Birthday and Re Enlistment

Today Steve re enlisted for 2 years starting today. This was so we could stay in Korea for 2 years and do command sponsorship. It stopped his existing contract that would have ended February of 2011, and started a completely new one that ends two years from today. I went to take pictures and watch him re enlist. I didn't know this was happening, but they also awarded me with a certificate of appreciation. I had to stand up front of the formation with them and the first sargeant shook my hand and everything. It was pretty fun to be involved. There aren't any pictures of me getting my certificate obviously because I was taking the pictures. Someone else there was taking pictures though so I may or may not end up with those pictures someday. Steve is on the far right in the pictures.

Last night was Steve's 21st birthday. I decided he technically gets two birthdays. One in Korea, one in the states. So its still his birthday until 4pm this afternoon! We stayed in the army hotel on post and he opened his presents before we went out to dinner. We went to our favorite restaurant so far in town called "The Good Neighbor." He ordered a soju, which is the green bottle in the picture of him at the table, and a "Hite" korean beer which is shown next to it. Soju is similar to vodka with a slightly sweeter taste, so I'm told. After dinner we went back on post and went into the "Hideaway Club" and sat at the bar. For awhile we were the only ones in there until a First Sargeant and Lieutenant from Steves unit came in. It was a fun night. Pretty low key for a 21st birthday, but what can you ask for on a Wednesday?

Exploring the cities

This saturday Steve and I took a 50 minute bus to Camp Walker (Daegu) and Sunday a 3 hour bus ride to Osan Airforce Base. (Osan) The pictures are opposite because that is how they loaded, so they start with the trip to Osan from Sunday. We didn't take too many there. If you want to see the pictures full size you just click on them individually.

The english description of stores can be funny.

Sign before you exit Osan Airforce Base

Like I said, the pictures are out of order, so these are from the cab ride back to the bus stop at Camp Walker. (Daegu)

Typical driving. Can't decide which lane to choose.

Shopping district in Daegu

If you can see the guy in the blue shirt, he is dancing. Thats why everyone is surrounding them in a circle. Dancers would come in and out of the circle and would breakdance.

Another car stradling lanes

Sorry about this being mildly inappropriate. But this was the window of a lingere store. Lingerie is a big thing in Korea i've noticed. You will find multiple lingerie stores on every block. Not only that, but MANGERIE is popular here. You will find sets of matching briefs for the boys to match the girls. Usually in flashy patterns. Really strange.

Steve made a joke about how this guy represents what Koreans think of Americans. I don't know if that is entirely true, but it sure is funny. I mean, he is western.

Very blurry, but its a Korean temple.

Bongo truck. You see these everywhere. They are small work trucks. Alot of times you will see them in town displaying produce and announcing over a loud speaker what they are selling.

Korea is going to take awhile to get used to. But for anyone that doesn't know already, Steve and I have decided to sign up for "command sponsorship" which basically means we will be here 2 years. Originally we had thought it would be a one year tour the way we were doing it, but recently we were told that we will be here until Steve ETS's out of the army. That doesn't happen until February of 2011. That meant we would already be here for a year and a half. We decided it was more benefitial for us to stay a complete two years as command sponsored. This way we are allowed to get a car and legally drive it, have the correct amount of food ration, and I will also be getting full medical coverage while over here. There are more benefits but those are obviously the most important to us. We decided that the benefits outweigh the 6 months more time we will be here. So now we are staying until October/November of 2011.


I really do love the experience of living in another country, but it can be overwhelming at times. We are very lucky to have the military bases as somewhat of a "home away from home." On our post (which is the smallest that I know of) we have a brand new (apparently 15 million dollar) Community Activity Center that we actually went to the grand opening of about a week ago. It is very nice. There are alot of recreational things that are available to do there as well as a library on the top floor. We also have a bowling alley, small comissary and PX, a large gym with classes that I'm going to join, and a food court with some of our american fast food treasures. Haha. There are alot of other facilities available, but those are just some of the recreation and food places.


Steve and I have a hold on an apartment off post in Taesung Villa. We can move in after November 5th when the current renters move out. I can't wait to have our apartment.The business of shuffling back from barracks to hotel and having to eat out almost every day will finally calm down and this place will start feeling more like a home.


Of course we miss everyone and can't wait to see you all again. It shouldn't be too long before we can take mid tour leave. About 6 months or so.

Together again

So I made it here Saturday the 10th. (the 9th in the states) Haven't been here quite a week yet. My flight was alot easier than I had anticipated. Not bad at all. It sure was hard saying bye to my family though, but I'll be back in no time.

Steve picked me up at the Seoul Incheon Airport Saturday night after he had made his way from Camp Carroll by bus train and shuttle. He was waiting for me there with a sunflower bouquet. (My favorite) It was so good to see him. We ended up buying his new favorite aloe water at the airport and I promised I'd try some. Yea, not the best. It was sweet but had huge chunks of pulp like stuff in it. Couldn't handle that. We bought a couple bus tickets to Seoul Station where we would hop on the KTX (Bullet Train. 150mph) to take all the way to DonDaegu which we would then take a cab to Camp George to take the shuttle back to Camp Carroll. Here are the tickets we bought.



That was what was SUPPOSED to happen though. We ended up getting off the initial bus we took from the airport at the wrong station. We we stuck there in downtown Seoul with my two huge suitcases, laptop and backpack. We had to make it to the train station in time so we were running to find a cab. We finally did and ho-ly cow. The whole "bad cab driver" stigma originated from here I swear. I'd need more hands to be able to count by finger the number of red lights we ran. Not to mention the pedestrains we almost hit. Instead of yeilding, they honk and hopefully the people walking get out of the way. That was crazy.


So we get out of the cab outside of camp george and find like ten other soldiers trying to make their way to camp carroll as well. I guess the shuttle wasn't running again until 3am and no one would make it back by curfew. We ended up sharing a cab with one of the guys (the same cab we used to get there) and took it all the way from Daegu to Waegwan. We finally made it and man I was tired.

So far we have looked around downtown Waegwan in the markets and such, as well as eaten out a few times and looked at a few prospective apartments. More on that when we can actually move into one. Its pretty different here. The language barrier can be tough but everyone has been relatively friendly. Its funny, the korean kids here tend to stare at us. (Especially when I was wearing a dress the other day. Haha.) This one teenage girl who we assume was taking english in school tried what she had learned on us the other day. She spoke "Hello. How are you today?" We responded with "good how are you?" and as we passed by she and her friends giggled. I guess it is kind of funny using the little bit of another language you know in real life. I'm still trying to get "Hello" (Annyong Haseyo) and "Thank you" (Kamsahamnida) down. I always get them mixed up when trying to use them in a real situation. Steve has been really good at it though.

Yesterday Steve and I were walking around Waegwan and went into a realtors office to get help finding an apartment. The lady spoke some english but of course it was broken. She took us (her brother drove) to these high rise apartments which looked like a dump on the outside, but were REALLY nice on the inside. It was the 15th floor I believe and looking down over Waegwan was unbelievable. We loved it. Only thing was the height REALLY got to me which was unusual. I've never been bothered by heights before. Anyway, the lady asked if I would teach her english from time to time so we exchanged phone numbers. She was pretty funny. She didn't seem to care much for Steve though which was strange. She specifically said "I like you!" to myself, and then continued with "Not you. Her!" to Steve. She also talked about how she owned a bar and through her broken english it was hard to understand what she was saying but Steve is pretty certain she was trying to hire me as what they call a "juicy girl" in Korea. Now before I was explained to about what they really are, I had thought they were somewhat like prostitutes. I guess what they really are are girls (scandilly clad) that bar owners hire to hang out in their bars and ask people to "buy them a drink" therefore giving that bar business. For another "bar fee" they will also give out sexual favors. Either way...I will never become a juicy girl. Haha.

This weekend we should be going out to Daegu which should be fun. We might buy ourselves a couple bicycles to get around. I'll take lots of pictures. I have quite a few on my cell phone, but putting them on the computer is really confusing seeing its a korean phone. I will start taking more with my camera so I can load them on here.

Camp Carroll (Waegwan) South Korea

Steve made it to Camp Carroll, South Korea a little over two weeks ago. Right in a city called Waegwan. He hasn't got out quite as much as he'd like to but from what he's said he seems to like it. He's had some unfortunate mishaps with phones,internet and communication in general, but we have been pretty good with figuring out alternative ways to talk. So far Steve has eaten out twice. Once was an "American" restaurant and the other a Korean BBQ I believe. He said it was delicious. He has also found his new drink of choice which is "Aloe Water." Sounds awful, but he described it as "the best thing he has ever tasted." We will have to see. Haha. He is living in the NCO barracks which he REALLY lucked out with, because all of the other soldiers in his unit unaccompanied (that are lower rank than him) are staying in one barracks room with bunk beds. He has a room to himself with a kitchenette, bathroom and bathtub! I'll show you the limited pictures I have so far, which are just of his barracks room, but his batteries died in his camera so thats really all I've got so far.

The guy you somewhat see in a picture sitting at a desk is Steves roommate Hayes. He's a good friend of Steve's since AIT.

As for me, I leave for Korea this Friday. I'm not nervous about anything aside from the flight itself. I'm not good at sitting for a long period of time...and the flight is twelve hours. As a hypocondriac, naturally I am scared of blood clots as well. But I'm so excited to see my Stevie again after 3 long weeks.

Its been really great spending time with my family. I spent 3 days in Southern California staying with my cousin Jena in Newport and visiting with family in Murrietta. Since then I have been staying with my family here in Martinez, CA for the past couple weeks. I love being home. I'm glad I could visit before moving to my new "home" in Korea.

The plan is to come home at least once during the tour. Steve should get mid tour leave about 6 months in so we will definitely plan some kind of trip then. If I can find cheap flights and have the means to come home alternative times I may try. Steve will be gone, supposedly, 3 times for a month at a time. One of those times I hope to come home for. Its weird though. I really will only be home twice, at most, in a year. It should fly, but again I'm so glad I got to spend the time I could with my family.

Steve, I will see you on Saturday...in South Korea!