Did you know that every time we leave, I have this odd feeling that something isn't right. I have the urge to make sure the dogs went outside and have water. It's so weird to not have them here. We will be running around town, and I have this nagging feeling we should head back soon to let the dogs out. I want to leave everything early because we've been gone too long.
I miss my puppies. I miss the cat too, but am totally enjoying the litter box I'm not cleaning.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Things I Already Love About Korea
1. I love kicking the foot plate to turn the water on the kitchen sink. I've since been kicking the bathroom cabinets when I brush my teeth. Gotta get this back in the States. I think Doctors have this when they scrub in for surgery. If I would have known this all along.......
2. I love there is a trash receptacle outside of our building. No rushing outside a 7am in my pj's because I forgot to take the cans down to the curb. I drop it off when I please. It's complete with recycling so I don't have to haul 4 cans to base every week.
3. I love the motion activation lights outside our apartment in the stairways and hallway. When you leave, they come on and then turn off once you get in the elevator. (I think my dad will love this too) Oh, and our entry light is motion activation too, so when you walk into a dark apartment the light comes on automatically. OR if a boogie man tries to break in, the lights will come on and scare him away.
4. I love the cool LED lights they have in the ground outside our apartments. The boys like them too because they change colors and flash patterns.
5. I love that the Baskin Robin's on base carries my all time favorite ice cream ever.... Citrus Twist Ice (formerly daiquiri ice)
6. The sinks are big and deep here. They're just pretty. And the shower in the master bathroom is bigger then the boys toy room.
7. If a small child or two get excited and press every button in the elevator, you can press them again and it "turns off" going to every floor on your way up. Genius!
2. I love there is a trash receptacle outside of our building. No rushing outside a 7am in my pj's because I forgot to take the cans down to the curb. I drop it off when I please. It's complete with recycling so I don't have to haul 4 cans to base every week.
3. I love the motion activation lights outside our apartment in the stairways and hallway. When you leave, they come on and then turn off once you get in the elevator. (I think my dad will love this too) Oh, and our entry light is motion activation too, so when you walk into a dark apartment the light comes on automatically. OR if a boogie man tries to break in, the lights will come on and scare him away.
4. I love the cool LED lights they have in the ground outside our apartments. The boys like them too because they change colors and flash patterns.
5. I love that the Baskin Robin's on base carries my all time favorite ice cream ever.... Citrus Twist Ice (formerly daiquiri ice)
6. The sinks are big and deep here. They're just pretty. And the shower in the master bathroom is bigger then the boys toy room.
7. If a small child or two get excited and press every button in the elevator, you can press them again and it "turns off" going to every floor on your way up. Genius!
Paiging Dr. Kim
Yesterday we almost had a flat Bradley. We heard a loud crash and one loud scream. Running into the room, we discovered Brad on the floor completely underneath the dresser. It fell over on him. Keith quickly lifted it off and we pulled Brad out from under it. We checked him all out and the only damage were a couple of bruises on his face.
This kid knows how to get our hearts pumping. The thing is... he's done this before! In Idaho we had everything bolted to the wall because he tried climbing up it last year. I even told Keith the first day we got here that the dresser needed to be anchored to the wall. He already tried but the walls are concrete. Wouldn't you know a week later, it's like he read our minds. So please, as a public service reminder for those with little ones - anchor all your furniture to the walls! And if you think your kids know better, just remember mine who have escaped serious bodily injury twice now.
On a positive note, we did find out our new neighbor is a medical doctor with her own clinic down the road. It's like God knew right where to put us! He name is Dr. Kim and in the elevator she said the only damage done (to Brad) were his tears. I think I like her!
Attached is the injury I sustained as I lifted the shelves off him faster than Wonder Woman. It looks MUCH worse than what's shown... just in case anyone cares about me ;-)
This kid knows how to get our hearts pumping. The thing is... he's done this before! In Idaho we had everything bolted to the wall because he tried climbing up it last year. I even told Keith the first day we got here that the dresser needed to be anchored to the wall. He already tried but the walls are concrete. Wouldn't you know a week later, it's like he read our minds. So please, as a public service reminder for those with little ones - anchor all your furniture to the walls! And if you think your kids know better, just remember mine who have escaped serious bodily injury twice now.
On a positive note, we did find out our new neighbor is a medical doctor with her own clinic down the road. It's like God knew right where to put us! He name is Dr. Kim and in the elevator she said the only damage done (to Brad) were his tears. I think I like her!
Attached is the injury I sustained as I lifted the shelves off him faster than Wonder Woman. It looks MUCH worse than what's shown... just in case anyone cares about me ;-)
Krazy Korea II
Today we went to the Orange Factory Outlet. I saw it from the side of the road and told Keith I wanted to go to the O Range outlet mall. Yes. I. Did.
I don't know how to Be Act, but it's apparent that not everyone can think at the O Range outlet mall.
These people are serious about their McDonald's. A 24 hour two story McD's. I doubt we venture into one of these during our time here. (we avoid this place as much as possible - Keith vomits just thinking of eating there)
But for those who can't live without it - McDonald's delivers
I don't know how to Be Act, but it's apparent that not everyone can think at the O Range outlet mall.
These people are serious about their McDonald's. A 24 hour two story McD's. I doubt we venture into one of these during our time here. (we avoid this place as much as possible - Keith vomits just thinking of eating there)
But for those who can't live without it - McDonald's delivers
BTDT
Saturday we ventured out and ate authentic Korean food. This was a well known and recommended place. I was looking forward to trying it out!
This is a picture of what our table looked like when they brought the food. There was a bowl full of lettuce, rice, and all the smaller bowls were the "fixings." You could make lettuce wraps or use the rice to make a rice bowl using the red chili paste as seasoning.
This is a picture of what our table looked like when they brought the food. There was a bowl full of lettuce, rice, and all the smaller bowls were the "fixings." You could make lettuce wraps or use the rice to make a rice bowl using the red chili paste as seasoning.
This is the "beef" they grilled at your table. It didn't taste like cow beef, but Keith says it was the marinade. Interesting.
Here is the after picture of our meal. Gee.. not much has changed from the before picture. That's because it was NASTY. I love Chinese food. I love Japanese food. I don't see myself ever even liking Korean food. All the "fixings" were fermented bean sprouts, fermented cabbage, corn in what tasted like frosting, noodles I couldn't even bring myself to try because of their smell alone, some thinly sliced green things that Brad promptly spit out.
Here are my boys after paying the tab and deciding to grab some ice cream instead. Korean food: Been There - Done That.
Not the Stinky Kids
Here's the boys taking a bath. Their clothes might stink, but I try my best to keep the bugs off them. I am so impressed with the bathrooms in this apartment. It's all tile everywhere with a drain in the floor under the sink (you can barely see it just right of the stool) Let's say.... IF a kid... or two, are prone to making a mess and "accidentally" get water outside of the tub - NO WORRIES, it goes right down the drain! And the tubs are really deep. If I were a bath person I guess that would be a plus, but only showers for me. And... we have been able to lower the shower head for the boys and we're teaching them to shower on their own! Could it be possible? A day when I say "get ready for bed" and they shower and brush their teeth all on their own?One day I will miss it.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Hello Kitty Krazy
I was told Brad's hair would be popular. I was warned the people here will want to touch him. I've seen them stare. I've witnessed all the grabbing and waving.
Today, a girl picked him up and carried him off - right in front of me!
We were at the park tonight and I was standing right under the playground equipment. These older girls were squealing and pointing like he was a rock star. It caused so much attention a lady who was bilingual came over to tell me what they were saying. They finally got up and were on the playground equipment trying to chase them and corner the boys. I felt so bad for them ten feet above my head. They tried their best English asking for their name. I told Brad to say "hello" in Korean and he did. They went CRAZY with delight. The girl who picked him up was a teenager. It turns out she was carrying him over to show her friends. She didn't mean any harm, but my heart dropped!
I am going to have to learn some polite Korean for please don't try to kidnap my youngest child. Cole was cute trying to protect him. He got between them and Brad and kept saying "no, no, no" The girls were excited he was talking to them.
Interesting night. I guess I will have to become the rude American. So far several people have come to the door, but I refuse to answer when Keith's not home. I know they hear us and they stay at the door for at least 3 minutes... just ringing (actually there's a camera at the door, so I can see them and it plays a cute little chime song. All of the electronics play a cute song. A pretty chime when the dishes are done, a happy song when the wash is finished. So much nicer then those awful buzzers back in the States. "BUZZ YOUR CLOTHES ARE DRY") I think it's so you will want to open the door and be pleasant to the strange man standing there. Sorry Charlie.
So far we know how to say hello/goodbye: Ahn-nyong ha-say-yo!
We know the name of our apartments : Pus-co
And we know what the elevator says when it gets to our floor: Sham Shing Mada
That's about it. I keep asking Keith over and over how to say please and thank you, but I keep forgetting. I took 4 years of Spanish lessons to tackle that small feat. We'll see how much I can learn in 11 months. Now, I'm off to tuck in my boys and deadbolt my door. Crazy Rude American.
Today, a girl picked him up and carried him off - right in front of me!
We were at the park tonight and I was standing right under the playground equipment. These older girls were squealing and pointing like he was a rock star. It caused so much attention a lady who was bilingual came over to tell me what they were saying. They finally got up and were on the playground equipment trying to chase them and corner the boys. I felt so bad for them ten feet above my head. They tried their best English asking for their name. I told Brad to say "hello" in Korean and he did. They went CRAZY with delight. The girl who picked him up was a teenager. It turns out she was carrying him over to show her friends. She didn't mean any harm, but my heart dropped!
I am going to have to learn some polite Korean for please don't try to kidnap my youngest child. Cole was cute trying to protect him. He got between them and Brad and kept saying "no, no, no" The girls were excited he was talking to them.
Interesting night. I guess I will have to become the rude American. So far several people have come to the door, but I refuse to answer when Keith's not home. I know they hear us and they stay at the door for at least 3 minutes... just ringing (actually there's a camera at the door, so I can see them and it plays a cute little chime song. All of the electronics play a cute song. A pretty chime when the dishes are done, a happy song when the wash is finished. So much nicer then those awful buzzers back in the States. "BUZZ YOUR CLOTHES ARE DRY") I think it's so you will want to open the door and be pleasant to the strange man standing there. Sorry Charlie.
So far we know how to say hello/goodbye: Ahn-nyong ha-say-yo!
We know the name of our apartments : Pus-co
And we know what the elevator says when it gets to our floor: Sham Shing Mada
That's about it. I keep asking Keith over and over how to say please and thank you, but I keep forgetting. I took 4 years of Spanish lessons to tackle that small feat. We'll see how much I can learn in 11 months. Now, I'm off to tuck in my boys and deadbolt my door. Crazy Rude American.
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