The Eller's In Korea

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Micks plays I Love Rock N Roll

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Katie's band playing I Love Rock N Roll. She loves going to "Rock Band" practice every Monday. Her Grandparents gave her the fabulous Fender she's playing.

Vortex

2008-03-11T22:43:00.002+09:00

The Vortex at the Museum of Mordern Art Ft. Worth

2008-03-11T12:32:00.000+09:00

Sunday At the Museum

2008-03-10T11:57:00.001+09:00

We had a great day at the Kimball Art Museum. Amazingly, the girls seemed to really enjoy spending their day here. The audio guides tell the story behind the art and made all the difference. Then, of course, frolicking on the lawn was great fun too. Now, we are ready to hit the Natural History Museum.

Snowy March

2008-03-08T02:07:00.000+09:00

It's snowing again in Texas!! This time a full blown winter storm that dropped 4 inches in just a few short hours. Lori and I were shopping at the Southlake Costco when the storm began. We were only about 20 minutes away but it took me nearly an hour to return. I was an hour late picking up Katie and Lauren from school. The kids loved it and enjoyed building a snowman in the Morin's back yard. They went to bed with visions of a snow day in the heads but it wasn't meant to be. They woke up so disappointed that there district was one of a few in the area that didn't call it.

Spring Snow

2008-03-04T14:26:00.000+09:00

This is the view outside my front door in Keller, Texas on March 3. Two days ago it was 80 degrees and today we woke up to freezing temperatures. The weather is never dull in Texas!!!

The Grocery Store

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My grocery store!! I had to run to the store to buy some milk and grabbed my camera to take some snowy shots on the way. Much to my kids dismay, I carried it into the grocery store. They thought I would be finished with food pics now that we're home. The displays were so nice I couldn't resist snapping off a few shots. Ofcourse, shopping is so easy now. I can buy anything I want whenever I want. The grocery stores here open at 6 am and some close at 12:00 but some are open even later. I will admit that I find myself lingering in the International food section thinking of the life and friends I left behind in Korea. Then I shop!!!!!

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That's What I'm talkin' About

2008-01-24T19:23:00.000+09:00

Here we are at Fred's Mexican Cantina enjoying a beautiful view of the beach while sipping a frozen margarita or a schooner of beer. We can watch the Austrailian Open, basketball or hockey while waiting for those sizzling fajitas to be delivered. What more could you ask for! Well, honestly, I really miss my friends but this is great way to cope. So, Cheers!

Maui

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Aloha

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Hangin' loose in Hawaii!

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A Good Book

2008-01-21T18:20:00.000+09:00

Just finished a great read that I will be adding to my list of all time favs! I bought this book along with a few others when I moved overseas and never got around to it. I wasn't as dreadfully bored as I thought i would be!! Anyway, I loved it and thought y'all might like it too. It's The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

My 5 Front Teeth

2008-01-07T16:05:00.000+09:00

Lauren came home from school today with 2 of her bottom teeth in a baggie. They grow up so fast. If your looking for the tooth fairy she'll be at my house tonight. Hope she had some USD instead of Won!

A Good Day

2007-12-26T00:42:00.000+09:00

While most of you are just waking on Christmas morning our day is over and everyone is tucked in for the evening. We had a very quiet but great day together. Little Lauren's excitement was so beautiful. It started last night when we were tucking her in bed. She would say "Santa, is coming right now Mommy!" with such joy. Of course, she was the first one up and I could hear her saying "he came, he came and then running to wake her big sister up before running to my room to wake us. Little ones make the season so magical, just watching them is a gift.

It was a very simple little Christmas here in Korea. We were able to talk with our parents on the phone. It's sometimes hard knowing everyone else is together but we will be home very soon and knowing that helps. The kids spent the day playing with their new toys/gadgets, Bob was technical support and I cooked.

I couldn't find a turkey or ham so a traditional meal was out of the question. We substituted roast chicken and although I admit I didn't feel very good about serving the scrawny little birds everyone seemed satisfied . I have not been able to find a big chicken here they are all so small I have to buy at least two. About cooking in Korea, I've had a bit of bad cooking karma this season. I have a gas stove here just like in the states. However, at home, the gas is pumped to you continuously as long as you pay the bill. Here, I have two tanks behind the house. How do I know when I run out of gas? When I open my oven door and find my turkey or chicken has goose bumps and my oven is cold. Yes, it happened on both holidays this year! So, on Thanksgiving I had to bother ST, who then called the gas guy to come give us a refill. Today, thankfully, the spare was full because ST is in Japan and I have no idea how to contact or communicate with the gas company!..

Well, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are thinking of you!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-23T10:44:00.001+09:00

Pop Culture / Vain Culture

2007-11-28T12:49:00.000+09:00

We made a trip to Emart with Eun Young and Lori a few weeks ago to get M's haircut. I thought the Lindsay Lohan shirt was hilarious. There is a Korean Channel called On Style where you can get the latest hollywood buzz if your interested.

This little girl, who is 3 and adorable, was at the salon getting her hair permed when we arrived. I was so shocked the first time I saw kids with their hair treated and thought maybe it wasn't the norm but it is! Many parents have their sons and daughters hair permed and even colored at very young ages. Shocking!!

The Ellers are Repatriating

2007-11-25T21:46:00.001+09:00

This post is difficult for me to write. Bob's contract ends in March and while we were hoping there would be budget to extend until the kids finished the school year that will not be the case. So, the kids and I plan to repatriate late January or early February in time to start the second semester of school in Texas. Bob & Missy will follow in March.

While, I'm eager to return to my family, friends and the convenience of life in the USA, I'm also really sad to be leaving Korea. I've become close to some really special people and have niched out a life that seems simple but is very fulfilling. Living overseas is extremely difficult but also extremely rewarding.

I'm very thankful our family had this opportunity and grateful to the people who helped us along the way. There are many of you but I would like to give heartfelt thanks to Tammy Duke, Lori Morin, Amy Edgell, Pam & Karl Sapienza, Isabelle & Tage Carlson, Allen Maresh, ST Kim, Eun Young & Peter Stiles, Lori & Gary Krueger and Hang & Ha Vo.

I don't really know what will happen with my blog but I plan to keep posting for now. I am looking forward to one more trip to Osan and Seoul before boarding that plane.

A Korean Wedding

2007-11-19T15:59:00.000+09:00

We attended one of Bob's work colleagues wedding this weekend. It was really nice and of course the couple was beautiful and looked so happy. They are honeymooning in Switzerland which reminds me--I did not have a proper honeymoon, anyone willing to babysit?

The wedding was held in a 6 story building that was basically a wedding "factory". Weddings are held all day on each floor. The fifth floor was a cafeteria where all the wedding guests ate together. They had a dress shop and sold wrapped gifts and car decoration kits on the first floor. However, the best gift to give is cash in an envelope.

When we arrived the groom graciously greeted us and introduced us to his Mother (Oma) and Father (Opa). He looked handsome dressed in a Tux with tails. Eun Young took me to a tiny reception room where the bride, who was dressed in a western gown, sat on a pink couch surrounded by pink and white balloons with two bridesmaids behind her. This was quite different because she seemed to be on display.

The ceremony itself, although I could not understand what was said, was similar to a western wedding. The groom stood at the alter, the mothers of the bride entered and were seated in special seats, behind their son/daughter. The father of the bride escorted her down the aisle and gave her away. There were no attendants. The minister performed the ceremony and then the couple bowed deeply to each set of parents. This was really touching, the groom was completely on the floor. The bride teaches at an all boys school and her class seranaded the couple. Very nice. Then the groom was lifting the bride in his arms and at certain times yelled out "I love you" but I really didn't follow all of it. Then they took pictures. The groom was taking pictures with his side of the family and one of the Koreans told me this was a new trend. The couple finished the pictures, left the chapel and we went to the fifth floor for lunch. No wedding crashers here, you have to present your lunch ticket to eat!!

The major differences in the ceremony was that it was much more casual. The guest do not stand when the bride walks down the aisle and everyone just keeps talking during the entire ceremony. In fact, many guests didn't even sit down but stood in the back during the entire ceremony. The bubble and fog machines were surprising special effects.

The cafeteria was not very special. The room was not decorated and while the food was good presentation didn't seem to be a concern.

While we were eating, Bob's counterpart offered to take me to watch the Korean ceremony or Pyebaek. I felt very privileged and thankful to be able to witness this because it is private. The bride and groom wore traditional Korean wedding clothes and paid respect to the grooms parents. They bride and groomed poured tea together, offered it to the parents and then bowed. The mother-in-law then throws jujubes into the brides skirt as a wish of many children. Jujubes signify honor and male heirs.

The wedding was great and the couple treated us with great respect and made me feel like an honored guest. Bob's counterpart and his wife are always gracious and so helpful to us. I especially enjoyed witnessing the Pyebaek. To me it was the most interesting and the traditional clothes were amazing. The white embroidered silk piece the bride is carrying has both family names and signifies they are one.

I'm really disappointed in these pictures but here they are anyway. I've repeated these facts as they were told to me and have not checked for accuracy. Please let me know if I've made a mistake.

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Pyebaek

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The Old & At Times Odd Couples

2007-11-18T14:30:00.000+09:00

Hang & Ha Vo

Bob & I

Ginkgo Tree Leaves

My Lunch In Korea

2007-11-16T14:48:00.000+09:00

I met some of the girls for lunch today and wanted to share pictures of the Korean cuisine. I enjoyed the pork mandu dipped in a sauce and a dish of marinated cucumbers. The soups pictured are made with cold buckwheat noodles. The taste is not bad but I prefer them hot and am not fond of the very chewy texture.

2007-11-16T14:45:00.000+09:00

Sunday Temple

2007-11-11T18:09:00.000+09:00

We had a really nice Sunday with the kids and our friends. We visited the reclining buddha temple and hiked a bit. It was a great day to be outdoors, the fall colors are spectacular and the weather was cool. I don't remember it being so pretty last year but Bob said thats because I was trying to adapt to life here and didn't notice.

I enjoyed the temple and would like to take my camera back and spend some time. It's always fascinating to learn about new cultures and religions. Days like this make our time in Korea seem to short. Even Katie Ann commented that we are closer to nature here and that she likes that. We would like it more if we could eat at Chili's after hiking but we can't have it all....

These are burial tombs for ashes. Notice the open door on the bottom right where you put the ashes.

Now this is a water fountain!! Beautiful stone work with a mountain tap. The red ladles are communal cups. If you would like to conceive a son you should drink from this well.

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This friendly Monk is asking me where I'm from as he "beats the sins" out of me with bamboo sticks. He spoke a little English and asked me my name and where I was from. It may have been my imagination but it seemed like he hit harder after I said I was from America. I wish I had taken video of this because he hits your back in a rythm that is almost musical and watching it was so interesting I decided I would have to experience it myself. Yes, it actually does hurt. I'm so stupid, I should have sent one of my kids up there!!

You couldn't take pictures inside but I'm standing in front of a large reclining buddha. The buddha in this state, represents the moment of death when he achieves Nirvana. The serene look, the relaxed pose, and the head resting in one hand all reflect the peaceful moment when one achieves the highest state of being.

This is a rotating piece that depicts buddha with each animal of the chinese zodiac. The kids enjoyed finding their zodiac symbol.

'08 Rice Harvest In Sacheon-si

2007-11-11T01:22:00.001+09:00

Scenes from my neighborhood during the rice harvest. After the rice is cut from the fields it is laid out on canvas to dry. Each morning they rake and spread it in the sun and in the evening they roll it up in the canvas to protect it from moisture. Then it is bagged and stored for use throughout the year. Roads all over Sacheon are lined with rice for several weeks.

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Around the Neighborhood

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Seoul with Regan

2007-11-10T23:36:00.000+09:00

This is my little cousin Regan and she came all the way from North Carolina to visit me here in Sacheon. Well, sort of.... actually, she was on a multi-country Asian tour and we were so happy that we could see her. She met us for a few days in Beijing as well. I loved introducing her to my friends and showing her my little corner of Asia. After a few days in Sacheon we were ready for some more excitement so we headed to Seoul for the weekend. We hit all the best shopping destinations and a few cultural sites before she had to head back to America.

Thanks for coming Regan, I loved our tea time in Insadong!.

너를 감사하십시요 - kum-sam-nida

Ahn-nyung-hee-gay-se-yo

China

2007-11-10T23:30:00.000+09:00

Our trip to China began in the northern city of Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China. Beijing has a population of over 14 million and is one of the largest cities in the world. The next destination was the ancient city of Xian located in the heart of China and at the eastern end of the Silk Road.

China is an amazing destination that has stunning natural beauty, incredible man made structures, history that dates BC and it still possesses an air of communist mystery. We've made two trips to this fascinating country and have barely scratched the surface. I would still love to see Guilin, Chengdu, the 3 Gorges Dam, Tibet and cruise the Yangtze.

Our first outing in Beijing was to the historic Hutong district. We began walking along Qian Hai lake through the Hutongs to the Drum and Bell Towers and around again. A hutong is an ancient city lane that was typical in Beijing starting in the Yuan Dynasty. The houses are called Siheyuan and each has an open courtyard with buildings on four sides. The hutongs are a dull gray color with red gates which means happiness and good luck. In fact, in China, everything means something. I was really into learning how to decode Chinese symbolism but Bob got bored with it and everytime I would ask "what does this mean?" he would say "Longevity". The funny thing is 9 times out of 10 he was right!

Bell and Drum Towers were ancient time keepers and were built throughout China starting in 206 BC during the Han Dynasty. The tower in Beijing was built in 1272 but has been re-built twice due to fires. According to our tour guide, the people woke to a morning bell and didn't leave their homes after the dusk drum until 1911 when the last Emperor left the Forbidden City.

On day two my cousin Regan from North Carolina joined us. She was on an amazing multi-country Asian tour and was able to meet us in Beijing and then later visit our home in Korea. I loved having her with us but sometimes wondered how she felt about traveling with a big, loud family of 6.

Here are a few more photos. Overall, I'm a little disappointed in the pictures I took on this day.

I took a snapshot of this man, thanked him and began to walk away but he pulled his Quotations of Mao book from his pocket and asked me to take his picture again! I would love to have a conversation with this man. Amazing that the Cult of Mao still exists. I recommend reading Wild Swans for a fascinating glimpse into life in China during Mao's cruel reign.

Interesting People We Saw Along The Way

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We kept running into this women while touring the Summer Palace. We stopped to talk with her near the top of steps to the Fragrance of Buddha Temple. Her great grandsons were with her and said she was in her nineties. Climbing the 200+steps to the temple was no problem for her. I wonder what her ancient chinese secret is?

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This picture of Lauren with the little chinese boy (wearing split pants) has a funny story behind it. Before our trip, I was talking with my girlfriends about China and someone mentioned the kids in split pants. In China, when it is time to potty train, toddlers wear pants that have the crotch seam split and open from front to back. It is actually a very common practice and at first I remember thinking, all these poor kids have split their little pants!! Well, my friend Hang, has been to China a dozen times or more and had no idea what we were talking about. We really gave her a hard time so she said you have to take a picture and show me. I tried but I knew I would look like some weirdo and in the end just couldn't take the picture. I could imagine being thrown in a chinese jail and being labeled a pervert for the rest of my life. So, Hang you have to trust me or make Ha take you to China one more time!

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Wild Goose Pagoda

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Built is 652AD this is a Tang-Dynasty Pagoda. The monk Xuanzang traveled from Asia to India returning with bundles of sutras. He translated them from sanskrit to chinese while officiating at this temple. The pagoda is 210 feet tall was was built to store the sutras.

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The Terracotta Army

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The Terracotta warriors are amazing. Qin Shi Huangdi, China's first emperor, commanded their creation to guard his tomb and keep him company in death. Our tour guide told us that originally Qin Shi asked his men to bury the children of Xian alive so he would have company in the after life. Of course, not wanting to murder children they convinced Qin Shi that the other dead rulers would try to usurp his powers and he needed warriors to protect him. To make sure the location of his tomb was kept secret all the workers were buried alive along with 48 royal virgin concubines.

The soldiers were discovered by peasant farmers in 1974. Pit one alone contains over 6000 warriors. It is said that no two are the same. I've checked my pictures and didn't spot a duplicate!

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Xian

2007-10-31T23:40:00.000+09:00

Pictures are of our 9 mile bike ride around the old City Wall built in 1370.

I'll never forget biking this wall with my kids it was amazing.

On day 5, we took a two hour flight from Beijing to Xian. The night before had been windy and we woke up to clear blue skies, the first we'd seen in China! We were happy that the flight was short and we would have plenty of time to enjoy the day. We were so bummed when we arrived and and the sky was dreary & overcast again! Well, the weather didn't improve but we still had a great time. Seriously though, I bought some post cards and Aaron said "they photoshopped those blue skies in Mom".

Xian is in the heart of China. Located on the eastern end of the Silk Road and bordered by the Yellow River it has been home to 11 dynasties. First, the Western Zhou in 1066 BC and then 850 years later, China's first Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi, unified China from here.

We saw the Terracotta Warriors, the Great Goose Pagoda, Banpo Museum and the Old Xian Wall. The Terracotta Army and their story is fascinating, The Great Goose Pagoda is a beautiful peaceful garden (i would love to sit, drink tea and relax here), The Banpo Museum was interesting and a little macabre, biking the 9-mile Old Wall was exhilarating. My only regret is due to weather and it being a time of Buddhist pilgrimage we didn't travel to Hua Shan Mountain. A local advised us, "we would not be able to see the mountain, only the back of heads"!

The Summer Palace

2007-10-21T01:12:00.000+09:00

The Summer Palace is surrounded by traditional Chinese gardens and Kunming lake to the south. Built in 1750 and made famous by Empress Dowager Ci Xi who rebuilt it twice. The French and English destroyed it in 1860 and again in 1902 during the Boxer Rebellion. Our tour guide caller her the Dragon Lady.

The summer palace is a definite must see if you go to Beijing. I especially liked the walk down Longevity Hill after visiting the Tower of the Fragrance of Buddha. Stop and take a picture on the rocks with the Temple in the background. I also found a sweet spot to photograph the Seventeen Arch Bridge with my telephoto lense but the weather wasn't cooperating.

Ci Xi's Theatre in the Garden of Virtue and Harmony

Marble Boat that Ci Xi paid for with funds she embezzled from the Imperial Navy
Seventeen Arch Bridge

View from Longevity Hill as we were walking to theTower of the Fragrance of Buddha

Acrobatics at the Chaoyang Theatre

2007-10-21T00:49:00.000+09:00

The show we almost missed!! Beijing traffic is terrible and our hotel was on the opposite side of town so we were a little late! Not as good as Shanghai Acrobats troupe but still very enjoyable. After the show, Lauren said, "I didn't throw up" which made the show way better than last year.

The Forbidden City

2007-10-17T09:44:00.000+09:00

Years ago, I read Pearl Buck's Imperial Women and was fascinated by her description of life inside the Forbidden City. A palace where 24 Emperers ruled almost 500 years and most Chinese people never set foot. Unfortunately, due to preparations for the Olympics, was a lot of construction. I think we would have enjoyed this more if we had a guide. It is vast and we really just wondered aimlessly so I would do this differently if we go again.

Not a great picture but there are 5 marble bridges that represent the 5 cardinal virtues of Confucianism.

The odd number of studs on the door represent the harmony of yin and yang. Nine is the ultimate odd number and 9 X 9 is especially lucky which is why imperial doors have 81 brass studs.

These lions guard the entrances to the halls.

These roof guardians protect against fire.

Tian'an Men Square

2007-10-16T23:40:00.000+09:00

Tian'an Men Square also known as the Square of the Gate of Heavenly Peace is an immense open concrete area. An ironic name for a square most famous for the 1989 student protests that ended in a massacre. Mao's Tomb is supposed to be the main attraction but most people are more interested in visiting because of the demonstrations. My friend Lori traveled to China the week prior to our trip and shared an interesting story with me. One of the tourist in her group kept insisting the tour guide point out the very spot where the man attempted to block the tanks. Lori said the guide seemed nervous and kept walking away but eventually answered the tourist in private. Supposedly there is an empty square of concrete on the spot where the man in white stood.

Ming Dynasty Gate - Where On Oct. 1 1949 Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Revolutionary statues outside Mao's Masoleum. The casket can be viewed twice daily. We started to line up for the viewing but were pulled out of line and told we needed to leave our bags at a drop off point. So, we decided that it wasn't worth the trouble and moved on. The Monument to the People's Heroes

Great Hall of the People where the People's Congress meets.

The Great Wall at Mutianyu

2007-10-16T01:11:00.000+09:00

Exploring the Great Wall was my favorite part of our trip. There are four sections accessible from Beijing. In order of nearest to farthest they are Huanghua Cheng, Badaling, Mutianyu and Simitai. Badaling is the most popular but we chose Mutianyu in hopes of escaping large crowds and aggresive vendors. This section was built beginning during the Qi Dynasty from 550 to 570. Mutianyu also has more watchtowers and unique fortifications.

We organized our transportation through the Hotel opting to hire their van and driver for the day. It turned out this was cheaper than going with a larger tour group and saved us from the obligatory Cloisonne Factory tour. We initially hoped to hire a tour guide as well but due to the language barrier we were unable to communicate this. In hindsight, I'm glad we were able to experience the wall as a family and at our own pace. The toboggan ride that winds down the mountain was a treat after all that walking!!

Katie Ann is such a sport, she really didn't want to take this picture!!

We're Back!!

2007-10-14T17:52:00.000+09:00

We are alive! We just returned from a trip to China, Seoul and also enjoyed a visit from my cousin Regan. The kids played the first round of the SKAC soccer tourney at GIFs and are looking forward to playing the second round in Busan. I'll be updating with pictures from our China trip very soon!! It's been a month since I last updated and at least that long since I've felt like I had a moment to spare. I apologize to friends and family for getting so hopelessly behind on answering emails. I hope to catch up soon!!! Ray, Jane, my parents and friend Mitzi have been on my mind daily. I hope your all doing well.

It's Sunday evening and I'm enjoying the cool fall breeze coming through my bedroom window, a cup of peppermint tea and a moment of solitude. Bob took the kids to school to play soccer a couple of hours ago and I expect them to return any minute now. I'm completely exhausted after hiking to Mt. Waryong with the Carlson's this afternoon. Bob and the big kids have gone before but this was a first for Lauren and I. The climb is straight up and brutal but I finally made it and was greeted with what took you so long, from my kids!! Lauren was unbelievable, I am amazed by her ability to keep up with her siblings. She hiked along with Bob and Aaron making it to the top well before me and back down again with energy to spare.

It's nice to be back home but I need to buckle down and get the household under control. There is always shopping and laundry to be done plus the weekly activities I've committed to. I promised myself that I wasn't going to participate in any extra-curricular activities this year. Not because I don't enjoy it, but because it's very easy to over commit. Last year I felt like I had little time left for myself or home. Well, I'm not very good at keeping my promises.

Typhoon Nari

2007-09-16T12:12:00.000+09:00

We are about to experience our first typhoon. Typoon Nari is expected to hit the southern tip of S. Korea this evening. Right now, it's expected to hit land as a category 1 with wind speeds of 74-95 mph. I can't see that our neighbors are doing anything special to get prepared. We watched Arirang TV (Korean channel in English) last night and they barely made mention of the storm. Well, we have plenty food, water and plan on having Morgan and Aaron sleep downstairs tonight. I'm so thankful, that like most Koreans, we aren't living in a high rise apartment building!

Pizza & A Movie

2007-09-16T12:00:00.000+09:00

I had a great afternoon with Aaron yesterday. We enjoyed lunch at Pizza Hut, coffee and a soda at Holly's and browsing through the shops in the MBC building before catching a movie. Bob told me the bookstore in the basement has a tiny English section and I thoroughly enjoyed perusing through the titles. I gladly paid the $10,800 W for a paperback copy of Sophie's World A Novel About The History of Philosophy. We both really enjoyed the Bourne Ultimatum and would highly recommend it. It's another fast paced, edge of your seat thriller that hasn't lost any of it's punch, even though it's #3!

Rain, Rain and More Rain

2007-09-01T19:06:00.000+09:00

It's been a dreary, rainy, sedentary weekend here. Not just a shower here and there but a steady soaking downpour. It put me in the laziest mood and I spent most of the weekend ignoring the house work (even more than usual) and indulging myself in lots of sleeping, reading and computer time. Notice all the nifty new widgets on my sidebar. I stayed up till 2:30 Saturday night browsing music and book titles to add! It's been sooo long since I've listened to Carly Simon, I had to make myself choose other artists. Even found a You Tube video of her and James Taylor singing Mockingbird. It was so much fun searching through book, music titles and piccies.

I just looked at the calendar and realized it's Labor Day Weekend at home. How bizarre that we can forget a major holiday. No long weekend, no flags, no barbeque by the pool or pre-season football on the tv. I love to see the flags lining the streets. I just added God Bless America by Lee Greenwood to my music list guess that'll be the extent of my Labor Day celebration.

A Spa Experience

2007-09-01T18:54:00.001+09:00

A couple of weeks ago a group of us took the kids swimming at the new Home Plus in Jinju. Home Plus is similar to Walmart or Target except for the pool and spa on the 8th floor. Hope they never have a leak! We took the escalator up and I was impressed to see a really nice, new gym facility.

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We were quite the crowd so it took the girls a bit to get us signed in and equip us with the appropriate gear. That's right, you don't just saunter into the pool here in Korea. They have a certain system and everyone is expected to follow it. (This a difficult concept for an American to understand. We are so geared toward individualism. I can't stand it when I am told to wear this or do that just because everyone else does.) A couple of us really didn't plan on swimming and weren't familiar with the Korean swimming rules. 1. Even if you don't swim you must change into gym wear, which they provided. 2. You must wear a swim cap. 3. Shower before entering the pool.

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They gave each of us a wrist band. Blue for the guys, red for the ladies and yellow for the little ones. We headed toward the the locker rooms but were stopped and reminded to remove our shoes. The young korean girl working there was watching and decided we could use some help. She took us in and used one of our wrist bands to demonstrate that the locker numbers corresponded with the bands and were actually electronic sensors that opened the lockers. She opened a small locker and pointed at our shoes and waited, while we put our shoes away properly and locked up. Then we moved on to a set of larger lockers to store the rest of our belongings. I guess she felt like we could handle it from there and left us on our own. We all discreetly changed into our suits or gym clothes and were ready to hit the pool.

We walked into a large open lounge room where you could watch TV, buy drinks/snacks from a small bar, re-do your hair and make-up, etc. It was really nice just odd that we were the only ones wearing clothes. We went through a set of double doors to the spa area. This room contained at least four different quite large jacuzzi pools, a set of showers, massage tables, and another area with little stools where women seemed to be bathing themselves. All of them straddling stools, soaking, talking in their birthday suits.

A friend of mine said korean women feel equal when nude and have shed all the material things that differentiate social status and class. I, however, feel more equal in my clothes than my own skin and noticed that everyone in my group skipped the required shower. My friend Twee, said she got into one of the jacuzzi's after a trip to the rest room and the Koreans gestured that she should remove her suit or get out.

We met Aaron in the pool area and he said "Mom, there were naked Korean Men everywhere in there"... The kids enjoyed splashing around with there friends and buying snacks from the snack bar --another use for our wrist band -- they scan your purchases and you pay for everything on the way out -- loved that! We had a great day and now understand how things work at the spa.

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Another interesting Korean cultural experience. Sorry, no pictures with this post!

DigiScrappin'

2007-08-29T08:46:00.000+09:00

Just finished my assignment for week 2! The kids are back in school and I spent all day yesterday catching up. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when there are no interruptions. I originally wanted to learn PSE so I can organize, edit and tweak my digital photos but I'm enjoying learning a new craft. I think I'm developing a craft addiction. I love to stamp, scrapbook, take pictures and now digi scrapping --yikes! I love reading blogs and collecting the supplies for these hobbies just as much as using them. The really cool but very scary thing about digital scrap booking is my supplies are only a click and credit card away. My husband has no idea!!

Thanks for the encouraging comment Nicole. http://www.offshorewifeslife.com/

My First Digital Scrapbook Page

2007-08-21T16:09:00.000+09:00

I'm so excited to finally be learning Photoshop Elements 5. I purchased it several months ago but couldn't figure out how to use it. I've enrolled in an online class at Jessica Sprague.com and am loving it!! Her video tutorials are really great!

A Good Read

2007-07-11T14:46:00.000+09:00

I came across a great book while browsing the summer read stacks at B&N with my Mom this past week in Virginia. The kids trip to Cambodia inspired me to learn more about the country and I was excited when I found FIRST THEY KILLED MY FATHER by Loung Ung. The book is a memoir written in the voice of a 5 year old girl whose once ordinary life suddenly becomes a desperate struggle to survive. I was surprised and embarrased that I knew so little about a holocaust that occurred during my lifetime. I didn't realize that Pol Pot killed more people than Hitler.

GIFS Trip To Cambodia

2007-06-27T15:04:00.000+09:00

Morgan and Aaron were able to attend a class trip to Cambodia and explore the beauty of Angkor in Siem Reap. They stayed in a traditional Khmer guesthouse and spent three very full days learning about Cambodia's history, people and architecture. Mr. Bovuth was their guide and he explained the history of the Kymer Empire which reigned from 802 to 1432 and included much of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

On Sunday, they visited the UNESCO world heritage site of Angkor Wat and the surrounding ruins of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Ta Keo and Ta Prom. They watched the sunset over Angkor Wat and enjoyed dinner and traditional Apsara dancing in Siem Reap.

Monday: Sunrise at Angkor Wat, the temples of Preah Rup, Bateay Say. The unrestored temples of Preah Khan, Preah Neak Pan, Krol Kour, Tasom, East Mebon. A visit to the landmine and culture museum where they learned about the atrocities of Pol Pot's Kymer Rough regime and the genocide of over 2 million people. Sunset at Bakheng Mountain.

Tuesday: A sunrise boat tour of TonleSap Lake and floating villiage. A visit to Siem Reap High School, Sangkeum Centre ( a charitable organization) and the childrens hospital. They also saw the old market and watched the sunset at the Western Barray Reservior.

They both returned exhausted but full of joy and excitement. I loved hearing all the details and looking through their pictures with them. They are both hoping for another trip next year. We are thankful to Ms. Neaves for organizing and Ms. Gottsacker, Mrs. McAdams and Mr. Jones for accompaning the kids and giving them this wonderful opportunity.

Schedule info and floating villiage pics courtesy of Ms. Neaves.

The Girls In Seoul - A Korean Bus Driver's Nightmare

2007-06-21T21:00:00.000+09:00

Wow, what a great weekend! Eight ladies left the kids with their awesome husbands and spent the weekend shopping in Seoul. We rode the bus up on Friday and ate, shopped, talked and shopped some more. The only thing that could have made the trip better is if Eun Young had joined us!!!! Maybe next time.

The bus ride was an experience in itself. I didn't think we were loud but the bus driver was not very happy with us. Evidently, your supposed to be quiet or sleep on a Korean bus. Since we weren't driving we thought refreshments would be nice so we brought along a couple of bottles of wine. Now, don't get the wrong idea we didn't get smashed. Two bottles among eight people would hardly do the job. Seoul is 4 hours from Sacheon and the bus stopped at a rest area 2 hours into the trip. Everyone gets off to use the facilities, grab snacks and stretch their legs. Our group was standing outside the bus when the driver came over pointed at us aggresively and made the shhh and sleep gestures. Corrine looked at him and said no, no!! We had violated an unwritten cultural code and he was not happy. We laughed amongst ourselves but did try to quiet down a bit.

The view of Seoul from the 13 floor of the Millenium Hilton

Aren't these gorgeous!! I would like to buy one of these the next time I'm in Seoul.

A drawing of kimchi pots.

A sign for a hat store. We call this Konglish and you see it everywhere. Signs, clothes, etc. where the english isn't quite right.. It's amazing what gets lost in translation. We even see adult women walking around with shirts that have the "F" word written over the pocket like it's a brand name.

This is on my list too! I want two of these for my house in the states.

I did purchase several lanterns but they are smaller than these which were priced at 40 to 50,000 won a piece.

Traditional Korean Pillow! Can you imagine sleeping on this all night.

The Hanbok - traditional Korean dress

A rice mold used to make korean sweet rice cakes
I think these would look nice as wall hangings in the kitchen.

traditional korean vases. I did buy a set of these but it's not this set. I'll always treasure these because Hang and Pam worked so hard to negotiate a good price for me. They wore the sales lady out. These two were doing a routine talking about the prices at other stores, how much the extra baggage charge at the airport (we rode the bus) would cost me and a dozen reasons why it wouldn't be a good idea for me to buy them, especially at this price. They worked $90.00 of the price and I took them home.

Korean people made by hand with hanji paper

You see these hanging outside of shops and I think it is a symbol of good luck

Handpainted silk fan.

A beautiful lotus blossom. I will miss seeing these flowers when we return home.

Dinner and drinks before heading to Namdaemun for the evening.

Jars of ginseng.

A black market store selling American food products.

Sophie bought Kimchi Chocolate for us to try. It wasn't that bad if you like red pepper with your chocolate.

As you can see, we really enjoyed ourselves. We were so worn out we barely made a peep on the bus ride home.

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

2007-06-21T13:41:00.000+09:00

I'm still here -- it's been several weeks since my last post. I don't have a good excuse it's just been a busy time. Since I last updated I visited Seoul with my girlfriends and Gyeongju with Bob, Katie and Lauren while Morgan and Aaron traveled to Siem Riep, Cambodia with the high school. They had an amazing time and I'm hoping one of them will write about it here.

This past week was the last week of school and a sad time because we had to say farewell to many friends. The expat life is a transient one and all the kids lost someone. Morgan was hit the hardest and lost all but 1 of her girlfriends. She was especially close to Ally and we will all miss having our Aussie friend in the house. Aaron will miss Kyle and Jacob and Katie will miss Isabelle and Lucy!

The kids are sleeping in and spending time with friends before we go home for the summer. We are all looking forward to seeing our family and friends. It is so exciting to be returning home for an extended visit.

Ms. Prieto to France

Cédric to France

Mrs. Carder is off to Canada. The Sapienza's back to Ft. Worth

Bianca is off to Houston, Tiril to Norway and Ally, Austrailia. It will just be Morgan and Seung Yi next year.

Mr & Mrs. Anders are moving back to Alaska to start a family. Lucy is going home to France
Jenny & James to England

Isabelle & the Sapi's we will meet again at home.

I had to post this one!!! I'm not sure who took this but thank you for capturing this moment.

Burning In Korea

2007-05-29T20:45:00.000+09:00

The dark circle on the right side of the street by the curb is a little fire pit.

I returned home with Lauren after attending a field trip and found the neighborhood filled with smoke. The farmers were burning in the fields. I decided to grab the camera and document this practice. Burning the fields, trash, etc., is so common here in Sacheon and I'm assuming rural Korea. It's also normal for our neighbors to burn trash and weeds in the yard. I've seen small unattended trash fires set by the street. We constantly smell fire here. Coming from North Texas and California it seems strange and dangerous.

What seems especially odd is that I've never seen a fire truck or wildfire here. I'm sure it helps that everything but the fields and hills are concrete or marble but seriously people burn all the time and no wild fires, accidents??? I mean things catch fire all the time at home. I'm constantly hearing the fire engines or watching a news report about a fire on the Tellie. Here in Korea, they do things that seem so careless to a westerner but it somehow works for them.

A Walk Through the Rice Fields

2007-05-23T21:02:00.000+09:00

Barley

Lauren and I went for a nice walk yesterday. It was a cool overcast day and we enjoyed watching the farmers prepare their paddies for planting. The fields were flooded, tilled and a few farmers have started planting. I never see young people farming. It makes me wonder what will happen to Korea's rice production when this generation passes. Surprisingly, rice is at least 4 0r 5 times more expensive here than in the states.

Lucie & Katie's Birthday Party

2007-05-12T17:17:00.000+09:00

Katie and her friend Lucie share the same birthday and wanted to celebrate together. Lucie is from Marseille, France. They invited 6 of their friends from school and had a ball -- all night -- long!!

Watching the girls together reminded how lucky we are to have this time in Korea. Katie Ann & Lucie had a beautiful evening with friends from all over the world. All little girls want to have friends, dance, play and paint their nails. They sang happy birthday in English, French, Hebrew and Spanish. Spanish because Mrs. Prieto teaches them the language in their spare time at school. I wish I had videotaped them choosing a movie. The deciding factor wasn't just what they wanted to watch but what languages and subtitles the movie would play in. Because none of the movies offered Hebrew they went with English w/French subtitles.

The girls loved breakfast. Lucie's Mom made crepes. The girls filled them with sugar, nutella, or chocolate mousse. I provided lots of fruit but the chocolate was more popular!

Happy Birthday

2007-05-12T17:16:00.001+09:00

I wish I had been quicker with the camera. I missed the english and most of the French. Poor Helena did not want to sing alone in Chinese. This was Morgan's idea and I thought it was beautiful.

Namhae Island

2007-05-09T13:55:00.000+09:00

Bob's work group organized a camping trip to Namhae Island. It was our first time meeting his counterparts. We stayed in a "Pension". Konglish for an apartment like complex. We had 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchenette/family room. Mats and pillows were provided and we slept on the floor, Korean style. The pension had a big terrace where we grilled and ate together. We all had a great time and I really enjoyed meeting the people Bob works with everyday.

Namhae is famous for garlic. Like rice, garlic was planted everywhere. Here is a bed that was planted right below our pension. They even have a Garlic Museum but we didn't find the time to visit!!

Hang Vo waving hello. She is so nice and a very interesting lady to know.

They've started flooding the rice paddies before planting.

We ate a traditional Korean breakfast at the building with the blue roof.

Interesting, X-rated sculpture. You've heard it's good luck to rub the Buddha. Well, local legend says if you rub this you'll be blessed with a son. It represents the male genitals and a reclining pregnant women.

Our First Easter In Korea

2007-04-08T22:28:00.000+09:00

We enjoyed beautiful weather today and had a wonderful first Easter here in Korea. The girls were so excited and loved decorating their eggs and helping with all the preparations. They were so glad the Easter Bunny came all the way to Korea. A special Thank You to one Bunny in particular who made sure we had the Easter basics that cannot be found here. Before Lauren fell asleep last night she said all I want the Easter Bunny to bring me is a chocolate bunny!

I wanted to find the last egg!

Random Images of Bangkok

2007-04-08T20:58:00.000+09:00

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia

Our guide through the palace told us some interesting facts and stories about Thailand while we drove around the city. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy like England. King Bhumibol Adulyadej or Rama the IX was born in the United States and is the current longest serving head of state in the world. The Thai people love the King and consider him to be semi-divine. In Phuket and Bangkok we saw people wearing yellow shirts and bracelets as a symbol of their love for him. Thai's religious beliefs are very similar to the Hindu Buddists.

Bedside reading at the Marriott

We stayed in Bangkok for two days. Right by our hotel was a little shopping center.We went there everyday to go get lunch at KFC or Mcdonald's. We also liked looking around the shops to see what they had. Lauren and I got nail polish, a change purse, and a bracelet.

The hotel was a great place for the kids. They had a pool and I found a girl named Victoria from Scotland. Victoria had a ds like me. She also had a nintendogs game. There were lots of people from all around the world in Thailand. We really enjoyed it.

Katie Ann

The Grand Palace - Bangkok

2007-04-08T00:28:00.000+09:00

It was impossible to capture the magnificence of the palace in our pictures. I've linked the official web site to this page.

We were told the President of Sri Lanka was visiting the palace as well . As we were exiting the temple of the Emerald Buddha security stopped traffic and allowed his entourage to pass. I played the paparazzi as he walked by. However, since returning home I googled the President of Sri Lanka and the pictures do not match. Our tour guide was evidently mistaken and now the mystery President is really bugging me!! Does anyone recognize this man?

Cherry Blossoms

2007-04-07T21:34:00.000+09:00

Spring has arrived and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Lori and I took a quick picture taking trip to the fortress in Sacheon on Friday. Going to see the cherry blossoms is an annual event and festivals are held everywhere. The most popular is in Chinhae and we had planned to take the kids but since we just returned from vacation and this weekend is Easter we decided to stay close to home.

I know these pictures are going to make all you ex-expats wish you were back in Korea!

This time of year also marks the anniversary of my blog and the beginning of our Korean Adventure. This time last year we were celebrating Easter without Bob while he was taking pictures of the cherry blossoms. Every Saturday night was reserved for talking to Dad using Skype. I was obsessed with grocery shopping for our shipment to Korea and the kids were anxious about the big move. . I remember how tough is was for the kids to connect with their Dad over the phone and how hard it was to parent on my own. I remember feeling scared and excited and that my teenagers hated us for making them move.

Our lives have changed so much over the last year. I hope we can look back at this time years from now and be happy with the decisions we made.

The Rain Forest

2007-04-07T20:26:00.000+09:00

We spent our third day on an Eco-Tour through the Thailand Rainforest. We hiked to the Bang Pae waterfall, canoed on a river through a mangrove forest, rode elephants, a buffalo cart, and learned about rubber tapping. We were with a small group of tourists from Austrailia, Norway and the Ukraine. The Ukranian couple was an absolute hoot.

It was an extremely warm day and parts of the trails and canoeing were a little tough. The lady said "where's my pool, where's my drink... They scared the tour guide when we were watching the monkey's in the mangrove forest. He told us the monkey's can be very aggresive but they kept holding food and water out in their hands. It was a natural setting, no cages or bars between you and the animals.

The guide tried to keep our family together during the activities but they had a habit of jumping right in there with us. Bob and I laughed hysterically when we returned home and found them in pictures from our trip to Phi Phi before we met them. Instead of where's Waldo, it's where's the Ukranian couple.

Anna The Elephant

2007-04-06T20:59:00.000+09:00

The Hotel brought Anna out twice a day. The kids were able to play, ride and feed her. If you held out money she would take it and put it in her trainers pocket. She is very affectionate and gives wet, sloppy kisses. My battery died and unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of her playing in the water. She would roll around in the ocean, walk out and spray sand all over her back with her trunk.

Thai Traditions

2007-04-06T20:34:00.000+09:00

This was one of our guides from the Phi Phi Tour greeting us in the typical Thai wai. It is such a graceful gesture. The wai can mean hello, goodbye, and thank you. We were greeted this way from the time we stepped onto the airplane. I've been Koreanized when it comes to greetings and can't stop myself from bowing to everyone.

Some beautiful Thai ladies playing traditional Thai instruments.
This is a Thai Spirit House. The Thai's have these teak spirit houses in front of their homes and businesses. They offer food and drink to the spirits and believe they protect the owners from evil.

Sawatdii (Hello in Thai)

2007-04-04T08:10:00.000+09:00

We were up at 4 a.m. and out of the house by 5:30 to catch the 8:30 flight from Pusan to Bangkok. It was a cold rainy morning and we were running behind when one of the kids came in and said they lost the house keys while putting their suitcase in the car. Bob grabbed the flash light and after 20 minutes found the keys in the storm drain beside the car. Bob cleaned up and we finished loading in total silence. Not the best start but thankfully a minor bump along the way.

Despite terrible weather we arrived at Gimhae International Airport on time and our mood was immediately lightened when we walked in to find a mini-Sacheon reunion. Everytime we travel in Korea we run into friends at the airport. The Neaves, Casolaro's, Nobili's, Ms. Gottsacker and one of the other french families were traveling as well. All except a couple of families were on the same flight to Thailand.

The queue at Pusan was long and became extremely frustrating when a tour group of Korean ladies came in. I don't know if I've ever mentioned it but Koreans like to dress alike. So, I'm standing in line talking with my husband when I'm suddenly pushed aside by a stampede of women in pink sun visors and jackets. I'm not new here but I'm still shocked by the rudeness. I stood there trying to figure out if a new line formed because it's really unthinkable that they don't respect the queue. I heard a flutter of chat behind me and saw more pink heading my way. I immediately widened my stance and put my elbows out. (Remember when Ally McBeal would see herself shrinking -- I'm imagining myself growing into an intimidating giant) We stood there in a standoff that seemed to last forever when I realize I'm on the verge of queue rage and decide it's just not worth in. I gave and they moved in!

We finally received our tickets and moved on to the gate . It was nice to have company because the flight was delayed 4 times. Bob, Matt and Mr. Casolaro made bets about what time we would actually board while Lauren played happily with Nicolae and Damien.

We finally boarded at 12:30 knowing we would miss our connecting flight to Phuket but happy to be on our way. The flight was great. Thai Airlines is now at the top of our list when it comes to service. We originally had a 6 hour layover in Bangkok but I complained about the long wait so Bob contacted the travel agency and booked an earlier flight. Due to the delays we arrived in Phuket an hour later than than the original flight we booked. Bob was a really nice husband and didn't give me a hard time!!!

I presumed that traveling in Thailand would be very similar to Korea. It is surprisingly more International. I encountered a much better understanding of the English language. The products available were more diverse and I ft like I was back in the land of choices!! Morgan and I did encountered the same size problems when shopping for clothes. However, in Thailand you can have custom clothes fitted and made in a couple of days at very affordable prices. I didn't take the time to do this but I have friends that do.

Ahh, Phuket! The opportunity to travel has been the best part of taking this international assignment. We loved the island, the mood, the people, our hotel. It was such a positive experience that we're all ready to go back. We stayed at the Laguna Beach Resort on Bang Tao Beach. The Hotel is located between a tropical lagoon and the Andaman Sea. The Hotel has an elephant named Anna that they bring out every morning and afternoon.

These photos were taken on our trip to Phi Phi (pronounced Pee Pee) Maya Beach (where the movie "The Beach" was filmed) Monkey and Raya and Phi Ley Beaches. This was such an amazing day. We snorkeled in 4 different locations and the guide treated our family to a shark reef snorkel.

2007-04-04T08:08:00.000+09:00

More photos of Phi Phi and Maya Beach. Lauren and I played with the fish while the guide took Bob and the kids snorkeling for reef sharks.

Playing In The Sun

2007-04-04T08:07:00.000+09:00

2007-04-04T08:06:00.001+09:00

Every evening we enjoyed strolling down the beach and eating at the local Thai Restaurants. The food was great and eating right on the beach, sipping a drink while watching the sunset is a great way to end the day.

2007-04-04T08:06:00.000+09:00

Roulades De Pork Aux Sausages

2007-04-03T13:07:00.000+09:00

French Cooking class with Natalie - April 4

pork cutlets

sausage

mustard

onion (chopped finely)

dijon mustard (we used german and I love the sweet taste)

fresh cream

bay leaf

salt & pepper

twine

Spread mustard on cutlets, cut sausage, place on cutlet, roll it up and tie off with string.Heat olive oil in sauce pan, add onion, 2 spoonfuls of dijon or german mustard, 1 spoonful of regular mustard, 1 glass beer (maybe 1/2 to 3/4), salt, pepper and bay leaf. Add the cutlets and cook through until meat is done and the alcohol evaporates. Add 1 glass (1/2 cup or less) of fresh cream to make a sauce. Remove bay leaf.

My family really liked this dish!!

Note: White wine is preferred over beer but is to costly to cook with in Korea

We're Home

2007-04-02T15:57:00.000+09:00

We had a fabulous time in Thailand. We came home tired and peeling but with so many good memories of a trip we will never forget. We pulled in around 10 p.m. last night but it took us a while to wind down so I let the kids stay home from school today. I will be posting pictures soon but today I'm trying to get through 7 days of dirty laundry. Okay one picture! This is Lauren riding Anna the Elephant.

Spring Break - Asia Style

2007-03-23T22:19:00.000+09:00

The suntan lotion is packed and we are ready to go!! We leave at 4 a.m tomorrow morning and should be in Phuket by 3:00. I'll try and upload photos as we go.

Guitar Practice katie ann

2007-03-23T16:15:00.001+09:00

I caught Katie Ann practicing and thought her Grandparents would enjoy listening to her.

Korean Burial Mounds

2007-03-22T09:14:00.000+09:00

I took these pictures on a Sunday walk with the the Carlson's and Stiles' families. Burial Mounds can be seen throughout the country on almost every hillside. I have seen large cemetaries but most often I see small family plots dotting the hillsides. The hierarchal society rules are also observed in death. The size and placement of the mound traditionally represents the stature of the person in the family or society. The eldest son is responsible for cleaning and preparing the mounds of the most recently deceased. I read that that they are buried upright in the coffins made of six wood planks. The planks represent the four cardinal points of the compass plus a plank for heaven and earth. The corpses are then placed facing south or toward the mountains because they are said to be home of the spirits of the land and sky.

I gathered this information in conversations with the Stiles, Carlsons and from reading an article at PBS online.

Being American in Korea

2007-03-21T15:39:00.001+09:00

I found this video while browsing through the three sons and a princess blog. This video is a great example of the attention Americans receive in Korea.

Zima -

2007-03-21T14:18:00.001+09:00

Hey, I think that's my van!!!My friend Terri sent this to me and I can't stop laughing.

My First Haircut In Korea

2007-03-21T12:06:00.000+09:00

I went to get my haircut in Korea for the first time today. I've been afraid to do it but after seeing Adi's new do I thought I would go for it!! Isabelle and Adi accompanied me. They were both my models and Isabelle translated. I know it sounds pathetic to make such a big deal out of getting a hair cut. But, when you can't read, write or speak the same language it makes the smallest things seem so complicated. I asked for the top to be cut like Adi and the bottom layers like Isabelle. I am very happy with the results. Actually, she did a better job than the place I usually go to in the States. She cut, washed, massaged and styled all for 6,000 won ($6.00)!!!

Terrine De Poissons (Pot of Fish)

2007-03-20T11:23:00.000+09:00

Today Natalie taught us 3 new recipes. All the temperatures and measurements are in the Metric system so you will have to convert if you try these at home.

Terrine De Poissons

2 packages imitation crab meat (the crab meat was shaped into rectangles)
1 lb shrimp
1 can tuna
5 eggs
200 ml fresh cream
pepper

Layer one package of the crabmeat in the bottom of a loaf pan. In a separate bowl dice the remaining crab meat and add drained tuna, shrimp (Natalie used her hand to squeeze the excess water from the shrimp), eggs, cream and pepper. Stir until combined. Carefully pour mixture over the crabmeat in the loaf pan. Bake at 180 celsius for 30-40 min. Knife should come out clean when it's ready. Let the pan cool, refrigerate and serve cold w/fresh lemon juice.

Shrimp w/Ginger

olive oil
onion
shrimp
ginger
salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in deep frying pan or wok. Add the onion and saute until clear then add shrimp, ginger, salt,pepper.

Apple Crumble

125 g. flour
125 g. brown sugar
125 g. almond powder
125 g. butter
1 apple
1/2 lemon

Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Peel and cut apple (medium chunks), squeeze lemon juice over apples. Place the apple chunks in the bottom of individual tart pans, sprinkle with topping. Bake at 190 for 20 minutes.

We were all writing our recipes and one of the girls commented that we were all writing in a different language. I looked around me and to my left Young Me was writing in Korean and on my right Adi was using Hebrew. Michelle speaks 4 or 5 languages so I asked her what she was using today. It's so interesting trying to communicate with everyone. We spend a lot of time searching for the right word or phrase and discussing what this or that is called in the different languages. I also never realized how many idioms we use that cannot be translated.

Sometimes I catch myself changing how I speak and I need to be conscience of my rate of speech. I think it's true for all of us because last night Morgan said "I, go bed now. Bob laughed and said we won't be able to speak English when we go home. When Katie talks with Lucy she immediately switches the tone and accent of her voice to imitate french. It really seems to help and they are able to communicate quite well.

A La Prochaine/Until Next Time

Blog Issues

2007-03-20T09:02:00.000+09:00

I'm having trouble with my ticker, comments, showing links and using Picasa to upload multiple pictures. Unfortunately, without a knowledge of HTML I have no idea how to fix these problems. So, if you've commented in the last couple of days I did receive your comments but can't post them

Stampin Fun!!

2007-03-19T16:49:00.000+09:00

Cased from Cambria on Splitcoast

Here are a few of my Stampin Up projects. I am hooked on triangle tri-fold cards! You can view the tutorial by Beate at www.splitcoaststampers.com . I've tried to show the link here but I just can't get it to work.

I used Korean (Hanji) paper on the projects in the last three pictures. Hanji is Korean natural paper made from mulberry bark. It comes in a variety of colors and is plentiful. I brought a good sized supply of paper with me but like to use Hanji when I can.

Fire Ring Hike

2007-03-11T23:26:00.000+09:00

Katie's Guitar Lessons

2007-03-08T08:28:00.000+09:00

Katie Ann started taking guitar lessons from Master John in February. She is learning Korean and American songs. As you can see, the lessons aren't private but he spends a lot of time with Katie when she's there. He told us that Katie is doing very well except she doesn't come often enough. Here the lessons cost 80,000 KRW a month. We could go everyday like the Korean children but Katie Ann only wants to go twice a week. He always encourages us to come more often. I really think he worries that we aren't getting our monies worth. A couple of weeks ago he told Katie he ordered an electric guitar that is her size and would she like to learn to play it. I asked him how much the guitar would be and he said "No, I buy and Katie can borrow". She is very excited.

Seoul Art

2007-03-05T17:04:00.000+09:00

Morgan and I spent the weekend in Seoul with our Aussie friends Sue and Ally. It was a great girls weekend in an exciting city. We rode the bus up Friday night and spent the weekend strolling and shopping throughout the City.

I love Seoul!! With a population of 10.3 million it is the 5th largest city in the world. It's interesting, artsy and culturally rich with lots to see, eat and experience. I liked traveling with Sue because she and Ally are not only tons of fun they are also savvy, cosmopolitan travelers. She eats Korean food and I tried things I wouldn't have on my own. Korean culture and food is so different than my own it is difficult for me to embrace. I spend my time looking for American food and products so I can stay in my comfort zone. I tried octopus and survived. I was actually enjoying it until Sue said "isn't Octopus good" !! Ignorance is bliss and I asked her to wait a few hours before she tells me what I'm eating. However, like Morgan, if you have to eat American -- Seoul is a good place to be. There was a Starbucks and Outback on almost every corner. I also saw TGIFriday's, McDonald's, KFC, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins. We went to a pub filled with Americans and Aussies where Sue introduced me to Cooper's. Her Austrailian beer of choice!

I hope you enjoy the photo journal of Seoul! It's just a small glimpse of the city. I can't wait to go back and learn more. There are so many museums, art galleries, and cultural sites waiting for me! We strolled through four major areas:

Insa-dong: My favorite place so far is known as "Korea in Seoul" and a good place to experience traditional Korean culture. It's a charming area filled with antique shops and small galleries. I especially liked Ssamziegil Market and we found a beautiful little tea house that I definitely want to visit again.

Itaewon: Is known as "little America" or "Street of foreigners". Here you will find restaurants offering food and goods from all over the world.

Myeong-dong: This was probably Morgan's favorite area. It is a shopping mecca for the young and trendy. We found Adidas, Levi's, Dickeys, The Body Shop, Lush, Nike, etc... This area was crowded with a sea of people.

Namdaemun Market: This is the oldest and biggest shopping area in Seoul. A bustling, crowded traditional Korean Marketplace.

This trip was very interesting and I learned alot about myself. We are not city girls and it showed. Sue and Ally were pros at navigating the city subway, markets, everything. I don't think we would have seen as much without their experience. Living in a foreign country is hard. Traveling with people from a different country really showed me how little we open ourselves up to new experiences. It made me realize that even though we sometimes feel overwhelmed, scared and uncomfortable we are coping and learning and growing.

2007-03-05T16:30:00.000+09:00

Insa-dong

2007-03-05T16:15:00.000+09:00

Traditional Hanboks Hanging over the Market
Beautiful colors of paper used for the Traditional craft of Hanji

Calligraphy Brushes

A small parade of performers

This man is pounding something(?) into a paste

Seoul Food

2007-03-05T16:14:00.000+09:00

Seoul Architecture

2007-03-05T16:12:00.000+09:00

Strolling Seoul

2007-03-05T16:11:00.000+09:00