Lovin’ Oklahoma

Today as I drove to my sister’s house an AWACS plane directly overhead at a distance some would find a bit too close for comfort.  For me, it was reassuring and heartwarming that once again I was ‘home.’  This started me thinking about all the reasons I love Oklahoma and all the reasons I find Oklahoma a place of comfort. 

Tinker AFB is located just outside of Oklahoma City and just a few miles from the house I grew up in.  These big birds could frequently be seen in the skies above and around my house.  There are only a few bases world wide which these babies call home.  I am proud to say that Tinker is one such base.

Just in case you were wondering, the drive in restaurants were started in Oklahoma.  Just watch Diners, Drive In, and Dives on the food network, they know all about the history of these things.  Sonic Drive In is an Oklahoma staple and is headquartered here as well.  One of the greatest reasons to love Sonic is the drinks!!!!!! 44 ounces of Sweet Tea, cherry or vanilla flavored Coke, Cherry Limeades, Lemon-Berry Slushes, and so on and so on!!!
Only in Oklahoma can you find a shopping mall that is dying but the oil pump in the parking lot is still happily pumping oil!!! Gotta love it!

One can easily determine when they have arrived in Oklahoma by merely looking at the ground under their feet.  Here, we lack soil.  It’s been replaced with red clay which stains our children’s clothing and does not come out in the wash!! I have even had red clay stain the engine of my car making the mechanics in San Antonio wonder if I painted my engine!
 
Another Oklahoma staple is Braum’s dairy.  They produce all sorts of dairy products but the milk and the ice cream are to die for.  Braum’s alone is enough to make someone want to move to the Sooner State!
I could keep going indefinitely about all the reasons I love Oklahoma and why you will never be able to take the Okie out of me.  But I will spare you all the details and tell you that I can’t imagine growing up without these things in my life.  I can, however, tell you that I miss them terribly as an adult and find all of these things (and more) a comforting part of coming home!

P.S. Christmas isn’t complete until any Okie has heard the B.C. Clark jingle.

Lady Gaga AGAIN………

Back in the states safe and sound. Found my center while in Korea and am living a much healthier life now.  I am reading the Four Agreements and the Secret; I have also been sitting in prayer/meditation for about an hour everyday.  I am still on that journey of peace and self exploration but I think that journey lasts a lifetime.

Last night was the Lady Gaga concert in Oklahoma City.  I went with my friend Mary, and new friends Christian and Sara.. Sara, Christian, me and Mary

We were front row of the ‘mosh pit.’ She is so insanely talented. I am continually amazed by her creative genius. 

I realize that there are those who do not subscribe to her particular brand of genius.  Some would even go so far as to say it’s crazy and not genius.  Now let’s remember, that Van Gogh cut off his ear, so I think in part genius and crazy go hand in hand.

In addition to being able to create catchy pop tunes, Lady Gaga speaks a message of love and acceptance.  Not just acceptance of your fellow man regardless of the differences; but most importantly a message of self acceptance. No matter how odd or estranged you might feel you must love yourself to the very core of your being.

She recognizes that the greatest gift we have is love. But that we must start with self love and acceptance in order to be able to share love, creativity, talents, passion with others.


She has taken a public vow of abstinence in order to focus on her passion and her love of music and creativity.  She is a huge advocate for AIDS awareness and having responsible sex.  She says she is married to her music.  And  I know she is devoted to her fans.  

During the concert she even talks directly to Jesus.  She was raised Catholic and her faith is still important to her.  She explains that she does not believe that Jesus is selective in who he loves.  Lady Gaga tells Jesus that she believes he loves all of us equally regardless of the differences we may feel.

 
For those that do not understand her monster concept, allow me a moment to clarify. The monster paws that you see her holding up here is a reminder that we should be fearless in facing our own fears. That is also why she refers to her fans as “Little Monsters.” The songs Monster and Teeth off her album are direct testaments to bravado in facing these fears. 
 
The Lady Gaga concert is more than just an evening of music and entertainment.  It is an evening to be introspective in how you are treating others and if you are remaining true to yourself.  Everyone should experience a Lady Gaga concert at least once in their life.

Versatile Bloggers Award!!

First things first!!! I owe HUGE thank yous to  ANNIE over at Live it. Love it (or not). Write about it. for giving me this award! It is my first award and I am terribly excited.  I’d like to thank Annie this amazing award, Katie my first true blog follower, my sister Tammy my most devoted blog follower, WinnyNinny PooPoo my most devoted commenter, and all the others that read my blog! Thank you so much I wouldn’t be here without you! Wait…….that sounds like I am getting an Oscar. LOL! This is as close to an Oscar as I will ever get!!! I am as excited as if I was getting an Oscar!!!! YAY!!!
Rule #1: Thank the person who gave you the award.
Annie at Live it. Love it (or not). Write about it.
Rule #2: Share seven things about yourself.
1. I would secretly like to be a writer.  I have written several poems. However, I let my medical condition be an excuse for not finishing anything longer than a poem.  I will finish my memoirs….someday! 
2. I love, love, love pens.  Yes, pens…the things you write with. There is something cathartic about putting pen to paper when writing.  A pen is always a great gift to give me.
3. I have a new guilty pleasure …. Band Hero, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band.  I am not amazing or anything but I LOVE playing.  I think EVERYONE should at least give it and earnest try.
4. I am addicted to tech toys; like my computer, my cell phone, my kindle, my PSP, my Wii, my digital cameras, and so on.  I would seriously need a padded room if they made me give them up.
5. I adore music and do not watch TV.  I always have music playing as I find it soothing, uplifting, angry, joyful, etc.  I have intentionally turned on the TV once in the past 2 months. It was a special program about communist North Korea. 
6. I believe I am part gypsy or nomad. The longest I have had any one address in my adult life is 3 years. As a child I had one address and my parents still live there. If they moved I would be crushed as it is the center of my world.
7. I am not surprised that I was diagnosed with a rare neurological birth defect at the tender age of 36!!!! I have always felt a bit different from everyone else; like I just didn’t fit “normal.” Any generic medical condition just wouldn’t suit me.

Rule #3: Pass the award onto 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and you think are are fantastic!!
1. Katie @ Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
2. WinnyNinny PooPoo @ No Extended Warranty
3.  Migrainista @ Migraine-ist.blogspot.com
4. Liza @ The Bluebird of Happiness
5. Steph @ Head Wise
6. Dana @ I Already Gave My Right Arm to be Ambidextrous
7. Gerri @ 50 is the new 40
8. Migraine Puppet @ migrainepuppet.blogspot.com
Ok….I only have 8 … these blogs along with Annie’s are the ones I read faithfully. I didn’t want to just list 7 more if it’s not something I am actually reading. 


From me and my computer….thank you so much Annie for the award I really appreciate it!! To all my fellow bloggers…keep up the great work!!

Saemangeum Seawall & Yellow Sea

Today we drove the few short miles to the Saemangeum Seawall which is the longest man-made seawall.

Unfortunately, the humidity was so thick that there were times we couldn’t even see the horizon.

There are two roadside parks along the seawall, Sunset Park and Dolphin Park. We stopped at both.


Sunset park houses this charming gazebo with an adorable pagoda roof. The woodwork is not yet painted but I still love the architecture of it.
 
While we were at Sunset park there was a bus load of Korean workers who were picking weeds along the roadside.  Who needs roundup when you have a crew this size!!! If one looks at this photo you will notice a worker in black pants that has a red circular thing hanging over their bum.  This is a seat for comfort when they sit on the ground!! They are very inventive and ingenious here.


Next we stopped at Dolphin Park. They have this adorable whale tale statue!!

Of course we had used it for photo ops!


We took a short walk to the edge of the park and I love the perspective of this photo. It’s like the sidewalk goes on forever.

We then climbed down on the rocks closer to the water.


At least some of the humidity burned off and we were able to see the horizon.

Independence Day in Korea………

We drove 2.5 hours to Osan to do some shopping at Sinjang.

I love shopping in Korea but it can be a bit hectic. 

 
Vendors also fill the streets with their wares.

The streets are cramped and lined with tiny shops packed full of merchandise.

Once must always be alert to bicycles and motorbikes that frequently zoom through these streets.

This is one of the side streets and cars can traverse this ‘street.’

 

Today’s shopping consisted of an adorable map purse for myself.

A small Coach messenger for my sister and a Dooney and Bourke for my adoptive kiddo, Mary.

On the way back I decided to deviate from the suggested route for which we have step by step directions in English.  The map we have is completely Korean, so it required much more thought to determine city names.  But luckily, my Dad taught me when I was very young how to read a map and I have loved maps ever since then. THANKS DAD!!!

 

Suggested Route with turn by turn directions in English

     

New Route using only this Korean Map

The biggest challenge was not determining where I was or where I needed to go, it was determining which lane to use to switch highways.  The new route uses 4 more highways than the suggested route.  However, when the ramps are not clearly marked South or West it can be tricky.  But I am very proud to report that we shaved 30 minutes off our time and 20 miles off our drive.  We even did so without making a single wrong turn, which is more than I can say for using the turn by turn directions!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!!