All I could think of...

As I was stepping into the line to get into the terminal all I could think of was, "What the fuck am I getting myself into?" It was such a slurry of mixed emotions. The 13 hour plane ride was enough to think of many scenarios.
After a long exhausting plane ride, I was so excited to set foot on land. It was a little strange getting my temperature checked because of the potential dangers of swine flu. I have never been told to wash my hands so many times. These people are taking it way too seriously.
Stepping in line to finally get into the country, I was labeled a foreigner to get my papers checked. What a strange thought, I was no longer in the safety of my bubble of the familiar.
Yesterday was my first day out in Seoul. I don't think I could haven been stared at more. Being in America, diversity is the norm. I thought I would not stand out in a country fully dominated by one race. I was wrong. My shoes, my clothes, my language threw a red flag in the air signaling I was not one of their kind.
What a strange world I stepped into. I am learning so much already and I already feel closer to my mom. It makes me genuinely happy. I'm in this new place that is so much a part of me that I have no idea about. There are more places to see. Much more to discover. I'm excited.

On the Road Again

The school year has finally ended. With that, comes the packing and then the unpacking. This time after the unpacking, I am packing again to go somewhere completely different for me. Being a 20 year old first generation South Korean, I am finally visiting my roots. I have visited the country before, but it was when I was four so there is not much recollection from that.
These past few months the only thoughts that have come to my head have been thoughts of just how weird this is going to be and not standing out because of my race. For the first time I will be surrounded by people of my kind for the next two weeks. It seems absolutely crazy. Living in a city full of diversity I never look twice at all the different races around me. Being in a country completely dominated by one race is absolutely bizarre. That will be the biggest change. I have not seen my mother's side of the family for about sixteen years so I am hoping for the best.
I am so unprepared I feel for this trip, but I am aware it will be full of culture shock and more understanding of myself. I am excited and curious.
We will see how this goes. I am highly anxious, but also a little nervous.