Fantastic Weekend

Nick and I just had a fantastic weekend! We were invited over to our Korean branch building, which we are zoned for, for a barbeque. We were told it was from 2-4 so we ate a small early breakfast before we left. The bus to Miryang is about a 1 hour ride. When you arrive the church is right next to the bus terminal. We were early, but it was fun to talk with all the missionaries who were also there for the activity. We soon found out that the food wasn't until after the activity :( We were starving!

When the it finally started we were separated into three teams. We played rock, paper, scissors with our feet.

I was chosen to represent our team in the booty bump war, with the other women from the two other teams. One was a child... Before we started I apologized to both of them because there isn't a tiny Korean booty out there that could take on my booty..... everybody laughed as I shot my opponents across the room. 

Guess you can say I kicked butt at this game and earned my team some points!!
After the indoor activities we moved outside for an obstacle course. Each team had five couples and each couple had to go through the whole course. Did I mention it was raining?? First you had to get into potato sacks and jump to the next station while holding hands with your partner. Once you made it to the bobbing for apple station, you had to bob for an apple then break it in half using your hands, then eat it before moving on to the next obstacle. Nick was awesome and quickly sank his teeth into the apple and came out soaking wet. He also broke the apple in half using his hands (I was really impressed). The next obstacle was for one of us to carry the other to the limbo rope. Nick bent down for me to jump on his back, when I was on he couldn't get up... he says his feet were slipping in the mud.. the audience is laughing as I hit him and have him jump on my back. I ran for the limbo rope, we held hands and went under. Next finding a piece of candy buried in a pan of flour. I let Nick take this one and I wasn't disappointed. After he got the candy super quick  we ran for the balloons. I blew one up and we ran back to the beginning where we had to pop it by hugging back to back. Once that was done we tagged the next couple, and this video happen.

Of course our team came in first place!!! We had so much fun cheering each other on, okay maybe it was just me yelling at them to move faster... Not sure... I'm not competitive at all.

We moved the activity back inside and had an amazing barbeque. There were POTS full of  marinated bulgogi, and yummy boar's meat. We ate till we couldn't put another bite into our mouths, even though we wanted too, it was that good! They even gave us some meat for the road.

We left Miryang on the train going to Busan. We checked into our love motel and went shopping.
We slept in the next morning which was kinda nice. We took our time packing back up and getting ready for a Korean wedding. We felt so blessed to be able to attend a Korean wedding. It was really awesome.

With luck we found the right hotel along with the correct floor, and room, and I mean it took a little luck. Our Korean is nonexistent. After standing around awkwardly being the only foreigners in the room we were spotted by the groom who saved us from our awkward insecurity and took us to see the bride. So they have a little separate room where the bride sits and all the guests, as they arrive, come and get their picture taken with her.  Here's me with the bride's sister, they both are so beautiful.

 The bride, Ga-hee, she is the sister of our friend and co-worker Sohee.

Sorry this picture is fuzzy, I think it is a picture of the picture that was taken professionally.

After picture we met the parents of the bride and gave our gift of money at the money table. They have white envelopes that you put your money into and then record how much you gave and your name. We also received tickets for the buffet lunch after the wedding.

The Mothers of the bride and groom walked first and lit the candles then sat down.  They were dressed in beautiful hanboks. Then the groom walked and got in place. The bride was walked down the aisle by her father and given to the groom after he bowed and shook the father's hand. Even though we didn't understand the words it was still emotional and beautiful to watch. After they were married they turned and bowed to each other, then, bowed to each set of parents.  During this bow to the parents, the groom did a very respectful bow with his hands knees on the ground and his forehead on his hands.  I imagine that a more traditional ceremony would have had the bride also bow this deeply but in a wedding dress it's difficult to do anything but sit and stand. After the ceremony the couple stayed standing in the front while people performed various talents for them and us. They had a violinist, two teenage girls (who appeared to be related to the grom somehow) who danced, and then a bunch of young men (we think friends of the groom) got up and did an amazing dance/taekwondo performance. The groom joined in and it was hilarious and awesome. After, they cut the cake with a short sword.

When it was all over they walked back down the aisle as streamer cannons were shot off towards them. They came back in for pictures, then we went for food!

I tried everything that I possibly could. We had a great time discovering what things were. When we finished our second, maybe even thirds, we left for the bus station. We saw this outside. Wow they know how to decorate the get-away car!

We are so grateful for the opportunity to attend the wedding and to meet Sohee's family, it made our weekend entertaining and enlightening.

A bunch of Random Part 2

I accidently hit the publish button, but Nick thought it was hilarious and made me wait a whole day to post the update... so now without further ado...

We bought the wall hangings in China. The meaning behind each one is the reason we bought them and why they are in a certain order hanging! From left to right you have Cherry blossom tree, Yin and Yang fish, and Bamboo. The cherry blossom represent feminine beauty and sexuality and holds the idea of feminine dominance. The Koi fish represent the balance of masculinity and femininity and have the characteristics of good fortune, success, prosperity, and longevity.
Bamboo represent man, it is strong, upright, and dependable. He may bend with the wind, the storm and the rain, but he never breaks. He is a true gentleman of courage and endurance. When we were told the meanings it sounded just like our relationship so we had to have them.

Taekwondo is going great. We should get our red belts next week. We have been very busy practicing and preparing for our Black Belts. Yes in the picture I'm holding an apple, don't ask.

Just to point out two things, first McDonald's delivers here in Korea, second this scooter is using the sidewalks to get around.

Not to long ago we sang Karaoke in our bosses upstairs room where usually no one is allowed. It was fun!

We had students come from a different town. They did a one day tour of our school and it gave us an excuse to have some fun!

 We went to Seoul this past weekend and on our trip back home we shared a quart of 3 different flavors of Baskin' Robins Ice Cream. They wrapped it up in a bag along with piece of dry ice to keep it frozen. When we finished the ice cream we had some fun with the dry ice.

 Sunday on our way home from church we opened the package we got from my mother and brother. So excited to have my favorite hairspray again!! Thanks for all of the fun stuff. I loved my shirt and I wore the box on my head to be funny. It was a great ride home, many confused looks and awkward smiles. Maybe I had to much sugar?

We are really excited that spring is coming. Hope you guys are too.

A Bunch of Random

We are sorry that we haven't written in a while, work and church have taken over our lives. So without further ado our update...