Orientation & The Misadventure

This morning was a misadventure. I woke up earlier so I can go to the Olleh global store in Gwanghwamun to apply for a prepaid mobile line. As luck would have it, Olleh is caught in a period of suspension and is unable to activate new subscriptions until 13 March. I was like 'Whyyyyyyy? Why now?!'

:(

I checked if there are other alternatives around and the staff (English-speaking yes!), was kind enough to recommend me to try at SK (Olleh and SK is like Digi to Maxis in KL). However, olleh is famous with the expats/foreigners as they are very foreigner-friendly- consultation can be done in 17 different languages, or so they say.

The Olleh guys directed me to SK, which I had troubles finding. I stumbled upon a Tourist Info Centre and asked them for the direction again. From where I was standing, it was supposed to take 17 minutes to reach by foot. 30minutes later, I was cold and freezing, confused and surely lost in the city. Simply said, it was an unfruitful trip. I gave up looking as I didn't want to miss the Orientation which was supposed to start at 1pm. What can go wrong will go wrong.

Lost in the city

An endless walk

I took the subway back to Sinchon and headed up a hill to Sogang for the first time. There were so many students walking together along the way and it hit me, I am indeed carrying on life as a student. It felt... funny! Haha.

I arrived 90 minutes earlier and took the opportunity to explore the university. As the campus is not that big, it wasn't too difficult to find my way within the campus, which is great, because you know how I hate walking. Here are some shots I took of the Univ:

The way out to Main Gate

A statue at the administration building. I'll find out who he is.

Still cold - hardened ice on plant

Through orientation, I got to know Grace, a fellow Malaysian. (hello Grace if you're reading! :)) It feels good to meet a fellow countrymen while living abroad. Orientation was simple- we were briefed on all things relevant to us as student. Class lessons aside, I'm also looking forward to the out-of-the-class activities like culture lecture and field trip.

The brief

Had lunch at Sinchon before Grace and I headed to Myeongdong. Fashion labels like H&M, Zara, Uniqlo, F21 (I haven't seen the outlet yet, but I was told they're there) and an umpteen number of cosmetic brands are there. Very nice place to hang out at. Eating places are aplenty too! (Gong Cha, i see youuuu) Hehe.

My leg is sore from all the walking today, so we (or rather I, selfishly) decided to head home earlier to rest.

p/s: Subway stations in Seoul make you climb an enormous flight of stairs! Every. station. without. fail. Hmpphhh! Subway station, I hate youuuuu

Day 3: First half

Did my laundry and had take-out kimbap for brunch. I'd rather eat in, because you realize soon enough, with their doors perpetually closed and without window for ventilation, you will always end up smelling like food at the eating places.And the only way to get rid of the smell is to do laundry again! grrrr.

I'm just gonna hang out in my room a little longer and explore Sinchon later.

도착했습니다

1 March 2013 (Day 1)

무사히 도착했습니다. Arrived safely in Seoul.

Without me knowing, my arrival coincided with a national holiday here, which is known as March 1 Independence Movement Day (삼일절/三一节), commemorating a day in which Koreans openly resisted the occupation by Japanese and fought for their independence. Not like it makes my arrival in Seoul any special, but hey, just thought of sharing :)

Anyway, what can I say bout Day 1, except err..., it was a little shattering. Why? I was on the verge of breakdown, if I may admit. First of all, the room is tiny (with a capital T!). The pictures online are definitely misleading. I know it's gonna be small (what can you expect from a 9.9m² room?), but now I think it's really pitiful. For the same amount I'm paying, I got a room 2.5times bigger in Singapore. Now Singapore doesn't seem that expensive to live in :(

Worse, the dysfunctional mobile phone (or rather, the line) further ruined my already-bleeding heart. I can't call, can't whatsapp, can't SMS, can't log on to internet, and worrying about how worried my parents will be (not hearing from me) got me in dismay. Sigh. And because the electrical adapter is different in Korea, I can't even use my laptop to connect to the internet to 报平安. Thankfully, a student who also works part-time in the goshiwon, was kind enough to lend me his mobile to call home. And he speaks not-bad English, thank goodness!

Unlike Malaysia, there aren't many mobile retailers here, and unlike Singapore, it's also impossible to register a SIM prepaid card at 7-11. eff-em-ell.

Knowing I've yet to buy my bedroom accessory, ahjussi lent me a pillow and blanket to warm the cold night. Thank you for the hospitality (although I'm still upset about size of the room). As there is nothing much I could do and wanting to soothe the sullen mood, I jumped into bed before 10pm. Taking a deep breath, I told myself everything's going to be fine. 모든게 좋아 질거야.

2 March 2013 (Day 2)

After a 12-hour sleep (how did I?!), the first thing I did was to head out to Hyundai department store just a minute walk away to get the necessities (food, pillow and such). Ahjussi found me a universal adapter and I am finally connected to the outside world. You'll never understand how big of a deal this is until you're in my position. Typing happily (as if I own the world *fistpump*), I updated family and friends of my status. This feels so good!

It's freaking 1°C outside today, and I don't even intend to leave the room for the rest of the day, except for meals. The entire day, all I did was facebooking, watching TV and shedding tears over Hyung Bin and Kyung Mi's wedding video. Brother logged into FB at night and taught me how to connect to WiFi via the wired connection so I can have a chat with parents on my iphone even without a mobile line. Amazing, I didn't know such technology exist! So much more at ease after our video chat. 그래 모든게 좋아 질거야! :)

Placement Test

//latest update: 28 Feb 2013
Result pre-released via email: I got into Level 2, as hoped for! :)

///

Earlier this morning, I completed the 2nd part of KLEC's placement test so they can decide which level I'll be placed in before the start of term. Results will be known next week, before commencement of class.

The placement test is made of two parts- written and interview (oral). I've sent them my written submission (essay) a month in advance. Well actually, there are two ways to complete the tests. If you are in Seoul, you can do it in-person at KLEC's office (written and oral). Otherwise, it can be done over the phone. A representative from the school will call you at an agreed time for the oral test, but you'll have to submit your writing prior. The interviewer will throw you some questions (some based on your essay, some randomly) just to gauge your speaking level.

I think I stammered quite a bit during the speaking test, but let's just hope it will not affect the results much. 화이팅!

D-5: Departure

It was *that* short interval (while waiting for my cousins to arrive in ABC) that I had a light-bulb moment why I wanted to do it (study in Korea) so much.

Firstly, I guess I was pretty much envious of what I saw while working in NTU. How the students lived, studied and interacted with each other, and the AWESOME student life they were having. I wished I was one of them. Individuals from different nationalities and different walks of life juggling their hectic study and professional life and yet, ALWAYS having a ball together. I studied in a college and didn't have the chance to go through university life, so I guess this is an opportunity I've been seeking.

Secondly, I love the language. I thought about studying language (any language) for the looooooongest time and I did talk to a few in NTU, and they suggested I take up an Asian language instead if I have no plans of leaving Asia. Romance languages (like Italian, Spanish, French) aren't exactly easy to master (these advice comes from the native speakers) especially if you're not living in Europe. I can understand- I'm already having problems improving my Korean cos there's no one I can speak to in Korean here in KL.

My brother knows Japanese, so it's only logical I do a different one. No regrets, really! At that time, I just thought if the family goes to Japan to travel, we can rely on him, and when we go to Korea, I can take lead. LOL. I started to love the language more and more after learning, and contrary to popular belief, no it wasn't for any Korean man (funny how people likes to assume) :p 

But I also secretly think there is a little greed in me wanting to be a polyglot. LOL. I've been learning Chinese on my own for the last 10years or so, (I can't write still, but I can read at least 60-70% of an article in the Chinese dailies) and it gives me great pride that I did it absolutely without anyone's help. So by adding another language to my belt, I hope it could be of help to broaden my career horizon and pave the way to new opportunities. I look forward to have new things knocking on my door.

It's another 5 days before I fly out yay! Not forgetting, Happy Chap Goh Mei everyone!

The next update will be from my goshiwon in Seoul :D

In A Blink of An Eye

... today is already 年初九 (9th day of the lunar new year).

11 days from now, in another hour, I should be touching down at the Incheon International Aiport.

(now if you ask me, I'm still not feeling the anxiousness yet hmmm).

There's nothing much I have to add to this blog, but at the same time, I don't feel like leaving it un-updated. So maybe I'll just upload that few (just *that* few) photos taken since 初一?

Last but not least, a picture of my second cousin I superbly adore! :)

 

Hope you've had a great lunar celebration!

Happy Chinese New Year

今天是除夕晚。祝大家 新年快乐。 心想事成。 最重要的是身体健康。恭喜发财。