MY KOREAN / WINTER VACATION -- Part 1

I know that this posting is way past its due, and it has been 8 days since we arrived home safely from the holidays. But as you know, uploading pictures takes ages. So, I decided to post them in two or three parts. (Arranging/dragging pictures is such a fuss too!)

Here are the schedule for the whole 8 days of our trip. I've also put up snapshots (mostly taken as the highlight of the day). There were exactly 980 non-edited shots which doesn't include the final day. Unfortunately our camera ran out of power (as in low-batt)! Thank God we managed to have all the shots from Korea, otherwise we would definitely regret it.

FYI, we have difficulty kan recharge our stuffs there, i.e. my iPod shuffle, handphone (not that we can use it there!) and our camera. Plug dindingnya is different from what we use in Brunei. Normally kitani pakai yang 3-pins. There in Korea, they use jenis 2-rounded pins. Get it?! So, even my iPod pun totally abis bateri after I used it all up in KLIA and in the MAS plane. I only get to recharge it after we get to KL.

DAY 1: BEGAWAN - KL (KLIA)

Sini tah bermulanya penantian kami di KLIA dari jam 5.20 pm until dekat midnight. Pikir tah lurus tempat kami menunggu dekat gate ani, rupanya salah. Turned out that there was a change of gate. Jauh lagi tu... Bummer!

I just love the sight of clouds beneath us.

The first meal we were given - salmon sandwich. Not that tasty!

*Our breakfast served on MAS*

Now this isn't an ice rink! I guess it's how the clouds look like in colder temperature.

This was taken when we were close to Seoul.

DAY 2: INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT / CHUNCHEON / NAMI ISLAND / SAINT HIYAN HOTEL

Talking to the local Korean tour guide, Sunny Yang.

Our lunch - vegetables+rice+seaweed.

Zoul with his toy. I tell you, this guy could never stand still when he's taking snapshots.

Just browsing through... just browsing.

*Getting ready to get on a small ferry to Nami Island*

*In the small ferry*

*The ever famous Winter Sonata statue*

Oi, oi! Ostrich ah!!

*Later in the evening, we had dinner here at the pork-free restaurant*

Eh, bang. Bahapa tu? Sembayang?!

*Keeping warm next to the heater*

*Finally, check-in at Saint Hiyan Hotel*

DAY 3: BREAKFAST AT SAINT HIYAN HOTEL / HERB NARA / YEOJU PREMIUM OUTLETS / SHOPPING IN SEOUL / DINNER AT EAVER GREEN RESTAURANT / CHECK IN AT OLYMPIC PARKTEL, SEOUL

*The view from our room*

Sitting together for breakfast with Zoulhelmi

Personally, inda ku rasa kanyang makanannya ah. Apa jua fries & scrambled egg yang sikit ah. Pastu salad semangkuk damit. Duiii...

*With the other family members in our group*

Siapa mau ABC?? Inda payah pakai pengisar ni. Ais besiut saja.

Hey there, neighbour!

*My first falling snow sighting*

*Gosh! I could almost see the snowflake design*

*Loving Korea*

*In the comfort of a warm green house*

*Yeoju Premium Outlets, where the branded goods are sold here.*

* In one of the Coach store*

To be continued.... more snapshots to come...

Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009!

Today's officially the last day of the year 2008. And tonight, many may gather either in wild parties or with family members just to watch the midnight passes by and welcome as the date changes to 1st January 2009.

It has been a great year for me, personally. I hope it did for you too. I have yet to finish my pending paperwork needed for next year.

So, I guess today's the best time to wish you all a Happy New Year 2009, and please let us welcome the new year maturely and thoughtfully without the necessary partying (like what I did years back! Haha!). I'll see you again next year! Don't stay up too late.

Taneya. xoxo

In case you're wondering what I've been up to lately, it is UPLOADING shots from our vacation which is still in progress. I've to put my random postings on halt for now. Sometimes the espeed is rather slow and I always try to upload them when it's on its best.

That reminds me, I need to get up early tomorrow to pay some bills. Ugghhh...

Today, hubb and I kinda paid a short visit to look at the puppies in our backyard. They are adorable to say the least. They yelped back when I yelp at them, wagging their tails standing on all four paws. Naturally, they are playful at this stage.

We also went to the hospital in the evening to visit hubb's sick uncle. He recovers better than a couple of days back. I wish that he'll recover as soon as possible and gains his strength to get back on his feet and come home.

Uploading pics is rather slow, as you know. So I'm tryin' my best to be patient throughout the whole process. I haven't been doing much house chores. And all hubb and I seemed to be doing lately is sleeping. We sleep till late in the morning, we sleep in the afternoon and get into bed rather early during the night. Jet lag, you may say. Not really, because the time difference isn't that bad, only add an hour from our local time. But I suppose we did sleep a whole lot of time during our journey in the bus, even on our way to the restaurant. Our hotel is located not so close to the city itself. So we did spend loads of time in the bus just to get to our destinations.

I'm gonna try uploading pictures from time to time. I ain't that patient, you know.

Call me Santa Claus for the day, for I brought gifts and souvenirs for my family.

Here I am in my family home looking at snapshots taken from our vacation. We took about over 900 shots. And everyone's pretty excited to look at them.

Plan for the night is going to Jerudong Ampitheatre to watch P2F final concert. I may dress like in a pyjama or sumthin', but who cares huh!

Takziah...

Di kesempatan ini, saya ingin mengucapkan takziah ke atas keluarga bapa saudara, Ahmad Idrus (a.k.a. Uncle Leo) serta sepupu-sepupu saya, Norman, Katrina dan Johan yang berada di Kota Kinabalu atas pemergian emak saudara saya (yang merupakan isteri serta ibu), Rose Abdullah Chong yang dikasihi. Semoga keluarga mereka tabah dan sabar menghadapi dugaan ini.

Ya Allah, Kau terimalah amalan-amalan beliau ketika hidup. Berikanlah mereka ketabahan dan kesabaran dalam menempuh dugaan ini. Lapangkanlah fikiran serta hati mereka.

Ho-ho-ho!

I'm out in the hospital visiting a relative.

Hmm... I'm not pretty sure if it's just me, but sometimes I feel a shiver in my flesh after a shower and the airconditioner feels slightly colder. And I keep putting my hands into a fist and shove them into my pockets. I miss standing out in the street with the cold, cold wind blowing on my face.
The skin on my face is tight and dry. My upper lip line feels funny. Either I lick it with my tongue or nibble on it.

By now, my sisters are like wolves. They keep on asking for souvenirs and gifts from Korea. At this point, I do feel sort of like a Santa Claus. Ho ho ho, everyone.

Anyeong haseyo! I'm home!

Aaahh... Finally, we are officially home from vacation.
Personally, it has been a great, memorable, interesting and fun period for hubb and I. And I know that everyone from our group trip must've feel the same way that I do.
The local Korean tour guide, Sunny Yang is very professional all the way through our visits there.
My most personal favourite part of all is when our bus broke down. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me well. Our bus broke down in the middle of the road (on our way for dinner) during high traffic on Christmas Eve.
It was cold and we all walked for more than 20 minutes. But just a quarter way to the restaurant, our bus showed up.

Our first day stepping on the ground of Korea, we went to Nami Island for the ever famous Winter Sonata spot. Driving there took hours plus with all the traffic. But the best thing while looking at the windows were the sight of snow on sides of the road.
The next morning, we sighted falling snow! Sigh... I couldn't ask for more on this Korean vacation. Th sight of real snow falling all over your head and shoulders, it's such a miracle. Sunny kept telling us how lucky we were to experience this. I'm totally grateful. And of course, making friends and bonding with other Bruneian family made all a better trip.

I couldn't ask for more. And now, I'm home safely....

Pack for me, please.

Packing can be so excruciating. Especially when you need to prepare some clothes in your hand-carry so that you can put them on before touchdown.
And the new policy for liquid products is getting on my nerves sometimes.

Okay, so I'll be off tomorrow afternoon, should be at the airport right after solat Jumaat. Sigh... I'm gonna miss everything else here for a week. Then, I'll get back on track as soon as I'm home again.

I better start checking my stuffs again. I don't wanna miss anything important.

Oh, I had a get together with my family tonight as it is my father's birthday. We had dinner at that restaurant again.

Good night for now. xoxo

Packing??

Aaahh... It's Wednesday and soon it'll be Friday, the day to leave for vacae. At the moment, I'm in the hospital paying a visit to a relative (husband's side).
So what have I been up to? Watched a couple of dvds, blogging, facebooking (wow! I made that sound like I'm into face-modification!), catching up on Gossip Girl Season2/Ep. 8-12, etc.
I haven't even start packing yet! And the funny thing about all this vacae thing is that I need to freeze my budget. In short, I'm BROKE! Well, I won't be anytime soon, tho'. A few days more and I'll be on my way shopping, baby! *teehee*

'Me' time

Such a hot day today. Went for my facial and waxing appointments later in the afternoon and evening. It feels really good after all that pampering. Hehehe...

Thanks to Yuly of Qaira Salon (Kiarong) and Ira of J.W. Salon (Serusop). The 75 bucks I spent today for their services worth every penny. *Sigh*

Hmm... Mcm buat iklan jua ku tu ah... "Pampering service hari ini ditaja oleh Qaira and J.W. Salon. Worth every penny". Atu aaaah!

Roti tithu manith

Ah... such a hot afternoon today. I was sweating like... hmm, I dunno... sweat a lot!!

Went dine-out with my family tonight at this Halmar Restaurant located in Kg. Sungai Buluh.
Currently, I am hooked to this Roti Tisu. Macam martabak, just that ia nipis, rangup and manis. Love it! Crunchy makan while it's still hot, inda payah cacah anything. Just like that alone. Minum milo ping kaw. Or teh tarik. Ishhhh... Membari tais liur saja.

Why is it sweet you may ask. Susu manis & gula bertabur makes all the magic for roti tisu.

Over & done with!

Oh, I am sooo relieved now that I've settled everything with all the UBD, JPA & LDP forms which will be submitted today. I am so done with photocopying all my certificates for now.

I'm wondering when to start a DVD marathon since it's the holiday. Bought a couple of not-so-new DVD movies the other day and thought I should update myself.

For the record, here are the list of DVDs that are yet to entertain me for the holidays:

The Bucket List, 21, Tattooist, Exit Speed, Sex & The City, House Bunny & Vacancy 2.

Good morning. Woke up late this morning. Couldn't really sleep last night. Too much of GG going on in my head, I guess... Teehee

GG Season 2, Ep. 7

Sigh... I can't believe I've finished watching Episode 7 of Gossip Girl (Season 2). I'm totally hooked with the casts, the characters... Serena Van Der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Chuck Bass, Nate Archibald and my favourite Dan Humphrey.

Lawa-lawa lagi baju diorang tu! Even Chuck looks hot even in a maroon suit or a dull coloured pair of pants. Begnya lawa-lawa. I feel like...let's move to New York!!

I realised that Serena pernah belakon dalam this movie called The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Belakun sama c-America, you know yang starring in Ugly Betty. And one of the Sisterhood's cast, Alexis Bledel (actress & a former model) has a beautiful voice. They used her song "Got Your Number" in Gossip Girl (Season 1).

Isshhh, tiap malam sudah ku ahir tidur saja pasal kan mengabiskan Season 2 ani. And now, apatah kan ku liat lagi ni mun sudah abis. And I'm starting to notice my face getting oily this past few days. With all that staying up late, macam kan timbul jururawat rah muaku ani. I better sign off and get into bed! Pronto!

I don't like this part right here.

I'll be needing my iPod Shuffle. I better upload tonnes of songs in there. Oh, and I also need to stock up with sudoku.

Okay, now I don't like this particular part. This part where my mind starts thinking of the things I'll be missing out while I'm away. Yeah, all sort of things that has been around with me for a long while, especially since I'm officially on a long break.

What I'm trying to say is..... I'm gonna miss my kitty Paris and birdy Andre. I'll be missing my Vaio, watching Gossip Girl in it, my Facebook, this diblogary that works as my personal one-stop station, and staying online. I wish I could bring my lappy with me. I could kill time with it instead.

Oh, and I'll miss driving my car, seeing my mom & dad, my sissss...

Dedicated to Scott & Norman

These birthday greetings are dedicated to my cousins Scott and Norman back in KK. I wish you well and have a great New Year ahead. Let's partaaaay!

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY TO DEAREST COUSIN NORMAN

on the 10th of December.

Rock on with this cool ashtray pewter!

HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY TO DEAREST COUSIN SCOTT

on the 11th of December.

Hey, Scott. Bottoms up! *Heehee*

This is more like his kind of celebration, I should add. The young and wild kick-ass bachelor! LOL

Counting the days...

20 days left till New Year and exactly a week left for us to be away on vacation. I've been asking around as to prepare ourselves on the day of our departure. I learnt that it'd be cold in the city of Korea at this time of season. So we've been told to carry along winter coats/sweater on plane and it should be worn before we land.

What worries me is the long period of time during transit in KL and flying to Korea then. We're scheduled to land in KL at 5.20 p.m. and departure time to Korea is around 1 a.m. What am I gonna do then sitting around for over 7 effing hours in the airport??!

My mom & dad would be at home sleeping and I'd be awake, standing in line just waiting to be seated on crappy economy seats! I don't even know if I'd have enough sleep before we're scheduled to touch down at 8.30 a.m.

I haven't been on a MAS plane before. But I hope they serve good food there. Well, they better be!!! Or they'll be hearing alot from me. That's the last thing I need after all that effing waiting, if you know what I mean.

Bolt

*Scardy cat*

*Rhino, Bolt and Mitten*

I planned a day out with 3 of my former (Primary 5) students namely Mashayana, Akmal and Fatin. We sat for a nice and entertaining movie called 'Bolt' at Sri Qlap Cinema. Great storyline.

Overall, it's funny and yet I did shed some tears along with it.

I didn't get the chance to take pictures with my girls but I do hope they enjoyed spending time with me as much as I have fun just sitting with them. Sometimes I would reminisce the days when we were in our Primary 4 class back in 2007. I've to say they are a bunch of smart, tidy and competitive girls. Even the boys are less rascal. At least, they get good grades. That's the most important thing. I remember one of my boys, Ahmad Aziman (he sent his regard to me this afternoon). He's small and drove me crazy at times...but he's okay. I wish them good luck for next year having to sit for PSR. I hope they do well and pass with flying colours.

Making it happen - Part 2

It has been a while since my last post. Been pretty busy lately filling up UBD forms. I've to make dozens copies of previous certificates. And my deadline is this Saturday. It's a good thing that I'm not away just yet.


So, this morning we settled our vacae payment. Now, we only have to wait for the actual date to leave Brunei soon. We've been told & warned of the cold, freezing weather there. Sigh... can't wait to be out and away from here.

Hari Raya Aidiladha 1429H

Selamat menyambut Hari Raya Aidiladha tahun ini kepada suamiku, kaum keluarga, sanak saudara serta rakan-rakan seperjuangan yang berada di tanah air atau oversea.

Semoga kitani mendapat rahmat dan dapat meraikan lagi Aidiladha di tahun-tahun akan datang.

Kalau ada yang kan bersedakah daging korban (kambing / kerbau), janganlah malu-malu untuk singgah ke rumah. Mekasih aaah....

Supercat on the loose!

What do you think about this?!

A cat in China has overcome its fear of water to become the newest member of its local winter swimming club. Club member, Sang Changjiang, said the cat had been swimming with the club for four months - even though it's only six months old.

It's talent for swimming was discovered one afternoon when a club member accidentally knocked the cat into the river when diving into the water from a boat.

"We knew the cat was terrified of water and thought it might drown in the swirling river. But it swam furiously to get close to the boat and was rescued," said Sang.

From then on, club members always took the cat swimming with them, and after only ten days it could swim by itself without assistance.

"Each afternoon around 4pm, we would take it to swim and it has become part of its daily life," added Sang. After its daily dip, the cat licks itself dry then falls asleep on a sofa on the boat, owned by a club member, which is its home.

RV'78: Even I can't swim as good as the cat!

Happy holiday!

I've been busy preparing for the vacae. Bought a pair of nice sneakers from Charles & Keith last night. I couldn't help myself!



Oh, btw, it'd be wise to greet all the muslimin and muslimat a peaceful and prosperous Aidiladha this coming Monday. It'll be a long weekend for us all in Brunei then.


That reminds me, we need to go to Limbang next week, insya-Allah. Plus, I need to make some beauty appointments before flying off.

Countdown check for New Year 2009:

25 days

Dan Humphrey = Seth Cohen!

Okay, so I might and I will be talking a bit more of Gossip Girl this December until I get over it (in my time, of costtt). May you be warned.

Dan Humphrey reminds me so much of Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) in OC, another one of my favourite character then.

*Summer & Seth*

Smart and somewhat geeky at the same time, funny and thoughtful.

Addictive like coffee!

Ah, this Gossip Girl thing is awesome & addictive. I'm hooked. GG is like a cup of coffee to me. Nice, warm and soothing to every sip. The next thing I know is I've been sitting on my aching ass for more than 3 to 4 hours straight! Yeah, it's that addictive... to me to say the least.

By the way, I only get to episode 12 of Season 1 for now. Still have six more episodes to cover til I get my hands full for Season 2!

The casts are super-good looking in their extra gorgeous outfits. Love the bags too. Even the older casts looked glam.

Penn Badgly (a.k.a. Dan Humphrey)

Oh, and I heart Penn Badgly!! Guess what? Or you probably have known about it. Dan & Serena are actually real-life couple. Yes, 'couple' as in 'dating each other'. I'm so jealous!

Spotted, hand in hand!

As the voice behind Gossip Girl finishes...

You know you love me. XOXO

In between Lipstick Jungle & Gossip Girl

Okay, this is what I've been up to since last night.

I started a Lipstick Jungle marathon and slept late around 3 a.m.
In the afternoon till evening, I put on Gossip Girl (Season 1) marathon. Well, I'm half way through completing the whole of Season 1. Probably start Season 2 by tomorrow, hopefully. I guess I'm beginning to enjoy my first week of holiday.
In between LJ and GG, I like LJ more. They are both living up a glamorous lifestyle, but I prefer LJ 'cos I like Lindsay Price (who plays Victory). But that's not important.

Gotta jump into bed for I have an important mission to accomplish tomorrow morning. Need to fill in some forms from MOE.

RANDOM SNAPSHOTS

Shopping & spending

It has already been over a week since payday. Most of the teachers are on their holiday now. They are either on their way off to another country or probably just staying in. But one thing for sure, they'll be out spending. I noticed that today...

We went to get thermal, gloves and that winter jacket I was bragging about the other day. And guess what? It's gone!!! Gone as in TAKEN! Shit! And what's even worse is there are no more adult gloves left either. Uggghhh! Hate it when that happens.
My poor husband has to get them somewhere else now. The thing is we dunno anywhere else selling these sort of thing. Help!

Hmm... Let me check my list:
Thermal - check! Sweaters - check! Scarf - check! Gloves - check! Shoes - can't decide what to wear yet. Maybe trainers.

Christopher Walken

I watched Hairspray this evening. As much as I like John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer, I love Christopher Walken most of all. This guy can rock the floor. His dance moves are awesome.

I remember when I first watched his smooth steps in a videoclip on MTV. He's old but he still rocks!

News that attracts my attention today...

G'mornin', bloggy... and my blog readers, if I have any. *winks*

Read today's news today thru' brudirect. I'm utterly shocked with the 'Daring Snatch Theft At Kiulap Bakery' article.

Gosh! Women should be extra extra careful and be alert/observant towards your surroundings. Now, whenever I withdraw cash from an ATM machine, I always put on a quick pace to my car. And as soon as I'm inside, I lock the door right away. You might never know you were being watched.

And, for the ladies. If you happened to park your car somewhere quiet and dark, please keep an open eye at all time. And do keep your car keys in hand. I always stick the keys out on standby, just in case. Why you may ask? So that I can stab them with my car keys, of costtt!!! Paranoid? Hey, ever heard of self-defence?!

I wonder if they're anyone out there who'd do the same thing (lock the car door & sticking out car keys on standby) just like me....

I am officially... on-leave

Just for the record... I am now officially work-free, on leave, holiday! You name it! Yes, I am free. Free from being tied down with work... school work or office work. Finally, the time is here.

I could focus on my upcoming vacation. First, got to settle everything with bill payments.

Secondly, to do some shopping. I'm still keeping an eye on that nice, oh-so-wicked, blue winter jacket I spotted at... I shouldn't tell. *Teehee*

Oh, thermal top. That's the most important thing to get in winter season, I suppose. Sweaters? I'll probably loan them from big ol' sis. How convenient it is to have a sibling that works for RBA. She lends me her thermal pants, scarf, gloves, winter coat. I'm blessed! *winks*

So, what was I up to today...

>> To work in the morning.

>> Caught a movie in the afternoon watching this... Hilarious!!

"What do you mean 'you people'?"

>> Went to the airport and fetch my sis who just came back from Bali.

>> Had sushi for dinner and came home bloated!

Woof wooof! - Part 3

I was awakened by barkings last night. I think they maybe a couple of them. This worries me.
I worry about my property, our surroundings... and my cat! I just hope Paris knows how to save himself.

Oh man, is this the beginning of uneasy nights where the sound of barkings keep on waking you in the middle of the night?