My husband arrived last night for a quick visit and we had an amazing authentic Korean meal, inspired by dishes found in the Choson Kingdom and the eastern coastal city of Gangeung. The decor of this restaurant is worth noting for its motifs inspired by Seongyojang, a typical upper-class residence of the late Choson Kingdom. In the photo with the stones and black doors, the stones have names on them and behind each black door is a private dining room.

And so it goes, the wise-old Halmani always warned: Never marry an only son or first born son. You can’t tell in this photo that this man is holding hands with both his wife and mother.

Here’s what we are taking to our playdate this afternoon for the kiddies to enjoy when they are served tea. Each cake is a strawberry shortcake covered in different animal designs. LOOOOVE.

Found on the home page of the Seoul Zoo website:
“The first zoo in Korea was built in 1909 at the former royal palace of Changgyeongung, which was renamed Changgyeongweon under imperialist Japan in an effort to eradicate the national spirit of and insult Koreans. The zoo, which had been maintained at Changgyeongweon following after Korea’s independence, was relocated to the current site in Makgyedong, Gwacheon in 1984 and began its new history as Seoul Zoo. Now more than twenty years have passed since its relocation, and Seoul Zoo has grown to the tenth largest zoo in the world.”

Pororo is a very popular cartoon character in Korea. We spent 4 hours at Pororo Park today, complete with a live show, train ride, tour of Pororo’s house, bounce house, Pororo gym, crazy children, crazy parents and germs. Highly recommend it if you have a 4 and under child.

Koreans love bread but seem to have a magical gene that metabolizes carbs faster than other races. How else would you explain the French bakery phenom in this country with a low-to-healthy BMI population? There is a French bakery on what seems like almost every other block where we are and also in Hannamdong (though there is a big expat and chaebol community here). Guillaume is also an excellent French bakery, found near the entrance of the UN Village.

Fact: Koreans love children.

Editorial: I realize LE is a cute kid but we literally get stopped on the street, in stores, and all over restaurants because both men and women “can’t get over how handsome” LE is. Some women fawn over him and LE seems half-confused and half-amused at the same time.

Fact: LE is offered free meals, free candy, free toys.

Editorial: My 86-year-old grandmother is convinced that LE will be “discovered” while we are in Korea and her main concern is “What would we do if LE gets offered a show or a major advertising campaign?” We’ll cross that bridge if we get there.

LE couldn’t wait to check out his new school and make new friends! Just as he did on the first day of preschool, he bid me farewell with a kiss and hug and turned his attention to his new environment.

According to his teachers, LE had a great first day of school and “acted as if he had been going to this school for years.” The children bring home a “diary” which records a daily summary of the child’s day at school and LE’s included a line about him having to have been really hungry because he finished his lunch. Sorry ladies. LE has been eating like a champ for years and they are about to find out just how much this kid loves to eat!

He can’t wait to go back to school! And we’ve turned a corner on the jet lag! Yipppeee!

Really?