Walking tour of Dongdaemun

I printed the sheet with all the directions for the tour last night. Everything was ready to go. I took a few moments to drop pff the recyclables, then headed over to post. I got in our car and drove to Gate 19. I was half an hour early, but I got a good parking place. I read and re-read the tour directions. Then at 9:30 left my car. I hadn't seen anyone arrive, but then 3 ladies did. Some others that I had expected couldn't make it. So we went to the Sinyonsan station and rode the subway to Dongdaemun. Our tour started at building D, front entrance. We visited booths in the basement, and on the first, second and third floors. However, we (I) couldn't figure out the last part of floor three and we skipped to floor 5, but came out in another building. We visited the Happy Quilter booth last. By the time we left, I think everyone had gotten something: fabric, buttons, ribbon, or a Coke. I didn't want to leave, but the others seemed eager to get home. Two of them stopped off at Namdaemun on the way back to visit the Alpha store. Cathy and I went home and had our respective lunches. Then she and I met back at the Arts and Crafts Center to quilt a QOV. Even with two of us working on it, we didn't quite finish before 5. So there it sits, waiting until Wednesday morning when the AnC center opens again. I went home for supper. What shall I eat? What do I have? Dried squid and onions. Has this ever happened to you? Me either. So I made squid and onion soup. It was ok. Then Michele called to tell me where she was, helping a friend buy a subway card. I had some garlic soaking in kimchi sauce, but they were hard. So I put the whole thing in a sauce pan to simmer for awhile. Then Michele came home and we talked about her experience going to Yonsei, meeting new people etc. During which I noticed a burning smell. Poor little garlics. Actually, I caught them before they were too bad. It was the pan that suffered most. So I scrubbed it and the one she burned rice in 2 weeks ago. Guess which one came clean. Then while she went to bed, I sat down to write the Legend of Obamole.
I finished the rest of my e-mail and am ready for bed.

Now its Sunday

Sunday I awoke feeling much better. I SKYPed Chris at 6:30, then read my e-mail. I got took a shower. Then, because it was dead and I couldn't stand it anymore, I cut off Obamole. Yes, I named my mole. If you want to hear the legend of Obamole, e-mail me. Suffice it to say, it was gone and I had to hold an ice cube on it to stop the bleeding, then Michele put a small round bandage on it. I dressed for church and met Rick, who gave a ride last week. His wife was the preacher today. Michele stayed home to do laundry. After church we had the usual kimbap and fruit. But someone brought some Korean baked goods, too. I didn't have any, due to the probability of sugar. Then we left, inadvertantly leaving my umbrella behind. (And the church will be closed tomorrow because it is a training holiday). About 12:30 Michele walked out for her first trip to Yonsei by herself, having to be there at 2. I got a call from her at 1:30 saying that the bus never stopped at Sinchon Station and that she was 5 stops down. Well, I couldn't make out what stop she was at. But I tried finding the Seoul bus website, and it was extraordinarily elusive. By the time I found it, another young man had come to her rescue. When I didn't hear from her again, I assumed she make it. I got back on the computer and tried like heck to find out what bus route she should try next time. I discovered that there are TWO Sinchon Rotary stops and that one is supposed to walk from one to the other to catch the next bus. Then I listened to audios and interviews, followed links and such. About 8pm I realized that she wasn't back. I tried calling her, but there was no response. I went through the papers near her chair to see what event she had gone to. No luck. So I googled student orientation, but couldn't find the info I wanted. I was looking at my contact list to see who I would call for help, when it occured to me to call her again. No answer (be still my heart), but she returned my call a few moments later to say that she was in a restaurant where they had taken the new freshmen for a bite to eat. She said she'd be home in 20 minutes on the subway. I almost laughed. I expect it'll be an hour. I guess we need to set some kind of procedure for avoiding maternal heart attacks in the future.

Seoul City Bus system - "We drive you crazy"

I started the morning by Skyping Chris. Then I can't remember what happened after that, but I know I was planning to walk to the Chosun to see what silks they got in. They are open from 10 to 3. Around 10 Michele said she wanted to try out the bus route we had printed off the website since she had to go to Yonsei on Sunday. As she didn't object to my coming, we went together. The bus stop was further away than we thought. But ok. Then we were on the wrong side of a very large busy road. There was a high pedestrian bridge to climb, so we got on 730 going the wrong way thinking the bus had to turn around some time. Well, it did, but not for a long way. SO we wasted a bunch of time on that. Then we started counting stops when we got back to where we started. At 10 I lost count because I was listening to the announcement of each stop. When we got to Sinchon Rotary, we got off the bus, as per the directions on the website. But the bus we were supposed to get on, 7024, didn't service that stop. And of course, the signs there were in Korean. Michele was all for crossing the street and going back. But I had come too far. We went into the subway to read the map which indicated which buses went to Yonsei. I wrote down the numbers and we went back to the bus stop. But there was a young man there who recommended a certain bus so we took it. It dropped us off at the main gate. But we really wanted to be at the East gate. So we walked to the East Gate, and read the bus numbers there. In fact we got on the bus 7024. We got off at Sinchon Station. From there we could see the Sinchon rotary stop. So we walked over there and caught 730 home. It was 3pm and the Chosun was closing. (I'll have to go Wednesday) We decided that maybe she should take bus 730 one more stop and see if that connected to 7024.
Back at home, we had some lunch. I tried the garlic I put in kimchi juice. It was crisp and strong. Gee, maybe I should cook them first. Eating it gave me a headache. I tried to ignore it and got on my computer. But in the early evening I had to lay down and I fell asleep.

My so-called life

I SKYped Chris again this morning. He was having supper. Then I read my e-mail, followed links, and looked up any new terms that appeared. I bought a one-month membership to the Insider's Tapping Club and spent hours listening to the recorded sessions that come with the membership. I also took a break from the computer to work on a QOV. I brought home a kit on Monday and just hadn't gotten around to it yet. Plenty more to do on it, though. In the midafternoon, I caught the post-run bus to the ACS building to see the eye chart again. This time I had my most recent glasses. But my right eye only did one line better. Hmmm. Then I walked to Chris' office to pick up the mail. It was 3:30 and when they saw me come in, they rushed out to get the mail. So I rifled through the mail from the previous week, waiting for them to return. When they did, there wasn't any for us. Then I walked to the commissary to pick up some apple cider vinegar. I couldn't resist buying the BIG bottle even though I had to carry it home. Back at the apartment, I made red beet eggs with the vinegar and Michele made supper. She fried up the little Korean meat patties in a little soy sauce. Then we ate them with chopsticks, trying various sauces: soy with vinegar, wasabi mayo, hot mustard, honey mustard, and a hot red sauce. I think the honey mustard was my favorite. After supper she told me all about her characters in the book she is working on, and what will happen to them. I am glad not to be one of them.
This is the dried squid I called lunch. Very tough. I could soak it in water. If it reanimates, I'll call it FrankenSquid.

Long Day, but I got my license

This morning I was awakened by the rattling of all the doors in our apartment. This was due to wind and rain coming in the open windows. So I got up and closed them. Then I Skyped Chris for awhile. Eventually I ate, showered, dressed and caught the bus to the thrift shop. I worked on preparing and shelving videos, DVD's and books. We didn't have a lot of books, just a grunch load of DVD's. I didn't do them all because we ran out of space and I ran out of time. I had to be at the ACS center to watch a safety video to get my USFK driver's license. The video was a slide show about driving in winter. Some slides had too much info to be read before it switched to the next one. It assumed that the viewer knew NOTHING about snow or driving. Then there was one about what to expect on Korean roads. That one had sound, but the lady showing it was talking on the phone so I couldn't hear it all. Then we got tested for color-blindness, peripheral vision, braking response time and THE EYE CHART. I did well until the eye chart. I couldn't find my glasses so I had an old pair. The left eye did well, but the right eye was very bad. BUT THEY PASSED ME ANYWAY!!! It scared me, so I asked if I could take it again tomorrow after finding my glasses. Cathy dropped off the car keys (we lent her the car until hers came in) while I was watching the video. So I sat in the car and tried to compose myself, wondering why my right eye was so bad. Then I drove to the PX to get a few things. I happened to see MaryAnn walk into the haircutting place, so I walked in to talk to her and wound up waiting to have my hair cut. MaryAnn stayed with me and chatted until the stylist finished. Then the stylist gave me a great cut. So I tipped her in won, and paid the bill in won, even though he gave the price in dollars. What was I thinking? After that, I drove to the gate and parked and walked to the apt. I had leftovers and kimchi for supper. Michele left to visit a friend. I sat down to look at my mole and realized what a great hair cut I had. So I took a pic. Then I researched websites to buy raw cacao from, read some e-mail, and looked up home remedies for mole removal. They all involve applying something and waiting: pineapple juice, garlic, vinegar, castor oil, raw potato, cauliflour juice, honey, banana peel, etc. I wonder what all these things have in common? Finally Michele came home and I went to bed.

Sewing lesson

First, an early morning Skype session with Chris. During this, Kurt started texting me through Skype. That went on for quite a while. Finally I breakfasted, and showered and made a grocery list. I walked to the commissary (it wasn't so hot today), and picked up a few things, including a very large bottle of cranberry juice for Michele. I could have saved 50 cents by buying two, but carrying another one home wasn't worth it. Then it was time to plan my next sewing lesson. The project is a lined tote bag. It includes some handbasting as an exercise, but I wanted to justify it saying that sometimes you baste when you can't use pins. I tried to get a sample of silk that retains pin holes, but after searching the apt four times, I was unable to locate them. That had me worried. Just after noon I went back out to catch the post-run bus to the Chosun, carrying my lesson materials with me. I was looking for silk, but all they had was stuff left over from months ago. Still, I got to chat with several people. Then I caught the bus to the lesson site. In a previous post there was a picture of the kids with the pillowcases they'd made. While I was gone, they made another for their 3? year old brother. The kids were eager to start a new project. I knew we wouldn't finish the lined tote, so I left them at the basting part. They seemed quite content to do the handwork. Then the mother worked on two baby quilts, and had some questions for me. When I got home and mentioned this to Michele, she seemed to think I was like a missionary, chuckling over drawing in more converts. For supper we ate leftover pork. Michele had hers with spaghetti, I had mine with kimchi for my vegetable. Then we retired to our respective computers. Today's links took me to the subject of quantum jumping. It says that there is an infinite number of alternate universes out there, and you can jump to one where you are living a better life, or feeling better than in the one here. Interesting concept.
Here is a pic of my brother-in-law. He has nothing to do with today's story, but I needed a pic and there he was.

E-Mart

Ok, tonight I am posting on time, BEFORE I fall asleep.
This morning I visited with Chris via Skype. He is doing well. I had breakfast and showered. Michele took out the garbage. I caught the post run bus to the ACS center to take the USFK driver's test. I wasn't sure if they would accept Chris' orders in lieu of some Letter of ???, but they did. The test was quick and easy. Although I passed, I still have to have a vision test, and watch a safety video, which is shown every day at 1:20. That I can't fit into my schedule until Thursday.
Then I proceeded to the thrift shop. I did n't handle a single book. I spent all my time on DVD's and videos. We broke up early to take Zara out for a good-bye lunch at the Mexican restaurant in the DHL. I had an avacado and mango salad with chicken. The mango was delicious, but the avacado was unripe and rubbery. Inedible. We had a discussion on whether seaweed is a vegetable. I think 'yes' because it is a plant, and not a fruit. Others think 'no'. Later it occured to me that nuts are also a plant but not considered a fruit or a vegetable. Hmm.
Anyway, we did more work after lunch. Then Cathy came by. She and I went to E-Mart and also walked through I-Park mall. I got kimchi, meat patties, chopped fish, and garlic. She got orange cream puffs and yaki mandu. After sightseeing in the mall, we went back to post and she drove me to my gate. I walked home and put my purchases in the fridge. While Michele cooked supper, I ate some of the kimchi. It had so much juice (which I didn't want to waste), that I cut up a bunch of the garlic and dumped it in there to pickle. Michele made sausage, broccoli and tomatoes as a topping for spaghetti. Isn't she lovely? Then we retired to our computers. Today I read about early cancer research and how they discovered that adding respiratory enzymes to food prevented cancer, because cancer is caused by low oxygen pressure. Well, then I wanted a list of respiratory enzymes, but am having trouble finding one.

Plans change

I fell asleep again before posting to my blog. Lets see, in the morning, I Skyped Chris. Then I prepared for quilting. Pam picked me up at the gate and we went to the South Post chapel, our new meeting place. I brought two quilt tops and so did Debi, so that was something to work on, but there is someone new at the chapel who is cleaning out all the storage spaces, and they said we could have all the storage in one large closet. SO, instead of finishing quilt tops, we moved our stuff from another locker and from Tina's house, into that room. We also bought locks so we could protect it all from inquisitive people. We talked about restrictive the people who have possesion of the longarm are. Then we had lunch and went our separate ways. I went with Cathy to her house. She showed me her quilts (she has so many!) and quilting books, magazines, etc. She also gave me her copy of the driver's manual. I will read that one more time before attempting to take the test.
She dropped me off in time for supper. We had pork and broccoli. Then it was off to the computer to read all my e-mail and follow the interesting links. I fell asleep listening to some long-winded interview.

Fractal Ferns

I woke up about 6:30, and visited with Chris via Skype. Then I woke up Michele and took a shower. She elected not to go to church, so I went by myself to meet Rick who picked me up in front of the apt complex. After church Tia asked me to help count money. It is not a big church so that took all of 10 minutes. After refreshments, Rick and Nancy dropped me off at home. Michele was on her computer, so I got on mine. I followed some links for fractals and discovered fractal ferns. They are generated by two fairly simple equations, one for x and one for y. And if you think (Dave Barry style) that Fractal Ferns would be a good name for a rock band, you're right. It is amazing what's on the internet. I was also able to listen to a Quantum K healing session (www.quantumk.uk.co). Interesting experience. Finally I had to quit the computer to get some other things done, like I wanted to make two quilt tops for Monday. So I had to clean up my sewing room, put a new blade in my rotary cutter, and turned on the TV. I watched something really gory with Bruce Willis in it, and then a movie where people go deep in the earth to jumpstart the earth's core. I got my two tops done, and turned off the second movie at midnight. I forgot to post to my blog. Sorry.

Nothing in particular

Chris and I visited by Skype again this morning. It was evening for him and I got to watch him eat supper. I sent and received a bunch of e-mails, trying to get back into a normal routine. I looked up the city bus website and found Michele a better way to get to college each day. I also read an e-book about Quantum K and learned a little bit about fractal food. For supper Michele pulled a large piece of pork from the freezer, thawed it for an hour and a half, then put it in the oven for 2 hours. Surprise, surprise, it was still cool in the middle and she had to throw it back in for awhile. We watched Tremors, one of her favorite movies. I tried to get some sewing done, but the room is too big of a mess and I just don't have any desire to sew. Hopefully that won't last long. Here is one of my many beach pictures.

Friday

I woke up at 5:30, so I skyped Chris and we spent 45 minutes chatting. It was very nice and I miss him alot. Then I readied myself and caught the 9am bus to the DHL. I went to the ACS building to get a booklet to study for the driving exam, but instead they gave me a paper with directions for downloading it off the internet. They insisted my choices were to download it, or check it out of the library. My husband and MaryAnn both say they were given the booklet. So go figure. Then I walked back to the DHL, got some won and looked for Mary Ann. She and I found Monique, then the three of us went into Itaewon to a meeting for newcomers. The venue had changed but there was someone there to point out the new place. It was a very nice restaurant. The meeting was run by the AWC, American Wonen's Club. All kinds of info was available. We all introduced ourselves and afterwards had lunch. Coming back, Monique dropped me off at my gate. When I got to the apt, Michele told me that she and a friend were going to see a movie called "The Time Traveler's Wife". I decided to go, too. But she left early to hang out at the Shoppette. I caught a later bus and went straight to the theatre. It was an interesting movie, with the usual paradoxes that accompany time travel. But about 3/4 of the way through, I suddenly felt like I had a raging bladder infection. I do not understand how something can come up so quickly. But I know how to cure that, I just had to get home. After the movie, I saw Suzanne, so I stopped to talk to her. Then, since our gate was closed, I walked all the way home, through Gate 52. I was not a happy camper. I performed the cure and laid down to wait for it to take effect. At some point I fell asleep, and woke at 2:30 in the morning. What is it with 2:30? That is not wake-up time here or in the U.S. Anyway, now the pain was in my left kidney, and it was bad. I was scared, but didn't know what to do or who to call (in the middle of the night). I am aware of the Korean emergency number 119. But I wasn't ready to face whatever that might bring. So I used EFT, Switchwords, Ho-oponopono, prayer and Sanjeevini healing cards. I also tried to contact several people on Skype. Even looked on Facebook to see if anyone was up. Nope. Finally, around 6 the pain went away. Phew! What a relief! Maybe I should go back to bed, or maybe I should just try to stay awake for the rest of the day.

Chores

In spite of finding myself wide awake at 2:30 in the morning and not going back to bed until after 5, I think I may have gotten a little sleep. I got up at 8:30, showered, dressed, ate, and left for the thrift shop. On the way I dropped off the food scraps and ducked into 7-Eleven for gov't approved trash bags. One must use them to dispose of trash at the apartment. I don't want to carry my trash to post and Chris isn't here to do it himself. At the thrift shop there was a multitude of books and videos to shelve. I managed to throw some away. But there was plenty to do. Then when MaryAnn asked me if we'd always be friends no matter what, I knew something was up. She'd found two more trash bags full of videos. At least I don't feel useless. After we closed up the shop, she and I walked to the DHL and talked for quite a while. Then she went home while I walked to Chris' office to get the mail. Everyone there seemed happy to see me. It must have taken me an hour to pick up the mail. Then I caught the bus to our walk-in gate. When I got to the apt, Michele was gone. But she had done the laundry like I asked. I cleared out more e-mail, had a bit of supper, vacuumed the living area, and opened the mail. I plan to watch the Netflix movie before I go to bed. I have also added some more beach pictures to previous e-mails. Here I am displaying the moon. Don't know what that other thing is.

Adding Pictures

It is 2:30am and I just woke up. This has got to stop. My last post ended with me going to bed Monday night in Korea. I woke up Tuesday morning at 6:30am. I figured my sleep schedule was now on track for the local time zone. Michele was up at about the same time, so we talked and got on our computers. I had a mountain of e-mail to wade through. At one point I walked into the kitchen to find that no recyclables were harmed (or taken out) since I left. The garbage smelled, and there were dirty dishes in the sink and on the counter. The good news was that the dust bunnies were large enough to be assigned chores.
We took out the recyclables and made a commissary run. Then I worked on my mountain of e-mail. It was hot and we had to run the AC. We did not go out after that. I had no lunch but cleaned up a few leftovers for supper. Then Michele and I had an 'S' word contest. I don't know why, we just did. I kept falling asleep during it. So I started walking around, patting my cheek, whatever to stay awake until bedtime. Finally at 9 I gave up and went to bed. But then I woke up at 2:30 am. Figuring that I could repeat the previous night by doing something for an hour then go back to bed, I processed some more e-mail. Then I went back to bed to listen to my meditation CD which puts me to sleep. But it didn't. I don't know how long I lay awake, but finally got up at 8. I took a shower and had breakfast. Then Michele and I got on the subway at Sebinggo station and went to Dongdaemun to buy beads and yarn. Then train was very crowded until Seoul Station, then there were plenty of seats. I get a little uncomfortable when there are plenty of seats because it reminds me of the time we were the only ones left on the train.
So we got off in Dongdaemun and went to the 5th floor of "A" building. Michele had never been before and I think she enjoyed looking at all the selections. Then we walked down to the basement and she got $50 worth of yarn. IT must be the good stuff because in the states acrylic yarn would not cost so much. Then she was hungry even though it wasn't 11 am yet. So we walked around, bought her a corn dog. Then we found a little place in a tent to sit and we got a seaweed rice roll. It came with kimchi (which is what I really wanted) and a soup (broth and a few big noodles). So I finally had my kimchi fix. Then we took the subway to Yongsan, Gate 19, and got on the bus for our walk-in gate. I was going to stay on the bus and go Chris' office to check the mail, but wanted to change my shoes. However, once we got back, and turned on the AC, we couldn't face going out again. I worked on e-mail again, until about 3, then decided I needed a power nap. So I laid down and slept until 9. I got up and ate a little but didn't feel right. So I tried to read. Then I took the book to bed where the light was better. I read a little and slept a little, read a little and slept a little. Finally I finished the book and slept until 2:30 am. Now I am wide awake and feel fine. Darn.
So I am posting and adding pictures to previous posts. Check them out.

The trip home

Sunday morning I got up at 3:45 am because I just couldn't sleep. I took a shower and repacked my suitcase, taking out a few things that made it too heavy to pass the 50 pound test at the airport. Chris offered to take them in his suitcase. We were a little late leaving for the airport, getting there a little after 5. I waited in the checked-luggage line and Chris checked me in at the selfcheck terminal. I didn't even know they existed. Then we walked to the security line. I just couldn't bear to say goodbye to him and I just hate crying in public. So he left. There was a guy on a cell phone behind me. It was very distracting. I was wondering who he could be calling at 5:30 in the morning. Then we went through the line where you have to take off your shoes and put all your stuff in a basket to be x-rayed. I had no problem going through the 'doorway' since I had taken off my watch. But while trying to collect my shoes and stuff, something went wrong some where and all 4 lines shut down. So we stood there, shoeless, wondering what had happened. After a while, an AllClear was given and I got my shoes back. Some people were upset at the delay, but I still had an hour to wait. Once we boarded, we sat on the tarmac listening to the pilot explain that our destination, the Atlanta airport, had been closed for fog and that we would not take off until the airport opened again. I guess we sat there for half an hour. My seatmate was nervous about take-offs and landings. She admitted that she had small bottles of alcohol with her. She disappeared just before take-off and just before landing. I think she was drinking in the restroom. She talked constantly during the trip, even though with my ears popping I couldnt hear half of what she said. We descended through a very heavy fog layer. Since we started late, we arrived late and many people were rushing off the plane with only minutes to catch a connecting flight. I guess they had really short layovers. I thought I had an hour. But when I got to the E terminal and asked, I was told the plane was boarding already. So I walked to the appropriate gate and got in the first line. I checked with the lady ahead of me as to destination and seating. But then she got out of line after the guy ahead of her said 'Business class'. I stayed in line and the ticket agent told me to go ahead anyway. I was seated on the aisle in the center. Beside me was a Korean woman and her son. There was an entertainment screen on the back of the seat in front of me. I watched several movies during the flight, and played a game of Sudoku. I might played more, but was worried that all the screen tapping might be distracting to the person in front of me. I listened to music but the ear phones they handed out were uncomfortable and the headphones I brought became tight over time. So I had to divide my time between movies and reading a book. I tried sleeping, but the seats weren't comfortable and my butt hurt from sitting so long. I was VERY lucky not to have back problems. We were served a meal an hour from take-off and an hour before landing. There was a snack somewhere in the middle. Luckily they served drinks more often. It was a 14 hour flight and I only went to the restroom twice. Probably I was dehydrated. I was also lucky not to have more ear trouble than I did. How do stewardesses handle it?
Moving on, we were given papers to fill out at the beginning of the trip to be turned in when we got off the plane. One was an H1N1 form where you had to swear you didn't have it and weren't exposed to it. When we handed it in, they took our temperature to make sure. The other form was a customs form and had small spaces for entering everything. One block asked for reason for visit. I couldn't get "too stupid to stay in the U.S. where I belong." in there. "Crazy as a loon" would be a tight fit too. "Masochistic" was the right length but I didn't want to have to explain what that meant. Strangely, I had trouble finding the Immigration area. At JFK airport, we were funneled into it, but in Korea I had to find the signs, which I couldn't, so I had to stop and ask. Since everyone on the plane had to go there, you'd think it would be more clearly marked. But I had no trouble getting through. Then there was the inevitable wait for baggage to appear. Finally I got my suitcase and dragged it through the airport looking for the USO counter. Of course it was the very last one. Several taxi drivers offered me rides, but at expensive prices. The DHL bus was several hours away, so I went for the Capital Hotel bus. That was a 20 minute wait, but much cheaper than a taxi. It got to Seoul in less than an hour, but then making its rounds took a long time. The hotel was not its first stop, but it was the closest one to where we live. I should have gotten taxi from the hotel, but I didn't. I just grabbed my suitcase and dragged it all the way home. It was hot and humid. When I got to our apartment, Michele was about to start supper. I was exhausted so I stripped and laid down for a moment. Michele put on the AC and went to the kitchen. When I woke up it was midnight. I wanted to check my e-mail, but the rest of the apartment was too hot. So I unpacked my suitcase, plugged in my cell phone and went back to sleep.

Fri and Sat

I know I didn't post yesterday, but I have to make this really quick because it is late and I have to be up really early to be at the airport by 5am. Friday I stayed at the house to help my mom bake banana bread and date-nut bread. That afternoon I helped my father cut off a rotted section of rafter and put up a piece of trim on the shed. It sounds quick but it wasn't. After supper Chris drove in from Ft. Belvoir. We went to bed early. Sometime in the middle of the night I realized how hot it was in there and retired to the livingroom to cool off. William came in the front door about 7 am, waking me up. I got dressed and we went yardsaling. I got a set of headphones, several yards of silk, a curtain rod, a book and something else. I met a lady that speaks at least 5 languages and has traveled extensively. We had a marvelous discussion. Then William and I went to the new Salvation Army store. It was very nice, but had nothing I wanted. We went home. Mom and Dad were preparing for my brother's birthday party. Kurt and his girlfriend Debbie drove in from Northern Va. And William's girlfriend Karen came by, too. We had grilled chicken quarters, three-bean salad, baked potatoes, and fruit salad. Not to mention cake and ice cream. There was the traditional singing and presents and more than the usual picture-taking. We also sat around trying to answer Trivial Pursuit questions. Then one by one, the couples left. It was sad, but we'd had a good time. Chris and I ducked into the nearest Walmart for a new watch and a tan shirt. It was the fastest shopping I have ever done. (I had bought the shirt in 4 other colors and this WalMart happened to have my size in tan). Arriving at my in-laws house, we weighed my suitcase and found it was too heavy so Chris put some stuff in his suitcase. Then we SKYPED Michele and I really enjoyed talking to her. She seems to be doing just fine on her own. I will fly out of Richmond early tomorrow, fly into Atlanta, and then on to Incheon, arriving Monday afternoon. Then I have the task of finding a way home from the airport, which is an hours bus ride from Seoul. So I may miss a day or two of blogging. Wish me well.

More shopping and binding

I am no longer waking up at 6am. I think I stayed in bed until 7:30. After a bath and breakfast, I resumed working on the binding for the double wedding ring quilt while my parents got ready to go grocery shopping. I expected Faye to show up shortly thereafter, but it was 11 by the time she came over. We then went to WalMart at Southpark Mall. She was looking for some shirts she'd seen at another Walmart and so was I. We each bought some clothes on sale and then had lunch at Subway. Then we went to Home Depot to look at shelving and PVC. No luck on the PVC, but they had the shelving. Only it won't fit into my suitcase. Hopefully I can order it from their website and have it shipped. Then we hit the nearby WalMart which had some more of those shirts in her size. After that, we visited Goodwill. Finally we returned after 6, tired and ready for supper. She went home. We had a great time shopping together, and I appreciate more than ever how convenient it is to find and buy what you want in the U.S.
After supper with my parents, we studied the last two chapters of Ecclesiastes. The writer says everything under the sun is vanity and is meaningless. But he must have found meaning in writing it.
I spent the rest of the evening working on the binding. I am getting better at sewing the inside corners.

Shopping!

This morning I had breakfast with my parents. Then I worked on binding the double wedding ring quilt while my mother worked on a rag quilt project. Faye came over during lunch and we went to the Thrifty Quaker, a thrift shop. I thought it would be a quick trip, but it seems we are known there as William's sisters, so we had a nice chat with two of the ladies there. I bought some patterns before we left since they are not to be found in Seoul. Then Faye drove us to Jo-anns. What a wonderful place! So much to look at and all the varieties of everything all in one place. I wish we had one in Seoul. I got some fancy paper and a bead board. Well, actually my sister bought them for me as an early birthday present. Then we stopped by the shoe store so I could look for some sandal-like walking shoes. It took a long time, but finally I was able to settle on two pairs. Now I have to get all of this in my suitcase. Faye drove me home from there. It was supper time then and we were having supper when my brother arrived. He took me to Goodwill. We got there just before it closed. Then we tried Salvation Army, but it was closed. So we hit Barnes and Noble. Another wonderful place! I didn't get anything, but it was so nice just to look. When we got back, my father was watching a concert on TV. It was so beautiful. But now it is bedtime, and I am looking forward to spending more time with my sister tomorrow.

No more double wedding rings for me

Monday I did not get a chance to blog. Cecily drove me to my parents house after lunch. We all had a nice chat. Then my parents left for the fitness center. Being alone, I called William. I thought he was coming to visit me, but he never showed up. I did nothing for awhile, but did not make a dent in all the nothing there was to do. So I had to do something. So I swept the deck and ramps, but then again had nothing to do. Finally it was time to start supper. But then the phone rang and it was Kurt. I tried to make supper while holding the phone, and then remembered the speaker phone option. That was easier. But I still was late and when my parents came home, supper was not ready. After our late supper, we talked about the morning. Then I laid down for just a moment and fell asleep. Tuesday my mom and I went to her church to quilt. She let me drive and it was such a treat. I thought it would be scary after not driving for 11 months, but it actually felt good. The quilt in the frame at church is a Lone Star on a blue background. My mom had just started it recently so we did some marking. Then my sister showed up and the three of us quilted for the rest of the morning. Then Mom and I went home for lunch, stopping off at Good Foods Grocery to get some of the health foods I couldn't find in Korea. One was raw cacoa. It is supposed to be a superfood. Tastes like bitter baking chocolate. Must be healthy. Faye stopped by WalMart then joined us for lunch. Afterwards, we discussed how to finish off a double wedding ring quilt. Finally I decided to stop talking about it and just do it. So while one of them held the quilt, I sewed a double fold quilt binding on it. The corners weren't to my satisfaction, but it was in keeping with the character of the rest of the quilt. We ran out of binding, so after supper we went to Hancocks to get some more. Ah, what a wonderful place! So much selection, all the notions, everything you'd want in a fabric and craft store but can't find in Korea. I was going to buy thread, but the lady told us it would be half price on Saturday. When we got back home, we finished sewing on the binding and I started the slipstitching on the back. Still not the perfect edge I am used to doing, but those inner corners are hard to deal with.

Goodbye, Beach. It's been fun.

I did not get a chance at the computer yesterday, but it unfolded pretty much as expected. I got up at 6:15 to watch the sun rise. We packed, turned in the key and were on our way by 9:30. We called Chris at his parents home several times to warn him that we were coming. He had flown from Korea in during the night to pick up his car. He will be attending a month-long course at Ft. Belvoir. We all had lunch together when we arrived. After lunch he had to leave but it was nice to see him again for a little while.
For supper the rest of us went to UNOs. I got a bowl of vegetable soup. The kids had make-your-own pizzas, which meant that they got to smear the tomato sauce on and sprinkle the cheese before the waiter took the pizzas away to bake. I think they ate more because they got to participate in the process. These kids don't eat much so anything that encourages them to eat is a good thing. After supper we watched Westwing episodes and I did Sudoku puzzles. One by one we all went to bed.

Hatchlings

Olivia wanted to sleep with me last night, so she lay down in my bed and went to sleep. I crawled in later. Then this morning I awoke at 6 so I took my camera and went to the beach. She was still sleeping. When she got up she thought I had forgotten to come to bed. Walking to the beach I saw many animal tracks from holes on the dunes meandering to the water line. I think it was newly hatched sea turtles! I heard they hatch during a full moon. I watched the sun rise, hoping for enough light to take a good pic of the tracks, but when the sun fully rose, it was red and not that bright. So I went in for breakfast and fresh batteries for my camera. After beakfast we all went to the beach to swim. The waves were strong, but not quite as strong as yesterday so I went in up to my waist. I had fun challenging the waves. Then while the others went to the pool, I showered and lay down for awhile. Lunch was next, then we sat and talked about what we needed to clean and pack before leaving early tomorrow. At 4 The kids went to the pool, and Becca and I went back to the beach for shells. I wasn't planning to swim, but now the waves were much smaller and the water so clear that I couldn't resist. We were both tired when we returned to the beach house. Supper was next. Being our last one, we had to try to eat up everything that was leftover. We did prety well I think, but stuff did get thrown away. After supper we vaccummed the place and swept the decks and carport. We also did some packing. Tomorrow we get up at 7, finish packing, turn in the key and head back to Richmond Virginia.

Breathing in the sunrise

Last night after supper Becca and I decided to go in the hot tub. It had been having problems with the jets cycling on and off. But when we got in it was calm, and only 110 degrees. HOT!! The jets weren't working so we tried flipping the breaker. That got the jets working for a few minutes but not long enough to cool it off. So, we added water with a nearby hose and removed water with a bucket. We got it down to a more comfortable 105. Then we had a fine time chatting until it was time for bed.
I awoke this morning at 6. For the first time I didn't feel like jumping out of bed. Was it soaking in the hot tub? Anyway, I took a full water bottle to the beach and waited until sunrise. Then I poured the water out, letting the bottle fill with beach air. It occured to me to put in some sand and a little sea water and some shells - my own little beach! But I didn't think Immigration would let it through. Then I took a walk south. I saw a few sectons roped off as sea turtle nesting sites. I also saw an elaborate sand castle someone built. There were a number of people out photographing the sunrise. It was nice, but not as spectacular as yesterday. Then I came back to get on the internet before everyone was awake.
After breakfast, we all went to the beach to swim. But the water was still cold AND the waves were very strong, so we just waded in the surf and lay on the sand. But the sand wasn't hot, barely warm so I went in to the pool for awhile, then inside for a shower.
After lunch I went for a walk to a nearby hardware store. I wanted fishing line for making a necklace, but they didn't have it. I did, however, buy two small nuts, hoping that one of them is the size I need to fix something in Korea. On the way back I walked into a surf shop. He didn't have fishing line for sale, but when I mentioned that I only needed 6 feet, he got out his rod and cut off the required amount. He wouldn't even let me pay. What a nice guy!
Back at the house, we sat around until it was time to leave for the restaurant. It took over half an hour to get there. Olivia remembered it from last year and wanted to go. She is almost 5. I got an appetizer of salmon, lemon grass, and ginger. It was wonderfully spicy, but I couldn't finish it and took some home. I think everybody had leftovers. Then we went to the grocery store for a few items, then headed for home. Back at the house, the kids went to bed and Becca and I set out the beads for the necklace, now that we have the fishing line. Olivia is asleep in my bed. I am the lucky chosen one tonight.

Fourth Day

I got up a little after 6. I went to the beach for a run, but it was too uncomfortable in the sand, so I settled for a fast walk. It took me 20 minutes to walk to the pier. I was watching the sunrise the whole way. With the cloud formations it was amazing! Too bad I didn't have my camera. At one point it looked like a giant hand had grabbed the sun.
Then I had breakfast and hit the puzzles. I have finished 4 and am working on a fifth, but it is 1000 pieces, so I may not finish it as it is not my top priority. AFter lunch, 4 of us went to WINGS to get some stuff. I got a frisbee. Then we hit the grocery store for wine and milk. On the way back I saw a hardware store that I want to visit. I think it is in walking distance from here.

Missing pieces

After I posted yesterday, I laid back to read a book and finished it. By then it was time for supper. We had two roasted chickens, wild rice, salad, and something else. It was all good, as usual. Olivia and James went to the beach to fly her kites, but there wasn't enough wind. I spent some more time separating puzzle pieces and working on a hot air balloon puzzle. I went to bed at 10:30 but woke at 6am. I swear I am not getting up early on purpose. But, being awake, I put on my suit and took my Cd player to the beach. The sunrise was not visible for the clouds, again. But I sat there and meditated for an hour and by then the sun was above the clouds. It was beautiful. I took a walk along the beach and saw some birds trying to bob in the water, but they kept getting unsettled by breaking waves. I headed back for breakfast and more puzzle work. Then we all went to the beach together. This time I went in the water. COLD, again, but they say being cold burns calories. I left when a man on a bougie board kept 'surfing' too close to me. I didn't want to get run over. I hung out by the pool, watching the kids swim, then went in for a shower and lunch. After lunch I went through every puzzle on the shelf looking for pieces that didn't fit. I found a few more pieces to the balloon puzzle and a few pieces that don't fit any puzzle. Every one of them had extra pieces. I finished the ballloon puzzle with only 58 pieces missing. At this rate maybe it is not worth separating the pieces.

Second Day

Yesterday evening about sunset, Al and I walked from the beach house across the peninsula to the sound. You could almost see the sunset except for a cloud partially covering it. But I took a pic anyway and caught a windsurfer in the shot. The water in the sound is much calmer and warmer. But there are very few houses on that side.
Last night I stayed up until after 11 sorting puzzle pieces. The house we are renting at the beach has puzzles. But it seems someone mixed the pieces to about 5 different puzzles before filling up the empty boxes. Some are easy to separate because the backs are a different color. But the others have to be sorted by size (they are very close) and two 500 piece puzzles are exactly the same except for the picture. At least one of the others is a 1000 piece puzzle.
This morning I woke up about 5:30. So I walked to the beach and took a video and some pics of the sunrise (what you could see of it behind the clouds). I stood in the surf until a particularly large wave soaked me. Then I came back to put on dry clothes, and I had breakfast, returning to work on the puzzle mixture. I have three puzzle outlines on the table, trying to identify which pieces go with each one. Marie got up later and had to pack and leave. We were sorry to see her go. Then we all put on our suits and went to the beach. The water was still cold, and a few jellyfish were seen in the water. But I stayed long enough to accidently get a face full of salt water. I put on my goggles then which helped a lot. Then I wanted to see how waterproof they were so I went back to the pool where the kids were. The goggles performed very well. After a little swimming around we all came in for lunch. I had a shower, and hit the puzzles again. When Al and James went to the store, he let me use his computer, so here is today's entry.

First day at the beach

Sunday we left just before 10:30am. I rode with Marie in her rental Camero, 2010 model. VERY nice car! But the passenger seat is very low, so I could barely see over the dash. I felt so short! (no comments, please) We stopped for lunch at a DQ and had salad. Then we drove a long time and stopped at a grocery store to stock up on food. Next stop: rental agency to get the key. Finally we drove to the beach house. Unpacking the food and kitchen utensils we'd brought took a while. Then we walked over the high dune to see the beach. But a storm was coming, in fact it had rained on us several times. So we stayed in the house after that, fixed supper, talked, read books, fell asleep at the table. I was awoken and told to go to bed. So I did. Unfortunately I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep. I had a meditation CD but the batteries kept spluttering out. I must have gone through 4 sets. They were rechargeables that I bought at WalMart and had just charged. Maybe they have to go through a few cycles to get to full power?
When I finally did get to sleep, I slept 'till 7:30. So glad not to be awake at 6. I took a walk on the beach, then a shower. We all had breakfast, then went to the beach with the kids for a swim. The water was COLD! But persistance paid off and I could inch my way in. Actually, the water did not get deeper than knee height between waves for a quite a ways out. It was surprizing. But then I had to get out and warm up again. We finally went in because I was starting to feel burned, even though I was wearing #50 sunblock. We all had sandwiches and fruit for lunch. Then the kids played whle the adults read or went on a food run. I borrowed Al's computer while he was out shopping. Thanks, Al.

Visiting

Yesterday I stayed up 'till 10 hoping to sleep past 6am, but no luck. SO I cleared out my e-mail and took a shower. Then Cecily drove me over to my parents house. I spent the day with them, looking at sewing projects me mother started, and watching my father hang Michele's portrait in the living room. All too soon it was time to return so we could all go out to eat. AFter a marvelous salad, we returned to the house. My s-i-l came in time to eat with us. Then not too long after, My b-i-l and his wife and kids arrived. Let the fun begin!