DHL to the rescue

This morning I received the DHL tracking number from POLY. I went to the DHL website and checked. The package was mailed Saturday morning, Korea time, and was en route to my house. Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock at my door. DHL had arrived with the goods. Talk about speedy service! I went with Fed/Ex's fastest delivery to Korea, and they could guarantee me delivery within four days. How incredible is the age in which we live that we can deliver items within days to practically anywhere in the world! I checked the DHL website for other delivery options. One option includes Same-Day service!

After praising the speedy service to the DHL courier (Did you know that DHL bought out Airbourne Express? So said the courier...), I got underway to the Korean consulate. I submitted my passport and paperwork, and I was told that I could pick it up Thursday, July 1st after 4:00pm. I sent an email to POLY and let them know the situation. There is a possibility I could leave as early as this weekend. I will post more when I know.

Also, I finished my online TEFL course today! At least, I finished writing the coursework. Module Ten is designated as a resource/ informational module. There is no written work to do. I am waiting for my tutor to approve the work I submitted. There is another part to the TEFL course that is incomplete, the Grammar Awareness Module (GAM). The module is paper-based and is not necessary for me to complete to get my TEFL certificate. Hopefully, I'll finish the GAM by the end of this week.

Also, there is a small possibility that I may go back to Austin, if only for a day or two. I have to think about the logistics more. If I do go, it will be as early as tomorrow. Matt invited me to a Spider-Man 2 showing for Wednesday. If I don't go to Austin, Matt may come to Houston to see it with me here. Although it would be nice to have Matt here, I'll have hard time with it personally; Houston is not as entertaining and hip like Austin. Do you agree?

start the countdown...

After weeks of silence, POLY speaks. The immigration office sent POLY the work permit, and in turn, POLY is sending me the permit to get my passport stamped. I should receive in the next few days. It looks like that I will be leaving for Korea by the first full week of July. Hopefully, I will be finished with my TEFL course by that time. I am on the second to last module.

I spent this past weekend watching two games from the EuroCup 2004 championship. The EuroCup happens every four years like the World Cup, but happens on the even year between World Cups. If you haven't been keeping up with this year's tournament, you may be surprised to know that all of the big teams are out: England, Germany, France, and Italy. Saturday's game was between Sweden and Holland. The Dutch won by scoring five penalty kicks to Sweden's four. Sunday's game was between the Czech Republic and Denmark. The Czech Republic won three goals to nil. Goal two and three were scored in the first two minutes of each other by the same player. The Czech Republic have doing well throughout the entire tournament and are favored to win over Greece in the Semi-Finals. Who do you favor to win it all?

I am thinking about staying over at my uncle's house just so that I can watch the rest of the tournament... Hmm.

waiting while raining

I contacted POLY yesterday. They are waiting for the Immigration Office in Seoul to finish processing the paperwork. Their approximation for sending me the paperwork I need to get an E-2 visa is Friday. I am biding my time by continuing with my TEFL course (I am module 8 out of 10), visiting my old high school friend, Stephen, and visiting family.

Its been raining the past couple of days in Houston. Ick.

new and unproved

And then Pete was like, "wait no, I'm not satisfied with this new job, I shall suddenly and rashly fly back to America and get a big fancy American English teaching certification so that upon my return to this inept homeland they shall cower before the might of my mighty qualification!" And off Peter went, suddenly and rashly. The quest has vascillated between Stupendously Unbelievable to Horribly tragic and back and forth (thus inquiries into 'how are things going' are subjective to the momentary sways of the day). An overview would pose Pete precariously balanced on the precipe of either success or experiencing mild mental anguish, or perhaps going to Thailand. Hopefully the outcome shall be announced here later (until then expect his fate to oscillate).

For the Non-Pete (you) here is what he has done in the last 3 weeks.
The Pete parents did not so much ask Pete about how life in Korea was for Pete, but rather asked "well whadya gonna do with your life now?" and so Pete is generally avoiding them. First he went to his brother's workplace (U of H) and used DSL. A better sollution was found by visiting Matt McCaleb in Austin (he's who's writing the words you're reading). Thus there Pete froliced and worked on his TEFL certification and almost (maybe) got a grand job with the Poly institute in Korea. Meanwhile friend Brian visited from Princeton, and Austin was thoroughly enjoyed. An I-pod was purchased. Chagrin. Now the TEFL course must be finished and the possibility of Poly employment looms uncertainly on the horizon. You must ask yourself: Will Pete enjoy his remaining time in America? Will Pete get the dream job? Will Pete complete the TEFL? Will Pez make a Petehead Pez dispenser? This and many more questions to be answered here, and soon! Stay tuned!