Osan Air Power Day - Our First Military Outing in Korea

**Warning, many photos of airplanes and our smiling faces ahead!**

Osan Air Base, the military installation where Ethan is stationed as a crew chief on the A-10 Thunderbolt II, hosted a free public event on September 24th and 25th for Americans and Koreans alike. There were many booths and static jets to see, as well as performances by experienced pilots demonstrating the incredible abilities of the joint USAF and ROKAF.

Luckily, Ethan and I were able to enjoy the show together, as he has been off a total of four days since my arrival at the beginning of the month. There’s a lot of work to do in Korea. 

We really had fun together photographing each other, watching the shows, and holding hands. The little things really count when you don’t get a lot of time with your other half. 

I could not believe how many people were at the show! Ethan said they’d estimated a total of about 70,000 spectators over the weekend. I didn’t believe it when he told me, but after seeing the crowd on Saturday, I believe 70,000 is a likely number.

What was really interesting, as an American and a foreigner here, is how seriously the Koreans take sun exposure, much more so than we do in the states. Under every structure were Korean nationals sitting in the shade, and by every structure, that’s including the static jets and helicopters. It was quite the site and was certainly not something you’d see people doing at an air show in the states. Koreans also use umbrellas often and the air show was no exception, if they didn’t have an umbrella, they wore a hat or people would cover their faces with newspaper or fabric. I’ll admit, the sun was extremely intense and toward the end, I was feeling a little sick from being in it so much. I did walk away with a nice red spot on my chest, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy that in the coming day or two.

Of course, we had to take a photo or two by the F-4, the airframe that Ethan's dad worked on in the Marines. It's cool to see that and imagine him working on it like Ethan does the A-10.

At Osan, there are American and Korean pilots and military members working together. It's so interesting to be right in the middle of a real life military alliance.

The Black Eagles performed at the finale of the show. They were in the air for almost an entire half hour and their aerial acrobatics are astonishing. I could not believe just how fast and extreme some of the maneuvers were.

Thank you, dear husband, for this wonderful portrait of me. 

Of course, we couldn't go to the air show without getting photos of our favorite aircraft, the one and only A-10 Thunderbolt II. As we were standing near it, I looked at Ethan, pointed at the A-10 and said "That is the whole reason we're here." And for some reason, I can't help but love that bulky hunk of metal. 

During the air show, the A-10 participated in a search and rescue mission demonstration, teaming up with two army helicopters during which they located, identified, and rescued a downed pilot. The A-10s provided cover and overwatch for the pilot, as well as an escort for the helicopters to ensure the enemy on the ground would not have the chance to attack or capture the downed pilot.

The A-10 has many awesome capabilities and CSAR isn't always in that spotlight, so it was cool to see another side of what this airframe can do. Despite the mock environment, there was something so reassuring about watching those two A-10s "Sandy One" and "Sandy Two" circling above us, providing overwatch during the "mission". I can only imagine the comfort that sight brings a soldier on the ground in enemy territory. 

Overall, we had a great day and made good memories here in South Korea. I still can't believe we have an address here, not on American soil. It's weird and exciting and a little bit scary, all at the same time. Please continue to pray for us, for direction during our time here, for safety, and for us to find a place to fellowship and build relationships. 

I still desire to make the most of our time here, I hope we can do that. 

Understanding the Korean Trash System

It's a system I've yet to understand fully, but I'm doing my best. This system is a result of a huge population being crammed onto a tiny little land mass, so understandably, something's got to be done and it's important that it's done right.

So here's what I know about Korea's trash system. Please correct me if I'm wrong..

Three bags.

One is recyclables, including glass, plastics, cardboard, paper. This can be any clear bag and sometimes you can sort it out at the curb, depending on your trash pick up location. Last night, Ethan sorted out our recyclables and brought back the bag to reuse.

Another bag is for general trash. This is a specific bag that you can purchase many places, like the convenience store on the corner or at the grocery store. These bags are expensive. Why do I need to pay ~$2.50 for a large plastic bag? Because this is how you pay the city to pick up your trash.
Oooh.
The outrageous price makes sense now. This also encourages you to do it right and recycle what needs to be recycled, because you can buy cheap clear plastic bags for recycling and reuse the bags like we did. The less trash in the expensive bags, the less bags you have to use.

The last bag. Food waste. This one is a small orange bag that you must put your food waste in. I am told it's used as feed. For what? Still not sure. I don't know if that's a rumor or truth, but I'm told you shouldn't include shells or bones, so it could quite possibly be true. Things like vegetables, meats, etc. can be included. No hard pits. Side note: You don't want to leave this bag out in your kitchen because it will start to smell. Bad. So what do you do? Stick it in the freezer. Problem solved. The bacteria stops growing and there isn't a smell. Once it's full, take it out with the trash. But only when it's the right time of day.

Did I mention that you can only take trash out during certain times of the day? Between 8pm and 4am is when trash should be taken out. And not on Saturdays because there's no pick up on Sunday.

Once you get it down, it's not so confusing. Now I'm on the hunt for a trash can and a recycling bin. For now, the food waste will occupy a shelf in my almost empty freezer.

Am I doing this right? Please feel free to comment below. I'd like to avoid the 1,000,000 W penalty.

We're just a couple of humble Americans trying to make our way in a new country. No big deal.

Crossing Borders

May 18th, 2016 

That song came on today. Oceans by Hillsong United.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders…
And I found myself singing that verse with my whole heart. I had goosebumps. It was in that moment that I opened my mind to Him and what He might have me do.And immediately my thoughts were of Korea. Our time there. What will I fill my time with in this upcoming opportunity? How will He use me? Will I let Him? I believe it's in these everyday moments that He speaks to us. The answer was so obvious. It's been on my heart for many years now. Get this.
One day last year I come across a documentary that told the story of The Drop Box and a man who has dedicated his entire life to children abandoned on the streets of Seoul, South Korea.
Let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me.
Time and again I am drawn to this cause, children with a home or family, and loving on them and the topic of adoption. And you guys. Here I am, with a husband who will be stationed less than an hour from that city thousands of miles away from our home, filled with children without parents, with disabilities, broken, and needing love. And I am traveling there. I know that God has placed me there, in Korea, for His purpose.
Take me deeper than my feet would ever wander…
Never would I have imagined I might go to Korea. It's never been on my bucket list of places to travel. But now it is in our future. That's no coincidence.
And my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior. Please please pray that whatever we experience in Korea, whatever opportunities arise, that we can find Him in it all and seek His guidance for our lives. It was no surprise when I read about orphanage visits every other Thursday by the spouses at Osan. I'll definitely be participating.Thank you for your prayers and support as we prepare for our journey across the world. In all things, I will praise Him. Donnaven

––––

Today

I wrote this months ago, thoughts of this distant country on my mind and in my heart.

Today, I’m sitting in an airport waiting for my flight across the world as this song is playing into my ears. There is something waiting for us in Korea. He hasn’t made it known to us just yet, but we are waiting with open eyes and listening ears. Maybe it is simply to touch one soul, maybe it is so that we can touch many.

I am so excited. I am so nervous. But I am ready. Whatever He places in my path, I know one thing is certain, my soul will rest in His embrace.

Please continue to pray for us in this journey. We are definitely feeling the love and we so appreciate it.

Listen to the full song, "Oceans" by Hillsong United on YouTube.

Why Solid Ground?

I'm terrified of flying. Did I ever tell you that?
Terrified as in, I get serious anxiety from the moment I have to select my seat on the plane when I book a ticket.

So yeah, it's only appropriate that my travel blog be named Solid Ground. Do you sense the irony?

In fact, it is general knowledge, in order to get anywhere (i.e. travel), flying is likely the easiest and fastest (and safest!) method of transportation. Did I mention this is a travel blog?

But I really like to keep my feet firmly planted. When my husband came home from work one day and said, "We need to talk, I'm heading to Korea." (Oh, by the way, he's military) I was devastated. Why? Being separated from him for an entire year was such a daunting and impossible task. When I found that I could move to Korea on my own dime, things were good again, until I Googled how to get to South Korea and, well...

Enter the 22+ hours of travel and the ahem, 14 hour flight over an ocean.

No. Freaking. Way.

(Side note: I promise, I really did know where South Korea was before using Google. I was born in the 90s, after all.)

But guys, I've done that trip three times now. I survived. Phew! Now fingers crossed that I can safely make it back to the land of milk and honey!

Not only do I enjoy not flying, I do enjoy being outside, adventuring, trying new foods and taking photos along the way. So that's really where the travel comes in. I hope that through the new experiences that I share here, I can encourage you to try new things, eat delicious new foods, and plan your next trip to a place unknown, and maybe even get on a plane!

I've learned that travel changes you. It forces you to broaden your outlook on life, stretch your personal space bubble, and allows you to learn about others who are different than you. And that's really not a bad thing.

So here's to travel and adventure. And as little flying as possible.

Welcome to Solid Ground.