stuck in the system

I am officially two weeks behind in my paperwork. The notary who notarized my documents did them incorrectly, so I got a letter back from the apostillation office telling me that I needed to get them redone by THE SAME NOTARY. So I've been at the damn Boone Mailing Center about 3 times in the last week, and I finally tracked down the man this morning. He's the type of short, middle-aged man who obviously has self-image issues and needs to talk angrily to little girls in order to feel big. ANYWAY. So I went this morning, hopefully we got it done right this time, dropped $20 to have it to Raleigh by noon tomorrow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I get it back by Friday or Monday. It is the LAST thing I need before I can send everything to Korea. I'm afraid I'll be the last person to get my paperwork in and I will be stuck on the island of Jeju.

Of course, it doesn't snow there and they have oranges all year round, so it wouldn't be too bad. But it would be harder to visit people probably.

As soon as I get my contract from EPIK I can start the VISA process, which thankfully should only take about a week or two, unless I need to go down to the embassy and interview. Which would be intimidating, but I could do it. I'd have to drive to Atlanta though.

Told work. They seemed perturbed that I am leaving, but supportive because of the opportunity, etc. July 24th is my last day, which will give me three weeks in country before I fly out. I plan on spending as much of that time with Dan (and, you know, my family) as possible. I was able to see Matt and Kristi last weekend, which was awesome, and I hope to see other friends before I leave as well, but I don't know if it will work out.

The only thing throwing a wrench in the works is a possible visit from my dad in the first week of August. He called yesterday and said he might be able to afford a train ticket down to see me and my brother from the 2nd to the 8th. I kinda wanted to be like "Uh... look, you've had 5 years to see me, I want to spend that week with my boyfriend whom I love and won't get to see for a heart-wrenching, soul-crushing year," but at the same time that seems kind of shitty. I honestly don't know what we would even do or talk about for a whole week. Bleh. Need to talk to my brother on that one.

So yeah. Complications.

Besides occasional patches of me being grumpy and stressed out, Dan and I are getting along marvelously. We went camping last week out by Table Rock, hiked up to the Chimneys and Hawksbill, etc. I had a blast, and I think he did too. We made hobo dinners and saw the most terrifying spider ever. Made lots of jokes, got really sweaty (it was like, what, 90? fucking hot), went to Upper Creek Falls the next morning. Good times. Pictures to follow shortly. Last night we went downtown to help Travis paint the new spot for 641. It was nice to do manual labor for a friend. Does that sound weird? Anyway, I love my old man. For real.

So yeah. Guess I should probably stop goofing off and get back to work. Updates again soon!

paper wahk

So since I've heard from Korea, I've pretty much lost all motivation for working at the real job which I currently have. I'm not very proud of this, however I can only take so much being talked to like a dog/being forcibly grabbed by strangers/being asked if I am in high school/having to watch old ladies change because they don't believe in dressing rooms apparently without going completely fucking bonkers. I'm trying to concentrate on the webwork so I have an excuse just to sit at my computer and not talk to anyone. But I'm doing lots of freight too, which no one except Liz and I want to do so that's ok I guess.

I am waiting to receive my apostilled diploma and background check from Raleigh and then I can send all that stuff to Ko-Rea! I am a little excited, but mainly nervous and apprehensive and tired and full of sad, icky emotions involving Dan my man. Urrrggg. Pretty much I'm just feeling really vulnerable and stupid and my brain is all like "WTF are you talking about, do you know how much money you will make/save while you are over there?" and my heart is all like "whatever" and my brain then goes "OH MAH GAWD you've always wanted to travel and just think of all the new snacks you will get to try!" and my heart is like "don't care" and then my brain is all like "Seriously! You should be excited! No more old ladies in their underwear!" and my heart is all like "STFU I WILL NEVER FIND ANYONE TO LOVE NOR ANYONE TO LOVE ME EVER AGAIN AND WHO ELSE WILL MAKE UP SILLY SONGS WITH ME IN THE CAR WHEN WE DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE?!?!?!?" and then I just start crying and then things get REALLY stupid.

um. yeah.

So pretty much love is complicated, life is complicated, however the only thing really keeping me in Boone right now is Dan and I just can't count on the idea that we will be 2-GETH-R 4-EVA IN LURVE so might as well go live my life a little bit, right?

Fuck I'm gonna miss him.

Let's go over my benefits so I feel better about this decision:

1. Free Housing (uh... fuck yeah! studio apt!)

2. $1500-1700 depending on where in the country I am stationed

3. Half of my medical premiums paid by my employer

4. 2 weeks paid vacation PLUS national holidays off

5. One month's severance pay after the completion of a 1 year contract

6. Guaranteed raise if I decided to stay

Considering I'm making a solid $600 a month after bills right now, I'd say this could be a good idea.

You know, and really cool.

GAH! FUCK YOU EMOTIONS!

hmm

goin' to korea in august, y'all.

wait

Staying the night at Dan's, again. I hate my new place. It's little and smells old and there are bugs. Not big ones, little summer mountain bugs. But still. But still!

Successfully moved. Anxiously awaiting security deposit. Anxiously awaiting news of when my interview with EPIK will be (I got an interview!).

Life has been mostly quiet lately and I am kind of OK with that and kind of not. Sometimes I want to go out and rage and get shit faced and go crazy and yell and dance but for the most part that seems like too much time/money/effort, when I could just hang out with Dan and watch the Sopranos and eat PB&Js. Yes, I am lame. Working this much makes me not want to do anything else.

I got grabbed by a woman at work the other day, forcibly by the wrist, completely inappropriately. Nothing was meant on her part, and she probably didn't think about it at the time nor since, but I have never wanted to punch a grown woman in the face as much as at that moment. Do not touch me. DO NOT FUCKING TOUCH ME WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. I don't care how much goddamn money your husband has. I think I was too shocked to do anything at the time but stand, grunt, and try not to let out my sudden inner rage.

Planning a much needed girl reunion with Kelly, Jodie, and Whitney. Beach vay-cay in July. If I can't get time off I think I will just quit a month early. Whatever. Fuck that place.

Last night Dan and I road down 194 in the dark listening to REM and then a playlist I picked out which involved depressing songs like Smashing Pumpkin's cover of 'Landslide' and 'Maps' by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and blah blah blah. This was all such bad timing. Shit. Shit shit shit. I'm going to miss my little old man like fucking whoa.

blahblahblah. I have tomorrow off. To do: sort clothes and organize shoebox room, drop backseat full of shit off at Goodwill, go to espresso and watch documentaries and work on sock dolls, make art, hang out with old man, movie night.