KoJeon Antique Store

I ventured out on Monday with a small group of girls to find this antique store; thankfully, my friend Karen knew where we were going. Good thing! We all grabbed coffee and headed out, it was a rainy day, so there was no better way to spend the morning! This was a big warehouse, frilled with beautiful pieces of furniture and many other decorative odds and ends. I did manage to find some things that I thought I needed; will always remind me of my time in Korea, and the fond memories I have. After we all shopped, the lady working told us she ordered pizza for us...now that's what I'm talking about! We shop and then the owner feeds us, while she totals all of our purchases...will I get that in the US?

my loot...no big pieces...but it still added up to 286 thousand won...wanna guess how much that is? There's a tray, teacup/saucer, candle holders, small wooden bowls, ducks, calligraphy brushes and a drum...yay!

These brushes, Chinese Calligraphy brushes, were the main attraction for me...I wanted to add to my collection before moving (in 3 weeks)!!! Aren't these so gorgeous? I have liked them from the very first time I laid my brown eyes on them, 2 years ago. Most people build a little collection while over in Asia. They are a dime a dozen in China, not so easy to find in Korea. SO, I was thrilled, and like a kid when I hit this jackpot! By the way, we're trying to squeeze China in...we'll see if it happens :)

Friday Fun

Well, another week has past. That's profound, huh? Seriously, where is the time going? We're already finished with the first week in February; before we know it, the long awaited Spring days will be here. I am very much ready for that. Some good news is that our playground is open, and has been updated. We now have 4 swings (for about a zillion kids to share), but I am grateful. How pitiful that my children haven't been in a swing in over a year now, as I type that, I realize there are much more serious travesties in the world! We have been at the park/playground almost every day this week. The cold weather has been a little less frigid, so we have been outdoors, hallelujah! Moving right alone, here are a few snapshots from the week, nothing major going on. Except, we are planning our trip to Thailand, and I'm soooooooooo excited about it, wish we were going tomorrow, and not in April!

J and J now find it cool to sleep in their Daddy's t-shirts. Never mind the cute and warm pj's they own, just give them Daddy's shirt and they are happy as can be.

Spider man was spotted on base last week (thanks to face painting at a birthday party)

The boots I just love on both of them; the boots and sweatpants on Jordan, not so much!

This, my friends, is a picture of some of the best strawberries I have ever eaten!!!! The Korean strawberries are so sweet and juicy, I could go on and on about their yumminess! I wish I could send some back to the states for ya'll to try, but that's illegal! Just believe me, they are the best in the world. I go downtown and buy them from an older lady that sits under a bridge, day after day, selling fruit. I point to the berries, and she shows me with her hands how much, I nod yes; she pours them in a little black plastic bag, and I pay her 5000 won (about $4). Just like that, we have a black bag full of delight! The kids devour them in two minutes flat, we can't keep them more than 5 minutes once they have been washed! So, come visit me and you too can try the best strawberries in the world!

Jamison, as most of you know, has a deep, undying passion for balls. This is Jordan's new basket ball, but Jamison is sure it's really his. He likes to carry it; even though, he just started walking, he is already able to carry this ball and walk at the same time. At the end of the video, you will hear his new word, it's football! I just love to hear him say it, which is a good thing, considering he says it about 50 times a day!

Our Family Painting

One of the many things that's on the list of "must do's" while in Korea is have a picture or two painted. There are many talented painters in the local area, maybe 10 or so. My favorite is a man named Joseph. He has a studio off-base, but he's at the BX, two days a week, working magic with a paintbrush. I'm not sure how far he comes from, but he rides his bike onto the base; and he has his paintings strapped onto the back of his bike. I would be nervous to make that kind of a commute, but I suppose you do what you gotta do!

We gave him the picture, along with a few requests/changes to make, back in June. He usually takes 2-3 months, and the cost is minimal for such a piece of work! We're happy with it; especially with how the kids look. He painted every detail to a tee! He gave us darker complexions than we have...but that's okay. I'd like to have another portrait painted of the kids before we leave...we shall see!

Girls Just Wanna Have FUN...in Seoul!

This weekend, I along with several other wonderful ladies made an overnight trip to Seoul. We had such a nice time, and we took in some of the sights. We took the bus up to Yongsan Post (an army base); it's in the heart of Seoul. We stayed at the Dragon Hill Lodge, which is a 5 star military resort.

Susan, Leah, Kelly, Shara
One of our highlights was a pedicure...which set of feet belong to who??

After a pedicure and dinner, we decided to head to Namdaemun Market. We caught cab, which took a few minutes...it just doesn't come natural for me to hail a cab. Oh the sights; it's just so funny, not much looks familiar or normal for that matter to me. This market sells clothes, purses, hair accessories, gift bags and lots of other random things.
We didn't try any of the cuisine. I think you pick your meat (which just sits in the open air) and she cooks it. I could hardly identify the meat; kinda scary!

This is what I believe is referred to as the city gate.

On Saturday morning, we headed to Dongdaemun Market; this market has everything imaginable. From clothing to shoes, bedding, toys, craft items, and the 5 story building that's home to the FABRIC MARKET! I've been wanting to visit this place ever since living here and hearing about it. I went prepared to spend several hours, and I totally did (4 1/2 to be exact!) It was just unreal and overwhelming. There were so many people, and so many booths. Each floor housed different items, and there were many different booths/vendors selling the items. Every notion was available-it was crazy and great!

This is packages of piping, and zippers. The zippers cost 10 cents!!

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

Do you see how long the aisles are? We were exhausted after roaming this place for so long!

One floor is devoted to beading...a jewelry maker's paradise! Made me think I might want to take up this hobby...just kidding!

Susan, Kelly, Annee

Ribbon Galore!

You can even custom make your own bra!

These motorcycles were everywhere. They are rigged up to carry items away from the market. I love the simplicity of just making things work, that is totally the Korean way of life.

After leaving the fabric market, we found "tie alley." The ties make me laugh; they are very colorful and full of rhinestones!

My friend Annee said, "what man could walk out the door for work and feel like a man wearing this?" I totally agree!!

I had a great time! I I must say that I was happy to see my crew again. Jannah wanted to know what her "prize" was. Jordan was...just Jordan. Jamison was happy to see his Mama! Greg, well he was happy to see me too!

My 14 carat Citrine

Isn't this gorgeous?!?! I had this ring made...........yep, right here in Korea; who knew they offered such fine services in the department of jewelry? You can get anything made over here, at least that's what all the husbands tell their wives when they bear the good news of moving to Korea! I'm so pleased with this ring, I want everyone to have one. It was designed to look like a piece from the Charles Krypell Collection; he makes gorgeous jewelry, and he's very popular back in my hometown (in a lot of other places too, I'm sure). I bought this stone almost a year ago at a bazaar we had on base. There were many vendors from around this part of the world. One just so happened to be a man from Thailand, selling loose stones. I knew right away I needed one, and that I would one day have a ring made. I really like any kind of jewelry; I get this wonderful quality from my Granny Condrey. My fascination with jewels started young. I always loved to look, touch, and try on her jewelry; she had so much, which awed me as a child. Jannah is just like me, she's always commenting, touching, trying on my jewelry. I guess the love for jewels has been passed to her as well. This stone was in safe keeping until just a few weeks ago when I took it "downtown" which means off base. I showed the lady at Sin Bosa Jewelry store the Charles Krypell brochure and picked out a ring I wanted her to model my ring after, she said, "no problem, we make." I had to clarify several times that wanted it just like the picture. I was a little unsure of how it would turn out, but when I picked it up last night, I was more than thrilled with the finished product :) One more treasure from Korea!