I Applied for a Job at Google

I applied for a job at Google.

This just happened a second before I began writing this.

But today, after a renewed confidence, I decided it was time to really push myself to get the job I really want so I am able to stay in Seoul with a job that fits every single criteria.

I started by fixing up my résumé. After writing up my Korean résumé (CV, more like), I was beginning to feel as if there was a lack of something. I wasn't putting in as much information as I should and I had limited myself to keeping my résumé at only 1 page. As a fresh college grad, that seemed acceptable. But now that it has been a good 3 years, it was time for a revamp. So I did a quick Google search:

My god. This whole time I was wondering WHY NO ONE WANTED TO HIRE ME. 

Silly Billy. 

So there I was. I saw the job at Google that finally fit my abilities: language. 

And sat there revamping my résumé. Afterwards, in the bottom most section of the application there was a Cover Letter section stating that there was no need for one. But I still felt the need to write one so here it goes:

While one's work experiences and success stories are a positive indicator of one's success, a bigger, more significant but forgotten trait is one's daily practices. In a society where work has become a sole index of one's success, many have become blinded to only one's financial stability as a means of achieving success. Upon achieving financial stability or status, many become cold and inattentive towards their contributions as a member of society. Enthused neither by the need to make small contributions such as helping an elderly member cross the street, nor bigger contributions such as fighting for equal rights. Many have become blindsided by the need for comfort and status, thus becoming mere observers instead of taking a stance and helping others. "To create a steady stream of global citizens that contribute to society" was the motto of Soka University of America (SUA), my alma mater of four years. A university founded upon Buddhist principles, Soka means to create value in Japanese. As a result, the students who attended SUA were constantly encouraged to seek the bigger pictures in daily life. Students were challenged on a daily basis to apply all the learnt knowledge towards their daily lives, and in the long run, towards contributing towards causes for an equal and peaceful society. Despite my initial negativity and rejection, by the end my four years at SUA, I carried a heart overflowing with appreciation and gratitude for the four marvelous and life altering years. The four years at SUA were challenging to say the least as it was a balancing act between two athletic sport practices, extra-curriculum activities, a part-time job, while overloading on classes. On the flip side, never having obtained a good grades throughout all my academic years, SUA made a once pessimistic student enthusiastic about learning through their interactive and integrative environment. All the classes offered many room for personal and academic growth by nurturing students' innate curiosity and drive. For example, Physics lessons were not about how well one could do the calculations. Instead, students were told to put themselves in the shoes of the first scientists by asking the question "what can I do to find the solutions to these questions?". Then, after seeking out the solutions, students were asked how they were able to transfer these skills toward understanding culture, society, and systems. Then, through comprehension, to revisit and revise methods in improving the justice systems, education, the environment, and ultimately, society. As a proud alumni of SUA, I believe that the invaluable education and lessons I have obtained during my four years serves as a beneficial addition to my experiences. Keeping my alma mater's motto close at heart, I am confident that I will serve as a valuable addition to Google as a Language Specialist team.

But really, Google, if you're reading this (since blogspot IS under Google and I'm sure you have access of this), I felt the strong need to talk about SUA and how that has shaped me as who I am today. And to SUA, I want to say a big fat 

for playing such a magnanimously beautiful part of my formative years (I am a late bloomer you see). 

Thank you for having so much faith in me and for pushing me while teaching me all I need to learn. 

Regardless of whether I get this job, I am truly proud to have been able to apply for this job and the process it took for me to also share my appreciation for my alma mater and all those who were, and still are a part of this amazing institution. 

I tilt my head off to you and to Google, I say, thank you as well for opening up this opportunity for 

me.

Good evening.

3 Months in a Nutshell

Wow crocodiles.

I can't believe it has been 3 months since my last update. So much has happened since I thanked my beloved father for his endless dedication to making our family's lives a happier, healthier, and more comfortable one. Once again, thanks dad! In real life though, I had JUST gotten off the phone with our family man too so I'm feeling extra filial atm.

Any Hooters. 

As I was saying, a shit ton has happened since my last post. And after what happened today, I think it was most definitely due time for a much much anticipated & needed update.

So Kim, what happened today?

Glad you asked, Chip!
But before I go into that, let me just really quickly run through what has occurred over the last 3 months:

1. For starters, yours truly had so much fun in Level 6. Oh man. The workload sure was something! My classmates, fellow Level 6-ers, and I were bombarded with Power Point presentations (which I always made extra effort for, even if we only got 1 damn point for it), group presentations, prep work, or some sort of extra point big presentation (where we took up certain roles or did something big like have an official interview with video/audio recordings), not to mention, the workbook exercise that seems to come too quickly on top of our essays, readings, and well, you get the picture.

2. I had the usual work of tutoring my 6 year old student. Which has been fun as usual.

3. Level 6 ended finally! And while all my examination points (which included the Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening section) added up to give me a pretty good grade in total, I was unfortunately not given a "graduation certificate". The reason being, for each section, there was a minimum grade to be achieved. Sadly for Kim, her Reading grade was not met. Thus, making Kim unworthy of the certificate. To which I was rather disappointed (let's be real, who wouldn't be, right?), but came to terms with. I've accepted it, and I also have come to understand that I don't need a piece of paper to prove that I know Korean because...

4. I translated 2 whole experiences from Korean to English all on my own. With literally no help. Only for certain words that were absolutely foreign (specific terminology that they don't really teach you in school) so yay! See what I told you?

5. Telling people (especially my parents) about me not passing Level 6 was not very fun because for my parents... Wait, funny story actually, my dad was under the impression that I was in grad school or something T_T (aww..) but of course I explained it to him and he was REALLY sweet about it. He understood it and, like many of my concerned friends asked: "well, are you gonna take the exams again?" The answer is, no. Simple: If I were to do so, I'd have to retake the classes. Do EVERYTHING (in Level 6) all over again, all the presentations, group work, etc, AND THEN take the exams again. Nah. Not worth the time, money, not effort. So instead...

6. When my roommate (who is now in Level 3) started classes, I got her to buy me the reference book for Level 6 to help me understand what I still struggle with. Self help. Yas.

7. But of course, now that Level 6 is over, I have begun to live on my savings and have been job hunting like a mad woman. The initial hunt was dreadful. There were too many jobs that rejected me from the get go with conditions stating "NO SPONSORSHIP WILL BE PROVIDED" or they were jobs I had ZERO expertise in such as engineering.

my sentiments exactly.

8. When I did finally find jobs I could work, it was either unpaid (yeah, cuz I feed my hungry tummy with rays from the sun), or strictly no visa sponsorships will be provided

9. I celebrated my birthday! YAY! I'm out of the quarter life mark, aka no more crisis.. Maybe..?

10. Until one day when I was going to meet a friend to discuss some potential YouTube stuff, she led me to the company on the pretense that I was going to work for them & had an impromptu interview. Then after an hour listening to the CEO tell me what my process was going to be (which was 3 month probation then full time job with visa sponsorship), I was honored the privilege of hearing him yap away about the potential and how he would love to help me grow, I applied to that company after taking a full day trying to figure out what to say for my "cover letter" which was basically answering a ton of questions which leads me to today

11. I got called in for a 2nd interview today, and I showed up on time (remembering how the CEO said his BIGGEST pet peeve was tardiness), actually I showed up early to avoid all that, but for starters, he wasn't even in (oookay). So instead the "Team Manager" interviewed me. He was a lot less friendlier than our first meeting (which included ALL three company heads ie Mr Team Manager) which should have been a tell tale sign. Next, he seemed to be in a rush for something but was patient enough to give me the time of day by asking me if I had any questions. Which I did and fired away. The answers I got back were all starting to match my criterion about my job hunt. They're pretty straightforward: 

• Visa sponsorship
• A job in the field I was passionate about (which is entertainment and they WERE an entertainment company)
• One that'll develop my skills, knowledge & experience 
• Friendly, equal, healthy, happy work environment
• Good pay

Of these 5 conditions, most of them were met. Maybe not so much the pay for now, but being in a 3 month probation period, you don't wanna overcompensate, I get it. The money should last me for those 3 months. So, of course, there was a part of me that was like "NEHHHH too good to be true". But off I was, looking for the right visas to apply for to begin this process. However, I came to an impasse. I would either apply for a 3 month temp work visa (for the probation period), or if I already have an annual contract, to just get a full employment one. That's when I found out that my probation period was not 3 months as stated in the 1st impromptu interview and the interview today, but was FIVE months. Confused I corrected him only to get a firm denial stating that they said FIVE months. Still confused, I messaged the CEO in the group chat, recounting the ENTIRE thing from our impromptu till the very last message. 

The response I got from the CEO was: "Well, I believe that I said our probation period was FIVE months." But my friend having been there during our impromptu, chimed in and vouched that he DID say 3 months. Only for him to say "well, looks like there has been a miscommunication between the speaker and the listener. But let me say this. In Korea (IN KOREA), the probation period for workers is 3 to 10 months (man, no wonder Korea has a high rate of suicide), and for our company, the probation period is 5 months. So after all the back and forth, my friend called me and said, Kim, just let it go. They're not being fair. So just thank them for the opportunity, explain that 3 months would've worked (realistically speaking) but 5 months is just too much of a strain. So I explained just that and thanked them for the opportunity and left the group chat. 

So obviously this news had to go to my parents. 

After listening, mom's advice was:

"ALWAYS write it down. Then at the end of the thing, repeat it so you're both in the same understanding"

Dad called me separately to remind me that this wasn't the end of the world. He reminded me that there are always better things out there that are waiting for the perfect timing. He reminded me not to despair and to keep my head up as tomorrow is a new day. Them being in Europe, he still kept his child in mind and told me to call it a night so I am fueled for the next day. 

Needless to say, this was a valuable lesson. Both mom and dad have their valid points. But tomorrow is a new day. So I shall just focus on that. But I hope that my situation has also shed some light on your own experiences and life. I hope that you don't do the same mistakes I do. Or, DO. Because it is through these mistakes that we remember and when have something to laugh about, as a reminder of how far we have come. 

Looking at today, I can say that I am blessed to have parents that are so kind and understanding. Patient in listening to their daughter while also being encouraging without pressuring me. An experience I truly admire, and appreciate. Thus, I felt the strong urge to share it with you, my fellow readers & comrades in life. 

To that, I say cheers. On to bigger, better things. 

Good night. 

12. Oh I'm also cat sitting and am starting to get the hunch that the owner doesn't really want it anymore..? HAHA

Today Was A Good Day

Today was a good day.

My legs are sore, I'm even more confused in class than I have ever been, and my nose is still stuck.
But today was a good day.

I actually took the morning off and accompanied my friend before his flight back home. A friend of mine had been staying with me for the past 2 weeks and this morning I decided to take him to my favorite bagel place and then a cup of coffee. We just sat at the cafe, staring out toward the university campus and just chilled. We also talked pretty lightly about dealing with problems, and ended up taking photos with Cherry Blossoms which were pretty great.

Then it was off to school and sit in class while I try to figure out what vocab means what HAHA.

After school, I headed out to help my roommate get her roommate while grabbing my dance teacher one as well. Recently, I learnt that her mom was in the hospital getting treated for cancer, and since, she'd seem to have lost even more weight. Might I also add that this woman is pretty skinny, and should not be losing any more weight. Last week, I noticed how thin the back of her hands looked, and so for this week, my roommate and I decided to get her the bagel. So I did just that, and had another light conversation with the Bagel Man (the dude who owns the place), and he kinda told his employees about my dream to become and entertainer. They were all really sweet about it, but I got kinda shy about it... :/

Then dance class came. And man, do I always go into it confused as ever. We learn it TOO FAST. 2 classes and we're basically running through the dance moves. Today, we learnt yet another crazy part of song #2 even though it's only the... 3rd class. Man, teacher, teaching too fast T_T
But yeah, I think the reason why I'm so sore is because of the dance. My legs... They've actually been in pretty bad shape the last few days.. My muscles were super tight.. I think also from yesterday's sleep-in.. I slept the whole day as a result of my migraine which came to me the night before, and evolved into a full blown migraine when I was supposed to wake up for school. Even lost my appetite till the evening. I guess my REALLY needed to rest...
So today, after waking my muscles up from the dance, I can safely say, dance got me super sore.

Then, after doing my news article search for class, I headed to my student's house to teach her English. Ah, my student is such a jem. But can be quite distracted pretty easily. Even then, every time I leave, she'll always send me off and be super adorable each time. Man, I'm so grateful for that child. I need to up my game as a teacher. Need to get her excited again as things are getting more challenging for her. Go Kim, go!

After buying vegetables and explaining to the store manager why I don't want plastic bags when he asked, I told him that I wanted to save the environment and I have WAY too much at home (which I'm still figuring out HOW to use them). I got my veges, and they arrived at my home when I did! Then I made me some delicious soup and am now telling you about my day. (:

Today was definitely a good day. My muscles are working, I can still sing in the shower, even though at this point, I'm more croaking than singing, and I had some good conversations with some pretty cool peeps today. And I found out that this one dude whose videos on Youtube has made me laugh soooo much is actually a Pharmacy student & works part time at a Pharmacy, that kinda reminded me that there are some pretty humble humans out there. The fact that I can be thankful for that kinda stuff instead of worrying about where to get the means to put food on the table, is something to be thankful for.

Speaking of being thankful...

urgh. this pup's so frustratingly cute. 

I cannot wait to have my own pet/see my beloved doggy back home.

OH, I even cleaned out the junk 

that has been sitting in my computer. 

Mission accomplished, small victories, baby. 

And to you, if you're reading this, I hope that you are well, know that I still miss you and love you. 
Please have strength & hope to keep growing.

I Once Watched A Video (Part III)

After crying over the pain, enduring the embarrassment that came with the pain, and all the heart wrenching questions that only pushed the dagger deeper, she came to the realization... 

*        *         *

...that she had been selfish this whole time. Truth is, there isn't anyone in this world who is willing to love you more than you love them. No one would be willing to only sacrifice, only to get nothing in return. Because when they did, they'd become cold, and would leave. She met the man who really loved her, but there was no happiness to it. 

And so, she moved on, and told herself that she needs to actively love someone, and not only receive the love passively. 

Then it happened. She feel deeply in love with someone. She went on to tell the audience that if you really love someone, the other person's words are more than enough to send your heart on a roller coaster ride. If you really love someone, when the person isn't beside you, you feel your gut wrenching from missing that person. If you really love someone, doing the house chores for the person is nothing, because you're more than willing to do it for them. If you really love someone, you'd sacrifice anything and everything for them. In her case, she'd willingly sit on the ground and cut her partner's toenails. But man, she says, loving someone is really tiring, but brings immense joy. Because knowing that the other person is happy, everything is going well, and watching the other person's dreams come true, trumps being kind & sweet. She learnt that it is only when you really really love someone that you understand the essence of love. It's about sacrifice, not about robbing the other person of something. It's about sharing, not possessing. And when you really really love someone, you're hyper aware of all the chemical reactions that are taking place in your body. This effect doesn't happen only when you're receiving love. 

Not too long ago, her husband met the man that broke her heart. He told him that V had been such a big part of his life. She's supported me through so much, and without her, I don't know where I'd be. Shocked, her ex responded by saying that that is not the same person he remembers. But that means that she's changed, and grown: she's now more kind, compassionate, attentive, braver & tougher, more appreciative, and more willing to sacrifice.

So she goes on to emphasize on how vital it is to choose the one that we love. Because when the other person also chooses the one that they love, when you both come together, you're facing forward in life together, hand in hand, fueled by the love for one another. Because with that heart full of love, you can say wholeheartedly that "I will always aim to be better, because I love you" 

Here's the video. There's no subs but if you understand Chinese, you'd enjoy the video:

if you don't understand Chinese, I hope that I did a good job doing the re-tale of her love story.

A relationship is a strong one only if you both love each other without keeping tabs on how much love one is giving the other. Pick someone you love, not someone who loves you more. 

Saturday Vacation

I just got back from a short short vacation in Busan with my folks.

I had never travelled out of Seoul for more than a day and Busan had exceeded my expectations in so so many ways.

That city is the 2nd largest in South Korea and is absolutely picturesque. Photos to follow suit in later posts. But for now,  I wanna take a second to remember some of the individuals I met there.

But I want to take my time to appreciate these individuals and make sure that what I express here does them justice.

So instead, here is a video by Beyoncé. The lyrics is actually something that I've struggled a lot with. From how I interpreted it, the whole idea of perfection is something society seems to be aiming towards. The concept of perfection is something we as a whole want, yet, when you go to different places, this "perfection" is varied. And then comes the plethora of expectations, demands, and especially the way in which we should be educating others and our future leaders.

I thought about this so much and struggled with it so much that I had considered writing my senior thesis on it.

Maybe I should do it, and get some closure. 

But for now, enjoy.

"My aspiration in life would be, to be happy" 
"we shine the light on whatever's worst.
Perfection is a disease of a nation.. it's the soul that needs a surgery"

Thankful Friday

Oh my days.

School has once again begun.

In a whole new level with a whole new class and teacher. And everything.

Today is now day 3 and I've already had a rotation of teachers to know who I'm up against.

Haha sounds like I'm going to war. I guess after Level 2 I just somehow got more anxious when it came to my teachers. And this semester, it looks like it's gonna be pretty fun. My teacher pairings have not really let me down..

And this time I have a male teacher who reminds me so much of a good friend/older brother of mine whose all calm but loud when needs to be & funny in the most subtle way. Then yesterday we met the female teacher who says she's pretty loud and out there (kinda like me!) and was given the title "big bro" for her characteristics and she's hilarious too.

I guess now that I'm supposed to be really good at expressing my thoughts, I'm getting pretty anxious about messing up. Though that really shouldn't be a problem. I mean, I once stuttered because I had 3-4 grammar points I wanted to use all at once and just stumbled (at the mail office) and the dude just laughed at me.

But anyway. I guess I haven't really quite shown much appreciation to things lately. I noticed that I'm quick to be annoyed by someone's not-so-great bits instead of focusing on the nicer things they do.

And yesterday I watched a video where a photographer started a 365 appreciation day using photos and how it helped her rethink how she looks at life and more importantly her husband who shows her love in the smallest subtlest ways yet unbeknownst to her till her project.

And so today, I'm sharing this because I would like to be appreciative of the two individuals mentioned above and also the teachers who have been so patiently explaining everything to me and my classmates since the beginning haha

I posted an appreciation yesterday for the amount of Korean that I can now form with an amazement at being able to explain things + a throwback to when I first looked at

this and wanted to faint

But after learning for 3 semesters I think I'm starting to get the hang of this language (: 

Hump Jump

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O27fsGdpP-Y

Dance! (:

Friday Feels

Last night, a close friend and business partner of mine shared the story of a former classmate who lived in so much joy despite the circumstances in his life. 

She related the story on how moving from an International school to a government school was possibly one of the best gifts she's ever gotten and when I asked about this amazing individual who changed her life, I was shocked to learn that not only did he move to Ipoh to be with his grandmother, but that he had also lost his life to kidney problems. 

My heart broke last night.

I hope we all take something from this video and the lessons from how Chee Hang led his life with so much vibrance and resilience.