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Korea 1987 and E-2 Visa Update

10/18/2013

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It's amazing what you find in keepsake boxes; it's like having a birthday of presents from the past!  I'm so happy that I kept all of this "junk": photos, journals, artwork, letters, yes, I even have my old dance team letter jacket (time to let that go however!)! All of this "stuff" defines who I was and re-tells the story of my life to me.  A wonderful journey of nostalgia.  I was able to let a lot of stuff go that no longer held meaning; let it go to the trash dump, that is!
[The photos above are some items from my first trip to Korea, back in 1987.  The newspaper is also dated 1987, and reports on the violent protests over the peoples desire for democratic elections in Korea.  I watched it all on the news and it affected my young heart: the protests and police backlash occurred in places I had been not two months before, in Seoul.  Near the Universities, my Korean friends and I would sit in circles and sing and play guitar.  A month later, tanks were rolling through and tear gas was flying.  It was very upsetting to my 19 year old self.]

As far as a departure update, I'm will try to be on a plane next Friday, Oct. 25!  There was some confusion with my recruiter about the visa processing time, with her determining I could leave next Weds.  That gave me a heart attack for four hours yesterday, putting me into such a panic that I couldn't accomplish anything save a few polite emails trying to rectify the situation.  I thought I could drive to Atlanta and drop off my paperwork and get my visa issued in one day.  No way, they said, 3 day turn around time minimum.  Somewhat relieved, I Fedex-ed the application overnight, which was only $45 including the return postage.  So I'll receive my visa late next week.

The flight schedule is somewhat peculiar, as I can only fly out on certain days if I want to arrive in Korea during the day.  I certainly do not want to arrive in Busan at 10pm and then figure out how to get to Tongyeong, which is an hour and a half away.  Add to this the fact that the school Director can only come pick me up on a weekend, when she's not in school!  Add to that I'm traveling with two large suitcases, a carry on, and possibly a third suitcase if I want to shell out the extra $200 for the third checked bag.
I'm still trying to sell my motorcycle and furniture, send off a few more storage items to Dad, figure out how to get my Eric Verret collection of art to Korea, deciding if I have all the clothes I need, working a few more days, and then packing.  Oh yeah, and I still have 400 pp of my TEFL Certification to finish before I leave!  aack!

You can see why I am stressed!
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The $$$ comes in and the $$$ flows out...OUCH!

10/9/2013

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Picture
My bank account is bleeding cash.  I have saved $1700 so far for miscellaneous expenditures related to my relocation, including a $1200 plane ticket to Seoul.  I just spent $170 on luggage: one carry on and 2 checked bags.  The limits being 62 linear inches and 50 lbs per bag checked (2 max), and 46 linear inches, 26 lbs for the carry on.  I'll take another checked bag for an additional $200 excess luggage fee. 
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
  • $$$Unknown for Visa, which I will have to drive 3 hours to Atlanta to get the Visa stamped into my passport by the Korean Consulate in Atlanta
  • $176 for luggage
  • $200 or more so far for "professional" attire appropriate for a teacher
...and soon
  • $1200 for airline ticket to Seoul or Busan on Korean Air
  • $200 for additional baggage to third checked bag
  • $$$$unknown to send all my keepsakes and such, 5 boxes or so?, to Dad's Attic in Texas
  • $$$ 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!"


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    iGallivant

    ...some thoughts

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