the crazy adventure we had in Seoul

I can't believe I forgot to talk about this! This was one of the craziest day I've ever gone through during my stay in Korea. Well, actually there were lots of crazy adventure times, now that I think about it, every time I stepped out of my room, I was in for another crazy adventure in an unknown land, haha... especially since I love wandering around alone too much...

anyway, this time I was with a friend. Well, honestly, being lost isn't something new for me... (lol is this even something I can be proud about?) I was lost when I first came to Hongdae, and the second time I got there, and even the third time... :| 

I even got lost again when I went there with Cecilee from priscillaclara.com thus making both of us lost! Hahaha.. oh gosh, I sincerely feel sorry for her to be lost with me... read her story about that day here (yeaahhh.. it has me in the story too and you'll see how... -fill in the blank with whatever words you want- I am)

anyway, this is another story, with another girl, you see... I got lost a lot, hahaha.. but I gotta say this one is the craziest... 

so here goes the story...

That day me and my friends from the summer school class wanted to go to buy some more clothes and stuffs, if I remember correctly it was on our third week, which means the summer school was about to end so we tried to go to Seoul and shop as many times as possible (LOL, I'm so glad to meet such Shopaholic people)

There were four of us, but we split ways; me and Stella wanted to go shopping for clothes so we headed to Edae, while our other two friends wanted to buy souvenirs so they went to another place (I'm sorry I can't really remember where they went to), BUT we all wanted to watch the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, so we agreed to meet at 8 in the said place.

The beautiful water fountain we wanted to see

I am a pro about shopping in Edae, so we didn't get lost, we totally had fun! Bought chicken barbecue sticks, bought fresh fruit juices (that was a hella hot day if I remember correctly) shop a LOT, went to Baskin Robins, and shop some more~

Stella with her SUPER Spicy chicken barbeque, and mine, which wasn't spicy at all, lol

One of the 'gardens' in front of the mall in Edae

at 7 we decided to go to Itaewon Subway Station (where we will go to Banpo from that), here goes the adventure... I noticed that compared to other transportation services in Korea, Taxi is my least favorite, simply because it's so hard to communicate! I can't speak proper Korean and the driver can't seem to understand English... 

We had this note from the tourist information center; the officer said to just show it to the driver and he will take us there, but maybe because it was dark, or... I don't know why, we couldn't seem to find a taxi who wanted to take us there, until finally a girl who worked in a cosmetic shop around there helped us (ALL HAIL THE GIRL!! She speaks English properly, she saved our lives! Thank you so much girl~

So? Is the problem solved? Uh... Unfortunately no, not at all... We didn't catch what the driver was saying until suddenly he dropped us off in a random highway... Wait.. What?

We could hear the song played for the rainbow fountain show (yes, it has a background song) but we don't know where was it from! We were like... laksdagdasfda what to do now? That until we realize that we were ON that Banpo bridge... But to see the show, we have to be UNDER the bridge, LOL... We could see the riverbanks where people were strolling around, biking, and all... and we had no idea of how to get down there...

Long story short, we managed to find a tunnel (total luck!) which led us there, but the show had stopped and we had to wait for another hour... wait, did I mention that we shopped so much we were running out of money? As in cash (because we still have money in our T-money card) but we weren't worried about that since.. we still have our friends, right? Well... until they called and said that they were not joining us because they were still far and won't make it to the last show (at 9 PM)... Uh-oh...

Save that for later because we were there to enjoy the show... so it was 9 PM already but... why isn't there any show? We could hear the song (again!) but where is the rainbow fountain show??? Figures, we were waiting on the wrong side of the bridge, hahahahaha... so we ran (together with a lot of others, fortunately) to the other side of the bridge and enjoyed the show... which was totally worth it it was beautiful and... if I have to have any complaints, I should've come there with my boyfriend! It was sooooooooooo romantic! 

the riverbank was filled with photographers, they were waiting for the show too :)

The wrong side of the bridge, where we waited, lol

Stella posing in front of the water show, on the right side of the bridge

I think I should stop here for now, this is a long post already... hahaha... But remember, the crazy adventure didn't stop here, so stay tuned for more, lol...

Dreams do Come True

picture found via weheartit

Not sure what came to me today that I suddenly decided to sit in front of my computer (well, this part happen everyday) re-reading my old posts in this blog. It feels good walking down the memory lane and see what I've got and what I'm not and how many things had happened and how many precious lessons I've learnt.

That is until I found this post I wrote in February this year as a year-opener blog post. I didn't really remember what I wrote there, I thought it would only be about me talking about a new year resolutions and stuff like that. Apparently it was even more unimportant but seriously more surprising, I mean you won't believe how it surprised me when I read what I wrote there!

Here's a little part of it:

In another note, I really really really want to go South Korea for my birthday *wails* reason is, there's this Big Show, a Big Bang concert. Which, if you don't know already, Big Bang is like... the only Korean boyband I love! 

Okay, I know I sounded like a desperate teenage girl wanting to meet her idols, lol *hides in the corner*. I know, this shouldn't really be found in a blog of a 23 year old girl, lolololol... I can't really believe I did write that hahahahah... but what surprised me more was that this year, I did go to Korea and I did watch Bigbang concert! D:

I'm sure you all know that I went to Korea this summer due to my impulsiveness hahaha... and that was one of the best decisions I've ever made, oh the adventure! But I hadn't really say something about going to Bigbang concert, had I? So yeah, I went to their concert here in Indonesia. How appropriate that this year they decided to do a world tour and Indonesia is one of the countries on their list.

the lightsicks and the craziness
picture taken by me

The concert was Boom Shakalaka fantastic baby! It felt like I was watching a youtube videos about their concert with a super huge screen in front of me, and then I realized that I was in that video. It felt surreal, and fantastic and... well, this is the fangirl in me talking, lol. It just quite hard to believe that the people I could only see in youtube suddenly stood there in front of me, singing and dancing to songs I usually heard only the mp3 version of.

me camwhoring with the lightstick before the concert

Le crowd, looks pretty jam-packed, eh? Yes it was!

So I guess it's the power of will, or want, or... something... It just felt magical that the little things I wrote earlier this year was indeed granted. Life is just so cool and mysterious, isn't it? This only thought me to share what I want to do, what I want to be, instead of keeping it to myself. So yeah, I guess the saying was right...

When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

-Paulo Coelho

So while we're at it, what I want to do, and what I want to be now?

I want to finish my thesis as soon as possible, which is quite feasible looking at how I am progressing right now *insert smug face here*. To keep drawing as long as I can, and to have my own exhibition, and to travel the country, and to travel the world, and get married and still travel the world.

On my travel list are:

Wakatobi, Indonesia
(photo found via google)

• Wakatobi, Indonesia

This place is magical for me, I tell you. Once upon a time (like I-can't-remember-how-many-years ago) I had a dream, and you know how weird dreams can be, right? So in my dream I see myself flying on a plane, and there was a map-like visualization, I flew from Java island (where I am right now) to somewhere in Sulawesi (formerly known as Celebes) an eastern part of Indonesia I've never gone to. In my dreams I played in an area looking like... phi-phi island or Maldives, where you travel using boat everywhere. The dream fascinated me I just had to google it up the morning I woke up.

I wasn't really sure what to write on the keyword, so I just wrote 'archipelago', 'islands' and 'sulawesi'. I was seriously surprised when I actually found wakatobi there, I didn't know such place exist! It was in my dream, but then I found out that there is actually a place like that in reality, I didn't even know the name!

This happened in a time where nobody really knows about wakatobi, it is growing more popular right now, so it is easier to go there.

Cool stuff indeed.

Prague, Czech Republic
(Photo found via Google)

• Prague, Czech Republic

There's always something that fascinates me about the classical buildings, castles, the old-European architecture, and even the name Prague. Europe always have a special place in my heart, and Prague is on top of the list, surprisingly it's not even London or Paris (of course I want to go there too!).

I don't really have a dream or something about it, but back then in 2006 I made friends with someone from Prague and we exchanged pictures of where we live, that place caught my heart.

Seoul, South Korea
(Photo found via Google)

• Seoul, South Korea

I know, I know... but there's something so homey about this city for me. As I've said before, Yogyakarta, a city where I'm living in right now is seriously a perfect definition of comfort zone, where you can survive a week only with $10 in your pocket. Then I went to Seoul, a metropolitan city, pretty much different with Yogyakarta, but as artsy and cozy. I just can't help but wanting to come back there soon again, and maybe live longer there.

And I tell you, it's not even the boy bands that makes me want to go there, lol. (Okay, maybe yes for Bigbang)

Of course, that's not all, I've said that I want to travel the world so yeah...

Oh, look at how incoherently coherent this post it. Oh well.

What I love about you, Korea

I don't want to sound so biased, although I might be am, but oh well... here's my thoughts, and what impressed me about Korea.

I know some people are just tired of all the Korean wave that's going on right now. Like everything is suddenly directed to and from Korea, from fashion to make up to entertainment and even education and technology. 

Anyway, having the chance to visit the said country myself, I dare to say it was an awesome country that gave me so many things to learn from.

I love how Korean are so in love with themselves.

The nationality, it is really high, and it was reflected on their daily life. When I was in the subway, all cellphones I saw was either samsung or SKY, in which both are made in Korea. Of course there were blackberrys and iPhones, but I noticed if someone have blackberry/iPhone he/she has two phones, and the other will be either samsung or SKY. On the street, majority of the cars were Hyundai and KIA, which, of course, were made in Korea. You see what I mean with korean loving themselves? Their cosmetics? Of course made in Korea.

I love how Korea is a mixture of modern and ancient.

The fact that they're not forgetting their roots, I just love it. As a student from the faculty of cultural study, I couldn't help but being so proud with Korea. Despite their technology (which was super awesome for me), they still manage to maintain their love for their culture. The Gyeongbok palace located in the middle of the city, surrounded by tall buildings and still doesn't lose its aura. The huge statue of King Sejong (the most notable King in Korea's history) in front of the palace was enough proof. The fact that the youngsters and tourists can have fun there, showed me how the government tried their best to introduce their culture to basically everyone.

I love how they make every place as a visit-worthy place

Han river is only a river, which I believe every country has. But they smartly made a park along the riverbank so people can enjoy whatever it is on the river (which practically nothing, really, but it makes a nice place to stroll around). There are also a water performance in Banpo bridge (one of the bridges crossing Han river) every night. I wonder what gave them the idea, it was so simple, but beautiful. And the fact that it was only a river but attract so many people to come there is of course awesome.

I love how artsy it is!

Like of course, the little self-proclaimed artist in me love this country so much for being so artistic. Like I've said, I spent 3 days in hongdae, which was the central of the art in Seoul, but that doesn't mean it is the only artistic place in Seoul. Of course not. In fact, even their make up packaging is artsy, their cafes interior are artsy, wait... even the river is artsy...

So you see, I'm not talking about the boy/girl bands because honestly, I'm just too old for that, although I have to agree their songs are catchy. If you ask me, though, I love their indie band more. Well, I have this certain weakness towards indie bands, doesn't matter where it come from. And also I'm not talking about Gangnam Style either, because why would I? I've spent a month there listening to it almost everywhere because that's one perfect summer song, but then I came back and it just hit the world how catchy it is and suddenly Psy is everywhere and I was like... 'uh-oh... this song again'.

Anyway, I hope this post doesn't sound too korea-centered, because I only want to point out how a country which suffered from crisis several years ago now had came up and stand strong practically against the world.

Have I told you nobody uses google in Korea? They use their own called Naver. I just admire how strong it stands on their own feet, well.. it was just my 2 cents.

When in Seoul pt.2 - Edae

I should be writing my thesis proposal right now, but I think I just want to continue with the 2nd part first... You know, blogging is like therapeutic, eh? Despite the craziness of the thesis-making I am in right now, I find peace in writing a blog post.

Funny how both are writing but so very different. lol.

Anyways, second part I'll be talking about Edae. Remember the first part? Yes, Hongdae. Are you questioning now if all places in Korea ended with a 'dae'? kkk~ let me do a little explain, 'dae' is a short from dae-hak-gyo (대 학교) which means university. Hongdae was a short form of Hongik Daehakgyo, and Edae is a short form of Ewha Yoja Daehakgyo (이화여자대학교) /ewha women university.

Got that?

Koreans love to shorten words, lol.

Since Ewha is a women university, there are like hella lots of girly frilly boutiques for your girly needs! This place is like my favorite place to shop, because everything was so cheap too! :D

Like I've said, coffe shop is everywhere, and Coffee Bean is like one of the biggest so... 

It was early when I went there (and by early, I meant 1 o'clock)

I'm so loving the neat street. Edae, in my opinion is simpler than Hongdae. Man, I really love this place!

Make up, shoes, bags, everything you need, girls!

They not only sells inside the building, even street vendors sell cute stuff! I mean, look at those bags!

I've told you, right? Girly frilly boutiques. I wasn't kidding when I said that.

Shoes shoes shoes! More shoes if you walk further down the lane!

Even without the color editing, this place screams pinky-peach to me. Femininity overload!

Shoes on SALE!

Cute cute cute stationary! I didn't bring much money I couldn't buy them on my first visit*Sobs*

More cute stationary, say hello to Choo Choo Cat~!

Oh gosh, another frilly boutiques! I can just stare at it all day and probably be happy enough.

What else could you ask for? Loads of cute stuffs on SALE!

 All in all, like I've repeatedly said, this place is my favorite. If you're wondering why isn't there any pictures of me in the photos, well... it's because I went there adventuring alone so... yeah. No no, I am not antisocial, I love hanging out with friends, as much as I love going around alone like a cat marking its territory, kkkk~ plus I can't really imagine going there with the boys, haha...

I really, like really really love wandering around, seeing new parts of the city or just any place I didn't know and find pretty stuffs. The chance to see new places is like something I really treasure and thankful for. There are like gazilion of places I've yet to visit on my wish list, but this little project my blogger friend, Nikolett, holds give me more chances to see places I never know about.

No, she's not giving away free tickets to go around the world (I wish she will, though -lolololol), but this project is a close one! Postcard Project is an adorable little project that will 1.) lets you see a new place through postcards, 2.) lets you find new friends

So what are you waiting for? Aren't you excited for this? Oh because I know I am ;)

When in Seoul pt.1 - Hongdae

I'm home already, but I think I really left part of my heart in Seoul. I've even planned to come back there again soon, the due date is the time all the cosmetics I bought there run out--which will be pretty long since I bought a lot, plus I got like hella amount of free samples.

I secretly (or not really) planned to come back there for my birthday next year.

I'm not sure what makes me love it so much, why I found it so lovable and adorable and homey. Before this, I've always been in love with my city, Yogyakarta. Not even coming to the infamous Bali reduced my love for Yogya even a little bit, so the fact that I enjoyed Seoul so much surprised me.

And no, it's not about the pretty boys in their boy bands, seriously... I'm too old for that. lol.

I've even decided to learn Korean (so I can bargain properly when shopping there) and to look for a job there (and I'm seriously serious about this). So I've been planning out the things I have to do to prepare my coming back there.

It's a good thing, really. Now that I have something to look forward to, I keep reminding myself that I have to finish my thesis as soon as possible, because only by finishing it I can go travelling again.

Anyways, I came back with heaps of stories and new friends, which I am really thankful for. Let's see... hmmm... let's talk about Hongdae, my favorite area in Seoul.

Hongdae is a really colorful area, filled with young energy as it is the center of where art in Seoul come from, Hongik University. It's an area filled with cafes and night clubs and all sorts of fun places youngsters would love to hang out in. It's my favorite place to hang out and having fun, despite the fact that the first two time I went there I got lost twice.

it's predictable to see posters of music concerts everywhere

Lomostore in Seoul, placed really strategically behind Hongik University, really a perfect place for such a fun shop.

La Sardina DIY, you can personalize your camera with your own artwork! How fun is that?!

One of the examples of how you can make your camera really yours.

everything in Hongdae is artistic, including this (unused?) car.

One of the artwork booths in free market*

cute gardening store! >.<

You know you're in Korea when you can find coffee shop every three steps

CAT CAFE oh my God! kkkk~

Anymode, from what I understand, this store sells heroes-themed cellphone accessories

and of course, cosmetics! Etude House is everywhere too.

Being the central of art, of course the buildings have to be artistic too.

I love how they have clear concept on every cafes, which makes each one of them distinct from one another.

*free market:
Every Saturday and Sunday, the students from Hongik University came out and have a free market selling their artworks, a very fun event indeed!