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      • Arrival, Settling In, Daily Life
      • AQI, health, safety, etc.
      • 我喜欢中国的东西!iLvChina!
      • Chengdu - Giant Panda City
      • NomNomNom
      • Teaching in China
      • The Great Leap Forward
    • Eastern Tibet & China 2018-19
  • BlahBlahBlog
    • Life Practices >
      • Fasting 2021
      • Reading List
      • Tao
      • I Am That
      • 2020 Fasting/Gratitude
      • Gratitude 2019
      • 我能行 2018!
      • 2016-17 365gratitude
    • Misc Blather
    • Life Savant
    • Hip Gnosis
    • Banchan - Stories and Poetry
    • Mortality As Fiction
    • Quotes That Resonate
    • Yummies 4 ur Tummies
    • ggTV
  • detours de Force
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    • Kalifornikation 2021
    • Cabin in Colorado 2020
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    • "UltimateKhamTrek2019!"
    • HongKonger 2019
    • India Spring 2019
    • Kham Tibet 2019
    • Kham Tibet 2018
    • Bon Jour Paris! 2018
    • Yogaville 2016-2020
    • 내 김치 키스 2013-14 >
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      • gadabout...
      • Video Diaries >
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      • Teaching English in Korea
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Visa Requirements (for all types of Visas)

9/7/2014

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This doc was created 08/2014 by the Korean Govt and has requirements for every Visa type available, from teachers of English, to tourism, to job seekers...
140801_visa_instruction_guideenglish.pdf
File Size: 8825 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Take Melatonin to prevent/relieve jet lag!

9/7/2014

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(From a few reputable sources online)

Nine of the ten trials found that melatonin, taken close to the target bedtime at the destination (10pm to midnight), decreased jet-lag from flights crossing five or more time zones. Daily doses of melatonin between 0.5 and 5mg are similarly effective, except that people fall asleep faster and sleep better after 5mg than 0.5mg. Doses above 5mg appear to be no more effective. The relative ineffectiveness of 2mg slow-release melatonin suggests that a short-lived higher peak concentration of melatonin works better. Based on the review, the number needed to treat (NNT) is 2. The benefit is likely to be greater the more time zones are crossed, and less for westward flights. The timing of the melatonin dose is important: if it is taken at the wrong time, early in the day, it is liable to cause sleepiness and delay adaptation to local time.

§  See the light! Light exposure is one of the key determinants of your body’s circadian rhythm. If you’re traveling east, get bright sun exposure in the morning; if you’re traveling west, light later in the day will facilitate your adjustment. If you’re stuck inside, use a light box or another source of bright artificial light.

§  Maximize sleep during the first few nights. Resist napping and make your new environment conducive to good sleep. Use a fan to create white noise to drown out annoying sounds, and keep the thermostat set at 65° F.

§  Eat meals at appropriate local times. Even if you aren’t hungry, scheduling meals by the local clock will help you adjust. Avoid the urge to eat at off times. To eat optimally for jet lag, eat meals with high-protein foods to stay awake and include more carbohydrates when you’re preparing for sleep.

§  Exercise. Don’t let feeling tired and sore from travel keep you from physical activity

Jet lag : Eastbound travel : A preflight, early evening treatment of melatonin should be followed by treatment at bedtime for 4 days after arrival. Westbound travel : Melatonin for 4 days at bedtime when in the new time zone.Sleep disorders : Difficulty falling asleep : Melatonin 5 mg 3 to 4 hours before an imposed sleep period over 4 weeks.

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Flights around Asia and to Korea -Helpful Links

8/30/2014

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Do NOT fly a sub-par U.S.-based airline (American, Delta) unless you are so broke you can't afford otherwise.  Really!  For a few hundred bucks more, fly as though you are in first class on Korean Air. Their coach class is equivalent to American/Delta First Class, and you will appreciate the comfort and luxury, not to mention the excellent service, given to all coach class citizens on Korean Air.  Free meals, free water, free wine, ample room, pillows, blankets.  Everything you are charged $20 for on the crappy U.S.-based airlines comes standard on Korean Air unlike charging you for everything they can on the U.S. Based flights ("oh, you want toilet paper, that will be $20.  Oh, you want a seat that reclines, that will be $20, oh you want wifi, that will be $50).  The Korean Air Airbus planes are newer, larger, and more modern, as well!  Seats are larger with more legroom.  On a 10-16 hour flight, I promise you, it will make all the difference to your mood upon arrival to Seoul ICN.  This advice comes not only from me, who has flown KoAir, but also, Koreans who fly back and forth between ROK and USA.  Your school will not pay the extra, but it's very worthwhile to add this to your budget! I'd rather pull out my eyelashes one by one than fly American or Delta anywhere... even in the USA!
     My flight from Atlanta to Busan was $1150 on Korean Air, $875 on Delta/AA.  I paid the difference and was comfy, cozy, hydrated, and happy in my big fat cushioned chair, on the NEW Airbus on the long flight to Korea!
     I presume other Asia-based airlines (japan Air, China Air) offer similar service and amenities, but do not know personally.  

www.koreanair.com
http://www.skyscanner.co.kr/
http://www.zuji.com/
http://www.makemytrip.com/international-flights/
http://www.airasia.com/my/en/home.page
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_KR.html?brand=CX
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Documentation Requisites- Helpful Links

8/30/2014

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US State Dept.
http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/
http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/c53226.htm
http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/c53215.htm
http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=text.display&tid=37

State of Texas Apostille Info
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/faqs2300.shtml#np19
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/authinfo.shtml

Approved FBI Channelers/fingerprinting
http://www.accuratebiometrics.com/fingerprinting_FBI_Criminal_Background_Checks_Departmental_Order_55673.html?referrer=HP_Button (I used them, 24 hour turn around, authorized and accepted by FBI)
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/criminal-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers
http://www.ncdoi.com/ASD/Documents/ApplicationsAndForms/Live%20Scan%20Locations%20for%20Electronic%20Fingerprints_AA_BB.pdf

Korean Visa(first two offer most accurate and comprehensive info as of 09/2014)
http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/InfoDetailR_en.pt (official site and most detailed info)
http://www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/NtcCotnDetailR_en.pt?pageSpec=&targetRow=&lafjOrderBy=&sRange=&sKeyWord=&bbsGbCd=BS10&bbsSeq=2&ntccttSeq=45&pageCode=list&langCd=EN&bbsNm=Notice (detailed visa guide)
http://south-korea.embassy-online.net/South-Korea-Consulate-General-Atlanta.php
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/GK/GK_EN_2_1_1.jsp
http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/visa/certificate/index.jsp?menu=m_40_20



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In 23 hours and 15 minutes...

10/24/2013

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Picture
I will be heading to Atlanta to catch my flight to Busan!! I still need to do a final pack and weigh my two suitcases (up to 62 linear inches each, up to 50 lbs.), and carry on (up to 46 in. and 26 lbs.), and get all my boxes ready to ship.  Then there is my motorcycle, which needs to go to the bike shop here for consignment (which I still haven't cleaned!).  We will run to Asheville this afternoon to do some final shopping for items hard to come by in Korea (I think) and pick up the rental car.  Then back here to meet my GF for a last glass of wine together (until she comes to ROK to visit!)  So I guess I better get off of this and get to packing!

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R-O-K in the U-S-A...

10/23/2013

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Picture
If this photo is an indicator of my current state of mind, living, and organization--it is accurate!
The past week is a blur.  Between spending wasted amounts of time on Craigslist trying to sell everything from furniture to my motorcycle, to working on my TEFL certification, to repacking boxes for storage (and I mean repacking like 4 times!!!) at Dad's, to talking for hours on end with friends before I leave, and trying to maintain sanity at home; I'm a frazzled mess! :-)) But an excited frazzled mess!
       The trepidation has morphed to exhaustion and anticipation of The New.  I've found another wrinkle.  I've gone through boxes and boxes of STUFF.  I've pulled every piece of clothing I own out of closets and drawers, and then organized each item into"'like" stacks on my bed (what you see in the pic).  I've discovered I own 20 bras.  Who in the heck needs 20 bras?  I mean they're all pretty, sexy, etc., but come on!  Then again, in ROK, the women aren't built like I am, so if I plan to be there for a long while and don't wish to pay exorbitant shipping, I suppose I WILL need 20 bras!  ha! 

       Here's the gist of packing:  Korean Air allows 2 checked bags, max 50 lbs. and one carry one, max 27 lbs.  Additional checked bags are $200.  Yep, a third checked bag, up to 50 lbs., will cost me $200.  I've priced a "medium-sized" box (think alcohol box from liquor store):  14x12x12, 25 lbs., shipped to ROK, with 4 different shippers.  The results are...mortifying and terrifying and RIDICULOUS!  Gone are the days when you could mail by ship/cargo/slowboat-to-China!  Even the USPS only ships airmail if the package/letter is more than 4 lbs.  Yep, 4 lbs.  And the USPS will get your box there in a week, surprise! 
Gone are the days of $50 for a 50+ box shipped from Buffalo, NY to the Us Virgin Islands... like what I did back in 2002!  I shipped just about everything I owned via "media mail"(shhhh)  to the USVI for about $80 per box, and those boxes were HUGE!    I think I spent approximately $80 each for 5 boxes!  Well, now, let me break it down real simple-- real ugly.  And it's really ugly.  The shipping costs for the aforementioned medium box of 25 lbs., to ship from North Carolina to Tongyeong, ROK:
  • DHL $400
  • UPS  $220
  • FedEx $200
  • USPS $125
Yeah, I laughed at the DHL rep when they told me that!  "Dude, I'm shipping some clothes and personal items that are about $200 at most, for $400..really???"
Click.
Don't know if that was him or me ;-))

Well, this missive is now long enough.  Way past my bedtime at 130am, though it's a nice afternoon in Tongyeong at 230pm.  And warmer!  I can't wait for the warmer climate!  Love these mountains, but I need more heat!
Out, ya'll!  GG



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Mountains to the left, sea to the right!

10/20/2013

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If this is the correct map image, I'm psyched!  I've got mountains 3/4 of a mile to the west, and the sea less than half a mile to the east! Yes! 
Looks like I will be running along the waterfront once again.  I live a short distance from school, with shopping at EMart nearby (can't wait for that experience).  I'm really looking forward to walking everywhere once again!

View Larger Map
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    iGallivant...

    ...is prepping to leave for ROK in a week!

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