Summer in Korea (Part 1)
We are now in the middle of Summer here in Korea, after enjoying the most wonderful Spring weather. Summer is warm and very humid here, with monsoonal rains constantly showing themselves. So far, this year, we have had quite a bit of rain, but interspersed with days of no rain and even sunshine!!! It's only late July, but my feeling is that it hasn't been to difficult to cope with so far. Give me another month and I may feel differently.
The last 6 weeks have been really wonderful. We've spent a lot of time with friends, Alice has had 3 weeks back in Australia and we've had visits from our family and friends from Australia.
Before Summer even started, Michelle and Joel Jackson arrived for a couple of weeks in Korea and Japan. Unfortunately we only saw them briefly because we were back in Brisbane, but it was great having them, and being able to provide accommodation while they were here! Hopefully they'll come back again.....
Before Summer even started, Michelle and Joel Jackson arrived for a couple of weeks in Korea and Japan. Unfortunately we only saw them briefly because we were back in Brisbane, but it was great having them, and being able to provide accommodation while they were here! Hopefully they'll come back again.....
It was very special to see Timo and Tahlia Gobius for one more visit before they left to join the rest of their family in Australia. What can I say about the Gobius family - they have been our family here in Korea, and an amazing link to our former life in Australia. We relax with them, laugh with them, share our concerns and our highlights, and we will miss only being 2 hours away (or 3 if the traffic on Expressway No. 1 is busy!!!). We will also miss visiting Daejeon and meeting up with the friends we've made their through the Gobius family! We love you Marg, Timo, Tahlia, Lani, Danya and Tatiana!!
We've made many more friends while we've been here in Korea - The Freeman family are worthy of special note. These wonderful people have been our lifeline and our 'partners in crime' as we've muddled our way through living in a country far from home. Pam, Bob, Ted and Sam arrived about 3 weeks before us and Pam and I first met when we were both in the wrong place for a parent's meeting at school!!! In our defense, the message that changed the meeting venue was sent to our phones in Korean (we think....)... We started our friendship laughing, and so we continue.
I've spent some time exploring Seoul and our local area with some ladies who are a lot of fun to be with. Pam, Leanne, Paula and Theresa and I have spent some lovely days just looking around or drinking coffee..... it's always fun to share experiences and have great company to do it with!
Coffee!!! What more can I say - I consider the drinking of coffee (well..... the meeting at coffee shops, really) as one of the best catalysts to forging friendships!! Of course, it's NOT about the coffee, or the interesting decor, or the cute Korean waiters....... it's all about making connections (the others are a bonus!). I'm absolutely sure that I'm not going to come to the end of my life and regret the time I've spent in coffee shops with friends, both here and in Australia. I find it a way to step away from the treadmill we sometimes find ourselves on and to give ourselves time, and to give each other time. Thanks Heather, Kelly and Tammie for sharing your time with me. And to Brent and Brenda, who Russell and I don't have coffee with often enough....
One of the best parts of life are the friends we collect along the way. I was reminded very much of this recently, when Matt, Cathy and Ellen Dando came and stayed with us for a few days. The highlight for me was to have a meal out to celebrate my birthday with the Dandos and the Freemans in ONE PLACE!!! It was made extra special because Mitch and Peta-Erin were here at the same time. For me, it was one of those "I can die happy" moments!!!!
I've spent some time exploring Seoul and our local area with some ladies who are a lot of fun to be with. Pam, Leanne, Paula and Theresa and I have spent some lovely days just looking around or drinking coffee..... it's always fun to share experiences and have great company to do it with!
Coffee!!! What more can I say - I consider the drinking of coffee (well..... the meeting at coffee shops, really) as one of the best catalysts to forging friendships!! Of course, it's NOT about the coffee, or the interesting decor, or the cute Korean waiters....... it's all about making connections (the others are a bonus!). I'm absolutely sure that I'm not going to come to the end of my life and regret the time I've spent in coffee shops with friends, both here and in Australia. I find it a way to step away from the treadmill we sometimes find ourselves on and to give ourselves time, and to give each other time. Thanks Heather, Kelly and Tammie for sharing your time with me. And to Brent and Brenda, who Russell and I don't have coffee with often enough....
One of the best parts of life are the friends we collect along the way. I was reminded very much of this recently, when Matt, Cathy and Ellen Dando came and stayed with us for a few days. The highlight for me was to have a meal out to celebrate my birthday with the Dandos and the Freemans in ONE PLACE!!! It was made extra special because Mitch and Peta-Erin were here at the same time. For me, it was one of those "I can die happy" moments!!!!
