Uneventful Weekend

3. The Tourist-- Angelina Jolie has aged. Period.  The movie is utterly forgettable (except for its gorgeous scenes of Venice), cheesy, and predictable. The music-- oh gawd. I'm not even going to go there.

4. The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo-- This was the first film we had seen in the theater in such a long time. We've become such couch potatoes and I blame the weather. It is so cold that my bones are too brittle to move. Anyhow, I see David Fincher all over this movie, but I don't know.  I see both pros and cons. It is stylish and high-paced, and I was completely drawn in. The editing was remarkably done-- We were in a rollercoaster and Fincher was controlling our every reaction, I feel like. It is thrilling and without a dull moment. However, I thought some themes could have been better communicated in other ways. For one example, the incessant scenes of fornication representative of Lisbeth's experience with actual love and acceptance is tritely overdone. Once is enough and it could have been delivered in other ways. I just think it needed to be more precisely put together, overall.

It is Saturday night, actually Sunday morning 12:34 here in Seoul.  I feel like my cooking has gotten better ^^ I actually am experimenting with different flavors and methods. Today, I attempted gochujang jjigae with slices of beef. I know in Korean custom, for any spicy soup, the appropriate meat is pork. But the beef broth allowed for a heartier flavor, kind of like soul food. For side dishes, I made 오댕 and 오징어채. It takes a long time to make everything and I wish he appreciated my efforts and presentation despite my PMS driven quarrels that I initiated during my preparation.. oh whatever. Anyways, I feel SO much better that we now have some 반찬.  For lunch, I made 미역국 and 계란말이. So much cooking in one day. Is it strawberry season by the way? They are like candy. YUM YUM.

Recluse and Regret.

I feel like I've totally deserted my blog--and everything else for that matter, hence the title. So I'm back-- this time ready to pour out my thoughts, interests, experiences, and documents of my hobbies. Hopefully, I persist.  Anyways, after coming back from the honeymoon, I've invested countless hours in researching my career opportunities. After much deliberation with my husband :) and many fickle rounds of convictions, I have come to a decision. Hopefully, if it is God's will, everything will work out.

On a totally different note, I wanted to document all the movies I've seen in 2012. Because I'm not an avid movie-goer, the list won't be too long nor current, for I absolutely adore the thought of being wrapped up in a blanket and watching my "catch on demand" series of movies on my TV.

Anyway, here goes:

1. Morning Glory-- Rachel McAdams is so darn cute in the movie. It is a bit long, but for a romantic comedy, it is okay-- enjoyable. Romantic comedies are so limited in my view, so with that taken into consideration, it was "cute." And when movies are referred to as "cute," there are so many alternate connotations. If you want to watch an easy, "cute" movie, I think this is the one.

2. I Am Number 4-- Um, stupid. Bad acting, immature plot, simple and unimaginative overall.

Bible Emergency

For all of my moments.

It's Not Me.

I realized countless things over the last several months, more than everything I had accumulated over 25 years of my life.  First, I'm small.  and nothing.  They say your future is yours to conquer.  With ideals like this, I've come to feel like I'm on a mission reminiscent of the days of imperialism.  The "I can do it spirit," whereby the fruits subsequent of the possible successes only glorify self and solidify the conviction in "my" talents and efforts.  It's such an optimistic mindset that society plants in us. I, too, had been a blind follower of such philosophy, but thank the Lord for allowing me to hear His voice once again.  For nearly all my life, I had been going to church, but never have I felt such a connection and clarity over who He is.  I dare not say I know much, and am thus thrilled to learn more about Him.  He is beginning to pop up in my thinking and in my actions, and these are the times when I realize "ah.. this is what WWJD is," remembering the moments back in middle school when everyone was wearing those fad bracelets.  And yet I'm still far behind, but I'm just happy with this transition as I'm beginning to realize that every talent, gift, and blessing come from Him.

Thank you, JC.

 I will just follow. Let this be my motto for the rest of my life :)  Also, I'm excited to learn more about human trafficking at Backyard Academy. After that, a trip back home. And after that, preparation upon preparation for things to finally take their place.

Thank you

I'm so blessed to have such beautiful people in my life. People who really care for my well-being, my present, and my future.  I really can't express this gratitude, but here is the first of my attempt: Thank you dearly and sincerely.  And there will be many more ;)

Just Let me be a Debbie-Downer for Today

Usually I'm good at hiding it-- putting on this "I'm so sure of myself; you couldn't contain this (with a hint of Latifah) show, but sometimes I'm such a fearful child, kind of like Nina from Black Swan. There are those few moments when I really feel insecure and it shows.  Like yesterday-- I smiled and answered in a stern tone, but I know they saw through everything.  As I walked out of the interview, bombs of humility and regret dropped their anguish upon me.  And it was just too heavy to lift--

Over 24 hours had passed and I'm now wrestling.  In the process of brushing it off.  Reflecting can be both positive and negative-- the instance of the latter has the tendency to string up all the "failed" moments, "humiliated" moments, etc and form it into one big "fail" over your forehead.  Don't worry-- I'm not there yet, but my mind did flirt with the thought of it.

Better days. Better days. Better days..

On In-Laws

In-laws can be the most awkward characters.  There's always that extra pressure to please and impress them, in hope that they love you.  Though I, for one, do not have in-laws just yet, I've felt the glimpse of accommodating to such "characters."

While he tells me to be myself and comfortable, there is an unending battle between comfort and the shoulda/woulda/coulda.  Korea has taught me that humbleness and self servient nature is the best representation of "good education" from parents, yet a full blown display of it can be quite awkward.  Where to find the balance... I'm learning and taking notes.

I'm lucky to have met such parents (to-be).  They are warm and kind-hearted.  Very welcoming.  Thank you for being you.