Winter Break Catch-up (Part 2)

After gorging, exploring Atlanta, and some basic catch-up with friends, it was time to celebrate Christmas!

With the Christmas decorations and piles of presents under the tree, it really felt festive around the house. It was the 1st year that all the kids really understood what the presents meant. Nate actually thought it was his birthday (again). He kept saying "My birthday party" and even opened a few presents the day before "by accident." We taped them back up and put them back under the tree...it must have been torture for them to walk past the gifts everyday! Christmas Eve, we went to Church for the Service. JT had a mini-pageant which was really quite adorable. Afterward, we went home to wait for Santa.

The next morning was pure chaos! JT was up and running around waking everyone up so that we could open presents...needless to say, we were all not looking our best for the pictures! It was fun though. After spending a cozy Christmas Morning with the family, some family friends came over for more all-day gorging and gossip. It was a great day!

The 26th is my birthday, so Christmas Evening, Daniel and I left the kids with my parents and headed out to meet our good friends, Sang and Hannah for some drinks. We stayed out and sang our brains out at a Kareoke place. They sang me Happy Birthday at 12 am :) I loved it! On my Birthday, we bravely headed out to get some shopping done...but it wasn't crowded at all. That evening, we had my birthday dinner at a steakhouse and cut a yummy cake there. Afterwards, Daniel drove me downtown to see if we could catch the fake snowfall at the Christmas tree there. We missed it, but it was really nice hanging out with just my husband. We walked around and it felt like a date. Enjoy the pictures, below...

After a busy Christmas, our family (meaning my parents, my family, and my sis's family) packed up our things and headed out to Philadelphia. It was my Grandparent's Golden Anniversary and the whole clan wanted to get together to celebrate. It was hectic flying with 2 toddlers and a preschooler! It was a short trip but it was worth it to see everyone together again. We have visited back and forth but it has been years since everyone was together at the same time and it was the first time we've all been together since my sister had her baby. It was pretty awesome! There are some pics below but I am sure other people have better pictures.

After a difficult flight home...(very difficult, ask my poor sister and Bro-in-law)...it was New Year's Eve! We made it home in time for the count down. Danny and I watched the Times Square Ball Drop and had our Traditional midnight kiss. We took a pic of ourselves since my parents had my kids, but I will spare you that particular picture. It is not very flattering. Anyway, Happy 2008!! New Year's Day was fun and relaxing. We had our traditional Korean New Years food and some close family friends came over for more food and gossip. The kids got New Years money for bowing to the adults and Kaylee even wore her traditional Korean dress which was too cute. I wish I had the pictures, but I don't...poop.

The only down side to that day was that I spent a good part of it packing bags for Daniel and that he was pretty sick. He had a flight out early the next morning so we were really worried. He was sick all that day and night and when I dropped him off at the airport the next morning...my heart was aching because he was having to go by himself. I really regret not going with him! It was a lonely and sad ride back from the airport. I have another month without him and it is going to be much tougher than I thought. The past few days, I have busied myself with the kids and meeting friends but I still miss my husband. The kids miss him so much, too. Danny, please take care of yourself!! WE LOVE YOU!! And to all our friends who are still in or have just returned to SXM...we miss you all and can't wait to see you again!! But until we return, we will enjoy all the fast service, good food, and megastores enough for all of you...HAHA! Love to you all...

Merry Christmas & Happy 2008!!

Ok...I have not been very good about the updates lately, but in my defense, I have to say that I have been busy getting fat. I don't think I thought about food this much even when I was pregnant! But take away something and you know you're going to want it bad. It only took 3 weeks, but I have successfully checked off all the foods I wanted to eat while in the States...so now it's time to get back to a normal life. Let's start with a long-winded backlog...it'll probably take a few posts...sorry in advance!

The kids decorating Cookies

The last few weeks in St Maarten were very stressful and busy. I was busy Christmas shopping, getting some last-minute time with friends, and preparing the house for a few weeks of emptiness. Daniel was, of course, busy studying. We had somewhat of a fiasco right before finals, to put it mildly (most of our sxm friends will know what i'm talking about). One of Daniel's professor's decided to make life difficult and I think it was the hardest week of Daniel's life. I felt so horrible for him...but it was a life-lesson, for sure. At the very least, it was a crash-course in "Supportive Spouse 101" for me! He made it through finals successfully and in one piece, despite all the drama. My respect for him is at an all-time high! I married a genius pretending to be an airhead :) Finally, we made our long-awaited trip to the good 'ole US of A.

One of the 1st things we did in Atlanta? Cut Daniel and JT's hair!! Why? Well, look for yourself...this is what JT looked like before we left SXM...

Daniel's hair was worse but the pics are just too painful to post, so I'll spare everyone.

In Atlanta, we got busy eating all the food we missed in St Maarten and going to all the places we missed while we were away. We went to every playground near the house, the children's museum, the Georgia Aquarium, Target, bookstores, the mall, Korean bakeries, on and on. If I really wanted to...I could bombard you with about a 1000 pictures but I'm too nice. Here are a few choice pics to sum up our 1st few weeks...

No Water...and now...EARTHQUAKES

Yes, you read right. I experienced my 1st earthquake and it was NOT fun.

For the past few days, we have had our water turned off several times a day, sometimes hours at a time. Our toilets were getting icky and showers were at a premium. Luckily, we are prepared with multiple huge 3 gallon jugs of water to use for simple washing, etc. As soon as the water is back on, I refill them, so we should be ok. Apparently, there is a water shortage on the island so it will probably be common for a while.

Well, that was annoying enough and I was already moaning and groaning about that situation when our world shook...literally.

(I snagged this pic from Chuck's blog...thanks Chuck, hehe)

Today, while Nate was taking his nap and JT and I were playing, the building sort of shuddered. I thought, "Wow, that was weird." And then, it shook again, harder, and harder, and harder.
This went on long enough for me to process that we were in the middle of an earthquake and to yank Nate out of bed and pull both boys under a door frame. As I stood shaking and nervous with both boys glued to me...I saw our ceiling fans swinging, heard our glasses clinking in the cupboard, and the furniture bob around. I knew the building was swinging because I watched the view out our windows shift back and forth. It only lasted, maybe 30 seconds, but it was plenty for me. Our books shifted and a couple of Legos fell, but nothing was damaged. Luckily, JT wasn't scared and Nate slept through the whole thing. Now, I don't know, if it is because we are several stories up that it felt strong or if everyone felt the same thing.

After, I realized it was over...I headed onto the terrace to look out onto the ocean...because I am a dork and I was afraid of tsunamis. I knew if the water started to recede, we were in trouble. The ocean was still beautiful and there were no waves at all. Several sunbathing neighbors down at the pool yelled up to me, asking if I had felt it and if the kids and I were ok. I was a nervous wreck because I wasn't sure if it was really over so I tried calling Daniel but the phones were down. I hate being alone during scary things!! I kept thinking about how to keep the boys safe. As time went by, I calmed down and became a rational person again.

According to CNN, the earthquake was a 7.2 and was centered about 260 miles south of here near the island, Martinique. Luckily, it was far enough underground that the shocks we felt weren't as strong as they could have been and there is no tsunami danger.

I worry enough about hurricanes and now, I have another worry to add...earthquakes. I love it here...but it sure is an adventure and at this point, I can't WAIT to go home.

An Island Thanksgiving

What do you do when you're stuck on an island for Thanksgiving?? Get a group of friends together and throw a Thanksgiving Bash!!

We hosted our 1st Island Thanksgiving at our House. It was a potluck, so everyone divided up the food to cook separately. Most of my duties included drinks and misc items like plates and napkins...and of course, a clean house!!

BUT...I took on the famous Turkey. So...for most of the day, I had my head stuck in the oven trying to make sure it was doing ok. I was nervous about ruining it...but it ended up pretty good (if i do say so, myself) I had help, of course!! Geneva came over to help season it the day before. And Chuck brought over the stuffing in the morning! But, I buttered that sucker up...and basted and poured stock all the livelong day! I also made a yummy gravy and cute little mini cheescakes. My mom would be proud.

The host carves the Turkey (which looks good, huh?)

Hanna & Steph popping open some wine!

Our yummy feast...minus desserts!! My kitchen was full of cakes, pies, puddings, and all sorts of things that are bad for you!!

No Fancy Seating on the Island!! My table was the buffet...so we ended up scattered through out the living room. Hey, we take what we can get!

Some Cute Group Photos...but some people are missing!!

Nate going into a food coma

After Dinner Recreation. Wii Boxing and Home Run Derbies.

This is what our table looked like after dinner...not too different from before, huh? That'll teach us to cook so much!! We packed a lot of it up for people that couldn't make it but were still left with tons of food. Next year, hopefully, we will be more practical...although, I plan to cook two turkeys so we don't run out...and next year, I'm taking on the Stuffing!

Our Night Out (Minus Kids!)

Monday Nov. 19th 2007

We have gone the whole semester without getting out by ourselves. Well, after the last block, we needed some time off and Sheryl was sweet enough to let us borrow her son, John, for the evening. (On a school night!! Thank you SO much) So, after feeding them dinner and getting the boys ready for bed, we left them to play with John and basically, BOLTED out the door. Don't get me wrong, we love our boys to death...but eveyone needs some time-off.

What was supposed to be a sushi night somehow ended up a fajita night! We all met at Bamboo Bernies excited for sushi, only to find it closed. We were all pretty bummed. But after a quick parking lot conference, we headed over to Jimbo's for dinner. I think more than half of us had fajitas...so it was a Mexican-themed dinner...complete with pitchers of Margaritas.

A Picture of the Girls...

I have no idea what Steph said but it must have been hilarious! Ashley looks shocked and I'm cracking up!!

Hanna & Steph

Brandon & Daniel...looking happy.

Our relieved 1st Semester Group...One more Exam to Go!!

The only picture with the two of us.

Either Heidi or Steph took this.

After dinner, it was onto Fathoms for some drinks...but luckily, I don't have any pictures of that!

I Ran...Really, I Did!

Sunday, Nov. 11th

Team AUC ran in the 20th Annual Around the Island Relay Race! There were 10 of us and we each ran a leg adding up to 25 miles. We definitely didn't win...not even close...but it was a Blast. And I can seriously say, I will do it again next year.

I am still asking myself what...WHAT was I thinking?! Somehow, Steph & Ashley wore me down is what I think happened! What with Ashley's "Think of all the great pictures!" & Steph's "Self-Motivation!" Anyway, it sounded fun and if nothing else, I can forever say that I ran in a 'relay marathon.' It was for bragging rights that I did it, actually. The day before, we made t-shirts to wear and I put my kids hand/footprints on mine. It said "Run, Mama, Run!"

The legs ranged from short to long, flat to super hilly. I asked for the shortest and easiest leg since I don't run....EVER. Sweet Sheryl followed through and gave me the easiest one...but it was the second to last run and it went straight through Phillipsburg at the end of the day...in the heat of the day.
Megan passes to me

What was I thinking?!
So, at some point, I should mention that I, um, got....LOST. Yes. I missed a turn and kept running down the wrong road for, like, a 1/4 of a mile. I know. It sucked. In my defense, I have to say that the girls following me in the car, pointed me in the wrong direction but really, it was totally my fault since I should have known my leg. It was totally demoralizing. The girls came and got me and I ran the rest of the leg...in the right direction.

At this point, I was totally ready to be done running. So, when I saw some teammates standing by the side of the road, I started to SPRINT! Stupid. Very, very Stupid. Since it wasn't the checkpoint and I had a lot more to run. Darn! So, I ran some more and saw some more teammates, and Sheryl, who was kinda like our captain was there. What did I do?! I sprinted AGAIN! I just don't learn, do I? Yup...it wasn't the checkpoint. Steph wasn't waiting for me there. I almost died. Sheryl yelled at me to keep running but at this point, I was dizzy. Somehow, with Sheryl's help, I made it to Steph. But I have to say...next time I run a race, I am going to MEMORIZE the map. Maybe I won't get lost and sprint needlessly and almost have a heart-attack.
The best part of the race? NOT running!!

Megan, Steph, and I hanging our feet out the back of Kara's car while cheering on our team. And while running, I could hear my boys cheering me on!

Mom...You Didn't Die!! Good Job!! At the end of the race, they had subway, drinks, and t-shirts waiting for us. We didn't get a trophy...too bad.

My son was still proud.

Happy Birthday Daniel!!!

Thursday, Nov. 15th

The boys and I made decorations and cards, blew up balloons, baked a breakfast cake (blueberry bread) and hid them all before Daniel came home on Wednesday.

He came home exhausted and tired since his exam is looming closer and closer.

Early Thursday morning, JT, Nate, & I hung up the decorations, balloons, and laid out the cards. Then, we waited so that Daniel could get some sleep. He had gone to bed really, really late.
After an hour of JT hopping up and down, we invaded Daniel in bed with a candle-lit birthday breakfast cake. He is going to kill me for posting this pic! I'll post it really small.

After a super quick breakfast, Daniel was off to school! My poor husband didn't even know it was his birthday until we barged in with the cake. He was actually sad to know that it was thursday and not wednesday...you know, one less day to study!

While he was at school, I cooked traditional Korean birthday soup for dinner. And I baked my first birthday cake! I baked a two layer butter cake with chocolate frosting! So, so proud :)

I hid the cake until after dinner and surprised Daniel with it.

It wasn't the ideal birthday...since we didn't get to spend time together. But considering the circumstances, I think we managed. I also told Daniel that we couldn't be friends anymore since he is now in a different age bracket than I am. Hey, I'm still in my 20's no matter how late in them I may be! My Sweet Daniel is now a 30-something. Isn't life crazy?

Sugar & Spice: My Nieces

Maybe having 2 boys makes you appreciate the sweetness of little girls more! At any rate, flipping thru their pictures has made me miss them more, so I thought I'd post my purty little girls.

Kaylee is my sister's little girl. I miss her sooo much but I think the boys miss her more. We missed her 1st steps which was a bummer. I can't wait until I can see her run around. She used to follow the boys around on all fours so it'll be interesting to see how she keeps up now!

Ali isn't really my 'niece' but she kinda is...
My best friend had a baby girl right before I moved down to the island and I'm missing her cute baby antics! I can't wait until I get to hold her and smell her baby smell!

Happy Birthday, Mommy!!

Today was my mom's xxth birthday...i can't say exactly or i might not reach my birthday! I think this is the 1st time I've ever missed her birthday and it breaks my heart. We miss you sooooo much! Especially JT. He talks about you every day and is counting down the days until he sees you again! See you in exactly one month!!

A Week in St Maarten
Business as usual on the island. Daniel is studying like crazy and we are trying to keep ourselves entertained. Just a few snapshots for ya!

The boys giving their "pet" (plastic) turtles a bath on the patio. So easy to entertain...

You know you're in St Maarten when you find iguanas in the storage room!! Lucky for me, it wasn't MY storage room. This is the storage room at the tennis courts where we take lessons. Nate and I were walking around while JT was having his lesson and we ran into this guy. Nate was scared/excited and chased him farther into the room. The photo above doesn't show it but that poor thing is trying to claw its way out the window to get away from my son!! Those suckers are SUPER FAST!!

Way to give Mom a stroke, JT!! I flipped, when I heard, "Mommy, look at me!!" and saw THAT! What can I say?? I gave birth to a monkey! No bones were broken but I think I hurt my neck and back from standing under there bracing to catch him if he fell. On the plus side, I didn't scream at him to come down at once (I'm trying to relax) and let him climb up and down the tree several times. That doesn't mean I wasn't anxious, though.

St. Maarten's Day is a holiday and there were no classes. Some students and spouses got together for some volleyball at Mullet to enjoy the day off but my Daniel opted to study :( The boys and I had fun though. JT had a blast on his boogey board...some students were nice enough to be surrogate dads since Daniel didn't come. Poor Cody was out in the water with JT forever!! Nate and the rest of us girls hung out on the sand. The photo above is Geneva and Rachel with the boys.

Ashley and Steph teach the boys how beach volleyball is REALLY played. haha. I got some action shots but didn't want them to kill me. I should have posted the one where Ashley is diving into the sand (minus a volleyball)!!