Hawaii

The day before we left the freezing cold peninsula, we spent the day with our good friends in Seoul.  We ate at a fabulous Greek restaurant, and actually found an AC/DC cover band!!  It was a very fun night, and I'm glad our flight didn't leave too early the following day.

On to Hawaii - 

Our flight was delayed due to SNOW, but we finally made it out and we were on our way to BEAUTIFUL Hawaii!  We vacationed with Tim and Hallie, Rick's brother and sister-in-law.

Our trip was OUTSTANDING.  Our condo was absurd!  The large glass doors opened to the balcony that overlooked the pool, and had a view of the ocean.  We enjoyed beautiful sunsets every night that were better than postcards.  Best yet, was that it was in the high 80s!  YES!

 - This is how happy I was to be on the beach!

Our activities:

Pearl Harbor:  We took a very educational tour that is a must-do of Oahu.  We got a very small taste of the cramped life on a submarine, and went aboard the Pearl Harbor memorial.   

Here is our fishing boat, but where is my coffee?!

I have just been strapped to the chair, and am receiving instructions on how to reel in fish, and more importantly, how to not lose the expensive reels.  You can tell by my face that I am worried about being pulled overboard, realizing this is way more complicated than I thought, and trying not to puke.
 - Daybreak 

Dinner! 

Deep Sea Fishing: One of our friends, who is stationed in Hawaii, set up a deep sea fishing adventure.  We would get up super early, go out catch fish, enjoy the day, and get to keep whatever we kept.  I bought some dramamine just in case my freak-of-nature body decided to turn against me in the high seas.  We boarded the vessel before the sun was even thinking of coming up, and watched a beautiful sunrise.  We got a quick crash coarse on how to fish, and I was surprised at all the maneuvers and rules I needed to remember.  There was actually a chair that you were STRAPPED to for reeling in a fish.  YIKES!  Visions of my line and violently yanking me off the boat and into the bottomless ocean swirled through my head.  My stomach started to feel uneasy so I popped a Dramamine.  Once the sun was up, the deck hand put these HUGE lures on the multiple lines, and we got started.  I was the first to be strapped in the seat as newcomers are supposed to be good luck.  After the briefing we got on how to reel in the fish, and the size of the lures, I  was secretly praying I didn't get a bite.  I sat ready to reel, and watching the water for any signs.  The scene was just beautiful, but my stomach felt every dip of the boat.  After about an hour in 'the chair' I offered it up to Hallie.  After we had been out for probably 3-4 hours, we saw a whale!  Then Rick pointed out Dolphins.  The captain and deck hand freaked out.  Asking where exactly he had seen them.  This is when I decided to skip on down to the bathroom before I puked all over the boat.  While taking deep breaths and trying to control my heaving stomach, I heard all this commotion.  I downed another Dramamine, and went back on Deck.  ALL five reels had a bite on them!  Everyone was yelling, and the captain and the deck hand were scrambling around and barking orders.  I tried to stay out of the way, and snap pictures.  Reeling these dang fish in, is not an easy task.  Everyone was sweating through their clothes, straining their muscles, popping veins out in their heads.  Geesh!  Looong story short, we reeled in one fish an hour and a half later, and when they hauled it into the boat, I was sure it was a world record, it was HUGE!  Turns out, it was a yellow-fin Tuna weighing about 150 pounds.  That was the last bite of the day.  Not even a nibble the rest of the afternoon!  I guess dolphins are messy eaters, so a lot of larger fish follow them around to eat their scraps.  This is why everyone was so excited when Rick pointed out the dolphins, and when we turned into them, we got FIVE bites.  We had our dinner, and I never puked on the boat.  A very successful trip that I would highly recommend.

The rest of our time in Hawaii was spent checking out other beaches around the island, Visiting the Dole Plantation, eating fantastic meals and spending time together.

Rick's birthday

Rick's big 3-0 birthday was complete with fireworks that we watched off our balcony.

 - Gotta pay respect to Starbucks.

The front of our resort.

This is the jellyfish that I saved Rick from.

Luau - You have to do this if you go to Hawaii.  They had Hula girls, dancers, fire guys, and very good food.

Snorkeling: We snorkeled in the coves of our Resort as well as beautiful Hanuama Bay.  We saw many fish, a turtle, and learned they don't joke around about the Rip Tide.  FOLLOW the signs. 

Asia welcoming us back with a wonderful meal of 'who knows what'

Christmas Celebrations

We had another Christmas Eve party.  We had food, more hot toddies, some 'tacky' sweaters, pickle shots, and a whole apartment full of good friends.  If you can't be home for the holidays, this is the next best thing.  It was a very Merry Christmas....

 - We finally got to break out the new bar.

 - There were a LOT of people in our little apartment.
 - VERY festive sweaters.  The guy in the middle even had twinkling lights on his.  Impressive.

CHRISTMAS DAY!

Christmas in Korea - Not a Norman Rockwell Painting

Despite being a month late, I did want to share our Christmas celebrations over here.

December 23rd.  We were called at home by one of the lieutenants explaining they had organized a caroling schedule and we were to meet them.  I excitedly agreed that we would be there, and ran to the closet to find my matching hat and mitten set.  I haven't been caroling since I was a kid, and thought this was a wonderful way to spread the Christmas cheer in this dreary country.  I had Norman Rockwell visions in my head, and couldn't wait to see the faces when they opened their doors and met with angelic singing.

What was I thinking!?

Rick and I met the mob of people calling themselves carolers, and a strong 75% had a beverage in hand.  It didn't appear to be hot chocolate.  I noticed two fellas pulling coolers, and one pushing a grocery cart.  Not exactly the presentation I expected, but we all rolled to the next apartment.  While riding the elevators I quickly realized my attire, though cute, was way to hot.  I'm not sure why it didn't occur to me that everyone that lives on base would be in apartments, and we would be mostly inside.  The Norman Rockwell was slowing fading away.

We showed up at the first place, and after a hearty 'O Christmas Tree' we were invited in, and treated to Pizza and Beer.  Wait a minute!  This is not their first rodeo.  I was beginning to like this type of caroling.  We went on to several other homes where we were (usually) invited in and treated to food, cookies, and something to quench our thirst.   After several stops and several Hot Toddies, the last stop was the squadron commander's home, and his son answered the door, took one look at the HUGE group singing a much less coordinated version of Jingle Bell Rock, and called his dad saying, "You have GOT to see this"

They invited us in and had a spread equipped with meatballs, shrimp, and other fantastic appetizers.

It was not a Norman Rockwell pictures, but it was a lot of fun, and a Christmas event I won't soon forget.

 - This sweet little girl's face was precious.
 - Confirming the song we were about to belt out

 -Exhausted

Paul helped himself to many cookies, and then his tricycle

51st Wing Party - Rachel took the gold

The Wing Christmas Party was last Saturday at the same location as the Squadron Christmas party (or Scarf and Barf, as I call it), and despite the terrible experience we had with the food, we opted to roll the dice and attend.

As we enter the ballroom, the new WING COMMANDER greeted us, and I smiled and tried not to say anything stupid.  I was suddenly self-conscious of the large square necklace that had JOY on it was.  I wondered if it was 'too much'.  Just after dinner, the emcee announced to the group of 300 plus that we would be playing a game.  They needed a volunteer from each table.  All eyes at the table turned towards me.   I laughed it off, and argued Rick would be much better candidate.  I hadn't even eaten my dessert yet!  I was quickly over-ruled.  I stood up in my three inch suede boots, and dress, and walked to the front of the ballroom where there was a line of chairs.  I sat down, smiled at the tables at the front of the room where all the high-ranking folks were.  Great.  The rules of the game were then explained.  There were ten chairs, with ten people.  When the emcee announced an item, we were to run out to the crowd, retrieve item, and run back to the chairs that would then number nine.  Think musical chairs with a scavenger hunt twist.  I quickly starting surveying the crowd looking for friendly faces that would maybe help me with the items.  Dene, another wife, gave me the eye.  This was looking up.  I reviewed the poor saps sitting beside me and decided I probably had a speed advantage.  I was trying to strategize when the emcee yelled, "Bobbypin!"

I shot out of my seat, towards Dene's table, and found it remarkably difficult to move quickly in these boots.  I made it to her table, and everyone was giving me the 'I don't have one' look.  I began to think this was for the best, as I was an emergency room visit waiting to happen in these boots.  I gave an exaggerated 'shucks'; ready to accept defeat.  This is when Dene ripped a bobby-pin from a young gal sitting at a table that had her back to us.  She thrust it in my hands, and I knew the game just stepped up a few notches.  I put my game face on, and ran towards the row of chairs.  I opted to go butt-first into the one chair left as I knew this would give me the most leverage.  I got the chair.  My heart was pounding as I held my bobby-pin up, victoriously.  

"HIGH HEEL' Yelled the emcee.

I only got three feet away from my chair, and caught a spiraling high heel OVER my head.  I raced back to my chair.  I sat in awe of my sudden athletic ability.  I signaled Rick to go get my purse, and move closer.

"STICK OF GUM"  I ran to Dene's table, and another gal was holding out a stick of gum.  I scrambled back, and caught my breath and waited for the next item.

" MXG coin!"

(What the Hell was that??)

I ran to our table, but everyone was empty-handed.  Rick pointed to the Commander's wife, running from the back of the room to me.  She slammed a coin in my hand, and I turned, and ran like I was on fire.  I used tops of heads to gain velocity, and rocketed into my set, butt first.  I am shaking at this point, and can hardly breathe.  I had no idea what a MXG coin was, but I held it high to be inspected by the judges.  My new-found coordination was God-like, and I imagined Rick getting pats on the back from the new WING COMMANDER on Monday for having such a dedicated wife.  How lucky to have him at the front table to make such a good impression.

"LIP GLOSS"

I stood up, and and headed to my group, and a chap stick wizzed by my head at Mach III.  CRAP!  The over-zealous helper hadn't even made eye contact before chucking it at me.  I turned and surveyed the floor.  NOTHING!  NOOOOOO!!! I felt the win slipping.  I turned back, and had another gal running to me with lip gloss.  I snatched it, and ran to the front, with somebody right at my heels for my chair.  Luckily, I had perfected the slam into the chair, while hooking my feet around the legs of the chair to keep from spilling off it.  I smiled sweetly to the defeated.  Sucka.

"SCARF"  

I jumped up, eyes narrowing on a gal with a scarf around her neck.  She didn't even put up a fight.  I was the first back to the three remaining chairs.  Rick just stared at me in disbelief.  I think it's safe to say I was smug at this point.

"A Texas Driver's License"  

My hopes plumeted, but I rushed to the left side of the room, where a fella was pulling out his wallet.  He produced one.  Amazing!

I took my time getting back to my seat to conserve energy, but kept my gameface on.

"A Chief"

(WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?!?)  I just sprinted towards Rick as he turned to run towards the back of the room.  He pointed out a well-dressed man.  I slapped him on the back, and requested he hustle.  My peripherals alerted me to another couple, almost as eager to get that remaining chair.  Almost.  I pounded on the Chief's back, yelling "GO GO GO".  I pushed him towards the chair and he fell on to it, but held on to the sides to stabilize.  I couldn't get my boots stopped in time, and I nose-dived to the floor after bouncing off his lap.  

So many questions went through my head at this point.  

1.  Is my tooth chipped from large JOY necklace smacking me in the face on my way down?

2. Did the WING COMMANDER notice I just flashed the front row of tables?

3.Did anyone get a picture of me lap-diving?

I decided all of this was irrelevant as my broken body was still in the game.  The Chief asked me if I was okay, and Rick was making his way through the crowd.  My adrenaline and utter embarrassment was so high, I didn't feel any pain.  I assured him I was fine as I stood up, brushed myself off, and displayed the Chief like I was Vanna White.

The emcee allowed the two Chiefs to go back to their seats.  I thanked him for his speed, and apologized for the lap dive.  

There were just two people left, which meant the next item was for the Gold.  I didn't know if my jell-o legs would hold up, and I think my kneecap was around my ankle after my little spill.

'EARRING"

I Stood up, and noticed a gal at the WING COMMANDER'S table reach up and hand me her earring  

SWEET BABY MOSES!

I backed back into my chair as the less fortunate gal was still trying to get her hands on an earring.

I let out a battle cry that startled the emcee standing beside me.  Rick was beaming.

I collected my prize (Lowe's Gift Cards)....(I was seriously expecting a T.V.)  I thanked everyone at the tables that had helped me, returned the items, including the bobby-pin, and sat down to get my legs to stop shaking.  Rick inspected the knee and asked if I was okay.  I scoffed at his concern, and gave him a high five saying, "Go Hard, or Go Home."  

( I hope to be able to walk soon)  

(Korea doesn't have any Lowe's)

51st Operations Group Holiday Party

Rick and I attended the Squadron party on Friday.  As you can see we had remarkable coordination with our outfits.  After a lovely night, we got home and coordinated grand symphony of rushing to the bathroom to puke our guts out.  I'm so thankful for having two bathrooms.  Once we rolled out of bed at abut 2 pm on Saturday, we heard there were over a dozen other cases of illness, several hospitalizations,  and Public Heath was involved.  The Wing Christmas party is next Saturday, and at the same place.  Although I am thrilled my dress will fit even better, I think I will eat prior to the party.

Two tickets to the Squadron Christmas Party ..... $60.00

Cab ride to our apartment                            ..... 4,000 Won

Making Christmas memories with Rick that involve bodily fluids  ....Priceless