Friday, September 24, 2010

"I'll be back"

I was fortunate to get a chance to see one of the most famous movie stars of my generation, Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came to Asia to talk trade with China, Japan and South Korea. While he was in the area, he came to thank the troops and their families at the Yongsan army post on Sept 15.

I asked my friend, Melanie, if she was interested in joining me for this little excursion. We made arrangements for the kids to be watched and jumped on the subwayWe were quite giddy to be out without the kiddos for a girls night out on a "school night".

We got to post at 5:45 and headed toward the gym and saw this...


The line getting in to the gym an hour before he was to speak was about 50 people long. We went in expecting to be standing in the back of the gymnasium and were quite surprised to find the place mostly empty! We got a seat about 8 rows back from the stage!

There was a lot of excitement in the room while we waited for Arnold to come in. Music playing, kids dancing (and crying), cameras shooting everything that moved, and necks craning every time the door opened on the side of the gym that Arnold would be coming out of.

Arnold said that he always tries to makes time to go see the troops whenever he is traveling around the world. "It's wonderful to be here. For many of you who don't know I came over here to Korea on a great mission to pump up our economy in the great state of California. But whatever I do - if I go on a movie promotion or if I go on a business promotion or under the trade commission, rallying for the Special Olympics - whatever it is I always go and visit our Troops. I love visiting our Troops, I love it! I love visiting our troops and the reason is: I am a big fan and a big admirer of yours. You see, I play in my movies the action hero, but you are the true action heroes." said Arnold.

Arnold also gave a great shout-out to thank military families for their support.
“I want to say thank you to all of you for the great service that you provide for our country. Not only the men and women in uniform, I know also who your true partners are,” said Schwarzenegger. “You true partners are sitting out there: the spouses, the children, the families. You are making the same sacrifices, you are doing the same things, always working for our great country. That is why I say thank you.”

He spent some time talking about his childhood in Austria and coming to America with almost no money and big dreams. He praised the freedoms that are found in the United States that had given him the opportunity to be a body-building champion, a movie star and a chance to become the governor of California.

“Where else can an Austrian farm boy go and end up being governor of the great state of California? Only in America,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger. “There are so many people who always debate: who is really responsible for making American the greatest nation? Is it the political leaders, is it the scientists, is it the educators, is it the press? Who is it really? I say it is you.”

He talked about how much he personally cares about the condition of Califonia's economy. He said his trip to Asia was not paid for with money from California and that he is not receiving a paycheck from California for being the governor. Gotta respect that.

Before he left, he did not let us down, he said the most famous words most associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger, "I'll be back".





Monday, June 28, 2010

Itaewon

Recently, while I was in Seoul, my friend, Melanie and I decided to walk over to Itaewon. I have not been there since I came to visit my husband in Korea about 12 years ago. It looked quite different to me. Lots to see, lots of shopping and lots of food! We had a gyro-like sandwich for lunch (which was yummy) and Cold Stone Ice Cream for dessert! 6/3/10


Flower boxes along the way

Entrance to Itaewon. It was election season. See all the campaigners in blue?

McDonald's open 24 hours. They have cones for 40 cents!

Melanie found a pair of shoes she likes

Shoes wrapped in plastic just like your hamburger in the deli case. lol!

Embroidery shop

Burger King and Reebok, what a combination!

Garden Statue

Hangover soup with Oxbone

Grilled Stomach (Tripe)

Beef Tripe and Intestine Soup

Interesting light- A bag full of incandescent bulbs
with a fluorescent bulb shining through them.

Chocolate shop with delicious chocolates inside

Coffee Shop next door

Carriages in the antique section of town

A cool-looking house

Banners welcoming you to Itaewon in several languages up the street

Thursday, June 24, 2010

ACU Tote

Once again, I have made an original design. I had a gal here in Korea ask me if I would help her make an Army purse. I sat down with one of my husband's old uniforms and played around with it. This is what I came up with. Not bad for my first try, even if I do say so myself.
I am praying for you, AM.

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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Going to the dentist in Korea

I know... we all hate going to the dentist. But I have really good news for you if you live in Area 1. We have a fabulous dentist here in Dongducheon by the name of Dr. Gary at Chicago Dentist. He was raised in the states, so his English is perfect, but married a Korean gal and stayed in Korea. He has state-of-the-art equipment, a friendly staff and a kids play room in case you have to bring the kiddies with you. He also treats kids.

His prices about knocked me over! A crown in the states a year ago cost me about $1,000 of which I had to pay half. The crowns at Chicago Dentist are $350 and I have to pay half!!!!! Now that is much more affordable! And he is Tricare approved.

I went in for a root canal today. Dr. Gary did a marvelous job! I barely even felt the shots for the Novocaine! He did excellent! If you need a dentist, give him a call at 031-859-2859.

Now, if my face would just stop being numb...

Sunday, May 16, 2010

From Pants to Skirts

I have 2 girls who are constantly growing out of their clothes. When the big one outgrows pants, I just start putting them in the youngest ones drawer. Now the youngest is outgrowing those pants. Funny thing, the waist still fits the older one! So I decided to try to salvage the pants and make them last for another go-around. I looked online but could not find a tutorial for what I wanted to do, so I decided to make my own. I took the pants and cut off the legs. Then I seam ripped up the front and back seams. I pulled the left and right sections together a little and sewed the seam up. I adjusted the length of the new skirt and then added a second fabric to the bottom to make the skirt long enough to be modest. Some of the bottom fabric is regular yard goods, and some of it is taken from a skirt from a dress that the youngest has outgrown. This idea also works great for pants that are ripped in the knees or stained to make them last a little longer. Now the eldest can wear the new skirt and when she grows out of it, the youngest will get it back!

The pants in their original state.

The pants after I cut the legs off

After I seam ripped the front and back seams and stitched them back together.
I then cut them to the length I wanted them.

Skirt with bottom made from 2 ladies tank tops. I cut the
tops apart and used 2 pieces on the front and 2 on the back.

Finished skirt with lettuce edging

Another skirt I made. For this one I used yard goods for the bottom.
AM, know that I am praying for you.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Samsung Children’s Museum

I decided to take a field-trip to the Samsung Children's Museum. We had a blast with all the fun things to see and do there. It is meant to be very hands-on for the kids and the price was great, about $6 per kid and $5 for adults. I drug my friend, Angie, along so we could hang out. It was a great day!


The front entrance


My girls


The Nature Girl loading a basket on the crane


The Artist operating the crane


The Nature Girl in her safety vest on the construction site


The Artist using the pulley to bring things up to the 2nd floor of the model home


The Artist laying (foam) shingles


The Nature Girl installing a window


The Nature Girl laying tile (magnetic) in the bathroom


My girls with the statues


The Artist drawing a vase


The Nature Girl doing a rubbing


The Artist using the drafting tools


The Nature Girl performing


There was a movie screen where she could watch herself dance


Puppet


The Nature Girl as an astronaut


The ball room


Elaborate set ups using air, resistance and gravity




While we were in the water room, we saw lots of young children all color-coordinated from different schools while we were there. It seems to be a very popular spot. It is probably not as busy on weekends when there are no school fieldtrips.


The Nature Girl watching water work


The Artist using slides to show the "baby" and the adult of several creatures


I loved the sonogram display. It was so cool!


The Artist making her first news report


The Nature Girl picked up weaving immediately


After we finished the museum and lunch, we went for a walk around the
lake surrounding Lotte World to enjoy the day and the beautiful flowers


The walkway was covered with cherry blossoms


The castle at Lotte World


Me and my girls


Angie and the girls


Beautiful Angie


My girls in the flowers


The trees surrounded the entire lake. It was such a beautiful stroll

For more info on how to get there, copy and paste the following link http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268213&nearBy=shopping&