First 3 Weeks in Seoul

Arrived safe and sound in Seoul. It's great here!
The kids I teach are a handful as well as the cutest ever...
really I enjoy it more and more as days go by.

Real Korean BBQ is yummmm... food is super cheap
except for bread and sweets and COFFEE!!!
But they have instant coffee in one cup servings and it's not bad.
Fruit and produce are killer. So expensive.

Toilets that have a million buttons.
Air conditioning controlled by a remote, no key just a code to enter and a visual tv doorbell. Very advanced!
Mountains everywhere. View from the rool is incredible.

I will post pictures soon. Sorry for the delay. Little time at all!!

I'm sick!

I really hope that good ol' Murph doesn't screw me over for the flight Monday. I wake up this morning with a major headache, throat that feels like it's on fire and congestion. It literally feels like my head is full of snot, my ears are plugged and my eyelids are dragging me down completely. Too graphic? Oh well.

Now, I normally don't mind this (I've gotten a sinus infection before and it's nothing I can't handle) except for the fact that I have a fabulous near seventeen hour flight to tend to in 2 days. My fav South African doctor (the one who always advises me to send his regards to my family) doesn't work on Saturdays. Lucky me, I got to check myself in to a walk-in. My favourite! Note the sarcasm, please.

Thankfully the doctor was kind and prescribed me some meds and some over the counter stuff. Fingers crossed that I will be allowed into and out of the country. I know everyone is so uber paranoia when it comes to viruses. Hopefully this is just a sinus thing or allergies.

Oh a happier note, got together with friends for a wine and cheese Friday. It was so cute and I got some very nice going away gifts. A care package from Trish and Canada Ts from Carla and Natalie, which everyone signed. Tons of Won from Rose - thank you so much! Thanks to you I am now a millionaire haha (sure does beat being sued for a mill) and a beautiful bookmark from Kathy. 3 bottles of champagne and everyone brought cheese, fruit and dessert. Well ladies, and Nick, that's the last of gang photos for a year :(

Today I went to my uncles for a BBQ. It was great to see everyone! Tomorrow I'll be going to my Nonno's for a Father's Day lunch and that is my last day in Toronto.

So weird!

Alright it's late now. Talk soon,


Steph

An E2 visa is nothing special

I have my passport visa in my possession! It ONLY took 2 months and though it is merely a sticker in a little book I was excited to actually be holding it yesterday.
I dread thinking about the multiple entry visa's process. eek! Glad E2 is over and done with.

The interview was so funny. 3 simple questions, an awkward pause and a laugh.

Flight is booked... yes!
Bags are packed? Not a chance.

I leave monday morning with a stop in Vancouver so I'll arrive in Incheon Tuesday afternoon.

This is surreal.

my second home

Consulate again today.

"Come back for your interview Thursday," I overhear the chief visa lady tell Sam. Samantha dares to ask "Can we do it today?" NO. No. That was it... "no"

Hey, you tried! They love seeing us I think... So we will go back Thursday and fingers crossed.

Updates?
Today is my mom's birthday :)
Ohh and I graduated Summa Cum Laude! wo0!!

Steph

All dressed up...

And no place to go? Well, that's what it felt like for a while.

I've been anticipating my convocation for weeks now. Story is, I was on my way to Ottawa... got a call from my friend asking where I was. Apparently I wrote down ceremony #9 but that is only for J/I and I/S... It was actually supposed to be at 2:30 in the afternoon, ceremony #8 for P/J.

Lucky me, still on the road and grad starts in 30 minutes? In a nutshell, I missed my own convocation. Hey, listen... human error, people make mistakes ok? “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.” Thanks Ghandi!

:( I was so sad for so long. Missed out on the excitement, pictures and seeing friends from teacher's college...

Nothing a lobster dinner at Luxe and dessert at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier couldn't fix.
Laugh with me here, people.

Oh ya, tomorrow I might get my visa I assume? I got my issuance number finally! Now it's time to pay fees, get my passport stamped and meet for an interview. Found out that my employer needs a copy of my BEd diploma. Funny, I never actually received it.

I asked them for it and they looked at me and said "you missed it? Ya, it's in the mail. Sorry"

I replied, "no but you don't understand I am leaving the country and I need it i'm going to korea and I need to give it to the director of the school as soon as possible maybe scan it in is there anything you can do there is no way it's already in the mail".

Mhmm... all in one breath.

Later I went to info service at Ottawa U. They gave me some transcripts and a letter that stated I had graduated. At a fee of $40 of course. For 5 enveloped and some paper. Gotta love the institution.

I learned to count to 10 in Korean today. That is it I think.

Until tomorrow,

Steph

A few days pass

Two days ago - Neve, Nick and I (or shall I say Woo and Elcheapo) had a great time spending 2 hours debating on where we would go for dinner. With irreconcilable differences, both friends went head to head discussing their POV for dinner of choice.

After neither won the war we settled for a simple and well known restaurant, doddled for an hour or two and then went back to my place for a movie. Yet the friendly debate did not stop there... discussion arose about oh, the ever so popular 'relationships' theme and on and on we went, bla bla. Morals and beliefs reigned true to some, while others would only laugh at the concept. It was a fun night, anyhow.

Not to worry Nivine, we will go to Woo some other day. Promise! But some really bad news: I accidentally deleted the pics!! argggg. Shame on me.

Yesterday was full of errands, shopping, finalizing etc. for the trip.

Later in the night Carla and I ventured to Brampton to visit Samantha. Met with many interesting stories/people along the way we laughed and moved along, though the choice for places to go in Btown is not very promising.

After I received an invite to go to a bonfire near the lake from two guys at Tim Hortons (washroom stop) we continued on the search for Wendy's for Albie. She wanted a frostie. Sorry, no frostie this time :(

I got my visa issuance number and found out what levels I will be teaching at the school. VERY exciting news! I'm going back to the consulate on Tuesday because Sunday/Monday we're going to Ottawa for commencement. Then, after we meet again on Tuesday they will schedule an interview for us.

Days fly by!

Nat & I went for all you can eat Japanese at this new restaurant that just opened up near us. After shopping we thought "Let's get a boat" and it quickly turned into all you can eat lunch, which then sufficed our appetite for 3 straight days. These were the most delicious pan fried udon noodles i've ever had, thus far, in my entire life. We ordered 3 plates full. omg delish!


At the restaurant I spotted my friend George cooking! Then, I saw him walking downtown. I was tempted to call out his chinese name, which I will not divulge on this blog but did manage to take a 'random pic'. So George, here you go my friend! Two spottings in one week.

Today I met with Samantha. Of course did a ton of shopping - ughh. Wayy too much for my own good. Anyway, finally found some rainboots and picked up the essentials and a new Korean phrase book. Then we went for dinner at an Indian restaurant on Queen. It was amazing!

Finally, we walked to this little waffle place near Eaton Center and then sat and watched the Luminato festival... part of it I guess. We will be going to the finale of the festival on Saturday. There were some amazing art pieces there and of course, people 'dancing in the street'... literally - and no, this is not New York city.

I think that's all I really want to write about for now. Being downtown today made me, as always, remember that I live in a beautiful city where there is such diversity!

Toronto, I will miss you!