Chapter 1
Present- October 2023
I tap the keyboard, biting my lip with a heavy sigh. My angst cat decides at that moment to jump on the bed and beg for attention. I’d been staring at my laptop for over an hour rereading my employment contract. I groan, reaching for my phone. No one would have contacted me, I won’t have any social media notifications but I need a visual distraction. I need a way to wrap my head around what my life has become these past five years and how I got so far off course.
1 Line Notification
Subscribing to the major social media news outlets has been a job requirement as my career in Theme Parks has developed. I was no one special, I had made a few adjustments and correct planning’s but anyone could have done that. These past five years I had completed my college education, at the tender age of 32, advanced to Senior Leader in operations at the most famous Theme Park in the world, battled crippling depression, got into the best shape of my life, and went through a heart wrenching divorce as a result of the all of that.
Kim Dain- Have you decided yet?
I bounced my head against my headboard, resulting in my cat abandoning the bed once more- rolling my eyes to the multicolored fan spinning on the ceiling. Of course I had decided, accepting it was a completely different thing.
Kim Dain- Yah! Don’t ignore me- you have read on!
I laugh and I prepare to tell one of my closest friends I would be changing my life completely and I need her now more than ever.
Marie- January 18th
Kim Dain-Anything I can do to make the transition easier?
Marie- I’m staring at my contract now. When it’s finalized I’ll begin working with getting my visa. I might need help in that department. Oh, and a place to live and recover from this madness.
Kim Dain- You haven’t signed yet? What’s the hold up? Visa’s can take two months; you don’t have time for that.
Marie- I’m not as young as I used to be. I’m very aware of my untraditional background going into this. I’m confident in my role but I’m not as sure as a person.
Kim Dain- You aren’t that much older than me and I’m divorced if that’s what you’re worried about.
Marie- I’m concerned with the cultural differences.
Kim Dain- That’s what I’m here for.
I roll my eyes, going back over the employment contract for what feels like the hundredth time. There had been some strange additions I had not seen before. There was an entire section on my personal responsibilities to the company in addition to a traditional non disclosure agreement.
Marie- There’s a section in my contract that states on top of a NDA, I’ll be required to attend a certain amount of corporate functions including but not limited to social functions and outings. There’s even a relationship clause.
Kim Dain typing . . .
I sent the contract over to my lawyer the other day, expecting it to take awhile for her to go over it. I received the final draft this evening after my lawyer had called me stating she had negotiated this final copy. She explained she got them to cave to a more “western employment” so I wouldn’t feel as restricted.
Kim Dain- It’s more traditional for smaller companies to make employee outings mandatory. I’m sure that is where that comes from. Also in Asian cultures, it’s almost required to attend functions outside of your role such as grabbing a drink with a peer or boss. It can be seen as an insult if you don’t attend one at least once a week. Your lawyer must have just wanted that in writing so you knew what you were signing up for- it’s not something traditionally written. Above all, remember their word is worth more than this contract.
Marie- I’ll be calling in favors from you left and right I expect. I am nowhere near fluent.
Kim Dain- Most people will want to show off their English skills with you, so you won’t be too left out.
Marie- I’m beginning to think this won’t turn out like a drama huh?
Kim Dain- Truth comes out! You are only taking this job for a Korean man. Well I can’t promise it will be, but I will say with that new body of yours and that blonde hair you will definitely make some women upset.
I laugh out loud, feeling my chest expand with the long lost laughter. It has been awhile since I laughed out loud- I remember how much I missed it. I return my attention to my laptop where I scroll down to the signature page.
With a deep breath, I give my electronic signature and email it to the representatives.
Marie- Done- I’ve signed. Now expect a boarder January 18th.
A quick two months pass after having to work the busiest time of year for hospitality, tagged with holidays and farewells. It's not a shock to anyone who knows me that I'm choosing this current path. It's not a secret that I enjoy dramas or desperately wanted to travel. I think my family is taking is it the hardest. Everyone was already having a difficult time with the divorce settling and now I was abandoning America for an international job where I knew only a handful of people and none of the language.
I stare at the giant flashing departure sign in the middle of the airport, determining how long I have to grab snacks before the flight. I would make it to New York first, have a quick two hour layover, and then board my 14.5 hour long flight to a brand new country and new life. I was flying economy on the first flight but once I realized how long fourteen hours really was I splurged for first class. I also assumed I might have a better chance of understanding things better without so many distractions.
Working in operations has made me a stickler for being on time and to never be a reason for causing a delay. I turn on my heels, heading in the direction of my gate. I decided black slacks, a smooth white satin shirt; paired with some boots would be comfortable travelling clothes- at least until my next flight where I could change into my complementary pajamas which would most likely not fit. I may have slimmed down to a sleek size but my hips and boobs have completely unchanged. I thought that working out and focusing on my thighs and chest I could go down in size but nature disagrees. I was mostly bitter because I couldn’t even blame it on kids as that was never a factor.
“Now boarding Flight 990 gate 9 to New York JFK group E”
I glance at my ticket and am surprised to find that was me. Crap. If they were already at economy they might be attempting on early take off. I’m still a few gates down. I know I can make it but that bubble of fear starts rising in my chest as I start to speed walk down the ales.
“Final Call for Flight 990, gate 9 to New York JFK”
I can see the young flight attendant reading from their script while looking around their desk at the passengers. I will her to look at me and make eye contact so she would know I was in her flight. Thankfully she did and with her nod towards me I knew I was safe for this flight.
“Good Morning, thank you- here’s my ticket.” I say as I come to a stop in front of her. She smiles gratefully as I handed it to her to scan across her reader.
“Thank you for flying with us today, have a great flight!” She replied cheerfully as she passed my ticket back to me. Smiling in return, I took my ticket and proceeded down to walkway to the plane.
The flights have been some of the most nerve racking and exciting experiences I’ve ever had. I am ruined for coach seats now. The level of service and care first class gives- I don’t think I could ever sit anywhere below business class now.
I gave one last bow to all the flight attendants and thanked them for all their hard work, and then I turned to face the exit of the plane. Biting my lip, I took a deep breath and walk on foreign soil for the first time.
