Relaxed

The hours passed so quickly today. Could be because I did absolutely nothing. Woke up, watched "The Breakup", learned a little Korean and then watched "Survivor Man". I think it may have been the last episode because he was talking about how once you've finished one adventure it's never the end... it is only the beginning of another adventure. So true. Survivorman films himself in remote areas for 7 days with absolutely nothing. Not only does the series show you how he survives in the outdoor/wilderness but also how he can become both emotionally tangled and alienated from the culture and areas he is in. I guess it can make you both dilusional and exhilirated all at the same time. I am sure long term traveling and backpacking can be that way too.

anyway...

Here is a photo Natalie took for me in Mykonos:

Federico Fellini's film "La Strada" is one of my favs.

"I don't know for what this pebble is useful but it must be useful. For if it's useless everything is useless... so are the stars."

Busy days

The last 48 hrs have been so hectic. Where did I leave off? Ah yes, a visit to the Korean Consulate on Avenue Road. Samantha and I met really early, which disturbed my normal sleeping-in-till-noon nonchalant attitude, downtown. After preparing paper work and documents and reviewing them hmmm let's see... about 30 x we walked in and took a number. No. 2 and No. 3. As I mentioned, it was early. We're kinda keeners, what can I say? Anyway it was so non-exciting whatoever (not that I expected it to be). The most entertaining part of it all was the fees for just about everything!

Ima break it down:
Passport fee $55
Vulnerable Sector Check $35
waiting.... forever for it $insanity
police check notarization $20
diploma notarization and certified copy #30
police check stamped $2.50
diploma stamped $2.50
transcripts $50
4.5 x 5.5 photos $45
boy at blacks photography adding a written note to me stating "your hot have fun in korea!" $hilariousness
Fed Ex Overnight Courier package to Seoul $85
TOTAL $325
grrrr!!! & I am sure there is more to come... but it will all be "priceless" in the end I'm sure.




so after all of this we had a coffee & some lunch on a cute patio and found a small tech place where they sold the international plug adapter. Oh haha yaaa ummm you can add that another $30 to that total -- something we will definitely be needing though.

Later I met up with Nick at, of course, my favourite place Chapters/Starbucks. He was picking up a paper at UofT and dropped by. We decided to go to grab coffee on Queen (patio) where we would eventually discuss the concept of this blog. He bickered about how he thinks this could be a source for me to fuse my vanity and that I am basically an extrovert who longs for views and attention. He is only half right.

Couldn't stay for long so we headed down to the subway. I decided to get some gum from this variety store and as I was paying noticed Korean writing on a box asking for change. When my curiosity gets the best of me and my wonder won't let it out of my head I decide to ask what it says. The lady and I start talking about Korea bla bla bla - I kind of hate this about myself and Nick says I will one day embarass someone but I become so interested I can't help myself. I asked her if i was saying "goodbye - to someone staying" (because there are 2, yes 2, ways to say bye) and then proceeded to bow and leave. She was such a cute lady.

As I leave Nick is dying of laughter and says that I should relax. Why? "You bowed 7 times and look crazy." I must say, this is completely subconscious and totally non-preventative... it's just the way I react. I will definitely take note of my behaviours from now on though. Damn.

Later that night I bought my laptop at Best Buy... first time I've had one since I was younger (the old one was apparently defective and I never ended up getting it fixed, my fault) but when I was in Ottawa I used the desktop comp. Second cup called my name a few hours later. I went with Natalie and we caught up on things. She filled me in on all the events that happened on her cruise in Europe. I can't remember how much caffine I consumed yesterday. I guess my decaf commitment has become null due to my inability to move to something healthier ie. green tea? Ahhh I will be obsessed with tea for the next year I'm sure. I must admit though, I am sort of worried about the price of coffee in Korea. When Kristen went she said she was paying nearly $40 for a small bag of Starbucks. eek!!!

Today my aunt, mom, cousin and I went shopping in Niagara Falls for the day. As a graduation/going away gift my aunt and cousin Tanya got me a really beautiful leather coach bag and change purse that I heart so much! I also got 2 pairs of shoes - as if I need anymore? Yes, yes I did! We went for late lunch at Applebees and then a coffee & dessert at the Keg, which overlooks the Falls - so beautiful!! Also, it was the most amazing sundae ever. Mmmm.


Came home, watched Fun with Dick and Jane on tv, and just lounged around. Till now. And that's about all. And now I'm gonna pass out. Sleep tight.

Until next post,

Steph

Tomorrow's visit to the Korean Consulate

I feel like this Visa process is taking almost as long as forever. Finally received my police check and got it notarized. Brought my diploma back to the frame store so they could take it out of the frame for me. My family framed it and wrote a little message on the back, really nice of them. Anyway, that had to be ripped off (but we did keep the message).


Later I met up with Carla and Nivine and we went for Japanese but, whattdya know, there is Korean food on the menu. Let's do it - Kimchi, bulgogi, lots of sushi, miso soup of course and hmmmm... it's 2 in the afternoon, let's try some Soju. Thinking it would be a shot or something I ordered it. Mhm. No. It's the whole bottle.

Not a bill we are particularly proud of...

but it ended up being really yum.

Well, let's just say it was a fun lunch but the funny part of it all was that our bill came to a ridiculous amount thanks to the 7 dishes and bottle of soju. Nice, Steph. Ahh it was all in good fun and I can take advantage of this time with my amigas before I leave them for a long time :( Sadness overwhelms me my friends. What am I gonna do?

After lunch Neve and I went shopping for some stuff -- you know, not doing any damage at all (just looking?) haha I wish. I need something for grad. Excuses, excuses. Of course I found this fabulous skirt with very pretty red, black and white pattern. Two more tops and another very sweet dress to wear with tights. Cute cute!

For the last hour I've gone over all my documents to make sure everything is perfection. I think I called Samantha 4 times... and she is just as super paranoia as I am so it's all good. We'll meet tomorrow ridiculously early: a stark contrast to my afternoon wake up calls (not my alarm but the sun from outside). Hopefully afterward I'll meet with Nick for Starbucks.

No caffine for me, I'm cutting down... pinkie swear Nico.

Until next post,

Steph

Okay, I gotta try this!

Many of you may know that I am an infamous over-eater ... especially when it comes to really fattening fast food. Yes, I admit it, I've indulged a little too much back in the day. I promise you all that I will eat better when I am in Seoul. However, there is something I really need to try & it's not a for sure that I will limit myself to 1 if it really is Mmmmm Mmmmm good.

I wonder if, after I've consumed this Bulgogi Burger, I'll be saying

"I'm lovin' it"?

In the Beginning

I can't believe it!
Time is really flying and in one month I'll be flying too -- across the world to South Korea! I've designed this blog because no.1 I like ranting and writing, no.2 I think it would be informative to anyone who is interested in teaching overseas and no.3 so my family & friends will know I am a-okay!

So, why teach overseas, you might ask? Why South Korea?
Here is my story: I am a certified Ontario teacher with no job, the economy promises nothing these days. puh! Bittersweet though... while studying to become a teacher I met some people who had already taught abroad. One day two of my friends were talking about how they'd walked the great wall of China... and I thought to myself, "If they can do it, why can't I?" With no commitments whatsoever (no full time job, mortgage to pay or romantic counterpart) I sent in my resume, had a phone interview and there ya go! Easy as easy can be.

After hearing all of the stories and being told "this is something you must do!" I became excited to the point of no return. Even if I did get a job in Toronto I would gladly decline and decide to teach and travel. When else will I be able to do something like this? When I have a family and a house... and I'm chained to everything but adventure? The time is now.

I will be living right in downtown Seoul and working in a private school. I leave Canada June 23rd, go to an orientation and begin teaching July 1st. I will be celebrating Canada Day in Seoul with friends, hopefully drinking and singing the night away. I work 10 min walk from my building. I am so excited that I am experieincing all of this with my friend Samantha, who has already lived in New Zealand for 4 months. I hope we can go and she can show me around!

So many future plans for travel all around East ASIA!!

But before I go

Some things I need to do:
- Receive Vulnerable Sector Police Check
- Visit the Korean Embassy
- Get my E2 Visa
- Send my Info courier overnight post

Some things I need to bring:
- teaching clothes
- rainboots
- lots of deoderant apparently...
- outlet converter
- $ and docs
- electronics
... and so much more, just made a 3 pg list that needs revising.
No idea how all of this stuff will fit in 2 suitcases... ahh!! o_O

Some things I want to try:
- Kimchi !!!
- learn more phrases and words in Korean.
- the transit system in Seoul
- white day / or black day because aparently there is a holiday for people who are single?
- karaoke tehehe

Some places I want to see:
- Seoul tower
- Lotte World
- Jeju island

& travel to:
- Shanghai, China
- Beijing -Great Wall
- Hong Kong - Shopping & Window of the World
- Taiwan
- Osaka, Japan
- Kyoto
- Tokyo - eat fresh sushi from a vending machine
- Singapore - Ride the Singapore Flyer
- Malaysia -Petronas Twin Towers
- Thailand, Vietnam
if there is time and $ left? Australia & NZ

Big plans and not that much time, ahhh I know!
5 yrs ago in film class the movie ChungKingExpress was screened. I fell in love.

"We split up on April Fool's Day. So I decided to let the joke run for a month. Every day I buy a can of pineapple with a sell-by date of May 1. May loves pineapple, and May 1 is my birthday. If May hasn't changed her mind by the time I've bought thirty cans, then our love will also expire... Somehow everything comes with an expiry date... Is there anything in the world which doesn't?..."

This blog will expire July 1, 2010.
Until then, I give you permission to keep spying on me.

Steph