Right now, I'm nothing without you...

I have never felt as held back as I do right now in my life; I'm so lost without my alien ID.

I'm currently working aboard and all the important things that I need to set up and get, such as my salary, aren't going to happen until I get that alien ID in my hand. I'm totally broke and I got bills to pay -- I feel horrible all over every time I think about my situation and I don't like it.

Anyhow, fast rewind, here are somethings I've done and seen since I've been here -- 3rd time around.

1) A friend and I visited the grandmothers of 'The House of Sharing' here in South Korea. If you aren't aware, this place is the museum and home of former 'Comfort Women' for Japan's army during WWII.  I learned about comfort women in college but to see, meet, and learn more in detail leaves me wordless. If you are interested to learn more or about visitation, you can check their site at http://www.houseofsharing.org/

Here is an art piece that the grandmothers now do (painting) as a way to express their past, future, and self to the world.

2) Another friend and I stop at the East Gate of Seoul (Dongdaemun) to check it out. As we walked out of the subway exit, I thought we would have to walk a few minutes before we can see the gate clearly but nope, to my surprise, it was right in front of us, looking like a big gate as a part of the palace. If you don't know, when Korea was still ruled under an emperor, Seoul was where the main palace was located and to enter Seoul itself, one had to enter in one of the four gates of Seoul (north, south, east, and west). 

A couple of years ago, when I first came to South Korea, a crazy fellow citizen burned down the East Gate (Namdaemun) and that gate is currently being rebuilt. Dongdaemun market is very near by and there are many shoppers hoping to get many supplies and items at great bargain prices. It's just too bad that when my friend and I went there, we were too early (7pm) so none of the shops were open yet. Anyone looking for good places to bargain, Dongdaemun is a place you should go ^^

3) I was shopping in Idae with a friend and had to stop, look, and check. Doesn't the name of this cafe catch your eyes? It certain caught my eyes. I had to look more than twice  to make sure I was reading and seeing it correctly -- I was. Things like these are one of the great things and fun part of living and being in an EFL country. LOVE IT! 

I'm off, till next time -- keep rolling. 

A series of unfortunate events

A series of unfortunate events had taken place within the past few months in our home. 

These events are like a domino effect; unfortunate events taking place one after another...

But even though these events has happened and left myself and my family scared and scarred it has taught us a big lesson about life. 

For myself, I have learned and seen the preciousness aspect of life. I have seen the simplicity of taking away life; coldness of sickness and death, and the process of aging...life, just as it is.

In my heart, I grieve silently but I know I don't grieve alone. 

For those who lost a loved one or a love one who is sick, my heart goes out to you. 

A silver lining is not far...










image found on Google.com 

Eat Pray Love (the movie)

I watched Eat, Pray, Love with my sister today and I think that the movie was decent. It had some humor that is actually witty and funny.

After watching the movie, a line in the movie got me thinking about individuality, love, and balance.  The line  in the movie goes something like this:

'I don't need to love you, for me to love me.'

So what do you think? What are your thoughts about the line?

Farewell 2010

I had trials and joys for this year and through them all, I have been given blessings and growth.
As this year ends and the new one begins, I will be in the company of loved ones.

bring a shovel with you, you're going to need it

There is a snow storm up here since last night, not a blizzard, but could become one.
The good thing is that there is no work today but of course, I can't and don't want to go anywhere because of the weather.
I finished shoveling snow around my house about two hours ago, snow up to my knee and when this storm is over, I'll be shoveling about a good foot or more of snow again.

For today, bring a shovel with you, you're going to need it.

Tomorrow, layer up, very good to keep yourself warm from the below zero degree and even more below zero wind chill.

But always remember, safety first!

sticks and stones

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

Verbal abuse is serious and can cause serious damages, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Seek help if you are a victim. 

Be aware.

http://osocio.org

Hide-and-Seek

Hide-and-Seek is not enjoyable when one is looking for one's heart; always finding someone but never quite know if the game is over. Maybe it's the heart desire to search more, or one's obsession about ideal perfectionism, or worst, one's self.