Mud and bassooning

Monday, July 22nd, was range day!  We met at 6am to draw our M16s, load up and drive out to the New Mexico range - which meant driving basically to North Korea.  I was never in spitting distance, but I definitely was in eye view distance of the border.  It, of course, was raining cats and dogs all day so I don't think I was dry once I set foot outside.  Then once we got to the range, I added mud to the mixture.  They opened the range around 9-930 and I was one of the first in line to zero.  I was able to zero in just a couple of shot groups and then waiting around with everyone else for the whole group to zero.  We had to break (and I made it lunch time) when a lightning storm rolled through.  After lunch, I got to qualify.  The range itself sucks - its up a mountain side and if you had in the rain and fog, some of those targets were incredibly difficult to see!  I was a first time go though, which was all I cared about - not a great score, but I don't need to count points, I just need a check mark in the go column.  All the band folk qualified on our first time, though a few refired to try to get a better score.  We loaded up at a decent time and drove back to Seoul, turned in our M16s and were done for the day.  I showered and went to bed - so tired!

7091 steps (2.08 miles) - didn't have my phone on me the entire time I was on the range due to the rain, so this number is way low given the day I had! 

Tuesday, July 23rd, seemed so nice in comparison.  It was a paperwork day and then WWQ (woodwind quintet) rehearsal.  I bombed alot of the music, so I went back after work to practice, practice, practice.  

12468 steps (5.42 miles)

Wednesday, July 24th, was an interesting day, music wise.  We had concert band rehearsal and since I had been gone all last week it was my first time playing some of the music even though the group had had a few rehearsals already.  Hopefully I didn't biff things too bad in front of everyone!  We are playing "serious" music for an upcoming 60th anniversary concert in September - Overture to Candide, Pines of Rome, Slava and Incheron.  After work I came back to practice... I think after work practice sessions are going to have to be my habit...

8145 steps (3.54 miles)

Thursday, July 25th, was a fairly typical day.  PT was muscle groups (and it hurt) and then the day was paperwork and WWQ rehearsal.  My oboe player said she could tell that I had practiced (and yes, that made me feel great!)  We also had inspections of our different shops and I heard we passed everything with flying colors.  After work, I jogged down to the commissary to buy some much needed food supplies.

10615 steps (4.62 miles)

Friday, July 26th, we went running in the morning for PT.  The morning was fairly laid back - formation, a bit of WWQ rehearsal, making sure my ASUs (dress uniform) looked good, and then lunch.  After lunch, I changed into my ASUs, loaded up equipment and my WWQ plus bugler, drummer and ops personnel drove over to the War Memorial where we played for the wreath laying ceremony and unveiling of the new Canadian Memorial.  It was pretty cool even if lots of things didn't go as planned.  Afterwards, we packed back up, drove back to base and were done for the day.  I met up with my friend Carter to go see R.I.P.D. in 3d at the post theater.   We ran into a bunch of other band folk who came to see the movie too.  After the movie, we went out to Seoul Pub for a beer and the going away party of one of our piano players.   

13145 steps (5.72 miles)

Saturday, July 27th, I was woken up early by the sun coming in my room (I should invest in blinds) and by the sounds of protesters just outside the post wall.  People in the barracks near me decided they wanted to compete with the protesters and decided to blare music all day - it rotated around from Eminem rap to hill billy blues.  I ignored it all and read Starship Troopers (getting it done a whole day early for book talk!)  At 4 I started walking to the Dragon to meet up with folk and got stopped twice by the MP and had to show my ID (they take the protests pretty seriously around here).  I gathered the group at the Dragon and we decided to try Kimchee Pot gate since the MPs had closed most of the gates on the one side of post.  It was interesting seeing all the police in riot gear as we walked over the bridge.  The protesters weren't at the KP gate, so we were able to exit and start the log hike up to Seoul Tower.  We collected more band people at the 7-11 and sweated all the way up.  We got there just in time to hear our Rock Band's set.  I had brought cookies (Split Seconds) as treats to pass around to all the band folk who managed to walk up the mountain.  I was amazed how many people were amazed that I had made them - apparently I don't look like a competent baker?  After we hiked back down Seoul Tower, we went to Rainbow Galbi, sat on the floor for dinner, and then had a beer at WA bar.  I was back on post and in bed by 11pm.

21899 steps (9.52 miles)

Sunday, July 28th, was a typical lazy weekend day.  I rolled out of bed and tried to get to my book talk on time though my computer was not cooperating!  (I seriously need to by a new laptop...)  The book talk was good though I am amazed how many people didn't like Starship Troopers (I love Heinlein!) I feel like I spent most of the time saying "no seriously, that's how we do it in the military!  Afterwards, I had Skype convo with another friend.  Then a quick shower and I met up with my friend Carter to see Red 2 at the post theater (hysterical.)  We walked over to the furniture store and I bought myself an area rug  - its greyish-blue and really tied the room together.  Carter helped carry it back to my BEQ.  Actually, he carried it because he said it made him feel like a gentleman and wouldn't let me carry it.  I have my floor a good scrubbing before laying down the rug.  Since I was already scrubbing, I decided to scrub down the bathroom and do laundry as well.  Productive, hey?

5701 steps (2.48 miles)

Walking walking walking

First of all, I had put one of those pedometer apps on my phone and I'll post the step count for each day and guestimate mileage. I walk alot here!!!

Monday, July 15th, I continued with my Equal Opportunity class.  I continued to get made fun of for being in the band and being a librarian... but I'm used to it by now!  For lunch, we went to one of the KATUSA snack bars.  I'm not sure I'll go back to that one because while the food tasted amazing, I had a stomachache later!  During the day, I got a phone call from housing saying that I needed to come in, so after we got out of class, I tramped down to housing.  They found me a BEQ (bachelor enlisted quarters - does that help, Grandma? ;)) and I needed to sign it out the next day.  That night, I packed all my stuff up at the hotel and left it at a friend's beq so I wouldn't have to shuffle it in the morning.

13107 steps (5.7 miles)

Tuesday, July 16th, I woke up, went to class, had lunch and then went to my appointment with housing.  My new BEQ is fairly far away from the rest of the band folk, which could be a good thing since we do work together all day long.  The inside was fairly disgusting, but nothing that some pinesol and bleach and elbow grease can't eventually fix.  I have one housemate so far who shares the bathroom and kitchen with me, but I have a very large bedroom all to my self.  I've arranged it, though I might figure out a different arrangement as time goes on.  I definitely need to hang some stuff on the walls and find a rug or something... its very barren looking right now.  I know I'll only be here for a year, but white walls will get fairly depressing after a bit!

14676 steps (6.38 miles)

Wednesday, July 17th, was yet another day of class.  During lunch, I went with another classmate to the library to try to find additional visual aids for our presentations.  My presentation for class was on Larry Echo Hawk, and I was going to tie my presentation back into the treatment of Native Americans so it was easy to find books... the 970s!  (Dewey decimal... that's right, didn't even have to look it up ;))  One of my classmates was having a hard time finding the EO connection to her assigned person, so I gambled about with some basic knowledge I learned in history class years ago and managed to find her thesis.  Made me feel productive!

13194 steps (5.74 miles)

Thursday, July 18th, was presentation day for class.  The one warrent officer in class went first and she definitely set the bar for the standard of the presentations.  There were a few people that did a good job, but I was a little worried about how many people didn't know how to speak to a group or know how to put together a powerpoint presentation and make it look... well, presentable!  For lunch, a couple of us went off post to Rainbow Galbi - one of the guys hadn't had Korean BBQ yet so it was fun getting to teach him.  The gate almost didn't let me back on after lunch - stupid machine couldn't read my fingerprint.  Some of the gates (Kimchee Creek gate for example), I am always a first time go!  But the Camp Coiner gate never wants to let me in!  After work, I went to the Trent gym where they were having a Jiujitsu class.  It turned out to be a Judo class so I spent an hour falling.  By the end, both of my forearms were covered in bruises!  I'm surprised people didn't comment...

11712 steps (5.09 miles)

Friday, July 19th, marks the official one month of boots on ground in Korea.  Scary to think about but 1 month down, 11 to go!  Class started with our big test.  Everyone passed!  Later on, we did a brief "graduation" ceremony and were given our certificates and then kicked out.  I am apparently going to be the primary EO representative for my unit, which will make things interesting.  That night, a group of the band folk went out to the British Embassy in Seoul.  Our rock band played for them a few weeks ago and the British Sergeant Major said that he always invites people to the pub there but no one ever comes.  One of the bandmates said that he was obviously just inviting the wrong people!  So we let them know a group of us were going so our names were on the list when we got let onto the Embassy.  Downstairs in the building is what looks like an honest to god, English pub.  The British Sergeant Major (Ian - who is actually from Scotland) was a hoot and I got to talking to one of the Canadian embassy guys about Canadian and Michigan things that people don't understand.  The bartender (also Scottish!) was fantastic - I told him I liked dark beer and he found a great beer.  The next beer he recommended was just as good!  I told him, I'd like to keep him as a bartender!  Later that night, we ran into some of the band members from 2ID (stationed up near the DMZ) who were in town on leave.  Fun night overall.

17702 steps (7.7 miles)

Saturday, July 20th, I woke up at a decent time and walked down to Starbucks for coffee and a bagel.  Then I came back, changed into a cute purple dress and high heels and went to the first wedding of the day.  I was walking down the street at 10am and actually carrying my heels (I wore flats to walk the distance - I didn't want to fall!)  and thinking to myself that most people seeing me would be thinking I was just getting back from a wild night rather then heading to a wedding!  The first wedding was at the Memorial Chapel on post, it was short and sweet and the couple seemed so happy :-)  The bride is a soldier who lives in the band barracks so she is at alot of our band outings.  I had lunch with the brass quintet (who were playing both weddings of the day) and then I caught a cab with some others to the second wedding.  The Second wedding was one of my fellow band members here and it was a fairly traditional Korean wedding was was fascinating to watch.  I was really glad I got invited to participate though by the end of the day, my feet were killing me from the high heels!  (Yes, I was even more of a giant by Korean standards...)   After the weddings, I changed and then went out to a jazz club in town where a guitar player from my band was playing.    Afterwards, I was down for the count so it was an early bed time for me.

19205 steps (8.35 miles)

Sunday, July 21st, I woke up fairly early, read for a bit and then walked down to the commissary to buy some much needed groceries.  I stocked up so I took a taxi back to my BEQ because there was no way I could carry it all.  I read a bit more then met up with some friends to go explore Ipark mall which is a huge shopping center.  It was crazy!  And very crowded.

17707 steps (7.7 miles)

Bassoonism

Monday, July 8th, started with running in the rain for PRT.  Then we had concert band rehearsal in the morning.  The bari sax player who was on leave was back so there was lots of low reed power.

Tuesday, July 9th, I went and got my next anthrax shot and needless to say, my arm hurt for the rest of the day!  And the next!  I spent the morning working on training paperwork.  After lunch, I went and picked up my CIF, which really amounted to rain gear and cold weather gear since the rest of the gear has already been issued.  After I got my gear back to the band hall, my woodwind quintet rehearsed for the first time.  I hadn't done classical woodwind quintet in forever so it was a fun but odd experience.  Must practice... lots!

Wednesday, July 10th, was another recording studio day.  I was an idiot who managed to forget her keys in the morning, but I got it all straightened out.  It wasn't a bad day - they did give us donuts!

Thursday, July 11th, was a strength day for PRT; there weren't many of us because lots of people were on the mission in the morning, so we rotated through different strength exercises in the park.  I spent a lot of time working on training paperwork...  I will eventually get it all organized!

Friday, July 12th, was the first day of my EO (Equal Opportunity) Class.  It's a fairly interesting class so far.  There are 18 of us in the class and its heavily discussion based.  I'm apparently a bit too much of a smart ass. I knew lots of the answers and said them - in fact, after one statement I made, the teacher told me I apparently knew everything already, so I should leave... I took it as a joke...  Friday night, I went with my clarinet friend to go see Despicable Me 2.  If you haven't seen it yet, go see it!

Saturday, July 13th, was an awesome lazy day.  I read for most of the day, then worked on my homework for EO class.   For dinner, a whole group of us went out to Rainbow Golbi for SGT Goewey's going away party.   It was a fun night that ended with dancing and a rain storm!

Sunday, July 14th, was another lazy day.  Had some interesting talks and finished my homework.   I'm enjoying my "do nothing" weekends.  I did go for a run through the rain which was delightful!

Holiday Weekend!

Monday, July 1st, was an interesting day.  We spent nearly the whole day at a recording studio in Itaewon.  We are recording for a CD for the 60th anniversary of signing of the armistice. It was my first time in the recording studio so it was a fun new experience.  It is very odd playing with headphones on and the percussion in a separate room.  For lunch we went to a Korean restaurant (surprise surprise) and I had Bibin bop (sp?) which is basically this rice dish with all sorts of interesting veggies and a raw egg, but the whole thing is super hot so you stir it when you first get it so that everything cooks.

Tuesday, July 2nd, was the hump day of my week.  I continued my inprocessing (will the paperwork never end!)  The night was spent studying.

Wednesday, July 3rd, was my friday.  In the morning, I went and took my Korean driver's test which basically meant I needed to be able to distinguish all the different signs.   I aced my test and got my license.  Not that I want to drive over here - they are crazy drivers here!  In the afternoon, we had a farewell for one of the SGTs who is ETSing.  That night, some of the guys had a bbq which I joined where we cooked chicken, steak, and brats on a teeny, tiny grill.

Thursday, July 4th - Happy Independence Day!  I woke up early to run the 5K race here on post with a few other friends.  Given that I have only been 2 weeks on ground and there are crazy hills here, I am very happy that I ran the whole way and finished in just under 29 minutes.  Afterwards a group of us went and had danishes and coffee.  Afterwards, I went with a group of band people to the Korean War Museum.  Now, the Korean War Museum is more than just the war 60 years ago - it is all the wars for the last couple thousand years!!!  It was a tremendous museum with tons of interactive sections and displays.  We didn't even finish it all since we all got tired from hoofing it.  Luckily, the museum is right near post so we can go again.  After we called it quits on the museum we went to Rainbow Galbi and then had a few beers.  I was in well before curfew since it was pouring down rain and I was exhausted.

Friday, July 5th, I was a lazy bum for most of the morning.  That evening I went with some friends to go see the Seoul Symphony.  They played Siegfried Idyll by Wagner, Violin Concerto No 1 in a minor, Op.77 by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony.  I didn't care much for the violin concerto but it had some wicked bass clarinet and contra bassoon parts.  Some of the other musicians with me nitpicked the performance but I enjoyed it.  And the Koreans love their music!

Saturday July 6th, I woke up and went for a long run.  I am trying to get better at hills and there are tons of hills around here for me to practice on.  I am going to have some amazing legs by the time I get done with this place.  It was a movie day for me - I went and saw White House Down with one friend (and it was a bust - Channing Tatum kept his clothes on the whole time...) and then The Heat (which was hysterical!)  I am excited that there is an onpost movie theater even if it doesn't have many movies or showings.

Sunday, July 7th, I went to the gym in the morning and then went and saw Monsters University in 3D.  Met up for coffee with a coworker and then general laziness.  It was nice to have such a long weekend though the next week will seem rough in comparison!