korean style cover letter/ autobiography

I was born March 11, 1976 to Elmor Francisco, a retired colonel in the Philippine Army and Luzviminda Francisco, a retired accountant. My father had been stationed at different islands in the Philippines. Being an army officer gave us very little time to spend with our father. My mother was basically a single mother who had a successful career in accounting with three daughters to take care of. I’m the oldest and I was nurtured to be the second mother to my two younger sisters.

I was educated for 14 years in Colegio de Santa Rosa, Makati City. My mother is a very religious Catholic. She had faith that by sending her three daughters to an exclusive Catholic school for girls, we would have the moral fiber similar to that of girls who were raised in a nunnery. The high quality of education I had early on in life was among the building blocks of my values, confidence and personality.

 

As a young girl, I have dreamt of traveling. I believe that experience is the best education in life. I want to visit many countries and experience other cultures. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. I had my internship at Japan Airlines. I worked briefly at Continental Airlines as a sales assistant. I gave up my career in the airline industry when my Korean boyfriend of four years, asked me to marry him. 

My husband works in the trading industry. He travels abroad frequently. Having no kids allowed me to do volunteer work for UNESCO’s Cultural Exchange Program. It was a very good opportunity for me to visit different elementary, middle and high schools all over Korea conducting classes about the Philippines. It was rewarding to eradicate Korean’s misconceptions about the Philippines. Korean broadcasting companies make a lot of documentaries about Philippine street children, the Smokey Mountain, the Ifugao, Igorot and Badjao minorities. They think all Filipinos live in mountains where men wear loincloths and women are topless. It was great to answer children’s questions about Philippine history and ghost stories.

Since I got married in 1999, the only jobs I got are English related. I decided to work freelance to maximize my earnings. Working part-time was more lucrative as I got paid per hour. Teaching English in Korea for eleven years taught me self-learned techniques and strategies in teaching. English is my second language. I studied Spanish and Japanese as mandatory courses in BS Tourism.  My knowledge in languages gave me an extra edge in teaching because I know how it was like to learn another language. I have conducted classes for kindergarten, middle, high school, university students and adults.  I have edited and proofread newsletters, reports, e-mails, web sites, introduction letters, theses and other documents. I motivated my students to achieve effective English skills through fun conversations, chants, songs, poems and interactive games. I made use of different resources such as books, educational websites for references and information to update teaching strategies. I spent good money on making my own teaching materials. Wherever I travel, I search bookstores for fun game cards and other materials that help enhance my skills and make my students’ learning experience more effective and fun.

As much as I enjoyed teaching kids, it’s more rewarding to teach university students and office employees. I got paid $70 per hour to speak English to a university professor twice a week. Despite having PhDs abroad, Koreans find it hard to maintain their English fluency unless they can speak a couple of hours a week with a foreigner. I taught morning classes to overseas departments of big companies in Seoul. I got paid $10 per page when I edit and proofread theses and translations. These jobs gave me financial freedom to feed on my desire to travel. If I worked full-time in an English school, I can only get 3-5 days vacation leave. Working part-time enabled me to take long trips to the US, Australia, UK, Japan and the Philippines.

My passion for books helped me realize my goal to be a published author. I have been writing since elementary school. I contributed articles to our monthly newsletter. I continued writing in high school. I was a features writer for UST’s Education Journal. I have published articles in Korea Herald and Dialogue (UNESCO newsletter).  My essay Seoul and the Dormant Volcano was among the honorable mentions at the 6th Seoul Essay Contest in 2002.

I’m presently working on teen fantasy and children literature. I have traveled in London and New York, the two literary capitals of the world, to broaden my knowledge in the publishing industry. My dream to be an international best-seller gives me inspiration and determination to live my life to the fullest. Dreaming big requires me to work hard, persevere and strive to reach the goals that will enrich my life and my loved ones.

In 2008, my husband quit his job and built his own company,   Daechang International. As I worked freelance doing different English-related jobs, I also became my husband’s secretary and personal assistant.  We traveled together in New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois to make sales calls and participated in Detroit’s 2008 Auto Show. I was in San Francisco International Auto Show last November 2010 distributing brochures and searching for potential car-parts buyers.

My father passed away May 2010. My mother is now 63-years-old. She’s in good health now but I realized that it’s time I spend time with her. For eleven years, I lived in Korea and missed out on my family’s lives. My husband agreed to let me relocate back in the Philippines and start a new career. I’m positive and confident that whatever job I get, I will excel and succeed.

 

cover letter feb2011

I have worked as an English teacher in South Korea for eleven years and at age 35, I am determined to have a career change utilizing the same skills and strengths I used in teaching.

I am proficient in spoken and written English. I have worked with Americans, Canadians, British, Irish and Australians in Korean language schools. I have minimal difficulties understanding speakers with strong accents. I have published articles in Korea Herald and Korea UNESCO Dialogue magazine. I have written blogs on HiExpat.com and I continue to blog on http://starbucksaddicteri.blogspot.com   and http://11thyearinkorea.blogspot.com

I am an expert in multi-tasking.  I’ve worked as a freelance teacher, tutor, writer, editor, proof-reader, personal assistant to my husband’s business in addition to being a wife and an aspiring novelist.

I am very keen on punctuality. I make sure I finish 3-5 days before deadline. Procrastination is not in my vocabulary. I want to get things done. I have the need to impress my employers and colleagues. It’s not about being an over-achiever. It’s about worry prevention. The more prepared I am, the less worried I’d be.

I have both Korean and Filipino citizenship. My husband is Korean. I prefer to use my Korean passport when I travel. When my job requires me to travel, as a Korean passport holder, I have a US visa valid till 2014. I don’t require visas to go to Japan, Canada, Europe and most Asian countries. I can acquire Australian and New Zealand visas online with automatic approvals.

My eleven-year experience in teaching Koreans from kindergarten to university students made me handle customer service on my own. I get most of my students through referrals. I dealt with parents who were very demanding about what their children need. I comply with their demands and made sure they don’t lose their faith in my skill to provide the best education for their kids.

I have a BS degree in Tourism from the University of Santo Tomas.

I have attached my resume for your consideration.  I am available for interview at your convenience. Thank you.

 

Sincerely,

TERI TREE

Spring 2010

FALL 2009 with my sister Lotlot

SPRING 2010

SUMMER 2009

FALL 2009

I call this cherry blossom tree my TERI TREE. I just love how the branches are stooping down just like an umbrella. I take photos of Teri Tree every season.

SPRING 2009

EAT PRAY LOVELY

EAT PRAY LOVELY

September 25, 2010

I ordered the book EAT PRAY LOVE online two weeks ago because I wanted to read the book before I see the film. I love Julia Roberts and I love her films. One of my greatest forms of entertainment is comparing books to its film adaptation. Just like when saw the Harry Potter films. I was so overwhelmed when the movie sets translated almost exactly and precisely what my imagination conjured in my head when I was read the books. I love it when I knew exactly what changes were made in the movie. I love it when I know exactly what the characters would say next in a particular scene just like in the book. I was so proud of myself that I knew the places where Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons were filmed. I reread the novels days before I saw he films. I reread Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse before the movie release dates.

I'm now reading EAT PRAY LOVE and I love every page. I'm taking my time reading it because I want to savor every page Elizabeth Gilbert has written. I've always dreamed of going to Italy. I love films shot in Italy. I've seen the film The Talented Mr. Ripley so many times just because I want to see Rome, Naples and Venice. I loved Heath Ledger in Casanova but I loved seeing Venice more. Most recently, I saw the film Letters to Juliet and I fell in love with Verona. I fell in love with another Australian as well. Chris Egan is so hot. I love his squinty mesmerizing eyes. Chris Egan's character was British but I had the inkling that he's and Aussie. It must be the blonde hair or the hints of Aussie accent in the film.

I've been postponing going to Italy because I want to go there with my husband. I promised my Mama that I will take her to Rome on a pilgrimage. But I've been procrastinating. I want to go to Italy financially prepared. I want to travel around the country for six months; a month in Rome, a month in Venice, a month in Milan, and the rest of the months exploring other cities. I want to experience Italian life as a temporary resident and not as a tourist.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote on page 43; traveling is the greatest true love of my life. Travel is worth any cost or sacrifice. I am loyal and constant in my love for travel.

I got teary-eyed. That is me. I feel the exact same thing. I majored BS Tourism in college because I knew since I was 15 years old that I want to see the world. I knew in my teens that traveling is the best educator of history and culture.

LETTER TO OPRAH ABOUT BEING THE ULTIMATE HARRY POTTER FAN

I discovered Harry Potter in 2000 through you, Oprah. I was watching a show about the twin brothers who discover antiques, paintings and stuff that may be worth a lot of money. One of them said it's an investment to buy first edition books. I went to the nearest bookstore and bought the first four HP books. I kept them in a safe place where I could store them in perfect condition hoping that one day I could resell them. I was a bookworm in my teens but since college I hadn't read a novel. I was bored one day and started reading The Sorcerer's Stone. I got so hooked I read it in two days. My mind had never been pushed to an extreme level of imagination before. Since then, I've been a crazy fan. I got married in 1999 to a Korean man whom I dated four years in college. Nothing prepared me for the cultural shock and loneliness of being a Filipino living in Korea. Harry Potter was my only friend. There are very few Filipinos in Korea. I found it hard to bond with Korean women. I've been in Korea eleven years and so far I got only two Korean close friends.

I got addicted to HP. In 2001, I realized that I want to be a novelist just like JKR. Just like her; I'm a foreigner teaching English as a second language. JKR had lived in Portugal to teach English. I’ve always loved books and love writing stories. I've been keeping a journal since I was 15 years old and writing has been a daily routine for me. I write in the morning for 3-5 hours. I teach in the afternoons. JKR wrote in cafés. I love Starbucks and I’ve been writing in Starbucks since 1997.Coffee aroma ignites my creativity. In 2003, my HP addiction started to escalate. I went to London to be at the Order of the Phoenix books release party at Waterstones Bookstore in Picadilly Circus. I was 27 and it was my first time to travel alone. In 2004, I went to New York for the Prisoner of Azkaban movie premiere. I stood from 4a.m to 5p.m.I didn’t pee for 13 hours. I was hoping JKR will be there but she wasn’t. I was exhilarated to see the actors in the movie. It was my first time to see famous Hollywood actors in person. In 2007, I returned to London for the Order of the Phoenix movie premiere. I had a glimpse of JKR for 10 seconds. I came to Leicester Square 8a.m. and I was so far back from the red carpet. Fans camped out 2 days before. It was horrible being alone on my HP escapades but it’s all worth it.

In 2004 after trying to get pregnant for 3 years, the fourth doctor we consulted told us that my womb is deformed. I won’t be able to get pregnant. My Korean mother-in-law asked my husband to divorce because I can’t have kids. It was so horrible I succumbed to depression. My husband didn’t do as his mother asked him but because of that I hated his family and didn’t make contact with them for 3 years. When JKR wrote about the DEMENTORS she was in depression. I was clinically diagnosed to be suicidal and I took anti-depressants for 6 months. It was a very cold and dark experience for me. When I saw the movie in 2004 and saw the dementors sucking Harry’s happiness, I cried and cried. In 2008, my husband agreed to take me with him to Chicago and New York on his business trip with the condition that I reconcile with his mother. I agreed. There were no apologies involved. I just visited his mother and pretended nothing happened. I can’t deal with hatred and grudge anymore. They have accepted that their son loves me even if I can’t bear children.

I spent a lot of money collecting HP books in different languages and various hardback and paperback covers. I collect anything HP. My students love playing my HP UNO cards. My husband estimated my HP collection to be worth around $30,000.I order HP books online from different countries. I’m an English teacher in Korea and I don’t make much because I’m not a native speaker. My salary is half of what Americans and Canadians get here in Korea. I save as much as I can to finance my obsession. I’m saving money to be at the London premiere of Deathly Hallow this November. If I can a ticket to Oprah Show, I will fly to Chicago at my own expense. I won’t go to the London premiere if I can come to Chicago instead. It will be the happiest day of my life if I can see you Oprah and JKR in one stage. I love you Oprah, I’ve emailed you so many times desperate to be on your show. I’m extremely desperate now because it’s the farewell season. My husband and I were in Chicago in April 2008.We were at Harpo Studios at 6a.m. begging for your staff to let us in if there are vacant seats but my tears and begging didn’t work. Thank you Oprah. Because of your show I discovered HP. Please check out my HP album on Facebook.

THE LONGEST WRITER'S BLOCK EVER

I haven't touched any of my novels-in-progress since March 2009. My creativity malfunctions whenever I try to reread hundreds of chapters I've written for almost a decade. I tried blogging to invoke a possible resurrection. I need someone or some book to awaken my dormant passion.

Here is an excerpt of my children's book-in-progress Buntotland.


March 6, 2006
Buntotland Citizenship Oath

I solemnly swear to obey and abide by the laws of Buntotland. I will defend and protect our paradise from enemies. If it is inevitable to sacrifice my life, I will face death with memories of all the luscious fruit and crunchy veggies that feasted on our fertile soil. I swear to be loyal and respectful to the elected leaders of all species, big or small, scary-looking or dubiously meek. I will fulfill my duties and consistently contribute to the greatness of Buntotland. I promise to love my fellow citizens. I swear that I will always proud and thankful that I get to enjoy being an herbivore. I swear that I will always be supportive of carnivores in their transition to vegetarianism. Happiness is seen with a smile, heard by giggles and amplified by grunts of laughter.

I wrote this four long years ago. I feel horrible to abandon this story. It's time I return to my Buntots.

NEW YORK CITY 2004

June 2004, Time Square

HARRY POTTER AZKABAN BILLBOARD ON TIMES SQUARE

Daniel Radcliffe

One of the main highlights of my visit to NY was seeing the cast of Harry Potter at the Radio City Music Hall premiere. I planned to go to NY to be at the premiere. I waited from 4:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. to see the cast. I've been a huge fan of Harry Potter since I read the books in 2000. My biggest anticipation was seeing JK Rowling but she didn't come to the NY Premiere.

Emma Watson