Insider's Voice

Wrong start

2011-09-04T18:59:00.001+09:00

I think I am having a bad and wrong start this semester... I just had a bad insulting experience the other day and now I had to deal with something else.

Last month, I reserved for a Dental Check & Scaling in a Foreign Migrant's Center in Seoul, called Seongbuk Global Migrant's Center (성북외국인글러자센터). Unfortunately, we had to move out during those days and they cannot accommodate my 2 other friends who wanted to avail of their service as well so we moved our reservation to this month. They called me the other day that we can go there today by 1:30pm. I told the guy who called me that we may arrive late because I have other commitments and classes just before the schedule so the guy told me that it's fine because there are other patients that would be treated anyway. I asked him how to go to their place and he instructed me to take the subway and transfer and get off at Dongmyo Station. I was running late for my meeting with my thesis adviser and was about to take the elevator so I asked him to send me SMS instead. He said, no problem. Unfortunately, I received no SMS from the Center.

Today was the schedule. I called in the morning to ask directions on how to go there but no one answered. I called several times, again and again. Nothing changed. So I decided to look it up in the internet and found their blog site. I saw a scanned brochure which has low resolution and sent it to myself. It says get off at Miasamgeori Station (미아삼거리역) and take a bus going to Bam Na Moo Gol Si Jang (밤나무골시장). I am on my way there and I just realized that Dongmyo and Miasamgeori is not closed to each other; thus, I may not have the right information with me, one of the 2. I decided to call again and finally somebody answered. She taught me to take the Miasamgeori route.

When we arrived there around 2:20pm, we were directed by a guy to a certain room where the dental service is being done. A lady approached us that it is not possible for us to have dental service today because there are a lot of people waiting. This is starting to piss me off again.

In the first place, why would you have reservation system and why would you call people to go when there are too many people? Then she said we're late. But in the first place, I have told the man over the phone that we would be late but he just said, no problem. How dare do they treat people like that? Then, giving us few pieces of snacks and Yakult? Sorry to say, but this won't buy us to come back and do publicity for your Center.

After an hour, the same guy who called me the other day called me and asked if I went to the Center. I said yes but somebody shoo-ed us out because of too much people. He was asking me if I would want to reserve for next month --- WHY SHOULD I GIVE MYSELF A HARD TIME AGAIN with the level of service they have in their Center... Never mind.

Enough is enough

2011-09-03T21:32:00.001+09:00

It's been hard and terrible experiences to me to always be blamed because I am in position. But come to think about it, being in position does not equate to being responsible for everything that is why there are certain limitations and that is why JD was made into presence but unfortunately, I don't think JD (job description) is really being followed where I am now. What is being followed here is race and age!

The last time I remembered I was blamed wrong because somebody forgot something and now I am being blamed because I did not inform someone with something I am not aware of. Can somebody please explain what is going on in this world?!

Okay, we are nothing for you so do not entrust anything to us. Do it on your own! If you can't manage how you feel, learn how to, first before talking to me. Its time to be professional!

Blaming others without the right to do so...

2011-08-02T00:01:00.000+09:00

If you can't follow instructions, please do not blame other people for your own mistakes.

지시 사항을 따르십 수 없다면, 다른 사람을 탓하지 마라!

如果你不能（或是没有那个能力）按照说明或是指示做事，千万不要把自己的错误归咎于其他人。你没有哪个资格！

Comprehensive Exam - WHAT?!

2011-03-17T15:55:00.001+09:00

17 March 2011

Comprehensive Exam:

Last semester, we were surprised that there is such thing and it is required for us to graduate. Now, where should the announcement come from?! Who knows?

Anyhow, yes, we have comprehensive exams and a Foreign Language Test which I do not know what it is all about. This semester, we need to take the exams already as this is our 3rd Semester and we only have 1 more semester left after this semester.

In total, we need to take 3 comprehensive exams and a foreign language test. There is an academic calendar isn't it? How come everyone is just used to announcing that there will be something scheduled when there is only 1 or 2 weeks left. Okay, I asked for the Academic Calendar even before the semester started but only the 2010 Academic Calendar is being sent to me. Are we still living within the past?

Anyway, apparently, they do not have the English Version of the Academic Calendar. So here we go again, I have to try and figure out what is the Korean for Comprehensive Exam. It is supposed to be during 7-25 March 2011. I asked and asked, no one can answer.

Finally, our TA sent us an email that we will be having the Foreign Language Test. So I asked:

Me: What will the exam be about? When will the exam be?

TA: I do not know.

Okay, I thought Assistants should know everything because they are the ones assisting us in this institution. How come it seems like they are mere messengers? Won't it be very much productive if they can process the information given to them and ask whoever in-charge whatever missing information was given to them? Can we just have this common sense working?

I followed up again, Monday, 14 March 2011, when will our comprehensive exams be? And that was the only time they thought of advising us. I received an email 15 March that our exam will be on 22 March morning wherein we have a class. Yet the TA still insisted that we have to take it because there is no room available on our desired date and time. (Isn't it ridiculous?) Anyhow, a miracle happened in the afternoon, we have a workable schedule but then its just less then a week left and we do not know where to start.

Today - 17 March 2011 - We received an email saying that we cannot take the other comprehensive exam because the professor who taught that subject was not a professor in this institution. Where again is this rule coming from? Will the professor teach us if he/she was not hired by this institution? What is the purpose of the comprehensive exam for OUR MAJOR if we are not going to take the exam for our MAJOR subjects? whew.

Anyhow, one of my friends is trying to calm me down with this: "Its okay, he/she is just an assistant". My answer was: If you are a manager and another department's assistant gave you an instruction or statement for a project that your company/ organization is working on and when you asked for details, he/she just answered back with "I do not know", how will you feel?

Well, it may not be fully the fault of the assistant but then the process also has something to do with it that the management has implemented.

But still, even if it is hard, I thank these bad experiences and processes that I get to see, realize and understand that I will never be like them. Still - its a learning experience. the hard way.

I wonder why I at all have came here for the degree. But then I learned a lot from my extra curricular activities which I hope is more than enough in return..... I hope..

3:50pm Korean Time

Tiring life in Korea...

2011-03-15T00:15:00.000+09:00

In connection to my recent post.... this is what I do or rather who am I...

I am a..

Full-time GEO FTA Coordinator.
Part-time researcher.
Majoring in Korean Tourism.
Double major in Korean Language.
Minor in Korean Social Welfare.
Seminar in Media.
Extra Curricular in Korean MBA.

I am almost drained... but have to move on and push through this difficult and challenging life I decided to face.

Comprehensive Exams

2011-03-06T22:31:00.000+09:00

We are expecting to have comprehensive exams soooooon. Unfortunately, no one knows what we need to take and when. Isn't it so ridiculous?

We started the semester without the Academic Calendar. Can that happen? ugh!

1st Year Anniversary in Korea

2011-03-03T09:41:00.000+09:00

25 February 2011 marks our 1st year anniversary of our arrival in Korea. Since I arrived here, this is a constant question lingering in my mind. Did I made the right decision to grab this scholarship opportunity?

Well, everyone who are seeing my Facebook will say yes! Because I seem to be enjoying my time here with all of my activities happening here and there, receiving awards here and there. But is it really like that? Well, yea, I do have a lot of activities outside and most often than not, I am outside because I get more from the outside.

I get to meet people with genuine hearts and intention. I get to meet Seoul City Mayor, Pohang City Mayor and even the President of this country because of the activities I am into. In addition, Philippine Embassy to Korea is also very supportive with our needs. Aside from the Korean big politicians I have met, I was able to meet Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Senator Angara, of course Ambassador Luis Cruz, Apostolic Nuncio to Korea Osvaldo Padilla, Dr. Emely Dicolen-Abagat, and etc. That is how grand and important my outside activities are. But after all, my existence here is for me to get something from the inside. Where is it? Well, yea, I do get something out of it - headache, white hair, and probably to become a professor? but its just not me to be one. Okay, it is my fault because I was the one who decided to be here. So what am I saying...? Not all good opportunities are indeed good and one may not get the good directly from it but rather from indirect ways.

After all, I am able to realize tons of things with my decision to come here. More on how to be human! a real one. Life lessons are here and there. That is what I learned and through these I get to know and understand people more. How a mind with certain motives can think and with what things can make situations ridiculous and complicated! =) How all of the cultural, social, emotional and spiritual aspects, whether similarities and differences can still be a difference after all.

Its a mind game. Its a matter of you accepting it or not that makes it a difference. Its a matter of you being genuine with what you do or not.

Of course, I have also met some people without high positions who are just a regular worker whether foreigner or from the Philippines, they taught me a lot and these are the things that I learned indirectly!

So I guess I still have to thank the original purpose for having me in this place! :)

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see the real world! :)

Snowy Sunday

2011-01-23T14:35:00.003+09:00

Snowy Sunday!

23 January 2011

Yesterday, we went to have some sledding! and I just posted in my blog that I did not really want and love Winter because it is too cold. As ironic as it is, I am playing with the snow today.

Well, let us just say, when there is snow falling, it is good! but when the snow is melting and there is wind, it is not favorable already. When the snow started melting, it is veryyyyy slipppppery! When the wind blows, as if it can carry you away, it hurts our skin too...

Whew.. Anyway, here it goes, our photoshoot session, despite the coldness!

As temporary as it can be, playing with the snow somehow gives you a temporary feeling of freedom and feeling of being a child again! It feels like a big burden was removed from you temporarily. or probably just because of the not so positive happening and challenges that we have been facing that is why a big burden has been temporarily taken away!!!

I do hope that this feeling can be a little longer than what it is now..

2:35pm Korean time
23 January 2011

New Year 2011 - 새해 복 많이 받으세요! - 新年快乐！

2011-01-01T12:54:00.000+09:00

31 December 2010

If it was my first time to spend Christmas away from home so automatically, this is my first new year spent away from home as well. Generally, the ambiance of Christmas and New Year here in Korea is a lot less than what we have back in the Philippines. Christmas and New Year are just normal regular days they are spending here. We, Filipinos in CUK, gathered together for our own celebration. Thanks to some good souls in managing to cook for everyone! :)

Year 2010 was definitely an extraordinary year for me. A lot of major big decisions were made; thus, adjustments, challenges, etc. Decisions were not generally 100% nice. Some were actually a wrong decision but with these wrong decisions, I was able to meet many more people from diverse culture, background and experiences which allowed me to open my eyes more to the real world i.e. on how user-friendly or senseless, illogical people can be...

Been 10 months since I came to Korea. I have learned some of its language, been involved with a lot of the activities including the most significant event in the world - G20, World Cup, but have I really learned something for which is my purpose of my presence here in Korea?

열달 동안 한국에 있으면 좋고 슬프고 경험을 모두 있었는데 친구는 많이 알고 인생 잊어없는 경험을 많이 받았어요. 한국에 와서 좋은 선택을 아니고 근데 깨닫이 도 많이 생각했어요.

새해 복 많이 받으세요!

Happy New Year!

12:53pm Korea Time

1 January 2011

Karina Chua

Bullets as Fireworks

2010-12-31T14:31:00.001+09:00

29 December 2010

Christmas and New Year are big occasions in our country, Philippines, where families, friends and relatives gather together. These are the major family holidays!

People sing, dance, drink and fire "firecrackers". Playing with firecrackers have been causing a lot of damages in the Philippines, injuries, deaths, etc. On December 29, 2010, people who are in our house heard something near our house which they thought was just some squatter area residents throw stones to gates. They just ignored it until somebody was able to sweep a bullet under my bed. Creepy! What if it unintentionally fell on my bed while I am sleeping? or somebody else is sleeping!?

2:31pm Korea Time

31 December 2010

한국어수업 2010년 가을학기 마지막날 - Last day of our Korean Language Class (2010 Fall Semester)

2010-12-17T18:22:00.000+09:00

한국어수업 2010년 가을학기 마지막날
Last day of our Korean Language Class (2010 Fall Semester)
17 December 2010

The last day for the things you like and enjoy with are the saddest thing ever! Ano kaya ang ambiance sa class if wala tayo dun? kung tatlo lang sila!? :)

Fed Up?! Crazy for you!? :D

watching the video...

Check out the video I made for our teachers :|
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3gDPq3eLJ0

Hope we could have them as teachers again!!!

6:22pm Korea Time
17 December 2010

Blessed Year of the Tiger 2010

2010-12-15T02:02:00.000+09:00

This year has been tough. Had to resign from work for my decision in pursuing the scholarship I got for my Masterals here in South Korea. I was enjoying my job before I came here though there were also tough times, but it was fulfilling. I get to have some accomplishments done! real accomplishments!

Anyhow, I came to Korea facing a new adventure and phase in my life in a totally new culture, new environment, new people, new practices, new friends, new challenges, and etc. Of course, nothing is perfect; thus, faced with unexpected things, situations, circumstances, surprises, and etc. Name it, there it is! Yes, there was a doubt whether I chose the right decision to come here since I have left something big back home for my career.

All these were in reciprocated with awards and rewards. I get to travel to places for free or at a minimal fee, get to join contests and be rewarded with awards, get to volunteer to worldwide significant events, etc. such as:

1. Philippine Embassy Photo Contest - 2nd place

2. Korean Speech Contest - 3rd place

3. Best Volunteer Award, St. Mary's Hospital

4. G20 Summit Volunteers' Essay Contest in Korean - 3rd place

5. Rural 20 UCC Contest - 3rd place

Early this year, during my client's visit in the Philippines, we had a business meeting in a hotel wherein one of the big bosses of my previous company also attended. He mentioned that this year would be a good year for those year of the Tiger. Indeed, it was. To-date, I have almost a box (small one) full of certificates collected from my less than 10 months of stay here in Korea.

Thank you for the blessings! =)

15 December 2010
2:00am Korea Time
Karina Marie Ang Chua

Snow!

2010-12-08T20:19:00.000+09:00

.... and the snow flakes fall... the wind blows them all...

8:17pm Korea Time
8 December 2010

Weird Ajussi in the Subway

2010-12-08T16:06:00.001+09:00

7 December 2010
Weird Ajussi in the Subway... or should I say hmm.. drunken..

Every Tuesday this semester, we have to go to Seoul National University to take one of our major subjects. Today is our last day. Finally, because it is too cold lately that we cannot bear the chilly weather especially our class is late night.. :( Anyhow, we had our last gathering with our professor. We ate 찜닭 (Jjim-dak), in my own words, it is Extreme Spicy Chicken Adobo! =)

찜닭 - Spicy Chicken Adobo-alike

After eating, we headed back home via subway. Well, there has been as always drunken Ajussis and Ajumas, more of Ajussis though everywhere especially at night. Today, we had a close encounter with one in the subway.

As the subway is jampacked - we are literally like sardines standing beside each other in the subway. I was talking to one of my fellow Filipino scholars when she told me that the Ajussi behind me might be talking about us... We paused and I listened to them. They were saying that we are not the same as them - meaning - we are foreigners. Later on, he said, we are very noisy but in fact his drunken voice is far louder than ours... Anyhow... he then approached us closer and started talking. I did not understand what he said because he is technically drunk and I do not know which language is he trying to speak.. But I realized he was speaking in Chinese but I still did not understand as he eats his words... He tried speaking English, Korean, Chinese and I do not know if there is anything else... but he is so creepy - with the red eyes, can't stand firmly, etc.

Why is it necessary for them to drink a lot?! *sigh*

and ... so what if we are not like them?!

Another experience of mine few months back...
http://karinachua.blogspot.com/2010/09/unusual-creepy-experience-in-subway.html

4:04pm Korea Time

8 December 2010

South Korea's level of economic and financial capability

2010-12-02T08:49:00.000+09:00

30 November 2010
New Findings!

It's Tuesday again today and Tuesday is the most hectic day and no-fun-filled day this semester. I have class starting 10am until evening 8pm which may be extended until we finish our lesson/class for the day. I actually only have 3 classes for the day but it occupies my whole Tuesday. 10am to 1pm class then 1pm to 3pm class, followed by 5pm to 8pm class in Seoul National University, which we need to prepare then travel around 1.5hours. That is my Tuesday life here since September. Though, the situation is different now as the Winter is now around the corner. When we started this kind of setup, it was still Summer/Fall and the weather is tolerable. However, this time, the weather has been colder than we wanted it to be. Knowing the Seoul National University is on the foot of Gwanak Mountain adds to the possible coldness there.

Since I will be having a hectic day with no time for lunch, around 9am, I was preparing my brunch Tuna Sandwich in the Laundry Area of my dormitory. When I was preparing my food, the cleaning lady or who we always call Ajumma (아줌마) started talking to me asking that it is lunch, etc. etc. Yes, I said, because I will have continuous class today and would not be able to have lunch.

She then started sharing that she has 2 daughters and the eldest is 25 years old (Lunar Age - which means the eldest daughter was born in 1986) and is currently studying in Sungmyung Women's University in Seoul on her Senior year. I was amazed with this fact but its not yet all. She said, the eldest daughter just came back from South Africa learning English! The youngest daughter is 21 years old (Lunar Age) and is now in China, learning Chinese!!! This brought me to a bigger surprise and realization!

I cannot imagine how a cleaning lady is able to afford sending her children to universities in Seoul and much more to other countries to study but it is possible in her case, or should I say, in Korea's case.

Earlier this semester, another story we heard from a vendor, selling Egg Bread in Seoul National University Subway Station, an Ajussi (아저씨) sent his children to Philippines to study undergraduate degree in Ateneo de Manila University and is currently living in Makati, as elite university to study and an elite place to live in Philippines.

It is amazing how these people are able to afford sending their children to other countries to study and I respect these people a lot as they have to bear difficult jobs just to send their children to school. The thing is, in Korea, even if you have these lowly jobs, it is still highly better than the other countries'. Korea has established itself in terms of the financial stability of their people.

Hopefully, one day, this will also be possible to other countries, especially the developing countries. It is sad that most of the workforces of the multinational companies are coming from the developing countries; however, the developing countries are still left behind.

8:49am Korea Time

2 December 2010