The first time I came to Korea, I knew nothing of the language, food, customs – nothing. All I knew what that I wanted to see and experience other parts of the world.  I was in awe of it all and the differences between here and home.

This time, I understand a decent bit of the language, food and customs and its not quite so overwhelming. I breezed through immigration, this time with serious baggage inspection and questions. I was able to easily obtain some meds for a sore throat I developed the morning I left Dallas.  I ordered food without having to point to a picture, gesture and grunt. My boss already had a hand phone ready and waiting for me and I remembered how to write text messages in Korean to MyeongHee.  It was a couple of months before I’d progressed this far in assimilating.  I probably don’t have the deer-in-the-headlights look I must have had back then, either.

I’m still tired, though. I woke up at 6am and could not go back to sleep.  Its almost noon (9pm Dallas time) and I need another nap. I hope this jet lag doesn’t take too long. 

More later – after a nap.