A meme from Amy Beth
Three names I go by:
1. Mommy
2. Honey
3. Tudda
Three jobs I’ve had in my life:
1. Cookie baker
2. Pretzel maker
3. Insurance Agent
Three places I’ve lived:
1. Georgia
2. Tennessee
3. South Korea
Three favorite drinks:
1. Coffee
2. Coffee
3. Coffee
Three television shows I watch:
1. Prison Break
2. LOST
3. ... that's it, since we don't have TV.
Three of my favorite foods:
1. Chocolate Cake
2. Macaroni and Cheese
3. Watermelon
Three of my favorite restaurants:
1. Marti's at Midday (in Athens)
2. Panera (in Cleveland)
3. Mr.Pizza (in Korea)
Three things I couldn’t live without:
1. Jesus
2. Jesus
3. Jesus
Three things I can’t stand:
1. Wet, cold feet
2. Anything cream-filled
3. The THX sound at the beginning of movies in the theater
Three things I’m decent at:
1. Writing
2. Cooking (when I have an oven)
3. Singing
Three things I’m looking forward to this weekend:
1. Going to Yung-Deong Church
2. A yummy meal in Seoul
3. Maybe seeing Ansley???
Three things I’m addicted to:
1. Reading blogs
2. Coffee
3. Planning
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Remember that scene in E.T. when all the men in white suits came running through the big plastic tubes to take E.T. away? Yeah, that was awesome.
One week and one day ago, we arrived home from English camp. Seriously, y'all, those two weeks of camp were, like, the best weeks EVER! Eighteen (18!) American friends of ours flew all the way from Georgia to be counselors, singers, actors, dancers, targets, and candy givers. I basically did not see Chloe Jane for those two weeks, except at meal time and bed time, because she was totally into hanging out with the American kiddos (and the Korean ones who spoke English). All in all, it was a great two weeks that ended in... well, the worst sickness I've ever had. Seriously. (Anyone else noticed that's the third time I've used that word so far? Seriously.)
Yup, good ol' tonsillitis took hold. A bad case. How do I know it was bad? Well, for starters, I couldn't swallow my own spit. And also, when the doc looked in my mouth, he gasped. Yes, friends, a medical professional who sees sick people all the time actually gasped when he saw my tonsils. I'm pretty sure I should get an award for something like that.
ANYwho. By this past Wednesday (a full week, two shots, and two rounds of antibiotics after this thing started) I was able to take my first bite of solid food. Today, I'm still a little sore in the tonsil area, but I finally have some energy... just in time for Chloe to get a nice little cold.
Funny story... took Chloe to the doctor. He brushed it off as a cold and gave her some fever medicine (read: Tylenol). As we were walking out, my friend mentioned to him that we had been hanging out with Americans for the past couple weeks. That doctor looked at us like we had aliens popping out of our armpits, and then sent us to the Korean version of the CDC because everyone from the United States must have swine flu and therefore a two-year-old's head cold will quite potentially wipe out the entire Korean population. Everyone was dressed in white, snapping gloves, breathing through uber-fancy face masks, sticking Q-tips down little kids throats. Sheesh. Ultimately it was decided that, yes, she probably has a cold. But until the H1N1 virus tests come back, we are quarantined (QUARANTINED!) for the next 2-3 days. Lands sakes alive, our life feels so dramatic sometimes.
So, all that to say, I have quite the to-do list up in my noggin'. So, even though "blogging" falls somewhere alongside "breathing" in my list of priorities, I may have to set it aside for a few more days until that list is a little smaller.
A note to certain family members who seem overly-concerned about the status of our picture taking: We DO have tons of pictures and a few videos from camp. I AM planning to post them as soon as possible. But as having clean underwear takes precedence over the two-hour process of sorting and posting pictures, it may be a few more days. So sorry, dearies. So sorry.
Ok. I guess that's it. Time to start unpacking...
Yup, good ol' tonsillitis took hold. A bad case. How do I know it was bad? Well, for starters, I couldn't swallow my own spit. And also, when the doc looked in my mouth, he gasped. Yes, friends, a medical professional who sees sick people all the time actually gasped when he saw my tonsils. I'm pretty sure I should get an award for something like that.
ANYwho. By this past Wednesday (a full week, two shots, and two rounds of antibiotics after this thing started) I was able to take my first bite of solid food. Today, I'm still a little sore in the tonsil area, but I finally have some energy... just in time for Chloe to get a nice little cold.
Funny story... took Chloe to the doctor. He brushed it off as a cold and gave her some fever medicine (read: Tylenol). As we were walking out, my friend mentioned to him that we had been hanging out with Americans for the past couple weeks. That doctor looked at us like we had aliens popping out of our armpits, and then sent us to the Korean version of the CDC because everyone from the United States must have swine flu and therefore a two-year-old's head cold will quite potentially wipe out the entire Korean population. Everyone was dressed in white, snapping gloves, breathing through uber-fancy face masks, sticking Q-tips down little kids throats. Sheesh. Ultimately it was decided that, yes, she probably has a cold. But until the H1N1 virus tests come back, we are quarantined (QUARANTINED!) for the next 2-3 days. Lands sakes alive, our life feels so dramatic sometimes.
So, all that to say, I have quite the to-do list up in my noggin'. So, even though "blogging" falls somewhere alongside "breathing" in my list of priorities, I may have to set it aside for a few more days until that list is a little smaller.
A note to certain family members who seem overly-concerned about the status of our picture taking: We DO have tons of pictures and a few videos from camp. I AM planning to post them as soon as possible. But as having clean underwear takes precedence over the two-hour process of sorting and posting pictures, it may be a few more days. So sorry, dearies. So sorry.
Ok. I guess that's it. Time to start unpacking...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Saturday Survey
Because no one procrastinates like I do...
As always, participating in Amy Beth's meme.
1. What time did you get up this morning? 7am, can you believe it?? I felt like I was on vacation.
2. How do you like your steak? Medium. But I'll take a veggie burger over a steak any day.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Star Trek - hubby's choice and one of the few showing in English.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Don't watch TV. Bummer dude.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Memphis, TN
6. What did you have for breakfast? Fried eggs and toast.
7. What’s your favorite cuisine? Does chocolate count?
8. What foods do you dislike? Korean. :) Nah... I don't reckon there's any food I won't eat.
9. Where is your favorite place to eat? Starbucks. Have you had their oatmeal with fruit and granola... or brown sugar and cinnamon? I mean, pair that with a Pumpkin Spice Latte, and there you have my favorite meal ever.
10. What is your favorite salad dressing? Balsamic Vinaigrette in the winter, Homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette in the summer. I'm a bit of a dressing snob.
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? I don't drive these days. It's probably the thing I miss most over here.
12. What are your favorite clothes? My white peasant skirt, red v-neck t-shirt, and white flats. Comfortable, feminine, and oh-so-Korean. :)
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Israel.
14. Is the cup half empty or half full? I never understood that question. Can't it just be half a glass of liquid? Why can't we all just get along?
15. Where would you want to retire? In a Winnebago, on the road.
16. What is your favorite time of the day? Nap time.
17. Where were you born? Northeast Georgia
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Boxing. Seriously.
19. Are you a bird watcher? I have a hate/hate relationship with all manner of bird.
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Used to be a night person. These days, I'm neither.
21. What did you want to be when you were little? The President - the idea of bossing people around has always thrilled me.
22. What’s your best childhood memory? Playing on the trampoline with Nick, Rodney, and Cassidy
23. Do you always wear your seat belt? Depends on how long the taxi ride is, but yes, I usually do.
24. Do you have any pet peeves? My number one, absolute, I-really-hate-it pet peeve is when I can't get in touch with the person who has my child.
25. Favorite type of pizza? Pizza Hut, thin crust, beef'n'bacon
26. Favorite flower? Buttercup (Dandelion, but isn't Buttercup a much cuter name?)
27. Favorite ice cream? Cookies'n'Cream.
28. Have you done anything spontaneous lately? Nope. I should plan to do that soon. Wait.
29. Do you like your job? Best job I've ever had. *wink*
30. Do you like broccoli? I LOVE raw broccoli with Ranch Dressing, but I'm allergic to most raw veggies. I know, right? I tolerate cooked broccoli.
As always, participating in Amy Beth's meme.
1. What time did you get up this morning? 7am, can you believe it?? I felt like I was on vacation.
2. How do you like your steak? Medium. But I'll take a veggie burger over a steak any day.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Star Trek - hubby's choice and one of the few showing in English.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Don't watch TV. Bummer dude.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Memphis, TN
6. What did you have for breakfast? Fried eggs and toast.
7. What’s your favorite cuisine? Does chocolate count?
8. What foods do you dislike? Korean. :) Nah... I don't reckon there's any food I won't eat.
9. Where is your favorite place to eat? Starbucks. Have you had their oatmeal with fruit and granola... or brown sugar and cinnamon? I mean, pair that with a Pumpkin Spice Latte, and there you have my favorite meal ever.
10. What is your favorite salad dressing? Balsamic Vinaigrette in the winter, Homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette in the summer. I'm a bit of a dressing snob.
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? I don't drive these days. It's probably the thing I miss most over here.
12. What are your favorite clothes? My white peasant skirt, red v-neck t-shirt, and white flats. Comfortable, feminine, and oh-so-Korean. :)
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Israel.
14. Is the cup half empty or half full? I never understood that question. Can't it just be half a glass of liquid? Why can't we all just get along?
15. Where would you want to retire? In a Winnebago, on the road.
16. What is your favorite time of the day? Nap time.
17. Where were you born? Northeast Georgia
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Boxing. Seriously.
19. Are you a bird watcher? I have a hate/hate relationship with all manner of bird.
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Used to be a night person. These days, I'm neither.
21. What did you want to be when you were little? The President - the idea of bossing people around has always thrilled me.
22. What’s your best childhood memory? Playing on the trampoline with Nick, Rodney, and Cassidy
23. Do you always wear your seat belt? Depends on how long the taxi ride is, but yes, I usually do.
24. Do you have any pet peeves? My number one, absolute, I-really-hate-it pet peeve is when I can't get in touch with the person who has my child.
25. Favorite type of pizza? Pizza Hut, thin crust, beef'n'bacon
26. Favorite flower? Buttercup (Dandelion, but isn't Buttercup a much cuter name?)
27. Favorite ice cream? Cookies'n'Cream.
28. Have you done anything spontaneous lately? Nope. I should plan to do that soon. Wait.
29. Do you like your job? Best job I've ever had. *wink*
30. Do you like broccoli? I LOVE raw broccoli with Ranch Dressing, but I'm allergic to most raw veggies. I know, right? I tolerate cooked broccoli.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Three days...
Only three days, y'all. Three days until 18 lovely Americans land in my country and come to my city. Three days until my girls and I will board their bus and head to two weeks of kids camp. Three days until I can spend every waking moment speaking slurred, southern, Georgia-style English, knowing that I will be understood every time. Three days until Chloe has English-speaking children to play with. Three days until I hug my very bestest friend in the whole wide world whom I haven't seen in over a year. Three days, y'all. THREE DAYS!
But that also means...
Three days to pack up four people. Three days to prepare my home for the visitors who will be staying here when the camp is finished. Three days to wash every article of dirty clothing in my house... plus sheets and comforters... without a dryer. It will take a miracle with sunshine on top. Three days, y'all. THREE DAYS!
So... things may be a bit sparse around this here little bloggy over the next three days. Lots to look forward to, but lots to do beforehand.
Happy Weekend, y'all!
But that also means...
Three days to pack up four people. Three days to prepare my home for the visitors who will be staying here when the camp is finished. Three days to wash every article of dirty clothing in my house... plus sheets and comforters... without a dryer. It will take a miracle with sunshine on top. Three days, y'all. THREE DAYS!
So... things may be a bit sparse around this here little bloggy over the next three days. Lots to look forward to, but lots to do beforehand.
Happy Weekend, y'all!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Pray for Trey
I'd like to introduce you to a beautiful family in Tennessee:
the Winderweedle's.
I went to school with Bud Winderweedle from the sixth grade until graduation and then for a couple years in college. My fondest memory of Bud is from our first day as freshmen at Lee University. My parents had driven me up to campus, helped me settle in my dorm, and then sat with me through freshmen orientation. They were then planning to take me to lunch at Cracker Barrel before leaving me all by my lonesome at this "huge" school for six weeks. I remember forcing down the lump in my throat as I finally began to grasp the fact that I was no longer a mediocre fish in the 33-student pond from which I had graduated. I was now the algae the fish ate in the much larger lake, or ocean, or whatever. Coming out of orientation, as the lump in my throat threatened to push tears over the brim, we rounded a corner and ran smack dab into Bud and his family. I was so relieved to see somebody I knew, even if he did look different than I remembered. At our Christian high school, the male students had to wear collared shirts and keep a "good Christian" appearance (meaning, short hair). When we ran into Bud, his hair was flapping over his ears (gasp!), his shirt was un-tucked, and he was in sandals. When my parents asked him about his college plans, his response was, "I wanna be a rock star." No joke. I walked away from that brief conversation with a small sense of relief in knowing that I was not alone on that big campus. As it turns out, he wasn't too far off with the whole rock star thing. He became a big worship leader on campus at Lee University where he met his beautiful wife Melody.
I am sad to admit that I haven't had many opportunities to get to know Melody, us living in separate states and all. What I can say is that she was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. (I can't find pictures to prove it to you; so you'll just have to take my word for it.) Their wedding was in a lovely historic farmhouse in North Georgia, and - get this - their reception? In a barn! I know, right? I was so very beautiful - like something from Martha Stewart Weddings - and I felt so blessed to be there to witness the beginning their life together.
So, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes TREY in the baby carriage.
Isn't he just the cutest little bundle o' all-boy you've ever seen?! Trey was born last fall, a strapping little boy who won the hearts of parents and grandparents alike. His full name is "Howell Edward III," which means "Remarkable Protector of the Inheritance," an amazingly prophetic name, considering all this little trooper and his family have endured since his birth.
You see, Trey was born with two holes in his heart. As if that weren't enough, a week after he was born, a virus attacked his little heart and sent him and his family on this long prayerful journey which has landed them at Vanderbilt hospital today.
This Wednesday, little Trey will have open heart surgery.
If all goes well, Trey will gain weight and grow into the normal tree-climbing, worm-catching, summer-smelling, girl-hating, mommy-loving little boy he's designed to be.
So if you get a minute or ten, please stop and pray for this beautiful family. They deserve the best, and our Lord is big enough to do it.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
For more information about Trey and his family, go to: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/treywinderweedle
* Trey just got finished with his very successful surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery! Praise the Lord!
the Winderweedle's.
I went to school with Bud Winderweedle from the sixth grade until graduation and then for a couple years in college. My fondest memory of Bud is from our first day as freshmen at Lee University. My parents had driven me up to campus, helped me settle in my dorm, and then sat with me through freshmen orientation. They were then planning to take me to lunch at Cracker Barrel before leaving me all by my lonesome at this "huge" school for six weeks. I remember forcing down the lump in my throat as I finally began to grasp the fact that I was no longer a mediocre fish in the 33-student pond from which I had graduated. I was now the algae the fish ate in the much larger lake, or ocean, or whatever. Coming out of orientation, as the lump in my throat threatened to push tears over the brim, we rounded a corner and ran smack dab into Bud and his family. I was so relieved to see somebody I knew, even if he did look different than I remembered. At our Christian high school, the male students had to wear collared shirts and keep a "good Christian" appearance (meaning, short hair). When we ran into Bud, his hair was flapping over his ears (gasp!), his shirt was un-tucked, and he was in sandals. When my parents asked him about his college plans, his response was, "I wanna be a rock star." No joke. I walked away from that brief conversation with a small sense of relief in knowing that I was not alone on that big campus. As it turns out, he wasn't too far off with the whole rock star thing. He became a big worship leader on campus at Lee University where he met his beautiful wife Melody.
I am sad to admit that I haven't had many opportunities to get to know Melody, us living in separate states and all. What I can say is that she was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. (I can't find pictures to prove it to you; so you'll just have to take my word for it.) Their wedding was in a lovely historic farmhouse in North Georgia, and - get this - their reception? In a barn! I know, right? I was so very beautiful - like something from Martha Stewart Weddings - and I felt so blessed to be there to witness the beginning their life together.
So, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes TREY in the baby carriage.
Isn't he just the cutest little bundle o' all-boy you've ever seen?! Trey was born last fall, a strapping little boy who won the hearts of parents and grandparents alike. His full name is "Howell Edward III," which means "Remarkable Protector of the Inheritance," an amazingly prophetic name, considering all this little trooper and his family have endured since his birth.
You see, Trey was born with two holes in his heart. As if that weren't enough, a week after he was born, a virus attacked his little heart and sent him and his family on this long prayerful journey which has landed them at Vanderbilt hospital today.
This Wednesday, little Trey will have open heart surgery.
If all goes well, Trey will gain weight and grow into the normal tree-climbing, worm-catching, summer-smelling, girl-hating, mommy-loving little boy he's designed to be.
So if you get a minute or ten, please stop and pray for this beautiful family. They deserve the best, and our Lord is big enough to do it.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
For more information about Trey and his family, go to: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/treywinderweedle
* Trey just got finished with his very successful surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery! Praise the Lord!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Some points worth mentioning....
a.) Expect new videos up at A Quiver Full within the next few hours. (They're taking a while to load.)
2.) In the subway yesterday, a sweet elderly lady sat next to me and made Maple smile. She smelled like my grandmother. I wanted to snuggle with her. I settled for sniffing her.
iii.) Today is the first Sunday we have been to Korean church in three weeks. I'm a wee bit ready to get back to it.
in summary.) Chloe's requested breakfast this morning: jelly on a spoon.
That is all.
2.) In the subway yesterday, a sweet elderly lady sat next to me and made Maple smile. She smelled like my grandmother. I wanted to snuggle with her. I settled for sniffing her.
iii.) Today is the first Sunday we have been to Korean church in three weeks. I'm a wee bit ready to get back to it.
in summary.) Chloe's requested breakfast this morning: jelly on a spoon.
That is all.
Pointless Post about Shopping....
Maple and I spent the afternoon out and about all by our lonesome today. While Chloe and Daddy headed off to go swimming with the children's church, the little one and I headed to HomePlus - the mother of all home good stores here in Korea. Several American friends of ours will be flying into Seoul in about 10 days for an English summer camp (more on that later), and I was in desperate need of some household pick-me-ups. A new shower curtain since $10 is totally worth saving me the effort of cleaning mine. A new tea kettle since my el-cheapo one has been used several times a day, everyday, since February. A pint of ice cream since... well... since mommies deserve a little treat every now and then too.
I am beginning to find that with each trip I take out and about I am met with several contrasting emotions.
For instance, on our trip this afternoon, I was overwhelmed with how comfortable I have become in this town. HomePlus is on the other side of the city from us. So, I walked 2 miles to the bank to get some cash then flagged down a taxi to take me the rest of the way to the store. When we were finished shopping, I walked 5 blocks to the station, took the subway to our local station, grabbed a taxi there and rode home. All with relative ease. As I sat waiting for the subway train, I remembered our first outing without a Korean guide back in January. We went to the local grocery store and home again in a taxi. I was so proud of us for making it back in one piece! So, it was exciting today to see how far I have come in being able to negotiate my way around this foreign countryside (even without Brandon there to guide me!).
But then there are other emotions that come with outings like this. I rarely go anywhere without feeling the curious eyes of strangers watching my every move. In the beginning, I tried to be polite. Smile. Nod. "Anyonghaseo." But I found myself spending more time bowing than actually shopping. So I just started to ignore them. This seems to prove fairly effective most of the time. But occasionally, there are those people who make themselves very difficult to ignore. They gasp. They point. They snicker. They stare. On days when I am feeling particularly witty, to those people I say, "No autographs, please." or "Take a picture; it will last longer." or "Wow! look at that Korean!" But on days like today, when I just want some "me time" to shop in peace, it's all I can do not to cry... or cuss... at the very rude, very nosy, very obnoxious people who insist on invading my bubble and sticking their fingers in my baby's face. Grrr.
I don't have a point to this post except to say that, in a foreign country, even things that should be simple - like getting a new shower curtain - are fraught with emotion.
Tomorrow is Sunday. I'm glad. I like Sundays.
I am beginning to find that with each trip I take out and about I am met with several contrasting emotions.
For instance, on our trip this afternoon, I was overwhelmed with how comfortable I have become in this town. HomePlus is on the other side of the city from us. So, I walked 2 miles to the bank to get some cash then flagged down a taxi to take me the rest of the way to the store. When we were finished shopping, I walked 5 blocks to the station, took the subway to our local station, grabbed a taxi there and rode home. All with relative ease. As I sat waiting for the subway train, I remembered our first outing without a Korean guide back in January. We went to the local grocery store and home again in a taxi. I was so proud of us for making it back in one piece! So, it was exciting today to see how far I have come in being able to negotiate my way around this foreign countryside (even without Brandon there to guide me!).
But then there are other emotions that come with outings like this. I rarely go anywhere without feeling the curious eyes of strangers watching my every move. In the beginning, I tried to be polite. Smile. Nod. "Anyonghaseo." But I found myself spending more time bowing than actually shopping. So I just started to ignore them. This seems to prove fairly effective most of the time. But occasionally, there are those people who make themselves very difficult to ignore. They gasp. They point. They snicker. They stare. On days when I am feeling particularly witty, to those people I say, "No autographs, please." or "Take a picture; it will last longer." or "Wow! look at that Korean!" But on days like today, when I just want some "me time" to shop in peace, it's all I can do not to cry... or cuss... at the very rude, very nosy, very obnoxious people who insist on invading my bubble and sticking their fingers in my baby's face. Grrr.
I don't have a point to this post except to say that, in a foreign country, even things that should be simple - like getting a new shower curtain - are fraught with emotion.
Tomorrow is Sunday. I'm glad. I like Sundays.
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