Daddy O

Seorak Mt. with Dad

Takuto

I miss this lil guy!!　たくちゃん、あいたいな

The Groom

One of my best friends on his happiest day!

Andy & Jeanne's Paebaek

Paebaek is, a Korean traditional wedding ceremony, usually held after the official ceremony only with the presence of the immediate family members.  It is a gesture to show respect to the groom's parents from the new daughter-in-law.  She offers dates and chestnuts as paebaek for the father-in-law and beef jerky and food for drinks for the mother-in-law.  Then the parents throw the dates and chestnuts, which symbolizes sons and daughters, to the newlywed couple.  I think Andy and Jeanne ended up catching lots of them.  10 Children or so.. haha.. We had fun revisiting our tradition and Jeanne's family got to learn and experience the Korean culture a bit more.  Afterwords we stuffed our faces with delicious Korean food by Andy's mother.

Seorak National Park & Sokcho & the East Sea

When I visited the gorgeous Seorak mountain with my family few weeks ago, unfortunately the amazing view was covered by the clouds due to the rainy season, but the walk and hike was still breath taking (literally and visually).  The water, the trees and the air just made me feel at home.  After the hike we ate the most fresh food, sushi and other sea creatures, the entire weekend.  Must have gained 10 lbs.  (But I miss it already! Sigh..)  I've traveled quite a bit but I still think Korea has the BEST SUSHI hands down. I hope to travel different parts of Korea and eat some more delicious food in September! Yumm

Singapore Skyline

 Night view of Singapore

Singapore

Singapore was humid and hot and very green.  The entire country is so full of vegetation that you feel like you are walking around an arboretum.  This city-state is made up of majorly Chinese, Malay and Indian decedents resulting in amazing cuisines!! Regrettably I didn't get to eat all the delicious food ;( Interesting about this "fine" city was that there are so many Fines.  For example, chewing gum $1000, smoking $1000, eating or drinking in public $500, carrying Durians (fruit) and many more. (You had to report to custom if you are bringing gum into the country.. because it's illegal to sell gum.. CRAZY!)  That's how they keep their city clean!  The city sectioned offed with different cultures and historic building so you can experience the cultures you desire.  It's like having 3 countries in one.  My stay was short but if I'm ever in the neighborhood down there I would visit again to eat all the yummy food!!!