Directions: Korean Folk Village, Suwon

The Korean Folk Village is a beautiful and interesting place to walk around and see some of the original Korean culture. It is a park-like setting you can spend anywhere from a few hours to a whole day there depending on how much detail you want to fit in.

It is a great place to see the flora and fauna of Spring and also a good place to experience some of the traditions associated with Korean holidays, such as Chuseok in the early Fall, or the Lunar New Year during the winter.

To get there:

• Take the "Big 1" North to Suwon



• Exit and go East at Suwon



• You will see signs to the KFV follow them, by turning right at the lights when they tell you.



• Follow this road south for about 5-10 minutes. You'll continue to see KFV signs, but they are a bit unclear.



• Turn left when the signs tell you to (we usually follow the buses to find the turn more easily)



• Follow this small road in to the KFV parking lot. There is a fee to park and a fee to get in. The best time to go is when they open.

Directions: Everland

Everland is a huge amusement park that is open year round. It is north of Suwon. Try going on an American holiday to avoid the crowds. The place is packed with Korean families on nice weekends. Check out their Christmas festival in November or December!

To get there:

• Take the Big 1 North to Rt. 50



• Take Rt. 50 East



• Exit at Everland

Open letter to an Osan family

The military is a hard life. For the active duty member, for the spouse, and especially for the kids, who didn't choose this life. There are ton of generalizations you can make about military kids- some of them are positive, some are negative. On the positive side, they are great at making friends and adapting to change. You can drop them off in a foreign country and they'll fit in in a flash. On the negative side, military kids are often troubled by constant moves, loss of friends, absence of a parent, and fear of loss. To make matters worse, military parents may resist getting help for their kids, because they think it appears weak, because they don't realize there's a problem, because they don't trust military assistance, or maybe even because they're worried they might not get an overseas clearance for their next assignment. These attitudes are understandable, but potentially very harmful to our children and our families.

This afternoon, I chanced upon a kid peeing in the stairwell in Hallasan Tower. I was so shocked that he was able to take off before I could even figure out what to say. I didn't recognize him, and my efforts to identify him have apparently failed. I know he's not unique, because a friend of mine saw a kid relieving himself on a slide at the Hallasan playground a few weeks ago. Lest you think I'm overreacting, this kid was at least eight, and likely ten; not a toddler or pre-schooler who couldn't make it to the bathroom, as was the one my friend saw. Because I am concerned about these kids (and because I don't care to live in a place where I have to wade through human waste to get to the playground or mailbox), I'd like to share an open letter to the parents of this kid and other kids who are like him, who are showing signs that they are seriously troubled. If you think you might know who the kid is and just don't want to say, please at least reach out to the family and offer your help.

Dear Parents,

I'm worried about your kid. I saw him peeing in the stairwell, and that tells me he likely has a serious emotional problem. Maybe things have been slowly getting worse at your house for a long time, and now they've been so bad for so long that this seems normal. Sure, kids of all ages do all kinds of ridiculous, thoughtless and messy things, but acting out in this way is NOT normal behavior. Click here to see some of the characteristics of troubled children. They include inappropriate aggression, and peeing in the common areas of our community definitely belongs in this category.

If some of the signs look familiar (aggression, age-inappropriate behavior, deteriorating performance/behavior, attention issues), please seek help for your family right away. While it can be difficult to get the help you need here, there are things you can do. Family Advocacy has resources that can help, or look for some online assistance at Military One Source, or other online communities such as MilitarySOS.com. Talk to his teacher to see how he acts in school; maybe a counselor or school nurse could provide some help. Try the chapel or a pastor at one of our local off-base churches. Google for information, or order some books, or ask a trusted friend or family member to assist you. Don't be afraid to break the silence; the stakes are high, and your kid is depending on you to help him. Nothing is more important.

I'm not just a community member disgusted and annoyed by pee outside my door; I'm someone who is worried about your child. He is crying out for help. Please listen.

Anna, guest blogger

Updated Osan Hacks

Here are some handy Osan Tips you might not know:

*You can shop online at Gmart Korea: they deliver!

*Check with the BX about ordering AAFES items and having them shipped to the BX. They will also send things here from the Yongsan PX. Give them a call if our BX doesn't have something you need.

*To get e-mail notification that you have a package, sign up at the package window.

*Mailing packages is faster if you use cash. The post office only has one line to run cards, so if someone else is using a card in another line, you'll have to wait.

*If you're having trouble getting items shipped APO, try www.shipitapo.com or www.apobox.com.

*Try Hide My IP Address if you're unable to access websites you want to see; Korean IP addresses are blocked from many sites you might be interested. There are multiple free options for this.

*Click here for a links to online South Korean newspapers and news sources in English.

*The commissary sometimes has reduced prices on perishables on Sunday night, because it's not open on Mondays.

*There are book swap shelves at the library, one for adults and one for children.

*There is an awesome sports facility on top of the commissary parking lot: a soft-surface track, four tennis courts and a basketball court.

*There is a laundromat by the Main Gate with big washers for comforters and etc. They also have bathrooms in there if you need to go before you head-off base.

*Two options for getting your car washed: The Auto Hobby Shop has a new automated car wash, and there are business owners on bicycles around base that will come to your vehicle and clean it up.

*The O'Club has an email list that they use to send out their activities and events. Stop by to sign up.

Got some more? Add them to the comments!

A Newcomers Report: What to Expect at Osan

OFF THE AIRPLANE

Korean overpasses and bridges: Not for the faint of heart. I thought the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was bad? That the Tobin was the stuff of nightmares? HA!!!

There are no shoulders on the overpasses and bridges here. If you are sitting on the right side of a vehicle, do not look out the window, because you're just looking DOWN. Straight plummet to your doom. I kid you not.

Korean Air: The 14.30 hour flight was pretty good, even for someone like me, who hates to fly. The flight attendants were warm, gracious, and NEVER terse (unlike American flight attendants). And the Bibimbap served as our first meal on the flight? Yummy.

Humidity: Those of us from the East Coast complain about humidity in the summer. It's our thing. Well, we don’t have anything on Korea! Humid does not even begin to describe it. I couldn't even tell that the AC was on in the airport and when I finally felt it (after changing into a tank top and sitting for a while), it was still so muggy, I could have bathed in the Korean air.

ON THE BASE

Moving In: Thursday was my first long contact with one of the civilians who works on base. He was very thorough in explaining everything to us, and also exemplified the strong Korean work ethic. These folks are VERY customer service oriented. He would give us an example of something that might go wrong and then say, "No problem" and tell us who to contact to fix it.

A Walking Base: When we first arrived, we needed to purchase bedding for our loaner beds and left the BX with a shopping cart (that included a sleeping child!). I felt so nervous walking the shopping cart home, but this is “a walking base”. People do it all the time.

Just remember, after you do your shopping, bring the cart back to the store. Please don’t leave it under the stairs. Nobody is sent to collect them – if you take a shopping cart, it is your responsibility to return it.

Ration Card: I had never heard of such a thing, so I was befuddled to hear the words “Ration Card” when I went to the Commissary in an attempt to shop. It turns out, you need to go to MPF with your spouse to obtain this little card. This is what entitles you to shop at AAFES facilities such as the Commissary, BX and Shopette.

I was given a temporary card, which was turned in to MPF when the “permanent” plastic card arrived.

NEO Packet: This is another thing that I did not know to expect. When you arrive at the base, you and your spouse need to visit the squadron’s Orderly Room to meet your NEO Warden and obtain a few things.

The first is a letter that you will take with you to the Spouse Orientation (more on that later) to get your very own gas mask.

The second is a NEO Packet. In order to fill out the information, you need to know the social security and passport numbers of the family members here with you, and they suggest including many records that you would not want to be caught without in the event of an evacuation.

While I have yet to experience one, there are NEO Exercises for the families. From what I understand, you go to these, bringing your gas mask and packet (and perhaps your NEO bag). The people there just process you through the line by verifying that you are prepared for an evacuation.

Spouse Orientation: I have not experienced this either (and, to be honest, have better things to do that day), but they have them at the end of each month. Unfortunately, if you want your gas mask (both for yourself and your children), you must attend this 8-hour briefing.

They tell you about things that might or might not be important – getting your child enrolled in school, base legal, and why the military is here on the peninsula, just to name a few of the topics.

You must register to attend by calling the Airman Family Readiness Center, and bring your NEO gas mask letter and NEO Packet.

So there you have it – the things I did not expect and wish I had known before I got here! Hopefully this entry will help prepare you for your first few weeks at Osan.

Wendy, guest blogger

Osan Parents Sound Off: Flying with liquids

Question: Hello, I'll be flying back to the States with my 2 month old baby (alone) and I was wondering if I'll be able to take breastmilk/baby formula through security? Also, I'm taking the baby carseat with me since we purchased a seat for baby girl on the plane but I'm still deciding if I should take my stroller with me? I plan to bring a baby carrier along but does anyone know if I would have to take her out of the baby carrier when I go through security at Incheon? We'll be flying with Delta and would like to hear your experience flying with an infant or any advice:) Thanks so much.

Answer 1: We moved here when my baby girl was also 2 months. We took her carseat and the stroller. You will be able to check the stroller right as you board the plane and they will keep it for you until you exit it. It was very handy to have the stroller because we didnt even take her out of the infant seat unless was for diaper changes or feedings.. Since the infant seat locked into the stroller it was easier to have her in it and just stroll instead of having to carry her and the infant seat.

They will allow you have the formula , I had 1 of those 12oz can of formula.I dont know about breast milk. Because I had one bottle of formula that was already made for her and they said I am only allowed 3oz of it . Even then they tested the formula for chemicals.

Answer 2: I brought formula on the plane with no problem. Baby formula/breastmilk as far as I know is fine. I had to take off the baby carrier to go through security. The baby carrier was nice because I had both hands free. My 4 month old did great on the plane. I do wish I had taken the car seat on the plane for him to sleep in.

Answer 3: I just traveled with two babes by myself to the states.

I brought 42 oz of formula with me and it was fine. I would advise bringing the 8 oz ready to feed cans of formula (you can then pour into an empty bottle) Since you can't bring water to mix powder with through security. You can always buy bottled water on the other side of security but it will be cold, and I don't know many babes who will drink ice cold formula.

Also, if you buy a big can of concentrate, you then have to worry about keeping it refrigerated after it's opened, and I'm not sure how to do that.

If you have a paid seat for the baby and the baby is in an infant travel system, I'd just bring the whole thing through security and do what Tally said. That way you basically just leave the baby in the carseat the whole time and just snap her in and out of the stroller at the gate.

If you're carrying her in arms then I'd recommend a sling or moby type carrier where she can stay all curled up. She'd probably sleep through the whole dang flight that way!

I carried my little one (who's a bit older) through security with a baby bjiorn and they didn't make me take him out, but that might have been just a fluke.

I had all of my snacks, formula, liquid baby medicine and toddler food in one carryon and when I arrived at the security checkpoint just told them, "Here are all of my liquids. It's for the babies" They took a look around in it and gave it back to me on the other side. It wasn't a big deal and they didn't measure any of the liquid or test it for anything.

Answer 4: We just did this on Saturday so here is what we did. I took both powder and caned formula, the commissary has Enfamil in packs of 4 8ozs can(I bought 6 packs) I also had the premeasured ready to mix with water also (but didn't use them) We had no problem with the formula at all they even let us thru the security check point with opened bottles of water no testing either. When we came to Osan I had ten bags of frozen breatmilk (6ozs each bag) and kept in in a cooler bag no problems with security. The flight crew would bring me hot water to thaw it out or I would go to the galley to thaw it there. Like everyone mentioned they checked the stroller at the gate and it was right there when we got off the plane waiting for us. The agants at the gate kept asking us to check the car seat because kids under two yrs didn't need a ticket and sit in your lap. We kept our seat and used it for the 9 month old with no problems. It worked well and he "watched the movie" with no sound and wa fine. Traveling with five kids was pretty easy with two adults this time. Going alone wasn't to bad either with four when we were going to Osan but Mommy need a stiff drink afterwards.

Answer 5: I flew over here with an 11 month old on Delta as well.. They were pretty lenient when it came to the formula. There are certain rules on the Delta airline website about formula but they didn't seem to care too much since I had my son with me and I guess they trusted it. I had two 3 compartment formula things from Wal-Mart and that was fine. When I checked in at the gate they told me they prefered for us not to take the car seat on the plane and it was actually a great idea. My son was older than your baby and could sit in the seat fine but when it came to napping it was nice to be able to lay him down in the seat without having to mess with the car seat. With one so young it might be different. We took our big stroller all the way through security and all the way to the door of the airplane where they took it and stored it for us. As soon as we got off the plane they had it waiting for us too. I had to take my son out of the stroller and carry him in my arms through the metal detector but again he was a little bigger. Well I hope that was a little helpful but they do have lots of information on the Delta website if you need more info.

Got Pinkeye?

The pinkeye is going around AGAIN. Or still. Whichever. At my house, it always seems to start up on Friday evening of a long weekend. Even if I can get the ointment or the drops when we need them, it would be more fun to poke my own eyes with a stick than to try to get them in my kids' eyes.

This last time, I tried some natural remedies and had good luck. There are many common things you can try: tea bags, apple cider vinegar, and breast milk just to name a few. The kids even had fun with it. It's not 'medicine', and it's not every day you can put tea bags on your eyes or whip up your own tonic in the kitchen. And, there are similar effective remedies for many other common ailments.

Here are a couple of links with pinkeye remedies, or try a web search for 'natural remedies conjunctivitis' or 'alternative treatment pink eye'.

Home Remedies For You

Natural Cures

Directions: Flower Market

If you've never been to a Flower Market, this is well worth the trip. It is unlike anything I've ever seen before. Cut and potted flowers and plants. Baskets and vases of all kinds. Very, very inexpensive. For a total of 5,000Won (about $5), I bought two huge bunches of cut flowers.


To get to the Flower Market:

• Take the "Big 1" north towards Seoul
• Take the exit for "Seoul Grand Park" and get over immediately into the far left lane
• Turn left at the first light
• The Flower Market is immediately on your left
• Take the first left to get in. You have to pay for parking. (About 2,000Won-about $2-for 1.5 hours)

Here's a link to some more detailed information: http://english.kbs.co.kr/life/path/1395704_14466.html

Osan Parents Sound Off: PCS Tips

Spring is in the air and that means PCS season is in full swing. The moving crates are piling high and the freight evelvators are packed with the comings and goings of nearly 90% of the Osan population.

This is also the time when lots of questions about PCSing up. There's not too many more things as overwhelming as moving half way around the world. Here are the answers to some of the more common questions:

1. Are grills allowed in base housing?

Yes! Don't forget to pack your grill, but if you have a "mega" grill, you may want to downsize. Balconies in base housing vary, but are approximately 10 feet in length and 4 feet in depth. While you are at it, be sure to bring a few ourside toys for your balcony like a sand and/or water table. They are expensive in Korea and in the summer it makes for good cool play!

2. What child care options are available at Osan?

There are many workable child care options at Osan. The trick is to figure out what you want. Some people hire an ajima ("housekeeper") at about $70 per day (9 am -5 pm) who can clean their home and do some basic child care. Some people take their kids to the base CDC, but the options there can be a bit limited if you are only seeking part-time care.

Other options include doing a child care swap with another mom, joining the child care co op, arranging for another private child care provider to come to your home, or paying a babysitter as needed. For children who are 3 and 4, there is a great preschool program called Part Day Enrichment. This is available on an enrollment basis and lasts for the entire school year (part or full-time is usually offered, but keep in mind things always change).

Osan is also trying to encourage in-home child care providers to become qualified to open a child care in their home. If you want to do this, you would make a very nice income. It is badly needed.

3. What should I bring that is hard to get in Korea?

While the BX does stock some child care items and kids clothes, you can do better to stock up before you come. If you have a baby product you can't live without, get a good supply. One thing that is really expensive here is Tylenol Infant Drops and there is no generic. It can also run low in stock during sick season. Also, child proofing items are virtually impossible to find here. Stock up before you come.

If you have prescriptions that can be tricky to get, set yourself up with Tricare Pharmacy Online and get your current PCM to write you a long-term prescription. Once you are set-up, you can fax or mail your prescriptions to Tricare and they will mail them to you APO. The turn around time is fairly quick, but requires a bit of planning.

Most places will ship most (but not all things) to your APO. Companies such as Amazon and Target are very popular here. (And Fat Brain Toys usually offers free shipping to APOs.)

If you have stroller-aged kids, make sure you bring an excellent stroller. There are many popular brands here so you can ask for specific advice on the OPN Yahoo Group.

Other items people like to bring or wish they did include:

• dehumidifiers (they tend to sell out fast)


• hiking-style baby carriers


• snow boots


• cold weather gear, esp. infant/small child sized gloves


• swim suits


• shoes for everyone


• rain gear (esp. raincoats)


• lamps (they are so expensive at the BX and the selection is not so good)


• microwaves (tend to sell out), high chairs, cribs, toys (again, the BX selection is poor, esp. for babies and girls),


• telephones (limited selection with noisy ringers!)


• computers and computer peripherals (limited selection)


• favorite toiletries (esp. salon brands)

• Air purifiers. The air quality here is not the greatest and the selection of air purifiers is very very limited.
  

4. What about bringing my pets? What is the process and what are the limitations?

Click here for a blog post about this question. Again, please remember to verify information before you come as it does change.

If you have more questions, be sure to join OPN's Yahoo Group to ask. There are lots of people to help you in anyway they can.

On base housing information

There are three housing towers at Osan: Hallasan, Jirisan and Seorksan (named after Korean mountains). All are less than three years old and are very similar. They come equipped with all the standard appliances, including washers and dryers.

Everyone gets a storage cage, but these are not very big (approximately 5x8, but may vary some). The decks vary some in size and configuration, but the one in the photo is approximately eleven feet wide and five feet deep.

Hallasan and Jirisan have three and four bedroom units that are 2000 sf plus. Seorksan has some two bedroom units.

The apartments have some climate control but the AC is regulated by the base and is turned on and off on certain dates.

The door handles are all the push down handle types (instead of knobs). They lock with a push down button and can be unlocked from the outside with a skewer or other skinny implement. Most, if not all, of the patio doors have kid-proof locks.

On base residents, please add your comments!

Photos from Hallasan Tower:

Off base housing information (Switzen and Life Apts)

Switzen Apartments, courtesy of Jessica:

We live in Switzen Apartments. It's about a 5-10 minute drive to base (about 45 minutes to walk, yes, I know this for a fact!), 5-10 minutes from Happy Quilt, backs up to some fantastic walking/biking trails and lots of great shopping (4&9 Market is very close!) within walking distance. There are 8 buildings in our complex each building has 15 floors (we live on the 5th) and about 60 apartments in each building. It's beautifully landscaped with two tennis/badmitten/korean volleyball courts, a gym, a daycare center, two parks (and more parks within walking distance and lots of parking both above and underground. It is gate controlled (most of the time) with pretty good security. Our apartment (according to Drew's very rough guestimate) is about 900 square feet, 3 bedroom (with a potential 4th), 2 bath. Two rooms have AC units and most of the plugs are 110V, and yes, we do have a dishwasher! Each of the apartments in our complex (and it's my understanding this is the way it is with all off base apartments) are individually owned; they are purchased in "blank canvas" form, so you can walk into may apartment and then into my neighbors apartment and it could (and most likely will) look totally different (flooring, appliances, doors, lighting, etc.).

And, click here for info and photos for Life Apartments, courtesy of Cammy.

Need to ship your pet?

I do not claim that this is perfect information; it I just what I have heard and
verified by talking to pet owners and the animal transport companies. Airports
& Airlines can and do change their policies at any time and often without
notice. Always check with your specific airline.

Inchon airport (and the airlines) have changed their prices and policies for
leaving Korea with a pet.


1. To be in the cabin with you (under the seat), the new weight is now 10
pounds maximum - that is, pet + carrier cannot exceed 10 pounds. I do not know
the price for this.



2. Animals up to 70 pounds may be checked in as excess baggage. (NOTE: Please
double check this with your specific airline; some carriers may have different
policies). However, to check a pet as baggage:
a. the price is extreme.
b. some airlines may have different weight limits. Again, please check
with your specific carrier.

One family at Osan is paying $1,100 to fly their two cats with them to the
States ($550 per pet). They are on Korea Airlines. Another Osan family was
also quoted by Korea Airlines $550 to fly their 14 pound dog to the States.

United is cheaper; the family with the two cats was quoted $380 each to fly on
United. However, United has apparently limited their number of flights out of
Korea. Transportation seems to be booking people mainly on Korean Airlines.



3. Large pets (approximately 60 pounds+) must be shipped via a private pet
transport company. I know of two:
a. Korea Animal Transport
b. Pet Airline company

Korea Animal Transport just quoted $1,620 to send a 100 pound dog to Texas. My
understanding is that the price starts at $1,000 minimum.

Pet Airline is cheaper. It has has quoted a teacher $1,827 to send 3 dogs.
However, they will only handle pets up to 66 pounds. If your pet is above 66
pounds you must go with Korea Animal Transport.

Contact info for these companies is at the end of this email. They well may be
other companies, but this is all I know of so far.



Important:
1. These are prices for going to the States; I do not know prices or policies
for travel directly to Europe.
2. I do not know if requirements for entering Korea have changed; I have not
heard they have.
3. Please always check with your individual airline; their policies may vary.
Airport and airlines can and do change their policies & fees at any time and
without notice.
4. Again, please pass this onto everyone possible. People need to plan ahead
to take their furry family members with them.



Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.


Monica Hoagland
Information Specialist
Osan American Elementary School
Osan Air Base, South Korea
DSN 784-6912



Contact info on the pet transport companies:

Korea Animal Transport c/o Chungwha Animal Hospital
Sohee Yoon, Manager
email : soheeyoon@gmail.com
Address : 21-1 Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul, South Korea
website : www.cwhospital.com
tel. : +82 2 792 7602


Pet Airline Company
gina@petairline.co.kr

Osan Hacks

Here are some handy Osan Tips you might not know:

*To get e-mail notification that you have a package, sign up at the package window.

*Mailing packages is faster if you use cash. The post office only has one line to run cards, so if someone else is using a card in another line, you'll have to wait.

*If you're having trouble getting items shipped APO, try www.shipitapo.com or www.apobox.com.

*The commissary sometimes has reduced prices on perishables on Sunday night, because it's not open on Mondays.

*There are book swap shelves at the library, one for adults and one for children.

*There is an awesome new sports facility on top of the commissary parking lot: a soft-surface track, four tennis courts and a basketball court.

*There is a laundromat by the Main Gate with big washers for comforters and etc. They also have bathrooms in there if you need to go before you head-off base.

*Two options for getting your car washed: The Auto Hobby Shop has a new automated car wash, and there are business owners on bicycles around base that will come to your vehicle and clean it up.

Got some more? Add them to the comments!

Get your kids to do what you want!

'I don't wanna brush my teeth!'

'YOU pick the toys up!'

'I'm bored!'

Are they driving you crazy? Here's an idea for a sneaky way to get them to do your bidding and LIKE it:

Get some index cards or other small pieces of paper; even an old deck of cards will work.

Write down the tasks you want done, one on each card. Make them fun (pick up all the blue toys, all the toys with wheels, all the hard toys, all the soft, toys, all the red toys, all the toys that make noise, etc.).

They'll love picking a card and doing what it says. Try a deck for whatever you have trouble with- the morning routine, getting ready for bed, or clean up time.

For a 'boredom' deck, think up some things you don't usually do that would be easy. Make lemonade, get out some scarves and play animals, blow bubbles in the bathroom, make a fort out of boxes. A physical activity deck could help them expend some energy: jump up and down ten times, run down the hall as fast as you can, spin around in circles, throw balls into a container.

The sky's the limit!

How to have a baby in Korea

When I learned I was pregnant AND we were going to Korea, I had more questions than anyone could even think about answering. I began asking people who hadn’t even had babies but that had been to Osan. I got such a hodge podge of information it took me until after I delivered the baby to get all of the answers.

So for anyone wondering, here’s how to have a baby in Korea:

When you come to Osan and receive a positive blood test, your name’s given to Ms. Chon, the RN who works for our OB Nurse Practitioner. Ms. Chon calls with a date for your OB orientation. It’s a 3 hour class of some paperwork and information on how your care will be handled here. You’ll have your first set of blood work done then and receive an appointment with Maj. Koehler our Nurse Practitioner. If you’re considered high risk you’ll be sent to USAG Yongsan (an army post) to the 121 Combat Support Hospital and receive the rest of your OB appointments there. If not, you will see the Nurse Practitioner here in Osan until somewhere between 32-36 weeks and then transfer your care to the 121 as well.

If you do need to travel to Yongsan for prenatal care, there is a shuttle bus that runs several times a day between Osan and Yongsan that is only 5,500 won per way. It goes straight from base to base. There, you can take a taxi to the actual hospital (which is located on south post). I suggest taking the bus considering all of the traffic here. It only takes 70 minutes by bus (because of special bus lanes) and can take several hours by car.

There are several doctors who work in the OB clinic as well as one midwife. You can try and schedule your appointments with the one of your choosing but there’s no guarantee they’ll be available. I found it nice that I had seen every doctor at least once before I delivered so that I would know the doctor delivering my baby.

Everything about the actual labor and delivery is just like in the States. There are even options for c-sections, natural delivery, and VBACs.

At 38 weeks you are expected to stay up at the “Stork’s Nest” and wait to go into labor. This is basically to cut down on the cost of the Osan ambulance trip up there (and also for safety). Because of the horrible traffic here, it could take hours (and it frequently does) to finally make it to Yongsan. The storks nest is a small house with several bedrooms (mine had 8) with a common kitchen and bathroom. It’s just across some baseball fields from the hospital. Your spouse and children can stay with you. (Ask for a family room if you can get one) The current buildings are pretty small and old, but they were in the process of finishing new ones when I was there. Let’s just say I said a few prayers for my water to break the first night so I wouldn’t have to stay there any longer. (Lucky me, they were answered!) If there is no room at the storks nest you can stay at the Dragon Hill Lodge, the Embassy Quarters or two different hotels off base.

Here are a few other bits of information.

- Yongsan will only deliver a baby at 36 weeks gestation or later. Otherwise you are sent away to a Korean Hospital to have your baby because there is not a military NICU on the peninsula.

- Double check the time and date of your appointments at Yongsan with the personnel there. Several women have had a problem with the scheduling.

- Okinawa, Japan (which is also located in PACAF) has a NICU, I don’t know the rules and procedures for possibly delivering there but know that it is a possible option and it’s not too far away.

- Children are technically not allowed in the OB clinic, they suggest you really try and leave your older kiddos at home, CDC, what have you.

- They will not give you an epidural just because you ask for one. You have to be “so far along” and in active labor.

- They do not give you dermaplast or those nice little “woman part ice packs”. A good friend gave me a great tip. Tear open the back inside of a newborn diaper, fill with ice and have a seat.

I learned a lot and asked a lot of questions, if you have more I (or someone I know) knows the answer so e-mail me at laurennaddy@sbcglobal.net . I wish I could have had someone lay it out for me. It would have calmed a lot of fears for me in the beginning. Although not quite as convenient as having a baby in the States, it was a great experience and I’d do it all over again.

Lauren, guest poster

Farewell, Osan: One Mom's Tour

As our time at Osan Air Base comes to a close, I've been doing a little reflecting. Being our first real assignment after tech school, I didn't really know what I was in for, not including the fact that it is in a different country. What I experienced when I first got here and what I experience daily now are worlds apart from each other. From living off base, to moving on base, then back off base, then finally back on base again, it has been quite a ride.

When I first got here, we didn't have any children yet. It was just the two of us, free to do (almost) whatever we wanted. I quickly noticed that what the majority of people here did was party. Seriously, every night. Now as many of you guessed, these were mostly the single people, with no family to go home to.... or married people, here unaccompanied, pretending they were single. It all seemed a little chaotic to me. Aaron and I would refer to this base as the base of alcoholics.

When we had Lucas, I entered this entirely new atmosphere. Full of mommies, babies, playgroups, breastfeeding, morning coffee with friends, support, community, and for the first time since coming here, friends. I met people I could connect with. People that were going through or had recently been through the same things I was going through. For the first time since Aaron joined the military, I had people I felt that I could really talk to. It was, and has been, fabulous!

I learned what it was to be a military spouse while here too. What it means to really support your spouse. My wonderful husband is serving our country. Though he can't tell me what he does, I know for the most part he really enjoys it, and is good at it. Granted, we have it a lot easier than some because he has a steady Mon-Fri 7:30-4:30 job, but the women here have shown me how important it is to support our husbands and keep our families happy, healthy, and in line, so that they can do their job and come home to an inviting atmosphere.

I love that this is a "walking" base. You walk pretty much everywhere here, or at least we do. The downfall is that there isn't a ton to do, so for entertainment we usually end up walking to the BX, seeing if there is anything we can't live without, and then walking home. Fun huh? This base is such a small community. It is nice walking anywhere and running into at least two people you know. I've lived in a couple small towns before, but I've never felt the sense of community that I have felt here. This might be due to the fact that we are in a different country with a different language, so we cling to our own. We are the minority here, so we depend on each other.

It has been fun and interesting experiencing the culture here in Korea. It has been fun getting to see the old fortresses, palaces, shrines, folk villages, etc. My husband knew quite a bit about this country before we came here, so he already knew the culture, but I quickly caught on. The driving is one of the scariest I have ever seen. I have seen people drive on sidewalks, not stop at stoplights (which is very common), and not pay any attention to crosswalks. Oh and you know how in the states where there is an intersection with yellow flashing lights signaling you to yield and the other side has red flashing lights signaling you to stop? Most times Korea just has yellow flashing lights on both sides, so it is a free-for-all. It gets pretty interesting, and we have experienced some SERIOUS road rage. I have learned that Koreans have a different view of personal space than we do, their men are very feminine and "close" to one another, and most that we have met are very prideful. Aaron has had conversations with Korean teachers both here and in the states that would argue with him for days that their language is completely original, when it was actually based off the Chinese language. Same goes for their architecture. Korea has also apparently built the largest church.... I would have guessed the largest church would be near the Vatican or something. The funniest thing I think I have heard since being here is that the Korean culture believes in this concept called "fan death". Aaron has read published articles on this topic. They say DO NOT sleep with your fan blowing on you (which you totally want in the summer because they don't have central a/c), because it will kill you. Yup, you will die of "fan death" if your fan blows on you while you are sleeping. Uh huh.....riiight. There is also this terrible smell here, which we call the Korea smell. Before coming to Korea we couldn't place what our dogs absolutely disgusting breath smelled like. Well we figured it out, it smells like a Korean alley, yuck.

All in all, it has been a good three year tour here in Korea. We are so terribly excited to go back to the states, and don't plan on coming back to Korea if we have a say in the matter, but it was good for us to experience this. Thank you to all the wonderful people that I have gotten to know while stationed here. Many of you have shaped me into a better woman, wife, and mother.

Osan Parents Sound-Off: Winter Destinations

Question: What is there to do around here when the Winter comes?

Answer:

• In the shopping mall where Lotte World is in Seoul, there's also a large indoor ice skating rink. Just DON'T GO THERE on weekends or Korean holidays. Weekdays / US holidays are best.
• There's a modest aquarium at COEX Mall.
• In late Dec / early January, there will be some artificial snow sliding areas in Seoul.
• There are indoor water parks such as Ocean World - Vivaldi Park (ski resort and indoor water park) in Hongcheon. The trick is to find a Korean friend who can get a discount rate at the hotel. They can be very pricey, even for modest accommodations.
• One of the best known ski resorts - now indoor water park too - is Phoenix Park. Korean winters tend to be rather drab and dry. Much of the snow falls in Gangwon-Do Province - to the east / northeast of Seoul. That's where most of the ski resorts are.

Answer: You could start with Lotte World (indoor/outdoor amusement park) and Tiger World (indoor waterpark/spa and snow hill).

Answer: E-Mart and Lotte Mart both have indoor play areas for the kids while you shop. The supervisor at E-Mart usually speaks enough English to understand what you need.

Answer: Everland has seasonally appropriate activities. The CoEx Aquarium is a decent place to spend the morning. Just get there early or there will be lots of people. It reminds me a little bit of a Korean Manalay Bay (Las Vegas) aquarium. It is definitely an interesting cultural experience. Not just fish!

Osan Parent Sound Off About Travel Distractions

Question: We are planning to hop to the states in October with Weston and Shane (3 and 1) and I am wanting to make some little travel activity packs with things for them to do on the way. Does anyone have any suggestions for travel-friendly things that will occupy them for as long as possible?

Osan Parents travel A LOT! Here are some of their tips for keeping the kids distracted and happy en route.

Answer: When Austin was younger the V-tech books kept him busy. They are hard plastic and have lots of things to push to make noise. Coloring worked good for him this last trip. Go for color wonders, Austin colored on the tray table with crayons last time. Of course the portable DVD player with fav movies is a must have. Books are nice too. They take up some time.

Answer: Model Magic Clay and Color Wonder markers with coloring book. Both from Crayola. Portable DVD player (they even have one with games that we got for Jack when he was 3. That one is by Colby.)

Answer: This is going to sound weird, but Charlie loved it. Buy a box of tissues and let them pull out every single tissue in the box. Also buy little cheap-o toys and wrap them individually. Then let them open and play with them one at a time. Using a tissue box (perhaps the one that they ripped all the tissue out of?!) throw in a few different textured items and without them looking in let them try to figure out what it is (yarn, rubber bouncy ball, safety pin, matchbox car, etc). I bought an aquadoodle that works great and you don't have to worry about them coloring on anything they shouldn't. The crayola color wonders do the same thing.

Answer: I packed the travel size magna doodle, they aslo have a mini version too. Crayola has this packet you can buy that has black paper but you use they special marker and what ever the kids draw show up in rainbow patterns or sparkly some are plain others have batman and the like. We also couldn't leave without the favorite stuffed animal, a small one though. I packed flash cards for all the kids, 9,7,3 and baby at the time. For the little ones we used a hole punch and put the cards on a ring.

Answer: I know this sounds hokey, but I took fruitloops and cheerios and a ball of yarn (small ball) and my kids made bracelets and necklaces and even gave them away to other kids on the plane. They had a great time and it was a great snack since they did not particularly like the menu on the flight! I got them making patterns and we did it for a long time. Also, you might want to take your own plug in headphones. My kids do not like the earbud style they gave us on the plane.

Answer: Be sure to ask for kid friendly meals on your flight. That made such a difference for us. Some of the meals were better than what was served for the adults.

Answer: Bring a mixture of things they're familiar with that they like (books, writing materials, etc) as well as some new "surprises." They get bored easily, and of course have short attention spans. They also can get anxious being stuck in such a confined space (like who doesn't). Let them roam around a bit when it's okay to do so, but stay with them the entire time. It may be appropo to bring a travel seat for the 1-year old, but don't bother with the 3-year old. Be sure to pay for them to have their own seats; it's worth the extra cost. A favorite small pillow may be useful. The 1-year old may have trouble with ear pain as a result of changes in cabin pressure during altitude changes, especially during descent / landing. So a pacifier may come in handy if still using one. Something appropo to chew on can alleviate the discomfort, at least to some extent. A lightweight foldable stroller is good to bring along; usually checked before boarding but brought to the jetway upon disembarking. The 3-year old might like to look out the window and see what's happening; can sometimes alleviate frustration.

Answer: Crayola Color Wonder has gotten us through many, many international flights. If your not familiar with them, they will only write on the color wonder paper/coloring books, so you don't have to worry about a huge mess! Our BX carries them too!

Thailand: An Asian Adventure

Thailand is a common trip for military families stationed in Korea. We took our trip in December during their high season and thoroughly enjoyed the weather, sites and relaxation Thailand had to offer.

Bangkok:

Many people skip over Bangkok and head straight for the beaches of Phuket. This would definitely be the most relaxing option as Bangkok with small children can be exhausting and terrifying when you’re flying down the wrong side of the road in a taxi that may or may not be legit.

Regardless of the intensity of a big city, we were so glad we didn’t miss out on all it had to offer. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and took advantage of its close proximity to eateries and shopping.

Scary longboat rides, beautiful palaces and Wats (temples) made our 3 days in Bangkok memorable. Just make sure you bring pants or a long skirt and something to cover your arms when entering temples (some places will rent shawls so you can go in, but don’t rely on that).

Sites we visited:

Grand Palace

• 2 Hours
• Whenever I go to Bangkok I always go to the Grand Palace. OK you have to wear long trousers in the tropical heat but the sights make it worthwhile. By the way, you can't wear jeans, three quarter lengths, track suits plus a couple of other things (don't worry, you can hire clothes if you turn up in jeans etc). If you're prepared to abide by the rules (you have to remove shoes/hats before entering temples etc) you're in for a great time, as my photos testify. After you've been to the Grand Palace you can visit nearby Wat Pho with the Reclining Buddha
• Bring an umbrella for shade, and water of course.
  

Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)

• Reclining Buddha is near Grand palace (behind it)
• 50 Bhat admission (Kind of a walk from the Grand Palace, because I couldn’t figure out a way to get there more easily, but not bad)

Standing Buddha

• Cool if you have time, but not necessary

Golden Mount

• Great view of city, but lots and lots (and lots) of stairs so if you’re tired, don’t bother!

Lumphini Park

• Nice for a break from tourist-y stuff. Very pretty, but warm so bring water and sunblock. Just a pretty park with playground
  

City Tips:

• If you spend time in Bangkok and have little ones I recommend you use a backpack type carrier as it is not a stroller friendly city
• Find a nearby store to stock up on water as the tap water is not potable (even for brushing teeth) “Big C” is like a Walmart and has pretty much anything you’d need
• Never trust someone who tries to tell you that a site is closed. There are a lot of people who will try to lure you away from popular points of interest by telling you that something is closed or being renovated
• Make sure the taxi drivers turn on the money meter or at least determine the cost upfront.
• Take advantage of the concierge in the hotel. They have fabulous information and are friendly and can give you great tips
• Always carry a card with your hotel name on it so you can show it to the taxi driver
• Tuk-tuks – 3-wheeled open air taxis. Fares must be bargained in advance. Beware some try to take you to extra stops along the way and scam you
• Most hotels don’t have microwaves

Phuket:

Phuket was fabulous and after the stress of Bangkok we wanted nothing more than to lay on the beach and dig sand forts (well, my husband dug, I sat). Laguna Beach Resort was isolated and beautiful and had supreme service while our last 3 nights were spent at the Katathani where we once again were impressed by the accommodations and stellar care of the staff. We didn’t do much other than the beach and pools while we were in Phuket, but you can sign up for Elephant rides and scuba diving and other adventures if you’re up for it.

If you want to see pictures of our trip, visit http://www.whereiskermit.com/ and go to the December 14, 2007 blog posts of Phuket and Bangkok. Sawatdee Ka/Krub

Anna Jane, Guest Blogger

Looking for a Church? Consider Mission Baptist

Mission Baptist Church is an easy-going contemporary church just off base. They utilize drums, guitars, and piano during their praise and worship time, but also enjoy singing traditional hymns, too.

Pastor Mike Ivey and his wife, Jill, have been in Korea for 20 years (now, that's a calling!) and lead the church in solid Bible teachings.

MBC (http://www.missionbaptist.com/) has an active youth group, a children's choir, Bible studies, Sunday school classes for preschool through adults (with a great nursery) and many opportunities to get involved.

They also have a parking lot with 3 hours of free parking near the church.

Walking directions:

• Walk out the main gate and straight down the pedestrian mall.
• Walk until you reach actual pavement (you will have been walking on the cobblestone ped mall sidewalk).
• Turn RIGHT.
• You will see Mission Baptist Church (in gold letters) facing you at the end of that street.

Linda, Guest Blogger