Let the Countdown Begin!!

It's official!!! We finally have a departure date!!! At approximately 10:10 a.m. on Wednesay, November 3, I will depart from DFW and head to my new home!! Less than a week!!! Holy cow!!

It's been a long journey but we're definitely ready to get outta here! On Monday, Kami and I finished the last leg of our journey...an interview at the Korean Consulate in Houston. We left from Arlington that morning and took the four hour journey to Houston. After lunch at California Pizza and a trip to the Container Store, we headed to meet with Consul Mim. Kami had her interview first and then I went next. It was quite interesting. My interview lasted about 10 minutes and it was pretty much just about my educational background and why I wanted to go to Korea and all that jazz...nothing out of the ordinary. I was a little nervous because he kept writing stuff in the papers, but it's all ok because I got my Visa so I'm all set!!! :)

After the interviews, my friend from college, MaryGrace, met us at Starbuck's for a visit! I haven't seen MG since her wedding in 2006, so it was so good to get to see her!

So with less than a week until I leave the country for a year, I've got lots to do. At the current time, I'm in Abilene visiting family and friends for a few days. I'll head back to Arlington soon so I can get my bags packed once again...oh the joys! I am super excited to go and just can't wait! It's coming soon! Let the countdown begin!!

A Little Closer!!

One more step down, just a few more to go!! Kami and I received our Visa Issuance numbers today, which allowed us to mail our visa applications to Houston. So, from my understanding, the Korean Consulate in Houston will receive them, call us for an interview, and after we interview, we'll receive our passports back in the mail in a few days. Hopefully all of this can happen soon. I know Kami and I are both ready go get there, so the sooner the better!

It's About That Time

Since I'm not really sure where I'll be on November 4, I recently requested an absentee ballot from my home county so I can vote early while I'm still in the country. Well, today it came!! I know I'm a dork, but I was really excited!! It's only my second major election to vote in, so the newness hasn't rubbed off yet! I also take much pride in voting and think everyone should do it if they can. As much as people complain about our leaders, at least we do have some freedom in selecting them...it's not like they're chosen because of their parents or grandparents. Also, if you don't vote, I feel you have no right to complain...SO VOTE!!! It's not that hard, people! Anyways here is a picture with me with the voting pack (there are a bunch of papers in there) and me with my ballot...yikes!! It's so long!!



On another note, my visa papers are officially in South Korea, so in about two weeks, I should have my visa ID number and will be one more step closer to heading to So Kor (that's what Aimee and I decided to call it!). I can't wait to go! I got a travel book in the mail today so I am excited to read it and learn all about my future home! Whoo-hoo!

Getting Closer!!

Well, I'm getting closer to my Korean adventure. Today when I got back to my mom's after my tour-de-Texas, I headed to FedEx to mail all my documents to South Korea. I had finally received the final piece of mail on Friday that I needed, so I was super anxious to get all my documents sent on their way to Korea. So whoo-hoo, one more step down. From here, the school will receive my documents, do their thing with immigration, send me a visa ID number and then I can offically apply for a visa with the Korean consulate in Houston. Sounds exciting, huh!

Anyways, I had a great tour-de-Texas and enjoyed seeing family and friends. I stopped at my alma mater in Plainview yesterday and got to catch up with a lot of old chums, so that was pretty exciting. I always love seeing old faces!

Anywho, just wanted to update everyone that I'm one step closer to my Korean adventure!

Really??

The other day I was watching The View and Bill Maher was a guest on the show. Now, I really haven't heard much about this guy...pretty much just his name...so I really didn't know what to expect. While he was being interviewed by the ladies, he said something that really struck me...not in a good way. Someone said something about prayer and Bill Maher said something like, "Prayer is like talking to an imaginary friend." He went on to say other things about religion that I didn't agree with either, but the prayer thing is what stuck with me.

An 'imaginary friend'...really??? I don't believe that God is some imaginary being that we just make up in our heads when we are five years old. I don't believe that talking to God is just a version of talking to myself. I was just really shocked to hear someone refer to Him in this way. I have faith and believe that God is really there. I have been blessed in too many ways to just believe that it's all a coincidence...I believe it is God blessing my life. I hope that Bill Maher will realize oneday that God is not just an 'imaginary friend'...He is the Way, the Truth and the Light.