Min Young in Malaysia

Min Young and her mother finally made it to Malaysia!!
They came for about a week in mid July and I was elated as we have not met for more than a year. 아주 반갑다!

They stayed with me at Putrajaya for a few days and we went to many places mainly around Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. The weather was sweltering hot for the past 2 weeks and I felt extremely sorry for them cause my house is not furnished with air-conditioner.

The moment she arrived at my house, our conversation went like this:

MY: I want to have hot shower
ZJ: Sorry, I don't have water heater in the house ^^;
MY: What?!!  $%$%^%^& (hehe)
ZJ: You will know why..later.

a few hours went by..mother and Min Young can't stop wondering why Malaysia is very warm and humid..
MY: now I know why you don't need hot shower in this house..hahaha
ZJ: and now you know..ㅋㅋㅋ

I brought them to Putrajaya for a tour and met these ecstatic students!!

They thought that I guided Chinese tourist but mother quickly denied it.

"We are Korean!"

In front of the Prime Minister of Malaysia's office. The sky was cloudy.

I told them it might be due to the fireworks display for the Flower Festival.

Little did I know that it was caused by the fire from Sumatra, Indonesia.

Inside Putrajaya Mosque. They looked like hobbit and Min Young

said "I'm not short!" hahah..

Mother and Min Young wondered how betel nut taste like.

Took one home for a test..alas dried and forgotten

aigoo..

Took a boat trip..row row row your boat..lalala

It was my first time too!!

We checked out the Flower Festival at night.

Had Satay for dinner which they arguably mentioned it was best

accompanied with beer.

In Pasar Borong Selangor to shop for fruits. Lucky guy ain't he? ^^

At KLCC Park, "I wish we could swim like the kids behind us!"

Petronas Twin Tower.

Tower 2 was built by Samsung and Kukdong.

You can imagine how Samsung has greatly influenced our economy, aye?

If you visit Korea, you could see how diversified Samsung is cause 

they even have cosmetics produced under their label.

In the middle of the street @ Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Shopping for souvenirs @ Central Market.

Meeting Rina and Edy at Secret Recipe @ Megan Avenue beside

Menara Ambank. Min Young was the couple's tourist guide in Korea.

Very generous and friendly couple. Am glad to have the opportunity

to meet them personally.

Pictured with Hang Tuah; the legend at National Museum of Malaysia.

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Ramadhan 2011

Hi everyone,

Especially to Muslim readers,
I want to wish 'Happy Ramadhan' and may Allah bless us all during this whole month.

love,
Zarina

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From Tongyeong,Korea to Malaysia

In front of Putrajaya Mosque

Danielle came to Malaysia!! She came on the 19th January and we had fun for two hectic days. Sorry Danielle, we had sore legs because of me. Hahaha..

I knew this fantastic but goofy girl ^^ through no other than her blog; a hint of pink a few months before I decided to backpack in Korea. I know that it's silly to be connected with a total stranger by commenting at her blog, told her that you wanted to go to Korea and stayed a few nights at her crib. 설마...
Hehehe..that's me!

She is currently teaching English at a public middle school for girls in Tongyeong, Korea. Check out my post of my visit to Tongyeong.

How to go to Tongyeong from Busan

Smelly but heavenly Durian. Nope..she didn't try it.

Can't wait to grab her favourite coconut drink.

At Kechara Vegetarian Restaurant, Jaya One. My first ever experience at

a vegan restaurant. The food..not bad, but I still prefer the non-vegan food.

The carnivore in me..grrr...

Danielle is a vegan hence the reason why we stepped into here.

At Batu Caves during Thaipusam celebration. For me, 

after not exercising properly for almost 3 years, climbing the

stairs was a crazy feat especially in a crowded venue like this. 

Inside monorail from Bukit Bintang seating next to her "pet brother".

His magical phrase - "Danielle, you won't forget me?"

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Mi Hyeon in Malaysia: Part 2

After spending 2 weeks with my family, it's time to hit Kuala Lumpur.

This is Bukit Jalil LRT Station. We took bus from Kluang to Bukit Jalil.

In front of Central Market. You could buy Malaysian souvenirs here.

Loving Kuala Lumpur for the beautiful buildings

but it was sweltering hot that day.

Sultan Abdul Samad building. 

Met a Big Bang fans in Midvalley

 

We found this huge poster at National Museum.

I wish I could bring her to the Twin Tower bridge but

we didn't have time to queue as early as 6.30 for the

free pass. T_T

Old Railway Station which is turned into a hotel.

Inside National Mosque. I told her she looked like Hobbit in

Lord of the Rings Sequel.

Federal Mosque.

We met many tourist in National Mosque. The admission is

only MYR2 or 700 won.

Park Ji Sung!! Mi Hyeon lives in Suwon. Park Ji Sung just

bought a house in Suwon recently and there is a Park Ji Sung road

too in Suwon.

Visiting Rozie in Putrajaya where many beautiful government buildings

located. I think that Putrajaya is a MUST place to visit. The place rocks

during day or night.

Sarang hae! Hahaha...All my good friends trying the symbolic gestures

of love. Sorry Tut, I know you hate to do that..ekekeke..

 

Mi Hyeon cooked for us tteokpokki. It was delicious!!

What do you think of Malaysia? Beautiful too right? I'm proud being Malaysian..^^

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Mi Hyeon in Malaysia: Part 1

Mi Hyeon visited my hometown after both of us travelled to Manila. We flyed via AirAsia from Clark Airport, Manila and reached LCCT, Sepang around 4 in the evening. I ordered Nasi Briyani in the plane and probably because I hadn't eaten Malaysian food for quite some time made me want to order a few packs more.

My hometown from the car's dashboard. Hehe..like it? ^^ Mi Hyeon

likes it so much that she always mention that my hometown is so

green. Hmm..maybe that's why I love my hometown. So peaceful..

Mi Hyeon worked for Korean public kindergarden for 10 years before

she quit her job and decided to travel. However old flame will never die.

She still tried her hands on teaching Malaysian kids here in my hometown!

Guess what she taught them? Korean words!! Hangul..hahaha.

She was lucky to see the traditonal dance performed by the kids. They

were actually preparing for a contest between kindergardens all over

Johor.

The first time seeing 'sukun' or bread fruit. The taste is nothing

similar to any fruits in Korea. Probably sweet potato (koguma)

but still it is different.

The fried 'sukun' or breadfruit.

In front of a model of traditional Malay house. She asked why my own house

was not like this. I said because the wood is pricy and it cost a bomb

to maintain the house itself.

Loving my hometown with a Korean heart

shape symbol. That's palm oil tree behind her.

Buying a baju kurung(Malay women's clothes) with

my mother and niece

We have mango tree in front of the house and it was the season when

she came. Our family had too much of it before and everyday she ate

mango for breakfast, lunch and dinner.^^. I bought the dragon fruit

for her to try but she prefers mango.

In Desaru, Johor with my mother. Argghh..I need a beach vacation

now too.

Enjoying satay with my parents after going back from the beach.

The famous Kluang Station bun at Kluang.

The famous coffee of Kluang Station. I'm officially an addict now.

With my younger sister and brothers while waiting for the food

at Kluang Station.

After having Mi Hyeon with my family, I came to appreciate my hometown more. 

10 differences between Malaysia and South Korea

1. 
   
   Population: South Korea is dominated by Koreans but Malaysia is very colorful. Mi Hyeon thought she was in another country when she first arrived in KL Sentral. ^^
2. 
   
   Food: 500ml of cooking oil could last for 2-3 months in South Korea but Malaysians love fried food. We slanted towards being the fat nation. ^^
3. 
   
   Exercise: Mi Hyeon loves walking around my hometown early in the morning for exercise but I love to sleep more because it's cold here grrrr...
4. 
   
   Complexion: At 40, she looks so young! Me..hmm, judgemental..hehe.
5. 
   
   Fiber: She loves high fiber food- vegetables and fruit. I love high carbohydrate food- rice, rice, rice 
6. 
   
   Toilet: Don't need to pay for toilet in Korea but need to in some places in Malaysia. So, Mi Hyeon always asked me to frequent the nearby petrol station which is FREE. ^^
7. 
   
   Subway/Train: Just pay once even if you transfer in between lines in Korea but in Malaysia you have to pay separate tickets.
8. 
   
   Greeting: We bow in South Korea but for Malay, we shake hands and kiss the back of the palm if the recipient is older than you.
9. 
   
   Socks: Koreans most of the time wear socks in the house but we walk barefoot.
10. 
    
    Chopstick: Chinese in Malaysia use chopstick to eat and some of them use fork and spoon but Malay and Indian mostly use hand to eat rice. I was asked by a Korean in Bonghwa before how could I eat with hands? How do I manage the hot food? Just wait until it cools down, then you can eat. ^^

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Next in Seoul on 17th February 2010

Guys, this blog will be inactive for a while until next 17th February. I have some stuffs to do in Malaysia before coming back to Korea

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Yasmin Ahmad : my unsung talented director passed away

Somehow unrelated to Seoul and South Korea but just wanted to mention briefly on one of my talented Malaysian director. Yasmin Ahmad passed away peacefully on 26th July 2009 due to stroke.

I have once imagined myself to meet her personally, to tell her how much I adore all of her movies and creative touches. The Petronas's festivals advertisement which has touched so many hearts if not minds of Malaysian.

Loving her for being able to describe herself honestly: I am optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying, especially to people who think that being cynical and cold is cool. Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink.

Aren't those simple things in life that we should be thankful for?


In her blog, she mentioned :

"You may find this hard to believe, but I never ever think about festivals or awards while I'm writing a script or making a film. But given the flak I get back home sometimes, you cannot blame me for feeling at least a little vindicated when foreign festivals like Tokyo seek my permission to celebrate our films.

Allah is indeed great."

We did meet. In our hearts (at least) as Tokyo has acknowledged her rather than her own country. Tokyo being one of my favourite oriental metropolitan city.

Rest in peace. Al Fatihah.

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