Paint Nite at Raymi

As a homebody, night time events like this is rare. Bestie C had asked if I would be interested in a painting session a month or so ago since she got a good deal for Paint Nite via Groupon. Being in the experimental mood lately I decided to give it a try. Plus, I've always been interested in learning to paint.

Paint Nite at Raymi

Our Paint Nite session was held at Raymi in the Flatiron district. It felt nice to be in the area that was near my now alma mater. The event was held in a private space at the restaurant with a few long tables set up for everyone. I was quite surprised by how many people attended. There was barely any table room available once everybody settled in.

Paint Nite at Raymi

The painting session lasted for a little over 2 hours and we had an instructor who guided us as we tried to recreate Starry Night by Van Gogh. But as our instructor said the point of the night wasn't to make a masterpiece but to relax and have fun! The restaurant had a bar area and waiters came around to take orders if desired. Bestie and I had drinks during dinner early so we passed.

Paint Nite at Raymi

At the end of the 2 hours, this was my final results. There were times when I definitely wasn't following the instructions given. Did a lot of swipes rather than dashes, but that's alright. Whatever works! It looks nothing like the original Starry Night but it's similar enough to the example we were shown...I think?

Salted caramel & Hazelnut Gelato from Eataly NYC
Salted caramel & Hazelnut Gelato from Eataly NYC

Bestie and I couldn't resist the temptation of getting gelato since we were near Eataly. I have walked past and near Eataly many times over the last 4 years yet never went in. The gelato was pretty good but I have had better waffle cones. All the flavors available are pretty classic: sweet milk, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, etc. There are also sorbets and seasonal flavors as well that I didn't try this time around. Maybe another visit?

Does painting & drinks night sound like something you would enjoy?

Korea Trip | Outdoorsy in Jeju (Day 4)

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Teddy Valley Golf & Resort, Piano playing robotic teddy bear
Piano playing robotic teddy bear
South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Teddy Valley Golf & Resort, Giant teddy bear South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Teddy Valley Golf & Resort, Giant teddy bear
South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Teddy Valley Golf & Resort, Giant teddy bear South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Teddy Valley Golf & Resort, Giant teddy bear

Can I just say...I still can't get over how cute, fluffy, and humongous the teddy bears at Teddy Valley were. Let me take one home with me, please & thank you!

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Teddy Valley Golf & Resort, Breakfast buffet

Our first breakfast at the hotel consisted of a Western and Korean selection buffet. I remember the food being very good!

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014 South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014

After everyone stuffed their bellies, we all gathered in front of the hotel to take our group photo. I think I ended up in the back of the pack for this one. Oh well~ no need to push for a spot so early in the morning.

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, April 3 Peace Park, Dol Hareubang South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, April 3 Peace Park entrance
Stone statues (돌 하르방 dol hareubang)
Entrance
South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, April 3 Peace Park, light at end of upward tunnel
Jeju April 3 Peace Park or Jeju April 3 Peace Memorial Hall (제주4・3평화 기념관)
430, Myeongnim-ro, Jeju, Jeju-do

The first stop on our itinerary was to the April 3rd memorial. Prior to the visit I knew next to nothing regarding the date. Our tour guide gave us a little briefing on our way there and mentioned that April 3rd is referred to as both the Jeju Uprising and the Jeju Massacre. It's been awhile and I don't remember the details anymore so I'll leave a link for those interested in the memorial. Click here.

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Saryeoni Forest South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Saryeoni Forest blooming hydrangeas
South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Saryeoni Forest South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Saryeoni Forest South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Saryeoni Forest
Saryeoni Forest (사려니숲길)
Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do & Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Next stop! Compared to the next hike we did, the Saryeoni Forest path we walked was a baby hike. Since we were little behind schedule our walk in the forest was cut short. A quick Google search left me jealous that we didn't get to further on the trail. Hydrangeas were blooming all along the trail when we were there. I have only seen these kind of flowers after they have fully bloomed already in New York.

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Spicy pork lunch
Spicy Pork (돼지불고기 Dwaejibulgogi)

More heat beating heat dishes for lunch! I remember this dish being very spicy.

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Sunrise Peak South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Sunrise Peak
South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Sunrise Peak South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Climbing up Sunrise Peak

Could you imagine the look on my face when we arrived to this destination? The scenery looks great! Then your eyes roam and see the long winding path leading to the foot of the mountain. Sure that looks doable. But it doesn't really hit you how difficult a climb the hike is until you're dragging each leg up what seems like a bajillion stairs.

At least that's how I felt. Then again...I wasn't (am still not) in the greatest shape. I definitely had to stop a couple times to catch my breath. Even the friends I started the hike with were way ahead of me. There were moments when I genuinely thought of giving up. Of course that was until I saw the "you're almost there" mark.

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Top of Sunrise Peak

Once I reached the top, all was forgotten. The breeze and wind that hit my face made it worth the trek up. The ultimate game-changer was the scenery. The view at the top was impeccable. There are stairs for visitors to sit and enjoy the crater at the top of the peak. (Just Google "sunrise peak jeju" to see what I'm talking about! Or click here.)

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Sunrise Peak South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Descending Sunrise Peak

While you can only see endless ascending trail of stairs on the way up, the path down overlooks greenery, water, and the nearby town below. Another reason why I would gladly go up Sunrise Peak again.

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Descending Sunrise Peak

Just when we thought we were finished and close to where we started, everyone spotted another set of stairs leading to some buildings by the water. Being the curious souls we are, everyone quickly went down to see. What surprised me most was seeing guys carrying crates of (glass) soju bottles up and down the stairs!

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Sunrise Peak female divers South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Sunrise Peak conch shells
UNESCO World Heritage Site - Sunrise Peak (성산일출봉 Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak)
284-12, Ilchul-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 일출로 284-12
Female divers are pretty famous to Jeju. We were able to see them busily cracking open at their sea urchin catch. The buildings housed a restaurant (I think) and seafood stall that sold things like abalone, sea cucumber, sea squirt, and a bunch of other sea critters. The pile of conch shells were difficult for all the tourists to resist. Souvenir anyone?

This day was packed with one hike after another! The next one was to Seopji Coast.

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Seopji Coast South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Seopji Coast lighthouse
Famous K-drama location
Lighthouse at the top of Seopji Coast
I don't recognize the building in the left photo but apparently it was a very famous filming location for some K-drama. When we were there it was being renovated into some kind of candy-themed building. Does it look familiar to anyone?

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Seopji Coast hanging squid
South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Seopji Coast seafood stall
Seopji Coast (섭지코지 Seopjikoji)
261, Seopjikoji-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주특별자치도 서귀포시 성산읍 섭지코지로 261
South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Pyoseon Beach South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Pyeoseon beach
Pyoseon Haevichi Beach (표선해비치해변)
Minsokhaean-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
제주 서귀포시 표선면 민속해안로

The last destination for the day: relaxing visit to the beach. Pyoseon beach was pretty quiet when we arrived. I wonder if this is just because we got there later in the day or if this is one of those hidden gems?

South Korea, Jeju Island, Yonsei University, YISS 2014, Dol hareubang souvenir
Souvenirs I picked up

Aren't they cute? There were many stalls selling other types of souvenirs as well but I sadly didn't have any room in my carry-on sized suitcase at the time. Otherwise I would have bought myself some of the Jeju tangerine chocolates. Silly me forgot to try the actual Jeju tangerine (한라봉 Hallabong)...next time!

Wishing for | UO Silence + Noise Witchy T-Shirt Dress

My mind has been on these dresses for almost 3 weeks now. I have never bought clothing from Urban Outfitters before but something about this t-shirt dress caught my eye when passing by these in store.
Urban Outfitters, Silence + Noise Witchy T-Shirt Dress, Black
Urban Outfitters Silence + Noise Witchy T-Shirt Dress
Out of the colors and prints I saw at the time, black was my safe option. Something that I could easily wear without having any excuses like "it's too bold," "it's too floral," etc. to hold me back. The floral version was my attempt at being a little more adventurous. After trying both on I was torn with which I liked more & which I would wear more often. Perhaps both fit the bill?

One glance at the price tag however left me putting both down and walking away. $79 for a dress was not really something I was ready to pay for. All I could do was hope for a sale or some kind of price reduction in the near future.
Images from Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters, Silence + Noise Witchy T-Shirt Dress, Black Urban Outfitters, Silence + Noise Witchy T-Shirt Dress, Rust Urban Outfitters, Silence + Noise Witchy T-Shirt Dress, Red Multi
Black
Rust
Red Multi
When all the July 4th sales were happening, I hoped with all my might that Urban Outfitters would have a good promo code or that the dress would be discounted significantly. That way I could finally satisfy this buying itch I had. The price of this dress was discounted, to $49. There was a 30% off sale items code at the time. But sadly the piece wasn't considered a sale item (just a price reduced item).

I don't know about anyone else but $49 still seemed a bit expensive. So I passed on the opportunity to purchase at the time. Hoping to finally decide on which color to get or even to ride out this desire to buy. Here I am now, still, with the dilemma.

Usually when my mind is set on buying something for so long the purchase will be made sooner or later. So part of the "problem" has been solved. Now that remains is which color should I pick: Black, Rust (red), or Red Multi (burgundy with floral prints)? What do you think?
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