Headshot

I've spent about a month researching different ESL teacher-placement companies, and the one I decided to go with is ASK Now, which stands for "Access South Korea Now". They're a Canada-based agency, started by three guys who, between them, have 10 years of experience teaching in Korea. If you're thinking about going over to teach, you should check them out.

But. When they say their application will only take "ten minutes" to fill out - DON'T LISTEN. Block out a couple of hours. At least, that's how long it took me. From start to finish, about two hours. But I really wanted to make sure I did it to the best of my ability - I'm serious about this! And I want them to know it.

At this point, I've filled out the pre-application (to get on file) and the actual application (to apply for a job), and have taken a headshot. Yes, a headshot. Schools usually ask for a picture of the applicant, because they won't get to meet them in person until they get off the plane at the other end. Interesting. Here's mine:

What do you think? Would you hire me? :)

Things are about to get interesting

About a year and a half ago, I fell in love with Korea. I had stumbled across the phenomenon known as the 'K-Drama'*. Whilst perusing YouTube videos, I discovered something called Goong. Scenes of royal palaces, crowded streets, and towering mountains. Lovely clothes, intricate hairstyles, and fascinating foods. A handsome prince and a beautiful princess.

I was hooked before I had ever watched the thing.

After some investigative internet research, I had discovered that Goong is an Asian drama, which is less like a TV show and more like a miniseries. Goong spans 24 episodes, each an hour long, and I watched them all (via the magic of Internetland) in less than two weeks.

Long story short, this series is what started my love of Korea. Weird? Maybe. Do I care? Not a mite. I do realize that it probably romanticizes life in Korea quite a bit, but how would I know? I've never been there.**

But here's the thing. I'm planning on going there. To live there. As I write this, I'm currently in the middle of applying to teach for a year at a school in South Korea. I am hopefully going to be over there as of September 30, 2009.

I will be using this blog to document my experiences both prior and during my stay in South Korea, as I go through the application, interview, and visa processes, travelling and actually living in another country. Expect to see rants, ramblings, lists, and many exclaimation points of excitment.

Hold onto your hats, folks - we're off and running!!!

*As opposed to the T-Drama, J-Drama, C-Drama, etc. (Taiwan, Japan, China...)
** Okay, I do know that Korea is not a monarchy, I'm not that ridiculous. But it's just so lovely to think about, isn't it?