It is 2007, readers, and I have a confession. I am no longer in Korea.

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Our holiday in South Africa kicked off our return to Seattle, and at this very moment I am sitting in a fuzzy white robe, toes covered by fuzzy white slippers, watching the Today show, drinking Starbucks’ Christmas blend with raw turbanado sugar and a luxurious splash of organic half and half in an oversized novelty coffee mug.

It feels good to be back.

My first few days weren’t so smooth. Seattle’s infamous rainy weather combined the loneliness of the suburbs had me crying for my cozy Itaewon apartment, colorful friends, and the crowded Seoul subways. Kev pleaded with me, “Please, just give it a week.”

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When I first started this blog, back in April of this year, I mentioned that I would be attending culinary school. And now I am. With my first week under my belt and hundreds spent on knives, uniforms, and books I feel confident that it was the right choice. Though the reality is I won’t be returning to Korea anytime soon.

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I never imagined that this little blog would serve as the resource it has. I get emails from folks asking about restaurants in Seoul, Korean foods, ingredients, and general questions about living in the land of the morning clam. As much as I like to believe it is my gripping prose, dazzling creativity, and stunning photographs that keep you all coming back, I am happy and flattered to help answer these basic questions. And frankly, glad that all this information I have collected over the years has value.

The hardest part of leaving Korea was worrying what would become of Mary Eats. Would I just let it die? Should I continue to write about Korean food in America? Should I focus on restaurants in Seattle?

These questions have been plaguing me like a credit collectors’ call. Paralyzing me from posting anything new, revealing my status, or even reading other food blogs I usually browse over Saturday mornings. After one too many glasses of red wine I poured over Zen Kimchi’s page, tears welling up in my eyes (thankfully the daily kimchi and Seoul life were on holiday), convinced I had made the wrong choice.

But, after pulling it together here’s the plan. Mary Eats will continue to blog about Korean foods, Korean ingredients and Korean restaurants in America. I’ll start posting more Korean recipes and culinary finds once a week. I am lucky that the suburb I live in is quite international; including a run down QFC (supermarket) recently turned into Worl-du Mar-tu full of Hangeul signage and Korean ingredients.

Life as a culinary student will also find its way on the blog, as this is now my full time job. No joke. I spend about three hours on my homework every night. My students in Korea will no doubt feel justified by this karma.

I also resolve to wear SPF 15 everyday and to start skiing.

And that’s it friends. If I lose some of you to geographical location, or waning interest in stateside life, I’ll understand, but for those of you who stick around, I promise it won’t get boring.

Best wishes for an amazing new year.

Mary

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