Merry Christmas Eve.
It's officially Christmas Eve here in Pohang, South Korea. It's that time of year for caroling, Christmas cookies and my Mom's famous heart attack casserole. Unfortunately for yours truly, this year will be a little different. Christmas Eve for me will consist of playing with the cutest kids in creation, eating Korean food and riding a bus to the airport for a beach vacation with some of my closest friends. Not exactly a down home Christmas, but one that will definitely be remembered.
It doesn't exactly feel like Christmas. Without the snow and the familiarness of home it just isn't the same. Maybe that is the reason why I am not feeling more homesick than I am. Of course reading the Facebook statuses about a winter wonderland Christmas or singing Christmas carols in a language I actually understand make me homesick, but somehow it doesn't seem real all the way over here. When I don't see all of the reminders of what I am missing I almost forget about it all. Of course I remember and miss my family and friends, but the fun of what I miss is somehow replaced by the fun and memories I am making.
This time tomorrow I will be on a bus and headed for the airport. My duffel bag is packed full with tank tops, flip flops and sundresses. The weather is forecasted for 92 degrees on Christmas day in Bangkok, Thailand. A far cry from the blankets of white snow that has been covering the the majority of the midwest during the past few weeks.
From December 25th-Janurary 2nd I will be in a country where there are a million things I want to do. In Thailand I want to ride an elephant, go to the tiger temple, lay out on the beach and so many more. I have a vague list of things I want to do but if they don't get crossed off it's ok. I'm honestly just excited to get away from Pohang. Get away from Kids College. Get away from my itty bitties. An entire week of sun, relaxation and fun with some of the best people I know. I consider myself blessed.
To whoever is reading this, I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy and fulfilled New Year. Thank you for coming with me on this journey through the ups and downs in Korea.
See you in 2011.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Friday, December 24, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Favorite Christmas Songs
This post is dedicated to my love of Christmas songs. Here are a few of my favorite songs (in no particular order) and the reason behind each. Feel free to download them (legally of course) and help me celebrate Christmas as loud as humanly possible.
#1. Christmas in Killarney- Bing Crosby
#2. White Christmas- Bing Crosby
It's Bing Crosby. That's reason enough.
#3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer- Gene Aulty
Gene Aulty did the song for the original, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." This was one of my favorite movies as a child and remains one to this day. Listening to this song reminds me of being at home with my family, making cookies and signing along.
#4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Glen Campbell
I grew up in a very country-inspired household. This particular song was on one of our holiday cds and it was always a Christmas favorite.
#5. Pretty Paper- Willie Nelson
Another favorite for the Comers. This song specifically reminds me of my Dad. He loves Willie Nelson and some of my favorite Christmas memories are of him singing along to this song, amongst many others. My Dad has such a great voice and listening to him sing, hum or whistle along to Christmas music always reminds me that Christmas can't be too far away.
#6. All I Want for Christmas is You-Mariah Carey
For the past 5 years this song has been a favorite of mine. Why only 5 years? It is all due to one of my best collegiate friends, Joe Thomas. I love this song (too much I know) and every Christmas since we became friends (back in 2004) I would sing this song (loudly and quite off key) to him in person, on the phone, on his voicemail and any other media I could think of. It was our Christmas tradition and one that will be kept this year, even though I am 7,000 miles away. Get ready Joe, this year I found the "extra festive" version. It's gonna be special.
#7. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: Brenda Lee
Who doesn't think of this song at Christmas?! Home Alone is one of my favorite Christmas movies and has a soundtrack that puts a big Christmas smile on even the scroogiest person out there. This song always reminds me of Christmas and how thankful I am for my family. Thank you Brenda Lee for rockin' around that Christmas tree.
#8. Wizards in Winter- Trans Siberian Orchestra
This song has specific meaning to me and my family. We went to see them in concert last year and absolutely HATED the performance. The music was amazing but then they added weird rock music, creepy story tellers in the middle and some chick that refused to stop headbanging throughout the entire show. It didn't help that we were in nosebleed section and literally felt like we were going to fall out of our seats, plummet to our deaths and crush the fans who had created a makeshift mosh pit. While I continue to love the music, I will forever remember my family and our inability to last through the entire show.
#9. Christmas in Dixie- Alabama
This is another song that reminds me of my Dad. I still can't really listen to it without getting choked up. Alabama has such a fantastic country feel to it and it reminds me of all of the songs we listened to growing up.
#1. Christmas in Killarney- Bing Crosby
#2. White Christmas- Bing Crosby
It's Bing Crosby. That's reason enough.
#3. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer- Gene Aulty
Gene Aulty did the song for the original, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." This was one of my favorite movies as a child and remains one to this day. Listening to this song reminds me of being at home with my family, making cookies and signing along.
#4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Glen Campbell
I grew up in a very country-inspired household. This particular song was on one of our holiday cds and it was always a Christmas favorite.
#5. Pretty Paper- Willie Nelson
Another favorite for the Comers. This song specifically reminds me of my Dad. He loves Willie Nelson and some of my favorite Christmas memories are of him singing along to this song, amongst many others. My Dad has such a great voice and listening to him sing, hum or whistle along to Christmas music always reminds me that Christmas can't be too far away.
#6. All I Want for Christmas is You-Mariah Carey
For the past 5 years this song has been a favorite of mine. Why only 5 years? It is all due to one of my best collegiate friends, Joe Thomas. I love this song (too much I know) and every Christmas since we became friends (back in 2004) I would sing this song (loudly and quite off key) to him in person, on the phone, on his voicemail and any other media I could think of. It was our Christmas tradition and one that will be kept this year, even though I am 7,000 miles away. Get ready Joe, this year I found the "extra festive" version. It's gonna be special.
Who doesn't think of this song at Christmas?! Home Alone is one of my favorite Christmas movies and has a soundtrack that puts a big Christmas smile on even the scroogiest person out there. This song always reminds me of Christmas and how thankful I am for my family. Thank you Brenda Lee for rockin' around that Christmas tree.
#8. Wizards in Winter- Trans Siberian Orchestra
This song has specific meaning to me and my family. We went to see them in concert last year and absolutely HATED the performance. The music was amazing but then they added weird rock music, creepy story tellers in the middle and some chick that refused to stop headbanging throughout the entire show. It didn't help that we were in nosebleed section and literally felt like we were going to fall out of our seats, plummet to our deaths and crush the fans who had created a makeshift mosh pit. While I continue to love the music, I will forever remember my family and our inability to last through the entire show.
#9. Christmas in Dixie- Alabama
This is another song that reminds me of my Dad. I still can't really listen to it without getting choked up. Alabama has such a fantastic country feel to it and it reminds me of all of the songs we listened to growing up.
For me, Christmas just isn't Christmas without music.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thanksgiving in Korea
[I have decided against writing specifically what I am thankful for this year. Instead of writing that super-detailed list that will almost certainly leave out someone incredibly important, I am going to simply say, "I am thankful." I am thankful for everyone and everything that has impacted me in a positive way during the past almost 10 months. Thank you.]
This past weekend marked my first (and hopefully only) Thanksgiving away from home. While the multiple Thanksgiving parties (four to be exact) did help take my mind off of my family, it did help me realize that being away from home is not what I want to do for the Thanksgivings to come. Thankfully I was able to do a big skype call with my extended family. It helped me feel connected and as if I were a part of the celebration even though I was 7,000 miles away. Now you may be wondering why in the world I would do four Thanksgivings. My answer? Why the hell not.
My parties included the actual Thanksgiving at my favorite bar, TILT Bar and Grill, where a Thanksgiving meal was prepared with as many of the western trimmings as could be found. This included (amongst other deliciousness) two huge pumpkin pies and a large and in charge turkey. Yum yum yum. Number two was at my school. They had each parent prepare something to share. Included were all the Korean favorites with a few western dishes (buffalo wings) thrown in. 맛있다! (Delicious!) The next was a potluck at a good friend's house. Not as many western food were present but it was just as delicious. Included in the decadency was an apple cake (thanks Frank), guacamole dip (Anna rocks) and bulgogi (Ryan the host) to name just a few. The final Thanksgiving (my waistline couldn't handle any more food) was at the American Marine base. A few of my good friends are in the military and it gave us an excuse for another meal (like any of us needed it) and celebrating what we are thankful for.
Clearly I had a pretty good Thanksgiving. I had good friends, good food and didn't have to be on a boat headed for Japan after an attack from our friends to the North. Success.
This past weekend marked my first (and hopefully only) Thanksgiving away from home. While the multiple Thanksgiving parties (four to be exact) did help take my mind off of my family, it did help me realize that being away from home is not what I want to do for the Thanksgivings to come. Thankfully I was able to do a big skype call with my extended family. It helped me feel connected and as if I were a part of the celebration even though I was 7,000 miles away. Now you may be wondering why in the world I would do four Thanksgivings. My answer? Why the hell not.
My parties included the actual Thanksgiving at my favorite bar, TILT Bar and Grill, where a Thanksgiving meal was prepared with as many of the western trimmings as could be found. This included (amongst other deliciousness) two huge pumpkin pies and a large and in charge turkey. Yum yum yum. Number two was at my school. They had each parent prepare something to share. Included were all the Korean favorites with a few western dishes (buffalo wings) thrown in. 맛있다! (Delicious!) The next was a potluck at a good friend's house. Not as many western food were present but it was just as delicious. Included in the decadency was an apple cake (thanks Frank), guacamole dip (Anna rocks) and bulgogi (Ryan the host) to name just a few. The final Thanksgiving (my waistline couldn't handle any more food) was at the American Marine base. A few of my good friends are in the military and it gave us an excuse for another meal (like any of us needed it) and celebrating what we are thankful for.
Clearly I had a pretty good Thanksgiving. I had good friends, good food and didn't have to be on a boat headed for Japan after an attack from our friends to the North. Success.
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| Korean Thanksgiving complete with salad, kimbap, dok boki, chicken, glutinous rice cakes, sticky rice and yellow curry. |
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| Amazing apple cake |
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| Anthony annihilating a hamburger kabab |
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| Matt being ingenious making a "brownie pancake" |
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| A military Thanksgiving |
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| With one of my best friends, Jen |
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