Macau 1/09

Here is a nice 'street shot' of the central area of Macau. Lights were everywhere for the Lunar New Year celebration going on. You can see Chris in the bottom left-hand corner checking out a famous "Egg Tart" stand (we were scouting it out for the next morning). As you can see from the photo..lots of people/activity throughout our stay in Macau. We took the fast boat from Hong Kong to Macau (about 2 hours I think). For about 10 extra dollars you were upgraded to a premium seat that included a little duck breast/pasta, front of the boat and a little quicker exit (although it was a madhouse...the extra 10.00 was well worth it!) When we arrived in Macao we were met with rows of buses from the various Casinos (Wynn, MGM, Grand Lisboa, etc.) We found our line for the shuttle to our hotel (Sofitel)...we weren't there for gambling...more for the Portuguese cuisine and architecture. When we arrived at the hotel, we were met with a 'wall of smoke' . We have decided that almost every citizen and visitor must have been a chain-smoker in Macao..wow! (Marlboro appeared to be the 'smoke' of choice!) I became friendly with the concierge at the hotel while Chris checked us in. Turned out here roommate was Korean...so we said a 'few' things in that language...then had a good chuckle. We exited the smoke-filled lobby to our room. When we entered the room...we found that someone had taken a little 'rest' on the bed and sipped some bottled water. The bell hop got really excited...called our new 'buddy' in the lobby and shuffled us out quickly. Too bad we had a 'Goldilocks' situation...it was a great room and view. :-) No non-smoking rooms were available (shocking, I know)....so we checked our luggage and decided to browse around the town. We happened upon a Chinese Government Store...which had been recommended to us as a pretty reliable place to purchase items...less room for less than ethical business practices....:-) Chris found a little piece of jade and a little dangle jade with knotting similar to the Korean 'Maedup'...the next thing you know we were whisked to the 2nd floor and entered into a drawing for prizes. We appeared to have 20 entries and these 2 very nice Chinese gals started rubbing our 'entries' with a coin...then jumping up and down as we supposedly were winning prizes! We ended up walking out of their with so many little 'prizes' that we could hardly carry them! None of the prizes were really expensive but really fun...like...eraser sets in the shape of Ramen noodles, tea, drawing sets, little drums, and all types of Chinese bric-a-brac! We did purchase some really great tea...and have found it to be some of the best we have ever tasted. They even went through a mini-tea ceremony with us and I found it quite similar to the Vietnamese Tea Ceremony from a previous blog.

After dragging our 'winnings' back to the hotel, we ventured out for some authentic Portugese food...and we really found it in a place not mentioned in the 'Lonely Planet' reference guide. (Chris said we should send a note to Lonely Planet and let them know about this place.) They served the best mussels followed by a curry chicken that was awesome. After dinner we checked out what appeared to be their 'town square'...lots of firecrackers, lights, displays...and smiles! I will post additional photos.

Asian Flower Class 2/9/09

The attached photo is from a recent flower design class. The instructor referred to this style as "Oriental Centerpiece" and is best for a round or oval dining table. The next undertaking will be the centerpiece for a square/rectangle shape...so the container will be long and narrow. I believe the flowers (if I took proper notes) are: Spirea, Alstromeria, Tulip and Rohora. You begin from the centerpoint of your foam or container and focus on proper angles in 3 corners initially. The white flower is to resemble snow. At the end of the class the instructor pulled me aside and said "You really seem to enjoy learning about flowers"......and I do!

King Crab!

We loved this picture of the King Crab giving either a sideways 'peace' like the Koreans often do...or a 'NaNu NaNu' from Mork & Mindy! :-) We found this very nice/clean market near the World Cup Stadium (yes, they played the World Cup there several years ago...great facility). These King Crabs were huge and almost exiting the tank on their own. They were not the Alaskan variety...but from Russian waters. Fish were flopping around everywhere and we only saw one pigeon nibbling on some grains that were for sale...yikes! The stall owner came out from behind the table....armed with cherry tomatoes...and started pelting the pigeon....then he saw us smiling...rushed over and have us a big bag of little tomatoes...they were delicious!

We were on that side of town because I was interviewing for a kindergarten position....they are looking for native English speakers to teach in a fun/practical/introduction type of way...English, Leggo activities, music, art and swimming! Lunch is provided...'as long as you don't mind Korean' they said. I said - no problem...:-) I will begin 1 day per week...and may increase if things go well. It's a brand new facility and program...I believe they are trying to introduce English in a manner that is fun and with less direct memorization. This experience should be rich with potential blog stories....:-) The head of the program thought that my Korean will improve a lot...just being/interacting with the children...I hope so!

Christmas in February! :-)

Well, the world can rise up and breathe a sigh of relief...about half of my photos from my memory card were able to be downloaded...so...here comes Christmas! :-) I have used my computer/camera issues probably as an excuse for not posting some memorable stories.

I have attached a few Christmas floral arrangements-my first attempts without the watchful (and helpful) eye of my instructor. It's a start! :-) My goal was to have fresh arrangements in the apartment...for that fresh green/garland aroma! The one with the roses was a gift for one of my favorite pals Joanna. There will more photos forthcoming of our super Christmas Dinner...British style!

The other photos are of our very first 'Korean' Christmas tree. Chris did a mail-order from work...with the help of one of the nice Korean ladies. All I can say is...the pictures do NOT do it justice...it was a piece of work! :-) The ornament in my hand was an auto-inflatable...similar to shaking a hot pack or ice pack and breaking it to release the heat/cold! (We wondered what condition they will be in next year!). The best part...very jazzy lights with more choices in timing and sequence than I have ever seen! The kicker to the day...after some hasty decorating, Chris plugged in the beauty and it blew him across the room with a loud "Pop!" Luckily, he survived and we had quite the Christmas tree! :-) For some reason they included two sets of lights in the box.....interesting...:-)

Back in the saddle....

There have been so many 'Red Letter Days' lately...I just wish I could remember the details a bit better! :-) I do believe that the little experiences are usually the most note-worthy. An example would be walking into Itaewon with Chris last weekend and hearing Gordon Lightfoot (Wreck of the Edmund Fitz) blaring from a speaker cocked in a little second floor shoe shop....or being at the gym and thinking the music sounds 'familiar'....but not exactly like you remember..."I was made for loving you" by KISS...same music but with Korean words...actually it sounded pretty close...even in a different language! Today I walked into town with the goal of exchanging 100,000KWon into Hong Kong Dollars. I had heard this little shop near the KFC had the BEST exchange rate around so I gave it a try. I knew I was going to have some challenges when I asked what the exchange rate currently was. The lady behind the bullet-proof glass ignored me initially...then I sweetly asked again...she yelled "Go to the Bank!" in clear English...then she resumed her money counting. By this time a small line had formed behind me...a really nice Korean guy (probably around 30) looked at me...I pointed to my money and said "Hong Kong Dollar?" ...the fellow told her in Korean to tell me the exchange rate and to exchange my money. At least I 'think' that is what he said...because she punched in the rate on her calculator...showed me...I nodded in acceptance...she handed me the cash. Poor guy probably wanted to get the line moving...:-) That is one really nice thing about Korea...strangers will assist you if you appear confused/unsure/in some type of distress.....I believe they truly want to help you....or at least get the line moving again! :-)

Tomorrow we are heading to Hong Kong! I am almost packed and really looking forward to it. We will be there for the Lunar New Year or 'Loonie New Year' as some people refer to it. I told Chris we might fit in just perfectly for this holiday! :-) Although things may be a bit slower on the actual holiday (Jan. 26) I do believe there will be an evening parade (I keep imagining one of those Dragons going down the street with men standing underneath moving it down the road...and LOTS of sparklers)....:-) We keep hearing of places we must try out...I'm especially looking forward to the Dimsum! With my new camera...I hope to catch some great pictures. On a sidenote...my computer is having a mini-war between my previous camera software (Kodak) and my new software (Canon)....so far Kodak is winning...so I am limited with my picture posts today...don't worry...I WILL get it fixed! The picture attached to this entry was taken over Thanksgiving while we were visiting Chris' family. The visit we had in MI/KY was really action-packed but so much fun. I may have mentioned in my previous entry that our Internal Medicine Doc said we won the prize for 'longest distance traveled to see the doctor'...:-) Maybe it's all of the Korean food and Kimchi.....good reports all around from our medical team!:-)

Now that January has arrived people have gradually made their way back from their holidays to Seoul. (Of course many are leaving again for Lunar/Loonie) This also means the SIWA classes start back up.....tours...etc. Also attended an AWC meeting where the new Commander of the US forces in Korea spoke about volunteer opportunities...how we can support our military and their families. Hopefully I will post an update from this meeting soon! Sounds promising. I did re-start the Asian Flower Design class...we had one class this past Monday and it was GREAT! I did get some photos and will post once my camera is cooperating! BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) also started back after a Christmas break. It has been great re-connecting with my small group....we are studying Moses. It really is a great study and I truly believe joining has been a positive factor in my adjustment to life in Asia....along with making some really good friends both in BSF and outside this group. I told someone just the other day that my outlook and ability to see people as someone else trying to find their way...has improved so much...I am really trying to make the most of my time here...and soak in this opportunity to explore and learn! Also, several people has asked how my neck is doing...well, thanks to God and a wonderful PT here in Korea I continue to become more active and pleased with my progress. It's amazing how God sends just the right people into your life...at just the right time...and that's how I feel about the friends I have met here in Seoul....I don't want it to end quite yet...I feel there is more to do! And I must give a lot of credit to Chris...he is a go-getter and really researches the markets, travel spots, cultural experiences...even with his super-busy schedule! This was evidenced most recently with our picture on the front page of the JoongAng Daily Newspaper on January 20th!(I was curious why that little fellow with a ladder and camera followed us around the Seoul Folk Flea Market around Christmas!) I have included the published photo from the newspaper in this post! (If only I had worn a little mascara!) Another big 'thank you' to Bev(aka Eagle Eye) for alerting us! :-)

I will sign-off for now....Happy Lunar New Year everyone!!! :-)

Autumn in Seoul

Well, after a great trip back to the good ol' USA we have returned to Seoul for Christmas and New Year celebrations. As "The Jefferson's" might say...I have 'moved up' in terms of my camera but need to figure out how to download the pictures and update the software (reading the instruction book would be a start!). I have some great snaps and stories from Michigan and Kentucky and will post ASAP. It was really great to be home...just seemed like it went by too fast! It was really cool after the long flight to roll into Seoul and see beautiful Christmas lights and trees everywhere! ( I will also post pictures) As a matter of fact...as I gaze out my back window...I see 6 Christmas trees with beautiful lighting in various windows. They are certainly not afraid to say and display "Merry Christmas" here in Korea! There is also a great Nativity scene near our apartment...I will catch a picture of it also. Today I will post a few good ones taken in October and November. One of my good buddies from Michigan (Tom) was kind to send us snapshots from the beautiful trees on Muir Road (MI)...they were great! We did enjoy the Autumn in Korea also...the mountains had such a variety of colors. Everyone says that Spring and Fall are the prettiest times in Korea...I would have to agree. In the attached photo...we are standing at one of the Palaces...waiting for a bus to pick us up from a great tour of Seoul. The photographer was Molly...from Grosse Pointe Farms. We met her on the tour and really enjoyed her spunk and personality! She lived only a few short streets from our place on Muir...another 'small world' moment! We also enjoyed the musical "Nanta"http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/index.asp and a tour of the National Korean Folk Museum http://www.nfm.go.kr:8080/english/main.jsp There was even a Cadillac built specifically for the Royal Family on display! (Along with a Daimler auto per Chris). :-) There was also a letter and contract requesting electric lighting facilities for Kyongbok Palace to Edison Lamp Company on September 4, 1884. We thought this was really interesting! http://www.ieee.org/portal/cms_docs_iportals/iportals/aboutus/history_center/conferences/singapore/Nam-Early_History.pdf This tour was sponsored by the Seoul Government to assist in educating foreigners on the heritage of Korea and to promote tourism ( we did note many photographers snapping away during the day...:-) The Korean people are very proud of their country and want others to appreciate and enjoy their experience here!

Flower Class Continues!

I have been quite tardy with my posts...I am hoping it is due to spending more time exploring and enjoying Korea! I will start with the most recent posts and work in reverse (plus I can remember this week much better than last!)

:-) The photo on the bottom is from our October 29th class, which was held here. We utilized quite a large container which made some parts of the arrangement more difficult. The most interesting flower is the bright yellow 'fox face'. This is the first time I have seen this and we all just loved it. Not only is it interesting but long lasting and cheerful! This was another modification of the traditional modified style and our first time working with such a large (and heavy) container. We had about 6 ladies in this class. The picture on the top is from our most recent class November 5th. It was a very small group of three...but it was really nice having the extra time with the instructor. One of the neat parts of this day....the Korean lady (who is also an Australian citizen) sent her driver AND her new/huge Lexus to pick us up...at our apartment. Her driver was so 'dapper and professional'....and the ride was really like a tour of Seoul. We crossed the river into Hangam (I think) and arrived to a gated community/high rise surrounded by trees, gardens, flowing stream, all marble facade, flooring, walls....huge entry with an indoor greenhouse area....'wow' really doesn't do it justice...and that was just the entrance to the building! :-) When we arrived to her place on the 49th floor...we were greeted by a very sweet live-in helper and a super cute Fox Terrier named Sammie ..'but she's a girl' the hostess said...:-) That little dog reminded me so much of Gil...she ran around, skidded on the marble floor (Gil would skid on my hardwood floors) and brought a variety of toys for us to throw and play 'tug' with. I told the gal I would be happy to dog-sit anytime! Once we entered the front door we were provided with embroidered slippers and escorted to the HUGE stainless-steel kitchen where china tea/coffee cups, silver spoons and tasty treats awaited us. (I took mental notes...but not sure I can replicate this setting at my home anytime soon!) After we had our snack she gave us the tour. Absolutely magnificent- both the inside and the view. I would say it was one of the most beautiful views I have seen while in Seoul. Awesome view of the mountains, trees (changing into crisp reds and yellows), river, creek leading to the river....and quiet! You felt like you were truly in another world. And she was such a gracious lady....loved every minute of it. She did not brag or boast ....but was genuinely proud and pleased that we were enjoying our visit. When she took us to her bedroom and dressing room...I noticed all of the furniture was a beveled/mirror look...not tacky in the least...spectacular....an Art Deco feel for sure....and then she smiled and said "I bought all of my furniture in America!" After the tour we settled in for our class...and just the variety of flowers utilized was awesome. The ornamental cabbage and the sunflowers with some of the pedals removed...added another dimension. She also had us partially strip the fern stems. All of the tall/purple flowers had to be an exact height. This arrangement is not Asian...but more of a European style....a bit of a fusion. This arrangement is specifically made for table tops/in front of mirrors etc. Important for all of the green foam to be covered in a layered manner (which takes time) or at least a stem of Fern along the side...positioned with little pieces of a firm plant stem. The instructor also demonstrated how to make smaller arrangements from your older ones...you never want to waste a flower! I rushed right home and made little mini-arrangements from the previous weeks lesson....before I forgot! I was so pleased with the day, the little dog, my ride and of course the lesson!