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~)

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.

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

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.