I'M GOING TO KOREA!

That's right! I got my visa number from my recruiter today and set up my interview with the Korean Consulate in Atlanta. Now all I have to do is go through the interview and pick it up, and I'm ready to go! Aside from shopping and packing a year's worth of my life that is. 

AHHHH! I can't believe it's really happening. So many emotions are running through me right now and I can't seem to just stay on one. Fear, panic, excitement, joy, anxiety, sadness, happiness...they're all warring inside me fighting for dominance. But I can't let them win...I will not be ruled by my emotions right now. I have too much to do in the coming week! So, wish me luck and next time I blog I should be doing it from SOUTH KOREA!!!!!

Ugh!

Still haven't heard from the consulate and it's making me nervous. Not sure what's going on or if there's really anything I can do about it, but I've contacted my recruiter and asked her if there was any way to find out. Haven't heard back from her yet either, which also worries me. She's usually really quick to respond. Hopefully nothing is wrong and I'm just being paranoid. My contract date is September 1st, so I need to be leaving soon...otherwise I'm going to miss the first couple of days and that's probably not a good thing. >.<

On a different front, I bought my first suit yesterday...and I look pretty good in it. :-D Figured I should have some formal wear for special events over there, just in case. My dad's suggested I try to find a Korean tailor when I get over there to just make me clothes like that...might try that when I finally get settled. 

That's pretty much it for now. This is my last week at work and it's kind of sad. Then it's a week of packing and getting everything together!

Countdown Initated!

So finally got to go shopping the other day with my mom and get some of the clothes I'm going to need in Korea. We went to the Gaffney outlet mall and shopped around for a few hours. I got some new shoes, polo, and underwear, lol. Trust me, it was needed. It was good to finally get some new threads though...being a broke college student for so long has not done great things for my wardrobe, lol. But another perk of it was being able to find and buy new clothes in smaller sizes. That's right, I'm finally able to fit into smaller sizes! And for that, I thank God my sister bought a Bowflex, lol. 

But serious, after struggling with my weight and self-esteem for the majority of my life, it feels good to finally be able to look at myself in the mirror and not get disgusted by what I see. It's empowering and uplifting. I finally feel good about myself, truly...not just thinking I feel good or putting on a front that I like myself. Granted, my years in college helped me tremendously, but I still left with certain feelings of self-doubt lingering in the shadows. Now, I finally feel like I'm truly shaking those feelings off and getting on with my life, moving on to better things and becoming a better person. And who knows what will come of it?

As of right now, the grand total in weight loss/change is that, after only 5 1/2 weeks of exercising and eating healthier, I've lost a total 15 lbs and 4in off my waist...meaning I went from a 3XL shirt and a 42in waist to being able to wear a XL shirt and a 38in waist!!! I'm so happy!

I still need to go shopping for a few more things for my Korea trip, including new pants, but at least now I'm looking forward to it! Haven't heard from the Consulate in regards to my visa yet, but I know I'll hear something soon. Until then, I'm just keeping up with my preparations and trying to get things together the best I can!

Anxiety Sets In

As I sit here waiting to go to work, bussing tables and waiting on the ignorant of society, I begin to wonder where my life is really heading. I know that in a few weeks it is going to take me to places I've never been before and even to new experiences that will hopefully change me for the better. But what about after that? Where is my life going after that? 

I've begun to consider going to grad school after my year in Korea is over, but the question still remains on what I want to do with my life. Going back to school is just a stopgap to the potentially boring existence that I might end up leading. Not to mention all the questions that come with it, like how to pay for it, what to major in, where to go, etc. It all seems like endless nothingness, and unfortunately, I have to decipher the cryptic messages among the void. 

As for my trip to Korea, my recruiter has told me that they will be shooting for a August 28/29th flight date, but that still depends on my visa and interview with the Korean consulate, whenever that occurs. Hopefully soon, since I'm contracted to start work on September 1st. It all just seems so close and yet so far away. It's freaking me out and I still have a lot to do with little money and little time left. 

:'(

Starting the Journey

So it's now just a few short weeks before I actually board the plane that will take me to a life changing adventure and I can honestly say that I'm pretty calm about it. I mean, I probably will freak out a little bit as it gets closer simply because of the daunting experience, but I think I'm going to be ok. Living in another country for a whole year by myself is going to be a definite growing experience and one that I believe will be good for me. 

Still on the list to do:

Shop for necessities

Pack

Get flight itinerary

Throw going away party