Family Reunion

This will be my first domestic flight. I'm going to Leyte today (time check, 1:41am) to meet my distant relatives. I'm expecting to see the beauty of the Philippines from above. Sana di matabunan ng eyebags ko because I have to wake up at 4:00am. Again, Google will be penalizing me for my brief 2-day inactivity.

See you all on Monday! ^^;

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/!

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! ^^;

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:

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.

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.