=)

A common misconception about traveling is that it's expensive. It's not. First off, there's a concept called frugal traveling. Be wise. You can scrimp on the F.U.N.D. without scrimping on the F.U.N. =) Second, the experience... Well. You can't just put a price on it. You can't trade off first-hand culture education to any value of bill. (Some texts I may have lifted out of the blog of Patty Laurel-Filart. Teehee)

This November 2012, I have been to three countries - four, if you count Philippines. (Technically, I'll be on my third country tomorrow, but, well nevermind) And was in one out of town trip. 

Little things

I'm keeping little things inside a box:
Sparks
Giggles
And long Daydreams.
I put them away
In a box
In a room
To be forgotten this way.

I put these feelings inside a box.
Laughs
Stares
Learned talks.
I stash them away
Inside a box to be forgotten someday.

I keep my feelings for you inside a box
Looking back
One last
Reminisce
Take them away
Goodbye, I say.

Loneliness

Sinking stone

Tattered book

Autumn leaves

Ed Sheeran
Rain.
Rain.
Pouring rain.

A lot of people don't realize this. But... Loneliness - it's underrated.
- Tom Hansen

Harry Potter's Friends

The Cast

Last November 11, 2012, we celebrated our annual tradition (did that sound redundant?), the delayed Halloween party! This year's theme, as agreed last year, is Harry Potter.  Yes, it's long done and over with. But HP reminds every one of us of High School. Wait, maybe that's just me. Haha.

And this year's feast looked like this!

Wired

i got in!

I recently received my acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Congratulate me! Hooray!

skip

I'm skipping adulthood.
Skip to..
Skip to where.
I don't know yet.

I don't want to commit. I refuse to settle.
I resign to this.
This. I don't know what this is.

Then read.

Maybe it's time to grow up. Maybe after summer. 
Maybe never.

I lost interest.

SK Chronicles: Day 3 - Hallasan

Mt. Halla

A few months prior to the trip, we were arguing as to what the name of Korea's highest peak really was. I had a brochure from Rhoda - Mt Halla in Hallasan. Chabs and Yeye told me Mt Halla and Mt Hallasan - it's the same mountain. I don't know what's the confusion with the name, but I was just as adamant on calling it Mt Halla the first few times. And I later found out from a friend (Noel, who will surely comment on this post and) who went to Korea earlier this year that -san is a suffix which means 'mountain' - e.g. Seoraksan, Namsan. Just like -gung for palace, -do for island, -si for city, -dong for district, -gu equivalent to Philippine's barangay, and -ro for neighborhood.

So much for the easy language lesson, let me share our Hallasan adventure.

Hallasan's peak

Hallasan
29 October 2012
0700 to 1830 H
Jeju Island, South Korea

Definitely Vacay

I've been very excited for weeks! Giddy and giggling almost every single time I remember the impending trip. Ten (10) days. New country. New culture.

We were set to go to South Korea from October 26 until November 5. It was long planned, after the Hong Kong trip and before Boracay, me think. We were lucky to get fare discounts, and got a two-way ticket for around 5,500 PhP.

Normally, Filipinos have direct flights to Incheon, Seoul. But since there were no discounted flights on our preferred dates, we opted to fly in Busan. I've never even heard of the place. Before this trip, I only knew of two places in SK: Seoul and Jeju Island. Haha! Me and my geography. Tch.

DAY 0. OCTOBER 26. Manila