Coming up with a 'pl'

It shouldn't be surprising that I love FRIENDS.  It takes me back to a simpler time in my life - you know, when Mom and Dad paid for everything.  One episode Rachel is freaking out because she doesn't have a plan.  Monica admits that she doesn't either and Phoebe says "I don't even have a 'pl.'"  I have related to that scene ever since I graduated from college and realized that I had to DO something.

Now, I'm starting to get one.  If I need more international experience, teaching English is a good way to get it.  I also reached out to a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification school to see how I might go about getting certified.  A certification could open more doors for me, employment-wise, as well as give me greater earning potential.  I didn't get it before coming to Korea because I needed to know if I could stand being in a classroom before I made any commitments.  I spoke to an adviser this morning (at way too early AM) and she confirmed much of what I'd found.  If I want to make any money doing this, Asia and the Middle East are my best bets.  I could potentially earn more with a certification, as well as get help determining what is and is not a good offer.  I could also possibly teach English online.  That way if I've got some down time between contracts, I can still earn some money.  So I'm going to go over that info and see if the benefits outweigh the costs.  If I decide to go that route, I'll start the program in late Sept or early Oct.  I just have to be sure that I can do the online program with a Chromebook.  The good news is that my job will count toward my practicum - teaching non-English speakers and all.  ;)

 I am really feeling my look lately.  :)

In the meantime, if I can't make enough $ in Europe, I'll stay in Asia.  I may stay in Korea, but try another area.  Maybe closer to a beach or something.  I'm also looking into Taiwan.  I might be more inclined to learn Chinese anyway ( that's another language that would be useful in international relations)... though I kind of doubt it since I've made no headway with Korean.  Either way, I can get more international experience, apply for jobs with the state dept or whatever, keep paying on my loans, and have some fun traveling too.  The one thing I know for sure is that I don't want to move back to the states any time soon.

 My kitties - Ford and Soju.  I asked my sister if this makes me a crazy cat lady.  She said no, as long as I don't give them a litter box or any food.  Ford is really good for cuddling, and Soju is a great pillow :)

 My 'curtains' from D - I gotta tell you, it's nice to have a pseudo-dark apt in the AM.  It doesn't cut out all the light, but it turns it from 'MUAH HA HA HA HAAAAAA, it's DAWN you lazy bones, get up and get out!' to 'hey, so I just wanted you to know that the sun came up, but stay in bed until you decide it's time to rise.'  For those of you wondering about the pipe structure - that's my clothes dryer.  I can hang jeans and stuff on the white pipes and the grey thingies work great for my shirts, socks, and undies.

 Koreans believe in stocking up on TP.  Until now, I've been buying packs of 8 rolls from the 7-11 or CU convenience stores, but this weekend at OK Mart I decided to just bite the bullet and go for it.  You're looking at 5 layers of 6 rolls each.  That's right, 30 friggin' rolls of TP for one person!  I don't think I'm going to have to put TP on the grocery list any time soon.

For Teacher's Day one of my students gave me a bunch of 'skin lightening' face masks.  I figured why not use one on my poor, sunburned nose.  Then I had to take a pic to share with all of you because... well... look at how freaky I look!!!  It's like Leatherface Mandi!!  I was initially afraid that it would lead to a breakout, but so far so good.  I've also been using Lush's Mask of Magnanimity, and their Herbalism face scrub when I feel like I need to treat my skin a bit.  Also, the last time I went to Lush and the lady tried REALLY hard to get me to buy the store, she gave me a body conditioner to try.  I gotta tell you, that stuff has worked WONDERS on my nose.  (This time not because of the burn but because I've been blowing my nose a lot and the tissues aren't exactly Kleenex Cool Touch - my nose is pretty well rubbed raw from all the tissues I've used in the past few days.)  Thanks to Ro's Argan body conditioner, my nose may survive this last bought with sinusitis.  - Update, after talking with my Korean co-workers, it turns out that they use baby wipes for blowing their nose... and washing their hands... and cleaning their desk stations.  Who would have guessed?  They do feel nicer on my nose than the tissues I have at home, that's for sure!

So you are now up to date with what I'm thinking.  Four months of teaching and I'm enjoying it enough to think of continuing.  My talk with the adviser lady was funny because she was my first real international call (not using Google, Facebook, or Whatsapp - I'm hoping that I don't get charged out the wha-zoo for it).  She also said it sounded like I'd done my homework because what I was telling her was exactly what she would be telling me.  I'm thinking of going for the certification if I decide that online teaching is the way to go once I'm done being in-country.  Besides, Ana sent me info on an Irish island that is trying to get people who work online to move there.  Could work out to teach online and live in friggin' Ireland.  The adviser lady said online is a good option if I move somewhere with a really low cost of living - that way more of my $ can go to loans or the good life or whatever I decide to use it for.  So you know, weighing my options.

In the meantime, my trip at the end of July is all planned and paid for (Taiwan and Japan, here I come).  The weekend before that trip, I'll be going to Boryeong Mud Festival, staying overnight, then going on a winery tour the next day (apple wine and apple pies... I'm stoked).  I'm also going to get another haircut in July (shorter and shorter it goes).  No longer sure about going to the brewery this weekend - might go in for another BH weekend and go to the brewery in another week or so.  We'll see what the weekend brings.  :)  Hoping my sinuses decide to stop being all rude, sending love to all back home, and will keep you updated on my shenanigans.