Archive for the Category »life in korea «

17
Sep
Wednesday Playgroup Farewell at Kid’s Cafe
wendy


Yesterday was our last playtime with Little Dynamo’s Wednesday Playgroup. For our farewell, the destination was Kid’s Cafe in Songpa-gu, Gangnam.

one of the many corners in Kid's Cafe

one of the many corners in Kid's Cafe

It is located inside the Olympic Park. For moms who would like to have a relaxing day, the Kid’s Cafe is an excellent alternative to the huge area inside the Olympic Park. Inside the Kid’s Cafe, there is a dining area where moms could sit down and have their own mommy chat while the kids can go around being tended by the cafe’s staff.

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Since Little Dynamo just had his surgery last week, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He is very able and very active now… but I still can’t bring myself to just leave him alone jumping and running around. It was still controlled fun for him. But he extremely enjoyed his Wednesday afternoon:-).

Entrance at the Kid’s Cafe is 15,000-won. You are given back a 5,000-won voucher for food. However, food costs no less than 10,000-won. This amount will give the kids a 2-hour non-stop playtime.

This is Little Dynamo’s last Wednesday with his Wednesday playgroup friends. Hopefully, when we come back next year, they will still have an afternoon to spare for each other.

Category: life in korea, parenting  Tags: ,  One Comment
03
Sep
House Keys No More
wendy

When I first arrived here in Seoul more than three years ago, my husband immediately and excitedly brought me to the apartment we called home for two years. It was my first time to experience a Spring morning so I was freezing outside the door but hubby took the joy in showing off the keyless lock feature of our apartment. I was actually impressed… and relieved. From then on, I didn’t have to worry about forgetting the house key.

All the apartments I have visited here in Seoul have Pin-Code Door Locks. All we have to remember is our code combination and we could rush out of the house without any nagging feeling that we have forgotten something… the house keys. It is the convenience and the security which impressed me most with having this kind of door lock. In our current apartment, we have spare house keys, just in case. But so far, we never got to use these keys. It’s just there… for whatever purpose it may serve in the future, we are also comforted  by its presence. But still, using our own pin-code combination is a convenience I could not easily give up.

My toddler would often insist to press our pin-code combination so he could open the door on his own.  But I could not let my 34-month old son memorize our pin-code. Just imagine if we could have a Fingerprint Door Lock. He would be amazed by the power of his fingers:-). I wouldn’t have to test my patience in guiding him to press our code combination. His registered fingerprints will do the trick. That would be something to look forward to.

Category: life in korea  Tags: , , ,  Leave a Comment
19
Aug
Time to Check Out Some Cars
wendy

I have blogged before about the safety and convenience of the transportation system here in Seoul and since our family of three rarely goes out of town unless well-meaning friends invite us (and drive us around), we have not had any reason to get a car. This is going to change, however. With another baby coming in December, it is imperative for us to have one already.

I am now checking on some hybrid cars and there are just many manufacturers and even many more models to choose from, my head is spinning. I have never been interested in cars and I, maybe, am one of the few remaining women out there who thinks that choosing a car is a man’s domain. In fact, I wouldn’t know what brand one is driving. I can only say, “She’s driving a silver car”. On a get-together with friends last Saturday, I opened up the idea of buying a second-hand car. Somebody suggested that we just get a brand-new one as we intend to have a car for the children, anyway. So, here I am dutifully checking cars out.

Good thing, aside from the car photos, there are also reviews available on the internet. The internet is really a one-stop-shop for anything and everything. Anyway, the photos and reviews are really helpful. I may not still be able to confidently say which brand one is driving but at least, I have less reason to declare I know nothing about cars.

Since we are living here in Seoul, it is practical to choose a Korean-manufactured car. Saying that imported cars are expensive is an understatement! I focused reading on made in Korea cars, particularly Kia. Personally, I would prefer an SUV so I could just throw in all of the kid’s stuff inside and still have ample room. I checked the 2009 Kia Borrego and I like it. But, of course, hubby is the authority on this one so we will have to wait and see.

Category: general tips, life in korea  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
18
Aug
I wish I Could…
wendy


I am so looking forward to my trip to the Philippines. What’s in there? Inexpensive spa, massages, facials… the works. Pampering!

The last time I had a body massage and a foot spa was last month in Kuala Lumpur:

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And before that? It was ages ago…

I only got an almost daily massage at home last December. Addiction? The therapist was concerned with my daily requests she had to beg off on some days. I got a professional spa treatment when I was in Iloilo… body scrub, body massage, facial … but it was only for one session… got to travel back to Manila so I didn’t have the luxury of time to splurge on it.

This time, I would love to indulge. I’m pregnant… and so I am entitled to it, right?:-)

Right now, my body’s craving for a massage… I have to settle for a really warm bubble bath before the Little Dynamo arrives from school. My face soooo wants a facial… I have to settle for a facial mud pack.

Why are things so expensive here in Seoul?


Category: life in korea  Tags: ,  12 Comments
11
Aug
Early Morning of an Ajumma
wendy


Oh, yeah. I was a true-blue ajumma this morning.

Little Dynamo slept for close to fourteen hours, waking up at 9 in the morning. That means, riding the school bus was no longer an option. He was sleeping so well, I bet he was really tired from all the playing yesterday. I didn’t have the heart to wake him up.

He leisurely had his breakfast and bubble bath. I, on the other hand, was already in my gym clothes. I was so ready and eager earlier in the morning. My morning was planned out. Right after my Little Dynamo is secured on the school bus, I was going to immediately head off to the gym. That, of course, was not what happened.

After putting on his school uniform, we both went out to hail a cab going to Kinder Schule. I, on my gym clothes and unwashed face (gym is just on the second floor of our building). The new music teacher eagerly introduced herself to me and gave me a most pleasant feedback. My son loves singing and playing the drums. He is always excited during music class and he follows his songsaengnim very well. I was listening to all these happily while at the same time wishing to get out of the building the soonest that I can.

My “ME” time, at last! I was so happy stretching my muscles. These days gym is limited to twice a week, only when Little Dynamo is in school. Mondays are out as the gym is close. And there goes the halmoni who always love to chat whenever she sees me. I love talking to people. I love being with people. But there are times I love to be left alone. My gym time is one of those times. Argghhhhh!


Category: expat living, life in korea  Tags: ,  2 Comments
05
Aug
Wednesday Playgroup
wendy


Little Dynamo has a Wednesday playgroup. Every Wednesday, our group of four moms and four kids (plus one baby girl) would gather in one venue where the kids could play together. I love hosting our Wednesday playgroup because it is very convenient for me. I do not have to bring my son to another place or another house. Our apartment building has a playroom where I could bring the kids to release their energies. It has ample room for a balloon slide, a jumping platform, two kiddie houses and a good space where they can bump cars. There is a corner for moms to chit chat while watching the kids. The playroom is full especially during winter and very hot summer afternoons. Today was a hot Wednesday afternoon.

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Aside from the convenience, I love preparing snacks for the kids and the moms. Today’s chocolate torte was a hit. So was the lemom loaf I prepared the last time. The lemon loaf was such a hit that one boy spontaneously exclaimed “Mashita!” (delicious). Today’s chocolate torte’s left-over was all crumbs. I never thought I could get this kind of satisfaction from people liking my baked goodies:-). Just how domesticated could I get? LOL. I don’t think I will ever desire going back to reading law books… hahaha.

Category: child development, expat living, life in korea  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment
04
Aug
Swimming
wendy


Our family, together with a family friend and her daughter, went to Yeouido last Saturday afternoon for swimming. The last time hubby and I were there, I was 7 months pregnant with my Little Dynamo. I had my two-piece swimsuit on, unmindful of the well-toned abs around me. I consider my pregnant belly my best accessory and I love showing it off:-).

I already donned my two-piece swimsuit beneath my shorts and shirt ready to show-off my bulging belly but when we got to the place, we were greeted by this:

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Hardly a space for our own corner…LOL.

It wasn’t the cool place hubby and I went to the last time. Well, probably because this is the time when almost all Koreans take their summer vacation.

Good thing, our place is just near. We just went home and had our little impromptu party for the kids at home.

Category: life in korea, travel/places  Tags: ,  One Comment
31
Jul
Ultrasound during Pregnancy
wendy


The first ultrasound I ever had was when I was 6 weeks pregnant with my Little Dynamo. Luckily, my OB-Gyne in Makati (Philippines) was also a licensed Sonologist. I learned later on from my doctor-friend that not all Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB-Gyne) can perform ultrasound. One has to have a license to be an Ob-Gyne Sonologist.

The above came to mind as I had my OB check-up again yesterday. I will be on my 21st week tomorrow. We’re halfway there! In 19 weeks… or even less, we will have another wailing infant in our house:-). A welcome wail, if I may add. Just like my previous monthly check-ups, I had my ultrasound with the OB-Gyne explaining the growth of my baby’s body parts. Living here in Seoul for the past three and half years, I have taken this granted. To me, this is a normal procedure for OB check-ups.

I suddenly remember family and friends asking me if I had my ultrasound done already to determine my baby’s gender. I always answer, I always have an ultrasound and they would reply “Wow!”

Back in the Philippines, one’s OB-Gyne is not automatically licensed to perform ultrasound… unless the OB-Gyne is also a licensed Sonologist.  The OB-Gyne needs to refer the pregnant woman to a licensed Sonologist for the ultrasound. For some women, one ultrasound is enough for the whole duration of the pregnancy. For higher risks pregnancy, the OB-Gyne would require more.

In Iloilo, where I gave birth, there are only two Sonologists. Three years ago, I had to wait for a long time for my turn since the Ob-Gyne Sonologist had several clients lined up before me. I hated waiting. Probably because I got used to how things are done here in Seoul. When I go home to give birth, I dread the thought of going to another hospital and wait for my turn. I’ve had enough ultrasounds, anyway:-).

Aside from ultrasound, it is normal procedure in the Philippines for various tests during pregnancy to be referred to other doctors.  For blood tests for gestational diabetes, I was referred to another clinic under another specialist. Here in Seoul, the OB-Gyne clinic where I go to will perform the blood test on me for gestational diabetes on my next monthly check-up. The convenience of the OB-Gyne clinic here  in Seoul is such a relief!

If I have my way, I would like to have all the tests done here before I go home to the Philippines. There maybe some things here in Seoul that I don’t like, but some convenience it offers would sometimes make up for them:-).


Category: life in korea, pregnancy journal  Tags: , , , , ,  15 Comments
12
Jul
Cash Card for Mothers
wendy

I finally got my own KB Star cash card.

This cash card is specifically for pregnant women. During one of my visits, the Obstetrics & Gynecology clinic where I go to handed to me a form authorizing me to apply for this particular cash card from KB Star. At first, I thought this was just another cash card with some discount perks from selected establishments. This mother’s card (”omma card” as they call it here, sorry no Korean characters in my computer) turned out to be more than that.

This ”Omma Card” is exclusive to expectant moms. The Korean Government, as long as you are a legal resident here in Korea, subsidizes prenatal care expenses of up to 200,000-won. Until your delivery date, you can use this cash card in paying your prenatal fees. Each transaction though has a daily limit of 40,000-won. For example, if your bill is 70,000-won, you may just pay 30,000-won using your KBStar cash card. You may use this card and avail of the government subsidy until you have consumed the maximum of 200,000-won.

It would take a number of days for the processing of the ”Omma Card” since the bank needs to submit the account holder’s details to the Korean Government agency which handles these matters. You may choose to have the card delivered or you can pick it up from the branch where you opened this account. Personally picking it up would definitely have a shorter waiting period than having the card delivered. I chose to pick it up since we have a Kookmin Bank branch just beside our building.

Of course, this “Omma Card” is not exclusively for your prenatal use. You could use this card almost anywhere (as long as you have cash available in the account) and a few establishment offers discounts. This is just especially called as an “Omma Card” because of its particular benefit for pregnant women.

Category: life in korea  Tags: , , , , , ,  4 Comments
07
Jul
International Health Care Center of Severance Hospital
wendy

 

Last week, I just had to see a doctor with whom I can comfortably discuss my son’s throat infection.  Hubby was able to set an appointment with the Pediatric Doctor from the International Health Care Center of Severance Hospital last Friday.

The International Health Care Center runs on an appointment system and if you want to make an appointment you may call 2228-5800 (24 hours) or 392-3404.

The lady doctor was able to settle our worries and assured us that throat infections are especially common to toddlers. There was nothing to worry about. I just needed to continue with his medication and there was no need to give him antibiotics. I also asked about the practice of the pediatricians in the clinic where we usually go where they give antiobiotics for two or three days and prescribe another set for two or three days more depending on how the kid responds to the medication. This practice worried me because the practice back in the Philippines is, an antiobiotic should be taken for seven days whether the patient is ok or not. Otherwise, there will be danger of a recurring, more severe sickness. The lady doctor assured us not to worry about this.

After almost thirty minutes of consultation with her, we proceeded to pay our bill. Bill: 59,720-won (USD46.28). Hubby immediately asked me if I presented our insurance card. When I did, we only had to pay 26,720-won (USD20.71). In contrast, when we go to the ordinary pediatric clinic, we pay around 1,800 - 2,800-won per consultation (with insurance card).

Indeed, the price one needs to pay for English speaking doctors and staff.

And, oh, for the steep price we paid, the lady doctor who attended to us last Friday said that my son still had a mild throat inJection. LOL.

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Category: life in korea  Tags: , ,  4 Comments
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