Big decision 2014

So fast, first month of 2014 is ending soon. Didn't feel anything and is already ending, so sad!

Actually during the second half of 2013 , I had this thought of going back to school. Since now my parent still don't really need me support me, Even if i'm not working, is still all right. I should do what I want before it's too late. And out of a sudden,  my friend, PQ,  asked if I'm interested in going Korea to learn Korea!! 

I did thought about that too but because i didn't found a good school and the fee was so expensive. But PQ found it! It was a language course from Sungkyankwan university and the sch fee is so much cheaper than other schools. The whole course will be at least a year, so if I'm really interested, I will have to quit my job.

It took me more than 5 month to think about it. (Luckily the application dates starts in end Dec ) and I had decided to go for it!!! It's something that I won't dare to do I will be going alone. With PQ going with me, I feeled more safe and at least there is someone will look out for you.

Submitted my resignation letter last month,  and this 30 Jan will be my last day of work. When I submitted the letter, I really felt relief and believed that this is really what I want and I should do this. even before the certificate of administration had been issue (a document for us to do and do visa) have been issued, we had booked our one way tickets to Korea.

The application went through faster than I thought. (Submit in 30 Dec, 31 Dec receive confirmation from school to do payment ). But I wanted to take the whole course (which has 6 session) but they only issue for 1 session and refused to issue a certificate of administration to us to do visa. (Singapore passport had 90 day free entry, only if we are staying more than 90 days need to do visa)

After ton of email back and fro, they finally understand and issue the certificate to us! Now that we received the visa, we had to go and do it asap as we have less than 1 month (sch is going to start early mar). Thought that visa will need at least a month to do in the end it took less than 1 week to complete , now we only left wit finding accommodation.

Truth is, now I'm excite, nervous, scared and worry. Is my first time away from everyone I know for so long. Actually I choose to experience this but I still can't stop worrying. I just pray everything will be fine and go as plan.

2013 Nov-Dec BKK;Thailand - Day 3

Is been almost 2 month and I haven't finish blogging my Dec Thailand trip. Wit Christmas, new year, Japan trip all so near to each other, I

had no time to blog at all. 

BKK Day 3 - 2 Dec 2013 - Coming back
Today also didnt had the chance to go Plantium mall as it was closed due to the riots. Was very sad as there is a one place I never miss when I'm in Bangkok, but this time I'm being forced to stay away from it. *sob sob; so sad :( *

CT intro me to this new shopping mall. When I came out of the station , there is this shopping mall named 'sunshine mall'.  Since i had so much time alone, why bot just go in for a walk. This place is a IT paradises,  as all shops are related to IT products. The place is very big but the people tend to stare when someone walked by. I went off after one floor. 

Headed to the new shopping which CT intro. Many of the international brand can be found here. And this place totally remind me of Singapore 'ION',  the higher level you go, the thing get more expensive. Things was too expensive and the brand can be found in Singapore so I gave III p shopping and just have a cup of coffee 

Dinner wit CT before taking the subway back to her place for last min packing. We just had something light at the food court (actually it was still too early).

According to CT, the subway never break down before, so I guess I'm just unlucky. Subway door was open when I reached the plaform. I just went straight in, thinking that the door will close soon. But the door was not closing, then we were asked to take the next train as there are problem with this train. The next train took 5 min to reach there station, but it was slight delay too as the train ahead was still in station.

I was more than half an hrs later than planned (all because of the subway delay!!) Had to rush to check in counter to do check in first (Wasn't able to do check in first as my friend's hse has no printer.) After that I still have to rush to the custom as the queue was super long too!! Took me another 20-30 min to get through custom itself !

Finally got through custom, was able to do last min shopping before boarding, spent too much time shopping that I didn't had time to enjoy the WI-FI (actually while shopping, tried to connect to the WI-FI but always failed, so give up. In the end, while siting down before the gate to rest for a while, finally got connected ! LOL)At least I had the time to ask my parent not to come and pick me up, or else I think I'm just even more stress (my Dad just can't wait for people)

This flight is much better than the flight there as there was no kid seated next to me, was able to relax in peace. The moment the plane door opens, everyone was rushing out. I was still there sitting at my seat, letting people go out first as all there trying to get out as soon as possible. Because I don't has check in baggage, even if I was the last few to came out, I can get out of the gate earliest *hehehe*. Took cab home straight to get ready for work tomorrow.

2013 Nov-Dec BKK;Thailand - Day 2

Day 2 - 1 Dec 2013/ Sun - Let have fun !

Because CT's exam is coming soon, she still has to go to school on Sunday, so I will be alone for the whole afternoon. Before heading out, CT helped to check where is safe to go to, I can't go to my favourite place Siam area (Planetarium mall , Siam square) as it will be close today. Therefore I decided to go to Chatuchak market (since it's a weekend market.) & Terminal 21

BKK - Chatuchak (weekend) Market 

Address -
Kampaengphet 3 Road, Khwaeng Lat Yao,
Khet Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
How to go - Take the Sky Train (BTS) - Get onto the Mo Chit northern bound train either by the main station, Siam. The Mo Chit station is the last station on the line. When you arrive at the station, get out and follow the signs for the market. The market is on the right hand side of the street, just behind the large Chatuchak Park. OR take the Underground Train (MRT) - Take the underground train (MRT) from any station on the northern line . Stay on the train and either get off at Chatuchak Park station or Kamphaeng Phet.
Website - http://www.chatuchak.org/

The weekend Market is one of the world's largest weekend markets covers area of 27 acres altogether divided into 27 sections, contains more than 15,000 booths selling goods from every part of Thailand . It is also very popular shopping centre to Thais and has become a popular place to tourists and foreigners. Almost everything can be found here at a bargaining local price and most vendors actually come from local factories, like antique wood carving and clay handicrafts. You name it, it have it.

There are 27 sections in together -
Section 1 = Amulets, books, collectibles, food shops and cafe
Section 2 - 4 = Collectibles, home decor, paintings and terra cotta
Section 5 - 6 = Clothes, adornments and miscellaneous products
Section 7 - 9 = Antiques, furniture, ceramics and handicrafts
Section 10 - 24 = Clothes, consumer products, adornments, household appliances and pets.
Section 17 - 19 = Ceramics, fresh and dry food
Section 22 - 26 = Antiques, Furniture and handicrafts
Section 27 = Books, collectibles, food and dessert shops

Chatuchak market 

Map of Chatuchak ; Taken from - http://www.chatuchak.org/map.html

The last time I was there, I nearly died from the heat, so this time I purpose to go there early in the morning and wear cooling dressing. Surprising that morning, it wasn't very hot (just that the sun can be little too bright) and I have a great time walking there. As I was alone, I didn't have to worry people getting lost (when you are in big group, need to take note who had been leave behind) and just see thing where my legs bring me to. Spent the whole morning there, just one morning I already buy so many things !! OMG, have to control myself ! or else later not enough to use. After that, headed to Terminal 21 for lunch

BKK - Terminal 21 

Open - 10am ~ 10pm 

How to go - Take the Sky Train (BTS) to Asok station  OR take the Underground Train (MRT) to Sukhumvit station. Direct access via Skywalk and it will link straight to Terminal 21 

Terminal 21 is a delightful shopping and dining experience. It has particular appeal for the younger generation of shoppers, specifically university student to your executives. When compared to other luxury shopping malls along downtown Sukhumvit road, Terminal 21 definitely has its own edge and is definitely worth visiting. 

There are nine floors at Terminal 21 has more than 600 shops. The basement level (LG) has a Caribbean theme and is where you will find the gorment market, take away food outlets market-style food vendors as well as banks and bookstores. Take an escalator up one level and the ground floor (G) bring you to Rome, with all kinds of international and local fashion labels such as Kipling, Fox, CC:OO, Nike , Jaspal, Adidas , Levi's and more

Terminal 21 part 1

Level M is Paris, which will take you to the Champs-Elysees, where even more fashion await your discovery. The 1st  to 3rd floors are home to smaller shops by local independent labels. Women's fashion is found on the 1st floor (Tokyo) and Men's on the 2nd floor (London). The 3rd floor (Istanbul) is for gifts, jerellery, fashion accessories, toys, beauty products and home decor. This floor has a look and feel of a middle Eastern zouk but with a modern Twist.  

Terminal 21 part 2 

San Francisco on the 4 & 5th floor, where there are more than 50 restaurants and cafe.
I chose a Steak house for lunch as later will be having Thai food with CT.
Was slightly dry but is just half price of Singapore's steak house.

Lunch @ Jeffer @ Terminal 21  

Took my time, slowing eat my steak. I find this is one good thing about being alone, you could take your time to finish your food and don't need to listen to people pushing you to hurry up and food your food. After that, I started my window shopping (well, do buy some things too! hehe). I didn't dare to go to other areas as I have no WI FI , don't know if other areas are safe anot. Walked until tired le, I just find a place to sit down and have some dessert.

2014 Jan Japan - D-day

Wasn't able to blog much about the planning for this trip (with all the Christmas , new year party).

But luckily I was able to finish the itinerary because I didn't had to look for accommodation and I don't even have to change money too (my auntie help me since she is changing too). 

The weather in Hokkaido now is super super cold (- 5 degree). And because I had experience the cold before, I know I will want to wear more since we will be outdoor all the time. I packed all the thick clothes I had and OMG, I think that my luggage is already overweight !! Bought 3 pack of hot pack from Diaso, hope it's enough to keep us warm. 

 I can't wait to flying of to Sapporo tonight. 

2013 Nov-Dec BKK;Thailand - Day 1

Despite of the recent riots in Bangkok, I went ahead with my BKK trip. I really need this trip badly as there were lot of thing going through my mind, and i need to get away for a while or else I really do think I will go crazy. Since I can't just disappear like that, I went for a short trip alone (since it was actually my 2013 plan; to travel alone.) Actually chose BKK as my destination was because I have a friend that is currently studying there. I could just crash in and stay a few days with her [helping me to save up in accommodation

Day 1 - 30 Nov 2013/ Sat - Arrive BKK

Singapore Airport Dec Theme 

As I did online check-in the day before, I don't need to go to the airport so early. But I still went there slightly earlier so I can have some time to do some shopping before boarding. Due to the heavy rain, flight was delay for about 30 min. There was a kid seated next to me and she just can't shut up, kept moving around and asking ton of question (although she wasn't asking me , but she was just too noisy.) Believe that because it wasn't the travelling peak period, the flight was not fully pack. Even if I was the last few to leave, it don't take long to reach BKK airport. And because I don't have any check in baggage, I can walk out as soon as I clear custom.

My friend's CT was already waiting outside for me. We headed to somewhere nearby [in the airport] for dinner as by the time we reach city area, shop will already be close [CT said now there are curfew, shops and people are to stay indoor after 10pm or else police will catch.] Had some authentic Thai food. They have picture menu [good for people like me; totally have no clue of Thai], serving were abit slow, but the price isn't expensive and many local were eating there too. I'll come back to this store again the next time

Dinner 

Bought some cupcake for tomorrow breakfast before heading back to CT house. I'm staying with her with I'm here in Bangkok. Took the airport rail link  and change to underground subway. The door closing for the Airport rail link was so loud that I got shocked for a few times.

After alighting the underground subway, we will still need to walk at least 10 min to reach her house. But it was already very dark at night, CT suggest we take the motorcycle taxi to her house [which will only take 2 min]. It was my first time taking the motorcycle, I was shaking while waiting for my turn to board. CT told the driver the destination and he just drove off with me behind worrying. The ride cost 10THB, and before boarding CT already asked me to hold on to the coin and just pass to the rider once alighted [she said never know if the driver with snatched your bag when you are 'digging' out the coin for them, so is better to hold the coin in your hand and just pass to them once arrive].

What a interesting night, I can't wait for tmr for me to travel alone in a unfamiliar country !