Packing

So I'm boxing up my life, packing away what's staying, and what is going to go with me to Korea.

A lot of what I need I can just buy there, so I've been looking at lists of what to bring. I'm going to make a list of what I'm bringing, so that later I'll be able to see what I'd wished I'd brought. Cause I just know I'm going to get there and be like "why didn't I just bring that!" Of course I can always have it shipped to me but that isn't the point. The point is to be prepared! I don't need to have Illidan's voice stuck in my head.

Who wants that?

so my packing is ongoing, and this list will grow because, well, I'm not prepared. (shut UP Illidan).

anyhoodles, to the list!

first, how much space do I have to pack?

I bougt new luggage for this, because I only owned a carry on bag that was definatly not enough space. I figured it was worth the expense so I went out on the Black Friday sales and got a 5 piece set of TAG Fairfield luggage. I got it for $50.00 about on the sale, so I thought it was an ok price. 

Documents! everything I need to prove I'm me, and everything I'm told to bring. I will have copies here in the states as well. 

Some fun things to show the kids over in Korea. Small games that can be packed away.

Electronics: DS lite, Kindle, Laptop, Ipod.

my ball jointed doll. that's right, Rae is coming with me. Just him and like, 1 outfit though, not his entire wardrobe and accessories. 

Clothes~ I'm a bigger girl so I figure it isn't going to be easy to find the clothing I need when I'm there. So I'm bringing about 2 weeks worth of clothing with me. 1 casual week, 1 business casual. That is going to take up a good chunk of my packing space, but better to be safe then sorry clothes are necessary! I'm also going to bring a hat, scarf, and gloves cause the weather is like it is here in Minnesota, cold in the winter. I need winter and summer wear, and I can't decide which coat to bring... my big one practically takes up its own suitcase, so i could wear it on the plane, but then... its warm. First world problem I guess. 

Bedding~ for this, I'm bringing:

1 pillow, because I want it

2 set of sheets, because I don't know if I'll have time to go shopping and I guess its not easy to find. 

1 blanket

all of this is going into a vacuum sealed bag that I bought to squish them as tight as possible. I'm willing to abandon the pillow, as if I have to I can squish up the blanket to work as a blanket/pillow or use some clothes for that the first night if I can't buy one.

makeup~I don't use it much, and the stuff I have has lasted me over a year already, and takes up a super tiny little bag that fits in my purse. Figure just in case I need it.

SUNSCREEN. because I burn. 

Medicine. I'm only able to get a 3 month supply, so i'm going to have to have it shipped to me or figure out how to get my prescription transferred to Korea. I think I'd be easier to ship, and possibly cheaper. 

Bathroom stuff: 

1 roll of toilet paper to last me until I am able to go shopping. 

toothbrush, toothpaste, floss. Just enough to get by until I can pick up more. 

1 bottle each of Nioxin scalp therapy. When I change shampoo and conditioner it can cause me to have dandruff, I'd rather go with what I know works on my head instead of looking funny. Shedding flakes isn't professional looking.

1 bottle of lotion to hold me over until I can buy more. I'm told its super dry because of all the indoor heating. 

2 towels because apparently they don't have towels like ours in Korea, so I shall bring them.

a years supply deodorant... which is how much? I'm guessing like, 4 sticks? If I run low I can always have more shipped to me. I was told this is hard to get.

Food: just a couple of things, like some mac and cheese, maybe a can of beef stew. Pretty much whatever I can fit in that doesn't put me over the weight allowance if I have more room. 

I was going to try to bring an inflatable couch, but decided against it. Needed the room for the clothes. 

I was thinking about buying from this site http://www.thearrivalstore.com/ to make things easier as well. Then I don't have to do as much with the bedding... gotta finish figuring out what I want and see if it fits.

there has been a couple blogs that have helped me learn more about korea, and my favorite is

http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/korea-faq/

Major help! This is all for today, back to packing!

when you miss America

A list started by a friend as a Joke, and it grows. If you think of more, add it in the comments

• Big Macs
• Cars that get 10 MPG
• Eating half you plate of food and tossing out the rest
• Red/Blue States
• Everyone being bad at math
• Making fun of Canada (but in the way you make fun of a sibling I feel)
• Being Proud of your ignorance
• Sarah Palin
• chanting U.S.A
• It's called Soccer
• PBS (pabst blue ribbon) still makes you a hipster

Going away... the party part

So today, on 01-07-2012, I had a going away party.

My mother hosted it for me down at Don's Little Bar, a place I've been going to with my family since I was 4. My mother and my sister work there. It was great, my mom is wonderful for hosting such a wonderful party for me, and the Little Bar was full of good food and service and fun.

We had little hamburgers, tacos (chicken available for the chicken eaters) and cupcakes. So many cupcakes. My lovely sister made a tower of over 140 cupcakes. She didn't even know what my blog was called! It was fated. There was Karaoke for fun, and I had a great time hanging out with all my friends. My sisters came, my mom and dad, all the nieces and nephews, and 1 cousin. It was great to have them, but the suprise for me was how many friends I have. I mean, I KNOW I have friends, and I can name them, but seeing them all together in one place... and knowing that not all of them could make it... I really felt blessed.

The party started out a little slower with just family showing up.
My lovely sister nikki

Her shirt is wet because the bar played a trick on her. The gave her a Tsunami.

Her lovely children were there,

along with my nieces Mercedes (right) and Shawney (left)

and my sister Sam was there, I was not able to get a picture. However, I did get one of Kara and Savanah, her children

Then we brought out all the food

and more friends showed up

and then there was a lot less food

There was also lots of Karaoke. I myself sang

Girls Just want to have fun

Save the horse ride a cowboy

Live'n la vida loca

Fat bottom Girls

Before he cheats

WARNING: if you so choose to watch the below video, its not my fault. you clicked play.

Getting started on my Journey

Hello All!

I'm sure the only people reading this are my friends and family that I've told about it, so that they can learn of my time in Korea. I have been told that a blog is the easiest way to keep everyone informed about whats going on in my life without have to tell them all individually. Though most likely, I'll still take the time to tell them individually, so if this will really save time remains to be seen.

I have wanted to teach in Korea since college, but I never thought I'd actually go through with it. However, after working a steady, well paying job, settling into my adult life, after looking for houses, I couldn't help but think... is this it?

I thought I was ready to settle down, and be happy... but yet, I felt antsy. Insecure. I didn't know what I really wanted, I was just striving towards what I thought I should do next to settle down even further. However, the harder I strived for that goal, the more uneasy I was. So, I decided, why not look into Korea again? I still loved Korean culture, food, music, architecture... why not try to go there? Or if not Korea, go somewhere else that I can work, live a different way, and maybe find out more what I wanted. I don't have to settle down yet, I'm still young. Though I'm getting older all the time, and I spent all those years when you are allowed to go gallivanting around getting myself settled early, so I'm short on my years of frivolousness. Though how frivolous it is to go and find work in the country I wish to explore ... I digress. I'll tend to go on tangents.

So, after long thought, I started to do research. Eventually, I decided to apply, for what could applying hurt? I researched recruiters and applied through teacheslkorea.com. They have been wonderful. Very helpful, making sure I have everything ready, and helped me find a school.

Now I have everything finalized. My school has been decided, my visa arranged, my ticket purchased. I have  a departure date! I have my accounts setup to travel, I have a going away party ahead of me, and am finishing getting things ready to pack.

I guess I just wanted to start this and have it ready for me before I go, because I'm sure once I get there I'll be very busy and it will be a lot easier to just type in than to have to create it.

I will also be doing a vlog, because then I can do on the fly updates when I don't feel like typing, or when video is better to use.