February Instagram

Snapshots of my life in square form.  In February, I...

... reconnected with my yoga mat.

...  had coffee at midnight.

... stayed in.

...took the long way home.

...ate more kimchi than I ever have in my life.

... learned some korean.

... entered a few caves.

... contemplated life at a temple by the ocean.

... walked on a bridge.

...celebrated the Lunar New Year.

... improved my subway taking tactics.

... finished my first teaching term.

... walked and walked and walked.

...and walked some more.

막걸리와 파전

This weekend I had people at my apartment for a 파전 (pajeon) and 막걸리 (rice wine) night.  Kyoung Mi and Micky brought the pajeon, or traditional green onion pancake, which they made themselves.

Makkeoli tasting!

cooking in the kitchen

taking pictures of people taking pictures

feasting!

This was so good. Korean food never fails.

Anne, Renee, Micky, and Kyoung Mi

And for dessert, a mocha cake from Paris Baguette

After the feasting we went to a local bar, to greet the new teacher at our academy.

WELCOME TO KOREA>>>

A good question!

Another groovy night in Busan.

Food Courts

One thing that I will miss for sure is the food courts at hypermarkets.  It is way too easy to get a hefty, delicious, and inexpensive meal there.

First, you choose what you want to eat by looking at the fake meal displays. Next you give your order and pay at a register.  Most of the meals are around 6 US dollars.

Then you go to the appropriate window and wait for your number to be called.

Once your number is called, the food comes out piping hot and fresh!

Seriously though, I could eat Korean food all day, erry day.

Yoga Mala

I found a yoga studio that I really enjoy going to.  Mindy, the instructor at Kaizen, is super knowledgeable and friendly.  Her classes are appropriate for all levels.  I especially appreciate how she gives individualized attention and care to everyone while teaching.  To celebrate Mindy's birthday we did a Yoga Mala-- 108 variations on the sun salutations.  

I have done yoga malas a few times before. Each time after, I have felt a strong grounding of my mind and abundant gratitude in my heart.  

For me, there is so much that happens during the 3 hours of repetitive moving and breathing. Many demons are faced.  Many battles are waged. Some are won and some are lost. 

Regardless of whatever comes up, you continue to stand up and fight. 

A warrior of peace.  

Surrounding myself with yoga again has been very healthy for me.  I feel at home on my mat.  And I hope that one day I can gather enough courage to teach yoga while I'm here.

Directions

From Suyeong station take Exit 3.  Walk straight ahead for 5 minutes past the GS gas station.  Walk forward across the street.  Kaizen is next to the animal hospital, you will see a small sign.

Partings

Goodbye love messages in different languages ~

One of my coworkers is leaving our school. It's crazy because it feels like I just arrived and already people are leaving. Such a transient lifestyle...

I will really miss her.  She was one of the first friends that I made at work.  It was my first week in my in Busan, when she helped me buy furniture for my apartment. Now she's off on an epic journey across South East Asia. Super inspiring!

To celebrate her last day of work we headed out to NTMY, the BEST place to have a meal and drinks in Busan.

More pictures of this gorgeous restaurant

modern jukebox

lol. definately love messages.

english teachers

Japanese style chicken. NOM.

Directions

From Pusan National University station, take Exit 3.  Once outside the station turn right and follow the street to the next intersection.  Take a left and walk for about 80 m.  You will see ABC Mart on your right.  Across from ABC Mart you will see a 3 way intersection.  Take a left.  NTMY will be on your left, look for the green awning.

South Gate at Gumjeonsan

The trade off with working so late in the evening, is that I have time in my daylight hours to spend as I choose. I really enjoying having a slow paced morning with tea and yoga. 

This past Friday before going into work, I went on a hike with Anne and Wooyoung to the South Gate at Gumjeonsan fortress.

inside a cave

At the South gate

Up a mountain and back down, just in time to teach kids some English!

Rooftop Prince and Hodaks

I have been watching Korean dramas to help me hear and learn the language.  I've tried a few different series and none of them really captured my interest until I started watching Rooftop Prince.  From the first episode, I was instantly hooked.

For as many cliched TV drama stereotypes were present (amnesia, doppelgangers, comas, long lost parents, loads of crying, etc.), the series was still so fun for me to watch!  The unique story line is based on a time transcending murder mystery and love story.  The characters are endearing and hilarious.  The production and cinematography are very high quality- I believe it was made only last year. I couldn't wait to come home and watch it every night.

But sadly, (as everything in life) it was time for the series to come to an end.  So, in celebration for the final episodes I decided to make hodaks, or Korean pancakes, from a box at home.

Had to use the pictures and my inference abilities
to figure out how to make these guys.

brown sugar goodness

Step 1:  Mix the contents of the dough package, yeast, and 250 ml water.
Let sit for about 20 min.

Step 2: Flatten some dough on the palm of your hand.
 Scoop a spoonful of sugar into the middle of the dough.
Pinch outsides edges together at the top, creating a sugar encased dough ball.
For me, this got really messy and sticky!

Step 3: Fry these bad boys up!  Use the pressing tool that comes with the box.

OMG YUM.

Step 5: Enjoy in bed while watching your favorite K-drama.
And cry when it's over .