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 ;-)

Birthdays and Palaces

Monday, August 19th - Happy Birthday to me!  I started my morning by having to do barracks inspections... ie, looking for dead hookers and too much booze.  Then I went to work - it was a paperwork morning followed by concert band in the afternoon.  After work a met up with a few coworkers and we found this food market to have strange Korean food.  Afterwards we got a red bean ice thing for dessert.  Not a bad birthday, all things considered.

17093 steps (7.43 miles)

Tuesday, August 20th, was not an exciting day.  Did my inspections in the morning and then we had a quick woodwind quintet rehearsal.  We got in our mini van and headed to our job site but our GPS wasn't working and we got pretty lost.  We eventually figured ourselves out and got to where we were going (another military post to play during lunch at their cafeteria.)  We played, we ate and then we headed back.  I got car sick and felt pretty miserable.

9124 steps (3.97 miles)

Wednesday, August 21st - inspections, playing music and paperwork.  There is a definite clique in my unit and I am definitely not part of the cool kids.  Some days I don't care, but some days it really sucks.  On a good note, an old friend came into Korea and I got to see him which was super cool!  First thing, I gave him my phone so he could call his wife and let her know he made it safely.  :-)  Isn't that the first thing everyone wants to do when they get to a strange new place?

12742 steps (5.54 miles)

Thursday, August 22nd, was a stressful day.  We met in the morning, had a bit of chaos, but eventually got on the road headed towards Camp Humphrey.  We played during lunch in the food court which was slightly weird but people seemed happy to hear us.  We ate lunch and headed back.  I got hugely motion sick both ways of the trip (mini vans will be the death of me.)  So all in all, it was a fairly miserable day for me.  I came back, read a bit and went to bed early.

12412 steps (5.40 miles)

Friday, August 23rd, started with a giant thunderstorm!  The day was a fairly normal day after that - security checks, formation, paperwork, woodwind quintet rehearsal.  Then we drove over to the Dragon, set up in the lobby and played for about an hour and half.  I was amazed how many people stopped to listen - it was nice :-)  We grabbed some food and then went back to work.  I finished up some paperwork and was done for the day.  I was suppose to go pick Aubrey up from the airport but his flight got cancelled and then delayed :-(  Instead, I went and found party hats and then went bowling with Carter (he trounced me!)

18135 steps (7.89 miles)

Saturday, August 24th, I was suppose to get up early and go on the DMZ tour, but since Aubrey's flight was screwed up, I slept, read, and did laundry instead.  Around 1ish, I left to take the subway to the airport.  Luckily I have this awesome subway app that tells me which line to take and where to transfer and such.   Thank goodness for smart phones!  I made it to the airport and waited with a huge crowd of folk who gathered around the door the international flights came in.  Aubrey said he spotted me right away since I was heads above everyone else...  Anyway, we caught the subway back to post (I got him his own Tmoney card).  Aubrey, having been flying for days at this point, showered right away and then we met up with some friends and went to Rainbow Golbi for dinner where Aubrey had his first kimchee.  We called it an early fairly night though due to jetlag.

25789 steps (11.21 miles)

Sunday, August 25th, was a super long but fun day!  Aubrey and I got moving and out the door by 8am.  We did my security checks, picked up donuts and coffee and then made our way to the subway.  Again, my handy app that told me how to get to the correct subway stop (in this case, City Hall stop).  Our first stop for the day was the Deoksugung Palace.  There are multiple royal palaces in Seoul... and I mean right in the middle of Seoul!  You see these older-than-our-own-country buildings surrounded by giant skyscrapers.  Anyway, we walked around Deoksungung palace and then went to the Seoul Metropolitan Library (which may or may not have been our original destination... ;) ) The Library was in the old Seoul City Hall and it was giant and amazing and I totally geeked out.  Yes, their general collection is in Dewey Decimal.  Also, they have a surprising amount of Barrack Obama books in their "United States" section.  After we drooled over the huge and impressive library, we caught the metro (stopping for banana milk.. yes, its really good!) and went to the Anuk station.  From there we wandered around until we found another palace - Gyeongbokgung or "The Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven." This palace wasn't like one building and a couple gates... it went on forever!!!  Behind each building was another building and more and more!  Everything was gorgeous and incredibly ornate with cool statues of dragons and weird looking fat cats.  Afterwards, we grabbed an ice cream and then we worked our way back towards post where some of the people from my band were having a kids style birthday party since three of us had a birthday under general order number 1.  We had all kids food, we watched a kids movie, played pin the tail on the donkey and had a pinata.  We ended with Cards against Humanity (not really a kids theme... but still fun!)  Afterwards we wandered a bit in Itaewon.  Then more security checked and then in for the evening.

27443 steps (11.93 miles)

    

 

Hot August Nights... in Korea...

Monday, August 12, was a comp day for me due to all the late night WWQ gigs we've been having.  I stayed up late on Sunday, so I spent the day sleeping and reading and feeling a tiny bit guilty about not going to work.

9146 steps (3.98 miles)

Tuesday, August 13, work, work, work.

7707 steps (3.35 miles)

Wednesday, August 14th, work, work, work.  Did I mention that I work?  For PT in the morning, we went down to the "track" to do a practice 2 mile run for the APFT.  I did mine in a hair under 17 minutes which is not bad, though I'd love to get it down to 16 minutes at some point.  In the morning we had concert band which was fun - we are getting ready for our big concerts in September.  It was nice to get to play with my good bocals!  It was a day of packages for me as well - definitely feeling the birthday love!  Though, I wish I could be home...

6349 steps (2.76 miles)

Thursday, August 15th, I got the morning off from PT (due to my APFT the next day).  We went over basic training in the morning and then drill band - I somehow ended up marching in the front row which is not my usual place!  Luckily for an actual ceremony I won't ever have to do that!

9434 steps (4.10 miles)

Friday, August 16th, started with an APFT.  I was extremely nervous since I hadn't been working on my pushups as much as I really should have been... but I ended up with a 251.  Not a perfect 300, but better than my last test and definitely better than I was expecting!  In the morning, I did paperwork for training then did some cleaning for details since most of my squad was gone for the day.  In the afternoon, I went with some coworkers to return training gear and get the mail.  That night, I met up with Carter and another band member to get a beer at the Navy Club, but we called it an early night.

9149 steps (3.98 miles)

Saturday, August 17th, I rolled out of bed early for a Saturday and trotted down to Collier Field House where the "Hot Summer Day" 10k was suppose to start.  Due to road construction/potholes/sinkholes/I have no idea, the 10k got turned into a 5k.  Online the last post run, there was only one other "band" person who came and ran with me - one of my SSG's husband.  I took it pretty easy for a 5k since my hipflexors were sore from the day before and I ended with a time of 28:15.  Only 4 minutes behind the fastest female and 10 minutes behind the fastest male.  Got a t-shirt and some popcorn out of the deal.  Afterwards, I lazed about for a bit, reading and napping, then I went and got a lesson in playing pool at the navy club.  Then I went and saw "We're the Millers" at the post theater - I laughed so hard at some points!  Then I read more... can you see the pattern?  I got to skype with a friend before bed which was a great way to go to bed smiling.

25085 steps (10.91 miles)

Sunday, August 18th, was another lazy day.  I woke up, read for a bit, skyped with Aubrey, then went to the commisary for groceries.  It wasn't terribly crowded like it normally is on Sundays and there were multiple cabs waiting outside when I got done - a first!!!  Then I putzed around for the day - reading and doing laundry.   Skyped with friends and family for a few hours then made myself a delicious pre-birthday dinner - steak with a onion, cream and blue cheese sauce, baked sweet potato and garlic bread, plus a beer.  Not bad if I do say so myself!

4174 steps (1.82 miles)

Drama, drama, running!

Wednesday, 7 August, was a dramatic day and I hate drama filled days.  I absolutely hate rumor mills, and the army in general and the bands in particular seem to thrive on having a gossip train.  I was the latest victim and I did learn a valuable lesson about the fact that my coworkers are not my friends.  Sometimes, it sucks to be a female soldier.  I also am being yanked around by my branch manager which is yet another mess I have to figure out while being polite.

On a lighter note, that night we played at the General's house again for dinner which is surprising fun.  I hope the new General and his wife like WWQ as well!

13062 steps (5.68 miles)

Thursday, 8 August - we did strength training in the morning and my wing muscles were incredibly sore!  Hopefully I stretched them out with the 70 burpees I did!  In the morning we had OPSEC and ASAP training and then Drill Band (I was the only sax player out there, surprisingly!)  For lunch I went to change uniforms because I was drenched in sweat.  After lunch we had concert band - our director is taking Overture to Candide incredibly fast so I will have to practice to get the runs up to his speed!

17057 steps (7.42 miles)

Friday, 9 August, wasn't a busy day, thankfully!  Went running for PT in the morning (was shown MP hill which is insane... I need to start adding it into my hill workouts..)  Afterwards, I worked on training paperwork all morning including the silly new BN slides.  I also got myself and 8 other bandsmen signed up for either the 5k, 10k or half marathon at the end of september (I'm doing the half)  After lunch I got to watch people for a drug test, then guard the CQ desk.  Eventually I got cut loose and then I met up with Carter for a quiet night of talking and beer at the Navy Club.

11408 steps (4.96 miles)

Saturday, 10 August, I didn't sleep in as much as a should have, but I did spend the whole day reading, which was delightful.  That evening, I went to a band going away party at the Copacabana - a Brazilian Barbecue place for a dinner of all meat.  The group went to go have a beer at the Rainbow bar above a church.  I stayed for one beer and then headed back to post.

7140 steps (3.11 miles)

Sunday, 11 August was the quinticential lazy day - I read and watched Masterchef.  I did go for a 5 mile run, but mostly just relaxed.  It was also skype central day - Kate and Andy in the morning, Mom and Matt in the evening. :-)

14437 steps (6.28 miles)

I know, I know... I'm late with my posting!

Monday, July 29th, was a pretty normal day until Ops told me that the General (of the 4 star variety) wanted the Woodwind Quintet (WWQ) to play for his dinner at the Dragon on the following day.  Eek!  We got together a rehearsal and while my clarinet player was on CQ, she would get to sleep all day Tuesday to recover... eek!

11364 Steps (4.94 miles)

Tuesday, July 30th, was another fairly normal day until the evening.  The WWQ had a quick, make sure we have our shit together rehearsal, and then drove over to the Dragon and set up.  On the way, my bassoon strap got caught on my ribbon rack and I managed to lose one of my ribbons... ugh!  But we made it work and got me presentable.  The General had his dinner inside the ballroom and then we were the surprise after dinner entertainment.  We played 4 pieces, then introduced ourselves and then two of our vocalists and a guitar player sang/played We Go Together which I think is incredibly moving (though everyone says that I will be sick and tired of it after a year here).  Both our 4 Star General and the Korean 4 Star gave us their coins (the Korean's is both a bottle opener and a magnet! Talk about practical!)

11068 Steps (4.81 miles)

Wednesday, July 31st, I didn't have to go to PT in the morning, but I still had to get up early to go to the last recording studio session.  There were just a few of us there to record the really random parts.  In my case, second bassoon on a bunch of marches.  They put me in a room, put headphones on me, played the recording we had already done as a group and had me play along with the 2nd parts.  It was a very strange experience.  Makes you very aware of every single chip and crack possible!  After work, since it was the last day of the month, I went over to the Class 6 to buy my rations of alcohol since I hadn't bought anything all month.  Still haven't drank anything I bought, but at least I feel like I utilized my rations!

5872 Steps (2.55 miles)

Thursday, August 1st, found out that the General's wife loves WWQs and loved us the other night.  She put in requests for us to play at the General's house twice in the next week.  It's nice to feel wanted!

5907 Steps (2.57 miles)

Friday, August 2nd, started with a 4 mile company run.  In formation.  With cadence calling.  All NCOs had to call at some point... even me with my high and squeaky yelling voice.  At one point, the battalion commander decided to join our formation and was running next to me... and she wasn't even breaking a sweat!  Afterwards, they gave us Gatorade and bananas and I was a happy camper!  For lunch, we did a Hail and Farewell which is saying hi to the new people and introducing them (including me!) and goodbye to the people about to leave.  Apparently we do a lot of Hail and Farewells here in Korea since there is such a huge turn over.  For dinner, we went out to Chicken and Beer (which yes, is a thing here...).  I came back early since I was tired.

15441 Steps (6.72 miles)

Saturday, August 3rd, got up really early, met up with a group at 6am.  We took 4 different buses and 5.5 hours later we were on the east side of the peninsula where "some of the best rapids are".  We did stop at a rest stop on the way and I had this great fried potato thing that I managed to dump some of it in my lap.  I actually had a good time, though they were very tame rapids.  We wore this big life vests and yellow helmets.  Our rafting guide didn't seem to happy though to have 12 Americans crammed into his raft.  However, the weather was gorgeous and the water was the perfect temperature!  Afterwards, we showered in a group shower situation (separate sex though) and then got a Korean lunch (which was incredibly spicy!!)  Then it was back on the bus for what turned out to be a 6+ hour bus ride since we got stuck in traffic.  Lots of stop and go and stop and go so once we got back into Seoul, at the first stop we all got off.  Some people took the subway back but I joined the group that hopped in a taxi.

2665 Steps (1.16 miles) - phone died halfway through the day so it was actually a bunch more than this!

Sunday, August 4th, was a lazy day for me - thank goodness!  I spent most of the morning reading, then went to the commissary.  Then more reading.  Then skyping!  :-)  Couldn't ask for a lazier day!

8354 Steps (3.63 miles)

Monday, August 5th, was another day off due to a Good Conduct Holiday which basically means that for the last 30 days no one in the band has broken curfew, gotten arrested, gotten a DUI, or tried to get their Itaewon jump wings.  I slept in a bit since I had been up late talking with people, but managed to do laundry, go for a run, get caught up in band drama, and go spend a couple hours at work since there was something wrong with our slides to present to the battalion commander.  Its how things go... I got an awesome package from Michigan that I had to huddle under my rain jacket and umbrella since it started to downpour on my walk back to my BEQ.  Anyway, that evening, my WWQ did another last minute practice and then headed to the General's house.  It was the same arrangement as last time with them having dinner and then we were the "surprise" after.  Though, since we were in their house, the "seats" for us consisted of a plushy couch.  Can't say I've ever played bassoon on a couch before!  Again, we were wildly appreciated.  A couple of the wives thought it was fantastic that all members of the WWQ were female (which, I have to admit, is pretty cool :-))

19610 Steps (8.52 miles)

Tuesday, August 6th, I woke up and went to PT (got beat up my Caroline and the SGM), then had rehearsals in the morning and training paperwork all afternoon.  During lunch the sky got super dark and then a torrential storm let loose!  The water rushed down the street and created a river of our sidewalk.  It was pretty amazing to see.  Mail call was especially exciting for me today - I got 6 packages!!!  Including brownies and goodies from my Aunt and raspberry and chocolate macaroons from Aleks.  I went about feeding my band since it was too good not to share!  After some drama of the day, I really appreciated the packages!  Made me feel extra loved!  After work, I trudged back to my BEQ with all my goodies and then ran across post to the gym to meet up with Caroline and Hutch for Crossfit class.  Holy crap!  We did 5 sets of 5 pull ups (I used assist bands), then 3 sets (21, 15,9) of squats (with weight), pushups, box jumps and then a 400 meter run.  Then the cash out was 500 meter row as fast as you can (1:50 for me!)  I am going to be so sore tomorrow!  However, I need to get in better shape so this is all just part of the plan...

13561 Steps (5.90 miles)

The new river by the band hall...

Macaroons!

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)