Where has the past year gone?

So as of yesterday, Korean time, 11 March, we have been in Waegwan a year! We got to Korea 4 March 2010 and spent 7 days in Seoul while Jim in-processed and received a lot of information about the do's and don'ts while in Korea. Zane and I hung out at the hotel with our new friends the Williams while the guys worked. The Williams are here as well but in the town next door. I can remember going out to the area around the base in Seoul, Itaweon and seeing how everything had changed from being here a little more than 10 years earlier. Zane even buckled himself into his stroller that day as he was afraid of all the new faces and I am sure was adjusting. So much has been asked of our little man in the past year with picking up and moving to a new country, not knowing anyone or the language. He has risen to the occasion and doing wonderfully! He does understand Korean and we are hoping that he will start speaking it as well. Of course he believes it is only for the Koreans to speak not him. Even the idea that he and mommy can share a language that daddy doesn't know got a smile but he still won't speak to me.

We haven't ventured out as much as I would like in regards to seeing the country but are starting to do a little more sightseeing. I know that if the tours that exist today were around 10 years ago I would have seen a lot more of the country! Now that the hubby is comfortable with his job we are starting to get out more often. I can't wait to see what else we do but tomorrow we are heading out to a Crab Festival and I will blog and share pictures!

Not only has the past year been a growing experience but it has given us 2 years together under the same roof which has been amazing! Can't believe that in almost 7 years of marriage this is the longest time we have been together under the same roof! We have learned lots of lessons as well in regards to do's and don'ts.  I know that we probably wouldn't have rented an apartment that has nothing underneath but a parking lot, no heat to share. We have seen children in cars without car seats and mom's get behind the well with babies in a carrier on their chest! We get told by the older generation that our children aren't dressed warm enough and lots of candy is given, well attempted, to children who aren't behaving. Zane has been offered lots of candy for this as well as just being cute! He doesn't like when the Korean's come up to him and touch him or tell him how cute he is. We are working on trying to get him to understand that yelling at them isn't the answer but to say no nicely or please don't touch me.

We still have 2 years left in this country and I am sure much more to learn. God has been amazing this past year and blessed us so much, with so many different blessings in so many ways! I know that He will continue to do so as well. The past year has gone by quickly and I am sure that the next 2 will as well.  You are all more than welcome to come and visit us in our little home. Mind you we don't have a grass yard but a parking lot to play on, but that is okay as we have parks to walk to, a river front to walk along, and lots of interesting places to visit and see!  I can say that I don't really miss Wal-mart or Target but the opportunity to run to a 24 hour store if I need something, wait I think that is what www.amazon.com is for! I miss an American size oven but have learned to live with what I do have! I know my mind is all over the place and I wanted to try to have this all make sense but that just isn't going to happen tonight.

We love and miss our friends and family in the states. Our door is always open and you are always welcome!

From the Land of the Morning Calm,

Love,
Jim, Liz, Zane and Maya