This isn't anything patriotic or something of that sort. It's simply being able to more conveniently go where or when I want to. I finally got my own little ride today!
This has been another overdue one but there has been really no big need before so here it is. I could have bought it some two years ago when I got enough saved but I was able to put that one in some long-term investment instead. And even this one, my totally last-minute-everything-hubs helped me to get this one. I know I'll still have to pay him in a couple of months for the whole thing and it is still under his name for the sake of convenience and saving some more.
We were at the dealership when I wondered aloud and asked him...
"My insurance credit will still be zero since I am piggybacking on you, right? (I won't be able to build my own insurance credit.)" He answers, "will there be a need for that?" (Or something to that effect.) I had to laugh out loud with his answer. Yes, there isn't really a need nor big advantage in getting some W savings now but there's this tiny feeling of being able to do things on my own in the future. Maybe once I've changed my citz, and have enough dough. Haha!
I will get to that point! In a year or two! Small steps even a bit late in my game. For now, I have to worry about saving for the side expenses on this latest big one. I'm pretty sure, the 3.1 + .7 price tag is just the beginning. I have already made the list of other things I need to add on this one: the sticker, number panel, key holder, snow cover, scraper, etc. Not to mention the annual tax that I need to pay and the fuel of course even though a bit minimal since it's a small one. The annual tax should make up for the longer parking time, and tollway discounts and such. We'll see how it goes.
Ah..one more thing. The process at the center was pretty cool. Hubs called in, we drove in, hopped on the target one, drove around and uphill, checked some more how it works, asked questions, went back to the office, did the paperwork including the insurance and paid. Oops! last-minute-hubs didn't bring his OTP card and his online fund transfer hit a snag. I was almost afraid we won't be driving one back home. Good thing, the trust issue here is pretty high. Hubs managed to cover the insurance and part of the unit cost. There is quite a bit remaining amount that he had to wire the payment after we got home. It was pretty cool how they manage to get the quote and sign up for an insurance through an app downloaded on the phone. Boy oh boy..the secretary also asked if we had kakaobank...That's one thing to note in the future. Look into it as it may come handy at times. So that's about it for today. I can now go back to my lesson prep and other job. One task off my list. My ride is ready for next week!
Monday, October 29, 2018
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Pictures, Videos and Storage Problems
Why do we have to keep photographs, videos, and all these things?
The need to document our lives? Totally a new addition to Maslow's hierarchy of needs? Why?
I try to reason with myself. I really don't take a lot of photos like most people nowadays but my storage still gets full ALL THE TIME. Things that I take photos of: sceneries, moments, interesting random things, practical infos, short-term reference photos like when snapping a shot is faster than writing it down. It is just endless especially with digital technology nowadays. I almost want to go back to the pre-photography period when someone has to sketch or write things in order keep this in memory. Just for a second.
The need to document our lives? Totally a new addition to Maslow's hierarchy of needs? Why?
I try to reason with myself. I really don't take a lot of photos like most people nowadays but my storage still gets full ALL THE TIME. Things that I take photos of: sceneries, moments, interesting random things, practical infos, short-term reference photos like when snapping a shot is faster than writing it down. It is just endless especially with digital technology nowadays. I almost want to go back to the pre-photography period when someone has to sketch or write things in order keep this in memory. Just for a second.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Morning Read: Shoemakers Part 2
This is what got me starting writing earlier only to be sidetracked by something else. The last shoemakers in Korea. Where are they? In Seongsudong. Those fancy shoes Korean made shoes in the department stores or specialty brands are most likely made there. A not-so-very expensively made pair but sold in 5 to 6 digits in the window shops. The irony of life.
Morning Read: Shoemakers Part 1
This morning article that I've stumbled into is about shoemaking. I love shoes that I often have to be conscious of how often I buy one. That isn't exactly because I follow any or anything like that but simply because I always like my footwear to be comfortable. There are comfy shoes that I would see and think that it might be comfortable than what I am currently using so I will hunt it down. Then there are also days when I really need this kind of shoes, because of an occasion or weather and I just have to buy something available even if it wasn't really what I was looking for. Those are like sad stories for me. I try to avoid buying stuff that I really don't like. Then there are ones that I buy coz I like only to find out some not so good part after I've used it. Ah! Alas! Buyer's remorse.
Right now, I have a few doubles. No, they are not expensive ones, just regular or cheap actually. I hardly buy expensive ones because I cannot afford it, I find it ridiculously priced when I am not even sure if I will wear it to the soles. Too much risk for the price of a pair.
Let me have some sort of inventory of the ones I currently have.
A pair of hiking sandals that I bought with my first paycheck when I was in my mid-teens. This was pretty expensive at that time. It has been to many places, endured river treks and mountains, beach dates, city walks just to name a few. It has seen it's time. I've felt some discomforts like when my sweaty feet slip off. But I love this dearly. It's still sturdy even if I had to put some rugby in between the soles but the band that holds the feet are still intact. I use it a pair of slippers when I go on trips, either to use outdoors or someplace where it can get wet. It dries pretty well anyway. Because of moving a lot, that is the only one that has stayed with me everywhere I live. Other pairs of sneakers gave out after two or three years on average. And those are not exactly the cheap ones. The cheap ones would only last a few months, lucky if it reaches at least a year.
Since moving back here in Korea, I have already gone through quite a handful of shoes. I have two summer sneakers, one is something that my husband just pushed me to buy just for the sake of using a gift card without him really looking at how comfy it is or what not. I had been thinking of throwing that thing for a while now. I'm just waiting for the tipping point.
The other one is something that I really searched and bought for myself online, much to my husband dismay coz he thinks that I buy shoes too often. Anyway, this one has been the most comfy one that I have so far. Sadly, it's only for the summer. I am still looking for something like this comfy that I can wear for every season.
That brings me to the latest suede pair that I got early this year. Gray and red Reebok classic. Color-wise, and season-wise, it's good. But as I found out, there's something off about it. The shape, the fit, I cannot pinpoint exactly.
Then there's another non-winter shoes that I picked up because it was bottom priced and Vans. Don't get me wrong here, I hardly ever shop for branded ones per se but I this one was really out of curiosity. It's black, also with a bit of red, a bit heavy but actually pretty comfy EXCEPT for the annoying tongue that would always go under EVERY TIME I put it on. There is nothing to hold it up.
Next category, flat moccasin shoes. Why this? It's a slip on, no shoelace, doesn't shout girly, can be work shoes or simply casual. It's pretty flexible. I have decided in my late 20's that this is the kind of shoes that fit my needs and personality. No more loafers for me except for that last buy for a dear cousin's wedding. I have 2 summer ones, and 2 winter ones. Not exactly the best brands but it comes as it goes. The first summer one was bought out of need. I was only wearing sneakers for work until I got this one. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a black 1 cm heel (flat) but can only find blue green 2 cm one which I was willing to pay for. The other one, which is black, was something that really caught my eye and looked like what I had been looking for in terms of color, design and heel height. Sadly, after the impulse buy, the width doesn't seem to fit my wide feet so I just use it when I really need to, not as I planned as using from casual to a bit formal places.
The other winter pairs that I got online, was for a buy one take one. Yeah..I'm that cheap. I got a brown and black pair. Since I realized in my early twenties that I don't like brown, the brown shoes were used more often as casual one from running errands to elevator runs to wear it out. Go figure my logic. I try to save the black one on slightly more different circumstances. Even with that strategy, I already had to fix the black one. Oh well...that was the take 1 free. Nonetheless, I think they will still last for two more winter seasons at least.
For other winter footwear, I got two pairs of boots. One for light winter use and one Sorel for heavy snowy days when I have to clean off the snow from the car. That's about it for the ones I bought. I almost forgot another winter shoes that my dear SIL got for me about two years ago. I might not buy that for myself coz I am not sure if it will be warm enough for me. It's a pair gray padded slip-on shoes. I think it's warm enough on most winter days except on really cold days. I would always dream of wearing the bulky Sorel where my feet are still toasty and warm even in the layers of snow.
To round it off:
summer : 6
winter: 5
year round: 1
Wow. How did I end up with a dozen pairs? Of those 12, only two that I really didn't get for myself. One was a gift, and another one was a summer pair that I bought for my son but he didn't like it. That and many other stuff are reminders that I should make sure that I also like or can also use it for myself whenever I buy stuff for him in case he doesn't like it and I cannot return it anymore. Our size will not be the same for long. His shoes are now as big as his father so not much for me anymore. ^^
Conclusion for this post: I am not going to buy any shoes for the next year or two. My aim is to wear down the stuff that I don't like right now and save for a year-round pair to bring the numbers down to less than ten at least. That is still a long way for a minimalist to keep.
Next possible stop, clothes. Well not everything but generally speaking.
Right now, I have a few doubles. No, they are not expensive ones, just regular or cheap actually. I hardly buy expensive ones because I cannot afford it, I find it ridiculously priced when I am not even sure if I will wear it to the soles. Too much risk for the price of a pair.
Let me have some sort of inventory of the ones I currently have.
A pair of hiking sandals that I bought with my first paycheck when I was in my mid-teens. This was pretty expensive at that time. It has been to many places, endured river treks and mountains, beach dates, city walks just to name a few. It has seen it's time. I've felt some discomforts like when my sweaty feet slip off. But I love this dearly. It's still sturdy even if I had to put some rugby in between the soles but the band that holds the feet are still intact. I use it a pair of slippers when I go on trips, either to use outdoors or someplace where it can get wet. It dries pretty well anyway. Because of moving a lot, that is the only one that has stayed with me everywhere I live. Other pairs of sneakers gave out after two or three years on average. And those are not exactly the cheap ones. The cheap ones would only last a few months, lucky if it reaches at least a year.
Since moving back here in Korea, I have already gone through quite a handful of shoes. I have two summer sneakers, one is something that my husband just pushed me to buy just for the sake of using a gift card without him really looking at how comfy it is or what not. I had been thinking of throwing that thing for a while now. I'm just waiting for the tipping point.
The other one is something that I really searched and bought for myself online, much to my husband dismay coz he thinks that I buy shoes too often. Anyway, this one has been the most comfy one that I have so far. Sadly, it's only for the summer. I am still looking for something like this comfy that I can wear for every season.
That brings me to the latest suede pair that I got early this year. Gray and red Reebok classic. Color-wise, and season-wise, it's good. But as I found out, there's something off about it. The shape, the fit, I cannot pinpoint exactly.
Then there's another non-winter shoes that I picked up because it was bottom priced and Vans. Don't get me wrong here, I hardly ever shop for branded ones per se but I this one was really out of curiosity. It's black, also with a bit of red, a bit heavy but actually pretty comfy EXCEPT for the annoying tongue that would always go under EVERY TIME I put it on. There is nothing to hold it up.
Next category, flat moccasin shoes. Why this? It's a slip on, no shoelace, doesn't shout girly, can be work shoes or simply casual. It's pretty flexible. I have decided in my late 20's that this is the kind of shoes that fit my needs and personality. No more loafers for me except for that last buy for a dear cousin's wedding. I have 2 summer ones, and 2 winter ones. Not exactly the best brands but it comes as it goes. The first summer one was bought out of need. I was only wearing sneakers for work until I got this one. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a black 1 cm heel (flat) but can only find blue green 2 cm one which I was willing to pay for. The other one, which is black, was something that really caught my eye and looked like what I had been looking for in terms of color, design and heel height. Sadly, after the impulse buy, the width doesn't seem to fit my wide feet so I just use it when I really need to, not as I planned as using from casual to a bit formal places.
The other winter pairs that I got online, was for a buy one take one. Yeah..I'm that cheap. I got a brown and black pair. Since I realized in my early twenties that I don't like brown, the brown shoes were used more often as casual one from running errands to elevator runs to wear it out. Go figure my logic. I try to save the black one on slightly more different circumstances. Even with that strategy, I already had to fix the black one. Oh well...that was the take 1 free. Nonetheless, I think they will still last for two more winter seasons at least.
For other winter footwear, I got two pairs of boots. One for light winter use and one Sorel for heavy snowy days when I have to clean off the snow from the car. That's about it for the ones I bought. I almost forgot another winter shoes that my dear SIL got for me about two years ago. I might not buy that for myself coz I am not sure if it will be warm enough for me. It's a pair gray padded slip-on shoes. I think it's warm enough on most winter days except on really cold days. I would always dream of wearing the bulky Sorel where my feet are still toasty and warm even in the layers of snow.
To round it off:
summer : 6
winter: 5
year round: 1
Wow. How did I end up with a dozen pairs? Of those 12, only two that I really didn't get for myself. One was a gift, and another one was a summer pair that I bought for my son but he didn't like it. That and many other stuff are reminders that I should make sure that I also like or can also use it for myself whenever I buy stuff for him in case he doesn't like it and I cannot return it anymore. Our size will not be the same for long. His shoes are now as big as his father so not much for me anymore. ^^
Conclusion for this post: I am not going to buy any shoes for the next year or two. My aim is to wear down the stuff that I don't like right now and save for a year-round pair to bring the numbers down to less than ten at least. That is still a long way for a minimalist to keep.
Next possible stop, clothes. Well not everything but generally speaking.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
The Korean Job Market for Educated Foreign Married Women
So I had been active on the job hunting market since around the end of August this year and was able to find a free training for the month of September. Another Pinay dragged me along for it and I came willingly. It sounds interesting for me as it is for younger ESL learners, with free training, and possible job prospects in two to three months. It also should pay almost the same rate that I usually charge as a freelancer so I went. We both got an offer to start a few classes around after a month but none panned out well. Mine was about an hour drive to get to, twice a week and since I had no car, and it was really far plus the gas fee will not exactly offset the income. My husband refused to lend his car. End of story.
My friend's assignment was also pushed back for reasons I am not really sure. By this time, I had already looked into other things, namely hagwons. My husband had been really pushing me to find a fulltime job. It wasn't easy. I had sent my resumes to a couple of places and called a few as well. I even showed up unannounced in a nearby one to no avail. I was flat out refused. "We are not looking to hire a foreigner." I am a bit inclined to think that what they meant is "not a non-native one." I am almost getting frustrated at this point so I finally asked a Korean friend to call in for me, to get the feel of the place if the owner will be open to hiring a non-native, with no visa problem, additional accommodation, and stuff. I was told to send in a resume, and a call came through for an interview. I could have started this month but it got pushed back to next month because I still had other commitments and my documents were not really ready. I was the job seeker who just showed up without the required apostilled school papers and such. Fast forward to two weeks later, my docs are almost done and I have just to prepare myself and the household duties for me to start the fulltime job. That, on top of the other offers I got around the same time. That should keep me busy now.
Whew! Going back to the title of this entry, I got caught in the "you don't belong here" dilemma. I am an educated foreign woman who can teach ESL but is not exactly an easy hire because of my nationality. There are possible ones in the factory to do a menial job that can offer at least the same rate as an entry-level white-collar or even more due to paid overtime.
Then I get this chance at a hagwon finally that doesn't need me to be able to speak Korean but the catch is my entry-level rate will be the same as any Korean English teacher. Fair enough. I just hope that the kids' parents won't have that prejudice once they see me around. The owner was open-minded enough and wise (he gets a near-native foreign teacher for the price of a Korean one) to take me on. I just have to shine here and charm my way for a salary increase soon, in a few months. This is the first place that asked for more aside from my resume. That's the deal with an academy. They are required to file documents to the education ministry for regulatory purposes so I do understand that. I wonder about the other places I had a few stints though. Most of which are private, some NGO, and one was a semi-government funded place. I had been blessed thus far. I just hit a few rough spots here and there but I knew in my heart that there's a place for me here, somewhere out there, just waiting for me.
I understand that one has to figure out what works and what doesn't. Find out where there's a need and how you can satisfy that need. If there isn't an obvious need, create it. Be the catalyst for such. Make a niche. It's not an easy path. I am still learning how to go about it. I am just thankful that God sends people as instruments to show me the way. I just hope that there is a more regular program for others like me who are stuck in the middle. I know I have what it takes to find that place where I am needed. Now that I had set my mind to get a more regular job, I have to make the best of this. I am excited to get started. I still like trying out new things, thankfully.
My friend's assignment was also pushed back for reasons I am not really sure. By this time, I had already looked into other things, namely hagwons. My husband had been really pushing me to find a fulltime job. It wasn't easy. I had sent my resumes to a couple of places and called a few as well. I even showed up unannounced in a nearby one to no avail. I was flat out refused. "We are not looking to hire a foreigner." I am a bit inclined to think that what they meant is "not a non-native one." I am almost getting frustrated at this point so I finally asked a Korean friend to call in for me, to get the feel of the place if the owner will be open to hiring a non-native, with no visa problem, additional accommodation, and stuff. I was told to send in a resume, and a call came through for an interview. I could have started this month but it got pushed back to next month because I still had other commitments and my documents were not really ready. I was the job seeker who just showed up without the required apostilled school papers and such. Fast forward to two weeks later, my docs are almost done and I have just to prepare myself and the household duties for me to start the fulltime job. That, on top of the other offers I got around the same time. That should keep me busy now.
Whew! Going back to the title of this entry, I got caught in the "you don't belong here" dilemma. I am an educated foreign woman who can teach ESL but is not exactly an easy hire because of my nationality. There are possible ones in the factory to do a menial job that can offer at least the same rate as an entry-level white-collar or even more due to paid overtime.
Then I get this chance at a hagwon finally that doesn't need me to be able to speak Korean but the catch is my entry-level rate will be the same as any Korean English teacher. Fair enough. I just hope that the kids' parents won't have that prejudice once they see me around. The owner was open-minded enough and wise (he gets a near-native foreign teacher for the price of a Korean one) to take me on. I just have to shine here and charm my way for a salary increase soon, in a few months. This is the first place that asked for more aside from my resume. That's the deal with an academy. They are required to file documents to the education ministry for regulatory purposes so I do understand that. I wonder about the other places I had a few stints though. Most of which are private, some NGO, and one was a semi-government funded place. I had been blessed thus far. I just hit a few rough spots here and there but I knew in my heart that there's a place for me here, somewhere out there, just waiting for me.
I understand that one has to figure out what works and what doesn't. Find out where there's a need and how you can satisfy that need. If there isn't an obvious need, create it. Be the catalyst for such. Make a niche. It's not an easy path. I am still learning how to go about it. I am just thankful that God sends people as instruments to show me the way. I just hope that there is a more regular program for others like me who are stuck in the middle. I know I have what it takes to find that place where I am needed. Now that I had set my mind to get a more regular job, I have to make the best of this. I am excited to get started. I still like trying out new things, thankfully.
1.5 Hour Driving Log
For the minimum price of 2500.
This post will cover two important things: driving log and the application for naturalization.
I will divert from my usual chronological recount of events and will do the opposite. The drive back home cost me 2500w for the use of the expressway from Daejeon to our place via Daejeon IC-Cheonan JC. Our navigator always takes us through Cheonan which I am really not that fond of. I would prefer to take the Gongju way if I had done my homework of studying the map in advance and not just rely on our car navigation device. Starting off from our place was fairly easy to deviate from it but coming back is another matter unless we study the route in advance. This time, neither me nor my husband did so we had no choice. He also didn't let me play around with his data phone so back to the car GPS.
This post will cover two important things: driving log and the application for naturalization.
I will divert from my usual chronological recount of events and will do the opposite. The drive back home cost me 2500w for the use of the expressway from Daejeon to our place via Daejeon IC-Cheonan JC. Our navigator always takes us through Cheonan which I am really not that fond of. I would prefer to take the Gongju way if I had done my homework of studying the map in advance and not just rely on our car navigation device. Starting off from our place was fairly easy to deviate from it but coming back is another matter unless we study the route in advance. This time, neither me nor my husband did so we had no choice. He also didn't let me play around with his data phone so back to the car GPS.
I had the chance to drive and I am getting a little familiar with it. The route turned out to be a busy one with big trucks plying the road. It was pretty scary to run along with these big boys on the highway but I am slowly gaining confidence and figuring out how to avoid or go past them. They are pretty heavy so they actually go slower than private cars. I just need to watch out for speeding ones if ever. There wasn't a lot of turns but more on lane changes and gauging speed for the whole time I drove. My arms hurt a bit after the hour drive. My mental map of Cheonan area has been slowly expanding, at least the one on the south part of it. More fuel to burn though.
The other part of our short Daejeon drive was the application. We started off the last documents almost around ten, finished after an hour and was ready to head out around 11:30. We just needed to fill up the tank first. Hubs refueled for 50k which almost half was gone after the day. The whole process of submitting the application will be on another post. This one has been stretched too much already and I am sleepy.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Marriage. Why do you stay?
Some couple stays together because of kids.
Some couple doesn't stay together because of kids
While some couple stays together even if they don't have kids,
Some couple doesn't stay together because they can't have kids.
That's the reality of married life that involves offsprings.
The attraction, emotion and all that has been invested in a relationship
can dry out or even die.
Marriage can even be dissolved now. With or without kids.
Sometimes, it's better to just have kids and not be married.
Or better yet, don't even think about getting married at all.
Live alone. Die alone. Or adopt. Or just adapt to the changing times.
(The above thoughts came about after a chat with other women to Korean men. ^^)
Some couple doesn't stay together because of kids
While some couple stays together even if they don't have kids,
Some couple doesn't stay together because they can't have kids.
That's the reality of married life that involves offsprings.
The attraction, emotion and all that has been invested in a relationship
can dry out or even die.
Marriage can even be dissolved now. With or without kids.
Sometimes, it's better to just have kids and not be married.
Or better yet, don't even think about getting married at all.
Live alone. Die alone. Or adopt. Or just adapt to the changing times.
(The above thoughts came about after a chat with other women to Korean men. ^^)
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Half Documents In
Today is an interesting day even though it started on a chaotic morning. I had the chance to go to Cheonan and also drop off the other documents I needed to submit to my possible new workplace.
Now here is the exciting part for me; I was able to finally find a parking space at the library and had enough time to explore the place. Why is a library always a happy place for me? It's always an exciting feeling whenever I find a new one and it's like a wonderland. I checked out the library near the place from third to first floor and ending up in the English books section.
I was in a good mood as I head back to the car after submitting the documents. I noticed the special plant and I just have to capture the moment. It's the kind of plant that I would see in paintings or some fake-looking flower arrangement. I never realized that it can actually exist in a real setting although one would hardly notice it's beauty.
The weather has been sunny but chilly lately. It's really autumn now.
posted from Bloggeroid
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Pensieve on a Cloudy Day
This week after the Chuseok holiday had been pretty full of positive developments. The stuff that I had submitted before the holidays had yielded some callbacks and plus extra. I will have to brace myself for some needed power by next month.
There is a fulltime job waiting, and a couple of parttime ones. All are opportunities that I wanted to do not just for the money but for the idea itself. The first one is an academy job which is a first time for me so this should be interesting. Well, come to think of it, everything is a first, of sorts. I have finally found an academy who is willing to take me on with a Korean pay scale that is.
I remember I once went to another interview but the owner and I weren't on the same page. He asked for my usual rate even already after the interview while I was pulling out of the parking space. I guess he was a bit shocked when I hesitantly gave the figure. I wasn't really keen on an academy job at that time or any solid job I guess.
Going back to the latest one...I always get sidetracked when writing or doing something. I've called a few ones myself but they all either didn't understand or believe me. Well, there was one that said they already hired one, another one flatly refused me because they were looking for a Korean English teacher, not a foreigner. This one, I asked a Korean friend to call and inquire. I think that made a big difference. She got someone who was willing to call me back to schedule an interview and she speaks almost perfect English. I came to the interview, met her and the non-English speaking but cool-looking owner. They mentioned that they didn't expect a foreigner will pick up their ad. Now, let's see how this one will work out. I know it might be a challenging start but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I also signed up for something that was pretty unusual, a blogger/reporter. I will have the chance to check out something, write about it and get a bit of pocket money or at least cover the gas fee. I only need to write one entry a month, attend a meeting at least once and do the actual trip. From my husband's monetary point of view, it's not really worth it. But if I can be smart about it, I might still get enough.
Then there's another gig..which is a short period but will definitely need a lot of prep work. I do have the freedom to do what I want and monetary-wise is good. This my chance...an almost-there dream gig. I will put my efforts into this and hopefully, it will yield to better prospects in the future.
That is the game plan for this month. Prep for this, prep the food supply (hello Traders), and get healthy. I will need extra powers for the full time hours I will have soon.
"There are times when I feel like giving up
and there's nothing that I can do,
but I know I can get through
because there's Someone looking out for me."
~~~~
Extra. My mom asked me when I plan to go back. She tells me that in order to qualify to a government pension as a government employee, I should be in the workforce as early 40s. Thanks for the reminder, I tell her. But if I acquire a different nationality, I don't think I can get into government employment in my country. Husband says, if I had really wanted that, I could have done that when we lived there. I really don't. He tells me something that I already know. I am a free spirit which may possibly work out for me (or not) in the long run. Nobody knows. I know there will always be something for me to do, which will satisfy me emotionally, spiritually, psychologically and financially. I'll have more than enough and still be able to do things and still be able to extend my time and resources for others. #positive#vibes
There is a fulltime job waiting, and a couple of parttime ones. All are opportunities that I wanted to do not just for the money but for the idea itself. The first one is an academy job which is a first time for me so this should be interesting. Well, come to think of it, everything is a first, of sorts. I have finally found an academy who is willing to take me on with a Korean pay scale that is.
I remember I once went to another interview but the owner and I weren't on the same page. He asked for my usual rate even already after the interview while I was pulling out of the parking space. I guess he was a bit shocked when I hesitantly gave the figure. I wasn't really keen on an academy job at that time or any solid job I guess.
Going back to the latest one...I always get sidetracked when writing or doing something. I've called a few ones myself but they all either didn't understand or believe me. Well, there was one that said they already hired one, another one flatly refused me because they were looking for a Korean English teacher, not a foreigner. This one, I asked a Korean friend to call and inquire. I think that made a big difference. She got someone who was willing to call me back to schedule an interview and she speaks almost perfect English. I came to the interview, met her and the non-English speaking but cool-looking owner. They mentioned that they didn't expect a foreigner will pick up their ad. Now, let's see how this one will work out. I know it might be a challenging start but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I also signed up for something that was pretty unusual, a blogger/reporter. I will have the chance to check out something, write about it and get a bit of pocket money or at least cover the gas fee. I only need to write one entry a month, attend a meeting at least once and do the actual trip. From my husband's monetary point of view, it's not really worth it. But if I can be smart about it, I might still get enough.
Then there's another gig..which is a short period but will definitely need a lot of prep work. I do have the freedom to do what I want and monetary-wise is good. This my chance...an almost-there dream gig. I will put my efforts into this and hopefully, it will yield to better prospects in the future.
That is the game plan for this month. Prep for this, prep the food supply (hello Traders), and get healthy. I will need extra powers for the full time hours I will have soon.
"There are times when I feel like giving up
and there's nothing that I can do,
but I know I can get through
because there's Someone looking out for me."
~~~~
Extra. My mom asked me when I plan to go back. She tells me that in order to qualify to a government pension as a government employee, I should be in the workforce as early 40s. Thanks for the reminder, I tell her. But if I acquire a different nationality, I don't think I can get into government employment in my country. Husband says, if I had really wanted that, I could have done that when we lived there. I really don't. He tells me something that I already know. I am a free spirit which may possibly work out for me (or not) in the long run. Nobody knows. I know there will always be something for me to do, which will satisfy me emotionally, spiritually, psychologically and financially. I'll have more than enough and still be able to do things and still be able to extend my time and resources for others. #positive#vibes
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