Christmas in Seoul

This was my first Christmas away from home... over 7,000 miles away from home! It could have been a really sad and lonely time for me. However, the Lord always provides for his children. In October, the Lord sent the Whitten family back to Korea for another term with the U.S. Army. I don't think it was just coincidence that we arrived two months apart. Their daughter (Jenny) and I were great friends in college and I was even a bridesmaid for her wedding in South Carolina last year. This family was gracious enough to let me stay with them for the holidays... an entire week! Words cannot express how grateful I am for their time, love, and generosity. I had an amazing vacation... It almost felt like I was with my own family!

One of my wonderful co-workers let me borrow her phone while she went to Thailand for Christmas(in exchange for some motion sickness pills and Reese's Peanut Butter cups). So, I was able to capture a couple of photos.

^ My "room" in Hotel Whitten! Those sheets are the ones Jenny used back at Texas State. I lived in the dorm right next to her! ^

^ Christmas dinner with the family. This is their son, Mark. He was spending his Christmas break from SHSU with his family on the base. I was blessed to have Mark show me around and hang out with me... he is so funny! In this picture, we are eating Ja-ja-men. It was really good! ^

^ One morning, we went to the Korean War Museum. It was really beautiful and had some great exhibits! ^

^ In front of the museum... depicting North versus South Korea. ^

^ One morning, I went venturing by myself into Itaewon. Itaewon is the foreign district of Seoul. I love it and it is right outside the base. So many great restaurants, shopping, and people! ^

^ Momma Whitten came to pick me up at the gate after my venture into Itaewon. She decides she wants to look and see if the animal clinic has any dogs up for adoption... and what do you know... we walk out with this little monster :) His mom had to give him up to go for Navy training. After several name changes, he ended up with the name Rocky and I am his Aunt Sarah! ^

^ One afternoon, Mark showed me the Hans River. Most of our tap water comes from this river, but you do NOT drink it...^

^Another shot of the Hans ^

^ Mark and the Hans, he is so Korean :) ^

^ We worked up an appetite from our excursion... so we stopped for some Kimbop... Korean "sushi". It is SO tasty and cheap! ^

^ We also had some Dukboki. I loved it and have had many versions of it since this picture was taken! ^

^ One afternoon, Pappa Whitten, Mark and I went bowling on the base. I swear, the base is like a mini America! (I'm pretty sure I ended up in last place both games... Sorry Mom and Dad, I did not take up after you.) ^

^ New Years Eve, Mark and I went to Lotte World. Korea's version of Disneyworld. It is an indoor/outdoor amusement park. We believe half of Korea was there that day too... it was so busy, but we still had a lot of fun! ^

^ Outdoor part of the park. Unfortunately, the rides outside were closed because of the snow, but we still walked around... and found some really good food and candy to eat. ^

^ I believe these little babies are called manjoo? They are Korean pastries shaped like little ears of corn and are filled with custard. They are soo, soo good! I would almost say they are the equivalent to Twinkies... except these are hot and fresh... and hopefully wouldn't survive through an apocalypse. ^

^ One day it snowed so beautifully! The snowflakes were huge! ^

^ We got lots of snow! As pretty as it was, it caused me a pain in the butt to drag a suitcase through! ^

^ Mark and I made a legit snowman. His name was Alfred :) ^

And then... I had to say good-bye to my favorite family in Korea and go back to school :( Thankfully, I will get to see the Whittens from time to time, but not Mark (the Army only provides children one plane ticket a year). However, there is always next Christmas and hopefully Jenny and her husband, Eric, will get to come as well!