Spring semester has come and gone. It's time for most of us to pack our bags and go back home. So, I asked 28 Konkuk University exchange students: "What will you miss most about Seoul?" No one said noraebang.
6.29.2014
28 university exchange students on what they will miss about Seoul
by Matt Dela Peña
Spring semester has come and gone. It's time for most of us to pack our bags and go back home. So, I asked 28 Konkuk University exchange students: "What will you miss most about Seoul?" No one said noraebang.
Spring semester has come and gone. It's time for most of us to pack our bags and go back home. So, I asked 28 Konkuk University exchange students: "What will you miss most about Seoul?" No one said noraebang.
5.08.2014
Overnight stay in Sokcho
by Matt Dela Peña
Most tourists visit Sokcho to climb Seoraksan. But what do you do when you're only in town for less than 24 hours? The five-day weekend everyone was anticipating finally arrived last Friday. Since it was the closest thing we had to a Spring Break, I sought out any opportunity to finally leave Seoul and explore other parts of Korea.
Most tourists visit Sokcho to climb Seoraksan. But what do you do when you're only in town for less than 24 hours? The five-day weekend everyone was anticipating finally arrived last Friday. Since it was the closest thing we had to a Spring Break, I sought out any opportunity to finally leave Seoul and explore other parts of Korea.
5.07.2014
In remembrance of the Sewol tragedy
by Matt Dela Peña
My semester in South Korea has been a rather eventful one; one that I unfortunately cannot express in a lighter tone. A lot of terrible things have happened, none of which I, thankfully, was ever a part of. The most horrific event was undoubtedly the ferry that capsized off the coast of Jeollanam-do on April 16th. Most of its 476 passengers were students from a high school not too far from here. All but 173 of them drowned. Through this heartbreaking loss, I'm reminded of poem I heard from long ago:
My semester in South Korea has been a rather eventful one; one that I unfortunately cannot express in a lighter tone. A lot of terrible things have happened, none of which I, thankfully, was ever a part of. The most horrific event was undoubtedly the ferry that capsized off the coast of Jeollanam-do on April 16th. Most of its 476 passengers were students from a high school not too far from here. All but 173 of them drowned. Through this heartbreaking loss, I'm reminded of poem I heard from long ago:
4.30.2014
Jeju Island with my ISA family
by Matt Dela Peña
For some reason, it takes a crap ton of effort just to get our entire ISA group to gather in one place. Sometimes, we even have to lie about what time we're supposed to meet up at the square just so everyone shows up (okay, most of the time—okay, always). But in the rare instances when this dysfunctional family does manage to assemble, it's one hell of an awesome time.
For some reason, it takes a crap ton of effort just to get our entire ISA group to gather in one place. Sometimes, we even have to lie about what time we're supposed to meet up at the square just so everyone shows up (okay, most of the time—okay, always). But in the rare instances when this dysfunctional family does manage to assemble, it's one hell of an awesome time.
4.28.2014
10 very touristy places to visit in Seoul
by Matt Dela Peña
Since arriving in Seoul three months ago, I have had the chance to play tour guide on several occasions for friends that visited as well as for Kelli's parentals. Consequently, I also became a campus tour guide for the International Office here at Konkuk University. So trust me when I say that I'm pretty okay at showing people places, and that if you ever visit me in Seoul, I'll show you some pretty neat stuff. In fact, let me name a few...
4.12.2014
Korean fried chicken addict
by Matt Dela Peña
First of all, there's a thing here in Korea that I really wish was a thing in the U.S. because often, putting pants on takes too much time. That is, the food delivery system in this country straight up phenomenal. For every restaurant that exists in Seoul, pretty much 9 out of 10 deliver to your front step. And most of them deliver no, not pizza—but chicken, and that's exactly how a certain fried poultry addiction of mine all started.
First of all, there's a thing here in Korea that I really wish was a thing in the U.S. because often, putting pants on takes too much time. That is, the food delivery system in this country straight up phenomenal. For every restaurant that exists in Seoul, pretty much 9 out of 10 deliver to your front step. And most of them deliver no, not pizza—but chicken, and that's exactly how a certain fried poultry addiction of mine all started.
3.13.2014
Left Coast Artisan Burgers @ Itaewon
by Matt Dela Peña
After three consecutive weeks of never-ending meals from our dorm cafeteria, my friends and I were finally overdue for an American burger fix. Luckily, a few days back, we made a new friend from the States who also happen to be a part of the previous batch of ISA students. His name is Chris from almost-the-Bay Area Tracy, California.
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| Not Chris. |
After three consecutive weeks of never-ending meals from our dorm cafeteria, my friends and I were finally overdue for an American burger fix. Luckily, a few days back, we made a new friend from the States who also happen to be a part of the previous batch of ISA students. His name is Chris from almost-the-Bay Area Tracy, California.
2.25.2014
How to feed yourself in Seoul
by Matt Dela Peña
When I went to China last summer, the one thing I did not get to try was street food and I'm probably going to regret it for the rest of my life, or until I go back to China. Street food vendors in Nanjing could not speak English and I, likewise, did not know a lick of Chinese.
So last year, when I finally found out I was going to be living in Seoul for four months, I knew that the first thing I needed to learn was the how to order food in Korean. And after having been here for two weeks already, I'm pretty convinced that my decision to study a little was completely worth it.
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| Kimbap from Dongdaemun |
When I went to China last summer, the one thing I did not get to try was street food and I'm probably going to regret it for the rest of my life, or until I go back to China. Street food vendors in Nanjing could not speak English and I, likewise, did not know a lick of Chinese.
So last year, when I finally found out I was going to be living in Seoul for four months, I knew that the first thing I needed to learn was the how to order food in Korean. And after having been here for two weeks already, I'm pretty convinced that my decision to study a little was completely worth it.
2.21.2014
Best worst week of my life
by Matt Dela Peña
Things don't always go as planned, but rarely are these things ever a big deal when they happen. Other things, however—like things that require months in advance of meticulous planning and sunk costs of up to several hundred dollars—these things are a totally different story. When these plans go unrealized, all hell breaks loose and life changing lessons subsequently come into play.
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| Where I'm writing this post. |
Things don't always go as planned, but rarely are these things ever a big deal when they happen. Other things, however—like things that require months in advance of meticulous planning and sunk costs of up to several hundred dollars—these things are a totally different story. When these plans go unrealized, all hell breaks loose and life changing lessons subsequently come into play.
11.25.2013
Seoul-searching
by Matt Dela Peña
Living abroad can be an overwhelming experience. The influx of new sights, sounds, and smells can really stir the senses into a dizzying spiral of both awe and confusion. Yet somehow I am lovestruck with this feeling; it is my natural high. I'd love nothing more than to grow a pair of wings and take flight, and spend a few days or weeks or even months in a foreign land.
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| [seoulrhythm] |
Living abroad can be an overwhelming experience. The influx of new sights, sounds, and smells can really stir the senses into a dizzying spiral of both awe and confusion. Yet somehow I am lovestruck with this feeling; it is my natural high. I'd love nothing more than to grow a pair of wings and take flight, and spend a few days or weeks or even months in a foreign land.
9.28.2013
Majestic Banff
by Matt Dela Peña
As I stood on the thirty-third floor balcony of a Downtown Calgary condo unit looking out towards the horizon, I was completely astonished by the sheer flatness of the Canadian Prairies. It really didn't depict the stereotypical image I had of the True North: no majestic, snow-capped peaks, thousand lakes, igloos, or even free-ranging moose.
As I stood on the thirty-third floor balcony of a Downtown Calgary condo unit looking out towards the horizon, I was completely astonished by the sheer flatness of the Canadian Prairies. It really didn't depict the stereotypical image I had of the True North: no majestic, snow-capped peaks, thousand lakes, igloos, or even free-ranging moose.
9.10.2013
The Waffle Window
by Matt Dela Peña
Portland has a treasure trove's worth of shimmering gems hidden within its ninety-five neighborhoods that even some of its own residents don’t quite know about. Because that’s just the thing about this hipster-run metropolis: the locals don’t really want you to know about them.
Portland has a treasure trove's worth of shimmering gems hidden within its ninety-five neighborhoods that even some of its own residents don’t quite know about. Because that’s just the thing about this hipster-run metropolis: the locals don’t really want you to know about them.
8.30.2013
Doing business at SEU
by Matt Dela Peña
BA-355: Doing Business in China was more a spontaneous endeavor for me than a well-thought-out decision. The moment I heard that there was going to be a contingent of students from my school going to China over the summer, I needed to be a part of it. Ultimately, I managed to convince my parents that this trip was highly pivotal for my major, and I was able to go.^^ So here's a broad description of what we did.
BA-355: Doing Business in China was more a spontaneous endeavor for me than a well-thought-out decision. The moment I heard that there was going to be a contingent of students from my school going to China over the summer, I needed to be a part of it. Ultimately, I managed to convince my parents that this trip was highly pivotal for my major, and I was able to go.^^ So here's a broad description of what we did.
8.25.2013
南京路 photolog
by Matt Dela Peña
南京路, or Nanjing Road, is Shanghai's busiest shopping area. Adorned with European colonial architecture and LED lights, it's a shop-a-holic's paradise.
南京路, or Nanjing Road, is Shanghai's busiest shopping area. Adorned with European colonial architecture and LED lights, it's a shop-a-holic's paradise.
8.03.2013
American tourists in Shanghai
by Matt Dela Peña
Our second day in Shanghai consisted of a lot of sightseeing. After starting the day with the most underwhelming "breakfast buffet" ever served, we made our way down to the lobby to meet our tour guide of the day, Sophie Lee.
Now, we've met a pretty monotonous set of local tour guides throughout the course of our trip. Sophie, however, wasn't the typical one we've come to know from our frequent outings. For one, she had an eccentric personality; two, she didn't demonstrate a particular liking to her job. More on that later.
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| Stop #1: Jade Buddha Temple (No, that's not the Jade Buddha) |
Our second day in Shanghai consisted of a lot of sightseeing. After starting the day with the most underwhelming "breakfast buffet" ever served, we made our way down to the lobby to meet our tour guide of the day, Sophie Lee.
Now, we've met a pretty monotonous set of local tour guides throughout the course of our trip. Sophie, however, wasn't the typical one we've come to know from our frequent outings. For one, she had an eccentric personality; two, she didn't demonstrate a particular liking to her job. More on that later.
7.18.2013
Let's start with Crater Lake
by Matt Dela Peña
I have a belief that we, regardless of where we're from, tend to take for granted the beauty that is in our very own backyard. Well, that's the case for me anyway.
You see, I've spent the majority of my life thus far as a resident of the state of Oregon, despite at first being a Filipino immigrant to California, and this September marks my 9th year living here—roughly half my current lifetime. So, I truly consider myself an Oregonian despite what anyone else might say.
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| Hike up Garfield Peak. You'll be glad you did ;) |
I have a belief that we, regardless of where we're from, tend to take for granted the beauty that is in our very own backyard. Well, that's the case for me anyway.
You see, I've spent the majority of my life thus far as a resident of the state of Oregon, despite at first being a Filipino immigrant to California, and this September marks my 9th year living here—roughly half my current lifetime. So, I truly consider myself an Oregonian despite what anyone else might say.
7.16.2013
Shanghai-bound
by Matt Dela Peña
Shanghai—the world's most populous city and busiest container port; the PRC's principal financial center and Alpha+ global city; a rising hub of commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology, and transport.[1] The list goes on and on. With so many accolades to its name, I was dying to go.
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| Pudong skyline |
Shanghai—the world's most populous city and busiest container port; the PRC's principal financial center and Alpha+ global city; a rising hub of commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology, and transport.[1] The list goes on and on. With so many accolades to its name, I was dying to go.
7.10.2013
Cars look like ants...
by Matt Dela Peña
... from the observation deck of the Shanghai World Financial Center. At 474 m, it is the world's highest public viewing deck. The building, currently Shanghai's tallest at 492 m, will soon be dwarfed by the Shanghai Tower (632 m) which is due for completion in 2014—its lot is visible on the lower left corner of this picture.
... from the observation deck of the Shanghai World Financial Center. At 474 m, it is the world's highest public viewing deck. The building, currently Shanghai's tallest at 492 m, will soon be dwarfed by the Shanghai Tower (632 m) which is due for completion in 2014—its lot is visible on the lower left corner of this picture.
7.09.2013
Zhouzhuang
by Matt Dela Peña
Cultural preservation seems to be the norm in China these days perhaps to serve as a reminder for how much of a terrible idea the Cultural Revolution really was (way to go, Mao). It seriously feels like every street corner in every Chinese city is adorned with either a temple, museum, or cultural center, just to ballyhoo to unknowing passersby the complete and utter badassery that is Chinese history.
But just when you think you've exceeded your fair share of culture for one day, you suddenly find yourself in a town that is in and of itself an entire cultural exhibit. Welcome to Zhouzhuang.
Cultural preservation seems to be the norm in China these days perhaps to serve as a reminder for how much of a terrible idea the Cultural Revolution really was (way to go, Mao). It seriously feels like every street corner in every Chinese city is adorned with either a temple, museum, or cultural center, just to ballyhoo to unknowing passersby the complete and utter badassery that is Chinese history.
But just when you think you've exceeded your fair share of culture for one day, you suddenly find yourself in a town that is in and of itself an entire cultural exhibit. Welcome to Zhouzhuang.
7.05.2013
Suzhou, China's paradise on Earth
by Matt Dela Peña
Not a lot of Portlandians (myself included) know that the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province is one of the nine sister cities of Portland (as listed by the ever so factful Wikipedia). Heck, why would we? We are, after all, Americans. We quiver at the sight of a map.
Yet, Portlandians would be pleased to know that the city they share some sort of citified sorority with is actually the fastest growing industrial center in the fastest growing province in all of China. Talk about having connections.
Not a lot of Portlandians (myself included) know that the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu Province is one of the nine sister cities of Portland (as listed by the ever so factful Wikipedia). Heck, why would we? We are, after all, Americans. We quiver at the sight of a map.
Yet, Portlandians would be pleased to know that the city they share some sort of citified sorority with is actually the fastest growing industrial center in the fastest growing province in all of China. Talk about having connections.
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