Osan E-mart Shopping Trip

Our Osan E-mart shopping trip in captions:

My shopping buddies: Cooper and our friend Aimee that took us out for the morning shopping trip. Aimee's only been in Korea for about a year and a half but is a driving and shopping pro and has been teaching me some great tips about living in the ROK!

You have to rent your carts for 100 won (about 10 cents).
They are much more narrow than typical American carts.

The carts have special wheels that attach to the escalator floor and holds it into place. The wheels also go forward/backward and side to side which make turning corners a little squirrel-y.

The special escalator took us to each of the 3 floors with advertising lining the escalator walls.

Actually, there is advertising in droves here.
Often times the English translation is really interesting!

The top floor of the E-mart was stationery, toys, kid's clothes, beauty supplies and accessories. The stationery is so fun and another place to find some really funny translations to English.

 The second floor was housewares including cooking supplies, decor, appliances and more. I picked up some trainer chopsticks with the very famous Korean cartoon character - Pororo. Even in Korean this little penguin character is adorable - watch an episode here! 

Right off the escalator to the bottom floor was this row of candy/toy machines. Just like most things seem to be here in Korea, there were many, in a compact space in perfect little rows.
  

The bottom floor was the most fun - grocery! You could spend hours just looking at the packaging and the interesting things to look at. Just like in America packaging sells me on most things. Here's a shot of Korean organic baby food.

I'm a well-documented sushi addict. The E-mart had a beautiful display of individually wrapped and priced sushi. 

You can create your own custom takeout box of sushi - I chose a selection of very safe fish and one that looked like harmless green roe. I only opened the package a smidge' when the smell hit me - wasn't feeling adventurous enough to try it so straight to the trash it went! Another day perhaps.

I also picked up some great-looking sprouts in produce. I love bean sprouts and they have such a selection here. This bibimbap (my favorite Korean dish) pack had four different kinds of sprouts with four distinct flavors. Yum!

I had no idea what this was when I bought it but I liked the packaging. Not bad. Something similar to an animal cracker but I've seen these displayed with more savory foods as well. The package to the right is what I'm assuming is the equivalent of the keep-fresh DO NOT EAT packages in American products.

I was sold again on packaging. This looked like it could be good although Aimee warned me that bean curd is mistaken for chocoloate a lot so you have to take your chances. It turned out to be filled with something similar to chocolate although much less sweet and more paste-like. The breading was similar to a twinkie but also less sweet.

Here are the few things that I purchased in grocery including the pseudo-twinkies, animal crackers, sprouts, and sushi. I also purchased some thin cappuccino wafters that were really pretty good, some bread that was filled with some type of semi-sweet cream, and some wonderful sesame dressing that Aimee recommended. 

Cooper shopped 'till he dropped. Time to head home! 

A Home Without The 'Stuff'

When we arrived in ROK last week we learned that our unaccompanied baggage would arrive by March 24 and our household goods by April 24. That meant we'd be living in our new home for a month or two without our 'stuff'. Thankfully, we're not the first or the last to make due with the suitcases we arrived with so the base lends furniture and household items. And, of course we have some new coworkers and friends who have been more than willing to lend us a few things as well.

And, actually there are a lot of pros to living without so much stuff - like having less to bog you down, feeling more organized and put together, and dwelling on the more important stuff. BUT because I'm a fan (of stuff) this post really isn't about that! 

Instead it's a quick view inside our new home without all of the 'stuff' that we'll soon be filling it with.

View from the living room into the dining room/kitchen.

View into the dining room with the loaner table/chairs.

View into the kitchen

Our cooking and spice cabinet

Drinking necessities: Starbucks, Sweet 'N Low for tea and Crystal Light

Perhaps a before and after session will be in order in a few months. 

Osan AB, South Korea Unaccompanied Baggage Tips

We received our unaccompanied baggage today! It was so nice to see a bit of home again after not seeing it for about a month and a half. There were some things we wish we would have known and packed so I thought I would dedicate this post to just that for those readers that are moving to ROK on a command sponsorship.

The following are tips for unaccompanied baggage from my experience and perspective:

1. Your allotment will probably be between 1,200 and 1,500 pounds. This is more stuff than you think so don't be shy about loading up. I wish someone would have told me to send most everything (that's not going to long-term storage) except for furniture. 

2. Liquids: You can ship liquids (bathroom, beauty, some food products) in this shipment but NOT in the main shipment so send this stuff. Make sure you put everything in ziplock bags – note: no matter how careful I was something spilled at least a little in almost all of my bags so pack accordingly.

3. Baby furniture: You can't send furniture but they will let you send the baby crib, highchair, stroller and carseat. I've also heard of some movers letting you get away with sending shelving. 

4. Send organization tools. For example it's great if you can send all of your kid's books but where to put them for 2 or 3 months while your household items arrive is a pain without something to store them on or in. Some places/things to consider org tools for: shower, top of the bathroom cabinet, jewelry, magazines, books.

5. Luxury items. You may be without your couch for 2 or 3 months so sending some luxury items is a must. We could have sent almost twice as much stuff (see tip #1) but for our luxury items we sent the Keurig, the margarita machine, framed family pictures, books, magazines and we brought all of our electronics (iPad, laptops, etc.). I would have also liked to have a couple of things for the balcony like a bird house/feeder and a pot or two. 

6. A little of home: I would also recommend sending a few items for a little of home and color - like candles, pictures, shower curtains, rugs, curtains, etc. If you bring wall hanging decor remember to bring tools, and hanging accessories.

7. Don't forget these items:

BABY

• Baby crib, highchair, playyard, stroller, diaper genie and refills
• All clothes, shoes, socks, jackets, gloves
• Toys and books
• We sent a few boxes of diapers, wipes, and baby food which was nice to receive
• Stroller weather protector (you walk everywhere on base so everyone seems to have one)
• Blankets, crib sheets
• Monitor
• Boppy
• Bumpo
• Changing pad and cover
• Baby hangers (just leave all of your clothes hung for shipment)
• Lamps / lighting
• Clock

KITCHEN

Most everything in your kitchen that you aren't sending to long-term storage. We only brought 2 of everything and that'll be a little annoying to live on for 2-3 months. Don't forget:

• Coffee maker, coffee mugs and to-go mugs, filters (if your machine uses them)
• Dish / bottle drainer
• Pitcher
• Appliances (microwave, blender, mixer, food processor, etc)
• Kitchen towels
• Can and wine opener
• Plates, bowls, cups (including wine, margarita, dinner and plastic)
• Mixing and serving bowls
• Cutting board
• Trashcan 
• Recipe books and box
• Dish wand / Scrub brush

BATH

• Shower curtain
• Towels (at least 4 of each size each for extras)
• Robe
• Liquids (see tip #2)
• Bath mat
• OTC drugs and first aid items
• Bath toys
• Bath accessories (loofah, etc)
• Trashcan

THE MR. & MRS.

• All of the clothes and shoes you have for the season at least. 
• Gloves, hats, jackets, scarves, ear warmers
• Workout clothes and shoes
• Undergarments
• Hangers (just leave all of your clothes hung for shipment)

BEDROOM

• Pillows
• All bedding including skirt, shams, 2 sets of sheets, comforter and blanket
• Alarm clock
• Lamps / lighting

LAUNDRY / GARAGE / OFFICE

• Trashcan
• Iron and Ironing board
• Any liquids (see tip #2)
• General tools (hammer, screwdriver, etc)
• Tape
• Pens
• Paper, post it notes
• Envelopes
• Thank you / blank notecards

LIVING AREA / MISC

• Umbrella
• All electronics
• Small TV - you might be able to send a small TV
• Living area blankets/throws
• Lamps / lighting
• Clock
• Vacuum, swiffer, broom, mop, cleaning supplies

Good luck!

Asian Ginger Dressing Recipe

Asian food is my favorite genre. In particular I enjoy Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamenese, Korean and Thai food so living right here in Korea is right up my alley. Problem is - I've never really made Asian food.


With this in mind I searched yum recipes on Pinterest, made a list and headed to the grocery store (which, by the way, is now only a short 200 yards away). I filled the basket with ingredients like cocunut milk, fresh ginger, rice wine vinegar, soy, and sesame oil.


I'll share the great (and not so great) moments and recipes here. To kick off the series tonight I made a rare Ahi Tuna, jasmine rice and a salad. The Romano basil or light ranch in the fridge wasn't going to jive with the Asian theme so I experimented until I had a dressing very similar to the dressing Hibachi grills / Asian restaurants use. It was good... actually, it was really-really good! Here's the visual recipe.

And the finished product (actually, it really was about half-finished when I remembered to take a quick pic).

First off-base Korean outing

Today was the day we went off-base and experienced my first taste of Korean shopping and eating and I have to say that I was in a little bit of heaven.

I LOVED everything about it - the unique signage and clothing, the streets and alleys lined and stacked with hidden treasures, the liberal use of the word 'happy', the Korean adoration of Cooper, and of course the yum food.

Main Street - a typical view down the shopping district's streets and alleys

Neat Korean phone booths along Main street.

A Korean eaterie. It smelled wonderful outside.

Along the streets are great little vendors selling food. I felt like I was at the fair so of course I had to get something fried - we chose a bowl of gyoza. Um, gyoza (or anything Asian for that matter) on the street for only 5,000 won (about $5) - yes, please!

Street vendor fried gyoza. Yum. 

The American Base has been here for over 60 years and in that time the area directly outside of the gate has grown into a huge shopping district catering to Americans and Koreans alike. The main road splits off into alleys upon alleys - all lined with shops and usually stacked three high.

Shopping district street view.

Some of my favorite shops? That's a tough one but in general the baby and clothing shops have some really unique finds and are always filled with lovely Koreans oohing and awwing over Cooper.

Adorable clothing shop - authentic Korean. 

The Korean beauty product/makeup shops are complete with beautifully packaged, unique finds with exotic ingredients. To die for. My haul today included choco milk shower cream, royal black honey mask, toner, and emulsion cream, honey salt, a pearl extract mask, and an egg white pore foam. A perfect trip to revive the eyekande.blogspot.com blog!

Skin Food beauty products. 

Skin Food store front. 

And the window displays of Coach, Jimmy Choo, and Prada bags. Come to momma' Mr. Choo...

Jimmy Choo bag. Love!

For dinner we chose traditional Korean food at The Bulgogi House. When I say Koreans love babies I'm not kidding - during this outing one of the waitresses held and entertained another couple's baby for 20 minutes while they ate. And they rushed over when we arrived to unbuckle Cooper from his stroller and then got him settled into his chair after removing his hat and jacket. I could get use to this!

Cooper eating from chopsticks for the first time. 

The menu was traditional Korean but there were American subtitles that made it easy to know exactly what we were ordering.

I chose Bipimbap - translated to rice, vegetables, some meat and a cooking egg served in an Earthenware bowl - little did I know this was the exact meal that I had been pinning about and it lived up to the hype. So, so good! Owen got traditional bulgogi and enjoyed all of the wonderful little side dishes, like kimchi, bean sprouts, and pickled kale, that accompany a meal. This is going to be one of our favorites.

Bipimbap - a traditional vegetable and rice dish. And the side dishes.

The short walk back home was beautiful - nice weather, a sleeping baby and reflection of a wonderful day with visions of many more to come and shopping to be done!

Osan Air Base, South Korea

The base here is a small, compact community with everything you need (you wouldn’t ever have to travel off base for anything if you didn’t want to).  Most everything is within walking distance from our home. The hospital is across the street followed by the community center, the BX (Base Exchange – like a Walmart), fitness center, library, Commissary (groceries), eateries (like Chili’s), the Officer’s Club and more.

Here are some of my initial observations:

Baby Love: The Koreans we saw on base love, love babies. Cooper was oohed and awed at by almost every Korean we saw – no matter their age or gender. Something so foreign (and heartwarming) for a 45 year old man in uniform to turn stop, smile and ooh and awe at Cooper followed by a ‘confirmation of cuteness’ nod to me. 

BX: The BX has the basics (and more) but I’m seriously going to miss Target.

Commissary: I always love to go to the culture-specific sections in markets so living in another country is so fun for me. The market on base is of course primarily American but the end caps of food items in all Korea are so exotic – hmm, I wonder if there is an app for reading for quickly reading what they actually say.

Military Families: Everyone here is doing the same thing we are so there is already a sense of camaraderie – a nod on the street speaks a million words. We all get it.

Accidental Housewife: The word housewife makes me panicky – because I’ve always  been a working girl with a Master’s degree and a strong sense of independence, because I excel in marketing and branding but not so much in cooking and ironing, because I know it’s hard and new. But just like being a military wife – I will make the best of it. And it’s not all scary – the prospect of spending time with my baby, making my own schedule, fitting workouts in, and focusing on doing all of the fun stuff I can’t do with an 8-5 is very exciting. 

Our New Home

Owen had to report to work at 7:15am after we arrived. We all got up roughly around the same time in an attempt to get on our new schedule as quickly as possible. It worked for Owen and Cooper but I had a tough day one. I took two long naps (and I don’t do naps) equaling about five hours of extra sleep. We had TLF reservations until the end of March so while awake I unpacked and organized what we’d call home for the next month or so.

One of Owen’s first priorities was to get to housing to so we could get on the list for the next available home. We anticipated something to be available by the end of March but surprisingly he came home with keys! The next morning after Owen accepted the home and completed the inspection I packed and we took a base cab to our new home.

Our home is located in the 10 story Hallasan Towers with approximately 9 homes on each floor. It is a roomy, 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a cute balcony and great bones. A clean slate – finally, all of that pinning will come to good use!

So, what to put in our home… Remember our moves where we thought our unaccompanied baggage would be here when we arrived? Not our reality. It looks like it actually won’t arrive until around the end of March and the rest of our household goods won’t arrive until the end of April. This was disappointing since we’ve been living out of one suitcase each for the last month but what’s one month more?

The great thing here in Osan is that everyone has been through the same thing – the assignment, the family goodbyes, the air travel and the living out of a suitcase. So, without hesitation (or even a request) the wife of the squadron Commander – Beth and of the DO – Aimee came to our rescue with loaner sheets, pillows, blankets, trash cans and more. We also were able to get loaner furniture and kitchen utensils from the base and we stocked up on grocery and other necessary household items - so for the time being we’re set.

Next on the agenda is getting back in touch with Internet and phone service – this couldn’t come soon enough but today is the day so hopefully we’ll be back on the grid soon.