Katrina's B-Day Gifts and Party (Part 1)

Well, here we are, three weeks after Katrina's birthday and I'm finally putting the last of the pictures up. We went to a restaurant called 'Fish and Grill' after work. Sadly, there was hardly any fish on the menu. However, Katrina was able to find a shrimp salad. Then, we headed to Ju-Rok, our Cheers and to have a few celebratory cocktails. It's been a bit busy at work with the end of the semester, new semester, a new teacher to train, and losing our head Korean Teacher. However, here are the last of Katrina's B-Day photos.

(Katrina searching for one of her gifts - I hid it like an Easter basket. Those were always fun times so I figure why not for a birthday gift.)


(After she found it - a new pillow, one of the memory foam ones)

(A pair of earrings she picked out in Insadong)

(Another pair of earrings she liked)

(Jen came out for the B-Day celebration. I tried to get some women there so Katrina wouldn't only have to hang out with the guys.)

(The birthday girl at Ju-Rok)

(Spenser and John)

(Katrina having a heart to heart with Erik)

(Chelsea and Pauline - a birthday party regular these days)

(Justin and Chelsea)

Katrina's B-Day Adventure - Korean Folk Museum (Part 2)

As part of Katrina's birthday adventure I decided to take her to the Korean Folk Museum close to Gyeongbokgung. It's in the heart of Seoul and only about a 10 minute walk from the palace. We arrived in time to see the changing of the guards and then we were off to dinner in Itaewon afterwards. It was quite an interesting museum and it was free, which I did not know. So, if you are looking for a great trip, some interesting history, and are on a budget, check it out.

(This guy didn't want his picture taken but I took it anyway. I've always gotten a few photos but never had had the opportunity to take one this close. So, I did.)


(The main entrance to Gyeongbokgung with a touch of skyscrapers in the background)


(The birthday girl!!!)


(Changing of the guard)


(Korean Folk Museum - This was some sort of traditional shrine or temple)


(Katrina matching her inner character with that of the statue's)


(Couple of statues chillin' in the lawn)


(Katrina with some more traditional Korean poles)


(Long day's work at the grinding stone)


(Korean Cable Car of sorts)


(Barber shop)


(Us by another statue)


(Shot of a more traditional post box/mail box)


(The main building with pagoda on top)


(Us with the pagoda in the background)


(Some interesting art work around the trash cans)


(An older restaurant - this is my artsy shot for the day)


(Katrina with the rat - our lucky birthday creature)


(Rain hat and jacket - go figure)


(Making some threads the old fashion way)


(Little bit of money)


(I just loved this - some servant had enough, got tired of carrying his master around, so he or she, decided to put a wheel on the bottom to make life a lot easier)


(Gayageum - traditional Korean instrument. One of my students learns how to play it so I thought I should get a picture.)


(Can you imagine sleeping, well at least resting your head, on this - an old fashion pillow...)


(Used this to carry the dead bodies)


(Old fashion juicer/squeezer)


(On the way to Itaewon for dinner)


(One last shot of Gyeongbokgung with the moon)

Katrina's B-Day Dinner (Part 3)

So, for Katrina's Birthday Dinner I decided to try and do something a little special. She said she wanted some Italian food in mind so I had a place in Itaewon in mind. However, we did something we haven't done yet. We went to four different restaurants, starting with an appetizer at the first one (Petra Palace), a main meal at the second two (Noodle Box and Noxa), followed by a dessert at the fourth and final restaurant (Indigo). Everything went great and we were stuffed by the end of the evening. It was a great time and I'll explain more in the photos below. Hope you enjoy...

(Petra Palace was the first place we stopped. This is one of Katrina's favorite restaurants in Seoul/Itaewon. She enjoys their felafel. So, we started off the Birthday dinner with humus.)

(Nice little shot of the humus)

(Katrina chowing down - we were both pretty hungry after the Folk Museum)

(Our next stop was Noodle Box. This was a first for both of us and we ordered the Pad Thai. It was pretty tasty and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere. Plus, it was really warm inside.)

(Katrina taking a bite)

(After that, we were off to Noxa. Noxa has been in Itaewon for quite some time and we met the owner when he ran his old restaurant, where we used to get felafel. Unfortunately, this was the first time trying out his new place - it was amazing!)

(Katrina was thrilled just to get some decent bread)

(We also went a bit off track and ordered some bruschetta, just to try. The main dish was gnocchi in a creamy white sauce stuffed with ricotta cheese. It was amazing, a-ma-zing! It was really rich so I am glad we shared.)

(They have several other pasta dishes as well as vegetarian options so I am sure we'll be back some time in the future.)

(Katrina outside of Indigo for our fourth and final stop of the evening - dessert!)

(Katrina got a coffee and we split a delicious cheese cake)

(Katrina's mother had sent her birthday candles but we didn't have a chance to use them. So, when Katrina skyped with her mom I put the candles in some rice krispy treats - Happy B-Day!)

(For dinner on Sunday I made Katrina's favorite pasta dish - spaghetti with sun dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and a bit of olive oil)