Gyeongju (경주) is one of the most historical places in Korea. During the Shila Dynasty, Gyeongju is the capital city and this area encompasses almost two thirds of the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, due to its cultural and archaeological importance in relation to the history of Korea, it has one of the most historical sites and is the most-visited place outside major cities.
At Seokguram
I happen to visit this place a few months ago as Gyeongju is very near to Daegu (my city). Gyeongju resembles a small city, trying to balance its modern development while at the same time, preserving its heritage. Due to the distance of this city far from other major cities, it is not well connected by major railways or does it has an airport.
Map of Gyeongju
Nevertheless, the city's charm lies in its thousand-long years of Korean history and the relative ease of travel by bus. It is recommended to travel to Daegu (from Seoul or anywhere else) if planning to visit Gyeongju, as you can just take a bus (very frequent) from Daegu directly there. Although Gyeongju is also directly accessible by train (albeit taking only the slowest train) from Seoul, it can take almost 5 hours because of the numerous stops along the way.
From Daegu to Gyeongju
From Daegu Station (if from Dongdaegu Station, 동대구역, the bus station is located outside the station), take a cab to Dongdaegu Express Bus Terminal (동대구 고속버스터미널), after alighting from the cab, walk across the road to the opposite direction to the other bus terminal. Buy your ticket (4,200 Won) and the journey begins.
Bulguksa Temple
In my case, I chose a morning trip (more time to explore this place). My destinations: Bulguksa Temple (불국사) and Seokguram (석굴암) Grotto (both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites). After getting off the bus at the Gyeongju bus terminal, I crossed the road (to the small bus stop) and took a city bus (either Bus no. 10 or 11) to Bulguksa Temple. Cost: 1500 Won.
Gyeongju city bus routes
The bus I took: Bus no. 10 also passes by Gyeongju World (a water park). After that, I took another bus to reach Bulguksa Temple. According to many websites, Bulguksa Temple is one of the most impressive temple in Korea and is the masterpiece of Buddhist art. In my opinion, it was just so-so. Seokguram was interesting. After alighting from the bus, I had to walk a distance to reach this temple.
The entrance to Seokguram
Seokguram located at the top
Even though, then, the weather was quite hot and humid, the lush trees around the area provided a shady respite. One has to climb up the steps to get inside the temple housing the grotto (behind the panel of glass). Unfortunately, no photography is allowed there.
Summary of my trip:
Bus schedule for Bulguksa - Seokguram - Bulguksa
Gyeongju Bus Terminal (Bus no. 10 or 11) --> Bulguksa Temple (Entrance: 4,000 Won) --> Seokguram Grotto (take another bus outside the exit of the Bulguksa Temple). Trip back is the same.
On the way back by Bus no. 10, you can get off at the Anapji (a lotus pond) or the National Museum. Before leaving, don't miss out tasting the delicious 찰보리빵 (Glutinous barley bread, a red bean paste filled pancake and is a little chewier than the ubiquitous Gyeongju bread) and the 경주빵 (Gyeongju bread, a red bean paste bread).
The Great Gatsby character of Jay Gatsby epitomizes the ideal goals (although partially) of what most guys dream living- successful, wealthy, famous, and so forth. With determination to prove his self worth and hard work, Gatsby focused relentlessly on his goal to achieve his dreams.
"No amount of fire can challenge the fairytale he had stored up in his heart..."
After having read the novel by Scott Fitzgerald many years ago, I am really looking forward for the upcoming movie starred by Leonardo DiCaprio (my favorite actor). Jay Gatsby, although very successful, like some people, he is still obsessed with his lover, Daisy, and this led to his downfall. He cannot let go of loving people, people of his past and get over with it.
My favorite song in this movie (below)... "Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul..."
I hate the ending. I always wonder why an innocent person like Jay will be killed at the end of the story but not the guilty ones - Daisy for killing Tom's mistress, and Tom for accusing Jay as the killer of his mistress to the real husband, Wilson.
**
My mid term exams ended yesterday. I never really had the chance to enjoy what a normal university student back home would be doing: Hanging out with a group of Malaysians (There's only 2 Malaysians in my university), going home or vote for the first time in my country's general election.
My exam preparation "sidekick": Prawn Roll!
All gone in less than two days...
Blueberries with yogurt, can add as much as I want. Heavenly...
Gooooodddddd.....
These days, we heard so much about "Changes" in the country. To change our government with big expectation for a better governance under the current opposition or to continue retaining a government who had done so much in terms of development after being in power for more than 50 years, it is a difficult decision.
Penang has developed so much. These days, traffic jams here are a menace and housing prices are skyrocketing without any means of halting them. During my parents time, if we can save enough, we can already afford a decent home. Nowadays, buying a landed property in Penang with earnings as a fresh graduate would be like a far-fetched dream.
It is simply impossible for young people like us to afford a home.
As an observer in this upcoming election, it's hard for me to judge both the opposition and the governing party. I am against the free education system proposed by the opposition. Education, I believe should not be free but it should be affordable for all people. If education is free, will we value what we learn? If university education is free, who's going to foot the bill? Borrowing money from the bank and letting our children pay for it one day?
Next is the abolishment of government loans. Loans are agreement signed and agreed upon by both the borrower and the lender. Of course it is a very noble intention to scrap off the loans still owed by the borrower but what about the ones who had paid off the loans faithfully and on time. The defaulters and borrowers will get reprieve but the ones who had paid off their debt get nothing. Is it fair? The system will encourage more people to default their loans. Moreover, the government loans can be converted into scholarships if we meet a certain academic criteria.
Next is the lowering of petrol price. It is a good news to some but again, who will be benefiting from it? Will they be the poor uncles and aunties riding motorbikes who use little fuel to make a living, or will it be the ones driving petrol guzzling expensive cars? If the fuel is overly subsidized, rampant smuggling of our resources (and it is still happening now) to other countries will definitely happen.
Will the bakeries or all businesses reduce their price due to savings derived from fuel cost? It's just that I felt nobody will ever want to reduce their profits. Prices of goods rarely decrease. I felt it would be better if the money can be instead channeled towards improving public transportation like those in Korea or funneled directly to the people.
The government is no less better. For over 50 years, we have allowed corruption and racial intolerance to be deeply entrenched in our society. Then, our ethnicity is a factor in university admissions, to certain schools (like MARA, Matriculation Colleges, etc) and that some ethnic group not benefiting from the special privileges given to them. I have to admit that I am sometimes envious of friends who scored lesser than me, from wealthy families and were given scholarships or admission to courses selected not based on capabilities but based on the color of the skin. I am just a mere human, not perfect at all. I do envy people, sometimes.
Government is selected by the people and they ought to be making fair and wise decisions: ones that will influence our long term interests. A government change will encourage better transparency because every party will soon realize that bad governance cannot be swept under the carpet anymore.
At the same time, government change may lead to deadlocks and instability if not handled correctly. In the states, legislation cannot be passed because of disagreement between both the Republican and Democrats. In Egypt, we have the Muslim Brotherhood's government facing constant administrative problems, advisers resigning, and arrest.
What have our government of the day been doing after over 50 years? We see more racial polarization day after day. Most people see each other based on ethnicity first than as a Malaysian first. What and how can the oppositions guarantee that they can be better than the present government? I do not know. What I knew was that being given the power to lead is sweet but sometimes, it can lead us astray. Even if the opposition is in power, can the coalitions with so much differences in ideology work together. Or can the present government with a track record of stability but with a tinge of corruption retains its seat at Putrajaya. This election coming Sunday (tomorrow) shall be a close and exciting one.
It always happen this way. I tend to blog during exams preparation week. Honestly, I don't care really much about getting good results as I believe taking lectures should be more about learning than regurgitating facts during exams.
Where is my Rose? (Me alone? ahhh!!!)
Nevertheless, I want to achieve well. Unlike in the past where my goals were to get excellent results and obtain admission to good university, now, I work hard solely to learn as much as I can and indirectly, achieving my small set of short-term goals.
"Little Moments" fashion mag~
These days, I felt my time in Korea passes by so fast because in less than a year, I will be graduating and then, a new dilemma begins: What's next for me. So instead of worrying about the next phase in life, I began an adventure of travelling to places I missed during my past four years in Korea. I started off at Jinhae.
**
Jinhae (진해) is a beautiful port town located in the south of Korea. Travelling there is not a problem especially during non-peak months but come spring, you will come across huge crowds of visitors to the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival (진해군항제). This festival is usually held on early April for a week. This is also the time where you can see traders increasing their prices on every goods/food they sell.
Jinhae 2013
I am very kiamsiap (stingy) when it comes to paying for below-average food. I don't mind paying good money for a haute cuisine but if you asked me to pay double for a kimbap with so little ingredients, I wouldn't like paying for that crap.
It happened when I was outside the Changwon station buying a cheese kimbap (a plain roll of kimbap: rice and seaweed with some garnishing, topped with only a slice of cheap cheese), it was 3,000 Won! Damn! I can get bulgogi kimbap for less than 2,000 Won at the nearby convenience store.
Changwon Station, out from the train
Getting to Jinhae from Seoul/Daegu: Just take a train (KTX or Mugunghwa, the slow train) to Changwon (창원) and transfer to Jinhae using the Mugunghwa. Going back is the same. However, if you prefer to visit more places, you can travel to Masan, 마산 (most Koreans do it anyway if they found out that train tickets were all sold out) from Jinhae and take an express bus or train back.
From Masan to Daegu/Seoul by bus, you need to walk to 마산시외버스터미널 or the Masan Inter City Bus Terminal (around 1000 m from the station). It costs less than 7,000 Won, from Masan to Daegu/Dongdaegu Station by either bus or train.
Jinhae to Masan (you can get a ticket to Changwon too...)
Masan to Daegu (but we took off at Dongdaegu Station)
The key attraction spot in Jinhae during spring is the Yeojwa Stream (여좌천). This is where most travel brochures and flyers prominently display this place as a "must-visit" place. Fear not the countless touts waiting for you outside the Jinhae station telling you they are willing to fetch you there, you can, in fact, walk there by yourself!
Outside the Jinhae station, walk a little further up until you reach the road and turn to your right. Keep walking until you can see an underpass on your right. This is it. You are already there.
As we walked pass the stream, flower petals were showering down on us whenever the wind gusted. Instead of snow during winter, this was petal showers during spring. Wouldn't it be nice if we can have two seasons in Malaysia, spring and autumn?
My only complain was the overpriced food sold around the area. I really have serious issue with the food price here. There were a lot of kebab stalls (each is 4,000 Won) operated by Turkish and since I am bringing my Muslim friends, the vendors hesitated when I asked them whether they were halal or not. They simply said that the meat was halal, whether to believe or not, I don't know. I chose not to believe...
Most snacks were above the 3,000 Won price range. You can get more delicious, cheaper and better alternatives in Seoul (especially in Itaewon for the Kebab), Daegu or anywhere else. If you come for food, I would not recommend it at all. This is also true for photography if you are there on weekends. I intentionally traveled to Jinhae on a weekday (Wednesday) just to avoid the crowds. And I don't have classes on Wed. Even better!
Side Trip: Jinhae Tower
Lovely.
As Jinhae is also the home of Korea's naval academy, they will be military parades during this festival (exact time not sure). According to a Korean I met over there, he said that the Yeojwa Stream looks better at night as the whole will be colorfully lit up.
**
Say "Gangnam"!
With over a year left, I intend to travel to as many places (yet to be visited by me) as I can in Korea. It's quite amusing to see people studying over five years in Korea but have yet to visit Busan or Gyeongju (경주). My next trip would most probably be Busan, it is so near to Daegu. Happy weekend.
Sometimes, I always wonder what were my goals in life. I am undecided due to the lack of opportunity to make mistakes because it was risky if I fail or maybe, I was too ignorant in what to do in the future.
Spring 2012
As one of the final year undergraduate students, I started to worry a lot about my future: the next phase of my life after graduation. Well, my life until now was already set up when I received this scholarship to continue my studies here. Every paths had already been decided: graduate with a degree and leave the university with good memories.
My turn is coming soon
Is that all?
As imperfect as I always am, I always try to be the best. Ambitions, successes, wealth and positions used to be my main goals when I was young. Of course they still do now, but I do not crave for them anymore. Successes always equate happiness? Aren't they?
As we were all taught from young that getting good grades, awards result in better future and these were reinforced by movies where the victors are often portrayed as the happiest persons on earth.
So, I competed.
Puff your face and let's eat curry puff
Now as a young adult, the meaning of successes started to be redefined. It is more to achieving your goals and be contented with what we have. Living within our means, be humble and grateful with what we have is not easy. However, easy or not, nothing is impossible. These days, I am trying to connect the dots, dots that have meanings to me.
Dragonfly at Gyeongju
I also learned that as we grow older, the friendship circles around us will start to shrink. Facebook is the opposite though. On the flip side, the friends we have when we grew older are the closest, the ones we can rely most. Anyway, I am always inspired when I watched some classic ol' movies.
Vanilla or vanilla?? Nom nom..
Forrest Gump is my all time favorite. It tells the life of a young boy growing up with clutches who never fails to work hard and achieve his goals. Along his journey to adulthood, he began to walk unassisted, help his friends, serve his country and meet the love of his life. lalalala :)
Hi Kid, can you pleaseeeee stand still? -_-"
Then comes the "bucket list". I wrote down a list of things I would love to see and make them happen before the time comes. Honestly, I have no idea how or when I would be able to accomplish them but I will try my best to cross the list out one by one.
1. Help the orphans (or anyone in need)
2. Be proficient in Korean (Take and pass the Korean proficiency test)
3. Get a job
4. Travel to Shanghai solo
5. Travel to Europe
6. Start my own business
7. Speaking to the public in an important event
8. Lean more about other religions
9. Contribute to an orphanage
10. Waking up with the feeling that I have accomplished my goals in life
11. Publish my own book
12. Try bungee jumping or sky diving
13. Play chess against a complete stranger in an unexpected place
14. Say "hello" to Taj Mahal
15. Nap under a tree peacefully with no one bothering me at my high school
16. Witness the most beautiful thing in the world
A never ending journey with my Lala-land military ration (milk)
I felt, it's better to live with goals and dreams than to live just for the sake of living.
It's a female cat without even looking at the "ahem ahem", wanna know why? Search for Calico cat! NEVER MESS WITH A SCIENCE STUDENT!!! RAWR!
어제 신문 읽었다가 내가 앞으로 뭐 될지 갑자기 생각했어.. 사실 난 부자 아녀서 기회를 누구나 주시면 난 어쩔수없이 받아야해죠. 이땜에 원하는 길 미리 못찾고 그냥 일반사람들처럼 살기 위해서 내 운명 감수했어. 진심으로 난 좋은 인간처럼 살고 싶어.. 그런데 우리 인간의 마음을 아무거도 추측못하잖아. 오늘은 이렇게 되지만 내일 다른거 생겨도 됨. 인강 살기가 참 힘든데 우리 항상 무시했나봐~ 아무튼 난 꼭 열심히 살아~ 꼭 행복해~
After a short trip back to my home state, Penang, for Chinese New Year- finally, my real holiday began for 2 weeks. It's easy to imagine the life of a foreign student in Korea, life practically revolves around academics, work, going home for holidays or outing with friends.
Pic from the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang
Fast forward, my winter vacation is now over and life as a student officially begins...
**
Last December up to the last week year 2012, I was quite busy. 12/12/12 (12th December 2012) was a memorable one for me because I remembered not sleeping revising for my end term exam. While others were celebrating the once-in-a lifetime occasion, I was preparing for an exam. It was not because I hadn't done any revision beforehand. (Nevertheless, some of my Koreans friends I knew rarely sleep during the exam weeks.)
I dislike obtaining average results in the subjects I love very much. I remembered very well that day because I drank 4 mugs of tea and 2 cups of coffee that night for the first time, and I had a huge headache afterwards.
Translation: "If living is just for the sake of living, the pigs in the forest are also living. If working for the sake of working, even the monkeys work". A very inspiring quote by an Indonesian writer and let's all live a meaningful life.
University life is about learning to set your goals (achieve good results, etc), time management, and most importantly, learn as many as you can. I set my short term goals to obtain good results in these papers.
In the end, I came out top of my class (I was quite surprised too!) for the subjects of immunology and molecular biology. Hehe. Ambition can make the impossible possible. In other words, my late-night "sacrifice" works.
My third year in university was more about choosing courses I like or something which I am able to learn. I also took golf lessons last semester and it was really fun. (In this final year, I will most likely be taking tests required for either graduate school admission or employment and travel.)
The following week, winter lectures began. I took 2 lectures (the max ㅠㅠ) from noon till evening everyday. Here, our university offered classes conducted by foreign professors and I took a lecture (Organizational Behavior) conducted by a professor from Luxembourg.
The other was chemistry. I always have problems in chemistry since coming to Korea... Chemistry I, II, Biochemistry and Analytical Chemistry. 화학이 있으면 내 세상에 참 어둡다... ㅋㅋ
Like most first year science lectures in Korea, the classes, exams, books and lecture materials were all in Korean. It was my battlefield again and I felt I have only myself to blame.
Winter classes were extremely exhausting, it sucked the life out of me. With little time I had after squeezing in assignments, home works, KNU Times, gym and other commitments, what's left was for sleeping.
Even though, I had struggled a lot, life as a student is very rewarding. As students, we can afford to make mistakes and failure is not something to be frowned upon. Failing when we start working seems to be another story. MORAL: ENJOY YOUR LIFE IN UNIVERSITY!!!
**
After my winter lectures and never ending KNU Times meetings (my uni's English magazine and I work there), it was my trip back home for Chinese New Year. For convenience sake, I chose MAS (Malaysia Airlines System) over the legendary Air Asia because it delivers my luggage directly to Penang without having to claim the luggage at KL.
Suggestions on things to bring back: Seaweeds, Korean rice wine (more variety here), ginseng (only if you like it), Korean cosmetics (imported ones are EXPENSIVE!), face masks (CHEAP!), and all the girly stuffs.
WTH! How can my luggage be misplaced?
The trip back home was not without any drama. My luggage was misplaced on the flight back home. With nothing but only the clothing on my back, I had to shop around for some clothing. Most of my clothing in Penang were either given away or thrown. They were either too worn out or too big for me now. Cannot be naked lah... have pride... have pride... ㅋㅋㅋ
**
I'm home. At last... I'm home...
Penang is one of the most live-able cities in Asia and coupled with its best food, friendly people and nice weather, this little state is one of the best places to live and work.
Starved from the delicious Malay sambal and Indian curry in Korea, without fail I would eat them almost everyday when I was back in Penang. Maybe, just maybe... I may have Indian or Malay blood. Malay and Indian food are really sedapppp! (delicious)...
Malaysia....
(Halfway eating the) Black Pepper Venison. Yummy!
I can never not enjoy eating Malay or Indian food from morning till night. The smell of the spices and curry powder, in a cacophony of sound as customers shouted for their orders, such experience was indeed a memorable one. Penang food or Malaysian food generally, is world class, far more varied and delicious than Korea.
Nevertheless, to be fair, Malaysia is a multicultural society so comparing to an almost mono-ethnic Korea is like comparing apples and oranges. I like Korean food too :)
Piping hot Indian Samosas...
If you happen to visit Penang, one of the tastiest Indian Samosa can be found at a small stall located in Little India. Located on the block right opposite of the Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) Temple along the Masjid Kapitan Keling Road. During my numerous visit there, the vendor was constantly frying pieces after pieces of samosas.
To my surprise, the piping hot samosas were almost never left to cool down. Customers were already lining up the moment the samosas touched the tray to purchase a bag of delicious Indian snack.
RM 75 to spend, paltry sum but it's free! :)
Another highlight of my winter vacation in my home was my first casino visit on a cruise ship! I was quite excited when I was given some free chips (RM 75 for first time player to the casino) to "gamble". Maybe I might even ended up with enough money for a brand new Tissot watch. :P
I had unrealistic goal but gambling at a casino changes your perception about money and the game of chance. Money does indeed doubled at the baccarat table but frankly, beginner's luck won't last long.
Breakfast on a ship.
Even though, the money I bet was not my money, having grandmother at my side was equally annoying (and entertaining at some point). She will say... "Come on, stop being a gambler like.... Let's go home... (Home to where? Am I have to jump over the ship and swim back? Ah...)"... So I stopped. No more free tissot watch for me... Huhuhu...
I will never be a gambler (touch wood). I don't believe in the game of luck like lottery but I believe there's no harm playing (with the free chips given) after paying so much money to be on the cruise ship. That's what most people on a cruise ship do anyway. Mathematically speaking, baccarat is the only game where the player and banker have equal chance of winning.
The probability of winning at other tables in a casino is low because there are too many choices when placing a bet. In baccarat, you bet either for the banker or the player (betting for draw is another option though). If you place the winning bet, your bet will be doubled. Simple as that.
Un-break my heart...?
My grandma likes song especially the oldies. Instead of playing at the casino, she would be strolling around the hall listening to musicians and bands playing their songs. I am not a fan of oldies so... casino seemed to be more fun. Sigh... This was how I spent my first night of CNY in the ship.
Liqueur chocolate - I prefer Anthon Berg's but couldn't find it at the airport.
Anyway, I was in Penang for only around two weeks. On the fifth day of CNY, I was already on the plane flying back to Korea. On a side note, I was so fortunate because MAS allows the passengers to carry additional 10 kilos of luggage starting from the day of my departure.
Due to it, my luggage was filled to the brim weighing around 28.5 kilos. Most of it was filled with food. Typical Malaysian mah... :)
**
Before and after
Clockwise from top left: Tuna and eggs, Broccoli, Almond pudding with lychees, Curry chicken
Last week in Korea, I happened to be motivated to cook some dishes. For the first time in my adult life, I managed to churn up stir-fry broccoli with mock duck, tuna and eggs, curry chicken (it was too complex so had to rely on curry in can ^^) and almond pudding with lychees for desert. This was how I spent my free time during the vacation.
**
Polvoron!
My favorite snack from the Philippines- Goldilocks Polvoron. I received it from my Filipino friend every time he is back from his hometown. It is one of the best snack I've ever eaten from the Philippines. (If you happen to find it here in Korea, I would really appreciate if you can tell me where it is.)
**
An intrusion by more than two hundred of people on the East Coast of Sabah recently sparked a debate on whether the state Sabah belongs to the Sultanate of Sulu or the Federation of Malaysia. Resource-rich Sabah has for long been a land of envy among many Malaysians living in the peninsula. However, because it is located away from the capital, many West Malaysians tend not to care much about it.
Generally speaking, states in the Borneo island like Sabah and Serawak have one of the lowest population density in Malaysia. Due to the vastness of the land unlike in the peninsula, development cannot be spread out benefiting all people. Hence, discontentment can arise.
Before sounding like an arm-chair general or strategist, like most peace-loving Malaysians, the "invasion" by the so-called followers of the Sulu "Sultan" is unjustified. Any sane Malaysians will always agree if the use of arms against her citizens by any groups, it must be responded back severely. Even if the land is your property, how can you barge into someone's house with a gun and evicting/threatening them?
Relying on history was not always the means of the creation of a country. The decision lies with the citizens living in the area, in this case, the Sabahans. In compliance with the principle of self determination, Cobbold Commission was created to hear the views of the people of Sabah and Serawak on whether they wish to join the Federation of Malaysia in 1963. An overwhelming majority wanted to be part of the federation.
Nevertheless, regardless whether there was a referendum or not (like reported on most Philippines medias), if a referendum was to be held now, I am pretty sure they would most likely be part of Malaysia than to be under the Sulu "Sultanate". A country is viable only if the citizens agree to be under your administration. By mere claims and sending of an armed group, it was an intrusion to the national sovereignty.
Life of Pi
And what is the best way to deal if negotiation with the armed men to leave peacefully failed (even after three weeks)? You guess. 새학기 새시작~! Have a great weekend aight!
