Errands and Shopping

Tuesday, August 17 2010

After a trip to the bank and post office, mum, Darmesh and I went to Hyundai Department Store for some last minute shopping. Again, we got home pretty late. By now, I had just 3 nights left in Korea.

Hyundai Department Store

Step Up 3 - 3D & Shopping

Wednesday, August 11 2010

Step Up 3 (3D) movie poster in Korean

My mum also surprised me and had an abundance of energy the day after her long flight to Korea. Mum, Darmesh and I went to Bucheon and (don't judge me!) watched Step Up 3 in 3D. It was incredible! 

As many of my friends know, I don't enjoy shopping. When I used to go to this department store (either to a restaurant or movie) I never went 'shopping' so on this day when I was there with my mum and brother, I guess it was the first time that I even noticed some of the stores!

Exhausted from the heat, we got home pretty late, but my brother and I went out for about an hour or two to a pub near my apartment. 

With mum in Bucheon

Dinner, Movie & Moffle

Monday, August 9 2010

Now before you judge us for watching so many movies, remember that it was really hot to be outdoors. Also, the movies in Korea are definitely worth going to. On Monday, we took it easy at home and spent the day just chilling out. Around 4pm, we were ready to face the outdoors. I took Darmesh to my favourite Korean restaurant where he had Bi-bim-bap and I had Bo-ri-bap. After that, we went to watch Inception (which deserves a blog post on its own). In short, we couldn't understand why people were raving about it as much as they were. Bottom line - we didn't enjoy it.

Around 9pm we went to Bucheon and again, my brother was amazed with the buzz. On a Monday night! We ended up at a nice cafe where we had a "moffle" which is basically a waffle with tiramisu. Sounds deathly divine, but was pretty light.

We decided to make our way back home around midnight and wanted to take a cab home. Everything was fine, until I realized that the driver had taken another turn (which I wasn't familiar with) and took a very long route to get me home. When I recognized the school that I work at (about 15-20 walk from my apartment), I told the driver that we'd get off there. So we walked home, but not to worry - it's safe. I even stopped at a shop to buy laundry softener! The good and exciting news was - my mum was arriving the following day :-)

Happy Birthday & Farewell!

After the staff dinner on Friday, July 16 2010 the 6th grade teachers went out to Bucheon. It was a little birthday / farewell party for me. They surprised me with a cake, lit candles and sang for me!

World Cup Fever in Bucheon

This is currently at the Hyundai Department Store in Bucheon (South Korea)

Teacher's Farewell Dinner - 2010

On Friday, February 26 2010 we had a Farewell Dinner for all the teachers leaving the school. I've known some of them since my first day teaching in Korea so it was a bit sad saying good bye to some of them. The dinner was at Seafood Blue (buffet) in Bucheon.

 

With Joo-hye Park, one of the teachers leaving

 

Principal giving gifts to teacher's leaving

  

2009 6th Grade Teachers

  

 Some teacher friends

 

Pianist at restaurant

  

 

 

  

Candy Floss machine & Chocolate Fountain

  

Bucheon at night    

 

             

Today, my planets were anything, but aligned

Image taken from Google Images

As this day draws to a close, I realize how strange it was. I felt completely out of balance all day.

This is my third winter in Korea and I still can't get used to wearing leggings and layers of clothing. It's necessary though, because temperatures drop to below freezing. You only really feel the cold when you're outside, but everywhere else - including buses and subways are heated. Still - it's the kind of cold that nearly numbs you.

I KNOW this, yet I still opted to wear a fairly thin long-sleeve top under my jacket. When I got to work, I couldn't figure out why I didn't wear my grey waistcoat that I usually wear with this particular top.

My classes were just average, but my first class of the day, 5-1 were almost non-responsive. They're usually pretty active, but today was just ... blah...


It was grey outside and I had a feeling it was going to snow. Apparently it snowed a lot in Seoul, and some students told me it snowed a little bit during lunch, but I didn't see it.

I can't find my gloves that I bought last winter, and I figured that if I was going to buy new gloves I'd buy leather ones.I decided to go to Bucheon after school to do some winter shopping.

So not dressing appropriately was my first little blunder of the day. And then...  

• After work I stopped at the ATM and couldn't make up my mind about how much cash I wanted.
  
  
• My bus chip that's attached to my phone snapped off, but it's still useable. I passed a booth where a lady sells these little chips and you can load money (credit) on it to use the bus/subway. There was a pretty orange one that I saw for 5,000 Won. I bought it and loaded 5, 000 Won credit. That's 10,000 spent before I even started my shopping. My co-teacher was with me and told me after I bought it that it was a bit expensive.  On the bus, I remembered that I have another chip at home (brand new). I really regretted buying the new orange one.
  
  
• In Bucheon, I went to the underground shopping mall at the subway station. I knew exactly where I wanted to go to buy what I wanted and needed. First thing - gloves. I didn't get the leather ones I wanted, but I spent 10, 000 Won on a new pair - quite pretty, I thought.
  
  
• Next thing: Leggings / Socks. The poor ajuma (Korean lady) dug around for a new unopened package of leggings, but I decided not to take it. So I chose 3 pairs of knee-high socks. At the last minute, I took another pair. As I dug in my bag for money, I saw the bus chip I'd bought. Would this ajuma maybe buy it from me?! Waaahhaahaa! She looked at me as if to say "yeah right!" Well, it was worth a try!
  
  
• Next stop - buy a scarf. There were a few pretty colours that I saw, and I couldn't decide which one to buy. I settled for a black. Thankful for the man being so patient with me
  
  
• I went upstairs to E-Mart and saw the exact gloves that I wanted. They were 12, 000 Won. I really wanted them, but I'd already bought a pair downstairs. I bought it anyway and figured I'd return the other one.
  
  
• When I went downstairs, the man thought I wanted to exchange it for something, but I said now I wanted to return it. I HATE doing that... but... he did!
  
  
• Then it's time to go home. There are various queues to stand in to catch a bus to my stop. Which one should I stand in? 31-3? 38? I can't make up my mind. I settle for 38.
  
  
• After I arrive at my stop, I decide to try my luck if the lady will take back my bus chip. After all, I already loaded money on it. I speak to her in broken Korean and ask her if she'd take it back from me. She does it with a smile :)  Daaaamn... I'm good!
  
  
• Time to head home. I haven't eaten yet. Should I buy gim-bap (rice/veggies rolled in seaweed)? I can't decide if I'm hungry or not. I leave it and walk home.
  

• At home, I notice an un-opened pack of cosmetic powder pads.  And I bought a new pack today - forgetting I already had one.

Even while writing this blog, I battled forming sentences. While writing it, my friend Sarah called to ask if I can go shopping with her tomorrow. Here's hoping tomorrow will be a better, balanced day for me.  I'm wrapping up today and calling it a night. Love x

This Is It - MJ's Concert Documentary Movie

Image taken from this-is-it.co.kr

On Thursday, October 29 2009 I saw Michael Jackson's Concert Documentary Movie, This Is It.

Some of my friends in South Africa attended the premiere the previous morning in Johannesburg (at 3am!) and everyone raved about the movie urging the rest of us to see it as soon as possible.

The movie is just under two hours long and showcases footage from the MJ's rehearsals for his comeback concert which would have been in London. It features interview clips of various people involved with the concert included back-up dancers who were from all corners of the world.

MJ's music and dancing was so energetic and he didn't look unwell at all. His energy, passion and hard work was highly admirable, I think. The movie gave the audience an opportunity to see another side of him other than just entertainer on stage or sitting down for an interview. I think the movie also teaches us that we can't rely solely on talent. Hard work and dedication are what truly makes one reach the top of their game.

I felt various emotions during the movie.

Excitement ~ The movie is historical, as was MJ and to be part of it along with the rest of the world was pretty cool.

Awe ~ How ONE person had such an effect on people across the globe that even talking about him brings them to tears. Also, his absolute deep passion for what he did. In another documentary that I watched on TV, MJ said that he loved the stage and could easily sleep on it. It definitely shows.

Sadness ~ He went too soon. I kept thinking that. He went too soon.

The wide shots of the stage and sets were enormous compared to MJ's body. And yet, he commanded THAT much respect and attention from every single person who was there. As many people have described him before, MJ was a soft-spoken and humble soul. And again... I feel he went too soon.

This Is It is a must-see!

On Saturday, October 10 2009 my friend Joo-hyeon and I went to Aiins World in Bucheon. This was my 3rd visit to a theme park like this (of mini buildings and monuments) in a week!

Skyline - New York, USA
(Former) Twin Towers
and Empire State Building with King Kong at the top

Times Square - New York, USA

Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Lake Nasser, Egypt

Leaning Tower of Pisa - Italy

Taj Mahal - Agra, India

Fantastic Studios

On Monday, October 5 2009 my friend Joo-hyeon and I went to Fantastic Studios in Bucheon. Weather was so lovely! It's a set used for films and TV drama's. I guess it would have meant a lot more to us if we watched the shows/films that were shot here. It felt a bit eerie walking through the 'streets' but cool, nonetheless!

6th Grade End of Semester Dinner

On Monday, July 13 2009 the 6th Grade staff had dinner to celebrate the end of the semester. We went to VIKINGS - a salad/seafood buffet in Bucheon.

Chef preparing hot meals

Sushi bar

Cheesecake

With the 2 head teachers

Baskin Robbins for Breakfast?

Before heading home (in the early hours of the morning)

we stopped for ice cream at Baskin Robbins.

New flavour, I think - but I didn't try it

Popcorn, nuts & fudge

Kicking it Japanese Style!

On Saturday, May 23 2009 I also met my friend, Angelina in Bucheon. We went to a Japanese bar and I had sake for the first time... actually much better that Korean soju.

Free tofu

Sake (chilled)

Salmon rolled in rice...