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. ^-^

Frank Baum

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

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

posted from Bloggeroid

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. 

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

4th House Resurrection

It's been years since an update on this blog. I am now back in ROK and will try to resurrect this site. :D

We arrived last week amidst the cold winter after the stressful packing and flying out. It's been almost a week and we have been slowly familiarizing ourselves with our new city.

One of the main part of it is getting used to the food available, and getting around as well.

Warning: This will be very looong entry since it will be the very detailed recount of our experience so far.

Day 1: Very early morning flight through Air Asia. It was an after midnight schedule when we booked a few months ago but they moved it for tow hours later. We had to check in around after midnight, go through immigration,  do forex, and almost immediately boarded the plane with the cabin crew greeting us "Good Morning." I was quite taken aback.

The three hour flight just flew by as almost everyone fell asleep only to be awakened by the stewards handing out the pre-ordered meals. Mine was a Beef Afritada which I didn't eat at that time because my stomach was feeling a bit queasy and also sleepy. I fell asleep again for an hour before the plane made a final approach at Incheon. It was a calming view looking at the streetlight covered towns, and the slow coming out of the sun.

We landed in the cold winter morning at Incheon. I had my winter clothes on halfway through the flight since I didn't get the chance to change before boarding. I can really feel that you're almost at the wintry Korea that I had to put on my coat and endure the cold. It seems that my winter pants, with leggings underneath are not enough to keep me warm.

Restroom stop at the first chance to freshen up and finally take a leak. (Wait, that doesn't sound very feminine, come to think of it. I had to hold my bladder since checking in before flying and did not get the chance to use the lavatory on the plane coz they sat me on a window seat. The down side of getting it. :C I usually get the window seat specially if I'm flying solo 'coz I think they size me up as light and thin and easily squeeze in. :D ) Anyway, aside from that little inconvenience for my bladder and to the rest of my urinary system, I am quite happy with the window seat. :D

So everyone had their turn at the rest room. Brushing, freshening and suiting up.  We were almost to be the last ones on that very isolated part of the terminal.

We seem to take a long time getting to the the Immigration counters that most people lining up there were already from another flight, a Vietnam one it seems. And of course, we missed to fill out the little yellow card somewhere, and I had to do the thumb printing and photo too. By the time we got down to claim our luggages, they were nowhere to be found that we had to ask assistance to locate them. Somebody had already piled them up in two trolleys when I finally spotted them. I first saw the bike box and was grateful for one second that we lugged that bike after all. That only lasted for a sec coz we had to navigate with that huge box around as we look for food, warmth and transportation at the "arrival hall."

Upon getting out to the arrival hall, we turned right until we saw the Transportation counter where the bus tickets are sold. We got ours, then went on to find some grubs. I was actually looking for a convenience store, Mini stop, GS25 or Family Mart for my samggap kimbap. :D Son and I had ours, while Hubby opted for the traditional rolled gimbap and a cup of coffee. The samggap costs 800W while the rolled one a bit more than 1000W, I think.

There were a few benches in front, with charging stations and TV broadcasting the current Winter Olympics. We had our bellies filled up a bit, just to keep going since it turned out that none of us ate any of our airline meal.

Off to the windy cold outdoor bus stop to wait for the bus. The schedule was 9:50 and we left right on the dot after loading up all our stuff in the luggage compartment. The seats were very comfortable that we were able to catch a bit of sleep in between. There were only a few people in the bus heading to 3 stations. First stop was at the Gimpo airport barely after thirty minutes, then Cheonan and Asan. The bus had it's wash up at Cheonan and a quick bathroom break for the passengers.

When we got to our destination terminal, the bus driver was also kind enough to help us find our next transportation. We got off at the Lotte, which is beside the terminal. There is a rest room inside the Lotte building and wifi too.

When we finally got to the apartment, we had the quick-cooking Ramyeon for lunch and got our badly-needed sleep. We just stayed indoor for the rest of the day except for the quick trip to the supermarket for more ramyeon late at night.

Day 2 Thu

Our morning was spent getting a bit of our stuff set up and recharging. P and me went out to explore the neighborhood later that day.

We found outdoor playgrounds here and there, and an indoor "jumpin jang" (which I later found out as Bangbang for the locals.) I actually prefer the jumping jang as it has a little alliteration. I heard the music, kids' voices and peeked to see them jumping on giant trampoline inside. We went in, inquired and paid choon won (W1000) for 30 minutes playtime for kid. I sat and warmed myself on some ceramic eater while waiting for the 30 minutes. The kid sure had fun even though there weren't a lot of kids around to play with at that time.


Day 3 Fri

Places covered were the target apartment complex real estate office (we went there on foot and passed by what looked like apple orchards) and the bank, KB later part of the day.

The Apartment Complex-- a quick view of the available place which turned out to be not that good/clean although very near a school, and my fave Gimbap Nara. It wasn't a big like the place I used to hang out before in our previous city but the Gimbap that comes with the soup was just enough for me. And what's more, the Mexicana Chicken, another old-time favorite of mine, was also just beside it.

We hope to finally find a place around that area but it wasn't to be this time. At the end of the day, we had decided to stay in our current area for now in order for my son to get settled in a school soon.

Our next destination was the Kookmin Bank which was located downtown so we had to take a bus ride, cross a main street and walk a few more meters to and from a corner. We passed by a couple of stalls that sells hotteok on the way and vowed to get some on our way home. My son is now a happy boy as we fill him up with the authentic Korean street food hotteok. (He a first one yesterday at the apartment complex store which is not really on the street technically, :D) One piece for each of us and another two to take home since it was quite cold to eat more out on the street. Each hotteok cost W500, cheaper from the W700 he got yesterday.

Our last stop for the day is the Bangbang as promised to the little boy who patiently waited for the grown ups to finish their tasks. Father and son stayed over there while I went to the supermarket to buy what we need for dinner. (leeks, garlic and rice)

I had a bit of trouble for the rice delivery since it was our first time and we are still not very familiar with the address. I had to check the facebook photo of our address that my bro took in order to make sure of the number. Good thing we managed fine and got our 10 kg rice to our door with enough time for dinner.

To be continued...

Malaysia, Truly Asia, Wow Philippines, Go Korea(?)

Malaysia, Truly Asia. - Who's behind the ad campaign? Why has it stayed alive? Is it really the budget factor or the idea itself? Why is Philippines lagging behind other SE nation's ad campaigns?

As one watches the international channels such as CNN, Discovery channel and the likes, these tourism advertisements do their job in promoting their respective countries. One of the most successful ads that we cannot help but like is Malaysia's Truly Asia. We cannot help but like the it over our own country's ads, as much as we want to be patriotic and put our vote for the Philippine's and Korea's ads.

Korean tourism ad has had some funny incarnation. From the culture laden vids and over driven catchy sound of K pop, it has recently come up with a more decent one. I remember it having the super K pop beat on the background, then switching to a super slow and downright boring ad. For now, it has toned-down and it seems to be hitting a middle ground on the culture and modern sights (read HALLYU) and a more subdued sound as a background. It was quite intriguing the first time we saw it.

As for the Philippines' --- that is another matter. The Wow Philippines' ad almost got around to Malaysia's, as well as Incredible India's but it was short-lived. I'm not saying that it was that good but it did have something. Unfortunately, it only aired for a while mainly because of limited budget as reason. (Just my guess.)

Lagging behind Malaysia's ad would be Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia (I don't remember much of this, though), and Philippines from SEA. These brings me to search for the ad company that made Malaysia and brought me to ISC after googling for the Malaysian ad company. I hoped to find out the person behind the company and found Mr Austen Zecha, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TWBA-ISC Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Here are a few copy pasted bios taken from their own website and another page on the net.

A lifetime of experience in humour.

Over 30 years of experience in journalism and marketing communications.

Passionate and vocal about everything and anything.

You either love him or hate him ? there is no middle ground.

That's Austen Zecha for you.

His nationality is a "marketing mix" ? a Dutch national born in Indonesia with a Eurasian father and Malaysian mother. Educated in the US, Austen graduated from Eaglebrook School and Phillips Andover Academy. He also holds a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree from Stanford.

Having spent his initial working years in Malaysia as a journalist from 1962 to 1964, he returned to Malaysia in 1974 to start his first agency venture. Since then, Austen Zecha had a dream: to create a fully integrated marketing communications agency that offers much more than just advertising.

TBWA-ISC is the dream come true.

TBWA-ISC's clients are advised by some of the best indigenous brains in Malaysian marketing while leveraging on the additional expertise of one of the world's top 10 international advertising agencies. With a Malaysian management team and co-owners that embraces a global perspective, TBWA-ISC truly gives vibrancy and life to what has become a cliché ? ?think global, act local?- whether in concept testing, research, or cultural sensitivities.

Austen Zecha
	Group President & Chief Executive Officer, TBWA-ISC Malaysia
	Austen Zecha is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of a Malaysian-headquartered marketing communications group of agencies, which include the TBWA-ISC Malaysia, WMD, Tequila-ISC, TQPR Asia-Pacific, Hype, and since October 2001, Loomis-ISC, a Honolulu-based agency. He graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1957, before earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Stanford University in 1961 and 1962. Throughout his pre-prep, prep school and college years, he starred in three varsity teams: soccer, track and tennis. In 1962, Austen started as a Southeast Asian journalist accredited to three organisations: The Associated Press, The Asia Magazine and The Straits Times of Malaysia and Singapore. By mid 1974, he returned to the US to join the personal staff of the late Robert F. Kennedy, who was then an Attorney General, and later became the Senator of New York. Following this, he joined the New York headquarters of the former Exxon Corporation and subsequently, the former Mobil Oil Corporation, as an International Advisor. It was in Hong Kong during early 1971 that Austen started his marketing communications agency life with his own advertising agency, which was later sold and became DMB&B Hong Kong. He moved to Malaysia in early 1975 to start another agency, which he sold, and became JWT (Malaysia) a few years later. His third agency group in Malaysia became Southeast Asia’s largest, and sold its advertising arm to Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide in the late ‘80s and its public relations arm to Edelman Public Relations. He started the present ISC agency group in early 1994, selling part of it to New York’s Omnicom Group, TBWA Worldwide in July 2001, and bought a controlling stake in Honolulu’s Loomis-ISC in October 2001 “for a rainy day and to keep senility away”. Austen has been married to a native New Yorker since 1969, has two married sons – who have made him into a four-time grandfather – and a third son and daughter who are still in university in the US. He has been included in numerous “Who’s Who” listings since the early ‘80s, sits on the Boards of several Asian and US organisations, and currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Chaminade University’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Business Program in Honolulu. Born in Indonesia of Eurasian parents before World War II, Austen has a permanent residency in Malaysia, but is a citizen of The Netherlands. His interests include current events, history, sports (he is a PADI-certified scuba diver, and has a bona fide 18-handicap in golf after teaching himself the game only since 2007), boating, music, movies and travel (especially to his favourite Bali). -Asia Pacific Media Forum

Am I watching too much tv now? :)

Rolled Backpack or not?

Last Friday, my son's quite cheap trolley type backpack finally broke. It was a happy occasion as I have been meaning to get him a new one. That one was bought with only a year of service is enough and that's it. Basically just for his kinder year with less books and frequency of usage in mind. It did surpass my expectation. :)

Now that it's finally out of commission, the question is what kind of new one should I get? Initially, I was thinking of something that is sturdy, with well padded straps, strong back support, and can last at least two years. He's still young so his book load won't be as much when he hits 3rd or 4th grade. But after seeing that it could really be quite heavy even now that he is just in his early grade school year, I am more inclined to get him either a decent backpack with a hand carried book bag or a wheeled or trolley type school bag. I am willing to fork out slightly bigger budget than before for a decent bag for him.

The big problem is hubby prefers a good quality traditional backpack and a big NO NO to the trolley type. Upon insisting that we head out to the local department store right away, I objected and suggested that I check the thrift shops first. I have been checking out the bags at the store and they are not worth their prices. They are quite overpriced in my own opinion. The pads are still quite thin compared to the ones that I can find in thrift shops that is almost half their price. Good thing is that he relented. Problem is, with that choice of store, the most likely bag that I would find is a backpack.

So we ended up buying a backpack which is quite big in my own opinion. It was a good quality but still a little too big for my boy. He may be able to carry it but to put in all his morning books is going to be too much weight. And here is another battle with his father. He doesn't listen to the fact about the issue on the toll of heavy bags in one's spine. We ended up arguing about the topic all the time. Why he cannot listen to the stats and researches and still subject his son to such is beyond me.

I had to do a more specific online search about the weight proportion. Some says that it should be ten percent, while others give 15 percent of the body weight. The last time I check my son't weight, he is roughly around 20 kg. That makes his ideal backpack weight to be around 2 kilos only. I still have to check that it is the actual things that he will have in his morning bag.

Hmm...wait 'til I get around to it and...

2011

It's been a while since I've dropped by here.

I turned 2 _ this year. Looking back to where am I in my life, this is what kept me busy this last year. I managed a year of teaching part-time in a school with regular setting, my kid pre-school life is done, and went on a few trips in between.

My concerns has been about home and being a Mom. Now that we're on the formal grades, the pressure on being a Mother gets stronger. We had to face learning the Fil language, keep up with other academic and non-academic activities and attend to my kid's physiological needs: food, exercise, sleep etc.) The daily grind of these can really be daunting. The only reward is that our child will turn out well as he should be.

My current worries at this point are school related: his and mine. I don't want to be a Tiger Mom (I have yet to read that book thoroughly, though.) I have to spend a great deal of tutoring him on two of his subjects, Filipino and Makabayan. What I don't understand is why the latter subject is done in Tagalog while we used to learn it in English during my time in the same school? But of course, the subject title itself is "Patriotic," so that should explain everything. (Duh.. Really, we are not that very patriotic family.)

As for the subject Filipino, I hope my language teaching learning will come to use as I tutor my kid in the subject which I really didn't do very well when I was in school. :( I will just have to keep in mind other foreigners who are good learning the language as an inspiration.

Another one is the extra-curricular activity. During the first week, the kids were encouraged to join singing or dancing school groups. My kid was not interested in any of it. But upon more prodding, we decided that he can try learning an instrument and join a school musical group. So aside from the morning and afternoon school load, he still has two days after-school activity. I will have to find another time for us to do our tutorial sessions. I started attending the meetings and getting more information on the music group. These had me thinking that it might be a good idea for him to try the school newspaper too. Hmm..this might take another extra work for both of us though.

Less worry for me are the other subjects like Character Education, English, Math and Science which are all in English. It's a good thing that we have started on MES subjects long ago and he's pretty much "there" on these subjects. We can concentrate more on the Fil subjects until he is more comfortable with the language. I would just have to constantly keep in mind not to totally slack on these subjects as these are his strong ones.

That is just for my kid's school. On my own part, I have to finally write the "paper" this semester or else. I would really have to be consistent in focusing my powers and free time in writing that. It's been hanging on my head for a year and it;s about time. Target date: August 15.

End of June : I should be able to scrape all my related lits

wk 2 of July: Write Chap 1, and check

wk 4 of July: Write Chap 2, and check

wk 1 of Aug: Write Chap 3, and check

Mid- Aug: present for Res 1

Crossing my fingers with fervent prayers that I will accomplish this.

Oh Granola!

This I'd say would be my first original recipe. Well, somebody did give me an idea that someone else has tried before. But as for the exact recipe that I have in mind, I didn't find one online so far. As far as I know, as long as they will manage to stick together, I can add any nut or fruit or grain that I like.

Since I almost always have some oats, sesame seeds and raisins at home, I only have to add a few more things to actually start it. Got myself a pack of pinipig from the grocery and I also got a chance to buy a gin bottle of honey a few days ago (a bit cheaper this time). Husband was complaining that we hardly use honey so why bother to buy again. Hmmph! I finally got something to show him what the honey is for.

Here's what I managed to put in my first No-bake *Gran.

1 C rolled oats
1/2 C sesame seeds
1/2 C pinipig
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C sugar (I used muscovado since it was available at the moment)
1/2 C honey
a pinch of salt (just thought it might be good ^.^)

1. Toast the oats, sesame seeds, and pinipig separately. Different sizes will need different duration to toast.
2. In a saucepan,heat up the sugar and honey together under medium fire.
3. Add the raisins, then the rolled oats,sesame seeds and pinipig.
4. Mix thoroughly under low fire until almost sticky consistency.
5. Transfer to a baking dish or whatever flat container lined with waxed paper to shape.
6. Cool it until it's enough to be put in the freezer to chill for an hour or two.

It might be good to keep it in the fridge but mine was almost gone even before it chilled perfectly.

Additional Info

What's the difference between granola and muesli? Granola is usually coated with honey or another sweetener, and baked to create a crunchy cereal. Muesli is less sweet, and soaked to create a chewier cereal. - www.canadianliving.com

Granola and Muesli compared side by side here.

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

Just love this quote. Dr. Seuss, you rock!

News Reads

This article caught my attention thinking what would be the grounds for such a suit. It turned even more interesting because it involves mental illness versus special children. Looking at it at a different angle, I do think that this can have more complications.

Couple to file suit vs airline despite apology
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:41:00 01/08/2010

Filed Under: Air Transport, Health, Children



Filipina helps nab Nigerian in $18-M credit card ripoff
Posted 02:49pm (Mla time) (Mla time)
By Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The tenacity of the Filipina wife of an American lawyer led to the arrest by National Bureau of Investigation agents of a Nigerian national allegedly responsible for credit card fraud and identity theft.