Seoraksan (Mt. Seorak)

It’s autumn! In my campus the leaves started to coloured in gold and red, so, I decided to go to one of the most famous place for autumn in South Korea.

Outstanding and praised for it’s natural beauty of autumn, Seoraksan (Mt. Seorak) is definitely our first choice. Getting there from Seoul is quite easy actually, what is hard was to find companions who are willing to travel for approximately 4 hrs, back and forth in one day. in total it was around 7 hours on the road. well was it worth? you never know until you try. Never judge anything by other people’s experience, a Japanese Idol named Imai Tsubasa once said during his interview, “An art and a rubbish could only be distinguish by your own eye.”

And SO, I have to say, I agree with those people. Seoraksan was a mountain so beautiful, gold and red and full of autumn spirit that I have never experienced before.

Seoraksan is located in Sokcho-si, So we have to take bus from Dong Seoul Station, located just in front of Gangbyeon Station line 2-exit 4. We can either reserved or buy the ticket directly, we bought it directly. the first bus depart at 6:25, which we managed to ride. the cost was 16100 won and it takes only 2 and a half hour to get to Sokcho. Then we took the bus #7, got off at the last stop, where the crowd is moving one direction, to the mountain.

I traveled along with three powerful and cheerful girls, we smiled and laughed and talked all the way. We enter in such a crowd at Singheunsa temple, pay 2500 won to enter and the open field with mapple trees after the entrance is like paying for everything. At first, we wanted to take the cable car but we have to wait for 5 hours, so we cancelled. This is so regretful, since we know that actually the track could be completed in around 4-5 hours, so actually we can buy the ticket, going trekking and go back to the cable car station to ride. When you already buy the ticket, you don’t have to line up. But anyway, we didn’t buy it. >.<

There were 3 roads that we could take, one leads to Biryong falls, one to Biseondae and Cave, another one to Ulsanbawi. They have a very accurate map for these tracks, showing the difficulty of every road. We were lack of confidence, hence, we chose track to Biryong Falls. This is a very easy track, we were going inside a valley instead of going up on a mountain. But the view was still outstanding.
Seeing that many infants were there, and some hard-core aunties are running instead of walking, we know and we feel ashamed of ourself to take this easiest road. However, the way back could be quite slippery so after all we have to be careful, still.

I ate bibimbap on one of the shop at the track, it costs 7000, without any meat, but the taste was superb! the mushroom tasted really fresh. ^^ And then along the road we found that there were more and more beautiful scenery. and also more and more ahjumma(Korean aunties).

Once we reach the valley, the scenery began to be pinky orange, red, and yellow… and it was the most beautiful trees I ever seen, the colour was really new to my eyes, since I grew up in tropical country where the tree are mostly green. Then beside us along the way is the small river which eventually turns bigger and the top of it is the Biryong falls.

And we went back at 3:30 pm to the sokcho station by taxi, since the line for bus was terribly long. Then, to our most horror is that there were no seats in bus to Seoul until 7:30 pm. Ye ye, we forgot to buy our tickets back home earlier. Supposedly, we already bought the tickets to Seoul when we first reach the Sokcho station. Although almost cried, but we bought that 7:30 tickets and went for a walk down the Sokcho town.

Sokcho town was very quiet and small, it was near the beach. We headed to the sea in order to find some beautiful scenery, and soon, we smiled happily again after we found these grilled fish. Ate it fresh, beside the harbour sea..

Then we wandered around the harbour, found some nice places and heading back to Seoul.

For me who has never experienced autumn before, this journey was fascinating, and I slept all the way to Seoul…

Namiseom (Nami Island)

During Chuseok holiday, me and the girls-gank decided to visit somewhere outside Seoul, but not expensive and reachable with public transportation without reserving before hand. (cause emmm…we’re too lazy busy with work to reserve anything :p)

My roommate suggested us to go to Namiseom, Nami Island, located in Chuncheon, a city just near to Seoul. Then this place turns out to be my recommended place to see if you ever been in Seoul. Maybe not everyone agreed, but with my everyday routine and empty hearted loneliness in Seoul, this place kinda warm me up. LOL.

We went by subway, easy enough to get there. Transfer to Line 7 , and transfer again in Sangbong Station, and get on the train which headed to Chuncheon, Gyeongchun line (around 4000 won), and within 50 minutes, we have arrived at Gapyeong Station, But this ride was very enjoyable because of the beatiful scenery surrounding the railway. ^^ On Gapyeong station, we have to take a taxi, it was a little bit rain and cold when we get there. But I supposed maybe it’s colder than Seoul, since it was on the countryside.
The taxi driver is very ‘knowledgable’ about namiseom, he started speeding the car just right after we spoke the word “nami-” (-.-). only 3 minutes of fast and furious ride to get there. (3000 won rides)

First get off, in the parking line we can see the “gigantic” flying fox which will take us directly to the nami island, crossing the lake. but unfortunately the price was really high, and I decided just to take the ferry…
Costs 8000 won, and we got our visa into the island. The ferry rides for about 10 minutes, and we arrived, followed by a small rain.

Nami Island or Namihara Republic, is the island famous for being the setting place for “winter sonata” drama, around 10 years ago. But Eventhough I didn’t watch any episode fully, I still can feel the heartwarming paths of Namiseom. ^^

After walking through beautiful paths, the we arrived at the infamous namiseom’s line of trees. ^^ then we took so many pictures, since this place is so beatiful and memorable. We also ate our lunch box that we brought from home, it was tasted really good, eating good food in the side of the line of trees…

Actually we can rent bikes, or somewhat couple-bycycle thing, but we decided just to walk and enjoy the scenery. There are also a lot of restaurant in this island, do not need to worry about food. snacks, ice cream in reasonable price also sold here. They even have one restaurant which has a ‘halal’ certificate. ^^

When we got out of Namiseom, it was raining a little heavy, and we cancelled our plan to go to petite france, actually just around namiseom and only take 1 bus ride (costs around 2000won). Because of the long line waited for the taxi, we took a bus to Gapyeong station, actually cost the same with the taxi, but it was faster because we don’t have to wait.

We got home very tired, but happy and we still wanted to visit there again in autumn, or maybe winter, to gain different feel of this beautiful island.

Father and Son

At Chonggyechon, Seoul, Summer 2011
Hey boys, kenapa ya kalian susah sekali untuk memulai obrolan dengan ayah kalian?^.~ sementara si anak cewek bisa bergosip berjam-jam dengan ibu mereka… mungkin saat beranjak dewasa, seorang anak laki-laki menjadi laki-laki yang menanggap atau dianggap “setara” dengan ayah mereka. Lalu mereka mulai malas bicara satu sama lain karena tidak ada yang mau mengalah. Ahh.. whatever, laki-laki itu complicated kalau soal bicara. Tinggal omong aja, gampang kan? sebagai seorang cewek aku bisa bilang begitu. ^o^

Tapi saat melihat anak laki-laki kecil digendong, dipangku, dan digandeng oleh ayah mereka, betapa senang keduanya dan betapa mengalahnya keduanya pada satu sama lain.
Si Ayah: “Kamu kangen Ayah kan? Ayah juga kangen kamu”
Si anak :” Ayah kenapa kerjanya lama… AKu udah gak sabar main sama Ayah”
…20 tahun kemudian..
Si Ayah :” Pulang jam segini lagi”
Si anak :” Ayah ribut banget… Aku udah gak sabar mau punya rumah sendiri”
….. time changes, but I’m sure the love is still the same… ^.~

Second Elephant

He’s The Second Elephant, always try to look ahead.
Pernah dengar di suatu film, perumpamaan tentang anjing-anjing penarik kereta salju, jenis siberian huskey ini biasanya menarik kereta salju dalam bentuk suatu barisan. Kemudian seseorang mengumpamakan mereka ” Got to look at another dog’s ass unless you are the lead dog”. bebas diartikan.
Kita hidup pun mungkin juga begitu, terus setia dalam barisan… tapi aku pribadi, menyatakan bahwa tidak ada yang salah menjadi si gajah kedua. Kadang sangat menyebalkan melihat orang-orang yang terlalu ambisius untuk menjadi yang “terdepan”, “pemimpin”, buatku kita semua adalah pemimpin bagi diri kita sendiri. Menjadi si gajah terdepan memang berarti punya pandangan yang lebih luas, tapi sebagai gajah kedua, aku bisa mengintip ke depan, sambil membisiki gajah pertama apa yang dikatakan gajah ketiga dan keempat, supaya selain memimpin jalannya barisan, gajah pertama juga bisa tahu apa yang dirasakan pengikutnya.

Well, gajah-gajah pertama, memang betul bahwa mencapai tujuan dengan membawa barisanmu adalah tanggung jawabmu, tapi jangan lupa buka kuping lebar-lebar untuk mendengarkan bisikan si gajah di belakangmu.

Pink or Purple

at Seoul Forest, Summer 2011
Is it pink or is it purple? no matter how we see it, as long as we enjoy it, then it’s okay. Just like life I think, don’t think too much about the definition of your character :” am I extrovert?” “am I a loner?” “am I artistic?or am I scientific?”. No matter who you are, I think people can still like you and love you just the way you are. Anyway, human are so unique and complicated to be define as one colour… right? ^^

Blowing Red

At Ewha Women’s University, Seoul, Spring 2011.
“Red” is always one of my favorite colours because it’s so catchy, dare and pretty.
That colour is almost on every protagonist superheroes, its on our national flag Indonesia, where it is said to be the colour of “courage”. I tend to wear red clothes when I need to be courageous and challenge my life today. ^^ Challenge is Red for me.

About My Mom

Berapa banyak peribahasa dan ungkapan yg bisa kita temukan tentang ibu? kalau kita ketik di google search, adan 9.320.000 penemuan saat aku ketik “quotes tentang ibu”. Lalu aku berpikir, mungkin aku hanya perlu menceritakan versi-ku sendiri tentang seorang ibu yang sudah mengenalkanku pada dunia, menggandengku melaluinya, dan melambaikan tangannya saat aku berjalan sendiri.

Sebagai anak kedua di keluarga kecil, aku cuma punya satu ‘big sister’ (saya sengaja menggunakan kata ‘big’ disini :p), yang segala sesuatunya lebih dari aku , termasuk pelajaran, keterampilan dan attitude. Aku pembangkang, kasar, bahkan mungkin licik… (ehem…cerdik maksudnya). Tapi Mami, tidak pernah membandingkan kami berdua… Bila kami bertengkar, mami akan menjajarkan kami berdua di tembok dan dihukum, tidak peduli siapa yang salah. karena mnurutnya, menanggapi pertengkaran adalah jg kesalahan, mengadu pun salah, krn artinya tidak solider. Aku dan kakakku selalu bisa berbaikan dan menjadi teman yg terdekat hingga kini.

saat masih kecil, aku sulit makan, bahkan kadang ada di mulut berjam-jam, atau dimuntahkan. Mami menanggapi ini dengan keras pula, tidak ada turun dari kursi makan sebelum mknan itu habis, namun saat aku muntah, aku digantikan pakaiannya, dielus2 dan..disodorkan makanan yg baru. >.< Tapi saat kami jalan-jalan, mami membolehkanku untuk makan makanan yg kusuka, makan sambil berdiri, atau lari-lari… sehingga di keluarga kamu tidak ada tangisan dan rengekan saat jalan-jalan. Waktu liburan bersama keluarga, ya berarti libur dari semua rutinitas.

Mami memang seseorang yg galak sekaligus judes, om-ku sering menceritakan kisah di mana dia disambut dengan mami bertolak pinggang di pintu depan krn si om makan di luar, sedangkan mamiku, yaitu kakaknya, sudah masak di rumah. Tapi sebagaimanapun judesnya mami, mami tidak pernah lupa membelikan kue ulang tahun berhiaskan princess2 disney.

Mami suka mendandaniku dengan baju-baju 'cantik', dan aku juga suka memakainya. aku punya sepasang 'sepatu kaca' kesayangan… Di suatu hari, mami menggendongku menyeberangi jalanan ramai, dan..sepatu kacaku lepas… saat sudah sampai di seberang, aku melapor pada mami, dan dengan wajah lelah, mami kembali menyeberangi jalan, mengambil sepatuku di tengah jalan penuh mobil. Aku sangat ketakutan, dan sangat menyesal memakai sepatu itu… sejak itu, aku tidak ingat lagi aku memakai sepatu kacaku.

Mami selalu tahu di mana saja tempat segala sesuatu, dan selalu penuh dengan pengetahuan. Mulai dari telur mana yang dibeli duluan, sampai bengkel terdekat mana yang masih buka sepertinya selalu bisa dijawab oleh mami.

Mami seringkali menjemputku terlambat dari sekolah, karena kesibukannya bekerja. Kadang aku iri dengan anak-anak lain yang punya ibu yg menjemput dengan baju fashionable, muka segar, dan sudah menunggu di dpn pintu kelas saat kami keluar. Mami menjemputku dengan seragam dinas pegawai negerinya, mukanya capek, dan telat kira-kira satu setengah jam. Tapi saat melihat mobil kijang mami masuk di parkiran sekolah, aku selalu melonjak senang, dan mami selalu tau apa yg harus dibawanya untuk menghiburku, entah jus alpukat atau sekedar lumpia goreng.

Sejak aku kecil, aku selalu ingin jadi wanita yang serba bisa seperti mami, dari betulin genteng sampai bikin bekal yang lucu2… ^^ Dan sampai sekarang pun, aku masih belum bisa menyainginya, masih jauuuhhh…
Mami mampu untuk bekerja, sambil tetap tidak melupakan untuk merawat keluarganya. Aku bisa dibilang 'dibesarkan' oleh seorang baby sitter, tapi setiap aku sedih dan menangis, aku pun mencari mami… Baby sitter mungkin menyuapiku dengan nasi, tapi mami selalu mampu menyinari aku dengan kasih sayang. Kapan pun mami sempat, dia memasak masakan kesukaanku, yang tidak ada orang lain bisa membuatnya seenak mami.

Satu hal yang paling mempengaruhi diriku saat ini adalah pesonanya untuk tidak pernah direndahkan oleh siapa pun. Suatu hari saat aku malas sekolah karena ada anak laki-laki yang 'menganggu'ku, dia tidak mengadu pada guru, dia bilang padaku untuk bertahan… Dan aku pun menendang anak itu di tulang keringnya. (bukan contoh baik :p). Intinya, jangan biarkan orang lain mengatur hidup kita sendiri,buktikan kalau memang kita pantas untuk paling tidak dilihat sama dengan orang lain. Bukan dengan berbuat sombong, banyak omong, atau meninggikan diri sendiri, tapi lakukanlah segala sesuatu yang menurut kita benar, dan buktikan kepada orang-orang yang merendahkan kita bahwa kita lebih baik daripada yang mereka kira.

do whateever you think is right, and proof to anyone who disrespects you that you are better than what they think.

Saat aku beranjak dewasa, mami mengetahui bahwa ada hal-hal yang kusimpan untuk diriku sendiri, dan mami menghargai semua pendapat juga keputusanku. Tapi tetap, saat aku pulang ke rumah, mami akan bertanya "Mau makan apa nanti malem, de?" dan dia tidak pernah lupa untuk menyiapkan makanan favoritku. Saat aku pergi ke Korea, mami berdiri dengan tegar di airport, dan melambaikan tangannya. Sejenak aku tidak sadar kekuatirannya, namun saat kakakku pun pergi meninggalkan Indonesia, aku melihat dan merasakan dengan jelas kepasrahan sekaligus kepercayaannya bahwa putrinya bisa hidup dengan mandiri di negeri orang… Dan…aku percaya nama kami berdua selalu ada di doanya setiap malam.

I am nowhere near a wonder woman like my mom… but I am still trying, Mom… Happy 55th birthday!!