Powered by Blogger.

Korea Trip Part 2




CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE

I haven't gotten around to posting about our Korea trip last May. It's not really my purpose to gather a following I just use my blog as a means to document our life...my thoughts mostly. I look back at what I have written here most of the time. I am particularly happy when I did the 52 Project with my eldest because I got to see her grow. I have planned a number of posts already but couldn't get to it because I am a little OCD and would want to finish with our trip first.

We went to visit Huwon Secret Garden at Changdeokgung Palace. Before our trip we meticulously planned what clothes to bring because the last time we went to Seoul we underestimated the weather. This time we packed clothes that were a little too warm for spring. It was just right for Bean but because little Ellie likes the cold she only wore her usual clothes.

Adam and I were hesitant to travel this early on with two kids. 1-because we wanted to be able to be comfortable 2- we wanted to be able to rest 3- we wanted to bring minimal luggage (which is impossible with a baby) 4- we wanted to take nice pictures and 5- because....TWO KIDS!

To our surprise Bean was mostly well-behaved...she would just complain when she got hungry. Ellie was quite a sport too! She's all good as long as she is worn in her carrier. She is a no-fuss baby and goes with the flow.

The people adore them and randomly plays with them; when they become irritable (usually when it's a long ride in the subway) strangers try to help by playing with them. It doesn't really matter that we don't understand them; really, sometimes actions do speak louder than words.

The Garden was beautiful and it was a long walk, too! We had to leave Ellie with my mom for a little bit just to go around. There was so much green! This part of the trip was cut short because we were so hungry! And actually, I was a little bit impatient because I was excited for Petite France and Nami Island the next day.














PETITE FRANCE

You can tell by my excitement that I love the Little Prince. It's such a gem and has a special place in my heart that's why I was so ecstatic when we booked our tour! We woke up extra early to prepare because the bus would pick us up early. Good thing our girls are early birds and they do not really mind getting ready first thing in the morning.

Confession: I went a little crazy planning what to wear during this trip because I had just given birth...I do not like how I looked and I felt bloated and stretched out still. One thing I asked my "instagram husband" to do was to angle himself correctly to take pictures of me that look thinner.
Looking back at these pictures I think he succeeded but the lesson it taught me is this: While I like how it turned out I would've liked it even more had I loved and accepted myself. Because I wasted time reviewing our pictures, trying to get THE shot....deleting and retaking over and over again....with two kids just made me feel bad about myself.

POST PARTUM TIP: If you want to look slimmer opt for tight fitting jeans with a loose top; put one foot forward and TIPTOE when you get your picture taken; angle slightly to the side. TIPTOE even if it's a half-body shot (trust me on this one.)

Petite France was small but quite lovely. You could see the story book come to life. Bean had a great time looking at paintings and playing all over the place. We had a mini argument here because all she wanted was to play with her cousin and didn't want to tour the place. So we told her it's like "Green Eggs and Ham"-- she should try it out first because she might like it. And alas, she got to her feet and walked around and loved it.























I will end this post here and when I find the time I will post about Nami Island. As they say: save the best for last--and this part of our trip was my favorite.

how are you?



How long has it been since I've last posted? I don't really remember but I remember being in a hurry to write and publish. I've missed this; the documenting of my (our) life. It's just that being busy and uninspired happened. I am on the verge of getting lost and it is quite complicated in a way. I am not lost in motherhood, rather I am lost as an individual without being a mother.

Yes, I do know what my passions and hobbies are....and yet I feel empty. I feel this because everything I do lately always has to be hurried. My children are my greatest passion; but it got me thinking....if I take out being a mom out of the equation...who would I be?

So I took time off this space to reflect and really think. And I've listed mini goals I want to accomplish for the rest of this year. I am a "list" person...making lists makes me happy and it makes me more inclined to get things done.

With all this, I want to know....HOW ARE YOU?

Me--I've been busy juggling two kids, housework, art and exercise. It is no joke having more than one kid around....mostly when their age gap is a bit farther because your time will be demanded by both in very different ways.

It has been a rough transition for me and Bean. Contrary to my "happy" posts on Instagram...we do have a lot of bad days. We argue like best friends--either I act like the child or she acts like the adult. I admit that my patience has grown thin...and this mama is just so tired but I know what I have to do and lately we are coping.

We also made new house rules for Bean to teach her about responsibility and the consequences of her actions. Adam and I are exposing her more to art since it's one thing she loves to do rather that giving her time on her iPad or the TV. And in just a short time I find that it's working. She is less of a brat and is willing to connect more with us.

With Ellie, she is beginning to be very active and talkative. She's very easy to take care of: she takes her naps and her sleep on the dot. She doesn't need to be held. She is easy to feed and is happy and pleasant all the time...BUT... she clings to me like there's no tomorrow. The only time she would cry is if it isn't me that's with her. Bean has already admitted that sometimes she feels that we love her sister more than her but we explain to her that babies are very dependent and that when she was a baby everything that we are doing to Eleanor we did with her, too.

Last July, I signed up for online classes in watercolor to add to my technique. I am so glad I did this because it really helps me cope with my anxiety and it is a form of relaxation for me. Also, this got me thinking about conducting workshops for those who want to learn my style of painting. I am just so busy that I haven't gotten around to organizing this....but SOON.

And to conclude, because I missed my blog so much I promised myself to be more present here from this moment on. I want to continue documenting the growth of my children, my marriage, our family and myself as an individual. I will be posting more from hereon.