The final stretch until... Mike's Return!!!

The last week was very much improved to the previous week especially. My biggest hurdle and accomplishment for the week was dealing with the car. As you know it wouldn't unlock either with the key pad or manually. The reason the keypad didn't work was because the battery died! And the manual locks didn't work, come to find out because they were missing parts. So on Tuesday I called Bill, the man who sold us the car and he said they would call me in the morning the next day to come out and open it to see where the problem was. I spent most of Wednesday morning waiting for them to come. That's when we found out about the battery, which they jumped. I drove it around our housing complex and let it run for a bit. But when I went out to run errands later that afternoon, it had enough juice to unlock but not start. Long story short Bill didn't get to come back and jump it again til Thursday. I let it run for over an hour this time, which worked and I was able to do my errands. The story doesn't end there. We had arranged that on Friday they would come get the car to fix the manual locks on the doors. Bill said the mechanic gets in at 10am, I will call you then. Well by 11:45 I still hadn't heard anything so I called him. Basically I spent the rest of the day waiting around for them to come get the car, evaluate how long it would take to fix it and then wait for Bill to call me and pick me up so I could go get it. All this was essential so I could pick Mike up the next day. It was frustrating and exhausting waiting around like that. But it has been taken care of and all is well with our car!

The week also provided a couple opportunities where I was able to meet two of my neighbors. The funny thing is that one gave me a futon and the other a stroller! These two ladies are very nice and I look forward to establishing friendships with them both.

Rhyon is really walking now. We had some time to spend on the playground this week which has rubber floors. He really likes walking on this because its softer to fall on than the floors in the house. He was walking all over the place. He now walks all over the house too. Rhyon will be running very soon!

Mike got back to Yongsan early Saturday morning, but was not due to be released until 3pm. However even that didn't happen and we ended up killing time for almost 2 hours before he was allowed to leave and go home. But boy were we all happy when we finally got home. Its amazing how much the environment changes when he is here. Thankfully the Army gave them Monday off as well so we still had a pretty normal weekend.

Sunday we decided to just go for a walk. So we ventured out the back gate and up to Itaewon, which is the main street for shopping and food in this area. We went shopping here before when we first arrived. This time was nicer because of a few things, we had a stroller, it wasn't as super hot, and we didn't have to hike up a steep hill to get home! We were able to buy more and discover shops and places we didn't see before. If you want a souvenir from Korea that's the place to go. And never accept the price of the first thing you see. Someone down the street will have a better deal, and when they do snatch it up! The one story I have of this particular trip is quite comical. We had been in this one building before which is kinda a mix of a flea market/ mall. This time we went in looking for a potty for Giulianna which the sign said was on the 2nd floor. We didn't even know there was a second floor the first time. We discovered there was not only a second but a third! We went all the way up. When we got to the top there were some ladies selling clothes. Mostly mens dress shirts, jackets and ties. There was another lady selling knock off designer clothes too. Well as I was being haggled into buy a "designer" sweater, and dealing with Giulianna who was hysterical over a popped balloon, Mike was fighting his own loosing battle. Mike said there were 4 women at one time, two ogling at Rhyon and asking about his heritage, while 2 more were talking Mike into buying 2 dress shirts. They told him the original price of the shirts was 52,000 won each, they talked him down to buying them at 20,000 won each by the time I walked over. He kept trying to tell they he doesn't wear dress shirts, which is generally true. Well so as I walk over he hands them 50,000 won to pay for the shirts expecting 10,000 won in change. He never got any change, because that's when they started telling me what a beautiful lady I was and how I needed a Channel scarf. Then they tried getting me to buy some really ugly shirt, I humored them by trying it on but I held my ground that I didn't like it. I walked away and was again being haggled by the first lady. Finally we are ready to leave and I asked Mike if he got his change. At which he said no, they talked him into a tie too!!!! It was hilarious! Mike totally got haggled!!!! Just to give a ballpark reference to the above story, 50,000 won is almost $50 US, depending on the days exchange rate.

As for pictures this week, I didn't really take many. But here is what I have anyway. Stay tuned for next week, we are thinking about heading to Seoul Land which is an amusement park, and we have a birthday party Sunday for one of the kids new friends! The biggest part of the adventure will be possibly riding the subway to Seoul Land......

Both kids are now walking!!!

This was a coffee table for sale in a furniture shop, all the shiny is abalone shell. It was a work of art. Cost about 4,000,000 won aka $4 thousand dollars! It was just beautiful!!!!

Can you believe I found a polar bear ring?!!! Of course I bought it!!!!

Rhyon munching on a whole banana.

Giant Lego Man outside a restaurant on Itaewon.

This is what the gas stations here look like. You drive in and they pump your gas from a nozzle they pull down from the ceiling.

Giulianna comes over and says "Look Mommy I'm a chipmunk!"

Not sure why, but Ryon decided to explore under the table!

Not a good week and contact information.

Oh what a week!!!! This week was by far the worst week we have had since we have been in Korea. Early in the week Rhyon started having some really icky diapers which caused really nasty sores on his butt and a made a very cranky baby. This was added to a Mommy and sister who weren't feeling our best either. We were coping mostly with lots of resting time and movies. It wasn't so bad staying inside either since it was raining again anyway.

The only day we had plans to do anything this week was Wednesday. We had to go to the main part of post so I could get my new phone. I took over a phone from a couple who had entered a plan and suddenly had to leave Korea and needed to get out of their plan. I figured that since I was going to post for that I would run some other errands as well. I needed to go to the place Mike works to try and retrieve our mail. (I have been waiting for a box from my Mom for more than a month.) I was also going to go to the post office and mail a box, pick up a few things I needed at the PX and then head to Angie's for the phone transition thing. Doing all this would require the car which was no big deal since I am now licensed.  Well... you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men...

So after Rhyon's nap and lunch I got all packed up and ready to go. We get out to the car and I hit unlock on the key fab, go to open the door and nothing happened. I try again, nothing... so I try manually with the key and it will not unlock! I decided to try the trunk, that unlocked, so I put the box I needed to mail and Rhyon down in the trunk and try the doors again. Nothing!!!!! To add to all this it is raining. So back upstairs we go so I can check the internet for a solution, but I was frustrated, found nothing and was on a schedule. Now my options were bus or cab. We went with cab since the bus was not leaving for some time.

I decided to check the mail at Mike's office anyway, and of course the box came! This was a good thing, but now I was carrying a fairly big box as well as Rhyon and a backpack. Thankfully Master Sargent GB came by and called me a cab which I then rode to Angie's house. None of the other errands happened, except the phone transition.

I have been asked by a few people how do you call me? Well I think the answer is you don't. The good news is however the new phone has a plan which gives me 300 minutes a month and that allows for calls to the states. My cell phone number is 010-7427-0620, but I don't know what you would need to do to dial international nor what it would cost. However I am able to get text messages, the number for that is 1-951-307-8668. It is with a program on my phone called Heywire, and it does work as I have gotten a few texts already. I believe that standard text messaging rules and rates apply to this. I also want to address the mail situation. Our mail goes to Mike via his office, so our address is:

CPT Michael Schuster

STB-K S4 PSC 303

APO AP 96204-0083

I don't know how long it takes to receive just regular mail, i.e. letters, cards etc. but packages take a week if you send them Priority Mail. If you send them just parcel post it can take up to 6 weeks or more aka my Mom's box. Mail from here to the states takes about a week as well. Remember when sending a package you must include a customs sheet available at the post office. Whenever possible be sure to use an APO/ Armed Forces Priority box as it is a little cheaper to send. I am also available via email, Skype, Facebook, and facetime if you have an Ipod or Ipad or Iphone or by comments on the blog. 

Back to my horrible week.... Thursday after story-time at the library and some time on the playground Rhyon needed a nap. When he woke up he had a fever. It was pretty high and I was concerned, the Tylenol wasn't touching it either. The next morning it was still high and he hadn't been eating or drinking much. So I tried calling to get him an appointment to see the doctor. But they wouldn't make me one because we weren't registered in the system. I asked if I came and got into the system if they would have an appointment for me and she said she could not guarantee it. With no other choice I packed up the kids and all the paperwork I needed and took the bus to the hospital on post. Several offices, forms and hours later we were registered, so I called for an appointment only to be bitched at by the lady on the line about how there was nothing available and she was just in some office making the appointments. So I walked over to the pediatrics and asked to be seen and got the same answer, nothing available. My only option was to go to the ER which always takes hours. Off to the dreaded ER we went, even though by that time Rhyon didn't have a fever anymore. To my surprise we were in and out of the ER, nurse and doctor seen and all in under 40mins.

Saturday was definitely a better day. No Fever!!!! The kids had physicals in the morning and we went to church in the afternoon. I will be teaching 6th grade religious education starting in September. This should be interesting... I got myself into it because I was going to teach Giulianna's preschool class, and I told the lady that last week, but she must not have put my name down and someone else was signed up. Everything else was already filled except 6th and 8th grade. Like I already said about plans....

Crochet Zebras I made for the kids and finished this week.

This is a shawl I made for Aunt Lisa. I finished it and mailed it already but didn't want to post a picture sooner and ruin the surprise!

View of the shawl on me.

I decided to get the kids something special since they were so good Friday with all the nonsense at the hospital. Giulianna and I picked Legos, which are a huge hit!

Rhyon likes them too. He was feeling well enough for a little play time.

So involved she wouldn't look at the camera.

We built a tower with all the Legos and then destroyed it!

View from my bedroom window. Seoul Tower colored red and blue like the South Korean flag, I am guessing as a symbol of a celebration of their Independence Day which was this week. Also notice the search lights. August 15th was the 66th Anniversary of their independence from Japan.

I must admit that last week sure made me a bit homesick. I have seen a lot of stuff on Facebook about the Erie County Fair and the Annunciation Picnic, which have always been summer staples in my life. I did however get to talk to a couple of family members via phone and email and it makes me glad everyone is doing well. Mike should be back in a few days which we are all looking forward to. We all seem to be on the mend around here so hopefully we will have a better week. You just never know what life's adventure has in store! I Love and Miss everyone!!!!

Surviving...

Well I have survived many things this week!!!

The first was getting us all through it without Mike being around. His presence does two things, it gives me a break from the kids and gives them a break from me!!!! I still have two weeks to go in this department. Thank God I have two good kids that are mostly obedient and easy to keep entertained. Uggh!

The second thing I survived was I successfully took and passed the drivers test. The third thing we all survived was actually driving, and not once but twice!!! The test was no big deal, just read the manual, and take the test, which only took about 20mins. Then you get to sit through an hour of silly video torture that pretty much only applies if you will be driving military vehicles. The only thing the videos say that is VERY true is that anything can happen on the roads here and "situational awareness" is key. Boy is that the truth! I have seen a lot of craziness on the roads as a passenger, but at least you can try to ignore whats happening and look out the window... But when you are driving you get to see everything! On Thursday, I had some errands to do that required the car, so I packed up the kids and off we went. Did you know that if you are a Korean on a moped that you can do anything you like? You can pass anytime, any vehicle, swerve in and out of traffic, skip red lights, whatever! If you are in a taxi you can get out (or in) at anytime you feel, even in the middle of the road in heavy traffic. Oh and my personal favorite, if the road is two lanes on each side and you are stopped at a red light in the right lane and the car in the left lane changes their mind and wants to make a right instead of going straight, they just put on their directional (which they just assume you see) and make a right in front of you from the left lane! This is just the tip of the iceberg on the driving skills of Koreans! When Mike gets back and is driving I will try and video one day so we can share this experience.

My license, not at all fancy like our states licenses.

We also survived the typhoon, or lack there of!!! Yes they were predicting a typhoon, so better be prepared right. The weather said rain all day for the next 3 days, and it did rain... However, on Tuesday afternoon after rain all morning, we got ready to catch the bus to post, put on rain boots and grabbed umbrellas. Of course as soon as we got out the door, no rain... just lots of hot sunshine and really humid weather! Grrr. So Wednesday it was threatening rain again, this time no boots, but we brought the umbrellas. Again no rain, just bright sunshine! And again Saturday it rained all morning, and we were headed to post to catch a movie and go to church in the afternoon. So I put on the rain boots again, and grabbed the umbrellas! It drizzled a little, but nothing that required being quite so prepared! I guess the weather man is not my friend, and if I want sunshine, I should bring my umbrella!!!!

I actually didn't have much to take pictures of this week, but there are a few from just one morning when the kids were being especially cute! Rhyon is walking much more now, letting go of things and taking steps across the room to toys and such. By the time Mike gets back Rhyon will be running to him!

The kids playing in their new wagon.

Gettin' ready for trouble!

Stealing the spotlight, as usual.

My kids seem so big...

We had jumping practice. This was her best shot!

Me being silly with Rhyon, while letting Giulianna play with my camera.

And now to survive the next week....

Family Fun

This week was pretty routine and kinda blah. Last weekend we didn't do much at all except get groceries at the Commissary. It pretty much was rainy all weekend. We spent Sunday afternoon playing board games with Giulianna and watching movies. The baby gates arrived this week which was half good. Only the one at the top of the stairs fit as I had forgotten the measurements of the top and bottom landings were different. So I am now waiting for the adapter for the bottom stairs to come so I can put that gate up. On Wednesday I made dinner and then skid-addled out the door when Mike got home so I could catch a movie. I finally got to see "The Conspirator", and have a little Mommy alone time. The kids and I went to story time at the library on Thursday, again this week. Thursday evening we spent some time on the playground and Giulianna made a new friend.

Giulianna has some big shoes to fill!!!

Friday was another routine day and very hot. There were warning about the heat being at a level 5, which is the highest for the area. We pretty much stayed inside but we got to have a little fun doing a craft that my friend Kelly did with her daughter Regan. We made sponge balls!!! When Daddy got home on Friday we decided to go explore around Hannam Village a bit. We had dinner out and then walked around and finally got donuts at Dunkin' Donuts!!!! One interesting observation was that there was far less English in this area overall. No one seemed to speak English and there wasn't as much on signs and such. I think this is interesting mainly because you have Hannam Village, US Army Housing smack dab in the middle of an area where English isn't prevalent. And to add to it you go a few blocks away and you are in an area where almost everyone can speak at least a little English. My goal is to at least learn to read Hangul and hopefully speak a little Korean.

Giulianna and I made 5 sponge balls, which she loves. Thanks for the idea Kelly!

Out for some Korean food. That's a bowl of noodles and 2 different kinds of Kim Chi.

Mike is mixing up the Bee Bim Bap, which is vegetables, rice, hot sauce and a fried egg.

Giulianna happy about her dinner, she loves the noodles.

Rhyon decided he wanted the kim chi, and after he finally got a piece he seemed to like it, but didn't have enough teeth to actually chew it. This is radish kim chi which I personally like better than cabbage kim chi. Both are a bit spicy.

Rhyon loves the noodles too!

As we walked around we found street food, this is chicken on a stick. You can also get other "parts" of the chicken on the stick.

Down one of the streets. Example of far less English around.

This is a fish market restaurant. Basically whatever you order is already in one of these tanks.

Squid!

Invertebrates, technically sea cucumbers.

Eels, flounder and rock fish I believe.

This is the "catcher/ chopper". It was fun watching him.

Catching an order.

Squid, it's whats for dinner!!!!

 Here is a video of the chopping process, very interesting thing to watch! Maybe we will get to eat here sometime!!! Guess I better learn Korean so I know what I am ordering....

More invertebrates for dinner!

A flock of floundering flounder!

In this picture you can see people at the traditional short tables where you sit on the floor and at regular tables. The place was pact.

There is out door seating too. It doesn't get fresher that that!!!!

We kept trying to get Giulianna to leave and stop looking at the fish but she was amazed!

Right across the street was another restaurant but much smaller. However this one had crabs and octopus to offer.

Octopus! We were surprised they weren't climbing out!

Giulianna said the squid looked sad, I guess they were since they were gonna be dinner!!!

We were gonna get ice cream but Giulianna wanted donuts.

The menu was slightly different, but over all the same as in the states. We had a tofu donut and some other more normal ones and green tea bubble tea. In the states bubble tea is tapioca bubbles, here they are rice ball bubbles. It was like having frogs eggs in your tea, very interesting!

Saturday I had the opportunity for a little more Mommy alone time. I took the bus to the main post and dropped some stuff off at the thrift store, get some misc stuff at the PX like towels, and have a pedicure. Mike an the kids joined me a few hours later and we ran to the Commissary for their HUGE TRUCK SALE. It was a bit disappointing but we now have lots of diapers, toilet paper and snack pack pudding! We then made it to church for the first time since we have been here. For dinner we went to Pizza Hut and ate outside. Giulianna wanted to go to the playground, where we ran into her new friend from a few days before and they played until it got dark. Mike and I had the opportunity to chat with his parents and some of their friends, all of which happen to be Russian. They are all very nice people and I look forward to getting to know them better in the future. All in all it was a great weekend.

Today (Sunday) we think we might go in the pool for a bit and play with our sponge balls! Tomorrow Mike is leaving on a training exercise and leaving me alone for a few weeks. I am hopeful that I will be able to accomplish a few things in that time such as getting my Korean Drivers License and getting the kids enrolled in CYS (Child Youth Services) so that they can attend preschool and be left for child care. Giulianna has also been asking about dance class, so I will be signing her up for that too. Guess that is about it for now!