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Tag Archives: South Korea The entire month of March, to say the least, was a journey. As much as I hate to use that word (most likely thanks to its glaring overuse on ABC’s the Bachelor) – it has been. In the beginning of the month I headed to South Korea to visit my soldier, who is in the…
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 This month’s Army Wife Network Post with the Most is Camp Humphreys, South Korea. For most who receive orders assigning them to Korea, this can seem like an overwhelming and scary move. Really, any overseas move can be daunting. Well we are here to calm those fears and give you all the information you need… Great job! Kind of makes me want to go back. We did bring our brand new car, though, and lived in the heart of Seoul, and it didn’t get ruined. It’s not bad advice to get a junker, however- you will likely get some dings and scratches. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you get used to the insanity that is Korean traffic. Love Korea! We are here now and there is so much to do. The DOD schools are great. It’s very safe and a wonderful place for families.  Living in South Korea has its challenges. (Calling them “challenges” shows a lot of restraint on my part and a testament to my will power.) The last 15 months have been a learning experience unlike any other; however, I am thankful my family is together — regardless of the growing pains encountered due to living… Is there some way this could be sent to 8th Army? Stars and Stripes? This should be in the hands of every ACS person who handles PCS briefs. I have never been to Korea and we aren’t going there, however I really enjoyed this blog. I don’t really understand the back and forth about whether or not it’s a great place or not so great place. Everyone has their own experiences. I think that is what the writer was trying to convey. It was a beautifully written article. If someone didn’t have those same experiences that is ok, not everyone sees things the same way. I just don’t understand the “untrue” comment and why the writer should write about negative experiences she didn’t have. Wouldn’t that be more of an “untruth”? We were at Casey and found this all to be the same as what we experienced. Emily, this is refreshing! We could use more articles like this aobut Korea. SO happy to hear someone who shares the same views. I live on Yongsan in Seoul in 60 year old govt housing… I came to support my husband so that we wouldn’t have to do another year+ apart and miss out on our time with our son. That IS the reason we are in Korea, to support our husbands, right? Well, I could get caught up in the facebook gripe of the day: its too hot, its too cold, too wet, too dry, too rainy, too smelly … blah blah blah. No, instead I decide to make the best of this unique opportunity and get out of my house and meet new people, explore new restaurants and see new things. I couldn’t be happier to share this unique culture with my son and husband. Heck, maybe when my husband finally retires I can sit down and write that book about all things wonderful in the military life. Hmmm, thinking that this assignment has given me plenty of writing material. Thanks so much for keeping it REAL and writing your wonderful articles! I LOVE that you used the dog restaurant! I am pretty sure my time in Korea would not be near as fun without you hear We were at Casey for 2 years and find this to be true even for us…if we ever got to travel south with curfew and pass restrictions which was our major bummer and holdback. Many of the smaller towns near Casey mirrored Seoul on a smaller level, our apartments were very similar, dog meat is hard to find with it now being frowned upon by newer generations and now considered a ‘delicacy’, our danger levels were not increased (if something were to happen, I would rather not be in Seoul-the main target-). This should be apart of coming to Korea packet! Love this!!! I lived in Korea for years, met my American hubby there actually ( I am English) I think its an awesome country and would love to go again!!! I am currently a resident of Yongsan and this is out second time in Korea, with our first being in Daegu. While here we have had a not so great place to live, a great place, and now a quirky place that resides somewhere in the middle. Some peeps love Korea, some tolerate it, some hate it. Base housing is always a roll of the dice. Base location as well. It’s based on personal preference and is truly about what we make it. I must say I disagree that those coming should hear both sides. Any military spouse can think of lots of negativity on their own. But hearing positivity helps get over the fear of it all and helps to embrace the adventure of it! And what a great hubby and daddy he is! Met my husband in Korea as well, in 1995. Hello Kitty Cafe is cute, reminds me of shopping in Kunsan. Very well done! I am coming in 2 days! This post couldn’t have had better timing! I loved your article! Thanks so much for sharing, I cant wait to get there with my husband Just came back from Korea and didn’t find your article entirely truthful. It may have been your experience but not the experience of most there. I’m on my way back to Korea in two days… for two months. I can’t wait. The only thing I’d change? The public transportation doesn’t just rival that of NYC, D.C. and Chicago (my own hometown)… it far surpasses it, and it is far cheaper and far, far safer. Oh, and Korean baseball is about the most fun you can imagine having that doesn’t end up with someone spending a night in jail Lunch soon, Emily? Hope you have a safe trip! I literally just closed out that article too. Shannon did you leave Casey while you were here? I’m at CRC and go up to Casey a lot but I also go around Seoul all the time as well. If I had never left Casey I probably would have a negative outlook as well Corrie can I hang out with you guys too? I totally love everything you post on AWN Let me see… um…. heck yeah! Shannon, please understand that this is 100% truthful, and I included pictures to support my text. I also made sure to include, “This isn’t representative of all living in Korea, as I live in a recently-constructed apartment building, but from what I gather from people living in other areas (off post), their apartments aren’t too shabby,” because I do realize everyone’s living situation, and situations in general, are different. I can’t say what most people’s experiences are, because I don’t know most people, but I am sharing mine and my friend’s experiences. Yes! Lunch! Count me in! Erika you will love it here REALLY GOOD article. THANK YOU for sharing this I can’t believe it’s already been a year. lol, I know right!? It really doesn’t seem that long but it’s just about here. Aug 26th! @[50100712:2048:Erica Currid Murph] YEAH!!!!!!! WE MISS YOU!!! Look how lucky I am! Any of you AWN fans out there that are nervous about going to Korea, check out the cool network of awesome chicks that are there waiting to greet me with open arms (and hopefully coffee… I will be uber-jetlagged). Dude, wonder where the hellow kitty cafe was at. I’d go just to take a picture, even though I’m not a fan. Still cool! hello* The apartments off post aren’t shabby. But many military families live in housing on post like I did and it is shabby. I stated that what you said may have been YOUR experience and that’s wonderful but it isn’t the experience for everyone. Not everyone comes from New York City and likes huge metropolitan areas that smell of sewer and kimchi. I was one of those people. I found Korea hard to get around in and the traffic was some of the worst I’ve ever seen. I’m glad that you had a good experience but we were told of everyones glowing experiences before we went and then when you get the reality sits in and most people are all to happy to get out of there. Every location we are stationed is what we make it. No matter what, no matter where. Shawna Lane Garrett I lived on USAG Yongsan in Seoul. My husband was and still is stationed at Camp Casey. You made a snotty remark about me and my experiences and you don’t know anything about me or my experiences. I simply stated that while the author may have had a wonderful experience, most family members I encountered in Area I and Area II were just trying to get through their time and get out of there. It’s not an easy environment to live in and I think the Army most definitely misrepresents it as the “station of choice”. I believe there needs to be room on this forum for two sides of a story. While some may like Korea, I didn’t. I love Fort Sill and I loved living in Washington D.C. But others may not. That’s what makes all of our experiences different. And FYI, my husband has been in the army for 20 years and I know how to get out and explore new duty stations. I just didn’t find Korea to be for me. I agree Tara. But some people like some places and others like other places. It’s just a matter of a person’s likes and dislikes. Thank you for writing the truth on what it is like here Shannon, I am not arguing about that. I don’t particularly like where I live now and I know some that love it. What I took issue with was you saying what Emily said was “untrue”. It was true. It was her experience. I appreciate her positive outlook and how she tried to make it the best she could. I won’t deny others might have opposite experiences but I don’t see what the point was in raining on her parade or calling it untruthful? That really wasn’t necessary. It would have been more effective to say – “I am glad you had a positive experience. I had other issues with Korea and had a different experience and I wish that weren’t the case but here was mine…” With that said, no matter what I like or dislike here I AM responsible for my attitude and how I adjust. I make it a point to celebrate the GOOD things (things I can find I like) vs. the things I dislike. Granted, it’s a lot more work to find the wonderful in a place I “dislike” but there is a bit of celebration no matter where you are – if you look for it. Bottom line is you find what you “look” for. Your splitting hairs. I said I found her article to be untruthful but that my experience was different. I then stated in a reply that I’m thrilled she had a good experience but mine was not. When articles are written whether praising or condemned a duty station or subject there is always room for debate. Her article was her truth as she saw it. But cant and isn’t the “truth about Korea”. That is all Im saying. But I see now that this is a site that isn’t up for various points of view and I won’t be posting on her again because you only want people who agree with everything that is posted here. I’ll encourage others to look elsewhere for their military information if they want accuracy about a duty station. I had heard good things about this site but I see now, they aren’t true. It’s sad. You’re entitled to an opinion. No one has any issues with you sharing it. However, neither one of you can speak for anyone other than yourselves.That’s all Emily did – shared her experience. Just as you did. Both were truthful and from your own perspectives. I’m confused – why do you now have a negative opinion of Army Wife Network now? Because of a response? Because she shared her opinion too? I’m not here to argue with you. I just think you were being very hurtful to the blogger who stepped up to share her experience by saying she was “untruthful”. That’s all. I do hope you find a place that you can flourish and find celebration. just went to the site and read the “whole conversation”…wow…I loved it and couldnt agree more with Emily and Tara…a duty station is what you make it….ive had tough times here also but then again, who hasnt!… I have to go to Ft. Riley in three weeks… smack in the middle of the U.S., tornado’s all the time and the nearest real city is two hours away…and it is FLAT EVERYWHERE…. but that doesnt mean I wont enjoy the beauty of the near by prairies or all of the local farms!… just think… spooky hay rides for halloween, fresh produce spring, summer and fall, homemade jams, jellies and apple and pumpkin butter…plus picking out your pumpkin fresh off the farm!…Im a big city girl myself coming from the Tacoma/Seattle area but I think amidst all of the flat,nothingness… I will find beauty and fun even in Kansas!!!! THANK YOU! We are PCSing to Korea the end of this year and I have done my research and made friends with some spouses that are already there. I had some misconceptions at first too and I am now EXCITED for the opportunity to live in a different country and that my children, husband and myself get to experience a new culture! This is an AWESOME post! enjoy the food. You guys going to Seoul? There is a lot there now that will remind you of home, even Starbucks. but keep in mind, they drive like crazy people there. Don’t expect everyone to follow the rules. Already been warned about the driving..lol! We aren’t going to Seoul…we will be lower down in the country. The Hello Kitty Cafe is near Hongik University in Seoul! (The Hongdae area.) I want to come visit!!!!! You can come visit ANY TIME you would like Tiff! You are ALWAYS welcome at our house!!! <3 you Sweetheart! I can’t wait to get there myself! I leave on the 31st! I will post pictures for you, even though I will be further south than you. You know there is happy squirrel dancing going on all over this pen! Where do I find this Hello Kitty Cafe at? My girls will love that It is in Hongdae, I believe. You take the 2 line or the AIREX to Hongik University. If you Google it, you’ll find better directions than what I can give you! Great Thanks!! Hopefully I can find driving directions as we aren’t in Seoul Loved the blog…AND the discussion. Reality is we all have different experiences about every assignment. I remember being shocked to hear spouses complaining about Hawaii and Germany …and others raving about Ft. Irwin and 29 Palms. After many years of moves with the military I think so much comes down to, 1. our approach to a new assignment…”hey, what’s different and interesting and possibly great about this place”, 2. reaching out and making friends (I’m totally convinced that people have the biggest impact on our experience of any place), 3. tapping into the resources that help us explore a new place (and the military…and spouses, AWN for one, provide us with many if we tap into them)…some of my life highlights have come from MWR programs…hut to hut hiking in Austria for one, kayaking at Ft. Lewis…and one of my other life highlights came from another mil spouse talking me into walking up to the Seoul Tower EARLY one morning in Korea, even tho jet lagged! Love it! I also want to add that not everything here is cheaper than in the states and in fact a lot of it is more expensive! I’m already sick of people back home saying “well everything is cheaper there” when in fact the cost of living here is much higher than where I am from. Grats! Interesting!! I really liked reading this !! It’s so fantastic how so much information is out there if you know where to find it !! Anything about PCSing to Germany? are you moving to germany? im stationed at ramstein Really?? My fiance is stationed in Schweinfurt. Ilike!!!! muy hermoso me gustaria algun dia ir a conoser ese bello pais. solo visitar no quedarme. The only thing I’m going to say is regardless of the curfew they have there for the soldiers, you better go with your husband! Not only did i find out on my own, but ive had several others tell me theres “just something about korea” that makes the guys (our soldiers) a little too friendly. Ive been told by my husband and others that almost all the bars have at least 1 prostitute in them, and they will come and sit on your lap and try to get you to buy them expensive drinks and such. The festivals they had seemed interesting (the lantern festival, the mud festival), but i dont think my husband and i could handle keeping our marriage together if he went there again (without our son and i).  When writing a blog, the readers want a few things. The blogger to be funny, relatable, or crazy enough that everyone says “Thank goodness that’s not me” I won’t tell you which one I am; that way you can have fun guessing and judging. My name is Shawna Dee Garrett. I am a 33… Well done, wife. I expected nothing less. Watermelon. welcome Shawna! We have heard so much about ya already! AH! hahah I didn’t know it was up. I’m glad you liked it <3 Thank you sooo soo much! WHOOO HOOO I loved it Awesome! Great first blog Shawna! That was beautiful, my friend! I look forward to more. Thank you guys for the sweet words Thanks Shawna! I’m super excited to see what your next blog has and reading this makes me want to find out more about AWN. Oh, and I’m slightly jealous (ok, REALLY jealous), that you get to have Emily as a battle buddy! Oh, Kristine, I love you! You are the original battle buddy! |
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I love everything you wrote and the pictures are so awesome <3 <3.
