I just had a chance to reconnect with an old friend last night after I tried to post a zoom invite to some other pals. It's interesting that none from our hometown made it. Well, it's probably because of internet capability since the speed and price of the internet there sucks. What is more interesting were the reasons that came up.
There were a few that indicated interest, one even made it for a few sec just to disappear right away and never made it back. She was the one that really tried so far. I do appreciate that. There were also some that were pretty busy as I understand since they do have little kids, work, and all that jazz called life. But there were also some interesting replies that came my way. One asked about who are the other invited ones. I could totally see myself giving that line at some point in my life specially on a real get-together but this is online. It would be very easy to pop in, check out and pop out, specially with the default factor of internet situation. Then, there were a few that just didn't have any idea what is it nor any courage to try.
The last part was what got me thinking, the courage to try new things. There is a whole new world, without the need for a carpet ride, right outside your doorstep. Well, in this case, it's just a click and outside one's comfort zone. One needs courage to get past the fear-of-the-unknown to discover new things. It may be just a ripple in the water but it would have an effect nonetheless. It could be something new, can improve one's life, can cement your own belief, or can make you understand other people and the world around you more. This is something that I had unconsciously gotten myself into as I grow older. Yet, other people, if not most, are on a different thinking plane when it comes to trying new things. Age, culture, location, education, exposure to an environment and even hormones, are just a few factors to delve into. It really is a complicated idea to fathom on how people think and behave.
Personally, I am not the try-everything kind of girl but I do make a conscious effort to do so. It can be on a whim but I also weigh any irreversible damage to myself, short-term or long-term. Food is something that can be testy as I am a picky-eater, but other things that doesn't involve tasting, body harm or treading personal values is most likely an open game for me. This is where I see personal growth. I learn a lot of different things, about people and how the world outside my own self works.
What initially started as a simple reaching-out turned into this --- a blog post and an informal social experiment inadvertently. I appreciate my two friends who showed up and spent a few hours of exchanging POV's with me. It's just funny that all of us are living outside our home country at the moment. Thank you for the shared values and time.
For those who indicated an interest but didn't make it, thank you, too. And for those who really didn't try, thank you, too. Life is just as interesting as it is, until the next time. :)
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Sunday, February 2, 2020
02022020
Mirror dates are fun!
This is a special post on what is currently happening on this special date.
The world has been battling with another corona novo virus. And repatriated Koreans from China are being quarantined right here in town. Let’s just stay positive that they will be able to contain things and there won’t be a big aftermath in the locality.
On the other hand, I have my own battle at home: decluttering
Two New Years had already passed, solar and new year and I am still at a the bottom step of this thing. I am counting the days that my son will move to his dorm by the end of this month so I can tackle his room and hopefully, the rest of the apartment.
Another personal issue is my father’s second post-surgery doctor’s visit by tomorrow. We need to know how his throat wounds are healing, what other medications he has to take for the next few weeks again and possibly the result of the biopsy after his surgery.
Let me just take this chance to clear out my brain for things that needed to be done this following weeks and months.
Feb.
Week 1:
Tats Dr. check up
Tax thing
Week 2:
Hospital bill via sentbe
P’s school supplies
Week 3:
P bank renewal, get documents for ID
Week 4:
P O camp
March: School starts, March Month clean up!
Add on P hamper
April: Venture to online morning work or restart Korean online class, start morning Extra income
May: Renew TD
Work contract?, sign up for pension system
Check for flight tickets for October
June: plan for summer stuff, IT for summer or October
July-Aug: Summer? activity for P?
September:
Oct: fam trip, holiday, chuseok
Nov. Car insurance renew
P SKY field trip
Dec. Winter car check
Whew! That was one pretty stretched out year plan.
Let me just back track to this month. Big event is the dorm life stuff, my father’s health and other income resources amidst this virus related news that may affect everyone, one way or another.
That should be about it for now. For today: I need to get lunch started, clear out the trash, wash my hair, get out of this place for a few hours and get a hair cut. Fingers crossed!
I still need to get back and iron all clothes needed for the following weeks.
I may also post another one on the other sites, CiK and FiC later if I have more time. Outdoor writing may not be an option as it is pretty dusty today. Seems like it’s back to regular factory schedule again somewhere.
Get that haircut! Lea S. inspired even if most Koreans will find it downright ugly on me.
That will be for this 02022020 date!
This is a special post on what is currently happening on this special date.
The world has been battling with another corona novo virus. And repatriated Koreans from China are being quarantined right here in town. Let’s just stay positive that they will be able to contain things and there won’t be a big aftermath in the locality.
On the other hand, I have my own battle at home: decluttering
Two New Years had already passed, solar and new year and I am still at a the bottom step of this thing. I am counting the days that my son will move to his dorm by the end of this month so I can tackle his room and hopefully, the rest of the apartment.
Another personal issue is my father’s second post-surgery doctor’s visit by tomorrow. We need to know how his throat wounds are healing, what other medications he has to take for the next few weeks again and possibly the result of the biopsy after his surgery.
Let me just take this chance to clear out my brain for things that needed to be done this following weeks and months.
Feb.
Week 1:
Tats Dr. check up
Tax thing
Week 2:
Hospital bill via sentbe
P’s school supplies
Week 3:
P bank renewal, get documents for ID
Week 4:
P O camp
March: School starts, March Month clean up!
Add on P hamper
April: Venture to online morning work or restart Korean online class, start morning Extra income
May: Renew TD
Work contract?, sign up for pension system
Check for flight tickets for October
June: plan for summer stuff, IT for summer or October
July-Aug: Summer? activity for P?
September:
Oct: fam trip, holiday, chuseok
Nov. Car insurance renew
P SKY field trip
Dec. Winter car check
Whew! That was one pretty stretched out year plan.
Let me just back track to this month. Big event is the dorm life stuff, my father’s health and other income resources amidst this virus related news that may affect everyone, one way or another.
- Pack P stuff
- Shop for his clothes
- Shop for his school supplies
- Pick up his uniform in a suitcase or big bag
- Find a temporary hamper
That should be about it for now. For today: I need to get lunch started, clear out the trash, wash my hair, get out of this place for a few hours and get a hair cut. Fingers crossed!
I still need to get back and iron all clothes needed for the following weeks.
I may also post another one on the other sites, CiK and FiC later if I have more time. Outdoor writing may not be an option as it is pretty dusty today. Seems like it’s back to regular factory schedule again somewhere.
Get that haircut! Lea S. inspired even if most Koreans will find it downright ugly on me.
That will be for this 02022020 date!
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Korean High School Admission (Part 3: Results and After Admission)
The initial release of result of accepted students was scheduled on the 3rd of January, the same day of my kid's graduation. We were a bit in trepidation on how that day will turn out. Fortunately, waiting time has been shorted and we were informed the day before that he made it in.
We just had to show up for the graduation the next day with real celebratory feeling. ^^ (The graduation day itself might have a different post.)
After the results were published on the school website, there was also another date to add to the calendar. This is basically the "enrollment" of sorts, I think. There is a file downloadable from there with all the information we needed to know. Included are a few pages of forms for printing to be filled up and submitted on that specific date.
Enrollment Day: January 8. 2-3 PM
This is the closest to enrollment day if I would compare it with the system in my home country.
Most of our concerns were the fees, uniform, bedding, rules, curriculum, and when they will be expected to move to the dorm.
All of these were covered in the downloaded file before we actually went to the school so no lines for payments except for the parking. :D
Info included:
1. school year curriculum
2. dorm rules and points system
3. 4-day dorm life orientation (scheduled a week before official school starts)
4. *fees (uniform, 4D Camp, and general school fees) bedding was not included
*info on possible discount on fees depending on family income is also included
(The documents for this has already been submitted during the initial document submission, early on the admission process. Additional fees later for after-school activities, field trips are also discounted if qualified. To sign up for these discounts, a visit to the nearest jumin center or online are both possible.)
Forms that we printed and signed up:
1. Online-banking sign up for the school fees
2. second language choice
3. pick up time for the kid every week, Friday night or Saturday morning
4. uniform reservation sign up
5. bedding reservation sign up
6. dorm sign up form and contract
As I've guessed, there was a table with samples of bedding. What I was hoping to see was a thrift shop kind for the uniforms but there was none. :D Pushing it too much as this is Korea where everyone thinks it's better to buy new stuff all the time.
Bedding: The materials seems decent but I'm pretty sure that one can get better price if you dig some more online. K hub simply signed up for what I think was a crazy price even if already checked for way cheaper ones online. I am not sure that it would be the same ones (four-season items) though.
If you want to save a bit, check out bedding options somewhere beforehand to compare prices. There were two color choices: pink and blue. I was just too much in a hurry to try to take a photo.
180K for Quilt bedding Set 1: quilted blanket + pillow cover (pillow case?)+ mat cover (bed sheet?) + double sided pad (mattress pad?) + cotton pillow
199K for 4 Season bedding Set 2: duvet + pillow case + bed sheet + mattress pad + cotton comforter + cotton pillow
Company name: Blooming Deco
Delivery will be between Feb. 12-14.
*insert photo
Uniform:
As for the uniforms, there is a three-day date scheduled for us to visit the one and official uniform store a few weeks later. Uniform related info will be in another post.
Notes and reflection on this one hour school admission process.
Come earlier than the scheduled time to secure good parking. It rained the day before so we were not allowed to park on the field, I think. I had to figure out my hubs parking logistic after we got there separately since I had to head to work with just enough time for me to check out the beddings supply. That was really my main concern. K hub will have to manage the documents and stuff.
As I reflect on the this part, this is basically the enrollment day. Almost everything was covered. No lines for fees as everything will be set up thru the school banking system. The forms and other documents which we already printed before coming were filled up and we just have to submit them. Process was a breeze even though the cost of stuff is a storm. :D
My son could have gone back to my home country or stayed there to study. Both would have the pros and cons. As for now, we opted to do it here in Korea even if it has the notoriety of Hell Joseon. Once he finishes high school and taken the Korean CSAT three years later, we will have to re-evaluate again our options.
We just had to show up for the graduation the next day with real celebratory feeling. ^^ (The graduation day itself might have a different post.)
After the results were published on the school website, there was also another date to add to the calendar. This is basically the "enrollment" of sorts, I think. There is a file downloadable from there with all the information we needed to know. Included are a few pages of forms for printing to be filled up and submitted on that specific date.
Enrollment Day: January 8. 2-3 PM
This is the closest to enrollment day if I would compare it with the system in my home country.
Most of our concerns were the fees, uniform, bedding, rules, curriculum, and when they will be expected to move to the dorm.
All of these were covered in the downloaded file before we actually went to the school so no lines for payments except for the parking. :D
Info included:
1. school year curriculum
2. dorm rules and points system
3. 4-day dorm life orientation (scheduled a week before official school starts)
4. *fees (uniform, 4D Camp, and general school fees) bedding was not included
*info on possible discount on fees depending on family income is also included
(The documents for this has already been submitted during the initial document submission, early on the admission process. Additional fees later for after-school activities, field trips are also discounted if qualified. To sign up for these discounts, a visit to the nearest jumin center or online are both possible.)
Forms that we printed and signed up:
1. Online-banking sign up for the school fees
2. second language choice
3. pick up time for the kid every week, Friday night or Saturday morning
4. uniform reservation sign up
5. bedding reservation sign up
6. dorm sign up form and contract
As I've guessed, there was a table with samples of bedding. What I was hoping to see was a thrift shop kind for the uniforms but there was none. :D Pushing it too much as this is Korea where everyone thinks it's better to buy new stuff all the time.
Bedding: The materials seems decent but I'm pretty sure that one can get better price if you dig some more online. K hub simply signed up for what I think was a crazy price even if already checked for way cheaper ones online. I am not sure that it would be the same ones (four-season items) though.
If you want to save a bit, check out bedding options somewhere beforehand to compare prices. There were two color choices: pink and blue. I was just too much in a hurry to try to take a photo.
180K for Quilt bedding Set 1: quilted blanket + pillow cover (pillow case?)+ mat cover (bed sheet?) + double sided pad (mattress pad?) + cotton pillow
199K for 4 Season bedding Set 2: duvet + pillow case + bed sheet + mattress pad + cotton comforter + cotton pillow
Company name: Blooming Deco
Delivery will be between Feb. 12-14.
*insert photo
Uniform:
As for the uniforms, there is a three-day date scheduled for us to visit the one and official uniform store a few weeks later. Uniform related info will be in another post.
Notes and reflection on this one hour school admission process.
Come earlier than the scheduled time to secure good parking. It rained the day before so we were not allowed to park on the field, I think. I had to figure out my hubs parking logistic after we got there separately since I had to head to work with just enough time for me to check out the beddings supply. That was really my main concern. K hub will have to manage the documents and stuff.
As I reflect on the this part, this is basically the enrollment day. Almost everything was covered. No lines for fees as everything will be set up thru the school banking system. The forms and other documents which we already printed before coming were filled up and we just have to submit them. Process was a breeze even though the cost of stuff is a storm. :D
My son could have gone back to my home country or stayed there to study. Both would have the pros and cons. As for now, we opted to do it here in Korea even if it has the notoriety of Hell Joseon. Once he finishes high school and taken the Korean CSAT three years later, we will have to re-evaluate again our options.
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