TLTR

Not so Random Rants

Japanese Studies 101 class (Yesterday)

 Professor: I am pro-Japan. They paid for my education. The government was just an instrument. If East Asian countries unite, Japan will be the leader... (VERBATIM)

Me to self: I love Japan. The Philippines and South Korea (for a year) paid for my education… but that doesn’t mean that I am obliged to say that South Korea should be THE leader when East Asian countries unite. You see, both governments taught me that I should responsibly represent my own country and be proud of it.

Brainwashed or voluntarily identifying myself with Koreans - My feelings towards Japan has become complicated. 복잡해요. Trust me, I love that country ;)

Me: Ma’am, I don’t think that is a good idea. Besides, why is it just East Asia? I mean, why not the whole Asia? There’s Middle East which is very rich because of their oil reserves,  India with their advancement in technology as well, and I believe you get what I mean? I mean, I went to a similar forum called, “New Asia through the eyes of the Youth” and…

Professor: Really?? Where??

Me:  Yes,  in South Korea.

I couldn’t describe how the professor reacted – I mean, she thought that everyone in class will be very passive at her statement --- all of my classmates love Japan, and I do too, but we have to be sensitive and considerate sometimes...

Me: Well… we talked about this borderless world also – however, we found several factors that could possibly hinder this thought about “new asia” I supposed everyone is aware that even though we are pretty modernized – some countries still exist to be conservative…

 *lack of time*

 … How do you think other countries would feel if Japan would pronounce itself leader of Asia? How do you think China would feel? Ugh. Teacher, what is wrong with you. You’re belittling your own country. You should suggest a better idea with a more logical reason.

 ---

PS. I have many Japanese friends. I met them at school, inside the plane, at backpackers’ inn, at my dorm, and almost anywhere else. I respect them and I’m very close with them. I studied Nihonggo first and fell in love with it. I go to Japanese film festivals, watch Japanese movies and dramas, and even chose Japan as the country I wanted to visit when I was given that opportunity. So there is no way that this post poses a bad impression to that country… this is just me, ranting about how illogical my professor was.

photo: taken at Shibuya Tokyo, Japan last October 2012. thanks to Gwangju International Center's Asia Culture Forum Youth Camp for this opportunity :)

 

Serve it Hot!

I am not supposed to blog about this now... but because I owe you guys one more post - here is another blog about my attempt in cooking.

For the past two weeks, it was my brother who cooked our meals at the studio. Like me, he's a beginner when it comes to cooking! And just like me, we both have "beginners' luck" at this game! Anyway, this isn't my first time though to cook boiled pork with vegetables or "nilagang baboy" for dinner... but I felt so glad to create this delicious meal without looking or checking the recipe online! 

This meal is surprisingly easy to cook, all you have to do is to boil the pork and put all the other ingredients one after the other. Make sure though to put first those that will take time to cook (e.g. potatoes). I didn't measure how many "patis" (fish sauce) nor vinegar did I pour, but I am pretty sure that I put only one tiny pinch of salt. Oh by the way, I always like my soup a bit spicy - so, here I used a "sinamak" (spiced vinegar). The spicy taste reduces that "err" feeling when you're too full already.

...and yeah, best served with Coca-cola. haha. no - they didn't pay me to write that :))

How about... cooking?

I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO COOK, but! I tried cooking when my Dad went to Norway and I had to help myself for 3 months! It's good to know that there are a lot of kind people out there who spend their time to teach people how to cook certain stuffs one at a time ;) I believe I am one of those people who benefitted from their blogs. Anyway...

I am supposed to be reading/studying 6 chapters of my Psychology book in preparation of our midterm exam this coming Tuesday. However, my attention got distracted when I suddenly got hungry. The afternoon was a little hot and that made me crave for some milk tea with pearls but of course, I don't have the leisure to go to the mall just to buy one. And so, I decided to google how to make milk teas at home. I found several recipes online! But then again, I checked our fridge and realized that I don't have the complete ingredients. How disappointing! Nonetheless, I saw the frozen chicken and boom! Why don't I try to cook Korean Style Fried Chicken? Brilliant!

When I was in Korea, chicken and pizza were our comfort food! 치킨 집 (pronounced as Chikin-jip) are found almost in every corner! A gathering or drinking session will never be complete without chicken. And unlike in the Philippines, Koreans don't eat chicken with rice (so they really find it weird, i suppose, when we sneak in a Chikin jip with take-out 밥 (bap/rice) from another store. Also, when hunger strikes at midnight - Koreans rarely call Mcdonalds for delivery! Instead, they would call and ask for 배달 (bae-dar/delivery). When we order a box of chicken, we usually receive it with Pepsi, 무 (mu/raddish), and two kinds of sauce - 얀념 (yang-nyeom/sweet and spicy) and 무스타드 (mu-seu-ta-deu/mustard). Most Chikin jips have gimmicks like collecting 10 coupons to receive one free chicken and etc! Anyway, my favorite Chikin jips are 멕시칸치킨 (mek-shi-kan chi-kin/mexican chicken) for garlic flavored chicken and 맘스터치 (mam-seu teo-chi/mom's touch) for some awesome teriyaki chicken!

Okay, back to what I did.

So I saw the frozen chicken inside the fridge... I searched in the cupboards whether I have the right ingredients mentioned online. Well, I found some cornstarch and egg and voila! I think that's just it! Hahaha :))

Anyway, the photo above is a step-by-step procedure of how I made my very own Korean Style Fried Chicken. To guide you though, here first are the ingredients I used (I bet you have this too, haha):

• cornstarch
• egg
• pepper
• onion
• garlic
• Coke (my alternative to rice wine --- what? haha)

I won't be writing how I did it because - err, it's too redundant with my photo collage! However, here are a few tips (wow! haha) - this is TOTALLY not a new tip, just so you know, tissue papers are very helpful in reducing the amount of oil in whatever food you fry and... that's it. Hahaha :))

By the way, for these kind of fried chicken - I believe that mustard is the best option for sauce ;) It takes time though to get used to it. So, there! If you have extra time or just procrastinating like I did, how about... cooking some Korean Style Fried Chickin Chicken ^^

Several attempts at Photography 2

As promised, due to my oh-so-busy schedule, here's another rant blog about my being hopeful with Photography. 

photo taken using my LG Optimus Black (P970) - black and white setting. I think I was working on my b/w photography assignment when I took this picture. I was trying to save my films because it was a little expensive. No one told me if it's good or bad, so there.

I hate cats. I know they are cute... but my goodness! I really hate it when they start following you and brush themselves in your feet. Anyway, in this picture, I believe I was playing with the theme "abandoned" Well, when I presented a photo of a cat (not this one) to my professor and she disliked it. Maybe cats are too mainstream, right? Anyway, idgaf.

photo taken using my LG Optimus Black (P970) also - normal setting, no effects. 

I am not a fan of Biology, but after accidentally positioned my phone right above me when I was lying down at UP Diliman's sunken garden - I was amazed by how the branches and leaves of the tree produced this kind of image. This looked like something we might see on a microscope... well, I'm not so sure - the last time I was in front of a microscope was when I was in second year highschool (Biology class), and what am I now? Nevermind...

Pardon me for sharing two photos only. Nevertheless, I would like to share how important it is to consider our love for photography over the critic of other people. Sure, we should/could open our ears to these opinions but we should learn how to filter the information we could believe in to. Identify the people who critic your work - are they qualified to do so? If not, do not let them push you down 100%.

Lastly, for this entry, some photographs are products of accidents! Capture bizarre or unique images by playing with your camera anytime, anywhere! That's it for now, ta-ta :)

PS.

Boy, I did not expect this to happen. My article was included in The Photography Journal's top stories for January 8.  I knew this only while I was  checking my twitter using my smartphone (this explains the kind of screenshot you see) I am still not familiar with this blog, but when I checked it, it was pretty good - I might visit their sites once in a while. Thank you so much for visiting my site :) Unfortunately, it was Y U NO's picture that was.. err..  

 

Several attempts at Photography

There are days when I feel like a photographer, and days when I stay away from cameras and tell people that I don't know how to take good photos. I don't own a dslr and I often use my cellphone at taking pictures because I don't usually bring my Fujifilm FinePix S1600 around. Although, my so called "passion" in photography led me in enrolling in a black and white photography class... It did not help at all because... 

TEACHER, Y U NO COME TO CLASS

TEACHER, Y U NO TEACH

TEACHER, Y U TELL ME TO DROP THE CLASS

Wow, this meme actually summarized the whole shit about that class (haha)! Anyway, that terrible experience did not stop me from taking photos... or feel bitter about doing so. My favorite subject for my photos, aside from myself - ahem, are sunsets...

this photo was taken last November 2010 at Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea - 서귀포. I used my Fujifilm FinePix S1600 in taking this photo - not a DSLR, just point and shoot ;) I don't know but everytime I see a sunset - I fall in love with it. The tangy orange tint seems to calm down my senses. Also, it never fails to look very romantic in my eyes. Love, Y U NO COME TO ME? kidding!

this photo was taken last January 2011. This is my Brazilian-Korean friend Michael, he came to visit us in the Philippines during his Southeast Asia Island Hopping trip. Well, i hoped he enjoyed his stay here because... #it'smorefuninthePhilippines! I changed the sunset color to green because... orange are too mainstream. hahaha, and yep, that Michael eating the sun, LIKE A BOSS! :))

here's a more recent sun(set-ish) photo,

I took this photo using my brother's Canon PowerShot SD780IS - still, a point and shoot camera. Didn't bother to edit the colors, but I just cropped some things i find unnecessary. The first time I saw this, I told my friends that maybe it was the Philippine's version of "Aurora Borealis" hahaha kidding ;) Photo taken at UP-Diliman's Sunken Garden. Myth says the garden sinks an inch every year - well, it has been 100+ years already, garden Y U NO --- okay, enough of the memes already!

That's it for now! I'll be posting more of my photo collection next time - it's easier for me to do it this way right now since I have lesser time to think and write for this blog. You know how thesis are...  but nevermind, thesis - it's more fun in the Philippines!

Am I the only one?

Well, today was a very busy day! and... As much as I wanted to make a new blog entry that would actually make sense, I don't have the leisure to prepare one now. BUT! here is another meme comic I made to make up for it ;)

photo: I made this comic using an Android application called RoidRage. The application is available in the Android market.  Not only is this app easy to use, it is for free! (just sayin') 

Make and Break

The New Year celebration haven't ended yet. I still hear people in the streets greet each other a prosperous 2012. So, how does one exactly have a "prosperous" year? Most people, including me, used to evaluate ourselves the day before the new year and write down 10 to 20-ish new years resolution. Usually, the list goes like this:

No more 5 minutes (after the alarm rings)

No more Facebook.    Spend lesser time on Facebook.   

Eat more vegetables and avoid fastfood and alcohol _{(except during special occasions)}

Save money! Save! Save! Save!

Sleep early...

The thing is, after day 3, we unconciously break our resolutions. Believe it or not, but these are a few of my new years resolution before and the years before. Is it lack of self-discipline that hinders me in following this list? Well, look and think again. Don't you think the sentence construction of the resolutions affect how I deal with it? When writing NY Resolutions, we often look at our flaws and find ways on how to scrap it totally in our system! But, because we are aware that it seems impossible in our part, we discreetly put loopholes in it... which, of course, could accept all the excuses in the world! And so... I give up!

This year is not about making rules; instead, it should be a year of self-development! Rules are horrible. Everytime you face one, it will feel like you're trapped in a box. How will creativity and improvement grow if there are a lot of things that would pull you back? How will you mature if you wont step out of your comfort zone? How will you broaden your perspective if you're not considering risks? I won't be making any silly, breakable NY resolutions this year. In fact, I'd be very glad to deal with any thing (just as long as it won't kill me). Also, working on (finding and acquiring) your dream regardless any difficulties (or with whatever excuses you'll come up again) will do. Me? I am still on the "finding" and praying for it stage ! Goodluck ;)

 

photo: I took this picture during my birthday last November 2010 at Jeju Island, South Korea. I love sunsets - it will forever be beautiful in my eyes. I am trying my best to find the best logic about this photo and the content of my blog ㅋㅋㅋ Perhaps, it's about the sun sinking. If we feel that we're drowning with life's problems, just go on... a sunset always transforms into a shining moonlight :) 이것 도대요? ㅋㅋㅋ

Admit this.

9gagging has been the life of most of my friends recently. I think they've gotten a little bored with Facebook already (although, I am pretty sure facebook link posts led most of us to 9gag.com - I DID). Anyway, I think I had too much of it during the christmas break and was inspired to make my own meme comics (exactly, how do you call these things?) The fun starts when you actually get the punchline, without having someone to explain all the details for you. So...

Is this worth posting on the hot page?

Tehee, actually, I don't have a 9gag account and I don't think I will be making one. I'm just happy to look at the photos posted there. They are quite funny and witty. Have a try, visit their website!  

Photo: I made this comic using an Android application called RoidRage (quite simple and easy to use and FREE!)

A Recurring Dilemma

Attending the 1st day of class for the year 2012 was a little tough among college students. While I was on my way to school, the people inside the jeepney looked tired, weary, and exhausted - you can say that most of them are just not ready to face the reality yet. However, being a student isn't even that close to what is actually happening in the "real-world"

You see, I actually counted the weeks before my (hopefully) university graduation this year and I discovered that I only have 14 weeks left! I cringed. So, what's going to happen to me? Where will my bachelors degree in Broadcast Communication take me? What am I supposed to do? Well, I am not saying that I am completely clueless. In fact, I am torned between pursuing a Masters degree outside the country first and then work, or the other way around.

The motivation to get a Masters degree abroad was an influence by my experiences in Korea. When I was in Korea, I've discovered so many things and ideas that I wish I could bring and share to my country. Also, I couldn't forget what my Korean professor told me - that I should get a scholarship in UK.  However, things became a little hazy right after I had my internship at Arirang Global TV. Although my internship there was brief,  it actually had the greatest impact in my adult err mature life. My boss and seniors trained me very well to the point that I fell in love with my work. During that time, I was certain that maybe this is it - maybe this is the field I am happy to serve! Immediately after returning to my country, I told my boss about it and told her that I am actually excited about my marketing and (well, yes) advertising classes. So...

study then work? or work then study?

Some say it is best for me to study first. I am still young... well, 21 is not that old either. If I would complete a Masters degree after two years - I will be a 23 year old job seeker with an "edge" Why edge? well, what are Masters degree for? enlighten me.

On the other hand, a lot of my professors told me that if I wanted to take a Masteral degree it is better to atleast have some work experiences - because Masters is about sharing practical experiences in the field and criticizing or challenging several theories with it. Moreover, everytime I search for scholarships, most of them require 2 years of work experience. 

Also, just so you know - I am determined to continue my Korean language study and maybe French or Japanese too ;) This might fall in the "study" aspect. So. Help. Me. God.

Photo: It is a comic I made using an Android application called "Create a Comic"

 

 

Keeping it closer

It's the second day of the year and fortunately, things are doing pretty well. Although my flight to Manila was delayed by 1hour, I didn't quite notice the time because I was watching the movie "Midnight in Paris" The movie is cute and a little funny but I don't have any intentions of reviewing it here now ;)

Immediately after arriving in our pad, I went to Trinoma to meet my friends who I mentioned in my former post. Our "bunso" (막내, youngest) when we were in Korea is leaving the Philippines again after his 2 week Christmas vacation here. We ate chicken, participated in our companion's Psychology experiment, and talked about our past, present, and future? 

I enjoyed our meeting today. It was as if we never parted for several months. It was as if we were friends for a very long time. It is surprising how our experiences in Korea gave us this kind of friendship. Fun(ny) yet true. Slow clap for that, please.

photo: dinner at Kenny Roger's. Left to right: Me, Roger, Ice, Rj (the bunso), and Lia. Just to make it clear, Rj is not an exchange student like us. He is a regular student in Chonnam National University. I'm not so sure with his major, but I think it was economics. I'm very thankful with these guys and despite having only a year of being together - they will always have a special space in my heart. Yikes! #gettingsentimental