Karl Lavtar's: 2010, so far so good....

Since the ski trip to YongPyong, there has been numerous social happenings, record breaking snowfall, delicious food, and...well, maybe that's all, so...this post will cover just that :)

above: outside my apartment around 830am, and on my way to the academy.

well...early Jan.'10 we had a record breaking snowfall in S.Korea, specifically Seoul and the surrounding area. Something like 73 - 100 yr old record was set.

in total it was about 25.6cm, around 10", you would think that's nothing from living in Colorado, NY, and Slovenia....but it was pretty surreal. Interesting to see the city react to what we would call a small snowstorm.

similar view a few days later....the roads were quite messy.

the walk to work the morning of the "big" snow! it was a really enjoyable walk, very quiet and not much movement, although close to the roads you would here the spinning of tires as many cars were not equipped for the weather.

so nice to receive some cookies from my sister, something like 4 dozen....above a simple but tasty cut-out, frosted by by either my niece or nephew.

and my mother's holiday package arrived....potica took the prize. left side of the plate, a slovenian specialty.

one of the coldest days...S.Korea has also had some record breaking low-temps. above you can see -21 C.....which would equate to -5.8 F. again not super cold, but it was chilly when you have been away from the elements for over 2 yrs. I've been using more of the metric system while living here, still ponder the thought of why the U.S. didn't adopt it.

walk to work a few days after the storm....it's nice to see everything blanketed in snow.

sun is rising between the dominos.

enjoyable walk to work, about to go under the road...about half way there....

the building next to our academy, so many banners...advertisements.

mirrored...

fish cakes on a stick..... food cart in Seohyeon Station area

snow removal outside my apartment....days later, maybe even almost a week after.

luca invited me up for dinner as a japanese friend was in town. some delicious appetizers above. :)

and the prosciutto, so tasty....

Miki, the Japanese friend brought some food items to Korea and made some food from her region of Japan. The cities of Osaka or Kyoto in the Kansai region of Japan have is the home of the regional favorite, okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is frequently referred to as Japanese pizza but is also similar to a savory pancake. The name translates to "what you like" or "as you like it." Definitely a favorite of mine!!!

Okonomiyaki in the making....

warming up some sake that she brought....

materials....

almost finished....

almost ready to dive in....

3 hot sakes....

very delicious...i highly recommend this Japanese dish....Okonomiyaki :)

some bruschetta, not the recommended bread, but the bagel managed to do the trick....

another night, heading up to Seoul, 30 min. bus ride to a short taxi ride to Samcheongdong to meet up with Nicolle and others for her birthday dinner at "After the Rain", a fancy Thai restaurant. It was divine! haha! although i managed to not take many photos.

after dinner, we met up at a club in Cheongdam called Ark Lounge for some dancin' and Noraebang! Giuditta and Nicolle singing it up!

Nicolle reserved a nice Noraebang room, we had quite the crowd.....i did manage to sing one of my favorites, well the only johnny cash song they had, Ring of Fire.

Afterwards we went to another club in Itaewon for better music and dancing. Ended up getting home and going to bed at 7am. long but fun night. :)

some stone sculptures outside of the Cinematheque Indie theater near Insadong, Seoul. Went up for a showing of "Fort Apache" an old John Ford B&W western with John Wayne. nice to check out old movies.

a few nights later, i think it was a tuesday night, back up to luca's for a testing of a new sicily pasta dish.

Bucatini pasta with a sardine, raison, pine nut sauce.

just about ready to eat :)

nicolle and luca....

don't mess with TEXAS...

slicing up some proscuitto, nice to have a whole leg in the kitchen

and i'm also sporting a don't mess with TEXAS shirt, compliments of Nicolle's recent trip back to the states.

some dessert....notice my mom's potica, thanks MOM...it went well with the prosciutto.

Then later that week, Giuditta had her birthday party at the Spain Club in Shinsa-dong, Seoul. Another great evening and fun Birthday dinner. Tapas and Wine.....