Christmas Readiness and Craziness

The Christmas planning, organizing and general craziness has begun!
Katy takes Nana's chair down to the basement:

Mitch, Rob, Katy, and John proudly display their hard work after setting up all the tables and chairs in Nana and Dandy's basement for Christmas Dinner:

Jayme and I were upstairs helping Nana make her famous 24 hour fruit salad!

Then - just because we could - Cheryl and I went out and saw the moving RED and got our nails done.  Totally girly, and completely relaxing.  Just what we needed before the real craziness of the Christmas season starts.

PS:  I completely recommend the movie RED to anyone who likes a funny action movie.  Really good!  Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Richard Dreyfus.  Very good!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Hope you have an amazing holiday!  All the best to you and yours.

*Hugs*
Kristen

Countdown

 AS PROMISED:

UMAGA is scary!  GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR *snort snort*

Seriously, do you grow up thinking "I want to be a strange man beating up other men in front of an audience while sticking out my tongue and wearing face paint!  Yeah... that'll be an awesome profession!"  Where were this guys parents???

But shotguns are meaner!

Scary looking gun from Google Images....

AND.... Even I'll admit that Monster Trucks look kinda cool....

 LOOK - it's the antithesis of mushy girl-y-ness!

To quote Tim Allen from Home Improvement.... (Grunts) Oh oh ohoh OH!
  ...  There, have I won back all my not-so-girlie readers after my last post? 

 ANYWAYS.....


My Christmas countdown has officially begun.  I usually start it whenever I start exchanging gifts with friends.  This year however I started exchanging fairly early.  I decided that this year I would start counting down from the day I could say "Merry Christmas Eve's Eve's Eve's Eve's Eve...." and continue saying Eve without annoying myself.  Today I was able to wish people a Merry Christmas Eve's Eve's Eve and say it with a straight face.  Therefore - CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN!

Having some friends over for dinner and another gift exchange didn't hurt either though.  :D  Isn't that a much nicer picture than a shotgun-WWE-Monster Truck conglomeration? 

Merry Christmas Eve's Eve's Eve!

Girls Day

Have you ever noticed how some girls can't manage to go to the bathroom without at least two other girls going with her?  Does she need company?  Help?  ...a better developed self confidence?  As much as I abhor the practice of visiting the washroom in packs (and trust me.... I find it all kinds of weird) perhaps women inherently know that they are stronger in groups.  No matter the situation, having a close girl friend to vent to, share with, or commiserate with helps to make us stronger.  (Though now I'm rather wishing I could come up with a better metaphor than the High School girls bathroom clique.)  lol

The girls that you can call when you are having a crappy day, the girls that call you when their days are crappy - those are better friends.  Their are two ways you can define a good girl friend:

1.  someone who you would absolutely want as a bridesmaid at your wedding, but also someone who would be completely happy not to be, and still offer to help you plan in any way they could. 

2.  Someone who will help you hide, AND help you hide the body.

Today I got to hang out with two of my closest friends, two of the best, most caring, wonderful women on the planet.  All of us are in such different places in our lives, moving in different directions, growing in different ways.  Yet instead of focusing on the differences, or constantly reminiscing about the days we used to hang out every day we revel in the changes - embrace and explore the new directions our lives are going together.  Through weddings, and careers, moving across the country (or across the globe!) we stay strong.  I love that we are still so similar, and yet have become our own people.  I am a strong self confident person because whenever I feel otherwise, they are there to remind me. 

Today I just want to remind them - they are also strong, beautiful, amazing, caring, independent women.  No matter the distance between us I will always treasure our friendship. 


... and so ends the sentimental ramblings of a dreamy schmultzy mush of a person.  My next post will be on Monster Trucks, shot guns, and the WWE. ;)

Teaching in Korea

Someone sent me this video and I find it absolutely hilarious.  Thankfully my experience was a good one, I never had any of the issues that are discussed in the video - but I certainly met my share of English teachers that had experienced one or two of the "Korean Culture" differences. (To be politically correct.)


Why You Shouldn't Teach English in Korea


I still maintain that going to Korea to teach is a wonderful idea and I'd recommend it to almost anyone.  However, you just have to make sure you know who you are signing a contract with, and who you would be working for.  Otherwise, this could become more of a sad reality than a funny spoof!

The Festive Season

One of the biggest things that I've missed being overseas has been the decorating for different holidays.  It was never so obvious as it was at Christmas time.  Sure the occasional flower store would sell poinsettias (they were in season after all) and there would be Christmas cards for sale at the local grocery store, but it just wasn't the same.  I missed the lights on the houses, the big Christmas trees, and seeing Santa getting accosted at the mall by feisty four year olds.

I did give it my best shot to decorate my own place for the holidays.  I made snowflakes, candy canes, and evergreen trees out of origami paper for the windows, I bought some Christmas oranges, and hung a few lights.... but really it just wasn't the same!  I missed the tradition - and hanging lights on my sliding glass doors into my laundry room only seemed to highlight the fact that I constantly had clothes waiting to dry and be folded off the drying rack. 

Travis' Mom had sent him a Christmas tree, and my wonderful family had sent me a care package with lots of Christmas presents.  It was a fun Christmas and a unique Christmas, certainly one I won't quickly forget.

But tradition is a lot of fun too.  I was looking around my parents house today and I realized just how much I love all of my Mom's Christmas decorations.

 The miniature Christmas village that lights up.

 The mantle with our stocking that Mom cross stitched.  (Man I wish that was a talent I inherited... sadly we'll never know, as I certainly didn't inherit the patience to try. lol)

But most especially the tree.  It has all of the Christmas decorations on it that our family have been given, have made, or have purchased over the last 27 years of my parents marriage.  There are horrid little caricatures of things that the boys and I have made in school - Popsicle sleds and acorn Santas.  Mom always tries to get us to decorate it together, and we end up reminiscing over a few things at least.  It may be sappy.... but it's Christmas tradition, and in the end, that's the important thing, right?

One other thing that I'm looking forward to as part of the "Christmas Tradition" is a big ol' Turkey, some stuffing, and a bit of mashed potatoes.  After all.... last years Christmas dinner was the best I could do under Korean grocery store availability.

Ground pork quesadillas with cheese and roasted peppers.  Served with salsa.  Merry Christmas?  lol

Whatever the traditions are for your family during the holiday season I hope you enjoy them this year!  (Who knows, maybe pork quesadillas will catch on! :D  )

Fixed

It was brought to my attention that the video that I put up for my post way back on November 1st failed to upload.  I went back and fixed it - so if anyone wants to see it, it should be all better and good to go now.

http://toontowntraveller.blogspot.com/2010/11/saturday-and-sunday-in-seoul.html

*Enjoy!*

Nanaimo Balls

Don't those look yummy?  These are Nanaimo Balls - a take on the traditional (I guess...) Canadian dessert/square  Nanaimo Bars.

Mom and I have been making these over the last few days - mostly because we've been busy, and this took several steps.  You can put the balls in the fridge or freezer in between each step and leave them overnight if you want to keep the work down to a minimum.



Nanaimo Balls

Step One

6 Tbsp. Butter or Hard (NOT spreadable) margarine
2 Tbsp. Milk
2 1/4 Cups Icing Sugar

Mix and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Roll into balls.  (Keep the balls really small because you'll be adding two more layers, and you don't want them to end up being huge).  Keep in refrigerator or freezer while preparing:

Step Two
 
2/3 Cup Margarine (spreadable)
5 Tbsp Sugar
5 Tbsp. Cocoa
1/2 Cup chopped nuts (Optional, we used pecans)
1 Egg
2 Cups Graham wafer crumbs
1 cup coconut (Medium grind, chopped not strings)

Mix and add egg and crumb mixture, cool in the refrigerator.  2 tsp. at a time flatten with a tsp. into the palm of your hand.  In the center place a yellow ball (from Step One) and wrap the mixture around.  Freeze.

Step Three

4 squares semi-sweet chocolate
1 Tbsp. Margarine or Butter
















Dip the frozen balls into the chocolate.

Makes about 50 balls.

Mmmhmmm.... Nanaimo Balls!

South Carolina - With Pictures!

From November 22 - December 13th I was in South Carolina with Travis to meet and greet his family.  It was a beautiful area with rolling hills, lots of trees, and even a few flowers left for me to enjoy.  (In November!!!)

These are Gerber Daisies from Travis' mom's garden.  Can you believe they look that good that close to Christmas???


We went on lots of hikes, visiting Riley Moore Falls:

Which was gorgeous.  You have to hike down into it, which was different that what I was used to.  The few falls that I had walked to before were all in Alberta - and you always walk UP to the waterfall, and then back down to civilization.  Not so at Riley Moore!

This is from the same day.  After we finished at the Riley Moore falls we still had some time so we walked the Brass Town falls.  They are a collection of three waterfalls - this particular picture is me in front of Middle Brass Town (AKA 2 of 3)


The people that I met were wonderful, and the food was also wonderful.

 

This is a "low country boil" also known as a "frogmore stew".  It doesn't have frogs, and isn't a stew... but meh, there are stranger names in Canada.  It includes baby potatoes, corn on the cob, sausage, shrimp, and crab legs.  It was DELICIOUS!

Isn't this picturesque?  I'm a little sad that the review mirror is in the way - but I figure the picture turned out pretty well considering I was riding in the back of a Jeep while it was moving trying to take the picture.  Such a gorgeous part of the USA!

Had a blast!  Miss everyone there already!!!  Hugs!

South Carolina!

As I write this I've been in Tamassee, South Carolina for 11 days.  It is beautiful here, and getting to meet all of Travis' relatives has been great as well.


I've tried multiple times to upload pictures so that I can post them - and have come to the realization that the internet here just doesn't want to let me.  To much work I suppose.  I'll be back in Saskatoon on the 13th and I'll post some then.

We've walked to about 5 different waterfalls, and down into an unfinished tunnel.  I've been through Oconee County in South Carolina, and visited both the states of Georgia, and North Carolina.  Next weeked we are planning on going to Tennessee!  It's been extrememly busy, but a lot of fun - no telling what we'll do next.

I'm on my way...

From misery to happiness to be.... uh huh uh huh uh huh uh huh uh huh...

To be fair I was never miserable (I'm loving all the traveling!) - but I couldn't resist the song quote.  Thanks for indulging me. :)

I'm sitting in the Minneapolis airport right now trying to remember what all Travis and I have done over the last few weeks!  We've seen tons of people, visited quite a few places, and generally had a good time.

We had Matt & Cheryl's wedding the first weekend (which I blogged about already, see below), and the Rider semi-final for the western conference the following weekend.

 

Travis and I drove down with our friends Mel and Dave and had a raucous good time.  We even managed to run in to my Aunt and Uncle at the practice field before the game (with all those people and nothing preplanned - what were the chances!!)

We were tacky - but we had fun!  (Don't worry, I covered up all the red with green!  lol)

We went out for dinner to Earls restaurant in Saskatoon with most of my Mom's side of the family.  16 of us in all!  They didn't have a table available for all of us to sit together, so we were broken up in to 2 booths and a table.  

This won't make sense to anyone who hasn't been to Korea - but look at the name of the store next to Earl's!!!!   (In Korea, Bacchus is a really cheap energy drink similar to Red Bull in the States and Canada)

We got quite a bit of snow after being there for about a week and a half.  Just enough to make sure that we got Travis out tobogganing!!!  lol

Just this past Saturday night Mel and Dave took us out to see the PBR (Professional Bull Riding) at Credit Union Center. 

We had a lot of fun - but I'll be the first one to admit that I had no idea what was going on.  I know that the guys have to stay on the bull for 8 seconds, and that they can only use one arm.  After that, Travis had to explain a whole heck of a lot. 

Got some decent pictures though I think!  We had awesome seats thanks to Mel's new job at the radio station.

This cutie is Reese, my cousin Tori's little girl.  She was just one of the family members I got to visit with and Travis got to meet.  Reese was quite taken with Travis as well, granting him many giggles and smiles!

All in all it has been an awesome trip so far.  I really enjoy seeing everyone is Saskatoon again, and introducing Travis to so many people.  We had a blast!  Now I'm on my way down to South Carolina where I get to meet more people, and see a new place.

Green is the Colour!

Welp, that was quite a game, wasn't it?

 Travis and I went to the Rider vs. Lions CFL Western Semi-Final game yesterday and had a lot of fun!  The game was amazing, stressful, crazy, exciting, interesting, fun.... &c. &c.

The Riders made it interesting - waiting until the last half of the game to play well - and giving the Lions a lot of chances to catch up.  However in the end Riders pulled it out and we won 41-38!

Home Sweet Home

Well, I made it!  I arrived in Saskatoon on November 1st and I've been busy ever since.  Ran a bunch of errands when I first got here.  Boring stuff that I'm sure nobody is interested in.  Cellphone, Driver's license,  blah blah blah...

Travis got to town late on the 4th and we've been preparing for this past weekend... my good friend Cheryl and her beau (hee hee) Matt got hitched!

The wedding was beautiful.  Travis was the best man, and I was the Emcee (MC?) at the reception.  A good time was had by all - and the newly weds should be on their way to Jasper by now.  Travis and I are still dealing with the jet lag a bit - now that the wedding is over its sort of like our bodies have allowed us to start feeling it.  Early to bed should help.  Now I just have to deal with all my stuff that is in storage.  Anyone want a kitchen table?  lol

Saturday and Sunday in Seoul

For my last weekend before flying out and leaving Korea: Travis and I went up to Seoul.

We walked around Myeong-dong and Namdaemun looking at the street markets.  I bought myself a white and blue scarf from a street vendor and admired all the food vendors for their.... variety.

This man is the quickest deep fryer of random weird paste on a stick ever.  I think it's O-deng, but I'm not actually sure.

We also went and saw the show "NANTA".  It is a theater performance that became popular here in Korea.  It now has 3 permanent residences in Seoul, a touring company that travels to 40 different countries, and a show in New York.  The pamphlet describes it thusly:

"In NANTA, Knives and other kitchen utensils are transformed into musical instruments in the hands of the performers.  The haunting and heart-stirring music based upon Korean Samulnori rhythms of Jajinmori, Utdari, Puneori, etc. combined with e fife distinctive characters!  Comic explosion!  NANTA still grows every day to become better production, more entertaining performance.  The only and the best entertaining performance with a high energy, easy-watch experience, infectious rhythm and non-verbal humor that cuts across both age and international barriers.  It’s NANTA."

I'd describe it as charades crossed with Jackie Chan crossed with STOMP! I loved it and was really glad I got to see it before I left Korea.  Completely recommend it to anyone who comes up to Seoul. (Or for most of you... travels to Korea in the first place! lol)

 Never be afraid to look a little 'touristy'! lol

 We had some pretty decent seats too!

We did witness a few people dressed up for Halloween which was a bit surprising, most of them were westerners, but a few Koreans did get into the "holiday?" spirit.  Speaking of holiday spirit - Lotte is already in a festive CHRISTMAS spirit!

 Unbelievable.  The building was lit up in red, green, and white.  These trees carried on for the entire block as well.  Hard to believe that it is coming so soon.

Tomorrow I catch my plane to Canada, hopefully all will go well.  Korea has been a blast, I recommend it to anyone - but for me, it's time to go.

Anneyeongasehyeo Korea.  It's been a slice!

Poker Night

It was my last Friday night in Gunsan.  What better way to spend it that hanging out with friends?

Kim and I made chicken pot pie and sugar cookies, and we ate the cake that my director at my school gave me as a thank-you.

 

We had a few drinks. (While Kenton made a few faces?)

 

played a little poker.  (Look at the stack of chips Joe's got going on!) 

or just generally goofed around.

The good news is that for my last game....

 I cleaned up!!!  :) lol

Kristen the Couch Surfer

Well, the biggest part of leaving Korea is completed.  I have packed up all of my stuff, given away the better part of it, and moved out of my apartment.

The amazing Alex and Kenton have graciously given me their couch to sleep on until Thursday.  I really appreciate their hospitality, especially since Alex just gave birth to her second child 4 weeks ago!

Cutie Miss. Isobel Sofia  (13 months)

Mr Mason Edward (3 weeks at time of picture) with his Mommy Alex.

Aside from living out of a suitcase things have been pretty good.  Still working until Thursday, and haven't really decided what I'm going to do this weekend.  Travis has suggested an early trip up to Seoul and I think he may be on to something.  We shall see!

My weekend in a nutshell...

This is my weekend in a nutshell.  How did it get in this bloody big nutshell?  (and so ends my horribly geeky Austin Powers impression... I thank you.)

I spent Friday over at Kim and Ray's place.   Kim and I did some cooking and hung out, and in the evening a group of 5 of us played a little texas hold'em poker.  I made a lasagna, and Kim made a banana pudding pie with a graham cracker crust.  Both turned out really yummy, and I got to learn a little southern slang.  I learned that the southern name for "Banana pudding pie with a graham cracker crust" is (and I quote) " 'Nan'r Puddin'." Also, it doesn't always require a crust, sometimes it is just on Nilla wafers.  Took me a good 2 minutes to figure out how to type/spell that out, lemme tell you!  Either way it was delicious, and I'm definitely keeping that recipe for lasagna for future reference.  (Ricotta instead of cottage cheese people - it's the wave of the future.  lol)

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/classic-lasagna/Detail.aspx  

(Though I just used extra ground beef, because I couldn't get Italian sausage)

(Before going into the oven.  Then the cheese melted and got a gooey.... nom nom nom. lol)

Saturday was spent organizing, and cleaning Travis' dorm room.  He has to be out of his dorm tomorrow (Monday) so we tried to get as much of his stuff in order as we could.  Saturday evening was spent over at Kim and Ray's again playing video games and laughing at each other.  We also made Vietnamese spring rolls for dinner which were delicious.  No pictures - but yummy!  Chicken, sauteed red pepper and purple onion, carrot, lettuce, peanut sauce and rice paper rollers.

(Not my picture - and ours didn't look nearly this pretty, but this is a reference picture for those of you who have never made Vietnamese spring rolls.)

When we were heading out for a walk after dinner I noticed that Drake had decided to make my bag home... silly kitty.


Sunday (today) we got all of my stuff organized to get me out of Korea.  I had a "come and steal Kristen's stuff right out from under her nose" party which was a decent success.  Many people came and 'stole' my stuff, but I still feel like I have a lot here that I don't know what to do with.  I have way more luggage than I thought I'd have as well... so I'll have to work that out.  My last day in my apartment is Tuesday, so I'll be couch surfing over at my friends Alex & Kenton's Tuesday and Wednesday night.  They are being wonderful in letting me stay at their place, and it is really nice and convenient, because they live a half block away from my school.  Thursday I'll be moving to Travis' hotel room - and a week from tomorrow (Monday, November 1st) I fly home!!


Should be an interesting busy last week in Korea!