THE TRAVEL BLOG OF TROY HENDERSHOTT, GLOBAL BACKPACKER FOR ALMOST 3-YEARS CONTINUOUS, SINCE 2012

I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything. – John Elway

Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid. – John Wayne

I'm telling you—it's not a myth. It really isn't. Speaking of when I first got here and was running around, it was very difficult the first two weeks to catch my breath. For now, us as Broncos players, we love the altitude because it's an advantage for us. – Montee Ball (NFL Player)

Saturday, January 23, 2016 (DAY 1,418)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Let the record show once and for all -- the altitude is a factor in Denver.

"I'm telling you -- it's not a myth. It really isn't," rookie running back Montee Ball said. "Speaking of when I first got here and was running around, it was very difficult the first two weeks to catch my breath. For now, us as Broncos players, we love the altitude because it's an advantage for us."

Linebacker Shaun Phillips played in Denver as an opponent in nine consecutive seasons as a San Diego Charger, and he acknowledged that it's something opposing teams have to account for.

"It's definitely an advantage (for the Broncos), but I just always felt that if somebody else is doing it, then I can deal with it. That's always been my attitude here," he said. "But to this day, I still suck air a little bit. It's pretty tough."

Now that he's a member of the Broncos, practicing at high altitude on a daily basis, Phillips said he notices a difference. But "even when you get a day off," it's obvious again during the next day of practice.

The main issue, Colorado native Mitch Unrein explained, is that less oxygen reaches the body at higher elevations. So not only is it harder to breathe, muscles get fatigued faster and players tire out quicker.

Sports Science Mile High Football from TroyTravels on Vimeo.

"I’ve lived here my whole life and I don’t think you ever really get used to trying to play in this altitude," the defensive tackle said. "Obviously, we’re more accustomed to it just because we practice in it every day. But for teams that come up here, I know it’s a struggle for them just to try to catch their breath after a long drive and just trying to keep fresh after every play.”

“That stuff burns," linebacker Danny Trevathan agreed. "If you’re not used to it, it sneaks up on you. You think you’re fine, but then once you get to running around, you feel that extra clap in your lungs."

The topic was addressed in the Philadelphia Eagles locker room this week, particularly because the Eagles offense -- not to mention the Broncos offense -- likes to move at such a quick tempo.

Former Cal linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who made a trip to Boulder, Colo., in college to take on the Buffs, said he developed "cotton mouth pretty fast," according to CSNPhilly.
“It takes about 15 to 30 minutes to get used to it. That’s what I remember most,” he said. “I definitely felt it."

Eagles cornerback Cary Williams, who played in Denver in the playoffs last season as a member of the Ravens, said "it was tough" to get acclimated to the altitude.
Head Coach John Fox recalled coming to Denver as an opposing coach, and noted that "early, you feel it."

"It’s probably the best home-field advantage in the NFL," he said. "That’s why I think our home record is so good.”

To that point, the Broncos have lost just once in their past 10 regular-season games at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

As for just how much of a factor it will be for the Eagles on Sunday, Phillips took a wait-and-see approach.

"We'll find out," he said.

(*source: DenverBroncos.com by Gray Caldwell Posted Sep 25, 2013)

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WORDS OF ADVICE FROM KADS LIVING IN KOREA TO KOREAN ADOPTEES AND THEIR FAMILIES COMING TO KOREA

1/24/2016

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시작이 반이다 (meaning: Starting is half the task) – Korean Proverb

(*please note while this is published for the moment the writing is still in progress*)

Sunday, January 24, 2016 (DAYS 1,419 – 1,423)
While I do not speak for the entire Korean Adoptee Community (#KADS), there is an overall consenus–I believe–that has legitimate pieces of advice for Korean adoptees, their families, and friends that are coming to Korea for the first time or one-hundredth time–and the entire sum of this advice is RESPECT! First of all, for the Korean adoptees that are living in Korea both short-term and long-term you ALL must realize that we, KADS,
are treated with the status of second-to-third class citizens–often overlooked and passed up for jobs to Caucasian foreigners, held to a higher-level of expectation based upon the fact that we look Korean and in the eyes of the public are expected to understand cultural etiquette and customs, and deal with an assortment of difficulties regardless of what region or country you were adopted to and the Western influences that we bring back to Korea.

The reason I feel that this is an absolutely necessary topic to write about is due to the recent issues that the KAD community continues to deal with and with the onset of peak season approaching with the summer months. I hope this blog entry will be read and shared with others to gain a deeper understanding as this can and will effect ALL future adoptees returning to Korea!

Imagine for just a moment, whether you are an adoptee yourself or a parent, family member, or friend of a Korean adoptee, and how you would like this person or yourself to continue to be treated as though they hold a lesser quality or value to them just because of the fact that they were adopted? How would that make you feel? And, even furthermore, how would it make you feel when other adoptees returning to Korea are NOT making it any easier for the KAD community here, but actually are making things worse and more difficult! Yes, this is the struggle that many of us face, and many of us are tired of standing by watching as individuals and groups come through Korea for short-term trips acting like drunken buffoons or loud-mouthed Westerners only to leave a trail of a negative image of Korean adoptees. Yes, I understand this happens with other foreigners and Korean nationals, the major difference is that often the entire KAD community is grouped together and as we struggle and fight for more recognition from the Korean government, funding from various organizations, scholarships, and the guesthouses that are specifically for KADS, YOUR actions can and WILL determine much of what WILL happen for the future of KADS in Korea.

I've personally seen KADs that are 18-years-old to those above the age of 40 acting completely disgraceful and with no regard in respecting the KADS and/or organizations that are here to support ALL KADS, but especially those that want to come back and stay on a more long-term basis. Many of us–including my roommates, one constantly petitioning with the Korean government NOT to cut funding for KADS and my other roommate that works for G.O.A.L. (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link) in assisting with birth family searches and immigration for this NGO, as well as myself. I work with many high-ranking business executives, CEOs, doctors, lawyers, etc. and the first thing I let them know about myself is that I am an adoptee. The reason I tell them this is because I want these individuals to become more educated and aware of the numerous KADS in Korea–on average 5,000 to 6,000 KADS return each year to Korea–and I am working hard to build a great network that I can help other KADS with high-ranking clients if and whenever they may be needed!

Therefore, I do not want to continue to feel as though this is a giant lecture, I just want KADS and their family/friends to realize how MUCH THEIR actions CAN and WILL determine the future of KADS in Korea, especially when many of us that are living here are attempting to not only reconnect with our Korean roots, but there are many of us that are trying to create positive changes for current KADS and future KADS. One more example is a Saturday Night Live (#SNL) Korea skit that was mocking Korean adoptees reuniting with their birth families, and thus since then has been removed and a publicly apology has been made by the network, however, I wanted to post the official stance from the Global Overseas Adoptees' Link (G.O.A.L.) had to say regarding this particular skit that aired on television in Korea and is extremely popular. "We at GOA’L are deeply offended by the SNL Korea adoptee reunion parody that aired on March 8 on tvN and strongly encourage SNL Korea to air a public apology during their next broadcast to demonstrate their remorse and willingness to repair relations with the adoptee community, Korean birth family members, and all others that were hurt by this insensitive display of ignorance. We insist that tvN and SNL Korea take every precaution to make sure that they do not repeat this kind of callous misrepresentation again." Nikolaj Leschly, Secretary General of GOA'L, continued by stating, "It was uncomfortable because a reunion between an adoptee and his or her birth parents is for many adoptees, a very, very long awaited moment in their lives. The SNL Korea skit made a mockery of that sacred moment and that hurts." You may read the entire blog HERE and I plan to have the video of this skit in the near future.

MISLEADING CONCEPTION KADS RECEIVE THROUGH ORGANIZED TRIPS:

The organized trips (i.e. First Trip Home, Home-to-Home, InKAS Summer Camp, etc and etc) these are all wonderful and personally, I am very thankful to these organizations and opportunities, however, they can all be misleading to KADS that think THIS IS THE TRUE KOREA and THIS IS HOW I WILL BE TREATED, IF, I were to come back and live in Korea as a KAD. Statements such as, "oh wow I was surprised that people spoke English, and we are welcomed in such a wonderful way!" Yes, this is great, but again this is an ORGANIZED trip where you are provided with translators and an itinerary. Even as you wander off for a few days on your own even, spend time going to the less touristic areas and see how you are treated. THIS is WHY we have a struggle and WHY many of us are here working hard to ensure a better future for KADS that want to come to Korea–short or long-term. Also, if you want the government and these organizations to continue to receive funding, once again REALIZE that YOUR actions and interactions WILL determine much of what will happen in the future to these organizations and our ability to receive continued funding and support.

Any KAD that has lived in Korea for any given time–interacting with the general public–has seen the genuine reality in how we are treated versus that of organized trips through guides and translators. Walking into shops you are automatically given the assumption that you should speak and understand Korean. While based upon our appearance this is an understandable mistake, however, there are SOME–not every–but some shop owners, taxi drivers, and of course the general public can treat you very cold and rude. Another KAD gave the best example in illustrating how we are treated differently versus foreigners–and this is by no means to knock my Korean friends and/or Korea in general–however, he said, "if Koreans see a foreigner attempting to speak Korean they will stand and clap, cheering and encourage you, as trained seals–his words–while if a KAD is doing the same thing. We are often looked at as if we are mentally challenged and even made fun of or ridiculed for our poor pronunciation!" A HUGE disparity even when attempting to learn the language of our descent.

Even upon my first trip to Korea in 2013 through the assistance of Eastern Social Welfare Society (#ESWS) with the Home To Home program that assisted myself and eight other KADS in reuniting us with our birth families, I had no idea that there were NUMEROUS organizations available to KADS! ESWS was the adoption agency that I was adopted through, and I was highly encouraged by realizing that I was not alone, and furthermore, that there were a handful of opportunities for KADS that most rely upon Korean government and private support, both financially and regarding the law. You may read about MY ADOPTION STORY AND REUNION HERE.

KAD GUESTHOUSES

There are a few guesthouses for KADS, the above are InKAS Woorijip Guesthouse and Koroot's Guesthouse. While these facilities are for KADS, once again many of the KADS that stay here ARE LIVING HERE, and therefore we just ask that KADS be RESPECTFUL of the fact that these are NOT party hostels, and by treating them as such, this CAN jeopardize whether or not these facilities continue to remain open and available for future KADS! There are RULES and often requirements for staying at these facilities. IF you are coming to Korea to visit and would like to stay at these facilities, once again BE RESPECTFUL of the fact that the KADS living in these facilities typically have schedules whether we are studying and/or working and therefore, if you want to come to Korea and party or whatever, please consider staying at a more traditional traveler's guesthouse or hostel, and be welcome to MAKE ARRANGEMENTS to come and visit these facilities, BUT you MUST UNDERSTAND that you should contact the facilities before just showing up for a 'tour' of the places. We often work hard to create a cohesive communal living environment, and showing a blatant disrespect of this fact will in no doubt carry with it a negative reputation for yourself and once again can easily be a cause and reason to have these great places get shut down! I know that many KADS that come to Korea, this may not only be their first time abroad, but it may also be there first time in a communal living environment. Stumbling in late at night into the dorms, inviting your friends (KADS or not) is not only against the rules of many of these facilities, but is also showing disrespect in a major way AND can cause a dangerous situation for the other guests. I have written another blog on this topic entitled ADVICE FROM LONG-TERM HOSTEL GUESTS FOR NEWBIES, particularly pertaining to KADS, as we have experienced some extremely rude guests. Just keep in mind that some simple suggestions.

10 SIMPLE RULES FOR GUESTHOUSE VISITORS

1) OBEY THE RULES of the guest house, including RESPECTING CURFEWS!
2) Realize that there MAY BE curfews for example at one it is 11pm! IF THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR YOU, then stay at a traditional guest house or hostel that does not have a curfew OR stay at a hotel! DO NOT stay at KAD guesthouses and EXPECT
TO BLATANTLY IGNORE OR HAVE THIS RULE BE EXEMPT FOR YOU!
3) WASH YOUR DISHES! (*don't treat Korean staff like your personal maids)
4) Be cognizant of noise levels (whether this be late at night/early in the morning talking and/or playing music)
5) Pick up after yourself, because surprise WE ARE NOT your mother!
6) SECURITY (both with personal items and this is all of OUR living space)
7) FOOD & TOILETRY ITEMS, these items are NOT for everyone, WE purchase these items with OUR money!
8) WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK before just doing things (i.e. unplugging or plugging in electronics, because there is a difference in the voltage/amperage most likely from your home country and this can easily blow the electrical circuit.
9) SCHEDULES, please be considerate by asking if ANYONE in the dorm may have
scheduled responsibilities (i.e. here for an organized trip and/or school, work, etc. of course the polite thing to do is ask before occupying the bathroom for long periods of times, and this is understood that this goes BOTH DIRECTIONS for long-term guests and those visiting more short-term.
10) DON'T BE WASTEFUL!

*You would like to think the last rule of not being wasteful wouldn't be an issue, but recently I was woken up early in the morning to some loud drunk visiting KAD guests just wasting paper towels tearing them off and spreading them around on the table laughing! REALLY?! C'mon man, are you an adult or what? Another long-term guest made the best comment after yelling at them later, because they not only brought in a stranger to the guest house, but he asked how old these two Australian KADs were and they said, "19-years-old," he told them, "if you are old enough to travel abroad by yourself you should be old enough to read and follow the rules, which are POSTED EVERYWHERE around the guest house." Furthermore, a social worker, whom I will keep anonymous as not to create MORE verbal abuse that the social workers deal with on a daily basis from demanding overseas KADS often, that she spoke with these two individuals several times about the rules and their lack of respect and concern for the security of the fact that this guest house is not only a guest house, but also an orphanage for more than 30 babies! By bringing in a stranger–whom granted they said was a friend of theirs, another adoptee–this 'stranger' was also intoxicated and wondered down to the Babies' Home late at night/early in the morning hours, and thus could have been a very HORRIFIC situation that could have given reason for this VERY IMPORTANT facility to be shut down if a more dangerous situation would have occurred! This is WHY it's SO very important that KADS respect these rules so strictly! Once again if you want to come to Korea and 'party it up' then please stay at a hostel or guest house for international travelers that do not have curfews nor an orphanage on the premises! The proof of this wastefulness is photographed below, while trying to keep the individuals anonymous.

NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS FOR KADS IN KOREA

Communal living already has it's ups and downs with plenty of challenges and difficulties, I truly feel that most of us living in these types of environments–especially a veteran having lived in more than 350 different hostels/guesthouses around the world–the difference is that KAD guesthouses have a different set of challenges and the long-term guests that call these places home work hard to try to create a cohesive living environment. The disruption of our guest house is viewed NOT as entitlement, as one very inconsiderate KAD liked to try to use as his excuse for being disrespectful, but a matter of RESPECT!

Please realize that by being inconsiderate of these places, CAN and WILL cause them to no longer exist for yourself and future KADS! The same inconsiderate KAD that disrupted our living environment for an entire month, after several of us discussed things when this person left, we realized that several of us had the same feelings toward him, that none of us discussed among one another because we did not want to seem as though we were 'ganging up on him' or because we felt that maybe 'I'm the only one feeling this way.' This person, whom is nearly 40-years-old also has–once again in my opinion–been deceptive in meeting with many of the above organizations with possible future intentions of creating his own for-profit KAD organization! While there are plenty of arguing and problems with every organization–both for KADS and not–the problem with this is that this individual will be disrupting and destroying what many of these organizations have worked hard to do thus far. Again it's not perfect and there are plenty of changes that need to be made, but as an entrepreneur, I feel that when someone has a negative track record with failed businesses and questionable ethics, this is a formula for disaster.

Once again I try to write in ways to keep the individuals anonymous, but I need to refer to them to provide very clear examples of what has or is happening within the KAD community in Korea. As I silently observed this individuals level of disrespect I also noticed that he made several female KADS quite uncomfortable with what one female described as, "being cornered and harassed with very personal questions." Several male KADS felt this older person was preying on young naive female KADS both in Korea and within the social media groups on Facebook. Instead of choosing to erupt like a volcano on this person–possibly saying something I would truly regret later, I silently, or in his words through "passive-aggressiveness" just tolerated this person in the last 10-days to a week before knowing he would be leaving. When we did have a private conversation, every thing I brought up was twisted by him through a very condescending tone, which I already knew would be the case based upon this person's character, and thus choosing not to even waste any more time or energy in trying to reason with this person through respect and clear communication. The words of ,"so you, and others that live here feel that you have more entitlement to this place, huh' and 'you are just being nitpicky, and if I wanted to be nitpicky, I could also find areas to be nitpicky about too." Nice response, I'm sorry! I suppose waking up at 4am and Skyping without headphones where people can hear BOTH-SIDES of the conversation in the common area waking EVERYONE up IS being both nitpicky and feeling as though WE–that live here–are feeling a sense of more entitlement to the place. I would think ANYONE that experienced this same situation would agree that it's not either of these, but a lack of respect for others! The only other topic I was able to bring up was the fact that I even cleared more space in the dorm for this person to place their shoes as they constantly left them just inside the entrance to the dorm and anyone walking in would nearly trip over them! I politely asked that he place them out of the way of the narrow entrance walkway. Once again I was given a retort of being called 'nit-picky' with this request, instead of apologizing and owning up to the fact that this is COMMON SENSE. These were just a few of the very reasonable and logical issues that I brought up and based upon this person's response, I was given was erroneous and ridiculous replies of a defensive nature, that's when I made the decision that I felt the need to no longer waste time trying to talk with someone that I have never in ALL of my travels or life have seen someone make such absurd excuses, instead of just owning up to them.

Another KAD said she sat and talked with him for more than an hour and later realized that not once did he ask her a question, but constantly talked of himself and tried to impose his spiritualism on her. Ok, I don't care what you believe, but when you are two-faced and try to act self-holy on any level, I think most of us find that absolutely annoying. I don't want to keep dragging this on sounding as a complainer, but again I hope these examples demonstrate what 'characters' we have within the KAD community that show up at the guesthouses. The last thing I will mention is–once again your freedom of beliefs is a privilege for everyone–however, my issue was the fact that this person would act like a chameleon when it came to people's beliefs. If someone said they were agnostic, guess what here comes a sharing of that belief. If someone said they were Christian, he would suddenly pull out these hand-drawn images of Jesus with some words of random inspiration. However, when asked about his belief in Christianity he admitted that, "I do not believe Jesus Christ was the Son of God or the only way to heaven is believing this." Ok, fine you believe that and that is your choice, however, then why are you handing these drawings out. To me, this shows once again the deceptiveness of this person's character and it's like someone handing out the Book of Mormon that later will admit, "oh I don't believe any of this whatsoever." Well then WHY are you being such a fake person?! Seriously, I know you all have heard this, but just be yourself. Stop pretending and being two-faced, especially through deceptive methods. The freedom to debate and discuss is great, but when people act in such ways, of course this is something that tells much about a person's character, or lack thereof, in my opinion.

In the end, after this person was FINALLY departed from the guest house and we all began to speak more freely about our feelings, that's when we realized several of us had the same understanding of this person. Several weeks later, we were notified that this person may be coming back to Korea to try and begin a for-profit organization and once this rumor became more of a reality EVERYONE remaining in the guest house said they would rather move out than spend more time with this person. Therefore, once again just because we are all KADS does not mean we all share a deeper connection of friendship, especially when that other person has no respect for others. Unfortunate situations occur like this regularly, but we–that live here–have once again chosen to stand up and say that this person WILL NOT force us out. Currently we are almost at full occupancy, and guess what, there is complete cohesion within the guest house, because we have RESPECTFUL guests!

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR FIRST-TIME KADS VISITING
KOREA AND HOW IT MAY EFFECT YOU

It's interesting that for the KADS that have been in Korea for a longer period of time, the overall consensus seems to be that we all go through various bouts of wanting to be involved in the KAD community and then we also have periods where we purposely go out of our way to avoid the KAD community. I think the reason for this is that because many of the KADS that come to Korea short-term either are too emotionally draining and/or disrespectful or they rub us the wrong way through the actions and words thinking they can solve all KAD issues because they have now been back to Korea. Sorry, friends, but try living here for a while BEING RESPECTFUL and you will quickly realize that those ambitions and reality can be two different aspects of the spectrum. I don't want to discourage anyone, nor, am I saying that things need to remain the way they are by any means, but before you become all 'let's do this' attitude, you need to understand things first.

Once again, as an entrepreneur that has owned several businesses–all of which were successful on different levels (successful in a profitable manner if that matters so much)–the advice I give to other aspiring entrepreneurs is the same for KADS. For example, if you want to own a restaurant or hostel, if you've never even worked in one and you think it would be fun, go and work in the industry, especially if you want to be a business owner by working in various positions from the lowest position to the highest, and at least have some passion or interest in what you are doing, not just doing it for the sake of making money!

COMMON ISSUES NOTICED AMONG VISITING KADS

(*ALWAYS a continued work in progress these are just notes for now*)

1) DRINKING: If you don't drink back in your home country, WHY are you drinking like a fish in Korea?
2) EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS: Just because you meet a KAD doesn't mean you have to be their BFF and have an instant connection. I often ask other KADS, "if this person weren't a KAD would you still want to be BFF's with them or trust them and spend so much time with them?" If not, then why do you feel the need to surround yourself with negative individuals or those that may be deceptive by nature? I completely understand it's OUR connection as KADS to gravitate to one another, regardless of nationality, but I've also seen this backfire in a very large way.
3) STOP THE HARASSMENT: I've learned that disconnecting myself from negative people in life is often necessary, and this is the same when it comes to other KADS. I'm sorry but if you've been blocked on Facebook AND Kakao this generally means I'm not interested in communicating with you–this again seems to be something that should go without saying–however, an example, the inconsiderate nearly 40-year-old KAD that disrespected OUR living space for nearly a month was blocked and yet still continued to email me through an extremely condescending manner by continuing to preach at some level of his zen-guru-isms because this individual–I feel–cannot stand not being loved and admired by everyone. Sorry, but I view this as a sign of a lack of maturity along with this person's actions. Therefore, leave and others alone when you are blocked! Get the hint!
3) GIVE US SPACE: Sorry, but once again you need to safeguard your emotional status, because visiting Korea for KADS is NOT a 'typical vacation' but has far more reaching effects of us–generally–and in doing so it can be difficult in coping with all of these feelings, especially when you can't even express them or understand them yourself. For example, I know when I first came to Korea I had a lot of support from family, friends, even my girlfriend at the time asking me all types of questions, wanting to communicate with me–which was extremely wonderful–however this can also be extremely overwhelming and add the stressful emotions we are already experiencing. When it came to family and friends, I told them I need to process all that I am going through first, before I can even explain or tell them what I am feeling. Therefore, my advice for family members, friends, other KADS even that are wanting to be supportive during these times is to realize that not communicating is not a means of ignoring you, but it's OUR time to process things that are unbelievably difficult to understand ourselves.
4) LISTEN MORE: Recently, we had #IKAA (International Korean Adoptee Association) Gathering in Seoul and one of the individuals that has been a long-term resident of the guest house has sadly put it into jeopardy! It was only after an hour long discussion with General Management of the Guest House Manager that convinced the adoption agency NOT to shut down the guest house, because this stumbled back to the guest house with two other adoptees at 4am, and I just happened to be awake as I often get up very early to get some work done and as the elevator doors opened it was like seeing three people with 'deer in the head light looks' of absolute shock! They quickly scurried into the girls dorm room, since she is currently the only one staying in there, and they were in the room for about 15-20 minutes. First of all, this is a CLEAR RULE that states NOT BRING BACK NON GUESTS, because again this is NOT a typical guest house but also an office building and most importantly an orphanage for the Babies' Home! What was just completely DISAPPOINTING was the next day when both the Guest House Manager and I confronted her, she claimed they were only helping her back because she was so intoxicated. Sorry, but there's LIE #1, because I've seen this person stumbling in way worse on her own. Also, if they were so concerned to get her back safely then why did they need to rush into her room at 4am for 15-20-minutes? There was no introduction, because in my personal opinion this female guests was "sneaking" in others to stay to sleep in her dorm room that she knew she could keep secret, until I was sitting there working away at 4am! BUSTED, LIE #2!
5) SELFISHNESS: Once again with this same individual that tried sneaking in guests, in the same week we counted four different individuals near the property (two girls climbed six flights of stairs to try and get in while at about 12:30am a long male adoptee was trying to get into the kitchen door that is locked also on the sixth floor) When I opened it he was surprised and then left. Later, when we confront this person again, her attitude was one of complete selfishness sadly. We told her, "listen, we love you and we aren't trying to act like your parents, but your actions over the past week have been highly questionable with the number of strangers that are showing up here just after IKAA ended AND the fact that you were telling people that you can get into the building AFTER the supposed curfew! LIE #3 she denied this, but I still have proof from a Kakao message from both the person she told and confronting her about it! When we told her that General Management was and still is HIGHLY considering closing the Guest House to adoptees, her attitude was SERIOUS, "well, I'm planning on moving out in October or November, so whatever." Yeah, so basically her attitude is that she doesn't care what happens since SHE is moving out and IF her actions cause the Guest House to become closed down for ALL future adoptees, she doesn't care! We never did get to tell her that IF the people she had been bringing back had been intoxicated and wanted to break into the Post Adoption Office, which happened at Holt several years ago by a group of adoptees, that she would be help responsible both LEGALLY and there could also be CRIMINAL charges brought against her by the adoption organization! That is why they have began reviewing ALL CCTV activiting 24/7 and once we told her this, she knew she was caught in possibly LIES #4, 5, 6...who knows! It's so sad, because again many adoptees often fail or just don't care enough that THEIR ACTIONS have LONG-LASTING effects for current adoptees living in Korea as well as those that want to come to Korea in the future!
6) TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OTHERS: Another recent situation that people don't realize happens actually more often then you would expect was about a month ago a 35-year-old adoptee arrived in Korea on a one-way flight that he actually had broken into his wife's house while she was at work, stole her credit card to purchase the flight, packed a backpack with about three pairs of clothing, and then went directly to the airport and showed up at the adoption agency around 10pm seeking to be reunited with his birth family! He had no US bank card, credit card, but just under $100 USD. Well, rally the best we could there were NUMEROUS individuals involved in helping this person such as the adoption agency noticed he was not a stable individual and could not have him staying at the Guest House with the Babies' Home so they had to pay for him to stay at a nearby hotel. The next several days, multiple organizations were involved in helping him get into the Emergency Housing for adoptees, where he had a private room for 90-days with the option for an additional 90-days. Several of us bought him things like shoes, since he showed up in busted up sandals, got him a phone, he was given clothing, a phone, a T-money card with credit, and about $400 a month plus some money after contacting his birth family that he suddenly showed up in Korea. However, the dishonesty and taking advantage of situations came when he would spend nearly $200 in a week or less and when questioned about what he purchased he would try to avoid answering this. Also, as his F4 Visa was being processed, which he only had about a week to go before receiving it, after NUMEROUS people pleaded with him to wait until he had received at least his visa because if he chose to leave Seoul to live with his birth mom, which told him when she came to Seoul that she was a typical 'Tiger Mom' and that growing up she would make about $100 a month and only spend about $20 so savings is one of her big rules. Well long story short, he left Seoul with the full knowledge that by doing so IF he were to return he would not be allowed back into the FREE emergency housing, no more monthly living allowing by one of the non-profit agencies, and other organizations legally would NOT be able to even be in contact with him as he would now ONLY be limited to work with KAS (Korean Adoption Services). Well NOT EVEN 24-hours after he left, his birth mother questioned the money she gave him went and then kicked him out of her home, so he returned to Seoul seeking help, but as we said we weren't able to help him his only contact would be the Korean Government Agency. Sadly, he has also been banned from several properties of agencies for adoptees and he was SPECIFICALLY told after arriving back in Seoul wanting FREE housing and money that he was not allowed back on the property and IF he were to try and come back that they would not hesitate and they would call the police and he would be charged with trespassing, put into a detention facility, have a criminal record, be deported, and be held responsible for paying back the U.S. Government for his flight. Once again it just breaks my hear to share these stories, but PEOPLE this is often the TRUE reality that we deal with ALL the time in Korea!! And people, wonder why it's so hard for us that live here to gain more respect and acknowledgement from the Korean Government?! What's sad is that there is more funding for Chinese or those from the Philippines, which I'm not saying they shouldn't but the fact that WE are Korean-American, Korean-French, Korean-Australian, Korean-Danish, Korean-German, Korean-Dutch, and the list goes on....So once again YOUR ACTIONS WHETHER YOU CARE OR THINK ABOUT IT OR NOT HAS EFFECT ON FUTURE ADOPTEES. PERIOD!

POSITIVE ACTIONS BY KADS IN KOREA

Many KADS, such as Jenna (photographed above) returned to Korea to live and work to make a positive impact for future adoptees while working with the International Korean Adoptee Service (#INKAS) and you can read about her journey HERE.

SEARCHING FOR OUR BIRTH FAMILIES IS A SENSITIVE DECISION

Where to even begin with my amazing roommate, Jacob, that has lived in Korea for more than three-years and I view as genuine brother! Yes, just like traditional siblings we've had our ups and downs, but primarily all ups! First of all Jacob has worked at G.O.A.L. assisting KADS with F-4 Visas and Immigration issues. I know that many people on several of the adoptee Facebook groups have complained about how long the process takes in hearing a response regarding birth family searches and immigration assistance, but just please stop and realize that ANY of the organizations you may contact to begin the birth family search, it may often be a test of patience, because there are a limited number of individuals in assisting with these searches and they receive hundreds of requests a year! These individuals, whether the social workers at the adoption agencies or any of the organizations, often receive an enormous amount of verbal abuse because of the lack of patience that some individuals have sadly. I know that when I began my search for my birth family it took nearly two years! Others, it has taken seven years or more. And, furthermore, some family members cannot be located or unfortunately want no contact. This of course can be an extreme blow to an adoptee. So, I just would like to ask that KADS be both realistic and patient with this process. It's not like they can just Google your birth family and call them up. There are numerous legal channels that must be taken at times and KADS that do come to Korea without having began their birth family search and are only here for a few weeks or months expecting to be reunited can be highly unrealistic.

Anyways, I want to share more about Jacob and the positive impact that both he and G.O.A.L. continues to do for all KADS by sharing an excerpt, "Today is the day that I’ve been dreading for the past two months. I needed to renew my F-4 visa at the Seoul Immigration Office (서울출입국관리사무소) in Mokdong, Seoul. Normally this immigration office is always crowded and there are always long lines of foreigners waiting to apply for visas...Please also keep in mind that normally February and March are the busiest and worst times of the year to go to the immigration offices due to the new school year for Korean universities and English academies. Therefore, there tend to be a lot of English teachers and foreign exchange students going to get their work and student visas throughout these two months. Since Korean Immigration requested foreigners living in Seoul to schedule an appointment regarding visa needs, I decided to try this new system out for the first time and experience it firsthand. I had our lovely office manager at G.O.A.’L help me make a reservation online. My online reservation was for Thursday morning (February 25, 2016) at 11:20am. My reservation number was #29 and I had to go to the “Foreign Visa Service” counter on the 1st floor and wait for my ticket number to be called. I also planned to get there 30 minutes early to pay for my F-4 visa renewal fee which is 60,000 KRW at the stamp counter on the 1st floor. **PLEASE REMEMBER TO PAY WITH CASH (KOREAN WON)**...For the time being, I will try and talk with Korean Immigration about their website reservation issues and hopefully they can fix this problem within the very near future. The fact that many foreigners (including myself) were complaining about the online reservation system and how their website didn’t work, I feel that this situation needs to be resolved immediately especially since the Korean Immigration offices are making a strong push for foreigners to make online reservations instead of doing walk-in appointments. Hopefully Korean Immigration can fix this problem so that foreigners including Korean adoptees who wish to apply for the F-4 visa can make an online reservation and not have to deal with the same problems that I went through today. Please also remember that you can always contact me (Jacob) at G.O.A.’L for any F-4 related questions or requests by emailing me at f4@goal.or.kr!" Please take time to read his ENTIRE BLOG and browse the other blogs on the G.O.A.L. Website.

SUPERSTARS THAT DESERVE MAJOR RECOGNITION!

Below is a list of Adoptees or Korean nationals that have either been part of organizations or has shown an ENORMOUS amount of respect when visiting our Motherland, Korea!