Soccer Game

Last weekend, Jordan and I went to a soccer game at the nearby World Cup! Although I didn't really know much about soccer, it was still pretty cool.



Instead of the typical hotdogs that you would normally associate with any major sporting event, most people there were eating spicy noodles (similar to our Mr. Noodle). The women walking around selling the noodles were even carrying big kettles of hot water! It was quite interesting. Of course, they were also selling what we would consider to be more common entertainment food such as chips, beer, popcorn, and ice cream.

The most exciting part was before the game even started. The team were throwing souvenir soccer balls into the stands. I missed what was happening because I was putting my camera away until Jordan leaned over and smacked something out of the air right over my head! He had knocked a flying soccer ball out of the air and then managed to retrieve it from the ground before someone else got their hands on it! If he hadn't stopped the ball, I would have gotten nailed in the head! So not only did he earn himself a pretty cool souvenir, but he also saved my life in the process.

He was pretty proud of himself!

It's about time!

Has anybody else been watching this season's American Idol as faithfully as I have? As you are all well aware, I am hopelessly obsessed with the show! And even though I'm on the other side of the globe, that can't prevent me from watching it.

So, was anybody else as excited as I was that Sanjaya finally got the boot?! I've been hoping every week that he would get kicked off. Simon finally told it like it was, and the people finally agreed with him. All I can say is, it's about time! I think he took advantage of his hair a bit too much. His voice certainly didn't get him that far.

So who are your favourites this year? I think Melinda is adorable, and she definitely has the best voice! I also really like Blake ever since Hollywood week and his beatboxing, which I think is awesome. He's a great performer. And, for my top three, Jordin would be my other favourite. She's just so cute and has an amazing voice.

I'm glad Sanjaya is finally out of the running! Who do you think will win this year?

Six Months

Well, we have reached the half-way mark! I can hardly believe we've been here for six months already. It has gone by very quickly, as will the next six months, I'm sure.

I've been really enjoying my time here. I'm thankful for the experience of living in a foreign country and especially for the opportunity to visit so many interesting places which, until now, I had only ever seen on tv or read about in books. It's been quite an adventure! I'm so glad I decided to step out of my eastern Canadian comfort zone. I think I've got the travel bug now!

I must admit, however, that after living in Korea for half a year, there are things that I definitely do miss from home. The top three on that list would be a clothes dryer, an oven, and a bathtub.

The closest thing we have to an oven is a small toaster oven. So, we eat a lot of stirfry.

The shower is most definitely unique. In fact, the whole bathroom is actually one big shower, as you can see from this picture. It took some getting used to. And, even though I was never much of a bath person, now that I can't have them is when I want them most.

So, aside from having a unique bathroom and no fluffy towels, I have no regrets about our decision to come here. It's been a wonderful [learning] experience for us to have together as a newly married couple.

And, I'm quite certain that if we hadn't decided to come, I would have regretted not taking advantage of the opportunity. I would have always wondered..

But now, six months have come and gone! And, in about another six months, we'll be back on Canadian soil!

Veni Vidi Vici

I came to the Great Wall. I saw the Great Wall. I climbed the Great Wall.

And it was incredible! It was definitely the best part of our trip to China, and so it deserves its own post.

I never thought I'd ever see the Great Wall. I remember when I was little, seeing pictures of a family friend's visit to the Wall, and I remember thinking at the time how awesome it would be to go there but also that I would probably never see it.

And now I have been there myself!

I don't think I can even begin to describe how amazing it was to be there.

The Wall is over 6,000 kilometres long! And no, contrary to popular opinion, it cannot be seen from space.

The section we went to was actually an old fortress site, so the wall encircled us. In this picture you can see where it splits into three parts (top left). So, we could have potentially walked around the whole thing, although I think my legs would have given out before we ever made it.

It was very steep where we were. And there were a lot more steps than I expected! I pictured it as more sloping up and down, like you'd think a wall would be. But no, this was all steps! Talk about a workout for your butt!

So this is me trying to look like I'm not out of breath!

And, as you can see, the steps are not exactly perfectly even. Some steps are nearly two feet high while others are only about six inches. And they are also very worn down, I assume from all the people on the wall everyday. So it makes it very awkward to climb!

The railing usually wasn't much help either, unless you were only about 4 feet tall!

This picture was taken when we were about three quarters of the way to the highest point, so you can see how high up we climbed! There was also a little souvenir shop right about there. I wonder what they pay those guys!

And this is my favourite picture. Me and my husband at the Great Wall! I'm so glad I get to share these incredible experiences with him!

China

Finally, here is my over-due post about our adventures in China.

In anticipation of Jordan's parents' visit at the end of March, we decided that to make their trip special, we should take them to see the Great Wall, because isn't that the first thing you think of when you think of Asia? It was intended to be a birthday surprise for Jordan's father, but I think it may have slipped out early.

The trip was awesome! We had a three-day all-inclusive tour, and when we arrived at the airport, I was expecting to join a tour group of about 20 or 30 other people. But actually, we were the only ones! It was just the four of us, our English-speaking Chinese tour guide, and the driver in our own van. It was great!

It was a very fast-paced tour, so we saw and did a lot in only three days.

We saw the Temple of Heaven. It looked really cool.

And this is me at the center of the universe, right where I belong.

We also went to a traditional Chinese circus. It was pretty amazing, but there was no giant stack of chairs.

We went to the Ming Tombs, which were quite elaborate. There was a statue of a particularly large man, with a huge pile of money in front of it.

This is the Summer Palace. I guess the phenomenon of having a summer home started way back in China.

Here we are at Tianenman Square. It was huge!

I distinctly remember seeing this in my high school history book.



And this is part of the Forbidden City. It was a series of buildings that seemingly went on forever! They were all very ornate. The most famous building, the one in all the movies, was under construction at the time, so we couldn't get a good picture of it.

Our trip also included visits to a silk factory, jade factory, pearl factory, and vase factory. They weren't really factories, but more like a touristy place where they show you how they make the various items and then try to sell them to you. They were actually quite interesting, and I think my mother-in-law was pleased to see me spend some of my birthday money from them on souvenirs for myself!

We got to experience "real" Chinese food! I liked it. It was obviously different from Canadian-Chinese food, but not completely different. It was more spicy. Also, we went to a sort of tea parlor, where they let you try different Chinese teas and then you can buy them.

Another exciting place was a market called Silk Road, where there are no price tags. You have to barter for everything! So you can get some really nice things for pretty cheap. It was fun, but exhausting. There's no such thing as browsing in that place. If you even look at something, they are offering you prices!

We had a fabulous trip! I will save the obvious highlight of our trip for another post.

To my nephew

Happy Birthday Samuel!

I hope you have a great day! Your Lightning McQueen birthday cake looked pretty good. Wish I could have been there to have a piece with you. I can't believe you're already three years old! Love you!

Spring had Sprung

The air is warmer, the cherry trees are blooming, jackets are being shed, and Jordan cut off all his hair!


Yes, you read that right. After some contemplation, Jordan finally decided to get his hair cut short. Last summer he threatened to get it all cut off, but I wouldn't let him. I wanted him to keep his long hair for the wedding. I've never really known him with short hair.


But this weekend he bravely ventured into a Korean hairdressers. The hairdresser spoke about as much English as we speak Korean. Something was lost in translation, and she gave Jordan the typical Korean shaggy mullet-esque look. We complained, so she fixed it a bit. It still wasn't great, so when we came home I went at him with scissors again, and I think I did a pretty good job.


I think it looks really good. All the girls at the school said he looks younger and more handsome! I agree.

He is risen

He is risen indeed!

Happy Easter everyone!

I was a little sad that I wouldn't get to paint any Easter eggs this year. I always enjoyed that family tradition, especially with my nephews and niece. But, last night, Jordan surprised me with paints and four eggs ready to be painted! So, I got to paint my Easter eggs after all!

And this morning, I discovered an Easter basket full of chocolate eggs from home! Not only that, but my eggs from last night had been hidden... so I had an Easter egg hunt too! I actually never had Easter egg hunts when I was little, so this is a new tradition for me. Oh, I'm such a little kid!

Company's Coming!

And now I can't believe they've already left!

At the end of March, Jordan's parents traveled halfway across the world to visit us! It was great to see them again and visit with them. It's been nearly six months since we've seen any familiar faces. I miss family and friends.

So, due to our company and an exciting "surprise" trip to China, I've neglected my blog. I will soon be updating with pictures and stories of our adventures, but for now, I just wanted to remind you all that I did not, in fact, fall off the face of the earth.