A Curious Halloween

Yes, we did actually celebrate Halloween this year, although it did not get the adequate attention it deserved.  I volunteered to head up our ward's Trunk-or-Treat this year, and I was so preoccupied with that, that I kind of failed in the costume department this year. Ugh!!!  All I did was don a wig myself, but here's what we came up with for the kids.




Joseph was Jack the Pumpkin King - tall and lanky

Madelyn was the Cheshire Cat - curiouser and curiouser ;)

Alex was a Storm Trooper - I don't think he can actually see anything through that mask.

Cora was actually in a play the weekend of the Trunk-or-Treat (more about that below), but she had a Halloween party with some friends at our house, and they played around with some makeup.

The play Cora was in was the High School's production of The Curious Savage.  It was a small cast, and only played the weekend before Halloween (which was unfortunate, since the Garrison decided at the last minute that we should do trick-or-treating on Saturday instead of on Halloween, which ruined a lot of people's plans, boooo!).  But it was still really great, and we were super proud of Cora!

They just had auditions for the Spring musical, which will be The King and I.  We'll see if she gets a part for that too (fingers crossed!)

Idstein

Back before Halloween, I went with a friend to a nearby town called Idstein, to help take her family pictures.  Such a cute little town (super little).  I know, I say that a lot.  But just look at these buildings!

 Killingerhaus (1615) - currently the tourist office and a municipal museum.

The 4-story Shiefes Haus, or Crooked House (1727)

 

 Konig-Adolf Platz - the central market place

The Gatehouse (1497) - once the quarters of a Count, then a prison and torture chamber, then a granary, and today the registry office (apparently you can get married in there).

The other side of the Gatehouse.

 A group of buildings, connected to the Gatehouse, which form part of the original castle (1565) - used as administrative offices along with Town Hall.

 

  Witches Tower (1170) - Idstein's oldest remaining monument. 

 Looking back towards the Gatehouse.

 The small Palace Gardens

The Palace (1614?) - It has since been used as an archive office, convalescent home, military hospital and barracks, a hostel, teacher's training school, and now is a grammar school.

 Back through the Gatehouse again.

 
The Lower Market Place, and some more beautiful buildings and features.

I'm really looking forward to going the Christmas market here this year, which is a small one, and only open for one weekend.

Craving Korean

I been seriously craving some good Korean food lately.  I think it's the cold weather.  It's cold outside, and my feet are cold because I don't want to wear socks, so I keep thinking of hot dishes like Kimchi Jigae, Dakgalbi, or the nice soupy version of Bulgogi.  Mmmmmmm.  Actually, I made some Kimchi Jigae for dinner the other night, and then ate it for breakfast the next day.  Breakfast of champions.

I only lived in Korea for 4 years (a mere 4 out of my almost 42 years), but it is forever a part of my soul now.  I think about it, and miss it, almost every single day.

I miss the cheap, delicious, unique food.
I miss ondol heating (in the floor).
I miss having a 7-11 every couple of blocks, open 24/7.
I miss ridiculously fast internet, and exceptional phone coverage.
I miss cheap and easy to use public transportation.
I miss just hopping off at a random subway station and exploring.
I miss being able to walk to....pretty much anything I needed.
I miss having a good reason to wear my hanbok.
I miss the feeling of complete safety.
I miss the festivals and markets.
I miss the friends I made in Korea.
I miss my Korean dentist.
I miss the Korean culture.
I miss the loving people.
I miss the beautiful country.

These are a lot of the same things that everyone says they miss about Korea.....maybe not my dentist. But a lot of what I miss about Korea I can't really put into words.  It's just the whole feel of it.  And it hurts a little, knowing that I might never go back there again.  I hope I do.  Someday.

I wonder if Germany will be as much a part of me as Korea.  I wonder if it will hurt as much to leave. I have a feeling it will.  I love it here so much. We're on our last year here, and I feel like I'm in a room where the walls are slowly closing in on my.  I don't have enough time.  I definitely don't have enough money to go everywhere I want to go, and do everything I want to do.  But the time....the time is killing me.

Sorry if this is a boo-hoo me post, but it's cold.  I don't know what that has to do with anything, but you figure it out.