Merry Christmas

Our first Christmas in Korea is wonderful. Thank you Lord for Jesus.

I am also thankful for modern technology. We had Ichat with Jessica, Melissa, Joe and Speicher while they opened their presents. Cooked rib roast and stuffing and brought to our Pastor's house for Christmas lunch. There was turkey, Korean dishes the Korean ladies brought and my roast came out good. Afterwards there was a white elephant gift exchange which was fun. Korea doesn't celebrate like back home. It seems like a regular day because the stores and restaurants around us are open. Tonight we went to see the movie Old Dogs and when we came out it was snowing. I wanted a white Christmas and here it is.

The pictures were taken by the computer's camera

Here we are chatting with them, Jesse wearing his present from them, a Phoenix Cardinal jersey #13.

Portrait infront of the tree.

Jesse and I are very proud of them. They've done very well alone.

24th Anniversary

For our anniversary dinner we tried a Brazilian Restaurant. It is barbecued meats, 9 different kinds including sirloin and a whole pineapple with cinnamon. They bring the whole big skewers and sliced the meat unto your plate. There's also a buffet of salads, sushi, soup and desserts. Our server is actually from Brazil but he has been living in Korea for a while.

The restaurant was on the top floor (10th). They put us in our own room.

Buffet, the place was empty because we were the first one there for dinner time.

Jesse's Eskimo

It has been just in the 10's, 20's and 30 degrees fahrenheit. No snow but it is SOOOOOOOOOOO COOOOOOOLD! I WANT SOME ARIZONA HEAT PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

It hasn't really stop me from going out, I just layer it and bundle up. It reminds me a lot like Massachusetts.

Wonderful Sunday!!

I taught Assurance of Salvation at our Ladies Bible Study. I am only subbing while our regular Sunday School teacher is on vacation to the U.S. for 3 weeks. It was good to be able to share and learn that we can know for sure of our destiny according to the word of God in the Bible. Pastor Tom made us reflect when Jesus said "If I had not come." in the book of John. This afternoon, we went to Meeok's Korean church for their Christmas Cantata which she conducted. The Cantanta sounded great, even though I didn't understand the words I was able to follow since the melodies are the same. After the cantata we listened to the Korean Pastor's sermon, did not understand any at all. Afterwards we had pizza fellowship, only in Korea where you can have sweet potato as part of the pizza topping. It was good. Then in the evening went back to our church and everyone sang Christmas songs and some shared their blessings for 2009 and then had cookies later. It was a blessful day!

Me, Meeok, Kyung Hee (Mary) and Jeung Hee (Sally)

These ladies have their own separate Korean church, they all come to Uijeongbu Baptist Church for the services to learn and understand the Bible in English. They are a blessing.

Lunch at the Costales apartment

Meeok wanted me to meet her fiancee, Mr. Jung. They have a wonderful love story, and I will tell you sometime. We invited them for lunch at our apartment and Jeung Hee joined us too. Meeok taught me how to cook Bulgogi, marinated thin slices of meat. Jesse picked up some ready made sides, kimchee, seaweed and small shrimps. All yummy. It was all good, the company and the food. I am very happy for Meeok and Mr. Jung. They make a good couple. I am sad that I won't be here for the wedding in February.

Meeok and Mr. Jung

Jesse's Christmas party

Wednesday evening was Jesse's Christmas party at Hartell House in Yongsan Base in Seoul. I forgot to take pictures until we were on our way out.

Holiday Mail for Heroes Camp Red Cloud

Last week, some of us Red Cross volunteers and some volunteer soldiers went to all the barracks at Camp Red Cloud and placed Christmas cards to all the soldier doors. The Christmas cards are from the children in the U.S. that are sent to the troops. Since the cards are open, I peeked on some of them and they are so touching. Thanking the soldiers for what they are doing for the country. "Out of the mind of babes" is what I say. I am so thankful to be an American and thankful to all the heroes of our country for the freedom I have.

Our photo before all the volunteers.

The volunteers.

Jesse's Christmas present

Jesse has been a MAC fanatic since 1986. This would be his #7 since. Even though he works with windows he has always been a MAC lover. I call them his "mistress" which I don't mind as long as I am #1 plus I have my own mac that he gave me as a present when I finished my chemotherapy.

Macbook Pro

Dental Clinic Christmas Party

Last week Friday was the Camp Red Cloud Dental Clinic Christmas Party. I was so touch that they invited me. They are good people and very nice. I enjoy my time volunteering and they make it fun and easy.

This is Miss Kim, she is the hygienist (civilian)

This is Regina, the only female dental assistant other than me.

Major Choi (the one in vest) is the Commanding Officer of the Clinic. He graduated from Baylor Dental Clinic in Dallas. Non pictured but in the video is the other filipino here. Sgt. Penaflor is the NCOIC for the dental clinic.

The older gentleman is Mr. Cha, in charge of the lab/janitor. The other guys are KATUSA (supply officer and dental assistants) and the one on the right in Pvt. Will the receptionist

Only in Korea is where you can find tomato on their cake.

Ladies Bible Study Group

This is one of my Bible Study Group, (my other one is much larger). We just finished the Book of Esther. I was able to escort them inside the base and we had a wonderful lunch. Jung Hee has never been inside the base while Meeok was here a long time ago. Linda worked here before but her position was phased out. Linda's husband is the president of the International Christian School here in Uijeongbu. These wonderful ladies makes my Korean adventures fun. I am so blessed to have them.

Linda, me, Meeok and Jung Hee

First Snow in Uijeonnbu

Our first snow in Uijeongbu. I came out of the dental clinic at lunchtime one day and it was snowing. It was wonderful to be snowed at. The snow didn't last long.

Etaewon, South Korea

We spent our next week in Etaewon a week after our trip from the Philippines. Jesse and the guys had to work at Yongsan Base which is next to Etaewon. Etaewon is one of a big shopping district in Seoul. I spent the days shopping or just browsing or staying indoors because it is cold. One evening Jesse and I took the subway to Coex Mall, one of the biggest Mall In South Korea and it was unbelievable how busy the subway was and the passageways. The passageways was shoulder to shoulder it was packed with people. We didn't do any shopping at the mall, we went to dinner at Todai's. I have been to Todai's in Korea, Honolulu and Phoenix (which closed several years ago). We stayed at Hamilton Hotel. It wasn't too bad, it was better after I asked to be moved to a non-smoking room. The room was very modern, newly renovated. But the guys decided that next time, they are staying at the Marriott even though it is a little far.

Dinner at Todai

This was dinner was on our first night in Etaewon. Jesse had seafood soup while I had chicken soup with Ginseng root. The soup was great and I was having sniffles and I think the soup cleared it. I think it is a whole game hen.

They cut the food for you. She was cutting my chicken into bite pieces.

I was hungry for american food so much and across the hotel was Quiznos. I had turkey sandwich. Yummmmy.

See, this place is so westernized, next door is Coldstone and upstairs is Coffee bean.

Next to the Hamilton Hotel was the indoor shopping area. This is where I spent my time browsing.

More stuff

The Hamilton Hotel

The outside of the shopping center

Manila, Philippines

This trip to Manila overall was great! We took the Deluxe bus from San Fernando to Pasay City where the Marriott Hotel was close to. We left the province at 11:30 Wednesday night and we got to Manila Thanksgiving about 4:30 in the morning. Jesse and I enjoyed our time in the Philippines, especially seeing my family in the province and the food. Weather was tolerable since it was humid most of the time. It is congested everywhere especially in Manila. When you come and visit Manila be careful with the taxi drivers. We tried to blend in, I spoke tagalog but as soon as Jesse talked, it was all over. The receptionist at the hotel told us that "they can smell you." The taxi driver from the bus stop to the hotel tried to get us to pay him 3 times more than the meter. He said, "the meter was broken," Jesse paid him a few pesos more than the meter, once I knew we were safe inside the hotel compound, I gave him a lecture on how to treat out of towners better because he is making all the taxi drivers looked bad and giving them a bad name. I should have taken his number and reported him but Jesse calmed me down. Don't con a filipino woman especially when she knows what you are trying to do. My family warned me about something like this and I was proactive at the matter. All the other taxi drivers were nice and courteous after that. I have taken so many taxi's in Korea and as far as I know no one has taken advantage of me so far. The taxi drivers in Manila and Korea are all alike. They do not follow road rules, it is merely a suggestion.

Marriott Manila. Brand new, just opened in November, the 2 top floors are not finished. You could hear the construction going on. The service was excellent everywhere except the room cleaning (housekeeping is better in Seoul.) Next door to the hotel is a casino Maxim's. The area is still being developed. There are condo's being built around the area and there will be a convention center and shopping areas.

At the hotel lobby

The room

On our first day in Manila, we wanted to see the Mall of Asia.

At the crosswalk bridge at the Mall of Asia. Far ahead is the business district Makati

Inside the Mall of Asia

Thanksgiving Lunch at the Mall of Asia. Lunch was lumpia (eggroll) lugaw (rice soup) and fried Bangus (fish). The view was Manila Bay.

Dessert was Halo halo with ice cream on Jesse's.

Manila Bay behind us

Thanksgiving dinner at the hotel. I had hamburger and fries, Jesse had adobo sandwich (pulled pork and side order lumpia. We couldn't find any turkey, not even for sandwich.

On our second day in Manila, I wanted to go to Luneta, famous Philippine Park but Jesse wanted to go to Fort Bonifacio Heights, another shopping area and this is their food court.

Look at all that food, just for just the two of us. We didn't know how big the portions were. We picked pancit, pinakbet, fish seviche, fried and broiled squid. We had so much so we decided to share (give away) the pancit to the table next to us who graciously accepted.

For dinner, we went to the hotel's buffet. I forgot to take a pictures until it was dessert time. It was a wonderful buffet, there was all kinds of seafoof including lobster, there was japanese, chinese, thai cuisine, salads, fruits and vegetables. As you can see this was Jesse's dessert. Very delicious and cheap.

Our last day we went to the Philippine Air Force Museum, walking distance from the hotel. This was inside the museum. See how early they decorate for Christmas.

Picture of the "Bataan Death March" during WWII

General Douglas Mac Arthur said, "I Shall Return" to the Filipinos and here's his picture landing in the island of Leyte in the Visaya's island in southern Philippines.

Philippine Jets

Previous Philippine "Air Force One". See the Philippine Flag on the door, that's the indication that a former president used it. I wonder if Marcos was the one. It didn't say.

The videos are all the way at the end. I tried to put them in order but I couldn't. I'll figure it out eventually but for now enjoy!

Naguilian, La Union

On our 2nd day in the province we went to Naguilian. Mario, Marlyn, Rayvan, Jesse and I went. I am so thankful to my nephew who drove us around wherever we wish to go.

Naguilian is part of the La Union Province which San Fernando City is the capital and Naguilian is a municipality. It is where my mother-in-law Arcadia was born and grew up. We had to go and see where Jesse's roots were from. We went to the municipal hall to inquire where we might find Jesse's relatives and apparently they are very well known in town. Once we mentioned names of the Ochoco's and Sanchez, the name of Brillante Ochoco came up, one of the former Commodore of the Philippines navy. We found Jesse's cousin's house, the Huliganga's, a 3 story house. It is where my camera battery died. We were able to meet the lady that is taking care of it while all the cousins are all in America (if I remember correctly her name is Esperanza). Cousins, please e-mail and correct me if I was wrong. As far as I know, I think my father-in-law is from Luna, La Union. Another municipality north of San Fernando.

The sign to Naguilian, Basi is wine made from sugar cane. My father used to make it including raw sugar when the sugar canes were ready to be cut.

I took this picture from the bridge to Naguilian. This bridge is often flooded and with all the flood recently it was closed for 2 weeks, according to my nephew. No one was able to cross on either side of it. There are 2 roads to take you to Baguio City, this road and another which is about 6-8 hours away. Baguio City is a vacation paradise to a lot of people. Mario would have taken us there if I said yes, but knowing the condition of the roads especially with the recent rains, I didn't think it was wise. The roads are famous for cliffs and erosion and a lot of accidents because of careless drivers.

Jesse in front of the Municipal Hall beside the statue of Jose Rizal, the Philippine Hero.