Year of the Kiwi

After second guessing the Peacecorp thing and learning that Koreans don’t think people who look Asian are qualified to teach English in Korea, I’ve decided to attempt a working holiday in New Zealand. Why? Like my response to everything else, because I can. I found a few sites that directed me in the right direction. I’m choosing to figure it all out by myself instead of doing it through an exchange service like BUNAC. I figure I’m a saavy enough traveler that I don’t need someone to hold my hand throughout the process.

Last weekend, I applied for the Work Holiday Scheme Visa online at the NZ immigration website. It was quite simple. Since I’m such a healthy, upstanding citizen of the USA, there weren’t any complications. Best of all, It was free! Behold!!! Last night, I was approved and received an electronic visa. I was worried at first because the expiration date was June 8, 2008, but I determined that that was last date I can start my 1 year work permit. I’m shooting for around August 1st. My birth date was also wrong, so I emailed them and hopefully they’ll change that for me soon.

I’ve only told a couple people about my plan to go. I don’t like advertising my plans, because honestly it ain’t nobody’s business but mine. Also people don’t really care… they act like they do, but they don’t, so why even bother? I told my mom though… one has to tell their mom.  She didn’t like the sound of it at first, but she’ll have to accept it nevertheless. Really, there’s no reason not to leave. There’s nothing here for me anymore. Friendships, work, life… it’s all become a bit stale. I need life to be fresh again.