Things that make me smile

I have two favorite security guards in my office building, and I particularly love the way one of them draws out the word goodbye "bayaaaaar-taiiiii". we're pretty tight, me and him, talking about the weather sometimes, how many people are still working in the office, etc.

this totoro picture on seoul street. on days when it rains, the rain run-off pours down the drainage spout directly over him, and it looks like totoro is using his umbrella. it melts my heart, just a bit.

the penguin statues by the weather center building that i pass whenever i walk over by the national museum.

opening my second-to-last jar of four cheese pasta sauce. tonight, i shall feast!

and speaking of feasting, this friday i will host a dinner for my co-workers. i have the menu all planned, the meat purchased and cut (many thanks to my friend), and my coworker will come over a little early with wine glasses and serving spoons to help :)

other things i love...my leather belt, that i have yet to take a picture of (will work on that)

the T. bataar museum, and it's fantastic(ly unfinished) website


and of course, my friends. new and old, near and far, pictured and not pictured, i am thankful for them.

today marks one month exactly until i return to the u.s. i can't believe how much has happened in the past nine, and i know this last month will be a blur of ACM happenings as I finish out my research work, as well as seeing a whirlwind of people and the accompanying eating and laughing and living. I'm not sure what all will happen, but I trust that the day knows :)