I am sitting here unable to imagine that I am really here. It seems so different.
Sunday, August 6, 2006, began with me getting up around 5:15 am and then leaving for the airport with the Robbins at 6 am. Allyson as in everyday asked me how I was. It kept amazing me that I really hadn't cried yet, me who is so emotional about every thing had not really had any tears flow yet.
At the airport I was hoping my bags would not be over weight, especially since I had packed and repacked them numerous times to get them round 50 lbs. As the first bag went on it weighed 51lbs, the next 52lbs, and the last 53lbs. Praise God that the agent was nice I had already paid for the extra bag, but he did not charge me for being over weight. My first blessings of the trip from God.
It was hard to say bye at security to a family that means so much to mean, but still I didn't cry as I would normally. I am thinking it is because God was protecting me and because my heart knows that this is all His doing so He will not only be taking care of me, but also taking care of all of those I love in my absences as well. I got to the gate just fine and was sad that there was not a Starbucks to be found- since I was really hoping to have one before I left. At the gate I tried to call some family that I didn't get to say bye to and also tried to call someone whom I felt I wanted to be the last person I spoke with before leaving the states. And then it was time to board.
Once in Los Angeles is when it got hard and amazing when I was on my own. I was thinking about the blessing God had already provided with my bags and I was in a very good mood. I walked from the terminal I arrived at to the one next door which I would be leaving out of. I found my way to Korean Air and tried to check in. I showed the girl all that I thought she needed to see and she said that I would have to walk back over to Frontier and get some other document about the charge for my extra bag or she would have to charge me $110. I began to cry as I made my way back over to the other terminal. After waiting for a Frontier Agent, she told me that she could not get me what Korean Air needed, also at this time I realized that the Korean Air agent keep my ticket as well. I must add that a little panic began inside of me. Full of tears and with my phone still off I made it back over to Korean Air and waited again. Once up there I told her that I didn't have my ticket because they keep it and that Frontier said that the document I had was what was my proof of the charge. My prayers to God over and back must have been heard, for the lady said she had my boarding pass ready and since I went all the way back over she would waive the fee. Why couldn't she have just done that to begin with. All I know is that the tears that so easily come from me which hadn't at all finally had a means for coming out.
The next part was just as hard and very scary. I walked thru security but at the gate there was no available seat and honestly not another person who was Caucasian like me. After a while a handful of men showed up, all with dark hair. So I was the only female in the area and the only one with blonde hair. Culture shock may have already began. I did sit on the floor and finally checked my messages, of course I miss one from the one person I really wanted to speak with that day. I tried them back and left a message and also got to speak with a friend. But then thank you all for your cards, I was able to open them then and read them. It helped calm me for a little while. The flight then got delayed by 20 minutes and I was still crushed that I did not get the Starbucks that I had past before checking in, but then that was probably a blessing from God as well.
I pretty much keep my phone on until we taxied away from the gate in hopes of being able to hear the voice I wanted to and cried until they served the first meal.
The seat in the middle was open which was nice and the fact that my TV did not work in front of my seat just meant that I could have used the one in the middle. That is until this really big American guy came and sat down much into our flight. His TV was not working and they told him to find another seat. There went my TV and my comfort of not having anyone to sit by. I did find it funny that Caucasian people were slim to none on the flight, yet there was an American white guy in front of me, next to me, and behind me at this time. Again, very ironic.
When they served the first meal we were offered the choice of Beef or Korean Bibimbop. I choose the Korean Bibimbop and the stewardess asked me if I knew how to eat it. I said yes. This made me smile and calmed my nerves and sadness completely away. Plus, the man next to me said I think you're suppose to mix the rice into it. I replied with "yes, I know but I don't like it as well that way". God really touched my heart and was so there with me. I think I just really needed to cry it all out. The fear, the sadness, and the disappointment I was feeling from that morning.
The rest of the flight was spent sleeping and reading this great book, I think titled "Love God in the Morning" (Thanks Andrea). I read the whole thing and it spoke to so much of the things that were in my heart and mind at this time. I love when God continues to do this. He speaks so loudly some times you know it is Him. I didn't miss not having a TV screen that worked, who needed movies when I had such a moment with God.
I arrived and made it through the airport, immigration, and customs just find. But as I was walking through the door and about to look for the man with a sign in his hand reading KIMIE MORTON, I was run over on my heal by a baggage cart from behind. The man said he was sorry and said it was fine thinking nothing was wrong. I found Mr. Song and waved at him. As we were walking to the door my shoe and heal felt strange so I looked down and there was blood all over. So Mr. Song said we had to make it up to the pharmacy (no first aids in the airport or anywhere at that). I did take a picture of my heal all bloody, but will have to wait and see if I can learn how to post it. So at the pharmacy he bought something to clean it with, which really burned. Also, some ointment and band aids, not to mention two kinds of pills. One I found out was like advil, the other still don't know and haven't taken that one. At the moment it really hurts to walk on my heal and I have two really big open wounds, but I think I will live. I never get hurt and that is how I was welcomed into Korea. That took about 45 minutes, and then our drive took 1 1/2 hours. Mr. Song said it would take an hour, but with traffic 2 hours. Guess we got it in the middle.
So my journey began at 6am Sunday, August 6, in Denver and ended by arriving at my new apartment at 8pm Monday, August 7, in Korea (which would have been Monday morning around 5 am for those of you in Denver). So almost a full 24 hours. I talked a little with Gretchen and cleaned up my wound much better and went to bed. However, I had to sleep on the couch the first night because my mattress was not there yet.
My first day I woke up just as I had through out the summer at home. Starting around 2 or 3 am and then about every hour or two after that. I finally got up and Gretchen was up too around 8am. Two of the guys called and were going to Costco so wanted to know if we wanted to go. Gretchen wasn't feeling well, so I went with them just to get a little bit of food. It was just like Sams and Costco in the States, at the end one of the guys got a hot dog and coke and then me and the other got Bulgogi Bakes. Oh this was really good, I think it will have to be an always get there item. However, was very disappointed that they did not have Diet Coke, so I had to settled for Coke Zero. Guess maybe one of the changes I will not miss if I don't drink soda.
I spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking and I am proud to say that I am settled into my new home and everything in my three bags fit. I think I really surprised Gretchen with that. Plus my mattress came. Gretchen and I talked and then around 9:30 went to bed.
I was up at 7:30 today and had to take a cold shower since they shut off the hot to do some cleaning and it takes a few days to come back. Then came up to school to get a tour of where I will be working and then finally make some contact with all of you back there. Guess we'll see what unfolds the rest of the day.
Oh, by the way I should mention that there is a restaurant that serves dog right outside of the school gate. I know Gretchen said she could arrange for me to try some, I just know I can't know I am trying it until after I have already had some. But I think I may pray about that one though, before I am adventurous in that area.
Hope you all are doing well finding Christ's abundant love in each and every moment He places before you. I know I am. This is going to be a fun, yet very different experience this next year. Hopefully I will be able to write more often once I have internet access at my home. So sorry this entry is so long.
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