The Tea.

Great cup of tea.
How greatly you lure me away from the sea.
Finally, passion for my own thoughts.
No longer do I fear or fraught.

Time to chill in a nice warm book.
Where my imaginations will be hooked.
Oh how I've longed for this day.
And forever I'll lay.

Warmth against my hands.
Together we make our own little band.
My feet are beginning to tingle
And now it's our time to mingle.

Neverland.

I'm sure reading the words Neverland you think of the movie, Peter Pan (one of my favorite childhood stories). It's a fictional land that holds a metaphorical meaning of "never growing up" (basically you never age- how I would love to actually live there). As fictional as that may be, I have found my Neverland. The Washington Park Arboretum is my Neverland. (So now I will refer the Arboretum as Neverland).

I learned about this place during my spring quarter of freshmen year as my friend asked me if I wanted to join her on a run. After finally convincing myself to go on this run, I'm glad I did go. As we got deeper into the park that's when we came across Lake Washington. And of course, (if you know me at all) I had to stop and take 239048 photos.

From the University of Washington department:
The Arboretum is a hidden gem on the shores of Lake Washington. Jointly managed by UW and the City of Seattle, its 230 acres are a dynamic assortment of plants found nowhere else. 

These photos aren't enough to describe how peaceful Neverland is. The lake is as rich blue as it gets. All your worries seem to just swim away into the lake. And your left just standing there with nothing but happy memories in your mind. I could just lay on the grass for hours (which is not like me considering I start getting paranoid about bugs crawling on me) and reminisce about my childhood memories. You begin to see how beautiful this world really is and question yourself why the hell you were so worried about the exam you just finished taking or why the zit on your face is there. This is my fictional land, where the only thing that matters is me, myself, and I. Where age becomes nothing. Where worries become meaningless. And where hopes become real.

If you're around the area, find a Sunny day, put some rain boots on (as the path may get muddy), and come visit this place. I know it will sweep you off your feet. So come step through my lens, and see why I called this place my Neverland.

Talk with Sehyun Kim.

The word inspiring doesn't even come close to describing my dearest friend. Life turned a twist for Sehyun Kim around Christmas 2013. I solely remember just few days before it all happened, we were at M&M Donuts. Sitting in the car, waiting in the drive through lane, singing random lyrics to "Call Me Maybe", and laughing about whether or not it was smart of us to wait in the drive through lane for 3 hours. Then the next day, I got that text that I feared the most; Sehyun was in the ICU room at Hoag Hospital. From then on, I've taken Sehyun's words "don't lose hope" and put it to heart.

Sehyun was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. Aplastic Anemia is a certain blood disorder in which the body's bone marrow doesn't make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a certain tissue found in the bones that make stem cells which develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It's imperative for your body to constantly make new blood cells as these certain blood cells and platelets only live for certain amount of days. However, in Sehyun's condition, if your bone marrow can't make enough new blood cells, many health problems can occur. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines.

Despite this rare occasion, Sehyun has not let it stop him from taking life day by day. I have yet to see this condition change Sehyun in any negative way. Heck, just last week he went hiking with the gent and his former roommate to Hermit Falls. Though Sehyun shared with me that it was a struggle on the way back (considering it was all uphill- I don't blame him),  I could see his excitement through every word we were messaging back and forth. It's rare finding that raw, good-hearted, kind person you can call your friend. So without a doubt,  it is a pleasure to feature my very good friend Sehyun Kim today on Knotuself. Thanks Sehyun, for reminding us how important it is to embrace every moment of life. Certainly, you have inspired me to stop and smell the roses today- with your voice in the back of my head saying "never let anything stop you from living your life".

1. People call me: Sayhoon, Super Sehyun, Sean (when I order at restaurants). 

2. I can't live without: Jesus. 

3. One place I want to visit is: Your kitchen.

4. My favorite book is: Ender's Game.

5. Life needs a little more: Cowbells.  

6. I smile when:  You smile. 

Smoked Salmon Snack.

Have you ever watched A Cinderella Story, staring Hilary Duff, Chad Murray, and Jennifer Coolidge? For me, it was always Jennifer Coolidge's character (the step-mother) that stuck with me the most because of her obsession with Smoked Salmon. I mean, she even had the chef at her diner work with the fish on every possible breakfast meal (like pancakes). But man, as odd as that sounds- drool, drool, lick, lick. The first few things that happen when I hear, say, see, think of the words Smoked Salmon. If it's on eggs benedict, I'll order it. If it's in a sandwich, I'll eat it. If it's on top of a cracker, I'll share it. Heck, even if it's by itself, I sneak a bite of it.

Smoked salmon is a good source of protein, which includes vitamin D, magnesium, and selenium. And as Jennifer Coolidge's character says, "I need my omega-3s".  Smoked Salmon can easily be bought at most grocery stores. My favorite so far are the ones they sell at Costco that provides three different types (peppered, traditional, and dill) in one package.

As for the cracker situation, like I said I would share it. So… I have put together a quick snack that includes crackers, cheese, greens, and (of course) smoked salmon for you guys today on Knotuself. Super easy to put together, but most importantly it's absolutely yummaaayyyy!

I N G R E D I E N T S _____________________________________

D I R E C T I O N S _____________________________________
1. Layout a few crackers out (here, I got the bagel crisp crackers). 
2. Spread some Gournay Cheese (or desired spread) on crackers. 
3. Place a good amount of greens on top of the spread. 
4. Carefully take a few smoked salmon and place on top of the greens. 
5. Finish off with a few shakes of lemon pepper (or desired seasoning). 
6. Enjoy and sing out loud humanah- humanah- humanah! 

Beauty of Handwritten Letters.

Whatever happened to good, old-fashion hand written letters? Thus far, I started my morning checking my email, my Instagram (of-course), and my Facebook. Finished texting those few extra characters and emoji icons to the gent (because who doesn't love emojis) as I haunched myself forward hiding myself behind my phone screen. What a routine I have start.

However, if I were to choose between fingers to keyboards or pen to paper, I definitely would choose the latter. The beauty of seeing how each letter is uniquely curved and characterized by the writer. The sentimental meaning behind each loop or curve. The crisp paper and the ink smudges. The authentic signature at the end of the letter. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing the time and thoughts someone put on a piece of paper- whether it's a note, a card, a poem, or a letter. Everyday I have that hope of receiving a hand written letter as I check my mail box. That sweet thought out letter. And that  I would have the opportunity to hold its crispness, and enjoy reciting the words over and over again knowing that someone else's thoughts are in my hands.

So, let someone hold your thoughts and feelings- and go write.

Tapioca My Pudding.

Typically I am not too crazy over pudding, but ever since I was introduced to Tapioca Pudding, I have found a new craving to add to my sweet list. Tapioca is a starchy substance in the form of a white grain obtained from a cassava plant. Because tapioca is made from cassava, it is naturally gluten free (some people even substitute flour for tapioca in certain ingredients- definitely cool). Tapioca is also naturally low in sodium (Yay!), containing about 2 mg per 1 cup serving. As for me, I made sure to buy myself the option of gluten-free and organic tapioca pudding (from Costco). It is an easy ingredient to put together either as a savory or sweet dish. It's naturally low in fat and high in carbohydrates with a source of iron. As for me, I tried making it a little more guilt free by adding some healthier toppings to my pudding, but still making it absolutely delicious. You can simply add anything you want from flax seeds to strawberries to honey to oatmeal- making the dish even more refreshing and satisfying. It's a simple dish to throw the ingredients together, and I promise you your tummy will be thanking you right after! 

I N G R E D I E N T S _____________________________________

D I R E C T I O N S _____________________________________

1. Scoop desire amount of pudding into a bowl to serve as the base. 

2. Top the pudding with a handful of blueberries, raspberries. 

3. Finish with a teaspoon of chia seeds. 

4. Enjoy and do a little dance! 

I Scream!

Nothing brings me more joy than those few licks of that sweet flavored milk- ice-cream. You think being buried in the cold of Seattle I would want to drink my tea or hot chocolate all day. Wrong. My sweet tooth seems to always come into play during happy hour. Luckily for me, Seattle holds one of the finest and simplistic ice cream pallor called Molly Moon's. As all their ice creams are homemade,  I always tend to turn to their Earl Grey with a waffle cone. And let me tell you, their waffle cones are yummy and cruuuuuuunchy!

So cheers to some delicious ice-cream in the cold!