Managed to catch up with the rest of the group for the Nanta show. Nanta is the cooking show whereby they make use of the kitchen utensils and objects around them to create music. Its a mixture of Stomp meets Cooking Programme.
The show was lively and there wasn't a dull moment.
Following on I went with the other Singaporean exchange students for chinese food. We had zha jiang mian, gou lou you and guo tie. It was a sumptous meal and it only cost about 7 Singapore dollars. A meal like this would simply cost over 15 bucks in Singapore.
Still do not have a single module right now. Feel pretty screwed up now. Things do not look good but I am still trying to stay positive. I want to stay in the mindset whereby "the sky falls, I will still use it as blanket.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
First Korean Entry
So here am I at a reclusive part of Korea University typing this entry. The weather is cold and chilly but not as bad as the previous days. To be exact I am right beside a place called Korea Cinema Trap (Korea University Media Hall). Is it a cinema or is it a trap, I have no answer to that question now but that is an interesting name.
I just missed the group tour as I had to submit my module registration form to the KU Business Office. 50 Singapore dollars wasted and with the opportunity to visit the palace gone! Oh well. Previously I have submitted to their one stop service centre two days ago as indicated on the form. From the moment I was not allocated any modules, I knew something was wrong. Upon visiting the office about an hour ago, I had the answer. The answer was that I had to submit to the business office instead. Things are not looking good right now as it is highly unlikely that I will be allocated any modules with most or should I say all of them have been indicated “full”. The path ahead looks rocky, only God knows what it would be like.
Today is 5th day in Korea. The last 5 days have been pretty fast paced with little rest. Upon arriving at Incheon Airport, it was a long trip to our hostel at Anam Street. Upon boarding the airport bus and reaching Korea University area, we got lost and did not know how to proceed to Isacc Hostel. Thankfully there was girl whom helped to guide us to the place. She was really helpful and it is very rare to see a stranger whom is heading towards different direction taking the effort to walk us to our place. It gladdens my heart to see such people around. In the past I have directed strangers when they asked for directions but none of it has been as far as our walk to Issac Hostel.
The host of Issac Hostel, James was very warm and friendly. It was close to 9 in the night and he drove us to the place to get our thick quilt and pillow. Both of the items cost about 50 Singapore Dollars, still pretty much reasonable but definitely could be cheaper. After the purchase, he brought us to one of the Korean Restaurant just across the street and paid for our dinner.
Although our room is pretty small, the actions of the host really gave me a reason to stay and not moved out to a bigger place with bigger room instead.
Passport sized pictures are not the only pictures used in Korea. There is a special sized photograph called 3X4. Essentially it is a 3cm X 4 cm picture that is used for making ID cards and driving licence. Thank God that there is a picture taking booth at Anam Station, it would be hard to take one at the photograph shop as I do not speak Korean.
Then the orientation on Monday 27th February came. I am currently on the third day but I missed the tour as mentioned above. There are 4 people in my small group, including me. My Korean buddy, a French and a Peruvian Exchange student. My buddy did not speak much English and it was pretty hard to converse with him. Being a relatively quiet person with strangers, it makes it even tougher. But nonetheless, he is a very helpful person and laid back so I do appreciate the things that he has done for us.
One of the memorable days was the second day dinner and drinking fest. We visited a restaurant that served fried chicken and beer. The friend chickens were crispy but I only had one, as I dislike eating food that has bones. On my table were two students from Hong Kong and three from America. The girls from America could really drink. In a just 20 minutes, they downed like 4 to 5 mugs of beer. One of the American girls was half Korean and American and she practically downed the beer like it was water. The Hong Kongers on the other hand were light drinkers. The girl did not drink while the guy was tipsy just after the 4th mug. The beer went free flow and it was obvious who the drinkers were as the crowd began to disperse from the restaurant. On the night I had like 10 to 11 mugs, it was the first time that I had that many, 7 being the previous record. It was amazing how my stomach and bladder could support that much liquid.
After the beer drinking session, the drinkers left for their next destination. I wanted to follow the crowd but I had to send the Hong Kong guy but to his hostel. I knew that the girl would definitely have trouble bringing the guy back and thus I had to do the favour. I was high but definitely sober. It was with the beer that the Hong Kong guy showed his true colours. He was definitely not straight, and I guess I was “sexually harassed” while guiding him back to his hostel at Coco Livingtel. The girl kept telling me to just leave him on the streets but I felt that I couldn’t do that. It was a long and torturous walk to the hostel and I was glad that I made it. Upon reaching the fourth floor, he just collapsed on the floor. It was there that I bid farewell. I should have brought him to his room but I guess the fear was there after all the suggestive actions and words that he displayed on the walk to the hostel. The whole walk was really an experience and my first encounter with a guy that wasn’t straight. It would be an interesting video if the whole process could be filmed.
The weather is getting colder at this moment and I just put on my second jacket. After typing this entry, I shall continue my tour around while waiting for the rest to be back from their main school tour.
Signing Off
Aaron Tan
1030am - 1134am
I just missed the group tour as I had to submit my module registration form to the KU Business Office. 50 Singapore dollars wasted and with the opportunity to visit the palace gone! Oh well. Previously I have submitted to their one stop service centre two days ago as indicated on the form. From the moment I was not allocated any modules, I knew something was wrong. Upon visiting the office about an hour ago, I had the answer. The answer was that I had to submit to the business office instead. Things are not looking good right now as it is highly unlikely that I will be allocated any modules with most or should I say all of them have been indicated “full”. The path ahead looks rocky, only God knows what it would be like.
Today is 5th day in Korea. The last 5 days have been pretty fast paced with little rest. Upon arriving at Incheon Airport, it was a long trip to our hostel at Anam Street. Upon boarding the airport bus and reaching Korea University area, we got lost and did not know how to proceed to Isacc Hostel. Thankfully there was girl whom helped to guide us to the place. She was really helpful and it is very rare to see a stranger whom is heading towards different direction taking the effort to walk us to our place. It gladdens my heart to see such people around. In the past I have directed strangers when they asked for directions but none of it has been as far as our walk to Issac Hostel.
The host of Issac Hostel, James was very warm and friendly. It was close to 9 in the night and he drove us to the place to get our thick quilt and pillow. Both of the items cost about 50 Singapore Dollars, still pretty much reasonable but definitely could be cheaper. After the purchase, he brought us to one of the Korean Restaurant just across the street and paid for our dinner.
Although our room is pretty small, the actions of the host really gave me a reason to stay and not moved out to a bigger place with bigger room instead.
Passport sized pictures are not the only pictures used in Korea. There is a special sized photograph called 3X4. Essentially it is a 3cm X 4 cm picture that is used for making ID cards and driving licence. Thank God that there is a picture taking booth at Anam Station, it would be hard to take one at the photograph shop as I do not speak Korean.
Then the orientation on Monday 27th February came. I am currently on the third day but I missed the tour as mentioned above. There are 4 people in my small group, including me. My Korean buddy, a French and a Peruvian Exchange student. My buddy did not speak much English and it was pretty hard to converse with him. Being a relatively quiet person with strangers, it makes it even tougher. But nonetheless, he is a very helpful person and laid back so I do appreciate the things that he has done for us.
One of the memorable days was the second day dinner and drinking fest. We visited a restaurant that served fried chicken and beer. The friend chickens were crispy but I only had one, as I dislike eating food that has bones. On my table were two students from Hong Kong and three from America. The girls from America could really drink. In a just 20 minutes, they downed like 4 to 5 mugs of beer. One of the American girls was half Korean and American and she practically downed the beer like it was water. The Hong Kongers on the other hand were light drinkers. The girl did not drink while the guy was tipsy just after the 4th mug. The beer went free flow and it was obvious who the drinkers were as the crowd began to disperse from the restaurant. On the night I had like 10 to 11 mugs, it was the first time that I had that many, 7 being the previous record. It was amazing how my stomach and bladder could support that much liquid.
After the beer drinking session, the drinkers left for their next destination. I wanted to follow the crowd but I had to send the Hong Kong guy but to his hostel. I knew that the girl would definitely have trouble bringing the guy back and thus I had to do the favour. I was high but definitely sober. It was with the beer that the Hong Kong guy showed his true colours. He was definitely not straight, and I guess I was “sexually harassed” while guiding him back to his hostel at Coco Livingtel. The girl kept telling me to just leave him on the streets but I felt that I couldn’t do that. It was a long and torturous walk to the hostel and I was glad that I made it. Upon reaching the fourth floor, he just collapsed on the floor. It was there that I bid farewell. I should have brought him to his room but I guess the fear was there after all the suggestive actions and words that he displayed on the walk to the hostel. The whole walk was really an experience and my first encounter with a guy that wasn’t straight. It would be an interesting video if the whole process could be filmed.
The weather is getting colder at this moment and I just put on my second jacket. After typing this entry, I shall continue my tour around while waiting for the rest to be back from their main school tour.
Signing Off
Aaron Tan
1030am - 1134am
Friday, May 27, 2011
14th Entry: Back
Spent like two hours deleting all the emails from my old email account. 10K over of unwanted mails.
It has been three weeks since the start of the holidays. This week was the week when i started searching for a job. Signed up with job central but the search wasn't fruitful. Sent quite a few emails to various job agencies whom were assigned by companies to help them to look for job seekers but received no replies. This has led to me to formulate a few conclusions.
1. Females are prefered.
2. Questions are irritating and should not be entertained.
3. My email wasnt even read in the first place.
These job agencies have given me a very bad impression and I wonder how their awards are earned. The least they could do would be dropping a simple "cut and paste" email to inform applicants that their applications have been received and upon consideration have been rejected.
Oh well, my intention right now is to look for a job before the start of June as any later than that would make it harder to get one as i would only be left with two full months of vacation break. If my job search is unsuccessful then i gotta make full use of my break with other activities.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
13th Entry: Book Tickets!
Finally helped a friend to book air tickets. 4 hours of work! typing, transfering my cash around.
This is my very first time booking air tickets online. Since she did not have a visa card, thus she asked for help to settle the bill.
Booking tickets can be such a hassle when they are many details to be filled in. Since they had limited session time of 9 minutes, I had to quickly match each persons details to their repective textboxes. There were many times where I had to retype the entries.
Why does the price fluctuate after i book a single ticket. The next ticket that I booked cost a almost 60 over bucks more expensive than the previous one. Same flight, side by side seats and yet that much different of a price. Why is there such an inconsistency. Its not like as if the plane is full.
One thing that is efficient is the billing. Lol, when it comes to money issues, its exceptionally fast. Makes me worry what happen if i lost my credit card and handphone. All my cash would simply be gone.
Im feeling a bit tired now, but still cant sleep cause my hair is still wet. The problems of having longer hair now.
This is my very first time booking air tickets online. Since she did not have a visa card, thus she asked for help to settle the bill.
Booking tickets can be such a hassle when they are many details to be filled in. Since they had limited session time of 9 minutes, I had to quickly match each persons details to their repective textboxes. There were many times where I had to retype the entries.
Why does the price fluctuate after i book a single ticket. The next ticket that I booked cost a almost 60 over bucks more expensive than the previous one. Same flight, side by side seats and yet that much different of a price. Why is there such an inconsistency. Its not like as if the plane is full.
One thing that is efficient is the billing. Lol, when it comes to money issues, its exceptionally fast. Makes me worry what happen if i lost my credit card and handphone. All my cash would simply be gone.
Im feeling a bit tired now, but still cant sleep cause my hair is still wet. The problems of having longer hair now.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Need You Now by Lady Antebellum
One of my faves songs. Didn't expect it to make a quite a clean sweep at the recent grammys 2011 awards.
Oh yea its my birthday today and i din noe abt it. lol.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
12th Entry: Worst day of my life.
Just like the shares which i have bought dipping a brand new low. I had one of the worst day of my life.
The first half of the day was alright but things starts to screw up in the afternoon.
My shares hit to a new low of 1.91, crazy prices. It seems to be on a free fall mode right now, wonder whats affecting the price?
Next i dropped my laptop right smack on the floor. I was so engrossed in the discussion that i tripped over my own laptop power cable. After the traumatic fall, the laptop failed to start up. From that very moment, i knew that the hard disk was confirm gone. All my stuff, sch work from last sem and this sem, pictures, games and office 2010! My copy and cd key of office are kept in it.
And so i was in a dilema, leave the group and head to the customer center. Would it be very selfish? In the end the emotions got the better of me and i decided i just had to make the trip down since i wouldnt be free tml and Sunday the place is closed. This laptop was something i fully paid for and very precious to me. The data too.
Along the way i turned off the wrong adapter and got my friend Sandra's laptop to force shut down. I rushed towards the service center at acer. Got to the wrong station at habourfront, should have stopped at Otraum. Took the train back again and took straight to jurong. As i got down, i ran towards the service center since it was like 15 mins before the service center is closed. Along the way it rained too. I had no direct path and had to climb through and I almost fell in the end. After making the trip to the service center, the consultant said that the data would be wiped out! He recommened me a data recovery center and i knew that it would simply be too expensive. Thus i left the laptop and could only get it back on Monday.
After getting the check done, i had to rushed back to the meeting scene. The rain got heavier and although with the use of umbrella, i was all drenched, especially on fron part. My whole lower body and shoes were soaked wet.
As I tired to flag the bus at the bustop, i relised that there was a direct bus to school. As i did not open my umbrellas, i tried to hop on to the bus, in the end i tripped and fell beacuase my shoes are losing it grip on fiction. Wet + Pain
The first half of the day was alright but things starts to screw up in the afternoon.
My shares hit to a new low of 1.91, crazy prices. It seems to be on a free fall mode right now, wonder whats affecting the price?
Next i dropped my laptop right smack on the floor. I was so engrossed in the discussion that i tripped over my own laptop power cable. After the traumatic fall, the laptop failed to start up. From that very moment, i knew that the hard disk was confirm gone. All my stuff, sch work from last sem and this sem, pictures, games and office 2010! My copy and cd key of office are kept in it.
And so i was in a dilema, leave the group and head to the customer center. Would it be very selfish? In the end the emotions got the better of me and i decided i just had to make the trip down since i wouldnt be free tml and Sunday the place is closed. This laptop was something i fully paid for and very precious to me. The data too.
Along the way i turned off the wrong adapter and got my friend Sandra's laptop to force shut down. I rushed towards the service center at acer. Got to the wrong station at habourfront, should have stopped at Otraum. Took the train back again and took straight to jurong. As i got down, i ran towards the service center since it was like 15 mins before the service center is closed. Along the way it rained too. I had no direct path and had to climb through and I almost fell in the end. After making the trip to the service center, the consultant said that the data would be wiped out! He recommened me a data recovery center and i knew that it would simply be too expensive. Thus i left the laptop and could only get it back on Monday.
After getting the check done, i had to rushed back to the meeting scene. The rain got heavier and although with the use of umbrella, i was all drenched, especially on fron part. My whole lower body and shoes were soaked wet.
As I tired to flag the bus at the bustop, i relised that there was a direct bus to school. As i did not open my umbrellas, i tried to hop on to the bus, in the end i tripped and fell beacuase my shoes are losing it grip on fiction. Wet + Pain
Sunday, January 23, 2011
11th Entry: Once in a blue moon.
Dear Diary,
Sorry for neglecting you. Thats for close two months to be more specific. So what have changed in these two months? Time has passed as fast as usual and i am still pretty much the same. Holidays came and left in a whirlwind and the new school term resumed. I guess nothing much has changed for me.
The highlights of the past two months would be:
1. Trip to Genting with my Family
2. Class Chalet
The trip to genting was a short one but its something that i have always wanted. Given the time and money, I would definately like to bring my entire family around the world. Its a dream for me, something that is hard to achieve given the school commitments and financial constraints. I just want to do so before my parents get old.
The class chalet was kinda unexpected. Something that came out of nowhere. Chalets can be said to be an essence of my life. Ever since the polytechnic days, I have been having frequent chalets. Its something that i have always look forward to, something that got me through the tough times in school. Class gatherings are certainly rare opportunities in the university life. Everyone seems to be always busy and are far apart from each other. Seeing everyone gathering for a short period of time, playing games and having bbq was a sight to behold. A sight that is not seen since the orientation days.
Its the third week of school and my mind is still wandering everwhere else other than school work. Will it ever wonder back? I don't know. We shall see.
Yours Sincerely,
Aaron
Sorry for neglecting you. Thats for close two months to be more specific. So what have changed in these two months? Time has passed as fast as usual and i am still pretty much the same. Holidays came and left in a whirlwind and the new school term resumed. I guess nothing much has changed for me.
The highlights of the past two months would be:
1. Trip to Genting with my Family
2. Class Chalet
The trip to genting was a short one but its something that i have always wanted. Given the time and money, I would definately like to bring my entire family around the world. Its a dream for me, something that is hard to achieve given the school commitments and financial constraints. I just want to do so before my parents get old.
The class chalet was kinda unexpected. Something that came out of nowhere. Chalets can be said to be an essence of my life. Ever since the polytechnic days, I have been having frequent chalets. Its something that i have always look forward to, something that got me through the tough times in school. Class gatherings are certainly rare opportunities in the university life. Everyone seems to be always busy and are far apart from each other. Seeing everyone gathering for a short period of time, playing games and having bbq was a sight to behold. A sight that is not seen since the orientation days.
Its the third week of school and my mind is still wandering everwhere else other than school work. Will it ever wonder back? I don't know. We shall see.
Yours Sincerely,
Aaron
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