In The Beginning...

Three months of working construction, endless planning and a 38-hour flight later, I've finally reached my destination. So begins my journey in the land of kiwis, sheep and meat pies.

But ... first things first.

My flight into Auckland, New Zealand was an odd cross between the movies Final Destination and a National Lampoon's vacation. In short, it was something of a horror-comedy. My 14-hour trek from Chicago to Seoul, Korea was accompanied with a restless, young Korean child who had a "thing" for drop kicking the back of my seat. Repeatedly. A few cut-that-(excuse my French)-out glares later, the violent acts upon my backside receded. For roughly five minutes. Rinse and repeat for the majority of the trip.

Thankfully, the flight from Seoul into Auckland was slightly more pleasant. Albeit, I was situated next to two highly intoxicated Germans who were equipped with an orchestra of bodily functions. The smell of alcohol was a bit off-putting, but unlike my Korean friend, they didn't kick. Only one event worthy of note: The plane began to experience a little turbulence about halfway through the flight, then suddenly seemed to have hit what I can only describe as an air pocket, momentarily dropping into a split-second free-fall, then continuing on its merry way. The sensation, along with the knowledge that you're currently 35,000 feet in the air above the ocean, sends your heart into a frenzy. It also didn't help that a few passengers screamed, the stewardess went ghostly white (quite a feat, considering she was Korean), and the captain came swiftly over the intercom, mumbling something in a language I couldn't understand.

What I came to realize about myself in this moment of surprise was how quickly I succumb to "the end." As if my mind used the worst case scenario as a defense mechanism, I, for just a short moment, accepted that I was only seconds away from falling to my watery death. Afterward, I felt ridiculous, said a little prayer of appreciation (and had a little confession session with the Big Man, ya know, just in case), and tried my best to get some sleep, making certain my "Do Not Wake For Dinner" sign was in clear view (my father's sage advice: pack snacks if you're taking Korean Air).

The landing in Auckland was followed by cheers - honest-to-goodness applause - from an equally exhausted group of passengers. An hour through customs, met with a kiwi-accented "welcome back" from my custom's agent, and I'd finally arrived.

Thus, the first end of my beginning.

Next update will include some pictures and a little info. about what I've done so far. I just wanted to ease everyone in without letting the envy start flowing too early. Generous of me, I know ;)

I love and miss you all. Thank you, everyone, for your support and encouragement through all of this.

XOXO,
John