which turned out fantastic. Good food and good company made for an enjoyable day. It didn't hurt that the Cowboys played well that day too and got a much needed victory. All in all Sunday was a great day, but I was not ready for the ride back home on Monday. It was good to see Paul, Krissy, their new little girl Morgan, Buddy & Melissa and their little girl Addyson (who treated us to some singing for our Sunday afternoon entertainment), Brandon, and Deborah (or G Deb instead of Granny). Hopefully I will get to see everyone again in short time.

Morgan Kempton posing for Halloween Pictures.

Monday brought rain and another 12 hour journey back home. The ride home always seems longer too doesn't it? Immediately after arriving home, I started to pack. The plan was to either leave Tuesday night or Wednesday morning to Atlanta. I had to go to Atlanta to visit the Korean Consulate there in order to get my work visa stamped into my passport. So late into the night Monday I was packing. Wednesday would be the interview day for the consulate, and Thursday I would pick up my passport. Then Friday I was planning on flying out so there was little time to get things done.

As it turned out, I will not fly out till Monday and I will explain all of that and how the trip to Atlanta went in the next post.

Till then,
E

Halloween Comic

Love this Halloween Pic so thought I would share.

FedEx to S. Korea

So I went down to FedEx yesterday to mail off my documents. The interesting thing was it was cheaper, by $20 or so, to send it Priority than it was to ship it standard. It will get there 3 days earlier too. They said several countries were like that, cheaper to send quicker. That is something new to me.

I am trying to get everything squared away before I head off to SE Asia. This is all happening really quick. I never dreamed I would have found a job so quick, and one that starts so soon. I am glad to be getting away though. Every day it seems like I figure another thing or two that has to be done before I go. It is not to the point of being overwhelming yet, but it is starting to add up.

Hopefully by middle of next week, they get my paperwork Friday, I should have my visa issuance number. Then it is off to the consulate to get my visa. There is only a short time before I am wanted in SK, contract starts Nov 1st, so I hope everything falls in place quickly so I can get everything done on time.

Till next time,
E

Daegu Here I Come!

I was told tonight that my paperwork is fine. So Daegu, here I come! You can see where in South Korea Daegu is located on the map to the right.

I am headed off to mail my paperwork to Korea in the morning and everything is a go. I think the next step is to wait for a visa confirmation number or something like that. Then I can take that and go to the S. Korean consulate to get the visa stamped into my passport. Hopefully everything works out. It should be an action packed few weeks. I'll have to make a trip to Atlanta to the consulate, Dallas to see my best friends new baby and to get some stuff out of storage. Then I'll have to pack and make a few purchases before I leave.

I am very excited. I even called a friend or two and sent out a bunch of emails to those who are on the East coast and most likely asleep already. Anyway, not much to this post except to say I have the position and I am starting to prepare to move.

Till Next Time,
E

Job Offer - Now in Limbo

I can't sleep tonight. Late last week I had my first interview with a school in S. Korea. It's a hagwon in Daegu, and I am very interested in the job. The interview went well and the school offered me the position. Since then it has been a waiting game. I went over the contract and after getting a few questions and concerns addressed, I accepted the position. I was asked to sign and scan the signature page of the contract, which I did. Along with that, I emailed in my aposilled CBC (background check). This is where the anxious part came in for me. My recruiter emailed back saying she was not sure immigration would not accept it. They claim that the person doing the check needed to sign the form (which was a simple form I filled out and mailed in). It has a less formal look than others I have seen from other states. So now I am just waiting as the school checks with immigration if my CBC will be accepted. Now I am left waiting. Waiting to see if it will be accepted (I have emailed it to other recruiters and nobody said anything), and waiting to see if I wind up with the job. It all needs to clear itself up soon if I am to make it by November 1 which is the first day of the contract. Other than that I continue to talk to recruiters hoping to find something if this falls through.

It is just after midnight here in Florida and just after 2pm in S. Korea. I hope by the end of their business day to have word on my CBC thus I can't sleep knowing my job is in limbo. That and I took a nap this afternoon.

I'll be sure to file and update as soon as I hear.
E

P.S. If you haven't seen it, check out The Wire. It's an old HBO show, and it's greatness. I am about to finish up season 3 very soon.

Passport Arrived and First Interview

My passport came last Saturday arriving in just under 4 weeks. I was surprised how quick I received it. This was my last document I needed in order to start interviewing with schools in S. Korea. After a few days of emailing resumes, pictures, and answering a lot of the same questions over and over from various recruiters, I finally got my first interview with a school. It was this morning at 8am which is 10pm Korean Time. I was surprised how well my interviewer, who I believe was the hagwon director, spoke English. We talked for about 12 minutes where most of that was him telling me about the school. It might not be the greatest job in Korea but its not the worst. I am excited about it and feel it went fairly well. I guess I will see when my recruiter comes in later tonight my time to see what he says. I was asked some basic questions and feel I was upbeat enough to impress the director. It is definately a job I would take. It is with a large hagwon that has many branches. This one is in Daegu, which is one of the bigger cities. The pay is good with good benefits and it is an established business.

I know it's only my first interview with a school (I have done a few with recruiters now) but I was a little nervous. I actually thought I missed the call. At about 7:30 I jumped in for a quick shower to get prepared and as I was getting out my phone was ringing at 7:45. He called early. So I waited another 15 minutes or so hoping I didn't miss my opportunity. Sure enough he calls back around 8am. I'll update everyone when I find out how it went from the recruiter later tonight.

Till then,
E