This past weekend, I got my Birthday gift from my dad! He made this beautiful Boat model of the Charles Morgan. It took him a few months of working on it, sanding, painting, constructing. He made the boat from scratch, the case, and got a lovely plaque that says “from Dad to Sue-Leigh”. I really like having a museum-like piece to display in my home made by my Dad.

Aquarium:
Today I went to South Carolina for a mini vacation. I get into moods where I like going on day trips or weekend trips to somewhere new by myself. I like finding new places, and I like going wherever I want spontaneously.

In the morning around 10am (10시쯤) I went to the South Carolina Aquarium (수족관) and stayed for a few hours. I started with the behind the scenes tour, which was neat. I got to go to the third floor and see where the food is prepped for the animals. I was the only one that signed up for the 10:30 (10시 반에) time slot, so I got a private tour

We went to the kitchen area to see where everything is prepped to restaurant grade quality, and I learned about how they give the fish their medicine in a jello-like formula, and I saw them adding iodine powder to some of the kril.

The aquariums water bill for pumping in fresh water is 40k a month . . . saltwater is pumped in front the harbor and filtered, water tested, and adjusted as needed.

We went to the quarantine room where there were several pools for fish when they need medicine, new fish for acclamation, etc.

I though it was really interesting that they feed the sharks individually to make sure they all get fed evenly with color coded cards – they are trained in the quarantine tank before going into the exhibit tanks.

I also got to see the great ocean tank from above where the volunteer scuba divers were getting ready for their 11:00 show explaining how the help clean the tank etc. I learned that the barracudas in the tank swim 35mph.

South Carolina Aquarium http://scaquarium.org/default.aspx

Fleet Landing
For lunch I went to Fleet Landing and ate outside. Still a bit cold, but nice with my back to the sun, it was perfect. I had grilled salmon and green beans.

Fleet Landing Restaurant http://www.fleetlanding.net/

Downtown
After lunch, I went to Market street and walked around the shops, walked along the waterfront, and checked out the architecture.
Downtown Map: http://www.charlestonsfinest.com/sc/mapdntwn.htm

Today, after work I met some friends to see another friend play in their band. I also got my Birthmas gift! Which I just made up because my friend Adrienne said I could pick if it was my Christmas or Birthday gift ^^

Apparently it’s one of two that she made … I can’t wait to see what the second one is, cuz this one is so pretty

아드리엔이 친구한테서 귀걸이 받을 거예요. 그리고 이것은 아주 예쁘다.
오늘밤 나는 친구들 만났어요. 그리고 함께 라이브 음악을 들었어요.

어제 아침에과 저녁에는 아주 아주 안개했어요.

오늘 아침에 우체국에 갔어요. 그리고 꾸러미는 엄마한테서 받았어요.

상자에 말린오징어 하고 문어 하고 많이 김 있었어요. 그래서 점심 믾이 김 하고 밥을 먹었어요. 김은 아주 맛있어요.

오늘 저녁 7시 반에 한국식당에서 친구와 같이 저녁을 먹었어요.
나는 불고기를 주문하고 친구는 돌솥 비빔밥을 주문했어요.
불고기를 상추에 싸서 먹었어요. 영진와 함께 한국어 공부했어요.

오늘밤에 개리와 나는 TV에서 한국 뉴스와 코미디 쇼를 봤어요.

Today, my mom and I went to see the movie ‘The Help’ at the theater. I met a friend for dinner, I had bulgogi, she had dolsot bibimbap, and this evening Gary and I watched Korean News and a couple Comedy TV shows on Netflix. ^^

Today, Gary and I went to Korean School, went shopping at the Korean market, and Harris Teeter (a US market). We saw a movie (Red Tails) at the movie theater, and went to our friends’ house for dinner. Then I saw the Rembrandt exhibition that ends tomorrow with a friend.

Funny story though . . . I got to the location 15 minutes before my friend and I planned on meeting 6:00pm, the event started at 7pm.  She was 5 minutes away, but texted me when she was walking towards the door.  I said i was going in and that I was on the 3rd floor.  She said, “what 3rd floor?”  So I thought I was at the wrong place even though I was  a place that also had bingo and asked several people if this is where bingo is supposed to be.  I thought there was another place that was having bingo that night, so I met her 5 minutes from me downtown at location number 2.

I met her downtown and we walked to the second location location door . . . turns out that is where is bingo used to be held but the first place I was at was actually correct!  So we drove back again -lol

Good thing we planned on meeting an hour ahead of time

Last night, Gary and I went to a friends house for Game night.

Well, first we met for dinner at a chicken and waffle place. I know it sounds like a weird combination, but it was good. I had heard about chicken and waffles but never had that combination. I got a sweet potato waffle with orange glaze and a cashew butter.  Not bad,

We played games, had snacks, it was fun

Apples to Apples (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apples_to_Apples), Gestures which is like Charades, and Zombie Fluxx, which we really liked too where the rules of the game change each turn based on the cards you play.  Fun stuff, we want to do more game nights this year.

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with our parents since we were sick last weekend for actual Christmas.
For New Years Eve we went to our Korean teachers house for traditional food and games, and tonight I made some cards ^^

Merry Christmas from all of us!
Wishing you lots of love and happiness today and always for you and your family.