Lost

Well hello there.... I miss you bloggie. I really do. But I just don't have that luxury of time anymore. Not that it was that luxurious before but I can still manage.

Nowadays everything went out of control. My bad. At managing my time.

I always have things to write and share here. And I haven't finish that story on my greatest trip yet. But I end up writing on my mind instead here. I don't know. Losing the mojo I guess. Due to all that stress build up.

Am I stressful? Haha I think so. But no worries. I still laugh as hard as before.

I missed my friend. She went far away. To further her study. I should do the same I guess. But I had so many to consider. But I hope I will one day. In the mean time I just gonna miss her.  

I'm bored. All the same routine. I love routine but lately I just feel bored. I keep trying new stuff but I'm still bored.

I still run. I still bake. Well sometimes. At times I really feel like baking something but I'm just too lazy. I guess same thing goes to writing here. Just too lazy to start. 

Am I lazy? I doubt that. I think I am the most diligent person among many that I know. Yeah try cleaning the whole toilet with toothbrush. If that is not diligent enough, I don't know what do. 

But I have to admit that slowly I have become a lazy person. My house is the proof of my laziness. So sad. You should see the amount of dust. What a shameful view. 

I'm alive when I have peoples around. When I'm alone, I become that bored and lazy person. I wonder why. That is so not me before. 

Where has all the enthusiasm gone to? It must be somewhere. But I lost it.

The once full of zest me is now the boring and lazy me. Sheeshh...

Works is stressful. But becoming a lazy person is much stressful. I hate you laziness. Go away. Leave me alone. 

When things get out of control, that's when the laziness in me step out. So I guess I should plan my time better. I did. Ok I will try harder. 

Maybe I need a new environment. I never stay this long before. Home. School. Work. Never this long. Gonna be 7 years in 1 month time. Phewww... I'm old. 

I don't know. What is wrong with me. I'm lost. I'm not anything nor everything. Totally lost it.

Have to start the journey again.

Journey of self-discovery.

Reason behind this blog. 

KOREA - Day 1

We were supposed to board 11.30pm flight but it was delayed. After another round of waiting at Golden Lounge (the perks of travelling Business Class), our flight finally took off at 2am. I was too dizzy from lack of sleep that nothing much can be done on flight. Didn't enjoy the food too. Headache and stomach cramp due to you know what la kan. Definitely not a good start. Haha...

Just landed....

Landed safely at Incheon International Airport around 8.30am local time (exactly one hour different from Malaysia). Drama...drama.... One of our friend was held for interrogation. His name was listed on most wanted list. Definitely not a good start for him. Haha... Anyway, for others it was a breeze procedure. No wonder Incheon Airport got rated as one of the fastest airport in custom processing. Very high tech. But don't expect a smiley faces ok. Everyone got  kind of grim-face. No offence ya Korean. You all need to smile more I think. Especially those on front liners. Definitely will add more to that already beautiful face. Hihi....

We were greeted by 4 officers from COTI (Mr. Park, Mr. Kang, Ms. Jeong and  Ms. Jina)  and after settling all luggage and whatnot, we departed to Best Westin Kukdo Hotel. Along the way beautiful scenery of Korea awaited us and Mr. Park who acted as our tourist guide keep explaining just about everthing that we saw. I was kind of dizzy but saving my sleep to see the beauty of Korea. 

During arrival, we were ushered to a hall where a task already waiting for us; Korean Culture Exposure Program. We were divided into 5 group (4 members each) and was given KRW 20,000 each to complete the task. I was in Group 2 together with Efah, Penghulu and Pak Lah (amazingly these were the same people who ride my car after the briefing in Putrajaya). Our mission was to:-

Hongik University 

• Visit university library and take picture with a student
• Find KT&G Sangsang Madang and take photo inside
• Take photo in Street Art Exhibition

Lunch (Grilled sotong)

• Eat and take photograph of Hong's Sotong restaurat near Hongik University

World Cup Park

• Go to Haneul Park (by Maeng Kkong Yi Electronic Vehicle) and take photograph with a citizen

I haven't brush my teeth nor wash my face yet and here we are on our first day in Korea having to meet the Korean. I hope I didn't stink. Haha.... I was kind of dizzy and having quite a serious stomach cramp. To make it worse, my winter jacket was in luggage bag. I was cladding only in tshirt and thin cotton jacket and the wheather was so freaking cold. I have every reason to be moody or whatever but this trip is too precious and everything feels like a dream. Still couldn't accept the fact that I really am in Korea. Haha..... Anyhow all 4 of us were moving from one place to another. It was quite a challenge since we were not really understood the subway thingy.

Buying subway ticket for the first time

Our first subway ride. Took a wrong train so had to go out and change to another one

Asking for direction

Asking again at info centre

Finally.....

All 4 of us at Hongik University

Where's the library?

Beautiful scenery inside

Mission 1 accomplished!

Asking for direction again. Everyone we asked will automatically pull out the handphone and looking for map. Internet connection are really fast there...

Still couldn't find and even asked an ajumma here. Hehe....

After many failed attempt of asking around and finding the building, finally these 2 beautiful girls escorted us right to the front of Sangsang Madang. Kamsahapnida....

KT&G Sangsang Madang

Mission 2 accomplished!

The Sangsangmadang is located right in the middle of the Hongik University district, better known as the Hongdae area. This is the city’s main student area and it’s a cauldron of vibrant energy and creativity. The eleven-story Sangsangmadang building houses a cinema, live performance hall, art gallery, and studio. On the first floor there is an art square, which displays and sells crafts and accessories handmade by designers. On the second floor is an art gallery displaying artwork by Korea’s contemporary artists, and work by Korea’s young artists is available for sale on the third floor, offering a glimpse into today’s young society in Korea. In the basement cinema, independent films from Korea and abroad are shown, and the underground live performance hall features various performances such as music, dance and theater.

Our first taxi ride. Actually the place we're looking for was just around the corner laaa.... Hihihi....

You might not see it in this photo but the man was really handsome ok and he's not the only one.... I'm in cloud 9. Haha...

Mission 3 partly accomplished! No grilled sotong for us...

Enjoying super hot kebab. My lips kind of numb due to the hotness and yet that Korean guy sitting next to me  eat it like nothing. Salute!

Surrounding area of Hongik University

Mission 4 accomplished!

See that Hollys Coffee? You can find it everywhere....

World Cup Stadium

Koreans walk and cycle here. Really nice place

Mission 5 partly accomplished. See that hill behind? Well that's Haneul Park and we were just too exhausted to climb it so just took photo in front of it. Haha...

Not sure what written there but this is the area of World Cup Park

Despite loosing our way, hungry, tired, freezing and whatnot, we managed to accomplish all mission. Ok maybe not in eating the grilled sotong since we found a kebab restaurant. Haha... Kebab in Korea tasted so much better than here in Malaysia. Maybe because the seller are from Middle East country, where kebab originated. Actually we were supposed to use the subway but after loosing our way while looking for Hongik University and keep moving down and forth while in that area, we opt for taxi ride to go to Haneul Park. It was quite expensive but we just don't bother much. Haha.... From Haneul Park, we went back to hotel also using a taxi and everyone fall asleep.

After everyone arrived, we had to do some presentation on our mission. I found out that Korean are tall, skinny and fashionable. Yeah that's my first line. Hahaha.... They are helpful, it's a clean city and the public transportation are really superb. You should see inside every taxi. They got all kind of gadget ok. Canggih la.... They walk fast and enjoyed exercising. You should see the park therre. Full of people walking and cycling. No wonder they are skinny.

After presentation we finally checked in, freshen a bit and went down for dinner. Enjoyed every food served and talking to COTI officers so didn't have time to took photos. It was such a long and tiring day but I'm all geared up for anything. It's once of a lifetime experience so just savour everything, right.

By the way, my roomate was Kak Aya, an auditor. Kind of missing our days together. Hai Kak Aya! It feels surreal. Like in a dream. Still couldn't believe that I really am in Korea. I sure was smiling in my sleep then. Haha....

Anyway, you can check out this blog too. Written by another participant. I guess he got more and better photos.

End of day 1.

The preparations

Some preparation before embarking on that journey of a lifetime.... Hehe....

Hope this might help

Alhamdulillah rezeki.... Changed all allowance I got into Korean won. Almost becoming a millionaire. Haha...

The flowers in few colour; red, yellow and purple. I  really love rubber leaves flowers. Got many at home...

Pewter for COTI

And this in a songket box for the lectures and officers

Hope nothing left....

Managed to finalize the luggage right on time. Not really know what to bring so I just bring whatever thing deemed necesssary. And you know me being me.... everything are necessary. Haha....

Ready for COTI. Bring it on Korea.....

The great journey of my life - intro

Pheww it's been such a long time since my last entry. I know I know I've been such a slacker but to my defense, I had way too many on my plate. Or maybe I'm not a good time manager yet. Haha.... I was sick again (one week), busy for Eman's wedding (one week) and Bang Long's being hospitalised due to accident (one week) plus all other things that keep coming. I was left tired to write even a single word here.

Anyway, I just came back from the bestest (is there such word) trip in my whole life. For the first time ever I managed to set foot outside Malaysia. Hahaha..... Such a late bloomer eh. People had been doing so in ages and here I am at the verge of turning 35, finally had my own passport. I always wanted to have a fully sponsored passport and Alhamdulillah I got it. So what ever you want in life no matter how silly it may sounded, just go for it. Not that I have no money to make my own but.... saje la kan....

The passport was fully sponsored and the whole trip too. Alhamdulillah I am blessed with so much love from Allah. I kind of getting everything I ever want with that trip. Alhamdulillah....Alhamdulillah.....Alhamdulillah..... I can never thank Allah enough for that opportunity.

Ok maybe some already knew but some might not. I went to Korea for 2 weeks to attend Executive Development Programme that was sponsored by JPA and COTI (Central Official Training Institute). The journey went smoothly from the start. I send my application on the very last minute and had not really prepared for the interview. But Alhamdulillah it went smoothly and I have a feeling that I might get it. Never have I had so much faith in myself but this time I can feel it. I guess when I really want something, I will try the hardest but that is not the case for most of the time. Hahaha..... And of course praying will be more intense. Sometime I do feel bad coz when I want something I'll spend more time on praying mat but most of the time, just fulfilling the duty. Haish.... Have to change that.....

Anyhow, I went for interview on 12/3 and  received the offer letter on late evening of 27/3 stating that I've to submit all supporting document before 28/3. Crazy huh. But Alhamdulillah everything went smoothly. Managed to get my passport and approval from KSU right on time. Went for briefing on 3/4, rushing for just about everything (I was responsible for souvenirs and with office work and whatnot) in 2 days time and finally on 6/4, I was already on the plane to Korea. Alhamdulillah and yeayyyy.... Gangnam style! Hehe.....    

Thank you to everyone who helped make my preparation went smoothly. Puan K who lend me the luggage bag and adaptor, Hanim with her winter  jacket, my staff Siti Zaiton and Awie for helping with souvenirs, En. Mazlan from RISDA who prepared the flowers with last minute order (within 24 hours ok) and Eman for sending me to KLIA. And of course to mom and dad for the prayers. And those whom I might not write the name here. Thank you. Kamsahapnida!!!!

Photos later ok. Couldn't find the cable yet.

-to be continue-