Job Process...

As I'm coming to an end in my first contract in Korea, I am looking for a new job. Luckily, here, there are tons of jobs... so it's more a matter of sorting through to find a good recruiter and good job! Much different from the states. I started off trying to get into a University, sadly that dream was shot down by strict requirements. However, I know what I want out of my next year in Korea, and know the best way to get it is to go for a higher paying job, even if it requires a bit more work. I did apply for public school, and was accepted to work for them, however their pay scale is a bit lower then private schools. Also with public school you get more vacation time, which is fantastic, however, if you are me and have a bad habit of spending money - specially when you are not occupied with work, having an extra 10 days off a year could amount to an extra $2000-$3000(or more) spent very easily. So I decided private school is the best fit for me. Then it came to finding a good one.... there are horror stories all over about working for private schools, I've even seen them happen to my friends. One friend was sent home after 10 months because her school shut down, her working conditions were terrible.... another simply hated her school so much, worked far too many hours, and the housing was horrid, she still stuck it though till the end of her contract. With that, I started looking at schools - first by pay then by hours. After that, I searched the blacklists and contacted people who worked for these schools. With that I lined up 3 interviews, I've completed 2 of the 3 and have the 3rd tomorrow. At this point I am sure I will go do the interview, although it means another week night trip to Seoul (another $10 spend on bus rides, getting home after 10pm, not getting dinner till really late or eating out...), because I want to be sure I am making the right decision. For many reason I want to live in Seoul, but the job I am leaning towards is in Bundang, I have quite a few friends there - with the same interests as me i.e. run, bike, swim, lift. The school was really great, and the director was very genuine and seemed like she would be a great boss. 


If I take the job in Bundang, it comes with one upsetting thing, that I can deal with, I just hope people aren't too upset at home.... my vacation back to the states will be very short or not at all. I know my family and friends care about me and want me to be happy and in a good job... so I know they will understand if I cannot make it home. Details on that after the decision is made.


As for my running and training. I have hit some major lows in my motivation this year. I thought coming into this year that it would be my best year yet, but that turned out to be wrong. The year is not over and I can still get in quite a few miles. I thought that being here, not having much to do but run, I would, well, run non-stop. However, it turns out that my dream of running trails and all over this city were shot down... considering there are no trails here, and the city consists of a 5mile loop. Thus, completing the same run time and time again has failed to keep me interested. Not to mention, I find that I am longing to even see other runners out running. I am the lone runner here, I have tried night running/day running/morning running, the most I have ever seen was 2 runners out on the 5 mile loop. My shoes have not been hung up yet, but with winter coming/here I know the next month is going to be tough. I think I am going to re-join the gym, at least I can use the treadmill. 


With my next update I should know when and where I'm moving, and when I'll be able to visit the states!!! :)

Down for the count....

Just as I was getting up there in mileage and running was going well - bam! I'm out for over a week. A few days after finishing eating only raw foods, I noticed that I was starting to feel sick and by the end of the week I felt like I wasn't well enough to run, and finally by the end of the weekend I had come down with strep throat. Eeek! This put me out for the whole week. I only went to school on Friday, I had to visit the doctor twice, and I missed just over a week of running. I found myself sleeping 10+ hours a night, napping during the day and living on ice cream since it's the only thing I could eat without wanting to cry. I recall have strep once as a child, I remember my mom giving me lots of Gatorade and Popsicle and staying home from school for a week or so, but I don't remember being in so much pain. It was not fun. I can't quite figure out where I picked it up from, but I'm glad it's over. 


From today, I will start with training again. I am sure I haven't lost much fitness, but I can't go back to running with the mentality that I am 100%. I need to get back to it slowly and carefully, I can't push myself, and mostly I can't make up lost mileage. So this week I'm planning to take it easy and run 3 times before my 11km race on Friday. Friday is 11-11-11, once in a life time date, and my run club is putting on an 11k race! Of course I'll be there! Even if I have to take it slow and run/walk it, I'll get it done. It's even at 11pm. Should be a ton of fun. This coming weekend should be filled with run club fun. 


I have decided after getting sick, that it's probably best for me if I return to raw, or mostly raw foods. I found the diet to be very expensive, so I will allow myself to eat some cooked foods to help cut costs. But most importantly - no sugar and no processed foods (unless I do it myself). I started my morning with an apple and some egg whites and had some homemade applesauce for a snack. So far I'm on the right track, not I just need to stick with it. 


Being that it's November, I am getting quite close to my contract ending (52 days, but whose counting). I am slowly getting my plan for next year worked out. I am not done with Korea, but I'm more then done with Anseong. So the plan is to find a job in Seoul. I have had 1 interview so far, which resulted in a job offer with Seoul Public schools. I have another interview this week. I hope I am able to get in a few more interviews this week so that I can get this decision made quickly! I will be back in American for at least 1 month, and am planning on a trip to MI, Vegas, and TX! Can't wait to see friends and family, and eat some yummy foods! :)