Let me see that [California] roll!

Well, despite the fact that the internet is NOT free at LAX I am still going to write my nervous rant. It seems to be wise to get a few things out of my system. I will just copy and paste from a word doc so you all can read of my experience thus far.

I left at about 5:30am from Denton. I didn’t sleep much, not because I was overcome with butterflies – alas! My butterflies have been quite contained even considering the circumstances (this is a good thing). I did not sleep because I had to perform a major balancing act trying to get my suitcases to both be under 50 pounds. One of my suitcases is smaller and it weighed about 47 and the other is huge and weighed at least 55…the problem was that I couldn’t even it out because the smaller suitcase had reached its fullest capacity. Good news – both weighed in under 50 at the airport! (Hallelujah chorus)

Just so you know, the smaller of my suitcases is named “Benny”, brother to my sister’s suitcase “Penny”. Sadly enough, I have not named the other. I took it to Ireland with me last summer and a name never really came to me – which is very important. A name defines a lot about a suitcase. If you have suggestions feel free to leave a comment with ideas.

Just for naming reference:

He/She is a beautiful deep blue in color, very tall in stature, very strong in talent, and a sort of duffel-like suitcase.

Anyway, this morning was a little emotional. From saying goodbye to the folks, Kasey, and my sweet sister, to making everything fit in two suitcases, a backpack, and a travel bag. So I had a minor breakdown and then we made it to the airport. I hugged them all and tearfully said farewell to my wonderful family. They mean the world to me. It is kind of weird leaving for this long because they are such a huge part of who I am and what kind of person I am becoming. The good news is that we are all connected in our hearts. As EE Cummings once wrote:

“I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart.”

I met a really awesome lady on my first flight to Los Angeles. She was on her way to this conference called LEAP that she helps with. The conference is for youth to come and learn how to basically manage life – from how you present yourself and etiquette to mentoring and equipping students for their futures. Really cool. Definitely right in line with what my heart beats for.

At LAX I got to take a quick walk to the International terminal outside and let me just say that it feels SO GOOD in California right now. I am going to miss a lot of things about home, but the weather I can definitely do without! So long 104 degree days – hello to 60-80 degrees! Woo!

I have two more comments:

1. I was one of three Caucasians in line for my flight into Seoul.

2. The flight attendants for Korean Air are the cutest little ladies I have ever seen in my life.

So long and “A Jusae Yo Kimbap?”

A few hours later….

(Ok more like 12 hours later)

I wanted to go ahead and claim that I have officially made it halfway through quite possibly the longest day of my life.

WooWoo!

8:20pm in Texas

10:20am in Korea

…and who knows what time somewhere across the north Pacific

Also, this is, by far, the coolest plane I have ever been on. My dad joked (in his version of an Asian accent) that there would be hot towels served. They don’t joke around about that. Not to mention: free wine at lunch, silk blanket, personal television with dozens of watching choices, a little hanger hook (just in case, of course), USB hookup, slippers, a toothbrush, coffee and tea at your need throughout the flight, and it is definitely the most spacious plane I’ve ever been on. I wish I had my little camera so that I could sneak a picture of these flight attendants. I guess I will just have to google it so you know how adorable they are! If only I knew Korean I would sign up to be the random American who works for Korean Air.

Sidenote: The man two seats down from me left a while ago and came back in boxer briefs. ….Is that normal?

5:47pm Korea time

3:47am Texas time

It's official. I am in Seoul, waiting to board for Busan. Crazy, but it just feels right!

Plus I saw the CUTEST little Korean children on my flight and got really excited about my job! And I know you are all wondering -- the man in his boxer briefs....he straight up walked through customs in that mess. I really wish I would have had a camera on me.