Hana - a small sushi restaurant at Broadway

A few weeks ago we looked around the Broadway avenue in Seattle. For my daughter who is a sushi kid, we choose the small sushi restaurant, Hana for launch. I heard that we can have sushi there at the reasonable quality and cheap price.

One of the Japanese staffs told to my daughter in Korean. "안녕하세요(How are you?)", "예쁘네요(You look pretty.)". It made her happy. We had fun time and excellent sushi.

* You can get a cheap and reasonable quality lunch with your friends or family. With friendly staffs feel nice atmosphere.

'The reason I quit Samsung that I love (내가 사랑하는 삼성을 떠나는 이유)'

It's the title of letter that a young Samsung man left on the group's online bulletin when he quit Samsung. The Korea Times mentioned it very briefly in an article, 'Sandwiched Korea, and Samsung'. (You can read the full text of letter here written in Korean.)

This morning, while reading stacked posts in my reader I found an interesting one. The author thinks that the letter was leaked by chance. So he titled the post 'Systematic Samsung(관리의 삼성) is becoming a thing of the past.

Was it leaked By Chance? No way.

As far as I know Samsung isn't the sort of the company that looks on with folded arms while an internal document is printed in the newspaper, even though it's trivial.

'A Frog in a Pot' is a good fable of restructuring. Now it's the correct timing for restructuring. Yes, I agree it's time to "change everything except for one's spouse and children" again. But a leaked letter from a young Samsung man? It's funny.

a member that points itself in a structre - C

Q. Which warning message could you encounter when compile time?

  1: typedef struct tagNODE
  2: {
  3:    int     data; // we assume that node contains data as type of integer
  4:    struct NODE *next;
  5: } NODE;

A. line4: warning: assignment from incompatible pointer type

English, English, English, it frustated me!

1. When getting a speed ticket, I couldn't say a word to dispute it.
2. When disputing the unauthorized transactions on the wire, the officer asked me to speak through an interpreter.

I have breakdown.

(한국에서는 영어 미팅에서 하고 싶은 말 다 하고 업무하는데도 지장이 없다고 생각했는데 여기와서 두 달 만에 '영어 울렁증'에 걸렸습니다. 아예 내 말을 못 알아 듣겠다고 무시하는 상황을 몇 번 당하니 어디가도 입 열기가 두려워지네요. 미국에 있는 한국회사 다니면서 하루 종일 한국말만 써대니 영어는 언제 늘을련지. 그러나 좌절할 순 없당. 화이팅, 화이팅.

PS. WorkingUS.com에서 오늘 읽은 '영어와 자신감'이란 글입니다. )

Get my debit card information stolen!

Today morning I found that there were strange transactions in my account. I never made them! Someone spend $391.89 with my debit card at the Home Depot. I even never went there at the day. The thief filled up the car and bought groceries with my card!

I always have my debit card with me. I haven't lent it to anyone. I disputed those transactions to the bank and asked to block my card.

The officer in the bank said that it is sometimes happened! To my surprise I heard that some of my coworkers got same experiences. I haven't got my cards information stolen for 15 years in Korea. Never. I was surprised and disappointed the security is so weak.

Please be careful and check your transactions at least once a day.

추가. 6/7, 이틀 동안 연락이 없어서 오늘 확인 전화를 돌렸습니다. 지점에서 해주는 것은 없고 모두 커스터머 서비스 전홥니다. 세 번을 전화를 돌려서 (세 번이나 본인 확인을 위한 절차를 밟았습니다. ㅡ.ㅡ) 관련 부서와 통화 되었습니다만 이 아줌마 무쟈 빨리 얘기하고 내가 얘기한것도 못 알아듣겠다고 하는군요. 결국 한국 통역 연결 후 3자 통화. 경찰에 신고는 했느냐. 너 정말 거기 안 간 거 맞냐. 카드 누구한테 빌려준적 없냐. 결론은, 48시간 내에 서류를 보내줄 테니 기입해서 다시 보내라. 남의 나라 살아 서러운게 이런 거 군요.

Photos from last road trip

MobiJam in Seattle: Long long trip and Speed Ticket

Just after passing Mt. Shasta, CA we saw the red mountain and red sky. The chip and old digital camera couldn't capture the red color of sky. It was totally different from green mountain in Washington. Anyway it was almost 9am. We were happy to think that the long overnight driving would be almost ended.

You can see the GPS navigator at the left corner of picture. It was worth a lot more than its cost, $350. It's essential item for road trip.

Golden gate bridge. It was 2nd time to visit San Francisco. As the same thinking when first time I saw it, I didn't know why people say it's beautiful. For me it's just a long bridge with heavy traffic. The drivers in California was a little rough. The cars rode with speed almost 15mph above the limit, changed the lane without signaling, blow horn frequently and never yield.

The sea lions at the Pier39. After having a cup of clam chowder, we started toward Sunnyvale to meet elder sister of my wife.

(10시 경에 샌프란시스코에 도착해서 후다닥 금문교 보고 Pier39가서 크램 차우더 먹었습니다. 한국식 후다닥 사진찍기 관광. 아내는 크램 차우더 덕분인지 벌건 반점들이 돋았었고. 써니베일에서 처형을 만났습니다. 그날 밤 저는 오랜만에 만난 친구들과 산호세 한국 일식집에서 소주잔을 기울였고. 무리했던 좀 힘든 여행이었습니다.)

Quit smoking

When I was alone, smoking a cigarette with deep coffee used to give me a rest. When I was with good buddies, smoking cigarettes with a bottle of beer used to give me comport and relaxation.

This is 2nd trial to quit smoking for my life. About 3 years ago I have stated smoking again since I quited it for 7 years. Now I quited it again.

I tried to erase memory with a cigarette. It was so sweet and faint but I tried to forget those feeling.

(미국에 들어와서 담배를 끊은지 이제 한달 남짓 되는 것 같습니다. 2년 남짓 다시 피우기 시작한 담배가 건강을 해치는 것 같아서요. 담배 피는 사람을 한명도 볼 수 없는 날이 많은 소도시에서 담배를 끊기란 비교적 쉬었습니다. 그래도 가끔 그 연기를 볼때면 참을 수 없는 충동이 소름이 쫘악 도는거 있죠.)

A Language Exchange Partner from Netherlands

Almost one month ago I read a post at Craigslist in which a lady was finding someone who can teach her Korean language. She wanted to learn Korean language. At that time I sent a mail to her. Finally at last Saturday we met at a Starbucks in Bellevue Square.

I introduced my wife to her. They will meet twice or 3rd time a week to teach each other. Even though she's from Netherlands her English is very fluent. The reason why she need to learn Korean is that she and her boy friend will meet his mother in Korea at this September. Her boy friend can hardly speak Korean because he was adopted in US when he was a baby.

To say hello to his real mother, her mother-in-law, she tries to learn Korean. She's wise and very thoughtful. I feel sad to hear real story of adopted Korean.

(한국어를 배우고 싶다는 네덜란드 처자를 연락해서 지난 토요일 만났습니다. 아내의 언어 교환 파트너로 연결 시켜 주었죠. 영어 솜씨는 막힘이 없는 정도로 아내의 버벅임을 고쳐줄 충분한 실력이 되더군요. 남자 친구의 친어머니를 올 9월에 한국에 들어가서 만나기로 했고 거기서 한동안 있고 싶어 한국어를 배우고 싶다네요. 남자친구는 어릴 때 미국으로 입양되어서 한국어를 못하고. TV에서만 보던 이야기네요. 일본어, 중국어도 할 줄 안다는 23살 처자, 참 이쁘고 똑떨어지더군요.)

Long long trip and Speed Ticket

It's been 1 month since I wrote a post. During that time, I wandered around Seattle and Bellevue area. The best thing was that my family came to US and joined me. So happy to see my wife and daughter again.

At the memorial day weekend I went to the San Jose, CA, by car. It took 17 hours. How could I think to go to the San Jose by CAR! How foolish! I will not do it again. But it was so good time for my wife. She met her elder sister in almost 4 years.

On the way returning home I got a speed ticket in Oregon state. The police man said that I drove at 82mph on the road, 65 mph speed limit. The yellow ticket is in my drawer. I can't go to the court cause it'll take 8 hours to go there. It couldn't be avoided to pay fine and raise my insurance rate. After living in US for just 1 and a half month I got a speed ticket. Please be careful when you drive in Oregon state.

(타주에서 받은 스피드 티켓 해결하는 법 아시는 분? "I plead guilty"에 표시하고 봐달라는 해명 편지와 함께 벌금을 동봉해서 보내려고 합니다. 조심해야지 조심. 벌금 얼만지 아세요? $240이에요. ㅡ.ㅡ)

Bought a VW Passat Wagon

I bought a used car using a Seattle Craigslist, Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4Motion Wagon. It has as same green color as the below picture.



The guy who sold the car put the first aid kit on its trunk with a memo written 'For buyer'. And he gave me a whole repair records. Thanks him.

It has powerful and silent engine with AWD(All wheel drive). I fall in love with this car. I hope to be no accidents, no troubles and only happy memories with this car.

(드디어 중고차를 장만했습니다. 폭스바겐. 차를 장만하려고 찾고 서베이하고 보러 다닌 얘긴 나중에 정리해 올리겠습니다. 미국와서 3주 만에 개인간 거래로 차 장만하기. 재미나더군요. 지금은 트렁크의 개털 때문에 세차하러 가 있습니다. 세차 공임이 허거덕이더군요. 잘 아껴 줄테니 미국 떠나는 그날까지 고장없이 사고없이 우리 식구 태우고 잘 굴러다니기를)

Got a Washington Drivers License

Finally I got a Washington Drivers License at this Tuesday.

It's essentially required to read the Drivers Guide at least once. It's very helpful to drive everyday in real life as well as to pass the written test. You can know what is the roundabouts, two-way left turn lanes and rules for driving. It also can make you avoid getting a ticket and save your money.

It took just 15 minutes for driving test. I think I was lucky to get the score 88.

(이번 주 월요일에 운전면허시험에 합격했습니다. 종이 쪼가리 라이센스 받은 것은 화요일. 필기시험보고 대략 1주일 걸렸으니 빠른편이지요. 6~8월 한참 UW에 학생들 몰려들고 신입들 꼬여들 때면 좀 더 기다려야 되지 않을까 싶습니다.)

Applied for SSN

Tuesday(April 10) at this week, I went to the Social Security Administration office at Bellevue. Obtaining US Social Security is the first of the 3 things I have to do upon arrival in US.

It's easy to get to SSA from office. Using the Bel-Red road go to the west-south direction and turn left to take the 124th Ave. NE and immediately turn right to take the NE 8th street. When reach 106th Ave. NE, turn left.

After pulling out a number ticket and writing a simple document, a officer gave me a sheet of paper including following 'Important Information'.

.They will check the documents with the agency. It will take about 4 weeks.
.If that agency tells us their records agree with yours, we will mail you a Social Security card.
.If they tell us their records do not agree with yours, ...

(이주 화요일 SSN을 신청했다. 4주 걸릴 것, 못 받을 수도 있다는 간단한 설명과 함께 종이 쪼가리 한장을 받았다. 빨랑 보내주란 말이다~)

How to order at Starbucks - 스타벅스에서 커피 주문하기

Seattle is famous for a Starbucks as well as rain. At the Seattle downtown there is 1st Starbuks. Ordering a cup of coffee at Starbucks is as confused much as memorizing street numbers near office, for me.

1. Decide if you'd like to drink a hot or cold.
   찬(Cold) 음료와 뜨거운(Hot)음료를 결정한다.
   
   
2. Choose size.
   다음 중에서 컵의 크기를 결정한다.
   
   1)Short(8oz), 2)Tall(12oz), 3)Grande(16oz), 4)Venti(20oz)
   
   *여기 사람들은 Tall 사이즈를 주로 마시는 듯, Short은 메뉴판에는 없지만 Order하면 준다.
   
   
3. 모든 라떼(Lattes) 종류와 카푸치노(Cappuccinos) 그리고 마끼야또(macchiatos)에는 에스프레소(espresso)가 들어간다.
   
   1 in short and tall
   2 in grande and venti
   
   Americanos와 Mocha Valencias에는 이보다 1잔 정도 많은 에스프레소가 들어간다.
   
   
4. How to order. - for example
   실제 주문하는 예
   
   Tall Americano with room please. 또는 Can I get tall Americano with room?
   (room란 크림을 넣기 위해 비워두는 공간을 얘기한다.)
   Short no room Americano.
   
   Tall Green Tea Frappuccino Blended Cream.
   (프라프치노는 얼음에 커피,물,우유 기타 시럽등을 갈아만든 것인데 여름에 마시면 꽤 시원하고 괜찮다. 그러나 발음을 잘 해야 된다는 거ㅡ.ㅡ)
   
   A double tall non-fat extra-dry cappuccino.
   (해석하자면 non-fat milk넣고 거품(foam) 추가해서(extra-dry) tall 크기 카푸치노 주세요. 어렵다. ㅡ.ㅡ)
   
   * 이외 extra-dray나 non-fat 자리에 쓸 수 있는 말:
   extra-dry(거품 많이), wet(거품 적게) , extra hot(더 뜨겁게), soy(콩 우유)
   

I couldn't understand language in Starbucks, a cuple of days ago.
그저께 스타벅스가서 아메리카노를 주문하는데 벌어진 일.

1.I(나): "Can I get Tall Americano?"
2.clerk(점원): "room for cream?"
3.I(나):
...
(I'm wondering whether there is 'room' for cream??? Finally I said.
멀뚱멀뚱, 무슨 크림에 방이 있나? 내가 잘못 알아들었나? 망설이다.)
No thank you...

There are a lot things to know to just order a cup of coffee. To know those things is to know their culture that is totally different from ours. They may think that how can we don't know kinds of simple things. But it's just because we're not familiar with theirs, we have lived in different culture.

Anyway, to live here WELL ENOUGH, I have millions of things to know and learn.

Rent an apartment - 아파트 구하기

Today I have looked an apartment nearest the office. I can go to work on foot if I live there. In addition the libraries and market are near. But monthly fee is very expensive.

I preferred 2nd floor. But at this time just 1st floor is available and it's a little small, 883 square feet (~24.8Pyeung). I'm worried whether it's too cold in winter because the living room window is towards the north. Still I don't decide to move in.

• Unit for area of the house - Square feet
  
  1 Pyeung = 35.583 sf2
  
  
• Useful expression while trying to rent a apartment
  
  
  1. I'd like to rent an apartment.
     (아파트렌트하고 싶은데요.)
     I'm looking for a two bedrooms, one bath apartment.
     (방두개 욕실 하나 짜리 찾고 있어요.)
     Do you have available?
     (지금 방 있나요?)
  2. Is there a security deposit?
     (보증금 있나요?/계약기간이 끝나고 기물회손여부에 따라 돌려 받을 돈)
     Are there extra fees?
     (추가 비용이 있나요?)
     Is there sufficient parking spaces?
     Is it furnished?
     (가구가 들어가 있나요?)
     Do you have a washer and dryer?
  3. How will the rent be prorated if I move into it in the middle of the month?
     How many keys can I have for my apartment?
     May I see the different floor plans before I sign a lease?

(회사 가장 가까이 있는 동네에서 비싼 축에 속하는 아파트 구경을 갔다. 막상보니 883sf2 크기가 작아 보였고 1층, 북향이라 어두워 보여 결정을 못하고 돌아왔다. 위치로는 회사로 날 좋으면 도보도 가능한 거리고 근처 편의 시설도 좋은 곳. 내일 점심 때 거기서 2년간 살았던 회사동료를 만나니 몇 가지 의견을 물어보고 결정할 예정. 더 외곽으로 나가면 차 두대는 필수라 애매한 상황이다.)

Arrived at Sea-Tac airport - 9th April

Finally I arrived at Sea-Tac airport, 9th April 2007. The road was wet. It was drizzly, typical weather in Seattle.

When the last time I visited here, it was early September, I could see the shiny bright sky everyday. I can see clearly that the rain will be gone, before long.

(여기 시간 9일 오전 11시20분 경 Sea-Tac 공항에 도착했습니다. 전형적인 시애틀 날씨, '이건 비가 오는 것도 아니고 안오는 것도 아니야.'를 떠오르게 만드는, 그러나 맑은 공기 덕분에 저멀리 구름 사이로 햇빛이 비추는 것을 볼 수 있었습니다.)

The office where I will work is at the 1st floor of the building in Bellevue.

After 13 hours, I'll be on an airplane

It's 2:46am Monday. At last day I packed my clothes, laptop and ... in bags, "이민가방". After about 13 hours I'll be alone on an airplane to Seattle, my family will be in Korea till end of this month. Still I don't know whether I did decide correctly or not.

While drinking beer

Changing moneny at a good bargain

I changed some Korean won to US dollars today. To change money at a good bargain:

1. Use Korea Exchange Bank (외환은행)
2. Use internet to get 55% discount for commission

I used Kookmin Bank because there is no KEB nearby. Compare when changing $1,000 at 6th April.

1. KEB: To buy $1, you should pay 948.20 won. After applying 55% discount, 939.24 won for $1. So you pay 939,245 won for $1,000.
2. IBK(기업은행): To buy $1, it costs 951.35 won. After applying 30% discount, 945.75 won for 1$. So you pay 945,755 won for $1,000.
3. Kookmin Bank: You can get 50% discount when using internet. Exchanging rate is 2ndly low, follows KEB.
   

(환전. 은행 마다 환율이 다르다. 외환은행의 환율이 가장 좋고 인터넷을 이용하면 55%의 수수료 인하를 받을 수 있다. 공항에서 환전하지 말것. 환율이 안좋은 은행과 외환은행을 비교할 때 $2,000 정도 환전하면 1만원 넘는 정도의 차이가 난다.)

The last working day in Korea

Today is the last day for work before leaving. I'm suffering from a hangover because I boozed with my coworkers until 2am. I must missed such a warm Korean-style party, boozing bottles of SoJu to the death with close buddies.

(새벽까지 술 먹다. 여비 마련하느라 여기저기서 쌈짓돈 끌어 모으고 있는 중 어제 한방으로 큰 타격 입다.)

Improve mass storage access speed with USB2.0 (3) - Alternative HW design

• Limitation of speed with HW design, Fig.1

With the HW design, Fig.1, there is a bottleneck of speed when it connects with PC. To get maximum speed, the transfers, (1) and (2) should be done at the same time. But usual device driver for mass storage isn't designed considering it. For example, with Intel PXA27X BSP for Microsoft Windows Mobile, the transfer is done one after the other. Cause the FIFO size for USB endpoints is very small, typically 512Byets, comparing with the size of HDD, larger than 128KB, the speed is reduced even by one-fifth of its maximum.

• Alternative HW design

The Fig.2 may be alternative HW design. With direct connection between HDD controller and USB controller, a fastest Ultra DMA could be used. Typical currently used USB controller supports direct connection by ATAPI standard interface, like Ultra DMA.
In case of connection with PC, we can get the maximum speed without any CPU load, (1). When it is need for CPU to access the HDD, (2), DMA can be used.

Arpeggione sonata by Schubert

One of my favorite classical piece is Arpeggione sonata by Schubert. I love this piece played by cello of Rostropovich.

Improve mass storage access speed with USB2.0 (2) - Use DMA

• Use DMA
  

Using a DMA is the common way to improve transfer speed and reduce CPU load. There are roughly 3 types of DMA transfers used by USB peripheral controller, like Philips ISP1583.

1. PIO mode - Usually use a small size of transfer buffer, for example 8KB FIFO. Slowest and make CPU load high. DIOR/DIOW and IORDY signals are used.
2. Multi word DMA mode - DREQ and DACK signals without IORDY signals are used. According to specification it has almost same speed with PIO mode. But it's faster and makes lower the CPU load in practical implementation.
   
3. Ultra DMA mode - Such as HDMARDY and DSTROBE signals are needed. Highest speed.

* For further investigation, refer the ATAPI specification.

With CPUs commonly used for handheld device like Intel PXA27x(passed to Marvell), PIO mode or Multi word DMA mode can be implemented. The data transfer of connections (1) at Fig.1 should be implemented with Multi word DMA.

Improve mass storage access speed with USB2.0 (1) - Domain

For the handheld device, it becomes being smaller and having more functionalities, USB 2.0 interface is likely to be used more frequently with huge capacity of storage device, HDD. Comparing other interface like as CF, it requires less pins to connect with peripherals, only 4 pins, D+, D-, ground and Vcc.

To get the maximum speed of transfer it's best way to make connection directly between the USB2.0 controller and storage device. But some of hardware design may cause bottleneck of transferring speed(see Fig.1.). I'll deal how to improve the speed of accessing mass storage device, HDD, with USB2.0.

How to send money to US account with H1B visa status

Yesterday I went to the bank to check how to send money to US. To buy a car and rent a house at least $20,000 will be needed. As a result it's difficult to send money to US with H1B visa status.

(은행에 들려 몇 가지 알아 보았습니다. '해외체제자'로 등록 가능해 연 10만불 까지 송금가능한 유학생 비자등과는 다르게 H1B 비자 소지자는 외환법상 '비거주자'로 분류 되어 송금이 어렵더군요. 합법적으로 10만불 이상을 송금하려면 한국은행에 신고하여 송금해야 하는데 이 때 자금의 사용처에 대한 증빙을 작성해야 합니다. 이외 아래와 같은 다른 방법이 있다고 합니다.

1. 한국의 친지를 통해 '증여성 송금'을 한다. 1일 1만불 이하 연간 5만불 이하 가능. 자금출처가 명확해야 하고 증여세를 추징당할 우려가 있음.
   
2. 출국 시 필요한 돈을 모두 환전해 나간다. 1만불 이상이면 출국시 그리고 미국 입국시 신고 필요. 이때 신고서를 보관하고 있다 귀국시 사용용도 신고)
   

Buying a car - What a difficult in US!

Let me show you how to buy a car in Korea. Every motor companies like Hyundai have their own agencies. The car price that a buyer will actually pay is almost same as the list price on the catalog released by motor company. There are no kind-of car dealers.

So to buy a car, after choosing a trim and checking price on the catalog and then go to a agency nearby and pay for it. That's it. It's up to you how to pay, a credit card, cash or getting loan. Usually 1 week later, a agency will take your new car near your home.

In US, there are lots of dealers who sell a same car with different packages and varying prices. I am confused with new terms such as MSRP, in-voice price, OTD, ARP.... Above all things there are too many fascinating cars in US to choose just one car and I have no enough budget for it.

(몇 일 째 미국에서 차 사는 법을 공부하고 있다. CarBuyingTips.Com을 들여다 보고 있는데, 한정된 예산에 차는 두대를 굴려야 되겠고 새차 헌차 차 종류는 많지 차 사는 시스템을 좀 알려고 하니 뭐가 이리 복잡한지 정리가 하나도 안되고 있다.)

A Wet Haegum With Rain

A Wet Haegum With Rain by Kang, Eunil
(Plz click the play button to listen to it)

Eunil Kang plays a Haegum with other present-day musical instruments in this album, named 'Ancient Futures'. A Haegum is a Korean traditional musical instrument, a Korean fiddle.

Her play makes my mind be relaxed and I feel getting strength.

Korean calligraphy and antique: A photographer's Blog

At last week I met a high school colleague. It's been 3 years since I met him. He majored in German literature and Philosophy. Comparing that almost all of my colleagues are salaried workers, he who is interested in translation of Nietzsche's literary works is unusual man.

He may be in Finland at this week to attend a exhibition featuring the photographs taken by himself. Gosinga.Net is his blog where you can read essays about Korean antique and see photos. (What does it mean, Gosinga?)

(신학교를 지망하던 친구가 이제 불교에 관심을. 내 좁은 인간관계에서 엔지니어와 셀러리맨과는 다른 길을 가는 친구를 가끔 만난다는 것도 행운이다.)

Dollars

Every time going back home on business trip my pocket is fulled with coins. I used to put them in the basket for donation, UNICEF, at an airplane or airport. It was always hard to use and count the coins as an alien.

US paper currency has had many nick names. The notes themselves are generally referred to as bills and any combination of US notes and coins as bucks. - Federal Reserve Note from Wikipedia

(그러니까 five-dollar bill 또는 fifty bucks 이렇게 얘기하는 거다)

• Bill or Paper money

1. Banknotes
   There are 7 types of bills that are currently used, $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 $50, and $100. I hardly see to use bills larger than $20.
   
   (실생활에서는 $20 까지만 많이 쓰는 모양이다. 처음 미국 출장 갔을 때 Market에서 약간의 물건을 사고 $50를 내밀었더니 점원이 당황하던 기억이 난다.)
   
   
2. Large denominations
   Today, there is no bill larger than $100. At one time, however, 5 larger denominations, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, $100,000 were issued. One thousand dollars can be referenced as "Large", "K", "Grand or "Stack".
   

• Coinage

1. Today circulating coins exist in denominations: $0.01, $0.05, $0.10, $0.25, $0.50, and $1.00.
   
   (1¢(Cent)는 Penny로 100개 있어야 $1가 된다. 우리식으로하면 10원. 5¢는 Nickel 그러니까 50원. 10¢는 1Dime이며 1¢보다 작다. 100원에 해당하니 만만히 볼 넘이 아니다. 다음 $1/4에 해당하는 Quarter가 있다. 우리식으로 하면 250원이니 애매하다. 이외에 50¢(50-cent, Half dollar or piece)와 $1(Golden dollar)가 있는데 잘 통용되지는 않는다고 한다. )

Place for living in Bellevue area

Near the office, WA 98007, I'm looking for the good apartments for living. Currently I have 4 candidates. To compare one with others I made a simple sheet. After fee for rent is added, the followings will be considered to choose one.

1. How far is it from the office? Can I go to work on foot?
2. How mush do I pay for rent?
   
3. How nice is the school for my kid?
4. Is there a library and market nearby?
5. Doesn't that apartment have a bad name?
6. Dose a garage follow the floor plan?
7. Is there a washing machine at floor?
8. When was the apartment built?
   
9. ...
   

The 3 things I have to do upon arrival in US

I listed up the 3 things I have to do upon arrival in US. There is nothing to be easily done for foreign align who never knows culture and system in US.

1. Obtaining US Social Security
2. Obtaining Washington Driver's License
3. Opening US bank account

These days I'm memorizing some useful English expressions to do above 3 things. I think I can post a couple of funny stories in which a align will try to settle down in strange planet.

Opening a US back account

You need to bring the following documents with you at a bank.

1. Original Passport with Visa stamped on its page
2. Original I-94 card issued to you when you arrive at US airport
3. Original of employment Letter which you accepted with signatures
4. Original approval of your Visa issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Service - Form I-797
5. Receipt of the application for your Social Security Card

The banks, Bank of America, near the office are located at below addresses:

1. Bank of America: lake Hills - near DOL(Department of Licensing)
   15550 Lake Hills Blvd, Bellevue, WA
   (206) 358-2500
   
2. Bank of America: Overlake Park - near the office
   
   2400 148th Ave NE, Redmond, WA
   (206) 358-2423
   

Obtaing Washington Driver's License

Upon applying the US Social Security card at US Social Security Administration Office, you will then proceed to apply for your Washington Driver's License. The Washington Driver Guide can help you prepare for the written and road tests. You can find more information at the Online Guide to Washington the DMV. The Driver Guide translated in Korean is also available at the WA State Licensing.

You will bring with you the same documentations that brought with you at the US Social Security Office.

1. Original Passport with visa stamped on its page
2. Original I-94 card issued to you when you arrive at US airport
3. Original your employment Letter which you accepted with signatures
4. Original Approval of your Visa issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service - Form I-797

The Bellevue Licensing Service Office is located at the address below:

525 156th Ave SE
BELLEVUE, WA 98007-5335
(425) 649-4281
- Click to see the map with the MS live.com.

Obtaing US Social Secutiry - The first thing I have to do upon arrival in US

Upon arrival in US you need to go to the Office of the US Social Security Office Administration to apply your SS number. You must bring the following documents with you.

1. Original passport with visa stamped on its page
2. Original I-94 card issued to you when you arrived at a US airport
3. Original your employment letter which you accepted with your signatures
4. Original approval of your H1B/L1 visa issued by the US Citizenship and Immigrant Service - Form I-797

The address location of office where I will go is found using Google map:

US Social Security Administration

505 106th Ave NE # 301
Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 450-3936

JungDong-Jin

At last weekend I went to JungDong-Jin in GangWon Province with my family. It might be last travel before I leave Korea. We slept for a night in hotel Suncruise.

A view of JungDong-Jin from hotel room

Hotel Suncruise. It's on a hill, imitates a ship

Small beach at JungDong-Jin

I loved PDA

Palm m505

The first PDA I had was the PALM Pilot. It was amazing and fantastic. It was exactly what I dreamed. Compared with cell phones that had only 4 lines B&W LCD, PALM had large 160x160 LCD and touch panel. It displayed graphics and supported handwritten recognition.

Then I worked for Computer Division of Samsung Electronics. I was sured that devices like PDAs would defeat cell phones. That was the reason I volunteered for new division in which IZZI Pro and IZZI Palm was developed.

The Palm m505 shown at above picture is my 3rd PALM. I'm still using it for every minutes.

Packed up

At Monday I was day off and packed up clothes, books and a bike for sending them to Seattle. The next day two people from Hyundai Shipping took them. The Hyundai Shipping is the largest shipping company in Korea. There are lots of shipping companies but many of them are infamous for asking additional charge or breaking due date. Comparing those companies I thought Hyundai Shipping is better and choose it. But rate isn't chip enough.

Standard 3cbm costs 1,350,000Won (about $1350). 250,000Won (about $250) is charged each additional 1cbm.

Get a H1B visa in Korea - in my case

* This posting is just from my personal experience. It couldn't be used commonly.

After you accept the offer letter from US based company, a lawyer of the company will proceed the visa process for you. I got a H1B visa status at last year, 2006. It took almost one and a half years since I have accepted the offer.

1. Visa quota for H1B - just 65,000 cap at FY 2007

The applications are able to be accepted from April 1. The screening of applications is started at beginning of the fiscal year(FY). The start of FY in US is October 1. The applicants who pass both screening and interview are able to start working from October 1.

The quota usually reaches in a few months. At 2005 the quota for 2006 reached at around July. Nobody expects when the quota is reached. The faster is better.

2. Interview and finger-print at US embassy

Congratulations on passing the screening of applications. The lawyer will send you whole application documents including I-797, your resume, offer letter and job description. You can reserve the interview through the website of US embassy in Seoul. Remind yourself to prepare all documents listed.

The Consul who was my interviewer asked 3 questions. "How did you find the company?" "How long have you worked for the branch in Korea?" "What'll be your responsibility for your job position in US?" It took only 10~15 minutes. Please speak loudly with confidence.

Reserved a ticket for Seattle

Now I'm in Korea . At 9th April I'll be in Greater Seattle area with my family.

At previous week, I reserved an airplane ticket for Seattle. The small venture company in Seattle had hired me for 2 years. Instead of paying the H1 visa processing fee, the company asked me to return just after 2 years and work for the branch in Korea. Only 2 years in Seattle isn't enough to do everything I want to do.

It passed about one and a half years since I has made up my mind to transfer to US. But I'm not sure whether I correctly decided for my career path and happiness of family.

I'm taking a step towards a completely unknown and foreign place. But I'm sure that I can handle things that will be encountered there. I'll prepare for them and deal them wisely.