Backlog

Well, the blog postings have been far and few between, haven't they?  I haven't been feeling all that well lately, and add to that the stress of getting ready to go back to the states for a month...and the photos have been just sitting on my phone.  No more though!  I uploaded them last night (or should I say this morning, as it was 4:30 am when i was doing this) and thought I should at least give you some hi-lights of our past month or so.  

We took another trip to Bear Tree Park.

 

Things you wouldn't be able to do in the states.

 

He didn't fall in until we were walking to the next pool of water.  Good thing mama always has an extra pair of underwear in her purse, along with a very long scarf.

We took a rest on the playground. 

 

We visited our friend's kindergarten class during their open house. 

 
 
 

Note the concentration on S.'s face during building time.

And the finished product.  Good job daddy! 
 

Gym time.

Snack time, Korean-style.  Potatoes roasted and sprinkled with sugar.

  

And on the way out, a water balloon toss. 

What a good sport. 

We also went fishing in a lovely mountain stream with our friends.  

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

All the minnow-like fish that we caught with the net were given to an older couple who made them into lunch while they sat by the stream in their tent.  We had plums, tomatoes and bread for our snack instead.

 

We also got to go to a major league baseball game.  The company that sponsor's S's program at school also sponsors a baseball team.  Unfortunately they are last in the standings - they are 7th out of, well, 7 teams.  However, they had an amazing game the night we were there and they ended up winning 8-5 after getting a grand slam in the 3rd inning.  

 

The stadium built for the World Cup in 2002 is in the background.

 

Best seats in the house, for about $15 USD.

 

I wish I had better pictures of the inside, but my phone decided to die at just about this point.  For the kids that don't have a 9-inning attention span, a free train ride, playground area and moon bounce. What a great night out. 

We are headed back to the states in less than 24 hours.  Hope everyone is having a great summer so far, and hopefully we'll be able to see lots of your during our vacation! 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Father's Day

 

As I was thinking of what to write for Father's Day, I realized how much I edit my thoughts and what I choose to write about here.  Sometimes I feel as if I have to downplay what a good experience this has been for our family because 

    1. I know that not everyone is lucky enough to be in our situation and I know firsthand how difficult it is to have to work even when that isn't what you want to be doing and... 

    2. I know that this is difficult for family who don't get to see us (let's not kid, we all know it's really O. that they are missing!) as often as they would like and feel as if they are missing out on experiences with us. 

That being said, it has been amazing to have the opportunity to be in a completely different culture and have only one parent working full-time.  In particular, as I reflect on Father's day, I realize how amazing S. is as a father and how nice it has been for him here.  He is only a 20 minute walk away from work, he doesn't have to bring work home with him as much as he used to, and without having to get up at 5 am every morning, the whole family is a lot less tired.  It makes for a lot better parenting and a lot more happiness for us as a family.  

I see S. making breakfast for O. in the morning and playing with all the neighborhood kids after work at the playgrounds around our apartment.  I see him looking up information about all the new flags O. wants to paint as we watch FIFA games.  I see him and O. playing catch, soccer, bowling, and racing.  I see him explaining experiments as we all go up to school Thursday nights for environmental club.  I hear his voice as O. explains to me the next day what carbon dioxide is or why germs like E. coli are bad for you.  I see him read to O. and joke with O. and yes, discipline O. all in that wonderfully calm manner of his that most of you know.  I see him giving O.  piggyback rides, letting him climb all over him, and giving him hugs and butterfly kisses before bed.  I see what a wonderful father O. has and I think again how lucky I am to have this amazing family.  

Happy Father's Day S. and to all the other father's out there.  We love you for everything you do for us.  

 

 

Warm weather is back!

 

 

 

The fountains are back on downtown...

 

...popsicles and short sleeves are making an appearance...

 

...playgrounds are full again (that's O. asking his friend to feel his muscles)...

 

...the kids are learning how to clean octopus for lunch (it was delicious by the way)...

 

 

...lots of baseball games are being played....
 

 

...digging in the dirt with friends is highly encouraged...

...as is drinking on the street.   

 
         
     
 

Spring at Bugil

The Cherry Blossom Festival last weekend was a bust.  It was rainy and cold, and none of the trees were in bloom.  

(There was still ice cream though, so it was a pretty good festival in O.'s opinion.) 

On Monday, it snowed in Seoul. 

On Thursday, it snowed in the province to the south of us. 

On Friday, it finally felt like spring.  So, G. and the kids and I went to S.'s school for a picnic.  Beautiful. 

The walk up to school.

The magnolias were in full bloom overhead as we ate. 

The kids were playing in the grass.

We watched some baseball.

 

And some BASEBALL...they won the national championships last year.  

 

We took a break for some music. 

And reveled in the beauty of cherry blossoms, finally blossomed.