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Our First Visitor

Kung flew in from Taiwan for the weekend.  She only wanted to do one thing here.  "Eat."  We were happy to oblige.

We tried a little of everything- the good, the bad, and the totally bizarre.

1. Kung samples the soup, 2. Prawns, 3. Daegi Bulgogi, 4. Roasted Chestnuts, 5. Korea's infamous Seafood pancake, 6. Live octopus, 7. Mussel Soup- the very worst, 8. Tentacle omelet, 9. Frogs

"This soup tastes like if you had a fish tank but all the fish died and then you heated up the water and drank it."   --Natalie

Night Market in Myeondong.  A veritable smorgasbord with oysters on ice.

Your guess is as good as mine!

 

We also managed to squeeze in a hike to Seoul Tower and a quick trip to Gyeonbokgung Palace.

Who knew there'd be a Cold Stone at the top?  (My kids.)

She came bearing gifts! 

Thanks Kung, come back soon!

Overheard: Caillou's a Dud

While playing computer games this afternoon (pbskids.org, check it out) after Frankie had advanced a level the computer Caillou said "Good job!  Now let's try something more challenging so you don't get bored."

"Ugh!" Frankie groaned, "Why does he keep saying that?"

"Because he knows he's boring." Asher replied.

서울보광초등학교

Jensie's new playground.  It doesn't look like much, but there were a few games of soccer, dodgeball, jump rope, tag, and tug-of-war going on when I snapped this pic.  I like it.  In a city as cramped and crowded as Seoul some open space to run and laugh is exactly what every kid needs.

We pulled Jensie out of the American school on post and enrolled her in a local Korean public school.  She was not happy, not one bit.  We knew she wouldn't be, but we did it anyway. Why?  Because it's good for her and mother knows best.  That, and an angel did not appear in my bedroom to stop me the morning I went to transfer her.

Here's the thing, I believe in prayers and I like to think God answers them.  For months we've been talking about, thinking about, and praying about where our children should attend school while we're here. Usually I think that if an idea keeps coming back to you it's because it's a good one.  But along with the idea came a lot of anxiety which made me think maybe it was exactly what we weren't supposed to do.

I couldn't decide whether I was worried because it was a terrible idea, or because good things can be hard and my decision was going to seriously stress poor Jensie to the max. On my way out the door I actually knelt down and said a prayer that went something like this:

Dear Lord, I am sorry if these anxious feelings have been a sign from you.  I'm too dense to read them clearly.  I'm about to do something big, Lord, so if you want to stop me, could you send a sign a little more obvious?  Like have a big booming voice yell "STOP" right now?  Thanks.

I've never asked for a favor like that so I sat around to give the angels a few minutes.  Since you already know Jensie's in Korean school I guess you know what happened next. Hint: nothing. Maybe God just doesn't work that way, but whatevs.  What's done is done.

Jensie started yesterday--so far so good.  When I picked her up and asked her how her day was she said "Fine!" and then, remembering she'd promised to hate it, added "I mean, terrible."

Here are a few lucky things:

She already has lots of friends.  They stare at each other and say "annyeong" a lot.

Kids are allowed to fold origami at their desks while the teacher is talking.  I think that is a brilliant way to keep little hands busy during quiet time.  Weeks ago, when this transfer was just a nervous thought in the back of my mind, Jensie got an urge to learn origami and has practiced for hours an hours.  She knew how to fold dogs and her friends knew how to fold baskets and they traded their shapes and now they're even better stare-at-each-other-because-we-don't-speak-the-same-languate-but-there's-always-origami friends!  Isn't that great? Maybe that is my sign.

School is only four hours long and ends right after lunch.  Korean kids go to Hogwans, private lessons/tutoring/sports, for a few hours every afternoon.  Jensie will go to Korean lessons but right now the teacher is on vacation so she gets a couple of weeks of half-days.

Here are some unlucky things:

Jensie hates kimchi and has a hard time with those slick Korean chopsticks (Chinese chopsticks are no problemo).  Kids aren't allowed to bring lunches from home though--Koreans are big on uniformity, so she will have to suck it up and either learn to like kimchi or just eat lots and lots of rice. Not to mention, learn to use the darn chopsticks.  We picked some up at the dollar store today so she can practice.

Koreans go to school on Saturdays.

No American holidays means she can kiss Christmas vacation goodbye!

When I walked Jensie to her class yesterday she was brushing away tears as we stepped through the door.  I gave her a hug and told her to be brave.  I promised her two things:

1- It is going to be hard
2- You are going to live through it

Isn't that just the way it always goes?  Nate says she'll appreciate it when she's 25.  I think it's gonna be a lot sooner than that.  And those icky apprehensive feelings?  Gone, I tell you. Vanished.  Asher and Frankie are soon to follow suit.

Three cheers for making good scary choices.

Hip hip hurray!

Hip hip hurray!

Hip hip HURRAY!

PS. I can read the title of this post!

Nat's Around

and I love this picture

Halloween Spirits and a Little Christmas Cheer

We bought a Christmas tree a few days ago because we heard once they're in stock here they sell out quick.  The kids asked if we could set it up right away, but I said no.  And then since I couldn't think of any real reason not to, I changed my mind and said yes.  They did all the decorating themselves, it doesn't even have lights yet.  When Natalie came home from school she was like "You do know it's October right?"  I wanted to take a picture of everyone in their Halloween costumes and Jensie suggested they pose in front of the Christmas tree.  Of course.  It kind of cracks me up, so I made a Halloween "Christmas" card.  Get it?  Get it?

Yongin Forest

We had our first successful camping trip over Columbus Day weekend.  As in, all three kids slept through the night.  Whoo!  We'll be spending many many more weekends there.  Another first?  We brought home bags full of fresh fallen chestnuts and roasted them for FHE.  Just like the olden days. 

Well, two out of three ain't bad.

Asher hit a tree with his face.

She doesn't want her picture taken, but she sooooooo wants her picture taken.

Cool mountain morning,  Candyland hike

Nothing beats my camping bangs.  

Planting a "Lollipop Tree" 

First Day of Kindergarten (Sept. 6)

Sonny off to school each day is truly bitter-sweet.  He loves it.  I miss him.

A Picture Emily's Never Seen Before

Gyeongbokgung Palace

 

 

(and getting a little lost on the way home.)

Kimchi-ed Crab Bodies

I did not have the guts to try them but Nate says they're  weird. Like spicy not-quite-rotten crab jelly.  Yum!

Bangs on a Train

 

Why Every Kid Needs an iPhone

Gather Them Close

Today we skipped school to have an adventure.

First stop beef bowls at "The Triangle Place" a favorite little restaurant just out the back gate.  Frankie's a chopsticks wiz-kid and the other two got jealous.  This morning everyone finally got it.    Yes! (School, who needs it?)

Next up was "Toy Alley" and home again to paint new paper masks, then on to Hapkido, naps in the taxi, Kebabs in Itaewon, and enough time for stories before bed.

Bonus: Found a "Magic Flower" candle tucked away in a dusty little shop.  Can't wait to see it in action at Frankie's birthday next month.