This is Life

Recently, I met up with my two bestest girlfriends. We intended to go ice-skating but oh my, there were too many people on the skating rink. Our guess is because it was still the June holiday for the students. We decided to see if we could catch a movie, preferably "The Fault in our Stars". We have been hearing many comments and seeing the posts on facebook and it's time to check it out. It was a bad timing at Jcube, so we watched at Jem instead. However, it was a bad seating, front row, too close for comfort. The movie is that popular. 

 

The story depicts how two lovers knew each other from a cancer support group program. Gus and Hazel fell in love after some time. Both of them should be cancer survivors, Gus lost one of his legs while Hazel continued to have lung problems. They visited Hazel's favorite author in Amsterdam and had a happy trip.  However, cancer was found in Gus again and it was spreading like wild fire. He died very soon. She was devastated. 

That's a very short summary of the plot. I think the storyline is good but the whole movie just did'nt touch me as much. It was quite boring at first and there is'nt a very good climax. I know the movie is adapted from the novel, and maybe the book would be better at conveying the touching story. I thought I would cry [I was prepared to cry after seeing the sad fb posts and hear stories from my sister], but I did'nt. 

The only time I teared was when I imagined myself as her. Or him. What would happen if one day this happens to me? If I found out that I had some illness that would take me away soon. Or if I know someone is going to leave me because of some illness. My bf and I have discussed about this topic before. We don't want lies or hiding of the truth. No matter what happens, we want to spend the rest of the time left happily with each other. It would hurt, whether is it now or later, so why not treasure the time together.

Of course, I certainly hope this day would'nt come, at least not so soon, not until we are 70 or 80 years old. Then, I will most probably leave with no regrets. But now, the thought of leaving chills me. I can't bear to leave my love ones. And I don't want them to live with grief. That's why, I always cherish my health. It is the one thing that is irreplaceable once damaged (apart from relationships). You need your health, even to enjoy the times with your family and friends. Although many times, it is not up to us to determine our health conditions, but the least we can do is to take care of ourselves the best that we can.

This reminds me of the recent youtube video of a wedding in a hospital. The groom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and his only wish was to marry his true love. He did in the end, but he died soon after, leaving his wife and child behind. It was supposed to be a happy wedding video, but I bet it brought tears to many viewers. It's heart wrenching to know how some couples who are truly in love cannot be together because of such unexpected circumstances in life. 

We must always, always remind ourselves to cherish what we have. This brings back to what Mr Won have told us "The best happiness is to be with each other". You will never know when things would be taken away from you. This is life. 

Lessons from Emergency Couple

"There's no such thing as a perfect life. As you live, unexpected accidents occur, and irreversible mistakes are made. However, every time we fall and get hurt in life, we find ourselves always changing for the better. Only by learning about the pain of others, can we mature bit by bit.

Could that be where love starts? Even though we may make mistakes and fail again, we will continue to grow and try."

This is the dialogue in the last episode of "Emergency Couple", just right before the drama ends [Subtitles from Dramago.com]. In the medical way of seeing, it seems to suggest how our life is unpredictable and there's only limited control over it. One moment we may be chatting with someone dear to us, and the next moment we may be gone due to an illness or injured due to an accident. But the key to living our lives, is to learn how to stand back up again. We learn and we change. As doctors, by understanding how their patients are hurting may also help them to grow.

Does love work the same way?

Yes. There is no such thing as a perfect relationship. As we progress as a couple together, unexpected conflicts and disagreement will occur. Unintended words or actions of hurt to the other party may result. The harm is done even after we regret or apologize later. These are the irreversible mistakes made. Yet, through these bad experiences and mistakes, we learn. As the ones who got injured in the process, we learn to forgive and let go. The wounds will heal with time. As the ones who inflicted the pain, we learn to control our emotions and think deeper before anything is done. We change, to love better. By understanding how the other party might hurt, we learn to reduce the overall damage or even totally avoiding it. In turn, it will help the relationship to grow stronger.

In the show, Jin Hee and Chang Min were married when they were younger. Within a year, they got divorced because they could'nt stand each other anymore. 6 years later, they met each other during an internship, in the same hospital, and in the same department. They kept their divorce news a secret from others in the hospital because divorce is negatively thought of. But others knew in the end. Through the time spent together, Chang Min and Jin Hee felt that they still had feelings for each other. Families disagree to them getting back together because they have already made a mistake of being together once. Furthermore, Jin Hee was afraid that the relationship would end again.

In the plot, we can see how people were placing judgement on them because they were divorced. If they decided to get back together, why divorced in the first place? However, we often fail to see how circumstances and people can change. Jin Hee became a doctor just like Chang Min after they broke up. If it was'nt for the divorce, she probably would'nt have upgraded herself [She wanted to be a doctor so she can know the feeling of being one, how great that status can be that people despised her in the past for ruining the future of Chang Min]. After they worked in the same field together, they communicated more and understood each other better. They realized that they may be able to be together again. Furthermore, they were young and possibly reckless when they got married. They did'nt bother to find out more about each other when disagreements arise. They just thought they were incompatible. But 6 years later, they found each other again. They are destined to be together.

Well, I may be immersed in my own fictional land, but these things do happen. Couples get together and break up. Couples divorce and get back together. But we should'nt be quick to judge since we don't know their story. There's no right or wrong in relationships. It's just a matter of making choices. 

My choice, 3 years ago, may not be the best decision. But now, both of us have learnt to communicate, to compromise and to make effort in keeping our relationship strong. People will judge me, and I know they are. I don't care. Without that obstacle, we would'nt be what we are now. I am only truly thankful that he did'nt give up on me.. even when I did.

My White Honeycomb Cake Process

White honeycomb cake, also known as 白糖糕 or bak tong gou, is a traditional Chinese kuey. It should be a Cantonese cuisine since it has a Cantonese name. Personally, I like to eat this, although I don't often do. Recently, I realized that someone dear to me also likes this, so I thought why not try to make it myself. I googled and found Sweet Day's blog with the recipe of this dish. In total, I have experimented 5 times so far in about two weeks.

First time: I followed the recipe almost entirely, except that, I did'nt manage to make it fully into a dough before adding water. Hence, it's adding water into the solution rather than adding water to the dough. But I added less water in this case. Turned out fine after steaming, though I remembered it to be slightly too moist. 

Marriage is a commitment

Baby's friend got married today. It was held at Trinity Christian Center.

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 12

31 May 2014-

We watched "Naked Ambition" on the TV by connecting it to the computer in the room. The movie was on youtube and was shared on FB at that time. Must make use of the computer before we leave haha. Although we slept late, we woke up for the hotel breakfast because I insisted. It's already the last day in Korea. Times flies. After breakfast, we went back to pack. While I laid on his lap, I fell asleep. He related to me how his leg cramped and how cold he was with the air-con blowing at him, no blanket because I was using it lol. But he did'nt wake me up because he did not want to disturb my sleep. heheee.

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 11

30 May 2014-

This was the last full day we had to spend in Korea. Our initial plan was to go to Gangchon Railpark, a place where an episode of running man was taken. It's like a park in which people can cycle their rail bikes along the rails and enjoy the scenery at the same time. Quite a romantic place to go. Actually our plan was to go there in the first few days of arriving in Seoul ;(, but we changed it. We did'nt go in the end because of my walking disability and the long distance to our destination. In fact, I probably can't cycle. I was kind of sad because that's like the first place of interest I wrote down in our itinerary. I will come back for you later!

So now we have one day to spare on something else. Bf suggested that we go back to Dragonhill spa instead. It might have therapeutic effect for my feet injury. In fact, my chinese doctor did advice me to soak my feet in hot water regularly to loosen the nerves. And we don't have to walk much in the spa area, just relax and chill.

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 10

29 May 2014-

My feet injury aggravated. Yes, both feet :(. I can still walk slowly, not bending the swollen part above the heel. Well, at least it's after Everland. We had planned for Gyeongbokgung Palace and Coex Mall today, so it seemed manageable.

Before everything, we had lunch at our favourite eating place nearby. Let me introduce you to the "ugly but tasty kimbap". It is just rice with bits of minced beef and salt wrapped in slices of seaweed. It was tasty indeed but not as good as pork cutlet kimbap. Yummy! I had the feel for kimchi fried rice and it tasted great. Bibimbap was less enjoyable as it was too wet.

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 9

28 May 2014-

Bf and his friends (including the friend that we bumped into in Hongdae) arranged for a trip to Everland together. Thankfully the weather was awesome that day. If only I was also in a tip top condition. You see, my feet swelled even more, and going down the stairs began to be a problem. Every step I took was also tiring for my feet. ;(

We were supposed to meet at 9am. So bf and I had breakfast sharp at 8am. Because we were early, their stir-fried food was'nt ready, so they offered us cup noodles haha. I had a very happy meal.

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 8

27 May 2014-

We woke up rather late today because of the late night buying at Lotte mart. Had lunch at the pancake place we always passed by only at about 2pm. They had no English menu but the lady who served us could speak Mandarin and she briefly told us what was available. I wanted to try the pancake but it comes in a pair at 14 000 won. Not recommended if you just want to eat them as a light snack as it's quite big. We ordered another bowl of noodle to share before we knew the size of our pancakes. Very 腻 if you eat too much.

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 7

26 May 2014-

Went back to the same eating place for pork cutlet kimbap, spicy dumpling and beef udon. Yummy.

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 6

25 May 2014-

We had breakfast in the hotel lobby today before going out. It was very simple, yet it gives a very cozy feeling.

With flash

Without flash

Today, we went to Trickeye! It's at Hongik University station and the area should be called Hongdae. So we alighted at Hongik University and walked quite a distance to Trickeye [bf led the way, I was lost]. You can get a map from the tourist information counter nearby. Before that, I did some shopping and tried this egg cake. It's an egg on top of a nice butter cake? Tasted pretty good. 

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 5

24 May 2014-

It's Dragonhill spa time!

But first, we had lunch at a restaurant nearby. They provided us an English menu! Actually I don't know what are the names of the places we ate at but generally any food in Korea is quite tasty.

Ugly but tasty gimbap? Yigebuya?

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 4

23 May 2014-

It's time for Seoul! 

We had breakfast at a restaurant nearby. A few flies were visiting the store too. But nobody seems to be bothered. Maybe it's the norm. 

  

Melon and strawberry milk

Rice cake in soup with some veg, some beef

Pork chop with BBQ sauce

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 3

22 May 2014-

Breakfast at Paris Baguette again!

Take selfie at the full length mirror first. With the banana milk in my hand.

Met up with Mr Kang outside the hotel. He is a tanned and lanky ahjussi (very uncle-ish). His English language skill is not as good as Mr Won's but he is extremely helpful. His taxi is like the standard taxi you flag down in Singapore and it was pretty warm inside. I think he knows too and he winded down the windows most of the time. The wind blowing in was very cooling till I felt cold at some point of time. Our first destination was quite far from the hotel (about 1 hour) but we had two stopovers. Strawberries buying! Half kg at only about S$7.

wrapped with newspaper in a plastic bag

Dates with Love in Korea- Day 2

21 May 2014- 

Our lovely trip in Jeju just started on day 2.

Woke up to prepare ourselves before we went out looking for breakfast :p.

Since we only had 30 minutes before Mr Won's arrival, we settled on Paris Baguette. Lovely designer bread and a nice cup of iced mocha. 

Dates with love in Korea: Day 1

     Bf and I visited Korea recently since I wanted to fulfill my wish to see the running man casts in real life. Unfortunately, we did'nt see any of them. Well, the desire to visit Korea was also because I wanted to visit the places that running man went, hehe. I have decided to blog again to ensure our travel memories are jotted down. Also, the trip is successfully planned with the help from information on online blogs and forums. So maybe, my blog posts can help anyone who need some opinion and information on Korea too :).

19/20 May 2014-

     Our flight was in the night at 10.40pm so bf came to fetch me to his place first before his dad sent us to the airport. The feeling of excitement started to build up once we reached Changi airport. Super love the idea of freedom and 二人世界. We flew with Asiana, a Korean airline, so they mainly speak the Korean language. As expected, one of the lady staff spoke to us in Korean when she guided us to the check-in counter. Another staff beside noticed our confused look and spoke in English to us, leaving the lady laughing out loud and telling us that we looked like Koreans.

"Dear, you got a Korean gf and I got a Korean bf sia!"

     I was super tired during the 6 hours flight and wasted "potential usage" of their entertainment system. lol. We had bibimbap and fish with rice as our meals on air. Honestly, it was just so so. Very disappointed you know. Plus, since their main language was Korean, the service provided to us does'nt feel as great as SIA.