Two Manc girls on top of the world

During the weekend of my Birthday, Fiona came to visit me in Seoul from her new home in Gyeongsan. It was so nice to have a friend visit and to spend the weekend with a fellow Mancunian and talk about all things Manchester.  We had Key 103 blasting out of Fiona's iphone (which was soooo nice after such a long time!!) and and at times I really did keep forgetting that we were even in Korea. We could have easily been back in Manchester. 

After the Birthday celebrations on the Saturday I was a little worse for wear on the Sunday to say the least. But in a bid not to waste Fiona's time in Seoul we headed to Hangang Park in Yeouinaru to chill out by the Han River- one of my favourite spots in Seoul because of the feeling of escape from this ginormous city. That place never feels to make me smile. I could quite easily spend hours day-dreaming away there while marvelling at the incredible city, that is for now, my home.

The weather was beautiful so we spent some time relaxing (with me trying to recover) and enjoying the sun before we decided on a trip to the 육삼 (63) Building. Being Seoul's tallest building (it really does stand out a mile off compared to the other buildings close by which are half the size) and full of fun things to do inside, I've wanted to go for a while but just never got round to it.

On the ground floor there is an aquarium so we went in there first. The penguins were my favourites! So cute and very playful! 

Afterwards we headed up to the top floor- 60 (the additional three floors are actually basement floors) which houses the highest art gallery in the world and gives a overwhelmingly amazing panoramic view of the whole city. Seeing the city on this scale brought me right back down to earth. No longer were we two Manc girls feeling like we were in Manchester, but two Manc girls stood at the top of the tallest building of one of the biggest cities in the world. Wow. Intense. Actually a long way from home but a place that I'm happy to call my second home!          

The Birthday Celebrations Continue...

Who has just the one celebration for their Birthday? Not me! And what Birthday would be complete without a night of total debauchery in Hongdae? None!

It doesn’t take a genius to guess how this day/ night of Birthday drinking turned out but these pictures will illustrate perfectly the events that took place… Enjoy…

생일 축하해 첼시! (Happy Birthday Chelsea!)

I have just celebrated my 26^th Birthday, the second Birthday I’ve now celebrated in Korea, and what a wonderful Birthday it was! Although I’m getting old in Korea (seriously, I don’t even feel like I had chance to get used to being 25 let alone 26!!!) it was one of the most special Birthdays I’ve had in years. Koreans make a big deal out of Birthdays and it kind of felt like I was a little girl celebrating again! It really was lots of fun!

Highlights of the day:

1. Waking up to open lots of lovely cards and presents from England and Korea (despite all the tears about sitting alone at that point and missing being with my family for those moments.)

2. Having arm wrestling matches all day with my co-teacher, Ga Yeong and the sixth grade students as part of our, ‘I’m Stronger than You’ unit. Such a fun way to spend the day!

3. Receiving (and subsequently crying buckets of ‘happy tears’) lovely cards, letters and gifts throughout the day from my wonderful work colleagues and the school principal.

4. Students singing Happy Birthday in English.

5. Birthday cake and my office teachers singing Happy Birthday in Korean (cue more ‘happy tears!’)

6. A lovely dinner in the evening at one of my favourite restaurants in Sinjeong followed by my favourite Soju cocktail bar with wonderful company and lots of lovely surprises including a surprise visitor with a terrible present, (hehehehe!) more beautiful gifts, cards and letters and a gorgeous Birthday cake with candles and Happy Birthday- the whole works!! Such a special evening! I was so happy.

Apart from not being able to celebrate with family and friends from home, it was pretty much a PERFECT Birthday! Big thanks to everyone involved for making me feel so special and so loved! Love you all! xxx