Getting Out

Most of you all know that I've been pretty independent most of my life. I don't mind doing things by myself - although it's more fun with to have a group of friends. Back in the states, I would go shopping alone a lot and I drove up to VA by myself a few times. I enjoyed the solitude.
So, it might be surprising to know that I am having a hard time getting out into Seoul by myself. I am terrified of getting lost and not being able to find my way home. We travel in packs here, which is nice. I have only gone off post alone a couple of times, and I really felt like I had accomplished something huge. But I really have to be in a "mood" to do that. And that mood doesn't strike too often. It really gets me down when I feel helpless, but even Eric has said it's better to go with a friend. Thankfully my children are starting to understand where I'm coming from.
The bummer this weekend was that it was MLK weekend and the kids have Monday off. I really wanted to take them to do something fun in the city, but I didn't want to go by myself. Eric wasn't able to come home this weekend, and all of my girlfriends had plans so I was on my own. We finally decided on going to COEX Mall, which has an acquarium and a game room. I was having to gear myself up for this.
Then this morning I woke up and taa-daa! There was snow on the ground - again! It's amazing what a fresh layer of snow does to one's plans! In my case, it changes them. As soon as Emma saw the snow she was out of bed throwing her clothes on ready to conquer the hill with a piece of cardboard! (We left our sled in storage! Figures!) After Jake got up we all got our clothes changed and headed outside. We had a snowball fight and built two snowmen. Samson got to run around and play ball. And it didn't cost a thing! Plus the kids are now worn out - at least Emma is and we can lay low for the rest of the day without hearing "I'm bored!" So thank you, God, for the snow!
Next weekend we will head off post to Build-A-Bear (yes, they are here, too) for Emma's birthday and to McDonald's for lunch! Eric will be home and I will be back in my comfort zone.
We are really hoping that when we have our next long weekend and Eric is home we will head to TigerWorld. You have to check out this website www.tigerworld.co.kr Look up in the upper right hand corner and click on English. We will go to the water park and spa. It is amazing what you can do with a small area, isn't it? But I don't dare go by myself, just in case something happens and someone gets lost or hurt.
My reference point for that is our Lotte World experience on Christmas Eve. Lotte World is an indoor theme park (www.lotteworld.com) and is kind of a cross between disney world and busch gardens. They have an indoor ice skating rink, so we decided to do that on Christmas Eve. Jake fell and busted his chin open requiring 8 stitches, and nobody spoke very good english, but the doctor spoke enough and I understood enough to know we had to head home right away to get him to the hospital. Thankfully, Eric was there and we were able to divide and conquer with getting skates turned in, Emma ready to go and head back to the subway. If I'd been alone, I would have been a basket case.
So here's to good friends and husbands who like to get out and explore - my world would be small and boring without you.