{ Winter'13 in Korea } Haneul Park

As usual, this space has been neglected for a while. When 2014 just began, I had already expected a hectic life ahead, with the juggling of both my full time job and classes in the night. And well, it turned out to be even more challenging. Many of my friends/relatives asked how did I even manage to handle it. “Isn’t it so tiring?” Well, my answer has been consistent - because designing has been what I always wanted. Although there has been crazy amount of last minute assignment to rush every other month end, I still enjoy doing it. To be honest, for the first few modules, it was pretty boring and I felt constrained. But now that we’ve moved into the major modules, there has been so much fun exploring into different ideas and concept.

Part of me didn’t want the studying period to come to an end but the other part of me is quite drained out and can’t wait to venture into the design  field – tho it’s quite scary to think of it.

Oh, and of cos, the long back dated Korea post continues below. Heh.. I think this blog is serving more of a memory of my travelling journey.

We went to Haneul Park (하늘공원) on one of the morning in Seoul. I remember there was a pretty bad haze which hit Korea during my stay there. Fortunately, the place is still pretty much like those pictures I saw on internet when I was searching on places to go in Korea. It was worth the climb up the hill (yes yes, I know.. we certainly did hell lots of climbing in Korea!) to witness the sight of the endless tall grassland.  

From the top view, you can see how bad the haze was in the city. But I'm still loving the colors of autumn trees from the distance.

We met up with Joel's cousin/friend who had a had time thinking where to bring us around since I've already went to quite a few of the tourist highlights. Haha... Nevertheless, we still managed to just chill and explore around the city. It was getting close to Christmas, so the town area were decorated with pretty Christmas lights.

Ending off with Joel who spent a bomb on this machine everytime we walked past it...

Love, mwdee

{ Winter'13 in Korea } Bukhansan hike

It felt that it was not too long ago since I last blogged about welcoming 2013. Time is definitely passing by faster and faster... But I'm really glad 2013 had been such a good year. In fact, I think it's one of the best year I ever had in my life. Being able to truly appreciate what really matters most and also meeting so many nice new friends (be it through work, friends, travelling or just random chances). I couldn't have asked for more. :) 2014 started off with my first day of school in FMDS pursuing my dream which I once lost. Definitely looking forward to the whole new year ahead!

Just few weeks back, I'm actually packed off to Korea - once again - at the very last minute. I had to literally dump everything into my luggage and brace myself to experience travelling with Joel (my ex trainee/colleague from RH). Initially, I thought I actually have to entrust myself in the hands of his since, well, he's Korean and I should be safe in his hometown, isn't it? Hahah.. but turns out he's pretty much like a foreigner in Korea! Haha.. Eh, okay, at least he's a pretty good translator. And also thanks to him, my third trip to Korea was a whole new experience - nothing touristy, but more of what the local do and also meeting lots of wonderful friends too! ^^





Too many talented singers everywhere in Korea..





Random cafe hopping and turns out to be one of the cafe which one of the WGM couple visited..








(With Jiawan and Angel) Just us in our Myeongdong outfits hiking Bukhansan  :P All the Ajjushis were probably scolding us for being such a bimbo. Haha.. but there were a few of them who were really nice to give us a pushing hand, literally. 






Lesson learnt when hiking, prepare lots of water and food. Especially chocolates T_T




Finally at the peak. ^^ The view makes the whole 8 hours of hiking worthwhile.







Will be posting more of the trip bit by bit :)

Love, mwdee

{ Spring'13 in Korea } day five x six

Finally found the time (and um, effort) to sit down and continue my Korea trip post. Heeeheee. Had been busy with work for the past few months. In fact, lots of changes happened too.

Throughout my ups and downs, I feel blessed to have some love ones at home to listen to my endless ranting/joy. I admit initially I was kinda against the idea of having a stranger-relative bunking in with me in my very own cozy room. "Just treat it as having a new friend." - that's what my father convinced me before she moved in. And now I'm really glad such fate came along. Imagine the joy of having someone to talk to throughout the night, someone to watch horror movies with (The Walking Dead - our favourite!!), someone to hang out with, someone to share housework with - it's almost like having a sister whom you've longed for. Hahah..

Okay, before I drift off too far away, here's my Korea trip day five and six - which were mainly spent in Jeju Island. Do you know that Jeju Island was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature? Yes, the island is just so amazing it actually became one of the new 7 wonders. I underestimated the size of the island and only planned a 2D1N trip to Jeju. Super regretted because there is just so so so much things to explore on that island - which is even bigger than Singapore, mind you.

We decided to check out the Hello Kitty cafe at Hongdae before embarking to Jeju Island. Can someone please enlighten dumb me why did we even go to this cafe?? It's just so overrated. Other than the fact that it was in my favorite color, the food was so bad. It's probably one of the only desserts in Korea that tasted so meeeeh.







It was evening when we touched down at Jeju Island (side note: It was my first experience taking a flight which doesn't go above the cloud? Hahaha.. throughout the journey, I was able to enjoy the scenery at the bottom). At the tourist information counter, we were a tad disappointed when we found out that we actually missed the cherry blossom festive which was happening at the local university. By the time we reached the TGG guesthouse - which by the way, is really worth the stay as the room is huge and clean - the sky was already dark.

After settling down our stuffs, we wasted no more time to explore the small town around the area for dinner. Eventually we chose the restaurant which was recommended by the kind manager at the guesthouse. :) But erm... we kinda over ordered our dishes again. Hahahah.. both Joanne and I couldn't be the ones holding the menu :P










Had a little kdrama moment when we passed by this familiar green tent arcade (?)

Woken up to such beautiful view right outside our window



Fisherwomen working hard, spotted at Cheojiyeon Waterfalls













Black sand beach





Our photographer and cabby :)























Yes, it is as yummy as it looks. Drooling just thinking of it right now :( Best meal I had in Korea.























Our poor granny climbed all the way up the famous Seongsan Ilchulbong peak and was disappointed by what she saw. Haha.. so cute. She was expecting some more I guess? 















Oedolgae - Touching story about a woman waiting for the return of her fisherman husband who drowned. 

Love, mwdee