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.

Seoul 2017 Part 1

Last February I asked my mom what KDrama she would recommend me to watch. She suggested I watch "Legend of the Blue Sea," and since I am a JJH fan (and now a fan of LMH, too) I gave it a shot and true enough I was hooked! I even watched it again and then followed it up with "Goblin" and other old favorites of mine. This made me interested in going to Korea again. Since my whole family has another trip coming I asked Adam if we could also go. We forfeited at first because I just gave birth late last year but I am so happy he agreed!

I am a closet KDrama and KPop fan. I've been watching since 2003! A few of my favorites are: My Girl, Princess Hours, Coffee Prince, A Love to Kill, Boys Over Flowers, the Heirs, My Love from the Stars, LOTBS, Goblin, Hotel King. Prior to meeting my husband my playlist would consist of Korean and Japanese artists (the geek in me). I can sing and dance songs by BoA, Se7en, Rain, SNSD, etc. (by now you have an idea of my age hahahaha.) Anyway, that's why I am so into going back to Seoul. Last year's trip wasn't enjoyable for me because I was pregnant and puking most of the time. 

We booked a flight a day ahead of our family because the tickets were cheaper. We weren't able to book with them during the promo. It was an early flight and I am glad our girls are morning people!
It was a smooth flight and I am relieved that most of the Korean elders in the flight were playing with Ellie a lot. This was a big help when she would want me to walk her back and forth along the aisle. We arrived at the guesthouse at around 3PM and passed the time eating street food around DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) and then dinner and shopping around Myeongdong. It's surprising how they are treating our daughters like celebrities. They politely ask to take pictures with them, even babysitting Eleanor for a bit while we eat. Sometimes they stop me on the street to congratulate me because our daughters were "gwiyeopda." Maybe it's because they look different, a mix of Adam's European look and my Asian features. Ah, we feel so loved here.

The rest of the family would be arriving in the afternoon the next day so we planned on going to Gyeongbukgong Palace in the morning to explore it because we weren't able to the last time. It was fun and I was ecstatic to see Ginkgo trees everywhere!

During the late afternoon we went to see NSeoul Tower. I wanted to find the house where Heo Joon Jae (LOTBS) was but traveling with a kid and a baby is very limiting so this was enough. The view and the weather was perfect. It was only Adam and Bean who went here last March because I was nauseated, tired and vomiting at the guesthouse. LOL. The kids had fun mostly where they were showing this promo for a 3D TV, while Adam was having the time of his life filming I was enjoying taking pictures!

To be continued.....