Love Wins.

PART II

While the signs were leading us to accept defeat, Javier encouraged us to not give up. 

I am so grateful for Javier.

I came up with a new idea and we agreed that I would try once again to get a teaching English job in Asia and send for Javier after. This time, we learned from our previous errors and decided to focus on South Korea due to a higher salary, lower cost of living, and a better chance for visas in comparison to the other options that had failed. Plus, my step-dad wanted me out NOW and South Korean employers were offering me free housing too.

It was still risky but was worth a shot to try. What did we have to lose?

I felt more motivated and focused because we created a new goal that seemed not impossible, however, it was not going to be easy either. Javier was still in Panama and I was back at my parents house working part-time jobs.

To add, returning back to the USA and searching for a job was not easy because many people expected me (and others who have been in a similar situation!) to have a certain job due to credentials and status. Like I said before, I am bilingual, have a masters, and experience but I was not receiving any job offers just because of that. It did not help either when co-workers, family, and friends would pass their judgements on me. Really, people feel ashamed, even suicidal, when society shames them for not pursuing the career path that society expects of them.

I tried not to let them make me feel worse because a job is a job. 

Despite these challenges, I was focused on our goal. I started off working three different part-time jobs but had to drop one because of the stress. I needed to save enough to pay back my mom and step-dad for the rent, a plane ticket to South Korea, and extra money for my first months living expenses once I moved to South Korea.

To be honest, it was a great summer since it was the first one I had spent with my mom and sisters after many years living abroad. In addition, I felt a growing independence because I had money, things seemed to be going better, and I saw myself achieving our goal as I was ready to leave for Korea by summers end. Although I was sad to leave my family once again, I was excited and nervous to see how our plan would work out for Javier and me.

Now South Korea felt great and free from judgmental people in America. 

Of course, the time difference was hard for Javier and I to manage times to talk. Looking back now, I really admire Javier for his patience and efforts to keep going! He had to walk about an hour to find cell signal (I remember all too well doing this in Peace Corps when I needed to call my family).. Sometimes, he had to walk at odd times of the day and night. One time, I remember he called me when it was pouring rain in Panama. (LOVE YOU JAVIER!😍😘)

After my first two paychecks, I had enough saved in October to buy Javier's ticket to South Korea and he would arrive a few days before Christmas. We were so excited! Plus, it was the first time Javier would fly on a plane so I sent him YouTube videos to prepare, worked on his English with him, and we just saved as much money as we could. We had to book a 38-hour flight (because he did not have a USA visa) and he would be flying from Panama-Cuba-Russia-South Korea.

This was really going to happen. We would finally be united.

END OF PART II

If you liked our story, please share or connect with us on Instagram! Thanks :) -Megan #beunbounded

Continue to Part III (coming Christmas 2018!)