I thought it would be so hard to get up at 7 on a Saturday morning. It turned out it wasn't. For some reason, I was up as early as 6am.. failing to go back to sleep. Donning my gray suit, I went to the rendezvous point to meet up with a coworker of mine to head to Busan in order to participate a coworker of ours' wedding in Busan. And this it takes place in Busan, he rented a bus so that those living up North could take it and attend the meeting. How nice.
I met some of my old co workers of mine on the bus. It was very nice. I sat down with Mr. Kwon and talked about this and that. Mostly about how 'our' company could become a better, more solid and stronger corporation. Whenever I talked to him, I am grateful that he has been my mentor since day 1. He and I share a lot of things.. sense of humor, visions.. and what not. So the trip down to South was quite pleasant.
Busan was nice. And yes, it was quite warm. The wedding occured near the Haewondae beach.. there were so many buildings at the shore.. it almost felt like I was in Hong Kong. At the wedding, I met more coworkers of mine at my old job that I am going back to at the end of this year.
Amazingly, there were so many people at the wedding. They literally had to queue up to shake hands with the groom. The guy looked happy. About a month ago, I told him I wasn't going to come, but I did. I needed this to clear my head.. to get out of the city and get some fresh air and reunite with my colleagues.
Unlike the any other wedding that I have ever attended, this one was very special.
First, when I chipped in my little offering, they handed me an envelop with a 10,000 won in it. Apparently, down South, they hand out meal tickets to those coming from far and give some money to those from the local area. I guess it'd be cheaper that way. But I got both the meal ticket at the buffet and the 10,000 won. So, yay.
Secondly, the attendants did not leave. They stuck around until the wedding was over. It was so nice. Usually, people filter in and out the wedding and that's it. But, I barely saw anyone leaving in the middle of the wedding.
Next, the couple cried when exchanging vows. It was touching. They were holding hands so could not really wipe the tears, but just let it trickle down their faces. I bet they were both moved and happy.
Finally, the groom sang. It was a bit off-key. But he manned up and finished the serenade. Big ups for him.
The bus was supposed to leave at 10pm.. after the Busan World Firework Festival along the shore. But, one of the coworkers drove down and was about to head up.. so I asked him to give me a ride. And around 3pm, I hit the road again.
In the car, four of us talked a lot about our company. It was a great feeling. Being apart from my old job, this year, I had literally zero opportunity to discuss the present and the future of the company. There, we worried about it, drew a rosy picture about it and hoped that it will flourish and get stronger and bigger than ever. I was so glad to be a part of the entourage and to share the vision and the dreams that will enable the company to have more solid foundation and the willpower.
Nevertheless, it was a 5 hour long drive. And we got in a car accident. Well, it was more of a fender-bender. This trucker did not see us at the parking lot and clipped us tad. No one, but the car was damaged a little. Thank god.
By the time I was home, it was around 8:30pm. It took more than 12 hours to come back to where I started this morning. I was tired, but not enough to jump in a shower, cook up a bowl of ramen and watch soccer games. It was a very good day... except for I needed to go to work tomorrow.
2011-10-30
2011-10-28
weight
Everyday except for Sundays I go to the gym and work out about 2 hours total. It is my leisure, habit and addiction. Yes, I am a gym rat and feel nervous if I skipped it. But, those who know me in person should be aware that I am no buff, but rather a skinny.. or lean. I would like to get a bit bigger, but it isn't easy.
Recently, I have shed about 9 pounds that is about 4 kilos. When my weight was at its highest, it was 184 lbs (84kg) but now I weigh around 176lbs (80kg). This year has been quite experimental because I've tried various methods to control my weight. After changing the gym to the current one, I met a new trainer and he's taught me a lot of things e.g. workout routines, regimen and so forth and it has been very helpful. Gradually, I've gained more power to control my weight by eating healthy and working out more efficiently.
The most important thing that I've gleaned is that eating snacks at night was the primary reason that I could not lose weight before. I love chips and after workout, I'd run to the the convenient store next to my house and grab a bag of chips. Not anymore. As time went by, I've lost fat around my waist and now can see some of my pacs. It is quite amazing. Now the pants that used to fit are kind of loose.. I've lost about 2 inches around my waist. Above all, that I don't snack at work or drink has always been conducive.
At the same time, my overall physique has been reduced to a certain proportion. My pants when worn are bit loose. and I DO NOT like it. So, now I've shed some fat, it is time for me to gain some pure muscles .. or intake some low GI food to carb up for. More pasta? More fruit? More whole meal bread? More tuna? More meat??
Now I somewhat understand the feeling that when fat people lose a great deal of weight and hold their pants in the picture with a big smile in their faces. Well, not exactly tantamount, but a bit similar. but a little bit more of muscles... ah.. am I getting addicted.. or getting paranoid..or obsessing??????????
Recently, I have shed about 9 pounds that is about 4 kilos. When my weight was at its highest, it was 184 lbs (84kg) but now I weigh around 176lbs (80kg). This year has been quite experimental because I've tried various methods to control my weight. After changing the gym to the current one, I met a new trainer and he's taught me a lot of things e.g. workout routines, regimen and so forth and it has been very helpful. Gradually, I've gained more power to control my weight by eating healthy and working out more efficiently.
The most important thing that I've gleaned is that eating snacks at night was the primary reason that I could not lose weight before. I love chips and after workout, I'd run to the the convenient store next to my house and grab a bag of chips. Not anymore. As time went by, I've lost fat around my waist and now can see some of my pacs. It is quite amazing. Now the pants that used to fit are kind of loose.. I've lost about 2 inches around my waist. Above all, that I don't snack at work or drink has always been conducive.
At the same time, my overall physique has been reduced to a certain proportion. My pants when worn are bit loose. and I DO NOT like it. So, now I've shed some fat, it is time for me to gain some pure muscles .. or intake some low GI food to carb up for. More pasta? More fruit? More whole meal bread? More tuna? More meat??
Now I somewhat understand the feeling that when fat people lose a great deal of weight and hold their pants in the picture with a big smile in their faces. Well, not exactly tantamount, but a bit similar. but a little bit more of muscles... ah.. am I getting addicted.. or getting paranoid..or obsessing??????????
2011-10-27
i am all right
Except for you (reading this) and very close friends of mine, no one knows about the mishap. And I am not a big fan of televising my personal accounts on FB like many people.
At least one thing that kept me going is my work. I am insanely busy at work so no time to squander by chatting online or checking on others facebook updates that have nothing to do with me. This will blow over for sure.
This weekend, I might need to work.. otherwise, I would go home and celebrate my folk's 28th anniversary and go down to Busan to participate my colleague's wedding. I don't know what is going to happen.
I am looking forward this December. I will treat myself by giving me a two week along vacation and going somewhere. I was thinking of Japan but since it was nuked.. I am having a second thought. My dad's going to retire at the end of the year so my family might take a trip to somewhere together. And most of all, I am going back to my job at the end of this year. My sabbath is going to end soon.
Overall, albeit a lot going on,
I am all right.
At least one thing that kept me going is my work. I am insanely busy at work so no time to squander by chatting online or checking on others facebook updates that have nothing to do with me. This will blow over for sure.
This weekend, I might need to work.. otherwise, I would go home and celebrate my folk's 28th anniversary and go down to Busan to participate my colleague's wedding. I don't know what is going to happen.
I am looking forward this December. I will treat myself by giving me a two week along vacation and going somewhere. I was thinking of Japan but since it was nuked.. I am having a second thought. My dad's going to retire at the end of the year so my family might take a trip to somewhere together. And most of all, I am going back to my job at the end of this year. My sabbath is going to end soon.
Overall, albeit a lot going on,
I am all right.
2011-10-24
The door has been closed-
That's what she said.
It is really time for me to move on. I have closure.
It is really time for me to move on. I have closure.
2011-10-17
Weekend
What did I do this past weekend? It was full of sports events. Nope, it did not involve any actual play, but watching baseball games, soccer games and F1 series was major part of it. I was either sitting on my sofa or lying in my bed munching some snacks the whole weekend. Pretty mundane, but I enjoyed being lazy this weekend. Sometimes, it is good to meet friends on the weekends, drink, eat and have a good time. But, more of than not, it is also time and energy consuming. And as a person who prefers to hang out with only a handful of people, I'd rather have an alone time when I feel it is necessary. Yes, the weather was beautiful and I had an itch for some outdoorsy activities, but not this weekend. Maybe some other time.
Hmm. what else? Oh, yes, I finally met my ex. The past couple of days, I have been drawing up a whole rationale as to why I would like to meet her and what to tell her. "Do I sound clingy and desperate? Do I sound like I mean it?" Many thoughts went through my head, but eventually, I managed to tell my ex what I wanted to say.
We met and, well, the first couple minutes was, of course, awkward. She wasn't really smiling and whatnot. But after we got our drinks (we met at a Starbucks), we started to catch up and talked about a little bit of this and that. Then, finally, the moment of truth has come.
I think I was calm and honest. I did not say what I did not mean to say. She intermittently interrupted me while I was speaking, but I managed to continue and finished my story. Then, she asked me a couple of questions as to my story. And I answered them. No big deal.
As I anticipated, she did not know to say. I did not expect anything in the first place. But, it was clear that she did not expect me to say anything I said. At any rate, we ended up deviating from the main topic and talked about each other a bit. And I realized that she got out of a relationship about a month and a half ago.
After two hours, we walked out of the building together and parted our ways. No hugging or anything similar, but just awkward good byes- Where is this going to lead us? I don't know. I laid out what I needed to say. If she is interested, well, that's great. If she isn't, well, I guess I can finally move on and have closure. Either way, I am very much glad and relieved. But somehow, I failed to go to bed easily as I usually do. It was probably because I took a nap about two hours earlier, but also because I kept thinking about the girl and the conversation.
Hmm. what else? Oh, yes, I finally met my ex. The past couple of days, I have been drawing up a whole rationale as to why I would like to meet her and what to tell her. "Do I sound clingy and desperate? Do I sound like I mean it?" Many thoughts went through my head, but eventually, I managed to tell my ex what I wanted to say.
We met and, well, the first couple minutes was, of course, awkward. She wasn't really smiling and whatnot. But after we got our drinks (we met at a Starbucks), we started to catch up and talked about a little bit of this and that. Then, finally, the moment of truth has come.
I think I was calm and honest. I did not say what I did not mean to say. She intermittently interrupted me while I was speaking, but I managed to continue and finished my story. Then, she asked me a couple of questions as to my story. And I answered them. No big deal.
As I anticipated, she did not know to say. I did not expect anything in the first place. But, it was clear that she did not expect me to say anything I said. At any rate, we ended up deviating from the main topic and talked about each other a bit. And I realized that she got out of a relationship about a month and a half ago.
After two hours, we walked out of the building together and parted our ways. No hugging or anything similar, but just awkward good byes- Where is this going to lead us? I don't know. I laid out what I needed to say. If she is interested, well, that's great. If she isn't, well, I guess I can finally move on and have closure. Either way, I am very much glad and relieved. But somehow, I failed to go to bed easily as I usually do. It was probably because I took a nap about two hours earlier, but also because I kept thinking about the girl and the conversation.
2011-10-11
What happened so far
I thought when I started this blog, I would write everyday no matter what happens. Fail. Without further ado, let me narrate my life of past couple of weeks.
1. Back to the office
After the whole sheik coming to town deal, now I am back at the office and it is boring as well. I have literally no work to do. Most of time, I surf on the web, talk to my friends online. It is very unproductive and fruitless. This is so because well, my boss has been hold off on the work I have been doing due to the budgetary issues. The project I have been working on costs around 30,000 dollars. However, since the prospect for next year's budget is dire, he would like to have it carried over to next year so that we can save some money. Therefore, I haven't really made any progress on the project.
Luckily, the boss persuaded the ceo into continuing the project. Ergo, as of yesterday, I've resumed my project. I am very much glad since I don't need to let on I am working while I wasn't.
2. Training
As soon as I made my come back from the field, I signed up for a training. I did so, because a) I wanted to dodge what we call "work trip" and b)stop being bored to death at my desk. Accordingly, I sifted through the yearly training schedule at this organization where my original workplace is located. It is close from home and I get to see my colleagues..
Then, I spotted a course called "How to enhance middle management competencies" tailored for those about to become a manager. Technically, this course would not be a good fit to me since I only have three year long experience. And yet, having seen and worked with different types of bosses and leaders, I thought I would register and learn something based on my own experience.
And I did.
The training itself, I'd say, very poorly organized. It was a three day long course, but everyday there was a different guest speaker. Thus, different teaching style, different content. There were about 20 people from the region with diverse background. I happened to pair up with these three guys in the manufacturing industry. They were all older than me and had more experience than I did, so I thought I would learn something from them.
The main content of the training was lecture, team-building and discussions. It was all right. The most important thing I've gleaned is how important it is to be a good listener. Frankly, when I first signed up, I thought I would learn some kills.. first hand experience. But I ended up learning something different.. something worthwhile; how to communicate with subordinates, how to coach, and how to solve problems. What lies under them is you need to be a good communicator; be sympathetic, listen well, kill the need to react instantaneously to the person you are talking to and so forth.
In order for me to apply my knowledge to the reality, I've talked to people around me and observed something. That is, they all die to speak someone about something. My trainer, my mother, my dad, my friends....everyone basically. Once I say "Hey, how are you doing? What's new?", they would say something back to me. Normally, this would be followed by an awkward pause. But, I learned that I need to give them "space" A leeway that allows them to feel comfortable and continue their speaking. And it worked. Through this, I managed to engage in a more meaningful conversation with them. Usually, I tend to lean away or just babble on about something, but I was patient and bide my time. This was a very interesting experience and I plan on doing this.
3. Reconnecting with my ex
Craigslist is the website I go to often to entertain myself. And that is where I met my ex about a year ago. And last week, I got reconnected with her, through Craigslist.
There was a very interesting thread on CL and upon reading it, I thought it was her. Well, of course, there were some clues in the writing that hinting towards the possibility. But I wasn't quite sure because, well, there were also discrepancies between the person who wrote it and the person I used to know before. Yes, I haven't spoken with her since the break up last year.
And I very cautiously contacted her under a random email in order not to reveal myself. Why? This is so because when breaking up, I told her not to contact me and that I would not so. And yet, I was somewhat reaching out to her. I broke my own principles.
And yet, she sorta figured it out due to my silliness. And we got reconnected.. or not quite yet. We swapped a couple of email so far and that was it. There was some new information about her though. Where is this going? Nowhere probably. Probably.
1. Back to the office
After the whole sheik coming to town deal, now I am back at the office and it is boring as well. I have literally no work to do. Most of time, I surf on the web, talk to my friends online. It is very unproductive and fruitless. This is so because well, my boss has been hold off on the work I have been doing due to the budgetary issues. The project I have been working on costs around 30,000 dollars. However, since the prospect for next year's budget is dire, he would like to have it carried over to next year so that we can save some money. Therefore, I haven't really made any progress on the project.
Luckily, the boss persuaded the ceo into continuing the project. Ergo, as of yesterday, I've resumed my project. I am very much glad since I don't need to let on I am working while I wasn't.
2. Training
As soon as I made my come back from the field, I signed up for a training. I did so, because a) I wanted to dodge what we call "work trip" and b)stop being bored to death at my desk. Accordingly, I sifted through the yearly training schedule at this organization where my original workplace is located. It is close from home and I get to see my colleagues..
Then, I spotted a course called "How to enhance middle management competencies" tailored for those about to become a manager. Technically, this course would not be a good fit to me since I only have three year long experience. And yet, having seen and worked with different types of bosses and leaders, I thought I would register and learn something based on my own experience.
And I did.
The training itself, I'd say, very poorly organized. It was a three day long course, but everyday there was a different guest speaker. Thus, different teaching style, different content. There were about 20 people from the region with diverse background. I happened to pair up with these three guys in the manufacturing industry. They were all older than me and had more experience than I did, so I thought I would learn something from them.
The main content of the training was lecture, team-building and discussions. It was all right. The most important thing I've gleaned is how important it is to be a good listener. Frankly, when I first signed up, I thought I would learn some kills.. first hand experience. But I ended up learning something different.. something worthwhile; how to communicate with subordinates, how to coach, and how to solve problems. What lies under them is you need to be a good communicator; be sympathetic, listen well, kill the need to react instantaneously to the person you are talking to and so forth.
In order for me to apply my knowledge to the reality, I've talked to people around me and observed something. That is, they all die to speak someone about something. My trainer, my mother, my dad, my friends....everyone basically. Once I say "Hey, how are you doing? What's new?", they would say something back to me. Normally, this would be followed by an awkward pause. But, I learned that I need to give them "space" A leeway that allows them to feel comfortable and continue their speaking. And it worked. Through this, I managed to engage in a more meaningful conversation with them. Usually, I tend to lean away or just babble on about something, but I was patient and bide my time. This was a very interesting experience and I plan on doing this.
3. Reconnecting with my ex
Craigslist is the website I go to often to entertain myself. And that is where I met my ex about a year ago. And last week, I got reconnected with her, through Craigslist.
There was a very interesting thread on CL and upon reading it, I thought it was her. Well, of course, there were some clues in the writing that hinting towards the possibility. But I wasn't quite sure because, well, there were also discrepancies between the person who wrote it and the person I used to know before. Yes, I haven't spoken with her since the break up last year.
And I very cautiously contacted her under a random email in order not to reveal myself. Why? This is so because when breaking up, I told her not to contact me and that I would not so. And yet, I was somewhat reaching out to her. I broke my own principles.
And yet, she sorta figured it out due to my silliness. And we got reconnected.. or not quite yet. We swapped a couple of email so far and that was it. There was some new information about her though. Where is this going? Nowhere probably. Probably.
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