SeOUL Searching: Seongsu

Let me just say, I am a planner. I love lists. Y laughs when he sees the things I write down and make lists for but I love the sense of organization, order and accomplishment they provide. So when it comes to spontaneity, I don't do very well. 

A recent trip to Seongsu with Y and my cousin D was what I would call spontaneous. We had no agenda, no time constraints, no prior experience of the area. We just walked around. I kept feeling the urge to ask Y, "So where are we going? What are we going to do?" And I may have asked a few times (just a few) but I fought the urge to continue to do so and instructed myself to take in the neighborhood, to live in the moment. 

We did a lot of walking but it felt good, especially after downing a "grapefruit squash". 

We learned that Seongsu is home to many artisans and artists, manufacturers and factories. It gave off Brooklyn-esque vibes. While at a cafe, we found "Oh, Seongsu", a magazine about places in Seongsu. We decided to go around and find some of them and it became an impromptu "treasure hunt" of sorts, discovering various street art and murals. 

I am excited to welcome more spontaneity in my life. Or at least "planned spontaneity". And to discover more neighborhoods in Seoul, to uncover hidden gems and the SeOUL of this city. 

Chuncheon and Chicken

As much as I love the hustle and bustle of the city, I do admit, sometimes it's nice to escape from it all and run to the countryside to frolic in fields of green without turning back. 

A few weekends ago, a few friends and I decided to retreat from the organized chaos of Seoul and we went to Chuncheon. We took a ferry to Nami Island, strolled through sand, grass and gravel along paths of tall trees pointed skyward. We skipped rocks along a stream and discovered a congregation of thousands (yes, thousands) of tadpoles. We filled our hungry (borderline hangry for me) stomachs with what Chuncheon's best: dakgalbi 닭갈비 and makgooksoo 막국수. Conversation got deep and there were tears shed. We then ended our evening at a cafe with a lookout point and breathed in the surrounding scenery. 

The best part of the whole day may have been our ride back to the city, our car overflowing with songs, worship. It was a trip of reviving our tired bodies, weary souls, jaded hearts. It was a trip where the breath of life was breathed back into us so that we can return home, to the city to be salty. 

I am thankful for friends and for spontaneous trips with friends. I am thankful for the city and for the country. I am thankful for THIS city and THIS country. 

Ob La Di Ob La Da!

Unforgettable. 

That's how I would describe my experience going to the Paul McCartney concert here in Seoul. 

I found out about the concert while randomly flipping channels one day. There was a commercial advertising Paul McCartney's concert here in Seoul and immediately called Y to ask if he would be interested. I then thought it would be even more amazing to take my parents so I asked Y. Being who he is, with a resounding "YES", Y logged online to look for tickets and bought them right on the spot. 

The four of us took the subway to Jamsil Stadium, climbed the stairs and found our seats.

We eagerly awaited the start of the concert. As the sounds of the drums, cymbals, and guitar filled the air and Paul McCartney began to sing "Ooh I need your love babe, Guess you know it's true" we were all entranced.  

I guess there's a reason why they call things "classics". The Beatles music is so intergenerational. And there's something amazing about it. I sat in my stadium seat and was in awe of how this thing, music, could unite people of many generations, many cultures. 

A crowd of 45,000 sing in unity
Words of wisdom, "Let it be"
One light, two lights
Tens of thousands shine
Where there once was darkness
Now birthing camaraderie, 
Generating love
Strangers together dare to dream
One tear, two tears
The rain and storms may come
But we hold on
We sing
Together
are to hope

These videos don't compare to being there in person but wanted to share with you just a taste of the atmosphere and the incredible talent.

P.S. During a concert that lasted nearly 3 hours, Paul McCartney did not take a single sip of water. How? I'm not sure. But talk about passion. 

And last, but not least, my favorite song of the set: "Hey Jude". What a gift to have been able to share in this with my husband and my parents. 

Thank you, Paul McCartney for an unforgettable concert and for an unforgettable memory I will forever cherish.

Home is where mom is

I saw a card on Instagram that said, "Home is where your mom is" and I immediately decided I would emulate this card for my mom to give to her on Mother's Day. 

Home is truly where mom is. I often walk into my parents' place and think, "Home sweet home!" Now I know why. Home is where mom is. 

Her presence comforts me, strengthens me. She is my inspiration and my role model. 

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 

-Proverbs 31:25-29

I love you, mom. 

HBD, Place of Grace!

Has it really already been a year? Well, as the saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun!" 

Place of Grace was birthed a year ago to be a place to document the small and big things in life, to celebrate, to observe, to reflect, to share, to care, to cherish and treasure. Place of Grace was started with the hopes to become a place of rest for readers. But truth be told, it has become a place of rest for me. A place where I can stop and reflect and gather my thoughts. A place to become quiet and still, which I have realized is so necessary. 

My heart is full. With gratitude and appreciation of things past and an excitement for things yet to come. 

Thank you for being on this journey with me. And cheers to the years to come! 

Nami Island, April 2015