Trains, buses and apartments

Well the past few days have been busy ones. We have been looking at some apartments, riding trains and buses. Saturday morning we got up and walked into town to look at the different areas and apartments. We ended up looking at a great apartment, huge by Korean standards, only to find out later that afternoon it had been rented. It would have been great as there as even roof top access and a grill. For those that know us that was one of the hardest pieces of furniture to put in storage, our grill. We will get a small one while we are here but will miss our nice, big grill!! Saturday afternoon we looked at two more apartments and had some issues with our agent. We learned Sunday afternoon from someone in the unit not to use that agent. She seemed very sneaky and deceitful and that is not who we need to work with.

Sunday was a lazy day. We went to church on post, and we hope to find one off post as this one was interesting. We might give it another chance but they didn't have child care and that is a big issue for us. Sunday evening, after nap time, we went over to CP Walker to meet friends for dinner. We decided to take the train as we missed the post shuttle and a cab ride would cost $40. For those who have been in Korea before, there is no subway in Waegwan so we took the train to Daegu. I thought we got on the wrong train and have to remember that Daegu is between us and Busan. I miss the subway as it was so easy to ride and take. They do have a subway in Daegu. Zane enjoyed the train ride and even got to use the potty on the train. He has his first real lesson of how to stand up and go potty. He did great on the train and even made some friends as the girl he sat next too gave him 3 lollipops for being so cute!! He is still shy around people and still adjusting. There are people he will talk to and he will hide from others. After dinner we took the bus back to base and that seemed like a long 30 minute bus ride but we made it back in one piece.

Monday we went over to CP Walker again the bus and we took activities for Zane. We had some places we had to go and visit so we can stay here and not get kicked out. We also checked out the PX-military version of Wal-mart(sort of) and they are bigger than the tiny one on our base but still don't have a lot of the items we like to use. I guess we will be compromising on what we use.

Today, Tuesday, we slept a little later than normal as at 5 am Zane woke up wanting juice and had a meltdown. He did go back to sleep until almost 9:30 and we were meeting our new realtor at 10:00. Well we made it and we even found an apartment, hence the pictures. Before we can even sign a lease the apartment has to pass inspection and if anything is found wrong it has to be corrected by the landlord. Our inspection is set for next Tuesday the 23rd and we are hoping it passes. After that we can sign the lease and move in to our home. Zane told us at the apartment today, "not our new house, too small for us." I don't think he realizes that by Korean standards for the country side where we are living it is a big place. We will be on the 2nd floor of a 6 floor building. I am very grateful for this as when we looked at places in the high rises, 12+ floors, I got dizzy. All that is under us is parking and we can set up a grill there too!! After apartment hunting we went over to the unit to meet some people and for me to start getting involved. I met our FRSA, family readiness support assistant and she rocks!! She has been helping us before we even got to country. Once we are a bit more settled she will take me around and show me a few places, one of those being COSTCO. Yes, we have a COSTCO and I am looking forward to seeing how different they are from the states. (Sarah N-I will let you know how their cakes are if they have them!!)



Hope everyone is doing well.



Love and miss you all,

Jim, Liz and Zane



Pictures:

Zane waiting for train Sunday afternoon.
Zane's bathroom. Entrance into apartment and shoe storage!!
Zane's bedroom, living room and Zane between kitchen and living room.