Putting My Kitchen to Bed

Yesterday was a pretty big day.  I got the kids out of the house.  We went to the Library, I think I just saved my husband hundreds of dollars by finding and using the base library.

Then to the BX to get Easter presents, I got Legos for Benjamin, Star Wars coloring book for Sam, Tonka Cars for Asher and...shhh it's a secret...an iPod Nano for DH.  He never reads my blog, unless I read it to him, so I think my secret is safe for the next two days.  He already has an iPod touch but he cannot run with it so he's been asking for one and I've been telling him "NO!" but, hehe, he'll be pretty surprised when he finds his Easter basket.

After the BX we came home and I read one of my books from the library.  I finished around 5 feeling very guilty because there was tons of housework that needed to be done.  I marshaled the troops and we got to work, my goal, have the house clean before DH got home from work at 6:30.  We got to work and the boys helped pick up toys and I managed to, mop the floor, clean the living room, clean the kitchen, rotate laundry, and have dinner ready all by the time DH got home.  We had a good dinner as a family, sitting around the table, then after dinner I got up and took care of the dinner mess.  I had the boys help clear off the table and DH bring me the left overs so I could put them away.  The kitchen is so much easier to clean right away rather than waiting for the next morning.  Waking up to a clean kitchen felt so good.  Like I had a jump start of housekeeping for today.

After dinner we had FHE.  Late I know, but with DH's schedule we have to be flexible.  Our lesson was on our relationship to Heavenly Father.  Benjamin and Sam both knew that Heavenly Father is the father of our Spirits.  We also talked about talents and how we can use them to help others.  For our game we sock wrestled, DH has an unfair advantage because he's got really long legs and arms.

Yesterday was a pretty good day, I got things done, read a book, had quality time with my family and went to bed early.  I feel like I'm finding my stride here in Korea.

Trying New Things

So yesterday I hit a wall.  I couldn't handle real life anymore and I left my DH with all 3 boys and ventured out into Osan all by myself.  My mission get new shoes and try a few new things.  I wandered around the shopping district a little overwhelmed with all the choices.  The first shoes store I actually went into was very posh, but the lady inside was not impressed with my ginormous feet (I'm a size 8) and led me to the small portion of shoes available in my size.  She was kind of stand offish and I wasn't impressed with the selection in my size.  Another shoe store and the lady was talking on the phone and was put out by my asking her if a shoe i liked came in my size 8 or 250 (Korean sizing) she said no and I got out of there.  I was beginning to wonder if I was just out of luck but decided to try one more store.  This lady wasn't super helpful either, but she didn't ignore me.  And when I asked about sizes she didn't look at my feet askance.   I found a great pair of shoes that cost 28,000 Won or $28 US.  As you can see from the pictures they are girly, frilly, very spring-y, and just what a girl needs when life gets flipped all around.

After a little shoe therapy I went into a music store and got strings for my new guitar.  Yep I'm learning the guitar.  Hopefully my DH will be patient with me as I attempt to learn.

After the music store I went bought some food off a food vendor, tempura squid.  It was only ok, I think it would have been better if there was a sauce of some kind for dipping.  I wound up giving the street food to a homeless deaf man who had a sign asking for help in anyway.  I'm not sure what he thought of me for it, but he looked in the bag and took the food.

After that I went back on base spent another 1/2 hour away from the family, got some milk, and went home.  Getting out of the house and on my own did wonders to recharge my batteries.

Then today happened.  Seriously out of everything new in Korea the thing I was least worried about gave me my first honest to goodness panic attack.  Going to church and seeing all the new people just freaked me out.  DH told me that I had nothing to worry about, everyone was welcoming, but for some reason I couldn't get the thought out of my head that these women wouldn't like me.  That I would spend the next 3 years friendless and on the outside circle of things.  I cried off and on during Sacrament and I almost took a taxi home.  DH was wonderful he just held my hand told me everything would be ok and then made me go to Relief Society.  I panicked when they asked me to introduce myself, so I kept talking and talking trying to offer up something of value to these women.  And you know what? My DH was right, they are an amazing group of women who welcomed me and when I just let things be, calmed down a bit, it felt like coming home.  I still had waves of panic, but they weren't overwhelming anymore.  What I forgot was that the Lord knows and loves me.  He wouldn't leave me alone and friendless.  So everything is going to be ok, and I'll keep trying new things.  

Getting Adjusted

No my dad isn't visiting, but I would like him to.  (a little chiro humor)  So we have been in Korea for almost a week.  Most of that time I've been trying to get my days and nights straightened out.  But waking up at 3 AM ready to get to work hasn't been helpful.  The house is getting pulled together even if I have to wait until 7 before doing laundry.

I have also had to get Benjamin TB tested, thanks Papa for taking him because he freaked out about the needle and I would have too.  But we should get the results on Monday and he'll be able to start school.  We could get a waiver for the vaccines but not the TB test :S

We have also tried to restock our kitchen...Every time I think I've gotten what I need to cook for my family I realize I still need something else.  Like baking soda, or lime juice, or a measuring cup, or a colander, or a knife and a million other little things.  But slowly we are getting everything we need.

We went to the Korean market right outside of base and there are so many PURSES and SHOES my husband wont let me go by myself.  But we were also able to find a cool chess set for Grandpa M.  Benjamin got a model that he's going to build with Papa.  Sam got some splat balls that look gross but every little boy needs a toy that grosses mom out.  Also if you ever wanted to buy seaweed there are hundreds of different varieties available.

On Thursday our family went to English class.  Basically we have a short topic of discussion and then break up into small groups and Korean nationals practice having a conversation in English with us.  Their English is way better than my Korean.  Going was a really cool way of meeting people and learning more about this country where we will live for the next three years.

Friday night my hubby threw a welcome to Korea/Birthday party for me and it was great being able to see so many of our friends from Monterey.  I did head to bed at 8:30 because I'm still not all the way over jet lag, but according to my husband the party rocked on.  Which is good because I was dead to the world.

That's what's happening on my side of the world.