.the wait.

We're looking at under 3 weeks to go here.
It's just kind of dawned on me that 3 weeks is not a very long time - especially considering all I have to do. I'm waiting on the school to send my E2 Visa number so that I can go to the consulate (or send the documents, I haven't decided which yet) and actually get the Visa. Then we book the flight.

In the meantime I have to:

1. Figure out vaccinations and all that medical stuff. Apparently you're supposed to do this 6-8 weeks before you plan to depart. Oops.

2. Sell my car. (This is stressing me out big time.)

3. Find a home for my cat. (This is also stressing me out big time.)

4. Buy a whole lot of stuff (with not really a whole lot of money.)

sigh.

I am still really excited though.
I'll write again when the flight's set, how about that.

.the decision pt2.

I am happy to announce that I will be one of a few new additions to an English Village in Suwon, South Korea. I chose this position for a number of reasons (see previous post), and I feel good about the choice. The contract is signed and we're working on the visa, with a tentative departure date of October 15 or so.
I'm still very excited, but work is now a bit more difficult because I know I won't be there much longer, and I'd way rather be planning and packing and getting things in order. But I do need the money so...you gotta do what you gotta do.
Just over four weeks to go!

.the dilemma.

So here's the problem.

I've worked out two offers for myself. Choice - great! But choice, hard.

They pay about the same, and the contracts and benefits are similar. The big difference is that one is at a non-traditional school in Suwon where English is taught through role play and real-life situations, and the other is a more traditional classroom type job in Bundang.

If I take the first, I will be living and working with 8 or 9 other foreign teachers, and would leave mid-October. If I take the second, I will be working with only one other foreign teacher, and would leave at the end of September (ie: in 3 weeks.)

So I have some things to consider, and quickly:

Would I prefer to be in Suwon or Bundang?
Both are about equal distance from Seoul; Suwon is bigger, but Bundang is apparently nice, clean and a wealthier suburb. Also, I've been assured that the apartment for me in Bundang is very nice.

Would I prefer to work and live with 8 other English-speaking teachers, or one?
The answer to this one changes often, surprisingly. But more would definitely make things easier.

Would I prefer a formal teaching job - "business casual" dress, tests to mark and report cards to make up - or a high-energy, interactive teaching job where I can dress how I choose but will likely have to make a fool of myself on a regular basis?
The answer to this one changes often as well.

Do I want to leave in 3 weeks or 6 weeks?
I want to get there, but maybe a few extra weeks to prepare would be good...

Either way I'll have to decide in the next 24 hours or so...

...tick.tick.tick...

.the decision.

I am going to South Korea.
More importantly, I am going to South Korea for an entire year.
I'm as shocked as you are - but I'm definitely more excited than you are.