September in Review: Overcoming the Slump with Food and Travels
137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
국립중앙박물관
I once lived for the thrill of writing blog posts in secret, but lately, the monotony of daily life hit me with a serious 'blogging slump.' To shake it off, I decided to look back at my September 2025—a month that turned out to be far more eventful (and delicious) than I realized. My photo album is a testament to my philosophy: when life gets harsh, find the nearest good meal.
This month was a mix of practical tasks like renewing my 10-year-old driver's license and whimsical celebrations, like a 1st birthday party for a colleague's golden hamster. I treated my cousin to an affordable omakase, survived a bout of gastroenteritis just in time for a trip to Qingdao, and managed a spontaneous Han River picnic during the Seoul International Fireworks Festival. Join me for a quick tour of my September highlights.
Celebrating Small Lives and Big Milestones
The month started with a reality check: my driver's license was 10 years old. A quick trip to the police station for renewal was a first for me, but a necessary one to avoid fines! On a lighter note, I spent a hilarious evening celebrating "Hamgie," a junior colleague's hamster. Despite us forgetting the celebratory cabbage in the office fridge for a week, the party was a success. Hamgie might have ignored her snack-cake, but she surely enjoyed the spotlight.
Culinary Highs: Omakase and Futomaki
Treating my cousin to a dinner omakase was a personal highlight. Although the lack of encore servings left me wanting more, the "mountain" of futomaki they prepared for my cousin's birthday request more than made up for it. Starting the meal with a crisp draft beer while starving made every bite of sushi taste like a three-star Michelin experience.
A Spontaneous Escape to Qingdao, China
Exhausted by work, my aunt and I flew to Qingdao for a 2-night trip. It was a journey through nostalgia, as I revisited the Catholic Church from my exchange student days. We enjoyed incredible shrimp har gow at Haichuan Mall with a sea view and explored the trendy Silver Fish Lane. Even though the weather turned chilly and Zhanqiao was shivering in the rain, the dim sum and hot pot provided the mental reset I desperately needed.
Finding "ENKEL" in Everyday Life
In Qingdao, I finally visited the WHOOSIS store, though my first choice of T-shirt was sold out. There’s a certain sadness in realizing that even nostalgic foods like revolving hot pot don't taste exactly like the "good old days," but it also makes me appreciate the new memories I'm building now. Life is unpredictable—seven years ago, I never imagined I'd be returning here with my own hard-earned money.
Seoul Serenity: Han River Picnics and Spontaneous Fireworks
Back in Korea, September ended with a series of social wins. I successfully match-made two colleagues and enjoyed a massive pancake and omelet brunch with college friends. The crowning moment was a picnic at Jamwon Hangang Park. We didn't even realize the fireworks festival was happening until the day before! Eating spicy cheongyang pepper ramen under the perfect temperature and lighting while the sky lit up was pure magic.
Would you like me to find the best-reviewed 'Halmae Beer' locations in Seoul for your next late-night snack, or should I look up the 2026 Han River picnic and festival schedule for you?
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