Recycling

Here is an 18th floor view of the girls sorting our trash.

Here in Korea, you have to recycle everything. Well, technically you do not HAVE to recycle, but it is financially in your best interest to do so. Non-recyclables are placed in a special, individually purchased trash bag, and these bags are smaller than a regular kitchen sized bag and cost 1050 won ($1.11) each. Anyone else out there paying $22.00 for a 20 count box of trash bags? Recycling is not that difficult, as there is a sorting area just outside the apartment, and we have gotten into a new trash groove.

The teensy little trash cans with yellow lids are for food scraps (I said EVERYTHING gets recycled!) that get recycled into feed for livestock. The scraps are picked up every Friday by a small truck that looks like a cross between a trash truck and a concrete truck. Scraps are dumped into a heated and rotating backend. I watched from the window one day, and could feel the warmth off the truck - THAT was a surprise. In spite of the potiential assualt on the olfactory senses, there was no stink involved. (whew!)

Accumulating these tidbits of leftovers has been interesting. We were keeping our food scraps under the sink, but in the early days we would forget this little detail. (Did you know there are good old Alabama fruit flies all the way out here in Korea?) Now, thanks to some advice from Miri, our little scrap bowl stays in the freezer. Also, the sink has a special drain for catching these scraps. There is a 2 part plastic basket under the removable drain. Just remove the drain cover and basket, then toss the pieces of food that have collected there. I did not know until recently, that this basket has a special lid. When you lock the lid down and turn it to the right, the basket will spin really fast and sling all the water out of the scraps and down the drain! A high tech drain, that has got to be plugged into the wall somewhere! What is it with this place and electrified water sources???

Okay, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is the sink with the oversized drain. (You can click the picture for a larger view-just in case you cannot get enough of my kitchen sink!) The first round thing is the stopper, so I can fill the sink with water. The second is a drain cover that will allow water and food stuffs to flow through, but not utensils. The black one is what covers the drain when you want to start up the Tilt-A-Whirl. Even before I knew about the carnival ride for scraps, I loved this sink!





Since we are on the amazing subject of kitchen sinks, this is beneath the sink. All the pipes in the back are where the hot water flows in the winter to warm the floors. There is a "map" on the cabinet door, and you can adjust the flow of water into each room according to the pipe's number.

I am sooooooooo looking forward to warm floors!!!

Army Tradition: A Blister Is Born

In the last 48 hours, I have had about 5 hours of sleep. So if this post is incoherent or turns out to be a plethora of typos, then bear with me. I will edit and correct it later. I wanted to get some pictures up before I crash for the evening. (Since the entire 2-9 football team is coming over for dinner tomorrow, I need to start crashing soon.)

Last night, 2-9 held their Manchu Mile. The Manchu Mile is an overnight 25 mile tactical march, with full gear and weapon. This march commemorates the 85 mile march the 9th regiment completed in early July 1900, from Taku Bar to Tientsin for their assault on Tientsin on July 13, 1900.

I had the honor of chasing them around and taking pictures at the scheduled rest stops and at the conclusion of the march. Here are a few of the pictures:

The Chaplain prays before the march begins.

The LTC and CSM show off their blisters at mile 20.


All smiles (but off his feet) at the conclusion.


The Chaplain receives his certificate and belt buckle.

The following is a picture of the Liscum Bowl, which has been with 9th Infantry since its completion in 1903. This trophy has only recently returned to Korea after an extensive restoration in the states, and it is much more beautiful than what my 4 AM photography skills can capture. (The bold words are a link to more information about the Liscum Bowl.)

This afternoon, you could pick out the soldiers who marched last night by a very distinctive 1/2 limp and 1/2 hop gait. Whenever the chaplain would see any of them, he would hop/limp himself on over to them and congratulate them.

Manchu Feet!!

Class Is In Session

Today was a busy day, but the highlight was meeting my future English students. We met at a restaurant near the Camp, and had a time of introduction and ironing out the where and when details of our lessons. There was the usual small talk, and since they are all high school teachers, I told them the names of their American class equivalents. Annie teaches Home Economics, Karen teaches PE and Sunnie teaches Social Studies.

During the early stages of our conversation, I said a wrong word but did not realize it. In the meantime, eyebrows raise and in a perfect chorus they mimic me. "Yaaw-wuul" Visual aid: Think of the alien toys in Toy Story.

Yup! I said it - Y'all - and until this meeting, I did not realize HOW MUCH I say it. Every time I said it, I got the same "Yaaw-wuul" chorus. Oh boy, this might be a bit tougher than first imagined.

The following dialogue is brought to you in technicolor in order to avoid all the quotations (lazy blogger syndrome) and to omit all names in and effort to protect the innocent.

Excuse me teacher, what is your major?
Uhhh.... Doe in the headlights look. Okay Sherlock, you figured it out. This color is me!
Yes, teacher, what is your major?
Uhhh.... I start writing, because I need clarity here. I write Funeral Service on the sheet we have started.

Gasp!! The same gasp of mok-sa-nim fame, but I do not receive the corresponding bow. Then she breaks into fast Korean with the other two.

AAAaaahhhhhh! Think Toy Story

So teacher, your husband is pastor, so I think this funeral is perfect job for you.

My, oh my!!! The thoughts I am thinking here - glorious little comments. However, since Elisha called a bear out of the woods to put a hurtin' on some kids making fun of him, I shall not make any comment that could be perceived as making fun of a pastor. (snicker!)

So teacher, you do this? She begins making small fast circles over her eyelids and cheeks.
You do this? This.......make-up?
Yes, I cosmetize.
Really??? She do this??!! Same fast circle motions over her face.

Yes!! In Korea we do this - picks up shoulder seams of shirt
And this - takes hands and makes a motion like she is going underneath something
This is buur-ree.
Yes, bury.

But in America, they do this. Fast circles again
We cosmetize.
Yes, cosmo....then this - pretends to button her shirt
And then they look! Emphasis on the look.

REALLY!!!?!

Good grief! How do I explain the finer emotional, psychological and sociological points of the hallowed "Visitation" in simple English? I don't, I just smile and nod. Hmmmm....maybe I need more Funeral Service Continuing Education!!!

Since my major does not seem to be a problem, I change the direction of this conversation and we continue on with our "get to know you" session. (I think they may already know too much!) We have a wonderful visit, and I now know that should Korea ever cease to enchant me, our future lessons have the potential to fill any blog.

After our first class, my AP English students have mastered "Y'all"
Our next lesson is "Ain't"
Class is dismissed.

Venturing Outside of Dongducheon

So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind....

We went to Seoul today.

It was initially planned as part of a tour group to go and see one of the palaces. Due to several factors, we decided to just head out and do a little sight seeing on our own. (Mistake number one.)

I had really played it down to the girls - Erin particularly, since Meghan was going to be working, and Erin was not interested in "old things that used to belong to dead folks." However, at some point on Thursday, Erin spoke with Johnny (Cary's assistant) and got the lowdown that plans had changed. (Mistake number two.)

On the bus trip to Yongsan, I told Johnny to pick something near Kangnam that he and Erin would like to do. (Mistake number three.)

I, Betty Lynn - the person that hates shopping and spent nearly 12 months in Columbus, GA before she ever ventured past JC Penneys into the rest of the Peachtree Mall - ended up in a Korean Mall the size of Rhode Island! This cotton picking place has its own subway stop, Kimchee Museum and an Aquarium, among other things. The COEX Aquarium is the part that got Erin's attention so I spent my first day in Seoul looking at fishes and stores. Oh, joy! Rapture!

Erin communing with the fishes.

A big fishy laughing at Erin. This is a porcupine fish, and Erin was trying to get it to "blow up" and look porcupine-ish. No such luck.

Johnny and Company

We had eaten a quick lunch at little Korean cafeteria when we first arrived, but later that evening we were needing some nourishment. We met Miri, my friend from Seoul, for dinner. I am not sure where we were - I was hungry and suffering from Mall overdose - but Miri had picked out 3 or 4 little places nearby where we could eat. While she is reciting the restaurants and their fare to us, Cary missed it all because he was fixated on the Bennigan's sign behind Miri. No kimchee tonight, this crowd had steak, grilled chicken and good old cheese fries for supper.

Even though it was not exactly what I had envisioned for my first trip into the big city, it was profitable. I now know I can get my way around the subway - or at least think I can. I got to meet up with Miri and lastly but not leastly, Cary got to eat at Bennigan's!

Culture will have to wait until the next trip...

The Orphanage

I finally had the opportunity to visit one of the orphanages. It was a quick visit after a Battalion FRG meeting to see what the children needed and to introduce ourselves to the director and some of the adult workers. There are 58 or so children at this orphanage, and they were all really sweet - bashful at first, but nothing a little candy could not fix. It was awkward when the director brought the children into the room to "meet" us, but when we went out on the playground everyone was much more at ease.

The girls and I may get to help with English lessons on Sunday afternoons. I will be making contact again this week to coordinate the delivery of some supplies and plan our Sundays.

Our English may be more than they bargained for. I have been helping one of Cary's assistants, Johnny, with his vocabulary and pronunciation. Talk about a collision of cultures!! You should see poor Johnny's facial contortions, as he tries to sound out English words while suppressing his Korean accent and mimicking an Alabama drawl.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TIP # 1

Never Leave Home Without A Multi-Tool!

One morning recently, Erin and I were tending to the homefront, when the "doorbell" rang. We both jumped up to answer the video camera connected to the doorbell when all of the sudden this man started talking from INSIDE the apartment. While my brain is thinking, "Great! There is no Second Ammendment in Korea!" we go looking for the intruder. The intruder is a small speaker above the dining table.

And I thought U.S. telemarketers were aggravating!

We had never paid much attention to this speaker, as there are little gadgets and gizmos all over this apartment - video doorbells (too cool), electronic toilets (scared of that one) and motion sensitive lights (irritating). Anyway, this modern technological wonder, just dings (like a doorbell) and without warning someone starts talking in Korean. This morning, I was awakened by the ding of that speaker.

Well, NO MORE, there is an American in the house! This momma took her daughter's Gerber Knife and proceded to remove the speaker, cut the wires and replace the cover all with one U.S. made multi-tool. I wonder if I can go to jail for that.........

Dose Of Reality

Well, today was the day to be reminded we are only 25 or so miles from North Korea, as the crow flies. Or as the missle flies, as the case may be.

We had to get our house in order for a potential evacuation, and who would have guessed that it required a bazillion pages of writing our name, address, phone, social security number, etc.... over and over. Everything from our household inventory to permission to euthanize my dog!! LOL

There is a practice evacuation coming up, and I have volunteered. Some volunteers get flown to Japan, and although I am not much into flying, it sounds like too much fun to pass up. Besides, I think it would be a good idea to see this evacuation business up close and personal. It cannot hurt to go ahead and make friends along the evacuation route.

We have also been issued our gas masks. Erin modeled hers and danced around acting (and breathing) like Darth Vadar. With paperwork and a gas mask, I can sleep well tonight......

Where, oh where are we tonight??

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally....


This afternoon, Erin and I decided to walk to our favorite furniture store and pick out the couches to be delivered on Saturday. We were armed with a business card and a friend had drawn us a map. It would be a quick 15 minute walk. (If you know me, you know I can get turned around on a straight road.) Two hours (plus) later, we found Joseph's furniture store. Needless to say, we had not taken the most direct route. We did alot of asking on the way to Joseph's, since we were seeking directional wisdom. Folks were very helpful and would point or would say "next building". (It took us another 45 minutes after someone told us "next building".) Tonight was a the perfect opportunity to dive into the scant bit of Korean we know.

Where we live is out away from most other Americans, so we have opportunities to practice our Korean. Since I know just enough to be dangerous, it is quite comical. The kids will come up and say "Hello, how are you!" and start giggling. They are practicing their English, so we let them. (I keep praying that one of these encounters will turn up a friend for Erin to hang out with.) They say "Hello, how are you!" and "Fine, thank you." like I say "An-nyong ha-seyo." We are practicing the same phrases.

I do not know much Korean, so I was not really using it. Most of the adults here do not know much English, so they do not use it - neither of us want to make a mistake. Sooooo, something had to give, and I did (tonight's travels left me no choice). Besides Erin has been telling me that I needed to speak in Korean, and although she only knows about six words, she is saying those six words to everyone she meets. Even though my Korean is soooo lame, they are patient with me. The funniest part is when I know how to ask a question, but cannot understand the answer they are giving me. I shall be a charades champion when I return to the States.

One good thing is I can read Korean characters. I may not always know what in the world I am reading, but by knowing the Hangul (Korean Alphabet) I can always look it up in my Korean dictionary.

**Read previous posts to see how effective I am with a Korean dictionary.**

The Very Reverend Chaplain

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted...........

Today, we met an upstairs neighbor, Annie. Annie has a young son named June, but he was too bashful to practice his English with us. Annie practiced her English with us, and mentioned that she and two of her friends would like English lessons. I jumped at the chance to barter some English lessons in exchange for Korean lesssons. With three of them (all are High School Teachers) giving lessons, then I should be able to pick up some language skills. It was a pleasant conversation until Cary mentioned that he was a chaplain (mok-sa-nim).

WOW!

Annie gasped, took two steps back, then went into a deep bow. She also proceded to let the chaplain know that she attended church that morning.

The resident "mok-sa-nim" has been warned to NOT get used to such treatment. Of course, every time I walk to the Camp, there is someone (usually an elderly Korean) that tells me I am beautiful. Mok-sa-nim has permission to extend, I like this place. ;)

*********************************************

The weather has been beautiful so far, but yesterday was a dreary and gray day. When we woke up, it was drizzly and wet. Dreary but facinating, because it was my first drizzly day in Korea! The clouds hanging low on the mountains were beautiful. I am sure gray, wet days will not be so captivating when I have things to do.

This is one drizzly view of the mountains
from the kitchen side of the apartment.

The block below is a large community garden.
This is a peek at the garden from 18 stories up.

Cleanliness From Afar

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.......

We were fortunate that our apartment included a washing machine, and recently I had to remind myself this machine was a blessing, and not torments....

Of course, all the buttons (no easy to use dials on this modern marvel) are in Korean, but my arrogant self thought, "Self, this is not a problem! I have a Korean dictionary."

The power button was easy - it is very large and in a separate location. Besides, when you push a button and the entire thing lights up and starts beeping at you, even an American can figure out she has found the power button.

Here is what I discovered from my dictionary:

First button - pre-engagement; precontract; subcription; advance booking; make a reservation. HUH!?!

Second button - a course; a lane; a track; a route. Oh! This is also a piece of exercise equipment!

Third button - Great! It is not in the dictionary, so I decide to look up the different syllables separately:

• 1. all; whole; entire; complete; perfect. (Sounds like I am about to achieve a highter state of laundry!)
• 2. a) a sneer; a jeer; a scornful laugh (This machine is LAUGHING AT ME!!)
• 2. b) cold water YES! YES! YES!! (I press this button!)

Fourth button - Guess what! This one is not in the dictionary either. I do not want to look them up, because I remember from my Korean lessons that the first syllable is the word for water so I press it. (never mind that it also means dyed color; bleach; fades)

Fifth button - the current of water.

35 minutes later, I have only looked up 5 buttons and there are four more to go. (visual: Betty Lynn prostrate in the wash room floor while Erin is running in and out trying to "help." She does not know her life is about to end violently. Is it too late to plead post partum depression?)

Did I mention that each button lights up a separate section on the display that involves 20+ more Korean words? I am sick of my dictionary so I press the two buttons that I have figured out have something to do with laundry. Nothing happens. There is a large button at the bottom, so I press it. Nothing. I press every button. Still nothing. I am forced to show this piece of machinery who is boss, so I turn the thing OFF and I feel empowered. With a deep heaving sigh, I turn it back on a press the two buttons again..........nothing.......

Suddenly an epiphany! I twist the water knob on the wall and water flows. I have been reduced to a quivering mass by a washing machine, but the clothes are wet and spinning around.

Oh, there are no dryers here and that is FINE with me. Even I can operate a clothespin without a dictionary.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire........and have clean clothes.

We Are Home

We moved into the apartment today. The beds and dinette were delivered, but the couch will have to wait until next payday. That is okay, this house follows the Korean tradition of removing your shoes when you enter, and the girls like sliding in their socks on the hardwood floor. Couches would hinder such pleasures.

I wanted to post a picture of the apartment, and I asked Erin what should I take a picture of. She said without a doubt I should take a picture of the commode. While this has the makings of a "You might be a redneck...." joke, the toilet is pretty impressive. How many of you have toilets that PLUG INTO THE WALL? However, the idea of water, electricity and sensitive areas is not that appealing......

The ride

Wereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.......

Korea is an ancient civilization, and now I have discovered it is a much more advanced one also. This culture is not constrained by the obstacles that often hinder Western lands and their occupants. I have now experienced an unbefore realized freedom as I am released from the bounds of solid and dotted lines running down the middle of the highway. Two lanes become three as the space continuum is transcended.

No longer is my spirit impeded by mere red lights glaring from above the intersection. Their wicked ways previously caused a termination of the natural flow of life. Now I know they can be completely ignored as I journey ever onward.

Childish notions such as "right of way" are a thing of my past. This higher relm means that the honking of a horn is not required to point out the error of another's ways, but a discernable sign that I am about to pass under the glow of green. Safe passage to my final destination is marked by the harmony of horns, tooting to lay clear the pathway before me.

I am indebted to local taxi drivers for helping me attain this transit nirvana. Soon I shall be one with the road. (whimper)