Leahs Cafe

We have decided earlier to get rid of credit cards, we do have a debit card that can be used in emergency situation, but we pay cash for everything else. What we find helpful is to have a  written household budget that assigned a name to every dollar of incoming fund. That ensure we first pay ourselves (saving for future) before we spend on anything else.

In December, we would put aside an amount of money for gifts and holiday shopping. Paying cash does help to keep you from getting carried away. If you plan to do most of your holiday shopping online and do not want to pay with credit cards, you may want to check out ebillme. Ebillme is a secure payment option that does not require a credit card, you pay for your purchase through your bank’s online bill pay portal!

Ebillme.com currently runs a contest in which you can tell your Shop and Confess story and win prizes of $500, $300 and $200.

Please mention the URL of this blog if you decide to enter the contest, so I could win and shop till I drop this Christmas!

Didn’t realize they are so many palaces in Seoul before I came here. Seoul is now a republic and no longer has the monarchy, so this palaces do give us a glimpse of the glorious past and the lives of the royal family at that particular dynasty and time period.

Headed out to visit the supposedly grandest Changdok Palace on the second day in Seoul. It so happened to be on a Thursday and  found out there was no guided tour available on that day. So, decided to visit another palace nearby- the Gyeongbok Palace.

The Gyeongbok Palace was originally constructed in the 14th century but was destroyed badly by the Japanese soldiers during Japanese occupation. The gate and portions of Gyeongbok palace were restored, and many halls, corridors, gardens, and pavilions were rebuilt. The construction continues even today, but will the palace regain the grandeur it possessed over its 600-year life?

Gate to the inner courtyard. Note the 12 animals of the lunar calendar on the roof ? They’re on the roof of most of the structures here!

The main courtyard, where the King conducted state business and received foreign dignitaries. High-ranking officials also assembled in the courtyard for review before the King. Note the stone stumps along the walkway – they were the markers indicating who stood where, according to their rankings, this stumps are inscribed with the names of the respective ministers, generals and other senior government officials.

 Steps lead to the Geunjeongjeon hall. The hall was first built in 14th century but burned down during the Japanese invasion in 16th century and was reconstructed in 19th century.

While the most people in Korea hardly speak any English, the young people seem to be attracted to the Western/American popular culture and are really into it. Both of the guesthouses that I have stayed in two different locations were near the university campuses. The area around seems to have many name brand boutiques, fast food chains and franchised coffee joints.

You see fast food outlets like KFC, Mc Donald and TGIF like the one in the picture below at every corner of the street.

They are many Pizza places. The familiar names like Domino Pizza and Pizza Hut are everywhere. They are also Papa John Pizza, which we don’t find them in South East Asia.

A Papa John store below a massage parlor.

Pizzas are very expensive compare to the local cuisine. But, that doesn’t seem to deter young people who want to spend and to be seen at this places. The advertising, branding and Marketing Company obviously have done a good job.:-)

After eating Kimchi for every meal for four days, decided to order pizza delivery to the hotel room. A small pizza and six BBQ chicken wings cost 25,000 wons (USD25 or RM76)! Which was the most expensive pizza I have had in my life! :-)