FILIPOS @ BORYEONG 2011

It's a hot, hot summer! So we kinda wanna bum out...so off we spent the weekend at the MUD PITS!!! ^^

Group shots by Marco Barboza

24.7.2011 의자 민박 

The more, the merrier...The crazier, the better!!! ^^

MUDPROOF YOUR DSLR. LET'S GEAR UP FILIPOS!!!

Even Reuters Photographers Make Camera Armor Out of Plastic Wrap | Popular Photography

We've all had the occasional situation where things have been spilled, dropped, smeared, or otherwise marred our perfectly good cameras — but what could possibly require covering your entire camera in plastic wrap like that? Reuters photographer Jo Yong-Hak covered the Boryeong Mud Festival this year — an annual weeklong summer celebration that involves millions of people visiting a mud-covered beach for sliding, wrestling, massages, competitions, and generally awesome summertime fun.

The festival takes place on Daecheon beach in Boryeong,120 miles southwest of Seoul, and the mud is renowned for being medicinal — though the celebration is as much about fun as it is health.

As much fun as this is for people, high end camera gear doesn't take so kindly to mud flying in all directions, so Jo Yong-Hak did the only thing practical — wrapping all the gear in plastic wrap. It won't protect the glass of your lens from getting smeared, but it'll stop the mud from getting all through the workings of your precious gears.

Though I can't imagine changing settings through all that plastic is particularly fun. But, it's nice to see that even photogs at the highest level sometimes resort to DIY solutions like this to get the shot.

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FILIPOS, LET'S GEAR UP AND MUD-PROOF 'EM!!! LEVEL UP AND GO!!! SUN UP AND MUDS ON!!! XD

Kuya Sam's Travel in Korea Rep.

My Travel Pictures in South Korea Slideshow: SAMUEL’s trip to 서울, 대한민국 was created by TripAdvisor. See another 서울 slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Daddy Jack the Beanstalk's Birthday

Just when you need to laugh hard~ ^^

For my "dad" in FILIPOS who taught me to be more of a gag! LOL. Kidding!

Happy Birthday UOD DAD! XD

Park Near Express Bus Terminal

CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON

This shot was taken at a school zone near the Express Bus Terminal in Seoul; my usual route during my trips to Seoul. I decided to go for a stroll beyond the terminal while waiting for my bus to Jochiwon. I had about an hour to spare for some sightseeing and photo walk.

Park near Express Bus Terminal

Street Artist in Myeongdong

Curious little girl --- she patiently waits for her balloon being prepared by the tall, thin clown in long red pants with a knapsack. This was taken at Myeongdong where mascots from different brands and stores are out in the middle of the streets and some street artists like this guys would just surprise you. My friend and I were in Faceshop at that time and she was about to buy some goods when suddenly I told her that I'll just go out to chase the tall man for a photo. She then decided to leave her supposedly merchandise and followed me running out to this tall, lanky clown. =))

A street artist in Myeongdong keeps the little kid waiting for her balloon art

Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Culture & Tour Festivals 2011

Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Culture & Tour Festivals 2011

Korea is such a great country to visit! This year, they're opening to globalization even more as each city has been inviting more foreigners to participate in the promotion of their culture and tradition. Check out this website and see the wonderful festivals Korea has for its nationals and foreigners alike! I've marked my calendar for some of this month's festivals and I can't wait to indulge in the splendid and rich Korean culture and preserve memories through my upcoming photo walks in these amazing places!^^

Hi Seoul Festival 2011

REBLOGGING from VISIT SEOUL

Hi Seoul Festival 2011

About

Venue

Yeouido Hangang Park & Downtown Seoul

Address

8 Yeongdeungpo-gu, Yeouido-dong, Seoul

Phone

02-3290-7150

Date(s)

2011-05-05 ~ 2011-05-10

Website

www.hiseoulfest.org

Overview

Hi Seoul Festival 2011
This year’s Hi Seoul Festival will be held for six days from May 5th – 10th at Yeouido Hangang Park and various locations in downtown Seoul.

The Hi Seoul Festival is one of the world's largest annual performing arts festivals with an average of 1.5 million people participating in the event annually. This year's festival theme will be a continuation of last year's theme of "Nonverbal Performances", a theme that promotes international unity by enabling people to communicate with one another through music and gestures, going beyond the barriers of language, race and age.

About 200 performances will be presented by 70 different groups and individuals from more than 10 countries including Canada, France, Australia, Brazil and Spain. Don’t miss out on Seoul’s most prominent cultural festival!

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Ready, get set...Let's GALBI!

jumping garlic dancing kalbi, a photo by cathiannephotography on Flickr.

My first GALBI! And indeed it was 아주 맛있다!!! 11,000 krw for this belly-busting, mouth-watering Korean cuisine is worth so much worth it! Excited and looking forward to my next and more galbi with everyone else!!! ^^

CLICK HERE for more info about GALBI

KOREA Photo Contest for Foreigners 2011

Reblogging: Korea Business Central blog

FOR PHOTOGRAPHY ENTHUSIASTS, FOREIGNERS IN KOREA, HERE IS OUR CHANCE TO SHOWCASE OUR TALENTS! HAVE FUN PHOTOWALKING AROUND SEOUL AND EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF KOREA THROUGH THE LENSES!!! ^^

Reposting from: KOREA BUSINESS CENTRAL - ICHON GLOBAL VILLAGE CENTER
 Pilar Perez-McKay on March 21, 2011 at 3:02am in Information to Share/Announcements

Photo Contest for Foreign Residents - Ichon Global Village Center

... another opportunity to contribute to Korean life and culture

THEME:

“Seoul, Where I’m Living”

Your picture can be of any scene in Seoul. For example:

* Places or events in Seoul that you experienced: festivals in Seoul, performances at a university, markets at midnight, or the diverse culture of Itaewon.

* My Life in Seoul: an interesting experience, an aspect of Korean culture, people you have met, a Korean traditional culture experience, the Jimjil-bang, a hanok, warm-hearted people at a market etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:  

Open to any foreign residents in Korea and who can attend the award ceremony on May 20.

APPLICATION PERIOD: 21 March through to 22 April 2011

HOW TO APPLY:  

* by e-mail to ichon@sba.seoul.kr

> Please specify your name, contact phone number, and the subject and location of your picture.
> Up to 3 photos can be submitted per person.
> The pictures must be in JPG format, and an unreleased file (over 3000X4500 pixels)

AWARD SELECTION:  by a photography specialist

PRIZES:
1st prize – 1 person (gift certificate of 500,000 won)
2nd prize – 1 person (gift certificate of 300,000 won)
3rd prize – 1 person (gift certificate of 200,000 won)
4th prize – 2 people (gift certificate of 100,000 won)
Winners will be posted officially or contacted individually

ANNOUNCEMENT OF AWARDS:

Winners will be posted officially or contacted individually

NOTE:
1. The photos of those selected for the awards and approximately 30 other selected photos will be displayed in a gallery in the Yongsan District Office from May 20th to 27th.

2. The Ichon Global Village Center reserves the right to use awarded and selected photos without any restrictions.


INQUIRY:  

Ichon Global Village Center: ph 02-796-2018, email: ichon@sba.seoul.kr

http://global.seoul.go.kr/ichon/

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",)

Let's -- Bulgogi Baek-ban!

Cathianne's Journal:

My Sunday with Suyeon

27 March 2011

1800h
I started walking from the lab to Jochiwon downtown.

1830h

I went to the Korean Traditional Market and remembered the store Daiso where they sell almost everything! I bought some things I needed at the dorm.

1900h

I went to hear mass at the Jochiwon Catholic Church which is just a few blocks away from the market.

The 7:00pm mass is mostly attended by the youth / university students. As usual, the mass is in Hangeul so I hardly understand it. But at least, I still heard mass and received the final blessing. ^^

2000h

I went to the Jochiwon train station to meet up with my friend, Suyeon. She is a Catholic as well and we've always wanted to hear mass together but our schedules just keep on conflicting. So we decided to meet each other for dinner instead.

Just in front of the station, there are several convenience stores, cafes, restos and street food vendors. Suyeon bought us some bungeoppang (붕어빵). It's my first time to try it actually and it tasted good! Best when warm indeed and freshly made! It's shape is a fish but it's just like pancake with some filling inside. They call it here "fish bread".

Photo from: blog.naver.com

2025h

We crossed over the train station to catch the free bus to the campus.

2040h

We ate at a restaurant just outside the boundaries of our campus. We had 불고기백반 (bul-ko-ki baek-ban)! Yum yum yum!!! Love every bit of it! It's now one of the favorites in my list of Korean food!

Photo from:  CATHIANNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Visit my photostream at  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cathiannephotography/

***

More about bungeoppang (붕어빵):The Best Bungeoppang

***

My Menu for Today:

Lunch - Kimbap delivered to the lab for 2,500 krw

Dinner - Bulkoki baek-ban for 5,000 krw

Til next blog! ^^,

Korea University Ritual and Counting in Hangeul

So today marks the day when Cathianne has learned way more than she expected. She thought this day will just be another typical lab day...


Cathianne was all smiles when she went out of the dorm. Excited to face a new fun-filled day. Any adventure? She doesn't know yet. She already has her student card with her and hopes to be able to use it in getting inside the laboratory in case no one else is in since it was still too early for her lab-mates to be there. It was almost 9:30 in the morning when she reached door 115. As she swiped her card, it didn't work! Again, she tried but it failed over and over again. Since the lab-mates usually arrive at 10, she decided to go back to her dorm instead to get her cam and maybe go for a photowalk.


She braves the cold breeze back to the dormitory. Upon walking back to the lab with her camera, she sees the door already opened. She sees Kyeongjin oppa already working on his desk. She then asks for his help on how to use the student card 'cos earlier she couldn't get in. They find out that the card was still non-functional so he assisted her to the Department Secretary, Nayoung unni, to have her card activated. After a while, unni tells her that she can use her card to access the lab office starting tomorrow.


*Unni is how older sisters are called by the younger female.

After getting  her card fixed, Cathianne goes to the Department Head for his signature on one of the required documents that she has to submit at the Academic Affairs Office. Prof. JY also calls her and informs her of the good news. She no longer needs to go to Seoul Immigration Office because the school will take care of the application for her, so all she needs to do is to complete all required documents and submit them to Nayoung unni. She also receives an email that she can obtain the Certificate of Enrollment from the One-Stop at the Library of Sejong Campus. So again, she need not go to Anam Campus just for the certificate! She's been getting so much luck and blessings and is praying that it will just keep coming so that despite the barriers (language and place), she can go on surviving and enjoy every minute of her stay. =)

She goes to the One-Stop and pays 1,000 krw for her Certificate of Studentship (or Enrollment) and submits her passport, 1 colored 3cmx4cm photograph to Naomi unni. She was then asked to come back after lunch for the other requirements. Just as she got in the lab, Gwang, Kyeongjin oppa, and Doochael oppa her to join them for lunch. It was just the right timing as she's been waiting for lunch already. For 4,700 krw, she's eating something that tastes like tempura in the Philippines, some fried vegies, macaroni salad, a clear soup with some green leaves and noodles and rice. And for the first time, she was very satisfied with her lunch for it was the first time she has ever finished everything and didn't want to convert the currencies anymore 'cos she knows it's expensive for a typical Filipino meal. "Simot Sarap" in Filipino. =))

Back in the lab, GJ oppa arrives and asks how to help her with the Alien Registration Card. She beams back with the good news she got this morning. Instead, she asks him to help her with the application form because she doesn't know her dormitory's exact address. *laughs*

Cathianne goes for a 15 minute walk to the newest building of the campus before dropping by the Academic Affairs Office. Her eyes widened at the sight of the magnificent view and is imagining how crazy awesome it would be to shoot in that area. *wide smile all spread out on her face*. She then goes to the Academic Affairs, located in the Science Bldg. across the Library to submit the Application For Advisor form. Back in their building, she also submits the application form to Naomi unni and pays the 10,000 krw revenue stamp fee for the Alien Registration Card.

The rest of the afternoon, she reads the Fluid Mechanics textbook for her TA class to freshen up her memory of the course she has taken several years ago in college. Dinner came and she ate with MJ oppa, Doochael oppa, and Junsik at the upper ground cafeteria where most gyo-su-nim (professors) eat. Each meal costs 4,500 krw and it's up for the person to get as much as he wants and even go for another round. For dinner, it was almost all vegies. There's kimchi (radish), broccoli, more leaves, seaweeds, soup with green leaves + tofu and pork, and the best among them that matched well with the rice was the dish (she's glad to have taken a lot of it) that seemed similar to the Pinoy's caldereta ~~ it had diced chicken, potato, onions, and more vegies but it definitely tasted "massieta" (hoping to have spelled it right, it's just supposed to mean DELICIOUS). =))

After dinner, she decides to go out and take some stroll for several minutes to burn down the carbs. But when she goes out of the lab, there were people outside the door doing some ritual that had some sticks lit up on a table with some statue and what seemed like offerings. John sees her and invites her to see the annual tradition. It's a tradition in Korea to pray to the gods for a good year ahead. She's enjoying her conversation with Gwang and was even introduced to some of the Sophomore students who represented the Environmental Engineering  Department. By the end of the traditional ritual, they followed it with the Korea University ritual. A guy was forced into a big pale and some guys poured makgeolli (Korean rice wine, which sounded like "bakoli" when pronounced by the Koreans) all over him. Poor guy but everyone and even the poor guy were having fun. She takes out her phone and takes some pictures of the small event. After that, she made more friends and have gotten to know Yusop, Gwang's bestfriend who is a Junior of the same major as they are, and Grampa (another nickname which he liked a lot) who was in his senior year in another Engineering major. Grampa is a very talkative and funny guy and Cathianne enjoyed her conversations with all three of them because they were not shy to speak to her in English anymore especially Gwang. He's become more outspoken and more friendly. =)

What a funny discovery for the evening, Gwang tells Cathianne that Hyunjoo is also his friend and they both attend the same classes. What a small world it is! He also tells her that tomorrow, there will be another school ritual that she must witness. Good thing she still has no need to attend any class in Seoul. So she will definitely see what ever they will have in the field tomorrow. It's getting more exciting for her! =))

As she went home to her dorm, she finally breaks more conversations with Boyoung. She finds out that Boyoung is actually one year younger than her, so she calls Boyoung "dong saeng" (younger  sister or brother) and Boyoung calls her "unni". Throughout the night, dong saeng taught her a lot of Hangeul while she corrects and teaches how dong saeng speaks in English. Both enjoyed their conversation so much like there was no tomorrow for more vocabulary. She shows Boyoung the beautiful beaches in the Philippines and invites Boyoung to visit when she can. She also discovers that Koreans count the age differently. They'd ask for the year born and a person is already a year old once he/she comes out of the mother's womb. So in Korean age, Cathianne is a year older. And because of this, she knows now how to count in Hangeul --- il...i...sam...sa...u...yu...chil...pal...ku...ship!!! =)


They were both glad to know also that they were both Catholics. Penny though never knew of the Catholic Church in Jochiwon. So next time Cathianne will hear mass in Jochiwon, she's going to bring her dong saeng along with her. c",)

First Day High in KU

It’s Game On for Day One!!!

Korea University First Day High ;)

It’s the first day of Spring Semester and the campus is starting to be filled up with more students. As Cathianne walked out of the dormitory, she swipes her key card but the automatic gate wouldn’t let her through. She had to try another and was able to get through it on her third swipe. Embarrassed she was but the guard was kind enough to understand. “Nangangain na naman ng tanga”, she laughs at the thought of herself.

As she went in the laboratory, she eagerly tried registering for her own portal ID (KUPID). She immediately got herself her own KUPID and was glad to finally be able to use the wifi with it. She had to follow up her course registration and finalize everything for the Academic Affairs requirements for the freshmen. As soon as she’s confirmed all the courses she registered, she went up to the office of her advisor professor, Prof. JY, and to the department head’s office to ask for their signatures. As she got in the office, Uijeon oppa was also there for the signatures as he is about to register as a post-graduate student freshman. It was almost lunch time and both of them just got the needed signatures before the professors went out for lunch!

When she went back to the laboratory, MJ oppa asked her to come with them for lunch. It was just the right invite she’s been waiting for coz she’s been feeling hungry since she got to the lab since she hasn’t eaten breakfast yet. It seems people in the lab are not used to eating breakfast. Haha!

In the cafeteria, they ate in a different section; another new discovery for our adventurer. Also, along the way to the cafeteria, Cathianne made a new friend with Junsik. He’s also a new student who is working as a research assistant in the lab. Currently, he is not enrolled to any courses as he is tasked to focus on the laboratory works. Gwang has also been more comfortable in conversing with her in English. At the caf, they got their trays, spoons and chopsticks and in that certain area, they simply had to choose whatever dish they wanted to eat and each dish has a price. So Cathianne just got what looked like spaghetti, another dish that seemed delicious and looked like some dumplings with probably green vegetables in it, and rice. Just that and MJ oppa was surprised to see her eat that little. She simply wanted to get what she can finish and not spend too much too. =))

It was already 12:40 when they finished lunch and Cathianne and MJ oppa had to be at the Fluid Mechanics class in 10 minutes. MJ is the teaching assistant to Prof. JY who is the teacher of the course while Cathianne will be MJ’s co-TA. Together with them, there’s another young boy named Michael who will be the class’s tutor. He was one of the students of Prof. JY during the last semester in Fluid Mechanics and he was hired to be a tutor because he did very well in the said subject. He’s said to be the best of Prof. JY’s class.

Oppa went ahead to prepare the classroom and Cathianne followed after several minutes. As she entered, she was introduced as the co-TA by oppa and met Michael as well. They took the front row seats as Prof. JY entered to greet the class. The class seems passive as Prof. JY even had to ask them to answer back the English greeting. Cathianne observed the whole class as the professor began his introduction. The three of them who will be assisting the professor were again introduced and were asked to give a small speech to be recognized. Knowing her ownself, she never liked giving speeches but heck yeah, she just spoke a few words in English and that’s it. =))

Cathianne observed the class and seems to compare the students to behave similar to most Filipino students. The kind of students she’s grown up with at least. They’re passive. They seem so quiet and will just mumble out words for the professor to lip read. She’s becoming fond of the class as she kept observing them. By the end of the class, she went out of the room with oppa as Michael was left to fix his office hours or tutor time with the class. The students greeted her as she went out and she simply responded with a smiling bow. =))

After several hours of checking all her requirements, she decided to check the Academic Affairs Office by herself. Remembering the other science building that her oppa taught her, she decided to go there, the one across the road that had the library on the other side. As she went in, she had to wait for several minutes as the team inside didn’t speak English much either. After which, she was given another paper to have the signatures again of her advisor and department head. So back she goes to their building for the signatures. Unfortunately, the department head must have already left. So she’ll have to wait for the next day and is hoping to get his signature by morning.

When she got back to the lab, MJ oppa told her that her student card is now ready for pick up at One-Stop in the library. Since he was too busy doing his thesis, he couldn’t accompany her. She was glad on the other hand to go by herself coz she’s been living with another motto since she started roaming around the town by herself: Getting lost is a fun experience without a map and just the instinct. =))

Now off she went to the library and followed her instincts once more. Just as she got to the One-Stop, the lady recognized her and gave her the student card! Now she’s an official student of Korea University! =)

The cold wind kept blowing so hard that day, Cathianne wished for a thicker coat! She dragged herself back to the laboratory to keep warm and check the next to-do-things in the list. The alien card is the next stop and also the Certificate of Enrolment. She has to go to Seoul as soon as possible. She had to get first the copy of her Certificate of Enrolment in order to proceed with the processing of the Alien Registration Card.

Requirements for Alien Registration Card for Foreign Students (D-2 Visa):

1.       Passport

2.       Application Form available at the immigration office in Seoul or downloadable via immigration website

3.       Processing fee of KRW 10,000 for Government stamp

4.       Certificate of Studentship or Certificate of Enrolment

Website for Korean Immigration: http://immigration.go.kr

She was getting worried in completing the requirements as March 11 has been as the deadline for her Alien Registration Card copy to be submitted to the Academic Affairs Office as well. But it seems that she’s not going to Seoul Campus this week with her oppa since he said that the coming Saturday is again a holiday. How the heck is she supposed to know her building and room especially for her Tuesday class where she’ll be travelling alone?! Uh oh..! Some things have to be learned the harder way indeed and in the most inconvenient way alone! T__T”

It was half past six and the guys were already feeling hungry. She too was feeling hungry so she went with them to the higher ground cafeteria where the standard meal price was KRW 4,500 that always had a big bowl of soup. Just as she was about to eat, MJ oppa warned her that the soup had oysters and she might want to slow down and be careful by not eating it in order to avoid stomach complications. Haha..! It was also during that dinner that she found out that one can go back for another round if wanted. Kiko oppa went back for another round. Funny though, he didn’t even finish half of the second round he made. It has become Cathianne’s observation that her oppas don’t mind not finishing up every food they buy.

After dinner, she warmed up with a couple of cups of warm water before leaving the cafeteria. Back at the lab, she tried playing with her android and downloaded some apps. She became fond of it and decided to forget about the immigration processes for the mean time. She went out to the lobby to walk around to hasten digestion since she felt so full and cannot sit down well with all the food in her tummy. After about 15 minutes, she went back into the lab and decided to fix her things so she can go home early. Just as she was doing so, MJ oppa told her that the guys are going out to play soccer in the field. She wanted to see them play and so he invited her to see the game. She went back to the dorm and left her bag in exchange of her d90. She remembers her new friend, Junsik, and decides to invite him along as well. So they both went to the field under the freezing breezy weather that night to see the guys play. It’s game on for the first day of Spring Semester. It was the Environmental Engineering team’s soccer practice game and some 20 Freshmen and Sophomores also went to support the team. It was a great sight to see and a nice new setting to practice for with her d90. Although her hands were freezing, she decides to continue taking shots. Junsik was also a nice person to tag along as he was also trying his best to converse with her. He seems to easily understand and pick up with her accent. Cathianne didn’t bother to sit anymore and just took more pictures of the game. Her first soccer practice game watch under a very cold night! She couldn’t imagine just how the players can run and stand under such circumstance as some of them just wore shorts!

By the end of the game, she and Junsik went to approach the others to bid them goodbye as they wanted to go ahead. Junsik had to finish some experiments and Cathianne wanted to get warm in her dormitory. When Kiko oppa saw her camera, he was surprised because he has the same one! So this is a good thing because Cathianne now has another camera-buddy to get more photography tips. Cool!

As Cathianne entered the dormitory, she finally made it to the entrance with just one swipe! Haha! The guard has become familiar of her because she was having a hard time getting in and out the other day and this morning. He couldn’t speak English but asked where she came from. She then tried to ask where the laundry was with the use of her phone’s dictionary but he still couldn’t understand. Luckily, 2 girls came up from the ground floor, university students. Cathianne bravely asked and the one with the short hair responded. It seems like the other girl also could not understand English. This time, Cathianne became friends with the short haired girl, whose name is Honey. She’s also studying Environmental Engineering and is a couple of years older than Cathianne. She’s in her senior year (4^th year) in the undergraduate course and both of them are already getting along. They exchanged contact numbers and Cathianne hopes to get help from her. They went down to the laundry area and Cathianne was shocked to see every instruction written in Hangeul! Now, she really needed a buddy in doing her first laundry at least! She’s so glad to have met Honey, at least she now has a new friend in the same major and in the same dormitory. =)

More friends to meet and more adventures to seek... c”,)