Life Changing Events.

[JERRY2KONE]

Well I do believe my life will be changing in many ways. My wife and I have 8 kids between us. 5 of them are grown and on their own now, and three of them have been living with my EX in California. They are 9, 11, & 12.(girl-boy-boy). The boys are really into computer and RC stuff (thank God), but have not been able to really appreciate the RC hobby for a lack of money and interset by their step father. My wife and I have been enjoying a peaceful existance since her son left for college over two years ago. The empty nest syndrome is not all that bad from our point of view. Well thursday was my birthday and we were celebrating quietly at home when we received a phone call to break the news that the EX has just passed away at 35 years old. Cancer!! What a B-day gift??? How do we ever celebrate that day again with my children knowing their mother died on that day?($&%*...

Needless to say the kids will be coming to live with us now as we are heading to Korea for our next post in July. Given the shock of losing their mother the kids are none to happy about having to move overseas. We are thrilled, anxious, excited and determined that this will be a good experience for all of us considering the new life ahead of us. I love my kids very much, and will do everything possible to make all of our lives the best that it can be. Living in Korea is actually a pretty cool deal. We were there a few years ago and love everything about the living circumstances.

I have several throusand $$$$ tied up in my RC toys and I hope to get the kids involved at a low level for a start. I am sure it will evolve into a much larger hobby for all of us within a short time. The boys are tinkerers of sorts and love the need for speed. So I am sure that we will have loads of fun together. Of course this is a great shock to my wife and I and we wanted to share it with everyone merely for the message that you never know what God has in store for you. Do not complain to loudly about the life you have now, because it can change in an instant. We all mourne the loss of my EX because anyone who losses their life at 35 is just a tragety no matter how you look at it. Please say a prayer for all of us.

Any comments are welcome.

[Serum]

an odd situation to be put in, that's for sure.

I can slightly understand the mixed feelings you have about this; you need to support what's yours.

Have the kids always been in Korea? or did they grew up in the US and moved there?

I whish you and your family nothing but the best in Korea.

[JERRY2KONE]

Hey Serum thanks for the good wishes. I was divorced in Orlando 2000 and we both moved on with our lives. I was remarried in 2004 and moved to Korea due to employment. The EX remarried in 2000 and lived in California. The kids have never been to Korea yet. They came here to Brussels to stay with us Xmas 2006 after a long court battle about visitation. We have spent as much time with them as possible over the last two years since. The whole story has been one big nightmare, but that is all behind us now.

The plan now is having an emotionally comfortable atmospher for the kids to thrive in. The truth is that we are about Europed out now. Living in Korea is actually pretty cool. The kids will go to an international school at our post. We get free R&R every year at gov expense to travel, and either go site seeing, or visit family at home in the states. Asia is very beautiful and there is so much to see and learn about the culture there. I am retired US Navy so I have been around the world over, and it is nice to get to take advantage of the international traveling adventures, and the price is right. I know at some point we will finally settle down stateside, but until then we want to enjoy the rest of the world on someone elses dime so to speak. All in all it is a kind of sad day, but a new begining for us and the kids.

[captain harlock]

That's awful to hear about your ex-wife( although you seem not really sad....!?!?!?1!?!/1wk[).

Happy birth day dude!

[JERRY2KONE]

Thanks Harkock. For the wishes and for the sarcasam. Honestly we have been at odds for years, but alot of it was just jealousy on her part. She wanted to get back together, but I was not interseted after many years of feline(figure of speach) torture. So she was pissed at me for turning her down, and tried everything to make my life rough just to make a point.

Still to err is human, to forgive is devine. I know it sounds corney to some, but I do believe that carma is real. Reap what you sow, what goes around comes around etc. etc. etc..... With all of that said no one deserves to go through the riggers of terminal cancer. She finally retreated near the end, and called a truce so to speak. She realized that she needed to fix all the damage that she created, and began to help recover my relatinship with the kids for their best interest. In turn I for gave her. I think she was kind of blaming me for her illness through the last 4 years. She had to take it out on someone I guess. I really do believe that if you lead a shameful disrespectful life that it will come back on you some way some how either here or in the next life.

[rschoi_75]

My condolences for your loss. I think its great that you and your wife are doing this with open arms. I know its going to be tough for your kids at first, but as long as they know they have someone to count on, things will work out.

Korea is a pretty interesting country. What city are you going to live in? My brother and parents live in Seoul (military contractors/civilian), so I visit them once a year. Seoul is a great city. Jerry, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. It's larger and more densely populated than New York, with more neon than Las Vegas (seriously). You can pretty much find anything in Seoul, and often times the cool electronics come out a full generation ahead of what we have stateside. The subway system is fast, efficient and CLEAN! and there is virtually no violent crime. Seoul is one of the safest big cities to live in.... except for the drivers . Just take the subway, and stay off the streets... lol... j/k... Its not as bad as I make it out to be.

There's also a lot a fun things to do when you just want to slow down. You can go hiking, sightseeing, visit a 900 year old budhist temple, tons of shopping for the wife and daughter, and my favorite.... go-karting right next to the DMZ. It sounds totally wacko, but there is a go-kart track right next to the demilitarized zone. You can see it on your way to the museum/lookout.

Now on to the r/c side of things. Korea's r/c scene is well established, but like anywhere else, you have do some searching since its a small industry compared to everything else out there. Its home to Academy, Atech, Enerland, Kokam, Hitec, Sky & Tech (Quark), and others. The hobby shops there also carry a lot of Kyosho and Tamiya stuff. I'm sure people there would love to see some 1/8th scale conversions. You'd probably draw a crowd.

Good luck to you in your new life.

[rschoi_75]

I have to include two more pics from my last trip there in 2006.

1) look closely and put your mind in the gutter. Then you'll understand.

2) That's what they call me over in Seoul. ... (its actually the name of a restaurant I ate at).

My gf often calls me immature, but I don't see it...

[JERRY2KONE]

Thank you RSCHOI. You are right on the money with that one. We will live on Youngson Army base in Seoul. Our housing area is on top of the hill above the commissary. I did not know about the RC community there, but I am hoping to start something up at the base there. Plus if Quark is there, then maybe I can get better pricing on the 125B and others. All of my collection is E-SuperMaxx's. I wanted to get really good with these before begining something in a new style vehicle. I was thinking about doing a conversion with a Hellfire, and we have some helis that I have to learn how to fly as well.

Maybe we can race on your next visit to Seoul. As for the kids well I really got lucky with meeting my wife. She is so sweet and she really works hard to make sure that I am comfortable and happy. So returning the favor is much easier. We never argue about anything. It is just unbelievable after having such bad luck with past relationships. So the kids are in for something that they are not used to. Peace and happiness. Your right though it will take a little time for them to get used to that kind of harmony, but then we hope to see a peacefull household. Thanks for the good wishes.

[JERRY2KONE]

Hey Harlock happy birthday to you to. I just saw that you had a birthday this month as well. The big 50 will be next year for me. It was funny though. My wife did not have time to get the right candles so she put the 48 on the cake again this year. I asked if she is trying to keep me young? We had a good laugh.

[suicideneil]

Well, happy birthday I suppose. Life is strange sometimes, but you have a fresh start ahead of you, so hopefully things will work out well. Korea has abig crawling scene I believe in RC, so you should have a good time there.

[JERRY2KONE]

We are actually very much looking forward to the move, and starting fresh with the kids in tow. We know that it wil be hard for them at first, but within a year they should be pretty well adjusted to the life we will live there. New friends, new school, new everything.

I have a few buddies that have been stationed in Korea. They all like it. They also tell me R/C is everywhere. Good luck.

[JERRY2KONE]

We were actually there a few years ago and lived on the base there (Youngson), and now we are returning. I was not involved in the RC community at that time so I had no idea of the things available there for our hobby. Life is funny some times.

We actually got some good news yesterday. The State Department is flying me home to deal with everything and to get things in order for the kids to join us. The bad news is that my EX's husband (7 years) is already causing problems with the family and scaring the kids with threats of fighting for custody and suing me for childsupport. What a total wack job. We undestand his grief, but he hasn't a leg to stand on, nor the brains to see that he is a loser. So wish me luck with this situation.

I don't know if you guys heard, but Mavrick posted on UE that he is having some family issues as well right now. I think it is his nephew that is having seziers. Check it out if you have any medical help/advice to lend them.

[pipeous]

Good luck Jerry. I wish the adults would realize the crap they stir is really affecting the children more than the adults they intend to hurt. This is a big life change you you and your wife for sure, but I think it's huge for the kids. When my father died of cancer, I know my life changed quite a bit.... similar but different situation.... I now have a mother and sister to care for. My sister is a sweetheart, but though older than I, will remain a young child for the rest of her life in terms of learning.

Nobody should talk bad about the kids mother now. Let the kids have just good memories and let mom rest in peace. Karma is a funny thing, and it's ever present. How we act and what we do always has karma. I am a firm believer in it.
cheers

[Hickoryhead]

Jerry,
We may not being seeing the whole situation but just from reading your posts for that last while I think your kids will be better than fine. Your a straight and level headed guy. It seems to me that having your kids will do wonders not only for the kids but for you and the wife. I know the joy my son brings to my life and you will now have 3 again. Way to go Dad!!