Day 1 - What is Going On?

This post is coming to you live from my dorm room! Mostly because that's the only place I have wifi...okay. It's the only reason. 😀

To sum up the last 24 hours, which includes my flight and two full days of programming in a sentence, it would literally be, 'Uhh, what is going on?'

Don't let the picture to the left fool you!

There was a bit of confusion at the beginning. Haha!

And that's for a multitude of reasons:

1) Not only am I jet-lagged, we had programming right after we landed. There was a picture taken at some point. And I did not know that it would be used as the 'this is who your homestay ETA will be' picture for my homestay fam. So...I hope I didn't look too bad.

2) There are 79 people in my cohort (80, counting me), and we're all getting to know each other and are extremely excited, but also so exhausted from the traveling. I'm pretty sure I introduced myself to someone like 3 times in one day. I don't know...but that feels about right.

3) Getting into the swing of the programming is a bit of an adjustment. But to put it into perspective...it's like going to a conference, that is 6 weeks long. In a country where you can read the signs, but have no idea what you're reading.

4) All the different foods! I have no idea what I've been eating. I really would like to know the name of all the dishes, but holy crap is it good. Shout out to the Yonsei Kitchen staff.

I'm just going to stick to those four. There's been a lot going on and I'll do my best to capture it all for you! :)

Speaking of capturing, below are some pictures of the various meals I've had since I've been here, a picture of everything that I brought with me, and a picture outside the window!

Dinner :)

Lunch :)

Breakfast :)

All that I brought with me on this trip.

A view from the plane.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to send them in! I'd love to hear from you! 

#SaveOurToya

The Nerves are Here

Oh my gaaaawwwwdddd.

I'm so energized that I can't even sleep. I got maybe, maybe, 3 hours of sleep. And all because I fell asleep watching TV (I seriously need to rewatch that episode of GoT).Waking up on the couch was really startling.

So yes. Energized with a sleepless-ish night!

*takes a deep breath*

I leave for the airport in 6 hours...

...it's almost here and I'm feeling all the emotions. Excitement-anxiety. Happiness-fear. Joy-sad.

The only emotion I'm not feeling is anger. There's no room for that hot mess.

It's five am, I could be do something more productive than trolling on Facebook while listening to showtunes. I mean, I just have a few small things left to pack and that's only because I need them to get ready in the morning.

Sorry for the disjointed thoughts here. I'm a bit all over right now!

#SaveOurToya

Not Goodbye, but See You Later

This morning, I had the chance to drop my parents off at the airport. They're on their way to a 3 week vacation in Germany. I'm totally excited for them and miss the Fatherland quite a bit, but this trip will be good for them. They work so hard and do so much! It's their time to relax and recuperate. Hopefully one day I can make it back to Germany too.

And while this wasn't the first time I was sending them off, it was the first time that I'm sending them off where I won't see them for almost a year again. I was okay, until Ma started crying.

Dad (to me): Why are you crying? Stop that.
Me: It's mom's fault!
Mom: I don't regret a single tear!
Me: *chocked sob*
Dad: This is what you want to do. You're gonna be great!
Me (wiping away tears): I know!
Mom (sniffles): Be a good girl and have fun!

If this isn't an accurate representation of what it's like to be with my parents, I don't know what is. Well...actually, there are a few more examples. BUT! This is what they all come down too.

It would've been better if my older brother was there too, but he's not exactly accessible from Florida. But the four of us, we're gonna be okay. I'll be okay.

This opportunity is my journey to take, but I know that while I won't see them, my family will still support me.

#SaveOurToya