The Roberts in Korea

Weekend

The tales of this weekend hold no grand adventures, wild rides, new sights or muddy waters.  This past weekend was a normal one.  We did nothing of sorts....and it was wonderful.  Both Saturday and Sunday's weather here in Daejeon was perfect--clear blue skies, not too hot nor too cool Fall temperatures.  Saturday we watched the TCIS Dragons play volleyball--boys and girls.  What a blast it was to see the students compete.  Saturday night we did dinner at home (yes, it is hard to believe but we did cook and eat a meal at home) and we finished watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy that we started two weeks ago.

Sunday was truly a Sabbath--we read books, talked with family on the telephone, went for a walk and hung out together.  Traveling, sight seeing and adventures are wonderful but these are the types of weekends with family that we treasure.

On another note--the food here in Korea is wonderful and diverse and we are really enjoying the cultural eating experience.  Korean food is very affordable and there are Korean restaurants everywhere so we find ourselves going out to dinnner often (and I mean often).  These pictures are from a very traditional Korean restaurant that we visited.  A teacher and friend from TCIS was with us on this adventure and she spoke fluent Korean (thank goodness).  She helped us order.  At the bottom of the first  picture is a "side dish" of cooked silkworm larve.   In the early days of the rebuilding of South Korea the available food was scarce and the cooked silkworm larve served as a major source of protein.  Here is a picture of a few of us giving them a try.  All I can say is that I am glad that South Korea is rebuilt.

Staying Healthy

For those that are interested, Dina's diet is going well-- she is practically skin and bone and Ryan's work out plan....well as you can see, no one will be kicking sand in his face any more.

Expo Park

In the late 1990's South Korea hosted a worldwide science expo.

They have built an amazing park full of buildings and displays and architecture that  are related to science.  It is a huge park and it is reported that millions and millions of people from all over the world converged on the park upon its opening.  It is somewhat desolate now--but last Saturday we went and spent a fun day at Expo Park in Daejeon, South Korea. 

One of the park attraction is a journey into and through the human body.  It sounds better than it really is--but we had fun.  In the human body display is a kid's playland and couches for parents to relax in--it was good.  We could only learn by observation because all of the informational displays were written in Korean.

Sarah and Dina love to talk on the telephone--they were thrilled to run into Alexander Graham Bell at Expo Park.

            We told Sarah to leave the nice aligator alone         but she wouldn't listen.

Dina and I are so proud of our daughters, Becca and Sarah.  They are so easy to travel and sight see with and they are so much fun to be around.  We had a great day together at Expo Park.

Our Apartment

In response to requests here is a pictorial look at our apartment here in South Korea.  We live in the Hansup Apartments in the Yung Jung Dong neighborhood of Daejeon.  We are on the tenth floor.

(Right picture) Here is a picture of the entrance to our building.

Here is the elevator that goes up to our apartment on the tenth floor.  We are health conscious and don't use the elevator--we climb the 10 flights of stairs many times a day (that's a lie).

(Picture to the right)  Here is our front door.  It still has the welcome sign on it from when we first arrived in Daejeon.  Also, you might see an advertisement hanging on our door.  It is not uncommon for us to return from a day of work to find many ads (for food, dry cleaning, etc.) taped or magnetically attached to our door.

Here is the beautiful view of our apartment from the front door!

(Picture to the right)  As you step into the front door to the left is the view of the living room and porch area.

From the porch area here is the view of the kitchen, Sarah's bedroom door and to the right of the mirror is the entrance door to our apartment.

(Picuture to the right)  To the right is a view into Becca's room.  The kitchen is to the right and the bathroom is to the left and a little bit further to the left is Ryan and Dina's bedroom.

Here is a picture of Ryan and Dina's bedroom.  To the left is a dresser and the computer table and to the right is a wardrobe and a small half bath. 

It is cozy, well under 1000 square feet--we are thankful for it and we love it.

Muddy Water (Rated PG)

I am really getting out of the box here in S. Korea.  While at the middle school retreat at Daechon Beach I visited a public bath/mud house.  Daechon Beach is famous for the "healthy" mud that they have here.  People come in July every year from all over the world to cover themselves with mud.  Sooo... I went for it.

To make a long story short, I paid 3000 won ($3) to go into the men's portion of this spa, strip down to nothing (and they don't give you a towel until the end) and then move through a series of giant hot tubs (they are nice) full of hot water, cold water, hot sea water, hot muddy water, a wet sauna and then.....(I thought it was over)  ....then I went to a place where there is a tub of mud and some paint brushes and a full length mirror....(Yes, I know--that is why I rated this PG).  I painted my entire body with sea mud (no I didn't take a picture) and then I went out into a sitting area and dried.  It is a challenge to have an intelligent conversation while sitting in the buff entirely covered in partially dried mud.

Anyway, after I was "dry" I showered off and was a new man.  Nutty, I know but fun.  I hope none of you think the less of me.  Come on over to South Korea and I will treat you to a mud bath!

Middle School Retreat

Last weekend, Sept. 8-10, Becca and Ryan went on the TCIS middle school retreat.  Eighty students and twenty staff attended the retreat at the Daechon Beach retreat center located on the West coast of South Korea.  Becca was a camper at the retreat and Ryan played guitar in the worship band and helped out where ever needed.  The retreat was designed to enhance student/staff relationships and to give the students opportunities for spiritual growth.  Above is a picture of a chapel service and on the right is a picture of the porch/walkway in front of the student cabins.  Becca stayed in a cabin with 8 other girls and two adult sponsors.  The retreat center was located right on the beach over looking the Yellow Sea.  Many of the weekend's activities centered around the beach and beach activities.  On the right is a picture of some beach activities and in the upper left corner of the picture, in the trees, is where the retreat center was located.  Becca had a great time at retreat.  The students spent a lot of time on the beach, laughing playing and swimming. 

Daejon Beach is a beautiful beach.  When the tide is out there is an amazing array of sea life available on the sand: starfish, remnants of jelly fish, sand dollars, sea urchins and tons of sea shells.  Becca not only combed the beach but she swam as  well.  Here she is out swimming.  Becca is the one with her hands up.

The beach, retreat and life in general are so much more beautiful and enjoyable with friends to share it with.  Here are a couple of pictures of Becca with some of her new friends here in South Korea. 

It is our privilege to share them with all of you, our precious friends back home.

More Sights....

There are all kinds of interesting and different things that we see here in Korea.  Here are just a few more "sights" of Korea.

As we have had the chance to travel by bus to the Northern, Eastern and Western parts of S. Korea it has become quickly evident that the land area is comprised primarily of three things:  city, agriculture, and mountains (hills if you are from Montana).  The land is a precious commodity here in S. Korea.  This picture to the left is a golf driving range.  They don't have room here to lay out a full-sized driving range so they set up these large fences for practice ranges.

There are very few pets here in Daejeon.  We have seen less than 5 pet cats or dogs in our time here thus far.  Here is a picture of a little dog that we saw outside a residence as we were on our way to church.  He/she is a cutie.  The Korean bark sounds very similar to the English bark.

Koreans are very service oriented and the Korean people take great pride and care in all they do.  For example, whenever you order pizza  or have a take out box here in Korea the pizza boxes are neatly wrapped in ribbon.  Nice touch.

This is a beautiful country.  Last weekend Becca and Ryan went on a weekend Middle School retreat to a campground on the West Coast of S. Korea call Daechon Beach.  It was an absolutely incredible place. Here is a sunset over looking the Yellow Sea at Daechon Beach. Stay tuned for more info on Middle School retreat and Daechon Beach.

Sights

Sorry it is has been so long since you have heard from us.  Everything kind of shifted into high gear here in S. Korea and it has been so busy.  Last weekend Becca and Ryan were at a Middle School retreat on the west coast of South Korea and the days and evenings throughout the week have been filled with work, school work and life in general.

The weather here in Korea has suddenly become wonderful.  The hot, sweaty days are gone and have been replaced by near perfect weather.  Here is a picture of Becca as she is standing at the balcony window of our apartment.  Along with the beautiful girl and the beautiful view you can see the beautiful weather.

A few times over the past two weeks we have all jumped in a taxi after school and headed for a "downtown" area of Daejeon.  It is fun to just get away and take in some sights and some junk food after work.  Here we are at a downtown area where there is a crowd gathered around a group of dancers on the street.  As you can see there are not many Americans in downtown Daejeon.  In this picture it appears that Becca and Dina are giving the street dancers a run for their money when it comes to getting attention. 

We are enjoying the beginnings of some new friendships here in Korea.  The other night we had the privilege to go out to dinner with the High School secretary, Mrs. Jung and her two children.  Mrs. Jung is a wonderful lady who is fluent in both Korean and English.  Mrs. Jung fields many phone calls for Ryan in the office and is always very willing to help out with Ryan's flailing attempts at Korean words and phrases.  Here is a picture of Sarah with Mrs. Jung's daughter Yay Oon.  Koreans are beautiful and wonderful people.

Staff Retreat at the Kolon Hotel

Last weekend all 200+ staff members of TCIS--Korean and English speaking--boarded 13 buses and headed south to the 4 Star, Kolon Hotel  (click this link) in Gyeongju, S. Korea for staff retreat.  It was a great time of fun, relaxation and spiritual growth within the TCIS community.  Here is a view from our 8th floor room.

Upon our arrival at the hotel we dropped off our luggage and went right down to the banquet hall for dinner.  The food was tremendous all weekend!

Throughout the weekend of staff retreat we had four times of gathering as a group for worship and to hear from our special speaker, Ben Torrey.  Rev. Torrey challenged all of us to look closely at our relationships with one another and with God.  He also shared with us about his work of prayer and preparation for the Gospel of Jesus to go into the country of North Korea.  Pleasee see the link:  The Fourth River Project for more information.  Dina, Becca, Sarah, George Zickefoose and I had the opportunity to lead worship on the first night of the retreat.  It was fun.

Following the services on Friday and Saturday nights many stayed around in the auditorium snacking, talkng, laughing and nori-bonging (karaoke).  It was a great time.

On Saturday night we went to a traditional Korea dinner featuring a Korean cultural music and dance presentation .  The food and the presentation were awesome.  Please see the photo album for more pictures.

It was a great weekend for us.  On Saturday, Dina and some friends jumped in a taxi and went shopping while Ryan and the girls lounged around the pool.  The retreat was a lot of fun and a great way to get fueled up to begin a rigorous school year.  As we pulled out of the hotel, rested up from a great weekend the hotel staff, who served us wonderfully and must have been exhausted, stood on the sidewalk and waved good bye as we drove away.

Drinks and Snacks (Important Stuff)

We arrived in Korea one month ago today.  It has been a great month in our lives.  We have been a part of so many changes, adventures, experiences and new friendships.  Up until just few days ago it has felt like we were visitors or tourists on a long vacation.  It is just starting to sink in that we live here in South Korea and are committed to living here for the next two years.  We are all beginning to miss home--family, friends, familiar routines and we miss our dog Holly.  It is ok though--missing you and being a little homesick gives us a chance to reflect and be thankful for you all--thanks for the many emails, blog comments, cards and phone calls, they mean a lot.

One thing we are missing here in S. Korea is rootbeer floats.  We haven't seen any rootbeer around here--so the next time you burp after a delicious rootbeer float think of us. :)

We may not have rootbeer here in S. Korea but we do have "Milkis."  It is hard to describe Milkis--Sarah loves Milkis--it is like Sprite and milk mixed together.  It is pretty good.  We haven't tried it on cereal yet.  I am sure it is good for you.

Here are some other things that we are drinking here in S. Korea.  We have been drinking a lot of Mango juice.  Becca loves it.  The next item is the milk that we are buying.  It says milk on the jug in very small letters and we got lucky and it is milk.  The next item is tomato juice.  It is vey good.  We are thankful for the pictures on many of the products because it is hard to tell what some things are.

This is banana milk.  The Korean people love this drink.  It tastes like....aaa...... yeah......banana milk.  We like it to.  (It must be tough to squeeze milk out of a banana.) 

Of course we drink lots of water here in S. Korea.  The water from the tap here is not treated like the water in the states and we have been encouraged to drink purified water because our systems are not used to some of the "things" in the water.  Here is a picture of our water machine.  It sits in our kitchen.  It refrigerates the water out of one spicket and heats it out of the other.  I order water bottles through a secretary at the school and it is delivered to our apartment door.  We pay 4500 won per bottle.

Snacks--when we are not gnawing on some squid jerky we are nibbling on some of these snacks.  The pictures on the packages help a lot.  Obviously the blue box is Oreos--Oreo sticks to be exact.

Feeling hungry?  Don't get cranky--eat a Crunky.