The Power of a Korean Telenovela

Since Sunday night I've had a total of about 5 hours of sleep. I gotten myself hooked on this Korean 'telenovela' Lovers in Paris. I just couldn't stop. I just had to know what would happen. The motivations that drive me. I knew I had to wake up early, but no, I kept on watching till I surrendered at 3am, since I had to at least get a few hours of sleep.

I would say it was still worth it. I enjoyed the story, even if it was dragging sometimes and it seems as if it wouldn't end. The ending wasn't the kind of ending that I was used to seeing on television, but it was refreshing.

Apart from the fact that the main characters met in Paris, I guess what intrigued me to the story was that it was different in somehow. Despite it being a love story, there wasn't really any intimacy. You know they all love each other, but no one really manifested it through physical contact. Sure there were some moments, but that was pretty rare.

I'm glad I finally finished it. I know how it ends, and I am happy with what I watched. Finally, tonight, I hope I can go get some sleep.

Friends far away

My friend Cerille got me into this whole blog thing. In fact, I had no idea what a blog was! Sure I've heard of the word, but I didn't really bother comprehending what it was all about. I met Cer in University; she was one of my groupmates for a finance class. Our friendship back then was solely based on finance cases and whose turn it was to write the report. It wasn't after the whole AIESEC experience (me coming back from Poland and her interested, and then eventually doing a traineeship) that we really got to know each other. We share common interest and points of view, but I am sure we may disagree on other things. She's in Indonesia right now, enjoying her life as a young woman. I haven't had the opportunity to personally hang out with her, but I am looking forward to spending time with her, over coffee perhaps. It is her birthday tomorrow. A toast to you Cer!

"Refugees". Despite the somewhat bad connotation of that word I end up smiling. A Polish friend, Wojtek, and his roommate, Rajmund, gave Sandrina and I that name. Every weekend, Sandrina and I would go to Krakow and sleep in whatever available room there was in the dormitory. We'd email a couple of days ahead, looking for a place for us to stay. No wonder we ended up being called refugees. Apart from living in a small town about 70km away, we'd always look for places to stay. Ah, those weekends in Krakow.

I find Sandrina to be such a multi-cultural person. Portuguese by blood and heritage, grew up in French soil, fluent in 3 languages and conversant in perhaps 3 more. I am often awed at how she remembers all these Polish phrases and words after almost 2 years going to Poland! I miss Sandrina. I hope I can visit her again in Portugal.

Manila, Manila

I've always found the city of Manila beautiful. Some people may call me blind, but everytime I go the the city, it never ceases to catch my attention. Underneath the polluted air, the congested streets and unfinished road works, there is a city waiting to be appreciated.
The different districts of Manila are interesting to see. It is a mixture of different eras, of different influences. I enjoy seeing Ermita, with it's old cinemas and buildings. Yes, it may seem odd, but there is something intriguing about the place. Then there's that area near UST, I am not too familiar with what it's called. Buildings aren't as high, trees line the streets, influences of Spanish colonialism are very evident. You see students going about, trying to figure out what to do after college. Of course there is the more popular Manila Bay and Intramuros area. The now clean and more tourist friendly place is fast becoming an alternative place to visit, other than the mall. The walled city has resurrected it self to becoming worthy of becoming a tourist destination. Not that it wasn't before, but now it's a more pleasant experience.
I believe it doesn't take a lot of money to make Manila beautiful. It takes a conscious effort, discipline and appreciation from the people. Someday, I hope, the glory of Manila will shine. Just as other countries have restored and maintained part of their past, we should be able to do the same.

An hour and a half before French...

I've half an hour before I go to French class. I was not able to finish my homework. Learning a new language is really difficult, learning French is very difficult. Sometimes I wonder why I'm doing this. Why go thru all the trouble of going to class after work, doing homeworks, and giving up opportunities to go out with friends? Then I would see pictures of the romance city of Paris and remember why. To be able travel to these French speaking countries and communicate with them is a great reward, a reason enough for me to study (or cram) for this week's lesson.