오빠 여동생 날 (Older brother- younger sister day)

The one think a lot of people do not know about me is I do have an older brother (오빠) in Korea.  (Yes, my family in America is all girls, no brothers).  Also, I have been in contact with 오빠 since June of (2013).  Ever since I arrived, I have been in contact with my 오빠 through kakao talk or facebook.

드디어 만났다. 2014년 02월22일. 박기경이오빠 랑 나.

Yesterday, February 22, 2014 was the best.  I woke up at 4:30am (seriously; I have a habit of sleeping in- FAMILY mark it on your calendar!!!).  I couldn't sleep my stomach was in knots.  I was hungry, but nervous.  I couldn't eat anything.  I woke up, got ready to catach the train at Seoul station at 7:30.  I almost got on the wrong train, but I asked someone with my super limited Korean if it was the right train, they said it was the next train.  I waited for the KTX train.  I found my car and seat.  I pulled out my iPod and listened to music hoping it would help me get some sleep since I didn't get any the night before.  Again, I was paranoid I would miss my stop (which was 2hours and 30 minutes away).  All I could do was look out the window.  After years of being a nail-biter and trying to stop; I finall stopped and chewed gum to try and take away my nervousness.  

I arrived at Ulsan train station at 10:00.  I get off the train and walk to the first floor.  All I have is a picture of 오빠 on my phone.  I see a sea of Koreans.  I was able to get wifi at the train station to tell 오빠 where I am located.  I see someone walk around and they look like they are looking for someone.  I wonder if that's 오빠.  It was not; good thing I didn't follow.  I'm not sure what to do.  I turn around and 오빠 is behind me.  This time, I think I am turning into a "fangirl".  I bow to 오빠 and say "아녕하세요".  (my informal Korean is not the best and 야 [hey] will get me into trouble).  오빠 carries my bags to the car.  Throughout the day, I kept thinking it was a dream.  

오빠 and I walk to his car.  오빠 and I go to 경주 (Gyeongju) and visit 안압지.  오빠 takes me to lunch for 닭갈비.  Then my brother drove to his house to meet 아빠 (dad).  I think my dad didn't know who I was and how could I have said something...?  The first question 아빠 asks is "생일 몇살이야?" (When is your birthday?).  I say 89년 03월19일 (March 19, 1989).  아빠 gives snacks to eat.  오빠 pulls out a photo album my mom made when we first traveled to Korea.  He looks at it with me and shows me his photo album growing up.  I see my 언니's album too.  I show 오빠 my cats and dog (Lola, Edgie and Nelly).  I also show my nieces and nephew.  

오빠 and I go to Ulsan and walk around the coast.  (shocker I am from a coastal city in Korea, I would love to live on the coast and I apparently love water activities

a lot).  I get the gift I prepared for 오빠 a photo album, letter and chocolate.  오빠 and I get coffee.  I show 오빠 the album and tell him there are no actually cute and normal pictures of me as a baby.  I was always eating.  I could only choose from eating, sleeping, or some milestone picture or some picture with my hair done.  I informed my 오빠 that I am the "rebellious" (maybe independent) child.  Parents say, "go anywhere, see the world."  I say, "Okay.  Keep my stuff in my room, don't sell it, watch my animals.  See ya whenever I choose to comeback."  How I described rebellious was my parents would say one thing and I don't listen and do as I want to.  

오빠 takes me back home to say my goodbye to 아빠.  I'm not sure if 아빠 recognizes me or not.  오빠 and I go shopping and 오빠 says to me, "오빠 선물 사줄게" (오빠 will buy you a gift).  A winter jacket since I am from the land of snowstorms (not 10,000 lakes).   

오빠 takes me to the train station where we eat dinner.  Inside I felt bad for not being able to stay longer.  All I could say was "오늘은 고마워요" (Thank you for today.)  오빠 and I walk to the train platform.  오빠 carries my bags.  The train comes and I get on.  I listen to music and look out the window because I feel tears starting and I don't want people to see.  I hold my tears in.  I leave for Seoul.  

Truth is, I requested not to meet with the other aunts and uncles for fear that I would be overwhelmed and not sure what to do.  I chose to meet 오빠 alone and one-on-one.  We used kong-lish (Korean-English).  

오빠 또 만나요.