Life in South Korea

So, these are just some little observations about life in South Korea and living on base…

The apartment – I like the apartment and I am so grateful to have 4 bedrooms and all the storage space. This may sound weird, but everything seems lower. The kitchen counter is the prime example. It seems lower than in the states?? Which means the cabinets are lower and I have to bend over to get stuff out of the cabinets, all of them. The dishwasher seems lower too. I just don't remember having to reach so far down to put things in or take them out. I don't think it is lower by much, but enough to make a difference in that I feel it in my back. And the fridge. Ugh, we have had side by side fridges for 10+ years and this one is freezer on top, fridge on the bottom. But, my mom has that kind and I don't feel like I need to kneel on the ground to take food out or put it in. Maybe I am just the Jolly Green Giant in Korea? Ha! OH! No garbage disposal either. Why? I wish I knew. I take that back, I wish I could put one in!

TV- This is hard to explain. We get some current programs, like Survivor. But some programs we don't get at all. I am sure there are all kinds of reasons. We have a Sports Channel that can start with Fox Sports, then next is an ESPN program and then next up an even broadcast by NBC. You don't have to change the channel! We watch NFL on Monday mornings. By the time we get up, the 2^nd game is starting and we could have 3 different games to choose from. We do get to see the Today Show live in EST if we stay up late enough. For example with the Today Show, if you watch Friday night, you are watching live Friday morning.

Dining – When dining in a restaurant, they take your order, deliver your order and after that they don't have much to do with you. They don't come back to check in and see how everything is like you would expect in the states. A lot of restaurants don't have forks, just chopsticks and spoons. And those are kept in little boxes on the tables. Korean food is tasty and when we have dined at Korean restaurants, you get all these little side dishes to go with your meal. Kimchi is the most popular. We have had marinated bean sprouts, pickled veggies of all kind, egg dishes, and the strangest one we have had is acorn jelly/jello. I asked Adam for a Korean cookbook for Christmas so I too can make acorn jello, not. But, I would like to make bulgogi, which is a marinated beef dish.

Driving – I just got my Korean Driver's License through the AF. I haven't driven yet, but we pick up the car Friday morning in Seoul and Sunday I am already planning to drive to E-Mart with the Kinard girls and Rachel. I am sure this adventure could be a post all by itself. I do know that Koreans are crazy drivers and some freeways have these express lanes for buses only.

Telephones & Cell Phones – I feel like such an old fart complaining about this. The phone system is difficult. We have a VOIP phone for our home phone so we can have a CONUS number and a Korean number at the same time but, we have no voicemail. Our cell phones are the cheapy prepay minute phones, so we don't have VM on those either. We get tons of random texts in Korean. Oh and when you call a number and for example, it is no longer in service, that message is in Korean. So, you don't really know what message they just told you, but her voice is very pleasant.

McDonalds – They have different items on the menu. We like the bulgogi burger, which is like a hamburger, but the patties are marinated or dipped in this tasty sauce and then put in the buns with all the fixings. Yummmmmmm. They should make those in the States. We heard they have a shrimp sandwich much like a filet o fish, but shrimp. Oh, and the Koreans are stingy with the ketchup! That is a serious problem for us b/c Rachel could eat a bowl full of ketchup with a spoon. At the McD's in Seoul they pulled out a laminated card that had English, Korean and pictures on it so you could order. Do you want to know how to say Sprite in Korean??? It's Sprite. There, you know a word.

Koreans love Rowan – I wouldn't be surprised if Rowan has a thing for Asian women. They love him. And it isn't just Rowan. Last weekend we were on the Subway in Seoul with some friends that have 2 boys, so we had 5 kids on the train. This older woman missed her stop b/c she was watching the children and not paying attention to the subway stops.

OK, that is it for now…. We still haven't received our Household Goods from the States and we are anxious. This temp furniture is the pits. I tried to get the kids to ask Santa for our stuff, but they prefer to ask for new toys. My latest offering is that if I get our stuff before Christmas, I will no longer complain about the Dallas Cowboys being on every frickin' weekend in every place I live. This is a huge sacrifice for me….

“New Woman, U.S. Embassy”

Back to the blog. I have been uninspired, busy and bored with my blog. Now that we have moved to South Korea, I am feeling a little inspired again. That and everyone wants to know what it is like and it is hard to email all our fans ; )

I recently went to Seoul for a girls' shopping trip. I had the pleasure of travelling with 5 other spouses from our squadron. We left on a Friday, stayed the night at the Army Base near Seoul that has a huge hotel and consequently a 'Shopette' type store at the lodge where I found Rachel's fave strawberry applesauce that I can't find here at Osan Air Base. We literally shopped all day on Saturday and didn't return home until almost 10pm. It was great fun and tiring. Here are a few highlights from the trip.

A taxi ride to remember…. We took a taxi from base to one shopping market. The driver spoke very good English and wanted to know all about us. Since I had only been in the country for a week, I became "New Woman". The driver took it upon himself to give us a quick tour of Seoul, aka the long way to the market. The first thing he asked us is do we know where the US Embassy is? Uh, no. Do you know the Blue House, the other girls do, I don't. Off we go on our private tour! The driver is weaving in and out of traffic, talking away, pointing out this, that and the other. Then at a stoplight, he pulls in front of the first car waiting at the red light. "New woman, I break driving law, but we have to be in front so you get best view!" (or something like that) Giggles ensue. Then we drive by the US Embassy. "New woman, here US Embassy. You know US Embassy. Learn US Embassy near City Hall and river!" And then we turn another corner, cut across lanes of traffic and he drops us off at the market. We get out of the car, giggling, and he insisted we that we did not pay him a tip. I don't think I'll ever have another taxi ride like it! It was a blast.

Markets in Seoul…. I am still learning geography, so I may describe places inaccurately. We went to 3 different shopping areas. One was Friday night, we didn't go to shop, we went for dinner. It was Western looking to me. A busy street, restaurants and shops packed in, but it was more upscale looking. I believe that was Itaewon. We had dinner at a pseudo-Italian kind of restaurant that was very good. Then we went to a NesCafe Café . My friend Beth had a sweet potato latte and yes, it tasted like sweet potatoes!!!

Saturday was 2 different markets. The first was Insadong (after the great cab ride). That has a main street with alleys off the main street and lots of shops. I think after seeing the 2nd market that Insadong is more touristy. Many shops sold similar things, but there were quite a few pottery shops and art galleries/shops too. There were also street vendors, but these vendors had carts and that kind of thing. At that market area I bought a scarf, some Korean tops (toy tops) for the kids, a key chain, chopsticks for Adam, that kind of stuff. Oh! We had delicious Korean food for lunch, yum!!

Now the 2^nd market is a whole different world. It is called Namdaemun. It was crazy. Seemed like it was never ending, no main street, lots of alleys that make no sense as to where they lead. Every 'street' jam packed full of shops and each shop jam packed with stuff. It is definitely a market area where the locals shop. Then behind some storefronts are indoor shopping buildings, probably 6 stories high and many vendors jam packed in the building and, you guessed it, each vendor has tons of items to sell. Each floor seemed to have a theme – general merchandise, housewares, etc. This is a market you can bargain with the vendors although, I didn't. The entire market had all types of things to buy – food (some more pungent than others), clothing, purses, fabric, shoes, toys, Christmas stuff, tailor shops, probably anything you can think of. Then in the middle of the 'streets' these vendors would have plastic taped to the ground and then pile up clothes or coats. Koreans would swarm to these vendors. I think these were typically secondhand items and they must have been cheap. It was crazy. At the Namdaemun market I bought gloves, boots for Rowan (fake Ugg type with Thomas the Train on them!! So Cute!) and a hat for Rachel that has mittens attached to it (the hat is one of Hello Kitty's friends and the whole thing is very soft and fuzzy. These hats are very popular here and they make all different types – wolf, rabbit, panda bear, teddy bears, etc.). I wasn't sure what to expect to find, but now that I know, I can plan better. The one thing I may splurge on there is a new set of dishes – there were tons of different choices and a lot of great sets in white, but in different shapes. I'll have to take more pictures next time I am there.

Crowds… when Koreans want to get by you in a crowd, they just push right by you and that isn't considered rude. Only a couple of times did I hear anyone say "excuse me". On the subway they just push right into the train. Even little old ladies will push you aside to get to a seat.

Okay, that is enough for now. My mind is filling up with all sorts of ideas for blog posts, stay tuned!

I am Done. Period. Dot.

This is the last week of Adam's deployment. He comes home on Friday and Friday won't come soon enough. I think b/c I am so close to the end, my patience is gone. Most of you know that I am not a complainer, I take the bad with the good, take it in stride and move on. But today has been kind of a crummy day, so I am going to complain. I am sure I will reread this tomorrow and totally cringe.

The kids were whiny and not particularly good today. Rowan did not nap and now will not go to bed.

Russell broke this butterfly thing that Rachel made me for 'no good reason'. Normally, I'd think, hey at least he told me he did it and restrict him from whatever and move on. Today it really bothered me. I honestly wanted to take one of his new bday toys and snap it in half in front of him for 'no good reason'. I resisted and ignored him for a bit and he was appropriately apologetic. The whole really irritated me. That is so unlike him to do that, so that was troublesome too. It still pisses me off a bit.

I am tired of doing everything.

I don't want to take out the trash.

I don't want to change every single diaper.

I don't want to clean up after every frickin' meal and/or snack.

I am tired of making coffee, although it is a total necessity.

I am tired of telling little people to brush and floss their teeth. I am tired of inspecting teeth and reminding them about cavities.

I don't want to pick up after Rowan and think about my back while doing it.

I am completely done with battling a 2 year old alone. The other day he was struggling to not get in his car seat and I turned a certain way to get him in and there was my back. Not good.

Weekends can really suck. I miss reading the Sunday paper and drinking coffee without requests for this, that and everything else.

I am tired of consoling Rachel and all the tears. I am not a crier and she is. I have had to change the 'no crying' rule to 'quiet crying'. It isn't working. Today she cried b/c her helium balloon came off the ribbon after she played with it and I told her not to play with it for that very reason. AND, she didn't stop crying after I retied the damn ribbon on the balloon. Why???

I am tired of getting up every morning and not sleeping in at all. And, (bad wife moment, prepare yourselves) I just want to reach through the webcam and slap Adam when he complains to me how tired he is. Not that he has ever said he is more tired than me or anything like that. Part of my morning issue is that my old back is so stiff in the morning and picking Rowan up out of his crib is not pleasant.

I am so tired of tattling and endless requests. I LONG to say "Go tell Dad" or "Go complain to Dad" or even better, "Ask Dad".

I want to sit down to eat and not be asked to get someone something or watch Rowan throw something off his highchair the second I sit down.

I am tired of trying to help Russ get everything done – Scouts, homework, speech, and all the little things he needs to work on for school – math facts, reading comprehension. I am so thankful Rachel got that Tag Reader for xmas, b/c that way someone/something can read to her when I run out of time.

That's a good one. I am tired of running out of time.

That being said, it is time for bed. I am slightly cringing as I reread this now. Tomorrow I am sure I will have major complainer's regret!!!

Confessions During Deployment

Okay, it's not like I have anything to bad to confess, I just thought I would own up to some of things I do while home alone with three kids for months. Adam does have a tentative date to return: February 19^th
J

1. I seem to watch A LOT chick flicks. And I watch the same ones over and over. We currently have HBO, gratis I'd like to add, and with that HBO comes HBO onDemand. So, you get a select list of movies and shows to watch whenever you want. I have to admit I have watched Bride Wars, 27 Dresses , and He's Just Not That Into You more than should be allowed. Especially Bride Wars. I am probably close to 10 or more times. Not that the movie is even that great. The more I see it, the more I like it. Hmmm….
   
2. I have not really cooked in ages. I did cook around the holidays and felt a little out of practice. Cooking right now is making a salad or roasting some veggies. Oh, I did make some soups and then froze the leftovers. That was pretty handy. It is amazing that the kids would eat some type of nugget and apple, applesauce or salad every night.
   
3. The kids have eaten almost every meal at the bar on bar stools. I can just hear Adam now, "I'm bringing manners back to this house!" (That was for you, Christine ; ) If anyone wants to hear a funny story about THAT, email me.) Sometimes, the TV is on while we eat.
   
4. I drink a glass of wine almost every night. On bad nights, it is two. Even worse nights like in-laws here, more than two: I won't confess the real number!!!
   
5. I am totally selfish – I have not enrolled Rachel in gymnastics or ballet so I can go to the gym more. I really love my gym too.
   
6. I let the kids watch more TV than they should and go to bed later than they should. Rachel will put herself to bed. Russ is a night owl, although a couple times he has looked at the clock and told he should really go to bed.
   
7. I let Rowan have his bink, aka the 'nink', whenever he wants. I don't even try to have him use it less during the day. Adam is all about the nink going away when he gets back. He can do it and brag about it too. More power to him!
   
8. When Rowan wakes up earlier than I want, I bring him to bed with me to try to get a few more winks in. I usually don't get any more sleep, but now I have created a BAD habit. It is almost every morning and sometimes it is more of a hassle, what's the point?
   
9. We have only picked up dog poop in the backyard like twice Adam left. He's a little dog.
   
10. I seem to never have time to take the kids out to the park or to ride bikes, so I helped Rachel set up her own bike track on the patio in the backyard to ease my pang of guilt.
    

    
     

    
     

Three Things

One… over the holiday break, I laid Row down for a nap and he looked at his sheet and finally noticed that it has trains, cars, boats and trucks on it. He was pretty sleepy, but I put him down and he put out his arms to be on all fours in his crib and sleepily said "OOoooooh, choo-choos! Oooh, cars. Choo-choos." Just a precious little moment.

Two… Russell is a LEGO-MANIAC! He was blessed with many sets this year at Xmas and he has built all but one – saving the last one for this weekend. When he built them though, he really savored every moment of the process. It was awesome to watch. He had some pretty complicated sets to build and he did them all perfectly. Then he had to show them all to Adam on Skype, pointing out each detail, telling tales of the difficulty and then how fragile some sets are as opposed to others. Legos are so cool. He hasn't really even wanted to play any video games, even his new ones. He is also engrossed with a Lego Star Wars book, "Lego Star Wars The Visual Dictionary". He coveted the book at the book fair, I bought it and saved it for Xmas. He can't put it down.

And three… Rachel almost has the concept of adding. She got a Leapster 2 for Xmas and has been playing The Princess and the Frog game and has to add. She can do small numbers pretty well, but anything larger than 6 throws her off. She's so close, it is fun to listen to her try it 'all by herself!'