Playing catch up...

Well, this blog is in shambles.
Scott and I hit the the three month mark and were kind of in shambles ourselves. His previous post described the phases of culture shock (I don't think "shock" is the right word, but I'm not really sure what is). As he mentioned, there are generally four phases when living abroad (this is worth a read if you have the time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_shock)... so our "honeymoon" phase ended (with Korea, not each other) and the "negotiation" phase began. Practically speaking, this meant Scott was angry and I was depressed. This also meant that the last thing I wanted to do was blog about Korea. I just wanted to sleep... and eat almond Snickers bars. So, for about a month I slept and ate almond Snickers bars.

Then we got heartbreaking news from the States... a man we greatly respected and loved dearly suddenly passed away. It was devastating. He was truly one of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Then my director started to wield her power a bit (my visa is directly tied to my job, so my director has a lot of power over me, it is kind of like I am Frodo and my director is the ring, except for not at all). A direct quote, "You can't just draw the line and say you won't work Saturdays." Well, actually, yes I can. I could go on, but I won't. I'm trying to forget most of what she said to avoid becoming bitter. So far, it is working out alright. I've also decided to put up some boundaries with her - make it less buddy/buddy and more employee/employer. She's still a decent person, but we just can't be friends... just gets too messy.

So, needless to say, life was overwhelming, stressful, and frustrating for a while. I don't blame Korea. Life gets that way sometimes, no matter where you are. We've been here now for about 5 and a half months and things are generally good. We are actively working on finding the positive and enjoying our time here. Most days it isn't too hard. We love each other very much and have really learned to depend on and communicate with each other. We enjoy exploring the country (we now have a car and bikes!). Spending time with Scott's family and family friends gives us a dose of love and entertainment. Our apartment feels like home (not a cockroach in sight, take that punks!). There is always something to find the funny in 'round these parts... never a dull moment. And most importantly, there is a never ending supply of Frosted Flakes. Everything is gonna be alright.

End life lesson. Begin fun photos. Hold on to yer butts.

Don't really need a caption for this one. They looked like tiny condoms... and we are in Korea after all.

I'm in my totally mismatched pajamas, wearing Scott's giant shoes, singing. Enough said.

Motorized wheelchair driving down the street (where there is a sidewalk available). I stopped asking, "Why?" months ago.

Scott sleeping on the train ride (and me entertaining myself) on the way to Hadong, a beautiful, green tea-growing, little village.

Us with a tea-themed flora and fauna in Hadong.

Myself and the woman who served us food. I liked her. At first she thought I was asking if she would take our picture, but then realized I was asking to take a picture with her. She was still confused, but politely obliged me.

The woman finishing up the painting that we bought from her. It now hangs in our kitchen.

Statue punch! (Ssanggyesa temple, near Hadong)

Statue slap! (Ssanggyesa temple)

B-O-N-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G. Or so I imagine.

Scott and the temple. The temple and Scott.

This is the minbak we stayed in in Hadong. A minbak is a rented room for the night. You sleep on the floor and it isn't as bad as it sounds. It costs about $30 bucks a night.

Hadong green tea mime. Need I say more?

Our best effort at a couples outfit.

Kind of dirty and completely random Winnie the Pooh character at Lotte Mart (our local grocery/everything store).

Everyone must take off their shoes - even for a house party.

At the top of a small mountain, in our small town, Jangyu.

Same mountain, same town.

A while back we went with my director and her family to an island called Namhae. It was gorgeous. This is a super old lady tending to her garlic crop. I've only ever seen super old people farming in Korea. Elderly Koreans are bad to the bone.

Rice paddies, the ocean, and some tough old Koreans in Namhae.

Brother, I love your boots!

Minki, Maria, and their friends playing in the ocean. Take note of the naked little boy's butt and Maria floating on a big piece of styrofoam that Minki found nearby.

Those houses up yonder are called the "American Village." They look like American houses... in Korea. Very weird.

This is the one we stayed at.

There is a strange little museum on Namhae and this is the parking lot. Notice the Mickey Mouse statue and couples outfit. Both precious.

This was a miniature in the museum, but I took the photo so they look life size, how clever!

Scott and I's first road trip in our new car was to Geoje Island. You might be wondering how we keep driving to islands... they've built bridges connecting them to the mainland (ingenious!). This is a photo of Black Pebble Beach. "Pebble" is a bit of a mistranslation, but that doesn't detract from the beauty of it.

Our minbak in Geoje, the doorway to the bathroom was not built for people of Scott's height.

The view from the Hill of Wind, a knobbly little hill on Geoje Island. Supposedly they film a lot of epic movie and drama scenes here.

What Hill of Wind doesn't have a windmill? Doesn't matter that it is powered from a motor within - the Hill of Wind must have a windmill! And goats!

Besides all those Koreans in the background - it doesn't really look much like Korea.

Devil eyes!

More Black Pebble Beach, with the fog rolling in.

It was one foggy dog that night.

Geoje fishing boats.

Geoje old lady selling "snacks."

The look you get after you make your husband get on a Korean ferry tour of Haegeumgang island (off the coast of Geoje).

Hey, somebody cracked open Haegeumgang! You should have seen all the secrets that came spilling out. Sidenote: Haegeumgang is a rocky island off of Geoje island that you take a ferry tour around because Koreans like it. They like it because it looks similar to a mountain (Geumgang mountain) in North Korea that they obviously aren't allowed to go look at.

After the tour of the island mountain that looks like another mountain, the boat goes to another island, Oedo Island Paradise (the official name). So, a long time ago this couple bought this island and turned it into a botanical garden. It was pretty sweet.

Wow!

Haha.

Scott loves nature.

Oh, how Victorian (?) and peaceful.

Ant in a flower thing.

Dr. Seuss style.

Ooooooh, plants.

These woman were laughing hysterically because they were trying to get all nestled into those flowers for a picture. This picture doesn't do justice to how funny it was.

View from the top of Oedo Island.

These weren't very useful on such a foggy day, but they did make for a nice picture.

Like I said, I stopped asking, "Why?" a long time ago.

Inspiration.

View of some of the gardens... tons of man power goes into maintaining this place.

Photo of a photo. Notice how the Korean poses.

Let me show you how we do it in 'Merica!!!

Scott really didn't want to do this, but he did it because he knew how much it would please me. Marriage is about sacrifice sometimes.

Trees in a row.

Freaky alien flowers.

Vine on tree action.

Probably not as soft and fluffy as they looked, but a girl can dream, right?

Headed back to the ferry... you had to swim back out to the boat! Psych!

The happy couple on the happy island.

Back home - Scott likes to take photos of my hair when I wake up in the morning.

I don't know why I allow it.

And last, but certainly not least... here we have EeSue - the mutant grandmother dog. She belongs to AS, Scott's mom's friend, who we see fairly regularly. EeSue is 14 years old, only has two teeth (which means her tongue hangs out at sorts of strange angles), he eyes are cloudy with cataracts, she has no voice/barking box (because she went too hysterical while AS was out), she is a little fat, and her skin can be rolled and manipulated in comical ways.

What a wild ride through time that was! Whoosh! Zoom!

If the ding dang internet and this bing bang computer start working in unison - you'll see a few short videos in the next post. Ding dang! Bing bang!