I booked it. Like… actually booked it. In Episode 1 of my Korea vlog series, I’m basically walking you through the exact moment I full-sent a last minute Korea trip with three days’ notice while I was also processing a whole month of life changes—accepting a new job, dealing with all the emotions from the layoff era, and realizing I probably won’t have free time like this again without requesting PTO. This video is my video journal of that jittery “should I do it or not” energy, and then the instant flip to “wait I’m really going.” I show the messy-but-real prep: getting help from friends for “Korean 101,” booking the hotel, sorting out eSIM/T-money/cash stuff, and then the stressful flight problem where I almost voided my Japan round trip by skipping the first leg (shoutout to a very long call to fix it). Then we’re off—LAX, customs, landing in Korea, grabbing essentials, and finally arriving in Myeongdong where it feels like the trip officially begins. Day 1 is tired but happy: a tiny room tour, night market energy downstairs, first cafe moment, and me realizing it’s not a dream anymore—I’m actually here.