"Open your eyes…there's no time to waste anymore. The answer is right in front of you."
-Excerpt from 'My Berlin Kitchen.'
I think this quote sums it up. Fellow readers, you may have noticed that I'm no longer in Seoul. I know I've been somewhat vague about my travels, where my next 'big city of settlement' will be…but I wanted to share this important moment in my life with all of you. You have been so faithful in following my food journal, travels, and have been truly supportive over the years. Thank you, thank you~
Why did I leave Seoul?
Well, the simple answer is that I was just ready to leave. For now at least. I had an amazing 3 years in Seoul while residing and working there. Met such wonderful people, developed relationships that cannot be compared to anything else, and ate every meal as if it was going to be my last. When I first moved to Seoul back in early 2010, I was going through some major transitions in my life. I arrived with 2 large suitcases, a big appetite, and a heart full of hope. I was ready for major change. Was I scared? Absolutely. I had no idea what was really in store for me back then. Let's just say I’ve learned some tough life lessons in Seoul, and I think that Seoul was the perfect place for the transition that I needed to go through.
As a friend whispered to me once 'I just left the country, and not the people'.
There will always be a *warm, special* place in my heart for Korea.
So where the heck is Sarah now?
Brooklyn, New York. Moved here on January 5th, 2012 to be exact.
To make this long story short, I had a great opportunity to work here that I just couldn't pass up, doing exactly what I love to do. More than anything, it was about the timing. Besides, who wouldn't want to live in New York at least once in their lifetime?
After Seoul, I was taking a 3-month breather in Chicago catching up with family and friends. The original plan was to move out west this spring, until the stars pointed me to the opposite direction. So here I am now, and loving the energy that this city has to offer.
The hope continues...
You know how 'books find you?' Well, I had one of those moments...
Currently reading 'My Berlin Kitchen' by Luisa Weiss, writer of The Wednesday Chef. I randomly saw it at the local bookstore in my neighborhood, and read the first chapter. I was in love. I knew that this was the first book I had to read in this big city. It's a beautiful love and life story of Luisa (who once lived in New York), with heartfelt recipes embedded throughout the book. She closes each chapter with recipes that gives her memories of food. It's as if her life lessons evolved around food, or vice versa. I can relate to her in so many ways, as this is how I feel when I cook and associate food with memory-everything from my mother's homemade Korean yukhaejang soup, to the food that healed my heartbreaks, to sharing the happiest moments of eating with close friends and family. I'm so engrossed in this book that sometimes I wish my subway rides were a bit longer during my commutes to squeeze in a few more pages. Yes, I am the biggest nerd sometimes.
Where is Seoul in the City going now?
Many readers have been asking me this very question. Now that I left Seoul, will I continue writing about Seoul restaurants? Korean restaurants in New York? In truth, I started this blog in Sydney when I had no plans to move to Seoul back then. The blog itself just unfolded organically. As I am now settling in as a New Yorker, I will continue to share stories and photos of good eats all throughout this city. I hope to focus on Korean cuisine, and of course throw in some other favorites along the way. For me to do this, I ask for your help! Any recommendations and suggestions about must try spots, or even places that mean something to you, please send them my way:) I can't wait to start digging my way in...no time to waste...
*I promise to eat my heart out*