Korea life - Day 26 (Week 4)

Korea life - 20 Mar (day 26 ; week 4)

Since last week, everyday there is spelling test and homework every single day. Everyday I had to spend more than 3 hours to do homework and learn spelling. Never even think of going out to play. And it's soon going to be our mid-term exam (next week)!! This week should be also a stay in week, at least till mid-term exam finish first then come and think of playing.

Back at home, even if there is work next day, I still sleep at 2am, but now everyday I sleep before 11pm and I still have problem keeping awake to listen to class. Actually first week was till all right, but recently is getting hard and hard to stay awake. Is like no matter sleep how long, I still feel like not enough sleep. When I called 'facetime' back home, even my parent asked <Why your eye bag so dark? Never sleep enough ? > I was like "LOL", everyday slept more than 7 hours.

Many asked if can get used to the life there. I find actually there is nothing much to get used other than weather. Korean are also asian, in some way, their lifestyle are quite similar to Chinese. And personally I'm all right with Kimchi and spicy food, so I have no problem with eating too. There are some Korean habit that we will never see in Singapore, but is just "ohhh" and continue what I'm doing. Is not something that is not acceptable (even if it's not acceptable, just turn the other side and walk away)

And even since I had left home and came over here, alot of time I'm alone in my room. For more than 12 hours, I never open my mouth, never said a word and I'm all right with it. With no one talking to me, no one nagging at me, although this sound bad but I like this life. I do what I want, I do what I need to do at my own timing (no one pushing me). 

Truth is I actually don't miss home. I miss my parent but I'm all right with just calling back once in a while and because I don't know what to say to them (other than the weather and life here.) Moved there for almost a month and I called home once only. 

Maybe I'm someone not suitable to stay with people, staying at home with nagging mother and (just) angry-looking father. But this current life, is something that I will never have and can't have in Singapore, therefore I will enjoy this till the max because all these will end once I'm back in Singapore.  

Korea life - day 21 (Week 3) / (Seoul) FRIENDS outing & Seoul N Tower

Korea life - 15 Mar 2014 (day 21; week 3)

Actually I read that there is this group name <FRIENDS> in Sungkyunkwan university that will bring overseas student (along with local Korean student) out to enjoy and understand more of Korean culture. It seem so much fun on Facebook and we were so excited that we could join. School had started 3 weeks now but we have not been inform about it yet. Finally last week our teacher mentioned it to us and she mentioned that this is a group that only level 1 & 2 student are able to join (level 3 and above are not invited to join , so PQ can't join [she was so sad when she know that she can't join!]) but heard from a repeat student that there are not many Korean are able to speck Chinese (most of them speck English only), so they rather don't join. 

Attended the first talk last Thursday and we are spilt into small group (around 7:2 [overseas student to Korean student]). We exchange Kakao ID and decided to go Seoul tower as our first outing. Although I been there for quite a few time now, but still went with them as the others all haven't been to Seoul tower yet (and I don't want to stay home [and PQ's friends are still in Korea so she is also not at home]).  

Meet at Hyehwa station, then we headed to Myeong-dong for dinner first. (I was surprise that some of them don't even know how to go Myeong-dong! But I chose to meet than together than head t Myeong-dong together as I still don't have Korean telephone number, it's hard for me to find them if there is no Wi-Fi.). This trip only 7(student) came, don't know where was the rest (and I don't want to care too. ) The Korean leaded us to this western food restaurant but it was pretty full when we were there and we were asked to wait for a while for seats. 

As we were quite a big group, so we stand outside and wait. While waiting, we were chatting, but we wasn't chatting together as we wasn't speaking the same language !! One Japanese unable to speak English (only know Korean), other Japanese understand abit of English only and the other 2 Chinese don't can't really understand English very well too. I was stuck in the between, need to translate for the Chinese and trying to have a chat with the Korean and Japanese.   

We each ordered one dished and shared. (just now while choosing what to eat, saw the price list and actually it's not cheap at all but because one of the Koreans has a 50% discount coupons, that is why they choose to come here and eat.) The amount of each plates are quite a lot, for a small eater like me, there is no way I can finish one plates!! 

Kofoo Plate @ Myeong-dong 

Walked up to cable car station from Myeong-dong. The queue of quite long when we reach there (but was still shorter than the last time I was here.), waited for about 1.5 hrs then it's our turn to take the cable car. In the end, we stayed up for less than 30 min!! (I knew it, I everytime come, everytime also don't stay long). The wind was very very strong up there, after few photo taking, we chose to hurry up and come down!! 

Seoul Tower @ 15 Mar 2014

After the trip ended, I didn't went straight home. With sure good weather, I sat at the park near my place and relax for a while. Although it was still a little cold but it wasn't as cold as the past few weeks. I was just sat there and stared into the dark, not thinking of anything, doing nothing. Before I headed home, checked on the time, then I notice that I sat there for almost an hour!! Maybe I should do it more often to relax myself abit. 

Korea life - day 15 (week 3) / (Seoul) 별다방미스리 & 떡쌈시대 (본점) BBQ

Korea life - 9 Mar 2014 (day15; week 3) 

I'm so thankful that I'm moving out today!! Even since I confirmed moving out, the room started to give me problem one by one. Toilet bowl can't flush . Noise made by next door was getting louder and louder. The heater of the room don't seem to be working (I had to wear 2 jackets + blanket to go to sleep) 

I can't wait to move out but too bad we had to wait till after noon then can move. We stayed in to finish up packing, reached there 1 plus with our first batch of things. But my room wasn't ready to move in yet, so I had to put my things in PQ's room first. They told us not to move the second batch first, let the owner free out my room first. 

teach you how to eat their lunchbox

So we went for lunch while wait for him to message us when is all right to move the rest of the things. We chose to go to a restaurant that we ate before 4 years ago. This places is popular because of K-variety <we got married> - sweet potato couple (CN Blue; Yong hwa & SNSD; Seohyun ). But the food was expensive (a cup of tea is about W6,500) and not very good (is really very normal and price is around W6000), unless you are a hard core fan of either sweet potato couple or one of the idols, or else there is no need to give this place a try.

별다방미스리 

Address : 서울시 종로구 동숭동 1-74  

Tel : 02 747 0939 

Website : www.missleecafe.com (is in Korean only)

How to go : Hyehwa station (Line 4 exit 2) ; is opposite 10X10 shop

lunchbox before shaking- rice; kimchi; seawee; egg; ham 

Thought of having a walk after lunch but the weather suddenly became colder so we gave up and hid in coffee bean for the OK sign by the new livingtel. We were lucky that we didn't had to wait long. It was too cold for us to walk back so we took the bus back for the last time and cab to the new place where we are going to really call in home for the next one year!!! (so not going to miss this place but I'll miss the nice Uncle and the eatery nearby)

Finally got to see my "house" (although is just a room). It was slightly different from the viewing room but is still as big. It took me almost an hours to clean up the whole place, and I was cleaning happily and willing. The best decision we made even since we moved over!! I just love this place much much more than the old place.

went out to have dinner with PQ's friend (well, actually I know all of them too as they were my secondary classmates too , just that I'm not ad close to them as PQ is), going to have BBQ. Best food we ever had since we reach Korea. It has 3 level, so there is no need for booking, we could just walk in. We were asked to head to level 3 which was seated on the floor (level 2 was seated on chairs but I believe it was full so they asked us to go to level 3) 

떡쌈시대 (본점)
Address : 16, Ujeongguk-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 우정국로2길 16 (관철동)
Open - 11am ~12am
Tel: 02 737 3692
How to go - take subway to Jonggak station (line 1 exit 4), follow below map and you will see it
website : (in english) http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=351023

sorry ! above map took from other people's blog 

Dinner !! 

It was intro by one of PQ's friend. She tried it 5 years ago and it is still at the same place (just that the price is slightly different ). Didn't had to wait long before we could eat. The owner even came over and teach us how to eat, and cook for us (but If there are too many people, we will have to cook ourselves) 

Payment is to make an the entrances and they even have spray for people to use to remove the smell (although I don't think it will remove much). Took a small walk nearby before taking the bus back to our new home (weather was too cold to continue the walk!! ) 

Korea Life - Day 12 (Week 2) / SKKU student card

Korea Life - 6 Mar (Day 12 Week 2)

Weather is getting colder and colder these days, this morning when I left the house was -5 degree!! I was afraid that I would feel cold when I'm outside, I wear alot of layer before heading out today, wear a sleeveless, one long sleeve t-shire, 2 jacket and 1 outer coat !! even more layer when I'm in Hokkaido (because my outer coat has no fur)

Lesson today were more of conversation, I was able to follow up easier as I can understand easier just that I still have problem to ready read from the textbook. I want to speck but I afraid teacher call my name as I still can't read from textbook. Really need to start using PQ way to remember the vowels. I just hope to have more time to remember it.

Received our student card today, now I really feel like a student of Sungkyunkwan University *hehe, feel so proud!*. We are not able to use their WI-FI too, now that we had received the student card (without the student card, only some area has WI-FI for guests.)

My student ID card !! hehe 

After our afternoon class today, it started snowing !! I was like huh ?!?! Snowing in March, LOL? maybe that explain why the weather getting cold every day. I meeting PQ at the front gate as the was having class at the bottom of the slopes so we meet at the front gate easier. Weather was too cold for us to walk home, so we took the bus back instead.

I can't eat ramen anymore (had been eating for 2 days now because weather too cold for me to go out), so went to buy food first before heading back home (I won't be able to come out again after I reach home.) Have to revise today lesson again tonight before any other thing.

Korea Life - Day 10 (week 2)

Korea Life - 4 Mar (Day 10 week 2)

Today is officially first day of school. As mentioned yesterday, our class had been divide into smaller class today. We had been divided into A,B & C and I'm in class A. Was glad that I was able to made a taiwanese friend before class starts.

Class just started only and I already have problem to remember things, OMG !! going to have headache soon, don't know how to memorise all. Really too long never study, think is going to take me more time to get used to this life. Seeing the time table, mid term exam in 3 week time, I'm worry, there's no way I  don't get worry. After lunch, we headed back to afternoon class which last 1 hr 45 min but time pass super fast, had to go and buy textbook first before we can head home.

Never though of going out to play even when there were quite alot of time after school, just think of going back home. But going back so earlier also nothing to do, so we slowly walked back instead. And noticed that the weather is getting cold each day, think I would need to get ready more clothes for the following days.  Even today, it was too cold that I gave up going out to buy dinner and just stay in and just cook ramen

Korea Life - Day 9 ( Week 2) / (Seoul) SKKU first of school

Korea Life - 3 Mar (Day 9 Week 2)

Finally, today is the first day of my Sungkyunkwan student life. We had been to school before so we wasn't worry that we can't find our way but don't want to be late, so headed out an hour before orientation starts. We had enough time to buy Isaac toast for breakfast (The price here are cheaper than what we had in Ewha).

Front gate of Sungkyunkwan university 

From main gate to the school area  

One thing we really need to get used to for this one year would be getting used to this long long slope for the the whole year (just this slope took us 20 min to get up to the school building areas.) Walked up the slope as we were having our toast, with the cold weather plus the warm toast, it's really the best match. We had enough time to look at the shops around the place before heading into the theatre.

People were already waiting outside of the theatre for the door to be open to go in and get seated. Surprising there were alot of people join this spring and most of them were Japanese and Chinese. While waiting for it to start, I already can feel my stomach turning around, very long never feel so nervous. They called for our name and we were divide us into our level first and asked to take a small test before sending us to our classroom. As I had not study Korean before, I just submitted empty paper in. There were too many people and sound going around, don't even know how they going to divide us so I just follow the others that submitted empty paper out too.

Nice view in school 

We had class but it ended in half an hours time, they just teach a little and sent us back. But tomorrow we had to report to class before 8.50am as they have to divide us into small classes as our class were too big. PQ class only starts after 12.30pm, we had rice ball for lunch before sending her off to class. I walked around to look at things but PQ class ended last than half and hours too !! So I had to rush back to meet her. Weather wasn't very cold, so we decided to try to walk home from school.  It took about 40 min to reach home and decided to stay indoor for the rest of the day.

Korea Life - Day 8 (Week 2) / (Seoul) Coex ; A familiar story (Musical)

Korea Life - 2 Mar (Day 8 Week 2)

Thanks to PQ's friend, we have free ticket to a musical !! At first thought give us also no use as I still can't understand korean much yet, but the musical is in English, and since there is free ticket and we have nothing planned for today, so we went for it !

The musical is located near Coex, we decided to go there earlier (not afraid there is nothing to do, we can go Coex walk walk before the shows starts too). Took the subway to Samseong station, and followed the direction to Coex. First thing that I noticed was that, it a very big place currently under renovation. Because of the renovation, only a handful of shops are open (and some even only grand open yesterday!! LOL). Since there was nothing much to see, we went for lunch first

Twin Cook restaurant 

Cheese Ramen 

The cheapest food we can find there were this restaurant name < Twin Cook>. Maybe because of the price, it was fully packed while we went in. Waited for 5 min before there were seat for us to sit down. As many were still waiting outside for the seat, so we leave once we finish our food.

But it was still too early for us to go over to the theatre yet, so we sat at the centre area to waste some time first. At least there were WI-FI, we could do something with our phone (isn't that a normal thing to us? Handphone never leave our sight).

There was really nothing much left we could do so we just went to look for the theatre. While walking toward the theatre, I noticed that there was a photo booth that we could take passport picture, so we took a min to let me take picture first as we will need this picture to do our ARC card and might school need it too.


PQ did her homework before back home, so it didn't took long before we found it. Went to the counter to collect the ticket and was shocked with their english standard that they had !! Didn't know they can speck English! It was only after that then we know that the staff were almost all American Korean. At first they had problem looking for the ticket so it took some time, they found it and gave us special seats for letting us wait !

Tickets to <A Familiar Story The Musical by Eumin Production>

Baekam Art Hall that held <A Familiar Story>

Saw the crowd queueing outside the theatre to go in, then I know that this is a family productions for kids and families to enjoy. Many of the kids were able to speck english very well, and of course their parents too.

Shows started and is very very good show!! I had a great time watching it even though is a kids shows. The actors and actress were so handsome and pretty too *hehe, shy*. I don't mind coming back again if they have new show in the future !

When we walked out after show, we saw that the bus stop has bus back home, we just boarded the bus and sit all the way back (but we took the wrong seat, sat in from of the back door, evertime people alight, the cold air will blow toward us -_-!! LOL). Takeaway some food from nearby eatery back home to eat as the weather is getting colder (want to get back before it get any colder !!)

Can't sleep too later but don't know if I can sleep a not tonight as school is going to start tomorrow!!! OMG, I already can feel the butterfly flying around in my tummy, I'm so nervous for tomorrow !! I just hope tomorrow can pass by peaceful with nothing big that will shock me.