with a cup of coffee...

Books read in BOOKLEAVES from 2005 to 2010

2011-01-10T00:13:00.002+09:00

2005

#1 Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

#2 The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie

#3 The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte

#4 The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

#5 Perfume by Patrick Süskind

#6 The Histroian by Elizabeth Kostova

#7 Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt

#8 Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf

#9 The Hours by Michael Cunningham

2006

#10 The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

#11 11Minutes by Paulo Coelho

#12 Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

#13 The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

#14 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

#15 The Plot Against America by Philip Roth

#16 Quarantine by Jim Crace

#17 The In-Between World of Vikram Lall by M.G.Vassanji

#18 Love in the time of Cholera by Garcia Marquez

#19 Fox Girl by Nora Okja Keller

#20 Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

#21 The Coffee Trader by David Liss

#22 The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

#23 Still Life with Rice by Helie Lee

#24 A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

#25 Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk

#26 No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

#27 Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

2007

#28 Snow by Orhan Pamuk

#29 The Inheritence of Loss by Kiran Desai

#30 The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

#31 Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

A Taxonomy of Barnacles by Galt Niederhoffer

#32 The Geography of Thought by Richard Nisbett

#33 The Music of Chance by Paul Auster

#34 Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

#35 The High Window by Raymond Chandler

#36 The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

#37 Life of Pi by Yan Martel

#38 A Conspiracy of Paper by David Liss

#39 You Remind Me of Me by Dan Chaon

#40 Comfort Woman by Nora Okja Keller

#41 In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant

#42 Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

#43 The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

#44 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

2008

#45 Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

#46 Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini

#47 Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

#48 You Suck by Christopher Moore

#49 Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

#50 Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky

#51 Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

#52 Known World by Edward P. Jones

#53 Oil by Upton Sinclair

#54 Love in the Time of Cholera by Garcia Marquez

#55 Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

#56 The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry

#57 Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs

#58 Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

#59 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

#60 Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

#61 Persuasion by Jane Austen

#62 Spectacle of Corruption by David Liss

#63 The Road by Cormac McCarthy

#64 Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

#65 Sickened by Julie Gregory

#66 Old School by Tobias Wolff

2009

#67 The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin

#68 Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

#69 Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

#70 The Zahir by Paulo Coelho

#71 The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

#72 The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

#73 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

#74 Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith

#75 Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz

#76 The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

#77 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffe & Annie Barrows

#78 The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

#79 The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

#80 White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

#81 Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens

2010

#82 Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

#83 The Painted Veil by William Somerset Maughan

#84 Wicked by Gregory Maguire

#85 Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan

#86 Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh

#87 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

#88 My Life in France by Julia Child

#89 Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

#90 The Shakespeare Curse by Jennifer Lee Carrell

#91 Lost City of Z by David Grann

#92 Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

#93 The Shadow of the Winds by Carlos Ruiz Zafron

#94 The Women by T.C. Boyle

#95 Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

#96 In the Woods by Tana French
2011

#97 The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason

Okay, so we didn't get to reach book #100 but that's going to be our third book this year!
Let's make that one a special one!

Happy New Year! Happy 2011!

2011-01-03T13:13:00.000+09:00

It's so weird trying to write 2011 when it seems like only yesterday that I got used to writing 2010.

But here it is, isn't it?

2011 is really here and we can't really rewind and go back..

I hope that this year will be a great year for everyone.

To my friends and families all around the world, I miss you, love you and wish you all the best of 2011!

Happy 2011, everyone!

Christmas!

2010-12-26T23:38:00.000+09:00

Christmas Tree with presents..

Christmas day lunch

This year's Christmas was wonderful..
great food and great company.. and we'll always remember Dad.. He'll always be in my heart..

hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas this year.. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas day dinner

rapidly changing world

2010-11-27T00:07:00.001+09:00

Just had to share this with you all! "Mailed Memories: Your Cherished Letters"

We live in a world that's changing so rapidly with high-tech gadgets and advanced technology that even though the time I used to write to my friends and loved ones or take a picture with a film camera was only a while ago, it seems like that was in another life time. Don't get me wrong I am an early adapter and love the gadgets and everything however, there are times I miss the good old days. Some of the students I used to teach didn't even know what a film camera was or what developing films meant. They were just amazed at it when I explained to them.

After reading the article it reminded me of how I wrote to a total stranger asking to be my penpal, wrote to my friends and family that were half way across the world. Mailing it with pretty postages, waiting and checking the mail box everyday. Oh, the mixed emotions I experienced during those writing, mailing and waiting… well, only the ones who had the joy would know what I'm talking about.

I, too, still keep some of my old letters boxed up and once in awhile scoop them up and read them all over again. Of course most of them are written by others but there are few that I've written and never mailed.

I think I'll be sending this year's season greetings the good old fashioned way. :)

Anyways, it was great reminiscing. Hope that you enjoy it as much as I have ;)

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Wouldn't it be lovely...

2010-11-25T14:03:00.002+09:00

"All I want is a room somewhere..
Full of lots and lots of books.."

I was browsing on the internet and looking up some picture of books and bookshelves and was totally impressed by these libraries.. These settings would be my DREAM house library.. let's hope it does come true one day... ;)

This is from an interesting article from The Telegraph

This is a die for.. love how they installed the shelves.. impressive but then again.. I don't think I'll be living in a house this big... (found it on this site)

Now, this one's very modern and it's an unique design.. but I think I'll have a hard time cleaning the shelves... imagine all the dust settling on the edges.. but STILL it looks great, doesn't it?
got the pic from a blog post

Very cozy looking yet, well organized with lots and lots of room to shelf your books. :) Got this one from one of Oprah's articles

This one's amazing..totally loving the settings.. This rooms a bit big but it's still I'd love to sit on that chair.. lay back, relax and read! (source)

Fell in love with this one.. I like it because it's so bright! I could read ALL DAY in this room .. not that I couldn't read all day.. but seriously.. this room is gorgeous.. AND love the shelving because it's a cabinet style!

I don't remember where I got this one from.. but it's a building I'd love to visit.. where is it anyway?

a great selection of books

2010-11-25T12:24:00.003+09:00

People Are Talking ... About These Five Books
So was browsing on my phone NPR app and found this article with some great selection of books that I'd absolutely be interested in reading in the future..

And one was already mention by one of our Bookleaves memeber, Sandra: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen.

Wish that books will come out quicker in paperbacks and get here in Korea faster! :( Sucks to be in Korea in these situations...

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My very first carrot cake

2010-10-12T00:25:00.000+09:00

slicing up the carrot and preparing everything to be mixed in a bowl...

The mixing part hurt my arms a bit.. but worth it ;)

So, I used a mixer to help the process along ;) ha!

and voilá!

mini Muffins & Rye bread

2010-10-12T00:15:00.000+09:00

Muffins turned out to be the size of cupcakes... guess that's what happens when you make it in a cupcake tray...

This was my first rye bread... and so proud of myself that it turned out fine!

Movie with MOM!

2010-10-11T00:25:00.004+09:00

Yes that was on September 21st.. I'm "a little bit" behind on uploading pics and writing on my blog.. but that's nothing new now is it :(

Well, that was the week of Chuseok(추석). I was going to explain but I think wiki does a better job than me so there's the link for those of you who aren't used to Korean holidays.

Well, usually for Chuseok, which lasts for three days, family and relatives gather around at the eldest son's house but since our family is a bit of here and there and we don't really get together Mom and I went to see a movie and my sister was somewhere in Gangnam studying for her graduate school exam.. The movie was great. It was a Korean movie, which I'd go into details but not really feeling like it so I'll skip the details..

Anyways, when we came out it was rainning, no that's not the correct term, it was POURING and it was really hard to drive. See the picture on the left that's my car's windshield, you can practically see the water flowing down.

After the movie, since we had to wait for my sister to finish up her studies, we went to the bookstore and just spent some time browsing around, killing time.. And like always, I just couldn't resist the temptation. Yes, I laid my eyes on some books and I had to get them. This time they were cooking books. I've been wanting to make some real nice yummy breads and I saw these books, I just couldn't resist.

Drive home was just horrendous, I think it was the longest drive ever. Usually it takes about an hour or less to drive home from Gangnam area but because of the rain some of the roads were blocked because it was flooded. I think we've made the most u-turns in one trip and when we finally got home it felt like we've been on the road for days and just got back from a long road trip. Lesson learned, NEVER drive in a weather like that.. EVER!

Mushroom Shabu-shabu (버섯 샤부샤부)

2010-10-11T00:01:00.001+09:00

I've been going to this restaurant near my place for as long as I've lived in Sanbon. The name of the restaurant is Beoseotchon (버섯촌), which means Mushroom Village. It's a cute name... The owner is really nice she and her husband actually cooks the ingredients that they have prepared and it's to die for!

So, as you can see in the picture here on the left.. we ordered 3 servings though there were 4 of us.. and you may think that might be not enough.. BUT it definitely is enough. See with the soup.. you get 3 servings of veggies you get 3 servings of meat and some side dishes; home made pickles, home made jang-tteok(장떡), which is like jeon(전) but with red pepper paste(고추장), plus don't forget kimchi(김치).

After you're done eating the soup and veggies, they serve you noodles and then fried rice. No, you don't choose noodles or rice but you get both and without extra cost. And on top of everything.. the price of the food is just 9,000won per serving. Though it used to be only 5,000 when I first went to this place but people, it's been years.. and you know that cost of everything went up.. AND if you were to compare it to the price you pay for a shabu shabu in seoul it's way over 10,000won, actually I think it's more like 12,000.

You can't beat the taste OR the price.. :D I just love this place..

I know there are many who don't like to soak their food but well, I'll practically eat anything.. (well, reasonably anything..)

a new place

2010-10-10T23:42:00.000+09:00

[Sept. 11, 2010]
So, a friend of our family invited us out to dinner and I got to find another great place to eat.
It's always great to find new places and try different food.. I particularly liked this place because on the roof of the restaurant they had a little patio where you can just hang around and have coffee.. ;)
Great place I tell you..

AND the food was excellent...

Their specialty was the ribs.. of course Korean style.. and Korean Cold noodles (냉면: Naengmyeon, both 물냉면mul-naengmyeon and 비빔냉면 bibim-naengmyeon) Too bad I don't have pictures of them. I'll have to take one when I go next time ;)

so This is the little patio, you'll see some benches and chairs and tables. It was drizzling a little bit but not a biggie since we were under a little pavilion..

Scone? or STONE?!

2010-06-04T01:17:00.002+09:00

Ok, don't kill me but it was my first time at trying this.. I mean my muffins turned out fine.. but the scones! DISASTER.. I guess I felt like cooking something or rather baking. I knew I had some flour lying around in the pantry so gave it a shot..besides, reading Julia Child's 'My Life in France' got me all mouth-watering for French food and food in general. and end result was DREADFUL!

You would think following the recipe would get you a real nice, delicious, hot scones straight out of the oven.. NOT! well, it was totally my fault since I did add more flour at the end thinking the dough was too watery.. I mean how was I to know? there wasn't any 'Chef Bugnard' to coach me through this.. I was on my own on this.. no one to tell me and advise me.

So the dough turned out to be very elastic, don't ask me how, but I do believe adding more flour would get you that result. and when I baked it it just got harder and harder.. you wouldn't believe how hard it got.. :(
Well, the picture looks pretty good AND the taste wasn't actually bad.. it's just the texture. I wanted that soft crunchy scone but instead I got a hard stone! I guess this taught me just to buy one rather than attempt in baking a bunch.. =P

Oliva

2010-06-04T01:04:00.002+09:00

This was the second time I've visited this restaurant and I must say I really do love this place.. The first time was probably about 3 or 4 years ago.. anyhow, it's near Gyeongbok-gung station(line#3) I didn't realize it was that close to where I worked until our team went to eat lunch.

The food's pretty good and I love the whole place, very nicely arranged. They even rent the place for family events and weddings and such.. I didn't know they had lunch sets but I guess most restaurants usually do.. anyway their lunch cost 18,000won plus 10% tax but you get the whole course: bread, soup, salad, main dish of your choice, desert, and coffee/tea/soda. I though it was worth it. AND they give you more bread, soup and salad if you want more. Totally worth the price! me thinks.. ;)

[Soup of the day was Hungarian Goulash. I had the Fruite de Mare with cream sauce(Seafood cream pasta) for main dish, had my Earl Grey for my after meal tea and the dessert was Orange panna cotta. YUM!]

It must be the weather...

2010-06-01T17:44:00.002+09:00

As I'm sitting at my desk at the office.. I feel my eyelids drooping down heavily ..
and my heads pounding!!!

so.. I'm guessing it's probably because of the warm, nice weather outside that I'm feeling so drowsy..
and probably my head's being pounded because this ridiculous cold will just simply not leave me alone.

good thing that it's a holiday tomorrow.. though I have tons of overdue work piled on my desk waiting for my attention :( ah... C'est la vie!

being overwhelmed with work just makes you go the opposite of getting things done, don't it?

I just hope I'll get at least half of the things done then, I could be in peace (only a little, I imagine)

I don't know why, but these days, thoughts of dad is constantly on my mind.. and I miss him dearly..
maybe it's the one year thing.. though it has been over a year.. or maybe it hasn't been long enough..
Maybe I'm just thinking too much :)and need some entertainment in my life!!!

<-- not really a picture I took today.. but the weather is just like it. That's the side gate(not open to public, I believe) of Gyeongbok-gung (palace) and it's right opposite my office..

Chung Wa Dae Sarang Chae

2010-05-28T01:36:00.004+09:00

Since I've been working at Korea.net I've come across great information on and about Korea. It helped me a lot in the sense of getting to know this country and what fun things are happening throughout the country.

I probably wouldn't have realized that there were so many things going on in Korea on my own. I did know there were various kinds of fairs all over the peninsula but it didn't really drive me to actually want to visit one..

No, actually until the trip I took early this year down to Geoje and Tongyong I just had ideas of wanting to travel around here are there but action always failed me. But now, I think I want more.. enough of the excuses, it's time to just up and leave for the places that interest me.

One of my interest is photography. I love to take pictures and to see them. When I found out that there was a photo exhibit on Korean War and in colors well, I had to go.. I was planning to go with bunch of friends but that didn't really pan out and since it was only a 10-minutes walk from my office, I decided to go during one of my lunch breaks.

The location was in Chung Wa Dae Sarangchae right across from the blue house(Chung Wa Dae) and I thought they did a great job in organizing everything within the exhibit. Though the building itself, well, I thought it could have been a bit more traditional in the design, but nonetheless everything was clean, neat and modern.

When I first learned of this exhibit I imagined it was going to be just the exhibit however, they already had the place set in different sections: on the first floor there were exhibits and information displaying about the city of Seoul and Korea. Great touch screens that shows you information on parks, markets, and so forth; on the second floor, there was the Hall of the Presidents and G-20 hall. and in the lobby John Rich's Korean War photographs in color.

I had a great time and I'm planning to visit more often.. hopefully I will have enough time to do so. The photo exhibit will be held until the end of June so if any of you are interested you should make that visit soon. ;)

Oh, and on the day I visited they had tea tasting (they told me they have it every Wednesday and Saturday, but should check the schedule on the Chung Wa Dae Sarangchae web page to be sure [only down side is there's no English version]) Loved the tea, especially the green tea that they fermented and made into a round cylinder block shape.

Book Fair 2010

2010-05-28T00:51:00.003+09:00

Sunday, May 16, was our dear book meeting and the last day of the Seoul Book Fair 2010. Since this was my first visit to the fair, I didn't really know what to expect.. I was truly amazed of how many people were there and to see so many publishers attending. There was so much to see and so little time to cover all the grounds. There were pretty illustration books from all around the world that tempted me. And tons of book art that truly peaked my interest. My original plan was to get in look around and get out. BUT once again I was defeated and the better part of me took over.. ended up buying 10 or so books. Though it did save me a lot of money. Now, I have more books that needs to be read..
Can't wait to find out which country will be coming as a guest next year!

books I ended up buying..

I did buy a lot of children's books since I do need to read more and plan for my classes

so many reading, taking pictures and browsing through

and great illustration books with the original illustrations on display

so Many jewels within the net!

2010-05-25T17:14:00.003+09:00

While I was browsing.. and uploading things for work.
I stumbled on a section of what my fellow book lovers would LOVE to hear about..
LIBRARY for ENGLISH books!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!
was so excited that I did almost scream and totally would have broken the dead silence of the office and woken up everyone... But I didn't and here I am writing about it.

So, if you love books and would love to go and borrow it.. here's an option for you. The only thing I'm concerned about is how many and varieties they have in store. Well, anyhow, I'll try to visit myself and give you a detailed info on it but here's the brief scoop:

Yeoksam Global Village Center, located near Gangnam station(line#2), apparently has 380 volumes of English and Korean(in English) books including recent bestsellers and Korean history books. Anyone intending to stay in Korea for over a month is eligible to rent the books. You can only check out 2 books at a time for 2 weeks, though you may extend the deadline by calling in, emailing, or visiting the center. If you're over due more than twice you'll not be able to borrow any books so, peeps, do return the books for others.

The only trouble you'll have to go through to check something out is to just visit the center with your ID and fill out a form. They also take in donations so if you're planning on leaving or have books lying around that you don't need you can donate them to the center or ME!!!( you know how much I love books and I can always use some more to rotate within our book club)

To get to the center get off at Gangnam station and exit #1. Walk straight until you pass the Yeoksam Tax Office and see the Wooribank. There, turn right and walk until BMS Building which is next to the Pitti Cafe. The center is on the fifth floor of Yeoksam 1 Cultural Center.

Yeoksam Global Village Center
Tel #: 02) 3453-9038~9
email: yeoksam@sba.seoul.kr

May 16 Meeting!

2010-05-17T16:41:00.000+09:00

Book meeting + Book Fair = very fruitful & prductive meeting :D

So, we had our meeting on 'The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo'. My summary is that most of our members did not like the book and couldn't figure out why it got to be so popular in the first place.

There were some details we thought would have been better left out and some that should have been more elaborated..

All and all, the meeting was good, the company was lovely, the food excellent(not so much with the service, though), and the Seoul Book Fair something we'd (or I'd love to go back to next year)

I was afraid we wouldn't find a place where they sold books but luckily we did and there,

our next two book selections were picked: My Life in France by Julia Child and Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffennegger (author of 'The Time Traveler's Wife).

'Her Fearful Symmetry' I'll be ordering so I need to know how many copies to order.

Something that we didn't get to talk about is where our next meeting will be taken place. My suggestion was the Anyang Public Art Project park, it is near either Anyang station or Gwanak station (both on line#1). Shanna suggested Dos Tacos.

If you have any other suggestions please let me know and we'll make a choice by the end of the week or so.

Bolshoi on Ice

2010-05-13T17:17:00.001+09:00

As a parents' day present to Mom, my sister bought tickets for the Bolshoi ice ballet show (May 9, though there were some complications so our tickets got moved to the May 2). Our seatings were excellent since we were front row center, right on the ice! The rink was ice cold but luckly we had our jackets and a blanket to share.. I think the show was almost 2 hours long started with 'Snow white' for the first part and some various short pieces then the second part ended with 'The Nutcracker'.

For me, the most memorable part was seeing the sad 7 dwarfs changing into happy-go-lucky dwarfs.. so goofy and cute. Also, the director of the show, Igor Bobrin, was amazing! Natalkia Bestemianova and Andrei Bukin were great, too. Oh, and can't leave out Dmitri Dmitrenko. Well, they were all good!

More pictures here!

a Heads-up for our May 16th meeting!

2010-05-06T18:18:00.000+09:00

Our May 16th meeting will be held at On the Border, within the CALT(City Airport, Logis & Travel) building next to COEX @1pm.

We'll be discussing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and going to take a peek at the Book Fair then a stroll to the book store(Bandi & Luni's).

Below is a map so you'll have a better idea where it's about...

If you're coming from the subway : walk towards exit#5&6 but DON'T walk out of either one. you'll see a big hallway leading to a square(Millenium Square).

From the square on your nearest left you'll see an entrance towards Hyundai Department store. Take that path go straight and into the departement store.

Walk a little bit forward (passing Aunt Annie's Pretzel shop) you'll see an escalator, from there go right and as you pass the food court you'll exit the department store and finally be underneath the CALT building. From there just walk straight and you'll see another pair of escalators(left). Now, On the Border is right behind it(so to speak).
If you're coming from Bandi & Luni's, from the entrance of the book store take a right towards the path where Burger King is you'll then see Sony and then Linko's. Enter Linko's and exit it from the back entrance and walk straight until you see the escalators(on your right). As soon as you see the escalator turn right and you'll see On the Border.

If you guys ended up somewhere on the street.. well, if you see the Hyundai department store, facing the entrance, walk left and turn around the corner. As soon as you pass the department store parking entrance you'll see the CALT building.. DON'T go in because they have a separate entrance to On the Border. You'll see it as you walk straight. you can't miss it..

1. Discuss book in question & other books.

2. Discuss next book(s) & meeting dates/places.

3. Discuss possible future trip.

4. Talk about any other suggestion & opinions. (*update contact info)

5. Go to Book Fair (closes at 5pm)

6. Browse through Bandi & Luni's

HAPPY READING!

Seoul International Book Fair 2010

2010-04-30T15:02:00.000+09:00

Seoul International Book Fair 2010 is in town.. from May 12~16
Thanks to Sandra we were able to get the info.. I would have totally missed it if it weren't for you Sandra! Thank you!

It's open to public:
May 13~14 10:00~18:00
May 15 10:00~20:00
May 16 100~17:00

Admission: Adults: KRW3.000 / Children &Teens (under 19) KRW1,000

HOWEVER, if you pre-register.. then you get to go in for FREE.. so here's how you do it..
Since the English website doesn't have a pre-registering site.. and it's until today(April 30th) they accept pre-registration.. so do it QUICK!!

First go to this page..http://www.sibf.or.kr/kor/html/visitors/pre.php
Then enter your info, click ok, and print out your ticket.
I've also added the pictures just in case you have trouble understanding and inputting info..

Give me a call if you have any trouble!

Salsa SHOES!!!

2010-04-26T22:42:00.002+09:00

It's about time I got them..after my initial start or shall we say my first try at learning salsa.. I did get distracted because of the plan of going away and then that plan getting canceled.. and on and on and on.

I finally decided it was time.. and got myself a pair of nice SHOES!!!
So, with the help of lovely Crys, a really nice gal I met at my initial try.. I walked from my work place(Gyeongbok palace station) to near Seoul station.. since it was raining and all I was thinking of going another day.. BUT I didn't want to get lazy and didn't want to delay anymore.. so with the rain pouring I walked a good 2.5km for about 35mins and arrived at the store.. my jeans got soaked and my shoes were too.. but oh, well.. today wasn't a bad day to walk.. it was actually nice walking in the rain.. if it rained a bit harder.. I might have taken a bus.. but it was okay...

so!
I asked her of the price and all.. and since the price of the synthetic ones and leather ones didn't differ much was going to go for the leather ones.. Then again, I changed my mind because I wanted to get something right away.. for the leathers it had to be made.. they didn't have any with my size.. and they don't make many of my size(FYI, I have tiny feet.. 220) And besides, I'm a beginner so I thought I'll get a nicer one when I'm a bit better at it.. ;)

I got my shoes and headed home.. SO HAPPY! I'm gonna start learning right away! Yippie!

short weekend trip down south - Geoje Island &Tongyong (March 19~21)

2010-04-26T15:53:00.003+09:00

It was a long drive but fortunately the traffic wasn't that bad. We left early Friday morning of March 19th and spent 3days and 2 nights and came back home. Our first stop was Geoje Island, a not so big of an island famous for its natural harbors and shipyards, is located on the southern coast of Gyeongsangnamdo province. There were lots of things to see like the P.O.W camp museum, Windy Hill, former President Kim Yong Sam's hometown, Oedo(island) and lots more.. had this whole thing planned out.. however, we only made it to the P.O.W. museum because of the bad weather. It was drizzling, windy, and cold. Hence, the boat ride to Oedo was out of the question because on a really windy day or bad weather the ship doestn't sail. Now, the interesting site I have to point out and tell you is when we got there it was around 6 and I guess all the men and women working at the shipyard were punching out for the day.. so when I saw a sea of people on motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles flooding out to the streets.. well, what a site! It reminded me of the scene that I saw on TV where there are flood of bike riders commuting on the streets of China or Vietnam. It was ver interesting and my mother, sister and myself included we were all laughing and giggling with delight. (No, we weren't laughing at them we'd never do that.. it just was a thrilling scenery to witness, that's all)

Complimentary of my mother's friend who lives and runs a tourist office and accomodations we were able to stay at a pretty nice motel and settle in for the night after we had a full meal of raw seafood.

The next day, we called the dock and asked if the boat was running but we were told 'no' because of the weather. So, we decided to go to the P.O.W museum and while mother stayed in the car with our dog (she didn't come with us because she already had a tour of the place) we went around the place. There were some interesting things we saw and some part of the history of Korea that I didn't know about. My sister and I thought the did a great job in creating the park/museum and on a better day it would have been a much better tour.

After the tour of P.O.W we were planning to go to the Windy Hill, but since it was TOO windy we decided to just head out to Tongyong and meet up with a distant relative, a very distant aunt, whom I saw for the very first time. It was really nice meeting her and getting to know her even though it was for a short while. I really like meeting distant realtives because I don't really see myself as a Korean and being connected.. meeting relatives kind of gives me proof of that I am in deed and it also gives me a detailed description and explanation into our family tree and who's who and whatnot.. Plus, my dad's side of the family, though there are 4 brothers and a sister, they never have been close and they never will be. And I don't really think I'll see much of them since my dad passed. I mean they didn't really care before so why care when he isn't even around right? Anyways, enough of the Ko family history..

So, off we went to the bus termial in Tongyong and met our aunt(she came from Busan to visit Tongyong) and headed to another relatives house in Tongyong. We had great time chatting about families who's related to who and how and we got a better idea of things. It was weird because I felt really comfortable with them as if we've known each other for some time and kept in touch all these years even though it was my first time and my sister's to meet them. (My mom had seen them at ther wedding and couple of times afterwards so it's been a long time for her as well.) It was totally different from meeting my dad's brothers' families.. I'm always ill at ease with them. I'm not being prejudiced here nor do I have any feelings of hatred(no, that's not 100% true). But, I've always felt they were more distant than neighbors or even strangers.. Ok, I'm going to stop.. not a good thing to express all these negative on my blog..

... back to Tongyong, our uncle(my paternal grandmother's sister's son) took us for a drive around the little town of Tongyong and gave us an brief tour after lunch. Again, since the weather was too windy the cable car was not in operation so had to skip that and just be satisfied by driving by and hope for better weather tomorrow. They had just kicked off Tongyong Oyster Festival so we made a trip to the festival grounds within a university and had a taste of delicious oyster and our uncle bought us a box to take home. We also visited a really nice private resort and was mesmerized by it.. wanting to visit sometime in the future.. however, it's members only so not very likely to happen. We had dinner at a restaurant run by another relative of ours then turned oursleves in for the night. The next morning my sister and I went up on the cable car since the weather had cleared up while my mother went with our aunts and uncle to attend mass at their beautiful catholic church. After we came down from the mountain which was wonderful we said our good-byes and parted our ways. My mom, sister, and I took turns driving home.. and arrived save and sound.

I've posted all the pictures so you can view them on this site..click HERE ;)

Damn with the designs..

2010-04-22T22:33:00.001+09:00

so.. I got rid of the background design.. why?
well, just felt like it.. when I did it.. I thought it looked nice..
but I'm just going to go with plain and simple white!

Another thing that I thought about was the name of my blog.. I've had it for a long time..
and I do like the name.. it's relaxing.. and that's what I was aiming at.. but today at work I just felt the urge of changing it.. and then when I got home the urge was totally gone..

Though, I do think that the new name I thought about was pretty good.. I don't know..
I'm just being very indecisive at the moment.. surely it'll pass..

Oh, by the way HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!

I walked about 30 mins. to the bus station today instead of taking a subway directly.
Does that count as an Earth day activity?

Guess what I stumbled on.. ;)

2010-04-22T15:52:00.002+09:00

a very interesting...
mind tickling...
BOOK!

just got a newsletter from Goodreads and was reading it through just before lunch break was over..

and I tripped myself over a book I just have to read... and I'm guessing it's good.. or is my expectation too high? well, it's going right on my TBR list..

Ok, so it's called The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees

From what I read of the review from Goodreads I'm guessing it's quite good.. This is not a biography, obviously, but an interpretation of the authors view of the character Jo of Little Women and its author Louisa May Alcott. I was a big fan of this book ever since I was a little girl and read it.. and I just can't wait to get my hands on it.. Since it's out only in hardcovers.. I'm guessing I'm going to have to wait till it comes out in Korea, which might take awhile. This book is McNees first debut and I know some may be skeptical towards new authors however, I'm all up for new and upcoming authors.. and who knows, it could turn out fantabulous!

ps.. don't you just love the cover?!

Bus Engine Trouble?

2010-04-20T17:53:00.004+09:00

I know most of you are wondering why the bus engines are suddenly shut down because I was and a friend of mine asked me probably thinking I'll have the answer to it since I'm Korean and know what's going on.. but to tell you the truth, I was clueless as all of you were. Well, my first instinct was maybe the bus just went kaput but I noticed a sticker on the bus saying "시동뚝? 걱정 뚝! (engine trouble? don't worry!)" and well, I also asked my mom because I didn't understand the logic to it. what the sticker said was that it's to prevent the engine from running idle. BUT my logic was, if you do that wouldn't that result in inefficient use of gas?
Well, apparently I was wrong, what really happens is by automatically shutting off the engine it saves the fuel cost plus it's actually doing some good to our environment since it exhausts less CO2. I don't exactly know the technology behind it but from what I hear the buses have an automatic system installed in them to shut down their engines when they are stopped at a red light or stopped in traffic and once they step on the clutch the engine starts up again. I searched on the net for some info and it says that about 7600 buses have this system and through it they're saving up to 5% of fuel cost which is equivalent to about 13billion won. They're still working on extending this to taxis and automobiles in order to save our ozone layer.

So, the next time you experience a sudden engine shut down on our public buses, don't worry, they're doing everyone a favour! ;)

past meetings...

2010-03-31T18:46:00.000+09:00

2nd meeting of 2010 : January - The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maughan
Unfortunately, thre weren't that many members present at this meeting it was just Bernadette, Shanna, and me with Berndette's and Shanna's boyfriend. We didn't get to talk about the book because I was the only one who had read it... but we did have another meeting on Feb. 13th at Pasha with more members and discussed about the book a little. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to everyone.

3rd meeting of 2010 : Feb - Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Sadly, I didn't read this book because I was planning my move to Vietnam and was busy packing and prepareing for the daparture which turned out to be a total waste of time. At this meeting, if I'm remembering correctly, Susan, Sandra, Shanna, and Dana were present, I was not going to be present because I had something going on but I did arrive towards the end of the meeting..

4th meeting of 2010 : March 28th - Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan
Not everyone finished reading but we all were about half way through I think we all liked the stories though they were depressing. We talked about different parts of the world where similar things were happening and about the book and other stuff. The people present at the meeting were Susan, Sandra, Shanna, Jill, Bernadette and me.

V.

organizing...

2010-03-31T17:29:00.002+09:00

While I was organizing and making a new list of books we read ever since the group was up and running..
I realized that since June 2005, we've had about more or less 85 meetings.

Isn't that amazing? I mean there were some books we've read again so it isn't exactly 85 books but meeting wise.. well, I thought it was amazing.. This year will be the 5th anniversary since the book club was established.. and we might be able to celebrate the 100th meeting or that might happen next year.

I'll post up the whole list when I'm done with it on this blog..
I just need to make sure I got the list of 2009 right because I was pretty out of it last year..

V.

latest news and updates...

2010-03-30T14:45:00.004+09:00

I know I haven't been keeping up with this blog much lately but I do have my reasons and a good one too.. so bare with me folks.

Anyhow, I also do hope that our book group members actually stop by our group blog to look at things and post things there as well.

So, we had our February meeting and March meetings and it all went swell.

Our latest meeting, March 28th, was an absolutely brilliant meeting for me especially because I've been going through a crappy time lately and book meetings always brightens my day just because I'm with the people I love and we share a common love towards reading and books in general.

Back to the meeting...

We had a great talk.. though it wasn't all about the book itself because not all of us had finished it, me included. However, we all seemed to like the book.. or was it just me that got that impression? I'm definitely going to be done with it within this week.. just one more story to go.. So, we sat around a big oval table drinking our coffee and eating our brunch.. we talked of future readings, the book of the meeting, and other interesting issues and whatnot. Then as we always do like a ritual we all headed towards Kyobo bookstore and talked of books, books, and more books. We hung around young adult section for some time and reminisced of the times when we used to read "Harriet the Spy" "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" and all those lovely children's book you read growing up... and we came across a book that I absolutely WANT!!! "1001 Children's Book You Must Read Before You Grow Up" it was way over my budget so I had to hold back the temptation to buy... UGH! I hate it when that happens but oh well... So, we had our little ritual got our next book and headed out to go home and meet friends. I was a great ending for our meeting as always...

Ok. Here are the books we read but I haven't posted about them.. don't kill me but hopefully it won't happen again.

After Disgrace the first of 2010 meeting.. we read "The Painted Veil" "Wicked" & " Say You're One of Them" (Why do I get always mixed up with 'Say you're one of us' all the time? anyways, that's beside the point) We're now reading "Sea of Poppies" by Amitav Ghosh and we'll be meeting on the 18th of April.

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!!!

this is total BS!

2010-03-09T15:09:00.000+09:00

I just have no words to describe what I'm going through..
just really really pissed that they screwed things up for me..

I won't be going to Vietnam.. anytime soon.. and probably NEVER
The school I was going to go backed out on me and I just am so frustrated that I have no idea what I'm going to do.. I had my tickets and everything..

Well, I was going to call you up and let you all know what was going on.. but right now.. I'm just out of words and too depressed and bummed to do anything.

I'll let you all know how I'm doing soon... as soon as I get myself together.
I'll be ok... I know life doesn't really turn out the way you would like to.. so.. I'm trying to think positive and think that this happened for a reason..

Got my Tickets! HCMC, here I come! (FINALLY)

2010-03-05T18:16:00.004+09:00

So Finally got my tickets today. I'll be leaving Korea on the 11th of March at 10:30 am from Incheon Airport and arriving in Ho Chi Minh City(HCMC) at 1:50pm local time.

I'll settle down in my new place and start work from Monday 15th. I know it's going to be somewhat hectic but I am excited to go and experience new things. Living my whole youth in different countries I was always with my family.. but this time.. well, it's just going to be me. And I think, that's what scares me the most. Work, well, it's just teaching and that I can do. But, the only time I've been away by myself, the longest time I've been on my own was 6 months and even that was at a homestay.. so in a sense it doesn't really count.

I guess I've always wanted to step out of the safe zone but was frightened.. but now, I do have that chance SO, I guess I'll explore and see what 's really out there for me.

I'll try to update as much of my adventure in Ho Chi Minh and keep you all updated.

I am all packed but.. there are still so many things to take care of!

Through Trial and Error

2010-03-01T18:17:00.001+09:00

so here I am trying to re-decorate my blog and I've been trying to add tabs and new pages.. NOT knowing that BLOGGER had their own pages available and tabs.. I searched madly through googles on 'How tos' and found it and been editing all day today and partly yesterday.. and guess what...!!! It was all for NOTHING..(well, not really nothing.. because I did learn how to add new tabs and whatnot.. not really useful anymore..) Now, I'm trying to change my bland design.. change the background and make it more appealing.. I don't know how I'm going to go about this.. and I have no idea on any designs yet.. but I'm going to search first and get my facts right before I actually apply it on here... or not. I'm more do it first and research it while you go along than research, research, research and do it perfectly. I don't know what's better.. or maybe there's no such thing as better.. but as long as I'm getting the end-result to my satisfaction, that should do right?

k...

need to do more thinking and designing on the blog..

see, I can do this now.. but I'm pretty sure I'll be all in chaos when I fly over to Vietnam..
I'm gettting really nervous 'cus I still don't have my tickets in my hand.. but they did tell me the flight will be latest the 9th or the 10th.. but me, I need to see the tickets!!! THEN I'll be saying "yes, I'm really going"

Right now I'm just a nervous reck trying to figure out my blog and leaving Korea after 12 years.. YIKES!!!

Getting Ready!

2010-02-17T13:07:00.001+09:00

So I finally met my boss-to-be and asked a bunch of question that I could think of, though I don't think it was everything that I wanted to ask.

One thing that I found out was that I am not going to HANOI but to HO CHI MIN. I don't know how I could have gotten confused. But I guess my eyes must have played some tricks on me and just read it wrong. Anyhow, after talking to him we set on a rough date (AGAIN) and my departure date has been pushed back to the first week of March. Though it's a relief that it's been delayed since I do have a lot of things to take care of before I leave.. I am somewhat unsettled because I feel nervous when things are wishy-washy. But I am happy that I got to actually meet the people I'll work with and confirm that they are not a scam ;)

So, I'll be able to attend another book meeting though I have not read it :( I will try to read as much before the meeting. :D

PACKING!!! Gosh, this is the most terrifying things since I am only packing for a year, for now. And I don't want to take EVERYTHING but there are some books(teaching materials) that do need to be going.. those I'll probably ship but still it's a lot and I wish I could just leave most of it behind.. oh, well.. we'll see how things go..

My room looks like it's been bombed and feels like a refugee center.. :( I'm hoping I'll be done packing within next week.

Wish me luck!!!

Happy to Announce!!!

2010-01-25T17:14:00.000+09:00

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!
I can't really begin to explain how excited I am.

Okay, so here's what happened, I was reading The Painted Veil just lying down lazily and didn't think that they'd get back to me on Monday, I mean they did say they'll get back to me early this week but that could be Tuesday or even Wednesday.. anyways, so, not really expecting to get any news from them I opened up my mail account and there it was a new mail from them!!!

I was afraid to open it but knowing what's written is not going to magically change.. I clicked on it and there was a mail that looked very familiar.. yup, not the new message.. just a previous one, the thread was opened so closing that there was the new message.. Usually, if you read the western version of 'you got the job' or 'sorry maybe next time' you'll know which one you are right away just by reading the first line BUT this is an oriental version so.. had to read the general info saying 'Total of 20 people applied to our school and after sending out the interview questions only 4 responded with their answers. Among the 4 yours highly scored in accuracy, effort and sincerity...' and SO.. yes, I sent them a reply mail asking them a bunch of questions like the working hours, how many teachers/students there are.. etcetera.. etcetra

They gave me a choice either to start before the Lunar New Year Holidays or after but since I want to get the feel of the place I told them that I'll start before the holiday.

Though I am excited to go.. I still am sad about leaving.. I know I'm not leaving for good but you know what I mean.

Thank you everyone who wished me good luck..
and Thank you Kristen and Peter for staying up late to help me out with the questions..
I can't tell you how nervous I was about it.. even though I knew they some of them were right.. I began to doubt myself and that was endless.. So, thank you both, I really appreciate it.. and love you both!

XOXO
Veronica

Fingers Crossed!!!

2010-01-24T00:55:00.001+09:00

Yes, the past few weeks I've been applying for some new jobs and getting calls of p/t, f/t. all types of jobs: some I liked, some I didn't and some I wasn't sure of.. But I did find something that really peeked my interest... a job teaching in Hanoi, Vietnam.. I finally got an answer from them on Thursday with an attached file of questions since they couldn't interview me in person they wanted me to answer them and send it to them.. which I did send yesterday :)

Yes, it's done and sent and I got a mail saying that they'll get back to me with the result sometime early next week.. I do hope this is something that I do get a chance at.. I do need a new start and I do need to do that soon because even though I am liking all the time off... this girl can't really live off of her savings when she needs to be saving up. AND doing it in a totally different country that I've never been to, I think, would be a good change despite I'd hate to leave all my friends and my beloved book club behind.. which I did consider before applying and which was what I was hesitant about applying.. but then, I did think logically and realistically and thought of myself, which is also one of my resolution: to think of myself first before others.. to be a little more selfish, and the conclusion was that I need to make a change for myself. Even if that means it's leaving my family and friends behind.. I have all these things I want to do.. and learn and I don't know where my path will take me for now.. but though that uncertainty scares the hell out of me I am taking it much better than before..

I guess that's what's growing up is all about.. I've always been living in this secure pond where my parents were always there to look after me.. though I am independent I have never left that pond.. and I think it's about time to detach myself and move on to a bigger pond or explore the ocean. I think I've always been scared but it's that time where I know I need to step out of that.. which does tell me that I've grown a little more than last year..

I know there's a change that I will not get this job.. though I'm wishing and hoping for the best and I do have all my positive thoughts and hopes up.. There's always a chance of the opposite.. and if that's what happens.. I know I'll be all bummed out about it but I know I'll get over it.. and find a better opportunity..
So, friends and fellow bloggers.. wish me LUCK!
AND I'll keep you updated on what happens.. Have a great weekend!

The Sequel to Child 44

2010-01-20T21:45:00.003+09:00

It's been out for sometime now but I'm getting around to posting it only now..
Tom Rob Smith a brilliant British writer who wrote his debut book Child 44, which I just LOVED, by the way, has another book out and I did find out it was a sequel to Child 44. It's called The Secret Speech and got 3½ stars in bookmarks magazine.
THE STORY : It is 1956, and a more broad-minded Russia has emerged from the tumultuous days following Stalin's death, prompting his former opponents - the secret police, judges, and others who carried out his orders - to bay for the blood of his collaborators. Guilt-ridden Ministry of State Security agent Leo Demidov, appointed to a special homicide unit after tracking down a serial killer in Child 44, seeks solace in his family, including his long-suffering wife Raisa and adopted daughters Zoya and Elena, but someone has other plans for him. When fellow agents begin turning up dead, the Kremlin turns a blind eye, and Leo finds himself at the center of a dark and twisted plot for revenge.
(excerpt from bookmark magazine Sept/Oct 2009 ed.)

I don't think it's in Korea yet.. hopefully it'll be imported soon :)

OH! and I hear that Child 44 will be out in theatres soon directed by Ridley Scott.

Percy Jackson on Screen!!!

2010-01-19T13:28:00.003+09:00

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief

Percy Jackson Movie Official Site

The one that we read for book club.. it's coming to theatres in February!! by looking at the trailer it looks like a good kid's fantasy movie..

Night by Elie Wiesel

2010-01-18T17:46:00.002+09:00

Title: Night

Author: Elie Wiesel

Genre: Autobiography

ISBN:0-553-27253-5

Publisher: Bantam Books

Pages: 109

Rating: ★★★★★

started: Jan. 10th, 2010

finished: Jan. 17th, 2010

This is a memoir of Elie Wiesel, when he was 14 years old, his experience of the concentration camp how he survived the days, his wavering faith and loosing faith, his connection to his father, and the morales of people told through his eyes.

I like reading books concerning the German occupation period. It always amazes me how people back then had such strength and hope, even though they were in an unbelievably devastating situation. Personally, if I had to live through that period I don't think I would have survived. Even the choice of death, I don't think I'm brave enough to make that choice. Though it is a dark part of our history, I believe that through those stories we learn and are able to become better.

2010 Resolution

2010-01-18T17:28:00.002+09:00

2009 was not a good year for reading.. neither was 2008..

I can't remember how many books I've read and what I read and I wasn't really keeping track either.

Though this year... 2010 is going to be different.. I think it's high time I pulled myself together..

I thought I did but I guess I didn't. 2008 was the year I got to find out my dad had severe cancer.. 2009 is when he passed away... it has been rough but I know I'll be okay.. and I know he's in a better place..

I recently took a trip alone to the Philippines, to Boracay.. and it was my first trip alone and my very first trip to just relax.. no touring just sitting or lying on the beach reading.. or not.. and I think it did me good. I did get to have me-time and had time to think and not think ;) to think of the past and reflect myself and think of the future and which road I may choose.. though I did learn through time that making plans is not always the best thing to do.. but you do need a road map that will guide you along..

so here's my 2010 resolution.

1. Be Me : yes, it's very vague but it totally explains everything at the same time.. I think I was too busy working, too busy worrying and didn't really have time to take care of myself. So, this year is going to be all about being me. I'm going to be a little bit selfish and take care of myself better and try to express more and share the burden and not take it up all upon my shoulders. And hopefully, result in being HAPPY and HEALTHY and being ME.

2. READ & WRITE : Reading and writing is something that I LOVE to do and it has been ever since I was little. Always carrying a book where ever I go and keeping a journal.. that was me.. but when things started to get rough and busy I think I let go of that part.. which I regret, but regretting is not the solution so I'm going to move and get back on the track this year. Reading 50 books this year is my goal but I do have high hopes for more than that and writing reviews on all of them!!!

3. Learn SALSA : This has been on my mind for a long time.. learning not just salsa but dancing.. I learned ballet as a kid and loved dancing ever since.. so I'm going to try to learn salsa this year.

4. Keeping HEALTHY : I managed to loose 17kg last year, I thought I'd never manage but I did and am very proud of myself. I hope to loose 5~8kg more this year and keep it that way.

5. SAVE up : there are things that I've been wanting to do.. especially go back to school so I hope to save up as much as possible at least $10,000 at the end of this year.

I hope there will be a lot of exciting and new changes this year for me and everyone I love!

2010 Resolution for BookLeaves

2010-01-17T21:47:00.000+09:00

Hey guys!
well, I'd like to talk about 2010 Resolution for our book club..

1. Introduce Bookleaves to bookmarks magazine
2. get more members
3. have great meetings (we always do, but it's still gonna be on the list)
4. have more social outings (like watching movies or going to place..)
5. Keep it running for ever and ever!

if you have more to add.. you're most welcome..
and also write what you expect of our book club!
Also PLEASE help me with introducing our book club..
Some of the questions are...

-How did your group get started?
-How would you describe your group?
-How does your group operate?
-How do you decide which books to read?
-What are some of the group's favorite books?
-What are some of the least popular books you have read?
-What advice do you have for other groups?
-What books have you read?

If you have any suggestions please feel free to write it down... and i'll edit it with my own.. of course I'll show it to everyone before send it in ;)

1st meeting of 2010: Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

2010-01-10T14:55:00.000+09:00

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

Written by a South African-born author who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003, this book was first published in 1999 and won the Booker Prize in 1999. Disgrace was also made into a movie and won the International Critic's Award in Toronto Film Festival in 2008.

Summary: Disgrace is the story of a South African professor of English descent who loses everything: his reputation, his job, his peace of mind, his good looks, his dreams of artistic success, and finally even his ability to protect his cherished daughter.The novel tells the story of David Lurie, twice-divorced and dissatisfied with his job as a Communications professor, teaching one specialized class in Romantic literature at a technical university in Cape Town in post-apartheid South Africa. His "disgrace" comes when he seduces one of his students and he does nothing to protect himself from its consequences. Lurie was working on Lord Byron at the time of his disgrace, and "the irony is that he comes to grief from an escapade that Byron would have thought distinctly timid."^[2] He is dismissed from his teaching position, after which he takes refuge on his daughter's farm in the Eastern Cape. For a time, his daughter's influence and natural rhythms of the farm promise to harmonise his discordant life. But the balance of power in the country is shifting. Shortly after becoming comfortable with rural life, he is forced to come to terms with the aftermath of an attack on the farm in which his daughter is raped and impregnated and he is violently assaulted. In Disgrace, those who feel disgraced are also those who are punished. [from Wikipedia]

January 10th, 2010, 1pm
attendees: Susan, Sandra, Shanna, Bernadette, Jill, and Veronica
main discussion: Why didn't he fight for himself? Why did he just give up on his life?
How did losing his privilege affect him? Did losing his place as an academic, his white privilege, his good looks give him some sense of humility, or does he just fight against it? How is Lurie's story also the story of post-apartheid S. Africa?

Oh.. thy name is Temptation..

2010-01-01T00:41:00.007+09:00

I went out to meet a friend who's came back to Korea for a visit from Japan and buy 'The Painted Veil" by Maugham Somerset. Yes, I went to Kyobo bookstore in Kangnam.. and what do you know.. 30% off on all the foreign books till today.. yup, it was there year end clearance sale and I could not resist but give in the temptation and buy.

Though, you do have that guilty conscience in one corner telling you 'You really shouldn't be spending more money since you've been on a vacation and did spend a lot of money. And besides, remember how many books are shelved at home that are waiting for your attention..' Yes, yes, I know... If I'd been more self-controlling around bookstores and keep my hands right by my sides and my eyes looking straight just searching for the book that I need I actually might have been able to buy the only one book that I came for and walked out..never look back.. no maybe a glance but with pride that I did not misbehave in anyway.... but ooooohhh I can't do that.. looking for 'The Painted Veil" my eyes wandered and searched for some books that I could get cheaper, I mean hey, they're having a sale!!! it's not everyday you get 30% off, right?

So, I piled up about 5 books before I actually saw "The Painted Veil" and by the time I found it well, actually as I found it my eyes were on 3 other books that I wanted.. YES!!! That excitement is actually 1/3 of finding the book that I was looking for and 2/3 for piling up the books that I've wanted ;) Excuse my enthusiasm.. but for the price of about 135,000won I got 10books of which one was actually a present for my sister, I think I got a good deal because without the discount it would have been about 194,000won. so I got about 2 books for free ;)

Here are the ones I got;

The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers
Say you're one of them by Uwem Akpan
The Character of Rain by Amelie Northomb
The Life of Hunger by Amelie Northomb
Sulphuric Acid by Amelie Northomb
The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton (present for sis)

and yes this year's resolution involves reading lots and lots of books, starting with these ;)

Revised List of my Children Book Reading List for Year 2009

2009-12-01T00:39:00.003+09:00

Yup crossed those out that I've done reading.. and I've added new ones to it

~~Freckle Juice by Judy Blume (Yearling, 47pgs)~~
Fudge-A-Mania by Judy Blume (Berkely, 166pgs)
~~Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith (Puffin, 93pgs)~~
~~The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl [Ill. by Quentin Blake] (Puffin, 63pgs)~~
The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl [Ill. by Quentin Blake] (Puffin, 42pgs)
Esio Trot by Roald Dahl [Ill. by Quentin Blake] (Puffin, 63pgs)
George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl [Ill. by Quentin Blake] (Puffin, 89pgs)
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl [Ill. by Quentin Blake] (Puffin, 81pgs)
Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary (HarperTrophy, 165pgs)
Mr.Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater(Little Brown, 139pgs)
Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell (Yearling, 137pgs)
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (Yearling, 184pgs)
Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright (Square Fish, 136pgs)
Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff (Yearling, 180pgs)
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (HarperTrophy, 186pgs)
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes [Ill. by Louis Slobodkin] (Harcourt, 80pgs)
Nate the Great on the Owl Express by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat & Mitchell Sharmat(Yearling, 27pgs)
~~The Zack Files: Evil Queen Tut and the Great Ant Pyramids by Dan Greenburg (Grosset&Dunlap,59pgs)~~
Frindle by Andrew Clements (Aladdin, 105pgs)
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman [Ill. by Peter Sis](Scholastic, 89pgs)
On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer (Yearling, 90pgs)
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh (Aladdin, 60pgs)
~~A Catwings Tale: Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin [Ill. by S.D. Schindler] (Scholastic, 48pgs)~~
Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry (Scholastic, 92pgs)
Dogsong by Gary Paulsen (Simon Pulse, 181pgs)
Abel's Island by William Steig (Square Fish, 119pgs)
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner [Ill. by Greg Hargreaves](HarperTrophy, 83pgs)

I Can Read Series, Oxford Bookworms Series, some other chapter books & children story books

(I was debating whether to put this up or not.. but then again even though it may be abridged.. it's still a book, right?)

~~The 18 Penny Goose By Sally M. Walker [pictures by Ellen Beier] (Lv. 3 HarperTrophy, 62pgs)~~
~~The Case of the Hungry Stranger by Crosby Bonsall (Lv.2 HarperTrophy, 64pgs)~~
~~The Witches of Pendle by Rowena Akinyemi (Lv.1 Oxford, 40pgs)~~
~~Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp by Shahrazad - Retold by Judith Dean (Lv.1 Oxford, 41pgs)~~
~~Ruby the Coppycat by Peggy Rathmann (Scholastic, 30pgs)~~
~~The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop & Kurt Wiese (PaperStar, 50pgs)~~
In a Dark, Dark Room and other Scary Stories - Retold by Alvin Schwartz (HarperTrophy, 63pgs)
George Washington and the General's Dong by Frank Murphy (Random House, 48pgs)
Next Spring an Oriole by Gloria Whelan (Random House, 60pgs)
A to Z Mysteries: The Haunted Hotel by Roy Ron [Ill. by John Steven Gurney] (Random House, 87pgs)
Cam Jansen: The Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds by David A. Adler (Puffin, 58pgs)

Children's book!!!

2009-11-26T16:01:00.004+09:00

Since I'm having a hardtime reading books.. thought I'd read a bunch of children's book.. why not? right? Anyhow, finished reading Judy Blume's Freckle Juice yesterday.. only took about 30mins. ;) well, it is a tiny little book.. so here are the list of children's book that I plan to read and finish by the end of this year.. only have about a little over a month left..

Freckle Juice by Judy Blume (Yearling, 47pgs)
Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith (Puffin, 93pgs)
The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl (Puffin, 63pgs)
Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary (HarperTrophy, 165pgs)
Mr.Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater(Little Brown, 139pgs)
Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell (Yearling, 137pgs)
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (Yearling, 184pgs)
Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright (Square Fish, 136pgs)
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes [ill. by Louis Slobodkin](Harcourt, 80pgs)
The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl (Puffin, 42pgs)
Nate the Great on the Owl Express by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat & Mitchell Sharmat(Yearling, 27pgs)
The Zack Files: Evil Queen Tut and the Great Ant Pyramids by Dan Greenburg (Grosset&Dunlap,59pgs)
Frindle by Andrew Clements (Aladdin, 105pgs)

this is it for now

July 19th Meeting

2009-07-21T09:56:00.004+09:00

BLUE BLOODS by Melissa De La Cruz

Hey guys.. Our last meeting was just Dana and me.. =(

we didn't reallyl like the book.. though we wanted other opinions but there wasn't anyone to give..

Anyhoo... My opinion of this book is..

I thought it approached the whole vamp story from a very different perspective..now that was brilliant.. but.. well, other than that it was really badly written..

I was able to read it in 2 days and yes it's an easy read.. but 2/3rd of the words were to do with fashion..

And to tell the truth.. I'm not a fashion gal... not really into it.. I wear anything and everything that looks pretty or good on me.. and don't really care about the labels.. but this author kept on going and going about what the characters are wearing that I got confused whether I was reading a fashion magazine review on what the hollywood stars wore or an actual fiction book that was supposed to be about vampires.

the BIG 3-0!

2009-07-12T22:35:00.006+09:00

so my pre-birthday started on Saturday, July 11th at 8AM: woke up, got ready and the whole family went to Samsung-dong for a BIG lunch. We went shopping at Hyundai department store afterwards until it was time to meet my friends in Kangnam at 7PM.

Once again this year I reserved Pasha.. I can't seem to find another great place to have a birthday dinner.. though it was a great place ;)

So, dinner and itaewon.. and yes, it was a night to remember.. I don't think I had that much fun for some time now.. It was great to really enjoy, meet people and simply have a great time.

And yes, I did get confirmed today.. I think I went without sleep for 40 hours (except, for a quick 1,2 hour rest) When I got home after all the planned and unplanned events, I think I passed out.. for about 4 hours.. and I just woke up, which by the way is NOT good at all, since I do need to wake up early tomorrow.. Yes, I did not forget that it's a Monday. And yes, I do work.. ;)

Thank you Kris, Mitzi, Emma, Peter, Mike, Rick, Bob, and everyone else I forgot to mention. Love you all!!

And most of all thank you sis for always being the *BIG*sister and looking out for me even though you're younger. Mom, I can't even start to say how thankful and greatful I am for getting me into this world in the first place and for your endless LOVE. I LOVE YOU both immensely.
Dad, I miss you SO MUCH, I know you're in a better place and I know you'll always look out for me.. There isn't a day that I don't think of you.. you're always be in my heart and I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

They say the thirties is the new twenties so let's see how that'll be for me ;)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! =)

Okay, now I REALLY do need my sleep.. I did get up after sleeping about 4 hours just to write this..

1st to Die by James Patterson

2009-07-06T15:02:00.005+09:00

TITLE: 1st To Die
AUTHOR: James Patterson
PAPERBACK: 456pages.

started: July 1st, 2009
finished: July 6th, 2009

Ok.. this is my very first series of The Women's Murder Club..

This is a page turner, and if you're into suspence and murder mystery then this you'll like.

The twist at the end was totally unexpected.
It's intense to begin with and the intensity of the story doesn't loosen up..

We do have good cop story mixed with love and romance in the middle.. a bit girlish some might say..

Though the story does end with some tragedy, they do close the case..

I saw the TV series, well, all of the ones that they've made...
and it does have a different basic plot line and where in the TV series 3 of them are already good friends and one joins in.. in the book only Claire and Lindsay are good friends and when Cindy becomes a friend, they make it into a club and have Jill join in later...

They way James Patterson laid out the foundation of the plot line couldn't have been better..

I did enjoy how the sotry was being built up.. and I can't wait for the second one, though I will take a break because I have another book that I wanted to read before end of this month: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. And it's soon to be in the cinema's.. so it would be nice to have read it and then see it.. ;)

Reading Frenzy

2009-07-01T14:31:00.003+09:00

I finished Blue Blood last night.. and I'll hold off the review till we have our meeting on July 19th..
I'm pretty sure that I'll get the second one and read it once I finish my "1st to Die" by James Patterson. It's been on my TBR list for some time now.. well, there are loads of books on my TBR list. I know I've been behind on my readings.. blogging, and writing.. and tons of other things.. but it's time I caught up with some of it, if not all... So, I'm trying to get as many books read as possible..

Hence, the reading frenzy~

So, let's see how many books I can get through per month and then at the end of the year. ;)

June 28th Meeting

2009-06-29T14:23:00.006+09:00

CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith

This book is a page turner... there were some times where I thought something was amiss.. but still it is a great thriller, nonetheless.

It took me on and off about 2weeks to finish it... yes, if you do have the time just for reading you'll probably be able to finish it in 2 days.. or if you're a fast reader.. even less. It's about 400 pages long or more I can't remember the exact number of pages.. but that's not really important.

Our meeting took place at our hangout "Take Urban" same time.. and there weren't many of us since Sandra and Susan were out of town.. WE MISS YOU GUYS!!! Mitzi, you're greatly missed, too.

So, there was Dana, Rebecca, Bernadette, and me.. just us 4 girls.. we had a little chit-chat about the book and after our little discussion we headed to the bookstore to pick out our next book.. and we did have some trouble choosing what to read.. but we did come up with the next 2 books. Our next book, for July 19th, is Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz. And our next one after that is called The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and we don't really have a date set for that one yet.. but we'll come up with one..

Hope you all have a great week.. Happy reading everyone!

June 14th Meeting @ Sanbon

2009-06-24T18:12:00.004+09:00

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

And to fit the occasion, we had a picnic style meeting which was perfect~!
We all met up at Sanbon station, got some food from E-mart and headed up to the foot of the mountain... I brought the mat and we settled down in a very quiet place.
It was different from our other meetings because there weren't much people around and less noise (practically no noise). Cool mountain air and terrific scent of nature.. it was very relaxing.
We had a wonderful discussion. Wish you were there~

Change...

2009-06-23T18:12:00.003+09:00

2009 is, well, it's not one of the best years I've had..
but it is a year that does give me the opportunity to look at things in a different perspective.
I haven't really been myself lately.. though that itself is a very confusing statement.
I feel like I'm in a whirlpool struggling to get out but the current is too strong.
Yes, there is progress.. time to time, I feel myself surfacing but then there is that pull that sucks you right back in and you're back to where you started.. it feels like it's never strong enough.
I'm not really rushing myself.. but I do know I need to straighten things out soon..

Losing someone you love is never easy...
It feels so surreal and that feeling doesn't seem to go away..
I try to busy myself and tell myself that there are things that needs to be done..
but to actually get around to doing it seems hard..
Nothings seems right.. and reality isn't reality any longer..

a new start.. a new beginning

2009-05-10T12:40:00.007+09:00

Starting Monday, I'll be working at a new job.

It's a fulltime thing and I'll be working from 9am till 6pm like normal people.. none of that evening classes, staying up till 3/4 in the morning and waking up at noonish business..

I've taught English in Korea ever sine I got here.. and that's a long time this was my 12th year teaching. I did start from tutoring going to companies to lecture and teaching at hakwons.. I do love teaching and it's a great job but I do believe anyone can get really sick and tired of their job once in awhile.. for me, the cycle seemed to be 3 years.. well, it also is true for living in Korea.. I don't know if it's just Korea because I haven't really lived in one place over 3 years till now... Maybe that's why I get those anxious, jitty feeling around 3 years time and am eager to just pack up and leave.. but because you need to earn your living and bring home the bread.. it's a different story.

Well, I'm taking a break in teaching and will try something different. It's still related to teaching, though. I'll be recruting teachers and hopefully it will not be a bore. I am nervous of how I'll adapt to it, though I do get used to things pretty quick.

Oh, and for the occasion.. I did some cleaning, it's not really to my satisfactory but I reorganized my shelves and my room and I think (and hope) am ready for Monday.

I GOT IT!!!

2009-05-10T11:42:00.004+09:00

something that's been on my mind for sooooooooo long..

a nice confy sofa.. though to buy an actual sofa(/recliner) is somewhat pricy..

so the alternative was the beany... you know the round big thing that we all so loved..

I looked everywhere.. searched on the web.. and no luck.

but last year I finally did find something similar to what I wanted.. however, it wasn't the time.. and my room was too small to put such a big thing in.. and still hadn't really organized it after putting in the shelf.. =( I know, I've been lazy.. but, I wasn't really in the state of mind to do anything, so there, there's my excuse...

anyhow, I ordered it I think on May3rd and got it on the 6th.. really quick, huh?

and this is what it looks like...

It is REALLY comfortable.. a bit expensive but I think it was worth it...

MAKEOVER!!!

2009-05-01T08:17:00.004+09:00

Since I was merging two of my blogs, I thought I'd do a make over.
It's nothing fancy... I just made it simpler, bigger, and changed some colors around.
Originally, I wanted to go with a brown background to give it a softer look.. but couldn't find the shade of brown that I wanted from the color code so this is the end result.

I think it still has a warmth to it so, there.

Hopefully, I'll be able to keep it up and maintain it regularly...
Things are beginning to look better...

Merge

2009-05-01T05:42:00.002+09:00

trying to keep up with several blog is, well, not an easy task..
So, I've decided that it's time for me to concentrate on one thing.

Thanks to blogger's great - well, how should I say this - system/service, I was able to export then, import all my postings from my other blog which I used it to scribble personal stuff into this one.. It was very easy to do.. several clicks and all the postings were copied into this one.. and I could even select the ones I wanted to post(though, I didn't want to loose anything so I posted all of it)

Anyhow, I'm planning to use this site mainly for reviews on books and movies.. but also to post things about myself. I did want it to be all separate.. but that's just too much work.. and time which I don't have.. so there it is... a merge.. and that's that! =)

Besides, it's easier to visit one site rather than two, right?

...

2009-05-01T05:21:00.000+09:00

written on a notepad.. April 06, 2008 - 01:13 AM

Night and Day merges to one and time just seem to fade away.
Floating in space and time without destination.
Seconds, minutes, and hours just undistinguishable.
Like being stuck in a room full of clocks and watches that are all pointing in their own different directions.
Like visiting the clock smith and seeing all those watches he’s trying to fix.

The fear of being lost and fear of inability to find the way just sucks me into this tiny room where I can barely breathe. All these ticking sound pushing, rushing, ushering me to be quick. And me just standing there, just pacing back and forth unable to make a decision. So, the problem…
Yes, it feels like I’m stuck in that tunnel again.. that I keep coming back to.. and that tunnel is like a shape shifter who changes its shape every single time as it sees fit – preventing me from escape… freedom.

So, it’s that tunnel again..
that hopeless feeling just flooding back…

Look at what my dog did!!! =(

2009-02-24T05:01:00.000+09:00

yup...

that's the one right below...

I came home today..

and she was waiting for me with that...

I was just shocked..

and I couldn't even scold her..

Well, hoping that she'd be a good girl and leave the puzzles in one piece was, I guess, my utmost mistake..

Anyhow, I'm just going to have to start it all over AGAIN!!!

But, before I do, I'm thinking I'll do it after I've done another piece I've bought..

so, I'm going to give a short break.. and when I'm done with the new one.. I'll start all over again..

This time she won't mess it up *fingers crossed*

trying not to think..

2009-02-18T20:08:00.000+09:00

This is what I've been doing for the past few days now..

I'm back in the mojo of jigsaw puzzles again!! The one I'm doing right now is by Leonardo Da Vinci, called "Head of a young woman with Tousled hair". It's all shiny so it kinda makes it hard to match or even figure out which part is which but.. it's worth it..

It keeps your mind off things for awhile..

and.. I think I'm totally obsessed in finishing it soon.. since I have a bet going on with a friend.. that makes it even more exciting.. ;)

He thinks I can't finish it within this month and I say I can..

If I DO finish it then he's going to buy me another puzzle of my choice.. and if I don't then I'll buy him a puzzle of his choice, complete it and give it to him in a frame..

So that's the bet.

I'll let you know how it turns out when I'm done... AND whether I won the bet or not. ;)

Twilight Saga

2009-02-17T04:48:00.000+09:00

I still haven't seen the internationally famous "Twilight". However, I
just finished reading it and am on to the next one "New Moon".

I tried to read but nothing seemed to hold my attention during this
crisis I'm going through. I just couldn't read or concentrate on any
of the words until I decided to buy "Twilight", which I've been
trying to hold off for some time.

Anyway, It did grab my attention while I was shopping for a book for a
student. I was about to just pass by but my book-loving part took
control (I think)... grabed the book and went straight to the counter.

I'm glad I did get it because I was getting afraid that I wouldn't be
able to read anything for some time. It was nice to be distracted by a
high-teen novel and just me able to enjoy it: imagining and just being
consumed by it.

I can't compare the novel with the movie yet since I haven't seen it..
However I do feel that it is an easy-read and something you might want
to read if nothing else just seems to be interesting. Oh, but if
you're not that into vampire stories then you might want to skip it
cus it IS about vampires.

I'm half way into "New Moon". It still is a bit difficult to
concentrate but the fact that I am reading something is more
important. I'm hoping to finish the second book of the four and
hopefully I'll be able to start the third one: Eclipse.

Numb

2009-02-11T18:14:00.000+09:00

Last year and this year has been very difficult for me and it still is
difficult to cope. And it's been extra hard to read anything though I
do love to read. I know I used to read to get rid of the strain and it
used to relieve me of stress, allow me to escape from reality, and
live in the literary or imaginary world. However, the numbness that I
feel lately seems to block all that. Dad's not duing so well. It's
been 10months since he's been diagnosed. The doctor did say a year but
what I didn't realize was how short that year would be. He's been
hospitalized now and it's been 2 months Mom's been spending her time
with Dad. She's tired, he's tired we're all tired.... The numbness
just won't go away.. We're breathing, living everyday as if nothing's
wrong but the truth is that nothing's right.. It never will be.. And I
think I'm finally begining to realize that. That everything has
changed...

Autumn

2008-09-28T11:41:00.000+09:00

It's nearly the end of September and the weather finally started to turn cooler.

Today's weather is exceptionally great! I love this cool breeze, bit chilly but not too cold so that it'll make you think of having to want to wear a thicker coat.

The air, though it may be polluted, feels fresh and keeps you alert. It's those kind of weather where you want to go for a long walk, just go to places here and there without any destination.

Yes, it'd be nice but I do have my day planned out ahead of me and it's pretty packed..

It's one of those days..

one of my favorite days..

and I even though it's relieving, I am overwhelmed by the pressure of work that needs to be done.

ARRGGGGGG!!!!!

Metamorphosis

2008-09-25T15:29:00.000+09:00

In our life time we probably encounter a variety of changes, whether it may be small or big... We go through those transformations and we have our own ways of dealing it. Some may like it and enjoy it, others may abhor it and try to avoid it as much as possible..

Me, well, I think I'm more of the former kind. Routine work just isn't really cut out for me.

I can feel myself wanting the change but that doesn't mean I don't have any fear of experiencing the change.. life is about changes and challenges, and what comes in between.

I do believe that I know how to adapt to those and I'm pretty quick at it too.. though the latest changes I've been experiencing doesn't seem like the ones that I'd like to be involved in.

I know there are many adjustments to be made and there are equally as many decisions to be decided on.. however, I don't want to be haste since I don't want to be stepping into something that I'll regret.

New Shelf! It's about time!

2008-09-07T22:59:00.003+09:00

Ok, so there still needs to be more organizing.. but bare with me for now... I will get on it as soon as I can.. and yes I'll have that book list ready =)

Before

After

and our baby in one of the shelf =)

I assure you that she was not harmed!!!

DILEMA!!!

2008-09-07T22:03:00.003+09:00

HELP!
I've been wanting to do this for some time now.. but suddenly I realized I have a CHOICE!!!
and THAT is not good...
Yes, I know, it's a happy dilema.. but still a dilema nonetheless...
Well, I don't want you to be saying what in the world is she talking about so, here it is...

I'm a Jane Austen fan... and you can absolutely say that I practically am an English Lit. major because of it. (and.. yes, Shakespeare and several others did help me decide I wanted to become and Eng. lit. major.. but Austen did the most) So, I've been trying to buy this set for some time now, but I realized that there are different ones.. DUH! I should have known... many publishers... equals different verions of the same book.. so here's the dilema.
WHICH should I buy?
I've seen the Collector's Library version at a bookstore and I liked it's gold edges, ribbon book mark and the tiny size where you can just fit it in just one hand.. I found an Oxford Illustrated version which I'm leaning towards more regardless of its price.. It has the complete work.. including her minor works... and it's in an old style font.. mind you I haven't seen the actual book, since I don't think bookstores here in Korea has it.. I do have to order it.. anyhow that's not the problem.. which do you think it's better?

PLEASE help me decide which one I should get.. though it'd be nice to have both.. I am trying to reduce some space my shelf is taking up...

Ok, final summary...
Collector's Library version has : very thin paper (almost see through), cloth-covered hardcover, gold edges, ribbon bookmark, small size (almost like the size it were in Austen period), 6 of her novels in separate books.

Oxford Illustrated version has : illustrations(I don't know how it is.. since I've never seen it), hardcover, made up of 6 volumes as well[V1=Sense and Sensibility. V2=Pride and Prejudice. V3=Minor Works (Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon). V4=Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. V5=Mansfield Park. V6=Emma], old typesetting

So which one do you think is better??

(the above image is the Oxford and below Collector's)

August 10th Meeting - The Tale of Despereaux

2008-08-16T00:53:00.007+09:00

Book : The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Attendee : Amber, Matt, Susan, Mitzi, Amy, & me.

Location : Sadang St. (line#2&4) Cafe Hobby

This meeting's book was a children's story and a very cute one at that.

I'd totally want to read it to my future children for bedtime story. The story unfolds with a mouse named Despereaux that was born different from other mice. He appreciates things that ordinary mice wouldn't and falls in love with a princess, the Pea. It is a mouse tale where he goes through obstacles to finally reach his ultimate dream. It's a story of a very brave and chivalrous mouse.

Universal Studio has made it in to an animation and by viewing the trailer it seems pretty good. It's coming out this Christmas.. you might want to check it out yourself.

http://www.thetaleofdespereauxmovie.com/

Isn't he just ADORABLE?! That's baby Despereaux.. when he was born with his eyes wide open.

Birthday!

2008-08-05T19:54:00.000+09:00

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

My 20-something birthday...
why does number matter? can't we just celebrate the day we were born? ;)

It's been a while since I had a birthday party.. I think maybe 2 years? anyhow, I had a great time with friends and family... though there were some that couldn't make it. It turned out to be a great dinner party. Thanks for coming!!!

Oh, and the cake, which was actually made by my sister's friend, was D-E-licious~!!! =)

May 2008

2008-06-20T13:30:00.000+09:00

May is a Month for Family in Korea.
It's a month full of days of celebration- children's day, parent's day, teacher's day, family day, etc.- but May for our family, in the year of 2008, it was not so much about celebrating. May 8th is Parent's day in Korea there isn't any Mother's day or Father's day but rather it's in one day,on that day we found out that my dad has cancer.

A day when we could be having a good time, we were struck down with an earth-shattering news. We were hopeful, hopeful that it wasn't so bad, hopeful that it was just the kidney and anywhere else, hopeful that there are 2 kidneys in a human body. However, there were more tests to be done and more results to be heard and the bad news became the worst.. and left our family speechless...

Renal Pelvis and Ureter Cancer

who knew? and how could we have known?

Yes, I heard of cancer, I heard of people having cancer, but I never in my life thought one of the people I love and treasure would...
Maybe somehow I thought we were immune to diseases that we were disconnected to the world of sick... that we were safe.. and there could be no harm done to my family. I couldn't have been SO wrong.

The hard part is not knowing about it... but actually acknowledging it. It's really hard to believe that the man who was so healthy, taking good care of his health, and making stupid jokes is not so healthy and high spirited anymore. Another difficult part is how to be yourself in all this. How to react, to deal, and to be.

I still have to figure that out... I feel that I'm moving in slow motion.. I feel numb and like an idiot next to him. I don't know what to do or say to make him feel better. I can't ask 'how are you?' because I know how much in pain he is, well, may be not actually know.. NO, I don't think I'll really know how painful it is just to sit, or lie down, or even to breathe.. I don't know his pain but I know it's painful. I don't want to remind him of the pain or remind him he's sick by asking such stupid questions; How are you feeling today? How the hell do you think it'll feel if you're sick and dying? I want him to be happy. I want him to be able to forget the pain he's in and be happy. But I don't know how to do that... I really don't and because of that I feel so useless..

What is Renal Pelvis and Ureter Cancer?

2008-06-20T13:27:00.000+09:00

Renal pelvis cancers are cancers that start in the middle of a kidney, where urine collects before going to the bladder. Ureter cancers start in one of the tubes that connect the kidney to the bladder. Cancer is a disease caused by a group of abnormal cells that grow and multiply without stopping. As these cells grow and multiply, they form a tumor or lump. The tumor cells replace the normal cells of the organ. Tumor cells crowd out the normal cells. This leaves fewer healthy cells to do the job of that organ. The tumor can also block passages that help the organ work. Tumor cells can grow from one organ into nearby tissues and other organs. They can also travel through the blood and lymph to other parts of the body and form more tumors. These tumors are called metastases.

Renal pelvis and ureter cancers start in the cells that line the inside of these structures. The lining tissue is made up of two types of cells, transitional cells and squamous cells. Most renal pelvis and ureter cancers start from transitional cells. Cancers that start from this type of cell are called, “transitional cell” cancers. Another name for renal pelvis and ureter cancer is urothelial cancer. Tumor cells grow in the lining tissue, and can invade through the layers of the renal pelvis or ureter, and spread to lymph nodes and other tissues nearby.

Renal pelvis and ureter cancers are not common cancers. When someone has one of these cancers, the person is also examined for tumors in the bladder. 30% to 50% of patients with cancer of the renal pelvis or ureter have or will have bladder cancer at some time.

the New Do!

2007-12-05T15:41:00.000+09:00

Okay.. got it done and here's a pic!
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You like....????

HOLIDAY!

2007-12-05T14:43:00.000+09:00

Yes! It is about time... so to speak.. i've been off work for about 5 days now.. it's been good.. I think I've done tons of stuff and my schedule has been crazy even though I wasn't working.
Anyhoo.. for the past several days.. I've been to Busan for 3 days driving down and up again.. did some touring and visited my sick grandpa (he seems to be doing much better, so that's a relief) Have been to the airport to meet someone and get some stuff.. met the same person again a day later.. and now I'm at a hair salon getting waiting for my turn to do my hair...
Thinking of cutting it.. I guess I'll post the before and after pic.. OR NOT!
I will, though, upload my new hairdo.. I think.. I really need to find some time to get things done.. I mean really..
My sweet holidays are soon to be over.. I have 2 days left including today.. darn!
Well, it was sweet while it lasted..
thinking of gettting back to swimming and maybe jogging.. but that, hm.. I'll have to think more of..
Why can't life be simple and relaxing? why does it have to be so complicating..
but I guess that's what makes it interesting..

I'm sitting in front of the comp at the salon and they're playing 'No Promises' by Shayne Ward..
It's GREAT!
Well, my turns up.. so I'll have to get going..
Ciao!

will try to update soon!

November 25th Meeting!

2007-11-28T04:30:00.000+09:00

Book : "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov
Attendees : Aaron, Liz, Susan, Catherine, Karen, & moi

Yes, couldn't finish it.. since I got my book about a week before the meeting..
and yes, I just can't stand the work load that my work is giving me.. I mean working there isn't that bad but it's the extra things that I have to do.. Anyhow, that's neither here nor there.

I think most of us didn't like it cus it was hard to get through. After all, it is a Russian literature. I'd have to actually sit down and read it 'cause I do want to read it. I read about 2 chapters or so.. but not more than that... I think it's for the best if I save it for later to finish it. I don't think I'll be reading it any soon..

I think I'm coming down with another flu, and it doesn't feel good at all. I'm so glad that I'll be on a week break starting Friday.. Oh, what a relief.

Women's Murder Club

2007-11-17T12:49:00.001+09:00

Ok.. So this is originally James Patterson's series and ABC just recently made a TV series. I watched about 5 episodes and it seems really interesting. So, I thought it'd be nice to get the original story and try reading it.

The series is about four women working together to solve homicide investigations : Lndsay Boxer(Angie Harmon), homicide detective, Jill Bernhardt(Laura Harris), young assistant district attorney, Claire Washburn (Paula Newsome), medical examiner, Cindy Thomas(Aubrey Dollar), newspaper reporter.

It will be a nice relaxing read. However, I'll have to put in a special order since some of them aren't in stores here.. And since I have plenty of books waiting for to be read.. I guess I'm not in any hurry. But it surely is going on my TBR list.

Hoorah! My books came!!!

2007-11-16T04:18:00.000+09:00

Yup... they just came!

I thought I'd try piling up some books that I really need to finish reading and the pile went up real high.. so the taller stack definitely needs to be read and be done with hopefully by this year but I'm guessing that won't happen so I'm thinking before the first half of next year.. (finger's crossed) and the shorter pile are the books that came today and that I bought recently on how to read... now why have I suddenly gotten in how to read... well, can't really answer that myself but it kind of did pop in my head. Yes, it'd definitely be nicer to be able to read a little bit faster. I'm not a fast reader nor am I slow- I would think I'm average when it comes to reading but I do get obsessed with my semi-perfectionist personality, that I would have to read every single line and understand every little detail before going further. So, may be, just may be, that's why there was sudden interest. I just hope they will help me in some way.

still waiting for my books to be delivered...

2007-11-10T23:52:00.000+09:00

=( so sad~~~~
I am still waiting for my copy of "The Master and the Margarita" to be delivered...
Hopefully I'll get them sometimes next week and still have some time to finish reading it.
Tomorrow I'll be doing nothing staying home and probably sleeping in and catching up on my reading
I might do some studying for the test I need to take since I won't be doing much...

"In Their Shoes" Challenge #2

2007-11-08T03:43:00.001+09:00

I think this is my complete list of "In Their Shoes" Challenge

1. "Enchantment:The Life of Audrey Hepburn" by Donald Spoto
2."Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert
3. "A Beautiful Mind:The Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash" by Sylvia Nasar
4. "Maria: My Own Story" by Maria von Trapp
5. "The Diary of a Youn girl" by Anne Frank
6. "Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese American Experience During and After the World War II Internment" by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston
James D. Houston
7."Princess" by Jean P. Sasson
8."Night" by Elie Wiesel
9."Catherine the Great" by Henry Troyat
10."Honeymoon with My Brother: A Memoir" by Franz Wisner
11."The Amityville Horror" by Jay Anson

November 5th Meeting!

2007-11-08T02:12:00.001+09:00

Book : "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer
Attendees : Liz, Susan, Catherine, Karen, & moi

The attendance was not really what I expected but oh well, it does happen.
I think we'll have more people join us on our next meeting. Seriously, for me it was really hard to get to the meeting since I wasn't feeling all myself that day. Still am a bit under the weather, really. Am feelling really fatigue and worn down. Anyhow, my report on the meeting....

Like I said and as we had promised we met at our usual meeting place, though Liz was so nice and went ahead to the Puffin Cafe and got us a nice big table. I was late, yes AGAIN, though this time it wasn't because I woke up late or was being lazy, though most of the time I'm not, anyway, since I wasn't feeling so good and my vision I guess kind of failed me I took the wrong bus and went in a totally different direction instead of where I was supposed to go. Now, if I had noticed it earlier I guess there might have been a chance for me to go back and get on the right bus, however, it was too late when I realized I was on the wrong bus and I had to take another bus, then go undergound which I don't enjoy too much lately and get to Kangnam Station.
Felt so bad because nobody at the coffee shop knew how to get to Puffin cafe and Liz was waiting for all of us to get there.
Be that as it may, we all got together in one piece and started to order our brunch and discuss about the book.

Owing to the fact that my weeks from late October (and it seems to me my hectic crazy schedue will continue to be so until the beginning of next year) has been so busy, yes I know it's a bad excuse but it is the truth, I could not finish reading the book. =(
I feel terrible. Though, I did get half way through. So, I'll be posting my review a bit later. Like I mentioned, I am a little bit preoccupied lately.

We did have a splendid discussion, I think.(I was abit out of it, but it was still good nonetheless) Sadly, we didn't have any discussion questions, (Should take into consideration that if we don't have any quesitons at the back of the book prepare before hand.. used to do that but forgot this time) Everybody seemed to like the book. Yes, I did too, though I'd like to save my review.

We stayed quite a long time can't remember till what time but we did spend couple of hours there. Then headed to Itaewon and went our own ways. Me, I had a concert to go to. It was the St. Marc Little Boys Choir, the boys who were in the movie 'The Chorus' (2005). It was a French movie and I think they were awarded something, can't quite remember what exactly though. I haven't seen the movie yet, but it is one of the movies that is on my list to watch.

The Concert was superb! The first song, don't know the name of it, made me weep. Ok, it does sound bad, huh? Well, I couldn't help it their voices were so angelic, so pure, and moving. It really touched the core of my heart, squeezed it and made me get goosebumps all over my body. Now, that was not because I was sick. It was really magnificient. They really touched me. And it wasn't just the first one that made me shed tears there were others.. maybe I'm just too sensitive but it was fabulous to go and listen to them sing.

Oh man, oh man, oh man!!!

2007-10-31T02:22:00.000+09:00

I'm totally swamped with the work load they are just pouring endlessly on top of all the teachers at the academy. Though, it is a relieve that we finally hired a new teacher so we are actually getting less hours this month, phew! But since we are changing the whole curriculum and getting a whole new students, there's a lot of work to be done. Consulting so many students, about three times a month. It's so overwhelming that I'm going crazy trying to figure out what day it is and when it was the last time I checked my email and went online to write something on my blog..

I still have to figure out the application that I need to fill out sometime soon.. and the test I need to take...
Damn!
I need to figure out something soon or I am going to go cuckoo!

"In the Company of the Courtesan" by Sarah Dunant

2007-10-15T22:56:00.000+09:00

Title: In the Company of the Courtesan
Author: Sarah Dunant
Publisher: Random House (Hardcover)
Page: 371

My Rating: 5

Finally finished reading this wonderful book! After reading her other book "The Birth of Venus" I knew this would be another wonderful story and yes, it turned out to be right. It was fantastic, I absolutely loved it!

It's a story taking place in 16th century (Renaissance), first in Rome then to Venice... this was an intriguing book since I haven't read any book, well at least to my knowledge, on courtesans. I think I have seen movies but that also could be a mix-up. Anyhow, loved how the story was outlined. I loved the two main characters though I have to say I loved the narrator much more. It had it's twist and turns.

A partnership that does go so well like needle and string, however they do have their ups and downs. And La Draga a very interesting character in the novel, it would have been very different without her part.

The language that is used in the book is somewhat confusing since sometimes it's a bit to modern and somewhat vulgar at times and it does make me wonder if they really did use such language back in those days.

However, all in all, it was an excellent book and I did love the story that she laid out for us to picture in our minds.

I'm actually thinking of getting her other books, I think it's the private investigator Hannah Wolfe series. We'll see about that.

Some excerpt from the book
"... the more successful they are, the greater the danger: for, once life is comfortable, there is nothing to fear, nothing to fight for. Which means in turn that there is nothing to look forward to. Which, in a strange way, can make one think more keenly of death and yearn for some way of standing out against it, some hunge for an extravagance of feeling bigger even than death itself."

"... all fever has exhilaration inside its delirium, and fire consumes more than it warms. In the end there will be only ashes..."

"It is not what you might find there that scares you. You are too clever to enjoy the contempt that is shown toward you here and your appetite is, I think, too big to be agraid of new things. No. I think it is the sadness of who you would leave behind that stops you."

October 14th Meeting!

2007-10-15T13:39:00.001+09:00

Book : "In the Company of the Courtesan" by Sarah Dunant
Attendees : Liz, Kasia, Susan, Aaron, Catherine, Karen, Maggie, & moi

We had an excellent meeting yesterday, even though there were people that didn't finish the book completely.
4 new members(Aaron, Catherine, Karen, & Maggie) joined us on that day and our discussions were very dynamic, also thanks to Liz reading out the discussion questions. Since this book was our last book we also decided upon our next few books and couple of dates to go along with it.

The books we've decided on for our next meeting, which will be held on November 4th, is "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. The next meeting after that will be on November 25th and the book we'll be discussing is "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov. And the book after that is "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. We haven't come up with a date for this book yet, but it will be sometime early December.

After the discussion we went down to Kyobo bookstore, did some book shopping and went to grab something to eat at Dos Tacos. It was a wonderful meeting and I hope everyone will show up on the next as well!

a day at "What the Book"

2007-10-10T01:35:00.000+09:00

October 3rd, 2007
I met up with Liz to have lunch at Buddha's Belly and after we satisfied our appetite we headed for 'What the Book'. Now, since I forgot to organize my books and sort out the ones that I didn't want and bring in for the trade.. I just went up and put our new ad up on the board!!! Whoopy! Doesn't it look great? Well, had to shift some ads around since the original ad was just a piece of paper from my notepad and it didn't take as much space as this one.. but it looked good..
Anyhow, you all should have seen the original. It was printed out on a glossy paper so it looked all professional. Hehe~
Well, So there it is.. whoever is interested in the club will hopefully see it and have the courage and enough interest to contact.

Delicious Library~!!!

2007-10-09T22:01:00.000+09:00

I have finally completed uploading my books on the computer. Yuppie!!!!
Yes, I bought this program called the 'Delicious Library' and scanned the bar codes of all the books I own.. (well, almost all of it) and organized it. It's just so superduper!
It really makes my work a whole lot easier... I had catalogued all the books that I owned on an excel file and somehow it got erased some while back. I was planning to do that again but since it was so time consuming I had to wait till I actually had the time to organize it.. now, I don't even have to bother but just scan the book and voila! it's already done!
Thank goodness for whoever thought of this the first time!

Back to WORK!

2007-10-09T21:57:00.000+09:00

Yikes!!!
My second day back to work.. and I'm so swamped!!!
They still weren't able to hire new teachers so we're the ones who take the burden.
It felt so great to be able to have the whole week to do things that I wanted to do and not care about the work.. but all that's done with and now it's time to get back to work..

Lots of work actually..
Damn.. these contact lenses are really bugging me.
It's giving me a major headache and I didn't bring my case and glasses with me.. =(

4 AM!!!

2007-10-03T04:09:00.000+09:00

and I'm still awake..
yup... I just can't seem to get to bed early..
seriously, how can I change this around so that I'll actually sleep a little earlier and get some more sleep.
Good thing it's a holiday tomorrow.. and good thing I have this whole week off to try change my time table around..

ok Really got to go and get some sleep...

being awake won't change anything!

"In Their Shoes" Challenge

2007-10-03T03:26:00.000+09:00

I got to know about this challenge called "In Their Shoes" through Bybee. It starts beginning of next year until the end of that year and the challenge is to make a list of books related to memoirs, biographies and autobiographies and read it.

It's something different to do.
And it's also a good thing since I don't read that much biographies unless it's absolutely necessary.
So I've been thinking about what to read.. which ones to choose.. Because I'm not a fast reader even though I'd definitely love to be one I think it's safe to choose between 5~10 books..

Here are some that I'm thinking of... (for now)
1. "Song of Survival" by Hellen Colijn
2."Jane Austen: Her Life and Letters" by William and Richard Austen-Leigh
3."Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert
4. "A Beautiful Mind:The Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash" by Sylvia Nasar
5. "Maria: My Own Story" by Maria von Trapp

I also want to read something on Audrey Hepburn but I can't choose which book to read... any suggestion?

2nd September 30th Meeting!

2007-09-30T16:02:00.001+09:00

Book: "Comfort Woman" by Nora Okja Keller
Attendees: Liz, Kasia, Susan, Leonie & moi

The meeting was held at the same place as usual with the usual members and a new member, Leonie. Welcome to the group, by the way. I was expecting more people to show but I guess they had other things to do. It was great to have the meeting just for the sake of meeting everyone, like always, plus we had a great discussion.

We first waited awhile for more people to show but no show so we started with our discussion.

I'm hoping that we'll have more people next time.

"Comfort Woman" by Nora Okja Keller

2007-09-30T11:51:00.001+09:00

"Comfort Woman" is a story about a mother(Akiko, aka Soon-Hyo) who has a past she wants to keep hidden from her daughter,Beccah(Baek-hab), their relationship, and their struggle to survive.

I liked how the author used different aspect of culture within the story. Even though I'm not that familiar with Korean folklores and the customs, while reading the book it reminded me of what my mother used to tell me when I was little. I remember my mother telling me about the story of the frog, which did everything the opposite, when I didn't obey or did what my mother told me to.

It reminded me of the time how my mother seemed so angry and in pain at the same time when she talked about her mother being so obsessed with the shaman belief because she had lost so many children through miscarriages and at childbirth. Furthermore, her first born daughter was mute and deaf, my mother almost died from a dreadful fever and my uncle, the youngest and the only son, suffered from polio and as a result was crippled. My grandmother, may her soul rest in peace, was told by a shaman that she would have no luck in raising a child, that she was destined not to have one at all, did everything she could possibly do to have children and raise them healthy. Hence, my mother had to live all kinds of shaman rituals performed in the house and was dragged from temple to temple giving offerings to the gods.

The love a mother has towards her children and how protective she can become is portrayed in this book.

The hard part of reading this book was me trying to figure out all the Korean words that were written in italics, trying to make sense of everything knowing Korean. Also, the topic being on comfort woman, it did have some disturbing imagery that you just couldn't blot out. She described the awful part very vividly and she does that in ther other book "Fox Girl" as well. "Fox Girl" is a story of a girl who becomes a prostitute in a military camp town in the 1960s.

A Week of Freedom

2007-09-29T22:59:00.000+09:00

Yes, I am really getting a week off from work.
But no, I won't be going anywhere.
Partly because I do need to save up and partly because there are plenty of things for me to do.
So many things to look into..

As I'm starting to actually form a plan..
well, it's still ain't that definite nor concrete but it's starting to form something.
And that is driving me to get things done.. which is good.

So, yes it'll be good to have a week off doing nothing but ME-stuff.
And actually not having to prepare for classes.
I'll be able to spend some quality time for myself!!

I've been Tagged....

2007-09-28T02:44:00.000+09:00

Well, after Susan's been tagged.. she tagged me.. so here goes my answers...

1. Hardcover or paperback, and why?
- Absolutely paperback! Hardcovers do look great on the shelf but since I read everywhere and sometimes carry around more than one book, I'd have to go with paperback.

2. If I were to own a book shop I would call it…
- I'm so bad with names... it took me ages to come up with the book club name(even had a friend helping out).. but if I were to name it, it would be "... with a cup of coffee..." just has a relaxing ring to it.. don't you think?

3. My favorite quote from a book (mention the title) is…
- Now, this is a difficult one... since I don't really take notes when I'm reading...

4. The author (alive or diseased) I would love to have lunch with would be ….
- Well, actually there are several authors that I'd like to have lunch with but if I were to pick one... um... well, I'd pick Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I would really like to as him what his inspiration to writing "The Shadow of the Wind" was, among other things.. and absolutely would have to ask him why he hadn't had any of his other books translated into English..

5. If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one book, except from the SAS survival guide, it would be…
- I really hate these kinds of questions.. couldn't I have the whole bookshelf delivered??!! OR!!! what about FEDEX!!! Anyhow, one book you said... so... um... a never-ending book...? Seriously, I think if I can just pick one it'd be "The Shadow of the Wind"

6. I would love someone to invent a bookish gadget that….
- Hey How about a gadget that sorts your bookshelves AND your data in your computer! Now that'd be FANTASTIC!!

7. The smell of an old book reminds me of….
- the library that I used to go to every weekend(and the occasional weekdays) during high school.

8. If I could be the lead character in a book (mention the title), it would be….
- I'd like to be Emma in Jane Austen's book "Emma" Not so much because of the character but because of the era.

9. The most overestimated book of all times is….
- The Bible.

10. I hate it when a book….
- starts and ends with not real point to it. It's just a waste of time for the reader AND the writer.

Hoorah!!! I've done it...now my victims...

TAG~! You're it!
- Anna Scrapbook
- Chitra the Tao of Chi
- Lia
- Liz
- Kasia
- Aisha

Well, since I don't know the blog of the last four.. I guess I'll let them know.. and have them write it up on their facebook or something.. =) OR on our group site!

1st September 16th Meeting

2007-09-16T23:53:00.000+09:00

Book: "You Remind Me of Me" by Dan Chaon
Attendees: Liz, Kasia, & moi (Susan, unfortunately, couldn't make it)

The process of getting there was so frustrating because the traffic was so bad and when I got off the bus to transfer to another one, I accidently got on the wrong one and ended up somewhere else totally and had to figure out to get to the meeting place.. But I did finally get there and it was so great to see Liz and Kasia already settled down. (Sorry for being almost an hour late ladies!!! will try to be punctual) After meeting the girls we went to Quiznos, the joint next door, to get a bite to eat. AND we followed our routine of going down to the bookstore and look at some books that were on the shelves... or should we say stacked...

Our meeting, even though there were only 3 of us, went nicely, I think we did have a good discussion.
We all finished the book (I did mostly and had to skim through the last bits..) but it was great. Liz seem to love the book, me, it ain't my favorite but it was a good read. I will definitely go back and reread the section that I skimmed through. Done that, I'll write a proper review of it.

waiting for the bus...

2007-09-13T23:56:00.000+09:00

I'm sitting at the bus stop waiting for the bus that my sister's on..
it should take her about 20 minutes to get here and since I was waiting and had my mac with me..
Thought I'd turn it on and see if I could get any wireless internet connection.. and voila! it works!!

Ain't modern technology just grand!!!

anyhow, today's work was better than the day before.
Yesterday, I had to stay until 1:30am supervising the study hall.
I have one more day left of that which is coming up soon (next week Friday, I think).

The more I think, I feel like I'm beginning to have no life, which is why I'm thinking of finding another hobby..
Or something worthwhile.. OR waking up earlier.. Now that's an idea...

Should try doing it...

"The Witch of Portobello" by Paulo Coelho

2007-09-13T20:40:00.000+09:00

The title of the book was very catchy and aroused my curiosity in wanting to read the book.
And that's probably why I had recommended reading it for bookleaves in the frist place. Also, the fact that the 2 books I've read of him was pretty good, I did expect it to be interesting. My final feeling on the book is I guess somewhat disappointing.

The first book that I've read by Paulo Coelho was the well known bestseller "The Alchemist". It was a very good story, a very good teaching and philosophy to be learned from the book. But something that people, or at least I, already knew of. The story was well told but there wasn't any surprise that really sparked my attention. It pretty much ended in how I thought the story would end. However, I do like this way of storytelling. That, I admire a lot and am very jealous of it.

The second book was "11 Minutes". This was very different from the first. It was a little less philosophical than the first and it felt more like reading fiction. (The first felt more like reading a story from the Bible, but that's just me) It was fascinating how he had set up the storyline and the character.

The third, which was "The Witch of Portobello" was much like the first, very philosophical and spiritual. A woman trying to find herself. A very mysterious woman by the name of Athena trying very hard to find the higher being.. Maybe even the purpose of life and being? I did like it overall, but it really irritated me at some point and I can't really pin point the reason of why it made me feel so. Perhaps it's because it didn't really give me a direct answer in what she, the heroine of the book, or me the reader was searching for. Or perhaps it was because it made me think more and question more. I did like the narrative style. The way he used different people to tell the story of the protagonist. It held my interest...

I do like his books (though there may be some disappointing aspects) and I don't think that I've ruled him out of my reading list yet. There still are couple of books that I do want to read by him, "The Zahir" and "Veronika Decides to Die" to be exact.
Though I don't think it will be soon... I know I will read it but not just yet...

Bookleaves

2007-09-11T02:56:00.001+09:00

What is bookleaves, you ask?
It's the name of my treasured book club.

When I first came to Korea in 1998, everything was so different and alien: people, places, custom and culture. Being a Korean and looking like one but not having lived in it does make a huge difference. Making friends and meeting people, probably was one of the hardest thing to do. Fortunately though, I did start attending a school and tried to get involved. So for a while the urgency of being in a book club wasn't that important, since I was reading on my own time and was busy sorting out some troublesome part of my life (there were some personal issues to be handled back then).

Anyhow, when I finally brought myself to look for a group, and yes there was one that I did find, I didn't get a single reply for months. That really got me worked up and decided 'heck, I'll make my own, surely there must be people out there who'd be interested in joining a book club'. And YES! there was. After putting the ad for some months out in the classified section I finally started getting emails from people who were interested and we decided to meet up to talk about making it real. Our first meeting was in June 2005.

The meeting was great there were about 6 people to start off with and we first decided on a book and the next meeting date. Then we made a group in Yahoo! in order to get in touch with people easily. I constantly got emails from people who were interested and some came, some never showed up. Many of our members have left Korea and our little club after completing their contract and at the same time many have joined.

Our group is practically open to everyone and anyone. The only thing that we ask for is that the person who joins must love to read and discuss about it. Yes, it has been my experience that some people join for the purpose of practicing English and that does irritate me a lot and sometimes I feel like I'm discriminating my own race. However, the whole purpose of this group, the reason I made this group is to get people who enjoy reading and discussing about books together. As well as meeting people from all walks of life and share thoughts and talk about everyday life. A club where you can relax and be comfortable in.

It has been over 2 years since the group's been active and I think we're doing pretty good with it. There has been a lot of change in members but still I think the groups doing great. If any of you out there who live in Korea, near Seoul to be exact, please don't hesitate to come by our group. We usually meet once a month, sometimes twice, depending on the book, and people's schedule. It's always a Sunday and we're pretty flexible on time, though we tend to lean towards the earlier hours of the afternoon. At the meeting we usually hang around at a coffee shop talk about the book of the meeting and other books that we'd like to share. Then depending on the time and how hungry everyone is we get a bite to eat. The decision on what to read depends on the members, sometimes we take turns and at other times we talk about it think of a whole bunch of books we're interested in and choose from that pile. We always decide about 3 or 4 books and the date respectively so that we don't make plans on those dates and we can all be there.

To find out more about the group, just write to bookleaves@gmail.com

Le Festin

2007-08-28T22:21:00.000+09:00

This song became one of my favorite this year...
It just makes you want to waltz away...

- Le Festin -
sung by: Camille
lyrics by: Camille
music by: Michael Giacchino
album: Ratatouille OST (2007)

Les reves des amoureux sont comme le bon vin
Ils donnent de la joie ou bien du chagrin
Affaibli par la faim je suis malheureux
Volant en chemin tout ce que je peux
Car rien n'est gratuit dans la vie.

L'espoir est un plat bien trop vite consomme
A sauter les repas je suis habitue
Un voleur, solitaire, est triste a nourrir
A nous, je suis amer, je veux reussir
Car rien n'est gratuit dans la vie.

Jamais on ne me dira que la course aux etoiles, ca n'est pas pour moi
Laissez-moi vous emerveiller, prendre mon envol
Nous allons enfin nous rega...ler

La fete va enfin commencer
Et sortez les bouteilles, finis les ennuis
Je dresse la table, demain nouvelle vie
Je suis heureux a l'idee de ce nouveau destin
Une vie a me cacher, et puis libre enfin
Le festin est sur mon chemin
Une vie a me cacher et puis libre enfin
Le festin est sur mon chemin. . . .

The dreams of lovers are like good wine
They give joy or even sorrow
Weakened by hunger, I am unhappy
Stealing on my way everything I can
Because nothing in life is free.

Hope is a dish too soon finished
I am accustomed to skipping meals
A thief alone and hungry is sad enough to die
As for us, I am bitter, I want to succeed
Because nothing in life is free.

Never will they tell me that I cannot shoot for the stars
Let me fill you with wonder, let me take flight
We will finally fea...st

The party will finally start
And bring out the bottles, the troubles are over
I'm setting the table; tomorrow is a new life
I am happy at the idea of this new destiny
A life spent in hiding, and now I'm finally free
The feast is on my path
A life spent in hiding, and now I'm finally free
The feast is on my path. . .

So Behind.... no relaxation....

2007-08-20T13:32:00.000+09:00

This past several weeks were really dreadful. No time to relax and I'm so behind in reading..
I practically had no time to sit down and open up my book and flip through pages..
Though, finally, this crazy schedule of 40 hours a week working has officially ended. I can get back to relaxing and leaf through some books that I had had to put down for a whole month. And yes, because of that and other things we practically skipped two of our book meetings and I think we're behind 2 books or is it 3?

Anyhow, it's good to be back to the original schedule and actually get things done like cleaning and cooking and just getting around the house organizing stuff that's been all over the place for a complete full month.
There still are things that I haven't been able to take care of today but then again, one day won't really cover up for a full month of chaos, right?

July 25 '07 4:42pm (from my notes)

2007-08-12T11:47:00.000+09:00

Night and Day merges to one and time just seem to fade away.
Floating in space and time without destination.
Seconds, minutes, and hours just undistinguishable.
Like being stuck in a room full of clocks and watches that are all pointing in their own different direction.
Like visiting the clock smith and seeing all those watches he’s trying to fix.

The fear of being lost and fear of inability to find the way just sucks me into this tiny room where I can barely breathe. All these ticking sound pushing, rushing, ushering me to be quick. And me just standing there, just pacing back and forth unable to make a decision. So, the problem…
Yes, it feels like I’m stuck in that tunnel again.. that I keep coming back to.. and that tunnel is like a shape shifter who changes its shape every single time as it sees fit – preventing me from escape… freedom.

So, it’s that tunnel again..
that hopeless feeling just flooding back…
The Insecurity!

Hooked on MacBook & iPod Nano

2007-07-30T01:45:00.000+09:00

So excited with my new gadgets... I'm still struggling with the 'How' though.
I am very accustomed to the window system that mac is just gibberish to me. However, I am having fun familiarizing myself with my newest devices.

I don't know why, but I always find myself attracted to electronic appliances...
and always wanting to buy... =( It's like me with books... can't have enough...
Oooohhhhh! Hopefully all this excitement and this phase of endless wanting will soon end..

Birthdays

2007-07-30T00:35:00.001+09:00

I found myself celebrating birthdays every year one way or the other - with family or friends.. But also realize that I do forget to count and always have to do a simple arithmetic to figure out the age.. It isn't that it's hard to keep up with the count. I mean how hard is adding one to every year. It's only that the idea of age and number is completely disregarded and forgotten.

Another thing about birthdays are presents. No one hates receiving presents.. yes, I too like to receive them and am happy to receive them and appreciate them. But what is it's meaning? Do we have to get them? Can't we just enjoy the time we spend together?

While writing this.. the "Happy Unbirthday to me" song popped into my head... You know, the one the rabbits(?) sing at the tea party that Alice (Alice in Wonderland) walks into.. Can't we celebrate 364 days of unbirthdays plus the 1 birthday?
Wouldn't that make everyday.. joyous.. and celebratory?

B-day Present

2007-07-18T18:11:00.000+09:00

A wonderful, delicious, chocolaty browny!!
Something that I got for my birthday from my sister's lovely friend, Young-eun, who's currently running an on-line delicatessen delivery shop. It's really good.. Just melts in your mouth... You will not be able to resist the rich chocolaty flavour!!

the Awesome Gym

2007-01-23T17:12:00.000+09:00

So this is our little gym at HOAM center.. I usually have this place to myself because no one uses it at 5pm (that's when all the trainees are studying) So I have the whole place to myself.

And as you can see below...

I tooks some snap shots of our lovely locker room plus the shower room..

it really has everything enven though it's little.

my favorite is the sauna and the jacuzzi.. it does massage your back real good..

should try it sometime.. if you get the chance... ;)

on my way to work

2007-01-23T15:23:00.000+09:00

So here are some pictures of my way to work..
The way the sun shines and paints the sky is very pretty and every morning has a distinct color

▼This is on Yongdong expressway

after passing through Masung toll gate... So this is the path to Everland & Hoam center ▲

◁◀◁ There's a valley (you can't really see it from the picture.. sometimes you'll only see a sea of fog.. it's really beautiful)

Yes, I'm closing in ... You'll be able to spot HOAM after that curve. ▲

▲ Okay... do you see that square figure in the middle of the picture..
that's HOAM center.. where I WORK!

▼ You'll be able to see the building hiding behind the trees and the drivway to the center is absolutely fabulous.
Plus, you'll see peacocks EVERYWHERE!