November 29, 2008
November 26, 2008
This blog is almost dead.
Been more than 3 months since i left my sunny island, and barely 3 weeks till my return.
Drifting, drifting drifting knowing that one day i'll return to shore.
Minimal worries about whether my bank acc will hit rock bottom compared to Singapore.
Back home there's always this constant voice telling me not to slack and wait for my bum to become as round as my face and to fully utilise my free time for the acquirement of yusok ishaks so much so that i think my brain has got a mind of its own.
Over here there's absolutely nothing to worry, for i know everything is temporary.
It feels real good to spend money knowing that u'll never have to consider the item in terms of the number of hours you have to exchange for it. it's pretty cool that the people here are so environmentally conscious that u shldnt expect a plastic bag for ur purchases if you are carrying a bag or ur hands are free and that u have to pay for plastic bags in SUPERMARKETS (or at least home plus!) when their streets are lined with trash every night and people spit everywhere. it's amazing how they can smoke then just spat in whatever direction its convenient, especially in the direction of the wind.
I think there's a point in time when u cant help but wonder if u're slowing losing your own culture in the midst of adapting to another. Somedays i'll forget how local food tastes like when i'm having dinner at some restaurant with my friends asking for second helpings and i help myself to tissue on the table like that's what i normally do. i guess when i go back home i'll grumble about the lack of 물 하고휴지 in eateries. and walking along the streets avoiding portholes. i suppose singapore has such an excellent infrastructure that everywhere is accessible and user-friendly. i'll miss seeing girlpower everywhere with horrendously high heels and super mini bottoms at a temperature lower than 5 degrees C. i'll miss seeing hordes of high school girls looking like twins walking hand in hand in a row with their booming voices that can be heard two streets away.
i'll miss the expression on the ahjuumas' faces when we settle our bills telling them "아주맜있어요!!" walking alongside people embracing another culture. and the sad part is that everything is bound to go away for i am but a person trying to fit into another culture, like oil in water.
Been more than 3 months since i left my sunny island, and barely 3 weeks till my return.
Drifting, drifting drifting knowing that one day i'll return to shore.
Minimal worries about whether my bank acc will hit rock bottom compared to Singapore.
Back home there's always this constant voice telling me not to slack and wait for my bum to become as round as my face and to fully utilise my free time for the acquirement of yusok ishaks so much so that i think my brain has got a mind of its own.
Over here there's absolutely nothing to worry, for i know everything is temporary.
It feels real good to spend money knowing that u'll never have to consider the item in terms of the number of hours you have to exchange for it. it's pretty cool that the people here are so environmentally conscious that u shldnt expect a plastic bag for ur purchases if you are carrying a bag or ur hands are free and that u have to pay for plastic bags in SUPERMARKETS (or at least home plus!) when their streets are lined with trash every night and people spit everywhere. it's amazing how they can smoke then just spat in whatever direction its convenient, especially in the direction of the wind.
I think there's a point in time when u cant help but wonder if u're slowing losing your own culture in the midst of adapting to another. Somedays i'll forget how local food tastes like when i'm having dinner at some restaurant with my friends asking for second helpings and i help myself to tissue on the table like that's what i normally do. i guess when i go back home i'll grumble about the lack of 물 하고휴지 in eateries. and walking along the streets avoiding portholes. i suppose singapore has such an excellent infrastructure that everywhere is accessible and user-friendly. i'll miss seeing girlpower everywhere with horrendously high heels and super mini bottoms at a temperature lower than 5 degrees C. i'll miss seeing hordes of high school girls looking like twins walking hand in hand in a row with their booming voices that can be heard two streets away.
i'll miss the expression on the ahjuumas' faces when we settle our bills telling them "아주맜있어요!!" walking alongside people embracing another culture. and the sad part is that everything is bound to go away for i am but a person trying to fit into another culture, like oil in water.
November 19, 2008
The average temperature that i am withstanding outside is like a freaking -4 degrees C.
Caught a conversation between two exchange students at the shuttle bus stop today.
One of them was saying how she really feel for all the students from tropical countries.. and she named a few which i barely rmbr except for Hong Kong. the other person then added something about never getting to experience this transition at our home countries. and yes, Ms. A then suddenly thought of MY sunny island. she said "oh yes, and SINGAPORE!" or maybe it was 'especially Singapore.' i was frozen on the spot trying not to move lest the wind gets into the jacket. Ms. A then said that for her she's quite used to it so she just needed to decide whether "it's cold" so "i need to wear a cap." yeah. for poor sunny islanders we need to check the weather forecast like ten times a day just to see if we should wrap ourselves up like a penguin before we step out of the room.
it is THAT bad. Last night it was -4 degrees C too, but msn weather forecast predicted it felt like -10. and our dearest Mabel and Jackson actually ate ice-cream with gloves on. this is the coldest i've experienced and just when i thought i can survive this, Jackson met Mr. Vomit today and that Korean was telling him that it's going to get EVEN colder. like thanks. now all my optimism got blown away with the cold wind.
lucky for us the weather is going to be slightly warmer for the next few days. i think i'm going to stay in this weekend.
Caught a conversation between two exchange students at the shuttle bus stop today.
One of them was saying how she really feel for all the students from tropical countries.. and she named a few which i barely rmbr except for Hong Kong. the other person then added something about never getting to experience this transition at our home countries. and yes, Ms. A then suddenly thought of MY sunny island. she said "oh yes, and SINGAPORE!" or maybe it was 'especially Singapore.' i was frozen on the spot trying not to move lest the wind gets into the jacket. Ms. A then said that for her she's quite used to it so she just needed to decide whether "it's cold" so "i need to wear a cap." yeah. for poor sunny islanders we need to check the weather forecast like ten times a day just to see if we should wrap ourselves up like a penguin before we step out of the room.
it is THAT bad. Last night it was -4 degrees C too, but msn weather forecast predicted it felt like -10. and our dearest Mabel and Jackson actually ate ice-cream with gloves on. this is the coldest i've experienced and just when i thought i can survive this, Jackson met Mr. Vomit today and that Korean was telling him that it's going to get EVEN colder. like thanks. now all my optimism got blown away with the cold wind.
lucky for us the weather is going to be slightly warmer for the next few days. i think i'm going to stay in this weekend.
November 14, 2008
Was on the topic of superficiality with Lynn on the way back from a supposedly fun and amusing place thinking about how shallow MOST people are- and that includes me i suppose.
As mentioned only about ten times in my previous entries, i'm tired of the weightage that so many others put on a piece of flimsy paper that may or may not be worth the investment at the end of the day. Most of the time it's just a visa in the passport. yes. for short term entry.
I can't remember exactly how it started or whether it even has an ending. all i know is that the journey is still the most important throughout.
As mentioned only about ten times in my previous entries, i'm tired of the weightage that so many others put on a piece of flimsy paper that may or may not be worth the investment at the end of the day. Most of the time it's just a visa in the passport. yes. for short term entry.
I can't remember exactly how it started or whether it even has an ending. all i know is that the journey is still the most important throughout.
November 08, 2008
rubbish
The KUBS scholarship is in, finally.
That means shopping, and the rate of reducing moolah.
Aint sure if i will be able to keep up with the no need to think thrice or a million times before buying rule. and whether my bank account can sustain my buying behaviour this season.
Can't get the cadbury song out of my mind recently.. the 'wouldn't it be nice' advertisement. yep, wouldnt it be nice if i have... ... ... but so far i'm thankful for all that i've gotten.. so forget about those if-onlys and should-have-beens..
Went to this famous samgyetang restaurant at Tosokchon today with a buddy of Mabel's boyfriend's friend who was here on exchange last fall. sometimes quality of food is directly proportionate to the ka ching at the end of the meal. a nice change compared to the usual cosy homey relatively cheaper restaurants. tonic for the cold weather, something that warms the heart.. ginseng in actual fact.
a million things to do in 3 weeks and none accomplished. like how efficient can i be when i have all my weekends packed in addition to the outings on weekdays? this week i've been out 4 days out of 5 and will be going jalan-jalaning tomorrow before the hair appointment and we're going nami island on Sunday. partly because it's the place where winter sonata was filmed, but personally it's the longing to see an island in autumn where the leaves are falling. cycling around the place with the loose leaves ruffling below when the wheels go round and round. having great company and laughing in the wind. i guess that's as close as i can get to a fairytale? reminds me of the film what dreams may come. if only everything is so magical.
Right now i am a little irritated with the stupid heater which switches off every 5-10 mins or so after blowing warm air coz the organisation is extremely environmentally conscious and wants to save the earth! (as if! more like save electricity coz heating is expensive.) so when it's like 6 degrees c outside the freaking heater suka suka on and then off so tell me who would want to get out of bed like 50 times a night to RE-on the heater? smart move. i wont. for i can snuggle under that not-so-warm but can-still-make-it blanket and hug my bolster tight. yep. that's how i get through the night. and i foresee that the heater utilisation time wont increase anytime soon. time to get a quilt?
Publish Post
That means shopping, and the rate of reducing moolah.
Aint sure if i will be able to keep up with the no need to think thrice or a million times before buying rule. and whether my bank account can sustain my buying behaviour this season.
Can't get the cadbury song out of my mind recently.. the 'wouldn't it be nice' advertisement. yep, wouldnt it be nice if i have... ... ... but so far i'm thankful for all that i've gotten.. so forget about those if-onlys and should-have-beens..
Went to this famous samgyetang restaurant at Tosokchon today with a buddy of Mabel's boyfriend's friend who was here on exchange last fall. sometimes quality of food is directly proportionate to the ka ching at the end of the meal. a nice change compared to the usual cosy homey relatively cheaper restaurants. tonic for the cold weather, something that warms the heart.. ginseng in actual fact.
a million things to do in 3 weeks and none accomplished. like how efficient can i be when i have all my weekends packed in addition to the outings on weekdays? this week i've been out 4 days out of 5 and will be going jalan-jalaning tomorrow before the hair appointment and we're going nami island on Sunday. partly because it's the place where winter sonata was filmed, but personally it's the longing to see an island in autumn where the leaves are falling. cycling around the place with the loose leaves ruffling below when the wheels go round and round. having great company and laughing in the wind. i guess that's as close as i can get to a fairytale? reminds me of the film what dreams may come. if only everything is so magical.
Right now i am a little irritated with the stupid heater which switches off every 5-10 mins or so after blowing warm air coz the organisation is extremely environmentally conscious and wants to save the earth! (as if! more like save electricity coz heating is expensive.) so when it's like 6 degrees c outside the freaking heater suka suka on and then off so tell me who would want to get out of bed like 50 times a night to RE-on the heater? smart move. i wont. for i can snuggle under that not-so-warm but can-still-make-it blanket and hug my bolster tight. yep. that's how i get through the night. and i foresee that the heater utilisation time wont increase anytime soon. time to get a quilt?
October 31, 2008
Happy Birthday Lynn!!
When i was her age, i thought everything was impossible. At least unachievable within a short time frame. Looking back at the past year, it's amazing how the-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-begins-with-a-single-step makes all the difference.
and at the same time feeling how easy it is for everything to go away.
When i was her age, i thought everything was impossible. At least unachievable within a short time frame. Looking back at the past year, it's amazing how the-journey-of-a-thousand-miles-begins-with-a-single-step makes all the difference.
and at the same time feeling how easy it is for everything to go away.
October 30, 2008
Late entry
Should have blogged the Wednesday the week after my birthday. But then there's mid-terms (out of which i missed one module's exam) followed by the Jeju trip right after. After coming back there's just tons of things to do like laundry, interim report and uploading of pictures which took forever.
Rewinding back to the time just after my last entry, i went to bed just before dawn thinking that nothing in the world can stop me from indulging the entire Saturday doing whatever that pleases me and then start revising for my papers. i dragged myself out of bed before noon feeling that it's going to be just like any normal day. then WH called to ask me to pass her chocolate biscuits which she left with us the night before so she could have it for lunch. i went to our usual meeting place looking like a walking zombie- sleepy eyes, super messy hair and damn cui sleeping attire.. rang her doorbell but the intercom refuses to connect to her suite. our dear PL called from the 5th flr and asked what i was doing upstairs coz WH is at the 4th flr. seriously i didnt suspect a thing. and yes i got the biggest surprise i could ever ask for in my life.
you know the kind of lightheaded-ness shortly after you wake up and certain things happen that makes you wonder if you're still dreaming. yes, i've been there. and he still asked why i asked 'why are you here'.. someone told me he got a company retreat till saturday mid-day. hur hur.. but nonetheless it should be clear how happy i was. right? ^.^
The rest of the surprise i shall leave out. For those moments are mine to keep. ^_^
Rewinding back to the time just after my last entry, i went to bed just before dawn thinking that nothing in the world can stop me from indulging the entire Saturday doing whatever that pleases me and then start revising for my papers. i dragged myself out of bed before noon feeling that it's going to be just like any normal day. then WH called to ask me to pass her chocolate biscuits which she left with us the night before so she could have it for lunch. i went to our usual meeting place looking like a walking zombie- sleepy eyes, super messy hair and damn cui sleeping attire.. rang her doorbell but the intercom refuses to connect to her suite. our dear PL called from the 5th flr and asked what i was doing upstairs coz WH is at the 4th flr. seriously i didnt suspect a thing. and yes i got the biggest surprise i could ever ask for in my life.
you know the kind of lightheaded-ness shortly after you wake up and certain things happen that makes you wonder if you're still dreaming. yes, i've been there. and he still asked why i asked 'why are you here'.. someone told me he got a company retreat till saturday mid-day. hur hur.. but nonetheless it should be clear how happy i was. right? ^.^
The rest of the surprise i shall leave out. For those moments are mine to keep. ^_^
October 18, 2008
The double 2 club
I turned 22 in Seoul. Despite it being my very first birthday overseas, the presence of friends who took time off to celebrate with me makes this an extremely memorable affair and all of a sudden anam-dong feels like a home away from home. We first went to this cheena restaurant with red lanterns and had a scrumptious dinner. Martin sang me a German birthday song (sweet lyrics! and thanks to him for the translation), Tien Kwan sang me half a Cantonese birthday song plus the zoo version, Xiang Feng sang me a chinese one together with China national anthem (thanks to Jean's prompting), Samuel sang me a liang po po hokkien song (the local flavour! brought a piece of Singapore to me), and the rest managed half a korean birthday song on top of the normal happy birthday song. on top of that, Jean got someone she knows to speak to me over the phone in dialect (cant rmbr whether it's hokkien or teochew) wishing me happy birthday and yes. i had a conversation with a stranger in DIALECT, on the eve of my birthday, in a chinese restaurant, IN KOREA!
All these remind me of the phrase “在家靠父母，出外靠朋友。”
I'm so glad we met here, thousands of miles away from our hometown.
Somehow on my 22nd birthday i feel so much more mature compared to when i was 21. I wonder if it's the experiences i accumulated through these 12 months, or that being on foreign land makes me more independent henceforth more sensitive to my surroundings. or maybe it's simply because everything is unexpected. like we were all having so so so much fun that i almost forgotten that it was going to be my birthday in a couple of hours. like living in the moment, for the moment. it's like a huge huge bonding session with people from all over, people that I never thought i'd meet 2 months ago.
We proceeded to Star Beer to chill after dinner. Aishah brought paris hilton along and we sat there trying to get other people high. 6 litres of beer plus peach soju as well as normal soju. chatting about everything and anything while trying to get our faces into every single photo. that was really really fun. After drinks we headed over to Lev's birthday party at another pub. His was another grand affair with lots of international students, mainly from Europe.. The finale of the day was 노래방. we were practically screaming throughout the hour, with the tambourines ringing plus aishah and kian hong dancing in front and the rest crazily laughing at the back..
I came back to find my besties' video clips in youtube. I can imagine them recording that in vivo with people staring. Hey girls.. i want that cake k!! thanks for the surprise.. =) though i don't really understand the part about the card and open-in-sequence thingy that QY mentioned.. lolx.. i suppose the postman must have lost his way somehow coz there's no card.. will check the postbox tomorrow.. =) thanks for the birthday song girls! and the yummy looking cake that i didnt get to eat!! =(
My dad called my cell on his way back from work asking me how everything was and wishing me many happy returns of the day. It was really unexpected so i was really really glad.. and my phone bill prolly will hit its all time peak next month.
Birthday has never been a yearly event for celebration but if i can reflect on all the above mentioned and feel such joy and happiness from the deepest of my heart, i think it is indeed special.
For all the friends that has walked with me and are walking along me, THANK YOU.
To Mummy, a bigger THANK YOU! for all that you've done as well as the moment in time we shared 22 years ago. I LOVE YOU!! ^.^
With this i put a stop to my fourth 18th birthday and embark on a new journey seeking the number 23.
All these remind me of the phrase “在家靠父母，出外靠朋友。”
I'm so glad we met here, thousands of miles away from our hometown.
Somehow on my 22nd birthday i feel so much more mature compared to when i was 21. I wonder if it's the experiences i accumulated through these 12 months, or that being on foreign land makes me more independent henceforth more sensitive to my surroundings. or maybe it's simply because everything is unexpected. like we were all having so so so much fun that i almost forgotten that it was going to be my birthday in a couple of hours. like living in the moment, for the moment. it's like a huge huge bonding session with people from all over, people that I never thought i'd meet 2 months ago.
We proceeded to Star Beer to chill after dinner. Aishah brought paris hilton along and we sat there trying to get other people high. 6 litres of beer plus peach soju as well as normal soju. chatting about everything and anything while trying to get our faces into every single photo. that was really really fun. After drinks we headed over to Lev's birthday party at another pub. His was another grand affair with lots of international students, mainly from Europe.. The finale of the day was 노래방. we were practically screaming throughout the hour, with the tambourines ringing plus aishah and kian hong dancing in front and the rest crazily laughing at the back..
I came back to find my besties' video clips in youtube. I can imagine them recording that in vivo with people staring. Hey girls.. i want that cake k!! thanks for the surprise.. =) though i don't really understand the part about the card and open-in-sequence thingy that QY mentioned.. lolx.. i suppose the postman must have lost his way somehow coz there's no card.. will check the postbox tomorrow.. =) thanks for the birthday song girls! and the yummy looking cake that i didnt get to eat!! =(
My dad called my cell on his way back from work asking me how everything was and wishing me many happy returns of the day. It was really unexpected so i was really really glad.. and my phone bill prolly will hit its all time peak next month.
Birthday has never been a yearly event for celebration but if i can reflect on all the above mentioned and feel such joy and happiness from the deepest of my heart, i think it is indeed special.
For all the friends that has walked with me and are walking along me, THANK YOU.
To Mummy, a bigger THANK YOU! for all that you've done as well as the moment in time we shared 22 years ago. I LOVE YOU!! ^.^
With this i put a stop to my fourth 18th birthday and embark on a new journey seeking the number 23.
October 09, 2008
About this period in time every year, the voice inside my mind will surface. And as the years go, the voice gets louder and i get extremely sensitive to my existence. Like questioning who i am, what i want and whether i am on the right track. As far as i am concern, i'm all good and set for whatever that comes. But as with all things invisible, there's always a desire to quantify and tangibalise.
Reward for good behaviour measured against amount of money spent on materialistic stuff that actually doesnt really matter but serve it's purpose simply because of the level of difficulty in obtaining it.
This season i thought up a list of wants as proof to myself that i'm just like any other people.
I want to get the twin stars that i lost a couple of months back.
I want a new timekeeper to remind myself that life is short.
I want/ need to replace my tool of communication though i'm kinda sad that it's plague with sickness and almost impossible for regular functions.
I want to obtain a new purse for this is something of years ago and looked as if it's been through many catfights.
Things that i know i can jolly well live without. but somehow at this point in time it seems appropriate for a change.
change. yes. it is the only constant.
Reward for good behaviour measured against amount of money spent on materialistic stuff that actually doesnt really matter but serve it's purpose simply because of the level of difficulty in obtaining it.
This season i thought up a list of wants as proof to myself that i'm just like any other people.
I want to get the twin stars that i lost a couple of months back.
I want a new timekeeper to remind myself that life is short.
I want/ need to replace my tool of communication though i'm kinda sad that it's plague with sickness and almost impossible for regular functions.
I want to obtain a new purse for this is something of years ago and looked as if it's been through many catfights.
Things that i know i can jolly well live without. but somehow at this point in time it seems appropriate for a change.
change. yes. it is the only constant.
October 08, 2008
September 30, 2008
Autumn is officially here, and all i want to say is 秋天别来~
The Japan trip is officially off, unless i struck lottery. that means the chance of me going to 일번is zilch. So we're changing strategy, in order to fulfill expectations with the minimal resources on hand, we're going to somewhere nearer to home. think Asia.
Was counting down the other day. It's only 81 more days till i return to the sunny island. This is my 6th week in Seoul and i am loving it. I love korean food, and i suppose everyone will agree that we'll do better with lower standard of living here. paying 6+ for a simple meal is the norm. i kind of miss the cheap $3/$4 hawker center food and the cheap cheap snacks back home.
i want mee goreng!
The Japan trip is officially off, unless i struck lottery. that means the chance of me going to 일번is zilch. So we're changing strategy, in order to fulfill expectations with the minimal resources on hand, we're going to somewhere nearer to home. think Asia.
Was counting down the other day. It's only 81 more days till i return to the sunny island. This is my 6th week in Seoul and i am loving it. I love korean food, and i suppose everyone will agree that we'll do better with lower standard of living here. paying 6+ for a simple meal is the norm. i kind of miss the cheap $3/$4 hawker center food and the cheap cheap snacks back home.
i want mee goreng!
September 29, 2008
September 21, 2008
Tired, even after 12 hours of sleep. I suppose the fatigue comes from restlessness of being alone in a confined space with nothing much to do except access to the internet and a variety of snack supply.
Today I woke up with the feeling that time is elastic and i have the whole world to myself. I sat in front of my laptop and did the usual aimless clicks on streaming websites, watching shows that i've already seen and viewing the photos that we use to record our experiences. The sun was so glaring in the afternoon and it is always in this kind of setting that makes me feel so alone. like everything seems so insignificant & unanchored, and the world will continue revolving even if i'm not a part of it.
I suppose the grass is always greener on the other side. and being away from home makes me feel like a totally different person. i need a hug. and i want it now.
Today I woke up with the feeling that time is elastic and i have the whole world to myself. I sat in front of my laptop and did the usual aimless clicks on streaming websites, watching shows that i've already seen and viewing the photos that we use to record our experiences. The sun was so glaring in the afternoon and it is always in this kind of setting that makes me feel so alone. like everything seems so insignificant & unanchored, and the world will continue revolving even if i'm not a part of it.
I suppose the grass is always greener on the other side. and being away from home makes me feel like a totally different person. i need a hug. and i want it now.
September 19, 2008
Recently there were moments where i forgotten that i'm on foreign land.
Life gets so comfortable that it didn't occur to me that in a matter of weeks, all these will go away as with WAT. Liminality. Maybe simply because it's the transition in between periods that make these kind of experiences special, yet distant.
Tok seemed like a quaint story i heard from a friend instead of the extreme lifestyle i've been through last month. and being surrounded by humans blabbering korean is sort of becoming a comfort. It's like gliding on water. Somehow embracing change is exhilarating. especially when you know there is no other way out.
In less than a month's time, i'll be a year older. In barely a year's time i've been through so much. the adventures that i never thought i'd seek and the opportunities that came knocking.. Living life to the fullest. yes. between doing and regretting and regretting not doing, i'll always choose the former.
Life gets so comfortable that it didn't occur to me that in a matter of weeks, all these will go away as with WAT. Liminality. Maybe simply because it's the transition in between periods that make these kind of experiences special, yet distant.
Tok seemed like a quaint story i heard from a friend instead of the extreme lifestyle i've been through last month. and being surrounded by humans blabbering korean is sort of becoming a comfort. It's like gliding on water. Somehow embracing change is exhilarating. especially when you know there is no other way out.
In less than a month's time, i'll be a year older. In barely a year's time i've been through so much. the adventures that i never thought i'd seek and the opportunities that came knocking.. Living life to the fullest. yes. between doing and regretting and regretting not doing, i'll always choose the former.
September 06, 2008
Things always get better when we think them through logically, and refuse to let emotions rule.
It's my second week in Seoul, and as with all away-from-home experiences, this trip brings a whole lot of time-alone for reflections.
At Alaska Backpackers' Inn, Anchorage, i chanced upon this quote on the wall.
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Started going to the gym this week, and hopefully over the weeks to come. Exercising makes me feel healthy and happy. I didnt turn on the TV in front of the machines (yes, they have a LCD TV attached to each treadmill AND bike with numerous channels selection!) today, for somehow the act of having nothing to distract makes the act of exercising more qualitative. Like time somehow became this void un-pegged to any timeline. Let's just hope i'll keep this up instead of going shopping at Insadong, Dongdaemun, Nandaemun or Myeong Dong.
It's my second week in Seoul, and as with all away-from-home experiences, this trip brings a whole lot of time-alone for reflections.
At Alaska Backpackers' Inn, Anchorage, i chanced upon this quote on the wall.
I am not the same having seen the moon from the other side of the world.I guess being away from the familiarities makes one more grateful, no matter how thankful we might say we are.
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Started going to the gym this week, and hopefully over the weeks to come. Exercising makes me feel healthy and happy. I didnt turn on the TV in front of the machines (yes, they have a LCD TV attached to each treadmill AND bike with numerous channels selection!) today, for somehow the act of having nothing to distract makes the act of exercising more qualitative. Like time somehow became this void un-pegged to any timeline. Let's just hope i'll keep this up instead of going shopping at Insadong, Dongdaemun, Nandaemun or Myeong Dong.
August 31, 2008
5th day in Seoul.
The process of burning THE hole in my pocket is fast accelerating.
The standard of living here is high, even higher than the already-quite-expensive Singapore.
FYI, my mailing address is:
Room 533B CJ International House
Korea University
Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu
Seoul 136-701
KOREA
Dormitory number: 82-2-3290-0213
hp:+82-10-5780-7319
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The school is so damn big, and castle-like. It takes me an average of 20 minutes to walk to school via the GENTLE-R slope way and another about 5 minutes to school, and about 15 minutes via the steep-until-highly-likely-to-sprain-ankle route, which is nearer to LG-POSCO (business school). It feels kind of weird to be in such artistically designed architecture that I don't feel like I'm coming here to study at all. Am still in the traveling mode, post-work mindset that i can spend money. Have bought most of what i needed, and the giant super mart is 5 bus stops away though it costs like SGD6 to get back to the hostel (it takes me an average of 15-20 minutes to walk from the subway station to the hostel)!! so all in all maybe never save alot.. lolx..
I foresee the need to stock up on cup noodles, snacks and ready-to-microwave food (coz there's only like 2 pans in the kitchenette i think).. and lots of beverage coz the THOUGHT of STROLLING down to the cafeteria just put me off my appetite. Seriously, there isnt even a need to exercise. i figured i burn away all my calories just by traveling to school, though by right i live on school property!!!!!!
Dun get me wrong, i am grateful to get a room here coz this place is suite-like. It's like a condo, minus the swimming pool. the communal bathroom and toilet is actually only shared among 2 rooms, which is like 3 people. lolx.. they even bothered to install those condo-like door viewer thingy that u can see the visitor's face from a screen inside and press the 'door open' button or talk to the perosn outside when the equipment is like within reach to the door and it aint noise-proof. lolx.. imagine the money they spent for nothing. it doesnt improve the quality of life for students at all. maybe they can invest in more pots and pans.. lolx.. The room is spacious, and we have aircon PLUS fan. the windows actually have mosquitoes net in case we need to air the room.. they have the same type of dustbin i use at home, and i can borrow vacuum and iron from the reception. yes. they have a reception desk with security guard AND an ATM right in the lobby.
The range of beauty products is beyond imagination. Girls, if u need anything from Korea, let me know..
---------------------------------------------------------------
School starts officially on Monday. I am soooooo looking forward to it after the long summer vacation, after the slog-until-you-think-you're-almost-dead-then-stop time. I am so going to enjoy my time here shopping and eating, and not to mention study a bit.
Dont think i'll be posting stuff here. for updates, please refer to the picture-speaks-louder-than-words-site AKA facebook.
~bye~
The process of burning THE hole in my pocket is fast accelerating.
The standard of living here is high, even higher than the already-quite-expensive Singapore.
FYI, my mailing address is:
Room 533B CJ International House
Korea University
Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu
Seoul 136-701
KOREA
Dormitory number: 82-2-3290-0213
hp:+82-10-5780-7319
--------------------------------------------------------
The school is so damn big, and castle-like. It takes me an average of 20 minutes to walk to school via the GENTLE-R slope way and another about 5 minutes to school, and about 15 minutes via the steep-until-highly-likely-to-sprain-ankle route, which is nearer to LG-POSCO (business school). It feels kind of weird to be in such artistically designed architecture that I don't feel like I'm coming here to study at all. Am still in the traveling mode, post-work mindset that i can spend money. Have bought most of what i needed, and the giant super mart is 5 bus stops away though it costs like SGD6 to get back to the hostel (it takes me an average of 15-20 minutes to walk from the subway station to the hostel)!! so all in all maybe never save alot.. lolx..
I foresee the need to stock up on cup noodles, snacks and ready-to-microwave food (coz there's only like 2 pans in the kitchenette i think).. and lots of beverage coz the THOUGHT of STROLLING down to the cafeteria just put me off my appetite. Seriously, there isnt even a need to exercise. i figured i burn away all my calories just by traveling to school, though by right i live on school property!!!!!!
Dun get me wrong, i am grateful to get a room here coz this place is suite-like. It's like a condo, minus the swimming pool. the communal bathroom and toilet is actually only shared among 2 rooms, which is like 3 people. lolx.. they even bothered to install those condo-like door viewer thingy that u can see the visitor's face from a screen inside and press the 'door open' button or talk to the perosn outside when the equipment is like within reach to the door and it aint noise-proof. lolx.. imagine the money they spent for nothing. it doesnt improve the quality of life for students at all. maybe they can invest in more pots and pans.. lolx.. The room is spacious, and we have aircon PLUS fan. the windows actually have mosquitoes net in case we need to air the room.. they have the same type of dustbin i use at home, and i can borrow vacuum and iron from the reception. yes. they have a reception desk with security guard AND an ATM right in the lobby.
The range of beauty products is beyond imagination. Girls, if u need anything from Korea, let me know..
---------------------------------------------------------------
School starts officially on Monday. I am soooooo looking forward to it after the long summer vacation, after the slog-until-you-think-you're-almost-dead-then-stop time. I am so going to enjoy my time here shopping and eating, and not to mention study a bit.
Dont think i'll be posting stuff here. for updates, please refer to the picture-speaks-louder-than-words-site AKA facebook.
~bye~
August 25, 2008
I'll be leaving tonight. Alone.
Going away in search of a priceless experience and knowing that i can and will only become a better person after that.
Thank God for friends that i can count on in times of trouble. PL and KH don't know exactly how grateful i am for their help and advice on KU matters when i was in Tok. If you're reading this, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! we'll have a fantastic time in Korea, and Japan if possible..
6 days zoomed past in the blink of an eye. I barely have enough time to bask in the sun before setting off yet again. My grandma made fish head curry specially for me and my aunt whipped out a feast just because i'm back. My relatives gathered so that they can see how much i changed (or not) then wish me all the best for yet another trip.
somehow i'm missing home even though i'm physically still here. I suppose i'm already prepared for this journey psychologically. now all it takes is for my body to follow where my mind should be in the next 4 months.
Going away in search of a priceless experience and knowing that i can and will only become a better person after that.
Thank God for friends that i can count on in times of trouble. PL and KH don't know exactly how grateful i am for their help and advice on KU matters when i was in Tok. If you're reading this, THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! we'll have a fantastic time in Korea, and Japan if possible..
6 days zoomed past in the blink of an eye. I barely have enough time to bask in the sun before setting off yet again. My grandma made fish head curry specially for me and my aunt whipped out a feast just because i'm back. My relatives gathered so that they can see how much i changed (or not) then wish me all the best for yet another trip.
somehow i'm missing home even though i'm physically still here. I suppose i'm already prepared for this journey psychologically. now all it takes is for my body to follow where my mind should be in the next 4 months.
August 22, 2008
I'm back pple!! back where i belong!
It's weird that nothing much changes even though i've been away for more than a hundred days. Like everything that happened in the 3 months is kind of like living in liminality, such that it's as if I skipped through that phase and return to my original lifestyle. Like none of it has ever happened, like everything is sort of a dream, something that's unexplainably far away. Maybe that happened only because I'm back where i KNOW i belong.
There's no awkward silence between conversations, no weird moments where you don't seem to know how to react or what to say. Like i've always been here though i was away.
Chatting with my mom in the kitchen rambling on and on about happenings in my life, just like i did before the trip. Bickering with my siblings on the mundane happenings- nagging my sis to turn down her laptop volume so i can sleep and ordering kheng to stop staring at the monitor and go to bed, telling my bro not to come home too late if he's out for supper and reminding my dad not to drink so much before he sleeps etc.. It is indeed strange for me that barely a month ago i was so desperate to come home. Now i'm home, finally.
Now all i need to do is to gear up for Korea, and prepare myself to be away alone again for yet another 4 months.
It's weird that nothing much changes even though i've been away for more than a hundred days. Like everything that happened in the 3 months is kind of like living in liminality, such that it's as if I skipped through that phase and return to my original lifestyle. Like none of it has ever happened, like everything is sort of a dream, something that's unexplainably far away. Maybe that happened only because I'm back where i KNOW i belong.
There's no awkward silence between conversations, no weird moments where you don't seem to know how to react or what to say. Like i've always been here though i was away.
Chatting with my mom in the kitchen rambling on and on about happenings in my life, just like i did before the trip. Bickering with my siblings on the mundane happenings- nagging my sis to turn down her laptop volume so i can sleep and ordering kheng to stop staring at the monitor and go to bed, telling my bro not to come home too late if he's out for supper and reminding my dad not to drink so much before he sleeps etc.. It is indeed strange for me that barely a month ago i was so desperate to come home. Now i'm home, finally.
Now all i need to do is to gear up for Korea, and prepare myself to be away alone again for yet another 4 months.
August 08, 2008
A million things my mind cant seem to process in this cold weather. extended period of cold makes a person withdrawn and a little depressed. Like the sun has gone into hiding and there's nth much in the atmosphere to bring smiles. it's constantly been about 7 degrees AND the constant drizzle and the wind condition add a whole load to the numbness on my skin. I look forward to morning everyday (okay, these days when i dun have to work) just so i can switch on my laptop and skype. Like no matter how unbearable things seem to be getting, it's just going to get better. it can only get better.
Just 12 more days till i return to my fav place in the entire world. back to the familiarities that i long so often, and into the arms of the one that i've been missing so dearly.
Just 12 more days till i return to my fav place in the entire world. back to the familiarities that i long so often, and into the arms of the one that i've been missing so dearly.
July 27, 2008
13 working days left and I'm missing sunny Singpore. The other day i caught myself humming the songs we sing come national day. Then i realised how much i miss home.
We celebrated Christmas in July this week and last night we went around the rooms distributing hot chocolate with baileys and kahlua as a touch of festive cheer with a dressed up pixie holding a portable CD player with xmas songs blasting. The three pigs tagged along and simply need to smile when the door opened and say happy holidays and merry xmas to those guests who obviously get rather excited seeing a crowd in Tok. Yes, a crowd in Tok is rare.
It got me thinking. I'll be back for Christmas this year. Seems like i'll still be in time to end off the year and get ready to start off the next at home. not at some faraway land where i don't belong.
Come August come. Can't wait much longer.
We celebrated Christmas in July this week and last night we went around the rooms distributing hot chocolate with baileys and kahlua as a touch of festive cheer with a dressed up pixie holding a portable CD player with xmas songs blasting. The three pigs tagged along and simply need to smile when the door opened and say happy holidays and merry xmas to those guests who obviously get rather excited seeing a crowd in Tok. Yes, a crowd in Tok is rare.
It got me thinking. I'll be back for Christmas this year. Seems like i'll still be in time to end off the year and get ready to start off the next at home. not at some faraway land where i don't belong.
Come August come. Can't wait much longer.
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