Friday, March 28, 2014

Changchi Gukso -- (our version)

Finally! (Why is it that I seem to have used this word more often nowadays, I wonder) We were able to taste this noodle dish after a while. It was bit pricey to make it back home but since we have moved here, the dishes that we liked are more accessible for us. This one of those on our list to make.

It has four basic parts: stock, noodles, sauce and the various toppings (carrots, blanched chinese cabbage, fried egg strips, kimchi, zuccini, mushroom, tofu and laver or seaweed) I mean the list of toppings one can possibly add can be crazy.

The stock can be simple but a bit daunting to make. The sauce is also easy to put together and cooking the noodles is the quickest. The trick is make enough toppings and stock the first time so you can enjoy eating it again on your next meal with less hassle and prep time.

A. stock/broth
about a dozen whole large anchovies
4-6 C of water
6x4 inches dashima
All boiled together in a large pot. Simmered in low fire afterwards until it smells like broth. ,


B. Sauce (this is one of the last to add when you eat but better make it ahead lest you forget later ;) )
3-4 T soy sauce
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onion leaves, minced
1 t sesame oil
sesame seeds
pepper flakes
(the measurement for the last two is really based on personal preference)


C. Toppings carrots, zuccini - julienned and lightly fried SEPARATELY (looks better as toppings later, ^^)
1 or 2 eggs - whisked, fried thinly and cut into strips afterward
tofu - cut into strips or small squares, fried
kimchi - slightly minced
mushroom and onion - can be fried together (if using dried mushroom, make sure it is well soaked in water, soft and well cooked)
laver or gim or dried seaweed - cut into strips using scissors or hands done on the LAST MINUTE BEFORE SERVING to keep it moisture free
1 big leaf of cabbage, cut into thin strips, blanched (the same boiling water can also be used for cooking the noodles as this saves heat, water and time)
sumyon Noodles (very thin noodles like angel's hair)
about 2 inches in dm as you hold then with your fingers (not every kitchen has a weighing scale, you know)
- cook in boiling water. Note that this thin noodles cook very quickly (3 minutes). When it starts to boil over, add a bit of cold water. Do this boil over-add water twice. Then noodles should be ready to drain.
- Drain the hot water and replace with cold water to rinse. Wash it like you are washing clothes to remove starch. Repeat twice or three times. Then drain the water out for the final time.
As you do the final draining, separate them into serving size. Pick out a handful and roll it around your 3 fingers to make ball of sorts (just like when one eats spaghetti rolled around the fork)


Putting it Together: Put a round of noodle in a bowl.
Add the toppings. Add the sauce. Then pour over the broth. Then add the gim/laver. Or how whatever sequence you choose. Hahaha...

That is the way we made our chanchi gukso.

Do not follow this very well since I cannot guarantee how yours will taste. This was written to refresh my own memory for later or to give someone a general idea how to make it. I repeat, there is no guarantee to a good tasting output. Please check other more reliable websites like Aeris Kitchen. LOL. ⊙•⊙
(even the name for the dish is not consistent.. Changchi, chanchi, or chamchi, go figure) :)


posted from Bloggeroid
(originally posted from a smartphone, 
4/1/2014 -edited on pc)

I Like Going to Korean School

That was what I heard from my son telling his best friend last night as they talk for the first time in viber. "I wish there was no Saturdays and Sundays," he further added. And I was like 0.0 surprised and wondering out loud if that would he be saying the same thing after a year? :}

I am just glad that he likes school and still thinks that school is cool. He is usually positive about it in general even back in my home country. The only subjects that he didn' t like studying whenever I would remind him to are Fil and Social Studies, both taught in the local language.
But here, where almost everything is in Korean, is another matter. I'm hoping that he will get the hang of the language soon to be able to enjoy school more.
He was suddenly looking for someone to talk to last night and it prompted me to check out another line of technology, voice chatting. Luckily, his forever techie girl best friend has viber and is online. They were able to voice chat for quite a while.
I had to play my mommy role to let them quit and get to sleep. It was a bit hard to get him settled down to sleep since he cannot contain his excitement of being able to chat with his friends. I bet it's going to be more fun when he gets the chance with the DeJaguer brothers.

I hope to milk that interest into some fruitful one, specifically finally writing letters to his other friends. I have to prepare the paraphernalia for tonight.

posted from Bloggeroid

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Call Taxi in Korea

(This is not a review, nor will it give a specific information on call taxi here but just a random musing from a waygook in ROK.)

My husband has just stepped out to get some documents from the county office and he used a call taxi as usual. He was just about to put on his shoes before getting out when he made the phone call. Instead of seeing him off, I kept an eye out for the taxi to come by. There was none stationed nearby as far as my eye can see but I spotted one coming into the apartment complex just within two minutes. I had to tell my hubby to hurry out soon coz I already saw the taxi. Counting the duration of the elevator(our elevator's a bit slow) and his walking time to the entrance, I knew that the taxi would have to wait a while before my husband appears. I watched the taxi get into the parking lot, turn around to properly park in a little in front of the building since there were two other entrances. The taxi had to wait for a minute or so before my husband came out of the building and got in. 

The call taxi is quite remarkably efficient, albeit slightly more expensive than bus. He should make the phone call after he has put on his shoes next time or while waiting for the elevator to time it more properly. Hopefully, by the time the taxi parks to wait for him outside, he would be there at almost the same time.  

It reminded me last time he called using the home phone, I think. The taxi driver himself actually tried to call him to tell him he's already downstairs waiting. Unfortunately for him, I was the one who answered and had no idea what it was all about. The taxi driver had to repeat twice. Good thing it dawned into me that he mentioned "call taxi" somewhere that I was able to figure out what it was about. 

It would be interesting if I'm the one who will use the call taxi service in English next time. But I am so not sure about that coz I really prefer the good old bus which is bigger and has enough room for me to stand to avoid getting dizzy.  :D

Or better yet, I might consider trying out to learn to drive myself soon. I have recently learned another good reason for that. Aside from the general convenience and pros, some suggested that my carsickness would disappear if I am the one driving and now, someone also  mentioned that I will also gain weight if I have a car. Aha!! That can be an interesting idea..I might have to agree on my hubby getting a car soon after all. ^-^


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Frank Baum

http://librivox.bookdesign.biz/book/4131

Finished the 3rd book of the series of Aunt Jane...

posted from Bloggeroid

Saturday, March 22, 2014

No Poo in Korea -- 1st Month

One Month. That is about how long I have gone now without using shampoo to wash my hair because of the current circumstances. It was somehow forced on me but I welcome the chance actually. I've tried this one before but I just can't remember how long I lasted. 

It is a bit easy to keep track now because I know that the little bottle of leftover shampoo I brought over during the trip is almost gone before arriving. I was only able to use it once of twice when we got here. After that, I tried using Dove which I happen to find in the bathroom but it just left my head very itchy. I wouldn't dare touch that one ever again! I almost forgot that I already tried that brand before and never got to finish the bottle at all. 

I had already sworn off chemical-laden shampoo since late last year and I don't want to ever go back to that. This gives me only 3 choices: (1) I am sticking with Human Heart Nature Shampoo, which I have to find a way to order and ship here, (2.) find another organic line here, or (3) make do with the vinegar rinse. I have yet to figure out if the cost of getting it abroad would be wiser than finding a local one here. But everything here would be totally alien for me at this time so that leaves me with the last choice, vinegar and baking soda for now. 

I've tried a small bottle of apple cider vinegar and it was so nice. I liked the smell and my hair felt better after the Dove Dandruff disaster. The thing is someone remarked that the ACV is expensive just to be used for the hair. Duh..(I bet that it is still way cheaper than buying those commercial shampoo advertised everywhere.)

So I tried the Rice Vinegar tonight. I am not sure if it is the vinegar factor or my hair is just more dirty than usual after I put off washing my hair for a few days (something like five days, I think) but it was very oily. I sprayed every part of my scalp with it this morning, wrapped a plastic bag on my head and topped it off with a towel (to cover the smell and absorb whatever liquid there is). This was my "head dress" for the whole day, something like ten hours. 

My whole head was very oily when I tried to rinse it off. It seems that all the oil on my hair has come out. I had to figure out which one I should add more, the vinegar or the baking soda to decrease the oiliness. It took me a long time that I finally gave up for tonight. I'll have to check it out what to do next time. My experiment today seems to have gone awry. The verdict for the Rice Vinegar is on hold for now. 

Until next...

My Alien Card, Finally!!

I've never realized how important getting this alien card when I got it the first time years ago since I don't really remember needing it that soon at that time. I was basically at home, early into my pregnancy, without much immediate need for it.

This time, however, is different. I have my son that I have to think about, and getting some stuff for him as an immigrant Mom actually needs an alien card for me. My migrant existence here before was very reliant on my husband but with the changes in the immigration rules, I have now found myself needing a card sooner than before.

I now have the current F-6 Visa (Marriage Visa) compared to the previous one I got before which was F-2. This is not anchored to the Korean spouse as the F-2 before. Thus, it can actually be more liberating for the foreign spouse, I suppose.

Let me do a backtrack on our case since it is a bit different.
As I had mentioned, I previously have the F-2 visa more than 6 years ago when we left ROK and went back to PH. My re-entry permit, as well as my visa/card  has long expired before we have decided to go back to ROK. That was the big problem for me as my hubby and son both have Korean passports.  We had to figure out what visa would I need to enter Korea again.

The basic one should be the Spouse Visa but the requirements given to us when we inquired at the Korean Embassy in Ph over the phone is quite complicated and doesn't seem to apply to my case. It needed CFO certificate, among other things like a seminar on the culture and whatnot, which, based from what we've researched online, is generally for first timers or newly married couples.  It was very tricky to get and, as expected, very bureaucratic way to get it done. We sure don't want that hassle plus it doesn't not apply to me very well anyway. So we opted for the Tour Visa. BUT take note that it is not allowed for first timers to go this way anymore. One cannot do Tour Visa as spouse, then convert to Marriage Visa  after landing if it is the first time for the foreign spouse to enter. We actually had this slight fear of me getting deported (^^,) before we applied for the Marriage Visa here.

Luckily, the Korean immigration officer was very logical and deportation didn't came up at all once we explained our situation. We were given a list of documents we had to submit that would convert my Tour Visa (C-3) to the Marriage Visa F-6. Note that they asked for the NSO Marriage Certificate and we also showed the officer my old ACR card at that time that he was evaluating our case.

The List (mostly Korean documents except the last two)

  1. application form with passport photo (available online, or at the immigration office)
  2. Korean Resident Registration
  3. Korean Family Registry 
  4. Korean Marriage Certificate
  5. Bank Certificate
  6. Housing Documents (certificate of ownership or rental contract)
  7. Letter of Reference (there's a form for this)
  8. copies of our passports (bio page)
  9. marriage contract (from NSO)
We were able to submit these a few days later since we had to prepare the other missing documents. The younger officer remembered us from our first visit since the more senior officer had to ask him to check out the Ph Marriage Certificate. 

After checking all the documents we submitted were in order (he really scrutinized every paper), he finally had me register my fingerprints for the ACR card. I had to do the same thing at the airport immigration when we arrived. He even asked if I would prefer to keep my previous ACR number. I said yes, of course, since I think my previous number was pretty cool and easy to remember. 

We were told that the ID will be ready in three weeks. We told him that we have already paid for the delivery and gave him the receipt. We just have to wait for the card to be delivered. 

It took us roughly 140,000 for the visa fees (this includes my son's 2K-won entry and exit certificate needed for our shipped boxes), and 4000W for the delivery. The delivery fee is quite reasonable and convenient compared if we pick it up ourselves because of transportation fee (public) and effort/energy (excluding my all-time requirement, food ^^,). We were a bit surprised with the 6-figure visa fee but I think that it is better than me having to do everything back in my home country. (I remember that it was just around 30 to 60K won years before. Definitely less than 100K) We'll take this. (big sigh of relief :D )

Fast forward to eleven days..(a weekend included) I received my new ACR card finally! (Less than three weeks!) We were quite surprised with the speed. I just remembered now that I also got the Tourist Visa ahead of schedule. I guess they usually give the maximum expected time but actually does the quickest time. That is so far away from where I come from. I've been told a lot of times that it is the pali-pali culture of Koreans. 





Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Cheonan-Asan Immigration Office

Located near Cheonan-Asan Subway Station (KTX station)

As an alien to this kimchiland, I have to get myself an Alien Certificate of Registration and of course, update my immigration papers. I checked online and found limited information on the location and how to go about it around my area. All of these searches was done in English, of course.

Here is the detailed trip.

Note:
The Immigration Office is located in a building behind YMall, left side if you're coming from the KTX station entrance. It is not immediately visible from that point though. You have to get to the intersection of Emart Traders (a warehouse-style Emart Store) and the big YMall building.

A. Getting there.

We took the subway from Onyang-Oncheon (why do these stations have to have double names, really) to Cheonan-Asan. Husband joked that they might have settled the fight over naming these thru co-naming and as it turns out, brother-in-law confirmed it was the case. It was just 10 minutes ride over two stations. We both checked out the two exits but it gave us no clue to what direction we should head to so we opted to follow the signs going to KTX entrance by going through the almost-isolated Wedding Convention Hall that connects the two stations.









If you take that route, the exit on your right will be one leading to the view of YMall (that is the first landmark to find). Once out of the building, look around and find the big sign of YMall and HiMart. That is the target for now. Keep walking and go down the stairs or take the lift for specially-abled people  (slower for able-bodied actually, so better hit the stairs.)  












Cross the street to get to the Ymall side. Turn left, heading to the intersection. Once you get to that corner, turn right and the building is visible from that point. On your right will be the 7-11.


Walk up the street and cross the street to get to that lone building. There are pedestrian lanes at each corner, don't worry.


The corner entrance is the IBK (it actually has a side door leading to the main lobby of the building.) Walk a bit further to find the main entrance with a revolving door that doesn't seem to work. Side ones work though. On the left is the Information counter with an old ajussi manning it and on the right are two elevators. Across from the main entrance is the door leading to the parking lot. The office in question is on the 4th Floor.


Upon stepping out of the lift, head to the left. Noo...not that left. That is the Men's Rest Room. Kidding. Just follow the sign in English.:P


In the Immigration Office:

1. Get the queue slip from the machine. There are three kinds: Visa/Permanent Residency, Sojourn, Registration.




2. Find and fill up the form that you need. (I do hope you know what you need 'coz we didn't exactly know what was ours at that time.) The forms are available inside the small plastic drawers. There are designated places to fill those up complete with samples, pens, glues, and even eyeglasses. 







3. In case you need an instant ID photo, there is also a machine for instant photo printing next to the cashier for a price of 7K won. One just needs to feed the machine some Korean paper bills.




4. The cashier takes care of the courier service and photocopying. ( 7000W for the delivery of ACR Card, photocopies 100W/page.






Other photos around the area taken from the Emart Traders building. 
From the entrance of Emart Traders. Far most building on the left is the Immigration office building. 




The Flu Catches up in Korea

A month through our international move and my son gets the flu.
(Warning: This is partly a rant blog entry...)

6AM
My son caught a cold. I just hope this isn't any special virus. I've given way and put off going to the doctor for a few days but this has gotten too long already. I'll find a way to bring him to a doctor today. Husband or no husband.

He started coughing last week but we didn't take him to the doctor right away as most other parents would. We thought that it was just a common cough and cold. And we know that that there is no real cure for cold.
We were surprised when he had fever Sunday night so he skipped school on Monday. Since he didn't have any fever anymore that night, his father insisted that he go to school. I, on the hand, was having second thoughts that he'd better visit the doctor for his strenuous coughing and stay home to rest. But off he went, even attending his taekwondo class.
He runs a fever again on Tuesday night. We can't put it off anymore. Another night of fever is going to spell worst scenarios. He is over due for a visit to the doctor.

8 AM.
We finally headed to the "pyeongeon" (literally translated as hospital although it is really just a clinic) as they refer to it around here. We got there around past nine in the morning and there were already enough people to fill up the small waiting area. I figured that it is a bit far off place and this seems to be the only clinic in the immediate area. This is also a general clinic that covers patients of all ages, from children to adult. In fact, half of the patients waiting were young children. There were two middle/high school students, an old man and thirty something one too. But it was mostly mothers with their tots in tow. Good thing is that there is a small play room, as well as a small bookcase filled with interesting books (90% Korean), 2 pcs. of newspapers, and 3 or 4 Step into Reading English storybooks.

I had my chance to observe the set up in the clinic as we sat waiting. There were three nurses in pink uniforms; 20 something, 30 something and middle-aged one. The 30s N acts as the information/registration clerk and cashier, the20s N is at hand assisting the doctor in the consultation room and the oldest one is in charge with the the test kits process. At first, I thought that they might have some fancy medical laboratory somewhere but since the "nostril" test came out quick, I figured that it was just a simple, quick lab procedure.

Basic information that is needed is the following: name, Social ID number (most likely an ACR card for foreigners). The nurse checks the weight and other pertinent medical information. Waiting time. Patient's name is called to seat at the "green seats" :) by the consultation room as the next ones to get in while waiting for the present ones to get out.

If your case involves a possible flu and may need a nostril swab, be ready! Kids would cry aloud, a bit older ones would take it in with a few involuntary tears of pain and adults will probably be more embarrassed if they make a big fuss. As painful as it may sound, I think that the test kits is way better that have the doctor second guessing the patient's symptoms. One would know if it was a flu or not in just a few minutes. I haven't seen that in my small hometown yet.  

When the result is out, the nurse usher's the patient back in the room again as the doctor gives the diagnosis and prescription. That being done, and we settle our bills with the info/cashier lady. My dear husband forgot to bring his wallet (of course @@). Good thing is I didn't change coats today and found my wallet and the debit (a.k.a check) card still in my coat pocket. They do accept cards, luckily, as most places here do.

After swiping and signing, we head down to the pharmacy located just downstairs. You'll have no other choice basically. hahaha..

Hubby gives the prescription to the pharmacist and we wait for a couple of minutes since there were also other people in queue, almost the same ones from the clinic earlier. Here are the medicines prescribed by the doctor for the flu. 3 kinds of medicine prepared by the pharmacist to be taken once after breakfast and dinner. It includes cough medicine ibuprofen as far as my Korean deciphering can tell. There is also a small bottle for fever and a box of Tamiflu. Oh boy, oh boy. It looks like the big guns against the flu is out for my son. Poor thing. It seems unavoidable now. He had to take this for 5 days, and stay home for the rest of the week. He sure wants to go to school even though he coughing so much. Good thing the doctor actually advised the father and son to stay put at home.


We head home at half past 10 am. to start our isolation week. My son now feels bad in missing the mango pudding for the school lunch today. Who says cafeteria food is not good? :D (That's for another blog entry.)

My eyes and camera are busy every time we had to wait.
I just like this motorbike hanging up on the ceiling of the pharmacy. 


Notes: Hubby relays to me that the doctor explained that Tamiflu might not be usually needed in most flu cases but the Korean government has made it almost mandatory for doctors to prescribe it for flu after an outbreak some four years ago. I've heard Tamiflu on the news before but never any specifics about it. It made me curious so I had to google for it. I almost didn't want to let my son take it..but I just hope that it will do him good. I got this feeling that the doctor was actually telling my hubby not to get it anymore. hahaha..I'll just keep praying then. :D
posted from Bloggeroid

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Our Shipment Finally Arrived! (in just a little more than a month after we left)

Our books, toys, clothes and other household stuff has finally been delivered today! And it only took a month! It would have been faster if there was no truck ban problem in Manila a few weeks ago, and if we have just managed to submit the required documents to clear it through customs, tax free. So far, I have opened 7 out of 8 boxes, emptied 3 of the boxes, and my back already feel all the pushing, pulling and a little lifting that I did for three hours!

The eight boxes are lined up after being delivered by a couple. The poor things had to bring it up to our place which is a bit heavier than their usual delivery. And we had to drag these in as well as quickly as we can because it was still a bit cold outside. 








P is excited to see his toys and books again. After all the boxes are in, the delivery ajassi knocks again coz he forgot another box. Oh no! Not another big box but a smaller one but still quite heavy..strawberry juice ordered online yesterday.



So here is the rough timeline on the move.

Week 1
Feb. 11 - We flew out of Palawan. Almost all 8 boxes packed, saved for one which remained to be sealed.
Feb. 12  -We flew in to ROK.
Feb. 14  - 8 boxes were picked up by the 2GO Palawan, ready to be shipped the next day with a cut of time of 12 noon. All roughly more than 1 cubic meter.
Feb 15 - The ship taking our boxes left Puerto Princesa Port en route to Manila.

Week 2
Feb. 16- 19 boxes arrived in Manila, but waiting for delivery schedule which starts on Wed/Thu.
Feb 20 - Boxes arrived at TBB in Taguig. The company emails/calls (via Kakaotalk) to coordinate with us on the arrival of these boxes. The also informed us that these will be included on their shipment next week, Saturday.

Week 3
Feb. 24 The TBB informs us of a possible delay on shipping it out from Manila because of the the current truck ban issue. We were quite aware and afraid of that. The problem was fortunately ironed out within the week.

Mar. 1 Boxes were finally shipped out from Mnl Port en route to Busan. Total weight of 255.5 kg.
(From TBB to YES G2M Co. Ltd. via Hanjin Buenos Air)

Week 5

March 6. Boxes arrived and stored in a warehouse in Busan.  TBB contacts us to email the documents for clearing at the customs, tax free as used goods of a returning Korean national. These documents include copies of passports of us each, entrance and exit certificates from the Immigration Office. It took us a while to get the certificates though because we cannot print in online specially my son's. Good thing that I also had to apply for my ACR card from the Immigration office so we picked it up from there and paid 2000 W.

Week 6

Mar. 9 - We finally submitted all the documents.
Mar. 10 - The forwarding company called and informed us that it will be delivered on Sat., March 12.
Mar. 12 - 7:30 AM. The local forwarding company (Logen Tekbe) calls us that they will deliver at 3 PM.
                2:30 They call again that they will be coming roughly 20 minutes later.
                3:05 The boxes arrives finally.

Conclusion:
1 wk to ship from Pal to Mnl. including pick up from the origin and warehouse
2 wks in Mnl from the time it was delivered to the next ship out
1 wk from Mnl ship out to arrival in Busan
1 wk warehouse service and customs clearing (latter actually is just one day with all the documents in)
2 days to deliver at our doorstep

We left Philippines on the 12th of Feb., the rest of our things got here on the 12th of Mar. (Via SHIP, quick and fast at reasonable price) Awesome!

Thank you Nay, Tay and Bro. (also to the paid services of 2GO, TBB Universal and Logen.)

P.S.
Husband notes that this is almost faster than the small parcels that we pick up at the local post office in my hometown where it takes a week for our stuff to move from the ground floor (where they dump all incoming mails and parcels) to the 2nd floor for releasing. I almost forgot that one and it sounds so far away from my memory.

I am just happy to have my sampaloc chopping board (thank you Mom for sandpapering it a bit), and a lousy strainer for our noodle cravings now. Off to the kitchen for our lunch!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Housing Bank Account for Kids

What is that exactly? We have been checking out how we will open an account for my son here in ROK. We started out with a kiddie account in my home country, which his grannies said they will maintain while we are away.
Going back to the title above, we were planning on which bank we will open his kiddie account. Since we dropped by there last week to open to a debit card for our everyday expenses, hubby inquired and found out that they also have housing deposit account for kids. In a nutshell, it's basically a deposit account that is primed for saving for a house. I mean, my father technically gives me a house but my son will save for his own starting from his single-digit age. Not sure what is cool or what in both cases. (Note: My father is not that rich as it may sound. hahaha)
With the factor of accessibility for P to deposit his cash, we decided on opening his Korean savings account with Shinhan Bank. As coincidence has it, I already got a deposit slip from the bank. A pink one at that! I'm sure he won't even notice the color but I was tickled pink when I saw it since I'm used to boring gray, blue and even orange (which I am not very fond of) bank slips from back home. I am not really the trendy girl generally speaking but a pink deposit slip is cool. Who would not be tickled pink with it? ^^)

Update for the banking transaction (April 25, 2014)

My son's school had some teacher's training this week and classes were cut short. This is my chance to be able to drag him to the bank to open his account! After a lot of fuss before heading out downtown, we got in the bank before the four o'clock closing time.

I prepared the document (family registry), my Alien Card and the kid's cash. Sad thing is the banker insisted that we bring also bring the dojang (name stamp that serves as signature.) I don't understand exactly why still the need for that since I brought my son along, he can very well sign his papers, eh? My husband has not used his dojang the last time he opened an account so I figured that the kid can manage that as well.

But no. We were NOT able to open the kid's account still. It is seldom that we get a break from school this early and he still wouldn't have us open the account just because of that stamp? Why is that still needed? He explains that with the dojang, we can do transactions on behalf of the kid but not with the signature. But all we wanted to do is put his money in the bank. Why is it that hard, eh? Is he in some connivance with the dojang-maker or something? I would have insisted a bit more if it weren't for my hubby's hurried stance coz he have to get back to the parking lot.

I could have opened the account in my name just to get rid of the cash. hahaha..And then just transfer them later to the kiddos account. The main this is the experience for kid. It was a cool when he himself did his own in his account in my home country. But over here, they were like insisting, "you can open the account on his behalf next time..he doesn't have to show up here." and I was like, "honey, it's the experience of the process that I am after."

Next time I get the chance to drag my son around, I'm gonna get him his dojang. Come think of it, even getting the Dojang is also some sort of a milestone, is it not? Or am just too much?

We will bide our time. His cash is still sitting in the paper envelop I hastily stuffed it into. He may be able to miss out on my walking escapades but I can somehow let him experience stuff like that at least.

Now, I am thinking, maybe I should look into another bank altogether and not head back to Shinhan? But that bank's location is quite good and accessible. I am also considering Woori or KB which are also nearby but on the opposite side.

Be back for updates, and hopefully with his new account. :D Children's Day is coming up soon!







posted from Bloggeroid

Trial blog aPp

This is a troal post. I just hate typing on smartphones but got plenty of stuff to write about without a functioning pc so trying this one out for now.
posted from Bloggeroid
~~~~~ 
Blogging from bloggeroid is quite handy for short posts as it is hard to type for me using smartphones.  The better way is to use the app for the short entries, or key words that can be used as guide for the more detailed post later. I was also able to post photos from my phone and add the captions from another gadget with more decent keyboard.


Saturday, March 8, 2014

Certificates, Medals and Recycling

Random thoughts for me as I sip my hot chocolate reflecting on the past few days.

We finally met P's online friend last week at his place. He turned out to be a very tall and quite smart kid. He has certificates all over their living room wall, although I didn't understood what they were for exactly except for the Chinese one that stands out (not because I can understand Chinese ^^,) I mentioned that it reminded me of P's couple of medals that he insisted on packing in his bag for our international move. P's friend reaction was like, "medals? wow!" He was surprised and said, "I wanna go Philippines." His mom explained that they usually just get papers certificates here even for taekwondo awards. I was like, "really"? I was a bit surprise and now I wonder about it.

I think that medals are quite ubiquitous in my home country specially around graduation month like this March. One can even buy these at the department store. The only difference in the ones that you get from schools or decent competitions would be an engraved logo of the institution who awarded it. Medals, trophies and even plaques are pretty common in different events. For schools, it's certificates and medals typically.

Why are medals not very common here? Maybe because my home country has more raw materials to produce such than here. Of course, we're not really talking about real gold or mineral but alloys most likely. But I think that is a probable theory. Why? Because about nine years ago, I heard that they were collecting old pots and pans or anything like that to recycle into other useful things. Either they really don't have enough raw resources or they really big on recycling. It is undoubtedly can be the latter but that itself would also be because of the former.

I am quite at home with the recycling system here than what my hometown has been trying to do. They have covered almost every kind of junk category specially in apartments. The only part that they missed and my hubby almost got me doing something more than usual is the "vinyl ruyu"  or something like that which is on almost every plastic pack of coffee stick, cookies, ramyeon, etc. There is a recycle symbol but when we asked the security ajassi of the apartment, we were told that it goes to the general garbage plastic bag. I was slightly disappointed but that is one little thing that they missed. Other than that,  furnitures, styros, sturdy cardboard boxes, can, glasses, ceramics, electronic stuff like bulbs are segregated right at the designated area in the apartment complex. The food waste or biodegradables are in a different bin. They are put in a separate plastic or container at home, emptied in that bin in the garbage area, and if the home container is disposable, there is a separate bin for the plastic right beside it. Even the bottles of soju have their own specified sack there. I noticed a pile of orange sack already stack beside and I can only guess how much soju Koreans consume. I've read that they do consume a lot of it.:D

This should be about it for now. I got to figure out how I can add photos here easily from my mobile's camera.



Monday, March 3, 2014

Blog Resurrection/ROK (Part 2)

Days 4-5 Sat & Sun

We spent the weekend indoors mostly, plus there was a bit more smog according to the news anyway. Just headed to the supermarket late Sunday for a last minute errand for food.

Day 6 Mon

Task for the week is to continue on the the paper works that we had to accomplish as we get settled back in the country. We still had problem with connecting and doing transactions because almost everything would need mobile phone number or residential phone. So one of the priority is to get ourselves those. The first one was the mobile phone which was a bit tricky to choose the cheapest and most applicable for our needs as there were a lot of plans to choose from. We ended up with going for the practical one from the Korean Post Office. The thing is this is only for Korean nationals.

At the Post Office:
While hubby was dealing with the phone plans and application forms, me and my son check around the place. It was the main post office of the city so I think it was quite spacious enough. The postal service starts in the middle counter going to the right. The last one on the right deals with the phone subscriptions. The banking service is on the left side, with fancy waiting areas for the clients at the opposite side of the counters.

There was also a small museum of sorts of stamps at the far end on the right, along with an aquarium filled with plants and a few fishes. It seems very relaxing as one waits for their turn at the counter which I don't think they would really have to wait that long after all anyway.

I also checked out the restroom which was located at other side entrance of the building to wash my badly-needed ginger as head out again for the bus later. There was classical music playing in the background as I try to find and follow the rest room sign. It turned out that it was coming from the rest room. Oh my!! It's been a while since I've heard such in a rest room and the music was really cool. I almost felt that I would want to stay longer in there even if I was just using the wash stand. Rest room would definitely be an applicable term for that place. I even want to hang out there coz it was very clean and the music is just cool.
But the cleaning lady seems to be doing her last minute job before calling it a day so I had to get my butt out of her way.

We headed toward the market (sijang) after the post office and stopped by some store on sale for the boys' shoes. We continued our trek downward exploring the market looking for a gimbap store for our snack/dinner, as well with other stuff that we needed to buy.


We found a small gimbap store inside the market to satisfy our hungry stomachs. The thing is there wasn't any soup that went with it. I realized that I was so used with Gimbap Nara that I always look for the soup usually paired with the gimbap as default. I wasn't that satisfied. :(

Continuing with our little exploration trek, we went on to the other parts of the sijang. We got a 6000 W kid's belt from the street market and most household items from Daiso store which we just happen to find. Husband almost didn't want to get in there at first but after luring him in with the bubble wrap outside that we do need to buy, we all got in, browsed around and ended up buying more than 20,000 W worth of goods. I just love Daiso shops for that. We got a dish drainer, 2 small ceramic mugs, 1 plastic mug, a set of 3 small cleaning towel, another set of 3 cleaning sponge, 2 pairs of hiking socks for men, and a small indoor plastic broom. Oh, I almost forgot the bubble wrap that got us all in in the first place. All of these we lugged as we got on the bus after waiting for quite a time in the cold.Oh well, we manage to get some things done today.

Day  7 Tue
Today is the Orientation Day at my son's school so father and son went together. The boy a bit confused with the route going to his school and I had to follow and help him cross the street since his father already went a little ahead of him. As it turns out, he left and totally disappeared the minute they got to school leaving his dad to pick up his books carrying the heavy set home in his lone bag. He had to call me for SOS  for additional bag in bringing home those books.

Good thing is that we already have our internet phone and mobile phone now. The internet was installed yesterday morning and the mobile SIM was delivered in the afternoon. The next order would have to be the rice cooker.

And so that covers our first  7 days here starting on settling in. We have more tasks to do in the following days which include buying school supplies, and more government registration for my husband.