Thursday, July 4, 2013

Source of unhappiness and I don't fit in anymore


Doodle: Source of unhappiness

Friday, October 26, 2012

Korea has some great food

This is one fact that you surely know. There's spiciness that is just nice - ie. in the bulgogi. Compared to Japanese food, Korean food is far superior in taste. I'd surely be enjoying korean food and even the simple one that is found in the GS25 convenience stores. What is it? It is very affordable (yes, that too a positive sign in Korea, prices of food is very affordable) at 1500 Won you get some super tasty kimbap and sometimes with a free drink.
1500 Won for this delicious tuna kimbap - from C-U


So I truly envy the life in Korea. And perhaps a better word, you should be proud of it too. Considering Korea once was totally devastated after the War, and some South East Asian nation were even far ahead in GDP and all those economic and social measurements. Now, proudly South Korea is ranked the 8th largest exporter, and the GDP and standard of living (of most people) are on par with that first world nation neighbour Japan.

The sad fact, my country Malaysia still in total political politicking, and using religious problems and racial lines to put people in places, economic policies that funnel the citizens into purchasing vehicles they shouldn't be buying (if like Korea, putting the country's money into very well made public transport).

The political policy was to make the illusion of owning a car, means you're wealthy. But it is not. Everybody seems to own one. Everybody seems to be stuck in 2 + 2 hours = 4 hours of traffic jam minimum (in the cities). Everybody cannot find a parking space (lack of planning). Everybody is stuck paying highway tolls that are snaking everywhere haphazardly. Except myself. I just own a motorbike.

So back to your country - the public transport is superb. Who else would need a car? Bus, subway, even taxi, all super affordable. Super clean. Super efficient. Super safe. There's gas mask and oxygen masks, convenience vending machines, ample of seats, clearly marked signboard and I can see some people even seem having a picnic inside the subway station - just taking it easy, having a seat, bought a 300 Won coffee, and having a happy conversation with their friends.

Seriously or not, we can swap places.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Funny Carvings On East of Gyeongbokgung

Here's an update of some photos I took when visiting Gyeongbokgung.
It's funny. But it's supposed to be the faces of great generals from ancient Korean kingdoms.

So why are they portrayed a "funny" or fun figures? Aren't they supposed to be warriors that can break 10 ton stone walls, and shoot an arrow 500 metres away?

If you can read Chinese - write what they mean in the comment below.
Happy funny face - it is a general

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Hello Korean Bridge

So more words for the introduction here.

Before you attempt to jump into oblivion, here is a "hello bridge" to you. I want to say hello. But I know only so little Korean. Yobuseyo. Maybe I wrote it incorrectly. Can you help me fix it?

Would you have 3.5 minutes to help me translate the text into Korean scripts - Hangul?

I need 43 people to help me. Why? I want to visit Korea next year. I'd like to learn the language and if you can teach me 2-3 words, that is more than great.

So 43 Lives is about you. Those funny people. Who could be my Korean language teacher.

Previously I have made some online search and found websites wanting to teach or sell me their language learning products. Some seem well made. Professional. I even tried one free - (1 week free usage) and it was very well made. Guess what? I tried to download as much podcast (spoken lessons in mp3 file format) as possible. They were smart. Each time you download one, you cannot access it again, plus the lesson notes in PDF format are not allowed for free viewing.

So I have at least 500 hours of language lessons. I played some of them. But I think if you helped me, talk to me, teach me 2-3 words, it would be even more amazing.

Where is Mapo Bridge

Mapo Bridge. That article mentioned it. Macabre way.

But this was also the keyword that kept me thinking about why. Why Mapo Bridge? Why 43 lives?  Why not visit my Mapo Bridge?! Before you want to press the ESC key.

Well Mapo Bridge is also the name of the bridge in my hometown. Muar. Muar-po. Mapo.

Where is Muar / Mapo? Why not make this your homework. Use your Android phone to find this. Use all your phone credit.

Here is a photo of it.
Muar bridge

Introduction to this blog

Here is a brief introduction to this blog. Last week, I was reading the newspaper and came across a shocking, unhappy article. But it was also poignant (Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret)  - just last month I have been to this wonderful city called Seoul in South Korea.

The newspaper article that started this blog
Here is the article above.
Korea is such an advanced country. Why and who are these 43 lives, each day leaving on a one way direction. I just saw the efficient system. I love the public transport. 1000 Won (1 USD or 3 ringgit) will take you almost anywhere in the city. Fast, efficient, ample of seats. Spacious. Clean. Good signs in English, Korean, Chinese and Japanese. The subway is that remarkable.

The food amazing. Even food from the convenience store is excellent. For 1500 Won, we can have a kimbap. For 2500 Won, there are usually some rice set meal with morsels of meat, bulgogi, vegetables, kimchi and sometimes even a free drink.

Here I empathise with these people who left the system and ejected into the place where there is no space and time. Life is tough. Many challenges. More empathy. Wait. Sometimes I felt very severely down too. Life is meaningless. The money is meaningless, couldn't buy what we wanted. The job is hitting nowhere. The ankles are in pain. Nobody understands me. Nobody wants to be my friend. They always misunderstand me. I even misunderstand myself. I feel ashamed. My wallet was stolen from me when I was 10 years old. My best friend borrowed huge amount of money and never returned, and even when he had money after his down time. So hurtful. Another friend whom I helped for years and we made some partnership for some business then absconded with the whole business structure, leaving me out, no place to sell my stuff. Cheated, sad, disappointed. Another friend did almost the same with the money.

Problems. Many more. Some bigger than others. Some might not be so big. But it is heavy. Some problems can be solved. Some return and make you feel worthless. I have been through that. And still do.

I liked Seoul. I like the food. I want to learn some Korean language.

Then this article came as a big surprise - there are 43 people who cannot take it anymore each day. I want to know you. Hello I can't speak Korean, but I remember "yobuseyo" from some website. It is "hello" in Korean language, when they greet someone on the phone. I am calling you now.

This is not going to be sad, angry, guilty, kind of question. I want it to be funny too. Wouldn't you want to say hello back? If life is going to be a final destination that is beyond the bridge called Mapo Bridge, what if I say that I lived near Mapo Bridge before? What do I mean?

So can you teach me Korean language and I will tell you my secret? Just a hello-bridge.