Hobby

Sewing is by far my most expensive hobby, but I've been very spoiled living here in Korea because the fabric prices are so cheap if you know where to look! Monday July 6 Mr. K. dropped two fellow sewing ladies and me off at the local train station and we boarded the semi-fast train to Seoul. Unfortunately, we had to get off at the mid-way point because there was an accident on the line. We had to transfer to the metro which meant standing for the next hour and not getting to Seoul until 11am. We had a blast anyway!

This is just one of the buildings that house all sorts of fabric and notions.


Trying to decide which thread to buy was not easy!


I wanted to hijack this truck.


These zippers looked so pretty to me.


Some of the cute crafty things.


Have to make a purse or two like this.


Mr. K. thought I bought too little. So I'm already planning another trip.




Isn't this twill tape adorable?

Hwaseong

For mother's day we decided to have a little adventure and travel to Suwon Hwaseong (Fortress). My guidebook gives it three stars, a good place to go when the weather is nice (which it was), and a UNESCO World Heritage site. So why not right?

To say it was a disaster might be overreaching just a little. When we got to Suwon we found the signs sparse and confusing. Mr. K. took a lot of wrong turns and got the van into some very tight places. Eventually we did find an entrance got a map and directions and headed off on foot/stroller.



After walking down a steep hill for about half a mile and realizing we had quite a way to go I gave up and sat on a bench to read. (Anyone at all interested in science, biology, medicine, or parasites you must read Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer. It is excellent!)

Twenty minutes later Mr. K. and the kids came huffing and puffing back to my little bench. For reasons unknown they were not allowed on the mini-train to the archery observation. Their purchased tickets were taken away and money was returned. D was upset, Mr. K. was nonplussed and I simply added it to my list of reasons that I'm not in love with this country.

So we hiked back up the hill and decided to go to Papa John's Pizza for dinner. Mr. K. decided to drive around a bit and somehow managed to find two more much larger and ground level entrances to the fortress, but I was so over the whole thing and each time told him to keep driving as I took photos out the window.


We also spotted an IGA.


And cars ornamented for weddings in a style similar to the tradition in Turkey.


I felt so very American and a bit ridiculous taking photos out of a moving vehicle but sometimes it is necessary to give in to what we are in order to maintain this insane life we lead.

Eventually we came to the pizza place and everyone was happier.



Hilarious (at least to me!) menu item.


Table condiments.


Me with my kids. It was mother's day after all. I made the blouse for myself from Butterick 5217.


Izzy didn't want to share me.


Pizza was perfect, but oddly served with sweet pickles.


Then on the way home I asked if I could run into Paris Baguette. What a mistake to let me loose in that place! I wanted one of everything.

Hoofin' It: Part Two

On February 3, 2009 Mr. K, the Kids, and I took the hotel shuttle to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI). We had a few minutes of confusion at the check-in counter because Mr. K was on leave and the Kids and I are not on official orders at this time. We sailed through security with ease even though I forgot to take our baggies with liquids out of the suitcase. What a hassle to take of shoes!

Once we found the gate I went back for food. I had thought there was a Starbucks nearby but in fact it was pre-security which meant it was at that point off limits. Instead we had juice and coffee from McDonald's and sweet buns from another place. The Kids didn't mind waiting for the plane.

The flight was horrible for one major reason ... six hours trapped on the plane with not even a free pack of pretzels! Thankfully Mr. K's seatmate gave us a bag of really fresh carrots that we all enjoyed and I had snacks packed. There was drink service once and water service once as well. Mr. K watched the movie Flash of Genius which he gave a thumb's up for. Izzy just liked playing with the headphones.



When we took off from BWI it was snowing but all was sunny and warm in San Francisco.