B-day Party

Here are some pics from today's festivities:

This is a puppet show I helped put on. The kids seemed to dig it.

As you can see the noise makers were a big hit.




The party was a combined party for a bunch of kids born within a couple weeks of each other. Each child got a cupcake with a candle. Here is Quinn blowing out his candles.


Yummy...

Haircut

Today we took Quinn for his first haircut. I've cut his hair once before but it was just a trim to reduce the mullet he was sporting. Today he got his first full on haircut. I got my hair cut first so Quinn could see all that the process entailed. Julia was describing things as they happened and he was taking it all in. We chose to go to a hair shop that catered to little ones. They even had a chair in the shape of a car complete with a TV showing cartoons directly in front.

None of this appealed to Quinn when it came down to go time. He was content to sit on my lap though. He did remarkably well I have to say. He actually sat still and let the barber cut his hair while I moved his head this way and that. The barber took it very seriously and really spent some time getting it just right. Here are some pictures from our experience.

The "man's" shop:


Here I am inspecting the barber's armpit:

Notice not only the sweet haircut but the gold scissors hanging from the pimpin' gold chain:


The seal of approval:


Two freshly shorn gentlemen:

Tomorrow we have a B-day party. Pictures to follow.

Rocket Launch Fever

It seems the big news lately is all about the impending "rocket" or "satellite" launch by North Korea. The launch should be taking place in the next day or two. I think the most irked country seems to be Japan as the rocket will be passing through their airspace. They have stated that they have dispatched a big ship or two that could shoot down any rocket or debris that may violate Japanese airspace. I guess we will have to wait and see.

J is heading to Doha in a couple weeks for a conference. An added bonus is that we have friends there who she will be able to catch up with.

I am still stoked on our Hanoi trip and the fact that we got to catch up with our friends there. Here is a link to an article in the NYT about Hanoi. It was as if the author was on our trip. We did not do everything the author did, but quite a bit. If you stand in our friends front yard you can hit the Intercontinental with a stone, or water balloon if you prefer.

I'm still getting used to traveling with a little on in tow but I'm coming around. We have plenty of friends to get advice from in the area which is nice.

In an unrelated note spring is rearing its head. We are starting to see blossoms here and there and temperatures are starting to climb into the 50's F. We are all eagerly awaiting warmer weather.

Another busy week. The school has asked me to take pictures for the school website so I got a day off to do that this week. I also took a day off after going to see Oasis on Wed. night. Although it may sound like I didn't work much this week I was very busy. I was at school on both days that I wasn't teaching and I had to write sub plans for the days I was out. Not super fun. On top of all that report cards are due.

I think J and I are going to do a triathlon with a friend in about a month. I am going to swim, J is going to bike, and our friend is going to run. I guess I better get in the pool.

Adios

Hanoi pics

Here are a couple pics from our trip to Hanoi:

Another Quideo

St. Paddy's Day

This weekend our school co-sponsored a St. Paddy's bash at a bar called Stompers in Iteawon. Some members of our staff are in a band called Boondeggi. They rocked the house all night long. Boondeggi, if you are curious, is the name of silk worm larvae that is served at road side stands here in Korea. I've never actually tried it but I plan to some day.

Our school represented well and was out in force. We really have a great staff who enjoy having a good time. Iteawon is an interesting place. It is right next to an army base so you have many shops catering to foreigners. On one side that is a bonus because it is an area that I can go to and actually find clothes or shoes that are the proper size.

The bar is located in an area referred to as "Hooker Hill". Although no ladies of the night frequent this particular establishment you have to walk by quite a few shady bars with blacked out windows and interesting names. You can imagine the clientele that an army base would provide.

This was our first time out in Iteawon at night. It was definitely different than any other area that we have been to. We saw more expats last night than we have probably in our entire time in Korea. It was a trip to see Americans in their early twenties out getting smashed. It kind of reminded me of college in a way except most of these kids chose the military over college. Korea doesn't provide you with a lot of variety so to see young Americans out and dressed to the nines was a trip. The drunk loud American really sticks out here.

A not so special special:


A fellow brewer also named Ben:


J hangin with some of the crew:



Yesterday I brewed up another batch of homebrew. This time I brewed up a Belgian style ale that should be quite interesting. So far everything seems to be going to plan. I am toying with the idea of trying to employ a two stage fermentation process. I still have a couple days before I have to decide.

Here are the ingredients and a sweet reference book I read more than I probably should:


A week from today we head to Hanoi to visit our friends. We are super excited. Hopefully before we leave we will be able to visit our friends Marc and Mel who are coming to Seoul next weekend.

Our friend Ben who we are going to visit in Hanoi is a wildlife biologist. His specialty is Gibbons. He is going to take us a place called Cat Ba where he has friends who work. Here is the link if you want to check it out here I can already tell I'm going to dig it. He mentioned that there is also some climbing nearby as well. You can check that out here.

Check it out:

This weekend I got together with two other of my fellow home brewers to sample the fruits of our labor. I have to say all the brews turned out really well. We spent the night discussing the finer traits of each brew. We are in for round two in the next week or so.




We have been busy toiling away at the salt mines. This week we have parent conferences which are always mentally exhausting. It will be nice to have them out of the way.

Quinn has had the opportunity to hang with out with our friends boys often. He is getting to know them well and they him. He enjoys spending time with the older kids and they are all so patient with him it's great.

We are getting excited to be heading to Vietnam in a couple of weeks to visit our friends Ben, Michelle and their son Tane. It will be nice to get away for a bit and a big bonus to hang out with good friends.

Adios