Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in Poland?

I published a post on my Polish blog (that is, the blog where I documented my time in Poland) about TEFL-ing there. It's a summary of my working conditions, whether I'd do it again or not, and the things to have in mind if going to teach there. The title is Teaching EFL in Poland: Would I Do It Again?

If you're thinking of tefl-ing in Poland (or are just curious), check out that post.

I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm willing to tackle any questions you send my way.

Total Cost of Getting the E-2 Visa for South Korea

So I returned to teach in the public school sector of South Korea for the second time.

There are plenty of websites and videos giving information on where to teach, what schools to teach in, how much you can earn, cultural aspects to have in mind, and so much more. However, I have not seen how much getting the E-2 visa can cost.

Allow me to share my expenses. One thing though, I didn't keep all the receipts, so there are probably some costs I've overlooked/forgotten. Nonetheless, this should give you an idea of how much you may spend to ultimately get your E-2 visa for South Korea.

Brace yourself, here we go:

Fingerprint cards at the Sheriff's Office/Police Station: $5/fingerprint card (I got 2)
Delivering fingerprint card to Approved Channeler: $6.65

FBI Criminal Background Check (through approved channeler): $39.95
Apostille fee for FBI CBC: $52.50 ($2.50 tax included)
To send FBI CBC to get it apostilled: $6.65
Copy of my university diploma and getting it both notarized and apostilled: $65

Passport pictures (each pair): $7.44 (I got 3 sets)

Sending all the documents to South Korea to get my contract and notice of appointment: $92.63

Visa Application fee: $45 (money order at the Post Office = $46.20)

Overnight Priority Express to Korean embassy + SASE of the same kind: $47.70

IRS Residency (for Americans to not pay taxes in Korea) fee: $85

Total: $389.60 (or $474.60 if you add the IRS Residency fee)

Not to insult your intelligence, but the process is not cheap, but considering you can earn +$2,000 USD per month and you can easily save half (depending on your spending habits and if you have debt or not), I'd say it pays for itself over and over again.

As the saying goes, "It takes money to make money." Getting your E-2 visa for South Korea is yet another example of that.

Around how much did you have to pay, especially as a non-American?

DO NOT apply to these ESL/EFL scammers!

Anyone looking for English teaching jobs overseas, do yourself a favor and avoid these websites. They are scams.

I learned for myself, although fortunately in time before losing money/time/effort/etc.

1. www.techcenterlimited.co.uk

2. www.1stclassacademy.co.uk

3. anyone or anything that comes from www.global-teachers.org

Just trying to help others avoid an unnecessarily unpleasant experience.

Do you know of any others that should be avoided like the plague?

On the road again . . .

Well, here we are.

I'm making the last minute checks and such before my departure.

Yes, I'm off again.

Where?

Back to South Korea!

This means I will revive my Teaching Souls in Seoul blog and continue documenting my time in Korea there, although I might share some random non-Korea-specific stuff here every once in a while. For the most part, I'll be posting on that blog from now until I leave Korea (again)--whenever that will be.

If you'll excuse me, I'll go back to my last-minute checks.

See you at my Korea blog!

DNA Results are in . . .

As interested as I am in learning about the origins of others--and especially my own--could you believe that I forgot about my DNA test through Family Tree DNA?

I knew it would take a while, so I just estimated it would be done by June and thought to forget about it until then. I happened to stumble upon it today, and then I noticed my results were in.

Oh, ok.

Let's check it out, shall we?

(***DISCLAIMER: These results might be slightly off. These tests are not fool-proof.***)

Here's the overall map, with my highlighted results.

This breaks it down to percentages.

Let's go in order of largest to smallest percentage:

1. European

Iberian Peninsula was expected. Scandinavia, however...

I wonder if this explains where my preferences for cold weather, solitude, and not talking so much comes from...

2. African

I knew I had West African blood, just not so much. Heck yeah!

3. Middle Eastern and New World (tie)

I actually expected a higher percentage. Still cool, though.

 Considering North Africa's role in Spanish history, I'm surprised the percentage is not higher.

Why is Cuba barely highlighted?!

Wait, is there more Native American in me than what met the Conquistadors in Cuba and Venezuela? Man, I wish I could witness the past.

4. Random, not-so-reliable, but you never know

Ok, I'll give you South Central Africa, but Oceania???

I'd love to get some answers for both of these regions.

So there you have it: except for Asia Minor and East Middle East, I just needed Asia to be a thoroughbred mut.

Will this change anything? Probably not. But I'm really excited to get some confirmation.

Have you taken this (or a similar) test? Did your results come out as you expected or did you discover some surprises?

Chosen DNA Test

I've got something else to share. 

***DISCLAIMER: I'm not paid for this at all. These are just my thoughts and the summary of my own research. I recommend you do your own and find what is best for you.***

You know all those DNA tests that are popular (Ancestry DNA, 23 and Me, etc.) and getting more popular (or so it seems to me)? I've wanted to take one for a long time.

Since I already have my taxes sorted out, I figured to treat myself to one of these tests.

The one I chose was Family Tree DNA

Why?

This article from The Legal Genealogist convinced me.

Basically, it offers the most for the lowest price ($79, but $90+ with shipping).

Apparently, this test is better for those who may not have European ancestry (or considerably less than others). 

I originally wanted to take the 23 and Me test, that checks your ancestry AND medical makeup ($199), but then I found out there's a site called Promethese that offers the same medical information for $5- $15. In essence, one needs to have their DNA results, upload them to Promethese, and it "reads" the information and can give one's medical/health makeup as well.

Below is a picture I took of the kit when it arrived. As you see, it included an intro letter, instructions, two swabs and two containers (for said swabs), a clear plastic bag with a form to sign (forgot what it was for), and a prepaid envelope.

I did as it said: swab one side of the inside of my mouth with one swab, put it in one container and break the handle part off and repeat with the other swab on the other side of the inside of my mouth.

Then just put everything into the prepaid envelope, drop it off in the mail, and done!

Now, I just need to wait 6 - 8 weeks for the results. I'm supposed to get an email when the results are in.

The complete Family Tree DNA test kit.

Alright, Let's see what they find . . . 

Exploring Jacksonville's Skyway (6. March)

Hello there.

Wow, I honestly didn't realize there was such a gap between the last post and this one. Whoops.

Let me get right into this and say this is something I've wanted to do for a long time, ever since I first saw it: ride on the Skyway and explore its route(s).

Speaking of route(s), here's the map:

Short and simple. Central Station is the "transfer" station.

Here are some snapshots I took of this adventure (of course I had to take my camera along!):

The walkway between the Kings Avenue Parking Garage and Kings Avenue Station, facing the parking garage.

Same as previous, but facing the metro station.

It was a bit of a ways over there. 

Good to know.

As you can see, this is a monorail metro train.

Crossing paths with another train, with downtown in the background.

Downtown Jacksonville

Greyhound Bus Terminal, near Central Station.

Had the entire car to myself, so why not?

I learned the hard way that these alarms really do work.

Escalators, and the stairs just beyond said escalators.

Interesting to see government buildings, parking garages, and abandoned buildings beside each other.

Hemming Plaza at Hemming Plaza Station.

main bus stop(s) at Rosa Parks Transit Station

Architecture that caught my attention between Rosa Parks and Hemming Stations.

Back at Hemming Station, I realized the Main Library was just across the street. I had to explore it. Can you believe I've never visited the main library of Jacksonville after having my family move here 5.5 years ago?!

By the way, I was in shock. I had no idea this library was so big (6 floors)!

Such a pleasant surprise.

The most memorable thing about the library. (3rd floor)

Same as the previous fountain.

Back at Riverplace Station, the stop before where I parked the car.

So yeah, quite straightforward.

This just brought me back to when I used the public transportation overseas. Good times.

Have you ever thought of taking the CELTA course yourself?

Why not--in Krakow, Poland?

I did it, and I'm so very glad I did for several reasons:

1. I learned a lot.
2. I met great people I still keep in touch with.

3. Krakow is BEAUTIFUL and budget-friendly.

4. My job possibilities have expanded, and my career is growing.

Granted, this list is just a short summary. If you want a better idea of how this course went for me, check out my CELTA Diary. It's not the most interesting read, I admit; but it covered exactly what I went through in the course.

Demanding? Yes.

Intense? Sure.

Worth it? Definitely.

Tell Barbara, Declan, and Magda I say "Hi!"

Afternoon by St. John river in Switzerland, Florida

That's right. There's a small community south of Jacksonville (perhaps more of a suburb) called "Switzerland." I found it when I was driving around/exploring one day. There's a park beside the St. John River. I've wanted to explore this place for a while. Finally, I don't remember when, I took my step-mother along and explored this park. We liked it and brought my father along when he was back home. It is quite small, but interesting and lovely nonetheless. Let me show you the pictures I took there.

My father's hand giving scale to this fungi's size.

The river and the sky were breathtaking. 

These pictures don't do it justice.

I've never seen this before: accessible transfer system for the handicapped to enjoy kayaking/canoeing. Brilliant! 

Dante Colvix is here!

Hey, guys!

Remember that I stated that I was working on another book? From the post titled, "Translating Dad's Books" I mentioned a book in which I wrote the following:

"I'm currently working on another--actually, updating one I translated before. It's part of a series (I think dad changed the number of books in said series) all about one boy with supernatural abilities and how he becomes the most influential, powerful ruler in the world. To some, he is a savior, messiah, what have you; but to others . . . Well, if you said "the Son of the Devil," you're actually right. What's scarier, you haven't exaggerated at all . . .

Seriously, there are parts in that book that scare me--and this is the first book, that is; the mild, tame, "not scary" one!"

Well, it's finished!



Behold, the cover of Dad's new book, on sale now!
There are English and Spanish versions--both have the exact same cover.

Who or what is Dante Colvix? He is the main character of the book. You will meet him as a 4-year-old orphan who is very special in many ways. He is quickly adopted by a childless ultra-multi-millionaire couple because of his unique qualities. The couple starts noticing strange things happening around the boy--people who go missing, go crazy, or die in coincidental accidents. When Dante turns 13, he meets his real, biological father. Dante also learns about his roots, his future, and the steps to take to fulfill his mission. Dante becomes a young man and starts to make himself known to the world in very benevolent ways. However, is he really as philanthropic as he seems? What is his agenda? Could you be fooled?

You can find Dante Colvix on any Amazon page: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Spain, The UK, and The USA.

The first book is finished, now to work on the second . . . 

Last few days (30. Dec. - 1. Jan.)

On Friday, 30. December, all of us returned to Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. Why? We were just there the day before; why go back?
Simple: we wanted to see the cannon fired.
They have a live cannon fire drill demonstration every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 15:30 (not sure if there are other times, but this is what we found out). We did not know this. Now that we did, we decided to go back and check it out--as well as get a military pass for my step-brother and a senior pass for my step-mom. With both passes, they can bring up to 3 people along (each) and enter any national park for free for as long as they live!

GOD bless the USA, right?

Cuban family from Texas 

Step-brother and his family came in "Cuban" uniform. Step-mom didn't have that, but at least she had a similar color to the uniform. That kinda counts, doesn't it?

Ahoy there!

Ah, these Spanish ships are still sailing in these waters, 504 years after this city/fort/settlement was founded.

May St. Barbara bless us!

Volunteers doing the drill--and even asking for St. Barbara's blessing. 

I would cross myself too if I knew I was going to use a cannon for real.

Fire!

I did not know how loud a cannon can sound, especially from this close.

Whoa!

The volunteers aren't kidding when they tell you to cover your ears!

Quite the crowd

All these, both inside and outside the fort, were here to witness the cannon drill.

By the way, there were no cannon balls used, only gunpowder.

¡Viva España!

Photo time

They were really fast to get pictures with the volunteers before anyone else could have photo-bombed them!

I like whoever did this, not sure if it's legal, though

Welcoming Sabbath at Ponta Vedra Beach on A1A.

It was quite cold there, actually. 

What you can't see is the wind, which made it worse.

It's not a Cuban household until there's a game of dominoes.

Mother and son turn out to be the victors.

Oh, it was so much fun having them over! I'm really glad they took the time to come over.
Come back anytime--just let us know when first!