Oh Seoul, I have come back for you!
After almost two years since my 10-hour layover in 2007, I'm back in the Land of the Morning Calm (whatever that is supposed to really mean).
On my flight to Narita, I was sitting in the last row, window seat next to an ajussi. This might be my preferred seat from now on since no one was coughing behind me nor was someone using my headrest to balance himself/herself whenever nature called (the latter is a HUGE pet peeve of mine when flying).
And Asiana Airlines is still my favorite airline; United's food was not up to par compared to what Asiana served me in 2007; I'm not even going to try to describe the half-sandwich that they served as a snack from Narita to Incheon. Plus, no toiletry kit. Boo!
Incheon International is still the greatest airport for me; my local Sea-Tac International can't be compared. I just love how after you claim your luggage and pass the Customs, the double doors open (for each person) and the waiting area is full of people, looking towards you. It feeds the inner wanna-be-celebrity in me since I always imagine the paparazzi are taking pictures as I walk out. HaHa!
As if God granted my shallow wish of an eye-candy-filled trip, I was welcomed by hot oppas right off the bat. The hotel shuttle driver met me at the 1st floor Tourist Information Counter and we proceeded to the shuttle which was filled with passengers already; I ended up sitting in the front. Because of the tinted windows and my not wanting to look too obvious by looking back, I didn't exactly know who was there, but I heard all of them talking in Korean throughout the 15-minute ride from ICN to the Airport Square. I swear, hearing Korean spoken by young guys is music to my ears. ;P When we got to the hotel, God's gift was unwrapped: five twenty-something guys, decked out in suits, who were all equally good-looking by Korean drama standards (I thought one was more good-looking than the rest). "Omo, omo!" alright. Yeah, my happiness is THAT shallow. Let me be. HaHa!
So after my "first day in Seoul", here I am, on my double bed, looking forward to the next six days. Woot!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Off to Some Seoul-Searching
Well, this might be the most anti-climactic trip I've ever taken, thanks to the countdown that I started at five weeks. HeHe! I'm heading off to the airport in a couple of hours and I'm excited to see what else the world has to offer. Be back on April 16th!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Amen
"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power." -Alan Cohen
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Happy Hour
Why is it that when you don't have an income anymore, everyone seems to want to get together to eat/drink? I'm here trying to figure out whether people are consoling me for my loss or celebrating my new-found freedom that they wish they had from their equally horrible corporate life. In any case, yesterday's happy hour allowed me to find out about the World Baseball Classic game, which I wouldn't have known had I not been at a bar (I didn't even know such a competition existed!).
While Japan and Korea take their rivalry quite seriously, I was simply happy to see both teams from the two countries that I'll be visiting very, very, very soon. But darn those baseball caps for making it difficult to see which team had the cutest players.
While Japan and Korea take their rivalry quite seriously, I was simply happy to see both teams from the two countries that I'll be visiting very, very, very soon. But darn those baseball caps for making it difficult to see which team had the cutest players.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Let Freedom Ring
You know that stage in a relationship when it's not working out and you want to break it off, but you haven't had the guts to utter those very words that would allow you to be free? So, you're still together, but in your heart and mind, it's over and you're just waiting for the other person to initiate "The Talk."
Well, yesterday, my supervisor finally uttered those words that set me free: I was laid off. Before you gasp, send your deep regrets, and ask if I'm okay, there's no need (okay, maybe it would be nice to show your concern, but no rush. LoL). When I'm devastated about something, I see darkness, but I seriously see the light in this case. Very bright lights...of Akihabara. Kidding!
I'm sure that when I get back from my vacay and the frustration of jobhunting sets in, I'll be crying for help on here, but right now, I'm quite indifferent about the whole situation. I haven't been happy at work for months; it's hard to be happy at a place where your God-given talents are not utilized to the full extent or that you're surrounded by people who don't have the same work ethics as you do. It didn't help much when four of my fellow Asian-American co-workers left in the span of one year and I was the only one left behind by mid-December with no one to talk to.
As with everything in life, I know this happened for a reason and I'd like to think that this is a blessing from God. Funny because last week's sermon in church had something to do with the current state of the economy (people's dependence on material wealth and the devastation that occurs when one gets laid off) and my prayer during communion was for God to show me the right path. What was today's sermon about? Seeing the light (in reference to the blind man)! And when my supervisor came into my office yesterday to deliver the news, I was actually spring cleaning my office. Imagine that.
So, if anyone knows of any Marketing/Communication job openings in travel/technology/media sectors, let me know about it. It doesn't matter if it's in-state, out-of-state, or even out of the country because I'm very much free and ready to take on a new path. :)
Well, yesterday, my supervisor finally uttered those words that set me free: I was laid off. Before you gasp, send your deep regrets, and ask if I'm okay, there's no need (okay, maybe it would be nice to show your concern, but no rush. LoL). When I'm devastated about something, I see darkness, but I seriously see the light in this case. Very bright lights...of Akihabara. Kidding!
I'm sure that when I get back from my vacay and the frustration of jobhunting sets in, I'll be crying for help on here, but right now, I'm quite indifferent about the whole situation. I haven't been happy at work for months; it's hard to be happy at a place where your God-given talents are not utilized to the full extent or that you're surrounded by people who don't have the same work ethics as you do. It didn't help much when four of my fellow Asian-American co-workers left in the span of one year and I was the only one left behind by mid-December with no one to talk to.
As with everything in life, I know this happened for a reason and I'd like to think that this is a blessing from God. Funny because last week's sermon in church had something to do with the current state of the economy (people's dependence on material wealth and the devastation that occurs when one gets laid off) and my prayer during communion was for God to show me the right path. What was today's sermon about? Seeing the light (in reference to the blind man)! And when my supervisor came into my office yesterday to deliver the news, I was actually spring cleaning my office. Imagine that.
So, if anyone knows of any Marketing/Communication job openings in travel/technology/media sectors, let me know about it. It doesn't matter if it's in-state, out-of-state, or even out of the country because I'm very much free and ready to take on a new path. :)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Visualize to Materialize
During mass on Sunday, I was looking at the all-Filipino choir and kept thinking, "Man, at least one of those people has to know someone who's single and pogi" (Yes, these are the kinds of thoughts that run through my head while inside God's house). And since I know God can hear me loud and clear, I kept envisioning the ideal guy (looks-wise) and this is the only "message" that I tried sending to God:
God, that's the package I'm looking for. I know none of my former boylets look like that and I'm assuming it's because I was never that specific to you. Well, it's 2009 so let's get this right once for all. LoL.
To everyone else, let me know if you know anyone who looks like that in real life. God and I need all the help we can get (Yes, it's a worldwide, heaven-and-earth kind of effort now. LoL. Kung wala pa talaga, wala na talaga. HeHe!)
God, that's the package I'm looking for. I know none of my former boylets look like that and I'm assuming it's because I was never that specific to you. Well, it's 2009 so let's get this right once for all. LoL.
To everyone else, let me know if you know anyone who looks like that in real life. God and I need all the help we can get (Yes, it's a worldwide, heaven-and-earth kind of effort now. LoL. Kung wala pa talaga, wala na talaga. HeHe!)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Take Your Best Shot
It looks like there won't be any hanami partying for me in Japan based on the Cherry Blossom Forecast. I'm going to miss them in every city based on my current itinerary:
April 7-10: Tokyo
April 11: Himeji
April 12: Miyajima/Hiroshima
April 13: Osaka
April 14: Kyoto
April 15: Nara
April 16: Narita
*SIGH. On the brighter side, at least the tourist spots will be free of blue tents/crowds for picture-perfect shots.
April 7-10: Tokyo
April 11: Himeji
April 12: Miyajima/Hiroshima
April 13: Osaka
April 14: Kyoto
April 15: Nara
April 16: Narita
*SIGH. On the brighter side, at least the tourist spots will be free of blue tents/crowds for picture-perfect shots.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Road to Recovery
I'm a recovering addict.
In the 1980s, my mom and titas brought me to Sanrio Gift Gate in Greenhills and Ali Mall one too many times. I kicked the habit soon after we moved to the US.
But just like any addiction, mine came back in the mid-90s to early 2000. I even worked part-time at a local Sanrio store to satisfy my urges (I basically paid Sanrio to work there because all of my paychecks went straight back to the store, thanks to my 25% employee discount).
Nine years later (minus a couple of moments of weakness), I've been Sanrio-free. I've sold most of my collection on eBay through the years and I only have about 15% of my old collection left.
With my pending trip to Japan (a pilgrimage, if you will), you can imagine the "threat" that comes with it. I can handle a day at Sanrio Puroland. I'm a grown woman afterall. But this might be too much. Four whole floors full of Sanrio stuff?! Not to mention a complete list of Sanrio shops all over Tokyo?!
Oh my, I might be in big trouble.
In the 1980s, my mom and titas brought me to Sanrio Gift Gate in Greenhills and Ali Mall one too many times. I kicked the habit soon after we moved to the US.
But just like any addiction, mine came back in the mid-90s to early 2000. I even worked part-time at a local Sanrio store to satisfy my urges (I basically paid Sanrio to work there because all of my paychecks went straight back to the store, thanks to my 25% employee discount).
Nine years later (minus a couple of moments of weakness), I've been Sanrio-free. I've sold most of my collection on eBay through the years and I only have about 15% of my old collection left.
With my pending trip to Japan (a pilgrimage, if you will), you can imagine the "threat" that comes with it. I can handle a day at Sanrio Puroland. I'm a grown woman afterall. But this might be too much. Four whole floors full of Sanrio stuff?! Not to mention a complete list of Sanrio shops all over Tokyo?!
Oh my, I might be in big trouble.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Change of Heart
Maybe I've been asking God for the wrong person in my life.
God, I've always asked you (when I remember to ask you) for a pogi, straight, tall, funny, witty, promdi, God-fearing, twenty-something boyfriend. Yes, this has been going on for ages. Today, I admit that I've been asking you for the wrong person. I've realized that more than anyone in this world, I'd like to have a boss/supervisor who doesn't make my life a living hell. Hopefully, you'll let me have this person in my next career move. Yes, You heard it right: no more Piolo; just a boss worth working for.
God, I've always asked you (when I remember to ask you) for a pogi, straight, tall, funny, witty, promdi, God-fearing, twenty-something boyfriend. Yes, this has been going on for ages. Today, I admit that I've been asking you for the wrong person. I've realized that more than anyone in this world, I'd like to have a boss/supervisor who doesn't make my life a living hell. Hopefully, you'll let me have this person in my next career move. Yes, You heard it right: no more Piolo; just a boss worth working for.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Family Outing is In
Since 2004, Korean television shows to me mean Korean dramas like FullHouse, MyGirl, and MyLovelySam-soon. But after almost five years of English-subtitle-reading marathons, I'm now addicted to a new Korean show called FamilyOuting.
"Residents from the countryside are picked and given a free vacation for one night and two days. During this time, the [cast] and various additional guests form a 'family' and look after their house, experiencing the lives of these people. They must complete different chores and jobs, and play fun & hilarious games while they're at it."
And the show is hilarious indeed. So hilarious that I've found myself spending the weekends catching up on episodes (YouTube rocks!) and laughing out loud like a lunatic.
See, this is why I dig Korean TV shows more than Filipino TV shows: they're so original. While Philippine TV networks pride themselves in bringing home localized versions of foreign TV shows (like PinoyFactor, BigBrother, and Tagalized versions of Korean dramas), Korean TV networks seem to always think outside the box. I mean, take the concept for FamilyOuting. Who in the Philippines would've thought of bringing eight celebrities together, sending them off to the countryside for the weekend every week, and having them do chores that they wouldn't normally do on a regular basis? Genius. Add in a philanthropic spin to it and voila: one can't help but find meaning amongst all the craziness that goes into the show.
Pilipinas, get with the program and quit making foreign production companies richer. If you're really serious about all this network rivalry that's been going on forever, then do something about the quality and originality of your shows. Otherwise, I might be stuck in Korean TV land for a little while longer.
"Residents from the countryside are picked and given a free vacation for one night and two days. During this time, the [cast] and various additional guests form a 'family' and look after their house, experiencing the lives of these people. They must complete different chores and jobs, and play fun & hilarious games while they're at it."
And the show is hilarious indeed. So hilarious that I've found myself spending the weekends catching up on episodes (YouTube rocks!) and laughing out loud like a lunatic.
See, this is why I dig Korean TV shows more than Filipino TV shows: they're so original. While Philippine TV networks pride themselves in bringing home localized versions of foreign TV shows (like PinoyFactor, BigBrother, and Tagalized versions of Korean dramas), Korean TV networks seem to always think outside the box. I mean, take the concept for FamilyOuting. Who in the Philippines would've thought of bringing eight celebrities together, sending them off to the countryside for the weekend every week, and having them do chores that they wouldn't normally do on a regular basis? Genius. Add in a philanthropic spin to it and voila: one can't help but find meaning amongst all the craziness that goes into the show.
Pilipinas, get with the program and quit making foreign production companies richer. If you're really serious about all this network rivalry that's been going on forever, then do something about the quality and originality of your shows. Otherwise, I might be stuck in Korean TV land for a little while longer.
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