1. My new favorite website: Kim Jong Il Looking At Things ROCKS! I just laugh and laugh. There are a few who don't get it and I don't get what they don't get. Check it out Here
2. Google docs may quite possibly be the best file sharing site. I have my half plan save out there and can access it so long as I have computer access. Of course, I'm also that dork who has this next thing
3. iPod Touches are the bomb. I'm a recovering Crackberry addict and I refuse to get a smartphone while we're here because I'm saving up for when/if we get back to the states in a few months. I also have my half plan saved on my touch. No excuses, right.
4. We're working through watching our favorite Christmas movies with the kids. I love family movie nights. Really, it's just the being lazy after a long week.
5. My kids are super excited about Christmas. We're starting our baking this weekend - we'll see how long they last.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Student Becomes the Teacher
There's a point in your life where when someone says you act like your mother, you say thank you because it's a big compliment. I'm not sure where that point was, but I am my mother and I don't mind it at all. I hear her words coming out of my mouth even before they register with me that I had heard them somewhere in my upbringing. To be fair, I also have my fair share of things my dad used to tell me coming out of my mouth as well.
Pearls of wisdom like: "if you're gonna be stupid, you gotta be tough", "Shhhhhh - the news is on", and my personal favorite "do you just want to be average in your life, or do you want to be excellent." They are all favorites really, because there is one pearl that has successfully been passed down to the next generation. The Plan.
My sister and I were raised with "The Plan" (read more here). But I say successfully because of this fantastic exchange I was privy to the other day.
Last week, we were driving somewhere with the girls. As usual, they are chatting away in the back seat about who did what, said what, ate/picked/hit what or who. I had mentioned to the girls that the Smiley family was going to have baby Hudson joining them soon. The following conversation ensued:
Sarah: I want to be a mommy
Holly: Well, you can't be a mommy yet Sarah. You're not big.
Sarah: But I still want to have a baby.
And then, it happened. Water parted, Angels sang, and there were harps playing. Because then Holly said, "Well, you can't have a baby until you're married Sarah. And you can't get married until you get done with school, and you're not even in Kindergarten yet. So you have to wait. Because you have to go to school, then get married, and then have babies."
She skipped the part about getting a job, but I was really proud anyway.
Pearls of wisdom like: "if you're gonna be stupid, you gotta be tough", "Shhhhhh - the news is on", and my personal favorite "do you just want to be average in your life, or do you want to be excellent." They are all favorites really, because there is one pearl that has successfully been passed down to the next generation. The Plan.
My sister and I were raised with "The Plan" (read more here). But I say successfully because of this fantastic exchange I was privy to the other day.
Last week, we were driving somewhere with the girls. As usual, they are chatting away in the back seat about who did what, said what, ate/picked/hit what or who. I had mentioned to the girls that the Smiley family was going to have baby Hudson joining them soon. The following conversation ensued:
Sarah: I want to be a mommy
Holly: Well, you can't be a mommy yet Sarah. You're not big.
Sarah: But I still want to have a baby.
And then, it happened. Water parted, Angels sang, and there were harps playing. Because then Holly said, "Well, you can't have a baby until you're married Sarah. And you can't get married until you get done with school, and you're not even in Kindergarten yet. So you have to wait. Because you have to go to school, then get married, and then have babies."
She skipped the part about getting a job, but I was really proud anyway.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Resting High on the Mountain
AAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
That would be our collective sigh from this past weekend. After last week's "entertainment" and the frenzy that is Thanksgiving, we were in need of a break.
A few weeks ago, I booked us on the trip to Mt. Seorak and convinced some very sweet friends of ours, the McCulloch's, to go with us. Up until late Thursday, I wasn't sure if we were going to go since the base was on alert status from the events from earlier in the week. But lucky for us, we were released to go.
Seorak is located on the northeast coast and is the third highest mountain in Korea. This is the same mountain range Ronnie went hiking in back in October, and I have really been wanting to go myself as I had heard it was beautiful.
So, after the craziness of Thanksgiving, we piled into a bus on Friday morning and headed for the mountains. It took us about 3 hours by bus to get there, but it flew by. The girls are finally able to entertain themselves for a few hours by coloring, reading and just looking out the window. I was even able to catch a light cat nap because they were behaving so well.
We were booked in the Sorak Tourist Hotel, which is within the national park and right at the base of Gwongeumseong. The hotel was smaller but family owned, which made it very cozy. This was our view from our hotel...
If looking at that while you're lying down in a comfy bed doesn't instantly relax you, there may not be any hope. We dropped our bags, grabbed a quick bite, and off to the mountain we went.
First up, the cable car and Gwongeumseong. Legend has it that this castle was built by two men who wanted to protect their land peacefully. The cable car ride was quick, but a little painful... Sarah was a little scared of the height at first. But it was well worth it. The view was utterly fantastic - you could see the East Sea and most of the other peaks in the area. Ronnie climbed to the top with the McCullochs and said it was even better up there.
Next was the Biryong Waterfall. The girls had had their fill of hiking, so we went back to the hotel, while Ronnie pressed on with the group. Biryong means flying dragon, and is kind of what the falls look like. It was a nice hike through the bamboo forrest, then you get to Yukdam Falls, and press a little further to Biryong.
After all the days events and some fantastic pizza, we settled into our hotel for a quiet night's rest. Early the next morning, we woke up for our hike to Geumgang Cave. Mother Nature surprised us with a gift: the first snow of the season. It was beautiful to watch blow in down the valley, and luckily it was gone as quickly as it came.
That would be our collective sigh from this past weekend. After last week's "entertainment" and the frenzy that is Thanksgiving, we were in need of a break.
A few weeks ago, I booked us on the trip to Mt. Seorak and convinced some very sweet friends of ours, the McCulloch's, to go with us. Up until late Thursday, I wasn't sure if we were going to go since the base was on alert status from the events from earlier in the week. But lucky for us, we were released to go.
Seorak is located on the northeast coast and is the third highest mountain in Korea. This is the same mountain range Ronnie went hiking in back in October, and I have really been wanting to go myself as I had heard it was beautiful.
So, after the craziness of Thanksgiving, we piled into a bus on Friday morning and headed for the mountains. It took us about 3 hours by bus to get there, but it flew by. The girls are finally able to entertain themselves for a few hours by coloring, reading and just looking out the window. I was even able to catch a light cat nap because they were behaving so well.
We were booked in the Sorak Tourist Hotel, which is within the national park and right at the base of Gwongeumseong. The hotel was smaller but family owned, which made it very cozy. This was our view from our hotel...
If looking at that while you're lying down in a comfy bed doesn't instantly relax you, there may not be any hope. We dropped our bags, grabbed a quick bite, and off to the mountain we went.
First up, the cable car and Gwongeumseong. Legend has it that this castle was built by two men who wanted to protect their land peacefully. The cable car ride was quick, but a little painful... Sarah was a little scared of the height at first. But it was well worth it. The view was utterly fantastic - you could see the East Sea and most of the other peaks in the area. Ronnie climbed to the top with the McCullochs and said it was even better up there.
Next was the Biryong Waterfall. The girls had had their fill of hiking, so we went back to the hotel, while Ronnie pressed on with the group. Biryong means flying dragon, and is kind of what the falls look like. It was a nice hike through the bamboo forrest, then you get to Yukdam Falls, and press a little further to Biryong.
After all the days events and some fantastic pizza, we settled into our hotel for a quiet night's rest. Early the next morning, we woke up for our hike to Geumgang Cave. Mother Nature surprised us with a gift: the first snow of the season. It was beautiful to watch blow in down the valley, and luckily it was gone as quickly as it came.
The girls and I hiked most of the way, but turned around at Biseondae because the hike was going to be mostly vertical from there. We returned to get a snack at the hotel while Ronnie went on with the group. The hike was pretty difficult, but the cave had a spectacular view and there was a small shrine inside.
When they finally returned, it was time for us to head to Waterpia. Again, if this vacation couldn't have been more relaxing, then they send us to the land of hot tubs, massaging water jets, and dry saunas.
Sunday morning brought us bright blue skies. I took this picture from the roof of our hotel as the sun was rising.
I did a quick hike with the group up to Sinheungsa Temple, one of the Buddhist temples in the park. Once we got back, we all loaded into the bus and headed for Naksan Temple, which is right on the East Sea. The grounds were beautiful, although it was devistated by fire a few years ago. The sea was beautiful against the bright blue sky and we had a fantastic view of Seoraksan.
After a quick lunch, we headed back to the "real" world but quickly agreed that we must revisit this area before we leave next year.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Giving Thanks
Where did this year go? I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving. This year, we celebrated with two fantastic groups: the 25th and the OSS.
First up, we repeated the fantastic tradition that the 25th has: the Thunderbolt Feast. Basically, we cook way too much food and invite the maintainers over to eat turkey dinner. It is a great day of fellowship with the fine men and women who keep our pilots safe everyday. This year, I just ate a light lunch, as we had another group to go celebrate with.
Ronnie has moved into a new job and is in charge of the Life Support office in the OSS. It's another group of unsung heroes because these guys make sure that all of the aircrew equipment is up to safety standards. And another group worthy of a semi-home cooked meal. I wasn't able to do a full turkey dinner for them, but we made ham and most of the sides. I don't think there was anyone who went hungry in that group... for days.
All in all Thanksgiving in Korea, part deux, was a success. We were able to spend time with a group of people who probably don't think the pilots appreciate them (and most the time they don't)... but hopefully, this one day let them know that we do appreciate what they do on a day in day out basis to keep daddy coming home safe and sound.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
First up, we repeated the fantastic tradition that the 25th has: the Thunderbolt Feast. Basically, we cook way too much food and invite the maintainers over to eat turkey dinner. It is a great day of fellowship with the fine men and women who keep our pilots safe everyday. This year, I just ate a light lunch, as we had another group to go celebrate with.
Ronnie has moved into a new job and is in charge of the Life Support office in the OSS. It's another group of unsung heroes because these guys make sure that all of the aircrew equipment is up to safety standards. And another group worthy of a semi-home cooked meal. I wasn't able to do a full turkey dinner for them, but we made ham and most of the sides. I don't think there was anyone who went hungry in that group... for days.
All in all Thanksgiving in Korea, part deux, was a success. We were able to spend time with a group of people who probably don't think the pilots appreciate them (and most the time they don't)... but hopefully, this one day let them know that we do appreciate what they do on a day in day out basis to keep daddy coming home safe and sound.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Flexing the Muscles
Living in a foreign country is a blessing in many ways. There are life lessons and experiences you wouldn't have anywhere else. But there are other things that you learn along the way that will stay with you the rest of your life.
If you are like most Americans, and like I was before October 2009, the Korean War was something you studied in World History and was most likely sandwiched between WWII and Vietnam or the timeperiod that MASH was set in.
But living here causes the war to come into a different perspective. Because, technically speaking, the war is not over.
Earlier this week, our friendly neighborhood psychopath decided to shell an island in the Yellow Sea. The attack was completely unprovoked (from what I can tell on the unclassified newswaves) and unfortunately, several people lost their lives or were seriously injured.
As with other major events in the world, you sit and wonder what is happening, what caused it to happen, and what can we do to make sure it doesn't happen again. Fortunately for me, that is for people with far more experience to handle. From what I can tell it's all about Jonger wanting his nukes, and the South saying fine, have your nukes, but you won't get any more rice. Childish really, but then again, why would you expect anything rational to come out of a fruitcake.
So I have checked our go bags, I have cash ready at my disposal, and I know where all my paperwork is... just in case.
If you are like most Americans, and like I was before October 2009, the Korean War was something you studied in World History and was most likely sandwiched between WWII and Vietnam or the timeperiod that MASH was set in.
But living here causes the war to come into a different perspective. Because, technically speaking, the war is not over.
Earlier this week, our friendly neighborhood psychopath decided to shell an island in the Yellow Sea. The attack was completely unprovoked (from what I can tell on the unclassified newswaves) and unfortunately, several people lost their lives or were seriously injured.
As with other major events in the world, you sit and wonder what is happening, what caused it to happen, and what can we do to make sure it doesn't happen again. Fortunately for me, that is for people with far more experience to handle. From what I can tell it's all about Jonger wanting his nukes, and the South saying fine, have your nukes, but you won't get any more rice. Childish really, but then again, why would you expect anything rational to come out of a fruitcake.
So I have checked our go bags, I have cash ready at my disposal, and I know where all my paperwork is... just in case.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
TEAM WHATS-HIS FACE
I would say that this battle has been reduced to name calling, but since other unnamed individual isn't even uttering a sound, it's gone beyond that. Fight's on. I enjoy beating my wife, even better if it's for a good cause.
As I'm sure you already know from her post, we're running the Seoul Marathon in March as a fund raiser for Knights of Heroes. Throughout my career, I've had several friends leave wives and children behind. This is just one of many organizations that can make a difference for them. So even if you choose to support the thorn in my side, I can live with that. However, if you'd like to sponsor TEAM RALLY you can click the link here. -------------------------> KoH Fundraiser
I put $750 as a goal before I knew Songtan Sally was going to turn this into a grudge match. So my actual goal is what ever she raises plus $.01. I'm fairly certain she'll win this one, as she is fairly certain that I'll beat her 1/2 marathon time in the full. I guess each of us can use the other for motivation in their weaker area. Sometimes it works out when you marry your opposite.
It's going to be a busy 17 weeks until the race as we are both begining our training programs. Stay tuned for updates.
As I'm sure you already know from her post, we're running the Seoul Marathon in March as a fund raiser for Knights of Heroes. Throughout my career, I've had several friends leave wives and children behind. This is just one of many organizations that can make a difference for them. So even if you choose to support the thorn in my side, I can live with that. However, if you'd like to sponsor TEAM RALLY you can click the link here. -------------------------> KoH Fundraiser
I put $750 as a goal before I knew Songtan Sally was going to turn this into a grudge match. So my actual goal is what ever she raises plus $.01. I'm fairly certain she'll win this one, as she is fairly certain that I'll beat her 1/2 marathon time in the full. I guess each of us can use the other for motivation in their weaker area. Sometimes it works out when you marry your opposite.
It's going to be a busy 17 weeks until the race as we are both begining our training programs. Stay tuned for updates.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Week 1 Recap: Team Chris vs. Team What-His-Face
Week one of my half-marathon training is complete. By day five, I wanted to kill something or someone; luckily, the next day was a day of rest which is what I needed. I logged 5 miles this week, and most of it was jogging; I also logged two cross training days and one "walk" day. Not bad for week one, and it's right where it needs to be to help me condition my legs for the miles ahead. Week two will be interesting, as we have Turkey day and a trip to the East Coast ahead of us.
This week was also a week of realizations... like it is getting cold in Korea and I really don't have any cold weather running gear. I don't want to train solely on the treadmill because that will kill me on race day. I'll be shopping for some running tights and other layers this week.
Another one is there is a slight possiblity that Ronnie will finish the full marathon before I finish the half. Yes, I am that slow and he is that quick; and I'm okay with that. I've decided that since I can't compete with him on the course, what I can do is hand him his ____ in fundraising. This is the part where you can pitch in.
Whether you decide to pull for Team Chris or that other guy who calls himself my husband yet shall remain nameless, please pull for this cause. We are running for the Knights of Heroes. More specifically, we're running to honor our friend Nick (About Nick) and the countless other warriors who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We're running to help Caleb and all the other young men who will grow up without their father to give them a place where they can grow and realize they are not alone. My goal is simple: raise $1,000, the cost to send at least one young man to camp.
For more information on the Knights of Heroes, please click here.
To donate to Team Chris, please click here. To donate to team whatchyamacalit, well, I'm not sure where that link is... :)
This week was also a week of realizations... like it is getting cold in Korea and I really don't have any cold weather running gear. I don't want to train solely on the treadmill because that will kill me on race day. I'll be shopping for some running tights and other layers this week.
Another one is there is a slight possiblity that Ronnie will finish the full marathon before I finish the half. Yes, I am that slow and he is that quick; and I'm okay with that. I've decided that since I can't compete with him on the course, what I can do is hand him his ____ in fundraising. This is the part where you can pitch in.
Whether you decide to pull for Team Chris or that other guy who calls himself my husband yet shall remain nameless, please pull for this cause. We are running for the Knights of Heroes. More specifically, we're running to honor our friend Nick (About Nick) and the countless other warriors who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. We're running to help Caleb and all the other young men who will grow up without their father to give them a place where they can grow and realize they are not alone. My goal is simple: raise $1,000, the cost to send at least one young man to camp.
For more information on the Knights of Heroes, please click here.
To donate to Team Chris, please click here. To donate to team whatchyamacalit, well, I'm not sure where that link is... :)
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