Annyeonghaseyo Korea Part 1 - Jeju Island

I hope is still not too late to update my trips to Korea last September while waiting for Revenge to start at Star World. Well, 4 of us manage to get around RM 600 round trip flight ticket from Air Asia, which we bought a year before.


Day 1
We manage to reach Incheon around 9pm. We are still decided whether to stay at Incheon or Gimpo airport, because we have a flight to Jeju Island around 6 in the morning. After long way of go and back, and we missed the last train to Gimpo, we decided to stay (or force) at Incheon Airport. We decided to find a place to spend the night but we don't know where. We found there is a prayer place but actually it is not for us, so we decided to stay near the train entrance to go to Gimpo, and there are 4 of us, laying on hard bench, trying to sleep. Luckily, there are a 24 hours convenience shop that playing K-Pop song all night to accompany us. I can't sleep a bit as I just thinking the guard will throw us out. Yes, I'm that scared.

                                                           Airport Sleeper
Day 2
Arrive at Jeju Airport around 8am and we took a bus to our place to stay, Hiking Inn. It was well recommended by most reviews that I've read, and it is the last stop for the Airport Bus. When we arrive, it is time to go as we already booked a taxi to bring us around the airline and it is quite expensive around 120 000 won but it worth it as the driver Mr. Kim was a pleasant man and he did gives us extra place to visit too.

Of course the first place to go is Teddy Bear Museum, (influence by Goong). It was everything I hope for and can't stop snap photos. The merchandise in the gift shop was quite out of my budget. I want to buy a teddy bear for my niece but it is quite expensive as I'm only on the second day of my visit, I'm afraid I will spend my money before the journey end, so sorry Chica. So, all I bought was postcards which cost me around RM 3 per piece. That's all

                                                         Goong's Teddy Bear

Tehn we went to Jeju Jungmun Daepo Coast which has a breathtaking rocky cliff columnar joints near the ocean. Zati try to took photo of us, when suddenly, a group of ahjussi almost knock her down and they didn't even say sorry. Well, that will not be our last.

After that, we went to Miniature Museum, where they have the famous world landmark, such as Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and even my dream castle in miniature size. It was fun to do the "giant people" picking up the Eiffel Tower, or crashing down the Summer Palace.

 Me and fellow Easter's Island inhabitants

Then after lunch in Korean Restaurant which we spent around RM 90 per person, we went to Trick Art Museum which is around one hour. I was sitting in the passenger seat, the car is KIA and was big and so smooth, we'll because we don't have enough sleep last night, we took the opportunity (or more due to tiredness) we sleep all the way to the Museum, none of us is awake. If we are being sold, we are sold already.

The Trick Art Museum building is like the roman building (not spectacular though). The inside was fun and we are trying to snap as much photos as we can because believe it not, we are competing with locals to took photos with the famous art. You see, the art was a manipulation of 3D art, and if we took photos in certain way, it will looks like we are in the the art itself. It is fun to challenge our creativity and try not to copy others.

                                      Zati is trying to get a hold on to Napoleon's horse

Then we went to this place, which was not in our itinerary, but recommended by our driver. I think it is a place of meteor or something but it is so beautiful. We just took our time to enjoy the view and fell the wind in the air. I think that is one of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen but can't be translated well with my camera.

                                                                So beautiful

Our last place to visit in Jeju is the waterfall near our Inn, I can't remember what the name of it. We were quite tired and all we can think is to go back to the Inn. 

Overall, I would say that the first day in Korea is quite exciting and challenging, especially to communicate with our driver. Although he can speak English, but it took sometime for us to understand. But he is a great guy and I would recommend him to others.

So, end of Day 2 of our Korea journey. Stay tuned for next time when we in Seoul. Guess which K-Pop superstar that we met?

Fangirling

Ok, this is how I feel right now with One Direction (1D). So many nights, before I go to sleep, I will look for the video diaries, a lot of them. Not even they can sing and they are cute, they are also funny as hell. Sometimes, I smile just re-playing their video in head. Which, many of my friends thought whether I'm crazy or I'm in love with someone, which they suspect the second one.

Ok, let me list down, what do I like about them:

1. Bromance- ok, we have Ziam (Zayn +Liam), Niam ( Niall + Liam) and the ever famous Larry Stylinson (Harry Styles + Louis Tomlinson). Some thought they are a real gay couple but they are not. They are just too close. In fact, Louis has a girlfriend and Harry has romance a 32 years old (same age as me) presenter.  They hug and kiss each other and even sleep in the same bed, and mind you Harry likes to sleep naked. They are so close in fact I just wonder how on earth Simon Cowell knew that they are perfect for each other, so that is why they are in the group.

Here's the video to prove it:

2. The songs - a band without good songs are nothing, as they only based they good looks only, I love all of their songs, all of them. Their album is the album that you can play in the car on the journey to "balik kampung" or even to centre visit because I can hear it again and again. The fast song makes you want to jump  up and down. In my replay list now is "I Wish"which is sooo sweet song and I love Zayn's and Harry's voice in it. I like the live version like this one and they can sing live just fine.

3. Video Diaries - In the social network world, posters and magazine not so relevant like video diaries, where you can see the band in action, rather that in the photos. I still remember when I'm crazy with boy bands during my teenage years, I have Boyzone poster in my locker, every time I open it I will stare at Stephen and sigh ( that was before I know he is gay) and when I'm fangirling with Westlife, I will browse websites for wallpaper and interesting facts. My computer will have their wallpaper  with different photos every week.
But now, I don't feel to have 1D photos as my wallpaper, because I want to maintain professionalism (Office's laptop) and in fact if they on my laptop I can do any work, because I'm busy staring at my screen.

So, I think videos are the great way to feel close with them. They are seriously funny, I mean I never imagined some one's with a good like Louis can be so funny. I love Niall with laugh with everything and his laughter is infectious. His Irish accent is like music in my ears. I also loves Liam accent and his "1,2,3 Flick" It's all about the flick. Zayn has beautiful eyes and I love how he said "Vat's Happening" even they have song for that. Harry, oh Harry he is sooo cute with curly hair and those dimples. He is like so sweet and has sexy voice in spite of being the youngest of the group. I love them all equally ( I think that is the first time) and it will be sad if they are not together anymore because they are perfect of each other.

These are my favourite videos of them:

I can watch it over and over again, perhaps that is why I used up all my broadband data (10G) last month on the third week of the month. Then continue to watch their videos in my tabby.I even keep score about their album which is the first UK Act to debut No. 1 in Billboard 200 and "What Makes You Beautiful" climb up the chart of Billboard 100 up to 11 now. I know they can be No. 1 in few weeks.

So, yes again I say it, I'm obsess with them and the more I admit it, the more I make peace with it as I know although I'm maybe too matured to like a boy band but I don't care anymore. The heart wants what the heart wants. The more I fight it, the more it will be tangled in my head. I just accept it but try not to make it control my life.

I can't wait to see them in Kid's Choice Awards this Monday. I saw some videos of the performance and glad to see they rocks them Even Michelle Obama can't stop clapping and Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Katy Perry dance in the crowd. I will fangirling in front of TV tomorrow!

10 years and counting

Well, finally got my 10 years service awards and my first quarter award for no MC and lateness. Actually, I do try hard not to take MC and coming to office late. Although it just Jusco Voucher, but I do feel appreciated hehe.

I already blog about on how I got my current job previously on my 5 Years Service Awards (gosh how many years gone by and I'm still single?) Here's the link http://whatever-lahno.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-5-year-service-award.html.

Wow, 10 years, when people come and go but some still stay as good friends...Will there be another 5 years of me in here? Only time will tell.

Give your heart a break

I've been busy, still outstation and only will be coming back Saturday. So perhaps this will be a short entry for me. Last Wednesday, I've watched American Idol and saw Demi Lovato sang her next single, "Give Your Heart A Break" and what catches me the most is this lyrics:

 There's just one life to live
And there's no time to waste, to waste
So let me give your heart a breakGive your heart a breakLet me give your heart a break
Your heart a breakThere's just so much you can takeGive your heart a break

That caught me, sometimes we never give our heart a break. We will always constantly worrying about something and no wonder we almost have heart attack, literally!

For me, 60% I would say, I would think with my heart rather with my brain that is why sometimes the thing that I've done was unthinkable. For example, I always jump into the action before I can think whether it is necessary or not. It affected my judgement and sometimes my actions. After I've got my first bonus, I bought this Mini Compo that can only played VCD Music and cassette for RM 450. When I got back, I was thinking it is too expensive and it can't play movie VCD for heaven sake. Every time I saw that radio, it reminds me that I've make a stupid mistake as I'm eager to spend my first bonus. 

As I grow older, I'm still feel that I not matured enough, but I learnt my lessons so for everything that I do, I will try to pause for moment to think with my head instead of my heart. My mind always said, "leave while you still can" in order to save me to buy things I would regret later.

I also always think about people around me, my family, friends and colleagues. I used to worry what people think about me, why I'm still not married (but they never asked, perhaps afraid of offending me, I guess) but I learned that we can ask people to stop bothering you, I mean they have genuine feeling but I can only control how I react to them. 

That is why sometimes I feel, I rather do bungee jump from the bridge rather to call people through phone (I can't be a good telemarketer) because, at least I can decide whether I want to jump or not rather to anticipate what the other people on the line want to say.

So now, I'm giving my heart a break, I just don't want to bother about things that can get me down and just like to live in the moment. I will worry when the time comes, before that just make myself comfortable in my own little world!

P/s: Ok, this is not the short version of post that I hope so...

Fell in love with boy....band...again!

Darn it! Sorry for my curse but I think that that is something I can do. I fell in love with a boyband again, I mean come on, I'm 32 goddamnit, it should happen. I suppose to be mature and love mature song, you know like Adele or even Bruce Springteen, but no I fell in love with the cutest and talented boys, 5 of them, One Direction

They are a British-Irish boy band consisting of members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. They were formed on the seventh series of British television show The X Factor. Their album, Up All Night is a massive hits and become the fastest selling album in UK in 2011. 


Well, I knew them because, well every Friday I will browser Billboard and UK Top 40 websites, you know just to know who is number 1. Well I think in late September, I found out that What Makes You Beautiful is number one in UK Top 40 chart. Well, never heard of One Direction so I thought I google it and found the band. Well, I thought they are cute and the song is great.


Not until, I heard the song again in the radio that I started to pay attention to them. What Makes You Beautiful has become my favourite song or in the Top played list in Winamp (yeah I love Winamp!). But still doesn't make full impact to me at all. Ok, they great and they cute but that's it. Then, this year in February, while browsing youtube, found out they got another single, One Thing (hmmm, I think the song is ok but still download it to my tabby). I forgot about that song until again, I saw it in MTV, and I listened to it again and instantly I love it so much. 


I played before I sleep, in my car, while checking report and the video was short in town of London itself, and they are so handsome. I kmean with Zayn in his suit and Louis in suspender. Love Harry hair and Niall blonde look and Liam is soooo cool. Yeah I probably sound like teenager back there. They have good voices especially Zayn (he is muslim) and others can sing too. 


I started to browse youtube for their auditions for X Factor, I think Harry, Zayn and Liam have impressive auditions. I just somehow buffled how Simon Cowell can think to group them together and become more successful than the winner of that season itself, which is I am not sure who it is and frankly, I don't care, not even to google it.


I can't pick up who do like most, like in Westlife I love Kian, Nsync, JC but for One Direction...I can't choose at all. They all cute like buttons and so young, no I'm not a cougar at all....I just wish I was young so that it makes sense.


Well, they are doing well tour in US and I hope that they will be able to have a successful breakthrough in US which Westlife and Take That not able to make it. I think boyband is coming big as The Wanted (more mature and sexy, yes I'm talking about Max) is doing quite well as their Glad You Came singe is number 4 in Billboard 100 Chart. The song is also covered by The Warblers in Glee.


Ok, enjoy the videos of One Direction that I love, below:

                      What Makes You Beautiful

                            One Thing

Save you tonight 

                             I wish


The review of the tracks in Up All Night can be seen here: 
http://www.billboard.com/features/one-direction-up-all-night-track-by-track-1006388352.story#/features/one-direction-up-all-night-track-by-track-1006388352.story 


So, good night and feeling like teenager again listening to One Direction before I sleep!

My first step for The Shoestring Project

Well, I will try to documented my preparation for Europe Trip next year aka The Shoestring Project. Well, the budget is RM 8000 including plane ticket which I will be look out from now on. With Air Asia cancelled their flight to London and Paris, I will be looking out for another alternative such as KLM, Etihad or any other airways that I can afford of.


I have not finalized the route yet, still looking out for interesting places to go but the confirmed ones should be Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and Keukenhof near Amsterdam. Well, I plan to go end of March or April as Keukenhof park only open end of March.


I know that I already talk about going to Europe for almost 2 years now but nothing happen but I will make sure my long time dream will be realize next year, by hook or by crook. I can't wait anymore for a friend to accompany me or to have enough money because face it, people change and we can never have enough money, I mean who will? So, I can't control what others doing or thinking but I can control myself, (I think) , so I'm trying to brave myself to face the fact that I might go to Europe alone.


I already look out for tour such as Kelana Convoy and Perantau Holidays but they didn't suit me. I mean for Kelana Convoy, they separated tour for Keukenhof and Neuschwanstein castle but the plus side is I can meet new people that have the same interest with me and .....(if you know what I mean ; ) while Perantau Holidays is quite expensive but they cover all even the gondola ticket in Venice but unfortunately, they don't have the castle tour, which is the deal breaker.


So, what a girl to do? If I want to go to an expensive trip, I must do it right and my own way because, this is a trip of a lifetime. So, I already taken the first step, bought the Lonely Planet travel book (which hence the title of the post) and this weekend, I will go to MATTA Fair to scout the plane ticket and what they have to offer. I will not buy or commit to anything yet as the money is tight right now and will try to scout again on the next MATTA Fair.


Wish me luck and hope my dreams will come true!

  The Travel Guide (bought with 1Malaysia  book Voucher..I know...

                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                         

Windmills and Tulips...





My dream castle....

Language that we choose

Some might ask why do I blog in English, well it just came naturally. Sometimes, I do blog in Bahasa depends on   my mood and the subject I guess.

Believe me, I'm not so good in writing, you will see a lot of grammar mistakes while you read this, but for me it is more on how do I express myself. I love Bahasa Melayu and I think it has the best sound in the world but sometimes if I blog in Bahasa, I feel that I can express myself enough as I keep looking for that Malay word and sometimes I feel the word is too "jiwang" haha. But it doesn't mean that I will not blog in Malay, like I mentioned earlier, it depends on mood and subject.

Well, I guess it doesn't matter what language that we use to express ourselves, what important is to get the message across and to let our voice to be heard. It doesn't matter if the reader understand or not but as long as we have something good to say, people will find the way to understand it. I mean that is Google translate for, right?