Hostel Update #2

We got a few steps closer yesterday! We went to the department of trade and industry to get the name of the hostel cleared.

Then we bought the domain name for our website and got the all clear on that, too. We're working with a friend who's helping us do the website.

We still have a few things to do as far as painting goes, but we're getting close!

I've been eating so much since I've been here! We seriously eat 4-5 times a day. We eat breakfast, then merienda (snack), then lunch, then another merienda, then dinner. And it's hard to refuse the food here because it's SO GOOD! I'm in heaven with all this homemade Filipino food.When we go out with the family, we'll eat a meal. Then on the drive home, usually about 2-3 hours after eating, we'll stop by a little stand on the side of the road to grab merienda, like puto or baduya (banana fritters).

To keep me from (hopefully) gaining too much weight, I've learned to just practice portion control. We'll see how it works. ;)

Merienda: puto & a bag of Coke!

Hostel Update #1

{If you missed the news as to why we're in the Philippines, click here.}

Today we've completed about 98% of the painting in the hostel.

We just need to print some pictures and put them up. Then we need to paint the bar up on the rooftop terrace (which we haven't been able to start because it's been raining on and off here-- the weather is pretty unpredictable and it's rainy season).

We're also waiting to register the name of the hostel and get the clearance we need. We can't do any advertising, social media, publish the website, etc. until we get the green light with the name. Hopefully we'll be registering the name tomorrow.

Once we get all the painting done, we can clean everything up, get everything fixed that needs to be fixed, put everything in place and everything ready to be operational. Hopefully it won't be that much longer (I'm predicting we'll be open in about 3 weeks or so...)

Why the Philippines?

...and the answer-to make a long story short- is that we're helping my family open up a hostel!

It's always been my dream to run my own hostel, and this opportunity came up so we got out of South Korea early and headed to the Philippines. And I must say, it feels good to be living my dream.

We're currently in the painting stage of the hostel. We should be opening in about 3 weeks or so. More information and pictures will be coming soon.

Our last jam session

Our last few hours in South Korea was spent hanging out with some cool people and having a mini jam sesh. Here's a video:

We're in the Philippines!

Yes, it's true. We've moved to the Philippines. We've actually been here for a week. We came here to start a new adventure.

On Tuesday we came to the province where my family lives. The view of the Mayon Volcano while on the plane- and even when landing at the airport- was breath-taking (the picture below was taken right when we landed).

We're excited to be here! Since being married, this makes it the third country we've lived in (6th if you count the other countries we just visited) all before our 1-year anniversary (lived: Ecuador, South Korea, Philippines. + visited countries: Costa Rica, Peru & the States). We keep it movin!!

BUT the Philippines is a place we see ourselves living in for a LONG time, maybe even indefinitely. So we'll see what happens. . .

The Hungry Backpacker Episode 2: Best Food in South Korea

Our last week in Korea was spent working on episode 2 of our mini-series: The Hungry Backpacker.

Check it out!

Busan Day Trip

This past weekend was our last weekend in town. On Sunday, we ventured out to Busan again to pick up some souvenirs for family and to film more footage for our food video. It was such a blast!

We took the lightrail from Gimhae to Busan, then the subway (Busan has a really good subway system). Then we went shopping around the Nampodong shopping district. We worked up an appetite shopping for souvenirs, so we headed to the Jagalchi Fish Market and ate fresh octopus-- it was so fresh the tentacles were still moving and everything!! After eating, we did some more shopping, then headed home.

Over 6,600 views!

Wow! Our Cuenca, Ecuador food video has almost 6,700 views!! Just about 2 months ago, it was at over 1,500! Then last week, Jason told me we had 6,000 views. Then I went to check it today, and now we have almost 6,700 views-- crazy!!

That's pretty awesome. We made the video not really expecting much, but the view count keeps growing.

Right now, we're making a Korea food video, so stay tuned!

And in the meantime, if you haven't seen it yet- here's our Cuenca food video:

Wedding Wednesday: The Colors

Yup, it's that time again.

1. how it all began: how you met, first date, first kiss, how long did you date? first picture together.....etc.
2. when you knew he was the one: self explanatory.. but how and when did you know?
3. proposal: how it happened, how long were you engaged for? was it a total surprise?  pictures of that... etc.
4. the ring:  tell us about it! did you pick it out? did he? pictures! tell us about his ring too!
5. engagement/bridal pictures: let's see em!
6. the colors: show some of the flowers and colors you used
7. the dress: was it what you always imagined? did you have it made for you? white or ivory?
8. the little accessories: you know, veil? shoes? jewelry? what did your bridesmaids wear?
9. the reception: where was it at? show us some pictures! what day did you get married?
10. the cake/food: i love food. so tell me about what you had at your wedding!
11. your song and/or the first song you danced to at your wedding: share a music video or lyrics if you can!
12. favorite part of the day and least favorite part of the day: can be anything.
13. honeymoon: where did you go? was it good?  ;) haha...jk.
14. thoughts on marriage: what is the easiest/hardest part? if you could change anything, what would it be?
15. first place that you lived together: pics if you have them!
16. kids: do you have any yet? if not, when do you plan on it? how many do you want? any tips on good/bad birth control?
17. most recent picture of you and your significant other and what you love most about them :) and any other thoughts.

We had two events for our wedding celebration: an open house in California and then the actual wedding in Costa Rica. Jason and I chose coral and purple as our colors- but we weren't really strict with it, we also threw in other colors that went well with those two colors.

For the open house, I chose coral, purple and aqua for the decor:

Happy July!

Wow- 2012 is just flying by. I can't believe it was a year ago I was doing some last minute planning for my wedding and getting ready for Costa Rica. It really seems like yesterday. Crazy.

The weather here has warmed up- a lot! And the humidity is in full effect. Yesterday was the worst-- it was the first time it was really muggy and I felt gross and sticky everywhere. But at least it's been cloudy, so we have some shield from direct sunlight. But I will take this hot, humid, mugginess over snow and cold ANY DAY.

It's July 1st, which means Jason and I will be embarking on our new adventure in 2 weeks! What is our next adventure?? Well, stayed tuned to find out. =)