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Guess this will the finale blog of the year. And it’s gonna be a long one. White Christmas has just over, ushering brand new 2007. Just gotten back from Korea early this week, an over-tiring but pleasant trip.

Spent a week there, sleep late every nite waken up by the early morning call – 5 6am M’sia time for Korea is an hour faster. It’s winter with temperature ranging from 5°C to -5°C. Highest was -10°C at Mt. Sorak. Walking up hill covered with ice, walking was so difficult – slippery. It’s cold even with 3-tiers clothing; long john, sweater & winter jacket. Whenever there’s wind blowing (especially to the face)…..oh my, so shivering. Keeping both hands into pocket, jumping a lil’ up & down to warm ownself.

Although it’s winter, there is barely snowing while I was there. Just for a very, very short moment; after breakfast walking back to Vivaldi Park lobby. Well, better than none. Vivaldi Park is one of the best ski resort and of coz I skied. Alan, our tour guide taught us the basic to maneuver – slide & ‘A’ brake, also cornering once you’re ok with the basic steps. Climbed up to the top of the beginner slope & skied down. It was so thrilling fun, and I’ve fallen a couple of time. Braking is way too difficult at high speed for beginners like us. Embarrassing moments…. *ish*ish. Anyhow, just an advice, you don’t need to wear layers to go skiing. Just wear the ski suits is good enough to keep you warm. I wore a T-shirt within & it’s get hot once you started skiing.

Also tried snowboarding at Everland, the outdoor theme park. Believe me, words cant describe how fun it was, sitting on a float slidng down from top of the icy slope. So exciting…. Oh, I really miss this. Then, ride hi-speed roller coaster rushing through cold cold air. So syiok….unfortunately, didn’t manage to utilize our passess for rides as Q-line is very long. Same case at Lotte World, world’s largest indoor theme park; hardly get a chance to play. It was Christmas holiday breaks for the Korean, everyone come out to play. Sighhh….but if were to compare overall with Japan last year, I still love Disneyland & Universal Studio the best. Miss that too!!

Went to a many places in Korea, some of which famous due to Korean drama. Been to Jeju island, Nanyi Island, Aqua Water World (indoor onsen), Walker Hill Casino, Folk Village, Folklore Museum, etc, etc. Done many walking, sore legs. Luckily a friend has once taught to relax leg in bathtub fills with hot water. Aaahhh… so soothing. And I learnt another trick from there – once you soaked your feet with warm water, you won’t feel so cold anymore to have a shower. Bathing is never so refreshing in cold places. More aaahhhhhssss……………

Food taste in Korea is so-so. Each day, alternate between steamboat & BBQ. Tried some Korean specialties like Ginseng Chicken Soup & Bibimbap (Stone Rice). Each meal accompanied by various kimchi. Kimchi, kimchi, kimchi… so jelat seeing it. Eaten so much kimchi, went to Kimchi school to make some. Fun Korean-housewife-be experience. Also tried sashimi sotong, freshly cutted from Daepohang Fish Market. Korea is a high living standard country, similar to Japan. Almost double to triple of M’sia. Currency exchange 1000 won = RM3.89; cost for a bottle of 1.5L mineral water, also for 1 stick of roadside delicacy (fishcake).

Stopped by for shopping at Myeong-dong, and Dongdaemun (one of the largest & happening shopping street in Seoul). Full of shops & stalls selling the same things. Didn’t manage to walk all of them…since time is limited. Street-shopping is kinda inconvenient as there aren’t any price tag display. Worst, their English is so ‘char’…what a struggle for us. Communication breakdown. Anyhow, didn’t buy any stuff from there since mostly is winter fashion. I just got plenty of snacks, seaweed & and my found-at-last chocolate sunflower seed. Yummy. And, next time if you happen to go Korea… make sure you buy their crunch snacks. It’s so so delicious… and it gives a very ‘bahagia’ feeling as you bite and it’s like melting in. Love ‘em! Oh, we like the Mentos pink grapefruit too!

So this is my Christmas trip to winter wonderland. Nice. Here are some photos taken: http://gongjiao.blogs.friendster.com/photos/winter_wonderland_korea/ 

Lastly, till we meet again…. See you next year! HaPpY 2007…cheers.

Hohoho… hear my heart voice for December. Yeah, I’m in love……

In love with the month of December, very much. The only period when air is fill with joyous mood listening to Christmas melodies. Like an instant jab that spur happiness and warm inside-out.

Jimmy just got married last week. Hectic and tiring helped out. The dinner reception was fun, as usual with all my outgoing happening relatives. Well, at ceremonies like this, nobody can escape the question ‘When’s my turn?’ Hahaha… especially both brothers got married one year after another. And so 2007, is it my turn? Now, there are only 3 of us left; the almost-late-20s cousins. Everyone eyeing on us and ask who will be next? We look at each other smiling; don’t bother as life’s still young for us.

December also stand for exploration. At impulse, I have done it. No more rebonding or merely keeping it short. I got my hair perm. Though it’s not at ideally long, but the stylist is good, giving me this brand new look. Not bad, not bad…I like it. Korean hairstyle; ‘Korean girl look alike now’ commented the stylist. I laughed.

Well, will I really blend in there? It is already winter, and I’m heading to winter wonderland very soon… so excited, so looking forward. Wish it snowy to be, wishing to grab some snowflakes. Ski, ski, skiing. So cool, can’t wait. Another eleven days. Holidays is near and the mood is rising. Wow! Christmas in winter… something different this year.

Hohoho…. Santa Claus is coming to town!!!