Apologies...

So... i did it again... disappeared for weeks and no one's noticed... well despite the fact that no one ever notices my presence i do apologize for not posting. The last couple of weeks have been really REALLY hectic. After each semester I always think that it couldn't possibly get worse but it always does. Surprising as what the human body can accomplish! This past couple of days I have spent every minute of free time marking assignments for my TA position. I feel like my eyes are going to bleed!!!!! I can't wait for a well deserved break... why does Dec 15th feel so far away?! Anyways here are some pictures for ages ago that I have been meaning to upload.

So the Bay has gone through some major renos and this cute artisan cafe was part of it. Unfortunately I could not take any pictures of the place due to the unfriendly sales associates... :(

Some macarons... they weren't as good as I thought they were going to be. The price was alright though... I think about $2 each? But the flavours were not distinct enough... and the salted caramel had a really bad bitter after taste. Definitely will not be going back...

 Steak and frites with salad at Utopia... Delish! :D wish I could have this everyday...

 My mom had a grilled chicken sandwich with a side of fries.

 Dad with Utopia burger and 10 billion toppings! Definitely worth the $$$$

The weather has been really iffy in Toronto for the past few weeks. The severe temperatures have left me with a minor cold all the time and an inconsistent emotional meter... it is almost virtually impossible to dress properly for the weather! When I go on my balcony to check the weather, some are wearing Canada Goose jackets while some are wearing t-shirts... WTF??!

 Wearing: Vintage jacket, clutch, Club Monaco scarf, pants, joe boots

 Wearing: Vintage blazer, Club Monaco pants, Joe shirt, loafers

Wearing: Joe military jacket, jean jacket, H&M shirt, Club Monaco pants, mom's belt, vintage bag, shoes, SUKRIS scarf

Oh btw, I don't know if it's because of the holiday spirit but I was at work the other day and got someone some chairs for their conference. He stopped me and asked to shake my hand... WTF??! 굳밤!~

Karl in Korea

I got to see some great photographs by Karl Lagerfeld this past weekend. Work in Progress was a compilation of both commercial and his person pieces. I was trying to get a shot of one the canvas photo montage, but the security was pretty tight in the small art museum. But seriously, who would've thought that I'd get to see Karl Lagerfeld's original photographs for only $5 in Korea? 

 At the Bauhaus-esque stairway. 

Karl glowing at the entrance.

I was going to buy the Work in Progress book but I didn't really wanna pay 35000won...

The Chanel logo face mask that Freja's wearing is such a good DIY idea. 

 In order to use the photobooth people had to sign up. Unfortunately, the list was pretty long by the time I got there. Oh well... maybe next time.

Awesome photobooth pics. Love Freja :)

Homesick

I know I don't really look homesick in these photos but the last two weeks have been pretty slow with me being actually sick (cough+cold+flu+fever) and the weird, bipolar weather. I'm glad I have pretty cool people around me to make these times a little more eventful. And of course, Korean comfort food also helped ease my craving for poutine and fish&chips.

Colourful Leaves and Crisp Morning Air

Autumn is very much bipolar in Korea. It's freezing cold in the morning and night and hot during the day. Sometimes the sun is actually scorching that I'm sweating by the time I get home from work. I try to layer my clothes so I can put on and take off whenever necessary but it's still hard dressing for this extreme weather. I guess it's better than having the temperature being freezing all the time. 

I saw these little statues on the way to the Canadian Embassy in Seoul. The play with the perspective really caught my eye and I just had to take a picture. Even when I was standing close the statues looked squished it was so neat! These little figures were definitely playing tricks on my eyes. 

I had this shrimp tempura rich dish and mini udon on the side at the Shinsegae Department store in Seoul. This was definitely a satisfying meal after walking for 20 blocks.

Fun shopping trip in Daejun with the girls :D

 One of the gym teachers at my school was handing out this lovely rice cake package. I don't know what the occasion was but it sure was a nice little surprise. They tasted good too!

 A newly built bridge that will reduce about 5 min from home to school. I'm totally down with that. It's pretty to look at AND it will save me time to work!

It's hard to tell in this photo but I'm actually wearing 3 layers of top underneath my jacket. I felt very warm so didn't want to take the stairs to my apartment on the second floor. Silly I know but I was feeling lazy and I didn't want to sweat anymore.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Dreary weather + sleep deprivation + starvation + stress = NOT FUNCTIONING HUMAN!
This past week has been extremely busy with midterms popping up left, right and center and trying to balance work and sleep which don't seem to go together. At the end of the day when I lie on my bed, I wonder how much longer I can keep up this hectic schedule and just hope for April to come faster. 

Today was my grad photo day. If you know a little about me, I absolutely hate taking pictures. I always look a) retarded b) smirky and c) absolutely retarded. For that very reason I DISLIKE taking pictures but I guess to commemorate the end of my excruciatingly painful four years, I decided to get them taken today. WRONG! Since I had only 3 hours of sleep for the past 48 hours my eyes were blood shot this morning! I looked like someone who had been high for the past couple of days! As I tried to frantically find some tear gel at my place I carefully caked on some concealer under my disgusting bags. 

So I go to school to find that there are a billion people who need their photos taken before me. All I have to say is that "C'mon you're not taking your family portrait here! It's a graduation picture! No need to bring your 12 thousand relatives!" Anyways 50 minutes later (yes, I wrote that right... 50 minutes) after the receptionist apologized for the long wait, I get into the gown shared by MANY others. So I don't know why my brain had to stop functioning right then, and there but it did. As she was trying to pronounce my very difficult legal name, I said "Thank you?!" I'm not sure what I was thinking... Thank you for what?!! Anyway she looked confused... and I was just as confused so I quickly hid in the photo taking booth. Oh well... doubt that I'll ever see her again. 

 Outfit #1: worn a couple of days ago... Club Monaco jacket, Joe sweater, Banana Republic Jeans, SUKRIS scarf, Joe Boots

 The weather has been disgustingly chilly... perfect for some soup! Turkey salad sandwich on multi grain bread with butternut squash soup. mmmmm~

Outfit #2: Today after a long day. Joe factory jacket, Joe shirt, Gap jeans, SUKRIS scarf, Joe boots

Freedom

There are many times in my life where I just want to scream out freedom! I feel like we are tied down by so many different aspects of life that it becomes difficult for us to do something completely just for us. You live life only once... mind as well do something you enjoy.

Reading session with a hot cup of Earl Grey. Looks like I'm studying hard??! LOL I am reading lots of journal articles for an entrepreneurship class. At first I absolutely hated it because it made me think... and think A LOT! But the more and more I attend that class I am inspired to start something of my own. Not just to be my own boss but to share my vision with others.

This is what I wore on Friday. It HAD to be comfy because I was going to be at school for a long time and had to go to work straight from classes. Wearing: Vintage blazer, Joe Pants and Boots, Scarf and Bag from SUKRIS

 Unfortunately I was not able to take a picture of this prior to its consumption... :( It was Maple Glazed Salmon with Steamed Vegetables and Potato, Broccoli Disks with non-alcoholic apple cider. It was absolutely delish! And all for a humble price of $4.99!

My mom also had her fair share of dinner with vegetable pasta and fish and mash??? aka mashed potatoes. Lovely time with my parents and major pow wow session. Hope everyone is having an enjoyable weekend! 굳밤~

PS: For all you Baby Sitter Club fans out there... I saw a person who looked exactly like Christy's mom on the subway the other day. I REALLY wanted to ask... Excuse me... are you Christy's Mom??? LOL

Not-so-Gradual Changes

What seemed never-ending finally ended - the unbearable Korean summer. And now the temperature has suddenly changed from 43 degrees to 18 degrees overnight. Well, that's how I feel about the weather here anyway.
I've never been in Korea during this time of the year since moving to Canada. It's very interesting to see the seasons change. Obviously the daylight is shorter and the air is definitely different. It's much more crisp in the morning. I quite like it. I mean, how can I not? Especially after sweating so much this summer.
Overall, it's been nice living in my homeland again. And luckily, I haven't been homesick yet however I really did miss the turkey dinner back at home.

 Enjoying my fave mint chocolate chip with Cecilia :)

 Spicy chicken dish that didn't enough meat... tasted good though!

 My quaint little O-town (above). Coffee with rich black chocolate cake and very ambiguous flavoured mini macaron (below).