ID Key Card Trouble

I went to the lab early at quarter to 9 and tested my keycard ID. Sadly, I still can't use it! I went to the Department Secretary to have my ID checked. After making a call, we found out that I won't be able to use my ID as passport for a week because I have not attended the safety education! (WHUUWAAAT?!!) So just because I forgot about the seminar I'm being punished by disabling my access to the building and the lab?! T___T"


1100 h
I was still sleepy that morning and decided to take a 30-minute nap. But a few minutes later, the phone started ringing. Much later on, GJ oppa asked me to make a reservation. In short, I wasn't able to take my 30-minute power nap anymore. LOL.


1130h
I made some phone calls to a couple of hotels in LA to reserve rooms for my professor and oppa who are attending a conference sometime in May. As I finally reached the booking number, I was glad to hear a familiar accent. The way the call center agent spoke in English was comforting, not too fast and perfectly clear and understandable. I had a strong feeling she's a Filipina like me! But I was too shy to ask her. LOL.


1300h
For the first time, my 3 oppas - GJ, MJ, and Hwanseok - and I went with our professor for lunch. As we met outside the building. As we met our professor outside the building, nobody had an idea of where to eat yet. MJ oppa thought I didn't like spicy food because of yesterday's lunch (it was the tofu that stopped me from going for second round), so we went to a noodle store. Our professor became sort of an interpreter cos my oppas would talk in Korean. He teased them that they should talk with me more often to practice their English skills. LOL.


1450h
Since tomorrow is my midterms, I decided to go home early and take an early afternoon sleep. I woke up by 1730h and from then on, I didn't sleep anymore. ~ Tomorrow's an exciting sidetrip adventure with Tin!!! c",)

Hot Korean Soup Day

Cathianne's Journal:

Two Hot Free Meals for My Tuesday!

Korean Soups, Aja!

29 March 2011

Today's Menu:

Lunch: 설렁탕 (seol-leong-dang) - lunch treat from our professor's lab

Dinner: 갈비탕 (galbi-tang) - dinner treat from another phd student

After-dinner: CBTL Cafe Mocha from GJ oppa

0345h
I woke up really early to read the assigned pages for today's lecture.


0430h
I went to the lab so that I won't be tempted to go back to snoozing again and miss the bus! I won't be missing the bus anymore, not ever the sake of my all-nighters!


0600h
I walked to the bus station and bought my ticket.


0625h
On the bus now. Gone to Seoul - Gosuk Express Bus Terminal.


0845h
I was already in the building and the auditorium was still locked.


0900h
Class began. At least today's lecture were not so strange at all, a lot of the terms were familiar. ^^kk


1150h
We were dismissed early. My classmates invited me to join them for lunch. It was our professor's treat from their laboratory. 좋은!!! ^^


I met another oppa, Danny, who has already been to the Philippines!!! ^^ He's been to Baguio and Cebu two years ago for vacation. And he learned how to say "PARA". :))


1215h
With our professor and with the other graduate and PhD students from our professor's lab, we walked to a restaurant outside the campus. Another new place for me! I've never been to that part of Seoul before so that time, I was lost in directions. =)) So I just kept following them. We went in GOOD RESTAURANT, not sure but that was what was written, I'm not exactly sure if that's the name of the restaurant. Just like most traditional restaurants, shoes off! ^^,


Although I can already read somehow, still slow too, I still cannot understand most of the menu content so they just recommended the seolleongdang for me. When the food has been served, I was hesitant again cos the soup was still boiling! It was HOOOOOT! Haha! Although it's really 맛있 다, I had to eat slowly and blow the soup before sipping or else my tongue will get burned! T_____T" 
Anyhow, it was NAMIT, SARAP, DELICIOSO, délicieux, 맛있 다!!! ^^ 

SEOLLEONGDANG

Photo from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pabo76

After lunch, I visited Jongchun's lab at the Innovation Building and had a cup of tea. My bus would be leaving in two hours yet so I still had time for some chats with 남동생 ^^,


A funny incident happened just before we left the building. I was introduced to his adviser and all the while I thought I should just give my name while giving a hand shake. My name sounded like greeting HI to a friend and the professor was a bit shocked and I wondered  why he didn't answer back with his name as well. Then Jongchun explained that I was actually introducing my name. WATTANAME to begin with anyway... LOL.


1400h
I took my time through the subway station and relaxed. When I got off line 6 at Yaksu Station, I almost went through the exit! I was not myself again and lost in the sounds of my sister's shuffle! Hahah...I went back and looked for the transfer to line 3 where I need to go to make it on time to the bus station. So I had to walk a bit faster this time cos I just lost a few minutes dilly-dallying around the subway. LOL.


1440h
I finally exited line 3 Express Bus Terminal Station and started following the crowd again. Because of the crowd, I found a store that was on sale and selling cellphone gadgets and accessories for ladies! It was fun looking at the items only to realize that I was losing time again! Haha! So I hurried to look for the subway's exit. And ooops...I almost went out to the wrong exit again. I had to retrace my steps until I found the escalator where I should be going up! LOL.


1450h
After 10 minutes of almost being lost again, I stopped by a hat/cap vendor. I had spare time since the bus platform is already visible from where I was standing. So I took some time looking at the interesting caps and bonnets she's selling until I finally bought one! There were a lot of cute designs and the seller was also making me try all of them. LOL.


1505h
I hopped on the bus with my stuff, the shuffle in my ear and the new cap on my head! KKK!^^


1645h
I got off at Sejong Campus main gate. I remembered that the Department Secretary told me this morning that my ARC (Alien Registration Card) was already available for pick-up at the main administration building through the Academic Affairs Team. I have never been to that building yet but while I was walking (I was also planning to ask one of the oppas to help me with it but) I also saw the Administration Hall. "There's not much difference between 'hall' and 'building' I guess", I thought and so I went in. Just the right place and the right time, the Academic Affairs Team was just on the ground floor. From the entrance, one has to turn right and look for the door with the Academic Affairs Team sign on it. When I entered, I asked the lady on the first desk about where to get the ARC and the one beside her immediately answered that it's with her. Perfect!^^ The ARC she was holding was also mine (so I guess I was the only foreigner who had that process then? kkk...). For the mailing fee, I paid an additional 4,000krw also. Not bad, at least all I did was submit the requirements for the ARC to my school and they had everything processed. It about two and a half weeks (approx. 10 working days) for my ARC to arrive since I submitted the requirements.


1800h
Dinner time! All of us in the lab went out. I only had enough cash for a regular priced meal so I wasn't expecting anything beyond 6,000 krw that night. BUT, when we went out, we didn't go to the cafeteria. We didn't go out to the restaurants near the school either. For the first time, I hopped in GJ oppa's car with Hyunjoo and MJ oppa. (Dude, those were hot wheels! Two-door black sedan! Neat!^^). I loved the sounds as well, at least I could relate with those songs (Jason Mraz, Karina, Hoobastank...) LOL.


So happy that Hyunjoo was there, she ordered for me since I had no preference on the food anyway. Almost all of us had Galbi-tang. KH, Teuk, GJ, MJ, Gwang, Wayne, Jungeol, Changhong, Hyunjoo and I were already seated and waiting for the dishes. Another boiling hot soup! Just before the main dishes were served, the usual appetizers were set on the table. HUGE GREEN CHILIES are dipped in chili pastes and eaten raw! WHOOOOH! I didn't wanna try anymore since the guys seemed to like it a lot anyway. If it was wrapped in cheese sticks I would have eaten them! LOL.


And the orders arrived. One meal costs 7,000 krw and luckily, I had 6pcs of 1,000krw bills and some coins which I believed would make more than a thousand, so I'm ok at least. The soup was delicious as well, and oh so HOT! Almost burned my tongue again! Then I realized that the practice of eating it was really to mix the rice into the bowl of soup! At lunch, I remembered seeing Jongchun, who had the same order as mine, place all his rice into his seolleondang. I just ate the rice separately. Ahhh...Now I know. LOL. After I had half of my rice, I also mixed it with the galbi-tang and indeed, it made the soup cooler somehow that I was able to finish up the whole thing! (tumpak! haha!) And to our surprise, the other student paid for all our meal tonight. Honey and I both had the same reaction that the dinner was expensive, but since it was a treat, then all is good! LOL.


GALBI-TANG

Photo from: aprilantipodal.wordpress.com

Upon reaching the campus, I had a last song syndrome of Karina's "Slow Motion", the last song I heard in oppa's car when we got off. Then he was directing us to go to Coffee Bean. Oh no. I looked at Hyunjoo and both of us were like "another expense???" T___T" Since I still had some cash, I ordered cafe mocha hot since it was only for 4,500 krw for the regular one. MJ oppa was teasing Hyunjoo that she could not reach the floor with her toes if she sat on the high stool. And we played with some pump / air regulator for the burette (we didn't know what it was called) while waiting for our coffees. Then suddenly, GJ and the other oppas went out already after getting the orders. So it's free! It's been paid already! Another free CBTL tonight! Thanks to oppa (whoever among them paid for it), Hyunjoo and I didn't even know. ^^,

Girly Talk

30 March 2011

0030h

It was already past midnight when I went back to my dormitory at Justice Building. Then Hyunjoo messaged me to visit her room at the 3rd floor and she gave me an orange. It was my first time to actually go up the staircase and see the other floors. I stay at the ground floor and the rooms are for two people with a private shower per room. But in the upper floors, they had a common bathroom and study area and each room had four people. The room is spacious at least compared to my room and how the fixtures and furnitures were arranges were a lot better in spacing compared to my room. At least now I've seen most of the dormitory. Hyunjoo and I went out to the terrace for some talk and since she wanted to smoke. We also went in their room where I met her three roommates. One of them spoke English well. They were all nice and all seemed to be busy with their laptops either typing, doing homework, or playing some games. LOL.

0230h

I used the elevator for the first time and went back to my room to sleep. LOL.

c",)

Close Encounters with Lost Translation

Cathianne's Journal:

I'm Sorry I Don't Understand...Maybe Next Time We Talk Again?

26 March 2011

Menu for Today:
Lunch - streetfood cafeteria, Kimbap for 2,000 krw
Snack on the train - 호두과자 (box of 12 for 6,000 krw from Seoul Stn.)
Dinner - kimbap at GS25 in front of Jochiwon stn. for 1,200 krw

I arrived at the bus station past 9 o'clock so I was already aiming for the 10:10am trip to Seoul. But when I reached the counter, I was surprised to know that the next available trip ticket is for the 11:00am bus! I cannot make it to class on time if I wait for that bus. So I walked to the train station instead. It was about 20-30 minutes from the bus stop in front of the university.

It was quarter to 10 when I bought the ticket and the train would be arriving in a few minutes to pick up passengers from Jochiwon. I walked to wait for the train at Platform No. 5.

I was not cold at all, in fact I felt hot because of the brisk walk I did from the bus station and the sun was up, high enough to warm me despite the cold breeze. I was in my normal outfit this morning, plain shirt and my red sweater that I've had with me since my college days. Just in case the weather gets colder, I have my favorite blue jacket in my bag anyway.

An old lady came to me and started talking. I could not understand what she was saying but she was smiling at least, so I don't think she's cursing me or thinking bad about me! Kkk... Then she started fixing up my sweater and zipping it up to my neck! All I could guess was that maybe, just maybe, she was wondering if I don't feel cold at all because obviously, everyone there were in thick windbreakers or coats and there I was in a red and not-so-thick sweater that was even short and almost looked like a bolero compared to the length of my thin shirt. All I could say was "I'm really sorry but I cannot understand you". A lady in front of us heard the old lady and asked me "Vietnam?". Then I understood that the old lady was asking where I came from and of course, I answered "Philippines". Then she was talking again somegthing that sounded like (this is what I remembered from what she said because she kept repeating the phrases and made me repeat them as well, hahaha...) "Filipin, choa, hankuk (pointing on the ground)...korea jochiwo...filipin choa..."...???? HUWWWAAAT? "I'm sorry (grandma) but I really cannot understand you" and she went on half-laughing and smiling at me. Then she asked, "hakseng --(bla bla)", and I said "ye". That question probably meant "are you a student here?" since hakseng is a student...=)) What a funny situation to start my morning.

On the train, I started messaging my friends to teach me how to say "I'm sorry I don't understand Korean because I'm a foreigner". I got three replies with variations as well. The one I can remember most was from Uijeon oppa "Hankook mal mollayo" - short and just the right way to say "I don't understand Korean". Good enough to save me from another almost-embarrasing conversation. Some even called up and were wondering where the heck I was and what was happening to me. Hahaha... "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just needed buffer phrases from future strangers that might come right at me again..." Hahahah...

It was around 11:25am when I reached Anam and went out through Exit 2 (Korea University Main Campus). I was hungry and it's almost lunch time anyway. Before turning right to my usual route, I passed by a cafeteria that sold streetfoods. As usual, I ordered KIMBAP! "Kimbap, hana" (meaning - one kimbap) Hahaha! I drank several cups of warm water. The cold wind was starting to get in through my pores already! =))

I was actually the first customer! The women were still preparing when I got there! ^^

Only when they started opening the windows did I notice that it's not just a restaurant but a booth-like store that sold streetfood... =)) Right in front is my kimbap kkk...

Here is their menu! The kimbap didn't look like the one on this picture...T_T

1210h
I paid the lady and she started talking to me. Then I said "Hankook mal mollayo" -- haha! It helped! And she smiled back and said something that probably meant 'soon you'll also learn to speak just keep practicing'...haha...I wish I can speak already!!! But that was nice..Set me on a good mood even if I was tired and sleepy...kkk...

1230h
I was already in the classroom and ready for the class and reviewed the previous lectures.

1300h
Our professor arrived and gave us a short quiz, the weekly routine. MJ oppa has not yet arrived! He said he was gonna be late...ㅠㅠ

After the 15-minute break, my eyes were already drooping I hardly noticed that I was almost already falling asleep! T___T"

1600h
The morning class was moved to 4-7pm. So today, I had two 3-hour classes straight! Aaahhhh...Exhausting but I had to keep my eyes open! But this lecture woke me up because the first questions made me so lost again! Equations, differentials, what?! WTH?! The professor asked us to try solving problems about reactors. The bigger problem was that I don't even have any idea what we're doing! T___T""" I'M SO LOST. Eventually, I started picking up, at least. Whew... That class surely gave my mind a jolt to stay awake or else, I won't only be lost in translation, I'd be soooo lost in class too! I'm beginning to think how the heck will I survive this class. I'm very fortunate to have MJ oppa take that class with me!

1910h
Now in the subway by myself. MJ oppa will be taking the TOEIC tomorrow morning so I'm traveling to Jochiwon alone. In the subway, an old man sat beside me. After several stops, he asked me a question. I was dumbstruck again. Upon seeing my expression, he pointed on his left wrist. Ahh, the time...Haha...Then I showed him the time on my phone. Ok, no more talking. =))

1940h
Already in Seoul Station. I wanted to pass by some shops but I was too tired to even take a look at some stuff. So I just bought my train ticket, took a short stroll and looked at some cute caps at the bazaar, bought a box of hoodoogwaja (호두과자) and waited at Platform No. 4.

호두과자

More info on hodugwaja: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hodugwaja
2140h
Jochiwon station.
I passed by GS25 and bought a kimbap-to-go for 1,200krw. That ends my adventure for today! c",)


Travel Info:

Train from Jochiwon to Seoul - 6,900 krw (standing)
Estimated travel time: 1hr 28min

Subway from Seoul Stn. to Anam Stn. - 900 krw
Estimated travel time: 22min

Subway from Anam to Seoul Stn. - 900 krw
Estimated travel time: 22min

Train from Seoul to Jochiwon - 8,100 krw (reserved seat)
Estimated travel time: 1hr 28min

First Seoul Solo Trip and Italian Lunch

Cathianne's Journal:

JAL-MO-GAE-IM-NI-DA

08 March 2011

Menu for the day:

Lunch --- Spaghetti Carbonara Al Pollo at RICCONE

Dinner --- 2,800 krw cafeteria meal

0430h *Beep* *Beep* *Beep* -- snooze,


0450h
I get out of bed. I don't want to be late for my first class in Hydro Systems!


0550h
I'm already outside Korea University gate and the bus ticket office is still closed! Ooooh... I'm too early!


0600h
The lady opens the ticket office and I buy my ticket for 6,500krw. That's the student discounted bus fare from Jochiwon going to Express Bus Terminal, Seoul.


0625h
The bus arrives. Now we leave for Seoul.
I get more sleep in the bus. ~.~ Still very sleepy.


0855h
We arrive in Seoul and I wake up just in time! =))


I remember how MJ oppa led me to the subway. I follow the arrows leading to the subway. I go to Line 3 and swipe my T-money.
The train passes by 5 stations before I transfer to another line:
- JAMWON
- SINSA
- APGUJEONG
- OKSU
- GEUMHO
Finally, I get off at YAKSU station where I will transfer to Line 6.


At Line 6, it passes by 5 stations more before I reach my destination, Anam Station.
- Cheonggu
- Sindang
- Dongmyo
- Changsin
- Bumon
Finally, I get off ANAM Station and find exit 4 so that it's nearer the Engineering Building.


I walked to the entrance and directly to the Research Center since the one written on the syllabus was "Engineering Research Center". When I got to the 3rd floor, there was no room 364! Oh no. Wrong building. Definitely, "Research Center" must be wrong!


I go to the Engineering Building and ask the guard who leads me to the Student Affairs Office. Five minutes to nine, I finally get to confirm my real room. It's just in that building.


I enter the classroom and see 3 guys. They must be my classmates. In a little while, 4 more came in. They ask me in Hangeul about my student number, I answer them that I don' understand. That's when they discover that I'm a foreigner.


The Professor enters and checks the class list. He sees my name and asks of my background and from what country. The class begins and we already have a textbook for the semester. This seems like a very interesting subject and again, I'm the only girl in the class and the only one travelling from Jochiwon! T___T"


During the 10-minute break, the professor asks if I'm going back to Jochiwon right after the class. We are to have lunch with him after class so I will travel back after lunch! =D


The last lectures focuses on engineering economy and this I admit I really have to refresh on. But the professor teaches well and is already giving us an assignment for the week. So yeah, I need a copy of the book. One of my classmates was kind enough to let me have his book since I cannot come back anytime to purchase it. I meet more friends and my tongue is again twisted that I can hardly speak their names. It's just the same with them, they can hardly speak my name anyway. =))


1200h Lunch break
We all walk together to RICCONE
We made it just in time before more people can have the table. A lot of students go there to eat during class days. It's an Italian restaurant. Another PhD student working in the lab of the Professor joins us for lunch.


I order Spaghetti Carbonara Al Pollo. I know that Pollo means "chicken" in Spanish. I didn't want to try the ones with shells, it just might give me another pain in the stomach and wake the hungry worms again! T___T"


The serving is BIG! But for them, it was small. According to our professor, just days ago the bowls were bigger. Most of them ordered pasta that had crust covering it. And so cheesy, most of our orders had so much cheese as I look at everybody's orders! So YUMMY! I miss having cheesy dishes! But Koreans still ask for kimchi even with pastas on the menu. =D


"Gyo-soo-nim, chalmogaut-simnida", I said. It means Professor, thank you for the food. Thanks to Meyen who taught me that last Sunday! =)


Now I walk back to the subway station and full! The PhD student, Yoo, sees me and is also going the same direction. Luckily, he was, because I was about to enter the other side of the subway line. =))


1350h 
I reach the Express Bus Terminal. I almost lost the WAY OUT that I keep ending at stores and dead ends! =))


The next bus to Jochiwon (the ordinary bus, because if I take the 02:00pm bus, it will cost me 10,400krw) is at 03:10pm. So I still have over an hour to wait. With nothing to do, I tried going outside to roam around and take pictures of the fat pigeons. I get outside and see only the thin ones. T__T" Next time, I hope I get to feed them too!


1500h
I ride the bus to Jochiwon. It leaves at exactly 1510h. Even before the bus started, I already snoozed in my seat. =))


Tired. I go back to the dorm and leave some of my things. I freshen up. I walk down to the laboratory.


1800h
Dinner at the cafeteria for 2,800krw only! Yey! I didn't finish everything though especially the tofu. Again, they had breaded pork for the main dish. Not my favorite either  so I just had half of it.


1900h
I ask Gil oppa if I can go home early.


1930h
I meet up with Honey at the ground floor. She teaches me how to use the washing machine as it had coin pockets to make it work.


2030h
Finished with the laundry! I hang my clothes in our room. And now I'm going to bed. ~_~

Korean Food Appetite

Cathianne's Journal:

25 Feb. 2011

Getting Back My Appetite for Korean Food

I felt a lot better today compared to my condition yesterday. At least I seemed to have my appetite back. I ate half of the tuna roll for breakfast that my aunt sent me, spent some time on the computer, and prepared to go to the lab.

At the lab, I finished my course registration. So for my first semester, I'll be taking up 3 courses: Water Resources Systems Engineering during Tuesdays, Urban Hydrology and Chemical Reaction Engineering during Saturdays, and as a freshman, it's been a requirement to sit in the seminar for thesis/dissertation during Fridays. So that means that I'll be in Seoul at least three times in a week!

Seeing the course description, I informed MJ oppa that I have already registered all three. He told me to call our advisor. After I did, I was advised then to take a look at the syllabus of each course. Seeing Chemical Reaction Engineering's syllabus, I'm getting cold feet upon seeing more Chemistry in it, haha! I can do this! I don't have to remind myself that I'm not a big fan of Chemistry. I will do great in all three subjects no matter what, each day is a new adventure! Aja! *wink*

It was almost lunchtime then, my lab-mates and I went to lunch at another cafeteria (just above the cafeteria where I first had my lunch on my first day here). There, I really saw my appetite coming! I thought I really wouldn't be able to eat well. For KRW4,500, I had kimchi and sweetened radish for sidings, squid calamares, tangerine (or kiat-kiat in the Philippines), kimbap (which is almost similar to maki except it was being eaten as it is without the wasabi and soy sauce), and what MJ oppa called the "PARTY NOODLES". Party? Haha! They gave huge servings for the noodles! I can't even finish half! The diameter of the bowl was probably about 10 inches or even a bit bigger, and the depth was about 4 inches! Talk about PARTY noodles...=))

Since I haven't had a campus tour yet, I asked MJ oppa if he can accompany me and give me a more detailed tour around the campus. And we did tour! I got to see more of the library, the "English" building or the one that contained the English Cafe and the English Clinic (funny as how they emphasized English in it), the newest building with what they described as having a "European" style of architecture, the buildings with more glass facade (this being a trend according to oppa, and I believe this is the practice of green building or green infrastructure already), the "playground" or the football field and other outdoor sports area, and more... After the tour, oppa bought us some drinks at another store somewhere (I forgot what building that was) where they also sold school supplies. Because of this tour, I've known that oppa took Environmental Engineering in his undergraduate studies and now is majoring Water Resources.

Back at the lab, I've decided to make more friends. I talked with Uijeon oppa, from the ground water laboratory, and I've found out that he's already been to the Philippines. Also along the way, I was again introduced to "Chinese man", and I finally got his real name. I was a bit shocked when he said MABUHAY but he was too shy to speak to me in English, haha!

Still, the language is a barrier. But hey, I'm starting to remember and learn more from MJ oppa. Like the word "Professor", they call it "gyu-su (nim)"; nim is to address an older person or elderly. And I have to keep in mind the word THANK YOU being "kamsahapmida" or "komhapsupmida". More words and phrases to learn! I do hope my one or two future roommate(s) will also be kind and nice to me and would be glad to teach me Korean. c",)