tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80953286771716789142024-03-05T20:19:48.347-08:00yftyulree.fun.time.Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-74088772715977514992015-04-21T17:38:00.001-07:002015-04-21T17:38:51.072-07:00Letter to myselfMy heart silently trembles from anticipation <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">for the short moment I can stop time to live in the moment with you. It feels like it's been quite some time since we sat, closed our physical eyes from the distractions of life, and allowed our soul to take the lead. </span>Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-89941188144335466152014-11-12T17:00:00.000-08:002014-11-12T17:38:08.682-08:00So they say // Rawness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
They say the two most important times of your life is:<br />
1. When you are born<br />
2. When you figure out why you were born<br />
<br />
Hm. Gonna add to that. Living out the "why" part should be included as the top three most important times of your life.<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
In other news. I am approaching 30. This one word, two syllables, this number...has got my mind racing in knotted circles. I know, yes, it is whatever we want it to be. It is just a word. A number. A label. But I can't help it from prompting thoughts of my own humanity. My past, my future and their crossroad, the present. It's become a rabbit-hole of thoughts - a journey into my own heart and psyche.<br />
<br />
Are you ready to jump in with me? Let's go.<br />
30 makes me think of what I've done so far, the choices I've made and who I've become, which then leads me to thoughts on my accomplishments, and then I wonder how one measures the success of these accomplishments - is it measured by how much of a positive impact I've made in people's lives around me? And how am I to know that? Send out a survey? Lol. Who sends out a survey? Why do I need to measure anyway? If I'm happy and the people around me are happy now, isn't that all that matters? Where do I want to go from here? What does the better version of myself look like, think like? When did my thoughts all become questions? What are my answers?<br />
<br />
Okay, I'm exhausted. And I haven't even scratched the surface. Welcome to a glimpse into what usually goes straight from brain to pen (journals). I normally like to sort out my thoughts a bit more before I bring it here. Eh, here's to rawness!<br />
<br />
Here's to 30. 30! I'm so ready for you. I will freakin' rock 30. Until then, you're pretty awesome, 29.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-57101304847187730462014-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:002014-06-25T16:19:02.470-07:00Happy Face & Valentine's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I've been using this new app called <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.sleepcycle.com/">Sleep Cycle</a></span></b> and every morning, along with its beautiful tunes, it asks me what mood I am in. I have three choices: A sad face, an indifferent face and a happy face. I used to press the button that correlated to how I felt waking up. But then I realized that these buttons were choices. Choices. That I had authority over. My mood can be an active decision that I make. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So every day from that point on, I click the happy face. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlKQ8wHg4cdaRIjhHXUT45vVHKLnUIRlkZJGmoxDyGYLZdUQfB0YtO2PFYyXIsIVrcMU8UB_TcsiftAG3Ia2N5WIJ1NZ_WwSqFQq3xCd_2LrTAJNajJpsd2hS2resA-_BE8PKhOYxPNI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlKQ8wHg4cdaRIjhHXUT45vVHKLnUIRlkZJGmoxDyGYLZdUQfB0YtO2PFYyXIsIVrcMU8UB_TcsiftAG3Ia2N5WIJ1NZ_WwSqFQq3xCd_2LrTAJNajJpsd2hS2resA-_BE8PKhOYxPNI/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning juice + yoga</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And whoa, what a difference that little choice makes.<br />
<br />
___<br />
<br />
<br />
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In other YFT news: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been going through <b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2014/06/journals-are-my-friends.html">my journals,</a></span></b> and though I haven't fully formulated my thoughts on how I feel about it yet, I can say it's not time wasted. For now, let's just say it's entertaining. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Turns out my 1996-self got more chocolates on Valentine's than I have in the past 5+ Valentine's days. *jealous* And look, it says Feb 13. It wasn't even Valentine's Day yet. Hey, I get it. Some people reach their peak earlier than others. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMEcWSrfiPheeiO-VV7W9td40sQZgUFm8avowWaNiFNt4OFAgHItdtGYfsOiv8KZMT0EHh_okg-qFkYdzj5_KqG3SQp2_TQPJLlpwj2hyjSd3yoknh1Y50hweu7lX1BKimnx5lATB4D0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMEcWSrfiPheeiO-VV7W9td40sQZgUFm8avowWaNiFNt4OFAgHItdtGYfsOiv8KZMT0EHh_okg-qFkYdzj5_KqG3SQp2_TQPJLlpwj2hyjSd3yoknh1Y50hweu7lX1BKimnx5lATB4D0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, Jenna, cat's out of the bag</td></tr>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-83579880107375480922014-06-23T15:58:00.000-07:002014-06-23T22:45:45.198-07:00Journals are my friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recently watched "The Fault in Our Stars," and it hurt watching it. It was one of those complex, good hurts though - the type that makes you feel a deep sense of gratitude towards the life that you have along with the privilege of time, of being able to make mistakes and grow from them, and so forth. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">It also made me think of my own humanity. My thoughts drifted towards my eulogy, and that I wouldn't want a flowery one. I'd want a honest eulogy from my very own Speaker for the Dead a la <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender's_Game">Enders Game</a>. Yeah, if you haven't read it yet, go read it. </span>And then let's high five to celebrate the awesomeness of the book and the shared experience we now have of partaking in the same story. I will give you one of those fake-out high fives though if you've only watched the movie.</span><br />
<div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going back to the point of this post...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess, in a way, I see my journals as my eulogy, my Speaker of the Dead. They contain my life, my pains, triumphs, my moments of confusion and enlightenment. And I think I'd like to mix it up a bit and start sharing what's in my journals - on here, on this blog. Is that weird? I dunno. I think so. But weird can be good. Yeah, let's do it. As part of my journey to being more vulnerable to life, because <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/10/vulnerability-failures-liberation.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">so far, it's worked out pretty well</span>.</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with that,</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hi! I'd like to introduce to you to my dear companions. I guess you can say that they are more than companions. They are a raw extension of me and the most direct account of my existence (it is directly coming from me afterall) for the <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2013/05/writing.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">past 19 years</span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90uffJDh6KNsBLPajBO7Iv74WWL2bm50161kOyFAP0n62P6V5Rk28QBrQsnHHTuv-MHE9BfUJsGrEDLOOCf7Ikj13QOk-nHxSRzI3ejEsUgPlLEMjdaagivH0XczATx3zsImoOm3Jy0I/s640/blogger-image-545531096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90uffJDh6KNsBLPajBO7Iv74WWL2bm50161kOyFAP0n62P6V5Rk28QBrQsnHHTuv-MHE9BfUJsGrEDLOOCf7Ikj13QOk-nHxSRzI3ejEsUgPlLEMjdaagivH0XczATx3zsImoOm3Jy0I/s640/blogger-image-545531096.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">journals I've amassed since 1995.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll go through them and start sharing bits and pieces. The ones between elementary and high school are hilarious. They even include some insightful commentary specially written by my then-nosey older brother.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Here's to honesty, vulnerability and self-discovery. And to making most of what we have.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-26252992586494000562014-06-21T01:29:00.000-07:002014-06-21T01:52:45.736-07:00Giving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
The act of giving. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Something happened in my life recently where I revisited what it meant to give. </div>
<div>
Does it mean an act of service? Time? Skill? Which is better than the other? What matters more? The heart behind it or the effectiveness? Is it a case by case basis? Is giving to your family or friend any less meaningful than let's say, giving to a stranger in a lower income neighborhood? Is a person who donates a million dollars to a charity in Africa a more generous person than a person who spends their free time at a children's hospital connecting with a handful kids? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tonight, in a conversation among loving friends of many shared experiences and bridges, we spoke of the the different levels of involvement (ranging from misguided <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slacktivism"><span style="color: #0b5394;">slacktivism</span></a> to involvement that produces hard results) in the Asian American community. The conversation was heading towards the direction of being jaded by and criticizing those who aren't doing anything or those who think they are doing something but aren't. BUT. One of the friends at the table pointed out something that struck me ever so awesomely. It was heart-blowing. Like mind-blowing but it happened in my heart. He brought up privilege - that some of us are blessed to have the knowledge, support and guidance to be able to be involved more deeply than others and give more than others - and that we need to be more patient and understanding.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Being involved in the community or the act of giving is a very subjective thing, like all other things in life. I always like to take it back to nature (nature provides a lot of my life lessons). The sun, rain, soil are such different elements, but they all play a role in giving to a tree. Even the bird that pooped out the seed that eventually became that tree played a role. And neither is better or worse than the other. And as such, we all give in different ways at different times. But we each play a role. And instead of comparing roles, we can acknowledge, understand, learn to work with and celebrate them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's not to say we shouldn't strive to improve ourselves and the way in which we give. We should, but in the ways we are each best at. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Yulree</div>
</div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-62264432359546759072013-05-14T20:47:00.002-07:002013-05-14T20:47:51.413-07:00Decade!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I was talking to a familiar acquaintance a couple days ago about where I lived (Pasadena, btw) I realized this year marks my 10th year in Los Angeles.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been a crazy ride, I must say. I first hated LA, then loved it, then I got claustrophobic when it felt too small, then it felt like I could do anything here, then I loved it again. The city is chock-full of opportunities for adventure and learning.</div>
<div>
<br />
I think that calls for a celebration! 10 years! That's hardcore commitment yo, coming from someone who went to three different high schools in three different countries. </div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-77394884102014726212013-05-14T19:05:00.001-07:002013-05-14T19:11:13.942-07:00Writing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
My first journal, Christmas present from my parents, in 1995:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xYGgvrnRnG7igcjml0IKwi6cx1N70fNwpF2X16mP_0r4pqiPp6ISKWAjvBEm37YfgBQA37tOzF8iWtpXbO2EWUiEF7LNiyVHsnaA4NaoNaQBJg8X8w9r7LDvqyKLw_lVCT7aMDjPY2U/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xYGgvrnRnG7igcjml0IKwi6cx1N70fNwpF2X16mP_0r4pqiPp6ISKWAjvBEm37YfgBQA37tOzF8iWtpXbO2EWUiEF7LNiyVHsnaA4NaoNaQBJg8X8w9r7LDvqyKLw_lVCT7aMDjPY2U/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I am no writer, but I write all the time.<br />
It comes from a place far beyond where my fleeting hobbies and musings reside. Beyond the valley of likings and the sea of duties lay my life-long bond with writing.<br />
I write because I have to. Writing is breathing.<br />
<br />
I write to dream, to dissect, build and search.<br />
<div>
It helps me figure out why the world looks the way it does. Why it smells the way it does. Why it moves and reflects light and casts shadows the way it does. </div>
<br />
And most of the time, it helps me align my heart with my brain.<br />
It's a way of life for me, and I'm glad I chose the pen.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://zenhabits.net/write-daily/">the post</a> that prompted this post. </i></div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-72919919703039849472012-12-18T04:16:00.002-08:002012-12-18T04:16:29.325-08:00Travel Essentials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
My essentials for cold weather travel. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Below is what I carried around in my purse every day in Korea back in November/early December. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcGfj6CC_c_1YGhgFGQRl_YzFs4FAMjIdybXYvm17Chqy3EJmpK4DlV5MEwQLt8YSbzbzGan0rz2vnI1PrUhL_TqRhpJcu0mdab0L2rbkREcVE1u74L8mIkvgW1KJnNRdBjPmtLdOJNI/s1600/IMG_4223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcGfj6CC_c_1YGhgFGQRl_YzFs4FAMjIdybXYvm17Chqy3EJmpK4DlV5MEwQLt8YSbzbzGan0rz2vnI1PrUhL_TqRhpJcu0mdab0L2rbkREcVE1u74L8mIkvgW1KJnNRdBjPmtLdOJNI/s640/IMG_4223.JPG" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(clockwise)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Xylitol, the most popular gum in Korea. Tastes yummy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Colgate wisps, the best thing to happen for our teeth since dental floss. Really useful for invisalign wearers, garlic eaters, campers and burners. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. Leather wallet from Korea with a matching lanyard. Fantastic for purse haters and/or concert lovers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">4. Metro card that works on the subway, buses and even most taxis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">5. Hand lotion. Saves me during the cold, harsh weather. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">6. Scheduler/notebook + pencil for writing down plans, dreams, memories and silly thoughts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">7. Hand sanitizer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">8. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dariya-Japan-Hair-fringe-Magic/dp/B003JOVR6K">Hair velcro thing</a> to keep hair out of your face (used when washing face or applying lotion).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> 9. I love tea. I especially love having in airplanes/airports. All you need is hot water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">10. Passport case + peach lip balm. Best smelling lip balm ever, although not very moisturizing.<br />11. Suede gloves I got during my first NY winter trip years ago. I hope they last me several more cold weather trips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">**not pictured: scarf. I ALWAYS carry a scarf, even in hot weather (just lighter ones) because you never know when you need a: makeshift bag, makeshift shawl, makeshift skirt, something to sit on, something to keep you warm, something to cover you from the sun, magic**</span><br /><br /><br />What I carry in my pockets if I don't feel like carrying a purse.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52WpXN7zv3aUKW2PTnx7NQ_mt5wPi-ulkCLshPKgWsP2Gn-qg6qFuiMA2PpR8lCoe-UwQj-0fX_bPiYwAgB3h4zOOtGBvwDOgEOREdJH9BjV2et0UgE6Qnr-VTCCqVxfshaYYnFqefaM/s1600/IMG_4224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52WpXN7zv3aUKW2PTnx7NQ_mt5wPi-ulkCLshPKgWsP2Gn-qg6qFuiMA2PpR8lCoe-UwQj-0fX_bPiYwAgB3h4zOOtGBvwDOgEOREdJH9BjV2et0UgE6Qnr-VTCCqVxfshaYYnFqefaM/s400/IMG_4224.JPG" width="340" /></a></div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-41472465444244127402012-11-07T19:51:00.002-08:002012-11-07T19:51:34.103-08:00Reality Check<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">From my 2010 journal...</span></i><div>
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<div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Realty is. That life is wonderful. That it is full of
possibilities and it is full of Yeses. That there is enough love for everyone.
That if you can’t find love around you, you can always create love from scratch,
from inside of you. Same goes from compassion and faith. Reality is that
fresh-baked cookies taste damn good. And being embraced while
eating a fresh-baked cookie is even better. Yeah, that’s reality. And it’s
undeniable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><a href="http://missmorsel.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/reality/?like=1&_wpnonce=5f6b7bc89c" title="I like this."><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><br />
</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-40891567422169365772012-11-03T20:27:00.002-07:002012-11-03T20:34:35.116-07:00YFT in Korea <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Santa,<br />
<br />
I would like Adobe Photoshop, please.<br />
<br />
Much love,<br />
Yulree<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
In other news....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7asuRnNRz5OMGvPc4Yl5MA_GtfNWqwoCtnjlLeTDJ8aFPuvPV4wfOyj_7EezxCwbfppHyTlq8lYQys_LYVb8ycUmB0vQVxXGp3WOdBb8WTCgjoDXo1A1o7BSq_1a36jIoF7yC9exdBq8/s1600/YFTkorea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7asuRnNRz5OMGvPc4Yl5MA_GtfNWqwoCtnjlLeTDJ8aFPuvPV4wfOyj_7EezxCwbfppHyTlq8lYQys_LYVb8ycUmB0vQVxXGp3WOdBb8WTCgjoDXo1A1o7BSq_1a36jIoF7yC9exdBq8/s320/YFTkorea.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm in Korea!<br />
<br />
In Yong-In, to be exact. My aunt and uncle moved here from Seoul a little over a year ago. 3 days into my trip here, I prefer their old Seoul apartment much much more. I can see why they moved here though. It's like their version of Orange County (blech). There are more people in cars than on the streets, and the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses phenomenon is alive and well. My aunt wants to get a Harley (yes, a Korean ahjumah in her late 40s/early 50s wants a Harley) because all the neighbors are getting one.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFmy1NyRaVjz9ZEcXpHLzfJPlS4cnSmKLEjz8o-b9q1pI5S9X2-V3h6Z9ULrXzUezh2wMT4zi8RCxR1eTKZUsxg9rtGriCXnDHduxFOTiNnyW77bzDmoLXMuKTqeW8nUy6zv7ZG0Oye0/s1600/IMG_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFmy1NyRaVjz9ZEcXpHLzfJPlS4cnSmKLEjz8o-b9q1pI5S9X2-V3h6Z9ULrXzUezh2wMT4zi8RCxR1eTKZUsxg9rtGriCXnDHduxFOTiNnyW77bzDmoLXMuKTqeW8nUy6zv7ZG0Oye0/s640/IMG_3628.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Look at them gorgeous colors on those trees.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The plus side to surburbia, though, is that my aunt and uncle have a backyard. A beautiful one at that. Backyards are a rare treat in Korea as land is insanely scarce. It's quite swanky. With a koi pond and everything. It's great for my yoga practice. Woo!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQhjtqurOZKO5v57JdxaCArCAl_U1kptdUjQ_Q4EYBeDMYu7sRQmPzlvNjJdcHLirvMXZKjPh9iumaCeEGb_28n0WYI6bs8VkNqO5-IgJmj6Rfvt-fYaDNbJz-9-7OBA2y6HRDIy8U3E/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQhjtqurOZKO5v57JdxaCArCAl_U1kptdUjQ_Q4EYBeDMYu7sRQmPzlvNjJdcHLirvMXZKjPh9iumaCeEGb_28n0WYI6bs8VkNqO5-IgJmj6Rfvt-fYaDNbJz-9-7OBA2y6HRDIy8U3E/s400/IMG_3632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>How do you like my purdy ahjumah backyard slippers? I'm also sporting my yoga pants. So cool.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuoK_KZABSdYCeKNVHvc4TJlE2rwoGzy1395LAw71PpGkO0-Jr-qN_1oHCP3GbbmNLd6izOIsqcpj2XQKTILQGr4_5QP2-SPI-k25NsL66Y2cEye1pCjir-0xaKeZhLVO7vpaxrvzges/s1600/IMG_3634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuoK_KZABSdYCeKNVHvc4TJlE2rwoGzy1395LAw71PpGkO0-Jr-qN_1oHCP3GbbmNLd6izOIsqcpj2XQKTILQGr4_5QP2-SPI-k25NsL66Y2cEye1pCjir-0xaKeZhLVO7vpaxrvzges/s640/IMG_3634.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is the view from my room...does not feel like Korea. I'm learning I don't like surburbia even in other countries.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I must say, I was not expecting so much serenity here in Korea. I'm sorta itching for some of that Seoul shoulder-to-shoulder bustle. Soon!<br />
<br /></div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-44107450032945055372012-10-23T13:32:00.003-07:002012-10-23T13:32:35.734-07:00Even more cookies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This blog has lately been all about cookies. Deal with it. ;)<br />
Now how adorable is this bathroom set from <a href="http://www.mypapercrane.com/">My Paper Crane</a>??<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf0vtHnbxxnjI-ETUipR4_AaR5A_cC4rFt6sWtoEH0PVvt_pk5aB03kCvtpGGcPFIEnQcCOVHQg939leuOzvo6iHo1E7A8uONXK0zOudxd9c4GjZouOcC4u2YIVZJgkAXmBJrtH3nlqs/s1600/cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLf0vtHnbxxnjI-ETUipR4_AaR5A_cC4rFt6sWtoEH0PVvt_pk5aB03kCvtpGGcPFIEnQcCOVHQg939leuOzvo6iHo1E7A8uONXK0zOudxd9c4GjZouOcC4u2YIVZJgkAXmBJrtH3nlqs/s400/cookie.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKwYWwxibeE_GSfjI3tgdS3PFp5hKmD-46BlTSkqlm5x2xAedmRkSuObKsSF0_BhdDJfdcId8rfISn_C9rX30XhGkK-nQLpoZKtdy_fpZFAL8PaNdJ4_XNxcnbs1FB_Zofp5Hv0tRq-I/s1600/milk+carton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKwYWwxibeE_GSfjI3tgdS3PFp5hKmD-46BlTSkqlm5x2xAedmRkSuObKsSF0_BhdDJfdcId8rfISn_C9rX30XhGkK-nQLpoZKtdy_fpZFAL8PaNdJ4_XNxcnbs1FB_Zofp5Hv0tRq-I/s400/milk+carton.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-23256832141247748792012-10-20T12:50:00.003-07:002012-10-20T12:54:50.507-07:00It's Cookie Time!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hm, I figured instead of having my never published <u><a href="http://millionsofmorsels.wordpress.com/">Millions of Morsels</a></u> posts <u><a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/10/vulnerability-failures-liberation.html">go to waste</a></u>, I'll integrate it into this blog. Genius. Why didn't I think of that earlier? Aren't you guys excited to hear about cookies??? I AM I AM!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Written 4 million years ago....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cookie Monster of the Month // Angry Asian Man</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ff9900; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32vgJRFGkTVv70PDr1L5LC21nOaW-1WWSbtmeswSyL_rVtSXwra3EEKoraoF0Xjj8OfUUpApSQTv9t-pMk2J_zyscBTRh69bzhVuCMWG2PObveA2e6oAnq9Uucqa_WlsfEurfBhv3odo/s1600/IMAG0217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32vgJRFGkTVv70PDr1L5LC21nOaW-1WWSbtmeswSyL_rVtSXwra3EEKoraoF0Xjj8OfUUpApSQTv9t-pMk2J_zyscBTRh69bzhVuCMWG2PObveA2e6oAnq9Uucqa_WlsfEurfBhv3odo/s400/IMAG0217.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The real reason I went to Angry Asian Man’s 10th Anniversary Party. Just kidding....or am I?</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458"><br /><b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve always been a big fan of <u><a href="http://blog.angryasianman.com/">angry asian man</a></u> -- the blog and the man behind the blog. Why? He’s a <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ7oArZrQ1s">college sunbae</a></u> (loosely translated to predecessor), he provides fantastic content and he’s just an overall great, down-to-earth guy. </span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I became a mega-fan though when he celebrated his blog’s 10th Anniversary with COOKIES (made by <u><a href="http://www.tstchocolat.com/">TST</a></u>). Dude, how much better can he get, right? We should all celebrate with cookies. Every day.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finding out that he was a cookie fan, I had to ask him about his life as a cookie monster. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>What's your earlie</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>st <span class="il">cookie</span> memory?</i></span></span></span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-small;">Nabisco Nilla Wafers. With milk. I remember munching on those things like crazy. I'd stack them up and eat 'em one by one. Haven't had any in while though. But the sight of the box, and the mere smell of the vanilla always evoke a rush of childhood memories.</span></span></b><br />
<div class="im" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><i><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The best <span class="il">cookie</span> you've ever eaten? </span></i></span></span></b></div>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.12168690282851458">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Ever? Crap, that's hard. Okay, this doesn't even count, because it's not technically a </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">cookie</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">, but it's friggin' amazing. In Korea, there's a street vendor in Insadong that sells hodduk -- a fried batter thing filled with a sugar, honey, nuts and other sweetness from Jesus. Again, totally not a </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">cooki</span></span><span class="il" style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">e</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">, but easily one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. Period. I have dreams about that damn hodduk.</span></span><div class="im" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-small;"><br /><i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What's your main ingredient(s) to leading a successful life?</span></i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-small;">Simply put, do what you love. Figure out what you want to give a damn about, and then give a damn. Everything else will fall into place.</span></span></b></div>
<div>
<br />
----</div>
<div>
Okay, back to present time. Big belated thanks to Phil for the interview! Don't worry, I did thank him via email and in person 3.75 million years ago.<br />
He <u><a href="http://blog.angryasianman.com/2011/11/angry-reader-of-week-yulree-chun.html">interviewed me</a></u>, too, last year. ;)</div>
</div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-67795900966990157952012-10-17T13:55:00.000-07:002012-10-17T13:58:28.734-07:00Vulnerability, Failures & Liberation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Kinda in relation to my <u><a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/10/breathe.html">previous post</a></u>...<br />
<br />
This past year, I've been experimenting with vulnerability. I've always had an arms wide open mentality towards trying new things, and I continually push myself into new situations where I'm uncomfortable (like that time I spontaneously went to Santa Barbara and learned how to <u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaging">swage</a></u> and put up festival structures with randos for a festival I didn't attend).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qe59j1UBhUR6CUkSL-qDJ2eEfGZi2-8yU3n2sWyqvcSuX1HoybLKCYUpKBO10dZ_ooW6xYx7801gKvq6BTHhGiEoTVfenJoCneB_OKw9PwEEbFEb4MNHY3v60a4SnlfZe25bTmzZAqo/s1600/swage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qe59j1UBhUR6CUkSL-qDJ2eEfGZi2-8yU3n2sWyqvcSuX1HoybLKCYUpKBO10dZ_ooW6xYx7801gKvq6BTHhGiEoTVfenJoCneB_OKw9PwEEbFEb4MNHY3v60a4SnlfZe25bTmzZAqo/s400/swage.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swaged the heck out of this mother effer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's weird, uncomfortable situations comfort me. It makes me feel alive [arms waving in the air]!!! However, coincidingly (is that a word?), I've always had a phobia towards showing or expressing my vulnerability. I used to feel ashamed, embarrassed and less of a person whenever people caught me at my times of weakness.<br />
<br />
In other words, I am rad at being vulnerable to experiences but bad at being vulnerable to people.<br />
And what I'll confess next will show you just how inexperienced I am in with the latter -- I learned, this year, that being vulnerable to others: 1) deepens relationships, 2) for some reason, allows them to trust you more, 3) is really liberating. Mind blown. Did you guys know this?? How come you never told me? Thanks, guys. Thanks. It's good to finally join this secret vulnerability club. I could've been forever alone, y'know, if I never found out about this club.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENORJtaY4eG6ailwRmEESzcsugrPgOTDoCEptalddCFe86APgIJcb5-gLWJNFVxhFqfvaSnoxlQtG2PjcHMPh-PSJX5nxaupEwt1ZsZ7gp2zW8bfrdNJnNJUTKujpWWLOgOrywCag_Gk/s1600/forever+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENORJtaY4eG6ailwRmEESzcsugrPgOTDoCEptalddCFe86APgIJcb5-gLWJNFVxhFqfvaSnoxlQtG2PjcHMPh-PSJX5nxaupEwt1ZsZ7gp2zW8bfrdNJnNJUTKujpWWLOgOrywCag_Gk/s400/forever+alone.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joining the meme club late, too, as usual.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been amazing, I tell ya. I am really enjoying, loving and appreciating the solid friendships more than ever this year. And I feel more free than I ever have in my life!<br />
<br />
Anyway, since we're on the theme of vulnerability today -- just gonna keep <u><a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2011/03/sometimes-5-year-old-in-me-wants-to.html">exposing myself</a></u> for the heck of it. Maybe you'll feel better about yourself standing next to me and my failures. :D Maybe you'll feel inspired to open up. Maybe you won't. *whisper* <i>freeeeeeee yourself</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's one FAIL that I used to be ashamed of. But you know what? It's gotten me closer to understanding what I'm good at and what I want to be doing:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://millionsofmorsels.wordpress.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkPsn1HANhCaQJIDeJi-UEQK2dQGSe5hkDC6bgpukPtAS8AWuDjRiwqGkXxoOHYkwgwFJqJTZn8P07fmxAibQ9_eKwQA4rWppGfbCeeHm88FDXSG7YWPxnWdlqJcLPQ_8fOMcoP3XgbU/s400/morselblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My attempt at designing and developing my own blog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did you guys know I had a <a href="http://millionsofmorsels.wordpress.com/">cookie blog</a> at one point in my life? I even interviewed my friend <u><a href="http://millionsofmorsels.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/cookie-monster-of-the-month-andrew-figueroa-chiang/">Andrew</a></u>, <u><a href="http://blog.angryasianman.com/">Phil </a></u>(his never got posted) and my blog crush, <a href="http://theactorsdiet.com/">Lynn Chen</a> (hers never got posted either), and had goals to eventually interview Anthony Bourdain. I had huge dreams to open up a cookie bakery once my cookie blog took off. Neither happened. Because I didn't keep it up. Because I realized, the hard way, that although I LOVE cookies, this just wasn't my path. Let's not call this a failure, but a learning experience. :P<br />
<br />
Next time, I'll tell you guys about the time I tried to start a catering company with my friend.<br />
<br /></div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-50509193848182986392012-10-17T11:33:00.000-07:002012-10-17T11:47:58.328-07:00Breathe.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Breathe.<br />
<br />
Sometimes,<br />
You<br />
just<br />
can't<br />
do<br />
<i>everything.</i><br />
<br />
I often forget how liberating it is to admit and accept my limitations.<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
P.S. the plus side of having unusually hot days is having really lovely nights. </div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-38206267908800238992012-10-07T15:43:00.001-07:002012-10-07T16:30:08.531-07:00Duh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's 3:30 p.m. and all I've eaten today is peanut butter. I bought the jar a week ago...and I've already hit the bottom of it. Told you <u><a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/10/likes.html">I like peanut butter</a></u>.<br />
<br />
I am a mess. Despite what my friends and loved ones think, I am a mess. With 7 seasons of Grey's Anatomy under my belt, I think I'm quite qualified to diagnose myself, thank you.<br />
<br />
I get my work done. I hang out with friends. I watch <u><a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/10/somebodys-sunsets.html">sunsets</a></u>, do <u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10101130478458935&set=a.992024642535.2650153.3403051&type=1&theater">yoga</a></u>, go on long drives and am <u><a href="http://web.stagram.com/p/295273772614727500_41053116">inspired by beautiful things</a></u>. I am a fully functioning adult. But on the inside, just right in between my central core and my outer layers, I am in a FUNK. And I have been for quite some time now.<br />
<br />
The hardest part is, I'm not sure what more I can do. Sure, I can stop devouring peanut butter like it's my dream job. But does that solve anything? Nuh-uh. I may not know much, but one thing I do know how to do is solve problems. I know that in order to solve a problem, one must first identify the ROOT of the problem.<br />
<br />
I have definitely mastered that step. I've identified AND defined the root (in my personal journals) almost to the point of oblivion. I've defined it through diagrams and images, through obscure poems and short stories. And no, I'm not going to tell you what it is.<br />
<br />
The thing is, the root of the problem - the nature of it is something that cannot be solved by me. It cannot be solved by me or my actions. In this case, it really just takes time and patience.<br />
<br />
Annnnnd, there it is. Patience. Something that I lack, something I have low quantities of. Patience. Lack of patience is making me a mess.<br />
<br />
I get it now. Life (God, the Universe, the Force or what have you) is funny. And clever! Life really gives you whatever you truly need. Impatience is one of, if not the biggest, vices I have. I lack so much patience....that life gave me a problem that can only be solved by an abundance of it.<br />
<br />
Haha, I get it. Thank you, life.<br />
<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
In other news: I blushed when I read <u><a href="http://delishmegish.com/korea-meets-uk-bulgogi-shepherds-pie/"><b>this</b></a></u>. The funny thing is, I admire this woman like mad. And here she is, saying positive things about me? I don't know what to say except thank you. I'm so glad you enjoy my food. You are an inspiration to meeeee. </div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-23379756345352425822012-10-05T00:45:00.000-07:002012-10-05T00:59:32.863-07:00Likes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Someone recently asked me what I like and don't like. Don't think I've been asked that question since elementary school. Well, here's what I wrote in my journal so far. I'll post some dislikes later.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
I like making eye contact, smiling through my eyes and seeing the other person smile back through theirs.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like peanut butter. Too much.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like riding my bike short distances, to the grocery store, library and get-togethers nearby.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like dancing with my eyes closed. It helps me listen to the music better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like the smell of honey and gardenias. Separately. Though I think they'd smell quite lovely together, too.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like how my heart feels after I write, do yoga, pray, speak with a dear friend or make a new connection.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like falling asleep. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like writing lists. And writing, in general, to sort things out and figure out the world/myself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like knowing that I'll be thankful for life, no matter what.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like bringing people together.</div>
</div>
Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-10939215680815685612012-10-01T16:57:00.004-07:002012-10-01T19:10:47.051-07:00Somebody & Sunset<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's funny...or tragic (I can't decide) how a person who you come to know so well and vice versa, a person who is <i>your </i>person and you are theirs, can become just another somebody.<br />
<br />
It's probably best that I do not dwell on that.<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
In other news, I saw a magnificent sunset on my drive to SF two weeks ago.<br />
It was a beautiful gift that lasted a breathtaking thirty minutes. What made it even better was the perfect and random song selection from my iTunes that accompanied the view. A magically curated sunset mini mixtape, is what I'd call it.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha_T96WyF1vrvAlBsYcWrK8mA3JOHiAE5KtAhcHAiz6J-g9TpY-IhDpgyqqz60PWwQZxiY-b-v2-AyomcPmG88mpUPWitbEqW-FGfN7m1uz4Pj4W_dse1Ta9Thai0fp1TxeaONDXUSqg/s1600/IMG_2685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha_T96WyF1vrvAlBsYcWrK8mA3JOHiAE5KtAhcHAiz6J-g9TpY-IhDpgyqqz60PWwQZxiY-b-v2-AyomcPmG88mpUPWitbEqW-FGfN7m1uz4Pj4W_dse1Ta9Thai0fp1TxeaONDXUSqg/s400/IMG_2685.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><b>A MAGICALLY CURATED SUNSET MINI MIXTAPE</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="630px" src="http://everyonesmixtape.com/e/#7IQe5PTKnOxD" width="440px"></iframe><br /></div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-29041252622657016742012-09-09T23:54:00.005-07:002012-09-10T00:03:27.166-07:00It's been a while, hasn't it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">What's changed in YFT world since the last time I posted?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">1) I started eating meat again. Only when I'm out with friends, really. I have mixed feeling about it. Kogi's <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/05/roy-choi-korean-bbq-vegetarian.html"><b><span style="color: purple;">R<span style="font-family: inherit;">oy Choi</span></span></b></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> put it best, <span style="line-height: 25px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;">Animals be talking to me."</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span> 2) I can tie my hair. Whaaaat? It's long enough to tie. Partially. :D And it's starting to look like a mullet. Sexy time. Oh, and when I posted <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/06/diary-of-shaved-headed-woman-part-ii.html"><b><span style="color: purple;">this</span></b></a>, it was as though I sent out a Call to Action and Asian pro pros throughout LA read it and said, "Challenge accepted," b/c I immediately received PMs and comments with replies like, "I'm not like the other Asian guys. I love your short hair," "I noticed you in the crowd b/c you're more unique," and "Enjoyed your post. Just to let you know, I love girls who can pull off short hair. And I'm Korean." I'm not going to date you just to help you prove a point.<br />
<br />
3) I experienced the world of Burning Man. Let's just say, it was pretty radical, extremely mind-opening and insanely beautiful. It's become a place I could call home and I can't wait to go back next year. I'm very lucky I got to go!<br />
<br />
4) Travel-wise, I'll be heading up to SF again later this month, will be in Korea (and perhaps a few days in Thailand) all of November and finally experiencing Colorado in December. Can't wait to see my relatives in Korea! And I'm thinking about trying out snowboarding for the first time while I'm out in CO...I should, right? Not looking forward to the cold part. ><<br />
<br />
5) I'll be starting up Yulree Fundraising Time again soon! Hee. I have something brewing...and I can't wait to share it with you! <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-yft.html"><b><span style="color: purple;">Like last time</span></b></a>, it has something to do with yoga. ;)<br />
<br />
XOXO<br />
Yulree<!--3y--></div>Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-38833811348603999802012-06-24T01:55:00.005-07:002014-06-21T01:47:19.407-07:00Diary of a Shaved-Headed Woman Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been 5 months <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/02/diary-of-shaved-headed-woman.html"><b><span style="color: purple;">since I shaved my head</span></b></a>.<br />
<br />
What's changed? I have a new job, new place and am newly single. All because of my hair.<br />
Just kidding.<br />
<br />
Shaving my head was an awesome decision that I haven't regretted, even during my awkward phases and bad hair days. There are days, yes, when I miss feeling uber feminine and miss the extra male attention I used to get. But those days are so few compared to the ones where I feel fantastic, liberated and just feel normal, like myself.<br />
<br />
Going back to the male attention part...that's the part that's changed the most, really. I feel like I'm the subject of my own social experiment. I'll break it down for you.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Pre-shaved head</b></u><br />
90% of guys who approached me were Asian professionals.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Post-shaved head</b></u><br />
90% of guys who approach me are white hipsters/burners/creatives. Since I shaved my head, ZERO Asian professionals have approached me. Yeah, you Asian pro pros, I'm too edgy for you now. Hahaha (yeah, I'm totally having fun with it).<br />
<br />
Anyway, here are some photos of my hair transformation all within in the past 5 months:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga93ab4D6KrO7s4NjN5-RRwQ1qKOeH5Q4NXsHQO70ww1sxvMCo5GxX9U9y9Bq19XN5fM_WgEmG9OcfJm7PZMhLIrL5f5w3FoxoEfjX4ZSabHMy9_9EBs02rHeN7xGUTHOYzEnib4sINwQ/s1600/yulreeshaved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga93ab4D6KrO7s4NjN5-RRwQ1qKOeH5Q4NXsHQO70ww1sxvMCo5GxX9U9y9Bq19XN5fM_WgEmG9OcfJm7PZMhLIrL5f5w3FoxoEfjX4ZSabHMy9_9EBs02rHeN7xGUTHOYzEnib4sINwQ/s400/yulreeshaved.jpg" height="400" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day I shaved it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUIShnMNCR2nI7Knw6zXiyPo8SEeOW0YVosnkdZGe7zRLrezJjlUz92-vDG8YXFfcksWq8t5LEjsRVPo6thXnwsA63C6w4Lj9crPRhDqDbdQ7HsZGjiV8uTwQiSqjXhKKifT9ZnqU8jQ/s1600/awkward+phase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUIShnMNCR2nI7Knw6zXiyPo8SEeOW0YVosnkdZGe7zRLrezJjlUz92-vDG8YXFfcksWq8t5LEjsRVPo6thXnwsA63C6w4Lj9crPRhDqDbdQ7HsZGjiV8uTwQiSqjXhKKifT9ZnqU8jQ/s320/awkward+phase.jpg" height="320" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Major awkward phase. Couldn't do anything with it. I felt like an awkward hedgehog going through puberty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8jx7YwE7YJ2GtptieJLg_x7qPICPbXSfeQCdVH353eOtjYA7I0SbVOm7Fy6KvCVzT5sCBeqBvwCewFRyCX23NTHIq2QEh7ff1JrcTgEpRb13LmQ6W25DCjhx_qKT36ZPamW_DP0xZ8w/s1600/IMG_1336%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8jx7YwE7YJ2GtptieJLg_x7qPICPbXSfeQCdVH353eOtjYA7I0SbVOm7Fy6KvCVzT5sCBeqBvwCewFRyCX23NTHIq2QEh7ff1JrcTgEpRb13LmQ6W25DCjhx_qKT36ZPamW_DP0xZ8w/s320/IMG_1336%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current length</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
P.S. My <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/02/omg-hair.html"><b><span style="color: purple;">mom </span></b></a>didn't freak. She says I have a great head shape. I guess that's a good thing.<br />
<br />
P.P.S. Folks have been asking me if I'm going to keep it short. Nah, my intention was to experience and have fun with every phase as it grows back to long, luscious hair that I oh-so love.<br />
<br />
P.P.P.S. I'm really looking forward to this length! LOVE this style. I think I'll be there in about another month or two:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq64R1w_qEn4MGdb7T_YRRyFFAQ1fdpC19OR2gNeYznjqJpsNE3whqyJWymNe0WAYWcgWtxjDfqD99G116HlWs9nG68K5cAAMYp4Fdzc984ZeZ5qM_Ky7er5dKhbvnuyeOnQThyphenhyphenU47o8/s1600/anne_hathaway_in_one_day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq64R1w_qEn4MGdb7T_YRRyFFAQ1fdpC19OR2gNeYznjqJpsNE3whqyJWymNe0WAYWcgWtxjDfqD99G116HlWs9nG68K5cAAMYp4Fdzc984ZeZ5qM_Ky7er5dKhbvnuyeOnQThyphenhyphenU47o8/s320/anne_hathaway_in_one_day.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-70461210258745891342012-06-01T01:53:00.003-07:002012-06-01T01:58:44.975-07:00It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCAYJvj0TD50Nd778lO-MAgcsjsGGFjaMU8aDHRmHNLjeL8MEJ8UwTMiUK4GJIDMeChu0J0uzjApHMD4mLag2cWBxJPiUwLDOYcw0PZr-MpvZNziJFUoLoA31FjsReotMuBgwFLzbcws/s1600/peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCAYJvj0TD50Nd778lO-MAgcsjsGGFjaMU8aDHRmHNLjeL8MEJ8UwTMiUK4GJIDMeChu0J0uzjApHMD4mLag2cWBxJPiUwLDOYcw0PZr-MpvZNziJFUoLoA31FjsReotMuBgwFLzbcws/s640/peaches.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>via <a href="http://viewfromapalm.wordpress.com/">A View From a Palm Tree</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I was walking through the produce section earlier today and what does my little nose smell??? <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2010/07/peaches.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">PEACHESSSSSS!!!</span></a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2011/06/momo-season.html"><span style="color: #674ea7;">GAH! IT'S SO FURRYYYY!!!!</span></a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2011/06/foolish-and-addicted.html"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">SO JUICY!!!!</span></a><br />
<br />
It's almost peach season!!! And you know what that means! It means it's time to get out them tents, grills and swimsuits. :D<br />
<br />
I go nuts around this time of year b/c of the extra sunlight + summer fruits + camping + BBQs + lazy beach time.<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
<i>Song of the day: </i><br />
<i><span id="goog_281031922"></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j6avX7ebkM">Summertime - Ella Fitzgerald </a>(I love this woman)</i><span id="goog_281031923"></span><br />
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</div>Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-67206706535674449142012-05-31T11:48:00.003-07:002014-06-21T01:52:11.762-07:00Errday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A year ago, I started asking myself <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2011/01/question-everyday.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;">this question</span>.</a> Every day.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This particular question held a large significance in my day to day life this past year. It's what got me to India; it's what drove me to become a certified yoga teacher; it's what allowed me to open up to my friends and deepen my relationships; it's what pushed me to go from an insanely stressful advertising career to a freelance one where I make time to work on the projects I've always wanted to work on. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1) It reminded me that "hey, I have a heart." And that no matter what my brain had been conditioned to think, my heart really is what drives my actions. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2) It made me question, "If my heart isn't in what I'm doing, what can <b><i>I</i> </b>do to change the situation?" I realized that although external factors do have an impact on your heart, love, happiness and trust have the most solid foundation (and aren't fickle) if they do come from within. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3) It allowed me to focus. Cut the fat, the excess, the B.S. And really find what I truly love to do, not just what I'm good at, and go for it w/o hesitation.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4) Heart begets heart. You put your heart in your conversations, your gestures both big and small, your prayers and your goals - and your heart will only get bigger and stronger. And the people, projects, answers that are filled with love will come to you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Life is short, folks. Act, speak, give from your heart. </div>
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Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-55290529256327169382012-05-18T16:18:00.003-07:002012-05-18T16:23:22.700-07:00Roadtripping Alone. Lonely? I think not!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Things you can do to keep you entertained (and awake) for long road trips when driving alone:<br />
<br />
1) <strong>Listen</strong>. The most obvious thing you can do - listen to podcasts and audio books. Some recommended podcasts are <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/">This American Life</a>, <a href="http://www.radiolab.org/">Radiolab</a> and NPR's <a href="http://www.npr.org/series/6263392/intelligence-squared-u-s">Intelligence Squared</a>. <br />
<br />
2) <strong>Sing</strong>. The more ridiculous the song, the better. And the louder the better. I brushed up on my singing skills with the Pocahontas soundtrack as well as some old school Kpop/Jpop.<br />
<br />
3) <strong>Pray</strong>. Meditate. Or if you're not into praying or meditating, spend time thinking about your purpose. Your passions. Your goals. Turn off the radio, sit in silence, let your mind wander and observe where it goes. Be an alert witness to your thoughts. You have the time to do so without any distractions. Maximize this opportunity!<br />
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4) <strong>Call</strong>. Make a phone call to that someone you've been meaning to call. <br />
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5) <strong>Beatbox</strong>. Similar to singing, turn on the radio, listen to the beat, and try to follow along. You will be a beatbox master in no time. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
Personally, I spend most of my driving time on #3, though I want to do more of #4 and #5. Can't expect to become a beatbox master without practice. ;)</div>Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-60678623429244032352012-05-11T18:50:00.001-07:002012-05-11T18:57:38.218-07:00Some Like it Hot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I like it even hotter.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm7f-OeZ99Sd9Bae2JtkwhElKnyWgiLYTd9oB9NNH1MnCn88o7h7UnDvAQopGk4mmv01truWyb2Cmiw7gR4aqyW_0o7rHFpvcb_mnk1gA6nkQzHzgtIc8d-h_15xaVxTo1EDmxwzX8vY/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm7f-OeZ99Sd9Bae2JtkwhElKnyWgiLYTd9oB9NNH1MnCn88o7h7UnDvAQopGk4mmv01truWyb2Cmiw7gR4aqyW_0o7rHFpvcb_mnk1gA6nkQzHzgtIc8d-h_15xaVxTo1EDmxwzX8vY/s400/IMG_0724.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plump and ready for some chopping</td></tr>
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I have to say, it took a trip to <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.gogobot.com/yulree-chun-gogobotla-seattle-walkabout"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Seattle</span></a> </span>for me to try pepper jelly for the first time. It's a big ass question mark why I never tried it before. Sweet and spicy. Togeza??? Match made in heaven, my friend. And by heaven, I mean my mouth. It was like the first time I tried bacon candy. My taste buds and <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2011/04/mind-grapes.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">mind grapes</span></a> exploded like <a href="http://www.caiguoqiang.com/"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Cai Guo Qiang</span></a>'s fireworks - chaotic and wild but full of beauty and intent.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_531311355"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aHv4WUsuX8F2AC0-pTTBXUt0Yq5Oh8d9e7l2M3M8OFAvgGWAe9oOeWCjjaULV3v2cfCANo3gelCy3hIrW40Wb_0GIpV4b7eUoitQSGSNfl3WRHgEVFw2Xm331i6NvF9hraSG7qaHShk/s400/-Postcard_of_Mick_s_peppou-20000000002853065-500x375.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gogobot.com/micks-peppourri-seattle-attraction">This lady was awesome - she let me try 7 different kinds!</a></td></tr>
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I left Seattle without a jar of enchanted pepper jelly though because I was inspired to make my own (one of the many reasons why I love traveling - food inspo overload!). It's been almost two weeks since I've been back on Angeleno soil, and today, I finally dedicated some time to make my own batch. As my dear friend Goethe likes to say, "Willing is not enough; we must do."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp0PfDMC_SvwAnQaUW0ZB2BE0aIlm-AvCasFv5bnEOHeo_V_jrhMvAsjJ4ORzpOUhLWQI2K0Kd3gzmw0CZ7T3C9-1TNkbFl-J5M4-k01xMmCHxf0ZAcgdav7aM5QMfkCwo334TU1-2rw/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp0PfDMC_SvwAnQaUW0ZB2BE0aIlm-AvCasFv5bnEOHeo_V_jrhMvAsjJ4ORzpOUhLWQI2K0Kd3gzmw0CZ7T3C9-1TNkbFl-J5M4-k01xMmCHxf0ZAcgdav7aM5QMfkCwo334TU1-2rw/s400/IMG_0723.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yulree 1 : Jalapenos 0</td></tr>
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So I did do. I did it spicy. Extra extra spicy. So spicy, DJ Bedhead and I were coughing up a storm as the apartment filled up with spice molecules while I sauteed the jalapenos. So spicy, you could eat a piece of plain tuna roll and the smell of the peppers will trick you into thinking you were eating spicy tuna roll. BAM.<br />
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Here's my end product:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Orange, Lemon Jalapeno Jelly a la YFT</b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWSnx-JVLZBxV-_0OBG1voEcJfT-CbZejyCfQQSMWadQdyXGgeKKBhfJxuThnTtf4KhCzAKC99EKic7tNtx-ShxxIPUP9OnmxRJua2GzPkkoNcBVJ_TFPmxvRwDVopc7VyA4Z9sE14Ug/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWSnx-JVLZBxV-_0OBG1voEcJfT-CbZejyCfQQSMWadQdyXGgeKKBhfJxuThnTtf4KhCzAKC99EKic7tNtx-ShxxIPUP9OnmxRJua2GzPkkoNcBVJ_TFPmxvRwDVopc7VyA4Z9sE14Ug/s400/IMG_0725.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not pretty but oh so yummy - I am no food photographer.</td></tr>
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Think of all the yummy things you can do with this! Slap it on some fresh-baked cornbread. Or drizzle over some soft cheeses like brie or camembert for a cheese party (in my mouth). Or even just have it with some crackers. Drool. I'm gonna go eat some now.</div>Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-61160975056943107602012-05-08T11:29:00.005-07:002012-05-08T12:07:29.474-07:00Chocolate & Travel...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESCoyElPHwG2CPzoXkvkqqsBLZ3YW3g_YdBsRxw9ySWo7ImwTvz0NT28GLeLlmyHNfpq89ntgxoWh-dEZ9qusIyriUqSmRn9dlPCjj6SHUbas_loUEb3yhcNAzg1f0MsLfyfEXeCAj74/s1600/theo+chocolate+factory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESCoyElPHwG2CPzoXkvkqqsBLZ3YW3g_YdBsRxw9ySWo7ImwTvz0NT28GLeLlmyHNfpq89ntgxoWh-dEZ9qusIyriUqSmRn9dlPCjj6SHUbas_loUEb3yhcNAzg1f0MsLfyfEXeCAj74/s400/theo+chocolate+factory.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>...Go hand-in-hand. At least for me! I went on a food tour while I was in Seattle last week and acquired 3 amazing (believe me) organic chocolate bars fresh from a chocolate factory. If you ever find yourself in Seattle, go to the Theo Chocolate Factory b/c: 1) it's chocolate, 2) it's the first organic chocolate factory in the U.S., 3) quality is superb, 4) they have unique flavors and 5) you can sample like mad. They have open trays of chocolate pieces that you can just keep eating from -- for as long as you need to make a decision on if you'd like to purchase some or not (no glaring eyes or bad attitudes from their staff).<br />
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So, with that intro, I wanted to let you guys know that <b>I'll be giving away three organic chocolate bars (s+h included to U.S. residents) to one lucky reader</b>.<br />
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Ta da! Here are the three unique flavors:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wFJ4mOhSDoDyRWtc2RlgehRsd4cNmSkPQeBwz-6LpL8i9OBsUF5WqqbLAHF5WklHolFIiLKZy2HR1DBKE_QZ5eGy1cVIJgZPL2xCiskElOw9O7NPMyW8xCzcVB5COdQsrJWFAAcB5bo/s1600/chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wFJ4mOhSDoDyRWtc2RlgehRsd4cNmSkPQeBwz-6LpL8i9OBsUF5WqqbLAHF5WklHolFIiLKZy2HR1DBKE_QZ5eGy1cVIJgZPL2xCiskElOw9O7NPMyW8xCzcVB5COdQsrJWFAAcB5bo/s400/chocolate.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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Coffee - I HAD to get the coffee flavor from the coffee capitol of North America! The coffee they used is from Caffe Vita.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4RJZlA8-oAMwIfw4Tr13iNv7B5eHTxxPILiW1x82Yn69HQD0z-QUG02hWe_ihbph97_o0sPdScx2MtDrSGigTNCR-RJucY8BkIUz3-Ew-xhQlB6KyrwFuHGDMbaJcMpO2SW29Mu5ufw/s1600/coffee_hagrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4RJZlA8-oAMwIfw4Tr13iNv7B5eHTxxPILiW1x82Yn69HQD0z-QUG02hWe_ihbph97_o0sPdScx2MtDrSGigTNCR-RJucY8BkIUz3-Ew-xhQlB6KyrwFuHGDMbaJcMpO2SW29Mu5ufw/s400/coffee_hagrid.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Bread & Chocolate - this is the only one I didn't get to sample but the factory guy told me that it features buttered and toasted artisan bread plus a little hint of salt.<br />
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Coconut Curry - I've never had chocolate that tasted like this one before. It's so savory that you can eat it with crackers. It was definitely my favorite.<br />
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<b>To enter, all you have to do is follow me on Gogobot.com <span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.gogobot.com/user/yulree-chun-gogobotla/">HERE</a> </span>and twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/GogobotLA"><span style="color: purple;">HERE</span></a>! Will announce the winner on Tuesday May 15! </b><br />
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<i style="text-align: center;">Note: the chocolates were not donated or sponsored, but purchased by me! </i></div>Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095328677171678914.post-46254669488584433902012-05-01T16:26:00.000-07:002012-05-01T17:03:32.202-07:00Hampi, India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/04/life-in-india-according-to-my-camera.html"><span style="color: orange;">slow</span></a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/04/favorite.html"><span style="color: blue;">in</span></a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/04/people-ive-met.html"><span style="color: lime;">posting</span></a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/04/chugga-chugga-choo-choo.html"><span style="color: #e06666;">my</span></a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/03/sights-of-india.html">photos</a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/03/power-of-intention.html"><span style="color: magenta;">and</span></a> <a href="http://yulch.blogspot.com/2012/03/neti-fied.html"><span style="color: #38761d;">thoughts</span></a> (< click to see) about my trip to India. And I think, somewhere deep in my subconscious, I love having to revisit my photo album, notebook and memories whenever I write a new post. Okay, maybe it's not so deep in my subconscious. I'm fully aware of it. I relish thinking about India and my time there.<br />
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During my trip, one of the places that took my breath away was Hampi. If you ever find yourself in South India, I highly recommend you visit. The pictures speak for themselves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC-_KnGqa6SoemqIYFYad-mKI7XEyDUCvw72W7M5J319x-1wJiHhdWnT91bG-UYdjpSpvB8SkG_tpfQnwwEGNsI5OS3y0E4z04pcTAW6l8tYc3p0Ls0AGAM9DFDXfRWzAZZU0qsLGV_8/s1600/image-preview+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC-_KnGqa6SoemqIYFYad-mKI7XEyDUCvw72W7M5J319x-1wJiHhdWnT91bG-UYdjpSpvB8SkG_tpfQnwwEGNsI5OS3y0E4z04pcTAW6l8tYc3p0Ls0AGAM9DFDXfRWzAZZU0qsLGV_8/s400/image-preview+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanuman!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQXP8GZHwiNZg1zNx8EIk2rUgVK6mSkk1ldZkDI8gskh7WmjrmXbgN5_a3lLedklVyE7dUYDT0fgDOaRsbbdpjYkbZ_-Lun14nSVocQRDFT-KfwEYl_2kQYxn8Lsv5pvJ0Ul5ZNln-DA/s1600/BeFunky_IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQXP8GZHwiNZg1zNx8EIk2rUgVK6mSkk1ldZkDI8gskh7WmjrmXbgN5_a3lLedklVyE7dUYDT0fgDOaRsbbdpjYkbZ_-Lun14nSVocQRDFT-KfwEYl_2kQYxn8Lsv5pvJ0Ul5ZNln-DA/s400/BeFunky_IMG_1045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Hampi Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to cross the river to get to our lodging</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">India has the coolest kids. For reals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6DVFsgGGDnmvK8lMh9D4sykKin4eTgFKQrT94NCNCnKjjRqfvDG1r6WK8BVOhTlCazuWGKdBfSTN4-BGEJ-fm3FbIJnh2Hs0IUoufYIpzxYW6tJZj2Rv3B7YcKeedEQcaGV_X68hNWI/s1600/image-preview+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6DVFsgGGDnmvK8lMh9D4sykKin4eTgFKQrT94NCNCnKjjRqfvDG1r6WK8BVOhTlCazuWGKdBfSTN4-BGEJ-fm3FbIJnh2Hs0IUoufYIpzxYW6tJZj2Rv3B7YcKeedEQcaGV_X68hNWI/s400/image-preview+%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing it up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfnu4vx5sibCMzKSNI12zlEwPcu4Z_IFP98XQH73Ujy224kjwU5wlwvNjMAVAlU6FLX0qf7MLp_9eQgDcN0OqSS3IQR9IFk9UWcZn48y5jK4gBkq_bMSTROZ7-ffWgznCf_ZABl_9ca4/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfnu4vx5sibCMzKSNI12zlEwPcu4Z_IFP98XQH73Ujy224kjwU5wlwvNjMAVAlU6FLX0qf7MLp_9eQgDcN0OqSS3IQR9IFk9UWcZn48y5jK4gBkq_bMSTROZ7-ffWgznCf_ZABl_9ca4/s400/IMG_1061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surya Belly</td></tr>
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</div>Love Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737200951710778752noreply@blogger.com3