Week Two in Korea

Asia is really just something else. David assures me that I'm adjusting "surprisingly well" to Korea, but I'm just waiting for the real culture shock to hit me in a few weeks. For some strange reason, the thing that is hardest for me to comprehend about Asia is the homogeneous culture and genetics. It's not unusual for me to be in some crowded space (the subway, a street, the market) and be the only person without black hair and brown eyes and Asian features. On the one hand, I expected all the Koreans to look the same to me, and I'm surprised by how different and distinguishable everyone is, but on the other hand, there is no cultural diversity, no ethnic neighborhoods, no melting pot scenarios. The thing I love most about living outside of America is that you gain a greater appreciation for just how unique and special America truly is. There are so few countries that have the same kind of diversity that America embraces. And yes, sometimes I get annoyed by all the talk of ethnic pride and cultural diversity and minority rights (why can't we all just be Americans?) but to look around Korea and see how the culture, the traditions, and the people have changed so little over hundreds of years, makes me even more shocked that a country like America can exist and thrive. (Although, I am not quite happy about the current state of America but that's another topic for another day....)

Anyway, I hope to start blogging more in the future about all the crazy, strange, fascinating and absolutely bizarre things I encounter in Asia. In order to not make my head explode with all the different sights and sounds coming at me, I plan on picking one thing to focus my blog posts on, whether it be my favorite Korean foods, the toilets (believe me, I've got a post about toilets in the works), or Korean temples, landmarks, or museums. I also want to try to learn more about Korean culture and history and write about that here as well. Korea is often a forgotten country amid its more famous cousins, China and Japan, and I certainly knew very little about Korea before I moved here. In the meantime, here's a random smattering of my thoughts about Korea so far:

The Food: I've had some absolutely delicious Korean food (my favorite is bulgogi, a very thinly sliced marinated meat that is often cooked right at your table on charcoal grills), and then I've had some stuff that I couldn't even begin to describe. It's such a different type of cuisine and one that relies on flavors and components that I've never heard of or never really liked much to begin with. I'm a rather picky eater (and not a lover of seafood) but I'm trying to be open to possible to all types of Korean food. I'm trying to stray outside my comfort zone and try many different dishes (you never know what you may end up really liking) but I'm just glad that food here is relatively cheap....and that I access to the commissary so that I can still prepare all my favorite foods.

The Money: While on base, we still use American currency, but out on town, we use won. (Which also means that I have to have both forms of money on hand.) The hardest part about using any foreign currency is understanding the exchange rates but my math-muddled brain is too slow to figure it out quickly enough. The exchange rate around here is around 1250 won to $1. Which means, I go to the store and see a bottle of juice for 1,500 won and want to freak out just a little, only to remember that it's really only $1.25.

The People: I had heard many things about Koreans before arriving here. Many had told me that they were rude or unfriendly or hated the military. I'm sure I will run into those people. But so far, every Korean I have met has been extremely kind and friendly and they are even more welcoming when you attempt to speak Korean to them or want to learn about their culture.

My next biggest challenge is to find a job. I'm not sure if I should try to find something on base, or look for a job teaching English at a Korean school. Either way, job hunting is about as fun as getting a root canal.

안녕하세요!

So. I'm in Seoul right now. It's nice here, except it's very hot. Of course, I've only really seen the airport and the military base where we are currently staying while we get checked into the command, but I already love it here. I think it really helps that a year ago, when David and I sat down to discuss our future plans, we both felt that South Korea was where we needed to move to after Hawaii and we made all the necessary steps to make it a reality. What's even better is that we have both felt a confirmation of that feeling since arriving here. I'm just so happy to be here and everything has been moving along smoothly since we arrived. We've even found an apartment (off base, thank goodness) and it is absolutely beautiful and twice the size of our condo in Hawaii. Four bedrooms, two baths, giant built-in refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, quiet neighborhood and walking distance to 2 subway stops. Anyone want to come to South Korea? We've got plenty of room!

I've been thinking a lot about how life helps you prepare for life. I had a roommate in college who had lived in South Korea as a teenager and who was obsessed with the country. She talked incessantly of how much she had loved living here, she took Korean language classes at BYU, and ate everything with chopsticks. (Side note: there are no drawers in any of the kitchens here. No place for my silverware!) If I hadn't lived with Sara those many years ago, I would never have known anything about South Korea and I most certainly wouldn't have been predisposed to the idea of living in Seoul if she hadn't loved her time here. I would never in a million years have guessed that someday, I too, would live in South Korea. It's amazing how seemingly minor experiences or people come into you life and end up teaching you something that helps you out many years down the road. I know there's some reason why David and I are here right now and I'm looking forward to finding out why someday.

I'll post some pictures as soon as I get a chance. But first, I need to take some. Hopefully, we'll get out to see some of Seoul tonight.

What We've Been Up To....

Well, I'm still on the mainland but no longer in California. We flew out of LAX late on Sunday night and arrived in Atlanta, Georgia (David's hometown) Monday morning. But I'm getting ahead of myself now. First things first: California!

We had a bit of a family reunion in San Diego. All my siblings (minus the one who still lives there), flew in for the occasion, and my aunt and three cousins also drove down from Utah. For most of the week, David and I had just been laying around, enjoying our vacation. Or, at least, I was. David was trying to catch up on 3 weeks of homework. On Friday, we (minus David), went to the beach, which is always a fun experience when you've got little babies with you who love the water and sand.

Brigham dug a hole for Anna and James which was then filled with water from a wave. Anna had a very good time splashing around in her little pool.

She also could not get enough sand in her mouth. She'd take huge clumpfuls in his tiny fists and shove it into her mouth. Mmmmm, sand.

Have I mentioned that I love my niece Anna? She's the cutest most chubby, happy baby in the whole world.

She has the cutest face and chubby cheeks. And her hair is turning a pretty shade of red. Love!


Of course my newest little niece, Isabel, might just give her a run for her money. She's pretty darn cute too, but hasn't had enough time to build up those nice stores of fat that I like to see in babies. She is, after all, only 2 weeks old. But since the whole family was there on Sunday, my sister and her husband blessed baby Isabel in my parent's ward. It was great to be there. She slept through the whole thing but she looked so adorable in her (too big) blessing clothes.

Anyway, on Friday, we went to the beach, came home, got showered and cleaned and then the whole family went to the San Diego temple to do a session there. It was such a neat experience to be in the temple with most of my family. After that, we went to dinner at Fidel's, our family's favorite Mexican restaurant.

Saturday was our one year wedding anniversary! I can't believe David and I have been married for a whole year now. The time has really flown by, in the best way possible. As a treat to ourselves, we went to a day spa and got a couple's massage. It was absolutely splendid. I need to get massages on a more regular basis. I'm always way too tense. That afternoon, we took family photos at my parent's house (I'll post some of those pictures later, if I can find a good one) and this time, David got to be in all the photographs! Then we had a big barbeque in honor of our whole family being there and my dad's upcoming 60th birthday next month. Old man. It was a splendid day.


Meanwhile, Suyom spent most of her week, sitting on my mother's computer desk, watching all the birds who were flitting around the three birdhouses out there. Someday, she might catch a real bird. If we ever let her outside, that is. Or maybe we'll get her a pet.

Sunday, we blessed baby Isabel and then David and I re-packed everything and drove up to LAX to catch our 11pm flight to Atlanta. Worst flight ever. Suyom would not stop meowing, I was miserable because I had a sinus infection which, coupled with the pressure of the plane, was making my head feel like it was about to explode and I could not sleep. At all. We got into Atlanta at 6am on Monday morning and we promptly went to David's parent's house and slept. I was pretty miserable all Monday and most of Tuesday, but I am feeling much better. I swear, my body hates me right now. I even broke out in hives for the first time ever.....because of stress. My body is freaking out....I just can't wait to see what it'll do once we get to Korea.

I'll be back soon to document our week here in Atlanta. And then.....KOREA!

Holy crap. I'm moving to South Korea.