My friend's wedding

I've mentioned before that I had to attend a wedding in Daegu. It was last Dec. 9, held at J's hotel. I arrived in Daegu a day before, but I was so tired I just couldn't go visit many tourist spots there. Well I've been to one.. it's a sightseeing place on top of the mountain and I took a cable ride just to be there... It was so cold on top but the view as I've expected was breathtaking... I managed to take several pics with me but the nearing sunset refrained me from having decent pictures...

New South Korean President

Yesterday marks South Korea's presidential election date. The voting centers opened early at 6 am and closed at 6 pm. I happen to see one voting center nearby the University while I was on my way home. It's no way similar to election day back home where people are constantly at lost finding their numbers or precints to vote. Here they have a very good system which makes voting a breeze. They also use state-of-the-art technology to count votes accurately and fast. I really have to mention that as early as 9 pm last night (3 HOURS AFTER THE ELECTION CLOSED) they already proclaimed the winner. Yes, IT'S THAT FAST!!! As everyone expected Lee Myung Bak won; he's a former mayor of Seoul.

Cheesecake Chum

It has been a difficult week juggling through several appointments not to mention doing things around the house. I've been also sleeping late watching Heroes on PC but I'm glad I've already finished the end of Season 2. Damn those writer's strike in US, if it's not for them I might be well on my way to Season 3. Nice to know that I can finally breathe from all those things this weekend. But I do have a wedding to attend to this Sunday and that I have to go to Daegu. I feel somewhat obligated and I'd rather spend the weekend having a much needed rest but it's also important for me that I do not disappoint my friend. I've been having this craving for sweets back home and thought about making some. I considered making some home-style fruit salad but I've turned the supermarket inside out but I still can't find those damn condensed milk! Here in Korea, we only have fresh milk.. no evap or condensed whatsoever and the only powder formula available are for infants. Thought about making the ever-simple-refridgerator-cake which I so love back home but I haven't found graham crackers yet... Well, I could buy those in the Filipino market every Sunday but the price is 'so-unreasonably-expensive'! I gave up the craving for Filipino sweets and instead, settled to buy somethin from the bakeshop nearby...

Weekend Cruise

I spent my weekend visiting Wolmi-do in Incheon City for a night cruise. Incheon is not that far from Seoul and is easily accessible by subway. I have visited Wolmido exactly a year ago but I didn't have the chance to try the cruise. I spent the afternoon sightseeing the place and just before sunset I boarded the ship that took me around the whole island. I'm thankful it's not freezing cold that time!

There was this mascot-like symbol of Wolmido, and it's so cute I just have to take a pic... it kinda reminds me of 'blossom' from the power puff girls. There were also cute coffee shops, sashimi restaurants, hofs and bars to hang out (lots of drunk people too!). Just before sunset, I boarded the ship called 'Cosmos' and it's so big I wasn't able to get the whole view... I took a good look at the island while the ship is slowly turning away towards the sea... at night, the place transformed to a kaleidoscope of neon lights and bright colors... Inside the ship there were a lot of performers from around the world. Some are Chinese acrobats, Indian belly dancers, Russian dancers/performers, Koreans singers and a Band from Philippines (which sadly didn't perform that day that made me very disappointed)... The last performer is a Korean traditional singer. I'm glad I was able to watch this kind of performance. She's wearing a very cute white 'hanbok' which painfully reminds me of "Hwang Ji Ni" and ghosts in Korea.

It was a really good weekend and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm looking forward to seeing this place again! And hopefully, it wouldn't take another year.

Korean Christmas

Wherever I go these days, I am constantly reminded that Christmas is just around the corner. Athough Christmas is also anticipated here in Korea, they don't celebrate it like we do back home. Most of Koreans spend Christmas like any other holiday. They are just anticipating the long winter vacation ahead and spend it travelling abroad or going to far places with their family. However, many places are dressing up to remind everyone about this season...

Christmas Bear

When I recently went out to watch a movie, I saw this verrry cute coca-cola Christmas booth with a unusually huge polar bear stuff toy... I just had to take a pic and post it here...

Paris Baguette Brunch

I recently downloaded all of 'HEROES' season 1 and season 2 and I practically watched all night long. I woke up at 11 am the following morning, and I was so hungry I had to go out and look for something to eat. There are several local patisseries and bakeshops nearby; Tous Les Jours, France Baguette, and Paris Baguette. They all make wonderful bread and pastries but I prefer Paris baguette from the others because they have wider selection. Look what I got for breakfast; some bagel, some cream cheese and coffee... It's very good!!! I haven't been to Paris but I know the taste comes close!

A tribute to my favorite Ice Cream Shop

The freezing cold and frost can't stop me from indulging on ice cream every now and then. I heard from some that Ice cream is more delicious in winter, because it doesn't melt and heat affects the taste a lot! I like Coldstone Creamery the BEST!!! but the nearest store from here is an hour away (sad..sad). I can't say it's my favorite cause by 'favorite' it means I go there a lot but I don't.. (gulo no?) I usually visit 2 places; 'Natuur' which is about 50 meters away from my house (but I ONLY like their vanilla choco chip flavor), and then there's 'Baskin n Robbins' which is about the same distance from my house as the other. I liked all the flavors I tasted but my favorite is the toffee-caramel-banana-nut. There are also seasonal flavors but the classics are better for me. Can choose low-fat for those who are diet conscious, frozen yogurt for the health buffs, fondue for couples and groups, hot chocolate and ice cream cakes for others. Business is not doing well in winter... notice how empty it is? and notice how sad and lonely the ajjuma looks while walking all alone in a cold winter night? just kiddin...

Jajangmyeon

I used to see Jajangmyeon in korean dramas a lot before and it didn't look appetizing to me. After I watched an episode of Goong S last winter, I went to Chinatown in Incheon where I ate one of the most delicious Jajangmyeon I have ever tasted in my life. In the drama, Seven played a Jajangmyeon delivery boy from the Chinatown district in Incheon where it originated from. It's a noodle dish derived from the chinese 'zhajiangmian' which means noodles in fried sauce. It's hard to describe it since it's very different from the noodle and pasta dishes I've tasted before.

Libro

Living in a foreign land is never easy for anyone and even the simplest things seems to be complicated. I'm not complaining though cause there are a lot of perks that go with it. I do enjoy going to different places, meeting my friends, and travelling. I also like interacting with other foreign people here and I make it sure I share something about the Philippines and our culture. I'm doing my best to learn the Korean language or so I thought... Books are essential in learning here. Whenever I visit a local house I am in awe seeing their vast collection of books! Several shelves full of books is never a bad thing and it only shows how engrossed Koreans are when it come to education. I never had the chance to visit a bookstore here in Korea until this afternoon. I needed to buy a book for my Korean language study and upon the recommendation of someone, I visited a bookstore called Libro. It's funny cause in 'tagalog' it indeed means books. Libro may not be as big as National Bookstore back home but it's rather complete. You can always find the books that you are looking for and to my surprise, I even saw books printed in Russian, German, and French language. So I got the book which I need and got myself a couple of markers, you know... the ones used to underline some keyword for easier memorization... I got that habit from college and I believe it works!

Fast-foodie

Ok so I mentioned about watching the movie August Rush on my previous post and prior to that, I grabbed a bite at Popeye's (which I have to blog about). I had an hour to wait till the show starts so instead of dining at Pizza Hut, I chose Popeye's for a fast-food fix. It helps that there's a streamer just outside the entrance saying huge discounts for LG and Samsung card users. After I gave my order and was just about to pay, I noticed I had to still pay in full eventhough I handed her my membership and credit card. She annoyingly responded that they don't give discounts to chicken meal orders and only chicken meal orders... I had to ask myself, "Aren't these people going to Popeye's for their chicken?" After giving the reciept, she said I need to wait for 20 minutes to get my order... I was really peeved that time and it showed as I find my way to an empty chair and impatiently wait. I checked the time in my reciept and punched it in my cellphone's timer. Exactly 26 minutes had elapsed before she handed me my order and boy...I am pissed! It was the longest time I waited for a 'fast-food'. Do these people understand the meaning of fast-food? It's pretty literal I think... It's even more annoying than ordering something from Jollibee which turns out isn't available then they would offer you another thing which is but will ask you to wait for like 11 minutes while flashing their sweetest smile . The chicken turned out not so good (even pink on the inside), the cajun rice is cold, the fries are limp and the crew are annoying. I barely managed to swallow the last bite of biscuit before running to catch the show. I still can't get over the fact that it took them 26 minutes to serve that load of crap!

A date with "August Rush"

It's a rather cold and chilly friday evening when I went to Aekyung Shopping mall for a late night stroll. I don't know what I should have for dinner and I guess my tastebuds are not up for something 'spicy'. When I reached the top-most floor (home of CGV movie theater), I was enticed to go and watch 'August Rush'. Well, I actually thought about watching 'Beowolf' but the wait is rather long so I ended up with my second choice.

I had a little less than an hour to catch up with my dinner, and was confused whether I should go to Pizza Hut or Popeye's. Since there is a reservation policy at Pizza Hut I made a choice to go with Popeye's as I couldn't spare anymore time to wait. I ordered a 'lunch set' menu, and yeah... I know it's weird for dinner but it's what they call it there! After dinner I hurried to go and watch 'August Rush'.

I feel like giving a review about this film though I'm not a good critic by all means. The story is about a young music prodigy who sneaked out of the orphanage to find his missing parents. The young boy believes that the 'mysterious' music which he hears around him helps find his way back to his parents. He went to New York and his talent starts to grow while learning how to play instruments. He believes that if he plays the instrument his parents will hear it and eventually find him. August Rush is a tried-and-tested formula and everything shown has been done a dozen times over with previous movies. The story lacks depth and originality and the audience are basically clueless as to what is the story all about or how the story is evolving.

The director showed the child's impeccable talent in a very surreal way and the turn of events unfolded in the most preposterous ways imaginable. Though I find so many flaws about this film, I actually enjoyed it. The best thing I like about it is the musical score. I was captivated as to how artistically orchestrated the music was performed... They also made a marvelous job in creating the musical soundtrack "August Rhapsody" which was played in the near-end... All the thrills, frills, heartache, joys, laughter, pain felt by the boy showed through the music he composed. I am raring to buy the official soundtrack of this movie and but I think it wont be available in stores here anytime soon....

A tribute to sheep-o slippers

As I was rummaging through the closet and cabinets to tidy things up, I saw this very special pair of slippers bought at Everland Resort. It was actually summer last year and it was raining by the buckets then, and while waiting for a cable ride to take me to the other side of the resort, I found a place to shelter from the rain. It was a gift/souvenier shop with lots of cuddly stuff toys and adorable gift items. My attention brought me to a pair of slippers with a shape of a sheep. It's white and fluffy and so cute, oh by the way I'm a SUCKER for everything cute and this one really ticked me.

With a sense of guilt, and $20 lost, I brought home the cutest slippers I have ever seen and promised myself that I am never to set foot in that place again. It's not actually a bad place, it's a haven for people like me who loves cute stuff... but their prices are sky-high!!! It's more of an impulse purchase since people there bought a thing or two for themselves, and I didn't wanna get something which I really don't need nor go home empty handed. I used it for a couple of weeks but it still looks new. But now, it's taking up space in the shelves so I decided to throw it away. I thought, just before I head it to the trash, I should take a picture and write down a thing or two about it. Well, I really like 'em and it's probably the cutest slippers I've ever had!

My little panda

Say hello to my little panda named Zhen-zhen (name is written at the back..). I have a lot of stuff toys back at home but this is my first panda... It's cute and it resembles the real one a lot!

I don't know why but pandas (real ones) have always intrigued me... I've seen several bears and even polar bears in the zoo, but I don't think they come close to pandas. I think they are really cute and meek... Can people actually touch them?! I'm not sure if we can, cause I only see them from afar.

I mentioned that I'm a huge sucker for everything cute and that rightfully include stuff toys, something I've never had enough of since childhood. Zhen-zhen is a gift and for that it makes it even more adorable.

Tteokbokki

One of my favorite snack would be tteokbokki. For anyone who is familiar with Korea, would have heard about this spicy rice cake soup as translated in english, one way or another. It's very popular with schoolchildren here and there are stores selling this everywhere.

By the way I don't think it's a soup like translated, it's more of like rice-cake in spicy sauce for me. Whoever coined the term spicy-rice cake SOUP is at fault here. But whatever shortcomings it may have, it makes up for it's taste. One caution though, it's very spicy! I first thought it's very weird to mix spicy with sweet. Yes, it's sweet n' spicy but in a good way.

It's very easy to make; I just put 'tteok' (cylindrical rice cake), gochukaru (red-pepper powder), broth, some fishcake, and vegetables (carrots, cabbage but I prefer none) and boil it till it reaches a ketchup-like consistency. Others put ramyeon noodles, eggs, and even smother kimbap pieces in it's sauce but for me, I'd stick with the basic. For presentation purposes, I sprinkled it with sesame seeds... It doesn't do much for the taste but it adds a distinct flavor and a crunch element.

My friend's wedding (2)

I mentioned in my previous post before that I went to attend a friend's wedding at J's hotel in Daegu. It takes about 4 hours to get to Daegu so I went there one day earlier and I was hoping that I could do some sightseeing and visit some places there. It was 5 pm when I arrived so I couldn't do much except going to Palgong-san peak and see the whole of Daegu. Later that night I had dinner at a Korean traditional restaurant which is rather expensive but I had the most delicious samgyeopsal I've ever tasted! Tired and cold I've decided to retire early so I went on looking for a place to stay for the night but at that moment my friend (the groom) called to say that he and his bride made a reservation for me at the same hotel where the wedding is going to be held the following morning.

Upon entering my hotel room I was surprised to see two beds when I'm all by myself so I called him up and asked why he chose this room, but he said something like there are no other available room at that time. It looks like a typical 4-star hotel but for the very steep price of $170/night, I demand something more.

The following morning I woke up at 9 and hurried to get dressed and ran to the wedding hall where the wedding will take place. The bride looked pretty in her creme-colored cinderella-inspired bridal gown. I didn't recognize the groom at first cause he cleaned-up pretty well. He also wore creme-colored suit. The wedding was over in 30 mins and next came lunch at the reception hall where they served korean, american, italian, and japanese food buffet-style which were all not good except for the salmon sashimi.

Going back home took more than 4 hours but eventhough I was tired as hell I don't regret coming down to Daegu and witness a good friend's wedding. I sincerely wish him all the best.