My Korea Packing List | Non-Command Sponsored in South Korea

This list has been a long time coming, hasn't it?!

We moved to South Korea because of my husbands career in the military. He received orders to South Korea for a short tour (one year) in March 2016 and he left the states in August 2016. I followed him to live off base in Pyeongtaek in early September 2016. We've been in South Korea for nearly a full year and I wanted to provide those going through a similar situation as I did an idea of what I brought with us, what I wish I'd packed, and what I found I didn't really need after being here through all four seasons.

Before I begin, here's a little background: We are here non-command sponsored, as in, I moved to South Korea on my own accord. My husband is technically here "unaccompanied" (the military did not pay to move my husband's dependents to his new duty station, i.e. me). We live off base in a Korean style apartment. We have access to on base facilities, including the base exchange (BX) and the commissary through an issued rations card.  Our HHG (household goods) coming to Korea had a weight limit of only 400lbs, so we had to be selective about what we included. Hopefully that helps give you an idea of our situation.

Here's a list of items I'm glad that we brought:

• cold weather gear - Korean winters are harsh
• rugs - carpet is very uncommon in Korea, hard tile can hurt your feet after awhile
• small bakeware - our oven/microwave is tiny, it measures about 17" in diameter
• art/craft supplies, selection here is somewhat limited - visit Dream Depot in Pyeongtaek, Amazon, or the BX
• bedding - pillows, sheet sets, comforter and duvet cover
• a variety of shoes, sandals, tennis shoes, boots - I'm a size 10, which is non-existent in Korea. Aside from the BX, I'm stuck with what I brought unless I order shoes off of Amazon without trying them on.
• undergarments for the year - Make sure you buy that year supply of underwear!
• electronics such as our Xbox and computers - We watch Netflix a lot because most channels here are in Korean. There are two news stations in English (CNN & BBC), as well as an English movie channel.
• plates and tableware - These are available at the Daiso and places like Homeplus or Emart, but if you have extra, might as well bring it. Less to buy once you're here. We'll probably sell ours before we leave since it was an extra set. It's mismatched, but it's only for a year.
• printed photos for our fridge - It's nice to have family photos and pictures of our two pups on display to see every day. 
• yoga mat/small exercise equipment such as a kettle bell or weights
• laundry baskets/hamper

Here's a list of items we didn't need to bring:

• an 11x13" cookie sheet or any large baking pans - The ovens aren't nearly that large so my cookie sheet doesn't fit
• so many blankets/quilts -  I seriously have enough for a family of six. What was I thinking?
• Western style semi-formal dresses - You might pack maybe one or two, but I packed way more than that. Live and learn.

Here is a list of items I wish we'd brought:

• holiday decor, especially Christmas - The BX has some selection, but it's no Hobby Lobby.
• small trash cans for bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, etc. - I use oatmeal containers for some of my trash cans. Trash cans are available here, but they're not really something you can resell for much. If you have them, bring them.
• throw pillows - These make a house more homey. Our bed has been pretty plain the whole year.
• more pants/shorts and clothing in general - The BX selection is so limited and Korean clothing just does not fit my western frame right. The tops are way too big and flow-y and there's no way I'd fit in the bottoms. 

So essentially, a lot of this stuff is available to buy here in South Korea, it's simply a matter of what you already have on hand and what you want to buy when you get here. We didn't see a point in buying stuff when we already had it. You can also order off of Amazon with a Prime membership. It ships free to APO addresses, so I highly recommend investing in that. If there's an item you can't find in the stores here, you can also use the Korean version of eBay, Gmarket. This site ships directly to your Korean address within a day or two. Hooray for online shopping!

Most of our HHGs are in storage in the states. We're looking forward to having that back in a couple of months! I'm told it's like Christmas when you get your stuff back, and I do believe it! I can't wait!

Finding My Purpose in Korea

We sat in the dimly lit coffee shop after our dinner and drinks, warm from conversation and time well spent. I was falling in love with him again. I thought of the words I'd spoken right after our meal as we sat at the bar and ordered a couple of drinks, two adults on a date. Something we'd not been able to claim in far too long. I'd explained to him what I felt God had said to me not too long ago.

Be who he needs you to be right now.

Ever since we came to Korea and settled into this new temporary normal, I've struggled with finding my place. There have been opportunities and doors have been opened, but nothing has quite stuck. I've experienced emotions you might label as sad or numb, but in reality it's that I lacked a purpose. I didn't know what mine was. As a very goal oriented person, that fact was becoming detrimental to my mental and emotional health.

One day not too long ago, in no particularly dramatic fashion, I understood why God had put me in this place. I felt convicted as I stood there alone in my apartment. And it was so very obvious. Ridiculously obvious. Isn't that always how it ends up being?

I am in Korea right now because my husband is in Korea. He doesn't have a choice, but I do. And I chose him. I'll admit, for weeks I had been selfishly wallowing in my own pity and despair. I could not do what I love. My beloved business was slow if not non existent. My clientele was not in Korea. I had made sacrifices for something that neither of us wanted to begin with. I was a photographer, an entrepreneur, and an artist. And I felt weighed down and held back by our current situation.

I had forgotten what was most important.

One thing remained true and will always remain true. I am Ethan's wife. It is one of the most important promises that I vowed to keep forever. I remember on our wedding day and the days before and after, I was giddy with the thought of being a wife and loving my husband in every way. I couldn't imagine a happier life. Four years later, the luster of new marriage has faded, but that doesn't mean we have to lose our spark.

Being what he needs, in this crappy situation far from home and family, without some of the luxuries of modern convenience, is my job right now. I am reminded that it is temporary. I am also reminded of the amazing support we have received from our family and friends back home.

This too shall pass.

Being a loving wife is not physically or mentally taxing. I don't have to don heavy chem gear and body armor when I go in to work 12-14 hour shifts plus weekends. I don't need to study for a pressing exam that could significantly effect mine and my family's future while working full time. I don't have to ride my bike to and from work in freezing temperatures or 100% humidity with a heavy backpack and combat boots. My job is far easier. The pressure I am under is simply to be the best wife, soulmate, companion, and friend that he needs me to be in order for him to be successful. It is a calling that God has given to me. That is my purpose in Korea. I hadn't done that and was determined to change my perspective.

With our conversation from dinner at the forefront of my thoughts, we sat comfortably in the coffee shop, warm drinks in hand. I let my gaze wander over his face, a face that I know better than the back of my hand, as he told me about his work life, aspirations, and hopes for our future. I started to let myself fall in love with him again. I believe that's something in any marriage, that we should make an effort at and allow ourselves to do. Too often we are caught up in our own future and our own lives, when in reality, when you say I do, it becomes our life, our future, one.

Marriage is not easy and I am not an expert. But I have learned this: It is worth it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Please pray that we can draw closer through the struggles that this adventure is often too apt to bring. It's not easy but we're doing our best.

I'm glad you could be here.

Clean Gingersnap Cookies

A recipe I mentioned in this post as I was reflecting on the difference between our life in Korea and life in the states. These aren't terrible for your health (physical health that is, you may have to struggle to keep your sanity...) and are a suitable replacement for someone looking for that gingersnap taste without the refined sugar or butter.

Donnaven's Clean Eating Gingersnap Cookies Made in Korea

- 1/4 C coconut oil, melted
- 3/4 C honey
- 1 egg
- 3 heaping tbsp. molasses
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 C oat flour (run whole oats through food processor)
- 1/4 C coconut flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp. ginger
- 1/2 heaping tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. cloves

1. First figure out how to preheat your Easy Bake miniature oven to 175 or 180* C because that's about the closest we can get to 350* F. Because, you know, Korea. Try not to get too frustrated that the directions are in hangugeo.

2. Next, add wet ingredients, coconut oil, honey, egg, molasses, vanilla, together in a bowl and mix with a whisk. (No Kitchen Aid here, we're doing it Korea style! ...Unless you have a Kitchen Aid, than please go for it.)

3. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients, oat flour, coconut flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves. Combined with wet ingredients and mix well. The batter will be wet. Don't freak out.

4. Wait for your oven to heat up and start beeping incessantly at you. Talk to Yell at it.

5. Spoon cookie mixture onto your miniature cake pan covered in parchment paper, because alas, cookie sheets don't fit in your miniature oven. Put the cake pan in the miniature oven. Press the button to resume your oven heating because it turns off automatically when you open the door. We've made that mistake more than once. Bake for approximately seven minutes, give or take because remember, we're not right at 350*F. Remove the cookie sheet cake pan from the miniature oven. Transfer to cookie rack, if you can find a place to put it on your two and a half feet of kitchen counter space. Repeat step five until you don't ever want to bake cookies in Korea again.

PS. Don't forget that once you're done you'll have to hand wash all those dishes because dishwashers haven't been invented in Korea. Enjoy!

What's Different About Life In Korea

Today I decided to make some gingersnaps, since they are a traditional festive treat in our home around the holidays. The problem was – well, there were several problems. Since March of this year we have been doing our darnedest to eat clean. That means no refined sugars, processed foods, only food from the earth at it's whole-est form. Post on that coming soon. We're eating clean as much as we can manage without killing eat other from low blood sugar and all around hanger. Gingersnaps, as you might know, are loaded with brown sugar and white sugar. So that was an issue. But I have my ways of satisfying my sweet tooth without these processed refined sugars. Honey is a great alternative. And of course, the molasses that gingersnaps require to make them said gingery cookie. 

Anyways, as I was grinding my oat flour and measuring my spices, I sighed in frustration and the thought occurred to me: I cannot wait to have my kitchen counter space back again. Anything more than two and a half feet would be a luxury, to say the least.

Which led to this blog post. A little FYI just in case you were wondering...

What is different about life in Korea than living in the beautiful midwest, USA?

1. You take your shoes off at the door. The streets in Korea are pretty dirty and disgusting, as with any city I'd imagine, but more so here I think. Here's why: Within the first week of living in our apartment, we walked by a man urinating on someone's tire. Yeah. We've also seen blood on the sidewalk near our apartment. There is so much trash everywhere and trash areas are often very near the sidewalks, so whatever leaks or doesn't make it in the bags is all over your walking space. Yummy. Living here, you understand immediately why everyone takes off their shoes before walking into a place of residence, restaurant, or even a nicer business. I've seen shoes at the doorway of a financial institution here, something you would never see in the states. I assure you, these are not great places for sidewalk chalk drawings. Save those for... your apartment roof? Anyways, pressing on.
2. Public transportation is a must. Unless you'd rather ride your bike or walk everywhere. In Korea's icy winter or 100% humidity. No? Didn't think so. This is probably something US citizens living in major cities are more comfortable with, however for this midwest girl, it's been quite the adjustment. I definitely miss my car and the luxury that affords. There are so many comforts I miss about having your own vehicle and not breathing your neighbor's kimchi breath on the subway. Say goodbye to personal space.
3. Food. There are SO MANY places to eat in Korea. I cannot read hangugeo very well, which is the language on most signs, but I don't often see a chain of restaurants like what is so common in the states. Of course, there is your typical Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Popeyes, but there definitely isn't one on every street corner like we are used to seeing in the states. Instead, there seem to be many privately owned businesses here, and restaurants are no exception. With that comes the awesome opportunity to try many different varieties and cuisines. This is one of my favorite parts of Korea, one that I wish hubby were a little more into. Understandably, he knows what he likes and generally sticks to that. I am definitely the adventurer, but he's a good sport about it when I want to try something new. Just in our local area, we can try many varieties of traditional Korean food, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Peruvian, Indian, Turkish, and more!
4. Shopping is not relaxing. Sad day, I know. When you enter a store in the states, typically you're able to grab a cart, unload your purse and coat, and peruse the aisles to your hearts content possibly with the occasional store clerk asking if you need help finding anything. You might ask them about a current sale, but that is the extent of your interaction if you so choose. In Korea, this is not the case. Particularly with small businesses (of which there are many), store owners and associates will follow you throughout the entire store and some will even speak to you about specific items you might show the slightest interest in. You're looking at this pair of gloves? The associate will take them from you and open them for you to slip your hand inside. And then they will tell you how much they cost. Hubby and I often find ourselves immediately turned off by this approach and typically leave the establishment as soon as we have the chance without buying a thing. If I were to have the opportunity to shop without being bothered, I have a feeling my wallet might be a little lighter. Maybe that's a good thing? 
5. There are people everywhere. Do you remember that scene in Home Alone where the family is in the airport running to catch their plane? Everyone is literally running at a full sprint to get to the gate and there couldn't be more people in their way. Korea is kind of like that on the crowded scale. Subways, airports and shopping malls are suffocating at times. No, almost always. For a wide open spaces, drive an hour to the city girl like me, that's not much room to breath. Did I say I was having trouble breathing over here? Have I mentioned that yet? Hehe... In Korea you're going to get shoved, a lot. By everyone. So imagine the discomfort, would ya?

On the bright side (there are a couple, I assure you), I see my husband every day, and that's what makes it all worth it. But in all seriousness you stateside residence, savor your personal space, clean air, and those solo shopping trips where you hardly have to talk to anyone and can drive home in your car rocking out to your favorite radio stations. I cannot wait for those days again.

Ya feel me?

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.