티 익스프레스(T-express)를 타기 경험

        에버랜드에 가본 적이 있다고 하는 사람들이 많다. 그런데 나는 사람들이 티-익스프레스를 탔다고 하면 느낌이 좀 달라진다. 지난 주 목요일에 에버랜드에 갈 기회각 있어서 한국에서 제일 유명하다고 하는 최고의 롤로코스터를 탔다. 그 것을 탄 후에는 롤러코스터라면 티-익스프레스만 한 것이 없다는 사실을 인정한다.
       솔직히 에버랜드에 가기 전에 그 유면한 롤러코스터가 있다는 것을 몰랐다. 방문시간이 3시간밖에 없어 가지고 제일 무서운 놀이 기구를 꼭 타야 겠다는 생각이 들었다. 테마파크의 팸플릿을 보자마자 티-익스프레스를 선택했다. 색각없이 우리가 그냥 거기로 갔다. 가 보니까 줄울 서 있는 사람들이 얼마나 많은지 모른다. 좀 망설였지만 그 것을 너무 타고 싶어서 줄을 서서 기다리기 시작했다. 생각보다 한 시간이 넘었는데 아직도 입구근처에도 못 갔다. 물론 포기할 생각이 들었지만 좋은 기회를 놓치 지 않으려고 노력했다. 기다리면서 얘기도 하고 사진도 찍었다.
       드디어 탈 시간이 되었다. 앞선 사름들이 지르는 소리를 듣고 도망갈 생각이 다시 있었다. 그런데 우리뒤에 서 있는 사람들이 많았기때문에 어쩔 수 없이  타야 했다. 티-익스프레스가 어떤 것인지 미리 알았더라면 탈 생각도 없었을 것 같았다. 너무 무서워서 더 이상 생각하고 싶지 않았다.  그 최고의 롤러코스터를 타고 난 다음에 다른 걸 탈 필요가 없다고 했다. 세께에서 6번째로 제일 높은 롤러코스터를 타 봐서 기분이 좋았다. 그 것은 진짜 잊을래야 잊을 수가 없는 추억이 되었다.

the Amazing Race season 19

TAR ( The Amazing Race) season 19. TAR is back.
I used to watch it on AXN channel back home. But, now that I live in Seoul and  have not yet installed any satellite, I could not watch it as it airs on AXN. Instead, I had to other options but to see it online.:)
What interests me most is the fact that the episodes, 2 and 3 are shot in my hometown, Yogyakarta.
Wow I did not know this until I watched it online.
I loved it.
I was evenly surprised that the street dance performance that most people would just regard it as a polite way of asking money on the street....has become one of the challenging tasks for the teams.Oh, the Borobudur temple episode (episode 3) is also enjoyable to watch, especially when the teams had to count the number of Buddhist statues on the temple.
I love also some analysis on the TAR series on http://www.theamazingraceanalysis.com/
Just to give a clue as how it is...I'd better upload a video from YouTube as well.

Everland Resort

The videos I captured at Everland Theme Park

Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2011 (part 2)

Here are some of the videos I captured while squatting in the midst of the cheering crowds.

Seoul International Fireworks Festival 2011

The first time I saw it live in a closer look like this.
Before...I watched fireworks mostly on TVs....
but....today I experienced one of the best moments in living in Seoul.....which truly boasts itself as a city of festivals.
This week alone....if I did not refrain myself from not going...I'd end up having festivals after festivals......each week.

So, today..I was in Youido park at the Hangang river bank just the opposite one of the famous landmarks of Seoul, i.e. 63 building--home of Hanhwa..that I learned was the main sponsor of this fireworks festival.
I could not describe the 3D feelings that I felt...because I was dumbfoundedly speechless as I gazed and stared with awe.....at the fireworks on display.
Marvelously wonderful....:)

got to go there again next year..

or better yet...I'd better go to other fireworks festival in Korea throughout the year:)

T Express: The 7th steepest wooden coaster in the world

So," I have been to Everland"...well, this catch-phrase seems to be so lame and outdated.......but if we rephrase it into......I've been on T Express in Everland....well, it might change a bit:)

Yes, I learned that this T-express was built in 2006. I turned out to be the first wooden roller coaster in Korea. Some say that it boasts itself as the largest of any kind in the country. And...what is more interesting is that....it is dubbed the 6th longest wooden coaster in the world and.....it is.....about 2 km long:) -- I just learned about it, too.  oh gosh oh gosh..I never thought that I just rode that!!!! 

One more thing....it is also the steepest one. After browsing on the net,....it is said that its drop is inclined to be 77 degrees. I would never have taken the ride had I known this before. So, should I say.....it was fortunate that I did not anything about it until after I was on it? yes, pretty much..that was the case. I would not have...if I had known...But..still, I guess I would have....as well.

and..I came to realize as to why it is called the T Express...because it turned out that the logo of the coaster is derived from the SK Corporation's SK telecom.

Wait...there are more interesting facts about this that I got from Wikipedia: 

Apart from the fact that it is the steepest wooden roller coaster (77 degress), its drop is the 7th steepest in the world. And..the attraction time is 3 minutes!!! making it the longest in Asia and 7th in the world. What's more? Its altitude is 56 m, making it the highest in Asia and 3rd in the world. The maximum speed is said to be 104 km, the fastest in Asia and 8th in the world. They say something about the G-force (Gravity force)...but I do not understand what it means...so I might as well leave it. 

The first time I saw the brochure of the park, I set my eyes on this particular attraction, simply because I have been other ones the last time I was here back in 2002. :) long time ago. Nothing changed much except for this particularly thrilling ride: T express. 

I could see from the looping and circling queuing lines.......it was one of the top attractions.

So, although I knew that we had to wait for one hour....I thought...we had to make a decision to stay and be in the queue. 

I took the picture while waiting for my turn:)

It turned out to be quite true. It PAID OFF. I was hilariously excited to have been on it.

With my friend, Elmira, we were waiting for like 1 hour more.....and during which we talked and took some snapshots of the surrounding. We were then followed along by our groups who also decided to take this monster:)

I guess the reasons as so many of our friends decided to take this ride was simply because we had only 3.5 hours to enjoy the park. We did not have that much time...so taking the most thrilling ride would be an even accomplishment in itself. And..that was practically what I had in mind. Once I had myself on this one, I could say enough to other attractions and used the best of my time by enjoying the scenery there.

.....

The waiting was okey, I guess because we knew that it would come up with something worth-waiting for. The line was getting closer and closer to the entrance. I was a bit shocked and kinda wondered to myself as to why I lured myself into this 'intended jeopardy' :) I was enchanted and thrilled at the thought of having thrown myself in the midst of crowds who are waiting in line.

As I got inside or underneath the coaster, on our way to the stairs leading to the ride, I was flabbergasted to see the all wooden constructions that practically supported this whole thing. It was a sight ...unbelievable to grasp. I came to wonder whether it would be safe and all of those kinds tingling questions....that kept popping up on my head. But, no matter I tried to get rid of them...they just kept coming back. I felt the shivering lump on my throat. 

But, I got no other choice but to move on...until I realized that I was on the seat and have the double seat belt on.
There.......no words could describe it.

It was over.

I was tossed around my seat.....in a seemingly endless thrilling ride.

I did it....... though I was surely drenched in cold sweat of satisfaction.....of conquering the challenge. 

I did not close my eyes...but afterwards...even two days afterwards...I still can feel the pain on my neck, shoulder and my back. I bet it was because I was so tensed during the 3 minute ride on that thing:)

Wait...the question is....DO I WANT TO TAKE THE RIDE AGAIN?

yes......OF COURSE. 

I thought I could not believe it myself.....but the idea of taking the ride again...is already lurking in.

One of the most memorable moments in Korea. Indeed, it will be.

Finally Got My Hair (?) Cut or Trimmed

Hair? well....some of my friends might wonder what hair that I might be referring to..:) It is because I am bald and I have whatsoever none left on my head:). But, frankly, I still got some left (chuckles) on my head. And when they do grow, they won't grow as fast and boldly as they should:). wait...they? It seems like I can count them....well...of course I can't, simply because it is hardly there....I can just affectionately refer my remaining hair....as 'they':)
It has been a month and a week after my arrival in Seoul. And....since then...I just kinda kept it grow. Of course, I had it cut with the help of my friends Wawan. I brought myself a trimmer...but since it is so big and hard to use and to handle....we simply could not use it properly.
As a result....I just somewhat let my hair grow for the past one month........
So, my friends & classmates think that I am bald...but I do have some hair left.
And...now.....I have none!
Thanks to the miyongsil 미용실or beauty salon/shop that I found a bit far from campus...for its cheap price and its   kind imo 이모 'auntie' who runs the shop.
I have always been in a kind of reluctant state of having my 'hair' cut simply because it is relatively expensive just to have my 'hair' cut or trimmed. The average price for cutting hair is 10,000 Won or even at some places they charge 12,000 Won depending on the place.
So, the other day...I bumped into this seemingly 'secluded' hair salon in an area off campus.
I came the other day first..just to ask how much it would for cutting / trimming my hair, the imo said it would be 7000 Won but she said she could give me a cheaper price.......(I am sure) after seeing my head:) * chuckles*
I was so excited to hear the news and promised her that I would come the following day.
So, as soon as I was back home from Friday prayer at Itaewon....after 30 minute ride by metro....I was back to my area (Imundong).....
As I was walking towards the salon, I realized that I had none left in my wallet.....so I got to go to the bank first to have some cash and then...rushed myself back again to the salon. It means-- of course--I got to walk up the street again......
well....for the sake of my new look (no no not new..but for my old & original '원래') I stuck to my plan of having my hair trimmed for the first time after a month long time overdue.

As soon as I opened the door of the shop, a smiling and attentive auntie greeted me. Judging from the eyes and the quick movement that she made, I reckoned she remembered me and without further ado....she just said 'Oh, ok...let's have a seat here.'
I did not have to explain more about what I wanted to do with my hair(?)...simply because she kinda knew instantly what I wanted it to be in the first place.
Yes...you guessed it folks..
She just did my hair...nicely.
Really...I did not have to wait....long until she finished trimming my hair.
She was a nice lady who.....did not stop talking about how I would look should I keep my style like this ( of course I knew even without her letting me know)...but I just let her do her job and tell stories.^^
I guess it will be another chance for me to experience the real usage of Korean language in a beauty shop where most customers are .....women.....:) ^^ I am excited to hear more of what they have to offer for me in the realm of Korean language experience.
back to my story....
after a 3-minute..showdown...^^ I got my style back.
and what is more interesting was the fact that she gave me a high-school price...which was only 6,000 Won.:)

Whopppppyyyy...

It never occurred to me that I finally got what I wanted with my hair...and more than that...it is relatively cheap compared to other places......and ...better yet.......the imo (auntie) is a nice one. Guess..I'd be her regular customer, then.^^
Simply put....I was and am so excited to see my head the way it used to be again after one month of letting it grow. ^^
And...to capture the moment of the first hair cut (trim) ever in Seoul...........I took some snaps of my head:)
Well..the narcissistic Suray is back.

cleanly shaved or trimmed hair (head, I mean)
the look as of October 8, 2011 :)

the scar on my forehead keeps reminding me of what my daughter--Frey--a did to me
two week prior my departure to Korea. I love it. 

I like the cleanly shaved or trimmed ridge of my head...
because I don't need to brush my hair....

Cafetaria at Global Campus, HUFS Yongin

I just love the cafetaria at HUFS, Yongin campus. It's more spacious...and more importantly...it looks comfy with its modern touch.
For sure, it is like this since this is kinda new.
Well, I do not know about the taste of the food, though since I had some snacks from the convenient store for my lunch, instead of the food being served there.
We just used the cafetaria to have lunch.
We were there on our campus tour to see how the Global campus (that's how it is called) is all about.
We kinda like it
But..the downside....it means we have to climb up the hilly surroundings everyday. Not for me:) hehehe.
So, in the mean time...I am pretty much satisfied with the Seoul campus. I can just take a campus bus and go to Yongin again some other time.

Everland Resort

To sum it up in one word: Indescribable!
Well, yes...that was exactly what I felt.
Well, actually I would not have summed it this way, had I not been on T EXPRESS, which boasts to be the 6th tallest wooden  roller coaster in the world. ( I should check on this whether it is true),but one thing for sure...I was flabbergasted and aghast and gasped as I realized that the first turn was 90 degrees down below in the speed that I could not describe....^^
That was the highlight of the trip to Everland.

T Express Thrilling Ride

It  happened to be the 35th anniversary of Everland

The Halloweeen fiesta dotted the parks everywhere

Felix, me, Jobirson, Emma (the sticky glued folks)

at HUFS Yongin Campus. The lake in the forest of oblivion

I remembered the fresh air I breathed there....compared to that in Seoul:)

It was worth it. the 50 minute wait in the loooooooongg queeeuee......PAID OFF.!
So, the trip to Everland was one included packaged designed by our university, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, to accommodate the students during their stay here to 'scream and shriek' out loud..:) Nooo..of course not. what I mean is that...it is actually an inclusive free package for the whole international students currently studying at HUFS campus.
the trip was managed to show the students the second campus of HUFS which is located at the outskirts of Seoul, in Yongin are. It is a 2-hour ride by bus to the southern part of Seoul. The campus turned out to be 30 times way way much bigger than HUFS campus in Imundong where I am studying now.
Well, it was worth visiting, because it offers different atmosphere of learning. It is surrounded by hills and lush vegetation. In addition, a lake and the forest of OBLIVION, yes you guessed it, folk.....are also inclusive in the area. Hmmm it reminds me one of Harry Potter's magical spells. "oblivioso" so as to make us forget all the troubles and feel happy about something.

Well, whether it has something to do with that.....I got to check this out.

Now, back to the trip,
the international office staffs went with us along side with some students from ISO (international students organizations). Well, I should thank the university for giving me a chance to see the campus and moreover..the 10-minute-drive-from-campus: Everland Theme Park. Indeed, it was a great time that I had.
Oh...more on the pictures are in Facebook:)

Today: Everland theme park, Korea

yes..
I am supposed to have or to be in the class today. BUT....
I can be out of the class without being regarded as skipping even when I am actually going to Everland theme park just a 2-hour ride from Seoul.
Isn't it tempting?
Well, it is because the school organized this trip.:)
All foreign students be it the new or the old ones, be it on scholarship or not....are eligible to participate in this trip. Well, actually, the trip is actually to introduce the students to the second campus of HUFS at Yongin area. This campus is 30 times bigger than the one we have in Seoul:) (I got to prove that it is 30 times bigger as my friend told me). ^^
So, after a visit to the campus, we will be ushered to experience the theme park which is just a few minutes away from campus.
Can not wait to have fun and experience what it has to offer.
Bismillahirrohmanirrohim. 
Then, after coming back to Seoul......I still got to finish my translation for Prof. Cho.:), got to finish my homework for the Reading class; got to meet Prof. Yang to do some stuffs; and ...:) well....
It's one at a time....
but, first.....it's ......the Everland Resort and Theme Park