Colorful Flowering Trees in my Hometown

Photo credits to thoughtstalesandwhatnot.com

It's spring season and it's time for cherry blossoms here in the peninsula. This reminded me of a tree of the same moniker, cherry, from my hometown. Palawan cherry tree as it has been dubbed, or balayong in a more local term, has been a common sight in my high school and other spots in my hometown. I found the photo above from a blog with as equally beautiful shots of the Palawan tree. These, along with the fire trees, are often seen together in the same area. But the dearest to me is the golden shower tree.

I remember one in our front yard when I was a child. It almost always blooms specially around my birth month May. Those were the picture of my childhood: yellow blossoms, regularly-trimmed tree that sometimes hosts caterpillars that turn into beautiful butterflies. The seeds itself can be quite stinky coz I remember playing with it as a stick only to find the stinky seeds when I happen to break it. But those seed pods will give rise to new set of beautiful yellow blossomed trees. When they bloom, it looks like a yellow bouquet.

Photo credits to treesplanet.blogspot.kr

Now, I wish my father didn't cut that tree down. I would have loved to grow old on a small house with a tree like that on the yard. That should be on my bucket list: a relatively spacious front yard with at least a golden shower tree, a Palawan cherry tree and maybe a fire tree as well. But of course, there should also be a small herb and vegetable garden. I do like flowers but with my practical-thinking mind, I can handle the flowers up on a tree than use up the land area beneath it which can be better planted with something edible.

I'm not that big on fruits but I'll be happy with a mango, chico, kalamansi, banana, and maybe some papaya. With these in mind, I initially thought that 500 sqm is enough but maybe 1000 sqm is needed to accommodate the fruit trees. And off I go to my dreamland again!

Driving Lessons Update: Part 2

So I signed up for the whole kit and caboodle of the driving lessons because there was really no other way to get my hands on a steering wheel since my hubs will not let me. My previous post here on the first time I got behind the wheel.

My next session was to learn the other courses, B and D which are located in a less-familiar area of the town. I have to figure out the the streets, turns, signal light changing, and speed at this one since it's goes through some school zone of sorts. Well, I'm not exactly sure if there is a school immediately nearby but the speed limit is pretty clear at 30 km/h.

I had a lady instructor this time so it was a bit different. I noticed that her English language is not as good as the previous one so we had to struggle a bit specially because she kept referring to N in Korean, 중립. It wasn't that easy at first but it made remember the Neutral on stop lights better. Another difference is she is plays too safely. Totally different with the ajussi who made me speed up not just once but a lot of times. She wasn't sure of my abilities so I guess she totally played it safe.

First day with her was the initial learning the routes for Courses B and D during the two hours. This wasn't not as exciting speeding but I did get to traverse the bigger road with 80 km/h speed limit. Next day, we did the four courses in the two hours that I had. During this session, she tried to use the tablet but I don't think it was maximized. I felt that I will fail because of not being able to understand the test instructions from the tablet. I had to sign up for another set of sessions.

Four more hours cost me an extra 220 k but I need to more confident with that table thingy which what got me in the 50 m operational test before in the first place. Luckily, it was rectified early on and I managed to pass the test in the end. During the last session before I had to take the test, the male instructor quizzed me on that turn signal audio in Korean. I had for the life of me, failed to recognize what "turn left" sounds like in Korean since my hubs just insisted on letting me listen to the video that had "right turn" or ohye-jeon in Korean. When I asked about other possible deviation on the test, he insisted that there won't be any. Hah!

Going back to the driving sessions, on to my next post.

Driving Lessons Update: Part 3

For a recap on my hands-on driving lessons: (hands-on because my hubs tried to teach me a bit but its mostly talk, and insisted on "try to memorize the theory and use your imagination" ---what?!!)

Course A (Asan Area) the most straightforward course

Course C (Asan Area) mostly lane changing and right turns

Day 1 (3 hrs)
H1 - driving around almost without accelerator in the driving course
H2 - Course A, with instructor driving and showing the route
         Course A, me driving
H3 - Course C

These three hours were pretty too much to handle for my brain so I opted for a two hour schedule for the following sessions.

*Day 2 (2 hours)
H4 - Course B
H5 - Course D

*Day 3 (2 hours)
H6 - Course A and C
H7 - Course B and D

Day 4
H8 - Course A and C
H9 - Course B and D

Course B (Bebang Area) with U-Turn

Course D (Bebang Area) with more complicated turns

This is pretty much where I am right now. I have managed to get into the 80km/h road, change lane, speed up and reach the second traffic light without seeing the red light to stop. The downside was I almost forgot to hit N as I wait to get out of the road because my hands were up in the air celebrating that 70 km/h!

I have to decide tomorrow to sign up for the road test this Thursday. I am a bit confident now in terms of turn signals, neutrals, accelerator and brakes. I have yet to work more on 

1. changing lanes at a speed
2. turning the steering wheel at different angles except for a U-turn and a sharp right-angle turn
3. getting in and out of traffic (Note here: Getting in, I can safely do that with a red light of oncoming traffic but have to watch out with other cars coming from the other directions.) 

I have unconsciously found myself figuring out how to use the side mirrors but not the rear-view mirror ever. Never had the chance yet. Come to think of it, I noticed my husband was able to drive with the rear window blocked with ice last winter. It may be helpful to learn that later on after I passed the road test. My extra learning sessions will only cost 50 k by then, after the Hapgyuk (합격)

My ajussi instructor promised me that he will use the table tomorrow so I can be familiar with the audio instructions for the test. Good thing I changed back to the male instructor, at least he knows my history with recorded audios in Korean. Sticking with the same instructor was something my hubs pointed out when I tole him how my driving lessons are going. Makes sense as I've realized. At least, hubs did give me a some of tips. 

Now as I prepare more for the road test, I try to find other websites as resources.

Here are some blogs/links that I found helpful and encouraging so far:

• no korean - Irish with no or limited Korean language skills going thru it
• Another Pinay blog - the initial parts of acquiring the license (written test etc.) She had to do her written test twice coz the husband gave her the wrong test reviewer. Funny but hey, at least she learned something about motorbikes. 
• And this is the hands-on part in a driving school she enrolled in. She only did the six-hours-behind-the-wheel and managed to pass the road test. This really gave me hope that I can finally wing it this week. I've already clocked in about 9 hours and two more tomorrow so I should be able to do it soon. 
• ESL forum about getting a Korean driver's license

That should wrap it up for this entry. My next entry should most likely start with PASSED! (I will probably wait for at the most another year before I get a chance to drive my husband's car or my own car. Why? He has just renewed his car insurance last Feb or March so I don't think he will be willing to alter that to accommodate me. So either that or I'll have to be able to afford having my own by next year.)

My next month's target is to concentrate on the Korean language again, and finish the KIIP language series. If God willing, I might even have enough courage to start the immigration papers this year. If not, the Driving License goal should have been accomplished. That calls for another entry all together.

Train Ride (Yongsan Stn.)

Driving Lessons' First Time

Driving on the road for the first time!

What I learned today:

signal light on changing lanes,
then check thru side mirror if its clear to move
drive gear first before accelerator
and Neutral every stop at an intersection or I'll have 3 points deduction

As for the parking techniques:
right full turn, straighten up until the gray box on my shoulder,
R, right two turns until I see the round plant...(a bit tricky), point 2, side lines are parallel to the car
Another full turn to the left until I see the two white lines
D, two turns, b4 hit accelerator and back to straighten again.

Note: Where to start and hit accelerator on the hill.

Whew! Another first today. Three consecutive hour sessions in one day. First was turning and parking in the center's area. Then, a 20-minute-break before heading out to check out the first route, Course A. On the second wind, I was the one on the wheel. It turned out pretty okay except for some missed double checking, an unsure run for the signal light change and slight change lane after that because of an incoming vehicle from the other side. I need to work on my intersection turnings.

Last week, as I did my first hands-on and operational test almost right after, I didn't have to step on the accelerator. I had a only a very little idea on how much force should I use as I step on it. It was mostly turn right, turn left, headlight on and off, wiper on and off, seat belt, and starts and stops. I did enjoy and savored the feeling of holding the steering wheel that day.

It was the accelerator this time. I'm a little bit more familiar with the turn signals but I have to maintain 60 km/h a little longer and not idle at 40 km/h most of the time. After doing Course C the second time, I was almost a bit comfortable. I wasn't really nervous but I was totally apprehensive and almost hold my breath until I've come to a complete stop. I sure need some good air as I strongly breathe a deep sigh of relief every time I had to stop at a red light.

But now I need to catch some sleep so I can do my buritto wraps early morning before I head out to Korean classes tomorrow. Fingers crossed that I don't have to resort to gimbap again just to survive.

I can only thank God for every little thing that I am slowly accomplishing each day and keeping us safe. Nights!