Asian Love

I know all of my friends are tired of hearing me rave about Korea and Koreans. I know I'm labeled as the "Korean girl". (Since anything related to Korea catches my attention.) I can't help that I'm interested. I truly believe I have an Asian heart.

 It may have started with me watching Korean dramas but after coming back from Korea, I feel changed. I feel that my love for that country and that culture has sincerely grown. I don't know how to explain it but my heart yearns to go back. I know we have all heard the cheesy saying, "I feel an emptiness inside", and I wouldn't describe it like that per se but I am constantly thinking and wishing I was back at Korea.

Please don't misunderstand. My desires to return are not shallow. They no longer are because I want to meet a famous Korean star or visit the sites where dramas were filmed; I yearn to be among the Korean people. I miss the lifestyle. I miss the food. I miss studying there. I miss hearing the language daily. I miss the street vendors. I miss buying pants that were my size in length!! I constantly dream that I am back in Seoul walking among the streets. There are so many things I still want to do in Korea. I truly long to go back.

One of the things I miss the most is the food. Most of my Korean dreams are food related. Unfortunately, I don't have any Korean restaurants close to me. So I have to go out of my way in order to find and eat Korean food. This does not happen very often. However, today I decided to make one of my favorite Korean dishes, Japchae, stir fry. I was a bit nervous about the outcome because I didn't have all of the ingredients and I moved some things around. It was my first time making it and on my own at that. I didn't really have anyone to ask questions to so I just kept going. 2 hours later I was looking at a colorful finished product. I was so proud I couldn't stop looking at it. I HAD TO take a picture with the correct lighting to try and capture all of its beauty. (yes, it was beautiful!) I stared at it for a while before nervously taking the first bite. I was a bit nervous but I got to say it was delightful.

This was quite an exciting experience for me. It has only encouraged me to try other Korean dishes. If I can't go to it, I will bring it to me!  내가 정말 한국 음식 좋아해요 <3

P.S. The egg had quite "complicated" instructions but it felt very Korean. I was quite proud of the egg portion of this dish. It's worthy of its own picture. & I gently and strategically located them all over the plate. ㅋㅋㅋ