Korean Diary Entry #1

안녕하세요,

Interesting title right?

I was just doing some major reflecting on my language study and it has slowed down a bit. This is mostly due to how busy other aspects of my life has been. 

I have made up my mind to post diary entries in Korean in order to help me with the following

• Think in Korean
• Learn new vocabulary
• Learn to express myself in Korean
• Learn to sound natural (although this might take a while seeing as I'm using the dictionary for now)

2014년 9월 11일 

오늘 많이 하지 않았어. 난가지고 두통이 아주 있었어.   

이번 주말에 런던에서 기념을위한 갈거야.

레이디스 코드 리세와 은비의 기념관.

솔직히 알고  없는데 그들 하지만

케이팝 가족을용 나는 갈 것이요.

굿나잇 친구들!

meera 

Restaurant Review: Assaha Lebanese Traditional Village, Paddington

Image source: Assaha Website

 As I mentioned in an earlier post, my family was here in the UK for holiday so we did a lot of touristy things which I can't wait to share with you guys :)

One of the things we did was try out different cuisines (my two younger brothers were on a mission to try out cuisines from around the world). Luckily for them London is just the right place...

Seeing as the first half of their holiday was during Ramadan (holy month of fasting for Muslims), we could only go out for iftar (breaking of fast). On one of those days we were debating on where to eat when my dad mentioned a Mediterranean restaurant that his friend took him to on one of his business trips. A quick phone call to said friend, and we got the name, ASSAHA.

Before we went to the restaurant, my dad was already giving great reviews, I was intrigued at this point cos the last time he was there was a few years ago but he could still remember the place.

Learn Hangul with Kpop Idol Names!!

So I have been learning Korean for close to two years now and it has mostly been through self-studying. The best decision I made in this language journey is learning Hangul  한글 which is the Korean alphabet.  

This made my learning process twice faster because I didn't need to figure out the romanization 

and I had a more accurate understanding of how words were pronounced. 

Hangul is fairly easy to master but it might take a while for you to remember each sound. 

Seeing as most of Korean learners also listen to Kpop, I thought this will be a fun way to associate the characters with a familiar sound. I hope this video helps you guys in some way.

Good luck and don't forget to have fun with it!!

안녕,

 meera

KPop Academy: Overview

I still can't shut up about my experience at KPop Academy, that was how good it was!!!

I have been sending people this way to check out the posts I wrote about my experience, but I know it can be a bit difficult to navigate your way through the entire 12 weeks + Assignments posts. 

So I made this guide to sort of make it easier for you.

Posts

Week 1: Orientation.
Week 2: K-Language and Hangeul
Week 3: I wore a Hanbok.
Week 4: Korean Cooking Lessons at School of Wok.
Week 5: Korean History and Korean War.
Week 6: Craft: Colour of Korea
Week 7: K-Dance with Team LoKo.
Week 8: Korean Literature
Week 9: Traditional Music and Free B.A.P Concert Tickets.
Week 10: Varieties of Korean Music Today
Week 11: Korean Art at the British Museum
Week 12: Graduation....

Assignments

Week 1: Most Used Words and Phrases in Korean Drama (K-Drama) and KPop

Week 2: Typography Chart
Week 3: G-Dragon, A Fashion Icon
Week 4: Jjajangmyeon Noodles Recipe
Week 5: Shadows in the palace Review.
Week 6: Hanbok Origami and Ttakji.
Week 7: Webtoon: A New Trend in Korean Digital Comics with Yoon Tae-ho
Week 8: Sijo Poem
Week 9: CROOKED ~ 삐딱하게 by G-Dragon PARODY 
Week 10: KPop & Gugak (Traditional Music)
Week 11: M/V Parody of I Almost Had it by Jang Kiha and the Faces.
Week 12: I wrote and performed a spoken word poem for Kpop Academy Graduation!!!


Hope you enjoy it, there's sooo much awesomeness written on this pages!!!

Remember Kpop Academy? Well you could also Apply for the 6th Kpop Academy!!!

The graduating class of the 5th Kpop Academy with friends and Family. Can you spot me ;)

Just like the title says, do you remember the time when all I wrote about was the amazing adventures I had exploring Korea in London.....Click HERE for a reminder!!

Well I've got good news for you....You could also experience it!!!!

The Korean cultural Centre UK, after its successful completion of the 5th Kpop academy, has opened applications for the 6th Kpop academy. 30 people will be given the opportunity to explore different facets of Korea with the highlight being taking part in the promotions of this years Korean film festival.

You will get the opportunity not only to learn first hand about Korea from experts, but also to meet like-minded individuals who share similar interests as you. Over the 12 weeks journey, you will take part in awesome activities like learning how to make Korean food or learning the steps to your fave Kpop songs whilst making friends and having a jolly good time doing it!!!

To apply for this priceless opportunity and for a chance to win a return flight to Korea, check out the details below:

Download the Application From from the KCCUK website which can be found here 

Complete the application process and submit either by:

• Email: info@kccuk.org.uk

• Fax: 020 7004 2619

• In person or post: Korean Cultural Centre UK, Grand Buildings, 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5BW

Everyone interested in Korean culture (minimum age to apply: 15 years and over) is eligible to apply. 

Don't worry 누나~Noonas, 오빠~Oppas, 아저씨~Ahjussis or 아줌마~Ahjummas, you will not feel out of place so send in your applications :)

 
The successful applicants will be announced on the KCCUK homepage and Facebook on Thurs 15^th September 2014 and contacted individually via email

Note: The deadline for application is 5 pm on Thursday 11^th September 2014

* Application forms received outside of the application window will not be accepted.

*Postal applications must arrive by 5pm on Thurs 4^th September in order to be accepted. (The KCCUK is closed on Sundays)

For more enquiries about KPop Academy, contact KCCUK at: 020 7004 2600 or info@kccuk.org.uk

The class will run from

Good luck and hope you have an amazing time like I did. 

P.S: If you are lucky and do get in, don't be shy and say hello to people on the first day of class. Everybody is welcoming and there is bound to be someone who likes the same band as you. Besides with kpop and Kdrama, there is already so much to talk about ;)

with love,
meera

When your life is a beautiful chaos....

 

I guess to call yourself a writer, you need to write!! 

I haven't been doing that lately. My life has been a bit of a chaos, my beautiful chaos as I like to call it, and I can't find the time to do the things I like.

I guess this is a learning process as well as it is a crucial part of growing up. 

Sometimes we need to do things we have to, which keeps the things we want to on the back pedal. 

I am working hard and trying my best to put things in order so I can get back to the things I want  to.

That being said, I am scared that when I decide to get back to writing, 

all the words in my heart and head (The recipe for my writing) 

will have evaporated/dried up/become extinct. 

To prevent that from happening, I have vowed to find the time to write as much as I can about anything and everything. Be it a few sentences or more. 

Therefore, my posts may not be as long or as often as I'd like but I promise they will pop up every now and then.

Wish me luck and always stay true to yourself xx!!

with love,
meera

Learn Korean: Korean Speech Contest 2014

Hello guys :) How've ya'll been?

Sorry for the radio silence....good news is I'm back!!

I have had quite the summer and one of the things I did is take part in a speech contest where I got a Merit award and 2nd position. Check out my speech/recap in the video below......

P.S I hope you learn some Korean from the video (translation is included)!!!