We have a JOB!

Well, it’s been awhile, but here it is:

WE HAVE A JOB! Upon discussing our options with a few friends (Justin and Joy) who are also heading over to Korea in July, we decided to switch recruitment companies. It’s not that ASKnow was doing anything wrong, it just seemed that Park English seemed to be able to give us a bit more peace of mind.

We sent in our application forms, and within a day or two they *called* us up and asked me a few questions about what we’d be interested in. Later that same night, they called saying they had a job that they wanted to recommend for us. Within a week, we had interviewed with the school, emailed a teacher a couple of times, and gotten rave reviews about the job. So, with much thought and prayer, we reviewed the contracts and I faxed my contract over last week.

Surprisingly I haven’t seen Jen in the past week (weird), so I’m not entirely sure what her status is :)

If all goes according to plan, we’re going to be living in an area known as Yongin. It’s apparently about an hour away from Seoul by bus (Seoul is the BIG city). Yongin is home to a Disneyland type resort called Everland, and a Korean Folk Village. We’ll be working at the Jookjeon LCI Kids Club. LCI is a chain of English Language schools for kids, so if you’re looking it up online make sure to note that it is the JOOKJEON version of the LCI club. Apparently, it’s also spelled Jukjeon. Either way, the references we’ve emailed have given us rave reviews of their workplace. So we’re getting pretty excited.

We’ll be working with kids in kindergarten/elementary school, so it’ll be a job requiring lots of energy. The good news is, the days start at 10am (wootwoot!) and end at 7:00pm (not bad!) – these seem like my ideal working hours. I’m pretty thrilled at the idea of being able to sleep in a bit each day. How lovely.

So, that’s our big news. We have a job! And we’re officially leaving sometime around the 15th of July. I’m sure time will fly, and we’ll be there before we know it.

~*~Kate~*~

We’re still alive!

No worries folks, mid-terms have not conquered us. While slightly distracting us for a bit, we’re going to be back to planning soon. As we’ve both been approved for ASKnow’s help in job hunting (wootwoot!), our next step is to begin gathering the documents… or at least finding out when we will have them by.

It seems that I will soon be collecting large amounts of information on myself. Criminal background checks… original degrees and transcripts… medical checks… passport… passport sized extra photos… visa application forms. It’ll be strange to have a mass amount of “me” placed in a single envelope, and mailed off to some undisclosed location. My entire life in an envelope. That should be a song title.

I don’t know about Jen, but ASKnow has also filled my inbox with helpful bits of information – including when to start packing (now apparently). Not packing in the literal sense, but list-wise. As it turns out, there are numerous things that may not be plentiful in Korea (i.e. deoderant); list-making is supposed to ensure I don’t forget the essentials. I’m sure Korea will thank ASKnow for their advice.

Since the last update, I’ve invested in a new laptop! I’m currently using one of the new features (Windows Live Blog Writer) and I loving it. So much better than the eBlogger default. I’m excited about the future, and will definitely be keeping this updated.

Again, feel free to email us at our joint account, jenandkate@gmail.com.

Have a fantastic day,
~*~Kate~*~

teensy update...

We have OFFICIALLY sent off our passport applications today! :D And THEN, we applied through Asknow (job placement agency) so we are well on our way to receiving jobs....

Just sayin'.....

Cheerios and Fruit Loops!

*JENZ*

Recruitment Agencies and Passport Pictures

It's becoming increasingly difficult to decide which recruitment agency to apply with... there are so many options. Park English has been recommended to me a few times, as has ASKnow and Sky's Center . They all have their pros and cons - Park English is a pretty well known and established company, ASKnow is Canadian and has some pretty solid references and credentials, and Sky (the lady who runs Sky's Center), is apparently a lovely Christian woman who is very helpful (according to some friends over in Korea).

Whichever one I (we) choose to go with promises to be an important gateway for our adventure.

We're nearing the date of applications - for both recruiters and passport people. I have set the record for the number of pictures taken and rejected by the Shopper's passport people. Apparently my forehead shines too much to be taken seriously by Passport Canada. After 3 attempts and two trips to the make-up counter to 'tone down my inner glow', I was ready. The flash snapped, and there it was. My passport picture - in all it's pride and glory. Too bad the crazy thing looks so depressing. I wish they'd let you smile.

As a sidenote - Jen's picture turned out 'perfect' on her first try :) Way to be photogenic my friend!

~*~Kate