Namhansanseong 남한산성 Trip (part 2)

Finally, we reached to (almost) the top part of the fortress.

If I am not mistaken, it all started in the early 7 Century until it's part completion in the early of 17 Century. 

anyway..enough with historical fact/stories...that I could not fathom to 'memorize' 

One thing for sure, the seemingly intact fortress which looked like a mini version of the Great Wall...did intrigue me. 

especially..the snow just fell and it added to the eerie-ness that I bumped into when I laid my eyes on it. 

Yes...even on a clear daylight..the whole Seoul would be visible. I could barely see the being-constructed Lotte Tower..far beyond below. 

now with some of our fellow friends who hiked along together. 

and..... 

Prof. Yang who --I was overwhelmed myself--accompanied us along the trails. 

now..let's go up into another section of the Namhansanseong...^^

Namhansanseong 남한산성 Trip (part 1)

On Dec. 12, 2014 we went to Namhansanseong.

Some Indonesian students were invited by the Senior Public Diplomats (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to join in the trip. 

ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

But, first..we got to have lunch ...at Outback Steak House...which I did not enjoy since I am a VEGETARIAN^^ㅋㅋㅋ

but luckily..I could order something else. 

anyway..long story short...it took us about 2 hours from Seoul to reach this UNESCO designated heritage in Korea.: Namhansan Fortress. 

Gee..it's so cold and we got to climb up the mountains/hill.s 

First, we got a chance to be briefed about the history of the fortress. 

nope, I won't write it down here.

As usual..pictures will do the talking!! 

now..up up up...we got to go..up.

Youido @ Night from Afar

I was ready to go home from work. Yup, it's 5 pm, but since it's winter...the sun's down early and the sky's bright with lights in winter.

My fave mall (IFC Mall) was visible..the tallest building. But, of course, it's just the location..not all of them is the mall. wait..what am I talking about? 

ok..I just want to remember the recollections I had when I took these pictures. 

The lights on on those office buildings. Time to go home.

One 포장마자 or street vendor (a colorful tent) is visible. 

The trees-with-leaves dotted the streets. 

and..I was on my way to enter the 국회의사당역 the National Assembly Station (line 9) ..the very station I use whenever I go to work.

It's Winter 2014. 

a recollection..worth-remembering.

Going to School in Winter (2014)

Winter's school holiday's officially begun, of course. But, there are pictures that I should've posted on this blog weeks ago. So, here are some of them. I was (as usual) taking the kids to school.

It's winter....yes..no snow was visible. But, it's cold. 

ear-muffs. thick jackets. gloves= indispensable accessories.

wait, accessories? nope, they are must-have equipment.

even with the morning sun's shining...it's still shivering cold.

Then...off we went to a bus stop...waiting for the bus. 

and prior to all of those outdoor steps, we got to take a subway, first.

a morning routines.

Some of Our Friends' Visit to Seoul (2014)

December 2014. There're some visits from our students/friends who happened to be visiting Seoul either for a short visit or research.

Wachid and his girlfriend, Mirah. Both are our students!

and then..Wawan..I think it's like his 3rd or 4th visits to Seoul. Well, yes..he's been busy with his schedule in Cia Cia.^^ 

and then...Eddo. He's back to Seoul just for one week for his final exam!

Gee..anyhow...it's good that he managed to drop by to our home.

Eddo, good luck with your study.

Mbak Nining and Mas Nanang's visit was only a few days before the end of 2014.

Yes, finally we met again. 

Mas Nanang finally came to Seoul to live with his wife, mbak Nining who's now studying at Inha University.

We became friends since we're working at the same office back home in Jogjakarta...so meeting them again in Seoul was like a dejavu. 

Oops...it's a bit blurry...hmm Freya...!!!^^

UT Korea Radio Meeting

I invited most of the crew members of UT Korea Radio to have a somewhat forced-on meeting since we got some important stuffs to deal with before the year-end.^^ 

What a big family we are.

Standing: Hari, Awan, mas Khoirul.

Sitting: Me, Aris, Ben, Diko, Ms. Kwon's Mom, Ms. Kwon, Hadi (eating), and Dikka. 

Most of them, well, happened to be the boys. the girls couldn't make it. but 

it was indeed a productive meeting.

Ben, Aries, Diko, Shane, Dikka, Hari, and Awan. 

Who would've thought that one of them is now in Indonesia for good.

So, this's been a great moment we shared.

...indeed...

and..they got me on camera when I was bidding them goodbye...^^

KISEAS Seminar

 

A chance to have a picture with Prof. Shim, an expert in Hallyu and Media Studies. After meeting him first in 2010..well... in Jogjakarta, we occasionally met for academic endeavors in Seoul. This time around..thanks to him..we met again in Busan for this seminar. 

Not much to tell..but it was indeed a good day.

Then..of course I also met my long-time friend, now Dr. Park Kwan-woo, who just got his Ph.D from Sussex University in 2014. We met back then in Jogjakarta when he studied Indonesian language and culture in Universitas Gadjah Mada..hmm was it like 2004? gee..I did not remember but..one thing for sure...we met again in Busan for KISEAS seminar..which was a big deal.

We're now researching the same topic..about Indonesian migrant workers.--which is a great thing to start. 

Staying One Night @ Haeundae Beach

....Went to Busan for a seminar. (no stories-related). just pictures...

Stayed at one of the hotels near Haeundae Beach. 

Good Morning, Suray. 

It's a hotel operated by Korea's chain: Bennikea.

A small hotel but..for one night..it's okay. 

waking up to a beautiful scenery seen from my hotel window...ㅋㅋㅋ 

The sun's shining..and...I could see the well..a bit obstructed view.. 

selfie.. 

I was trying to reach out to the far beyond scenery...

Then...I managed to take some shots of the city.

Oh wait..this was taken from Paradise Hotel where I had my seminar.

View from the 16th floor. Haeundae Beach in Winter...completely different from summer splash.^^

Looking down ... 

and..looking up straight into the vast ocean....

Daejon December 2014

Some yet to be posted pictures of me with friends in Daejon. Yup, we managed to 'sneak' out of our busy schedules to go to Daejeon for some blitzkrieg meeting.

Sure..lunch was not to be skipped for. 

Though I did not eat any of this famous grilled fish..yet I enjoyed my time with them. 

Had a chance to visit IMNIDA, a musholla designed for Muslims in Daejon. 

And..what would be a Daejon Trip without some local delicacies? 

@ Daejeon KTX Station, we got to queue just to buy these delicacies.

It's called Sung Sim Dang cake. yup..worth the wait!^^

새해 복 많이 받으세요

오늘 2015년 1월 1일이다.
새해다.
오래만에 블로그에다 아무것도 쓰지도 않고 그냥 두어 버렸다.
드디어 오늘 1월 1일이네. 참...
카톡이나 라인  페북에서 받은 매세지가 '새해 복 많이 받으세요'란 메세지밖에 없다.
좋죠 뭐.
새로운 시작이 되길 바라며 ....풍성한 한 해가 되기 바란다.
Bismillah 모든 일이 잘 하길 바라죠.