Our Traveling Nest: A Wonderful Birthday...

For being on the other side of the world away from family and friends, I could not have asked for a better birthday! My day started off with going to coffee with my friend Katie. We walked to Lotte Mart (similar to Wal-Mart but in Korea) and enjoyed a Strawberry Latte which tasted more like warm strawberry milk but it was enjoyed in good company so that was all that mattered. I came home to relax and nap with Mia until I had to get up and start getting ready to go workout and teach my abs class. Before I left Robert called me to let me know that I had two packages and a letter to pick up at his office!! My care package / birthday present from my parents had arrived and I ordered the movie Hatchi about the Akita. Also, I PASSED my Group Fitness Instructor Certification Class so that was the letter I received!! My mom sent us all sorts of goodies Girl Scout cookies, Easter candy, hair mousse (that I can't find here), a treat for Mia, a new Fossil watch (my birthday present), our mail, and some other little things! Robert even sat in the car with me while I opened it! It is always fun getting to open packages!! Thank you again Mom and Dad!! It was getting closer to the time that I needed to head to the gym and get my cardio workout in so that then I could teach my class.

The past couple of weeks my friend Katie has been trying to inspire me to run a half marathon that is coming up at the end of April. In addition to Katie, my aunt Dru who is 13 years older than me but sure doesn't look it, just recently ran a half marathon, and to top it off all the participants on the Biggest Loser just ran a half marathon!! After much debate and thought I have decided to take on the challenge as long as my knees don't give me any problems. I have had some IT band problems in the past so we will see how it goes. Yesterday, I ran 4 miles on the treadmill and felt like I could have gone farther but due to lack of time had to stop at 4. I felt great and my knees didn't hurt at all! Then I went to teach my class and we had a record number of participants a total of 12!!

After class, I went home to change so Robert and I could go and meet Alex and Katie for dinner. Robert met me at the door with flowers (my favorite lilies and they are purple and pink!!) and one of my new favorite movies The Blind Side on bluray. Might I also add he bought me an early birthday present, a pair of Merrell waterproof tall black boots, which I have already enjoyed wearing!! Okay so let me go back a couple of years real quick. Robert has this history of making large purchases on my birthday. First it was upgrades for his red 350Z, last year he bought a new car the silver 370Z, and this year he bought a road bike. So on our way to dinner we had to stop by and pick it up and pay for it. I have to say that of all the purchases he has made for himself on my birthday, I am extremely excited about this one. He has joined our cycling family!! It all started for me when I was in 5th or 6th grade with the infamous pink Cannondale bike. I am excited to be able to share in this fitness endeavor with my husband!! Moving on! He is so excited that his bike is Texas Tech colors! Now I need an OSU colored bike!! We are hoping for some warm weather soon!

We met up with Alex and Katie and headed to a duck restaurant. They bring you all sorts of side dishes as you can see in the pictures below and then to top it off a plate piled with a mound of duck meat. You then put the meat on the grill over the coals that are in the center of your table. Once a piece of meat is cooked then you wrap it in a piece of lettuce with garlic and rice my favorite. It was so delicious and extremely cheap meal for four people. Katie also made cupcakes that we enjoyed after the meal. Next it was time for some ice cream. In keeping with tradition I was able to enjoy an ice cream cake from Basking Robbins! It was delicious!!
Despite being on the other side of the world in another country I had a wonderful birthday! Thank you to all that contributed! As for today I am catching up on laundry, house work, and letting my body recover. Training and abs class resume tomorrow! We are hoping to get out as long as the weather permits this weekend! I hope everyone is doing well!