Hawaiian Vacation Adventures

After a stressful (is there any other kind?) first half of a move.  We couldn't think of anything better than a little stop over in Hawaii for a vacation!

Our hotel had a great view of Waikiki Beach that we enjoyed while recovering from jet lag.

Then we hopped on a boat for a few days to give us the chance to travel around and experience multiple Hawaiian Islands.  The cruise ship was called "The Pride of America".  It seemed very fitting for coming home to the United States after two years living overseas! :)

We got to go snorkeling and saw sea turtles (HUGE!) and a bunch of "Finding Nemoish-like" fishes!

This is all one tree.  Amazing!!

Our favorite Hawaiian experience was hiking a volcano crater.  It felt remarkably like we were the last two of the "Fellowship of the Ring" making our way to Mordor. . . 

. . .so we thought it would be a good place to reenact the scene where Frodo almost falls into the volcanic Mount of Doom after Gollum and the ring.  If you aren't a Lord of the Ring fan then never mind. ..just consider this yet another picture of me acting like a crazy person.

A lush rain forest complete with waterfalls was a very welcomed sight after the harsh, dry volcano.  It felt so strange that the same island has such drastically different scenery within a short distance of each other.

We barely scratched the surface of all there is to do in this beautiful part of the world and I'd love to go back again someday.  Just look at all the area that needs exploring!!

Hawaii, thanks for the wonderful relaxing vacation. . .until next time!

Moving Adventures

It's moving time!  (truthfully it WAS moving time about a month and a half ago. . but we are a little behind on blogs. . ..anyway. . .)

Here is Hubs overseeing the operation.  "Lampes" box and all.  Just for the record the moving crew labeled these not us.

This picture makes me giggle mostly because I actually watched the movers write the "Up" instruction and draw the arrow while the box was in the position.

For some reason the labeling on the lower right hand box worries me.  Hopefully the files weren't "consolidated" IN the shredder. . . hmm. . guess we will find out in a few months when we see our stuff again!  

Soooo sad to leave Korea. . . .BUT excited for some American adventures soon!

Redefining Normal Adventures

While living in Korea we happen across random and sometimes odd things on a daily basis.  Honestly after awhile these things have become so common that we start to think of them as normal rather than unusual.  I guess you could say two years in a different country has just redefined what we consider "normal".


For example, guys on stilts usually mean a "Grand Store Opening!" or  "Special Sale" is happening somewhere nearby.  We came across this one dancing around in the middle of the street to alert us to an Electronic Shop opening.  These store events also often include live dancers, clowns, and lots and lots of giant inflatable characters and wind sock people.

I really have no explanation for this one.  But no one around seems to think it falls in the "odd" category so I guess it must be normal.

Old school claw machines are on many street corners.  

The prizes range from the expected snacks and toys to. . .the unexpected. 

   
(In case you can't make out the above picture, those are live lobsters.  Yes.  Live lobsters.)  Although  we played it several times I'm actually thankful we didn't win one because I wasn't too keen on carrying a dripping wet, angry lobster the rest of the way home.

Engrish Adventures Part III (back by popular demand)

I suppose "weedding" services might be useful at an outdoor ceremony?

Maybe this isn't a typo. . but I hope so for the sake of the poor girl that buys it.

An interesting advertising campaign from Mr Pizza. . . 

Subway Adventures

"One of these things is not like the others. . .one of these things just doesn't belong. . . "

Next home Adventures

Well. . we are still a few days away from getting all the official paperwork for WHEN we are leaving Korea (hint. . .looks like it will be about the same number of days as my age .. . :) but we do at least have the official paperwork for WHERE we are going.. .. 

We are super excited!!  Although, in the spirit of full disclosure for our potential future visitors, the part of CA where we are going actually looks a bit more like this. . . .

Whirlwind Months Adventures

Whew!  I don't even know where to start!  The past few months were some of the busiest we have had since moving to Korea.  But also some of the most fun!  Here is some pictures to catch you up on what we have been up to.

We got to welcome our 2nd and 3rd visitors:  Hub's parents!

It was a fast trip but we managed to cram  A LOT in.  Hubs and his dad hit up the Korean electronics market for some fun new lens additions to their cameras and Hubs's mom got a new camera too.  In other words there were MANY pictures taken during the trip and below is a good representation of what took place each evening after a day of sightseeing. :)

THEN we also got to welcome our 4th and 5th visitors:  my oldest brother and his beautiful wife!

Among other things they got to experience a Korean parade.  No. . not watching one (as we logically assumed we would be) but being IN one.  It was weird. . and confusing. . in other words , for us, what has come to mean a very authentic Korean experience!!

Being so far removed from family is hands down the hardest thing about living overseas so it was just SUCH a treat to have them all here.  We loved showing them the place that has been our home for the past few years and some of the many reasons we love it here!

The Army runs very much on a yearly cycle here so it has been interesting this second year as everything "repeats".  We are kind of in a constant state of  déjà vu.  Among other things, one of the repeats was the annual military ball.

Here is my favorite photo of the night for those who appreciate a good spontaneous photo bomb. :)

Another big repeat was "Gunnery" (Apache pilots here do it semiannually to qualify firing or in other words go blow things up).

Look closely and you you can see the smoke trail from the rocket leaving the helicopter!

Yesterday when we collapsed to catch our breath from all this fun, we realized  that we are almost done with the 2nd year of the Korea cycle!  And you know what that means?!?  It's almost MOVING TIME!!  Stay tuned for updates (and we promise we won't wait as long before posting again!!)