And the "traveling twosome" just keeps on travelin'!

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

Not ready for the U.S.A...

Not ready for the U.S.A?  What does that mean?  

Well, let me start with tonight's dinner.  After hearing from many people about this restaurant called "Brooklyn Burger", we finally decided to venture out and try it.  Since we've both been doing really well eating healthy & clean, we decided to have a "cheat night".  WE REGRET IT.  This restaurant is mainly unique because they serve everything imported from the U.S.  Even its' Tabasco sauce.  It was in this charming little area that they refer to as "French Village", because a lot of its' architecture resembles Europe.  

My toasted marshmallow Nutella milkshake.  Very good but holy richness!  I didn't even finish half.

My grilled cheese burger.  So much grease (like most American burgers) that it was borderline obnoxious.  The taste was great but didn't finish...oh yea, and those fries in the background?  Combined, we didn't eat half.

So, you're probably thinking, what does that have to do with the U.S.?  The plain and simply fact is our stomachs have changed, along with our palettes.  We almost never crave anything "American", and find us always migrating to different ethnic foods.  It has become a way of life for us, especially traveling through several different Asian countries (and soon-to-be European).  We were on the way home, feeling so stuffed and miserable because we aren't used to eating foods at all like this anymore.  Even our portion sizes have reduced, probably to less than half.  Instead of criticizing the differences, which I admit, was very poor at in the beginning, we now learn to embrace the differences.  When we first moved to Korea, I had a really hard time accepting what was considered "Korea's norm."  Mike explained it so perfect to me, that just because it isn't normal for US doesn't mean it is normal for them.  Sounds so simple, right?  But that was a true "A-Ha" moment for me.

A lot of people that I interact with at work (mostly U.S. Soldiers), are typically complaining about being here and have the notorious "How Many Days Left in Korea" countdown.  But my question to them is always, why?  Some people DREAM about traveling the world and yea, maybe not to Korea, but why not take the short time you have and open your mind and open your eyes.  I think people these days live in too small of a world and are so afraid to venture out.  That doesn't necessarily mean leaving the country.  How about just saying "Let's do it!" to somewhere new?  It never fails, every person who expresses these types of mentalities, I always tell them that if you have a poor attitude coming into a situation your outcome will likely be negative.  

People also ask where we are going next and I tell them Germany, a popular response is "Man, you must hate the states".  Why?  Why does that imply that I don't like the U.S.  That is my HOME and it always will be.   We know that one day, we will be in the U.S.  Which, is why we are so excited and anticipating Germany because..the way we see it..is that we are given this amazing OPPORTUNITY, why not seize it? 

Most of you know that Mike & I had originally planned to come visit home (Florida/Ohio) for just under a month in October.  There has been a slight..ly major change of plans.  Instead of coming home, we are now flying directly from Seoul to Frankfurt.  We will get our house, get our things all moved in, including the furniture that has been in storage for 3 years stateside, and get fully settled, taking leave back to the states sometime in the March/April time frame, we are guessing, before Mike's deployment.  This is the best route for our us and our fur children!  

I truly hope this doesn't upset anyone.  If anything, the reunion will be that much sweeter :D.


I hope everyone has a happy weekend!  Get out there & try something new or different..perhaps even out of your comfort zone.  I promise you, the outcome is always worth it.  Just wait till next week...I have some HILARIOUS stories for you!

Hanji anyone?

Han-ji:  a strong, thick rice paper.  Can be decorative and paired with silk.

You're probably thinking, great?  This week (today, actually) I started a class offered on the base that teaches you how to make a traditional Korean style art.  I just call it a "Hanji class".  Two Korean women volunteered their free-time to teach us how to make this really neat hobby of theirs.  It is becoming more rare because most of today's generation is going more towards a, as they call it, "Western-style" way of living.  (I would just call it normal ;)  ).  We are starting with a tissue box for the first project.  Basically...that is the only project that is free, then we have to start paying.  AKA...that is all I will be making.  LOL.  Not that I don't think it's worth the money..but the large round thing below costs around $200 to make.  I think the tissue box is memorable enough......especially for my wallet.  I do love the multi-colored mini drawer piece though.

The reason for the cost is purely the time and intricate details that go into each design.  These obviously can't be manufactured by machines, thus making each piece a one-of-a-kind.

The class was neat..but I can't help but get one part of the 2 hour meeting out of my mind.  I walk into the Arts & Crafts room, to be called (and recognized) by my first name, which sounds a little like "OOOooo Buh-lit-tan-nee!"  I must have looked at them like they were from Uranus because they said:

"Oh, you no remember us?"

I, then, remembered when my landlord volunteered 2 hours (which really means 5 hours) of my time to speak English with their conversational-type English class.  If you know anything about Korea..know that it NEVER just stops at a class.  It is a class, dinner, ice cream, a walk to "walk off" the "heavy foods", and it just keeps going.  This happens with work, too.  It's like, can't a girl just eat her kimchi and PEACE OUT?!  So as my memory flooded back, here is how the rest of our unbelievable conversation went (I'll type it exactly how they talk/pronounce..remember I am GOOD at this:

Her:  "So wat you been dOO-eng?"

Me:  "Besides working full-time at the bank for the past couple of weeks and probably through July, I've been teaching Korean children."

Her:  "OH, wheh you teach them?"

Me:  "My house, they love the atmosphere and feel like it's their little "getaway" place."

Her:  "DO YOU KNO YOU BREAKING DA LAW?"

Me:  "What?"

Her:  "YOU breaking da SOFA status..you needed da VISA to make da money.  Otherwise you need only volunteer".

***Now, comes in the Arts & Crafts worker, whom I have known & spent a lot of time with when I do my art.  And he says:

"JUST LEAVE ALONE.  Korean government doesn't care about that one!  They do since 80's, no problem Buh-lit-tan-nee!" 

Talk about AWKWARD.  Not only did I not have a clue I had to have a work visa to earn income (which now that I think about it..it totally makes sense) but the people who I tutor for sure don't care!  They'd have to arrest me and about 45% of the other spouses, the American children who do modeling for Korean companies, AND everyone else with round eyes. I literally laughed out loud at the sheer disbelief that she'd even call me out like that.

And...that's when I remembered her...and her nosey-NOSEY nature.  After drilling me, she proceeded to ask one of the husband's there (who has been a pilot for over 15 years in the Army) how many helicopters were at K-16, what type, etc.  I mean, who are you?  A North Korean?  Sheesh.  I know she means well but she really gives "pushy Asian" a new title.  With people like that here, you just have to shrug them off, laugh about it, and keep on makin' that Hanji.

(This is the paper that will line the inside of the tissue box)

So, slowly we are seeming to collect a lot of Germany booklets on tips, "must-sees", "must-trys"..you know..a whole lot of things that are a...must.  I am PUMPED, ugh, so pumped.

I hope, next year around this time (if Mike isn't deployed), we will be skydiving in Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland.  Random?  Take a LOOK at this place.

Who is up for ittttt?  I'll probably freak out, pee, spit, who knows but whatever it is..I know it'll be worth it and a once in a lifetime.  And I mean hey, if my parachute fails..at least I went out with a BANG.  ....Can you tell I'm convincing myself of this?  Either way, I want to be there around this time.  I heard July-September is the best time just because of the sheer cold/rain.  I always joke to Mike, since Europe generally has such crummy weather, the ONE day it is clear and sunny out it's like they make a continent wide announcement :  "EVERYONE, TAKE YOUR PICTURES NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE".  Bottom line?  Europe weather is totally depressing.  I think I mentioned the statistic this past year in Germany, a total of 100 something hours of sun...the entire winter.  It totaled out to less than a week.  

So, as much as I'm complaining about this humid-hot-hell we are having in Korea, I guess I should be soaking up the sunshine.  If only the sun didn't make me feel like it was cooking my retinas.  

WEEKLY KOREAN-ISM

As many of you may know, Koreans believe some pretty unbelievable things.  Some I have mentioned before.  Well..here's a new one.  This past week at work we were talking about the Korean mudfish that are commonly found in Korean rice patties.  How they got there..nobody knows.  They look like this:

Basically skinny, long, slimy fish.  Now, we all know that it would be considered a bottom-feeder.  Typically, bottom-feeder fish are considered a "dirtier" fish because of what they eat.  Tilapia and catfish would fall under this category.  So..I said:

"Do you guys eat those fish since rice patties are kind of nasty"

Him:  SURE we love dat one.  Nod dat durty!  Dat fish good for summer time because gives da energy.

Riiiiiiight.  Doesn't all food give you energy?  Aye-go!  In Korean meaning "Oh my".  They crack me up.  Maybe I should write a back "K is for KrAzY kOrEaN"

Have a great week <3

A calm week & a little "clean eating"

Hello familia & friends!

Have you all started roasting from the heat yet?  BECAUSE WE SURE HAVE.  There are times, mostly all the time, that I question Korea's supposed four "seasons".  I wonder what their definition of seasons are...

"Phew, we are finally out of that 7 month long 'Cold War' winter.  Please enjoy the next 2 days of beautiful before the sun comes crashing down."  

So, doing our best not to run the A.C.-like I've mentioned for now 3 summers, it is VERY costly.  The spectacular..what we call the "Tower", is probably a foot-long wide machine that blows cold air.  And unless you are standing about 1 foot away from it..you can't even feel the cold air anywhere in the house.  The kitchen is a real doozy come July.  You'd think I was a woman in her 15th year of menopause!

The rain is supposed to start kicking in next week for about a month.  Not every day, but in and out heavier showers & most importantly..the birth of 6 trillion mosquito's that will be feeding on my entire body.  I think I counted 13 on one ARM last week.  I question their purpose and existence every second of every day.  My first bite of the year back in APRIL..April...why are they alive in April?  Was under my eye.  So close to my eye that if I were to scratch it it would've made my entire eye swell shut.  

On a side note--Korea is pretty in the summer!

You know how we have those "Baby on Board" stickers on our cars in the states?  Well..this is a Korean version.  They usually have them in either English or Hangul but I just found them humorous.  Not only are they so tacky..but they don't put their children in carseats here.  I know,  WHAT?!  But I'm being totally serious.  It isn't uncommon when you'll see a infant..6 month old..you get the picture on their lap just bouncing away.  There isn't a carseat law here, which is honestly just disgusting.  Why can't parents think for themselves?  And just by the way they drive!  I fear my own life..one thing I will never understand about living here.

I think Korea SERIOUSLY needs a new marketing/editor.  I'm going to give it a 90/10 they never get the language correctly.  You have to sit and wonder...how much are you spending to produce and distribute these signs?  I guess they don't know the difference....?  Crazy cats!

Here are some old ladies (or in Korean they call them Ah-ji-ma-s.  Technically I'm an ahjima because I'm married, hahaha) tending to the local farm nearby our house.  I actually have to pass this stanky thang everyday to & from work.  Honestly, especially when it heats up, imagine they gathered around 350 cows and people (yes, people) and said "Alright, take a dump!"  There ya have it.  That's the smell.  There are times I will catch myself saying out loud "OH MY GOSH...that's bad" when I walk past it.  But I will give them credit...they can grow things like nothing I've ever seen before.  Must be that secret human "ingredient".  MmmmmMmmm.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!!!!!  Really?  It's June.

So Mr. Fancy Pants right here is giving the outgoing Commander's wife unit flowers (a tradition for both the incoming and outgoing Commanders).  Mike's commander is actually getting out of the military and going to Grad school in Chicago and leaves in August.  A huge change for his family but they are excited for the new journey.  His new commander is Korean (but speaks like..less Korean than I do) and his wife is also.  The previous commander and his wife were Korean as well (both speaking fluent Korean).  It's an odd coincidence that they both have been but it's a nice perk for a language barrier.  I couldn't go to the ceremony because I was at work but glad there are pictures!

Mike is in the dress uniform on the very right of the picture.  Just look for something like the Goliath.  It's obviously the angle but man..he looks like he could step on some people!  But this is Mike's company that service just the V.I.P's of Korea for the United States.  They handle all the incoming guests too (like the President, Joint Chiefs, etc.)  

So..."clean-eating" is in the title.  I'm not sure if you guys have heard of clean-eating & what exactly it entails.  Basically, I'm trying to go to a more natural way of cooking/eating without incorporating all of the nasty chemicals, additives and fillers they put in food these days.  I won't even go into detail but..it's time to make the change!  It's a hard transition..but it's one that I think is healthy conscious and beneficial for us long-term.  I transitioned myself to Almond Milk...and that in itself has been a challenge HA!  But, being active and healthy is a huge part of my life so I hope to try to stay on this track for good!  From time to time I will post recipes that I come across that are keepers (because Lord knows I'm making to make a lot of disgusting stuff LOL)

Anyways...

Say that 10 times fast!

Hope you guys have a great week!  Hopefully soon we will be able to venture out somewhere new/different & I'm sure there will be funny stories to be told.  Love to all and chat with you soon!

Bingsu is B-A-C-K

What is bingsu you ask?

Only this glorious-ness.

Back one is mango (or as Koreans pronounce it 'MAH-N-GOH") coconut.  Front one is a delicious berry bingsu chalk FULL of beans.  Yes, beans.  No, it doesn't make sense.  And nope, no earthly idea why they do that.  What's even weirder?  The cookies & cream bingsu that has even MORE beans in it..with a unusually large dollop of whipped cream.  I tolerate the beans in the berry one just because it is THAT amazing.  After all it has to have some protein value, right?  How awesome would these sell in Florida though?  I'm feeling a business starting?  (Minus the beans..you'd totally go out of business :P  )  Could you imagine a store sign... "BEANS n' ICE".  Ew.

Passing these lovely little "markets" on the way to dinner..still can't bring myself to buy these goodies.  I know everything can be washed...I just...well..I've just seen them POOP in peoples farms.  That's a whole other story.  Ah, what the heck.  So, you probably read that and possibly spit up a bit or perhaps even lost an appetite.  I only wish I could read this and not witness it with my own eyes and from the comfort of my very.own.front.yard.  Oh, it's true.  In fact, it's more common than ever should be in one human's lifetime.  Probably last year sometime, a couple was walking down the little alley way (separating my house and a tree farm).  I guess they really take the whole expression literally "When you gotta go, you gotta go".  And...they did.  Both the husband AND wife popped a squat, using the light pole as a balance.  Now clearly, we didn't watch it but..it was so obvious.  I mean, really people of Korea?  And let's not forget how many countless times we've seen men just go right on ahead all over the place..especially on peoples FARMS.  So..forgive me poor old ladies, I just don't know all what's going in or ON your stuff :P

On to something a little lighter on the stomach & even brain from filtering all of that VALUABLE information. ;)  This dish is called Dak-gal-bi.  I actually cooked a version of this in my cooking class I did last year.  This was a bit different than mine and sooo much better.  Why?  Because I didn't have to make it!  There were a good variation of side dishes like spicy sprouts, ridiculously spicy onions, leafs (I know, I know, woo hoooo leafs...) quail eggs (the Easter-eggish things) and so on.  The taste was excellent.  Just enough spicy to sweet ratio.  Inside is cabbage, onions, sweet potatoes, and little rice cakes (that resemble tasteless marshmallows...which I find slightly disturbing).  I went with the bank members & it was another nice experience, one I'd never have the opportunity to do simply because this restaurant was similar to finding a needle in like 57 haystacks.  But now I know and I shall return!

 Heatin' on up!

The head boss of Korea, (she's American-praise Jesus), invited us over for a casual Memorial Day dinner.  She has been such a blessing to know throughout my time here.  You have no idea how much of a relief it is to see an American face and one that is so sweet and understanding (and can relate to) of the many challenges of both living and working here.  She is the DEFINITION of a world traveler, running all the banks in the UK prior to running them all in Korea.  SUPER woman & I'll be sad to part ways.  She's a fan of Mike, too :).

My little pipsqueak enjoying this dew-y grass in the mountains.  

My big pipsqueak enjoying his newfound hobby...rolling in the dew-y grass in the mountains.  Or any grass for that matter EXCEPT the grass in our own yard.  Clearly..it's not "the same".  

Somehow, I convinced Mike to walk the dogs with me to the local traveling market they put on every Wednesday in the apartment complex nearby our house.  We've never gone and I was curious to see what exactly they sold.  It was a total ripoff but if you're not in the mood to cook it is the perfect place to get some good munch-y type of Korean homemade food!

Because without that white chef hat...it so would not be official outdoor market, ghetto set-up, high-class eating.  The sign says one chicken on a stick (our translation and no..it's not anything other than chicken, seriously) is around $2.80.  Believe it or not..you can get that for $ .90 nearby so while that is cheap, it's rather pricey for what it is.  I'd totally buy it though!

WOOP.  Check out that fine piece of acid denim.  Bet you wish you never threw yours out?  No.  Be glad you did.  They're pretty big here but woo wee..still hideous.

So pawpaw (Mike's new name-totally kidding) turned the big 2-5 last Friday.  You know why he's excited?  Lower car insurance.  Which, actually doesn't even apply to us considering we'll pay like $400 a MONTH in Germany to ensure us.  Don't even ask.  Something to do with German laws, coverage, Euro, the whole nine.  

It was a fun day.  Coincidentally, the guys had a big battalion organization-type day where they focused on team building.  Basically...a fancy way to say they played sports all day.  I woke up early and set up the house with balloons.  I made him the UGLIEST cake the night before..seriously so....ugly....which, I'm sad about because my days at Ms. Fields cookies were obviously a total waste :D.  

I'm sorry, it wouldn't let me rotate the picture on here.  Honestly, you don't even really have to.  There is this store here that every American mispronounces (I did, too, before getting hired at the bank and was corrected a number of times) called Da-ee-aa-so.  Anyways, kind of like a dollar tree.  CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE THESE suction cup hangars?  So much hilarious-ness and all for only $0.90.  Thanks for the laugh Ko-Ko.

There are no words.....................

 
Me and the BiRtHdAy BoY!!!! (can't you tell I'm working? Shhh.)

So, 2 funny stories before I sign out.  

1)  Let's just say..someone in the office...for the sake of someone somehow getting a hold of this, bless his/her soul, needs to be medicated for bi-polar.  I mean, I'm no doctor...but in this case they don't need one it is OBVIOUS.  I'm laughing out loud right now...

So, a friend of mine, they were customers, left a while back.  They were expecting their first child when they left and she was going to deliver stateside like 5 or so months later.  I showed them an updated picture of their new addition as well as the husband & wife.  Here's the conversation:

Me:  Hey, wanted to show you their family picture.  Don't they look great!

Them:  (Smiles)  Oh...mmhmmmm.

Me:  What?

Them:  Her face got the more bigger.

Me:  What does that even mean?

Them:  After delivering da baby, woman's face always gets more bigger.

Me:  Well, then why hasn't Michelle Duggar's head exPLODED?

And...that was pretty much the end of that one.  WHERE DO THEY GET THIS STUFF?  Someone please tell me.

Story 2:

One of the students I tutor, loves seafood..and when I say "loves", I literally mean he'd probably be reincarnated as a tuna fish.  So today, he shows up with a Korean bag of what I assume were chips.  WRONG.  Wrong a million times.  At first, I didn't even ask him what is was, mainly because I have no interest in eating it, ha!  Well, later on I saw a little shrimp on the bag and here's our conversation:

Me:  Ew!  Are those shrimp flavored chips?

Him:  No taste da shrimp..REAL.

Instead of saying "seriously" or "really"  he just says REAL-so bold and so sure of it HAH!

Me:  Thanks for the offer but I'm good.

SERIOUSLY not even 5 minutes later I was practically dry heaving from the smell coming out of his mouth.  It literally smelt like an abandoned fish market.  I'm surprised I can even put words to it but that's the first thing that came to mind.  Honestly.  "No taste da shrimp".  What a LIAR, he totally was setting me up.  The pieces even came with little indentations on them like shrimp have.  Cute?  Whatever you say.

Well, time to JeT!  

sleep-time almost.

Love to ALL

<3

M & B