Friday, June 06, 2008

A Dieu Vous Commant...


Curtis W. Newman aka Chaos
28 January 1968 ~ 23 May 2008

Father, Lover, Best friend, Confidant, Poet, Painter, Artist, Writer, Harley Rider
~~oo~~

Dearest friends and readers, the love of my life, Chaos, passed away two weeks ago unexpectedly... without warning... without a proper goodbye...

He was supposed to be here in Korea this end of the month and we were planning to tie the knot. I was excited to blog about the wedding already. Then... like a thief in the night, his life was taken abruptly, leaving me waddling in misery and grief for days and the days to come.

He always hated it that I kept moving blog sites. He wasn't most happy when I started blogspot. He came around anyway when I reactivated my multiply account. There, he was able to check on my entries regularly. He was extremely excited for me when I found in multiply some hobby groups where my work is appreciated and critiqued positively. He loved it that I grow on my own craft. He even helped me "redo" some of my multiply entries.

Ergo, much as I want to stay here, I would have to bid this account goodbye. Maybe temporarily, maybe for good. Who knows...

Be well people.

Don't forget to say "I love you" to those you care about everyday, for you may never know when they will leave you.

Monday, May 12, 2008

The Mother Who Rocks the World

Mother may be a potential winner for the "Whiny of the Year" award; to me, she is the greatest woman I would ever love. 

I don't know any other being who would go through so much to make all of her 6 children live a better life. To this woman her own happiness comes last; her children's welfare is always the priority.

Mother and Rue
Happy Mother's Day Nanay! I miss you a lot...

Likewise, Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the world, especially to my dearest pals, online and in real, old and new ones alike. You all know you rock as moms! Yay!

*This picture was taken during my son's 6th grade graduation day two years ago. I wasn't there to witness the occasion but obviously Nanay is more than enough to fill in my shoes.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Where Is Batman?!

If anyone is wondering where Batman is lurking around these days, well, speculate no more. I spied upon him the other night, disguised as an Ajossi (old grouchy Korean man) selling fruits and vegetables near the subway station.

Batman in Korea! Yay!

Apparently, his loyal servant, Alfred, that elitist of a butler, eloped with Catwoman, after having experienced a heavenly cat lap. Likewise, Gotham City had gone bankrupt; failed to pay electric bills thus forcing the mayor to shutdown the Batman floodlight.

All these issues made Batman a very very lonely person so he decided to abandon his Gotham mansion, sold his costume on e-bay, dismissed his quest for world peace, fighting all sorts of comical villains and enjoy living a pure unadulterated quiet fruity life in South Korea.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Grattis Syrran

It's Svenska (Swedish) for "Happy Birthday Sister". Today, I got the bestest birthday gift from my sister, Len: a lovely birthday card with a flowery dress on the cover, bearing a very meaningful message, and a postcard photo of my adorable niece, Denise. Yay!

Grattis Syran
*click on the photo to see the original

I cried when I got them. I still can't accept the fact that we don't live on the same house anymore; that she's so far away; her youngest child, I will never had the chance of carrying or hugging or squeezing, like what I used to do with her first born, Mariella, who's the same age with my daughter.

I know one day... we will be together again... and I will have the chance to kiss my nieces; drag them to the mall with me and buy whatever Bratz doll they like. And maybe perhaps convince them to live with me! Yay!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The Neighbor

As I was going out of the elevator tonight, I saw this young neighbor running in the hallway with what looked like a bleeding hand. She shoved past me and rushed down the stairs.

Adrenaline mixed with sheer curiosity, I chased her down the stairs; caught her up in the lobby and told her to let me help. She showed me her hand.
Blood! I hate blood! She told me that she saw an old eyebrow shaver under her bed and sliced her palm to see if the blade's still sharp.

I took her back to her room to fix the palm before I could think of anything unpleasant to say.

Her room was a big mess. Bottles of Soju (Korean gin) are on the floor. Unwashed dishes on the sink. Looks like the room is not inhabited by a human being. A total slob. The OCD in me wanted to do a cleaning spree but decided that I must do something about her wound first. I went to her bathroom to get some towel or tissue or anything to clean her wound but the toilet bulb is busted.

How can anyone survive with no light in the toilet?!!

She has no first-aid kit. What do I expect? I have none either. I decided to put some super glue on her wound to stop the bleeding and got her a new bulb from the nearby store. Because ordinary Korean neighborhood marts don't carry stuff like iodine or cotton (One can only get them from the pharmacy, which was like 300 meters away from the apartment building and no way I am walking that distance in my already dying feet.) I decided that the super glue will make do for the meantime.

Her toilet bowl is not very pleasant to look at either and it scared me to step on it. I dragged my own chair to her room that I may have something to step on to reach the ceiling.

All this time, she was huddled at the foot of her bed, sobbing.

I wanted to talk to her more but my Korean is limited. She understands no English anyway. I told her to go to a clinic first thing in the morning. She said yes. Went back to my room and turned on the TV and PC.

I wrote a blog earlier to make fun of the situation. However, after posting the entry (in my multiply account), I heard her escalating wailing; I realized then that she was the same girl who's been crying all the time these past few days. I guess it's okay to cry but if you do that at around 2 in the morning, it's not acceptable anymore. In fact, a few nights ago, some of the older neighbors banged on her door and threatened to beat her up that she may have more reason to cry if she doesn't shut up.

I realized then that she did not slice her palm out of stupidity.

I dread to think that perhaps she really wanted to hurt herself. Judging from her wailing and late nights one sided conversation (Yes, I do listen on the wall.), I figured she must be having some fights with her boyfriend on the phone and that is causing her so much grief.

As I write this (which was like 1:45 am), I could hear the landlord scolding her as one of the neighbors again complained that she's making too much noise. They were saying something like if she's not moaning at nights, she's wailing her heart out. I don't know which one is more annoying. I never bothered to listen to her moans.

I hope she won't kill herself. I hope she feels better soon... Me don't want a ghost for a neighbor...

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Life Begins at 40?


They say that life begins at 40. Does that mean my life is just about to begin? Isn't that a little fucked up? I mean, how could one be born 40 years ago, and have its life start only after 4 decades?!! Doesn't make any sense at all.

I celebrated the day in Bungalow, my favorite hang-out in the whole Seoul, with Jo and Tita Noemi, a former room mate.
Yes, I am 40. And I have more than 40 things to thank about. I am going to make the list shorter though as I am a little tipsy to write more than 2,000 words tonight.

I am grateful that:


  1. I am still alive to this day, blessed with abundant things in life, more than I could ask for.
  2. I have a great family: parents, who try to be healthy as they can be, taking care of my son in my absence; 4 brothers who look after my son, pampering him while I'm away, providing him the fatherly figure that he needs; and a sister who may be living in another country now, but gives me comfort by just letting me play up her daughters' pictures.
  3. I have a very talented teen-ager who believes that mom is only 20 and shouldn't be allowed to work in another country.
  4. I have a wonderful job that allows me to provide for my son.
  5. I have a "fiance" I talk to everyday, who gets the first hand torture during that "time of the month".
  6. I have awesome friends who don't only party with me in such a short notice, but are always there to make my life easier.
  7. I have equally awesome online friends who bear with my eccentricities, some of whom actually think I am a Deity. Ha! How cool is that?
  8. I have smart-ass students who never cease to test my patience. And co-teachers who may not be great to work with, but hey, they leave me alone, which is far more important than anything else in the world.
  9. I have a nice room, with kind neighbors to boot, who feed me with dog soup any chance they get.
  10. I have a God who is always there, hearing me out, day in and day out; guiding, protecting and shielding me and my loved ones from any harm, sickness and accidents.
It's strange... I don't feel that old. I swear I just celebrated my 20th birthday!

Sunday, April 06, 2008

He Died in His Sleep

I've been seeing this news feed on TV about a 38-year old Korean rapper who passed away last Wednesday. I never had time to sit down and really comprehend the news not until this evening when N, a former classmate called, and one Ajumma in the yoga class told me that I should change my ringtone. I am like, Why? I like my ringtone. It makes me wanna dance every time someone calls.

Ajumma told me that the lead rapper of that band had just passed away and it is but polite to give respect, or something like that. I was not able to get the rest of her rambling. They were sort of sad. I thought at first that because the hunk yoga instructor is gone. Didn't know the real reason behind the gloomy atmosphere.

Koreans are like that. When a well known personality dies, it's like the whole country mourns. They'd be solemn for days and as soon as the news fades out, they go back to their usual ways... then... another celebrity passes away.

I am not really into Korean Pop scene. There are very few bands that I like. However, when I first came here, the group was in their peak, and someone was sweet enough to give me a CD of the band's first album as a Christmas gift. I lost the CD during one of those house moving, but the thought that went with that gift is something that to this date I consider, priceless.

As as sign of respect to Im Seong Hoon, the so-called Turtle Man of the band Keoboogi (Turtle), I am posting the MTV of my favorite ringtone, Ulmana (How much).




I think I am going to change my ringtone back to Stupify.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

April Fool

APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain
~T.S. Elliot, 1922, The Wasteland

My co-teachers and I are not the best-est of friends. When I was new in the school, our conversation is limited to "Hello Foreign Teacher, how was your weekend?", to which I always reply with a litany of what I did during the weekend. It took me a while to realize that whenever I begin to rant about things I did during days off; the co-teachers would keep silent, smile back and continue doing whatever they were doing before i interrupted them.

There were times however that I can not help but think out loud. It's more like a habit you know, a very bad habit at times, because people who don't really know me well, could regard me as an escapee from the Seoul asylum if they they hear me exchange mindless tete-a-tete with myself.

It was during one of those mindless stunt that I once blurted out loud: "Why are pantyhose so bloody tight? They're strangling my legs." Upon hearing this, my co-teachers stopped in slow motion and asked me to repeat what I just said, which I did. This teacher, let's just call her Teacher 1, one of the more fluent teacher in school, politely retorted: "Foreign Teacher, smart question, please!"

Instead of explaining that it was not a question particularly directed to anyone, I took her reaction lightly and resolve never to talk to myself in public again, especially in the teacher's lounge.

Then, last night, the boss held a meeting about the new salary policy. Taxes and medicare will be deducted starting this month and everyone was aggravated, including me of course. While all the teachers were talking at the same time, I decided to raise my hand to ask a question.
Teacher 1, who was co-presiding the meeting, noticed my raised arm and shushed everyone to hear what I'm about to say. I told them that I have a question. Actually, I just wanted to know when is dinner going to be served. Before I could say anything, Teacher 1 asked if I am going to wonder again why pantyhose are so tight. Everyone started laughing and giggling until they are almost on the verge of farting, with the exception of the boss who was completely clueless as to what was going on. 
I laughed along 'Ha Ha Ha Ha' while secretly reminding myself to replace the bottle of sugar in the pantry with iodized salt before the week is over. 

Yes, it's April fool's day. Them witches will be getting salted coffee starting tomorrow! 
Who's laughing now?

Monday, March 24, 2008

She Has An Issue

I didn't have internet connection during the weekend.
I rained cows and horses.
The weather was and still is awful.
I couldn't call the family or him because the connection sucked, too.
I was bored to my ass but my niece's pictures helped me survive the ordeal.

I wee wee on my suit!

Thank God, everything is back to normal.
One thing I learned after being deprived of any online communication:
It sure is great to scream once in a while.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

All Ye Sinners: Repent!

The religious community is observing the Lenten week: the sinners repent; the holies reflect. It's the time of the year when the Catholics, Christians and religious fanatics alike ponder on the death of Jesus Christ -- the purpose of his sufferings and salvation of mankind's sins.

I, for one, would like to ask forgiveness for all the vanities that I have brought forth in this world. I know I am no saint, no matter how much I try to perform some little miraculous deeds everyday. God knows I strive to make a difference each day, in His name, although those selfless acts seemed to be mindless at times. May God have mercy on me.

Befittingly, allow me to share this video showcasing how devout Catholics in the Philippines observe the Lenten season.


Saturday, March 15, 2008

Karma is a Bitch


A friend in myspace is bitching about karma. I decided to write a poem in his honor. Wonder if he's going to delete me from his list... like I care.

karma is a toothless witch
that hexes you in the butt
hits you with a bladed whip
makin' you feel like a twat
if you cry and gripe like a boar
karma will be back for more...

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The Baby Has Spoken

Sister finally posted Denise's official pictures in her multiply site. I took the liberty of expressing what I believe are the unspoken words of the two week old infant.
Denise 3
Denise 4
Denise 5
Me ezz poo...

No more visits plezz!
Denise 1

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Coming of Age


I woke up mushy today. Call it end of winter blues? Maybe... I don't know.

What I know is that I got a very touchy message from my brother Frederick, next to the youngest. He will be turning 31 on the 23rd. As a birthday gift for himself, I was quite sure that with the cellphone mania going among Filipinos, this brother would have nothing in the world but a brand new one. It was expected anyway. Who in their single earning life wouldn't want a spanking kick-ass new phone, especially in the Philippines?

I was surprised to read that he bought Mother a new phone instead.

He wrote that Mom had always wanted a new phone, so he decided to buy her one. He probably got tired of hearing her whine all the time when the dang phone magically turns itself off every after few minutes. Or she must be throwing hints here and there, so to stop the walls from screaming back at Nanay, he just granted her wish.

Knowing my little brother, I am sure he just wanted to please the woman, to make up for those times that he gave her unbearable headaches. And I am so proud of my little brother. He indeed has come of age.

Gone are the days when he was considered as the black sheep of the family: giving the folks antsy moments with the pranks he constantly pulls back then. He has no idea how much I cry whenever I hear about his misdemeanors. I felt like a failure as the eldest in the family.

Tonight, he made me cry again... this time... the tears are of joy, of pride. He will always be my baby brother, the one I thought I'd be taking care of for the rest of his screwed up life. I must have underestimated my brother, for these days, he's taking great care of my son for me -- providing Rue the fatherly love that he needs -- and some guitar lessons to boot.

My little brother had finally grown up... And it's about time!

Sunday, March 02, 2008

New Baby on the Block


Meet Denise, my newest niece. She was born on the 22nd of February to proud parents Len and Hakan.

We had a conference chat this afternoon and she was a sight to behold. As if knowing that everyone's talking about her, she would give us a sample of her killer smile from time to time.

Can't wait for her to grow up and go shopping with me.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Most Likely To Be Buried Alive?

If there's one thing that amuses me these days, it should be Facebook. Sure, some of the applications could be a bit cloying and puzzling at times, but the entertainment it provides is priceless. Not to mention that I get to meet really cool people from different corners of the world. I mean really awesome peeps who are not into nit-picking on how the government, media or just about everything is being handled by the appointed ones. This is a free world, yesiree, but puhhleeezzz, spare me the whining already. Got enough of that in the other sandboxes. I need to be entertained. And crack up does Facebook to me. I could think of a million reason why I dig it:
  • I don't need an excuse or provocation to tackle, trout-slap, body slam, or toilet paper my friends. Heck, I could even throw Hillary Clinton to everyone without getting private messages like,
- What the hell did you do that for, beotch? - Where's your sense of respect? - What is wrong with you? - You need to get professional help. - You're a sad little person constantly seeking attention. - I feel sorry for you.
  • I am allowed to shower my girl friends fab bags from Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Channel, Dior and Prada anytime without worrying about maxing out my Visa card. Hey, it's all free! Even the credit card is complimentary.
  • I am privileged to yack, lick, tango and cuddle with the Boyfriend openly, and no one thinks the Deity is a homicidal exhibitionist.
Plus I could do the same thing to close male friends and he would never think I am two-timing him.
  • I throw lame friends to Vampire friends all the time, just because I want to, and they're cool with it. They don't go sulking in a corner, curled up in a fetal position, screaming, "Deity, you numb nut twit, I am going to make you pay for that!"
  • I am allowed to expose well-tended multiple personalities without being regarded a basket case. I am a Mistress Vampire, a Triumphant Slayer, a Werewolf Howler and a Zombie Ninja. I attack my friends whenever and they don't go scurrying off for their lives.
  • I get to feed my Pet, Mojitos, and chocolate pie, and it doesn't go running in the toilet, yelling profanities in my face for giving it alcohol and sweets at the same time.
  • I give my friends a keg of draft beer or a bottle of Dom Perignon anytime without having to organize a drink-all-you-can party.
I could go on and on and on. The point is, Facebook is a lifesaver for someone who gets bored easily like me. With thousands of fun new games and applications to do all the time, who needs to sulk and whine? I am engrossed to the bones. I don't care what other people write about Facebook. No one's gonna keep me from getting my happy pills from the pals I have there. 

Speaking of pals, someone voted yours truly as the friend Most Likely To Be Buried Alive, which got me thinking what in the world would make anyone think that I am probably going to be entombed screaming and kicking? And why would anyone want to bury me alive in the first place? I am pretty sure I don't resemble The Bride? Hello?!!! Ngork! I have to find out who did that. 

I am soooo going to bitch-slap that friend without mercy! And when I am done slapping, I swear to vote him/her as the friend Most Likely to Sleep with Marilyn Manson. 

I feel better already.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Spread the Love


Velvet tagged me so I decided to play along. I guess this Love and Peace Meme is very much needed these days. The world is getting more and more disappointing, with all the lame things being said and done. It's just but befitting to step outside the circle, and throw dusts of affection here and there.

Here are the rules:

1. If you get tagged or not (and want to play along) , take some minutes to meditate about love and peace, pray for countries that are facing troubles, for those people you love and those you don’t.

2. Write a post with links to blogs that you think would like to participate

3. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

I am tagging the following:

Abad, G, StuperHeroine, Marissa, JoshTadena, Mary, Rhey, Manang Bambit, Rockin'Robbie, Mundong Noypi

and all those who wish to participate.

Let there be world peace.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Street


A blogging buddy in multiply is fond of posting Chicken blogs. To torment her, I would post a comment and ask that perennial question. She has yet to give me a sane answer, so I decided to amuse myself and quizzed the second graders.

The students replied in broken English and Korean, so for the sake of those who can't speak the language and for my own sake as well (as I don't get paid for any Korean translation) I am posting their answers in English, verbatim.

Me: Class, I have a question. The right answer will get 10 merit signatures. Are you ready?

Students: Ready!

Me: Why did the chicken cross the street?

Student 1: Because... because... her mother is on the other side?

Me: No!

Student 2: Because it wants to eat the other chicken?

Me: No!

Student 3: (Thinking long and hard) To poo?!!!

Me: Noooooooooooooo!!!

Student 3: (Tried again) To pee?!!!

Me: Nooooo!!! Chickens don't pee!

Student 3: (He's very persistent) Chicken pee! All animals pee!

Me: You're not allowed to answer anymore!

Student 4: Because it's cold?

Me: Noooooo!!! Come on guys, think! Think!

Student 5: Chicken will go home and eat! Chicken very hungry!!!

Me: Nooooo!!!

Student 6: Chicken scared?

Me: Why is the chicken scared?

Student 6: I don't know. You asked question.

Me: Gawd! Next answer!

Student 7: Chicken play with friends!

Me: Noooooo!!!

Students: Teacher what is right answer?

Me: I don't know. That's why I am asking the question. I was hoping you guys would help me.

Students: Why you ask question you answer don't know?

Me: (I am the Deity's complete lack of surprise) If we know the answer, do we have to ask?

Students: But you said right answer gets 10 points. Teacher liar!

Me: (Slowly entertaining the thought of pushing each one of them out of the window) Because I am the teacher! Because I say so. And I am not lying. I am really going to give 10 points! I promise!

Students: (Conferred among themselves) But teacher doesn't know the answer... How she give points?... Why is teacher like that?... She strange... Yes...teacher very strange...

Me: (Distressed) OK! Open your books on page 11. Let's read "Rainbows".

Student 2: Teacher, what is right answer? Why chicken cross street? Why?

Me: That's your homework!

Students: (Decided not to argue anymore and opened their books on page 11)

So much for self gratification... I should always remember that the rule of Karma applies even in classrooms.

Will someone please tell me the correct answer? I don't want to lose my job! Ngork.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Silence is Good


"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

~ Mark Twain (1835-1910)

I am betting my month's salary that if Mr. Twain is to live in this generation, that quote above would read something as simple as like this: "S-T-F-U!"

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Hanging out with the Girls


Most of the middle school freshmen in our hagwon have been my students since they were in 4th grade so as a graduation gift, I decided to take them out to dinner.

After consuming a cauldron of Galbitang (stewed spicy beef ribs, highly recommended for those who are into spicy soup), they begged to go to the Norebang (literally "sing room", Korean version of karaoke) to show me their singing talent.

A mini video in the karaoke can be viewed here.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Poem of the Day


I love this poem dearly.

Our high school English teacher, Mrs. Potenciano, made us memorize this sonnet with a condition that we read it with a passion in our heart. I was too young then to recognize the true essence of passion, but this poem inspired me to start writing my own.

This is PoemHunter.com's selection of the day, an excellent choice and very appropriate for the occasion.

Sonnet 43 - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

XLIII

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Suck It Up or Kiss My Ass!


Some people can't just level. Some people can't own up their shit. Some people are so immersed in their fantasy world; they find it hard to scarf down truth even if it hits them right in the face. Oh well... who am I to be displeased with them? It's their call.

And I am not mad either that the kids took a shot of my butt.

You likey?

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Teacher Tell Me Tell Me What Happened

Last month, I posted about my students' daring me to dance in exchange for memorizing 10 new words each day.

I rehearsed for a week. I swear I did. I even secretly memorized the dance steps during yoga classes. During meditation sessions, my brain was trying to perfect the moves. You go to your happy place, I will gyrate in my head.

I even registered in youtube to download the showdown with the six year old from hell. Already I was waiting for a call from some Hollywood talent manager inviting me to audition for the remake of Chicago.

D-day came: I went to school ready for public hanging. I told Teacher K to turn on her PC (she had it password protected to keep the students from playing games online during break period) as I need to play the Tell Me video. Teacher K was like, HWWHAATT??? HWHHHYYY??? When I squealed the specifics, she told me to step outside as she needed to give the students a word or two.

When she was done, I was welcomed by the students with a glare -- that kind of glare that would make even Osama Bin Laden wet in his pants. I knew then that my hopes of replacing Renee Zellwegger had gone down the drain. For the rest of the week, none of them would talk to me. They completely went on a silent mode. Oh well, one can't please all the kids in the world. Ha! Like I cared.

Yeah I did. I still feel so bad to this day. It's like I betrayed them. They are now traumatized for life, and it's because of me.

On another note, I found this Tell Me video with Korean teachers doing the dance craze.



Should I thank Teacher K for saving my ass?

Sunday, January 27, 2008

It's All About Vanity, Baby


Last January 25, some mothers came to school to watch me teach. You know, like they just wanna make sure that I am teaching their children the right thing. They drop by in hordes, all perfectly made up, well coiffed hair, all glowing and glittery with the best jewels. It was more like they are going to a cocktail party and decided at the last minute to give the secretly unwell foreign teacher (me) a run over. I don't mind. They do this kind of visit once in a blue moon anyway. And I am not certainly scared of them, Ajummas.

After the class, the parents came up to me and complimented my eyebrows, my ten mega bucks boots and my 5 mega bucks skinny jeans, which they thought were designers. Yeah right! I bought them all in Namdaemun market but of course dare I tell them? I let them think that I am an Apgujeong frequent shopper. Harharhar!

Nobody was impressed that I made the students read a particular sentence five times, to make sure that they get the intonation right. No one noticed my dedication, my strong conviction for the students to understand the lesson and speak English like a native. NOPE.

They are more concerned about my looks, which was not very surprising because most Koreans are very superficial. You see, here in Korea, you may have the brain of a genius, but if you got a face only your mom could love, chances of getting hired is very very slim. Yes, you heard that right.

This is basically the reason why aside from sending their kids to hagwon (Korean term for special schools) to learn English, most parents invest and save up for their kids' "facial alteration" before they go to college. Fix the eyebrow, that crooked nose, that small chin, that oriental eyelid and voila! You are ready to face the world child!

Trust me, this country won't be called the New Plastic Surgery Capital of Asia for nothing. I have no issue with that. There's nothing wrong with their preference anyway. That's the way some Koreans are and I respect it by making sure that I look presentable to my students everyday.

I suspect that if Koreans are to rule the universe, everyone will be required to have a perfect face, a svelte figure and an IQ of 135, which is not so bad... I think. Everyone will be pretty and smart! Yay!

Now, I gotta stop blogging and get myself a mud pack. Me have to look ravishing for the kids and their moms!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Joker is Dead



And he was not exterminated by his life long nemesis -- Dark Night. He died in his sleep.

Yes, like the rest of the world, I was shock as shock when I read a friend's email about the death of Heath Ledger. Who wouldn't? He's a great actor at the age of 28. He made conscientiously chosen, arrestingly crafted movies. He can't be that dead. He is yet to ask me out! No, he can't be dead!

But the news online are not joking. Nobody's laughing...

Monday, January 21, 2008

Ruejon


He is Fourteen today.
He now stands around five feet seven.
He likes graham cake.
He is full of dreams and aspirations.
He loves to pretend to be the coolest of the cool.
He considers the Celphone as his bestfriend.
He thinks pimples are evil.
He wants to be the lead guitarist of a famous rock band someday.
He is a playboy in the making. Gawd!
And...
He is the love of my life.

Friday, January 11, 2008

It's Snowing You Know

My apartment is approximately 40 minutes away from where I work (ten minutes by subway and another 30 minutes by bus). However this morning, it took me almost two hours to get to school. It snowed cats and dogs from 8 am till the time I got home.

It took me another three hours to get home.

On the way home, 5 minutes away from school, we witnessed this pileup along the intersection of Siheung Highway. Apparently, the truck driver forgot that it was snowing and decided to hit the gas at 90 kilometers per hour.

I had to tell the bus driver to speak in Korean slowly that I may be able to understand what really happened. Ajossi (old Korean man) was not very friendly and told me to just listen, which was not easy because everyone in the bus was so excited they all chattered at the same time.

Good thing is, the truck driver wasn't badly harmed. Bad thing is, I sat idly in the bus, taking pictures of the mishap, for almost an hour, until my butt hurt, crabbily listening to all the old people in the bus who were all busy calling in their relatives about the incident.

Consequently, our bus driver decided to be extra careful. By frequent checking of the speedometer, I deduced that he floored the gas at an average of at least 10 km/hr.

Torture.

Let there be no more snow tomorrow.

Accident

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Teacher Tell Me Tell Me

If there's one thing that I love most about my students, it's the fact that they definitely know how to make my day. Or BS with me without being obvious...

I told the third graders last Monday that it's the school's new policy for the students to memorize 10 new words each session. They screamed, argued, and threw tantrums in my face. No memorization. They won't do it. I held my ground firm and told them that if they refuse to do so, I won't give them any merit sign on their Bonus Sheet. That silenced them. The Bonus Sheet is like the student's holy grail.

To change the topic, R, a co-teacher's son, candidly commented that I look like one of the girls in this Korean band, Wonder Girls, who, unbeknownst to me, happens to popularize, "Tell Me", a dance craze among kids and teen-agers these days, which the children proudly informed me.

Curiosity invoked, I asked whether the girl I am being compared to is pretty or else, I swore to R that I will throw him out of the window if I find out that the girl looked like one of those ludicrous caricature like singer-dancers. The class told me that she's really an eyeful and... if I could dance like the group... they are going to memorize all the words in the dictionary.

Children never lie, right?

Fine. Deal. Whatever.

I agreed to dance for them even if it would mean breaking my bones in the process. I am a teacher of honor. Ha!

The class cheered. As they were going out of the classroom though, some of them whispered disturbing comments that made me wonder if I made the right decision.

Sonsengnim wi chincha ru choomde halsu ita? Can teacher really dance?

Na mula! Daum chu reul kidarida! I don't know. Let's wait next week! *Giggles*

You wait till I see that video, kids!

As soon as I got home, I googled the said group's MTV and found a really "bubblegum" (according to the BF) dance video of some teeners.



The dance steps are pretty easy but I am not sure I would look decent executing them. Err...

Gawd. What have I gotten myself into this time?

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Journey's New Vocalist is a Pinoy!

One of my favorite bands from the 70’s and 80’s circa, Journey, known for their hits Open Arms, Faithfully, and Don’t Stop Believing, among others, have finally found a new front man in the person of Arnel Pineda, lead vocals of a Filipino band, The Zoo. Yay!

So when I read Gab’s blog entry about the new lead guy of Journey, I could not believe my eyes. I mean, how cool is that? Journey is really famous and awesome and all. I remember screaming my lungs out back then whenever I hear the song Open Arms, considered to be the National Anthem of every high school hopeless romantics during the 80's.



Anyway, I googled the youtube video that caught the Journey’s attention to Arnel’s singing prowess. Check out the proof that this Pinoy dude is indeed a Journey man.



See this CNN clip on youtube how Arnel was discovered.

I am so proud of Arnel!

Sana me free ticket lahat ng pinoy sa Journey concerts =D

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Rules for a Gracious Life

No resolutions.
No promises.
No compromises.

Just plain simple truthful rules to be followed this 2008 to achieve that youthful inner glow everyone is dying to have.



Have a great year everybody!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Welcome Year of the Rat


It's been almost three hours since I kissed 2007 goodbye and welcomed 2008 with a big kiss on the monitor (to greet the significant other).

Well, when you are down with pneumonia and are too indisposed to party around, a loving partner online, a good wine and a chocolate almond ice cream cake are enough to cheer you up. Can anyone ask for more?

I'm so glad that 2007 is over and now I'm looking forward to what the new year will bring upon us. I know that with God by our side, nothing can go wrong. It's all about faith, you know.

Cheers to all of us! We survived the year of the pig in one piece!

Sonnet to Fathers