Travel: Seoul At a Glance

Was in Seoul, Korea, with my family for the past few days.

Enjoyed the quality time with family and get-togethers with friends in Korea.

Now, picture time.

 Dongdaemun

Small boutique in Bukchon Hanok Village

Exterior of an antique shop in Bukchon

Hanok (Traditional Korean houses)

Changdeokgung Palace--my favourite palace in Seoul

War Memorial of Korea

Real story of brothers reunited during war

Noryangjin Seafood Market

Fishhyyy

One of the many street food stalls in Myeongdong

Traditional Korean culture experience centre

Gonna write a post or two about my lists of must-eat, must-go and must-see of traveling in Seoul.
More to come later...stay tuned!

Love,
N

On Traveling Together

Dear readers,
Lovely to see you again. It has been a long while since I last updated.
I spent the last two months in 2 countries and when I was back, I have so much to share that I simply didn't know what to write!
After resting for some time, finally I'm ready to write posts again.

This time, on traveling together with someone you love.

Traveling together as a couple allows you to see the 'real face/side' of the person. 

It's easy to show your best side on a date, but maintaining it for 24hours and several days (in my case, weeks)? Not that easy.
It is true that you can glimpses of your partner in everyday life, but being there with him/her 24/7 shows you a lot more.

So, couples that travel together stay together?

I don't know, but I am certainly aware of the fact that traveling together as a challenge for a couple.

This summer is the very first time that I travel with my boyfriend.

I am very glad that none of us imagined the trip to be a romantic all-perfect get-away.
Rather, we are well-awared of the countless possibilities for us to disagree.
We knew we are gonna fight at some point and tried very hard to avoid it.

It is good to expect the worst case scenario, because we ended up having very few arguments.

At least in my case, this trip has truly been an eye-opener in many ways.
Here I am to share with you what I learnt from this trip, on traveling together as a couple:

1) Know expectations, limits and non-negotiables of the both of you.
Examples:
- Different travel styles: He is good at planning ahead and arranging the sightseeing spots into a single route while I prefer getting lost and discovering the hidden gems.
- Different preferences: I can spend hours in art museums, bookstores, vintage shops, furniture and home decor shops and lovely small boutiques (of course!) while he would most definitely fall asleep in the corner.
- Non-negotiables: while I do not insist in staying at starred hotels, my top must-have is still the accommodation--a clean and safe place to stay, no shared bedroom/dorm room with strangers and no shared bathroom.
- Another less non-negotiable must have: fruits! Wherever I go, I need to check out the supermarkets or markets to get fresh fruits. I love it when my boyfriend take me to get fruits or spoil me by getting me some.

2) Have your own budget or a clear record of your expenditures.
I learned this the hard way. We shared a bank account but the money is mixed: some of his money, some of mine, some shared--all mixed together in one single bank account.
We agreed to track and keep a record of our spending, but I didn't do my part very well.
So at the end of the trip, we were not sure about how to split the money.
I felt bad about myself when he was not happy with the way I spent my money and the fact that I didn't keep a record of how much I spent.
Luckily, he didn't get mad about it and let money drive us into fights.

Suggestions? Don't make the mistake that I made.
Have a clear budget and a record, or maybe separate accounts to avoid arguing over money.

3) Trust.
It is exciting to be on a foreign soil. At the same time, stepping out of one's comfort zone is stressing.
Don't freak out or give up so easily. Let the other person take the lead.
Example:
- If the guy says he knows the way, let him navigate.
- No screaming in the car.
- Don't blame the other person.

4) Participate.
Taking the likely situation of getting lost, have you ever been in a situation where the guy said he knows the way BUT you are most certain that he is wrong?
Since we all know how much most men hate to ask for directions and how much most women hate to get lost (me excluded), the way I deal with it is:
- Let him navigate BUT keep your GPS or map handy
- Still follow his lead if he insists, even if you know the destination is at the opposite direction
- Don't wait till you walked/ drove too far to kindly tell him that you both went the wrong way and tell him the right way
- Never say 'see? I told you!' Never.

Being a girl who enjoys getting lost, I don't mind it at all. I actually love it-the thrill of exploring a new land

5) Openness, patience and acceptance. (And occasionally, forgiveness)
Since it is rare to find someone who shares the same living habits with us, be prepared to see the difference and the 'ugly' sides of your usually well-groomed and well-manned partner.

Examples: after a 12hr flight, being exhausted and hungry, lack of sleep, accidents, bad mood etc
Be patient and accept differences. Nobody is perfect.

Apart from knowing that my boyfriend is unbelievably patient, considerate, reliable and helpful, I know myself better too.
I know that I'm: the more messy one/ the one who overpacks/ seemingly-easygoing-but-actually-it's-laziness/ the-one-who-can-stay-up-very-late-but can't-wake-up-early etc etc. among the two of us.

I am grateful that most of my weaknesses are complemented by his strengths or vice versa.
And that he is very patient and accepting to me for who I am.

6) Appreciate.
There are lots of small things that you can do for each other, but don't forget to appreciate the other person's effort!

7) Relax and have fun!
Don't let trivial things ruin your mood.
It's perfectly normal to disagree and even argue. But always remember to make up.
The whole point of traveling together is to have fun together and enjoy each other's company!

That's about it, my little tips on how to travel with your partner and make sweet memories.
Oops! One more!

For those who are like me, those who couldn't pack very well: By ALL means, avoid over-packing.
Really, over-packing either break someone's back or break your bank. (think luggage overweight charge for flights or postal fee to mail a carton of things home)
Although I did all the carrying myself when I was alone, 99% of the time when I was with him, he did the carrying or moving luggages up the car/upstairs etc.
I really appreciate his help, feel well taken care of and admire him for being such a man.
But at the same time, I feel really guilty about this physical 'labour' he has to do, simply because I couldn't pack!

Viola! End of list.
Enjoy your trips!

Love,
N

Baby...You Stink!

I couldn't decide whether the Stinking Rose, a garlic restaurant, is a romantic or an unromantic place for a date.
The motto of the restaurant 'we season our garlic with food!' tells you how garlicky the food is.

I don't particularly enjoy eating garlics. 

Garlic spread and finely chopped garlic are fine.

But a whole clove or raw garlic? No thanks.

Having dinner in a restaurant where every dish uses plenty of garlic? Not something I'd normally do.

But since I'm a tourist, why not?

We ordered their signature Bagna Calda, which is garlic cloves oven-roasted in extra virgin olive oil and butter with a hint of anchovy, served in an iron skillet, for spreading on focaccia bread.
To make it simple, it is a small pan of garlic in olive oil.
Surprisingly, the garlic cloves in the bagna calda are sweet.

Bagna Calda

For entree, we ordered 40 cloves garlic chicken. Yes, you heard me  read it right!
The chicken was marinated and cooked with 40 cloves of garlic. Served with mashed potatoes with garlic olive oil.
Though it is strong in flavor, the dish doesn't taste garlicky at all. Very tasty dish.

40 Cloves Garlic Chicken. And yes, those are garlic cloves on the right.

Our another dish was a pasta: clams with fresh black linguine in garlic parsley shallot sauce.
Again, it is not garlicky. Somehow light actually. Very tasty also.

Clams with fresh black linguine

It was a great meal with tasty,heavenly food, but the next day is hellish.
I think the Stinking Rose is a wonderful place to test how much your boyfriend or girlfriend loves you.
Go there for a date, see if he/she still kisses you the next morning.
It is pretty impressive if anyone could bear with that stinky breathe.
I don't have to describe to you how gross the stinky breathe is after a garlicky meal.
Certainly one of the most appalling and anti-social things.

Well, I have discovered another very appalling thing about having garlic: the breathe is not the only thing that becomes stinky.
Don't share a bathroom with a person who ate plenty of garlic. (makes me wanna vomit just typing this)
Everything smell much worse.
I swear to you it is worse than kissing the person!

So, did he and I kiss this morning?

Well, I didn't eat any raw or half-cooked garlic.
Well-cooked garlic is way less stinky than raw ones.
I smell/taste fine, pretty much like how I usually smell/taste.
But my boyfriend enjoyed some really garlicky sauce made with plenty cloves of raw garlic.
Poor me.

This morning I found myself screaming and pushing him away,
'Honey, not that I don't love you. But please don't kiss me until you have a few mints and a bottle of green tea. Baby...you stink!'

The Stinking Rose is certainly worth going to.
Warning:
1) Don't go there for the first date.
2) Don't go there if you expect to end the night with a lot of kissing (and maybe more).
3) Prepare mints and green tea.

Bon appétit!
Maybe I should write a series of posts on stinky food e.g. durian and stinky tofu.
Ewwww, no!

Love,
N

Being A Sporty Tourist in San Francisco

For those who know me in person, you know that I'm not a sporty girl.

So, surprise! I did some sport today.

Went cycling for 5 to 6 hours straight, to visit a few tourist spots.

Okay, okay, you got me. 

I don't know how to ride a bike. 

I was on a tandem bike so I don't have to do any balancing.

But technically, I did cycled today, just that I wasn't the one controlling the directions.

Okay, that is not what this post is supposed to be about.

The highlight of this on-a-bike-sightseeing day was crossing the Golden Gate Bridge in the fog.

It was very windy (my hair went crazy, hundred times more crazy than my usual crazy hair).

It was very cold, freezing cold. 

We believed that it was less than 10 degrees celsius on the bridge. 

So cold that I couldn't feel my fingers. My lips and nose tip were icy cold.

I stood on the side of the bridge, the wind was roaring.

I looked into a distance, nothing but a thick thick layer of fog.

I looked down, just the ocean with waves.

I read it just yesterday that the Golden Gate Bridge is a popular site for suicides--a person a week, on average.

I looked down again, thinking 'deadly height' and 'it must be freezing, the wind and the icy cold water'.

Then I thought 'why can't people put up nets along the bridge to prevent suicide attempts? That could save lives!'

I wish they did.

Anyway, picture time.

'Topless' Golden Gate Bridge

Very foggy

Fog descending from the mountain, after we reached the other side of the bridge

View on the bridge

My thighs and butt are so sore that I can barely move now. 

Still feeling the burning sensation.

Climbing up the stairs in the hotel is so painful. Ouch!

One good thing about living in a cheap hotel above the bars--free music.

Tonight they're playing jazz. (thank god it's not those party electro music again!)

The jazz performance tonight is good. They are playing well. 

Love it!

Goodnight my dear readers.

More updates tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Love,

N

Best Find in San Diego

Went to San Diego the last few days, back to LA now.
The harbor cruise to Coronado, the zoo and Safari park were great.
(except a bit too chilly that I caught a cold now..)

I found something during my stay in San Diego.
We rent a car and brought our own GPS. Still, sometimes we made the wrong turns.
Then we discovered something that made me screamed with joy in the car.
Pretty much like what happens in life: unexpected things happen.
Sometimes shit happens.
But at the same time, the best things happen in the most unexpected times too.

My dear readers,
See what I've found: Before I die blackboards!
Blogged about this long ago. I'm still crazy about this idea.
Really excited to see it with my own eyes.
And yes, I wrote down my answer. (though limiting myself to 1 answer is a very difficult task)

Picture time:

Yup, that's me.

Me and people on the street.

I wish we could have these boards in my city, to make people stop and think.

Love,

N

On Packing...Again

I know, I blogged about packing before, twice already.
Please bear with me, I'm just a pathetic woman who can never pack light. (and probably never will)

I think there is something very Freudian about my inability to pack light.
Just like my destructive obsession with tearing paper, which JUST worsened into cutting paper.
Okay, so now that you know I like to tear paper and I couldn't pack light.
I'm gonna admit to you that I find it pleasurable to stuff my luggages, which I think is related to the sense of security coming from material possessions.

Well yea, I'm quite a shopaholic so it's logical.
But then not all shopaholics can't pack.
It's just that I am...pathetically both.

Packing is a weird combination of pain and pleasure for me, in a sense.
All the headaches and nightmares from the mere thought of packing for a long trip.
And the pleasure from the fact that I'm going on a trip.

Since I couldn't pack myself, I am the last person that is eligible to write a tutorial on packing.
Seriously, even if I write one, it would be the least convincing tutorial.
And I don't like to lie to my dear readers. You.

So, probably right now, as I type, I have 20 dresses, 20 T-shirts, just 2 pair of jeans, 8 bras and 20 panties.
I guess also mismatching socks and shoes as well.
Oops! I forgot my accessories and bags.

I know, in general I overpacked. As always.
But you know what, I don't give a fuck now.

Traveling is like going on a rather-safe adventure.
It's all about being in a different place, with a different culture and discovering something new (whether it is about the place or the person him/herself).
And it is also about escaping from a place you know too well, taking a break from all the things and people that you are so familiar with that you find them to be goddamn dull and boring.

Well, since to travel is about stepping out of one's comfort zone, what's better than challenging myself with a funny combination of things I bring?

Good things about my inability to pack light:
1) Time to test my creativity and ability to improvise.
2) Learn to make good or the best use of what I have--an important life skill actually.

To be honest, I'm just trying to mask my pathetic packing skill.
But it is one of my imperfections that I'm okay with, I accept the fact that when it comes to packing, I totally suck.

By the way, wonder why I write a post about packing at 3am?
The truth is: I'm still packing!
Ok, my dear readers, I can already hear you laughing at me now. *blushing with embarrassment*
Sorry, I'm just a woman. :P

Love,
N

Upcoming post: Summer Destination No. 2

Random Note from Turkey

I think I already got used to Turkey.
(Well, except those men who are excessively passionate and 'friendly' to girls. )
So fascinated by this country that I wanna come back, before I even leave its soil.
 Different parts or cities have their own distinctive features,which is good.

Now I'm sitting at the hotel lobby lounge.
This hotel is like a camping resort--wooden and bricks or stone buildings among the woods, don't feel like I'm in Turkey at all.
Instead, it feels like I am in the US or Canada.
It's raining and cool right now, I guess 15 to 18 degrees?
Well, I am not good with numbers. Um...it is like autumn, cool and dry.
Perfect day for maxi dress and wrapping myself up in a colourful scarf I bought here.

How interesting that i am blogging in the lounge with French songs in the background, having real parrots in large large cages next to me occasionally singing (love their sounds) and yet I'm in Turkey. Funny combination.

My friends said I belong here.
I do wanna come back again. I have to come back again.

Dear readers,
Is there any place which fascinates you? Is it where you live or a place you have been to?
Is there any place you feel like you belong? Is it your home country?

Love,
N

Merhaba, Turkey!

Summer destination #1: Turkey
Turkey is such a gorgeous place--vibrant colours, delicate patterns, ancient cities and beautiful nature.
Just back from Pamukkale, which is famous for its hot spring.
The single most-said sentence during the trip is, 'wow!it is gorgeous!'
A lot of interesting and unexpected experiences.
After a whole day of sightseeing in the ancient city of Ephesus and the beautiful Pamukkale, I'm so tired now.

Anyway, just wanna let you, my dear readers, know that this blog is still active.
Will update once I'm back.
Gonna write a travel journal as well, with plenty drawings :)

Love,
N

On Packing Light, again...

Last summer, I wrote a post on my inability to pack light.
You know, as times goes, people learn and people change.
We improve on our weaknesses and become better.
Probably you'd think that I'm gonna say I improved.
But no, another reality in life is: some parts of us just never seem to go away, no matter how hard you try.

My packing-light disability is so engraved in me that it is in my genes (just that my parents don't seem to have this problem) and further intensified by the fact that I'm a woman.
I'm just a woman.
So, no escape. I'm doomed.

Same old haunting questions that fill my mind every single time I pack:
'Should I bring an extra outfit? Maybe an extra (t-shirt/cardigan/shirt/bra/scarf/whatever that is).'
'Should I bring unwanted clothes to toss away during the trip? But why should I bring unwanted clothes to a trip instead of nicer ones?'
'Do items match?'

Surrounded by a castle that made up of little knolls of clothes, I just sat there for hours, being so helplessly miserable and don't know what to pack and where to start.
If girls fantasize knights on white horses coming to save them, that is the exact moment that I want him to come to my rescue.
Yes, I am that miserable.


Even though I did made a list of things to bring, it doesn't seem to help.
9 outfits turned out to be 11 mismatching outfits, 9 sets of underwear turned out to be 3 bras and 12 panties,
2 jacket turned out to be 5...
Don't ask me why or how it happened.
Probably my suitcase has magic power to get excessive number of items and leave out other essential items.
I'm sure it's just my magical suitcase. Not me.

Dressing conservatively is a good idea for where I'm heading to.
So, this time I'm bringing with me:
1) A total of 5 maxi dresses, both plain and patterned ones. Navy, grey, black, and colorful printed ones.
2) Shirts for laying: 1 denim, 1 checked, 1 plain white
3) 2 pair of jeans: one light, one dark
4) Loose or slight over-sized t-shirts: off-shoulder & v-neck
5) Scarves
6) 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of flipflops, 1 pair of Converse sneakers
7) Jackets: 1 denim jacket, 1 linen blazer, 1 cardi, 1 zip-up hoodie

Overpacked, I know.
Won't be able to throw any of the items that I bring because they are all my all-times fav staples.
Given that they are all versatile items, I can actually wear them for a whole month by mix-and-match.
Anyway, going to rationalize and downsize it tonight.

Note to future husband:
1) If I take hours to pack, create mess at home and make you impatient, don't get angry or laugh at me when you see me being so helpless. It really is one of my weaknesses. Sorry, I'm just a woman.

2) Sometimes I forget to check the weather forecast, so please tell me about the weather of our destination. Words please, not numbers. I know this is stupid but telling me that it would be 9-25 degrees doesn't make much sense to me. Rather, tell me: autumn-almost-winter weather.

3) Even though I'm tempted to have someone else pack for me, I'd probably do the whole thing again myself. If you are ever sweet enough to offer help, thank you but it's a good idea for you to leave me alone or just give me a hug when I'm totally lost.

4) When I get trapped in this eternal paradox of packing unwanted clothes VS nicer clothes, just tell me to pack both. This suggestion saved me today and I guess it'll work again.

5) If I stuff my suitcase, which happens every time that we should make it a 'truth', show me your love by giving me that extra space in your luggage. I'd be so grateful and repay you in a way that you'll love.

6) If you ever need my help, I'm more than happy to pack for you. But only when I'm done with mine. You know, harder task comes first.

7) I think men's shirts are perfect items for travelling. So don't be surprised if you find some of yours missing or finding them in my suitcase. I promise I won't take your favourites or pricey ones.
I know I'm spoiled, but for that few days of the trip, they are mine.
If you take them away from (or take them off) me, I'll bite you. Whether the bite is in a nice or not-so-nice way depends on how you do it.

8) Finishing packing might mean nothing to you, but surviving the countless hours of packing is a mini accomplishment for me. Please reward me with a hug/ kisses/ a 3-min shoulder massage.

Love,
N
(Progress of packing: only half done...)

My Summer Destination No.1 is...

Good news: gonna travel with my girl friend this summer!
Bad news (for my bank account): paying it out of my own pocket...
Well, even though it doesn't feel good to pay from my savings, this could be a good thing: putting an end to my impulsive shopping.

Summer Destination No. 1 is...
Somewhere exotic.
Somewhere I have never been to.
Somewhere that my inner bohemian/wild child would probably like.
Somewhere my parents don't want me to go because it sounds too dangerous for a girl, so we have to go on a planned trip with travel agency.

Too excited for my papers and exam revision...that's not good...focus, focus!
Final exam in my life as a student, need to fight a good battle and give it a pretty ending.

So, where is my summer destination no. 1?
A place which starts with the letter 'T'.
Any guess?

Love,
N

On Packing Light

I always admire people who can pack light. Mostly because I couldn't.

I couldn't have gone on a trip without stuffing my suitcase.

Questions that are almost haunting when I pack:
What if the weather is unpleasant or that I sweat too much?
Should I bring clothes that I wanna throw away during the trip?
What's the point of bring clothes that I don't even like?
Do items match?

The result is another equally annoying idea: Maybe I should bring a few more outfits, just in case.

Does this happen to you?

If it does, I wanna share with you something I read about traveling light on A Pair and a Spare (wonderful blog).

Go to the site for elaborated tips!

Oh! I need to catch a plane.

Destination: Seoul, Korea

Love,
N