Last days in Korea

Grant and I went whitewater rafting with some friends from the squadron this Saturday. I was really freaked out...why do they give you a helmet?! But I made it back in one piece. Our group was really fun together. Photon made sure I didn't fall out of the raft while Grant yelled, "One, Two!" at the top of his lungs so everyone paddled at the same time. We fell out a few times, but it was mostly on purpose. I'm really glad we went. Did I tell you I'm going to miss all the people I've met here? I leave on Friday for Houston where I will meet Grant on the 4th of July to travel a bit. Who knows after that? We officially got Shreveport, Louisiana as our next assignment. I hope my applications to the school districts there are successful and I can move in August. I will miss Grant the most, but I know it's for the best, specifically for my sanity!

Our bestest friends here in Korea. We went "clubbing" together last Saturday and had a great time. We played stupid games and topped the night off dancing to a few Mexican ditties.

Tara and I both being from Minnesota, requested polka from the bartender at "Wes's Place" (there really are two s's) to no avail. We danced a polka anyways, much to the dismay of the bar . Polka is da bomb, dontcha know?.!

I finally finished a tote bag for my friend Marlene today. I've been working on it for a few weeks. I couldn't get over pinning two pieces with both of the right sides up, so I threw in the towel. I persevered, however, and finally finished it today. I'm very pleased with the result. Any suggestions/comments?

And the day is not even done yet!

I went to a Wives Coffee today at wonderful Marlene's apartment. You can see Marlene in the far left, then Stephanie, Anna and Brynn. We were just chillin' relaxin' all cool for awhile after most of the wives left. Missing is Christina, Tara, Brooklyn and Megan, but they all still got their pictures taken! I will miss the closeness I have with all these wonderful ladies!

Then I went to "Happy Quilt" by myself and picked up some fabric. I might try to go next Wednesday again before I leave. I found the cutest owl fabric and some really awesome Asian-inspired prints. I got about 20 yards total for less than $30. Do you think I should go back? Anyone want anything? Sarah? Katie? Katie, they had some of the apple fabric you used in a pinafore. Sarah, I think of your dolls the whole time I'm there! I wish they had some decorator weight fabric. It's my only complaint and minor at that. I will miss some things about Korea! Especially the great friends I've made here!

Promise to Post

Me and Tara with Jared, "The Subway Guy," after our team triathlon. I would like to say he came to cheer us on, but that would be lying now wouldn't it?! We did get photo-bombed though. Check out the guy in behind us.

The wave at the Korea vs. Saudi Arabia soccer game at the World Cup Stadium

Sorry about the lack of posting lately. I've been writing applications for teaching jobs to a place yet to be determined. Grant and I are going through the assignment process once again and are waiting once again to find out where we'll move. I decided to start applying for jobs even though we don't know where we'll be moving yet, but we have a hunch it's going to be...i'll let you know in a couple weeks! If we have to wait, so do you! Meanwhile, I've been trying to keep busy with friends here. Here are some pictures and videos of the last couple weeks.
P.S. I promise to post more! I will be leaving next Friday and want to photo-document some of Korea's daily happenings.

Pawky and I playing at home.

FOUND: Wacky Korean Band Postcard

Wacky! I found this postcard on my nightly walk with Pawky and Husband.

Pawky and Kittens Make Summer Laugh

When we first give Pawky new toys he has to love them for a couple days. He puts one part into his mouth and then soothes the other part with his two front legs. It is the cutest thing. Yesterday he did this for about seven hours. He even took it to bed with him last night! Pawky also lays on anything that's on the floor that's not supposed to be on the floor...like a laptop case.
Please watch this linked video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtX8nswnUKU
It is hilarious.

Observations of Korea, Part One.

We found the "Dream Queen" outside of the aquarium in Busan. It's a complete hybrid of Dairy Queen and Baskin Robbins. It has the hard ice cream in the front and dipped cones and blizzards in the back, kind of like a mullet. Sweet! Literally! I mean it!

Six Rayers. We saw this outside of a Bennigans in Busan. It looks pretty dericious. Honestly, I'm not trying to make fun. In college, I took a Physics of Sound class and learned that most Asian languages (possibly all) don't have the sound "L." SO it makes perfect sense they would substitute an R for the L's. It makes me laugh, but not in a mean "you're so stupid" way. More like, "that's super awesome" type of hilarity.

Some abbreviations we've come up with in the past six months. Note: I will try to photo document each one of the following phenemona with the exception of the obvious. I cannot photograph wind that smells like shiz.

SHIND: shiz wind, hits the nostrils and makes you want to throw up a little. Example: "Man, the shind is really bad over there!"
K.R.R.: pronounced "K-Double R." "Korean Randomly Running." Every so often someone will bolt into a sprint. Witnessed daily.
K.I.S.C.: pronounced "KISS" the C is silent. "Korean in Sitting Car." Most Koreans have televisions mounted on their dashboards in their cars, so sometimes they sit in their cars and watch television. I'm not kidding. Other times a couple makes out or kisses. Sometimes they take naps or just sit and relax.
S.K.I.S.: pronounced "SKIS" doi! "Spitting Korean in Street." Many Koreans spit...in the street, usually preceded by the sound made when one "hawks a loogie."

Busan, South Korea

Haeundae Beach in Busan.

Us in a bubble at the aquarium.

Eating Japanese food at a train station with Tara and Andy.

Grant in his pilot outfit! Yowsa!

We went to Busan, South Korea with some friends for the weekend. It started off with us being stuck on base for an hour and then taking the 2:25 train instead of the 2:27 train to Busan. Two taxis and three train rides later we made it to the beach. It's not warm enough yet to be in our swimsuits, but it was nice to have a change of scenery. We stayed with our friends Tara, Andy and their little boy Tyler in the Novotel Hotel right on the beach. We walked around Busan, ate copious amounts of American food, and visited a really cool aquarium. Good times!

Earlier in the week we said goodbye to Lt. Col. Stokes and their family at a Farewell. Grant just landed so I saw him taxi in the A-10 with his full pilot gear. Sometimes I forget how cool his job can be when we put up with crazy schedules, but a couple weeks ago Grant got his Sandy 1 upgrade finished. It means he can lead search and rescue missions for guys on the ground and in harms way. I'm proud to know someone who is a true hero. Did I tell you i'm the luckiest girl in the whole world?

Who Knew?

I've been feeling a little under the weather, so it's been nice to have some down time this week. Pawky and I walked to base yesterday (a good two miles or more) for some exercise. Then I went to wives coffee/farewell for our squadron commander's wife. I have to admit I will be sad when I leave too...despite all the complaining indicating otherwise. It's like summer camp here. The people Grant and I met will probably be lifelong friends. We've all been thrown into a country we didn't really want to visit with people we may not have otherwise become friends with, but here we are...The friendships are intensely close even though they are quickly made due to the brevity of our time here. One of the wives was crying last night and having a hard time putting into words how much the squadron wives mean to her, but we all got it. It's difficult here, but we get it. This weekend a large percentage of the squadron is going down to Busan, a beach community here in Korea to hang out. Who knew I would be excited to hang out with the squadron? I'm not the fighter pilot wife type, but I am realizing there is no type. We're all here together for varying reasons, but we all love our husbands and go through a lot...together. Being here has opened up my eyes to new people and overall made me a better person.

Shibuya.

Sorry about the lack of posting lately. Surprisingly enough, I've been busy lately. A friend I met before I left Korea the first time came back a couple weeks ago. We've been catching up/venting about Korea/laughing almost everyday.
Anyways, I thought I would share a couple videos from Tokyo. The first video is of the Shibuya crossing. If you've seen "Lost in Translation" this is where Scarlett Johansson crossed the street and there was a brontosaurus on the screen. Tokyo wasn't always this crowded. Mostly here, Harajuku (where the girls kind of dress up like Powerpuff Girls) and Chinatown in Yokahama where we saw a baseball game. It should be noted the word "Shibuya" is useful for more than just this intersection. Grant and I say: "That workout kicked the shibuya out of me." or "Get your shibuya in here!" or instead of saying, "Burn!" when someone gets burned we say, "Shibuya." Notice no exclamation point on the end of that one. It is intentional and very important.

This video is of the Yokohama Bay City baseball team's mascot: The Bear. They really had five mascots: people with star heads doing acrobatics around the park, a baseball with a huge tongue and this bear...or pig, we couldn't decide. Grant loved this bear and wanted to a) take it home with us, b) take a picture of us with it or c) film it dancing to "YMCA." He got his wish. The baseball game was pretty similar to what you would see in the states with a few exceptions. There were cheerleaders, as you can see in this video. The Yokohamites also didn't really like traditional baseball tunage like "Charge!" or "We will Rock You." Each time the stadium played those songs everyone would just sort of sit there (except me who was stomping and charging loudly), respectfully wait until the song was finished and then sing the same Japanese song over and over. Oh and there were hotdogs and rice crackers.
In conclusion, Tokyo was the shibuya.

I'm the lucky girl...

Happy Anniversary!

It's mine and Grant's two year anniversary on Tuesday, May 5th. I know we haven't been married that long, but it's been a tough year. Moving to Korea when you don't want to is not for everyone. This year has only made us stronger. I tell Grant i'm the luckiest girl in the whole world to which he replies, "No, i'm the luckiest girl." Silly, but sincere. I embroidered a couple t-shirts for him with this saying so he'll remember how much I love him. Don't worry I won't make him wear the shirts out in the open. They're black because that's what he has to wear underneath his flight suit everyday, so the saying will be hidden, but will remain close to his heart. We're going traditional with our gifts. Second anniversary is cotton...when do will we get to diamonds?! We are also taking a vacation for our anniversary. Last year was camping at the Grand Canyon. This year is Tokyo, Japan. What a difference a year makes. Good or bad, we're both in it for the long haul.

P.S. The embroidery letters were drawn by hand. My "Sublime Stitching" letters wouldn't transfer on black clothes.

Scenes from a Weekend

Nicole, Summer, Brooklyn and Cole having much deserved fun after the exercise.

I hand-dyed and sewed on a dragon patches on these onesies for a baby shower.

Pawky during a walk today. It was finally sunny after a few gloomy, rainy days.

Ships Passing in the Night

Dear Grant, I hope the flight tonight went well. I'm going to Yongsan with Anna and Brynn tomorrow. I will be up at 7:30 and gone by 8:15 to meet them by 9:00. I will be home at 4:00, so I will probably miss you. Tell me what your schedule is tomorrow please! I hope you get to work on your homework some. I love you! Summer P.S. Nicole didn't make it over tonight! Sad! P.P.S. There's tortellini leftover and some noodle salad. P.P.P.S. I put a load of towels in at 10 p.m. Change loads in the morning, clothes in basket are dirty.

Hey Summer, I have to go in at 1 p.m. Should be back by 1 a.m. Have fun with the ladies! Luz, G.

Fly safely! If you fly. I love you so much. Pawky's fed, no poop. Switch loads plz? P.S. Call and order dog food? S.

Love you! By the way, "setted" is not in the Scrabble dictionary. Rematch?

Hey Grant, Can you take Pawky out to pee one more time? I have to be at base by ten, but I hope to see you for a little bit. What time do you go to work. I love you! I miss you! Summer

I have to go in at 1:15 p.m. Wake me before you leave. Luz, G.

This is our only conversation for the past three days with the exception of twenty minutes this morning when I woke Grant up. I can't wait until this exercise is over!

Grant's Birthday

Buddha's lanterns. They are hung for the living and the dead. On May 2nd, You can write your names on the paper underneath the lanterns and the monks will pray for you.

Lunch. It wasn't terrible...just not good.

Birthday boy next to Buddhist temple.

Grant and I went on a trip through the travel service company on base. Originally we were supposed to see the cherry blossoms, but the company changed the trip because there weren't that many cherry blossoms blossoming. First we went to Mt. Mai 2 1/2 hours away and then Donguk Temple in Daejon. The weather was perfect, but we were expecting more sitting and less hiking. It was fine for Grant and I, but the couples we were with had small children making the experience less than ideal. The travel company tried to make it up to us by providing us lunch, but hmmm...no...it was not good...at all. We ate ten melted Snickers bars after lunch to make up for lost calories.
Other than that, Grant was happy. That's what counted. He turned 31 Saturday a number I will be approaching soon, but until then he is officially robbing the cradle.
By the way...I finished my first original design for a wallet. I hope to come up with a prototype by tomorrow!

Closeup of Purse!

This is the latest purse I made for Lynne. If you want one yourself let me know! You can pick out the fabric yourself (which Lynne did while I was visiting her in Texas) or you can trust me to put some fabric together. It stands up on its own because I put a lining inside it.

This is the lining inside. It has three pockets, one for keys, one for pens and one for Lynne's Blackberry. Let me know what you think?
Any suggestions on how to make it even better?

Sewing Again

My sewing room. Pretty simple, but it works. I have two bookcases with a tabletop perched on top. The laptop is next to my sewing machine so I can listen to "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" on audiobook. I also sit on a panda cushion given to me by one of Korean students for my birthday. Notice the tangle of wires to the converter box. We tried the best we could with what is available here!

It took me awhile to get back into sewing. Some things seem so overwhelming its hard to get started. I took the whole day today to devote to my friend Lynne's purse. I'm a little rusty, but it turned out well. This was the first purse I put pockets inside the lining. The next project will be some little wallets I MIGHT sell at the flea market on base. I went to the Osan Piecemakers Club meeting last night with my friend Nicole and will try my hand at quilting squares. I'm a little nervous, but I think it will only help my sewing. I learned how to do yoyos (small fabric circles) last night. I'm loving the cute vintage look they give quilts. I'm thinking of cascading them down a plain white t-shirt. I'll let you know how that goes!
I also booked a trip to Tokyo, Japan with my husband for our second anniversary. I'm really looking forward to leaving Korea for a little bit and seeing more of Asia. I promise lots of pictures!
Other than that, life is as normal as normal goes here. Grant continues to work a ton and I try to keep myself busy.

Quiet Please

Grant and I went on walk today to see more cherry blossoms with Pawky. When we were finished we made lunch and then Grant went to work. He'll be there probably until two in the morning tonight. I try to keep myself busy during the day... I went to the library and read, stopped at the travel center to discuss a possible vacation in May and worked out in the gym. After four hours of not talking to people the silence of my own voice becomes louder than my own voice. I took the bus home after my busy afternoon and listened to This American Life in hopes of Ira Glass' narration replacing my own. The bus stopped at the college close to my house and picked up around fifty talking students. Unable to eavesdrop in on someone else's story, let alone contribute anything, I imagined their conversations. The lone boy flirted with the girl next to me and the girls behind me whispered in jealous gossip. Their chatter carried me off the bus into the waiting sea of silence...it's only 8:42 p.m.

Happy Pawky after a good day of exercise and Grant being home all day!

Some of the yellow flowers around town. Pawky pooped right next to these. He doesn't appreciate the beauty of Spring quite yet. I think he's just happy to not be in the apartment too!

Cherry Blossom buds down the street from our house. I'll show you an after picture in the next couple days. These trees are everywhere.

You're Getting Warmer

I feel like a weight is lifting off our shoulders slowly, begrudgingly, but still lifting. Grant and I are settling into our lives here. We've been experimenting with recipes from a magazine called Clean Eating. We made "Shrimp and Potato Stew" last week and "Smothered Steak Sandwiches" yesterday. They're really healthy and surprisingly easy. I generally don't eat a lot of meat, but both of these dishes were really good. Grant usually follows the meal with Oreos and milk flushing out most of the nutrients he just consumed.
We also had a really great weekend. The exercise finally finished Friday night and I actually saw my husband. We laid low Friday, but on Saturday we were able to move around town a little easier. We went grocery shopping, picked up the mail and ate lunch with Grant's friend from the Academy. Sounds ridiculous, but it's so nice to be able to get out of the house and run errands! I went from being able to go wherever and whenever I wanted to being trapped in an apartment thousands of miles away from anything comfortable. Saturday night we went to a friends house from the squadron for steak and drinks. Around 2o people were there, so it turned into more of a party...well deserved after the week we all went through.
The weather is much nicer than it was even a week ago. The cherry blossoms are sprouting all over and these pretty yellow flowers decorate sidewalks and staircases indiscriminately. We made reservations to go to a temple on Grant's birthday where the cherry blossoms are supposed to blanket the sky. The Japanese invasion left many legacies, the cherry blossom trees the only one Koreans accept as the weather warms.

Me and My Pawky

Remember the "Me and my Llama" song from Sesame Street? This kid (possibly a girl, maybe a boy) went to the dentist with their llama and they sang "Me and my llama, me and my llama, me and my llama and me!" Anyways, I change llama to Pawky during the day and sing it to him. He is my best friend (for now) in Korea. Grant's been leaving at 3:30ish in the morning to go to work, so Pawky and I are left to start the day together. We usually eat breakfast then check our Facebook, email, blog and twitter accounts. Sometimes we skype with my sister and then we read or clean the house. Later we go on a walk up the big stairs, to the park and through the little town we live in. Most people are scared of Pawky and jump off the sidewalk, but today a girl grinned at me through the coffee shop window. It seriously made my day! Me and my Pawky need some extra encouragement sometimes. Earlier, Pawky helped me put together a bookshelf that will somehow become my sewing table. I wanted to buy the card table at the BX, but it was a little too pricey. We ended up buying two small bookcases at E-mart and a tabletop to put on top. Storage and utility, right? Except the bookcases are as tall as my ironing board, so I think I will need to buy a stool too. Oh well, such is daily life for me and my Pawky. I think I might need more friends than just my dog! Today, I went to lunch with a friend named Bevin and her awesome little girl, Mason. She said she'll go to Dunkin' Donuts with me next week. Another friend and Minnesota native, Tara, will be here next month too. Don't worry, Pawky will still be my first best friend.

After I posted this I went to YouTube and found the video. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgkYHhG18uc Korean YouTube might be different, so you might have to search for "llama and sesame street" to find it. Notice the girl and the llama's teeth are about the same AND the "Me and My Llama" song doesn't mask the dentist drill very well. Fingernails on a mother chalkboard! Bonus: Pawky and the Llama's butt look the same.

Big Steps

I made it. I'm sitting in Dunkin' Donuts, but it's somewhere other than our apartment. The place I wanted to go to was closed, so this is the best I can do for now. I set up my laptop and sat down to drink a very sugary vanilla latte. I need it though. I'm starting to hit the wall named jet lag. It's different than just being tired. I feel slightly buzzed more than sleepy. I can see the reflection of the street behind me on my laptop. A Daewoo bus just passed, along with a family with a pink stroller. A boy around sixteen with thick glasses and the trademark white earplugs just entered, picked up a tray and tongs and then chose a pastry already packaged. Overly hygienic if you ask me. It looks like he's hungry for a doughnut hole too, but i'm not sure yet. Do I spell doughnuts different because i'm in a Dunkin' Donuts as opposed to a Dunking Doughnuts? Now that I take another look at the boy, I think it's girl with a bad bowl cut. Big steps today. This is my first outing in Korea by myself. I spent a month here earlier and never went anywhere by myself. Big steps, indeed. Indubitably.

Traveling Woman

I am done traveling. I was a little sad pulling off the freeway this past weekend. The passing trees and dull hum of the road were my constant companions. Along the way, I was welcomed into my friends' houses, apartments and townhouses without any hesitation. I won't turn this into an Oscar speech, but thank you all so much. You are welcome to come to Korea anytime! Although, I doubt anyone will take me up on that. I leave tomorrow with morning with an open mind, but also with a better sense of really what to expect. It will be hard, but I can handle it. I can drive 13 hours by myself. I can cross the country without anyone else. I can handle anything. See you on the flipside.

Reba Rodeo

I went to the rodeo for the first time on Wednesday. I reluctantly have to admit I enjoyed it—the animals, (big) Texas residents eating their weight in curly fries (we’re talking fries molded into the shape of a bundt cake) and the cowboys. Maybe it’s because Grant is gone, but the cowboys were c---ute! That’s right, two syllables of cute in a southern accent.Tight jeans, big hats, huge smiles (don’t worry I’m not going to go there) and the greatest names ever in the world of cowboy. Howdy Cloud was my favorite, but should not be upstaged by Court Scheer (think Man in the Moon), or Cooper Kanngiesser. I’m mad I didn’t take any pictures, but I think cowboys are better left to the imagination. Oh and I saw Reba McEntire.

Basically...

I've been saying "basically" too much in everyday conversation. "Basically" or "it comes down to" are two phrases I think should be used more sparingly than I do now. I also want to stop using the word, "a lot." Isn't that a form of measurement literally speaking?

Anyways...

I've been traveling once again, but this time in Texas. The longest drive yet was to San Antonio last week. It took around fourteen hours, only stopping for gas, by the time I was finished. I alternated listening to "This American Life," "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" on audiobook and a sprinkling of music here and there.

The episode "Heretic" on "This American Life" (TAL) is amazing. It's crazy to think the United States still has heretics at all, but apparently many churches still tag men and women as true heretics. TAL focused on an American evangelical pastor who had a super church and was very charismatic and successful in his preaching. One day he was watching a news segment on African children. He prayed and asked God why He would allow such suffering in the world and how he could save everyone. Eventually, he felt God was telling him people on earth make their own hell for others and themselves...everyone is saved. Basically (I know, I know) there is no hell and everyone is saved. I don't know where God and I stand most of the time, but I really liked this idea. I want to believe everyone is going to heaven because I do not think people who are homosexual, Islamic, etc. etc. DESERVE to go to hell. Humans create their own hell here on earth. Listen to "Heretic on "This American Life" via podcast: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/ if you can and let me know what you think!

In addition to TAL I listened to an audiobook. "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" is a definite read. I wanted to buy the book, but it works as an audiobook as well. The narrator has a scratchy voice that fits in with the rustic narrative of the novel. I think Oprah picked it up as the next book for her book club. Oprah usually has pretty solid choices.

I couldn't make the trip without listening to some music. My friend Nick showed me the "Genius" playlist feature on my iPod before I left. So, you pick the song and start "Genius." Then it automatically picks 25 songs based on your selection. I chose "You Don't Know Me at All" by Ben Folds and Regina Spektor. Genius picked Radiohead, the Stars, Fleet Fixes, Death Cab for Cutie, Sufjan Stevens, and Feist. Sweet!

Once I got to San Antonio I hung out with Lynne, Steven and their four kids. We pretty much stayed close to home with the exception of a short trip to Alamo Heights. If Grant and I end up getting San Antonio as our next assignment it would be awesome to live there! There are decent markets nearby and the neighborhood is older and more established.

Then I went to to Austin to see good friends Barbara and Meetesh. Their little one is so adorable! We went to some really great restaurants while I was there including Pavlos (I think that's the name), Taco Express and The Salt Lick. The Salt Lick was awesome and a true Texas experience.

I'm hoping to end my time in Texas in Houston with my in-laws. It's been liberating driving across country by myself, but i'm happy it's over. I might go visit some friends in Dallas and that's it for me in the United States for 90 days. I'm really excited to return to Korea with a more open mind and hopefully better weather.

Awesome

We rented our house out today. I can't explain what a relief it is to know someone will be living in the house paying for part (not all) of our mortgage. Financially, this year has been very tough for...everyone, including us. Grant and I seem to be frozen sometimes in our decision making. I want to be with my husband in Korea, but we need to make sure our housing allowance continues. I would like to have a job and continue my career, but the love of my life is in Korea. I would like to look for a job next school year, but we have no idea where we're going to live. To have the house rented feels like something finally has fallen into place. I will still go to sleep rolling numbers in my head, but I can calculate a little easier now. Grant called when he woke up on a phone line from another time. When I told him, I could bearly hear him half whisper, "Awesome. That is just...awesome."

Goodbye Tucson!

My time in Tucson is drawing to a close. I will be entering Phase Four of my mini-vacation/work trip. First was Minnesota, then Colorado Springs, then Tucson. I'm sad to say goodbye to my friends and my house (once again), but it's time to move on with all this. Next stop is Texas to see more friends and finally my in-laws before going back to Korea. I'm so thankful for all the people who opened up their houses and hearts to me. I feel truly blessed to be friends with such amazing people. I'm off to go play a soccer game with newly painted toenails... P.S. I promise to be funnier in the future, but nostalgia is taking over for now. Word.

Tucson, Arizona--Week One

I've been enjoying my time in Tucson this past week. I met my best friends' baby, Tess. She is beautiful and makes me want to have my own! I picked grapefruits with my friend, Jeannette, at her grandmother's house. I went on a 4 mile walk and a 6 mile run OUTSIDE in 80 degree, sunny weather.

My stay here, however, hasn't been without a little hardship. Apparently, a pipe burst in our evaporative cooler (kind of like an a/c, but cheaper) when we were gone. We received a $600 water bill and some water damage over our office. The rental agency who is supposed to be watching our house never told us, so water poured into our yard and house for days. I'm angry, but i'm not sure really what to do about it with us living across the world. Our neighbors across the street saw the water and turned the water off themselves after frantically calling the management agency. Argh!

Despite all this, my visit here really has been great. I read two books The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory (i'm a sucker for historical fiction) and The Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. I plan on picking up the Count of Monte Cristo this week to read. I'm saving my David Sedaris book for the plane ride back to Korea. I'm training for a 10K on March 14th, so i'm trying to run as much as possible. My friends are really the highlight and the reason i'm here. My friend Becky opened up her house to me unflinchingly. Marieke is so great to talk to about...everything. Jeannette and my F-dub crew are so fun to hang out with!

I miss living here. Grant and I put down roots here that I want to return to someday...Air Force willing.

Neither Here nor There

I've been traveling. On February 5th I took a 16 hour plane trip to Minneapolis. Then I went on a cross-country road trip by myself. People keep telling me they are amazed I would drive across country by myself. I don't think it's amazing when it's purely out of necessity. It's necessary for me to drive to Colorado Springs to be with friends who understand how much the Air Force has to both offer and take away. It is necessary for me to travel to Tucson to see my best friend's new baby and be with friends who are not part of the Air Force at all. It is necessary to go to Houston to feel safe with my in-laws and store things (only things, I know) who have no home anywhere. My address is nothing really, neither here nor there.

Here in Tucson, I feel like myself only with a part of my heart missing--most obviously, my husband. Tucson is where we met and lived our lives together. Now we live them apart, literally across the world from one another. What would it be like to have a normal life again? A normal marriage? A road trip bisecting the country without necessity hanging over my head?