Down for two reasons-one because it was uneventful and "relaxing" in that I didn't have to be anywhere or really do anything and two because I was feeling sad and lonely.
I woke early and started back at my unpacking. It took about an hour and a half to get everything organized and put away. Then I skyped with Mom for about 40 minutes. It never seems as long as it is. It was good to talk and see her.
The rest of the day I just kind of lounged around, catching up on things here and there. I was hoping and waiting for Jacob. He was out of town with FTH work, and didn't leave Gyeongju until 1:30. We weren't sure how late he'd be getting home and if we'd get to meet. I was feeling sleepy and I gave in and took a 30 minute nap. When I woke I checked in with Jacob's whereabouts. He said they probably wouldn't be arriving until 8. I decided I should go to soccer to help feel tired. I walked to World Cup stadium for extra exercise. It was nice to be back, but after playing for maybe only 5 minutes I had to ask for a sub. I guess since I hadn't been playing for a few weeks, plus the heat and jet lag, I just couldn't handle it. I subbed out pretty frequently so I didn't overdo it.
After soccer I came home and settled in for the night. I'm not looking forward to day one of second semester. I'm grateful that Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) is next week and we have Monday and Tuesday off.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Back in Korea
The flight was uneventful. I picked my seat-the very last window seat on the plane because it was a two seater. My seat-mate was a friendly American girl visiting her missionary friend in Suwon. We only chatted in the beginning of the flight-the rest of the time she was sleeping. I, on the other hand, barely slept at all. I watched 4 movies and dozed a total of 1 1/2 hours. The flying time was actually only 13 hours; I had thought it was going to be 14, though at that point, what's one hour?
We landed and it kind of hit me that this will be the last time in a really long time I'll be making the flight from the US to Korea and touching down. While we were filing off the plane, they played a piece from Vivaldi's Four Seasons and I thought of Dad. The line for Korean passports was a little long, but a lot shorter than foreign passports so I picked that line to go through-so nice I have the option. Then I went to collect my bags, which I wasn't looking forward to at all. I didn't have to wait long-then through customs and off to the AREX to come home. I felt awkward with all my bags so I ended up standing on the 40 minute ride. Anyway, I had just sat for 13 hours so not a big deal. The trickiest part was making the transfer at DMC from the AREX to line 6. There are only stairs at one point-so I just picked up my suitcase and prayed my arm muscles were strong enough to get it down the 30 or so steps. I did and I had perfect timing and hopped on the arriving subway.
When I got to Eungam Station, I wheeled my bag to the elevator to leave the station. There was an ajuma also waiting for the elevator-when she saw me with my two giant duffles and a suitcase she actually clicked her tongue at me! She told me to put my bigger, heavier bag on top of the suitcase, but I tried explaining there wasn't room and I was ok. Once on the elevator, she took one end of the bag and propped it on the railing to take some of the weight off of me. When we got off the elevator she helped wheel my suitcase out and asked which way I was going. She helped push my suitcase a little ways, maybe a total of 100 meters or so, but it was very sweet and kind of her. She was kind of muttering I should take a bus, but there's no way I could get on a bus with all that luggage! I got really frustrated the remaining 400 meters back to my place because people would NOT get out of my way. I'm sorry, I'm just a 90 something pound girl with around 100 pounds of luggage. Excuse me if I happen to run you down since you, not carrying anything will not move out of my way. I'm sure I got a workout out of that. And a few bruises.
Back at my building my doorman was sweet and helped me bring my bags up. I opened my windows and aired out my room. Then, time for unpacking. I got through 1/2 of the bags before I got tired of doing that. I took a shower to rinse off and then went to Emart to fill water bottles. I tried to go to bed early, but couldn't fall asleep and stay asleep.
We landed and it kind of hit me that this will be the last time in a really long time I'll be making the flight from the US to Korea and touching down. While we were filing off the plane, they played a piece from Vivaldi's Four Seasons and I thought of Dad. The line for Korean passports was a little long, but a lot shorter than foreign passports so I picked that line to go through-so nice I have the option. Then I went to collect my bags, which I wasn't looking forward to at all. I didn't have to wait long-then through customs and off to the AREX to come home. I felt awkward with all my bags so I ended up standing on the 40 minute ride. Anyway, I had just sat for 13 hours so not a big deal. The trickiest part was making the transfer at DMC from the AREX to line 6. There are only stairs at one point-so I just picked up my suitcase and prayed my arm muscles were strong enough to get it down the 30 or so steps. I did and I had perfect timing and hopped on the arriving subway.
When I got to Eungam Station, I wheeled my bag to the elevator to leave the station. There was an ajuma also waiting for the elevator-when she saw me with my two giant duffles and a suitcase she actually clicked her tongue at me! She told me to put my bigger, heavier bag on top of the suitcase, but I tried explaining there wasn't room and I was ok. Once on the elevator, she took one end of the bag and propped it on the railing to take some of the weight off of me. When we got off the elevator she helped wheel my suitcase out and asked which way I was going. She helped push my suitcase a little ways, maybe a total of 100 meters or so, but it was very sweet and kind of her. She was kind of muttering I should take a bus, but there's no way I could get on a bus with all that luggage! I got really frustrated the remaining 400 meters back to my place because people would NOT get out of my way. I'm sorry, I'm just a 90 something pound girl with around 100 pounds of luggage. Excuse me if I happen to run you down since you, not carrying anything will not move out of my way. I'm sure I got a workout out of that. And a few bruises.
Back at my building my doorman was sweet and helped me bring my bags up. I opened my windows and aired out my room. Then, time for unpacking. I got through 1/2 of the bags before I got tired of doing that. I took a shower to rinse off and then went to Emart to fill water bottles. I tried to go to bed early, but couldn't fall asleep and stay asleep.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Short Day--Departure Day
We rose early-Mom to walk Toby and me to load the car and finish organizing everything. I had a few minutes more to visit Grandpa and again I felt the tears forming as I hugged him goodbye. At least I skype with him 2-3 times a month; it's hard because I don't skype with Aunt Ruth at all. It was also hard to say goodbye to Toby. I don't think he understands that I'll be gone again.
Then we were off. We had smooth sailing until right before O'Hare; there was a bus accident and traffic was backed up right in front of the airport. We were really lucky because the turn off for the International terminal is first. As we exited for that, we could see the rest of the traffic still at a standstill. Mom dropped me off and agreed to meet me at Korean Air check-in counter. I was going to get a cart, but I wanted to see if I could handle my bags and suitcase without a cart since I wouldn't have one while navigating my way home. It was tricky and a little difficult; very heavy, but not impossible. Mom met up with me just as I was checking in my bags and helped tape the suitcase just in case. She got a coffee and we sat for about an hour and a half. Yet again, when it was time to say goodbye, I couldn't stop the tears. I know it will be sooner that I'll see mom again since she's coming to visit, but it was still hard. She stood at the end of the hallway and waved goodbye. I had about a 20-25 minute wait to go through security and went to my gate. I ended up getting a hold of her through kakao and talked for a few minutes before I got on the plane.
By Korean time, when I got on the plane it was already "tomorrow" so Friday was over.
Then we were off. We had smooth sailing until right before O'Hare; there was a bus accident and traffic was backed up right in front of the airport. We were really lucky because the turn off for the International terminal is first. As we exited for that, we could see the rest of the traffic still at a standstill. Mom dropped me off and agreed to meet me at Korean Air check-in counter. I was going to get a cart, but I wanted to see if I could handle my bags and suitcase without a cart since I wouldn't have one while navigating my way home. It was tricky and a little difficult; very heavy, but not impossible. Mom met up with me just as I was checking in my bags and helped tape the suitcase just in case. She got a coffee and we sat for about an hour and a half. Yet again, when it was time to say goodbye, I couldn't stop the tears. I know it will be sooner that I'll see mom again since she's coming to visit, but it was still hard. She stood at the end of the hallway and waved goodbye. I had about a 20-25 minute wait to go through security and went to my gate. I ended up getting a hold of her through kakao and talked for a few minutes before I got on the plane.
By Korean time, when I got on the plane it was already "tomorrow" so Friday was over.
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| Last picture with my pup |
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Last Day in the US :(
Another bittersweet day knowing it's my last full day in the US.
We went back to exchange the part for the lamp and got the right thing. Then back to Panera for lunch. And then the final trip to Woodman's. We had to get stuff for dinner! After groceries we had to drop stuff off because we had refrigerated goods. In the end we were a few minutes late to Ruth's. We chatted for about an hour and a half. When it was time to say goodbye, it was hard to hold back the tears. Aunt Ruth is turning 98 this year (don't tell her I mentioned her age!) and it is hard leaving again for another year. She is an amazing woman.
Back at Grandpa's, Mom cut the grass and Grandpa and I went back to the lamp. It took us awhile but we finally succeeded (the lamp was really screwy and we had to take the whole thing apart). I'm glad I was able to help fix the lamp. Then I started dinner-tortellini with veggies in the sauce and garlic bread. Grandpa also insisted we get wine while we were at Woodman's so I picked out Moscato. After dinner Grandpa gave advice about marriage and asked what I looked for in a guy. We listened to the last quarter of the Bear's football game too.
We went back to exchange the part for the lamp and got the right thing. Then back to Panera for lunch. And then the final trip to Woodman's. We had to get stuff for dinner! After groceries we had to drop stuff off because we had refrigerated goods. In the end we were a few minutes late to Ruth's. We chatted for about an hour and a half. When it was time to say goodbye, it was hard to hold back the tears. Aunt Ruth is turning 98 this year (don't tell her I mentioned her age!) and it is hard leaving again for another year. She is an amazing woman.
Back at Grandpa's, Mom cut the grass and Grandpa and I went back to the lamp. It took us awhile but we finally succeeded (the lamp was really screwy and we had to take the whole thing apart). I'm glad I was able to help fix the lamp. Then I started dinner-tortellini with veggies in the sauce and garlic bread. Grandpa also insisted we get wine while we were at Woodman's so I picked out Moscato. After dinner Grandpa gave advice about marriage and asked what I looked for in a guy. We listened to the last quarter of the Bear's football game too.
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| So hard saying goodbye |
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| Dinner! |
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| Mom and Grandpa |
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Whitnall and 3 Brothers
In the morning we did a few errands. I had to get some allergy medicine because I was so miserable at night. Grandpa also needed a piece to fix a lamp for Aunt Ruth. Then we went to Barnes and Noble to look for a book for me, but mom ended up finding a book she had just been saying needed to be written about dealing with adult children.
We went on to Whitnall. The gardens were really pretty there. The roses were still all in bloom. First stop on Grandpa's list at Whitnall is to sit on the bench looking down the hill. When we arrived there were 2 deer on the edge of the grass before the trees started. They didn't stay long. We started getting roasted in the sun and moved to benches that faced the trellises and rose garden. The second stage is the gazebo closer to the exit/entrance so we meandered through the gardens to get there, stopping to smell the herbs. We sat in the gazebo for a little before heading home to get lunch.
Our original plan was to just have a few odds and ends for lunch so as not to spoil dinner at 3 Brothers, but we ended up going to Cousins Subs and bringing those home. Mom had also made hummus at home on Monday so I had some of that too. Grandpa and I tried fixing Aunt Ruth's lamp only to find out the piece he got was not what he wanted, so after attaching the wires to the piece twice I had to undo it and we had a time getting it back out. Mom and I talked for a bit and then I fell asleep. I think it was from the allergy medicine. I woke up a little bit before we had to go and get Mrs. K.
Mrs. K told us that Uncle Mark was coming to Cudahy on Thursday. We were going to switch our reservation day so he could go with us, but Mrs. K was already eating lunch out on Thursday and didn't want to change that plan and eat too much. We were excited at the anticipation of Uncle Mark's arrival. Anyway, we went to 3 Brothers and put in Mom's spinach burek order in right away while the rest of us decided what to get. Grandpa got a pork loin, Mrs. K got moussaka and I got the goulash. It was nice to chat and hear all of Mrs. K's stories. The food came out and it was delicious. We all shared parts of our dishes with each other. It was great to be at Three Brothers again.
We went on to Whitnall. The gardens were really pretty there. The roses were still all in bloom. First stop on Grandpa's list at Whitnall is to sit on the bench looking down the hill. When we arrived there were 2 deer on the edge of the grass before the trees started. They didn't stay long. We started getting roasted in the sun and moved to benches that faced the trellises and rose garden. The second stage is the gazebo closer to the exit/entrance so we meandered through the gardens to get there, stopping to smell the herbs. We sat in the gazebo for a little before heading home to get lunch.
Our original plan was to just have a few odds and ends for lunch so as not to spoil dinner at 3 Brothers, but we ended up going to Cousins Subs and bringing those home. Mom had also made hummus at home on Monday so I had some of that too. Grandpa and I tried fixing Aunt Ruth's lamp only to find out the piece he got was not what he wanted, so after attaching the wires to the piece twice I had to undo it and we had a time getting it back out. Mom and I talked for a bit and then I fell asleep. I think it was from the allergy medicine. I woke up a little bit before we had to go and get Mrs. K.
Mrs. K told us that Uncle Mark was coming to Cudahy on Thursday. We were going to switch our reservation day so he could go with us, but Mrs. K was already eating lunch out on Thursday and didn't want to change that plan and eat too much. We were excited at the anticipation of Uncle Mark's arrival. Anyway, we went to 3 Brothers and put in Mom's spinach burek order in right away while the rest of us decided what to get. Grandpa got a pork loin, Mrs. K got moussaka and I got the goulash. It was nice to chat and hear all of Mrs. K's stories. The food came out and it was delicious. We all shared parts of our dishes with each other. It was great to be at Three Brothers again.
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| Grandpa and me at the gardens |
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| The deer! And loved seeing all the green--grass and trees, so lovely |
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| Grandpa, Mom and me :) |
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| My goulash |
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| Devouring the burek |
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| Grandpa, Mrs. K, and me |
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| Grandpa told me to take a good picture of the building and the Shlitz globe |
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| Cute Toby picture of the day |
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Back to MKE
We had a late start to the day. It was hard for me to pack up and leave. On our way out of town I realized we hadn't gone to the cemetery so we had to turn around and go back. In Indiana, the sky started turning really dark and almost green. Then we were in the middle of a huge downpour and had to go slow because we could hardly see. Finally we arrived at Grandpas and headed to Panera for lunch. We tried to get together with Lauren, but she wasn't feeling well.
I made yet another stop at Woodman's, but this time mostly to return something and I did have a few last minute things to grab. After that, we went to Aunt Ruth's to help them with their new phone. We visited a little bit and made plans to return on Thursday for a final visit.
For dinner Grandpa had spaghetti in the crockpot. Since we had arrived so late, we had a really late lunch. When we returned from Ruth's, we played our Scrabble game (I think I won) before dinner. We had our late dinner and visited in the evening. I went with mom to walk Toby at night.
I made yet another stop at Woodman's, but this time mostly to return something and I did have a few last minute things to grab. After that, we went to Aunt Ruth's to help them with their new phone. We visited a little bit and made plans to return on Thursday for a final visit.
For dinner Grandpa had spaghetti in the crockpot. Since we had arrived so late, we had a really late lunch. When we returned from Ruth's, we played our Scrabble game (I think I won) before dinner. We had our late dinner and visited in the evening. I went with mom to walk Toby at night.
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| Goodbye 1373 :( |
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| Stop at the cemetery |
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| Trying to capture the dark clouds |
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| Delicious Panera |
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| My Grandpa and Aunt Ruth |
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| Selfie~ |
Monday, August 25, 2014
Last day at 1373 :(
It was a bittersweet day knowing it was my last day at home, home for at least a year.
We went to deliver and drop off the bread in Berrien Springs and then headed back to Saint Joe to Silver Beach Pizza for lunch. Mom and I got the veggie pizza. Did not disappoint. Maybe I could convince them to open a pizza restaurant in Korea... After lunch Mom and I walked around downtown and poked in a few of the shops. We got groceries for dinner and then headed home to Toba.
For dinner we had (Stouffers) lasagna and salad. Delicious! I've only gone to one place that has good lasagna in Korea, so it was a really nice treat. After dinner, Sarah came and picked me up. We had to stop by Best Buy to drop off a work computer for Garrett. In the end, Garrett had to come to BB anyway and pick out a new laptop. Our computer sales guy turned out to be a guy that Sarah and I went to high school with. She and I also walked around the store and some guy from DirecTV who must be the sales rep in BB talked with us and was really funny. Sarah and I went to DQ and sat outside and chatted. It was really good. We were able to meet 4 times while I was home and it was so great to see her and catch up and have some girl talk. After ice cream, we went to the Rabbers' house and I got to see Mr. and Mrs. We chatted and caught up before I went home.
It was hard going to bed, my last night in my bed and my last night to cuddle with my pup all night.
We went to deliver and drop off the bread in Berrien Springs and then headed back to Saint Joe to Silver Beach Pizza for lunch. Mom and I got the veggie pizza. Did not disappoint. Maybe I could convince them to open a pizza restaurant in Korea... After lunch Mom and I walked around downtown and poked in a few of the shops. We got groceries for dinner and then headed home to Toba.
For dinner we had (Stouffers) lasagna and salad. Delicious! I've only gone to one place that has good lasagna in Korea, so it was a really nice treat. After dinner, Sarah came and picked me up. We had to stop by Best Buy to drop off a work computer for Garrett. In the end, Garrett had to come to BB anyway and pick out a new laptop. Our computer sales guy turned out to be a guy that Sarah and I went to high school with. She and I also walked around the store and some guy from DirecTV who must be the sales rep in BB talked with us and was really funny. Sarah and I went to DQ and sat outside and chatted. It was really good. We were able to meet 4 times while I was home and it was so great to see her and catch up and have some girl talk. After ice cream, we went to the Rabbers' house and I got to see Mr. and Mrs. We chatted and caught up before I went home.
It was hard going to bed, my last night in my bed and my last night to cuddle with my pup all night.
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| SBP Veggie |
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| I love ice cream! |
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| Garrett, Sarah and me |
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| Cute picture of Toby for the day |
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| Last cuddle night with baby-boy |
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