A Few Things on My Mind at 4:00 a.m.

I forgot to mention how much Yuna loves Reagan. In the first few days of being here, Yuna picked up saying Reagan's name. With him being gone for weeks now, she still says his name. Yuna sings songs in Korean, in a toddler way, and adds his name to it. She doesn't say my name too often, but she does say,"Reagan, kyo me." Meaning, Reagan is cuter than cute.

In this video, she is being prompted by Soo to say his name. Yuna babbles his name throughout the day, but I haven't been able to catch her on video. I just want you to hear her cute voice saying his name. 

Yuna misses Reagan

I mentioned before, how people don't tip here. Most of the service I have received has been nothing short of backbreaking. I feel remorseful not giving tips, when they are well deserved. So, if you ever come to Korea, I am sure you can spare some extra change. Especially, to the ones who least expect it. I know, it can be considered disrespectful, to a few here, if you leave extra money for them. I haven't run into that problem yet. Soo said the taxi drivers don't make what they deserve. Unless, you drive a black taxi that is. I have seen my friend, Alicia, tip 50% of the bill. I ask her why, and she says its good karma. I hope all of the people I have ever tipped, have been secretly sprinkling baby dust towards my way. I cannot thank you enough for all of the wishes and prayers. 

I know this post is random, but it is still early. The old men and women here are so cute. Except for the ones who glare at me. Here is a video of an old man on the street dancing. He had his own music playing and was happy as can be. Good for him! 

Cute man dancing

Catching up...

On Sunday, I had my first feeling

 of being homesick. The Hong's left for New York City and I didn't realize how much I would miss the girls until they were gone. I can't talk to Reagan very often since he had a disaster of a time in Hawaii. He apparently dropped his phone in the ocean and got his wallet stolen. However, with the Korean Adoptees Conference going on, I have kept myself busy by hanging out with new friends and tutoring at Junggi's college.

I still cannot believe I am here during this huge event for people like me. I have met people from all over the World. There are over 500 adoptees from Korea and 100 of them are from Denmark. Who knew, right? We have been eating like the Koreans do. First we started at a cafe, then went to a Korean BBQ. Right after that, we went and had my favorite, berry pabingsu. About ten minutes later we ate out again at another Korean restaurant. The servings are not small. The food fills every inch of the table.

I get lost everyday and walk for hours trying to find what I am looking for. It is really hard to navigate away from the subway lines unless you know Korean or have wifi. This morning, I woke up thinking to myself, breaking the toilet tank cover is the most ridiculous thing I could have done, in a foreign country. It's not like I can call anyone here in Korea to see if they have the part. Before today, I thought I might have to buy a whole toilet, in order to get the back of one. It was my goal to find a replacement tank for the house. I walked forever, so it seemed. Then finally, I found a glowing store filled with toilets. I looked online to see if I could just order the replacement. Online they wanted $100, plus $100 for shipping. I found the tank cover for $15. After I left the store I was completely lost. I ran into a market that I had no business being in. It was filled with herbs, vegetables, and spices that stretched farther then the eye can see. All I wanted to do was get home some how. I found a map in Korean and started talking to myself. I had absolutely had it. This older man walked up to me and tried to ask me in Korean where I was trying to go. I pulled out my English map on my phone to show him, but he couldn't read it. He stopped a lot of people on the street to help us find where I was trying to go. He continued to walk with me for miles. Then we stopped in front of a bus stop and I tried to mime that I would continue walking. He was not going to let me walk. He said, "an dae," meaning no, and told the bus driver to take me to the station that I needed to go to. However, it was the wrong station. I was trying to go to Sinseol-dong and I was dropped off at Sindang. I think we miscommunicated. It was very generous of the man to help like he did. I made it home, that's all that matters.

I know some of you might be concerned that I am not resting enough. The doctor told me to go about my daily routines. I would go absolutely crazy, if I had to rest, while being here, I would just sit and worry. On that note, I am going to Japan on Friday. I have been debating whether or not to go. Jeff, my cousin and his wife, Yori and their two sons just moved to Japan. I don't foresee myself going to Japan any other time. I have been waiting and watching online for a flight at a good price. Finally, I found some that i felt good about. I bought the tickets last night. I am trying to live on the bright side of not having kids. (Being able to travel as I please.) It might be years before I get to see my cousin and his family. I promise, I thought this one through. 

I miss and love you all!! 

Lost in a random market

Garlic anyone? 

Before

After

Mall in Ilsan

Potato tornado

One of my new favorites: kimchi jigae. I didn't think I would ever like kimchi the way I do now. It grows on you and it's really healthy to eat. 

The escalators at supermarkets are flat so the shopping cart can go up and down. You can let go of the cart and it won't move. You should see the car elevators. Since Seoul is so populated the only way to expand is up or down. 

Implantation

I am in a hospital bed. I just had my implantation. I am pretty sure I shouldn't have my phone on me, but they want me to rest for a couple hours before I leave. I am way too wired to rest. Dr. Lee told me, "I have good news and bad news." She informed me only six eggs survived but they are all very bad. However, my embryos are good. That makes no sense to me at all. I find out on August 8th if I am pregnant or not. I really didn't like hearing the bad news. 

Wish You Were Here

It is currently 12:44 a.m. and I can't sleep at all. It has been nonstop since the last time I wrote. As you know I had my retrieval. I have made a few friends at the hospital, if you want to call them that, from the Philippines and Scandinavia. The ladies are on the same schedule I am on for IVF. When I went to the hospital on Thursday morning, I saw the lady from the Philippines leaving and she looked miserable. I asked her if it hurt, and she said the shots did but she got the anesthesia. I also opted for that route. However, I completely freaked myself out and tried begging the nurses to sedate me before the shots. They said they couldn't and I had the shots anyway. It felt like a life sized bee stung on my behind. While I waited in the waiting room, I could hear a woman screaming. I was then rethinking my options. Do I stay or do I leave? I stayed. They put a mask over my face. I thought I was talking, but then all of a sudden I was awake in one of the hospital beds. I didn't feel anything during the procedure. However, afterwards was a different case. Before I was discharged they gave me another shot. I had to go to the pharmacy and get four different prescriptions. I have to take them three times a day and some of the pills are in packets. I feel like I took at least 20 pills. When I left. Dr. Lee said I had twelve eggs and eleven survived. Now I hope they survived in the lab, because I am going back to the hospital today to get the eggs implanted. That is why I cannot sleep. I know I should, but I am wide awake.

Soo and the girls and I met up with one of Soo's college friends, Sun. We went to Ilsan and went shopping at a mall that had golf, bowling, and a giant water park. Afterwards we met one of Junggi's colleagues, MiYoung, at the college. She was a professor at Oregon State and now is a professor here in Seoul. The Hong's, MiYoung, and I went to another traditional Korean restaurant. I took pictures but I can't load them on here tonight. We had the best soup. I am not the wildest about kimchi, but this soup was amazing and it was made with kimchi. It's called kimchi jigae. There was a burner in the middle of the table and a huge pot of soup that goes on top. They turned on the flame and your soup was boiling hot. The soup had mandoo, beef, all sorts of vegetables, noodles, and a tasty broth. I wasn't hungry, but I couldn't stop eating. It was almost ten and they asked me if I wanted to go to a cafe. I said, "right now?" It just seemed so late to be hanging out, but that is truly the culture here. The Hong's are leaving for New York tomorrow. MiYoung and I are supposed to go out to lunch or dinner next week. I guess I am going to steal all of my brother and sister in laws friends, since they are not here. :)

This part is really crazy. Today I found out that there is a huge Korean Adoptees Convention here this week. Over 500 adoptees are attending seminars and gatherings here in Seoul. I met up with a few of them and they were so nice. Some of the people were from Sweden, Germany, and America. One of the girls, Cristina, is a kindergarten teacher in Hawaii. We hit it off instantly. She even wants to meet up when I have a layover in Hawaii. I have never been around so many people like me. Everyone was hanging out, but I didn't want to get home late, since I am a guest. I got here at around 11:00 p.m. and no one was here. The family is shopping right now at one of the markets. It sounds wild, but it is totally normal. I saw a sign that said, bar open until 8:00a.m. Crazy right? 

I know I am jumping around, but there is so much to tell. I started tutoring today at the college. The students were very polite, kind, and fun to be around. We are going out to lunch on Monday. I can't believe how many people I have met and have really enjoyed their company. I wish you could meet all of the interesting people I have had the opportunity to meet. I think about how blessed I am to have my wonderful family, amazing friends, and so many people that I love and they love me back. Although I love being here, I couldn't imagine growing up here without any of you. Thank you for loving me. :) 

Late Night Shopping and Some Good News (hopefully)

Two nights ago, Soo and I went shopping.  Not very interesting for you to hear about that.  But, let me tell you, I have never in my life, left to go shopping at 11:00 at night.  On the exception of a few Black Fridays.  We went to Dongdaemun, it is truly a shopper's paradise.  There are malls that sell high end clothing and street markets who sell items for a lot less.  The malls are sky scrapers and you even shop underground, four floors down.  I thought it was really busy, but apparently Sunday nights are not as busy as the weekday nights.  We got some street food.  I wish I could make it for you, but I don't think I could recreate this one.  It was a skewer filled with chewy rice cakes, sausage, and fish (yuck), smothered with this really sweet and spicy sauce.  I bought only a few items while shopping, since, Reagan had to leave his suitcase. Due to the fact he had to stay in a hostel in Hawaii.  We didn't want him to have to carry a suitcase around Hawaii.  So we bought him a backpack to take there.  Therefore, I am going to have to fit his suitcase and all of his clothes into one of my suitcases.  Plus, with the cost of IVF, I should probably not shop as much as I did the last time I was here.  I brought a whole suitcase back of souveneirs.  I thought it was going to be the only time I would go to Korea, so I splurged heavily. We came back to the house after 2:00a.m. The taxi ride back was about a half an hour, and it only cost $7.50.  The cost for taxi rides here are really inexpensive, unless you get in the wrong cab.  All of the orange and silver cabs are legit, but never take a taxi ride in a Mercedes Van. 

The following day, I went back to the fertility hospital.  I had another set of shots.  I have been coming to the hospital everyday since Reagan left. Remember, when I told you about coming to the hospital on Saturday? The fill in doctor that day looked at me for two seconds and told me I had enough eggs and that they were big enough.  The following day, I went back and saw Dr. Hyjun Lee, and she looked at me, and not to my surprise, I didn't have enough and they weren't big enough.  I was frusterated. However, today I went back to the hospital and she did another ultrasound and my eggs are finally big enough and I have just enough! I just had another shot and I will come back tonight to do my final shot!  Then on Thursday, they will sedate me and retrieve the eggs.  I will come back on Saturday and they will implant them! I am so excited!  My friend, Katy is having twins.  She is having one boy and one girl.  I wouldn't mind having twins just like that!  I am so happy for her! 

I can't wear any jewlery, makeup, or have any nail polish on when they do the procedure.  I got a manicure before I left and I had shellac done.  That means, you cannot take off the nail polish with remover.  You have to get it professionally done.  I don't know how I am going to find a salon that does that. 

Yesterday night, I went to the Language Exchange Class in Hongdae.  It was in this really cute two story cafe.  I got to the cafe just in time and when I walked in, it didn't look like there were any classes going on upstairs or downstairs.  I finally asked someone and they said everyone in the building was a part of the language exchange.  It seemed like everyone knew eachother and were in small intimate groups.  The lady told me to just walk up to a table.  I was so uncomfortable.  I was just about to leave and this young boy asked me if I would talk with his friend, who was really shy.  So I sat down at the table and the boy asked me if I was still in high school or if I was in college yet.  He was so much younger than I was. I said no, "I am a teacher," and wanted to say, "I am old" (in comparison to a lot of the people there). Everyone I met was in college.  They were studying law, premed, computer engineering, and so forth.  I felt like I haven't met any students studying anything but the hardest of subjects.  There were some older people there, but they were obviously not from Korea, and I went there to learn the language.  I think it was a really nice setting, but it wasn't for me.

Some things are a lot less expensive, like public transportation, and some of the restaurants.  However, some of the things we have in America, I have taken for granted.  For instance, candles and scented lotions.  One candle jar is about 

$80.00 and a bottle of Bath and Body Works lotion is $30.00. So if you visit someone in Korea, bring them some candles and lotion. 

Ladies Night in Suwon

From left to right
Soo, Yuna, me, Jenna, and Soo-hee

I was able to go to an Internet cafe and download some of the pictures from the night before.

Soo, Jenna, Yuna, and I drove to Suwon on Friday night. It is about an hour away from Seoul. We went there to visit Soo-hee, Soo's sister. We headed over to another old folk village, like the one Reagan and I went to, except this one was very large in comparison. There have been many movies and dramas created there.

Rice Field

Old kitchen


Then we went out to dinner at Gaori and Pangfae Yeon. It was a beautiful restaurant. There was regular chair and table settings downstairs and on the second floor were private rooms to sit around a table with a pillow on the floor. Before entering the room it is courtesy to take your shoes off. We had dinner on the second floor.

I really wish I knew how to turn some of these pictures. So, some of them are going to be sideways.

These are the pictures in no particular order, because of my lack of technological skills. The restaurant served us different dishes throughout the evening. The whole table was filled with all sorts of yummy food, excluding the seafood dishes. Soo and Soo-hee liked them though.

Fertility Update

Saturday, July 20, 2013

I have been taking shots for a week now. It has not been fun at all. Two days ago I had an ultrasound. The doctor told me my eggs were small and I had only a few. I was so bummed. Then Reagan left that evening. I was so emotional. Reagan thinks it is because of all the hormones I am taking. I really turned into a monster when we went to Busan. I was really quite mean to Reagan. I asked the nurse at the hospital the next day  if one of the side effects was moodiness. She said, "oh, yes!" The day after Reagan left they doubled my dosage. It is a good thing he left when he did.

I went back again today and had another ultrasound with the weekend doctor. He literally looked at me for two seconds and said my eggs were a good size. They were so busy today, I felt like I was rushed. My regular doctor told me what size and how many eggs I had. She also took her time with me. Although she wasn't as busy as the doctor today. I was prescribed some more injections. I had two today. I go back tomorrow and also on Monday. I had no idea I would be spending so much time there. The hormones have made me really tired. I feel like I could sleep all day. I fell asleep at the hospital today waiting to be checked. A nurse was shaking me with two hands speaking to me in Korean to wake me up. I had fallen asleep so hard that I had forgotten where I was at.

Some of you didn't know I was going to Korea to do IVF. I didn't know I was either until right before I went to Korea. I have been trying to do as many things as I can as a non-parent. I know it is harder to travel with children, so my friends with kids say, so I decided to spend the summer in Korea to immerse myself in the culture. My doctor back at home told me she couldn't do anymore for me to get pregnant and referred me to a fertility clinic in Portland. I had a phone consultation on the phone which was $350.00. They emailed me a bill and it was for over $20,000. My friend Lisa knew someone who paid $30,000 at the same clinic. I was going to go through with it, but it didn't feel right. So I searched IVF in Korea, since I was going to be here anyway, and found out that they charge $4,000 to $10,000 at the maximum. I have been more than pleased with them. It is a very clean and organized facility and the nurse and doctor who speak English have been more than helpful. I want to take my nurse home in my pocket. She is the kindest person.

There are mostly Korean patients, but I have seen many from other countries there as well. I met a couple from Texas today. It feels good to be around people who are going through the same thing we are, even if they don't speak the same language. I know we haven't tried as long as most people with fertility problems and I know I worry too much. My biggest problem is patience. I know God is trying to teach me patience, but it is really hard. I can't even fathom what other couples feel like waiting even longer. I know God has a plan for us, I know this because of Sam. My brother and sister in law tried to conceive for an absurd amount of years. Then they decided to adopt. And we are all so blessed that they did. Sam is perfect for them. I couldn't imagine them without him now. So I will wait and pray.

I know so many of you are praying for us. Thank you.

Reagan took the charger or we left it in Busan. Either way, I can't download pictures from my camera. Last night we had a girls night in Suwon. Soo took me and the girls to her sister's house. I took so many pictures that I wanted to share with you. Maybe I will go to an Internet cafe and download them there. I can't explain in words all of the food we ate and the places we went to. It will be better with pictures.

On Monday, I am going to a language exchange class. I am really nervous. This is out of my comfort zone. But I want to learn some of the language. I feel like all I do is ask questions at the Hong's. I need to give them a break from my inquiries.

If you see Reagan, take care of him. He will need some TLC.

Saranghae, meaning, I love you! (All)

Fun in Busan

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Yesterday morning Reagan and I boarded the KTX. It is a train that is twice as fast as your regular passenger train. It has been overcast and raining in Seoul, so we were surprised at how nice Busan was. It's weather reminds me of Hawaii. When we got off the train we headed to our hotel. We walked for quite a while and could not seem to find it. We went to the Busan Station to ask for directions and a young man said he would show us how to get there. He walked us to our hotel and even helped with interpreting when we checked in. We have met several people who have gone out of their way to help us. We are very grateful for their help.

The room was very modern. Reagan liked the bathroom the most. Here in Korea and in other countries, there is no shower curtain between the bathtub and the rest of the restroom. You can get the whole room wet and then spray it all down when you are done. At first I was apprehensive of getting the Hong's bathroom wet, but now I have grown to really like the concept.

The first thing we did was go to the Haeundae Market. It might have been where I was found. I won't be sure until I get home to read all of the paper work from my adoption. It was a well kept market right next to the beach. We walked along the beach for a while, it was really nice.

Haeundae Market 

Haeundae Beach

Today we went to the World's Largest department store (as of 2009). In the mall we went to a  Jjimjilbang which is a spa. They are scattered all over Korea. Most of them are 24 hours, but this one only stays open until 12:00 a.m. A lot of people will stay the night in them. It was only 9,000 won to enter. It was gigantic. We were given shirts and shorts to wear. There was a ladies bathing room and a mens. In each room there are an endless amount of spas at every temperature. Ranging from ice cold to scalding hot. All of the water in the spas come from the hot springs. There were three types of water supplies. One was natural, one cleansed the skin, and one softened the skin. The only problem I had was you had to take off all of your clothes. It was hard for me. Reagan and I met up in the relaxation room. It is a large room with couches to lay on. You can watch DVDs with your personal DVD player. There were also an endless amount of saunas that each specialized in some sort of body treatment. We didn't go in any of them because we didn't want to be hot. I went in a cold sauna with an aquarium of jelly fish in it. We then went upstairs and laid in massage chairs. Then we went outside and soaked our feet in the foot baths. It was so relaxing, we could have stayed there all day. But Busan has so much to offer we had to leave.

Reagan really wanted to try fresh seafood. So we headed over to the Jalachi Fish Market. It was not appealing to me in the slightest. Reagan settled on live octopus. He actually liked it. The tentacles sucked the inside of his cheek while eating it. Yuck!!!! I don't like seafood, I won't each raw fish, and I would never eat seafood that is alive! 

Here is a video of him eating the live octopus: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FMj2XpA1lXs&feature=plcp

Our neighbors table of food.

 

On the way to the train station, in the subway, Reagan got out of his seat and gave it to an elderly lady.  I watched her digging through her purse. She pulled out a pink case and waved him over to her. Instead of waving someone over with your palm up, you wave someone over with your palm down. Waving it up is used to call a dog over. In the pink case was a toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue scraper, and floss (unused, we swear by it). I was really nice of her. 

We are on the KTX heading back to Seoul. It is 7:30 pm on Wednesday. It is 3:30 am where you are at (Oregon). 

The day before we left for Busan wasn't very eventful. We had heard that the chicken here was really good, so we searched for it, until we found it. It was actually quite good. For dinner we wanted to try Korean style pizza. We were safe in ordering and got the combination pizza. The only difference was it had corn on it. The pizza came with pickles instead of kimchi. 

Instead of a server coming to the table periodically, the button at restaurants is used when you are ready to order or if you need something. 

This pizza is not like some of the crazy pizzas we have seen. I don't think I could eat some of them. Like the ones with whole prawns on them.

We have had to thank a lot of people lately. In Korean you would say kamsamnida, which means thank you. 

So, kamsamnida, Judy and Diane for loving Betty. Kamsamnida mom and dad for loving, Lucky! 

We also visited an old folk village.

Kimchi pots

Experience What the Locals Do in Seoul

Sunday, July 14, 2013

There is so much to tell, I hope that I can remember everything.  Yesterday morning I had my appointment at the fertility hospital.  We were supposed to be there at ten, but had some mishaps before we got there. In the morning, the lever to the toilet decided to not work.  Reagan and I lifted the back of it up.  Reagan has been on me about "being aware of my surroundings."  I accidently knocked over the cover to the toilet and it shattered into pieces. Everyone in the family was gone and I did not want them to come back to a toilet that did not work and part of it broken.  I was so upset with myself.  But we had to hurry to make it to the appointment on time, so there was little that we could do.

When we got to the hospital, the nurse told me I would have to get a shot to make the pain go away of what was to come next.  She lead me into a room and a nurse came in and gave me a shot.  I didn't know that I was done with that part of the appointment so I stayed in the room for a very long time.  Finally, a lady speaking English came and asked me if I was alright.  I said I was and came out, while all of the nurses giggled. 

Someone lead me into another room where I was to put on a skirt instead of the nightgowns I am used to back at home.  I had an ultrasound, they drew more blood, and did something else that was painful.  The doctor said it will help in the process of getting pregnant.  It didn't take too long.  Thank goodness. I am supposed to give myself a shot each day for four days and return back to the hospital next, Thursday. 

Maria Fertility Hospital

After we left the hospital, I convinced Reagan that I could find a lid to the toilet at the Dongdaemun Market.  When we got there we ended up walking for hours and hours outside while it poured rain.  They had every shop that I could imagine, but not what we were looking for.

We wanted to watch Junggi teach so we headed over to Kookmin University.  He is a professor of Exercise and Rehabilitation.  When we arrived all of his students applauded us for finally arriving.  Junggi is a very good at being a professor.  All of his students were engaged and I could tell they were enjoying themselves.  Here is a short video of him teaching. 

Professor Hong  Click on the link to watch the video. 

After leaving we went to dinner at a Korean restaurant.  I had bibimbap, which means mixed rice, and Reagan had short rib soup. On the way home, I sat on the subway next to a man from Massachusetes.  He told me I spoke good English.  I told him I didn't speak Korean and he said, "Aren't you Korean?" Well, yes, but I don't speak it.  Yuna knows more Korean than I do and she is a toddler.   

Bibimbap

Short Rib Soup

This morning, Jenna, took Reagan and I to the park behind the apartments.  (Most everyone lives in apartments here in Seoul because it is so populated and expensive to live here.)  It was beautifully covered in trees and flowing streams. There were hammocks to lay on and covered shelves with books to read, in the middle of the park.  Walking further, we saw an outdoor gym.  Apparently, they are all around Korea.   

We thought of Keller running around the dirt trails and stopping to work out at gyms like these. 

When we got back to the apartment, we went out to lunch at a galbi restaurant with the Hong family.  We had pork galbi, which is marinted pork that is barbequed.  It was so good!  In the front of the restaurant on a high ledge we saw the garden where the restaurant gets all of its vegetables. Junggi and Soo think Reagan might be Korean.  He has devoured all of the food he has tried so far. 

Galbi Restaurant

Complimentary Dessert After Dinner - Orange Slushy Freshly Squeezed

 On the way home, we stopped at a cafe for another round of dessert. There are cafes and bakeries scattered everywhere in Seoul.  We all shared two buckets (really huge bowls) of patsingbu.  It is shaved ice with Korean condensed mik, sorbet, and a variety of fruit on top. For dessert at Junggi and Soo's, Soo cuts up fresh fruit each night.  Soo said that fruit is eaten as dessert amongst a lot of Koreans.  I need to take a picture of this Korean melon that is so delicious.  It tastes like melon, but it is crisp.   

Dessert after dessert

Red Bean Patsingbu - it sounds weird, but it is really good.  They are sweet beans.  Reagan liked this one the most.

Berry Patsingbu with chewy rice cake, cookie pieces, raspberry sorbet, and fresh fruit. This one was my favorite.

On the way home, I sat next to Yuna.  She was so darn cute that I had to take a video of her. 

Yuna Singing

Tomorrow we might go to the North Korean border.  I had NO intentions of ever going near that place, but Junggi said it is a must for visitors.  Apparently, it is really interesting.  Reagan might get to watch the professional men's basketball team practice.  Along with all of the work Junggi does at the college he is also a scout for the basketball team here in Seoul. 

On Tuesday, Reagan and I are taking a train to Busan.  I am so excited!  I guess the atmosphere is very different there.  The citizens of Seoul are hard workers who are always on the go.  Whereas, in Busan, it is more relaxed and the people are very friendly there.  I haven't met anyone really unfriendly, except for the two conartists.  Actually, I have gotten some bad looks for showing too much shoulder.  I knew that in Korea, showing too much skin on top was looked down upon.  But I have been so hot here, that I thought it might not be as offensive then I thought. Then the looks started coming from the ajusshis (older men) and ajummas (older women). You can wear short shorts here, but showing your shoulders is a no no to some.  Unfortunately, I brought a lot of maxi dresses which are long with thins shoulder straps. 

We have eaten so much good food while we have been here.  If you enjoy the food you are eating you might say, "mashiso or mashitah" (very good) or "joah" (good).

I hope everyone is well!  We love and miss you all! 

LG Baseball Game Video and More

Friday, July 12, 2013

For some reason I didn't download the video quite right. I hope it works.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ak1tnkJc4Io&feature=plcp

Today we took the subway to what I thought was the "Great Wall of Korea." That's what it is compared to on a smaller level. However, I took us somewhere off the beaten path. It was raining so hard that we needed to find shelter. So we warmed up to one of my favorite soups called bulgogi jungol.

After we left we headed towards Itaewon. A district near the military place. It is considered the melting pot of cultures. It had restaurants that served French, Turkish, African, food from Dubai and so much more.

For dinner, we went to Hongdae, which is a very popular place at night for young people. We got there before dark and it was already busy. We met some guys from California who said the shops are closed during the day but everything is open at night. It was still pouring and there were so many umbrellas that I felt like I was under a large walking tent at times. I wore a rain jacket and an umbrella and still got wet. When it rains, it literally pours here. It was so slick on the streets that I slipped at least fifteen times. It was ridiculous. I was foolish and wore my sandals thinking my shoes would get too wet. We ate at a Korean BBQ and had Samgyeopsal, a popular korean dish. They give you all of the sides and you cook the meat in front of you. It is so yummy. 

Tomorrow morning I start Lupron, which is an injectable hormone, that will hopefully do the trick. I will have to have shots for two weeks. At least that is what I understand so far. I really don't like needles. It will be all worth it, if it works. If not, at least I tried. 

Reagan learned a new word on his own today that I didn't know. He clicked his glass with a group of men. We would say, "cheers." But here they kom bei. 

Take Me Out To A Korean Baseball Game

Friday, July 12, 2013

Last night we went to a professional Korean baseball game. It was unlike any baseball game experience I have ever had. We arrived twenty minutes before game time and got front row seats for ten dollars each. Our seats were in the front row and we thought they were good seats. The stadium was pretty empty when the game started. As time went on hoards of people came in all at once. Even during the seventh inning fans were piling in. The sections up on top were getting filled first. It looked like the seats farther away from the front were more desirable. There were cheerleaders for each team and men who lead each group of fans in chants. I think Reagan and I smiled the whole time. The crowd was so joyful, entertaining, and showed a great amount of comradeliness with each other. At the end of the game we rushed out of our seats, thinking we would need to hurry out of the stadium to beat the crowds. However, most of the fans stayed in their seats to sing and chant in celebration of their team's victory. 

We were site seeing for over twelve hours yesterday. We went a palace and to another market. It's hard to remember what we did when all I can remember is how much fun I had last night at the game. 

I took so many videos that I ran out of storage on my camera. 

The crowd cheered, "LG Twins, hwaiting," (sounds like fighting). This is a commonly used expression to cheer someone on. Like we would say (this ones for you, Corey), "GO, DUCkS!

I took Reagan to the same restaurant I went to in September.  We had an early dinner before the baseball game.  It looks like we are wearing couple shirts, like some young couples do here. 

Ducks, Hwaiting! Just to prove our allegiance to Oregon!

Another Day in Korea!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Yet again I woke up way too early! It was even worse today. I got up at 3:20 in the morning ready for action. I tried to lay in bed, but the harder I tried the more I wanted to move. It is now 5:20. Yesterday, we went to the Holt Children's Services here in Seoul. They are the adoption agency my parents went through to get me. I had spoken with them about coming to review my file months ago through email. I placed all of the emails in my "important" file on my EOU account through Google. For some reason it saves all of my emails, but somehow does not keep the ones I want. Therefore, I could not retrieve the corresponding emails. I tried to email them to check on the time, but their contact info was in Korean. So we arrived at 10:30 a.m. and much to my dismay, I had gotten the time right but not the day. We were supposed to be there the day before. I wasn't too worried since I had been there in September to review my file. I actually had one goal in hand going there: To find out where I was found.

As you may or may not know I was adopted when I was three years old from South Korea. I was found a year before I was adopted in the Hyundai Market Place. I was alone with no information. That is what I thought until I went to the orphanage, I was admitted to, when I was abandoned. They gave me new information which told me I was found with a letter. They did not have the letter and did not know what the letter had said. I have believed for some strange reason that I was found in Busan, Korea. A large city in the southern part of Korea. I remember reading somewhere that I was found in Pusan, now known as Busan. However, my mom and Holt think I was found in Incheon City, where my orphanage was at. It makes sense, but where on earth would I have come up with the idea of me being found in Busan? One of the things on my bucket list that I want to do is go to the market where I was found. I had planned on going to Busan, but now I don't know what to do. Busan is pretty far away, so it's not like its a quick trip.

After we left Holt we were hungry. Since Gangnam wasn't too far away we headed there to eat lunch and do some sight seeing. It reminds Reagan of New York City. Although neither of us have ever been there. :) There were a lot of nice buildings and young well dressed people there. There were also a lot of American chain restaurants there as well. We went to a restaurant that had pictures. The lady wanted us to get Korean bbq. That is where you cook the meat in front of you. It was way too hot for cooking. I wanted to try the cold noodles, (물냉면) mool naengmyun, which is cold buckwheat noodles. Reagan ordered bibimbap. She was not pleased with our choices and it was downhill from there. I felt like she was glaring at me. She had no shame in doing so. We ordered some soda, which came with some glasses. I don't have a lot of experience in taking off bottle caps, so I clumsily broke my glass. I had to go find her and let her know what I had done. I am sure she was furious. The total of our meal was supposed to be 16,000 won, but she charged us 26,000 won. I think she was charging for the broken glass. 

When we finished lunch we wanted to find some basketball courts along the Han River. I found the information on my favorite Korean informational site, Seoulistic. We tried to follow the directions but instead walked over two hours trying to find the courts. They are suppossedly busy most of the time, but not when we were there. We were tired, so we headed back.

I have been reading with Jenna for two nights now. It reminds me why I am blessed to be a teacher. Her brain is a sponge for learning. It is thoroughly enjoyable watching her curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Today we are going to Insadong, which is where my brother and sister in law stayed when we got Sam. It's one of my favorite places, because I know it so well. Also, because it brings back happy memories. We are also going to catch a professional baseball game. Hopefully it doesn't rain.

Too-da-loo, for now. (You should hear Sam say that!)

Soo made Japchae! It was amazing!

Reagan and his new best friend the cold towel he has named, Blue. Banchan in the middle, and the glass I broke to the right.  Oops! 



Gangnam



I really shouldn't do this, but some of the spelling and grammar crack me up. 
If I tried to spell in hangul, I would miserably fail. 
This is a sign at the park.  Let's all go to the swimming poo!  :)