Videos and Facebook

My film debut

Ok, guys, the moment you have all been waiting for (or not)! My Self Introduction video! 

Say what???

Let me tell you the story. Its not really an interesting story, but I will tell you anyway. Basically, the recruiter from Korvia (Jean) asked me as part of my application to so a short youtube video saying who I was, what I like to do, and why I want to come to Korea. Another recruiter (Jin from Englishworldkorea) had also asked me to do a video but I had declined, because at the time I thought it was weird. But now that a few have asked I spose I am ok with it...

Then Irene (from JT Consulting) asked if I could do a video of me demonstrating my teaching! Well, at this point I am getting a bit overwhelmed again, because I have enough trouble taking and uploading photos, let alone videos which I have never attempted. 

So I thought I would try and compromise. I did the video, very very basically, using the webcam on the mac and the imovie program. I wrote out the points i wanted to make and then I just kinda made it up as I went along. I gave it a few goes, and then picked the one I looked and sounded least retarded in. And here we are, the final result:

http://youtu.be/eJ3glCIEeuk

I have no idea if this will even work or not... 

I had to make a youtube channel, which I now have with my one video on it. If you are keen, and this link doesn't work, and you need a laugh tonight the channel is bonnie9973. I think you just type it in and I assume the video will appear. When I get to Korea I want to get myself a little video camera, and I will def try and load up some interesting things. 

Wait, this worked even better! Turns out there is an 'imbed video' option while blogging... Technology eh?

But still, I mean to make more videos so lets wait and see what happens. Oh, and as a side note, I watched this video back after posting it and emailing it to the recruiters, and then realised I have a bit of fluff in my hair. FML now I look like I don't brush my hair. I did take out the lip piercing though... No need to advertise my emoness.

Reasons why I love Facebook...

This topic can go on and on forever, because as many people know I really love Facebook (hereby referred to as fb). I know a lot of people whinge about fb taking over lives and causing people to be less social and all that, but I only look at it from a positive point of view. Some quick reasons I love fb are:

- Keeping in contact with old friends

- Its FREE

- Stalking people legally

- Contacting old friends I would never have been able to reach (like numbers have changed or whatever)

- Networking

For me, the current giant plus of fb has been the networking.

Facebook Networking

Since telling people of my Korea plans, I have had a heap of people link me with their friends or family who have been, or are working in South Korea. The info that I have been given by these kind souls has been invaluable. I cannot express how much I appreciate all these strangers giving me information without expecting anything back. it has been truly amazing. And through these initial contacts I have now made more, so there is now a network of reliable people I can speak with to get Korea info. One new friend in particular has answered my odd questions, like will I find a hairdresser and can I get decent bread. And they encourage me to ask anything. I feel really lucky that I am online and can access these people and their knowledge. 

Interestingly enough, a few of the recruiters have even pointed me to fb groups to ask questions and to see what type of things other expats are up to. This has also been great, I randomly saw that one girl was interviewing for the same position as me! So we have been comparing notes. It would be cool to catch up with her once we both arrive in Korea, two little newbies together :) So this is the type of community I am entering into - a bunch of likeminded people who are super friendly and helpful and want to help me with my experiences too. Couldn't really ask for more!

And all of this through the power of fb, and social networks. So don't bag fb to me, because I won't hear it!

Once I get to Korea, fb will be a massive life line to my friends and family too. And I plan on using youtube a bit too, as it seems to be a good way to reach people. But the big thing will be family and friends. I already know I will miss them heaps :)

Interviews update

So, I had an interview the other night with a school in Daejeon, called the International Communication Centre.

http://www.dongguicc.or.kr/

The hours are not really what I am looking for, and it is a bit further out than what I wanted, but the contract is only 6 months so I thought I would see if they liked me. The interview went well, she asked me the usual questions (what I like to do on the weekend, do I like kids, what is my teaching experience, what is sustainability etc) and that was about it. She asked if it was ok if a current teacher called me and also had a chat with me, which I said was fine and that was it. 

So last night, around 9.30pm the teacher called. It was one of their native teachers (by native, I mean native English speaking, not native Korean) and she was from New Jersey and had been teaching at the school for about 9 months. We had a really good chat about conditions, work environment and all that. She also asked me some more questions about my teaching style, why I picked Korea to want to teach at and that toy of thing. Either way, it was a good convo she was easy to talk to. I mean, you never know if there was actually the Korean director sitting behind her making sure she was saying the 'right' thing, but it seemed legit. 

And I actually just had a phone call from Claire (the recruiter for this position) while I was typing, answering a few other questions I had about this position. it seems that the actual working hours are pretty low, she thinks less than 30, and on a Friday you only teach between 6pm and 8pm. But in there lies my dilemma - the kids that i would be teaching are a little older (elementary and up) and the hours are not as awesome as I had hoped... Classes are from 11am to 7.30pm so I would be working evenings. Not too late, but still not during the day. And the area is a bit out of Seoul, takes over an hour by fast train to get there. 

But I will hold judgement until they send me a contract. they might not! They might not have liked me! We shall see... 

Update on this school!!!

Guys, i received a job offer from the ICC School in Daejeon. I have emailed a current teacher to get the low down on the school, so i will let you know what he says. I am still thinking its a no, because of how far out it is but I will wait and see what this guy says. And also the salary is a bit lower that what I was hoping, AND the accommodation is dorm style. Basically, I wouldn't say I was sold on it.

I have another interview this evening, with a school in Hanam. It is a new school apparently, and is part of the SLP chain which has a pretty bad rep online. But as Irene (recruiter) pointed out, they are all run by different people so it really depends on what the director is like. Don't know if that is comforting or not :s

http://www.jobteachconsulting.com/services/joblist/view.php?id=850 

This is what Irene sent me to have a look at, has some of the details about the position. 

So I will see how this interview tonight goes, and hopefully have some more offers soon!

In regards to the kinder in Yongin, they are really putting the pressure on to get me to make up my mind. I sent Claudia an email telling her if they are not comfortable waiting then they can interview someone else, but instead she sent back so other info and asked if I was not comfortable with the contract. I just pointed out to her this was a really big deal for me, having to shift myself to another country and begin a new profession and I need to be 100% about it before I commit. She hasn't emailed me back yet :s but I refuse to feel pressured! Not really very fair. 

The interview with the Wonderland school this morning was cancelled. I have a feeling it was because they may have already found someone, but she said it was because the directors daughter had to go to hospital. i said yeah thats cool, either make another time or just focus on another school and she said she would find me another school. So there you go. That was the one with the bad online reviews anyway so i am not really too upset. 

In other news...

The pony is still due to come back on the weekend. Provided that Beau can go to Chirnside. Provided mums car hasn't completely shit itself by then. 

I have eaten nearly an entire block of chocolate today, so the diet is still failing miserably. Oh well... when the pony comes back I can start riding again and hopefully shed some kg's.

Ummm, can't really think of anything else right now so I guess thats it for today! Unless i think of anything later, in which I will add or make another post.

xx