the things you write when you couldn't sleep

I love it that Blogger's interface has never changed over the years. This way, I can easily get back from where I left off no matter how long it will take me. My so-called 'blogging life' has its own mood swings that usually takes months to recover. For starters, I am my own audience. I write here for ME. This is a little testament of my own (in)sanity, err, vanity. I applaud myself whenever I could formulate one paragraph right off the bat. If I could express my ideas in one cohesive sentence. If I could spot grammar lapses before I hit Publish. My posts have varied tones that I myself am amused at revealing different personalities.

So forgive me dear reader,
...for revealing some, but none too much
...for leading you on, but getting you nowhere
...for making you wait, and wait some more
...for being a tease, feeding your ego by reaffirming what you thought, knew or felt
...for making you expect more but letting you down
...for disappointing you with yet another meaningless post as this

And I appreciate you too
...for reading and commenting with your true identities
...for reading and commenting Anonymously
...for browsing uninterestedly then clicking randomly through my multitude of links
...for finding yourself here coming from the better blogs linking me
...for reading and digging through older posts hoping to find dirt
...for reposting my pics, with credit or not, who cares cause I don't check this blog as often as you anyways
...for commenting with links to Viagra, NAKED MEN and mortgage/lending sites
...for reading and telling yourself you knew better
.
It has been seven years now since i started this blog. Who knows if this will still survive another seven or more. As long as Blogger will remain unchanged, patronized and free--and I'm still here, certainly it will. If you happened to be there all those times or merely at one point, appreciating or loathing my short, sweet and senseless posts, to YOU I am greatly indebted.

Hello there, old blog!!!

I know it's been a while. Sorry for the long hiatus! If only blogger has a blackberry app, I could update this page every now and then...Guess, I'm too caught up with this smartphone craziness and my new 'mobility' that I could stand not being in front of a pc for weeks. Oh well, I promise to get back to you the soonest. I might even dress you up a little bit. Just like old times...

Kimchi and more

In between bouts of laundry and  The Hills reruns, I managed a thought of kimchi outage on our table for the past weeks (or has it been months?). We sure had our constant supply from my mother-in-law replenished every so often but the last time she returned our huge plastic container, it was not the cabbage kimchi I expected but radish or chonggak kimchi which I cannot stand! I love our regular cabbage or paechu  kimchi which I helped make for the first time last November along with my omonim's ajumma neighbors! That was my first daunting task as a dutiful daughter in law. :) And mind you, my MIL's kimchi is the best surpassing the restaurants' deliriously MSG filled goodness. Legend has it that my husband couldn't eat kimchi in his friends' houses when he was young.

I understood it's not kimchi making season yet so I opted to buy pre-packaged, over-priced cabbage kimchi from Lotte Mart. I definitely can never stand the chonggak kimchi's bitter taste and dreadful smell when taken out of the fridge. To date, we don't own a kimchi refrigerator as we're getting the stash from the mother ship (a.k.a. in-law's house and farm) along with other vegetables and rice. They live just about 5 minutes by car so it's almost just a trip down to my neighborhood sari-sari store! We're truly blessed to have in laws providing us with our basic needs as a newly-married couple. Btw, my neophyte tip to remedy the awful kimchi smell not to dominate your entire fridge or the kitchen for that matter is to cover the container first with plastic or saran wrap before putting on the lid.

So what takes me to this point is this news article I've read a few days back on Chinese cabbage price hike affecting Korea's staple food for next year. The culprit it says is the unusual weather conditions that we are experiencing. True enough, it's almost we're skipping fall season this year with unusually cool to cold temperatures come nightfall and early mornings.

Read full article on JoonAng Daily Cabbage crisis causes kimchi crunch. To quote "Even the Blue House has been hit. President Lee Myung-bak has switched from kimchi made from Chinese cabbages to European cabbages..."

Now, who knows the relation between Heidi and cabbages? kidding...lolz!

Musings

Well, I've been out of the loop for a while. It's not that I've been totally hibernating 'coz I still check this site once in a while or my blogger friends sites for the matter. Maybe I've been spending too much time on Facebook or Twitter reeling on more real-time posts (mostly not mine, though) that blogging may seem as ancient as mIRC trying to connect to a server!

It's almost the last quarter of the year...and the most (un)eventful so far. I'm pushing my third year in Korea and still struggling to learn the Language. I'm not blaming it on anyone or making excuses any longer for this sad fate. Heck, I don't want to even talk about it. I'm a big snob when it comes to this. So, pardon me...

I've started on a new job/employer at the start of the year and eventually, next week will be my last...Nice try, huh! Another tragic story that I'm not too happy talking about, either. It wasn't a big loss, anyway. One good thing came out of it though. I've gained experience in teaching adults in a classroom setting. So I've finally found some decent conversation while in class and not just playing silly games or tongue-in-cheek chants! And realized that I'm made for the latter anyways.

Our love story hasn't gone sour yet, I suppose. Rather, it has stabilized to where it should settle in the first place---reality. It's almost we're back to square one. We're still to coming to terms with living together. For the longest time, we couldn't live without each other. Now, we're torn as to which actually worked better. Don't get me wrong, we're still crazy about each other! And we're bound to have our own offspring sooner the better, I hope.

Again, pardon my 9-11, pre-chuseok musings. Not much to stir my husband's ancestors in high heavens! This is one difficult year, undoubtedly. But I'm still hopeful and thankful for the adequate 'harvest' and wishing for all my ajumma friends likewise.

Adventureland

The 80's wasn't really my coming-of-age decade, but I have undying fascination of the youth culture that sprung out of the era. Blame it on my fanatic observations of my elder cousins, our underaged helpers, John Hughes' teen flicks, and mostly from the pop/punk/new wave music that defined the decade.

A recent discovery is the film Adventureland (2009). Set in 1987, about a group of teenagers on summer jobs at a local amusement park. Typical 80's teen movie elements aren't missed--the nerd virgins, the troubled pretty girl, the obnoxious hunk, the pot heads, the popular slut etc. But everything wasn't too typical at all! In fact, I enjoyed the gloomy suburban feel to it. And really, what could go wrong when Kristen Stewart is one of the leads?

A real treat is the awesome soundtrack. Here's a playlist of the songs I enjoyed in the film. Hope you'll love them as much as I did!



1. Satellite of Love - Lou Reed
2. I'm in Love with a Girl - Big Star
3. Just like Heaven - The Cure
4. Don't Dream it's Over - Crowded House
5. Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
6. Pale Blue Eyes - Velvet Underground

p.s. Lou Reed/Velvet Underground and Big Star were icons of the 60's and 70's respectively. Songs and artists featured in the movie OST were not necessarily part of the 80's music genre.

LOVE

How should I begin...

Let's just say Love hits you...



at the most unexpected places or time.



But I wouldn't also advise to just sit and wait,



as the most positive or the frustrated would say.



Loving may take courage, a little luck, or loads of prayer.



Love had been many things for me...



It took me a while to understand,



or maybe I still don't after all...



All I know is it felt right from the beginning,



unpretentious and alive...



...a breath of fresh air.



a HAPPY thought!



And I was ready to give it a chance,



to give it my all...



for better or worse...


Him and Me
with our families
Nov. 22, 2009
Uijoeongbu, South Korea

Taga-uma*@Korea

I remember Genevieve or 'Bevs' during our freshman year in U.P. Visayas (Miagao, Iloilo) as the girl who usually sits in the front row, throwing witty insights with a dose of sarcasm to our professors. In her petite but strong-willed frame, and proud Kinaray-a (from Antique) accent, we knew she was deemed for bigger things. Little did we know that it would all come too soon for her.

Genevieve L. Asenjo is perhaps the most celebrated alumna of our class in the Humanities. She earned her first Don Carlos Palanca Memorial award for Literature at 22 (Hiligaynon short story tagauma@manila), published her first collection of short stories at 25, (Taga-uma@manila kag iba pa nga pakipagsapalaran (A collection of Short Story in Kinaray-a) and a PhD in Literature at 28 (High Distinction and Outstanding Dissertation Award) . From 2003 to present, she is an Assistant Professor at De La Salle University in Manila.
Currently on leave for a study grant here in S. Korea, she explores this part of the peninsula with childlike enthusiasm. Hangeul classes at the Korea University are part of her daily routine aside from the cultural tours integrated within the program. She's also keen on exploring and researching for some new material for a new project. Perhaps a novel, a prose, a screenplay...who knows? And yes, if you ask her why she is in Korea she'll straightforwardly tell you...'To fall in love!"

Despite all her nakaka-windang accolades, she still remains to be the same charming, down-to-earth Bevs that we knew.

How did your writing career began?
I was discovered in a literary event in UPV during my last year in college. I was invited to pursue my master’s degree in DLSU, and was offered an entry position as faculty.

What’s the transition like coming from UP to La Salle?
My first job was like on a different status. Sort of a culture shock. I didn’t know at first how to grade! But everyone was helpful so it was not really that difficult.

What are your impressions of South Korea and the Koreans?
Seoul is cleaner and more organized than Manila. I was amazed sa dami ng flowers! On my first day, I was tempted to pick up some roses down the walls in the neighborhood. Bigla kong naisip, baka may law and there would be a headline: "Filipina, arrested for picking roses in Seoul"! Katakot!

What are your insights about Pinoys in Korea?
During mass on Sundays sa Hyewa, ang daming lalaki. Obviously, mga lalaki ang pumupunta dito para mag-work. Ang available na work para sa mga lalaki. Napaiyak ako noong una, thinking ito ang mga magulang na may mga pamilya na naiwan, iniwan sa Pinas, at nangungulila rito kasi ako nga, nalulungkot e.

Favorite Korean food?
Bibimbap! I'm fine with Korean food. Lahat makain ko, actually. Di lang masyadong nakakabusog kaya on the first week weeks, feeling ko palagi akong gutom.

Can you recommend some notable Korean literature.
Marami magagaling, mahirap nga lang ang mga pangalan! Saka ito 'yong 'serious literature'. Gusto ko ang isa sa pinakasikat nilang poet, si Ko Un. Kaya lang matanda na. Nakapunta ito sa 'Pinas. Ipinanganak siya during the Japanese occupation at naging Buddhist monk after the Korean war. Doon siya simulang nagsulat. Then lumabas din at nag-asawa ng isang literature prof. O, di ba?... Nakakainggit na they are really writing in Korean. Nakakamangha na ang binabasa nila - like Harry Potter - in Korean translation. In short, they are reading the world in their own language. Mismo!

What’s the direction of Phil Literature in your opinion?
I think we are doing fine sa Phil. Lit. Most academe based nga lang. We are writing in different Phil. languages and nagpa-publish na rin ngayon internationally other than 'yong mga matatandang writers. Last year, Filipino ang nanalo ng grand prize sa Man Asia Literary Award. Ito ang isang prestigious award sa Asia. Novel ito in English. This year, andaming nasa shortlist. Visit panitikan.com.ph. Dito mababasa ang ilan sa mga works ng maraming magagaling na Pinoy writers.

Do you have any special projects in Korea?
I volunteered for Sulyapinoy and they scheduled me for a talk on Sept. 27 (tentative date) after the mass. Literature and globalization ang general topic. Philippine-Korea ang context. Baka mag-facilitate rin ako ng writers workshop sa grupo ng mga Filipino women married to Korean sa Busan sometime in October. I'm trying to write my projects - poetry and fiction - aside from my official activities here that include studying Hangeul and doing cultural tours.

What's the next step for you in the Philippines?
My next book, my first novel, is coming out this December. The title is "Lumbay ng Dila" (Loneliness of Tongue).You can read the first few chapters on this link. http://www.philjol.info/philjol/index.php/IDEYA/article/viewArticle/952.

Dr. Genevieve L. Asenjo is a poet, fictionist, researcher, translator, cultural worker, and Assistant Professor at De La Salle University-Manila. She is the author of Pula ang Kulay ng Text Message (University of San Agustin Press, 2006), a poetry collection in Kinaray-a and Filipino, and taga-uma@manila kag iba pa nga pakipagsapalaran (NCCA, 2005), a collection of stories in Kinaray-a. She is a three-time Don Carlos Palanca awardee for her stories in Hiligaynon and two-time Home Life Magazine awardee for her poems in Filipino. She is a member of Philippine International-PEN, Philippine Studies Association, and the NCCA Translation Committee. She has published in national anthologies, magazines, and journals. She has earned writing fellowships and served as panelist in writing workshops. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in Literature at DLSU.
Source: Mothertongue Publishing Inc.

*Taga-uma - in the Hiligaynon dialect, pertaining to a person living or hailing from the countryside or with provincial roots.

Hyewha on a Sunday

Hyewha-dong is the Pinoys' "melting pot" in Seoul. Never could one imagine a crowd of Filipinos in all forms and sizes, in mother tongues so diversed, could assemble in one little 'Bayan' --not even in Quiapo nor Divisoria.

The Hyewha Catholic Church serves as the Pinoys' comfort zone on a Sunday. Tagalog mass is conducted at 1:30pm. For somebody like me who would usually take hearing mass for granted, I was moved by the simple "Alleluia" being sang in Filipino. Kudos to the awesome Pinoy all-male choir!

And what better way to celebrate a Sunday but to satisfy our craving for some Pinoy comfort food! Carinderias sprout everywhere the area on this busy day. A set meal could start from 5,000 won which includes 2 ulam, soup and rice even good for 2! (as in lamon to!) I was too absorbed in eating my sisig and bakareta that I forgot to take some shots! Street food from bananacue to squid balls shouldn't be missed as well! A bonus to other foreigners is that vendors can speak both in English and in Korean!

Here's the palengke-day scene outside the church.

HOT vendors Piolo and Sam...joke lang po!


Canned goods to bring home!

Only in the Philippines...balut and mangga!

The Palenkeras and Palengkero...
Myself, writer-friend Gen Asenjo, on a study grant hiatus and Zach of Sulyapinoy.org!

Dae Jang Geum Theme Park

And so we were bored on a scorching Sunday afternoon. How redundant can it get? Husband and I decided to take a little tour not very far from where he lived. And guess what was there all along? The Dae Jang Geum Theme Park! Yes, the site of the famous drama Dae Jang Geum or "Jewel in the Palace".

We were two strangers trying to 'acquaint' ourselves with this quaint theme park. Me, perhaps being the only Filipino who has not seen the drama, and him enjoying his first visit after almost 15 years. Once it was just a park open to public built by MBC TV station, then reconstructed into a drama set in 2003. I can't believe he never attempted to sneak in to watch the filming inside when this place is almost just across his street! Tsk, tsk...

Lee Young-Ae is even her favorite actress!

Costumes for Rent

MBC Studios

The soccer field at the foreground where he used to play when he was young.

Moi, trying hard to be an almighty kusinera!

Entrance fee: 5,000 won
(1,000W discount for Yangju City residents)
Tour duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Killing time while tripping down memory lane: Priceless! 

How to get here: take Seoul Metro Line 1. Get off at Yangju Station exit 1 and cross the street. A local Yellow bus marked DaeJangeum Thema Park (#2-4) leaves approx. every 5 minutes.

Tao lang...

The picture can speak for itself....until you read the caption!!!Manila Bulletin 'to ha!!!

Tita Cory

The tearful Philippine skies were almost like a prelude to the Filipinos mourning over Cory Aquino's passing. From the first day of our week-long trip down to the last, the skies were all but gloomy. Our beach front rooms in Boracay were of no use except for viewing the swaying coconut trees. The pool-resort I reserved in Bacolod only served as backdrop to the daily downpour. Nevertheless, the trip was a memorable one for all of us. With some major and minor nuances also meant to be forgotten. Still, I'm thankful that we're back in Korea all in one piece.

On our last day, Sunday, we took Cebu Pacific's first flight out from Bacolod to Manila (better early than rushing to our flight back to Korea at around 3pm). I was still heady and delirius while chatting with my friend Dulce whom we met in Makati. And when the newspaper-boy passed by with this image on the front page I just gasped like I completely understood it. And my friend confirmed, 'Yes, day...last night'. (Btw, no newspapers on Cebu Pacific's discounted flights on economy class, local and international...nor food and water! buti na lang may upuan! hehe...)

Here are some photos from The Philippine Star's inside spread tribute.

1986 Inauguration and People Power Rallies.

Cory and Ninoy's Wedding Day in 1954.

Cory as a young Kulasa. She was valedictorian in elementary school.

Prayer for a Happy Death
by Corazon C. Aquino
(written while she was still in good health.
from The Philippine Star August 2, 2009)

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
Most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient to be true
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.

When that final moment does come,
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know how happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray for each other

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered in our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope,
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love.
Amen.

Farewell, Tita Cory!
Thank you for making us believe in Democracy.
May your legacy remain in all of us.

Homecoming

Just one more sleep and I'll be back in the islands again. Counting my sleep is a habit I took after my kindergarten students when they're excited about something! ;) For sometime I've been praying, dreaming, wishing (cursing!) for good weather. Since 2-3 weeks ago I've been looking at weather forecast sites. Accuweather has a 15-day forecast and I've been following other sites too for any deviance. So far they seem consistent with their favorable forecast. Please God, grant us some Philippine sun even just for next week! And you can rain all you want after that! ...just kidding!

The weather wouldn't really matter to me if I was the only one coming home. But I'll be bringing my new Korean family as well. Yes, my husband (yup, we're legally married now but saying that takes some getting used to...with my friends I still refer to him as my fafa or si lolo nyo!) his parents and sister.

It will be the first time for his father and sis so I want the vacation to be extra special. I want aponim to brag about San Miguel beer and the seafood to his friends and agassi about Boracay and the shopping malls when she comes back to the university. As for omonim it will be her second time but she's only been to Manila before. So it will be her chance to go island hopping in the Visayas. As for yobo, he's just excited to meet my dysfunctional family for the first time hehe...

And yes...I'm so ecstatic to see my college friends in Iloilo again. One of my friends Yen will finally have her church wedding after 7 years and 2 kids. I remember attending her civil wedding in Manila City Hall just during her lunch break from work. Her husband is a seaman so they were rushing to wed just before his vacation ends.

L-R: RED, CHE, ANA, BOB, CHEL, ME, ANN, HELEN, YEN, DULC, SHARA

Here's a pic of us during our graduation in 2000. Yes, we're the Centennial Grads so we really worked our asses off just to get the bragging rights for that! In UP simply graduating in 4 years is already an accomplishment! Thanks to Richel for the Facebook tagging and pic upload.

Anthem of the Mixed

Her name is T. aka Tasha Reid(Yoon Mi Rae). Mom is Korean and father is African-American. Wife to famous Korean hip-hop/rap artist Drunken Tiger. Multi-awarded but seemingly underrated. This song is called Black Happiness, relating about her experiences growing up colored in a very discriminating Korean society. Words to this music are too profound in the English translation. I hope it had the same effect in Korean. See full English translation below.

Black Happiness (감은행복) by: T

My skin was dark from my past
People used to point at me
Even at my mom
Even at my dad who was black, and in the army
People whisper behind my back
Said this and said that
I always had tears in my eyes
Although I was young
I saw my mother's sadness

Everything
seemed like it was my fault
Because of my guilt
I washed my face everytime during the day
With my tears I melt the white soap
I always hated my dark skin
why O why
Does the world judge me
When I hate the world
I close my eyes

I put my soul into the music my father gave me
I feel the volume
And fly higher and higher
Far away
la musique

(When I hate the world)
(Music soothes me)
(you gotta hold on)
(and love yourself)
(When I hate the world)
(Music raises me up)
(so you gotta be strong)
(you gotta hold on)
(and love yourself)

Time passed and I was thirteen
My skin was dark brown
Music doesn't judge color
They give me light
I lead my music
We lean on eachother
I don't feel lonely
Then one day
I was given a chance
I held on to my microphone

And suddenly I was on stage
I say goodbye to music and ask it to come back
Then I became nineteen
I have to lie
I put white makeup over my face
They told me to wear a mask
They said my mom's race was okay
But not my dad's
Every year my age was nineteen
During times when time stopped

I felt like I was in jail
And I leaned on myself
I spent endless, painful days
I ignored their warnings
And because I missed music
I tried to escape
But no, I got caught
I prayed all night
And now I'm free

credits to: rainieyang09

The well-heeled woman

www.suecommabonnie.com

A Korean modern woman is akin to a pair of high-heels. Lean and long, delicate yet sturdy. In fact, you can easily spot a foreigner from a distance with the absence of clacking high heels or the catwalk grace. Us, from the other side are usually criticized with our laid back manner of dressing. For them sloppy but we mean comfortable. We do know how to dress up on occasions. What woman wouldn't love to?

I came to Korea in the fall of '07. Among the first 'happening' places I've been to was in Myeongdong and I was treated to a sightful of these heel-clad women in all forms and sizes. Coming from the tropics (ehem, Third World) where flip-flops were our year round get-up, I felt misplaced amidst a throng of Korean Barbies.

Good thing, my friend Dee was there to save me. I mean she educated me with everything 'Korean'-- street-wise and fashion-wise. She has lived here for four years before her family migrated to the US. We're no fashionistas but we definitely cringe at TACKINESS! And I love looking at fashion trends. Seoul or anywhere in SK for that matter, is such an ideal place for trend-spotting because they know how to translate it! What you see in the runways or fashion magazines are what you literally see on the streets. No wonder, Korea is one big manufacturer of designer knock-offs!

For young Pinays planning to visit Korea or stay here for sometime, let me share with you a handful of tips for a street-smart experience. Some were handed down from my friend, Dee.

So here goes...from one Filipina to another...from one well-heeled woman (feeling lang no!) to another! ;)

1. Learn the chopsticks! Really!!! As in don't even think of coming here if you couldn't! Good thing I learned to use them since high school. My brother and I used to kupit some in Chowking! =) You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself if somebody treats you out. Some restaurants also don't provide forks for the simple reason that they don't have them! And if you're a foreigner, Koreans would definitely treat you for some authentic Korean food. Forks are usually reserved in fast food places or fine dining. Extreme, eh.

2 . Wear make up! Back home, I ONLY wore make-up for night-outs or if there's a pang-hotel occasion. Otherwise, why bother? Hello, ang init no! But in this country, respect is gained by one's demeanor. It's not saying that you'll clone yourself to be one of them. But a little brightness in the face would surely make a difference.

3. NO JEAN JACKETS!!! This tip was courtesy of Dee. I plead guilty of bringing my old one before! In the Philippines, that's no big deal but you'll understand what I mean once you get here!

4. Baby-Tees are so out! So if you plan to bring 10 new pieces that you thought were so cool from your cosmopolitan city, trust me...they don't belong here. They're good under shirts though!

5. Be friendly and courteous. By this I mean learn to greet and say, Ahnyonghaseyo! to anyone or even a simple nod. Also get used to bowing down to older people. Some say Koreans are rude but that's not entirely true.

6. Learn to walk in stilettos! ...or run or jump or chase a bus and climb flights of stairs with them! That's one wardrobe staple for every Korean woman ages 15 and above! It's ridiculous sometimes to see them so high and mighty in the middle of rain or snow or whatever catastrophe brings the day. Don't worry if u haven't brought one. You can get 'em cheap everywhere here. But I admit, I haven't gotten used to them at all!

7. Bring your FAKES. If you thought your knock-off LV, Chloe, Gucci etc. purses were so shameful in the Philippines, bring 'em here! This is one country where women pride themselves of owning anything designer, real or not! That doesn't end in bags too! Bring those scarves, wallets, belts, jewelry...anything that has foreign HIGH-fashion names on them as in haute couture ha...hindi fake Natasha! (meron ba? jologs hehe...)

8. Don't bring your oversized WINTER WONDERLAND costume. Unless you want to go sledding all day in the winter! Buy your winter clothes here. Instead, bring warm socks, undershirts, mufflers, gloves if you come here on winter time. The outer jackets are aplenty and inexpensive especially in a lot of discount stores.

9. Bring your ALIEN CARD everyday and everywhere. You'll never know when or where immigration randomly checks. (as in may topak!)

10. Yes, don't forget you're still 100% Filipino. So if someone asks you where you're from...say it ala Bb. Pilipinas...I'm from the Philippines!!! And yes, it's THE Philippines hindi lang "I'm from Philippines!"... please lang no!!!

Addiction starter

Yay! Just had my first Korean fashion magazine purchase! Took me more than a year to do so. Given the fact that they're purely in Korean (no matter how foreign the covers are at first glance), Costly with a big C, they are HEAVY! Blame it on impulse buying coming from a petty fight with the beau and running into a bookstore in my little town that has one decent bookstore with only a shelf, yes, a SHELF of foreign fiction novels.

So, here it is...Elle Korea June 2009. Could have been a great deal if only I could read it! It has Milla Jovovich on the cover. The issue comes with a special supplement and a neat little carrying case. Elle Korea is known for its freebies among the other Korean glossies. Impractical but its still worth feasting my eyes on celebrity fashions, with the pages' sweet perfume smell and drooling over the luxuries I could never afford! My very own cheap thrill, now in a different language!

I've always been a huge fashion/women's magazine reader ever since I could remember. My mother used to buy MOD, Woman's, Women's Journal and all other magazines in newsprint, back in the day (along with my Funny Comics, Bata Batuta or Ayos! comics!) I was already following Jessica Zafra's column, Womanagerie in Woman Today as early as 10 years old.

I just hope this little addiction wouldn't blow up as it had been. I had boxes and boxes back in Manila that I just trashed before coming here. Unlike with books that one can easily sell or give away, these are simply worth nothing! A mere extension of the insanely deceiving high-fashion and cosmetic industries. Again, impractical and feeding on my humble superficiality.

I like Red!

A cute, little song from one of our books.

I like Red
Red, Orange, Yellow
Green and Blue
Red, Red, I like Red

Red, Orange, Yellow
Green and Blue
Green, green, I like Green

Red, Orange, Yellow
Green and Blue
Blue, blue I like Blue
* Step by Step 1B

Cornell Class


Stanford Class


Tell me which class did it best??? Ivy league, eh...


I remember those days when everyone's only got 8 colors in the Crayola box. And those were all the colors you need to know. You can already color your rainbow, make the flowers red, the grasses green and the poop brown!

Now, who knows how many?

A little look up from Wiki says there are 133!

And Crayola even came up with the Silly Scents series with names like Alien Armpit, Smashed Pumpkin, Gargoyle Gas, Ogre Odor, Mummy's Tomb, Booger Buster, etc...Try to imagine how they would look (or smell) like...

Ding, dong, deenggggg!!!....

You jump, I jump!

"I am indebted to so many people. A lot of people have suffered because of me. I can’t fathom their suffering more in the future. The rest of my life will only be a burden. I can’t do anything because of my poor health. I can’t even read or write anything. Don’t be too sad. Life and death are both a part of nature. Don’t be sorry. Don’t hold grudges against anyone. It’s fate. Cremate me and erect a small gravestone near my home. I’ve thought about this for a long time."
--translated suicide note of former S. Korea president Roh Moo-Hyun.
(by the Marmot's Hole)

If all leaders are like you, then life would be simpler...all is forgiven!

photo from Chosun Ilbo

Miss U!

Now, this is one thing I miss...Pinoy Humor!!!...
truly nothing beats! ^^

Presenting the Miss Universe Parade of Nations starting with....

The Beauties of Asia and the Pacific:

Boom! Kabum! Kablam!... AFGHANISTAN!
Harutan, Laplapan, Ariputan… JAPAN!
Mula sa lupa na kulang ang bigas, sandamakmak na mandurugas… PILIPINAS!
King Kong, Kangkong, Korikong… HONG KONG!
(Acting as Mongoloid) Eeehhh aaahhhh… MONGOLIA!
Saan ang gimik? Sa Megamall or sa Glorietta?... SAMOA!
Red Tea, Green Tea, Iced Tea… TAHITI!
Ako ay bonggang-bongga, Walang kasing bongga, from… TONGA!
Amnesia, Anesthesia... INDONESIA!
One little, Two little, Three little… INDIA!
Singaone, Singatwo, Singathree... SINGAPORE
Taifour, Taithree, Taitwo... TAIWAN!
Tama ako, tama ka, tama tayong lahat... MALAYSIA!
Aray ko po, aray ko po, wag nyo po akong saktan... KAZAKHSTAN!
Parang Spam, Brick Ham, at Chinese Ham… ako ay malinamnam... VIETNAM!
Hindi na In, Hindi na Sikat, eh ano sya?... LAOS!
Move over Lutong Bahay… Here comes Lutong… MACAU!

Beauties of Europe:

EDSA, Ayala, Buendia… ESPAÑA!
Alms… spare me a piece of bread… I am... HUNGARY!
Mula sa bansa na unang nagpauso ng po, opo, at mano po… POLAND!
One way, two way, there’s no other way... NORWAY!
Seduce me… I’m not Amy Perez, I’m Amy… AUSTRIA!
Palagi na lang ako…ako…ako... MONACO!
Taliba, Tiktik, People’s Tonight… BULGARIA!


Beauties of the Americas:

Baha doon, baha dito, baha sa buong mundo... BAHAMAS!
Ola! Areola! Arinola! Kaserola!... VENEZUELA!
Mula sa Bayan ng mapupulang Gumamela… GUATEMALA!
Tang ina mo wag kang pasaway... PARAGUAY!
Anna Karenina, Flor De Luna… ARGENTINA!
Ako po ang nawawalang kapatid ni Majah Salvador at Phillip Salvador… EL SALVADOR!
I'm sorry Sir, I'm sorry Ma'am... SURINAME!

Beauties of Africa:

Hindi sa akin, hindi sa yo, kanino sya?... KENYA!
Alin…alin…alin ang naiba. Isipin kung alin ang… naiba… NAMIBIA!
(Ala Nora Aunor) Isang beses ko lang sasabihin ito… hindi ako si Bembol Roco… MOROCCO!
From the land where nobody is less than nor greater than… SUDAN!
Ako po ay maganda, saksakan ng ganda, putang ina ang ganda from... UGANDA!

*re-posted from my friend Valerie. Thanks, gurrl!

Bear's Town

Our winter trip with the kids at Bear's Town.

Just trying out this site that my friend Yen recommended. It instantly makes videos like this but the free trial can only give you 30 seconds. Just load your pics, choose the music and they do the effects for you! Their slogan boasts 'The end of slideshows'. But with a price of course, if you want to do full length videos! I didn't bother finding out how much though. Well, it's still worth checking the site animoto.com Great fun to kill boredom!

a Wedding and a Funeral

My weekend was filled with 'family affairs'. My boyfriend's family, that is. On Saturday we attended his elder cousin's wedding, the bride. It was my first introduction to the important people in his family. I was hesitant to come with him but his cousins wanted to meet me. I also felt its time to meet the elders as well. I was a nervous wreck as usual! Even going to his house still gives me the jitters even if I've been there several times. We were late as traffic in Uijangbu usually never cooperates if you're in a hurry for special occasions. ;) So when we arrived at the wedding hall, the ceremony was over and they were already taking pictures. I was disappointed as it could have been my first time to witness a real wedding ceremony. Anyway, I refused to have my picture taken as I felt it's still inappropriate as it's only my first time to meet all of them. I don't know if this act is being courteous or rude. But I hope they would understand.

I was in fact overwhelmed with their hospitality. His father was the one introducing me as his son's fiance. His mom and aunts were all over me giving flattering remarks which made me more self-conscious. I just felt so bad that I couldn't respond accordingly as my Korean is below average. It's during these occasions that I would play deaf-mute and charming which is way out of my character. haha! My mother would have been so proud of me for 'holding my peace'. I remember I was always reminded as a little girl to 'behave' as I tend to lose my tact on family affairs. Anyway, it was an afternoon-full of bowing and pleasantries and yes, buffet food! I'm thankful for these Korean modern weddings with less fuss and frills. No awkward single ladies games, and long long sermons as long as the wedding trail...I'm already looking forward for our day to come too!

Sunday, I was on my way back from my class in the university when my boyfriend called. He said to come home fast as my boss' mother died who is also his father's eldest sister. I was crushed. Halmony (grandmother) was my favorite person when I arrived here in Korea. My apartment is on the same building as my boss' house. And she lived with them until she got very ill last year. She was unable to go up the third floor so she transferred in her son's house which is just across the street. I believe she had a heart bypass surgery twice and is already very weak. She was in and out of the hospital for sometime and two weeks ago the family was already "informed". I felt so sorry upon hearing that but last week she got better. She came out of the hospital and she looked fine they said. But Sunday afternoon, after receiving some visitors, she suddenly fell on the floor. They rushed her in the hospital which is only about 15 minutes from us, also in Uijangbu but she didn't make it.

Halmony was very kind to me in particular, among the other teachers. She would often knock on my door on early mornings to offer some food. She would say "yummy, yummy" as she thought that meant food! :) She would usually say some kind remarks everytime she sees me like I really understood them followed with a bap mogu? (meaning have you eaten rice? this greeting goes way back during Korea's days of war and famine) When she knew about my relationship with her nephew I expected her to be disappointed, as most of the elders were not open about us. In fact, there was a time when I felt that she was the only one who approved of me. She was very supportive of us as I heard from my boyfriend that she called his mother once and told her to let us be. I would understand the hesitation on his family's part but even with my eyes and mind wide open, I couldn't help feeling hurt. Apart from the kimchi and side dishes she would give me every so often, I owe to her the "gift of acceptance" in their family.

We went to the mortuary last night which was also set up at the basement of the the hospital. Unlike the western style services where people are allowed to see the dead, only a picture is shown as I learned the body is not embalmed. Here the guests can offer flowers, light an incense, offer monetary gifts and bow down. As I bowed down to pay my final respects to her all the wonderful memories of her flashed back to me and I couldn't stop myself from bursting into tears. But nothing compares to the sorrow of the family who were also present during the wedding the day before. I can see the irony of it all. The aunts hair were no longer neatly coiffed and their makeup all smudged. The men who were still having a soju hangover from the previous affair were still here, drinking but out of mourn. The elaborate banquet was replaced with simple home-cooked dishes. And there I was, still deaf-mute but with tears running down my face.