Month: April 2025

April 13, 2025

I got to sleep in today. Finally. HK and Mason were studying Korean at his new desk when I woke up. They seemed pretty tuned in to their studies, so I took some time to organise a few things around the house. HK’s new hobby is making sandwiches and I could not be happier. She made some roast beef vegetable olive oil masterpiece and it was delicious.

We got a taxi from our apartment and went to the Korean War Museum. I think this is the 3^rd time Mason has been there, so some similar pictures exist on this blog, I am sure of that. But it is a fantastic museum, the kind you wish you were alone at and could spend an entire day reading each exhibit  description. The last stop were the planes and boats outside. They have military patrol boat you can board, we did, and were politely kicked off, as it had just rained, and they were concerned it was too slippery for guests.

After the museum we hit The Baker’s Table, a German owned bakery for some brats and bitburger, Mason got a little game time. We played the Genie game together on my phone, and the Genie guessed Mason’s character correctly, a Villager from Minecraft. We then hit the Booth next door for a slice of pizza to go, where Mason got a free pencil sharpener. Mason and I went on a bike ride that evening on the bike he just got as his early birthday present (he smiled the whole time), a few tears during our English class at the end of the day, but nothing too major. A good day.

March 30, 2025

City-wide Judo tournament was held this weekend and lucky for us at a stadium that is about a 10 minute walk from our apartment. Mason weighed in the day before, so on Sunday morning we set off (Mason via kickboard) to the stadium at 8:30 am. Weather is still chilly in Seoul, but it was nice to walk through the budding cherry blossom trees on the way to the stadium.

When we arrived, there were so many judo players on the mats warming up and in the stands that we could not find Mason’s team. After about 15 minutes, we finally spotted them. Mason warmed up and was the first player from his team to compete. (Spoiler Alert) Unfortunately, he lost the match and was out of the tournament. In defeat, Mason walked over to me and sat on my lap. I could see tears welling up in his eyes, so I waited a few minutes before talking him through the loss.

Of course, he bounced back and we stayed at the stadium until 4pm so Mason could play with his friends and watch other Jamsil Judo players compete. His friend Jaeha also lost his first match, but Song June ended up winning a silver medal.

Win or lose, it was a great experience. I hope this little big guy keeps doing Judo for years to come.