Saturday, June 29, 2013

Great Buys at Great Prices!

Summer apparels at extremely great prices! Thanks J for these goodies!

Next to shoes and diamonds, clothes are women's best friend. And we love to shop but not when our pockets are about to drop.

J and I went out today to Homeplus Mall* with the intention of simply getting things needed for chilli con carne.  And coincidentally, we chanced ourselves on some great sales which would have made Madonna ay Hallelujah had she seen the prices.

Right in front of the shopping center was several racks full of great summer garments and apparels. These were sold with discounts as much as 50 to 75% off!!

#1 Colorful cotton shirt, fit for fab!
Item #1: Doesn't get more chic than this! The Raska (brand name) cotton shirt was among the great item we had at the store. With some time spared going through the shirts lined up on several racks, we were able to find this colorful, dandy shirt sold at at excellent price!Just mix and match it with your favorite pants, or colorful shorts or skirts and you are ready to go!From ₩49000 (Php1800.00), by grace of chance, it was now sold at ₩6900 (roughly Php200.00)!!





#2 Less is more

Item #2: Less is more. As much as I love wild prints on my clothes, I couldn't pass this shirt up. It is very dainty, light and pleasing to the eyes. It's a perfect shirt for anyone who likes minimal designs on clothes.

From ₩19,000 (Php718.00), this beauty was sold for only ₩6900 (Php260.00)!!





#3 Moo-moo dress top anyone?

Item #3:  I love dresses or wide, breathable tops I can put over my sleeveless shirt plus leggings. But sometimes wearing two clothes on a summer day can be a hassle. The top could either be just too heavy that you wind up sweating even more or loose that the strap just slides down your shoulder. As with other items we have gotten from the store, this moo-moo dress top is a great find. It is very dainty, light and the straps stay in place upon wearing it. The construction of the item is well built and very chic. It's a perfect summer apparel!
 

Can you believe that this dress-slash-top was originally priced at ₩69,000 (Php2600.00) and now sold for only ₩6900 (or Php260.00)!!!




#4 Love the blues
Item #4: This pair of shorts was the first one I had selected when we were snooping around items on sale. I love the color (and I could have gotten the bright pink as well lol). It is very chic, summer friendly and trendy. The pair is garterized (one size fits all) and coupled with side pockets.

Like the moo-moo dress, we got a very good deal with this pair of shorts. Originally prized at ₩69,000, I got this baby for only ₩6900!

Don't you just love good deals?


See you next time ^ ^

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

First real Korean BBQ treat

Complete set of meat! At the center is the pork rib marinated in sauce; kimchi (at the foreground) and more!


We had gone to a number of eateries in Seoul but never gotten the chance to eat Korean BBQ.

But the long was was over.

Last Saturday our friends, David and Sunny, took us to a cozy Korean BBQ restaurant south of Daegu. The place (I am very bad at remembering names, unfortunately) was pretty big and can house perhaps a battalion (mind my exaggeration here).

It was around 1:00P.M. when we arrived at the place. We were seated by the window. Sunny and David placed orders for us (and I guess they were also surprised to know that we haven't had Korean BBQ yet, even in Seoul). A few minutes later, the waiter came back with a tray full of goodies. It was a feast to behold!

My new found friends in SK: pretty Sunny and dashing David
There were numerous plate laid on the table that it just simply made my mouth water. The main dish of course was strips of savory pork meat and ribs! Sunny took charge of grilling the meat for everyone while Jeff and I shared our experiences in Seoul, food and what not.

I should perhaps emphasize here -- and this is what I have also learned from my husband - that most Koreans enjoy meals with friends and very close associates or acquaintances. This social practice is likewise true in the Philippines. A perfect day plus cozy and relaxed conversations with friends make the dining experience a whole lot better!


While the meat were dancing on the grill, Sunny gave a chopstick full of scallions (green long onions) mixed with vinegar I think, onions, chilli (and fish sauce?). It was a cold dish and I thought it was something that first had to be eaten. Sunny motioned at me that the scallions were eaten together with meat. I let my wondering chopsticks dance on the dining table and placed some kimchi and lettuce on my plate, totally skipping a bowl full of garlic. Contrary to what I thought, the garlic was also grilled together with the meat. I could eat minced garlic but a glove or two of it-- never... until after a few nudging from my husband, I finally gave in.

Sumptuous feast awaiting in our plates and the garlic at the center of attention
Sunny graciously cut all the meat with scissors. It is a common practice to cut the meat with a pair of scissors than a knife. After sometime, we readied our chopsticks and took some cooked slices. The way to eat the bbq can be perhaps done in two ways: by itself or wrap the meat with lettuce or bokchoy with scallions or garlic, or sprouts and even kimchi in it. I've tried both ways and the food was magical!

Just a when I thought the grill was done, Davit lifted a tray full of meat and then placed them over the grill. Wow! There was just plenty to eat! 

You know I am a big rice eater and didn't mind missing it at all. But when we have finished almost everything on the table, we were asked by our friends if we would like rice or noodles. We both said no to rice. Our bellies were fully loaded by the fine meat and other dishes.

Then our desserts came. Or so I think was classified was desserts. They were two bowl full of cold noodles.

Cold chilli noodles with eggs and more- my fave of the two

Sunny mixing first type of cold noodle dessert.

As always, I have forgotten how these noodles were called but interestingly enough they were different from each other. The first bowl was soupy with some cut fruits like peaches in it and a little of bit of chilli. The color wa somewhere close to light pastel purple, almost like 'ginataang halo halo.' The other was red in color as the chilli dominated the whole palette of colors in the bowl. 

Sunny added some mustard in the bowls and mixed them very well. She motioned to the waiter to bring small bowls for all of us (also because I can't steady my grip on chopsticks over noodles). Since there were no spoons to the try chilled noodle with, Sunny motioned to my hubby to take a swig from the bowl instead. David hesitated but gave in.

It  is safe to say since we J and I were both new to these dishes, we could commit some faux pas. Then again,  sipping from the bowl that is shared with friends or other people is something shouldn't be done but we and Sunny did it anyways.

We were quite full from our first course of meal but made extra effort to squeeze some more food in. The noodles tasted great but I liked the chilli even more (lol).

Over all, my Korean BBQ experience was superb. But most of all, it was meeting new friends through Sunny and Davit which made the dining even more pleasurable.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

The Site of Bosingak Belfry in Jonggak, Seoul


The first thing we did when we landed in Seoul was check out the cool places (quite obviously) near us. But who would have actually thought that the hotel my husband reserved was actually near to so many historical sites (and they are absolutely within reach!). As a first treat for a history buff, I was welcomed by Seoul with its own historical belfry.

It was perfect timing when we decided to check the belfry. The local administration (I guess you can say) has just started their little cultural show. The beating of a drum can be heard meters away as the Korean guards dressed in their national costumes (I think) marched towards the front part of the building. A recorded narration was played for the 'instant' audience. It described the historicity of the place as well as the value of belfry -- delivered in English, Korean and even in Chinese! Spectators just popped out their cams and approached the guards as very close as possible. I was one of them too. But I think I was just too bold when I went past the guard. (cringes lol)

The admin told me that we were only allowed to take photos of belfry from the outside of the building (which I did).

After that, I asked the guard if I can take his picture together with yours truly.

Fun fun fun!


Sunday, June 23, 2013

What's up : "Anna in Korea"

Anneonghaseyo! 

Hi everyone. I have finally made my new blog after weeks of staying here in South Korea. This is my first time traveling abroad and a Very huge break from years of hard work at school. So, how do I find South Korea? 

AMAZING! 

That is right! 

I am pretty much overwhelmed and awe inspired from so many things I have seen and more in the future. 

 I can't wait to blog away :P