Happy chuseok!

It's the last day of chuseok.  It's been a pretty warm and unpleasantly air polluted week.  

The sky hasn't been all that blue and beautiful for the holiday.  But you gotta keep your spirits up despite the gloomy weather.  

Hope everyone is having a great long 5 day weekend.  

Is it summer all over again?

I was really dead on wrong.  Fall didn't come to stay.  It came to tickle my deep longing for being able to my hoodies - and behold, the tickle of autumn is gone to declare, it's summer all over again.  It was sweet while it was lasted. 

I'm kind of afraid that the weather will turn backwards and betray me.  With all the craziness around these days, I am bracing myself for anything unpredictable.  

It's hot, sunny, and humid like the beginning of Summer.  It feels like July.  I know September is that odd month that holds on to the last of summer. But I'm just so done with it by now.

The pollution is back to the nasty zone.  Hovering around 100 for almost a week or so now.  I was getting used to seeing clear weather and beautiful clouds and the sky - I've spoiled myself.

Seeing blue skies and having clear days were amazing.  It's sad that it's become a rarity now.  It wasn't always like this.  Since I've been here, it's just gotten worse over the years.  

So treasure those beautiful clear days and breathe em all in!

Grocery price list and favorites - Emart grocery delivery

Gone are the days of going to the grocery store and choosing between this over that one for the freshest piece of fruit or veg, avoiding the crowd and rush hours, and hauling my grocery bags home. 

I had another round of grocery delivery from Emart.  I haven't been to a grocery store to buy my food traditionally since Emart app changed my life.  I no longer have to beat the weather, the crowd, and even sales period because Emart consistently releases a 5000won coupon(once a month) for 50,0000won purchase.  That's 10 percent off.  They used to have a 3000won off for 30,000won purchase - but I guess it was too good of a deal.   They also changed it to a minimum of 40,000won order to qualify for free shipping instead of 30,000won minimum.  It was good while it lasted.  Shipping cost is 3000won if under 40k won purchase.  

They have a member level ranking(bronze, silver, gold..), which allows you to save more coupon as well as free shipping coupons and a delightful 10% birthday month coupon.  It's all pretty fun really!   

This time they had Australian galbi cuts of beef for around 10,000won.  Nicely packed and fresh.  

They also had a deal of small cuts of Norwegian mackerel - perfect simmered with soy sauce and sugar.  

I got some root vegetables this time.  Lotus root banchan is very easy to make - equal amount of sugar and soy sauce reduced down for less than 30 minutes.  And carrots for anything - fried rice or sauté.  These organic carrots were less than 3000won. 

The indulgent moonpie - my favorite brand right now.  This box is less than 5000won.

Instant soups are great!  These are freeze dried soup packs.  You just add hot water and it tastes pretty good for an instant food.  Highly recommend this one for the busy ones.  

Now this bread is my newest favorite find.  It's less than 2000won and can compete with the 4000won Paris Baguette breads.  I love the chunks of sunflower seeds in these and it tastes much better than the other rubbery tasting breads sold in grocery stores.  

This organic sticky rice (4kg) was only 9900won!  Perfect for that added gloss and suppleness with my multi grain rice.

This egg was less than 4000won and came with 3 eggs extra!  Not bad!  Gotta love those surprises. 

And organic mushroom for 2500won.  

Overall, I think I got a good deal with my purchase this round.  I got most of them on sale and with a coupon.  I'm happy with finding the beef and fish, too.  I don't have to worry about picking the best one because I've always gotten pretty good picks for vegs, fruit, and meat with Emart delivery.  And if they are bad, you can always call for someone to pick it up for a refund!  I had a case when they sent the wrong item - I called and they came in the next day to pick it up and gave me an instant refund.  Not bad at all. 

Now that chuseok is around the corner, prices are going to be volatile (fruit, meat...).  Well it always is up and down here! 

I think Emart is onto something really good with their grocery delivery.  I've always been impressed with their logistics and sales.  I wonder when the rest of the market will catch up to Emart. 

As much as I am a grannie in tech, I applaud and can't get enough of the convenience of grocery delivery. 

Seoul city hall - garden pots, flowers, cafe mamas

Love it or hate it.  Seoul city hall runs its own show.  Wouldn't you say so just by the look of its exterior? (There's a hint of sarcasm there)

You can access it in many ways.  One through the city hall subway directly linked to an exit - or from the outside entrances behind and infront. 

This entrance is the front view of the building.

You can also get in the city hall through the entrance on its side. 

This entrance is another one close to the seoul library and behind it. 

There's a smoking area right next to it.

 

Clearly no smoking allowed unless inside that quarantines area.

So getting back to the city hall, this time they displayed garden pots outside the front entrance, however, they are sadly under cared and thirsty.

These eggplants would thrive so much more with more care and water.

These tomatoes are dried up - so sad to see - because as a gardening newbie, I would be proud of myself to have these tomato plants big as these.  To only have them neglected later down in time is a shame.  I suppose the hot August month didn't help at all.

On the right side of the city hall is a street that we like to take a stroll after our library visits.   If you keep walking down 3 blocks or so, you will hit cheonggye stream in Gwanghwamun.

On the right side of that road, just one block or so down from the city hall is one of our favorite cafe and sandwiches place called, cafe mamas.

They have decent sandwiches for its price (still not cheap by any means) and healthy fresh juice (without added sugar).  

We ordered our favorite grape and kale juice to go.

Waiting outside the waiting area for our ringer to ring.

Another great simple day!

September 2016 - pigeons and pretty sky days

Hello, September!  

The sun is still bright and the air is warmer than a week ago - but the fact that we survived August is a big relief.

The pigeons are as lazy as I am sitting on the bench and getting myself a quarter sun bath.  I am aware that I haven't gotten much sun and vitamin D.  At least I'm trying that I'll give myself credit for.

The sky is glorious these days.  I open my eyes wide when the sky unravels its true self.  

No matter what, I'll always have these memories with me in this city.  Days staring into the sky as it moves its hue to an incomparable beauty.