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A Korean Summer Holidays

My vacation this year was very busy and tiring. And though I had a full 10-days off from work, those days were still not enough to have a real decent vacation where I could get a day's nap and take things slowly than my usual pace.


Most of these times were spent at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, our Community Center and the Busan Immigration. If you were keen to guess... yes, I am now a naturalized Korean. I won't say I'm very happy for this big change but I won't deny too that it'll make my life easier here in Korea and for my family too since we're all of the same nationality now. I also applied for Chloe's Philippine Passport and reported her birth as well (meaning she's now a dual citizenship holder). I'll do some more talking about the procedure next time.


So, off we go to Seoul last Friday's night after my last class. We started at 11 pm and arrived at Euijeong bu at 3:30 am. Tommy drove all the way from Busan~Euijeong bu IC for four and half hours. Chloe slept all the time and I feel so drowsy just by looking her... that's my weakest point!We stayed at his sister's apartment for the following days.

Saturday, I met my friend Bona Dea, also my university chum, at Yeok Gok Station (line 1). We stayed at her dorm eating Filipino foods and meeting her boyfriend Mussa in the afternoon. The weather was too terrible to go out, it was raining occasionally so we just decided to stay and have a nice long chat about our whereabouts in Korea. It has been years since I saw Bona and I still remember the last time was when my younger sis got married in the Phils. which was three long years ago! So it's been like a reunion of old pals and meeting a new friend, Mussa, who I feel is quite genuine to his love for Bona.(?) Dinner with the Euijeong bu Family at VIPS Euijeongbu.












Sunday, my sister-in-law's family and us (Tommy, Chloe and I) went to a nearby valley in Euijeong bu called "Dong Mak Gol". The valley was so alive and was full of people enjoying the waters (the rainy season made the valley have more water than the usual). So we spent the entire afternoon there having sam gyup sal and mok sal barbeque next to the valley (an elevated wooden table on the banks costs only 10,000 won including the barbeque grill). I just felt sorry that my sis-in-law had sprained her left ankle over the rocks when she was about to come forward to Chloe.












Monday morning we went to Itaewon, the Philippine Embassy and had the following: Chloe's Report of Birth. Chloe's Philippine Passport. My Renunciation (It felt so bad looking at the paper...really). Those who live in Busan and in far places have the priority to get the papers done (given that you're complete with all the papers) on the day. Had lunch at the Philippine restaurant next to the embassy.


Tuesday, went to Kyonggi English Village in Paju with Tommy and Chloe. Interesting place. Too hot. But I thought I would hear them speak only in English. But why can I almost hear even the staff speak Korean? Oh~ dear! (visitor's pass for 15,000 won each- includes free pass for musical, fun museum and play museum which Chloe likes best).


















Wednesday, went to the Royal Palace (Kyeong Bok Palace). We thought of looking around to see Seoul more but it was impossible 'coz of the heavy traffic. Back to Euijeong bu and left at 6 pm to Busan.














Thursday. Papers at the Immigration- declared now as a naturalized Korean. Surrendered my Alien Registration ID.

Friday. ENT appointment at Maryknoll Medical Center. Gwanggali Beach and eating Sushi at Su Byeon Park at night with the whole family.













Saturday. Heaundae Beach(walking bikini babes on the beach road and taking showers in front of hotels...so crowded!) and had dinner with Tommy's grandma. Shopping with my sister-in-law's at Migliore Busan the night. TIRED!

Sunday. Nopodong Station. Brought my sis-in-law to the Express Bus Terminal. In-laws house.

MOnday~ start to work again. GREAT...


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Nhemskie said…
I actually was about to call you but I felt sorry to make it look like I've rushed you to meet us the day before we left there (knowing the bad weather and your condition). We stayed at my sis-in-law's house in 장암우성APt. I'm not so sure of another trip there but I'd love the idea of meeting you! How's your baby? I hope you've regained your normal conditions all this time!

I'm still 전네미(I think my name would sound like a 2-syllable-korean name I guess) and Yes! Bonch found an Indian love in Korea... hahah! funny. It's their first....hahaha~ they look good together though~

take care!
August 7, 2008 at 12:03 AM
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