Hello from South Korea!

We have had a busy September! We enjoyed a week off for the Chusok Holiday in Korea. (Liisa thought we had the week off in honor of her 40th!) This holiday is "Thanksgiving" in Korea, where families get together and give thanks for the harvest season that will soon begin. We spent a few days in the beach city of Busan (Liisa spent her entire B-Day on the beach - I think she smiled once that day!) and then took the train up to Gyeongju, the ancient capital city of the Silla Kingdom. In Busan, we swam in the East Sea, went to a Lotte Giants baseball game, and hiked/explored in the mountains above Busan. It was wonderful to relax and catch some last rays of summer. We then took the train to Gyeongju and explored some historical areas and temples in the mountains. This past weekend, our church sponsored a trip to the DMZ, the border between North and South Korea. It was an unforgettable experience to be in place where you feel the division and tension. We stayed overnight in a village peace retreat center just outside the DMZ, that is used for programs designed for people to reflect and pray for peace between the countries. School is keeping Liisa and I very busy. The kids are doing great. Lukas is now on the middle school soccer team and Ailsa joined the cross-country running team along with keeping her gymnastics schedule. Anja starts soccer next week and Lonne "plays" dad in baseball behind our apartment every night. Lonne is undefeated! The fall weather is great and the colors will soon spread across the mountains. Take care! Andrew

DMZ - Peace Village

Family picture near the DMZ, the border of North and South Korea.

A "glimpse" of North Korea looking through the heavily fortified/guarded DMZ on the border of North and South Korea.

We explored the 4th tunnel just outside the DMZ zone. This was a tunnel that the North Koreans were building through the mountain in an attempt to invade the South. It was found before they finished. We had to walk through this tunnel to get to 4th tunnel. We were not allowed to take pictures in the tunnel.

Lukas and I explored some bunkers and tunnels from the Korean War that were in the mountains just south of the DMZ. This area was cleared of mines and is used for training exercises today. Thousands of South Korean and American troops are stationed along the border. Much of the mountain area is off limits due to land mines

Villages just outside the DMZ area hope and pray for peace between North and South Korea.

Pics from Gyeongju, South Korea

A pagoda near the top of Mt Tohamsan high above Gyeongju. The kids were able to "ring" the bell - see below!

Lukas and Lonne relaxing on the train! This is how we travel in Korea!

Anja, Ailsa, and Lonne "ringing" the bell!

The kids at Bulguksa Temple, considered to be one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Korea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the many temples offered for meditation within Bulguksa.

Pictures from Busan - Chusok Holiday

Goofing around at the train station as we are waiting for our train from Busan to Gyeonju. Lonne wasn't in the mood, he did not want to leave Busan!

Exploring temples in Busan!

A long hike to the top of a mountain in Busan to explore a 15 century fortress. Lonne is in the lead with Lukas close behind!

Taking a ride into the mountains above Busan to go explore and hike.

Pictures from Busan - Chusok Holiday

Anja joined in with some Lotte Giant fans at the game in Busan.

Ailsa and Anja showing off the Giant version of the "rally-cap", an orange plastic bag that people made into various hats in the eighth inning!

Lonne loves the Busan baseball team - the Lotte Giants - we had to get him a jersey and he is very proud to wear it at the game!

Lonne gets a lot of attention on the beaches of Busan!

Anja and Lonne enjoying the East Sea during the Chusok Holiday in Busan, South Korea.

We are back in South Korea

We are back for the 2011-12 school year in South Korea. We enjoyed our time at home this summer spending time with family and friends. It has been just over a month since we arrived back in Daejeon. The school year has started and we forget how busy life is here. Liisa is teaching four different high school classes (mainly English/Writing) along with supervising the Amnesty Club, helping with make-up for the HS fall play and coaching the dance team. I am teaching 8th grade humanities, serving as the activities coordinator for the middle school, and coaching. The kids are off to a good start. Lonne is very excited about being a "student" this year, since he now attends Pre-K in the mornings. His teacher says he asks for homework because his brother and sisters have to do homework! Lukas is in middle school and enjoying switching classes each period along with more activity choices (he is currently on the rugby team and in middle school band). Ailsa is enjoying fifth grade and has returned to her gymnastics academy two days a week. Anja loves second grade and joined a cooking club and once again is back in Tae Kwon Do. Although life is busy, we try to get out on the weekends to hike the mountains around Daejeon. Last weekend, we attended the World Track Championships in Daegu, South Korea. The athletes were amazing, especially watching Usain Bolt run! Next weekend is Chuseok (Korean Holiday) and we are heading to the beaches of Busan for a few days to relax. We have also planned a trip to the DMZ Zone (border of N/S Korea) the following weekend. We miss everyone at home and hope all is well as the school year begins in the states!

HIking around Daejeon, South Korea

Liisa and Lonne taking a break on one of our weekend hikes in the mountains.

This is a picture of our "neighborhood" from the top of a mountain. Our apartment is near the middle of this picture. It is the dark building with 4 white vertical stripes. Little different than Ivanhoe Drive in Watertown!!!!!!

The kids hiking! Lonne brought a friend along from school to hike, since Lukas was at a friends house!

Anja and Ailsa climbing on some rocks to find a mountain stream to put their feet in.

Lonne in front of a pagoda on the top of Mt. Bomusan overlooking the city of Daejeon.

Track Championships in Daegu, SK

We had great seats at the World Track Championships that were held in Daegu, South Korea - 4th row. Usain Bolt warmed up right in front of us before the 100m.

Here we are in the stadium!

The 10000 m race - The medals were swept by Kenya in this race! The US runners were ahead for the first two laps - too bad this race was 25 laps!

We attended the open ceremonies and the first night of track competetion.

Lukas on his 12th birthday! Enjoying some brownies that we packed in our suitcase from home!

Pictures-First Days of School 2011

The boys spending our last day of summer vacation at the baseball stadium in Daejeon - GO Hanawha Eagles!

It has been raining quite a bit in August. Here is Anja and her friend Kasey trying to keep dry after school.

Liisa and Ailsa walking to school in the rain!

Lonne with his two best friends at Pre-K. Lonne loves school!

First day of School 2011-12!