서른여섯 seoleun-yeoseos (HARRUMPH!)

So if you'll notice, the years on my baseball jersey above, don't quite match the timeline we originally moved here and anticipated. Somehow in the past 36 days, we decided we like it so much that it only seems fitting being in the 36 FS to stay for 36 months, not the original 24 we planned on. That being said, I expect visitors. And we have already got some trips we're in the works to make. That, my friends, is how I will keep my sanity because I hear that 3rd year can be somewhat long mostly because you've watched everyone you've gotten to know come and go over the previous 2 years and it starts to wear on you a little. We plan to enjoy the extra family time, travel time and watch our oldest go through her first year of middle school here. Wait, WHAT?!?! Let's freeze the time and not make it to that point. We're excited to see what lies ahead for us and how this assignment will be just as fun (but we're hearing even more fun) than the rest of the assignments we've had. The girls and I will be making it home over the summers to help Mama cope with missing her family and friends in the states, but until then, it's all about learning and embracing the new culture including enjoying an extra year of my A-MAZING ajima (housecleaner). I guess Eric and I both wanted to celebrate our 36th birthdays here too. 

Long Weekend

Ready or not, the Musics are about to embark on the first long weekend here in Korea. The kiddos are still in school Friday, but that's not stopping us from attending a field trip with the first grader who resides with us to a Korean Folk Village. The res of the weekend we've jammed packed with more fun as well. Who knows when we'll get around to picking up the house a bit and painting the walls. There are other weekends to sit around and do that though. For now, we're enjoying the time we have together as a family. Click on the links to check out each place if you want to see the fun we'll be having :)

Friday: 
Korean Folk Village

Saturday:
Caribbean Bay

Sunday: Hitting up Seoul for afternoon/night to explore and staying at the local military hotel, the Dragon Hill Lodge

Monday:
Everland

Stay tuned and maybe I'll even get around to posting some pictures here.

One month.

One month ago we began our journey to Korea. Some days it feels like it's been much longer than a month. Ok, if I'm being honest, most days it feels like that right now. Trying to connect with family and friends back in the states is proving to be difficult since when we are winding down from our day, everyone is just waking up and getting ready for their day and vice versa. Weekends tend to be the best time to chat with people and thus far, we've stayed pretty busy on our weekends. Next weekend is a 4 day weekend and we're looking for something to do in the local area to get ourselves out and away from base for a bit. My guess is hiking will win out as long as the pollen or yellow dust doesn't carry us away. Picking paint colors is up there on my list of things I'd like to do as well. Eggshell flat paint is not my idea of "homey".

Monday we get the rest of our household goods so at least we will have all our belongings and can get situated with painting. I'm ready for my own pillows, microwave and the other stuff we kept behind for the day to day life. I didn't figure it would take over a month to get to us, but oh well. On Monday we also get a second visit from our ajima. In English, that means housekeeper. I have NEVER been one to even remotely think of having anyone clean my house minus the whole "move out" cleaning from base housing or something. This though, I'm just trying to help the local economy and help an incredible lady earn some money. I can't even begin to explain how lazy I felt when she stopped by the first time and I sat on the couch while she washed our sheets, did other laundry, swept the floor, then got down and wiped the entire house with wash rags and a bucket of pinesol water. I LOVE her! She is not usually a fan of big dogs (as most Koreans aren't) but she kept saying "he nice doggie". That he is :) We have her stop by every other week and I am so looking forward to just being able to hang out the rest of the weekend knowing Monday, I'll have a spotless house!

Up next on our books behind painting and all the little daily/weekly/monthly stuff we're trying to take care of is figuring out where we'll take our first big trip. We've got friends who just moved to Hawaii, so that's definitely on our radar. I'm bummed about missing out on FL and our annual summer New Hampshire trip, so I need something to look forward to. Our summer is going to include some swim team for Nichole, swimming at some pool (whichever one is open), Everland season passes (think Korean Disneyland), sports camps through youth center and whatever other trouble we can get into. Luckily, Eric should be around for the whole summer so at least we'll have him to hang with on the weekends and to explore with us. Thailand is definitely on our list of travel destinations and I've heard China and Japan should be on there as well. I'm hearing winter should be good for us with being fans of skiing. Just gotta push through the summer.

What I'm most looking forward to right at this moment is finding a routine. And more specifically a gym routine thrown in there, b/c how else does one maintain sanity? Routine probably isn't the thing to be looking for with the kids only having a few weeks left of school, but we'll figure out one for the summer. And then fall will settle in and hopefully we'll find more of the routine that I usually operate best on. I've put in my substitute teaching application and if it's not finished by the end of this school year, it will be ready for next year.

We're excited for friends arriving here for the same assignment and excited for all the new friends we've made and still have yet to meet yet. We're learning that overseas is a great place to be even though you're far from your immediate family. Everyone here is like one huge family. A few of the guys surprised the wives while we were on our trip to Seoul and they helped out with all the kids even though their own were there as well. Everyone helps out. That's just how it goes here. Everyone is in the same boat and all separated from their families. It's one thing to be a few hundred or maybe even a thousand miles from family. It's a whole new aspect to be an ocean apart. I'm working on balancing the overcoming the distance from those who know me best and trying to start new friendships knowing how fresh I still feel off the goodbyes I just had to make. See a few posts back to see how I feel about goodbyes. Yea, not fun. It helps that you pretty much can't go a day without seeing someone you know around base unless you get sick for a few days and hole up in your house.

Ok, well my attempt at updating has come to a close and I feel I'm just rambling at this point. Plus, it's 1045 on a Saturday night and I'm already feeling how sore my body is going to be tomorrow from the CrossFit bit I attempted today. Pretty sure Eric was giving me a weird look when I told him I did not just one, but two CrossFit workouts today. This from someone who hasn't worked out steadily (and more than just teaching spin) in a LONG time. Thank you laziness and hernia surgery :)


Stay tuned for updates and maybe some upcoming news in the next few weeks....Until then... Harrumph to being back in a fighter squadron and getting to enjoy a night of crud.

Buddha's Birthdy/Lotus Lantern Festival

As the line goes... "When in Korea..." You get out. You see the country. You experience the culture and all it has to offer. Just leave your desire for personal space back in your home.

 We started the celebration by hitting up the Buddhist temple on base to make lanterns with some of the other wives and kids while the guys were TDY.

 It was gorgeous out the few days we headed to Seoul. We took the bus with friends (a group of 20 or so of us) from the base to Seoul. Once we had checked into the Dragon Hill Lodge, we walked to Vatos Tacos (see other post regarding Vatos:)) and on our way back we caught a glimpse/picture of the Seoul Tower.

 Hoping on the subway for the first time. First time ever for the girls. And first time having such an issue for Mom. Thankfully people in our group had been on it before and were great tour guides.

 Harrumph to my friend Andrea who has no kids, just a hubby TDY, but braved the adventure with all of us and our kiddos.

 Mommy and her girls on the subway

 As we walked through Seoul, I recognized a few places. Anyone for some Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks?

 I got a kick out of this. Yet another Starbucks but this time the name is smaller in English.

 Kids: "Mom, my feet hurt. I just want to sit down." "Mom, I'm hungry". Me: "Guys, deal with it. We'll sit down soon and get you situated for the parade". After literally seeing the starting point we'd been at like 45 minutes earlier, we thought we'd ask for some help from the passing "Guides". When they began talking to each other, we started to wonder if they themselves knew where to go. Eventually we found a spot to sit and catch all the action.

 Who could resist a waffle with some whipped cream type getup in the middle? That was the biggest smile Emily had on her face all night. Thanks to Mr. Flint pictured below.

 Nichole got the first lantern. Throughout the parade, the Koreans will hand out lanterns to people. At that point we decided we needed to get each family we were there with a lantern.

 Emily with her lantern.

 The Koreans loved having all the kids there.

 On the way home on the subway, still bright eyed and bushy tailed.

 Quite a sight in the Korean subway. In case of emergency.... gas masks will be available. Um, thanks?!

That whole thing of thinking we'd get a lantern per family, I think we got at least 5 lanterns per family! I know my girls at least came away saying "this was the best night ever" and when I talked to them about all the walking and complaining, they tell me "it was all worth it". So, mission accomplished. It was a fun adventure and one for the scrapbooks (whenever that finally happens) :) I'm glad I pushed to get out and do something and got other wives/families to join me. It always cracks me up how right after getting to a new base, you wouldn't think to be taking an overnight trip with anyone. Only in the military life... where you always have an extended family.

Update

Arriving on Friday afternoon (April 19), it ensured us to be staying in a hotel for at least the weekend. By Monday morning, we went into housing to check in and they said they had a house to offer us. We had friends we knew in the "other tower" (all of 50 yards away from each other) but we said we'd go check it out. We walked into the house we were offered and said to ourselves "who cares if we're not in the tower we 'wanted', this place is too good to pass up". So at just over 2,000 sq ft and facing the flight line, we left and went back to housing. We signed for the keys and did the walk through the next morning. In Korea, they give you loaner furniture automatically so you have a bed, dressers, couches and such until your furniture arrives. Wasn't our stuff, but totally doable.

 The front of the tower we're in, Hallasan Tower.

 I love being able to look out and see (not just hear) the jets taking off. Yes, I do have to pause the tv or turn up the radio if I really want to hear what's going on in the few minutes they take off, but that's okay. I hear the sounds will be even more fun once there is an exercise going on on the base.

 Once we got situated with the "house", we moved onto getting the girls checked into school and they started the Wednesday after we arrived. It's been a bit of a rocky transition and being a teacher myself it's been somewhat frustrating but all part of the adventure. Luckily, Emily just told me that one of the kids who has given her a problem from the day she showed up is moving soon :)

 With no yard, Aspen will sometimes want to hang on the balcony. Emily of course usually isn't far from where Aspen is.

 So I'd been hearing about this restaurant in Seoul that was comparable to Chipotle. It's doable, but certainly NOT Chipotle. Anyway, two of the wives let me venture to Seoul with them where I needed to grab Aspen's dog food from the Army base there and of course we had to stop and eat before catching the bus back to Osan.

 Eric worked his tail off to make sure he could pick up our van before he left on a TDY two weeks after us arriving. Yup, he went on a TDY, but only for a week.

 Before we arrived here, I'd be getting emails about various upcoming events and the annual Fiend Ball was one of those events. We talked about it and weren't sure if we'd want to do it but ultimately decided we should and why pass on the opportunity to get dressed up and have an adult night out. We went and helped decorate the night before and it was fun to hang with some of the new people we'll be spending quite a bit of time with here on the ROK. 

 We did not help decorate the tables, but they were set up nicely!

 We clean up okay :)

 Harrumph (what we say for the squadron here) to being back in a fighter squadron and enjoying all it has to offer.

Even as the sun is setting and you can see beyond the base, you've still got quite a view from our balcony.

Right after we arrived, there was a Relay for Life event I decided to take part in. It was a great time to get to know some of the wives and get to chat while walking for a good cause. 

Goodbyes never get easier.

Goodbyes are something I strongly dislike and despise. It's one of the few parts of the military life I just loathe. I'm not good at them. To me they are awkward. They make you completely vulnerable and you are forced to say goodbye to something you've enjoyed doing or those you've enjoyed spending time with and you know you won't get to see them anytime soon. So I do my best to put them off until I am forced into them. I try to act as if it's not happening. Real smart right? That's okay, I don't claim to be smart. Not all the time anyway.

We got in a last visit with Aunt Kylie before heading overseas and it never fails the girls always have an amazing time with her. We thoroughly enjoyed the two trips she got make since she's been away at college. When we dropped her off at the airport at the end of the weekend, the girls kept saying "Just one more hug". I know the girls have an incredible connection with her and it broke my heart to hear them say that. Therefore leaving with me tears as I gave her my last hug and dropped her at the curb. Hopefully we can get her out for a visit to Korea, but only time will tell. 

 Nichole and Emily got to have last hurrah's with their friends and the last few days of school were spent getting in as much time with friends as possible. 

The girls made frames with some of their friends and were happy to have a picture to put in them. I'm guessing these are the first things that will be put up in their new rooms. They sure do miss their friends and I was more emotional watching them say goodbye than they were themselves. They have met some amazing friends (with amazing parents) and I'm going to miss them as well.

And of course I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Chipotle. I really hope they don't go out of business while I'm in Korea.

My father in law and Cathy drove into town to drive the truck to FL and keep it running for us while we're in Korea. So we enjoyed our last few hours with them toasting to new adventures on the horizon. Hopefully we'll see them in Thailand :)

The morning of travel started off bright and early with a 3 am wake up. Everyone's stuff was laid out and ready to go. Good thing the airline told us to arrive at 4 and yet no one showed up until 420. Oh well. We said our goodbyes to our pup and sent him on his version of the journey to Korea.

  

We said our early morning goodbyes to Giga and Miss Cathy.

We said our goodbyes to Uncle Ricky who 3 years ago when we arrived in KS, dropped everything he knew and moved to Kansas City to be closer to us and enjoy the last few years with us. I'm so thankful for a great relationship with my siblings. He even baked us homemade chocolate chip cookies to bring on our trip!

Soon it was time to say our final goodbyes and walk through security. That's when things really started to settle in for me. This was real. It was happening. Tears began to flow as I again pushed off the goodbyes until I absolutely had to and while I knew it was only a "see you later", that thought didn't seem to help. My family is my world. 615 rolled around and we boarded our flight for the beginning of our new journey. We got through our first flight and arrived in Detroit. We settled in for a few hour layover but by the time we carted all our stuff around a bit, sat down to eat a late breakfast and made all the phone calls we could, to include one to shut off our cell phones, we made our way to boarding our flight that would take us to Korea. I again got a few weird looks as I said my final goodbyes to my dad and couldn't manage to keep it together. It was the one of the goodbyes I had tried my best to avoid but knew it would be one of the hardest. I'll always be a Daddy's girl. Thank goodness for technology is all I can say!

 Once we got in the air, we were amazed at how many movies were set up on the in seat entertainment. What's better than watching Pitch Perfect? Watching it with Japanese subtitles of course. :)

 We had saved some Chipotle chips and guac so naturally I had to get a picture before I dug in. As you can see, we were about half way into our flight before I took a taste.

 13 hours after take off, we landed and rushed to immigration to make sure we had enough time to get ourselves through customs and pick up the dog before we missed our opportunity and he was left for the weekend with the animal quarantine office closed. Luckily, it didn't close when we originally thought and after getting our visas situated and grabbing our luggage, we snagged our last piece of luggage, Aspen. He was excited to see us for sure. The people in the airport were so helpful and friendly. Emily shared her tid bit of Korean language knowledge with them so maybe that helped :) I couldn't believe we had finally arrived and after sending the quick messages to family and friends (sorry for any that we woke up since it was middle of the night), we began our bus ride to Osan Air Base where we'll reside for the next 2 years. The ride was fairly uneventful minus getting a slight taste of the crazy driving around here. Nichole crashed for most of the ride as she had waited until the last few hours of the 13 hour flight to finally get some sleep. Our sponsors had everything all set up for us upon our arrival and made the transition as smooth as possible. Thanks Tank and Leighann! With a home cooked dinner in our bellies and Eric having been kidnapped by the squadron within an hour of being here, the girls and I settled in to get some sleep.

 Everyone woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed the next morning. We hit up the downtown area right outside the base and began exploring.

 Emily was busy entertaining friends she had just made. She didn't seem to believe me that she'd make more friends and have a good time. Now I think she does. 

So now we are still busy settling in. It's weird to go through our daytime hours and know that everyone we know is busy sleeping. Makes for a lonely feeling since we've only hung with a few people so far. I'm sure once we get into the fun of things this week though that will change. Many adjustments are being made but we roll with each of them. We've only been here 36 (Harrumph!) hours and already we've heard a good bit of jet noise (and it's the weekend). So I can only imagine what it will be like this week. We've seen a few U-2's ("why is YouTube taking off Dad?") clearly they didn't hear him correctly and who knows what else. I can't always get to the window fast enough. All I know is it's the "sound of freedom". With that, I'll do my best to update this and keep you informed on our latest Korean adventures. For now, it's time to get these wild animals I sometimes call my children out to play before we all go stir crazy in the one bedroom hotel room. Hoping to get our house this week, but we'll find that out tomorrow.