I-Fest

Saturday was the annual TCIS International Fest, or I-Fest as everyone calls it around here. I-Fest consists of carnival games, a yard sale, international foods and goodies to buy, performances on the main stage, a cooking contest, bouncy castles, prizes and whole lot of fun. It was an absolutely gorgeous day and probably the hottest day we have had so far this spring. It was a big reminder of what is to come this summer. This year is the 50th anniversary for TCIS so this was a special I-Fest. There are many activities planned throughout the year for the anniversary. Jennifer was involved in organizing a a cooking contest for our 50th Anniversary cookbook. Sadly her pumpkin pie didn't win but she did enjoy getting to sample all the entries since she got to help organize. :) Her recipe will end up in the cookbook though.

The soccer was filled with tents housing games, service projects, food, and fun. The gym was filled with a yard sale and the parking lot filled with a dunk tank and of course, more food :). I-fest brings in people from our community as well as parents of our students. There were a lot people that even came down from GSIS-our sister school.

I think the highlight of Zachary's day was the bouncy castle. He had never been in one of these before but he loves to jump so I was pretty sure he would love it. He loved running from end to end and falling down in the process. He got to jump with all of his little kid friends so it was such a scary place for mommy.

Mrs. Laura went in with Sara. Zachary and Seth enjoyed jumping and falling down with them.

Zachary and Seth
Hi Mommy!
Zachary and Nikita Our church booth provided balloons for the little ones. Our manly boy asked for a flower :).
Zachary played a variety of games in which he earned tickets. What does he choose to buy with his tickets, a ball of course! Come on mom, don't you know by now that balls are my first true love?

We got to watch some tae-qwan-do performances on the main stage. Throughout the day, there was dancing, singing, and a hula hoop contest.
More often than not, you can find our family hanging out with the Price and/or Hawkins family. Zachary just adores Kacy and Sara Price. In fact, he wants to name his little sister Kacy. While at I-Fest, Zachary and Sara had a little flirt fest. They were so sweet to watch as they just looked at each other and giggled. Sara is 1 year younger than Zachary. Do you think there may be something brewing in the future? :)
So sweet!

By the end of the day many of the balloons given out had flown into the sky. Zachary refused to move most of the time until he could no longer see the balloons. Luckily, his balloon never flew away but he got pretty upset a couple times when he watched other balloons float away. Balls may win out but balloons are a pretty close second.

Overall, we all really enjoyed our first I-Fest and can't wait until next year. Of course, I need to rest up in before then.

You know your in Asia when....

You know your in Asia when you want to eat a peach cup at school because you are hungry but don't have a spoon available so you use chopsticks.

Pottery Festival

Last weekend we went with a group of people from school to a pottery festival in a little village on the outskirts of Taejon. The village would get extra points for foreigners coming to their festival which meant money from the government or something like that. There were probably about 30 of us, adults and children who ventured out on this randomly cold and rainy day in spring. Zachary was so excited to get to ride a bus that he didn't really care where he was going. OK so we passed the World Cup Stadium on the way there and he really wanted to stop and play soccer but we couldn't do that.

At the entrance to the village- art made from broken pieces of potteryWhen we arrived, there were ladies and men making duk the old fashioned way. Duk is a chewy rice cake that is made a variety of ways. It is made into balls or small patties and put in soup, or rolled into hot dog shape and covered in hot sauce or the chewy kind that they were making has something mixed in like nuts or kim (seaweed) in this case and is a chewy snack. Most duk these days is made by machine but the old fashioned way is on a large piece of wood and beaten with large wooden hammers. The women would fold and knead the duk and men would pound it out. It was quite interesting to watch. We got to sample it. Patrick liked it but with the kim in it, I wasn't too excited. I like the kind with the fruit and nuts mixed in. The street was lined with vendors selling their beautiful pottery. It was amazing to see how each potter had their old style and technique. Below is the kiln where they fire their pots. We got to watch the potter form the clay into a beautiful pot and be reminded of our Lord who molds our lives into His beautiful creation. The pot made by this human potter had its imperfections just as we do but in God's eyes we are perfectly designed and each imperfection is a trial to be faced or a lesson learned. I'm so thankful that my Heavenly Potter is not through with me yet and continues to mold me into His beautiful creation to be used for His glory.
We were up in the mountains around Taejon. It was a very cold and wet day but the landscape was still beautiful.

Lunch was purchased at a tent where they were cooking outdoors and even washing the dishes outside with the hose and tub of water. Ellen and Patrick enjoyed a warm bowl of kuksu, a rice noodle soup with vegetables, for their lunch. I enjoyed my peanut butter crackers :). I tried the kuksu but once again it had kim in it which turned me off.
We enjoyed our outdoor meal and chuckled when we found the napkins. The bathrooms were actually inside a building but it wouldn't surprise me if people used the napkins out and about in the area.

Zachary also had a way too often occurrence happen while we were at the village. We are somewhat of a 'celebrity' in Korea or at least that's what it feels like when you are followed everywhere we go, yelled at in whatever little English people know, and often patted or touched. This lady wanted her picture taken with Zachary. You can tell by Zachary's face that he was not quite pleased. Zachary has really starting withdrawing from people around us and will not respond to people even in the TCIS community as he just seems too tired of being the center of attention. We can't wait to get back to America where we blend in like everyone else.

Calgon Take Me Away!

After about 3 weeks of trying to get a leak in our bathroom fixed, I think it is finally resolved. We thought our toilet was leaking at first so the ajashi's came, removed toilet to check for leaks and recaulk. We then realized it was coming from below our tub. Our bathroom was soaked anytime we used the bathtub or shower. The ajashi's came 3 times to caulk and then decided the only solution was a new bathtub. Though there was nothing wrong with our actual tub and it was obvious it was the pipes underneath, that was their solution. Last Friday we got our new bathtub with a seat, arm rests and a neck rest. Zachary took a relaxing soak in the new tub.

When Patrick and I were discussing the new tub when we came home, Zachary heard us mention that there was a 'butt rest' in the new tub. When it was time to take a bath that night, he said, "Can I take a bath in the butt tub?!" He was very excited but we just laughed.

It's a...

GIRL! Zachary gets to have a baby sister! Purple here we come!

Changes

I'd say the belly bump is getting bigger, what do you think?

Top left- 11 weeks

Top right- almost 16 weeks

My how the hair has grown in just 5 weeks as well!

Stay tuned for the big reveal of the sex of the baby! Coming soon!

Say Cheese!

Zachary has learned to take pictures with the real camera. I thought I would let you guys see a bit of his handiwork. These are the pretty good ones. All the ones of the floor, I deleted :).

Mom and Dad- not the most flattering view but a pretty good shot for a two-year old.

His helicopter

Artistic shot- the open umbrella

Taking pictures from TV- Boots and Swiper from Dora the Explorer. He was purposefully trying to take a picture of them. I think he did pretty well.

Elementary SEW

This week was elementary SEW or Spiritual Emphasis Week. This year they used a VBS curriculum for the program call PowerLab. It was a lot of fun! Zachary got a special SEW t-shirt to wear all week. His class only participated in the chapel parts and not everything else during the day. Zachary lasted about 3 chapels and then that was enough for him. The program was pretty loud and his class was sitting up front. There was also someone dressed up as a crazy scientist and he was pretty freightened of him. Even though he was terrified during each session he attend. He did learn a few things. He loves singing a song about God's power and ironically will "God gives us the power to be brave! AHA!" I know many kids were impacted this week and seeds were planted in their hearts of a love for God. Hopefully next year, Zachary won't be so afraid and can enjoy SEW a bit more. Next year, Patrick will get be a part of this special SEW and I am sure will have many more stories to tell. Jesus has the power!
Aha!

The scary Mr. Dan aka Professor Wilbur

God is good!

A couple days ago, a posted our farewell to green beans. I am guessing God is a frequent visitor of our blog because guess what they have started selling at our grocery store this week? GREEN BEANS!!! And not just any brand of green beans but Del Monte green beans! A friend of ours found them at HomePlus and decided to share with the school that green beans were available. Patrick was so kind and immediately went to the store ( about 8:30 at night) and bought a bag full of green beans and sweet peas (Yeah God sent sweet peas too!).



Many times we question how God could care for our small needs and then if he really does. Many times these 'needs' are really just 'wants' and not a true need. God blesses us more than we can ever ask or imagine. I was completely satisfied with waiting 2 more months for another bite of green beans but God decided to bless us. We don't know how long they will be around as things change from day to day here but I am not going to complain. For the next few weeks at least, God has decided to show us that He is in control and cares about each part of our lives. So I know that if God cares about green beans, He cares about helping us decide on selling or renting our house and will provide someone for that. Praise God that He is in control and not me!

THANK YOU GOD FOR GREEN BEANS

Matthew 6:25-31

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Zachary's new pet

On Saturday, Zachary got his first pet. We have been talking for a long time about getting Zachary a fish. Daddy was out and about on Friday and found a fish tank with all the frills for only 10,000 won (a little over 10 dollars). Saturday morning Zachary was ready to go out buy his fish first thing. From the time he woke up, before 6:00am, he was asking to go buy fish.

He picked out little yellow fish. I thought he would get a variety but he chose all the same. We aksed for 4 fish but the lady at the store gave us one for free. Zachary names is fish; Zachary, Mommy, Daddy, Ms. Ellen, and Christine. Ms. Ellen is a friend of our here and Christine is meant to be her friend Kristi who came to visit but Zachary thinks her name is Christine. Very creative names, don't you think?

Zachary is very proud of his fish.

Soccer Monster

Zachary has become very fond of soccer this spring. We have been going to a lot of TCIS soccer games and he has become a big fan. His gross motor skills also continue to develop. I am pretty impressed with his ability to catch the ball, throw, and kick. Here is a video of the other night when Zachary and Daddy were playing ball in the house. I think he is getting too good, that the game has to move outside. :)

Spring is here (at least we hope so)

We are hoping that spring is finally here to stay in Korea. This weather is turning warm and the trees are starting to bloom. We are getting to spend more of our time out doors instead of cooped up inside. I think Zachary was going stir crazy. Ok so maybe that was mom and dad.

We are able to get out and venture to new playgrounds to play and even walked to the store today instead of taking a taxi becuase it was so beautiful.

The cherry blossom trees are beautiful. In Korea, the cherry blossom is the symbol of spring. It has been exciting to see them in real life and not just paintings.

To go along with spring, we have had these worm like pollen things falling to the ground. They have little tiny flowers on them and often cover the sidewalks and grassy areas around school. Thought it is a great sign of spring, Zachary doesn't like them. In fact, he is afraid of them. He won't walk through them on his own. Usually we have to carry him through them or he will maneuver very slowly through them making sure that with each step he does not step on one or even get close. I don't know if he thinks they are bugs but it is pretty funny watching him try to get where he wants to go without having to step on them. I guess that is the price he has to pay for beautiful weather.

a few more playground pics

A farewell to green beans

One night this week we had our last serving of green bean casserole, aka green bean crunch to Zachary. My mom sent me 8 cans of green beans at Christmas along with some french fried onions. They lasted until April 1st which I am pretty proud of since I only used them for very special occasions. Usually Matt and Amy got to join in for our green bean casserole dinners. I never expected that Korea would not have green beans. We have truly missed our delicious DelMonte vegetables. Our pastor's wife is attempting to grow greens beans on her balcony. We'll see if it works and maybe join in on the fun next year. Of course I will be bringing a suitcase full of green beans back with us next year.

While we were enjoy our delicious treat on Tuesday, Zachary decided that his green bean crunch was so delicious that it deserved to be eaten with two forks. He did a pretty good job eating this way. Maybe he will be ambidextrous :).

So this is our farewell for green beans for the next two months. I have told Zachary that he can have green bean crunch everyday this summer if he wants. Between Chick-fil-a and green beans, this summer will be awesome!

Ode to Green Beans

green beans, greens beans

so yummy to me

green beans, green beans

full of vitamin C

we enjoyed your taste for this short while

the thought of you makes us smile

our bones may grow weak

without your calcium

as our stomachs grows hungry

from no casserole-yum

green beans, green beans

we'll see you again

green beans, green beans

our dear vegetable friend

I LOVE GREEN BEAN CRUNCH!