Just a quick update on whats up.
First my visa -
well the postal strike has really slowed this whole thing down (well postal lockout, but you know what I mean). I had planned on 5 weeks and it would have worked if it weren't for those pesky postal workers and management. My CRC arrived in the mail three weeks late and so even though I'm supposed to be in Korea today, I'll be in Vancouver at least another week. While I'm happy to have this extra time here the fact is that I need to be making money and my school is waiting for me to arrive (the last teacher has left already). My plan now is to get it next Tuesday or Wed and fly out the next day. However, being that I have extra time I'm hoping to relax and enjoy life here before I'm back to the grind.
In other news, Vancouver had a riot after the hockey team lost. I've managed to see friends, family an old prof and enjoy Canada. I'll do proper blogs on all of it later.
Time to enjoy this Vancouver "summer".
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
The last couple of weeks in Canada
Well I'm halfway through my return home and it's been an interesting time.
It began just visiting family and friends and having a good time. The weather is typically Vancouver, so I've had a good 15 minutes of sun since I got back.
I've also managed to catch up with Elliott which has been great. I've seen a few other friends as well, met Jaclyn's husband (what a great guy) and visited a few old hangouts.
I'll blog more later.
It began just visiting family and friends and having a good time. The weather is typically Vancouver, so I've had a good 15 minutes of sun since I got back.
I've also managed to catch up with Elliott which has been great. I've seen a few other friends as well, met Jaclyn's husband (what a great guy) and visited a few old hangouts.
I'll blog more later.
Monday, June 6, 2011
a weekend in Qualicum, a week in North Van
well as promised I've been blogging way less in Canada than I did in Korea, but I would like to write small updates, just to let everyone know I'm not dead.
Well after a week back which involved hanging out with family and catching up with Elliot and Mel I headed off to Qualicum for the weekend with my Mom and sister. We stayed at out cousin Jan's place, which is a great home just a five minute walk from the beach. Qualicum was where I spent every summer as a child. My grandparents owned a place on the waterfront and I would go up every year for 2-3 weeks in the summer and again on various long weekends. The city itself has changed very little and the beach not at all (even has the same tide pools) but after ten years it seemed much smaller than I remembered. The walk down the beach took about 20 minutes but I seemed to remember it lasting all day, though I guess I was eight at the time. The mountains and the stars were beautiful and the weather even cooperated for us (I was not warm once last week). The last time I was up there was 2002 so it was a real treat to go back. Also, being in Korea so long I had forgotten just how common wildlife is in Canada. I managed to see a bald eagle, wild turkey's and more crabs and fish than I have seen in two years (Nampodong Fish Market notwithstanding). I hope I can go back before I leave but I also have a trip to Seattle and maybe to the interior in mind so we'll see.
This week will mostly be with friends. Going to see Jaclyn and her husband Chris tonight. Tomorrow I go down to get electronic fingerprint scans then I'm hoping to go up to SFU or the Mountain Shadow with Elliot. Wednesday I'm meeting Alan for lunch.
Should be fun.
Well after a week back which involved hanging out with family and catching up with Elliot and Mel I headed off to Qualicum for the weekend with my Mom and sister. We stayed at out cousin Jan's place, which is a great home just a five minute walk from the beach. Qualicum was where I spent every summer as a child. My grandparents owned a place on the waterfront and I would go up every year for 2-3 weeks in the summer and again on various long weekends. The city itself has changed very little and the beach not at all (even has the same tide pools) but after ten years it seemed much smaller than I remembered. The walk down the beach took about 20 minutes but I seemed to remember it lasting all day, though I guess I was eight at the time. The mountains and the stars were beautiful and the weather even cooperated for us (I was not warm once last week). The last time I was up there was 2002 so it was a real treat to go back. Also, being in Korea so long I had forgotten just how common wildlife is in Canada. I managed to see a bald eagle, wild turkey's and more crabs and fish than I have seen in two years (Nampodong Fish Market notwithstanding). I hope I can go back before I leave but I also have a trip to Seattle and maybe to the interior in mind so we'll see.
This week will mostly be with friends. Going to see Jaclyn and her husband Chris tonight. Tomorrow I go down to get electronic fingerprint scans then I'm hoping to go up to SFU or the Mountain Shadow with Elliot. Wednesday I'm meeting Alan for lunch.
Should be fun.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
back in Canada after a long trip
well my journey to Canada actually began Sunday morning in Korea where I woke up around 9 to start my move (or well, moving my stuff in to storage). I hopped on the overnight bus to Incheon and then headed to Narita airport in Tokyo for a seven hour layover, of which I spent most of the time pumping yen in to massage chairs and drinking Japanese micro-brew and eating teriyaki chicken in the airport pub. After that was nine hours to Vancouver to arrive at 1040am. I made it back to my dad's place and ate, now at about 48 hours without sleep.
I had about a 20 minute catnap before my Mom, sister and cousins arrived for visits and food. My cousin Graeme leaves tomorrow for Toronto and then Singapore and won't be back until after I am gone again, which is too bad. I was able to give him a few do's and don't's (don't go to Toronto, it's a shithole, do stay in Thailand, the weather is warm there and the food is cheap :P). Most was just a few places to get a cheap nights sleep and a few sights he hadn't heard of. I kinda feel that that is the sort of thing you have to do and explore for yourself though, as the blooper reel can often be the best stories in years to come.
I finally fell asleep around 11 after 55 hours awake. I woke up at 8 but didn't move til almost 11. On the plus side, it worked and my jetlag is minimal (anyone who tells you to sleep on the plane will also tell you about how much they suffer jetlag).
Anyway, time for some breakfast. I was thinking kimchi and rice.
I had about a 20 minute catnap before my Mom, sister and cousins arrived for visits and food. My cousin Graeme leaves tomorrow for Toronto and then Singapore and won't be back until after I am gone again, which is too bad. I was able to give him a few do's and don't's (don't go to Toronto, it's a shithole, do stay in Thailand, the weather is warm there and the food is cheap :P). Most was just a few places to get a cheap nights sleep and a few sights he hadn't heard of. I kinda feel that that is the sort of thing you have to do and explore for yourself though, as the blooper reel can often be the best stories in years to come.
I finally fell asleep around 11 after 55 hours awake. I woke up at 8 but didn't move til almost 11. On the plus side, it worked and my jetlag is minimal (anyone who tells you to sleep on the plane will also tell you about how much they suffer jetlag).
Anyway, time for some breakfast. I was thinking kimchi and rice.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Gearing up for some time in Canada
Well It's 940pm on Sat and I'm finally done. All I need to do tomorrow is put my stuff on the truck and unload it in my storage area and I'll be done. Tomorrow I still have my apartment, but after 1030 there won't be much in it so I'm not sure what I will do between that time and midnight when I head to DongDaegu, but I'm sure I'll come up with something :P
Anyway, with this being my first time in Vancouver in 2.5 years, I'm a bit excited. It's weird to think how long it's been and yet how it feels like no time has gone by at all. I was in Sangin on Thursday and thinking of when I went out to meet Geoff there when he first arrived. Seems like yesterday but it was over a year ago. Also I was chatting to Paul today, the entire time I've known him I've always been in Asia, dunno why but that seems weird to me as well.
Anyway, in my six weeks I plan to hit Qualicum beach, maybe do a camping trip, visit a few old friends and old haunts. Maybe go to Seattle for a weekend but we'll see how the finances hold out. I also don't want to rack up my visa card too much as I have a 4 day weekend in September and Tokyo is looking good (especially being that I have 7 hours there on Monday at the airport, I can't say that I went to Japan and just hung out at the airport, so now I'll have to go back :P).
If anyone is interested, I do have a working phone but it's a Korean number, so calling it will be long distance even though I'm in Canada (though it's actually cheaper for me to maintain a Korean phone in Canada than switch to a Canadian phone for six weeks.... you guys are gettin' ripped off). If you want it please message me and I'll send it to you.
Anyway, with this being my first time in Vancouver in 2.5 years, I'm a bit excited. It's weird to think how long it's been and yet how it feels like no time has gone by at all. I was in Sangin on Thursday and thinking of when I went out to meet Geoff there when he first arrived. Seems like yesterday but it was over a year ago. Also I was chatting to Paul today, the entire time I've known him I've always been in Asia, dunno why but that seems weird to me as well.
Anyway, in my six weeks I plan to hit Qualicum beach, maybe do a camping trip, visit a few old friends and old haunts. Maybe go to Seattle for a weekend but we'll see how the finances hold out. I also don't want to rack up my visa card too much as I have a 4 day weekend in September and Tokyo is looking good (especially being that I have 7 hours there on Monday at the airport, I can't say that I went to Japan and just hung out at the airport, so now I'll have to go back :P).
If anyone is interested, I do have a working phone but it's a Korean number, so calling it will be long distance even though I'm in Canada (though it's actually cheaper for me to maintain a Korean phone in Canada than switch to a Canadian phone for six weeks.... you guys are gettin' ripped off). If you want it please message me and I'll send it to you.
what a week
well I should update whats been going on this week.
The ILS school could not transfer my visa, so that job fell through. Shame as they seem like really nice people there an dthey were offering me extra vacation time :P However I was able to get a job I had previously applied, but not interviewed for. It's not quite a good a contract but the location is ideal (right in front of Wolbae station). I start July 11th. This means that Monday I will fly home for a six week vacation in Vancouver, my first trip to Canada since 2008. I'm excited to get home an dsee how it's changed (or not) and relax there.
Before I go I must move my stuff in to storage (I will do that Sunday morning). My friend Ji Won has been wonderful and helped me organise the moving company. I need to buy her a nice present in Canada I think. Then I have a day to relax in Daegu before I get the overnight bus to Incheon (same one I took when I went to Taipei earlier this month). I'm flying Japan Airlines and I leave Incheon at 8am and arrive in Vancouver at 10am the same day (I love going east across the pacific :P). I'll then have to stay awake until at least 9pm or else I'll have epic jetlag, so with sleeping sun night out I'm looking at 48 hours with no sleep (my current record was set in 2003 flying Van-HongKong-Melbourne at 65 hours, I doubt I'll beat it but I may have a silver medal here).
Anyway, I must get back to packing bbali bbali.
The ILS school could not transfer my visa, so that job fell through. Shame as they seem like really nice people there an dthey were offering me extra vacation time :P However I was able to get a job I had previously applied, but not interviewed for. It's not quite a good a contract but the location is ideal (right in front of Wolbae station). I start July 11th. This means that Monday I will fly home for a six week vacation in Vancouver, my first trip to Canada since 2008. I'm excited to get home an dsee how it's changed (or not) and relax there.
Before I go I must move my stuff in to storage (I will do that Sunday morning). My friend Ji Won has been wonderful and helped me organise the moving company. I need to buy her a nice present in Canada I think. Then I have a day to relax in Daegu before I get the overnight bus to Incheon (same one I took when I went to Taipei earlier this month). I'm flying Japan Airlines and I leave Incheon at 8am and arrive in Vancouver at 10am the same day (I love going east across the pacific :P). I'll then have to stay awake until at least 9pm or else I'll have epic jetlag, so with sleeping sun night out I'm looking at 48 hours with no sleep (my current record was set in 2003 flying Van-HongKong-Melbourne at 65 hours, I doubt I'll beat it but I may have a silver medal here).
Anyway, I must get back to packing bbali bbali.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
important post for people on Korean E2 Visas
So in my 1001 stops todat wrapping up before my vacation in Canada I learned several important facts for people on E2 visas. If you don't ave one or never intent to get one you can stop reading now.
Korean immigration has changed several rules, and for a change they are in our favour.
If you get a letter of release for your current job you no longer have to lacate the country within 15 days. Immigration told me that I could stay (though not work, he made that VERY clear) until my visa expires on July 15th. I had briefly considered reorganising my flights but frankly, I've been running around so much lately that I can't be bothered, but if I had planned ahead..... Also, if you finish your visa as planned you have 30 days to vacate the country. This means no more of that finish work on Friday and having your visa expire on Saturday stuff. It also gives you time to sightsee/pack up.
We no longer need multi-entry visas! Actually I learned this before I went to Taiwan, but now we can just up and visit a country without a hassle. I was told that the time out of Korea can not exceed 30 days or else they will just cancel your visa and it will look like you did a runner. I'm not 100% sure that it's 30 days, or if it's different for dinnerent nationalities, but otherwise it's tried and tested.
Third, for US and Canadian citizens only, if you are getting your pension back but planning a return to Korea you can have the money dropped in to a Korean account and thus avoid the extortionate Canadian/US taxes. All you need to do is bring proof that you are flying back to North America, your Korean bank account info and your passport and ID card. I'm sure to lose close to $1000 of my $4500 in Korean/Canadian taxes, and with a little over 70% of that being on the Canadian side you see how much money we can save if we just plan ahead a bit.
If only I'd known all this three weeks ago........
Well that's why I'm posting, so that others can have an easier time. Enjoy
Korean immigration has changed several rules, and for a change they are in our favour.
If you get a letter of release for your current job you no longer have to lacate the country within 15 days. Immigration told me that I could stay (though not work, he made that VERY clear) until my visa expires on July 15th. I had briefly considered reorganising my flights but frankly, I've been running around so much lately that I can't be bothered, but if I had planned ahead..... Also, if you finish your visa as planned you have 30 days to vacate the country. This means no more of that finish work on Friday and having your visa expire on Saturday stuff. It also gives you time to sightsee/pack up.
We no longer need multi-entry visas! Actually I learned this before I went to Taiwan, but now we can just up and visit a country without a hassle. I was told that the time out of Korea can not exceed 30 days or else they will just cancel your visa and it will look like you did a runner. I'm not 100% sure that it's 30 days, or if it's different for dinnerent nationalities, but otherwise it's tried and tested.
Third, for US and Canadian citizens only, if you are getting your pension back but planning a return to Korea you can have the money dropped in to a Korean account and thus avoid the extortionate Canadian/US taxes. All you need to do is bring proof that you are flying back to North America, your Korean bank account info and your passport and ID card. I'm sure to lose close to $1000 of my $4500 in Korean/Canadian taxes, and with a little over 70% of that being on the Canadian side you see how much money we can save if we just plan ahead a bit.
If only I'd known all this three weeks ago........
Well that's why I'm posting, so that others can have an easier time. Enjoy
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