Cherry blossom with Global Seoul Mate

April, is the month of cherry blossom!

It looks really pretty even though it only lasts for a short period. 

There is a phrase in chinese that says, 不在乎天长地久，只在乎曾经拥有 which means it doesn't matter if you can hold it forever, as long as you've got it for a moment. 

I think this suits the cherry blossom moment pretty well. 

So yeah. everything revolves around cherry blossom last month. 

Literally EVERYTHING! Starbucks in Korea also came out with 2 cherry blossom drinks and of course I tried it. *It was so so only though*

Let's get back to the point. 

I was selected to participate in this event organized by Global Seoul Mate in collaboration with Galleria Duty Free. 

We were requested to meet up by 11am at the Monkey Square, 63 building which is the tallest building.

Yeap, MONKEY YEAR YO! :D

Since it was partially sponsored by Galleria Duty Free, we first toured in the duty free shop itself by the staffs. 

Just like any other duty free shops, the ground floor usually sells cosmetics from high end brands such as YSL, Chanel, HERA etc.

This collection is definitely every girl's dream!

They have a variety of shops on the 3rd floor which sell traditional items aka souvenirs, specialty foods from Korea, road shop make ups and also electronic devices. 

They asked us to upload a photo of something that we want the most from the duty free! So I took a photo of the iPhone 6S! HAHAHAHAHA 

They also have their own shop which sells clothes and bags.

These bags are from a Korea brand called "Play No More"

Yeap, the designs are similar to Hermes Kelly and Birkin. (I wonder how they get away from getting sued LOL)

Nevertheless, the bags look so cute!!! (I wish money drops from the sky please)

After the tour, we had some time to take photos and walk around before going for the lunch!

(I won't tell you that this is the part where I anticipate the most :p)

Juice and mineral water were already waiting for us on the table!

They have a variety of food selection available from Japanese, Chinese, Western and of course Korean! :D

Appetizer! 

The presentation is just so so NICE!

Bread & cheese combination is the best appetizer! 

Main course!

As usual, I started with the sashimi counter! 

Dim sum! :D

Spaghetti of your choice! Pizza too! :D

This is the stir-fried counter!

2nd round yo! :D (I guess I'm a carnivore)

Last but not least, their dessert counters are something to die for!!!

Look at this combination of chocolate fondue! 

Angel and devil

Different types of desserts in cups! 

They even have korean desserts! RICE CAKE! 

All these definitely worth the calories!

They have a coffee counter too!

I guess you know koreans love coffee a lot... A LOT!

This is the coffee menu.

You can just pick anyone that you like and tell the barista,

and your coffee will be freshly brewed! 

Here is my vanilla latte! 

If you don't drink coffee, it's okay they serve juices too! 

This is the price list for this buffet@buffet pavilion!

*it can be subject to change*

Thanks to this event, we got a taste of it for free!

Thanks Galleria Duty Free and Global Seoul Mate! :D

Next, we moved on to the cherry blossom festival and also a yatch ride at Hangang river!

and yay, my happy face! HAHAHA 

It was a one hour ride and it got freezing cold!

Next stop was 63 art on the 60th floor of 63 city building!

You can see clear city view from here! 

It also showcases different arts exhibition.

but I'm not a very artistic person I guess.

(Don't really get some of the art pieces there)

Then move on to the last stop of the day!

Noryangjin market which sells all kinds of seafood!

This is probably the nearest fresh market you can find in Seoul!

And here you go, our dinner!

A sashimi platter by different kinds of fish! 

Then we had some cooked seafood!

The oyster and scallop were really goood!!!

Ahhhhh...my saliva is drooping again looking at these photos 

Lastly, the raw octopus which was still moving when they were served to us!

Yeah, I'm sorry but you guys tasted good >.<

The day tour finally ended after the dinner!

It was definitely a memorable day with Global Seoul Mates!

I hope to join again yo! :D

5 months accommodation in Seoul

안녕~

It's my second month of staying in Seoul already (almost the beginning of ma 3rd month yo!)

So, I have been staying at this Hasukjib (하숙집) since I reached here and I'm pretty satisfied with my stay! :D

First of all, hasukjib is basically a shared house (in old buildings) without a common area where you can hangout with other roommates! which also means you will have to share bathroom etc with other people here!

On the other hand, 2 meals (usually breakfast and dinner) will be prepared by ahjumma and you will have your own room at a reasonably cheap price!

Oh and, the size of the room is gotta be bigger than goshiwon if you compare rooms with similar prices! 

Another thing to note: rooms without window facing outside will be much cheaper!

So yeah, let's begin with my room tour! :D

My room is about 3m x 2m (Yeah it's not big but I think it's fine for me) and I got it for 380,000 won per month! 

I think it is kind of cheap given that Yonsei University is only 5 minutes walking distance away from here!

Sorry for my super messy table HAHA 

There are 2 plug points and also a LAN cable!

(I'm pretty sure 2 plug points are not enough XD)

Too many things to be charged!

I decorated the wall beside the table with all my polaroid photos so I can just turn and stare at them anytime when I feel bored doing my stuffs! :D

There is a small cabinet right next to my table and the door is next to it!

This is where I keep all my tiny stuffs like skin care products etc...

And I place my rubbish bin/bag at this corner of the room (next to the cabinet)!

Well, I bet you don't want to see a picture of my rubbish right XD

Here is my bed, ma homie! <3

And my luggage which acts as my closet!

Yeah this room doesn't have a closet.

Okay, at least it has a hanging rack for my tower and some clothes! 

(A closet doesn't seem that important anymore)

Yeah I keep all my food supplies under the rack XD

#itsamusttostorefoods

#hungryallthetime

So I'm done with my room tour and let's move to the house tour!

Houses in Korea usually have separate toilet and shower room, so does this!

Obviously, this is the toilet!

and this is the shower room.

Here comes the most important thing which is FOOOOOD!!!! (at least to me XD)

This is the setting of the dining area!

These are the banchan (side dishes) at the other end of the table!

Yeah buffet style yo! :D

They will rotate when one is finished!

On the right there are 2 rice cookers! 

(Yeah I think koreans can't live without rice....Actually me too XD)

And a water dispenser!

There are 2 different types of soup here!

One is spicy and another one is not (Idon'tknow what are their names tho)

Here are seaweeds, salt and pepper!

YES SEAWEEDS!!! <3

I always eat my meals with seaweeds!

Tadaaaaa, here comes some of my breakfast/dinner! 

I'm so hungryyyy now~ XD

They may even serve seafoods! ^ 

Sometimes there are stir-fried pork, fish cutlets etc...

But sometimes there are just vegetables (Now I know why korean girls are so thin)

Oh and they provide soup everyday! (We have to finish the pot before ahjumma cooks another type of soup)

When you finish your meal, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR CUTLERY AT THE SINK!!!

This is a perfect bonus for lazy people like me XD

(I really hate washing plates too HAHA)

Last but not least, the hallway to door entrance!

 You will need to take off your shoes here and put it nicely on the shelf!

THE END OF MY HASUKJIB TOUR YO! :D

Another good thing about hasukjib is that if anything happens to your room/in the house, just ring the ahjumma and she will help you with the problem!

However, this is a shared house so sometimes your housemates might be a bit noisy at ungodly hours etc...AND most of the hasukjib owners only speak korean (without any online website) so it may be hard for foreigners!

Do take these into consideration when you're choosing your accommodation in Seoul!