Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Cyworld

So, I'll do some random updates for the things that happen throughout the past few weeks...
It may not be according to chronicle orders...

After much persuasion by my student, I finally registerd for a cyworld account.
It's something lots of Korean, maybe 1/2 of them have. It's a cyberworld where you can write your diary, share your pictures, post notices, visit other friends who are using cyworld...kind of like Friendster...but more complicated....and you need to buy the stuff to decorate your "mini room", something which I haven't done...firstly no $, then the process of buying is quite troublesome, for foreigners....

Here's the chinese version of it.

Monday, June 20, 2005

Homestay


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The homestay family that I stayed with for a weekend on the 11-12/5.

We went to a movie shooting place, something like a small Hollywood for Korea.Even the famous Taegeukgi was screened here.

Besides that place I basically spent the whole time in their house, at Incheon. The father is a pastor, so he was busy preparing for the Sunday sermon.They invited their relatives over for dinner, and I had fun playing with their two primary school cousin.

One thing that surprised me was that most of them slept at 10p.m. I always have this thought that Korean stays up till late at night. But seems that I was wrong. The girl(3 years younger than me, High School 1st Year) kept herself staying up till 11p.m, watching a video that we rented. But eventually she was too tired and went to bed as well.

Well anyway, I'll be seeing them again end of next month when we invite the homestay families to our school.








Sunday, June 05, 2005

Way

Distance

Monday, May 30, 2005

Hanji


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We had a class on Korea's famous paper, the Hanji.

Went to the Koea House near Samsung Station. There we made this beautiful boxes.

Well, though we didn't make the square box, we pasted the Hanji around, in, out and above it.

Beautiful isn't?

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Another student??

Was suppose to go to a Noraebang with my Soul Friend (small group in youth) group members as it was our last gathering(starting next month we'll be divided into other groups).
However, our plans were interrupted preparation for the "Adult Ceremony", a ceremony for those who are 20 this year.

I stayed and watch the ceremony, the pastor prayed for the "adults", had a speech from a youth and a reply speech from a parent.

And ya, after church service this afternoon, I was approached by a fellow sister who's majoring in Chinese.
She wants to have Chinese conversation class with me, asking when am I free. Talking, as most of you know, is one of my hobby. So I agreed to it.
So from now on I might be busy on Monday and Thursday evenings....

Thursday, May 26, 2005

1st Anniversary- Entering INTEC

A year ago, I walked passed the main entrance of UiTM INTEC, having received a scholarship offer from Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (Public Service Department).
I had mixed feelings at that time: on one side, I was happy and thanked God for offering me a scholarship, though it wasn't the country I chose; but at the same time I was quite worried that I'll be having a hard time coping with the language and the "study pressure" that Korea is famous for.

But looking back at all the things that happened throughout this 1 year, I'm glad that I took up the offer.
Studying here is not as hard as expected. My Korean language is progressing at a normal speed, though I think my pronunciation is a lot horrible that some of my friends......

On the other hand, my social circle is much smaller than it used to be. Last time there were classmates, schoolmates, tuition classmates, church friends, primary school friends......
"But here, I'm faced with the same people everyday and go out with the same few each day. Well, it's not something bad, you get to know them well, but then when they're busy, you have no one to go out with...." that was what one of my friend said to me.
At least I still have my 3students and the few church members I see once a week^^

1 year, quite a lot of stuff happened. It's a pity I couldn't record all that happened, but this blog in itself was written so that I'll have something to remind me of....

1 year, my relationships with my friends here in Korea grew better and closer, except for one, which after our quarrel in INTEC, we're still like having a cold war......
Regrettable, but then again things can be viewed from a few angles. If I were close to him, I might have broken more of the hostel rules back in INTEC and I might have done a few things that I don't think pleases God, especially when we first came to this Land of the Morning Calm...
But frankly, given me another chance, I think I'd have acted differently....

Well, anyway, this is a good chance to start a new resolution, after seeing, hearing, experiencing all these...

5 more years to go.....^^

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Busan's Pic

In Busan Tower
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At Daecheong park
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View of Busan from Daecheong Park
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At Taejeongdae
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Saturday, May 21, 2005

Busan- Day 2

Slept till 9,10 a.m before preparing for out journey.

Our first destination was Jagalchi Fish Market, the country's largest fish market. Before going there, I kept wondering what's so nice about this fish market. After all, it's just another fish market. I've seen lots of that. Back in Malaysia, and even in Seoul.
But after being there, I'll certainly recommend it to anyone that's going for a trip to Busan. Even if you're not planning to buy anything, it's a good place to see all the strange, weird, gigantic sea creatures, for FREE^^

Had ikan bakar(grilled fish) for lunch before moving on to PIFF Square, a modern youth street like Petaling Street. Later we headed to Gukje Market (International Market) which I think is Busan's largest market. (But doesn't really interest me)

In the evening we went to Daecheong Park, where we had a wonderful view of Busan from Democracy Park. The Daecheong Park monument was also quite interesting. A place to remember those that were sacrificed during the wars.

Lastly, we went to the famous Yongdusan Park, with the 118m Busan Tower located in it. Though we were disappointed by the so called aquarium (we thought we would be in some tunnels, but in turned out to be some small aquarium, like that of a normal roadside fish shop), the night view of Busan from the tower was able to cover that part.

Before taking the 11.00pm train, we dropped by at a roadside stall and had our dinner.

Thus ends our 2days2night Busan trip. The trip in itself was wonderful, beautiful scenery, fresh air, friendly people.....but what I liked most about the trip was the precious time I spent with my friends^^

Busan (1)

Although I think it's a bit too late, but then I just don't feel like skipping this post on my trip to Busan. Thus, I'll just put up a quick and short one^^

We left for Busan on Wednesday night(11/5) taking the 11.09pm train. It was my first time riding on a train, in fact only 3-4 of my friends took a train before.

Knowing that we'll be having two long days ahead of us, I took the opportunity to get some rest in the train. Though most of my friends didn't manage to get enough rest, I had a good sleep^^

Arrived in Busan train station at about 4.20a.m. Our first destination was Taejongdae Park.
The park was indeed cool and refreshing. Coincidentally, we met a guy in the park who was there for a walk, and he voluntarily showed us all around the park. The weather was perfect that day, allowing us to have a good view of sunrise.

Next we traveled to Beomeosa, where according to my Lonely Planet guide book, some consider this magnificent Buddhist temple as the best sight in Busan (but I strongly disagree!!)

After that we had lunch before heading to Busan University. Well, frankly I don't remember why I wanted to go there....is it because of it's fame? or possibly because my friends might be studying there next time...I don't know why, but we WERE there, where my friends began to complain "I am tired" "Let's find a place to rest first" "Can't we go to the beach faster?" "I want to sleep"

But after an hour of complain and half an hour of rest inside Mc Donald, we continued our journey east to Haeundae, the most popular beach in Korea. It is said that during the peak season umbrellas mushroom across the 2km beach and about 500,000people drop by annually.

From Haeundae, we went to look for a motel near Gwangalli. We found one that was very near the beach, and the price was quite reasonable, though at first we didn't know why the manager asked one of my friend to show her identification card, only to find out later that there was a sign infront of the motel with "above 19" written on it.

Had Seafood Soup for dinner, which cost about RM30 per person, and enjoyed the night view of Gwangalli beach and the nearby Gwangan Bridge, which was magnificent at night.

Went back to our rooms at midnight, chatted for a while and dozed off