Driving

While waiting for Zane to get off the bus today I saw something I never thought I would see in my lifetime. I guess as Americans we are very conditioned to putting our children is safety seats. When you drive in Korea you do put your life in your own hands as there aren't very many stop signs nor lights. I haven't seen much use of turn signals unless the driver is foreign. Child safety seats are not necessarliy used here and are expensive, they are in the states too depending on the brand you purchase.  I have seen kids all over backseats not in child seats or seatbelts. I have seen babies and toddlers in a car seat in the passenger seat and facing forward as well. Today though took the cake. I witnessed a young lady wearing her child in a front carrier get behind the wheel of her car with her child in the carrier and drive away. I cringed and wanted to ask her what she was thinking but knew it wasn't my place. I can honestly say that I am worried about that child and hope that I never have to see something like that again but I know that I will during our time here.  We, as Americans, are so taught about child safety and there are so many laws regarding the safety of our children that I would think at some point in time it might rub off elsewhere. I haven't seen many accidents in our almost 3 months here but when they do happen they are usually not good. Korea does consider all of her drivers to be professional and it makes me wonder if they would survive with what we consider to be professional drivers. I know that I will see many more strange things, to me, while I am here but what is perfectly normal to this nation.

A little bit of this and that

It has been awhile since I have sat down and blogged. We have been keeping busy with work and school. Zane has been going to Korean school since April 19th and is enjoying himself.  He is starting to use Korean and can identify his body parts. This week they are working on learning the family members in Korean so I have been reminding him of all of his relatives in English to help him remember. He is taking piano lessons and taekwondo at school. He doesn't tell us much of what he does at school so we wonder. I am interested in hearing him play the piano and wonder when I will get to hear him.  I got to go with Zane on a field trip to Daejeon O-World. The bus ride was interesting as the kids rode the school bus and the parents rode a different bus. The bus the parents rode turned into a Kareoke bue and at first it was very loud and I didn't like it at all. I did eventually give in and joined in the fun and sang a song.  Overall we had a lot of fun. While at the park the kids went on an Afracian Safari and the animals walked around their areas and came up to the bus. After the safari the kids got to ride some of the rides that were at the park. It was kindergarten day so it took an hour to even get on the merry-go-round.  I think we will have to go back as there was a lot at the park we didn't get to see and there was a lot more to visit.

We took a shopping trip to Osan Air Force base this past weekend and we fell in love with the base. We bought a few things out on the town and enjoyed getting away. Jim liked the fact that there was a sign on the family part of lodging that said "Chief' Suites."  Of course, we didn't get to "in those rooms as he doesn't have enough "spots" yet.

Today Zane and I went to the butterfly meusum and had a lot of fun. We went into a  indoor flower garden  and they had a lot of butterflies flying around. It was so cool!! Zane screamed like a little girl when one landed on his arm or got to close. I was able to get some pictures before the battery died on my camera. Noramlly I take the extra but not today so I missed some good pictures!!. We had a lot of fun and look forward to possibly taking my mom while she is here to visit us.

Jim has been keeping busy at work and I believe he is finally getting into a grove. I still don't know when he will get home at night but it is usually by 1800(6 pm).

I started teaching ESL on post 3 weeks ago to spouses of soldiers and contractors who want to improve their English skills. There are 8 students in the class and they are all hardworking. I think they are getting used to the fact that I am not a book teacher and find other ways to use what they are learning. We will begin working on outlines this week and that is going to be a hard one!! I have also stepped into the role of Co-FRG(family readiness group leader.)  The FRG isn't very active and we are divided over a few cities. I am hoping to bring the two cities in our area together and see what I can make happen. I have learned from experience that an FRG can be a great tool for spouses. I hope that I can bring my knowledge to use and see what I can make happen.

My step-son Micheal has informed us that he would like to come and visit us this summer and we pray that this will happen. We would love to have him with us but know that in the end God will do what is right.

I hope that this find everyone doing well.

We love and miss you all,

Jim, Liz and Zane