My paperwork has been processed... I was issued a confirmation number, which I have to use to set up an interview with the consulate. I found the address for the consulate here in AZ, and drove there, thinking I would just try to get everything done today. Well, I found the address... and it was an old apartment building. It didn't look right, so I called 4-1-1 and asked for the phone number of the Korean consulate in AZ. There isn't one. What...? Be very careful where you get your information on the internet. So it appears the closest consulate is in Los Angeles. Now, I'm not sure if I have to do an in-person interview or if it can be over the phone. So, I called to ask about this and they said "call back in 10 minutes". I did, and the recording said "we are closed for lunch". I hope this is not a sign of things to come... (then again, I don't mind too much- it's an adventure after all).

On an awesome note, the current teacher is amazing... she emailed me and is a wealth of information. She is also going to leave me her bike, kitchen stuff, and many other things I would have to buy myself. She even asked what kind of food I like so she could stock the cupboards for me! She said the transition was really rough for her, and finding friends was hard. She gave me contact info for all the people that have really made her time there a good experience, so I am hoping I will get along with them, too! She said the school can be frustrating, and there are so many students it's hard to get to know them personally... but the town is aparently wonderful, and the food is great. She sent me some pictures of the apartment... but they're in a Word doc and I can't figure out how to put them on here :(

Drove to Tucson. Parked in the 20 min zone. Picked up transcript. Went to the bathroom. Drove back to Phoenix. Went straight to Fed Ex . Mailed transcript. Had to go home to get flash drive. Got flash drive. Back to Fed Ex. Got scan of passport. Drove home. Logged on. Emailed Fed Ex tracking number and scan of passport to Alistair.

I am tired!

In the words of Toby Keith, my fits about to hit the shan..................

I got an email from Alistair explaining that there has been a problem with my paperwork. The school needs another sealed University transcript and another scan of my passport. He said the paperwork is already being processed, so there shouldn't be any delay... but I have a hard time trusting that to be true, because there is always a delay. He feels really bad about it and wants to reimburse all expenses incurred in obtaining and sending the transcripts. But I think I am moreso just having a realllly hard time remaining patient. I am supposed to start teaching in just over a week from now... hmmm. Oh me of little faith...

I have been working on learning some Korean, and even found a Facebook page called "Foreigners living in Chuncheon"! I am getting really excited, and praying the Visa process continues to go smoothly...

I just made a tentative packing list... it's 4 pages long!!! Wow. I may need to invest in a giant suitcase! Hmmm.

Good news: Alistair received ALL my required documents, and has passed them along to the Government for processing. He said this phase of the Visa process usually takes about a week. So, I am hoping to have everything completed by this coming Friday (very wishful thinking, I know)!

I asked him if he thinks everything will be squared away by October 5th, which is when school starts, and he said he thinks so and if I am late then no worries.

So, no worries :)

I have just now started getting a little nervous just thinking about all the things that could go haywire, like if I arrive in Korea and there is no one there to pick me up and when I do finally get to my apartment it's a total dump. Yikes! I like to imagine the worst sometimes, because then no matter what I am pleasently surprised :) I do have a good feeling about this whole thing though, and feel God's hand has and will continue to be in it!

First thing this morning I went downtown to the office of the secretary of state and got my criminal background check apostilled. It was cake. I couldn't believe this was such a major issue before... don't believe everything you read (web site said no apostilles, wierd). ANYway, my mom met me at Fed Ex just a few minutes ago, and helped me mail off all my documents to S. Korea (she gets an 80% discount as a US Airways employee- definately comes in handy)! So, I have notified Alistair that all the documents are heading his way (the mail is picked up at 4:45pm today, so they will be on their way in 45 minutes haha).

I went to my final orthodontist appointment today, and dr. d was like oh I am so excited for you and so jealous of the adventures you will have! please keep in touch, email us updates and pictures, and come visit whenever you are back in the US. I was like dang, that's nice of you! and one of the tech's was telling me that she had a lot of friends who were in the military and lived in S. Korea. Aparently, the Korean men are all going to ask me to marry them, and I will be called "round eyes". Interesting... I think I'm worth a few goats in Africa; I wonder what type of livestock I would be traded for in Korea?? Ha.

I just overall have an awesome feeling about going and reallllllllly hope it works out! I am not out of the woods yet by any means... there is a tight time schedule, and if one thing goes awry, I will be out of luck for this opportunity. Praying like crazy! I will miss home severely, but I really want to go to Chuncheon! My heart is longing for adventure! :)

Went to the post ofice this morning and picked up my envelope from Alistair! Tomorrow morning I am attempting to go Downtown and get an apostille. I am NERVOUS that there will be a problem. I am praying like crazy :)

Here is a really promising description of the place I'll be living!

http://www.epik.go.kr/EPIK/html/living_in_korea/gangwon_do4.jsp

Their motto is "Hope is flowing through like the river". How cool! I like this place already!

And WOW!!!!! So I just found out one of Chuncheon's sister cities is none other than ADDIS ABABA, which is where I went in Ethiopia! This little fact really makes me smile! :D What are the odds???!?!!!! Here is the website where I found that bit of awesome information:

http://www.tripwiser.com/trip_destination-Chuncheon_South_Korea?itiNodeId=8a8c80fe162619720116261beace002b&eType=site

From there, a link to the official website of Chuncheon city can be found. Looks so cute and fun! There are three major Universities in the town, so I think it will be a fun, cute college town! Very modern, because town was rebuilt after being basically destroyed in the Korean War. However, also a lot of history and awesome natural beauty!

I know if my moving there is meant to happen, it will work out. I am trying not to let myself get too excited, in the event that it does NOT work out... although I am really reallllly hoping it does :) There are just so many things that need to happen, and happen correctly on both ends, before I can start teaching October 5th (which is less than a month away!). I am getting a little freaked out about not having a departure date yet, but I guess it makes sense that I can't have that until I have official permission from the Korean gov. to live there for a year... so, I am hoping the Visa process runs smoothly. That is the next major hurdle (after this darn apostille, of course)!

I think it's safe to say this process has already helped me grow greatly in my faith :)

Read over the contract. Then read it again. Then read it a third time. No surprises :) I am going to have my parents both read over it before I sign, just to make sure there is nothing I am missing. Alistair (who is the coordinator with the S.Korean government) has mailed my criminal background check back to me so I can get it apostilled. Once it arrives here, I just need to get that apostille, and send my diploma and self health check all back to Alistair, who will give it to the government and then I have my interview at the consulate here in AZ. Seems like a lot to get done in a matter of weeks, but if it's meant to be I know it will all work out. I don't think I could do all this without my mom- she's like my secretary/lawyer haha!

I am really excited, but also finally getting nervous about being gone for a year where I don't know anyone or speak the language!

Today I received an email with information on the school I'll be working at in S. Korea: the Chuncheon National University of Education!

Like it's name implies, this is actually a University, (where people study to become teachers). Here's the website: http://sukwoo2.cnue.ac.kr/eng/index.htm (in English).

I love this description from the University President: I am pleased to welcome you to Chuncheon National University of Education. Our university, founded in 1939, trains elementary school teachers. CNUE is a small but strong and competitive university. We have 2,300 undergraduate students in 12 academic departments and 540 graduate students (all elementary school teachers) in 17 graduate courses. More than 90% of our students become elementary school teachers.We strive to create an academic environment in which outstanding students and scholars are continually challenged and inspired to excel. We educate our students to be the best citizens as well as the best teachers, emphasizing not only teacher education but liberal education. We focus on the students having dreams and realizing them. Looking towards the future, our university will endeavor to become more competitive and the most successful teacher education institution in the world. I hope you will find your stay both enlightening and enjoyable. Kim, Sun-Bae, Ph. D., President

So you are probably thinking... wait, a University? I thought Danielle was teaching elementary school?!..............

I am. The University has an elementary school. It's kind of like if there was a school called "University of Arizona Elementary school". It is still a public school (The Gangwondo office of Education is the school "district"), but it is privately funded.

The official website for the elementary school is: http://cnue-e.es.kr/?main. It has some great pictures, but other than that it's basically useless to me bc it's all in Korean! :)

I received my employment contract, too. I am going to read through it all this evening and make sure everything is correct and there are NO SURPRISES.To be honest, I am freaking out a little. This all just got a lot more real... I think in the back of my mind, I never expected anything to actually work out with me EVER going to live overseas...especially not in less than a month! But, I am excited and ready for an adventure!