“And yet how strange that it’s like any other day….”

That is what my dad said as I was driving to the airport Sunday morning and it really struck me as a profound statement. (Good job Pops.) It didn’t feel as if I was leaving the country for an entire year without seeing my family or friends. It felt more like…it was just another day.

However, that QUICKLY changed once I got in the airport and found out I was being charged $230 dollars for overweight and oversized luggage haha. WHATEVER – I was glad I got to bring the few extra pairs of shoes that Lena would allow me to pack in my suitcase. Worth the extra charges in MY opinion….at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

After my luggage crisis, I went through security and OF COURSE my carry-on was pulled because it was jam-packed full of stuff. Luckily the girl was very nice and realized I wasn’t trying to sneak dangerous toxins onboard and let me go pretty quickly without giving me too much grief. So then I rolled my incredibly heavy carry-ons down to my gate. Of course, one would not fit into the bin overhead, but the Delta lady just asked if I would like a bag to take some things out so that it would fit. So I pulled out my trusty “Paper or Plastic Neither” tote and filled it with some of the goods that were causing my bag to puff out and everything was fine. The flight to ATL was quick and painless. As soon as I got there, I had trouble finding my gate but asked someone and then problem was ceased. I had a long time to wait and as I sat there listening to music, reading, etc., I began to question myself…as any normal person would. Was I really doing the right thing? All signs seemed to point in the right direction but I really wasn’t sure. I don’t know ANYone in this country really…just people that I am trusting will help me but who knows if they will? What if they are unfriendly? What if I hate my job? What if I don’t adjust? What about culture shock? What if Kim Jon decides to bomb the country while I’m there??? What if what IF….then I look to my left and a small Korean boy sat down beside of me and gave me the biggest most adorable smile I think I’ve ever seen….thank you God.