37 00 N, 127 30 E:

The geographic location of South Korea. (according to the CIA Fact Book)

We've had a lot of snow this December. From what I hear, New York has too. I was curious about the similarities between our weather and that of my home state. I did some research and found out that Seoul is only 310 miles north of New York's latitude. This must be one reason why our weather seems to be so alike.

Anyway, I enjoy the seasons, except that I don't like to drive in Korea as it is (if you want to know why, ask me privately) and with the snow on the ground, it makes me even more nervous! Chris does most of the driving. I took a few pictures yesterday when it snowed. We got a few inches, but today the sun has melted most of it away.

From Adventures in Korea

p.s. ~*~* HAPPY NEW YEAR!! *~*~

'Twas the days after Christmas and all through the apartment...

Merry Christmas, everyone! Our First Christmas went off without a hitch! We had a wonderful Christmas Eve Dinner:

From Adventures in Korea

I made Chicken Florentine--chicken stuffed with a cream cheese, spinach mix-- and it was delicious (I smell a new tradition coming on). After dinner we watched Christmas movies and munched on caramel corn and muddy buddies from Aunt Kay. (mmmm.... we are rationing it so we can enjoying it as long as possible!)

In the morning we made lots of breakfast! Spinach quiche, sweet potato pancakes, pumpkin bread muffins.... you can imagine the sugar crash we experienced later that afternoon. We opened our gifts and enjoyed the quiet morning. One of the best things about Korea is the still, calm mornings. You never wake up to rushing winds, or harsh weather...that might come later in the day...but the mornings are always so quiet and still. This is the Land of the Morning Calm you know... ;) Oh, did I mention Chris gave me diamond earrings! They are beautiful! I wore them with my PJs all weekend! He also wrote me a beautiful poem in his hand made card. I am the luckiest!

From Adventures in Korea

I hope everyone had a happy healthy holiday! And remember, the reason for this season: God LOVED us so much, that he gave his ONLY son for US, so that we wouldn't perish but have eternal LIFE!" Happy Birthday, Jesus! ;)

Christmas Party

Here are a few pictures from the Battalion Christmas Party.

From Adventures in Korea

We had a great time! I love a chance to dress up and Chris looks so dapper in a suit! Each company did a skit for the soldiers and ours decided to dance to "Thriller" by MJ. The practice paid off and they were a hit! (See above for a few pictures) Chris free-styled the famous kick-pelvic thrust and the crowd went wild. haha. It was a fun night.

The holiday season has kept us very busy. I've had the opportunity to volunteer in many different areas. This weekend I will be baking tons more cookies to hand out to all of our unaccompanied soldiers living on Post. Chris and I are looking forward to next week when things calm down and we can relax and enjoy eachother's company.

Dish of the week:

Beef Bourguignon- (fancy for "beef stew") I cooked this recipe in the slow cooker and it turned out great! The meat was melting in my mouth. It calls for Red Wine, which you add an hour before serving, so the alcohol cooked off. I got a big thumbs up from Chris on this one!

Changdeokgung and Gyeongokgung Palace

Last week a friend and I went up to Seoul to visit a couple of Ancient Korean palaces. It was a great trip! A little history lesson for y'all:

ahem....

Both palaces were build in the early 1400s under the Joseon (pronounced Cho-sun) Dynasty. Both were destroyed in the late 1500s by the Japanese when they invaded. Changdeokgung is know for its "Secret Garden." It is considered one of Korea's finest examples of garden landscape design. Gyeongokgung is the largest of all the palaces and was the main home for the royal family.

Please enjoy a few pictures of this amazing day trip: (also, imagine how beautiful Changdeokgung's gardens will look in spring time...I've already planned to go back)

From Adventures in Korea

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Yesterday my husband bought a beautiful pre-lit Christmas tree!!!!!

I was very excited to hang ornaments and decorate for Christmas. Lately, I have had an abundance of creative juices flowing through me. I made a few ornaments and also painted a fire place for our stockings! Today, Chris and I decorated the tree and hung our stockings. I can't wait to fill the bottom with presents. :)

From Adventures in Korea

Turkey Day in Korea

It's been a while since I posted! I've been busy with all my volunteer work. Most recently I was elected Treasurer of PWOC! I was honored and I am very excited to being working with the PWOC board.

So....Thanksgiving. This was Chris and my first Thanksgiving together. We were excited to get to spend it with my friend Stefanie's family. Stefanie is also Chris' commander's wife. (did you follow? good)

First, Chris served at the DFac with the rest of the leadership team. The DFac is usually only for soldiers, but on Thanksgiving, they open up for family and Korean Nationals who work with the Battalion.

From Adventures in Korea

We had a great time. I had deep fried Turkey for the first time! It was yummy. After dinner we played board games for a few hours. Here in Korea, everyone is in the same situation: away from family for the holiday. So your friends and co-workers become your family.

Fall in Korea

As many of you know fall is my favorite season. It's been hard being away from home for so many reasons, one of which is that I love the change of seasons in New York. (They made a movie called Autumn in New York for a reason!) Last week I went walking around to find Fall in Korea. I found it everywhere! Although the trees are different here, most of them turn in beautiful colors like home.

I took a few pictures right outside our apartment. I also had fun with iPhoto editing them! Check it out:

From Adventures in Korea

Pumpkin Bread:

I've been wanting to make pumpkin bread so badly! However, there is a shortage of pumpkin puree here, because apparently there is a shortage in the states. If anyone finds some, please let me know. I will pay for you to send it my way. Or, if you are Joanna, just make some pumpkin bread and send THAT my way 0:-)

Job Search Update:

No job yet. I never heard back from one interview that I felt went really well. I applied for two other jobs on post. In the mean time I am being patient and finding other things to occupy my time. I've started volunteering around post so that has been keeping me busy. Here are some of the things I'm trying to get involved in, for future post reference:

-Our Company's FRG (Family Readiness Group): they invite soldiers and spouses to come and help with fundraisers and events that benefit the soldiers. Last week we packed Halloween treat bags for all of the soldiers and handed them out at their Thursday Afternoon formation.

-United Club: This is a club for soldiers/spouses/DoD employees who have an affiliation with the Army. I'm going to my first meeting on Thursday, so I will find out more information then. They do fundraisers so that they can hold events for the Soldiers as well.

-PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel): This isn't really a volunteer thing, but its one of the fun ways I am spending my time. We meet on Wednesday mornings and fellowship and talk about our study for the week. It's been an amazing way for me to connect and make new friends here.

-Middle School Bible Study: Starting this week I'm going to be helping with the middle school girls' bible study on Post. I am excited and nervous. Another great way to feel like I'm accomplishing something. I know God has some things to show me through this opportunity.

Dish of the Week:

Last week I made "Cashew Pork" for dinner. It turned out pretty good. Pork sauteed in an orange marmalade/soy sauce/ginger mix with peaches, snap peas, and cashews. Chris liked it and so did I! And yes, I used a wok ;)

I had a very busy week last week! On Wednesday my friend Ashley and I went to Osan Airforce Base for the annual air show.

From Adventures in Korea

The static display was very neat! We saw some cool Korean fighter jets and helicopters. We missed the Thunderbirds performance, but we did get to see a really cool mock rescue. They had an American soldier "stranded" in the airfield and they sent in A-10s, helicopters, and a Chinook in to save him. (I put a few pictures up in my photo album)

On Friday night Chris' Battalion Commander hosted a Halloween party. It was quite interesting. Chris thought of a great idea for a costume! French men! I hand drew all the stripes on our shirts...and our mustaches were my work as well. We had a lot of fun. Almost as much fun the ExO...who came in drag...including tights.

From Adventures in Korea

I tried a French accent, but those of you who know me, know that any kind of accent I try to copy ends up sounding Chinese...eh...Ce La Vie.... ;)

Juicy Stuff

No, Chris and I have not started gossiping! ;) We have started enjoying some wonderful juices in Korea! Juice is customarily served after dinner here. We are enjoying juice all the time though!

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Here is a picture of our favorites: Mango, Grapefruit, and White Grape. mmm....

On another note, there are a few pictures from our trip to Seoul last weekend in our Picasa album. I didn't take many pictures because there wasn't much to capture, and I was busy taking it all in anyway! We started by taking the bus from Pyeongtaek (right near post) to Seoul. It was about an hour ride and it only cost 7,000 won! ($6) There is an underground market below the bus station. It was amazing! All kinds of vendors...and hundreds of them. There were clothes booths, where a lot of the stuff was handmade or hand styled--not many brandnames. [[ We bought some beautiful curtains for our bedroom. They are thick and keep out most of the morning sun (since my husband is a cave dweller). I love them. Gold, silver, and chocolate brown with a damask-like design stamped all over. :D ]] There were booths with other household items: lamps, rugs, tables, chests, dishes, etc. On and on and all amazing stuff you cannot find in the States. There was also a section with fresh and artificial flowers. Like I said, I didn't take many pictures, because (a) it wasn't really a tourist spot and (b) I was taking it all in and (c) it took all my strength not to buy everything I saw that I liked and I had no energy left to take pictures.

We walked around a bit more and then headed to the Korail train to go back home. It was a great day and we had a great tour guide! Our friend Shane speaks Korean and knows the country very well. Chris and I are always agreeing how lucky we are to have him to show us around. I joke around and call him the Diplomat, or tell him that he should start charging for these tours.

Today, I took and PASSED my USFK Driver's Test! phew.... Now, I can drive anywhere I want without having to bring my passport and Family Travel Orders.

Wednesday I'm going to Osan Air Base for "Osan Air Power Day"! I am sooooo excited! I think the Thunderbirds will be there! :) I hope to take a few pictures of that for another post soon!

Take care my faithful followers (all 4 of you!)

Love,

Mav

PX:8, Team Fowler:0

Hey there,

I wanted to share the humorous, yet frustrating story of the battle between us and the PX (Post Exchange). Chris and I have been getting the apartment in order trying to make the apartment our home and have gone to the PX several times to get supplies. In short: the PX is kicking our butts. Here is how the fight has gone so far:

Round 1: The "stainless" steel utensils we bought rusted.

Round 2: One broken cake plate in the china we bought. (Couldn't be returned because I already gave the receipt to return the utensils)

Round 3: Mop breaks 15 minutes into cleaning the floors for the whole apartment (luckily I also purchased a huge back up sponge...I'll give myself half a point for that one)

Round 4: The electric drill we bought to hang curtains is just that: the drill, with no drill bits.

Round 5: After buying the drill bits and plugging the drill it sparks, then smokes! (we decided to use a screw driver instead--which Chris got charged twice for! *sucker punch*)

Round 6: Chris plugs a surge protector into the wall and that too sparks, then smokes.

So if you at home are adding it up, its more like PX:7, Team Fowler: .5 but you get the idea...

Luckily, I'm married to the most patient, calm, cool and collected man I have ever met! So, instead of getting angry, we just laugh, shrug our shoulders and move on.... <3

The New Apartment!!

Hey there,

I just got back from our NEW apartment! I had to be there to receive some furniture that we are borrowing from the Army. I took some pictures while I was there. Here is a preview of the awesome space that will soon become our home!

From Adventures in Korea

Click here for Video Tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iriMHuqmoTE

Here is a top 10 list of my favorite parts of the apartment so far:

*please refer to the rest of the pictures in the album for visual*

10. Heated toilet seat: yes, in the master bath, my tush will stay warm on those cold winter nights! It's technically a bidet, but I don't think I will be exploring that feature.

9. Big Screen TV: okay, this is more of a top ten item for Chris, but the TV that came with the apartment is pretty sweet. I found a channel today that plays American shows with subtitles in Korean, so I can watch and listen in English! yippee!

8. Foyer: You can't really tell by the pictures, but the foyer is awesome. Granite floors, and closet space for jackets, etc. In Korea, the custom is to leave your shoes by the door. This area has plenty of room for shoes. It also has great shelf space to display picture frames and other momentos.

7. Couch: Okay, we've all seen a brown leather couch with animal print cushions and secretly, or not so secretly, wanted it for our living room... Well, we didn't have to buy it because it came with the apartment! At first I was thinking Hugh Hefner, but now I'm thinking Pottery Barn with edge!

6. Farmer's Market: Once a week the apartment complex lets vendors set up on the street around the building. They sell everything from vegetables to potted plants to popcorn. I am looking forward to buying fresh produce which we can't find at the commissary on Post.

5. Heated Floors: Koreans heat their houses in the winter through pipes under the floor. I can't wait to experience this because, Chris can tell you, my feet are like ice cubes all year long!

4. Guest Room: Good news for all you world travelers! We have room for company!! The apartment has three rooms, the master, and two others. We are using one for an office (#3) and the other to hopefully house some guests in the next two years!!

3. Office Space: There probably won't be much work getting done in the office, but we are psyched to have borrowed a desk that will soon be home to Chris' iMac! His Macbook is dying (sniff sniff) and I promised him he could buy a new iMac once we were settled. Besides that, it's a win for me too, because I'll sneak on while he's at work! (shhh)

2. Walk-in Closet: Need I say more? (insert "cool shower" as Chris' #2 pick)

1. The View: I can't wait to take more pictures out of the windows of the beautiful view! We are on the 5th floor and so we have a better view than most of the city, country, and mountains!

Stay tuned for an update on our weekend travels. We are headed to Osan Air Base with some friends tomorrow! Chris has off Monday and Tuesday, so were are planning a day trip to Seoul for Monday.

Take care everyone!

-Mav

From Adventures in Korea

I took this pictures while Chris was driving us to dinner a few days ago. I find Korea to have beautiful views. There are mountains, rice paddies, and the city. The little bit of everything! I'm amazed at how much this place reminds me of home on Long Island!

Mmmm...

Here are some pictures from Chusok with Mr. Kim and his family:

Here we have an assortment of delicious traditional Korean dishes. Mr. Kim's wife prepared every dish herself! We ate Bulgogi, Culby, and a few other things that I forget how to pronounce. Everything was amazing! We ate in the living room, sitting legs crossed on the floor. This was comfortable until I got full and started tilting to the side...

From Adventures in Korea

From the Left: Shane, Mr. Kim's son, Mr. Kim, me, Chris

From Adventures in Korea

Our First Korean View

From Adventures in Korea

Right now I am staying with Chris at the BOQ (Bachelor Officers' Quarters) on Post. The fall here in Korea is beautiful! (It reminds me so much of Fall in NY) This is a picture I took the other night when we were walking over to the movies. Behind the sign is the back of the commisary. Past that is the PX and food court. On the far left is the movie theater where Chris and I have been able to catch up on all the latest movies from the states.

Happy Chuseok!

Today is my first blog post. I hope to update frequently of our journeys in South Korea, land of the Morning Calm.

In addition to celebrating the creation of my first blog entry, we are also celebrating Chuseok. Chuseok is the Korean equivalent to the American Thanksgiving. It is a celebration of a good harvest.

Chris and I were invited by his Korean co-worker to celebrate in his home. It is a great honor to be invited, as outsiders, into a Korean home for this kind of celebration. We are looking forward to it!

More entries to come...

Annyonghi gyeseyo,

Mavie