Nominated for the Liebster Award - thing

I'm not really sure how this works but The Nomad Cooks nominated me for one and I figured why not play along.

I need to answer questions posted by the person who nominated me then give out 11 of my own to blogs I will nominate. In the end I guess it is just a fun thing to do.

1. What's the scariest, as in uncomfortable thing you have ever done?
Went to a gynecologist in Korea.

2. Do you know a celebrity or ever had a semi-personal experience with a celebrity?
A student at my school is a daughter of a celebrity and he comes often to see her do stuff. Otherwise I know people ....who know people..

3. How often do you clean your house?
Often!

4. What's your funniest / most embarrassing bathroom moment?
Realizing there is no tissue in the stall.

5. Do you have an embarrassing intoxicated story?
Nope

6. What's your favorite book?
The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, by Haruki Murakami

7. What's the craziest thing you have ever eaten?
A moldy bagel, I didn't know was moldy.

8. How honestly do you care about the news and world events?
I care very deeply since it impacts my life and future.

9. What's your secret meal when you have the house to yourself?
I always have the house to myself!

10. Who hates you?
Contact me if you really need to know.

11. If all fears were dissolved, what would be the biggest change you would make in your life?
I'm already moving to America after five years living in Korea, so that is a big change.

~~

Now for my nominees:
1. Maggie Moo Does Korea
2. Anya's Musings
3. The View From Over Here
4. Jennipal (she already did it, but ah well)

If you want to participate let me know!

My 11 questions for my nominees:

1. Do you ever put on mismatching socks?
2. Why did you eat that?
3. Are you materialistic or not?
4. What's your fondest memory as a child?
5. Who calls you the most?
6. Where could you go, if you could go there?
7. Anime or KDrama?
8. Best movie snack?
9. Gloves or mittens?
10. Where have you been that filled you with inspiration and a new passion for life?
11. Honestly, what were you thinking?

Good luck with that!

Little Rock Concert at Hansung University

As I sat inside a small auditorium at Hansung University watching a small rock concert put on by students, I couldn't help but look around and consider that in a year I would be far-far away from this place.

I felt mixed up knowing I was going to miss the random excitement I have in Korea, but also full of wonder about what fun places I will find back home.

In the end I decided to go with the moment and enjoyed watching these young folks sing and play their hearts out. The way the concert worked was that these individuals would come on stage and take their place, either behind the drums or with a guitar. Then they would sing a song or two, say thank you and exit. After which another set of folks would come on and do the same thing. But then it would be the same members mixed up with others and in different positions. So for one set you would see the drummer pumping away, and then come back on stage as the singer. Talk about multi-talented!

Most of the members were male, but I was glad to see a female bass guitarist and pianist.

The style of music was mostly rock, which were covers of known Korean songs. However, I didn't really know much of the music but enjoyed anyways. In the crowd were fans and friends cheering on and giving support. It felt like a fun small gathering of University students. My friend invited me who has a friend in the band, so that's how I got to go.

I'm not too skilled in the instrument playing or singing department, but by the last act I would say the talent got a lot better. Surely I was highly impressed and who knows maybe one of these players will go on to be a contestant on Super Star K (Korea's version of American Idol).

Since this was random I have a feeling that small concerts like this go on quite often at the numerous Universities around Seoul. So if you can figure out how and when to see them, I would definitely recommend it. Sorry I can't be of much help in actually knowing how to find out more information.

One way might be to just follow your ear, as rock music generally thumps it's way outside. ;)

Bikes in front of Cafes

The bike in front of the cafe must be a charming way to get customers inside. "Oh, look at me! I'm a cafe with a trendy bike in front of it. Come in, and enjoy your Americano on ice in this comfy place!"

Or maybe the two just naturally go together...

And now for a random red and green wall...

Nocksapyeong Station in Black and White

Spring Hope

It is already in the air, the sweet smell of Spring and as I see the tiny fresh green buds sprouting from the street-side plants, I get full of hope. I wanted to take pictures on my way home today but didn't accomplish this. I'll try to do so soon.

It fills me full of relief that winter is really going to be on its way out. Sure yellow dust might be coming and the summer heat, but I'm happy to shed this past winter. I don't share much intimate details on here, but let's just say this past cold season wasn't my best.

I hope this coming Spring is giving other people a new fresh start, as I feel it is doing to my life.

Sculpture Garden and Cafe in Gwanghwamun

Last Saturday I went out to Gwanghwamun to check out an art museum I haven't been to. It was a windy day, yet I trucked through it anyways. The museum I was looking for is the, Sungkok Museum of Art, which features contemporary works. Finding this place was part of the fun, as it was tucked in a residential alley in the area.

Plus the directions off the website were a little vague. I will include directions to the museum at the end of this post, for those interested. However, the museum is located across the street from some interesting looking cafes.

Unfortunately when I arrived they were in-between exhibits and I was turned away at the ticket counter. I guess I should have double checked this before going. Yet, I took the news well and noticed they had a sculpture garden. On this cool March afternoon I saw nobody else perusing the artworks and thought how nice it would be to have a solitude moment in the center of Seoul.

Along the path of the sculpture garden was the museum cafe, with chairs outside. I think on a lovely spring afternoon or even in the summer this would make a great spot to come back to. I mostly really enjoyed being in this garden-art-spacenby myself and appreciating hearing birds chirping in the distance and the branches swaying to the breeze.

The sculptures themselves were nice to look at, but nothing really struck my attention. I did find a nice bench to sit on and soak whatever sun rays I could get, and contemplate this space.

Afterwards, I headed down the street and around the corner towards a cafe I had been to last Fall. I still had the business postcard and so used it to find my way there. I recall it is a quant and cute little cafe with a lovely selection of tea.

The name of the cafe is NamuSairo or 나무사로. You walk inside to the area where drinks are made and then are seated past the hallway and into the other room. Here along the backside wall is a large mirror panel, to one side are bookshelves with magazines and books. You are handed the menu and left to divulge what is offered.

If you are a coffee lover this place has a large selection and categorized the menu by the origin of the beans. As non-coffee drinker I can't really tell you what they had was special, but I could jest that this place serves up a good cup. As for the other selection of drinks, their tea menu was extensive and they give your tea served in a pot that you pour into your cup. I ordered my favorite choice, milk tea, and found it to be quite good.

I enjoyed another solitude moment at a cafe in Seoul, before other people strolled in. For sure this place was packed the last time I visited (on a Sunday night), so do expect crowds. However, it has a more "intimate" oriented feel to it than say Cafe Pascucci or those other big brand ones.

Also on the menu were home cooked pastries and cakes for one to delve into, which were fresh as the bakery smell lingered around the cafe.

Definitely go out and branch off from the tourist path in Gwanghwamun and check out these places. There were several cafes and restaurants along the way that looked very appetizing.

Directions:

To Sungkok Art Museum:

• Exit from Gwanghwamun Station Exit 7
• Make a U-turn and then turn right at that corner.
• Go up this street heading towards the Seoul Museum of History.
• Just as you see the Seoul Museum of History in front of you and the Salvation Army building on your right, turn right at this corner.
• Go up this street which has cafes on it and follow it as it bends left.
• Go up this hilly street and you will find the museum on your right, about 8 mins later.

To the Cafe:

• Come out of Exit 1 of Gwanghwamun Station.
• Veer towards the narrower street that goes in a vertical line. Head up this and pass many restaurants.
• When you get to the large street, turn left.
• You will pass by office-tell buildings.
• The cafe is situated on street level under one of these buildings.

MAP LINK

Icicles

It is so cold outside that I noticed little icicles on my eyelashes. The condensation from my breath seems to make moisture build up in beads and then the cold air crystalizes them. An interesting phenomenon indeed, however isn't doing much to make me like winter more.

Spring, come to the land of Korea!

Bush Wore a Hanbok

As I was taking my look at the front page of The New York Times, I browsed through a set of photos. Ones of nation leaders wearing the traditional costume of Asian nations. And then I stumbled upon seeing Bush wearing a hanbok in 2005.

source

The article commented on the costume by saying, "...pastel “hanboks” in South Korea with bow-like trim that resembled (female) wedding wear; and silk tunics in Vietnam."

Good one!

It's something to think about. Should nation leaders where the costume of the country they are visiting? Or is this just silly?

Yoplait Original Yogurt: Yuja Flavor

The most shopping I do in life seems to be at the grocery store. In college I only had about 25 dollars a week to live off of for groceries. Gosh! Can you imagine! I remember going to the cheap-o supermarket and getting a loaf of bread for 2.50, and thinking "Sheesh so expensive!"

In those days, a new flavor of jam was my excitement for the week. Actually, that fact is still true to this day. However, most yummy jams in Korea are really expensive.

I suppose my exciting flavor change of the week is finding Yuja flavored yogurt on sale at Lotte Mart.

Yuja or 유자 is a tangy form of a lemon. Out here they like to turn it into tea and other things. I especially like Yuja Cha, but wonder about the sugar content.

Anyways, this Yuja yogurt tasted quite good. It had the punch of the lemony flavor but also a nice sweetness too. There were even bits of Yuja fruit inside, which I enjoyed discovering.

Tom didn't have much interest in this yogurt, I guess he prefers the plain flavors. So no "paws up" for this one, haha.

Have you discovered a yogurt you like in Korea? Do share...

Noksapyeong

For some reason, I never bothered to ask, I have Monday off tomorrow. Yesterday,  I went to Noksapyeong with the goal of going to an art and music event. When I got there I was very hungry and took the photo above.

I thought I would eat at the place called, Fat Panda, but couldn't find it. I ran into someone familiar and they told me it had closed down. So instead I ate at Buddha's Belly Take Out. A smaller version of the real thing over in Itaewon. It was good, but a bit too salty.

My goal was to go to the Laughing Tree Lab's musical and art event. I got to the door and was told I should give 10,000 won to get in. I didn't have any cash on me, and said I gotta go to the bank. But I wasn't really feeling it. I'm a shy gal and going to a gig with loud music, lots of people and drinks makes me really feel like a geek. Who knows, maybe if I were having a super confident day I would have gone in. My goal was to blog about it, so sorry folks!

Instead I went into Itaewon and got the new Haruki Murakami book, "IQ84." Which, by the way, is very heavy!

I headed home and cracked open my new book.

Recently I made a painting reflecting upon the wonder of Fall. I gave it away to a friend so all that remains is this photo...

 Maybe I'll make another one.... I kind of enjoyed using that color palette.

A Possible Cure for Korea's Public Art

If you travel enough around Seoul you start to notice large steel sculptures in front of corporate buildings. At first they look interesting, but after the fiftieth time you start to think it is just some kind of contest.

I found an article that talks about some kind of street artist covering up corporate sculptures. Some kind of new trend.

I think if this person or these people came to Korea, they would have their work cut out for them!

Something Funny

Heard this joke recently and it gave me a chuckle.

A delivery man came up to the gate at a Korean house (story is in Korea).

He rang the bell and said, "Anyone there?"

Next thing he heard was, "Nae" "Nae" (내) (Korean word for yes.)

But no one came to the gate.

So he knocked on the gate and asked again.

He heard it again, "Nae" "Nae"

But no one came again.

So he put down the delivery box and climbed up over the gate to get a peek. 

What he saw was a goat and it was going, "Nae", "Nae".

I laughed for so many reasons. >< Such a geek.

Browning Out

Got to my building and approached the elevator. Waited for it. Then the digital sign went blank. A woman came by and was amazed and asked the Ahjusshi what's up, but he didn't seem to know. Then the lady decided to take the stairs. Yet she came back and the power went back on, so we got in the elevator together. It was a bit tense as she was on the 6th and me the 12th floor. I made it to my house, but as soon as I sat down the power went out again. Just glad I wasn't in the elevator.

~end of story~

Tom and his Brother

Tom and his brother Kaiju make a great pair. Sometimes they get to have playdates when one of their owners goes out of town. They fought with each other at times but it was mostly play.

When Kaiju went back home poor Tom was meowing around the house for him.

My friend and I hope to bring them together now and then so they don't miss each other too much. haha