Catching Up

Man, it's tough to simply catch up after being off the Blog for so long!! This might take multiple "parts.". We'll see.

Most of you know that my Visa was due to expire the middle of June. I was able to extend with TOP Language School for a few months until all my interviews are finished up with my "employment alternatives." lol That's another way of saying, I have given my official notice to TOP, but will staying on to help out until I am able to accept another job with one of the places I am interviewing. It's a win-win for both TOP and me.

With the new Visa regulations being very different than when I first arrived, there were a few things that needed to be done very quickly. I will be posting pictures of my trip to the American Embassy to self-certify that I have no criminal background, since my official document had not arrived from the States before my Visa expired. Everything at Immigration went very smoothly, thanks to the school manager, but Immigration held on to my Passport until "proof" arrives. Fair enough...I get that.

After living through this last round of visits to Immigration, I am really hoping that a rumored change comes about. There is a chance this summer that E-2 Visas may no longer be tied to employers as they are now. That would make a very big difference to academy (hagwaon) owners, in that they will have to work very hard to keep good employees, who might otherwise, with the new Visa system, be able to leave without permission and find better employment elsewhere. You all know that I have been lucky with TOP, in that the new manager and Candy, have been terrific to me. I have no complaints regarding being paid on time, given chances for overtime, etc, etc, which have been common problems with others at hagwons.

Stay tuned for more posts and pictures. I had several vacation days during the May and had lots of fun taking more pictures around town. I also got up on caught up on movies and generally had a great time!

OH, and it's official...the monsoons are here. Warm, humid and exhausting weather is upon us. Still can't complain. Know it's waaaaaay over 100 in Phoenix right now.