Here and Now: August 2009

Stephanie isn't the only actor in the family anymore. She has competition. Jason and I (and our co-worker Nate) will be starring in a government sponsored ad for the Jolla provinces in Korea. What were our qualifications you ask...being non-Korean. Yup - that's all I seem to need these days. ;)

On an early Friday morning we were whisked off to the Chungju Dam to create a commercial. The purpose of said commercial is to bring business to the sparsley populated provinces of Jeollabuk-do and Jeollnam-do. The scenario was that Nate and I were business people - I think. Jason was a construction worker. When we asked the producer why he didn't get people from the area to do the commercial he asked, "Do you know any foreigners in Jolla?" Well neither did he. I guess that makes us lucky. We were paid hansomely for a half an hour of standing in the sun and saying a few words.

We weren't the only actors on hand that day. A little girl and boy about 10 years old were also there. I had to walk with Nate toward the kids who were standing on the edge of the lake throwing rocks. My monologue consisted of "Hey girl" as I walked toward the children. When the girl turned toward me, I handed her a bouquet of flowers. Then I gave her a present. After a few dozen takes I guess I got it right...'cause Jason was up next.

He worked alone...with only a backhoe as a prop. He had to step out of the backhoe, give a thumbs up sign, and say "Wonderful." It was pretty serious work and we gave it all we had.

After lunch with the "crew", our friends Thomas and Uhna picked us up and we headed to the southern islands for a weekend trip. We didn't do any swimming as the waters were teaming with jelly fish but it was still a great time.

The directors doing what directors do...standing around and smoking. I think...

The camera men in their official hats.

It looks glamous, doesn't it?

I have no idea why I give the girl flowers or a present. It must be metaphorical.

Working hard...

Jason gave an Academy Award winning performance - just look at the enthusiasm of his thumb.

We stayed near the harbor the first night of our weekend trip.

The next morning we watched the fisherman load their catch into cargo crates. If you look closely you can see the steam rising from the fish - apparently due to them being frozen in the hold of the ship to stay fresh throughout the entire fishing trip.

(smirk)

I'm always thankful when things are translated into English - even though they usually turn out like this.

No chairs on the ferry either...

I saw at least two different types of jellyfish on our trip. These were the most spectacular. I'd estimate they were 2.5 feet long and at least a foot wide.

Pulling into Yokjido Harbor.

Thomas and Uhna against a beautiful backdrop.

We drove around the island looking at the beautiful views while searching for a pension.

Different view of the harbor.

The view from our pension.

The road along the shore was lined with raw fish stalls. I do like sushi but after a bad experience with the Korean version we decided to forgo this treat.

Sesame and chilis drying in the sun.

We barely made it on the last ferry pulling out of town on Sunday afternoon. Thomas' truck is the silver and blue one up against the gate. I wouldn't have minded another day there...

TV. I didn’t watch it much while I was in the states but it’s been quite the lifesaver over here. We have cable and although most of the channels are unintelligible to us there is a good selection of English ones. We get the Discovery channel (I’m a huge Bear Gryllis fan) but you do have to watch other things once in a while.

Last year Jason and I OD’d on America’s Next Top Model. Yes, it’s crazy the things you’ll watch when you need to hear English spoken. Jason does a great Tyra Banks impression. “I only have two photos in my hand….”. I’ve also shed many a tear while watching The Biggest Loser - which probably means I'm the biggest loser. But the majority of shows here are criminal type shows. I’ve now seen CSI, Law & Order, NCIS, Missing Persons, Medium, ect. A strange genre when you consider the low crime rate here.

Yes, we’re terrible. I’m thinking of this while spending an afternoon doing just that. Watching crap TV. The weather patterns that spawned the typoon that hit Taiwan with devastating effects has shown up in Seoul. Luckily we won’t be getting anything other than a few days of heavy rain. However since we’re not working for a few more weeks we’ve decided to hunker down for the duration and veg out. I watched Goonies this morning which I must say is still a good movie.

We spent the majority of our vacation in the states and it was fantastic. We visited family and friends in NY and WY. We did hit CO for a few days and stole a few hours in the Minneapolis airport with Jeff and Lara. I’m sad that we didn’t see all of our wonderful friends and family. Sara and Cara - I wish you could have made it. Minneapolis crew – we’ll be there next summer. And Mary…I’m sure Maine is beautiful but really...didn’t you miss me? ;)

It’d be hard to chronicle all the great times we had in the states this summer. Instead I’ll post some pictures. Hope you’re having a good one!

The Vanderbilt Masion...or as my Kiwi co-worker said, "the best cricket field ever."

There are quite a few gardens around the Vanderbilt grounds that we wandered around.

A beautiful path through the Vanderbilt woods.

For Jason's birthday this year we went to a bookstore. We're at that age when things get really exciting. :) Actually, I loved it!

It's the best bookstore I've ever been to.

I think this is the only picture I have of Jason's mom from the whole trip. :(

Jason's dad was the one who turned us onto the bookstore a few years ago. Thank you!

It's really expensive to buy English books in Korea so I stocked up. I bought thirty books and lugged them in my carry-on. As an aside...if you're looking for a good book check out Empire Falls.

Millie Beans is so damn cute!!

I think I took the most pictures of her by far.

My cousin Stephanie and her little boy Gavin.

Jaime and Jessica hanging out on my Dad's Birthday.

Violet drunk on my Dad's birthday cake.

Yes, it's baby season again. Kim and her little boy Myles.

Ava and Violet enjoying the slip and slide.

I love them!

Ava at the Frog Pond.

Abby showing them how it's done.

Water Babies

Jason and I went to Clark's Fork Canyon which is only a short drive from Cody.

While we were visiting there was a Grizzly attack in the area. I'm glad we didn't run into one that day.

Hot but not humid - thankfully.

Ben is a little jock. He loves sports especially baseball. He's really good at it too. Just look at his concentration.

Chad taking a rest.

Ben getting some coaching advice from Dad.

We went to Hugh Smith Park one afternoon for a BBQ. The kids had a lot of fun playing around.

Dad manning the grill.

Jason and I took a trip down to Colorado to visit our land. This is the fabulous tent we borrowed from my cousin Matt. Thanks again!

Our land

Our wash

Jason restaking our property boundries with the appropriate color.

Dorky shot of us on our land before we left for Wyoming.

I've driven by Hell's Half Acre all my life on the road from Denver to Cody but have never stopped. My curiosity finally got the best of me and we pulled over.