Current Events in Korea!!

So this was an eventful week in S. Korea.. 

According to the US Embassy in South Korea (SoKo): 

"On 25 May 2009 North Korea carried out an underground nuclear test and has test-launched a number of short-range missiles. On 27 May it said that it regarded South Korean membership of the US-led Proliferation Security Initiative as an act of aggression and would no longer be bound by the terms of the 1953 Armistice Agreement." (yowza!!)

But: 

"The Embassy has received no information from South Korean officials or any other source indicating that there are health dangers that pose a risk to any areas in South Korea." (whew!! That's a relief!...)

Yet, despite that... 

"As a standing policy, the Embassy urges Americans residing anywhere overseas to always be prepared for the possibility of an emergency." (so... what are they trying to tell me here?! that a missile WILL or will NOT hit S. Korea?!?... egads!) 

Also- the former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun died... He was a member of the 386 Generation (people born in the 60s went to college in the 80s and advocated against authoritarian gov'ts) and he was President from 2003-2008. He supposedly was corrupt though and received $6 million in bribes while in office so he committed suicide!! He left a note and jumped off a 100ft. cliff.

 The note: 

"I have owed to too many people. The amount of burden I have caused to them is too great. I can't begin to fathom the countless agonies down the road. The rest of my life would only be a burden for others. I am unable to do anything because of poor health. I can't read books, nor can I write. Do not be too sad. Isn't life and death all part of nature? Do not be sorry. Do not feel resentment toward anyone. It is fate. Cremate me. And leave only a small tombstone near home. I've thought this for a while."  

Prime example of how power leads to corruptness which in turn leads death... hmm. 

I'm moving to Seoul!!!

Last year I went to China for my AP World Institute and had such an amazing time- I really didn't know what to expect going to Asia.. but I fell in love and wanted more. It's such a different world... but I won't continue on that track- I have the China blog for that. :)

 So..   I learned about international teaching from a few teachers that were at the institute and really wanted to be a part of it.. I've been wanting to move internationally for years and I had tried all avenues I thought possible. This was going to be my last ditch effort. So this school year I focused on getting my international teaching stuff in order. I registered with an international teaching recruiter called Search Associates and honestly thought nothing would come from it. They sent me an invitation to one of their job fairs and once I looked at the amount of money I was going to have to dish out- I almost reconsidered and stayed right where I was.. but- the Lord told me to go ahead, suck it up, pay the dough, and go! So, I went to San Francisco- I had an exhilarating experience but didn't relax the whole time... 6 interviews and 4 interested school directors later- I accepted a job at Seoul Foreign School in Seoul, South Korea!!! It was such a nauseating experience- making such a life-altering decision like "What country should I move to?!" and "What job do I want to be in for the next few years?" After much thought and talking with the Search Associates guys- they said I would be INSANE to reject Shirley (the director) from Seoul Foreign School (SFS) b.c. it was pretty much the best school in all of Korea and one of the top 5 schools in all of Asia!! So- I accepted!! She said "pack your warm clothes and swimsuits!" 

So- I'm getting out of teaching History (for awhile) and into teaching swimming full-time! I never thought I would land a job like that- esp. internationally! yowza. I mean- teaching kids how to swim is how I spent my summers in high school and college and I LOVED it but never thought it even existed as a full-time job!! (Sooo excited :) )

I came home from the fair and woke up every morning reminding myself that I was moving to Korea in just a few months. It never sank in. 

Now that school is almost over- I have 5 days left at Stanton! Egads!- the realization is starting to sink in..sorta. I have my winter clothes in one box to take, I'm starting to sell my belongings, and waiting for my work visa issuance number to come in so I can go to the Korean Embassy to get my work visa. (that's an annoyingly complicated and time- consuming process that I won't even begin to discuss. :) )

I have 2 months left to live in the US and it's weird. 

Maybe I'll realize what's really going on when I'm there?!? Most likely... 

It's just insanely surreal... 

Well- this is my little intro- so just keep checking in for Korea-preparations and updates. I'm looking forward to the experience and sharing it with you! 
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