Posted in lists, Uncategorized

10 things you probably didn’t know about me.

Hey guys!
I think my readers are getting bored of my list posts. So, after this one I will take a bit of a break and think of a new way to keep you all interested!
UPDATE.
I thought I uploaded this before I took my break, but I didn’t. Sorry!

To the people who have been reading my blog lately, thank you so much! I don’t have that many visitors to my blog, so when I see you guys visiting, it makes me really happy! Thank you!

It’s kind of hard for me to make this list, because most of my readers are people that already know me. So, if you already knew some of these things, tell me how you came to know that about me.

Here goes! 10 things you probably didn’t know about me!

  1.  I am also a dog person.
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    Many of my friends are dog people. For some reason, most dog people think that you have to like either cats or dogs, and there is no way that you could like them equally. This is so wrong! So, whenever dog people ask me why I don’t like dogs, I get super offended. I love dogs just as much as I like cats!
  2. I have a really short temper.
    short temper에 대한 이미지 검색결과
    Only my family know about this. I have such a short temper. The reason why this is not known to most of my friends (and all of my readers) is because I have learnt to control my anger in front of people I am not 100% comfortable with. This leads to me bottling up my anger and exploding when I am around my family members. (Personal note to Brendan if he ever reads my blog) This is how I knew that I considered you to be part of my family, as apposed to just a friend. Feel the love every time I lose my cool at or around you.
  3. I wear most of my emotions on my face.
    emotions에 대한 이미지 검색결과
    I guess you could just say that I am not good at hiding my feelings (except anger). When I am happy I look happy. When I am focusing, I look angry/determined. When I am sad I cry or look like I am about to cry. When I am stressed, I look like I haven’t slept for hours. If you want to know how I am, just look at my face.
    (Although this isn’t an emotion, when I am sick, I actually look better than when I am not sick! But it’s because I take extra time to do my make-up!)
  4. I am obsessed with true crimes.
    watching netflix에 대한 이미지 검색결과
    I’m not sure when this obsession started… but I remember watching ’48 Hours’ with my mum when I was at university or just after I finished uni. In my free time, I used to blog and watch movies. Now I watch true crime documentaries. Actually, most of the times, when I am blogging, I have my screen split. Half documentary and half blog. Do you think watching true crime documentaries can help me in my dreams of becoming an investigative journalist?!
  5. I got full marks for my dissertation.
    dissertation에 대한 이미지 검색결과
    When I was in my finally year of university, it took me what felt like ages to decide on a topic for my dissertation. I finally decided on a topic which has not been explored before. So I had to do research in 3 different, but very specific fields, then apply it to my own research and ideas. It was so stressful. I was also heavily over the word limit and had to edit out information in multiple ways until I found what I thought was the best version. I spent days with my mum in the hospital, and nights with my lovely cat writing until just before the sun came up.
    So, when I got my results, I almost cried with joy. All my hard work had paid off. I got 75/75. It felt amazing, but I also felt regret because if I had done a tiny bit better on one of my previous assignments, I would have graduated with a first.
  6. I can’t drink coffee.
    coffee crying에 대한 이미지 검색결과
    I think, I drank too much coffee when I was at university and when I started working in Korea. One day, I went to the hospital because my airway felt so swollen and it felt like I had something stuck in my throat. The doctor gave me a check over and told me that something was causing too much acid in my stomach and it was inflaming my throat. So I had to eliminate things from my diet. The first thing I eliminated was coffee. Instantly, my symptoms went away. I thought it would be okay for me to take a rest and go back to coffee. But now, almost every time I drink coffee, I get the same feeling back. So, when people ask me if I drink tea because I am British, yes, you are right. But I also only drink tea when I go to coffee shops, because I will get sick if I drink coffee… my beloved coffee. =(
  7. I have abnormally small feet for my height.
    small feet에 대한 이미지 검색결과
    I am average height. 5ft 4inches, or 164cm. But, my feet are too small considering my height. For my height I believe UK size 5 is the average size. My feet are way below average, at UK size 3… When I was slimmer, I could fit into UK size 2.5…
    To my friends in Korea and my Korean friends, I know this sounds okay, but when you take into consideration that female shoe sizes start at size 3 in the UK, most places don’t stock my size in women’s. So. I end up shopping from kids sections.
    In Korea, my shoe size is still considered smaller than other women. But it works in my advantage as my size is usually the one left!
  8. I don’t know how to drive.
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    I’m not sure if this is still common in the UK at my age… or maybe almost everyone my age in the UK knows how to drive now. I feel kinda ashamed that I don’t have my licence, but at the same time, driving is so expensive and difficult in London. Do you guys think it’s something that I should learn to do? Even if I don’t drive when I move back to London? I am considering making that my goal for 2019…
  9. I am following in both of my parents footprints.

    I don’t talk much about my dad, because I didn’t know him, but he was a highly respected journalist in Eritrea and other parts of East Africa. I also didn’t know this until I was about 18 years old and decided to study Journalism at university.
    My amazing mummy, was a nursery nurse/ teacher! The best that I know of! And I am currently teaching nursery children! Isn’t it strange that I didn’t plan to, but I am following in both of my parents footprints?
    I don’t know much about my father, but I hope to become as respected as he was as a journalist.
    I can’t live up to my mum because she is the greatest teacher in the world! I mean look at how great my sister and I turned out!!

  10. I go to bed really early.
    cozy bed에 대한 이미지 검색결과
    I am such an early bird. If it was possible and acceptable for an adult of my age to go to bed at 8pm, I would be in bed by 8pm. I love sleep. If I was to recommend how long to sleep for per night, I would suggest 10 to 12 hours. The best length of sleep. Actually, when I think about it a bit more, I think I just enjoy being at home and laying down. I don’t even need to be sleeping.
    Is there anyone reading this blog that thinks they are lazier than me?
    Let me know…
    Maybe I need to keep up my hobbies more.

    Thank you all for reading! If you want to see more from me, please leave me a comment with a blog suggestion!

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Posted in Uncategorized

Back to the start!

Hi guys, to my followers on here who didn’t find my other blog, I hope you have all been well.

I started another blog because I wanted to start afresh, about 3 years ago now. However, I have been thinking about moving back here to Dina Daily. I finally decided to take that leap today!

I’m officially back on here as Dina Daily!!

I also have a new twitter account which you can find in the side bar.
If you haven’t already, please like my facebook page and follow me on Instagram.

Although today’s post is a bit short, I have a lot in store for you guys!

Please check out my blog fully to catch up on posts that I have imported from my other blog. For people coming from KimchiKebab, also check out my blog to find posts that I made before moving to Korea and from my first year in Korea!

In the meantime, stay tuned and I will have a proper post sometime this week!

Posted in Korea, Teaching, Uncategorized

10 things to buy when living in Korea.

Happy summer, and welcome back to my blog!

I have fished around in my brain for things to write about, that relate to Korea.

As opposed to the abundant amount of blog posts about what to pack when coming to Korea, and what to buy when visiting Korea, I have not seen any posts about what to buy when living here.

If you are anything like me, you delay buying things that you need and end up buying it a year or so later. You then think to yourself, ‘why didn’t I buy this sooner?’…
This has happened to me multiple times in the last 4 years.

So, to prevent you wasting time and avoid regret, I present to you…

10 things that you should buy when living in Korea.

Check out my other lists, here.

  1. Electric blanket 
    16_전자파_걱정없는_전기매트
    If you have to buy just one thing from this list, please buy this! My electric blanket has saved me from freezing to death in the winter. While Korea is crazy hot in the summer, the winters could not be more opposite. While a duvet can keep you warm, the cozy heat you get from using an electric blanket is irreplaceable.
    For my female readers, electric blankets are also a God-send when you are on your period! Gets rid of my lower back pain almost instantly.

    While this is not the heated pad that I use, here is a similar one.
    Space
  2. Dehumidifier
    YANGZI-dehumidifier-Household-Mute-basement-bedroom-Moisture-absorption-Drying-machine.jpg_640x640
    Korea is known for having 4 seasons. When I first moved to Korea, each season was 3 months long. What nobody told me was that the summers here are incredibly humid.
    As I have only ever lived in 1 house until I moved to Korea, I’m not sure how accurate this is but, I think Korean houses are not built as well as my very old house in London. This means, mold forms very fast. Molds annoying cousin is water.
    I regret not buying a dehumidifier in my first year, as I would have avoided sticky summers and countless times trying to scrub mold.

    Buy a mini dehumidifier 
    here!

    Space
  3. Humidifier
    B001782626

    I know, why would I suggest the complete opposite item to the one I have just mentioned. Well, two reasons. First, everyone is different. Second, Korea is wet in the summer, but it is extremely dry in the winter.
    When the winter is as cold as it gets here, you need to put the heating on. But the heating does make the air dry. I suffer from nose bleeds sometimes in the winter and I guess it is because the dry air. After I used a humidifier, the nose bleeds stopped and my skin was not dry anymore.
    However, a warning, please make sure you clean and disinfect your humidifier as it could be very bad for your health.I am in love with this humidifier lamp!
  4. Rice cooker
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    Many of my lucky friends moved into their apartment with a rice cooker waiting to greet them. I however, was not so lucky.
    Now, I do not like rice. I can go months or years without eating it. But, a rice cooker is basically a slow cooker and steamer! You can make multiple things in their and it is very compact and cheap.
    Whenever my Korean friends visited my house, they always asked where the rice cooker was and they would look at me like I had just offended their entire heritage. Avoid crushing your Korean friends hearts by buying one!

    Here is a like to a cute 1-3 person rice cooker.
    Space
  5. Mini oven
    833839289.g_400-w_g

    Again, this one might not seem necessary, but I only bought mine a year ago and I can say that I am SO glad that I bought it. This should have been the first thing I bought when I got here because I love to bake. Not only baking. When I think about what kind of foods I used to eat back home, I almost always made things in the oven.
    Mini ovens are around the same size as a microwave. More importantly, they get the job done!I have no regrets! Here is my mini oven!
  6. Shower head water purifierreview_9b028Now, I must admit, I have not bought this yet. But, I am including it in my list as most of my friends in Korea have used purifiers and they love them.
    The water in Korea is softer and I guess less chemically treated than water in London. So the water here has already done wonders for my hair.
    I am not sure about the water in other cities in the world but most of my friends have used these purifiers as they had seen negative changes in their hair and skin condition.
    As soon as I finish this post, I will order a purifier and possible give you a blog post about the benefits or cons of it!This is the most famous water purifier I have seen.
  7. Fan
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    As mentioned at the beginning of this post, the summers here are intense. I came from London, where 25 degrees is considered a heat wave! To Korea, where 25 degree is an average spring day.

    Most houses in Korea are already installed with air conditioning, but air conditioning is extremely expensive in Korea! So, I suggest buying a fan as it is more cost-effective and if you end up living in a place without an air conditioner, you are set!

    Also, handheld fans are so handy when you are out and about in public!
    You can buy the Standing fan that I use here.

  8. Vacuum
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    Most housing in Korea has vinyl plank flooring. I never realised how much hair I and Aurora shed. Not only that, but how fast dust forms! Having a vacuüm makes cleaning so much easier than using a swifter or sweeping.
    While I still use my swifter, I use my vacuum almost everyday to get rid of  Aurora’s fur in a time-saving way!There are many vacuum cleaners but here is a cheap but sturdy one!
  9. Brita water purifier
    MIN_242245_EAA

    Apparently, Korea’s tap water is drinkable. Not many Korean people drink the tap water, for I think the same reason people from London don’t drink tap water. It smells funny, the water system is old and it is well-known that the water is chemically treated.
    However, drinking bottled water is terrible for the environment and Eco system.
    Many Korean’s live in apartments and they have a water dispenser or water filtered installed. But for us foreigners, we never know when we will be moving next and water dispensers are like phone contracts, you have to sign a 2 year contract. So I suggest buying a Brita water purifier! It is slim enough to fit into your fridge, so you can also enjoy chilled water in the summer!Buy your own one here!
  10. Padding
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    As mentioned above, the winters here are incredibly cold. At first I thought that I could survive with my winter jacket from back home. I later realised how mild British weather is and how extreme Korean weather is!
    My second winter in Korea, I purchased a big padded coat and I realised that I had stopped complaining about the coldness!
    If you will be here for the winter, make sure you buy padding!Sorry, I have no link for padding. However, in winter they are easy to find everywhere. I will recommend Discovery expedition!

So there you have it! The 10 things I suggest you buy when living in Korea!

This blog post has not been sponsored (although I am willing to accept some sponsors!).

If you would like to see more blog posts of this kind, like this post and follow my page!

Posted in 30 day challenge

Day 4: Star signs

Star signs. Do you believe that you are actually a certain kind of person or have a certain type of personality because of the day you were born?

Well, I’m going to put it to the test by seeing how I similar I am to what my star sign says I should be.

I am a Taurus, so here are some facts that a friend of mine told me about and what I have found online, too.

Strengths: devoted, stable, patient, reliable, responsible.

Weaknesses: possessive, stubborn.

Taurus likes: music, cooking, working with hands, romance, good food and drink.

Taurus dislikes: complications, sudden changes, being rushed, being hungry, loud and aggressive behaviour.

So far, I am torn. Part of what I have found is true to me. The rest, I can argue with. So let’s look into it in more detail.

As far as strengthens go, I am devoted. I am devoted to my bed, songs that I know, my friends, my no work on the weekend policy. But seriously, I am devoted in many ways.

I asked my trusted friend, Felix the Cat, because I couldn’t decide if I was responsible or not, he told me that he thinks I am responsible. So, I guess I am! But when it comes to certain things like, work or important things. I think I am not responsible when it comes to making personal decisions and when it comes to money.

I agree that I am stubborn. It’s my way or the highway for most things when you are with me. I do not change my mind easily. And I agree I am super possessive. So I guess on the weaknesses side, I am very Taurus. But, I do not think that those two things are negative. What is wrong with knowing what you want and caring about things or people enough to be possessive?

I also like music, cooking, romance and good food and drink. But then again, who doesn’t like those things? (apart from my ex on the romance part. Low blow, I know.)

Now, in terms of Taurus dislikes, 100% accurate. Especially the hungry part. If I am hungry, leave me alone for your own sake.

Now, things that I do not agree on.

Being patient is 100% not true for me. I am not patient. I hate working with my hands, unless you include typing or writing with my hands.

And in terms of being reliable, I cannot answer that without being bias. So, let me know if you guys think I am reliable! But again, I guess it’s something that is true when applied to certain circumstances.

What are your star signs? And do you think you are similar to your star sign? Do you think it’s all nonsense? Do you know more about Taurus? Should I stop asking questions? Okay.

Thanks for reading!