“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” ~ Albert Camus

Our time in Korea has been a series in life lessons.  As an American, I have taken so many things for granted and not truly appreciated the luxury that being an American affords me.  But this post isn't about me, or even the Oliver family...  it's about Song Byeok. 

A cover of the Stars and Stripes caught my attention last week.  On it was what I thought to be a political cartoon of Kim Jong-Il, but only his face was on the body of Marilyn Monroe.  Funny right?  Later on, I sat down with the paper and learned that it was a painting by a North Korean defector.  This really caught my attention, as I have yet to see anything so bold or creative.

Song Byeok grew up in North Korea. But he was also employed by the Central Party...  as an artist.  His job was to paint the propaganda posters.  Unfortunately, he spent some time in a work camp after he was caught trying to cross into China to bring food back for his family.  But this was the turning point where the artist found his muse.  He defected to the South and pursued his passion for painting.  The former propaganda painter has transformed into a satirical critic of North Korea and Kim Jong-Il

Researching some more, and using Google Translate a LOT, I found that he was holding an exhibition of his artwork at a small gallery in Insa-dong.  On Saturday, Ronnie, our friend Mike, and the girls humored my curiosity and love of art for an hour so I could see the exhibit. His main theme is freedom and the longing for freedom.  Here are a few pictures I took while there. 

On the left, Kim Jong-Monroe.  In an interview, the artist said the reason he chose Marilyn's famous pose was that it reminded him of how hard Kim Jong-Il tries to keep the curtains down on Korea. 

On the right, a mural of the letters he exchanged with his sister after his defection.  There are butterflies trapped in the mural. 

Mostly I looked and took it all in. Looking back, I really wish I had a Korean-speaking friend with me, as Song Byeok was there at the gallery.  We exchanged a quick smile and small bow, but that was all.  I wish I could have told him what a wonderful artist he is, how I appreciate the struggle he captured in each work, and more importantly, how much I admire him for having the audacity to do something as amazing as this.  Because he is truly free.

Growing Fins

Ronnie and I are really strong swimmers.  During the summer, if we weren't playing basketball/baseball or whatever sport of the day, we would be swimming in the Tobin's pool (another boy in the neighborhood).  There were many times where I remember being there when the day started and not leaving until my mom called me home for dinner. 

Yet, with all the swimming we've done, all the red cross lessons, life guarding and swim/dive team participation we've had, our children cannot swim. 

We've tried teaching them, but to no avail.  They just haven't been interested enough to want to do it.  There was always something more fun going on rather than try to learn how to float.  It's bitten them in the butt more than once, as they have both been in trouble in the water.  Luckily, Ronnie and I have been right there to save them. 

But all of that is changing, with the help of some positive peer pressure.  Friday night, Holly was invited to a pool party for one of her friends.  But, Holly was one of only three kids who had to wear a lifevest.  After an hour, Holly came to me and asked if Daddy could try teaching her how to swim again soon. 

Ah, the spark of interest!   Finally!   We set off for the pool this afternoon and set about teaching Holly how to swim.  After about five minutes in the pool with Ronnie, she was treading water really well.  After ten, she was really swimming.  She doesn't get anywhere really quickly, but she's learned how to hold her breath under water and breathe when appropriate.   Ronnie and I had originally thought we would try 15 - 20 minutes for lessons and then back off, but Holly kept insisting to go one more time.  By the time we left the pool, Holly could successfully "fall" in the pool, submerge under water and get back to the side without the usual flailing and floundering. 

I had Sarah with me, who was practicing some of the same moves.  She's not as interested as Holly is, but I have all ideas that will change once Holly gets to go swimming by herself.

Without further adieu, the newest fish in the family (this was after 10 minutes with Ronnie):

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Vacation, had to get away"

Name that band (not you Kim Galus) and you get a prize.  Not really, but it's fun to say right....   

We are in the last 9 months of our tour in Korea.  Single digits.  I can't believe that it's gone by that quick, but yet here we are in 2011.  A very savvy friend of mine gave me some good advice when we found out we were coming here.  She had been assigned to Osan and said to see the sights in Korea first, then go explore Asia.  She explained that you get sucked into a time vacuum over here, and before you know it, it's time to pack up and go. 

We've done a lot on the Korean peninsula, and have maybe three more places we absolutely must go before we check Korea off the been there-done that list.  I just need to find the perfect Korean Engrish t-shirt to go along with it.

Thus it's time to start adventuring out and about in Asia.  We have trips planned for Thailand, China and Japan  Ten more weeks until we begin our grand adventure and I couldn't be more excited.  In March, we're going to spend a week in Thailand visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.  Then in May, we are heading to the Wall and spending a little over two weeks in China to see Beijing, Xian, Lhasa (Tibet), Shanghai, and Hong Kong.  Finally in June, the girls and I are going to take a hop to Misawa AB in Northern Japan eventually meeting up with Ronnie in Tokyo for a few days. 

I can't wait to start collecting stamps in my passport!

My little BBQ Girl

Funny how time passes, but there are still some habits that stay the same.  This is Holly at 16 months:

This was Holly today:

My little girl LOVES her some BBQ.  At least she's learned how to not get it all over herself.

Snow Fun!

We took the girls sledding on base yesterday.  There are some great hills on the golf course and the snow was perfect.  In a few weeks (after I knock this cold that is lingering), we're going to take the girls skiing for the first time.  Should be a LOT of fun.  But this sufficed for now...  they don't look like they're having a good time at all, do they?

The Rest of December

December has just rushed by in a flash. Of course, getting sick didn't help the rush. So here's the run down of what the last few weeks have held for us:

Ugly Christmas Sweater and All!

We had an ugly Christmas sweater party for the Draggins this year.  I had sent my sister out shopping for me, because where else but retirement home laden Florida would you be able to find a tacky sweater.  But the mail was running real slow to this side of the world this year (we are still getting cards and Christmas presents in the mail even now), so we resorted to some other sweaters we had holed away.  Ronnie went for the preppy log cabin look, while I was striving for elementary school teacher.  

Us, and the winners of the sweater contest (right)

Santa is Rated in the A-10

Santa flew an A-10 to see all the kiddos in the 25th for our annual children's party.  He had to stop by the firehouse first, so the guys let him borrow their firetruck this year!   He brought the girls books and we had lots of good Christmasy fun. 

Sleepovers

We had a slumber party with our friends Kaitlyn and Ryan.  As with any sleepover, it was full of watching movies, eating junk food, playing the Wii, making cookies, dress-up and anything else we could find to get into.   Too fun!

Family-time at the Nutcracker

This year is the first time Sarah was able to go to the Nutcracker.  We got all dressed up and headed up for the Saturday matinee.  According the Sarah, it was "good" with two thumbs up and a big smile (even though she fell asleep right before the finale).  It was a fantastic performance this year, and so much fun to continue the tradition. 

He Came, He Came!!!

I love Christmas morning, especially hearing the excited squeals from the girls when they see that a certain someone came to visit them.  This year, it was Sarah who was first up and this is what I heard:  "He came, he really, really came.  Daddy, daddy, Santa was here!  He left us presents, daddy.  Look, they're right there."   I drug myself out of bed to partake in the present opening fun. 

Unfortunately for me, I came down with a cold that I had been fighting off for a few weeks.  The official diagnosis was bronchitis and a sinus infection. Yes, a double whammy.  I'm still on the mend and still have a wet cough.   

White Christmas Weekend

The girls experienced their first white Christmas weekend.  It started snowing the night of the 26th, so we woke up to a winter wonderland the next day.  We've had a few more days of snow this past week, so there is lots of snow on the ground, making for some fun sledding and snowball throwing. 

LotteWorld

We ventured to Seoul on Thursday to take care of our passports at the Embassy.  That was about the best trip to get passports anyone could ask for.  We all had appointments and started at one window and worked our way down.  We were done and out of the Embassy an hour later, and only because we randomly ran into the Smileys while there.  With the rest of the day at our disposal, we decided to head to LotteWorld. 

LotteWorld is an indoor/outdoor amusement park.   Holly has been begging to go back since she visited this summer during camp.  We decided to go ahead and use our Christmas money on annual passes so we could head up anytime we wanted.  This trip was more to get the lay of the land so we knew where to go, and more importantly where not to, for the next trip.  What we discovered is that Holly is a hair shy of 122 cm  now, meaning she's definitely going to be able to ride the roller coasters this summer.    

A Decade Down, A Lifetime To Go

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary.  We've lived in 7 states (Alabama-Oklahoma-Georgia-Arizona-North Carolina-Texas-Louisiana) and one other country.  And we've been blessed with the two most beautiful girls on this earth.  Not bad for the first 10 years.


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