The walk to the Korea Embassy took years.
Just as I was about to get off at the Newton MRT Station, I suddenly felt like running back and hide behind my boring but secure past. An uncertain future is like a thousand-ton weights weighing down on my mind and trying to bring me to my knees. I resisted succumbing to a weak mind because there was no turning back for me. My next step can only be forward. Nonetheless, my steps were heavy and so was my breath.
Goldbell Towers, where the Korea Embassy is located, stood majestically a short distance away from the station's exit. I found my way to the Consular Section, located at the fifth level of the building. The operating hours for the Consular Section is between 9am and 12noon and on weekdays only.
I presented the following items to the Consular's staff for my visa's application:
1. A completed visa application form
2. One passport photograph
3. One photocopy of my Certificate of Admission
4. A study confirmation letter issued by NUS Extension
5. My passport
6. S$80 visa application fee
3 days later, I received my D-2 Student Visa nicely pasted on my passport. There are not many days left before I depart. This shall be the start of a new beginning for me.
며칠 안 남았는데 짐과 맘도 챙겨야겠다. 이제부터 지나간 일들을 다시 돌아보지 않겠다. 쉬운 일이 아니더라도 앞으로만 바라봐야겠다. 힘내!
Just as I was about to get off at the Newton MRT Station, I suddenly felt like running back and hide behind my boring but secure past. An uncertain future is like a thousand-ton weights weighing down on my mind and trying to bring me to my knees. I resisted succumbing to a weak mind because there was no turning back for me. My next step can only be forward. Nonetheless, my steps were heavy and so was my breath.
Goldbell Towers, where the Korea Embassy is located, stood majestically a short distance away from the station's exit. I found my way to the Consular Section, located at the fifth level of the building. The operating hours for the Consular Section is between 9am and 12noon and on weekdays only.
I presented the following items to the Consular's staff for my visa's application:
1. A completed visa application form
2. One passport photograph
3. One photocopy of my Certificate of Admission
4. A study confirmation letter issued by NUS Extension
5. My passport
6. S$80 visa application fee
3 days later, I received my D-2 Student Visa nicely pasted on my passport. There are not many days left before I depart. This shall be the start of a new beginning for me.며칠 안 남았는데 짐과 맘도 챙겨야겠다. 이제부터 지나간 일들을 다시 돌아보지 않겠다. 쉬운 일이 아니더라도 앞으로만 바라봐야겠다. 힘내!
1401: Introduction of Judges
1410: First Session of Ten Contestants
1615: Performance by Korean Singer - Lee An
Anyway, among the speeches made, there were two which I listened with interest. The first was made by Contestant 17. She taught the audience 3 methods of getting free food in Korea. In order to understand why I find her topic interesting, one must first understand Singaporean's mentality. Our government has on many occasions painstakingly educated its fellow citizens that there is no such thing as free lunches and if you want something, you will have to pay for it. As such, we have to pay for 반찬 in some Korean restaurants in Singapore. So if you tell Singaporeans that there are freebies, most of our eyes will light up. To Singaporeans, free things are just simply 신기해요!
Here are 3 methods which I have noted:
He is a Korean American, born in Thailand but grew up in US. Life has not been kind to him; he grew up in the shadow of a broken family. He started learning Korean so that he could re-discover his Korean roots and better understand his motherland.
Congratulations to all the prize winners.
Today, a speed post from Korea arrived. My feeling was mixed as I was opening the envelope. I knew what was inside because I was expecting it. Somehow I wish it can arrive much later in my life - like when I am 60 years old, retired and have no more responsibility and liability. But the reality has come, so I must go. I guess its destiny beckoning. 운명이라서 어쩔 수 없고요.
Today, a registered mail from the Singapore Korean School arrived at my house. It turned out to be my TOPIK Certificate. The certificate shows a slightly different score from what I previously thought. My Vocab and Grammar Section is actually 84 and not 83 marks. As a result, my average is indeed 70 marks as what I heard over the phone the other day. It's a pity that my Writing Section didn't make it pass 50 marks or I will be hitting the roof with joy. I can't say that I am not disappointed but at the same time, I am also thankful that success doesn't come quick and fast. It seems like Grade 4 will still remain a dream, at least for another year. However, my next year target shall be Grade 5 pass. Can I do it? Yes, I can! ^^
Kang Ma-ae, the maestro in the MBC drama "Beethoven Virus" (베토벤 바이러스), is a phenomenon these days in Korea. He hold no punches when he speaks. He accepts nothing but the best. He stays true to his ideals and does not allow anything to stand in between he and his passion. By being himself, he comes across as somebody who is arrogant, self-centred and downright insensitive. But all these have nothing to do with his popularity. He is a phenomenon simply because his character is inspirational. He brings out the courage in people to pursue their passion. For his portrayal of Kang Ma-ae, actor Kim Myeong-min was bestowed the most prestigious Grand Award at the recent Korea Drama Festival Awards.
I finally got to know my TOPIK results after making an international call to the TOPIK customer hotline. I cannot contain my excitement when my results was read out over the phone. I was first told that my average is 70 marks (almost). It caused me to skip a heart-beat because that average is just enough for a Level 4 Pass. But shortly, I was told I obtained a Level 3 Pass. I kinda knew at that moment my Writing Section probably didn't make pass the 50-mark boundary. For verification sake, I requested for each section's marks to be read out. My hunch was confirmed. My Writing Section is one mark shy of 50 and I am also just one mark shy of Level 4 Pass. To obtain a Level 4 Pass, I need an average of 70 marks & above and each section must be 50 marks & above. Nevertheless, I am still feeling ecstatic from my high Level 3 Pass because last year this time, I was told I failed TOPIK Intermediate.
Comparing with last year results, I made improvement in all sections. My two best sections last year, Vocabulary & Grammar and Listening, improve by 7 marks each. My Writing Section improves by 11 marks but still remains the worst. The best improvement I made is in my Reading Section. It improves by a surprising 27 marks. I knew I am going to do well in this section but the extent of improvement still caught me by surprise. I recognise that I have made good improvement in this TOPIK but I am still far from good. There is a lot more to improve for both my writing and speaking. My speaking is probably the worst of all even though it was not tested. I think it is time to fix them.