Sat on the roof and kicked off the moss

Sometimes my job requires me to be at work on the weekends. This last weekend was one of them (as was the weekend before). Seven long, boring hours with minimal human interaction on both Saturday and Sunday leads me to come up with creative ways to pass the time between reports.

On this particular Sunday, my bag was full of art supplies, practice poi, and my camera, so I went up to the roof to spin, draw, and take a few outfit photos.





Got plans for tonight to hit up the art supply store to get a big ol' canvas. I don't usually paint things in large scale, but my fellow art buddy, Wilfred, asked me to participate in another show with an end of September deadline and October 30th gallery showing. I'll post more details for the Seoulites as publicity for it emerges. But, man, you guys, painting big is so not my M.O. I'm a little intimidated...

I'm hook, line, and sinker

Here are a few shots I got back from my La Sardina's first roll of film! Had a blast testing it out with Jill and can't wait to shoot more with it.

Seeing the world through a sardine cam

The other day I picked up a brand new toy from the Lomography store in Hongdae. After some extended research on all their cameras (to the point where I took role as their English saleswoman during my time there), I chose the almost too cute La Sardina.

I blame Romin for reeling me into analog, but after seeing how pretty his shots were from his new Leica, I just couldn't resist. I just don't have the funds to shell out for something of that caliber.

I have my first roll of film in development at Toy Camera and I am anxiously waiting its return. Hopefully I'll have something worthwhile to share by the weekend*.

Now I should probably head to bed as its already past 5am and I'm full of tequila and I shouldn't be blogging. Margaret invited me out to join her as a VIP at Eden after a spin session on Jill and Rob's rooftop and I decided to walk the two kilometers back home in 13 centimeter heels instead of taking a taxi.

But before I nod off, here is a better shot of my French bunny-tipped nails and ring.




* Korean standard time... that means by tomorrow.

My favorite people getting older

Three years ago last week, I was strung along to a private birthday party at a rented out bar. It dawned upon me, immediately, I wasn't supposed to be there. Aside from the friend who brought me (who, upon reflection, probably wasn't invited either), I felt like the lone taco in a sea of sausage.

However, the birthday boy was none other than my darling, Nick, which means yesterday he turned another year older.



As it was a Thursday, the party itself is being postponed, but in my world, birthdays must be celebrated, so I planned a surprise birth-date that started off with a trip to the spa for massages. No pictures taken there, else this become NSFW, but it was wonderfully relaxing. I even fell into a little snoozer as soon as the hot stones hit my back. Ahhhh...

Our next stop was Edward Kwon's restaurant, The Spice, where we wined and dined like fancy folk.









I only took pictures of our first two courses because as soon as the dessert arrived, I pounced. The food was amazing and Nick didn't stand much of a chance coming between the ménage à trois I formed with the desserts (chocolate fondant with raspberry sorbet and an orange vanilla panna cotta). I would have been more than willing to sacrifice as much of it as he wanted*, but, thankfully, he doesn't care for dessert much anyway and was happy munching on more of their nommy bread.







I believe Birthday XXVII went splendidly and my special boy got his special day.




BUT! The Week of Important Birthdays wasn't over quite yet and my best girlfriend in Seoul turned 25 only two days after.

I took her out shopping the day before and my bank accounts are still licking the wounds I inflicted upon it. Happy birthday, Jill!



I got her a cake that said "be happy", but I don't think anyone noticed. Thankfully, my friends don't read Korean very well. She's making that face because I just made a comment about the impotent candle.



After shabu shabu dinner, we stopped by our usual bar, Vent, for some beers and shots of "Sexy Led Heads**", the drink named after Jill on her birthday last year.









When the birthday girl was adequately drunk, we stopped by a club to dance. I'm really not much into the club scene, but it was her day, after all.





I checked my bag so that part of the evening went undocumented, but we didn't stay long anyway. Nick and I left early and popped into the Street Fighter arcade on the way back home before calling it a night.

The last Important August Birthday is coming around the corner. My beautiful mother will be another year older, but I swear she's Benjamin Buttoning. In fifteen years, we'll be twins.

(Oh, and in just over two weeks, it'll be my birthday too!)



* Life tip for the ladies: date boys who don't have a sweet tooth.
** Supposed to be Sexy Red Head, but hey, this is Korea.

Skullfingering

While in Taiwan, I picked up some cute skull charms from a darling street dealer in Shida. In the haste of my excitement to get them on my greedy little fingers when I got home, my topcoat wasn't applied as smoothly as it should've and made these tiny air bubbles. That really got my figs!





So yesterday I started over again and, coincidentally, the little silver beads I ordered arrived too. I am hella pleased with the results.





And for those of you who requested pictures of my right nostril, you're welcome.

A Taipei personality

On Wednesday, Carolina and I set off to Taipei, Taiwan for a mini vacation. We had the absolute greatest time and everything seemed to work out in our favor every step of the way. Even Typhoon Muifa veered off its path toward the island and headed to China instead!





Goodbye, rainy Seoul! We boarded the insanely classy Thai Airways and were treated like princesses. The flight was only two and a half hours, but we got a delicious meal on both legs of the trip. Hellooo steak, wine, salmon sashimi, and tiramisu!





We arrived at night and made our way to our delightful hostel, Eight Elephants, and after unloading our bags, took off to find Shida Night Market where Carolina lost her bubble tea virginity (and consequently became a bubble tea nympho). We sampled the local beer in the park a la Hongdae and got chased around by flying cucarachas*.





The next day we accidentally spent most of the day on the train trying to get to the beach. We did get there in the end, but it took the majority of the day because neither of us speak or read CHING CHONG WING WONG**. The beach was closed by the time we got there, but nevertheless, it was still great times. We even ordered dinner by playing charades with the restaurant owner. It was delicious.









The following day, the weather reports advised against the beach due to high waves and rain, so we stayed in Taipei. It didn't so much as sprinkle, and just barely, but we had a great day eating dumplings, getting stealth drunk on cheap mystery liquor, and having some crazy tasty chocolate treats. We wanted to go and get ourselves some ridiculous Chonga nails, but after searching for a place that wasn't booked or incompetent, Carolina opted for an eyelash perm and I got my hair dyed (this was, admittedly, a better decision in the end).











On Saturday, our last full day in Taiwan, we were determined to make it to the beach, typhoon be damned. We woke up late, but had to stop by the cute as baby chipmunks, Rabbit Rabbit III, for a yummy brunch. It made us late to the beach and we only caught the last few hours of sun after a small hike, but we were thoroughly satisfied just having our toes in the sand and surf.























When the sun started to set on Fulong Beach and the sea started threatening us with monstrous waves, it was time to return to Taipei. We hit up the Shillin Night Market with a list of recommended eats from bloggers and traveled friends, including oyster omelette, pork rice, and JiPai (chicken chops). We witnessed some shrimp fishing, played some rigged UFO catchers, and then made our way back to get some rest after another long, tiring, and wonderful day.

















Thanks for the great time, Taiwan! We love you! Just wish we had a few more days to explore, but, dang, if this entry is long enough already...




* Cockroaches in Spanish
** NO WAY THAT SHIT IS INSANE