Hello!
So I'm in the UK and in my house. The flight was long, 11 hours this time. I managed to watch, Monsters vs Aliens, 17 Again, Bride wars, Back to the future and I love you Man. It was crazy and the food was horrible. I had this crazy Korean girl who put her seat all the way back and then would sit up, not even to use it! I twinged my back too, it really really hurt but Helena was so nice and bought me these strip things to help it.
At one point on the plane, we went through turbulence and the plane just dropped, I did mutter some words under my breathe and the guy next to me thought we were all going to die but it was okay, apparently the quickest way out of clouds is to just drop through the air.
We got off in Paris and transferred quickly, we waited an hour and got on a tiny airbus only to go up and then down, it was an amazing flight and when we got to Heathrow, our luggage arrived really early on.
Mam and Dad bought a big sign with my name on, I felt like a movie star. I managed to chat the whole journey back to wales and in the house, it was about 1am when we finally all got to bed.
Overall I loved Seoul and I really want to go back, maybe see Japan and China next time.
Here are the things I learnt in Korea:
1. If your white, prepared to get stared at.
2. No one knows where Wales is.
3. In Seoul, Vegetarian = eat everything, get ready to live on rice...
4. The North of Korea is a scary place.
5. Although mainly a Buddhist country, many people are only Buddhist in Theory.
6. Be prepared to eat the same thing for lunch, dinner and breakfast.
7. No one follows Confucius anymore.
8. When people start getting off the tube in mass numbers, follow them.
9. Get ready to see alot of Palaces and Temples.
10. Just because someone is a monk, don't expect them to act like it.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my time in Korea,
Logging off for the last time,
Angharad

Labels: Angharad john, angylionangharad, bimbamba, bye, donguk university, goodbye, logging off, merthyr tydfil, seoul, twelsh

Hiya,
So was very tired and went to bed earlish after writing my blog. I got up and had a shower about 6ish and my breakfast at 7.15ish. Now inbetween the time I went into the bathroom and brushe dmy teeth, father had his brecfast, got dressed and put on his shoes and was calling me to hurry up. I'm not really sure how he manages to do it but one day I'll catch him out.
We got to class really early so I got us good seats. Luckily we could finish at 10.40 as it was Dongguk graduation for some of the monks and teachers. Because the weather was good and we were all feeling refreshed we decieded that today would be good to do the Inwangsan Shamanist Hillside Walk. Now, I really do hate Korea Sparkling because not only did it lie to me about Noodle X being open, but it also lied to me about it being a 'hillside'walk. First we had to get out of the tube station and walk up this really hard slope, then up this hill to the top where we met some Americans and chatted then up some steps, and that was just the beginning. We got lost and started chatting to a monk who let us go in the temple alone to film and take pictures as much as we wanted. We searched high and low for the Shamanistic icons but only found Buddhist ones until the last 5 minutes where we spotted the drawings in the corner. We then moved on up the mountain, yes mountain, to these rocks which apparently look like a monk praying. I couldn't see it but apparently it brings fertillity. I figured I'd get blessed ready for the future and I done my prayers. I done extra as it's more work to ask for a girl than a boy, it sucked and my legs hurt after a while. We filmed a little and realised that there was a monk sitting on top of the mountain. Stupidly we figured we could get to him, how wrong we were.
We passed the Shamanistic temple, which was closed to our dismay, and carried on up the rocks. We met the American couple and figured that if they were climbing the mountain, than we definately could. Helena was a tad nervous of heights so I went first, she as behind and the Caroline at the rear. It was at this point that we realised flip flops were not the best idea in the world. I tried to find logs and gap in the stones to climb up and we stopped at the highest point to drink the cleansing mountain water. I'm pretty sure we almost deprived the rest of Seoul water for that time as it was really nice and cold. We carried on through the mountain and then started our descent. This was easier said than done and the sweat was running down me. I was at the back this time due to not being confident with going downhill. Helena became one with the forest and walked barefoot most the way and helped me to not slide down the hills.
We finished our walk and realised we smelt really quite bad and had to go meet a film direstcor. We wandered around a little and bought some t-shirts and spray and wetwipes to clean up. I thinkw e done agood job. We then went to meet Mahinda ina new area to get a taxi to the directors house. It was a strange place we went to, near an army base so many white girls and boys. It was unnverving and I really didn't like it there. It was too.. western and I think I'm now prefering the company of Asian people. There were all Americanised stores and one even called, ENGLAND! It was really disturbing. We bought a cake for Lee Myung-se, the director and went to his office in a taxi. He was a very nice guy and smoked like a trouper. He made us a lot of black coffee and was great to interview, I felt very lucky to interview him and he made me realise that I should be doing film, that life is too short. I could relate to him very much and we got talking about Anime and Manga series. I told the girls that he was my temple, my church. I am in much awe of the man. I gave him my email and youtube address, I hope maybe he will contact me.
After the interview his producer and assistants joined us and we went to Myeongdong for dinner. We walked up a dingey alleyway and I was surprised at how cool the resturant was. I had three bowls of rice wine which is really nice and he was kind and ordered omlette, cucumber, fruit salad and tofu for me and Caroline. Everyone had a good laugh and we made jokes about Mahinda, calling him the monk paparazzi because he takes about a million or so photographs.
Anyway, logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, buddhist, donguk university, free market, Lee Myung-Se, madu, mahinda, monk, mountain dew, seoul, shamanistic walk

Hiya,
So after I typed to you all online, I had an egg sandwich which has now led me to the conclusion that I really don't like eggs. I ate it all but felt really quite ill afterward.
Onto today, I got up and rushed because i was so tired from the temple and went to uni. I got some nice texts because my phone was being annoying but is all good now. I got in and met the new lecturer ready for Korean Buddhism. He's American and really really funny and comes out with these little stories ever so often. I read some of Katie Price followed by some of Midnight Sun (the online 5th in the series twilight book). We got some crisps in the lunch and the lecture was followed by Orientation and a special lecture. Both of these were highly boring so I carried on drawing doodles over and over before reading again.
Afterward we had a meeting with Mahinda as Lucy is going home to family reasons. We're going to Pusan tomorrow and although I was excited, I'm not so much anymore. Our meeting was quick and I managed to sneak in a few shopping moments before I got on the metro. However my mood was dampened by sop owners shouting 'big size big size'. Way to help the self esteem.
I got home and checked my university results before taken to a western restaurant to eat spaghetti. It was yummy and I tried my best to eat it all despite having bacon and pepperoni in it. We all had a pizza to share as well. We waited for father and in the meantime I got given a earring and necklace set off my host mother as a birthday present, it's a very pretty set!
We then met father and run to the cinema as it was 7pm and the film was starting. I enjoyed Harry Potter very much and on the way home I explained about Cyfarthfa. They were really impressed with how British ever thing seemed to be there.
Currently I'm just chilling out but I'm not feeling so happy.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: angharad, cyfarthfa high school, donguk university, harry potter, korea, pusa, shopping, unhappy

Hi,
I'm not quite sure what a green tea latte is but I didn't like it when I came and now I do. That and the fact I can't remember what a white person looks like is proof that I'm now a honorary Korean. I was still feeling rough today but the lecture was alright and in the break I joked with professor saying that I really wanna hang out with the Jain's and poke them in the eye, then it mentioned 'hanging out' in the lecture. I was dead impressed. We then had a break and had our special lecture, toady's was on Business and Korean investment opportunities; it sounds boring but was interesting and the guy was really amusing. We then hung around and got a burger king (well fries and onion rings, no wonder I'm getting fatter) before seeing the big boss guy. He was really nice and offered tea and coffee. We also saw his little girl on video call who was sooo cute, I want to steal her. The little Korean kids are adorable, I think I'll adopt one. We're lucky because we don't have to do an essay for class now as our assessment is the DVD not the course so we just get to get a certificate for showing up. We then went to the tube to go to Insadong where Caroline was chatted up by a fittie old man ;) and then started being flirted with by a student. Because of a loss of translation we got off too early and had to re catch the metro. We then got off and realized we were lost so Lucy tried to look on the big map when this crazy witch type lady came over and started shouting directions. We said thanks and hid until she was gone to bring out the map. However when we got the map out she reappeared and started shouting again, it was crazy! We proper run away from her and found our way by asking people. It was a nice after to just stroll and look at shops and buy some presents. Helena and Caroline figured out how to use their cards out here which is really good. We got shakes in between shopping and these students appeared downstairs with Free Hugs sign. As a laugh I decided to go down whilst Caroline and Helena filmed me. So I waited ages for this arrogant American to shift and then the Koreans were really excited and gave me hugs and waved to the camera. It looks so funny on film! We all had a laughing fit and was a bit sugar high before going back to shopping where we scared small children by trying to give them a Balloon. Before going home we got these weird fried potatoes on a stick, they were well nice. Caroline saw a shoe stall and was iffing and arring about thee shoes until we pointed out that their actually costing 1.50GBS. It was really funny and we definitely will be making fun of her for a while to come.
We all then went to the tube station and saw a sign for BIG CLOTHES, that meant us as it's hard to find Korean clothes for a British frame. After going our separate ways I was on the tube and the metro line stopped. A nice Korean man helped me by telling me I had to get off for the cleaners. I said thanks and stepped away, learning my lessons after other Korean people. However he kept talking and I just answered minimalistic answers hoping he'd go away but he'd keep talking and tried to let him walk me home. I declined and made out I was going a different way home but he didn't leave without a fight and I have his name, number and email address scrawled on my hand and I have his card. It turns out he's a director for an electricity company and would very much like to meet me for coffee and lunch. He's quite harmless but it's still crazy how the boys just home in on me. Caroline reckons it's because I'm quite cute looking in a Korean way, wearing the same dresses and speaking the same. If only though, I don't see the attraction, Korean girls are just so pretty, no, beautiful here, I can't see why a guy would look at a Caucasian girl ever again.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: asain, bath spa university, caucasian, DMZ, donguk university, dresses, guy, korean melon, south, stalker, wales

Hiya,
So today I'm not very well. I went to the lecture but went home early for fainting and managed to get home okay. When I got there, I got given 'special water' which basically knocked me out for about 6 hours. Lots of people rung me too, it was really annoying. The bank rung saying Caroline and I owe them money because they did not take off a charge. Then Mahinda rung saying that they is problems with the DMZ thing so we're no longer going, then a Korean man rung saying 'sri lanka, sri lanka' until I hung up and turned my phone off. I then got a note under my door asking what was wrong, to which I replied that I was feeling faint. I had more knockout water and some melon.
I am now feeling abit better but am still ill.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, DMZ, donguk university, hurts, ill, korean melon, tummy

Hiya,
So today I got dressed and fixed myself up before going to university. Father and I got a lift off mother but only to the Tube station. I got a seat early and was able to play animal crossing on my Nintendo. We got off and father saw a colleague who bought us a taxi, it was very kind of him. We got to university early and I was able to buy some biscuits and a Mountain dew. The others came in except for Lucy who is ill today, I feel bad for her as Migraines are horrible. I listened but I'd already studied the subject so it was a little boring to me. We where then allowed to go early so I went and changed some travellers cheques with Caroline. It took so long, about 30 minutes in all. I now appear rich in Korean Won when in sterling it is very little (5GBP=10,000 Won). We got our money and had Babimba in the canteen with Mahinda. I think he was Little upset as the nun did not have time to come and eat with us today. We discussed many things about filming and home. It made me a little home sick which was annoying as I'm getting used to Korea now.
We left Mahinda and went to the library to research and study although not much got done as we were mainly looking at photos and looking up touristy things to do as we are no longer going to JeJudo Island.
We decided to leave the computers and visit father. I told him we were going shopping and he gave us an orange juice to take with us. I think we really brighten up the office when we come over and say hi to everyone in the international place.
I decided that we should go to Myeong Dong so together we took the tube down. When we got there, we were so amazed we didn't know what to look at first. It was amazing, so many shops and clothes and shoes. I loved every second. We wandered for ages and picked up various things. Lotte department was very disappointing as it was very expensive and not very fun. Helena got hungry so we all went in search of food. On the way up we passed a noodle bar and there where white gentlemen sitting in the window, excited to see them I waved. They looked very awkward and apparently it meant we couldn't eat there. However, the girls hid me and we swallowed the embarrassment and went and sat down. We called over a few waiters and tried to explain that we didn't eat fish or meat. They tried to tell us that the only vegetarian meal was for two and because we are a three it wouldn't work. Helena tried auguring but eventually we got up and left. We wandered around for ages until they stopped for a cigarette and then I noticed an Indian place. It was a sauce, drink and nann for only 11,000 so we went up and tried to explain we were veggies. The guy was little confused at first but then when I showed him my Korean translation book he sat us and got a menu, there were loads of veggie curries so we ordered away. I also had a Lassi, a yogourt drink for the first time, it was really nice and cool. My mild curry was very hot but otherwise yummy. We talked over food and then went back to the shops where we got some clothes. I got the lushest dress, it's a kind of Lolita one and I got it for 5GBP, very happy.
Lucy said she was going home so we thought it'd be a good time to depart. I got on the train asap and got a seat so I played Nintendo on my way home. I called Gav and it was nice to talk to him, he thought I was saying something weird when I was saying hello in Korean to my doorman.
When I got in I had a lovely plate of watermelon sitting for me, I am very lucky. We talked about what to do tomorrow (it's host family day after university) and we are going to the cinema with brother and his friends to watch terminator. The films are in English with Korean subtitles so I should be okay. Brother got 0 wrong on maths, P.E and ethics, I'm very proud of him. Tomorrow is Geography and English, I said he must do well for me and I am currently giving him lots of tips.
I am hoping to join Erasmus when I get back to university in England because it's possible to study someplace. I am thinking of studying in Florence, Italy for my third year. However, I am yet undecided. I would really like to travel more and Italy seems ideal. I do enjoy Korea and maybe I will come back to the International school one day to teach English.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, britian, brother, donguk university, dresses, english, erasmus, exams, gavin, hungry, indian, korea, mahinda, mr kim, study, teacher, uk, yum

Hello again,
So today has been interesting. I left you when it was time to go see the teacher who teaches Indian Philosophy and helps with the international affairs. He gave us some lovely coffee (their instant has sugar and milk added already, a miracle!) and some Korean Green tea. It tastes pretty bland in flavour but probably does wonders in the detoxing world. I gave him the Rugby ball and he said his daughters would enjoy it. We than saw a photo of them, they are quite young and very cute. Lucy came late and brought her host student Olivia with her. We all chatted about certain things before going off to the University kitchen. We were very lucky and our lunch was being paid for by the University. The kitchen does western type food so we had two pizzas to share and I had a lovely cheese baguette and a coke. It was the nicest thing ever, seriously. After lunch we all separated to go check the mail and get some drinks before meeting Mahinda. We walked down to the Tube and rode for three stops. We decided that we would like one month rental mobile phones for safety and to contact one another. We walked around for what seemed like forever, but no one done the deal that we were hoping for. Whilst the others were talking, me and Caroline went for a walk and in the windows are really cute puppies up for sale. They were so sad looking but so cute. This one was very fluffy and had big puppy eyes. I took a photo, I wanted to bring him home. We went then to a English/Korean bookshop. There were so many anime books but most were in Korean, I'd never seen so many in my life. The others bought Korean guides and books about Buddhisim. Olivia was very kind and managed to bar gin with a phone retailer so now we have three (very crap) mobile phones for the month so I will get the number in case anyone would like to text or call me.
After the phones and books we wanted to visit tourist information to find leaflets for the tube and for things to do. Mahinda got us really lost because this man showed the wrong way. However we found a man who had lived in New York and spoke good english, he drew us a map and we were soon on our way! After walking around some more we found it and picked up as many information booklets as possible. I want to go to Dinoworld but it had already closed. I think we are going mud wrestling though. After about 10 minutes of being in the tourist information, some Korean group walked in. Myself and Caroline were sitting down when this very elderly lady started making her way towards us. I was abit worried because she was staring, having obviously not seen many westerners. Lucy noticed our worried looks and called us over only for 'dawn of the dead' lady to start following. We sharply made an exit and she still shuffled behind us. We were hysterical afterwards. The group met back up with Mahinda and we walked through the town to find some food. I spotted a McDonalds but everyone gave me evil looks. We went to many restaurants but the main vegetarian meal seems to be Babimba which we are not to keen on. We found one place but the food cost about 20(BPS) so we gave it a miss. The next one we found served beansprout noodles so we went and sat down. Lucy and Helena shared a massive broth on a heater whilst Caroline, Mahinda and I had the noodles. I wish someone had told me that they were served ice cold. It was a shock to the system and tasted mainly of just plain cooked spaghetti, not nice. Caroline accidentally gave me this chilli paste, I think my reaction was quite funny. Lucy and Helena had a same go at us for not eating meat which was annoying as I don't particular like eating meat and am fussy when I do.
We left the restaurant hungry so I slipped into a 7/11 and got a small snack. We made our way to the tube station but I needed the toilet. Little did I know it was a crazy hole in the ground one, really not nice! I had a right job to lift my trousers up and down at the same time. I got home about 10o'clock, it was scary walking in the dark but okay, lots of teenagers are in the parks playing football and it's very well light. I got in and felt lucky because I got fruit and an ice cream so I feel a little fuller. I had a really nice shower and we've been talking about the hostility between the north and south of Korea. It seems the South hope that they are reunited again soon.
Brother is practising his singing for an exam tomorrow, it's quite funny but sweet. I am nervous for him, he's very stressed out. I offered to take him to see Harry Potter when he is done with everything and he seemed happy at the suggestion. I think he really wants his game (he's getting pokemon) more than anything so he is studying all the time when I am home.
It is now 11.44 and I am very tired so I'm going to head off to bed. I hope all is well in the UK!
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, cold, donguk university, harry potter, hills, hot, ice noodles, international affairs, korea, north, south, sun, tourist office, uk, wales

Helloo,
I'm up at the uni really early again today, I guess it's just easier for me to go on the computers and it's takes me a long journey to get here anyway. On the way to uni I saw a poster for a vet and on it is a fox terrier! I took a photo straight away. I'm quite impressed that I got here on my own, vise versa with getting home last night.
I think today that we are meeting the man who made the trip possible, I have a welsh squashy rugby ball for him as a present. After that we are getting... PIZZA! I can't wait! Although me and Caroline have to find the place, that hsould be quite hard, the campus is so large. We're then going around the town and going to tourist information to get leaflets and broushures. Hopefully we'll have loads of time to go shopping. I'm not sure if I'll buy anything today but I definiatly want to find a Lolita shop.
This morning for brecfast I had facepack salad again along with Korean Melon. It was lovely but a little too sweet. Host mother stopped me beofre I went out the door today, I managed to get a treat for uni. Pocky (long biscuit sticks with chocolate on) and mountain dew. It made me laugh and she seemed very happy. I managed to walk with Brother today too. He was tired as he was up late studying hard. He really wants his computer game. I explained that my boyfriend also likes computer games.
I now have to go to international affairs to meet the others.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, donguk university, girl, korea, korean melon, merthyr tydfil, metro, mountain dew, pocky, salad, seoul, wales

Hello!
So I'm in the UK and in my house. The flight was long, 11 hours this time. I managed to watch, Monsters vs Aliens, 17 Again, Bride wars, Back to the future and I love you Man. It was crazy and the food was horrible. I had this crazy Korean girl who put her seat all the way back and then would sit up, not even to use it! I twinged my back too, it really really hurt but Helena was so nice and bought me these strip things to help it.
At one point on the plane, we went through turbulence and the plane just dropped, I did mutter some words under my breathe and the guy next to me thought we were all going to die but it was okay, apparently the quickest way out of clouds is to just drop through the air.
We got off in Paris and transferred quickly, we waited an hour and got on a tiny airbus only to go up and then down, it was an amazing flight and when we got to Heathrow, our luggage arrived really early on.
Mam and Dad bought a big sign with my name on, I felt like a movie star. I managed to chat the whole journey back to wales and in the house, it was about 1am when we finally all got to bed.
Overall I loved Seoul and I really want to go back, maybe see Japan and China next time.
Here are the things I learnt in Korea:
1. If your white, prepared to get stared at.
2. No one knows where Wales is.
3. In Seoul, Vegetarian = eat everything, get ready to live on rice...
4. The North of Korea is a scary place.
5. Although mainly a Buddhist country, many people are only Buddhist in Theory.
6. Be prepared to eat the same thing for lunch, dinner and breakfast.
7. No one follows Confucius anymore.
8. When people start getting off the tube in mass numbers, follow them.
9. Get ready to see alot of Palaces and Temples.
10. Just because someone is a monk, don't expect them to act like it.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my time in Korea,
Logging off for the last time,
Angharad

Labels: Angharad john, angylionangharad, bimbamba, bye, donguk university, goodbye, logging off, merthyr tydfil, seoul, twelsh

Hiya,
So was very tired and went to bed earlish after writing my blog. I got up and had a shower about 6ish and my breakfast at 7.15ish. Now inbetween the time I went into the bathroom and brushe dmy teeth, father had his brecfast, got dressed and put on his shoes and was calling me to hurry up. I'm not really sure how he manages to do it but one day I'll catch him out.
We got to class really early so I got us good seats. Luckily we could finish at 10.40 as it was Dongguk graduation for some of the monks and teachers. Because the weather was good and we were all feeling refreshed we decieded that today would be good to do the Inwangsan Shamanist Hillside Walk. Now, I really do hate Korea Sparkling because not only did it lie to me about Noodle X being open, but it also lied to me about it being a 'hillside'walk. First we had to get out of the tube station and walk up this really hard slope, then up this hill to the top where we met some Americans and chatted then up some steps, and that was just the beginning. We got lost and started chatting to a monk who let us go in the temple alone to film and take pictures as much as we wanted. We searched high and low for the Shamanistic icons but only found Buddhist ones until the last 5 minutes where we spotted the drawings in the corner. We then moved on up the mountain, yes mountain, to these rocks which apparently look like a monk praying. I couldn't see it but apparently it brings fertillity. I figured I'd get blessed ready for the future and I done my prayers. I done extra as it's more work to ask for a girl than a boy, it sucked and my legs hurt after a while. We filmed a little and realised that there was a monk sitting on top of the mountain. Stupidly we figured we could get to him, how wrong we were.
We passed the Shamanistic temple, which was closed to our dismay, and carried on up the rocks. We met the American couple and figured that if they were climbing the mountain, than we definately could. Helena was a tad nervous of heights so I went first, she as behind and the Caroline at the rear. It was at this point that we realised flip flops were not the best idea in the world. I tried to find logs and gap in the stones to climb up and we stopped at the highest point to drink the cleansing mountain water. I'm pretty sure we almost deprived the rest of Seoul water for that time as it was really nice and cold. We carried on through the mountain and then started our descent. This was easier said than done and the sweat was running down me. I was at the back this time due to not being confident with going downhill. Helena became one with the forest and walked barefoot most the way and helped me to not slide down the hills.
We finished our walk and realised we smelt really quite bad and had to go meet a film direstcor. We wandered around a little and bought some t-shirts and spray and wetwipes to clean up. I thinkw e done agood job. We then went to meet Mahinda ina new area to get a taxi to the directors house. It was a strange place we went to, near an army base so many white girls and boys. It was unnverving and I really didn't like it there. It was too.. western and I think I'm now prefering the company of Asian people. There were all Americanised stores and one even called, ENGLAND! It was really disturbing. We bought a cake for Lee Myung-se, the director and went to his office in a taxi. He was a very nice guy and smoked like a trouper. He made us a lot of black coffee and was great to interview, I felt very lucky to interview him and he made me realise that I should be doing film, that life is too short. I could relate to him very much and we got talking about Anime and Manga series. I told the girls that he was my temple, my church. I am in much awe of the man. I gave him my email and youtube address, I hope maybe he will contact me.
After the interview his producer and assistants joined us and we went to Myeongdong for dinner. We walked up a dingey alleyway and I was surprised at how cool the resturant was. I had three bowls of rice wine which is really nice and he was kind and ordered omlette, cucumber, fruit salad and tofu for me and Caroline. Everyone had a good laugh and we made jokes about Mahinda, calling him the monk paparazzi because he takes about a million or so photographs.
Anyway, logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, buddhist, donguk university, free market, Lee Myung-Se, madu, mahinda, monk, mountain dew, seoul, shamanistic walk

Hiya,
So after I typed to you all online, I had an egg sandwich which has now led me to the conclusion that I really don't like eggs. I ate it all but felt really quite ill afterward.
Onto today, I got up and rushed because i was so tired from the temple and went to uni. I got some nice texts because my phone was being annoying but is all good now. I got in and met the new lecturer ready for Korean Buddhism. He's American and really really funny and comes out with these little stories ever so often. I read some of Katie Price followed by some of Midnight Sun (the online 5th in the series twilight book). We got some crisps in the lunch and the lecture was followed by Orientation and a special lecture. Both of these were highly boring so I carried on drawing doodles over and over before reading again.
Afterward we had a meeting with Mahinda as Lucy is going home to family reasons. We're going to Pusan tomorrow and although I was excited, I'm not so much anymore. Our meeting was quick and I managed to sneak in a few shopping moments before I got on the metro. However my mood was dampened by sop owners shouting 'big size big size'. Way to help the self esteem.
I got home and checked my university results before taken to a western restaurant to eat spaghetti. It was yummy and I tried my best to eat it all despite having bacon and pepperoni in it. We all had a pizza to share as well. We waited for father and in the meantime I got given a earring and necklace set off my host mother as a birthday present, it's a very pretty set!
We then met father and run to the cinema as it was 7pm and the film was starting. I enjoyed Harry Potter very much and on the way home I explained about Cyfarthfa. They were really impressed with how British ever thing seemed to be there.
Currently I'm just chilling out but I'm not feeling so happy.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: angharad, cyfarthfa high school, donguk university, harry potter, korea, pusa, shopping, unhappy

Hi,
I'm not quite sure what a green tea latte is but I didn't like it when I came and now I do. That and the fact I can't remember what a white person looks like is proof that I'm now a honorary Korean. I was still feeling rough today but the lecture was alright and in the break I joked with professor saying that I really wanna hang out with the Jain's and poke them in the eye, then it mentioned 'hanging out' in the lecture. I was dead impressed. We then had a break and had our special lecture, toady's was on Business and Korean investment opportunities; it sounds boring but was interesting and the guy was really amusing. We then hung around and got a burger king (well fries and onion rings, no wonder I'm getting fatter) before seeing the big boss guy. He was really nice and offered tea and coffee. We also saw his little girl on video call who was sooo cute, I want to steal her. The little Korean kids are adorable, I think I'll adopt one. We're lucky because we don't have to do an essay for class now as our assessment is the DVD not the course so we just get to get a certificate for showing up. We then went to the tube to go to Insadong where Caroline was chatted up by a fittie old man ;) and then started being flirted with by a student. Because of a loss of translation we got off too early and had to re catch the metro. We then got off and realized we were lost so Lucy tried to look on the big map when this crazy witch type lady came over and started shouting directions. We said thanks and hid until she was gone to bring out the map. However when we got the map out she reappeared and started shouting again, it was crazy! We proper run away from her and found our way by asking people. It was a nice after to just stroll and look at shops and buy some presents. Helena and Caroline figured out how to use their cards out here which is really good. We got shakes in between shopping and these students appeared downstairs with Free Hugs sign. As a laugh I decided to go down whilst Caroline and Helena filmed me. So I waited ages for this arrogant American to shift and then the Koreans were really excited and gave me hugs and waved to the camera. It looks so funny on film! We all had a laughing fit and was a bit sugar high before going back to shopping where we scared small children by trying to give them a Balloon. Before going home we got these weird fried potatoes on a stick, they were well nice. Caroline saw a shoe stall and was iffing and arring about thee shoes until we pointed out that their actually costing 1.50GBS. It was really funny and we definitely will be making fun of her for a while to come.
We all then went to the tube station and saw a sign for BIG CLOTHES, that meant us as it's hard to find Korean clothes for a British frame. After going our separate ways I was on the tube and the metro line stopped. A nice Korean man helped me by telling me I had to get off for the cleaners. I said thanks and stepped away, learning my lessons after other Korean people. However he kept talking and I just answered minimalistic answers hoping he'd go away but he'd keep talking and tried to let him walk me home. I declined and made out I was going a different way home but he didn't leave without a fight and I have his name, number and email address scrawled on my hand and I have his card. It turns out he's a director for an electricity company and would very much like to meet me for coffee and lunch. He's quite harmless but it's still crazy how the boys just home in on me. Caroline reckons it's because I'm quite cute looking in a Korean way, wearing the same dresses and speaking the same. If only though, I don't see the attraction, Korean girls are just so pretty, no, beautiful here, I can't see why a guy would look at a Caucasian girl ever again.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: asain, bath spa university, caucasian, DMZ, donguk university, dresses, guy, korean melon, south, stalker, wales

Hiya,
So today I'm not very well. I went to the lecture but went home early for fainting and managed to get home okay. When I got there, I got given 'special water' which basically knocked me out for about 6 hours. Lots of people rung me too, it was really annoying. The bank rung saying Caroline and I owe them money because they did not take off a charge. Then Mahinda rung saying that they is problems with the DMZ thing so we're no longer going, then a Korean man rung saying 'sri lanka, sri lanka' until I hung up and turned my phone off. I then got a note under my door asking what was wrong, to which I replied that I was feeling faint. I had more knockout water and some melon.
I am now feeling abit better but am still ill.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, DMZ, donguk university, hurts, ill, korean melon, tummy

Hiya,
So today I got dressed and fixed myself up before going to university. Father and I got a lift off mother but only to the Tube station. I got a seat early and was able to play animal crossing on my Nintendo. We got off and father saw a colleague who bought us a taxi, it was very kind of him. We got to university early and I was able to buy some biscuits and a Mountain dew. The others came in except for Lucy who is ill today, I feel bad for her as Migraines are horrible. I listened but I'd already studied the subject so it was a little boring to me. We where then allowed to go early so I went and changed some travellers cheques with Caroline. It took so long, about 30 minutes in all. I now appear rich in Korean Won when in sterling it is very little (5GBP=10,000 Won). We got our money and had Babimba in the canteen with Mahinda. I think he was Little upset as the nun did not have time to come and eat with us today. We discussed many things about filming and home. It made me a little home sick which was annoying as I'm getting used to Korea now.
We left Mahinda and went to the library to research and study although not much got done as we were mainly looking at photos and looking up touristy things to do as we are no longer going to JeJudo Island.
We decided to leave the computers and visit father. I told him we were going shopping and he gave us an orange juice to take with us. I think we really brighten up the office when we come over and say hi to everyone in the international place.
I decided that we should go to Myeong Dong so together we took the tube down. When we got there, we were so amazed we didn't know what to look at first. It was amazing, so many shops and clothes and shoes. I loved every second. We wandered for ages and picked up various things. Lotte department was very disappointing as it was very expensive and not very fun. Helena got hungry so we all went in search of food. On the way up we passed a noodle bar and there where white gentlemen sitting in the window, excited to see them I waved. They looked very awkward and apparently it meant we couldn't eat there. However, the girls hid me and we swallowed the embarrassment and went and sat down. We called over a few waiters and tried to explain that we didn't eat fish or meat. They tried to tell us that the only vegetarian meal was for two and because we are a three it wouldn't work. Helena tried auguring but eventually we got up and left. We wandered around for ages until they stopped for a cigarette and then I noticed an Indian place. It was a sauce, drink and nann for only 11,000 so we went up and tried to explain we were veggies. The guy was little confused at first but then when I showed him my Korean translation book he sat us and got a menu, there were loads of veggie curries so we ordered away. I also had a Lassi, a yogourt drink for the first time, it was really nice and cool. My mild curry was very hot but otherwise yummy. We talked over food and then went back to the shops where we got some clothes. I got the lushest dress, it's a kind of Lolita one and I got it for 5GBP, very happy.
Lucy said she was going home so we thought it'd be a good time to depart. I got on the train asap and got a seat so I played Nintendo on my way home. I called Gav and it was nice to talk to him, he thought I was saying something weird when I was saying hello in Korean to my doorman.
When I got in I had a lovely plate of watermelon sitting for me, I am very lucky. We talked about what to do tomorrow (it's host family day after university) and we are going to the cinema with brother and his friends to watch terminator. The films are in English with Korean subtitles so I should be okay. Brother got 0 wrong on maths, P.E and ethics, I'm very proud of him. Tomorrow is Geography and English, I said he must do well for me and I am currently giving him lots of tips.
I am hoping to join Erasmus when I get back to university in England because it's possible to study someplace. I am thinking of studying in Florence, Italy for my third year. However, I am yet undecided. I would really like to travel more and Italy seems ideal. I do enjoy Korea and maybe I will come back to the International school one day to teach English.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, britian, brother, donguk university, dresses, english, erasmus, exams, gavin, hungry, indian, korea, mahinda, mr kim, study, teacher, uk, yum

Hello again,
So today has been interesting. I left you when it was time to go see the teacher who teaches Indian Philosophy and helps with the international affairs. He gave us some lovely coffee (their instant has sugar and milk added already, a miracle!) and some Korean Green tea. It tastes pretty bland in flavour but probably does wonders in the detoxing world. I gave him the Rugby ball and he said his daughters would enjoy it. We than saw a photo of them, they are quite young and very cute. Lucy came late and brought her host student Olivia with her. We all chatted about certain things before going off to the University kitchen. We were very lucky and our lunch was being paid for by the University. The kitchen does western type food so we had two pizzas to share and I had a lovely cheese baguette and a coke. It was the nicest thing ever, seriously. After lunch we all separated to go check the mail and get some drinks before meeting Mahinda. We walked down to the Tube and rode for three stops. We decided that we would like one month rental mobile phones for safety and to contact one another. We walked around for what seemed like forever, but no one done the deal that we were hoping for. Whilst the others were talking, me and Caroline went for a walk and in the windows are really cute puppies up for sale. They were so sad looking but so cute. This one was very fluffy and had big puppy eyes. I took a photo, I wanted to bring him home. We went then to a English/Korean bookshop. There were so many anime books but most were in Korean, I'd never seen so many in my life. The others bought Korean guides and books about Buddhisim. Olivia was very kind and managed to bar gin with a phone retailer so now we have three (very crap) mobile phones for the month so I will get the number in case anyone would like to text or call me.
After the phones and books we wanted to visit tourist information to find leaflets for the tube and for things to do. Mahinda got us really lost because this man showed the wrong way. However we found a man who had lived in New York and spoke good english, he drew us a map and we were soon on our way! After walking around some more we found it and picked up as many information booklets as possible. I want to go to Dinoworld but it had already closed. I think we are going mud wrestling though. After about 10 minutes of being in the tourist information, some Korean group walked in. Myself and Caroline were sitting down when this very elderly lady started making her way towards us. I was abit worried because she was staring, having obviously not seen many westerners. Lucy noticed our worried looks and called us over only for 'dawn of the dead' lady to start following. We sharply made an exit and she still shuffled behind us. We were hysterical afterwards. The group met back up with Mahinda and we walked through the town to find some food. I spotted a McDonalds but everyone gave me evil looks. We went to many restaurants but the main vegetarian meal seems to be Babimba which we are not to keen on. We found one place but the food cost about 20(BPS) so we gave it a miss. The next one we found served beansprout noodles so we went and sat down. Lucy and Helena shared a massive broth on a heater whilst Caroline, Mahinda and I had the noodles. I wish someone had told me that they were served ice cold. It was a shock to the system and tasted mainly of just plain cooked spaghetti, not nice. Caroline accidentally gave me this chilli paste, I think my reaction was quite funny. Lucy and Helena had a same go at us for not eating meat which was annoying as I don't particular like eating meat and am fussy when I do.
We left the restaurant hungry so I slipped into a 7/11 and got a small snack. We made our way to the tube station but I needed the toilet. Little did I know it was a crazy hole in the ground one, really not nice! I had a right job to lift my trousers up and down at the same time. I got home about 10o'clock, it was scary walking in the dark but okay, lots of teenagers are in the parks playing football and it's very well light. I got in and felt lucky because I got fruit and an ice cream so I feel a little fuller. I had a really nice shower and we've been talking about the hostility between the north and south of Korea. It seems the South hope that they are reunited again soon.
Brother is practising his singing for an exam tomorrow, it's quite funny but sweet. I am nervous for him, he's very stressed out. I offered to take him to see Harry Potter when he is done with everything and he seemed happy at the suggestion. I think he really wants his game (he's getting pokemon) more than anything so he is studying all the time when I am home.
It is now 11.44 and I am very tired so I'm going to head off to bed. I hope all is well in the UK!
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, cold, donguk university, harry potter, hills, hot, ice noodles, international affairs, korea, north, south, sun, tourist office, uk, wales

Helloo,
I'm up at the uni really early again today, I guess it's just easier for me to go on the computers and it's takes me a long journey to get here anyway. On the way to uni I saw a poster for a vet and on it is a fox terrier! I took a photo straight away. I'm quite impressed that I got here on my own, vise versa with getting home last night.
I think today that we are meeting the man who made the trip possible, I have a welsh squashy rugby ball for him as a present. After that we are getting... PIZZA! I can't wait! Although me and Caroline have to find the place, that hsould be quite hard, the campus is so large. We're then going around the town and going to tourist information to get leaflets and broushures. Hopefully we'll have loads of time to go shopping. I'm not sure if I'll buy anything today but I definiatly want to find a Lolita shop.
This morning for brecfast I had facepack salad again along with Korean Melon. It was lovely but a little too sweet. Host mother stopped me beofre I went out the door today, I managed to get a treat for uni. Pocky (long biscuit sticks with chocolate on) and mountain dew. It made me laugh and she seemed very happy. I managed to walk with Brother today too. He was tired as he was up late studying hard. He really wants his computer game. I explained that my boyfriend also likes computer games.
I now have to go to international affairs to meet the others.
Logging off for now,
Angharad

Labels: bath spa university, donguk university, girl, korea, korean melon, merthyr tydfil, metro, mountain dew, pocky, salad, seoul, wales