Wow! It hasn't even been a month and I'm back on! Talk about awesomeness. Here is my new update, and I think I might try to set up how I do blog posts differently, just because posting one blog post with 5 points of interest is what makes me wait so long to do blog posts. I mean, I have to have something happen in order to update it. But, for this blog post, let's just continue the format.
My Job. Now going on 4 months(okay, so 3 1/2), and I it's still going amazing. Like I said before, I got my raise, which is awesome, although I still seem to find myself with no money. But that's also due to other things, such as rent for two apartments, my old college debt, and my trip back home. I am feeling really comfortable with my job, and I feel that I could definitely do this for the next 3 or 4 years of my life. How I will feel once school starts up, though, is another story. So, this may change.
My Apartment. Still living in the apartment I moved into from my last post. I've definitely gotten used to it, but it isn't as home-y as I want it. I'd still like to get some shelves and a desk, because it does get a little over-cluttered. It's not a mess, but I do find that if something isn't put back right away, it can find it's way to the floor and just stay there for a day or two. Or twelve. But my roommates are still there. They are amazing and wonderful, and kind of keep up on housework. I don't usually spend a whole lat of waking hours there, so I don't really cook or dirty up the common rooms(living and kitchen), but I do try to help out every now and again, especially if things start to look halfway bad. Right now, I probably spend about eight or nine hours sleeping, which I am blaming on being switched back and forth to nights, so hopefully soon I'll be able to get it down to six or seven hours a day.
My Education. I HAVE IT ALL PAID OFF. I paid the rest of my old debt off about 5 days ago, and instantly registered for my classes. Luckily, all of the classes I chose were still open, which was my biggest concern. I have to wait until August 1st to order my books through my school and with my financial aid, but I think I'm going to go the Amazon route for most of my books. With my 5 courses, one has a book that isn't on Amazon, two currently have no book listed(at least right now), and one I can rent from Amazon, and the last I can purchase on Amazon. I know one of my books also has a study guide that goes with it, so I think I'm going to look for study guides, or other resources, to complement each of my books. Either way, I am so very excited. I have to wait one more month and 5 days before term starts, but I just can't wait.
My Korean. Still is simmering on the back burner, but I hope to bring it up to a boil soon. I have also been looking around at different resources to teach English in Korea, and I found CIEE, which is a $2,000 program, but that includes TEFL certification, workshops, some sort of insurance thing, and whatever else. It seems a bit steep, but it's definitely a possibility, but they work with EPIK, which I could just apply for EPIK without CIEE. E(nglish)P(rogram)I(n)K(orea) is for anyone with a Bachelor's degree. You either have to major in English, Teaching, or if neither of those, you can get your TEFL certification, or you could even go through the TaLK Program. T(each)a(nd)L(earn)(in)K(orea) is for anyone with an Associate's degree, or anyone who has completed two years of a Bachelor's degree. I think my next blog post will be dedicated to my thoughts on how I should do these programs.
My Home. I did go back home at the beginning of July, and it was amazing! I got to see my family, my best friend, some really good friends, my coworkers, and my customers. It felt really good to be back in my hometown, but so very stressful trying to fit everything in. I actually had to cancel a few of my plans, but new plans came up, so it wasn't too bad. I spent the 4th of July with my family at my sister's new house she just bought. We grilled out and shot of fireworks. Of course we did have sparklers and smoke bombs, and those worms! Or are they snakes? Either way. It was a very fun night. My next time going back will actually be the same day that my school term starts, August 24th. So, only a month out.
That's it for now. It might be a couple of days before I post another blog post(the one about my thoughts on those teaching programs), but I'm taking a day off tomorrow to go to a friend's family get-together and won't have time or access.
Until then, guys!
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
Getting On and Off Track
Wow! It's been almost 2 months since I was last on, and almost 3 months since I left home. I think I'm just going to follow the same kind of format I did on my last post, at least until I decide otherwise. Which is a very high possibility. Here goes:
1. 3 months at the job now. I got a 5,000$ raise. Yes. That's annually :P It equates to about an extra 100$ on each paycheck after taxes. I keep getting switched from days to nights, but that's because stuff is going on, and hopefully soon I will just be kept on nights.
2. I am no longer living in that small town. I am actually living in the city. It's nice living in the city, you know, being near restaurants, movie theaters, and Wal-Mart. I do miss living in a small town, though. Even though the house was shared, it was still a house. With a backyard. That I could have had a garden and a clothesline. Our new apartment, on the other hand, has none of those things. It does, however, have a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and a balcony. And my room, shared with my best friend, has a closet with a bathroom attached. So I mean, there's definite pros and cons with each, and I am definitely happy with the dishwasher!
3. I have about a third of my college fees paid off, and I will be paying some more off in the next couple of days. My hopes are to have the rest paid off with my 2nd check in July, which shouldn't be a problem. Currently, planning my courses for fall is proving more difficult than anticipated. Since none of my courses have prerequisites, I can take any course at any time, with the exception that some courses can only be taken in the spring, and some only in the fall. So, my entire Associate's Degree course line up has been drafted; revisions and decisions are all that are left to do. The entire process just makes me quite giddy to go back to school, even if it's just online.
4. Studying Korean has been accidentally pushed to a back burner since right now work and school require more attention at this current moment in time. It's not completely forgotten about, though. I still receive 'Word/Sentence of the Day' and what not, and I do study every now and again. I actually just found this one resource that seems like a lot of fun to try! I'll probably be posting it somewhere, I don't know if I am going to make a page, or just do posts. Either way, this resource will be linked to from my blog somewhere!
5. It's been over a month since I've been home, and I only have to wait about 3 or 4 more days to go back! I'm so excited! I get to see my family and friends, and I even get to work at my job I had there, so I get to see my coworkers and my customers! Since I'm no longer living there, I have to get my apartment cleaned up and ready to be officially moved out. That might take a couple trips home, though, especially since I have to fit work and socializing and cleaning into basically 6 days.
I think that's everything. If it's not, you might have to wait 3 months before I post again :P Just kidding, of course! I want to post more often, therefore I will try to post more often, even if it's just an update or a resource I want to save.
Until then.
1. 3 months at the job now. I got a 5,000$ raise. Yes. That's annually :P It equates to about an extra 100$ on each paycheck after taxes. I keep getting switched from days to nights, but that's because stuff is going on, and hopefully soon I will just be kept on nights.
2. I am no longer living in that small town. I am actually living in the city. It's nice living in the city, you know, being near restaurants, movie theaters, and Wal-Mart. I do miss living in a small town, though. Even though the house was shared, it was still a house. With a backyard. That I could have had a garden and a clothesline. Our new apartment, on the other hand, has none of those things. It does, however, have a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and a balcony. And my room, shared with my best friend, has a closet with a bathroom attached. So I mean, there's definite pros and cons with each, and I am definitely happy with the dishwasher!
3. I have about a third of my college fees paid off, and I will be paying some more off in the next couple of days. My hopes are to have the rest paid off with my 2nd check in July, which shouldn't be a problem. Currently, planning my courses for fall is proving more difficult than anticipated. Since none of my courses have prerequisites, I can take any course at any time, with the exception that some courses can only be taken in the spring, and some only in the fall. So, my entire Associate's Degree course line up has been drafted; revisions and decisions are all that are left to do. The entire process just makes me quite giddy to go back to school, even if it's just online.
4. Studying Korean has been accidentally pushed to a back burner since right now work and school require more attention at this current moment in time. It's not completely forgotten about, though. I still receive 'Word/Sentence of the Day' and what not, and I do study every now and again. I actually just found this one resource that seems like a lot of fun to try! I'll probably be posting it somewhere, I don't know if I am going to make a page, or just do posts. Either way, this resource will be linked to from my blog somewhere!
5. It's been over a month since I've been home, and I only have to wait about 3 or 4 more days to go back! I'm so excited! I get to see my family and friends, and I even get to work at my job I had there, so I get to see my coworkers and my customers! Since I'm no longer living there, I have to get my apartment cleaned up and ready to be officially moved out. That might take a couple trips home, though, especially since I have to fit work and socializing and cleaning into basically 6 days.
I think that's everything. If it's not, you might have to wait 3 months before I post again :P Just kidding, of course! I want to post more often, therefore I will try to post more often, even if it's just an update or a resource I want to save.
Until then.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Settling In
It's been about a month since I have posted anything, so let me give you an update.
1. I got the position! I started on April 7th, so it's almost been a month! The job is alright. I'm used to working in the food industry, so it's taken a little adjusting for me to realize that a customer isn't going to bring their food back because it was made wrong. The job isn't exactly what I thought it was going to be, but that's not a bad thing.
2. I am living in a small town and I drive 20 minutes to work everyday. On top of that, there's a little more driving once I am actually at work to get to the different sites. Coming from one side of the state where it's flat with plains, it's so beautiful out here. There are so many hills and outside of the city there are so many types of wild life you can see. The colors from the sunset and the sunrise seem completely different from each other , and completely different from back home. The birds are so playful around here, they'll fly so close to you. It's unbelievable, at least from my perspective.
3. I registered for college! YAY! I have to pay some old fees before I can actually attend, but that will get payed over the summer! I will be working on my Associates degree for Business, and it will be done online. Upon receiving my Associates, I will transfer to get my Bachelors degree. Then after my Bachelors degree, I will be taking the TEFL for teaching English in Korea.
4. Learning Korean is at a some-what of a stand still. I review and learn words everyday, but not nearly as many words as I used to. Once I get into the swing of things more, I will definitely be upping my Korean game!
5. I miss all of my family and friends soo much, not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of someone. I can't wait until I go back to visit, especially this first week off. The house where I'm living is full of men. It's me, one of my best friends, and then three other guys. There's another guy, too, but he's barely there. It's a little off-putting to go from somewhere that I had other feminine interaction to just straight up men. BUT, I am doing my best to make sure my hair and skin don't get adjusted to the work that I am doing and the water here.
Well, that's all for now, I shall update later!
잘 가!
1. I got the position! I started on April 7th, so it's almost been a month! The job is alright. I'm used to working in the food industry, so it's taken a little adjusting for me to realize that a customer isn't going to bring their food back because it was made wrong. The job isn't exactly what I thought it was going to be, but that's not a bad thing.
2. I am living in a small town and I drive 20 minutes to work everyday. On top of that, there's a little more driving once I am actually at work to get to the different sites. Coming from one side of the state where it's flat with plains, it's so beautiful out here. There are so many hills and outside of the city there are so many types of wild life you can see. The colors from the sunset and the sunrise seem completely different from each other , and completely different from back home. The birds are so playful around here, they'll fly so close to you. It's unbelievable, at least from my perspective.
3. I registered for college! YAY! I have to pay some old fees before I can actually attend, but that will get payed over the summer! I will be working on my Associates degree for Business, and it will be done online. Upon receiving my Associates, I will transfer to get my Bachelors degree. Then after my Bachelors degree, I will be taking the TEFL for teaching English in Korea.
4. Learning Korean is at a some-what of a stand still. I review and learn words everyday, but not nearly as many words as I used to. Once I get into the swing of things more, I will definitely be upping my Korean game!
5. I miss all of my family and friends soo much, not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of someone. I can't wait until I go back to visit, especially this first week off. The house where I'm living is full of men. It's me, one of my best friends, and then three other guys. There's another guy, too, but he's barely there. It's a little off-putting to go from somewhere that I had other feminine interaction to just straight up men. BUT, I am doing my best to make sure my hair and skin don't get adjusted to the work that I am doing and the water here.
Well, that's all for now, I shall update later!
잘 가!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Life Changes can be Hard
Even before they happen. My interview isn't until Monday, but today was the "last" day of working my current job. The job I am applying to, if I get it, will have me work for three weeks straight, but then I get one week off. If I receive the position, then I will travel to my hometown and visit with friends and family, but also work two or three days at my job, since I didn't put in my two weeks.
But still, I'm going to miss working with my coworkers and seeing all of my customers. I'm just glad me and a friend are going on a mini vacation before I find anything out.
Leaving work was a little hard, knowing that I'm not going to see them every day like normal. Before work today, I gave one of my precious kitties away to a good home, since I won't be able to take them with me. It was really sad, especially when I came home tonight to only one cat. Soon, she too will be gone, and no one will greet me when I get home.
And I've said good bye to some of my friends, and it's been an emotional rollercoaster for me. I'm going to full on miss them. Like, cry myself to sleep every night for the next month.
But, I guess I do have the one week a month to visit with everyone, but it's still hard knowing I can't just pick up the phone and see if anyone wants to do anything.
Yesterday I wasn't so bad, but tonight I am basically a wreck, or a hot mess, maybe.
I haven't even started packing, not that I need to pack everything right now, obviously, since I don't know if I have the job yet. But I still need to do laundry, anyway.
Well, I'm going to go mope around, maybe watch a sad movie, and hopefully get a little organized for the coming week.
안녕. (bye)
But still, I'm going to miss working with my coworkers and seeing all of my customers. I'm just glad me and a friend are going on a mini vacation before I find anything out.
Leaving work was a little hard, knowing that I'm not going to see them every day like normal. Before work today, I gave one of my precious kitties away to a good home, since I won't be able to take them with me. It was really sad, especially when I came home tonight to only one cat. Soon, she too will be gone, and no one will greet me when I get home.
And I've said good bye to some of my friends, and it's been an emotional rollercoaster for me. I'm going to full on miss them. Like, cry myself to sleep every night for the next month.
But, I guess I do have the one week a month to visit with everyone, but it's still hard knowing I can't just pick up the phone and see if anyone wants to do anything.
Yesterday I wasn't so bad, but tonight I am basically a wreck, or a hot mess, maybe.
I haven't even started packing, not that I need to pack everything right now, obviously, since I don't know if I have the job yet. But I still need to do laundry, anyway.
Well, I'm going to go mope around, maybe watch a sad movie, and hopefully get a little organized for the coming week.
안녕. (bye)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Why hasn't my Blog Name been taken?
I mean, I googled 'Set My Seoul On Fire", tried adding blogger to it, and I didn't come up with anything. Well, besides a lot of news articles about actual fires burning parts of Seoul. I mean, why hasn't this pun been claimed? Or maybe it has, and I'm totally ripping that person, or persons, off?
My goal for 'Set My Seoul on Fire", which, pointing this out right now, the 'on' in the title will -always- be lowercase, is to record my journey that will one day bring me to South Korea.
I started learning Korean about two years ago, but the only thing I have mastered is reading Korean, and asking people if "they want to die". I want to bring this up to at least conversational level before ever stepping foot on Korean soil. I started learning how to cook Korean food, and I even made my own batch of Kimchi! I absolutely adore Korean culture, and I would love to experience it first hand.
One way to bring my dream of living in Korea to reality is to teach English in Korea. I've always loved teaching and working with kids, so this is two-fold. Actually, teaching in Korea is probably more like 37-fold, because of all the greatness about it, including: free housing, cheap food, amazing culture, amazing photographic opportunities, and much, much more!
I've recently landed this job interview where I can make a good amount of money. My interview is in a week from today, but, my optimism has basically taken full control and I am sincerely hoping I land this job. I will be able to pay of old debt, pay off student loans, make trips back to my hometown to visit all of my friends and family, and still save at least $1,000 a month. All while going to school, online of course.
Right now, I'm anxious and nervous about this job opportunity, mainly because the majority of my life has been spent in my hometown, and it'll be so strange knowing if I want to visit my mother, I have to plan at least two weeks ahead, instead of just calling her and having her come pick me up; On the other hand, this job opens up all of my goals and dreams in life.
I think this is enough babbling for one post. The next week is going to be very fast-paced and emotional for me, so I look forward to capturing it with this blog, and all the weeks before me.
잘 가. (Bye.)
My goal for 'Set My Seoul on Fire", which, pointing this out right now, the 'on' in the title will -always- be lowercase, is to record my journey that will one day bring me to South Korea.
I started learning Korean about two years ago, but the only thing I have mastered is reading Korean, and asking people if "they want to die". I want to bring this up to at least conversational level before ever stepping foot on Korean soil. I started learning how to cook Korean food, and I even made my own batch of Kimchi! I absolutely adore Korean culture, and I would love to experience it first hand.
One way to bring my dream of living in Korea to reality is to teach English in Korea. I've always loved teaching and working with kids, so this is two-fold. Actually, teaching in Korea is probably more like 37-fold, because of all the greatness about it, including: free housing, cheap food, amazing culture, amazing photographic opportunities, and much, much more!
I've recently landed this job interview where I can make a good amount of money. My interview is in a week from today, but, my optimism has basically taken full control and I am sincerely hoping I land this job. I will be able to pay of old debt, pay off student loans, make trips back to my hometown to visit all of my friends and family, and still save at least $1,000 a month. All while going to school, online of course.
Right now, I'm anxious and nervous about this job opportunity, mainly because the majority of my life has been spent in my hometown, and it'll be so strange knowing if I want to visit my mother, I have to plan at least two weeks ahead, instead of just calling her and having her come pick me up; On the other hand, this job opens up all of my goals and dreams in life.
I think this is enough babbling for one post. The next week is going to be very fast-paced and emotional for me, so I look forward to capturing it with this blog, and all the weeks before me.
잘 가. (Bye.)
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