Job hunting....part 2

Well it has been a little over three weeks since I have been in Korea. I found a position in 청담동 (Chung Dahm dong). Everyone is really nice there, except for the boss. He used to be a bouncer at a club, and by his size, I don't doubt that. He likes his employees to be a certain way. If not, then rumor has it that he will throw furniture at you...in front of the children. Yesterday, he flashes his gun at a child, not point but just flashed it by lifting his shirt. I was really not okay with that. So I concluded yesterday that I did not want to work there. Yesterday, God answered my prayers by sending me a phonecall from YBM Bundang. It's a part time job that pays $20 an hour for about 6 hours per day. Which is practically the same amount I'm getting at TLC for the whole day. I was really excited about the offer. Today I have an interview with them at night after work. So hopefully, everything will turn out okay. Please Lord let me get this job...

In other aspects of my life, I am doing well. It could be so much worse but Randy has been so patient with me in letting me stay at his place. I could not be more thankful towards him and God that I have a place to sleep and eat. But with the recent job positions that I have and hopefully will have, I hope to find my own place as to not burden Randy, and to finally be independent and stable. it's been fun and chaotic but now I just want to settle down, have my own place and just be comfortable. I hope that YBM Bundang is the answer. My current job has been fun though and during the three days that I have been there, I have learned a lot. I learned that my grammar isn't all that great and that my Korean just flat out sucks. =T so with that said, I hope that I can improve on both ends and that I can be a teacher who inspires children as well as be memorable in these children's lives. I know that God is taking care of me.

Job hunting...

Searching for jobs is pretty much the same difficult process as it is in America. Interviews, mock sessions and the like. I had one interview yesterday and it was very professional with a lot of meaningful questions. The lady that interviewed me was from Cerritos, CA and she was young and really pretty, which did not help my nerves. But nonetheless, I have a second interview with them and it's a mock session where I have to create a curriculum and perform in front of them. I hate doing performances with the attention being towards me. I do want to work for them because of their professionalism. It shows me that they're organized and i find it much easier working for a place that has a set plan. As for the second interview which was conducted today through skype, was...lacking. She was reading questions off a piece of paper. Although the questions weren't dumb questions, the last question was a real Head-scratcher. After answering a series of questions of how I would be a good addition to the school, they asked me "how would you be a good addition to the school." I was mind boggled by this question cause I was thinking, didn't I just explain why and how I would be a good candidate the entire time? I don't know what they wanted me to say other than regurgitate everything I just said. And on top of that, she didnt bother to explain anything about the school itself which annoyed me. So I had to ask a few questions which is fine, but usually interviews that I've been to usually explain a litle bit about what I'm getting myself into. She didn't explain at all, which made me think twice about joining their program and really made the place I had my first interview at look really good. Another interview was set for today but I was waiting for his phone call and nada. So we rescheduled next week, but Monday and Tuesday are day off due to 추석 which is equivalent to Thanksgiving in America. So the week is short and there is much to do within that week. Oy!

On Wednesday I met my half-aunt for the first time. She's my grandfather daughter who he had with his first wife. But she passed away and married my now grandmother. It was such a blessing to see her and finally meet her. She's done so much for me thus far in my journey getting here. I'm going to see her again on Monday for the aforementioned 추석 holiday. I'm meeting her husband, her kids and her grandkids as well. Wow. I'm meeting a whole new section of family and I'm excited. I just hope they accept me the way my aunt did. All I could do was hug her at the end of the day for what she did for me. I feel very blessed from God for what He's provided for me thus far. My focus now is on getting a job and finally getting settled into seoul...life.

The weekend...

Partying in Seoul is pretty much.....awesome. It is like koreatown but ten times bigger. What I mean is that people are intoxicated everywhere. But it's peaceful....that's the awesome part. Everyone's happy, everyones safe. And like in America, all the fancy cars come out too. It's kind of odd seeing porsches and bimmers in the middle of alleyways. And speaking of alleyways, those get jammed packed. People are walking in groups, cars are stuck in gridlocks, but somehow manuever their way out of it. They honk at people who are in the way, but it's not rude. Instead of a get outta the way honk, it's more of a watch out honk...whatever that means. But last night, I saw Sarah sister at raku in apgu, and then went to fish and chips in gangnam with Randy and his friends. Randy, being in the business, knows a good group of talented people, and YouTube celebs as well. But I didn't know who they were =P hahaha. This morning I looked them up and was wowed by their talent. But when I hung out with them, they were just normal, down to earth people. It's really a blessing to know people here and making new friends too. I dunno what i would be doing alone here. I gotta work on my first impression though =P. I'm just uncomfortably quiet and my introvert personality really comes out, or stays in...if you know what I mean. but it's the weekend now and people seem much happier, relaxed, with friends. I'm at take urban right now enjoying my cup of coffee, and deciding on where to go and what to do....happy weekend!

Ah I forgot to mention....the weather is getting much cooler. Breeze during the day, and the nights are warm. Fall is just around the corner ^^

At first glance...

Today will be the third day that I have been in Korea. It is such an experience. Really reminds me of NY except I think people drive better here. Crazy, better, hectic, you name it. They squeeze a car through anything. Drive on sidewalk at times and the scooters...oh man, big props to them. They have great skill in maneuvering. I trust these drivers more than any other ones ive seen in america. Everything's great, except the heat. This humid heat is really taking a toll on my energy. Every little stop is a huge relief from walking in this heat. I know I'll get used to it but WHEN? Im tired of sweating. How hot is it here, you ask? As im sitting here typing, im profusely sweating. Im in a sauna. It seems like nobody sweats here though. Its mind boggling when I step into a subway car and no ones sweating except me. But the most surprising and learning experience thus far is the people. I didn't know Koreans can look so diverse within a single race. My friend joked that it's the plastic surgery, which I can see how it adds to the diversity. But not that it doesn't make sense and I shouldn't be surprised, but fobs in America are pretty different to natives here. they adjust themselves to Americas lifestyle and fashion but here it flies. Man bags, caked on make up with regular clothing, vice versa, guys holding hands with other guys, etc. girls are dressed up in part due to the strict dating "policy" before college. Once they hit college, they get plastic surgery, very fashionable clothing and walk in the city with heels. Heels!!! The known shoe that is the most uncomfortable in the world. But it's understandable. For some reason, there seems to be more girls walking around than guys during the day. Its as if only guys work around here. Friend says they only come out if they're dating. Theyre either at home, or at pc bang, or work. I suppose...but nonetheless, my friends the Sunwoos have been of a great help taking me to places with great food and dessert. My favorite place is 가로수길 (Garosu-Gil). Very classy area in the middle of the city. There are artsy people, nice cafes and it's like a small street of shops...like Riviera village in redondo, or balboa island's Jamboree. I'm still lost though due to being guided wherever I go and in part because the subway system is pretty confusing. I'll just have to study it. There is much to do and I'm afraid that I won't get everything done within a year. I still need to find a job and realized that despite this iPad, life is proving inconvenient without technology. I have no phone, no Pc computer to apply for a job (need flash), and I need to get this ID card for me to get a phone and a bank account. Other than that, it's been a vacation so far. I hope to see more familiar faces in places I haven't discovered yet. 화이팅!! Hwaiting!!!