A Week of Birthday Bliss: Gratitude, Food, and Fun
I had such a happy and fun-filled birthday week!
Feeling regretful it's over, and so grateful for everything.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused, and thankful for all the love.
My Liberation Day started in Noryangjin.
I didn't used to like raw fish when I was younger.
Why ever not?
Everything from croaker to oysters the size of my face,
Even a glass of cola was part of the perfect lunch.
The spicy fish stew (Maeuntang) was perfect too.
Feeling full, I went to explore Times Square.
Checked out the New Era store.
Saw the Nike display with a Korean flag (Taegeukgi) running theme for Liberation Day.
Total 90s – shoes only 90s kids can wear, lol.
Back in middle school, wearing these gave you +90 kicking power.
Honestly, it was a design worth bringing back.
Still a good-looking soccer shoe even now.
But I was always a Predator series kind of person.
Then I spotted myself…
As a promotional employee…?
Why does Olive Young even sell interdental brushes?
Are they testing things like this?
I thought it was for removing chili flakes, but
Turns out, it's for something to do with eyelashes…
Saturday was brunch at Mu-i Bakery.
The unexpected chicken curry bread was really delicious.
The salt bread and the bean bread were good too, but
Their pollack roe baguette is insane.
Definitely going back next weekend.
And then, for my birthday celebration dinner, we arrived at…
Le Estio!
Apparently, it's a spot that chefs Ahn Sung-jae and Mad Pizza recommended…
I didn't know where we were going,
But my cheekbones naturally rose as soon as we arrived.
Thank you, thank you!
I usually don't drink alcohol on dates, but
I had a beer on this special day.
Even the beer was delicious, so, so delicious.
The ceviche was called Tiger Ceviche.
Maybe because the sauce was striped like a tiger?
I couldn't imagine sea bream, cilantro, lime, and sweet potato working together, but
It was insane. This is what Mediterranean cuisine is all about!
(Even though I've never been to the Mediterranean)
Redbeard's Treasure Pouch.
That's the name of the menu item.
The name alone gave off an extraordinary vibe,
And the taste was just as remarkable.
All the treasures of the sea were inside.
I scraped every last bit of the sauce and was amazed.
Next up: grilled octopus.
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
Was every octopus I've ever eaten fake?
This is the real deal.
This is octopus. The smoky potato was crazy good too.
Then came the Iberico Bellota Rioja Night.
How can pork be so tender?
It went perfectly with the hazelnut sauce.
I always thought Jeju pork was the best, but
I'm sorry, Jeju pork, but not today.
Finally, the Lobster Paella.
What else is there to say?
I scraped it clean – practically did the dishes.
Even the very last dessert was perfect.
The start of a luxurious birthday week.
So thankful for the surprise party, so grateful.
I’ll do even better.
Full, I took a walk around Hannam-dong.
Maison Margiela’s building and walls were impressive.
My Ssalr-giela (play on words) on my desk is pretty cool too.
Walked from Hannam-dong to Noksapyeong.
I couldn't even remember the last time I walked around Itaewon on a weekend.
It was fun and refreshing after so long.
It was a beautiful Saturday night.
Sunday, I slept in late and went to Nambak.
It's so close, but it was my first time there.
Luckily, there was no wait.
I added cilantro to the spicy soup,
And it was REALLY spicy.
I'll order the non-spicy version next time.
It would be really, really good for a hangover.
And now, for a birthday present to myself.
Zara didn't have it at Yongsan Station,
Nor in Gangnam either.
When they said there was only one left in Yeouido,
My hesitation turned into a lion's certainty.
Even bought HBD water to enjoy during my birthday week.
Sunday ended with chores and laundry.
Monday team lunch!
Since it was the day before our team leader's return,
And our last lunch together as a team,
We went out for something delicious.
Carroll's is all delicious,
But it felt too closed off, somehow.
People probably won't come because they don't know what they sell.
Monday evening, I had Subway and then went to Gorani.
Gorani usually has great desserts,
But I thought I'd have to buy something else next time.
And then the rice cooker that was waiting for me at home, lol.
Tuesday's staff meal was Jeju pork noodle soup.
Of course, it wasn't quite the taste of home…
But still, I was grateful.
A Moana kindergarten photo in the family chat.
For both me and Moana,
Even if someone else's rice cake looks bigger,
Let's be grateful and content with what we have, Moana.
The friend next to you is shrinking because of you.
A surprise (?) party before leaving work on Tuesday.
So grateful to the team members for the spontaneously designed poster and the birthday cake.
I should give just as much applause and celebration for everyone else's birthdays.
Thank you.
And now, on the way home.
I'm the one buying myself flowers on my birthday.
I don't know the names of the flowers,
But “this one, that one, and that one.”
The sky felt special that day, somehow.
Then I went home to a birthday feast.
Surprised once by the visuals,
Surprised twice by the effort,
And surprised three times by the taste.
The rice cooked in a pot that I ate so deliciously,
Seaweed soup, and pancakes – this is a feast and a royal table!
It was so, so delicious.
Filled with gratitude for the best birthday dinner,
And genuinely amazed by how delicious it was.
Even heart-shaped candles for dessert.
A perfect birthday evening.
Thank you for making such a happy party.
Thank you.
Even the gift was a perfect secret operation.
“It would be nice to have a scale (I meant an analog scale),”
But instead, I got this state-of-the-art scale…!
I'm checking it every day.
Determined to create a pretty graph.
Such a thankful day.
Wednesday lunch was a press meeting.
Coming to City Hall,
I was reminded of my time as unemployed,
And felt grateful again.
Wednesday walk after work.
Glad you're doing well and staying healthy.
It wasn't you I hated, it was the person.
Saw a cat gang on my walk.
They were suspiciously circling a smoking man.
The weather was nice that day.
I got bitten by one mosquito, though.
Thursday, I left work early to get a haircut.
Even got a gift from the manager who went on an overseas trip.
I was so grateful.
I kept nodding off during my haircut,
And headbanged pretty hard,
So I caused a lot of trouble that day…
But I appreciate the unwavering skill of a professional.
That chicken breast gift came in such style.
I didn't realize Han 끼 Tongsal (brand name) was so delicious.
I'll have to eat Han 끼 Tongsal from now on.
Thank you.
The Gorani sticker I got from the Gorani cafe.
Its blank expression was so cute
That I put it on my company laptop.
Feels like someone's always watching me while I work.
Morning coffee with the salted coffee I received from the manager.
This is Vietnam, this is breakfast.
It was my first time trying it, and it was so good.
Rice cakes from the team leader for their baby's 100th day.
The babies have already turned 100 days old, they said.
I hope the team leader gets a little less tired.
Lunch that day was Myeongdong Kyoja-style kalguksu (noodle soup).
I only had the broth because I had a drinking appointment in the evening.
A gathering with former comrades from my previous job.
A meeting with people who had gone through thick and thin together.
D.O., you worked hard.
S.J., get better soon with your knee.
Both of you, fighting!
Let's move furniture together again.
They are thankful and wonderful people.
I learn from their patience, proactiveness, and bright personalities.
Because I went to the 3rd round the night before,
I slept in late on Saturday and barely managed to get myself up and out.
Went to Deoksungnu with a puffy face.
Had jjamppong rice to cure my hangover and regain my senses.
And then to Lorani.
Lorani coffee's acidity is very delicious.
Good as a hangover coffee, too.
And browsing and buying at Gachayong.
The owner of Gachayong actively incorporates feedback.
They are very wonderful.
And a second hangover coffee: a "Kkosunnae Latte."
Savory!
Saturday evening drive.
And finally…
I finally went to Mexi Cali in Achasan Station!
I realized that Achasan has so many delicious things.
The current form of the Korean Taco (K-Taco) is insane.
The form of the Fish Taco is on par with Messi and Ronaldo.
Especially the salsa sauce they give you separately is crazy good.
Cilantro added to the salsa sauce that they make fresh every day.
K-Taco #1 forever.
Next time I go,
I'm planning to just order the Fish Taco, nachos, and salsa instead of the set.
Sunday, I lazed around at home.
And went for a light jog after a month of knee injury.
Tried running gently without worrying about pace.
Thankfully, I can run again now.
There's no stiffness unless I make sudden changes of direction.
I need to stretch even harder.
I also met a member of the futsal club on my run, which was nice.
Don't want to go to work.
But
Looking back, it was a very happy birthday week.
Ate lots of delicious things,
Went to good and wonderful places, and received gifts.
Filled with happiness and gratitude.
Glad my knee is getting better too.
Thank you.
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