Korean BBQ

I went to the "Lee House" on the weekend, and it's the second time I've been there in the last few months. It opened roughly about 6 months ago, and it's an expansion from the first restaurant that's located near Whyte Ave. First impression, it's in Chinatown, so obviously for anyone that's been in downtown YEG, they know it's the straight up ghetto. Not that you should let that stop you from going there, heck some of the best places look like total dives-but are actually delicious.

Now, the interior is fairly nice when you go inside, especially considering the location-you can tell it's pretty new still. It was larger than I expected, and there were plenty of tables-mainly empty ones even though it was a Saturday night, but still it's a pretty new spot so one must take that into consideration.

 

The food itself definitely seemed pricey; understand that Korean food is not cheap. Almost any good Korean BBQ places are fairly expensive, no matter where you go. If you're thinking it's going to be cheap like Pho, or Westernized Chinese restaurants, you'll be disappointed. Good quality Korean food is something you pay for, it's not extremely expensive to make-but it is extremely time-consuming in a sense, to make. Kimchi and Bulgogi or Kalbi takes days to make properly.

I ended up ordering the Stone Bowl Bibimbap, L.A Kalbi, and spicy soup. I would say for the price, the portions were a bit small, but the quality was pretty good. Not a lot of options for the BBQ meat, there were only a few choices, but it was nice because you could cook the food yourself or have it cooked in the kitchen before it was brought out to you. 

Those three dishes would've been a bit less than $60, but then we grabbed two bottles of Soju- Korean alcohol. They look like Asian beers, but don't be fooled because they're 19% and like $20 per bottle. (That we did not realize, or would've only grabbed one!) Whoops! Yeah we figured out they weren't plain beers when the server brought out shot glasses to drink the Soju with.

Otherwise, the service wasn't the greatest, we had to ask for obvious things like bowls and cutlery, as it wasn't immediately brought with dishes that required them. I'm not surprised, as many Asian restaurants are not well-known for their quality service.

Overall it's a decent Korean restaurant, not the best I've been too by any means, but then Koreans are very picky with their own food, and I'm no exception. It was nice that it was located centrally, as many of the Korean restaurants are in the south side so it's more convenient for many.

Woman's Best Friend?

My kitty friend <3

The intriguing thing about cats is that you don't instinctively love them on sight the way many people do with dogs. They're distinctly different in the sense that you have to grow to appreciate cats, and learn how to love them.

I've always been a dog person myself, growing up I'd had a couple dogs, but I have never owned a cat until I became an adult. Now, I love all animals, but the thing about dogs is that well-trained dogs instinctively love you back, and they crave your attention in a way that invokes affection naturally. Dogs are what you make them into, and they're naturally social animals in the sense that their instincts drive them to seek your approval, and like a loveable child, it's hard to resist them.

Cats on the other hand, don't naturally respect people, and often don't even seem to really like us. They couldn't care less about our approval, and totally lack the desire to please us. This does not warm the heart in quite the same way that dogs do. And yet, there's something about them that have made them one of the most popular pets in the world, their relationship with humans tracing back thousands of years. 

Difference between Dogs vs. Cats

Cats are creatures with minds of their own. They aren't as interactive as dogs and are not nearly as active. Most of us can't hook up a cat to a leash and take them around for a walk-they'd hate it and end up being dragged. A lot of people have had bad experiences with them and that fosters dislike even years later, and many have allergies to them and their litter.

So what's so great about cats? Well for starters, everyone knows they're lower maintenance as they require less attention and care, and are notorious for being clean pets. That's a given. But what makes people, especially women specifically, actually love them?

Miss Mia

 It's really not until you get a cat of your own, and see how they are firsthand, day-to-day that you come to respect them. That's the key, really, I may still like dogs more and find them better in certain things-but I respect cats on a different level. They're intelligence, agility and curiosity is fascinating. The funny things they do every day and their ability to keep themselves entertained is admirable. Their personalities are hilarious and with cats when you earn their love that's something hard-won. They don't love everyone, most people they won't even like, but if you can gain their love and affection that's a far greater challenge overcome. You know you deserved it and there's something to be said for that.

Come to the International Cat Festival next weekend- I'll be there!

Bookworm

I've heard that the average person is admirable to read more than 10 books a year. What?! This boggled my mind, and even when I did my research I've heard it ranged around 6-16 a year. That's depressing to me. I consider that easily done in a month, even though we all have busy lives. Hell, Oprah is one of the busiest people imaginable and she's an avid reader. And I'm not stupid-I knew that the amount I read was more than what is considered normal because let's be real-reading is a dying hobby, but I didn't know it was that low.

By this point most people are probably thinking-uh, did I even read a book last year? Or for fun-ever?! Haha, don't get me wrong; I get it. A lot of people find it boring as hell and would rather do almost anything else with their spare time. I feel that way about myself about sports and watching tv for the most part, so I know that feeling only too well. 

I get social media addicts for sure; I mean news and gossip is interesting-there's variety for whatever you like, and it's interactive. That makes sense to me, and I understand why Millennials or Generation Y are far more heavily reliant upon technology than any generation preceding it. (Just wait for Generation Z though-they're already blowing us out of the water guys) Technology is winning out over a good old-fashioned book. Even when many do read nowadays, people are using Kobos and Kindles and other e-reader tools instead of good old paperback novels that still have that satisfying page-smell.

Growing up, I got bullied and teased for reading so much, although more so for thoroughly enjoying it I think than anything. I got used to hiding it, and being embarrassed as a youth. Which I find highly ironic because nowadays people think it's so great when they find out how much I read. Then again, once my age group hit University and College age things definitely changed. Now being smart is considered cool. How times have changed! 

Honestly though, I wish I knew more people that enjoyed reading like I do. It's hard to find fellow book-lovers out there and reading isn't exactly easy to do with other people either. It's not like you can read a book together with someone like you can watch tv or movies (ugh) together; it's totally different. I admit it can be frustrating when my peers talk about some show or another and I'm lucky if I've heard of it at all. I should join a book club.

Getting a job at a bookstore was probably one of the smartest things I've done this year. Being surrounded by like minded people is great. Already I've come across so many potential new reads and learned so much, it's fascinating. Like, did you know that the most commonly stolen book is in actuality the bible? How's that for irony!

Things that irritate me on the regular, annoy me often, or simply otherwise piss me off.

My thoughts of the day:

1. Texting- I hate it so much; why can't people just call you anymore, or wait until they see you in person? Like jeez, I don't mind the odd text especially if we're busy, but honestly it should be a last resort. What especially annoys me is when people are like "why didn't you text me back"- because I forgot or I just don't want too. Get over it and next time just call me. Or people expect to text every day, honestly I have a life and I'm busy. I don't need to know what you're doing every waking moment, and I don't really care. What happened to real communication? Misunderstanding is far too common when it comes to texting. On top of that we like to complain that younger generations are so reliant upon technology- uhm hello? Hypocrites. 
2. People that are absolutely obsessed with low fat, diet, or organic crap. I honestly don't care what you eat, but don't try to push your weird food habits on me. That's for you, do you see me trying to push a cake in your face? Sure, you want to be healthy, great that's your right, but if I want to get fat, that's my right too. In my opinion we're all going to die eventually anyways so what's the point in over obsessing? I'm bad enough at over thinking every tiny detail in life anyways without the added stress. So let's agree to disagree.
3. Cuddling. Yeah, I'm a woman and to many people this seems odd to dislike. But seriously, who likes being all sticky and plastered to someone?! Not me. It's uncomfortable, and I dislike being smothered. Especially when I'm trying to sleep it's just annoying. Like seriously- go away. Unless I'm cold fine, but really that's what blankets and heat is for. Even my cat, yes she's adorable and fluffy but I can only hold her so long before I'm like, okay I've had enough, I need my space. I like my breathing room.
4. People that can't handle the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts- I get it. But personally I would rather someone hurt me with the truth than soothe me with a lie. Frankly, I can't stand liars. Who likes people that are full of bs really? I'm going to treat you how you treat me or at least how I would like you to be towards me. And I want straight up, blunt honesty. Sugarcoating, being coy, and all that is a waste of time. Just be real, and tell it to me like it is. Honestly, sometimes after I'm in situations where I have to hold it in and watch what I say it's such a relief to be around people where I can be myself and not hide what I think all the time. People that encourage and appreciate that forward quality in others are such a relief to be around, like drinking a big glass of water after a hot, thirsty day.