Reading

Back to reading recently. Just finished reading The Lost Symbol.

Now continue on The Diary of A Young Girl. First time reading someone's diary. And not an ordinary diary, it's a diary of a teenage that went through the Holocaust.
I seldom read fiction but this diary makes me realize how fortunate I am. Being able to enjoy limitless freedom. Even able to walk out of the house is a blessing.

If Anne Frank live in 20th century, she will definitely make a good blogger.


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work

Grateful because it's Friday again.
3 months to go, then I'll be on holiday. A much waited holiday. The currency rate will be better then and the problems will solve itself.


Someone asked me, "Do you ever think of changing your job?"
I replied, "My current job still able to satisfies my need, moreover, I have no desire for any other job, yet."
It's true my job now isn't perfect. Indeed, there are no perfect job. What's make a job perfect is the individual's affection for their job. Just love and enjoy what you are doing. If you can't, quit.
Years ago, while I'm working as an Admin, I told myself, my next job will be an IT related job. For those few months, I worked as Admin, I found myself frequently under stress in everything I do, every decision I made. EVEN a simple task seems difficult but I was glad when I was assigned to do those task that require me to use the PC. I was glad when co-workers asked me to help them troubleshooting their PC.
Indeed, it was what I wanted ever since I graduated from High school even though I'm not majoring in IT field.
Thereafter, I found this job, that doesn't require any IT related qualification, and I can use my apply my foreign language study. Not only that, it was a stress-less job. I don't have to worry about my work task after working hours. I don't have Monday blues. I even quit the Part Time job because my pay was enough for a basic living. So, I am still comfortable with this job as for now, I have no intention to find another one, yet.

P/S: What kind of job that able to provide me time to blog while working :D

Cheers~ ♥

Realization

Self realization.

Now only I realize how lazy and idly I was.

I have to SIT at least 7 hours a day for work. When I have free time, at home, I will just SIT and play with phone then SLEEP.

When I was outside, alone, I will ALWAYS look for cafe/restaurant with good ambiance and SIT and look around. I only walk when accompany my mum which is only during weekend.


Even when I am with my bf, after eat, I just walked for 10mins then start looking for reason (coffee/dessert) but main reason is find a place to SIT.

What kind of pig I am. No wonder I am so much overweight compare to people who are at the same height or shorter than me.

And another problem is I ALWAYS have dinner late.

Gonna change my lifestyle.





Just showered. Waiting for my bro to take his shower and dinner.


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Problems

Can finally "see" some result. But there's another problem. The more weight I lost, the more clothes I will buy. How to save money like that?!




Selfie of the day #sotd


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Walk walk

A good day at work. Everything goes smoothly. Grateful :))

Walked half the Pavillion after I left the office. A good walk. I shall take a longer walk tomorrow but I will have to wear a more comfortable shoes. Walking long distance in wedges is not a pretty thing.

So long, office

It has been weeks since I came to office.
I am grateful for working on shift. Staying put in a fixed permanent hour is too boring. Focus on different things during different hours. Make full use of my time :)

Now that CNY and trips are over. My diet plan shall resume. I have put it to a halt since June last year. This time, I will give it a 8 months period and I have confidence that I will achieve what I wanted. It will go slowly and steadily. Less grain, more vege, less red meat, more lean meat, less sugar, more fruits and most importantly, more water and workout :).



Cheers~ ♥

Busy this month, preparing for my exam next month.
Life so far so good. Grateful :)
Learning more and more as time goes on. All is great.
Never regret.

다음 달에 시험가 있을 거다. 아직 복습하기 시작하지 않아요.

Seoul Autumn Day 4

Seoul Autumn Day 4

18th October 2014


This should be a leisure shopping day.
We went to Hongdae to lookout for out pre-planned breakfast. It was a good weather for a walk. My feet doesn't feel so much pain after the hike.


Saw this multi level open parking remind me of the one in Penang.

walk walk walk.... hungry and anxious. Can't even find the restaurant. Nevermind. We asked the passerby. They don't know, never mind. We have broadband, we can search the gps/net. Only to find out that the restaurant only open for lunch. -.-||| FYI. That cafe named D'Avant. In fact, many of the places here only open when for lunch and dinner. So if you want breakfast, either go to the 24 hours cafe/ chain bakery/cafe/kimbap place, breakfast in the hostel/hotel/guesthouse or just get a kimbap from the convenient store.



Ended up having breakfast at a chain cafe. Expensive too.

After the breakfast, we went on to Ehwa for shopping.
First stop is Artbox and we bought a lot of greeting cards (RM3 per piece with nice paper quality and design), notebooks, planners and mask.

Then we went to Gangnam for the some of the travel partners want to stalk the K-pop stars and stopped at this Kona Beans Cafe in Apgujeong, said to be owned by a S.Junior star. In there, I tried the pakbingsu




and while others busy taking photos of the SJ decors, I take some selfie. Lol

bought this hairband from Ehwa. The unni so nice demonstrated to us how to tied it.

After a short walk around Gangnam and Apgujeong, we took train to Seokchon lake to visit the rubber duck, which so coincidentally also visiting Seoul.


The duck was just located next to Lotte Dept store. So we went to Lotte supermarket as well.

They get a lot of cookies pack and seaweed for souvenir. So, we ended up have to carry those boxes to the train and walked back to out guesthouse.. It was seriously torturing.

This is where we had our second dinner.
WE craved for pork but we have a Muslim friend with us. So, we had a light first dinner (that cheesy chicken not bad though)  and continue to our second dinner at Myth Jokbal. A pork lover heaven which is more suitable to Chinese taste buds. Not spicy. The pork set come with a side salad (can wrap with the pork), a plate of udon noodles (to boil in the kimchi soup) and of course the pork!








Love to have some familiar food in between of kimchis and bbq.

Cheers~ ♥

Seoul Autumn DAY 3

Day 3

17th October 2014

This is a more leisure day as compare to the day before.
In the morning, we woke up and went to Myeongdong for Breakfast.
We had the porridge there. I ordered Oyster and Mushroom Porridge. The porridge is thick and fragrant. Too thick till we can't finish our bowl.

Then, we walked around Myeongdong for those first time visitors to have an idea of it and what to expect from it. We, too, walked to Lotte Duty Free. We have to control ourselves not to buy anything because that mean we have to carry all those stuff to our next destination.


We took train to meet up with a friend who is studying there. Then, together, we go to Nami Island.
Nami Island is a mini island which was made famous by Winter Sonata. None of us watch it though.
I just want to have more autumn colors.





First thing we saw when we reached the entrance to buy ferry ticket was this..

Skyline ZipWire ZipRider. In short, Zip Line. This is just like a flying fox but a little extended. YOU can either take this, through the lake into the island or, as most people would, take the ferry because this ZipLine is not cheap.

WELL, we of course took ferry. When we reached the island, there was about 500 meters long queue of people trying to get to the ferry to the mainland. WE were shocked. But, don't care la. Since we already arrived, can't make any different.



So, we walked around and take photos. It's all that about Nami Island. Just scenery but first time visitors to Seoul must come. I'm not sure why. Maybe they can skip this next time? but it's a good place if you are with your bf/gf or honeymoon/ pre wedding photoshoot. It's a romantic place that you can take a slow stroll in the park, have a picnic with your loved one and enjoy the nature. That's how they do it in Korean Drama. ahahaa


However, my travel mates doesn't really enjoy the beauty of the nature.
I guess they rather spend the time in shopping streets but it's not the kind of nature you can see in Malaysia. You can't see red/yellow/orange maple,  golden yellow ginkgo tree or pine trees in those park/garden in Malaysia, right? So, I guess it's a mind (and leg) relaxing activity especially after the weary hiking day to Bukhansan, it is good to enjoy a slow walk at a peaceful park.



The magnificent golden ginkgo tree is standing so proudly against the blue sky.




Oh and there's an Ostrich farm here.
You can get close to these birds as you want but be careful not too near.



Took the ferry back at about 5pm and it was less people. Thankfully.



While on the way out, we saw this Bungy Jump tower right in front of the ferry dock. In fact, some of them wanna try bungy jump but after the hiking, they pulled out. There's a weight limit though. This is only for those who are 90kg or lighter.


It was getting dark and some of the partners cannot stand hunger, so we just choose a restaurant near that place for dinner. Wrong choice. The dakgalbi is famous in Chuncheon but this one tasted too strong of basil and pepper.



Cheers~ ♥

Seoul Autumn DAY 2

Day 2

16 October 2014.

It was suppose to be rather cold this morning.
It was the day that I dreaded.
It was a dooms day.

WHY?
 It's the day for Bukhansan hike.
Wow, never in my travel history that I include mountain hiking(it's climbing!) into the itinerary.I actually did some research as soon as they suggested this hike. I saw these....

Image Source: http://globitrotter.files.wordpress.com

Image Source: http://flyerizer.com

... I know I am doomed. After seeing these pics, I immediately buy gloves and tracking pants, which is an absolutely RIGHT choice..

I keep on wishing that they will gave up, stop halfway up the mountain and go back to the city for a relax lunch/tea/coffee and do some shopping. So with this hopeful wish, I woke up and we had a great breakfast at Paris Baguette. Love their Green Tea Latte. Seriously nice!



and it come in a cute cup.

After the fulfilling breakfast, we went take the subway and then the bus to get to the national park. On the way there, even in the train, we can see a lot of ahjumahs (auntie) and ahjusshi (uncles) in full hiking gear.



at the bus station, a small stall selling hiking gear. We took the bus to the main entrance of the national park. It was a windy, cool and bright day despite it rained in the morning.


more shops that selling hiking gear on the way to the entrance. There's some roadside stall that sell food as well.



I was happy that I finally see the Fall Foliage. I was worrying that what if we climb all the way up but didn't manage to see any of these beautiful fall colors? after all, the main purpose of this hike is to enjoy the autumn scenery.



There we go. In fact, the traveling partners doesn't see "those pic" I googled. So, they expect that this will be some hike alike to those hike of FRIM or Broga. However, I am not convinced of it even though my traveling partner ensured us that we pick the easiest/beginner trail.



So, from the beginning, it all looks good and easy, right? Perfectly paved road, lined with beautiful trees and good weather.


Then we saw this. One of the partner, "We aren't going to that top right?"
another replied,"Of course not!"

In my thought, "no, not this one, BUT it wouldn't be any better than this one, though"


So after all the picturesque scenery we passed, we reached some stairs and then to dirt path and to rocks..

Rocks, big ones, where we have to use hands to hold one and climbed through it. It was then, I feel extremely lucky I bought the gloves. It did help a lot.

However, we did stopped and rested a numbers of time on the way up. So it make the hiking experience not too bad.



On the way, we saw many of these stones pile (I googled and found a term for it, Cairn)

So here's the question, what are these for??

I googled and come upon this,

"The purpose of the rock piles is to act as signals for alien spacecraft to land, so they can take you onto their ship and probe you several times, then show you where they live on a map and send you on your way." 

 by Tryptamine 

Source:http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=99076

Good try. I hope it can summon Do Min Joon ssi.

Source:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCQnkFkGHAlxvQyaqyLuAgwCHn5DQjsVhTyYD-oqRFvZCOW9WL4KIM81k5uOXc7-DfTy7n7vQux75Gi8e_lXNzHfaB1t1F601tEBTs2SSXewPsLc0NQEZMPVLexrMPxNNoIDgVFJPJsc/s1600/Man+From+Star+9+(154).jpg

a more practical reason is to mark the trails. However, some Koreans do this to ask for good fortune Something similar to why people throw coins into the water fountain.

So, we don't miss this of course. We picked some real good stones on the way, we washed it with the pure mountain water and pile it up at the highest point we can get. For sure, we have better luck than those that pile at the lower spots..hahahaa.. *kiasu*





It was here, that we stopped for a light lunch with the food we packed the day before. Beautiful scenery with tasty gimbap and sweet water. It was then, we took a look at the map and found out that we took the wrong trail. o.O

I mentioned earlier that we will take the easiest path but from the map, we, somehow, took the wrong way and we are halfway up using the "ADVANCED" trail. *smack forehead*.

Now we only have one choice, which is to move forward up because if we gave up and return, we have to go through the same advance trail. It will be dangerous. Since we are like at already 80% of the trail. We just move forward and perhaps when we reached the junctions we can decide to go up to the expert trail up to the peak OR we can give up and change to an easier trail there to go down.

So, after lunch, we marched forward for about 30 more minutes. We saw the gate, we passed the gate, we saw stairs, we walked up the stairs and here where's horror happen. I personally thought the stairs is more difficult than climbing those rocks. Then when we climbed to the end of those stairs, there a steep incline rocks. with no carved path. Just a rope. I remind you that we are just wearing normal jogging shoes. In our mind, we are almost there, just a few minutes, we will be at the top... So we literally dragged our self up. Our life depends on the rope and our hands. If our hands slipped, then that's the end.




We were all able to make it to the peak, thankfully. We were rewarded with this view. It was about 4pm when we reached the peak. It was starting to get seriously windy. The wind was ferociously blowing at us, we have difficulty standing there even holding the rail. I don't even care to take my phone/camera out for a selfie.

We stayed there and took a few groupfie then start going back down. Going down is another difficulty. Going up I have to use all my arm strength to hold on the rope, but going down, I have to keep sliding on the rocks because my shoes isn't meant for hiking. Furthermore, it was very windy while we going down, so it was equally dangerous.


When, we reached the gate, we used our limited Korean to asked the locals for an alternative trail to go down that is for beginner.
Then the good ahjussi showed us this way. This path was covered by 70% yellow and red color foliage. At least, we meet the purpose to come here.




After the hike, everyone was so tired and looks like zombie. We reward our self with a good ddoboki meal at Sindandong. We dined at the Makborim restaurant, which is the most famous from the information we get from internet.




But it tasted like a big pot of instant noodle. Looks like one as well.
The tastiest thing in this pot was the fried wanton. There are 3 pieces of it in one pot.



After dinner, we went to Dongdaemun because it just on the way. Of course, everybody is so beaten up that we only walked 5 shops then back to the guesthouse and zzzzz.
Thus, my most dreaded day just passed. If this day is the hell, the rest of the trip will be heaven.

Cheers~ ♥

Seoul Autumn

Day 1 - 15 October 2014

We took the early AirAsia flight. So, all of us have to wake up at 4am in the morning to catch the flight. This was also my first time taking the ERL. Not as exclusive as I expected though but it was fast enough. I would rather take the bus if it's not so early in the morning as I love seeing the scenery on the way to the airport.

We reached the KLIA2 by 5am and had some breakfast at the KFC. One thing KLIA2 is better than LCCT is that there's more choices of food but we have to walk at least 15 minutes to get to the boarding gate.

Reached Incheon at about 3pm and there was a huge group of people at the immigration. So it took us about one hour to get everything done and we had a light tea time at the airport. Kimbap and Banana milk. My friends doesn't fond of the famous Korean banana milk though, they commented it tasted too strong of artificial banana essence but the kimbap was good.

So after the meal, we took the rail to Seoul city, to Hongdae. Our guesthouse is not exactly in Hongdae. It was 8 minutes walk from the airport rail station which is ok but it could be horrible if we have to carry lots of stuff. So, I still prefer Myeongdong. At least shopping to the guesthouse is near and we don't have to carry all those stuff up and down the stairs of the stations. By 6pm, the sky was completely dark.

After we checked in and put all our luggage in the guesthouse, we walked to Hongdae for the trickeye museum. There's an adult version trickeye museum but we didn't go in. We choose the normal instead. It was about MYR50 per person for entrance to Trickeye Museum and Ice Museum.






It was real ice here and we were given a piece of plastic apron each (not sure what is it for). Inside was dim, so it was difficult to get a clear photo. It just took about 10 minutes (include photo taking) for this place.



Then, we moved on to Trickeye Museum. There's a lot more here than the ice one. Took few dozens of photos. It's a nice place to go with friends who can play along. So we tried to pose with everything there.

Walked along the street to look for the restaurant. There's many stores selling clothes and hats. I think most of the hats are made in China, so I didn't buy any because I will go to China soon as well. There are many stalls selling sweater and knitwear for Autumn. Cheapest at 10,000/15,000 won which is about MYR30-MYR50. Quite cheap if compare to those that sell in Malaysia.




Finally found the restaurant. Yeolbong JJimdak.


It looks like our braised chicken, doesn't it? but don't be fool by its look. It was a hot and spicy dish. The kind of numbing spiciness like Szechuan dishes. We ordered the "ordinary spicy level" and we have to keep drinking water. Luckily the water was free flow in Korea. I thought this is already spicy but the next dish was even more numbing.


There, this dish. This dish makes the previous one as if it was for kids. One touch and your whole mouth immediately feel numb. But we managed to finished all the chickens.


Thought we can do some shopping in Hongdae but the shops are closing by the time we finished our dinner at about 10pm except for restaurants, cafe and pubs. So we just strolled along the street and came upon this cutie that tied to a restaurant. He was so fluffy. We thought of asking what shampoo he is using and maybe buy the shampoo back as souvenir for Sushi?

Then, we went to a convenient store near the guesthouse to stock up some water and food for our hiking next day.


 Cheers~ ♥