Friday Favorites

Summer is quickly coming to an end. It's a bittersweet thing. Though I am sad carefree, work-free, lazy summer days will be no more, I look forward to ushering in fall with its sweater weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and Sunday Night Football. 

I went back into work for a day this week. And though the never-ending list of to-do's was a bit overwhelming I am glad I got some of them crossed off. 

This weekend, I will be enjoying snuggles with my pets, breakfast at home, camping out in our backyard (yup!) and a baby "sprinkle". I hope you have a spectacular weekend! 

Enjoy double the photos today - since I missed last week's Friday Favorites. Warning: there are a lot of food photos. 

Y & I bought a huge box of these delicious grapes so we've been snacking on these sapphire jewels nonstop. 

French-style omelette (inspired by BenjimanTV) 

You must try 불닭볶음면 aka buldak bokkeummyeon It's fire in your mouth. I'm salivating just looking at this. 

Much awaited dinner date with S unni- thai iced tea, thai food and a lot of talking - good for the soul. 

Precious gifts all the way from Thailand!

My first attempt at galbitang for Y's return home. 

Roses from my sweet, sweet cousin-in-law 

Attieke! 

A lunch date with the husband at one of my favorite places, Whole Foods. 

Enjoyed this beautiful pizza sitting on the concrete at SoWa food trucks in Boston. 

Friday Favorites

I have been relishing my time with my family. (Hence last week's Friday Favorites entry is MIA). Though it's hard living so far apart from my parents, in some ways, it's a blessing in disguise: when we do get together, I get to spend every waking moment with them. 

This weekend's plans are: going on a search throughout the town for garage sales with mom, dinner at a yakitori restaurant, church, BBQ with family friends. 

Happy weekend!

What are your weekend plans? 

My sweet little cousin in Korea wrote me notes and made me origami boats. She gave them to my parents to bring to me. 

Kimbap my mother-in-law made for us during our visit to Virginia. Colorful mosaic. 

Pickles my mom made herself and brought from Korea. That's a mom's love. Food for the soul. 

My dad says he craves black olives and cheese when he's in Korea. A platter I made for dad and brother. 

This precious pup. 

Friday Favorites

This past week was filled with precious time with precious people: brunch with one of my FG girls, weekend with best girlfriend from college, reunited with my parents. I couldn't have thought up a better way to spend my first week off from work. 

The other day, I even got to meet up with my best friend from middle school and we met up in our hometown. I hadn't been back in years and as I made the all-too-familiar drive approaching my hometown, I was unexpectedly flooded with memories. Some precious, some difficult. That's the funny thing about memories. They hit you at the most unexpected times. 

Mean girls. Broken hearts. Immigrant life. Reunions and goodbyes. Regrets. 

As a counselor, I have learned all too well the need to "seek healing". I often work to help others seek and find healing but little did I know it would hit me so suddenly that I myself need it as well. But there's beauty in the broken. And time, reflection, family, friends will do my soul good. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

The picture does not do justice but this crispy, wonderful goodness is a chicken quesadilla from one of our favorite spots in Boston: Anna's Taqueria. 

Was introduced to herbal jelly milk tea last weekend in Boston 

Delicious almond french toast at Patisserie Florentine, my new favorite brunch place

The world's cutest little madeleine served with my coffee also at Patisserie Florentine 

Berries galore at local farmers market 

Friday Favorites

School's out!!! It's been a whirlwind of a school year with its share of "rainbows" and "clouds". But I am so thankful for those rainbows. And right now, I'm thankful that I'm on summer vacation!

Isn't it funny that it's so difficult to wake up when you have to and yet it's so easy to wake up when you don't? Oh, the human heart... I've been up since 6:30 and have already gone to an appointment, made myself a green smoothie for breakfast, had a cup of coffee and sat on my deck with the pup with a great book. A productive start to my summer, I must say! 

Happy Friday to you all! 

Last weekend, Y and I went to IKEA to pick up a few things and enjoyed this simple (&cheap) lunch. 

I have been consuming quite a variety of fruits lately but watermelon is definitely a recent favorite. And this video inspired me to try a new twist on the good ole watermelon and boy am I glad I tried! 

The World Cup is one of my FAVORITE sports events and we're repping our pride. (How do we hang out flags, you may ask? Binder clips, of course...) 

Wednesday was an incredibly long day but my sweet sweet husband brought me home my favorite. Yes, you guessed it. Sushi. And of course I ate it all in bed. 

I've always been a bit obsessed with handwriting. Dabbling my feet in replicating the look of calligraphy, inspired by this post

Friday Favorites

Hooray for a long weekend!

Confession: Sometimes, I come home after work and I am so tired that I take a nap for an hour. Or two... And once I get into this rut, I often get trapped in a vicious cycle of lethargy. But this week kept me so busy and went by in a blur.

Realization: Inspiration seems to be my mid-afternoon lethargy's kryptonite. 

5 things that have inspired and recharged me this week: 

recharged by: a refreshing drink, my new favorite, green tea lemonade

recharged by: a date night for our anniversary. sushi&sashimi + white wine is good for the soul. at least for mine. 

recharged by: sweet students who made me a cupcake wishing us a happy anniversary. 

inspired by: my students and their heart for those around the world. 

inspired by: my new obsession, the bullet journal