To see my home videos…please to go my multiply site at http://raqs21.multiply.com.
"Ttak ssal’, roughly translated in English ‘you give me goosebumps’ is how Koreans usually respond to a corny joke.
Hubby and I have not been blessed with the wit that makes stand-up comedians rich and famous, so I never dare tell a joke. But hubby, a brave soul he is, would occasionally take a crack at it simply for our private amusement or to fill a sudden silence. Although, I know that his humor would make my jaw drop, I always patiently listen.
Last night he took me to an indian restaurant for dinner. While waiting to be served, I posed this question to him ‘what’s the difference between chapati and naan?’ to which he answered flippantly, ‘what’s the difference between a dove and a pigeon?’ ‘I see. So basically the same kind of flat bread’, I said. For a moment, I thought it was settled. Then he said, ‘Seriously honey, what’s the difference between a dove and a pigeon?’ ‘Well, ‘ I said, ‘a dove is all white and a pigeon has specks of black & gray.’ Hubby shot me a look that made me think I gave him an idiotic answer. Then he explained matter-of-factly, ‘you use dove to wash your hands; you use pigeon to wash your laundry.’ 
(palle pigeon– is a korean laundry detergent)
He then gave me a triumphant chuckle. All I could manage to say was ‘ttak ssal’.
These are my favorite indian dishes. The flat bread is called ‘naan’, this is actually a flavored chapati…Naan is buttered & combined with spices. My personal preference is garlic nan..Chapati, i think, is plain flat bread baked on a round flat skillet. When I was in Cebu, a restaurant called the Persian Palate serves chapati with olive paste dip. Hmmm.
The picture above features the dishes we had in an Indian restaurant we visited in St. Julians, Malta. There are a number of excellent Indian restaurants in Malta, probably the best priced too, in all of Europe (because the ones in London are way too pricey).
Anyway, the bright red dish is the spicy beef curry and the darker dish is my favorite lamb vindaloo. Both dishes are served with a choice of chawal, plain white rice or naan and chapati. The rice pictured here is called biryani…this is chawal mixed with pieces of choice meat and veggies..similar to the Korean ‘bokumbap’ or Thai or Filipino ‘mixed fried rice’. The only difference is the texture of the rice.
I’m having these tonight. Hubby and I have a dinner date and he’s taking me to the Indian restaurant just a few blocks from our Kangnam office….yeheyyyyy…
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Addendum:
Yes, hubby and I feasted on an indian cuisine. Instead of ordering my favorites I decided to try other dishes. I had lamb tikka masala and it was great!
While in London, I was fortunate enough to watch two contemporary musical plays — WE WILL ROCK YOU and CHICAGO. I had always dreamed of this. I never thought this would happen, ever. God granted my childhood fantasy.
This is the billboard outside the theatre. That’s the picture of Tony Hadlein, ex-Spandau Ballet lead vocalist who plays the role of the smooth-talking lawyer.
Hubby and I got good seats. We were seated at an angle close to the stage that we could see the tini-tiniest movement on stage.
This is the box office that sells tickets at discounted prices to desperate folks ….(like us hehehe)
Hubby watched MAMA MIA alone cause I had to fly back to Seoul. 
Next time I’m in London I would definitely watch my all-time favorite classics… ^^
It’s been a while since my last post. A lot has transpired since then that I would normally muse to write about, like –the nuptial I attended, my birthday, the foundation day celebration at my school, the politics at the office, Mi-Kha’s field day, his progress at piano lessons, etc. etc. Somehow, I lacked the inspiration to write.
Malta is the smallest country in the European Union but it is not without charm. A visit to Malta is a journey back in time to the medieval past.
The Island’s attractions: the neolithic & megalithic temples in Malta & Gozo, Mdina–the Silent City, the unique rock formations in Dwejra Point, the Blue Grotto, Valetta — the Fortress City, Marxalokk Village, and many more but these are among the sights I saw during my visit to Malta.
VALLETTA: MALTA’S CAPITAL
Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everything within the city is preserved from the time it was built. Valletta is a heavily fortified city. Thick, high walls were erected around the city perimeter in 1565 after the siege of Malta. This was done so to avoid destructive attacks from the Ottoman Turks.
1. 
This is the aerial view of Valletta.
3. Streets of Valletta
NATURAL ROCK FORMATIONS
1. The Azure Window
at Dwejra Point
2. The Blue Groto
3. Inland Sea at Dwejra Point 
4. Mushroom Rock 
NEOLITHIC TEMPLES
1. Hagar Qim: megalithic temple that is older than the pyramids in
Egypt. It predates the pyramids by a millenium. 
2007 has barely started and yet I feel as if I’m way well into the mid-year. January usually comes most quietly and people do not even notice that it’s coming to a close, yeilding to the more flamboyant month of February when folks then start to get frantic again about life.
In my case, January is nothing but that. It’s a frenzied month for me. It came with a jolt and I found myself staring down with amazement on a calendar that is littered with schedules.
Before the end of December our school was hiring an additional faculty for the English department. I was tasked to sit in as a member of the screening panel. I had to be present at the interview and the micro-teaching demo of the applicants. A few weeks earlier, by request of our department head, I also accepted to conduct a faculty development seminar for my collegues which was also slated in January. Then a call from the Gyo-Yook-Bu came (Korean Ministry of Educ- Seoul District). I was again requested to do a presentation on Co-Teaching Class Model. To my mind, since school was going to be out by then, I wouldn’t be busy and that I could take on these projects with no trouble at all.
Then a funny twist of events. My mother-in-law while busy refurbishing the property we recently acquired had a minor traffic accident. Minor and yet it necessitated her to be confined to a hospital bed for 3 weeks. Then things started getting crazy. Hubby had to supervise the refurbishment in between meetings at the office and I had to take care of the domestic duties that suck the life out of me. (sigh).
I found myself in an uncompromising situation. My demo-lectures were fast approaching and I hadn’t organized a single lecture. On top of that I was suffering from severe influenza. I was in a horrible state, physically & psychologically.
I told hubby I needed total seclusion if I were to accomplish anything. He was very supportive and my in-laws as well. Even my son, who’s only 5 1/2 seemed to understand why mommy had to take off in a state of frenzy. So I left the family home in Anyang City where I temporary stay during my vacation, and headed off to our house in Seoul.
Two days before my first presentation, I buried myself in work. I pulled an all-nighter to finish everything– from collecting graphics to organizing lesson modules, worksheets, and PPT materials. Amidst sneezing and intermittent headaches I managed to finish everything at 5 in the morning.
Despite the flu and lack of sleep, I reported to school at 9 am for the evaluation of the micro-teaching demo of applicants. Then at 11: 30 a.m. I scurried to the Seoul Teacher Education Training Insitute for my own workshop-demo at 1 pm. Normally, I would have a vivid image of how it all went, but my mind was hazy at that particular time and all I could think of was getting through the next session. When I was done with my demo, the district supervisors pulled me to one corner and sang me praises. I told myself, ‘The feedback is good. I did okay.’ By the time I was doing a seminar at Ewha I was at the brink of mental exhaustion. Surprisingly, all my lectures went well. My adrenalin must have been at full gear. I couldn’t have possibly pulled it off as I did without Divine help. God has once more worked a miracle in my life which helped me advance in my career.
Frankly, I’m the type who likes to work methodically. I finish every project, every task ahead of time. I am greatly perplexed when things don’t go according to the time frame I have planned out. You can just imagine how emotionally disturbing it is for me to find myself totally unprepared.
Creative chaos maybe highly stimulating to some people and to me too, to some extent, but it just isn’t my cup of tea. Nevertheless, this one episode has shown me that I could also work as efficiently in such a circumstance. But I still won’t adapt it as a personal workstyle. I prefer to swim in familiar waters.
Now that the chaotic episode in my life is behind me, I am ready for a month-long rest. Hubby is giving me the break I deserve — a holiday in Europe.
REVISITING 2006:
2006 was a very productive year. The blessings we received were overwhelming. Our investments fared well. My child is healthy and happy; and is performing remarkably in school. My own career is showing the promise of growth.
Such a blessing is not by man’s mere efforts but by the grace of God. I thank the Lord for He has bestowed upon my family His Divine Favor.
2007: EXPECTATIONS
I wonder what’s in store for us this year. 2007 is the year of the golden pig, the luckiest pig year according to Korean folklore. I earnestly hope for a huge growth in investment returns. Of course that can only turn into reality with God’s favor.
I do believe in my heart that God smiles upon me and my family and that His divine grace will fill our lives with love, joy, longevity and good fortune.
In 2006, I gained an epiphany…
To be free and successful, avoid people who pose as your ally but secretly harbor your demise.
Unmasking people is a painful process, nonetheless, cathartic. To have a healthy existence, we have to purge the toxins from our lives.
At this time of the year the rest of the world maybe busy with the holiday festivities but here in Seoul the atmosphere is tranquil. No holiday hustle and bustle of any sort. Just a quiet, relaxing time with one’s family.
We have had a snowfall a few days before Christmas making the mood even more somber. The kids, however, always feel ecstatic about snow. I love to hear the children’s laughter. Their laughter breaks the melancholy stillness of the surrounding.
My husband and my son joined other kids and 
parents frolicking in the snow. After a moment I joined them too. My heart felt cheerful as I watch my son play with his Daddy. My son ran around with glee and my husband momentarily, became a child again, forgetting the many troubles of everyday life. It was a beautiful sight.
Because my husband had to leave on a business trip before Christmas and wouldn’t be back till after New Year’s Day, he arranged for an early Christmas dinner for two at Outback Steak House. 
Though he was not with me on Christmas Day, I felt appreciated just the same for he took the trouble to do something special with me. I also gave him an early Christmas present and an early birthday gift as well. (His birthday happens to be on New Year’s Day).
Christmas is not about feasts. Christmas is just about simple heartfelt joys.
