We had a gathering of Chinese and Indian students on Monday night to celebrate Moon Cake Festival. I've learn that it's an annual gathering to remember our festivals back in Malaysia and also an opportunity for all the students from different batch to meet and have fellowship.
The gathering was in a Galbi Shop, a Korean barbecue shop. The price is quite reasonable, about RM 24 per person for a buffet barbecue dinner. For the first time after so long I feasted sumptuously on beef, pork and lamb.
After the dinner we gathered at a nearby park. Our seniors brought lanterns and moon cakes from Malaysia during their trip back home in August. So we were able to enjoy Malaysia-made moon cakes in a far away country.
The night was followed by a ghost story telling, which I didn't really like at first, but began to enjoy later on. The reason? Our seniors were so horrible at telling the story that it wasn't at all scary, rather it was so funny till we all can't control our laughter.
Thus ends my first Moon Cake festival in this far Eastern country. Though the locals doesn't celebrate the festival, we Malaysian student's enjoyed it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Home at Last
At last! After 20 days of my arrival in Korea, finally I get to see my home yesterday.
Though our house is relatively bigger ( still much smaller compared to the houses in Malaysia) than that of my friends, one of the two-person-sharing room (which I'm sharing with another friend) doesn't have a window to it, so it's very humid if the two of us were to live in there. In the end I decided to put my desk in another room and use the room to put the shared closet and for sleeping purposes.
Did the cleaning on Saturday afternoon. Our Juin, landlord was very nice . He changed the wall paper and carpet before we moved in. However, the bathroom is extremely dirty and there's no sink in there. Thus we need to brush our teeth in the kitchen everyday.
Anyway, it feels good to have my own home. Muahahahaha...!!!
Though our house is relatively bigger ( still much smaller compared to the houses in Malaysia) than that of my friends, one of the two-person-sharing room (which I'm sharing with another friend) doesn't have a window to it, so it's very humid if the two of us were to live in there. In the end I decided to put my desk in another room and use the room to put the shared closet and for sleeping purposes.
Did the cleaning on Saturday afternoon. Our Juin, landlord was very nice . He changed the wall paper and carpet before we moved in. However, the bathroom is extremely dirty and there's no sink in there. Thus we need to brush our teeth in the kitchen everyday.
Anyway, it feels good to have my own home. Muahahahaha...!!!
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Cooking Lesson
As the Malaysian programme over here is a Language and Culture Programme, our lecturers decided to let us watch a movie on Friday and give us a cooking lesson, cooking 3 basic Korean food.
The movie was nice, but the most interesting event of the day was the cooking part. We made Udong (Japanese noodle), Gimbap (Rice Wrapped in Seaweed) and Tteokbokki (Stir Fried Rice Cake).
The Tteokbokki doesn't suit my taste, it's just like eating plain rice with chilli sauce. Gimbap is better, the radish we used had a sweet taste in it. But usually thr radish used in the shops are extremely sour, which to me taste quite strange. However, the Udong was really nice. All of us like it best compared to the other dishes.
Seems that we still need some more time to get used to the food around here.
The movie was nice, but the most interesting event of the day was the cooking part. We made Udong (Japanese noodle), Gimbap (Rice Wrapped in Seaweed) and Tteokbokki (Stir Fried Rice Cake).
The Tteokbokki doesn't suit my taste, it's just like eating plain rice with chilli sauce. Gimbap is better, the radish we used had a sweet taste in it. But usually thr radish used in the shops are extremely sour, which to me taste quite strange. However, the Udong was really nice. All of us like it best compared to the other dishes.
Seems that we still need some more time to get used to the food around here.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
First Bad Impression
On Wednesday one of my friend wanted to buy a digital camera, so another friend and I accompanied him to YongSan, a centre for electrical items.
Frankly I didn't quite agree with him buying it at this time because none of them actually planned to get a digital camera while in Malaysia. But because a few others of our friend got it, he also wanted one. He was telling me that the budget will be enough. I can't quite argue with him on that because he'll be "puasa"ing next month and will be cutting quite a huge amount on food.
Anyway, the three of us went to Yongsan and have a look. We entered a camera shop and started enquiring about the digital cameras. The guy whom we talked to was quite nice, telling us the function and explaining it to us the best he can using korean, english and some sign language.
After looking at a few cameras my friend chosed one which he liked best. So he wanted to go to an ATM machine and withdraw money. As we know not where the nearest AT machine was, the man "kindly" accompanied us to it.
Coming back to the shop and paying the money, another guy from the shop suddenly talked to the person whom we were dealing with in Korean. (Looking back know we know that he was "hasuting" the man) . So the guy quickly brought a few other cameras and begin to tell us how much better those cameras are compared to the one my friend just bought and that he's willing to give us a good deal considering that we're students.
We were really confused and I began to feel suspicious. But not being able to understand fully what the man said, I decided to let my friend make his own decision. And after giving it much thinking my friend decided to buy one of those cameras, which the man told us was 6 mega pixels and other advantages. So he went to withdraw some more money and paid the bill.
After coming out of the shop, the other friend and I felt really suspicious. Fearing that our friend might have been cheated, and thinking that the shops around there might somehow be linked, the two of us drop by at a few other shops far away from the one which my friend bought the camera and began to enquire the price for the exact camera.
Alas! Our poor friend really got cheated by nearly RM 600 and the camera had only 3 mega pixels. Not knowing what to do, we tried telephoning a few people, seniors, friends, lecturer, but to no avail. The only way was to wait till the next day when our lecturer was able to accompany us back to the shop.
So on Thursday, Mr Ham , one of our lecturer, accompanied my friend back to the shop. I followed as well to keep my friend company and in-case they need any witness.
So in the end after about an hour plus of dealing with the shop owner (who told us the camera had 3 years warranty compared to others which only had 1 year and that's why it was more expensive) and going to the managment of that building, our lecturer manage to get a 128MB XD memory card for my friend.
It really reminds me of Petaling Street where I saw lots of foreigners being cheated. Now it's our turn being cheated as a foreigner.
To all those who are else where overseas, may this be a reminder to be more careful. Check out the price and details of things in through the internet before purchasing them.
Frankly I didn't quite agree with him buying it at this time because none of them actually planned to get a digital camera while in Malaysia. But because a few others of our friend got it, he also wanted one. He was telling me that the budget will be enough. I can't quite argue with him on that because he'll be "puasa"ing next month and will be cutting quite a huge amount on food.
Anyway, the three of us went to Yongsan and have a look. We entered a camera shop and started enquiring about the digital cameras. The guy whom we talked to was quite nice, telling us the function and explaining it to us the best he can using korean, english and some sign language.
After looking at a few cameras my friend chosed one which he liked best. So he wanted to go to an ATM machine and withdraw money. As we know not where the nearest AT machine was, the man "kindly" accompanied us to it.
Coming back to the shop and paying the money, another guy from the shop suddenly talked to the person whom we were dealing with in Korean. (Looking back know we know that he was "hasuting" the man) . So the guy quickly brought a few other cameras and begin to tell us how much better those cameras are compared to the one my friend just bought and that he's willing to give us a good deal considering that we're students.
We were really confused and I began to feel suspicious. But not being able to understand fully what the man said, I decided to let my friend make his own decision. And after giving it much thinking my friend decided to buy one of those cameras, which the man told us was 6 mega pixels and other advantages. So he went to withdraw some more money and paid the bill.
After coming out of the shop, the other friend and I felt really suspicious. Fearing that our friend might have been cheated, and thinking that the shops around there might somehow be linked, the two of us drop by at a few other shops far away from the one which my friend bought the camera and began to enquire the price for the exact camera.
Alas! Our poor friend really got cheated by nearly RM 600 and the camera had only 3 mega pixels. Not knowing what to do, we tried telephoning a few people, seniors, friends, lecturer, but to no avail. The only way was to wait till the next day when our lecturer was able to accompany us back to the shop.
So on Thursday, Mr Ham , one of our lecturer, accompanied my friend back to the shop. I followed as well to keep my friend company and in-case they need any witness.
So in the end after about an hour plus of dealing with the shop owner (who told us the camera had 3 years warranty compared to others which only had 1 year and that's why it was more expensive) and going to the managment of that building, our lecturer manage to get a 128MB XD memory card for my friend.
It really reminds me of Petaling Street where I saw lots of foreigners being cheated. Now it's our turn being cheated as a foreigner.
To all those who are else where overseas, may this be a reminder to be more careful. Check out the price and details of things in through the internet before purchasing them.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
My 18th Birthday
Today is my birthday! I was suppose to move into the house in Daerim-Dongand I was going to make it my birthday present. But, about 11pm last night, the senior in-charge of my house came and told me that I am no longer moving to the house in Daerim and that my home will be Gochok-Dong. And because the contract for that house is not fully settled, we can only move in this Wednesday or Thursday.
So, after coming to Korea for more than 2 weeks I still don't have my own home.
Anyway, wanting to out and lepak today, I phoned my friends to see what plans they have. Initially they wanted to come to my home in Daerim tonight, but our plans were ruined. When I phoned them, they were about to go to another person's home in Daerim. As I've never been there before, I decided to follow.
At noon, one of the senior, Pek Fang called and made an appointment with 5 of the Chinese girls to meet at Sindorim. Having nothing better to do, I followed.
From Sindorim, Pek Fang and Angella ( another of our senior) brought us to Myeong Dong for lunch. The steamed chicken there is indeed delicious. I would have thought that it was a Chinese delicacy if not for the two bowls of Kimchi laid in front of me. (Later we met another senior who told us that such a meal cost about 8000won (RM 24) per person, and they were 8 of us including the 2 seniors. What nice seniors we have!)
As we were walking around Myeong Dong looking at the clothes, we bump into 3 other seniors, one whom I forgot her name and the other two are Kokok & A Sid. With her persuasive skill, Pek Fang persuaded Kokok and Ah Sid to bring us for a threat at Baskin Robins. At Baskin Robbins, the two of them got a present for me.
Coming out of Baskin Robbins, we saw a stall that sells teddy bears. All 6 of us juniors got a pair each. My was paid for by one of my friends. It will be a remembrance for us : the best weekend we had after coming to Korea.
Thus this was how I celebrated my first birthday overseas. Contrary to what I imagine: buyng a cake, sitting in the room, eating the cake alone, it was filled with fun.
And surely I will remember it.
So, after coming to Korea for more than 2 weeks I still don't have my own home.
Anyway, wanting to out and lepak today, I phoned my friends to see what plans they have. Initially they wanted to come to my home in Daerim tonight, but our plans were ruined. When I phoned them, they were about to go to another person's home in Daerim. As I've never been there before, I decided to follow.
At noon, one of the senior, Pek Fang called and made an appointment with 5 of the Chinese girls to meet at Sindorim. Having nothing better to do, I followed.
From Sindorim, Pek Fang and Angella ( another of our senior) brought us to Myeong Dong for lunch. The steamed chicken there is indeed delicious. I would have thought that it was a Chinese delicacy if not for the two bowls of Kimchi laid in front of me. (Later we met another senior who told us that such a meal cost about 8000won (RM 24) per person, and they were 8 of us including the 2 seniors. What nice seniors we have!)
As we were walking around Myeong Dong looking at the clothes, we bump into 3 other seniors, one whom I forgot her name and the other two are Kokok & A Sid. With her persuasive skill, Pek Fang persuaded Kokok and Ah Sid to bring us for a threat at Baskin Robins. At Baskin Robbins, the two of them got a present for me.
Coming out of Baskin Robbins, we saw a stall that sells teddy bears. All 6 of us juniors got a pair each. My was paid for by one of my friends. It will be a remembrance for us : the best weekend we had after coming to Korea.
Thus this was how I celebrated my first birthday overseas. Contrary to what I imagine: buyng a cake, sitting in the room, eating the cake alone, it was filled with fun.
And surely I will remember it.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Exploring Seoul (2)
Wanting to continue my exploration, I went to Garibong with 4 of my friends on Monday afternoon after class.
My friends have heard that the things in Garibong Market are quite cheap, so we decided to go and have a look.
Coming out of Garibong Station, we saw a map indicating that Garibong Market is just across the street from the station. So we came out of the station and walk straight ahead. However, either the map was wrong or our map reading skill is horrible, we do not know. The thing is, we lost our way.
Stopping in front of a shop, we asked the shop owner for direction to Garibong Market. The guy was very helpful. He explained in detail the way to our destination. However, he's explanation was all in Korean, which at our standard we still can't understand.
So, he decided to draw us a map. But the roads in Seoul are very complicated and his drawing is too simple. Finally another man from the shop volunteered to bring us to the market.
And truely, the things there are very cheap. My friends, being girls, have in their nature the longing to shop for clothes. But I can't blame them. Imagine buying a shirt for RM 6.00 and a jacket for RM 7.50. I myself bought a shirt and a t-shirt for RM 12.00.
Finally, we decided to come back after "visiting" evry shop that sells clothes. But at least now we know where to get the cheapest summer wear, winter clothing and all that.
My friends have heard that the things in Garibong Market are quite cheap, so we decided to go and have a look.
Coming out of Garibong Station, we saw a map indicating that Garibong Market is just across the street from the station. So we came out of the station and walk straight ahead. However, either the map was wrong or our map reading skill is horrible, we do not know. The thing is, we lost our way.
Stopping in front of a shop, we asked the shop owner for direction to Garibong Market. The guy was very helpful. He explained in detail the way to our destination. However, he's explanation was all in Korean, which at our standard we still can't understand.
So, he decided to draw us a map. But the roads in Seoul are very complicated and his drawing is too simple. Finally another man from the shop volunteered to bring us to the market.
And truely, the things there are very cheap. My friends, being girls, have in their nature the longing to shop for clothes. But I can't blame them. Imagine buying a shirt for RM 6.00 and a jacket for RM 7.50. I myself bought a shirt and a t-shirt for RM 12.00.
Finally, we decided to come back after "visiting" evry shop that sells clothes. But at least now we know where to get the cheapest summer wear, winter clothing and all that.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Exploring Seoul (1)
I was suppose to move into my house in Daerim-dong on Saturday, but unfortunately the contract was not settled, so I still can't move in. From what we heard the Malaysia Embassy couldn't pay the key-money, something like a deposit, so we need to suffer because of that.
The seniors were encouraging me to go out on Saturday, since I had nothing much to do. I wanted to go out with few of my friends, but I wasn't able to contact them as they still do not have their house phone. Those that are staying near by were busy buying furnitures and cleaning their house. At the end, I had to go alone. Not that it's somethig bad, just that I'd prefer some company.
Anyway, I took the subway and went to Myeongdong, a place where the young people of Seoul hang-out. The place is like a few Petaling Street joint together. Everywhere I went I could see people buying and selling food. I really wonder how Koreans can still stay fit even though they eat so much. Although the food seems quite delicious, I just did not have the appetite to eat. Missing my Malaysian laksa, chicken rice, chah kueh teow, kolo mee......
As it was raining quite heavily, I went into a shopping centre to avoid the rain. The one thing I don't like about the shopping centres here is that they are quite small. Some of the shopping centres are quite tall, but they are not as spacious compared to the shopping centres in Malaysia.
Following the seniors' advice, I didn't buy any unnessary things. In fact, I didn't buy anything at all becuase I don't know where to put them since I don't have a home yet.
As it was still quite early, I decided to go to Dongdaemun Stadium. My lecturer had told us that there is a flea market near the stadium every weekend. So, I took the subway and arrive at Dongdaemun Stadium's station, just to find that it was atill raining heavily outside and that I had lost my umbrella somewhere in Myeongdong Station. Feeling tired and not wanting to waste my money on a new umbrella, I decided to go back.
Thus end my first episod of Seoul exploration.
The seniors were encouraging me to go out on Saturday, since I had nothing much to do. I wanted to go out with few of my friends, but I wasn't able to contact them as they still do not have their house phone. Those that are staying near by were busy buying furnitures and cleaning their house. At the end, I had to go alone. Not that it's somethig bad, just that I'd prefer some company.
Anyway, I took the subway and went to Myeongdong, a place where the young people of Seoul hang-out. The place is like a few Petaling Street joint together. Everywhere I went I could see people buying and selling food. I really wonder how Koreans can still stay fit even though they eat so much. Although the food seems quite delicious, I just did not have the appetite to eat. Missing my Malaysian laksa, chicken rice, chah kueh teow, kolo mee......
As it was raining quite heavily, I went into a shopping centre to avoid the rain. The one thing I don't like about the shopping centres here is that they are quite small. Some of the shopping centres are quite tall, but they are not as spacious compared to the shopping centres in Malaysia.
Following the seniors' advice, I didn't buy any unnessary things. In fact, I didn't buy anything at all becuase I don't know where to put them since I don't have a home yet.
As it was still quite early, I decided to go to Dongdaemun Stadium. My lecturer had told us that there is a flea market near the stadium every weekend. So, I took the subway and arrive at Dongdaemun Stadium's station, just to find that it was atill raining heavily outside and that I had lost my umbrella somewhere in Myeongdong Station. Feeling tired and not wanting to waste my money on a new umbrella, I decided to go back.
Thus end my first episod of Seoul exploration.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Cheese & Wine Party
Went to the Cheese & Wine Party at SNU yesterday. It was organised for all foreign students and lecturers in SNU, to let them meet each other and meet some other Koreans as well.
But sadly, most of my friends were busy moving into their new house and none of them wanted to go, so I had to go alone.
Overall, the party was quite good. At first I was not able to socialize with the others. Everyone seems to have come with their friends and they were sitting in groups chatting in different languages, and there I was feeling so left out.
Suddenly, I saw this guy who looks quite similar to one of my seniors. So I went up to him, just to find out that he's a Korean. But we manage to strike up a conversation. He and his friends were there observing how other people organize such an event, because their society wants to do one as well.
The funny thing was, though they came as a group, they were actually finding opportunity to know people from other countries. But to them, everyone was chatting with their friends in groups so they dare not go and intterupt.
So, through this experiece, I guess I'll have to take the initiative to know others when I attend such a party next time.
But sadly, most of my friends were busy moving into their new house and none of them wanted to go, so I had to go alone.
Overall, the party was quite good. At first I was not able to socialize with the others. Everyone seems to have come with their friends and they were sitting in groups chatting in different languages, and there I was feeling so left out.
Suddenly, I saw this guy who looks quite similar to one of my seniors. So I went up to him, just to find out that he's a Korean. But we manage to strike up a conversation. He and his friends were there observing how other people organize such an event, because their society wants to do one as well.
The funny thing was, though they came as a group, they were actually finding opportunity to know people from other countries. But to them, everyone was chatting with their friends in groups so they dare not go and intterupt.
So, through this experiece, I guess I'll have to take the initiative to know others when I attend such a party next time.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Orientation
Arrived at the airport safely, excited and a little tired. We were expecting warm welcome from our seniors, little did we know it's the beginning of a 5-days torment for us.
The Incheon airport is not as big as KLIA, but it's quite organised. The best thing I like about it is that we need not have to walk so far to collect our luggage and go to the exit.
After our arrival we went to Malaysia's Embassy in Hangnam-Dong, met the embassador and the other officers over there. Later the seniors took us to one of Korea Exchange Bank's branch to open an account.
As we went back to the embassy, none of us knew that we were entering the 'gates of hell'. It was the begining of our orientation. We were punished for coming back slowly, not bringing our files with us, and any other excuses that they could think of.
All in all throughout the 5 days orientation, whether we were in our motel or during the camp, we must be prepared to do pumpings, half- stand, marching and other activities anytime of the day, be it 6.30am early moring or 2.30am before dawn.
The one event that I believe all of us will always remember is standing with our clothes and shoes on in the swimming pool for 2 hours !
We cooked our own meals during the 2 days 1 night camp. We did quite a good job, considering that most of us never really cooked before.
We also didn't have enough sleep throughout the orientation. There was once where I only manage to sleep for 1/2 an hour, which made me woke up late and got hukuman for it.
However, we do understand that our seniors were trying to prepare us for the life in Korea which is full of pressure and tension. They were also trying to make us unite as a batch and help one another.
But, sometimes I still don't really agree with the method they use. I'll definitely not use this same method on my juniors next time.
Anyway, the air here in Seoul is worse than KL I'm still trying to get use to it. I'm still very tired, recovering from the orientation. Hopefully will be better soon.
The Incheon airport is not as big as KLIA, but it's quite organised. The best thing I like about it is that we need not have to walk so far to collect our luggage and go to the exit.
After our arrival we went to Malaysia's Embassy in Hangnam-Dong, met the embassador and the other officers over there. Later the seniors took us to one of Korea Exchange Bank's branch to open an account.
As we went back to the embassy, none of us knew that we were entering the 'gates of hell'. It was the begining of our orientation. We were punished for coming back slowly, not bringing our files with us, and any other excuses that they could think of.
All in all throughout the 5 days orientation, whether we were in our motel or during the camp, we must be prepared to do pumpings, half- stand, marching and other activities anytime of the day, be it 6.30am early moring or 2.30am before dawn.
The one event that I believe all of us will always remember is standing with our clothes and shoes on in the swimming pool for 2 hours !
We cooked our own meals during the 2 days 1 night camp. We did quite a good job, considering that most of us never really cooked before.
We also didn't have enough sleep throughout the orientation. There was once where I only manage to sleep for 1/2 an hour, which made me woke up late and got hukuman for it.
However, we do understand that our seniors were trying to prepare us for the life in Korea which is full of pressure and tension. They were also trying to make us unite as a batch and help one another.
But, sometimes I still don't really agree with the method they use. I'll definitely not use this same method on my juniors next time.
Anyway, the air here in Seoul is worse than KL I'm still trying to get use to it. I'm still very tired, recovering from the orientation. Hopefully will be better soon.
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Merdeka
Today is Malaysia's independence day. But to be exact, it's Malaya's independence day. Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963. Anyway, the merdeka spirit is still up and about, and I'm proud of it.
Though Malaysia did not win any medals in Olympics, we still stand tall in the eyes of the world. Here's a little "comfort".
Nearing the end of my holidays. Wasn't able to accomplish much. Spent most of the time at home with my family and relatives. Did manage to watch Alien vs Predator, though. It reminds me of a computer games I used to play, Starcraft. The aliens are like the Zergs while the predators are like the Protoss.No matter who win, we loss. But at the end the humans sided with the protoss.
Truthfully, I'm quite excited about going overseas to study. It's the dream of lots of people. I was longing for a chance as well. I wanted to go as far as I could back then when I just finished my SPM. What's more, I'm going to one of the top universities in Asia. But 4 months of being away from home have taught me not to be so optimistic, especially in dealings with people. Maybe I'm letting the one bad experience I had haunting me, but then....
Well, there's just too much uncertainties that lies ahead, and I don't like the feeling of not knowing what to expect and what will happen.
But I'll take it as a test of patience and faith. After all, isn't faith about believing in something we do not see?
Though Malaysia did not win any medals in Olympics, we still stand tall in the eyes of the world. Here's a little "comfort".
Nearing the end of my holidays. Wasn't able to accomplish much. Spent most of the time at home with my family and relatives. Did manage to watch Alien vs Predator, though. It reminds me of a computer games I used to play, Starcraft. The aliens are like the Zergs while the predators are like the Protoss.No matter who win, we loss. But at the end the humans sided with the protoss.
Truthfully, I'm quite excited about going overseas to study. It's the dream of lots of people. I was longing for a chance as well. I wanted to go as far as I could back then when I just finished my SPM. What's more, I'm going to one of the top universities in Asia. But 4 months of being away from home have taught me not to be so optimistic, especially in dealings with people. Maybe I'm letting the one bad experience I had haunting me, but then....
Well, there's just too much uncertainties that lies ahead, and I don't like the feeling of not knowing what to expect and what will happen.
But I'll take it as a test of patience and faith. After all, isn't faith about believing in something we do not see?
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