It's December

I told myself that I wouldn't start to get excited until it was December. Now that the festive month has finally arrived, I think it's time for me to start doing a little jiggle here and there and scream into my pillow from joy. Has it really arrived? This month will finally be the one where I will see my dear boyfriend. It's not my intention to turn this blog into some hopeless romantic-sounding things that most people don't even care about. But I simply cannot easily contain my joy that all this wait shall be and have been worth the wait. Whenever I think about it, my heart warms up. It really does. It starts to beat quickly, and I feel myself feeling all warm and joyful without a care in the world.

I've been trying to imagine what it will be like when I finally lay eyes on him after many, many months of being separate from him. Will it be bittersweet as I always believed it would be, since we will be separate again for another month before I return to him in the new year? Will it be romantic just like the movies, where I run into his arms and he catches me and kisses me while spinning me round in circles? But what if he acts coldly and differently? He's always told me that he normally can't be as crazy and bubbly as he was in the US. That public display of behaviour seems to be frowned upon there is something unfamiliar to most people there. Will he coldly just hug me and then try to act like a grown-up? It does sound harsh. But no matter what happens, I just hope it will be the most perfect reunion to a long, arduous, and painful wait.

Korean university students - do they really have it tough?

I just finished reading a disturbing article in the Korea Times (with thanks to the blog Marmot's Hole for mentioning it first) about how a student who killed his mother because she was unhappy with his grades.
The first thing that came to mind was how a student could be driven to do such things! But from my prior knowledge of just how competitive and important on all levels education is to students and achieve high marks to make it into the country's top institutions, this student must have been driven to the limit where just might have not been able to take it any longer. According to the article, after the student had revealed that he had gotten a low mark (actually, his marks had been considered very good), his mother had beaten him up with a baseball bat and a golf club for many hours and was subsequent to several abuses such as being denied food. Of course, I am not agreeing that killing his mother was the logical solution, unless he was in a situation where his life was at stake. But with cases like these, how students are pressured throughout their entire life in order to get these soaring marks that will help get them accepted in prestigious universities like Seoul National University, Yonsei University or Ewha University, what these students must be going through, placing their life's worth in these entrance exams that will determine what universities they would be eligible can be so foreign to people who live in other countries.
In relation to this topic, I read an article explaining how and why South Korean universities were so poorly ranked in the world. In the paper, reviews and peer assessments by students were part of the judging criteria on opinions of South Korean universities did not have high rankings in the world, considering the intensive education model that children follow up to their last year of middle school. After such intensive pre-college preparations, students see first and second year university as a means of repaying for all the hard work they did. Some students even went to confessing that barely any studying is done. Also, seniors get permission frequently to miss out on large amounts of class times, just to be able to travel to some other city to attend an interview. This is even when the student has not finished his last year nor has graduated. Wow, these university students seem to have it so easy. When you compare it to universities of other countries, particularly in Western countries, university classes or what is sometimes referred to as contact-hours are significantly lesser than those of universities in Asia. However, this kind of study mode requires many hours of pre-studying and out of class readings. In a way, I feel that this kind of study mode takes on a more mature and therefore independent way of studying, of self-improvement all done by the student himself. Furthermore, discrimination with foreign teachers, which include lesser wages and limited access and participation with the faculty and staff, makes it unattractive for long-term stays.
It would be very interesting to write an essay about the differences of higher education between Western countries and East Asian countries. What do you think is the better kind of higher education? I know people have their own preferences, but if you were to put yourself in the shoes of, say, a politician with power to do higher education reforms, what would you do?

강남구

Less than three weeks are all the remains until I embark on my journey to Seoul. Comparing it to other countries I've been to, this trip will be especially exciting. First, it is where my boyfriend comes from, and to be able to see what Korea is like will certainly add all the more to my understanding of his home country. Second, I have only an amateur's knowledge of the Korean language. It will be interesting to see what happens when I am put in a situation where I am speaking to a person who doesn't know English. Third, South Korea has only just become such a hot destination for many younger people (this includes myself, I think). And fourth, like all my visits to other countries, this will be a whole new experience to me.

For four days, we will be situated in Gangnam-gu, a rather expensive neighbourhood in Seoul well-known for its endless designer shops, celebrity sightings, plastic surgery. Strangely enough, the hotel we booked at was cheaper than staying in Myeong-dong, a more active, vibrant, and youth-driven area, with just as much fashion retails and cafés in every corner. I've only just started making a broad itinerary of places to go. I've basically planned it out in a way that we will be spending one day in each district, one day in Gwanghwamun, the next day in Myeong-dong, Namsan, and Itaewon, and so on and so forth.

I really cannot believe that in 18 days (soon to be just 2 weeks) that I will be on another adventure. Ever since I finished my exchange in Seattle and was about to tour the east coast, I've found my love for experiencing new cultures and seeing new sights that I thought that I would never have had the chance to see in my lifetime. Now, Seoul is my next destination. I have no expectations, good or bad, for South Korea. The whole point of travelling to these new places is to be enlightened.

What to give your boyfriend for Christmas?

It's no uncommon scenario for couples to feel apprehensive on what to give one another for Christmas. Being in this situation for the first time, I find myself in this predicament. Not only do I want to make it as special as I can, I want to give my boyfriend something that he will really like.
There are some kinds of people who really don't like or mind receiving gifts. I think most guys seem to act this way whenever they receive something from their girlfriend. I know for a fact that my Dad is like this sometimes. Rather than receiving gifts, my Dad seems to prefer being the one to give the gifts (no complaints there for me). But going back to my situation, this is where I am having a bit of a problem. I'm unsure of whether whatever gift I give him might be too girly. I also don't want to give him something that declares our love too flamboyantly. I did read a suggestion of getting your boyfriend tickets to something, which I think is brillant, but seems impossible for me to do. I did see some nice vintage-inspired toys in the department store, but I am thinking that it might give off a too-childish feel. However, I feel that he might rather like it.
I guess what really is troubling me ia getting something fot him that he will truly and genuinely like. I should continue this search for the right gift, and taking advantage of the upcoming christmas shopping nights this week.

Lost in Translation... literally!

I read an interesting article (rather, just a collection of pictures) of how when Western brands are introduced and translated into the foreign markets. What's left are rather obscure and quite hilarious transliterations of theses well-known brands.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/12/world/asia/chinese-products-in-translation.html

Samsung Galaxy Note

There is a new member to the Samsung Galaxy family! Its name is called the Galaxy Note, and according to the official website, it is the creative multimedia monster of the family. It sports a bigger 5.3" HD Super AMOLED screen, the first in the world, and has a digital pen that is uniquely synced with the Galaxy Note to provide a more enriching touchscreen experience.
This mobile phone/tablet is definitely worth checking out. I'll be really interested in looking at the benchmarks of this phone, particularly how long the battery will last.

\

http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote/note/case01.html?type=find

11.11.11 Millenium Pepero Day

Today, I received a surprise gift in the mail from my lovely boyfriend today. It was a big box full of peppero sticks!
I was so touched and happy to receive such a box full of delights. Till now, I still cannot contain myself. I am lucky to have the most amazing and sweetest boyfriend ever!

Booklist

1. Media Consumption and Everyday Life in Asia(Paperback)

Edited by Youna Kim

2. Consumption in Asia: Lifestyle and Identities (New Rich in Asia) (Paperback)

Edited by Beng-Huat Chua

3. A History of East Asia: From the Origins of Civilization to the Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

By (author) Charles Holcombe

4. Understanding Australia's Neighbours: An Introduction to East and Southeast Asia (Paperback)

By (author) Nick Knight, By (author) Michael Heazle

Chiffon, be mine.

Despite the advice of my boyfriend to save money and not buy things anymore, I finally bought the navy blue chiffon dress. For $45, I am finally able to be at peace of mind. Fashion-wise, I know I've made a wise decision in buying it, since I don't have a dress like it at all. However, considering the tight position I am in in terms of saving up, that's where I made a mistake. But I can guarantee myself that this will be my last purchase. The only things I will be spending on is public transport and Starbucks. From this point on, I really will hold my boyfriend's advice as my top priority to keep.

민규, 당신들을 것입니다. ^^

Cutest Youtube comment

As I was watching Lee Seung Gi's MV You're my Friend (친구잖아) (here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXfp-plkRPY), I read the cutest comment. I've highlighted it in the red box below. Hope you like it and find a warm feeling inside your heart.

There is life... in North Korea

The general idea of North Korea in most people's mind is that North Korea is a barren wasteland whose population is suppressed by the scary Kim Il Sung. Maybe the barren wasteland concept is too harsh. In other words, there seems to be little sign of daily life there. It feels as if people are locked in their houses. Freedom and expression of self is seen as action against the government, and you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of the North Korean government.
Throughout all these state problems and isolation from the world, normal life persists in North Korea. I found an interesting slideshow of images of North Korean life taken by David Guttenfelder for the New York Times.


http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/09/world/asia/20111109-NKOREA-GOBIG.html?ref=asia#1


What really surprised me is that if you were to tour North Korea, pre-bookings are mandatory. In addition, once you are actually there, you will always be accompanied by one or two official tour guides who will show you to selected attractions and tell you all you need to know, provided that it does not diminish their ruler's image.


Also, there is a book that tells of the normal lives of people living in North Korea. Written by Barbara Demick, Nothing to Envy seems to be about normal daily life that still persists in the country despite the strictly sanctioned government and the stereotyped image of troubled North Korean. I have not read it yet, but it seems to be an engrossing and interesting read for all those interested in East Asian studies or anything about Korea (both South and North).

Navy chiffon dress!

Continuing with my current fad of chiffon dresses, it never occurred to me that a chiffon dress would look amazing in a navy blue colour. The usual colours I've been able to see in stores are of neutral colours, such as pink, cream, mocha, grey, and light green. I found online an amazing navy blue chiffon dress (and they have one in my size too), which costs around AU$45 dollars. I am a big fan of navy blue, and it's only occurred to me now that I don't even have a navy blue dress. So, this gives every reason to just buy, because I will most likely not be able to find one like it in stores in Melbourne. I am a fantastic shopper!

쇼핑... 가자

With the perfect weather lined up for the day, it's hard not to be tempted to go out and go shopping. Sometimes, the thought that there will be so many people doing the same thing you're doing doesn't even seem to bother you any longer.
My shopping list at the moment is quite on the expensive side. 

1. Nikon J1 camera or a Panasonic Lumix GF2 (both cameras have interchangeable lens, are light, and look fabulous!)

2. A chiffon dress.

3. More stock of Korean dramas.

4. And anything that's cute to have.

Fortunately, my fad for winter clothes and outfits has started to fade, a result of much-spent hours surfing the web on winter outfits and online shopping. Now, what's really on my mind saving money so that I can go shopping in Seoul!

ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Chiffon chic

I've never really owned a chiffon dress, let alone what that I can wear on a casual basis. However, as I'm watching this television series called 49 Days (49일), there is this particular chiffon dress that one of the leading actresses wear when she is in her ghost form. 

In the series, she is stuck in a spiritual/ghost form where she is not about to go to heaven yet. She is given 49 days to get three people to genuinely cry for her. That's why she is currently stuck in that form, and assumingly is not supposed to get a wardrobe change. So, in every episode, I constantly see this dress. It's really cute, and I do like how chiffon dresses gracefully drape over your body. In a way, it conforms to your body shape in a beautiful and elegant way, provided that you are wearing the right size and style. I am inspired to find a chiffon dress like this. Luckily, here in Melbourne, there are a huge variety of shops that sell dresses similar to this style. One great thing about Melbourne is that if you are wanting a particular style or looking for a trend, even if it is out of season, chances are you will be able to find it. It's just a matter of finding the shops that do sell it. If you are unsuccessful in that aspect, you can always find something online. Generally, things are cheaper online. That's why I've been doing a lot of my shopping online these days.

To start off my new fad in fashion, here are a few very pretty chiffon dresses that I've found.

가을

가을은 한국에서 너무 예뻐 보인다.나뭇잎의 색상은 빨강, 오렌지와 노란색의 생생한 색채 있습니다. 멜버른에서, 가을은 아주강한 계절되지 않습니다. 때로는 가을이 전혀 여기에 기분하지 않습니다. 겨울과 여름이 여기에 주요 계절입니다. 봄이 아름다운지만 난 주위를 비행하는 모든 꽃가루에 알레르기가 일반적입니다.
어쨌든, 가을에는 한국을 방문하고 싶습니다. 나 자신이 공중에서 화려한 나뭇잎을 던지고 상상하실 수 있습니다. 내 남자 친구와 공원에 누워.

가을 내 마음이 아니라 겨울에 있습니다. :p

Camera Frenzy

Portability packed with all the accessories that a DSLR has, the trend with camera nowadays is to be as small as possible but with just as much juice as that of its heavier brother, the DSLR's. Indeed, I really enjoy this new concept of cameras. Being a frequent traveller and having all these other things to carry, a heavy DSLR would certainly not be a big help. When I had the chance to upgrade my camera, I opted for my Canon Powershot SX210 IS. At that time (and to an extent, it still is) as powerful as the newer cameras being released today. My camera can take pictures up to 14 megapixels, has a 14 zoom lens (although not interchangeable), and has extremely useful manual controls for when you want to take control of the camera. I really love how this compact camera gives you the ability to manipulate images to your liking via its manual controls. As I gradually became familiar with my camera and was able to travel frequently, I did find some downsides to it. First, some of the functions were slow, such as when flipping from viewing mode to shooting mode. It took several long seconds to switch to each function. It's especially frustrating when you are in those situations where timing is crucial. Another thing is the fact that this camera does not have the option of shooting RAW images. But I think this latter issue is understandable, because the latest superzoom/interchangeable-lens compact cameras have only just started coming out with RAW image-processing capabilities. The good thing with RAW images, as most may know, is the ability to process and edit your images after shooting. And, it captures images in its most highest, clearest, and best format.

There are lot of new cameras coming out, each one an upgrade of its previous models. Some may have much better functions that address the flaws of the previous models. That said, investing in the right one is important as buying a new camera means that you should stick to it for some time. Upgrading cameras frequently can be very costly, despite the aims of camera manufacturers making cameras as powerful and small but also easy on the wallets.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Nikon 1 V1