Day 2, Day time @ Seoul, South Korea

Myeongdong was our first destination of the day. Myeong-dong, also known as the Fashion Street, consist of hundreds of fashion malls, shoe shop, sporting goods and so on. They even have an underground shopping area. One can expect stamp shops there 😀

However, we didn’t do many things there. We had breakfast, great stuff.

We walked to the city hall after that. There were couple of Falun Gong members strutting their shit on the gardens. With them were few flyers protesting the crackdown of Falun Gong in China. We took couple of pictures and left. While on the way, we saw few police officers trying to expel the poor Falun Gong members.

Since Gyeokbukgong Palace is closed every Tuesday, we went to Deoksugong palace, which is just next to the city hall. We have to pay a small entrance fee into the palace, students get discount.

The view of red leaves and arches were beautiful. However, we were not allowed to enter into the buildings. The only building admissible was the museum which is located next to the palace. The museum was boring though. The signboards were not translated into English hence we had no idea what the fark they were saying.

However, there is a little souvenir shop in the museum with great selection of gifts. Price is reasonable as well.

After Deoksugong Palace, we went to Nandaemun market, which is within walking distance from the palace. Nandaemun market is another huge market area with counterfeit clothes, food and many other accessories. Sights of beggars were common as well. They were pretty hardcore. I saw 2 dudes crawling on the floor pushing a music player with his head!

According to Jane, many Japanese get their glasses done in Korea. So many till opticians had to learn Japanese to cater the huge market! Jane had hers done for 4000won and it only took 20 minutes!
To be continued….

Day 1 of Seoul, South Korea

The 6 and a half hour flight was lousy. Bloody Airbus doesn’t have personalized screens for passengers and the lady who sat next to me had bad breath. However, I had one of the best seats, which were seats with no seats in front!

For most countries, no entry visa is required for stay less than 90 days. I got through the immigration and custom easily.

Since Jane was due to arrive 8 hours later, I decided to leave my bags at Brown Hotel first. Bus would be the most appropriate way to travel to Seoul. It costs 7000won and takes about an hour plus.

I had problem looking for the hotel initially. I had no map and no guide. I didn’t bothered to ask around as Koreans couldn’t speak English. My only guess was that the hotel is located near Shinseouldong station and Bomun station.

After wandering around for half an hour, I accidentally found it! The hotel allowed me to check in few hours earlier than the official check in time. The hotel room was small though but enough to accommodate the two of us and the plus side is that the floor is heated!

We had dinner at the restaurant next door. Jane read good reviews about it hence we decided to try it. Oh my god, it was so good. Service was absolutely great as well. The lady showered us with loads of attention and taught us the proper way to eat Korean food.

We retired early, with great amount of excitement over the events which were installed for us tomorrow 😀

Hell!

The following is supposedly an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so “profound” that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well.
Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic
(absorbs heat)? Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle’s Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed)or some variant.
One student, however, wrote the following:
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.
As for how many souls are entering Hell, let’s look at the different.
Religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle’s Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added. This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls
enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase
until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.
So which is it?
If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman
year that, “it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you”, and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number 2 must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct…leaving only Heaven thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting “Oh my God.”

Back from South Korea!

In brief

No words can describe how good South Korea was. I guess it was due to the company I had.

The weather was cold. About single digit Celsius everyday.

Fortunately, it didn’t rain till the last day of my trip.

Getting around South Korea was easy like ABC. Subway is the best way to get around, it cost about 900won for every trip. Every signboard has English translation but most South Koreans cant speak English. Unfortunately, signboard on bus stands sometimes doesn’t have translation for it.

One big thing in South Korea are the power of Chaebo, family dominated conglomerates such as Samsung and Hyundai. They even have apartments with their name on them!

As for the Korean people, I find that more South Koreans could speak Japanese than English. Even staff at an Optical Centre could speak Japanese! Further, they treat tourists very well especially in Korean restaurants. They would personally teach us the way to eat their food. However, occasionally I feel like punching them on the face when I’m walking on the streets. They push and shove without discrimination!

I’ll post more on my next post! Stay tuned!

blind beggar

One night, I went yam cha (drink tea) with my friend NC, AT, and YM in SJ. We were happily chatting about AT’s wedding when suddenly out of no where a blind man stood next to us, begging for money. All of us kept quiet the moment we saw him, pretending that we were not there. However that damn bugger just wouldn’t budge. He stood there pitifully, hoping that some kind young man will spare him a change or two. Seeing this, I waved my hand in front of him, gesturing to him that we are not interested in making any “donation” to him.

“Frank, why are you doing that?” NC asked

“Do what?”

“Waving your hand. He cannot see wei, He is blind!”

“Ssssssssssh,” AT and YM quickly stopped NC because the man was still behind us.

Finally one minute later, the fellow moved on the next table.

Therefore, we continued our conversation. Queerly 15 minutes later, that damn beggar came back to our table and stayed for approximately 5 minutes!

“Why on earth did he come back to our table?” NC said in anger

“Dude, the fellow is blind lar. He cannot see!” I said and everyone busted out in laughter.

Boy, I sure feel bad making fun of that blind beggar. However, I did notice that that beggar knew where all the tables are even without anyone guiding him. He could be faking it.

Work Work

Sorry for the infrequent update since xes left for Korea. I had been busy attending interviews as a chambering student. There is nothing interesting about my interviews. The first one was the hardest. The partner interrogated me for one and half hour, and I never heard from him ever since. The rest was just normal. However, the interview I attended earlier today was so far the best. 3 senior lawyers (A, B, C) of the firm interviewed me. I thought to myself “Oh shit, I am so gonna die”. They took turns looking at my CV and cover letter. Then A studied me up and down.
“Do you know that you can only dress black and white in Court?” A asked
“Yes sir, I will take note of that,” I answered
“B, you want to ask him anything?” A turned to B
“Aiya, no need lar. All the interviewees surely say they are hardworking and determined learner…blah blah, all those usual answers. Boring lar. We test him on his knowledge,” B said
I started to get a bit nervous here because I did not remember much of what I had done in CLP. Die die die…
“I think we should ask him something harder than that,” C told his colleague.
So, C asked me a few trick questions. Luckily, i did a thorough research on the firm so i was able to answered all of it.
“He is okay. I like him,” C said with a smile on his face.
“Okay, my turn now,” B said while leaning forward. Suddenly, A showed my CV to B, pointing something to him.
“Eh, look at this. Ask him about that”, A said to B
All of them started to laugh, altogether, at the same time, with their eyes glued to my CV. Now, that seriously made me worries.
“Relax lar, don’t get too nervous,” B said to me
“Ok, Sir,” I adjusted my sitting position.
B paused for awhile then said “what is your favourite football team?”
Again, A and C started to laugh.
Now, i know they are laughing at the paragraph in my CV that reads “keen on participating and watching football” My friends had the same reaction when they saw that.But, none of my last interviewers asked me about that. They were only interested in the books that i had read and the music that i listened to. Shit!!! Okay, look like i couldn’t get the job so i decided to just play along with them.
“Manchester United fan for life, sir,” I answered shakily.
“Ask him about his football skill,” C said to B
Now,that question is the hardest question i ever have to answer in an interview because i have not really play football for a long time. In addition to that, although i like to play football, i sucks big time in it.
“Ok, just tell him the truth”, I told myself
So i said “Sir, i am not a very good player. I play football for fun. I only play football on weekdays where there is no live matches on TV, to shake off my football addiction”
“Nevermind, we shall see later. We like you and we are offering you the job. Congratulation,” B said while holding out his hand
“Thank you, sir,” I shaked his hand firmly.
YES! I am no longer an unemployed graduate. I accepted the job straightaway because of the friendly working environment and the training that they provide. I will start next Wednesday. Before then, I have to go shopping for more white shirts and black pants…maybe new underwears as well.

Creed – Greatest Hits

Initially, I wanted to tell you a story about those blind leeches aka beggars but while I was listening to Creed’s latest album. I couldn’t help it; I had to tell everyone about this album. This album is a must have for all Creed’s fans. I guess everyone in Malaysia know Creed for their songs because Hitz FM, play it every morning on their morning show without fail. Therefore, why might ask why should you get this album if you can listen to their songs every morning on the radio. You are so sick of their songs. Well, that is because I reckon this album is an essential or a must have for all the music lovers. GET IT NOW!! Remember piracy is a crime, buy original if you love them. The album will be officially released on 23rd November 2004

oooh, look at the album cover. Soooo…nice.
Song List:
1.Torn
2.My Own Prison
3.One
4.Are you ready
5.Higher
6.With Arms Wide Open
7.What if
8.One last breath
9.Don’t stop dancing
10.Bullets
11.Sacrifie
12.Weathered
The songs are listed according to the year that they are released.My favourite song from the album is “one” from “My Own’s prison” album.

Download the clip and see if you agree with me.
ONE (Right click on the link to save it)
Affirmative may be justified
Take from one give to another
The goal is to be unified
Take my hand be my brother
The payment silenced the masses
Sanctified by oppression
Unity took a backseat
Sliding further in regression
One The only way is one
I feel angry I feel helpless
Want to change the world
I feel violent I feel alone
Don’t try and change my mind
Society blind by colour
Why hold down one to raise another
Discrimination now on both sides
Seeds of hate blossom further
The world is heading for mutiny
When all we want is unity
We may rise and fall, but in the end
We meet our fate together
One The only way is one
I feel angry I feel helpless
Want to change the world
I feel violent I feel alone
Don’t try and change my mind
——————————————————————-
For those who are eager for a preview of the album, you can download it on Bittorent.
Torrent Seed:Creed – Greatest Hits – 2004
Note: The music sample is encoded by frank_omatic for personal use and the torrent is released by a third party who has no affiliation with any member of www.xes.cx. Please delete the music sample after 24 hours.

Takarazuka

During medieval time, theatrical plays were performed by men, even though the character is of a female one. But now, time has changed. Roles of female are played by females themselves.
However, in Japan, there’s type of theatre comprised of all-female performers who play both the male and female roles in musicals and revues.

Source: http://www.japan-zone.com/modern/takarazuka.shtml

    The all-female Takarazuka Revue Company is such a fanatically supported institution that you know it must touch something deep in the Japanese psyche, or at least the female Japanese psyche. Some ninety percent of fans are female and most are under twenty-five. And the stars they adulate the most are the otokoyaku, the actresses who play the male parts. In Japan’s male-dominated society, which only recently has begun to give any more than lip service to equality of the sexes, the otokoyaku represent a vicarious way for young women to live out fantasies of strength and power. But what they really come for is romance, the pure, old-fashioned, fairy-tale variety. So Takarazuka gives them just that, clearcut stories full of romance and spectacle but devoid of crudity or passion, much as Disney sugar-coats its love stories.
    The company is made up of hundreds of members that put on performances across the country and abroad year-round. Thousands more teenage girls apply to join every year but the Takarazuka Music School takes on only 40 to 50 new students a year. Those lucky enough to get in face two years of strict discipline and rigorous training. The younger students must walk along the edges of the school’s corridors, and bow and greet any sempai (older students) they meet. A daily routine of classes in acting, singing, dancing, music and theater history is coupled with cleaning of dorms and classrooms. Cleaning is done by hand, with mops, scrubbing brushes and even toothbrushes, and keenly checked by the sempai. After their first year of training, students choose whether they want to be an otokoyaku or musumeyaku (female role). Again competition is fierce, with factors like height, build and voice playing a large part. Once training is complete, students graduate and join one of the troupes.


Pictures from http://shoujo.tripod.com/takara.htm
Official site (English) http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/