Where in the World 1

Dec. 23: Gijang, Korea
I wake up at 7am. My boyfriend and I carry all my things on the bus, he sends me off at Busan Station, and my train arrives in Seoul at 1:30. The next bus takes an hour to arrive at the airport then my plane leaves Incheon International at 4:40.

Dec. 23: San Francisco, USA
I couldn’t sleep on the plane, but had some great food. Cheap airfare, thanks to US Airways, was complemented by stellar food and service, thanks to Asiana Airlines. Now, it’s 10:50 and I’m standing in the immigration line waiting to get my passport peeked at, though I’ve started to think I won’t be able to tour Alcatraz. See, I should have 5½ hours to escape the airport but as it turns out I don’t pass customs until almost an hour later and it takes me 20 minutes to basically hand my bag to a representative to re-check through.
Now, I’ve got around 4 hours. I get to the Castro for lunch at 1 o’clock and walk around this vibrant, hip neighborhood to find one of the places I had researched from home. I find the address of one, but the name’s changed. Nevertheless, it looks nice, and I’m hungry. I finally emerge an hour later full of fresh porchetta sandwich, lemon red pepper chutney, pork jus, mozzarella arugula salad, and Hefeweizen (hey, I’m on vacation!).

I just got back to the airport after wandering around the Castro some more; didn’t have time for the Alcatraz tour as I’d hoped. I get to the gate – eggnog latte and carrot cake in hand – find out my flight was delayed 35 minutes, and eventually board my plane.

Dec. 23: Phoenix, USA
Our plane lands 30 minutes late, I wait forever for my suitcase, and then meet my family at the car. We drive back to our hotel, which is really more of an apartment, and I finally crash around 9:30 pm.

Dec. 24-29: Phoenix, USA
Over Christmas my family opened presents around the fireplace, had dinner out at a 4-star restaurant, caught the NFL game, and held a pizza cook-off. Since then we have eaten Mexican food, sushi, Benihana, and BBQ shrimp shish kebabs; we have watched a lot of football, been treated to a spa day, and saw Avatar in 3D IMAX.
I took a bath in the hotel, grilled outdoors, ate Oaxacan chicken molé, and turned up for more than a couple happy hours! Even the sushi bar had many drinks and food items ½ off during happy hour.
Today my dad, sis and I are off on a car trip to Castle Hot Springs to see if we can take a dip.

Young and Old

Young and Old
Originally uploaded by Keugisa

This photographer, Joseph Christopher Buchman, will have his work on display in Daegu this December. I particularly like this portrait of men on the subway.

Dearth is a funny word. It's too close to death for me.

I truly apologize for the lack of writing lately. I'm not about to be that person who starts to neglect their blog just because she gets a little busy - I'll be back in true form after the holidays. The reasons for my shortage of quality posts lately (yes, there are a few) are as follows:

Sick: I've been affected by 3 different physical conditions in the past 2 months, 2 of which I had to see the doctor for.

Happy: My bf has moved in with me! After a tough run of arguements, we managed to come to a good place in our relationship. He got a job with a local hotel and moved to my little apartment in Busan.

Famous: Word of my Korean sauna blog has been spreading, and recently I was asked to review the biggest spa in Asia, Hurshimchung in Busan for the foreigner magazine in Daegu, Daegu Pockets.  I had been wanting to go there anyway, so I took the challenge; a more-famous photog Simon Bond (his photos on flickr) accompanied to capture the place.  You'll see my article in the January issue.
This little bit of work instantly led to more.  I was then asked to revise another article introducing the Korean spa experience which will be printed in February.  Next, a project for an overnight trip to Busan featuring the Haeundae area restaurants and bars along with Battle of the Bands.  That article will also go out in January.  So, basically, I have been writing, you just can't see it yet! ^^

Photos of the 5 bands to play in the finals of Battle of the Bands

I lovingly fed and nurtered my article, which then was told it needed to lose some serious weight: 1600 words down to 1000 or less.  So, that's what I'm doing now.  I'll be back later!

Sad Song of the Year?

Wedding Dress by Taeyang (from Big Bang)