Some updates Part 1

I've been a bit behind on keeping everyone updated on the happenings so here is a brief rundown.  I'll do my best to keep them in some sort of order but I'm sure they will be mixed up in months.

Jessica and I on a scouting trip for the outdoor ed program.  This was after a long, and very steep climb.  Koreans would call it a hike, but it was a climb.

Break on the way up the mountain

Pretty impressive view

Grant and Kelly -Halloween at School

A day at the park, G and his buddies

Mark and his buddy 

Our park in the Fall

park #2

Watson and Hot days

So it's been a bit warm here the last few days and Watson has not enjoyed the humidity at all.  After our morning run, well I throw the toy and he runs, I spoiled him by turning on the air conditioner for a little bit.  I think he was much happier.

The streets of Korea

Oh my... what an adventure I had yesterday, Thursday.  Lets start with a photo to give you an idea.

Yes, that is a car with a fancy GPS guidance contraption.  I had to venture to Incheon to see a physical therapist at INHA University Hospital. (whole other story that I'm not going to get in to)  

When I went Tuesday it was the crazy subway and taxi ride I wrote about earlier.  Well friends of ours, the Camerons, who are both staff at the school, said take the van, we don't need it.  I figured a 15 minute drive vs, 1 1/2 hours on bus, taxi one way, I'll drive.  Good thing I got my international drivers license before we left.

Surprisingly it wasn't to bad.  No wrong turns, got there on time and didn't seem to make anyone angry.  So all in all it was a success.  After school I ran another family back there and that run I started to fit in with the local drivers a bit more.  I'm going to have to take it in small steps.

On another note we had another "Firsts" in Korea.  G and K were at a new playground next to our complex and I walked up to get Watson.  As I was walking through our complex I saw one of the Korean neighbor girls.  She smiled at me and then her eyes lit up and she started yelling, "Watson, Watson, Watson" in here broken English. I still have people jump to the side, hug the wall and pray they aren't going to be........ Well I don't know what they are thinking, as we walk by, but the kids and some of the adults are starting to take a liking to him.  And I'm pretty sure he is loving all the attention.

So It's Friday today and not sure what the weekend holds for us.  We are thinking a day trip to a local island and beach. There is a beer festival starting tonight, just a few blocks away.  I'm sure myself and a few of the other dads will be walking that way.

Sunny Day

Movie quote....  Name it if you can, and no Mike it's not Die Hard 3.

Peach: [yawns] Morning. It's morning, everyone! Today's the day! The sun is shining, the tank is clean, and we are gonna get out of...
[beat]
Peach: [gasps] The tank is clean.
[yells]
Peach: The tank is clean!

So we looked out the window this morning and it is no longer gray, foggy and misty, it is clear, blue sky and the sun is everywhere.  With all the windows in our flat it made me
think of the above quote so I had to share.

Here is more on Watson.

He is happy to be here but still suffering from a bit of jet lag.  A couple of tosses of the kong, after doing the 5 flights of stairs, and he is paste.

The three of us took him for a short walk last night and I had to run in to the store.  Kelly waited outside with Watson.  When I came out I was following a nice Korean couple.  They stopped at the door way to check their bag and the man looked over at Kelly and smiled.  He took two steps, looked down, saw Watson laying there, jumped, let out a scream like an award winning horror flick scream, and i'm pretty sure I saw pee drizzle out of his pant leg.

It took his wife a minute to calm him down and then he seemed okay.  Oh man did we laugh, after we were out of ear shot of course.
  
Needless to say he has gotten many double take looks but also many people who come up and want to pet him.  As Rob put it, Japan survived King Kong and Godzilla so I'm sure Korea will survive Watson.

Again thanks to all that helped get him here, we really appreciate it.

Watson

Long story but I'll keep it short.
Watson left CA at 3:00am Korea time and landed at 3:23pm Korea time.
Had to be at cargo shipping company's office at 5:00pm.
Was there 5:15.  Paid fees waiting for last of paperwork.
5:30 Quarantine department's computer dies, may be fixed by 6:00 but dinner break is 6:00-7:00 so maybe not.
Came back at 5:55, paper work is all there, Customs office now closed for dinner, and customs hadn't cleared him.
Me, friend who took us to airport, his son and Grant are starving.  Drive to Terminal and grab dinner.
Meet the Brazilian youth soccer team (12 year olds in training for the pros)  Very cool, they are playing in a tournament in Korea this week.
Back to cargo office at 7:10, still no customs paperwork.  Cargo guys rides with us to customs, works his magic and gets paperwork stamped.
Back to cargo office, 7:45.  Get forms for warehouse.
Cargo guys leads way to warehouse on the other side of cargo terminal.
Go inside give lady forms, she asks for money I give it to her and she disappears with paperwork.
Go outside and walk into huge!!! warehouse.  Guy on forklift comes out of elevator with enormous crate and Watson.
Happy reunite.
Stuff in car, drive home, back by 8:45.  Tired

Whats that buzzing sound?

We spent the weekend getting things all ship shape around the flat.  Kelly worked her magic on the den and playroom and I have a great place to do my bills, research and watch cartoons, while Grant is totally set up in lego land/playmobile central with toys galore.

Since we have been hear we keep hearing this very loud buzzing sound.  We were all sure it was a bug of some sort but could never find one.  Well....... as Grant and I were constructing a very complex lego boat in lego land we heard the sound quite close, and discovered the source hanging on our screen door.

Holy Cow!!!! it was huge.

So today is the last day of summer vacation for Grant as school starts tomorrow.  He and I spent the afternoon taking an adventure on our bikes and then playing with all of the toys in the playroom.  Kelly promises to be home by 5:15, especially since the last bus for the night leaves school at 5:00.  Early to bed and first day of school pictures to come tomorrow.

WATSON UPDATE-
Thanks to Rob he left Portland Sunday afternoon and is spending the evening at a pet hotel in San Francisco.  He then departs CA at 11:00am on Monday morning Portland time and arrives at 3:00pm Korea time on Tuesday, about an 11 hour flight.  Grant and I will be waiting at the airport for him with a ride from one of our new Chadwick friends.  I'm sure he will be quite happy to get out of that crate.  I will keep you posted on his progress.

Dude... What's that on your tongue?

It's Friday of week two in Songdo South Korea.  Kelly is wrapping up meetings at school as the kids all arrive for their first day on Tuesday the 16th.  I was in the room this morning helping her adjust some desks and at least three other teachers came by the room to look at her marvelous setup.  Many compliments came her way as she has a great knack for putting together a fabulous classroom.  Way to go Kelly.

After that I helped at Kids Camp and joined them on an outing to the convention center where there were some of the biggest bouncy houses and inflatable play structures I've ever seen.  There was a cool magic show and ice cream treats for all.  Way cool.

On a side note.  Watson is due to fly out from Seattle Washington on Monday the 15th and arrive in Incheon South Korea on Tuesday the 15th at 8:50pm.  Look out Korea, the biggest dog you've ever seen is about to arrive.  (PS... Thanks to the BPA for helping fund his trip and to Rob for dog sitting these last two weeks and making the drive to Seattle.)

Now that's a cold Popsicle