I feel like it was just yesterday that I posted about being here for six months…and we’re already here at month nine? Time sure does fly by doesn’t it?
The days have been blurring together as Derik and I have both started our 10-13 hour days. We look forward to the weekends in which we can plop down on the couch and fall into a slumber-like coma not wanting Monday to raise it’s ugly head for a while. Yes. It’s pretty darn tiring.
I’ve become a scheduling mastermind of sorts…because now with working from 10:00am to 10:30 pm I have to figure out to-the-tee when I bake my bread, wash the laundry, clean Jazz’s cage, wipe off the never ending dust from my table, etc…etc. Good thing for me, I am obsessed with lists. I take an inner satisfaction with crossing things off the list, and honestly, I feel about 50% better about myself If I can complete the list. I’ve even written monotonous things such as ‘eat lunch,’ or ‘drink milk,’ because believe it or not, with such a crazy life I forget those things. I get about 1 hour during the day, and 2 at night (we’re talking real late night here) that I have to do things…so I have to make them count!
Unfortunately, because of the crazy schedule I’ve fallen behind in blog stuff, picture stuff, craft stuff, and just…normal stuff. I seriously cannot remember the last time I went grocery shopping. yikes.
So how are we dealing with our stupid busy lives? Do we want to go in to hibernation and wish it was all over? The answer to that question is…heck yes, but we have a short relief coming to us soon.
We are blessed with the opportunity to travel while living here in Korea. Over the summer we went to Bali (you can check out some of the posts here and here), and had a great time. This holiday season (Christmas Day – New Years Day to be exact) we will be celebrating the festivities like never before in the intriguing, adventurous, and tropical country…Vietnam. We’re pretty darn excited about it…especially the fact that we’re not going alone.
Over the Chuseok holiday we went on a crazy adventure with our friends from college…who are also here teaching, Ethan and Sandra (you should check out their blog, it’s pretty awesome). We had so much fun that we decided we had to go on another adventure soon! Christmas seemed like the logical choice. :) The tickets are bought, adventures somewhat planned…now to finding a place to stay and getting visas (trickier than you think).
Speaking of Christmas, I am in full Christmas craft/decorating mode. I wouldn’t say that I am ‘normally’ a crafty person…but for some reason around the holidays I always feel inspired. This year is no exception, especially with the added challenge of doing Christmas in Korea…a place that doesn’t normally celebrate the holiday the way do back in America. Sure they have little decorative decals in their windows, and they may even exchange gifts…but from what I gather from my students, it is very rare that a family would have a Christmas tree, or even decorate for Christmas.
When we first came over to Korea I was informed that interior decorating is very challenging, and when it comes to holidays, it makes it that much more difficult. I’ve taken it as a personal challenge to make Christmas better than it ever was in my home. This may be a bit tricky if you remember my cute little condo last year. *sigh* it was perfect. Beautifully decorated tree, stockings over the fireplace, garland wrapped around the railings of the stair well, sigh.
I’ve already spent a mini fortune at the local ‘Dream Depot’ and quite literally have gone into that clutter filled store every day this week. I’m starting to get strange looks by the lady who owns the place. I’d love to inform you of all my crafts and Christmas ideas, but I’d rather unveil that surprise in a different blog with photos and everything after my house is fully decorated and the holiday’s are closer.
I know what you’re thinking…what about Thanksgiving? I used to be one of those people that would get so mad at walmart…wait. I lived in Branson, MO…let me start my sentence over. I used to be one of those people who would get mad at the whole town as they proudly displayed their blinking Christmas Lights all over their buildings, played their Christmas songs in all the local shops…and yes…even Santa would appear… in the ungodly month of October. I couldn’t understand how the whole town could completely forget about the ‘fall’ holidays…including the ever important Thanksgiving.
I haven’t completely forgotten about this wonderful, food-filled holiday. We are blessed to be celebrating with some close friends of ours, whom were blessed with a bigger apartment than we are…as well as a full sized oven! I’m not worried about decorating my house…It’ll take me long enough to get Christmas going. Because Koreans do not care about American holidays, we will be celebrating the weekend after.
This weekend I will be going up to Seoul (4 hour bus ride) to meet Ethan and Sandra to do some shopping, planning, and sight seeing. There’s supposedly a lantern festival as well in the area…maybe we’ll drop by. Derik may join as well…but has a huge workload and may not get a chance.
As far as health goes, we’re doing pretty good. Derik is the picture of perfect health, and always leaves me a bit jealous. I’ve been struggling lately with a cold, really aggressive cough, and lack of voice. I decided to go to the doctor early (ehem…after three weeks) and get it taken care of. Bizarrely enough, the doctor told my I did not have a bacterial infection of any sort…but that I had severe allergies…to…seaweed. That’s right, you heard correctly. Seaweed.
He told me that around this time of year the seaweed ‘pollinates’ just like flowers do in the Spring. Most Koreans do not have a problem with allergies, because they’ve grown up with seaweed their whole lives. Foreigners however are prone to get something like ‘hay fever’ because of it. He also told me that because I wasn’t taken the right allergy medicine (well, mine was American so of course it wasn’t right ;)) a ‘phenomenon’ had occurred in my lower throat area causing asthmatic type problems. You could just imagine me sitting there with one eyebrow raised as he was telling me this.
He gave me five days worth of allergy and steroid medicine, and sent me on my way. Immediately I could tell the meds worked…however they made me feel like I was a walking zombie that had terrible shakes. I felt like I had drank 8 cups of coffee, yet hadn’t slept for 3 days. I’m happy to say I’ve weathered the storm and am through my pills! Yay. I still have a cough, it’s just not nearly as bad. :)
Derik and I have also added some new Apple products to our ever growing Apple collection. My macbook finally, after many years, and college papers, decided to call it quits. Derik also needed to get something to bring to work, so we settled on getting a Macbook Air and an iPad 4 (otherwise known as the ‘new Ipad’). We both love our new toys, and appreciate technology that much more than before.
Last but not least, I’m sure you’re all wondering how our loving little bunny Jazz is doing. She’s absolutely great! She’s a little rascal, and if caged for too long goes a little crazy when she’s first let out…trying to destroy everything in sight with her sharp claws and teeth. She thinks she’s ferocious anyway. She’s super cuddly, and has a sweet spot for Derik. I honestly think it’s because I always have to do all the punishing (“NO Jazz not the shoes, dont even think about chewing that plant! What are you doing Jazz!!! etc, etc), and Derik rarely yells at her. She loves to curl up in a little ball and squeeze up as tight next to us as she can. She also loves sprawling all the way out with her back resting against our sides. It’s really cute. She’s still a little Houdini, and has even succeeded to unlatch her cage twice. Im not joking. This one never surprises me.
Well that’s all the latest and greatest. The next three months will prove very eventful: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Vietnam, New Years, and the start of our second year. Please stay tuned…and have patience! Three more months of this crazy work schedule!