I'm in Seoul but I'm Not a Soldier

Friends and family! Hello! I thought I would post some details of our adventure this summer.

As many of you know, business students go on internships between years 1 and 2. Paul was able to score a great job at Samsung for the next 2 months at headquarters here in Seoul, South Korea.

SO we are temporary expats living life here in a brand new city! With our 7 month old baby. 😳😁From what I understand, there are quite a few expats over here, many with the military (hence the title). Our church even has an English-speaking congregation we will be able to join this summer.

Neither of us speak Korean but we are trying to learn the letters/syllables so we aren't completely helpless. I had a kind friend in Philly go over the basics before we left. The language already makes so much sense to me- Who came up with English anyways?

We drove up to New York and flew out of JFK. We were on Asiana Airlines and let me tell you... I was impressed! And they aren't even paying me to say that (it would be a terrible advertising decision for them ha ha). They have a "Happy Mom" service that provides bassinets and allows you to cut the line at ticketing and immigration. Although the more I think about it the more I'm convinced it's also "Happy Everyone" service.. Who wants to be stuck in line with a crying baby??

The flight over was about 14 hours. Our baby is really good at staying awake, and managed to do so for 10 of the 14 hours! But... He was actually pretty happy most of the time so no complaints. He got lots of attention from adoring Korean women. The impression I've had so far is that most people here really like babies and are good with them too! Several women have already asked to hold him -- our waitress even held him the entire time we ate lunch at a nearby restaurant. This is so different than America.

And speaking of the food... Everything has been delicious so far. Granted I've stayed away from anything too fishy or spicy. I love the flavors- and who can complain about meat, rice, and veggies?? I'll have to get more adventurous soon.

The jet lag hasn't been too bad for me (one of the few advantages of being up several times a night with a baby- it's all the same anyways and you're used to unpredictable sleep patterns). Paul has felt it a little more, and Parker's schedule is a little wacky too. But we are figuring it out.

The city itself is beautiful! Lots of tall buildings, the vegetation is very green, and the humidity kind of reminds me of home. It is pretty hot though.

So far we have mostly stayed in the Gangham area (yes, as in "opum Gangham style") but we hope to explore more soon!

about to jet past all the "Non-Happy-Mom" passengers

ready to board the plane!

Parker looking at his friends on the plane

the bus ride from the airport into Seoul

Finally in Seoul after 23 hours

local convenience store

diapers are universal

delicious! bulgogi and spicy pork

he loves his little play mat they provided

Gangham, our neighborhood

first subway ride- looved the subway

Bongeunsa Temple

Folded-down Ergo... always in style

Aquarium display at Coex Mall

my little grocery helper

Welcome, Baby Boy!

So much has happened since last March, when I last updated! We left Issaquah and the greater Seattle area to head to Philadelphia, on the opposite coast. Between the moves, we had a busy summer too. Paul was all over Japan for the Wharton-Lauder Summer Immersion program. And I was pregnant and able to visit family in Utah and Kansas for a few weeks.

We love life here in Philadelphia. Paul's had a great experience at Wharton (University of Pennsylvania's MBA progam) so far. This past fall I was able to do some teaching- a joy school for a few cute toddlers and subbing at a local Montessori school.

However, the biggest change came in November when our sweet boy joined our family! He is already 2 months old, so it's time I recorded his birth story! Quickly...while he is still napping...hurry hurry!

Our baby boy was due to arrive on Monday November 16th, but I had heard that first babies often arrive late. I was still somehow sleeping pretty well and not TOO terribly uncomfortable so I just wanted him to take his time. It would be so much harder to take care of him after he came out and I was a little nervous!
My doctor, dad, and others guessed he would come mid-week, likely Thursday. I had no idea. My mom was already in town, and my dad was set to arrive Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night we all went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner (Paul and my parents).

the last restaurant I will ever go to/ last meal I will eat sitting down in peace ;)

whoa baby! so prego!

We ordered their Spicy Chipotle Chicken Pasta in case that would help the babe come on out. Well..it worked! We were all up late talking and prepping for the logistics of the big arrival and finally got ready for bed sometime around 1 am. I was still wide awake when I felt the first contraction around 1:41 am. It just felt like a cramp so I was hesitant...but when the pain kept coming every 15 minutes or so I became more confident that this was early labor.

I was way too excited and distracted to sleep, so Paul and I just timed the contractions and finally woke my parents up around 5 am. At that point I had a muffin but had no appetite for anything else. In hindsight that was a horrible decision because 21 hours of labor with only liquids and a bran muffin was insane. But I digress.

I remember from 8-9 am taking 7 minute naps between contractions (which is funny looking back). Right around lunchtime the contractions were 5 minutes apart so we headed to the hospital. I was so worried my water would break while we were in the Uber! (kind of like a taxi). We often walked to the hospital for classes and such (25 min walk) but while in labor chose against that option. Luckily our uber driver was so chill and explained he had 5 kids of his own and this was no big deal. Ha ha.

When we arrived at the hospital they hooked me up to a few monitors where Paul and I waited to see if I was in "enough labor" to stick around. It was a shared room and our suitemate had on Jerry Springer on full volume..so thank goodness I was having regular contractions and already dilated to a 4! See ya later Jerry, I am admitted for real!

Here is the private room where I labored/delivered with my fabulous support team: Paul & Mom & Dad! I also had an amazing nurse that I loved with a Romanian accent. I can't remember her name. She was adorable.

I can tell these pictures were taken post-epidural because I am calm and not super annoyed with life!

I was at the hospital from lunchtime-late afternoon laboring and progressing naturally and finally the kind older Italian gentleman brings the blessed epidural. XOXO I think I was around 6 cm dilated at this point but that could also be totally made up.. I was really sleep deprived (and still am to be completely honest.) Once I got the epidural I actually napped for a few hours! It was amazing.

Side note: I delivered at Pennsylvania Hospital. It's gorgeous, and is the very first hospital in America.


Around 9 pm they decided to give some Pitocin to augment, or get this show on the road. I wasn't crazy about the idea but I trusted the hospital staff. Here I am dilated to 9 cm, so CLOSE!

At 10:20 pm I got the OK to start pushing. I couldn't feel much and was SO weak from only eating that one silly muffin in the past 24 hours. Also I had really mixed up expectations about what it meant to "push." Movies show like...3 significant pushes and a baby pops out. Apparently the average length of time for a first mom is 3 HOURS of pushing. How did I not know this?? So....I wasn't in pain but just had zero energy and felt nauseous the whole time! Towards the end, a new nurse started her shift and kicked my butt in gear with smiling threats of C-Section. I got the message and at 11:51 pm our sweet baby boy was born!!

It was so surreal! And then I vomited all of the ginger ale and Paul grabbed a bucket just in time (thanks hubs). When I heard his first cries I was so relieved. It sounded like heaven because it meant he was here and healthy!

I have never seen anything like the way Parker looked at his dad for the first time: wide-eyed and awestruck. It melted my heart and made me so grateful for Paul.

 And just like that, we became a family of three!

We have received so much love and support from all of our family and friends and feel so grateful. There were baby showers, a gift card shower, phone calls, text messages, meals, and baby clothes and so much more. We couldn't have gotten through this crazy, exhausting, amazing transition to parenthood without all of the love and service. THANK YOU THANK YOU! 

The City of Brotherly Love

It's been FOREVER since I've posted anything and that is such a shame...because life has been so good and I probably should have documented that better!

But I've decided to write now because there's a huge change happening for the Moss family this spring! We are MOVING! Most of you know this already, but may not know the details of when and why. So here we go! :)

Last fall Paul worked his tail off applying for MBA programs. This has been a goal that he's had for a pretty long time. And after all of the months years! of preparing and planning, we finally finished the process and heard back from schools!

We are thrilled to share that he's been accepted into Wharton, the MBA program at Penn (aka The University of Pennsylvania)...in case you are like me and unfamiliar with all of this jargon.

In other words, we are moving across the US of A to live in Philadelphia!!!! Wharton is world-renowned, and as his wife I can brag for him. This is a top top program and I'm so proud of him. He's a genius.

I'm proud to say he was accepted at Tuck (Dartmouth) as well! I have a soft spot in my heart for New England so this was hard to turn down. But then we looked at the average temperatures and felt OK. As a side note, Hanover has the most delicious blueberry pancakes I've ever tasted. Everyone go eat them now.

Long story short we feel great about this new change and couldn't be happier. Philadelphia is a city with lots of charm and with so much history. American history! And they have cheese steaks. So if you know me at all you can tell we will be just fine there.

Oh and there is currently a temple under construction that will be completed while we are there! (It's a 2 year program). I'm so excited about that. (go here to learn more about temples)



Philly will for sure be a change from our Seattle suburb...but we are ready to take on the new challenge.

(it will be a much colder challenge though, brrrr!)

Oh and in case you don't think both of our job changes and moving LITERALLY from sea to shining sea is complicated enough, hold onto your seat... because this is a dual degree program and Paul will be in Tokyo all summer! It's pretty amazing. And crazy. So wish us luck as we depart on our new adventure soon! And call me if you are in Utah or Kansas this summer cause I'd love to catch up.

We are already getting sad about leaving our lovely town of Issaquah, which has truly become our home. We've met so many incredible people through our community, church, and jobs. We will miss it dearly! I recommend Seattle to everyone. OH and hurry and come visit before this summer! Haha!

I would love to hear from all of you about how YOU guys are doing and what's new in your lives! Technology is such a blessing!

2 Yr Seanniversary

This week marks 2 years of living in the Seattle area! I'm feeling sentimental about that, so why not pay tribute to this beautiful area where we live??

Let me be clear... this was not "love at first sight". My relationship with the area kind of started out as a friendship... but oh my goodness. You have stolen my heart! I'm not sure when it happened... probably not in June (aka still freezing cold and rainy June-uary) but perhaps more like August. Long story short, I adore living here. The rainfall is less than I pictured, the sunshine occurs more frequently...and it really is so green. And everything is so fresh! The air, the food, etc. People always ask me if it gets depressing and honestly, for me, it doesn't.

Growing up I never pictured myself in the Pacific Northwest... but it has been great for me in so many ways. I care more about the environment-- because the earth here is insanely gorgeous. (Have you been here? You should visit us.) I care more about what foods I'm putting into my body, and whether or not I am exercising to take care of said body. (Well, I am trying...it's a work in progress :) ). I have a greater appreciation for different cultures and religious backgrounds. Basically I think I have been changed for the better (Wicked anyone?), if not in the tiniest of ways. No city is perfect, but Issaquah has been a great match for us.

So Seattle, (more specifically charming Issaquah), here's to you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy more pictures of my town than you ever cared to see.

Disclaimer: Don't worry. I haven't lost my roots. I still LOVE steak and all things BBQ.

Pike Place Gum Wall

snowshoeing expeditions

Snoqualmie Falls

Mercer Slough

my favorite- picking raspberries!

Alki Beach

Mercer Island

Poo Poo Point (not kidding)

Space Needle

Bainbridge Island

Seattle LDS Temple

But really, I could probably move to the middle-of-nowhere Antarctica with this boy and still be the happiest.