We Registered Our Marriage

There has been a lack of activity on this blog mainly because we have been so busy with our work and also preparing for marriage, mainly the former. During this period of time and as usual, I have travelled quite abit to Korea.

So, where should I start, or rather, continue? Some updates to our relationship... we got married! Unbelievable... after 5 years and 6 months of long distance relationship, we made it and achieved the first milestone.

We had our solemnization in Singapore (at Mandarin Oriental hotel) and we chose to do it here for a couple of reasons:

1. My wedding ceremony will be in Korea, so this is like a small gathering for my Singaporean family members.

2. We have plans to stay in Singapore for good, marriage cert here will simplify PR or LTVP application administratively.

3. Registration of marriage here is more formal (in Korea, you just need to fill up a form and submit to the local district office) and more meaningful.
4. Easier to convert to Korea cert so that we have both.

The process itself is easy as long as you get your head around it. There are a few distinction for cross border marriage, which was not highlighted in the usual wedding forums. 

Firstly, if you intend to settle down in Singapore, remember to do the pre-LTVP assessment as this will shorten the LTVP application processing time to "up to 6 weeks", otherwise it could take up to 6 months. This assessment is FOC and should be taken at least one day before the solemnization. As the name suggests, this is just an assessment, it doesn't grant you anything but is for you to gauge how likely (no guarantee) your foreign spouse will be granted LTVP. If you pass the assessment, you will be granted letter of LTVP eligibility which I think is valid for a year. We did not do the assessment because we know that due to work commitments, he will not be able to stay here for the next 1 year.

Secondly, be sure to sign up for the marriage preparation program. It is not a mamdatory requirement but if you intend to apply for LTVP or PR, then this is required/preferred. I understand that you can also attend this after your solemnization. This is a 2.5 hours FOC course. I have seen couples attending this without translator even though the foreign spouse has difficulties understanding English.

Thirdly, this is just to let everyone know that your foreign spouse is able to go through the ROM process here as a tourist, with no special passes or visas.

If you are super kan chiong like me and your foreign spouse has difficulties understanding English, go through the statutory declaration (can be found online) with him/her beforehand, you are required to read this aloud infront of the ROM officer before they issue you a blank cert for signing.

We have checked out a few venues for our solemnization and decided to go with Mandarin Oriental harbour view suite for the following reasons:

1. Good food, this is quite important for my Dad

2. Good view as we have Korean family members here, we want to show them the skyline (unfortunately, our hotel rooms at Pan Pacific had better views)

3. Right size, it is meant for close family members but our family is quite huge so I needed a place to fit 60 pax.

4. Right price, this is not the actual wedding and we don't want to end up spending too much money/effort on this
5. Indoor, he can't stand wearing suit in Singapore's weather.

Mandarin Oriental harbour view suite rooms fit every criteria above. We did the ceremony in suite 3 and dinner in suites 4 and 5. Changing and makeup were done in suite 1 and we had the foyer of suite 2 for reception. As our ceremony was held on a Friday evening, we were lucky that there were no bookings so we could have all the rooms to ourselves. Overall we were satisfied with the service and arrangement at Mandarin Oriental. The night view of the skyline acts as a perfect backdrop for photos. All of our pictures turn out to be really nice even though we did not engage professional photographers. There is a ton of difference during daytime and at night, trust me, I was reluctant to go with Mandarin Oriental at first as I went to recce in the afternoon and most of the pictures posted online was during the day. It looked like a boring function room. But at night, the view is beautiful.

We stayed at Pan Pacific for the following reasons:

1. With only 6 tables, room is not included in Mandarin Oriental package price (you need at least 10 tables)

2. MO provided special rate for rooms but the standard rooms were sold out. PP rate was much better and had marina bay view.

3. Within walking distance to MO and connected to Marina Square and Suntec

PP really outperformed our expectation. They had Korean staff at the reception, shower facilities at hospitality room which could be used FOC after you check out, nice breakfast spread and really nice view (we chose the balcony rooms). The staff were really helpful and my husband was just super pleased to be serviced by the Korean staff who was able to acede to our requests on most front.

We have decided on our wedding date next year in May so stay tuned for more updates and my 스드메 (Seu-deu-me, short form for studio, dress and makeup) and hanbok choice. His aunt is in this line of business and has connections to the top notch firms which service celebrities, so everything will be a breeze for us. We will just go where his aunt recommends (otherwise preparation can be a headache). It is common to engage a wedding planner in Korea who will help you shortlist a few companies and offer better rates than you going direct. That said, being a kan chiong spider, I did my homework as well.

Korean & Singaporean Aviation Enthusiasts - Our Dreams

Both PPK and myself are aviation enthusiasts and we work in related field. We are both in love with planes since young (he probably started earlier), attending every airshow, spending hours plane spotting, collecting plane models and watching aviation drama/movies (just like what every other aviation enthusiast does). As you might have expected, airplane brought us together.

First aerial display watched together during NDP preview on 3 Aug 2013

First airshow watched together in Korea on 26 Sep 2013

Our story of chasing after our passion, is unlike the typical fairytale. I wanted to become a pilot and thus applied to SYFC. However, I got rejected during the medical test due to eyesight (mine was slightly above 300 degrees and back then they only accepted those below 250). Just a year after I applied, they increased the minimum eyesight requirement. I think another reason they were not interested in taking me in was because I applied only when I was in University (too late). I could have gone on to apply for commercial pilot after graduation but I didn't. Honestly, I was afraid that I will be rejected. I went to apply for ATC instead. After passing the second phase of interview, I pulled out as my parents weren't supportive of me working shift. Nevertheless, I still managed to make a living in the aviation field.

Second airshow watched together in Korea on 19 Oct 2013

His story is far more like a roller coaster ride. Unlike me, he is focused and determined - took the first step and never looked back. He got into pilot training (arduous journey which I shall not elaborate), had a taste of flight but got injured midway. He stopped flying for about a year and then resumed again. All I can say is that he ran out of luck. His dream had to come to an end, at least for the time being.

Plane spotting near Gimpo Airport on 21 Oct 2013

Our favourite and most watched aerobatic performance will be the one performed by Korea's Black Eagles. For those who don't know about them, Black Eagles is the flying display team of Republic of Korea Air Force, just like Singapore's RSAF Black Knights. They have performed in 2014 and 2016 Singapore Airshow. We have followed them from Korea to Singapore, to Korea and back to Singapore again. We have seen them change a few versions of their flying manoeuvres but no matter how many times we have watched it, we enjoyed it.

Third airshow watched together in Korea on 26 Oct 2013

Even though we grew up in different environment, different culture, different nationality and had different first language, it is this passion for plane that has bonded us together. It was probably the only thing we shared in common when we first met.

Fourth air show watched together in Singapore on 16 Feb 2014

To all those out there who are pursuing your dream, don't give up. I don't have wonderful success stories to share here but just to let you know (whoever you are), you are not alone. PPK and myself will continue to pursue our passion and dream. No matter how long it takes, I will continue to support him in his pursuit. I believe that if there's a will, there's a way. You might think that it's cliché but I can tell you that believing in it gives you the drive and motivation to make it happen. Sometimes, the journey there is more meaningful than being there. The longer it takes to get there, the more meaningful it is.

Fifth airshow watched together in Korea on 24 Oct 2015

Wherever you are and however far you might be from the end point, don't give up. Live your passion and behold the beauty of dreams.

Start of a New Year

A quick post to summarise the happenings in 2015.

As of 31 Dec 2015, I have been with PPK (how I address my Korean bf) for exactly 1,000 days. It certainly is no simple feat. We have been through ups and downs. I have never regretted having the downs as it made us who we are today, more understanding of each other.

Over the 1,000 days, I have been to Korea for 18 times. Due to his work schedule, sometimes I will only get last minute notice (sometimes after I board my flight) of whether we are able to meet (we only meet in Korea ever since he started his training 2 years back). I know it sounds crazy but that is the power of love. All these would not have been possible if not for my Company's benefit.

2015 hasn't been easy for us. He has been going through a tough time in terms of his career. It has also sparked me to wonder what career options do I have in Korea.

The future is daunting but I know we will pull through it as long as we have each other's support.

Singaporean Having a Korean Boyfriend

I have decided to set up this blog because our story has gathered much interest from our own friends. Hopefully, this blog will help to answer some of the queries you have about dating a Korean, moving to Korea or even about long distance relationship.

I have got to admit that long distance relationship is not easy. You might have read alot about those motivational quotes saying that distance is not a problem. Sure, those are comforting words we use when we initially started this relationship but 2 years on, we know better.

There are differences in the way we were brought up, our culture and values. Thus, misunderstandings arise, so frequent that sometimes we don't even know what is going on. None of us are wrong but because of a difference in culture and values, we perceive the words used differently. For example, in Singapore, the social drinking culture is not as bad as that in Korea. Most of us are not avid drinkers so we usually talk and drink over one cup of alcohol. We will still be as sober at the end of the day as when we started drinking. Going back home late night is really considered comparatively safe here. However, in Korea, it involves more than that. Every social event, whether you are student or an employee, involves heavy drinking. Whether you are a guy or girl, you can drink till you drop dead. I only know about this much later. So, initially when I told him I am having a drink with friends, he got quite upset. I couldn't really understand what is wrong when so many of my friends are doing the same things and no one needs to worry about our safety. So, Singaporeans are really a well protected bunch of people.

How do we resolve all these differences? Well, we got to fight through it. There is no other way out than to undergo it and sort it out among ourselves. As time passes by, it will get easier but the journey is not easy. We have been through it all the hard way. So, I tend to believe that those who survive through long distance relationship have a established a bond that is so much stronger than that of a normal relationship.

My boyfriend is a militant and that sort of make things more complicated. It's hard for him to travel out of his country so I have to travel there. Every date we have is a long awaited one and every separation is emotional. It always starts and ends at the airport thus we have developed a love hate relationship with the airport. Also, we have to struggle with citizenship issues. Nonetheless, we managed to talk through it. I always believe that no problems can be solved if both of you are sincerely committed to turn it into a win win situation for both.

If you are in the initial stages of a long distance relationship, press on. Time will resolve all problems that you are facing now. Always believe that the disputes are not because anyone has done anything wrong and you will be fine. If you really love each other and are meant for each other, you will get through it. If it is just more than personal differences, then please practise judgement.

All the best to all the long distance lovers out there.

I am Back!!

It's been a long hiatus and my last post was in 2010. It was done half heartedly back then but I am not going to delete those posts. 5 years on and many things have changed in my life. You might be wondering who am I and why would you even want to read my blog. I am not here to flaunt my personal life but rather, hoping that my life experience will be of help to you.

A little about myself. I started dating my boyfriend in 2013 and since then, my life has changed. Initially it was all about travel and music, thus the name of the blog "Travelody" which meant Travel + Melody. Now, it has evolved into cooking and alot more focus on Korea Travel.

I have been travelling to Korea alot and when I say alot, I meant almost once a month. I realised that Korean blogs have so much information about Korea but the major obstacle is of course language. So, my intention is to help break the language barrier and bring those useful information to this blog. Of course, I would have tried and tested it before bringing it here thus you can have 100% trust in the information.

I don't really know what the future holds for me (that's life) but I welcome you on this journey with me.

Have fun reading on...

Hello Everyone!!

Just a little information about myself first. I am a final year university student and am having my holidays right now. Mid June, I will be travelling to Japan to do a 2 month summer exchange at one of the local universities.

I have recently been to Korea, Seoul for my grad trip with another one of my friends. We have been to countless sites and blogs to find information for our trip. There ae a couple of official sites that will list out the popular attractions and general facts. You get bits and pieces of information here and there but just feel that it ain't comprehensive enough. This has motivated me to come out with this blog to fill in the gaps and hopefully help you to create your perfect travel itinerary.

I am also exploring opportunities to do an online spree for Korean + Japanese cosmetics and fashion (delivery in Singapore and Japan only) since I'll be in Japan for 2 months. Do tell me your response and visit my blog often! Thanks for reading.