This international move business is serious. I haven't been this stressed in a long, long time. Needless to say, the blog has gone neglected for way, way too long. The good news is that we are now here and getting settled in. We moved into our apartment today after three long weeks moving between Jack's mom's place and his sister's place. Now, we have a space of our own. I am posting some pics from our move and Dahin's jetlage (she and Jack arrived just last Saturday) very soon, but here I thought I'd show some highlights from the past few weeks (ok, not too many, but they are what they are). Above, Oliver learns just how third-world halmoni can be (since I am technically a relative, I can say this). Her bathroom is just a room with a drain in the floor. The room includes a washing machine, electric heater (! hello, electric shock) and toilet and sink. This is pretty typical of old-style Korean housing and explains a lot as to why public bath houses are so darn important in Korean culture (we've gone twice so far with the family). Oliver insisted on a bath so we filled this little tub for him. The room is pretty darn cold, so he was smart to insist on sitting in some warm water.
So, the boys and I were here for two weeks before Jack and Dahin arrived. Incheon International Airport is about 2 hours away from where Jack's mom lives in Seoul, so I decided to go to the airport with Jack's uncle while the boys stayed with halmoni and their cousin Haenee. Jack's uncle and I waited for hours at the airport; mostly because we got there way too early, but also because the plane was delayed an hour and a half. They had to change the route due to North Korean missile threat. But, they finally got here and her brothers were so happy to see her. Above, Ronan is rushing to get her some water and Oliver is sharing his wisdom on the fine art of chopstick use. (note little puppy Bomi to the left: is that fresh meat I smell?)
Everyone ate together, although it was 11:30 at night and waaaaay past bedtimes. The kimchi chigae and bulgogi tasted especially yummy now that we were all here together.
The boys have consumed more ice-cream here in the past few weeks than they have in their entire lives. Their grandma and cousins and aunts insist on loading them with sweets. Note the following semi-conversation: Aunt Eun-young: 'Hey boys, how about some icecream!"(note: it was 8:45 in the morning) Me: "No, it's too early. How about some fruit?" Aunt Eun-young: (after discerning what an evil mommy I really am due to the boys' responses) "Well, let's eat cookies then." And, before I could semi-protest, the boys were all over the cookies. I guess I am a semi-mommy here when in the presence of spoil-eager relatives. Above, they are with their cousin Haenee enjoying, once again, ice-cream.
Dahin wants a puppy so bad she is convinced Bomi really, really likes her. Actually, Bomi really only likes the possibility of being hand-fed freshly-cooked beef. Yet, Bomi has actually taken a shine to Dahin and will sit in her lap on occassion (which is huge since she is that kind of skittish little doggie who runs the other way when called). Dahin enjoyed her first day or so here, until the jetlag set in and she became obsessed with what time it is in Oakland (no worries, though; she's totally adjusted now; barely one week later).
This international move business is serious. I haven't been this stressed in a long, long time. Needless to say, the blog has gone neglected for way, way too long. The good news is that we are now here and getting settled in. We moved into our apartment today after three long weeks moving between Jack's mom's place and his sister's place. Now, we have a space of our own. I am posting some pics from our move and Dahin's jetlage (she and Jack arrived just last Saturday) very soon, but here I thought I'd show some highlights from the past few weeks (ok, not too many, but they are what they are). Above, Oliver learns just how third-world halmoni can be (since I am technically a relative, I can say this). Her bathroom is just a room with a drain in the floor. The room includes a washing machine, electric heater (! hello, electric shock) and toilet and sink. This is pretty typical of old-style Korean housing and explains a lot as to why public bath houses are so darn important in Korean culture (we've gone twice so far with the family). Oliver insisted on a bath so we filled this little tub for him. The room is pretty darn cold, so he was smart to insist on sitting in some warm water.
So, the boys and I were here for two weeks before Jack and Dahin arrived. Incheon International Airport is about 2 hours away from where Jack's mom lives in Seoul, so I decided to go to the airport with Jack's uncle while the boys stayed with halmoni and their cousin Haenee. Jack's uncle and I waited for hours at the airport; mostly because we got there way too early, but also because the plane was delayed an hour and a half. They had to change the route due to North Korean missile threat. But, they finally got here and her brothers were so happy to see her. Above, Ronan is rushing to get her some water and Oliver is sharing his wisdom on the fine art of chopstick use. (note little puppy Bomi to the left: is that fresh meat I smell?)
Everyone ate together, although it was 11:30 at night and waaaaay past bedtimes. The kimchi chigae and bulgogi tasted especially yummy now that we were all here together.
The boys have consumed more ice-cream here in the past few weeks than they have in their entire lives. Their grandma and cousins and aunts insist on loading them with sweets. Note the following semi-conversation: Aunt Eun-young: 'Hey boys, how about some icecream!"(note: it was 8:45 in the morning) Me: "No, it's too early. How about some fruit?" Aunt Eun-young: (after discerning what an evil mommy I really am due to the boys' responses) "Well, let's eat cookies then." And, before I could semi-protest, the boys were all over the cookies. I guess I am a semi-mommy here when in the presence of spoil-eager relatives. Above, they are with their cousin Haenee enjoying, once again, ice-cream.
Dahin wants a puppy so bad she is convinced Bomi really, really likes her. Actually, Bomi really only likes the possibility of being hand-fed freshly-cooked beef. Yet, Bomi has actually taken a shine to Dahin and will sit in her lap on occassion (which is huge since she is that kind of skittish little doggie who runs the other way when called). Dahin enjoyed her first day or so here, until the jetlag set in and she became obsessed with what time it is in Oakland (no worries, though; she's totally adjusted now; barely one week later).
1 comment:
Bomi is so cute! Is she Dahin's puppy? It's
definitley our kind of dog.
so cute!
the colloms
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