Trip gone bad?!

Friday, a day before the trip, there were several travel advisories shown on TV about a heavy snowfall that hit the northern peninsula and Gangwon-do (our destination) having the worst bout of snow and ice. Many roads were already blocked, accidents by the minute, traffic jam which can lead an hour drive to four. Flights have been cancelled and public transportation was inaccessible. After all the preparation and endless anxiety whether or not this trip shall be pursued, we finally departed (against all odds) for Gangwon-do last Saturday at dawn.

The weather seems promising that dawn and it was just snowing a little at that time. It's not even that cold, and I remember I had to turn the heater off while I was inside the car, cause the 4 layers of thick clothing and 2 layers of pants are a bit too warm for the weather. Then I started to notice that the snowfall becomes harder and bigger as we were pushing farther away from Seoul towards our destination. I was pre-occupied waiting for the sunrise that I didn't notice how much the weather was changed from Seoul.

We arrived in Gangwon-do at about 10 am and we directly headed to our first destination. As we were getting near we made a wrong turn and we slid to a huge pile of snow at the side of the road. I was stuck in the front seat, can't get out as the snow covers half of the door beside me. Snow was too deep that we had to dig and luckily some of the locals saw us and gave us a shovel to remove the snow. Snow became harder and visibility is getting more and more difficult. Tires kept sliding as the road became dangerously slippery (we didn't have that tire-chain thing that they use here when it snows). We were going not more that 40km/h or brakes wouldn't function and we'll slide in all direction.

We weren't able to accomplish all our plan that day but I don't have any regret. It's white everywhere... blanketed by snow. Everywhere I look it's beautiful... it's like I can feel some sense of peace and serenity.

Unstoppable

The heck!!! it hasn't stopped snowing the whole day and forecast mentioned it wouldn't for two more days... I wonder how this will affect my trip...? Most major highways are filling up with more and more snow and mountain ways are basically not passable cause cars can't ascend with the icy-slippery road condition.
All hell may break loose but I'm still gonna pursue this trip. This might be the last trip I'm gonna make for a long time and nothing can stop me now!!!
I

A wet morning

I woke up not noticing that it's snowing hard outside. When I went outside, I was shocked to find all the place covered in snow. Wind is blowing in all direction. Sucks that my clothes aren't waterproof and snow just seeps in so I had to go back to my chambers...
Had to do some last minute shopping for my upcoming trip this weekend. My destination is probably one of the coldest place in here, sometimes tipping the temperature a little less than -30 degrees. Thought I'd be stacking some snack for a 5 hour journey and get some stuff for the house.
hm... so cold outside... I badly need a hot chocolate now!!!! Oh, and pancakes will do me just fine....

~~~

The hours I spend with you I look upon as sort of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain singing to it. You and you alone make me feel that I am alive. Other men it is said have seen angels, but I have seen thee and thou art enough.

Phoenix at night

After I finished playing snowboarding I went back to the condominium to take a shower and change clothes. Those snow boots are killing me!!! After eating dinner I went to the Ski resort's welcome party being held in one of their dance club. It wasn't that interesting so I thought I might just go around the resort and see some night scenery. It's cold outside (duh!)... my sneakers were drenched in ice-cold snow. The air is good! Fresh but cold... so I bought a warm can of coffee. I noticed there were a lot of super-cute boys who play ski/snowboard very well, or are they pro?. Where were they at daytime? It would have been so worth it to hurt my behind... ^^

Can't find the pictures right now, so I'll post it next time.

Ski Resort Trip

I just got back from a ski resort trip! I'm aching all over and I had to take advil to ease my pain. I played snowboarding and as expected with all beginners, I fell down on the snow a lot of times. It wasn't easy for me gathering all my strenght getting back on my feet just to fall down after a couple of seconds!!! People who saw me think I'm pretty hilarious, they even became familiar with the word 'aray' or 'ouch' cause they kept hearing me say that as I fell down repeatedly. If I had enough time I would have played ski and I think it's really fun.

I had so much fun and I think it's one of the best trip I've ever had in years... I'm looking forward to coming back next year!!!

luxury toilet

Here in Korea and Japan they incorporate science in the art of using the toilet. It sounded funny when I first heard of it but as I've begun to get used to it, it felt more convenient rather than using the over-used toilet paper. The mechanic is that it cleans your ass after doing the deed with water being sprayed... after which, a warm air will blow you dry. You can even control the temperature to make it as warm as you would like. The toilet seat is even made more comfortable as you can make it warm too. It's especially helpful when the season is cold. Nobody wants to sit on an ice cold toilet...!

There are several buttons to press... You don't have to worry about water being all over the wrong place cause it always hit the right spot. 'Bidae' is widely used here in Korea.. In restaurants, hotels, at home, and even in public toilets! Let's face it, using toilet paper alone doesn't clean you perfectly... Bidae + toilet paper seems more hygienic.

I've heard Will Smith is a huge fan of Bidae... who wouldn't be?

New Year; New Phone

I finally got a new phone to replace the one I lost inside the train on New Years Eve. I was so disappointed with myself for being a scatter-brain and because of this incident, I wasn't in celebratory mood for the rest of the holidays. I have several upcoming appointments that I can't dare to miss before the 20th so I've decided to get a new phone as quick as possible.


I'm going to Kangwon-do for a ski trip this weekend and a friend is supposed to pick me up here early in the morning. I am so looking forward to this trip! I've tried snowboarding and skiing before but not on many occasions so I'm pretty excited with this one. It's cold in Gangwon-do... about two days ago it reached -25 degrees there!!! and to think -13 is already a torture for me!!! I have lots of things to prepare so I'll make this post a short one...

Sad one...

I haven't been writing much here as I have been very busy, but I didn't expect that my latest post will truly be a sad one! I lost my cellphone on New Year's Eve!!! I actually lost two phones last year! Last spring, I accidentally left my other phone inside the pocket of my jeans and sadly, I did the laundry that day. The latest one was left inside the train going to Chuncheon.
I need to get a new one really soon and I hope the budget permits me. I just can't stand being 'phoneless' here, and actually it's impossible to survive without one!

How did I spend my Christmas Eve?!

On Christmas eve, I had dinner at VIPS. It's so difficult to get a reservation and it took nearly 2 hours before the waiter ushered us into the table. Main course was Rib-eye steak with vegetables and baked potatoes... and the others, I got from the buffet salad bar which actually has everything from seafood, to buritos, do-it-yourself pizzas, soups, salads, pastries, ice cream and whole lot more! I honestly think their food wasn't that good!!! Well, I mean I couldn't get $40 worth for what I had.

After dinner, I took home a cake from Tous Les Jours and they gave me a bottle of Belgian Champagne for free! I called my mother before midnight then drank champagne before sleeping... I really couldn't feel any 'Christmas Spirit' goin on here!!! I just miss spending Christmas back at home.

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!