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.