Received the news today that the visa issue has been verbally resolved and approved - written resolution and approval will be forthcoming once the dragons have been relocated to the offices responsible for my visa.
Lawyers are back on the clock!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Soul destroying stress...
Well, the paperwork dragons have been forced in to hibernation. I have managed to source lawyers in Australia and Canada to complete all the necessary steps the paperwork must go through BUT there is now a possible issue with my VISA!! So, until that is sorted out I don't feel it is wise to spend significant sums to meet a SPECIFIC countries visa requirements when there may be no visa forthcoming.... stay tuned for this update.
So I decide I can put the above on a 'backburner' and let happen whatever is suppose to happen... not an easy thing to do as those who know me will attest! And just as I come to terms with this situation I get metaphorically punched in the stomach.
I get my TAX BILL!!! Yes, you read that correctly - BILL. I owe the government here approximately $400USD which will ALL come off my upcoming pay check!! Now, before you think 'well, that's not too bad' let me enlighten you to some MIND BOGGLING facts. 1) my ONLY income is from my current job; 2) I work for a multi BILLION dollar company with several 10s of thousands of employees. NOW, if I can go online and find, in my native language, information on my tax rate, pension rate and national health plan deduction rates you WOULD THINK that the accounting department could do the same. I am at a complete loss as to how the accounting department could have missed $400 worth of deductions over the year when I am able to find all this information. This is, after all, the JOB of the payroll department - isn't it?
Now, before you think, - she's just whinging about basically nothing read on.
So now, metaphorically I am rolling around on the ground from this sneaky stomach punch when BLAM!! I get kicked in the head (again, metaphorically).
My female puss cat hasn't been herself so off to the vet we trot...
After an hour and $200 dollars we, puss cat and I , find out that she has Chronic Renal Failure. Fabulous - my little girlie is ill, it is a non reversible disease. Best we can hope for is to "get it under control" and she will have 2-3 good years left. OK.. so another hole in my soul, another hole in my wallet.
All this is happening while the first mentioned paperwork is on hold because of the visa issue which has meant that the paperwork required for the cats is also on hold - but there are specific windows where certain requirements for the cats to travel must be met.... STRESS...
OH YES! All this just 1 week before I start the final course for my MEd.
Anyone out there want to change places with me for the next few months??? Anyone?
So I decide I can put the above on a 'backburner' and let happen whatever is suppose to happen... not an easy thing to do as those who know me will attest! And just as I come to terms with this situation I get metaphorically punched in the stomach.
I get my TAX BILL!!! Yes, you read that correctly - BILL. I owe the government here approximately $400USD which will ALL come off my upcoming pay check!! Now, before you think 'well, that's not too bad' let me enlighten you to some MIND BOGGLING facts. 1) my ONLY income is from my current job; 2) I work for a multi BILLION dollar company with several 10s of thousands of employees. NOW, if I can go online and find, in my native language, information on my tax rate, pension rate and national health plan deduction rates you WOULD THINK that the accounting department could do the same. I am at a complete loss as to how the accounting department could have missed $400 worth of deductions over the year when I am able to find all this information. This is, after all, the JOB of the payroll department - isn't it?
Now, before you think, - she's just whinging about basically nothing read on.
So now, metaphorically I am rolling around on the ground from this sneaky stomach punch when BLAM!! I get kicked in the head (again, metaphorically).
My female puss cat hasn't been herself so off to the vet we trot...
After an hour and $200 dollars we, puss cat and I , find out that she has Chronic Renal Failure. Fabulous - my little girlie is ill, it is a non reversible disease. Best we can hope for is to "get it under control" and she will have 2-3 good years left. OK.. so another hole in my soul, another hole in my wallet.
All this is happening while the first mentioned paperwork is on hold because of the visa issue which has meant that the paperwork required for the cats is also on hold - but there are specific windows where certain requirements for the cats to travel must be met.... STRESS...
OH YES! All this just 1 week before I start the final course for my MEd.
Anyone out there want to change places with me for the next few months??? Anyone?
Monday, February 20, 2012
Paperwork MONSTER
So, my Australian papers need to be notarized and apostille stamped in Australia -- no, the Embassy can not notarize and apostille is only done by foreign affairs in Australia. SEARCHING for a notary who will notarize my documents without me being in Australia.
Canadian documents need to be notarized and authenticated in Canada (including HIGH SCHOOL diploma and transcripts!). Searching for a notary in Canada who will proceed without my being there. AND yes, NO the Embassy can not notarize nor authenticate. Authentication can only happen in Ottawa at DFAIT
Both of the above processes are difficult when you are sitting in Korea and there are no FREE FLIGHTS in order to accomplish the above. I am seriously doubting the global / international nature of information and society at the moment.
Documents in Korea must be notarized and apostille stamped in Korea. This process will be easier - BUT the added step of English translation must occur BEFORE notarization and apostille.
I am starting to feel like Don Quixote, only it isn't a windmill rather a PAPERWORK MONSTER that I am jousting.
On a plus side - the cats requirements have been sorted out and it seems fairly straight forward. PLUS, the regulations in Korea and UAE require me to use agents in both places - basically I just do what I am told. I pay $$$ but, things will be done correctly.
In the past the cats have been the most difficult part! :-D
Canadian documents need to be notarized and authenticated in Canada (including HIGH SCHOOL diploma and transcripts!). Searching for a notary in Canada who will proceed without my being there. AND yes, NO the Embassy can not notarize nor authenticate. Authentication can only happen in Ottawa at DFAIT
Both of the above processes are difficult when you are sitting in Korea and there are no FREE FLIGHTS in order to accomplish the above. I am seriously doubting the global / international nature of information and society at the moment.
Documents in Korea must be notarized and apostille stamped in Korea. This process will be easier - BUT the added step of English translation must occur BEFORE notarization and apostille.
I am starting to feel like Don Quixote, only it isn't a windmill rather a PAPERWORK MONSTER that I am jousting.
On a plus side - the cats requirements have been sorted out and it seems fairly straight forward. PLUS, the regulations in Korea and UAE require me to use agents in both places - basically I just do what I am told. I pay $$$ but, things will be done correctly.
In the past the cats have been the most difficult part! :-D
Saturday, February 18, 2012
New school for the upcoming academic year.
As I mentioned in a previous post I will be moving to Dubai for the new academic year. So, now I am working through 1) the visa process for me, and 2) the relocation process for the cats.
So far the cats process is fairly straight forward and by far the easier of the two. UAE does not permit animals to enter: as cabin baggage - not an option as there are 2 cats and only 1 person in my case; nor as excess baggage - the way they have travelled to date. The only way they are permitted to enter is as LIVE CARGO. Korea does not permit individuals to process live cargo so I need to have a pet transportation agency in Korea. I seem to have found a helpful and invested company.
In Dubai there are numerous permits and process that need to be completed prior to arrival and more after arrival. Final clearance in Dubai can take more than 5 hours, so again using an agency is an essential. Again, I seem to have found a very helpful and invested agency.
Now, all I need to do is all the pre-depature veterinary processes. Which I am working on. There are a few stressful areas which if not completed properly can result in refusal of entry or confiscation and potential 'destruction'.
My VISA is another issue altogether. The required paperwork is extensive and frankly a bit difficult to accomplish from my current location - but nothing worth doing is ever easy, right?
I will be couriering many documents to various parts of the globe to have them authenticated or apostille stamped, then couriering the documents back to me to organize and send on to the school in Dubai so that the visa process can actually start.
I know I can enter the UAE for 30 days on a tourist visa and then do a visa run to Oman if the process is not completed before my travel dates (still to be determined), BUT can the cats enter the UAE while I am only on a tourist visa or will I have to board them for an undetermined amount of time in Korea prior to my successful visa run? This is causing stress.
I am concerned on several fronts all of equal importance - the costs of relocating the cats is not inexpensive and the idea of adding an undetermined kennel stay is becoming daunting; Koshka - the small 6 lb soaking wet female - does not do well when separated from her momma. She loses weight. Hooligan - the beefy 12.5 lb male - also doesn't like to be without human contact, on his terms, and can become quite depressed; kennels are great places to pick up all sorts of viruses regardless of vaccinations.
keep your fingers crossed for us. :-)
So far the cats process is fairly straight forward and by far the easier of the two. UAE does not permit animals to enter: as cabin baggage - not an option as there are 2 cats and only 1 person in my case; nor as excess baggage - the way they have travelled to date. The only way they are permitted to enter is as LIVE CARGO. Korea does not permit individuals to process live cargo so I need to have a pet transportation agency in Korea. I seem to have found a helpful and invested company.
In Dubai there are numerous permits and process that need to be completed prior to arrival and more after arrival. Final clearance in Dubai can take more than 5 hours, so again using an agency is an essential. Again, I seem to have found a very helpful and invested agency.
Now, all I need to do is all the pre-depature veterinary processes. Which I am working on. There are a few stressful areas which if not completed properly can result in refusal of entry or confiscation and potential 'destruction'.
My VISA is another issue altogether. The required paperwork is extensive and frankly a bit difficult to accomplish from my current location - but nothing worth doing is ever easy, right?
I will be couriering many documents to various parts of the globe to have them authenticated or apostille stamped, then couriering the documents back to me to organize and send on to the school in Dubai so that the visa process can actually start.
I know I can enter the UAE for 30 days on a tourist visa and then do a visa run to Oman if the process is not completed before my travel dates (still to be determined), BUT can the cats enter the UAE while I am only on a tourist visa or will I have to board them for an undetermined amount of time in Korea prior to my successful visa run? This is causing stress.
I am concerned on several fronts all of equal importance - the costs of relocating the cats is not inexpensive and the idea of adding an undetermined kennel stay is becoming daunting; Koshka - the small 6 lb soaking wet female - does not do well when separated from her momma. She loses weight. Hooligan - the beefy 12.5 lb male - also doesn't like to be without human contact, on his terms, and can become quite depressed; kennels are great places to pick up all sorts of viruses regardless of vaccinations.
keep your fingers crossed for us. :-)
Valentine's Day / white day / black day in Korea
The 'day for lovers' in Korea is not at all like the same day in North America.
In Korea, on February 14, females give gifts to males; the males just sit back and relax. Sounds lovely and stress free for your average male - but they don't get off that easily.
On March 14 White Day is celebrated. On this day, males provide gifts to females. These gifts MUST , by custom, be much better than the gift the male received in February.
But wait! This 'day for lovers' is not yet over - even though it has covered 2 days over 2 months. No, There must be a third day - this day is to 'celebrate' or commiserate singledom.
Enter April 14 a.k.a. Black day. On this day single individuals get together and eat jajangmyeon - noodles with black bean sauce. The idea is if you did not give or receive gifts on February 14 or March 14 you celebrate singledom.
So in Korea, the 'day for lovers' covers 3 days over 3 months.
In Korea, on February 14, females give gifts to males; the males just sit back and relax. Sounds lovely and stress free for your average male - but they don't get off that easily.
On March 14 White Day is celebrated. On this day, males provide gifts to females. These gifts MUST , by custom, be much better than the gift the male received in February.
But wait! This 'day for lovers' is not yet over - even though it has covered 2 days over 2 months. No, There must be a third day - this day is to 'celebrate' or commiserate singledom.
Enter April 14 a.k.a. Black day. On this day single individuals get together and eat jajangmyeon - noodles with black bean sauce. The idea is if you did not give or receive gifts on February 14 or March 14 you celebrate singledom.
So in Korea, the 'day for lovers' covers 3 days over 3 months.
January travel to Canada
The end of January saw me traveling to Canada to attend the Teaching Overseas Recruitment Fair (TORF) in order to secure a new teaching location for the upcoming academic year.
I left my apartment at 8AM for a 1 hour taxi journey to the high speed train to Seoul. After a comfortable 2.5hr journey I arrived at Seoul Central Train Station. I timed it just right and was able to comfortably walk to the rapid link to the airport. It was so well timed that I walked up to the ticket counter, purchased my ticket, walked to the elevator and on to the train with enough time to comfortably arrange my self and belongings before the train left on the 45 minute journey to Incheon International Airport.
I arrived at the airport a full hour before flight checkin opened - the land side of Incheon is not the most interesting place to spend time, but an hour early was better than arriving a bit later and being rushed and stressed about catching the flight. I checked in - ONLY to find that the airline now allows just one 23kg piece of luggage in economy from Asia to North America. Luckily I only had my backpack and my standard two pieces of cabin luggage - my handbag and my camera bag. This new restriction put a serious crimp in my return journey plans! The check in agent also insisted on weighing my cabin luggage to ensure neither piece was over 10kg.
My flight to Vancouver was the usual sardine tin in economy. When I arrived at Vancouver International I used the automated border kiosk for the first time - a fairly painless experience. i picked up my backpack to be dropped at the domestic flights baggage conveyor belt - only to find out that my flight to Ottawa was delayed. Not Great!
I decided that I would enjoy a manicure in one of the airport spas - pricey, but a pleasant way to stay conscious while I waited for my new gate assignment.
The gate assignment was currently being used for an international flight so it was behind a layer of security that I could not get past just yet. When the international flight left I headed down to the gate - i could let part of my consciousness drift to an almost sleep like state while i listened for the boarding call.
The boarding call did not come at the expected time - after much consternation - we were able to board more than 2 hours later! (This was concerning as I was certain that we would have exceeded the flight crews allowable hours - but luckily it was a new crew boarding in Vancouver AND the airport we were designated to land at usually did not allow flights between midnight and six AM. We were now going to land at 1:50AM)
I spent 4 days in Ottawa doing many errands that needed to be completed. Then I was off to Prescott to see my nieces - I managed to surprise them with my visit, unfortunately we didn't get to do many 'fun things' as the youngest manifested stomach flu the first night; the middle one the next night - amazingly I didn't contract the virus!!
I left for Kingston and TORF on on Friday morning (1 week after leaving Korea) with limited signs of jet lag :-) .
TORF is always a busy and hectic time but all went well. This year seemed to be the year of the Middle East for me (the last time I attended TORF I was sought after by schools in Korea and China - I went to Turkmenistan from this fair.). I signed on with a school in Dubai - the next stage of the adventure will start in August / September.
I spent a few days visiting my friends T & T in Kingston and relaxing. Tuesday it was back on a train to Prescott and Wednesday's oldest niece's birthday dinner. After dinner I drove Granma's car back to Ottawa - normally a 1 hour drive.
The drive took a bit longer as Granma is a bit of a nervous passenger, it had never driven her car before, and the weather through EVERY type of winter weather it had at us - cold and clear (black ice any one?), blowing snow, freezing rain, falling slush.... you name it I drove through it for the first time in year that night! We took an hour and 40 minutes to get back to Ottawa but no one was stressed out and the car was in one piece.
I had a day in Ottawa to finish errands AND make everything fit in to my backpack - recall the new one piece of luggage rule mentioned above.
My flight from Ottawa to Toronto was late leaving and after push back we had to be de-iced. Arrived in Toronto with just enough time to catch my scheduled flight to Tokyo - but this flight was late.
I boarded the plane and found that I had the window seat in a row of 3 with no one else sitting there and the armrests lifted up - I could lay down during the 13.5 hours and sleep. SCORE!! NOT SO FAST MISSY, said the universe because I endured 13 hours of a screaming baby 3 rows back - my noise cancelling earphones couldn't drown the child out.
I had to recheck in at Narita International Airport for my flight to Seoul - other than having difficulties finding the check in counter all went smoothly. I had an exit row window seat for the 3 hour flight and was able to sleep a little.
Arriving at Incheon International went smoothly until baggage and customs. My bag was the last off the conveyor and I picked the wrong customs line, ending up behind some individuals who needed to be extensively questioned.
I misse the Rapid link from Incheon to Seoul Station and as a result I missed the last train home.
I ended up spending a small fortune on a 4.5 hour stay at the Millennium Hilton Hotel - the closest hotel to the station. I was on the first train the next morning to Ulsan. I arrived at my apartment EXACTLY 36 hours after I left my accommodations in Ottawa.
I left my apartment at 8AM for a 1 hour taxi journey to the high speed train to Seoul. After a comfortable 2.5hr journey I arrived at Seoul Central Train Station. I timed it just right and was able to comfortably walk to the rapid link to the airport. It was so well timed that I walked up to the ticket counter, purchased my ticket, walked to the elevator and on to the train with enough time to comfortably arrange my self and belongings before the train left on the 45 minute journey to Incheon International Airport.
I arrived at the airport a full hour before flight checkin opened - the land side of Incheon is not the most interesting place to spend time, but an hour early was better than arriving a bit later and being rushed and stressed about catching the flight. I checked in - ONLY to find that the airline now allows just one 23kg piece of luggage in economy from Asia to North America. Luckily I only had my backpack and my standard two pieces of cabin luggage - my handbag and my camera bag. This new restriction put a serious crimp in my return journey plans! The check in agent also insisted on weighing my cabin luggage to ensure neither piece was over 10kg.
My flight to Vancouver was the usual sardine tin in economy. When I arrived at Vancouver International I used the automated border kiosk for the first time - a fairly painless experience. i picked up my backpack to be dropped at the domestic flights baggage conveyor belt - only to find out that my flight to Ottawa was delayed. Not Great!
I decided that I would enjoy a manicure in one of the airport spas - pricey, but a pleasant way to stay conscious while I waited for my new gate assignment.
The gate assignment was currently being used for an international flight so it was behind a layer of security that I could not get past just yet. When the international flight left I headed down to the gate - i could let part of my consciousness drift to an almost sleep like state while i listened for the boarding call.
The boarding call did not come at the expected time - after much consternation - we were able to board more than 2 hours later! (This was concerning as I was certain that we would have exceeded the flight crews allowable hours - but luckily it was a new crew boarding in Vancouver AND the airport we were designated to land at usually did not allow flights between midnight and six AM. We were now going to land at 1:50AM)
I spent 4 days in Ottawa doing many errands that needed to be completed. Then I was off to Prescott to see my nieces - I managed to surprise them with my visit, unfortunately we didn't get to do many 'fun things' as the youngest manifested stomach flu the first night; the middle one the next night - amazingly I didn't contract the virus!!
I left for Kingston and TORF on on Friday morning (1 week after leaving Korea) with limited signs of jet lag :-) .
TORF is always a busy and hectic time but all went well. This year seemed to be the year of the Middle East for me (the last time I attended TORF I was sought after by schools in Korea and China - I went to Turkmenistan from this fair.). I signed on with a school in Dubai - the next stage of the adventure will start in August / September.
I spent a few days visiting my friends T & T in Kingston and relaxing. Tuesday it was back on a train to Prescott and Wednesday's oldest niece's birthday dinner. After dinner I drove Granma's car back to Ottawa - normally a 1 hour drive.
The drive took a bit longer as Granma is a bit of a nervous passenger, it had never driven her car before, and the weather through EVERY type of winter weather it had at us - cold and clear (black ice any one?), blowing snow, freezing rain, falling slush.... you name it I drove through it for the first time in year that night! We took an hour and 40 minutes to get back to Ottawa but no one was stressed out and the car was in one piece.
I had a day in Ottawa to finish errands AND make everything fit in to my backpack - recall the new one piece of luggage rule mentioned above.
My flight from Ottawa to Toronto was late leaving and after push back we had to be de-iced. Arrived in Toronto with just enough time to catch my scheduled flight to Tokyo - but this flight was late.
I boarded the plane and found that I had the window seat in a row of 3 with no one else sitting there and the armrests lifted up - I could lay down during the 13.5 hours and sleep. SCORE!! NOT SO FAST MISSY, said the universe because I endured 13 hours of a screaming baby 3 rows back - my noise cancelling earphones couldn't drown the child out.
I had to recheck in at Narita International Airport for my flight to Seoul - other than having difficulties finding the check in counter all went smoothly. I had an exit row window seat for the 3 hour flight and was able to sleep a little.
Arriving at Incheon International went smoothly until baggage and customs. My bag was the last off the conveyor and I picked the wrong customs line, ending up behind some individuals who needed to be extensively questioned.
I misse the Rapid link from Incheon to Seoul Station and as a result I missed the last train home.
I ended up spending a small fortune on a 4.5 hour stay at the Millennium Hilton Hotel - the closest hotel to the station. I was on the first train the next morning to Ulsan. I arrived at my apartment EXACTLY 36 hours after I left my accommodations in Ottawa.
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