Had an stomachache when I woke up this morning, thought that it might be the bread pudding I ate last night.
Was feeling much better by late morning, but suddenly my head started to ache like it was going to burst open.
Despite the sickness, I had to go to Mokdong to apply for our Resident Certificate as we need to make it within 90 days of our arrival in Korea.
So there were about 40-50 of us and by the time I reached there, my number was 270+ while the current calling number was 70 !!!
As we do not want to delay the registration till other day, we decided to stay till our turn.
So there I was, waiting for more than an hour with my sick body and dizy head.
And of all things, when the first of us Malaysian student's turn arrived, then person in-charge told us that our documents were not complete and that we need to raise our visa status from D-2 to D-4 which will cost us another 50000won!!!!
So we had no choice but to head back home and get the documents and come again on the appointed day, which is this coming Monday.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Monday, November 22, 2004
Another Hari Raya Open House
Went to Mr Hamdan, the government officer in-charged of us JPA sponsored students and other government staff trainings in Korea, house at Oksu yesterday evening after church service, for the free food of course.
He had an open house yesterday but as he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to accomodate us 200++ students at once, he divided us into 7 groups from 3pm till 10pm at night.
But as any Malaysian would have guessed, most of us didn't go according to scheduled. Some went earlier and some later. Of course they were some who never showed up as well.
One thing worth mentioning was that the food was delicious, beter than the one we had at the embassador's home. There were rendang, curry, chocolate cakes, cheese cakes, fruit cakes and much more.
Really had been a great weekend. Two days of feasting for my stomach : )
He had an open house yesterday but as he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to accomodate us 200++ students at once, he divided us into 7 groups from 3pm till 10pm at night.
But as any Malaysian would have guessed, most of us didn't go according to scheduled. Some went earlier and some later. Of course they were some who never showed up as well.
One thing worth mentioning was that the food was delicious, beter than the one we had at the embassador's home. There were rendang, curry, chocolate cakes, cheese cakes, fruit cakes and much more.
Really had been a great weekend. Two days of feasting for my stomach : )
Thanksgiving Dinner
Went to one of the ABSK Bible study group member's house at Shinchon for a Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday evening. Thanksgiving falls on 25 November this year but as there's no holiday this Thursday, they decided to celebrate it a week earlier.
If I'm not mistaken, this is the first Thanksgiving dinner I've ever attended. But sadly as they couldn't find turkey they decided to use chicken instead. Roasted chicken, yum yum !
If I'm not mistaken, this is the first Thanksgiving dinner I've ever attended. But sadly as they couldn't find turkey they decided to use chicken instead. Roasted chicken, yum yum !
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Drama
Went to Korea University this morning to see the 2004 Korean Play Contest for Foreigners. Some of my seniors and friends took part in it, so our lecturers brought the whole batch of Malaysian students to give moral support.
They were 5 teams all in all, 4 playing some Korean tradisional story while another team performed a Koreanised Cinderella.
Well, in the end our team didn't manage to come at first, but but they won a best liked actress ( who was actually a guy playing the roll of a fairy).
I wanted to join The Seoul Players drama the other day, but couldn't find the location. May be I'll give it another try sometime later.
They were 5 teams all in all, 4 playing some Korean tradisional story while another team performed a Koreanised Cinderella.
Well, in the end our team didn't manage to come at first, but but they won a best liked actress ( who was actually a guy playing the roll of a fairy).
I wanted to join The Seoul Players drama the other day, but couldn't find the location. May be I'll give it another try sometime later.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Record Breaking
Muahahaha !!!!!!
Completed book one for my piano lesson in record time. Of course, most of my competitors are children below the age of 12.....
Anyway, it feels great to complete something, providing me with the enthusiasm to continue learning it : )
Completed book one for my piano lesson in record time. Of course, most of my competitors are children below the age of 12.....
Anyway, it feels great to complete something, providing me with the enthusiasm to continue learning it : )
DeepaRaya
As everyone knows, it was Hari Raya on Sunday. Instead of the Kongsi Raya that we had few years back, we had a DeepaRaya celebration.
My house mates stayed up till 2-3am in the morning cooking rendang, sent from Malaysia by their parents, while listening to some Hari Raya songs downloaded from the internet.
Well, personally I won't think that there'll be such a celebration if the ambassador wasn't changed more than half a year ago. And the new ambassador happens to be an Indian!
So on Sunday he had an open house and invited everyone to go. We, as loyal faithful Malaysian, went to visit his home, for the free food of course. I don't think that most of the people who were there would be there if not for the food.
It's no surprise actually, after all we wouldn't know what to talk about with him.
It was not that bad after all. Met some other Malaysians who came by themselves under the scholarship provided by some Korean (art?)university .
The food was filling, BUT I was actually hoping for more than what was served. But what can you expect when you have a party organized by someone who doesn't eat beef and most of the people that come doesn't eat pork?
My house mates stayed up till 2-3am in the morning cooking rendang, sent from Malaysia by their parents, while listening to some Hari Raya songs downloaded from the internet.
Well, personally I won't think that there'll be such a celebration if the ambassador wasn't changed more than half a year ago. And the new ambassador happens to be an Indian!
So on Sunday he had an open house and invited everyone to go. We, as loyal faithful Malaysian, went to visit his home, for the free food of course. I don't think that most of the people who were there would be there if not for the food.
It's no surprise actually, after all we wouldn't know what to talk about with him.
It was not that bad after all. Met some other Malaysians who came by themselves under the scholarship provided by some Korean (art?)university .
The food was filling, BUT I was actually hoping for more than what was served. But what can you expect when you have a party organized by someone who doesn't eat beef and most of the people that come doesn't eat pork?
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Piano Lesson
After 18 years, I started my first piano lesson on Friday. I've always wanted to learn piano, but hadn't been able to do so.....till NOW.
It's kind of strange though, when the other students are all below the age of twelve, except for we Malaysian students, that is.
Frankly, I like music quite a lot. But I don't think I'm musically talented and strangely I'm a rare specious among my friends as I know nothing about the "hot" singers and all their pop songs.
Though I'm having such an enthusiasm right now, I wonder how long it'll last. There was a senior who wanted to learn piano as eager as I currently am when she first came to Korea, BUT, she stopped after a month....
I like the feel of having a tighter schedule. It makes me think that I'm doing something worthwhile with my time rather than sitting in front of the TV everyday playing Kingdom Under Fire, Mortal Combat and other games like what I did for the last few weeks.
It's kind of strange though, when the other students are all below the age of twelve, except for we Malaysian students, that is.
Frankly, I like music quite a lot. But I don't think I'm musically talented and strangely I'm a rare specious among my friends as I know nothing about the "hot" singers and all their pop songs.
Though I'm having such an enthusiasm right now, I wonder how long it'll last. There was a senior who wanted to learn piano as eager as I currently am when she first came to Korea, BUT, she stopped after a month....
I like the feel of having a tighter schedule. It makes me think that I'm doing something worthwhile with my time rather than sitting in front of the TV everyday playing Kingdom Under Fire, Mortal Combat and other games like what I did for the last few weeks.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Bible Study Group
Today as I was going for calligraphy class, a Korean approached my friend and asked him whether he's a Christian. And not being one, he asked me to talk to the guy instead.
So they were telling me that Bible study is an important part for a Christian, we should study the Bible often, and so on.
He also invited me to join their Bible study. The place? Anywhere in the campus ground.
So being a curious person like me, I tried it out. Actually he wanted me to meet another guy who is better in English, but the person had other things to attend to and could not make it. So we had to communicate with my weak Korean and his English.
Fortunately the passage was a familiar one - Parable of the Seeds. So he did the best he could and we ended our short session.
However I'll be meeting his other friend tomorrow, and we'll see whether we'll be able to communicate better in English.
So back to square one, I'm confused whether to continue with this group of people as I'm currently joining another Bible study conducted by ABSK (Asian Baptist Student Koinonia) every Wednesday evening.
Guess I'll just have to wait and see.
So they were telling me that Bible study is an important part for a Christian, we should study the Bible often, and so on.
He also invited me to join their Bible study. The place? Anywhere in the campus ground.
So being a curious person like me, I tried it out. Actually he wanted me to meet another guy who is better in English, but the person had other things to attend to and could not make it. So we had to communicate with my weak Korean and his English.
Fortunately the passage was a familiar one - Parable of the Seeds. So he did the best he could and we ended our short session.
However I'll be meeting his other friend tomorrow, and we'll see whether we'll be able to communicate better in English.
So back to square one, I'm confused whether to continue with this group of people as I'm currently joining another Bible study conducted by ABSK (Asian Baptist Student Koinonia) every Wednesday evening.
Guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Korean Language - level 2
Starting my Level 2 Korean language lesson today. Though it officially started yesterday, we had a Korean language proficiency test set by the government, and gosh! It was hard. Lots of vocabulary and grammar that we've not learn. But by God's grace I manage to obtain 90%.
So the test took about 3 1/2 hours and another half hour was used for a brief orientation.
Starting this level, we'll be having hanja, Chinese character in Korean language. These characters are the traditional ones. So though I can read, writing will be something new.
We'll also be learning Mathematics and some computer skills this level. And the activity that we're all longing for is the trip to Everland!!!
Well, lots to look forward to : )
For those who wants to learn Korean, this is a good place.
So the test took about 3 1/2 hours and another half hour was used for a brief orientation.
Starting this level, we'll be having hanja, Chinese character in Korean language. These characters are the traditional ones. So though I can read, writing will be something new.
We'll also be learning Mathematics and some computer skills this level. And the activity that we're all longing for is the trip to Everland!!!
Well, lots to look forward to : )
For those who wants to learn Korean, this is a good place.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Daejeon Metropolitan City
After weeks of planning, finally I manage to go to Sophia's home in Daejeon. Even before I came to Korea, she gave me her contacts and told me she'll be back at the beginning of October. But sadly I was occupied with other things at hand and didn't manage to visit her then.
But anyway she invited me to go to her place and meet her brother and spend time with her family. And that's exactly what I did.
Frankly, I'm very impressed with myself. Being a young, inexperience foreigner in this country not more than 2 months yet I go out and about by myself, not without troubles, of course.
While Sophia asked me to buy a bus ticket to 대전정부청사, yet her brother asked me to get a bus heading for Yuseong. In the end, I bought a ticket to Buyeo, before making a transfer to Daejeon....(another of my typical ability -- getting myself loss).
I departed from my home at 9.00a.m and arrive at about 4.00p.m.
Despite the "tough" journey, I really enjoyed my 2 days 1 night stay at Daejeon ( which is literally "Great Field" from the Chinese charater)
I had my first trip to a cinema in Korea. Went to watch the Korean movie "My Brother" with Sophia's brother, John. And ya, the shop run my his mom is indeed beautiful and the food is great.
I also had my first experience of singing in a "music box" (?). It's this square box equipped with karaoke system in it.
John introduced me to 3 of his friends who are taking the same major as him. There were wonderful people as well. It was fun to be with the four of them.
And of course not to forget, it was my first time joining a Korean Church. We attended Central Gate Church on Sunday. As the whole service was conducted in Korean, and my Korean is still at kindergarten level, I could barely understand what was said. Fortunately the passage was a familiar one : Isaiah 6.
Daejeon, Daejeon....lots of memories to recall within the 2 days I was there.....
But anyway she invited me to go to her place and meet her brother and spend time with her family. And that's exactly what I did.
Frankly, I'm very impressed with myself. Being a young, inexperience foreigner in this country not more than 2 months yet I go out and about by myself, not without troubles, of course.
While Sophia asked me to buy a bus ticket to 대전정부청사, yet her brother asked me to get a bus heading for Yuseong. In the end, I bought a ticket to Buyeo, before making a transfer to Daejeon....(another of my typical ability -- getting myself loss).
I departed from my home at 9.00a.m and arrive at about 4.00p.m.
Despite the "tough" journey, I really enjoyed my 2 days 1 night stay at Daejeon ( which is literally "Great Field" from the Chinese charater)
I had my first trip to a cinema in Korea. Went to watch the Korean movie "My Brother" with Sophia's brother, John. And ya, the shop run my his mom is indeed beautiful and the food is great.
I also had my first experience of singing in a "music box" (?). It's this square box equipped with karaoke system in it.
John introduced me to 3 of his friends who are taking the same major as him. There were wonderful people as well. It was fun to be with the four of them.
And of course not to forget, it was my first time joining a Korean Church. We attended Central Gate Church on Sunday. As the whole service was conducted in Korean, and my Korean is still at kindergarten level, I could barely understand what was said. Fortunately the passage was a familiar one : Isaiah 6.
Daejeon, Daejeon....lots of memories to recall within the 2 days I was there.....
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