Beginnings are exciting in most circumstances. We all have many beginnings. We as a family had a significant new beginning in 1975.

I was fifteen and was just about to finish up my first semester in 10th grade in Seoul. We packed up our bags and left South Korea. I still remember having tearful good-byes at the airport. I was sad for a brief time in the terminal. When we boarded, my excitement overcame the sadness as it was my first time in an airplane. The fact that I had my reserved seat felt so “luxurious”, not to mention the beverages and meal services. Layover in Tokyo was like being in a fancy department store with so many things to marvel at.

The official entry in US was through the Honolulu airport. I remember it was very early morning when the plane touched down. The palm trees, just like the ones I had seen only in movies, were all over the airport and gently swaying in a bright sun rise. There were no jetways connected to the terminals back then. After the landing, we came down the steps and into what looked like an open-air mini trolley. Once we finished the formal entry process into the country, we waited for another plane to take us to Los Angeles where my uncle was waiting for us. My brother and I walked around and found the most awesome vending machine that dispensed ice cream. We convinced our parents and bought ice cream. This was truly a paradise.

As my siblings and I were having these magical experiences, I cannot begin to wonder what was going through my parents’ minds. We had lived comfortably in Korea, or so we thought. We had our own house and a family car, which was a rarity back in early 1970’s in Korea. We came to know later that my father’s company had been in trouble, which forced my parents to make a decision of a life time to immigrate. Not knowing what waited for them on the other side of the globe, my parents took the plunge.

All we had brought with us were five large suit cases and $1,000 – which was the limit ($200 per person) at the time. I try to imagine how my parents felt during the journey and the beginning years as immigrants in a strange country, not knowing the language and the culture. Their willingness to take the risk and courage are beyond me. Having been through the Korean war and consequent turmoils may have prepared them somewhat for yet another hardship they would endure after they arrive in this foreign land.

Another beginning began…