Posting...

Sorry I haven't been posting much, everyone. Caroline tends to have more time and, to be frank, she's better at writing than me in all ways. I've never been very good at journals and the like. She covers the big truly interesting stuff. I'm mostly interested in silly little things like seeing Korean midgets and a statue made of legos we found. I do apologize. I shall have to fix this bad habit of mine.

Meeting new friends

We've been meeting lots of new and interesting people in the past week. Especially Friday! While Justin was at work on Friday, I spent the afternoon in Songtan getting pampered. I met a couple new friends there, Debra and Tina. They live in Incheon and came down to get their nails done. So we had some wonderful pedicures and ate lunch at a Thai restaurant that I hadn't tried yet. I think it was called Sawatdee. Debra is also pregnant (that's how I met her) and is due the same time I am!! It was great to be able to talk to someone who knows how I feel!! Unlike me, she has quite a few ultrasound pics of her kiddo.

After Justin got off work, we met with the Osan English Teachers group from Facebook. There was about 17 of us altogether. We had some great Korean dinner, then went to the Garten Bier. We really like everyone in this group. And the crazy thing is, they all live within a few blocks of us!! And we never knew it. They are from all over the world. South Africa, London, Manchester, Australia, Michigan, etc. It was so much fun getting to know these great people!!

Smokey Saloon

I don't know how I forgot to mention this!! Justin and I found the BEST place to get hamburgers. REAL hamburgers. Those of you who know me, know that I don't eat beef. Well, this is different. This has got to be the best burger I've ever had. I saw this place, called Smokey Saloon, on someone else's blog. She mentioned that they had sloppy fries, and that's what really sounded good to me. So Wednesday, we were in Itaewon and tried it. I ordered the fries, and Justin got the Cowboy burger. I took a bite of his, and called the waiter back over to order one of my own. Oh my gosh. So juicy and yummy. The Cowboy burger has sauteed mushrooms, a vidalia onion, and monterey jack cheese. The place is really tiny, just a few tables and the kitchen. There is always a line out the door, but it is worth it. There is a great atmosphere too. When we were there, the place was filled with Koreans (of course). It was so funny to watch them eat burgers. They would take the top bun off and eat the rest with the knife and fork! Don't worry, though. We showed em how it's done.

First Doctor Visit!!

I went to the Doctor for my first prenatal visit today. It was great! I am going to Dr. Jung, who is the only natural childbirth dr. in Korea. He was very nice and willing to work with me. All he did today was the sonogram. I got to see the Blueberry!! Man she is active. Kicking, jumping, crazy! Dr. Jung pointed out her heart, her brain, her eyes, nose, fingers, and genitalia! He asked me if I could tell what it was, and when I said, "nope", he said "exactly". Next appt. he should be able to tell if it is a boy or girl. He said she is very healthy looking. Next time I will be doing a bunch of lab work.

No pictures this time. He gave me a cd, but it ended up just being the heartbeat. I will ask him for pictures next time. I am so excited!

Easter Weekend

It was a wonderful weekend. Friday I made a trip to Insadong for some shopping. I ended up getting the best deal ever on some beautiful dresses. After, I went over to Itaewon to meet up with Karin, Wil, and Justin. We had a nice long dinner at Pancho's, a "Mexican" restaurant. Better Mexican than I've had here so far, but it really isn't Mexican food at all. The best part of the restaurant was the entertainment. It was this guy who is part Chilean, part Phillipino (I think), and he is a belly dancer. They lowered the lights, he wore a candelabra on his head (it was lit), and he danced around to Shakira. It was good fun!
We walked over to Spy Club after dinner for some pool. They had a huge bowl of sliced apples that were just yummy.
After about 3 games, Justin and I decided to call it a night and make our way back to Incheon. That is when the adventure for the night began. We took the subway to Seoul Station to catch a bus. There is a bus that stops right in front of Karin's apt. building and it comes every hour. There is another bus that goes out there, but not that stop. It comes every 15 minutes. So we make it to the bus terminal right on the hour but get confused as to where our bus should be. By the time we figure it out, it is pulling away. So we get on the other one instead of waiting an hour. Traffic was crazy, and it took about 2 and a half hours to get to Incheon. I was carefully listening to the stops for the ones that sounded right, but none came. We got off at the 2nd to last stop and caught a cab. We were much further from Karin's than we should have been. We are dropped off at the apt., but I'm completely disoriented. I know the building number though, so we start looking. There are several buildings in this complex, and they are all 20 stories high. As we are walking down a path, we see a mysterious animal ahead of us. It keeps just far enough ahead that we can't make out what it is, but it stays on the path. My best guess is a raccoon, but we aren't sure. It's bigger than a large cat, walks like a raccoon, but doesn't have raccoon markings. Finally it disappears into the bushes and we find the building (at the same time, really). We make it upstairs and crash.

Saturday was relaxing. We took a walk and waited for everyone to get back so we could start prep for the BBQ we were having. Karin, Wil, Tim, and Tim's friend Boyd all show up about the same time, and we start grilling. There was so much food!! Steak, chicken, Brats, shrimp, mashed potatoes, homemade applesauce, salad, cheese and crackers, chips and salsa. We put quite a big dent in it too. We met some new friends. Monica, who is a friend of Karin's, and she brought her Korean friend Stella. Lots of fun!! There was quite a bit of wine drunk (not by me, don't worry), and it was a great night. The next day everyone just slept in and watched movies. Of course, we ate quite a bit of the leftovers. My favorite part of the meals was Karin's Key Lime Pie. Oh....so good. She even whipped her own cream. Yum!!
It was such an awesome weekend. A great Easter spent with our Korea family.

Children's Grand Park

Last Thursday, I made my way up to Children's Grand Park in Seoul. I met with two other women from the Expat Mom's Club that I belong to. They have a meeting once a month or so. Not many were able to make it to this meeting, so there will actually be another one this Sunday. Sarah and Rebecca both have 3 month old kiddos. Cute!! It was a lot of fun strolling around the park, hanging out in the shade, talking. The cherry blossoms were out, so it was just beautiful. They even have a small zoo there.


Afterwards, I headed out to Incheon to see Karin. And there is where I spent the rest of the weekend!

REAL Indian Food

Last night Justin and I made Chana Masala. It was SO yummy. It took a while to find all the ingredients, and Justin even had to make two more trips to Lotte Mart, but we did it. There was some guestimation, and some substituting. I was able to make raita as well. The yogurt that I found is a little too watery though. At least it all tastes the same. Here are some pictures.