Spring has started. It is always nice to wake up together on a Sunday – as there was no hockey practice today. We got the chance to read a book in bed, have a leisurely breakfast and then hit the playground.
One the way, we stopped for a little putting practice. And once HK showed up, we then hit the greens again for a putting contest.
After that we had Baskin Robbins and then pizza, spaghetti and some beer. HK bought some pork from the butcher next door and then Mason and I broke off to go bowling. The lanes were packed – so we hit Daiso instead and bought a Velcro ball game that we played at 2 Slides where Mason made 2 new friends, an 8 year Hyung who loved to speak English and a little girl Mason’s age who was chasing him to tickle. Mason and the little girl also argued over whether the velcro ball should be thrown underhand or overhand.
HK had left us dinner at home – grilled pork belly. Playground days are my favorite days.
story timeall day i dream about sportsmason woodson the look outold people stuffi screamvelcro
Late Thursday night we decided to make a trip to the East Coast of Korea to celebrate Mason’s Mom’s birthday. We left Seoul around 10 am and enjoyed a hip hop DJ via YouTube (Japanese DJ) along the way. HK also had prepared some salmon sandwiches, so there was no reason to stop for food.
We arrived in Yang Yang, hit the local mart, the beach for some seashells, and then a little café that had a house cat – Mason liked her. HK a kalua and milk, me a beer and Mason an orange juice.
We stayed at the Carallo by Josun – very nice hotel – with a lot of pop art paintings. The room was fantastic and Mason and I made about 8 trips to the ice machine. The outdoor pool was great – heated so even on a chilly day in early March we could swim. And swim we did. In the afternoon, the evening, and the next morning. There was a brief episode where Mason went under for a few seconds that reminded me – he still can’t swim – but eventually I taught him how to stop plugging his nose underwater and he learned to touch the bottom of the pool with his hand – progress.
We ate the buffet (plus all you can drink wine, beer and highballs) at the hotel for dinner. They had some good chicken covered in black (soy?) sauce and decent pasta. Mason enjoyed the pineapple the most. After dinner, we hung out in the room, but everyone was pretty exhausted.
The next morning, Mason used all the pillows in the room to make a blockade at the stairs, which also served as a fort for his morning breakfast. We played his favorite game too, me dropping his penguin from the second floor and him trying to catch it.
The next day, HKs birthday, after leaving the hotel, we hit a beach restaurant that had awesome views of the surf and surfers for some fried shrimp and seafood. I drove us back to Seoul while my passengers slept. HK went to Dunkin that evening, where her employees surprised her with a delicious cheesecake that they had decorated with a picture of her in icing. A pretty good b-day for HK.
surf cafehow u doinour arrivalpop kidspecial deliveryscary clownpool playbreakfast in fortpenguin nap
It was a cold weekend, but I managed to get up and get to the gym in Eechon for some exercise. When I got back to Sadongrhee, Mason and my mother-in-law were ready to go for brunch. This little place, surprising empty today, has great food. Us three, were able to devour every piece of these 4 meals.
Later in the day Mason and I played, he hunted me with his bow and arrow as plungerman. We also bought two canvases from a nearby store to paint skibidi guys on, although Mason cried on the way home because I didn’t buy a toy helicopter, he made me agree to buy it next weekend. Later in the evening I played screen golf with HK and her Dad (JH canceled on us) and I won!
USA!the hunterstaff suprised i snapped this one i guessdeep in discussiona lot of food
After hockey and then Bas Burger for lunch with HK, Mason and I made it to the Lotte World Aquarium. Madhouse for sure, but to be expected on a Sunday. Mason really enjoyed it, especially the seal show, collecting stamps, and the new beluga whale (the old one died unfortunately.)
Tough time breaking free from the souvenir shop but I negotiated a toy at Lotte Mart instead and mason decided on a 5 pack of slime. Pizza for dinner at home and we both enjoyed the movie “Leo.”
Monday’s dentist visit produced a tooth, after the fastest pull out of all time by a very experienced dentist. Mason was thrilled to put it under his pillow and psyched when he found 5 dollars the next morning. HK has so happy that he was so happy.
world of wondermost importantly – stampsigloo manfeeding timefirst one outright before bedso excited
This year we had a cozy Christmas at home, just the three of us. On Christmas Eve, we were supposed to play ice hockey but practice was canceled. I think Mason was happy about that. We watched the Buffalo Bills play in the morning and they beat the Chargers 24-22, a little too close for comfort, but I’ll take it.
Besides a trip to Lotte for some last minute shopping we stayed home and had wings and pizza. Before bed Mason asked me how Santa could get in since we don’t have a chimney, I said he knows magic, but Mason corrected me by saying he will probably use the veranda. Smart kid.
Christmas morning Mason was up first and was so excited to see Santa had left some big presents. HK said she might have seen Santa in the hallway the night before. Nice touch. Mason’s drone and air hockey table were the highlights. Of course, I made biscuits and gravy and I will give myself a 6 out of 10 for the effort, but they still need work, nothing close to Uncle Ralphs.
the prepsanta’s snackour humble treecookies gonestocking time (skibidi)mario legos
It was a nice fall Sunday for the three of us. Mason and all his classmates were absolutely thrilled about one of his friends birthday parties at a kids café in Lotte. After that we made our way to an art exhibit at Sofitel – after I got a quick haircut in the same building – really a barber shop with a great view of the lake.
After art, we ate Thai which everyone enjoyed, maybe Mason enjoyed watching Bluey more in the booth than the pineapple rice dish he ordered though. HK and I were gluttons though, later ordering sashimi at home for dinner. Perfect fall weather and a day to remember.
a look of surpriseinteresting i guess?speed art goerme and momthe monday after
It seems like a long time since we got back up to north Seoul. We took the subway to City Hall – Mason utilized his new Ali Express headphones I got him to make the travel time fly by. (kids songs = yankee doodle etc.)
City Hall area was packed with picture takers all along the palace walls as the weather was ideal. In fact, the weather this week in Seoul may be the best 7 days of weather of my life – just perfect.
Next stop was the Korean Bank Museum – which was very impressive architecturally. Mason was more concerned about collecting stamps across the museum’s floors which proved to be a good activity for him.
After the museum, we had a beer and Mason had some watermelon while we waited nearby for our Kalbi restaurant reservation to hit. It was worth the wait – a fantastic dinner and then after the subway ride back home, some late night popcorn and sashimi.
A very good day.
whatchu looking at big guycoffee shop shoppingthe wandererstaxi servicestampingin the pursuit of more stampstime for a short speechkalbi
After a grueling Saturday – two words – root canal. Sunday got off to a better start. I headed off to the office early so I could get home before noon. We left for Kramer Lee to eat Texan BBQ soon after. HK loves the air in the mountains, as do I. The beer never hurts either.
We hit a small coffee shop where Mson enjoyed a a strawberry smoothie and HK and I shared an iced green tea latte – at a table looking over the stream. We were the only customers except for an old man and his obident dog who sat alone working on fixing a gold watch.
After heading back to Seoul – we had spaghetti at an outdoor restaurant near our home that was Brooklyn-esque. Mason wanted to hit Daiso to buy a big plastic hammer afterwards, but I negoitaed him to a deal where I would pick him up from school and we would take the bus the next day to make the needed purchase. A late night for a Sunday.
me and momme and dadlet her ripthere she goesjust the 3 of usspaghetti and buds
One of the greatest joys of my life is hitting up playgrounds in Seoul with Mason. Seoul has so many playgrounds with character hidden all over the city. Today, Mason, HK and I had a great time that started with fench toast. We then wandered around our neighborhood’s playgrounds before heading to Lotte Gold for Shake Shack. That led us to a playground nearby backed up to a Mexican restaurant we like. It was a good spot for a rest. Mason kickboarded the whole way.
After splitting up, Mason and HK took the subway home (one stop) and I drove the car we had parked at Lotte after some quick shopping at Lotte Mart to clear our parking debt. I rejoined them for our last stop nearby our home, at hof that serves friend chicken on a platter Hong Kong style.
mason climbingking of the hillmy heavenpopped upcrossing
