Last week, I restarted my pursuit in learning Korean. I joined a language class and have greatly improved to where I was from last year. I've gotten better in writing and reading Hangeul. My vocabulary leaves much to be desired though but I learned a new technique which would hopefully help me in memorization.
Another struggle is learning how to construct sentences. I learned English grammar by reading books, that's why I sucked during grammar class as I had no idea what the rules were. The way I practice it is that as long as it sounds and looks good, it should be fine.
Realizing now how important that is as I'm struggling with subject, object and verbs which is vital in Korean sentence construction. It's so I can properly use the particles which would mark each work. I just spent 2 hours doing a 5 sentence assignment. Hopefully, that will improve in the next few months.
I started taking Korean lessons a couple of years ago at a place somewhere in Pasig. I would drive every Saturday, together with my neighbor, so we could attend free classes together with almost a hundred other students.
I found it difficult at first as my classmates had some knowledge of the language while I had nil. I struggled to catch up and my ahjumma brain could not cope. I ended up flunking the course which affected my confidence.
I studied by myself and practiced writing the alphabet and tried to teach myself a few words. Of course, I picked up some expressions from the kdramas and kvariety shows that I watch.
But I decided to pick it up again and took a course in conversational Korean at the Verb Hive. Fortunately, I'm already familiar with the language so it's a matter of sentence construction and putting together the correct words. My pronunciation sucks though. The polite and informal language makes it more confusing but I'm slowly getting there.
I had my first class last weekend and I was happily surprised that our 선셍님 (seonsangnim - teacher) looks like Seungri of Big Bang. This time around, I was able to follow the teacher and slowly put construct (hopefully) palatable sentences. The assignments were also fun though it's really taking so much of my time. Might as well as there's no Korean dramas to watch.
I've always had difficulty controlling my mess. I try my best to organize stuff but I just end up relocating my clutter.
For the past several days, I've made it a point to start throwing away stuff. I made it a goal to fill up my trash can and I've been doing so since Thursday. That's only the cabinets on beside my work station. I have to work my away throughout the room to make sure I get through stuff. And I have to also check out the boxes that are outside our room.
So far, I've thrown away knick knacks that I haven't seen or used the past 20 years. Some of them are just dust gatherers and which I'm keeping for nostalgia's sake.
Nostalgia is a tricky thing. I look at them, reminisce for a few minutes then put them back. Am thinking how I can immortalize them without keeping them. Maybe take pictures and keep them digitally? Let's see though. I'm getting the hang of throwing away stuff. Problem is, I'm replacing them with more stuff that I buy online. It's a ruthless cycle which I don't know how will end.
Frustrated with all my clutter, I've started sorting through all the papers and stuff that are stored inside our room. I found some poetry that I wrote more than 20 years ago. I cringed at some of them but there are some that I wish to save. Like the poem below:
We can only breathe a resigned sigh when the government called for another 2-week lockdown to hopefully stem the spreading of the dreaded delta COVID virus variant.
I know that we are a resilient species but the past year and including this year is quickly wearing down our resolve. I also know that this too will end and I can't wait for that to happen. But as what we say in the vernacular, hindi ko alam kung saan tayo pupulutin nun.
A lot of people have been playing the blame game and I'm not exempt from that. We could only look at envy as we see how other countries have successfully battled this unseen enemy and have gone back to their normal lives. Tayo kaya? Sana all.
I'd hear, konting tiis nalang. Lilipas rin to. Pero minsan, nakakapagod na rin siya.
I've always been a fan of automation--of being able to do things better. More often than not, I'm at the end-user and always have someone to do the nitty gritty programming for me. But ever since I saw my oppa's, Ha Seok Jin, high-tech home on his YT channel, I was inspired to do the same thing for our bedroom.
However, I'm not much of a techie and I abhor the thought of programming anything (that's why I quit my Com Sci course) so I didn't bother much to think about it. But when a member of one of the FB groups I belong to posted an idiot-guide on how to do simple smart home tricks, I decided to try it on my own.
My hubby recently installed his old Google Chromecast on my TV as he bought a new one. He paired it with my Google Home on my phone and I initially just used it in casting VIU, IQIYI and my other Kdrama watching apps on the TV. Just for the heck, I tried saying, "Hey google, open the TV" and it just responded. I was so lit!
I went back to the idiot-guide and followed the advice of the poster. I went to Lazada and Shopee and bought the following:
1. Google Nest Mini Smart Speaker - This will serve as the main controller. Out of all the stuff that I ordered, this was the last one to arrive. It's easy to include in Google Home. Am a bit wary though in the information being stored but it's just so convenient!
2. Google Chromecast - This is actually nice if your TV is not "smart" and has no apps installed. But in my case, I use it to cast the kdramas from the apps that I use (e.g. VIU, IQYI, WeTv and Viki). I know it also contains Netflix but I already have it installed on the TV. For this instance, I use Chromecast to turn the tv on/off.
3. LASCO Wifi Smart IR - This is what I use to connect my aircon as well as other appliances that can be controlled by Infrared and within line of sight of the device.
4. Wifi Smart Plug - I used this to wirelessly connect my non-IR devices such as the electric fans.
I've managed to connect all the appliances to my Google Home and I'm actually amazed. My Google Nest arrived late so I've been controlling everything first via my phone which is such a hassle as it will only work if my phone is unlocked.
So far, I managed to voice-activate the aircon, tv and electric fan. My next project would be the lights and eventually, the curtains (the last as it's the most expensive due to the needed motor). I also intend to program in some "if-then" scenarios. I'm pretty excited over it as the possibilities are endless.
Now, if I can just get rid of all the clutter in our room. There's just too much stuff which I haven't used in over a year. The hoarder in me refused to let them go.
Here's Ha Seok Jin's video where he explained how he did it for his home.
When Pres Noynoy died last June, I wasn't able to grieve for him as much as I did when his parents passed away as I was in the middle of my own crisis. It's only now that I felt the impact of his death.
He was not the perfect president--and I doubt no one ever was or will be. I have had my own frustrations with him but as a Filipino, I am proud of what he had accomplished and the legacy that he had left behind.
I grieve not only for the man who died but I also grieve for the time that I can truly feel proud about being a Filipino; of my government; of my country.
I've always known the realities of having different parties and sides but for the past 5 years, never have I felt our country so divided. It's difficult to bring up that feeling of patriotism and love for country when you don't see that trait being exhibited by our leaders. Our recent victories in a worldwide sport event and even the bayanihan of some of our countrymen during this pandemic managed to bring up some love but that was even tainted by politics.
We have our chance to resurrect our patriotism or even salvage our country as we elect a new set of leaders next year. I have yet to see the final roster and make my choice but I hope our fellow citizens will have the same mindset.
Hopefully, one day, we can truly say to our neighbor again, "Hindi ka nag-iisa".
