Lingo in Transit

Travel, Languages and Life

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  • 5 Things I’m Doing More Of In 2023

    5 Things I’m Doing More Of In 2023

    This time last year, I wrote about the 5 things that I wanted to stop doing in 2022. So this year, I have decided to flip that and think and write about the 5 things that I want to do more of in 2023.

    1. Reread some favourite books
    I have read some very thought provoking books over the past 2 years and would love to reread them. I get onto this treadmill of needing to read more and read widely but it sometimes feels like a never ending and not fulfilling way to go about reading. I would love to revisit some ideas and perhaps with time, these lessons and words that I once were attracted by will have a new meaning or give me a new perspective.

    Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash

    2. Spending more time learning
    I think I spend a lot of time getting ready to learn or preparing myself mentally to do something without doing it. This feels like wasted time and knowing me, a little procrastinating. I need to dive into my activities more and quicker than constantly slowly preparing myself for it. This feeds into this endless cycle of me thinking I don’t have enough time. I think I would feel like I do have time, if I become more absorbed quicker. I also want to make better use of ‘dead time’- all those waiting or travelling times. I usually listen to music but lately have been trying to read more in these times as well.

    3. Being more social
    I am a huge introvert and can happily spend days on end alone. At times, I do get the feeling that I would love to be connected more with a wider range of people and stop feeling so awkward in groups of people (maybe it’s just me and I am not that awkward). Although some people have mistaken me as an extrovert, I get the feeling that it’s important that I pay more attention to socialising this coming year. I think being away from home and having to try and make new friends abroad has made me realise how important having a social support network is. I would like to strengthen existing friendships and try to make more. As I always think about the future, there are people to meet and places to go.

    Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

    4. Being More Intentional
    This is something that I’ve been focusing on in my life in the past few years if you have been following here. Being abroad has really helped me further this and given me more experience and practise. This is something I hope to keep refining and learning about over time to help me live more intentionally. This includes the things I own, the things that I do and the time I spend on something.

    5. Eating More Wholegrain
    Before you scroll to the bottom, hear me out. With trying to be healthier so that I can live a more health problem free life for longer, it is imperative that I also make small changes that I want to my diet. This involves eating more wholegrains. I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan. While I do always try to get bread using other flours apart from white flour, I think I can try to incorporate small amounts of wholegrains regularly. Chickpeas in curries, lentils mixed into my rice or salads, other types of rice mixed into my white rice…..I think I can do it!

    Maybe this list gave you inspiration or got you thinking about things you want to do more of in 2023, please let me know!

    Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash
  • And that was 2022.

    And that was 2022.

    Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

    It feels like de ja vu, ending 2022 similar to 2021, with some sort of bug! I’m fine- just a dry scratchy throat with a dry cough but it also doesn’t help that it’s dry outside.

    In Korea, there are no public holidays for Christmas or New Year so it’s been weird. I think I’m actually quite tired and am itching for some time off. Back home, I would be having a handful of days off, eating so much Christmas ham, not knowing what day it is and having family get togethers. In contrast, I am working every day with no time to even reflect on the year or plan ahead! I have needed this post, time to reflect and plan.

    The 01 Jan New Year celebrations are more muted here with some countdown parties and bell ringing happening in Seoul tonight. Many Koreans apparently go to watch the sunrise on the 01 Jan from the east coast or mountains. The Lunar New Year has greater importance here.

    2022 was a big year having moved to South Korea to tick off a life list item. It’s been a wonderful experience and I still have days where I just can’t believe it. Teaching has been everything I imagined it to be. The kids are great, sweet, inspiring, funny and thoughtful. It’s not every day you have students telling you that they love you. But behavioural issues in class (don’t get me started on the puberty blues or whatever it’s called!) has been something I’ve found the hardest to manage. The sleepers, the ones who don’t participate, the rowdy kids, the ones who don’t pay attention and the ones that talk back.

    I’m now on the tail end of my supposed one year adult gap year and I am filled with more uncertainty than ever before. What should I do next? Go back to working as I was previously and not really enjoying it? Keep teaching abroad? I am not really too sure and don’t think I’m any closer to finding out an answer with every day that goes past. It’s a mix of questions and doubts from career anxiety, earning lots of money and doing fulfilling work. Advice welcome.

    Aside from all these doubts, if there is one certainty in 2023, it is that there will be many things to learn, new experiences and adventures to be had. That’s not too bad.

    Happy New Year to everyone! Thank you for stopping by this year. I hope the New Year brings you happiness, good health and laughter!

    Top 5 Posts of 2022:

    1. A Must Visit In Busan: Haeundae Beach
    2. Fresh Seafood at Jagalchi Market, Busan
    3. Busan Gamcheon Village
    4. Declutter These Items Today
    5. South Korean Dishes To Try
  • Merry Christmas Everyone

    Merry Christmas Everyone

    Another year has come and gone as we all emerged from our varying lockdowns and restrictions. What a few years it’s been for all of us around the world. Whilst it won’t be a white Christmas here (no snow forecasted for the weekend), it will be sub-zero nevertheless and I’ll be enjoying a winter Christmas for the first time in a while. I’ve got my supplies to make some mulled wine, Christmas lights are hung and Christmas tunes at the ready.

    Thank you for another year in the blogging world readers. I hope you all have a wonderful end of year and Merry Christmas!

  • Naksan Mountain Trail and Ihwa Mural Village, Seoul

    Naksan Mountain Trail and Ihwa Mural Village, Seoul

    Located in Jongno-gu in the north of Seoul is the Naksan Mountain Trail which is a city wall walk that takes you down towards Dongdaemun. I just happend to be in the area whilst going to an event and thought that I would spend the afternoon walking this mountain trail as it was on my list of places to visit in Seoul.

    The northern part of Seoul is my favourite as you can see and are surrounded by mountains. I started off at Hansung University station and walked to where the wall started only a block or 2 away. The walk is easy and can be done in normal comfortable shoes. There is abit of an incline but it isn’t for very long and walking along the path makes it easy.

    Going from Hansung University station rather than Dongdaemun station means that you will be walking uphill less and also means no stairs (if you start at Hyehwa station, you will need to go up many flights of stairs).

    One of the nice parts of this route is that it will take you through the Ihwa Mural Village. It’s a small village with eclectic murals and some art installations. Similar to Busan Gamcheon Village, artists were brought in to revitalise the area and draw tourists there.

    There is a popular cafe at the top called Cafe Gaeppul which has an entry fee of 7,000 won but you can exchange your ticket for drinks/cake and also get to sit in a cafe with a great view of Seoul. Downstairs, there is a lock museum and upstairs contains feature walls of teapots and moon jars. There is plenty of room in these areas as well as other nooks and an adjacent building with indoor and outdoor seating.

    Walking around the village, it is clear that there are not as many murals/art installations as there once were. Whilst researching, I found that drawing tourists in meant that the locals who lived there had to contend with more noise and litter. Over time, there have been some murals which have been painted over.

    There is not really a map of where to find the murals either, you will just need to wonder around a little. I was here on a Saturday afternoon and it was quite quiet. There are only a handful of cafes around and maybe 2 or 3 restaurants. All the shops selling knick knacks were all closed.

    If you’re in the area, I would recommend doing this walk and going through the Ihwa Village. It is a unique area of Seoul albeit small. You could make a longer day of it and visit the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) which houses a great museum shop, Gwangjang Market for food or go to the Dongmyo Flea Market which are all nearby.

    • Walking down to the Heunginjimun gate at Dongdaemun Station

    How to get there: If you want to avoid walking up stairs or uphill, you can catch the metro to Hansung University and start from there and walk down to Dongdaemun Station.

  • Winter is here

    Winter is here

    Last week it snowed for hours in the morning which stayed around for the rest of the day. I stood by the window watching the snowflakes blow around and rain down.

    I took many pictures and videos sending them back home to my family and friends proclaiming that IT’S SNOWING. After it stopped, I went out to walk around and also to get some food.

    It hasn’t snowed as much since then but it’s forecasted to snow again this week. It is currently -9C at 11am but sunny with blue skies.

    I love winter.

  • Quiet Optimism

    Quiet Optimism

    The colour orange was never really that impressionable to me.

    Not quite vivid as it’s constituents of yellow or red.

    Not quite striking or bold in its appearance.

    But being surrounded by orange stirred a feeling inside.

    Change. Quiet optimism.

    The changing of leaves. The passing of time. A reminder that nothing stays as it is.

    Another chance to enjoy. To learn. To play. To stay.

    A mediator between dark and light, summer to winter, timid to blaring.

    It is not stale.

    It withstands the endurance of time.

    An amber hue slowly washes across the day. A new day will be here soon.

  • Exploring Korean Literature: My booklist

    Exploring Korean Literature: My booklist

    Apart from living in Korea, also on my list was to read some translated Korean literature. I would say that maybe it wasn’t on my radar back home as translated books are more expensive and any efforts at trying to find it at the local library were in vain. There were some that I had bookmarked to read prior to coming to Korea but I didn’t get around to reading those.

    Since being here, I’ve made more of an effort and it’s easier to try and see what are the latest translations available. Books here seem to be a bigger than they are back home. I’ve fallen in love with the graphic designs of book covers here which always remind me that I don’t know Korean well enough to read any of them yet!

    So far, I feel that the translated Korean books that I’ve read are far more emotive and emotional compared to books that I have read from the English world. I’m not sure whether it’s just these types of books have made it big enough to be translated or if many books are written in this way (or maybe both?) or if it’s due to the Korean language.

    Here I’d like to share my little reading list of what’s been read, what is currently being read and what may be to come.

    Read

    1. Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn
    This book is short and quite a joy to read. It tells the story of Yunjae who has a brain condition where he cannot feel or process emotions. From a young age, his mother had been coaching him on how to react and what to feel in different situations. It follows him as he starts school and then after a tragic accident also detailing all the other mentors and allies that appear along the way. It is beautifully written and I found it so hard to have to put the book down.

    2. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
    This book was also an interesting read. It follows the life of Kim Jiyoung and her deteriorating mental health. It also explains the life of her mother and grandmother and the role of women in Korean society and the discrimination that they are faced with on a daily basis. A movie adaptation of this book was released a few years ago (which I only found out about this week). This book sparked a huge national discussion and sexism battle and offers a good insight into the conservative country’s gender roles. Despite South Korea’s economic turn around in the last 50 years, gender equality in the country is one of the worst out of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

    3. I want to die but I want to eat tteokbokki by Baek Sehee
    The whole book is a dialogue between Baek and her psychiatrist which offers insight into her thought patterns and discussions around them. I was intrigued by the book title and as it was a ‘bestseller’, decided to give it a read. I have to say, I’m not sure about the hype. It was my first time reading a book in this format but I didn’t find it on the whole that insightful or thoughtful and struggled to finish it. It wasn’t the book for me.

    Currently Reading

    4. Reflections from Prison by Shin Young-Bok
    I came across this book whilst browsing in a bookstore here. The book contains different entries/letters that Young Bok wrote to his family during his time in prison and also reflections on some of this life events so that you can piece together this life. Between all these are philosophical observations and thoughts. So far, I’m really enjoying it.

    Reading List

    5. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
    I first heard about Pachinko because of the netflix series but haven’t watched or read the book. The book is about a Korean women Sunja who goes to live in Japan to start a new life. The book is said to follow 4 generations of a family over the span of 80 years. I’ve been hesitant at starting this book as it seems like it will be a heavy read but still remains on my to read list.

    6. One Left by Kim Soon
    Another book that will be heavy read is One Left. This is the first Korean novel entirely written about comfort women. This book is made up of testimonies from comfort women (from the Japanese occupation) and shares their painful stories but I think still important for their voices to be heard and for there to be a book that exists about it.

    Have you read any of these or any other Korean literature that you would recommend?

    This post contains affiliate links where I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links and will not cost you anything extra.

  • Biggest Korean Exams

    Biggest Korean Exams

    Last week, the biggest Korean exams took place. The annual high school exam for entrance into University locally known as the suneung or the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), is a big deal in Korea. Each year, about 500 000 students sit this exam hoping to get top marks that will allow them to enter the best universities in Korea. Notably, Seoul National University is the top and most sort after university.

    In a country where the university you go to will still often dictate your future job prospects, it is no wonder that these exams are a big deal. After years at school and after hours at academy’s, the amalgamation of all the student’s efforts lies in this exam and the scores they will receive.

    As such, the 8 hour CSAT is a big deal. All other students not sitting the exam get the day off to ensure there is less road and footpath traffic. Workers start their working day later to ensure there is less traffic. All planes are prohibited to landing and taking off during the English listening component of the test and flights diverted to not fly over any examination centres. You can even get a police ride if you are running late for the exam. The stock exchange ever opens an hour later than usual.

    Goodluck to all the students waiting on their results!

  • A Weekend in Jeonju, South Korea

    A Weekend in Jeonju, South Korea

    Jeonju is located roughly 2 hours south west of Seoul and is easily accessible via the KTX or Express buses. Previously, I wrote about visiting Gyeongju which was the capital of the Silla Kingdom on the eastern side of the country. Jeonju, on the other hand, was in the area that belonged to the Baekje Kingdom (before being conquered by the Silla Kingdom). Today, its traditional hanok village draws both local and international tourists.

    If you plan to stay overnight, I do recommend booking into a hanok for your stay. There are plenty in Jeonju’s Hanok Village so you will be spoilt for choice. Another popular activity to do while you are here might be to rent a hanbok from the many stores around town for some great souvenir pictures.

    One of the ‘must eats’ in Jeonju is the Jeonju bibimbap. The bibimbap at the restaurant I ate it came with a raw egg yolk onto and so many veges. It was one of the better bibimbaps that I’ve eaten during my time in Korea. A Korean meal is of course, not complete without side dishes, which I had cut off in my picture!

    • Jeonju bibimbap
    • One of the oldest gingko trees in Jeonju

    Walking around the hanok village, it is easy to cover within a few hours winding through town. I have been told previously that a day in Jeonju would be enough but to stroll, relax, visit a teahouse or 2……I would recommend staying a night. It’s a quiet and peaceful area despite the amount of tourists during the day.

    • The ginkgo trees inside the Jeonju Hyanggyo (Confucian School)

    Across one of the main roads is Jaman Mural Village. A hill covered in winding alleys, the odd cafe and odd restaurant. It’s not very big but includes some vibrant and interesting artworks. You never know what is just around the corner.

    We stopped at 꼬지따뽕 which is an eclectic cafe located smack bang in the middle. Some what of a 80s/90s time warp cafe. You won’t miss it with the fluoro and bright paint colours. It is a huge cafe with its outdoor area spanning 2 rooftop areas. It doesn’t serve much food but it’s a nice spot for a drink while taking in the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains.

    • Dried persimmon’s hanging outside a cafe
    • Chinese silver grass line the walkway along the stream
    • Mini crabs from Nambu Market

    At night, we ventured into Nambu Market but it was really quiet with only a handful of street food stalls and restaurants opened. We walked past a place selling deep fried foods and the mini crabs caught our eye. Not really enough to fill our bellies we went back to the hanok village for some pajeon (Korean savoury pancake) and maekgeolli. After dinner, we found refuge from the cold in a teahouse with the teahouses’s special blend and some yakgwa (Korean honey cookies).

    • Visiting a traditional teahouse and ordering the yakgwa to go with the tea

    Autumn is such a beautiful time in Korea. There are endless blue skied days which, when contrasted with the yellow gingko trees and red maple trees, makes for a romantic and vibrant season.

    How to get there: KTX or Express bus to Jeonju. The train station and bus terminal are about 10-20 minutes away from the Jeonju Hanok Village so you will need to change for a taxi or local bus to get there.

    Related Posts:
    – Staying in a hanok in Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul
    – South Korean Dishes To Try
    – Visiting The Most Heavily Guarded Border, Seoul

  • 6 Months In South Korea

    6 Months In South Korea

    When someone recently asked me how long I have been in Korea for, I had to count as by now, I have lost track of all time. I can’t believe I’m in my 6th month here already! There is some truth then that time flies when you’re having fun.

    Winter has officially started by the calendar but right now we are enjoying the end of the Autumn weather and landscapes. There has been the odd day where day temperatures have hovered around 10C but real winter weather has barely begun. The seasons change so quick here and it seems like it was eons ago that I sweating through sickening humid afternoons with my hand held fan. For the whole month of October, I barely spent my weekends in my home town and instead have been out and about getting to events and trying to see as much of the Autumn leaves as possible. I feel like I’m always running against time.

    For the next month or so, I have no travel plans as I tentatively await the winter temperature hoping my Aussie ass will be ok. With the great differences in temperature in this country, it is then no surprise that some buildings aren’t that well equipped for winter. For example mine. The windows are 2 paned but still quite airy. Here, placing bubble wrap onto the window in winter is a thing. I’ve already got most of my window covered and am now trying to plug all the drafts that I can feel in my apartment.

    My sister arrived in Korea in October to stay for a while and it’s been nice having family here and someone to do all these weekend trips with for a change.

    I’ve loving the convenience of living here. How you can get pretty much anything you need quite easily and quickly. The food is great, affordable and there are no shortages of places to visit. Back home in Sydney, I could pretty much tell you all the major events that were happening in the city at any one time. Here, there is so much going on it’s hard to even remember (not to mention all the major events that are announced in Korean only).

    I also like being able to easily get around without a car. Something unheard of back home. Public transport here is quite cheap with a single bus or metro ride costing under $2. I can get into Seoul for under $3 and it’s about 1 hour away.