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Birthday: 22 July
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Tuesday, April 29, 2008
I watched Definitely, Maybe again.
I cried again.
I am such a sucker for love movies.
LOL. My sister had two spare free tickets expiring tomorrow and I was on leave today. And the only movies that I could watch were Definitely, Maybe and something else stupid.
So I watched Definitely, Maybe.
I think when I watched it the second time I picked up on a couple of things I missed on the first time. And I still think the movie is damn sweet.
Sigh.
I WANT MY OWN LOVE COMEDY/DRAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I cannot be acting in one, I should at least have some drama !!
Wait, I did...
I cried again.
I am such a sucker for love movies.
LOL. My sister had two spare free tickets expiring tomorrow and I was on leave today. And the only movies that I could watch were Definitely, Maybe and something else stupid.
So I watched Definitely, Maybe.
I think when I watched it the second time I picked up on a couple of things I missed on the first time. And I still think the movie is damn sweet.
Sigh.
I WANT MY OWN LOVE COMEDY/DRAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I cannot be acting in one, I should at least have some drama !!
Wait, I did...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Training is over.
Phew.
I doubt that I did a good job of the last exam though. I just wrote and wrote and wrote and I know for certain that the last few questions left a lot to be desired. I guess I just wanted to get it over with. I know for sure that I should be able to pass, but perhaps with a lower mark than I would have gotten with more effort.
Indeed, in part my mind was filled with events that occurred earlier in the day.
We went through a particularly interesting case study and I presented my group's findings. The past few days one of my team members was a pretty senior guy in the Bank and I gather that he was pretty impressed with what I was doing within the training. I think that day, something that I did with our analysis of the case study really impressed him though. He gave me some serious advice in a serious talk about my career future (another thing that I am stressing about currently). He brought to my attention a certain position in Dubai, that could be mine. It presents quite good potential for myself, and in fact certain unstated changes in the future that he was privy to, would make it a super job. He advised me to go for that job and even offered to put in a good word for me.
Now usually this would be good news. And I would be over the moon for it. But Dubai. And of course the job choice was not really in my main priorities. But this teaser made me think more about it of course. It did not help that 2 other senior guys who were trainers also voiced out the same opinion. Arghhh. Since I started university, it had been with the dream to end up working in the financial world in Hong Kong. Ups and downs over the years were lived through with me keeping an eye on that goal. But now, reality is that competition is pretty high, and that job in Dubai also presents amazing opportunities. Really good opportunities.
Really a bad situation.
Or good. Depending on how you look at it.
Phew.
I doubt that I did a good job of the last exam though. I just wrote and wrote and wrote and I know for certain that the last few questions left a lot to be desired. I guess I just wanted to get it over with. I know for sure that I should be able to pass, but perhaps with a lower mark than I would have gotten with more effort.
Indeed, in part my mind was filled with events that occurred earlier in the day.
We went through a particularly interesting case study and I presented my group's findings. The past few days one of my team members was a pretty senior guy in the Bank and I gather that he was pretty impressed with what I was doing within the training. I think that day, something that I did with our analysis of the case study really impressed him though. He gave me some serious advice in a serious talk about my career future (another thing that I am stressing about currently). He brought to my attention a certain position in Dubai, that could be mine. It presents quite good potential for myself, and in fact certain unstated changes in the future that he was privy to, would make it a super job. He advised me to go for that job and even offered to put in a good word for me.
Now usually this would be good news. And I would be over the moon for it. But Dubai. And of course the job choice was not really in my main priorities. But this teaser made me think more about it of course. It did not help that 2 other senior guys who were trainers also voiced out the same opinion. Arghhh. Since I started university, it had been with the dream to end up working in the financial world in Hong Kong. Ups and downs over the years were lived through with me keeping an eye on that goal. But now, reality is that competition is pretty high, and that job in Dubai also presents amazing opportunities. Really good opportunities.
Really a bad situation.
Or good. Depending on how you look at it.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Alright finally a little spare time. CFA for the day is done.
Training is still going on, another 2 days to go, but 5 assessments are already over, just one more big one on Saturday.
Job list is out, and there are 200 jobs to choose from, but of course, jobs in places such as Nigeria and Kenya and Nepal, seems a little too exciting. Places that I am seriously looking at would include Hong Kong, China, Dubai, perhaps Singapore (touch wood). Deadline is May 9th so I would be very very very nervous around that time. But of course, the interviews might be a few days or weeks later, so.........lots of time to go. Knees are shaking.
And these are the times as well, when so much politicking comes into play. You have to know, who is applying for those same jobs. Who will be going to the same country. Who has a higher chance. See if you can bribe a manager to take you in instead. And then you have all the different combinations that you have to apply to, to maximise your chances.
Complicated indeed.....
Training is still going on, another 2 days to go, but 5 assessments are already over, just one more big one on Saturday.
Job list is out, and there are 200 jobs to choose from, but of course, jobs in places such as Nigeria and Kenya and Nepal, seems a little too exciting. Places that I am seriously looking at would include Hong Kong, China, Dubai, perhaps Singapore (touch wood). Deadline is May 9th so I would be very very very nervous around that time. But of course, the interviews might be a few days or weeks later, so.........lots of time to go. Knees are shaking.
And these are the times as well, when so much politicking comes into play. You have to know, who is applying for those same jobs. Who will be going to the same country. Who has a higher chance. See if you can bribe a manager to take you in instead. And then you have all the different combinations that you have to apply to, to maximise your chances.
Complicated indeed.....
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I know I have neglected you babe, but I am really busy at the moment.
You know I love you so much, you do not have to worry about any other taking over your place.
You are the sweetest and cutest bloggy ever....
For the last two weeks I have been on training, and still on...until Saturday. Add long hours in the city, to CFA, and I have hardly had any time off.
I missed you though.
Muaks !
You know I love you so much, you do not have to worry about any other taking over your place.
You are the sweetest and cutest bloggy ever....
For the last two weeks I have been on training, and still on...until Saturday. Add long hours in the city, to CFA, and I have hardly had any time off.
I missed you though.
Muaks !
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Day 5 started off with a trip to Everland in Yongin. It was such a magical musical happy place. You could feel the happiness in the air. Music played all the time and you could almost believe that you were living in a musical and I expected multitudes of dwarves or gnomes and fairies, coming out to greet me and tell me that I could live there forever. Haha. Loads of kids there and also very fun. I guess if I DO go to Gold Coast or Disneyland I might feel the same way. But you see, everyone, including the candy floss sellers, to the toilet janitors, to the ride operators smiled and waved happily at you. A more cynical me might have thought that they were all just high on something.
My mom was sporting enough to go on a couple of rides with me. We shot ghosts in a haunted house, swirled 360 degrees upside down, round and round in another spirit infested house. Also had some wild water ride, a 3d moviemaster adventure and visited all the animals at the Animal section as well. There was also a European section, with beer gardens, French rides, and a new mega roller coaster ! I had a great time playing in the merchandise store. It was just full of cute stuff. I could live there for a couple of days, I think. I think I love theme parks.
We drove all the way to Seoul and saw a few things, including flowers, bridges and roads. However one of our stops for the day was the Walker Hill Casino. This picture is specially for JenBear, SLBear and MichyBear to show that I can still wear this Tommy Hilfiger top presented to me by them for my 18th Birthday ! Good choice guys.
And since we could not take pictures in the casino, I went to the toilet and took pictures of one of my chips. It is great to know that you are holding a 10,000 denominated chip. And I had a few of these babies. Unfortunately, even thought the number is 10,000, it is worth around Rm30. So sad. Could only buy a top when we stopped by at Dongdaemun later, one of the premier shopping places. Shopping = no photos.
The morning of Day 6 started off with kimchi making after a breakfast of porridge and soya milk in a Chinese restaurant. We were taught by a kimchi master who told us all the steps required. It was fun, actually, and the chilli used smelt very good.
Kimchi making was fun and very squishy. Many people made orders and then later on tried on some Korean costumes. The hats were hard, and would have clashed with my hairstyle, so here I am, carrying it. People had lots of fun here, and some even tried on several different colours and styles.
In addition to kimchi, another important part of Korean culture is its ginseng. Famed worldwide for their healing properties, we visited a ginseng outlet, where we were lecture (yawn) on these properties. The most fun part was the naming of weirdly shapes ginseng, and also finding out that you could have male or female ginseng. Below, is a male ginseng. HAHA. Guess who wants a piece of that ?
I found a branch where I was actually standing next to it !! You will not believe the amount of branches I saw while on a bus, or far away in the distance......
Shopping at Myeondong was next on the cards. This was a couple of blocks of shops and several buildings which again was full of fashion and accessories. Also you could find many restaurants and cosmetic shops. Obviously, as was busy shopping, no photos were taken, other than the one below in which we witnessed a movie ? commercial ? being filmed, where the guy was slapped. Since they did several takes, it mean that he had to be slapped several times. No it was not Rain.
After some grabbed dinner as well, we converged and went on this little theatre in the city. We were there to watch "Break Out" which was a dance production that featured several inmates trying to break out of prison, by breakdancing. It was superbly funny though the ending was weird. Really interesting to watch and was a good way to experience Seoul at night. Later on, there was even and offer for people to go for more shopping at Dongdaemun, since the shops would stay open till 4. Amazing. Amazing. And wonderful for shoppers.
As it was the last day, we only had time to visit Namsangol Hanok Village. It is a traditional village with Korean houses from the Joseon dynasty. Since it was a hilltop, we could also see Seoul Tower in the distance.
As you can see, old houses make a good backdrop for photos, and I can assure you that there were many more, but I fear for your sanity if I post all of them up.
And of course I could not resist taking a last photo of a Standard Chartered branch. This one was located at Insadong, which is sort of like an antique and hand crafted souvenir street. There were many old locks and brushes and books and furniture as well as many types of porcelain wares and funny little shops which sold tea. All in all, it was a fantastic place to be, and you can bet your money that I would be willing to come here again, even if it was just for the shopping and the experience. Amazing.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
On Day Three, we flew back to Seoul and had lunch right outside the Korean NS Camp. It was funny to think that WoobyBear was just on the other side of a very high fence. I am pretty sure we thought about him all through our BBQ. It was funny because just the night before, SeonBear posted up a pic of him in NS, and he had definitely gotten thinner. Poor WoobyBear. And this is a good time to talk about *someone (AHAHHAHAH) e-mailing me about wanting to touch his new muscles. HAHAHHAHAHAHHA. Wait till he comes out, it would be such a good joke. So, back to the trip. It was to MBC Studios at Yangju where they filmed DaeJangGuem.
Next was a very long journey to Mount Sorak. On the way, we watched a movie about Korean soldiers. Who all died in the end. Very sad. Again, WoobyBear came into mind. Haha. And remembering how we talked about how the shows always end in so much death. Hope he is well. Our hotel for the night was a great place. There were spas, swimming pool, and even a bowling alley. Best of all, a real internet lounge, and not a stupid single computer stuck in a freezing lobby. It was filled with loads of kids from school on school trips though, but not for skiing on the nearby ski slopes which looked quite nice. Perhaps one day I shall try skiing in Korea. Living in this hotel was as good as living in an apartment. It had the same concept, where one took off shoes in the front, and there was the kitchen and living room, and tatamis to sleep upon. So nice that it felt that it was such a waste that we were only to stay here for a night.
We also walked to a large Buddha statue and some temples nearby where one could drink magic spring water for longevity. The temples all had special tiles. Each year the tiles would crack in Winter. So during the rest of the year, they would sell tiles for people to write wishes upon. Then in Spring, they would retile the temple with these tiles. 
Interesting to be on a film set. Especially as it was quite a cultural place as well. Amazing how such a small place can be the scene of so many episodes. It seems, not enough, somehow.
Then from there, we moved on to Nami Island, where they shot Winter Sonata, probably one of the first Korean dramas I have ever watched. The place was a private island in the middle of the river and was named Naminara Republic. We had to take a short ferry across and once there, oh MY. 
It was super romantic, the way they had so many long tree-lined avenues, and it was very romantic. Now that they have a hotel on the island itself, I feel like this is somewhere I could come back to. 
Very very nice. Plenty of photo opportunities here.
It was super romantic, the way they had so many long tree-lined avenues, and it was very romantic. Now that they have a hotel on the island itself, I feel like this is somewhere I could come back to. Very very nice. Plenty of photo opportunities here. Next was a very long journey to Mount Sorak. On the way, we watched a movie about Korean soldiers. Who all died in the end. Very sad. Again, WoobyBear came into mind. Haha. And remembering how we talked about how the shows always end in so much death. Hope he is well. Our hotel for the night was a great place. There were spas, swimming pool, and even a bowling alley. Best of all, a real internet lounge, and not a stupid single computer stuck in a freezing lobby. It was filled with loads of kids from school on school trips though, but not for skiing on the nearby ski slopes which looked quite nice. Perhaps one day I shall try skiing in Korea. Living in this hotel was as good as living in an apartment. It had the same concept, where one took off shoes in the front, and there was the kitchen and living room, and tatamis to sleep upon. So nice that it felt that it was such a waste that we were only to stay here for a night. Day Four was pretty quiet. We spent the whole morning at Sorak National Park, the only park where one could find wild bears. We took a cable car up the mountain and climbed the rest of the way up. The way up was by stairs and rocky stones, so it was simpler than climbing the volcanic crater on the first day. Was the wind strong !! At some points, some of the smaller people had to sit down to avoid from getting blown off the mountain as there were no safety rails right at the top. There was also a nice little cafe at the top, which can be quite lovely too ! Apparently in Winter, the snow covers up the whole cafe.
We also walked to a large Buddha statue and some temples nearby where one could drink magic spring water for longevity. The temples all had special tiles. Each year the tiles would crack in Winter. So during the rest of the year, they would sell tiles for people to write wishes upon. Then in Spring, they would retile the temple with these tiles. Quite a good idea, for the public to pay for retiling. Then we went to the Daepuhang fish market. It was quite like the Sydney idea of fresh fish sales, except for the fact that there were not many restaurants at all. But pretty much a waste of time. We also visited a little garden of sculptures where it was like walking around, admiring art. Some very naked art. The hotel that night had hot springs on the Ground Floor separated by genders. Open 24 hours, it was quite a treat !
Monday, April 07, 2008
I am back from Korea ! Yes I am. Truthfully I loved it so much, I wanted to stay a few more weeks.
This was followed by the Kyongbok Palace which reminded one of the Forbidden City in China and then we also drove past the Blue House - which was the presidential residence of Korea. My first meal there was a Korean lunch, which was pretty good to say the least. The local guide that we had was named Angel and she was a very good guide. She even gave us tips on how to spot people who had undergone plastic surgery and my mom and I had quite a nice time playing "Spot the operated eyelids". We also gave each group a nickname so that we could talk about them secretly. Then we flew to Jeju Island. One of our first stops there was a "Mysterious Road". So called because, even though the road was uphill, the bus would keep rolling on, with the engine off. Water would flow uphill, as did a stick, which rolled uphill as well. Very mysterious. Maybe an engineer would one day explain that to me. Our next stop was then at Mok Sok Garden, which was a famous place that showcased natural rock formations and bonsai plants. Not too interesting, but luckily we managed to find a road lined with flowering Sakura trees, and spent a while taking pictures ! 
That was infinitely more fun. Our dinner was a seafood hotpot, and was apt, since the island was home to many fishermen, making it very fresh. We then checked into the Jeju Hawaii Hotel, after a few minutes where some of us trooped back downstairs. We were shown the way to walk to the town centre, where we spent some time getting acquainted with the local prices of clothes, food and trinkets. We did not buy anything, but of course, this was just the first night.
It was great to think how a old volcano can now be such a peaceful garden. It was also right by the sea, so we could see the huge cliffs. 
There was also a big promotion on cactus juice chocolate there. Hmm. 
Lunch was black pig BBQ. Supposed to be much nicer than normal pork. It tasted good to me. Hehe. We moved on, stuffed, to Seongeup Folk Village where we met people who still live in stone walls in thatched roofs. It was pretty amazing. It was like finding out that there were still people living in prehistoric methods. Funniest part was finding out that the toilet was situated over the pig pen, so that the pigs can eat the human droppings. The best part was that males had to constantly use a big stick to poke to pigs away, so that they would not come under and bite the...genitals.....Hahaha. And it had an evergreen tree and a deciduous tree next to it. So that there would be toilet paper for BOTH Summer and Winter seasons. Also interesting to find out that the people in this village live there rent free, and have a monopoly on all horse meat and honey made from flowers growing on Mount Halla nearby. But they would have to keep their village open to visitors. We also visited two different rock formations. One was at Jusangjeoli where the lava cooled into square pillar shapes. Another one was at Yongduam, where we saw a dragon shape that guarded the island. Lastly, we visited the Cheonjiyeon waterfall. Very beautiful and more sakura flowers in the park of course. 
Also had a giant sized ice cream for tea. On the way home, we even managed to take pictures in fields of rapeseed flowers. Very nice.
The magical journey started off at the KLIA where I met members of my tour group for the first time. Wary of Lala people, I saw a couple. Heart dropped a bit. Seemed nice enough anyway. The flight was about 6 hours and pretty uneventful. Food was pretty good. After going through Immigration and Customs, we led the team to the bus, as my mom and I wanted to have the seats of our choice, third row, opposite side from the tour guide. This was going to be Day One.
Day One saw us travelling around Seoul. We had arrived in the morning and had a few hours to kill before flying South to Jeju Island. First Stop was the Folklore museum where we learn about the Korean lifestyles throughout the ages. It was a pretty rushed trip there though as the museum curator gave us a very hurried tour.
This was followed by the Kyongbok Palace which reminded one of the Forbidden City in China and then we also drove past the Blue House - which was the presidential residence of Korea. My first meal there was a Korean lunch, which was pretty good to say the least. The local guide that we had was named Angel and she was a very good guide. She even gave us tips on how to spot people who had undergone plastic surgery and my mom and I had quite a nice time playing "Spot the operated eyelids". We also gave each group a nickname so that we could talk about them secretly. Then we flew to Jeju Island. One of our first stops there was a "Mysterious Road". So called because, even though the road was uphill, the bus would keep rolling on, with the engine off. Water would flow uphill, as did a stick, which rolled uphill as well. Very mysterious. Maybe an engineer would one day explain that to me. Our next stop was then at Mok Sok Garden, which was a famous place that showcased natural rock formations and bonsai plants. Not too interesting, but luckily we managed to find a road lined with flowering Sakura trees, and spent a while taking pictures ! That was infinitely more fun. Our dinner was a seafood hotpot, and was apt, since the island was home to many fishermen, making it very fresh. We then checked into the Jeju Hawaii Hotel, after a few minutes where some of us trooped back downstairs. We were shown the way to walk to the town centre, where we spent some time getting acquainted with the local prices of clothes, food and trinkets. We did not buy anything, but of course, this was just the first night.Day Two saw us climbing up to a volcanic crater known as Seongsan Sunrise Peak. It took us a while to climb up and at times I really compared it to climbing Mount Oberon in Melbourne. But we got there at last and the view was quite amazing.
It was great to think how a old volcano can now be such a peaceful garden. It was also right by the sea, so we could see the huge cliffs. There was also a big promotion on cactus juice chocolate there. Hmm. Lunch was black pig BBQ. Supposed to be much nicer than normal pork. It tasted good to me. Hehe. We moved on, stuffed, to Seongeup Folk Village where we met people who still live in stone walls in thatched roofs. It was pretty amazing. It was like finding out that there were still people living in prehistoric methods. Funniest part was finding out that the toilet was situated over the pig pen, so that the pigs can eat the human droppings. The best part was that males had to constantly use a big stick to poke to pigs away, so that they would not come under and bite the...genitals.....Hahaha. And it had an evergreen tree and a deciduous tree next to it. So that there would be toilet paper for BOTH Summer and Winter seasons. Also interesting to find out that the people in this village live there rent free, and have a monopoly on all horse meat and honey made from flowers growing on Mount Halla nearby. But they would have to keep their village open to visitors. We also visited two different rock formations. One was at Jusangjeoli where the lava cooled into square pillar shapes. Another one was at Yongduam, where we saw a dragon shape that guarded the island. Lastly, we visited the Cheonjiyeon waterfall. Very beautiful and more sakura flowers in the park of course. Also had a giant sized ice cream for tea. On the way home, we even managed to take pictures in fields of rapeseed flowers. Very nice.