Korea life - day 276 (week 40) / (Seoul) Flight back to Singapore andmusical - That days

Korea life - 25 November 2014 (day 276 week 40)

Today is my last day in Seoul before I head back to Singapore for my father's 60th birthday party.
Whole morning was still busy packing my things, getting ready for the flight that night. Have too many things that I can't carry back so I can only use postage. Because I'm staying there alone, I have to make a few trips to the post office myself. Send one big box back to Singapore, send one box to Jeju where I will be there for 6 more months.

Recently I like to watch musical, I booked the tickets to the musical - That days - act by Super Junior's Kyu Hyun. Because I can't change the date and the time of the show, there is why my air ticket can only buy night flight. But one thing good about this is that the musical event hall is walking distance from my places. Actually I thought of bring my things to the event hall then take taxi straight to Seoul station, but since is very near my place, don't think there is a need for that. There should be enough time for me to go back to grab my thing.

The musical - That days - is a show based on the songs of the late Kim Gwang Seok. Using the presidential Blue House (Cheongwadae) as the setting, "The Days" is a story about Jung Hak, the leader of the presidential bodyguards, who discovers traces of his fellow bodyguard Mu Yeong and an unknown woman who both disappeared 20 years ago, as he searches for the president's daughter and her bodyguard who have similarly vanished.

Rush back home to get my things once the musical finished, luckily didn't need to wait too long to get a taxi to Seoul station. Before taking the taxi, I checked for the last rail train to airport, it wrote that the last rail train depart at 12am but when I was there, counter people saw me with so many thing, highlight to me that the the last train is departing in 5 min time !!! I was in totally shocked !! If I missed this train, I will have to spend $90 SGD on taxi to get to Incheon Airport !! Thank god that I got on that train. By the time I reach airport, there were still some time after I done my check in but most of the shops has already closed by that time so I just wait patiently to board the flight.

Post- feeling after being away from home

I had been home since June 2015. It took me quite a while to get used to Singapore once again, no matter is weather, food or even life. Truth is till today I still can't used to the weather, I will try to stay indoor as much as possible. Even if I was to go out, will choose to wear much lighter clothes.

I stayed home for about 2 month (doing nothing) before officially start looking for a job. Many told me that currently markets is quite weak, might not be able to find a job so fast. I will be lying if I said I'm not worry, so I try not to retain myself to look for job that only required Korean, I also look for job that I has experience in too. Send less than 7-8 application out in a week, but because it was during the public holiday long period, it took slightly longer time to get back a reply. Nevertheless I was still able to get a job in 3 week time.

I was quite surprise I could find a job so fast, I actually was expecting that I will take at least 1-2 month. Even thought my new job don't required me to use Korean at all, but it's a Japanese company and I give me chance to speak to and know more Japanese. Very soon, I will be in this new company for 3 month. Although I only joined that for 2.5 month, they also make me feel that I am needed and is a part of their big family. I admit this company actually has  many problem (management level), but i don't care as long as it don't affect my salary and bonus.

An overall view of my past year in Korea - 

Is a decided that I glad I did it. Is a year that I will never forget and will never regret making.
Truth is a regret making this decided so late, if I has make the decision earlier, I would be able to see more and try out more countries.

I got to meet friends from other countries, from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and Malaysia. In the past, chat and understand more of the countries that I had been to before. Although it's difficult to maintain the friendship with these friends, but I'm glad I got to know them and the memories with them stays with me forever.

This trip really taught me how to be independent and taught me to enough playing alone. In the past, I don't dare to do thing alone, but now ? I can watch movie alone, go holiday alone, shopping alone, do things alone. I believe I know how to enjoy life more than last time.

Next year I planned to at least do one solo trip back to Korea and Japan. Go with no one but myself.
I know my mum won't like this idea but I want to do it. Giving myself a chance to understand myself more and to relax myself to get ready for more work in future.

For the time being, I won't be able to do long overseas stay like this Korea trip as I need to earn money to return my parent for this Korea trip. But I WILL DO THIS KIND OF TRIP AGAIN IN THE FUTURE AND THIS TIME I WILL GO TO JAPAN (which I at first wanted to go)

Korea life - day 274 (week 40) / Topik exam

Korea life - 23 November 2014 (Day 274 week 40)

For the last few week, I has been revision alone for this Topik exam. Since I had stayed in Korea for almost 9 month now, I should give myself a chance to proof myself. Lucky I was still in school when the enrolment of the exam happen, because we MUST use a korean computer then can apply.

Earlier in the morning, I planned to head to SKKU (the school that I choose to take the exam; there are a few places all around Korea for student to that this exam, and of course I chose the school nearest to me.) for early to lunch as I quite miss the food in SKKU. Normally there is no school during the weekend, I thought the school canteen will open as normal but turn out the school canteen don't run during on Sunday (the exam was held on Sunday). So in the end I had to eat snack for lunch

Asked ex-classmate to help me to print the application form before heading to the exam hall. Followed the ID number on the application form and we were ask to head to different classroom to take the exam. They started the exam with listening first where there is more than 30 question, after that 30 question we continue the paper with the compo exam where we are ask to write a short compo. That is where my nightmare started. I can't understand what is the question asking !!!! No matter how I break the words out, I can't figure out what is it that they want me to write, but I didn't give up just like that. I write what I THINK they are asking. It is better than submitting empty paper up.

After that, we have 20 min break, before we start our written exam. I came out of the exam hall believe that I won't be able to pass this exam at all. For the first time, I can confirm there I will not be able to pass with this kind of answering style. I didn't want to talk about it at all, I don't even think I'm going to check the result for this exams!!

Korea Life - Day 273 (week 39) / (Seoul) Seoul lantern festival 2014

Korea life - 22 November 2014 (day 273 week 39)

Actually we planned to have home-made laska, then night time head to the Seoul Lantern festival. We were to meet LJ at her place to cook laska, but she reject to come out of her room. Heard that she broke up with her boyfriend (that was going out for a week, knew each other for 3 month). I really don't understand why does she has to be so sad about a relatetionship that just started.

No matter how many times that we called her, knock on her door, she also don't want to come out. So we just give up and let her cool down then let her come out herself, so we went there ourself instead. We took the subway to Jonggak station and walked to the event area.

Alot of people were queuing up to enter the event area, so we too join in the queue. Though that we would need to spend alot of time to wait for our turn to enter into the event area but surprising we didn't need to wait long (maybe is because the queue was slowly moving). The lantern were all places in the middle of the stream, people were walking both side of the stream, enjoying the beautiful light up lantern. Although people were squeezing each other to get a better look of the lantern but everyone was following to order and moving from one lantern to another fast, so I still got to take some nice picture too !!

The whole Lantern festival cover too far, I haven't cover half of it, I already had the though of heading back. The crowd were giving lot of headache (I'm always weak with crowd), I went off without my friend to go back first. Maybe because is the last day of the event, there were more people. If I had went a few days earlier, maybe there is no need to squeeze with so many people. But if there is a chance to go again, I will still want to go and take a look.

Korea life - day 269 (week 39) / (Seoul) Kint cafe @ Ehwa station

Korea Life - 18 November 2014 (day 269 week 39)

Ever since PQ leave for Singapore, I had been hanging out with my classmate more to study for the upcoming exam. However I wanted to go to this cafe that I had planned to come alone since long time ago.

Is a knit cafe located near to the Ehwa station. It's a cafe that sells knitting items and they even conduct classes for people to learn. But the classes are way to expensive for me to afford, so I just went there to enjoy the place.

Surprising it's quite easy to find the place (done my homework before heading over.) However the cafe don't sell food (only drinks), instead of starving myself, I went to have lunch nearby first, later than come back.

Found this small restaurant that is located at the corner, the place seem like is it run by an old lady, so thought of giving it a try. And it turn out to by a NIGHTMARE !!! I have been living in Korea for so many months and this is the first time I find a Korean dish taste so HORRIBLE. I can use words like "it taste bad", its "IT TASTE HORRIBLE". I nearly want to throw the whole bowl of soup on the floor and walk out. OMG, I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK TO THAT PLACE AGAIN !!

Headed back to the cafe to get some drinks to help me to get rid of the smell of the horrible lunch that I had , spend the whole afternoon there to study and to knit something (which I learn from youtube!). Only head back to make dinner before nightfall

바늘이야기 Knit cafe
+ Open hours : Close at 8pm (Shop) ; close at 10pm (cafe)
+ Add : 1st floor, Camp 21 Building, 12-33, Daeheung-dong, Mapo-gu,Seoul
             서올시 마구 대홍동 12-33 캠프21빌딩 1충
+ How to go : Ewha Women's University Station (line 2) exit 6

Korea life - day 268 (week 39) / (Seoul) Jeju black pork BBQ

Korea Life - 17 November  2014 (day 268 week 39)

Today did some light studying at home alone as tonight will be joining some friend to have dinner at Jamsil. Although all of us staying at the same station, but all at different exit, so we decided to meet all at the platform of the subway station will do. However only LJ arrive on time, so I went ahead to Jamsil with her first, the rest will just join us later.

Normally, during dinner time, queues will start to form as the food here are popular among Korean too, since LJ and I reach there first, we queue up first. Although the store is not facing the main road, but the place was not very different to find (if you did your research before heading over). Maybe because we reach there before 6pm, the queue has not started to form but there were quite lot of people inside already eating. We waited for awhile first then (before the queue starts to form up) headed in to reserve a table.  

Surprising the place was very big so actually there is no need to wait too long for our turn. Was very surprise with the size of the barbecue plate !! SUPER BIG !! Took up almost the whole table, only left some place for side dishes only. We didn't need to wait long and the rest has joined us around the table. We ordered pork and seafood which many people recommence to give a try, the waiter helps us to bbq everything while we just have to sit there and wait for the food to be cook. When we still left bait more, we order rice and they made cheese fried rice using the remaining kimchi that we didn't eat (and add some seaweed and spring onion in too) in front of us.

By the time we left the place, I thought my tummy was going to burst !! Eat until too full !! The serve alot of side dishes and the main point is that the side dishes are ALL FREE OF CHARGE !! AND YOU CAN REFILL AS MANY TIME AS YOU LIKE !! Therefore you are only paying for the main dishes (which is the pork and seafood (if you don't want, you can just order without seafood)). With so many free side dishes, the price don't look so expensive any more. I won't mind coming back for second round the next time !!

Add caption

Korea Life - Day 267 (week 39) / (Seoul) Pikachu !!

Korea Life - 16 November 2014 (day 267 week 39)

Met with some classmate to head down to DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) to see Pikachu. Sound very odd but they are so cute that no one know how to hate them !!! We met up during late afternoon, took the subway to Dongdaemun history and culture park station. While waiting for them to come, they sent a message saying that they went to the wrong station, so they would be late !! So I went off to look around at the exhibit hall first

They came looking for me once they arrived at DDP. We walked around the exhibit hall first, but the exhibit hall was much smaller than expect so we were able to finish in no time then we went to look for the actual area to wait for the big group of Pikachu but they can't be found. There was only a small queue waiting to take picture with Pikachu. Since we were already there and we can't find the big group Pkachu, then at least need to take picture with it. If this happens in Singapore, I will turn and walk away as it's sure a kiddy thing to do but its totally different here in Korea ! As most of the people that was queue, was adult couples ! Not as many children as adults. So there is no reason for us to feel odd, so we join the super long queue.

The queue was quite long, we had to queue from outdoor, slowly then it move toward indoor till the event hall. Due to the amount of people were quite alot, Pikachu had to go for "toilet break"and send another Pikachu out to take picture with the crowd. People was rushing to take picture of Pikachu when it's leaving for its "toilet break", we were also the few "people" who went chasing Pikachu to take picture of him!!

After 2 hours of queue, finally got to take picture with it !! Although is kind of stupid but I had fun! And that is the most important thing ! We had dinner at Dongdaemun (which is just opposite) as we were all so tired and cold, we just want something warm to warm us up. So we just randomly enter a store that was selling Japanese hotpot, we orders and chit-chat while waiting for the food, however when the food was serve, we felt like we kenna cheated as the amount of food on the menu and it serve out was so different (The amount on the menu seem alot , but the amount of food really serve doesn't seem enough for us!). And we wasn't full at all after we finished the food, what a waste of money !!

Yahoo article - 3 Surprising Qualities That Will Get You Hired

After staying in Korea for a year now, it's really time for me to start looking for a job and settle down in Singapore once again. When looking for a job, the one thing that I always hate the most was interview. I believe it's because I can't bring myself to open up to stranger easily therefore I can't bring myself to talk freely to someone that I don't know, but after staying overseas for a year now, I believe that I'm able to talk to stranger much easier than before but I still hate interviews. Maybe below article could help me to get hire much easier. Really hope that it can help me to get a job soon.

Cut and paste from - http://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-surprising-qualities-hired-170000780.html;_ylt=AwrwNF3T2stUFHUAUJ8j4gt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByN2RnanRxBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3NnMwR2dGlkAw--

3 Surprising qualities that will get you hired 

Most people know that qualities like intelligence, adaptability, integrity, and an ability to lead are all appealing to employers. But here are three more characteristics that you may not have realised can also help you land a job: 

1. An ambidextrous brain 

"We live in a world increasingly dominated by data, but if all you can do is read a spreadsheet, you won't reach the highest level," writes Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and CEO of WPP, a multinational advertising and public relations company, in a recent LindedIn post. "Success in business means being able - as Roger Martin of the Rotman School of Management puts it - to appreciate qualities, not just quantities. "

The intangibles of judgment, creativity, intuition, and imagination, he says, are essential for great leaders, "because they are the things that make innovation happen." And they're "just as important as logic, financial literacy, and an eye for detail."

2. The ability to argue 

It's annoying when people disagree with you, Sorrell explains, "but an argument is usually a more constructive exchange than a conversation in which everyone wholeheartedly agrees with each other." Plus, an ability to argue shows you're passionate and willing to fight for what you believe it. 

"If a leader is surrounded by yes people they learn nothing," he says. "Good people know how to stand their ground and make their case - even (especially) when others don't want to hear what they're saying." 

But just remember that in arguing, especially at work, you should always be smart, effective, rational, and cordial. 

3. Fast decision-making skills 

"I used to say, perhaps unwisely, that a bad decision on Monday is better than a good decision on Friday," Sorrell says. "With the benefit of hindsight I might have modified that to 'an imperfect decision on Monday is better than the 100% perfect decision on Friday.' Either way, you get the point."

He says if and when you take too much time to make a decision, "others are getting on with things and building a lead."

Korea Life - day 266 (week38) / (Seoul) Kimchi Festival 2014

Korea Life - 15 November 2014 (day 266 week 38)

Despite Qi had already left Korea but she seem to be still here. She read up and that there is a Kimchi festival in Seoul and want me to go on behalf of her. If they have free kimchi lesson, ask me to learn then go back and teach her. Go alone too boring, so met up with Qi's classmate, Sun (who went to Jeonju with us) to go to Kimichi festival that is located at the Gwanghwamun.

Seoul Kimchi Making & Sharing Festival 2014
Venue - Gwanghwamun Square, City hall (Seoul Plaza) and Sejongno Park in Seoul
Period - 14 to 16 Nov 2014 (10am to 5pm)
cut and paste - http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1962679

Met at the subway station and head to gwanghwamun station together.
There were many of booth set around, from the kimchi history to the varies of kimchi exist, making of kimchi to selling of kimchi

They do have kimchi making but have to pay, I have no plans of paying it, so we just took a walk around and try out free kimchi. Then we noticed that there is another festival next to it that is also quite interesting. Not too sure what festival is there but they were selling things from other country, after finish walking all the booth, we ant to a bookshop nearby then took the bus back home

When we were taking the bus back, heard that she apply for a job in Jeju (she is here on working visa which taiwan and Korea has this visa), turn out she will be working in the same guesthouse that I will be living too!! Got people to keep me accompany for a few more month !! so excited !!

Yahoo Article - Read This Before Accepting a Job Offer

This is a interesting article that I like to share and think that people should take a look before accepting a job offer. There are times that we apply for a job that we don't really want, thinking that we should catch all the chance than we slowly choose which job to go for. However this way will spoil your image toward this company, therefore is better to think properly then apply for job.

cut and paste from - https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/read-accepting-job-offer-150021047.html

Read This Before Accepting a Job Offer. 

"These jobs just weren't the right fit," a job candidate tells an interviewer, who asked why two positions listed on her resume lasted less than a year.

"Oh, I see," the the interviewer replies, without pressing further. But this interaction initiates a cascade of other question in the interviewer's mind:

Why did these employers err in offering jobs to you, or why where you mistakenly accept them? Did employers repeatedly misjudge your capacities? Did you talk yourself into situations that are above your ability to master ? What really went wrong ? 

Think carefully before accepting any given role, no matter how desperate you might be for a paycheck. Otherwise, you may set yourself up for a disadvantage a few years from now, when you have to explain why this job you take now went wrong. Will you or your employer wake up in a few months and wish for a do-over?

Ask yourself :

~ How well does the employer understand his or her own needs?
~ Has the employer followed an intelligent hiring strategy?
~ What are your realistic chances for success in the position being offered to you?

In "The Hiring and Firing Question and Answer Book," aimed at teaching employers how to make better hires, Paul Falcone warns:

"No matter how refined your interviewing skills, no matter how accurate your testing or how thorough your reference check and background investigation information, the best you can hope for when hiring strangers is that you make high-potential hires. After all, any new hire represents little more than a gamble you're willing to wage that your initial costs and training will pay off for you down the road."

He goes on to identify three errors hiring authorities are prone to make: failing to spend enough time with candidates to understand their personalities and problem-solving approaches; failing to carefully assess their levels of business maturity; and failing to confirm that the positions at hand would represent the next logical steps from the candidates' own career development perspectives.

Falcone's diagnosis of faulty hiring processes can bring a new level of sophistication to job hunters as well. As you think about your next step in your career, you want to make sure you're being hired for the right reasons and that it will be a "no regrets" decision both for your next employer and yourself.

Consider the following when evaluation your opportunities:

1. Respect the process, even when it is lengthy and exhaustive. There is a natural tendency to want to rush things. And sometimes employers feel the same sense of urgency. But rushed searches can lead to disaster. Know that it is important for you to really understand the nuances inherent in any potential job, and for the employer to take the time to carefully vet you for the role. A careful hiring process will benefit both employer and employee over the long term.

2. Understand where this job will lead. You can't likely know what specific position you'll find yourself in over the course of the next five to seven years. And if you are asked that kind of question, there is no right answer.

Nonethless, it is important to gain an understanding of what skills you'll likely be able to (and be expected to) acquire and what kind of accomplishment you can rack up in the job at hand. Knowing this, it is reasonable to conjecture what kind role you will become well-groomed to handle. Is this appropriate for the career trajectory you see for yourself?

Does  the employer make a point of demonstrating that it promotes from within? How long have other people at the company been in their current roles? Does the employer seem to care about developing you as a valued employee, or does it want you to be a cog in a wheel, going around and around and around?

3. Explore the corporate culture as well as the role. Behavioral interview questions are commonly used to assess a candidate's business and emotional intelligence levels. They begin with: " Tell me about a time when you ..." Or: "How would you handle a situation like ... "

Typically, there are no absolute right or wrong answer, but these lines of inquiry enable an employer to see how a candidate thinks and deals with problems.

When it's your turn to ask questions, ask your own kinds of behavioural questions, like: "Tell me about how [a job-related thing] get down in your environment?" Ask about things that will help you determine if the culture is one in which you will feel comfortable.

The old carpenter's advice "measure twice, cut once" is particularly apt when it comes to both evaluating candidates and job opportunities. When you take the time to determine that the fit is strong to begin with, you'll dramatically increase your chances of not having to go through the whole process again anytime soon.

Happy hunting ! 

Korea Life - Day 264 (week 38) / work in Korea without visa is difficult

Korea Life - 13 November 2014 (day 264 week 38)

It's not easy to find a job in Korea especially when I don't have working visa and it's not easy for the Korean to issue working visa for foreigner, therefore actually many foreigner that is working in Korea are working with no visa.  Despite I want to look for a job here in Korea but since it's so difficult, I'm going to give up the idea of finding a job here.

But I'm lucky to find a friend that is currently working in a guesthouse in Jeju, he invite me to go over and stay for free, in exchange help him to do cleaning (if there is alot of room need cleaning). If it's not busy, I have all the time to travel around the beautiful Jeju Island. Since I'm not really to go back home yet, so I decided to accept this offer. When I mentioned to my parent about it, they make me promise I will stay for 3 month only (I told them I will stay for 6 month).

Before that, I will be heading back to Singapore first to celebrate my father's 60th birthday and my mother's 59th birthday (my dad & mum's birthdays is only 1 week different). Actually wanted to give them a surprise, so I told my brother and ask him to help me to buy ticket back to Singapore. IN THE END, HE TOLD MY MOTHER ABOUT IT !! I nearly fainted, already say want to give them a surprise, why he still go and say ?!?!??!?! Luckily my mum isn't as blur as my brother, she didn't told my father about it.  

Yahoo article - 5 free things to do in Bali

Recently the weather is getting warmer and warmer, the thought of going to the beach getter stronger and stronger too. Although Singapore is surround by sea but the beaches are not as beautiful as Jeju, especially when I had seen so many beautiful beaches in Jeju. The next nearest places with beautiful beaches should be in Malaysia but I really like to try this since many people will head to Bail when they want to enjoy the beach, sand and sun. And I found this 5 things that I believe many people will like if they are going to Bali recently
Cut and Paste - http://travelinspirations.yahoo.com/post/114110356971/5-free-things-to-do-in-bali

5 Free things to do in Bali 

Bali is home to plenty of excitement for all ages. Fortuntely, it includes free entertainment as well. 

Here are some of the things that you can expect to enjoy for free on the island.

Mertasari Beach: This particular beach in Sanur offers a
breathtaking golden sunrise in the morning,
as well as an amazing sunset in the evening.

Beach hopping

Blessed with plenty of beautiful beaches, Bali is a must-gist beach hopping and sun tanning. 

If you don't know where to start first, head to the Uluwatu and Jimbaran areas, which are situated close to each other. Balangan Beach and Green Bowl Beach in Ungasan, Tegal Wangi Beach in Jimbaran, Suluban Beach, also known as Blue Point Beach, and Padang Padang Beach, which is very popular thanks to the Eat Pray love movie, are just some of the spots that you should definitely visit either to simply play around on the sand or to go surfing.  

Beach hopping: Blessed with plenty of
beautiful beaches, Bali is a must-visit for beach
hopping and sun tanning.

Karangasem on the eastern side of Bali is also a great destination to enjoy this particularly activity; Bias Tugal Beach, Pantai Pasir Putih (White Sand Beach) and Blue Lagoon are in close proximity to each other.

Just don't forget to bring your own beach blanket or towel to sit on so you can enjoy some quality time there without having to rent a seat.

Sunrise and sunset hunting: There are so many great
places to choose between to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets on the island that you might get confused.

Sunrise and sunset hunting 
There are so many great places to choose between to enjoy the sunrises and sunsets on the island that you might get confused.

Sanur and Nusa Dua are some of the most popular places to enjoy the sunrise, while Kuta, Seminyak, Uluwatu and Jimbaran are particularly recommended for sunset viewing.

There are also free-entry spots in Bali where you enjoy both activities; Mertasari Beach in Sanur, for example, offers a breathtaking golden sunrise in the morning, as well as an amazing sunset in the evening.

Campuhan Ridge: Other than being a popular
place for walking and running, Campuhan Ridge also has a
picturesque view of sunrises and sunsets.

Campuhan Ridge in Ubud, other than being a popular place for walking and running, also has a picturesque view of sunrises and sunsets. Opt to enter the place from the Gunung Lebah Temple to be greeted by the temple's gorgeous vista in addition to the panoramic hills between two rivers.

Have fun at festivals: Mostly held from
mid-year until the end of the year, festivals
in Bali are one-stop places to enjoy
local cultures, traditional cuisines and the
island’s natural beauty.

Have fun at festivals 
Mostly held from mid-year until the end of the year, festivals in Bali are one-stop places to enjoy local cultures, traditional cuisines are the island's natural beauty.

Though some festivals will charge you an entrance fee, there are also many that allow free entry to the public, such as the Sanur Festival, the Nusa Dua Fiesta and the Denpasar Festival.

While dancing away and enjoying the live performances at these free entry festivals, don't miss out on trying local cuisine at the available food stalls as well.

Ngaben: Some of the most regularly observed
rituals are Odalan, which is generally held to celebrate
a temple’s anniversary, and Ngaben, or cremation.

Join Balinese Hindu ceremonies 
Visiting the island during the Balinese Hindu ceremonial events is an opportunity that you should not miss, especially if you love to explore local cultures.

The Balinese Hindu rituals and ceremonies can be easily found throughout the Banjar area. Some of the most regularly observed rituals are Odalan, which is generally held to celebrate a temple's anniversary, and Ngaben, or cremation.

Meanwhile, you should also visit Bali during Galungan, Kuningan and Nyepi, which are also national holidays.

To easily blend in with the local crowd during these ceremonies, consider wearing traditional Balinese clothes, such as Kebaya and a sarong called the kamen for female and a white shirt with a kamen and a headband called the udeng for males.  

Visit art and literature centers: Several art centers,
such as the Biasa Art Space in Seminyak, regularly
hold free-entry contemporary art exhibitions, as well,
for their visitors.

Visit art and literature centers
Bentara Budaya Bali at Prof. Ida Bagus Mantra 88A in Denpasar and the Bali Art Center on JI. Nusa Indah in Abian Kapas, Denpasar, are some of the places on the island that regularly hold art exhibitions and performances for free.

You can expect to enjoy traditional dances, singing performances, craft exhibitions and international movie festivals being held there.

Several art centers, such as the Biasa Art Space in Seminyak, regularly hold free-entry contemporary art exhibitions as well for their visitors.

As for literature centers, head to Taman Baca Kesiman on JI. Sedap Malam, Kesiman, Denpasar. This library offers thousands of examples of reading materials of various genres; expect to find unpopular or even controversial books here. Although you can't take the books home with you, you can conveniently read them for free on the spot. 

Korea Life - day 263 (week 38) / (Seoul) beauty of shopping alone

Korea Life - 12 November 2014 (day 263 week 38)

Since Qi has left, I don't feel bored as I had make lots of friends when I was studying in SKKU. Although they would be either be busy with school or even has other appointment, but that should not be a reason for me to lock myself away in the small shoebox room of mine.

Therefore today I decided to go out to do some self shopping. Normally when I goes to gangnam underground shopping mall, I'm normally the one who stops and wait for the people to see the things that they want. Although my friends will normally say if there is things that you want to see, stop me to wait, but I will just follow them and shop the shops that they stop at.

But for the first time, I have the full control to where I want to go. Went out after lunch time, took the subway and arrived the underground shopping mall almost 3pm. Thinking that that time has lesser people but I WAS WRONG !! People were mostly tourists, there's why even late afternoon also has alot of people around.

The last time I was there, I spent almost 4 hours with my friend there because she kept stoping to look at times. But this time I only 2 hours and I has finish the whole underground shopping mall. Maybe before I already know what I'm looking for, so I'm able to finish it sooner that and I won't overspent on things that I don't even need. I enjoyed the fact that I can stop anytime I want to see things that I want and don't need to worry about people has to keep waiting for me to, and walk away if things don't interest me at all.




  

Yahoo Article - Tips for Reducing the Cost of a Romantic Trip to London

I WANT TO GO TO LONDON AT LEAST ONCE IN MY LIFE!! Many will ask why I have this kind of idea of wanting to go to London that much? I will always answer, the beauty of it is not a country that you can understand by just seeing from the outside, you will have to visiting it then you can understand it from the inside. Hope I have the chance in the near future! I don't know how long more I need to wait then can go ?!!?! Will take note of the below article and hope it can help me to save the money to go soon !!


Cut and paste from - https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/tips-reducing-cost-romantic-trip-160000092.html

Tips for Reducing the Cost of a Romantic Trip to London 

Every Singaporean make it to London at some point. Even if you have barely travelled, there's a high chance your very first long overseas trip will involve London. The face that Singapore is a former British colony and thousands of Singaporean student head to the UK for university each year could be one reason. Whatever it is, London is not cheap, but that doesn't mean you're doomed to squandering your life savings on a trip there. Here's how to keep it affordable.

Flight 

Good news: because there are so many flights to London from Singapore, during off peak periods you can find tickets for prices as low as $900. 

The bad news is that there's a ton of Singaporean students jostling to get flights to London at the beginning of the three school terms, and back to Singapore after the terms end. This means you should avoid trying to fly to London in late August/ early September, late December/ early January or April, or flying back to Singapore in January/ April and late June, as you'll be paying grossly inflated prices. 

The cheapest times to fly are usually February, March, October or November. Just sayin'. 

Accommodation

So you're past the backpacker stage and want to stay somewhere a little bit nicer, but now it seems the only thing you can afford is a storage locker at the airport. Head to AirBnB, where you can get a cosy room for two in a central area for 150 SGD a night and below. 

The thing to remember is that London is a huge city, and you're going to want to make sure you're not forced to take the Tube for hours just to get to the city centre. Most AirBnB hosts will tell you where the nearest Tube station is, so pull out a copy of the Tube map and see how far the accommodation is from the centre. 

Avoid anything that's not in Zone 1 or you'll end up paying more on the Tube. 

Attractions

Most of the cultural attractions in London are museums, which are wonderfully, gloriously free. Whether you're gawking at art at the Tate Modern or enjoying a date at the British Museum, it's nice knowing you don't have to pay a cent. Yes, there are expensive attractions like Madame Tussaud's and the London Eye, but these tend to be more touristic than cultural. 

So our top tip for keeping the price of attractions down is to just stick to where the locals go - museums, galleries and parks - and stay far away from the glut of camera-toting tourists. 

Shopping 

While London might not have spawned fashion brands like Chanel or Prada, it's heaven for High Street shoppers who are fans of fast-fashion brands like Topshop and Miss Selfridge. If you're a student, be sure you bring your student pass with you, as many high street stores offer discounts. 

When shopping at high street stores, note that many of them have fairly generous returns policies, meaning that if you return the items by a certain date you simply get a full refund, which can be sent to you via your credit or debit card. 

We all know how easy is to buy things on impulse that you later regret when you're on holiday cos you're so afraid you won't be coming back again. Periodically going through your purchases and returning the ones you don't want to keep before you leave can save you quite a bit of wallet-ache. 

It's also a great idea to hit up the many vintage stores and markets such as Portobello Market. While not dirt cheap, quality tends to be excellent rather than crappy imports. I've found 20 pound leather boots and 10 pound snakeskin belts at random market stands. 

Dining 

Eating well in London is not cheap at all, and if you're here on a romantic vacation and want to enjoy a bit of comfort, expect to feel the pinch. To avoid spending a ton, you need to plan ahead. London is not like Bangkok, where you can wander into just about any restaurant and be confident that it'll be fairly good and also affordable  

Your best bet is probably to get on Groupon, do research on the restaurants for which deals are available and then Google the establishments to see if they're any good. 

Of course, making sure you save money on your spending wherever you can is important, and that's why it's also good to make sure that regardless o whether you're a cash back or air miles person, you've got the right credit card for spending overseas. Do your planning in advance fist by comparing the best credit cards for your travels.  

Korea Life - Day 258 (week 37) / (Seoul) getting ready for topik exam

Korea Life - 7 Nov 2014 (day 258 week 37)

Since Qi had left Korea, I had been studying with LJ for the topik exam that will be holding soon at the Toms Toms cafe near our places. We chose to study there was because if we bring our student card there, we could have free upsize for the drinks that we order.

Suddenly received a text message from Topik, saying that the picture that I submitted for the exam has been rejected. They want me to upload a new picture asap or else they have the right to not let me take the exam. So I head up to the school to try to upload another picture (since I can't upload it via my own computer, have to use Korean computer than possible.)

First I had problem to download the picture from my email to the computer, then I have problem editing the picture to the size that is needed. That an hrs I nearly wanted to smack the computer, it kept rejecting the picture that I want to upload.At least after an hrs of "fighting" with it, I finally successful uploaded the picture. Since already spend so much time, today decided not going to study! Decided to go Myeong-dong to do shopping instead!

Korea Life day 254 week 37 / (Seoul) mix feeling

Korea life - 3 November 2014 (day 254 week 37)

Tmr is the day that Qi will be heading back home, I promised that I will help her with her packing but before we start we the backing, we went to Lotte mart to buy some goodies that Qi wants to bring back to Singapore for her friends and family.

We need to try to pack 9 month worth of things into 2 24' inch luggage. Tried so many things but really there is too many things that we can't fix in. So no choice but have to send the rest by post instead. While helping her to pack, it make me worry about my things, because I have much more things that her !!

For the past 9 month, if is not because she is always there for me, I would have went back home don't know how many times already. She has been there with me and stayed with me for the pat 9 month and I'm really thankful that she was there.

Because of her, I have the courage to walk out of my comfort zone.
Because of her, I got to make friend all around the world.
Because of her, I became a much knowledgeable person
Because of her, I have more life experience than other people.

Hope she has a safe trip back and I can survive Korea myself for the rest of the month !!

Korea Life day 253 week 37 / (seoul) last outing with Qi

Korea Life - 2 November 2014 (day 253 week 37)

In 2 days time, Qi will be heading back to Singapore. She wants a day to pack so today will be the last day Qi is available to go out with me. So we decided to catch the talk show that we always said to watch the talk show which just located downstair of our place, since normally we see so many people queue outside our place to watch this show.

Since the show is just downstair our place, I went down to buy the ticket myself. I also went to get her a gift. I knows that she has too many things to bring back already so bought her a candy floss flower that we everyday walk pass but never once that we buy before

I bought the 5pm ticket and we decided to come out to queue an hrs before the show start as it's free seating. Sound shocking that we need to queue up an hrs before the show start? When we went down to queue up, we are still not the first, there were people already queue before we went down !! However we are still the first few in the line, and is a good thing that we do that as the queue gotten even longer despite of the cold wind!!  

Finally when is able to enter to, we follow the front and was led to the 3 floor and was asked to enter a room with a small stage and a background prop. On the stage is very simple, there were only a sofa,  a table and some shelf. We chose to sit on the second row as we don't want to be too near (will scared ), also not too far, but even like that we were still very near the stage (if we rise our hand out, we could touch the actors easier). Instead of starting the show straight away, a MC came out and played question and answer quiz with us first, then slowly start the show.

It's a 2 hours stage play where there were a total of 3 person only, there isn't much singing so I can't  say its a musical show as there is more talking than singing. It's use black humour to talk about suicide and the current economy issue of Korea, some of the things that we normally never see, doesn't mean it don't exist. It's trying to use this kind of method to make the Korean to face the issue that has been troubling lots of Korean, instead of ignoring it, face it. It's a pity that I can't fully understand what it's trying to say but some part were really funny and let people willing to sit down and think about it.

It's very similar to this movie < The Suicide Shop> that I watched last year. I first read the book in Chinese version then last year I saw the anime in French (as the originally is in French), its really a very interesting storyline, if there is the chance, do take a look.  Below is the trailer that I found on YouTube.

Korea life - day 251 (week 36) / (Korea) Yangpyeon one day trip - Camera cafe and Rail Bike

Korea life - 31 october 2014 (day 251 week 36)

Because Qi will be leaving Korea soon, so now take this chance to see as many thing as we could together. Despite that yesterday we have a long day at Seoraksan National Park, today we will be heading to the camera cafe that seen very interesting.

Once again we depart from the bus terminal to the change to the express bus to the Yongmun Intercity bus terminal (which take an hrs bus drive). Instead of trying to figure out how to get to the cafe by public transport, we took the taxi! Apparently that place is very popular at that area, most of the taxi drivers knows where it is if you mentioned the name of the cafe.

Dreamy Camera Cafe (꿈꾸는 사진기)

Add : 341-13, Jung-won-ri, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
Open hours : 11am - 6pm
Facebook page : https://ko-kr.facebook.com/cafedreamy 

A South Korea family that is living in Yangpyung (located 40 miles from Seoul) have built a life-size vintage Rolleiflex twin lens carmera cafe. The family consists of the husband who is an army aviation helicopter pilot, the wife who is a recently retired army aviation pilot, and their young daughter.

The name of the cafe is Dreamy CameraCafe, and has been a lifelong aspiration for the husband. He wanted to combine his two passions for photography and coffee into one, that why there is the Dreamy camera cafe now.

The outer building the totally the same as the pictures that was posted online and when it comes to the interior of the Dreamy camera cafe, it is 2 storeys with both floors having tables and chairs for visitors. The first floor has many toy cameras, miniature cameras, real vintage cameras, and a Rolleiflex camera the cafe is based on. The vintage cameras were collected by the husband and are in working condition. There are also books about photography that line the shelves.

We were quite hungry due to the long travelling time but sad with the menu as there is nothing much able to eat, they mainly serve coffee and tea. Despite we were hungry, since we came all the way here, it will be a shame if we don't spend some time there. They serve tea is a super cute teapot and coffee with nice form art, and there are books around for people to read and spend some time there. However there isn't much seat available (about 5 tables only), after all is a family run business.

We spent more than 2 hours there, kept taking pictures (from internal to external), we even took picture with the owner !! They are very friendly people, even though there is some language barrier with foreigner, they will try their best to make a conversation with them. If they are located more to the city area, I will want to come back to visit them again!!

Because they are located quite inside the city, there is no taxi come by, so they helped us to call a taxi. While waiting for the taxi to come, we continue taking picture of the surrounding. After we board the taxi, we asked the taxi driver if there is any food that can introduce to us since we also don't know what is nice around here. He introduce us to this restaurant which serve quite good side dishes and bamboo rice. So he drove us there and we went in to look for a place to sit down.

The name of the restaurant is <마당 곤드레밥>. Seem like is quite popular among the Koreans as we seem to be the only foreigners around (and there is no foreign website introduce about this restaurant too). We actually wanted to just order 3 set and share, but they don't let us do that and make us order one person one set. There is no point for us to argue with her so we order as she said, when we saw the amount of side dishes bought to our table, I was totally speechless !! There were up to 20 side dishes and you can refill in anytime (most of the side dieshs can be refill, only one or 2 cannot) !!

After lunch, it has free tea at the tea house next to the restaurant. We took our time to enjoy that cup of tea first then shop around the tea house bait before we called the taxi driver to drive us to our next stop. In the end, he was waiting outside of the restaurant the whole time !! So we hurry out finish up the tea and hop back on to the taxi.

We last min add this last stop <Yangpyeong Rail Bike>. Because we had so much fun when we took it at Chunccheon, so I thought it would be as fun as it, so we just ask the taxi driver to drop as the Rail Bike entrance.

Yangpyeong Rail Bike (앙평 레일바이크)

Add: 126-5, Samseong-ri, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
경기 앙평군 용문면 삼성리 126-5
Open hours : Mar - Oct = 9am to 9pm (1hr, 30min intervals / run 9 times a day)
Nov - Feb = 9am to 6pm (1hr, 30min intervals / run 7 times a day)
More information :  http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1721247

Using a long abandoned railway, the Yangpyeong Rail Bike offers a unique bike ride at speeds of 15km/h from Yongmun to Wondeok. This 3.2km journey passes along a gleaming river and tree covered mountains. The bke ride delivers picturesque scenery all year round: blooming flowers in the spring with the light green buds blossoming on the trees, the flush greens of summer time, vivid autumnal tones colouring the ridge of Yongmunsan Mountain, and the clean white snowflakes resting delicately on the limbs of trees

At first was so excited and talk other people how fun it will be, however is really a super wrong time to take this ride now, as we were travelling in fast speed with no covers, it was CHILLY !!! Don't know should I be sad or happy that the ride is not as long as the one in Chuncheon (sad that there is not as much thing to see as Chuncheon, happy that we don't need to do through the cold for long !) By the time we finish our rail bike ride, sun has set and it's time for us to find our way back to Seoul! 

Korea life - day 250 (week 36) / (Korea) Seoraksan national park

Korea life - 30 Oct 2014 (day 250 week 36)

Few days ago went to immigration to ask and luckily that time what my friend told me was for Chinese passport, for other passport, we have a month more then need to leave Korea. Although was slightly a waste of my time to travel down to the immigration early in the morning, at least I able to enjoy myself for the next one month then come and worry about visa issue.

Therefore today I decided to head to Seoraksan national park to see the maple leave as the season is ending soon. I met up with Qi and Sun at the bus terminal to take the bus to Sokcho Bus terminal which take around 2.5 hrs then we still have to change to another bus 7 (which take another 45 min to  reach Sogongwon bus stop) then arrived at Seoraksan national park.

Then we walk to the entrance which is nearby the bus stop. The entrance itself was already very big, I can image how big is the whole national park! I'm not that good with words, let pictures speak all the words for me !!

Lastly took bus from to the bus terminal and too tired to take the bus back so we took the subway which is much faster way back home 

Korea Life - day 246 (week 36) / (Korea) one day Jeonju trip

Korea life - 26 Oct 2015 (day 246 week36)

Since there is no need for me to go to school these days, so there are much more time for me to explore around. So our first stop will be to Jeonju as this few days there is a bibimbap festival held in Jeonju. At first we planned for a 3 day 2 night trip, go to Jeonju for the bibimbap festival and to Mount Jiri to see maple leaves. However before I went for the trip, one of my friend told me that the immigration told her that she has 7 days to leave Korea because she quit studying. If that's really the case, then I would need to leave korea. This really worry me as I haven't decided if I want to go home straight or to find a job here in Korea. The best way will be that I go down to the immigration office myself to ask instead of wondering and guessing.

Bus terminal and rest point

We took the subway to the Gangnam bus terminal, bought the bus ticket that departs at 8.50am. We arrived at the bus terminal slightly earlier as plans so we had some light breakfast first then board the bus. The bus ride is around 4 hours long, I was totally slept dead in the bus. Only woke up for a while for the rest stop and then went back to sleep again. When I wasn't sleeping, my mind kept thinking about what my classmate told me this morning that I might need to go home soon as one of her friend was ask to leave Korea within 7 days after graduation from language school. I'm so afraid that my mind was only paying attention to this, even when Qi was talking to me, I also took some time to reply her. Although I tried not to affect the mood of this trip too much but too bad I failed as the Qi's friend find me very hard to talk too.

When we arrived at Jeonju, we took the taxi from the bus terminal to the Hanok village (which where the bibimbap festival is held) since there is 3 of us and the bus fee for 3 is almost the same as one taxi fee. When we first arrived at the street, lot of things had caught our attention, but because we were carrying a lot of things with us, we thought of find where we will be staying for the night, put our things down then slowly explore the place. We didn't book in advance as we believe it should be easy to book even through there is a festival going on and lot of people were visiting this festival too. After walking around the street, we found a place that is charging 20,000 KRW for a room which is super cheap since it come will private bathroom and everything. And I decided that I won't be staying and will be heading back to Seoul tonight to head to the immigration office tomorrow morning to check it out. But I still leave my thing with in their room first and enjoy this festival first, start worry things afterward !!

We met with a couple friend first then went off together to explore the whole street which were covers with full of stores selling interesting bibimbap food. The most interesting food that we saw should be below this - Bibim waffle. Instead of using flour mixture, the use bibimbap to make the waffle and pack with vegetable and cheese. We also tried our other snack when we were walking that street.

bibimbap waffle 

Since the festival is just located next to the Hanok village, is odd if we never visit. They still have some beautiful autumn colour trees and old buildings that looks every similar the building we have in our school but give people different kind of feeling. I quite enjoy this walk as it's very different from the old building we have in our school. And with the beautiful trees colours, we spent alot of time taking lots of pictures.

hanok village

We spent quite some time taking picture, so we need to rush to eat dinner earlier as the couple friend and I would have to take the evening bus back to Seoul (the couple friend has class on Monday morning and cannot miss class). So we went to this popular shop which lot of local introduce in the internet. Surprising there wasn't any queue but there were alot of people eating inside. We ordered a raw beef bibimbap and a rice cake soup as we have been told raw beef bibimbap is a MUST tried dish when we are in Jeonju. However we were quite disappointed with the taste of the raw beef bibimbap, we found the rice cake soup taste even better than the rice !! Maybe we expect too much from the rice, so we enjoy the rice cake soup more !!  

popular store which famous for its raw beef bibimbap 

Took the 6 plus express bus back to Seoul, seeing there were still some time before the bus depart, went to buy some snack to eat on the bus first then board the bus. Wasn't able to fall asleep (maybe because just now slept too much), so watch movie on my pad which the other sleeping away. 

Yahoo article - Here's why you should never buy travel insurance from airlines

Every time before I  travel out, my mun or my brother will confirm check wit me if I had got travel insurance. However if I need to buy insurance, I will never think of buying from the airline. No particle reason why I never choose to buy insurance from airline, just that I would rather choose to buy from other places than airline. And after reading below article, it just prove that my worries are right and I should stick to what I believe.

Cut and paste from -  https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/why-never-buy-travel-insurance-160000733.html

Here's Why You Should Never Buy Travel Insurance From Airlines  

By Joanne Poh | MoneySmart – Fri, Mar 20, 2015 12:00 AM SGT

Travel insurance is supposed to give you peace of mind, but for all those people who just passively buy the travel insurance policy offered by the airline they're buying tickets on without even bothering to read what they're getting, peace of mind might be the only thing they actually get.

The thing is, the travel insurance plans airlines push are usually designed to be as bare-bones as possible-after all, nobody is going to sign up for them if they cost more than the air ticket.

We compare the travel insurance plans airlines Tiger Airways tries to get you to sign up for, TigerInsure, with a standard NTUC Income travel insurance plan to see just what's missing.

Pre-existing medical conditions 

As much as we might like to think we're in prefect health (those are ab lines, okay?), a diet of roti prats and Tiger Beer can take its toll after a few years, and before you know it you're leaving for your trip with a bunch of pre-existing medical conditions.

TigerInsure does not provide coverage in the event of health issues arising from your pre-existing medical conditions. While both TigerInsure and the NTUC basic plan will let you make a claim if you're kidnapped by terrorists or get tun over by a tuk-tuk, only the NTUC plan gives you money if your incipient heart disease cause you to collapse during your holiday.

Trip disruption 

Most basic travel insurance plans will let you claim money if you travel plans change due to unforeseen circumstances, but read the fine print and you might find that some plans cover a wider range of situations than others.

For instance, both TigerInsure and the NTUC plan will give you a payout of your trip is cancelled postponed, delayed or cut short, but only the NTUC one does so if your trip is disrupted while you are overseas, for instance if you fall seriously fall, get caught in a riot or strike or are unlucky enough to find yourself at the scene of an earthquake or epidemic. The travel insurance company will pay for any extra air tickets or accommodation that will help you to continue your trip as planned.

Missed connections 

If you're travelling on budget airlines, you might have found yourself running from one flight to another just because there were no direct flights from Singapore to Vientiane of the Gold Coast. This often entails booking two separate flights, which means that if you miss one you're screwed.

While the NTUC insurance policy will compensate you for missed connections, TigerInsure is completely silent, which means you could find yourself stranded at the airport like Tom Hanks in The Terminal. Actually, given the high cost of living in Singapore, spending the rest of your life in an airport doesn't sound so bad ....

Overbooked flights and public transport 

If you're travelling to multiple cities or countries on one trip, spending the night on the floor of a  hobo-filled train station becomes a very real possibility. Scrutinise your TigerInsure policy and you might discover that you're not be able make any claims for overbooked transport.

In the event of an overbooked flight, Tiger Airways themselves will give you a travel voucher of $100 as compensation and try to get you on the next available flight, but that's not going to go very far to soothe the pain of wasted accommodation or a shortened trip. You are also unprotected if you are denied boarding on other kinds of transport like overnight trains or long distance buses. The NTUC insurance policy solves this issue by letting you make claims for any kind of overbooked transport.

Kidnap and hostage

Okay, we know chances are pretty slim that you'll be kidnapped or taken hostage, but hey, it would really suck to know you weren't getting compensated for it just because you decided to save $12 on insurance.

Personal Liability

We all do stupid things overseas. That's part of the joy of being away from our straight-laced home here. Driving scooters without licences, drinking to the point of near-collapse, smoking anything and everything-chances are you've been there and done that.

So what happen when you do something that could get you sued? Maybe you ran over someone with your rental scooter or accidentally burned down the go-go bar in your drunken stupor?

Personal liability coverage will cover the cost of your legal fees and any amounts you get successfully sued for. The very basic TigerInsure policy doesn't include this, so make sure you're on your best behaviour.

Which is cheaper?

The cheapest travel insurance plan from NTUC Insurance for a three-day trip to Thailand would cost $28.50. On the other hand, purchasing TigerInsure for the same trip would set you back only $16.99. Is it worth paying that extra $11.51? You be the judge.

But if you want to really be smart about things, all you need is 5 minutes to find out the best travel insurance packages on MoneySmart's Travel Insurance Wizard (and you'll also realise that NTUC's plan isn't as good as most people make it out to sound). Make sure you do your homework first before going on anymore trips!     

Korea life - day 244 (week 35) / (Seoul) end of level 4

Korea life - 24 Oct 2015  (day 244 week 35)

This term time really fly very fast, it's already end of level 4. Few days ago when I was having the exam, I already have a feeling, it's really a good thing that I chose to withdraw out from level 5.

And it's time to face the truth, and I really had to stop at level 4. Time to say good bye to all of my classmate and old classmate (although I would still be in Korea). I had no other plans in mind so I send her to the airport. But before that we went back to her house to help her do last min packing then send her to the airport via the airport rail.

As she worry that there would be traffic jam so she would rather take the trouble to take the airport railway instead of the airport limbo bus to the airport. However thank god there is a guy there to help to carry the bag so I just blindly follow them till the airport.

Good bye is always the hardest words, we promised that we will go shanghai and vista her and she will give us tour around shanghai if we are really going. I always hate to say good bye but luckily she is a strong woman too, so there is no crying around and send off short and sweet.

After sending her off, I had one last dinner with 4B classmate nearby our house then head back to rest.

Korea Life - day 237 (week 34) / (Seoul) withdraw from SKKU level 5

Korea life - 17 Oct 2014 (day 237 week 34)

Times past very fast where I have studied and stayed in Korea for 8 months now and currently I'm still  studying at Sungkyunkwan university language department. For the past 8 months, times seem to been flying past so fast that I can't believe that I had stayed in Korea for 8 months already. Everyday attending to lesson and travel around Seoul when there is the chance.

Now I'm studying SKKU language department level 4 (they start with level 1 and goes up to level 6). My result has always been the average but still able to pass to the next level. However every since I had started level 4, my result started to fall. I started to not able to understand what is the teacher is teaching in class, I can't understand the question of my homework

I started to wonder. I kind of miss the old days where I have a 9-6pm job and I have salary coming into my account (for the past 8 month, I only have been drawing money out and not putting money in). One night, I asked my brother if is all right I quit the study here and come back home ? His answer actually shock me, "you spent so much money go over to study, why do you want to give up half way?"

Although his words shocked me, but it is also true that my level 4 mid term exam result is not very good, even teacher met up with me and said it's dangerous for me, if I have plans of going up to level 5. It won't be easy and this make me worry even more. For the past few days, I had been thinking what should I do? Should I just continue and risk there might be possibility that I would have to study level 4 one more time ? or withdraw out from level 5. I would have to decide fast if I want to withdraw anot, because if I really choose to withdraw, I have to do it 2 week before end of this school  (or else they won't refund me 100%)

Finally I have decided that I will withdraw out from level 5. So one day after school, I headed up to SLI office and try to submit the document (they will need a printout of the bankbook and a withdrawer form [where you need to fill in the reason of withdrawer]). After I submitted the form, they told me that it will take them 1 to 3 week to get the money transfer to my account.  

I felt relief after I stepped out of the office. It feels like I have put down the heavy stone that I had carry around my back for so long and I have finally relax for a while. Although I had submitted by withdraw form to the school, but I was not ready to leave korea yet. Let see if there is any way to find a job around so I can stay in Korea for a while more. But that I can worry later, because even though I just submitted the withdraw, I still can stay in Korea for a month due to my Singapore passport !! For now, no need to worry about visa issue but after one month, I will need to !!

Article - Why does shopping feel so good?

Everytime when I feel bored or sad, I would want to go out and see things, wants to spend some money. Because of it, sometime will spend money on places that is not needed. Although I know it's something that is not very good but sometime just want to spend money somewhere. After I read this article, I totally agree and hope to share with other too.

Cut and paste from -  http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20150318-tame-your-inner-impulse-buyer

Why does shopping feel so good?

 Bryan Borzykowski

(Credit: Alamy)

Most people don't shop like Zina Kumok 

Before the 26-year-old Indianapolis-based communication professional buys anything she asks herself a series of question, such as, "do I need the item?" and "will it be useful in the long run?"

Once quite the spendthrift, Kumok blew through her budget, buying items on sale that she didn't need and spending too much money dining out. While she didn't max out credit cards or bury herself in dept, Kumok was spending above her means. 

She now has a list of products that she absolutely will not buy, including books, notebooks and office supplies - three things she doesn't need, but used to love to spend money on, to the detriment of her bank account. 

A big part of the problem: impulsivity. When Kumok moved to London for a year, for instance, she bought every guidebook she could find, including specialised titles like a book lover's guide to London and obscure guides to specific areas of the city. She couldn't help herself. 

"It's our brains" she said with a laugh. "It's so easy to spend $10 here and $20 there, but that adds up." 

Kumok, who now runs a blog called Debt Free After Three, didn't read a single one of the guidebooks and had to pay $150 in extra baggage fees to bring them home. 

Impulse spending is a big problem for many people. A 2012 Bank of Montreal survey, for instance, found that Canadians spend, on average, CAD $3,720 ($2,987) each year on impulse buys. A 2014 Creditcard.com survey found that 75% of Americans had made an impulse buy, with 10% of people spending more than $1,000 on a single item. A Nielsen study, conducted last year, found that impulsivity led 52% of people in Thailand, 48% of people in India and 44% of people in China to buy something they didn't need. 

Why are people so prone to making split-second money decisions, many pf which are detrimental to their bank accounts? And how can you resist the urge? 

The scarcity impulse 

Ryan Howell, an associate professor of psychology at San Francisco State University in California in the US, said the impulse to buy, in part, is a survival instinct. Bank in our hunter and gatherer days, when people saw something they wanted, they'd grab it, even if they didn't need it, because it was likely they wouldn't come across that item again. 

"If you see something that seems to be running in short supply, you're going to get it," Howell said. 

These days, such scarcity isn't an issue - we can buy nearly anything we want if we have the means - but we often still approach life like our ancestors did, especially when it comes to a sale. When we see a 50% off clearance price tag, that scarcity impulse kicks into gear, Howell said. The feeling is, if we don't buy that item now, it's going to be gone forever - or at least at that good price. 

There's another reason why people buy things on a whim : it makes them feel good. Scott Rick, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Michigan in the US has found that the concept of retail therapy is a real thing. For some people, if they're feeling sad, shopping will make them happier because it restores some control in their lives. 

It's making the choice to buy or not to buy that helps epode feel more in control. However, the choices have to be somewhat difficult to make and the outcome must be pleasant. "Those are  typically the kinds of choices that characterise a shopping trip," he said. "So retail therapy can be good in certain ways. We do get pleasure from consumption and my research suggests that it can help."

Of course, that kind of "therapy" can end up being a lot more expensive than other types of control-restoring activities. Re-arranging a bookshelf or sorting through clothes to give to charity can also make people feel better about their lives, Rick said. 

Some research has also looked into how touch impacts our money decisions. In 2003, in the US, Illionois' state attorney general's office issued a statement around the Christmas holidays warning consumers to be careful about holding an object as it might encourage them to buy it. It might have been one of the odder public service announcements, but research indicates that touching an object increase feelings of ownership - and we don't like to lose things that we own, Rick said. 

As soon as you feel something you become a "quasi-owner" of that item, he said. That's when loss aversion kicks on - a theory that people can't bear to lose money or goods - and it becomes difficult to let go, regardless of whether you need or can afford the item. 

This partly explains why we simple must have that car we just took for a test drive or why losing a house to another bidder can be so devastating. Often, the moment we sit behind the wheel or walk through a place, we want it. 

But we don't immediately hand over our credit card in exchange for car keys because there's a lot more work that goes into purchasing a vehicle or a house than a video game or a pair of trousers. In the case of the former, there's a built-in time lag between when we want something and when we buy, Howell said. "It takes a lot of time and effort to think about a house and to pull the trigger," he said. 

However, we still make bad decisions during bidding wars. It's surprisingly easy to drop an additional  $5,000 on a house , even if it's over the price limit you had set. The worry? It's scarcity fear again. If we don't get this house, another one might not come along. 

"There are a lot physiological variables that go into a bidding war," Howell said, including the face that it is exhilarating and emotional to bid and win. 

Ultimately, our bad-split-second money decisions come down to one thing: we don't take the time to think. If that bidding war was done over days or weeks, rather than minutes or hours, it's unlikely you'd keep hiking up the price of that house, Howell said. 

Resist the urge 

Can you counteract your natural tendencies? With a bit of discipline , it's possible. Howell suggests waiting 24 hours before making any would-be impulse purchase, big or small. Of course, that means you need to recognise when you're being tempted. If you still want the item the next day, then but it if you can afford it. But most likely you'll have forgotten about it of the intense must-have feelings will have dissipated. 

Another tick: start monitoring your spending and pay with cash. If you are able to see just how much you're parting with, you are more lily to end up only buying the things you really want. 

Purposely over-examining purchases and ruling out certain categories of items altogether has worked for Kumok. By running through her list of questions, she delays her purchasing decision and thinks hard about whether she needs an item. She buys almost no books these days and instead check books out of the library, buying only tomes she really wants to own forever. 

Of course, the urge to spend hasn't disappeared. Just a few weeks ago Kumok walked into a store and saw a box of chocolates with a yellow tag on it. She thought the tag meant it was a sales and the familiar "buy now" feeling came over her. When Kumok got closer, she saw that it wasn't a sale tag after all. Would she have bought the chocolates if they had been on sale? Probably, she said. 

"Those little tags really do crazy things to people's mind," Kumok said.