Nov. 25th (The first day)

The day before departing for Chicago, I worked until late. I got home around 9 pm, ate and started packing. I hate packing and moving even more. I had to bring a few pairs of suit so there wasn't much space in the trunk that my sister lent me. (Actually when I put everything in it in the morning of the departure day, it didn't close but I managed to close it by sitting on it.) I set two alarms before I went to sleep around 1am because missing the flight was the last thing I wanted to imagine. In the morning, Frank picked me up outside my apartment. How kind of him. He said he had to go to the office before coming to pick me up because he forgot to bring his business cards. He looked very tired. In Nov., he went to China for a week, then to Germany for a week and then he was going to Chicago again. No wonder he has lots of acne. He said he doesn't want to go on business trips any more but wants to spend weekends with his family. Frank picked up Kevin on the way who was supposed to take Frank's car (actually our company's car) back after we arrived at the airport.
I was feeling a bit nervous because I had the exhibits that I had to declare at the customs with the carnet. I knew that Frank would judge my ability of dealing with things even in such a situation. We checked in our baggage first and went to the customs to declare the exhibits. Frank explained what the exhibits are to the officer. Fortunately, they didn't open the boxes and things got simple. I didn't have to explain in more detail. Frank got a travel insurance saying America is not safe. I did, too of course it was covered by my company. I rent a roaming cell phone at KTF since my phone doesn't support roaming sevice.:( It was all set. Frank didn't like Dr. Lee much who was taking the same flight as us. So we went through the gate first. Unlike when I was departing for Australia, the examiner went through all my stuff in my handbag. Entering America seemed more strict than other countries.
At the duty free shop, Frank had a VIP card that gives 10% discounts for some items so he paid for what I bought by his credit card and told me to pay him back later. I bought a watch from Christian Mode, a lipstick from Yves Saint Laurent and an eye shadow from Bobbi Brown. I bought a Fossil watch before I departed for Australia but the watch broke while I was working at Ginga because I had to put it on and take it off continuously and wet my hands with water all the time. Not a good memory at all. The Christian Mode watch was not impulsive buy because I needed one. I was deciding between black color and white color and asked Frank which one looked better. I was glad that I get along so well with my boss. Frank even recommended some cosmetics to me saying his wife liked this and that. It was so funny to see him say that because other hierarchical Korean bosses wouldn't say such things. I don't normally buy foreign cosmetics for myself because Korean brands are good enough for cheaper prices. But the "duty free" shops made me buy some. The lipstick color seemed the same as the one I bought for my mom last time, though. I always choose the same things before I know. By the way, I had to pick up the lipstick near the gate later because of the regulations for flights going to America. After finishing shopping, I called Richard. Being at Incheon airport definitely reminded me of the time when I said goodbye to him crying in his arms.
I love taking flights. I love looking down the lands and the feeling of flowing over the clouds. I love it when the plane takes off although it is a little bit scary sometimes but I do enjoy it. When the plane for Chicago finally took off, I wished I had Richard next to me so I could hold on to him.:) Frank fell asleep even before the plane took off. It must be nothing exciting to him who flew with Korean air about 125 times. But for me, such moments shouldn't be missed.:) 12 hours flight wasn't too boring for me because I was tired enough to fall asleep any time and food and beverage were served and there were lots of things to watch and read. Maybe it's because I don't fly often.:) And if I had sat next to John instead of Frank, it must have been a nightmare, I believe. By the way, I didn't like the food that Korean air served.
When the land of Chicago started to appear, I started feeling excited. Finally I arrived at O'Hare airport in Chicago. We waited in lines for quite a while to go through the customs and Frank complained this kind of thing doesn't happen in Europe. He said he hates America because of the food and these processes. For me, everything was bearable. haha We got in a Korean taxi waiting for us outside the airport that John arranged for us in advance. In the taxi, I was busy looking outside through the window but tried not to look too excited because I came here for business.:) I took some videos of the streets and houses. It was before my bloody camera got fucked. (I wonder how strong my choices of the words here would sound.hehe) The hotel wasn't as bad as I expected because Frank said he didn't want to stay at the hotel before. When I said the hotel doesn't look that bad, he said "Go to the room and you will find out." Hmm...the hallways were like the background of an old western ghost movie and was pretty stinky. But the room was pretty clean. I put my luggage down and came out of the room immediately to go to McCormick place. No time for rest!
When Frank and I arrived at McCormick place, I realized I forgot to bring the badges that cost about $300 for each. They were in my trunk. Frank didn't scold me harshly. whew...We used Kurt's badge and got in the exhibition hall while he was setting up the booth frames. McCormick place was as huge as I read about it. Exotic sceneries (tall men!:)) came into my eyes and the sound of people speaking English came into my ears. I was excited. The hall was a whole mess and it looked like a lot of work was needed to finish the booth. I was glad that I am female.:) We went to a cafe to have lunch. American food nightmares began from that moment on. There were thick slices of cheese pizza and sausage pizza on the display. And the sandwiches had little vegetable but just big thick white bread. Beverages were just water and soda. Hmm...that wasn't what I expected about this trip. I consoled myself by thinking of dinner we would be having in the evening.:)
After the 12 hours flight and working right after that, Frank and I were feeling exhausted. When I came back to the hotel, I almost passed out as soon as I lied down. When Eunmi, the CEO of O company arrived at the hotel and called me on my mobile phone, I didn't wake up. And when Frank called me on the hotel room phone, I answered the phone. Then all of us (Frank, Eunmi, two dongs (Both Kurt and John's Korean names have dong.) and me) went to have dinner to a casual Thai restaurant nearby. I wanted to go to a fancier restaurant but well...I ordered a salad because next day was the first day of the exhibition and I wanted to look fresh.:). The salad was disgusting but not junk.
Since I was too tired, I didn't suffer from any jet lag and slept very well that night.