Yesterday I returned from spending a week in Seoul.   It was my first time visiting an Asian Country. I will say it was an experience … an experience I will never forget.

Why Seoul?

My husband is an IT professional and works with different companies to review computer hardware. He was attending the Global SSD Summit hosted by Samsung. He has been attending the summit for the past several years but this time had the opportunity to bring me long and for us to spend an extra couple days in Korea after the summit.

Things that surprised me about Seoul…

Steps and hills. Lots and lots of them. This should not have surprised me since the city was built on and around hills and mountains. However, there was more than I was expecting. The hills were very steeps and the steps were narrow and many were uneven, which made walking a little challenging at times. I often found myself watching my footing carefully.

Steps and walking path in the park at Namsan Mountain 

The Korean people are very friendly. Many of them do not speak English but understand it; they were very welcoming and are willing to help you out. When we were trying to find a shopping area, one of my husband’s colleagues stopped and asked an older lady, if we were in the right area; she had us follower her to shopping district and then taken us to the English information counter; however in all honesty it ended up being a different shopping area that what we were looking for, but none the less it was so nice for her to help us.

This us following the nice lady who helped us find shopping. 

The subway is extremely clean and easy to navigate. I think this is first subway system (worldwide) I have used that is clean, doesn’t have an odor and is not overtaken by vagrants. I felt completely safe using it and had no trouble navigating it.

Above: the Seoul subway map

Below: inside a typical subway car

There are gas mask in various locations through out the city. There was a set in our hotel room. In the subway there are stations throughout which contained gas mask. This was something I was just not expecting.

 Cabinet of gas mask and other emergency supplies in the subway tunnel

Humidity.  Humid is the best way to descried the weather in Seoul. I checked the weather before we left and temperatures were listed as similar to those in our area. However what I didn’t pay attention was the percent of humidity. The one that saved me was that I brought my vapor water bottle, meaning I had to water with me everywhere I went.

The new and the old … together.  Historic sites in Seoul date back to the 14^th century. Yet Seoul also boast wonderful examples of modern architecture. It is not uncommon to see a structure from the 14^th century next to one from 21^st century.   At first I found this kind of oxymoronic but as thought about it made complete sense and made the city even more interesting to explore.

A modern skyscrapers next to a original Korean building

The population density for area. When I left for Seoul I knew that it was a highly populated area but I don’t expect for everything to be on top of each other, in terms of buildings. Most people live in high rise housing and houses that free standing have no yards. Even when we went out to the more suburban areas, it was the same way. The subway system was 3 to 5 floors deep and free space in the subway tunnels doubled as shopping space.   Crowds were everywhere but they very controlled; people were use to waiting and were courteous to others.

Streets in the Inso-dong shopping district filled with people on Saturday afternoon

There are “American-ism” throughout the city. Walking through the streets you see influences of the American culture throughout.   I don’t mean by restaurants such as McDonalds, Starbucks, Burger King and Pizza Hut but I mean by the names of restaurants, bars, clubs, stores and by how the people dress. The Korean people embrace American sports such MLB and NBA. People wear sports jerseys and hats freely. I even passed one building with a basketball on its roof. Restaurants and entertainment spots borrow “American” terms freely.   While we were in Itaewon, we passed a bar/music lounge called “Soul Train” (referencing Soul Train, the 1970s variety TV show).

Entrance to Soul Train 

Seoul is a City that opens late and stay open late. Because of the time difference I often found myself up early. However there were few places open before 9:30 am, this includes coffee shops, donut shops and general stores. Major department store don’t open until 11:30 am.   Yet it should be noted that historic sites open early, most of them by 9 am if not by 8 am. On the other hand many places stay open until 10pm or midnight.

My Reflections on Seoul …

I was surprised at how comfortable I felt there. I didn’t feel unsafe or on edge at all. The people were very welcoming and very friendly; I would even say it was one of the friendliest international cities I have visited.   The food was amazing.   Overall it was a very affordable city to visit. You can see most of the city in a week. I am not sure if it would be high on list of cities to revisit but I would defiantly good back.

View of Seoul from the top of the Nansam Mountain

The most memorable experience I had while there was simply walking around the city … from hiking up the Namsan Mountain to walking through the neighborhoods and streets, I just loved seeing the city and landscape.

One of the streets in the downtown business and shopping district 

Out of all the places I visited, I think the War Memorial was my favorite. It was a memorial park and museum that commemorated “war” in South Korea. The museum was probably one of the nicest and most detailed museum I have visited world wide.

Entrance to the War Memorial of Korea

In terms of food … I have say all of the food was amazing, but the food that stood out the most the Korean Barbeque. The meat was just so flavorful and the process of cooking at your table was an amazing experience.

Above and Below: Mapletree Korean Barbecue … our meal

So thanks for the memories and adventures Seoul… you are amazing city and I got so glad I know you for the week.

In my typical Finding Amy style I will create a photo gallery and write post on the different adventures and experiences I had … so stay tuned.

Greetings from Seoul, South Korea.  

For the next week I am exploring Seoul and Southeast Asia, for the first time.  It’s a different world in so many ways, yet just like where I came from.   I brought my camera and walking/running shoes, so stay tuned for pictures and stories of my of my adventures explore the sites and experience the culture.

Today is September 1^st the beginning of a new month. It’s hard to believe how fast the summer months flew by.

September is one of those months that usher in new beginnings… a new school year for the kids, the leaves start changing color, the weather begins to cool down, football, and the season of fall begins.   For me, fall has always meant to a time to slow and refocus on goals and myself.

While the summer went by fast and I feel behind on many things, I want to make fall a time of renewal, a time to get back to focusing on myself. In efforts to jump start my self renewal I am an going to list some goals for the September. Theses goals are meant to get me back on track and help me focus on what is important.

Goals:

1. Go to the gym or get in at least 1 hour of exercise daily.
2. Drink water … at least 64 oz. daily.
3. Eat at least 5 fruits or vegetables daily
4. Cook at least 4 meals a weeks.
5. Explore a new area or do something new weekly
6. Get caught up on blogging and photo editing… update blog, galleries and build out photo books
7. Start wellness/exercise journal
8. “Fall Clean” the house… get it organized and ready for the holiday season
9. Blog daily
10. Read daily

I know that September is going to be busy month.   It could be month of a lot of travel and new first. It could be month of exploring new opportunities.  Regardless I am committed to refocusing on myself.

Its been a while since I did a blog post about what’s going on with me so I thought this would be a good away to bring things up to date and document what’s going on in my life.

The Highs:

• Ran the Cheetah 5K @ the Cincinnati Zoo
• Went to Columbus and visited with our Friends Toby and Jen, ate at new restaurant and visited a few new places
• Discovered the Cincinnati Nature Center and taken some awesome nature/landscape images
• Been cooking a lot and made some awesome dinners (blue cheese burgers, broccoli stuff chicken, beef fajitas, chicken cordon blue … just to a name a few)

The Lows:

• I have been waking up at 4 am and have not been able to go back to sleep. It’s extremely annoying and frustrating.
• My allergies / sinuses have been testing my limits.

Things I’m currently love:

• The Perfecting Face Brush from bareMinerals
• 
• The Perfecting Veil from bareMinerals
• 
• Dannon Light and Fit Greek Yogurt with Chocolate on Top
• 
• Amazon PrimePantry

Work Outs / Running:

• I have gotten back to going to the gym and running since I went on vacation, just not consistently
• I am running on average 30 miles a week
• I need to find a workout routine / schedule that works and I can stick to

Thinking:

• About Allyn’s 40^th Birthday
• Graduate school and getting a second masters degree or starting a PH.D. program.
• All the photos I need to edit, photo books I want to build and blog post I want to write.
• How to keep my blog going to reflect my current life and interest

Reading:

• The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
• The Running Revolution by Dr. Nicholas Romanov
• The Gut Balance Revolution by Gerard E. Mullin MD

Listening to:

• Sole Nation (podcast)
• The Grid: Photography Podcast
• This Week in Photo (podcast)

Watching:

• Little People Big World – I have loved watching Zac and Tori get married
• Bachelor in Paradise – I can’t believe I watching this show but I find it strangely funny
• Little Family – love this series on TLC very inspiring and a good family show.

Anticipating:

• Having a 3 day weekend, this coming weekend
• The upcoming High Holy Days = Days off from work
• Going home to San Antonio
• If I will get to go to Soule, South Korea or California with Allyn

I know it might sound crazy but when we were in Florida, this was the first time I had ever gone swimming in the ocean and it was wonderful!!!!!

I have gone to beach several times before. In Texas the beaches were often cluttered with seaweed another natural objects.   When I had been in Florida before it was either too cold or I was with people who did not like the water.   This time I was at the Beach with my father-in-law and the water was clear so I decided to adventure in.

Jumping the waves and floating on your back in the ocean was so much fun. The worst part was the salt water.

We even got a cabaña on the beach and sat and relax. Then we went to local beach bar and enjoy some adult beverages.

It was an enjoyable day until the rain set in.

One of the many things I got to enjoy while in Tampa was lunch with both my mom and father-in-law.   We decided to go shopping that morning at the International Mall and then decided to do lunch at the Capital Grill.

The Capital Grill is upscale steak house with white glove service.

Lunch was the prefect time to eat there, for the lunch menu had small versions of their dinner entrées. Just like at dinner selections all of their lunch menu items are cook with the freshest of ingredients.

I got the lobster crab burger, which were essentially their crab cakes on a hamburger bun (home made) with truffle fries.

My mom got the mushroom swiss burger also with truffle fries.

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And my father in law got a mango salad with grilled salmon

All of it was so good.

Then when I was walking out I notice part of their bar and wine selection … impressive:

Last Friday I was driving down 237 heading to CVG airport to pick up Allyn.   I was stopped at a stop light and the next thing I know I see a guy walking his goat (and the goat was wearing a backpack). I did a double take but I kept driving. The first thing out of my mount when got to airport and picked up Allyn was “I saw a man walking a goat.” He just laughed.   As we were driving back to the house, we passed the same guy and his goat again.   I think Allyn was just as amazed I was.

A few days later, I learned that goat’s name is LeeRoy Brown and the guy’s name is Steve Wescott.   They are on an journey across America to raise money for the an organization called Uzima Outreach which helps Nairobi communities turn away from drugs and back to Christ.  You can learn about Scott and his adventure at his website: http://www.needle2square.com/#!our-story/component_74511

So the moral of this blog post is you never know what or who you are going to see when driving down the road.

When I told my husband that we were going to stop by the Henry Ford Museum while visiting Detroit, I could see the hesitation in his face; he is a Volkswagen person not a Ford person.   I began to explain to him that the Henry Ford Museum is not about the Ford brand.   It is about what Henry Ford stood for. Henry Ford was innovator and a collector, something generations of the Ford Family continued. The museum and Greenfield Village is the lasting legacy of who Henry Ford was and what he stood for. Ford did not just want to building a car, he was about creating a process that produce automobiles efficiently, which the average person could afford.

The museum building is very stately with columns and golden eagles, all done in an architecture style from the American Industrial Revolution.

There are several points of entrance for the museum but tickets for all attractions must be purchased at the southeast side of the building.   The entrance to museum is actually at the other end of the building. As you walk down the long hallway you see various small collections from early kitchen equipment to crystal characters, while many of the artifacts in the display are nostalgic the displays are not well care for, many are dusty and contain dead bugs. This set the wrong tone for me, making me think that exhibits inside would be poorly care for and or curated.

When you finally reach the beginning of the museum and go into the main exhibit space you a greeted by the 1941 steam Allegheny Locomotive.

It is massive and as your turn and take a quick span you see everything from trains, planes, automobiles to furniture, computers and farming implements, you realize that you got a lot too see and if you like me, not sure where to start.

Because of my love for presidential history I was drawn to the collection of presidential limos. Included in this collection is Theodore Roosevelt’s horse drawn Brougham, FDR’s “Sunshine Special” which used, Presidents Eisenhower’s “Bubblestop” (which was used by four presidents: Turman, Kennedy and Johnson) as well as limousines of Kennedy and Reagan. Reagan’s limo was the one in which President Ford was riding in when an attempt on his life was made and this is the last limo to preserved, for today all presidential cars destroyed for security reasons.

   

  

After the presidential limos I began exploring the general automotive exhibit. It was massive, everything your average car to concept car to luxury cars. What was most impressive was even through this was museum started by Henry Ford, the former owner of the Ford Motor Company there cars from almost every automotive company.

  

After spending a good hour (if not more) exploring all the different types of cars we took a break in the old dinner, which was in connected to auto section. The food was basic and atmosphere took you back in time.

Then it was time to move on to see all things that fly and move in the air.

The collection included a replica a Wright Flyer Replica to planes from early 1900s to 1930s. There was also an neat interactive space where kids (or kids at heart) can make paper airplanes and fly, which helps them discover the aerodynamics of flight.

After seeming things all different types of things that GO we went to the tools that help build and produce all of the automotive machines. Ford was about innovation and being able to produce the materials needed to cars here and not having to have materials shipped in. The Rouge Factory and the surrounding area is a prefect example. In the area “Made in America” tell the store of manufacturing and power.   From the steam power to milling, here you get see how power is made and helped make industrial America.

Honestly, my husband was more fascinated by this section than I was, I could have probably walk through in just a few minutes.

After seeing what made power we moved on to see the exhibit “With Liberty and Justice for All,” which explored the topic of “freedom.” At the center of the exhibit was the Montgomery city bus, believed to be the one on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in 1955, sparking the civil rights movement. Visitors to museum can walk through and sit in the bus; you can even sit the seat that Parks sat in.

Other items in this exhibit space include documents spading from the time of the Civil War through the Civil Rights movement. The other famed artifact in this area is the Abraham Lincoln’s rocking chair.

After being reminded about the cost of “freedom” you go back experiencing another exhibit area devoted to items “Made in America.” I found this “Made in America” section a bit more interesting that first we visited.   Here you saw a collection of phones from wooden wall mounted telephone with a hand cranked magneto generator to push button slim line corded phone to an iPhone. There is a display on gun, which tells it history of the gun’s development and shows a small handle pistol in taken apart in pieces.

This exhibit area also gets back to automotive there is Model T pulled apart and suspended in the air. There is also several interactive exhibits in this area. Include one where each morning visitors assemble a Model T, after it is put together guest get to sit in the car, and one which allows your see what is like to work on the assemble line.

Along the same theme of made in American is an exhibit on the furniture that fill our home, including a modern reclining office chair which is taken apart and suspended allowing guest to see all of its parts.

Then you move into a section devoted to “modern technology” in an exhibit area known as “Your Place in Time,” which looks at the items from the 21^st century. Included in this area is the first Apple Computer, an example of a teenager’s bedroom from the 1990s, to various radio, television and iPods. Walking through this exhibit was like reliving my childhood years!

The final exhibit is of agriculture implements. I found this exhibit interesting since I came from a farm / ranch family.   To my surprise I was familiar with many of the implements and different types of tractors. I think it is interesting that even with the advancements in technology agriculture implements just come more efficient, their purpose does not change.

 

The final items you see before leaving the museum is the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. This is definitely a statement of American culture. It should also be noted that is located near café in the museum.

I loved visiting the Henry Ford. We easily spent a day here and it was worth every minute.   I cannot wait to return and explore the museum more. I also look forward to visiting Greenfield Village in the spring.

In January we went to Detroit for the International Car Show.   While we were there we decided to check out the Henry Ford Complex.

The Henry Ford Complex is in the suburb of Detroit, known as Dearborn.   The Complex is home to the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, Benson Ford Research Center, several conference spaces and is your access point to tour the Ford Rouge Factory. Since we went in January, Greenfield Village was closed for the winter season, but is open from April to November and select days in December.

To prevent a super long blog post; I am going divide our visit to the Henry Ford Complex into two parts, part 1 an introduction about the complex and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour and part 2, the Henry Ford Museum.

The Henry Ford Museum is the access point for the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Tickets for the tour of the Rouge Factory are purchased along with tickets for the Museum and Greenfield Village. It will take more than a day to see all three: the museum, Rouge Factory and Greenfield Village.   Additionally, it is a lot of walking, so make sure you plan accordingly.

Once you have your ticket for Rouge Factory Tour, you can load the bus and head over the Rouge Factory. It is about a 15 minute ride between the museum and the factory. Once you reach the factory, you will be dropped off in front of the visitor’s center.

Once in the visitor’s center you will view two films. The first tells the story of Henry Ford and his dream, it provides insight to the beginning of the Rouge Factory and the triumphs and hardships encountered by the company and the factory from the 1900 to present times. The film utilizes rare archival footage to help tell the story. The second film, is an innovative 3D film which takes you behind the scenes of the factory and behind the wheel of the new Ford F-150; telling the story of how the new F-150 came to be.

After you finish viewing the films you will go up the observation deck where you will get a bird eyes view of the factory and surrounding companies.

There is a timeline regarding the factory’s history and information on how the Rouge Factory is very eco-sensitive.

After enjoying the view you can take a self-guided walking tour of the Rouge Factory, where today the F-150 is produced. No photography or video is allowed on the tour and you must wear enclosed shoes. From a bird eye view you will walk above the assemble line and follow the process of an F-150 getting assembled. There are tour guides stationed at different point to explain the various stations and answer any questions you may have. If you go on the weekends, the factory will not be active as it is during the week. The only work going will be of workers either catching up on work from the past week or preparing for the next week’s work.

After completing the factory tour you will return to the legacy gallery where you can view a model of the new F-150 along with other vehicles produced in the Rouge Factory, such as the Mustang, A-1 and Thunderbirds.

Before you get back on the bus make sure to take a short walk around the visitor center and the front of the factory to see Ford’s efforts to help the environment.

Overall the Rouge Factory tour is not that impressive.  It is a very basic tour. but good for showing children the concept of the assemble line.  Or for car nuts in general!

The Rouge Factory is an industrial wonders of the world.  Today it is one of the few industrial area encompassing all the basic steps in automobile manufacturing. Found in the complex is everything from a steel mill to a tire production plant.  The Factory epitomizes Henry Ford’s commitment to improve production methods and his dream of nonstop flow from raw materials to assembled automobile. The factory put people to work and supported the United States during the World Wars.

To view more pictures from the Rouge Factory Tour follow the following link: https://findingamy.net/the-ford-rouge-factory-tour/

After a break for a couple of weeks I am back at Slim down Sundays.   I have been on a summer hiatus – enjoying the past 10 days with my family, at my father-in-law’s house in Tampa, Florida. I have enjoyed sleeping in, coffee by the pool, exploring new places and plenty of food and adult beverages.

As I write I am back to reality. The reality is that I have 10K in less than week (Saturday) and my first half marathon for the fall season, in less than 10 weeks.     This means it is time to kick my training and eating into high gear — no more slacking.

I am going to use the next few days to get refocused on training and eating healthy. I am also going to use this time to mentally refocus – set new goals, regroup on old ones and get organized.

So my goals for the coming week include:

• Get to the gym at least 4 times
  • At least 3 weight training days
  • At least 1 long run
• Drink 64 oz. of water daily
• Eat at least 4 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Establish a solid training schedule
  • Running schedule
  • Weight and conditioning schedule
  • Eating / Diet plan

In addition to getting back to eating healthy and working out, I hope this week to also get caught up on some blogging and finished building out some photo galleries. After that I will start sharing my blog more.