Tuesday, April 22, 2008

How steep was it?


100_2283, originally uploaded by TargetCat.

These were the steps we climbed on the Great Wall. The boy took this photo. Click through to see other photos from him.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

We spent the day doing simple, good things. We had a good breakfast of rice and fish and eggs. We took a walk by the river. We wrote letters to a few friends. All in all a perfect Saturday.

The freaking out will come soon, so I am savoring this day.

I miss Dr. Demento



"Wet Dream" by Kip Adotta



"Existential Blues" by Tom "T-Bone" Stankus

The Dr. is still in, but unfortunately he does not allow downloads of his show. Though I do sit in front of the computer long enough to listen to the show, my best memories of the show are the times that I was able to listen while in the car or while doing other things. There's nothing like trying to hold in laughter while on the bus.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Seven years ago today I awoke to some wonderful news. Wendall had been accepted to the Basic Course at the JAG school in Charlottesville Virginia. It meant that he would be heading back to the States after many long months in Korea. It meant that we would be together again after almost two years of being mostly apart. It meant that he had been accepted as an officer in the JAG Corps. It was one of the best days of my life, and every year I smile on this day.

This year I have more reasons to smile.

Last week we received word that Wendall has been accepted to the Graduate Course in Charlottesville. This means that we will be heading back to the States after many long months in Korea. It means tat we will be near family again after six years of being mostly apart. It means he is one step closer to being promoted.

We have no details yet, and when we have them they will not be posted here. If you need to know them, you will hear more. If you want to know them just let me know. I will be sending emails begging some of you for help and/or advice. All we know now is that we should be leaving Seoul sometime this summer.

Now for a bit of truth. We have not lived in the US for three years. We have not lived on the Mainland for over six years. While I am very excited to be near our families and friends for the next year, I am also worried about living on the East Coast again. I am honestly looking at this move in the same way I looked at moving to Germany or Korea. This will be a completely new experience for the three of us. I am looking forward to introducing the boy to a slice of American culture. I’m hoping that we are as adaptable there as we have been in the other places we have lived.

More later.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Bargument

Last night, while sitting in a restaurant in Beijing, Wendall explained that he had had a "bargument" with a shopkeeper in a nearby market. I think it is the perfect word to describe the shopping experience in China. I'd heard that bargaining was expected, but I did not realize how vicious it would be. Sadly there were things that I did not buy because I was not mean enough to get the seller down to a reasonable price. Wendall was much better.

We just returned from a 4 day trip to Beijing. We went with 17 other people and had a whirlwind tour of the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and so many other things that it will be hard to remember them all.

The food was great and cheap enough that we could sample everything. The wall really was great, and the city was amazing. Almost everyone on the trip is planning to return. Check out Flickr tomorrow and there should be a few photos up. Wendall has a few up now, including one of the boy at the Great Wall.

Off to pet the kitties and sleep in my own bed!

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Day off

We have a day off today. The boy has started Spring Break, so we are off to the War Museum. I'm hoping that we will be able to stay long enough to see everything. Two adults and four first graders. Should be interesting!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

MAD magazine fold-ins are 40 years old

I remember sitting on the floor in the kid's section of the Lewisburg public library and folding madly. I tried so hard to see the picture before I folded it, and though I was to young to understand all of the jokes, I knew that the concept was brilliant. Occasionally the magazines were folded badly the first time, and the pictures did not quite line up. How frustrating it was to not see the seemles transformation!

The New York Times has a gift in store if you click the links. Al Jaffee's Fold-Ins in an interactive format. A perfect fold every time, along with an explanation for those of us still too young to get some of the jokes.

There is also a very nice feature article on Mr Jaffee. Enjoy!