First of Many Goodbyes

Our good friend Martin was here for part of the weekend after going on a trip to Montreal with my Mom earlier in the week. He just left for the airport to go back to his home in Lexington. I realized it was the first of many goodbyes I will have until I return in a year. It shouldn't be too difficult, I really only see Martin a few times a year anyway, but it was still hard to imagine a whole year will pass til I see him and enjoy his company again.

Martin, me and Mom

Preparations

With the ticket purchased, I'm now trying to schedule and plan my life. The only problem is that Korea, unlike myself, does not like to plan things out. I think I've mentioned this before in my other blogs--no one does planning or rather, does not plan things as far out in advance as I like to or am used to. Which causes me some stress, but I am working on getting used to this.

I don't have exact dates for our EPIK orientation nor do I know the location of the orientation. We won't be receiving our contracts and notifications of appointments until mid-July! I do not know where my apartment is located, the size or the items contained in it (some are fully equipped and furnished--gifts from previous teachers left behind or by some other way). I also do not know where I will be teaching, the size of my school, how many students I will have or how many co-teachers I will have.

I do however know that I have wonderful family-friends picking me up at the airport and letting me stay with them for several nights. I am attending an exciting adoptee conference and playing soccer for the Korea team in the adoptee World Cup at the conference. I also know that I have over 30 friends/contacts all over Korea that I can call for help or to spend time with. I am comforted by the things I know!

Other good news, 5 weeks after mailing in my IRS Residency Certificate (form 8802) I finally received it in the mail!

TICKET PURCHASED!

WHEW! It's a bit nerve wracking to buy a one way ticket to a country 6,500 miles away! Luckily EPIK pays teachers 1.3 million won to cover the cost of your flight. This is more than enough to pay for my one way ticket! The first major step has been made to start my journey teaching, learning and living in my motherland.

Next up--signing up for the IKAA Gathering!

Off to visit my Grandpa for the weekend. I'll have to break the news to him which makes me sad.

Ticket Purchase Pending

Hurray! I talked to my coordinator and I am allowed to arrive early to Korea! I was concerned I would need to wait until the scheduled arrival with all the other applicants. However, after emailing him, I got the okay to come ahead of time. I'm super excited because that means I can attend the IKAA (International Korean Adoptee Associations) Gathering in Seoul! I've heard about "The Gathering" for a few years now and haven't been able to attend. What's even better is that there is a "World Cup" soccer tournament between adoptees of the different countries and I can also participate in this! (I haven't played soccer competitively in a 'real' game in a long time-maybe 4 years?!) When I was in Korea in the fall, my GOA'L (Global Overseas Adoptee's Link) friends asked me if I would be going to IKAA and if so, would I play on their team. I had no idea where my future was taking me, but promised if I was there, I'd play with them.

So, my tentative departure date is July 29th, arriving in Korea on the 30th. I'll have a day to adjust and play soccer on the 1st! Possibly working up the courage to buy the ticket today. We'll see. :)

Placement Announcment

The long awaited announcement of my placement has finally arrived! I have been placed with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education through EPIK, meaning after a long journey of job searching, applications, interviews and paperwork, I will be teaching English somewhere in Seoul come August!

The news brings me 90% excitement and about 10% nerves. Obviously I'm excited to start another new journey and adventure to Korea, but it's also a little bit scary to be leaving everything for a year. Sometimes it feels like it won't be long enough and sometimes I'm worried it will be too long. There are lots of loose ends that also need to be tied up before taking off for such a long time. It will be hard to leave family and friends behind too.

Saw this today, thinking it's a sign from my daddy