Went to New York City on Wednesday to have my visa interview. I've been told by a number of people that it's basically a technicality and a waste of time, but still, once I got on that train to Grand Central, I was feeling a bit nervous. I don't know why, I mean I doubt they would really deny me a visa after everything I've been through trying to get it right?!?!!?
My day started with missing the 12:00 train...lovely! I bought a ticket for the 1pm train, which I was told would get to Grand Central Terminal at 240pm. Wait...240? My interview is at 230! Not much I can do about it right now. I call the Korean Consulate, and of course, they're on lunch. I left a message with the operator and she said someone would call me back at 130. Great...I'll already be on the damn train. I'll be totally pissed if they call me and cancel when I've already spent $32 on a roundtrip ticket! They called at 131 and told me it was fine to still come in. Yay!
I get off the train and head out on E. 45th street looking for the consulate. I get there about 20 minutes later and am told I'm at the wrong building. You have GOT to be kidding me! "It's ok though," the lady behind the plexiglass tells me. Apparently, the correct building is only a few blocks away. "Just take a right when you get to Park Ave. and it will be right there." So I head out once again. I take a right at Park Ave. and #460 is nowhere near where I am. In fact, I need to walk another 15 blocks or so until I finally get to #460!!!!!!! My legs are gonna kill me in the morning!
So now I am at the Korean Consulate General and I give another lady behind plexiglass everything she needs...my visa application, passport, another horrible passport photo, college transcripts, and $45. "Just fill out this application for your interview," the nice Korean lady tells me. It pretty much has all the same questions as the application. Another waste of time! "Ok...time come in for your interview."
As we walk to the room, she says to me "Your last name Mekuto? Sound Japanese but you no Japanese!" "No," I tell her faking a laugh. So I finally sit down with my interviewer ready to answer questions about why I want to come to Korea, my teaching experience, etc. Yeah...none of these questions were asked. Basically, I was asked what Early Childhood Education was. I told the interviewer that it means I can teach PK-3rd grade and that was the age group I would be teaching in Korea. PERFECT!!!!! the man shouted! He was WAY too excited about this LOL. After telling me how much of a perfect advocate I would be for U.S. and Korean alliance, I was told to come back to get my visa tomorrow and sent on my way. Tomorrow?? I gotta come back?? Damn it!
So...anyone wanna go to NYC next Wednesday??? Let me know!
Love you all!
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Okay, now u can't say that I'm not following your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL...did u do this as soon as u got home last night?? LOVE that pic of you and Anthony!
ReplyDeleteI thought I left the message early the next a.m. but it says 1:22 a.m. , maybe its a different time zone. See ya later today
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm so sorry I haven't responded to your question yet, and now you're about to leave! (But if you're anything like me, you won't have packed until the night before anyhow, haha). The only advice I can give you is what worked for me -
ReplyDelete1. Bring whatever you're picky about. I'm very picky about pad/tampon/deodorant brands, so I brought all of those with me (they have them here, just not the brands I like).
You can find shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, toothpaste, etc here (even clean and clear!) so that's not such a big deal... If you use a curling iron or straigtener, bring that, since they cost like $40 here (and bring me one too, since at home they're $15 at wal-mart, hahaha)
2. Bring clothes. All the clothes you will want. Or ship the summer stuff by slow boat... I'm size 14/16 and it's damn near impossible to find anything that fits me here... So unless you're a 2, bring clothes!
Also, shoes. I just finally found a pair of boots that are about half a size too small for my size 9 feet (but I make them work)... so unless your feet are like a 7 or less, you'll need your shoes too.
Beyond that, you should be able to find whatever you need here... Oh! I did bring an extra pillow, and was happy I did... and maybe you'll want a twin sheet set (or you can mail that too). The bed basically has a fitted mattress pad and a blanket. (well, that's what mine had) Ah, and if you like big big towels (I do) bring one of those too... they're fairly small here.
Don't worry about DVD's, you can't play them on your DVD player here unles they're pirated :) Plus there's a movie rental place with a decent selection of English movies.
There's also an English language bookstore, so books aren't a big deal either (although, i did bring about 8 with me, but I'm a rabid bookworm)...
If you like to cook, i recommend bringing or mailing spices - they don't have a huge selection here.
Ok, that's what I can think of for last-minute packing advice!!! Hope it didn't stress you out! Can't wait to meet you!!!
HI
ReplyDeleteAre you there yet?
Hey are you in Korea yet??
ReplyDelete