Weekend Update and Projects for the week!

Weekend Update:

Sunday was a beautiful day, perfect for hiking. We decided to go checkout Mt. Soyosan. Mt. Soyosan is the local mountain with waterfalls, a river, resturants and beautiful temples and shrines.

Once we got through the entrance, which was after the lower part of the river and the resturants, we came to the first waterfall. After a bit of a walk, we marveled at the waterfall. It was amazing and it had a bridge that went across to a small cave with a shrine to Buddha. After we tackled many, many stairs, we came to another shrine and the main temple, unfortunatly the main temple was closed. More stairs and we made it to the smaller public temples and another breathtaking waterfall. It was a simply amazing experience to see years worth of history and culture. From there you can go on to hike the mountain, but with little ones in tow we decided that would be for another day. So I bought a small buddha and some prayer beads to remember our trip and treked back down. 

I can't wait to go again without children and hike to the top! I hear it is even more spectacular in the fall with the changing of the season and the colorful leaves. Here are some pictures to let you see our adventure, enjoy!

On our way to Mt. Soyosan

the resturaunt area before the main entrance 

the river coming off the mountain

kids near the river

Map of Mountain and temples

See below

I think these are gateways to the temple, if I remember correctly from my world religions class these are to mark the entrance to the temples

first big waterfall with a shrine next to it in a cave

Shrine to Buddha in a cave near waterfall

closer picture of the Buddha in the cave

Some of the many stairs to the temples

shrine

The main temple was closed and is behind the red door

flood prevention around the temples

Prayer candles outside of the temple

The waterfall inbetween the temples

another temple, this one is set into the cliff, there were people praying inside did not want to take a picture and be disrespectful

The temple set into the cliff next to waterfall

One of the smaller temples

My Little Buddha and prayer beads

Projects for the week:

So here is what I hope to accomplish this week! I really need to finish the senior photos I took before leaving CO. I started a few market bags and would like to finish at least one this week, in case we go to Seoul next weekend. I want to get a bag started for the back of lexi's stroller so we can have a place for water and things to go. Well that should keep me busy on top of the rest of normal life this week! Stay tuned for Lost in Translation Tuesdays!

Goodnight

The long awaited New House post

and my walkin closet in bathroom

my lovely rainhead shower

my bathroom

patio off bedroom using it for yoga

my wardrobe

my room

kids room

kids room

kids/guest bathroom

entry

rest of living room and view of my tea room ( thats what I'm caling it) patio

couch

laundry room and recycling

other side of kitchen

one side of kitchen

dinning room and kitchen from couch

still on couch

living room from couch

craft room

craft room

So I have been promising to post pictures of the new apartment and now that the boxes are unpaked I finaly got around to it! Here they are I hope you like them as much as I like it in person! It is still a work in progress and I will post pics as I buy new stuff and decorate.

Good morning, An-nyeong-ha-se-yo

I woke up this morning and realized that fall is approaching fast and although I will miss the warmth of the summer, I love the colors and the crisp air fall brings. Jasiah was off to school again this morning, its his third day and he is enjoying his new school. He keeps bugging us about enrolling in taekwondoe soon. Lexi is upset that she does not get to go to school yet, but is enjoying her time alone with Tim and I. I think we will explore the neighborhood around our house today and see what little shops are hiding in the nooks and crannies. Now that unpacking is finished I hope life's pace will slow from this crazy week. Well off for breakfast and coffee and then to start another day.

The Local Outdoor Market

Fresh Bananas
Dehydrated fish
View of the length of main strip in market
Entrance to Market
Man and a cart
Korean Ambulances

Strip where all soldiers do there drinking
Walking to market

We decided to walk to the local outdoor market and boy was I sorry I forgot my won! This place is amazing with items ranging from fruit and seafood to clothing and ceramics it was a great shopping experience. I will have to go back armed with the local currency and see what treasures I can find! While walking through we meet this very nice older korean man whose english was very good he gave us a small tour and explained some of the items. Jasiah was the photographer on this outing so pictures may be blurry!

Dinner With Lee

Lee is a Katusa in Tims Company, he came over to see us americans and how we live lol. I made lasagna and garlic bread and after struggling with the oven we finally sat down to eat. Lee was a little unsure of american customs, he asked questions and so did I. It was a very good evening, altough my kids decided to stirp in front of our guest because the humidity was getting to them lol. If the rest of Korean people are as nice and welcoming as him then this 2 yrs will go great!