My Makes · Travel

Peckish plant amigurumi + Busan highlights

It's hard to believe this beautiful summer is coming to a close and I'm heading back to classes on Monday! This time, I've enjoyed a much slower pace than I normally take during my summer breaks. I stayed in Korea and took a few short trips, including a beach adventure with my boy Bodhi to… Continue reading Peckish plant amigurumi + Busan highlights

Expat in Korea · Travel

Andong and Hahoe Folk Village

Today is our last day in Andong, and so far itโ€™s been lovely. Situated in east-central South Korea, the city of Andong is in the province of North Gyeongsang (Gyeongsangbuk-do/๊ฒฝ์ƒ๋ถ๋„), at the geographic and cultural heart of the country. Andong Overview Andong downtown https://youtube.com/shorts/s08qXXfmnXk?feature=share VIDEO: Our train chugs along through Gyeongsangbuk-do's farmland, on the way… Continue reading Andong and Hahoe Folk Village

My Makes · Travel

Birch Aquarium visit + craft photo dump

Last week, I spent a wonderful morning with my mom and nieces at the world-renowned Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (locally known as just the Birch Aquarium). It's situated in a spectacular location in La Jolla, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I feel so fortunate that I grew up with this… Continue reading Birch Aquarium visit + craft photo dump

My Makes · Travel

New crafty projects + a musical Tokyo flashback

Last week, I finished a triangular shawl of candy apple red merino wool that was such fun to make. The shawl follows a highly-textured, classic fan pattern that worked up fairly quickly with a 4.5mm hook. It's soft, squishy, and the color is no end of cheerful. My timing on this one couldn't be better.… Continue reading New crafty projects + a musical Tokyo flashback

Travel

Making paper in Japan + daily prompt: “What is something you learned recently?”

This WP daily prompt is so timely, as only 24 hours ago, I returned from a weeklong trip to Tokyo. It was an adventure packed with sights, tastes, and sounds that are unique to this fascinating place. People close to me know that I rarely take the kinds of trips that feature mai-tais and lazy… Continue reading Making paper in Japan + daily prompt: “What is something you learned recently?”

Travel · Treasures

Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)

After three years of being away from Japan, I'm back for a week of good eating and cultural appreciation in the amazing capital city. Much of my fun in Tokyo will center around some of Japan's signature arts and crafts, including many forms of creativity that use paper. One of my favorite ways to use… Continue reading Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)

Expat in Korea · My Makes · Travel

Thoughts on masks + Japan travel

The Covid era is slowly drawing to a close in the Far East (but its not over, yet). Almost two weeks ago, South Korea lifted its indoor mask mandate in most public places. That includes shops, restaurants, and gyms, but masks on public transportation are still required. Korea has been one of the last holdouts… Continue reading Thoughts on masks + Japan travel

Bloganuary · Travel

Bloganuary: “What’s your favorite meal to cook or eat?” + Vietnamese cooking

When it comes to food, I can't play favorites. I'm a very adventurous eater, and I'm not afraid of the exotic. Food is one way I learn about a culture and people when I travel, and connect with friends and family at home. I've been called a foodie, and I'd agree, except that it sounds… Continue reading Bloganuary: “What’s your favorite meal to cook or eat?” + Vietnamese cooking