Thursday, June 19, 2008

Winning Moment


A couple of days ago, eto nangyari. Magpapaphotocopy ako ng thesis ko so I could have a personal copy. I was wearing an aviator "bubuyog" sunglasses non and a black with red stripes, semi-fit, hooded t-shirt when the manong mangxe-xerox exclaimed:


"Uy kamukha ni Rain oh!"

Marami kasing Koreans sa UPLB. Ako naman, natawa sa loob-loob ko. Tas sabi ko:

"Manong paphotocopy nga po nito. Tatlong kopya." Aba, ang Rain, nagtagalog! hehe.

Just that. Natuwa lang ako. Yang mga ganyang tipo ng panloloko ang maganda. Socially beneficial. hehehe.

Halo-halo for the Rainy Days

It never occurred to me that I would be admitted to the in-house TESOL training program in the company I work in. My attendance was as bad as it could get plus I received an IR for something so trivial. Yeah, I was really supposed to resign, as the post below broadcasts. It just so happened that I went to work earlier than usual and I was able to talk with my supervisor, who I usually don't get to see since she goes home at 5pm; I report to work at 7pm. She informed me that I passed the screening despite my tardiness and what-nots. So today, I have to retract my resignation since the company would be subsidizing the bulk of the training fee. I was also renewed as a full-time tutor.

To be honest, I don't feel that happy. I wanted to work in ADB actually...But then it would mean renting an apartment in Ortigas; ADB HQ is 3 hours away from my residence. I have to cook my own food, I have to do laundry by myself...I have to...oh, the list goes on. The point is, I can't. I would be more willing to pay for some else's services but what would be left from my salary? I just want to experience even just for a year the empowerment having a job could bring. I am single. My parents don't oblige me to contribute to family expenditures. I can splurge all I want.

But then again, I can't envision myself working for 8 hours everyday doing the same things over and over. I look forward to doing something more dynamic, like doing some serious research and development projects (+ occasional travel) as a part of an international organization. I could be a materialistic kid but in my heart of hearts I yearn to help my countrymen extricate themselves from poverty. I see the key in policy development. ODAs, educational reform, microfinancing, community training, guillotining the old politicians and burning at the stake dirty gnasty cronies.

Yeah! \m/!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

My Name is Rain



This month is clear month for me. Alam ko, corny. Clear as in clearance moments not Bi's (비) clear shampoo. hehehe. Pano ba naman, I've just accomplished my graduation clearance form last week, then eto na naman, I'm clearing out from the company where I teach English. This week's Friday magaalsabalutan na ko. haha. Yan, clearance ulit, exit interview, job hunting. This time, I want to build my career in Asian Development Bank, or in any international organization.

To me, there's no such thing as resignation. I don't resign to my fate. There's no last day for me. Everyday is a new day.

Bye, my dear Korean students. 안녕히 계세요. 열심히! ^^;

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Ironed Fashion

When I arrived in Korea last year 2007, I thought I could be included in its annals as the worst-dressed person to have ever walked the country. I won't post my pictures here since it will be, at the very least, an act of self-defamation. But right now I think have integrated my fashion-floppy old identity with my current fashion-okay self. Sounds psychological? I guess it is. I never thought before the serious extent to which one's confidence can be influenced by the clothes one wears. I thought this was just a cliche, a conspicuous hobby of the haves, the aorta of the vain vertebraes such as humans.

In Korea, everyone is like a walking christmas tree especially in Spring and Autumn. Scarves with patterns of beautifully alternating colors, layered clothes that flatter the wearer's features, various jingaling-jingalingdongs both women and men wear as accessories, uber small leather 'bags' and mags (manbags) they carry about--all these adorn most Koreans you'll see on the streets. And need I mention the hair-do?

I usually buy clothes from the internet. The online market in Korea is so vibrant and secure that it's as popular, if not more, as offline shopping. The latter, however, allowed me to practice and correct my pronunciation of Kkakkajuseo (discount please)-- and if it's just to challenge my charm--offline shopping is more exciting, and oftentimes more rewarding. ^^;

Here are some clothes I bought online:



Monday, June 16, 2008

Back to business

I lost my internet connection for a month and so my blogging life suffered. -_- Now, I'm really back. I'll try to post something new everyday.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian--A Must See


I watched Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian yesterday with my friends and it was amazing! It is way better than the first one in every element. The main actors (Pevensie children) have matured in their craft, the swordfights and battle scenes are awesome, CGs are magnificent. It's unthinkable for me that Narnia only got a mere 63% fresh rating in rottentomatoes.com.

Some say that there are some dragging scences, dead air moments in the film. Though I agree that indeed there are, I think that those parts are necessary and inevitable (our lives,too, have a lot more freewheeling moments that does Narnia). Also some people mistake cuts for character development as cuts that are boring. Anyhow, what I want to say is: Watch Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian and you won't be disappointed.

The pundits are just in for winning the best single-sentece critique they can post in rottentomatoes. Don't believe them. There are a lot more ready-to-use negative adjectives than are positive ones.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

20 Questions Tag

20 QUESTIONS TAG
Here are the Rules for this tag :
Remove one (1) question from below and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag eight (8) people on your list. List them out at the end of this post.
1. What is your favorite food?
- spaghetti and barbeque
2. What was your happiest moment when you were a child?
- when I learned how to ride the bike
3. Where is the place that you want to go the most?
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
4. Which part of you do you hate the most?
- teeth
5. When you encounter a sad moment, what do you do?
- go out for a walk
6. What are you afraid to lose the most?
- family
7. If you win $1 million, what would you do?
- buy a real house in the province
8. What do you love the most about last year (2007)?
- I went home to the Philippines with my son twice!
9. Which actor/actress would you like to play you in a movie?
- Maggie Cheung
10. How do you cope with boredom?
- I don’t really have enough time to get bored
11. Till now, what is the moment that you regret the most?
- ignoring my drunk father the day before he died
12. What type of person do you hate the most?
- inconsiderate
13. What is your ambition?
- win $1 million
14. If you had one wish, what would you wish for?
- cure for all diseases
15 What is your weirdest dream?
- spreading jam on my wristwatch and eating it
16. What has been the craziest thing you’ve ever done in your whole life?
- become a fan
17. What do you look forward to in 2008?
- school
18. If your life is a song, what title best fits it?
- APO’s When I Met You
19. What is your inspiration in life?
- my family (cliche)
20. If you were to change one event in your life, what would it be?
- my Korean wedding (i should’ve tried to lose weight!)
I got this from: Can of Thoughts
I’m tagging Life in Korea
Amos Gene
Can of Thoughts
Sweet Lyka
Jyrevi
Marc Dionisio
Macky
Donna de Garcia
Etavasi
4-4-4-4
Scrumdiliumptious
Mommy’s Little Corner
ALouraine