Camps go to Seoul Zoo!!

 

Charlie suprised me with a trip to the zoo last weekend. We stopped at AK plaza before we got on the train and had a great lunch at Crazy Burger. They serve gormet burgers and it was delicious! We then stood around confused for about 30 minutes trying to figure out which train to catch to Seoul. We relaxed on the hour trip there and then we arrived at Seoul Grand Park. It was gorgeous. There were people everywhere having such a good time. There is a theme park, a museum, and the zoo all in the same place. When we got in the zoo they were all out of English maps but the Korean map was pretty self explainitory with the pictures of the animals lol.

Tyson was SO good the whole time. I wish he was able to look around and see what was going on but we will take him back next year when he's able to enjoy it too.

The giraffes were so cute. One was licking a pole for FOREVER. He might have been a little special lol. When we got to the Gorilla exibit the neatest thing happened. He intentently stared at Tyson as soon as we walked up and couldn't take his eyes off of him! We walked around the corner to the other side of the exibit and he followed us!! We kept going back and forth and he followed us the whole time. He was blowing kisses and clapping too! It was the neatest thing. Tyson has so much dark hair I wonder if the gorilla thought we were holding one of his own.

We then went on to the baboon exibit and they had electric wires surrounding it and there was a teeny tiny baby baboon going up to the wire and right as he reached to touch it his mom quickly ran up and pulled his tail to get him away. It was amazing seeing how smart they were.

 We went into the lemur exibit and they were just out and about jumping all around us! So neat! I kept thinking one would come up and jump on me they were all around! The whole zoo was so well taken care of. From the trees to the flowers and grass it was perfect. The animals seemed so well taken care of too. It was huge! You would have to spend at least 2 days to get through it all. After the zoo we tried to make our way back home but got lost on the train. We didn't know which way to take because all the signs are in Korean. Our feet were KILLING us and all we wanted to do was get home. The trip was well worth the hastle though and I can't wait to go again next year.

Koreans LOVE Tyson. Everytime we got him out of his stroller we had people staring and cooing over him. I had to change him on a bench and there were at least 10 people crowded around us staring. It makes me a little nervous especially when they come in to touch him. I carry my purell and have them sanitize their hands real quick or I have to say no politely to get them to not touch him. I love how they are so interested in him but in the states it would never be like that lol. Like when I take him on base to the PX or commisarry no one really looks at him or bothers me. I guess it's just their culture.

I live on a different panet...Korea through my eyes so far

Hello everyone! I've been stuck at home for the last month with baby Tyson. We will get out more once our routine is set. Right now I'm just too tired to do much of anything outside of nursing him, cooking, cleaning, and getting the occasional shower... I thought I would share what I've learned about Korea so far in the past 2 1/2 months I've been here.

1. The Men.

Korean men I've met are humble, kind, and helpful. They are incredibly hard working too! Something I've learned was how they seem to treasure babies. When my landlord has come to our house or other maintenance men, when they see Ty their eyes light up light Christmas! It melts my heart.

On another note, I've witnessed men peeing in the open in front of God and every body - which is apparently normal here. I've also seen almost every man above the age of about 25 wear suit and tie everywhere and every man under 25 wear skinny jeans, scarves, man-bags, and beanies. They are all quite funny.

2. The Women.

I haven't noticed too much about their demeanor's however their fashion sense is notable;

Middle aged/older Korean women walk around with over-permed poofy shorter hair with huge saucer visors. They wear bright mismatched outfits and they are usually pushing something around as well. Korean younger girls are so beautiful with their dainty clothes with lace and flowers. They are usually wearing heels and tights. I love their style. Every Korean girl also has to have a "prada," "gucci," or "coach" bag. I wish their clothes came in my size too :*(

Oh! There's no bigger plus-size Koreans. I haven't seen one. Not one.

3. Driving in Korea

If you can drive in Korea, you can drive anywhere on Earth. It is the scariest thing ever! They have no regard for traffic signs and almost get into wrecks all the time. I'm so glad I haven't witnessed one though. I think to me they seem like horrible drivers but really, they're just a bunch of really good ones living on the edge weaving in and out of traffic and almost ending lives at every turn. What a rush.

4. Riding the bus in Korea

I had a death grip on the seat in front of me with a look of terror for the whole 30 minutes I was on the "20" bus. Koreans happily got on and off looking so nonchalant with their smart phones and ear plugs barely glancing up to see which seat to take. Meanwhile I'm opening and closing my eyes with my mouth open in horror as I watched the bus duck and dodge traffic and pedestrians honking the whole way. It was insanity.








5.  Pedestrians.

They have a death wish. Every single one of them. They wander out into traffic as if they have the holy protecting hand of God around them. I've seen so many close calls here in Korea!

6. Trash.

For some reason Koreans haven't quite grasped the way to handle trash here. There are no public trashcans and I have to stash trash I do collect when out and about in my bag to take home to throw away. You have to take your trash to the road to have it picked up so there's stray dogs and cats digging away and wind blowing it all over the place once the bags are opened. I've never seen so much litter.

7. Dogs.


Growing up I always heard that Koreans like to eat Dogs. I've since discovered that this is not true. In some places, yes, but it is considered taboo and not common at all. Plus it is very expensive. On the contrary to the belief that Koreans hate dogs, they are everywhere! There are a lot of pet shops and people with their little dogs walking around. There are also a lot of stray dogs as well....kept fat and happy by the stray trash mentioned in #6. 


8. Korean "Engrish"

This is in a poster in my bathroom:
"When we are in Love, we love the grass and the light poles." - anonymous for good reason

This is on my mouse pad at work:
 "You are the one, makes me smile, I like you, just you are." - anonymous

Korean "English" is cool to them. There are many random English signs throughout Korea that have left me just as confused as the Korean ones...maybe more so.

Birth Story

The Birth of our son Tyson

Wednesday night I had the hardest time sleeping. All night I was obsessively going in and out of a dream-like state decorating and organizing all of our household goods that have yet arrived. I was mentally mapping out Tyson’s room and where everything in the house is going to go. I should’ve seen this as a sign labor would be soon since my “nesting” instinct was in super overdrive.

After I left work on Thursday around 9:30am to finish registering our car, I started having cramps. I disregarded these as simple mild little Braxton hicks, although strange, I thought they’d go away. I picked up Tim from his training and we headed to the PX to get a few things and then to the commissary to stock up on healthy food. I told people there I knew that I was in pain and I might be in labor. I was 75% kidding….I really didn’t know I was.

I drove us to the DMV and of course we got lost but he was in the car with me and I wasn’t afraid and we eventually made it. Registration done, new steel tags. So we drove back home to put away the groceries and I ate a little something and then I had to take him to pick up his driver’s license at 3pm and then take him to PT. Can you believe how it worked out that he got his license just a few hours before he really, really needed it to take me to the hospital?! Amazing. So I headed to the last stop to register our car on post to get the decal. I walked in and felt a wave of cramps. As the sweet Katusas handles all of my paperwork I was gently rocking back and forth and resting my head on the counter.
“Ma'am, are you okay?” one of them with a heavy accent asked. I rose me head and smiled and said yes. He followed me out to the car and placed my decal on. For some reason my car is really nice to them here. Back in the states it’s nice but older of course, but I think here it’s so rare to see a convertible that the Koreans really love it. I love it too. :) I'm extremely blessed to have it. Thank you Dad.

Anyways, I still had an hour and a half to kill before I had to pick up Tim. I decided to head to the PX for a second time that day to get bleach and mold/mildew cleaner so I could make sure our bathrooms are clean. The humidity here is so, so bad. You have to make sure to help prevent mold and mildew!! Eww!

I also thought it would be a good idea to get any last minute items for Ty’s diaper bag just in case! Baby oil, chapstick, desitin, etc. I had to rest in a plush reclining chair . People passed and asked if I was alright. I would smile and say yes. Deep down, I could tell something was going on….

I headed to burger king and got a small value meal-a big fish meal. I scarfed it down in the car while waiting for Tim in front of the gym. “Maybe I was just hungry!” dismissing my painful cramps to my friend Amanda while we were both sitting in our cars waiting for our husbands. Haha…nope I was definitely in labor.
 
Tim and I both went home and I crawled in bed for a nap. Maybe that would stop these weird cramps. I could feel the discomfort in my dreams. I woke up and started reading “Easy Labor and Delivery” - a book I picked up at the library. All of a sudden around 8:00pm I felt a gentle pop - like a small balloon ruptured inside me. I felt water trickle down and I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, it was clear. I was shocked. “Honey! Oh my God, I think my water just broke!” “What!? Are you sure!?” We looked at the bed, it had a water spot about a foot in length. We both were in shock and couldn’t believe it was happening! I rushed around the house gathering up everything I could think of that we might need. Tim frantically rushed around asking himself “Okay what do I need, what do I need!!??” and he called his chain of command and I was busy doing last minute dishes, cleaning, reapplying my make-up and eyelashes haha! We called both our Moms and told them I might be in labor. They both couldn't believe it too! We finally packed everything in the car and headed on our way to the hospital - we barely had a clue as to where to go. It was dark and we got quite lost in the city so I called my wonderful co-worked Yeji for help. She met up with us and guided us all the way there, she even paid our toll at the gate on the highway. The drive took about an hour. I was so blessed to have her helping us. I was in a lot of pain by this point. 

We pulled into the emergency entrance and parked the car. I hobbled into the hospital and rested at the counter. Everyone was looking at us like we were aliens. Tim was trying to explain to the man at the front desk that I was in labor. I was moaning in bad pain and rocking back and forth. I began to cry. The man at the desk didn't seem to care at all. It took about 15 minutes for them to get someone who spoke English to finally get what was going on. They sent a man to escort us to the labor and delivery ward. It seemed like the longest walk ever. I didn't understand why they didn't offer me a wheelchair like I've seen in the movies. I saw a few but the man was walking so fast that I was struggling to keep up much less stop. We finally made it into one of the rooms and they made me take off my clothes and put on a ghastly orange long skirt and shirt. They made me get into the bed and strapped the monitors on me. They did a quick ultrasound and made sure it was my water that had broke. It was. I asked Tim to wash off my feet since I'd been in flip-flops all day, he did. The contractions were getting worse. I had to cover my face with my pillow to let out loud moans. The nurse gave me an IV which hurt so bad in combination with a bad contraction. She then checked me and told me I wasn't dilated at all. This was around 11pm. My heart broke. Really, how could this be? She told me and Tim that the contractions weren't really real and I'd have to go into another room and rest through the night. Maybe I'd be dilated a little in the morning. Tim and I agreed that I was just a big ol' baby and joked about how horrible it was going to be when "real" contractions came. So we went into the other room and we were disappointed there was only one bed and two little chairs. Tim set up the laptop and we began watching "Coneheads." I really tried to focus on the movie but I was moving around the room trying to get comfortable. Nothing helped. No relief. I started screaming and crying as each contraction seemed worse and worse. I threw up too :/ The pain was awful. My amazing husband did everything he could to try to help. He was an amazing partner. The nurse came in again around midnight to check me..no change. She said if I dilated at 2 cms she would get me an epidural. That sounded beyond amazing at this point. I would just have to wait a little longer then I would have the modern laboring miracle: *epidural* to stop the tremendous pain I was feeling. I felt like I was slowly being ripped in half. In no time at all she came back in and I was dilated to 5 cms!!! This is when things sped up in my head. I remember hearing the words "I'm sorry, no epidural...too late" my world stopped. 'WHAT!!!?? NO. I didn't go to my birthing class!! (it was cancelled)!!!! I wasn't done with my book! I was only on the 3rd chapter! I don't know how to breathe!!! I can't do it!!!!! This can't be happening!!!' I begged for my life. I held her hand and begged. 'Please! Please! You HAVE to give me something. I'm dying!!!' I was screaming and writhing in pain. They strapped the monitors again to me and I couldn't move from the bed. I was screaming loud obscenities and beginning to tell Tim my last goodbyes in between telling him and everyone else that I hated them. Sometimes I would stop and just stare at the ceiling and feel the world closing in on me when the pain completely took over. I would intentionally hold my breath because moving even in the slightest bit threw me into more writhing pain. She checked me again, I was fully dilated. This was it. Tim to push. I kept telling Tim I couldn't do it. He always reassured me I could. "Yes you can, you have to" Suddenly around 5 people came into the room all having their own job to do. No one really spoke and if they did it was in soft Korean voices. Mine was the only loud chaotic voice in the room. Still screaming. Tim told me to begin pushing with my contractions. They put a mask of oxygen on me and I was trying to do what I was told but mainly just letting my body take over. They strapped my legs to the bed and slowly the bed mechanically transformed with me strapped to it into a real birthing bed. While it was slowly moving I had a big urge to push but my legs were still mostly held together. Finally the bed was fully opened and I was grateful it was sturdy and strong against the force I was pressing against it with my feet. The doctors were doing a great job of helping to guide Tyson out. "I can see his head!" Tim screamed! He later told me he was so scared when he first saw Ty's head because he thought it was the size of a tennis ball. He was just seeing the tip of it where it was being pushed out. I remember the immense pain of feeling like I was on fire down there. "I can't do it!!" I screamed. Tim then said "You have to push, push him out!!! He can't breathe!!!" (I know that as long as baby is attached to the cord he doesn't need to breathe but I wasn't in my right mind at the time) I then pushed with every part of my being. He slipped out and I will never forget the amazing relief I felt. It was one of the best moments of my life. It was 2:50 in the morning. Tim clipped the cord.

 As the cocktail of chemicals rushed to my brain to relieve the pain swept over me I felt like I was on another planet. I looked over and felt like I was in a dream as I saw them wiping off Ty. He was blue and not breathing. It took about 30 seconds of vigorous rubbing to get that loud cry out of him. I was surprisingly not worried at all during those 30 seconds. I knew God had it handled. I felt amazing...until they began checking me for lesions or tears. The burning came back and it was incredibly sensitive. They brought me Tyson to have a good look at him but the doctor's didn't pause down there for me to enjoy my first few moments with my son. They took him to the nursery and didn't return until an hour later. During that hour the doctors continue to poke and prod me until they finally left and it was just Tim and I. They gave me pain medicine in my IV. It was wonderful. I apologized to every nurse I encountered. I don't think they could understand me but I felt better. They brought me Tyson and there we sat a new family of 3. We snapped a few pics and shared quiet tender moments with eachother after a chaotic night. 
 

They then took Ty back to the nursery and Tim went to the car to sleep. I laid on the bed. Feeling pretty mutilated, exhausted, relieved, and high from the natural oxytocin from holding my baby and the pain medicine they gave me. I slept wonderfully. 

I awoke when they brought my breakfast in around 8am. I had so much energy! My hand hurt from my IV but other than that I felt amazing. I got up and headed to the bathroom. I was surprised at how much weight I felt off of me and how easy it was to get out of bed. I sat down and began to go. A shock of lightning ran up my body that made me yelp in pain. Wow. I would have to be better mentally prepared next time. Although I didn't tear it was still very sensitive down there. I went back into my room and enjoyed my delicious breakfast and did my makeup and freshened up.

 



They brought me Tyson. My heart skipped a beat as I crawled in bed and the nurse handed him to me. She then helped me breastfeed. Tim came in later on and talked about the whole experience and how amazing it was. 

 

We then got to move into a new room with a nice futon and we all took naps.







 Later Tim went to get something to eat as I cuddled and bonded with my newest love. 
  

The hospital stay was calm and short. I only stayed one full night and we left on Saturday morning around noon. Tyson was perfect and I felt amazing. 


Overall the only thing I would've changed about the whole birthing experience was getting to hold Tyson on me after he was born "skin on skin."  He was born at 36 weeks. I credit the fact that he is so perfect and healthy to having to give birth "naturally" with no medication at all. I know that deep, deep down I've always wanted to give birth naturally but I didn't have the training or proper education how to do it with less pain and breathing techniques to make it less traumatic. I guess I didn't really need it. We are SO incredibly blessed. Today he is 11 days old. We're on a family honeymoon where we have mostly been hibernating in doors getting lots of rest and cuddle time. It's been amazing so far. Tim is the best father and he helps out so much. I love seeing him with our son, I feel like my world is complete. 

Missing Home

I'm feeling so incredibly homesick. I think it's from seeing and hearing about how lovely it is in Kansas and Georgia right now. They say it's 80-90 degree weather with flowers and spring in full bloom! Here in Korea it's dreadful. Yesterday there were snow flurries and wind that almost knocked me to the ground! I miss the heat of summer and crickets chirping! I miss Fort Leavenworth's beautiful old homes and the smell of grass being mowed and seeing all the kids playing baseball and other sports around base. I miss getting in my car and feeling the warmth of the seats. I miss sipping a cold beer or mixed drink on my front porch watching the gentle sway of my tomato plant. I miss being able to talk to my wonderful sister-in-law every evening. I miss my big kitchen and pantry with all the ingredients I would ever need to make a delicious meal. I miss the availability of the 24 hour walmart. I miss fishing all summers at Granmama's house with Tim. Do you ever miss something so much that it makes you want to cry??

I just realized that in two years we will be heading back to Leavenworth for one year then we will be moving home to Georgia!!!! That makes me smile. I can't wait to get a house back home and live near my family. Sending Tyson off to Gwinnett County schools and raising him in the good ol' south. There's no where on Earth better than Atlanta. Tim and I have SO much Georgia pride since leaving there 3 years ago. I can't wait to move back. Summer heat, mild winters. It's just perfect. I'm glad we'll be able to live in Leavenworth one more time though.

 

And then I snap back now, realizing I'm in Korea. It takes me by surprise quite often. I find myself asking "Really!?? Where am I ???" when things are too strange, hectic, or overwhelming here.

3 Weeks In

So today marks 3 weeks that I've been here. It feels like a lot longer to be honest. I wish I had great adventures and pictures to share...but the only thing I've been up to is working, tossing and turning all night, giving all my money to cab drivers, peeing every 15 minutes, and sometimes spending a little time with my husband. He's had to be away at work/PT/training from 5:00pm-8:00ish am. I leave for work around 7:30am so I really only see him for about an hour after he wakes up and I cook "dinner" and send him off to work. I'm left at home alone and a little sad. Things will be this way until April 1st. :(
I really shouldn't complain. I need to look at all my blessings and remind myself on a constant bases. I'm SO glad to be here with my husband. It's not easy being able to get command sponsorship to come to Korea and it's the biggest blessing in the world. I'm also extremely blessed to have a job. There are so many spouses and people looking for jobs. I don't know how I got so lucky. I really like my job so far. My boss is so lovely. She's sweet, understanding, and perky! I like everyone else too :) I can tell the next 2 or 3 years with them will be really fun. It's a smaller work environment than at Leavenworth (employee wise) so I will have to get used to that. I think my favorite thing about my job so far is that I have my own desk and own office supplies! Haha! It's the little things. I'll be able to hang pictures of Tyson soon.

Less than 8 weeks. I can't believe how the time has flown. All day I can feel him kicking, pulling on my ribs (feels like it) and hiccuping. I just ordered his stroller and other important things we'll need online. I can't wait to get it all. It's a little unsettling knowing his nursery isn't done....okay even started, I don't have an OB here yet, or that we don't have a middle name for him. I feel so unprepared...and a little of a failure to him.

On a better note I'm excited to share that our first shipment of household goods arrived! All my cooking spices, baby stuff, Tim's army equipment, my juicer, and our desktop arrived today! I'm so grateful it's beginning to feel like home.

AND.....

We FINALLY were able to borrow a dryer from housing. You should see this thing in action!!! It's the most high-tech dryer I've ever seen in my life. Drys super fast too. I'm so glad I don't have to pay $10 to get to and from base hauling all my laundry anymore! Woohoo!


Things are going to get easier. It's just hard settling in. As soon as our car arrives we will be saving a TON of money and we can get out and explore! 

I did get to go to AK Plaza with my friend Betty the other night. So much fun! She took me to dinner as well at a place called "Krazy Burger." They make custom burgers. Really yummy! AK plaza is a huge 12-story building that is just one big mall/department store. On each level it has a different department (babies & kids, housewares, etc.) It's truly amazing and only about 15 minutes from my house. There is a ton of shopping right outside up and down the streets as well (even a scary street called "1000won alley" for "lady" shopping if you know what I mean. As I squinted way down that street I could make out women standing in pink neon lit windows barely wearing anything....I'm not going to lie I was really freaked out! Anyways, while we were at AK plaza I had to stop and get Baskin Robbins ice cream and snapped a photo of their ice cream cake window. Incredible.....

Ashley's First Outing

Two days after I arrived I wanted to venture out of the apartment to see where I was. I slipped on my shoes and waddled a mile up the road to what is called "The Ville." It's right across the entrance to Camp Humphreys. It's an amazing stretch of clothing stores, businesses, bars, clubs, restaurants, and hole-in-the wall family shops that have their home attached to it in back. I was wide-eyed as I read all the strange signs and took in all there was to see. Everything in Korea is smushed together, brightly colored and overstimulating to every sense.

I walked around peeking into most shops to see what they were selling. I stopped into one and was convinced by a little old Korean lady to buy a $6 pair of chopsticks - and she barely knew a word of English. She was just too cute and excited that I was in here store browsing. So I had my chopsticks in hand and went on. I was hungry and really eager to try some authentic Korean food so I went into a restaurant and sat down. I was the only one there. A nice man came and tried to help me with my order. I had no clue what I was doing. I pointed at a picture that looked similar to chicken and smiled. He said "Spicy!" and I shook my head no. No spicy food for me. My heartburn would probably be the death of me. He suggested another dish. Bulgogi and rice kabobs. He said it was beef. Before he went back into the kitchen he changed the channel on the TV to a channel that was showing Transformers. I was grateful he was trying to be accommodating. The food came and I was SO excited to eat. Funny thing about Korean dining is that they bring out so many plates and bowls of food. It's a treat for hungry eyes.

I took this picture before the other 3 bowls of food came out - I thought he was done. Then I felt silly taking pictures of food when more customers walked in, I was so clearly a foreigner with my chopsticks awkwardly in my hand and camera hanging around my neck.

After I was good and stuffed I sat there....and an awful thought entered my head as I stared at the left-overs. Did I just eat dog!!!??? I tried to remember if Bulgogi meant dog. I shook the thought out of my head and left. (I was assured later that day by Tim that Beef Bulgogi is just beef - thank the Lord). I continued down the road. I was met with a lot of stares. I passed by a group of middle-aged Korean men and they smiled and nodded and one said "You so pretty, so sexual!" I giggled and said thanks and crossed the road to the other side. How awkward! I am just going to assume he meant "SO Sexual" as a reference to my big preggo belly that was lost in translation. 

I shopped for about 2 hours browsing in and out of stores. I went into a pet shop not thinking to see puppies in there since I thought having dogs was a rare thing in Korea. I forgot to mention all the people who loved to come up to the dog kennel at the airport as I was passing by them that wanted to get a glimpse of my two. They would giggle and point at them. Anyway, I entered the pet shop and all that was in there were puppies. Usually I'd be the happiest girl on earth and smile and try to pick up every one I could. But not here. Many of them were sleeping or looked like they had puppy colds. A lot of them looked entirely too young to be in there. I had to walk out - in tears of course. I wish I could run a dog shelter. I wish I had a farm like on 101 Dalmatians at the end where all the puppies ended up. I hated to see small little puppies without anyone to love and snuggle them. It's not fair. It's not right. I told myself that they'd all find great homes and people to adore them. I fought back my tears, sucked it up and went on. 

By this time my feet were hurting from all the walking. I wasn't done but my body was. I went back to a store that sold stand-up fans - since I need one for the white noise at night - our apartment is entirely too silent. I asked the lady if she could call me a taxi and she did and one showed up right in front of the store less than a minute later. I crawled in and he took me home. I was exhausted from my first real day in Korea.

I can't wait to take Tim back to the Ville and we can eat at that restaurant again. We are so blessed to have great shopping right down the road from us! They even have a farmer's markets on some days. Amazing. :) 

Ashley's Journey Here

Hello friends and family who might want to stop by and see what we're up to :) I might as well jump head first into blogging about life so far here in Korea. Where do I start.... I guess I should start with the adventure for me (Ashley) on getting to Korea in the first place. My big, bumbling, heavy-breathing, always-have-to-pee, 7 month pregnant self hauled 3 huge bags of luggage and a large crate O'dachshunds across the world. It was not fun to say the least. I had trouble dropping off our Sebring at the port to have it shipped from St.Louis to Korea. I was almost denied travel from St Louis to Atlanta due to an ignorant employee at the Delta counter that claimed I needed to drop of my pups at air cargo and that I was sure to miss my flight since that took at least 2 hours to get through with all the paperwork. I was on the phone crying with the government delta help desk when a women returned from her break and asked what was going on. She saved me and said that the dogs could be checked there, no problem. The idiot behind the counter claimed he didn't know and wasn't trained on how to do that. How dare he upset a pregnant, over-emotional, already-scared women. Ughh. Idiot.

Anyways, I arrived safely in Atlanta where my wonderful father-in-law picked me up from the airport and toted us home to the Cravey house. The poor dogs howling the whole way home while in their crate in the back of the truck. You should've seen the stares at all the red-lights. I think fellow motorists thought we had them strapped onto the back of the truck dragging them. I immediately felt stress-free and happy getting home. I LOVE my in-laws and little sister-in-law Destiny. They are home to me. Mom made pork chops with amazing broccoli and cheese. It was so comforting being there, even for one day.

So early on Tuesday March 28th I woke up, showered and made sure I had everything ready for my flight to Korea. The taxi came and almost $100 later, I was at the Atlanta airport. He helped me unload with my 3 huge bags and large crateO'dachshunds and there I was, alone, on the sidewalk early in the morning not knowing what to do....and ...oh no...I had to pee! I needed a cart. Something to tote around my current life. I had to pee and when a pregnant girl has to pee it's not 5 minutes from now,it's now. Or there's going to be an accident on the ground. I paid a guy $4 to get me the 20 feet it took to get in the doors of the airport and to the unattended Korean Airlines counter. Of course. My punctuality bit me in the ass. I had a whole hour before anyone would be at that counter to help me check my bags and dogs. I didn't have a cart, didn't have anyone to help me. In my panic not to pee everywhere I hoisted my bags over the counters and grabbed the dogs in their crates and high-tailed it to the nearest potty.  I was quite a sight making weird faces and grunting as I pulled, dragged, and carried the heavy carrier to the bathroom. I entered the biggest stall and set the pups down and finally peed. I was a happy girl. 5 minutes later I leisurely strolled back to the counter as I had found a cart for the dogs crate - not big enough for all the luggage however. Now, I completely forgot about airport security and that abandoning luggage could spell terrorism... I peeked over the counter of the Korean Airlines desk and of course my luggage had disappeared!!!! All my clothes, my important docs, our PS3, Tim's clothes, Tyson's new baby clothes and everything that is important to us was in those bags!! Ugh! Stupid bladder!!! I panicked and went to a security officer to see if he knew anything about it. He directed me to lost and found. The girls there were so rude. I explained I had to pee so so bad and couldn't haul all the luggage on my own and there was no one around to help me. The lady responded "that's no excuse ma'am." I was crying of course. They didn't care. I was on my own. I finally found my luggage at the security office and I had to explain the situation and identify the bags. He released them to me and then I was faced with how to haul the bags plus the dogs down the elevator and back to the counter. I slowly started dragging the 50+ lb bags one by one inching them closer to the elevator trying to keep an eye on my purse and dogs at the same time. A lady saw me struggling and offered to help. I was SO grateful. I finally made it back to the Korean airline counter and proceeded to check in. I had the money for the dogs $400 but then they told me I had to pay $200 for the extra bag (military can only have 2). I was blown away. I had called a week before and asked how many bags I was allowed and they had told me 4 bags for free with military orders. I explained they must have been mistaken but they assured me I was the one that had the wrong info. I hesitantly gave them my debit card. $200 unexpected dollars for a bag of luggage. Ridiculous.

After a long drawn-out ordeal of checking in the dogs I finally headed to get some breakfast around 10am and I walked the dogs before their long journey. I rushed back to the counter to hand over Scarley in her kennel and I took Harley in his bag and headed toward the long line at the security checkpoint. I took advantage of the Military lane and quickly got through. I was so out of breath making my way through the airport and to my gate. I was hauling Harley in his bag on my shoulder and my purse with all my important docs on the other shoulder. My feet hurt, I was stressed, and uncomfortable. Harley was whining and uncomfortable too in his cramped bag. It was finally time to board and since I had a dog, I was allowed to board with the people that needed special assistance. I finally made it to my seat and eventually one of the flight attendants brought me a scrap piece of paper written with looked like lip-liner that Scarley was on the plane and safe ":)".  I was thrilled that someone cared enough to ease my mind that she was safe under the plane. I took a deep breath and patted Harley on the head from outside the carrier - he was wriggling around and trying to chew his way out. 15 more hours. 15 more hours of unknown stress and restlessness.


I wanted to make a note on the flight attendants. Korean air has the loveliest ladies attending their passengers. They reminded me of the girls in Harry Potter that came from the other academy to Hogwarts in The Goblet of Fire. So graceful and pretty and all looking alike. That's what I think anyway from the time I saw them all making their way through the airport.
While flying I saw "The Babysitter," "My Week With Marilyn," "Memoirs of a Geisha," "50/50," "Breaking Dawn," and some of "Let's Make Love." I enjoyed watching our route on the screen the most. I liked seeing I was over parts of Alaska and the ocean.

So in the 10th hour of being stuck on the plane I started to feel my feet and legs hurting so so bad. I went to the restroom and uncovered my feet. They were balloons!!! The were so swollen I swear they looked like they were going to pop. I tried to avoid this by getting up as much as I could but it was impossible since they had re-assigned my seat to the very back of the plane by a window since I had a dog. The guy next to me was pretty much passed out all snug in his seat smelling of all the cans of beer he had. He had his headphones on and two blankets all over him. I felt terrible everytime I had to get out with Harley in tow. I needed to get out every hour but it was so inconvenient I was only able to get out a total of about 5 times the whole ride. I had reserved an isle seat so I could go potty and walk around as much as I could but they changed my seat :( I could probably sue because I was in terrible pain by the time we landed.

After we landed and we were taxing our way to our gate I could hear Scarley howling. It was sad and embarrassing but she was alive and I was happy! I was so afraid they would forget to turn on the oxygen, or not pressurize the cargo area.  Once we stopped and everyone quickly shuffled their way to the front I sat there patiently. I was in the very back corner of the plane and had to wait at least 30 minutes until I could get off. I sat there and finished my movie, trying to keep my mind off my balloon feet, restless dog in his bag and Scarley - who I could now see out the window in her kennel on the ground. I asked one of the flight attendants if she had been forgotten but they assured me she hadn't.

I got off the plane and wobbled and slowly limped my way to customs and then to get my luggage and dog. I didn't know what I was doing and clearly it showed. I got to where you get your luggage and thank God they had free carts to wheel around your things. I had someone show me where Scarley was and to my surprise she was perfectly fine. She hadn't peed or pooed in her kennel and she was calm when I poked my fingers through the kennel and greeted my little trooper. She was happy to see me but not distraught.

I took the pups and belongings to quarantine and they looked at all of their paperwork and after about 15 minutes of talking to each other and me looking back and forth at them in their conversation (in Korean of course) not knowing what they were saying and if I'd get to go home with my little family members one of them finally looked at me and smiled and handed me all my paperwork and let me go.

I quickly got the dogs and my things and scrambled to the exit not knowing whether or not they would change their minds and come after me. I got a lot of strange looks from everyone. I was a big, pregnant, blond American with two dogs looking in pain and awkwardly wheeling my way around getting in everyone's way. I was able to make it to the USO and call Tim. I was happy to tell him I made it to Korea like a big girl and everything would be okay. The airport was beautiful and I stopped at McDonalds - I know how pathetic that I'm in a new country and the first thing I get is McDonalds. It was so so so delicious. Much better than what I had on the plane 6 hours before. It hit the spot and I got a plain burger for the dogs and gave them just the meat.

I then got my bus ticket and was making my way to my sweet husband. I slept most of the time on the bus. I didn't sleep at all on the plane so I was extremely exhausted. Every time we'd stop or slow down I could hear Scarley in the luggage compartment below howling as if to remind me don't forget her if I was getting off. I felt bad but I knew we'd be home soon. We made it to the bus station and I got off. Tim was right there to greet me!

All my stress, pain, and worries melted away as we embraced. I was home. Finally. Oh I was so happy. Even though I had been up a full 24+hours I had a new energy with the adrenaline of being in his arms finally safe. I wasn't alone in the journey anymore.

$40 later (the cab driver ripped us off BIG time) we were home at our apartment!!! The dogs were safe, I was safe, and I put on my pjs and we got into our bed and I had the best night's sleep - reunited and in the arms of the most important person in my life. <3

 

Our Bedroom