A few days ago, my old phone basically kaputed. Well, it was fixable, more or less, but it’d require reformatting the whole phone. Even then, I’d still have trouble with it, so that made me decide to just get a new phone, with a new number, on a new carrier.

I sought out one of my cousins to help me get this phone. Through research and friends, I decided to get the Samsung Galaxy S3 in pebble blue, on SK Telecom, with the LTE 42 plan that comes with 180 minutes of phone call, 200 text messages, and 1.1 GB of data.

My verdict so far? I LOVE IT. It is so much faster than my old phone, with more available RAM memory at 700-900mb (compared to 200mb on my previous phone), and it just feels so new. I do not regret choosing to upgrade to this phone. In fact, I feel like I should have done this sooner!

After months of debating and pondering between getting a PS Vita or a 3DS XL first, I asked my dad to get the PS Vita as a Christmas/birthday present. I went with the Vita because . . . well that was all the PX had. I didn’t see any 3DS XL, so I went with what was available, though I was going to get a 3DS XL first because my friend M. gifted me Tales of the Abyss for the 3DS XL.

So I got the Vita and named it Alabaster. I went to the Yongsan Electronics Market to get the case and stuff. I went to the same place that I got my PSP 3000 accessories. I love that bloke who runs his vendor. He cleans and puts everything on for me. Plus, the plastic case, the carrying case, and the screen protector stickers for the front and the back of the Vita were all 25,000 won (about $22 USD). I was expecting to pay more than that, so I was surprised that it was cheaper than I had estimated :D

Welp, now I will have fun figuring this new baby out! I can’t wait until I get Persona 4: Golden and Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward!

In all my years of living in Seoul, South Korea, I do not think I’ve ever ventured to Toy Alley in Dongdaemun. Well, I may have as a kid once, but that was without realising what that area was called. Either or, it is a place I have not been to where I can remember doing so. I learned today that Toy Alley is the most dangerous street in Seoul . . . if you’re a parent. For me, I felt like a kid again as I walked down that street and looked at all the toys, the costumes, and other knick-knacks. All I can say is that it is a good thing my dad never took me down there. I’d have driven him mad!

Getting to this alley is really easy. I took the Dongmyo Station route. Just ride to Dongmyo Station on Line 6 and then go out exit 6. Outside, go straight until you see a street to your right. Then just go down that street of paradise (or hell if you’re bringing kids, haha!).

This is a place I need to go back to and explore fully.

I discovered the above video, a video that showcases the best of Seoul, South Korea. It’s an awe-inspiring video, reminding me why I’ll always love Seoul despite all of its flaws. I’ve lived in Seoul since the late 1980s, and I’ve seen and lived through many of its changes. Just seeing the changes in my own neighbourhood reminds me that Seoul is constantly evolving, constantly trying to better itself. Not to mention, everything has become expensive here, but given how Seoul did become one of the economic top dogs in Asia, it’s no wonder inflation is happening.

Money-matter aside, Seoul is a vibrant city, and this video shows it. All the lights, the tall skyscrapers, the cars and people hustling and bustling, the Han River, Namsan Tower, 63 Building — they are what I will always associate with my home city. If I ever move away from here, along with my own memories, this video will be my memento of Seoul.

I have three cans of Guinness, so I decided to try this recipe. Only thing was I didn’t have a crockpot, so I just did it on the stove with some modification.

Guinness Beef Stew
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1.5-2 lbs. boneless beef chuck, cut into 1″ pieces
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 large or 2 medium onions, roughly sliced
1-2 baking potatoes or 5-6 red potatoes, roughly chopped
3 large carrots, coarsely chopped
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 16-ounce Guinness
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 15.5-ounce can low-sodium beef broth or stock
3 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and pepper to taste
1-2 teaspoon of chili powder (optional)

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. In a bowl toss your stew meat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Sprinkle with flour, salt, and pepper, tossing to coat all pieces.
3. Cook the meat for a 5 minutes and scrape the bottom of the pot towards the end.
4. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Cover and simmer for about 1.5 hours to 2 hours (or longer if you wish). Stir every so often.
5. Serve with bread, rice, or noodles of your choice.

This stew turned out pretty good! Way better than my previous attempt at corn chowder last year. It really turned out well. So nommy!

Also, today, I finally visited Bangsan Market aka Baker’s Alley in downtown Seoul with my friend Nev. It was really cool seeing all the baking/cooking equipment and ingredients and packaging. I found some cheap plastic boxes (180 won = $0.18) I can stuff things with and little chocolate wrapper for me to make my own truffles or something. I must remember that store that had the cheap boxes! It’s the one right next to Cheonggye 5-ga Underground Market exit 1 (청계5가 지하쇼핑센타); you come out there, and make a U-turn to your left, and it’s the first store there.