Return from the abyss

Well, not really. I realized that over a month has gone by w/o a single entry and even before that, entries were sparse. I suppose when you work three days a week, despite the fact that your mother is here cooking, cleaning, and taking care of your child, there doesn't leave much time in the week for blogging (and keeping up w/regular email and facebook).

So, what have we been up to? Mom was here and we did a DMZ trip, a trip to Seoul, and a week in Hong Kong. All in all a very good but busy visit. We explained to David that Po Po was going home and he was OK with that. My friend Hope also moved back to the States in October. We miss her company and her twins. David didn't have too much trouble accepting the fact that they have left. I think that will come as he gets older.

A left for almost 2 weeks the day after Mom took off and I went back to working 2 half days a week. I have one more day left of work and that's about it. David and I will fly back to the states on Dec 27th and that will end our time in Korea. The weather is getting colder and although we will miss Daddy, it will be much warmer in FL and I can spent time w/Mom w/o having to work.

So for now, we have a few more trips left and that's about it. I will try to be a little more consistent w/my entries for the next few weeks.

I pooped! Potty training in progress

My mom is here visiting and she took on the task of potty training David. My little 19 month old is verbalizing many things these days. Po Po (the maternal grandmother) asked David to tell her when he needs to poop - he replies OK. Several time over the course of the week, she's taken him to the toilet only for him to say "All done." Well, today was the day. This all happened while I was out doing the laundry off base. David started making noises/faces and Po Po asked him if he needed to poop and he replied OK. So after a few minutes of holding him above the toilet, he said "I pooped" Sure enough, he did it! Yay little Day-day (as he calls himself these days)! We'll see what happens tmw.

He also clearly demonstrated "excited." While enjoying his nigh-nigh juice (milk w/drinkable yogurt), I asked him if he was excited. With his hands straight up by his face and a smile on his face, he shook w/excitement and said "excited." It was pretty funny.

Jusangjeolli Cliffs and Hallim Park

The Cliffs or Pillars are located on the south part of the Island, about 10 minutes from our hotel. About a 2km stretch of coastline has these lava formations that are hexagonal and cubic pillars. It's really quite amazing. They offered tours to see the coastline from a boat which would have been awesome but we'll just have to do it another time.

Hallim park is on the West side of the island and had a small sampling of everything Jeju island had to offer - a lava tube, a limestone cave, a Korean folk village, and several gardens. They even had a rock and bonsai garden. David enjoyed climbing on some of those rocks.

News Flash

Several months ago, A's promotion recommendation form was submitted to the promotion board. He did not get a DP or definitely promote recommendation but he did have a fairly glowing recommendation. Nonetheless, other candidates in his situation had a 34% promotion rate to Lieutenant Colonel so we were a little nervous. Well, tonight we received a phone call from his commander and .... A made it! Congratulations! We are all very proud of you and thank the Lord for our blessings. He'll most likely pin-on in another year or so.

Now back to our regularly scheduled posts.

Seongsan Ilchulbong "Sunrise Peak"

SI is a dormant parasitic volcano on the Eastern side of Jeju island. Grass now grows in the crater and beyond the peak is the ocean. It was a fairly easy hike to the top but very windy. David thought running down the grassy hill was the best part. Just to the North is Udo Island which you can take a ferry out to - we didn't and there's also a little cove where the women divers work out of. These women dive for seafood and shellfish w/o any apparatus. A and David saw some one morning at the beach by our hotel but they are all over the island.

This shot is near the top, looking down at the coast. David just happen to stick his head out.
At the top. You can see the crater behind us.









David and the hill