The Sphere

This sphere is a symbol of Seoul Land, an amusement park located in Gwacheon and I took this photo when I visited there last weekend. Seoul Land is one of the 3 major amusement parks in South Korea next to Everland and Lotte World.

Seoul Land became famous for the movie My Sassy Girl starring Jeon Ji-Hyun and Cha Tae-Hyun. They shot a lot of scenes there and I even remember seeing the Sphere in the movie a couple of times.

One of Seoul Land's popular rides is the Sky X. Two people will be suspended 55 meters above with only a harness, and promises a bungee-jumping like experience. I didn't try it however, I got scared listening to people screaming on top of their lungs. I was suppose to take pictures of the ride but I was busy holding an ice cream cone at that time. Too bad...

Seoul Land is good, but I don't see myself going back sometime in the future :(

A guard in China Airport

This photo was taken at the entrance of an airport in China (forgot which one!). The guy in soldier suit that stands in front doesn't move at all except when blinking! He stands still for long periods of time. Amazing isn't?! Like a living statue...

One of a kind Topiary

I took this photo during one of my recent travels in Gwacheon. I find it very cute! Look at how he does the peace sign, and his eyes... It's pretty hilarious isn't? Children can't seem to stop chuckling looking at him!

Koreans in Phil

Whenever I go to a foreign country, I always try to act my best all the time because I feel like I'm representing the Philippines somehow. Same is true here in Korea, I try to be more polite, courteous, and open-minded to other people. Blame the television here for showing the Philippines as the land of the corrupt and poor so as much as possible, I always show the others that we Pinoys can be highly educated as well.

Korean people comprises the 2nd biggest tourist population in the Philippines, I wonder if they think the same way as I do when I'm here.. Are they being more polite, courteous, and open-minded when they are in a foreign land? It might be true for some, and not for others.

I've had more bad experiences with Koreans back in Manila than here so I thought they act differently when they are in their own country. People back home called them names for showing bad behavior or for acting rather differently but I don't blame them because there came a time when I was the one who cursed them the loudest!

I've made good friends here, and now I can say that they are really nice and fun-loving people. They can be very opinionated at times, loud, annoying, and narrow-minded but never the less, they still are somehow endearing.

I am Complete

A lost entity, no longer
Because you returned to me my soul,
And when I gave it back to you,
I felt, "This is what makes me whole."

An empty heart is all I saw,
Then you handed me my core,
And when I gave it back to you,
I felt, "This is what makes me more."

A paralyzed passion is now alive,
You gave me back your love,
And when I returned it back to you,
I knew it fit me like a glove.

A hopeless faith no longer exists,
You've earned my faithful trust,
And when I gave it back to you,
I discovered this is a "must."

You filled me and completed me,
Made me all that I can be,
I would love to give this back to you,
It is all that makes me "see."

Gratitude is not enough to give,
For you to understand,
I need to follow, for once, my path,
Please come and take my hand.

" 라 면 & 비 " ( ramyeon and rain)

It has been raining non-stop since last night and because of that, I wasn't able to wake up early today. When I woke up, the sky is still dark so I thought it's quite early and I headed back to sleep. Stupid me.. I didn't check the clock so I overslept, and was late for my appointment!

When it rains, I have this urge to eat hot and spicy soup. Soups, stocks, and broths are my comfort-food in this kind of weather for as long as I can remember. I rummaged thru the cabinets looking for something to make cause I'm just not in the mood to go out in the rain since I don't have an umbrella. I really need to buy one cause it rains a lot in summer here.

" 라 면 " or Ramen in Japan, is a favorite of many here. I always see it being eaten in Korean dramas so I'm sure a lot of Filipinos are familiar with this. " 진 라 면 " ( Jin Ramyeon) is my favorite...

It's really easy to make. I just boil 2 1/2 cups of water, then I add the veggie pack, then the seasoning, and finally I add in the noodles. Others usually just mix it altogether in boiling water but in my case, I really don't like my noodles to be soggy and all so I put it last.

Some people add egg, scallions, and even chopped kimchi. I prefer mine as it is.....

Something about the SImpson's

As a child, I was fond of watching Simpson's on TV. I stay up late to catch their weekly episodes. I usually watch it alone and laugh out loud everytime Homer does his crazy antics. Up to now, no cartoon can beat Simpson's for me. At the age where every TV show and movies are readily 'down-loadable' on the net, I've grown to appreciate it even more. It never fails to make me laugh.. I even anticipated watching "Simpson's the Movie" eventhough I read so many bad reviews about it.

I would like to share a compilation of the funniest, and wittiest quotes uttered in Simpson's history. It's quite a lot, but it sure made me laugh...

Homer: D’oh.
Ralph: Me fail English? That’s unpossible.
Lionel Hutz: This is the greatest case of false advertising I’ve seen since I sued the movie “The Never Ending Story.”
Sideshow Bob: No children have ever meddled with the Republican Party and lived to tell about it.
Troy McClure: Don’t kid yourself, Jimmy. If a cow ever got the chance, he’d eat you and everyone you care about!
Comic Book Guy: The Internet King? I wonder if he could provide faster nudity…
Homer: Oh, so they have Internet on computers now!
Ned Flanders: I’ve done everything the Bible says — even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff!
Comic Book Guy: Your questions have become more redundant and annoying than the last three “Highlander” movies.
Chief Wiggum: Uh, no, you got the wrong number. This is 9-1…2.
Sideshow Bob: I’ll be back. You can’t keep the Democrats out of the White House forever, and when they get in, I’m back on the streets, with all my criminal buddies.
Homer: When I held that gun in my hand, I felt a surge of power…like God must feel when he’s holding a gun.
Nelson: Dad didn’t leave… When he comes back from the store, he’s going to wave those pop-tarts right in your face!
Milhouse: Remember the time he ate my goldfish? And you lied and said I never had goldfish. Then why did I have the bowl, Bart? *Why did I have the bowl?*
Lionel Hutz: Well, he’s kind of had it in for me ever since I accidentally ran over his dog. Actually, replace “accidentally” with “repeatedly” and replace “dog” with “son.”
Comic Book Guy: Last night’s “Itchy and Scratchy Show” was, without a doubt, the worst episode *ever.* Rest assured, I was on the Internet within minutes, registering my disgust throughout the world.
Homer: I’m normally not a praying man, but if you’re up there, please save me, Superman.
Homer: Save me, Jeebus.
Mayor Quimby: I stand by my racial slur.
Comic Book Guy: Oh, loneliness and cheeseburgers are a dangerous mix.
Homer: You don’t like your job, you don’t strike. You go in every day and do it really half-assed. That’s the American way.
Chief Wiggum: Fat Tony is a cancer on this fair city! He is the cancer and I am the…uh…what cures cancer?
Homer: Bart, with $10,000 we’d be millionaires! We could buy all kinds of useful things like…love!
Homer: Fame was like a drug. But what was even more like a drug were the drugs.
Homer: Books are useless! I only ever read one book, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” and it gave me absolutely no insight on how to kill mockingbirds! Sure it taught me not to judge a man by the color of his skin…but what good does *that* do me?
Chief Wiggum: Can’t you people take the law into your own hands? I mean, we can’t be policing the entire city!
Homer: Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals…except the weasel.
Reverend Lovejoy: Marge, just about everything’s a sin. [holds up a Bible] Y’ever sat down and read this thing? Technically we’re not supposed to go to the bathroom.
Homer: You know, the one with all the well meaning rules that don’t work out in real life, uh, Christianity.
Smithers: Uh, no, they’re saying “Boo-urns, Boo-urns.”
Hans Moleman: I was saying “Boo-urns.”
Homer: Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
Homer: Here’s to alcohol, the cause of — and solution to — all life’s problems.
Homer: When will I learn? The answers to life’s problems aren’t at the bottom of a bottle, they’re on TV!
Chief Wiggum: I hope this has taught you kids a lesson: kids never learn.
Homer: How is education supposed to make me feel smarter? Besides, every time I learn something new, it pushes some old stuff out of my brain. Remember when I took that home winemaking course, and I forgot how to drive?
Homer: Homer no function beer well without.
Duffman: Duffman can’t breathe! OH NO!
Grandpa Simpson: Dear Mr. President, There are too many states nowadays. Please, eliminate three. P.S. I am not a crackpot.
Homer: Old people don’t need companionship. They need to be isolated and studied so it can be determined what nutrients they have that might be extracted for our personal use.
Troy McClure: Hi. I’m Troy McClure. You may remember me from such self-help tapes as “Smoke Yourself Thin” and “Get Some Confidence, Stupid!”
Homer: A woman is a lot like a refrigerator. Six feet tall, 300 pounds…it makes ice.
Homer: Son, a woman is like a beer. They smell good, they look good, you’d step over your own mother just to get one! But you can’t stop at one. You wanna drink another woman!
Homer: Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that’s even remotely true!
Mr. Burns: I’ll keep it short and sweet — Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business.
Kent Brockman: …And the fluffy kitten played with that ball of string all through the night. On a lighter note, a Kwik-E-Mart clerk was brutally murdered last night.
Ralph: Mrs. Krabappel and Principal Skinner were in the closet making babies and I saw one of the babies and then the baby looked at me.
Apu: Please do not offer my god a peanut.
Homer: You don’t win friends with salad.
Mr. Burns: I don’t like being outdoors, Smithers. For one thing, there’s too many fat children.
Sideshow Bob: Attempted murder? Now honestly, what is that? Do they give a Nobel Prize for attempted chemistry?
Chief Wiggum: They only come out in the night. Or in this case, the day.
Mr. Burns: Whoa, slow down there, maestro. There’s a *New* Mexico?
Homer: He didn’t give you gay, did he? Did he?!
Comic Book Guy: But, Aquaman, you cannot marry a woman without gills. You’re from two different worlds… Oh, I’ve wasted my life.
Homer: Marge, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen.
Superintendent Chalmers: I’ve had it with this school, Skinner. Low test scores, class after class of ugly, ugly children…
Mr. Burns: What good is money if it can’t inspire terror in your fellow man?
Homer: Oh, everything looks bad if you remember it.
Ralph: Slow down, Bart! My legs don’t know how to be as long as yours.
Homer: Donuts. Is there anything they can’t do?
Frink: Brace yourselves gentlemen. According to the gas chromatograph, the secret ingredient is… Love!? Who’s been screwing with this thing?
Apu: Yes! I am a citizen! Now which way to the welfare office? I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I work, I work.
Milhouse: We started out like Romeo and Juliet, but it ended up in tragedy.
Mr. Burns: A lifetime of working with nuclear power has left me with a healthy green glow…and left me as impotent as a Nevada boxing commissioner.
Homer: Kids, kids. I’m not going to die. That only happens to bad people.
Milhouse: Look out, Itchy! He’s Irish!
Homer: I’m going to the back seat of my car, with the woman I love, and I won’t be back for ten minutes!
Smithers: I’m allergic to bee stings. They cause me to, uh, die.
Barney: Aaah! Natural light! Get it off me! Get it off me!
Principal Skinner: That’s why I love elementary school, Edna. The children believe anything you tell them.
Sideshow Bob: Your guilty consciences may make you vote Democratic, but secretly you all yearn for a Republican president to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king!
Barney: Jesus must be spinning in his grave!
Superintendent Chalmers: “Thank the Lord”? That sounded like a prayer. A prayer in a public school. God has no place within these walls, just like facts don’t have a place within an organized religion.
Mr. Burns: [answering the phone] Ahoy hoy?
Comic Book Guy: Oh, a *sarcasm* detector. Oh, that’s a *really* useful invention!
Marge: Our differences are only skin deep, but our sames go down to the bone.
Homer: What’s the point of going out? We’re just going to wind up back here anyway.
Marge: Get ready, skanks! It’s time for the truth train!
Bill Gates: I didn’t get rich by signing checks.
Principal Skinner: Fire can be our friend; whether it’s toasting marshmallows or raining down on Charlie.
Homer: Oh, I’m in no condition to drive. Wait a minute. I don’t have to listen to myself. I’m drunk.
Homer: And here I am using my own lungs like a sucker.
Comic Book Guy: Human contact: the final frontier.
Homer: I hope I didn’t brain my damage.
Krusty the Clown: And now, in the spirit of the season: start shopping. And for every dollar of Krusty merchandise you buy, I will be nice to a sick kid. For legal purposes, sick kids may include hookers with a cold.
Homer: I’m a Spalding Gray in a Rick Dees world.
Dr. Nick: Inflammable means flammable? What a country.
Homer: Beer. Now there’s a temporary solution.
Comic Book Guy: Stan Lee never left. I’m afraid his mind is no longer in mint condition.
Nelson: Shoplifting is a victimless crime. Like punching someone in the dark.
Krusty the Clown: Kids, we need to talk for a moment about Krusty Brand Chew Goo Gum Like Substance. We all knew it contained spider eggs, but the hantavirus? That came out of left field. So if you’re experiencing numbness and/or comas, send five dollars to antidote, PO box…
Milhouse: I can’t go to juvie. They use guys like me as currency.
Homer: Son, when you participate in sporting events, it’s not whether you win or lose: it’s how drunk you get.
Homer: I like my beer cold, my TV loud and my homosexuals flaming.
Apu: Thank you, steal again.
Homer: Marge, you being a cop makes you the man! Which makes me the woman — and I have no interest in that, besides occasionally wearing the underwear, which as we discussed, is strictly a comfort thing.
Ed Begley Jr.: I prefer a vehicle that doesn’t hurt Mother Earth. It’s a go-cart, powered by my own sense of self-satisfaction.
Bart: I didn’t think it was physically possible, but this both sucks *and* blows.
Homer: How could you?! Haven’t you learned anything from that guy who gives those sermons at church? Captain Whatshisname? We live in a society of laws! Why do you think I took you to all those Police Academy movies? For fun? Well, I didn’t hear anybody laughing, did you? Except at that guy who made sound effects. Makes sound effects and laughs. Where was I? Oh yeah! Stay out of my booze.
Homer: Lisa, vampires are make-believe, like elves, gremlins, and Eskimos.

End of Hiatus

It's been so long since I last posted here. Been busy with work and other stuff in Manila. Since I'm back here in Korea, thought I should resume writing here. I wanna share some pics about the sakura season in Korea. 'Sakura' is cherry blossom in English and also the national flower of Japan. It comes in two colors; white, and pink. I prefer the pink ones for obvious reason that I basically love all shades of pink. In a span of two weeks, it withers and starts to fall creating a vast canopy of flowers in the ground, like that of snow...

A matter of taste....

I'm not fond of eating sweets... not chocolate, ice cream, or cake. I'm one of the few people who think desserts are uneccessary and just a waste of time and money. My friend asked me out earlier to eat. Upon a friend's persuasion I had a chocolate cake after a heavy pasta meal. My friend seems enjoying every bite of that dark-moist-chocolate cake. I pretended to enjoy it as well. It's not so bad though, maybe because a small serving costs a whopping 140 pesos... In my definition it's 'edible' but I dont see myself trying it out again.

I surely miss TLJ. They changed the way I think about cakes and other pastries... From then on, I felt the need to buy cakes during birthdays, anniversaries or just about any celebration.

It's a J thing

I guess it all started when my sister went there for a month long adventure... wanna go to JP so bad..

Central HK

One of the hippest place I've been to is Central Hong Kong. The last time I visited there was Feb 2007 and I've been thinking of going back ever since.

I was on a tight budget so I didn't stay in hotel unlike my previous visits. I stayed in a hostel all through out my 4-day adventure. I like travelling alone but Hong Kong is one of those places I badly needed company.

...

It was just an ordinary day... I woke up with the sun hitting my face. I sat in my bed for a while, mentally jotting down the things I would do for the day. Days are passing by so slowly I thought.

I was preoccupied the whole day contemplating about the things that are slowly unfolding in front of my face. A lot of questions in my head need answers. It's ironic seeing so many people I'm familiar with but still feeling alone. I suddenly gasped for air. It felt as if something is stucked in my throat. I need to get out and get some air.

And so I went to see a friend but it turns out he's unavailable. I need someone to talk and let this seething angst get out of my system. I feel more and more alone so I quickly retreated to my own little space.

And there I was, back into my own little dungeon. I blankly stared onto the four corners of room. I suddenly felt relieved. I suddenly felt I belong. The mid-day heat is at it's peak but I didn't care. I could hear noises outside my room but I didn't budge.

I slowly moved my fingers to my little shelf and rummaged for something I could read but couldn't find any. I must've read all the books and magazines for at least a couple of times.

I went to my bed and curled. A few moments later, I was dreaming. It was like I magically went back to the time I celebrated my 7th birthday. Me in that white little dress. I saw those familiar kids again happily waiting for me to blow my birthday cake. Like a movie, the moment froze. Nobody moved, there was no noise, everything stopped. I took a good look at everything surrounding me. A beautiful house where I live comfortably, my parents half-smilingly staring at me, their faces didn't bear a single mark of age. My cousins and friends were all there in their cute little outfits, eager to get those gift packs filled with goodies my mother prepared earlier on. I suddenly remembered how it feels like to have a perfect life.

As much as I wanted to stay in the moment, I couldn't. I was slowly being drawn to consciousness. In a blink of an eye, I was back to reality. My mother was calling my name but I pretended to be asleep. It's getting more and more difficult to get out of my lonesome retreat.

Bummed out

" I could tell from the minute I woke up, it's gonna be a lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely day." I snagged this saying out of the song 'Lonely Day' from Phantom Planet.

I must admit, I'm feeling a bit down these days. Nothing seems to work out for me. Nobody cares. Nothing fits. A lot of hindrances, snags along the way. I've been bombarded with too much repercussions from the past. It's haunting me. Making me feel L-O-N-E-L-Y.

I'm looking for solace, peace of mind, free from dejection. I'm looking for the essence of my existence. I long to be appreciated. I demand to be understood. I aspire to be accepted. I yearn to be invulnerable so nobody can hurt me anymore.

For all those who hurt me, have been making me feel miserable, continously struggling to bring me down.... All I can say is F*** off!

Se7en's 'Come Back to Me'

Se7en's my favorite singer and I am clearly smitten by the messages of his songs. My favorite is 'Come Back to Me' which I play on a daily basis. Although I sing it in Korean I am greatly impressed by the english traslation... here it goes;

So
hard not to think about it
It's every step I take
And heaven knows I'm trying
But it gets awfully hard
When your heart is this broken

Visions of your lovely face
As I awake, I have this feeling
That you're here and beside me
How silly of me, I know

All the pain will go away
so I say it, here I am again
I gotta face another day
I'm so tired, I need u once again oh baby

How am I suppose to carry on,
I find myself singing the same old song
If you hear me, have it in ur heart
but please come back to me (oh baby)

I'll be right here if you need someone
If you hold another I'll be moving on
As easy as said
Just hope that I can see the road

Oh how it's been so long
It seems a lifetime passed
These memories that linger,
soon as I think they have gone
they only gotten stronger

And so I'm getting through a day
but every move was made was always you and I together
It's hard to believe I'm lonely

Is there gonna be a day
I can see the word to make me better
I know there has to be a way
So if you listen and hear me out girl, baby

You're one in a million,
Don't know how we got so wrong
I thought it was so simple then
now I know, now I know, how it goes
to let it go

Can there be a chance for you and I?
Before I really make up my mind
oh how I miss you
I never would kiss you
I'm speaking it from my heart

Encounter with the 'Han' kind

There was a time when he ruled the Korean music scene. A time when Bi was totally dominated when it comes to pure talent, popularity, and even performance. I like Se7en and that's a fact. My favorite song is 'Come Back to me' and it has been eternally in repeat-mode in my mp3 player. To put it correctly, I like him A LOT! And I thank him for bringing out the 'korean' in me.

Long time ago, I never thought Koreans can be equally hot as their neighboring countries (maybe because I haven't seen Se7en yet!). My first encounter with the 'Han' kind was at grade school, 2nd grade exactly. Her name was Moon H.J. We were in the same class at Holy Angels Montessori and we happen to be seatmates. I first tasted 'kimbap' thru her mother at one of our lunch breaks. I vividly remeber not liking it and even gathered up the courage to ask 'ajumma' why there's no fish (I really thought it was sushi then...). More followed and the taste became less troublesome for me. During vacation, my father broke the news that their family business isn't doing well and they have to go back to Korea immediately. That was the last time we saw each other.

I thought my encounter with their 'kind' ended when Moon H.J. went back home but little did I know it was just a start of more to come.

I started to begin noticing them ('again') 7 years ago. Ok, I must admit... I partly blame 'hallyu' for it but who cares.

I started watching shows from Arirang TV (usually late at night or early dawn) where I first saw Se7en performing at some random concert, listened to Korean songs (mostly by G.O.D., H.O.T., Shinhwa, SG wannabe and of course Se7en), reading about the country, tasting their food (although the ones I ate a long time ago lacks aunthenticity!!!), even watching Korean cartoons. Then I started meeting Korean people and to my surprise, almost instantly we 'jived'. I began to learn few words and basic sentences even some 'cussing' words.

As fate worked it's way, I travelled to their country the first time but didn't actually experience much other than doing a bit of travelling, drinking at some 'pojjangmajja' in an alley in Seoul, and tasting some dishes but I can't remember much other than that.

A few more visits followed and I began to appreciate the country even more. I like it not just because of the the boybands in some funky costumes doing their thing on TV or concerts, there's a whole lot more than that!

I don't like you in that!

Seeing this picture makes me think two things... this is what Rihanna gets to bang, and what the hell is he wearing?!!! Something tells me gravity probabaly played it's part or it's just a wardrobe-malfunction, as simple as that.

Chris Brown is probably one of the most talented performer out there... and if ever...only if ever he's really starting a trend... I wanna beg him to stay away from that jeans!!!!

For reasons I don't know... whenever I see a pic of him, my head sub-consiously play the song "with you, with you, with you, with you..." over and over again... It just doesn't bother me much though.

Granny

This Granny surely freaks the hell out of me... Just where does she keep her intestines? "Like sands through the hourglass, so are her internal organs..."

T.he Contortionist

Just how much was she paid to do this??? And how the hell did she discover that she has this kind of talent, I wanna know?

Amy Winehouse~~~

I'm sure a lot of people know who Amy Winehouse is... and for the sake of those who don't; she's a multi-grammy award winner, has lots of tats, sporting a beehive, and has a very open battle with addiction ranging from mj, to prescription pills, meth, crack, to cocaine and even heroin. She's a self-proclaimed alcoholic and even sought help early on. The news mentioned that she's also suffering from anorexia/bulimia and has a tendency to self-inflict pain.

I think this girl is very talented and I'm one of those who appreciate her very unique style; a far-cry from pop-star wannabe's that basically sound the same and infiltrates the music industry everywhere... She's a breath of fresh air when you are bummed out of your wits and wanna hear something new. But with all the demons she's fighting, I think she wouldn't live past her 40's or even 30's and she'll be a big loss to the music industry and to those who like and appreciate 'real' and 'unscathed' music like hers.

It doesn't help that she's surrounded with people who just want to exploit and take advantage of her. I was glad to hear that she finally sought intervention to help cure her addictions.. but the news is reporting that she didn't stick to her treatments and finally fell of the wagon to sobriety... not another another 'Lindsay' please... you're way better than that!!!!

Fruit Paradise

When I was younger, I always wonder how the fruits of other countries tasted (ignorance is not a sin!)... I remember liking the peaches in can and I promised myself I'd get to taste that in the future..(the real ones). It turns out, I wasn't too impressed...!

I realized our tropical fruits taste way better than those of other countries. I usually take our fruits for granted and even so seldomly eaten in our household but whenever I'm away from home I surely miss 'em. Our fruits are distinctively unique in appearance especially rambutan, durian, and langka.... It also has the sweetest aroma...(the thing that you can smell when the fruit is riped to perfection which I couldn't find with the others).

The ones I like and are usually and exclusively eaten are mangoes, lychee, rambutan, pomelo, pineapple, bananas

The ones which I hate are chico, chesa (di pa ba to extinct!!!), papaya, dalandan, atis, durian, star-apple, guyabano...

The ones which I like when I was a kid and now I can't find are duhat, santol, macopa, and sampalok~~~~~~ Someone please tell me where I can get these.... 'la lang... to serve my curiosity.... I don't know..

My all time favorite tropical fruit is Rambutan ( Nephelium Lappaceum)... It's sweet and absolutely delish. I saw this at HomePlus in Suwon but they only sell frozen ones.