Perfect, Just Perfect

12:04  UK

 

“Once I realize I don’t have to be perfect, I will be perfect” -me,  to Joe.

We are getting ready for Sam and So Youngs second wedding, not they didn’t have a falling out or think the first one wasn’t good enough…..its just that if you come from two different nations you might as well have two different weddings!

Something Fishy

18:46

I really enjoyed my time in Korea. BUT I did have one unpleasant experience. I’m not trying to pick on the lovely country, but just laughing at myself.

I really enjoy a good soak in the tub. Showers are fine, but to me not relaxing in the slightest.  We travelled a but during our stay in Korea,  three hotels in total. Well, two hotels and one chalet if you want to be exact. The first, did not have a tub.  I did make it through three days of showers (oh woe is me) but was overjoyed to see that the second place (the chalet) not only had a bath tub but a JACUZZI!!! We arrived mid day,  I like to have baths in the evening,  as I waited through the rest of the afternoon, I kept thinking about the lovely bath I was going to have. When  the time came to turn on the tap the only water that came out was… cold. cold cold cold.  I knew there was some control switch somewhere, but when I found it it was all in Korean. So, I went next door to enlist the help of my new Korean Sister in Law (So Young). She came to our room, and showed me how to make the water hot. But, knowing it would take an hour or so to warm up, I decided to leave it until the next day.  Another day without a bath, I know, my life is pretty rough isn’t it.

The next day when I woke up (rather early from jet lag) I was already thinking about the evening’s bath. I made sure to set the dial like So Young had said.   Then we went out for 8 hours to enjoy the day on Jeju Island.  But…. when we came back to the Hotel… I mean Chalet, we came in the room and it was like a Sauna. seriously, I could hardly breathe! See what had happened was, not only did I turn the water heating on, but turned the  under floor heating on…. all day. We had to leave all the doors and windows open for 2 hours. But, alas, it was bath time!

Picture this, or actually please don’t, the bath is half full, I am in and starting to relax.  I think oh, I have to take advantage of this Jacuzzi! So, I turn on the jets. But instead of nice smelling warm water, freezing cold fish smelling water starts filling the tub! I was so startled, I was fumbling over the buttons and could not turn the jets off. I was screaming out ‘Joe! Help! Joe!’ he  came in the bathroom but couldnt make sense of what was happening.   When I finally got the jets off, I just had to laugh at my funny luke warm smelly bath.

It was all redeemed though the next day when So Young, once again told me how to set the water heater, without turning our room into a sauna, and Sam even bought me a nice smelling bath salt thing. I did get my bath eveuntally, the next night, but didn’t dare turn the jets on.

I stand corrected

10:45

 

Alice and Charlie were not born on the same day.

Alice Emily at around 12:30am on Wednesday 4th November weighing 6lb 2oz.

Charlie at 5:29pm on Tuesday 10th November weighing 9lb 1oz.

But they are really neighours

kimbap

20:09

I really enjoy Korean food. So, if you ever want to make it for me, I will be happy. Just so you know, my favourite is Kimbap. It looks likes like this,

After you call me to invite me over for Kimbap, but then realize you do not know how to make it, look here for how to make it. To be very fair and convenient, I will be in both Canada and England this coming week. Please have the kimbap ready when I arrive, because at Korean restaurants you never have to wait more than 15 minutes for your food.

In other exciting news, TWO of our friends in England had babies this week, and they are neighbours!! One girl, Alice and one boy, Charlie.  Maybe they will grow up fall in love and get married. At least that is what would happen if it were a movie. Congratulations!

Immigration Flirtation? Not Quite.

14:07 

So there I was after 13 hours of travel standing in the Seoul In Cheon Airport, waiting to be admitted into Korea. I was by myself because I was meeting Joe in Korea.  The guy in front of me turns and says ‘ So hows your Korean?’ I tell him the three or four words I know, Hello (anyangasayo) Thank You (Kamsamneeda) One Two Three (Hana Tol Set) which wouldn’t get me to far but I am not worried. He tells me he has a Korean Phrase book but he accidently put it in his Checked Baggage not his carry on. I notice his strong English accent and ask where in England he is from.  Judging by MY accent people never guess that I would know much about England because… well… why should I? He tells me hes from the South,  I ask where in the South, He says Devon. I say oh! My husband is from Devon! Turns out hes from Barnstaple, which is not far from Chudleigh, but the funny thing is that I don’t think he expected me to have a husband.  Needless to say, he did not wait for me at the luggage belt.

Clairvaux Manifesto

Having returned from Korea today my body clock is going into overload. I thought about blogging all the details from our trip but that might do my head in right now. I will just say that it was an absolutely lovely time. Expect more when my brain sorts itself out.

On the other hand, I wanted to say that a book written by our very good friend has just been released. Check out this site to see Clairvaux Manifesto. Well worth a read.

Goodnight. or as they say in Korea, ja joy oh…. or something like that!

Korea….

22:08

 

We are going to Korea tomorrow for Joe’s Bro’s wedding. I am very excited.  Will be many photos I am sure.

Bye for now.

Snow.

14:48

 

Well it’s October and here in Alberta that means the commencement of winter.

Saturday morning I woke up at my [parents] house getting ready to come to Canmore.  Looked out the window. Snowing, wet and thick. A friend whom I had only met twice before was coming to pick me up. Calgary to Canmore is about an hour.  It was white out conditions. We were crawling along the highway, and then we weren’t even crawling anymore. The speedometer read 0 km/h for more than one h! We couldn’t see the reason for the holdup and were frustrated, but got to know each other a bit better in the car. When we started moving again we needed to get some petrol because idling for an hour of course will empty a gas tank! In the gas station to our surprise we found out that five semi trucks had gone off the highway at exactly the same place. Hence the reason for the hold up. Funny thing though is that all of us strangers in the gas station were talking.

Problems and setbacks give us things in common. Feel like you are spinning your wheels? Stuck at zero? See who’s stuck with you, get to know them, make a few new friends, find a few new hearts.  Know what I mean?

Internal Clock

22:51

 

So I put the kids (read last entry for back story) at 8:30 (well at least thats when the last one went to bed) so i thought,”Oh, I’ll go to bed now too… so I can be rested for tomorrow.” But my internal clock would not allow it. 2.5 hours later I am still awake, because you can’t change your sleeping habits in one night.  At least I am in a comfy bed.

Canmore again.

21:45

I had a great weekend with friends in Canmore again. I almost didn’t come because of my flusihness but I am really glad I did. I met some new people. But because we were of the same Spirit and were willing  we were able to go to deep places  in not much time. The Holy Spirit was very evident in our sharing with one another, walking down the path, eating together and just being together. The weekend commenced with an unplanned baptism in sub zero weather. A privilege to witness and share in.

This week I am taking care of some wonderful kids… and the count down is on to Korea on Thursday! (not that it hasn’t been on since Joe got on the plane!)