Michele's Birthday

We got up earlier than usual for a Sunday in order to plan the shopping list for the birthday party. We brought plates, napkins, forks and a cooler to church. I also brought the baby quilt I made. Nancy was there and she had a baby gift, too. So we gave our gifts to the minister's wife to take to the baby shower. After church we drove to the picnic spot. Michele, Al, and I stayed to set up, while Chris and Cecily went to the commissary to get food, the cake and stuff. Around noon, Michele's friends started showing up. Not many came however, so we had a lot of food and cake left over. However, those who came had a good time talking. Chris grilled, and we ate hotdogs and hamburgers. I covered the tables with quilting fabric for tablecloths. After the gift-giving and cake cutting ceremonies, the girls decided to watch a movie. After much discussion, they decided to watch a movie Michele had, so they all came to our apartment to watch it. The rest of us cleaned up the food then came back to the apartment as well. I had Michele's biggest present still sitting wrapped in my sewing room, so I brought it out so I could clean up in there. Well, then she wanted to open it right then and there in the middle of the movie. Boy was she surprised to get a laptop! And Photoshop software to go with it. After the movie, the girls left. Later Chris, Michele and I went to post to see "Night at the museum: Smithsonian". It was pretty good. Now I'd like to see the first one.

A full day

Although we did not get up early, we still had a full day. First we went to the National Museum of Korea. It is quite big and divided into sections. The section we saw was the anthropology display. It was full of irregularly shaped rocks, broken pots and rusty swords. I finished before the others so I sat down to read a book. When the others finished, we all decided to go to the food court for lunch and then we quickly toured the Chosun gift shop and the thrift shop. We stopped by Chris' office to pick up some packages that had been delivered yesterday afternoon. We took them home and since one of them is for Michele's birthday, I wrapped it (to be presented tomorrow). Some of the packages that came were already wrapped and not marked so I don't know if they are for Chris or Michele. I sat down to finish my book but all too soon we were leaving to go to Itaewon. We walked through the crowded street until we found the tailor that had been recommended. Both Chris and Michele got measured for suits (birthday presents from his parents). I thought it a wonderful idea (Michele's idea) until I heard the price - $400 each! I thought Korea was an inexpensive place to get a suit made! But they will both look fantastic in their custom fitted suits.
Then we walked around, looking in shops etc, until we came to a French restaurant called Le Saint-Ex. It wasn't the most lavish place, but the food was really good. And we shared some desserts. After that, we walked back to our car (parked on post) and came home. Cecily presented Chris with his birthday card from Faye (Thank you Faye). They are now watching Nemo. And I can finish my book.

Friday

It's Friday and my inlaws are here. I got up early to make Michele's sandwich, and Chris took her to school. That's when I noticed that she left her lunch on the counter. I called her, and she said she could leave school at lunch time since her 4th period teacher said there was no point in coming to class today - I guess he has senioritis too. I went back to bed to read and fell asleep. Later I awoke to find my in-laws were up. So we visited. Chris came home. Then we all went to post to get ID cards for his parents. It involved some waiting but we were home before lunch. That was good because today is the Korean ex-president's funeral and traffic is expected to be quite heavy. Then Chris and his dad walked to the commissary to get lunch items. Michele came home and had lunch with us. After that we all discussed possible itineraries for the coming week. Cecily wanted to go out to eat for Chris' birthday, but there was still the traffic problem. We thought the restaurants would be crowded. I worked on the binding of a quilt and finally finished it. Later we had supper and visited some more. Then Chris and Michele went to post to see a Terminator movie. I read my e-mail and discovered "Toe reading". Such amazing things on the internet.

Visitors!

Instead of going to the thrift shop, I went to the cutting session scheduled for the quilt group. Unfortunately it was not well attended. But a few of us brought large cutting mats and we used the rulers from the group stash. We reserved the large room (which comes with large tables that our regular room doesn't have). At one point we had 6 people. We cut thirty quilt kits which will make 60 quilts. After that, 4 of us went to lunch at the Embassy Club. I had the eel. It was just ok. I meant to take pictures of all of this, but forgot.
I got home around 2:30. Michele was already home. But soon she and Chris left to drive to the airport to get Cecily and Alfred, his parents. I stayed home to clean, which I did. They got back around seven. It was good to see them. They didn't seem tired so we sat and talked, gave them a tour of the apartment, made cheese burritoes and had some birthday cake. They gave Chris a large container of Cayenne pepper for his birthday. Then I realized I had to do my blog early because Michele will be sleeping in the computer room for the next week and a half. She has given her bed to her grandparents. (I think she's waiting for me to leave. 'Night, Michele).

Chris' birthday

Today was Chris' birthday. To commemorate the occaison, I made his favorite cake - carrot with cream cheese frosting. But it took far longer than I thought. First I had to walk to the commissary to buy a few things and order Michele's cake for Sunday. Good thing I got the half sheet. She told us tonight that she invited 18 people. The store didn't sell grated carrots, but I figured I had a grater attachment to my mixer. Apparently not, but if you run it through the slicer enough times you get something between grated and chopped. Ok. Then, I needed the mixer bowl, which was full of egg salad in the fridge. MMM - lunch. Then when it was all ready to go in the bundt pan - no such pan. Ok 9x13 will do. Oh, but they are both in the fridge full of leftovers. Switch one to a Rubbermaid container. Now it's ready. Bake at 350F degrees. But the oven is in Celcius, so must derive the equation to change Fahrenheit to Celcuis. Ah, 176 C. While the cake bakes, I clean up and make the frosting. Carrot pieces everywhere.

The frosting recipe calls for 6 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. The box only holds four. Let's see here - the recipe makes enough to frost a four layer cake, so I'll cut each ingredient in half. Ah, still more than enough. OK, rest for a bit then wrap the presents.
When Chris came home, I suggested we have dessert first. Everyone was ok with that, so we ate cake first, and then leftovers. Then more cake. It was good, if a bit sweet. Chris opened his presents - Thai coffee and a tie clasp. I hope he doesn't get any Thai on his tie. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Thrifty

I got up to make Michele her lunch because she went back to school today, but Chris stayed home. So, after doing a little sewing and using Sanjeevini cards on the two people I know who could use it the most, I went to the thrift shop. I spent most of my time there putting up books and labeling cds, dvd's, vcd's, and software. I also pulled out all the magazines older than a year. Some of them really make it tough to find the date! Chris stopped by to ask me to sound out the name of a hospital someone wrote in Korean for him. (He needs an opthamologist to certify his vision so he can renew his NC driver's license) But then he couldn't locate the paper. So he stayed until I finished at 2. Then he took me home. I worked a little on the pink and brown quilt, and cleaned in the kitchen to get ready for my in-laws visit on Thursday. Tomorrow is Chris' birthday and I have a few preparations for that, too, but not until after he leaves the apt in the morning.

Sewing day

Today being a holiday, Chris and Michele stayed home. I love them, but having them around all day watching movies and playing on my computer slows me down. Anyway, I thought about going to the thrift shop since I didn't have to go to quilting (the building is not open on holidays), but I decided to finish my sewing projects instead. I got all my quilt tops ironed and made another one (for our choir director's baby shower next Sunday). It is partially quilted now. I also cut out a back for the top I started months ago and ran out of fabric. Front and back are joined, but I have to finish the neck and arm edges. The fabric is very hard to work with. Believe it or not, that took all day. Except for giving Chris a haircut. He looks so much better now.

A day with friends

We went to church, packing extra clothes for me and Michele. The sermon was about wars and feeling like part of the group. I didn't really get it so I was trying to imagine what kind of hair our bald minister used to have. There were very few people in church, so the fellowship time afterwards was short. I had agreed to meet some friends at Gate 5 at 12:15 and church let out at 11. So to pass the time and because Michele had shown an interest in Burger Kings ANGRY burger, we stopped in to try one. To an outsider it must have looked like we couldn't afford to buy each of us a meal. We took turns taking a bite out of the burger. It was ok, but not as spicy as the ad made it look. Then Chris dropped me off at Gate 5, and drove Michele to Blackhawk village where her friend was waiting to take her shopping. Chris made the weekly commissary run and went home. I waited at Gate 5 for while, then walked into Itaewon where my friends would be eventually. When they did show up, we walked to find a restaurant. We looked at many but settled on a Korean restaurant that Chris and I had been to. It seems the purpose of the trip was to show Janine's newly arrived friend around town. So she learned what a Korean meal is like. I had the abalone porrige, which was like a rice soup with seaweed on top. The others had the pork. One of the side dishes was half-crabs. They had a jelly-like substance inside them that you suck out.

After lunch we went to the Hamilton Hotel shopping area - five floors of jewelry, handbags, knicknacks, ties, clothing, kimchi chocolate (wasn't even interested), and such. I got Chris a birthday present there. I KNOW he reads my blog so I won't mention it yet. We did more window shopping on the way back to the beginning of Itaewon. Tina wanted to stop for icecream so we did - at McDonalds: home of the bulgogi burger. It was a good thing, because it then rained hard for a while. After that, we parted ways: they went back to post and I walked home. Chris had supper in the oven. I read e-mail, played my piano keyboard for a while (got an Elton John songbook at the thrift shop) and went back to my computer to find out how those songs are SUPPOSED to sound. LAter, after supper, Michele came back from her shopping trip with her friend. Said friend lent her a DVD so we watched it. I don't know the name of it and that's ok by me.

Errands

Ah, Saturday, one of my favorite days. We went to post, dropped off Chris' suits at the dry cleaners, went to the PX to get cards for people who are PSCing (Hallmark doesn't have a section for that), then to Chris' office (he had to send an e-mail or two), then to the thrift shop to check out the latest DVD's (but Chris didn't buy any), and then to the theatre to see "Angels and Demons". The ending wasn't what anyone expected. Lastly we stopped by Adele's house but she wasn't home.
By that time it was 5pm we were starving because we didn't have lunch. We got a pizza out of the freezer. It was malformed, but we ate it anyway (cooked, of course). Finally I sat down to clear out some old e-mails. I went from 725 to 552.

Just sew sew

I was really looking forward to today (Friday). Nothing to do but read and sew, my two favorite pastimes. I started my day by sewing. I wasn't dressed before noon, but I completed another quilt top. And I went on to make three more. And I read several LONG chapters in a book. And I watched movies as I sewed. So it was a great day to be me. Here are two of the quilt tops I made.

Two Quilt Tops

Another day, another 2 quilt tops made. I started on one this morning, but finished another. And second one this evening. I can finish the first one tomorrow. The challenge is to make complete tops out of leftover squares, and to make it look like it was meant to be that way.
Between making quilt tops, I volunteered at the thrift shop. My job is checking and putting out books, VHS tapes, DVD's, CD's and computer games. Well right now we have so many of all of those that I can't get another one on a shelf. I was hoping we'd sell a lot on Wednesday, but we didn't. But I did buy a few myself, one of Mensa mazes and a book of piano music.
Then I went home to sew. At 5:30 Chris picked me up at the gate to go to the PX to buy graduation gifts for Michele. I don't think she reads this blog, but just in case, I'll tell you later. One thing she wanted was Photoshop Elements 7, but they didn't have it.
She wasn't home when we got home, so hiding it was no problem. I was able to finish another quilt top while watching "Rigoletto". Such beautiful music! I had the CD and always wondered what the story was about. Now that I know, I really wish I had the CD back. The story and the acting don't do the music justice.

More work

Actually today was a good day. I did some sewing (finshed the quilt top that is pictured in my last post), read a few chapters in a book Michele wants me to finish so she can return it to her friend, and finished cleaning the hooch. I realize that there maybe a little more to do after the man actually moves out for the last time, but until then I am finished. Of course, my in-laws are coming the end of next week, so I guess now I should clean my own place. I prefer cleaning other people's places for money over cleaning my own for nothing.
Here are the roses that grow on the wall around our apartment complex.

Work

I wasn't up all that late last night, but I was tired this morning and slept in. So I didn't get to the thrift shop until after 10. MaryAnn has moved from responsibility for the books to responsibility for consignments, so she left me the books. Between the books and the videos, I was busy for four hours. We had such a large donation of hardback fiction that it wouldn't all fit on the shelves. So I left some back in the back. Hopefully a lot of books will sell tomorrow to make room for the rest.
After that, I walked to the hooch to clean. I scrubbed the floors in the bathroom, main room and some of the bedroom. What exhausting work. Also pulled out the stove and cleaned behind it. Then at 5 Chris took me home. I had to rest for awhile. We had supper, and watched a Mummy movie. I sorted leftover squares to make up a baby quilt top. Several, in fact. Now I am ready to go to bed.

Queen for a Day

The theme of this months luncheon is Queen for a Day. So the quilt group decided to come with a quilt or quilt top wrapped around us as Queens of Quilting. There was a photographer there to take portraits. So the whole lot of us in our quilts had our photo taken. The upshot of this is that I started making a quilt top last night and finished it this morning with no time to spare. Each participant was invited to dress like a queen so I didn't know quite what to wear. I eventually decided on a green dress to match the quilt top I made. I was a little late meeting Pam at the gate. We got there a little after 9 and I headed to the cash machine to prepare for a large fabric purchase. There are vendors who sell things before the luncheon starts and one of them sells fabric. So I got 12 packets. My favorite is the popsicle fabric. I think it is a Hoffman. Then we gathered for our photo op. From there we went into the ballroom which was set up for the luncheon. What looked like decorative chair covers turned out to be short royal cloaks, which we got to keep. We also got tiaras and scepters. And the tables were strewn with jewels, which we took home. It was quite a sight. There were prizes and a fairy tale that encompassed the installation of new officers. Lunch itself was not impressive, just finger sandwiches and stuff.
Anyway, afterwards I found out that several of the things I thought were my job as president (and I was feeling stressed about getting done) would be handled by the vice-president. Whew! What a load off my back. I went home and washed, dried and pressed all my new fabric. Then I read a book and finished it. Ah, the bliss.

AWC award

We overslept this morning and missed church. So I went to my sewing room to get started on the outfit I wanted to wear to the award ceremony at 2. Since there were other projects on my sewing table I had to sort through them and got a little distracted. It was almost 1pm when Chris came in to see what I was doing. I told him I was working on my outfit for that afternoon and he couldn't believe it. Actually all I had to make was a freestanding cowl. Sadly, it was not enough to divert attention from the skirt which just isn't right somehow. So I wore the red outfit instead.
The event was held in the ballroom of the DHL. We stood outside the ballroom talking and snacking until they let us in around 2:30. The awardees (like Michele) had assigned seating. There were lots of introductions, etc, before they called each one up to get their envelope and have a picture taken with the general and his wife. That was when I discovered that my camera was still at home. Michele recieved a ceremonial coin and 2 envelopes, totaling $475 for college. Considering they gave away $38,000 and there were less than 38 awardees, somebody made out like a bandit. Maryann's son got the same amount Michele did. The awardees all gathered around the general to have their picture taken again, and he cut the cake with his ceremonial sword. (I hope he washed it just before that). Then there was more eating and talking in the hallway. I would have been happy to sit down since my feet went numb standing there. Mostly I talked to Maryanne and Beth Anne (who wants to have a quilter's party at her house in June). Then we went home, stopping at the commissary for a few necessities. I went to my sewing room to sew some blocks together for tomorrow. The luncheon theme is "Queen for a Day" and the quilt group has decided to all show up wearing quilt tops. While I was laying out blocks, Andrea came over. She is PSCing tomorrow and she cleaned out her cupboards and gave us all sorts of stuff, frozen, canned and boxed. We talked for a long time, but finally she had to go. We parted with a "See ya later" and I went back to my blocks. You can see her picture on a previous post.

Concert

I spent most of the day on the computer doing e-mail and self-help work. Chris left at 10:30 to go to a graduation ceremony for someone I don't know. He was still gone when I got dressed to go to a concert. I was planning to walk to the DHL where I would meet Nancy and Tina to take a taxi to Seoul Art Center. But it was raining, and Nancy called to see if I wanted a ride. God bless her. So we all met at the DHL, but there was a long line of people waiting for taxis and no taxis in sight. So Leslie, our 4th member, offered to drive. God bless her too because traffic was tight and heavy. But she got us there. It was 5:05 when we sat down, but the orchestra didn't start until 5:07. So it worked out. There were a lot of children there, and the boys in front of us were listening to their ipods. Why did they come? Anyway, the music was good. The conductor did a lot of talking (in Korean) so we were a little bored. I nodded off several times. It was over a little after 7pm. We met Pam and her husband there. They had taken the subway. So we walked with them part of the way back, then stopped to eat at a restaurant, while they continued on. We were trying to ask our waitress about the meal on the next table over, and she assumed we were ordering. But it was ok. She brought out a covered dish and put it on the gas burner in the middle of our table. She also brought us side dishes. When the main dish was boiling, we helped ourselves. It had bean sprouts and sliced hotdogs in it. Between the three of us it was only 6000 won apiece. After dinner, we caught the subway back to base. Chris met us in the car. We dropped them off and came home.

Goodbye, Andrea

Today I was up early to read e-mail. At 10:50 I went to meet Pam on post. We picked up Andrea and went to lunch at one of the restaurants in the Embassy Club. I had the sushi. Really good. We talked for hours. Andrea is PSCing on Monday so it was a last get-together for us. She gave each of us a copy of her favorite book.
Afterwards, Pam dropped me off at the hooch. Then I spent hours scrubbing floors and baseboards. I took a break to call and reserve a picnic spot for Michele's 18th birthday party. I have more scrubbing to do, but stopped at 5 to go to the movies with Chris and Michele. I'm glad I stopped when I did because my hands really hurt now. We saw Star Trek. It was surprisingly good. On the way back, I got a call from a lady who would like me to give her and her daughter sewing lessons.
Back at the apartment, we talked about the movie, and looked up the actors to see what else they had been in. Then we ate supper and retired to our computers.

Spring Blocks

After making sandwiches, I went back to bed because I stayed up so late last night. I didn't wake up again until 9:30 - the time I had hoped to be at the thrift shop. Ok, so after showering and checking e-mail (which took longer than necessary because the router needed rebooting), I left the apartment and went to post. I went to call Tina and noticed that Adele called, so I called her and she had a message for TIna. She also reminded me about exchanging spring blocks tonight, so I went back for them. On the way back to post, I remember our charm square exchange, so went back AGAIN. By the time I got to the thrift shop, it was after 11. But at least I had everything I needed for all the activities of the day. After 3 hours at the thrift shop, MaryAnn and I decided to go to lunch at the Katusa snack bar. Although I had planned to do some more cleaning, we sat there and talked until almost 5. Then I walked to Ingrid's house for our block exchange. We had a great time exchanging blocks, trading charm squares, eating potluck, and helping to baste quilts. I left about 7:15 to go to the high school for the band concert. It was good and well attended. I spoke with Michele's guidance counselor for a few moments afterwards. She has a map of the U.S. on the wall to show where each of the seniors will be next year (for those that know already). She said it is the most popular bullitin board in the school. Then Chris picked me up as I was walking back to the apartment. He and Michele were watching "The Patriot". I spent the rest of the night clearing out e-mail.

Good news

Last night I slept in the computer room to get away from the sound of the TV upstairs. Chris of course slept right through it. At 5:45 I came back to bed 'cause it was broad daylight in the computer room. I told Chris to call and complain. Then he and Michele went to work and school. I made another batch of rolls, even though we haven't finished the last batch. I didn't like the last batch and wanted to see if I could do better. I did. While waiting for them to rise, I cut more charm squares and rehearsed what to say at the next quilt meeting and how to thank everybody. Why did I let them choose me for president? We are engaged in getting something for the outgoing president and few can agree on what that should be.
Anyway, after making rolls, I headed out to the thrift shop to see if they had any Corelle bowls, but they did not. However, I got caught in several conversations. MaryAnn explained the bookroom to me since I kinda indicated that I might be willing to take it over now that she is doing consignments. But by 2:30 I was ready to clean the next hooch. THIS time I am doing it over several days. I washed windows inside and out. Some need the screens removed so I can get to them, but they have to wait. At 5 Chris gave me a ride home since he works across the street from this hooch. We stopped on MP hill to take a picture of Seoul. He told me that he called to complain about the neighbors and he was told the people will be moving. We also talked about the predicament of trying to get something together for the outgoing president, then we got ready for Beverly's farewell supper. It was in Itaewon, so we walked, and walked. It was at an Indian restaurant which served us buffet style. Very good, though I couldn't tell you what any of it was. I am sorry to see her go. She is so sweet. After 8:30, we walked home in the dark. Chris and Michele went to bed, and I alone am left to tell the tale.

Ice not so cold

I had started working on Andrea's bag last night. This morning I got up and finished it. See my sample and her bag in the picture. Just as I was about finished, she called to say she was coming to pick me up. So I put on my fleece skating outfit and got my skates. We went to gate 17 to catch the train to Sedong and another to Jamsil. What a huge place! The skating rink is in the bottom of three stories of amusement park, and open to all of it. So it isn't as cold as I expected. The fleece outfit got too hot to bear, and Andrea being the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back, did just that. Then when the zamboni machine came out, we left the rink for lunch at Omuto Tomato. We split a rice and chicken whatever-it-was. Then we walked back toward the station and bought icecream cones along the way. When we got back to post, she gave her daughter the bag and her daughter was thrilled. When I got back to my apartment, I laid down for just a moment and fell asleep. I woke at supper time. I spent the evening cutting charm squares from fabric scraps for Thursday.

Only meeting this month

Today was our only regular quilt meeting for this month. All the other Mondays are taken. So we (the few, the proud, the quilters) made as many as we could. We six finished and delivered 10 baby quilts. We also cut strips to make kits for a whole bunch more. Next time we get together hopefully we'll have another whopping success.
I spent the entire time cutting strips and batting, so I was tired when I got home. I also brought a lot of leftover squares home to mix and match into quilt tops for next time.
Next Monday is our last luncheon of the year (until next fall). The theme is "Queen for a day" and I have been googling queen costumes for what seems like hours now. If you have any ideas, please let me know. I have already considered wearing a boat on my head (the QE II) and wearing a white swirl (Dairy Queen). So be creative and help me out.

Mother's Day

Chris woke me gently by scratching my back. Then we got up and showered. Since we have refreshments for church, we got up early to slice and package them. I bought a basket at the thrift shop to hold the rolls. Chris made pork and cheese burritos the night before and wrapped them on plates. We also had two jugs of juice. We carried all this to church and left it in the fellowship hall until after church. I was disappointed in how the rolls turned out. Some weren't done and didn't rise much either (the ones in the 9x13 pan). But people ate or didn't and then we cleaned up and stopped by the commissary for our weekly grocery shopping. Chris ran in while Michele and I sat in the car. Back at home, we put away groceries. Chris asked if I wanted to do anything for Mother's Day and all I wanted was to see a movie called "Marley and Me". I heard it was a sad movie, and Chris didn't want to see me cry so he just dropped me off and picked me up two hours later. It was sad, but only at the end. Then we went to the Px for elastic, and back to the commissary for a tomato plant. At the apartment I planted it in a pot formerly inhabited by a pointsettia. We'll see how it does. Here is a pic of the plant and the rose they handed each mother at church.

Insadong

I asked Chris to drop me off at the thrift shop at 10 so I could meet Tina. Her son was having a playmate over and we were going to go miniature golfing and to the craft fair at Namson tower. BUT, she didn't show up until almost 11. Seems the playmate had changed his mind and no one had told Tina. So, after buying a few things at the thrift shop (hey - all you can shove in a grocery sack for $5), we parked by Gate 17 and headed to Dongdaemun. We bought fabric for making shorts. Then she wanted to go to Insadong, but it wasn't on the subway map. ARRGGHH! But I remembered seeing signs for it at the Lotus Lantern Festival in Jongak, so we went there. We had to do a little wandering. We stopped at a Burger King because we saw a picture of a dish of icecream surrounded by mixed fruit. But what we got was mostly crushed ice, with some softserve, surrounded by sweet bean paste, cornflakes, and a little mango and pineapple. Oh well. Then I had to buy some squid fries for the protein. Tina thinks squid fries are disgusting!
Tina was looking for a place that sold pocketbooks like the one a friend of hers bought there. So up and down each street. We passed a stand where a man spins honey by stretching it and refolding it like a rubber band. Each time he stretches it, he dips it in some powder to keep the strings from sticking. When it is in thousands of tiny strands, he cuts them into hanks, and wraps a spoonful of nuts into each hank. I think there are 10 hanks to a package. It tastes kinda like cotton candy but not as sweet. After that, we passed and icecream place. I got a grape cone, she got blueberry one. THEN, she found a purse place, but it wasn't the right one. However, just down the street, there it was. She finally got it.
As we were wandering back to the subway, we passed a large gathering place set up for a concert. The sign proclaimed FREE coffee, tea, hot water and popcorn. So we got in line, were handed cups of powder, which we took to the water dispensers to hydrate into coffee for her, and tea for me. We sat in two of the many chairs set out, but decided that it could be awhile before the concert started so we went home.
Well, that is, we got on a subway train, but just as it was pulling away, there was a loud, sharp sound and some lights went out. Tina thought it was a gunshot. I thought it was a fuse. Everyone was looking around. Then the doors opened, and people started leaving so Tina did, too and I followed her. We had to find another route home. And we did (and without breaking any more trains). She dropped me off at the apartment since I had so much stuff. Chris came home a little later with groceries. He made supper and food for tomorrow after church. I laid down and rested after my adventure, reading a book until after 10pm.
Chris and Michele had their own adventure going to Yonsei University, timing the trip, and eating lunch at an Italian restaurant.

Interesting Day...

I stayed home again today in order to sew and bake. Andrea asked me to make her a bag and gave me a picture to work from. Knowing that there are a LOT of free patterns for stuff on the internet, I diligently searched. About 11am our realestate agent called to say that some men were coming at 1 to put in another AC unit. I assumed it would go in the computer room until I called Chris and he said he was told that was not possible, so it would go in my sewing room. Hmmm. Well, at that point I was in the middle of making three batches of dough to make rolls for church. The men came, and spoke no English. So each time they asked me something, I called Chris and he got someone in his office to talk to them. Well, after Michele came home from school, one guy left and the other one asked for 35,000 won. With Michele's help, we determined that he was actually asking for 350,000 won, which I didn't have. So Chris went to get it. But then I noticed that they had routed the AC hose through the window so that it wouldn't shut. So I tried to explain to them that that was not satisfactory. Especially since they had already drilled a hole for it, and then patched it. Well, along came a very nice lady who spoke both languages and she helped us to communicate. It seems they are not allowed to drill a hole, and that it is the landlord's responsibility to seal the window above the hose so that bugs and water cannot get in. AND the landlord is paying for the AC unit and installation! Well, that part is good news. So Chris didn't have to come to pay after all. Then the landlord's agent came over to settle things. Finally I got to finish the third batch of rolls. And bake as many as would fit in the oven. I finished a sample bag like Andrea wanted for her daughter. Then they both came over to look at it and approve it. Yea! Then I cleared out my e-mail and will go to bed as soon as I put the rolls away.

Luncheon

This morning I finished watching "Shakespeare in Love", then got ready for the luncheon by packing a tupperware container with bean salad. I also had a package ready to mail. So, after catching the post-run bus, my first stop was the Main post office. Then I walked by the library to exchange a paperback. I took it to the bus terminal to read until the next bus was ready. That is when I discovered that it was missing the first 25 pages. Oh well, I read it anyway. Then I took the next bus to the thrift shop. That's where the luncheon was. The food was good, and we heard the speech about how in an emergency we should count heads, then get everybody to the main post theatre. Don't know who came up with that plan, seeing as there are much closer places we could go, but that was the word handed down. So ok. Then Mary Ann and I had a chat. We chatted until everyone left, then went to the new store that just opened on post. It was like a little dollar store with Korean products and priced in won. But they wouldn't take won, just dollars at some inconsistant exchange rate - so they wouldn't have to deal with pennies. Then we went to the furniture store, just browsing and talking, until finally she had to go pick up her son. Then I went home and read for awhile until Chris came home. We had supper, watched a movie called "Next", and called it a night.

A day at home

There was nothing I HAD to do today on post, but I wanted to mail a Mother's Day present at the post office by the thrift shop. Said post office will NOT be open tomorrow (just like it was closed yesterday). But for some reason my back decided not to cooperate so I spent the day in my sewing room instead. I cut more charm squares and sewed another panel of 80. I also made the saucer that I had cut out for class several weeks ago. I had to water the flowers twice, they drink so much. I should cut the stems every day, but don't always get to it. And I persued a thought that keeps recurring. I think there are many many things in our everyday world that we don't notice consciously. So when they are gone, we only notice it on a subconscious level. Things just don't feel right. The examples that come to mind are building standards. Windows and doors come in standard sizes, as do countertops, distances between outlets, etc. Move to another country, and those standards aren't there. I have been thinking that it might apply to other facets of life over here as well. Maybe roadways, plants and animals, slant of the sun, etc. are all subtly different. Myabe that is why I feel so out of place here.

Cinco de Mayo

Today is the fifth of May, known in Korea as "Children's Day". There was no school off-post, and parents traditionally take their kids places and buy them treats. I planned to stop by the post office to mail a package, then proceed to the thrift shop which is in the same area. But the post office was closed. For Children's Day. Peeved that the package I lugged to post would follow me all day for no reason, I went to the thrift shop and put in about 4 hours. Hardly anyone showed towork, so it was kinda nice. Then Tina suggested we get our hair done. So I met her by the high school and we walked to the beauty shop near the Px. On the way we discovered that the main post office was open so I did get to mail my package after all. My hairdresser wasn't busy so I got right in, but Tina's was busy so she went to the Px for awhile. I got a lovely cut and then the manager suggested a manicure. I declined because my hands look fine to me. But a pedicure was in order. So I got one. First I got to soak my feet in a hot bubbly bath. Then she sanded my soles and toes. She also massaged my feet, ankles, and calves. Finally she gave me a shoulder massage. It was wonderful, and all for $17. By then, Tina was having her hair done. So I went to the Px to find organic cotton balls and she met me there when she was done. They do not have organic cotton balls, but I got some other things which I cannot divulge because of my readership. Then I met Chris at his office at 5 to go to dinner. Michele was late because she thought we were meeting at 6. Just before we left, I stopped by the restroom. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and just had to take a picture. Now how often does one look in the mirror and have a Kodak moment? Then we drove away, picked up Michele, and parked by Gate 17. We took the subway to Jondak, where we met the friend of a friend who is visiting Korea for medical treatment. The restaurant we had planned to eat at was out of food (Mexican restaurant - Cinco de Mayo - who would have guessed?). So we wandered around until we decided on a purportedly German place with a brewery. Michele had the sausages, I got salad, Chris got fried rice, and our friend got a very spicy chicken. I tasted them all and was not impressed by any of it. It was just ok. Then we came back on the subway, back to our car, and back to the apartment. Then I sent our new friend an article about how using an organic cotton ball in your ear stimulates the immune system. Who knows, maybe it could help him.

A less then ordinary Monday

There was no quilt meeting today since several people had to attend a volunteer luncheon. So I stayed home, doing e-mail, snail mail, and sewing. I made extra spring blocks. I ironed all the fabric I bought last week, and cut more charm squares from the fabrics before putting them away. I also re-cut all the flowers and changed their water. It is a bit of work, but I just love fresh flowers.
***Here is a picture of Chris after being a goalie for the elephants playing soccer. And another pic of Michele atop her elephant.***

Day after Buddha's birthday

I forgot to mention that yesterday was Buddha's birthday. Not that it seemed any different from any other day. We slept in today and missed church, but spent that time cleaning the apartment in preparation for having Hyon over for dinner. Other than watch a DVD, that is all I did all day. Tiring. Chris cooked pork and sauerkraut for supper along with peas and apple crisp for dessert (with ice cream). We had a lovely evening visiting with her and hearing her stories.
***More pics from Thailand - elephant farm***

Errands

We would have slept in, but Chris got a phone call and had to rush into work, but not for long. Then he drove me on post to pick up a key to another hooch I plan to clean. This time I am asking for $200 since the other one took so much longer thatn I thought. Then we went to the PX to get a magazine. A friend had given me a coupon for a free one. But when I got to the check-out, the man said it was only for teenage books. Well, it didn't say that, but he wouldn't honor it, so I paid for it and took it to the refund counter. They gave me my money back. Whew!
Then we stopped by the thrift shop to drop off some videos we didn't want anymore and some cleaners that I 'inherited' from the hooch I cleaned. Since we were there, Chris checked out the DVD's and bought 8. That cost $40. I got 12 VHS tapes for $2. Then when we got back to the apartment, he watched a DVD called 'Spiderman 2'. I worked on cleaning the apartment since we invited a friend to dinner for Sunday night.


Then we picked up Tina and rode the subway to Immoneem's house. (She's the lady who is giving us Korean lessons) She had another student there and the four of us did the best we could. Chris sat in the other room with her husband. It was still hard work and I wondered for the umteenth time how to politely got out of it.
When we got home, I watered the flowers for the second time today. They really suck water! Oh, and they fill the apartment with such a good smell. We also worked on laundry. I folded three loads earlier. There is another one, all fabric, in the dryer now. I'll have to check it soon, since I like to remove them ever so slightly damp. They iron better that way.

***First photo from the flower market, the other two from Thailand***