Wednesday, November 28, 2007

T-2 Days and Counting...

Welcome to the new and improved BOND's BLOG in KOREA!!!

Our story up until now:

Steve and I have been waiting patiently for the Korean Government to get back to us on the status of out Visa Application. Last week, they sent us our magic numbers and we trekked downtown the Korean Embassy. After handing over our passports (I hope they give them back!), they said we would get them back with our Visas on Friday.

Meanwhile, our Korean School wants us to start work on Monday. As they are paying for our flights (yeah!), they decide when we fly. Yesterday, we received an email saying our flight will be on Saturday! So I have a final countdown - T-2 days!

So, we fly on Saturday, we arrive on Sunday their time, and we begin working on Monday in a job I have never done before. Illogical? Crazy? Scary? YES! Fun and Adventurous? Oh YES!!!


Things I am looking forward to:

1. My very own in-seat TV and movies! All my life I have wanted to sit in a plane seat and watch my very own movie while everyone looks over everyone's shoulders, checking what each other are watching. Bliss.

2. Traveling West across the Pacific Ocean. Never done it before and have always wanted to.

3. Standing still and experiencing thousands of people stream past me in the streets. To experience the feeling of loneliness amongst millions. A la Lost in Translations...

4. Life with Steve. Fun, crazy times with my friend - one story from his travels of past: he once tied 38 2-litter pop bottles together and sailed (sunk) down the Han River.

5. Delving into a new and exciting culture and experiencing Korean Life from within!


The next post will be on Friday: Last day in Vancouver, Visa in hand, deep in packing hell! I'll post the things I am nervous about then...

Until then, I'm experiencing Vancouver as much as I can. Stay tuned for the continuing adventures of Peter Bond: Traveling Teacher...

Thursday, November 22, 2007

BLUEBELL WOODS - a new film by Bond

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I have finished the final cut of BLUEBELL WOODS, my hour-long action/drama cop/killer film set in Birmingham, England! After a month of writing, a month of filming, and over three months and countless hours of editing, Albany Road Studios' second official film is ready to be released to the world!

Please take an hour and sit down. Watch my film, and let me know what you think! Comments will help my next project...

Therefore, on behalf of Albany Road Studios and Prehistoric Insanity Productions, please enjoy BLUEBELL WOODS:

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6



I hope you enjoyed BLUEBELL WOODS!

Monday, November 12, 2007

The Trailer for Bluebell Woods - My New Film!

Confession time...

Some of you may know that I consider myself somewhat of an amateur filmmaker. All through my life, I've been dabbling in the motion picture arts - stop motion dinosaurs, high school book reports, crazy comedy skits, and epic sci-fi movies. And now action films.

While in England, I formed a production company called Albany Road Studios, under which I have made two films - the second I am about to release!

The time has come to announce the completion of my new film, Bluebell Woods. It is an action/drama cop/killer film with plenty of strong language and violence.

Below is the movie trailer for Bluebell Woods:



The final completed film is coming soon. Within a week or so, I'll 'release' (through YouTube) Bluebell Woods. I love writing, filming, and editing films! (Check out the Albany Road Studios blog here for my first film - Tony's Empire!)

Let me know what you think of the trailer for Bluebell Woods!

Monday, November 05, 2007

Contract Sent (aka Buracracy in it's most Glorious!)

After a weekend of organizing and solidifying plans for Korea, I have sent the signed contract back to the Seoul company by UPS courier.

Along with the contract (4 copies), I had to include:
-three copies of my transcript (sealed and stamped)
-six (six!?!) passport photos
-my up-to-date resume
-a copy of my passport
-my original BSc and BEd degrees (Yeah, the actual original expensive piece of paper qualifying me!)

Whew! So then the school gets this, OKs it, then sends it to the Korea Government, who hum and haw for 1-3 weeks. Eventually, they OK it and email us a code. We take this code to the Korean Embassy with out passport and then they stamp the baby with a work VISA!

Whole process should take 2-3 weeks, meaning I am now leaving sometime between the 19th and 30th of November. The school is paying for the flight over, so I'll keep you updated as to when that might be (cause I don't know either!)

Thursday, November 01, 2007

New Job!

Alright!

After a month or so of searching, I have found a job teaching English in South Korea. The contract begins late November, with my first class on Dec 1st. I will be teaching adults (a skill I have no experience with) in the Sinchon area in Seoul.

My friend Steve Wade is joining me on this quest, and apparently (as he has lived in Seoul before) Sinchon is the best place to live. It is a young University area with cool bars and lots of fun things to do. Imagine a cross between Kits and the West End.

It pays well and is a large reputable private school. I have yet to officially sign the contract (they are sending it to me here), so specific details will come later. Keep an eye here for stories and tales of my immersion in Korean Culture!

On that note, I am putting the word out that anyone who wants to come and visit is welcomed with open arms. Are you passing from China to Japan? Or England to New Zealand? Or Canada to Mexico? Come on over!

Take care and I want to see you soon, once more before I go.

Cheers!