Tag Archives: South Korea

Just being neighborly

Some calendars list September 28th as National Good Neighbor Day, don’t ask me how I remember these crazy sorts of things, I just do. But to be quite honest, there is no reason as to why you shouldn’t reach out and just be neighborly year round.

NATIONAL GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY HISTORY (source of history found here.)

National Good Neighbor Day was created in the early 1970′s by Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana. In 1978 United States President Jimmy Carter <---(PS: Love the Carters! Habitat For Humanity, National Good Neighbor Day…I could seriously just squeeze his sweet elderly cheeks) issued Proclamation 4601:

“As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the people’s of this world, we are mindful that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love, and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation, and the nations of the world. For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family…I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

If you’ve been following along, you’ve seen that we recently moved. It’s just a few miles down the road, but it’s a move. I cannot say this enough, everyone is super neighborly here! Hello’s in the parking garage, hello’s on the elevator, hello’s as we leave for a stroll on our evening walks, hello’s from the gate-guards as they walk around checking on parking and such. It’s just nice! It’s crazy to think we’ve been in Korea a combined 4 years and up until recently we never experienced this. To be fair our old place we went weeks without catching the same elevator ride with someone in our building, or I’d like to believe they’d be more neighborly too?

Completely coincidentally I woke up Sunday morning to some news about my new neighbor and her daughter. I instantly wanted to do something little to brighten their day after the horrific night they had. I immediately thought about the beautiful little hand-tied flower arrangement I made and put into a vase in our entry. Why not share the power of something cheery like a dainty wild sunflower and greens with written words of encouragement. To me it’s those little random acts of kindness that gets us all through tough times, don’t you agree?

So here I am blogging on celebrating National Good Neighbor Day! Why not do something nice for your neighbor today too? I’d love to hear your thoughts and maybe some things you did or might do for your neighbors.

Backpackbees

Time & yogurt

“The trouble is, you think you have time.”-Gautama Buddha

I read this quote the other morning and it really got me thinking about the concept of time. Like how I say I’ll get out for that stroll in the sunshine tomorrow; I’ll apply to that cooking school later down the road; I’ll travel more when I’m older; perhaps next weekend I’ll bust out that yogurt maker and use it; etc.

The sad reality is I am extremely guilty of putting off things because I think I’ll have more time later, but later often never comes. Eek! Take for example something as simple as my yogurt maker example. I was really tired of not being able to get yogurt when I want, plus all you hear now on the news is you are being lied to about ingredients, who needs that? My friends knew and purchased me a yogurt maker for Christmas….cough, cough….last year. I cannot tell you time and time again how I thought, “okay next weekend I’m busting out my bad as$ yogurt maker and getting busy”….. next week never came.

As simple as using a yogurt maker is I could have made time.

Well, tomorrow is today and why aren’t we all living for now? I’m not saying I’m going off the deep end and quitting my day job to take up my daydreams of becoming 100% self-sufficient with our food source, but maybe I’ll work on making time to fit in the yogurt making adventures.

Does the quote have you thinking? Want to take a new class to learn a new skill? Find one in your area, adjust your schedule to make that time and take it! Do you want more family time? Make it a priority and do it! Want to travel to other countries, visit us Bees? Start putting back bits of extra money and come see us!

Everything isn’t as simple as it seems on paper. I know life throws you all sorts of curveballs and then wouldn’t you know it….that sneaky time factor pops right back up and tends to hold you back. All I’m saying is I, we, are guilty of thinking that there will be time later. Start small and don’t get overwhelmed you will start to see those exciting changes soon! Remember time is a precious gift, don’t miss out by taking a rain check that you may never fulfill. None of us know really how long we’ve got to use the gift of time.

Today’s challenge…. Think about the quote and really let it set in. What do you currently make time for and what do you really want to make time for?

And since tomorrow is today, I’ll share my yogurt making adventures with you all. It actually turned out surprisingly simple! The only pain point was waiting on the milk to cool…but with that extra time I took a shower, ate lunch and started typing up a new blog post. But as you and I both know, only time will tell with the results we get…. No pun intended. Ha-Ha!

I used my BOmann yogurt maker and bought this freeze-dried yogurt starter with probiotic from Amazon. It took me some time to decide what starter I wanted, also keeping in mind I didn’t have the option for the starters that must maintain refrigerated during shipping process. This one had a lot of really positive reviews too.

I started off by washing each of the glass containers out that come with the BOmann yogurt maker in very hot soapy water.

Then I started to prepare the yogurt and starter like so:

1. Heat about 4 cups; or 1 litre; or 1 quart; of Organic Valley milk to 180F (82C), or bring to the boiling point
2. Cool the milk down to 73-77F (23-25C)
3. Dissolve 1 packet (5g) of the culture in the cooled milk, I gently whisked it all until it was well mixed
4. Pour the yogurt mixture evenly into the glasses, but do not cap each glass
5. Set timer and incubate yogurt mixture for 8-10 hours, or until it reaches your desired firmness. Carefully remove the lid, watch so that the condensation doesn’t drip off into the yogurt jars.
6. Refrigerate once done and enjoy as you’d like! We love to top with fun seasonal fruits and nuts.

Dedicated to my grandparents who still show me that there isn’t such a thing as too much time spent with me.

Backpackbees

Style: falling into fall

Old Fall Cozy Edition

I’m such a four seasons type of gal. I look forward to celebrating each new season as it sweeps in to change everything around me. The nights have been getting much cooler and fall is absolutely on its way in, but the days tend to warm up and still reach anywhere from upper 70’s to 80’s. I find myself needing versatile pieces and layers that I can remove as the temperatures fluctuate.

The move has certainly helped me to re-kindle and re-find my old favorites in my closet from last season. I love the chambray shirt that I can roll up the sleeves, the puffer vest that everyone went C-razy over last year, and my two closet staples the pencil skirt and scarf. It feels so good to also organize everything into its new home again too. I thought what a wonderful opportunity to share a few of my picks that I’m looking forward to sporting to remain comfy and cozy into the fall season.

PS: Don’t forget to swing by Starbucks and pick up a pumpkin spice latte (sorry Food Babe, I cannot resist when I am stateside) and check out (5) the brand new his-and-hers Apple watch certainly swoon-worthy.

What are some of your comfy cozy fall favorites?

Backpackbees

Things worth sharing: We moved!

YES! You did read that correctly, we have moved!

Simmer, simmer, we are still in Korea. Actually, we are only a mile or two down the road from our old place. We like to think of this as our new adventure, or chapter to our story. You know, that’s the wonderful thing about adventures… they really don’t need to be limited to some gigantic change in your life. Adventures aren’t one size fits all and can occur in the spur of any life moment.

Speaking of spur of the moment, our lease was coming up and we just started to discuss our options and thoughts of what we might want to do next. It was challenging to think that we’d actually live somewhere else in Korea after being in the same place for over 4 years. We experienced so many memories and really made the place our home. However, with some unfortunate things going on with the management office and our complex, we ultimately decided to start looking at a new place.

Our realtor was incredibly helpful and really eager to assist us with our decision to move. She took us to see two places with different floor plans. We ended up falling for the second place and made the decision to take it. We waited about 12 hours and then heard the great news; you’ve got the place!

Onward to moving… we were able to book a moving company three days after we made our decision to move. Talk about quick! Our realtor and moving company told us do not pack anything, don’t clean, and just relax.

HA-HA! We thought these people are silly! The two words relax and move, in the same sentence? I mean the “to do list” is endless when you think of what needs to be done when you move. To top it all off, you have to clean both places. Nope. Wait, did I really just answer myself with the word nope? Yep, I defiantly did. We found out that it’s actually customary to leave some dust and a bit of dirt for the new tenants as good luck. REALLY?! How awesome is that? However, when you are moving into your new place, keep in mind that the same concept applies. You might have a bit of unexpected work to do when you move into your new place. (Enter me scrubbing down every bit of wood in the place and mopping the floors).

The day the movers showed up, they literally went from room to room and packed up everything into crates and moved them out the window of our 6th floor apartment. Mr. B attempted to move something and was promptly scolded for doing so. OOPS! Guess they meant serious business with the “don’t pack anything” statement.

As quick as the movers arrived, the movers were packed up and gone with all of our home goods on the road and heading to our new place. Another outstanding item worth sharing is that these movers actually unpack all of your packed items into a similar location of the new place, as it was in the old. This can be great, or can be a bit more of a burden depending on the way the situation plays out. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take off work and Mr. B let the movers unpack where they thought the items might go. Word to the wise… they aren’t mind readers. I had to keep reminding myself throughout the day that no one is really going to meet up to my obsessive orderly home standards. Oh yeah, I called myself out on the Internet. It’s okay, I ended up unpacking all of the items afterwards like a wild scavenger hunt. Adventure noted for next time.

Our first night in our new place, we grabbed jajangmyeon for dinner, think of it as the pizza that we Americans consume on a moving day. The concept behind the dish, just like pizza is still the same, you just moved and your kitchen isn’t completely set up for you to use. Like pizza, jajangmyeon is full of that fatty carby goodness you need to keep you going. Unlike pizza, there is no tomato sauce or cheese, mmhmmm the dish features a thick black bean paste sauce, tofu that is diced small into cubes, mushrooms, Chinese noodles, peanuts, and zucchini. Who would have thought, it actually hit the spot!

For the first time in days, I am actually sitting in our new place with my feet up and able to type out a blog post to you all. Whew. What a wild adventure! With that being said, tell me about the adventures you are taking on today.

Backpackbees

The C Word

This week I received a message from a dear friend that said she was getting a biopsy done, and may have breast cancer. Immediately my heart sank…. I couldn’t believe the words as I read them slowly out loud to myself.

…Really?! She’s so young!! This has to be some sick joke! There is no way!!…. Endless things racing and spinning through my head.

On top of it all I felt helpless and so scared for her.

There are no real words to truly comfort a loved one under those circumstances. The anxiety that eats them waiting for that call, those biopsy results, the words “no cancer”. Of course, I responded immediately with the power of prayer, strength, good vibes, and happy thoughts.

This morning I awoke to the most amazing news, I found out that her results read that she did NOT have cancer! Praise The Lord!

As I sipped my morning coffee in our quiet empty apartment I couldn’t help but to realize that you never, ever, know what lies ahead. Life is so terribly short. You have to appreciate the family and friends that you have right now. Cherish every day and moment with them. Like it or not, these scary and tough real life moments in life will make you stronger, and also make you realize that you need to live each day to the fullest. Why do we stay angry? hold grudges? or live in regret? We’ve got to make the most of our lives while we are here!

I decided to share the Cosmo field near our place with this post because it certainly calls for a celebratory cheers! Just look at them! Aren’t these wild gals beautiful?

Backpackbees

Sisters in Seoul

I love when the sky looks like cotton candy or a beautiful water painting. That was the view from our place of Friday evening. It just begged to be captured for beautiful memories in the future.

So, Mr. B’s other cousins, Kelsey’s sisters, made it to Seoul to visit and travel around with Kelsey before she departs South Korea. They asked me if I’d like to meet up with them on Saturday morning and swing by the flower market at the Express bus terminal, and grab brunch. Unfortunately, the flower market was a bust. I think it has to do with it being so darn hot here. It was a shame they couldn’t see what we did from our last trip in the Spring. Nonetheless there were still some beautiful flowers. (I didn’t photograph).

After we left the flower market, we headed to Dean & Deluca. I’m so infatuated with this place. Each time I go I find myself wanting to learn more about seasoning salts, oils, and whatever else grabs my attention and mind. I picked up wild porcini sea salt and pumpkin butter. To say I was pretty excited is quite the understatement.

Two of us had the summer seasonal ricotta salad, one had tiramisu French toast, and the other the ricotta banana pancakes. The food just doesn’t disappoint! (Again, sorry no photographs)

From brunch we headed to Yeouido island only a few short stops away. We walked through the park taking in all the green, but keeping an eye on the really dark large storm clouds that looked like they were creeping in.

Do you see the gourds that are growing from the top and hanging down? We all joked about it falling on someone, but seriously all jokes aside, that would hurt if you didn’t expect something like that to fall on you. Eek!

From the park we crossed the road and went to the waterfront. Kelsey and I really enjoy the last time we sat with our feet dipped in the cool water. At that time it was really relaxed with minimal people…this time hardly any elbow room. Check out all the tents and children! When we walked under the bridge all you could see were tents upon tents. It looked like we were on some hippy compound, I was digging the vibe. Eventually we settled on a place and relaxed. This really is one of my favorite spots of the city. I love watching the people at the park, looking at the talk buildings across the way, and watching the Seoul boat tour putter up and down the river.

Addresses:

Express Bus Terminal: Lines 3, 7, 9.

Gangnam Flower Market: Exit 1 of the express bus terminal train station, the building next to the Shinsegae Department Store and the Bus Terminal. Go into the bus terminal, turn right and look for the escalators, go up to second floor.

Shinsegae Department (Gangnam) store B1, 19-3, Banpodong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Dean and Deluca: Located on the basement food-court in Shinsegae Department.
Website : http://www.deandeluca.co.kr

Yeouido Park
120, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 영등포구 여의공원로 120 (여의도동)

Backpackbees

Summer Saunter

Keeping with the same mantra, determined to squeeze every ounce of summer out of the season, I met up with Kelsey in Seoul early Saturday morning. Of course it was drizzling on again, off again. You know the rain that makes you feeling like someone is constantly misting you? Yep, that was the type. We had umbrellas so we didn’t let it spoil our plans or fun.

We started out by treating ourselves with a pedicure. We both struggled not to fall asleep in the chairs and thought maybe, just maybe, this should have been the final stop of our adventure? LOL! (I know what you are thinking right about now…life is hard,right?)

With our freshly painted tootsies, we headed to an area near Insadong that I wanted to share with Kelsey. I adore the Bukchon Village area, it has lots of sparkle and tons of areas for her to snap photos of the city.

The first stop was at Brick and Wood. This is a ridiculously charming brunch, lunch or dinner spot! I stumbled upon the place the last time that I took a quiet saunter with Mary while in the area. I had only went into the bakery last time and knew just from that I needed to get back to enjoy the restaurant too.

The space is rustic yet has a fun modern flair with its old wooden floors and it’s open, airy, exposed brick and concrete walls. The kitchen is out in the open and made us feel like they were preparing private dishes just for us. I love nothing more than to take a peek on how chefs are preparing dishes and the techniques they are using.

We hit the Bukchon Hanok Village area at a perfect time! The rain kept the large crowds tamed. We strolled casually all over, checking out tiny little boutiques, stopping to smell flowers, making friends with two handsome pups and their British owner, admiring the views, people watching, and of course enjoying green tea potbingsu at the Café Terrace.

(See the couple below?) They were the sweetest couple attempting to take a selfie under the we are young graffiti, so we offered to take the photo for them. They were so pleased with the offer they insisted on taking our photo too! Kelsey and I were swooning over the couples cuteness because we could tell they were just newly dating.

Saved some of the best for last. Yum! Green tea and watermelon who would have thought?

Backpackbees

Addresses:

Brick & Wood Restaurant & Bakery
Locations and website here.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)
Check out more here.

Last Weekend

You must excuse me for the lack of post from last weekend. The majority of our July has been spent staying outside until the last very last second possible, or until the rain moves in. We are in monsoon season here in S.Korea so getting out and about when the sun is shining is imperative if you are trying to squeeze every ounce of “clear” sky out of the dwindling summer.

We trekked slowly up the base of Soyosan to marvel at the lush green trees. Soyosan is prime people watching too! During the hot season’s Korean’s often lounge and cool themselves in the trickling streams that come off the base of the mountain. You never know what you might see or get invited to join.

Don’t worry we’ve been properly hydrating with lemon water and practically turning into rabbits nibbling on all of our vegetable greens. (Beats turning on the oven in the humidity and heat).

I have a new Korean friendship blossoming and we enjoyed a really nice dinner together at a unique little restaurant near both of our homes. We dined on duck and a soup made of perilla leaves.

Not familiar with perilla leaves? Don’t worry it is most likely because it grows in Korea, China, Nepal and India. It’s a flavor I really cannot explain. The taste is quite pungent and has a nutty peppery taste to it. It is a herb that is often referred to a wild sesame. I was told that this heart-shaped leaf is a Korean staple and you can find it almost year round served in Korean homes. Plus it gets better! Of course it has healing components to it as well. If you are feeling tired, suffer from frequent headaches, need some anti-inflammatory relief, detoxify fish poisoning, combats morning sickness. WHOA! Talk about a marvelous little leaf!

and here is where I let you all down…. can you believe I ate the soup before I took a photo to share with all of you? Oops… trust me.. it would have just been a photo of a bowl of soup.

Kelsey stayed over too! She came sharing her newest sweets with us. What a sweetie!

We hopped on an AM train into Seoul and ran about in the on again off again rain to a vegan bakery called PLANT owned and operated by the sweetest girl, Mipa. Enjoyed a peanut Thai bowl and grilled chickpea sandwich. Both incredibly sumptuous and we shared one anther’s lunch family style. We are family after all! We then went to Maybell Bakery where I introduced Kelsey to a fabulous European bakery with freshly baked focaccia, baguette, croissants. I think it’s safe to say she’s in heaven.

We got home and felt like “grilling” hot dogs. I whipped up a vegan macaroni salad and she grilled the dogs. We were quite the little team in the kitchen if I do say so myself.

Howbeit it wasn’t as exciting of an update, it’s summer folks! Get off the Internet and GET OUTSIDE!

Backpackbees

Places to go:

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (Candy Apples)
Addresses in Korea here

PLANT (Vegan Bakery)
Check out Facebook site here.

Maybell Bakery (European bakery-But hey make me a deal and don’t buy up all the bread before I get there)
737-2 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
South Korea
02-792-5561

Soyosan (Local Mountain / park)
Check out more here.

Forgiving Fourways

You guys, my Amaryllis belladonna bloomed again over night! Check it out! I’m like a giddy child on Christmas when I wake up rub my sleepy eyes these past mornings and roll out to the living room and see this happy little guy in all it’s glory! I stopped by Cafe Jerry’s to see how hers was doing too…not to shabby, not to shabby. Little thing in life we cherish.

This morning I woke up and knew I wanted to do something special for Kelsey, let’s just say life hasn’t given her forgiving fourways lately. For those of you not in Korea, I know you’re wondering what this silly gal is rambling on about, so I’ll share. In S. Korea while driving if you cut someone off, make a left turn from the right lane of traffic, or do any other really outlandish driving, it’s absolutely okay! Why? Because all you need to do is hit the forgiving fourways (hazards), all is instantly made right again and all parties drive on. Oh Korea.

Anywho, when life gives you lemons make Rachael Ray’s lemon ricotta pancakes! Throw in a side of turkey bacon, fresh berries and a refreshing bubbly raspberry lemonade. Mmmmhmmm! Got your attention? Thought so. This recipe was used recently by a friend for a birthday breakfast celebration with rave reviews. Those reviews were spot on! Happy belated birthday Kara!

Oh, it doesn’t hurt when the coffee barista, Mr. B, comes right to your home and makes you a perfect caramel machattio to sip on while your whipping up your lemony goodness.

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Taken directly from Rachael Ray’s Recipe Here

Ingredients:

6 eggs, separated
2/3 cup self-rising flour
4 tablespoons lemon zest
3 cups ricotta
5 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons butter

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks, flour, 3 tbsp. zest, 2 cups ricotta and 3 tbsp. sugar. In another large bowl, beat egg whites until stiff; fold into batter. On griddle, cook pancakes in butter over medium until golden, 3 minutes per side. In medium bowl, whisk remaining ricotta and sugar. Top pancakes with ricotta mixture and remaining zest.

Backpackbees

4th of July

The 4th of July is one of those holidays that we Bees really crave a good ol’ BBQ, the rays from the sunshine, fireworks that light up the night sky, lounging by the pool, or on beach with your close friends and family. We almost had it all checked off the list this year, minus being 6,875 miles from the Pennsylvania and most of our family. Almost…

We headed to the East Coast of South Korea and Mr. B finally got in some diving and I some much-needed R+R+R (rest, relaxation, reading). Kelsey joined up with us on Saturday afternoon along with some fun friends from the UK, South Africa, Korea and the US. We learned all sorts of useful British and Korean words — crisps, brass monkey and chincha. HA-HA.

Waking up each morning and falling asleep each night with the sounds of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks right outside of the resort windows was so calming. The view was breathtaking even when the fog rolled in over the boat harbor. I couldn’t contain myself with all of the gorgeous wild flowers popping up all around too.

In the morning we really roughed it by grilling on our little Korean stove top with our cast iron skillet. Wakey wakey eggs and bakey. We actually had quite the little spread going for “roughing it”. Greek yogurt, red grapes, blackberries, English muffins with the nooks and crannies, because really is there any other kind? In the evening of course we had our BBQ and a nice selection of condiments.

We all enjoyed potbingsoo too! With a view to boot!

The dive shop owner had the sweetest Boston terrier dog named 사랑 salang, korean word for love. Ohhh and how I loved this dog! It was so playful yet reserved and chill. It walked around playing a game with us all. she’d find plastic bottles and random items from the divers, latch onto it then wanted people to try to take whatever it was from her. She salang was sweet.

I strolled over to the observatory one morning, then again to show Kelsey too. What a wonderful ocean view and breeze felt from up there! I could have stayed out in that ledge all day. The deck had clear glass floor that allowed you to view the ocean below your feet. It reminded me so much of being in Chicago with the glass observation deck. You never know quite how people are going to react. Even in a different language body language is all the same.

How was your 4th? Hope you were all safe and celebrated it right!

Backpackbees