Kimchi Fever

There's an article today in the SFChronicle about the best thing to come out of Korea- KIMCHI!

Cooking in Common: Korea's kimchi addiction catches on in the West

It calls kimchi "the next salsa," and sings its praises. Kind of a dumb article all around, but the dumbest part is when it says, "For non-Koreans who have enjoyed kimchi in local restaurants and contemplated making it at home, here's the good news: Producing kimchi is not hard."

Whaaa? I guess producing kimchi is not hard, but producing good kimchi takes mad skills. As someone who's mom actually makes various forms of kimchi intead of buying it, I can attest that it takes a lot of time, taste and effort to make a good batch.

Next time I'm in Korea, I'm going to the Kimchi Museum.

I'm supporting the BarackStar this election, for a number of reasons. But I really like what AngryAsianMan said, so I'm copying and pasting it.

From AngryAsianMan:

I'm voting for Barack Obama. I've been meaning to write this post for a while. Call it my official endorsement. I'm not Oprah, nor am I Caroline Kennedy, but I realize that I do have this little website. As long as I have an audience, and what I hope is a modest degree of influence, I want to share with everyone that I'm supporting Barack Obama for President of the United States, and urge others to do the same.

I'll admit it. I'm attracted to Obama's fundamental message of inclusion, hope and progressive change. He's built a campaign on cross-cultural, multi-generational grassroots movements and community building, and I believe he reflects what this nation needs—a radical change in direction of this country. It's a wayward ship, a broken record, a busted machine. I can no longer stand by idly and let the old political guard make the same old wack decisions for me. This election will be about how we will bring change, and for the first time in a long time (ever?), we're seeing the possibility that this race could be about something other than political dynasties and old white dudes.

Yes, I've been swept up by the positive energy of the movement and the true enthusiasm my fellow Asian Americans have dedicated to this campaign. Lately I've been hearing a lot of detractors refer to this message of "hope" and "change" as negative buzzwords, like we've all been suckered into believing in Obama's positive jive. If that's the case, so be it. Call me a sucker. I can't see what's the problem in having the audacity to believe that things could be different for a change. This is a time to come together, leave behind the things that divide us, and work towards the true change we wish to see.

For more information on Asian Americans and Obama, go here, here and here. I'll be revisiting this in the days and weeks to come, but I just thought I'd get it out there and let you know. Barack Obama for President.

Went to Seattle two weekends ago to hang out with cousins. Good times.

Baby Evan! He's really cute. And a handful.


Sangeun and Evan, on top of the SpaceNeedle. It was crazy windy up there.


I was getting blown away. And freezing my ass off.


The first Starbucks! The mermaid is much more naked than she is in the rest of the world.


Went to the Pike Street Market. Saw some fish being thrown around, ate some yummy snacks. Good times.


Evan is getting ready to go for a swim.


My cousin MooHyun, visiting from Korea, and my cousin in law Mitch.

Hung out with Pat Min. Ate lunch, ate some cupcakes. Delicious.


I had a red velvet one with cream cheese frosting. Yummmm.

Freedom!

I forgot my cell phone charger in LA, and the battery died on Tuesday. So I am cell phone less until the siblings send it back in the mail. No one is shocked by this- I think every time I go to LA (or go anywhere, for that matter) I forget something. Also, as Sarah says, I suck at cell-phone life.

It is very strange to be cell phone-less. I feel a little cut off, and a little vulnerable. Can't really communicate with anyone, except over email, because no one knows my home phone number and everyone's phone number is in my cell phone. Can't talk to anyone while I'm in the car, or walking around the city.

It's also a little liberating. I'm free from the ball and chain of being constantly accessible.

But still- I need my cell phone back.

Also, I went to LA last weekend, yay. It was fun. Hung out with my cousin from Korea, my cousin in LA, brother and sister in law, and Secret. And MinHyuk Monster, who is incredibly adorable and recently hit his terrible two's with a vengeance. We ate a lot, hung out, and watched a lot of NinjaWarrior.

Oh, and we went to Universal Studios. I haven't been there since I was about 12 (actually, the last time I went was with pretty much the same cousins, when they came and visited from Korea.) It was fun... but there's really not much to do there. We got there at 11 and left at 5, and even then we probably could have left a couple hours earlier than that. But the Studio Tour was still fun, and seeing Phil get drenched on the JurassicPark ride was hilarious.

Pictures from Seattle to come.

Statutory Huh?

I'm sitting in statutory analysis. Too bad I didn't do the reading. Maybe then I would understand what the heck is going on.

Headed down to LA tomorrow with my cousin from Korea. It's going to be an interesting drive. He doesn't speak much English. I don't speak much Korean. We were childhood enemies. And as adults, we pretty much have nothing in common. Soooo... I need to make some playlists.

Starting an internship in SF next week. Commute is going to suck, but I'm really excited about the opportunity.

I am an undecided woman voter. According to many pundits, I am very important. I have one month to decide. Somebody impress me!!!

I'm in major pain. (Major Pain.)**

I went to turbo kick boxing at the gym last night, and now my back muscles are SO SORE. It hurts to walk, sit, do anything. I feel like a giant walking back spasm.

Can't wait to go again tomorrow.

** HIMYM reference.

Hellooooo. Writing this from my cousin's basement in Seattle, WA. Yup, Hannah is the city that never stops raining. Well, except for today. It was miraculously sunny and blue sky-ed out. A bit windy and brisk, but all around, it was a great day. Hung out with my two cousins and nephew, went to the Space Needle and to the Public Market, might go to a pub tonight.

I started my last semester of law school this week. Thank God. I'm so glad I'm almost done. Although, I'm not sure how much I actually want to be a lawyer anymore. Some signs your a 3L? Not doing the reading for a single class, going out of town two weekends in a row (headed to LA next weekend) and planning numerous other trips for the spring. I just don't care anymore!!!

Goals for the semester: get a job or internship, don't fail, have fun. Sounds doable.

I don't know if I'll vote for him in the upcoming primary- but man, Barack just oozes charisma. And he gives a great speech.



He really is a Barackstar.