Saturday, January 10, 2009

South Korea: day 3


Good morning, Daejeon! Mrs Hwang told me it snowed last night :-D Everything looked so calm out there.

It was my first time meeting Mr Hwang and his family. His children – Kevin & Ji-Yun – were adorable! It was touching when Kevin showed me baby photos of himself with gifts I posted to Korea many years ago when he was just born. Mr Hwang was a thoughtful host and Mrs Hwang was a caring hostess plus wonderful cook! That morning, I had my first Korean homestyle breakfast. It was exceptionally warm and delicious. Thank you, Mrs Hwang!





Founded in 418A.D. by Priest A-do, Jikjisa Temple at Gimcheon si, Gyeongbuk, was once the greatest temple in Korea.




We had some roasted chestnuts while on our way for lunch...



Yay! This is my first Korean BBQ pork... on charcoal stove!


Daejeon Arts Museum featured modern art from both Korean and foreign artists. The current show was entitled "10 Next Code".



Wow! Wonderful dinner at Mr Hwang's home :-) I really liked the kimchi soup...

Friday, January 9, 2009

South Korea: day 2


I had my light breakfast from 7-Eleven in Jongmyo Park (Jongno 3 ga Station, Exit 8 or 11). The park was peaceful with some old folks gathered doing their morning routines.


Jongmyo enshrined the spirit tablets of the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). According to the brochure, the main hall (Jeongjeon) had no windows as the building was designed to be kept dark inside.



Changdeokgung Palace (Anguk Station, Exit 3). All visitors to this palace were required to join a guided tour led by a Cultural Heritage Guide. Each tour took 1 hour 15 minutes. Only 1,000 people were allowed to enter everyday. There I learned a little about Korean colour symbolism, sundial and traditional floor heating system.







Along the peaceful Samcheong-dong (Anguk Station, Exit 1), there were numerous small art galleries, shops, and restaurants. 4 minutes walk from subway station, I found Seoul Selection – a unique CD/DVD/book/gift shop catered mostly for foreigners.

Myoungdong Kyoza (Myeong-dong Station, Exit 8, first left turning walk straight) – the handmade noodles & dumplings were yummy!!







22:20, met my long time Korean friend, Mr Hwang at Seoul Express Bus Terminal (Gyeong Bu line) to go Daejeon (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes). There were so many lines and exits in this bus terminal that I got rather lost... thanks to the insignificant signages!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

South Korea: day 1

Arrived smoothly in Incheon International Airport around 07:00.

Took AREX Express Incheon --> Gimpo (6 stops, 45 minutes)

Transferred Subway Line 5 Gimpo --> Eljiro 4 Ga (24 stops!, 30 minutes)

Checked in Travelers A Hostel. A decent place to stay as it was just a few minutes walk from Exit no.4. I paid 40,000 won per night upon checking in.

My first task was to configure my phone from GSM-->3G (WCDMA). It wasn't easy. Spent about an hour to find out that I had to use SK Telekom, not KTX, as the latter kept blocking my outgoing messages and calls!




The first place I visited was Gyeongbokgung Palace. This palace was all surrounded by beautiful mountains except its south. The whole space was so vast that it just felt fascinating being there.





Towards the east of the palace, stood the National Folk Museum where the lifestyles of ancient Koreans were displayed. They were all tastefully done and I had a great time. There was also a small special exhibition in welcoming the Year of Ox.





Next, I went to MMMG Café (Anguk Station Exit 1, turn left, adjacent to Post Office). The place was a perfect hideaway from the freezing cold outside (heard it was about -4°C that day). Surely not to be missed – MMMG's beautiful stationeries!


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

my dot com is up!


Yay, leelenghuat.com has been uploaded today! Thanks to Adrian and yeahhost for their help within the tight time frame. Thanks for teaching me how to use ftp via Firefox too – you'd need to download & install add-on "Fireftp" :)

yeahhost.com.my offers RM199 per annum (inclusive of domain registration)

The day was rather exciting. The fun continued at 23:45, as I took a flight from KLIA to Seoul(!). And so, the trip began.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

謝安琪: Binary 二元素

愛的人 沒有一生一世嗎 大概不需要害怕 我對你好所以你會對我好 不需解釋清楚 不想知這麼多 只想專心聽 / 小小的經典可傳天下 乍短的偶遇 長久的隔開 難以置想往日曾相處 / 只懂跟風不思索笨得很 大眾向利字進發 已閉起雙眼 不去分好與爛 / 沒有不倒的對手 凡事志在興起 平淡卻是最美 / 珍重吧當時的眼淚 在你離開後變成風

凡事都有(at least)兩面的可能性. 不談男女愛情故事的
流行歌曲也可以很流行和很耐聽的...

喜愛歌曲:
私隱線 / 港女的幸福星期日 / 囍帖街

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Gifts


Notepads + buttons for the children in Korea! Mr Hwang said his little warrior likes eagle & tiger, while his little princess likes rabbit & monkey.


Saturday, January 3, 2009

Grey

Wiki says, "Grey is its own complement." Grey can be cool. Grey can be warm. Grey can be neutral. Grey may denote collaboration or independence even. So, does grey symbolise ingenuity or simply a disorderly jumble...?

I think grey is perhaps one fine state of mind, whereby we strive to be mediatory, well-balanced and unflappable
amidst uncertainties. Rainy days may stay, but it shall be clear sometime later.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

So it goes, and so it comes

2009's resolution?
hmmm...
to gain more endorphine for the body
hmmm... to do more illustrating work
hmmm... to create more colourful stuffs for the eyes
errr... to learn a new language
:-) what's yours?

2008年度叱吒樂壇流行榜頒獎典禮得獎名單
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