I need glasses

For the past few weeks, my eyes get tired so easily. Be it from watching movies, reading my favorite books or being in front of the computer for some time. In my Korean class, there are also times when I can’t see what’s written on the white board from the back. I may need eye glasses soon. But getting quality eye glasses can be expensive in Korea. Luckily we can order online. They offer quality eyeglasses for a low cost. Their prices for prescription glasses start at $8. So cheap.

According to this review article, “There is a place with cheap eyeglasses that are just as good as what you'll find elsewhere. The place I'm talking about is Z Optical and their prices will blow you away.”
It’s so nice to know that it is actually possible to get quality eyeglasses for a low cost. It’s even better that the eyeglasses orders include anti scratch coating and full UV protection. They also offer flat rate for shipping and handling charge. Maybe I’ll go later to an optometrist to have my eyes checked and get a prescription so I can order quality eyeglasses for a low cost.

Guidebook for living in Korea

Last Monday, Korean language classes at the women's center where I study resumed after a short winter break. When I dropped by the office to submit my updated contact form, I saw stacks of new books on the floor, including the new textbooks. I heard that they had revised the curriculum for the program. I noticed this guidebook among the stacks of books, I immediately asked one of the staff if I can have a copy. I remember reading about it somewhere in the web. This guidebook has versions in English, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and of course Korean. Heck, I think I even saw one in Tagalog.

"Guidebook for Living in Korea for Foreigners"or 한국생활 가이드북 is really helpful for foreigners living in Korea, especially migrant women. It contains some general info and introduction about South Korea, about places to go, visa, transportation, employment info and even labor issues. Most of the contents are intended for migrant women. There are guides on pregnancy, childcare, education of children and all of those stuff. It could have been better if they included a list of hospitals and educational centers that we can easily go to. Although there are lists of phone numbers and websites should you need some assistance while living in Korea.

You can grab a copy from any Multicultural Family Support Center. You can also download a PDF copy from http://www.liveinkorea.go.kr/. They said it would be up and running by February but last time I checked, the website is still unaccessible.

Appeal for the retention of the Filipino Market in Seoul

In line with the recent reports of the closure of the Filipino market in Hyehwa, a few representatives of the Flipino community met earlier in the week to discuss the matter. They will be launching an appeal for the retention of the market. Those who will be in Hyehwa on Sunday may sign the petition that will be presented to the Mayor of Seoul.

Here are some excerpts from the petition letter (re: appeal for the retention of the Filipino Market in Hyehwadong Rotary) sent by Prof. Abagat:

The Filipino Market, also called as “Little Manila,” in Hyehwadong Rotary existed since 1997. It is a place where Filipinos in Korea can buy food and meet their friends on Sundays, immediately after celebrating the Holy Mass. It has become symbolic of a home, a community, a family, and of Filipino culture. It is a “home away from home” for a lot of Filipinos in Korea. However, due to the Jongno District Office Development Plan, this popular place which has become a center of the Filipinos’ religious, social, economic and cultural activities on Sundays is in danger of disintegration.

The district officers are pushing through this plan effective in March 2010 on the following grounds:
1. They received complaints regarding the Filipino market;
2. They wanted to maintain order and cleanliness in the sidewalk where the Filipino market is located;
3. They wanted to ease out the traffic flow in Hyehwadong Rotary;
4. They wanted to enhance the artificial small stream they built along the sidewalk and make additional physical development; and
5. They want to transfer the Filipino market to Nagwon-dong in Jongno, where they are now constructing a multicultural street market.

The members of the Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic community are willing to cooperate and are hoping to solve the problem in a win-win solution. They would also propose alternative ways of solving the issue. All the Filipinos in Korea are urged to unite for this cause.

Update: Another report on Korea Times.

More UPDATE: The removal of Filipino market at Hyehwa-dong is on hold pending talks by authorities, Phil. Embassy & vendors' group: ~ Phil. Embassy

Here's a related article written by Dr. Emely Dicolen-Abagat for the Joongang Daily.

*Hyehwa Station exit 1

Filipino market in Hyehwa-dong faces closure

While we were still shaken about that minor earthquake, another report broke out. Filipino market in Hyehwa-dong is facing CLOSURE! From the Korea Times report:

“Jongno District Office in Seoul has told the Filipino community to stop holding a market in Hyehwa-dong, citing complaints from passers-by and residents.”

This is indeed sad and disappointing. The weekly market has been there since 1997. It has become a representation of the Filipino culture in Korea, a mark of the Filipino community in Korea. Lots of Filipinos, some from other parts of the country travel to Hyehwa to have a taste of home, purchase their Filipino food supply, meet their friends and families and also attend the mass in Hyehwa Catholic Church.

According to Father Alvin:
"The reasons they gave up us was one, they received complaints from neighbors and pedestrians in the area; two, there were concerns about cleanliness and order; three, they want to redevelop the sidewalk and include a waterfall wall in the area; and four, they want to transfer the market to a new multicultural market," the priest told The Korea Times over the phone. "It's a Philippine way of life. We go to church, then go to the market to buy provisions and meet friends. It's an expression of Philippine culture. The national government has a policy about supporting multiculturalism in Korea, but there seems to be a contradiction with the district office's plans. The church and the market should go together and not be separated," he said.

Huwat?! Complaints from neighbors and pedestrians- it’s been there for more than a decade. Did they only get the complaints just now? Cleanliness and order- yeah right. Relocation to a new multicultural street, the market is there because it is beside the church. These can be just lousy excuses. There may be more to it than what it seems. Or it could just be because of the redevelopment project. They are just throwing in some other excuses reasons to give the market a negative appeal. Whatever it is, I hope that they arrive at a resolution which can be beneficial to both the district government and the Filipino community.

Check out the whole report on Korea Times.

Also Buhaykorea, Jehan, Zenkimchi and Roboseyo wrote about it.

* Hyehwa station exit 1

3.0 magnitude earthquake in Seoul, Siheung

Just a little after 6 pm last night, a minor earthquake was felt in Seoul and other parts of Gyeong-gi including Siheung city where I live. I was then infront of my computer when I heard a thunder-like sound followed by a soft but distinct rumble. At first I didn't know what it was. My first instinct was just to run to my daughter who's at the other room to check if she had some accident with some furniture or something. Then I thought maybe it was the upstairs neighbors, their children always run around and drop things. But still I checked out the window for a trace of a thunderstorm or a traffic accident. It's been raining all day. None of those. Just within a couple of minutes, tweets have been pouring in confirming of an earthquake felt around Seoul. People were in their office or apartments when they felt their buildings shake. Fortunate that there were no casualties nor property damage.

One of the first news break is from Stephen Revere of 10 magazine.

"Yes, that was an earthquake you just experienced. Sure it was a mild, 3 to 4 seconds, but it was an earthquake. Details are just coming in, but it appears that is was a 3.0 earthquake centered in Gyeonggi Province’s Shiheung City.
Korean twitter is alight with updates of Koreans from all over the northern part of the peninsula , which seems to be the only place that has felt it. Twitters out of Daegu and South Jeolla Province say that they didn’t feel anything, but the greater Seoul area appears to have all felt it. Most of the tweets are talking about how safe they previously felt from earthquakes, but they are now not feeling as secure as they did before".

Here are the reports on Yonhap, Koreatimes, and JoongangDaily.

Las Vegas models with good English skills

Be a Las Vegas model. OR learn English from her.

please Emil them so they can arrenz a fersonal entrophy.Tengs.
(transcript stolen borrowed from Chuvaness)

Goo Jun Pyo's Vegetarian Meal

Dosirak (도시락) is the Korean term for packed meal or lunchboxes. It is the Korean equivalent of Japan's bento. The ultimate dosirak content has got to be kimbap or rice rolls. Just simple, easy and inexpensive. But nowadays, just like the Japanese counterpart, it has become more sophisticated and has turned into art. Check out this Korean guy's blog for pictures.

This vegetarian dosirak was made on an impulse. Sometime last year, I was gonna join an online contest for bentos showcasing a vegetarian menu but for some reason wasn't able to submit it.

Goo Jun Pyo inspired dosirak includes some small rice balls rolled into some crushed seaweed laver (김) for the Goo JunPyo-style hair(구준표) , 계란마리-gyeran mari or eggrolls, boiled flower-shaped carrots and cherry tomatoes for fillers on the top compartment. On the second compartment- 시금치 ,콩나물 무침 or seasoned spinach and beansprouts , some fried tofu, 호박전 or pan-fried zuccini slices, 팽이버섯 or seasoned enoki mushrooms, cucumber strips tied with spring onion, dongchimi (동치미) strips also tied with spring onion. dongchimi (동치미) is the winter radish kimchi. And some boiled flower-shaped carrots for fillers. I use only olive and grapeseed oil for this meal for that full vegetarian effect.

Pinoy develops new Malaria vaccine

Filipino entomologist and biologist at John Hopkins University Hospital Rhoel Dinglasan discovered a new vaccine against Malaria. This one is called TBV or transmission-blocking vaccine. It actually works by preventing the Malaria-carrying mosquitos from spreading it.

Check out the story on Times magazine.

The Korea Herald also runs a story on this.

This is how a Pinoy scientist looks like. Here's his pic I stole borrowed from Daphne's.

Validation

I wanna share a really inspiring short film - Validation. Starring Fox drama Bones' TJ Thyne and Vicki Davis. Check out what the power of smile can do.




Smile. You're wonderful.

Prayers for baby Emma

This is baby Emma. She was born 10 weeks early at 990 grams on October 21, 2009. She has underdeveloped kidneys, heart and lungs which are causing numerous problems on her fragile little body. After her first operation, her lungs began functioning well and she seemed to be growing strong and healthy. But on a Sunday night a month later, Emma went thru a septic shock. It is a fatal infection in the blood stream that shuts down all the organs. She had gone through dialysis and several surgeries including stitching up a ripped intestine.

As of now, baby Emma has already undergone 10 operations. She has made this far and still showing so much strength. She needs our prayers.

I'm urging you to pray for Emma.

1: Her brain. Pray that there would be no long-term brain damage from all the

challenges she's faced.

2: Her kidneys: Pray that her kidneys would function in perfect health to filter her body and produce urine on a daily basis.

3: Her intestines: Pray that this would also heal as soon as possible.

4: The doctors told us today that her lungs seem to be getting a bit weaker the past few days.

Pray for strength and health for the lungs too.

5: Her heart: Her heart rate dropped quite a bit several times the past few days. Pray it would be strong again.

Your prayer support is Emma's life support.

Check her facebook page.

UPDATE: Eddie and Hyun's princess~ Baby Emma Byun passed away on Saturday morning, Jan. 23. Thank you for all your prayers and support. Please continue to pray for the strength of the family.

My condolences.