Thursday, May 26, 2011

Runnin'


For 2011, my New Year's resolution was to simply "live a healthier, happier life." I've found that it is easier for me to attain and focus on resolutions that have clear motives with a broad spectrum of possible solutions. So far in 2011, I am very proud to say that I quit smoking, eat healthier food, and exercise regularly.
I've never been a very good runner, but after some training, Amy and I both completed our goals in the Dadepo races. Amy did the 5k and I punished myself with the half marathon ~21k.
It has been a long, long time since I've pushed my body that hard. I was able to complete my goal of running the entire thing. Our friend, Brian, also ran the race, but smoked me by like 30 minutes.

Before...
Finishing...
After...

Here's to team Bry(i)an!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Skype Life


If you have ever lived abroad, of have a loved one who has, you know that SKYPE = LIFE.
I may sound like a commercial when I say this but: I swear by it, and it was been the best thing to have while living so far away from everyone I love back home. It might seem like a little gesture if you are in the comfort of your own home, but for us over here, it means the world to us! Being able to see yall and catch up really makes being so far away not seem so far!
LOVE YOU FAMILY!! and Happy Birthday Nonnie and Paul!! and Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

Love,
Amy

More pics from Buddha's Birthday!

My camera and I could not get enough of the gorgeous lanterns covering the temple on Buddha's birthday. It was definitely one of my favorite experiences since coming to Korea. Here are some more pictures from that wonderful day...

Love yall and miss yall!
Amy


Video from the EXCITING ZONE!!


Awhile back, I posted a blog about Ryan Sadowski (our friend who plays on the Lotte Giants baseball team) and how he regularly posts youtube videos about his experience here. Well, his wife, Lindsay, joined us on Bryan's birthday and got a great video of our experience sitting in the "Exciting Zone" at the baseball game!

Check it out when you get the chance!

xoxo,
Amy

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

25 Years


My birthday was filled with a bounty of bodacious blessings beginning in 'B': breakfast, beaches, burgers at Breeze Burns, beer, baseball, BBQ, beer pong, and buddies!
For lunch, Dad, Amy, and I went to Breeze Burns on Gwangalli Beach for some amazing burgers/fries and brew in view of the breathtaking Gwangan Bridge....ok, I'll try to stop with the "b's."

Ryan was gracious enough to help us get 13 tickets to the Lotte Giants game later that afternoon! We played the Kia Tigers, who started off with a 2-0 start. Then, in the 4th inning, Lotte scored 8, that's right, EIGHT runs....including a GRAND SLAM by Lee Dae Ho!!!
An amazing group of friends and family made for an unforgettable birthday! After the game, we indulged in some BBQ and even some beer pong at a bar in Kyungsung.





Thank you everyone for making my first and only birthday in Korea, better than I could've imagined!
I love you all so very much!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tim meets Tim!!


You may remember from a few posts back that Bryan and I get to "name our students"...well, one of the highlights for me during Bryan's dad's visit to Korea was introducing TIM to TIM!
It was magical...

More pics and highlights of Tim's visit coming soon!
xoxo,
Amy

Dad came to Korea!


Amy and I were lucky enough to have another visitor this past week...My Dad!!
He was here from Sunday to Sunday. We were able to do many of the wonderful things Amy and I have experienced living in Busan.
Almost as soon as he was off the plane, we took him to our favorite Korean BBQ joint down the street. We call it "Red House." It is red, really close to our home (just like red house off Manor Rd.), and we couldn't read Korean the first time we went there.
Monday morning, Dad and I went for a walk down to the OnCheonCheon River. This is my favorite running path through the city. It is littered with beautiful flowers and tons of old Koreans doing their stretches, arm-pulleying, and holla-hooping....you know, the intense things in life. We got to eat our favorite Korean lunch at KimBopChunGook. We had BeeBimBop and some ManDoo (dumplings).

After work, Dad got to meet Ryan, Lyndsay, John, and Soo. We met them in the neoned streets of Seomyeon for some ChimDak. ChimDak, literally translated means 'Spit-Chicken.' It is a spicy dish of sweet potato noodles, peppers, onions, and chicken. Mashiseyo!(delicious)
-This was Dad's favorite dish of the week!

Tuesday was Buddha's 2,555th birthday, and also a national holiday!!!(no work!) We first went to show Dad the water temple, Yong gungsa. Amy have now been quite a few times, but it is still breathtaking every time. The entire complex was covered with lanterns for the festival.



Dad paid some respects to his Rooster. Amy and I are Tigers.


We had a delicious lunch on the beach in Haeundae and then hopped over to Gwangalli for some beers and a seafood dinner.

The fish market in Gwangan may not be as massive as Jagalchi, but it has most of the same wonderful options. I bartered for a good deal on some sashimi, two BBQ fish, and even got some sea cucumber for free!
Dad was a trooper the entire trip, and did not hesitate to try anything...which is something to brag about. Sea cucumber, sea anemone, and Soju!







Wednesday afternoon, Dad came to Reading Town to see how teaching is at its finest!

Wednesday night, we took it easy and 'down-home' with some grilled chicken, broccoli, spaghetti, and salad. Since Amy and I eat so much Korean food out and about, we try to keep in 'merican or Texan at home.
If you haven't noticed this by now, I kind of keep track of my life by when and what I eat....this would bother some, but it is one of my favorite things about myself. I love food.

Thursday morning, we got to show Dad the wonders of Spaland! I wished we could've stayed all day, but we had to go to work and Dad had to stay and get a massage.

After work, we took Pops to the Pajeon house. This traditional restaurant is one of our favorites for some good seafood Pajeon, spicy Bulgogi, and DongDongju.

Friday morning, Dad and I went to visit the United Nations cemetery and museum dedicated to the Korean War. The park was enormous, especially for Korean standards. Beautiful flowers and shrubs graced a perfectly manicured lawn and pond. Until then, I had no idea how many nations came together to fight for this tiny peninsula. The magnitude of the sacrifice was, at the least, unsettling. Hundreds of thousands of people died during the conflict between the North and the South. They are still dying today. The war is not over, for Korea, or for America. There are currently 30,000 American troops stationed in Korea. This is a fact that gives me hesitant solace.



Dad stayed to check out the museum and I headed to teach. Throughout the day, Dad walked a ton and had difficulty finding food, so he was a little exhausted by nighttime. Amy and I went for some birthday BBQ and then home to rest for the big day....My 25th birthday!



Sunday, May 8, 2011

Feliz Cinco De Mayo Korea!!


Hola Amigos!

Last Thursday was May 5th...or as us Texans like to refer to it as: Cinco De Mayo!
While this isn't a huge holiday I grew up celebrating, it is one that I have lately embraced and absolutely love! With the absence of all-things-Mexican in Korea, Bryan and I decided to host a fiesta at our casa and show our friends here what it is all about!
May 5th also happened to be a national holiday here (Children's Day), so it worked out perfectly since we all had the day off!
I tapped into my crafty side and made some Mexican inspired decorations for our little home.



Bryan and I made a FEAST!! It might not look like much to all you peeps back home, but trust me- these ingredients were HARD TO FIND in Korea...so we were pretty proud!
Taco Bar with: HOMEMADE tortillas, seasoned chicken, black beans, homemade guacamole, sauteed peppers and onions, salsa, lettuce, and cheese...YUMs


Bryan's DELISH homemade tortillas:

We even found Tequila!

The weather couldn't of been more perfect, and it was so so nice being able to hang out with all of our buds out on the balcony all afternoon/evening.

And finally...what would a fiesta be without FIESTA FAVORS!? We had tons of extra taco seasoning (thanks mom!), so I decided to share the love and re-gift it to our fellow expats.
Again, it might not seem like much to all you people back home, but a little taco seasoning here can go a loooong way.
And yes, those are mini sombreros on the packets, and yes...people teased me and called me "Mom" for making these :)...
I hope everyone had a fun Cinco De Mayo back home!
I love yall and miss yall!
xoxo,
Amy