Let's Get Going!

So, this is the first post of the first blog that I've ever written. As I sit and wait for my contract in South Korea to start, I find it hard to believe I've never written a blog, yet I call myself a writer. Sure, there are many writers out there that have also never blogged, but they still write for themselves. I--since graduation--have not written more than a few Thank You letters to family and friends for my graduation gifts--and even those I'm behind on. Although, just when my writing was at an all-time low, the experience I have set in front of me may well be  just the spark I need to start writing again. FINALLY, I AM GOING TO TEACH ENGLISH FOR A YEAR IN SOUTH KOREA!!!

Now don't get me wrong, this isn't something I've been dreaming about my whole life. It's actually not even something I've been dreaming about since the start of college. I only recently  stumbled into this career path around one year ago when I volunteered at a hostel in Panama. But the lead-up to this specific job contract has been grueling, and I'm really happy this part of the experience is finished. Let me break it down.

I started applying in March, 2010. The deal was to find two reference letters from respected professors at my university who thought highly of me and my potential for teaching English. Then, I had to fill out a twelve page application that questioned for such details as to what elementary school/subjects I attended as a child. Seriously, it asked for subjects of study in elementary school. This was fair and well, except I've grown on up multiple military bases near and far, and they wanted to know about all of them. That's just the first absurdity in the depths of this job's application process. Then, after awhile, and I passed my two phone interviews, through a Canadian recruiting agency, then the Korean Ministry of Education, and both were a bit nerve wrecking.

That May I was told, "Congratulations, you passed, you got the job! More than likely you'll be in Gangwon. Get a criminal history check, graduate in June, then send us your packet. Contracts will be out next month."

Not quite. Apparently, I was one of many that were told the same thing, and it was a race to get packets turned in before the dreadful cut-off for the waiting-list. One thing led to another, my criminal history check was sent to my grandparents house, I was celebrating graduation, new-found employment, plus camp-counseling for a marine biology summer camp at UNCW. Yatta-yatta-yatta, I was informed about my position at the head of the waiting list in late July, potentially not leaving for Korea until November or December, 2010.

Ok, so at least I'm still in there, right? Life wasn't so bad. My Dad was taking me to Hawaii as a graduation present during the first week of August. While there, I got in touch with an old friend that is teaching in Thailand. She told me about this program they run, and thought I should apply with that company. The job, and Thailand in general, sounded really sweet, so I gave it a shot. I applied one day, had an interview the next, and was offered a spot in their program the very next day. Perfect.

Like a sign from God, though, Korea called me back the same day Thailand assured me a spot in their program. "Patrick, we just had a spot open up in Daejeon. Would you be willing to take it in late September?" After careful evaluation of both programs, Korea was by far the most financially beneficial. I had to take it. So, this whole time I'm thinking, researching, and basically getting pumped for Daejeon.

Surprise, another change of plans. Now, officially, I am stationed in Daegu, the forth largest city in South Korea. I don't understand what happened with Daejeon, and I'm not even going to ask. Daegu sounds great, I have my contract in hand, and I'm ready to go. Still, though, I am unaware of which school, and grade level(s) I will be teaching. At this point I don't care. I'm just ready to get there and start this adventure. Until then....