Survival Mom : Back to School Give-a-ways

Back to School is in full swing. Enter these 3 amazing give-a-ways from Survival Mom Blog! 

She has 3 give-a-ways to enter:

Back to School: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lunch Time: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just for Mom: a Rafflecopter giveaway

To learn more about what is in each give-a-way visit the
Survival Mom Blog Back to School Style Post.

Be sure to enter all 3! Good Luck!

♣♥ Jess

Prepping for Back to School

My most recent post for Survival Mom is Prepping for Back to School. I will be doing a small series of back to school posts as we are getting re situated for the year. I can't believe I have a 2nd and 4th grader this year! 

http://thesurvivalmom.com/prepping-back-school/

♣♥ Jess

8 Tips for Keeping Mosquitoes Away

Check out my article for Survial Mom . I am a part of her new writing team. Every month you can check out a family survival article written by me. 

8 Tips for Keeping Mosquitoes Away

♣♥ Jess

Vannon & Falkor in Korea: Giving Back

Recently we were able to attend a great charity to help give back to dogs in need here in Korea. Vannon & Falkor were also able to be in attendance. It was a Doggy Fundraiser Photo Shoot with one of my fun loving photog friends Zayda from Zayda Barros Photography and three amazing women making a difference in the lives of  animals in need.

The amount of animal shelters here in South Korea is heart breaking at times. Don't get me started on the animal markets, and the cruelty that lingers there. If you find yourself in South Korea and seeking an animal companion, Adopt. Even being a foster for a short time makes a huge difference in these pets' lives.

Danika recently approached me with a heartfelt mission to raise money to buy donation items for the local shelter. Over the summer I intend to help her mission statement succeed. Being 8 years old she sees the need and wants to be that change in the world. Attending this fund raiser only inspired her more. 

There are several places to look for adopting pets here in South Korea. Most of the military posts have a shelter, and there are many local ones. Here are a few links to get you started:

http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/

Yongsan Pet Adoption Center

Homeward Bound Osan

♣♥ Jess

The Korean Street Waffle Adventure

Our most recent day trip took us to Dongdaemun. The kids and I trolled through the endless fabric market, and hit up an amazing sock shop. Which left us hungry for a snack.

We usually just fallow our nose until we smell something yummy. This day it was waffles! We came to a corner and spotted a little snack counter with waffles, and little egg sandwich looking things. Earlier in the week I had a friend tell us about these waffles that you can get at little stands by the subway, and how amazing they were. 

 All tummies agreed, so we ordered. Now my Korean language skills are improving, but my vocabulary is still limited. I relied on the trusty "point, and nod". The little 할머니 (halmeoni, grandmother) was very excited to see the kids. As most Korean's find my little blonde monsters to be cute and exotic. I said waffle, and she understood. She lost me though when she started to ask what toppings we wanted. I just smiled and nodded. While she slathered on a topping that looked like a cross between frosting and butter on one half. On the other she added something that is like a thick honey. 

 Meanwhile, Danika filled me in on her first hair pulling incident. With the commotion of what to order, and the excitement of waffles distracting us, a middle aged gentleman came up and tugged on Danika's hair. (I suppose Korean's do this out of sheer curiosity. Like a kid pulling Santa's beard at the department store.) This is something that we were warned about once we moved here, and tried to prepare them for. Luckily, the kids take it in good humor, or at least I remind them it is a compliment. On the other end of the spectrum, they often receive little gifts from vendors when we are out shopping. I had stopped to buy some trim at one place, and before we left she cut them eat a piece of different cording and made them bracelets. One gentleman gave them an ice cold bottle of tea, because it was so hot in the fabric market. 

Halmeoni finished our waffle by folding it in half, and then cutting it into half again. Wrapping each part in a little paper card, and handing them to the kids. We walked to the side of the counter and rested for a bit at the rickety little tables and chairs. The kids were all smiles with gooey buttery waffle goodness filling their bellies. Not five minutes into eating their waffle and Halmeoni walked around the corner and brought them an ice cold drink. She gestured for them, and they both replied, "감사합니다"(kamsahamnida, Thank you.) Of course both the kids had asked me what it was, and I told them it must be iced tea. Danika took the first sip, and made the funniest face. I quickly took a fallow up sip, and it was iced coffee. (Leaving me thinking, "just what I need, my kids cracked out on coffee") Looking up at the sign it says, "Waffles & Coffee". What a perfect combination! It was definitely a "duh! mom" moment. So, I got to enjoy a very good iced coffee while they finished their waffles.

With our bellies full, we started to wash the sticky from our hands with our water bottles, and begin to pack up our belongings. Danika and I both had just about hit our coffee limit for the day when Halmeoni came around the corner with a second cup of iced coffee for us. We both looked at each other, and did a full tummy groan. We graciously accepted it, and divided it between the two cups. At that point we devised our escape plan. 

We are very thankful for the gifts that people give us, so we took our coffee to go. Drank as much as we could stomach, and disposed of the rest. One thing I have enjoyed about Korean culture is the giving. They give and receive from the heart, and you can see that in their every day passion. It is that simple.

♣♥ Jess

The Pen Pal Experience

One of my fondest memories from grade school were the notes I received from my pen pal during Language Arts. I also was lucky enough to have a few when I was home schooled during my middle school years. We would exchange experiences, pictures, and sometimes small gifts. It was always exciting to receive a letter in the mail.

With technology these days the art of  the hand written letter has all but been lost or over looked. In keeping the creative art alive, and sharpening the minds of my children. I would like to invite you to be our pen pal.

The educational benefits of a pen pal are endless. It has a subtle way of working in so many skills, like an English grammar ninja. Plus our Korean culture adventures are an opportunity we would love to share with others.

If you would like to learn about our adventures, and share your own fill out the form below...

♣♥ Jess

Relay for Life: Yongsan 2014

This will be my families first year participating in Relay for Life. Not only is it an event that we can spend some quality time together, but also a cause that is important to us. 

I have sat and often reflected on the topic of cancer since signing us up. I know what cancer is, and how many people on this earth are affected by it. When I actually stop and took a few moments in silence, deep in thought, my reality slapped me in the face. How many people in our life have personally been affected by cancer or should I say infected. My mother in-law was a cancer survivor, yet passed away due to other health issues. Her mother passed away from cancer. My Gramma passed away from cancer. My Grandfather passed away from cancer. An Aunt on my side of the family passed away from cancer. Another aunt is a cancer survivor, but this year she learned her husband of many years has cancer. Recently my husband's cousin's 2 year old child passed away from cancer. An infection that is eating it's way through my family. 

My children know of cancer, but only know it leads to death. Since most in our family have passed away from it. Before they even had a chance to meet them. This year both my daughter and I cut our long hair and donated it to a charity that makes wigs for those battling cancer. In hopes that I teach her that there are ways to help others fight cancer, survive, live, and thrive. Or at least look good doing it :)

In the coming weeks we are doing a coin drive. Collecting your pennies, nickles, and dimes (or 10, 50, and 100 Won coins) for a change. To make a difference and to help find a cure. From now until the the walk on May 2, 2014. Thank you for your support :)

♥Jess, Chris, Danika, & Darius

Donate to Chris!
Donate to Danika!
Donate to Darius!
Donate to Jess!