Is it possible that the mere mention of a country's name reminds you so vividly of its signature cuisine that it irks you? My own experience? Yes.

There have been many advertisments about Korea or Seoul recently on the only miserable news channel, i.e. CNN, that we ever watch. They literally made my head turn. I simply can't tolerate the flashing images of the city sights and Korea's signature gourmet dishes. Olof said I was exaggerating, but why do I care? He doesn't reside in my gastronomical abode, so certainly he wouldn't understand how these images made my stomach churn. Should I count myself lucky that I have, so far, not ended up regurgitating my dinner?

You might wonder why and how do I develop such a distaste for Korea's food? I ain't no clue either. My only intellectual guess is I might have been a cabbage in my previous life and was shamefully turned into a kimchi.

A tsunami of homesickness came crashing on me recently. Not that I particularly miss my friends and family more than usual, it was the gastronomical part of me that suddenly yearn the cheap hawker eats. Ba Chor Mee, Chai Tao Kway, Yong Tau Foo... Manz, I drool like an old fat dog just at the mention of them.

Equally tormenting, however, has been my loss of appetite recently. Nothing really seems to tantalize my tastebuds anymore. Not even my once-upon-a-time all time favorite desserts! Mummy said I can quench part of my gastronomical lust by replicating the eats at home. Yeah, she is right, to a certain extent, except I do not know where I can find Tao Gee for the Yong Tau Foo! For me, at least, it is the key ingredient in making or breaking a good Yong Tau Foo.

My week-long vacation with Älskling in Seoul was lazy, relax, AND hungry! I was half-starved most of the time. Not because he was ill-treating me, but my distaste for korean food. Simply the sight of korean kimchi or BBQ meat irked me to the point of nausea. Yes, it was that bad. My break from fast-food fasting happened during the trip too. I actually took to the comfort of McNuggets, without the yummy, typically Singaporean curry dipping sauce though. Holy cow!

I was glad that my Älsking enjoyed most of the trip. If he's happy, then I am too, except that I do not think I will be stepping on the soil of this country any time soon. No way. Simply no way.

Oct 4th 2009

This is the big day! Even though it IS a big day for me, I am surprised that both China and South Korea have public holidays to celebrate my birthday. After all, I am not that famous (yet), heehe...

China started already on Oct 1st (when we took off from the airport in the morning) and celebrate for 6 consecutive days. I don't know why they talk about 60 years celebration, since I am only 30 this year, but perhaps they added Sam's and my ages together?

We arrived in Seoul in the afternoon of the Oct 1st. South Korea started to celebrate on Oct 2nd and kept going for 3 days. They call it "thanksgiving" and I am the one to say Thank you all! Hello Seoul, I love you!

On a day like this, being famous is not really the most important thing. Perhaps it is the least important of things. What really matters is to be among family and friends, to spend time with my loved ones.

I am happy to spend not just one full day, but six full days together with my lovely wife. I cannot imagine life without her. She is always so sweet and smart at the same time. It doesn't really matter what we do, as long as we spend time together. Smuacks!

My wonderful mamma and pappa and my best and only brother can unfortunately not be here today. They mean a lot to me. I have no cell phone coverage in South Korea (different mobile technology over here), but luckily I could have an IM conversation with mamma to hear that they are all well.

The older I grow, the more I appreciate every day I spend with people that are a big part of my life. Something to keep in mind for the next 30 years... As usual, I look forward to life, full of excitement and surprises. All of you out there, take care and have a good Oct 4th!