Through twists and turns, we end up here.

Things change and occur in such fascinating ways sometimes it just blows me away. Be it the fate of life, the work of God, or me changing as part of the growing up process, things really do change very quickly. I don't know if it's good or bad, but I'm beginning to feel that through all the twists and turns in life, the only things that really maintain constant is family, God and me. Wherever I may be in the future (which I'm beginning to feel that it is really all over the place), these are the things that will never change. Recently I am talking to myself a lot, which is kinda freaky, but I realise somethings you really have to face alone. At the same time, I feel myself growing everyday.

Thoughts aside, the labour day holidays was pretty awesome! We visited the suburbs of Beijing, to this place called 十渡。 While I was there, there was happiness, and there was calm in me. Perhaps it's because of the scenery, or the company, the happy people, or maybe I saw the works of God again. If my plans to Korea had worked out, the one thing I wanted to do was to cycle on the river boats along the Han river. Last weekend was the very weekend I was almost gonna be in Korea...and look where He brought me to:


Above pictures: numerous river rafts on the calm waters, cycling on the duckie-boat along the meandering river amongst the mountains

Not too long ago, I hated to order a plate of fried rice/noodles cos I always thought it was boring to have a whole plate of the same thing in every mouth. I also thought people were weird to just want to have fried rice/noodles for a meal.

Today I had fried noodles in the noon and fried rice at night. I craved for them.

As I said, I have no idea how we ended up here. How I thought cycling at the Han river was the one thing I wanted to do most, yet never knowing a place called 十渡, and never knowing there was so much more.

On a side note, I am finally appearing on screen as the reporter! How I have missed the reporting days, I’m back!

(Coming back from Shi Du has plunged me back into a slight depressing mood again but I’ll walk through it no doubt! I am still looking forward to that one morning, when I truly feel like I am so joyful and ready to jump into the day.)

It's a beautiful thing

Ever since leaving Korea, the memories of it have constantly been on my mind. The exchange was really awesome, I took so much out of it. I can almost say it was the best time of my life (except I'm still young). I miss the place, the culture, the language, the school, the food.. but they say these are not the most important. What usually makes a place in your heart, above all, is the people, the friends you made there. They make such a difference to everything.

I have to admit that Beijing hasn't been as much fun to me. True, I have been experiencing a lot of new things, seeing a lot, trying a lot. But there's always a niggling thought at the back of my mind. I have yet to let go of the memories I had in Korea. I keep holding on, hoping that they will never end, hoping that somehow, I can go back to those times. I know it is a matter of my attitude, how I choose to deal with things, but I can't control myself. Whenever I go to visit some place, I think to myself how fun it would be if I came here with the friends I had in Korea, there was never a dull moment with them. There was always something new and exciting to be discovered, and I always enjoyed myself so immensely. I consistently think back on those trips we had in Korea and compare them to now. But what good does that do?

So this has to be it. I know the chapter needs to be closed, memories need to be kept (and taken out when it's good to think back the old times). I can't go on being stubborn, I have to let go. So today, I'm going to look back at the pictures, the times we had for as long as I want, and then, I want to concentrate on the present. I want to enjoy what I have now, and make the most out of it. I want to put in my full in the things I am doing now.





Good times. =)

Beijing is in WAR!!!

Today marks the last day of the Chinese New Year and it really feels like Beijing is in war! There are at least 8 different spots around my house putting out fireworks. Everyone is taking chance of this last day of the new year to clear all the explosives in their house. It is really simple to light fireworks and firecrackers here, reasons being they are really cheap and you require a license. As such, the whole Beijing is reeling in heavy smoke today and the noise pollution is...... unbearable.

The last day of the New Year also coincidentally marks our first day of work. The three of us (me and my housemates) went for our first day of work today and we exchanged stories over dinner. For me, I'm pretty glad that I'm actually doing a lot of stuff that are directly related to what I've learnt in school. For a start, I watched a live radio broadcast today and I've also been assigned to do video editing of a news package. So it's like putting what I learnt in newspaper writing, audio editing, broadcast journalism all into practice!

Well, interning in China is really a very different feeling compared to when I worked in Singapore and HK. One of the main things is the outlook of the office. I'm so used to getting my own nice and big table for my use. I'm so used to spacious, pretty and clean offices that I was quite disappointed when I reached my office in China. There's so many people in the office that I didn't even have my own seat and table. I had to squeeze in between two of my colleages. The office wasn't exactly clean too, and I don't even want to mention the toilets. But the people there are really the most hardworking bunch. My supervisor also repeatedly tell me that I will have to work overtime on most days. I can already foresee a very tiring journey ahead... but it's gonna be fulfilling, I hope!

As for the first few days when I was in Beijing, I did A LOT of grocery shopping with my two fun-loving housemates. I'm so glad they are here with me, otherwise I will really cry everyday in China!!! We are finally settled down comforatble in our little apartment, and I'm enjoying staying with them! Check out facebook for pictures! Laters~!

Where do we go from here?

This week has been one helluva week. So many things have happened and changed and it's gonna different from here on. I don't really know where we're heading but right now, I feel happy and it feels so right. Although onlookers may not seem to see it, but I know we share that something they don't know. As we open ourselves up to each other, we're both so caught up in the fact that we share so much in common. It would be so exciting if we could live that out together, but I don't want to think that much. So where do we go from here... let's just see where it leads us. =)

Classes in Yonsei officially came to an end at 5pm on Friday. Even at this point, I'm still living in self-denial that it's not. It just feels so weird that the semester is over, except that exams aren't. We went to Lotteworld again yesterday night. The first time I went to Lotte was when school haven't even start. I was there again yesterday when the semester has ended. Can't even begin to say how long a time it has been, yet how short I feel it is.

Right now, there's one thing that keeps bugging me at the back of my mind. THE PARCEL THAT I HAVE YET TO PACK THAT NEEDS SHIPPING BACK!!! ugh. It fustrates me more than my exams. Cos I will have to pack things that I don't need so urgently, as shipping takes quite some time. But I can't decide which things to put in! There's just too much stuff in my room.

On a separate note, I got my confirmation of the China company last friday. I got posted to Beijing!!! I was kinda shocked when I got the news. That was my third choice, and it's actually a good thing I got that choice as that's the company I wanted most, 中国国际广播电台. It's just that I was so sure I'm going to go Shanghai no matter what. So this company is mostly reporting international news, most through radio and website. I hope I get to do radio broadcasting and maybe even a little TV broadcasting. They said that I would be posted to the international division, so hopefully I don't need to use much Chinese, cos they've deproved soooo much. lols. "Anyone else going to Beijing for internship next sem????? I need to know you!!!"



Time is slowly slipping out of my hands... I want to grasp every moment tightly, but I can't.

Exploration, just me and my track shoes

Finally got down to some serious workouts. After months of (too much) good food, it was time to put a stop to that incessant procrastination and burn those fats.

Put on those track shoes at about 5pm and started to jog towards the other side of the campus I have yet to check out. The late afternoon weather was cool and not too chilly. The sky was a mix of blue and orange and the graduate students were heading back to the hostels. Dry leaves covered most of the road and made a soft crisp sound as I trotted on them. The autumn colours captivated me once more as I jogged along the side of a hill that overlooked the Seodaemoon village. I passed the Yonsei milk factory and the group of sports class students playing baseball in the fields. I passed by the ahjushis and ahjumonims who were back from hiking the hill behind the school. I passed by groups of students dressed chicly in their autumn wear and chatting loudly in Korean. I passed by some kids who were choosing the most beautiful red maple leave to bring home. How I love this kind of feeling.

I jogged unknowingly to the Yonsei Severance hospital and passed by the dental school. I went further and realised I was out of the campus. I got tired and started brisk walking down the small alleys that I didn't know existed at the back of the campus. Numerous student hostels, cleaning services, cosy and distinctly designed cafes, winebars, family marts and restaurants lined the alleys. In the warm lighting of the cafes, people were enjoying a cuppa and reading a book. I caught a smell of coffee as I went passed the Princeton. I went into the family mart and was immediately greeted with a loud "An nyeong ha se yo". I bought some snacks, the English paper and my favourite Korean ice-cream waffle.

It was getting cold, I stuffed one hand into my pockets, the other holding out the grocery bag. I recalled my time at Everland yesterday together with the friends I have made here. A smile crept onto my face. I thought about the Jeju trip which will be happening in two weeks. I felt excited. I walked and walked, with just me and my thoughts.

I entered the I-house with the fingerprint detection machine which I have a love-hate relationship with. Warm air greeted me as I reached the place I call home in Korea.

I realised I have immersed into the life here. I realised I have grew to like living in this place. More explorations till next time. =)

Kaleidoscopic Korea

I really admire how the people who were on exchange last semester manage to blog regularly. From what I see, none of us in Korea has the time to blog! We even have trouble uploading our pictures promptly. It's so weird how we are so out of time.... :/

The semester at Yonsei has just reached mid-point. Last week was the mid-term exams and that was probably the only week people studied. My time in Korea is depleting at a turbo rate and I can only imagine how sad I will be when it's time to leave the place and my friends whom I've spent 4 solid months with... everyday.

Anyways, I had the most interesting and nice dinner on Monday. It was a dinner with my broadcast production professor and my classmate from Germany and we had dog meat for food! I'm deeply sorry to dog-lovers but I really must say the dog meat soup we had was absolutely delicious! I'm definitely going to eat that again. Koreans call it a tonic soup because it is supposed to be really good for health. Dog meat is easier to digest compared to other meats and it can keep your body warm.


Dog meat soup - known as bo shin tang in Korean


Our conversation lasted for 4 hours that night... talking about the different cultures of our country, from traveling experiences to sharing our thoughts on social issues. It was nice!

Ever since coming to Korea, I have hardly had any dull weekends. I was doing up my schedule just now and I counted only having 3 weekends free in Korea so far. Even the next few ones are all lined up with activities. Even so, we find ourselves not having enough time to travel to all the places we want! Last weekend was a 2D1N trip to Soraksan - Our first experience in hiking in Autumn. We basked ourselves in the cool weather and the autumn colours and had a fantastic time.


Autumn sceneries


The last part of the hike, and the toughest part.


At the peak! First batch of people

Go to my facebook albums for more pictures on Soraksan!

- to be continued -

My brain can't contain 'em anymore

So this is week 3 in Seoul and the first post I'm typing about it. Yes, things have been so packed, there's always so much to do that I've been putting this off again and again.

But today, my brain officially says that it's too much and it's about time I pen then down.

Seoul has been seoul exciting and great! haha, very cheesy I know. But really, right from the first day till now, there has never been a dull day and I'm discovering new things every step of the way. Sure, the holiday mood is not really here at all since I've been holidaying in HK since June. So the sightseeing and touring are fun, but not that much of an excitement to me. What excites me the most is the school life I'm having here. Meeting people from all over the world, sharing that Yonsei spirit during the university games, getting out every other night to our happening university street just outside of school and the weather, and the food, and the drinks that come after almost everytime are just too good!

I'll probably give a brief introduction of our location here. We live in this area called Sinchon. One station down is Ewha Women's University. Two stations down is Honggik University. The entire geographical area that these 3 universities share is like Clarke Quay plus Orchard and you multiply it by at least ten. We have everything right at our doorstep (ok, maybe that's exaggerating cos I need to walk 20 minutes to get from my dorm to the main gate of the school) . But out in the streets, there's everything you need and want. Eateries be it Korean or western, good and cheap shopping, Kbox everywhere, coffeehouses everywhere, dvd rooms everywhere, pubs, clubs, and we have 3 donut outlets on the same street(Dunkin, Krispy and donut planet). It is honestly what I envision a university area to be.

Which explains why we get out there every other night to eat and be merry. It's hard not to, when all these things are so accessible! And there's no transport needed, cos we just need to walk back to our dorm after the night out! I'm really loving the life here.

So I've rambled long enough about the school and I'll post some pictures for now!

Snapshots from around the campus:

Underwood International College



Theology College (I'm taking one theology course this semester. Sounds kinda intimidating I know)





Business School Building


The Eagle represents Yonsei


My room @ International House


This is the long road that leads to the happening stuff outside!


Sinchon - the University Street


Heading back "home" after a night out


The church situated right outside of school. This is what we use to recognize our way back. "Follow the cross!" hahaha


Maybe one of the biggest achievement by far is overcoming the space drop during our visit to Lotteworld last week! Despite many past persuasions to go up that freaky thing, I've never never been able to overcome that mental barrier. But at Lotteworld last week, I don't know what got over me and I had the bracery to try it. I've already in fact crossed out that ride way beforehand. But I'm so glad I finally managed to try it! Because after that ride, I could do almost any other rides and feel perfectly good about it! Hurray!

LotteWorld with the girls




Spot my leg dangling up in the air!


(More Lotteworld pictures can be seen in my facebook photo albums!)

In actual fact, our exchange didn't start out perfectly smooth. We arrived in Seoul 4 days before we could move into our dorm so we booked a guesthouse in Korea to stay. We were lucky to meet two very nice guys who helped us lug our 70kg (in total) luggages to the guesthouse. It would have been impossible to do it by ourselves cos we realized the walk to the guesthouse was actually pretty long. All of us have not slept at all the last night and we were just so eager to get to the guesthouse and rest. But when we reached there, we had a very unwelcoming sight. The room was really too small for 3 people PLUS our gigantic luggages. And the room wasn't ready by the time we arrived due to an overlook by the management there. This was our living conditions for 4 painful days.

Two beds pushed together to fit the three of us.


Making use of every single space we have, including my luggage being on the top of the TV.


Luggages lining the doorway. Only one person can open their suitcase at a time.


And I don't even want to take a picture of the sad state of the toilet. GOSH. I was just so glad when the day came when we could finally moved into Yonsei.

Stop here for now cos I've got a class soon... Will stop being so lazy when I have free time from now!