Dreaming~ ♥

Kim Soo Hyun ( 김수현 )

Rainy weekend + intermittent internet connection = series marathon. Just as the rain was heavily pouring outside, I was crying my eyes out thanks to this man. I can't believe I spent the entire weekend watching Dream High (technically, I have the TV turned on for the Olympics while I was watching Dream High on my laptop). I have shallow tears so as much as possible, I try to steer away from tearjerkers but I got hooked with this k-drama so much, I just had to know what happens in the end. Stat!

Jin Guk ( 진궄 ), Hye Mi ( 혜미 ), Sam Dong ( 삼동 )

I was rooting for the cool guy, Jin Guk, the whole time but towards the end, I eventually fell for Sam Dong. Who would've thought I'd fall for the country bumpkin? Well, he turned out to be quite a man. He sings, dances and acts really well. He's at par with his co-stars whenever they perform to think that he's the only actor in the main cast while the rest are all singers in real life. And those eyes! Aaaahh so expressive! I end up crying every time he does. :(

Initially, I found Sam Dong's character hilarious but he can also be a bit overprotective and annoying sometimes. His love and dedication to Hye Mi is really admirable though. Before I knew it, I wanted him and Hye Mi to end up together! If you know me, it's pretty rare for me to cheer for the female lead so I was really devastated with the open-ended finale. Why do they have to cut it when things are finally going well!!! Ugh. It was so frustrating. Paasa e. Now I can't move on! >.< Oh, well. At least I have a new Korean crush to stalk in November. HAHA

New crush = new wallie

See, this is why I shouldn't be watching dramas during that time of the month when my emotions are extra high. Here, have a clip of Sam Dong singing Dreaming* while battling Tinnitus. I was crying so much, I could hardly breathe during this scene. Kala mo kasali sa drama kung makahagulgol e. :))

Now downloading: The Moon That Embraces The Sun for more of Kim Soo Hyun ♥

*This has a Japanese version btw which I loooove! At least I can understand most of the lyrics. Hee~ ♥ Click here to watch Kim Soo Hyun in the studio. So cute when he struggles in pronouncing "michi." Haha

Loooong Weekend

Upon hearing the good news yesterday, we excitedly searched for candidate destinations and talked about them over lunch. Sure, Quezon City Day falling on a weekend was a downer but God indeed has better plans for us. Hello, 4-day weekend! Obviously, we didn't want to pass up this chance to go on vacation without having to file vacation leaves. But with a tight budget in mind (because of our South Korea trip in November), it was quite challenging to plan our little getaway.

Amazing Thailand: Songkran 2012

I have always wanted to experience different festivals here and abroad.  My parents both grew up in Aklan where the famous Ati-Atihan is held every 3rd week of January but I have only experienced it once in my 25 years of existence.  Pathetic, right?  You see, it's difficult to plan trips that fall on festival dates.  Not to mention, cheap flights are hard to come by since festivals usually happen during peak season.  So when the chance to visit Thailand in time for Songkran arrived, we took it.  No questions asked even if that means having to file 4 VLs for my first trip this year.

Ever since our Vietnam trip, I've grown more interested and appreciative of other cultures.  Sure, I have always loved the Japanese culture but I realized there was more to SEA than Japan.  I easily get fascinated by rich cultures and I just want to immerse myself in it.  What better way to get to know a culture than to celebrate a festival with the locals, right?  It's an amazing feeling to be given a chance to be part of their culture at least for a day or so.

Songkran 2012

The Songkran festival is the traditional New Year's Day celebration in Thailand held every April 13-15 which also happens to be the hottest days of the year.  It's that time of the year when Thais and tourists alike walk around the streets armed with water guns and splash each other while screaming "Sawadee pi mai (ka)!" (Happy New Year), "Happy Songkran Day!" or "Enjoy the holidays!"  Sidewalks and street corners are lined up with people waiting with water drums, water guns, water hoses, water buckets and whatnot ready to splash whoever is brave enough to pass by.  Best part of the festival?  You get to splash anyone* with water and it's perfectly okay!

화이팅!*

Mr. Charm Lee's Beginner Korean Class!

After our bestie date over the weekend, my excitement for our upcoming South Korea trip went overboard!  I realized I only have four months to learn Korean if I were to keep my promise** last year.  I know I'm way behind but it's never too late to start.  So yesterday, I finally tried to learn how to read and write in Hangeul (한글) with the help of Mr. Charm Lee.  As seen above, the tutorial promises to teach you to read the Korean alphabet in just 30 minutes (or less if you're a fast learner)!

Eiga Sai 2012

So it's finally July and it only means one thing.  It's Eiga Sai season once again!  Eiga Sai is a Japanese film festival presented by The Japan Foundation, Manila as part of the celebration of Philippines-Japan Friendship Month held every July.  I have always been amused by Japanese culture so I make it a point to go every year.

I still remember my first Eiga Sai experience ever.  Instead of sleeping in, Nee-chan brought me along to watch Waterboys (starring Satoshi Tsumabuki) at the UP Film Institute one Saturday afternoon.  It was my first non-anime Japanese film that I watched and I loved it!  I enjoyed every minute and I was laughing my head off the whole time!  I was still in high school back then and up until now, I never missed a year.  After I graduated from college, I try my best to watch all the films year after year.  So naturally, when this year's schedule came out, I created our game plan within minutes.

Oh, and surprise surprise!  This year's featured film, Villain, stars Satoshi Tsumabuki!  Only this time, he's not wearing a speedo and is no longer part of a synchronized swimming team.  Oh how time flies!  I can't believe it's been eight years since I saw my first Eiga Sai film.

If you're interested, here are the screening schedules.  If I watch all those highlighted in green and everything goes according to plan, I'll be able to watch all films this year. :)

For more information regarding Eiga Sai, click here.  To get a PDF copy of the official Eiga Sai flyer which contains movie synopsis and screening schedules, click here.  See you there!

Something's changed.

"I'm thinking of investing in the stock market."

Wow, that did sound like a mature thing to say.  A few days ago, mom gave me a copy of My Maid Invests in the Stock Market and The Turtle Always Wins both by Bo Sanchez.  These were given to her as gifts and she asked me to read them so I can start investing in the stock market.  I rolled my eyes at the idea but took the books anyway.  Me?  Invest in the stock market?  But that's for crazy people.  In business suits! :|

But since I've been reading 40 Stories of Passion* for 15 days now, I decided to give My Maid Invests in the Stock Market a try and finished it in one sitting.  It's a small book anyway.  But it does contain enough information and tips to get you started in investing in the stock market.  And honestly, it got me thinking.  Sure, I've always wanted to have my own business someday but I've never even thought about investing in the stock market.  Ever.  But now I'm willing to give it a try.  It's just like putting your money in a time deposit, only it grows faster in the stock market.  Well, as long as you invest in the right companies.  And just like Bo's maids, you can start with as little as Php 5,000 (or any amount you like) as long as you do it consistently.

Turning 25 must be really something else.  You start thinking about your future but this time, you actually want to do something about it.  I think being in your 20's is the perfect time to start planning your future while enjoying the present.  It's the perfect time to explore, make mistakes, make all the wrong choices and do whatever you want.  After all, you have the rest of your life to learn from experiences.

I guess this decision is my attempt at taking charge of my future instead of letting mom and dad plan everything out for me.  Or it could be mom's attempt of letting me take charge of my own future.  Believe me, they've already done a lot for me.  I wouldn't even be surprised if they've already picked out a groom for me. Haha  Luckily, I'm in that stage where I'm kind of independent while still being under my parents' care.  So I guess it's time to let my inhibitions go and get started on this new adventure.  Well, at least after I receive my increase for this year.  Whatever happens, at least I know my parents got my back.  Always.

EDIT: I just got back from our BFF date and learned that my bestie beat me to it!  She already bought stocks from two companies.  Now I'm even more excited to buy shares!  Yuck, ang nerd lang pakinggan.


*Another book by Bo Sanchez.  I decided to buy a copy for myself after hearing the intriguing title from Jeng.  And no, it's not about that kind of passion. :))  I've been reading it everyday to draw inspiration from ordinary yet driven people living extraordinary lives centered in Christ.

This post is not sponsored by Bo Sanchez in any way, okay? Haha