SEOUL HOLIDAY

Even though this is an insanely busy time at work, I had to make the trek to see my dad who is currently in Korea, the Asia home base of his retirement world tour. My brother, aunt, and uncle coming just made it a complete Christmas miracle (even though we technically missed Christmas on the plane). As soon as we landed, first stop sullung-tang!

The view from our hotel room right before it started dumping snow. I might have had an incrementally better time had it not felt like a million razors cutting my skin from the cold air. I felt like a misplaced lizard looking for patches of sunlight. On to Gyeongbokgung Palace for some sightseeing and #bricksquatting.

Got to visit the new National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Lots of things that I was not supposed to take pictures of *ahem*. But totally allowed to take photos of Do Ho Suh's Home Within Home Within Home Within Home Within Home. If you ever get a chance to see any of his work, you should go (run!) because it's really breathtaking and makes you feel so small in the best way.

My favorite part of Korea is always the eating. And not just eating famous food, but off-the-beaten-path food. My best friend in Korea took us to this place that we never in novemdecillion years would've found on our own. It was basically a grandma's house where she served us the freshest organic food in what I assume was her living room. This was definitely my favorite meal of the entire trip.

And sometimes when you don't have a savvy best friend, you might just try your luck with a friendly cab driver. We were looking for ganjang gejang and he dropped us off at this place that did not disappoint! Apologies to the ladies working there - my dad's highlight in life is bragging about his children. We just nod bashfully and stuff our faces.

15 layer #ootd wut wut

Korea is the land of advanced pastries if you didn't know. This is the most generic bakery chain. I said GENERIC.

...pause for mirror selfie...

My dad took us to one of the first bakeries in Seoul, Tae Guk Dang, which was established in 1946. While this is not the original location, they've kept everything as it was in the 60s. All the breads and packaging and interior, it's all like a time warp. But no need to update when you have the classic butter bread (full disclosure: I took a bite of that heavenly gluten pillow) (will not disclose after details).

Then over to To Sok Chon to squeeze in one last sam gye tang before the year is up.

New coat alert! Thanks D.Efect!

This is a real thing. I repeat, a...real...thing. That people eat. By paying money. A "burger" at KFC called the Maxx, which is 2 fried chicken breasts (in lieu of buns) with a hash brown, bacon, ketchup, and cheese in the center.

I was about to be proud of myself for having practiced such restraint. That is, until the last day my best friend took us wandering to some shops. Discovered my now favorite shop, Ecru. It's the flagship Undercover store in Seoul, as well as a multi brand boutique carrying Acne, D.Efect, Neighborhood, Zucca and basically all the brands that are enough for me not to have to go anywhere else. These trousers were, shockingly, my only purchase of the entire trip. Not even a silly keychain! or character socks! or faux fur lined leggings ( <---everywhere font="">! 

BFF

Last meal of 2013 - tuna sashimi complete with gold flakes. I'm fancy huh?

And then I fought the grandma in me (she let me win this once) and trekked it to a party (gasp!) to see my 360 Sounds buddies. Don't worry, I left as soon as the clock struck midnight. If I don't get home in time I turn into a pumpkin age appropriate socializing woman. AND WE WOULDN'T WANT THAT.

And the official Korean first meal of the new year - dduk guk! 

I'm not much for making new year's resolutions. I just always hope my loved ones are healthy and happy and that's good enough for me. Cheers to another year down friends! Thanks for sticking with me along this weird internet ride. Wishing you all the best in 2014.