Diversity on Post

One of the best things about the military is the diversity. There is a greater minority representation than the general population as well as many inter-racial families. It is a good way for kids to grow up.

Maybe We Don't Need a New TV...

My husband made that shocking statement. We have a small (I think 20") flat panel tv coming and I thought Curt would want to get a new, big tv. I guess I'll see once our small tv arrives if he will really be satisfied with that. There are so many other gadgets to buy in Korea, like GPS and rear view back up cameras, that it would be nice to save the money and stick with the small tv.

Baby Dolls for Boys

At the playgroup the other day, Ian was playing with baby dolls. He has stuffed animals, but no baby dolls so I just ordered one for him. It is a Corolle Tidoo Baby Doll that is not only machine washable, but can go in the tub. It is a boy baby with boy clothes. I figure it is good for him to develop his nuturing/fathering skills!

Lunch is Almost a Bust

After being in the hotel for more than three weeks, the food is becoming unbearable. I went to the places in and around the hotel, but just couldn't order anything. It is quite a hike to get food off-post, not a bad walk, but far enough that I didn't want to do it in the cold, drizzling rain. Finally, after getting the paperwork from the lending closet for dishes, sheets, towels, etc., I bought two Simply Asia microwave noodle dishes: Peanut for me and Soy Ginger for Ian. The noodles were good, much better than the other microwave option: Single Serve Hamburger Helper. Now Ian is napping and I am going to watch a movie. Hope it clears up so we can walk over to see Roxxy.

Dinner Time

My family always ate dinner together when I was growing up. I didn't think it was a big deal then, but now that I have my own family, I see the importance of eating together. Ian used to be great when we went out, but recently, eating out has become an ordeal. He wants to run away or he makes such a big mess. Since we are in the hotel, we don;t have much of a choice, but lately we've been ordering take-out and eating in the room. We put a towel over a chair for Ian and the three of us eat at the little table in the room. He still makes a mess, but we don't have to worry about him running away and it is so much fun. Simple, fun.

Happy Easter at the Hotel

The DHL held an Easter egg hunt today in the lobby. It is usually outside, but due to the rain, it was indoors.
They had a separate area for kids under 4. The eggs were mostly out in the open and there were so many kids that some kids didn't get any. Each child was only supposed to take two, but not everyone followed the rules and there weren't quite enough eggs. Ian got one. The prize was a small, blue bunny. Curt's co-worker and family were there and he told his 4 year old to the older kids hunt because none of their kids got any eggs. She brought back 6 to share with her 2 year old brothers. The prizes for the little kids did not include candy, which was nice.

Ian was more interested in going through the revolving door than the hunt, but we were still proud that he found an egg.

Furniture Shopping in Sadang-dong

We took a cab to Sadang-dong, an area we were told had lots of furniture stores, and went walking around. Some interesting patterns emerging in Korean furniture: small, unexpandable dining tables; logos displayed prominently, even on wood furniture; low, leather couches/sectionals.

We saw one small table we liked and when we asked the price, the guy had to think about it. How stupid did we look? We got him down in price, but didn't buy. The tables like best so far are the reproduction teak ones we saw the other day in Itaewon, but that set was really expensive. It is hard to buy furniture when you don't speak or read the language because you can't be sure what you are getting. Another trend in dining tables involved some kind of composite faux marble top and/or base. It looks interesting in some cases, but it isn't what I am looking for.

The logos. I hate the logos, especially on expensive furniture. Who wants a logo on a headboard or embossed in the leather of a couch? Apparently the Koreans do. It isn't on every piece, but it seems to be fairly common.

Couches. There are lots of versions or low, leather couches and sectionals. The fabric sofas and chairs I have seen were an awful raspberry color, multi-colored (brown, yellow, turquoise and pink) butterfly print, cream with pink roses with green stems, and futon-style. I was worried about the dog's nails scratching leather, but we are just going to have to be sure to keep her nails done. They all kind of blend together after awhile. We need to get into the place and take measurements.

After the help of several strangers, we bought two T-money cards which are used to pay for the metro and buses, and took the subway to Itaewon. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant called, Buddha's Belly and walked home. A navigational success on many levels. It is so frustrating not knowing how to get around.

I took a short sauna for the second day in a row here at the hotel. I think I will like having a sauna in our apartment building. I have been trying to track down the Bikram studio. I found something today that said the chain sold its Seoul locations. I guess the thing to do is head to Apgugeong on the metro and try to find it. I am also going to try the yoga on post which is free.