putting the knit in shizknitz

The older I get, the more I feel 24.  Sometimes I even dress like it, and my apartment looks like one of a 24 year old.  There are subtle changes though such as the birthday party you have, the amount of cake you can eat, and what you do on your special day.  I had a wonderful post-birthday party with some of my most favorite people a few days ago, and bless them, they brought me gifts.  I got home after a long night of eating, drinking (my pharmacist thinks I’m a lush but that’s another story), and singing and laid down on the couch.  T nudged me to open my gifts.  As a kid, I couldn’t wait to tear into the boxes and ribbons and what not.  What I realized was that the wonderful and fun time I had spent with those closest to us was the perfect gift - thus there was no need to tear into anything at all.  That moment of peace and content happiness with T on the couch was one I hadn’t had in awhile. 

On the flip side of things on the crazy side of life, I would like to complain about the craziest arrangement in the world.  Movers.  Yes, I was promised a stress-free move because I wouldn’t have to “lift a finger”.  This has been far from the truth.  Let me first explain the levels of middlemen for your reading pleasure.

I go work at -> Company that is paying for move -> Relocation Specialists -> Agent for Allied Moving Company -> Local Moving Company

Unfortunately, one of the middlemen has provided the worst customer service ever and has been the worst experience EVER just to get this scheduled.  In my hayday, I moved at least once a year.  I never used movers, it was always my family and friends.  Let me tell you, this has been the most stressful move so far.

I love this article.

Oh, Bon Jovi.  Ever since the piano man from ”we’re on a cruuuuise!” I’ve been addicted to several of his songs.  I like to listen to them at odd times, like right now. 

So the Shiz World Tour ‘07 has come to an end, kind of.  The adventure continues, as the realization sets in that I must leave my beloved friends and apartment behind, as I now change my zip code to a 94— number (contrary to popular belief, this is not an attempt to stalk echeng in person) and the time has come to put back on the heels and makeup every weekday morning (and to”push the button”).  It felt good yesterday during a short sampling into the office - the moment I realized how much of a career-aholic I really am.  I loved my transient lifestyle this summer, but I’m ready to get this show on the road.  No worries that my backpack may get lonely - I have a list of places I want to go next year in between my rotations

On a side note, this is Day 16 of the worst sinus congestion - my only saving grace is that I can’t smell as well, which keeps my hunger subdued…

  Waffles, Folk Village, Birthday

All Day 5 Photos

  Bukchon, Chungaechun, Kangam Station

All Photos from Day 4

Kyungbok Palace, Insadong, Sinsadong

All Day 3 Photos

DMZ and Itaewon

All Day 2 Photos

I think I caught something on my final days in Europe. I knew I felt strange in Heathrow and the few days I was at home didn’t help either considering I didn’t get much sleep. I’ve been a bit under the weather to say the least and thus haven’t had much energy to post. After taking some Korean medicine yesterday and downing this drink all the old people were drinking, I’m starting to feel a little better, thank god.

Day 1 consisted of travel to Seoul and Dongdaemoon for some crazy shopping. But before we went off to shop, my dear friend Kate took us to this amazing 5 layer fat pork Korean BBQ place… it was amazing. Makes Manna back home look like child’s play. We take our shoes off at the entrance and sit on the floor (poor T and his inflexibility) and they have these long snout-like metal things they pull down to vent all the smoke. No messing around here. Its all pork, dukmandoo, kimchee and other mushrooms that are grilled on this huge, iron grill that has had years and layers of tasty goodness cooked on them. You wrap in many different kinds of leaves, some I haven’t seen before and the cooked kimchee was amazing. At the end, they cut up the remaining kimchee, and add rice, egg and dried seaweed to complete kimchee fried rice… OMG!

After, we took the subway (thank god for my Europe experience which helped with navigating this system) to Dongdaemoon which is a serious shopping area, again, the faint hearted need not apply.  The clothes here are CHEAP, stylish and better quality than Zara.  Most things can be negotiated, and Kate taught me how to say “Ka Ka Juseyo” (give me a discount) and that girl is amazing - if she doesn’t get a discount, she’ll make sure they throw in something for free.  I have to learn this technique before I go home.  The stores are in mall like fashion, grouped into categories on different floors.  Its a little too bad I’m about double the size of the average Korean woman because they do have some really cute clothes.  We bought T some new outfits, I hope he wears when we get home.  These malls are open until 5 AM, and open at 10 AM.  I wish they existed back home.  We got home around 2 AM (after our 6 PM flight) absolutely exhausted.