Subway 지하철 Sarah Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Looking at this map drives me nuts already, though I can't complain how efficient I anticipate it to be compared to Edmonton's linear line.

Packing Sarah Tuesday, January 31, 2012

To pack or not to pack? That is the question.

I have made an unofficial list of the things I need to bring for my exchange-thanks to my handy dandy packing list notepad from my secret Santa this past Christmas. Aside from the hygienic, electronics, and documents I will be bringing, I always Always ALWAYS over pack clothes and footwear. I hesitate to bring too little in case there's something I really want to wear and its not there in my luggage or a garment I think I may potentially need and wish I had brought it. I tend to pack more than enough for the duration of my trips and end up bringing home unworn clothing. I don't know what to do with this issue, in addition, I know I will need room to bring back all the things I will have accumulated over the duration four and a half months. I know for sure I will be buying overseas- clothing at bargain able prices, but I'm still a student on a budget and should be living modestly.

Thank God for luggage restrictions and requirements, or else, I would lug my whole room half across the world. This trip will be the longest and farthest away from home and people have asked me, What am I going to bring to remember 'home'? I really don't know to be honest, but a photo album of my friends and family and different places sounds reasonable and practical while being memorable at the same time. I need to be wise in what I choose to bring and not bring, but its actually so hard to do so. When I get to Korea, it's Winter, and despite the locals wearing their parkas, I will probably be in a light winter jacket (after enduring -40, anything is bearable outside of Edmonton). About a month or so later, comes Spring, which calls for potential pleasant sunny weather, hence lightweight clothing. By the time I leave though, it will be forecasting high humidity, +30C and drip dropping sweat Summer weather.

I know I have been counting down, but to physically be in Hong Kong in a weeks' time seems a little bit overwhelming. I'm just really glad all my paperwork and appointments are nearly done so I can just focus on this difficult predeparture task now. I wish packing would be easier, and if I do bring an empty luggage (which I am most likely doing, unless I decide to buy a collaspible or cheap one in HK), I was forewarned that moving from one place to another and from hostels to dorms with two big luggages + carry-ons is a stressful matter in itself, and don't even mention walking uphill with all those things.

This will be the second hardest thing before I go, saying my goodbyes will be first.


All Aboard!

Plentiful Sarah Monday, January 23, 2012

There are many places I like to see, many things I want to do, many foods I want to eat, and many things I would like to buy during my exchange.

Sightseeing includes, and is not limited to:
-Jeju Island (I here it's Korea's Hawaii where couples who don't have a budget for a grand honeymoon to go to!)
-Busan (another popular sightseeing destination)
-local tourist attracts (DMZ area (semi restricted to see North Korea), Palaces, 63 building (tallest building in Seoul?)
-the biggest church in the WORLD (I believe its called the Church of Love) as well as explore the abundance of churches in and around the area

My (must) TO DOs:
-Lotte World (outdoor amusement park!)
-Museums
-concerts (even though I'm not into the whole Kpop craze of things, I was advised to experience it at least once)
-attend a sports game (Koreans are sport fanatics.. gotta experience the epic crowds and cheering)
-an authentic shopping experience (Dongdaemoon (area known for street/block/wholesale shopping) opens 24 hours! I'm EXCITED already!)
-and maybe.. just maybe.. a Starcrafts' game in one sitting, we'll see

FOOD Delicious FOOD (I'm really glad there is no food plan included with living in dorms so I am able to try a variety of food):
-street food, street carts, anything on the street!
-coffee shops/cafes (heard their not your typical 'starbucks' deal, more like a sit down dining experience, thus more expensive too)
-pet/animal cafes (with REAL dogs and cats)
-food vendors/restuarants opened by ajummas (a term for Korean ladies around your mom's age LOL)

BUY:
-I <3 data-blogger-escaped-___="" data-blogger-escaped-adding="" data-blogger-escaped-br="" data-blogger-escaped-collection="" data-blogger-escaped-i="" data-blogger-escaped-my="" data-blogger-escaped-of="" data-blogger-escaped-orea="" data-blogger-escaped-seoul="" data-blogger-escaped-tee="" data-blogger-escaped-to="">-local souvenirs & goodies
-clothes, shoes, accessories & bags (where close to half my budget is going.. hehe)
-makeup, face creams, lotions (As Korea is known for their infamous plastic surgeries, it only makes sense that their cosmetic section is above the rest of the world.. or so I would think)
-technology (another must as I'll be living in a high tech city)
-a Polaroid camera =)

14days

Residence Sarah Monday, January 16, 2012

I have always wanted to experience living in dorms on campus. For one thing, I always felt you get more out of your post secondary experience as it would be more convenient for you to stay late at school or partake in more extracurricular activities/join clubs due to the shorter distance to get home. Well, at least for me, as I'm not the type of student that lingers longer than the duration of my classes or like to stay late unless I have to (but, I'm slowly learning to overcome this).

Being able to be an exchange student automatically signed me up for living in residence on campus. There were two choices for me, having a room with a washroom and shower in it, or a fridge. I chose the former as I rather have the convenience and cleanliness of my own bathroom and share a communal kitchen (with the risk of my own food being stolen) than share a communal bathroom and have food kept in a cool and bacteria-free place (as Korea tends to have a hot climate in the spring/summer, food spoils easily). I will be sharing a room and bathroom with an unknown roommate as of present and now that I'm in the shoes of a student anticipating to move into dorms, I'm starting to reflect on how life will be like sharing a room possibly smaller than my own bedroom. There will be less freedom for sure, and I will have to adjust to my mysterious roomie's sleeping patterns or potential annoying habits. I really hope and pray that I will get an accommodating and easy going roommate, though I was reminded the other day that you usually don't end up being too close as friends with your roommate as you will usually have to face this person everyday; and as human as we all are, you'll eventually get bored of each other. Also, knowing every hygienic and day to day details of that person sleeping across from the room from you may not be a friendly characteristic. Another tip I got was that you probably don't want to room with someone you know as once again, you may not want to learn all the nitty gritty things about so and so.

Another issue on my mind is the lack of space I'll have. I usually like to plop myself onto a couch in a living room and make myself comfortable with all the space I have-homework on the table, backpack on the floor, food from the kitchen and so on. With just half a room to myself and not a spacious house I take for granted, that might mean having to go into the shared common area or library to do my work. It's not a big deal, but another common thing with any on campus living is the noise and partying that goes on. I don't know what the dorm living culture or population at Yonsei will be like, but here's to crossing my fingers and hoping I can still concentrate and focus on my studies, despite being in an environment where more exciting and fun things will be calling my name (as if being in a whole new country was hard enough, here's another obstacle already).

Lastly, and this topic will deserve a post all to itself later on, is my limitations in bringing my necessities and "stuff" to my dorm room during my stay there. Luggage restrictions is one thing, but its definitely going to be hard to filter and cut down what I don't need vs. want to bring to Korea.

Three weeks left. Here it goes.

BitterSweet Sarah Friday, January 06, 2012

Today is my one month countdown.

Only 31 days left until I embark on this exchange journey of mine. The excitement is building and though I know I will be flying out soon, it hasn't "hit me" yet that I'm actually going for so long. Perhaps with all the Christmas hype and holiday gatherings going on lately, I haven't been able to process my departure, but it has definitely been nice being able to relax and not worry about school work or the coming term. Fortunately for me, I won't have to go back to school this Monday, in fact, I'll be school-free until I start my exchange. I will have this whole month to myself, despite a few events I am participating in and still quite a few tasks I have to get done before I depart, such as a handful of academic and personal issues I need to settle. Just minor tasks I need to do, yet because they are "minor," I keep putting them off.

Though the thrill of being an exchange student and traveling away from home for almost five months is there, I am quite torn by this decision as well. It's odd, but I feel like I'm anticipating homesickness already. Maybe not like "I want to go home" sort of thing while I'm in Seoul, but realizing all the events I'll be missing while I'm away from Edmonton, and all those friendly faces I see on a usual basis does bring a frown to my face. It's also ironic because I always complain about how boring Edmonton can be or how I rather live elsewhere, and now, I'm starting to appreciate all that Edmonton has to offer and festivities we have year round. It's what you make of where your living really.

Well, regardless, I know that my anticipation for all things half across the world triumphs the sorrow I feel when I think about the cons of leaving. This is a God given opportunity and I know I would be in terrible regret if I chose to withdraw from this once in a lifetime exchange. Being able to not only experience, but be immerse in a whole new culture, befriend new classmates and university clubs, eat authentic Korea food, shop on the street, travel to nearby cities and touristy destinations-all delights and fills me with a new found joy I would never be able to experience if I was situated at home.

I look forward to counting down each day and I pray that God will continue to provide and bless this journey.

P.S. I started watching a Korean drama called My Girl, upon recommendation from a friend and not only is the plot funny and entertaining, I find myself picking up words in their dialogues and learning some slang and common day to day phrases as well. They speak so fast, but hooray for subtitles!