Hello 🙂

I am sitting here at a Tsaochaa in New York City finally using the bluetooth keyboard that I bought a few summers ago with the intent of filling out job applications while on a trip to England. I packed my ipad too today but unfortunately it’s out of charge and I don’t have the charging cable with me, so me and my terrible eyesight are pivoting back to this smaller phone screen. 

I want to finally start sharing some stories here. I actually commissioned my website design back in NOVEMBER and its now *July 2026.* So I truly do procrastinate on everything – even things I am looking forward to, happy things like this or communicating with loved ones. 

Anyways I visited South Korea and Japan back in May, using most of my vacation time from work to do so, and it was truly the best decision I’ve made in my life, and the best time of my life. I saw so many beautiful sights, met so many beautiful people, and I still feel so blessed, alhamdullilah.. I think I’ll go through the entire thing chronologically and hopefully that will help me remember the best, most useful, and interesting details hehe~

DAY ONE – USA to INCHEON

I packed one large suitcase and one carry-on, as well as a cute new travel bag with comfortable wide padded shoulder straps, that I stuffed all my plane stuff and snacks into. I even packed some emergency cup ramen….unfortunately this was futile as the plane experienced turbulence, so they didn’t allow hot water use. I also wasn’t able to get in contact with Asiana beforehand to request a halal or vegetarian meal – though I tried!! – and they didn’t have any vegetarian meals, so I basically survived the ~15 hour flight on chips, chocolate, and water. It was terrible and adding to that, I had a terrible cold and was so uncomfortable and couldn’t sleep while sitting up in my seat. I’ve definitely learned my lesson and I also hope that in the future I can find some business class deals (in sha Allah.)

Anyways I was so relieved when we finally got to Incheon. I was bloated and haggard BUT I WAS IN SOUTH KOREA!!! alhamdullilah 🙂 had a free taxi service with my accommodations booking so the taxi driver just met me in the airport once I was past security, customs, and luggage pickup, and we were on our way to Myeongdong, Seoul~