Sorae Villiage Christmas Market

     Last weekend I met up with some wonderful friends (I'm loving this trend) and we trucked it over to the Christmas market that was happening in Sorae villiage. Sorae villiage is the French district in Seoul and is honestly a strip loaded with cafes, bakeries, French cuisine, and is thoroughly dusted with the French language. It's super cute, I recommend just checking the area out!
     The market was quaint, there were lots of tables and foodie items all over the place. Sadly there wasn't much on the Vegan front (Aliensdayout, let's collaborate)! They had everything from wine (^^*), breads, cakes, bindaeddeok (빈대떡), crepes, hot chocolate...ahhh I'll just lay the porn on you~

starry wine (photo taken by VeganBeats)

more vino!!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

빈대떡 (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     The hot chocolate was made with dark chocolate chips and...butter. ugh~ 

hot chocolate (photo taken by VeganBeats)

all sorts of tinned items (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     There was a table LOADED with beautifully dressed pastries and warm crusty breads but...vegan lacks and wallet demanding...my eyes can gorge though right? (I mean, what's porn for!)

look at all that bakey jazz! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

photo taken by VeganBeats

Christmas logs! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

cheesy breads (photo taken by VeganBeats)

decadent (photo taken by VeganBeats)

lemon tarts (photo taken by VeganBeats)

"so good" and the model's gorgeous too! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Christmas decoration! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

olive oil (photo taken by VeganBeats)

not vegan )O: (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     It was mighty cold so we wandered into a small cafe where we sipped on hot coffees and Mipa gifted us with some BEAUTIFUL treats from her bakeshop. Check it out~ buy buy buy!!!

ginger coconut muffins and Boozy Christmas Fruitcake (photo taken by VeganBeats)

hand-dripped coffee..ughhhh (photo taken by VeganBeats)

cute! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

It's around the bend...and these treats wrap it kindly~

photo taken by VeganBeats

Christmas is LESS THAN a week AWAY!!!

Make sure to get some DELICIOUS vegan treats from aliensbakeshop.com If you get some now, you may have time to order another batch of noms (because you may just eat it all prior to gift wrapping!!

Vietnam Wrap up, guide, help...the go to sources (lots of links!!)

     This post is a general hint list of great resources, places to now and where to check out while in the adventurous land of Vietnam!


     I went to three destinations total, spanning all throughout Vietnam (though there is a LOT more to see)! I started my adventures in Hanoi (the capital) then went South to Ho Chi Minh City, to Mui Ne and then routed back to Hanoi. 


Here are some helpful phrases that are worth knowing:


Hello~ Xin Chao (Jzin Chow)
Good morning~ Chao buoi sang
Good afternoon~ Chao buoi toi
Hi friend!~ Nay E! (Nay,ye!)
Good night~ Chuc ngu ngon 
Thank you~ Cam on (Caam oon)
No good/ too expensive~ Come phy


GREAT website: newhanoian.xemzi.com  Has classifides, restaurant reviews, events, things to do, etc...


GREAT travel agent: Lai, She is located just inside iProvecho. 
     Address: 18 Hang Be, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (about three blocks from Hoan Kiem lake)
     Phone #: 0912223996


HANOI:
Where to eat~
Vegan restuarants:
GREAT Vegan food at White Cloud! 
     I ate food from here three different times, and was pleased each time. The food is made with love, be patient. If you want food quickly, this is NOT the place. Put at least an hour aside. It is worth the wait and the place is super cute. 
     ~I highly recommend the spring rolls (of course), the banana flower salad, fried mung beans, and tofu cooked with tomato sauce!!
     Address: So 2 Ngo 12 Dang Thai Mai,HaNoi

                  No.2, alley 12, Dang Thai Mai street, Hanoi
     phone #: 04)-6258-1622/ 0912-143-647
     hours: Monday through Sunday 11am to 2 pm and 5pm to 9pm

Phat Truong Tho

     This is an all vegan place that offers a LOT of vegan meats, more quirky than yummy in all honesty. It is more than affordable and the interior is stunning, but that all it really has going for it. The best dish is the grapefruit salad, this is worth coming back for. But if you want to explore a vegan variety...I'd steer elsewhere. 

     Address: 184B Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho, Hanoi
     Directions: At the end of Xuan Dieu (West lake would be on your Left is you are walking   

                    towards it), across from the turn into Cong Doan Hotel
     phone #: 04-7307-8838

Vietnamese street food: Quan An Ngon

     This place means 'delicious food' and has an interesting concept, taking street food inside. You can dine family style next to loads of people, order lots of food on the cheap and be more than entertained by the busyness that is going on around you. NOT very vegan friendly, but you can find something (tofu, and specify for soy sauce!)

     Address: 18 Phan Boi Chau, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

     Phone number: +84-4-3942-8162 

Western Food: iProvecho

     Daniel Hoyer is the head owner and chef behind the food here. It is not very vegan friendly, but the guacamole I had was lovely. Fresh, creamy, full of flavor...and served with fresh made tortilla chips. While your here, grab a drink, sit at their glass bar that opens over the streets, nom on some Mexican glory and who knows, book a tour somewhere! Defiantly worth checking out!

     Address: 18 Hang Be, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
                  It is about 3 blocks from Hoan Kiem lake.
     Phone #: 0912223996
     email: provechohanoi@gmail.com

INDIAN Food:

More affordable: Foodshop 45

     This place has a lovely interior and is great to go with friends while on the go to a bar or out on some nightly adventure. Lots of people came in and out, so it's more popular than I may give it credit for. The staff was very kind, but the food isn't amazing. It's affordable and with everything in Vietnam, you get what you pay for. This is more vegetarian friendly than it is vegan friendly. But I had an alright experience. 

     Address: 59 Truc Bach street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi 

     phone number: +84-4-3716-2959 

Quality: Namaste 

     This meal was beautiful, aesthetically, through taste and experience. The food was a bit more expensive, but well worth it. Gopi, the owner is very attentive and clearly has a passion for food. Everything is made to order, is fresh and able to be slightly manipulated. Not originally vegan items were made vegan after I let Gopi aware of my dietary restrictions. He helps you out too, not letting you over-order and giving great advice on what works well with what. 

     ~*I highly recommend the pakeezah, a coconut appetizer that is just so strange it works! And the Kapuli salad is DIVINE!!!

     Hours: Open 7 days. 11am-2:30pm (last order is at 2) and 6-10:30 pm (last order at 10)

     Address: 47 Lo Su, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

     Directions: East of the Northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake

     Phone #: 84-4-3935-2400 

     Website: www.namastehanoi.com 

  

WHERE TO GET YOUR DRINK ON:

~***Bia Hoi= BEER***~

Barbetta: A classy bar that's always got good people in it. You can sit on the roof and sip on some delicious cocktails while the moon shines overhead. The staff doesn't speak very much English but no worries, if you can read it, you'll be fine. The drinks are all creative and from all the ones I sampled (mojitos, to beachy drinks, to rums)~ you can't go wrong with anything. 

     ~Drinks are around 80,000-100,000 dong ($4-5) 

     Address: 34C Cao Ba Quat, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Mao's Red Lounge: This place is dark, to the point where you have to feel around to figure out where to park it. But the drinks are cheap, it's FULL of people to talk to and meet. It is located in the Old Quarter, so if you'e aiming to meet fellow travelers, you're in luck. There are a LOT of drink options, so if you want the cheap bia hoi, or the frothy coconut milk cocktail~ this place has it. 

      ~IF you are all dressed up (why in Vietnam>!!) you will sweat loads...

     Address: 7 Te Hien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

    Phone #:           +84-4-3926-3104 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +84-4-3926-3104      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting 

Half Man/Half Noodle: I'll be 100% honest, I don't remember very much about this bar. I remember loving the name. I was...a tad tipsy at this point (damn those fruity cocktails!!) but I do know that this is one of the only places that serves food rather late for the hungry kids! In Seoul, where you can a full course meal at any hour, no matter the point of inebriation, in a country where everyone sleeps around midnight (at the latest) those drunk munchies are left to munch. Drinks are affordable, but...honestly, it's the name isn't it!     

     Address: 62 Dao Duy Tu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoiend_of_the_skype_highlighting

     Phone #: +84-4-3926-1943 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +84-4-3926-1943      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

WHAT TO DO/ CHECK OUT:

~Hoan Kiem Lake: a beautiful walk, peaceful, full of people watching, photo opportunities, and also legend has it an ancient turtle lives here!

~Check out the Old Quarter, there's a big backpacker's district here (travelers, LOADS of places to crash here!) shopping opportunities, comforting AND exotic foods!

~Shop around: eat the fruit, buy scarves, bikinis, and iPho tees!

~ Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: A place we were going to check out (another reason, man they keep popping up!) Apparently all the tribes and communities of Vietnam are represented here and it is more than interesting!!!

     address: D Nguyen Van Huyen Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi

     phone #: +84-4-3836-0350 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ho Chi Minh City

     Ani and I only stayed one night and two days here. Even though we were there for a short time, we experienced all the main tourist points, here's my two cents^^*!~

WHERE TO EAT:

Vegan noms: Saigon Vegan

     A more than extensive menu offering lots of traditional Vietnamese fare, just without the flesh!>.<# Everything is more than affordable and like all places in Vietnam~ BE PATIENT. This place is affiliated with Loving Hut (murmur) and due to that, low prices and Vegan safety. 

     ~I recommend the bi cuon springroll, it's fresh and subtle. Also the Goi Nam Bao Rau Ram (mushroom with flagrant knotweed salad) is interesting and packed full of flavor!! And the coffee is BOMB!!!

     Address: 240 Bui Vien Street, District 1

     Phone #: +84-4-3837-2686

~* Bui Vien street is backpackers district, loads of places to crash, find cheap drinks, wander, and meet people*~

WHERE TO STAY:~

Hong Han Hotel: For only $25.00 a night you sleep in a clean big room, complimentary breakfast on a cute balcony, and a staff that speaks English! Ahn (brother) gave Ani and I a map along with easy directions of where to go and how to do it. Very relaxing area, located in the middle of bars, restaurants, stores and shops. We had a great experience here and if you're wanting a bargain, and a CLEAN place, stay here!!

     Address: 238 Bui Vien street, Dist. 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam     
     telephone: (84-8)-38-361-927 

WHAT TO DO/ CHECK OUT:

~China Town: This is the biggest one in Asia (besides all of China!!) and is full of options and opportunity. Enjoy some Chinese fruits and snacks, or shop for vegan meats on the cheap. There are black cashews (roasted with the skin still on) and they're AMAZING! There are loads of things mirroring China, knock off bags, breaking toys, hammocks...worth to play around in! And a great people watching experience!!

~ War Remnants Museum: This is a MUST. It's upsetting and powerful and very informative. It provides a side to the war that Americans especially are unaware of. IT's heartbreaking...recommended to go after eating...you won't be hungry after. 

     Address: 28 Vo Van Tan, in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
     Telephone number: 930-5587
     Open: 7:30-11:45 am and 1:30-5:15 pm
     ~~~*It is 15,000 dong to get in ($0.75).

~ Into Yoga and meditation? Check out the YMC: Yoga and Meditation Center. Classes are nearly two hours long and come in at 200,000dong ($10.00!!!) The instructors speak English, along with the desk staff. It's a bit hidden away but it is walking distance from the War Remnants Museum!!

     Address: 335/31 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 4, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

     Phone number: (08)-3929-1707

     e-mail: info@ymcvn.com

     website: www.ymcvietnam.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MUI NE

     Ani and I stayed here for only a couple days and were in paradise. There is so much to see, explore, eat- pure brilliance. A MUST go for anyone if you're in Vietnam. 

WHERE TO EAT:

Vietnamese noms: 

Vietnam Family Resturaunt: The spring rolls here are amazing, and the drinks are fresh and refreshing. The food is affordable, healthy, and quality. The family that owns this place is very kind and accommodating and understand English. The owner speaks the best. They have two dogs that are just too cute to handle! 

     ~get the spring rolls and the mango vodka!!!

     *located on Nguyen Ding Chieu Street near Mai Am Guesthouse. 

WHERE TO STAY: (and eat at!!)

Mai Am Guesthouse: Hands down the BEST hotel experience I've ever had. The family running this joint are beyond accommodating and so genuinely kind. I've never been more relaxed and "at home" in any other place. The food they serve here is great, the coffee wonderful, the location superb! You're RIGHT on the beach, so you wake up to a breeze, the sea air wafting around you and the sun shining smiles! The rooms are large and clean and the rooms are $25.00 a night. Bikes and motorbikes are available upon rent. The location is great also, lots of restaurants and bars around, along with tourist shops and the Fairy stream is nearby. 

    ~~Eat their springrolls, a vermicelli noodle nest wrap instead of the flat noodle! The coffee is strong and sweet!!

     Address: 148 Nyguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ham Tiem Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh     

                Thuan Provine, Vietnam

     Phone number:             (+84)-062-3847062 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            (+84)-062-3847062      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      
     email: guesthousemaiam@gmail.com

WHAT TO DO/ CHECK OUT:

~ Rent a motorbike!!! and EXPLORE!

~The White Sand Dunes: Impeccable, breathtaking, straight up spiritual. Seeing such beauty with your own eyes can't compare to anything also, no effects, movies, pictures. This place is magical. Miles upon miles of stretched out sand dunes, high hills, and a direct connection to the soul. PLEASE PLEASE go here!!

~Fairy Stream:(pictures part 2) This is a beautiful stream full of stunning views and giddy glory. It stretches for a long time, and is hidden behind some dingy neighborhoods. The water looks murky but it's only because of the runoff sand and clay. You're in a canyon, surrounded by red and white sands, thick clays, and tropical plants. I took so many pictures because everywhere I turned, my eyes were astounded, and in that my heart nearly stopped! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SOMETHING I WISH I DID, AND YOU MUST DO!!

~*Ha Long Bay: sadly a typhoon hit while our overnight plan was supposed to happen. I just have to go back again. ^^*!~

WRAP UP/ POINTERS:

*You can get your Visa On Arrival...I used this VietnamVisaPro, all together (stamp and service fee is $35.00)

*bring a LOT of tank tops, this will soak up the sweat...and you'll be sweating

!*Ladies, ditch the make-up...not worth it

*When wandering or shopping, remember to SMILE...it goes a LONG way

*Remember that your freedom does not travel with you!

*Enjoy and be open to what life brings you!

*Drink a lot LOT of coffee and 

*Eat all the fruit

The New Hanoian 

Tripadvisor Vietnam

VEGANS/ VEG-HEADS~ Vietnam is do-able!!! GO GO GO!!!

Hanoi: Those Comfy pants~~

     There are these amazingly comfortable linen pants that I bought LOADS of. They're breezy, loose, and affordable. More pricey than any meals but these pants are WORTH it! I wore them in Mui Ne (at the Sand Dunes) and in yoga while at Ho Chi Minh.

Viet shop! The pants store!!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     The pants are abut 150,000 dong each ($7.00), I recommend getting a bunch! There are also long ones that are about 200,000 dong ($10.00)!

The store, Viet Shop, is located on Dinh Liet street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. 

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Chinatown

     Apparently the biggest Chinatown in Asia is located in Ho Chi Minh city and, ugh I have so many attachments to China and going here was a must. I can't even begin to start on how much I loved my time there. I was in Changchun, located in Jilin province and...my heart is set on going back for another run around...but back into focus~ Chinatown's are my steeze. Even in Boston, forget Harvard square, the tourist spots...gimme Chinatown.
     Ani and I decided to venture out to this China town and...got a tad lost. We went walking for a while, jumped on a bus and got off WAY before the actual Chinatown. Totally my fault, I started seeing Chinese writing everywhere, got overly excited and confidently announced that we were at the desired location...fail.
     We did get to butcher our way through getting direction though. >.<#

some odd fruit! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Two bus rides in, and the smell of trash lingering in the air...ahh this is more like it. Hustle and bustle, yelling people, rotten produce lining the streets and dusty items being pawned, this was China town. We got off and after some wandering (and being the only foreigners NOT in a tour group) we stumbled upon Cho Bing Tay, a market center. Stock full of people, we entered the humid "temple" and found loads of gadgets, candies~ I'll let the photos do the talking...

Cho Binh Tay (photo taken by VeganBeats)

condiment stand, dyed spices, dried fishes...(photo taken by VeganBeats)

all types of rices, the green is younger rice, flakes to grains (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Vegan meats were everywhere! I managed to get a massive bag of dried "meats", vegan shrimp, and vegan baby squid (whaaaa) for 110,000 dong, about $5.00!

dried mushrooms, beans, veggies (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Squeezing through crowds of people, and bumping into all sorts of displays and bags, we were tired and coffee was in order. One WONDERFUL thing about Vietnam is the small stands you can find everywhere. Older men and women run these things and they serve all sorts of drinks. We found this hidden stand in an alley and plopped down asking for some ice coffees and....it hit the spot.

yum!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     The women was kind enough to give us some tea too! Ani and I just sat, sipping coffee and tea people watching. There was so much going on around us and we were just floating amongst it...
     After resting our legs and rejuvenating our dehydrated sweaty selves we decided to truck it back, but to walk around the produce market.
     *My favorite part about markets are the produce spots ^^*!~

baby sweet limes, passion fruit, and MASSIVE mangoes! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     The market is dirty, it smells, it reeks of rotting fish and moldy fruit, but there's something so attractive about that for me. Changchun was a dirty town, but for me, it was and is honest. American produce places are cleaned, mopped, sprayed clean...that's not real, it's a cover. I like seeing and being in the stress, the yelling, competitive marketing...wallstreet for fresh goods.
     It was so striking too, piles of garbage and then a glorious stand of tropical fruits and sweet aromas. Ahhh Asia^^*!~

rambutan anyone? (photo taken by Vegan Beats)

 

Costco's..

     Slump, funk...all that "uhh" sounding words seem to well-describe the sounds of my internals. Tired, fatigued...exhausted...still that noise.
     Monday was the first official teaching day, full one, sloppy, disorganized but fun none the less. The kids, my new students are still representing the constant roll of Korean children~ superbly cute. Dancing, singing, snuggling...my legs are poles, my arms are swings, and my sternum is a pillow. I've somehow bruised my back bones...
     I do song and dance class, and it's fun, I get to dance, but I'm not the greatest of singers and I forgot so many classic songs...skidarinkadink (?), days of the week wong...can't I just teach them some Beatles, anything from Saddlecreek...how about some Herbert?

     ...today was a day of rest...wandering, walking, thinking...mental organizing. I feel like sat in my brain organizing thousands of documents, alphabatizing, color coding, shredding...re-filing all the buildign paperwork. Not ever to be done in one shift...but slow and steady progress. No regrets~

Anyways...kicked it with my 이모 and trucked over to Costco's on Sunday...money, you'll never stay with me will you?
This place is insane, bumbling bustling yelling bumping...to think I was claustrophobic and freaking out at Danny's and here I'm...embracing it...

hello vino! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

The carts are HUGE so traffic jams are necessary and all to 'set in the stars'....I squirmed in and out of aisles, squeezed through people and grabbed whatever my vegan hands could carry...
Here are the final purchases!!

파이나폴!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

So many mushrooms *Homor moan ghwaaaaaa* (photo taken by VeganBeats)

There was so much produce...wiggling in public is fine....but I found!!!

BUTTER (BIBB) LETTUCE^^*!~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

and Celery!!!!! eeeeeeeee (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Stocked up on some fruits*!~

키위!!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

These will take some time to ripe...if only I had nutritional yeast!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

crunchy snappy 오이 (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Found some classic wholesale club stuff too...but organic noms...I know not local but...how often does anyone find salsa, legit organic salsa around Seoul...

살사 (photo taken by VeganBeats)

craiiiiiiiiiisons!!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

classic almond stockup*!~

3 lbs!!!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

And I NEVER nom on this jazz..I mean it's been forevere...but Food Should Taste Good makes some of the BEST tortilla chips...and to find something so yummy, so wonderful...must purchase, even though it's bigger than my torso...if I open it, hell will break lose. Te Rice works I've never had before...expect I will next time I plan to have salsa...but they're vegan, and I rememebr seeing them in the states...

brown rice crisps and "Food Should Taste Good" multigrain chips (photo taken by VeganBeats)

Small room relaxation resting weekends with cooking and picture shooting ventures...

     After work I've been beyond exhausted...a zombie like state brings me to slump into comfy clothes and minimal movement...as exhausted as I am, sleeping is still a major issue. Moving into a new place was a bit overwhelming but it got me to discover some secrets I packed a while ago and now got to use...nutritional yeast!

~~I'm not going cooking crazy, I haven't posted in a while..well these pics anyways...so here's a bit of a slew~~

     I decided to whip up an interesting sauce base for some streamed veggies...I think the inspiration was from paneer...came out pretty complex and nice...

steamed garlic scapes, cabbage, broccoli, onions, and carrots..."cheezy" curry sauce (photo taken by VeganBeats)

     Then there was the ramen prepping, tons of veggies~one of those Seoul cold days and reading day filled times...

looks HUGE, I only used 1/3 of the noodles, the rest of veggies!! photo taken by VeganBeats

     I also made some raw 김치, purple and green cabbage, turnips, garlic, and lettuce...(O:

cubed raw 김치 photo taken by VeganBeats

     ~~Tuesday I met up with Jaxs for some kicking it time, and we wandered to KIM's CLub, a MASSIVE marke full of any and everything...and well....my wallet was  bit lighter after that...
mmm, I really like seaweed....

seaweed and lotus roots....nom nom nom photo taken by VeganBeats

After Kim's club and Jaxs reunioning..I came home to snuggle and kick it with the kids, and share my veggie bounty....they were pretty happy^^*!~

고구마 is smaller than his meal! photo taken by VeganBeats

^^*~ photo taken by VeganBeats

If you bring lettuce to Hamlet...she's purring for hours....add snuggling to the bit, she won't leave you alone....unless you preoccupy her with more lettuce...

nom nom nom~ photo taken by VeganBeats

Ahhh....Thursday, tomorrow is Friday...more times ahead~~

effective Saturday...^^*~

           This morning Jaxs left for Thailand, so last night I met up with her (love love love), Diane, Mieon, and Leo to kick it and celebrate the end of a week, and the awesomness Jaxs will (by now) be having!! I haven't been in 강남 and going out for a while...I did go earlier this week to kick it with none other but my love Jaxs!! ^^*!~
           I am so excited for her to be taking this trip, Jaxs*!~ Have a blast and play on monkey beach!!
          Anyways, I met up with the crew at a HOF...entering a booth full of smiling faces and energy pumping, I couldn't be happier*!~ It really marked a moment of a great ending of a the work week and great start to the weekend! I wish I had a better way to explain it, I was just full, fully content and at peace...I felt rejuvenated. All the nervousness and anxiety I was feeling hours before seeing everyone was instantly replaced with joy...^^*!~

         The times I have been having alone have been full of constantly running thoughts, points of anxiety, stress, nervousness, and a passing (but always existent) desire to revert back to the patterns I so depended upon. The states represents a lot of...obstacles, ones I've believed to be over or past in many ways, but they are a sense of comfort, a destuctive easiness. I know there are changes my way, and I am undoubtedly eager to get to that "starting line"...and I am powerful and strong enough to get through anything to get there, a major portion of my parts desire easiness, some calmness as opposed to jutting storms. In my head more often then not, sensitive and easil stimulated by so much of my environment. Other's insecurities easily ricochet into my thoughts and support a domino effect of immense discomfortm, self-consciousness, and running self-hatred. My dissociative parts are very strong, and I am thankful for them, but wish they would lay off a bit. I call to those parts to work with my masking parts, I put a lot of effort into acting like things others say or do, don't bother me or trigger an explosion of negativity for me...I don't bring it up and admitting it, externally I fear will only confirm a craziness factor...the mind, my mind...I wonder am I intelligent or over-paranoid. And reasons why there are no gray areas for me is aggravating. It is always one or the other, extremities only and always...there's never an in-between when the cameras on me...anyways....

Woke up today and found out I had a placement exam to take...I turned into one of my students, nail biting, stressing, studying my phone dictionary...it was a placement exam for my Korean class I am starting...I can read 한굴 but writing it clearly and not looking like a dumbass...>_<#
I was anxious...a greater percentage of excitment really...I am competitive, I thank my Korean upbringing really, and I want to be the best in my class, the smartest...as awful as this sounds...I want others to hate how well I'm doing. I've always believed the more your classmates hated your success, the better you were doing...twisted I know. >_<#
     I was so uncomfortable in the classroom though, there were so many...foreigners (obviously.) But everyone was so...critical of Koreans, Korea, the culture, the people, the food, EVERYTHING. So much negativity and bashing going on (I recognize I sound quite hypocritical now.) I was more than silent and avoiding eye contact...I felt so uneasy. I was scared, meeting others, meeting new people was freaking me out. I'm sure my silence released a very cold presence and others were thinking I was a snob, or deliberatly ignoring all of them, I wasn't, I was definately not wishing to communicate with some of my future classmates (swearing out loud and complaining about how much Korea sucks...what are you doing here?!!!) My anxiety was causing this block in my throat, and blinders by my eyes..I couldn't concentrate really, I was stressing about the placement exam we would be taking, and all these...Americans. My heart was so tight, like a coil swelling around my chest while my lungs were pressing into it, the air and blood in my body trying to find space, but even my nostrils were shrinking...
      ~I've always freaked out when it came to exams >_<#

The exam was okay, I knew half of the answers for sure, but the others I was lost...I left one word answers and the last question asked us something about spaghetti...so I wrote everything I don't eat with a reason.

못모거요 고기, 상송, 치즈.... 알로지 이 새요. 스파게리 시도. 세희 비간!!! (I don't eat meat, fish, cheese etc...I have an allergy. I hate spaghetti. Sae-hee vegan!!)
I want to find out how I did....I'm sure the native Koreans are laughing at how stupid I must have looked, or how off the charts my answers may be....I know I giggle over my students mistakes...ai ai ai

Anyways...after the test I HAD to go for a walk, I was so uncomfortable and nervous and shaky..there was this girl from Jersey and Cali in the class that were so loud and negative and just complaining about everything...and just...racist spews of hatred...so I went around 강남 and shopped a bit...went to Giordano and got a cute sweater...then ont he way home I stopped into ABC New York Bakery and got some stuff for family and crew...
I'm sure nothing was vegan but everything was so cute....and I mean pricey, but I got a load of stuff for 20,000W!! Happy tummies will happen for the people I adore ^^*!~

peach, pineapple, kiwi, and cherry cutard pastry bread (photo taken by VeganBeats)

herbed vidalia onion cream bread (photo taken by VeganBeats)

cinnamon almond pastry rolled croissant with icing (photo taken by VeganBeats)



 After too much shopping I finally loaded onto the subway to get back home...and was really into walking...so phbbt to taking a bus, I took a long walk home just to breathe in outside...and I took the hour long subway ride in addition to the hour walk as a silent walking meditation...
Got home, unpacked everything, swept, laid down, and snuggled with the kids...then photo session*!~

what are you pointing at me for? (photo taken by VeganBeats)

they snuggle too!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

pretty (photo taken by VeganBeats)

^^*~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

the kids a ya ya (photo taken by VeganBeats)

고구마 is in the background...giving Hamlet a back massage!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

rodent love*!~ (photo taken by VeganBeats)

(O:  (photo taken by VeganBeats)

고구마 moves so much, this is the first clear shot I've got of him!! (photo taken by VeganBeats)

It's late...again, but I've got me some green tea, did meditation, walked, wrote...thought, and snuggled...Sunday, I await you!!