7/27/2013 Saying goodbye is always bittersweet...

Hello Saturday... Returned to hotel at 6am thankful that today was a low key day..As I was returning the Norweign and Chicago sisters were leaving for the airport. I left the Grand Hilton alittle after noon with a few others that were catching  the 6005 bus to the airport to take their flights home. I said goodbye to them and then went downstairs to catch the free shuttle bus to the best western premier.

I'm so tired now... Trying to get some rest tonight but not too much since I have a 13.5 hour flight ahead of me. 

I miss my friends already... Some will stay here in Seoul for something called " the gathering" the rest of us are headed home within a few days... Special thanks to the holt staff and the wonderful program they put on for us. It was insightful and enriching as well as life changing.

I am greatful for new friends... New beginnings and as some from the trip would say... YoLo -you only live once...

What happens in Seoul stays in Seoul! I have come to have a new appreciation for myself, my homeland and the culture, joys and sorrows that all of that entails.

For some they have long vacations and will stay in Korea until summer is nearly over; others will stay for just a few more weeks and others will travel the world... I.E. my new friend Martin will go to Thailand.  I hope he has the time of his life.

**Reflection of my trip:**

After vacations like these I am both saddened and happy; some would say its bittersweet. Although I came here for a purpose that did not transpose I will never lose faith in what God's plan is for me. I trust that my birth parents gave me the best life they knew how and that was to give me up for adoption 26 years ago. 

I can truly say I am at peace and can move on with my life more willingly as with an open heart.

Thank you again to all my new friends: the Danes, the Americans, the French, the Belgiums and the Norwegians... West coast to east coast and of course the new Koreans too!

Hope we all stay in touch and will somehow plan a reunion soon!