Beginnings And Endings

Cycle Of Life

As we walk through the world, the people we encounter appear so different from one another. We see babies, old men, pregnant women, and teenaged boys. We know couples on the verge of marriage and lonely widows. We interact with toddlers and the terminally ill. As different as each person seems, they are all living the human experience. They are just at different places in the cycle that begins with birth and ends with death. Every phase of the cycle of life has its gifts and its challenges. Each stage is temporary and ultimately gives way to a new phase. This ephemeral quality makes each phase precious, because it will never last.

One of the wonderful qualities possessed by babies and young children is that they are unaware that a cycle of life even exists. They simply are present to wherever they happen to be right now, and they don’t give much thought to the past or future. Being around them reminds us of the joy that comes from living fully in the moment. On the opposite end of life’s cycle are our elderly role models. They are a reminder that each phase of life should be treasured. Time does pass, and we all change and grow older.

Being aware of the cycle of life and our place in it makes us wiser. As we develop a true appreciation for the phase we are in, we can savor it more. A new mother going through a difficult time with her infant can more easily embrace her challenges because she knows that her child will grow up, and she will long for this time again. Difficult and challenging periods are inevitable, but – like everything that is a part of the cycle of life – they are temporary. When we are fully engaged with life, we get to savor and grow from each phase, and we are ready for the next one when it arrives. Fully embracing wherever you are in the cycle of life is the very essence to happiness.

source: http://www.dailyom.com/

Craze for Korean TV soaps reaches US

HONOLULU (AP) _ It's become a daily ritual for Gayle Stephens. She laughs and cries while getting her daily fix inside the privacy of her home in suburban Ewa Beach. She's even tried to get her family hooked on her latest addiction - Korean TV dramas.

Stephens is among a growing number of Americans with no ties to Korean culture who say the shows are a compelling and wholesome alternative to the usual U.S. daytime TV fare.

"I like the fact that they're cleaner, they're not as smutty as the American dramas,'' said Stephens, who is 32 and grew up in Durham, North Carolina. "I didn't think I would enjoy watching, but I really got caught up in it.''

Mainstream commercial outlets also are joining in the Korean craze, with TV dramas becoming South Korea's hottest export since cell phones, women golfers and kimchi. The craze, which includes music and film, has swept through Japan, China, the Philippines, Singapore and most of Asia and is now making its way across the United States.

"It's just a small peninsula nestled between Japan and China, but they've just hit it right,'' said Tom Larsen, general manager of YA Entertainment LLC, a major North American distributor of Korean dramas. ``They know how to put together a good drama that their neighbors in Asia are eating up.''

Now, more Americans are saying hello to "hallyu,'' or the so-called "Korean wave'' that Larsen said has come to encompass ``all things Korea.''

"It stopped in Hawaii, built up some momentum and reached California shortly after and is continuing to spread across the states,'' he said. "The mainland is three, four, five years, behind Hawaii.''

Korean soap operas, once sold only in Asian specialty stores, have gone mainstream with English subtitles.

In Hawaii, retailers such as Wal-Mart, Costco, Borders, Blockbuster and Tower Records offer Korean drama DVD sets for $ 60 to $ 120 (euro50 to euro100), and the DVDs are sold in mainland cities with large Asian communities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and New York.

Since opening in 2003, San Bruno, California-based YA has seen revenue triple in each of the past two years behind strong sales of its top sellers: the tearful love story ``Stairway to Heaven'' and historic drama ``Dae Jang Geum,'' named after an imaginary woman court physician in the 16th century. YA plans to release 22 titles this year.

Fans say the Korean shows, centered around relationships and family, focus more on story lines than special effects and are a refreshing change from American programming they see as too violent and too racy.

Annette Marten, a 69-year-old nurse from Kailua, said Korean soaps depict love in a more romantic and artistic way, without steamy bedroom scenes.

Many Korean dramas have themes similar to American soap operas-- love triangles, forbidden love, evil mothers-in-law and corrupt business partners. But a key difference is that Korean series usually end after 16 to 20 hour-long episodes -- no matter how popular they become. In contrast, CBS's ``Guiding Light'' has been on the air since 1952.

There are blogs, chatrooms, a weekly column in Hawaii's largest daily newspaper, even tours to Korea to visit filming locations. And Korean restaurants, shops and language classes are filled with curious non-Koreans.

Music plays a prominent role in Korean TV dramas, and there's a lot of crossover in acting and singing, such as pop stars Jung Ji-hoon and Eric Mun. Jung, featured in the hit romantic-comedy series ``Full House,'' is better known as the singer ``Rain'' who gave two sold-out concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden last month and played to 40,000 fans at Beijing Workers Stadium in October.

pictures: credit to Rain of Jeongjihun.com

Staying Afloat

March 15, 2006
Riding The Wave Of life

Our lives are continually in motion, buoyed by the wave that is the universe's flow. As the wave rises and falls, we are carried forward, through life's high and low points. The universe's flow may take us to a place in life where we would rather not be. As tempting as it can be to fight the direction and size of this wave that propels us, riding the wave is intended to make life easier. When you ride the wave, your life can evolve naturally and with minimal effort. Riding the wave, however, is not a passive experience. It is an active process that requires you to be attentive, centered, and awake. You must also practice stillness so you can flow with, rather than resist the wave's motion.

Because life is dynamic and always changing, it is when we try to make the wave stand still or resist its direction that we are likely to get pulled under by its weight. If you try to move against the wave, you may feel as if you are trapped by it and have no control over your destiny. When you reach a low point while riding the wave and find your feet touching bottom, remember to stay standing so that you can leap forward along with the wave the next time it rises. Trying to resist life's flow is a losing proposition and costly because you waste energy.

Riding the wave allows you to move forward without expending too much of your own efforts. When you ride the wave, you are carried by it and your head can "stay above water" as you go wherever it takes you. It can be difficult to trust the universe and let go of the urge to fight life's flow, and you may find it easier to ride the wave if you can stay calm and relaxed. Riding the wave will always take you where you need to go.

source: http://www.dailyom.com/

Teaching Children to Think Positively

By replacing worries with desire and faith, you can help your child become happier.
By Patti Teel

While we’d like to believe that our children live carefree lives devoid of concerns and worries, many children become anxious and self-critical at an early age. However, parents can help their children to develop positive thinking, a discipline that can be developed through practice. Children can learn to replace worries with desire and faith, and to think and speak more positively. (In child-like lingo, this would amount to imagining that things will happen the way we want them to, and always saying good things about ourselves.)
Many children are born optimists. They have a wonderful feeling of self-assurance and absolute faith that their wishes and desires will come true. However, other children seem to be born worriers. They may worry about speaking in front of their class, that they are stupid, that no one likes them, etc. etc. Their list of worries can go on and on. Worrying is one of the most disregarded forms of stress. Instead of focusing on what we desire or want, worry focuses on what will happen when things go wrong.

We attract what we pay attention to, but oftentimes children (and adults) don’t realize that they are focusing on what they don’t want, rather than what they do want. For instance, if you and your child have been sick, you’re probably both clear that this is not what you want. However, if you’re thinking and worrying about being sick, it’s an entirely different perspective than focusing on being well.

When your child expresses a worry by telling you what she doesn’t want to have happen, help her to identify and then start focusing on what she truly wants to have happen instead. For instance, if your daughter says, “I don’t want to go to the party because no one will play with me,” help her to identify what she wants by asking, “What would you like to have happen at the party?” And then, “What if you have fun at the party?” Children who worry a lot are great candidates for visualization and imagery. The truth is, worry is negative visualization and it takes a vivid imagination to imagine such horrible scenarios! Gradually, teach your children to focus on their wants and desires, rather than their fears and worries. Tell stories in which your child faces and overcomes a fear or attains her goal. Eventually she will be able to visualize these positive scenarios on her own.

Think and speak positively

Challenge your child to direct all statements that start with “I am,” towards positive statements and goals. Negative affirmations such as “I’m just stupid” or “I’m always sick” are very harmful because they can penetrate a child’s subconscious, which accepts them—hook, line, and sinker. Our minds and bodies are not separate entities—they are connected. When a child creates positive pictures and self-suggestion, it can have a beneficial effect on both his physical and emotional health. It sounds simplistic; however, children who picture themselves as happy and healthy will be taking an important step towards becoming happy and healthy throughout their entire lives. Happiness and improved health are gifts that each child can give himself through the power of his own thoughts and imagination.

As parents, we always need to keep in mind that we are our children’s heroes and role models. If we are continuously worried and self-critical, our children are likely to be the same. Worrying projects negative energy and it doesn’t do you or your children a bit of good. In fact, when children are aware that their parents are worried about them, it projects a lack of faith and they tend to feel more anxious. Admittedly, there are times when our worries are well founded. Even then, instead of worrying and imagining the worst possible scenario, try to focus on the positive outcome that you desire and on actions that can help to bring it about.

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/nllp/Inspiration.aspx?WT.mc_id=Inspiration02&date=03-12-2006

My RAINy Bangkok Experience - Part 2

DAY 3 – February 26, 2006 (2nd Rainy day Concert)

I was rereading my previous write-up, found out many booboos, well just goes to show I am still in cloud nine when I was writing my experiences. Anyway I re-hashed some of the error but if you still find any, please just call my attention, pabo, hehehehe.

Didn’t get much sleep the night after the first concert, I was still excited with all the experiences and can’t wait to watch the concert again.

We were fetched at the hotel around 11:30am and went straight to Impact Arena. Why so early when the concert will start 8:30pm, well, let’s just say we would like to get a good place to stand on the last day of Rain’s concert. Talk about being early, some fans even stayed all night just to be first in line. We took our spot and waited all day for the concert to start. During our wait, we did nothing but bond with other Rain Fans. Some nice some not, others are dressed as if they’re going to the beach, ohhhhhhhhhh what a get-up. I particularly bonded with Nimfa and Cindy and I had a nice time chatting and being kooky with them. Dont want to discuss anymore what we talked about but bottom line we both ended getting a good seat beside the guy who was selling newspaper. Still havent lost my touch of being a dramatic actress, hehehehe. The rest of the RainPH members stayed in our line while we look for some souvenir items to buy. Prices on the 2nd day of the concert were the same as that of the 1st day except for the concert tickets, I heard that VIP tickets which was originally sold for 6000bht are now sold as low as 4500 or 5000bht. I will just leave my comment to myself regarding this but one can assume why the tickets are already being sold that cheap already. At around 630pm I changed my tee to a pink sleeveless top because the temperature that night is to die for. It’s so hot plus the fact that we have to wait in the line for 2 more hours made the waiting even more unbearable. Others are already shouting be let in but the crowd went wild when some of the ushers are letting in some Thai fans who are trying to get in ahead of those who waited all day to get the front row spot. Everybody has to shout OUT, OUT, OUT (of course we joined in) so that those Ushers will know that people who lined up early are not happy with what they are doing. Talk about being pushed over, we were practically pushed forward then backward, was asked to line up in twos, then three’s, the last straw was four (its just like playing the boat is sinking), then was ask to move forward again then backward again. One of the RainPH ajuma said that this would be the 1st and last Rain concert she will watch. She was upset about how the management of Impact handled the whole scenario and being honest myself, I’m not also happy with the way we were treated by these Thai people. So many restrictions comparing it with other Rain concert when no restrictions were being sanctioned. Everybody would like to have a good time but I don’t think these people do not know what

having a good time means. The Ushers, just like the first day, inspected the bags and did some body search before we were let in. We found a good spot to stand so we just stayed to where we were and waited for the concert to start. I heard a commotion to where Ziel, Andie and Rica were standing. Found out that one Rain fan from China was trying to squeeze her herself so she would get closer to the stage, Ziel was particularly the victim of this Chinese lady. Bad news for the 2 Chinese fans, they were reported to the Head Usher (an American guy) who requested them first to behave. The older Chinese lady did not heed the warning instead did her thing again this time it was one Cloud Japan fan who became her victim. The Japanese lady asked the American guy to take her out since she does not want to respect other fans who would like to watch the concert. The American Usher had come inside the VIP section to request the 2 Chinese lady to move back or else they will be dragged out of the concert. Well, just goes to show how hard headed some people can be, the Chinese ladies did not do as they were told so what the American Usher did was to literally drag them out of the VIP section. The other Chinese girl (the smaller one) was crying and asks not to taken out but one has to pay the price for being rude and not following simple orders. When the 2 were taken out the Japanese fans made friends with the rest of the fans inside the VIP section and even thanked some of the fans for backing her up when she requested the 2 ladies to be taken out.

The show started 830pm with the same opening act, BYUL was singing once again and this time I saw her up-close. She’s even more beautiful and everybody joined her when she sang her song. She talked to the audience in Thai, which gave her a good applause from the Thailanders watching the concert. Same as first night no JYP in sight. Well, just goes to show that he really has no intention in joining Rain do his last Rainy day concert. Of record, I was also looking for Appa Jeong but he was not there. The Voltes group are having a good time wishing me a good time before I went to Bangkok and even joke that if ever I do get the chance to see Appa Jeong, to make friends with him rather than be chosen girlfriend of the night. We were laughing our heads of on how to go about the whole scheme.

Back to the concert, Rain’s usual entrance started the whole concert but this time it was different Rain that I saw. He looks okay compared to yesterday, at least the smile extends up to some part of his eyes. Rain did his number well all through out the concert only this time no more off-key note. He’s still not staying long under the man-made rain but at least he was wearing his white get-up when he sang “NAN” (won’t elaborate why I love to see Rain in white suit each time he sang that song). After singing It’s Raining, Rain together with his dancers went infront of the stage to thank everybody who watched the concert. He was saying something in Korean while somebody from backstage translate it in Thailand’s native language. We don’t understand what is being said so what we did was to try to throw the bear to where Rain is. It was one of the female dancers who got the bear and they were so enchanted with the bear that they started playing with it. Everything was so fast but for Elle and me it was the highlight of the show for both of us. When Elle flashed the RainPH light on BIs direction, BI bowed to Elle first then me. Everything stopped for me because all I can see that night was how BI looked at us with his ever-cute smiling face. I know that its just one of the many acknowledgements BI gives out to his fans but to be able to be the recipient of such acknowledgement, can’t remember how Elle and me felt that day. All I can remember that night was how happy I am and how Tita Remy and Tita Susan were so worried about me. They thought something happened to me, yes, something did happen but I just don’t know how to put it in words that night. This was also the time when the 2 ajumas told me that they are going to watch BIs concert again, talk about saying that they had enough of Rain’s concert because of what happened before the show started. Everybody was hyper or was in cloud 9 that night, RB because the bear reached its destination, Tita Remy and Tita Susan was so happy because of the turn-out of the concert, while for Elle and me, let’s just say it deeper than what they felt. When Rain sang Instead of Saying Goodbye, everybody joined in. I was so happy that night that I don’t care anymore whether I am singing or saying the right words, all I remember was that I am so dam happy that night. I was like a silly teenager after the show but when things sink in on me again, that’s when I told myself that I get a grip of myself because I am way too old for this kind of stuff. Long story short, made me realize things I should not be analyzing after the concert. I was practically shaking from head to foot, even called Aileen to tell her what happened but have to hang-up because I need to compose myself. I found out that Elle cried after getting a good acknowledgement from BI while the rest didn’t even know that we got such attention because they were looking at the Teddy Bear and how the dancers are playing with it. The bear was even placed in between the boobies of the lady dancer who 1st played with the bear. Rain said that I LOVE YOU will be his last song for the night. As usual everybody said no, then he said, I’m tired but everybody just screamed. Some said sarang hae, others said more and the more everybody screamed the more Rain is teasing the crowd. He was playful that night making him more endearing and cute. I will miss this Korean guy after I get back to the Philippines, he really did touched my heart so much. After the encore number, Rain went back on stage wearing a white tee that made him look boyish. The dancers were spraying water on everybody even the audience was not spared from the childish act. Everybody had a good time being wet that night, Cindy got different colors of confetti sticking on her skin but she doesn’t care a bit. Everybody had a grand time and I will not miss this event for the rest of my life.

We all went back to the hotel; I did not talk on our way to the hotel because I was still reminiscing that short moment of my life, hehehehe. I was still in cloud nine when I reached our room and told Ryan what happened at the concert; he was just smiling at me. We went out to have dinner at Pratuman but who can eat at time of the night I mean morning. Me all I can think of that night is how happy I am. There were problems I encountered in this whole trip but everything is all worth it because of this night. I will forget this because it made a great big difference for me.

Before watching this concert all I want to get out of this were the following:

1. Have fun.
2. To find new friends which I did. I met Mai, Wendy, Raina, Cherry, Boa, Kate666 and the rest of the RainPH members.
3. Take pictures of the concert. Major bummer because I got only a few.
4. Sing Instead of saying Goodbye with the rest of Rain International fans.
5. Buy souvenir items to bring back home in Manila. Another major bummer, cost is too high.
6. The experience of watching Rain perform live.
7. To be honest, I also want to watch JYP perform on stage.
8. To have a great time, hehehehe.

Little did I know that I would get more in watching Rain’s concert. I went to bed that morning light-hearted. I was still in a state of shock and can’t get any sleep at all. I just waited for the clock to reach 630am so we can have breakfast and buy some stuff to bring back home to Manila.

DAY 4 – February 27, 2006 (Going back to Manila)

It would be nice to come back home, I miss my kid can’t wait to give him a hug. In a few hours we will go back to our usual home/work routine.

We went to nearby stores to buy some things to bring back home but got only a few cheap items. Everybody’s funds are already depleted because of some unexpected expenses but we still did some shopping to bring something back home to remind us of this trip. I bought myself an MP3 and was glad that I bought it cheap. Usually MP3s with extended memory cost almost P4,000 in the Phils. but here I was able to buy it at 1650bht (P2178.00 if converted to Phil. Peso)

When we checked out of the hotel this is when I felt something negative bugging inside me. Much as I don’t like to admit it myself, I will miss the Korean guy who touched my heart so much. After watching his concert, I know I will be missing him more now that I got the chance to see his performance live. I already miss him today hope that he’s okay and not sick anymore.

ALWAYS USE LEFT EAR FOR MOBILE PHONES

Save your brain

Please use left ear when using cell phone (mobile), because if you use the right one you will damage your brain directly. This is a true fact from Apollo medical team.

Oppa's Crowning Glory

My friend, Tet, gave her analysis on the hibernation of the crowning glory of our oppa during his concert at Bangkok, Thailand last February 25-26,2006. Her blog title, "An Affirmation" was the source of kookiness that day that we were all laughing our heads of when we are discussing this issue on our way to San Sung last Thursday. I made this comment on her blog and decided to post also here in my blog.

Why the dragon is in hibernation mode during those days:

1. not feeling well

2. got "scared" of the lady/gf for the night (joke)
3. not in the mood to play sexy
4. no one to show off his prowess

5. not enough beautiful ladies in the first night but then again in the 2nd night are there any, aside from us of course but unluckily we are not chosen as the girl for the night.

6. the mother of all fish net is not around to give him a boost, whatever boost it may be.

7. the "special someone" is nowhere in the audience. who the special someone is, that is for him to know and for us to find out, araso.
8. i'll stop here, lest i might offend somebody already.

comment made are purely for fun, and besides this is my blog right!

Rain Poem

Listen as the Rain fall

on my face

gently touches your eyes,

gently stroking your face,

your nose, your lips

then finally going down the throat.

Oh soooo good the feeling,

how can i forget such sweet sensation.

you did not just touched my heart,

but conquered my soul, my being.

when will I ever fell those touch again,

gently, ohhhhhhhh so gently,

waiting, still waiting

for that day to come.

My dear Rain,

when will you see me,

touch me,

hold me.....

It may be a dream to me,

reality check tells me me this is not possible,

but how I wish I can have this dream come true.

heck, what am I doing,

you're as distant as the star above,

shining ever so brightly above us,

let me just look at you,

admire you from afar....

in my dreams there you always BI

my dear Rain ............

how can i forget you.........

My RAINy Bangkok Experience - Part 1

Day One – June 24, 2006

Can’t sleep the night before, pure excitement is what I feel. Before it was just wishful thinking for me to see Jeong Jihun perform live on stage. Never in my wildest dream did I plan to see him infront of me performing, singing and dancing the way I would want to see him does his stint. Now after many months of dreaming about him, I am going to Bangkok, Thailand to see RAIN perform. A dream come true, yes it is for me. For someone who is already 43 years old and have a kid, I don’t think I should be acting this way. The guy is almost 20 years my junior, but what the heck, I am just a fan from afar and I plan on keeping it that way.

Back to the 1st day anticipation of going to Bangkok. At the airport, I waited for an officemate to arrive because he would be with me to go to Bangkok. Although his reason for going is entirely different from our reason in going to Bangkok, but heck, he did join for a first hand experience in travelling to another country. It’s Ayan’s first experience to ride a plane and he’s excited about it. I saw Ziel, another club member and I was told that Elle is trying to have her ticket confirmed so she can join us in Bangkok. Elle has a brother who works at PAL so she has benefit to use PAL services at a discount, if I’m not mistaking it’s called ID75. Back home, I was also worried because I found out that there is a planned Coup de Etat and that rallies and barricades is being set-up to overthrow the present government. I was calling home every now and then to see if my family is okay. I was ready to back out of the trip if something is definitely wrong, but my sister told me not to worry because classes was cancelled because of what is happening. At least that gave me enough peace of mind because I know my kid will be okay while I am away. I was also texted by a friend, Tet. She advised me to leave early so I wont have a hard time going to the airport though I did assure her that I was already at the airport. I also found out that another friend, Charity was also leaving for Hongkong. She was instructed to attend a meeting or something but unfortunately we were not able to see each other because she got her booking at another airline and she is at NAIA/Terminal 1 when she texted me. Back to Elle, I was trying also to get in touch with my nephew who is working at PAL to help Elle get a sit so she can join us in Bangkok. To make the long story short and after eons of waiting and sweet talking the counter personnel, I was assured by the man who attended to Elle’s request that she can indeed get in the flight. I was particularly happy because I would want everybody to have a grand time and it will also give us the chance to know fellow Biers (as what we call each other at the forum). Our flight was delayed so we left Phil. Airport almost 12noon (originally our flight was scheduled 10:30am) so you could imagine how we all felt while we were at the airport plus the fact that Elle was given her boarding pass a little before 20mins before boarding time. Everybody was sitting close to each other except for Elle who was sitted at the left side of the plane. I was sitting next to Leah, this is the 1st time I talked to her and she is sweet to talk to. We exchanged stories about ourselves and I found out that she work at INTEL, one of the biggest Computer Company here in the Philippines. We watched the in-flight movie and ate the food served by flight attendants and I even bought chocolates as precautionary measures in case my sugar acted up again. My first booboo in the trip, forgot to buy chocolate and noodles in case I wont be able to eat Thai foods. I won’t discuss my sugar issues because I don’t want anything to stop me from enjoying myself.

At the immigration line-up we all got separated. It’s Ayan and me who were lined up in the same lane while the rest was in another lane. After picking up our luggages, I saw a man holding out paper where my name is written. I was told by man that he will be our driver in going to the hotel. Everything went well during the ride to the hotel. I tried calling Mai and Cherry, both are Thailanders who I was able to know through RainPH forum. I texted them and told them were I am staying and was told that they will get in touch with me after work. While passing by several areas, Ayan was joking that some of the place we were passing looks like Manila. While enjoying the view we were distracted by the two other passengers who were smooching in front of us. We just laughed our heads of and talked in Tagalog so the two won’t understand that we are talking about them. When we were dropped of at the hotel our first comment was, our hotel looks like those found in Malate, so many Indies and Malays are checked in when we were there. We checked in and went directly to our room. The first thing I did was to change footwear so we can explore the place. I was excited to look the place up but my spirit dampened when I found out that majority of the locals does not know how to talk in English. Even the front desk personnel can’t understand what I am saying and they have to wait for one particular personnel who can speak a little English. Went back to the room and waited for the rest to check in. When everybody is settled, Mai called and told me that she is treating us out for dinner. Told everybody about Mai’s plan, everybody agreed but Rica said that they need to buy something while waiting for Mai to arrive. The rest of the evening was okay because Mai is cool. Mai took us at MBK and we had our dinner at Coffee Canyon (can’t remember the exact resto name). We took pictures and after dinner went to some stores to buy some souvenirs. There was a store at MBK that sells Korean series and souvenirs so everybody was hunting for something to buy. I think it was Rica who saw the stamp made by RB being sold for 180bht. In some ways it would be like an indirect advertising/publicity for RainPH because RainPH name is on the stamp.

The evening went well and everybody had a nice time knowing each other. Everybody called it a night all with one thing to look forward to, to watch BI/Rain concert. Back at the hotel, others decided to explore the city but I decided to call it a night because I still have to meet Cherry to discuss/arrange the van we need to rent.


DAY 2 – June 25, 2006 (First Day Rainy Day Concert)

I woke up Ayan early because he wants to join the group tour that goes with the package and he will be picked up around 830am. I would have joined but I have to take care of the van we need to rent so that we will have our transportation in going to/from the concert. One club member is also scheduled to arrive on this date but knowing Mai will fetch her, I just went on my way to meet Cherry to discuss about the van we need to rent. I was wrong in that assumption because a few minutes before Cherry arrived, Mai called and said that she cannot fetch Karen because she has to attend a meeting and was tasked to have lunch with the people she has meeting with. I requested Rica to call Karen and tell her what is happening and that she have to take a cab when she arrive Bangkok. With that resolved I waited for Cherry at the hotel lobby. When she arrived I took her to where RB and Elle are and introduced her to them. We left RB and Elle fixing the stuff we will be bringing at the concert while I discussed with Cherry how to go about the details of the trip and how long we need the van we are renting. After everything is settled, I went back to the hotel because Cherry has to buy some items in one of the store where I bought my Thai Sim card. I have to buy a Thai sim card because I was having a hard time using my Globe sim. I was asked to present an ID before I can buy the sim card unlike in the Philippines where you can buy the sim even with sidewalk vendors. While inside the taxi Mai called me and said to relay her apologies to Karen. Assured Mai not to worry because Karen can take care of herself knowing that this is not her first time to go abroad. Karen arrived at the hotel 5mins after I arrived at the hotel after meeting up with Cherry.

The big event, we all went to Impact Arena 300pm. Everybody was in a festive mood when we arrive, so many items being sold but all very expensive. Even a simple poster is being sold for 20bht, tees for 400bht, pillowcases for 300bht (or 500bht for 2 pillowcases) battery operated lights 80bht and would you believe even the tarps are sold for 2000bht, aishhhhhhhhhhh. Way too expensive for me and besides my budget is running low already because of some unexpected expenses. Someone announced that camera, audio equiptment and even video devices are not allowed inside. As penalty if anybody is caught, said devise will be confiscated. Talk about major bummers, this is the major bummer for the evening. I was really hoping I can get pictures during the concert anyway I ended up leaving the camera inside the van.

Inside the venue, Tita Susan was seating beside and we were exchanging stories before the show start. The concert started around 820pm (Thai time). Byul was the opening act and she is really pretty. She sang 2 songs, I Thank You and I Think I. She was talking to the audience in Thai and everybody was having a good time just listening to her. Everybody was expecting JYP to perform but he did not. I was a little upset because JYP always perform every time Rain does his concert. Anyway back to the concert, when Rain was being introduced, and jumped out of nowhere, the first thing I noticed from him was his eyes. There was no glow in his eyes. I told Tita Susan about this and even said I think Rain is sick. True enough during the entire concert the stamina I know he usually exert in his concert was not there. He sang his usual songs but all I can sense in him is he is tired. Even when he tries to make himself cute infront of everybody I still miss the Jeong Jae I know him to be. The smiling eyes that melts my heart every time I see him. He was trying to talk to us in english that night (with the usual twang of course) and I just find it cute because he was trying his best to speak the language. Rain gave his best so what can we do but to applaud him for it. I noticed people infront of us where plugging their ears with their fingers whenever we scream so I have to tell Tita Susan to join me in screaming even louder every time Rain sings. When Rain sang Nan one can hear how he tried to give his best in singing the song. I think he’s really cold because he has to get out of the pouring (man-made) rain just to compose himself. My guess was right when he started singing Still unfamiliar, he sang off-key and my heart cries out to him. I saw the reaction of the people infront of us. I want to shout and say the hell with the off-key note. He is trying his best to give us the BEST performance and I won’t let one off-key note stain my admiration to the guy. Tita Susan and I were enjoying the whole evening singing and dancing even while we were sitting. After singing I LOVE You Rain said that will be his last song. Everybody said no but when they all went inside one who really ask is it the last song. It took them almost 3mins before Rain and his dancers went out to do the encore number. In any concert 3 mins is a long wait and you can just imagine the question that keeps popping out of my head. Rain only sang a few lines and all I can hear him say is kamsa-hamneeda over and over again. I heard him sang off-key again but I don’t care as I have said before, Rain will always do his damn best not to disappoint his fans and I admire him for it.

After the concert everybody in the group were still hyper and were all very happy with the turn-out of the concert. We heard that Rain will be passing by enroute to the hotel so we all waited for him to get out. Unfortunately, we did not get a glimpse of Rain so we all went back to the van. When we were all seated at the van I noticed some of the RainPh members were standing outside. I am not about to elaborate what happened so I will just tell you what happened during the dinner with other Rain Fan Club member. Everybody enjoyed introducing and knowing each other so let's just say the evening went along well (minus the usual headaches in the group). I was particularly elated that night because I got the chance to meet Kate666, Boa, Raina is sweet (whom I came across thru Jeongjihun) and Wendy is also sweet.

Back at the hotel, everybody was happy which includes me (of course). Can't explain how I felt that early morning and I can't wait also for the 2nd day concert of Rain. With this in mind I went to sleep dreaming of no one else but RAIN.