KaDeWo - The Joy Advocate

Entrance to school cafeteria Today my (school) Principal surprised and honored me with a carefully selected Korean name:  원 가 린  pronounced Won Galin The translation is Won = First, Ga = Beautiful, Lin = Clear or Pure    The names chosen appeal to me because they are close to the translation of my English name ( Joyous Cascade Goddess ). HAPPY 2ND MONTH ANNIVERSARY TO ME!! The naming "ceremony" took place in his office along with the Vice Principal and my primary Coteacher over tea and sweet bread, after a tour of the cafeteria kitchen. Just after 1st period commenced, Principal came to my desk and requested my company for an "interesting" experience. His choice of words intrigued me. I saved the file I was working on and followed him. I thought we were going to his office, for a lesson, based on the fact that he helped me practice Hangul last week. We stopped at the administration office to summon the Head of Administration and continu...

Disclaimer: This was my experience based on the two banks I use. I bank with USAA; find out the receiving fees for your American bank. I do not know the process for expats wiring money to other countries. So...I mistakenly thought once I had a Korean bank account that I would be able to transfer money immediately from my Korean to US bank account, to pay bills back home. Disappointedly, I found out 2 things: 1. Koomin Bank or KB requires 6 months proof of residency to transfer funds to an US account, for account holders and 2. that I had to wire money home to pay American companies that do not allow you to use foreign bank accounts to pay your monthly bills.  Once I found out no. 1 I figured let me just call the companies and pay them directly, instead of using my US bank's online/app bill pay system. I went to my local post office, Korea Post , to send a little over $1500 USD. The post office's fee ...

On August 25, 2016 I excitedly arrived in the Land of Morning Calm at the Incheon International Airport on a Korean Air plane around 2025 KST. It has been a little over a month and my honeymoon phase (referred to by other expats and natives as the period when a new arrival likes/loves all things new) continues. My first night was spent in a quiet and modern Best Western. The next day, I boarded a "limousine" to my new province, Daejeon . (I feel it is important to note that a limo in the States is not remotely similar in Korea. I boarded a bus with fewer seats than Mega Bus. However, they reclined with a foot rest and included a cup holder. Not luxurious in the least, but comfortable for a 2 hour and 20 minute ride to the Government Complex stop.) Daejeon is nicknamed the Middle City; a great location to get to most major cities in South Korea and does not experience the worst of bad weather. (i.e. devasta...