Yolo!
This Saturday makes our very last Saturday in KOREA. Wow, wow, wow..where has the time gone. There are times where I sit back & think about how long it has been since our feet have touched U.S. soil or seen family. Sometimes, it is bittersweet but I always am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity we've been given. If I think back, nearly our first year of marriage was spent apart & with Mike in Afghanistan, our second year we spent transitioning back to "married life" from being apart for so long, accompanied with our new life in Korea. Korea has given Mike and I three anniversaries together and so many unique memories that I would never trade. So, in many ways, as much as we are ready to leave, Korea will always have a special place with us.
We are set to fly out October 10th (Thursday) and will be very busy this week preparing for everything that it takes to fly two people and two dogs out of a country and immigrating to another. I frequently ask myself, "Who lives their lives like we do?" Ha!
So, before I take a trip down memory lane during our tour here..I wanted to announce a new "traveling" adventure the Sandberg clan is about to embark on. About a month ago, Mike put in his long application/packet to become an Army Aviator and fly helicopters. Last week, he found out he was SELECTED for flight school! This is amazing, big news and ones only the best of the best get. I'm sure your next question is...what about Germany? We are still going to go to Germany, but just for not as long (probably under a year). Mike doesn't have an exact class date right now (especially things with this whole "no-budget-United States of America", the civilian workers who process things like this aren't even working). Until then, we will live our lives normally in Europe until he is told to report to flight school..in Alabama. We will be there for about a year and a half, give or take. VERY BIG NEWS right there for Mike. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work!
Last night, we went to his farewell BBQ & for him to receive his awards he has earned while serving here. It was so touching and so many people were bummed to see him go! Here are a few pictures I got:
The man talking is Mike's dear friend Jamie. He is the Maintenance Test Pilot for the company and they have formed a strong bond over motorcycles, helicopters, and just sharing laughs. He is over the moon for Mike to become a pilot :o)
Memory Lane time!!
One of my first..spicy..disgusting meals I had in Korea. Still remember that with the awful pineapple "juice" that resembled Pepto!
First snow!!
One of my very favorite views on our drive home
The breathtaking cherry blossoms!
Our cozy Korean "cottage"
Very first New Year's in country at an indoor theme park!
Our awesome handmade grandfather clock!
Teaching my students how to properly roast marshmallows :)
Our trip through Europe!!!
Our trip through Asia!!!
I could write & show thousands of pictures we've captured while we've been here. Throughout these three years we have grown individually, professionally, and as a couple. We have seen 9 different countries, eaten new (and weird) foods, seen how other cultures live their everyday lives, we've had unforgettable moments, we've had difficult moments, but in all that we've seen and done..we have always LIVED and that alone feels liberating and worth it all. And I write this blog feeling so very satisfied on what we have accomplished. We've opened our minds, looked around us, and realized that the world really is small.
I hope you've enjoyed the blog while we've been here. It really has been comical and therapeutic to write it! As we approach our "European Extravaganza", I write this not sad, but happy knowing that one great chapter is ending and the next one will begin.
Talk to ya on the other side!
B -- M
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