A documentation of sporadic whims. A repository of random memories. A keeper of fleeting thoughts. As Jessie Wallace puts it, "we are the sum of all moments of our lives."
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
How can one's life change drastically in less than two months?
I sure know how. It's crazy and I love it. :)
Monday, November 5, 2012
Faith: Afterthoughts
I am unabashedly a LMH fan. But in the most unbiased way possible, I actually loved all his drama after BBF (Note: To me, BBF is not a drama; it's cartoons, it's ridiculously lovable, and he was just a kid.). For some reason, all dramas he was in got heart. Lots of it. Having a heart is different. Let me put it this way: QIHM is cute. Faith is heartfelt. So when it ends, it leaves a big "aaaaww" and then you just miss it. But it's not all about romance because that big "aaaaww" moment for me in City Hunter was not LYS and KNN smiling at each other, but the scene which showed a memorial wall bearing the name of Jin Pyo and the other 20 soldiers who were finally recognized for their sacrifices during the 1981 sweep mission.
Faith has that same impact. I have read a lot of criticisms about Faith, mostly about poor execution (directing and editing) and the boring politics. But there's no denying that it's got wit and heart. And Choi Young is just badass when he mighty swings that sword. Damn.
To my memory, it has one of the best dialogues (particularly of Gongnim and Choi Young) and the best character development. It's not actually a light watch for it dealt with profound issues on faith, loyalty and leadership. It fell short of epic expectations, but I'm happy with what I saw. I am going to miss the characters whom I've grown to love all through the 24 episodes. As I mentioned in one of the forums, this is one drama where almost all characters stand on equal ground. Everyone had their moments. How Faith was able to do that? Only writer Song Ji Na knows.
Looking back, I think Faith is still epic. It got me with its quiet epicness very few dramas could even come close to.
(Now for the really unbiased comment, I really wished Dr. Jang shined more and more medical scenes/conflicts like the 21st century-ancient medicine conflict, plus a grander ending for our king and queen. Lastly, I think I said this before, but Ryu Deok Hwan? I'M A FAN!)
Faith has that same impact. I have read a lot of criticisms about Faith, mostly about poor execution (directing and editing) and the boring politics. But there's no denying that it's got wit and heart. And Choi Young is just badass when he mighty swings that sword. Damn.
To my memory, it has one of the best dialogues (particularly of Gongnim and Choi Young) and the best character development. It's not actually a light watch for it dealt with profound issues on faith, loyalty and leadership. It fell short of epic expectations, but I'm happy with what I saw. I am going to miss the characters whom I've grown to love all through the 24 episodes. As I mentioned in one of the forums, this is one drama where almost all characters stand on equal ground. Everyone had their moments. How Faith was able to do that? Only writer Song Ji Na knows.
Looking back, I think Faith is still epic. It got me with its quiet epicness very few dramas could even come close to.
(Now for the really unbiased comment, I really wished Dr. Jang shined more and more medical scenes/conflicts like the 21st century-ancient medicine conflict, plus a grander ending for our king and queen. Lastly, I think I said this before, but Ryu Deok Hwan? I'M A FAN!)
Missing Seoul
I loved every minute of my Korea trip. Until now, I can't believe I did a cross country. Every penny spent was worth it and the memories and pictures are just overwhelming. I am surely going to tell this to my grandkids.
I loved Gwanghwamun Square. Definitely one of my favorites in Seoul. Once you've had your picture taken there, it's like a stamp of approval (after the immigration stamp) that you've arrived in Korea. Why? Because on this spot, you get to see four main Korean landmarks one: 1) Gyeongbokgung Palace (hidden behind the statue), 2) King Sejong's statue (1st king of the Joseon Dynasty; hidden behind the statue), 3) Admiral Yi Sun-sin (a famous naval commander during the Japanese invasion in the1500s; seen in picture), 4. Bukhansan (or Mt. Bukhan; seen in picture).
I loved Gwanghwamun Square. Definitely one of my favorites in Seoul. Once you've had your picture taken there, it's like a stamp of approval (after the immigration stamp) that you've arrived in Korea. Why? Because on this spot, you get to see four main Korean landmarks one: 1) Gyeongbokgung Palace (hidden behind the statue), 2) King Sejong's statue (1st king of the Joseon Dynasty; hidden behind the statue), 3) Admiral Yi Sun-sin (a famous naval commander during the Japanese invasion in the1500s; seen in picture), 4. Bukhansan (or Mt. Bukhan; seen in picture).
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
South Korea: The cross-country adventure
How could I not possibly update this blog with stories from Korea? After six months of planning, I finally conquered (and is still conquering) autumn in Korea.
For one thing, I feel like watching again the dramas which I've seen filming locations of. Second, I want to do this all over again. Where to next?
I wish to write a more detailed blog of this adventure. But I'm anticipating the loads of work that awaits my return to the Philippines. Nonetheless, I am sure that the mental snapshots of my Korean autumn adventure are here to stay with me for a long time.
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| Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do; behind me is the Nakdong River |
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| Very pretty autumn scene at Jukjeon's Cafe Street in Yongin City, just right outside Seoul |
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| Biking by the Han River |
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| Sitting at the doorstep of my traditional Korean room at Hahoemauel, Andong, Gyeongsabuk-do |
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| Posing beside a soldier at the South-North Korea border (DMZ) |
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| Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds with the view of Mt.Bukaksan |
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| Sanggojae!!! |
I wish to write a more detailed blog of this adventure. But I'm anticipating the loads of work that awaits my return to the Philippines. Nonetheless, I am sure that the mental snapshots of my Korean autumn adventure are here to stay with me for a long time.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I hate you
Dear Korean Embassy,
I hate you for making me worried-sick for a week! But anyways, I'll see you in 3 weeks!
Me
Monday, October 1, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Astrology and anxiety
I am not religious. But now, I'm summoning my mystic tendencies to provide myself comfort in times of gripping anxiety. I resorted to reading astrology to see if lady luck is on my side.
| This Week's Virgo Horoscope
General: Financially you will be lucky this week in respect to monetary transactions. Some of you will undertake a distant journey which will be hectic but may be highly rewarding
Career: Those working to get a transfer of workplace can expect something positive in this direction. Using your creativity to the maximum would be beneficial. Love: Use your words sensibly in love during the week.. |
- Distant journey
- hectic
- highly rewarding
Cris-crossing between Sagada-Korea-Sagada is kinda hectic, and distant, yet highly rewarding. IS THIS IT???
God. Three more days.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Dying of suspense
The last time I felt like this was while waiting for the results of the comprehensive exams I took in graduate school. My heart was thumping extra hard whenever my mind is not distracted with work or any activity. It's not easy being like that for a week. Until the day came when I received a call from my classmate telling me that I passed. I literally jumped for joy.
It's all coming back to me now - the jitters and the torment while I anticipate the approval or denial of my Korean visa. My 2-minute encounter with the young female consul was easy. All requirements are complete. But I can't help but rummage through countless possibilities that may cause denial of visa based on too much Internet research (yes, this is the downside). Documents cannot be verified (i.e. Sandy was not able to answer the embassy's call for verification, or she answered differently, TIN number cannot be recognized - this I'm so afraid of), hotel cannot be contacted, or that they simple missed my documents from their eenie-meenie-minee-moe-to-whom-will-this-visa-go scheme. You know the words "consul" and "power trip" conveniently go together, eh?
Aaaahhh, it's killing me! I wanna die!This has got to be the longest week in my life! But then again, If I get denied, then it means that I just have to concentrate on my thesis (because if Korea trip pushes through, I will have to interrupt my data gathering, temporarily detach myself from my thesis and work, and then return again to Sagada to continue). Then I can reapply 6 months later in time to catch spring. It's not that bad really. BUT STILL, I WANT IT TO BE NOW.
It's all coming back to me now - the jitters and the torment while I anticipate the approval or denial of my Korean visa. My 2-minute encounter with the young female consul was easy. All requirements are complete. But I can't help but rummage through countless possibilities that may cause denial of visa based on too much Internet research (yes, this is the downside). Documents cannot be verified (i.e. Sandy was not able to answer the embassy's call for verification, or she answered differently, TIN number cannot be recognized - this I'm so afraid of), hotel cannot be contacted, or that they simple missed my documents from their eenie-meenie-minee-moe-to-whom-will-this-visa-go scheme. You know the words "consul" and "power trip" conveniently go together, eh?
Aaaahhh, it's killing me! I wanna die!This has got to be the longest week in my life! But then again, If I get denied, then it means that I just have to concentrate on my thesis (because if Korea trip pushes through, I will have to interrupt my data gathering, temporarily detach myself from my thesis and work, and then return again to Sagada to continue). Then I can reapply 6 months later in time to catch spring. It's not that bad really. BUT STILL, I WANT IT TO BE NOW.
MA Thesis: Halfway there
I passed my defense last Friday and left a pretty good impression with my panel. Upon leaving the room, my adviser congratulated me and said "I want to hug you!" That's nice. I commented that I'm halfway there already, and she noted that it's actually more than half already. Now that's comforting.
A few tweaks here and there and I'm off to Sagada to conduct my fieldwork. Overcoming the defense proposal hurdle is really a big leap forward. The proposal stage is the difficult part - took me 2 years to get here. But I feel that from here, it will become a breeze. Well, not exactly. Still so much to do. BUT it's all set. The study is all set. Now the real race through time begins.
On to April 2013 graduation!
A few tweaks here and there and I'm off to Sagada to conduct my fieldwork. Overcoming the defense proposal hurdle is really a big leap forward. The proposal stage is the difficult part - took me 2 years to get here. But I feel that from here, it will become a breeze. Well, not exactly. Still so much to do. BUT it's all set. The study is all set. Now the real race through time begins.
On to April 2013 graduation!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
On to my 29th year
Today is my birthday and it's no big deal, not in an angsty way, but in a steady way. Right now, I couldn't get my mind off those visa application documents. And when I'm granted a visa, that's when the real celebration happens.... in Seoul, South Korea. :)
But thanks to all those who greeted. It is, after all, a wise decision to disable the birthday alert on Facebook.
Silencio IS the best!
But thanks to all those who greeted. It is, after all, a wise decision to disable the birthday alert on Facebook.
Silencio IS the best!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Queen In Hyun's Man: Afterthoughts
It's a surprisingly good drama. There is an obvious attraction between the two leads, and unlike any other Korean dramas, both recognized the attraction from the get-go bypassing the Korean drama cliche of bickering. It's so refreshing to NOT see a couple nearly killing each other, denying their feelings, and then succumbing to love in the end.
I'm writing this because I felt affected and attached to the story. And though I hate the word "aaaww" (if it is even considered a word), I have had too many "aawww" moments all the way through episode 16. Much of my love for QIHM is because of its simplicity. It doesn't feel large scale or flashy. The two leads aren't large scale as well compared with putting, say, Lee Min Ho in the lead. And the effect? It came off as really sincere and likeable. It's feel good time travelling romance with a heart.
Though Chi Soo and Eun Bi (Flower Boy Ramyun Shop) also had a happy ending, so did Gae In and Jin Ho (Personal Taste) and all the others, I was happier with Boong Do and Hee Jin. The obstacles and stakes were far greater and higher to be together. In the last episode, I have already accepted that they can't really mess with time and the air time is just too short to inject another talisman arc. I was just waiting for a clean finish. But at the back of my mind, there's this silent wish that somehow they'd find themselves in the same time and space. And they did!
I love Ji Hyun Woo. Too much that LMH's in danger. Haha. (He's also stands 6'1" and that's saying a lot). He's just perfect for the role. I also love Yoo In Na. I usually have a problem liking the female leads, particularly in the case of Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah). And some couples took a few episodes before they grow on me. But Jyun Woo and In Na nailed it. They look good and real together. So real they've become real-life couple! Hee! QIHM will surely go down as one of my favorites.
I'm writing this because I felt affected and attached to the story. And though I hate the word "aaaww" (if it is even considered a word), I have had too many "aawww" moments all the way through episode 16. Much of my love for QIHM is because of its simplicity. It doesn't feel large scale or flashy. The two leads aren't large scale as well compared with putting, say, Lee Min Ho in the lead. And the effect? It came off as really sincere and likeable. It's feel good time travelling romance with a heart.
Though Chi Soo and Eun Bi (Flower Boy Ramyun Shop) also had a happy ending, so did Gae In and Jin Ho (Personal Taste) and all the others, I was happier with Boong Do and Hee Jin. The obstacles and stakes were far greater and higher to be together. In the last episode, I have already accepted that they can't really mess with time and the air time is just too short to inject another talisman arc. I was just waiting for a clean finish. But at the back of my mind, there's this silent wish that somehow they'd find themselves in the same time and space. And they did!
I love Ji Hyun Woo. Too much that LMH's in danger. Haha. (He's also stands 6'1" and that's saying a lot). He's just perfect for the role. I also love Yoo In Na. I usually have a problem liking the female leads, particularly in the case of Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah). And some couples took a few episodes before they grow on me. But Jyun Woo and In Na nailed it. They look good and real together. So real they've become real-life couple! Hee! QIHM will surely go down as one of my favorites.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Dramalog #4
1. Princess Hours/Goong
2. Lovers in Paris
3. Save the Last Dance
4. Three Dads with One Mommy
5. Cinderella's Sister
6. Personal Preference
7. City Hunter
8. Boys Before Flowers
9. Mackerel Run
10. Protect the Boss (6 episodes only)
11. 49 Days
12. The First Shop of Coffee Prince
13. Flower boy Ramyun Shop
14. Iris (just finished!)
15. Faith (ongoing/simultaneous with Korea)
Friday, August 24, 2012
This is what paying close attention to details mean
Comment by 1leggedstraycat on dramabeans.com
"I don’t know if anyone had already caught this, but if Choi Young is THE Choi Young, Eun-soo is 33 years old, and wikipedia can be trusted, then Choi Young was the one who fortold that grass would not grow on his grave due to his unjust death. This turned out historically to be true until sprouts started growing in 1979. So wouldn’t that be the year Eun-soo was born? …That would be some cool fiction/reality blending. Or was the age they talked about in the English character draw ups left as their Korean age and she would have been born a couple years later? If it was, the writers were totally missing some majorly awesome poetic history/story mesh."
Now watching: Faith aka The Great Doctor (ep 4)
"I don’t know if anyone had already caught this, but if Choi Young is THE Choi Young, Eun-soo is 33 years old, and wikipedia can be trusted, then Choi Young was the one who fortold that grass would not grow on his grave due to his unjust death. This turned out historically to be true until sprouts started growing in 1979. So wouldn’t that be the year Eun-soo was born? …That would be some cool fiction/reality blending. Or was the age they talked about in the English character draw ups left as their Korean age and she would have been born a couple years later? If it was, the writers were totally missing some majorly awesome poetic history/story mesh."
Now watching: Faith aka The Great Doctor (ep 4)
Singapura
I just got back from a quick and hasty* trip to sunny Singapore. It's sunny; not sunshiny. Sunshiny's more alive and fun and creative. Sunny's so-so. But since it's a new place, and I'm with great company - myself, most of the time, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
See the Marina Bay Sands - check
Gardens by the bay - check
Eat Hainanese chicken/chicken rice - check
See the Merlion - check
Makansutra Glutton's bay - check
Sight seeing at the bay area - check
Ride the train - check
Ride the double decker bus - check
Lunch with a high school friend - check
Sri Marimamman Temple (SG's oldest Hindu temple) - check
Chinatown - check
Little India - check
Orchard road - check
Ikea - check
Eat kaya toast (traditional breakfast in SG) - check
Eat in hawkers - check
Singapore Museum of History - check
Fort Canning Part - check
Mt Faber cable car ride - check which also gave me a bird's eye view of Sentosa, so I skipped Sentosa
Bugis night market - check
That's a whole lot of walking! But really, nothing's fab except for the transportation system. Nothing larger than life. Just pure cosmopolitan flair, which is too bland for my liking. Everything's man-made, make-believe, unreal and escapist. It's just...souless. And I do not, for the life of me, understand the amazement with Marina Bay Sands. That's the problem with first world, no? People tend to live in a vacuum totally obscure of the reality that is bigger than themselves or their jobs or their apartments.
*Booked the flight only 3 days in advanced; decided to go to Singapore on the day I booked the flight; planned my itinerary on the plane to SG
See the Marina Bay Sands - check
Gardens by the bay - check
Eat Hainanese chicken/chicken rice - check
See the Merlion - check
Makansutra Glutton's bay - check
Sight seeing at the bay area - check
Ride the train - check
Ride the double decker bus - check
Lunch with a high school friend - check
Sri Marimamman Temple (SG's oldest Hindu temple) - check
Chinatown - check
Little India - check
Orchard road - check
Ikea - check
Eat kaya toast (traditional breakfast in SG) - check
Eat in hawkers - check
Singapore Museum of History - check
Fort Canning Part - check
Mt Faber cable car ride - check which also gave me a bird's eye view of Sentosa, so I skipped Sentosa
Bugis night market - check
That's a whole lot of walking! But really, nothing's fab except for the transportation system. Nothing larger than life. Just pure cosmopolitan flair, which is too bland for my liking. Everything's man-made, make-believe, unreal and escapist. It's just...souless. And I do not, for the life of me, understand the amazement with Marina Bay Sands. That's the problem with first world, no? People tend to live in a vacuum totally obscure of the reality that is bigger than themselves or their jobs or their apartments.
*Booked the flight only 3 days in advanced; decided to go to Singapore on the day I booked the flight; planned my itinerary on the plane to SG
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Still the best Korean drama moment
That moment in episode 1 when Puchai said "yes" under his breath, accompanied by a tiny smirk after accurately hitting his target with a guava. And then the epic action scene soundtrack plays for the first time.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Little missed sunshine
Nakaka-miss na ang araw. Bukas, ika-sampung araw na ng tuloy-tuloy na pag-ulan. Bahagya ko lamang nakita ang langit sa tuwing nagpapahinga ang ulan. Pero ang araw, hindi ko talaga nakita, kahit isang sinag man lamang.
Masarap ang malamig na panahon. Pero nakaka-irita ang pagkabasa ng paligid, lalo na sa bahay namin na lagi nalang may tumutulo sa bintana at nanunuot na tubig sa mga pader.
Nakaka-miss ka, araw. Pag nagkita tayo ulit, tititigan kita ng bonggang-bongga.
Masarap ang malamig na panahon. Pero nakaka-irita ang pagkabasa ng paligid, lalo na sa bahay namin na lagi nalang may tumutulo sa bintana at nanunuot na tubig sa mga pader.
Nakaka-miss ka, araw. Pag nagkita tayo ulit, tititigan kita ng bonggang-bongga.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Wisdom of N.P.
Got this book, N.P. (North Point), two years ago only because it was P20 during a Powerbooks sale. And only because the author is named "Banana". But I only read it for a day last May, and then this weekend.
True to the Japanese form (author is Banana Yoshimoto), it's very minimalist. Well, it tackled different types of relationships ranging from the simple (sisterhood) to the complex (lesbian, incestuous, high school-old man) but somehow Banana managed to make it look simple.
Some wisdom in the book as follows:
"People are just so weak. Like me, I was raised in a terrible environment and have seen a lot of appalling things in my time, but, in the end, I still believe that people are fundamentally good. And also extremely fragile." (p.68)
"There are people like that, who have no fear of failure and are constantly starting from scratch. They never appear to be at peace with themselves, but then it's no wonder. People like that may claim what they do is right, but you can tell from their faces that they have many regrets, like they've been banished to some dark alley." (P.93)
True to the Japanese form (author is Banana Yoshimoto), it's very minimalist. Well, it tackled different types of relationships ranging from the simple (sisterhood) to the complex (lesbian, incestuous, high school-old man) but somehow Banana managed to make it look simple.
Some wisdom in the book as follows:
"People are just so weak. Like me, I was raised in a terrible environment and have seen a lot of appalling things in my time, but, in the end, I still believe that people are fundamentally good. And also extremely fragile." (p.68)
"There are people like that, who have no fear of failure and are constantly starting from scratch. They never appear to be at peace with themselves, but then it's no wonder. People like that may claim what they do is right, but you can tell from their faces that they have many regrets, like they've been banished to some dark alley." (P.93)
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