Fergusons in Seoul.

Doug and I were so lucky to be visited by his parents last week.  It was a very busy week - we were able travel all the way south and back again with them - but it was so much fun.  We first met  them in Seoul and stayed there three nights.  Here are some highlights from Seoul:

First we visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest palace in Seoul.  It was a hot hot day, but the skies were so beautiful and blue.

We also visited a secret garden that the royal families used at Changdeokgung Palace.

One night, we took the tram up Namsan mountain to visit Namsan Tower.  This tower overlooks all of Seoul and lovers come to put their locks around the tower with love notes written on them.  Namsan tower also has three restaurants located in it.  We ate at the Italian restaurant and watched the sun slowly set.  It was amazing to watch the cities lights gradually turn on until the whole city was lit up.

Seoul.

Last weekend, Doug, Jessica, and I went to Seoul. We spent the day getting a few last souvenirs, buying gifts to bring home, eating yummy food we only get to eat when we are in Seoul, and enjoying each others company.  I am so thankful to have met a friend like Jessica.  I know that this would have been an awfully long and lonely year without some of the friends we have made, like Jess.  Here our some photos from our day:

Getting a little pick-me-up after some serious souvenir shopping.  Jess got a free drink. By the looks of it, she was happy about it.

It started sprinkling when we were watching this man play the sax.  He did not even skip a beat and kept playing.  He was getting so into it, even shimmying his shoulders.

Last stop of the day, a pub so that Doug and Jess could get a good ol' American cheeseburger.  And, of course, so Doug could get a beer on tap!

This week's recap and homemade ricotta!

Doug and I have been keeping busy these past few weeks with the start of the new school year and settling back into our routine.  Last weekend, Jessica and I went to a "Girls Night Out", which was an dinner event planned by a professional Canadian boxer living in Korea.  She has her own "boxercise" class (I just went to my first class today and am already hooked!!) and she plans things for foreign women in Cheonan.  The restaurant was beautiful and it was tons of fun.  I'll post more pictures about that later this week!

This Saturday, Doug and I went to Seoul with some friends and had an amazing time.  First, we went to Insadong, a street well-known for traditional Korean souvenirs, and got some gifts for some lucky family members!  Then we made our way to Itaewon, which is basically the foreigner district and has tons of pubs, restaurants, an English bookstore, and shopping.  Jessica found a restaurant called Tomatillo in Itaewon that is the same idea as Chipotle.  You walk up and choose your meat/vegetables and if you want a burrito, taco, tostado, quesadilla, etc.  It was pretty amazing.  We got a side of guacamole and it was the best gaucamole we have had in Korean yet.  Needless to say, Doug was in heaven and wanted to get second burrito before getting back on the train!

Today, we had a relaxing morning, took Yeppi on a nice walk, and got some grocery shopping out of the way.  I was super excited because this week I found a recipe online for ricotta cheese and wanted to give it a try since I was able to find the ingredients here.  I made some this afternoon and was shocked by how easy it was.  It honestly took me maybe 15-20 minutes and tasted way better than store bought ricotta.  It was super light and fresh tasting and was great in penne pasta mixed with some fresh tomato sauce.  I was so excited that I decided to document the ricotta making process:

 First, I prepped the straining bowl.

Then, I boiled the milk and cream mixture until the curds separate from the whey.

After, I spooned the curds over into the strainer.

 Here's the ricotta straining for a few minutes.

Ta-da! The finished product.

Here's where I got the recipe: http://www.framedcooks.com/2011/08/how-to-make-fresh-ricotta.html