Ganghwa's Charcoal Jjimjilbang (Korean Style Sauna)

Does it look like they're visiting me at a correctional?  Huhu...  We were actually at Ganghwa's famous charcoal jjimjilbang.  I went for the sauna while Alex took care of SooAe at the main hall...

I check on them every hour....

~~~~~

After my delivery via C/Sec., I had a hard time "passing g** (even s****)" inspite of my efforts.  Being the only patient, it's only fitting that the staff was so attentive. However, it made me even more conscious. Husband would also call from time to time to check on me.  After 2 days, with no progress, I had to go thru some "embarrassing" procedures (LOL!!!) for the next 4 days but one I love the most was the sit in/down half sauna which looks like this:

Photo Source

The sauna was not only helpful in my predicament and recovery, it also served as my getaway from Alex and Mama's very watchful eyes. LOL!  Isn't it tiring to be told what to do all the time when you already know it?  Also, Alex and Mama would bicker at times and since I had the liberty to go to the sauna as often as I wanted, I took advantage of it. 

photo taken while I was in the hospital's half sauna

The nurse on duty would give me something refreshing like this strawberry shake

to sip while I tried to catch up on my reading and writing

Mama repeatedly scolded me not to read or write yet during the first 2 weeks after delivery.  But I just wanted to also confirm some things, jot down things I don't want to forget and pass the time.  Fortunately, at the end of the long corridor of the hospital, they set up a recreation area where the sauna was located Mama didnt' like going to.

This half sauna may seem harmless but when using, utmost care must still be observed to avoid burns.   Temperature and duration can be set as desired by the user.

After going home, I dearly missed the sauna.  I requested Alex to bring me to Ganghwa's jjimjilbang but when he said yes, with Mama's encouragements, I just couldn't find the heart to leave Soo Ae for such a long time.  It was also still cold then and I didn't want them just staying and waiting at the main hall for me.

When I was still pregnant, we already visited this jjimjilbang and the owner told us that their saunas are popular among women who'd given birth.  He recommended we visit them soon after Soo Ae comes out. 

The saunas are very traditional.  Don't expect to see ones with elaborate designs like those we find or frequent in the city or town.  Entrances are marked by the black curtains.  There are just 3 "hot rooms" and the hottest one was real hot for me.  I was only able to spend an hour at the "hot" room ranging from 38-40degrees C.  The "hotter" room was bearable as I was still able to endure it for 30mins.  I also only stayed for about 2mins inside the "hottest" room to save face, LOL!

This is the furnace and people like standing or sitting down about 4-5 feet away from it.  I spent more than an hour here and I liked it that I was able to control the heat by adjusting my seat nearer to or farther from it.

maybe this picture was taken while the staff were cleaning the furnace.

when i was there, the charcoal were even nicely positioned inside.

Women who just gave birth are encouraged to sit or stay in front of the furnace

to have their navel, abdomen or belly and back really warmed.

people standing in front of the furnace.

inside a sauna/hot room

be careful though... some of the planks actually need repairs already...

Photo source for images 3-6

The last time we went there, Alex bought another 20 kilos of these charcoals.

Unlike the jjimjilbangs we've been to, they don't have hot tubs here.  The shower room isn't even inviting for patrons to really spend time in there.  But one can really enjoy the 3 hot rooms and the furnace.  As for me, I felt instant relief for my aches and pains and husband also complimented my glowing face...

A Love, Oriental Medical Clinic

"Teacher, please give me a cookie,"  Erick would plead.

"Your mom told us not to give you anything," I would insist.

"I can keep it and eat it after 6:18pm, teacher." he'd say.  Turns out he's under medication, a "han yak" or oriental herb/medicine and he can only eat snacks after 6:18pm.  I always wondered if was the said time given by the doctor or by his mom?  The mother-son drove us crazy before. kkk...  His situation has piqued my curiosity in oriental medicine even more...

~~~~~

In the past, I would only accompany Alex to his oriental medical clinic.  I never imagined being a patient in one, much more by being pricked with those accupuncture needles. 

But  the  birthing experience/process and taking care of a Little Miss that seem to grow heavier everyday have taken  their toll on my body so Alex decided to also just bring me to this oriental medical clinic here in old town Yanggok.  He's so scared of me taking prescription medicine and so, he opted for this. 

the clinic's lobby.

the small medicine/herb chests you see might remind you of "Dae Jang Geum"

After being told that all the pain I feel are related to having and taking care of the baby, my doctor said they can be relieved by acupuncture as Alex also doesn't want me to take any herbal medicine.   

one of the 3 needles on my left hand

After the checkup, I was directed to this room and was surprised that I wasn't made to wear a gown or remove my blouse for the acupuncture.  At first, it felt like the doctor was only looking for the points to prick.  I didn't know then that he was already acupuncturing me until I felt one needle prick on my nape.  My first session went well but in the succeeding ones, since I already knew that I was being pricked when the doctor seems to make a thumping sound on my back (like he's dialing a number on a telephone,haha), I kind of felt a little pain here and there... kkk..

I didn't realize oriental medical doctors have light hands and relaxing touches, LOL!  While searching or feeling for the acupuncture points, he said, "You should massage her like this..," it felt so good that I let out an "aaah, very nice..."  Alex immediately said "I massage you that way."  But I quipped that his hands are too heavy and the way he massages is actually more irritating and painful than relaxing. kkk...  By the way, the doctor usually spoke to me in English.  He would just speak Korean whenever Alex is around. 

On my first session too, while waiting for the doctor, I saw someone in the hallway in crutches with my peripheral view.  I didn't pay too much attention to whoever it was as I was trying to calm down Soo Ae.  I only realized it was the doctor when he moved to my side to place needles on my left hand.  I was so amazed.  Even Alex said he was rendered speechless when he first saw him in his crutches. Indeed... I complain a lot sometimes when I encounter a little discomfort.  I make the discomfort an excuse not to accomplish something while others, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable their situation is,  struggle more, endure more and work harder. 

Because of my doctor, I came to appreciate this kind of medical practice to the point of telling my husband that if Soo Ae takes interest in it someday, we'll do our best to support her. 

For the curious, oriental medical clinics here are as obiquitous as Korean beauty/cosmetics shops.  And yes, it's covered by the national family health insurance such that we only pay 3,000won for every visit.

She's At Home

Yesterday, my baby just had another stressful day, I suppose, judging from the lack of smile and laughter I constantly see and hear whenever we're home...

She wasn't allowed to bring her hand or fingers to her mouth... LOL!

On my part, I think that although I'm a new mom, it doesn't make me less of a mother if I allow my daughter to do what's so natural for babies to do, or do things other moms don't or don't do things others do.  Indeed (ate Wendy), it's stressful when you try to think of pleasing other people instead of your baby.   With Soo Ae, I at least get a rewarding priceless smile...

We eagerly waited for the clock to strike 11... Going home time...

And when we reached our home, I immediately placed Soo Ae on her bed... She looked around excitedly and flashed me with this smile...

 my Little Miss Strawberry....

Aaaah... she's at home now...

No Tough Love Yet...

When I was still having breastfeeding woes, until one and a half months ago, I would bring in our bedroom during night time the following:

a tray with a small thermos, drinking water, formula milk dispenser, feeding bottles and pacifiers.

Soo Ae would wake up every 2 hours or less during her first 2-3 weeks, even at night.  I would breastfeed her at first but when the pain gets so unbearable, I or Mama would immediately prepare her formula.  Usually, Mama would feed Soo Ae while I went out to express my milk.   

Since Soo Ae doesn't really like her pacifiers, I end up being her human pacifier.  I'm doing my best to be tough on her now because she either ends up drinking too much  (hind) milk (which I read makes the baby gain weight) that she'd spit them out or just keeps on sucking without swallowing my milk and they continuously flow out of her mouth down to her pillow.  We both spend about 30 minutes to an hour talking to each other.  I would tell her "Soo Ae, come on, sleep without something in your mouth." But she would say something, like begging me to give in.  Lately, she learned to tug on my shirt. I tell myself to be stricter every sleep time but I just give up so easily.  Ah, she has a way with me... And when I finally give in, she would hold unto my shirt or place her tiny beautiful free hand on my breast so I couldn't easily slip away from her when she's already asleep.

I also couldn't really start on a sleep routine or be tough on it because of Alex' work shifts.  At weeks when he's p.m. shift, she just couldn't sleep unless her Dad's home already.  At the same time, I also want them to bond first before  we all finally go to sleep. At weeks when Alex is a.m. shift that he has to sleep alone in the other room, Soo Ae would find it  hard to fall asleep.  She's always looking around.  But before that, Alex would take her in the other room around 6pm. She easily falls asleep when lulled by her Dad.  They'd usully sleep until 8pm or until her next feeding time.  I suffer the most in our situation because by the time she falls asleep again (around 2-3a.m.), I've lost signs of sleepiness already. I then just watch TV, catch up with my reading or browse for my so many questions as a new mom.  

Just about a month ago too, Soo Ae has started rejecting her formula and I thought it has something to do with the milk taste as we switched from "I am Mother" (1) to "Imperial XO" (2).  At the clinic where I gave birth, they use formula no.1 only to feed the newborn first while the new Mom is also adjusting to breastfeeding.  We used the same brand until last month.  I asked Alex to inquire about it as I worried about Soo Ae's weight gain and the issue with another milk company's baby products.  When Soo Ae and I came home from Anne's baby shower party, I already saw the new formula (n0. 2) in the kitchen cabinet. I somehow felt sorry that we were switching (no.2 is more or less than 10,000 cheaper?) as Soo Ae was so used to the former brand's taste and let's just say formulation or content already.  Before, her feeding time was regular.  Luckily, until now, she's sticking to her every 2 hour schedule and she even just reaches or roots for my breast during the night. She doesn't cry or fuss at all.  I carefully introduced the new formula so as not to upset her stomach or her tastebuds too.  But she just doesn't like the taste, I suppose. So now, she's about 90% breastfed baby.  Her feeding time has gone irregular for some time as she suddenly turned a supposed 8-20 minutes breastfeeding time into a 90-minute marathon.

We're almost there though, just breastfeeding.  Normally, when it's just the two of us, I make it a point that she only takes breast milk.  When her Dad is at home, he sometimes requests he feed her but I use the pink (NUK) bottles pictured above because the teats have extra wide lip supports that are more like a mother's breast.

It's really hard to be a tough Mom or show tough love.. I'd just find myself crying when she cries.  Ahh... But she's now becoming more aware and attentive of her surroundings so she cries lesser when she wakes up and finds herself alone on bed or in the bedroom.  She's learning to soothe herself now and I'm just happy...

Just 1/3 of Koreans are Stressed?

Workplace and financial issues are the main causes of stress of Koreans said the Korean NeuroPsychiatric Association in this article: One-Third Korean Adults Under Stress: Study...

Indeed, I know a lot of Koreans who are so stressed that they even skip their meals.  I never skipped dinner for damn checking of books or diaries while I was still working though.  I realized that when I showed my boss I could do more even under time pressure, she just piled up things for me to check without even a single won increase in my salary. Ano to? Super Charity? kkkkk.  Alex' work doesn't stress him much but he's the first son so he has a lot of responsibilities and as  the wife, I get to share the stress too.... LOL! 

(taken during my second session of a prescribed one-week session.

I'm experiencing pain from my left shoulder down to my lower back,

which i think is common for those who delivered via C/S[?]

and is still aggravated by things I'm forced[???] to comprehend... LOL!

The doctor also had 3 needles pricked on my left arm

as I still feel the trauma my wrist got from the last IV they gave me at the hosp.)

I was still recoving from my delivery when Alex got so busy with my mother in law's transfer to a new location.  I was just thankful that Mama was here and Soo Ae is a joy to take care of.  I've been suffering from depression but I just deal with it by myself as my husband's hands are full already.  It also seems like he's having his version of baby blues...

I couldn't convince him to go to the shopping mall or even to the small LotteMart nearby to unwind so I just ask him to drive us around Ganghwa or nearby outskirts once in a while.  He loves nature so much such that I just suggest we do what interests him the most so he could relax too.  In that way, he also gets to appreciate me for knowing, doing and enjoying with him what he likes to do... 

Where the Heart Is...

This is our humble home's kitchen back in PH....

L-R: my ever blooming Mama, ever youn Aunt Gina,

my 2nd brother's ever kind and softspoken mother in law and his wife...

It was our father's 7th death anniversary last sunday, Apr. 3.  I missed another gathering... After talking to my mom on the phone, I found it hard to contact her again. Turns out that immediately after my call, my youngest sister, a nurse in Saudi called her up  and after that, big sister in Singapore called too... Like what my SIL commented, nice telepathy...? kkk...

"It looks run down and old but you can feel the love and it has so much to give..." said my big sis about it...

"And you can call it a home, right ate Donna?" quipped a loving cousin...

True.  We are definitely surrounded by big and new houses but my cousins just love coming here...  That's enough compliment already. hehe!

It's where I grew up. Maybe it was my 4th or 5th birthday when I fell from the 2nd storey window without a scratch.  I must have an angel watching over me from the house.  I miss our home a lot.. it's smell, it's smallness, etc..etc...

How I wish that could happen to us here in Korea too.  But I know it won't happen for us to just stay here, in our first home in Gimpo.  It's where I trully felt the essence of being a wife/housewife.  It's where we witnessed my belly grow big.  It's where we brought home Soo Ae.  It's where we witnessed her milestones.  But in 4 or 5 years time, we have to transfer to a bigger place to accommodate my MIL.   

Last sunday, to ease my loneliness, Alex brought us again to Ganghwa.  Actually, he wanted me to go to this traditional (?) and well known jjimjilbang there even for just an hour.  When Mama was still here, I told him how I wanted to go to a jjimjilbang.  He really wanted us to come here but I just couldn't bear the thought of being away from Soo Ae...  But with the way I'm feeling these days, I somehow regret not going before, hehehe.. 

look how full the parking lot was...

as I mentioned earlier, this is a traditional jjimjilbang...

I also found it funny that they chose orange for their guests' "uniform" hehe...

Having seen it twice, I've witnessed how popular it is although

it doesn't really look like your regular jjimjilbangs in the city...

It''s where we also bought this display charcoal which you can see around our house when you visit.  Mama wished there were also charcoals like this back in PH.  I planned to pack some for her but I completely forgot about it again.  Ah.. So many "utangs" to Mama... talaga...  

beautiful yet expensive for 5,000won a kilo

just one of the baskets on display in Soo Ae's room

we were immediately served delicious tasting coffee when the owner recognized us...

I love how he adoringly looked at Soo Ae, hehehe...

It's said to prevent atopy... I'm keeping my fingers crossed though as suddenly, Soo Ae's dry patches are getting tougher to manage inspite of the 4 units of air cleaners we have already.  We'll be going out for a checkup tomorrow afternoon... I hope it isn't atopy at all...

We bought 20 kilos last time and we were given extra 3 kilos for free... He planned to buy another 20 kilos last saturday but they were "out of stock" .... kkk.... So we still have to call first next time and have them reserved for pick up.

the lion and the tiger...

After bidding the owner goodbye, Alex drove us around Ganghwa before going back to Gimpo to see Munsusan.   

It's spring and farmers are wasting no time to get their crops started...

He insisted on bringing Soo Ae out for fresh air...

I was so furious as the place smelled of manure.

In no time, as we live in a farming community, it will

also smell of manure here for a week or two maybe...

We drove back to Gimpo to visit a temple but the locals told us it was about 40minutes walk from the main entrance so we just tried to cover a short distance for some fresh air and a little bit of sight seeing.

It's gotten so windy so I had to attach the caps

that came with Soo Ae's carrier.

I felt so sad for her coz she really loved looking around.

Since I forgot my saviour, my binder, we just drove home from here. We originally planned to drive to the DMZ but I was exhausted by the walk.  Overall, we had a great day and I'm just so thankful that Soo Ae isn't getting sick although we're always bringing her out, contrary to what they always tell us to not bring her anywhere yet before her 100th day.  Oh, she has a healthy MOMMA indeed...  

Surviving Korea's 3rd Blog Anniversary Contest...

Want to win K-popped stuffs?  

passport cover and luggage tags

Join my good friend Cher's 3rd blog anniversary giveaway then...

Click here for the mechanics...

 My personal favorite among Cher's articles is

 "Me and My Big Belly." 

When I saw this post, I said to myself that I would be doing the same when I get pregnant as Alex wants us to have an "only" child.  But to my dismay, I completely forgot about it.  I was even reminded of it by a "Top Design" episode, a contestant displayed a photo of him embracing his pregnant wife's belly.  He wasn't wearing a shirt in the photo and it looked really so intimate and special that I told Alex we should to do that too but I couldn't understand why I completely forgot about it...

Gimpo Health Center, A Love....

This one is the sweetest thing I've ever seen from the mail since giving birth to Soo Ae:

It's from Gimpo City's Health Center.  Aside from the wonderful greeting for having a baby, it also informs us of the needed and scheduled vaccinations at the center.  Just last Tuesday, Soo Ae got her 3rd and last anti-hepaB and anti-celebral palsy vaccines.  Since I forgot about my 3rd shot of the anti-hepaB vaccine 10 years ago (yaiks!), I was advised by my OB-Gyne to have them again. So I had my first shot last Tuesday too.

One thing I just don't like about the center is that the children are made to wait for their turn also just inside where they administer the shots.  This scares those who are in line especially when they hear someone wail from the pain.  Since she's still young, Soo Ae just cries when pricked.  Once the needle is withdrawn, she also stops crying like nothing happened at all.  I hope she'll always be that way, kkk... 

And speaking of mail, I almost forgot to mention this wonderful package I got from ate Betchay of buhaykorea.com and Jaz Lee.   They're all for our WIGGLY LITTLE MISS... kkk....

Since I also mentioned Jaz Lee here, let me leave you with a wonderful video clip about her.  Enjoy watching...



Thanks Ate Jaz...