Author Archives: sarahbee

Pork Shells, Libs, and Convertible Tops

Friday night we went out on the town for date night. We met up with some of our good friends, and their sweet baby boy. We enjoyed a wonderful meal at a newly discovered restaurant very close to our house.

We stumbled upon this place while on one of our weeknight walks downtown. We both said that we’d have to go back sometime and try the place out. Ohhh goodness folks, we were so glad we did!

The Korean ladies loved baby G to pieces, they fussed over him the entire time we were there. Anytime the adults were talking and looking away they would immediately gush all over him picking up his sunglasses that he’d drop onto the floor, removing any rice he might have stuck to himself, wiping his nose or face. It was so entertaining plus baby G milked it for all it was worth. What a little ham!

I can tell…you are curious and wondering what exactly a pork shell and lib is.

Well, I just cannot help myself, I just have to share with all of you how my sweet little Korean co-worker translated the menu for me. She was explaining each dish, doing a fantastic job too! She started to lose me towards the middle of the menu when she started to use the term lib and shell. I just wasn’t understanding what a shell  or lib could possibly be on a pig. After talking some more and using some gestures we realized that shell was skin to me and lib was really a rib. We giggled, it was just to cute!

Mr. B Getting schooled in the art of meat grilling. (again) HA-HA!

A success of a date night if i don’t say so myself. Three cheers for pork shell and libs 🙂

Saturday I buzzed solo. I was in dire need of some hair attention. I walked down to the train station, caught the train and headed towards Seoul at 7:15AM. The sun was already out, our Korean neighbors already had their peppers out drying in the morning sun. Whew… the month of August doesn’t mess around in Korea…hot….muggy… I just cannot remember being this hot last year here. Perhaps I don’t want to remember?

After my hair appointment I walked throughout Itaewon. I knew there were two places that I wanted to check out while it was nice and I had the time to dawdle. Life is just a cup of cake, and the High Street Deli. Luckily these two places were fairly close to one another and I wasn’t out in the heat that much.

Life is just a cup of cake, is the most darling little cupcakory that is nestled back in off of the hustle and bustle of Itaewon’s main street. The outside of the place was just so inviting with its birdcage and cottage like feel. Who wouldn’t want to get sucked into this place?!

Once I got inside my nose immediately picked up on the cupcake aroma in the air and my eyes instantly fixated on all of the beautiful little cupcakes lined neatly under the countertop glass. So many important decisions to make…mind you these are the most delicious life decisions I really don’t mind having to make.

Mmmm…Blueberry Cream Cheese, Earl Grey White Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Almond Macaron, Double Green Tea, Mango Mango, Original Vanilla, All About Chocolate, Carrot.
(5,000 won each).
I got there fairly early in the day so I had a chance to sit down, relax, and indulge in the cuteness of the cupcakory. The interior was just perfect in size. There were two tables where you could enjoy sip your tea and please your taste buds with your delectable sweets.
The service was great! The women behind the counter spoke excellent English and was really lovely all around.
The taste… YUM-O! I’m such a plain Jane sometimes. I was torn between the vanilla and the earl grey cupcake. I ended up with the vanilla. Divine! I had to take one for Mr. B too. I ordered a Red velvet, his favorite, to go. They packaged it up in a cute plastic cupcake container and on my way I went.

Next stop, High Street Deli. I knew I had to swing by this place because of Mipa! I wanted to support her awesome vegan baking business that she works so hard at. This little lady has serious talent! I ordered a veggie on wheat sandwich because the heat was starting to get to me and I figured something light would hold me over on the train ride back home.

What a fun little deli! It’s located on the second floor of the building on the main Itaewon drag. High Street Deli had lots of foreign goods, of course a bit more expensive than what I was used to when we live stateside and had access to a plethora of products. However the prices are not that outlandish, nice!
You can pick up jams, frozen goodies, can goods, coffee, teas, muesli, deli meats, an assortment of cheese, candy, wines, pastas, etc. check out their website if you are curious

While I was getting ready to leave I was paying and chatting with the Korean worker there. Of course the topic of the sun and heat made its way into the conversation. The man was very kind and said, “I hope that you have your sunblock on or a sunbrella”, you’ve got a convertible top going on there. Of course I had a nervous giggle not quite sure what to make of the convertible top comment. I scooted out the door and checked out my almost covered shoulders, Cotton-knit, knee-length sundress….Hmmmmphh.. he-he-he, convertible top 😉

Interesting in checking these two places out? Do it! They won’t disappoint, I promise!

For the restaurant in Dongducheon click here

For the Life is like a cup of cake location click here

For the High Street Location click here

Scenes From Saturday

20120731-213155.jpg

20120731-213205.jpg

20120731-213212.jpg

20120731-213223.jpg

20120731-213230.jpg

20120731-213501.jpg

From top to bottom:
1. We giggled at the korenglish sign…all jokes aside, trash is serious business here!
2.*Refreshing* Very berry smoothie from our favorite charming back alley cafe in Songtan
3. What a stud, that man of mine.
4. Hmmm…well, I suppose this is true?
5. The most delightful peach bread pudding topped with vanilla ice-cream!
6. Miss Bean you are so silly! You just make us smile and laugh everyday 🙂

Oslynn Marie

She’s here! She’s here!

20120724-182725.jpg

20120724-182736.jpg

20120724-182743.jpg

20120725-072130.jpg

20120725-080822.jpg

20120725-080849.jpg

Yes! All perfect 7lbs 2oz and 18 inches of her!

Truely, how magical is motherhood ?


To give yourself and to give life to another….


Congratulations Kristen & Billy


You are both such wonderful parents


Ryder and Oslynn are two very lucky gems!


I can’t wait to meet my new bundle of joy baby niece!

What Does Summer Taste Like?

Well, to me it taste like….
F r e s h W a t e r m e l o n
&
B l u e b e r r i e s
With the summer temperatures soaring into the upper 80’s and 90’s, I find myself craving chilled thirst quenching fruits. I am on my fourth watermelon of the summer. While some (cough, cough, Mr. B) claim it’s borderline obsession, I like to think of it as simply getting my fill of the summer fruits in while I can. Those long days, warm nights, fresh vegetables, fruits and summer, itself, will be a memory before you know it! *Sigh*

I guess it wouldn’t come as a shocker to know that I heard the Watermelon truck near our place this weekend, rushed out immediately and purchased another one. Obviously I wasn’t the only one needing a watermelon fix…

I was the first one to the truck. No sooner did I turn around from paying for my prized possession, people were darting across the street and pulling over out of traffic to grab one too.

Right away, I took it home and sliced it up. Naturally.

This weekend I got to Skype with my grandparents as well. It’s always so nice getting to talk to them. We always end up reminiscing about my childhood or theirs. Not to mention seeing someones face at the other end makes missing home a bit more easier.

Anyways, we talked about how fruit trucks were something normal from when they were growing up. They said it was normal to purchase your fresh fruits,vegetables, and sometimes fresh fish, from a truck that would stop by your home about once a week or so. My Grandma said that sometimes she thinks that times like those were more convenient than that of today. Fresh milk at your door every morning, eggs, etc. What an interesting perspective.

Strangely enough, South Korea has many of these options still available. The ladies that I work with get a weekly delivery of eggs, and a daily delivery of yogurt to their homes.

Also while talking with my grandparents we discussed various foods we both had been cooking lately. Cue the blueberries! When I was growing up, I can always remember the summer weekends during berry season at my Grandparents. I think because my Grandma would make a simple yet absolutely delightful instant vanilla pudding with fresh blueberries on top. Mmmm!

Well, you know me, clearly, I’m all about nostalgia these days so I knew I needed to make some for to cherish with Mr. B <3

Dig in!

Secret Dipping Oil


He dips his bread, dresses his salad, and sautés his chicken in his secretive homemade oil.

So….

What’s in this stuff?!

Good question!

Guess you just have to stop by and enjoy with us!

Don’t forget to pick up a freshly, sliced baguette along the way too!

Date Night: Songchoo Gamagoll

For date night this week Mr. B and I decided to try a new option. This was a place we’ve passed a zillion times on the way into the city of Seoul, always muttering to one another we should come back and try one day almost regularly. Well, today was that day,
what a wonderful choice!
Songchoo Gamagoll was well priced, the atmosphere was open and fun, and the meat was so moist, tender, practically melting in your mouth.
The staff was so friendly. We giggled because we got preferential treatment, they didn’t trust us foreigners with the grill.
We’ll definitely be going back!


Grab the map coordinates here!

2012_07_06 Songchoo Gamagoll

2012_07_06 Songchoo GamagollJun 24, 2012Photos: 28
 

Tune Up

Let’s face it, vehicle tune ups are typically rather….

how do you say…

boring

inconvenient

and always end up being expensive!

Are you ready for this ?

….

Not in South Korea!

Yes, we did wake up at 5AM to travel to our car appointment in Suwon for 9AM. Yes, we did arrive an hour early, fearing the morning traffic would be beastly. But, we lucked out! The trip was easy peasy! Plus, they took us wayyy ahead of our 9AM scheduled appointment.

Talk about service!

ooOo they were working us…

Then we saw the lounge…

20120704-084930.jpg

20120704-084948.jpg

What’s that? You want to play a round of golf? Sure! Go ahead!

20120704-084959.jpg

Oh, you forgot your laptop? No problem! Free wifi and computers to take care of you.

20120704-085102.jpg

Stressed from the commute? Work? Have a kink that needs worked out? Sit down, relax!

20120704-085013.jpg

Finding yourself parched? Cafe latte, hot chocolate, or plain old Americano? They are endless while you wait

20120704-085038.jpg

Ahhh….perfect blogging conditions!

20120704-090034.jpg

You can order your own vehicle parts and the dealer will put them on for you, labor is cheap, andddd they told us they will be updating our software for free!

Sold! Hook line and sinker…I think they’ve got us!

Happy Birthday, America!

No matter what your age is, isn’t there just something so enchanting about fireworks?
I have such fond childhood memories of my grandparents taking me near and far to see the majestic displays.
Happy Birthday, America!
You know, I don’t believe I’ll ever outgrow wanting to see the beautifully colored pixie dust explode in the night sky.
Oohing & Ahhing!
Your nose pointed upward towards the sky in anticipation.
The loud thunderous booms you feel in your chest.
We were able to get home in time as dusk rapidly approached. I drug Mr.B towards the nearby US Army Base to catch the 4th of July show. We sat down a blanket in a church parking lot. What fun seeing and hearing the Koreans just as excited to watch as we were. (Mr. B, Thanks for loving my inner fun child side too!)
Whether you celebrated with fireworks or not…
We hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!
* * * * *

Seoul Cathederal

This morning I awoke and decided to take the train down to Seoul Cathedral. When Rebecca was visiting we talked a lot about church, God, life, and the family that you build within a church.

Rebecca wanted to attend an English service at the Seoul Cathedral while visiting, however time slipped away from us.

I decided that today was a perfect day as any to attend service. Plus, I wanted to share with her and others how the Cathedral and service was.

Seoul Cathedral is located beside Deoksu Palace and across from Seoul City Hall. You can take Subway Line 1 and get out at Exit 3. I was absolutely delighted on how easy it was to find the Cathedral after exiting the subway.

Please excuse the iPhone photo quality

20120701-164547.jpg

20120701-164648.jpg

20120701-164803.jpg

(Once you reach the top of the exit 3’s stairs you will immediately see this wall, follow until you reach the opening street that turns left, keeping an eye out for the above posted sign too.)

20120701-164406.jpg

The Anglican worship and Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 9:30 AM (in English) located in the Cathedrals Crypt Chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

Immediately while wondering and being completely astounded by the exterior of outside, I was approached, greeted, and led into where the English service would start.

There was a real sense of pride, geniality, and overall neighborliness. All the impressions and feelings a place of worship should leave you feeling.

20120701-164909.jpg

20120701-164951.jpg

The congregation was fabulously welcoming. It was wonderful to see and meet various nationalities present too.

20120701-165029.jpg

20120701-165109.jpg

The space was so unique. I was told that Reverend Mark Trollope is buried in the Crypt Chapel and his remains lie under a copperplate engraving of him, as shown above.

20120701-165147.jpg

Happy Sunday!

Grab the map coordinates here!