Our JennEric Life

May

2010

And probably the coolest thing to happen to me so far

Last Monday as I was walking Moo back home, past the Lumber Barons, Mrs. Lumber Baron motioned me over.

For those just tuning in, the Lumber Barons is the name I have affectionately given a local Korean couple. And while they are farmers in real life, in their backyard is the biggest pile of scrap lumber you’ve ever seen.

She invited me to sit, try some homemade Kimbob (Korean sushi), poured me a glass of peach juice & we sat there.

It was a first in our year-long exchange of bows & smiles every time I pass by.

But I don’t speak Hangul and she doesn’t speak English.

So there was lots of smiling, nodding & hand gestures.

And wouldn’t you know it…I didn’t have my camera on me.

The one time I could’ve got a great close up of her & no camera.

As for the Kimbob…I’m afraid it’s not really my thing. I nibbled here & there and tried to assure her that I was very grateful, that it was very good. And brought one home for Eric – he loves the stuff.

But the peach juice was incredible – straight out of the carton just like Orange juice.

Category: Jennifer, Life in Korea, Our Neighborhood 2 Comments

May

2010

Full Circle

And so begins rice season

jennifer

These shots are all of the massive fields of rice patties that span the stretch between Humphreys & Osan.

I still don’t know if one mega-company owns all of it, or if it’s a patchwork of individual farmers’ lands.

But they’re starting up again.

The fields were burned, then tilled & then flooded.

And now it’s time to plant.

The mud is so thick & deep I always wonder how the heavy equipment doesn’t just get stuck in it.

But this is the shot I wanted to show you.

Last year I missed this part. I came in just a week or two later.

It’s a rice planter.

Look at the shelves on either side of the driver.

They hold trays & trays of germinated rice.

The trays are then slid into holding grooves while slowly - one by one – each individual rice plant is poked into the mud.

Ta-dah!

But I think our neighborhood farmers plant them all by hand.

Category: Life in Korea Leave a Comment

May

2010

Quit Barkin’ at that Cat

Our latest amusement

jennifer

[watch the volume on this one - it's gonna be loud]

I know I owe you the story about the KATUSA snack bar. I’ve been trying to write it for the past 2 days – but the story is rather emotional. I thought writing it out would be cathartic, but apparently my subconscious is not yet ready to face it. So!…

I thought I would share our latest household amusement.

Libby.

Barkin’ at that cat.

You can always tell when Libby is bored because she’ll race up the stairs just to bark at Kitten (my 11 year-old calico).

And the thing is – she knows better.

She knows she’s not supposed to bark at that cat. How do I know?…

Because the split second before I come into the room to scold her she hides under the bed.

Well…she tries to hide under the bed.

Usually I see a tail or a nose or a back leg sticking out.

At first this little charade of hers was quite amusing…but now it’s messin’ with my Ch’i & my patience is running thin.

[deep breath in....deep breath out]

Ahh…the joys of puppyhood.