The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Friends at home

My Beloved Tulsa

Business Class

I have officially lived in South Korea for one year. It’s been one crazy, thrilling, and successful journey up to this point. Thankfully, at the end of July, I was able to visit my family and friends back in Oklahoma. I gorged myself with food, met some amazing old friends while making new ones, and frequently relaxed. It was such an incredible month home and a time I could truly find comfort. I was even surprised with a party filled with Mexican food, piñatas, water balloons, and tons of chocolate. 

I can say coming back to Korea was something I wasn’t too thrilled about. I do have a good job in Korea and wonderful friends, but the thought of another year being away from my beloved family and Oklahoma was a killer. However, I toughed it out and found little blessings along my route back to Korea. 

Through Facebook, I discovered my friend from elementary school, Tyler, was going to be on the same flights as me to Tokyo. I was thinking he would make a good layover buddy as we would most likely sit separately. However, through canceled flights from Tulsa, we were able to sit next to each from Dallas to Tokyo, in business class. I never would have thought I would be able to experience a long distance flight in business class. It was the most comfortable and luxurious way I could have gotten to Tokyo. 

Arriving late in Seoul, Korea, I was greeted by my Korean friend who was pleased to drive me back to my home in Korea. It was over a 2 hour drive for which I can’t remember much of that night. After arriving at my home, the sleep deprivation took over and the rest is history.

Jet lag is real, it’s awful, and it’s almost unavoidable. It causes the senses to change and makes a happy person lose their mind. Jet lag has made me ask the question, “Why am I back in Korea?”. It’s a question I have asked myself a few times while being back and I’m slowly figuring it out.

One thing I do know is I do have a purpose here. I have been teaching for a small English camp with only a few students attending. Being able to connect personally with these students has opened my eyes more to why I am here. It truly is a blessing to have an impact in students’ lives. 

Sometimes, in life, we can’t see the positive when all around us seems negative. My canceled flight from Tulsa to Dallas turned into a free upgrade to business class to Tokyo and same day arrival to Korea. Even now, when I might ask the question, “Why am I here?” the answer isn’t always simple to discover and may take time find out. I will try to remain positive and patient to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I believe things happen for a reason and I’m willing to find out.