Sunday, December 23, 2007

The Season to be Jolly...


Two days from now, Christians all over the world will be celebrating, once again, the birth of Christ.

I went to the mall the other day and saw excited children pointing out their preferred toys; some are wailing, some are pleading; the rest, simply demanding.

Trees decorated with sparkling lights and pretty ornaments, mistletoes, evergreen bouquets, candy canes -- banal sights to remind us that the season of loving, giving and sharing is here again.

Scenes that remind me of the Christmases back home. Days before Christmas, my son and I would carefully plan our trip to the already packed department stores. In a war like strategy that would make Napoleon wet his pants, we determine which route is the fastest and least crowded. We conquer the war zone with firm valor to bring home the best gift for our loved ones. And not to mention, the best outfit for the budding fashion au courant.

It's been three Christmases since I last had the chance to go Christmas malling with my son. It seemed forever. Tonight, I got to talk to him and the folks, and he told me what he got for himself during this morning trip to the stores. With no mommy to escort him around, he got the grandma to assist him with the delicate business of choosing which pair of shoes is the best.

Son confessed that shopping wasn't much fun because mom's not there.

Christmas is here... and it makes me want to cry.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Will Smith is the Legend


Yesterday, as planned, I had the irritating tooth fixed, a haircut and at the last minute, decided to give CGV Yongsan, my favorite place in the whole Korea, a visit. I saw a crowd gathered in the cinema lobby so I squeezed myself towards the center and was thrilled that there's an on-going promo for I Am Legend . I thought it was ultra cool since it's gonna be on Imax, a CGV member exclusive. They are giving away only TEN tickets. Good thing I packed enough guts to come up on stage and volunteer for public humiliation.

To make the story short, I won the most coveted ticket. Not considering the fact that I rock; I am a huge Will Smith fan and any follower of his should be able to name at least 3 of his well-known flicks shown in Korea for the past two years. I lied about watching Pursuit of Happyness though, which didn't matter much anyway; I got the answers correctly, albeit not in order, and I got to see the movie for free. Yippers!!!

The movie is legitimately entertaining and thought provoking. From the scale of 1 to 10, I give it an undecided 7. Although I immensely enjoyed seeing hot-in-sweatsuit-gun-yielding Smith, I still think there should be something more. Maybe because I was expecting for more action packed scenes? Or was it the ending? Was I asking too much for a free movie?

Smith is literally the only actor for the most part of the film (if you're not going to count the dog and the creepy creatures as actors). Yet, he totally carried the entire epic all by himself.

In a nutshell, "I am Legend" is a must see this coming holidays. It will make you think what life would be like without your loved ones...

Will you survive when you're the only one left on the face of the planet?

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

You Pretty Flower Want?


My once upon a time beautiful peppermint plant is dying. What's left of it is a single stem currently hanging on to its dear life. I decided to drop by the flower shop to get some plant vitamins hoping that a tube of nutrients would revive the poor herb.

I told the shop manager, an Ajumma (old Korean lady) what I needed. She asked what particular plant I am going to use it for. She must have forgotten that I bought the peppermint herb from her two months ago. When I was done explaining to her in Korean what kind of herb I have, Ajumma told me that I should not expect the plant to survive the winter.

In a matter-of-fact tone, I informed her that I plan to revive my plant by hook or by crook. Ajumma simply shrugged her shoulders and told me sympathetically that what I need is a miracle, not vitamins.

Subsequently, she insisted I buy a winter plant instead. A poinsettia perhaps? I politely clued in that poinsettias will also die in a few months. If I am to buy a new one, I'll go for a dainty charming plant that would last a longer time. Something that I could take care for ages. Yeah, something like that. I am almost convinced that I could grow a garden out of a single pot of flower.

"Araso." (Understood.)

"Neoneun yepon kot seul wonheyo?" (You pretty flower want?)

"Neh, putakheyo." (Yes, please.)

I was excited to see what she'd get for me...

She took a plastic version of the poinsettia from the stand and delightedly presented the aesthetically crafted Christmas ornament. Sweet brassy permed Ajumma even added that she will give me a discount for a purchase of two.

Gawd!!!

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Catching Up with Tags

I am sooo stodgy these days I can't bring myself to do anything arousing like swimming across the Pacific Ocean or climbing Mt. Everest. Aside from observing Ajummas (old Korean women) sigh and giggle whenever the hot young Indian yoga instructor flex his biceps on weekends, there's nothing really entertaining with my life these days that is worth sharing.

On another note, what could be more exciting than getting TAGGED! As promised, here goes!

Tag by Stuper Heroine
The Rules:

1.Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2.Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months (see below).
3.Pick your month of birth.
4.Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5.Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment for them.
6.Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it!

APRIL: Active and dynamic (very true). Decisive and hasty but tends to regret (amen!). Attractive and affectionate to oneself (of course!!). Strong mentality (I doubt this one). Loves attention (I do not!). Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see. (I know I am hot! Hello!)

As you all noticed, I highlighted the whole description. Need I say more?

Also, I did not copy paste the trait for the twelve months. You can visit Stuper's blogsite and copy from there.

I am tagging everyone who wants to do this. Just do it for your soul's sake and let me know!

Tag by Abad

1. How long have you been blogging?
Since February 2, 2005

2. What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?

I got bored writing my daily escapades on a diary. I thought it would be fun to share with the whole world what's going on with my life here in Korea, no matter how arid some of the stuff that I do most of the times.

Seriously, I decided to blog because I want to. You got any problem with that?

Mentor? Don't have any. Would you like to apply? Sure could use some help here.

3. Are you trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?

Used to do this for fun and still do, mind you. It's my little way of biding time and homesickness away. I am also recording my life in Korea for my future grandchildren to ponder on. Who knows, my future offsprings might face a life altering decision and by reading my blogs, their whole perspective will be changed. (Tell me when to snap back to reality)

Lastly, if blogging will bring in more moolah, who am I to say no?

4. Tell me 3 things you LOVE about being online.

a. I get to meet cool people, whose line of thinking is parallel with mine. I like reading interesting stuff about other souls; I feel like I am not alone in this (whatever you call this).

b. Being online allows me to be someone or something that I am not. Go figure. Use your imagination. Guess.

c. I learn a lot of stuff online -- trivial things that we don't just get from going to school from the age of 3.

5. Tell me 3 things you STRUGGLE within the online world.

a. People who leave harsh comments. Internet bullies who pick on other people's blogs. They make me sad.

b. I hate the temporary friendship. Sure you get to meet nice people online but that doesn't guarantee long term friendship or any relationship for that matter. Sometimes when you least expect it they just vanish... with no trail behind... as if they never existed at all. Makes you wonder if they are just a part of your hallucinations.

c. Computer jargons. They are these so called tweaks, twits or twats or something that I wanna do on my blog site but can't seem to work out. These applications always confuse me. Makes me feel like leaving the whole blogging thing to younger people.

There, I did it!

As I said, I am not tagging anyone in particular. Just do it!

Sonnet to Fathers