Saying Goodbye to Friends

I have been preparing over the past few weeks, saying goodbye to those I love. I spent the weekend with Natalie, Brooks and Melissa on Fripp Island where Nat is interning. It was enjoyable to rest a bit at the beach with my best friends before the big move. I spent a weekend with the gang from the University of Georgia. We did all of those things in Athens that as students we never did, so, we played tourist in our own town. It was a grand time. We visited all the bulldogs around town and took along a photographer (Drew) to handle making us shine. Scottie went along as he always does. Going to be moving home next week to spend the remainder of my time in the states with the family. Updates are coming soon...

Waiting for my Visa

So, I am awaiting my Visa confirmation number so that I may go to the Korean Consulate here in Atlanta to have my passport stamped. Once I get my stamp, I will also receive all of my flight information and address in Korea. I will share with you all as soon as I get this information! Keep in mind that I will be 13 hours ahead of you if you are in Georgia or Quito, 9 Hours ahead of you if you are in Ireland, Scotland, England or Ghana, 17 hours ahead of you if you are in San Francisco, 16 for those of you in Colorado or Vegas and 4 hours for my sister in Afghanistan. Don't get too mad if I'm early on a birthday phone call! I am excited to find out if I will be traveling east across Europe or West across the Pacific. I will learn all of this after my visit to the Consulate. If any of you ever need me for anything, you have two surefire ways of getting in touch with me and finding me: the Korean Embassy here in Atlanta will know where I am and have up-to-date information on the current events in the country. You can get them at 404-522-1611 if you are in the United States. Also, you can find me at the American Embassy in Korea at http://seoul.usembassy.gov or Main Switchboard: 82-2-397-4114. The address is: Embassy of the United States Seoul
32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710
Republic of Korea
No worries!!! I will keep you posted!
I am traveling to Fripp Island this weekend to have one last hang out with my best friends, Natalie, Brooks and Melissa. This time of preparation is moving quickly!

Oh my Seoul

I am moving to South Korea August 14th, 2009. I will become a resident of Gunpo in the Gyeonggi Province about 15 miles south of the city of Seoul. The population of Gunpo is approximately 244,000, so I am fortunate to be placed in a smaller, less intimadating city. The city itself is surrounded by mountains with one mountain in the center of the city. It would be like Stone Mountain located here in Georgia and sky scrapers surrounding it. There is great hiking trails surrounding the area and some very old temples and ruins of past Confucian history. There are many waterfalls, one is artifical and famous throughout Asia and great gardens designed by monks. The city is linked to Seoul by subway trains and is halfway between Seoul and another major city. I will be very near the sea on the Western side of the country. About a 30 minute ride, I'm guessing. If I decide to go to the "real" beaches, then I can take a train 3 hours south to Busan. I think this is going to be a great opportunity. I am very excited and look forward to hearing from you all. As most of you know I am obsessed with stationary, so expect some letters dependent on the cost of stamps in Korea. I love you guys. In this time of preparation I hope to spend time with all of you. I'll be posting more information about my future city!
Check out these links.
http://www.gunpo21.net/english/index.htm

http://www.ispongeenglish.com/