Geraldine is busy trying to survive the slew of project submissions and essays and examinations. But guess what? Her Korean friend just bade her goodbye and left the library for a drink with his other Korean friends. Not coffee mind you. Soju! Is this quite normal? Or is her friend just pure smart to have finished studying for his paper Tomorrow with a capital T?
Anyway some of you might have thought that Geraldine has disappeared for good this time. No! She will be back after she burns all her notes in celebration (or mourning?) of the end of Year 3 Semester 1 (okay fine, semester 2 in Korea). See you soon!
Sunday, December 13
Thursday, November 19
Table Manners
Being a foreigner in another country really opens one’s eyes. Even just during a simple meal, Geraldine noticed how different the culture is between Singapore and Korea. Having lived in Singapore for the past so many years, she is used to sitting on a chair at the dining table and using both her hands to eat! With either a spoon and chopsticks or a fork and a spoon of course!
In Korea, sometimes there is a choice in the restaurant to sit at the standard table or a low table to eat. Of course, the “more Korean” way is to sit at the low table with cushions for comfort. One grouse that Geraldine has is that you will need to take off your shoes before entering the area with the low tables! Inconvenience aside, imagine the smelly feet! *pinches nose*
Like what they say “When in Rome, do as Romans do”. Geraldine tries her best to merge into the culture here in Korea.
#1 The main dish is right in front of you and the rice goes to the left side of it, like a calefare. You know how Singaporeans are used to having a plate of rice in front of them and the main dishes at the centre of the table. (Think zi-char) Once, Geraldine put her rice in front of her and the dish to the upper corner of the rice like how most soups do, and her Korean friend shifted her food around and told her that is the correct way. Even if the main dish is communal, there will be small plates for everyone around the table and of course, it should be placed right in front of them, with the rice at the side.
#2 When eating, Koreans only use their right hand. Which means at any point in time, only either the spoon or the chopsticks is in use. As a general rule, the spoon is used for rice and soups while the chopsticks is used to pick up the pan-chan (반찬) or side-dishes that Korean cuisine is so famous for. According to Geraldine’s friend, it is because of the perception of left-handers. Left-handers were seen as abnormal or weird in the past, so people avoid using the left hand. Though nowadays, Geraldine notices that the younger generation does not really care. Guess you can’t really just use one utensil when eating a steak.
#3 As much as possible, try not to lift up your rice bowl to eat. To Koreans, eating with the rice bowl lifted up is like eating like a beggar. Geraldine was once told that because the Japanese eat with their rice bowls up, the Koreans think that they eat like beggars. On the contrary, the Japanese think that the Koreans eat like dogs, eating with their plate down there. Of course, there is no right or wrong, just interesting cultural differences.
Anyway, doesn’t that dish in the picture look good? It is called Haejangguk (해장국) or literally “soup to chase a hangover”. It is like a life-saver after a night of soju! There are many different kinds of Haejangguk, but the one in the picture is Ppeo Haejangguk (뼈 해장국). The main ingredients are Pork ribs (뼈 means bone) and Gongnamul (콩나무) or soybean sprouts. Whether or not you have a hangover, it is still a delicious meal to have.
In Korea, sometimes there is a choice in the restaurant to sit at the standard table or a low table to eat. Of course, the “more Korean” way is to sit at the low table with cushions for comfort. One grouse that Geraldine has is that you will need to take off your shoes before entering the area with the low tables! Inconvenience aside, imagine the smelly feet! *pinches nose*Like what they say “When in Rome, do as Romans do”. Geraldine tries her best to merge into the culture here in Korea.#1 The main dish is right in front of you and the rice goes to the left side of it, like a calefare. You know how Singaporeans are used to having a plate of rice in front of them and the main dishes at the centre of the table. (Think zi-char) Once, Geraldine put her rice in front of her and the dish to the upper corner of the rice like how most soups do, and her Korean friend shifted her food around and told her that is the correct way. Even if the main dish is communal, there will be small plates for everyone around the table and of course, it should be placed right in front of them, with the rice at the side.
#2 When eating, Koreans only use their right hand. Which means at any point in time, only either the spoon or the chopsticks is in use. As a general rule, the spoon is used for rice and soups while the chopsticks is used to pick up the pan-chan (반찬) or side-dishes that Korean cuisine is so famous for. According to Geraldine’s friend, it is because of the perception of left-handers. Left-handers were seen as abnormal or weird in the past, so people avoid using the left hand. Though nowadays, Geraldine notices that the younger generation does not really care. Guess you can’t really just use one utensil when eating a steak.#3 As much as possible, try not to lift up your rice bowl to eat. To Koreans, eating with the rice bowl lifted up is like eating like a beggar. Geraldine was once told that because the Japanese eat with their rice bowls up, the Koreans think that they eat like beggars. On the contrary, the Japanese think that the Koreans eat like dogs, eating with their plate down there. Of course, there is no right or wrong, just interesting cultural differences.Anyway, doesn’t that dish in the picture look good? It is called Haejangguk (해장국) or literally “soup to chase a hangover”. It is like a life-saver after a night of soju! There are many different kinds of Haejangguk, but the one in the picture is Ppeo Haejangguk (뼈 해장국). The main ingredients are Pork ribs (뼈 means bone) and Gongnamul (콩나무) or soybean sprouts. Whether or not you have a hangover, it is still a delicious meal to have.
Sunday, November 8
No Posts for awhile
Geraldine's laptop's harddisk just went crazy so her friend, Zixu is performing a major operation involving a harddisk transplant on her laptop. Let's just keep our fingers crossed. 1st her camera, then her laptop.. ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Friday, October 23
Granny's Paddy Field 논
Geraldine would like to thank Jaekeun오빠 for inviting her, Shuyi and Brianna to his Grandmother's farm in Eumsong 음성, and also driving them all the way there. 수고하셨어요!
The countryside-deprived girls saw a lot of things and they were very excited..
The boss.. She's 79 years old, but still strong and hardy. The mountains and air are surely doing her some good!
Her golden ricebowl.. literally.
The animals.. Do you see 한우? 한우 = korean beef = expensive stuff.. yums.
The plants.. veggies!
*Geraldine's mini Korean classroom*
시골 (si-gol) - countryside
초대해주셔서 감사합니다 (cho-dae-hae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da) - thank you for inviting me/us
잘먹겠습니다 (jal-mog-get-sum-ni-da) - literally "i will eat well", said before a meal
잘먹었습니다 (jal-mo-geot-sum-ni-da) - literally "i ate well", to thank the host for the meal
수고하셨어요 (su-go-ha-syeo-seo-yo) - difficult to translate but it's something like "thanks for the effort" <-- correct me if i'm wrong
The countryside-deprived girls saw a lot of things and they were very excited.. The house..
The boss.. She's 79 years old, but still strong and hardy. The mountains and air are surely doing her some good!Her golden ricebowl.. literally.The animals.. Do you see 한우? 한우 = korean beef = expensive stuff.. yums.The plants.. veggies!Lunch. Tea. Dinner. Thank you granny! 잘 먹었습니다!
Gifts for the girls.. aspiring housewifes. hehe~ hehehe~
*Geraldine's mini Korean classroom*시골 (si-gol) - countryside
초대해주셔서 감사합니다 (cho-dae-hae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da) - thank you for inviting me/us
잘먹겠습니다 (jal-mog-get-sum-ni-da) - literally "i will eat well", said before a meal
잘먹었습니다 (jal-mo-geot-sum-ni-da) - literally "i ate well", to thank the host for the meal
수고하셨어요 (su-go-ha-syeo-seo-yo) - difficult to translate but it's something like "thanks for the effort" <-- correct me if i'm wrong
Thursday, October 22
Ajumma Power~
Geraldine is going to refute the popular belief that Korean girls only like to shop and gossip and doesn't like to play sports. Whoever said that? And whoever told Geraldine that?!
Today she went to Wadong Badminton Hall 와동 배드민턴장 a little away from school with her Hanyang Badminton Team friends and she got quite a pleasant surprise. It felt like a Badminton Hall in Singapore, just that everyone was speaking Korean. Lots of ajummas and ajeossis or what Singaporeans know as aunties and uncles, were playing. At the distant court, some kids will be having their training with the coach repeating the same thing over and over again.
Geraldine and her mixed doubles partner for the upcoming tournament next month, played with some of the ajummas and ajeossis.. and lost every single game. >_< 
Oh, and Geraldine bought new court shoes! Her 1st Yonex pair.. ㅋㅋㅋ
Oh, and Geraldine bought new court shoes! Her 1st Yonex pair.. ㅋㅋㅋThe ajumma at the shop caved in after she used her sweetest voice and said "깎아주세요" and "더?" So she got a 10000won discount, with a pair of socks thrown in. ^^
After 4 hours of grueling play, Geraldine went to the showers and this is what she saw at 1st. Doesn't it look like a nice, spacious shower room?
Truth is.. it's indeed spacious! It's communal! Certainly not a common thing in Singapore. Geraldine is still trying to get used to it.
The above picture is not exactly the best picture but you can see how the space is shared. There were a total of 6 mirrors and shower heads.
After 4 hours of grueling play, Geraldine went to the showers and this is what she saw at 1st. Doesn't it look like a nice, spacious shower room?Truth is.. it's indeed spacious! It's communal! Certainly not a common thing in Singapore. Geraldine is still trying to get used to it.The above picture is not exactly the best picture but you can see how the space is shared. There were a total of 6 mirrors and shower heads.*Geraldine's mini Korean classroom*
auntie - 아줌마 a-jum-ma
uncle - 아저씨 a-jeo-ssi
please give me discount - 깎아주세요 kkakk-a-ju-se-yo
more - 더 deo
badminton - 배드민턴 bae-deu-min-teon (don't you feel stupid after spending ages trying to read the korean?
toilet - 화장실 hwa-jang-sil
shoe - 신발 sin-bal
socks - 양말 yang-mal
Wednesday, October 21
Toilet = KFC?
Guess what the following picture shows..
a) Window of a Toilet
b) Window of a Fried Chicken Stall
. 
Cool huh?
a) Window of a Toiletb) Window of a Fried Chicken Stall
c) All of the above
.
.
.
Answer: (c)
That's where Geraldine and Shuyi got their Fried Chicken from! The delivery culture in Korea is simply amazing! The way students get around the dorm curfew and no food rule is amazing as well.
Here's a step-by-step guide to get yummy chicken when you are locked in dorm at 2am.
1. Call the shop and order.. Duh. (Thanks Jaekeun 재근오빠 for the help here!)
2. Wait for the call from the deliveryman
3. Go to the window of 2nd floor toilet if you are staying higher than that
4. Catch the glove that the deliveryman throws to you
5. Put money into the glove and throw it back down
6. Wait for the deliveryman to secure the chicken
7. Fish it up (Yes the Koreans call it fishing)
8. Unhook the catch
9. Taadaa! Enjoy the meal!~
9. Taadaa! Enjoy the meal!~Tuesday, October 20
Coffee Juseyo! 커피 주세요!
It's midterms now and everyone's mugging madly in Korea. Geraldine is so not showing you her panda eyes. Not sure if it's the same with other universities, but at Hanyang Univ, Ansan Campus, midterms hold the same percentage as final term examinations. Ain't it weird? Finals have always carried a higher weightage in Singapore.
It's 3.59am now. Paper's at 11am. Geraldine is barely halfway through her notes. But oh well, thank God design studio session is optional tomorrow. Her flight to ZzZzZzLand has already been booked. Departure's at 1230pm.
Some words associated with that dreaded word that starts with E you might wanna know..
Midterms - 중간고사 jung-gan-go-sa
Stress - 스트레스 seu-teu-re-seu
Coffee - 커피 keo-pi (Yes it sounds like Kopi, my dear Singaporeans)
Arcade - 오락실 o-rak-sil
HAHAHA yes o-rak-sil is associated with jung-gan-go-sa! Because Geraldine needs to get rid of seu-teu-re-seu!
It's 3.59am now. Paper's at 11am. Geraldine is barely halfway through her notes. But oh well, thank God design studio session is optional tomorrow. Her flight to ZzZzZzLand has already been booked. Departure's at 1230pm.
Some words associated with that dreaded word that starts with E you might wanna know..
Midterms - 중간고사 jung-gan-go-sa
Stress - 스트레스 seu-teu-re-seu
Coffee - 커피 keo-pi (Yes it sounds like Kopi, my dear Singaporeans)
Arcade - 오락실 o-rak-sil
HAHAHA yes o-rak-sil is associated with jung-gan-go-sa! Because Geraldine needs to get rid of seu-teu-re-seu!
Sunday, October 18
Be A Star! * - extended
Geraldine just received news from her sister that the voting has just been extended till end of this month, 31 October. Please show Geraldine your greatest support! She will love you very much! ^^
(Click on images for larger view)
Vote now for the 3 you think should be on our cover and stand a chance to win a goodie bag consisting of LANEIGE products, food vouchers and makeover packages worth more then $3,000. Only 30 goodie bags up for grabs! All you need to do is send an email to admin@mykozine.com indicating your 3 choices with your name, IC/Passport number, address and contact number by August 31 2009. Remember, it is a must to indicate 3 choices. Good luck!
우 선 저희 Be A Star 메이크 오버 컨테스트에 참여하신 모든 독자들께 감사의 말씀을 전합니다. 생각보다 많은 여러분께서 참여 하셔서 톱 8분을(파이널리스트) 선정하기가 힘들었습니다. 파이널리스트 8명은 The Makeover Inc.에서 재미있는 포토슛을 하였습니다!
다음 페이지에 라네즈 화장품을 사용하여 예쁘고 멋있게 변신한 8명을 소개합니다!
투 표하고 선물을 받으세요 파이널리스트 8명의 사진을 보고 가장 마음에 드는 3명을 뽑아 admin@mykozine.com으로 이메일 보내주세요. 이메일 보낼 시 성함, IC (주민등록번호) / 여권번호, 주소, 연락처를 함께 보내주세요. 투표를 하신 분들 중 30분께 선물을 드립니다. (라네즈 화장폼, 레스토랑 쿠폰, 메이크 오버 페키지 포함)
*이메일은 8월31일까지 보내셔야 합니다.
These are the 8 finalists. If you are lazy to look at pretty and handsome faces, you can simply send an email to admin@mykozine.com with the subject "Be A Star! Vote & WIN" and with the following:-
Choices:
1. BAS05
2. BAS(pick a random number from 1-8)
3. BAS(pick a random number from 1-8)
Name:
IC/Passport no.:
Address:
Contact no.:
If you would like to spam, go ahead! They didn't say we are not allowed to. =]] Spread the word and give others a chance to win the goodie bags too! ^^
If you would like to read the magazine, click on the icon to the right of this blog. Or simply go to http://www.mykozine.com/.
Have a nice day ahead! 좋은 하루입니다!
***
Geraldine joined a makeover/photoshoot for fun last month (secretly to get the freebies and free subscription to the magazine) and God knows how she managed to get into the final 8. The photoshoot is now out in the latest issue of Kozine, an English-Korean magazine in Singapore. Do have a look and give her your support! You are not obliged to vote for her though, if it goes against your conscience.(Post from August 11)
(Click on images for larger view)Vote now for the 3 you think should be on our cover and stand a chance to win a goodie bag consisting of LANEIGE products, food vouchers and makeover packages worth more then $3,000. Only 30 goodie bags up for grabs! All you need to do is send an email to admin@mykozine.com indicating your 3 choices with your name, IC/Passport number, address and contact number by August 31 2009. Remember, it is a must to indicate 3 choices. Good luck!
우 선 저희 Be A Star 메이크 오버 컨테스트에 참여하신 모든 독자들께 감사의 말씀을 전합니다. 생각보다 많은 여러분께서 참여 하셔서 톱 8분을(파이널리스트) 선정하기가 힘들었습니다. 파이널리스트 8명은 The Makeover Inc.에서 재미있는 포토슛을 하였습니다!
다음 페이지에 라네즈 화장품을 사용하여 예쁘고 멋있게 변신한 8명을 소개합니다!
투 표하고 선물을 받으세요 파이널리스트 8명의 사진을 보고 가장 마음에 드는 3명을 뽑아 admin@mykozine.com으로 이메일 보내주세요. 이메일 보낼 시 성함, IC (주민등록번호) / 여권번호, 주소, 연락처를 함께 보내주세요. 투표를 하신 분들 중 30분께 선물을 드립니다. (라네즈 화장폼, 레스토랑 쿠폰, 메이크 오버 페키지 포함)
*이메일은 8월31일까지 보내셔야 합니다.
Publish Post
These are the 8 finalists. If you are lazy to look at pretty and handsome faces, you can simply send an email to admin@mykozine.com with the subject "Be A Star! Vote & WIN" and with the following:-Choices:
1. BAS05
2. BAS(pick a random number from 1-8)
3. BAS(pick a random number from 1-8)
Name:
IC/Passport no.:
Address:
Contact no.:
If you would like to spam, go ahead! They didn't say we are not allowed to. =]] Spread the word and give others a chance to win the goodie bags too! ^^
If you would like to read the magazine, click on the icon to the right of this blog. Or simply go to http://www.mykozine.com/.
Have a nice day ahead! 좋은 하루입니다!
Saturday, October 17
Green.Red,Orange.Yellow 단풍!
Autumn is hereee! Sorry to all those who are in Singapore, Geraldine knows you guys are still being fried and toasted daily. If you want free aircon everywhere you go, come and visit Geraldine! She still remember what Jihye, her Korean friend said when one of the Singaporeans asked if there was a fridge in our dorm a few months back. Her reply was plainly "You don't need a fridge. The window will be your fridge."
Anyway, it's that time of the year to rummage your cupboard for the climbing shoes and sticks and get out there to enjoy the green, red, orange and yellow.
The following table lists the famous mountains in Korea and tells you when the 1st sign of autumn leaves will appear and when it's the best to conquer that mountain.
For the benefit of those who can't read Korea, Geraldine will romanize it just for you! Don't you feel loved? <3
If you want more information about the various mountains, here's a good site!
Anyway, it's that time of the year to rummage your cupboard for the climbing shoes and sticks and get out there to enjoy the green, red, orange and yellow.
The following table lists the famous mountains in Korea and tells you when the 1st sign of autumn leaves will appear and when it's the best to conquer that mountain.
For the benefit of those who can't read Korea, Geraldine will romanize it just for you! Don't you feel loved? <3
If you want more information about the various mountains, here's a good site!
Blog Korea! Visit Korea! Camp
Geraldine feels really fortunate. From a person who used to hate blogs, she became a person who is part of a blogging competition and has so far won an iRiver mp3 player and a free trip around Korea. For all you bloggers out there, visit here for more information. There should be a same competition next year as well! Ain't it exciting?Anyway, during the 3d2n camp, Geraldine met other bloggers from all around the globe. Russia, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, China, Japan, Sweden, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, Korea, India. Did I miss out anyone? It was really interesting to see people from everywhere speaking Korean, no matter whether they are yellow, white, brown or pink. Seeing how much influence the other bloggers have on the world and how much they are achieving and contributing, Geraldine feels slightly guilty and she vows that she will try to up the quality of her blog.
How yul-jeong.blogspot.com came about was for simple reasons:-
1. to keep those precious memories
2. to show people how life of an exchange student in Korea is like. Geraldine doesn't want to just show people famous tourist attractions, those you can find anywhere else. She wants to showcase the everyday life, the little nuggets of culture and the struggles of bring a student in Korea. She wants to share something different from those amazing photos you see in tour packages.
3. to let her parents know that she is still alive.
Geraldine is nowhere near what her fellow bloggers are doing, but she will try. Thank you to those who shared on how they operate their blogs because Geraldine did learn a lot and is inspired. It made Geraldine think what on earth has she been doing all these while. Oh man~
Anyway, it's time to start sharing about the trip treat that the bloggers got!
Day 1 (20091014)
Gathering at KTO office, the HQ of it all
Seon-am Village 선암마을(한반도지형) where mini Korea is
Lunch - Grilled Beef at Dahanuchon Village
???
Jeongseon Railbike Ride 정선 레일바이크
Dinner - Goldongban Jeongsik at Unamjeong restaurant 운암정에서 골동반 정식
High1 Hotel
Day 2 (20091015)Breakfast
Around the Hotel
Buseoksa Temple, Yeongju 부석사, 영주
Lunch - Sanchae Jeongsik 산채정식
Sosuseowon Confucian School & Seonbichon Village 소수서원 선비촌
Andong School of Etiquette
Dinner - Heotjesabap & Haemulpajeon 헛제사밥 & 해물파전
Check-in House of Korean Culture
Recreation Time
Day 3 (20091016)Breakfast
Bloggers Sharing Session
Lunch - Dargjjim (steamed chicken?) 닭찜
Andong Hahoe Village 안동 하회마을
After-programme Programme
ㅋㅋㅋ Geraldine loves after-programme programme. Some of them went for a nice, warm samgyeopsal 삼겹살 dinner and a rice wine 먹걸리 "dessert". Geraldine wonders when will the next time they will all meet again.. ㅠㅠThank you KTO and Vank for this treat! <333
