Fancy nails.

"I'm sorry, but you fit the description of drug mules that we're having a problem with currently.  We can't let you come into our country."


In December of 2005 these words were heard.  They were directed at myself and three friends while attempting to drive Christina into Canada, as she missed her bus in Detroit.  This wasn't the first attempt of entering into Canada, nor was this the first time denied.  We (and by that, I mean Christina) did manage to convince the border patrol to allow us in far enough to drop her off on the other side of the bridge and then have us come back to the States.  She appeased to the patriotic side of the Canadian by having a minor meltdown and crying that she was tired of being in America and just wanted to go home.  Apparently the Canadian agreed that being stuck in America was indeed a bad thing and allowed us in long enough (fifteen minutes) to drop Christina off at a hotel right off the bridge.

Five years later, after many attempts, I was finally allowed into Canada for Christina's wedding.  With every attempt made I heard a variation of how I looked like a drug trafficker and I wasn't going to be allowed in.

Yesterday I had to go to the state police (again) to be fingerprinted (again) to prove to the Korean government for the third (and hopefully last) time that I am who I say I am, and I have no criminal history.  While being fingerprinted for the third time during my visit, as apparently my fingers don't produce sufficient prints to be used, the state trooper paused and asked incredulously while staring at my fingers, "You didn't make your nails all fancy just to come and be fingerprinted, did you?"  Laughing, I responded, "Well of course!  Shouldn't one look their best when being fingerprinted?"  Taking my facetiousness seriously, he nodded and then whispered, "You should see the usual people I have to fingerprint.  Their nails aren't nearly as pretty."

Being a criminal is no excuse for having bad nails, people.

Hopefully these fingerprints (with my "fancy" nails) will be enough to convince the Korean government that I am not trying to get their population addicted to drugs, nor am I a spy (yet), and all I want to do is teach their cute little kids English.  If I can't convince them of this before the 27th, the law changes and then I will be stuck here for a few additional months while I wait for my federal background check to come through.

Once again I am trying to convince a government to allow me into their country.  It would be nice if it didn't take five years to do so this time.

The time is near...

The paperwork has arrived in South Korea. I should receive my visa confirmation number by Monday or Tuesday! As soon as I receive it I have to be off to Chicago for the interview and then it's time to depart!

So yes, I shall be living in Korea by next week! :)

(The good news is that it's in the mid-30's to 40's there currently, as opposed to this ridiculously cold weather here. I'll take the slight increase in temperature.)

Update

As most of you know, I was supposed to start teaching on the 9th of December. As that is only two days away, clearly it's not going to happen.

There has been a slight delay with paperwork thanks to the lovely state of Michigan. A week ago I finally received the document and sent it to South Korea to receive a Visa confirmation number. Once I receive the confirmation number I will be off to Chicago to interview with the Korean Consulate, and then hopefully without further delay, I shall finally be on my way.

So no, I don't know when I will be leaving. I don't really know anything at the moment other than that I have to wait.

So, wait I will.

First Blog

This will be where I write about my adventures while living in South Korea. I hope you enjoy it!