Mochi like you mean it 당신 같은 떡을 의미

It's funny what people notice. I pick out things here that Jane hasn't noticed. And when I meet people - usually the friends in the congregation, they are so sweet and have nice things to say right away, like "Keri, nice to meet you. You have such a small face." The "grandmothers" are quick to inquire about my age, marital status, and waistline measurement. Yesterday someone asked Jane if all Americans laugh so loud. And today I was told I'm pretty, that I have a nice forehead.

Sis. Yeo and Sis. Kim
prepping vegetables, on the floor

Thanks, Korea!

Sis. Lee, slicing green onion

We decided this morning was for the ministry again! We had a nice time with these three other sisters. I practiced my three-sentence presentation, but didn't feel quite ready to actually give it. Good thing Jane is a pro.

Sister Lee invited us all back to her house for lunch. She humbly said "I don't have anything prepared, but I can make some noodles and kimchi!" We accepted. Now, at home, if someone invites me for lunch unprepared, I'd expect some warmed-up last night's pizza, pb&j, maybe a quick salad?

slicing kimchi

they're pink & called
100-yr old vinegar noodles

How about a hearty broth made from scratch, with special pink noodles, spicy cucumber salad, broccoli,  fresh fruit, and matured kimchi (the good stuff)!

Everyone jumped in to help (except me, since I'm completely lost when it comes to Korean cooking) and I think my mouth hung open as I watched in amazement.

 It was a fury of boiling, chopping, mixing, and taste-testing. And the result: it was so delicious! We were all sniffling and pausing to breathe from the spiciness.

making broth:
separating out the sardines,
mushrooms and seaweed

extreme garlic chopping

And if you think three little Korean ladies can out-eat me on noodles, you're right.

beautiful and delicious

at the rice-cake store

a mochi to make Rachel E. jealous

We passed a rice-cake shop along the way. Jane got some mochi along the way, we had it for dessert with our coffee. And never underestimate the older ones, they know how to laugh and have a good time!
Just give one a scarf, or a strawberry.

For dinner we met up with Rachel and our new Brazilian friend Priscila. (Finally I spoke some Portuguese!) I ate my soup, with my rice, the tofu, the mushrooms, the cabbage, the bean sprouts, the soju ... Jane says I eat like a real Korean. 

Then we took a short walk up the hill to the cable car that takes us to Namsan Tower! The cable car ride wasn't the romantic jaunt I thought it would be, we were packed in like the sardines from yesterday's broth, but I squeezed to the window to see. Thankfully the real view was on the mountain and from the observatory deck on the tower. Wow!

The tower itself is illuminated with fun colors, and the view of the city lights was so pretty! It's a short elevator ride (they announced it was 30 seconds) to the observation deck. They make you look at the ceiling and watch a corny video that makes it look like you're shooting into space. Looking out the windows I felt so incredibly high up, even though I know we weren't that high as far as really tall mountains and buildings go. But, it is where we found the world's highest post office box!

North

East

West
(can you see our apartment?)