The Best Job in the World Ever

Imagine just lazing around the island on the Great Barrier Reef for six months and getting paid a whopping AUD 150,000.(about USD100,000)! Seems like the best job? Well, it is.

I was browsing the net last night when I came across this very unique 'job ad'. It promises of the Best Job in the World Experience.The job is prettey easy. And pays too.
Here's some excerpts from the website.

The Best Job in the World – Island Caretaker Great Barrier Reef
Tourism Queensland is seeking applicants for the best job in the world! The role of Island Caretaker is a six-month contract, based on luxurious Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a live-in position with flexible working hours and key responsibilities include exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef to discover what the area has to offer. You’ll be required to report back on your adventures to Tourism Queensland headquarters in Brisbane (and the rest of the world) via weekly blogs, photo diary, video updates and ongoing media interviews. On offer is a unique opportunity to help promote the wondrous Islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Other duties may include (but are not limited to)
Feed the fish - There are over 1,500 species of fish living in the Great Barrier Reef. Don’t worry you won’t need to feed them all.
Clean the pool - The pool has an automatic filter, but if you happen to see a stray leaf floating on the surface it’s a great excuse to dive in and enjoy a few laps.
Collect the mail ? During your explorations, why not join the aerial postal service for a day? It’s a great opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the reef and islands.
About the job package
Living above the Great Barrier Reef is a pretty unique benefit, but the successful candidate will also be paid a salary package of AUD $150,000 for the six-month contract. You’ll receive return airfares from your nearest capital city (in your home country), accommodation and transport on Hamilton Island, travel insurance for the contract period, computer, internet, digital video and stills cameras access, plus travel to a number of the other Islands of the Great Barrier Reef. The six-month contract commences 1stJuly 2009.

Just think about being on the Great Barrier Reef (yes Australia!) doing things most people can only dream about. Staying on a luxury three-bedroom property with pool, Nemo at your beck and call. And bloging too. That discover what the area has to offer probably means you have to do the 'hard work' of going swimming around the island, scuba diving, snorkelling, maybe take some photo stills and videos while you're down there (or should I say down under :-p) hiking and hopping around at least 25 island resorts. And did I say BLOGGING too?
You want that job? Apply here. I heard even someone from the Vatican City checked out the website.

Coffee Makes You See Ghosts

This article instantly caught my attention. You see, I'm a coffee drinker. I drink truckloads of coffee a day. Even more here in Korea, with all those different flavors of instant coffee available. Apparently, caffeine is linked to seeing ghosts. I read from skynews that a research from the University of Durham suggests that "people who drink more than seven cups of instant coffee a day have an increased tendency to hallucinate", "High caffeine users may even think they sense non-existent people", researchers say. Other experiences reported are seeing things that aren't there, hearing voices and sensing the presense of dead people. Oh my, this probably explains why I keep on seeing things on the corners of my eyes when I alone. Or the voices at night when the lights are off. Hehehe. Kidding aside, Dr Charles Fernyhough, the co-author of the study, pointed out that the research only showed an association between caffeine intake and hallucination proneness, not a causal link. Also other sources of caffeine are tea, chocolate, "pep" pills(aka stimulants) and energy drinks. You can read more here and here.

Filipino Version of Twilight on ABS-CBN

ABSCBN is said to have bagged the rights for a Local TV production of the phenomenal Twilight. Reports (or rumors! ) about the production which is set in February are all over. The TV series will be entitled : would you believe- TAKIPSILIM. The whole list of cast, director and even the shooting locations are even released.

But netizens are in outrage about this. A lot of Filipino fans are in protest. Nobody likes the idea of Twilight being remade into a local telenovela. Tons of them claimed to have sent hate emails to ABSCBN. Some believed it is a hoax. I can't find a confirmed report about this. Though I remember reading it on ABSCBNnews website, but for some reason it's no longer accessible. Could it be just a 'leak' to test the waters? Or a fan's dream getting out of hand?
And there's also the issue of acquiring the rights for only 1M USD. Plus the actors playing the Edward and Bella characters are well not too popular.

I'm not a big fan of the movie nor the book but I wouldn't want Edward to be saying (probably the most emotional line in both the book and movie) something like this to Bella:

"Wala na akong lakas pa para layuan ka!"

Here's the fan-made poster of Shaina and Rayver:

Sexy Obama in Hawaii

If the news about the exiting GW Bush and shoe-throwing incident in Iraq left people in awe This picture of the incoming US President Barrack Obama draws oos and aahs. It was taken few days before Christmas in Hawaii where B, his wife Michelle and the girls were vacationing. On the looks of this picture, he's definitely fit to run the US government. I mean look at those abs! He may not only get the 'Most Powerful Man' title next year but could probably snatch another title from Wolverine's claws.

Merry Christmas

We may not have the Christmas decor, lights nor the tree but we still feel the Christmas spirit here in Korea. Last night (Christmas Eve) TW brought a cute Christmas Cake when he got home from work. There's even a hat for the kiddie. Last Sunday we had a celebration at church. The kids' ministry prepared some Christmas songs and performed on the stage to join the main service. It was heartwarming to hear the children sing the "HAppy Birthday Jesus" song. Then there was some interactive mini concert after.
It was much, much more different than what we were used to back home but a meaningful Christmas is never impossible wherever you are in the world.
Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noël ! Feliz Navidad ! Maligayang Pasko ! and of course-
메리 크리스마스 !

GW Bush Shoed in Iraq

Last week we heard about the shoe-throwing incident from Iraq starring none other than exiting US President George W. Bush.

'Bush ducked, and the shoes, flung one at a time, sailed past his head during the news conference with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in his palace in the heavily fortified Green Zone.
The shoe-thrower -- identified as Muntadhar al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist with Egypt-based al-Baghdadia television network -- could be heard yelling in Arabic: "This is a farewell ... you dog!"
While pinned on the ground by security personnel, he screamed: "You killed the Iraqis!"
Al-Zaidi was dragged away. While al-Zaidi was still screaming in another room, Bush said: "That was a size 10 shoe he threw at me, you may want to know." '

Though he called that episode one of the 'weirdest' moments of his presidency. It had become a kind of amusement for a lot people. An online game was even created. Sock and Awe was hastily created by Alex Tew over some beer and pizza. The objective of the game is easy: Hit President Bush in the face with your shoes! The game has even become a surprise hit, with 61,315,642 shoes succesfully hit President Bush.
Here are some pics-

Budae Jjigae in Hyewha

The other day, TW and I agreed to meet at Seoul Station after his work. It was my first time to go that far alone (with my daughter). You see, we live in Siheung City so my daughter and I had to take a bus to go to the nearest subway station which is Bucheon. Luckily we didn't have to transfer. But my head spinned when we got off the train, it was so crowded. Blame it on the rush hour maybe. We had to wait for about 15mins for TW. Then we took Line 4 to go to Hyewha. He knows of a retaurant in Hyewha that serves Budae Jjigae, one of my favorite comfort foods.
Outside the station, we saw some clothing stores offering 50-80 % sale discounts. We went to check them out but didn't really find anything we want. Unfortunately it wasn't a Sunday, there's no Filipino market. I've been craving for sinigang and Chippy. ^v^
Anyways the Budae Jjigae was exactly the type I wanted. Usually they put some overfermented kimchi or some pork and beans (which I really hate), but here it was somewhat milder. Probably because of the cheese. But I loved it. We also ordered Chicken salad for S, since she really hates eating spicy food. And it was also good.
I guess it was worth the long trip. Next time I go to Hyewha, it'll be for the Market.

I'm Back

It's been some time since my last post. No, I'm not neglecting the blog. I got my hands on a lot of things since I moved to Korea. And yes I will be posting a lot about the place, the food, people and a lot more. It has been a very interesting experience for me. Expect more posts in the coming weeks.

Have you seen the iPhone Girl?

It all started on the Apple discussion forum - MacRumors.com, when a user posted pictures of an Asian (he said may be Chinese) in a cute pink factory outfit working on what looks an assembly line of iPhones. The British guy only known as markm49uk said that he found the pictures on his brand new iPhones he bought a few weeks ago. There were three pictures of this cute girl posing beside the iPhones, smiling and poses with V-signs beside an iPhone. They said that it appears that someone in the production line was having a bit of fun. The even commented on her being cute and hot and even her teeth being straight (for a factory worker). But also show concern about her getting so fired once the pictures spread into the blogosphere. Evidently, she is fast becoming so popular on the net as the "iPHONE GIRL". A website was even created for her - iphonegirl.net. There are also reports confirmong that she may be working at the Taiwan-based Foxconn and definitely not fired.

I remember about a couple of years ago, when I was looking to buy this particular Vk Mobile model. I found only one Korean dealer who's got it. Although he said that it was just the sample unit(and the only one), I found the package satisfying and very new. Everything is included -extra battery, screen film protectors, accessories, and a lot more. And even cheap too. The only weird thing was, there were already pictures from the photo gallery. They seem to be taken in a warehouse or something, one pic with a chinky-eyed guy working on a PC . I just thought the mobile dealer took the phone camera for some test shots since it was their sample unit. But I guess that's what we get from the cellphones manufactured in China. Free pictures. Though British guy got so lucky getting the cute iPhone Girl's picture.

Kimchi Jjigae

I mentioned on my other blog that I love Korean food. One of the easiest to cook is the Kimchi Jjigae (or Kimchi stew). The preparation of the kimchi itself is quite complicated to non Koreans like us. But we can always buy from the local kimchi supplier. You can get it fresh or the fully fermented kimchi meant to make this jjigae.

The main ingredient of course would be the sliced kimchi and some kimchi juice. For meat either thinly sliced pork or beef can be used though personally I like to use some pork chunks. Also slice up some tofu -firm or soft depending on how you like it, Korean ground red pepper or kochugaru, onion leeks, onion, soysauce, garlic, vegetable oil and a sliced red or green chili for some extra kick or just a garnish.

First, the meat is simply stir-fried in vegetable oil, since i'm using pork chunks I like to fry the pork until there are some brown crusts around the edges. Then you can add the onion, garlic, kimchi and stir-fry for about 2 or 3 mins. Add some water (ratio would be like 2cups of kimchi to 3 1/2 cups of water) or some beef stock, bring to a rolling boil then simmer for a few minutes.

Add the kimchi juice enhance the flavor, the tofu, red pepper, soysauce and leeks. If you like it to be a little bit more zesty add the sliced chili now or just use it for garnish. Return to boil and simmer for two more minutes.

Kimchi Jjigae should always be served hot with a steaming cup of rice.

On another note, Kimchi jjigae cooked in a stonepot is guaranteed to taste better.