make it count

Video says it all. Definitely not my style of traveling but the lesson to be learnt is still valuable.... enjoy.

Coffea Coffee

Every Tuesday, I meet with a friend from our church who is currently giving me free Korean lessons. We meet at the same coffee shop, Caffe Bene which is halfway between our respective homes, for our lesson. This past week however, our regular spot was super busy so we had to migrate. This was a great opportunity to test drive another great coffee shop franchise, Coffea Coffee. It's a new branch so everything was brand spanking new, so awesome, like opening the wrapping of a new gadget. I dug into my fresh bagel and gulped my hot americano before i could snap some pics but I did manage to Instagram a pic of the modern interior and the sign outside.

Final thoughts

I never laugh until I've had my coffee - Clark Gable

LomoLove

I'm really bad at photography but I really love great pictures. I am particularly in love with the printed ones - not just Facebook digital pictures. I love the idea of going to a Kodak shop or Fotofirst with a disc or memory stick, select gloss or matt finish, border or no border - then wondering around the shopping mall hoping that the sign "Fotos in an hour" is not just an advertising gimmick.

But even more than that, I love the primitive idea of using film (well not so primitive since the uptake of Lomography). I like that you can take a group photo and no one will hound you straight away to see the photo then command you to delete it because they were still perfecting their pose. And although reprints are possible with film, it's always more effort than people are willing to put in, almost making the photo you print, a one of a kind. Once it's printed, it begins its long journey to becoming vintage, first being selected as one of the "nice" photos and making it into your 50 photos album you bought at CNA or got for your birthday from your varsity friends. Over the months, it slowly moves to the back of a storage cupboard and eventually boxed up, not to be reopened for a long time, as you move from home to home over the years. Then one day, it resurfaces on a spring clean and becomes the topic of conversation for hours as we recall the all the fond memories! Wow, even Instagram can't replace that.

Can't wait to take my little one on a spin. I did try before but apparently its been so long, I can't remember how to load film into the camera :( HELP....

get one for yourself or as a gift for a photolover from here with many other cool photography gadgets

Final thoughts


Life is like photography, we develop from the negatives - Unknown

Thumbs up for rock and roll

This video was dedicated to me by my dear friends after my small victory.  Not only that, some of my birthday gifts were wrapped with a specially designed wrapping paper to remember this special occasion. I have such amazing people I am happy to call friends.

I'm a little nervous but I have decided take a leap of faith and sign up for a bicycle tour to sightsee over the upcoming summer holiday. Wish me luck...

aellia coffee shop

Near my friend Keke's place, by the Kyundae university area, is the cutest little coffee shop called Aellia.  The decor is quirky, the staff friendly but its claim to fame is undoubtedly their Honey Bread. I don't know of any places that sell this in South Africa but let me tell you this is one of the most calorie laden, tongue pleasing, pieces of dessert I have ever tasted, even in its simplicity. I'm not 100% sure how it's made, but my guess is there is some kind of syrup poured and sugar sprinkled on the thick slice of bread which is then baked a little crispy. Then it is dressed with a whirl of cream your hips will not be pleased with and decorated with some beautiful fresh strawberries (when they are in season of course- responsible eating).  Just added a picture of their deadly cheesecake too for good measure.

Oh yes and their coffee is good too....

La Luce (Birthday Part II)

My 28th birthday is one I will remember for a long time to come. Not only did my friends oblige to my day of Paintballing, but they still gathered on a Monday night, at a beautiful European restaurant downtown, to celebrate over dinner.  I was super spoilt with gifts from earrings and pampering solutions to beautifully scented candles, smarties (candy from South Africa) and even a blender. I had, not 1, but 2 birthday cakes (oh yes and a 3rd one my school surprised me with too), I only had tears of joy (not crying because of old age I promise). There were so many little and big surprises throughout the night, all over a delicious greek meal and a glass of red wine :). My highlight has to have been a journal with photos of a memory from the past year in Korea and a personal message of encouragement on each page from everyone. On the first page, a surprise love letter/poem from the BF which brought me to tears. I will cherish this journal and have been instructed to continue to fill it with more stories and great memories of my time here in the east. Here is how it all went down

5 minutes later - devoured with chopsticks

Another ginormous shout out to my lovelies - thank you for all that you do and continue to do everyday in my life. Thank you Lord for such a blessing, to have thought ahead and chose them for me, before 

I even boarded that flight to Korea. I am truly in awe.

Final thoughts

Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods. - Aristotle 

Seize Fire!!! (Birthday Part I)

Earlier this week, I came of age :) One step closer to 30 and loving it. My birthday was a ball, pretty much a whole weekend of celebrations, so much love, so many gifts, so many blessings, I am overwhelmed. The girls always make a special effort on birthdays. Being away from family and friends from back home can be tough, so we really want everyone to feel loved and special on their big day. We consult the birthday girl about what she wants to do on her big day and we oblige, no matter how insane. When my turn came around, I wasn't sure how I wanted to celebrate as I enter my late 20's (up until last week I still considered myself as mid 20's LOL). And then it hit me. You know when you know so much about something it feels like you have first hand experience but in actual reality you have no idea? That was me and paintballing. I had heard so much about the fun and bruises, my mind was deceived into thinking I had done it before but I hadn't. I needed to make this right. We set the date, Paintball by Hunger Games was on.  This is how it all went down:

14 ladies obliged to this madness - beautiful people even after a 3hr train ride

our pick up ready and waiting

Cramming the ladies into the combi just like in South Africa

Game Face

Getting Kitted out

our instructor 

         

South Africa

vs The World

Thank you to all the ladies who came out to have fun with me among the thorny bushes and shrubs and my sincerest apologies to a dear friend who got a bit seriously injured :( 

Final thoughts

Birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake - Unknown

V for victory

You might have noticed in some of my Facebook pictures and previous posts that, since moving to the far east, a lot of my photos have been plagued with the V pose. I can't explain, it just happened, even when I am not posing with Koreans, I feel an itch and am finally set free when my hand comes closer to my face and my index and middle finger extend out and separate making the V sign.

I didn't understand why Koreans and other Asian groups feel they cannot take a picture without the sign but all was explained in this humorous 'documentary' that explains this phenomenon quite well. I have nothing more to say except PEACE OUT \/ !!!

where would you like to travel to?

Recently I did a lesson with my first graders about where they would like to travel to. I showed them the "Where is Matt?" video and we talked about various places around the world and activities you can do while traveling. Then I gave them a project to create their own travel guide of the place they would like to visit, what they want to see and what activities they will do when they get there. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them be creative while applying their new knowledge :)

I noticed America in particular was a popular choice and I couldn't help but chuckle at their depiction of Lady Liberty, I just had to share (please note how Asian some of the eyes are) and of course my South Africa.

I think I enjoyed this activity as much as the students. Hope to be posting more artistic student ramblings in the future.