just a really quick update.
1) I'm alive.
2) I'm in Seoul!
3) It's freaking cold here. its the kind of cold that makes you breathless in a moment and seeps into your bones and settles in there.
4) The other teachers seems nice, and we all have this excitement. and I'm trying hard not to make judgments. This is really hard--I can feel ALL of my anti-social tendencies working against me. However, I've just been won over by all the people putting this orientation together for us. They've been really nice/wonderful.
5) Right now we are doing a 9 day orientation and will be staying at this university + dorms. I realized I've never, ever dormed before. I'm supposed to have a roommate, but they're not here or something. So I basically have the whole room to myself. The room consists of: two twin beds--no sheets, but like covers and stuff, two desks, a table, two chairs, a phone (lol), a closet thing, oh and the best part, HOUSE SLIPPERS haha. I love it already.
6) When we arrived they gave us all like gift bags which included water and some food (custard buns, ftw!! clementines, my go to travel snack! yummmyyy), an EPIK sweatshirt, alarm clock that I can't seem to work, an adapter, a EPIK towel, a map, some guidebooks/workbooks for our seminars.
7) I've heard the internet connections in korea were the fastest in the world...so why is the connection at the dorms so sketch?
8) the 16 hour travel time to get here was BRUTAL. AND I didn't get a window seat or aisle seat in any of my flights. also, why do guys seem to think the armrest is automatically theirs? You already have the armrest...quit elbowing me.
9) no, I have yet to speak a word of korean. I'm super super shy about it (facepalm).
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Stay classy, San Diego
1:34am.
I'm currently drinking tea out of my favorite mug, which I can't bring with me, in my own bed, in the area I grew up in, in the city I call home.
My room looks so clean. But I imagine that its because it's rather empty. I have packed away my life in 2 suitcases and a carry on. For some reason, it took me longer than I anticipated to get everything packed away, considering how much practice I've had over the last few months.
Oh, but how amazing are space bags? honestly, I dont know how I survived without them.
I'll admit this here and now: I am scared shitless.
All in all, I'm trying hard not to freak out. Yesterday was my big "going away" thing which sort of went by in a blur, and sometimes comes back to me in embarrassing facepalm moments. But the thing that I remember the most, when I was with the people who are so dear to me, was: how did I get so lucky? I was humbled and felt undeserving, and yet so so very grateful.
As always, I went to the beach today to say goodbye. I like to go because it gives me a memory--its the way I like to remember san diego. sand, sun, sea. And that feeling you get, when you stand on its shore and come face to face with something to amazingly awesome and mighty. You feel so small, and that can be a comfort in itself. That whatever plagues you, whatever weighs you down and constricts your chest, is not so great a thing when something like an ocean is before you. It's a reminder that nothing is as bad as it seems...and it too will pass.
Plus, the view of the sun setting over the pacific is not one I'll likely see sometime soon.
and being at the beach in the middle of winter, while it looks like this feels so distinctively southern californian/san diegan. especially now that I have to trade this in for snow/cold/9th circle of hell.
I know that all this anxiety I'm feeling is normal and that I just need to GET on the plane already so that it can go away. I hate long, drawn out things...which is exactly that this is. I'd prefer to have everything done in one fell swoop--I rip bandaids off instead of peeling them off. But for now, I have to deal with this sickening feeling in my chest for another few hours until I pass the security gate at the airport.
Until we meet again, stay classy san diego.
I'm currently drinking tea out of my favorite mug, which I can't bring with me, in my own bed, in the area I grew up in, in the city I call home.
My room looks so clean. But I imagine that its because it's rather empty. I have packed away my life in 2 suitcases and a carry on. For some reason, it took me longer than I anticipated to get everything packed away, considering how much practice I've had over the last few months.
Oh, but how amazing are space bags? honestly, I dont know how I survived without them.
I'll admit this here and now: I am scared shitless.
All in all, I'm trying hard not to freak out. Yesterday was my big "going away" thing which sort of went by in a blur, and sometimes comes back to me in embarrassing facepalm moments. But the thing that I remember the most, when I was with the people who are so dear to me, was: how did I get so lucky? I was humbled and felt undeserving, and yet so so very grateful.
As always, I went to the beach today to say goodbye. I like to go because it gives me a memory--its the way I like to remember san diego. sand, sun, sea. And that feeling you get, when you stand on its shore and come face to face with something to amazingly awesome and mighty. You feel so small, and that can be a comfort in itself. That whatever plagues you, whatever weighs you down and constricts your chest, is not so great a thing when something like an ocean is before you. It's a reminder that nothing is as bad as it seems...and it too will pass.
Plus, the view of the sun setting over the pacific is not one I'll likely see sometime soon.
and being at the beach in the middle of winter, while it looks like this feels so distinctively southern californian/san diegan. especially now that I have to trade this in for snow/cold/9th circle of hell.
I know that all this anxiety I'm feeling is normal and that I just need to GET on the plane already so that it can go away. I hate long, drawn out things...which is exactly that this is. I'd prefer to have everything done in one fell swoop--I rip bandaids off instead of peeling them off. But for now, I have to deal with this sickening feeling in my chest for another few hours until I pass the security gate at the airport.
Until we meet again, stay classy san diego.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
a note on language
Isn't it strange how here in america, we expect everyone to speak english. and when americans visit other countries, we continue to force everybody to speak english. I suppose that is the preogative of being a superpower/having english be the new international language of choice (sorry frenchies), but it is rather... gauche (see what I did there? lol).
In the states, people get so butthurt about how things are in english AND spanish, saying that "this is america! you should learn english!" & we expect foreigners to learn the language in order to communicate. we are, consistently, unwelcoming when we stumble across someone who can't communicate with us in the language of our choosing.
and when americans go abroad they still get butthurt when no one can understand them because they can't speak french or spanish or korean or whatever. they continue to force english on everybody, instead of learning the language of the that country.
we continue to be hypocrites.
I know when I go to korea, if I myself am not forcing english on everyone I meet, I'll be ever so grateful to the person or people who are patient with me as I stumble across my language problems. I'll be thankful for the english signs everywhere. I will feel an affinity to those who pity my struggles and speak to me in english.
In the states, people get so butthurt about how things are in english AND spanish, saying that "this is america! you should learn english!" & we expect foreigners to learn the language in order to communicate. we are, consistently, unwelcoming when we stumble across someone who can't communicate with us in the language of our choosing.
and when americans go abroad they still get butthurt when no one can understand them because they can't speak french or spanish or korean or whatever. they continue to force english on everybody, instead of learning the language of the that country.
we continue to be hypocrites.
I know when I go to korea, if I myself am not forcing english on everyone I meet, I'll be ever so grateful to the person or people who are patient with me as I stumble across my language problems. I'll be thankful for the english signs everywhere. I will feel an affinity to those who pity my struggles and speak to me in english.
I have been...
eating as much mexican and filipino food as I can.
driving around playing bad american pop radio
avoiding packing
beginning to understand the value of a kindle. (my poor books)
---
I thought packing was going to go sooo much smoother for me this time around, considering its the 3rd time in 7 months that I've had to fit my whole life into two suitcases. I went by the rule that if I didn't wear it while I was in philadelphia, I wouldn't bring it with me this time around. I was a pretty solid rule, until I realized that I had also bought a bunch of new things to deal with this infamous winter season I keep hearing so much about. Also, I had the luxury of shipping out to myself a box of some of my heavier things, i.e. coats, and well as my numerous things, i.e. shoes, but I don't think I'll do that this time around. This means I'm only taking 5 pairs of shoes. I'm really proud of myself for that.
driving around playing bad american pop radio
avoiding packing
beginning to understand the value of a kindle. (my poor books)
---
I thought packing was going to go sooo much smoother for me this time around, considering its the 3rd time in 7 months that I've had to fit my whole life into two suitcases. I went by the rule that if I didn't wear it while I was in philadelphia, I wouldn't bring it with me this time around. I was a pretty solid rule, until I realized that I had also bought a bunch of new things to deal with this infamous winter season I keep hearing so much about. Also, I had the luxury of shipping out to myself a box of some of my heavier things, i.e. coats, and well as my numerous things, i.e. shoes, but I don't think I'll do that this time around. This means I'm only taking 5 pairs of shoes. I'm really proud of myself for that.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
achey breaky heart
I've been suffering from chest pains recently. they are of two varieties: the first is violent and jolting, but over in a breath of a moment; the second is a bit more subtle, only gradually building up in intensity, but of a longer duration. But both leave me so completely startled and acutely aware of my existence.
And then sheer panic settles into my bones, disturbing my piece of mind and making me wonder just what I'm doing/am I crazy.
I'm not sure if I'll have another time to blog in relative comfort until the big move in, gasp 3 days, I figure I better do this all now.
There are a lot of things I'm afraid of when going to korea. I'm afraid I'll hate it, that it was never what I thought it was...that it couldn't be everything that I imagined. However, I'm afraid I'll absolutely love it. Because if I love it, that means I'll want to stay, and then I'm in a horrible position of being apart from all the people who are most dear to me in the world, doing a job that isn't exactly what I want to do. I don't mind teaching... but teaching english, indefinitely, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don't know what korea, which Seoul I want to meet the most, and which I want to avoid.
Also, I have a glorious set of friends here. I've been very blessed with amazing people that I love and who like me well enough to tolerate my whims and inconsistencies. I hate that I'm choosing to miss out on parts of their lives, because I want to be there too. I don't fear that we'll lose contact, or that we won't be as close...because no matter what, we accept one another wholeheartedly. Its not hard to be friends with them, its not difficult to pick up like no time has passed between us at all.
suddenly, the thing I've been waiting for months for is actually happening...and I feel so unprepared.
And then sheer panic settles into my bones, disturbing my piece of mind and making me wonder just what I'm doing/am I crazy.
I'm not sure if I'll have another time to blog in relative comfort until the big move in, gasp 3 days, I figure I better do this all now.
There are a lot of things I'm afraid of when going to korea. I'm afraid I'll hate it, that it was never what I thought it was...that it couldn't be everything that I imagined. However, I'm afraid I'll absolutely love it. Because if I love it, that means I'll want to stay, and then I'm in a horrible position of being apart from all the people who are most dear to me in the world, doing a job that isn't exactly what I want to do. I don't mind teaching... but teaching english, indefinitely, leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don't know what korea, which Seoul I want to meet the most, and which I want to avoid.
Also, I have a glorious set of friends here. I've been very blessed with amazing people that I love and who like me well enough to tolerate my whims and inconsistencies. I hate that I'm choosing to miss out on parts of their lives, because I want to be there too. I don't fear that we'll lose contact, or that we won't be as close...because no matter what, we accept one another wholeheartedly. Its not hard to be friends with them, its not difficult to pick up like no time has passed between us at all.
suddenly, the thing I've been waiting for months for is actually happening...and I feel so unprepared.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
so a few things
I've decided that from here on out, this blog will be mostly Seoul/Korea/teaching content based. When everything is all said and done, I want this blog to be a testament to my experience of one year in the land of the morning calm.
I made a new tumblr for use as my personal blog. peep it here: follow me!
a friend of mine, Nelly, recently sent me this list of "10 things I need to know to survive at a korean public school." The list basically goes like this (but to fully understand what I'm about to write out, just click the link and read the explanations):
And I wouldn't want to eat my boan in a public place either. That's just weird.
The only things on that list that I think I would have a problem with are nos. 2 & 8. I was really looking forward to cashing in on those sick days to go on vacay--because it's not like I'd actually use those days for being sick, as I am, just that asian, that I wouldn't allow myself to get sick. Also, I value being on time...because not being prompt means that you don't value you the other person/people to care. You are willingly saying that you are more important than they are, and that your time is more significant than theirs...because they have nothing better to do than to wait for you. People constantly late would drive me crazy...because my time is valuable too.
I made a new tumblr for use as my personal blog. peep it here: follow me!
a friend of mine, Nelly, recently sent me this list of "10 things I need to know to survive at a korean public school." The list basically goes like this (but to fully understand what I'm about to write out, just click the link and read the explanations):
- [Korean Co-Teachers] didn't know either
- Sick Days are imaginary
- Co-teachers have 6 jobs
- Korean teachers don't eat their homemade lunches in the cafeteria
- yes, they really did schedule this last minute
- exams trump all else. including your class.
- It's model airplane flying day!
- your co-teacher is always late to class
- "common sense" means something else in korea
- "should" means "have to"
And I wouldn't want to eat my boan in a public place either. That's just weird.
The only things on that list that I think I would have a problem with are nos. 2 & 8. I was really looking forward to cashing in on those sick days to go on vacay--because it's not like I'd actually use those days for being sick, as I am, just that asian, that I wouldn't allow myself to get sick. Also, I value being on time...because not being prompt means that you don't value you the other person/people to care. You are willingly saying that you are more important than they are, and that your time is more significant than theirs...because they have nothing better to do than to wait for you. People constantly late would drive me crazy...because my time is valuable too.
human intelligence, for $1000 please Alex.
As much as I love technology, I am also weary of it. Thus, I am so SO rooting for Ken Jennings this week on Jeopardy as he spars against IBM super computer, Watson, and that other guy, Brad Rutter in a 3 day challenge of human intelligence v. artificial intelligence.
Yesterday was the first day of the challenge, but the contestants only got to play the jeopardy round since the rest of the time was consumed by explaining Watson. At the end of the first round, Ken Jennings is in 3rd place and Watson and the other guy, Brad Rutter, are tied for first.
A note on Rutter. Does anyone else find him extremely less charismatic than Jennings (if that's even possible)? While Jennings is kind of bubbling in a fun, dorky kind of way ( aww.), Rutter is annoyingly pedantic and condescending. As if winning over 3 million dollars in his run on a gameshow based on one's intelligence isn't pedantic enough. I bet you it just KILLS him that he plays second fiddle to Jennings, lol.
So I'm rooting for Jennings, not only because I love an underdog, or that my nerdy heart simply adores him, or because I'm disgusted by Rutter...but also because I want human intelligence to still be able to surpass artificial intelligence. That the future of the world is still a humane one, and that we never lose sight of what makes our lives convenient for the most part, is nothing but a poor substitute for the human experience.
A clip from last night's match and I love the look Jennings shoots Watson at 6:45 when Watson answers incorrectly & Alex Trebek actually rebukes Watson with "No, Ken just said that." (I have a sneak suspicion that Trebek hates Watson and has jumped on the Jennings bandwagon once again):
^That moment alone is why I want Jennings to win.
Yesterday was the first day of the challenge, but the contestants only got to play the jeopardy round since the rest of the time was consumed by explaining Watson. At the end of the first round, Ken Jennings is in 3rd place and Watson and the other guy, Brad Rutter, are tied for first.
A note on Rutter. Does anyone else find him extremely less charismatic than Jennings (if that's even possible)? While Jennings is kind of bubbling in a fun, dorky kind of way ( aww.), Rutter is annoyingly pedantic and condescending. As if winning over 3 million dollars in his run on a gameshow based on one's intelligence isn't pedantic enough. I bet you it just KILLS him that he plays second fiddle to Jennings, lol.
So I'm rooting for Jennings, not only because I love an underdog, or that my nerdy heart simply adores him, or because I'm disgusted by Rutter...but also because I want human intelligence to still be able to surpass artificial intelligence. That the future of the world is still a humane one, and that we never lose sight of what makes our lives convenient for the most part, is nothing but a poor substitute for the human experience.
A clip from last night's match and I love the look Jennings shoots Watson at 6:45 when Watson answers incorrectly & Alex Trebek actually rebukes Watson with "No, Ken just said that." (I have a sneak suspicion that Trebek hates Watson and has jumped on the Jennings bandwagon once again):
^That moment alone is why I want Jennings to win.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
some randomness
1) this saturday is my going away party. it will be my third in 7 months.
2) my skype account: perangtang. get at me :)
3) today I'm getting my taxes done.
4) no, I'm not doing anything remotely romantic for valentines day. and no, I'm not calling it singles awareness day either. and most importantly, I'm not crying my eyes out over a tub of ice cream, lamenting my single-hood. I'm not going out to eat a fancy dinner, but that doesn't make me unhappy either. I'm not rebelling against the idea of valentines day with pro-singles propaganda either, because that's just silly.
I am, however, perfectly content with not having a someone with me on this day... and with the notion that he's out there, somewhere.
2) my skype account: perangtang. get at me :)
3) today I'm getting my taxes done.
4) no, I'm not doing anything remotely romantic for valentines day. and no, I'm not calling it singles awareness day either. and most importantly, I'm not crying my eyes out over a tub of ice cream, lamenting my single-hood. I'm not going out to eat a fancy dinner, but that doesn't make me unhappy either. I'm not rebelling against the idea of valentines day with pro-singles propaganda either, because that's just silly.
I am, however, perfectly content with not having a someone with me on this day... and with the notion that he's out there, somewhere.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Motivation
"To have a second language is to have a second soul"It's been a few years since I've tried to learn a (living) language. Here's to the pursuit of a second seoul.
- Charlemagne.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
It gets old and fast
you wanna know what one of the most frequently asked questions I'm getting these days, after I let people know that I'm moving half way around the world to a country I've never been, which has a language that I've never studied, to do a job that I've never done, and which is completely unrelated to what I've focused roughly 7 years of my higher education upon?
1) how is this going to help you?
oh wait, there's one more, slightly related question that is a close second.
2) what are you going to do when you get back?
I've struggled with these inevitable questions--detailed on Mirth--ever since I dropped out of school, but let's just say that I ended up going to Korea based on a few things: luck, my Peter Pan complex, an obsession, and an extreme reaction against finding myself suddenly and rather violently thrust into this "grown up" world that I had be actively resisting for at least 3 years.
My whole life, I've hated answering to people...or even feeling like I had to answer to them. Besides my parents, my friends, and a few of my teachers, I like to keep a lot of things a secret from the world, which is rather odd, considering how much I do wear my emotions on my sleeve.
So you can imagine how much I loathe telling people who are only marginally attached to me, that I am going to Korea. And I hate telling people who I went to school with. Because I know what they are thinking. They don't understand why I needed to work my ass off in school, get my masters, go to an ivy-league post bacc....all just to teach english in korea.
And if they aren't people I've gone to school with, it's the same thing. They don't understand the benefit of doing something so childish, when what I should be doing is joining the US work force like a good citizen. Why put off my responsibilities just to teach english in korea.
Look. I don't have to explain myself to you. Even if I owed you that, which I don't, I don't have anything to tell you. Nothing to make you feel better about me moving to Korea. I have no words of comfort to reassure you that I have my life all planned out. Nothing to take away your unease about someone doing something so irresponsible. I'm sorry, I just don't.
But don't worry, I won't blame you for my life either, so just relax.
I mean, I'm still in the midst of "pre-korea" as indicated with my post tags, and yet, here you are, asking me about post-korea. While I know that the proper grown up thing to do is to settle down somewhere... and that I ought to be thinking about my future and just what am I going to do with all this education that I've got... but I think we may be overlooking something rather significant here:
In between "pre-korea" and "post-korea" there's just that: Korea.
Let me have this.
Just, let me have this.
And when it's all said and done, I'll answer all the questions you want of me about "post-korea," I promise.
1) how is this going to help you?
oh wait, there's one more, slightly related question that is a close second.
2) what are you going to do when you get back?
I've struggled with these inevitable questions--detailed on Mirth--ever since I dropped out of school, but let's just say that I ended up going to Korea based on a few things: luck, my Peter Pan complex, an obsession, and an extreme reaction against finding myself suddenly and rather violently thrust into this "grown up" world that I had be actively resisting for at least 3 years.
My whole life, I've hated answering to people...or even feeling like I had to answer to them. Besides my parents, my friends, and a few of my teachers, I like to keep a lot of things a secret from the world, which is rather odd, considering how much I do wear my emotions on my sleeve.
So you can imagine how much I loathe telling people who are only marginally attached to me, that I am going to Korea. And I hate telling people who I went to school with. Because I know what they are thinking. They don't understand why I needed to work my ass off in school, get my masters, go to an ivy-league post bacc....all just to teach english in korea.
And if they aren't people I've gone to school with, it's the same thing. They don't understand the benefit of doing something so childish, when what I should be doing is joining the US work force like a good citizen. Why put off my responsibilities just to teach english in korea.
Look. I don't have to explain myself to you. Even if I owed you that, which I don't, I don't have anything to tell you. Nothing to make you feel better about me moving to Korea. I have no words of comfort to reassure you that I have my life all planned out. Nothing to take away your unease about someone doing something so irresponsible. I'm sorry, I just don't.
But don't worry, I won't blame you for my life either, so just relax.
I mean, I'm still in the midst of "pre-korea" as indicated with my post tags, and yet, here you are, asking me about post-korea. While I know that the proper grown up thing to do is to settle down somewhere... and that I ought to be thinking about my future and just what am I going to do with all this education that I've got... but I think we may be overlooking something rather significant here:
In between "pre-korea" and "post-korea" there's just that: Korea.
Let me have this.
Just, let me have this.
And when it's all said and done, I'll answer all the questions you want of me about "post-korea," I promise.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Falling in love, everyday
youtube is wonderful for people like me who 1) don't watch TV, 2) are online a lot, and 3) feel better about watching 10 minute (max) clips rather than 22 mins of a sitcom.
but this post isn't about youtube.
it's about fashion/photography and The Sartorialist.
For many people, The Sartorialist needs no introduction...for the same reason that it's not listed under my "Seoul meets Body" blogroll: because its the effing Sartorialist. duh.
But, in the interest of being thorough, the Sartorialist is the fashion blog of Scott Schuman, started right here on blogger. Schuman takes photographs of people's daily wear that he spies on the streets of wherever he's at, be it New York, Milan, Paris, and the like. And in the world of fashion blogs, which both inform the fashion industry and are informed by it, the Sartorialist is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, kid on the fashion blog block.
The reason why I'm bringing this all up? Because of this:
but this post isn't about youtube.
it's about fashion/photography and The Sartorialist.
For many people, The Sartorialist needs no introduction...for the same reason that it's not listed under my "Seoul meets Body" blogroll: because its the effing Sartorialist. duh.
But, in the interest of being thorough, the Sartorialist is the fashion blog of Scott Schuman, started right here on blogger. Schuman takes photographs of people's daily wear that he spies on the streets of wherever he's at, be it New York, Milan, Paris, and the like. And in the world of fashion blogs, which both inform the fashion industry and are informed by it, the Sartorialist is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, kid on the fashion blog block.
The reason why I'm bringing this all up? Because of this:
Friday, February 11, 2011
the Force is strong in this one
This may or may not come as a shock to you, but I don't watch football...at least, not the American kind anyway. Thus, the superbowl completely came and went without me even batting an eyelash. Many of you will have caught this commercial during the superbowl, but I just discovered it today, and have kind of been playing it nonstop.
It's the VW Passat commercial.
"The funny thing is that the parents think they started the car..." - WIN comment on YT
things I loved:
- Darth's facepalm when his mom slides over his sandwich
- Darth's "no" when he runs outside and his dad tries to hug him (I do this^^)
- Darth's "oh sh*t" face/stumble backwards when the car turns on.
- Darth's theme song playing the whole time.
- Darth Vader.
It's the VW Passat commercial.
"The funny thing is that the parents think they started the car..." - WIN comment on YT
things I loved:
- Darth's facepalm when his mom slides over his sandwich
- Darth's "no" when he runs outside and his dad tries to hug him (I do this^^)
- Darth's "oh sh*t" face/stumble backwards when the car turns on.
- Darth's theme song playing the whole time.
- Darth Vader.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Dress Code/Packing
EPIK just sent me a notice on the dress code for teachers, as well as a sort of list of things I should pack for Korea. I found this to be interesting/hilarious. I've screencapped for convenience:
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Officially Official
well, it's official.
but wait. let's back up some.
this past monday (2 days ago) I FINALLY got my EPIK contract and Notice of Appointment delivered to my very hands. the NOA had a nice shiny gold seal on it, and the contract itself was several pages thick, written in korean with english translations. It was: exciting, surreal, nerve wracking, awesome, scary, and finalized. I read through all the clauses and signed each page. The next thing I had to do was take the contract and NOA to my local consulate (in Los Angeles) to get my E-2 Visa which would not only allow me to stay in Korea for more than 90 days (I get to stay for a whole year!), but also to actually work in Korea as an English teacher.
After all that signing away of my life for the next year had been done, I went about finally booking my flight.
Let me tell you that booking "one-way flights" are painfully more traumatic that round-trip ones. And while that may seem like I'm stating the obvious, but having an intellectual understanding of that concept does not prepare a person for the finality of a one-way flight. I mean, just stop and think about that for a second. You are only going. There is no return flight. There. is. no. return. flight. No backing down, to turning back, no safety net, no coming home, not even the comfort of the idea of home--nothing but you and the raw void that is the unknown, terrifying future. There is no return flight.
Needless to say, I was shaking profusely as I clicked that little blue button that said "confirm," and the second, the second, it was all over and done with, I felt nauseated and burst into tears. Everything, all at once, seem to be crashing down upon me and my shoulders, grown weak in these idle months, were not up to the task of supporting them and me and what I had done.
The next day, I made the two hour drive to Los Angeles to the consulate. It was, however, my mistake to read some accounts of other people's experiences either applying for a visa at the consulate, or accounts of dealing directly with the consul herself, via the dreaded (in my eyes) visa interview. The first, because people had commented on how unfriendly/unhelpful the consulate was (in terms of not being very english-speaking/reading friendly); the second, because I had no idea how I was going to answer the question "why korea/why english in korea?" should I be interviewed by the consul.
I had a whole 2 hours to think about it.
Instead I admired the good weather of Southern California up the 5 freeway with its views of the Pacific, and listened to kpop.
When I arrived at the consulate, I was in near panic. Also, can I just say how much I abhor driving in LA? Freaking left turns, I hate you so much. Anyway, I finally found the little parking lot adjacent to the consulate, which was the only fortunate thing I had picked up online, because it was free parking with validation. I walked into the consulate armed with a slew of papers--you know, just in case--and little else. Immediately when you enter you go through the metal detector things that you go through with airport security and other official-ish buildings, and there was this security guard on duty. After I walked through, I was about to approach what I can only assume was a sort of receptionist desk--there was a lady sitting in an office thing behind a glass wall with one of those little speaking holes in it. The only thing I could see was like, an outline of a lady because there was, oddly, like a screen behind the glass that obstructed the view to the point where it wouldn't surprise me if people never came to that lady. I could, however, see a million signs, posted everywhere, and all in Korean.
JFC, I can distinguish the korean alphabet but that doesn't mean I can read anything.
I was going to make a fool of myself/ask the lady behind the glass and screen for help when the security guard, intercepted my question and helped me find the right window, like the Godsend he was. It was window 2, by the way.
I had read online to expect long lines, but there was like no one in the lobby except for myself. It may have had to do with the fact that the consulate had just reopened, they close for an hour each day between noon and 1pm for lunch. I was still nervous and nervous. I could see the closed off corner of the consulate that had the words "INTERVIEW ROOM," written in english, and like something you'd see out of cartoons, I swear I gulped when I saw it haha. Not to mention the fact that I was all ashamed to have to make the pleasant looking woman behind the glass wall of window 2 speak to me in english.
The woman behind the glass wall of window number 2 (no screen cover) also had one of those speaking hole things in the glass, but that thing was made of such fail. I honestly couldn't hear a word she was saying. The only reason why anything got communicated between us was because I literally threw my application, contract, NOA, and passport at her. And she pointed at a lot of things/nodded at a lot of things for me to do. Sign here, I guess? Attach a picture here, I suppose? Make the check out to the consulate general? okay. Oh, this was the only thing I could decipher from her (who knew my lip reading skills were so polished?): come back tomorrow after 10am. I'd have to wait a day for my visa to be processed. She was helpful and nice enough, and I don't think she judged me (too much) for fumbling through the whole process/not speaking Korean.
The next day, I showed up at 10am, and again there was no one in the lobby, and approached window 2. I didn't even have to say a word, the woman looked up, saw my face, and immediately reached over and slid my passport through the little slot in the glass wall.
And there it was in all its wonderful glory. My VISA stuck in the pages of my rumpled passport. I walked out of the consulate. No interview. No lines. No disagreeable people. It was a wonderfully easy process.
Contract? check.
Visa? check.
Flight? check.
It's official bitches, I'm going to spend the next year of my life in South Korea. Bam.
but wait. let's back up some.
this past monday (2 days ago) I FINALLY got my EPIK contract and Notice of Appointment delivered to my very hands. the NOA had a nice shiny gold seal on it, and the contract itself was several pages thick, written in korean with english translations. It was: exciting, surreal, nerve wracking, awesome, scary, and finalized. I read through all the clauses and signed each page. The next thing I had to do was take the contract and NOA to my local consulate (in Los Angeles) to get my E-2 Visa which would not only allow me to stay in Korea for more than 90 days (I get to stay for a whole year!), but also to actually work in Korea as an English teacher.
After all that signing away of my life for the next year had been done, I went about finally booking my flight.
Let me tell you that booking "one-way flights" are painfully more traumatic that round-trip ones. And while that may seem like I'm stating the obvious, but having an intellectual understanding of that concept does not prepare a person for the finality of a one-way flight. I mean, just stop and think about that for a second. You are only going. There is no return flight. There. is. no. return. flight. No backing down, to turning back, no safety net, no coming home, not even the comfort of the idea of home--nothing but you and the raw void that is the unknown, terrifying future. There is no return flight.
Needless to say, I was shaking profusely as I clicked that little blue button that said "confirm," and the second, the second, it was all over and done with, I felt nauseated and burst into tears. Everything, all at once, seem to be crashing down upon me and my shoulders, grown weak in these idle months, were not up to the task of supporting them and me and what I had done.
The next day, I made the two hour drive to Los Angeles to the consulate. It was, however, my mistake to read some accounts of other people's experiences either applying for a visa at the consulate, or accounts of dealing directly with the consul herself, via the dreaded (in my eyes) visa interview. The first, because people had commented on how unfriendly/unhelpful the consulate was (in terms of not being very english-speaking/reading friendly); the second, because I had no idea how I was going to answer the question "why korea/why english in korea?" should I be interviewed by the consul.
I had a whole 2 hours to think about it.
Instead I admired the good weather of Southern California up the 5 freeway with its views of the Pacific, and listened to kpop.
When I arrived at the consulate, I was in near panic. Also, can I just say how much I abhor driving in LA? Freaking left turns, I hate you so much. Anyway, I finally found the little parking lot adjacent to the consulate, which was the only fortunate thing I had picked up online, because it was free parking with validation. I walked into the consulate armed with a slew of papers--you know, just in case--and little else. Immediately when you enter you go through the metal detector things that you go through with airport security and other official-ish buildings, and there was this security guard on duty. After I walked through, I was about to approach what I can only assume was a sort of receptionist desk--there was a lady sitting in an office thing behind a glass wall with one of those little speaking holes in it. The only thing I could see was like, an outline of a lady because there was, oddly, like a screen behind the glass that obstructed the view to the point where it wouldn't surprise me if people never came to that lady. I could, however, see a million signs, posted everywhere, and all in Korean.
JFC, I can distinguish the korean alphabet but that doesn't mean I can read anything.
I was going to make a fool of myself/ask the lady behind the glass and screen for help when the security guard, intercepted my question and helped me find the right window, like the Godsend he was. It was window 2, by the way.
I had read online to expect long lines, but there was like no one in the lobby except for myself. It may have had to do with the fact that the consulate had just reopened, they close for an hour each day between noon and 1pm for lunch. I was still nervous and nervous. I could see the closed off corner of the consulate that had the words "INTERVIEW ROOM," written in english, and like something you'd see out of cartoons, I swear I gulped when I saw it haha. Not to mention the fact that I was all ashamed to have to make the pleasant looking woman behind the glass wall of window 2 speak to me in english.
The woman behind the glass wall of window number 2 (no screen cover) also had one of those speaking hole things in the glass, but that thing was made of such fail. I honestly couldn't hear a word she was saying. The only reason why anything got communicated between us was because I literally threw my application, contract, NOA, and passport at her. And she pointed at a lot of things/nodded at a lot of things for me to do. Sign here, I guess? Attach a picture here, I suppose? Make the check out to the consulate general? okay. Oh, this was the only thing I could decipher from her (who knew my lip reading skills were so polished?): come back tomorrow after 10am. I'd have to wait a day for my visa to be processed. She was helpful and nice enough, and I don't think she judged me (too much) for fumbling through the whole process/not speaking Korean.
The next day, I showed up at 10am, and again there was no one in the lobby, and approached window 2. I didn't even have to say a word, the woman looked up, saw my face, and immediately reached over and slid my passport through the little slot in the glass wall.
And there it was in all its wonderful glory. My VISA stuck in the pages of my rumpled passport. I walked out of the consulate. No interview. No lines. No disagreeable people. It was a wonderfully easy process.
Contract? check.
Visa? check.
Flight? check.
It's official bitches, I'm going to spend the next year of my life in South Korea. Bam.
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