Vaca Reading

Pride and Prejudice - done.

Northanger Abby - working on it

Finding over 2.5 million free books on Kindle at Amazon - priceless...literally!

In the past few hours, I have downloaded countless G.K. Chesterton books, some Luther and some Austen.

Attempting to figure out the hype surrounding the Game of Thrones book, I only ran into disappointment. I'm not seeing the acclaimed "Tolkien" that everyone is speaking of. Maybe its just me, but the last thing I want to read is a story of baseless redemption. Sooooooo, I'm officially throwing out the adult science fiction genre. I'm a sucker for the young adult series like Eragon and Potter, anyway. Hunger Games is not for me. After reading many reviews, I just can't stomach the plot.

This brings me back to my love of the classics. Austen never disappoints and always has me highlighting every other page. Bronte is next on the list of summer reading! (I'm a girl, duh.) I'm taking a break from theology and reading lighter stuff during vacation. Derek, however, is plowing through sermons and debates on things like "predestination, the elect, God's goodness..." I'm boring him recounting the exploits of Austin's characters.

So, to leave you with some of my favorites:

"We are all fools in love!" Pride and Prejudice

"Friendship is certainly the balm for the pangs of disappointed love. "  Northanger Abby

"No young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman's love is declared. It must be very improper that a young lady should dream of a gentleman before the gentleman is first known to have dreamt of her."  

"Mrs. Allen was one of that numerous class of females, whose society can raise no other emotion than surprise at there being any men in the world who could like them well enough to marry them. She had neither beauty, genius, accomplishment, nor manner. The air of a gentlewoman, a great deal of quiet, inactive good temper, and a trifling turn of mind were all that could account for her being the choice of a sensible, intelligent man like Mr. Allen."   ....(harsh)....

Happy Burfday!!!

 Derek got an audio interface for his birthday!

 And he got to have lunch at his favorite Mexican restaurant, TomaTillo. We had a birthday party for him there last year. The birthday card is compliments of my student, Lydia. This is after we had bought an audio interface for him and did some major souvenir shopping.

handsome guy!

Apgujeong, Seoul

 Since being married allows us to have sleepovers we booked a hotel in the richest area of Seoul to relax and explore one last time. Derek picked the hotel...unfortunately, we didn't get a room with a bathtub, but the room was amazing. Of couse, it helped that we were able to do our favorite thing in a hotel...WATCH National Geographic!  This is an intersection in the back streets of Apgujeong. ENTITLEMENT CAPITOL OF THE WORLD!

 Now, we are off to the French district of Seoul. A large population of French people congregate in one area near the river. They have great shopping and even better food! AND you can get milkshakes made with American ICE CREAM here! Totally worth the trip in the 80% humidity!

This is the way we cross the road, cross the road, cross the road! Notice I can always spot Derek!

This is a traditional Korean pose of "peace sign" and escalators! We are coming out of a busy subway and thought the picture would be worth sharing.

Gucci, Prada, LV, etc! My sister-in-law would love it.

 After dinner at D's favorite burger restaurant, we went for a walk through Apgujeong where most of the Korean celebrities hang out. We wouldn't know a celebrity from anyone else, so we just enjoyed walking. This is one of the most expensive shopping malls in Korea. We didn't even cross the street, just stayed on our side!

For Mom!

Walking along the river. Namsan tower is in the way back of the picture.

Self-timer is interrupted by a bus...

Summer Camp

 For Summer Camp, I taught my three favorite students how to make banana/blueberry pancakes.

Smashing Bananas

Jada (L) and Lucy (R)

Lydia (L) and Jada (R)

Making smiley faces with eggs, milk and oil. 

A gas grill in my classroom...top secret!

Lydia helped me with Derek's birthday cards.

Jada

Lucy

Lydia

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

We experience a rainy season on this side of the planet. It comes every year to relieve some of the intense heat during the summer. This year, however, most of us are left speechless at how long the season has lasted. Rainy season began earlier this year in mid June. It hasn't let up yet. It is now late July and we are still experiencing days of 10 or more inches of rain. Last night, we had a record of 16 inches in a 24 hour period. This is more than the devastating flood a couple of years ago. Seoul is incapacitated, traffic lights are down, rescue workers are dispatched. But, we are safe. It is comforting to know that our city, which is the last major city before the China Sea, has a place for all of this water to go. Our city is a "river city" designed to reflect the waterways of Sydney, Australia. Right now, we are modeling Venice, Italy more than Sydney, but, we are managing. Life and work must go on in Korea. People are still rushing to work, clogging up already congested roadways and finding other routes to work besides the partially flooded subways. Derek and I are resigned to staying indoors. Listening to the rain is enjoyable until you have heard it so long, you stop hearing it. The forecast is calling for more rain today and tomorrow and then we have a short break before some more light rain next week.

It's hard to complain about the rain when you know it has caused the death of people, so I'm going to try and not complain. But, we are looking forward to some more sunny skies in the near future. Lift up Korea in your prayers and cover those who have lost everything.

Ode to the Shopping Spree

On my bucket list, two of the many things I want to do before I die are: go on a shopping spree and buy something that is NOT on sale and not feel bad about it.

Before getting married, I was "Mrs. Marshalls." My nickname fit me well. I only bought things on sale. I have this internal price check that goes off if something isn't on clearance. The only thing this doesn't seem to apply to is food and gifts for other people. But, if it's for me, it better be cheap. Doing the annual school clothes shopping with mom growing up was a treat (for me, not for her). Each kid would get around $300 for new clothes, shoes and whatever else. My brothers would grab a shirt (not look at the price tag) and buy it. That means they would come home from the store with maybe 5 shirts and 3 pants. Not me. I could stretch $300 over weeks of shopping and 15-20 new outfits. I not only bargain shop, I raid the clearance aisle and buy clothing TOO big, take it home, tailor it to fit me and viola...another successful bargain exchange.  (Maternity clothes work really well for tailoring...FYI)

This life style abrutly ended when I moved to Korea. 1. I'm too big for the clothes. Even being a size 4-6 (below the national American average), I was toooooo big to wear any clothes in Korea unless they were ajuma (grandmother) clothes. So, I lost more weight until I could wear the baggier clothes the country has to offer...

Skip ahead - got married - gained weight. Back to not fitting into any clothes. Going home in a month. Not liking any of the clothes in the closet that have been mildewing in the Korean sunshine for 2 years. What to do?...ode to the shopping spree.

I hit the jackpot! And because I have the most amazing husband in THE WHOLE WORLD, I ended my lunch break with a bag  full of clothes that make me feel really good about myself. Then I decided to cry about it, thankful that my hubby understood that new clothes made me feel better about my weight. YES, they were all on sale! I can't help it. It's not worth it to me to pay full price. Why did I cry about it? Because God tells me not to worry about how I dress or to put stock in adornments. He tells me that what's inside of me is more important. And, while that being true, every single Christian marriage book tells me that what's outside is just as important. All of the books tell me to wake-up, put on make-up, always have a fit, trim body and make sure my husbands eyes are satisfied with me so he isn't tempted to look at others. To me, this is a mixed message. Even the husband himself, loving me so generously, likes the days when I wear make-up and the days when I don't. Wanting to live a life that completely abandons culture is hard to do. And as an extremist, I have a hard time finding middle ground.

So, what it comes down to is I was a bit of a cry baby because I went shopping today and I spent money on myself, (which in general is really hard to do). I spent my monthly allowance on clothes (which normally makes me feel bad...I should be giving it to those who don't have it). And as I cried, my husband comforted me, told me I was beautiful and understood what it's like to be a girl. Complicated.So...

ODE

Shopping, today, made me feel glad

Shopping, today, also made me sad

Why was I glad,

Because of bargains and sales

Why was I sad,

Because I remembered other tales

Of going without and people in need

Then I cried because of my greed.

Then my hubby reminded me

Of all that he truly loves about me.

And this left me feeling free

To Enjoy and Delight in my shopping spree

Looking Up

Looking up at the sky tonight calmed us both down. We are still itching to come home...but, looking up we know we look up to the same sky as the people we love. God is with us. And if God is with us...

Summer Camp is underway...4 more days before Derek's last day...4 more days until 9 straight days of vacation for Anlee...5 days before Derek's and Keith's (DAD) birthday. Another night of listening to the man I love play piano...and nearly 40 days before we are home at last!

Side note: The theme for our wedding was "blues of the sky, greens of the garden". I now understand why everyone gave me "what-the-heck-does-that-mean looks." There are so many!

I caved...

So, all weekend I was anxious because I had finished Harry Potter and Derek was 100 pages into HP by Saturday night. I needed another book, but the bookstore is a two hour round trip into Seoul...I finally caved.

I bought a book to read on my itouch. I know, I know. I want to keep book prices low so I'm determined to always buy paper books - by definition a book. I love the feel of a book in my hands, but I was desperate.

I bought The Help on Amazon for the Kindle app on my itouch. After spending nearly an hour trying to figure out how to link the Kindle app to my itouch, I began the first chapter around 10:30pm Sunday night...an hour past our Sunday night bedtime. An hour later we turn off the lights, deeply involved in both of our books.

Wednesday evening at 6:00pm I've finished the book. Derek finished his the day before. Hum. Probably one of the best books I have ever read in the fiction category. Seriously. The dialogue between the characters is so captivating and the storyline of redemption, perseverance and hope force you to recognize yourself in the story.

Summary: The Help is a book about the domestic helpers (maids) in Jackson, MS, right around the Civil Rights Act (1960's). One outcast of a white girl joins with scared but empowered maids to write a book about the maids relationships and stories about working for the white women in the most confederate-minded town below the Mason-Dixon. I couldn't put it down and now have a headache from reading on the itouch screen.

READ THIS BOOK!

The Weekend Ends

There aren't any pictures from our weekend. Friday was taco night and man oh man was it goooooood! We have added tacos to our regular weekly menu...YES! So, tacos and Big Mama's house (the movie) kept us entertained until sleep overwhelmed us.

Saturday morning, Derek began reading the last Harry Potter. He's more than a third through the book now and just wants the world to leave him alone long enough to finish it.

After our Saturday morning breakfast tradition, which included biscuits and hamburger gravy (yep...in Korea) we did our weekly cleaning of the house, tossing out what needed tossing, packing a little more and donating a HUGE box to our favorite charity. We also had a lovely house guest which took us out of ourselves and helped us focus on being friends instead of focusing on going home! We still managed to skype with the family a couple of times and plan to make calls to home more regular.

Sunday was a really encouraging day. Our pastor just came back from two weeks in America. He preached on a sermon he heard while in the states. IT WAS AMAZING! Really loved it. One of my memory verses that has always spoken encouragement over me is Exodus 33:12-23. Moses challenging God to reveal his glory...sounds like what I daily ask of God. (This verse sent me to Scotland 3 years ago.) This Sunday, pastor preached on Exodus 14:15-31. God GAVE Moses the power and authority to deliver the people of Israel. But, Moses was waiting on God to deliver them...TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH. That expression was preached every Wednesday night in college and, again, it sent me to Scotland...and to Korea...and into marriage...The truth of the statement really filled Derek and I with encouragement as we daily struggle to trust in God for a job. Articulating this encouragement is hard, but we have been filled with strength to persevere.

Another key point to the sermon is something that seems so obvious but takes a person of authority in your life to make known. Pastor spoke of God claiming glory over Pharaoh (v.18). For some, this is a hard attribute of God to accept. But, when we pick and choose the things that we like or understand about God...well, we create an idol. Worshiping a god of love or justice, without including all of his attributes, is worshiping an empty idol. God is God. He is I AM. And he should be worshiped for Himself. Cool stuff.

Lastly, Derek had a man-date on Sunday afternoon. He took the train into Seoul by himself and enjoyed an afternoon talk by Dallas Willard. It's his first solo date in a while and it was nice to see him enjoy some time alone. I braved the Sunday Grocery Store...and was reminded why we always shop on Monday night. I'm pretty sure a fire code was violated. Too many people and an out-of-stock store leaves you frustrated and shaky.

This is Derek's last official week as a Teacher. Next week he has summer camp and then he is going to be a lovely house-husband for the next month! 50 Days!

Family

 After the past couple of blog posts my mom knew that it was time for a talk. Derek also knew that it was time to talk to mom so he suggested I call her. This is after I finally succumbed and ate half a pint of (not so great) cookies and cream ice cream (after swearing it off until we get back home).

I called Mom and she answered by saying, "You just read my mind. I was about to call you." An hour later I felt better, my mood moderately improved. Just talking to mom and hearing her voice was enough to crack the core of the bad mood and home sickness and make me happy again.

Mom's prescription was: You need to read more fun books. She knows I love to read. She also knows I'm a bit burnt out on books on theology. So, Derek is raiding his student bookshelves and bringing me home something easy and light.

We are even more excited to come home now after talking to mom. Now, we just need another skype call with our Fekki Family! The voices of family fill us with encouragement.

Here are some other home sickness remedies that I am finding work at breaking through the black cloud mood:

1. Accu Radio - 80's big hair band music and 90's love anthems! And my favorite 90's alternative! 
2. That 70's show, The Office and Ariel America (Documentary on America - series). All remind us of American culture, sights and sounds. 
3. Throwing things away! Seriously, decluttering our apartment, watching what we have to pack dwindle! 
4. PRAYER!

Dear Baby Next Door

Dear crying baby next door,

You are at least two-years-old and you still cry EVERYDAY! You cry so much that we have memorized your cry and now mimic you. When we do mimic you loud enough through the wall you actually stop crying.

Sometimes, your dad even makes fun of you because you cry so much. This is mostly because your mom stays home with you every single day and gives in to your every whim.

So, crying baby next door, you are the most effective birth control I have ever come across! Please stop crying. We hear you in my sleep.

Love,
your neighbors.

IF

If I am not on a plane in the next 24 hours going anywhere but here I'm going to start pulling my hair out! Warning to any and all!

Two months are trickling by...I think this is grossly unfair! All I really want to do is be with family - on both sides of the country - AT ONE TIME! Derek wants to eat GOOD food and not imitation, chemically loaded, MSG saturated, migraine producing food! We both want to be enjoying the holidays with our friends who are spread across 10 or more states. AHHHHHHHHH! 

Okay, so I know this post appears to be a screaming Anthem.  Well, it is! July, we would like you to speed up a bit! At least bring the 22nd closer to us! That means Vacation and a weekend, just Derek and I, in Seoul.

Yesterday, angry that time was hanging out longer than we wanted it to, I said to Derek "I'm tired of waiting on what's next!" And I am! Which is sad, because that means I'm not enjoying and receiving the blessings of today! I'm ready to be on a plane, waving goodbye to Korea and all of it's complexities. I've never wanted to go home so badly.

Disclaimer: I really love Korea. I love the Korean people, don't like the food, love the mountains and health consciousness, hate the pollution, benefit from the transportation and have made beautiful friendships that will be treasured for a lifetime.

But, it's time to go HOME!

Reality Check

It's been a stressful week for us. I won't get into what we have been dealing with, but I can say that I have seen my sweet hubby come out of it my champion, best friend and spiritual leader. While he was seriously wrestling with what we are up against, I needed to check out. Literally. I wasn't sleeping. I was constantly anxious! And the Lord says

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I spent the past weekend in prayer and in Harry Potter. It might seem a contradiction, but it really did help. This is my second time reading the last installment of the series. The first time I waited in line for 4 hours on the release night. I was the second person to get a copy. I went home and spent the next 24 hours straight reading...not eating...not sleeping...Yep. I consider myself lame, now.

I began the book Friday afternoon at 12:05. I finished it last night at 8:05. Hum, still lame I guess. I really enjoyed blanking out a bit and just reading. I spent college with my face in countless books. Now, I want to bury myself in books. Derek has reaped plenty of fun from this. When I read, he is left to do whatever he wants!

Now, We've made progress into what we are facing and we've enjoyed a weekend of small print. (Probably one of our favorite weekends because we are so deliriously happy to spend it in the company of words on a page.) I'm also ready for the last Potter film which comes to Korea the same day it opens in the US. YES! I can't handle the intense action scenes, but I can remember the "light" action created by my imagination while reading. I need some suggestions on what to read next. Our library has been reduced to our theology genre and I'm a bit burnt out.