Doesn't He Ever Smile?

I'm sure you've noticed by now that Ronnie doesn't smile for pictures.  To hear him talk about it it's because he has a cheesy fake smile.  But I love the pictures where we have his natural grin. 

Ronnie's airmen have noticed that he doesn't smile for pictures and is pretty stonefaced most of the time.  They've asked me about it and we've all had a good laugh at his expense because they all do impressions of him.  It is way too funny because they each have a different take on his personality. 

We had our annual awards banquet last night and one of our airmen, TSgt Walker, won an award.  I was snapping some pictures of everyone and whispered to him that I wanted him to do his impression while taking a picture with Ronnie.  Here is the result:

Ronnie was actually grinning! 

No Boys Allowed Day

It's finally happened.  I have finally had a holiday where I didn't have to go to work work and Ronnie had to.  We are celebrating Seollal (Korean New Year) and had the day off on Friday.  The schools were out too, but the military had to work.  So, the girls and I decided it would be "No Boys Allowed Day" with the caveat that daddies can join us if they want.  We called up some friends to get in on the action and had a fun filled day.

We started out by getting manis/pedis with Skylar.  They were all too cute getting pampered. 

Then we headed over to the bowling alley to meet up with more friends for lunch and playing in the playplace.  Ronnie was able to join us for lunch and the girls played for hours. 

When it was time for our friends naptimes, the girls and I stopped by the BX to pick up a present for a birthday party.  We ran into some more friends who told us the Houston Texans Cheerleaders were on their way for a meet and greet.  It was fun going through the line.  The ladies were really sweet and noticed the girls had their nails painted, and the girls were more than happy to show off their pedicures.  They made sure we knew they were going to have a show later on that night and invited the girls to come.

I was excited because there was a football player on the tour as well, Adam Hayward from the Buccaneers.  He was too fun to talk with.  The girls were trying to get behind the tables to take a picture with some of the cheerleaders and he was blocking the way.  I told Sarah to go ahead and run him over because he can take a hit.  He laughed and said yes he could, but he would move out of the way for the two cuties.  What a nice guy! 

Later on we headed to the show, but not before picking up some friends and Ronnie to go with us.  The show was amazing. Turns out that the Texan Cheerleaders are the reigning dance champs for the NFL, and they showed us all why.  The dancing was amazing and the show was too much fun.

“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?