The Six Emotions of Repatriation* (so far)

Posted on May 21, 2013 | 11:17 pm

Emotion 1 - Excitement Finally! You get confirmation that the move back home (that's been a possibly, maybe for the past six months) is definite, it's happening! And although the move is still many months away you feel joy, excitement, elation. 'I'm going home!' you think. Back to good restaurants and shoes that fit me and English speakers and...

Buddha's Birthday : Jogyesa

Posted on May 19, 2013 | 12:44 am

Jogyesa (조게사) is the largest Buddhist temple in Seoul, so come Buddha's Birthday and the Lotus Lantern Festival it's a hive of colour and activity. I didn't manage to get to the temple at night, to capture all the lanterns lit up, but I did manage to be at the temple just when everyone...

Buddha's Birthday : Cheonggye Stream

Posted on May 18, 2013 | 12:11 am

Yesterday was the Buddha's Birthday holiday in Seoul, which means a three day weekend and hours of traffic for anyone crazy enough to try and leave the city. It also means that for the past few weeks parts of Seoul have been festooned with lanterns. The lanterns are quite simple really, nothing fancy, but en masse and in such gorgeously bright ...

Collecting Colours : Green + Pink

Posted on May 14, 2013 | 9:18 pm

UPPERCASE : Stationery Around The World (Yay!)

Posted on May 12, 2013 | 10:51 pm

Issue 17 of UPPERCASE came out recently which was rather exciting for two reasons: One, it's an entire issue dedicated to stationery (swoon!). And two, I contributed to it! I wrote a little piece on South Korean stationery for the 'around the world' feature, and took a bunch of photos of my (ever growing) stationery stash! Yay! UPPERCASE is one of my absolute...

Death by Doxie : Hounds On The Couch (Elfi's Over It)

Posted on May 9, 2013 | 10:15 pm

See that look Elfi's shooting my way? That's the look she gives me when she wants me to put the camera away. It's kind of saying 'Yeah, I'm cute. But enough's enough. Stop with the photo taking and come pat me instead'. I ignore her, of course.

Seoul Walking : Hoehyundong (Under Ground)

Posted on May 8, 2013 | 11:20 pm

Like many big cities with extreme seasons, Seoul has all kinds of tunnels and underground shopping centres dotted about the place. They provide a haven in Winter when it's -16°C and icy out, or in Summer when it's stinking hot and pouring with rain. And - being filled with all kinds of quirky and surprising shops - they're also just a...

Posted on May 7, 2013 | 7:51 am

This quote is from another of my favourite authors (who was also introduced to me by my Mum - great taste must be in the genes, right?). It's from Jeanette Winterson's autobiographical novel Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? (excellent title, yes?), which I am currently devouring. I adore this quote. There's something about it that just rings...

Death by Doxie : Hounds On The Couch (Ferdi Looks Sad)

Posted on May 3, 2013 | 4:03 am

I'm not sure what Ferdi's so sad about. Perhaps not having opposable thumbs? (It's pretty difficult to open the fridge with paws...) Or maybe just the general absurdity of life? Either way, lying on the couch and looking sad is what Ferdi does best. (Followed closely by lying on the bed and looking sad and regal. Quite a skill.)

Seoul Walking : Hoehyundong (Above Ground)

Posted on April 23, 2013 | 4:49 am

Hoehyundong (회현동) is where I live, it's my neighbourhood. It's a tiny little nothing place, more than a bit seedy in parts. But I love it. I love it because it's right in the heart of Seoul, new and old. It sits bang in the middle of a trifecta of awesome - with