Carol's Kitchen Sink

Seoul Sister, South Korea 2012

>> Sunday, July 22, 2012

Travel is my passion. Nothing makes me happier than traveling with my family on a subway to someplace beautiful/exciting/new in some big city. All the better if it includes a long plane ride, jet lag, and a new-to-me language.

This past month, our little family had the opportunity to go to Seoul, South Korea for 3.5 weeks. Matt and I went there to prep students who will be attending our university. We taught in the mornings and then headed out to explore in the afternoon and evening.

We got lots of great pictures. I think the favorite family photo this time is of all of us standing in the joint security area building of the North/South Korea demilitarized zone (DMZ). Technically we are in North Korea. If we would have stepped out of the building, there was a good chance of us being shot. We kept safely inside.

The soldier is real, even though he looked like wax and stood stark still. We're technically in North Korea.

Here's the thing, though. Travel is exhausting and not-at-all-glamorous in reality. What that cool picture doesn't say is that we woke up too early and left by 7:00 a.m. in the POURING rain so that we could travel an hour and fifteen minutes, so that we could catch a tour bus and ride another hour and fifteen minutes, so that we could arrive at the DMZ in what was now the partial rain alternating with the too-cold-air-conditioned bus. We were cautioned and warned of danger and told when we could and couldn't take pictures. Lots of the pictures didn't turn out because of the rain. We even questioned all the tight security because there were myriad tourists and the whole thing seemed like a little bit of a tourist trap at times. Matt got yelled at by a South Korean soldier because when we were on the steps of the South Korean side, facing the North Korean side because he didn't hear the announcement to not take pictures of the South Korean side. Then the quick entry into the JSA, the quick exit. We were in the actual cool part for maybe 5 minutes.

It was a long day, but I loved it. We were tired and dirty. My makeup had run and my hair had frizzed out by the end of the day. I wore dorky tennis shoes. But there is something about that 5 minutes that made the whole day, the whole journey worth it. I would do it all again. On days like this I can't stop smiling. My world is complete.

So, here is the Simmons family Seoul travel log. Lots of posts and pics coming up, all chronicling our journey. Some great pics, some not-so-great pics, all of them are pure joy for my heart.

Travel is bliss.

A Lovely, Long Layover: Rachel and Hollywood

>> Friday, June 22, 2012

We were planning on heading to Korea and had our plane tickets purchased when we found out that the classes we were to teach had been moved up a week. We frantically tried to change our flights, but nothing worked. We finally found tickets with a wonderful perk: a day layover in LA. Our niece Rachel and her family live there! It was a very happy, unexpected vacation! She lives in Hollywood, just down the street from Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood stars. We spent a lovely day with her and her family.

We're walking..., we're walking...

A few of my favorite stars we saw on the walk:

Grauman's Chinese Theater:

Really, it's Matt, not Jean

Gene Kelly!

Sam was thrilled to share hand space with Harrison Ford.

There is a mall behind Grauman's Chinese theater, just close to the Oscar's theater where they were doing a promo event for Pixar's new movie Brave. Lots of fun stuff for the kids to do.

Here's Sam doing the archery activity

You can't see it, but he got a bulls eye!


Risa got long curly locks as a prize for playing.


Like mother, like daughter


Eva joining Risa in the fun

We loved seeing Rachel and her family. It was so good to finally meet Stephen (and how did he not make it in to any of the pictures?!?) and Risa and Eva.

Goodbyes at the airport

Love you, Rachel, Stephen, Risa, and Eva!

Long-Time Traveler

>> Thursday, June 21, 2012

We've had quite the few months of travel. It's been wonderful and exhausting all at once, but I suppose that's just what traveling is. It's worth it, though. Some trips I like better than others, but they're all good in some way.

It's been ages since I've written, but maybe having a few good trips is just the thing I need to get me writing again. So, here goes.

First of Chicago/Michigan

Matt had a conference in Michigan and kindly offered to drive instead of fly so that we could accompany him. (BTW, next time he offers that, kindly remind me that Michigan is far, far away from Minnesota and if you're gonna do it, make sure to stay long enough to really see some sights!) We went the Chicago route and stayed with Matt's parents. They have been so good to us, and it was wonderful to see them. We love you Grandma and Grandpa!

Next came Michigan. We really only had one and a half days there before we headed back. Matt was at the conference, working. Sam and I shopped a little the first day because I wanted to see what Pottery Barn had for our new little house. Sam found one of those interactive mats and had a bit of fun with it.

The next day we headed out to the Henry Ford Museum and the Ford Factory. It was spectacular! Our first stop was a Titanic exhibit. It was a closed exhibit with no photography allowed except the ones they took that cost a bunch of money. No, thank you! We'll take memories instead.

After the Titanic exhibit, we toured the Ford factory. Again, no pictures were allowed on the factory floor (union rules) but it was truly extraordinary to see the cars/trucks being manufactured. I didn't think I'd like it, but I was captivated. The process is unbelievably detailed. Each bolt put in at exactly the right angle and pressure. Each seam sealed and checked. Each part placed by hand or machine with precision.

After the factory tour, we took a minute to look at the cars on display. If memory serves me correctly, this is the first Ford Mustang.

I may have stolen a few Sammy/Mommy pics on the shuttle bus back to the museum. I love that he loves me and wants to spend time with me. I may blackmail him with this picture during the teenage years.

We have a few minutes left before we had to pick Dad up, so we looked around the museum's collection of historic cars. Among the most interesting was the bus that Rosa Parks sat on. Sam had learned about this in school and he was very excited to see it.

I love that he has taken an interest in this part of history.

Another car from this era: President Kennedy's limousine where he was assassinated.

The next day we drove from Michigan, back through Chicago for a day, and then back home to Minnesota. Long trip in a few short days. However, it was good to see family, and the museum was wonderful. If you are ever in Michigan, make sure to see the Henry Ford Museum.

Lots more to come but I MUST get to bed. Jetlag is a killer. TTFN.

Hello, Cello

>> Monday, March 28, 2011

Sam and his cello
with the missing C string, courtesy of helpful mom (d'oh!).

Sam is starting orchestra classes and has picked the cello as his instrument. It is so fun for me to watch him. Every day, before I ask him, he goes in and starts playing it. He has only had one lesson where they learned about open A and open D. But that hasn’t stopped him from trying to tune it, to figure out how the pegs affect the sound, from plucking the different strings again and again, and from exploring every aspect he can think of. He can’t wait for his next lesson.

Just now he’s been listening to the CD and trying to figure out how to tune it. The pegs weren’t staying in when he was tuning it so he asked me to help. I think I figured it out. Or not. I broke off the C string. So much for helping! I’m sure someone can help us get it back on. :/

However, he’s still working with the strings he’s got. He’s got his music stand out and he’s putting his book on the stand. I assume he’ll start playing along to the CD as soon as that’s all set up.

This is a singular experience for Sam. Apart from reading, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him take to anything so well. It’s only been a few days, but this just may be something that becomes a big part of his life.

Here’s how it started: Free music downloads from Google. Subway rides. A live symphony.

Many of you have heard me rave about how wonderful it is to have free, legal downloads in China. Oh, how I miss that! One day I got on a Yo Yo Ma kick and downloaded 8 or 9 of his albums. They were all on my mp3 player which I carried for long subway rides. Sam usually rode along on those long subway rides and, because he’s the kid and I’m the mom, he usually ended up with the mp3 player.

I thought he was listening to Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz. But, no. He was listening to Yo Yo Ma. His favorite is the Ashes of Time soundtrack. He listened to it over and over and described it as the most beautiful piece of music he had ever heard.

When we got back to the U.S., life kind of got in the way and we didn’t have long subway rides to listen to Yo Yo Ma. However, a friend of ours was in the local symphony and invited us to go to a concert. Sam wasn’t very excited to go, but I thought it would be a good experience for him, so he went.

He was entranced. I don’t mean a little interested; I mean eyes wide open and sitting on the edge of his seat. He talked about it for days. He would talk about how much he wanted to play, how amazing it would be to be able to pick up an instrument and create beautiful music.

When it came time for orchestra, he was thrilled to pick out his instrument. After looking at all of stringed instruments, he chose the cello because he liked it's range. He kept reminding us about the sign up and when the time came, he was thrilled to finally have the cello home.

I’m so happy for him. It is wonderful to find something you truly love. It may not last his whole life, but I’m happy for him now. And, who knows? Maybe he’ll love it for a very long time.

The Bu Ke Qi Incident, by Samuel H. Simmons

>> Sunday, January 23, 2011

When me and my family first got to China, we had a little Chinese incident. It started out like a regular trip to a restaurant, but as we were walking out, Dad bumped into a waitress and stepped on her toe. What he had meant to say was “Dui bu qi” which means “I’m sorry,”, but it came out as “Bu ke qi” which means “You’re welcome”. All the waitress’s burst out laughing. It was really quite a scene. Even now I still laugh at him. (sigh) I miss the good old days.

(that’s the end of this post,)

(This post was written by Sam with no editing or prompting from his parents. He even came up with the name on his own. He loves to tell this story and watch his dad blush and squirm. I love to see the twinkle in his eyes as he tells it.)

O Tannenbaum!

>> Sunday, January 9, 2011

This year we decided to be adventurous and cut down our own tree. There is a wildlife refuge nearby that has some non-native trees they want to get rid of so they invite the public out to harvest them. We drive around the refuge, find a tree we want, and cut it down. All for only a small donation to the wildlife refuge. It's a win all around.

The snow was pretty deep and it was pretty cold. But we were bundled up and ready for the fun.

The first cut

My handsome hubby with the wildlife refuge in the background.

Cutting down the tree but missing the "Timber!" moment.

Sam with the felled tree.

This picture is a bit skiwampus (and, really, how do you spell that word?!) but it's because we tied the camera to another tree and let it dangle on timer mode. We wanted a picture of all of us with the tree but there wasn't else anyone near. It turned out perfect, in my opinion.

Oh yeah, and check out that coat I'm wearing! Matt bought it for me and it is so puffy and warm and long that I don't feel much of the cold. It's a Christmas miracle! Oh yeah, and there are multiple hat layers along with other clothes. It works, even if it looks puffy and maybe a little silly. I, the cold averse, stay warm... enough. That's what really counts.

Ready to head home with the tree tied on top.

Have I ever mentioned that I love our old Honda? I have decided that I would much rather have an old, dependable car than a nice, shiny new car payment. Sometime we'll need a new car but not now. This one works great.

And here is the finished product.