#SeoulSweetHome: Me, Korea, & Buying Us A House

Hello there. My name is Andrea and I am asking for your help. I have two major life events coming up within three months of one another and I really, really would be grateful if you would consider assisting me achieve these goals... A trip to Korea and purchasing a home.

I am a Korean adoptee. I was adopted at 3 months old and came to the US at 5 months old. Every time I fly into or out of JFK, I make a little joke to myself that the Korean Air Terminal is where I was born because that is where my life truly began. I am the oldest of three children and have two biological children of my own. My family is wonderful, crazy, supportive, and loving; my children are my courage, inspiration, and the light in every room; my friends are the gifts I didn't know I deserved.

Korea - I just learned I have been fortunate enough to be chosen to join a group of Korean adoptees on a tour of Korea this coming spring. The goal here is to see the country of my birth and to - hopefully, importantly - make a connection with my birth family. Part of being selected means that many of the costs are taken care of but airfare/transportation, incidentals, and some food will be my responsibility.

I have always wanted to know about my birth family and have questions only they can answer - who do I look like, what work did they do, why was I not kept, are there health conditions I should be aware of? The importance of these answers have ebbed and flowed over the years and now I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to move my search forward. It is something I have to do, a chance I have to take. This is not a vacation, though I am sure it will be fun to see a new country and meet other adoptees. This is an opportunity - the only one in my lifetime - to learn about my history and familial lineage and to, possibly, meet my birth family.

Going to Korea has always been a dream of mine but this trip is one I must take and the time is now. The chance to accompany fellow adoptees on this journey will never be offered to me again, nor will the expertise of the tour guides be available to me at any other time. As my colleagues, family, and friends have said to me individually and collectively... This is the moment, this is the time, this is a journey I have to go on and the time has to be now. #bebrave

Buying a house - I am a divorced mother of two young children and, according to the agreement, I have to buy our home this coming summer or forfeit it and move. The home we currently reside in is the only home my children have ever known. I had wanted to keep it for them as our lives are built around this location. I have recently decided to sell this home as we deserve a fresh start, a clean slate... (insert whatever cheesy phrase you'd like -here-). As you can imagine, relocating is quite an undertaking and finding a place that will fit our needs is financially challenging, at best.

The Ask - Please donate any amount you see fit to this fundraiser. Regarding Korea, the funds will be used for the gifts for the children at the orphanage, trip deposit, airfare, other travel expenses, and incidentals. The remaining funds will be used solely for expenses related to buying a home for my children and me. Absolutely none of the proceeds will be used on anything other than these two life events.

If you can, please also share this with your social media networks to grow the reach of this campaign. I am truly in need of your assistance and will be grateful to you for any help you can provide. I wish you well and thank you for your consideration.

#seoulsweethome

Adoption photo of me... Lim, Mee Jin.

One of my first baby pictures after I arrived here in the US.

***Update, I will not be buying my home. Therefore, all of funds raised will be used to fund the trip. Specifically, I am going to an orphanage and will be buying the children as many gifts as I can carry in my luggage. Please donate.