Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Seoul Day 67
Been on the run for the past two weeks. Visited many places such as Jindo Island, the old palaces, Han river, clubbing places. I would love to tell you all of my journeys but there are simply too many. Been through the midterms too and I must say that I have definitely performed many times under expectation.
Today was the second day of the week after midterms. Management Accounting lessons are cancelled for this week and it kind of a good news as it means more time to relax.
Watched a show at the local cinema in the university, KU Trap with Lim Hee, Amelia and Sabrina. All the guys were busy this time. The show was titled "Talking Architect" and it depicts the works for Chung Guyon, a Korean Architect who has undertaken many projects in his career. It was a documentary show in which the girls wasn't expecting but nonetheless I found the show to be refreshing and thought provoking.
Chung Guyon might be seen as eccentric by many in the circle of architecture but I admire the passion he has towards what he was doing. Through how he fiercely criticized the buildings in which were not built towards how he had intended to and the emotions in which he expressed, one could see how devoted he was to his works. Before his death, he dedicated his remaining time to show case his works in order to influence future architects on their future directions in the world of architecture.
An architect is one that works diligently behind the scenes, devoting many hours to create an ideal place for the people. Very often people often remember the splendour of a building or place and never give any credit to the architect. Their contribution to society is often neglected and given due credit for their efforts. Nonetheless, they are always passionate towards their works and designs in hope of creating a better place for the public and individuals.
There was one quote that he mentioned captured my mind, "What is Life, Why do we live, What is the World, Who am I, How have I lived, What is Family, What are Friends, What is Architecture?" As one grows older, he mentioned that one should dwell more philosophically. It is also something in which I am experiencing right now as I tend to dwell on this questions too.
For the longest time I have been questioning what is my purpose and passion in life. I seem to have none and have been wondering around aimlessly. I am certainly not getting any younger and sometimes it can get frustrating in life not knowing what is my purpose in life. In the past, the purpose in life was simple, I just had to study hard and don't give my parents any trouble. As time passes, such purposes in life do not seem applicable as they are achieved. Right now I hope to have something in which I can dedicate my life towards, and sense of direction in which I can follow and live by. I admire Chung Guyon for his passion and commitment towards architecture. I really hope that one day I can have a purpose and a passion in which I can really believe and work towards to.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Seoul Day 42/43
Friday
Visited a park close at Children's Grand Park Central Station with other foreign exchange students. It a park dedicated to children. The main highlights of the place is an amusement park for kids and a mini zoo. We visited mainly the zoo in the park. Although the size of the zoo can't match against the Seoul Zoo but there was quite a variety of animals such as lions and elephants. As we approach Spring, more of the animals seemed to be more lively rather than being in their hibernating mode.
After the visit, our interest to visit Jindo Island rekindled and we made a last minute booking for our bus tickets at Gangbyeon (Dongseoul Bus Terminal) and our accommodation at Myeong-dong. What seemed like an impossible last minute planning did came true in the end.
Saturday
We woke up early to take a coach from Dongseoul Bus Terminal. The journey which cost 29500 won took about 5 and a half hours. Luckily the motel (Prince Motel) which we booked was close to the bus terminal. After checking in, we headed straight to the sea parting place.
The highlight of Jindo Island is basically the sea parting event. Every year during this period, the tide would recede revealing dry land in which you can step on to get to the next island. The crowd at Jindo were reportedly close to a million.
In order to cross the sea, we had to get boots as our shoes would get wet as we cross. We manage to get second hand boots at 4000 won each. Since we arrived at the place late, we walked for a little while before returning back to the motel.
Sunday
On this day we got to the sea parting place early and made our journey to the next island. As today was the festival main day, we had to pay an additional 5000 won to enter. The walk was an interesting experience as we had to suffer the "pain" of walking on the rocks. Along the way we saw sea creatures on the sea floor such as star fishes, clam and shell fishes. As we saw the star fishes, we took it and threw them back into the sea to give them a "second chance". The walk to the next island took about an hour. From afar, the distance might seem short but the actual journey is long.
After a day of walking we had to rush back to catch the coach to Mokpo before taking the KTX back to Seoul. The train fair was 32000 won but it was a comfortable ride back home.
Shall head to bed now, tomorrow's lesson is at 9am. Shall add the photos when I am free, good night!
Visited a park close at Children's Grand Park Central Station with other foreign exchange students. It a park dedicated to children. The main highlights of the place is an amusement park for kids and a mini zoo. We visited mainly the zoo in the park. Although the size of the zoo can't match against the Seoul Zoo but there was quite a variety of animals such as lions and elephants. As we approach Spring, more of the animals seemed to be more lively rather than being in their hibernating mode.
After the visit, our interest to visit Jindo Island rekindled and we made a last minute booking for our bus tickets at Gangbyeon (Dongseoul Bus Terminal) and our accommodation at Myeong-dong. What seemed like an impossible last minute planning did came true in the end.
Saturday
We woke up early to take a coach from Dongseoul Bus Terminal. The journey which cost 29500 won took about 5 and a half hours. Luckily the motel (Prince Motel) which we booked was close to the bus terminal. After checking in, we headed straight to the sea parting place.
The highlight of Jindo Island is basically the sea parting event. Every year during this period, the tide would recede revealing dry land in which you can step on to get to the next island. The crowd at Jindo were reportedly close to a million.
In order to cross the sea, we had to get boots as our shoes would get wet as we cross. We manage to get second hand boots at 4000 won each. Since we arrived at the place late, we walked for a little while before returning back to the motel.
Sunday
On this day we got to the sea parting place early and made our journey to the next island. As today was the festival main day, we had to pay an additional 5000 won to enter. The walk was an interesting experience as we had to suffer the "pain" of walking on the rocks. Along the way we saw sea creatures on the sea floor such as star fishes, clam and shell fishes. As we saw the star fishes, we took it and threw them back into the sea to give them a "second chance". The walk to the next island took about an hour. From afar, the distance might seem short but the actual journey is long.
After a day of walking we had to rush back to catch the coach to Mokpo before taking the KTX back to Seoul. The train fair was 32000 won but it was a comfortable ride back home.
Shall head to bed now, tomorrow's lesson is at 9am. Shall add the photos when I am free, good night!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Seoul Day 36
It has been a couple of crazy nights of LAN gaming over these two days. 2 straight days till 3-4am. With the lack of games available, we have been playing Warcraft 3 Frozen Throne non-stop. Before heading to Korea, I did not have any slightest interest in that game other than its variation DoTA. I guess its a good way to build bonds but a tiring one though.
Finally I have shifted to Coco Livingtel after staying for a month at Issac Livingtel. I am quite happy with the new place other than a few stuff.
1. I am paying 470K won now instead of the previous 250K won rent. A large significant increase to me. The place is alright but I don't think it justify the price.
2. Filling up water is no longer a next door affair. Have to walk a long way to the kitchen but nonetheless can be solved by purchasing a large water container.
3. The rubbish bin is located far away.
Positive Points
1. I go my own bathroom now and a fridge.
2. The place is larger than before.
3. I am now close to more Singaporeans from SMU.
4. Its much closer to school now.
Yesterday
Visited a place called 63 Square. You can access the place via free shuttle buss at Yeouido Station from gate 5. At 30K (subsidised student rate), you can visit three different attractions. We visted the Imax cinema (the show was a little boring though), the underwater world (nice but the variety is not as many as the one in Shanghai) and the wax museum (the halloween wax figures are really scary in the dark. There is a mini teddy bear museum too.)
After that it was Makgeolli, beer and chicken before LAN gaming again. The LAN shop is just under the place I live at now.
Today
We visited the flea market close to Hongik University Station. The place was really crowded in the afternoon. The only thing I felt like getting was a hand-dinosaur plushie but at 10000 won, it was out of my budget as I had not withdrawn any cash.
After the flea market visit, we got to Itaewon. Itaewon is place that is filled with international tourist. The place is filled with shoe shops. The highlight of the place was the international mart where we saw stuff like milo, oyster sauce, curry powder, sweet chilli sauce, items in which you would not normally see at the local supermarket in Seoul.
Dinner was a Myeongdong with some shopping before we watched Wrath of the Titan. I found that the show lacked depth as the ending was predictable.
Ended the day with LAN gaming yet again. I am dead beat now, time to sleep. Upload the pictures the next day!
Finally I have shifted to Coco Livingtel after staying for a month at Issac Livingtel. I am quite happy with the new place other than a few stuff.
1. I am paying 470K won now instead of the previous 250K won rent. A large significant increase to me. The place is alright but I don't think it justify the price.
2. Filling up water is no longer a next door affair. Have to walk a long way to the kitchen but nonetheless can be solved by purchasing a large water container.
3. The rubbish bin is located far away.
Positive Points
1. I go my own bathroom now and a fridge.
2. The place is larger than before.
3. I am now close to more Singaporeans from SMU.
4. Its much closer to school now.
Yesterday
Visited a place called 63 Square. You can access the place via free shuttle buss at Yeouido Station from gate 5. At 30K (subsidised student rate), you can visit three different attractions. We visted the Imax cinema (the show was a little boring though), the underwater world (nice but the variety is not as many as the one in Shanghai) and the wax museum (the halloween wax figures are really scary in the dark. There is a mini teddy bear museum too.)
After that it was Makgeolli, beer and chicken before LAN gaming again. The LAN shop is just under the place I live at now.
Today
We visited the flea market close to Hongik University Station. The place was really crowded in the afternoon. The only thing I felt like getting was a hand-dinosaur plushie but at 10000 won, it was out of my budget as I had not withdrawn any cash.
After the flea market visit, we got to Itaewon. Itaewon is place that is filled with international tourist. The place is filled with shoe shops. The highlight of the place was the international mart where we saw stuff like milo, oyster sauce, curry powder, sweet chilli sauce, items in which you would not normally see at the local supermarket in Seoul.
Dinner was a Myeongdong with some shopping before we watched Wrath of the Titan. I found that the show lacked depth as the ending was predictable.
Ended the day with LAN gaming yet again. I am dead beat now, time to sleep. Upload the pictures the next day!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Seoul Day 29
Today we visited Nami Island, the place where winter sonata was shot. How to get to Nami Island: Get to Gapyeong Subway station before taking a taxi to the ferry terminal. The taxi ride cost less than 3000 won. The ticket to Nami island which includes a ferry ride which last less than 5 mins cost 8000 won for foreigners.
Nami Island is a place of nature with many trees that do not have any leaves. The weather is still chilly right now. The scenic places makes it a good place for couples to take a stroll round the island. There are many live animals that you will get to see, ostriches, emus, rabbits and ducks.
We spent about half a day on the island. Pictures will be made available on my facebook soon. =)
Nami Island is a place of nature with many trees that do not have any leaves. The weather is still chilly right now. The scenic places makes it a good place for couples to take a stroll round the island. There are many live animals that you will get to see, ostriches, emus, rabbits and ducks.
We spent about half a day on the island. Pictures will be made available on my facebook soon. =)
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Seoul Day 28
Today we visited TrickEye museum located just outside of Hongik University subway station. Entrance fee is at 13000 won. The museum is a place show casing pictures that involves 3D like objects and scenarios popping out of the picture frame. With each picture, visitors can pose and be part of the picture. It was an interesting experience looking at all the people making the interesting poses. Other than them pictures, there are costumes to allow you to cosplay the ancient greeks too.
After the museum tour and dinner at a traditional korean BBQ place, we visited Myeong Dong in hope of catching John Carter. In total we visited 3 difference cinemas in order to catch the show. Ticket was priced at 9000 won. Since the show was at 11.25pm, we went shopping at SPAO. Spent another 60k on a shirt and pants.
Had a short coffee break at star bucks before heading over to the cinema. The family combo was worth it at just 13000 won and that includes 2 buckets of pop corns, 2 drinks, nachos and cuttlefish. I shared a bucket of pop corns with Justin at 4500 won instead. Before catching the show, I heard that the movie did not do very well at the box office but nonetheless I went to watch it with an open mind. Although the story line was very much predictable, I pretty much still enjoyed watching it where the hero comes from nowhere to save the day. The last part of the show had a great twist.
Heading home was the downside of the day. We waited for like an hour in order to get a cab. We got rejected by over 20 cab drivers due to the fact that the place that we are heading was either too near of out of the way for the cabbies. I was very much infuriated with their attitudes towards picking up passengers. The cold chilly weather and the weariness only increased my frustrations. But anyway I still made it back home and I am grateful for the cabbie that acceded to our plea.
Tomorrow's trip is canceled due to the later night we spent today. Time for me to catch up with school work.
After the museum tour and dinner at a traditional korean BBQ place, we visited Myeong Dong in hope of catching John Carter. In total we visited 3 difference cinemas in order to catch the show. Ticket was priced at 9000 won. Since the show was at 11.25pm, we went shopping at SPAO. Spent another 60k on a shirt and pants.
Had a short coffee break at star bucks before heading over to the cinema. The family combo was worth it at just 13000 won and that includes 2 buckets of pop corns, 2 drinks, nachos and cuttlefish. I shared a bucket of pop corns with Justin at 4500 won instead. Before catching the show, I heard that the movie did not do very well at the box office but nonetheless I went to watch it with an open mind. Although the story line was very much predictable, I pretty much still enjoyed watching it where the hero comes from nowhere to save the day. The last part of the show had a great twist.
Heading home was the downside of the day. We waited for like an hour in order to get a cab. We got rejected by over 20 cab drivers due to the fact that the place that we are heading was either too near of out of the way for the cabbies. I was very much infuriated with their attitudes towards picking up passengers. The cold chilly weather and the weariness only increased my frustrations. But anyway I still made it back home and I am grateful for the cabbie that acceded to our plea.
Tomorrow's trip is canceled due to the later night we spent today. Time for me to catch up with school work.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Seoul Day 27
After much persuasion from Justin today was the first time I visited a Jjimjilbang, a korean bath house. The place is located just outside of Dongmyo Subway station exit 6. Its on the 12th floor of a building. Entrance fee is 10000 won. The name of the Bath house is called Sparex.
Visiting a bath house might be a culture shock for some as every one just walk around naked in their full glory. Being in Singapore, such is a sight in which you don't see often as it is not part of our culture.
So we went around soaking in the hot waters ranging from 38 to 40 degrees centigrade. It was always interesting to see Justin and Daryl fighting in the water like small kids. Its hard to believe that few years down the road they will be fathers someday.
After the long soak we visited the gym. It has been a long time since I been to one since I arrived in Korea. Had a light workout, I missed my pull up bar. lol. Still managed to do 6 but I am aiming to go for at least 10 when I get back to Singapore. I measured my weight and I am now 60.5kg. Okie perhaps with all the food, I am 61kg now. I have lost like 4-5kg in 4 weeks in Korea.
With the workout done, we met up with Shaun and his relative. Its cool that he only knew his cousin during an overseas voluntary service trip. They don't know about each other in the 24 years of their life. In fact Shaun was the uncle even though their age gap are close.
For food we had eggs and red bean shaving. For 4000 won, you can have a large bowl for 4 person. Nice!.
At the end of the day, the most epic thing was that Justin lost his shirt. His T-shirt was the exact same gray color as the bath house T-shirt. As a result he misplaced it and the T-shirt might have mixed with the other Sparex T-shirt in the laundry. We tried to find for him but to not avail. In the end he had to wear the Sparex T-shirt back home. LOL.
Visiting a bath house might be a culture shock for some as every one just walk around naked in their full glory. Being in Singapore, such is a sight in which you don't see often as it is not part of our culture.
So we went around soaking in the hot waters ranging from 38 to 40 degrees centigrade. It was always interesting to see Justin and Daryl fighting in the water like small kids. Its hard to believe that few years down the road they will be fathers someday.
After the long soak we visited the gym. It has been a long time since I been to one since I arrived in Korea. Had a light workout, I missed my pull up bar. lol. Still managed to do 6 but I am aiming to go for at least 10 when I get back to Singapore. I measured my weight and I am now 60.5kg. Okie perhaps with all the food, I am 61kg now. I have lost like 4-5kg in 4 weeks in Korea.
With the workout done, we met up with Shaun and his relative. Its cool that he only knew his cousin during an overseas voluntary service trip. They don't know about each other in the 24 years of their life. In fact Shaun was the uncle even though their age gap are close.
For food we had eggs and red bean shaving. For 4000 won, you can have a large bowl for 4 person. Nice!.
At the end of the day, the most epic thing was that Justin lost his shirt. His T-shirt was the exact same gray color as the bath house T-shirt. As a result he misplaced it and the T-shirt might have mixed with the other Sparex T-shirt in the laundry. We tried to find for him but to not avail. In the end he had to wear the Sparex T-shirt back home. LOL.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Seoul Day 22 and 23
Went to the zoo locate at Seoul Grand park. The total package for the zoo was just 8000 won, it included the entrance, tram ride and the gondola ride. This is certainly much cheaper than the zoo in Singapore. Shaun mentioned that it was one of the top 10 zoos in the world and after the trip I did agree with him. The were many variety of animals, lions, tigers, wolves, yaks, you name it you have it. The area in which Seoul zoo occupies is simply huge, it would take at least half a day to really fully explore the place.
I attended my very first dolphin and seal show. =) It was quite an experience and it was fascinating to see how the trainers could interact and pair up so well with the dolphins and seals. The dolphins were swift and elegant while the seals were cheeky and mischievous. I totally enjoyed the show and it was worth every won of the 3000 in which I paid.
However while viewing the splendour of the animal kingdom, I had mixed feelings. I felt sad for them as they are kept in the small and confined enclosures, far away from where they should be in their habitats. The only wish I have is that the public upon admiring the animals would have increased awareness about the need to protect the natural habitats of these animal's relative in the wild.
After the zoo trip, I visited one of the 7 luck casinos nearby Seoul Station. Gambling is activity that is often being frown upon by many. In my opinion I feel that social gambling is alright but never compulsive gambling. Gambling is just a form of past-time and should never be regarded as a money making opportunity. There are quite a few casino in Korea and the one in which we visited is one of the smaller ones. It has just a single floor and is probably one tenth the size of the casino in Genting Malaysia. I did not gamble as we only visited the place for a short while. Daryl and Justin lost 30 each but it was all in the name of fun and experience.
I will post some of the pictures tomorrow below and on face book.
Today I spent the whole day in my little room. Although I felt recharged but I was totally bored. It was good rest though.
Its back to school tomorrow. Time to mug soon =( hahaz.
I attended my very first dolphin and seal show. =) It was quite an experience and it was fascinating to see how the trainers could interact and pair up so well with the dolphins and seals. The dolphins were swift and elegant while the seals were cheeky and mischievous. I totally enjoyed the show and it was worth every won of the 3000 in which I paid.
However while viewing the splendour of the animal kingdom, I had mixed feelings. I felt sad for them as they are kept in the small and confined enclosures, far away from where they should be in their habitats. The only wish I have is that the public upon admiring the animals would have increased awareness about the need to protect the natural habitats of these animal's relative in the wild.
After the zoo trip, I visited one of the 7 luck casinos nearby Seoul Station. Gambling is activity that is often being frown upon by many. In my opinion I feel that social gambling is alright but never compulsive gambling. Gambling is just a form of past-time and should never be regarded as a money making opportunity. There are quite a few casino in Korea and the one in which we visited is one of the smaller ones. It has just a single floor and is probably one tenth the size of the casino in Genting Malaysia. I did not gamble as we only visited the place for a short while. Daryl and Justin lost 30 each but it was all in the name of fun and experience.
I will post some of the pictures tomorrow below and on face book.
Today I spent the whole day in my little room. Although I felt recharged but I was totally bored. It was good rest though.
Its back to school tomorrow. Time to mug soon =( hahaz.
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