Repatriate Me!

I’ve decided to move the photo a day challenge, aka 365 project to a new site. I’m having a few problems with image uploads right now but once that’s worked out everything will be viewable at Sean Smith: Photo Blog. Until it is ironed out, I’ll continue to post to the 365 challenge on my flickr account in particular the 365 Project photoset.

fixed image uploads, will add commenting and tags after I cook dinner.

Jan 06, 2011 Comments(0) Tweet

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It’s time for me to pull my head out of the sand and start thinking seriously about this move back to Canada. Time is running out and I’m starting to feel the pressure, though not as much as I probably should.

Last year around this time I posted about A classic case of procrastination where I listed things that I needed to get done before my trip to Ottawa in July. Well I’m on about the same time frame before the move and there’s a lot to think about. I have my friend, Ed, to thank for the kick in the pants he gave me over coffee this afternoon. I guess I’ve just been sort of coasting along not really thinking about the move and how much I have left to do as well as serious considerations on living expenses while in Ottawa and thinking about what are must haves and want to haves.

Here’s the list right now.

1. look into moving our stuff overseas
   1. how much is it going to cost and how much can we bring – full container, half container, quarter? Will the cost be worth it, or will it just be better to sell everything here and buy it new once we arrive
   2. some things we have to bring so if we go minimalist, how much will that cost and what’s the best shipping option
2. Should I go ahead of my wife and kids to get some things set up first or all come together? (We’re leaning towards me going first)
3. Will need an apartment/house to rent as quickly after I land as possible. What’s the best way to find one
4. buying a vehicle
   1. want to buy a used 2-3 year old SUV/minivan. Where to get best deal? is it possible to work out most of the details with a dealership online in advance and just walk in, pay for the vehicle and drive out an hour later? That would be ideas as I’ll be paying cash and won’t need financing.
   2. car insurance, how much does this cost now? I have no idea since I haven’t lived in Canada since 1997.
5. business regulations: especially running a business out of your home. What type of business is allowed, taxes, fees etc..
   1. taxes, expenses
   2. how long does registration take – how much red tape?
6. Insurance
   1. renters insurance, liability insurance (for my business)
7. expenses
   1. monthly rent on a 3 bedroom apartment/house – how much is it? Is it possible to get a month to month lease as I’d like to buy a home quickly and avoid the sinkhole that is rent.
   2. Groceries – how much for a family of four? i think it’ll be cheaper than here, but am not sure since we’re likely to eat more meals at home. Lunches are included for the kids at school/daycare now, but I don’t believe they are included in Canadian schools.
   3. groceries part 2 – that first trip to the supermarket is going to be a doozy since we have nothing. No staples, condiments, spices meat or anything. Additionally we’ll have to pick up some temporary pots/pans and utensils until our container arrives
   4. gas – much cheaper than here, but I’ll probably be driving more than I do here since public transportation in Canada pretty much stinks.
   5. phones – cell phones and monthly contracts are insanely priced in Canada. Really can’t believe you have to pay for incoming calls (only in North America). Need at least one, but may need another for my wife. Additionally my daughter has started asking for one, but I don’t want her to have one yet…
   6. internet and cable Internet is necessary for my business. I personally don’t care about TV but I think the rest of the family will want it so how much is basic a basic cable tv/internet combo? How slow is the internet compared to Korea?
   7. furnishings – we’ll have to buy a new TV, our 11 year old tube TV is going to stay behind and some other replacement stuff so that’ll be an expensive trip to the store first time around.
8. employment
   1. will I be able to survive on my web development business income? I’m not sure.
   2. how long should I wait before looking for work? should I put my resume out on head hunter sites now?
   3. with no relevant job experience in Canada I’m worried about getting good work – what exactly do I qualify for?
9. customs
   1. is there a limit on stuff we can bring after having lived abroad for 15 years?
   2. when declaring goods following after, who declares this me or my wife – we are probably going to travel separately so there’s no need to declare twice.
10. must have stuff – how am I going to bring it all on the airplane and have room for clothes
    1. carry on will be filled with my camera equipment and laptop
    2. drobo took up most of a suitcase when I brought it to Korea from Canada
    3. need to bring my desktop also because laptops suck for doing any sort of real work, so that’ll be most of another suitcase/package and now I’m out of suitcases unless I pay for an extra bag – not sure how much that costs.
    4. figure I need to bring summer clothes and a very limited selection of working clothes (dress shoes, ties, dress pants and maybe 1 suit) just in case I get employed faster than the container with all our stuff arrives from Korea.

That’s it for now, but I’ll probably add a few more as I think of them. Comments and suggestions are of course welcome.

Also Ed suggested that the photo a day while interesting diluted the focus of the blog. What say my readers? If it is too distracting I may set up a separate photoblog instead.

Jan 05, 2011 Comments(9) Tweet

Alien Couple

This is a “from the hip” shot as I was walking in Myong Dong this afternoon.

Jan 05, 2011 Comments(0) Tweet

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I went out to get a specific shot for todays photo but it didn’t turn out as I expected. Since I was in the area I headed over to the Millenium Plaza building for this shot which turned out quit well. 16mm, f4, 1/800 iso100

Millenium Plaza

Jan 04, 2011 Comments(0) Tweet

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