Why I love being a Military Spouse ... sometimes!

Last Sunday, a close friend and I made the trek from my house all the way to Fort Dix.  This was the first time my friend had been a military base, let alone a PX, and I knew that she would be delighted with the discounted prices.

We were just chilling and looking at different perfumes when the makeup lady at the Shiseido counter made eye contact with us and started to chat us up.  As soon as she found out we spoke Korean, her face lit up and rapidly began to tell us about all the new products that Shiseido carried.  Soon we both ended up purchasing the "Pureness Start Up Kit" which comes with the following products:

From top to bottom: Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam, Pureness Balancing Softener, Pureness Matifying Moisturizer (Oil-Free)

As I was purchasing the start-up kit, I was really starting to regret my decision.  I really felt pressured into buying the product because the makeup counter lady was so nice to me and because she tried so hard to convince me about the product, I just could not refuse her!  For $27 bucks, was the kit really, truly worth it?

So I went home that night thinking "this bad boy better work..." and went into the bathroom to see the miraculous effects that the makeup lady promised me and my friend.  After I removed all my make up, I used the deep cleansing foam all over my face.  I followed the directions on the label (concentric circles) and washed my face off.  Strangely enough, this foam really seemed to help my oily skin.  What I mean to say is that the foam literally SUCKED the oil off my face.

So far so good.  Next, I dried my face and used a cotton round to apply the Balancing Softener.  This left my skin feeling very clean and red free (like using toner).  Nothing too special here.  Then I proceed to the final step: Matifying Moisturizer.  This moisturizer absorbed into the face and my skin felt dry after one application.

The results: after using these products for almost a week, I have noticed a HUGE difference in my skin.  My skin is sooo soft!  As soft as a baby's bottom (I mean that literally).  I never thought that my skin could go back to the way it was more than 10 years ago.  However, I am truly grateful to the pushy makeup counter lady because she was right, my skin looks and feels years younger.  I love that I was able to purchase the start up kit for only $27 vs. $50+ at the local mall.  Yes, sometimes being a military spouse definitely has it's perks!

So the next time you're at the PX, please check out the Shiseido MakeUp Counter.  The products are definitely worth your notice.

*Enchante*

Commissary

Since my husband has been deployment, I rarely go to the commissary*.  When I lived VA, I went to the commissary a couple of times a week.  The prices were great, the people were nice and I could always find the items on my grocery list.

Although the closest commissary is about an hour away from the house, the distance is not the reason why I refuse to go back to the commissary.  The real reason are the Korean workers.  Alright, so this may sound racist to you but I assure you that this is not my intent, so please read on.

These women married soldiers during the Korean War and were rejected by their families and rejected by the American society.  In all sincerity, I applaud these women; They have followed their husbands to a new country and tried to assimilate into a new world and culture.  Many of them still struggle to grasp a new language and have suffered the last thirty years in silence against some husbands who have been extremely controlling and suppressive towards their wives.

Now, if you can imagine this following scene: I am a twenty five year old, Korean American army spouse.  I speak Korean fluently as well as English and I am happily married to my DH, who is also Korean American. (Read: Young, Korean American, who married another Korean American and speaks fluent English).  When I walk into the Commissary, many older Korean wives are startled by my presence.  As I'm in the check out line, many wives as me if I'm Korean, they they ask me if I speak Korean and then they ask me if I'm from Korea.  Sometimes, they greet me with happy and excited faces when I explain my situation but most of the time, I get jealous looks from these wives.

I was lucky enough to marry another Korean American man, someone who understand my cultural background.  I don't have any trouble working the Army system because I am fully able to understand and comprehend English.  I am lucky enough to have received my masters degree in social work and I am able to work outside of the home, in a career field that I have chosen.  I am not limited to working at the Commissary because I have no other choice.  I feel extremely awkward around these women because I am fully aware of how privileged I am compared to them.  There seems to be some invisible hierarchy and without my knowledge I have somehow reached the top of that ladder.  

So to my many Military Korean Wives sisters ... please, do not treat me differently.  Please treat me as your equal; just another military spouse who struggles with the daily disappointments and happiness of this military life.

*Enchante*

*The commissary is the military version of the grocery store.