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Published: February 19th 2008
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Day 144 - Monday 11 February
Not surprisingly I was up a little later than usual and the sun has made a welcome return. So after getting lunch, I went back to Hyde park to do a bit of sunbathing. Although its only been a week, my tans already starting to fade a little.
At 4pm Ji-Won phoned to say she'd knocked off work early. Were going to the gym again so I gathered my things and went round. Before using the sauna and pools, we spent about half an hour on the wights and machines. Despite the fact I haven't been to a gym or even done any exercise for about 5 months now, surprisingly I was able to lift more weights than when I used to go regularly and even ran a km/h faster on the treadmill. Must have been something to do with the fact Ji-Won was stood over me.
About 4 hours later we eventually dragged ourselves away from the jacuzi and headed back upstairs. Ji-Wons roomate was entertaing the Korean bloke from last week so I quickly dragged Ji-Won away. Hopefully she'll repay the favour tomorrow. Ji-Wons offered to do all my washing
and ironing for me, so I treated her to a starbucks.
Day 145 - Tuesday 12 February
After spending the morning updating this blog on the internet, I headed to the cinema. Its half price on a tuesday so I might as well take advantage. I ended up seeing Sweeny Todd, which I didn't know was a musical but nethertheless it was watchable.
As it was warm with clear skies when i'd gone into the cinema, i'd planned to spend the rest of the afternoon down the park. However about 2 minutes after leaving the cinema the rain made an unwelcome return, so it was back to the hostel instead and time to read more of my book.
Ji-Wons roomate repaid yesterdays favour so I went round her apartment for the evening.
Day 146 - Wednesday 13 February
I was up a little bit later than usual today, so leaving my phone in my room to recharge, I used the internet to book some accommodation in New Zealand and check yesterdays football results.
When I finally returned to my room I had 3 messages from Ji-Won. As she finishes work on Friday and
theres not much to do shes taken the day off and is all alone bored at home, would i like to come round. I can't believe it, the one time I leave my phone behind. Five minutes later I was round her place.
Early evening we'd planned to go to the gym again, but as i've just had a workout we just relaxed in the jacuzi instead. We then moved back upstairs and watched a korean film on dvd. Even though it was English subtitled I thought this one was rubbish and gave up halfway through.
Day 147 - Thursday 14 February
It was already lunchtime by the time I woke up today and with the sun shining after grabbing lunch I headed down to Hyde Park where I spent the whole afternoon.
Obviously todays valentines day and although in Korea its not that big a thing (infact its the women who are supposed to buy a present the guy doesn't buy anything), as were in Australia were going to celebrate it western style. Luckily for me JI-Won doesn't want to go to a restaurant she wants to cook for me instead and has even managed
to make sure her house is empty and its just the 2 of us. Ji-Wons roommate has also kindly volunteered to spend the night at a friends, so I'm even able to stay over.
So off I went for dinner. On the menu tonight was the intestines we'd had on our first date almost 2 months ago now. With no spicy sauce accompanying to disguise the taste it was a struggle eating it. After dinner we exchanged presents. I'd bought her a cute Koala teddy bear but she'd really gone to town. She gave me a usb memory stick and when I went to see what was on it there were photos of our time together, video messages, some letters, and some Korean music that we've heard during our time together. In all honesty I was a little bit lost for words. A few minutes later I was even more lost for words when her mum phoned. Her mum had been to see a fortune teller who had told her correctly that not only is her daughter living abroad but she has a western boyfriend (Ji-Won is yet to tell her parents about me yet as they're old school
traditional koreans). Apparently were going to be very happy together for many years to come. Obviously her mum wanted to know if its true. How spooky and i'm supposed to be flying to New Zealand on monday so maybe the fortune teller knows something I dont.
Day 148 - Friday 15 February
Its Ji-Wons last day at work today before she starts an English teaching course. As such she wasn't in a rush to go into work so we spent most of the morning in bed before she finally went into the office for her farewell lunch. With Ji-Won at the office, I went to Hyde Park once again to catch the rays and ended up a little sunburnt.
Watched a few dvds in the evening whilst Ji-Won was at her leaving do then popped round to see her for a while.
Day 149 - Saturday 16 February
It was a bit of a rush this morning to squeeze in my usual hour on the internet. I also just had enough time to buy Ji-Won a necklace as a leaving present before I met up with her, her roomate claire, and her roomates bloke sean, (I've used the western names they use whilst in Australia as their Korean ones are to difficult to pronounce). As I've become quite friendly with them they wanted to take me down to the beach today for a bit of a leaving do.
After spending the afternoon at Bronte beach (Luckily it was reasonably sunny), we headed back to the city centre for dinner at a Korean resturant where bottles of soju ( a Korean spirit a bit like vodka) are cheap. Two bottles later with the soju taking effect we decided to head off and go to a Karaoke bar something I'd wanted to do ever since I got to Australia.
Luckily for me as im a terrible singer unlike back in England you get your own private room, so only have to sing infront of your friends. The Koreans were really good, so I had to make up for it with some excellent choreography. My rendition of Sexbomb was particularly good.
With Claire staying at Seans tonight, we headed back about midnight to take advantage.
Day 150 - Sunday 17 February
With today being my last day in Australia i'm planning to do all the things i've enjoyed in Sydney again one last time. However as it was already midday by the time we dragged ourselves out of bed, I had to abandon my plans for another visit to the Korea cinema.
As I had still to pack and prepare things for New Zealand I headed back to my hostel for a couple of hours to get ready. All packed up we headed for another spa session and the chance to relax. After a short break back at Ji-Wons we had dinner and a final walk around Darling Harbour.
I'd wanted to watch Preston play Portsmouth in the FA cup, but as it doesn't start until 3am and Ji-Wons going to stay with me in my hostel tonight, I decided to spend the time with Ji-Won instead.
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