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! ~^^

Budaechigae Bokkeumbap and Buzzer Beating Ride

03 May 2011


It was our first ppt presentation in Hydrosystems Engineering for our individual term project. So far, my report went well. After the class, I decided to have lunch with Lee Min Ho oppa since the other guys had to finish some TA work. Only Min Ho oppa was gearing up for lunch and I was also hungry already! I've always liked 부대찌게 so he brought me to this restaurant that specializes in 부대찌게.


The specialty of the house: Budaechigae 부대찌게 - 볶음밥 Bokkeumbap


Min Ho oppa is majoring in Transportation Engineering and it was good that he tries his best to speak in English even if he finds it hard. He even paid for my lunch! It was a really good lunch!!! ^^,


After lunch, he taught me the way back to the subway station (since I'm very unfamiliar with the area, the campus is really big and I can still get lost in it! LOL).


~Buzzer Beater Again~


By the time I got to the train ticket office, the ticket lady sold me a train ticket to Jochiwon which is 5 minutes prior to departure time (1320h)! I was already thinking of taking the next trip which is about an hour from then but she just smiled back at me when I saw the time and asked "Can I still make it?". She told me the platform number and I ran as fast as I could to make it to the train.


Got in the train within three minutes! Whew! Buzzer beater, almost! I was breathing deeply as I headed straight to the toilet, exhausted with my huge "explorer backpack". LOL.

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.

Insa-dong and Hyehwa

23-24 April 2011


Sidetrippin' and Sleepin' Over at SNU


My class in Anam campus ended at 4:00 pm. I was excited despite my tired self because I'm about to go on a photowalk! My detox time! ^^


I reached Hyehwa station by 5:00 pm and there I met Tin!


Just when we were about to go back to her dormitory to leave my huge bag, we saw a performance across the street. So we decided to go see it! Several people were dressed in white with red, yellow and blue designs on the shoulder area and they were going around in circles while playing drums and many other instruments! It was the Traditional Korean Music and it was out of plan but making this sidetrip even more its worth! ^^


After the mini event was over, I had a mini tour of Seoul National University - Hyehwa and went to Tin's dormitory to leave my backpack.


1800 h


Antique Shops Lined the Street
We went around Insa-dong. It was full of antique shops and stores that sold small stuff like trinkets and just about any kind of souvenir for foreigners. The main street already had some lamps displayed as preparation for the Buddha festival. A lot of stores sold statues of Buddha as well and the deeper we went, the more antique shops we saw. Some of the store owners were kind enough to let us take photos of their displays. ^^


Traditional Korean Dessert
On our way back, we went to some booth that sold the traditional Korean dessert made of honey. At the first store, we watched four guys recite in Korean, describing their product and showing customers how the dessert is made. The second store was more entertaining cos the four guys recited in English and the "lead" even knew about the Philippines' SMB and kept repeating "San Miguel Beer, delicious!" LOL. We were waiting for free samples, too bad there were none! Hahah! It was fascinating to see how the "dough" separated into multiple strings - starting from one, two, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 ... and on it went until 16,384!


1930 h


Dinner at the best 토포키 place!


Menu: topokki with cheese, THE PIZZA, ramyeon and the free unlimited icecreeeeeam!
The pizza is to die for! I just gotta get back to that place and indeed, they had the best cheezy topokki! The chocolate icecream even had the hint of mint! ^^


The place has a very warm and inviting ambiance and it looked like a kindergarten classroom-turned-restaurant. ^^


We enjoyed the food so much that we realized how long we stayed ~ we wrapped up dinner for more than an hour! LOL.


Before we left, the restaurant owner asked where we came from and told us that he's a fan of Pacman! KEWL! ^^
love to go back again for the pizza, kindergarten ambience, cute pizza baker, really nice store owner :))


2100 h


Catholic Church at Hyehwa
We went to hear mass at the Catholic church and right after the mass, we each got a pair of Easter eggs! LOL.


2200 h


Photowalk at the University Street
If Manila has it's U-belt, Hyehwa has the counterpart. The place is also surrounded by numerous universities and is known as the "university street". After burning off some calories from walking, we went to a nearby hof for a round of Max beer and samgyeopsal! LOL. Yes, we foodtripped! That was one of the restaurants that served delicious kimchi so far, the second in my list. ^^ 


0130 h
Just before we headed back to Tin's dormitory, I did my trademark pose just outside the hof.LOL. c",)

Detoxicating Sidetrips to Myeongdong and Yeouido

19 April 2011


We were dismissed a bit earlier from class today! And I've set my afternoon to meet up with my "lost sister", Tin!!! We're going on a sidetrip! YeaaaaahhhH!


1300h
I met up with Tin at Myeongdong station. It took less than 30 minutes by subway to reach Myeongdong station from Anam. I was too excited that I didn't even feel hungry. I just had some crackers with me for a light snack. ^^


We took Exit 2 and reached the Myeongdong main street. I needed a smart casual / formal dress for the symposium I have to attend on Friday. And what a perfect place to shop indeed and a lot of stuff are sold at quite cheap prices! You just have to be really good in scouting for the good quality clothes! Dresses, blouses, tees for under 10,000 won! After going through several shops, I finally found two dresses that I couldn't decide which one to pick, so I bought both! ^^


Then we went around and about the alleys where there are lots of beauty stores. Salesladies were in costumes and greeted passersby happily and handed out free samples and requested people to go in even just for window shopping! Because of that, my jacket pocket immediately got filled up with the free samples as we passed by 4 to 5 different shops! ^^


In the middle of the streets, we'd often meet some mascots from the various stores and restaurants. We even saw Snoopy and the weird distorted-looking Garfield! Hahah! But the best one was the street artist. We were inside Faceshop when suddenly, as I looked out, I saw a very tall man walking and was in full "clown"-look and the long red trousers. Tin dropped what she was about to buy and decided to go out with me to run after the tall man to take photos! Oh yes, we were in the place to take photos primarily, canvassing and shopping only came second. LOL.


It was quite an interesting view of Myeondong having a street artist in the middle of the road showing off his balloon art skills and even made a lollipop-shaped balloon for a little girl who was all eyes on him as she waited for her balloon (like she was waiting forever in vain...LOL).


Before we headed to the subway, we passed by a stall and saw stockings being sold for 3 for 10,000 won (it sounded like 3 for P100 -- no.1 rule though, never convert currencies!).


1400h
We went back to the subway to go to Yeouido. After around 30 minutes, we were already in Yeouido. We took Exit 4 and walked straight to Yeouido Park hoping that the cherry blossoms, our main goal for the day's sidetrip, are still in full bloom. Just before we crossed the street, we passed by a cozy coffee booth that had a very warm and inviting ambiance.^^


The Cherry Blossom Festival at Yeouido ended last Sunday unfortunately. We were not able to see the festivities and the many people that filled the park. As we reached the par, we were a bit disappointed since there is not that much cherry blossoms anymore. As we stolled along, we took photos of the stikingly pink flowers that adorned the sides of the pathwalks. We walked on until we reached the center of the park where we saw two full blooming cherry blossoms! That's were we did our photoshoot! LOL.


While filling up our cameras with photos of people, passersby, flowers, the view and the cherry blossoms especially, we saw a Chinese-Korean family with a very cute bouncing baby girl who was lying with her belly flat on the ground as her dad was enjoying the moment and took photos of his daughter. I couldn't resist the baby so I asked permission from the family if I can take photos of the baby as well. And where the baby was sitting, it was such a perfect pose and the background were the cherry blossoms as well! ^^ The baby kept smiling and laughing as Tin and I playfully took photos of her! ^^


1600h
Time's up and I had to go back to Jochiwon already. Sidetrip is over and Tin and I had to part ways as we reached the Seoul station. As I reached the ticket office, I made it just in time to ride the train which was about to leave in a few minutes! LOL. The train departed at 1643h and I reached Jochiwon by 1812h. And to save time, I rode the free campus bus that passed by the train station at 1827h.


Tune in for my next sidetrip! c",)

Typical Seoul Saturday

My first period class is Reaction Engineering. This is the course that I need to do a lot of catching up cos I never had this subject in college. During the class, our professor discussed only a few topics for today's lecture since he was not feeling well and decided to ask us to present the progress of our term project! Oh snap! I didn't bring a hard copy of my report, I just emailed it to him but he at least have already read my email. Still, I'm not prepared to present and I was still uneasy with the topic I'm working on cos understanding the equations and all were already taking much of my time in preparing the report! T___T" MJ oppa presented first and he was followed by KH oppa. Next was me! Oh no! Before the presentation, I scribbled all that I could remember from what I've emailed and the papers I've read. When I stood in front of the class, our professor who was just seated at the teacher's table on the side transfered in one of the nearby seats in front and was smiling at me as I was about to start! T___T" It made my feet colder! It was supposed to be a warm day but - dang! I was chillin' literally! So I started presenting and babbled whatever came out of my mind. The professor was so kind enough to guide me with the topic and offered suggestions as to how I can approach the project better! Whew! BIG WHEW indeed! It was "good" and as I walked back to my seat, MJ oppa made a silent clapping action. I smiled back and told him I didn't come prepared at all! And so was he! LOL.


After the class, I had lunch with MJ oppa and Badboi at the cafeteria below the gym. I had bibimbap again! I'm starting to feel like it's becoming my comfort food here! LOL. At lunch, I asked Badboi what his report was all about cos at first he started presenting in English and eventually spoke in Korean in order to express better and all I could figure out was that he drew on the board a stick drawing of a man and something with four legs. It was about some medicine concentration and that's all I understood. Then they explained to me that it was about a lab rat experiment on the concentration of medicine and the class was laughing at the topic. I was guessing the whole time what they were laughing about and I wanted to laugh back then at the fact that I didn't understand what they were laughing at and the drawing on the board. LOL.


My afternoon class was postponed to 3:30 PM cos Prof.JY had an emergency. I wanted to go see the flower festival at Yeouido but it seemed that this won't be a good time cos my class will end late. T___T"


1840h: I was walking out of the Anam gate and got a call from my professor asking where I was. So I hurried to the subway and there we met to take the subway together. At the subway we also met Tekken oppa but he was headed to another destination. My professor and I went to the Seoul Station and bought our train tickets. So there, I bought my ticket to Jochiwon and professor was headed to his hometown. Dang...I can't see the flower festival anymore T___T"


1920h: The train left for Jochiwon and I stayed at the cafeteria car again cos the seats were all taken. I plugged my earphones to my ears, sat on the carpeted floor, leaned on the wall and slept in the trip. ~~


2058h: Now in Jochiwon station! I went to my favorite kimbap restaurant and ordered 치즈라면 (Cheese Ramyeon) for a change - hahah! And to satisfy my cravings for something sweet, I was thinking of oranges but when I got to Buy The Way, there was no orange and all I can find to suspend my cravings was the Hershey's Roasted Almond Veil ice cream bar! Even if it was cold, I had ice cream! LOL.

치즈라면: cheesy, milky, creamy, spicy - YUMMY! ^^

Satisfaction Accomplished! ~~

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",)

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",)

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",)