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I know, this is an overdue update about my life in Korea, and oh so much has been filling my days here. I am excited for this post and hope you sit in anticipation as well! There's so much I want to share and find it hard to provide a cohesive entry. I feel stuck like a clogged pipe, too much mass compiled.

I left Pusan and trekked up to Seoul about a month ago. I moved into my very first own home. It's a quaint studio located in the Shin Chon area of Seoul, a bustling college town that never sleeps. Although I often miss the comofort of roomies, living alone is a great lifestyle. I began my classes at Yonsei University's Korean Language Program. Through that I am meeting new friends from very diverse backgrounds. In my class of 13 there are people from China, Japan, US, Russia and Uzbekistan. It's fulfilling to be back in academia but having to watch your bedtime again sucks, like always. Classes run 4 hours a day, everyday. I spend the rest of my time discovering yummies and exploring this city. I feel blessed.

Cool breezes finally replaced the wretched humidity and autumnal colors paint the tips of the leaves on the trees. It's getting cold though, flippin cold... I have an electric blanket on my "to buy list" now.

I know uploading and organizing all the pictures is going to take some time on my part, but I think it's going to be a healthy exercise for me. I hope to recollect and allow the events and observations of the past month settle down gracefully.

There are 4 sections. The first introduces my new home and her corners. Yummy finds will be covered in the second (most of you should know I'm a passionate foodie). The last strip of pictures will be just miscalenous shots. Enjoy!


Wall 1: Door, kitchen and washing machine.


Wall 2: fold out bed and closet


Wall 3: window and Daisy (the tree), named after Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby. The following 2 quotes inspired her name.

"I know. I’ve been everywhere and seen everything and done everything…Sophisticated — God, I’m sophisticated!"
"What’ll we do with ourselves this afternoon? Cried Daisy, and the day after that, and the next thirty years?"


My babies getting that photosynthesis. I can't have a dog, so settled for them instead.



mama and me


Jessica and me


outside my window. find the sleepy fat cat that likes to hump on Saturday mornings (seriously).





giant grapes, the reason i love Korea in fall.


pan fried spicy squid - rice getting tossed in.


can't ever go wrong with some bbq


una tortilla



cat peering out the window


cat at the bar

sorta l'arbre

little boy with monkey on his back with a tail leash. doggie versions have also been seen




cute baby wrapper in her mama's scarf


Anish Kapoor exhibit



cool cafe (the bike is real)




mama and me


velas













oh yeah, my sister arrived last night. whoo hoo!

the F bomb exploded

so i just lost my sunglasses. these super cute paul frank ones my cousin bought me... Realizing their disappearance I dug my head into my backpack and my arms desperately searched all corners. When my hands failed to locate the shades I figured I dropped them somewhere. Out of frustration I began to softly yell, "F*** F*** F*** F*** F*** " under my breath. Okay, it wasn't so softly. The second I raised my head out of the bag, my eyes met a pair of green brown eyes rimmed by nerdy eye glasses. Not only was he a white man in a remote alley way in Pusan, but he was a white monk dressed in the traditional gray friar costume, from bald head to toe. I felt so shameful! I walked a few steps away, hoping that he didn't speak English. Although, I imagine even children in remote villages of Uzbekistan would know that f*** is a bad word. I slowly turned my neck towards him to scope if he was looking at me. And oh yes he was. He in fact turned his body around from his initial direction to observe me - this random Korean girl who just had a 5 F-word outburst.

I then thought how easier life would be without earthly desires. And that I need to work on potty mouth control.

Today's journey and discoveries

it's chestnut season! I've noticed that most Californians are unfamiliar with this fall/winter delight. Correct?


salt and pepper shakers. alone they look like sad ghosts doing a "ta-da!". when put together they hug*

Hello kitty goes stone age. the last one on the right with the wheel is my favorite.

Okinawa - it was like a bread pudding with an eastern kick. scrumptious bakeries fill the streets of korea. green tea flavor pastries and anything sprinkled with sesame seeds will bring a party to your mouth.

stylish bling-bling in the ear hole!


lunch - the bok choy core planted on to the wasabi is pretty clever and darn cute

My just created cotton stuffed felt chicken. My first thoughts this morning were felt tip fine point markers. So I went to an art store, picked up some colors and chicken supplies. and no joke, during its creation I munched on chicken. I didn't realize the coincidence until I was sewing on the tail.



I couldn't resist. useless yet so necessary - I'm a sucka for nonsensical objects that stir emotional delight. Jazz up common objects and enjoy daily tasks. I believe in fun and attractive practicality.

come over! After I use the bear head to open my door, we'll use a family of ducks for toothpicks. notice how papa's spear is thicker than mama's. gotta love the detail.

how could I say no to a tearing hello kitty?

i fell in love. a calendar made out of blocks. Each block is removable and so that you could "build" each month accordingly. I never have to buy a calendar again, it's the epitome of recycling.

the way they move so naturally is freaky. I find these quite entertaining, but I would never purchase one. They serve no utility.

--on the way home--





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- walking with upside down ponies.

where I am now.

While washing the dishes the green label of this bottle caught my eye. I read it then reread it about 3 times... it dawned of me,
geesh golly I am in Korea!


meet mama jenny choi. Without fail, my umma always has fresh cut fruit waiting for me on the counter as I crawl out of bed. My taste buds awake to juicy melons and delicate white summer peaches before my eyes are even fully open. Yeah, she's pretty much wonderful.


This scene sums up one of the many reasons I adore this country. In notime a coat will warm my back as a fish cake stick melts onto my palette.


My cup of tea


An old friend, a new friend and the sand meet firecrackers.


Our 3rd time in Korea together. Either than a few inches and trimmed eyebrows not much has changed since the days of our red polyester uniforms, hideous pink clinique lipstick and the white leather flats.


With happy tummies we extended the satisfaction to our feet.


Little me.