Another trip to the market

Went to another market today. I think I may have to enter a 12 step program.."hello I am Dawn and I am a market-a-holic" :)
Here is a small booth that had a bunch of thread cones. The thread was only a dollar!!! I felt a buying frenzy coming on but then I remembered that I cleaned out the thread bin that I had and I have a ton of cones from here. Plus the hubby called at that moment...I think he felt a disturbance in the force!



These are little men. I cannot think of anything they could be used for. Maybe just decorations. I wish you could see them better..the art detail was beautiful.










This is a booth I call little girl heaven. It is in an area full of these places. Booth after booth of hair bows. I had Sarah with me and when we turned the corner she got this crazed look in her eyes when she saw the bows. She even started trying to bargain. I was so proud!








MORE BOWS!!! The world can sleep safely knowing we will never ever run out!!!













We turned the corner and went down another alley and saw the purses. This is one booth. This is just the front of his area. He has all these purses out front and it makes like a giant wall. I didn't even attempt to go in. I think his booth threw up purses. My Sarah is in the bottom left with the pink backpack on.







And now to the food portion of our tour. WHAT THE HECK ARE THESE THINGS???? I saw them and thought they looked like dried bats. Bat jerky!! yummy...heehee











Here are some mushrooms. I am sure they were all the legal kind. :) This guy had a ton of mushrooms. Some like I've never seen before. I wouldn't even know how to cook them. I think the man knew cause he looked up from his paper...saw me and looked right back down again. He was probably thinking "yeah, right"







Here is another yummy area. Dried fish. They still have their eyes and they were looking at me in fear as I passed by. Since the bug nothing is safe!!













These little babies are crabs!! Now this I could get into!!! They were alive and if you look at the left part of the box you can see them trying to escape...FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!









Here is the food court area. There are benches set up around a cooking area. You pull up a seat at whatever booth you want and they make you a plate. There were big bowls of kimche (green and red) on the counter part so you could add it to your dish. My stomach didn't feel strong enough to try anything today.









The thousand Won store

















Here is a peek at the toy section. Next you will see something that no respectable home should be without...........................











A PINK TOILET SEAT WARMER!!! I got such a kick out of this. The lady in charge was less then amused. I had to sneak a picture of it. I am going to get one so I can try it out and let you all know how it is...I am so there for you guys!!!














This is on the way home. It's just a shot of one of the stores on the street. Notice how nothing is in English!!? Sometimes when you go to different countries you can find alot of stuff in English...not here where we live. Even when we go down the expressway...everything is in Korean. Now we know how someone feels when they come to the states. It feels like a grand adventure every time we go out. When we went to Osan last week we were a little disappointed with all the things in English. We like feeling like explorers!! :) Anyway, I had a great time. I went to get batting for my brothers quilt that I'm working on. I found it with not a whole lot of trouble so I was happy. Next payday we're talking about taking the subway...now where? you ask?? Who knows!! Just there!

Hi Secretaries!!

This is just for the secretaries at my mom's school. HI!!! Have a wonderful day and I am so glad you're enjoying the blog!!! Onyohasayoh!!
heehee
dawn

Binging and Purging!

Last night I spent about two hours going through my fabric closet, bins and baskets. I got rid of a ton of stuff. Here is my closet all nice and neat....it makes me want to get in there and create something! What do you do with your fabric scraps?? I would love to know. I have a huge bag full and a bin that I'm not sure what I want to do with. Do I cut them all down to 2.5 inch strips?? Do I make a bunch of 4' squares?? What do I do????

5 weird and wacky things about me

I saw this on one of the blogs I read and thought it was funny. You pick 5 weird and wacky things about yourself that not a lot of people know and put them in your blog. The one I read was hilarious! Here are my 5





1. I love Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond! I know!! Just can't beat a good Copa Cabana!! I've seen the Jazz Singer 5 times!!


2. I can't function in a messy house. Even before I quilt my house has to be clean. Dirty floors drive me crazy!! I have to clean every Monday. I have good friends who don't even call on Mondays cause they know I am in the zone!!


3. I have a pretty large big toe. When I was pregnant I thought about buying it it's own shoe. Maybe something in stripes.


4. I eat my over-easy eggs on peanut butter toast. Of course when I do my family leaves and I end up eating alone. They just don't get it....but it's good!!!! :)


5. I live for dogs. You know the crazy old lady on the block (everyone has one) and she has the 90 cats?? That will be me! We only have one very spoiled pooch now but give me time!! hahahhahahahaha Dogs are the light of my life. I think God made them just for me. When we are out walking as a family they groan if they see a dog coming our way. They know that I MUST stop and talk to it. I've even gone up to a pit bull tied up at the post office waiting for it's owner to come out so I could scratch it's belly. They seem to know I adore them and usually get just as excited to see me. So if you are reading this and have a dog...lucky lucky you!!


Here is our Abbey. Isn't she just the cutest thing you've ever seen.

Now it's your turn...think about it today. What are 5 things that make you unique?? Have fun with it!!! Make yourself laugh!! God made us all different so we could have some spice in life. bye and have a great day!!!


d

Presents at English Class

Tonight was English class. We had a ball. Tonight the lesson was on "if you could visit anywhere in the world where would it be?" We started off with the US and then moved out. One of the students said something that got me to thinking. Her name is Clara. (they each take an American name for the class. Kareem and I use Korean names.) She said she didn't want to visit the US. She explained to us that she has a friend who married an American and he took her back to the states. They live in Oklahoma in a predominately white neighborhood. Her friend is lonely cause she has been unable to make friends. They just won't accept her there. She also told us that she used to work in a government job and when she would talk to other workers about the US they did not have good things to say about us. Now here is what I'm thinking. When you are talking to someone or listening to someone who doesn't speak English or maybe even broken English...what do you think? Do you think "wow this person can speak more then one language..they are really smart" or do you think "wow this person can't speak English why don't they go back where they came from" When did we lose the curiosity for people who are different from us? Why do we think that different = bad? Living here we are having so much fun trying the food, learning the language, seeing a different culture. What would we have missed if our minds were closed. I know that Kareem and I sure wouldn't be married. We are as different as night and day. We are going through it now with Anthonie and his girlfriend. She is white/Korean. Her dad is, let's just say, less then thrilled with the relationship. Why? What if he picked out someone for her and she was miserable for the rest of her life? I watch how he treats her and I think "wow. this is my son". I have to tell ya it makes a mother proud to see her son treat another woman with respect. Now I know that not everyone out there has these issues and sees differences for what they are...a gift from God to make life interesting and colorful. But for those who struggle with intolerance....think about. Think about how you treat the neighbor next to you...the person in the grocery store...the friends you kids bring home...someone may be watching you and "seeing" more then you want. Let's all live by the words of Rodney King...................can't we all just get along??!! Thanks to Clara for helping us all to stop and think. :)


Now, back to good ole' blog silliness. We got some presents tonight!! Don't ya just love presents??!! The woman in charge of us all Ms. Pak (sp) was telling Kareem that she collects all of the quarters with the different states on the back. He loved it that she did this. So she brought him this box with his own set!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How awesome is that??!!!! He was so touched that she did that for him. He also got to take home......








a pear. This tastes like a cross between a pear and a honeydew melon. It's crunchy and sweet. He loves them and we buy them all the time. When we arrive at class there is food set out by the students. They are so wonderful to us and always share. I told ya we were blessed!! heehee Then sometimes they give Kareem the leftovers and he goes to work with it the next day a happy man. I got a present too...................





a grater!!! HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every time we go out to eat one of the side dishes is shredded cabbage with a kinda green sauce on it. We LOVE it and usually ask for seconds. We had been asking the class how we can shred it and make it as fine as when you go out. Ms. Pak bought this for me! She remembered!!! I love it and plan on making shredded cabbage tomorrow for dinner. Life is good!!! VIVA LA DIFFERENCE!!

Caught in a demonstration!!!

Today started out like any other day. I needed to figure out how to pay my phone bill so I hopped in the ole' hooptie and away we went. My phone bill is in Korean. The only thing I could read on it was that I needed to pay 187,000 Won ASAP. That's about $187. It ended up being pretty easy. I walked in and got helped right away. We didn't speak to each other much. I handed the lady my bill and she took my Won. I got change and left. Here is where it gets interesting. I needed to go down the street to the other base and get gas. As I was driving I hear a bunch of loud drums and music with a bunch of singing and yelling. I look to my left and see 4 big buses. I'm starting to think "uh-oh". Traffic comes to a stop right in front of a large building with about 200 people demonstrating against North Korea. At least that's who I think they were mad at. The thing is..when you find yourself in this kind of situation and you are in another country you are supposed to head far far away. I was boxed in and had no where to go. Everyone started looking at me and I thought it was over! No more blog!! No more family!!! No more funny and fabulous me!! No more mint chocolate chip ice cream!!! The crowd starts to spill out into the street. Then the cops show up and I am now thinking here we go.....Tienanmen (sp)
Square II. Can you feel the suspense building??? The cops are there just to keep order. Finally the cars start moving. I'm a little shaken cause of all the staring and the yelling. I get to a stop light right before you turn on base and again I look to the left...looking to the left is most interesting....and there are a bunch of young girls in the car. THEY ARE THRILLED THAT THERE IS AN AMERICAN IN THE NEXT CAR!! They roll down the window and yell..no lie...."hello, happy birthday and thank you." Just like that. Now what I think they meant was "you look pretty slammin in that bohemian shirt you have on!" heehee My day was better instantly. We yelled goodbye to each other and I went on my way. WHEW! I may stay home tomorrow.

Lauren

Where did my baby go??? I can't believe that she is 14 already. We have been blessed mightily with this one. She is a joy to be with, she's smart, funny and absolutely beautiful..inside and out. Just thought I'd put one on here for the grandparents. Anthonie and Sarah will follow.

Movie Review

Just finished watching You, Me and Dupree...it was awesome!! I loved it and highly recommend it. No, I didn't go and see it at the movie theatre. I sat on my lovely couch and watched it. heehee How did I do this you ask?? I have an "in". His name is Movie Guy. I don't know his real name I just call him Movie Guy. He has a store set up in Osan and you go in, point to the movie you want and in 2 minutes you are bagged and ready to go. For the sake of good blogging I will make sure I visit him often..this way you, my loyal readers, will get a first hand account on movies that are out. No, no, no payment will be necessary. I am doing this out of the goodness of my heart. If you feel so inclined to help out with this, I am sure, major expense ($5 :) ) you may send cash to

po box I am the woman!! heehee

bye

My Trip to Osan

Sorry about the tiny pictures. I got a new camera and couldn't figure out how to download so these first one's are small. The camera is awesome!! As soon as I figure out all the functions I'll be in business. My hubby is wonderful!! He knows how much fun I'm having blogging away and decided I needed a "REAL" digital camera. Yes...he got lot's of kisses!! heehee
I found a new best friend there. It was the movie guy. He has a stand of movies, you pick what you want and "wallah" you get movies that aren't even out yet. Now I know what you are saying...how did you get You, Me and Dupree when it's still in the theatres?? I am most sure that my new best friend did everything within the law to get copies of this movie....the same goes for Monster House. YEAH RIGHT! It's not against the law here. It was great!!! I had to fight for position in line and fight I did! :) My Sarah saw a movie she wanted and got ahead of me somehow. That girl is her fathers child!! heehee

This is a picture of the famous Korean mink blankets...any one want any?? They are everywhere here. At this point in the day I'm a little overwhelmed with all the people. This is coming from someone who loves! the day after Thanksgiving and being out amongst the people. The total population of China was at the market that day. It was payday and surprisingly everything was $10. Come to find out everything is usually under that...on payday the smarties raise the prices cause Americans will buy anything for $10. (I was no exception and did the $10 crowd proud!)



I am having a blast with my camera and just pointing and shooting. Here is a picture of one of the streets filled with shops.


This was the puppy mill vendor. He had about 30 puppies of all different kinds. The girl in purple is Lauren trying desperately to get Kareem to understand why she must have one NOW! He wasn't buying it. He still has scars from getting Abbey and Buster here to Korea.


This is the end of the day. Our feet hurt, there were moths coming out of the wallet and everyone was starving. We went back on base and got a sub from Charlies and started home. I think I may do one more trip before Christmas...without the kiddos. You can shop much better when they can't see everything. I just need time to re-group. It was really an experience. So many people!!! :)

update on the diet

Well, it's the first day of the 10 pound weight loss challenge. I know you are all waiting with baited breath to see how I did. I had 4 licorice whips and 8 ice cream bon bons. It was not a good diet day! Do you see now why I need your help people?????????? I am getting quilters bottom!! I have no willpower! I am a sad excuse for a dieter. HELP! Can you hear my plea!! I need intervention! Or else I need for someone to send me a care package of oreos! heeheehee Tomorrow is a new day. I plan on doing much better. We are going to Osan to do some Christmas shopping...that should take my mind off of bad things to eat. Question of the day...Why is it that when we tell ourselves we are going to lose weight we begin to crave the things that got us here in the first place?? SIGH!

Sarah is a quilter!!! Well almost

My little boo-bear is on her way to being a quilter I just know it!! She is starting out small...making pillows. Thanks to Jen from downstairs for supplying the fluff!! :)












Here she is sleeping on her new pillow with her bestest bud in all the world, Buster Brown Owens. SHE IS SO DARNED CUTE!

10 pounds

The Capt came home last night feeling a little bloated and announced that "we" were going to lose 10 pounds together. Lucky lucky me! (sigh sarcasticly) So because I am a good wife we are now, not dieting, changing how we eat. I went to the commissary yesterday and tried to buy healthy. Not easy when you go down the candy isle let me tell you. So I am starting today. I was just wondering if any of you out there have any advice for me?? I think he chose 10 to start with cause anything other then that number would've had me heading to my quilt room in a panic. :) Of course I will chronicle any and all diet, oops...changes.....happenings on the blog. I know that many of you are saying, "oh boy, this is gonna be good." And you would happen to be right. Cross your fingers for me!!
d

Why I quilt

I was asked the other day by a woman why I quilt. She was wondering why I spend so much money and time on something as unimportant as fabric and then give away most of my efforts. I am sure that my quilting sisters out there are often asked the same things. How to explain to someone this passion of mine for needle and thread?
I get quiet inside of myself when I quilt. I can't explain it. It's a labor of love when I gift someone with a quilt. I go through a whole process of looking at patterns to get ideas. Then I shop for fabric. I start off with a rough sketch and when I do start the actual sewing I pray for the person and try and make sure I am always in a good mood. I like to impart something to that special person. Sounds kinda corny, I know, but it works for me. I was reading another persons blog...no I do not have to much time on my hands! :)........ and she had some quotes on there I thought were really poignant. Hope you like them.
d



Our heavenly Father uses our scraps of talents and abilities. By piecing them together to serve a purpose. We are tied together by faith in God who is our comforter."


"She never knew how her great idea came to her. Sometimes she thought she must have dreamed it...her nimble old fingers reached out longingly to turn her dream into reality... she put the thimble on her knotted, hard finger with the solemnity of a priestess performing a rite." - Dorothy Canfield Fisher The Bedquilt.

" It was not a woman's desire... to be forgotten. and in one simple, unpretentious way, she created a medium that would outlive even many of her husband's houses, barns and fences: she signed her name in friendship onto cloth and, in her own way, cried out, Remember Me."Linda Otto Lipsett - Remember Me

How true.

International Incident...almost :)

Yesterday I went to the fabric place with Jen from downstairs. I went with one thing in mind...buy fabric...buy buy buy! I had a purse full of Won and I was willing to spend it on anything that looked remotely interesting. You think Mel Gibson has a problem?? You've never seen me at the fabric store!! heehee So anyway...I was trying to get someone to tell me how much a certain type of fabric was. There was no one in the booth. There was a lady in the next booth over sewing and she started trying to talk to me. I speak almost no Korean and had no idea what she was trying to say. She got on her phone and I hear her over the loudspeaker saying something. The next thing I know this very large man comes around the corner gesturing and talking very loudly. He and the sewing lady proceed to talk to each other very loudly then they look at me. My eyes got pretty big then! He walks over and me thinking he is the owner of the booth start trying, again, to ask him how much is this fabric. He starts laughing and pointing at everything. I'm not to sure at this point what is going on so I look for Jen. She has deserted me and moved onto more fabric down the isle that is easier to purchase...smart girl! I decide to leave cause it is obvious that I'm not getting anything here. He blocks my path and tells me "no.no you sit." So what's a girl to do but sit?? Then he goes over to the sewing lady and starts messing with her. He knocks over her cones of thread and pinches her cheek. They are laughing having a great ole time and I am??...still sitting obediently. :) I'm thinking, I wonder what's gonna happen next and I hope it's good so I can post it on the blog! hee hee always thinking! Then another lady comes running down the isle talking loudly and gesturing at me. She tells me to follow her and I do. I yell to Jen that I'll be back and off we go. She talks to me the whole time we go up an escalator..in Korean which I do not understand. Then we run! down an isle to another booth and wallah..she has the same bolt of fabric. Now was she taking me from the other vendor..where was the other vendor...did he show up and wonder about what all the fuss was about...how am I going to find Jen...all these things were going on in my head along with...YES! This is gonna be so great in the blog! The lady tells me that the fabric is $3 a yard which is pretty steep here and with all the laughing from the other 5 ladies who stopped over to see the spectacle I figured she was giving me a bad price. But then I felt bad for causing such a ruckus so I did the only thing I could do...I bought three yards. International Incident Averted! Here is the fabric that caused so much trouble...oh and I did find Jen by the way. She had made friends with two other Korean ladies and was smiling and having a grand ole' time when I got back. This is a girl who can have a good time in any and all situations! :) Go Jen!!

See...I had to buy it! It has old timey ladies doing old timey things on it!! It screams "buy me Dawn!!"

This is all the stuff I bought...two cones of thread, two fabric pens and 27 yards of fabric all for the astronomical price of...wait for it........................................ $35-$40!!!!!!!!!!!!! heeheeheehee LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!

Here's another shot of the whole kit and caboodle. Hey, just tought of something. Is anyone out there going to the Houston quilt show this year?? If so can you send me some pictures so I can live vicariously through your good time?? bye all!

Meet Sonja!!

Okay friends and family...here is Sonja...Anthonie's WOMAN. :) Isn't she a cutie pie!!













Yes...this handsome man is my son!! :)

North Korea-again!

I just checked the msn news and they are reporting that Japan is trying to see if North Korea had tested another bomb. Can you believe it????? Does this guy not know how screwy this all is?? I'm wondering if we should get ready to go anytime soon. I think I will make sure my NEO pack is completed by Friday just in case. A NEO pack is just your important documents and some money. If we have to go we don't have alot of time to grab. With three kids and two animals I will be pressed for time. Kareem would have to stay here. I'll update as things happen.

Traditional Korean Dinner part 2

Here is the lady of the house peeking in to see what all the noise was about. It's funny cause we didn't know she was there til after the pictures were down loaded. :)












The lady in purple really liked Sarah and tried to get her to eat some of the food on the table. Sarah, being Sarah, wasn't having it! She ate the Bulgoghi ( a seasoned meat) but that's about all.








Here is us at the end of the night. Full but happy. We wish you were there Michael..you would've loved it!! Kareem said he missed you a couple of times that night.

English Class, Dinner out

Kareem and I teach English every other Tuesday. Our class is for adults. Last night they treated us to dinner with many traditional Korean dishes. We had three courses! When the food came we were eating and started getting full, everyone laughed and said to wait..it's just the first course. You wouldn't believe all the food. Here is a picture of course one! Everyone just takes a little out of the bowls. You don't get a big plate like in America. Our plates were small, a little bigger then your hand. You put small amounts on it and then get more. Everyone shares and it's okay to double dip..heehee


Sarah got to go with us. She had a ball. She has a class at school called Korean Culture and just learned the happy birthday song. She sang it for them and the place was up for grabs. Everyone clapped and yelled for her and by the end of the night she had made $20 in Won!! That's my girl!!









Here is another picture of the food..this one is for you Michael! There is raw fish in the bottom right corner and a spicy fish dish in the bottom left. The red stuff you see is Kimche. I would ask, "is this hot?" Cause they love their food spicey. When I was told no I would try it...it was spicey! When you are used to eating hot pepper flakes on everything you're spicey is different from someone else's. I burned my mouth a couple of times to the great amusement of the table.




Here is the group. They set up the screen so we could show our family. We had our own room which was good because we were pretty noisy! We had a really good time! It was so nice of them to take us out. Every time it was class they would want us to tell them what we had done or eaten for that week...they love it that we will try pretty much anything. :) Yep that's us...put some crazy looking food down and we are your people! Anyway, teaching English is a big deal here and they really appreciate you giving up your time to help them learn our language. This was a special treat for us. Thanks to our Korean Family!! We had a blast!!

an update on the N. Korea situation

Just in case you're checking the blog cause your worried we are about to be blown to bits down here...everything is fine. We are still here and so far we're not being evacuated. I'm up really late tonight so I can see what the Big W. has to say in the states. (that's George Bush for you non-Texans. ) Seems there is much men-grumbling and flexing of muscles. See...same ole same ole. heehee Little politcal humor! I'll keep ya posted family just in case we do have to leave. If that does happen, from what I understand we have about an hour to get to a plane. Thank God for the computer, we can log on anywhere in the world and let you know we are fine. Love to you all and thanks for the prayers and emails!! Hey, Maybe if I made Kim a quilt he would feel all warm and fuzzy and stop all this bomb building wahoo. Something else to think about...what do you think Freaud would say about all of this?? A small man needing to make a big bomb...hmmmmmm :)
d

The Captain is in the Hiz-ouse!

No one should worry about North Korea now!!! the Capt is large and in charge!! This is the sign outside of the building where Kareem works announcing to one and all that he IS THE MAN!! Sigh...we can all say we knew him when... :)









Here he is at his office...thought you'd like this posting MiMi! He is hard at work on a day off making sure that the world is runnig smoothly. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!

By now you've probably heard about North Korea firing a missile. I'm not quite sure what that means for us but for now it's business as usual. A couple of people have written to me asking me if we are okay and yep, we're great! Say some prayers that everyone make intelligent decisions. On a lighter note...we climbed a mountain today. It's called Apsan mountain. You climb up for what seems like forever til you come to the cable car station. From there you get one and it takes you the rest of the way. It was absolutely beautiful up there! We could see all of Teagu. Wouldn't you know that I left my camera chip at home!! AUGH! I brought the camera just not the chip that stores the pictures. I guess this means I have to go up again. :) Lauren, who was making me feel very old, ran up some of the trip. Now this mountain is steep with a capital S!! We even had Anthonie's girlfriend, Sonja, with us. That's mostly why I wanted to take some pictures. I figured I could sneak some of her on her for you guys to see what a cutie pie she is. We really! like her. Next time I'll make sure to get some pictures. bye everyone!

Won to spend...nowhere to go!

Today is a HUGE! holiday here in Korea. It is called Chuseok. This is where you make a ton of food and then present it to your ancestors three generations back. You bow before the alter you've set up and then eat the food. Families get together like it's Christmas time and a good time is had by all. This means everything around us is closed and the traffic is a madhouse. We took a ride this morning to find something to do...hubby has the day off and so do the kiddos...but nothing was open. I had Won to spend people!!!!! The Captain was pretty happy his Won was safe for the moment so we came home. I took a nap to help with the disappointment. That's all for today. Tomorrow the traffic should be a little better so we might go and climb the mountain with the giant Buddha. Say a prayer...I heard it's a harder climb than Apsen Mountain was and that just about killed me. I think the Captain is making sure I get in shape by using secret tactics. It's okay...never fear...at the top of the mountain is a vending machine with...yep...coke! hahahahahaha Can't get anything past me!!! Now if only they would put a Baskin Robbins up there!

Ice Cream with Tomatoes...Yummy!

Hi Everyone! This Thursday is a really big holiday for Korea. It is called Choo-sok. That's not how it's spelled just how it sounds. Last night Kareem, Sarah and I went out to see if it was as crowded as everyone says it will be. It sure was!!! Everyone in Korea was out!! It was great! We went to the big square downtown to have dinner and people watch. This picture is of a popular desert. It is ice cream with fruit and...wait for it.....tomatoes. Now you know you eat tomatoes with your ice cream!! The yellow balls are the tomatoes. Haven't tried it yet but we plan on getting some today. :)




Here is a building right before you turn into the square. It has a huge TV on it in case you get bored waiting for the light to turn green.













Okay, here is the square. Now the street is about 2 blocks away but why let that stop you if you are in a hurry. Just drive right through the square with your horn blasting. This is a sidewalk!!!!!!!!!!!! Now you know why I waited til 3 weeks ago to get my drivers permit. If you think this is something you should've seen the two other cars behind this guy. I was the only one surprised...everyone else just moved out of the way and kept on steppin!






Alot of the places to eat downtown have a viewing window. You can see what dishes they have and decide if you want to eat there. This was the pork cutlet place. If you don't like eggs on your fried pork then you can eat at the next restaraunt....








BENNIGANS!!! Yep! there is a good ole' American Bennigan's right smack in the middle of the square. We didn't eat there because the prices are so large we would've had to sell one of the kids. I'm not kidding! Kareem and I ate at TGI Fridays once and got one meal to share and an appetizer with water and a small lemonade.....$45 bucks!!! To eat anywhere else is really cheap but if you want to eat anything American you pay out the ying yang for it.
Today is Choo-sok and we are going out to drive around. We were told that traffic is like the day after Thanksgiving so this should be good. I'll post the pictures on the blog tomorrow and if I eat any bugs you can be sure you'll be the first to know...until next time this is Dawn the amazing bug eating reporter signing off!!! Later gaters!!

grapes..grapes...everywhere grapes!

Today Kareem came home and took me out for lunch. We tried a new place. It had a chicken on the front of the building so we figured we were safe. As soon as we go in and sit down the waitress comes over and asks us if we want "some get tongue" this my friends is chicken soup. Now a Korean friend of ours told us how to say chicken soup so we were pretty excited about recognizing a word. We got two bowels of soup. The waitress also brought over a small caraf with a liquid in it. I thought it may be something to flavor the soup with but when we tasted it we knew it was SOUJU! For those of you who don't know what that is I will explain. Souju is a 100% alcohol drink. It tastes and smells like rubbing alcohol. Now I know you are saying...how do you know what it tastes like...well for the sake of good blogging I had to sample. You can't be a good reporter if you don't know the facts. For you my friends and family I sampled the souju. Whew! It is really strong! You are probably wondering if I like it?? Well, to be honest, yep! :) heehee It's not bad..not something you can have all the time but it wasn't bad. Now the people here drink it like water so to get some souju as a side order (free) is not surprising. Even at 12 in the afternoon. They drink it any time of day. You can pretty much tell who has had a trip down the souju path. Okay, back to the story. I looked over at another table and they had two plates of delicious looking grapes. I asked the waitress if I could have some also and she explained to me that they brought them in themselves. No, none of this was in a language either of us understood. We used hand gestures and said hmm a lot. About the time we were done eating, the other table told the waitress to give us one of the plates of grapes!! How awesome is that?!?!?! And they were good grapes too! I ate them all. It's funny, I've been thinking. If you smile at someone and make an effort, no matter what language you speak, you can make a friend anywhere. So the grape ladies are our friends for life now. If you are reading this grape ladies...comsameda for the grapes! That's thank you to the Korean-speak challenged. Tomorrow is a new day so there is no telling what will happen. I can tell you one thing...I am enjoying this trip like I never thought I would. The people are lovely, my kiddos are happy and content and the hubby has his name on sign telling one and all that the Capt is in residence so he is happy as well. What more can you ask for! On-yo-say-oh! (bye!)

mask festival part one

I went to the Mask Festival today with my friend Nicole. It was just the best day!! The festival, as far as I could tell, was a display of different masks from all over the world, why they wear them, and what they represent. There were also dancers from all over doing traditional dance moves for us to see. This cutie-pa-tootie was huge! He was smack in the middle of everything so of course you gotta take a picture!





Here are some Polish dancers. We were pretty happy to see them because they spoke English and told us where the most important section of the festival was....THE FOOD COURT!!!










We found one row of stalls that had about 50 booths of food. It was all Korean dishes. Alot of the booths had a big pig on a spit. They brought them in frozen and stuck them on this grill. It smelled wonderful but it cost between $15-$20 for a plate so we passed.








This fabulous stuff is candy! The ladies were hand rolling it and making it into these statue thingies. I didn't taste any. Where is Kareem when you need him??! The displays were pretty big. About the size of your whole arm. Now that I think about it, I should've brought some home.











These little sweethearts were weaving fabric. The one in red was thrilled to have her picture taken...believe me...they don't like to have their pictures taken so this was a special treat! She showed us the old fashioned loom that they use (she is sitting in front of it) and it wasn't just for show...this is how they weave every day. The fabric that they made was incredible!






Here is one of the many mask people that were set up all over the place.













We met these guys just as they were getting ready to put on a show. They stopped us! and wanted their picture taken.hahahahaha Loved them!!!

mask festival part two

One of the things we got to do was watch a couple of shows. Here is China. There were many different countries that came to show everyone how they do traditional dances...not to be outdone was...











MEXICO! OLE'!














This part was waaaay cool! There were two different emporers and they were fighting. Each had about a hundred men around them yelling at the other guys men. They had these shoes made of what looked like wheat that they were throwing at the opposing team. Then they hoisted up their emporer on the large wicker bed and there was much yelling. After the yelling they danced around in a circle. Now with all the drums beating and the manly man yelling I got all caught up and started yelling too. The warriors thought this was great and yelled, hurray! American! Then they grabbed me and I got to be in the parade!! It was sooo great! I was jumping up and down waving my shoe (someone gave me one of the wicker shoes to wave around) and yelling for all I was worth. The news was there so if you see a crazy american woman in blue that was jumping and yelling like a banny rooster on the 10 o'clock news...that would be me!! :)


Here is the large wicker bed that the warriors hoisted up the emporer with. I think maybe they recognized me from the parade so they are waving and letting us take their picture..hahahaha












Here are the two emperors after a hard fought battle. Ghengis Khan is on the right and his brother Gerald Khan is on the left. :) heehee












This little sweetie was my friend. She was banging on the drums and liked that I was dancing and waving at her so she came over to have her picture taken.
That's the Mask Festival, a good time was had by all. We left tired and happy. I can't wait til next year. I figure that by then I can figure out a way to get hoisted up on the wicker bed thingie and get in on the battle!! YIPPEE!!