When separation anxiety occurs

As homebody as I am

Who would have thought I'll move out

The introvert lamb

With a heart that is ready to shout

Few weeks ago, I long for the idea of moving out to an apartment nearer my work. It was nice thought until I really moved out.

The first week was the worst. I could not sleep at the new place. I cannot even eat properly. Everything I see is spoils my appetite and as I would say before, I wanted to eat 'real food'. It's better when I am at work or in class because I can talk to a lot of people (And to think that I didn't have a problem not talking to anybody before) and it eased the emptiness that I felt.

The worst was when my roommate has to go home (we go home every weekend, but my day off is different from hers) and I am left at home with a shitty internet connection and only my phone to keep me company. That was when I felt really alone and felt like no one is really there for me.

Nonetheless, the night only gives us loneliness for us to look forward to the next day when we hope for happiness.

This might all be just a trigger since I transferred to a new department at work and that I have to do the "getting-to-know-you" part all over again and to get used to the new schedule and new job. And then I had to move out of the house, so that's another change.

Anyways, all these will pass when the time comes. All these will get better and all these will be faded into background and I will just do what I do every day.

There's that,

sleepypotterhead

And the Writing Team goes to Bataan!

Scary bumpy ride

Mountainside and cliff

Choose where you side

And outside take a whiff

So the peak of workload came to an end and as a treat, the company provided the whole writing team to go to a beach in Bataan.

Honestly, at first I really didn't want to go because it will be very exhausting and I still have classes the night before going there, also I will have a class the day after the trip. But as always, I thought of how fun it will be and the memories I will get to have with my co-workmates.

So, here we go.

I doubt I would have much to write about this trip actually.

Honestly, I wished that there was a tour guide who climbed on the bus the moment we step on Bataan, because the place was so interesting. It has a different aura than in the city (stating the obvious here) and I know that there is so much history in the province and I'm pretty much curious about it.

As the bus continues to go to our destination, I saw some interesting things outside (because I'm sitting on the window seat).

I saw markers of the Death March and that when I had the realization that, yea, the Death March happened here, too bad I didn't know much about it. 

And also I happen to see trees with pink flowers and I guess it was cherry blossoms? I don't know how that could happen though (If someone knows what those pink flowers at the side of the mountains in Bataan, in between a few Death March markers, please do clarify if these are cherry blossoms or something else)

My theory was, because Death March happened on the Japanese occupation, these might be some reminders of the dreadful event or something.

Going to the resort was plenty exhausting and took a long time but it was worth it when I saw the view. There were clear skies and the trees are all over, the cloudscape was amazing too, PLUS there weren't a lot of people. So, pretty much the whole resort was for us (even though it's not)

• The resort was amazing and the service was very good too. The beach is open in the day, there is a floating obstacle course in the further part of the beach. There is a pier also and there are people riding jetskis so I assume that they have these services also.
• There's WiFi everywhere (also they have a WiFi username and password just for you)
• The lockers were awesome
• You don't have to pay for cottages because they don't have one and you can just lounge anywhere (besides the space is very good so you probably won't a cottage)
• They have rental bikes
• If you don't like saltwater or you are sick of beaches (like me), they have an Infinity Pool that is open until 5PM and longer every weekends.
• The Sandbar is good too, but I wish they are more types of beverages to choose from.
• And there are shops and restaurants everywhere in the area. There's Figaro Coffee Shop, Yellow Cab and more. And there's also clothes shop like Giordano.

The only thing that I am disappointed at was the food. Since we were in Bataan, I was expecting for the resort to serve local food but what we had was a meal from Max's. I am not complaining but it could've been better if it would've been more localized.

nonetheless, I HAD A GREAT TIME WITH MY FRIENDS AND CO-WORKMATES AND CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE A SHORT GETAWAY LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE! (and maybe go back to Camaya Coast to see the amazing view again)

Gratefully ecstatic,

sleepypotterhead

My Journey to Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines

They say this is all for "oppa"

But it is something more than that

Honestly, I like British more but not a cuppa

Just say this is good for me and give me a pat

Although I try to deny it sometimes, I am still one of those people who cannot resist the power of Hallyu Wave "Korean Wave". Since I was a kid, I've been used to watching Asian dramas and among all these Korean stood out the most, thus I have always watched a Korean drama or two every year since I was a kid.

Not only til I became a teenager did I watched it on a daily basis, and with the original language (with subtitles, of course). Surprisingly, while watching Korean dramas, it did not only spark my interest in Korean culture and language but it also helped me in my English vocabulary a little (if the drama has a proper English subtitles).

So here goes.

When I was in my third year in college, I enrolled in a language institute and there I had my Basic Korean Language class. I learned how to read and write "Hangul" while I was learning there. While at it, I kept on searching things Korean, and that was the time when I came to have confidence to write Hangul in my SNS (social networking sites) and that was the time when I began calling my mother "Eomma" (LOL, my mom is more of a Korean drama fan than me).

That was also the time when I began to spread my interest to Korean boy groups (because the Korean groups that I only followed back then were bands like, CNBlue and F.T.Island). I've become to know various boy groups now and been a semi-active fan by following them in their SNS. 

Okay, enough of this.

Two years past my Basic Korean education, With "a knowledge on Korean language" on my resume, a lot of employers were inviting me for an interview, but I know that I am still not confident of my Korean knowledge. Because, how much of a difference does a 30-hour class make?

I've came to know the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, November last year. When I saw it and the classes they offer, I thought that this is a place where I know I can learn Korean seriously (and not just dabble like what I did 2 years ago) and come to know more about the culture since I'll be interacting with Korean teachers and students that has the same interests and 'wavelength' as me. 

January 13th, 2017. They opened the online registration. Unfortunately I was at work and I couldn't really make time to enroll and all, Although I have already filled out the registration form and all. After just a mere 30 minutes, all language classes were full. Seriously, my mood went downhill then. Even though I am working my ass off, it was evident that my mood was sour and no one can really talk to me that much because of that. (And that was the time when I got a cough and my wisdom tooth hurt), so it was really a bad weekend for me.

In short, I was kind of depressed of what happened. I thought about those employers who invited me for an interview and how much more of those will come and I'll be just so disappointed of myself.

January 17th 2017. My mom called the Korean Cultural Center again and they informed her that there are still slots. So she repeatedly called me telling me to refresh the KCC's page and wait for them to open slots. (By this time, you would know that I don't know anything about the enrolling process of KCC) Basically, I refreshed the page the whole day, until I saw their post on Facebook that they will update every 7pm.

Luckily, when they updated, there were 16 slots left for Elementary 1 (the class that I am enrolling into). and there are 5 slots for the Monday class (this is my target).

January 18th 2017. As much of a "probinsyana" and a "South Girl" as I am, I don't even know how to get there, nor do I even know how to get to Taguig. So with a mobile map in hand and freakishly nervous heart, I tread my way to cultural center.

So here's how I actually went there.

From Cavite: I road a bus going to Ayala Ave 
(whether the route be through Buendia or EDSA, doesn't matter, but if you'll be going through Buendia you might want to go down when it reaches at SM Makati and from there go through the overpass to get to the other side.)
From Ayala Ave: I walked to the BGC Bus Terminal and paid for my ticket which only costs 12php (unless you have a Beep Card, then you can use it)
From the BGC Bus Terminal, ride a WEST ROUTE bus (do not ride the east one or you'll be freaking lost and I don't know how to help you from there) and count up to "four" stops.
Be sure that you go down at the fourth stop. (one landmark that you should look for to know when you are gonna go down soon is the Mind Museum)
After you go down, cross the road in opposite of the Jollibee/Chowking/Red Ribbon bldgs. and then cross the road again going to St. Luke's Medical Center, and then cross again to go to Subaru. (You really have to cross this way because there is no other alternative)
When you see the Subaru establishment, then that is where KCC is. You just have to just go right in and ask the guards.

My experience was I walked a lot around there because I didn't realize that the building where the Subaru is was the actual building where the KCC is also.

I thought I was actually doomed because I walked around a lot trying to look for the building and that a lot of people already lined up for the slots. Thank heavens that that is not the case and I'm just in time to have a slot on the schedule that I wanted.


Going to a new place isn't really new for me since when I was an intern for a national newspaper, I had to go around the metro to cover some events. And I feel like this would be a very good opportunity for me. Before, when I learned Basic Korean, it was just me and my teacher and now I'm pretty much excited for the future classmates and friends that I will be meeting and I think it is nicer to get Korean education from an actual Korean teacher, right?

So I'm pretty much excited with everything right now and I really really want to make this work.

Excited and never better,
sleepypotterhead

#EndtheYear

Say goodbye to all the fears

Wipe away all the tears

New year, workin through a pile

New year, come out and smile

It's true that 2016 had been a very dreadful year.

A lot of inspirational people died. A lot of frustrating events occurred. A lot of disasters came and destroyed the nation. A lot of unexpected things happened.

2016 affected a lot of people and I am no exception to that.

My year had been full of depression and frustrations. Horrible things happened. I've suffered a lot of slumps. I've wallowed in pity and had been dispirited many times. Dreams came crashing down, expectations were not met, got stuck in the middle of nowhere.

I've got to be honest, I am still on that zone. I am still stuck. I am still on a slump. I am still depressed and frustrated of what my life turned out to be. I guess I am in the "quarter-life" crisis and right now I still don't know how to get out of it.

But the year is ending, and I wish that everything that is bad in my life would end too.

Still, there are a lot of things to be thankful for because as I looked back on the events that happened in my life. I have come to realize and learn that I am still young and I still got a lot of time. A lot of time to smile. A lot of time to make mistakes. A lot of time to make up for those mistakes. A lot of time to change. A lot of time to enjoy. A lot of time to have fun. A lot of time to love. A lot of time to be me. A lot of time to live.

2016 was indeed a no good, terrible, horrible, dreadful year but there were good times that happened to me as well.
 - I survived and graduated college.
 - I've come to intern on large companies (Inquirer & Viva Comm) and enjoyed the field while at it.
 - I've been to a lot of places I've never been.
 - I've had weird adventures.
 - I met a lot of people and encountered a lot of personalities and attitudes.
 - I made a lot of friends and thankful of how I endured the year with their help.
 - I have worked and got paid for it.
 - I've become an adult in a blink of an eye.
 - I've also become a child every time I need to pause.
 - I've become a person who always tries hard.
 - I've come to appreciate the kindness of people.
 - I've come to appreciate even the smallest things.
 - I've come to love God more.
 - I've come to love my family more.
 - I've come to love myself more.
 - I've lived for another year.

Tryna be artsy, but seriously the paintings were awesome

With the ultimate BFF, ya know I love ya, yea?

Awesome people are awesome. High school friends never fail to be awesome

Rad graduation photo. Just had it grayscaled -- you can still see stray hairs

Old photo of me and my sibs. We know we're cute ;)

The mandatory photo of the office of my first job

The bonfire night that I enjoyed so much

Awesome people who made my year awesome

Beshieeeesss

Best friends with the awesome little angel, Liv

The freaking awesome team that I am working with as of the moment

12 photos for the 12 months of the year. :)

And I believe and think that it was beautiful.

Cheers and let us have a wonderful and awesome 2017!


Sincerely,
sleepypotterhead

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

Oh My Darling, Clementine

To lose thy memories or nein

Process ended, but we met again somehow

Please let destiny lead us now

When I first came to know this film, I didn't know that it is a Jim Carrey one and I didn't expect to actually know half of the cast - but then I do. (To support my ignorance of the film, this movie is somehow just in my laptop waiting to be opened, before actually watching it, I didn't search about it neither do I had internet when I opened it.)

I first thought that it would have the same vibe like "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" and "Me, Earl and the Dying Girl" but it was completely different but closely compelling.

I loved how everything was presented, the sequence of how everything was shown. The backstory of the supporting characters were to watch out as well. Jim's acting is beyond compare (like if it's Jim Carrey you would, "ahh, the guy in The Mask" but actually I have to pause the film a lot of times to be sure that it is Jim Carrey). The amazing about this film is how everything is connected as well as the idea of making someone completely forget a part of his life. And the script and narrative is commendable as well.

It is very interesting and somehow you would think what if there is really a clinic like Lacuna? What if you could actually forget something completely? and somehow you would also look back on your life and get sentimental.

"I'm always anxious thinking I'm not living my life to the fullest"

yours,

sleepypotterhead

Apocalypse Child

Surf's up

Feelings drowned

Memories of childhood

Breaks through

I have been meaning to watch indie films and I'm glad that my new found friends are into it. Therefore, I'll be able to watch some from now on.

Basically, it's about this popular surfer in Baler, Ford, who struggles on getting real about his roots.

Ford is practically a celebrity in his town because he was said to be the lovechild of the famous director of 'Apocalypse Now', Francis Ford Coppola PLUS he's too good of a surfer. He teaches surfing as well and he has this kind of relationship with Fiona, a Fil-Am who came home to Baler to visit her dying grandmother.

When his childhood friend came home to mourn his father, his past were slowly getting in the surface. Little by little, there are some sort of revelations about the characters, not only Ford, every scene that makes you on the edge of your seat, anticipating what will happen next.

(will not you spoil you anymore beyond this point)

The good thing about this film is it tackles a lot of issues and somehow picks on your brain making you ask, "what happened?", "how did it happened?", "why are they like that?"

There were a lot of vulgar scenes, but these scenes given depth to the whole story. The way it was filmed were fantastic. The plot line is obviously deliberated and thought of. The actors were too good on this film, even I enjoyed Jordan's character and he's just being funny.

As for me, I freaking love Fiona. I loved how Annicka portrayed her and I loved that scene when he confronted Ford and she was thrashing all around, man that was good! And her lines were amazingly written, "Why does everything have to be mystical? Stop making excuses and just admit that he made a mistake, he failed." She is the most real character in the film, in my opinion.

No wonder that this film were multi-awarded!

AND the soundtrack is just too damn good! The post-credit song has been going in my head for more than a week now!

As of now, Apocalypse Child is still showing in some cinemas. Go watch it now, you won't regret it!

Yours,

sleepypotterhead

WHEN THE HALLYU WAVE HITS YOU HARD

Ooh that charm, that grace

These human being that's good in sing and dance

Top it all off with a charming face

For month's you will sure be in trance

I think you already guessed what this post will be about.

Not a few months ago have I really been interested in boy groups and all that but I had to admit that I already foreseen that one way or another I'll be like my friends who fawn over this pretty guys.

It's not that I'm clueless about the Hallyu Wave nor am I that innocent -- I have been watching asian dramas and have a couple of boy groups that I loved and liked back when I was a kid.

F.T. Island "Where's the Truth" album cover

The thing is, Hallyu Wave in the form of boy groups have never been THAT appealing to me to the point that all my playlist will be filled of 'em (like yea, I may have downloaded a few, most songs from soundtracks of the dramas I watched).

But you see, that's clearly not the case now.

Before the only Korean groups that I follow is "CNBlue" and "F.T.Island" and oh, have I known all their songs and what the members are up to -- especially CNBlue. This is basically because I prefer pop rock, rock genre and that's what these two groups produces. 

And these two are the only ones I followed..... until now.

CN Blue "2gether" album photo teaser

I am a sucker for Asian dramas and I watch every time I have a free time (to be honest, it's taking up too much of my time that I don't even have time to read or practice piano sometimes) but it's not that bad at all since watching Asian dramas since I was a kid inspired me to learn a new language -- now, I am also learning Korean.

Back to topic, so with my love of Asian dramas comes with my love of its cast and its OSTs, and that's where this boy group madness began.

After a few years of resistance, I just gave in little by little.

The first boy group that I followed was INFINITE

INFINITE "Reality" album cover

I was amazed by the vocals and charisma, and basically fell in love watching them on reality shows. And since we're talking about boy groups and stuff already, the first member that introduced me to this group is their member "L" -- because he starred on these dramas that I simply liked, and he was really good at portraying his characters as well. As of the moment, he is my "bias" among the group, but "Woohyun" (Namu) is closing on that top spot.

Next on the list is "Born to Beat!" BtoB

BtoB "Remember That" EP cover

I was thankful that I discovered this group during their first take on their ballad trilogy (and that was last year), otherwise I wouldn't notice them AT ALL. (Simply because the pop, hip-hop genre is not really my thing). This group is simply perfection, I tell you, their vocal line is impressively great as well as their rap line (plus they can simply switch roles) and they are super dorks!! Like seriously!! They can take every guesting into comedy and that is just what I love about 'em.

I was introduced to this group by "Sungjae" -- because like L, he was also starred on the few dramas that I liked (School 2015: Who Are You is so goooooood!) and currently my bias is "Changsub" :)




NEXT is "Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis", VIXX!

VIXX "Hades" EP cover

I am still on the hype on this group. Personally, I find boy groups with superficial concepts stupid, but this group is noted as the "Concept Kings" of Kpop and surprisingly I was hooked because their concepts are seriously thought of and you will feel how hard they prepare for these stuffs.

The release of their latest song's MV, "Fantasy" even put my mood up for the whole day and no one put my mood down that day (and I am usually grumpy), clearly that is the effect of this group to me.

The most amazing thing here is they have a power rapper, "Ravi" that can also sing, plus their power vocals are just goosebump-ily good. [So I'm gonna stop here because if I keep going, this will never end... as I said I am still on this group's hype]

I have known their member "Ken" before, since he sang a OSTs of two different dramas that I loved, and back then I never had the interest to actually look them up, all I know is that this guy has a very good voice and his voice lifts my mood up. Not only when I saw them across the MTV Diary (back then I was so into BtoB that I watched all their reality show and then I saw VIXX there and I was intrigued) did I looked them up. As of the moment, my bias is still Ken... I loved his voice right from the start, and his 4D personality.... whoa!!

Currently I am looking into EXO 

(now, if any Kpoppers would read this... I only knew EXO a few days from now because I just think that a group similar to Super Junior is not really worth attention but I stand corrected)

EXO "Ex'Act" album photo teaser

So, I basically started from the very beginning and have been watching EXO Showtime last week, and they are cool guys, honestly. It's just sad that there are three members that are not with them anymore (contract severed). So right now I'm enjoying EXO-K's songs, especially "Peter Pan" (because if you haven't heard I am a sucker for Peter Pan, like ANYTHING related to him I truly love) and I have yet came to the era when the three members were out. I am just currently enjoying their variety shows.

It's not like I never knew EXO (duh? SM Ent's marketing is superb, plus the news), it's just that I preferred not to know about them back then but when I saw Suho on "Exciting India" (with Minho, Kyuhyun, Jonghyun, Sunggyu and Changmin == please note that Jonghyun is a member of CNBlue and Sunggyu is the leader of INFINITE, so there is no chance that I wouldn't come across this show), I literally fell in love at first sight (firstly, because he looks like Siwon of SuJu) and he looks like a sensible guy, so he's basically the one who introduced me to his group. As of the moment, I am still undecided of my bias but D.O. and Chen is coming at me.

Just like I said, I was never naive on things K-pop because my friends talk about it a lot and the Philippines is probably the number one fan of Hallyu Wave so, there is really no use in resisting it. Just so you know, these groups are the ones that is coming close to my heart and it's not like I haven't heard of the others:

SUBCONSCIOUSLY I know and I like these groups/soloists:

- Super Junior (duh?) (I even dreamt of Donghae before I even know or saw them, weird....)

- Big Bang

- SHINEE

- Amber of f(x) (sorry, I don't really find the group appealing but I find her great and interesting)

- AOA (because they are part of the FNC fam, agency that manages CNBlue and F.T.Island)

- Got7 (mainly because of Jackson, JB and Junior)

So, there......

I think I'm gonna watch some Kdrama now.......

yours,
Sleepypotterhead