running erands

so today I went to kinkos and printed off some tax info then faxed it so I can try to get a student loan. Also had doctors apointment today and got 6 months worth of vitamins, meds, aloe vera etc. I also went to 4 different garage sales looking for a suitcase... No luck! I found some pants though!

So I went to borders today and read a short 70 page guidebook while I was there called LIVING IN SOUTH KOREA. I learned a lot about customs and what is expected of foreigners. I also bought a Map which I have been studying and a book called Korean In plain English which acts like a dictionary only it has phrases too. I have been in contact with the agency I am getting the house with and they added $5,ooo to there deposit fee because someone else showed interest but we still got the place in the end! YAY! I have an apointment for a physical exam tomorrow morning and then I will talk to the travel nurse the following week. Next I need shots and to pack/move and I need a visa and to set up a contract as soon as Helena gets back!

a home!!!

So we have tickets to Korea from San Francisco on the 24th, we have a a studio apartment you live in once we get there! It was a $55,000 deposit but its only $220 a month plus $100 on utilities. I also looked into a orphanage I can volunteer at and I have a $40/ hour teaching job that is only a couple hours a week! I am really excited!! I've started packing and I have read half of the Korea guidebook (not as much as I would have liked to have read but I've been busy) and I am still working with my Korean Language CD!!! One month to go! Went to the verizon store to see about a international calling plan looks like I will have to get a phone once I am over there because it will cost me like $1.30 a minute!! Yikes! Also found out that Citi bank is the best bank to have when in Seoul but we dont have a branch in Olympia so I checked out Bank of America but they weren't very helpful and were kind'a rude so I decided I didn't want to open an account with them anyways so I will try to get to a branch of Citi bank somewhere. Also got a call from Danny (the man I will be working for over there) he seems very nice and excited to work with me.

Busy Busy

The past few days I have been extremely busy! I spent time at the bank trying to get a loan for my trip but found out a student loan is the best way to go so thats next on my agenda. I found a possible part time job tutoring a 4th grade girl in Seoul. They offered to pay $40 an hour for 4 hours a week so that could be helpful. I've also been looking on craigslist multiple times a day and e-mailing every job and apartment opportunity that look promising. I have e-mailed a couple different apartment owners back and forth and have a couple that look like possibilities. I have also been in contact with the korean embassy so as to get my visa but I need proof that I am doing school work over there so I have to wait until Helena gets back to apply for my visa. I also bought tickets to Korea last night for $600 one way because I really don't know when I will want/need to come back. I think I got a pretty good deal. I am getting nervous though since all this is really happening. I had some anxiety about the whole thing last night and spent some time talking with my dad about working through changes and how much of a good thing this is. I have a really hard time leaving the state let alone the country so this trip will have its rough patches but I know that this will be a wonderful experience. My dad gave me a book to read while I am over there called The Feel Good Handbook that talks about separation anxiety and abandonment issues so I am optimistic of my future! I got a huge suitcase from a friend of mine that will probably fit most of my stuff and a slightly smaller one from a yard sale a couple days ago for 2 dollars. My savings account has about $4000 in it and I am going to sell my car for $2500 so that will give me something to start with but I want to get a student loan so as to cover all my bases.

Good news!

So we are going to Korea!! We found out this morning that is its a sure thing now! I am really excited and happy to finally know for sure! I also found out that through Group Health I have medical insurance in hospitals in Korea just no doctor visits. So if anything happens I will be going to the ER because that will end up being much cheaper then a doctor apointment. I have made about 4 apointments with doctors to get anything I need to do out of the way. I am getting glasses and all my exams and shots towards the end of this month! I am also still reading my guidebook in small doses. And I am practicing my Korean writing as well.

still waiting

So Yonsei University e-mailed us back about Eddie they need a copy of his passport so I faxed that over so we will be hearing back soon! My mom got herself all set up with a passport now just in case she needs to come over. The person I've been contacting in Korea about a place to stay is going to send me a list of different housing options! I've been checking craigslist as well as the korean times webpage for jobs daily, still with no luck but i am not giving up!