Catch up!

Monday, September 16th, work work work.  I do that, you know!

10084 Steps (4.39 miles)

Tuesday, September 17th, we had our first rehearsal with the Korean National Military Symphony.  For the joint portion, I am one of 4 bassoons!  It is crazy!  I haven’t played with that many bassoonists in years!

8999 Steps (3.91 miles)

Wednesday, September 18th, was the last day of my week and the first day of Chusok!  (Big Korean Thanksgiving/family reunion rolled into one)

6840 Steps (2.97 miles)

Thursday, September 19th, was a responsible conduct day for the band so I slept in but still got up and put my uniform on so I could go to a schools meeting at battalion.  I ran into Carter there and he gave me shit about coming into work on my day off.  My friend Dom and I got to talking and he is a member of the Hash running group.  He said that tonight was the start of the Korea Hashathon and that I should tag along.  I said, sure!  I’m game for running groups!  The group is a very random one – a mix of soldiers, expats, English teachers and god knows who else!  For a hash run, there is someone who is the hare and they lay a trail (with chalk or whatever) and the runners have to follow the trail though the hare can lay false trails and double back and make it quite difficult to follow.  The hash can be anywhere from a mile or two to 10 miles!  At the end, there is a little party with singing and shenanigans (there was even a guy who played bagpipes at the end!).  Overall, I had a fantastic time!  It was really nice to meet non-army-band folk.  Normally, there are a couple groups in Seoul that Hash on the weekends, but because it was Hashathon there were going to be 14 hashes over the next 11 days! 

14491 Steps (6.30 miles)

Friday, September 20th, I decided to go back for Hash run #2.  This Hash happened to be Uijeongbu which is up North near the DMZ.  I traveled with a group via rail to get there.  This Hash was mostly through the woods and up and down a crazy mountain and I think they said it was about an 11k?   Anyway, it was a lot of fun!

20930 Steps (9.10 steps)

Saturday, September 21st, I got convinced to do more Hash runs!  I truly had meant to be productive over the weekend, but running sounded a lot more fun.  I went to one Hash in the morning and then one in the afternoon.  By the end, I was beat!

28507 Steps (12.40 miles)

Sunday, September 22nd, was a thankfully relaxing day!  No running for me since I had an APFT the next morning.  I was supposed to meet up with a friend for dinner, but he accidently fell asleep and slept through our dinner plans (a fact I get to make fun of him for for a long time!)

11014 Steps (4.79 miles)

Monday, September 23rd, I woke up feeling terrible.  I hadn’t slept well and I was pretty sick to my stomach.  But I toughed it out and went to my APFT and managed to pass with a 250.  I was pretty rough feeling the rest of the day though.

13568 Steps (5.9 miles)

Tuesday, September 24th, was a normal morning but then we had a joint rehearsal with the Korean National Military Symphony which was fun.  What was really funny is that we had a break in the late afternoon and the Koreans got us snacks for the break.  Snacks were Burger King whoppers and fries.  It was pretty hysterical actually if you think about that that must be what Koreans think us Americans eat for our snacks. 

8979 Steps (3.91 miles)

Wednesday, September 25th, I helped run an STX in the morning for the new people in my band.  I taught the courses on Individual Movement Techniques and Moving Under Fire – I actually had a lot of fun teaching and then watching my troops run around with the gas masks and dummy weapons.

21474 Steps (9.34 miles)

Thursday, September 26th, was another joint rehearsal day however this time it was all day long.  We were playing in a different auditorium and went through the whole concert – their portion, our portion and then the joint portion.  While I was waiting and not playing, I managed to make a pretty phenomenal reed (if I do say so myself!) just in time for the big concert!

12755 Steps (5.55 miles)

Friday, September 27th, was our big concert day!  I didn’t have to report to work until 11:30, but I got up earlier so I could go in and check my email and take care of paperwork (and get a starbucks, of course!)  We loaded up and traveled out to KBS hall.  We had a sound check with all the different groups and then we literally ran through the whole concert since they were going to do a live broadcast on the Korean TV and they needed to know who to zoom in on and such.  Then there was dinner (I think there was a fish head in the soup…) and then one of my soldiers was going to be interviewed by AFN since this was her first concert in Korea (and actually in the Army since she was a new soldier)  I got interviewed too about her since I am her first line leader.  Then the concert!  I think it went really well… I was happy with how we sounded J  It was huge production and a lot of work but the audience seemed to really enjoy it!  After the concert, we packed up, and I was back on post and in bed around 23:30.

8155 Steps (3.55 miles)

Saturday, September 28th, I rolled out of bed a little after 6am in order to make it the bus that was leaving at 7am for the Comrade Marathon for the 60^th Anniversary of the ROK-US Alliance.  There were a few other band folk running – one running the 5K, two running the 10K and then myself and one other running the half marathon.  We got there, got our bibs and t-shirts, got our bags checked, and did all the other regular runner stuff.  Our new vocalist was the person singing the US anthem which was cool to see!  Then, before the run, we were lead in warm up excises by a KPop group.  One of the more hysterical things I’ve seen in a while.  When the race started, I started to hang with the 2:00 pace group, but then I got ahead of them… and before I knew it I was doing 8:30 splits for the first 9 miles!  I paid for it the rest of the race though!  I ended with a 2:09 final time which was a PR for me (by best half marathon before was a 2:13 back in 2010)  After a half marathon, you usually expect a bagel or a muffin or a banana… not in Korea! They gave me a lunch plate with rice, some really strange fish soup, kimchi and a random assortment of unidentified substances.  I nearly puked…  Afterwards, I took the subway back and hobbled back to my BEQ.  I showered and then collapsed in bed with a movie which I half watched and half napped.  Later, I met up with some friends for some pizza and beer (which is always the appropriate night after a half marathon!)

24898 Steps (10.83 miles)

Sunday, September 29th, I woke up incredibly sore!  My IT band in my right leg is mostly on fire – that’s what I get for not training correctly and starting off waaaay too fast.  Anyway, I was a bit of a bum for most of the morning – though I did get up for my book talk chat and then skyped with my mom.  In the afternoon I went to the final hash run of the Hashathon which was a short hash and then a beer mile.  I took 4^th place for the females which I figured wasn’t bad considering I was hobbling after the half marathon.  Afterwards, some friends and I went to a restaurant in HBC and I had spinach mozzarella ravioli. Mmmm!  Then skyping with friends and bed!

7117 Steps (3.1 miles)

Monday, September 30th, I didn't have PT in the morning since my woodwind quintet was supposed to play a change of command in the morning.  We got up and rehearsed early but then our mission got cancelled and instead had to go to drill band all morning... yay... For lunch we had a Hail and Farewell with pizza.  After work, I went to get my hair trimmed since I hadn’t had it cut since before I went active duty (months!!).  Apparently I just want a trim with a few layers does not translate well in Korean.  The guy took a lot of my hair off and I am pretty bummed out.

10848 Steps (4.72 miles)

Tokyo!

Friday, September 6th, started off bright and early with a 4 mile ruck march!  My platoon had one of our shorter guys in front but let me tell you, he could haul ass!!!  I had to run a few times just to keep up!  After I changed and such, I went into work to get some paperwork and counselings done.  Then I went, signed out at BN, went back to my BEQ, changed, packed and headed for the airport.  I got a bit lost but managed to find the express train to the airport.  At the airport I had a bit more drama since my ticket was from United but I was flying Asiana who apparently hadn't gotten the memo.  I ran back and forth between the United and Asiana counters but eventually I got my ticket and made it through security.  Immigration was also fun since I didn't have a stamp in my passport entering the country (I hadn't used my passport to come in since the military brought me in) so there was a bit of a hullabaloo about that.   Eventually I got through to the gate, scrounged up some food and read a bunch until my flight took off (it was running late).  On the plane they fed me a huge meal as well and I had a personnel TV to watch movies.  Not a bad way to fly!  Once in Japan, I made it through customs and easily followed James' instructions to take a bus to the hotel.  Unfortunately the bus didn't leave for another hour so I bummed around the airport, looking at the sights.   On the bus, I sat next to an Italian who was a system administrator as well as a drummer.  Fairly interesting man and we had a good time chatting for the 1.5 hour trip into the city.  At the hotel (which was very swanky!) I wandered between the two lobbies while I waited for James to get back from his work dinner.  The inside of the hotel resembled Rodeo drive so it was no trouble keeping myself entertained while I waited though since I didn't have a working cell phone or access to internet I hoped I was in the correct hotel!  I did get to see some drama of all these men carrying out a screaming old lady though since it was all in Japanese I have no idea what was actually going on.  When James got back from his dinner, we checked into the hotel, stumbled upstairs, chatted for a bit and went to bed - I was exhausted!  It had been a very long day!

13130 Steps (5.71 miles)

Saturday, September 7th, James and I woke up fairly early, chatted for a bit before going out to tackle breakfast. We decided the hotel breakfast was too expensive so we decided to go out and find breakfast on the town. We stumbled upon a coffee shop and through pointing and smiling alot, we got coffee (cocoa for James) and pastries! It was delicious and of course we talked each others ears off! Then we walked down to the Imperial Palace. There seemed to be a race or something running related going on since there were a ton of runners on the sidewalks though James and I couldn't figure out what distance of race they were doing. That Palace itself was really cool looking even though you couldn't actually go into the Palace but you were allowed to wander around some of the gardens - which we did. It was gorgeous! Afterwards, we met up with James' boss, Randy, and two other guys from the conference they were all attending, Mark and Peter. We all went to the Tokyo National Museum which was incredibly fascinating! We had an English speaking tour guide show us around (the 5 of us plus a really strange Russian kid who tagged along) - the highlights were learning about Shintoism and learning that the Canadian representative was so nervous he signed on the wrong line when the Japanese surrendered after WWII. Afterwards, the group of us went to a Japanese place to eat - I had noodles and whale bacon. It was strange but definitely an experience. After that we wandered a bit through the subways and I got to people watch! We had a beer at a random pub and then James wanted us to go to this one meat place for dinner that he really liked but it turns out it had closed over a year ago, so we asked for suggestions and ended up at this amazing dinner place! It was a fantastic meal and each course just got better and better! I had a lot of fun since I the lone girl in a group of nerdy guys and it was interesting to hear their perspective on things. Hopefully I didn't bore/horrify them with my perspective!

25751 Steps (11.2 miles)

Sunday, September 8th, James and I got up relatively early and got breakfast at our coffee shop again. Then we headed to the north part of the city to see a Buddhist Temple. You can get your fortune by shaking this metal canister until a stick pops out. Then you match the writing on the stick with a drawer and pull out your fortune. My first fortune was a Bad Fortune - so what you do is fold it up and tie it onto these rods where the monks take them to burn them. Then I went through the different purifying rituals - drinking from the well and washing my hands, breathing in the incense, and bowing and clapping in front of the temple. Afterwards I went back and did my fortune again - this time it was The Highest, Excellent Fortune. Apparently, it worked!  After the temple, we went back south to the Shibuya Crossing which is apparently the busiest crosswalk in the world.  Mulitple roads meet together and they stop all the cars and everyone crosses the street at once.  It was fairly epic.  We got a coffee at starbucks which was on a second story floor and watched the street - it was like watching a really horrifying battle surge except with no weapons.  Then we hustled down to the Shinto Shrine and waked around there for a bit.  Then I was anxious about missing my flight so we went back to the hotel and I took the bus back to the airport.  James told me that Tokyo airport was super easy and fast and he was right!  From when I stepped inside to when I had my ticket, got through security and Immigration and got to my gate it was maybe 10 minutes.  It was a short flight back to Seoul, I took the subway back and was on post by 11pm.  It was a fantastic weekend and I am bummed that it flew by so fast!

16317 Steps (7.09 miles)

Monday, September 9th, it was back to the daily grind for me.  I started the day with a Seoul Tower hike for PT.  After formation, I headed into my eye doctors appointment where they got me fitted for new glasses and gave me a new contacts prescription.  More work and other such stuff.

17704 Steps (7.7 miles)

Tuesday, September 10th, was suppose to be a quiet day for me - I started the day with deck of cards PT, and then was going to do paperwork... but then apparently I was the only one available to go the Battalion training meeting so I was the little SSG at the big table with the Colonels, Majors and Captains. Luckily my friend Carter and Arnone were hiding in the back at the meeting and made faces at me the whole time as I was briefing the Battalion Commander. That afternoon my household goods arrived - finally! I finally have more than the 3 shirts I brought with me (well, plus the couple that I've picked up of been sent)!!! Wahoo!!!


14601 Steps (6.35 miles)

Wednesday, September 11th - it's hard to believe that it's been 12 years. This song will always remind me of that day:

10402 Steps (4.52 miles)

Thursday, September 12th, started off with getting our butts kicked with circuit training.  Then it was an easy morning, followed by a quick lunch and then we got on the bus, drove an hour to our joint rehearsal with the Korean Special Warfare Command Band (think - the Korean version of the 82nd Airborne Band, fairly awesome!)  The rehearsal lasted a couple hours and it was fun to be in a bilingual rehearsal, though I wanted to wallop the American tuba player behind me for his rude comments throughout rehearsal.  After the rehearsal and photo op, we loaded up the bus and had Korean hamburgers (which didn't taste anything like a hamburger) and drove back to base (which now took a few hours since we had to fight traffic).  I was suppose to go to a dress fitting when I got back but we got back super late and they were already closed, so Samantha and I went to have this amazing milkshakes from Once Upon a Milkshake... I had a chocolate/salted caramel mix!

8851 Steps (3.85 miles)

Friday, September 13th, was a late start day since we were suppose to have a gig that night.  Because I had missed my dress fitting I braved the torrential rainstorms to go get felt up by a small Korean lady.  I'm really excited how the dress is looking so far... can't wait to see the final product!  Afterwards I changed into my appropriate civilian attire (ie - I looked like a librarian) and headed into work.  We milled around for a bit but they made the call that the concert was cancelled since people didn't want to get rained on to see a concert (it was suppose to be outdoors)  However, they already rescheduled the concert for next month.  I ran over to the CFC pick up to get the stuff and then went and got my flu "shot" - it was really the flu mist which ran down the back of the throat.  Not Aunt Mary-Kate's brand though - I checked!  Afterwards we went to the Navy Club for $1 beers and sweet potato fries.  It was more crowded than normal since someone was having a party so I got to hear some very young guys chatting... they had to be privates or 1LTs.  The highlights of the conversation were "I just want my daiquiri!"  and "can I pay using my T-money card?"  Then I went with a group to the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (I wasn't going to go but I got bullied into going... apparently I am allowed to only read soo much before I'm considered anti-social)  They played:

Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis
Rachmaninoff - Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini
Bernstein - Candide Overture
Barber - Adagio for Strings
Gershwin - An American in Paris

18559 Steps (8.07 miles)

Saturday, September 14th, I rolled out of bed early and trotted down to the other side of post.  There was suppose to be a 5K race on post combined with the CFC kickoff party but the race got cancelled due to safety issues (apparently the post commander gets worried if we are running in a thunderstorm).  I stayed for the CFC kickoff party which they had in the gym and then walked back in the rain.  I was going to be productive... that truly was the plan... instead, I watched a couple movies and then took a nap.  After I lazed about all day, I met up with some friends at the Dragon to eat German food (I had chicken, brats, potato salad - not as good as moms! - and sauerkraut.  And a beer and German chocolate cake!  Afterwards, we wandered down to the Church Bar and I played Darts - and surprisingly won!  Mostly everyone was bad and I just was the least bad!  We went to Bulldogs next where they were playing 80s music videos the whole time.  I made sure we all got back on post before curfew and then called it a night.

9720 Steps (4.23 miles)

Sunday, September 15th, I got up and did the breakfast thing.  I got to talk to my mom and grandparents on skype before heading to the commissary to stock up for the upcoming long weekend.  Afterwards I went to the band hall and worked on reeds for a while - still don't have any good reeds but I did try...  Got to spend the afternoon/evening chatting on skype before getting sucked into a book and losing track of time and therefore getting to bed super late!

11478 Steps (4.99 miles)

Ahead of the game!

To finish off Tuesday, September 3rd, by going with a group to our Chicken and Beer place in Hongdae.  I ate way too much but it was a nice finale to the weekend.

16523 steps (7.19 miles)

Wednesday, September 4th, it was back to work which was a bit of a bummer after such a nice long weekend.  We did extended sprints for PT.  The morning was getting training stuff together and then the afternoon was filled with rehearsal for our upcoming concert with the Korean Special Warfare Command Band.  Their director came to rehearse with us.  The highlight - a new Korean version of Fly Me to the Moon that starts with solo jazz bassoon.  That's right... it surprised the heck out of me! 

5895 steps (2.56 miles)

Thursday, September 5th, started with way too many push-ups.  Then I went to CFC training since I was voluntold to be the CFC rep for my unit (with my commander since he's our only officer).  CFC is Combined Federal Campaign which is giving soldiers the opportunity to give to a huge variety of charities and organizations.  There is a huge drive from mid September to mid November and I'm my unit's liaison and subject matter expert now.  I nearly worked through lunch getting all my paperwork done, which paid off.  My contact at BN said I was the best out of all the units to work with! :-D  After work, I changed clothes quickly and trotted down to Itaewon for my first dress fitting.  A little Korean lady felt me up while I wore a mock up of what my dress is going to look like - it was an interesting experience.  

11671 steps (5.08 miles)

It's here!

Monday, August 26th, I was back to work.  For PT we went down to Camp Coiner and did a 2 mile for time.  Work was a fairly normal day and I took Aubrey to a KATUSA snack bar for lunch.  After work, we grabbed a quick dinner and then did the hike to Seoul Tower.  We managed to make it to the top right at sunset.  It was gorgeous!

25749 steps (11.20 miles)

Tuesday, August 27th, we hiked to Seoul Tower for PT and I did pretty well seeing as it was my second time in less than 24 hours!  I did paperwork in the morning and then we had staff call in the afternoon.  After work, most people bailed but Carter, Aubrey and I went to see a baseball game.  I managed to get us there, get us tickets and get us fed!  I am getting much better at figuring my way around!

26222 steps 11.40 miles)

Wednesday, August 28th, we did deck PT in the morning and we had a rehearsal for the following day's mission so I was playing tenor sax.  I don't think our chief likes saxes because he kept giving our section weird looks and it wasn't always directed at me!  I spent the rest of the day practicing tenor sax and doing paperwork.  After work, I met up with Aubrey and we went and grabbed dinner at Vatos Tacos - he had a beer (still no beer for me) and we had Kimchee carnitas fries, tacos and nutella nachos.  Delicious!  We wandered down to a convience store but called it an early night.

16772 steps (7.29 miles)

Thursday, August 29th, I got up early so I could go let Aubrey off post so he could get to the airport.  It was sad to see him go!  Then I had to rush back to the band hall, change into my ASUs and get ready for the gig.  We gathered our gear and got on the bus.  I sat with Samantha and mostly zoned out for the couple hour bus ride up to Warrior Base.  It was raining fairly steady all the way.  Once we got there, they decided the woodwinds shouldn't go outside so we chilled on the bus while the bass went out and did fanfares for General Pak.  General Pak is of the 4 star variety on the Korean side.  He is the guy who held the allied forces together when we were pushed back all the way to Busan before MacArther did his famous act on Incheon.  Anyway, General Pak apparently likes us bands.  Afterwards it was a long bus ride back down to Yongsan (including the bus getting lost).  After a quick lunch, I went back to paperwork, which will be the death of me.  That evening they lifted General Order #1 for us, but I didn't drink like I think most people did!

5708 steps (2.48 miles)

Friday, August 30th, was thankfully a fairly short day.  Did sprints in the morning for PT, then did paperwork.  We had a Hail and Farewell at the Oasis for lunch (only could have the buffet... bleh) and then I had everything done so I was let loose.  I read for a bit and then met up with a few friends at the Navy Club for happy hour.   Happy Hour consists of $1 drafts and free food (chips and salsa and meat loaf this time)  When I left I had had dinner and a good time for a grand total of $3.  You really can't beat that!  I then read the night away.  What I great way to start my 4 day weekend!  My new computer also showed up and I spent some time starting to get it set up!  It is delightful to have a computer that doesn't have a huge crack through the screen.  And is fast!  And super quiet!

11688 steps (5.08 miles)

Saturday, August 31st, was delightful in its laziness!  I was going to get up and go running, but instead I watched football scores and read.  Other than going to go see Immortal Instruments: City of Bones at the on post movie theater (mostly to see if Clary was as whiny in the movie as she was in the book - she was...), that was my delightful reading day.

5037 steps (2.19 miles)

Sunday, September 1st, I got up and was actually motivated since I had caught up on all my sleep.  I decided to run Seoul Tower - the route I take is about 5.5 miles with a gain of nearly 800 feet.  It's a bit rough to run up and I ran the whole way except for on one killer hill and when I got to the top and an old Korean guy stopped me.  Now, I'm not quite sure due to the language barrier but I think the guy either wanted to take me to breakfast or have his son - a pilot who is carrying the flag in the parade in October - take me to breakfast.  Either way, I smiled and continued on my run.  After that, my day consisted of reading, px run, reading, talking to people on skype, and more reading.  Is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon/evening?

14306 steps (6.22 miles)

Monday, September 2nd, was a productive day!  I didn't get up super early but I did get to skype with Kate and Andy in the morning and then meet up with Samantha to go shopping - my goal was to get a custom made dress.  We wandered down to Itaewon and first had to stop at Starbucks.  Then we wandered some of the side streets and went down the Antiques row.  Samantha loves antiques so we perused for a bit.  We saw a really old bugle, bass clarinet, pump organ, lots of intricate woodwork, old cameras, spoons, really old books and other assortment of stuff.  Seriously, if I had the time and the money, I would go Pinterest crazy!  We got back on track and went down to an underground row.  The first shop the little Korean lady said she made shirts but when we told her we were looking for a dress, she hustled us down to her friend, the dress maker.  He asked if I had a picture of what I wanted (I did) and then what color I was thinking.  Another guy came and measured me all over the place and then told me to come back on Thursday for the next fitting. He didn't want to take my credit card but walked me down to the ATM instead (didn't want the fees?)  Overall, super easy and super cheap for a custom made dress.  I see why it is all the rage in Korea to get custom made finery.  Samantha and I wondered into another dress shop afterwards where they had an assortment of dresses and I talked her into trying on a mermaid style dress.  However, the shop owner was only interested in us buying something and was pretty rude about us window shopping so we moved along our way.  We wandered down to the Hamilton Shopping Center were the sales clerks were like mosquitos but we had a good time laughing at some of the strange underwear they were selling.  There was a bra with flowers pinned to the boobs and a man's thong with elephant ears and trunk.  Only 10,000 won the lady said.  I wish I could have gotten a picture!  Then we went to Vatos Tacos for lunch - we had Watermelon Wheat beer and Kimchee Carnitas French Fries (amazing!) and I had pork belly tacos.  Afterwards we wandered to a different section to get Monster Cupcakes for our buddy on CQ.  We didn't know what his favorite flavor was but we went for a vanilla one with a skeleton on top and a mocha one with a dead finger (made of icing!).  Samantha and I parted ways and I went back to my BEQ for skyping, laundry and reading.

17483 steps (7.60 miles)

Tuesday, September 3rd, I woke up and went for a run with Samantha.  She showed me how to get down to the running path by the Han River.  This will be important knowledge since I was looking for long stretches of road for my half marathon training (possibly a full??) and the best part - it's mostly flat!  We didn't go for too long since it was fairly hot out (summer was back with a vengeance).  Afterwards I went back to my BEQ, showered, went to the band hall to practice and get a bit of work done, then came back and am trying to be productive!  At least, get my blog caught up so Grandma will stop haranguing me ;-)