Aaaaand they're off!

  Contract is signed, scanned, and emailed. I have about 3 1/2 weeks to get all my stuff sorted, packed, and ready to be stored/given away. Gah, I need 4 more of me to get all this done. Or some serious motivation, whichever is the more likely to happen.

 

Potential Contract

  I just received an email informing me that the school I interviewed with would like me. Of course who wouldn't want me? I know right? :p  Seriously though, I had a couple questions that needed clarification, so when I get the response email I will more than likely be sending off a signed contract.

  And eeeep! Am I seriously doing this? Is little somewhat of a homebody me actually going halfway around the world? I've had to squelch the girlish squeals of giddy-happiness.

  Today I visited my, okay former classroom to add some more notes to a few binders. I know that whoever takes over is still going have their head in a jumble from all that has to be done, but hopefully having my notes, lesson plans, and a copy of my USB will help. While I was there my now former administrator stopped by and asked me to stay, even jokingly offered to pay for an apartment for me. A part of me feels bad, however opportunities like the one I'm about to embark on do not come around all the time.

  So, a bit more waiting and then I'll either be waiting a bit more or finalizing things to head on over. Eeps.

The Interview

  Gah! My stomach was doing flip flops all day. I think I checked my email at least a dozen times every 15-20 minutes for any word of when the school was calling (wed. or thu.). The interview itself lasted about 20 minutes. "Troy" didn't ask too many questions, but the ones asked were pretty pointed; what would I do if a student didn't understand me, what my teaching experience with ESL students was like, etc.

 I found the hardest one to answer was; what could I tell him about me...EEP! I never know how to answer that question, and said as much. So I stumbled my way through that question with all the awkward charm I possess. (lol) Hey, at least I had him laughing...ok chuckling...a couple of times. Let's face it though, I can get almost anyone to laugh at..with...whatever. :D

 What I find interesting/comforting is that the school is basically the same size as the school I've been at the past 6 years. The class sizes will be smaller though, which I mean really...YAY!!! :-p It is located in Seoul (the capital for those that don't know) and seems to be a good one. My plane ticket and accommodations will be taken care of and the salary is essentially what I make right now so that is a plus. There are 10 other foreign teachers there already, since the school is what you would call English immersion. That means they teach class as they would in a typical English speaking school.

 So, we'll see how it goes. Now I get to wait to hear if they want me...I mean really who wouldn't?... 
  

Biting the nails now...

Just sent off an email confirming that I'm available to be interviewed by a potential school. Crossing my fingers that the interview is short, sweet, and to the point. Most important of all...I hope they like me. lol

Now it's just excited knots!

  My meeting went well this morning. I still felt like a bit like I'd kicked a puppy, however the sense of relief has been much more present. The rest of the day was spent chillin' at a friend's place and now I'm about to pack for a quick two day trip to see some friends I haven't seen in a few years. It'll be awesome catching up with them. :)

  Now, if only the paperwork I sent off would arrive back. Getting the documents off was easy, waiting for them to receive the apostille is making me worry my lower lip. I just need to be patient. Things have fallen into place quite well and quickly so all this "in my head" stuff can just shush. Now, the real work begins...

(Listening to "Dog Days are Over" by Florence & The Machine...a bit appropriate I think. lol)

Feeling like a Heel & I was Right!

  Went to the bank this morning with my older bro and wrapped up getting him on my accounts, ya know...should anything untoward happen to little ol' me. Stopped off for a few hours at my soon to be former classroom. Tidied up the filing cabinet and room a bit before dropping by to set up a meeting with my administrator. I feel like such a heel. My older bro claims it's because I'm too nice, to which I reply "Psh!" Granted she is getting a 6 week notice...I shouldn't feel this bad should I? I feel like I'm abandoning the school, we're so small so it's easy to feel like my leaving would "devistate" the place. She'll find a replacement for me that will do a good job I'm sure. Just can't shake the nagging feeling I'm a terrible person for "springing" this on her, which I'm not?

  In other news, I had my eyes checked last week at the ever so "friendly" eyeglass world. Why don't I just go somewhere else? To answer that because 1) I forget how surly they can be since my check-ups are every 2 years and 2) I'd like to think that maybe the next time I'll get a chipper, or at the very least a half-way happy, person. No luck so far, perhaps next time? Anyway...I bought two new pairs of glasses and picked up one pair last saturday. I put them on Sunday and something was just off. Turns out they did exactly what the doctor said NOT to do. They put my contact prescription, which is a quarter difference, into my glasses. So this afternoon I will be picking them up, again...Bascially I was right, I'm not crazy or going blind. Woot!

  It's looking like my kitty, Cordelia aka Cordy aka Orca-kitty aka Fatty McFatkins...you get the point...isn't going to be coming with me. :( Just as she starts to get cuddly and wanting of my attentions. So like a cat! Crossing my fingers my older bro can find a place that suits his needs/wants and will be able to have pets. *adds less than silent prayer to the crossing of fingers*

  Last night I watched a ton of videos on other's experiences in S. Korea. I can live with the apartment size, which would be about the size of my current room give or take a foot or two, and I'm super excited about the food delivery. I mean McDonalds brought to my door? Take my money now!! I did find one couple that were very informative, in their humorous way. Still processing feelings of excitement, dread, overwhelming nervousness, happy-hyper exciement, etc. Just need to give myself time to analyze and process. I know things are going to turn out as they should.

I cannot believe I'm doing this. Wow. LOL

Preparations are at hand!

 Finally! After trying to do this and having it flop then get pushed onto the burner in the WAAAAAY back, all is set in motion for a year in S. Korea. About time don't you think? I'm nervous as all get out about making a major faux pas and insulting someone while I'm over there. Hopefully the people there are as understanding as I have been led to believe.

 I've never really been faithful about consistently writing in a journal, or blog for that matter. However, for the sake of my sanity, as well as family/friends, I will do my very best to put something on here every day. I'm thinking about posting a video once a week. I hope that I can do that on here, if not then I suppose I'll cave into the evil YouTube and post there.

 I supposed I should cover where I'm at in the process of getting over to S.Korea. So far I have a clean background check (once again thank you for helping me with that thing, you know who you are) and notarized copies of my degree off on their way to have the apostille done. 

 What is an apostille (uh-pos-til) you may ask? *ahem* An apostille is "a special sign established in 1961 for certifying foreign documents". Basically it states I have the thumbs up from my governement. Oh, and don't trust the autocorrect spelling...it will make you choose apostle and when you try to use it as a verb and conjugate it you get apostatized. Which makes your brother laugh at you and your mother worry about your sudden renouncing of your faith...just take my word for it.

 So, yeah...documents sent off for that and well, just a few more odds and ends of paperwork and I'm set. Then it's onto the "What do I take?", "What do I pack?", "What to store?", "What to give away?", etc. I think that will be the most daunting of the tasks I have. Besides what to do with my kitty. :( Ah well, it will work out how it should work out.

 For now, not too many posts. Although I suppose I should get into the practice of posting daily...eh we'll see. Oh, and yes I do have Skype and email so feel free to keep sending hello's and such. :)