Korea Tour Afterthoughts

Looking back at my Korean tour, I noticed that there was a great deal of involvement from the diners when cooking the food. Unlike the other tours I had where the food is already completely prepared when served, the local Korean restaurants, more often than not, serve you raw ingredients.

There are certain advantages to this kind of method. First, and most obvious of all, the food is guaranteed to be cooked fresh (unless you don't know the basics of cooking). Next is that you can customize your food from how much spices you want to add to how well-done you want the meat cooked. Finally, a hands-on experience is one of the best way to appreciate the culture of a country and its people. Food is one of the objects that best reflects a culture. You get to experience an activity the people do on a daily basis. You witness not only their eating habits but also the creativity people pour into their cooking processes. The spices and flavors you taste can even tell you a lot about their preferences, the crops they grow and their necessities from which their culinary ingenuity was born. Having this unique chance to be behind the grill made me more open to and appreciative of the culture of Korea.

Strawberry Farm

I always love visiting farms when I'm on tour. I'm able to get in touch with the nature of a foreign land. And when the climate is cold, it's fun to see crops that don't normally grow in tropical climates. That's why I was so excited when we visited a Strawberry Farm in Korea. I've seen strawberries before in the supermarkets but not in the form when they are still attached to the vine. Since it was the winter season, I thought that the fruits won't be available or at least I won't get to see the fat, red strawberries. It turns out that the Korean farmers use greenhouses. They were able to grow the berries in a controlled environment.

We were allowed to pick five pieces of strawberries each. But it was challenging since the greenhouses were muddy and slippery. It was also difficult searching for the fat, red ones since it is not the harvesting season. The strawberries were surprisingly sweet and they have a different texture. Unlike the other ones I have eaten, which were crunchy and firm, the Korean strawberries were soft and gelatinous. It felt like I was eating jelly. Maybe that's how fresh strawberries really taste like. Either that or the Korean variety of the fruit is really that fantastic.

The strange thing about the place is that I didn't see any farmers or workers managing the property. I only saw a farm cat surveying and supervising the area.

Fried Bread Sticks - A New Look

Two Saturdays ago, I went to my godchild's baptism and naturally, there was a party afterwards. The catered food was terrific and it made the event an elaborate family gathering. What caught my attention was this curious-looking dessert. I was told that it was a kind of bicho-bicho or deep fried bread sticks. Normally, a bicho-bicho is soft, chewy and sprinkled over with white sugar crystals or powdered sugar. These bread sticks are dipped in pink candy coating and glazed with sprinkles. Needless to say that the pastry is extremely sweet. They look like donuts without the round shape but it feels like eating wafers or crackers. The bread sticks are brittle and very crunchy, unlike their traditional counterparts. The candy coating adds a sudden boost of flavor that tingled my taste buds. It's just a shame that I wasn't able to get the name of the caterer nor was I able to take home some of those delicious pastries since I need to watch my sugar intake. After all, I already had more than six bread sticks that afternoon. To the catering company who served that party, I congratulate you for such a wonderful and addictive pastry.

Not Exactly Food...

[Photo Source]

Yeah, I know. It's not exactly about food but it's just so damn funny. Food doesn't get any more fresh than this.

For September, It's All About...

Whew! It feels good to be back blogging again. The last half of August was just crazy. I've been taking care of application forms, both for employment and for review classes. Also, I finally had the guts to ask the apparel store in our neighborhood if they accept resellers. I've decided that the companies I applied for are either taking too long to reply or have rejected my applications. Now it's time to take matters into my own hands. I'm prepared to take the risk of becoming an online merchant. At least I answer to nobody, I have my own schedule and most of my work can be done at home. yay! From my calculations, the earnings may not be so high, but I'll never know, right?

The past month wasn't all about submitting forms. I've been taking some household responsibilities by doing some chores, mainly the groceries. This chore ain't so bad. I've been going to the supermarket with my mom ever since I was little so I'm pretty familiar with standard product prices, discount deals and the methods on how to spot fresh meat and vegetables. The best part is that I get to buy the latest snacks and beverages out in the market. And that is what I plan to blog all this September (hopefully I'll be able to keep this commitment). It's about reviewing, criticizing and maybe even promoting the latest food products on the grocery shelves.

A Video Really Worth Sharing

Which Lolcat Am I? (I just had to take this test!)

Your result for The Which Lolcat Are You? Test...

Serious Cat

43% Affectionate, 27% Excitable, 58% Hungry

Hungry for knowledge in any internet forum, you demand decorum. Any off-topic remarks, absurd statements, or tomfoolery on the interweb is deeply frowned upon by you. Truth has no room for drollery.



To see all possible results, checka dis.

Take The Which Lolcat Are You? Test at HelloQuizzy

Dave Batista in Ateneo!

Last week, Thursday at around 2pm, a Nissan Urvan pulled over the Moro sports center drive way and then suddenly I saw all the people flock to the entrance. The next thing I knew, I was the only person left in the gym. It turns out, Batista paid an unannounced visit to the Moro Lorenzo Gym. He was there to have a pictorial for Solar Sports with the Talk n Text basketball team practicing on the upstairs court. Unfortunately he only stayed for around 15 minutes and when I met him in the hall way, he was already about to leave. I wasn't able to take any good photos of Batista because my camera was too slow and his bodyguards were in the way (with those muscles, I think the last thing he needs is a bodyguard :D ). This photo was taken by one of the staff and it's one of the only clear shots of the celebrity. It is posted on the front desk as proof that Batista was there... who's the aryan woman, you ask? Got no idea.

What my name means (Not so surprising, really. Ha ha)

What Richard Alpert Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are influential and persuasive. You tend to have a lot of power over people. Generally, you use your powers for good. You excel at solving other people's problems. Occasionally, you do get a little selfish and persuade people to do things that are only in your interest. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Thoughts of a person with too much free time

What do you plant to produce seedless grapes?

If you delete a file in the recycling bin, where does it go? Does a full computer memory disk weigh heavier than an empty one?

When you're inside a grocery and you take items from another person's cart, is it considered stealing? After all, neither of you has paid for the item yet, right?. Of course society will mark you as an idiot or a total jerk, but can they mark you as a thief?

What I've been working on recently

Since the semestral break last year, I was working on a novel inspired by ideas I learned from my Philosophy classes. I couldn't explain what kept my imagination running to produce a novel 15 chapters long. I think writing is a great form of release from all the depressing truths of reality. At least when it comes to writing, I'm able to create my own world, my own rules and decide on the fate of every single character I give life to. After all, story characters are at the mercy of their writer.

I finished the entire novel last February but I was only able to publish it online a few days ago due to the many school activities and the bad internet connection that caused major delays. For the lack of creativity, I named some of the characters and places in the story after my college friends. But not to worry. I only used their names and not their personalities. There is nothing personal about this novel ;) Got any comments? Saw some typographical errors? Feed-backs are most welcome.

Click HERE to access the novel

Minor degree in Philo? Why not?

If everything goes well (and I hope it does), I'm expected to only have a few subjects during my super senior (5th) year. And by "few" I mean 6 units each semester, which is equivalent to 2 subjects per sem. So I decided to make good use of the time I'll have. Now, why Philosophy? Well, one of the shallow reasons is that it's one of the minor degrees that doesn't involve group works. The only thing that hinders me from earning this degree is laziness. Next, the prerequisites are not that high. There are no QPI requirements and the only condition is that you didn't get a grade below C during for your PH101-104 classes.

Green Living

I have been working on a project for our Sci 10 class about an awareness campaign on climate change. During my research, one of the websites I came across was that of Greenpeace. It's an environmentalist organization bent on preserving peace, nature and wildlife. They call themselves activists but I find that title rather scandalous since it usually refers to rebellion. Their site contains fun and interesting ideas for Green Living. They have useful tips on how you can environmentally friendly around the house, at work or at school. You can even get involved in you own little way by signing up for free and become an online activist. Care to pledge for the planet? Simple lang. Just click on the link below.

Working on a Caturday?

Wow. I didn't realize I haven't been posting for more than a week. I missed Caturday! This is thanks to the hell weeks I've been experiencing (and I guess I'm not the only one). But I must admit that the work load this semester may be as demanding but not as many as the previous ones.

Let's see... classes are suspended tomorrow. This could mean that my Philosophy oral exam will be piled up together with the coming hell week. I have to make good use of this unexpected break and devise a strategy on how to tackle the next hell week.

I can start working on editing my website. I just realized that the current design is not as "customer-friendly" as it should be.

Even if I don't want to, I have to start preparing for my midterm lab test on Physical Chemistry. I still can't believe they scheduled it on a Caturday!

Random Talk Celebrates...

Celebrate this day
So drop everything and make way
Stop, smile and SayHappy CATurday!!!!

Random Talk celebrates Caturday with a 21 Kitler Salute


There should be 21 kitlers in the picture. can you find them all?

Just what is a Kitler?

"A Kitler is a cat that bears a resemblance to Adolf Hitler. First discovered by Jameth. They wish to kill all the Mews" - Encyclopedia Dramatica

Need Moar?
For Moar Kitlers, visit: catsthatlooklikehitler.com