Visit Korea ambassador

I have began to think that me and Rain are the face of Trick Eye Museum and ambassador of Visit Korea. The other day my friend excitedly told me I appear in some travel magazine. Did I visit Korea again? Sadly the answer is no but perhaps next year I will take my mum there as part of her 60th birthday anniversary.

Most people are not aware but Rain use to be a sub-editor and knows people in the media industry. I also think she writes well despite her lack of confidence. She contributes the odd article or two but the most explosive one to date is her adventure in Korea with me. By association Trick Eye concept and I have become famous through her article.

I take this shot yo..

Surprisingly the life of a celebrity is certainly a quiet one for me. No one mob me, no photo requests, no autograph requests. I beginning to think the life of a celebrity isn't all that is make out of. Still the only people that are excited are my friends and half of them have this suspicious look when I reaffirmed that it is indeed moi.. Would I Photoshop my face on such a fat body?

Before me, there wasn't much talk about Korea and the concept of Trick Eye. Now it's so popular they even start up branches in Lion City and Hometown. Hard to blame me for arriving to the conclusion that we are responsible for its publicity. Yes some credit to Facebook and Blogger as well, but hey we are the one making monkey faces and funny poses here.. My friend said I should write to Trick Eye for commissions.

You think they will pay me? 

Hot Hot Hot

Hotter than Megan Fox

This is the famous Taiwan 'Ma Lat' Steamboat. It is cooked by a Taiwanese. I lost my tongue after the first bowl. I start seeing little skulls forming from the steam emitting from the pot after the second bowl. You know, the one that resembles a pirate's flag. The cook assured me she is not trying to kill me by feeding me this dish. They happily asked me to eat more. They said the more you eat, the less hot it become.

My foot.

I had to stop at third bowl. This hot is not the usual nasi lemak hot. The 'Ma Lat' Steamboat hot is .........simply beyond description. The hotness fried my brain already. I regret I didn't take a picture of the mountain of chillis used to cook the dish.

This is the first and the last time I will ever eat this dish even though they told me there are varying degrees of hot that you can choose if you go to a restaurant.

I shall think about it in the next 2 to 3 years.

Taiwan Mee Sua

Somehow my entries have turned Taiwan-nish curtsey of my PM. She is a real good cook. I can't say enough of that. This weekend's dinner menu is Taiwan Mee Sua. So far I have only known 阿宗麵線, the franchise Taiwan food.  In truth Taiwanese don't find this mee sua nice. They always roll eyes every time I proudly mentioned I have eaten 阿宗麵線.

In order to make Taiwan mee sua, I went with my PM to get the key ingredient which is oyster and what better place than the Noryangjin market. However we came back with more than oysters - clams, abalones and 2 of the big kick ass prawns that I have been eyeing last time. I don't know why that I always have problem controlling my urges when I go to this market. Always have to get the fresh clams, the sticking abalones. Lucky this market is far from home. It's too dangerous for me if it's just next door.

A pot for everyone

My PM cooked one big pot for everyone. I had 2 bowls before I realize the oyster actually don't really taste like oyster. When I asked, my PM confirmed that they are actually a type of mussel. There was no oyster that day. What the....... distracted by the abalones until I didn't even realize we didn't bought oysters. Of course everyone had to laugh at me.

Taste like an osyter who did too much exercise

I told the men I ate 4 bowls of mee sua - more than any of the men. Of course being male they must now eat 5 bowls. Can't let a girl out ate them right? The whole pot emptied and my PM was real grateful. Men, such simple creatures :)

Mussel Mee Sua

Next up, super hot steamboat.

梅子

梅子 is plum. There are many plum products but I normally associcate it with the japanese alcohol 梅酒 (plum wine). I even had a bottle of it fermenting away in my fridge.

Since the arrival of my PM, the team have taken up a side project- to make plum juice. The whole thing started when our PM saw some plums selling in the market and bought some back and make some sweet plum juice. One colleague happen to taste it and the rest they said was history.

1kg worth of plums

I had a taste myself and I fancy trying my hand at it. So one fine day we went to the market and bought some plums. That is the easy part. After that we are suppose to clean it and perap it with some salt and leave it to wrinkle for 2 days.

After 2 days

Since Kimchi land is having a wet spell, I left my fan on to aid the drying of the plums but every time I come back, my cleaner had turned it off. I don't know how she can not see I purposely left the fan on for my plums when I had it facing my plums at close distance. Must be trying to sabo my plums this time.

Sweet plum juice

After 2 days I can put all of them into a jar, pour some honey, some tea leaves and I shall have plum juice (hopefully) after a week.

The plums looks ugly

There are actually many kinds of juice that you can make. We all tried different types of juice. Some make wine, some make sweet juice and some make sour ones.

Looking forward to tasting all of them in time to come.

Noryangjin Seafood Market

Two stops from my office, this seafood market is a very big seafood market that opens up to 9.30pm. You can buy the seafood and ask them to cook it on the spot for a price. In fact they beria-ia want to cook for you. You pratically have to tell them nooooOOOOO, before they get the point. Ok I exaggerate but they are very enthusiastic in offering their service. But they only have 2 ways of cooking, steam or BBQ. I guess if your seafood is that fresh you don't really need fancy dishes.

Everything under the sea

Anyway my PM thinks paying 10k won for the lady to steam our seafood is a waste of money. We bought back some abalones, prawns and various clams. However the previous day we actually asked a colleague of ours who went there for dinner to buy back 3kg of mussels which were later distributed to various parties. I also got some and I promptly outsourced the cooking to my PM who I have elevated to the status of godhood. She can really cook.

Garlic stir fry with white wine

All my mussels plus hers and Senior J end up in 2 big saucepans. We ate them with some noodles. Smacking good and the mussels are so fresh and succulent they felt like oysters.

The largest prawn I have ever seen

I had my eye on these prawns, they are as long as my palm and cost a bundle, 5000 won per ekor. One day they will end up garlic baked in my pan. One day...

Legos and flood

I have been real frustrated in work due to the inability to understand the Kimchi language. So I have decided to get down to the business of learning the language seriously. They said it's not that difficult if you know Japanese as the grammar structure is almost the same. Last 2 weeks I got wahyu and went to the book store to browse for some learning materials. Even though there are many online learning materials I still prefer something that I can bring into the toilet. Happily I also browse for a notebook and some colour pens. I need a notebook to write and colours makes the notes more interesting to read later. Then I reason I might need some Post-It-Notes too. End up came back with more stuff than I planned to buy. The stuffs are still in the plastic bag as of today. Go figure.

On a more serious note, there have been so much rain that Kimchi land has turn into Kimchi soup. This week is the worst with flash flood happening yesterday. Most rails were affected badly. I don't even know about it until this morning when I was flooded with enquiries on my well-being and I also heard over myFM radio. Perhaps I was lucky as the flood affected the southern regions and I stay in the northern part of Seoul. There were some minor flooding on the way home but to me it's no difference from hometown when it rains. As you can see from this blog I am alive although eaten by guilt of not learning the language as I should.

There are also some who asked me to take and post pictures of the flood. Aiyorrr..... you guys don't 'ke poh' lar. CNN news not see enough ah? You think if I am in the flood I will stand there and take picture? 9 lives also not enought to die and I don't think my half baked breast stroke is going to save me. Anyway the rain is forecasted to last until Saturday. Good luck to us all.

Home alone

2 ladies and a guy were discussing about the merits of staying alone.

Lady 1: I am so used to staying alone I don't think I can stay with other people anymore.

Lady 2: Yeah, can walk around the house naked.

Guy : Wah you so open? Don't scare people see from window?

Lady 2: Cheh, of course close the drapes lar.

Guy: Mmm. Sometimes when I am in the bathroom, the maid comes in and open the drapes.

- pause-

Lady 1: ...... Wait, why would you walk out of the bathroom naked when the maid is around?

Lady 2: *snicker

Guy: ~ pengsan
 

The hugging abalones Pt II

Remembered I said I was gonna post a picture of them abalones? Ta da...

You stick to me, I stick to you



These are not the original abalones here but a second batch that I bought to eat with some visiting friends. Bought these at Lotte Department Store for 10000 won.

When I try to brush and clean them, they actually squirm around the shell. Make me quite scared and almost drop them into the sink. Maybe it's ticklish to them. Maybe the water is cold. Maybe they are thinking, " What the fish...?". They actually reminds of Chicky when she is trying to get out of her dad's embrace. Which makes me regret dunking them in hot water. Although I can still eat them but this is the one and only time I am going to cook life abalones. No more....I suspect if I have to get my food from the farm, I will be a vegetarian.

When I tell my PM about the cooking experience she shake her head and said, " Why you so scared? It's not like it can bite you or anything. Cute lar you."

But but but....

The hugging abalones

We stopped by Hyundai Department Store and bought a couple of life abalones. The idea was to eat sashimi abalone tomorrow.

PM: Take this back put them in some water and watch over them.

Me: Huh? Why? It's not like they can run away.

PM: Um.. well they like to stick to each other, so when they stick together I will separate them.

Me: Really? Why?

PM: Cause they look very x-rated sticking to each other mar. So I separate them.

031: I think they will look even more x-rated hugging the salt shaker.

Me: Must a Taiwan thing is it.....

Days are long

Literally. Gone were the days the sun sets at 7pm. Nowadays the sun has conspire with my boss to make me feel I don't work long enough. The sun sets around 8pm and the night is hot. Big ugly flies are about. Yes, like the ones in Cameron Highlands. Summer is here. I haven't heard any frogs croaking yet except from my Iphone.

White Radish Soup and mushroom veggies

Got a notice from the Apartment Management. They are having a Save Electricity Campaign. I got the below door hanger with a long letter detailing the campaign. Short story, if you want to play, you hang this out your apartment when you leave. Cleaner sees it, verify the air con is off, gives you a point. End of 30 days, highest points win something.

My key to freebies

Being one of those rare beings who prefers the fan more, I hang that thing out even before the campaign starts. Warm up mar. Mana tau next day, the hanger is gone. Wah sai, first thought- kena sabo. Rush down reception and complain my hanger is gone. Reception just nod to layan me and said they will replace it. I waited a day before I grab one from the cleaning cart that is parked outside the corridor unattended. Now that I am blogging the whole thing, I can't believe I actually did these things. Must be the kimchi. Makes me a little crazy.

Contest officially starts today. I proudly hang my door hanger before I go to work. Come back the thing is gone. First thought - kena sabo. AGAIN. Rush into apartment, and saw it on coffee table. Oh....

But wait, how come the air con is on? ...

Lazy weekends

Many asked how is the life of someone working oversea? Some thought it was pretty exciting before I tell them how I spend my weekends away. My favourite place is the living room sofa. It's either that or the bed but since I made the bed (on Sundays) I am usually reluctant to mess it up hence the comfy sofa. There are more than 5 movie channels so there is never lack of movies to keep me interested. Today there was Indiana Jones marathon. I was on my sofa from morning till night with the occasional cooking and cleaning. The other day there was Matrix marathon. I am just waiting for Lord of the Rings and I hope they do it over the weekends.

My usual home cook food includes soup which I usually cook in one big pot and ration it over several days. Cousin Rain frowns on this practise. Says it's bad for health. Next is a small dish of whatever veggie that caught my eye. Sometimes I am desperate enough to try combinations that will make your stomach revolt. Luckily I haven't died from my various creative cooking attempts. Ha ha ha!

ABC soup and Sechuan veggie

Sometimes I follow the Sunday shuttle bus to Lotte Mart to grab ingredients for a meal or 2. Usually I come back with enough food for a week. It's very hard for me to say no to groceries. I have not control. Not that the food is cheap but I always like to buy extra in case of war. Cousin Rain also frown on this practise. Then I had a hard time clearing my food ahead of the expiry date. Hence the creative if somewhat desperate cooking.

Then I blogged, check emails, play with facebook and download my manga. Sometimes I play tourist so that I get some material to blog. Yeah, I take my blogs seriously. Later, I might consider changing my blog to 'I hate Kimchi'.

Then the weekend is gone and blue Monday is back again and cycle repeats itself before the next trip home.

Deceive the Eye

Yesterday I was distracted by Matrix. There was a back to back filming for all 3 movies. I wanted to watch all 3 but I do have to earn a living, so have to stop 1 hour before Matrix Revolution end, ~cis. From matrix I got ilham to blog about my Trick Eye Museum experience. Probably you guys should thank Matrix too because I was thinking of another palace blog. Hoh hoh hoh.

From the streets nearby Hongik University there is an optic illusion museum. Unlike other museums that forbid the use of cameras and flash, you need a camera and a companion for this museum. Better if there are 3 of you!

All the paintings in the museum revolves around one technique called trompe l'oeil technique. I can't read it either but it carries the meaning 'deceive the eye', hence name of this blog. If you are too lazy to read the link, the condensed version is 2 painters compete to see who can paint the most convincing still life painting. Zeuxis painted a bunch of grapes and it actually made birds bang their head on the wall trying to eat the grapes.  Unfortunately said grapes was not downloaded from my camera, so no grapes here. Back to story, his rival Parrhasius then bring Zeuxis to the below painting. Parrhasius won the contest when Zeuxis asked him to pull the curtain away so that he can see the painting. You know why he won? Guess. Were you fooled too?

The curtains are part of the painting

This museum not only make you amaze at what shadows can do to a painting, it also make the CCTV security people amaze at the lengths you go to make a fool of yourself all over the museum. Who cares? We had a wonderful time thinking and making funny posses to bring the 3D effect out of the picture. Here is where you need the friend to give ideas, hold your camera and laugh at your antics. Sure, you can ask a passerby to do it but he or she is unlikely to tell you that you are standing too much to the right and ruin the 3D effect.

Dr Piggy

We went on a quiet evening and we almost had the whole museum to ourselves. If you are my facebook friend, checkout the pictures.



I come, I see, I pose

The museum also boldly make fun of some famous paintings like pumping air into Mona Lisa's face and my is my all time favourite the overweight Michelangelo. The things we do to this guy is unmentionable in this blog.

Marie France here I come

You never know how time can pass so fast. We spent 4 hours and still have not manage to go through all the paintings. Of course some pose need to retake for effect. We sacrifice for art ha ha ha. We were the last to leave around 10.30pm. I almost ate the grass growing on the side. I was that hungry.

I strongly recommend this place. Check the link.

Cheng Deok Gung

Dae Jang Guem (大長今) didn't work here. (yes, I get a kick out of starting like this everytime).

The real her works here, but the filming set actually models this palace. It is the best preserved palace and the newest one. The last king spends his remaining days here. But this is not what sets it apart from the rest of the palaces. The one thing that sets it apart from all the other palaces is...(drum rolls!!!) the walking distance from my apartment.

.

.

.

(insert flying crows)

You guys seriously have no sense of humour. Ok, the thing that set this palace apart is its Secret Garden. Like all Secret Gardens, you have to pay a separate entrance fee and you must be accompany by a guide so it's like paying for a compulsory guided tour. Good for economy, bad for the tourist.

The entrance looks like any other Kimchi Palace but this time I manage to take the courtyard view and you can see 2 rows of headstones on left and right. No, they are not grave headstones. These are labels for the ministers and officials and where they should stand during any official meeting. One side for arts and one side for martial arts. If you study your history or watch Stephen Chow movies, you will know the lowest ranking is 9. For the sharp eyes that notice there are more than 9 stones, yup, for the upper rankings there are further spilts to upper and lower. I believe banks and my organization copied their organization practises from here. It takes forever to promote up and information didn't always cascade down to the working level. I doubt the king's voice can reach to Official number 9 all the way at the back. I bet he always dozed off in the middle of the king's speech given he probably only hear a buzz equivalent to flies buzzing around some poop.

 The main hall

There are quite a few free tours of various languages but we missed all of it due to our impromptu visit. But thanks to me helping a China tourist we get ourselves a free guide. So I have more juice on this palace than any other. This palace was condemn by many due to the extravagance use of blue roof tiles. The people think it is a waste of government money to use the expensive blue tiles to build the palace.

The last king also took a concubine as the queen didn't manage to give him sons. I don't know why it's always the wife's fault when there are no sons. Anyway in difference to the queen, the concubine lived in a common surroundings. A commoner's home. As you can see everything is not as majestic as the usual palace designs. It's just plain wood. Though I like the simple design, I think that is pretty unfair to the concubine.

The concubine house

Anyway the king died after 2 years of marrying this concubine. Maybe he tried too hard. At his death, there are daughters and nephews but they are not recognize as direct heirs. Maybe no one really want him to have a heir after the blue tiles incident. Regardless, the line died with him.

Due to our impromptu-ness we also miss all the Secret Garden tours. Not because there are no more tours, but because there are no more english or mandarin speaking tours at timing that we wanted and I balked at paying a guided Korean tour which serves no purpose.

The secret garden behind

Anyway according to our guide, the Secret Garden is built by the King for the Queen's pleasure. Since the Queen is always nesting in the palace and there are only so many places she can go, the King built a garden for her. It's rumoured to be beautiful with capital 'B' but since I didn't get to go, it remains a secret. But we manage to glimpse it now and then. I even manage to get a sneak snap shot. In my honest opinion, I think the King should build a shopping mall for the Queen instead.

Last but not least, I asked the guide is the below drive way for the horse carriage to stop for the king. He had a good laugh and said I watch too much drama. The driveway is actually for the king's car. It just feels wrong for a car being used in a palace such as this.

The driveway

The car is still preserved in the National Museum. To find out how to get here, refer this link. If you are going, drop me note. I want to tag along for the Secret Garden that I miss out.

Spring Sonata

It takes 2 weeks of planning and 5 hours to barely tour the whole of Nami Island. Nami sounds like some Japan island but many know this place as the Winter Sonata filming place. Best to go during Winter and Autumn but for me it's best to go when Cousin Rain is around. Else who is going to take my photo?

It rained the day we went. Not the best weather for outdoor activites. But since we bought the tickets, just have to make do. We were quite lucky as there is a direct bus to Nami Island from Insadong which is just next to my apartment. Just have to walk about 15 mins to end of the road (yes, that's consider near.). Entire trip took about 1.5 hours with the last 0.5 hour on a ferry to the island. Sounds very far away? No... people, Nami island is just an island on a river. YES, river. I didn't travel to the sea. So get your mind off Butterworth-Penang kinda thoughts. No, I didn't plan to mislead you all in the first place. Ha ha ha.

The beauty of this island lies on the carefully planted rows of trees which gives you a kinda natural pathway. There are many types of such trails made of many different types of trees. Birch and...birch. I believe there are some red woods too. The stark scenery, void of leaves serve to show you just how big these trees are. Though I had hope there are some leaves or even snow to soften the scene but that's just nature. You just make do with what you have.

One of the many ways to enjoy the island

 I had also hope to rent a bike and go on a bicycle tour but we were too busy walking and capturing the beautiful scenery we forgot. By the time we remembered, it's 5pm and time to go home. Anyway the walk around the island is itself a wonderful experience. The best thing is you never ever get lost cause it's round and it's small. Sooner or later you end up where you start. My kind of place.

Where Korea tourism started

The good thing from all the rain, it leaves the whole island shrouded in fog. I am not sure my pictures look blurry because of my shaking hand or because of the fog. We got a couple of really good shots that look magical. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the food here, therefore you are advise to bring own food.

When you get back to mainland, remember to drop by the shops opposite the harbour. They sell a kind of chicken on grill that you must try! The entire row sell the same thing so just hop in anyone.

For those who asked me how to get there, here is the link. A piece of advise to add, lookout for the Starbucks written in Korean. The building is just opposite it. You will thank me :)

Geung Bok Gong

Dae Jang Geum (大長今) worked here.... when she was alive anyway.

The main hall

As a place of royalty, this palace is surprisingly simplistic in design and outlook. It's not as big as Forbidden Palace but still big enough that it will take you a day if you seriously walk. Since we are talking about palace, I need to mention my apartment is surrounded by palace left right up down. That's why it's called Sommerset Palace and I am called Princess Piggy. NOT Princess Ugly.

The grand entrance and Charlie Angels who refuse to move away

Geung Bok Gong is the biggest and flatest palace in Seoul, which means less stairs to climb. Stairs are super steep too which explains why their customes have billowy skirts. There are several entrance and we inadvertedly choose the side gate, which proves to be a good choice as it saves half the journey compare to coming in from the main entrance.

As with all palaces, the place is simply HUGE and we were a bit late when we arrive, thus some places were already closed when we reach there. There are 13-14 sections that look alike. Study rooms, bedroom, kitchen, stables and they have electricity. Huh...? It seems the old palace burned down during some war and when they rebuild it, the king ask to install electricity. Suddenly it makes me feel like I visited some cheap imitation of an historical place.

There are many beautiful gardens separating each section of the palace. There was even a man made lake with a standalone structure in the middle for the king to entertain foreign emissaries. Now why in the middle of the pond? May it's easier to cough* assassinate *cough stubborn people. Just need to give them a push * cough * rite. When they drained the pond some years ago to clean it. They found a stone dragon at the bottom. Said dragon is now in the museum. No one knows why it's there, accident? Intentional? Feng Shui? Curse? Real mysterious.

The lake

If you manage to walk to the very end of the palace, you will reach this last section which is the queen's domain. To Koreans, it is a beautiful place with a sad story. The last queen Myeong Song was murdered by the Japanese during the war. Before she died, she loved to come here to see flowers in this garden.

A beautiful sad place

Sad to say I also can't find the actual offices of Dae Jang Geum. It was burned down and never rebuild. Bet they regret it now that the drama is so popular. Ho Ho Ho. Anyway this place is available for viewing at 1000 won.

Pseudo Wash

Yesterday night, me and Cousin Rain was loitering near the washing machine...

Rain : Eh, how much softener you need to put?

Me : Until blue line lo.

Rain : Where got blue line?

Me: *Open washing machine powder slot, point to middle slot ~ Neh..

Rain: Eh not first slot mer?

Me: NO lar, first slot for washing powder. Use the one provided by apartment.

Rain: ..... Eh... you no use detergent?

Me : No, didn't buy, just use apartment one.

Rain : Huh? Then what is this?

Me : Softener, goes into the second slot. **points second slot

Rain : ...... um.....

Me : You pour it where?

Rain: First slot.

Me : Second slot?

Rain: Nothing.

Me : .............

Rain : .........

Me :.............

Rain:...........

Me:..............

Rain : WA HA HA HA ..... I have been washing clothes with softener only!

Me : Oh My Goddddddddddddddd....

Early Saturday morning Rain already bang pot and kettle. We are going to see Sakura before it got blown away. Sakura can only last one week or two before it is blown to the ground and leaves sprout out. That is why Sakura tour packages are sooooo expensive.

I thought I will see people picnic in groups, drinking even having personal karaoke but all I see is this. Watching too much Japanese Drama? We get very excited when we caught a glimpse of sakura from far. Never see real sakura before. From far look like mini cotton candy. I feel like I need to describe it's beauty in a poem. I knew of many songs about the Sakura, all Japanese though. However some of them go the extent of plucking of a few rantings of the flower. Vandalism...Gr.....

Before the loads of tourist bus came

The famous Sakura viewing place is along the Han River, next to the train line 5 -Yeouinaru Stop. However, my senior advised us to stop at the station after it - Yeouido and leisurely walk in from there. We walked and walked but still no Sakura and I am sweating a bit already cause I scared Rain will murder me if we don't see the Sakura anytime soon. Lucky we manage to spot a few and since it's not a well known tourist track, we have a few sakura trees all to ourselves. Hence some really nice up close shots of the flower. Lucky after that found the main road, phew~

The sakura is actually not white, it's pinkish white

I particularly like the below one, it gives me the feeling that I need to put 2 verse of chinese peom on the side.

Roses are red, Sakuras are pink, Sugar is sweet, but not as sweet as you

Cousin Rain want to go and see the night scene where they put lights under the sakura. As if such beauty need any additional support to make it more beautiful than it is.

From Hometown with Love

I will never thought in a million years, how buying souvenir can be a matter of national pride. In my current team, it's customary to bring something from your country every time you went back to your home country. Then you will go around distributing your goods and explaining it's speciality, kind of like introducing your country.

My island got a lot of Taiwanese and since Taiwan is very near, they go back every month. Every time they come back, they will bring all sort of Taiwan snack, like pineapple tarts, sweets and the below 'dau kon' - means dried taufu. They just love this snack. It's dried taufu, fermented and very crunchy to eat. But for some reason, I don't quite like it. When I tell them my humble opinion, they looked like kena strike by lightning. To promote better relationship, I amended my feedback and told them, it's in the category of eat-more-will-eventually-like type of food. Regret it after that. They take turns feeding me this thing every day in hopes I will like it one day.

The snack to eat while watching TV

On top of that, one came to my apartment yesterday night and gave me braised duck tongue- another favourite Taiwan snack. It's still frozen in my freezer. Help.....

Anyway, Cousin Rain will be here tomorrow! YEAH! First destination is the flower festival. Posters everywhere announcing the Sakura Flower Fest! Looking forward to it.

All over the mrt

Perhaps I can feed Cousin Rain the duck tongue.

Ramblings

Today a lot of seniors were not at work. Most are working offsite at their various countries. It makes me want to do illegal stuff like come in later and surf some net while I am suppose to be working.

Last week one of my senior fall sick. Very sick, until whatever medicine that we pile on him don't seem to work anymore. Probably sicker, thus as the last resort we decide the send him to see doctor with our lovely translator. In Kimchi Land, doctor and medicine sold separately so you have to see a doctor and later go to the pharmacy to get med. OMG, the medicine bag is so cute and the way they package their medicine is so different.

Impressed with their packaging...

They package it according to per intake basis. Unlike my hometown, which is packaged according to type of drug with various consumption instructions on the outside, here you only need to tear out one packet per meal and you have all the meds you are suppose to eat in a meal. Even cough syrup is per packet. Now you don't have any excuse not to eat medicine when you are on the go.

Marinated with sesame seed

On the same day, we went to drink 'la la' soup. Although senior have been here a few times, this is my first time. This eatery is famous for its 'la la' soup. Remind me to blog about various ways to call 'la la' by different countries. However what warranted an entry here is its kimchi. It is simply the BEST kimchi I had ever tasted. Believe me when I tell you that as I eat kimchi night and day here. It's the staple food in Kimchi Land. My senior said this is because of the sesame oil that they use and also because it hasn't marinated for long and thus has not acquire the sour taste. Oh My God, I love it so much, I am gonna harassed everyone to eat it today.

A serving portion for 2

The 'la la' soup is not that special in my humble opinion but since it's the most popular food, I have decided to blog it up also. The serving is simple beyond description. The bowl itself is so big, it's like those water basin that my Ah Gong use to wash face. We also ordered a side dish of dumplings, they are as big as a small pork bun (no pic as we were so hungry we ate the whole thing before I remember to snap a picture) - after eating 2 and stuffing my face full of kimchi, I can hardly take in the 'la la' soup but still have to take cause senior said must respect the 'la la' soup... after that cannot walk back to office lio.

Think I need 2 days to digest the whole thing.

The fruit trees

While walking back to our apartment via the back lane, Sir Senior pointed some fruit trees along the backlane. Now only ranting but in spring they will bloom and in summer you can see fruits hanging from them. Got pear, ginko (yeah, I know it's not fruit), pessimon, etc... I tell Senior I got this image in my mind that come summer when I am passing by, I can just pluck one and eat on the way. Senior got shocked, 'NOOOoooooooooo....! You cannot eat them....'. Then he quickly drag me back to apartment. . ................................................................................................................................................................ But why can't I eat them?