i still love l.a.

At approximately 4pm, I was on a high… so many emotions and so very excited for the future of the Lakers. I wasted hours of reading articles, reading tweets from espn analysts and nba players, and watching espn. So upset…

I don’t understand. So many questions…

How could Stern let the Gasol/Kwame trade happen if he was going to veto the CP3 trade?

Why?

Why?

Why?

And now, Dwight to NJ?? NO!!!!!!

My favorite quote from today: “It’s crazy David Stern doesn’t even play, yet he is leading the NBA in BLOCKS this SEASON!!!

No matter what happens, I will still be a loyal Laker fan!

work

I can’t believe I have a job!!! It’s been a tough week, especially having to wake up early. It has been a long time since I needed to wake up early on a daily basis, so my body is not used to it. Although I wake up fairly early everyday, my body still needs that extra hour and a half. But so far, I really enjoy my job! I even have my own work email and extension~

My job is quite different from a teacher at a public school. Everything is taught online to students who attend school from home. I go into the office everyday and do everything online. Some kids are pursuing acting, doing sports, etc… so I get to interact and meet students with all different backgrounds, which is really cool!

Perks about my job:

• My own office/cubicle that I can decorate =)
• No need to stand in front of a class and deal with students with bad behavior
• Flexible schedule (no bells, recess, etc…)
• I don’t need to buy any school/teaching material… all provided by my school!
• Opportunity to work at home in the future
• Closer relationship with student/family
• Supportive co-workers
• Everything accesible online

Downsides to my job:

• In my cubicle– it is both good and bad for me…will take some time getting used to it
• Staring at the computer screen all day
• Long drive– at least 40min +…especially on my drive back home
• Can’t see all my students

Anyway, there is a Christmas cubicle decorating contest coming up… Anyone have any ideas on how to make it really cute & festive yet not look too tacky??

i’m back!

I can’t believe it’s been only two months since I’ve been back…it feels much longer! Nevertheless, I’m back and super happy to be back in California.

AND my blog is back as well! =)

What have I been doing since I got back??

• Saw my family & friends– always good times!
• Spent lots of time with Tommy– He remembers me!!
• Watched so many movies– Horrible Bosses was hilarious! Also, the $1 theater in La Mirada got a makeover! It’s a lot nicer with new chairs. Movies are $5 all day at the Cerritos Mall!
• Helping with AWANA!
• Been sad that there might not be an NBA season–I need to get into football!
• Worked for a bit with my recruiter– anyone want to teach overseas??
• Applied for so many jobs!
• Finally got a job subbing for Anaheim District & Hacienda/La Puente District–
• Got a FULL TIME job as a middle school math teacher!! After the painfully difficult interview, I got a 2nd interview with the principal, and got offered the job! So excited!

More updates to come!

Happy Pepero Day!! I wish I can eat some almond pepero right now..

HOME sweet HOME

I have less than a month before I go back home! =)

Things to look forward to in Korea before I leave:

• Julie will be here at the end of the week.
• Meeting with relatives.
• Eating my favorite samgyetang for the last time.
• Getting my fill of cheap Korean popsicles/ice cream.
• Lots of waffles.
• Thali.
• Fried chicken.
• Cheap Korean street food.
• Wandering around Seoul.
• Hopefully a trip to Jejudo.

Things to look forward to when I go back to Cali:

• Reuniting with family and friends.
• Seeing Tommy.
• Mexican Food.
• Chick-fil-a.
• Nordstroms.
• My bed.
• A dryer.
• No humidity.

Can’t wait to see you all!!

Bien-être

• Bien-être – Chungdam

  A small hole-in-the wall that serves tasty French food. To read more – Bien-être 

  
  

  
  

  

  seats 8 people

menu for the day

pictures of France

amuse bouche

some kind of cream puff with an edible stick

something wrapped in bacon?

foie gras cream inside a delicious biscuit

sea urchin tart (good!)

cream corn with chickenand cheese stick

chicken inside the soup

fresh bread & butter

appetizer

foie gras with apple, fig, mango topped with avocado

main dish- fish

some kind of fish topped with pistachio

something yummy

salmon

delicious filled tomato with grilled veggies & mashed potatoes

main dish- steak

an interesting looking peeled grape with mash potatoes

grilled veggies (the focus is off..)

something made with bananas

cheese plate

chef's specialty dessert- souffle

light and fluffy

sorbet of some sort

petit four - but there were only three

my favorite-- tasted like white chocolate & that candied walnut was very good

a tasty biscuit

some nutty taffy

My stomach was very satisfied at the end of the meal =)

Sushi Hyo

• Sushi Hyo – Chungdam

I finally got a chance to eat some really good sushi. I really enjoyed the omakase experience.

sushi bar

our sushi chef.. 25 years of experience

side dish of veggies

table setting. i like the chopstick holder

FRESH wasabi

Now for the sushi..

광어 - halibut

민어 (don't know the english translation)

도미뱃살 - snapper

chilled glass filled with...

uni with 오징어 (it's in the back..hard to see) this was quite tasty!

otoro.. one of my favorites of the night! so good

abalone steamed for 4hours with a pinch of salt

오징어 that was cut up and looked like a flower.. also very good as well

광어 - halibut fin i think? it was good with a smokey flavor

scallop wrapped in seaweed

mackerel prepared by the chef

a close-up shot..pretty! and had an interesting flavor

some part of the fish w/ fish eggs.. might have been my least favorite of the night

i don't remember.. but it was good

shrimp/uni

참치길비쌀 - tuna rib meat?

scallop

참치등심 tuna.. look at that shimmer!

california roll

some type of fish filled with shishamo eggs

fish eggs.. from korea

hidden card (according to chef)- mackerel.. not as good as i thought it would be

tamago- egg

more toro yummm

kimbap with 19 ingredients.. doesn't look like it but it was really big & you are supposed to eat it all in one bite

soba

dessert. black rice ice cream with some kind of powder. delicious!

oishiii おいしい！

정자 카페거리 – Jeongja Cafe Row

Jeongja (정자), in Bundang (분당), is well known for the street lined with cafes! You won’t have trouble finding a coffee shop or an Italian restaurant.

• Waffle Bant 
• Koreans love waffles. These waffles are good. You can also get a cold frozen yogurt!

 

 

 

• Daily Coffee 
• This place is wonderful! It’s open 24 hours and they serve a variety of drinks and dessert. My favorite here are the ice cream waffles. Delicious!

 

• Jamba Juice
• This place definitely hits the spot! Delicious smoothies

 

orange dream machine & caribbean passion

 

• Nairobi
• Loved the interior and the feel of this restaurant!

 

 

salmon cream pasta

 

brunch set

 

• Stonewall
• Another one of the same restaurants.

croque monsieur

 

brunch set (with french fries!!)

 

• Cafe Marianne
• Another pasta inspired restaurant

 

lemon iced tea

 

bread & pickles (of course)

 

shrimp, bacon, potato cream pasta

 

chicken & mushroom tomato pasta

 

mushroom risotto

 

• Ashley’s Cupcakes
• One of my favorite cupcake stores in Korea. They offer really delicious and moist cakes!

green tea & chocolate

 

red velvet & peanut butter

 

Bento

The Japanese bento is so pretty, it makes it taste even better! I love the variety included in each bento!

Kooma Bento at 정자’s Cafe Row is a good place to get your bento. I especially love that they serve cold green tea.

Pork bento

Tuna bento

Salmon bento

Bentorang is another bento restaurant in 정자. It’s located off of 정자역 exit 3 or 4, to the left of the SK C&C building on the 3rd floor.

egg

eel & salmon bento

Salmon bento

Cafe Mou

Cafe Mou.

Decided to check out a fancy cafe in good ol’ apgu.

Very fancy~

Americano with sugar

Chocolate Earl Gray Mousse

It was good and had fruit & green tea filling.

Some kind of ‘scandal’ dessert.

Fruit filling. Much sweeter than the chocolate one above.

Location: 압구정 near Rodeo drive.

토속촌 삼계탕 [Tosokchon Samgyetang]

One word. Amazing.

You know it’s good if the restaurant is huge AND there’s a long line. Luckily, there was not a long line when I went.

Next time I go, I will try just the 통닭.

A glimpse of the restaurant. I love these old Korean-style homes. Warning: You will most likely have to take off your shoes & sit on the ground. Not very comfortable..

Water with a shot of alcohol. Cooool!

Broth is so delicious. Chicken is so tender. It is also filled with rice, ginger, chestnut, and dates.

I will definitely be making another trip out here before I head back to California.

Directions: 경복궁 station (Gyung bok goong) Exit 2. Walk straight & make a left when you see a GS25. It will be on the left.