Sisters

Lunch by the pool...listening to the ocean crash onto the sand. Don't worry, we'll do shopping (plenty of it) to round out the whole experience.

I love having Jeni here. We're having fun and that's what I needed.

Room with a view

This is one of the views from my room - no, it does not do it justice.

I love Hilton Head Island. I loved it when I was here in March and I love it more now. It's warm, it's lush and it's all about hospitality.

My work event is over (as of an hour ago) and it went very well. I would say it's the best event I have been to in the last two years (and that's not because I planned it). Everyone was great. All the meetings went well. The food was awesome. The excursions were fun. The weather was brilliant (stormy during our scheduled meetings and sunny during scheduled excursions).

In my opinion...everyone needs to spend a week here and it has to be in a room facing the ocean. Don't worry, you won't have to sell a kidney to do it - I know people now.

Tomorrow my baby sister is flying out to meet me here for some sisterly bonding over the next three days. Oh yeah, I am excited about it.

Don't worry - I have more photos and stories to share, but not tonight; it's late.

Crunch

Today a lady made my car "crunch". Apparently she didn't get the memo that people going straight have the right-of-way over someone turning left. I honked, served and swore...but she continued to turn and then collide with my car. (By the way, the swearing didn't really do anything to prevent the impending hit as it came about a millisecond before the crunch.) The early opinion is that my car is totaled and that makes my heart break into a thousand pieces. Anyone who has a car well-loved and paid-off can understand my pain. The other pain is located in my head, neck and back. Ouch. The early opinion is that the next two days will be infinitely worse than the last two hours...so much to look forward to. I now have ouch back, neck, head and am without a car. Yea me.

P.S. Anyone who has been on "Piano Watch 2008" will be happy to know that I am now in possession of Grandma's piano. It might not be too late to become a concert pianist or maybe even a terribly-misunderstood-singer-songwriter.

I fall for Sundance

Every fall my friend Sarah and I participate in a lovely little tradition we started years ago...we take a long lunch at Sundance. We buy a lift ticket, buy lunch at the deli and buy some time to catch up. We ride the lift up and back down and enjoy the amazing foliage all around us as we nibble on treats and talk about everything from politics to men (draw your own parallels). We always get some photos and great memories. Let me tell you...on this side of the Mississippi, this is the best way to enjoy the (very, very short) Autumn.

A new place to love

On the way back from Korea, I spent two days in Salem, Oregon to see Dad and Diane's new place and explore a bit. I now love Oregon - lots.

Not far from where they live is a great national park with waterfalls, lush green woods and great hiking. I have found that hiking in this park is a great way to stay awake when battling gross jetlag. Don't take my word for it...try it yourself.


Daddy and Daughter
Another reason to love Oregon - Christmas tree farms! How can you help but love a place that grows these little trees of joy?

Touring around

Our last day in Korea...so we toured around. We went to this ancient village and learned about the people who lived there, their art, culture and history. It's amazing to be in a place with 2000 years of recorded history. We went to an active Buddhist monastery and finished the day with shopping...naturally.
The monastery and its grounds were so lush and beautiful.

This is the photo op of the grounds...our guide said we HAD to have our picture taken here, so we did.

Stack the rocks and make a wish - imagine a whole garden of stacked rocks. A lot of wishes...

The protective gods of the entry to the monastery. The one of the left controls the weather so don't make him mad.

The monastery roof needs retiling, so "buy" a tile and everyone writes a wish or desire for the future...this was our group's tile. It's heavier than it looks - maybe we all wanted too much.

Our photographer, Alan, found a fellow shutterbug. They took pictures of each other and then had to see each other's results.

Korea's version of "Sprite" - not much better than the Coke.
Our whole group touching the golden boar for luck and prosperity - not a bad end to the tour.

So, my review of South Korea? The people are warm, kind, intelligent and rightfully proud. The country is clean, modern and lovely. The history is interesting, the food (mostly) is yummy and the shopping is fun. I would recommend it.

A bit of work too

The meetings were a hit and the crowd went a little nuts - but all in good fun.

We got a bit of culture and entertainment along the way.

This little booth at the convention had traditional Korean robes to dress up in and feel like a princess.

Coke was safer than water, but tasted ick.
Cool, strange and yummy food!
Traditional Korean "fashion show" and some dancing...those ribbons are spinning off the hats - very cool.
All dressed up for the Closing Gala with a few darling little ones.