I feel like I just went through North Korea boot camp. We have worked over 200 hours in the last 2 1/2 weeks learning about the crisis, learning how to host screenings, watching media, practicing our speaking parts, learning about software, making thousands of cold calls, booking places to go. And finally we are on the road. Since yesterday morning at 9 am, we have driven from Los Angeles, CA to Oklahoma City, OK. It has been so fun but leaving was really hard. The same as saying goodbye to everyone in Pines was bittersweet, leaving LA was bittersweet. It's so crazy to think in the month I was there, it began to feel like home. I know come the end of tour, I am NOT going to want to go back home. In some capacity, I need to continue my work with LiNK. Maybe intern for them in the future, maybe fundraise tons in Tampa...I'm not sure. All I know, is that learning about this issue and spending the time I have at LiNK HQ has changed me as a person, and therefore has changed my life.
I have met absolutely incredible people and had so much fun. I have felt challenged, I have felt scared, I have felt elated. Two nights in particular were absolutely incredible. First, we went to Korean karaoke. It was SO MUCH FUN. Basically, your group gets its own room with couches and strobe lights and a karaoke machine. We had so much. Everyone felt so comfortable and so open and it was a bonding experience that really made everyone more comfortable. Secondly, one night we decided we wanted to watch the South Korea-Argentina game for the world cup. So myself, and a few other people, including one staff member, hung out at a Korean restaraunt until 2 am then went back to the LiNK Office and stayed up all night having a slumber party to watch the game. The game was only at 430 am so we watched it, got ready and stayed in the office for a full day of work. It was so fun. Though I was exhausted the entire day, it was totally worth it.
Speaking of Korean culture, I have fallen in love. We have had Korean food, I've learned how to speak some Korean, I've learned about tradition and listened to music. Seriously, I find it so interesting and so much fun. I need to go to South Korea, soon. And I want to continue to practice the language. It's hard though. Danny, the North Korean refugee we live with, who has become my really good friend, has been teaching me.
We also got to meet Joseph, another refugee rescued by LiNK's first mission. Meeting him really reminded me of why I am here. When he spoke, my eyes filled with tears. I could not believe what he was saying. Hearing someone describe themselves as "an animal living in the streets" broke my heart. I know people are not heartless and I know the awareness tour we are doing will help to bring light to this issue. I need to do something, and I am so glad I have been given this opportunity to ignite change.
OH -- on a fun and more shallow note. We were invited to Helie Lee's house for a BBQ. She is a very well known author who writes about the North Korean situation and some of her family members who had to escape the country. Her husband is the producer of America's Next Top Modeal. SO, not only did we walk in to the most delicious Korean bar-b-que waiting for us (we all need to eat this together, it's SO delish) in the most gorgeous house in west LA with a pool and three-stories, we also walked in to see Nigel Baker (world-renound photographer and judge on ANTM). It was so much fun. We all hung out with Helie's family and Nigel's family. Both of their children was so adorable. It was crazy, I couldn't believe it existed. We were also invited back when we're done with tour. (Maybe Tyra will be there?! ahaha) But for real, Nigel said he would have taken us to the ANTM fashion show if there had been a few less of us.
Seriously though, I am so excited. Our first screening is on Sunday. So tomorrow, we will drive from OK to Little Rock. We will spend the night there, wake up and do a screening (OUR FIRST! AHH) and then drive to Nashville for a night. I am so excited and so nervous at the same time. I know everything will fall into place but I also know we will make some huge mistakes.
This is incredible. Thank you all so much for helping to make this a possibility for me <3 Here are just a couple pictures of us in Cali:
This is my teammate Elyssa and I, with one of the office puppies, Mr. Happy Song. He is adorable and wheezy and only has one lung and poops everyone...but we all love him.
This is my friend Danny. He is silly and pretends not to want to be in the picture, but totally does.
This is almost everyone. I think we are missing only two interns, and one regional manager. We had mock screenings outside and took this picture. Love them all <3
The girl on the far right and the girl on the far left are my teammates, Elyssa and Bridget. Beside me, Esther, is a Northeast nomad and the girl in front is Liz, a movement intern. We were just taking pictures while waiting for our "intern/nomad" photoshoot to start!
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