Suitcase

Today I pulled out one of my suitcases that I will be taking with me and started collecting things that I will be taking with me (yes it is leopard print!). Also my documents have arrived in Korea and are on their way to immigration to get my Visa :) AND, I finally received the battery for my new camera so I can take pictures. I just took a couple. I added them here to find out how to add photos to a blog post. Pretty simple. Most of what is in there now is just teaching supplies and toiletries. I am sure dreading the clothing part, and shoes...how does a girl decide? Tons of time for that stuff though.

53 Days until my contract starts!

43 Days left of work!

Happy Days!

Documents on their way to KOREA

Today I visited the Korean Consulate in Toronto to get my notarized copies of my degree and Criminal Records Check verified. The Consulate was different than I was expecting and looked really neat. The woman who served me was very nice and I was in and out within 5 minutes. From there, Mom and I went to a print and copy place that was also a FedEx depot just around the corner. This was very convenient and easy to do. I was a little worried since I haven't sent anything via FedEx before, but it was a cinch! Another added bonus was that it was significantly cheaper than I was expecting and only takes 1-3 business days to arrive.

The hard part is now over and I just have to wait until my visa is processed before I can do anything else.

I am starting to get really EXCITED! Now that my documents have sent it feels like it is going to really happen. One of the members of the recruiting agency I have been working with, Aggie, has been so helpful through all this with answering any questions I have promptly and today she sent me a couple emails with great links and attachments to look into while I wait for the visa confirmation.

:)

Farewell Central...(soon)

Yesterday I gave the owner and head cashier each a card stating that I would be officially done at Central as of November 2nd. I mentioned in the cards how grateful I am for the experiences and opportunity I have been given while working there.

Overall they went over well! The head cashier really appreciated it and gave me a hug which was nice. She also told me how much she was going to miss me. Always nice to hear. As for Mike, he said I was breaking his heart haha but he soon realized that we will need to train some people to replace my duties in the office. This made me smile because that was the purpose of my far in advance notification. I know that I shouldn't worry about that kind of thing since I will be gone but I do worry about that stuff because that's just who I am.

It now feels real that I will be leaving Central. It is bittersweet. As much as I am ready to move on and am tired of being a cashier, I have met some really awesome people at the Fresh and maintained some really great friendships that I truly cherish. You know who you are. (I am getting a little emotional).

Central got me through College and University and I have really grown over the last 5 years.

I am so excited to be starting a new exciting chapter in my life, and will take my experiences and memories with me wherever I end up.

Cheers!

Socks

So I am standing at my till at work today just staring off because there were no customers at that moment and what do I lay my eyes on? A table of socks. And then it dawns on me...HOW MANY PAIRS OF SOCKS DO I TAKE WITH ME FOR A YEAR? I have NO idea. Then of course my mind goes through everything else and how many or how much do I need. How often do I go through a stick of deodorant? No idea. How much toothpaste do I use in a year...and so on. I had a mini panic attack at that moment but it soon passed as I calmed myself down and decided, WHO CARES?

I will guestimate what I need and take that and try to keep within my weight limits. If needed Mom and Dad can send me what I need. I feel like this mindset will only last so long and I will become a basket case while actually packing...but let's not think about that right now.

I have no other news to report as of yet, still waiting to get my Criminal Records Check. Then let the notarizing begin!

Followed by a visit to the Korean Consulate...

For those of you reading this who don't actually know me, I am not a crazy person...maybe just a little quirky ;)

It's Official, I am moving to Korea...In 2 Months

Korea, here I come! I have officially accepted the position in Ulsan. It feels weird to type that actually.

Let's backtrack a bit so you can get the full story. I think we left off with me being neurotic and wanting to hear back instantly (haha). I was hoping to hear back Sunday night my time, as it would be Monday morning there but had no such luck. Monday evening I ended up picking up a shift at work until midnight and afterwards checked my email of course with no news. I was okay with this and had thought at that point that maybe the other interview she had went better than mine and I was going to have to continue my search. At around 1:00 AM I received an email stating that the director wants to work with me and a contract was attached. At this point I had to go onto my actual computer because I just didn't believe that it was true. Silly of me to think the email application on my phone would lie to me... Anyways, I read over the contract and was quite pleased with everything and knew (more so) that I really wanted this job and was going to accept. At this point it was now close to 2:00 AM and had no one to tell! It was killing me a little bit. I made sure that I messaged my Momma over Facebook because she would be getting home at 7:00 AM as she works nights and I knew that if she wasn't the first person I told, I would be in trouble! Funny enough, my Dad was one of the last people I told (Sorry Dad!).

As far as I know now, My contract runs from November 12, 2012 to November 11, 2013. November seems far away right now, but I am sure the next ten weeks are going to fly by. There is quite a bit I need to do to prepare and people I want to see before I go! Currently I just have to wait for my Criminal Records Check to come in before I can do anything else to get started on preparing documents to get my E2 Visa. I will be sure to keep everyone updated with this process and anything exciting that happens!

Side note, I treated myself and bought an e-reader which came in the mail today. I LOVE IT. It is going to be great for travelling.

Waiting Game 1 : Emma 0

I usually consider myself a pretty patient person, but waiting to hear back if I got a position in Korea is killing me. I have become a crazy person checking my email constantly to see if I have received any good news. I can't sleep properly at night either because it's day time there and I am always thinking I am going to get an email through the night. This has all been happening even though I know its the weekend, even in Korea. I have been trying to send good energy into getting the second job I interviewed for. Hopefully it works :)

Ulsan?

I had the interview with the director of a school in Ulsan, South Korea tonight. I think it went really well and after talking to her I REALLY hope I get the job! It sounds like it would be great. I know I said to cross your fingers for me earlier, but now cross your toes too! I have good feelings about this!