The Body I Dream of

The body I dream of until before I turn 40. Will I just keep on dreaming of it or do something to make it happen? Tough!!!

Lessons Learned

When people are in love, most of the time they do make a lot of mistakes. And to make the situation much worse, they'd never know what their mistakes are...until they lose the love. Many people think that love grows stronger as the years go by. That true love can never be measured and that true conquers everything. They say that when you've known so much about your loved one, then you'll know how to love them back and perhaps you'll expect that they'll know how to love you back, too. But I'm sorry to say this..it is not true. I think love was stronger before than now - your love when it has begun was stronger than after 5 or 8 years. You were sweeter, gentler and more understandable then than now. You sent letters to him with promising words. You talked to him on the phone with a warm voice. You smiled at him and told him you have missed him after a day of not seeing each other. You were lovable and innocent. After several years of knowing each other, you test him. You ask him if he remembers your special days. You expect him that he won't do things that you 've hated ever. You cry without telling him the reason why. You think you know each other very well. You think he knows you very well.
Love is not like that, my friend. Love as you loved like before. Respect is honorable but gentle words can bend his knees. Do not forget the sweet words you've written on your loveletter. Do not say anything that you do not really mean. Don't make him guess, let him know what you feel. Do not cry or run away from problems. It will never go away unless you talk it over. Show your love by making him comfortable with you. Trust him. Marriage is important to him. Talk about it seriously. Do not let pride overule anything. Write love letters to each other either e-mail or slow/post mail. Make a copy of your love letter to him before sending it. Keep his letters and yours, and when you feel discouraged, disappointed, confused, miserable in love; read them to yourself once again and then love again the way you loved him before.

All You Need to Know

On November 17, 2010, Seoul Global Center came to our school to hold a counselling program for all foreign students. Three days before that, I've received an e-mail from the school's Foreign Student Affairs office saying that if I'm interested in it, I need to send an e-mail back to them saying what time I'd want to take the counselling . I wasn't sure of what kind of counselling they'll be offering but I was quite intrigued. And so on that day, I went without expect anything, because I wasn't sure of what's going to happen. So, I was right. Anyway, I won't go into details of what happened during the counselling since I consider it irrelevant but as I stepped out off the bus (the counselling happened inside a bus that was installed with an office-like facilities), some of the staffs gave me this handbook and they said that it might be useful for me while in Korea. The handbook entitled "Living in Seoul" consists of information about immigration system in Korea, accommodation, communication and banking, employment, education, medical service, driving, and others. As I scanned over the book, I have to admit that it was really informative most especially for foreigners living in Korea. I suggest that you grab one from any Seoul Global Centers, of course located in Seoul or try visiting their website: http://global.seoul.go.kr/.

A Beautiful Stranger

I'm so glad that there are still people who are kind to other people although they are strangers to them. It's never easy to ask someone who lives in a busy, stressful world to give you a hand on something. But tonight, a small deed coming from just one ordinary person has proven itself once again that it can really change one's perception on the entire country. One fine lady was very willing to take a picture of us. She said, " Please have a look if you like your picture.If you want, I can still take another picture of you...Is it okay?". Her words just melted my iced-cold heart as we say thank you to her. The picture wasn't just beautifully taken, but it was also taken by a beautiful person.

Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino but Filipinos ain't a Manny Pacquiao

"Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino but Filipinos ain't a Manny Pacquio."

Before you read what I've written here, please take some time reading what I've linked above.
After reading the above article, I've realised that I have the same feeling, the same attitude with the author all along. I remember asking my dad why Manny is that strong, what does he eat to be strong and then my dad replied, "In his region, they eat corn not rice." I wasn't sure if my dad was just joking that time but I was seriously curious when I asked that question. Manny had a perfect trainer and a perfect environment to become a champion. Anybody can be a champion like him if one had the same conditions like he had. And definitely, it's not because of his nationality that made him the best boxer of all time. It's all about hard work and good environment plus perfect timing perhaps. Let's not be proud of somebody just because one has the same blood as ours but because of one's perseverance and hard work.

Bloody Thesis

Every day when I open my eyes I have to deal with the same usual thing and every time I see this thing just makes my stomach go mad. Honestly, just the thought of it makes me go insane. This thing is what all graduate students have the same impression with, the thesis writing. I know that it's not the end of the world when we write our thesis and it's not that really hard ( according to those who have finished writing them) but... I don't know...I don't really know. I think I'm just worrying too much. Sometimes, my thesis becomes a little monster to me annoying me all the time. Ahhhhh...I just want the time to go by ...just...like...that. How I wish. Anyway, I just wrote this just to make me feel better. I need to stop writing on my blog for awhile (although writing on my blog is one way for me to get unstressed). I need to get over and done with my little monster.

Teacherlang

I met the president of Teacherlang Multimedia Education System just an hour ago and I had a nice conversation with him about the English education in Korea. Well, we didn't go into details listing all the weaknesses and strenghts of ELT in Korea but we only focused on one thing, his business. He tried to explain his product, one solution for Korean English learners to get another chance to be able to use the language. I wasn't there to criticise his work but I was happy that I was there not just a listener but also a commentor, being able to express my thoughts and feelings towards e-learning. First of all, why was I called upon by Mr. Kim? (the CEO). It's because my professor asked a favor from him to help me make my life in Korea a bit much better. Like providing an accommodation first and foremost. However, there were some misunderstandings I supposed. I wasn't really in need of any help at the moment, but I am open for any help in case I'll be needing it in the near future. Who would refuse such a good offer. These days, may Korean English teachers divert their teaching from traditional to modern English teaching such as communicative language teaching or task based language teaching and others. Moreover, many of them, take advantage of the use of technology and maximize what can be maximized for the advancement of their language teaching supplementing e-learning to their curriculum. All of these has only one goal, the ultimate purpose of every professional English teacher - the goal of improving the English language ability and skills of students at it's most effective and most efficient possible way. For further details on Teacherlang log on to http://teacherlang.co.kr/ or just simply click the image above.

Let it Snow!

This video was taken in March 2010 during the first week when I arrived in Korea as I prepare myself for school. It has been quiet awhile since in snowed that hard in Seoul so I decided to take a video of the moment. When I arrived here in March, I was actually expecting a warmer weather as I step out from Incheon airport but I was wrong. Was I wrong or was the weather wrong?

My mom hasn't seen snow in her entire life, I'm not sure with my dad since he's been to Canada some time long ago. I wanted to show to my mom how the snow really looks like but I guess taking a video of it is just exactly the same as watching the snow on TV. I want my mom to feel it, touch it and probably have a taste of it. Perhaps I should make an effort of bringing her here someday or somewhere where it snows. Oh boy...this is going to cost me a looot of money.

KAMALL

It was my first time to attend a conference in Korea and it was a KAMALL Conference ( The Korea Association of Multimedia-Assisted Language Learning). I and my other mates in CAU (Chung Ang University) participated in the e-Poster category. Well, honestly, it wasn't really clear for me what exactly I was supposed to do there although my professor had explained it to me as thorough as she could. Maybe, it was due to the fact that I couldn't get a clear picture of what was really expected from me, from us. Days before the conference, some were telling that I might need to prepare some powerpoint presentation or some sheets to show my project. But, I just relied on what my professor told me, and of course, my professor was always right. I asked Sunny, one research assistant, about what to wear or what to bring for that day but she just told me in a cold voice that her mind is preoccupied by her presentation and that she needed to hang the phone up. Anyway, all is well that ends well. The conference was done. The five of us kept talking to strangers for about 2 to 3 hours.I wasn't in a group, I've done my project solely so I had to talk nonstop. I was expecting that I could explain my project like how I came up with it and what were the processes that went through. But all of the people who came to scrutinize didn't had the time to listen and prefer to hear only the findings, the benefits, the effectiveness of our project which I think I have failed to answer. I wasn't really satisfied with my project and along I really want to somehow find a way to make it better and more useful. That day, after 9 months of not wearing high heels, I hardly walked myself home. Again, all is well...that ends well.

Little Kindness

I went to the library just a few minutes ago to return some books I have borrowed for ages. Going to the library is not one normal routine I'd do. My schools consists of a lot of stairs and elevators, but I prefer to use the long-steeped stairs to promote a healthy lifestyle. Nahhh....not really, it's been 4 days since I haven't moved a muscle, that's why I needed get a bit of exercise. As I gave back the books, I asked the librarian to assist me on using the school's e-library because I needed to get specific resources for my thesis writing. She then told me that I have to go up to the next floor which directs me to the Reference Department. I went and asked another librarian and she just really amused me. She was like an angel sent by God almighty. She was very informative and generously kind to help me. I felt like I've taken up a pill to cleanse my body. She was all the help I could get but still she wasn't satisfied of what she has done for me and gave me her phone number just in case I'd still have some difficulties or querries later on. It's been a long time since I haven't gotten that kind of service here in Korea. For quite some time, the world has been unkind to me but I was very patient for this day to come.

A Revolution or a Review

( The making of PRIVATE IVY starts today.)

Recently, I intentionally made myself into a habit of watching TV almost every night of the day. Since, we don't have any cable channels at home,I learn to be patient on watching few and very limited Korean programmmes mostly dramas and news. Moreover, I barely see clear images from the screen unless I am fortunate to accidentally place the antenna where I could get a clear reception. Funny...from saying this..I remember something that happened in the past, when a destructive typhoon hit my homeland. Our city was isolated because it was located on top of the mountains and everyone was probihited to go down from and to come up to the place. Despite of the natural disaster, our family still managed to have the feel of watching our favourite comedy TVprogram (Going Bananas) holding the antenna up just to get a clear picture of it.
Anyway, going back to my original story, as I watch TV to sleep I could see a lot of advertisements promoting Korea as the G20 country. The government of this country then tries to educate its citizens to become one...to become a G20 citizen. Sometimes, unconsciously, I'd mockingly laugh at the adverts. I believe that Korea has been through a lot to come this far and I so envy them. One night, I had the chance to watch something the debates about the qualifications of becoming part of the G20. They've presented a lot of things that shows contrasts and comparisons of Korea among other countries, like infrastructure, security, economy, and others. But then, what do I see from the adverts. I see them educating their citizens to learn the basics. Teaching them , to not to speak too loud on the phone in public transports, to not to ask personal questions and to say hello with a smile. Is this a revolution then or a review? Whatever it is, I am hoping for a quick change and one day I'd go out to the malls opening doors for them and they'd be grabbing it for me in return.