Another weekend .. another set of emotions

Hi there folks!

My weekend included a bit of everything. My routine Friday night, a hangover--lonely Saturday, and an interesting, educating, tiring day.

Friday after work, again, I trip to my pals Bonnie & Jeff's.

They've invited me, or I've invited myself, I don't think matters, we know what we do and that's....Friday night drinking at D'Areche!!


After a few beers and unwinding from another successful work week, Bonnie and I head to the Lounge. There we meet up with Deb and Rick. Another great couple! My new pals! I know that we were having a great time..but do you think I remember what I wanted to blog about Rick? I've been racking my brain! I'm sure he remembers....but will he tell me?

We sat around, had lots of laughs and drinks, and watched Rick try and play pool...I didn't, cause, well, I was too busy in and out having smokes with Darrin chatting and giggling about good old Port Elgin and what we WEREN'T missing!! And seriously talking about our families and our futures that we are trying to give them.

SB is in this pic..he is a good guy! The three amigos..all the same age! lol After knowing and working with Darrin for over 3 yrs...we found out that our birthdays are one day apart!! Guess who is older??

Okay..to the good stuff. Soju! I've been warned about this stuff! Let's put it this way... I remember this pic..but I don't remember much AFTER this pic!!

Saturday, well I have to admit was a very quiet, lonely day. The fun was gone. Hung over city was here!!! Man....I was so depressed and feeling like a bag of crap! I didn't want to talk to anyone but my husband. So I called him at 4am his time!! LOL

I knew he'd be up...heck..he was out having his Friday night. He put me at ease. Surprise everyone..he does have a soft side that I and his mom can only see! LOL

After chatting with him and listening to a music video he asked me to listen to, I refocused on my priorities in life and decided....I'm hungry!

So, I go and have dinner for one. One well done sirloin steak and a glass of white wine, ahhhh....just what mamma needed!! That hit the spot. Nice hot bath...with bubbles ended my day, as I fell asleep with a smile,thinking ..my boys are getting ready for the long awaited vacation. I know they will have a good time..........................without me! Seriously, they deserve to have this trip..they worked hard at school this year.

Sunday - I head out on the Gyeongju Bus Tour with a few fellow coworkers. What a great trip! Koreans are so spiritual and respect their history and religion. The culture and the heritage of this country is impecible. The structures, tombs and temples are not extravagant,but yet elegant and well taken care of.

I was in awe at all I saw and experienced this day in the ancient city of Gyeongju. History has never been one of my things, but the Korean history is so spiritual. It really helped me understand the true meaning of life.

Past, Present, Future. Simple, clear and true. Exact thoughts of this weekend.

Here are some pics I took. I witnessed several National Treasures. hmm..didn't see Nicolas Cage though.....

Enjoy. More pics on facebook

Not about me..but funny!!

There's this guy, Gary. He lives across the hall from me in the hotel. He came over on the same flight as me. We didn't know each other, but now we do. We share a car to work everyday, and sometimes we do the breakfast buffet and or dinners. Anyways, he's a really nice guy. Smart..don't tell him I said that! Just a little briefing about how nice he is. .... he is here for 6 mths. Unfortunately his wife can't come to be with him, but she does have a good job, therefore that's why. She's lucky...she's driving around in his corvette!! LOL Anyways...he's been emailing her and calling her all the time. She finally had to tell him to stop doing it so frequently because it bothers her and upsets her all day. She really misses him. So, instead, he calls the local Oshawa radio station and dedicates a song to her. They announce it and play it for her while she is driving with the convertible top down...she's mush! See..he's a good guy!

So the point of this entry..................I told him I'd tell you all...... You think my sauna story is priceless...WELL.....Gary's is funnier!!

Gary is at work and needs to go take a leak. So, he's in the men's washroom. The door opens and he doesn't pay attention. He's standing at the urinal, and all of a sudden, someone is mopping the floor between his legs!!!! He's like...WTF?? He turned around .. and it was the cleaning lady!!! He's really ... shocked..I guess. So, he's telling us this and we are howling!!

Today, he said every time the cleaning lady saw him...she giggled!! He says he is getting a complex!!!! LMAO!!!

Had to tell you....it's funny how the culture is so different here.

Tonight we went out for Korean BBQ, and when I went to the washroom in the restaurant..it was a unisex washroom. Nothing weird happened, but just think........I could be sitting on the toilet and some guy could come in and take a leak....or even worse...sit in the stall next to me!!!! EWWWW............. Thank the Lord, I'm a fast pisser!!!!

I'll post some BBQ pics tomorrow..it's late...tomorrow is another work day :)

Have you heard of these guys???

I'm guessing they are fairly big soccer players in this part of the world.

Anyways, the team is on my floor this week!!

They freaking change in the middle of the hallway....cute...english dudes...in underwear...now were talkin'!!!

A story to tell...didn't want to...but will.....

I was off Monday June 15, 2009 because my security clearance isn't in...that's okay. I had a bad cold, and could use another full day of rest.

So, I think there aren't too many people around, I'll go for a peaceful sauna and swim. I get my bathingsuit, and head to the sauna.

I'm change into my bathingsuit, and go towards these big gorgeous wooden crafted doors to the sauna. Holy crap.......I died.....

......of embarrassment.

I'm standing there, like a freaking idiot!! There are about 25 skinny- NAKED Korean women.....all ages just staring at me. ummmm no, not too uncomfortable!!! I stand there for what feels like forever, but to my amazement, it's only about 10 seconds.

An OLD little lady comes up to me, with an almost angry attitude, saying "no, no no!" and almost yelling at me in Korean, and comes over to me with her trying-to-be-so perky saggy boobs and goes behind me and tries to undo the halter strings of my bathing suit. No...No...she said so sternly to me!

I turned around and said politely gestured....'leave me alone lady'! I bowed with respect, and turned around and walked out. Screw that!! Withh my luck, I'll get naked and they will kneel and start praying thinking I'm Budha's sister!! No thank you. SO I went downtown stairs and did some laps of the pool!!! OMG....What an experience that was. I will NOT be taking a sauna while in Korea...that's for sure.

If I liked myself more...and if I was 100 lbs lighter...I may have been into it...but not this overweight pastey coloured old broad!! Sorry...not that adventurous!

There Donna....I told my story.

Go ahead and laugh people...but for me...it was very embarrassing....I may need Dr Phil on this one later!!!!

Sunset, Sunday June 21st - Bomun Lake, South Korea

I can't believe I took this! LOL What a nice night it was. I have taken pics of the fountain and lake in other shots...but my timing was perfect on this one!! Looks like a post card. Kudos to me!

What happened over the past few days...

Hey there....hope everyone is well.

Let me go back a couple of days.

Friday...I took the work bus to the apartment complex that long term people and their families stay in, to stay with my new friend Bonnie and her husband Jeff (ex Bruce Power). They are from Sauble Beach. She was on my flight over coming to stay with Jeff for 6 mths..anyways.

So, I get there and Bonnie mets me at the bus. Wow..what an awesome community!! Lots of buildings..lots of kids and people. So we go up to their apt. They are only on the 2nd floor, so we walk through the automatic sliding doors and up the stairs to the sensored lit hallways. Cool!

The door has a electronic touch pad code lock....very high tech...again...Cool!

We walk in, and holy crap!!! I've died and gone to heaven! This two bedroom apt is drop dead gorgeous! The colours, the hardwood, the modernized fixtures. The setup..the spacious rooms.. I love it!!! Here's some pics...doesn't do justice, but gives you an idea. The kitchen sink faucet is controlled by pushing a silver plate on the floor...works like a gas/brake pedal in a car..except there are no peddles. Just a flat silver piece.

They have a garbage disposal, and they have a little sink with a lid on the side of the sink..it washes vegetables and dishes. It's just a little deep compartment that washes in the counter. Their cupboards when they are pulled out, have shelves that you pull down, so you can reach the top shelf. Now that's what I need at home...no more climbing on the counter!! LOL

There are 2 bathrooms, with heated toilet seats. I should have taken a pic. There are alot of buttons on the side of the toilet in Korean...so I'm too sure what it actually did...for all I know it could be like a Kirby and pop popcorn....it wouldn't surprise me!!! The master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom..with a gorgeous shower. Very very nice tile job!! Their dining area / sunroom over look the park at the complex.

These apartments are awesome!!! Very very nice!

More pics on facebook.

So, after we had a few beers and freshened up, Bonnie and I go over to the "Maple Leaf Lounge" to meet Jeff. Now that's a cool bar. Just a little bar..one pooltable. But the music and atmosphere was cool! I met alot of people from work that I didn't know. Some I knew them from putting them through training, but some I didn't know at all. Most of the workers come from our Sheridan Park and LePreaux offices. Only Dave and Darrin are local boys. Bonnie did take a pic of Darrin and I, but she hasn't emailed it to me yet.

After a few wobbly pops and some good laughs, we staggered back to the apt. This time MY Supervisor is with us. She is awesome. We had a few more beers, laughs and Bonnie whipped up some h'or dovers. They were good...from what I remember!

Saturday, we take off to go on a road trip. We pick up my Supervisor (Gisele) at work at noon...yep..she went in after a night of brew...she's a trooper!! LOL

Bonnie, Gisele and I go out for a typical Korean lunch and have Bulgogi soup. It was delicious!! Here's a few pics of our lunch.

We sat at the normal tables, because I wouldn't be able to sit on the floor, because of my knee. But this is what the other part of the restaurant looked like.

After lunch, we drove up the coast of the Sea of Japan to the cith of Pohang. Along the way, we stopped at some fishing villages. Yes, I handled it. Plugged my nose alot, but I did it :)

Squid!!

Escargots!!! As big as my hand!!

Saturday was a great outing...alot of driving, and alot of sight seeing. Check out facebook for more pics.

Sunday was supposed to go on a bus trip with a girl from our Sheridan Park office, but we were told that it was supposed to rain. It is now the rainy season (monsoon season), so we decided not to go. We would have had to book on Saturday. Needless to say, it was gorgeous on Sunday!! So, hopefully next weekend we will venture out on a tour to see some temples and some tombs.

Instead of the outting I went shopping at the local grocery store. I couldn't really take pics, because it was really busy, and they are as aggresive with their carts as they are with their cars!! Move or be moved....so, maybe another day, when it's not so busy, I'll snap some shots of their store.

We hit McDonald's, just to say we did it. I had a big mac..and yes, it was a big mac. I heard to stay away from the Bulgogi burger, as apparently it is not bulgogi.

After shopping I decided to lay around the pool for the rest of the afternoon. A day of rest....just what the dr ordered.

1st Weekend in Korea!!!

Had a GREAT weekend...but will write and post pics tonight. Just finished some shopping at our aka Walmart...but here it's HomePlus, and now I'm going to sit by the outdoor pool for a few hours. So, if you are reading this.....check back later!!!

Happy Father's day!!!!

Hi Ho Hi Ho..It's off to work I go!

Hey there!

I think the jet lag is done and gone. I slept through the whole night last night! Felt good...still fighting my cold, but it's getting better.

I've been at work a couple of days now, and it's just what the dr ordered! I think I'm gonna like it :) So far, the people are great. Very nice coworkers and the Koreans are very friendly people. I have my work cut out for me .. that's for sure. Gotta love a challenge!

Last night for dinner I had a Cheeseburger and fries, and...it was delicious!! I was impressed!

I'm posting some pics of our drive in. The pictures don't do justice, but they are okay.

This post is short but sweet. I'm a little lost for words! Imagine that. Well, I worked all day, so what do you want me to talk about??? Work...nah....you don't want to hear about that.

Enjoy the pics...and have a great day all. These pics are taken on the way to work.

Night all..

Nick, Jonas, Les AND TUFFER.....miss you much....thinking of you.....

Tuesday, June 16

Happy 15th Birthday Nick! I love you!!

Today was my first day at work. What an amazing drive to the site!!! It's about 40 minutes through mountains and along the Sea of Japan. The Koreans call it the "East Sea". I didn't realize the plant was located on the sea! It's absolutely gorgeous!!! I did take a few pictures, but won't post them just yet, as they don't do justice to the actual view. I will have my car poolers stop for me at a few spots that we saw over the next couple of days, so I can post some good ones.

The road is a loooooooong winding road. Almost feels like you are on an amusement park ride. There are some spots that the road has a guardrail probably up to my knees and then a straight drop down!! Wicked!! Scary if your driving, I bet!! LOL Won't be me that's for sure! The road has so many bends,and the mounds of deep green trees that envelopes the mountains look like broccoli heads! It's so lush and green..a wonderful sight. It's a trip that sure wakes you up in the morning !! It's incredible.

I am working in the Training Mock Up building (TMB). That's the building were we put out the tools, simulate the tools and train the people before they actually go on the face of the reactor. I know, boring to you!! LOL But, it's a great set up. My office over looks the simulations. They have the A/C on, so like a geek, I am bringing a sweater in!! LOL It was freezing in there today...but gorgeous outside.

Saw some familiar faces, which was cool. Darrin and Dave...some local boys! Makes life a little easier when you know someone!! I also met a girl on my floor tonight that works with us. She is here for a few more weeks, so it gives me someone to hang with. COOL!! We can do day trips together, and/or just hang by the pool.

Well, it's been a long day. So, I'm gonna go relax now for a bit and put the old knee up.

Stay tuned for some pics...again, I do have some, but they don't do justice. I'll get better ones.

Miss my guys...

Monday, June 15, 2009

Today I was to start work. BUT, I got a phone call while I was down at breakfast. My security clearance is not in, so I can't go to work today. I was looking forward to going, but then again, I'm looking at it as a blessing in disguise. I feel like crap! This cold is really bogging me down.

So, I finish eating, come up and change, and head to the lobby for a taxi to take me to the "Home Plus". Apparently it's like a Walmart. Great! Shopping!! LOL I get in the cab, and we get to the store, and it's closed. Doesn't open til 10am...current time was 730Am!!! What do I do?? I see a McDonald's in the adjoining parking lot, but didn't really want to sit there for that long period of time. I try to communicate with the cabbie and he is desperately trying to understand. He calls over a young girl and she calls a friend on her cell phone, and passes it to me. It's someone she knows that speaks English! So, I tell the guy that I need a pharmacy more than a shopping mall. I pass the phone back, and the cabbie listens, and bows to me. I think he understands.

We drive around Gyeongju for a few more minutes. I'm taking in all the sites. The city is fairly modern, but all signs are in Korean. Nice architecture, and farming fields in the middle of the city. Very cool. I see the kids dressed in their school uniforms all getting on the buses. I see older people in the fields, and setting up their street markets.

We pull around a corner, and there in big letters "PHARMACY". Whew...we made it :) I run in and get 2 boxes of what I believe is equivalent to Sinutab, and she gives me this little shot bottle of straight up Vitamin C. She says "drink now". SO I did. I took two of the pills and am hoping that by mid day I fell better. Sitting here now, my sweats are gone, and my cough seems to be in control. I am also drinking Green Tea, so that could be helping too.

The taxi driver took a couple of pics for me. These are downtown Gyeongjui.

Just finished chatting with Jonas on MSN............I love you buddy!! Miss you!

Well, after a restful morning...only because the tablets I bought made me drowsy...I decided to go for a little stroll to see if I could find some half decent stuff for my lunches.

I found a little quaint convenient store that had the basics. I bought a pair of apples (that's how they were sold), a box of crackers and a chunk of cheese, and 2 ready to eat Mr Noodle type noodles. That's good for me.

I took some pics along the way. Hope you enjoy them.

This, I believe, is an amphitheatre.

The variety store which I found my food!! It's the green painted store.

Just a random shot. I just love the architectural designs of the buildings around here!!

... and this is where I lay my weary head to rest.....Not to sure what's up with all the chairs lined up out front. There are some conventions going on, so maybe it's got to do with one of them.

Til later.....

Miss my 3 men

Not to much going on today

Sunday, June 14, 2009

COOL! I get to listen to The Bull!!! (94.5).....AWESOME! It comes in loud and clear! Feels like home now! LOL Listening to Drew Stefani and he's playing Van Halen!! Awesome!!

Not to much happening today with this girl. Not only do I have jet lag, but I have a heck of a cold!! I brought everything except cough medicine (oh yeah...and scissors)!

Luckily for me, my neighbour and co worker Gary has a buddy here already, that is coming to visit him today. He's gonna ask him to pick me up something instead of me having to hike looking for a pharmacy.

So I went to have breakfast this morning, and came across this little Korean boy wearing a set of overalls that had "Thomas the Tank" on them. I had to smile. He had LOTS of hair....he reminded me of Nick when he was small. The little boy saw me smile, and he gave me a bow, which in their custom is a sign of respect and a hello. OMG..he was adorable. I think he was around 3 yrs old. Just a little guy. Cute as a button. There are soooo many kids here! Parent's must make good coin! LOL

The food was good. They have lots of what we would see on a buffet. Yes, I said buffet!! I'm the buffet queen!! They had tater tots! Jonas, you'd love the breakfast here buddy.....

There are some dishes that are Korean. I had a few different things, including green chicken! I looked interesting, but tasted awesome. Guess I could have taken pics, but didn't think of it this morning. Sorry....will try to get some another day.

This afternoon I went for a dip in the pool. Nice eh? Behind it is the outdoor pool, that opens on June 20th. It has a swim up bar!! Great place to hang out and get some sun.

This is the ladies change room!!! They have everything you need!!! In the back,you can see the lockers. It's very private.

It's evening now...745pm ~ Just back from dinner for one. Great buffet again!! LOL I love their bulgogi...thanks Les for introducing that to me years ago. So, I enjoy my quiet meal, not to many people in there. I may have beat the rush. My coworker comes up to me and says he and his buddy drove around for 3 hrs today, being lost for 1.5 hrs of that!! LOL They looked for a pharmacy for me, but no luck. I'll have to suffer through another night of hacking. I know...poor me.

After dinner, I go to the bakery in the lobby to pick up my sandwich for tomorrow's lunch. We have to bring our own. I noticed that they had a variety of sandwiches for $5. I get there tonight, and~ low and behold all that is left is ONE wrapped sandwich.

Half of it on white bread with ham, tomato and cheese. The other half in the same wrapper is whole wheat with tuna!! I'm gonna barf. I can't stand tuna. I'm serious...it makes me want to vomit. I had to get it! I have no freaking lunch!! I think my neighbour bought one too, so maybe I'll sweet talk him into taking my tuna half!! I also bought myself a piece of banana bread. So, that may end up being my lunch, along with a can of fruit cocktail. I'll have to ask around and find out what others in the hotel are doing for their lunches.

I guess that is one advantage of staying at Krystyna's apartment. I could have done myself some groceries....but heck...why do that? I do groceries back in Canada!!!

Our work day starts at 8am. Means I will have to be up at 6am, down to breakfast and ready to meet the guys in the lobby at 7am. It is a 40 min car ride to work. I'm looking forward to my new assignment, and meeting my new team.

My time will pass quicker now that I'm off to work. I share a car with 3 others. They are all in the Training Dept, and stay at the hotel. The one guy has been here the longest.....one whole week! LOL Apparently he will be the driver. Now he's been driving in with others as a passenger, so I hope he's paid attention to the signage and knows where the heck he's going!! LOL I'll definitely be taking pics. Heard the trip from here to work is gorgeous.

Well, I've bored you enough this entry. I'm off to have a nice hot bath and try to drain these nasel passages of mine....

Take care followers.
Miss you boys....

Some pics from the air

I didn't get a window seat from Toronto/Vanc/Seoul..but it ended up being night time anyways, and you all know what a dark sky looks like!! But..I did manage to get a window seat on Korean Air flight from Seoul to Ulsan. Here are some pics of Seoul Korea.

I'm guessing rice fields?

Harbour and/or Port

Part of the city (Seoul) - mountains are gorgeous

Now some pics from Flight from Seoul to Ulsan -

Sunset June 12, 2009 approximately 645pm

Hilton Hotel - Gyeongju, South Korea

2 beds?? I guess I could have brought a friend!!! Can you guess what bed I slept in?? Yeah..it's the one that has creases!!!!! I won't bore you with more pics of the room on here. It's standard...nice, but standard. Full mini fridge, big flat screen tv..well, not as big as Les's but, big enough for me, balcony....full bath...nice tub....ya know....just a standard Hilton room...

Room with a view.....

Sitting on my nice sized balcony, I can see families have so much fun at the Family Amusement Park. It's not as big as Wonderland, but it's a fair size! Looks like fun...hmmm..wonder if I'll find someone as adventureous as me to go on the roller coasters!!!!

The mountains surrounding the park, hotel and lake are known as the Majestic Mountains. I have an awesome view.

Decided I would venture out and suck up my sore knee, and go for a nice walk on this gorgeous Saturday afternoon, around the lake that is just near my hotel. After all, it's 78 degrees out there today!! Well I didn't go all around, but did walk for an hr...yes mom....I took breaks...and rested my knee, while enjoying the day and the view.

I'm figuring just by seeing the amusement park and a few hotels (and a 'resort'), that I am situated in a tourist area.

There is a nice walkway around around the lake that takes you through some beautiful gardens and a gorgeous view of Bomun Lake.

Paddle boats and/or a ferry...gets you across the lake.



A fountain in the middle of the lake.

Here's some history for you history buffs, about the city I am staying in.

FACT: Gyeongju is the former capital of the kingdom of Silla, which ruled most of Korea in the 7th to the 9th century. Due to a history of more than 1,000 years as the residence of Korean rulers it holds a rich heritage of sights and remains of that period. The city undertakes a lot of effort to preserve that heritage. Today's Gyeongju has a population of around 260,000, but retains a small-city feel and is fairly easy to get around. Not many foreigners make it here, so tourists should expect some attention from the locals.

ME: Attention? Oh no...I don't like attention!! ....can you sense a pinch of sarcasm.....

Tourist Information office. Why did I take this?? I love the look of the building. You can see some little kids on their ATVs. They rent them all over the place....may be an interesting thing to do.

This is just some of the pics that I have taken so far. More pics can be found on my facebook.

Now, I am going to go outside on the balcony and have a Budweiser and enjoy the view.

Til tomorrow...annyongi kasesyo (good bye).

Welcome to my Blog

Hi there family and friends, and welcome to my first blog ever!! Thought this would be a great way for you to follow my experience and opportunity while I work and live in Korea.

I'll print this in big font for those...who need big print......Les!!

I am working for AECL (Atomic Energy of Canada), for an anticipated 6 weeks as a Training Coordinator. Those of you reading this already know this, but suck it up and humour me.

I was recommended to fill in for someone while she is back in Canada tending to some personal situations. So, here I am..sitting on the 7th floor of the Gyeongju Hilton Hotel, overlooking a mini Wonderland, in South Korea!!

My kids would die for this amusement park!!!! Sorry boys, maybe next time?? If there is another time? Let's not go there just yet :) One week at a time.

I hope you enjoy this blog. I suck at writing, but I'll do my best for you to live this experience through my eyes.

Enjoy..and feel free to post replies. Would love to hear from you.

Nicole (aka Cdncabbie)