Training for the Olympics

Living in Korea you cannot refrain from doing some sort of winter sports. I am not a huge fan of skiing . In fact I never tried and never wanted to. At first it was a matter of money for me and then I somehow disliked the whole thing that comes with it: I am neither a "we-are-all-together-in-one-tiny-hut-and-have-fun-type", nor I liked the reports of the Apres-ski-tales I was told during my time at University. Remember: I am more of a loner and a caouch potato and more into a tea time with friends or a walk than a ski outing. And my husband who practically learned walking on skis gave it up a few years ago due to the frenzy around it in the ski resorts. He keeps telling me it is not like it was in his youth. There obviously was more romanticism to it back then... So issue closed because we have been living in Mexico and the northern part of Germany for the last years. But here it is all about winter sports. it was like this and is even more due to the upcoming Olympics in Korea. 

As a child I loved ice skating. not the dancing pirouett-thing but just skating and skating for kilometers in one direction from one small village to the other in the northern part of Germany where the small rivers are frozen. That is just so wonderful. 

Here in Seoul there are two big ice rings in the middle of the city, in front of the City Hall, surrounded by the city lights and opposite a temple. That is stunning and we wanted to give it a try. We chose the evening with all its magic coming from the city lights around us.

 

So the children were on ice skates for the first time in their life and me for the first time since 28 years!!! it was a bit of a challenge but it finally worked out and we loved it. The glittering city lights, lot of young Korean couples or lovers in the rink and K-Pop yelling out loud from the speakers: so much fun!

The children were very courageous and they are learning so fast at this age. And even minus 12 degrees did not harm us.

Upon arrival at home we luckily had some pumkin soup prepared from my "soup archive" (more about that over the week end) and markus and I had the famour risoniotto I mentioned yesterday. What a treat! it is so worth trying. I had afaint idea of how it could taste but one cannot imagine the feast for the taste buds in your mouth when hitting upon these rice-shaped pasta in tangy creamy mushroom sauce..... You should give it a try!

Needless to say the children fell asleep as soon as their head hit the pillow!

I was also done but was still pondering on something I saw around lunchtime today: I went to Uniqlo to get some warm undergarments for winter for the children and me and hit upon the collaboration between Uniqulo and olra Kiely. It shouted SPRING and I wasn't in Spring mood but I think I should treat myself to one of these beauties:

 

I am torn between the orange range and the green range. Sigh....

Any hints?

Off to picking up the children from school. I will take Pauline today to a birthday party in a dog cafe ( a cafe where you can play with dogs). For people who would love to have a pet but cannot have one for some reason. This will be great for the girls. 

Over the week end I will post some links about my daily little helpers and tell you about my soup archive!

Have a great end of the week!

Yvonne

 

Comments

[Ariana {And Here We Are...}]

One of my favorite childhood memories in the States is of ice skating. My dad took the eldest five (of seven) children skating once a week, when he could pay a flat family rate. It was SO much fun, and I have always felt childlike joy when I have skated since then. Have a great time!

[Yvonne Stehle]

Dear Ariana!
This shows me that I should do it more often. It only costs a dollar an hour here - borrowing of the skates included. it was an effort for me to finally go there that day but the fun we have was a huge reward! My dad also taught me to ice skate back then.
Yvonne

[Michelle]

Those ice skating photos look like so much fun! What a great way to enjoy yourselves and sneak in some healthy exercise.Hmm, what a tough choice between the Orla Kiely blankets.Let us know which one you bring home. Thanks for sharing!

[Chantale]

Yvonne, I so love these glimpses into living in Seoul! I am really learning more and more through you. I also love the photos! I used to love skating when I was a kid too and was really good at it. Until I had a child and suddenly lost all sense of balance! This year though, I have improved with much encouragement from my 7yo. haha. I am so glad you are taking it up again. It's so good to be outside!