Exciting times ahead

[herveus]

I'm likely going to have to decide if I really do want to go work in Korea. I've been effectively offered a position over there, and they'd really like me to be there at the beginning of March. Wheee! Scary!

I'm a near perfect fit for the job requirements, and I'm well known from my support and my visits. They have not been able to fill the job for over a year. The "telephone interview" this evening was mostly about what it would take to get me there and explaining some of the benefits.

Taking the job means selling the house. It means putting a bunch of stuff in storage. It means shutting down my wood shop. No more looms from Herveus for now.

Hold me in the light as I work through this decision...

Comments

[shaunacarrick.livejournal.com]

Would it mean that White Wolf and Phoenix would be located out of Korea, then? You and your wife both over there?

Many good thoughts while you sort this out!

[herveus.livejournal.com]

Yep. Megan would not be heading over until after Pennsic. I can visualize a significant attempt to reduce the "warehouse" inventory at Pennsic.

[bronx-baroness.livejournal.com]

Light coming your way!

[weatherman2111.livejournal.com]

I would certainly miss your presense, and the rest of the family as well obviously, but you have to do what's bets for all of you.

[cryptocosm.livejournal.com]

Here's wishing you well, wherever you end up.

[moirinknits.livejournal.com]

Living abroad certainly has its trade offs. Trust that all your needs will be met. It's a tough decision, I know how hard it has been for me to not have studio/craft space, but the rewards have been worth it. Hence, I keep on doing it.

The book I reccommend to people moving abroad is The Expert Expat. She's an experienced foreign service wife who's moved far too many times internationally. Her book goes through all the things you need to consider that you might never have thought of. Don't move abroad without this one!

Sending you good thoughts as you make your decision.

[lferion]

Light & love & good energy coming your way!

[math5.livejournal.com]

That is both scary and exciting.
I can at least tell you that moving to a different country for work is quite feasible :)
But it's not an easy decision to make, and it's got some tough moments.

[math5.livejournal.com]

Oh! And I forgot to whine about the "No more looms from Herveus" part! Consider it done :)

[herveus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but yours is ready to go; we just need to sort out delivery and all that.

[math5.livejournal.com]

Heh, I wasn't worried, just joking. Frankly it's really not something you should worry about either :)

I think the huge advantage you have compared to when I moved to Texas is that you already know the people and the country. You know what your going for (if you so decide of course°. It's a good thing.

[aryanhwy.livejournal.com]

Like, permanently? Wow. That would be a change!

[pedropadrao.livejournal.com]

This would be a permanent job in Korea? On the one hand, they really like you, & you've always enjoyed your trips there, but we'd miss you terribly; would this be a posting of a few years there & then back to DC?

[herveus.livejournal.com]

Yes, this would be a permanent job in Korea. At least several years of "permanent". Return would not necessarily be back to DC; we'd have to see about that.

[fiadnata.livejournal.com]

Real Life Comes First.

Do what you need to do, and go where you need to go. The job, right now, is in Korea. Maybe in a few years, it will be back here in the States -- we can always hope for that. But don't let thoughts of the Society keep you here, especially in today's economy.

Don't get rid of the items you can't bring with you, just pack them for long-term storage, until you see how things work out. And make sure you stash away enough money, as soon as you can, to get yourself back to the U.S., if the job suddenly turns sour. That can happen far too quickly, these days.

[herveus.livejournal.com]

In theory, they can't Shanghai me and leave me stranded in Korea. That would be a pretty low risk, given the nature of the job and the company that I would be hiring (back) on with. BAE Systems has a lot of mass.

We're considering various options for the stuff we can't take. One of them could be finding a caretaker tenant for the house so we can leave a lot of that sort of stuff in the house. Including the van and trailer and tentage so it's easier for Megan to return for Pennsic even if I'm not able to do so.

[herveus.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I've already got connections and contacts with the local SCA branch which is actually active at the moment.

[celemon.livejournal.com]

That could surely go in your contract; if laid off, the company needs to repatriate you?

[martelvonc.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is an opportunity. Big Hugs on your contemplation.

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to you and Megan as you make the decision.

I know I haven't been much of a visitor lately (last night I was at church, helping with that same Warm Nights program that's closing fighter practice at St. Andrew's on the 8th). But I will certainly miss you and your family if you move away. (Would your kids be coming with you?)

Would you still be Morsulus Herald? Would you and Megan compete for Palatine Baron and Baroness? :-)

[herveus.livejournal.com]

Nothing about this affects me being Morsulus. I can still communicate and do my stuff from there. No problems with that. As for Baron and/or Baroness of the Far West, we'd have to see.

[suba-al-hadid.livejournal.com]

Wow - neat! So few people get a unique opportunity like this.

[amykb.livejournal.com]

Prayers that you make the decision that will benefit the happiness and well-being of your family. We will miss you when/if you go.

[vikingsparrow.livejournal.com]

Wow! What a decision to make. I have no idea what I'd do in your shoes. I think I'd have to think about it long and hard.

[herveus.livejournal.com]

It's been something I've been exploring on and off for a bit over two years now. I'm probably not going to have much time to ponder further.

[fosveny.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to you, whatever you decide!

I agree with fiadnata, though. Real Life Comes First. This is a fantastic, wonderful opportunity, and I hope that if you choose it, you find it both possible and rewarding.

[melaniesuzanne.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, what an adventure.

[wulfsdottir.livejournal.com]

I wish you the wisdom you need to make the best decision for you and your family and the courage to go through with it, whatever it may be.

[1-big-grizz.livejournal.com]

Strength and wisdom to you.

[vnend.livejournal.com]

A neat opportunity. Good luck puzzling out the right answer.

One suggestion: research the local currency vs the dollar and other major currencies. Figure out which one balances cost of living there and protection from inflation historically (probably the last 10-15 years). Contract to have your salary calculated in that currency.

A friend accepted a job in Italy in the mid-90's. He didn't do this, and got paid in lire. It wasn't pretty.

Congratulations on having the offer.

[herveus.livejournal.com]

I'll be an employee of BAE Systems in Korea as an invited contractor. I fully expect to be paid in dollars. As an invited contractor, I'll be under the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) and will have PX and Commissary access as well as medical, banking, and APO access. I won't have to live on the local economy, although I expect I will find stuff I want to get in the local markets. I'll also be getting a housing allowance that should cover the cost of reasonable lodging.

In my several trips over the last couple of years, I've seen the exchange rate vary from under 900 to over 1200 Won to the dollar.

[moirinknits.livejournal.com]

When we arrived 1000 won = 1.11
Last winter 1000 won = 66 cents
Today 1000 won =87 cents

Last winter really sucked for us!

[celemon.livejournal.com]

Holding you in the light.

[silme.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's indeed a big decision. I won't offer any advice (even though I emigrated to England in 2000 and am here still permanently with dual citizenship -- my situation is different, although I did sell my house and do work in my original career field here) as I know you two will make the best decision for the two of you.

But you have options, at least, and that is a good thing. Good luck and lots of light to you!!

[jamie]

I remember helping you move into that house (and how unfinished the neighborhood was then).

Clear thoughts and restful heart to you.

[northernwalker]

Holding you in the light.

[margaretc.livejournal.com]

I know you'll make the right decision.

[graylion.livejournal.com]

*lights a candle*

*passes the tobacco and the port*

[rlg.livejournal.com]

Make the best decision for you both, nobody else.