Seoul, Incheon

Hello from Seoul, Incheon airport. I just arrived here this morning at about a little past 6am in the morning. From that time up to now (11:49am), I have already eaten, went online, talked to mom, dad, and boyfriend, taken a very,very short nap (thanks to that old annoying lady on the phone with her loud self while people around the Rest & Relaxation lounge were trying to sleep), brushed my teeth, and showered. Yes, hooray to free shower! I do not know for how long they have had free shower but I am sure before there was a fee. The price was placed on the door, and now I didn't see any price, I just thought of going in to ask for the price, and as it turns out- shower is free! :) You get a free soap and sachet of shampoo as well. Also, free use of their very small towel.

Leaving my boyfriend behind is something I will never get used to. It is always hard. But thank heavens this time it will only be for a month (or will it? haha). Thank you boyfriend for always seeing me in up to the check-in area by securing a pass, and for doing all the heavy lifting I wouldn't be able to do on my own. I love you and I cannot wait to finally leave the airport WITH YOU!

I'm basically just chilling here waiting for my phone to charge via USB, and it is taking so slow to charge this way. What I do not like about being in this airport is their power sockets do not agree with my plugs. :( But aside from that, I'd rather be stuck in this very airport for 12 hours over any other airports. Free Rest & Relaxation lounge access, free internet/WiFi acess and there are even laptops you can use, free shower, good food, and it's like a mall in here. As you wait for your flight you can just stroll. And if all else fails, go online and chat with friends. :) Only 1 hour time difference from the Philippines.

12PM. About 6 more hours of waiting to go. :D

Of Boxing and Religion

So last Sunday, while I was sound asleep, Manny Pacquiao, the Philippine boxing pride, lost the fight on the 6th round with a knock out. Bummer. 

You win some, you lose some. Can't win them all. People were with him during his victory, they should be with him as well in this loss. At least he admitted that he was overconfident (so I heard). 

I woke up to all this ruckus on Facebook about the fight. A lot of them were down. Even a few pathetic statuses blaming Manny's change of religion.  

Earlier today, boyfriend showed me a video of Aling Dionisia (Manny's mom) going about "Wanted Pastore Louie" and how it is this Pastor's fault Manny lost. That video really pissed me off. It was annoying to see her broadcast her idiosyncratic ranting to thousands and thousands of viewers. She should be careful what she says, she might just start a fight. 

I posted on Facebook: "Manny lost diay? Tsk. Meanwhile, I was sound asleep while all this was going on." and my cousin mentioned: "and a lot of people are blaming Religion of his failure." I again replied, "and so i read, but religion is but man made haha. Your intimacy in the relationship with Jesus is between you and Him, and no one has the right to judge that. :)". He also replied with, "well I have read too, something about rosary and Mama Mary thing, kay he wasn't doing the sign of the cross thing kay he shifted his faith something like that... did I choose the right word? shifted hahaha". And in comes my over religious grandmother's sister with a comment: "Ah! Ah!!!!!" I mean seriously, what does that even mean? Knowing her, it must be a negative reaction to my comment. And in an attempt to taunt her, "kita ka sa interview ni dionisia Marco Antonio Ang Barcelo? haha "wanted pastor luoie" (or unsa ba toh?) haha gamayag utok." ("did you see the interview of Dionisia? haha "wanted pastor luoie" (or whatever?) haha. She has a small brain.") Or I meant to say how narrow minded she was, but small brain describes her just fine as well, especially in our dialect. I just now, added in a link to the video on the thread of comments and expressing my disgust. 

This reminds me about my post on Facebook about wanting to have a Tattoo, I should dig it up and blog it too, maybe tomorrow. Anyways, narrow minded, close minded people, who think they are better than others really just annoys me. Annoys me so much, almost to the bones really. And these will include a few of my overly religious relatives, sadly.

Justin Beiber posting up stupid stuff on his Instagram didn't help the Filipino pride either. I get that he has his right to express his opinions and "joke", but he should really be careful with his status and all. I hope all his Filipino fans turn their backs on him, even just for a short while to teach him a lesson. 

Point of my rant is, why in the world are they blaming religion? It could be Manny didn't have the same drive to win and that it isn't as important to him anymore as before. I mean before when he was Catholic and seen as sort of religious, he was still gambling and cheating on his wife with all these different women with all his money. Maybe now that he's a changed man he doesn't feel the need to win all the time, maybe he doesn't think as worldly as he did, and maybe he spent more time reading the bible and preaching than practicing and preparing for boxing. See what I did there? I assumed. Not even assumed, I just put out possible scenarios out there, which are more likely reasons than other people's reasons that he didn't make the sign of the cross or pray the rosary. Seriously. I have nothing against people who pray the rosary and people with other beliefs, but it just annoys me when people talk trash on other people's beliefs and religion. I mean respect begets respect. Frustrates me how some people think. I know we all don't think alike, we are all different, but this is just something that frustrates me: people who are close minded and people who force their beliefs and religion on other people. And those who look down on people who don't see the same way they do. Annoying really!

Of Sick Leaves

What I love about my blog is how only my boyfriend and a friend or two knows where to find it. And most people assume I no longer update it, so no one really bothers checking it out. So I am free to write about my life and opinions as I please.

Today my boyfriend woke up 30 minutes before the time he should be at work. It's a Monday, and more so today than other weekdays, it is harder to go to work. So I mentioned "take a sick leave", and he seizes the moment. He played basketball the night before, and so uses the excuse that he has muscle ache or muscle spasm (somewhere along those lines of excuse). Being as this was my one and only day of before I leave, errands and bonding time it is! 

I didn't have to go to work until 11PM and the 3PM meeting, I checked, wasn't compulsory. Why ruin my last day off with a meeting right? So much to do! I asked for a leave on Thursday, day before my flight, I requested last week but still no reply.

At boyfriend's house, after watching my choice of "horror" (yes, in quotes because they say it wasn't scary, although it was a bit scary for me) movie, a Filipino film "The Healing", we had lunch and got ready to head out. 

We stopped by for Starbucks at Oakridge, because I needed 4 more stickers (2 more to go) until I get my sister her planner. And plus I thought it had been a while since we both had Starbucks together. After our early afternoon and for-the-sake-of-stickers coffee fix, we continued down the road to JCentre!

Starbucks Christmas drinks 

and spinning the wheel after groceries.

Not a lot of people easily go to JCentre, especially people who work at IT park, so it was safe to stroll there. We first did errands at the grocery and loaded the cart with canned goods and a few dried mango packs. After that we bought tickets to The Rise of the Guardians and used the free game tickets that came with the movie tickets on the massage chairs. We got a good 4-minute beating on those massage chairs. After that we ordered Giga Fries (barbeque and sour cream) Potatoe Corner. Because one does not watch a movie without a Potatoe Corner at hand! We got drinks from the groceries as well because they are cheaper there, or so we always assume. The movie was great and it would have been nice if we brought the kids (boyfriend's younger siblings) but they were busy with projects. And plus, it is also nice to go out with just me and him. More errands after the movie, drugs this time. All those medicines and stuff. 

Before heading to the car, we stopped by an accessory stall. Boyfriend bought an earring (a pair but he only uses one), and I was eyeing a ring. Boyfriend bought for me the ring and I bought for myself earrings too. It's nothing expensive, just something fancy, sparkly, and shows that "my boyfriend bought me something" and that makes me smile. :) I will always remember how special he makes me feel, each time I look at it sparkle on my hand. :">

We headed to his house and watched a movie again (we are such couch potatoes, almost) Premium Rush. After that, a few episodes of 2 Broke Girls. Dinner time was accompanied with teleserye. After the late dinner and just hanging around, I had to get going to work.

I haven't yet left but I am already missing my boyfriend so badly. I should be gong only for a month, and God-willing I will be back by mid January. 

I bought fries and Starbucks for work (now only one more sticker to go!) and later I have food prepared again by my boyfriend's loving mother. :)

I just wanted to blog this because I want to read back on this on day, reliving the feeling of how very nice it is just to be with my boyfriend whether we're doing errands, movies, or just being home buddies. 

The Simple Things

I am not sure if I already have a post up with that title, but it is a common title and very relevant to me. I am a simple person really, who appreciates simple things.

So a couple of days ago I was sick and I whined to my boyfriend about it. He of course kept apologizing about how he was so busy with work that he could hardly find the time to reply to my messages. I understood him of course, since at the end of the week was the release of their project. Upset as I was, not really at him but at the situation, I went to sleep. I woke up to no message and I text messaged him, letting him know I was awake. He replied with a short and to the point message: "OT". Great, now he's on overtime with work, yet again. I messaged him telling him I hope I'd catch him. I planned on coming to work early so I could maybe catch him for a quick chat or a bite to eat. It really sucks having opposite work schedules with him. He messaged me back not to go out of the house and that he was on his way to see me. I asked him why and he replied a short, sweet, and honest answer: "Mis u man." My boyfriend  :"> So I was all giddy and I tried to cook for him this new corned beef we have not tried yet, and it was actually part of my errand list. If I had to buy 2 dozens of it to bring to the US, it must be that good. Boyfriend arrived with a box full of KFC chicken. My sweet boy. Although my aunt and I burned the onions we sauteed for the corned beef, I am happy to report that my boyfriend still loved it. And I love him.

Earlier today also before my shift at work, boyfriend and I were watching a movie at his place. When I was about to leave for work, he handed me a plastic with 2 containers. Apparently, his mother, on her own, decided to cook me my lunch for work. A really sweet gesture I will look back to even years from now and still appreciate just as much. It is a very nice feeling when your boyfriend's family accepts you and loves you, and you loving them back in return. I just am blessed that my boyfriend and his family both love me, and I love them too.

In a week I'll be seeing my family, finally after 6 months. I cannot wait to give them my hugs. And I cannot wait to snuggle up on our babies Miggy and Phoebe. It will be hard though when I'll have to leave again, because you can't reason or explain to dogs. I wish I could make them understand.

Today is a Sunday and the sun is shining down on my face right now. It will be church in 4 hours but I'm not sure I'll be able to attend. I pulled through the whole shift alone and could not catch a nap like I usually do before church. It will be such a shame if I went and be all sleepy. I just kept watching 2 Broke Girls to pull me through and keep me awake. I'm really sleepy now and cannot wait to go snuggle up in my bed. I have a long and busy week ahead full of errands, Jesus please see me through.

                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                         

The Sun is Up.

You Are God Alone

Just a song appreciating God and the way He is. We sang this before we began bible study last week and again at church last Sunday. 

"You are not a god in need of anything we can give."

Basketball

My boyfriend plays basketball and I have been going to his games with friends or school tournaments every time I am able to. Sometimes I would stay after class just to watch him practice with his teammates, most of whom are my friends as well. 

I went to his game last Sunday, it was scheduled at 8PM but started earlier. Their team was not prepared, some of them were still on their way. For the first quarter it was on and off due to the rain. But even before the game started, my boyfriend and I knew the other team would win. We know this because they have a player on the other team who was our school mate before, and we know how he, along with his current team, take basketball seriously. As for my boyfriend and his team, some of them just met at the practice a few days earlier, and those who were catching up, they just met on that day during the game. I could imagine how awkward it would be playing and teaming up with people you just met. The game finished and I do not remember the score but I remember it was a huge difference between both scores. 

I do not know with guys, but for me, I enjoyed the game. I especially liked how all of them got to play. Maybe I am just one of those "team spirit" kind of person. 

I did not like how one of their teammates left somewhere in the second quarter. He just left with no word to his teammates. I also did not like how his mom was also on trash talking borderline, and how his sister commented they should let his brother play (they already did on the first quarter!). And his girlfriend who said something like "I'm not used to seeing (lame) games like this.", as if to say her boyfriend always played a good game. And that teammate even commented earlier on the game how the other team was not a challenge, well he took those words back later on. 

Another teammate of my boyfriend had his whole family watching too. They came a bit later, because like a said, the game was schedules at 8PM  His father mentioned how his little sister insisted they come because she needs to watch her big brother's game. That was too cute. And this teammate got hit by a player from the other team and he was heating up on the bench saying how rude the other player was and that he will get him back, but his mother answered so kindly that her son should let it go and that it is all part of the game, things like these are part of the game's territory. The mother of the other teammate who left was dressed all classy, but when she talked, she sounded like someone at the dirty market; and compared to this mother dressed so simply, with such good advice, the other mother was a shame. 

Monday, boyfriend's basketball practice, I learned that even a few seconds can make a difference. As a bystander, I was also helpful by being called to be the timer. Once there was only 15-20 seconds left in the game and they called for a substitution, I thought it was useless with only a few second left, but they were able to score. I there I learned that even a few seconds, really does make a difference. 

I enjoyed watching my boyfriend and his team practice and play. One can really see though that they lack the sense of togetherness and they are a bit awkward as a team, but hopefully their practices polish that off and they play a better game next Sunday. 

I wish I knew and understood how to play basketball, it looks like a lot of fun, plus it is always nice to feel like part of the team. And my boyfriend and his 3-point shots: HOT. :)