The yummy Brunch at the famed Park Hyatt!! Delicious and STUFFING!!
I was FULL!!

JiYoung and Eyore at Kosney… Me too!!

A beautiful weekend and it was JiYoung’s grandfather’s 78th Birthday so we loaded in the car and headed to Chungjoo!! It was really nice to be there on a non-holiday weekend b/c the traffic was normal but more importantly it was actually nice to do a “family” thing with aunts, uncles and cousins. I’m still getting to know them all but they are all so pleasant that it makes everything easier. 78 and still going strong, JiYoung’s Grandfather is the healthiest man, who meticulously takes care of himself. Soemthing to marvel at.

/ The Singing
/ The Clapping
/ The Wish
/ The Cut
/ The Gift – For his weekly hike!
/ The Meal

Grandfather and Grandmother with the Grandchildren!!

“Who are these guys, anyway?”
A quote from Jim Street / MLB.com

Baseball is known to be a game of records and statistics. But one nation had to be an exception. They challenged the predictions made based on records and proved that statistics are nothing more than numbers. Instead, they showed the world the very pure catalyst that burns up the passion for the game of baseball. And they showed the world one thing that was missing from numerous records and statistics: Tuhon (“the Korean fighting spirit”), the word that has been with them for the longest time.

Just Do It.

Part I of our new furniture buying spree… a new chandalier!! Beautiful, modern and elegant. Wait till you see the rest. Our home has been transformed from a boring bachelor pad to a modern home for the “cool” global couple!

Stan, YoungMi, Me and Jackie at the SM 10 Year Anniversary Party.
(korea’s biggest music artist agency)

Featured on the front page of the Arts Section of the NY Times.

The Lunar or Chinese New Year!! One of the major holidays here in asia, this one was spent in an all day affair with JiYoung’s family. Her parents, brother, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles in the wonderful town of Chung-Joo! One hour on a regular day and 6 hours during the holiday by car… but we too the bus!! 2 hours there and back… Bus Rocks!!

We kicked off the day with the traditional ceremony of praying for those who have past before us. In this case, JiYoung’s great grandfather and great, great grandfather (on her father’s side). There is an elaborate setup of food and wine offerings that is a site to see and an ordeal to prepare!

From there we headed to the bow at the graves of more people who have past before us. It was an impressive hike through the woods that ended at the grave of the most presitigous elder. The great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather (that’s six) who served the nation and triumped as Korea’s Secretary of Defense… the highest honor.

Then it was off to JiYoung’s grandfather’s house. The original house which her grandfather built when he was a young man. The house that JiYoung’s father was born it. An old and super traditional home about the size of a small two bedroom flat in the east village but back then slept 8 people. And out front of course… their Cow! Yes, they have a cow! A working cow who’s job it was to plow the fields and tend the soil.

The day ended at her uncle’s house (mother’s side) with our third meal of the day and a bunch of kids running about. Traditionally in the morning, you visit the son/father’s family and in the afternoon you visit the daughter/wife’s family. It was a great day and the first time in my adult life I truly experienced a traditional (a truly traditional) New Year! Thanks JY!!

JiYoung’s Father, myself and her Grandfather – I love this picture!

My Eggi’s birthday… the big 27 (or 28 in the advanced korean aging system). I came back from Hong Kong, gifts in hand and we headed to dinner with her best middle school friends!!

Unforunately, Eggi had to travel for business on her actual birthday, the 21st but when she got home, I welcomed her with a birthday bonanza of decorations…

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!