“Koreanovelas”

Spring Waltz and Coffee Prince are two of the newest Korean drama series being shown on TV today.

A story of childhood friends whose lives were separated by fate is shown in Spring Waltz.  This has more drama in it aside from the occasional funny scenes in the drama series.  As kids, their lives were simple.  They played and spent a lot of time together.  But as time goes by, fate changes their lives.  One became a well-known musical performer while the other was an ordinary citizen trying her best to work for a living.  If fate separated them from each other, fate will also create some magic to bring them back together.  Their paths will once again cross and their lives might never be the same again.  Will they realize that the love they’ve been longing for will only be found in each other?

The Coffee Prince is a unique story of a young girl who disguises herself as a boy.  She did this to get a job she needed.  Her life is a continuous struggle for survival.  On the other hand, the man who had mistaken her as a boy hired her to be his “bodyguard”.  He enjoys a comfortable life without holding any responsibilities.  They worked together and were able to develop a friendship that was extraordinary in a lot of ways.  But the deeper their friendship goes, the deeper their feelings become.  How can a man realize that he’s in love when he’s feeling it for a person whom he thinks is a boy?  And how can she freely express herself when all this time she’s been hiding behind a different personality?  Can love really see through lies to find the bearer of your heart?

I enjoy watching both of these Korean dramas.  When I’m looking for a dramatic love story, I watch Spring Waltz.  When I’m in search for a feel-good story that has some sweet twists, I go for the Coffee Prince.  I’m thrilled to know how each story would unfold.  Also, I simply enjoy the idea of watching 2 different love stories with each one giving you a different kind of feeling.  Bottom line is, I guess only love can give us multiple kinds of emotions at the same time, which makes both our lives and the Koreanovelas, more and more exciting and worth watching.

keeping in touch…

With my Korean friends, keeping in touch is just as sweet!

Eddie, Montana, Ally, Jeong Ju Young, Alice, Rina, Cap, Sally, Lindzy, Charlie, Min Byoung-duk, Kim Chan Ho, Lee Moo Young, Michael, Bess, Jun, Sam, Yun Tae Jung, Jude, Sinclair, Sophia, Jenny, Mickey, Rebeca, Ann, Choi Jin Hak, Ppy-Ppy, Simon, Greg, Claire, Woony, Jin, Johnson, Hunter…and a lot more (not to mention Sir Jeong!)! Korean name or English name, they’re my students turned friends.  One of them, even a special friend, who have left an unforgettable mark in my life.

They’re different from me because of our nationality, the language we use, our practices, etc.  But that never stopped us from creating worthwhile relationships.  Friends are great gifts from God and so, no matter what our differences are, I treasure them with all my heart along with the memories we’ve made.  Along the way, I realized that in the end, we’re all the same.  Anywhere we go, we meet people.  We do things with them.  We create memories.  And most of all, we find friendships that are always worth keeping.

The friendships that I’ve made with these Korean people are a sure treat for me.  One day I met them.  We got to know each other more and more each day.  Then, after a few months, they left.  I missed them.  Then, eventually I got used to not having them around.  Now, I only reminisce about the moments we’ve shared..but there’s always a way to reach a friend.  Thanks to the high technology that we have these days!  Even though we’re oceans apart, I can surely reconnect with my friends.  We exchange emails.  We also chat or even call each other.  Sometimes, they even send gifts.  Our letters are always full of wanting to meet each other again in the future.  Telling each other: “If you come to Korea, I’ll buy you a meal. And we’ll go sightseeing!” or “If you come to the Philippines, I’ll meet you and we’ll eat BBQ and drink SMB!  I’ll show you my hometown.“  It’s always fun reading each other’s letters and it somehow leaves something to look forward to.  Something you could actually wish for.

For us, distance is a fact, but we never allowed it to get in the way of our friendship.  Keeping in touch is indeed sweet for me.  I recall my bonding moments with my friends every time I read their letters.  It brings me back to the times when we’re still together.  Even just seeing their name in my inbox makes me want to jump for joy and never fails to paint a big smile on my face!  It’s ecstatic!!!

English On-line Tutorial

Hello everyone!  I’m Teacher Bea.  I’m willing to teach students who are interested to learn the English language via on-line tutorial. 

I’ve experienced teaching for 8 months in Cebu City, Philippines.  I teach Korean students – from kids to teenagers to adults.  I’ve handled classes in Grammar, Writing, Reading and Speaking.  I’ve also handled a review class for TOEFL.  I’ve handled one-on-one classes and eventually, group classes as well.

I’m hardworking as a teacher, patient to my students and I adjust my lessons and teaching method depending on the capacity of my student.  I will be glad to accept on-line tutorials at night starting from 6:00 pm.  If you’re interested, please feel free to leave a note through my email address at becca_mirage@yahoo.com. 

Have fun learning the English language with me! 

teaching again…

I’m going to teach again! 

With much anticipation, I’m preparing myself for another teaching job.  I’m going to have another online tutorial class.  My friend’s friend is interested to learn English through online tutorial.  I’m still going to handle a Korean student, so that makes it a little easier to manage.  I’m only used to handling classes with Korean students. 

 I feel excited and at the same time nervous.  I haven’t talked to this person.  I don’t have any idea about him and I don’t know yet how our first meeting is going to be.  I just hope that my student won’t get bored with me.  I also felt thankful to my Korean friend who referred me to be his friend’s online tutor. 

I’ve been feeling a little bored these days and having a new student and doing online tutorial would surely bring some new color in my almost colorless world.  Now, I have something new to look forward to.  I can also exercise my brain cells by preparing lessons which we can use in class. 

I’m happy to teach again!  I know this experience is going to be worthwhile.  I’m not only helping or serving other people, it’s also a good therapy for me….There’s so much fulfillment in teaching.     

Batanes (The Movie)

Last weekend, I had the luxury of spending time by myself. Early that week, I’ve been thinking about watching a movie alone. It was a perfect timing because the indie film featuring Ken Zhu of F4 is now showing in local theaters. I’ve always needed some time for my self and I thought this could be a perfect treat for me…

I arrived just a few minutes before the film started rolling. I don’t really have any clear expectations of what the film would be, so there was no expectations at all…and that prevents me from being frustrated after watching the film.

Batanes: Ang Pag-Ibig ay Walang Hanggan opened my eyes to a woman’s grief and sorrow. Before I watched the film, I thought it would be like the usual plot where a native Filipina falls in love with a foreigner and the whole film just focuses on the whole idea of “love-knows-no-bounderies” …I thought it would just show that love can still work magic even if two people are coming from different worlds, use different languages, with different cultures and practices. Of course that was shown in the film but I was more struck with the depth of loss, grief and sorrow experienced by Pam, the character played by Iza Calzado. Indeed, a woman has her own way of coping with deep sadness, questioning and longing. The strength of a woman can endure situations which are even unimaginable to others. In the movie, Pam was not a native of Batanes but after the death of her husband, soon after their wedding, she decided to live her life in that secluded area far from the world she used to live in. The character played by Ken Zhu, my favorite F4 member, was also interesting to me since it seems very human. His was a story of pain, despair and hope. When misfortune seemed to have stormed Khao, Ken Zhu’s character, there was Pam…and even at a time when he thought nothing was left of him, he found somebody…There was a new breeze of hope coming in for him. He started to open up to the world again. He smiled, he told stories, he made plans of doing the things used to do…he lived! The movie also featured the sea in a very beautiful way. The symbolism of the sea was also very interesting. When it’s calm and serene, that means she’s smiling. But when it’s waves are rushing, she’s angry…jealous. Also, at the end of the movie, the sea holds a promise for Pam. It may have taken the man she loves before, but it also brought her another person and now, it holds a promise that someday it would bring back the man she loves…

Watching the movie was a smooth journey for me. There was a part of me that could somehow relate to the movie’s story. I realized a few things and looked back at a time in my life when I, too, said and believed that love knows no boundaries. The original soundtrack of Batanes also made a lot of impact on me. It made me think…feel once again…and reminisce that beautiful time in my life!

bonding with my bestfriend

It’s Saturday and even though it’s a not-so-nice-time for me in the office, I’m excited about one thing.

I’m meeting my bestfriend later this afternoon for some “bonding” time with her.  Actually, it’s been quite some time since the last time we went out together that’s why I’m feeling excited now.  Several months ago, I promised to treat her to a pizza restaurant in one of the malls, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to keep that promise…not until now. 

We both like eating while updating each other of what’s new in our respective lives.  It’s always fun and the excitement actually comes from the stories that we share together.  We also enjoy window-shopping and the actual shopping as well. 

I’m looking forward to our time together!  Today, we’ll eat some..talk a lot..shop some..and maybe eat some more…! And definitely so much fun together!

working…

It’s December 01, 2007, Saturday.

It’s exactly 1:38 in the afternoon and I’m still in the office.  I’m alone now and I’ll be alone until 5:00 pm.  I haven’t eaten my breakfast…and I haven’t taken my lunch either.  I’ve only eaten 6 pcs. of wafer sticks called Sumo…and I’ve drank 1 cup of coffee and around 8 cups of water…

I’ve received a dozen of instructions from my “all-knowing, high and mighty” boss…Talking to us as if we we’re some kind of morons-from-whichever-planet who cannot understand simple and workable instructions…Great! I can work…as in really work my heart out! But this is really the most gruelling part for me…having to put up with people I don’t like…! Well in this case, I have to since he’s the boss now.  I can go on working for long hours…I mean, for me work is just work…it starts and it ends and it goes on again. I don’t like emotions and feelings, negative or positive, to get in the way of my work…For me, I just want to work…as simple as that! But of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t put my heart into it…’coz I still do! I think it’s just that…things are different now! A lot has changed…and it takes effort to cope with change.  A big change in our office started when our director left to go back to Korea.  For me, he was really my boss…in the truest sense of the word! I worked with him…and he respected me and the way I did things…and gave me enough space to perform and be good at what I’m doing. And this change was followed by another change. Our teacher also left…and to date, he was the teacher closest to us! I think those are the reasons why I personally feel that a lot of things have already changed…it’s a not-so-nice-time for me.  But I’m coping…I have to!

I just console myself by saying that time is running…it never stops…the clock goes on ticking…and whether I like it or not, there would come a time when I would have to make a choice…whether to stay or not…let go or hold on….

Korean invasion..?

Korean actors and actresses.  Korean  dramas. Korean food. Korean language. Korean culture. And the list goes on with the Korean phenomenon.

I’ve had this Korean experience – first-hand! It’s fun and interesting. First encounter was when I had an English-teaching stint in Cebu last year. I was an English teacher to Korean students at that time and that was the first time for me to meet Korean nationals. Of course teaching them was a different story compared to befriending them. I never really thought I’d develop this friendly relationship with foreigners.

Outside the class, I’d eat with them, play with them, shop with them, go malling with them…and practically, do any other thing I would do with my Filipino pals. It’s fun because whenever we’re together, we have to speak English. I discovered so many interesting things about them, their culture and their country. And when it’s time for these students of mine to go back home to Korea, I also felt sad.  And I missed them.

Now, I’m working in a Korean language center and seriously, it’s kinda different when you’re working with foreigners. But I learned a lot. Should I say it even made me a better worker? This experience made me work even more and push myself to the limits – until I discovered that there’s so much more I could do!

Korean invasion? In my life? Not really…I would more likely call it – my Korean influences.

I’m sure that every drop of blood that runs through my veins is a Filipino, but it wouldn’t be bad if I get learnings and inputs from my first-hand Korean experience…to make me a better citizen of this beloved country of mine – the Philippines…to be a better individual with a better outlook in life…

I’m new!

I’m new to this “blog” thing…I never new anything about “blog-ging” until my brother told me about it.

It sounded interesting to me since I get to write about my interests, ideas and insights about – practically, anything! This would somehow be my new “home”…

A home where I can express my feelings, insights, thoughts and reflections…

A place where I can explore the depths of my emotions, the vagueness of my mind and the core of my soul…

Somewhere I can give myself the freedom to speak…imagine…and explore!

I am new…! And this is going to be a new beginning for me!

New beginning…fresh ideas…I’ve-never-thought-before realizations…the unfolding of mysteries!