The New Year 2010 Post

Again, sorry for the lame title.

I am still wheezing my lungs out as I write this, having traveled from a hot afternoon in the Philippines to a freezing evening in South Korea four hours after. See how suddenly contradicting a person’s life could turn just like that? Here I am now in front of my laptop, contacting my parents via Yahoo messager to tell them that I got back safely to my residence here in South Korea. It’s just weird to think that how I am quietly coiled back to my room in Seoul right now actually feels like I have been this way all my life, when just four hours ago and the two weeks before that, I was sanely back to how I have always REALLY been... un-claustrophobic and more able to gas out from my always-laughing mouth. Put simply, back to my old, distinguishable self. Hahaha.

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My Back-to-Pinas Christmas

How does it really feel like going home for the holidays in the Philippines? Okay, it’s not like I have been in and out of the country for ten or twenty years to fully capture this whole “homecoming” and “balikbayan” feeling, but I sure have my personal regard for this sappy home-country longings and returns…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

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The Abs of a Ninja Assassin

I can’t emphasize this enough. It’s just Rain and the abs. Nothing about the plot and other whatsoever’s. Wahahaha. Ok, so I am being such a 'perv' again.

I caught on the movie Ninja Assassin, showcasing the slim and towering figure of Rain (Bi)— probably one of the few Korean stars that anyone who has the slightest interest in the KPop entertainment industry would at least know. Rain personally became famous to me because of the hit Korean drama that was previously shown in the Philippines, Full House. While I don’t think that he (and almost all Korean actors) is good-looking, Rain takes my breath away when he dances. And the “breaded” bod? Come on, *drools*.

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Miso II

Given that South Korea also boasts of a dynastically rich history and culture, efforts to portray them artistically abound. Theatrical plays are common in the country, and most of them showcase Korean history, dynasty, culture, and tradition as general themes.

I got the chance to watch MISO II (춘향연가) at the Myeongdong Theatre today. The play only runs from November 26 to November 29, and was lucky enough to be invited by a friend who shared her two free tickets with me. It is actually a musical, and a sequel to the equally successful play, MISO. While both are love stories, the characters introduced in each of the plays are different. I was not able to watch the first MISO, but I would like to believe that this sequel showcased more traditional dances aside from South Korea's native songs that were present in both.

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On Speedy Korean Weddings

One of the very first adjectives that I came up with to describe my first few months of stay in South Korea was QUICK— quick, quick, quick on anything! Quick subway travel time, quick (brisk) walking of people on the streets, quick (rushed) polishing of any kind of work. Everything seems to be done in some speed above the normal. But when I said anything, I never thought they wouldn’t spare weddings. Yes, weddings! Weddings where even that simple walk in the aisle by the bride would normally take some time and a couple of yawns from guests already. That of course, had you been in the Philippines. But here? Hell no!

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Trip to the Seorak Mountains

It was a random and almost careless mention of a plan to go to the Seorak Mountains with a friend, as she browsed on a Korean survival guide book while we were on our way to one of our earlier “cultural travels". We were practically preparing for our next trip while experimenting on one. Weeks after that, I get to hitch to a black sports car of another friend’s officemate. Coooool-ness.

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On Korean Men

I am practically surrounded by Korean men in my workplace, and while my officemates would probably say how they’ve barely managed at least a minute of casual talk with me given such “aloofness” that I exercise inside the office, I must say that I have, and will probably always have in my mind, the most striking conversations with them.

Korean men are actually interesting. They may not be the best-looking men (face-wise) on earth, but they certainly are the most-buffed Asians. Their firm bods must be the result of their two years in military service. I am just not a fan of chinky and lid-less pairs of eyes. And I have sworn loyalty to the classic Borgy Manotoc and Leonardo DiCaprio “crush-ness”. Haha.

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Hwaseong Fortress

This is my second time to celebrate Thanksgiving Day in South Korea. I remember just staying at home last year, so I don’t think I can still forgive myself if I lock myself up in my room again. I have long been craving for travel that will technically throw me out of Seoul— with a cultural feel at that. And when you are not really sure how culturally blessed a place is, you basically just depend on titles attached to these places.

Like the Hwaseong Fortress. A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. How heavy is that. Teehee.

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On 'Jimjilbangs'

Jimjilbangs are a pretty common place to go (or at least try out) here in South Korea. They are public bath houses or saunas that help you keep up with your personal hygiene as you get bored with the same, old bath tub and find it inappropriate for a relaxing, night-time treat. Of course, for a Southeast Asian whose life back in her own country wasn’t much into the lavish “pampering”, it can really be a sophisticatedly cool experience. Then you talk to people and find out that there have actually been dirty connotations on preferring jimjilbangs for bathing, for the simple reason of being the “public” kind.

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Korean 'Masaji'

I first cried over a severe back ache that started with a stiff neck back in January of this year, enough for my housemates to rid themselves of such an unbearable face, as they finally brought me to a nearby massage place when it has reached my lower back. It was mainly brought about by the double wham of the very cold weather and the stress at work during that time. Seven months later, and I am at it again. Except that this time, my body seems to have gotten used to it. My back has been getting a great deal of beating lately, and I am afraid that the pain is becoming bearable. My body is forced to get used to the pain, especially when my mind is more occupied with deadlines and crammed reports everyday. Practically, there’s just no time to feel it. But when you finally steal a minute of relaxing and not thinking too much, you suddenly get overwhelmed by the weight of such pain in the back that has seemed to have temporarily muted, since there was just no space in your brain to process the pain. That’s exactly what just happened to me.

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