I'm still here

Hi Blogworld. Wow, i have not logged in to my i_teach_esl@yahoo email for well over a year... longer, I think. My apologies to everyone who msged me. When i started this blog, i thought it best to remain anonymous, but since so much time has passed (and, since every so often, someone tries to reach out and I remain unaware)  you can find me on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/shacurington

But you all know about the fb group for black expats, BSSK Brothas&Sistas of South Korea? There is a wealth of information there and lots of people to learn from. Please do check it out   http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25747883752 

a little disclaimer: I am now 38 years old. I think that is my reason (or, i'm using it as my reason, anyway) for my lack of patience and my direct and forward manner. If you email me your life story with no actual concrete questions, I will probably be a little put out. I understand the power of writing something out, that's why i started a blog. You should, too. Also, the fb group has so much information: your questions are probably already answers. Please skim the docs and files. And, the internets has changed so much since 2007. There is SO MUCH INFO already out there: you can watch youtube vlogs, read esl forums, etc, to learn all that there is about teaching in south korea. Please really think it through before you message me. Maybe it feels like you know me b/c of this blog, and I'm glad if it helps, but in actuality, i don't know you. Don't msg me all of your deep dark secrets and insecurities and hope that I can save you. I'm just an esl teacher. I like to think i have power in my classroom, but that's about it. If you are so scared to come to korea, I suggest you look deeper for help and what the real issue is.

anyway... you can find me and other fam on fb. My overall msg remains the same: don't let anybody (especially the dominant anglos) tell you what you can and cannot do, or what you are or aren't capable of. Fam is here, let's help/support each other. I've met plenty of fam here in korea that i'm not crazy about, but bottom line is that if you need something, I am here for you. You can reach out any time, and if i am able, i will help.

this is a kimbop scarf!

knitting is my main hobby. where to get yarn in korea:
you can go to dongdaemun station, it is north on the blue line 4, exit 9. come up the stairs and there is a building to your right (the building next to the parking lot) go to the basement of this building, there are sewing and knitting supplies. the seoul snb google groups is the most active, if you post that youre going there, maybe someone will come to meet you/go with you? there is a facebook group for seoul snb but it is not very active. most people use ravelry or google groups. i think there is a page on the google gropu of other places to buy yarn. more info here:


google group
http://groups.google.com/group/seoulsnb 
meetup.com
http://www.meetup.com/Stitch-twitchers 
and a group on ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/knitters-and-crocheters-in-korea 

how to get the fbi check and apostille

• if you are american, you will need an fbi criminal background check to obtain the e2 visa. download the forms here: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/background_checks

• fill out the form, go to the police station, and have them fingerprint you (it cost me $32 i think). Mail it off to the fbi and it should take 6-8 weeks to get it back.

• once you get the fbi check, you need the apostille. go to this link: http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/

• scroll down and you'll see it's an $8 fee and it'll take about 10 days via mail service. download and fill out the form "DS-4194 Request for Authentications Service" and the cover letter/request form and mail it all off.

storage space

my friend was in global village in itaewon the other day and passed on a pamphlet to me. it is for storage space in korea, the website is http://extraspacekorea.com/  Their website says, "We allow people and businesses to store their items with us in our secured storage spaces, at affordable rates, for flexible time periods ranging from two weeks to twenty years."

Need help in translating?

ive not used this service, but hey: Need help in translating:Try calling 02120 and the press 9.Basically you can have a 3 way call (the operator will translate what you want to say to the other person).

what women should pack when travelling abroad

these articles say it really well. 

http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/01/five-things-most-women-should-pack-when-traveling-to-a-foreign/
http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/21/top-fifteen-items-to-have-in-your-travel-first-aid-kit/

read it/beat it

ive been working for cdi/cdl since i came to korea in feb 2007. overall i like it. this video is from a former fellow cdi-er. he made a video with the kids doing a parody of  mj's "beat it." i ABSOLUTELY LOVE this video, im sure you will too. if you teach in korea, you'll get the jokes in it and love it just as much as i do. 

graduate schools with diversity scholarships

one of these days, im going for the masters in linguistics or esl. This wasnt my plan, but i have fallen in love with esl. i want to learn all i can and be the best i can in this field and in the classroom. So, here is a list of links for schools that offer nearly free grad school for students of color.

---------------------------------------------------------

info pulled from old discussion board

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=25747883752&topic=11951

university of North Dakota

i met a brotha this weekend who got his masters without paying any tuition at teh university of north dakota. it's the cultural diversity tuition waiver. he also got free housing and a living

 stipend.  http://www.graduateschool.und.edu/html/CulturalDiversity.html

illinois state university

has diversity tuition waiver too, but i dont know any first hand info about it:  http://www.grad.ilstu.edu/financial/applications_for_assistance.shtml

unversity of minnesota

has diversity tuition waiver called DOVE (again, i know nothing about it):

http://www.grad.umn.edu/outreach/finances/fellowships.html

iowa state university

has a Graduate Minority Assistantship Program (GMAP):

http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/finance/gmap.html

university of new orleans:

http://grad.uno.edu/Scholarships/about.awards.cfm

Newark and Montclair State University.

http://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/edu/1889163585.html

IGSE (in korea)

Full scholarships to all students that are accepted. 

http://english.igse.ac.kr/_Board/Index.asp?n=206&m=View&s=QNA&p=1

John Brown University

https://www.jbu.edu/grad/financial_aid/graduate_diversity_scholarships/

marquette university

http://www.marquette.edu/grad/finaid_diversityfellowship.shtml

celta and celtyl

if like me, you have decided esl is your career, you may want to get certifications in celta and celtyl. They are not a requirements in south korea, but will definitely assist in getting a university job and i very confidently say they WILL make you a better teacher. Though not crucial for jobs in soko, they ARE for teaching esl anywhere else in the world.

celta is certification for english language teaching to adults. it teaches practical teaching approaches for the classroom, aimed toward learners age 16 and up. you can do it in seoul. i paid about 2.5 million korean won for the course and did it at igse. there are two places to do celta in seoul.
Cheaper one:
http://edulife.igse.ac.kr/curriculum/curriculum_3.asp?bcd=C01#FaqArea6

Other one:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/korea-teacher-development-courses-celta.htm 
celtyl is certification for english language teaching to young learners, aimed toward learners aged 5 to 13. it's not offered in south korea as im writing this post. i did mine in vietnam at ila. i paid about 900USD for the course, and i paid for my flight, accommodation, etc. Info on the celtyl in vietnam here:
http://www.discovereltvietnam.com/page.php?p=364

btw, i very quickly and easily got my visa vietnam online here: http://www.vietnam-visa.com/

bssk sexies

a couple of the brothers from bssk started a new group "bssk sexies," to discuss love, sex, and dating in korea. check it out here. Even cooler than that is they have started a project, doing interviews with brothers and sisters is soko. how very fantastic! listen online at http://www.bsskradio.com/