Last minute before moving

It's 10 pm on Friday.

I will move tomorrow around 6pm.

I am a little annoyed that it is so late, but I don't really have much of a choice.

I have all my clothing packed (except the stuff that is still drying from my laundry yesterday).

I have all my bathroom stuff packed.

I packed everything in my bedroom (essentially).

My kitchen, however, is a freaking disaster.

I can't pack up kitchen stuff because I just don't know how. It's totally over my head.

Also, I ran out of boxes (I have one left and all my kitchen stuff left to pack)

But, I am way better off than I was in the last move.

Plus, I got word from the part-time job that she will pay for the visa run IF I get my fbi background check by the first week of September. That gives me one month. LET'S GO FBI!

Please, everyone, fingers crossed please. I really need this job. Like seriously really need it.

Moving and Tears

I move to my new apartment on Saturday, which I'm sure I've mentioned like 600 times.

Tomorrow is my last day to come to Shinheung Girls Middle School. Next week I have an English camp at another nearby middle school.

Today I have to move a bunch of my boxes and stuff from my office.

Yesterday I had my last dinner with two of my co-teachers (the two I am by far the closest to)

We went to the same place where we had our first teacher dinner, mostly just by coincidence.

It was fun and talk-filled, but seriously, it was so so so so sad. Seriously. I cried like a baby. We took some polaroids and ate and chatted, and we all cried. And they gave me this beautiful pair of earrings from J.Estina and I just can't tell you how thankful I am to them.

They have helped me when I didn't know enough Korean, or when I didn't know where to look for something, or when I needed to sneak out early to go to the post office or bank, or when I just wanted help with anything. They have so much stress as homeroom teachers and with paperwork and discipline and extra classes I never could understand how they managed it, but they always did everything they possible could to make my life that much easier.

It's not like I'll never see them again, but I won't see them in the same capacity, and it's just so crazy.

A huge chapter of my life is closing. And a new chapter is opening. It's exciting, but bittersweet.

I'm no longer in the beginning of my Korean life.

Stress in Korea

I'm continuing to have a moderately stressful time here in Korea. I am two days into my final week at my middle school. I am packing things up in boxes and praying I don't forget anything too important here at school.

I officially move on Saturday July 30. No, I have not packed a damn thing in my apartment yet. I haven't really had time to do any packing. I'm hoping to really buckle down on Thursday and Friday.

Today I have to go to the Immigration Office again to attempt to file my visa extension. So far my visa extension experience is as follows:

• Call Immigration Office for information. Get convoluted answers and the response that to get personal information I must visit immigration office in person.
• Go to Incheon Office of Immigration. Deal with an idiot who has no idea what is going on (partly because no one has any idea, including myself, what the rules are)
• Call Immigration Office. Am told I will probably be required to go on a visa run because they cannot process visa applications in advance (one month is too much notice???)
• Call Immigration Office again. Speak to helpful woman who reassures me that I should have no problem extending my visa anytime from now until I leave for America. She reiterates that I will have to return to the Immigration Office after my vacation in America to fill out some additional paperwork. No problem
• 7/21 Call Immigration Office again to confirm required documents and procedure. Am told that I may be able to file my employment transfer form at the same time (if I am lucky).
• 7/22 Go to Seoul Immigration Office with the following items: visa appointment reservation ticket, passport, Alien Registration Card, apostilled and notarized diploma copy, my current school contract, new hagwon contract, hagwon's business and teaching licenses, 30,000 won, and completed immigration forms 34 and 38-3
• Wait until my appointment time. Go to appointment desk. No one is there. Get help from a not very nice looking employee who offers to serve us since there is no one in the appointment booth. My new Korean boss explains why we came and what we are looking to do. Without so much as looking at any documents checking a computer or doing anything, she says I cannot file for my visa extension until within 15 days of my visa expiration. Unfortunately, I will be in New York City, Philadelpha and Florida at that time. My Korean boss explains this, and the women says I must bring in my airplane tickets to show I will be gone and then they will process it early. I have already explained my whole situation on the phone with immigration help a total of five times at this point and there was never, ever an instance in which I was told I needed plane tickets. 
• Return home defeated.
• Discover in my mailbox a letter from immigration. It reads: Your visa will expire soon. If you plan to extend your visa please go to the nearest immigration office and complete the necessary paper work to do so.
• WHAT. THE. FUCK.

So I'm going back this afternoon, with all those documents, my plane tickets, a big innocent help me smile, and I'm going to find the youngest, nicest looking male employee and inquire with him about my appointment and pray that he helps me and lets me apply in advance. Because this is just getting absurd.

After the immigration office I am paying my apartment deposit and buying all the furniture from the current tenant.

At least I have an apartment, right? The only problem is that I am not sure if I'll be legally permitted to live/work here.

lol

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 was great.

I cried approximately 4-5 times (including one moment when I’m pretty sure I was the only one crying, but I was sobbing because this is my entire childhood ending)

Hoon loved it as well.

Actually, Hoon I think liked it better than I did.

Most of it was awesome. Most of it.

Spoilers (but not really as I don’t give anything away, especially if you’ve read the books) below:

Sorry

I feel a little bad because I've let this blog kind of fall by the wayside a little, which is unfortunate. I've been really busy with the other blog and giveaways and stuff (if you are into kpop, check it out here)

Plus tumblr really is a much easier platform, and nicer on the eyes.

Nonetheless I will try to recap the last few weeks, but it's been a haze in a lot of places.

I tested 650+ students for speaking exams. Every student at my school grade 1-3. Grade one had a dialogue which they had to translate to Korean and memorize. The dialogue was pretty simple. But the students had real trouble memorizing it, I noticed. And grade 2/3 received three questions. They had to choose one and prepare a speech answering the one question. This went better than the dialogue, but not that great. Grading was the most difficult thing as I got no guidance regarding the division of grades (I am under the impression that ideal distribution would be like a bell where the largest number of students got a middle score. I was later informed that 20-30% of all students should receive a 10/10. lol My grading scale had to change quick.

Then I had my open class. Open class is a period when your class is open for your principal, other teachers from your school, teachers from other schools (foreign teachers and native teachers), and district supervisors to come in and watch and evaluate your lesson. Then there is a open discussion afterwards. Luckily, I knew most of the people who came in to watch and I got great feedback. Also, my class was PERFECT. So that was a relief because the class I had tends to be crazy talkative.

Now, exams are all finished, and I've got 6 more days of school left (I think it's only five days of classes, if my memory of last year serves me right). Today was my first day telling my students that I won't be around next semester. It was actually really really sad. I had some not very good classes today, and it was still sad. When I have class with my grade ones, and the grade threes (who are the only students I've taught the WHOLE time I've been here) it's gonna be super hard. I didn't cry today, but I almost did.

Well, what's next?

I have been accepted to study Korean at Sogang University (not a big deal, the acceptance, they accept everyone; the big deal is what level I test in to). I will be attending Korean classes Mon-Fri 9a.m. to 1 p.m. no breaks.

To help pay for this little endeavor, I've also secured (well, contract isn't finalized, but I've been offered) a part-time job at a pre-kindergarten hagwon (private after school program). The students are super young, 24 months to 4 years, and really adorable. I've visited the pre-k before and my good friend works there. I've currently been offered a job Tues-Fri 4-6p.m. so 8 hours a week, with a possibility for the addition of Monday and/or Saturday classes (up to about 15 hours/week). I'm really excited about this job and how great the timing works into my schedule (it still leaves evenings free for studying and plenty of time in the afternoon for lunch and class prep/studying.

The problem?

a) Housing: It's really difficult finding housing in Seoul. Especially without a ton of money. You see, monthly rent is often quite cheap (consistently less than 600usd/month, usually close to 450-500usd/month for a furnished studio in the middle of the 5th biggest city in the world is pretty damn cheap). However, Korea has key money, which is basically a gigantic deposit. I'm used to a first and last month's deposit policy. Here, however, it's not uncommon to pay 5-10,000 US Dollars in a deposit (which is returned at the end of the contract assuming no damages are incurred) before the contract starts. This policy stems from the 전세 system, which is this crazy idea to pay an enormous deposit (25,000 usd+) on an apartment and then pay absolutely no rent for the next 12 months and receive your original 25,000usd back upon contract termination. Basically free rent (the landlord profits from the interest earned on that deposit typically). Ten-fifteen years ago, this was almost the only system in place. THese days, they are moving to a 월세 system, or monthly rent system. But, still, the huge deposits are a result of the previous area of monster deposits. Needless to say, I don't have a spare 5-10,000usd hanging around for me to use on a deposit, so I'm super limited. Add my two beautiful kitties to the mix, and it's been tough. Hoon is looking at a place tomorrow, and I'm checking a place out Saturday that hopefully might work.

b) Visa Oh My God. Immigration is the most obnoxious thing ever. You see, I am currently here on a teaching visa, and actually my part-time employer has offered to sponsor my visa (same kind) which is very kind (part-timers often don't get visa sponsorship... without a connection at the place, I'd never have had this kind of support). However, I am going to be in America at the time of my current visa's expiration and Immigration seemed to have no idea how to handle this situation and the prospect of extending my visa, claiming I couldn't file to extend my visa until the very day it is set to expire. They repeatedly said to me, well, just come back on the 25th of August. As if it is feasible for me to change my non-refundable plane ticket and all my plans at the drop of a hat. When I said that wasn't possible, they just sucked air through their teeth and said, well that's a problem. Then they indicated that I would have to go on a visa run. To those of you unfamiliar with this term (almost everyone who isn't currently teaching abroad) a visa run is when you make a trip to a foreign country in order to apply for a new visa (this is if you currently are not on any teaching visa, only like a tourist visa) because you cannot apply in Korea for that visa. Most people go to Osaka for this procedure, and typically your employer will cover it. However, I don't know why I'd have to do a visa run if I am here now ready to submit all the required documentation a month and a half before my current visa expires. They are telling me to just let my visa expire and then travel abroad. When I will be in America, abroad, for three weeks. Right, sure, no problem. WHAT? WHY CAN'T I EXTEND MY VISA BEFORE I LEAVE? That's crazy.

Finally I found someone with a brain who told me that actually all I have to do is go now to immigration once and then again to the same office after I return to mark a change of workplace. Welp, that's simple enough. Why didn't someone tell me in the previous 5 hours I spent trying to figure this situation out???

Now I'm at a cafe, and it's getting late and I should hit the sack.

The reason I can't write at my apartment is because the kitties managed to chew the ethernet cable (the little plastic part at the end). They bent the plastic just enough to make my internet non-usable. So I cancelled my internet and go to a cafe twice/week to get the wifi. The rest of the time I only use my phone or my work computer to access the internet. It's cheaper this way anyhow. I'd probably be going to a cafe this often anyways. and now I don't have to pay the 38,000 won/month that my internet cost.

Thanks for listening to this ramble.

This weekend a follower of my tumblr is coming to town and I'm looking forward to meeting up with her. Also, wish me luck with my doggone housing search!

xoxo
Wally

The Egg & Spoon Race

[Disclaimer]: I love Korean food as much as the next girl. In fact, if I had to choose, I would say about 80% of the time I’d pick Korean food. A lot of people bemoan the lack of choices within Korean food culture. I am of the firm belief that these Korean food naysayers are confusing the commonality of kimchi and rice for a lack of choices. In spite of the inevitable service of kimchi and rice at a restaurant, I can choose among sweet, salty, mild, spicy, meat, vegetarian, soy, soup, steak, bbq, porridge, stir-fry, noodles, cold, hot, warm, and everything in between. There is not shortage of variety in Korean food, just a shortage in a person’s desire or confidence to try that variety.

That being said, there are days when I crave American food that is next to impossible to find. The most common cravings:

• pizza that has neither corn nor sweet potato on it or in it.
• garlic bread that isn’t topped with sugar
• red velvet cupcakes
• chewy cookies
• granola
• quality sandwiches
• burgers that aren’t from McDonalds
• American Breakfast (eggs, bacon, french toast, pancakes, waffles, omelettes, proper juices)

I have found suitable substitutions for many of these things. The problem is they are usually really pricy. A delicious, juicy burger from Smokey Saloon (no fries no drink) can easily run you over 9,000 won. A brick oven pizza for two from someplace other than dominos/pizza hut can cost in the ballpark of 25,000 won. My favorite brunch place to this day is Flying Pan Blue in Itaewon. However, one omelette and coffee will run you nearly 20,000 won. 

The tasty and reasonably priced places usually have nothing at all by way of atmosphere, waits out the door, or horrendous service.

I’d like to share a delicious brunch discovery I made just yesterday near Ewha University Station on line 2: The Egg & Spoon Race.

Inside Egg & Spoon Race

 This tiny outpost of western deliciousness boasts a variety of big three egg omelettes, homefries, a full drink menu (juice, coffees, espresso drinks), belgian waffles, thick sliced bacon, and french toast. They also have a full lunch/dinner menu that looks lovely as well (some people ordered up some pasta while we were eating and it looked great, and they make some of their own salad dressings I believe).

The service was fantastic. The servers speak Korean and English, although Korean is definitely recommended as the menu has little by way of English. Waitresses responded quickly to requests for syrup for my coffee, and a fresh fork and knife when I dropped them clumsily. They also were able to readily answer questions regarding the menu quickly and helpfully (at least in Korean). Everything was prepared fresh. And while the seating was limited and quite cozy, it never felt too noisy or cluttered (maybe everyone was just enjoying their food that much).

I went with my friend Mina (wordsrundry). I ordered the waffle set after asking what the waitress recommended. Mina ordered the Potato Omelette set.

Waffle Set

The waffle set comes with a big Belgian waffle topped with plenty of powdered sugar, scrambled eggs, salad and bacon and sausage. I don’t particularly like sausage, and they were happy to substitute and extra order of bacon for the sausage. The maple syrup was quality. The eggs were fluffy, but I found they needed a bit of salt (Koreans either make things salt-less or super salty… there is not much of a middle ground), but came topped with fresh cracked pepper. The salad was nothing special, mostly iceburg lettuce with sesame dressing (there were 4 dressing to choose from). The bacon was thick and juicy. The waffle was the perfect texture, and the flavor was just right. My iced americano was nice and cold from the moment it arrived at my table and never got watered down.

Potato Omelette Set

The potato omelette, which was recommended on the site that I randomly found out about the restaurant on, is a three egg omelette filled with cheese, tomatoes, and a generous portion of spinach. You have to option of including the potatoes inside the omelette or outside as homefries. Mina ordered them separate, although I probably would have had them inside. The omelette also came with the same average salad. But, who needs a salad when you have all that delicious brunchy goodness? Mina reported that the omelette was delicious and she was happy that they didn’t skimp on the spinach. She also seemed to like the orange juice, but I didn’t taste it.

Our drinks: Iced American (L) Orange Juice (R)

I would definitely recommend this to anyone living in Seoul or anyone visiting who has a craving for real breakfast (a hard to find treat here).

Each of our meals were about the same (the waffle and oj were more expensive than omelette and americano, respectively). Waffle set and Americano came out to 14,500 won, about 13.50 usd and the omelette and oj were 14,000 won. Without the drinks, the prices were right around 10-11,000 won, or under 10usd.

I was stuffed for about 6 hours after eating.

Directions:

Line 2 to Ehwa University Station (이화대역)

Go out Exit 3 and head straight. At the second street turn right.

It’ll be on your right side, Spoon Race will be written in big letters.

It is small (maybe can seat 15 people MAX) so it’s easy to miss.

There are lots of other amazing looking coffee shops and restaurants in this area, so if you can’t find it, try any number of the other places in the area!

If you go, lemme know what you think!