For the past year we walk by Joseph, a Korean artist, in the "BXmida" and just admire his work. He can take ANY picture and make the most amazing portraits. So we finally decided to order one. Below is emails between me and Joseph and I just thought they would give you an idea of how communication has been for the past year between me and a Korean. :)

Joseph,

I was just checking in with you to see if you needed any input from me about our painting. I have attached the digital picture of the photo I gave you that you asked for. Are we still on track to pick it up on the 16th? We are moving from Korea on the 26th. Thank you again for your time and talent!

Jenna Stitzel

Order #931

I am very appreciative for submiting E-mail to me beforehand. Is going to change and paint your husband face.You and child are natural just as it is..Of course, 16 day is your picture completion date.But will be delayed a little but may be completed correctly 23 day..As is thing to complete good picture, if you understand, I will be very appreciative. Again, thank you very for E-mail to me..
joseph
----- 메시지 원본 ----

Okay, no problem. Thank you for emailing me back and letting me know. Is there anything I can do to help with my husband's face (I know funny, and that's funny)? Do you need another picture or to talk with me in person? I can meet you if you need me to. I look forward to seeing the picture and you.

Kamsahamnida!

Jenna

Thank you very much...Oh!! It's Enough ..
I am thankful very to you about your interest and kindness .
----- 메시지 원본 ----

He is such a sweet man and we love our portrait!

Ana, our cats, and I leave in the morning and this will be my last Korean blog entry!! Marc will be joining us in March. I will be in touch with you all soon to let you know our NEW TEXAS blogsite! Thank you for being apart of our Korean adventures!!

Our Farewell from the Squadron

Our farewell was this past Saturday at Chang Pwuck, a GREAT Thai restaurant. Very sweet words were spoken about us and when I was saying my speech I got all choked up. I WILL miss Korea and all our wonderful friends!

The guys gave Marc his token Korean bell with quotes that Marc uses around the office, "Needs more cowbell" and "Did you get the memo?" Fond memories of Korea.... :)


The ladies surprised me with the neatest Asian wooden doll in which her dress is a scroll. Everyone had written such sweet words! The guys gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers! Thank you again!!

After dinner a group of us went downtown to Jumi's. One last good-bye kettle shot for good luck!
Here's to Korea and Here's to going HOME!

Jumi gave us a farewell gift too. :) Very sweet. Thank you to the 607th CPD (and Jumi) and we will miss you all!!! You know our door is always opened to you.

Annyǒnghi kyeseyo!!!

Top Ten Reasons we are SAD to Move

For the past week I have really been reminiscing about our time here in Korea. There have been so many goods and bads that I thought it would be best explained in a Top Ten List. When I was coming up with my lists I surprised myself because there were MORE GOODS than bads...

10. The Flower Market. There really is nothing like it! Beautiful and all that ribbon just makes my heart go pitter pitter pat!

9. Everland. The best year pass we have ever gotten! Awesome rides, shows, activities for ALL of us!

8. Rickenbacker's Chai Teas. Yes, Starbucks is good...but Rickenbacker's IS better! Or have I lived here too long?

7. Dragon Hill Lodge. Dragon Hill Lodge up in Seoul really was always the best weekend getaway!

6. Mi Young our massage therapist. The way she pops you, stretches you, rubs you...AMAZING! But my sister (IN TEXAS) is a fabulous massage therapist so we will make it I'm sure! :)

5. Purses. SO fun, so many, so little time....

4. "Korenglish". Korenglish REALLY does put a smile on my face every time!!

3. Our AF family! Again, we have found friends that will last a lifetime and some that we will be seeing again VERY soon at Randolph!!

2. The Korean people we have become friends with. Their hospitality and generosity is overwhelming.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

1. Driving through Red Lights!! How many tickets do you guess I'll be getting in the first month back to the states??

Top Ten Reasons We are READY to Move!!!

Those of you who have lived here in the "Land of the Morning Calm" KNOW there are just certain things that make you so glad to move on...start your next chapter...GET THE HECK OUTTA HERE!!

10. The Korean Commericals. Now what are they advertising?

9. The Time Change. I will be so glad to not hear, "What time is it over there?" AND it will be so nice to not have to stay up til midnight to get anything accomplished in the states!

8. No Football. But in reality that was our fault. We could have gotten a satellite dish and made it happen. But under the "Rules of Urban Camping"...FOOTBALL was not a necessity.

7. Apartment Living. Broken elevators, flooded bathrooms/kitchen, broken appliances, funky smells seeping through vents, noises...

6. Long Hours/Exercises/Conferences....I swear Marc has lost 5 years off his life. However, I have learned patience and appreciation for all he does.

5. Personal Space Issues. "No, really, that one inch space was not for you to shove your skinny little butt into...NOW BACK OFF"!! Oops, was that out loud????

4. Squatty Potties. (Mind you this is not one of Ana's dislikes...only me and Marc!!)

3. Pointy Talky Communication. Again, this really is our fault for not learning the language. It will be nice to move back to the states where everyone speaks English...OH WAIT...we are moving to TX...never mind!!

2. Bugs. If I smell or see someone eat another bug....

DRUM ROLL....

1. THE SMELL! Enough said.

More of Our Favorite Korean Faces!

I have to say as I get closer and closer to moving, I have come to realize how we HAVE become such a part of the Korean community and how I really will miss these faces!!

Sophie is my hairdresser and she is wonderful! Not only does she cut and color my hair well, but she is a sweetheart. It is not easy to find a Korean hairdresser that can color blond hair without messing it up so I am REALLY grateful for her!! Think about it...how many blond Koreans have YOU seen?

This is Mr. and Mrs. Kim. They are our favorite "box people". Over here when you need to ship a box somewhere you can just take your contents to a "box person" and they will make the perfect size box for your things and package it for $2!! In the states I remember "dumpster diving" to find boxes that stores have thrown out and then having to go buy bubble wrap or get a newspaper OR always keeping a stash in the garage of all of the above...such a drama! It's SO worth it for TWO DOLLARS!! Mr. and Mrs. Kim ALWAYS have a smile for us and a treat for Ana!!! Another FRIENDLY face that we see EVERYDAY... except on Sundays because they are strong Christians and don't work on Sundays. :)

THIS LADY HAS SAVED OUR LIVES HERE!!! Her name is Mi Young. She is our massage therapist that we take turns seeing every month!! She works at Queen Massage and is AMAZING!!! After a 90 min. oil massage you TRULY feel like a new person. I just had my last massage this week (above pix) and it was a bitter sweet good bye.

SURPRISE VALENTINE!!

I was making dinner and the doorbell rang! Marc says, "Jenna someone is here for you!" So I go to the door and Aftan (our babysitter) is in Ana's room. Well, our good friends downstairs use her roomate to babysit and I thought she just had come with her and came upstairs to say HI...(I still didn't catch on...) So I asked her how she was and what was going on and she said, "I'm here for YOU, Marc called and asked me to babysit tonight so he can take you out!" SOOO excited, I finished up dinner (for Aftan and Ana) and puffed and fluffed and we left!

Our favorite restaurant in town is a German restaurant and they were having a special Valentine's Dinner and it was YUMMY! This sweet man has married a Korean lady and they have this excellent restaurant called Memories. You must go if you are ever in the neighborhood! :)

After dinner we went to Jumi's to play darts. He just barely beat me!! :) We had a very fun night just talking and playing! This was the first time HE had gotten the babysitter and it was a very good surprise. I truely do have the best husband in the world and am so grateful for him!!

Happy Valentine's Day!