Small Town Festavel & Flood

Hey Ya'll!  It feels like it has been forever sense I have blogged on a Saturday but Ryan and I are spending the weekend down in GA at Stone Mountain and I thought I would use this time to post one of my many not yet finish but now finished drafts!  Hope you enjoy and hope you are having a great weekend!

So if you are new here I lived in Korea for a year or so and taught English.  It was amazing, I miss it like crazy, and there are so many memories I want to share and hopefully never forget.  The past few months I have noticed that I have had a few drafts hanging around....this one is sadly over a year old.  However rather than just delete this halfway written up memory I figure I would spell check it, add some photos and just go with it! So here is what I wrote about a small town festival that Ryan and I went to last summer. The photos are dated September 18th, 2010 so I would have to guess that is probably close to being around the time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the past month or so we have seen fliers all over the bus stops, seen huge banners on the way to Lotta Mart and have had a few kids in class mention this festival that was going on last week over in Anseong.  The teachers mentioned that they were all going last Thursday however it rained all week so no one went.  Ryan and I had talked about going however we really didn't see the rain letting up anytime soon and we were not even too sure of where it was, not that Anseong is a big place, or what would be going on.  All the banners have shown a Korean on what looks like a tight rope line and one of my classes pulled up videos online of past festivals.  So when the sun came out on Sunday and it was a nice warm breezy day we decided to head over and see what it was all about. 

So on the way over we decided to stop at the  McDonald's because we had taken a few weeks off from the good old Big Mac and felt it was time to treat ourselves.  It was before two so they were still running the lunch deal and they were packed.  I grabbed a table as Ryan waited in line to place our order.  They have seem to have given up the whole sixty seconds or you get a free fry deal and that was fine with us.  After a few minute and the people who had ordered before us got their food our order popped up but just as it did so did a little Korean man who grabbed tray and headed off to sit down with it. This bothered us but at the same time we figured that he must of just ordered the wrong thing and thought it was his.  So we stood there waiting for two more Big Mac's to pop up however after about fifteen minutes when they didn't we started to think something was up.  So Ryan grabbed the manager and tried to explain that we never got our food, and well when he didn't seem to understand Ryan just said even louder (because when people don't speak English it is always better to just tell them everything slower and louder...however it never helps just makes you look crazy) "that man (as he pointed to the man) took (as he did the motion of taking our tray) my Big Mac." At this point I think he was starting to put it all together thanks to the hand signals and the big upset looking white guy.  So he swapped out and order said he was sorry in broken English and "fixed it"; however at this point Ryan was too mad to eat because the Korean man and his wife were laughing and enjoying their free lunch.  So I ate quickly we packed his up and headed out to the market and to hopefully find this festival we had been told about.

As we made our way around the market we saw normal Korean things fish, squid and other sea animals for sale along with fruit, peppers, cleaning supplies, and even found some other cool things.  We were able to find a really unique gift for my brother Chris for Christmas when I had just about given up on finding him anything.  After about an hour of random wondering we had checked out  a few "quilt" shops and made our way down to a pet store.  As always I had to drag Ryan in to see what we could find; sadly this one didn't have the same welcoming feeling that the one we like to like at Lotta Mart. 

Once out of the pet store we noticed big balloons in the sky and well have come to learn that these normally are around where ever there is a festival.  After making our way down a few side streets we found one packed with food vendors and people and as we passed a man selling coconut milk out of coconuts we knew we were in the right place.  However I did wonder why there were coconuts at a Korean festival but hey when in Rome drink coconut milk!

We made our ways through the vendors down towards a river we never even knew was there only to look out and see lots of colorful tents all set up, but as we made our way closer we noticed that they all seemed empty and like something wasn't right.  Once we were at street level and parallel to the river we could see that all the tents were flooded because the river over flown onto the banks and then some.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And that is where I stopped.  My guess is that whatever class I was teaching was about to start, or Ryan and I were headed out to see friends or explore.  So lets see if I can wrap this up with a few thoughts from the festival before just ending this.....

I remember walking around a bit, being shocked at how much the water had risen from the rain, people watching, and having a good time.  We didn't ride any rides, we didn't really eat any food outside of our coconut milk, but it was something I can say I did.  We walked from one side of the river over the bridge to the other and made a loop.  After walking around for a bit we made our way back to the main part of town to catch the bus back home. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And last but not least we have some photos from the day....as always sorry they are so big blogger and I don't get along. Oh photos from Korea always kind of make me a little home sick.  I know I don't have any family there but I did make some great friends and the country really is amazing if you are open minded and willing to change your way of thinking.

First we hit our small town market for a little bit.  Side note they did have stores like Walmart only nicer and more high end but some people still prefer the markets.

Fish from our market.

Bags and bags of my fave! Hot red peppers!

Some chicken and all the different parts.

Down at the festival...we followed the balloons in the sky to find it.

Roasted piggy

Coconut milk

Ryan and I just thought it was odd they were selling coconut milk at a Korean festival...I never once saw a coconut tree.

Where everything was set up until the rain came.

The bridge and to the right you can see the sidewalk that was flooded.

The walking path.

View from the bridge back towards the festival

The  mountains I feel in love with in my short time there

View from the other side of the river

Korea is really big in to characters.

A Korean Christian group singing songs.

View from down at the other bridge. 

Korean carnival rides....don't worry I didn't ride any of them

And another ride. Really Koreans are good at this ride....they just sit down on the edge and the ride tries to toss them out into the middle...no seat belts or anything.

I would say that this flood was a sad event and that it was devastating for the town.  Oddly thought that was not the case at all.  Yes it did flood their festival however the vendors still came out and sold their goods, the families still came out and had a great time.  Koreans are hardy people. The rebuilt the walking paths, and were just happy to have the rain.  When walking back over the second bridge Ryan and I met some Canadians who wanted to talk to us about how sad this festival was for the town, and I wanted to just yell back about how it wasn't sad at all.  It was great that this town was strong enough to over come things like this, carry on with their lives, and rebuild.  It shocks me that they could not see that this was not bothering the Koreans at all, they were still happy and going on with the events they had planned.

Maybe we could learn something here.  This small Korean town did not go looking for a hand out from some of the other, larger towns, they didn't ask for anything spacial.  They took care of themselves.  They didn't want or ask for help.  Really anytime anything happens in America we good looking for a hangout, demanding help, make it a disaster, and don't take care of ourselves.  Korean people are proud people and yes they care for one another but they also care about being independent and taking care of themselves. 

Over all I remember this day as being a great day, I remember most days in Korea as beging good days.  Days that now feel like they are years ago even thought they have only been maybe a year or so. 

Ahh memories of Korea!

Six Flags

**So this post was scheduled to post last week...as you can see that didn't happen.  I would try to blame it on Blogger but really I set my alarm clock wrong both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend so maybe it's just me. Anyways on with the post.

This past Saturday Ryan and I headed to Six Flags over Georgia. 

The week before last Ryan and I decided to buy season passes to Six Flags and their Water Park.  They were running deals for both that came out to about $65.  We had been going back and forth between Six Flags and Carowinds and finally landed on Six Flags.  It takes about 2 and 1/2 hours to get there but it really is not a bad drive.  They have more rides, better food, and they have a separate water park. 

All week last week Ryan and I checked the weather.  On Tuesday there was a 80% chance of not just rain but of a down pour.  Then Wednesday it was 30%, then Thursday 20% then Friday 30% again and finally on Saturday there was a 20% change of rain.  We watched the weather radar to see where the storms would hit in Georgia, said a quick prayer for the rain to hold off for just a bit and headed off. 

The day started off a little rough as I realized that I had forgotten what I was planning on wearing and we had to head over to my parents before heading out.  If you ever read any blogs about trips Ryan and I go on that are not major we always forget something so this really isn't a shock to either of us.  Once I grabbed shorts, short sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve t-shirt, a sweat shirt, a hat and jeans we headed out.  Sound like a lot to grab for a day trip? It is just because the weather was so unpredictable and I didn't want to be too hot or too cold so I thought better to just grab it all. 

Anyways moving on.  Ryan and I had a BLAST! The park was not too busy, we waited maybe 45 minutes at most to ride a few rides, we road just about everything, it wasn't too hot or too cold, and it didn't rain at all!  We laughed, we smiled, we had our bodies jostled, we felt our blood pumping, we felt our hearts racing, our stomachs in our throats, we held hands, and we can't wait to do it all again! Humm I still feel like that doesn't cover it....I guess that is why I am not a writer thought. 

So once at the park the day went down like this:
We decide to kick things off on a strong note with Acrophobia.  The picture below pretty much sums it up. 

Photo from Six Flags website.

If you still need a little explanation this ride takes you up 16 stores, the guy at the bottom sings "We will, we will drop you" a few times (changes every time) and then boom your "free falling".  This one is a little different from ones I have been on before because once you get to the top it leans you out so you are almost looking straight down at the ground as you fall. 
This is one of those rides that gets my heart pumping as soon as I step in line.  It is a ride that I love to hate, love because it is fun, hate because at the same time it is not fun. 
We then moved on to the Sky Buckets so we could get a better view of the park and make our way down into what seemed to be more of the middle of the park. 

Photo from Six Flags website.

Next we road the Ninja.  Ryan told me about how he remembered this ride when it first came out and how he had to wait in line over an hour and a half and just how cool it was at the time.  I think he was a little upset that it was not quite what he remembered it to be. 

Photo from Six Flags website

As far as steal coasters go this one felt more like a wooden coaster.

We then road a wooden coaster, The Great American Scream Machine, one that took Ryan for surprise.

Photo from Six Flags website.

I think he thought it was a kids ride so when the drop at the top, well dropped he was taken off guard.  I also think that maybe we shouldn't ride wooden coasters together.  See Ryan is taller than me and those bars only go down as far as the tallest person will let them.   So I bounced up and down with the extra space, and he just got jostled, hit his knee on the sides, the front, and even the little bolts on the front of the ride.

I would have to say my favorite wooden coaster is the backwards one, sadly Six Flags doesn't have a backwards ride....but I think I'll live.

Next was Superman: Ultimate Flight.  We rode this ride twice just because the line was so short. 

Photo from Six Flags website.

This ride is one of my favorites because you lay down and get to feel like you are flying.  This is one of the most comfy rides, you don't get jostled, and you are all nice and snug.

Then we got in line to ride the Hanson Cars, oddly this ride sticks out the most from my trips to the park in Ohio we use to go to. Sadly we didn't end up riding it because what they said was only a 10 wait ride turned in to 20 and we were still a few groups back so we called it and moved on to the next ride.

Photo from Six Flags website.

 Next we moved on to the Monster Mansion.  This was kind of odd as far as Haunted Houses go.  You got in a boat and floated through the house.  The water looks like a cute idea untill all the adults get in on the left side of the boat and the kids are on the right and the boat starts to tip to the side. It started out all happy and friendly then got dark and creepy.  Poor Ryan has to have the only 24 year old girlfriend who doesn't like the dark so I was cuddling up nice and close to him during the last part of the ride. 
Next we made our way to the Dare Devil Dive. 

Photo from Six Flags website

This ride doesn't look like much but as I waited in line to get on I started to look at it a little close.  You get in a car with 6 other people and when you start out you go straight up, as in you are literally laying on your back on the way up.  Then you drop straight down, with a little dip inward so you are going even more down....I don't quite know what you would call that...a negative fall? Then you fly though some loops, twist, and then bam you done before you even know it.  I love LOVE love this ride, it is smooth, comfy(ish), and fast. 
Our next and last ride was the Batman: The Ride.

Photo from Six Flags website.

This ride reminds me of Top Gun and I would have to say that it is one of my favorites.  I sadly think that I might have to be out of favorites soon.

Anywas one we finished upat Batman it was close to 5:30.  We walked around trying to figure out what to ride next, we ended up picking a water ride, but the line was over an hour and a half so we headed out to find a different one only to find out they weren't running.  At this point we had been there for close to 7 hours and my attention span was waring short so when a security guard came up and asked us if we needed help finding anything and I replyed with the way out. I think Ryan knew it was time to call it at this point. 
We headed  out stoping at Zaxby's for some chicken and one of their new Brownie Batter Milkshake, which is amazing (I need to take part of that back now...we got one over the weekend and couldn't figure out what it tast burnt....well that is becuase our local one seems to take the old, stale, burnt brownies and toss them in for the brownie crumbles), and finished the night with the Winny The Pooh movie.

Super cute movie!

I know, I know, I might be a little old for Winny The Pooh but really it was so cute! When the opening song came on I was taken back to my childhood when I use to jump back and forth on the couch like Winny The Pooh does on the letters.  Also it is about how poor Eeyore lost his tail, and well he is just so cute and pitiful how can you not love him? I have some days where I feel like Eeyore and think that maybe I have lost my tail. Tigger is the only Tigger around, Rabbit is stuffy, Owl is smart and witty, Piglet is scared and trying to be brave, and Pooh is hungry. 

OK anyways back to what I was writing about. 

I really do think we picked the best choice for us. We were both happy with all of the rides, we didn't even get a chance to ride a lot of them, the park was really clean, everyone was really helpful and polite, and they had all kinds of food choices to chose from. 

Next time I really do need to take photos of my own of some of the rides, of Ryan and I, and of just well anything that I might want to remember later when I am old and looking back at life. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Date Night Wrap Up

Each of these "Date Nights" originally had its own post started, key word there "started" and well rather than finish up and post however many different post I just thought I would roll them in to one and do a quick run down with a few details, photos, whatever....this will also help keep my sanity in check (and seeing as how I use this blog as my own personal little diary this update is needed because my memory is not that great and some of these are starting to run together)  So where to start where to start? I guess we will just go back a few weeks more like months now I guess to:

That Saturday that I got the bright idea to cook some "Spicy Turkey Egg Rolls" from a few different recipes that I had seen on the Internet, followed up by a Mike Epps concert (or whatever it is you call it when you go see a comic), and then wrapped the night up with a trip to the Carolina Ail House (yummyness to the 10th power).

So well...I guess I could give you a play by play of the night but instead I will just share some photos and maybe toss in a few words here and there.

Start with the guacamole (one of my favorite foods!):



Now on to the egg rolls:


And the finally product after I swore I was never making egg rolls again:




I really feel the need to put out there that they taste better than they look.

Next we headed over to Ryan's friends to pick them up and head over to the...concert hall? Now I really don't know how to explain the rest of the night....for starters both of his friends spent the ride quoting different Mike Epps skits.  Now I have seen the movie Friday but other than that I have not seen much of his stuff.  So if you are like me and you need a quick "Who Is Mike Epps" then check out Wikipedia. 

Once there I quickly noticed that umm... I was the center of attenion and I didn't quite fit in. Oddly even thought everyone was stareing at us and I was trying not to stare back it was fun! I don't really ever go to see comics, or even really watch them on TV, and I don't know what it is but watching comics in person is so much better than on TV....maybe it is hearing some of the laughs of other people....you know what I am talking about there is always that one in the croud that has the crazy person laugh that just makes you luagh.

Yep see I told you I couldn't describe the night. But here are some of the few photos I took fromt he night:

I always get two trys and then Ryan is like no more photos. 

Yea for big beers!

Anyways after a fun, educational, stand up session we headed to grab some dinner and drinks before dropping Ryan's friends off and calling it a night. One fun night that I doubt I will ever forget!

Next up (or I think it was next) was our first date night where I choose where to go. So I choose to take Ryan to Miyako’s for some sushi (mainly because I had never been and had been really craving sushi...oddly enough I am craving it again now) followed up for a quick stop in to Main Street Pub for a few drinks before calling it a night all before 10:30. Really we are that couple that got full time jobs and do nothing but sleep right now because we are not use to the whole working 40 hours a week thing (haha that makes me laugh because it was from the original post I typed and things are still pretty much the same...we are that old couple that is in bed by 10).

Anyways here is a photo of some of our food before I dropped my phone in the food and Ryan made me put it away. 

Sorry it is so blurry....that is probably becuase I dropped the phone.

 I loved the sushi and cannot wait to go back for more! I mean one of these rolls was called a ABC Roll stuffed with "asparagus, beef, and cream cheese" yumm so good!

The next weekend was Ryan's date night and he choose to take me to Long Horn and then to see the Lorax 3D. I know, I know we are such adults. Dinner was great and the movie was even better! I have always loved Dr. Seuss and this movie had some really good lessons for kids. I took a photo of us in our cool 3D glasses but dang if it isn't more blurry than the sushi photo!

The next weekend was my turn again and I had been craving Thai food like crazy so I choose to go to the Lime Leaf. Do you see an Asian thing going on with all my dates? It was good as always. It is right down town, cute, and makes for a sweet date with dim lights, and small cozy tables.

Then we had Ryan's birthday dinner the weekend before his birthday with his parents at one of those Japanese restaurant where they cook on the table. I have always loved the fact that the restaurant that they have always taken him to for his birthday is the same one my parents always use to take me too growing up for mine too. It is like a sign I swear!

The next weekend we babysat, got Mexican (my choice I love Mexican almost as much as I love Asian food) for lunch one Saturday, and then my parents took us out to Carolina Ale House for Ryan's Birthday.

 Then it was Ryan's choice and after we both had long weeks we opted for some Chinese takeout and a movie called My Man Godfry, a movie from 1957.


 
It was cute, funny (and that good kind of real funny not dirty or dumb funny), and I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a chill movie night and like old movies. The plot is basically that the one sister finds this "forgotten man" and wants him to be her family's (crazy and let me stress CRAZY family) butler because she is in love with him.

Easter weekend was a fun weekend. Friday night we had dinner with mom and dad. Then Saturday we had lunch with Ryan's grandma, his cousin and his wife. Then we took a trip up to Lake Lure to walk around and eat dinner at the Bay front Bar & Grill on the lake. Sunday was Church, then over to Ryan's parents for lunch, then back to the house to watch the end of the Masters and eat dinner.

Here are a few photos from our trip Saturday:





And the view from our table at the resturant:


I cannot wait to go back, the food was great, the view was pretty, and the beer was cold!

Let's see last weekend I babysat Friday, Ryan drove his mom and grandma down to Charleston to see his aunts. Saturday I spent the day shopping with mom, which is always so much fun! Then Sunday was church, chores, and then Ryan and I stopped by to support one of his friends at an event he was having.

 Where has the time gone? All of these things feel like yesterday! How is it already May 18th? Ryan and I have noticed that the weekends always feel so short, so we have been trying to pre plan out our weekends to make sure we get the most out of them and that summer doesn't fly by before we can everything we want to do. 

Ok well I don't think I left anything out... Any suggestions for some fun day dates?