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 ;-)

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!