Korean adventure
Not actually going to Korea - just wanted to clear that up. But I did have a Korean guide for my first visit to a Korean BBQ. Hee very kindly offered to accompany Chrissy and me, and to help us navigate the experience. Without him it would have taken a lot longer to order; and we'd have had little idea what to choose from the menu. As it was, our table quickly filled with all manner of sumptuous dishes. I’d name all of the dishes if I could, but I genuinely have little idea. A lot of the side dishes come automatically as part of the meal, including some amazing glass noodles. We also had a type of miso soup and a large bowl of cold noodles to accompany the beef and pork that Hee cooked for us on the central grill. There was also an amazing pancake-type side dish that I loved. Highly recommended - especially if you can find a friendly Korean to accompany you.
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We followed it up with a traditional Korean dessert from the store next door. It’s basically frozen flaked milk, served with different toppings. We had red bean. Really good but I don’t know how we managed to eat any of it after the main meal. We were so full - and Hee says it’s common in Korea for people to do multiple rounds, moving from place to place and with large amounts of alcohol to fuel it all.
One round was enough for us. But it was all excellent.
Fortunately I’ve been following quite a rigorous workout routine recently - great for burning all of those calories. This week I finished the course, which culminated in something called the crucible, involving 800 reps - including 100 pushups and 100 burpees. It’s a bit brutal, and I’ll admit that for the pushups in particular I needed a few breaks. Quite satisfying though - and I can see the improvement in my overall fitness. I’ve done the course at least once before; but it’s not something I’d want to do all the time.
I haven’t included my general workout routines in the #52in52 list because it’s something I’ve done for a long time already. But I thought finishing 6 Weeks of the Work was worth noting.
Incidentally, there are some great programs on the Bodi platform. My favourites are:
Also, for those that want more of Dawn’s running tips from last week:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9LYTIZxWze/?igsh=bGRqaDdxeGI1dHJ2
I’ve kept up my other habits this week. I’m close to finishing Ulysses, which remains absolutely intriguing. I’m not sure I’ve read anything like it before. The closest I can think of in terms of depth that I’ve read recently, is The Luminaries - which I enjoyed thoroughly but felt I only understood on one or two of the many levels at which it operated. I remember the book I read after it feeling very lightweight by comparison. But The Luminaries is still a much more traditional book than Ulysses, which is poetical as much as anything else.
I made the mistake of finding an audio recording of the Czerny studies this week, so that I could hear them with the correct phrasing and speed. As I suspected, I’m playing them at about half of the speed they are supposed to be played. It increases the challenge a little (a lot). Fun though.
This week’s French podcast introduced some interesting phrases as usual. By common request, I’ve included translations this time:
- Maintenant que je sais tout cela, beaucoup de choses ont changé.
Now that I know all this, a lot of things have changed. - Notre lien est venu naturellement.
Our connection came naturally. - Je me suis sentie libre.
I felt free.
Archery returns for the last time this summer next week, as our coach is off to Paris for the Olympics (not to compete, but to support someone at the range we go to who is). I might try one of those finger guards this time.
No progress on The Lords of Midnight this week. Lives remain in the balance.
