Fall in Seoul

It's hard to believe that it's already November and that I've been here for 3 months now. I wake up some mornings not believing that I'm in Korea...but then I go outside and I see that I am the only American and I snap back to reality. Fall weather lasted for about a week. It went from hot to freezing cold over night which has left Clayton and I very sick over the last few weeks. We've learned that both of us cannot be sick at the same time because it's just not fun having to take care of someone else when you're sick!

We've made several trips into Seoul over the last few weekends and gone out to dinner with several friends. We hosted one of Clayton's buddies for a week and even prepared for Clayton's parents to visit. Unfortunately, they were not able to make it out this time around but plan on making it out sometime next summer.

We have also finished up coaching the 7-10 year old soccer league here on base (for the American children). I believe that some were aware that we were coaching, but for those of you who were not...Clayton and I each coached a team of 7-10 year olds (all boys...only one girl) and they would play each other every Saturday morning. Clayton nor I have ever coached ANYTHING before and while I have worked with children for the last year and a half, this was Clayton's first experience.....with children....potentially his last. The first day of try outs we had children running around screaming, chasing bugs, crying, playing a more updated form of cops and robbers, pulling down their pants and running around....and well you get the picture. None of the parents wanted to assist in any way in terms of disciplining their children. Some would yell, but they would never get up off the bleacher to actively discipline. Most of the kids had never played soccer, so we had to teach them the basics. Clayton did an amazing job of teaching them and being patient with them. You could tell they really respected him after a few practices. Me on the other hand...I was "the girl" in the group. None of the boys wanted to play on my team, in fact they would say "Awww man do I have to be on the girl's team," while pointing to me. My patience ran thin and at our last game where we had the coaches play, I ran all over them, scored, took shots on goal like I was back in high school and then would turn around and yell in their faces "HAH, THIS GIRL JUST RAN ALL OVER YOU!" Some may say that my actions were childish and unnecessary, however, I believe that they taught these young boys a valuable lesson...GIRLS ARE BETTER THAN BOYS.

Aside from soccer, we have ventured out to several korean restaurants here around town and outside of town. We have discovered our favorite restaurant and actively look for things to celebrate just so we can go and eat there. We've also tried several other places including a German style Korean restaurant called "German Haus." If you're thinking "wow that sounds interesting" you're not alone, we thought the same thing. The restaurant was gorgeous, had amazing german beer, and only one german entree.....sausage and potatoe wedges. The rest of t he entrees were korean style. The food was not impressive, but the beer was. The restrooms in this place were especially interesting...and complicated. While in the ladies room, I found a toilet that I could sit on...a large porcelin bowl, just like they have in the States. I was happy. When I sat down, I noticed to the side of my right butt cheek several buttons and a knob to turn. I thought to myself "Ohhhh this must be one of those high tech toilets that warm the seat while you do your business." (SIDENOTE: those actually exist here in Korea) I got excited naturally because I have never experienced the toilet seat warmer only heard tales of it. I couldn't read the buttons, obviously because they were in Korean, so I started pushing and turning. Next thing I know, a stream of water was pressing firmly into a specific area in my butt region (i'm trying to keep it PG). I screamed SO LOUD and JUMPED SO HIGH! I was locked into my little stall and didn't know what to do. Water was shooting me and over the stall door into the rest of the bathroom. I wanted to scream for help but I knew no one would be able to understand me, plus I hadn't pulled my pants up. I tried turning off the water, but was unsuccessful. I started laughing uncontrollably and snorting. I got down on the ground (after pulling my pants up), crawled under the jetting stream of water, and some how managed to press the right button that turns the water off. I was relieved momentarily. Then I opened the stall door and saw the RIVER of water on the floor, water dripping from the ceiling and trickling down the walls, and I panicked. I ran out, got Clayton, told him to go look inside. He asked what the heck had happened and why I was soaking wet. I told him we needed to get out ASAP. Thankfully, no one saw the condition of the bathroom and we didn't get in trouble.

Other than fighting off streams of toilet water, we've also ventured into Seoul several times to meet friends, have dinner, drink coffee, and tour the Lantern Festival....which is only cool to see at night when they are all lit up. It was super crowded the night that we went, but was still gorgeous to see. The lanterns were of many different animals representing China, Taiwan, Japan, and New Zealand. There were also several G20 themed lanterns around since the G20 conference was taking place in Seoul.

Lantern Festival

Liberty, Pisa, Ben

We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Beijing, China for the Thansgiving holiday. It will be my first time to Beijing and Clayton's second. I intend to do a lot of shopping, so family and friends please expect your gifts to be from Beijing this year. I am still without a paying job, however, I continue to volunteer at the Substance Abuse clinic and have been given the opportunity to conduct intakes and assessments with those patients that come through. I have found out that I can count these hours towards my licensure which is so amazing. I even have several counselors, including the clinical director who is willing to provide my supervision. I feel so blessed and fortunate, despite having several job let downs over the last 3 months. Clayton is also expecting a job change here soon as well as a promotion in Feb. Buttons still loves the apartment, however is very frustrated by the fact that she can't access any of the bugs or birds outside. Expect to see lots of pictures of Beijing and of course lots of stories.