Itaewan - Seoul

I was never much of a fan of Itaewan. The first time I was there I didn't like it at all. It reminded me of just a smaller, more crowded, version of some parts of Bloor St. back in Toronto. Itaewan is the foreigner section of Seoul and is the only area of town where foreigners seem to out number the Koreans. The main draw of the area is that most shops have an English speaker. So communication is easier.

On this somewhat cold saturday, I wandered into the side streets instead of staying on the main drag and found some more character to the area than I had seen on my first trip there. I was also pleasantly surprised at some of the things I found along the way, too. I found a place that actually sold real airsoft toys instead of the watered down versions normally found in Korea. Guess I'll have to return to that store again. But, my main reason for the trip was to find a travel agency and this I found, too. I'll just have to return another day as I didn't have my passport with me as that is needed to make a booking. I plan to go to Hong Kong at the end of January, 2010, during my winter break. Can't wait!

Dinner later that evening was at an Indian restaurant and the food was remarkably authentic in taste and very good, too. Although, I found the portions to be a bit small and the price a bit expensive, especially for Korea where food is usually very reasonable. But, all in all, not a bad day.

Plus, my new camera performed beautifully on the cold day. I was reluctant to buy it initially as there were no reviews out on it yet and it was quite expensive for what it is. But, I'm now very glad I did. Image quality approaching that of a DSLR. Not bad, not bad. Just have to sell the old one now to pay for the new one!

Incheon Subway System

The Incheon subway system is big, very BIG. It's also part of the Seoul subway system. You can travel for days on it and not even cover all the stops. On this day, saturday, I tried a new route into Seoul and found some really nice new stations that looked great. Plus, some really nice new trains, too. Not all stations and trains look this good, though. So, this was a nice change.

I also bought a new camera a few weeks ago. Something small so that I can carry it everywhere I went. This outing gave me the chance to try out the new camera in the field, too. I think it passed with flying colours. The best small sensor pocket camera on the market right now.

Day 1: HFK Form 3 Camp, Port Dickson

Yet another camp from the church and I was really excited! This time, the form 3 students from Cathetism class are going to Port Dickson for our camp, while the form 1 and 2 students are to go to Semenyih for their camp at the same time.

When I first arrived at the church at 6.45 a.m, I could only find the form 1 and 2 students about, but none of my classmates are to be found! Well, as my luggage was quite heavy for me to carry for sometime (must've packed in too many 'just in cases'), I used the rollers and dragged it down the road to look for the others.

It soon got pretty embarassing for me to drag the bag on the road, making loud, unnessary noises, also causing people to turn their heads to look at me. At first, I walked slowly, so that there would be less noise. No use, there are still others looking at me. Finally, I ran to the other side making an even louder noise but just to get it over with. By the time I made it there, I found the others over the other side where I started from again!

Of course, I carried my bag this time and gingerly made my way over to our teacher Christine to register myself there. In our group, we have an equal number of boys and girls; 14 boys and 14 girls. What a nice number!

When we've reached our destination at last, everybody gathered their rubbish and collected their luggages as we alighted the bus.

The venue of our camp was held at the Methodist centre, Port Dickson. Its has a huge area, including a football and volleyball field, dormitrys, a canteen, toilets, and not forgetting a hall for us to conduct our activities.

Before we started our first session, we were each given a brown envelope to write our names on. This is because we were to do this activity called 'Guardian Angels' during our camp. Everybody has to pick a random name and the person you pick will be your mortal. This means that as their guardian angel, you are supposed to write something positive about your mortal and put it in their envelope which will be hung at the hall along with the others. Of course, the person you picked should be a secret until the end of the camp, so, I won't reveal my mortal until then.

This is my envelope! Isn't it pretty???

During our first session, we were having this discussion about weather we would die for our faith or not. During this time, our speaker that time was Branden who asked for a voluteer from the boys who would guarantee that they would die for their faith. Our brave hero who came out was Victor.


So this was his test, Branden asked him, "Would you die for you faith right now?" and Victor answered, "Yes?"

WHAM!

And so, our next brave hero was Marcus!

Marcus: Ohh damn.... here it comes......

WTF? What taking so long???

Little that he knows that Branden was right at the back ready to come running into him with the pillow!

Branden: HERE I COME

Marcus: AHHHHH!!

*********

So anyway, we had the ice breaking activities such as remebering each others name and getting to know more about each other. After that, we had lunch.

Eventually, our talks about the 7 deadly sins led to lust, where I learned A LOT during that session.... *shivers* Poor Christine must've been pretty embaressed on talking about it, like how do people masturbate, and our 'body parts'....

When the time came for us to take a break, we had planned to go to the beach at first, but unfortunately, it was raining cats and dogs that day! So, we ended up taking a bath while others chose their beds in the girl's dormitry.

For me, I prefer to sleep at the bottom deck so that I would be able to sleep in the darkness (I can't stand sleeping with the lights on), plus, I wouldn't have to climb up and down the bed, which is quite a nuisance to me, especially if I forgot something.

We then proceeded to the canteen for tea time and played UNO cards there.

We then gathered again at the hall for our rosary session and after that, we had dinner. Right after dinner, we played 'Pepsi Cola' with the others outside the hall.

Presenting, the losers of the group!

Like the last youth camp, we too had this Inner Healing session. Once again, I really didn't feel like crying at all! There were people hugging and crying and I was like talking to myself in my head, "Hey, um..... I believe this is the part where you are supposd to cry hysterically now?" But I just can't shed a tear, not even a sniffle like some of the guys were doing then.

Well, in the dark room, Branden began singing praises to God while playing on his keyboard as Marcus was walking over to each person and pray over them.

Not long after he prayed over me, I saw Stephanie down on the floor! Oh not again! Then the guy next to her fell down as well. Soon, one after the other, there was quite a number of people already down on the floor weeping silently.

I feel so left out! Oh why can't I feel sorrowful like them???

After the Inner Healing session was over, we formed a circle in the hall for the washing of the feet session. We were told to first think of the person whom we think have hurt the most. Then, we were told to also think of the person who have hurt us the most too and focus on these two people in our heads.

As we thought about those two people in our minds, there was a basin and a bucket of water placed before us. Then, we were supposed to wash the feet of the person on our left by first imagining washing the feet of the persom whom we have hurt the most and then wash the other feet while thinking of the person who has hurt us the most. After that is done, we are to give the person a big bear hug as a sign of forgiveness. This is the teaching of humility and forgiveness.

When everybody has already washed each other's feet, we were also told to wash the feet of the person who has hurt us in that very room or the person who we have hurt. Everybody began crossing the room to wash each other's feet except for me, because I honestly couldn't remember anybody in that room who has hurt me, nor do I remember anybody whom I may have hurt. But if there was anybody who I may have hurt, then please accept my sincere apology.

When everybody was done, the session was over.

During the free time at night, I began writing positive notes for the guardian angel thing. Although we may have our mortal, we are also free to write to whomever we please. So along with my mortal's letter, I wrote a few other letters for those I believe that really needs some cheering up. I even wrote something random like 'Nice hair!' or 'Keep staying beautiful' for some lucky random people.

After that, I retired for the night.

Day 2: Fun Under the Sun

I woke up by the sounds of a girl's voice and peeked at my phone to find that it was 6 something in the morning. I remembered that breakfast is at 7.30 a.m so I fell asleep again.As soon as I woke up again, it was already 7.00a.m and so I lay down and tried to recall last night.

Last night, although I may be asleep, I can still hear the voices of gossip and giggles from the girls. Not long after that, I soon heard a group of boy's voice in our dormitry. Funny, now why would the boys be in our dorm? I could hear them talking for quite sometime and can tell that they've been in our dorm for quite awhile already. Once in a while, if somebody speaks too loudly, there was the sound of others hushing each other to speak softly as there were a few of us asleep.

Going to the bathroom to washup, I found a few others already taking a bath (typical...). At the breakfast table, I asked a few girls about last night and why were the boys in our dorm. I soon found out that its because there was a fight last night!

Aparently, the owner of the place wasn't too happy when the dormitry was still open so late at night (its supposed to be closed by 11.00p.m). And, if I'm not mistaken, everybody else slept at 3 something in the morning! Therefore, he demanded RM50 for that. Of course, it sounded kinda silly and ridiculous so of course they refused. But, that's all I could find out, unfortunately. I really don't know what happened after that.

After breakfast, Christine announced that we're going to the beach! How thrilled we were! Having some spare time, I decided to take a walk around the place.

I even found a little chapel where we could've celebrated mass, had we found a priest to come over.

Its quite a small one actually, so maybe our whole group may not be able to fit in comfortably?

Well, by the time I was done exploring the place, I realized that the group has already left for the beach, and I had to run to catch up to them!

How did I ever find time to snap a picture while in a hurry, I just don't know! At last, we've finally reached the beach!

We had such a grand time! There were some who began taking pictures of each other, while others started to have rock throwing competitions.

Check out these few other photos as well!

And finally, our group pic!

Not long after that, We headed back to the hall where we playd some games and revealed our guardian angels. I was the guardian angel for Andrea Stella and when it was her turn to stand up out there to find out who was her angel, I waited for a dramatic pause *cheh* (there was music by the way, played by Brandon which made things even more dramatic). Finally, I stood up to reveal myself and we hugged each other. Now, it was my turn to find out who was my guardian angel. Turns out to be Alisa!

From left: Alisa and Andrea

We also received a blessed crucifix each. Mine is actually quite special. Jesus wasn't exactly in the middle of the cross, more to the side, actually. But, its pretty unique, so I shall treasure it.

All in all, the camp was no doubt, another great adventure and I owe it all who made it happen. Thank you, Christine, Uncle Thaddeous, and Uncle Clement, we had such a wonderful time. And thank you to our speakers, for giving us your time. On behalf of our class, we are very grateful and appreciate your efforts! God bless all of you!

Namsan - Seoul

I went to Namsan yesterday to check out Seoul Tower, which is on top of "South Mountain" in Seoul. This is the highest point in the city and it affords a wonderful panoramic view of the entire city in 360 degree glory. The day was cold and windy and only got worse as the sunset. But, it was still an enjoyable day. The cable car ride up was fun and the scenery along the way, as well as at the top, was breath taking.

I also went back to Namdaemun to pick up the new Canon PowerShot S90 camera later that evening, too. I tried to find this camera when it first came out about a month ago, but had no luck in finding it in Korea at all. It was too soon after the introduction. Now, they seem to be everywhere. I went to Canon Plaza, one of only two(?) Canon authorized dealers in the city to buy it. The price was less expensive than the dealers in Bupyeong, Incheon.

My original camera was too big as a carry everywhere camera and I wanted something much smaller, but still with decent image quality. I think I found it in this little guy. The large and cumbersome nature of the old camera did not inspire me to take it with me where ever I went. This new one should solve that problem.