
Just looking at clothes, cosmetics, and other assorted items I plan to move with me is overwhelming... where will it all fit into 3-4 bags! Ack! At least I was able to find purple and pink suitcases that weigh only 8 lbs each! I know you were very concerned about color coordination of my luggage; it's a high priority among the list of 50 Things To Do each Day in The Next Two Weeks.
On a positive note, everything I need will be available in Korea! Everything except clothing, although in Seoul and Busan, I should be able to get some American sizes. I'm not a 5'2" size negative 4, 90 lb. Korean woman. Luckily, I have small feet, so I'll be able to find shoes! I was also just informed from another teacher in Seoul that anything I want from iHerb.com over $50 and under 15 lbs will be shipped to South Korea for $4! Halleelooyuh!! From all the info I gathered, I only need clothing and shoes, specific cosmetics, and toiletries, so I don't have to stock up on anything special. I'll also be able to download books to Kindle, though they say my Prime membership loses it's benefits of free book lending and such.
As of yesterday, I've spent a few hundred dollars on documentation and shipping of documents:
- $15 University Diploma
- $15 for diploma apostille (meaning, authentication of diploma by Tex. Sec. of State)
- $20 FedEx diploma to me from Texas
- $5 electronic fingerprints from Sheriff Dept. in Franklin
- $55 for expedited FBI Background check (CBC or CRC) through Accurate Biometrics www.accuratebiometrics.com
- $10 for do-over of CRC because first set of non-electronic scan fingerprints were no good
- $45 FedEx CRC to US State Dept. for apostille
- $9 2 passport photos
- $76 FedEX all documents (apostilled diploma and CRC, medical questionnaire, copy of passport, 2 passport photos) to my recruiter in Seoul (www.eicohr.com) to get Visa started by Korean Immigration
- $$$Unknown for Visa, which I will have to drive 3 hours to Atlanta to get the Visa stamped into my passport by the Korean Consulate in Atlanta
- $176 for luggage
- $200 or more so far for "professional" attire appropriate for a teacher
- $1200 for airline ticket to Seoul or Busan on Korean Air
- $200 for additional baggage to third checked bag
- $$$$unknown to send all my keepsakes and such, 5 boxes or so?, to Dad's Attic in Texas
- $$$ more clothes and misc.
...so much for that $1700! I've got another week or so of work to pad the savings account and if someone will buy my motorcycle that will be another $2k to tide me over!
"You get what you think about, whether you want it or not!"