Playing Airplane

PLAYING AIRPLANE

As I wait for the departure of my flight at the In and Out Restaurant on Airport Blvd; my dad and I enjoyed my last meal in California before I took flight back to Atlanta. We sat in a perfect position to look at the planes land. My dad chuckled and said, "Do you remember when you were a kid? I used to bring you to the airport all the time!"

Many days in the summer, my dad and I used to take day trips to the airport. We would drive around the terminals so that I can catch a glimpse of the airplanes parked at the gates. After our little spin around the airport, we would ride to Dockweiler Beach in order to see the planes take off. As I watched the planes depart, I would close my eyes and imagine being a passenger on one of those planes flying to an exotic destination.

Back at home, my best friends and I would play the "Airplane Game." We would fabricate the whole airport and inflight experience. In addition, we emulated roles of the pilots, flight attendants, and gate agents. During our sleep overs, we turned the couches in to airplane seats, bought TV dinners and served them to each other. We even converted a file cabinet in to a beverage cart and rolled them down the aisle. In our neighborhood, we would ride our bikes and pretend that we were landing as we got closer to our driveway. I was obsessed with getting away and seeing the world.

In the years between, I learned, traveled, and experienced a lot. I saw myself growing into the man I wanted to be, and then self-sabotaging myself to be the man I didn't want to be. In that contradictory battle, I found a middle passage, and I am still steadily walking through that today.

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Many say that I'm an enigma; so contrary to what they see and stereotype. To at least somewhat comprehend who I am and what I stand for will only be elucidated in my experiences. I am an LA County born Korean who has also experienced significant chapters of life in New York City and Atlanta, Georgia. I grew up with a strong father who is an entrepreneur with a wild spirit. My mother on the other hand is very calm, wise, and insightful. I also lived with my Panamanian padrinos, who taught me how to love life unconditionally.

I am a proud brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. I crossed as the first non-Black initiate of the Thundering Zeta Theta Chapter at Georgia State University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and I practice energy medicine. I take a lot of time learning The Metaphysics.

I am a stand for social justice. In my quest for self-healing, I have learned the importance in taking a tenacious stand for social justice in today's society. Therefore, I am by no means perfect or angelic. I affirm that I will channel or deliver awareness in a raw and forward fashion. And I have unconditionally embraced that.

That's why I chose to start this blog. This blog will be the marriage of my passion for travel, self-expression and self-awareness.

In the Travel section of this website, I will document my travels around the world. I want to share with you my experiences, insights, and spiritual acquisitions. I strongly believe that world travel will contribute to the process of my self-healing and self-discovery. I will also explore different modalities and techniques of healing and in each country I visit.

As I embark on this journey, I hope that this blog will not only inspire you, but touch and move you to become who you are truly meant to be.

-Kevin Koh