My Personal Achievement

In this world, most people work hard to achieve their dreams. That's why they study hard to get a high academic degree in school, or even compete with others to achieve what they want in their career life. However, some people give up easily when they fail something in their first trial. I am kind of person who never gives up easily when I cope with something difficult in my life, because I know that failure gives me a good lesson to move forward. I have achieved several things since I graduated from Saint Joseph High School: getting a scholarship, improving Korean language skill, and getting acquainted with Korean culture. 

First of all, I got a scholarship from Korean government. When I was in elementary school, I dreamed of traveling abroad and wanted to see the modern world which was portrayed in movies and books. After several years, finally I graduated from high school. At that time my teacher made my dream come true. He recommended me to take a test for Korean scholarship. Finally, I passed the test. I considered this one as my greatest achievement in my life, and I am thankful to my teacher for his support.

Secondly, I improved Korean language skill. After I came to Korea, I had a lot of work to do. Adapting to a new place and circumstance is not that easy as I thought before, especially when we learned that country's language for the first time. Everything seemed new to me. I learned Korean language for 6 months, and I think that was not enough time for me to be fluent in Korean language. However, I was quite happy because after 6 months of intensive Korean course I was able to communicate with Korean people, even though just in simple worlds. I did work hard on it though.

Lastly, I got acquainted with Korean culture. Korean culture is very different from my country's culture, from simple courtesy to how to treat each other. As I mentioned above, it is hard to adapt to another country's culture. Sometimes we do not understand the local people because of the difference culture that we have. However, there are things that I did to adapt well to his new circumstances, I need to learn their native language, meet new people and places. The very first difference that I noticed was the ways people great other people, and their food which taste different from food in our home country.

It always happens that when you have achieved your goal for the first time, you want to try another dream that you have. However, some things are impossible, but the only way you find out is do your best. I think it is important to dream and hope for the best. It is extremely important to try to make those dreams come true. We shouldn't be afraid to try because of failure. Failure is a part of life and unfortunately it is also a way to learn and understand who you are. One's said that if you never fail in your life, it means that you never try. Therefore, try first before you recognize that you will fail, because with that experiences there will be less failure in the next trial.

My Low-Tech Life Style

As the unveiling of the devices every time these days, people become more attracted to these products. They never mind whether these are expensive or not because of the flawless advertisement through TV and other medias. People become influenced and finally they want to have those things. We all recognized that high-tech devices progress rapidly and make people's lives more convenient. However, some people still stick to their low-tech lifestyle. I also prefer to live a low-tech life because of some reasons.

The first reason is the newest devices are always expensive. A company always gains more profits from their first launch of their new product because they know that their new product will be accessible by more people, for instance IPod, Smartphone, Ipad, etc. I know that these devices are not the primary necessity for me. I prefer to use what I have before and not to buy the newest devices. My mom used to tell me to spend money for something that I really need. Once, when I was a high school student, I persuaded my mom to get me a digital camera. However, she said to me, "If you use that camera until everlasting, then I will get you one". That time I realized that I can use my phone for taking pictures instead spending money just for getting a digital camera.

The second reason is that I am the one who can only spend money for something that I really need, or for my basic need. For me, having the latest and greatest, the coolest and hottest, the most bells, whistles and flashing lights are never that important. In many ways replaced hours we would have spent with others. Today, as in fact many teenagers sit in front of their computer screen and contact others by via Facebook, Twitter, Hi5, and whatever the next big new thing in social media will be. There is almost no time to just hang out with friends. I would rather pick up the phone and talk, or actually hang out with friends. It seems like computer screen and LCD occupies a big space in these days.

The third reason is I am happy with my present devices: a cellphone and a laptop. I do not need to get brand new things. Imagine I have my laptop and I buy again the new brand one. Where will I put the other? How inconvenient it is to have two laptops with the new brand and the old brand! I do not want to replace my cell phone with the newest one, when I know that my cellphone is still working as usual, unless it is no longer to use.

Because of these three reasons above, I prefer to live my low-tech life, no matter how many jokes my friend crack and how shocked people are when I tell them that I don't have an mp4 or mp3. I'm sure I'll eventually own all these tecthy stuffs someday when the things I have now become dinosaurs as they will. That may appear to put me behind the curve, but it is okay. I know what's hot and new, but I simply choose not to have it.

Naksan Beach

TIME TO HIT THE BEACH  

Gangwon-do Naksan Beach

It was on 25 July 2010, on Saturday noon, we left hotel in Sokcho and headed to Naksan as the continuation of our summer trip to Ganwong-do. Naksan is a small city close to Sokcho and it takes about 15 minutes to get there. We took bus no.9 as we were informed by tourist information center.

Gangwon-do Naksan Beach

Otw to the beach 

On the way to the Beach 

During our journey, my boyfriend intended to chat with the bus driver by asking him how long it takes to get to Naksan, even though we were informed that it will take 15 to 20 minutes. I wondered whether he wanted to get the bus driver's attention or he wanted to practice his Korean. Because in Korea when you speak Korean to native people they will praise you like, "Wow your Korean is really good", and it makes you want to talk more. However, I asked him to stop, he said he didn't expect for people to praise him like that. He just wanted to get more information from them.

During our way to Naksan I could notice that everywhere were green hills when I looked at the right side and blue sea when I looked at the left side. After about 20 minutes then we arrived in Naksan, we immediately went to a hotel to make reservation, and as we were allowed to stay in. We went to the bedroom and took a rest for several minutes before went to Naksan beach. At 2 pm we went to the beach, but before that we already packed our belongings that we were going to use for swimming such as beach ball, sunglasses, beach pants, towel, and our camera.

On our way to the beach we had some photos. As we arrived at the beach it was crowded, and we rented a beach umbrella and a yellow Swim Ring. We swam for several hours and then had sun bath, and played with the sand just for fun. At 4 pm, we felt tired we backed to our hotel. All the energy had gone during 2 hours swimming, we then decided to have a rest for a couple of hours before going out to have our great dinner. 

Heart shape

We woke up at glance at our clock it showed 8:30 pm we then took shower and went out breathing the fresh air of Naksan. As we walk we could hear the sound of music, we approached the music and it was close to a simple restaurant. We ordered our favorite menu and they served the fresh pork that I ever enjoy since my arrival in Korea. I ate all the food that they served excluded some dishes because till now I am not get accustomed to some dishes. As we all full we went to play some games and finally I won the games, so I got two fireworks, a pink little heart and other stuffs. We went to the beach shot the fireworks that I got and then stroll on the beach side for two hours. After that we backed to our hotel and had a rest.

Sokcho Beach

THE BEST  SUMMER  VACATION EVER 
24 July, 2010

I first decided going to Busan (Haeundae Beach), because it's famous beach in South Korea. But I went there last summer with my boyfriend. Then my boyfriend tried seeking some nice place in South Korea to explore. The, he asked me whether I wanna go to Gangwon-do or not. Of course I said yes for that. I never say NO for this kind of plan specially travel. I was So excited.

Otw to Gangwondo

The weather was super cool and clear

Saturday morning, we took a bus from Seoul to Sokcho in Express Bus Terminal. It took four hours to get there. It's far but I was happy, I didn't feel tired because my boyfriend was sitting next to me ....

After arrived in Sokcho terminal, with a suitcase, we went to Hotel. Then we went out getting something that we need for Beach outing. In order to have "Beach feel", we decided to buy beach pants, towel and a ball.

My stuffs that I had with me during my trip

When we reach the beach, we were completely stunned by the crowd. There was full of big umbrellas. Sooooo.... crowded from Young to Old!!!! Uhhh…Too exticed!!! Can't wait to jump into the sea. 

The little girl is so cute in her bikini

People were enjoying their day

The funny thing is that, the weather is too HOT but the water is to COLD like ice water. Unlike in East Timor, the sea water is warm throughout the year. Also, the coarse sand was a bit hard on the feet, so we brought a pair of sand shoes or sandals.

He was trying hard to get the doll for me ㅋㅋㅋ

After dinner (We had chicken), we chucking again to the beach. The view was so damn amazing. Lots of people displayed fireworks, so wonderful at night.

Night at Gangwon-do Sokcho beach 
Playing a game around the beach and stuff
I really had a lot of FUN there

For you guys who want to visit that place, click out the link below for getting more information:

http://visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264130

Self Reflection

THE BEST CLASS I EVER TOOK

I was so happy when I saw the paper that professor gave about final project. Yeah!!! Jenny (진희), Songu (성우) and Jiyun (지윤) with me in a group. That time I did guess that the script might be the comedy because I believe that we were good at acting in that sort genre. But I also felt shy and afraid that can myself help them to write a script or my idea can be accepted by them? Because I sometimes realized that my English is not good enough.  After the last performance of the last class, we gather together and started talking about what we will suppose to prepare for the final exam performance. As the professor said, we should write a synopsis first.

English Through Drama class

During my first working with my group members, I was very happy because everything was OK, and we really matched each other. There was no fight, and everyone was enjoying in the group, supporting each other. I learned how to work in a group, how to give and accept an idea, how to listen for each other. Wow, lucky me to take this class!

Our team

From left: Jenny, Songu, Jiyun , Natha

The next day, we reported briefly our synopsis, but teacher said it would be hard because the stage that we are going to use is not favorable. So, we did change the script again. We decided to talk about the 3 patients (who with slight mental problems) and one doctor in Sogang mental hospital. It finally accepted.

After a couple of meeting, we still needed to add some lines because according to the teacher our script is too short. So, we did add some lines on the script and also changed the title again from I am Crazy to Madness.

Since the script was finished, we met up to talked about the stuff which we will use on the stage. We rented the patients clothes (we collected 15.00 won each person) and prepared some accessories of Christmas tree.

In the final project, my play was Marilyn. She was someone who suffered from anorexia. She started a diet during her days as an actress. She ended up thinking that she was fat and refused to eat at all. Then one day, she would overeat and the cycle would begin again. I loved my play.

Madness member (I mean us) sometimes did not keep the promise to meet up because some of us had another exam. It made me more worried. But then, my roommate (Sonia) told me that those my group member are good in English and also can memorize their lines quickly, so I believed that our performance will be OK.

In fact, I was really happy because we delivered our lines smoothly and everything went well on the stage. I think the acting of each of us was good, the intonation of speech and pronunciation were good too. Plus, those words that we used actually helped the audience understand better, because we used simple words. 

In addition, our play would have been performed even better, if there were a complete stuff to use. For example the Christmas tree. The best part was that the cohesion between us in the work. It made the successful of our performance.

Overall, I really enjoyed this class and working group with the group members. Thank you so much for Jinni, Jiyun and Songu for your collaboration and everything that you guys did.  당들 소고했어요!!!

Haeundae Beach

기억에는 남는 여행에 대한 기행문   

       2009 년 8월에 나는 여름 방학이라서 어디나 놀러 가고 싶은 마음 많이 들었당. 그런데 어디로 놀러 가면 좋을까 고민 많이 했당. 그래서 나는 인터넷 검색하당가 드디어 부산이라는 도시 발견했고 8월 말에 그곳으로 여행을 정했당. 인테넷에 있는 블럭들 불 때 부산에서 찍는 사진들 너무나 예쁘게 나와서요. 
     부산에 가는 것은 처음이라서 가기 전에 나는 햇빛이 강할지도 모른당고 생각하면서 여름 옷과 선글라스와 모자, 그리고 물런 카메라를 준비했당. 

      그 때 나는 우리 오빠랑 같이 가기로 했는데 오빠가 인천에서 살고 나는 서울(신촌)에서  살기 때문에 만날 장수가 따로 필요했더라. 

       그래서 먼저 서강대학교 정문 앞에서 만나서 같이 고속터미널에 갔당. 고속터미널에 도작하자마자 부산행 버스를 탔는데 5시간 걸린당고 해서 걱정 되었당. 왜냐하면 나는 그렇게 차를 오래 탈 수가 없었거든요. 그런데 당행히 부산에 가는 동안 우리 재미있게 얘기하면서 밖을 구경했으니까 하나도 안 피군했당. 

       부산을 도작하자마자 지하철을 타고 바로 호스텔에 갔당. 왜냐하면 밤 8시에 거기서 도작했니까요. 

       그당음 날 토요일에 우리가 해운대에 갔는데 해수욕장 근처에서 사람이 아주 많아서 깜짝 놀랐당. 

사람 장난 아니였당~난 완정 깜놀깜놀 O.O 역시 해운대 쨩

 나랑 오빠 ^^

       거기서 우리는 이것저것 많이 구경했고 사진도 많이 찍었당. 아무리 해운대 근체에 볼것 별러 많이 없어도 내가 가장 좋아한 바당가 있으니까 기분이 좋았당. 

나이스 뷰 ^^ 바당랑 하늘 색깔 넘 이뻐임

어머나~강아지들 넘 겹당 ㅎㅎ

해운대의 인어 공주당

      한국에 운지 벌써 1년됐는데 바당를 안 봐서 우리 나라 많이 그리웠당. 그래서 나는 "아 좋당. 서울에 바당 없으니, 오늘 하루 종일 오빠랑 같이 바당 근처에서 재미있게 놀았야지" 생각했당. 
      밤에 우리가 어시장에 가서 구경했고 좋은 사진도 많이 찍었당. 그리고 나서 어시장에서 신선한 해물을 사고 바당 근처에 가서 남친이랑 같이 먹었당. 그 때는 날씨가 너무 좋았고 신선한 해물을 먹으면서 하늘을 봐서 기분이 좋긴 하지만 별을 보고 싶었는데 못 봤당 좀 아쉬웠당.

해운대의 처녁 풍경

       그대신 불꽃을 볼 수가 있어서 괜찮았당. 당음 날 오후에 4시쯤 우리는 당시 버스를 타고 대구에 갔당가 서울에 돌아왔당. 해운대 바당에서 수영하고 싶었는데 수영할 줄 몰랐기 때문에 아쉬웠당. 하지만 아름답고 깨끗한 자연 덕분에 몸과 마음이 모두 깨끗해졌당. 

CeritaQ saat di Kongju City

     KETIKA NIIED (National Institute for International Education) South Korea decided to give me sebuah opportunity study di negerinya, berbagai perasaan muncul. Ada perasaan senang, sedih, bangga, dan takut. Maklum, saat itu belum genap 'primeiro ano' di FUP Timor Leste. Senang karena got an opportunity belajar di luar negeri. Sedih karena mesti berpisah dengan keluarga. Bangga karena mendapat beasiswa dan tidak menyangka kesempatan itu datang begitu cepat, tetapi juga takut karena membayangkan hidup sebatang kara di negeri orang.

   Saat itu, 24 Juli 2008, ketika aku menginjakkan kaki pertama kali di South Korea, cuaca summernya panas tak kalah saingannya dengan Timor Leste. Sebagai calon siswi di Kongju National University (KNU),  aku mesti berpisah juga dengan teman-teman aku yang datang bersamaan di hari itu.

This is the building that I went first in my first time at the university 
공주 대학교 administration office

     Aku dijemput oleh staff KNU, dan saat itu aku cuman bisa 2 kata bahasa Korea...Annyong Haseyo dan Kamsahamnida. Bahasa Inggrisku pun tidak mendunkung, soalnya tidak pernah  aku belajar secara intensive, maksudnya ikutan kursus, hanya belajar disaat SMP dan SMA...dan itu pun nggak begitu ngerti apa2....jadi susah untuk komunikasi dengan teman-teman yang datang dari negara lain....uuuuhhhhh

     Agar tidak merasa sendirian 'coz udah pisah sama sahabatku Sonia dan Cornelio (dan juga yang lainnya  aku nggak bisa beradaptasi.....maklum baru kenal!!!!), aku memberanikan diri bertanya pada teman-teman yang akan belajar bahasa Korea (한국어) bersama di KNU.

My high school friends who I came to South Korea with

From left: Sonia, me and Cornelio 

     Perkenalan yang begitu singkat padat dan jelas itu, cuman dikit yang bisa aku pahami. Apalagi pembicaraan teman Nepal itu....uuuhhhh.... I really couldn't understand what did he say. Tidak satupun kata-katanya yang aku ngerti, even though he answered dengan amat ramah. Wah, aku baru sadar, ini dia yang disebut Nepal's accent. Nilai tes Bahasa Inggris di SMP dan SMA yang cukup tinggi rupanya tidak bisa langsung terpakai.

       Karena perjalanan yang hanya memakan 2 setenggah jam, dengan sebuah suitcase besar memasuki dorm ternyata melelahkan. Dari bandara, aku tertidur. Begitu capek rasanya, saat udah tiba di dorm KNU. Belum lagi udara panas yang terasa membakar tubuh. Padahal, cuacanya sama deh dengan di TILES. Konon, untuk mengusir panas yang membakar tubuh, aku memakai jaketnya Sonia (Kayak winter adja). Ini lagi kelupaan jaketnya Sonia dibawa kesini.....ooooppppssss 

     Sesudah got to the dorm's office, kita ambil kunci ruangan terus langsung ke Cafetaria dan had lunch. Akhirnya bisa memenuhi juga deh permintaan perut. LOL. Eh ternyata, ooopppss salah lagi!!! Korean food nggak ada satupun yang bisa mengusir lapar, malah membuatku mau muntah....Susah juga yach!!! I thought that cuman bahasa dan tradisi, eehh....makanannya juga aneh-aneh adja. Terpaksa makan adja.

     Langit kian redup, reminds me of all my activities tiap sore di rumah. Aku mulai beresin kamar bersamaan dengan roommate aku dari Morroco. Sesaat aku memandang keluar, dengan pemandangan yang begitu tenang dan...air mata mulai turun...sedikit demi sedikit dan akhirnya lebat kayak hujan....and finally I decided untuk tidur. "HOMESICK".

My two crazy friends. Lamiae (Moroccan) and Cecy (Tanzanian)

     Aku memulai kehidupan baru di Kongju, South Korea dengan mencoba mengurus sendiri semua persiapan study. Beberapa waktu kemudian, aku baru sadar kalau aku bisa kontak teman-teman dan juga keluarga lewat internet. Dan mulailah aku mengirim e-mail pada mereka yang aku kangen. 

     However, aku tidak tinggal seorang di dorm, I also have 3 friends, mereka adalah orang Korean, baek hati..."Ji Hye, Sera, Soji", dan others roommateku Lamiae dari Morroco, Cecilia dari Tanzania, serta teman Buvhan dari Nepal dan Johannes dari Sweden.

Ji Hye Birthday party

      Hari demi hari akhirnya saya mengenal mereka cukup dekat. Namun aku tidak banyak bergaul dengan mereka sebab takut bahasa Inggrisku mampet. Aku memilih bergaul banyak dengan 3 cewek Korea itu. Lewat mereka, aku belajar aksen bahasa Korea, mulai hafal kata demi kata perkenalan, mulai tahu tempat berbelanja makanan orang barat, dan yang terpenting, belajar bagaimana menemukan buku di perpustakaan, yang di mataku amat lengkap, besar, dan canggih, dibandingkan dengan perpustakaan-perpustakaan di Timor Leste.

     Dengan full scholarship, aku tidak perlu pusing soal keuangan. Tugasku hanya belajar sebaik mungkin. Baru aja memulai kursus bahasa Korea, susahnya minta ampun. Sampe-sampe aku menangis karena saja nggak bisa baca dan susah menghafal vocabulary yang diberi, disaat teman-teman lain udah mulai bisa.....uuuuhhhhhhhh.......Kondisi ini membuat aku harus mengatur waktu, belajar dan belajar. 

     Setelah mulai gabung kelas dengan anak-anak China yang udah belajar 6 bulan sebelum kita (yang sebelumnya cuman kita ber5 dalam satu ruangan), kita memutuskan untuk punya conversation partner supaya bisa bantu kita masing-masing.

     Sayangnya, I don't really like the method that those teachers using for teaching saat udah bergabung dengan anak-anak China. Sulit banget beradaptasi dan mengejar materi. And finally sampai juga di third level kedudukannya....lumanyan juga my Korean skill. pretty happy with what I've got and have learned.....dengan bantuan sahabat aku Sonia......(makasih yach Sonia....)

     Namun begitu sedihnya saat harus menerima kenyataan bahwa nilai tidak memenuhi standard......TEST umum NIIED. Bahasa Inggris dan Korea, dua-duanya PAYAH. Impian aku yang ingin sekali masuk kuliah di Sogang University jadi kabut.
    Tapi kemudian harinya aku nerima phone call, eheheeee,,,,,,aku di terima di Sogang University.....nggak tauh betapa senangnya. Aku nggak bisa ukir dengan kata-kata....(akan tetapi ntar mesti belajar lagi bahasa Korea selama 6 bulan disamping kuliah, terus have to pass 5th level). 

   SELANJUTNYA, aku tinggal nunggu waktunya untuk moving dari Kongju ke Seoul....dan memulai hidup baru di KOTA itu. Satu harapan aku adalah bisa mengapai impianku. AMIN