I heart China

I didn't think I would. I wasn't overly excited about the trip and if my mom, Kim and Nana didn't want to go so badly, I probably would not have set out to go before leaving Korea. I have now asked Keith to go two other times since we've been home. Can you believe he thinks the money would be better spent on a house? Seriously, sometimes he's so............. rational!

We had such a fun visit with the Chamness girls! It was jammed pack and looking back I feel a little guilty for making my 74 year old Grandmother do as much as we did! She was a trooper, the first one up and ready to hit the ground running.

I started the weekend with a girls trip to Seoul. Instead of leaving from Osan, we caught a bus from Yongsong. This put me a little behind schedule picking them up, and wouldn't you know they were EARLY. Sorry for the wait! And then another wait for the bus ride home! It was a long packed bus ride.

The next day we spent around the base. It was such a hassle signing them on and off with the day passes, fingerprints, double id checks... something should have triggered my brain for our Dragon Hill plan, but it didn't. More on that later.

We showed them around the base and walked around downtown. They hit up Cole's favorite, Dr. Fish. I can't believe Nana liked it as much as she did! We went to the blanket shop, purse stores, and back home for naps. I made dinner and we hung out playing the greatest game in all the land - Just Dance on the wii. So help me, watching Cole dance gives me such joy. I want 10 recorded hours of it to watch over and over and over again. My heart can't handle the shakes and shimmy. It's the single more adorable thing I've ever seen. Please God don't let him grow up!

Tuesday we ventured off to Kojeon Antiques. I love this place and I think they do it. I have to admit that her prices have gone up since we started leaving her our children's savings funds, but she's a nice as nice can be. After creating wooden bowl fanatics like myself, we treated them to a traditional Korean meal. They loved it. Blah! I can't believe how much kimchie Kimi ate, and Nana tried everything! That was officially my 4th Korean meal in a year and my tastes haven't changed. I won't miss the food. We took them to our favorite park for some "4 wheelering". Cole showed his skills while Brad made sure we each got a turn riding with him. Not that I don't trust him, but his ride with Nana almost gave me a heart attack! - on Nana's behalf!

Wednesday was another big day planned. We were going to spend the day in Seoul. First we had to sign them out of Osan to pick up their id cards and get gas, which was a huge headache. To top the day off it was raining. The plan was simple.... spend the day in Seoul, spend the night at the Dragon Hill Lodge and take the free shuttle to the airport the next morning for China. Problem. We couldn't get them signed onto base for a day pass, then signed off the next morning to get back on for the free shuttle. It was a logistical brain problem. We ended up booking a van/taxi to take us. In the end we probably should have just driven there ourselves and paid for parking, but the traffic on Easter Sunday would have not made us very nice Christians on such a Holy day. We spend the rainy day at the Korean War Memorial and Museum where the boys learned all about the Turtle Boat. Just ask them.

We went back to the Hotel and rested. A short walk to Popeye's for dinner and off to bed for most of the crew. Wouldn't you know it cleared up so Keith, Kimi, and I took off to the Seoul Tower for a night view. It was really pretty. I thought it would be like an outside lookout, but nope. All enclosed and somewhat of a bummer. Lots of people in a small enclosed area made the windows foggy - and the air stinky if you know what I mean.

The next morning was an early wake up call - CHINA BOUND! We got to up and checked out, back to gate 17 to sign them off base and pick up their id cards and off to Incheon Airport. Can I just say again it's the nicest airport in the world!

China is a post all it's own. We had a great time. The history, the food, the shopping, the food!! Heaven!

We came home Easter Sunday. Since our van was still at the Dragon Hill we thought it would be best to stick everyone on the city bus home and Keith and I would go pick up the car and drive it home in the traffic. We quickly put them on the first city bus and Keith and I headed to the Yongsong bus. We sat there for 30 minutes for them to tell us there wasn't room for us. Keith and I ran back to get on a city bus. We all made it home at the same time, go figure, and had a nice dinner together and a long night's sleep.

The next day I had to send Cole back to school. I don't he liked me much, but he already misses a week and the following one was Spring Break. We spent the day in downtown Songtan. The girls finished up some shopping and fake purse collecting. We also ran through Home Plus for some local entertainment. I think the real entertainment was me trying to get us OUT of the building.

Tuesday was Kimi's 31st Birthday! To celebrate we planned to go to Everland but it was raining again. Lucky girl because the skies cleared by lunch time and we were at the park by 2. It was busier than our typical empty. We had to wait like 15 minutes per ride. Not cool, but we managed to survive. We came home to pizza, cake, and ice cream.

Wed was their last day in Korea! Gege went out in style at Happy Quilt. We took some stuff (and her 70 yards of fabric) downtown to box up to be shipped back. We did all sit around and watch Kim pack her bags. I'm still amazed it all fit.

Thursday morning we shipped them off to the local bus station and pointed them in the direction of the airport. Sorry but that's how it works over here ;-) We had a fun time and I hope they liked Korea. It's been a fun place for the time being, but I'm anxious to get home too.