We got back to Korea late last night. Our adventure in Seattle was short and sweet. We had a definite silver lining on our emergency leave in that our next assignment is to the place we happened to port out of (for you non-military folks, that means where we enter and exit the States). We decided to look around and get to know the area and neighborhoods.
Well, we found more than we bargained for: we found a HOUSE!!!!! It's a beautiful rental and is another military family's "forever home." We cannot believe our luck in finding it and having it be available right in the timeframe we need. It is a beautiful home and we cannot wait to get there and have guests. As househunting trips go, we didn't get to visit any with my family up that way. But no worries because we'll definitely be back.
On Wednesday, we started our long journey back to Korea. I was initially concerned that our flight would be delayed, as we had a layover in Tokyo, and we would miss the last bus home. As usual, Korea exceeds my expectations, though the flight on United left me less than satisfied (that's another post in and of itself). We landed, were through immigration, gathered our bags, cleared customs and still had time to use the restroom before we caught our bus back to Songtan in less than an hour. Oh, and we caught the bus before the last bus home.
As I was drifting in and out of sleep on the bus, I noticed that the driver was listening to some classic American music, interspersed with Korean commentary. I'm sure they were introducing the songs, the period, the type/genre, and the like, though I really wasn't paying attention. Not until I caught myself humming and singing right along to John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads." I opened my eyes and noticed we were on a rice patty road just a few miles away from Osan. Talk about a different interpretation of that song and a not quite right moment.
With just landing, I'm unpacking our bags and doing laundry while I draft up this and some of the other blogs. The déjà vu that titles this post comes in with packing.... it seems that all I ever lately is pack or unpack. Packing to go on a trip, packing to come back home, packing up the house to move across the ocean again. One day those country roads will lead me to my final home that I pack up my house for the last time.... Until then, the Air Force beckons us to make our next home and start the next chapter in our lives.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Getting Fresh With the Locals
Good morning from Tacoma, WA!!! We got in late Saturday night and have set up for the next couple of days in a hotel near Tacoma. In true Oliver fashion, we are already getting out and exploring our new home. While looking around to find the houses we're going to drive by, I stumbled upon a farmers market. We decided it would be a great way to get out and possibly pick up some yummy snacks for the next few days.
We found more than snacks. We bought blueberries, raspberries, and sweetheart cherries. Ronnie and I talked to a local pig farmer, who also has fresh eggs, turkeys, and other cuts of meat. And they make their own sausage! We found flowers and a bakery. We had a delicious lunch of homemade tamales accompanied by some of our fresh purchases.
Best of all, we got great information on the local co-op, other farmers markets on different days, and an invite to come out and see the farm! I can't wait to move up here!
We found more than snacks. We bought blueberries, raspberries, and sweetheart cherries. Ronnie and I talked to a local pig farmer, who also has fresh eggs, turkeys, and other cuts of meat. And they make their own sausage! We found flowers and a bakery. We had a delicious lunch of homemade tamales accompanied by some of our fresh purchases.
Best of all, we got great information on the local co-op, other farmers markets on different days, and an invite to come out and see the farm! I can't wait to move up here!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Finishing out Florida
Here I am, packing my bags, again..... We are boarding a plane today and heading to our next home. I know, weird right. Well, today we're flying back to Seattle and we have about 3 days before we board our next plane bound for Korea. It's weird thinking that this will be my last day in Florida for awhile. At any rate, here is the rundown for the week and the rest of our visit.
Let's Go Again Mommy!!!! On Sunday, we decided to head to Busch Gardens for the day. Ronnie and I have very fond memories of going to Busch Gardens and riding roller coasters, and we knew this would be a great day for Holly. And we couldn't be more right! She drug us from coaster to coaster, asking to go again and again and again. Luckily, they have a parent switch off area, so we would wait in line once and get to ride twice, so the other parent could stay with Sarah. Now, Sarah didn't get left out of the fun -- she picked the bumper cars, the flume ride, and the Sesame Street area.
Before we knew it the sun was setting and Holly wanted to go on one more coaster before the park closed. She and Ronnie ran up ahead to Gwazi, the double wooden coaster, while Sarah and I rode a few more rides in the Sesame Street area. I finally caught back up with Ronnie and Holly and we ran up to ride the coaster one more time. As we were going up, we had a great view of Tampa -- it is such a beautiful city at night! Holly was pointing out the stars that were up, though she didn't realize we were cresting the top. She told me "Mommy, look at all the stars and the moon and look there's another sta-AAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" followed by a "THIS - IS - AWE - SOME!!!!!!" It was a good day!!!
Fin Growth The girls "graduated" from swimming lessons! They are so much better than they were, but we still need more practice. Holly is able to jump off the diving boards and get herself to the side. Sarah is also able, but a little more reserved if you aren't right there to catch her. Now, onto continuing our lessons and build them into strong swimmers.
Holly is 7!!!!!! After hounding her for days, we finally got to August 10th. Holly was so excited! And when the time came, we all gave her big hugs and told her "Happy Birthday." Even Cleo the cat joined in on the love fest (not really, but I made her get a hug from Holly). We went over to Grammy and Papa's house for a birthday party with Uncle Robbie and her cousin Arryn. It was such a great home party, complete with climbing trees and a zip line!
Getting a little WILD We continued our Florida fun with visiting the Jacksonville Zoo. They run a great special on Tuesdays - $2 for admission! Again, we had a fantastic time running around and looking at the animals, hiding out from the heat, and getting wet. Yes, that getting wet part: there is a spray park at the zoo, but it's more like a huge splash pad. So the girls went in fully clothed. Then, the ubiquitous afternoon thunderstorm crept up at 3 pm, rather than 4 like it's supposed to. We were exiting the zoo when the bottom fell out and had to dash to the car. We were soaked in just the 100 yards we had to run, but it was too much fun!
So that about wraps it up.... We had a great time visiting family and seeing a few friends here and there. But now it's on to scope out the next adventure in our lives.
Let's Go Again Mommy!!!! On Sunday, we decided to head to Busch Gardens for the day. Ronnie and I have very fond memories of going to Busch Gardens and riding roller coasters, and we knew this would be a great day for Holly. And we couldn't be more right! She drug us from coaster to coaster, asking to go again and again and again. Luckily, they have a parent switch off area, so we would wait in line once and get to ride twice, so the other parent could stay with Sarah. Now, Sarah didn't get left out of the fun -- she picked the bumper cars, the flume ride, and the Sesame Street area.
Before we knew it the sun was setting and Holly wanted to go on one more coaster before the park closed. She and Ronnie ran up ahead to Gwazi, the double wooden coaster, while Sarah and I rode a few more rides in the Sesame Street area. I finally caught back up with Ronnie and Holly and we ran up to ride the coaster one more time. As we were going up, we had a great view of Tampa -- it is such a beautiful city at night! Holly was pointing out the stars that were up, though she didn't realize we were cresting the top. She told me "Mommy, look at all the stars and the moon and look there's another sta-AAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" followed by a "THIS - IS - AWE - SOME!!!!!!" It was a good day!!!
Fin Growth The girls "graduated" from swimming lessons! They are so much better than they were, but we still need more practice. Holly is able to jump off the diving boards and get herself to the side. Sarah is also able, but a little more reserved if you aren't right there to catch her. Now, onto continuing our lessons and build them into strong swimmers.
Holly is 7!!!!!! After hounding her for days, we finally got to August 10th. Holly was so excited! And when the time came, we all gave her big hugs and told her "Happy Birthday." Even Cleo the cat joined in on the love fest (not really, but I made her get a hug from Holly). We went over to Grammy and Papa's house for a birthday party with Uncle Robbie and her cousin Arryn. It was such a great home party, complete with climbing trees and a zip line!
Getting a little WILD We continued our Florida fun with visiting the Jacksonville Zoo. They run a great special on Tuesdays - $2 for admission! Again, we had a fantastic time running around and looking at the animals, hiding out from the heat, and getting wet. Yes, that getting wet part: there is a spray park at the zoo, but it's more like a huge splash pad. So the girls went in fully clothed. Then, the ubiquitous afternoon thunderstorm crept up at 3 pm, rather than 4 like it's supposed to. We were exiting the zoo when the bottom fell out and had to dash to the car. We were soaked in just the 100 yards we had to run, but it was too much fun!
So that about wraps it up.... We had a great time visiting family and seeing a few friends here and there. But now it's on to scope out the next adventure in our lives.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The It's Amost Holly's Birthay Party
It's August ya'll! Meaning one thing in our house - Holly's birthday. Every year, we start building up to the festivites by waking her up on the morning of July 31st and telling her it could have been her birthday today but X-many years ago she decided she was comfortable. So she can't have cake for breakfast. And we repeat every day until August 10th. Poor Holly... if she gets out of her childhood unscathed it will be a miracle.
We decided to take advantage of being in Florida and held a small family birthday party for her today. Holly and I conspired on her cake this year -- I owed her big after ruining last year's cupcakes. After a bit of searching and lots of back and forth, we settled on a homemade Barbie cake. I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out for her and Holly was tickled pink! We also decided to decorate the porch a bit. A blog that I follow posted a "how-to" on making normal crepe paper streamers fabulous. And that they were - they came together easily (10 minutes and done) and were super cute! Try it out yourself and check out some of her other posts and ideas - Ruffled Streamers
The party was low key. The girls went swimming in the lake, came up and make candy necklaces then it was time for cake and ice cream. We had a great visit with my sister, nieces, Callie and Laurelei, and Ronnie's parents (Grammy and Papa). Oh, and the cake, it was a hit!
We decided to take advantage of being in Florida and held a small family birthday party for her today. Holly and I conspired on her cake this year -- I owed her big after ruining last year's cupcakes. After a bit of searching and lots of back and forth, we settled on a homemade Barbie cake. I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out for her and Holly was tickled pink! We also decided to decorate the porch a bit. A blog that I follow posted a "how-to" on making normal crepe paper streamers fabulous. And that they were - they came together easily (10 minutes and done) and were super cute! Try it out yourself and check out some of her other posts and ideas - Ruffled Streamers
The party was low key. The girls went swimming in the lake, came up and make candy necklaces then it was time for cake and ice cream. We had a great visit with my sister, nieces, Callie and Laurelei, and Ronnie's parents (Grammy and Papa). Oh, and the cake, it was a hit!
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