It seems like if you want to know about my life, you better check Facebook and see my pictures which I do update frequently, instead of checking this weblog Or you can see David’s blog, he’s updating much more than me hehe. First I couldn’t update my blog because my laptop was broken for some weeks so I had to survive without laptop for some time. The latop was able to be fixed so I got it finally back again last week But also I’ve been busy the last period with moving of course. It’s been already some time I moved to our new home in Sinchon~ Thanks to my homestay family and some friends the moving went really quick and easy. I bought some furniture on the internet, but still many room left. The house itself is really nice and the location is perfect. I can walk every day to school.

With a group of Yonsei friends I also went to Seorak mountain which is located in the east of Korea. I went there to hike and to see the beautiful maple leaves. It was really crowded but really worth to see it! If you are in fall in Korea you definitely should visit it.

David arrived!!! These days he’s doing a great job as a house wife; cleaning and buying groceries while I study Korean Also he is busy with discovering Seoul and doing some work for a Dutch company located in Netherlands. The job search in Korea it self is not really progressing yet.

By the way about thing between North and South Korea I can’t really worry. In fact I was sleeping while it happened and Koreans around me also tell not to worry At the time many people spoke about it but nowdays it's already like before again. So don't worry about it~~

Nov 19 was my birthday. So I had a birthday slash small house warming party here in our new home. It was a great bday day with lots of friends and I got 6 cakes!

Last weekend I went with a group of adoptees with InKAS on a trip to Jeonju and to a Ski resort. In Jeonju we did do some sightseeing, ate the famous Jeonju bibimbap and Sunday we went to the ski resort. I did ski just once before at the begin of this year. All other people in the group were able to ski or snow board. Only Sin and I were really beginners so every time we went really slowly and carefully down on or skies hehe There was no one to teach us better, so I was kind of fed up after a few hours. And Mignon, Dutch friend, who was snowboarding was also fed up with that. And good thing was we had the same size of shoes so we switched. I was little bit scared to board but Mignon helped me very well and in the end I liked it more than the skiing ^^ sooo cool! Wanna do it one more again this winter.

Also I became a member of the fitness club near my house. I try to go there a few times a week but last period I couldn’t really go because I had a cold. Lucky I had it before my final exams which I had last week. Exams were okay, results were a little bit worse than my expectation but enough to pass level 4 and be able to enter level 5 next semester which starts at the begin of January next year. Honestly I think level 5 will be too hard for me but let's give it a try.

Tomorrow is already the last school day of this fall semester. It’s sad that some friends won’t continue studying and have to go back to their country. Also it will be finally my turn to visit the Netherlands again, next Friday I’ll be able to eat lots of cheese and liquorices, save some for me please

->>> Click Here for Oct pictures<<<-

->>> Click Here my Bday pictures<<<-

->>> Click Here for Nov pictures<<<-

->>> Click Here for Dec pictures<<<-

It’s, cold and rainy. My vacation ended last week and I had 3 school days now. It was quite long if you don’t really have plans but it was a nice break. During 4 weeks I slept a lot , met friends, read a Dutch book, watched lot’s of Korean movies and started even to watch Japanese movies, walked and biked along the Han river, went to the amusement park Everland which was really nice and studied a little little bit Korean. Unfortunately no rafting, will save that for next year

Last month was also Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving. It’s a 3day long holiday. The first day the women make food, I think not every woman appreciates that But for me it was a great experience to help my homestay mother and sisters with making it. The second free day is Chuseok. Koreans set a table with the made food and bow to their ancestors, after that they eat the food. The third day is just extra. On the second day I spend the evening with a group of adoptees and Thursday I went to jjimjilbang, sauna,  with my homestay sisters ^^

After 4 weeks of resting it felt good that the semester did start last Thursday. I’m in level 4 now. Unfortunately all my friends are in different classes again. Just I know one girl in my class, she ‘s a friend’s friend. Also there are only Asians and no western people expect me :P The more difficult studying Korean becomes, the less western people are left. But I’m still here Many Korean words come from Chinese and can be written in Chinese characters, Hanja. So my teacher explains some Korean words easily by showing it in Hanja which can be read by Japanese and Chinese students, but in English there is no exact word for it which makes it little difficult for me. And before the grammar was explained in our textbooks by English but from level 4 the explanation is only in Korean which makes it more hard. But let’s see~~ ^.^

At the end of this month D. will come to Korea It means I have to move again. So with some sweet  Korean friends I’ve been searching for an officetel, small one room apartment. Compared to what I expected the searching method is somewhat different. To search we went to a real estate office, Budongsan, which you can find on every corner on the street. Sometimes you can see 3 or more in a row. At the office you tell what you’re searching for and then they will check what is available. The surprising thing is that if they find a house that matches you can go directly to the house to see it, the house is usually less than 10 min away from the office. It’s a good thing that you can see it right away but the difficult thing is that if you want a house at the other side of the street you have to go to another budongsan. The budongsan doesn’t have houses in an whole area or something, just only near it. Since I didn’t really care about an exact location it resulted that I went to about 10 budongsans. But I found a nice officetel! It’s a bit expensive and about 43m2 which is a little small but I love the location, it’s near  near Sinchon subway station and I can walk to Yonsei again. It’s on the 12^th floor and has a big window with a nice few and it’s clean, bright and quite new. We’re busy arranging the payment and contract so soon I can move in. But first I need furniture! 

->>> Click Here for Sep pictures<<<-

Finally I have vacation: 4 weeks! First of all some bad announcement which you already might know. As I wrote in my last message I really wanted to go to Netherlands but unfortunately there wasn’t any seat available in September so I couldn’t change my ticket and also for other flight companies only the expensive tickets were left! I surfed a lot on the internet and called my flight company several times hoping something canceled his or her flight but none of this gave any result.  I guess I was just too late ã… ã…  So I decided not to go to Netherlands this vacation, I will just stay in Korea. To be in time, I  already bought a really cheap flight ticket for this winter. David will come in the end of October but we will be both in the Netherlands this Dec 17-Jan 6. So I have to wait a little longer to eat kroket, tomatensoep, oude kaas and drop but I do will be able to see my first cousin this year and spend the holidays in Netherlands^^

Last month it was adoptee vacation season. Beccause of the adoptee gathering in Seoul many adoptees came to Korea. But due to class I couldn't attend the gathering itself but I could meet many of my Dutch friends and we ate mandu, went to bar, noraebang and club which gave me back some of the old Arierang feeling ^^ And since I moved and Sin is gone speaking Dutch is getting rare for me

Last week I had my final terms. Level 3 was of course a little more difficult then level 1 and 2 so I’m slowly getting aware of my ability and turning into  a BBBB student. But I’m satisfied with that There are just too much grammar and words which confuses me sometimes and I just simply can memorize all of them, and the Yonsei course is quite quick for a Dutch girl Still Korean language keeps surprising me every day hehe.  I wonder till which level I am able to make it and I am motivated to study. I will start level 4 this September 30.

About my housing. I’m still happily doing the homestay which is an unique experience which I don't wanted to have missed. The family is really kind and do many things for me, I guess I really owe them a lot ^.^ Going everday to Yonsei by bus surrounded by Koreans who know another definition of personal space is a little tiring but I do got vacation now. And when David comes I will move again. I hope it will be near Yonsei again. I love the Sinchon area because it’s sparkles with the clothes shops, nice restaurants and bars which are open till late night and I can walk to Yonsei. The area where I live now is really an apartment area. Nearby are two giga uge supermarkets and the Han river, besides that not much to do here.

Did you hear about the typhoon in Korea? Last Wed/Thursday night it woke me up and in the morning we didn’t have electricity for some time in the house.  Things seemed to be fine until I reached Yonsei University. There a saw that a few trees fell down and the roots were visible. A tree smashed a car and another few fell on some buildings, luckily the buildings were stronger. In daytime the mess was cleaned slowly. I heard that another typhoon might come tonight/tomorrow? I will make sure to be inside.

What I will do the next coming 4 weeks? To be honest I have no idea haha. I’ve been in Korea over 9 months now and saw many spots already before so there are not many places left to where I really want to go. I will just meet some friends,  if the weather is good I will try to go rafting, go to the amusement park Everland, go to cinema, walk along the Han river and try to study a little bit Korean which I really need Or course you are welcome to visit me here!

->>> Click Here for August pictures<<<-

I’ve been studying level 3 already for a few weeks! Time is going quick when you have fun Level 3 started end of June. I got all new classmates, new teacher, new class room and of course new books. So I really missed my class mate friends from level 1 and 2. Luckily all level 3 classrooms are next to each other so every break time I can talk with them~ Level 3 is similar to level 2. So I’m not that worried as I was before when I started level 2 the gap between level 1-2 is bigger than the gap between 2-3. But they told me the gap between level 3-4 is the biggest, so little afraid of that haha. Next Monday and Tuesday are already my exams, it are my midterms which it means I’m already in the middle of this summer semester.

My Thai friend and my dear dongsaeng Sin left me at the end of June But David visited me begin of July. Sorry for him to see our historical soccer final match in a bar in Sinchon instead of Museum plein in Amsterdam. The match was broadcasted here at 3:30 am. So we slept a little bit and woke up around 2am to get a cab to watch the game with other crazy Dutch people in a bar in Sinchon. Really pity we didn’t win but it was really worth watching it, staying up all night and go school right after!   

Some update about my housing. After staying 6 months in the guesthouse I moved 2 times in 2 weeks! First to friend’s house, so I could stay with David ^^ And then after David left last week I moved again. This time to a homestay. It’s in Deungchon area (line 9). It takes about 50 min from door to door during morning rush hour to Yonsei. I live with a Korean family which includes parents and 3 daughters who are my age. Oh and almost I forgot there is a cute small dog. I might sound full but it’s okay since father works out of Seoul and only comes home during weekend and 2 other daughters also work and come home every day very late, after 11pm. So basically in daytime there is only mother who feeds me really well with different kinds of Korean food and the dog People are really kind and luckily don’t speak English that well so it makes me to speak Korean, something I really need haha. It’s interesting to live with a Korean family. I’m kind of used to it since I stayed many times at my friend Hyunji’s house. But I’m sure that if it’s your first time to stay with a Korean family, you will be really surprised by many things haha.

I talked a lot with D. when he was here. I’ve been here already 8 months. But it doesn’t feel like it’s time to go back to Netherlands, not yet. I wanna stay more. As sweet as he is he will come to Korea around October for dunno how long period of time!!~~ This semester will finish begin of September. And Fall semester starts at the end of September again. In between I will come to Netherlands for sure. Don’t know the date yet, keep your posted!

->>> Click Here for July pictures<<<-

It’s vacation. The ultimate period to watch soccer! I’m wearing my orange t-shirt now. I’ll go out soon to see the match between Netherlands and Japan in a bar near here. Like last Monday many Dutch will be gathered in there. But not as much Koreans who were at City Hall last Thursday for the match between Korea and Argentina. The whole ground was covered with red, everyone was si 
tting. I sat for about 4 hours on the ground. And I regret I went to the toilet, because when I wanted to go back to my seat (i.e. that spot on the ground) people were so much pushing. I nearly made it back. I can say the match itself was a disaster but watching it together with thousands of other Koreans made the losing feeling a little bad worse.  

So sorry haha Already one month past again so let me give an update. Not that much things happened. I finished successful the Korean course level 2. Next Thursday already level 3 will start. This vacation is like the last quite short. Most of my Yonsei KLI friends go travel our went back to their home country or are welcoming friends here, since it’s not that far. Then I’m talking about Japan or China etc. For me? This time I didn’t go to Netherlands. But David will be here soon at the begin of July (be prepared becuz it is hot!) During my holiday I got the soccer, studied little bit to prepare level 3 and hang around with some friends. Got to go now. Just check my pictures

->>> Click Here for May pictures<<<-

->>> Click Here for my level 2 class pictures<<<-

->>> Click Here for June pictures<<<-

It’s been a  almost a month to write something. Let me give an update.

Midterms! I had my midterms end of April and begin of May. After finishing them I had a bad feeling. Compared to level 1 it was more difficult. For some moment I was wondering why I’m studying Korean hehe. Indeed my scores were lower than in level 1 but still they were better than I expected so I was really relieved

At Black day we talked about hiking. To experience some Korean culture, you should hike hehe I never  hiked before in the mountains. I think because I’m too lazy Neither did the other girls. Our teacher hikes a lot so our plan was to go hiking together. Actually we we’re supposed to hike in end of April but because of our exams we picked another date. It was May 5. That day is Children’s day. Usually parents go with their young children to amusement parks. For us it was a day off from class, a day to go hiking! We went to Gwanak-san. The weather was really nice. On the mountain were lot’s of older people. But regardless of age they were really fast! The track was about 4 km. It took us about 2 hours to go up and 2 hours to go down with a lot of breaks since we were really beginners. Each of us brought some food. And the good thing was that we had conversations in Korean I had a great time but at the end while going down my legs became shaky and also the days after the muscles in my legs were still hurting haha. Next time I want to take a longer track.

Another thing which kept me busy the last month was a singing contest! All level 2 classes at Yonsei Korean language Institute had to attend a singing contest last Wednesday. We divided our class in two groups; the girls and the boys. We choose popular Korean girl pop song and the guys a popular Korean boy band song. We practiced a lot in the noraebang (karaoke) to learn the Korean lyrics and also in class during break time we practiced. Another thing we needed was a dance. None of us had a super talent for dancing. But I knew someone who has: Sin ^^ So I asked her to help her. In no time she made a simple dance for us, really thanks. The last few days before the singing contest we practiced together every day.  ->>> You can see the girls result here <<<-  ->>> You can see the boys result here <<<-  (you need Facebook ID).

Also the guys made a nice dance. But the thing was that they didn’t sing. And it was a singing contest in the first place. So we didn’t win but it was a great experience with lovely memories. Actually whenever I watch the movie of our performance I’ve to laugh. Yes we made a lot of mistakes and also singing and dancing at the same is hard.

This weekend I didn’t make too much plans. Today and tomorrow I just meet some friends. Monday I will cook with the level 1 friends. The concept is that we make food from our home country. So it will be Korean, Thai, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Dutch food. Dutch food, what can I make? Suggestions are welcome

These days I’m thinking about my future. Still I didn’t make a concrete decision. In June the spring semester will finish. My dongsaeng Sin will already return to Belgium.

I can’t say good bye to this country yet. I already decided that at the end of June I will take the summer semester level 3 as well. This one will finish at the begin of September. What the next step is , I don’t know. I love the life here, the friends I made here. But also I have to miss all the things that are happening in Netherlands.

Hope you are doing well. Out of sight but always in my heart and mind.

->>> Click Here for Hiking pictures<<<-

->>> Click Here for Singing contest pictures<<<-

Another Saturday evening in Seoul. What I’m doing? Just being home. I got a cold so I want to take some rest. Many people around me had it before, now it’s my turn. Despite of my cold I went this afternoon to Yeouido to see the beautifull cherry blossom. Last year April I was also in Korea but at that time I just missed it. So I was really cheerfull to see it now Long rows of trees with pink cherry  blossom. Netherlands has the tulips, Korea has the lovely cherry blossom!

Two weeks ago my level 2 classes started. New teachers and ,expect one other guy, all new classmates. Level 2 is more difficult, it doesn’t really overlap with level 1. So I’m struggling these days again with that language which isn’t mine yet. Gonna fight for it

Last weekend I had a fund raising event for Nest Korea, organization for Korean adoptees. We cooked food and served it to people. I didn’t had any time to study and lack of sleep but it was a unique experience. I uploaded some pictures. You can see us wearing the spring green color shirts.

Some other pictures I uploaded are from ’Black day’. I think it’s a commercial thing, every 14th day of the month is a special day here in Korea. Feb 14th was Valentine’s day. At that day girls are supposed to receive chocolate from the men. March 14th is White day, the men are supposed to receive chocolate from the girls. And what if you didn’t get any chocolate? Then there is April 14th, Black day! You have to eat black sauce Chinese noodles. I do got my David but I didn’t receive choclote So I spent my Black day with my level 1 classmates and teacher in a Chinese restaurant eating jjajangmyeon.

In two weeks I will already have midterms again. Things are going well here. Weather is not that warm yet, spring is coming slowly Take care!

->>> Click Here for April pictures<<<-

Hi all. It’s been a long time. What’s new on me? Well it happened already some weeks ago but I passed my final terms. I got a better score than I ever expected ^^ I passed level 1 and I will start tomorrow with level 2. After the final terms I had a good celebration in Hongdae with my class including our teacher~ Pity thing is that tomorrow I will have new classmates and new teachers again. Time went fast that week, lack of sleep and many meetings just before my holiday to the Netherlands.

I announced that I would be in Netherlands March 20. That was a small lie or actually surprise. Just to surprise David! March 19, Friday morning I went quickly to class. It was the last day so we gave flowers to our teachers. Cuz I had to get my flight I already left after one hour class. A housemate helped me with my baggage to the airport bus. Everything went well and later that day I arrived in Netherlands. My parents and my brother picked me up from the aiport and brought me to David. He really thought I was coming March 20, so he was really surprised to see me! Poor David haha. In total I was 10 days in Netherlands. I went to the beach, cinema. Met my family members and friends. Of course I went to the Arierang borrel! It was nice to see everyone Thank you! Time went fast and last Monday March 29 It was already time to go back. I really don’t know when I will be back again…

I took Air France from Amsterdam via Paris to Seoul. On my flight from Paris to Seoul was a friend working. Cuz of her I had a really nice flight ^^ Yesterday morning Korean time around 7am I arrived at Incheon. I quickly went to home. Just in time I saw Sin, Robin and their mothers who visited Korea. They were going to the airport as well. It was really short, I could just greet them. Then I took a nap, woke up for teaching Dutch and took a nap again. In the evening I went to Robin’s farwell drink. He will go to Thailand to travel. How do you overcome a jetlag? Well go bed late.. maybe I went to bed little too late so I hope I will be fine tomorrow. Tomorrow class will start again. I’m looking forward to it

I feel happy to be in Seoul again. Of course I’m missing those who are in Netherlands (and in Belgium ). But when I’m in Netherlands I miss those who are in Korea. Wish I will always be able to be visit both places frequentely.

->>> Click Here for my class pictures<<<-

->>> Click Here for pictures of my holidays in Netherlands <<<-

Class started today again. Yesterday, Monday, we had a day off cause of the New Year. I wish I had more holidays. I had a really good weekend but I wanted to sleep more. Saturday I went to Hyunji and Hyunju onni’s house to celebrate the New year. They made delicious new year food which includes tteokguk, the soup I also ate at January 1st. Also some other adoptee friends were invited. After that I went to Hongdae to meet Justin, friend from Busan. He was in Seoul for a few days so it was good to see him after a long time.

Sunday was the real New Year’s day. I was invited at my foster family’s house for lunch. When I arrived at my foster mother’s house I rang the bell at the gate several times but no answer. Anyone home? I called and my foster brother picked up the phone. I could explain him in Korean that I was waiting in front of the house. He laughed and came out of the house. I entered the house and now I understand why they didn’t hear the bell. The house was full of people! I saw many new faces. Before I just met the 3rd son and the daughter of my foster mother. Now also the first and second son were there with all their children. They seemed really happy and amused to see me. The only thing I could do was just smile haha. Fortunately some of the cousins could speak English. They really liked the opportunity to speak English with someone, so they asked me many things. Of course we had to bow again for the elder people (I’m still not good at it ). Then we ate lunch, this time it was bibimbap. At the end of the afternoon it was time to go to Incheon. It took about 2 hours to go from house A to house B. But Miyeon onni joined me on my way to travel some part together. At her house I ate tteokguk –number 2 – for dinner with her and her family. To make it more traditional we drank and ate again a few hours later (I need diet?). That eve’s also the soccer match between Japan and Korea was broadcasted. If it’s about soccer Dutch people are patriots, especially a match against Germany stimulates that feeling. For Korean it’s like same having a match against Japan. And also I felt really happy when Korea did beat Japan.

I stayed at my friend’s house. The next day my route took another 1,5 hour to John’s house. I met Sin , Robin and another friend in there. Before having dinner we played some games and Nintendo Wii (D. I think you should buy one ). I enjoyed playing it and I can say my arm hurts a little now haha. Our dinner was tteokguk – number 3 -, I still like it After that we had some nice drink and then it was time to go home. Lucky I made my homework last Friday already so I could have briefly an internet chat with my friends in Europe and go to bed. It was a great experience. I feel really rich and lucky to have people here who take care about me. Thank you

->>> Click Here for pictures Lunar New Year<<<-

ps. I booked a flight ticket. I come to Netherlands next month! Will be there March 20~29 ^^ It’s not that I’m fed up with kimchi, soju or mandu or that I miss cheese or brown bread. Just I miss my family, friends and my Sem

Today is a gloomy day. It’s dark and rainy. Reminds me of Netherlands. Though my feeling is really good now! It’s because my exams are finished. I had my midterms yesterday and today. The last couple of days I tried to study a lot and practiced with my Korean friends – thank you ^^ -. Also I ate some chapsaltteok (red bean rice cake, see pic). They say it helps to pass the exam hehe, don’t really think so but I just love the taste.The exams were okay to me. In fact the exams were easier than from what I expected

I’m doing fine. I got a new record, it’s been over two months to be here. Before around two months was my max. But still I can eat Korean food every day and enjoy it of course ^^ Oh by the way yesterday there was an earthquake in Seoul! My first earthquake experience which I was aware of. Well not that aware maybe. I was in my room which is on the 17th floor. The floor was trembling for a moment and I heard some noise. I thought it were the neighbors below. It was like if they moved something heavy, like a car It was really short and not that heavy so I didn’t think about it anymore. But in the evening my Korean  friend told me about it.

This weekend it’s Lunar New Year (or you can call it Chinese or Korean new year ). It’s a national holiday which you should celebrate with family. Again no family for me here. But nice people are everywhere Some friend’s invited me and also my foster family wish to feed my some Korean food. Wanna wish you happy new year again and happy birthday to some of my readers