귀국

The airport limousine bus left Cheongnyangni at 3:15pm. On its way to airport, it took me through the familiar roads of Jongno, Ewha, Sinchon and Hongdae. My heart was reluctant to leave.

Once the bus hit the expressway leaving Seoul behind, flashback started. It wasn't a flashback of the last nine months but last four years. There was a sense of accomplishment but no sadness. Even that, my eyes were still damp.

At Incheon Airport, check-in and security check was swift and smooth. I looked at my alien registration card for the last time before surendering it. More than an hour later, my flight left the runway into the night sky.

6hr 20min later, after two and a half movies and a late night dinner, the flight touched down at Changi Airport Terminal 3. It was early in the morning and I have come home to a new life that is awaiting me. I am excited to be back for Chuseok.

Using the airport's free wireless while waiting to check in

Waiting at Gate 124 in Incheon Airport

Arrived at Terminal 3 in the early morning

송별회

I didn't get many farewell treats because I was quite reluctant to inform all my friends and teachers that I am leaving. All in all, I had 4 treats although I was only expecting probably one. I really like to thank all my friends who made the effort to meet up with me.

Long after saying my last goodbye, one thought continued to linger in my mind. "Will we ever meet again?"

I think we will and I am thinking very hard ...

Last farewell treat at Iguana Deli House in Daehangno

Last coffee treat at Jubilee Chocolatier, also in Daehangno

이별 준비

It's time for me to prepare to leave Korea. I want to be home before Chuseok.

Preparation started with emptying of all cupboards and cabinets. All my belongings which I no longer need were packed into a luggage.

Then, it was off to post office to 'EMS' (express mail service) back my pile of books and notes. Post office here is impressively efficient. There was no queue and the staff gave me a lot of help in packing my box. My box came up to 13.5kg and the mailing cost was 60,200won. A few hours later, it went up a plane bound for home.

Next, all unwanted items were separated into those which are to be disposed and those to be given away. For items to be discarded, I put them into white disposal bags before dumping them at the rubbish collection point. As for the books which are to be given away, I dropped them off at 'Areumtaun Shop' (아름다운 가게) for recycling. I also donated away one bag of 'almost worthless' 1-won and 10-won coins at the shop. My unwanted clothing and shoes were dropped into a collection chute at one corner of a street.

After which, my room was given a good clean up. From floor to table to cupboard and cabinets, all were given a thorough scrub. The toilet was also scrubbed clean. Toilet bowl was washed and disinfected. Hairs clogging up the strainer were cleared. Toilet mirror and glass panels were also wiped clean.

Finally, water melon skins and apple cores which were kept inside the fridge were cleared away. They had been kept frozen so that I could accumulate enough food waste to fill up one orange disposal bag (every bag costs money). Then, the fridge's power supply was disconnected and left to defrost. Water formed was subsequently wiped dry

My room is now clean and tidy, all ready to be handed back. After living in the same room for 9 months, I see it as my own room and not a rented unit. I can’t bear to leave a mess behind for other to clean up.

알게 된 한국

There are many things I have come to know about Korea after living on this land for almost a year. Instead of writing about big and important things, I wish only to write about something trivial and insignificant or should I say my simple life in Korea.

1. Underpasses don't go underground, they go straight. Roads are built over underpasses instead of underpasses going underground beneath the roads.

2. The button at the traffic light is not meant to activate the green man. Instead, it activates voice assistance which is meant to help visually handicapped cross the road safely.

3. There is no need to give detailed information when approached by people for direction. It is adequate to point in the right direction and say "쭉 가세요" (go straight). Because anyway, Korean will ask the next person at the next corner for direction again.

4. The word 'complex' (콤플렉스) in Konglish doesn't mean complicated or shopping complex. It means lack of confident. For example, 'face complex' (얼굴 콤플렉스) means lack of confident in one's look.

5. Patbingsu (red bean ice) is more expensive than ice cream. A tub of ice cream can be bought for 3,000won or less but a bowl of patbingsu can cost 5,000won or more. Depending on how you look at it, ice is pricier than ice cream.

6. Stock prices rise is indicated by red up arrowhead while drop is shown by green down arrowhead. I thought this is an ingenious way of warning people to prepare for drop while the stock prices increase and stay calm while the prices ditch.

7. There are more Dunkin' Donuts outlets than McDonald here. As Dunkin' Donuts like to take up corner units for their outlets, in some way, you can say there is one Dunkin' Donuts at 'every corner'.

8. Ajumma won't sell her crispy and tasty 'pajeon' (fried pancake) if you refuse to buy 'dong dong ju' (a type of rice wine) from her. What I want to say here is pay for the 'dong dong ju' even if you don't drink because the 'pajeon' is so delicious here.

먹고 놀고 자고

Ate this bowl of '윈톤' (dumpling) in a Chinese eating house in Samcheongdong yesterday. 5,000won for 8 small ball of dumplings was kinda expensive. But then, not many things are cheap in Samcheongdong. Perhaps I should have tried their 'Tianjin Baozi' which seemed more value for money (Baozi is bigger in size).

After lunch, it was Caramel Frappe at a small coffee stall opposite.

Yesterday dinner was a treat at a Chinese restaurant called 'Shangri-la' near to KHU's main gate. A very expensive treat I must say. The bill came up to 120,000won for 3 persons. I felt indebted.

After-dinner coffee at 'If' cafe was on me. My Caramel Macchiato came with a free slice of sweet potato cake.

'Feasting' continues this afternoon. The above dish is called '콩불'. The dish came with a heap of crunchy 콩나물 (bean sprouts) and a handsome serving of juicy 'samgyeopsal' slices.

This afternoon ended with an ice cream treat at Cold Stone Creamery. The above green tea ice-cream mix is called 'Green Envy'. Don't 'envy' me, get yourself a 'Green Envy' too and don't forget that waffle. 맛있어^^

고사장

Last Sunday was the 16th TOPIK examination and I was not one of the candidates. Nevertheless, I was as excited as any candidate who took the exam because I know how it feels since I have been through it twice.

Since I didn't take the exam, I can't comment about the exam itself. What I want to write about is the happenings at and around the examination venue which in Seoul is KHU. A visit to KHU on Sunday gave me a glimpse of the exam culture in Korea.

First, there was hawker selling walnut cookies outside the school. Koreans believe that walnut can improve brain power, so it is not that surprising seeing a make-shift stall selling walnut cookie on an exam day.

Then, there were those business-savvy ajummas who were making quick bucks peddling some really expensive black marker pen and correction tape (3,000won per set) inside the exam hall while candidates were busy checking their exam room at the notice board. Black marker pen and correction tape are stationery required for the exam.

Finally, book stall was also set up outside the exam hall selling TOPIK's revision and assessment books (10,000 - 15,000won). It is a 'sure-kill' since many people will definitely need to re-take the exam again. The books were indeed selling like hot cakes. Very few books were left for picking at the end of the day.

TOPIK is quite a major exam in Seoul. Two blocks of buildings in KHU have to be used to accommodate all the candidates. Chinese students came literally in busloads to take the exam. Then, there was teacher who came to give moral support to her students and eager parents and friends waiting outside the exam hall.

What I saw last Sunday contrasts starkly with my previous experience. Anyway, I wish everyone, who took the exam, good luck when it comes to 4th November 2009. It shall be my turn when it comes Nov 2010. 18th TOPIK shall be my watershed.

벼 이삭이 익는다

Ears of rice has turned golden. It's almost time for harvest.

The ears of rice in front of me reminds of a Korean proverb - 벼 이삭은 익을수록 고개를 숙인다 (The ear of rice bows as it becomes mature). What it means is as man becomes more educated and cultured, he will also become more humble.

Walking in a paddy field during autumn is one of those things which I have always wanted to do and finally, I have done that. The walk was pure enjoyment. Nature has a way of making you feel at peace with the world.

Weeds growing at the fringe of a paddy field.

코스모스

Watching Cosmos (코스모스, 大波斯菊) swaying in the field make early autumn so much more charming. You need to see them for yourself amid the cool autumn weather to understand what I am saying. It would not be an overstatement to say that Cosmos represents the arrival of Autumn.

드라마인가?

This afternoon when I was at Seoul Railway Station, out of nowhere, someone started shouting loudly. Instinctively, I turned my head to the sound's source and saw a guy in army uniform standing in front of the station's exit gate facing a lady in ballcap. He was shouting like he was reporting to his platoon's sergeant after being humiliated for speaking too softly like a woman. He was in attention posture and so was the lady at the receiving end of his 'report'.

I didn't catch what he was shouting. When he finished his 'report', I was expecting that he would march off like a soldier would do after reporting, but instead he went forward and gave the lady a big bear hug. He was squeezing her so tightly that if she is an orange, juice will probably flow out. Alright, I know I am a bit over-exaggerating here but you get what I mean. When I saw that scene, I was thinking, "Like that also can meh? Super drama lah." (Singlish expression for very dramatic).

By the way, he is not proposing to his girlfriend, or else curious onlookers would have clapped their hands to show support. Love sickness might have just caught up with the couple after a while of separation. Anyway, I must thank the couple for amusing me. I could not stop smiling whenever I think of their surprise act in a busy station. In Seoul, you can't really tell what is drama and what is real, can you?

해바라기가 시들었다

As I walked along a disused railroad beside Gojan Station (고잔역 - Line 4), I knew I was late. Summer has gone and so was the season of Sunflowers. Drooping flower heads, wrinkled petals and frail-looking stems formed two fields beside the disused railroad, stretching to the end of visual horizon.

There was a sense of regret. The exact word in my mind was '안타까움'. If only I could be here in August, I could have immersed myself in a 'sea' of golden flowers. I have always wanted to walk in a Sunflower field when all the flowers are in full bloom. The experience would have been awesome.

A nostalgic station signboard

There is no risk at all walking along the railroad

Looking out at Sunflower field while taking refuge under shade

Sunflower field stretches to the horizon

Stop and smell the flowers

Bench by the railroad for tired visitors

뮤지컬 - 한여름밤의꿈

The Peace Hall (평화의 전당) or the Grand Auditorium is one of the 3 iconic buildings of KHU. The building looks like a cathedral and is used mainly for graduation ceremony and performance. Since I won't get to attend a graduation ceremony, the only way I can get to see its inside is to watch a performance.

On Monday, I finally got the opportunity to enter the building and a look around. I was there to watch a KHU's in-house produced musical "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare). Being a student of KHU, I got a very good seat at an affordable 10,000won. I could not have asked for a better deal.

The Peace Hall (평화의 전당) or the Grand Auditorium

The building looks majestic from any angle

The side view of the building

The moon has risen. 한가위 is slightly more than a month away.

A sculpture at Peace Hall against the evening sky

A colour-stained window inside the building

I am at Peace Hall for the musical "A Midsummer Night's Dream

A view of the lobby of Peace Hall

Lead vocalist of FT Island is also the lead actor

The grand interior of Peace Hall

다시 닭꼬치 먹을 수 있다

There is an ajumma who sells 닭꼬치 (chicken stick) near my dormitory. However, she won't sell one of my favourite snack during the day, on Sunday, Public Holiday, rainy day and Summer. She only works when the weather is comfortable or when she feels like working.

She has been away for this summer and is just back today as the cool Autumn weather has returned. Isn't it good to be working like her? Resting when it is hot and raining and enjoying Sunday and Public Holiday like ordinary salarymen. Most important of all, nobody can sack her.

It may seem like she doesn't take her work seriously, but contrary to that, she takes a lot of pride in grilling her 닭꼬치. She will turn her 닭꼬치 frequently to prevent charring. She will apply barbecue sauce from time to time to ensure that it turns out delicious. She also examines her 닭꼬치 and snips off charred portions. Finally, she will apply mayonnaise sauce on her nicely-grilled 닭꼬치 before presenting it over to her customer.

As she doesn't force herself to work, the 닭꼬치-selling ajumma is always seen smiling. Her 닭꼬치 also turns out much more delicious than others.

닭꼬치 being grilled to a nice golden brown.

변화무상

The speed of change in Seoul is quite amazing. A shop may be there today but the next day it will be torn down and within a week or two, a new shop will be up and operating. This sort of change is so common that I don't really feel much about it. However, when my favourite cafe in Myeongdong is gone, I could no longer hold back.

Two months ago, Cafe Pascucci's flagship cafe at Myeongdong was still there but now it is gone. Cosmetics chain, 'Nature Republic', has taken over the building and covered it up from ground to roof in wooden planks. The scene of coffee-drinking crowd sitting inside the building and looking out at the street of Myeongdong is now a thing of the past.

Tea'Us, a newly-open cafe opposite of Cafe Pascucci, must be very please with its disappearance. As for 'Nature Republic', its ability to take over such a prime location, demonstrates one very clear fact - cosmetics is the number one selling product in Myeongdong and an extremely lucrative business.

I was quite disappointed when I discovered that my favourite cafe is gone for good. But lost is gain and it is not that contradicting at all. Recently, I was introduced to a new cafe, Restree, in Myeongdong which I think is very good. It is a book & spa cafe. The drinks are not more expensive than other cafes. Furthermore, coffee, tea and toast are free-flow. As a book and spa cafe, latest magazines and doctor fish foot massage (cost extra 2,000won) are provided for customer's pleasure. The ambiance is so nice that I can spend the whole day lazing there.

This iconic Cafe Pascucci of Myeongdong is no more. My good feeling of Myeongdong originated from this building. I miss sitting by its window and looking down on the busy street of Myeongdong.

Nice decor at Restree. The tap at the right bottom corner is meant for feet washing before and after doctor fish foot massage. The doctor fish's pool is beside the tap. Outside the window is the busy street of Myeongdong.

서늘해진다

Today is very cool and windy. Morning and evening temperature is slightly above 20degC. Even when the day temperature reaches 28degC, the wind that blew was very cooling. I like this sort of cool weather of autumn.

This morning, for once, I turned myself into a fan. Actually I was running an errand for a friend. I need to be the first 300 persons to buy an album at the newly-open Myeongdong's Yeongpung Bookstore in order to get a queue number for a fan signing session.

In order to ensure a good chance of getting a queue number I was in Myeongdong at 7:30am although the bookstore opens only at 10am. I may not be a fan of any singer but when the task requires it, I will think like one. After a long wait in the queue, I managed to accomplish my task. Not too bad for a first-timer fan.

비가 그쳤다

The rain which started yesterday stopped before noon today. Due to the rain, today's weather was quite cooling. Perhaps this is the start of autumn weather.

Rainwater beads on 3-leaf clovers.

A rainwater puddle outside of Gyeongbok Palace.

참 쉽죠

My Japanese classmate said that unlike in Japan it is quite easy to see 'stars' in Korea. I kinda agree with her because big stars, talented stars, budding stars, pop stars or trot stars, I have seen many of them here.

Seeing stars up close may be a pulling factor for some people wanting to study in Korea but my Japanese classmate is here for the sake of love which may be another pulling factor for some.

I am not too sure how many people know the Korean singer Wheesung (휘성). I don't have to queue for ticket or squeeze through crowd just to watch him sings. Furthermore, he was singing right inside my campus. I just wanna say, 한국에서 '별'을 만나기 참 쉽죠 (It is really easy to meet 'star' in Korea).

Wheesung performing at one of the evening concerts during KHU's 60th Anniversary celebration. Some say he is handsome, some say not but he is definitely a good singer.