HONG GIL DONG

Photo credits: soompi forums (Hong Gil Dong)

THE KOREAN ADDICT IS BACK... yep! actually, sabi ng mga kaibigan ko eh magsulat raw ako ng mga reviews ng mga napanood ko ng mga drama at movies... parang, ehem, hindi ko na ata kaya sa dami na nang napanood ko... parang TOTAL RECALL ang mangyayari.. tsaka wala na rin ung excitement baga... hehehe.. kaya, I've decided na ung current na pinapanood ko ang gagawan ko na lang ng review or kung ano man...

For starters, HONG GIL DONG... weeee... bakit ko pinanood? well, check the pix above... he's the reason... yummmyyyy... (droooollliiinnnngggg). Watched 1st ep last night... maganda xa in fairness... funny...

Actually, it's a fuzz in Korea, was checking sa mga forums nang biglang sabi ng kapatid ko eh "you have to check this out, the guy is so HOT!", eh di ako naman, mega, kapag "guy is so hot", hindi ko pinapalampas. Nakita ko, guwapo nga... so check na ngayon sa youtube... eh running palang sa Korea, so malamang, wala pang DVD nun dito... eh nang pumunta ako sa St. Francis square, aba, HULOG NG LANGIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! may DVD na!!!!!!!!!!!! grabe, as usual, para akong naka-jockpot.

Ang synopsis eh.... will it do justice kaya sa drama? parang hindi.. pero di bale, post ko na rin..

Synopsis (translated by: dramaok). The main character, Hong Gil Dong, is Minister Hong's son born of the maidservant Chun-Seom, during Sejong's reign in Joseon dynasty, in the capital of Seoul. Gil Dong practiced Taoist magic since a young age and would someday become a splendid individual, but due to his illegitimate birth he carried the grudge of not being able to address his father and siblings. His family feared Gil Dong's unique skills would be the root of calamity someday, thus they hired assassins to get rid of Gil Dong. Upon escaping danger, Gil Dong left to wander and became a bandit leader. Gil Dong schemed to seize treasures from Hae-In-Sa, and afterwards with the name Hwal-Bin-Dang (army saving the poor), with skills and Taoist magic, he seized fortunes from the corrupt officials all over the country and gave them to the poor people, but did not take a penny from the common citizens. Gil Dong captured treasures from the governor of Ham-Kyeong and the governor submitted a report to the royal court. Thus, Hong Gil Dong became a wanted grand offender by the criminal capturing branch of the government. Even the top police general, Lee Heup, tried to capture Hong Gil Dong, but Lee was only made a fool. Despite the King's order to capture him, no one could escape from suffering by Gil Dong's magic of ho-pung-hwan-woo (act of calling for wind and rain) and dun-gap-jang-sin (act of disappearance to hide onself). The royal court then appeased to Minister Hong, and with support by Gil Dong's brother In Hyung, they petitioned to make Gil Dong the Minister of Army and War. Gil Dong came to Seoul to become the head of army and war ministry. Later on, Gil-Dong left his homeland toward Nam-Kyeong, but discovered the nation of Yul-Do, which was scenic with mountain and streams. He conquered the goblins and saved the beautiful woman, who were captured as hostages, and became the king of the Yul-Do nation. Then, upon hearing news of his father's death, he returned to his native land and mourned for 3 years. He later returned to Yul-Do nation and managed his nation well. (Source: Soompi forums/Hong Gil Dong).

DEFINE “DEFINE”

Photo credits: Wikipedia

I picked up this eye-catching brochure in a fast food restaurant (I think I have to justify it’s a restaurant because of the ambience but not their concept of food) that read “What you are is what you eat…” then, I whispered to myself, “Yeah, right…”. Then a couple of the similar thoughts came rushing in like “what you wear is what you are, tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are, what you think is what you are, what you say is what you are”, All of the what’s and who’s seem to define what a person is, how the person should be and all the hullabaloo that this concept suggests.

Then comes the striking truth that “is it what defines you?” Take for example studying. You do good, you complete your requirements, you share your thoughts, you debate, you raise your eyebrows when issues turn to facts and facts turn to lies, you make your presence felt, you make your existence linger in and out of the class. Then comes the dreaded day of exams when you gauge what you learned. Then the last part before you get to breathe and embrace freedom (for a moment at least) – is when you get your class card. Of course you have your eyes fixated on that small circle. That circle which says “you did good, you’re ok, you’re a bum”. Then (again), is this what gauges your knowledge? I mean, yeah, it will at one point, then I’ve learned that IT WON’T.

Yeah, you learn, you gain knowledge but the experience that comes with it can’t be scored, no matter how you want to. Even if you put it in paper, it won’t suffice. I would like to argue that when I enter the class, not everything that I learn in three hours stays inside my head. NO, IT DOESN’T. No matter how I want to master everything, my mind chooses what it wants to understand, what it wants to remember. And that’s something that is immeasurable. Experience is the best teacher, and that’s one thing no one will ever have the chance to equate it in a number and have it encircled. So the grade of 3 or (75-78) or 1 (95-100) won’t define you as the genius or the average... take it from me, intelligence is relative…

Then there’s experience – like a sculptor that gives a person the right curves and the right edges. Yeah, we learn from experience, you get to have a girlfriend who dishes you for another, then you learn, then comes another with a perfect heart, but… doesn’t meet your desires, etc, then comes another, then comes another. Do you think a lesson in one experience molds you? Nah… I doubt… what defines you only lasts for a moment… Yeah, a moment, a second to be exact. I am a student right now, but after two years, I would go back to my desk at PhilRice and do what I am suppose to do, then who knows, after three years, I would be holding my baby in my arms… Change is inevitable, so is “defining one's self”.

According to the series KYLE XY, the more humans define themselves, the more they get confused. True. The more you see yourself get jumbled in the world of uncertainties and the more you tangle yourself in a web of confusions, the more you won’t be able to put a letter to define who you are.

Like this song, "Mirror" by Barlow Girls:

"Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me

You don't define me, you don't define me"

In all of these, one thing is for sure: to those who have their hearts set on JESUS, I bet, will be enough to make them define themselves.

HILLSONG IS IN THE HOUSE!!!

Photo credits: www.goldusa.com

YEP... Hillsong is coming to town on May 26, 2008... Can't wait!!!!!!!! argh!!!!!!!!! I and my sis already purchased the tickets... whew!

Yeah!!!!!! I will be there with them when they crank up the volume of their music

This will be the first worship that I will be attending... kkkkkyyyyyyyaaaaa!!!!!!!! 'can't wait to sing songs that've been playing on my playlist these past five years. And the most exciting part is that I get to sing them with Hillsong (from my seat though)... hehehe

Actually, while we were purchasing the tickets my sister told me, "you don't quite look excited", I answered, "well, wait till we get to the day before the concert,"... Can't really get to have my adrenaline rush and blab about all the excitement when it's like more than a month to go before the concert...

Can't wait... can't wait... can't wait (singing....)

SA WAKAS... TAPOS NA RIN...

Photo: (1) 205 class sa Naic, Cavite

(2) Aketch at si Pam during the Motorsirko Campaign... (Ninz, thanks sa photos)

Ang semester!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wuhooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARRRGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (hinga ng malalim sabay ngiti)... hehehehe...

Parang kailan lang nung nagpamedical ako... tapos nung nagenrol, tapos nung magpakilala ako sa harap ng klase, “HI, I’M LOU.. ETC ETC...” tapos ngayon eh “OH, WALANG LIMUTAN HA... KUNG AYAW NINYONG MASAKTAN...” hahahaha.. grabe... kakamiss na mga klasmeyts ko... mga bagong kaibigan... mga taong kasama kong nangngangawa kung gaano kahirap ang mga requirements... mga taong pingalaanan ko ng load para matapos lang ang mga gawain on time... mga kaibigan na gusto rin ang hilig ko – ang lumamon.. hehehe... mga kaibigan na nanduon para tumulong sa akin sa mga bagay bagay at nagparamdam sa akin na kahit papaano eh masaya ang mabuhay ng mag-isa... sa mga kaibigang nakiluha nang ako’y nagiiyak at nagsisisigaw... sa mga taong naging totoo sa akin... sa mga taong kahit malayo eh ramdam ko na andyan pa rin sila para sa akin at siyempre, sa mga kaibigan ko na kahit nasa sulok eh alam kong andyan sila para sa akin... MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYO... (sentihan mode na ito.. hahaha)...

roller coaster ang life ko noon, HEP! HEP! HEP! pero ngayon... dahil andyan kayo, salamat sa Diyos at kahit papaano, masasabi kong, NAENJOY KO ANG SEM NA ITO... as in, the nth level... maliban sa dieta ako at pumayat ako... marami akong natutunan... nakilala... at higit sa lahat... nakita ko ang kakayahan ko... oh de vah.. hahaha.. winner na to... inuulit ko, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT...

Can’t wait for next semester!!!!!!!!!!!! Weeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ü

BONDING TIME...

Andito si Erik Ray sa LB... hahaha. Sa wakas! May kasama na rin akong kakain sa gabi.. hahaha... dati rati kasi wala akong gana, maliban kasi sa apektado appetite ko noon dahil broken hearted ako... bumabawi na ngayon, keri ko na ang kumain ng magisa... hahaha.. anywhere, kaya.. hahaha.. eh nang malaman kong andito xa.. hahaha,,, kinarir ko na ang “Erik, dinner tayo ha?” hahaha.. So ayun, dinner naman kami.. SAYA... hay.. grabe... sarap ng may kausap kang kaibigan... hahaha... actually, nashock ako sa hair niya.. parang “it’s all coming back to me now...” hahahaha.. ung hair style niya nung nag 123 islands kami nung 2006 eh un ngayon.. kaya medyo.. EHEM.. hahahah..

So as usual, kain kami.... tapos nagtambay sa C-Park.. hahaha. Dun kami nagbonding... kwento, tawa... sutilan.. hahaha...

The next day, dinner ulit kami, pero pinuntahan ko na xa sa SEARCA... balita ko kasi my wifi dun.. hahaha.. addict aketch.. sorry ha.. actually, may assignment ako sa kapatid ko.. ang magdownload ng mga Korean ek ek.. hahahahahaha.. so ayun... nga pala, natapos ko na rin ung LOVERS na Korean drama.. medyo disappointed ako sa ending.. hahaha... SPOILER!!!!!!!

Anyway, mega conference rin with Friendship and Kuya Jaime.. hahaha.. katabi ko nga lang si Erik... hahaha, sa YM pa kami naguusap.. hahahaha..... actually, ngayon, ineenjoy niya... kako nga at nasa “bakasyun” mode xa eh..

Wifi rocks! (un lang... )...

YAHOO CONFERENCE...

Ehem.. so parang nawala ako sa mapa ng ilang araw kasi ang dating gawi eh everyday, nakakapagcheck ako ng email, eh ngayon, medyo, hindi.. kaya mega check ganyan, eh online si Friendship, oh di mega CALL aketch via yahoo... hahaha... eh tahimik ung net shop.. so whisper here and there lang ang kaya kong gawin... kahit nga ung DAMANG-DAMA na tawa eh hindi ko magawa kasi nakakahiya naman... anyway,,, deadma,,, hahahaa, nag-ingay ako actually, pero the heck! Kaya nga net shop de vah? Hahaha...

Ewan ko ba, nung araw, kahit walang internet, okz lang.. nabubuhay ang tao, ngayon eh, ako ha, parang walastik! Hindi ako updated sa mga bagay bagay kung hindi ako mag-online.. hahaha...
Moving on... TAPOS NA RIN ANG FINALS SA WAKAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pero hep hep hep! Sa grad skul, uso ang “the submission of grades will be on April ___, so please submit your other requirements two days before...” oh de vah.. musta naman? Kaya kahit tapos na finals, mega gawa pa rin ng kapapelan... hahaha..

Sa 208, as usual... ano pa nga ba.. siyempre, meetings ulit, gawa ng report ganyan,,, as usual, nasa finance committee ang lola niyo... SALAMAT SA PHILRICE STAFF DORM for the experience... mas madali dyan sa dorm kasi computation at singil lang, dito MASAKLAP.. may analysis pa eh.. hahahaha... 1st attempt ko actually... hahaha....

Sa sobrang kabusy-han ng mga tao.. mas lalo na sa mga klasmeyts kong part-time students lang... as in, naguusap na lang talaga sa chat ng madaling araw kung paano marerepaso ang report... as in.. actually, ngayon nga eh sa chat na rin kami nagusap usap.. hahaha, panalo... paverify dito, paclarify doon... well, ganun talaga... may work din sila... ako eh, humahabol kung ano naman ang latest sa mundo.. hahaha.. ngork! (yeah I know, malamang gusto niyo akong batukan ngayon)... hahahaha...

Siya, salamat sa umimbento ng YAHOO MESSENGER... Mabuhay ka! Hehehe...

COMING BACK...

With my CED 252 groupmates at Victoria, Laguna

It only takes a maximum of eight hours, that includes traffic, for one to travel from Manila to Baguio or vice versa... well in our case (I and Lara), IT DID NOT... worse came to worse, it took us 12 hours to travel... to make matters worse (again), I wasn’t able to sleep during the whole trip... haish! By 1030, we were already at the toll gate, I was hoping we could arrive at home around 11 pm or past... but unfortunately, we arrived at past 12.... it was really a difficult trip coz I even had migraine that lasted for 2 hours!!!!!!!

Anyway, when I came back to LB, everything came in like a tornado... papers here and there, video presentations; take home exams, writing of case study, review for finals, reports, interviews, overnights. What makes things more funny was that I lost track of time.. I thought it was still Tuesday only to find out that it was already Thursday... hahaha...

It was fun bonding with my group mates during overnights, lunch, dinner, etc... but going home late was not that easy... Instead of taking the short cut going home, I have to take the long cut... My sleeping habit even adjusted. When I was in PhilRice, ‘am knocked down by 10 PM, here, around 12 MN, sometimes, 1 or 2 AM... anyway, I have all the time I can get to snooze... hahahaa.. nah, I wake up around 8 AM...

Time flies fast... I know... and soon, all these “rushing and cramming” will be over... hehehehe

GOING HOME...

Photo: with my bestfriend, Sheng...

There’s always this excitement in me when I always think that “’am going home...”. After almost more than three months of not seeing my family, it’s like taking forever if am on the road going to Baguio.

I really had a great vacation. Four days to be exact. And sometimes, I wish time would just freeze for me to really enjoy the company of my family. I missed my family so much I really didn’t plan on going out like the way I used to. I was just contented being under the sheets for almost the whole day reading Tess Gerritsen... Gosh! She really writes well... Actually, I shared to a friend that am into English novels and he quite raised his eyebrow coz he’s used to seeing me buying and reading Tagalog Romance books hahahaha... Can’t blame him eh? Anyway, moving on... My mom and Dad left for Ilocos Sur so I and my siblings were left at home...

I brought along with me some stuff to review since finals is fast approaching, but lo and behold! I didn’t even flip a page... hahahaha... well, the typical me... As usual, my siblings love to watch anime so “Naruto” was the hot seat....

Anyway, come March 22, it was a big day for my best friend Sheng coz it’s her birthday. I met with her and we really had a great time chatting, did some catching up with stuff like who’s with who and the rest. I was quite surprised to know that three of my closest friends (way back in high school) have kids already... out of three, one is married... and only four of us are left... and we kept on teasing who’s next... hahahaha... definitely not me... (but am hoping it would be really me...) hahaha, JK. We had dinner, an oily dinner to be exact. The fun part was when we went in a KTV place (I wouldn’t really call it a bar)... and sang to our heart’s content.. hahaha, the usual, highest score is 99! What song? Ask EV... hahahaha...

It’s fun also seeing my cousins. How time really flies... Two of my cousins just graduated from High School.. whew... Oh! The best part is to hear my family say that I lost some weight and it actually suits me... hahaha.. hard work really pays... hahahaha...

To wrap up, I had a short but satisfying vacation. I just hope I could do it again this summer... and I hope, it will be a longer one.

5 AM...

Grabe, right after vacation, paper overload! Masaklap pala ito mga friends, ung tipong hindi mo talaga alam ang uunahin mo... Ang masaklap eh kapag ang oral report in Filipino, tapos ang written, English.. ayos di ba... grabe.. so eh di mega gawi kami ng report, projected time na matatapos kami eh 2 or 3 am... aba, hindi! alas 5 am na!!!!!!!!!!! as in wala talagang tulog, idlip lang ng 30 mins... aba eh ikaw ba naman ang magkagrado ang mata ng 50-25 (astigmatism) hirap den noh... tipong naluluha ka ng walang dahilan.. hahahaha.. emotionLESS ba...

so ayun, natapos rin namin sa wakas ung report namin sa CED 252, community planning xa... oks nga eh, talagang mega exercise sa bundok, sa may Dampalit kasi ang site namin... anyway, eh ang klase ko ng araw na iyon eh 9 am..hahaha, winner noh? nagalarm ako ng 730 am, so tumawad ako kasi talagang, I WANNA SLEEP.. paggising ko, aba! 835 am na! bangon talaga, tapos wisik lang then bihis.. eto ang masaya, pagpasok ng klase, kala ko 3 hours as usual, hindi, "class, we will only meet for 30 minutes"... hahahaha. ayos di ba? hay.. kaya ang semender namin, super aga, as in literal, 1030 am eh nasa sizzlers na kami: nagkakantahan na ng ganun kaaga.. hahahaha.. anyway. masaya... kahit ganun lang...

what else.. hmmmm.. wala rin talagang time magupdate ng life ko kasi SUPER DUPER bz ang lola niya... hmmmm... tonight, gagawa ako ng nobela.. di bale, fresh pa naman sa isip ko ang mga bagay bagay.. hehehe..

till then...