In the last year I have changed jobs, changed cities, went to Thailand, Malaysia, the USA, Mexico, got a new boyfriend, married him, and now I'm moving to Washington DC. I should write more.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Time to move
My apartment building is called the 'Andong University Guesthouse'. The address on half my bills says that, the other half of my bills are addressed to 위국인교수아파트, waygookin gyosu aparteu, which literally translates to foreign professors apartment building. Much to the amusement of my friends when I give them directions.
There's a plaque in front of the building that declares the building was established in 2001. For quite awhile I wondered about Korean construction, until I was informed by a Korean teacher at ANU that 2001 was when ANU bought the building- not when it was built. Maintenance is touch and go, a lick and a promise, I learned early on to pick my battles. I've lived in 3 apartments in this building, in my current apartment I've had a broken toilet (fixed it myself- just the tank chain and stopper), broken toilet seat (hope the next tenant likes Hello Kitty), broken stove fan (still broken), and a leaky sink (still leaking- I'm going to leave the 'sink' towels). I've done my duty and informed the administration. Twice. But haven't really pushed it 'cause it's not that big of a deal.
When I lived on the ground floor I had to leave the heat on for the entire months of January and February, even when I was travelling, in order to prevent frozen pipes. My bill was 350,000w in January of 2011- it's usually about 80,000w. My current apt is on the second floor, my heat bill usually runs about 60-80,000w, but my water pipes froze on Friday. Luckily- I was here so I blasted the heat, plugged in the other, electric, extremely expensive, tiny boiler and kept the patio doors open to thaw out the pipes. It worked. Luckily. Though my bill is going to be insane.
The drain pipes are frozen in my neighbors apt, pipes are burst in an upstairs apt, and today half of the drain pipes in the hallways have broken. There is water and ice everywhere! It's kind of exciting. Like a slip n slide outside my door. My neighbor and I built a dam of towels and plastic bags to keep it from reaching our other neighbors boxes in the hall. She has a moving company coming tomorrow. To move a piano. Over a sheet of ice. Ice and water that smells really awful. I'm kinda looking forward to it. I'm going to go buy some rock salt but I'm not going to use it until the morning because, for the moment, ice is better than a flood.
There's a plaque in front of the building that declares the building was established in 2001. For quite awhile I wondered about Korean construction, until I was informed by a Korean teacher at ANU that 2001 was when ANU bought the building- not when it was built. Maintenance is touch and go, a lick and a promise, I learned early on to pick my battles. I've lived in 3 apartments in this building, in my current apartment I've had a broken toilet (fixed it myself- just the tank chain and stopper), broken toilet seat (hope the next tenant likes Hello Kitty), broken stove fan (still broken), and a leaky sink (still leaking- I'm going to leave the 'sink' towels). I've done my duty and informed the administration. Twice. But haven't really pushed it 'cause it's not that big of a deal.
When I lived on the ground floor I had to leave the heat on for the entire months of January and February, even when I was travelling, in order to prevent frozen pipes. My bill was 350,000w in January of 2011- it's usually about 80,000w. My current apt is on the second floor, my heat bill usually runs about 60-80,000w, but my water pipes froze on Friday. Luckily- I was here so I blasted the heat, plugged in the other, electric, extremely expensive, tiny boiler and kept the patio doors open to thaw out the pipes. It worked. Luckily. Though my bill is going to be insane.
The drain pipes are frozen in my neighbors apt, pipes are burst in an upstairs apt, and today half of the drain pipes in the hallways have broken. There is water and ice everywhere! It's kind of exciting. Like a slip n slide outside my door. My neighbor and I built a dam of towels and plastic bags to keep it from reaching our other neighbors boxes in the hall. She has a moving company coming tomorrow. To move a piano. Over a sheet of ice. Ice and water that smells really awful. I'm kinda looking forward to it. I'm going to go buy some rock salt but I'm not going to use it until the morning because, for the moment, ice is better than a flood.
I'm glad I'm moving. I hope it's soon.
Friday, February 3, 2012
The next step
I've been looking for a new job for almost 5 weeks now. Turned in about 16 applications, been offered 7 interviews, and have interviewed for 4 positions.
The first interview I destroyed. Not in a good way. I had taught all morning, traveled for almost 2 hours to get there, had to wait for an hour after I got there, and I got nervous. I don't usually get very nervous during interviews but I babbled, forgot was I was talking about, and blanked completely on a question. They asked me how I would write a syllabus for a class on classroom management and I couldn't think of a thing to say. I think I squeaked, 'Discipline?', after a minute of stuttering. I excel at classroom management. I have opinions about classroom management. They actually called my current employer for a reference but emailed last week to let me know they had offered the job to someone else. Not surprised. I would have too.
Of the other 3 interviews, 2 have offered me the position, and the third informed me I am one of the top 2 candidates and they are hoping to hire us both. The latter is my number one candidate. I should hear something by today or early next week. All three are completely acceptable positions. All pay more than I am making now, have at least as much or more vacation, and the hours are the same or less than my current contract.
The positions
#1 top choice- in Cheongju. 1.5 hour south of Seoul. Conversational English instructor. Best pay, lowest hours (12 per week), 4 months vacation. I really enjoyed my interview, the staff were all very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They showed me the apartments, which are being renovated, and it's slightly bigger than my current apt but a better space. On the edge of campus foreign teacher building. The program is structured and organized, plus there is overtime available after my first semester.
#2 choice- in Daegu. Conversational English instructor. 3rd best pay of the three, 18 teaching hours, 4 months vacation. People who work at this uni never leave. Apparently the conditions are excellent. But, they offered me the position 3 weeks ago but will not confirm until February 15. They called me on Wednesday to tell me my paperwork is 100% approved and then called me today to ask if I could get a reference letter from a volunteer org from 12 years ago! Ridiculous. And, when they apologized for the system being so convoluted, they added, 'We know- it really doesn't give much time to find an apt!'. The paperwork, that they have already sent me twice, informed me that housing was provided.
Here's the thing about getting an apt in Korea- either you have a huge deposit, 'key money', or you pretty much pay the rent up front for the entire year. Sometimes both. Luckily, Daegu is much less expensive than Seoul, but we're still talking about an average of $6,000 to move in. And I have to pay a leasing agent to help me find a place. And, since they won't confirm until the 15th, I would have less than 2 weeks to find a place and move.
#3 choice- actually becoming my #2 choice due to absurdity of the current #2 - in Ulsan. 20 minutes to Daegu, 15 minutes to Busan, and 2 hours to Seoul on KTX, the high speed train. English writing instructor. 2nd best pay, hours and vacation apparently have some flexibility but are listed as 18 teaching hours and 6-8 weeks vacation.
This job is interesting. The university is new and the programs are still being developed. My title is 'Non-credit writing instructor' and from what I understand is it's kind of a stand alone position in the department and I would be working directly with only one supervisor. Korean, got his Masters at Madison, loves Ann Arbor. I would probably only be teaching one or two actually classes. The rest of my time would be spent as a writing tutor, proofreading (for faculty and students), and running the dictation program. I don't know what that is but it sounds like something that put all those applied phonetics classes to good use. I haven't seen the apartment but I'm told it's an Offictel about 5 to 10 minutes off campus.
Soooo, we shall see. I really want #1. I also want the decision to be made so that I can finish planning my move and get on an airplane and go sit on a beach somewhere and/or visit an old friend in Hong Kong. Or both. I'm still under contract at my current job until the 28th, so except for having to move, I'm free until the 29th.
The first interview I destroyed. Not in a good way. I had taught all morning, traveled for almost 2 hours to get there, had to wait for an hour after I got there, and I got nervous. I don't usually get very nervous during interviews but I babbled, forgot was I was talking about, and blanked completely on a question. They asked me how I would write a syllabus for a class on classroom management and I couldn't think of a thing to say. I think I squeaked, 'Discipline?', after a minute of stuttering. I excel at classroom management. I have opinions about classroom management. They actually called my current employer for a reference but emailed last week to let me know they had offered the job to someone else. Not surprised. I would have too.
Of the other 3 interviews, 2 have offered me the position, and the third informed me I am one of the top 2 candidates and they are hoping to hire us both. The latter is my number one candidate. I should hear something by today or early next week. All three are completely acceptable positions. All pay more than I am making now, have at least as much or more vacation, and the hours are the same or less than my current contract.
The positions
#1 top choice- in Cheongju. 1.5 hour south of Seoul. Conversational English instructor. Best pay, lowest hours (12 per week), 4 months vacation. I really enjoyed my interview, the staff were all very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They showed me the apartments, which are being renovated, and it's slightly bigger than my current apt but a better space. On the edge of campus foreign teacher building. The program is structured and organized, plus there is overtime available after my first semester.
#2 choice- in Daegu. Conversational English instructor. 3rd best pay of the three, 18 teaching hours, 4 months vacation. People who work at this uni never leave. Apparently the conditions are excellent. But, they offered me the position 3 weeks ago but will not confirm until February 15. They called me on Wednesday to tell me my paperwork is 100% approved and then called me today to ask if I could get a reference letter from a volunteer org from 12 years ago! Ridiculous. And, when they apologized for the system being so convoluted, they added, 'We know- it really doesn't give much time to find an apt!'. The paperwork, that they have already sent me twice, informed me that housing was provided.
Here's the thing about getting an apt in Korea- either you have a huge deposit, 'key money', or you pretty much pay the rent up front for the entire year. Sometimes both. Luckily, Daegu is much less expensive than Seoul, but we're still talking about an average of $6,000 to move in. And I have to pay a leasing agent to help me find a place. And, since they won't confirm until the 15th, I would have less than 2 weeks to find a place and move.
#3 choice- actually becoming my #2 choice due to absurdity of the current #2 - in Ulsan. 20 minutes to Daegu, 15 minutes to Busan, and 2 hours to Seoul on KTX, the high speed train. English writing instructor. 2nd best pay, hours and vacation apparently have some flexibility but are listed as 18 teaching hours and 6-8 weeks vacation.
This job is interesting. The university is new and the programs are still being developed. My title is 'Non-credit writing instructor' and from what I understand is it's kind of a stand alone position in the department and I would be working directly with only one supervisor. Korean, got his Masters at Madison, loves Ann Arbor. I would probably only be teaching one or two actually classes. The rest of my time would be spent as a writing tutor, proofreading (for faculty and students), and running the dictation program. I don't know what that is but it sounds like something that put all those applied phonetics classes to good use. I haven't seen the apartment but I'm told it's an Offictel about 5 to 10 minutes off campus.
Soooo, we shall see. I really want #1. I also want the decision to be made so that I can finish planning my move and get on an airplane and go sit on a beach somewhere and/or visit an old friend in Hong Kong. Or both. I'm still under contract at my current job until the 28th, so except for having to move, I'm free until the 29th.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Motivation
My apt is a mess, I have various paper work to catch up on, and other sundry 'need to do' items. I'm not doing any of those things. It's 2:30 in the afternoon and I'm listening to Etta James, reminiscing, and looking through old photos. In my pajamas. Contemplating small changes, considering larger changes.
I haven't been super happy the past few months. Not exactly depressed, but cranky, frustrated, and dissatisfied. My work schedule was extreme and I was travelling for derby every weekend. Due mostly to how busy I was, this turned derby into work again- as opposed to social fun and pressure release. Been feeling sort of isolated, partially from living in the sticks, but also because I have a tendency to hole up instead of reaching out when I'm down.
I finished my last class at Andong National University yesterday, although I'm still under contract until February 28. Looking for a new job. I have options open to me. I want to live in a larger community, be more connected, have more opportunities for growth. Or move to a different country. Will a different place make me happier? Or, do I just need to take advantage of the options that are always around me?
I crave change. I fear change. I dig in roots and then want to tear them out.
I haven't been super happy the past few months. Not exactly depressed, but cranky, frustrated, and dissatisfied. My work schedule was extreme and I was travelling for derby every weekend. Due mostly to how busy I was, this turned derby into work again- as opposed to social fun and pressure release. Been feeling sort of isolated, partially from living in the sticks, but also because I have a tendency to hole up instead of reaching out when I'm down.
I finished my last class at Andong National University yesterday, although I'm still under contract until February 28. Looking for a new job. I have options open to me. I want to live in a larger community, be more connected, have more opportunities for growth. Or move to a different country. Will a different place make me happier? Or, do I just need to take advantage of the options that are always around me?
I crave change. I fear change. I dig in roots and then want to tear them out.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Try again
I just checked the stats for this blog and found out people are still reading it! Even though I haven't written in months. So- I'm going to try again.
I'm trying to find a new job. I want to work at a university in an urban setting. The city I live in now is the same size as Ann Arbor- but with 0% of the diversity and cosmopolitan flavor. My top choice is Seoul/Daegu. Seoul is the mecca of Korea but the jobs pay the same as they do in the rest of the country and I know I would spend waaaaaay more. Plus, everyone wants to live in Seoul- the competition is way higher.
I like Daegu a lot, it's an actual city, I have lots of friends there, and I know where I to buy cilantro. Plus, the universities I applied to would be the kinds of places that would help me develop as a teacher and be forward moving positions for my career. As opposed to 'just a job'. I had an interview for a Deagu uni on Tuesday, that I thought I bombed (seriously- I opened my mouth and gibberish emerged) but my current boss told me they called him for a reference! Maybe I said something intelligible. And, I have another interview tomorrow with a different uni in Daegu. Both places seem like they would be pretty alright to work for, have places for advancement, and good reputations.
Wish me luck!
I'm trying to find a new job. I want to work at a university in an urban setting. The city I live in now is the same size as Ann Arbor- but with 0% of the diversity and cosmopolitan flavor. My top choice is Seoul/Daegu. Seoul is the mecca of Korea but the jobs pay the same as they do in the rest of the country and I know I would spend waaaaaay more. Plus, everyone wants to live in Seoul- the competition is way higher.
I like Daegu a lot, it's an actual city, I have lots of friends there, and I know where I to buy cilantro. Plus, the universities I applied to would be the kinds of places that would help me develop as a teacher and be forward moving positions for my career. As opposed to 'just a job'. I had an interview for a Deagu uni on Tuesday, that I thought I bombed (seriously- I opened my mouth and gibberish emerged) but my current boss told me they called him for a reference! Maybe I said something intelligible. And, I have another interview tomorrow with a different uni in Daegu. Both places seem like they would be pretty alright to work for, have places for advancement, and good reputations.
Wish me luck!
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