Only 1 train stop

Imagine riding an Italian high-speed train, Ferrovia, not knowing the next stop because you’re unsure of the ultimate destination. The train has passed several stops that you thought would be fine. But as your getting up and collecting luggage the train speeds passed the train station. You sit back down reluntantly, craning your neck looking out window searching for the next stop. Fellow passengers, who have watched this spectacle multiple times want to help you. They ask, "What are your plans, I'll introduce you to someone who can help you find the perfect stop" or they want to share their experience.

You see the next stop that looks exciting; you tell your seatmate that this is your stop! Please excuse me! You cause a commotion every time you want to exit the train. In the split seconds it takes the train to stop, you gather your belongings, run to the open door. Throwing your bags out the door, and barely squeezing through the automatic closing doors. The passengers quietly talk amongst themselves, mentioning that your exit was so sudden, very unexpected. One passenger mutters that she thought that you were going to stay with her on the train, and was still gasping the idea of being alone.


This is my journey, only one of the many facets of my hopefully long life. I know that life is fragile, can fragment at any time. The steps I take to toward my final destination are full of caution and hurry.

My decision time frame: Rushed

* Tuesday: (Nov 18)

o Find job ad (6:50am) on Craigslist after doing a search for all jobs, ad include RN Nurses, Sign Holders for companies liquidating assets, Administration Assistant, and Teach English in Korea. The recruiting company who had posted the job was Ask Now *I apply right away.
o 7:00 am Received email from Stephanie, hearing that I could be in a foreign country half way around the world by February and teaching English by March.
o 7:15 am text message Diane, "I'm going to Korea!! To teach English". I'm sure it was odd to wake up with that message on her phone, but she is use to me by now.
o 7:20 am Call mom, ask her opinion, she says its a great opportunity, just make sure the company is legit.
o I go into work early (8:15) to research the company more and look through the vast information listed on the website.
o 10:15 Email Dad and ask him to send me my SPU Diploma. Mom had already told him o of my upcoming possible Korean Adventure.
o 3:10pm Request 2 Official Transcripts from School

* Wednesday (Nov 19)

o Research more ESL recruiting companies, decide on also applying to Reach to Teach to assure my ability to be in Korea by March

* Thursday (the 20th)

o Speak to Stephanie about the normal timeline, which is Interview with a Korean school and 4-6 weeks later the teacher is in their new country teaching youngsters to speak English with an America accent.
o Kick around the idea of coming home in January to spend time with the family and take a small break before leaving for 12 months.
o Purchase Christmas tickets from Seattle to Denver, Dec 21 to 29. Excited about spending 9 days with family!
o Order my WA Background check

* Friday (21th)

o Decide, after hearing that all roommates are moving out by January 1st, and finding only one option for a short-term option is at least 3 months. I don’t want to have to pay for a lease, or worry about having a sublease, so.. I'm now moving home the with the parents that the best decision is to move home before Christmas on Dec 20.
o Unsure of my crazy decision to quit my job and move to Denver in the anticipation of moving to Korea by Feb/March.
o Am now wondering if I have to get a CO state background check since that is my official address...

* Saturday (Today!!)

o Cancel Christmas airline tickets
o Look around apartment, and know that I can't fit all things in my car. :( Decide to send much to Goodwill. Only keep the items that I love, this is hard!



*About Ask Now, and the process I've gone through: Speaking with either the recruiter, Stephanie or the CEO, Jason, answer my questions and concerns very fully and sends me links of websites that go into fuller detail of the application and E2 Visa process.