Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

I got my shades today! MJ oppa got it from the main reception of our building. Blooper: My name was written on the address and they didn't know where to bring the package..Nyark...! LOL

The whole day I've been working on the Fortran code and finally had a meeting with my professor. Getting things done soon! After the meeting, as I got back to my seat in the lab, GJ oppa asked me if I wanna join the others watch Transformers 3. Oh heck yeah! I TDAP want to and I need a good movie break! That movie sure will tweak my wicked programming brain! LOL.


By 6:20pm, I rode a taxi with Jungeol, MJ and Hwanseok to Jochiwon downtown and we headed to CINUS. And whattabonus! It's Hwanseok oppa's treat! How cool is that?! :D


It was still early so we still had much time to have dinner. At the ground floor of the building, we ate at a Japanese restaurant that had this rotating conveyor on a long table where you can just get your choice of food placed on the belt. Pay for the price of the color of the plate of course. :D


I had 알밥 (Al Bab - fried rice with fish eggs) for dinner and it was good (KRW 5000)! After eating, we still had more than enough time so we played some arcade games. First game, Hwanseok asked me to join him. It was a funny game, like a race, where you had to be fast in pressing the huge buttons and the animations were also funny, like crying babies LOL. MJ and Jungeol played table hockey and other shooting games. By 7:15pm, the two bought some popcorns and HUGE DRINKS and we entered the movie. My coke was so large, I could barely drink a quarter of it!


AND TRANSFORMERS BEGAN!!! Wooooot! XD

Chased by Butterflies

11 June 2011
0504H
In the laboratory fixing my stuff after finally printing my final report. 


I haven't slept yet but I'm quite happy and excited and a bit nervous because in about 4 hours, my class in Anam will start and we will be doing our final presentation of our individual term project. I have been having a great deal of trouble with this one because for weeks I have been trying to figure out how to go about some second order partial differential equation that unfortunately, only a good computer code can efficiently solve based on the lits I've read and it will have to take me a much longer time to develop a code to get the results for comparison. But good enough, I talked things out with my professor yesterday and I was advised to make a comparative analysis instead since time is already against me. WHEW. 


Earlier, or rather, yesterday while having coffee break with Hyunjoo and Junsik oppa at CBTL, a white butterfly fluttered and seemed to be dancing in front of me for several seconds. It seemed to have effectively kept my calm. The rest of the day was spent doing my homework and finishing my final report. 


I had dinner with Hyunjoo, Gwang, Junsik, Daehoon and Daesok at the 5th floor where our food was delivered. I have tasted the mandu ramyeon a few nights ago but I think the restaurant that delivered our food last night has a better mandu ramyeon for the same price of 3,000 won, there was about a dozen mandu with the noodles! Not bad! And it was ma-ssi-seo-yo!^^ Anyway, the dinner ended up with me eating the last kimbap. LOL. 


I went back to the lab, finally got the answers to the homework and decided to take a shower in the dormitory. I came back in the lab at 11:00pm bringing my Urban Hydrology book with me (I'm supposed to study for the quiz but I barely have time anymore so I might as well study during lunchbreak with Minjae oppa -- cram again LOL), my camera and the charger. By the time I got to the lab, I realized that I forgot to bring the adaptor of the charger's plug! Deeeyyym. So I might as well just leave the slr? Since the battery has only 1 bar left? But I'm also thinking that there just might be a good view or food to shoot even for just a few shots! I might miss it! Hmmmm... 


Anyway, I'm keeping the good vibes because just a while ago in the hwa-jang-sil, a green little butterfly also came flying to me and as I subtly chased it back, it landed for a few seconds on my palm. It looked like a four-leaf clover, only that it was flying! ^___^


In a few minutes, I'm going to walk to the bus station for my 6:20am trip to Seoul. 
"FILIPOS teams break a leg for the amazing race!" -- Too bad I can't come to physically cheer and support you guys cos I have class! I even want to be part of the team but darn. I'm fully-booked in Anam. May this be a good day and may the good vibes keep coming!!! ^____^

Meeting a Multi-Lingual Friend!

10 June 2011


I had lunch today with Hyunjoo and her friends because one of them was anxious to meet me. Jean is a Korean but has lived in the Philippines for 16 years and made it a point to set a lunch meeting with me through Hyunjoo. And what a cool gal! She can speak 6 languages well!


When Hyunjoo and I reached the restaurant, they have already ordered samgyeopsal and nengmyeon. At first I was hesitant to talk to Jean in Tagalog. Eventually I asked and we spoke in Taglish and mostly in English so that others could understand us too. She can speak Japanese, Chinese and Spanish! Hyunjoo and I somehow envied her cos Hyunjoo thinks Jean speaks English very well while I've always loved to learn Spanish. LOL. So Hyunjoo and I made a pact. This summer, we'll both practice with each other, language trade! I will practice Hangeul while Hyunjoo will practice her English with me. Yeah! Hopefully, by the end of summer, I'd be able to converse with more Korean friends in Hangeul and Hyunjoo can speak English more fluently and with more confidence. ^^


It's nice meeting a Korean friend who can speak in Tagalog. Jean and I are looking forward to our next meeting. c",)


After lunch, I treated Hyunjoo at CBTL. We both looked tired and needed coffee for energy boosters anyway. LOL. c",)

Korea University Sejong Campus Open House Party

Korea University Sejong Campus is known as the "Best Boarding Campus". Indeed it is. The dormitories have great facilities and a home to a lot of students away from their hometowns. The open house party started last night and is celebrated annually for two consecutive nights with temporary hofs (tents were put up around the place for drinking) and a stage facing the Truth Building for the entertainment and all-night singing and dancing. Just tonight, before finally hitting my pillows, I decided to get my camera and take some photos of the people partying with the KU Cheerleaders on the stage dancing and singing. The funniest part was the red plastic bags that were inflated and used as props! I haven't seen any crowd gone crazy and raised up plastic bags whirled above their heads. Students were very energetic and I took the opportunity to capture the moment. *wink*

Just as I was about to head back to the dorm, a song to the tune of Canon in D (my favorite instrumental ever) was played! I couldn't resist and took a video of the happenings until the song ended. =)

Seoul Friendship and Lotus Lantern Festival

07 May 2011


Class ended at exactly 4:30 PM and I've got to go right away because Micah and Krish are already at the City Hall!


1630h I rushed to the subway and met Tin at Dongdaemun station at around 5 PM. We reached the city hall at 5:25 PM. Krish gave us a call to inform us that they're waiting at Dunkin Donuts straight out of the subway exit having some snacks.


http://seoulfriendshipfair.org/

The Seoul Friendship Fair 

* We started at farthest booth near stage and had photo with some Irish men. 
* Wore costumes from different Nationalities
* Photo-ops with booths from different nations. We'd even ask foreigners to pose with us. ^^
* Took macro shots of plants around the place.
* Booth-hopped from one country to another.
* Went to see international children's painting display

At 7:00 pm, we were getting even hungrier so we checked out the food fair. Too bad, it was almost finished and everyone was packing out T___T" We were too eager to try out different dishes only to get tok. T___T"
We ate some patty with tok and sausages and went to the giant "kuhol" where we took photos with the World Vision display.


We met up with Kuya Nads and other FILIPOZENS at Mr.Pizza and we got a treat from Kuya Marzy! ~^^


After dinner, we photo-walked at Jonggak. *Night Photography / Long Exposure Practice*

Cheonggye Square


We went down the bridge to do long exposure shots with Kuya Marzy as the mentor. Thanks to his heavy-duty tripod! ~^^ 


There were lots of couples around so I also took "couple" shots. LOL


It's past 12 midnight and we were still up and ready for more action. Where to go???


We decided to go for samgyeopsal and shots of soju and mekju! And to Hyehwa we go!


08 May 2011
THE AMBUSH KIDS ATTACK


We met up with Corinna at the pub and had some soju and beer. To make the long story short, by 4:30am, 
Corinna: "Kuya Marzy, magbabayad na po"
And Kuya Marzy got ambushed again...LOL


Upon reaching Tin's dorm, I simply went straight to bed knocked down. =))


We were supposed to go to Incheon but we woke up to the 10am alarm at Tin's dorm with Micah sharing the bed with me. I sure had a good sleep, I wonder with Micah...? =))


We went to have lunch at the best budaechige resto and heard mass at 1:30pm (Filipino mass) at Hyehwa church. After mass, we went to visit the FILIPOS booth at the Filipino fair behind the church. Micah shopped for delicacies and squeezed out discounted 2k from Kuya Jay. LOL


The mbush kids again were able to convince Kuya Pudu to buy empanada for us. The ambush kids did it again. LOL


Going back home, Micah and I rode the 1740h trip of the Mugunghwa train.
In the train, we were entertained by three Japanese guys flirtin' with a Korean girl and a bilingual kid as we tried to interpret their conversations since we couldn't sleep. LOL
Micah got off at Cheonan by 1845h and I reached Jochiwon at 1906h. I went to dorm and dozed off. EXHAUSTED BUT HAD EPIC FUN! ~^^

Spiciest Dinner: OCTOPUS MUCH

02 May 2011


This is just a blog post of my dinner for tonight. It was an unusual dinner with the lab brothers cos we went out this time. Cindy and I rode in Jungeol oppa's car along with Kyeongjin oppa. We went to a restaurant that was somehow off the highway and was about 5-10 minutes away from school by car. Cindy told me that we'll be eating a very spicy dinner, a very spicy octopus that is. I guess it was just right that I didn't put on my sweater anymore!


There were 9 of us in the restaurant - Oppas - GJ, MJ, Jungeol, Kyeongjin, Changhong, Kwanhyeong, Wayne - plus Gwang, Cindy and I - the "kids", hahah!


When the dishes came, it was a mix of seafoods but with a huge octopus that the immonims had to cut first in front of us. It looked like a nice ritual. Unfortunately, I'm just to shy to take photos when I'm having dinner around a lot of oppas. It would have been a good photo op. Tsk tsk. There should be a next time - hopefully with Pinoy friends so that I won't feel restricted to take unlimited photos of the food. LOL.


A dish was shared by three persons so there were 3 of that octopus dish that was placed on our long table. After eating almost half of the dish, the immos came back to get them. Time for the "paella"! They get some of what's left on the pan and mix it with rice - which is called "bokkeumbap" 볶음밥. It's soooo delicious and still soo spicy! But while everyone else where wiping with tissues and sweating, I was still cool with just my t-shirt and kept digging in despite the hotness building up in my mouth! LOL. All I could say was: "HOT but NAMIIIIIIIIIT! Aaahhh!" *wink*

Coffee Prince and Dawn Subway Photowalk

CRAZIEST SIDETRIP EVER~~!!!^^,

1130h

I went to eat lunch by myself at the Grazie at the basement of our building after my morning lecture class since MJ oppa was absent. I had bagel with cream cheese and ramyeon for lunch cos I was really hungry! LOL.

While reviewing (cramming LOL) for the exam, which was in an hour an a half that time, a guy approached me and asked if I'm a Filipina. (But of course! LOL). To my surprise, Bernie is also a Pinoy (but he grew up in Canada) and is also a graduate student in Anam campus and his laboratory is just on the 4th floor of the same building where I take my Saturday lectures! Now I've got another Pinoy friend to talk to during my Seoul trips!^^

1330h-1630h

Midterms...*Sabog* ~ disaster? But everybody felt the same about the exam so it's something not to worry too much about. At least I was able to answer whatever I could. LOL.

1830h

I met Tin at Dongdaemun station and we took the subway going to our photowalk itinerary. Originally, our itinerary was Itaewon - Myeongdong - Namsan Tower. But because of the rain, our backup itinerary was ~ COFFEE PRINCE!!! ^^

~COFFEE PRINCE~


1930h

After getting off at Hongik Station, Tin took out the directions and we walked to looked for the place. With the power of our instincts, we found Coffee Prince!!! LOL. The place was so nice, warm, cozy and definitely so inviting that even the hosts offered to take our photos! We stayed in a corner where we can see the colorfully painted wall and took photos of the interior. I had cafe mocha while Tin ordered New York cheesecake. The price ranged from about 7,000 - 12,000 won. Not bad for a nice, cozy place that became famous because of the Korean drama that was entitled after the name of the place, too. Coffee Prince is not only famous in Korea but also in the Philippines! Even before we went in, we also saw some Koreans taking photos of the place. It's either they are nationals or also foreigners who looked like Koreans. LOL.

We stayed at Coffee Prince until it was already closing time! We were the last customers (the closing customers) and we still wanted to take more photos of the interior because we spent the time there talking. LOL. It's such a great place. Might need to go back for a real photo session. *wink* ~~~

~KHAJURAHO~

Since we haven't had our dinner yet, we decided to look around. I spotted a nice Indian-inspired stairway and took some photos. A few minutes later, some guy went down and told us it's ok to take photos. Then we decided to go up and take a look at the restaurant. It's still open! The interior was well-designed - cozy, warm and definitely a good shooting spot! And so there, our clicks went on and on with the permission of the hosts of course. And since we were hungry, we decided to start our "international food trip" as well. LOL. Next time, it's gonna be another country's food we'll be eating. *winks*

We each ordered curry. Mine was lamb and Tin's was chicken. And both were so ---- mmmm! Yummyyyyy! Paired with nans that were so big! The best! Taste, quality, service - all 10 out of 10! Ambiance of the place - also 10! I can even give more than 10! The owner, a real Indian guy, even invited us to have a drink with him but it was already closing time (again!). It was already 12:00 am and we wanted to (try) catch up with the last subway (but we already had a feeling that we've missed it).


~Missing the Subway~
By the time we got to the station, it had just dropped the last passengers. It's closed! So what else is our option? Bus? Nope. Taxi? Too expensive! Jimjilbang? Not in the mood. Photowalk subway-to-subway - ALRIGHT! LOL.


And, since it was both our hidden goals to have each a photo at EVERY subway station (possibly), we thought that it was the perfect time to start! LOL.


So from subway to subway, we would ask passers-by which way to go to get to the next subway station because if we'd ask for how to get to Hyehwa, they'd definitely say take a taxi or tell us it's too far to walk (obviously) and even the thought of walking to the next subway for them is rather not feasible. LOL. But we were up for our crazy adventure! And that's where my flip signature poses started building up files in my camera. It was also a good time to practice long exposure and night shots of cars along street intersections. *wink*


Because of that dawn photowalk, I have discovered the art museum of seoul, just a few blocks from the city hall. By the time we reached the city hall area, there was no one to ask for directions anymore. We saw a taxi and finally grabbed the ride til Hyehwa. At least it wasn't that expensive anymore. LOL. We reached Tin's dorm at around 4 o'clock in the morning and we were scheduled to have a photowalk session with FILIPOS at 10 o'clock that Sunday at Olympic Village. Well, let's see if we'll "not" be late! LOL.

~Directions to Coffee Prince~

(http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-prince-coffee-shop)

1. Take subway Line 2 to Hongik University station. It's marked in green on the map.
2. Go out through Exit 4.
3. Turn right at Seven Springs corner. Walk for around two blocks.
4. When you reach the end of the road, turn left.
5. Turn right on the first right turn you see. (Once you turn you will see a Family Mart to your left.)
6. Walk straight for about 500 meters, the street will go uphill midway.
At the end of the road you will find the coffee shop on the right side. Keep your eyes peeled because the shop is surrounded by trees.

Nonsan City: Site Visit to Wetlands

28 April 2011


Wetland Site Visit Day!


1030h I left the campus with MJ oppa and traveled by car to Nonsan City to take a look at the wetland sites of of Kongju National University. It was both our first times to be at the site. It's my first time to see constructed wetlands as well. At the first wetland, pig waste is being treated. We also went up to the waste treatment facility --- and ooooohhhh! How nasty! The smell clung to our clothes and my hair!!! Eeek.!


We had lunch at a nearby restaurant with the students of KNU. Unfortunately, none of my Filipino schoolmates were there.


After lunch, we visited another wetland which looked a lot better than the first. I even saw a huge crane flying over but I didn't have my camera with me! <sob>


1530h We traveled back to Jochiwon. Along the road, oppa and I saw a reversely-driven truck! It's head was facing us! Only to find out it was being pulled by another truck behind when we overtook them. LOL. We almost thought of how crazy and excellent the driver would be had it been really driven reversely.


1830h The day wasn't over. Oppa and I had to proctor the midterm exams of our TA class. So we had to eat dinner early at the teachers' cafeteria. The exam was to start at 7:30pm and would end at 10:00 pm.


1920h We went to the English building and entered the hall where the exam was scheduled to be held at. Taking a look at the problems, they seem quite hard! And indeed, several students maximized the time and submitted their papers at exactly 10 o'clock in the evening!

My discoveries for today:
A car rental would cost around 70,000 won
Nonsan was an hour away from Jochiwon and there were several toll gates as well
Gasing up may be approximated to 10,000 won for that trip
20,000 won for all fees on the road might be more than enough


Rough estimate: A roadtrip to a 1-hour long drive to another destination might need 100,000 won. Would be good enough to share it with 5 people. *wink*

Water Symposium

Environmental Engineering - Water Symposium
Location: Incheon


I lacked sleep but I tried to wake up at the first sound of my alarm. But I snoozed back. Meeting time was set at 6:00am at the laboratory. When I woke up, it was already 6 o'clock! Oh no! They must have left for the symposium already...But no one has sent a message or called me up yet. So I took a quick bath and prepared myself to go to the lab. I remembered that the weather forecast stated that the day would be rainy, so I brought my umbrella with me.


As I stepped out of the dormitory, MJ oppa called and looked for me. Again, I made it to the building just in time cos oppa has also just arrived! ^^


0650 h
I left the campus with MJ oppa and Changhong oppa driving the car. Even if I was so sleepy, I was also excited cos I will meet Joan and Ate Marla! And they will be presenting at the symposium, somehow, I will be able to understand at least two presentations cos most presentations are in Korean according to my oppas. LOL.

0930 h
We arrived at the research institute and I met Joan and Ate Marla. It was like an alumni meeting as Ate Marla was being teased by her professor that we're having our mini-reunion of alumnis. LOL.


Since most of my oppas from were staff of the event, MJ oppa suggested that I go with the Kongju students, Joan and Marla. Also for me to enjoy, I'll spend most of my time with my fellow Thomasians! ^^


Today is Good Friday and we're supposed to abstain. But too bad, both Joan and I were really hungry as both of us haven't had anything for breakfast and both of us also lacked sleep! So we ate whatever was served at the cafeteria even if the only protein source was meat. Awww...

1700 h
I had to go back to Jochiwon already and join Changhong oppa and Junsik on the way back. I bid my friends farewell then.


In the car, I met Yeongchoon oppa, a former graduate student from our university. He was a bit surprised when he first heard a Korean word that came out of my mouth, "oppa". LOL,


Changhong oppa drives fast! So we reached Jochiwon at around 7:30 pm and all of us were starving! I planned on eating some plain kimbap to abstain but oppa invited me to have dinner with them. The menu? - Unlimited Beef! Uh oh! LOL.


2000 h
We rode Ohkyung oppas' suv to the downtown and dropped Junsik off at the train station cos he had to go back to his hometown as soon as possible. So there were only four of us who ate dinner at the restaurant serving what seemed like a "buffet" of beef plus a bit of Cass and soju to warm up our dinner. LOL.


I was super full! Obviously, even without rice, that much beef that kept coming until they've decided to stop will really fill me up to the throat! It was Changhong oppas treat that night and as we went out, Ohkyung exclaimed, "Forget the name of the restaurant." LOL. The beef was just ok, at least for me, since I can't compare yet what a premium grade beef of that kind tasted like. LOL. Then in the car, I asked them to rate the food with 10 being the best and 1 being the lowest, they gave 0.5 for the rating! LOL.


Though I enjoyed the food as it filled up my stomach really well, their comments made me quite more curious as to what a premium beef would taste like. LOL


Til my next post! c",)

Rendezvous at CBTL

"My First CBTL Ice Blended!"


1200h


Only Sok oppa and I were the people in the lab. The rest of the guys were in Seoul having classes. So for lunch, oppa invited me to join him and I'm glad that he's also not a fan of the cafeteria for the professors! I like bibimbap so much and so we went to eat at the place where I had my first bibimbap. I learned that oppa was planning to proceed his post-graduate studies in the U.S. and heard from my professor that he's one of the brightest students even during his undergraduate years. Seems like it cos he was a double major degree holder (Environmental and Civil Engg) during his Bachelor's.^^


At the resturant, oppa ordered spicy ramyeon and bibimbap and I didn't know that it was a treat! Cool! ^^, I was supposed to have lunch with a couple of friends but they had classes still. Because of that, I got treated for lunch! ^^


1320h


I met up with BJ oppa and Keo, who had his head shaved just before we met (LOL), in front of CBTL. They're the new friends I met at the English Cafe. BJ oppa bought coffee for us and since it was a very nice warm day (22 degrees), I decided to have white chocolate dream latte ice blended - my first ever ice blended drink at Coffee Bean here! LOL. We sat outside at the porch area and I was already brave not to put on a jacket or sweater. The warm sun was really such a bliss to my skin! ^^, I loved it!


BJ oppa told us about his interview with Asiana Airlines yesterday and when I found out he applied for FA, I was so amazed and said that that's one of the jobs I'd fancy and I definitely don't see it as a job, it's more of fun than work because it's traveling!!!^^ But it's funny that he doesn't like flying! Both Keo and him have phobias in airplanes! LOL. And so he's expecting not to get accepted, the experience of the interview was enough for him. kkk...

BIBIMBAP PLACE (not exactly the name^^)

2000h


Alone in the lab! Sok oppa already went back to Seoul so I have the lab all to myself and I can sing all I want! LOL. Just kidding! (Half - hahaha!)


I thought I would be having only oranges for dinner. But John came and so I went to dinner with him, Cindy and another friend of Cindy who's living in an apartment just outside the campus grounds. We went to a restaurant that's just a few steps from the apartment and Cindy told me to try the 청둑장. At first I was hesitant cos it was neither beef nor chicken and I didn't want to have pork as much as possible. Then she said something about beans. "Oh, soy beans?!" And I was thinking of tofu already - I'm not such a big fan of tofu. I was hopeful that the way the tofu was being cooked was tasteful even spicy cos I rarely eat plain tofu! When the dish arrived, it was a red soup filled with tofu! @_@ hahah! I didn't know what to say really and so when she asked me how it tasted, I just said "Ok". LOL. It smelled not so good too as what she said. Good thing there were lots of side dishes / appetizers and the seaweed wrap which they call "KIM". I preferred the sidedishes more than the main course we ordered. LOL. It tasted just well and blended with the kim and other appetizers at least, it wasn't that bad and it was just OK. c",)

청둑장

청둑장 (Ch'ong Dook Jang)

FATE Brought Me to the Train and to FILIPOS

Extraordinary things happen...and today, it seems fate just brought me to the unexpected twists of my Saturday's routine...^^


For lunch, I went to eat with MJ oppa at the building, the one across the Biotech Bldg, where we also had lunch last time. At least this time, we're not so much in a hurry cos our afternoon class was adjusted to start 30 minutes after the scheduled time. I was treated with bibimbap for lunch and in return, I bought coffee for oppa hahah! Oppa was very tired cos the whole week he's been working on the project in our laboratory and has been staying overnight for 3 consecutive days in the lab. As much as I would like to help them with the report, there's nothing much I can do cos I barely understand Hangeul and the report is in Korean. T___T"


After the class, I went by myself to the subway cos oppa was going to meet his girlfriend before he goes back to Jochiwon. My Saturday Seoul to Jochiwon route has changed. I would now take the train instead of the bus so from Anam station at line 6, I get off at Dongmyo where I would transfer to Line 1 until I reach Seoul Station. Just when I got off the subway at Seoul Station, I saw someone familiar. When I looked, it was oppa and his pretty pretty girlfriend! ^^ I have never seen her yet in person, only her pictures at oppa's desktop in the lab. And indeed, she's so pretty!!! Chesca is also a Catholic, something in common we share. And she invited me to hear mass with her sometime in one of the biggest Catholic churches in Seoul. ^^


At the ticket booth, I had to go ahead cos they still had to go on a date (of course ~~,). In the train, since I got no seat anymore, I stayed at the cafeteria car. There I sat in front of the counter where they sell some food. A few minutes later, a couple of men boarded the train with a box of what seemed like an equipment, backpacks and DSLR's. They seem like professional photographers. My ears was covered with earphones but I turned down the volume of my music player. They seemed to be talking in a different language, it didn't sound like Hangeul. I kept glancing at them and I had a strong feeling that they may be my kababayans. When the train started, I decided to position myself and stood near them so I could hear if they were Pinoys indeed. Right then and there, I heard them talk in Tagalog! "Kuya, Pinoy po kayo?", I asked one of them. And that started our conversation during the whole trip. The best part is, they're members of FILIPOS (Filipino Photographers in South Korea) which is a registered club in the Immigration and because I've always wanted to join a group and develop my skills in photography, they eagerly invited me to join them and to come to Seoul for a photowalk with the rest of the club tomorrow at Yeouido! I was so excited, so happy, so full of energy despite the fact that I haven't had much sleep cos I studied for my exam since midnight and never went to sleep anymore! Though tired I may be, my brain was still full of ideas and thoughts about the Filipino community I'll be joining, the photography club, to be with professional photographers and all! Ooooohhh! I couldn't describe it perfectly that when I got off the train, I was still smiling and it's as if my smile won't ever fade! I had kimbap for dinner at a restaurant near the station and I was still smiling after even during my whole 30-minute walk to the campus!


As I went in the lab, I gleefully greeted Kiko oppa and hid behind my computer, bashful and kept my smile all to myself hahah! =) TOMORROW --- the photowalk! c",)

English Cafe - Rendezvous Not

It was almost 2:00 PM and the people in the lab have not yet eaten lunch! I'm getting so hungry cos I haven't had any meal yet and everyone were just too "busy" to bother about their stomachs calling! T__T" My tummy was already grouching. I decided to pick my reading materials and go to the English Cafe at the building just to the right of our building.


I was looking forward to eating some real lunch - sandwich and some beverage - and I even thought about splurging on lunch for today. When I reached the cafe, I didn't know that everything was for free! Free indeed and there was no food menu to choose from cos whatever there is, that was it - coffee, tea, toasted bread. T___T" Oh  well, at least I saved for lunch and remembered that I still had some bread in my table and thought of eating it when I go back to the laboratory.

A few minutes when I found a place to sit, a couple of guys also sat beside my table. All people staying in the English Cafe really spoke in English. If they were Korean Nationals, some of them were there practicing their English skills through some foreign acquaintances or with their friends who are also knowledgeable in the foreign language. These two guys seemed to have been there for the first time as well. I was buried in my reading materials when suddenly, one of them said "hi" to me. I thought they were referring to someone else near me, but they were actually really saying "hi" to me. (My reaction looked stunned and awkwardly funny). Then that's when I met two new guy friends who are, this time, not from my department! Now I have friends from the Business Management Department and who are very eager to talk with me in English! =))


I guess it pays to be hungry sometime? Haha..Good thing I went to the English Cafe. I simply wanted a place to relax and have some food and I got two new friends to top it all. c",)




Back at the SciTech Building...
11:00 PM
I decided to go home early and bring my materials at home. Hyunjoo called me up and asked me to pass by the laboratory at the 2nd floor. Bean oppa was there with her drinking some Cass beer and just before I headed home, I also took a shot of Cass. kkk...Hyunjoo and I went home together to our dormitory ready to get some deep sleep. c",)

Just Scrambled Eggs

Oppas finally got tired of the cafeteria food today. For lunch, we went to a nearby restaurant outside the campus. Since I still cannot order food by myself, my friends would still suggest and describe the menu. Hyunjoo suggested that I either try the Pork Cutlet (동까스 "tong ka su") or the 오미라야스 (omi rice), kimchi fried rice covered with scrambled eggs on top (literally, it covered everything!). I decided to try the fried rice since the last time I ate there, I remembered ordering the port cutlet and only finishing half of it. When the dish arrived, I was like "Oh, breakfast - egg and rice in tomato ketchup for 4,000 won"...Hahaha!


This is how the 오미라야스 looked but with more egg on top!

Photo from: http://mybakingcottage.blogspot.com/2008/01/lunch-bento-tomato-fried-rice.html


This almost resembles the pork cutlet but the size of the pork they served at the restaurant was way bigger like 2 pieces of quarter pound pork! :))

Photo from: http://www.lastappetite.com/eating-japanese-food-like-a-complete-jackass/


For dinner, we ate at the professors' cafeteria. This time, I met another female grad student who is staying in Anam where she's doing her lab duties. She hardly spoke English but she is able to understand me anyway. We became friends from then on. ^^ After dinner, we went to Coffee Bean (I was about to go straight to the lab when an oppa told me to follow them at CBTL --- I don't want to buy an expensive coffee for now please T__T") and yey me! - It was Changhong oppa's treat for everyone! Cafe Mocha on the house! ^^,

I Shopped at Jochiwon Traditional Market

It's a Sunday! I feel so lazy and the weather seemed so cold! I got up and stayed longer in bed. LAZY DAY, magnetic bed, ZzZzZzZz...


I decided to get up and do some laundry.


I finished by 2:00pm and went to the downtown to attend the 3:00pm mass at the Jochiwon Catholic Church. By 4:00pm, the mass ended and I decided to go around and look for some stuff I might need to use in the dormitory. I went around the traditional market and looked at some shops that sold clothes and accessories. After several shops, I ended up in this one that I always found to have a lot of customers. So I got in. No wonder they always had a lot of people because the clothes were so affordable! And they are of good quality, mind you. Just be careful and choose wisely cos they also have really nice designs! Simple yet durable and posh! ^^, I ended up buying 2 thick jackets, a long hoodie, a "posh" sweater, and a couple more collared blouses that cost me 62,500 krw! LOL. And because I took long in the store, I even made friends with the lady assisting me and the older one. Both hardly spoke English and so we made use of sign languages. LOL. Jin Xiang Xian was from China and I remembered some Chinese I learned in highschool. So I asked her name and she was glad to know that I knew a bit of Mandarin. She only spoke Hangeul, Mandarin, and some Japanese but poorly in English. She was so eager to know me even if we hardly understood each other and we had fun trying to express each other's ideas. We even exchanged mobile numbers to keep in touch (I wonder though how we are going to text each other with that huge language barrier. LOL). She was so excited and we found out I'm a year older than her, so I called her "dong saeng" while she happily called me "unni". I got my stuff with a huge discounted price, by the way, cos the ladies were amused by me even if we didn't understand each other that much. I simply asked if there was a discount since I was buying a lot and the older lady (whom I started calling "unni" as well), even taught me to say "kack-a-ju-sae-yo" - which means, to lower the price please... ^^,

I went out carrying a huge plastic bag then. I went to Daiso to buy a broom and other stuff I needed at the dorm. Then another plastic bag came with me. I also needed an iron and a hair blower so I went back to the first store where I bought my stuff weeks ago. An old man was the one in charge this time. By the time I paid, he gave me a potpourri too! And a points card. Because of the points card, I now know the name of that store --- Living Mart Corporation (Li-bing-ma-keu). ^^,

Three bags with me and they're starting to get really heavy. If I walk to the campus, wow...That's a long walk! I remembered that the free campus bus would pick up near the train station starting 5:00pm. It was almost 6 already and so I decided to take the free bus ride. Before going up the overpass, I bought some oranges from an old lady who was offering me to buy. And again, I used "hankook mal jal mot heyo" to let her know I can't speak and just said "Ku-de hakseng" which meant that I'm a student at Korea University. kkk...^^

By the time I reached the campus, I decided to drop my stuff first at the dorm. Seeing the dust on the floor, I decided to sweep the room! I wonder when was the last time this was cleaned. @_@

1900h

I went to the lab and found out that MJ, John and Kiko were already having dinner. I gave them some orange and they invited me to join them for dinner. They were having budochige! One of my favorites! And they had an extra rice too! So my dinner for that night was free and "belly-fulfilling"!!! LOL.

Til my next blog! - Cathianne c",)

Itaewon: The Unplanned Photowalk

It sometimes takes some courage to find things out by yourself. Yesterday, I simply had the perfect time to go on a leisure trip to a place I've never been. Another just-go-with-my-instincts-since-I-got-no-map impromptu trip! And that definitely was one of the most exciting trips I've done so far even just with myself and my beloved Daniella. ^^

02 March 2011

Let me start again from my first hour routine on a Saturday morning.

0610h

I rushed to the bus station in front of the campus. I almost thought that I would miss the bus but I arrived and was able to buy my ticket for 6,500 krw by 6:15.

The usual travel route starts with the bus in front of Korea University Sejong Campus at Jochiwon. For an hour and a half, I was on the bus. I needed to finish some readings since we were going to have a quiz in my afternoon class and I haven't finished studying half of it yet. For the first 25 minutes, I was reading in the bus. I never got dizzy at all! To think that I usually feel dizzy whenever I ride any vehicle and start reading even some text messages on a cellular phone! But it's different here, the bus simply has that smooth ride that I don't feel any dizziness at all. Just drowsiness because it's still too early! LOL.

0745h

The bus must have gone a notch faster since we arrived 5 minutes ahead of schedule at the Express Bus Terminal Station. I felt cold when I got off the bus and I badly needed something to keep me awake. I felt like I was sleep walking. So I rushed to get in the building to get warm and looked for a vendo machine to get me some coffee. I remembered the cappuccino in can that my classmate gave me last Tuesday, it was warm and all the while I thought that the Maxwell coffee-in-can that I saw at one vendo machine was the same, warm. But poor me, it was not! I needed a warm drink!

I saw a convenience store and what seemed to look like a heater that contained some Starbucks coffee and other brands that come in bottles. Ah! There it is! The warm coffee! And so I bought one, Cantata, and to my shock, it was 2,000 krw! The Maxwell in can was just 700 krw! T___T" I paid it with my T-money instead.

I walked my way towards Subway Line 3, used my T-money to get in and waited for the subway to reach Yaksu Station. At Yaksu, I almost exited the subway! I was obviously still half asleep! LOL. I literally laughed at myself and finally woke up at the thought that I almost went to the wrong way. I transfered to Line 6 to reach Anam Station.

0820h

I got off the subway and I remembered Exit 4. So there I went out at Anam Station Exit 4. Remembering the intersection, I would usually turn right to go to the main campus of Korea University. But while walking, I noticed that I passed by Etude House and I have never seen it before despite the fact that I have been going to and from Anam campus for several Saturdays already, and Tuesdays, of course but on another building (the other side of the road where I take another exit). Then I started walking backwards since the route seemed longer than I thought and I can't find Seoul Kitchen Cafe, the landmark to reach the gate going towards the Biotechnology Building. Ahemmmm... This seems wrong. Then I remembered, "Oh yeah! Exit 4 is the exit I take for my Tuesday route!". LOL. So I went back the subway and crossed the street.

Now, I was in the familiar route. I saw a pigeon on the rode, brought out "Daniella" and started shooting. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out my name. It was MJ oppa with his cup of warm Starbucks coffee. We walked together uphill towards our building where we would be having our first period class at 9:00.

1215h

We were dismissed and I decided to check out the Grazie cafeteria at the basement. It was open! I ordered again the same sandwich (doughnut shaped-bread / "soft" bagel with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and ham) for 3,000 krw. While eating, I was also reading. I started to feel sleepy again so I bought some chocolate Kisses. A dozen costs 1,000 krw! I only wanted a pair of them but that's how they were sold. Take it or leave it. So I took them and gave a pair to the lady in charge of the cafeteria. LOL.

1330h

The afternoon class started. At least this time, my eyes were not drooping anymore unlike last week where I could hardly keep my eyes open. LOL. The class was supposed to end at 4:30pm but our professor dismissed us by 4:00.

1600h

MJ oppa had something to do and he thought I wanted to go back to Jochiwon early, so I went ahead. Along the road, I met my morning class professor and told him that I'm having a hard time with the pop questions since I've never had a background in that subject. We took the subway but he got off a few stations ahead of me and since he knew I wanted to go sight-seeing, he bid me farewell and enjoyment for the trip I was about to have.

1635h

Finally! I'm exiting Itaewon Subway! Since I had no map on hand and reading the T-map on my phone would sometimes take much time and might even lead me to small accidents like getting bumped along the busy streetsides of Itaewon, I asked for some tips from SK through Kakaotalk. He told me to check out the Ankara Picnic just right outside Exit 3 if I wanted good kebab and see the Islam Palace just a few blocks down the road. He sent me a photo from google map but it hardly had any information of the places.

I read the signs and saw that Itaewon Subway Exit 4 would lead me to the market. It caught my eyes and seemed to be more interesting than the ones written on Exit 3. So I decided to go for Exit 4 first. Anyhow, if I lose my way I can just go back to the subway and reroute again. LOL. As I got out of Exit 4, I saw more pigeons! They were all on the ground pecking at some crackers thrown by some passers-by. They didn't scatter despite my coming near them as I kept taking their photos. The lady vendor nearby was starting to get irritated since the pigeons were starting to get closer to her, as if she had the food they wanted to eat. So she shooed them with her stick. LOL.

I walked straight ahead on the sidewalk from then on. I saw McDonald's! I saw more familiar stores like Merrel... And I saw SUBWAY! My favorite sandwich store! I'm gonna come back for it next time. I only had enough money that day for a kebab and some extra for "emergency landings" (like getting lost). LOL.

I saw a sign that says "Art Gallery" and so I followed it. Near the end of the street, there is the "Welcome to Itaewon" sign over the road with the stoplights. At the corner of the streetside where I was standing, there was also a stage that had some portrait images with an invitation to have your photos taken there. I took some shots around that area and some Caucasian guy approached me and asked if I was an amateur photographer. He was creepy though cos he was being rude and asked if I wanted to take his nude photos! YUCK! How dare he! I simply and nicely told him, "No, I don't want." Then when I walked away, a few minutes after, he followed me and told me he has a big van (offering me a ride or something). Scary and freaky dude! I declined it of course! Then I decided to zigzag my way through a small alley so that he won't be able to follow me anymore.

In that alley, I saw an art gallery. The walls so colorful that I couldn't help but take lots of photos in that area. Just perfect! A few steps from the gallery on the other corner, there is a cafe and gallery shop. It is a great place for artists and art enthusiasts! The place itself, I cannot explain in words, I just find it so amusing! It gave a warm look despite the cold wind, the coziness, the puzzly-like way to go through it, the shades and shapes that can mesmerize the eyes, the playful spirit of that little corner...every bit of that place spelled F-U-N! Relaxing but energetic! It's so ironic in itself! *___* I'd love to go back to that place again. GALLERY GOLMOK --- bold, fierce, welcoming, blissful, inviting. ^^,

After the tour around that cozy area, I decided to go further and explore more of the small sidestreets and hidden alleys, the market along the main rode was not the only market at all! There's more! More shops, more fashion, more stuff to bewilder the eyes of the shopaholics! LOL. I wasn't there to shop though, window shopping probably, but more of canvassing and sight-familiarization. ^^

I saw cafes and some small restaurants along the way. Then I saw a huge building with an irregularly designed geometric shape. It looked so fabulously sun-stricken that I could not resist having "Dee" take her best shots! I went around it and found out that it was the Art Hall. I didn't know if it was open though and it seemed that I wouldn't have enough time if I'd go in and tour the place. So I decided to just take photos of it's magnificent exterior then. I was back on the highway and along the sidewalk, an old man was walking with his bike that read some sign. He also had some recordings played with his bike's speaker and all I could understand was "Kristu". He's probably a Christian too and it seemed like some proclamation being announced.

I went on and turned right, back to the street where I started the straight, long walk from the subway. I decided to cross the rode and check out the other side. This time, I was feeling it. THE FOOD! Good dining restaurants from everywhere! American, Italian, Mexican, Indian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai ---- there were so many of them and I couldn't help but take more photos of the place! I even stumbled over a restaurant that say's they're 100% vegan! Something to remember, I took a photo of it cos I plan to try it out. LOL.

I was hoping to find a Filipino restaurant and I would have eaten there even if it would cost more than my budget. I simply miss Pinoy food! Adobo, binagoongan, kare-kare, menudo, tinola, kilawin, laing --- "ohhh now I'm so hungry just thinking of them!". I walked on, more shots and saw even more pubs for soju and magkeolli lovers, clubbers and party-goers. Hmmm...^^,

When I reached the intersection and crossed the road, right at the corner was Dubai Restuarant.Outside it, an Indian-looking ice cream man was putting on a show for his customers. I went to see and took some photos as he flipped his scoop of ice cream upside down for several times and the ice cream never fell! He even made me part of the audience and pulled some tricky stunt on me by offering me the ice cream and getting it back up with his long stick. (I wasn't able to buy though, I didn't feel like eating anything cold since I was already hungry. But I'll be coming back for that next time!).

I remembered that the famous or must-try kebab at Ankara Picnic is just right outside Exit 3. I recalled getting out of Exit 4 so I decided to go back down the subway to look for Exit 3. When I got out of Exit 3, I simply couldn't help but laugh at myself because I was already walking along the side of Exit 3 before I went back to the Exit 4 stairway. LOL. From then on, I walked and saw ATM machines where I can finally use my BDO atm card! Also, there's a Western Union but I wasn't sure how the transactions would go since there was no officer since it was a Saturday. At least, now I know that there's that! ^^,

I saw a sign that pointed to the Catholic Church and I followed it. By the time I reached the church, it was already 6:30pm and the anticipated mass has already began. I saw the schedule outside and it read 6:00pm during Saturdays. Too bad, I took photos of the place instead and walked back to look for Ankara Picnic. I was already about to give up and ask the ice cream guy where Ankara Picnic is since I've been passing the same corner twice already. Then I decided to walk on and go near Exit 3. And amazingly, Anakara Picnic is just to the right of the Exit! I didn't notice it because there were so many people literally queuing just to buy the kebab! It definitely looked like a box office hit movie! So I followed towards the end of the line to order the so-called "delicious kebab" for 4,000 krw. The foreigners in front of me ordered like 17 kebabs! Wow! By the time I got my turn to order, I tried the LAMB KEBAB - and I had the spicy one, of course. ^^, In the small place, the kebab store had some free magazines and a map!!! I finally have a map to go with! Wooot! Thanks to Ankara Picnic! What a way to complete my day. But nope, my day isn't over yet! When I got out of the store, I saw some women having their autograph signed by some foreigner. I don't recognize the beautiful lady but I asked her permission if I can take some photos of them. LOL.

I walked back again and looked for the Islam Palace. Around that area, there you'd see the "LITTLE INDIA" of Seoul! They had their own bakery and a variety of stores, too. At the palace, I went up and took several photos. It was located on a hilltop that from there, you can see an overview of Itaewon. Probably if I went on top of the building, if it were possible, it would have given a way better view of Itaewon. I also wanted to see the inside of the palace but I didn't dare to cos it seemed inappropriate and there seemed to be only men inside since I never saw a woman come out of it. I took photos of the exteriors then.

I remembered the art gallery again and a lady back in the gallery shop, Suyoung, told me that there's going to be a show at 6:00pm. It was past 7 already but I knew they that it was the opening night of the exhibit. When I got to the place, I saw the artist, Eric Scott Nelson. I took some photos of the exhibit and had a good conversation with the artist. He was the person whom I've been using as my subject and background earlier in the afternoon while I was taking photos from the gallery shop! He is a very entertaining and funny guy and he talked a lot. LOL.

Now it was almost 8:00, I had to head back home to catch the 9:10 pm train to Jochiwon at the Seoul Station.

2010h

Back in the subway.

2035h

I reached Seoul Station. I walked towards the ticket booth and bought myself a train ticket. I was hoping to get the no-seat ticket so it would be cheaper and planned on seating at the cafeteria instead. But there were still a lot of seats left! Ohhh..So my train ticket cost 8,100 krw.

2100h

I went to Platform No. 4, went in the 3rd car and sat at my reserved seat, 46. I set my phone to alarm at 10:35 pm just in case I would fall asleep in the train. LOL.

Til my next adventure!!! -cathianne c",)