We are not Turkey's

As most of you know, my small group and I, plus two new friends from Onnuri Church, celebrated Thanksgiving at Yongsan Army Base. We enjoyed a feast of carved turkey, gourmet cranberry sauce, yeasty rolls without butter (YAY), heaping portions of pie, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy and steamed veggies. Not entirely sure what to call the "dressing/stuffing," but it was still good.

We started out by loading ourselves onto these hilarious buses fit for a disco ball. There were flashing lights down the aisle and microphones with a flat screen TV for karaokeing. Luckily for some and to my dismay, there was not any jubilant singing!



The really nice table setting and room where we had dinner.


Chris and Derek super excited about the turkey, not so excited about the ice breaker games.


Mira, an amazing new friend!


Mary and Amanda.


Self-explanatory, but the guys digging in!


mummmmmmmmmm!

So, Mary and I could not decide WHICH dessert to get, so we pretty much got ALL of them. Some were pretty disappointing, but the chocolate/brownie/cake/heaven was GREAT!


The ladies! And YES!!! I was flipping excited to see some Christmas Trees. The dinner was held at the hotel on the base, which was dressed in it's holiday best!


The most AHHHH-mazing group of people that I have been fortunate enough to meet here in Korea! These guys are not turkeys! They are much much more. So, here is your Christmas photo family and friends!



Glory Glory to ole' Georgia to Hell with all the REST! I said it's great to be a Georgia Bulldawg! And it is! I was able to watch the nail-biting game with my dad via skype early Sunday morning here in Korea. I'm sure my neighbors are thinking aliens landed in my apartment as Amanda might have been thinking I was temporarily possessed. I was shrouded in my finest Georgia gear and tears were springing to my eyes as I watched the silver britches boys bring home another win against the hated North Avenue Yellow Jackets. We should all learn to talk a little less trash and remember that it's the guys on the field playing for all they are worth and not us (note to self - take your own advice!) Great game teams! Goooooooooo Dawgs, sic em' woof woof woof woof!

NERTZ!!!

Conversation via text message:
(Background: Amanda and I invite Derek and Cam over for dinner and a possible movie...)
Derek: Do you want us to bring anything?
Anlee: No, unless you have 4 decks of cards.
Derek: 4 decks of cards? Nertz?
Anlee: HECK YES!!!!

So, Korea just became 10x better! Nertz has landed. YEP! That's right all of my nertz partners world-wide, it's a global phenomenon! I'm sure from playing many rounds of the game with me, you know how excited I was to find a fellow nertz player! Even better, Cam and Amanda took to the game rather quickly. (For those of you that do not know what Nertz is, ask me when I get back. I am sorry to have kept you in the dark so long on this one, but it is an amazing card game.) I spent the evening reminiscing over times spent around the nertz table, or floor, as we always had so many people playing. I remember being punched in the face in an attempt to get my cards into the pot or tying my arms to Courtney as we morphed the game into not only partners nertz, but 3 handed nertz. Good times. Nat, before you leave Ecuador, you should start a game up! I promise not to make this post entirely about Nertz. For dinner I made salmon salad with sauteed carrots and garlic with Cheddar, broccoli, potato soup and crusty bread. Note to self: This mean takes forever so set aside at least an hour and a half. Dessert was complete with chocolate covered strawberries. I really enjoy cooking for other people, so it was nice to have been able to make something for friends and see them enjoy it.

As for the random moments here in Korea, I thought I would supply you with a few pictures to show you that it's not all crazy times here, but also just plain ridiculous.

Amanda being stalked by a man on stilts!!


Amanda and I making funny faces on the train!


Catching Derek and a guy who clearly does not want his picture to be taken on the train!


Pepero gifts from my students!




Derek playing at the Music Club




The most amazing food! Wanted to post pictures just to make you jealous!




Free hugs were needed after a not so satisfying haircut for me and a great new do for Amanda!




When you need to mop the floors and you are too lazy to buy a mop and carry it home, just mop with your feel and soapy water. This was a grand idea!



Amanda and I playing in Gideon's winter coat. Seriously, You could camp out for the rest of the winter in this thing!





My co-teacher, Nancy, and I with our 5 and 6 years classes on Market Day. Asking these kids to take a photo is like asking for World Peace! Not likely.

Dad on Thanksgiving morning laughing at my breakfast of instant mashed potatoes and peas! He's so handsome!

I want MAIL!!!