Missing out on milestones

It's that time of the year again when my beloved university and college holds it graduation and recognition rites respectively. Some years ago, I marked, celebrated, reveled the end of my college life which also meant achieving that degree. Looking back, I would still say, college was the best years of my life more than high school.

wearing our sablay proudly

Fast forward several years later, 2012, my own brother attended his own recognition rites from the same university and college earlier today. I am proud of him, our family, the college, our university. It's a wild journey to earn your degree in Diliman and even so for the course my brother majored in. Maybe to some it's overrated and to some it is also a deal-breaker that will crush your spirit but to those who survived, it is one hell of an experience. You can never be ready for the outside world but life in the university prepares you enough to be able to adapt, survive and spread your wings. Para sa mga iskolar ng bayan, maligayang pagtatapos!

Oble at Sablay

Now, it's just down to my sister to earn her degree from the same university (and maybe college as well) as a new iska.

On another note, today we also celebrate our 5 years of service in the same company. Can you believe it? I've actually lasted that long in one company. Time seems to fly fast. I missed the banquet marking our 2 years of service and here I am missing out on our 5th again. Where I am headed after this assignment I have not been able to figure out yet. I do hope it is on to greater and bigger things - more than career and work.

Oh yes, I am definitely terribly missing home.

UP Naming Mahal

U.P. naming mahal, pamantasang hirang;
Ang tinig namin, sana'y inyong dinggin;
Malayong lupain, amin mang marating;
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin;
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin.

Luntian at pula, Sagisag magpakailanman;
Ating pagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal;
Humayo't itanghal, giting at tapang;
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan;
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan

summer in the Philippines

So yeah, all those posts about people going to the beach back home makes me miss them beaches (pun intended). Of course, it's not just about the places but the people you are with - friends and family. Priceless.




Ilocos Norte (Blue Lagoon) 2007




Puerto Galera 2007




Bolinao 2008



Caramoan 2008

 

Puerto Princesa, Palawan 2008



Boracay 2008

Nasugbu 2009

Potipot 2009



Cagbalete 2010




Puerto Princesa 2010



Calaguas 2010

Spring is here. Day 41

While I have yet to see spring in all its colors, the temperature has finally gone up and hints of blooms and colors are peeking everywhere. I am so excited to see those cherry blossoms and take pictures. I hope I can get around maybe at least in the Namsan area: http://www.korea4expats.com/events-in-korea-Cherry-and-Other-Blossom-Sites-April-2012-Seoul-Area-6124.html (i do hope I have time during weekends as it has been pretty busy so far trying to catch up on pending work on weekends not to mention chores and series galore haha.)
After about a month, I managed to cross the street from my apartment headed in the opposite direction from AK Plaza along the Taechan river (I hope I remember the name right) and it surprised me that the trees there might just actually be cherry blossoms. I may not have to go far after all just to see them. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

this one was right on the sidewalk of my apartment building!

please let them be cherry blossoms



i hope to jog or even bike here one of these days



Day 29. Touring Seoul

So today, a colleague of mine took me out sightseeing in Seoul. I felt like a tourist and in ways, it felt good. My options in case boredom/homesickness gets a hold of me in the coming weeks are at least somewhat widening. We took the 8100 bus to Jong-no although I think M4102 and 9000 would also make a stop to where we took off. From there we did a quick check of this little park where there was a stone monument/pagoda encased in glass dating to as far back as the 1400's. I didn't note the name but there were at least two national treasures in that little park but it was well-maintained and did not come with a fee.



unedited

From there we headed over to Gyeongbokgung Palace where I felt right at ease what with all the tourists around me. I am not the only one lost in translation anymore! Of course, it helped my colleague and I were from the same country. Too bad, he'd be leaving in a few days time but at least he got to show me around somehow. The fee was just 3000 KRW which was not really bad I think. Before heading inside though, one can take a quick tour of the museum under the statue of King Sejong. This underground hall was for free and it was actually quite spacious. I can probably take a lot of time here just to learn more about Korea in the next days when I am back to being alone on weekends. The inside of Gyeongbokgung was pretty nice and if you have time to kill, I think it would be a good place to stay in, relax and take pictures. As it turned out I failed to wear thermals/layer for my top that my head actually hurt a little from being out in the open too much. The wind made it worse but come noon, it stopped. I actually appreciated the sun's rays to help ease out the cold.



behind this monument is the entrance to the museum under.



inner lake

After lunch, we went to Jamsill station where there was this theme park called Lotte World. We didn't enter anymore as the ticket was quite pricey (KRW 38,000). From the outside, the place looked nice though with decent thrill rides. I guess the highlight for me really was this sort of cultural show at the back of the department store at one side of Lotte World's Magic Island. I was really amazed by this set of guys with the ribbon spinning using their heads. I was not paying attention at first but when I realized it I couldn't get over how difficult (to me at least) what they were doing. Unfortunately, I was not able to catch it on video but they were also doing some sort of acrobatics while spinning the ribbon. Amazing!