Seoul Sleepover

Twenty hour wait for next flight to Paris is not fun at all. I can stay up for 10 hours (the fact that I can stay up that long thanks to shift work!), but when its at the Airport it won't be fun when duty free stores will be closed till morning. I could obviously do an a la Tom Hanks from the movie The Terminal, nah.

A huge thanks to Korean Air I have a layover at a hotel. I am lucky enough to stay in a 4 star hotel ' Hyatt Regency Incheon. I was in awe when the staff member at Incheon Korean Air Service Desk told me. SCORE!!

After getting a hotel voucher and sat down next to the other people waiting for the Hyatt Bus to take us. Followed one of the ladies outside the airport for the bus..brr outside was 9 degrees but it was nice and refreshing... . Guess it was making me accustome to the cold weather in Paris *LOL.*

Got onto the bus and a 10min drive to our hotel. Wow! The entrance is nice. Filled in form like the rest of the people then headed to the hotel receptionist to get my swipe access card to my room. Just like work had to swipe into the elevator to get to level 12. I stayed in Room 1205. Whoa the room nice and I was stoked I even have a phone in the bathroom and even a speaker so I can hear the TV (and have it on MTV ) so I can dance while having a shower :P.

Settled myself down in my room and of course had to go straight onto Facebook :P. Had to sign in on a couple of things and then bam internet for 24hrs (only 20,000korean wons, equivalent to $18 Aus). Wireless (How I love you!)

Felt a bit peckish so headed downstairs to have my dinner. Handed my dinner voucher to the restaurant staff member and asked me what I wanted - either Italian or Korean dinner. I opt for the second.


Had kim-chi and anchovies for side dish then followed with rice, miso soup and beef. Delicious. Unfortunately I couldn't finish because I was still full from the food off the plane! Grr. Finished with fruits for dessert. It was nice. Afterwards, went outside just to be all touristy and take photos at the front of the hotel. Later headed back to my room, channel tv surfing, facebook, blogging and just resting it up in my 'free stay.'

Next morning, woke up 30mins before my alarm set off (1. my iPhone alarm and 2. the 'wake up call' system on my personalised Hyatt phone!). Did the usual get ready and then went downstair for my free Buffet Breakfast. Ate cereals, bacon, traditional Korean food and then fruit and yoghurt (mango yoghurt that is, which was more like mango smoothie).

With my trust Sony Camera went outside to take a few shots by day (FCK it was cold!) then back here to blog and get my gear ready before heading back to Incheon Airport.

Next stop Paris.

Until then

A bientot!

V x

On a Big Jet Plane

Okay so it's not the current A380 plane. But a 330 plane. Only a 9hour or so flight to Seoul, South Korea. Firstly at the start.... I set my alarm at 4am and didn't get up till 4:45am. Got ready and ate breakfast. In between compulsive obessively checking in my handbag for my passport, travel itinerary, travel insurance and money, finally got everything and then family and I went on the way to Brisbane International Airport.

Some may not know or have heard a bit, but North Korea and South Korea are on some kinda biff up about something. I didn't hear much on the news, but read online (more like scan through the article), however Mum was frantically saying "Don't go they are at War," "Change your flight to Hong Kong instead..." bla bla bla...Didn't hear anything else.

Apologies to Mum, but actually snapped at her saying that I was getting annoyed about the "war this; war that." Anyway haven't heard much, except for the up-coming royal wedding of Prince Williams and Katie Middleton. BORING.

On a funny note, Dad goes to me..."Well if so, that means you can be part of history." Then I go into a 100 year old granny impression saying..."Back in my day....." Then Mum added "Well take pictures if they are missilling each-other." XD. Reached the Interanational section of the Brisbane Airport and family decided to come along with me just in case it got delayed. So I go and check in my bag, then ask at the service counter if I have a complimentary overnight stay in Seoul (as I have a 20hr layover there before heading to Paris), and yes I have. Yay! Thank you Korean Air.

When that was organised we all sat down to have something to eat. Can't get enough of Red Rooster Chips. It seems that I always have it whenever I head over to the airport (and remincising back in the days). Have 45mins till boarding said a quick farewell to family and then headed downstairs to customs and boarding flight. Never got the chance to have a look at the Duty Free because I had less than 10mins before boarding.

Went through to Gate80 and headed to the concourse connecting to the plane into Row 50C. Yes! I have an aisle seat. I prefer aisle seats now than windows. A good thing about window seat is the view you see when you take off and touch down (unless your flight takes off at night). Then the hassel of saying "sorry/excuse me" to head to the restroom or just walking round the aisle so you don't get DVT (deep vein thrombosis)... and that the aisle you get access to the food and drinks cabin hosts bring around tehehe.

Korean Air - I have been on Korean Air 8 years ago and personally, I like Korean Air. The Ecomony (regardless you get premium economy or not) I feel you have more space and I the seats have very nifty screen to watch movies, cartoons (currently watching Despicable Me), games and seeing how far the plane is travelling etc... . The plug for the headset suits any earphones i.e. apple earphones and not the 2 plug outlet back in the days....hrm I think I'm going to watch Inception again...I'll just have a look at my 'in-flight' programs. The screens also touch screen..whoaaa technology nowadays :P and the firstclass looks soooooooooooooooooooo awesome and spacious. :P If I had the extra money yes. There is an empty seat next to me and the other two are occupied with a couple. I mean I could use it, unfortunately the lady has hogged it and used it as a bed..but not too long.

Food on airplanes can be good or bad but the thing I like about airplane food is how compact and organised it is set in front of you. Either way you can start at the dessert and work your way to the main or just do it the normal way.

Ha! Now I'm watching a French film called L' Arnacoeur. Looks interesting ooh and theres Romain Duris (from Spanish Apartment). Learing my 'listening' skills in French. It feels as if I have been on this flight for a long time and it's only been 2 hours of sitting on my 'cul.' About time I move about now. Do those leg stretches, deep breathing exercises, just like patients at work..Work???I shouldn't be thinking about work!

"D'accord, a bientot tout le monde." V.

Packing

Okay packing for an overseas trip is not my forte. I know I have been a jet setter several years now, and you would think I have got it under control. I'm a girl...come on...us girls (and yes I am generally speaking) would LOVE to pack the whole closet, BUT with limited kilograms and shopping overseas for MORE souviners, clothes etc..., its the crunch time as to what to bring and what not to bring. How to fold or roll it up? Suitcase or backpack or no 'check-in' luggage at all.

Okay sometimes I don't mind packing but the dilemma I am having is what clothes to bring and that will it match with each attire day-by-day as well as how often will I wear it before it starts becoming icky and covered with alcohol. Bare in mind I will be heading to a cooler climate and the chances it will snow!

Yes common sense of course! Well I would be stupid to wear a halter neck dress when outside is -2 degrees celcius regardless it's a beautiful sunny day!

Currently I am staring at my clothes I have unpacked out of my suitcase (packed it 2 days ago, however it was just clothes 'I would think' will be wearing while in France, but since it felt more than 20kgs, I have to really take a look at what I will be packing. Also importantly the souviners and new clothes and/or accessories I buy over there..I need space.

I have had in the past packed things I 'thought' I was going to wear, but never did, packed too much and obviously didn't have anymore space for my new items! Yes its a big no-no. I am not too fashion concious, obviously can't wear the same clothes for 3 days...mix and match (as long as its clean! Ha!).

Yes I do have that voice saying to me "but you might need it..just pack it..." I must bite my tongue and live without it, for that time being.

Until then...

Adios

Vx

Lady Gaga

No matter whether she is a hermaphrodite or not, Lady Gaga is amazing. Love or loathe her, she is a very creative artist in the music scene. Of course Madonna, Elton John, David Bowie, Cher, Britney and others before her, have entertained people with their dazzling shows and costume changes, Lady Gaga just goes a step further... . Well would you be wearing a Red PVC dress when meeting the Queen of England???

She burst into the music scene round end of 2008 with "Just Dance." At first I wasn't interested thinking "oh great another pop star!" But listening to it over and over started liking her music.

She then toured around Australia with the Pussycat Dolls concert and she was great and her costume OMG I wanted to wear that bubble attire!

She's just amazing!

Accommodation searching..eenie meanie minie mo...

Right! I've got my flights book...now...where to stay?

Searching for a place to stay for overseas (or domestic) holiday is frustrating at times. Where ever you go to a place you make sure its: -

A) close to the main city and its sites
B) close to transport
C) you get a good view (sometimes)
D) the accommodation is good for relaxation and rest after a long days tour of the place.
E) Fits your budget
F) No bed bugs!
Of course its not alway the perfect (or chosen) accommodation, as long as it's a place to rest your head.

Of course there are plenty of places you can go to such as hotel, motels, backpacking, hostels, house, apartments, couch surfing (?), renting or staying with friends and family.

Staying with friends or family, is an added bonus. One you don't need to pay for your stay (probably a little for your share of the food they cook you) or helping around the place. You get to chat about "What's new with you?" or "My gosh you've grown from this short to this tall!" You get to annoy your cousins (well as long as they are under 18yrs). Sometimes its a con, because you have to work around their schedule at times and then later at the end of your holiday with them (depending how long you stay with them) you'll get sick of them..until you say you will miss them a lot! But hey, don't get me wrong, you do enjoy staying with family, especially when you haven't seen them for a long time.

Backpacker/hostels are of course cheap and good experience in ways, as you get to mingle with every one from around the world, who has the same idea as you - Travel! You get word-of-mouth of certain backpackers, searching the internet or heading to the place to have a look, for approval.
A few know I'm a bit of princess, but when back-packing in New Zealand....it wasn't too bad. Apart from some drunken people coming through the hallway to their room was 'inconsiderate,' I can't speak, because I probably did do that too! Ha! I'm bad as them. Like I said, I prefer to stay in luxury.

Right now I am have a dilemma where to stay in Paris. AirBnB, which I have heard from a few friends is an alternative to hotels, where its 'vacation rentals' of people's apartment during your stay. I haven't used it yet, but can be cheaper I guess than hotels. Just sign up and start searching for places to stay, however need to contact the host in regards to what date you wish to stay. Sometimes they say 'yes' and other times its already occupied...*sigh*...keep searching.
Then I'm also a member of HotelClub, hotels at discounted prices. Hrm, perhaps I'll mix it up..for my first stay, a hotel and then on the way back airbnb?

Decisions, decisions indeed. I will eventually find one.

V x

Get off your Ass and work it!

To those people who know me, I like to dance. I love dancing. I cannot stay still and if you try to catch me and tell me to 'be still,' I just can't. Three years ago, when I started Mad Dance House, I was addicted to dancing.

All I thought of was dancing. During work - dancing, during mealtimes - dancing, being with friends - dancing. Dancing was my life. Being active, especially doing something I enjoy led me to do other activities, such as an "All Girls Boot Camp" with the lovely (and engaged) Jools Purchase, other dances like flamenco and yoga - Bikram yoga, adrenaline was kicking in. BUT....for the past year I have gradually ceased these activities (or not doing them frequently) as I should, hence I have been inactive for days/months/year(s).

Asides from the usual walking from patient to patients, nurse's station/reception as such, I feel I have become a lazy ass being on Facebook almost 24/7. If not, eating a lot, watching a lot of DVDs, to the point I swear I could be a walkin' & talkin' movie quotes (Go ask my brother Ray)... .

I know I can do 'at home' exercises i.e. housecleaning, just kicking the football round the backyard with Ray (which I still need to!), a stroll round Redcliffe's Sutton's Beach or a brisk walk but I'm LAZY! I have no dog to take walking with...although I have cats...hmm lets not go there.

Then there's work. I really should use a pedometre while walking, so I would know how many steps (and if I had a super hi-tech pedometre counting the kilojoules/calories I've lost while working 8 - 10hr shifts) I have been doing. Pushing, assisting in the handling of patient's transfers etc, guess can be classified as an 'activity,' but really its work and you don't normally count work as 'exercise?'

Why I stopped?

There are several factors. Factors being: -

WORK: being busy at work can be exhausting. Being a nurse means 'shift work' so I tend to work crazy hours and its either no spaces in the class or its closing time. ARGH! Work shouldn't really impend on the activities I do, but heck I use "work" as an excuse. "To bloody busy to do something," which is probably 99% of everyone's excuses.

MONEY: too little (can't do it), too much (do as much but is it worth all the money for a certain amount of time?), 'opportunity costs' and of course wanting to spend my money on 'all-you-can-eat-buffet,' equating to a dance class! What to choose, what to choose????

MOTIVATION: procrastination of heading to class and all other classic excuses "don't have time," " I can't be bothered..." I need the motivation to get up and do something sometimes. Yes I need someone to kick me on my rear-side and do something. It's good doing dance classes, because you have dance buddies who are doing it, so you go and do classes with them and chat in between.

PROCRASTINATING: In relation to motivation...and just being lazy. Period.

Yes its easier to say things than doing it. But actually doing it will be a good sense of acheivement and keeping your body in shape. Yes I'm a tad lanky, slim, but I swear I feel fat inside, being inactive for a certain period. Summer is around the corner. Need to get out of hibernation and get my ass into gear!

V x

Nothingness...so good.

Nothingness; the definition according to the "freedictionary.com":-
1. the condition or quality of being nothing; nonexistence
2. empty space; a void.
3. lack of consequence; insignificance and
4. something inconsequential or insignificant.

Well my blog today is about nothing...well actually SOMEthing about NOthing. Nothing in regards to not having a plan of 'what to do today, throughout the day.' I guess I am just prodding along there on a beautiful Monday. I would like to say I am doing nothing...nothing? Deeper thinking..?Nothing to do today, I have no plans on my day off, just feeling free and not tied to anything for the time being.

I'm in a state of nothingness...wait I think its more of 'laziness' than nothingness.
Gah!

It is good once in a while to do nothing on your day off.

Nothing that is of any significant.

Vx