Christmas in Korea

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS! We miss you LOVE, The Coors

Gotta Love the Army

So, just as we have gottten settled into our awesome apartment in Souel it looks like we will be moving yet again. We can not wait to buy a house and never move again just like the Paynes of 5401. Although, the move is a really good thing because Jon and Dominic will live 5 minutes from my job at Camp Casey instead of about 2 hours away! But, it feels like we will never stop moving. I found a new apartment that is nice but not quite as plush as where we are now. But, still nicer than any of our DC apartments and very Jetsons like. The downfall is that it is not a garden style apartment which we like but a high-rise but we would be on the 3rd floor.

It is just a shame that the Army could not have let us know that the policy was about to change so that we could have lived in a temporary place until all got straightened out. Or, just let us move up there from the get go! Apparently, they had to have congress or someone in a high place approve families living at Camp Casey because it has been in theory family restricted despite the fact that about a 1000+ military families live there without a command sponsorship.

In the new place--if everything works out--there is still of a lot of BS that has to be handled I could even go home for lunch! the Korea rental system requires a security deposit plus about 2.5 months rent in advance. When we moved into our spot in Seoul the Army gave families an advance to offset the cost. Not sure whether they will do that again because some STUPID regulation that only allows one move per year.

I am so fed up with how regulations work AGAINST military families instead of for them. We are already over here (which is way better than Iraq or Afghansistan so I should not complain) why not make it a little bit easier. It is frustrating because it seems like the military is full of HATERS. They want you to be screwed if they were OR they tell you that you will never be able to do something when in actuality if you just ask and be persistant you can normally make things happen.

I have had to fight so hard to get proper treatment for my family in Korea--it really doesn't make you feel good. I already have a reputation in the unit I will go to (even though these bamas have NEVER met me) but I could care less as fighting to keep my family life as normal as possible is way more important than what some institutionalized officers think of me. Sorry for fighting to keep my family together! And by the way, did you care that I arrived in Korea because no one called me, no one assisted us in the daunting housing situation--so much for reception into a unit or better yet a new country.

I am excited to see what my job will be like and to prove that I will work and fight just as hard for those I am in charge of. So much in the military happens because the people that have the ability to make a decision are never involved or don't get involved.

Sorry to rant. The military world is a very unique place. I just hope that I like my job and the people I work with and for. Thank god that we are really enjoying Korea. The Korean people have such amazing culture, are extremely helpful and nice to us, and the food is just amazing.

I am stuck at Camp Stanley again for lots of power point. I will go down to Souel tomorrow to see Jon and Dominic until I take the last bus back up here at about 9pm or so. I meet my "big" boss a Lietenant Colonel on Friday at Camp Casey...

Songs about Dominic

My mom is always singing this song to Dominic, so I just had to figure out where it came from. . . tre interesant!

North Korea

On a cultural tour we were taken to an observatory to view North Korea. It was a cloudy day so the picture is not clear. It was a truly bizarre feeling to be looking at the division up front. The South Koreans are an amazing group of people who seem to long to end this division. The stories of family seperations are unbarable. We will visit the DMZ soon as well.

a little on the depressing side--Camp Stanley

A welcome sign

My home away from home--Week 1

I lived at a base called Camp Stanley for a week to in-process into the 2nd Infantry Division. This is not where I will work. I will work at Camp Casey with Jon and Dominic living in Seoul. It is an hour subway ride or about 2 hour bus/car ride. Hopefully, Jon will be able to move up to Camp Casey in the next few months if a policy change is made. The area outside of Camp Casey is less populated than Seoul and there is more grass etc. We stayed up at Camp Casey this week and like the base. However, we will be sad leaving Seoul but would rather be together instead of trying to figure out a way to commute.

Jazz hands

Jammin' out in Korea

The pizza ribbon is another one of Dominic's favorites. We think that he is trying to use it to put a leash on Ricky at times.

You may notice clothes hanging all around. I don't claim to keep the neatest house but this is due to the non-dryer situation. Most Koreans do not use dryers they hand dry everything. We have a dryer but the electric power conversion makes it take an extremely long time to dry anything. So hang drying is our new method of drying clothes.

Missing Armands

So of course we have found pizza. They have pizza hutand a place called Pizza School. Pizza School has led to many jokes between Jon and I. The pizza is not like pizza from home. It is much more healthy with very little grease. However, they put a lot of stuff on their pizzas that we don't in the states. A plain cheese is not really an option. Another interesting difference...the pizza is wrapped with a bow like a beautiful present!

Saturday traffic

Our street--more like American alley

New fav toy--the Pelican

Dominic's newest love is pulling things behind him while he walks...

Testing out the new furniture

Dominic love to climb on EVERYTHING.

The real Coorea

Not sure if you can make it out but this is COOREA REAL ESTATE!

Ready to head to work for President Obama

PRESIDENT OBAMA!

We woke up at 1am to watch the returns come in. We danced and cheered around out hotel room! No mass celebrations besides in our room. We missed DC big time!

Master Bedroom Pre-move in

Kitchen

Courtyard of the new apartment

We love our apartment. It is like living in a Jetson's episode. We were lucky not to have to live in army family housing. There are a lot of high rises in Korea which we weren't so fond of. So, we lucked out to find this villa style building. It's on a street that is more like an alley but with many different villas. Location is perfect for us because the army living area is a few blocks away giving us acces to a free shuttle bus, a great playground, grocery store, pool, library and a community center. We get the ability to live without having to be on a compound and with Koreans but benefit from the base amenities. It couldn't have worked out better. The apartment was partially furnished and the Army provided some free (very hotel like) rental furniture.

Dominic rides the subway

A subway stop

Our pictures are pretty lame. We are still learning the ropes. And, I forget to bring the camera a lot. Most of our travels have been for setting up the apartment or doing administrative stuff. We will have better stuff soon...

Can you tell we are American?

NO SLURPEES!

The walls of the compound

Ricky--the international dog

Ricky had a long journey with a long layover in Atlanta--thanks to Delta. However, his flight was free due to their error! Biggest problem...the gentle leader was lost. He has a new harness that works OK.

Most of the dogs kept as pets in Korea are toy dogs. People look at us like we are walking a horse. I am still in search of a place to let him run. I'm sure there is somewhere on base we just have to talk to some other crazy dog people. We have to be very careful because they are not the most humane to stray dogs if he ever got loose.

AWESOME PLAYGROUND at the hotel

Playing under the seat

COKE

Sleeping Baby=Sex in the City with Korean sub-titles

Dominic took a nice 3 hour nap in his car seat. The one and only time he sat in his car seat...Jon was on about movie 2 and could not control his loud hysterical laughter. He also promptly slid his complimentary turquise Korean air socks onto his way too big feet. All in all a great flight but we were exhausted when we had to navigate the Seoul airport with all of our luggage and Dominic. Then, a shuttle bus to the Yongsan Army Base and the Dragon Hill Lodge. Introduction to the insane driving...We don't remember much of that hour long trip all 3 of us were sound asleep.

The window and the remote for the TV screen provided great distraction from the confines of our row.

The adventure begins at Dulles Airport. Thanks to the kindness of a curbside bell hop we managed to get all our possesions onto one cart. Then, we stood in the wrong line to check in for about an hour. LEARNING POINT: When traveling Korean Air your tickets will read Delta but you need to get in the Korean Air line.
The Korean Air line had twice as many people and we were through with our bags checked in about a half hour. This was our first piece of evidence that Koreans are way more efficient than your average American company. We have seen this time and time again during our stay here. With our first hurdle complete we prepared to see how much a 14 month enjoys a 14 hour flight.

Toilet is Life

Seoul-life is unambigious when it comes to toilets. For instance, the bathroom in our apartment is so high-tech we are not even sure how to use it! I never knew a bathroom needed a remote control device. On the other end of the spectrum, there is the traditional "hole in the floor" model. So far there doesn't seem to be a middle ground. Seoul is the h.q. of the World Toilet Association and has a Seoul Declaration in regards to toilets. Click here. It's not just us!

WEEK ONE IN KOREA

Not much time...Dominic does not like to stay in his stroller.

A few highlights:

1. Jon's adventures with the bathroom in the Seoul metro. No toilet just a hole in the ground. Emergency bathroom trip! When traveling in Korea carry your own TP.

2. Obsession with Dominic. Strangers come and play with him and kiss his hands. We have been given food and toys for him. This is the most baby friendly place. Others tuck his shirt in and clean off his shirt...

3. Ricky's arrival at the airport and dealing with Korean customs agents. Ricky and I in the back of a cab back to base.

4. There are no driving rules--free for all. Park wherever and on top of other cars.

5. Our attempts at eating at a traditional Korean resturant. Not recommended until you have been in the country a little longer. We still have no idea what we ordered. Jon is not a huge fan of sitting on the floor.

6. There are many 7-Elevens around Seoul (no slurpees!) and even a Popeyes on the base. For all those wishing weight lose on Jon--he has not had a single serving!

7. We found our apartment. Hopefully, we will move in Thursday. Living in a hotel room with a 14 month old is not the most fun. But, the hotel has an amazing playground. 3 bedrooms in a 4 floor garden type building.

8. If you are going to come over fly Korean air. It's top notch. We hate flying but this airline puts the others to shame.
We miss you all! We will post pictures and videos once we are settled.

Banana Milk

Lots of people here love banana milk and the comedian Jung Joon Ha. Here there are together in a Korean commericial. We are learning A LOT from our television (just like in America....) Ha ha

Dragon Hill Lodge

Too bad we won't be around for the Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout that our hotel is sponsoring for Americans! yikes. Hopefully we will be in our own apartment by then. Jet lag was beyond belief. I really wish I had stayed well hydrated like my sister and the US Army told me to. Some signs here are in Korean and English, but the subway is all Korean all the time. We are studying the Gyeongwon Line that goes from Seoul to Camp Casey. It's a long one. So far I know that this 출구 means "exit" and this 화장실 means "bathroom." Jon helped me figure out that last one. He likes a good bathroom. Dominic is walking like mad and doesn't seem to have an issue with leaving his home continent. We are getting used to spending millions of won. Here's a link to our hotel is you want to check it out: http://www.dragonhilllodge.com/main.html

생일 축하합니다

That's Happy Birthday in Korean! Yes, it's my darling husband, Jon's birthday. It's hard to believe that he is almost 30 now. We made it safely to Asia and are dealing with some red tape and getting more information about our new digs. We are in a hotel for now which we are really "feeling." Lots of seafood and KFC! Dominic did great on the flight except for a little crying and screaming during take off and landing, which was actually good because no one could hear Jon's crying and screaming.

Peace 안녕 ,

The Coors

What a Difference a Year Makes!

An Unfortunately Sidewise Thanksgiving Miracle

Fake Thanksgiving

It's the week of a thousand goodbyes. My husband, Jonathan (U.S. Army ret.), my son Dominic, and I are on my last week of leave before being P.A.O.ed to South Korea for a 24 month sit. I think movement of troops is not covered under the first ammendment, so that is all I can say. Our families are celebrating Thanksgiving today in our honor. We've got collards, rutabagas, turkey, ribs, creamed onions, and mashies on the menu. And yes, with a side of kimchee!