I just love that by Friday, I'll be enjoying this view:
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| The Cappadocia Hotel (Goreme, Turkey) |
Monday, November 20, 2017
Fri-yay Feels!
I just love that by Friday, I'll be enjoying this view:
Friday, November 10, 2017
Top 5 Korean Dramas to Watch
Can't stay much longer on my self-imposed KPop/KDramaworld break when my visa application got rejected, there's too MUCH great shows to lose our weekends in! Tried to do it with Netflix and getting my weekends jampacked with activities but it really can't replace the high and kilig I get from seeing my oppas unraveling over the girls they like on TV - it's like living one episode at a time!
Except for Dramaworld (Netflix) though. I may have posted it on my IG when I was watching it, but it's like.... meh.
Anyway, I made this list based on how often I'd watch it without getting sick of it or what my current preferences are- and what I like mostly now are light-hearted shows to take the edge off work. Besides, I've had enough of my Darla-esque moods lately (hindi Darla Sauler a) so I'm all about finding my happy medium.
1. Oh My Ghostess!
This is such a fun watch! I love how Park Bo-young makes it look so easy to transition from being the agressive Shin Soon Ae to the timid Na Bong Sun and she looks good together here with Jo Jung Suk. For me, this is a far stronger pairing than her Strong Woman Do Bong Soon with Park Hyung Sik because I love their rapport here, their exchange just looks natural and realistic. And the supporting cast, most specially Kang Ki-Young (my favorite) made the show lively and light-hearted despite the rare heavy moments between the leads.
And Jo Jung Suk is just ❤. He's my one and only oppaaa, except of course, apart from TaecYeon ❤ Hirap mamili! ♮ Sanaa ♬ 2 ang puso ko... ♪ ♫ ♭♯
Update:
Dahil mejo lumawak ang mundo ko, I have to add my runner-ups to this list #spreadtheoppalove:
1. Reply 1997
2. Reply 1988 (Bogummyyyy)
3. Reply 1994 (bff love)
Anyway, have fun watching! ಠ‿ಠ Feel free to suggest more!
Except for Dramaworld (Netflix) though. I may have posted it on my IG when I was watching it, but it's like.... meh.
Anyway, I made this list based on how often I'd watch it without getting sick of it or what my current preferences are- and what I like mostly now are light-hearted shows to take the edge off work. Besides, I've had enough of my Darla-esque moods lately (hindi Darla Sauler a) so I'm all about finding my happy medium.
1. Oh My Ghostess!
This is such a fun watch! I love how Park Bo-young makes it look so easy to transition from being the agressive Shin Soon Ae to the timid Na Bong Sun and she looks good together here with Jo Jung Suk. For me, this is a far stronger pairing than her Strong Woman Do Bong Soon with Park Hyung Sik because I love their rapport here, their exchange just looks natural and realistic. And the supporting cast, most specially Kang Ki-Young (my favorite) made the show lively and light-hearted despite the rare heavy moments between the leads.
And Jo Jung Suk is just ❤. He's my one and only oppaaa, except of course, apart from TaecYeon ❤ Hirap mamili! ♮ Sanaa ♬ 2 ang puso ko... ♪ ♫ ♭♯
Only the second show I've signed up alerts for on when the next episode will be available, aside from Goblin! Kim Ji Won is sooo pretty and it's such a joy that they pair her up lately with manly, non-metrosexual men like in DOTS (Descendants of the Sun). She and Park Seo-joon are such lunatics here along with 2 of their friends Ahn Hae-jong and Song Ha-yoon. Relate much to the second pair's lovestory in fairness, sarap sabunutan ni Joo-man (Hae-jong)! You don't deserve her!
So Kang Ki-Young is here again, with Lee David - and together - they make supporting cast history! It's quite scary to watch alone but if you get to the scenes with the above 2 together, you'd totally forget you're watching a ghost story. I loved the leads as well though but I'd totally rate this as a must watch just for Choi Cheon-sang and Kim In-rang - their antics are totally out of this world, este plane pala ಠ‿ಠ
I decided to watch this when I saw my FB feed with memes of the leads - with the most famous one to date as: Do you like Messi? And I loved it! Lee Sung Kyung, who was normally either supporting (Doctors) or the villain (Cheese in the Trap) was just badass here paired up with Nam Joo-hyuk. The gradual build up, the cast, practically everything here is PERFECT. It's rare to find a macho-type female lead in kdramas, which makes WFKBJ so refreshing and fun to watch. Lakas maka high school feels ಠ‿ಠ
PLUS Kang Ki-Young as Bok-Joo's uncle. I didn't feel him here as much as the above shows though but it's ok, he's still my favorite anyway.
I don't care what my sister says, Kim Go-eun is GORGEOUS. I watched her first in Cheese in The Trap and loved her ever since. Everybody should watch this because of:
1. Gong Yoo
2. Excellent cinematography
3. OST (which almost all fan-vloggers recreated when they went to that famous tunnel in Seoul)
4. Story
5. Basically everything! I wanted to go to Quebec immediately after one episode where they showed how beautiful it was there. Even Anne Curtis is head over heels over Gong Yoo and no one blames her - he's like hottest SK actor ever since Coffee Prince!
Goblin is what we paused our NYE celebrations to watch the latest episode for, why we advocate KDramas and why we would love to go to South Korea and fangirl over their filming sites ❤❤❤
Hopefully you'll love these shows as much as I did, and take delight in fangirling as well~~ no one's ever too old, too young, too rich and famous to take delight in KDramaworld. Just the hate that Anne received for her extreme fangirling over Gong Yoo was like SRSLY WTF guys. Hindi lang kayo ang tao sa mundo, please lang.
Update:
Dahil mejo lumawak ang mundo ko, I have to add my runner-ups to this list #spreadtheoppalove:
1. Reply 1997
2. Reply 1988 (Bogummyyyy)
3. Reply 1994 (bff love)
Anyway, have fun watching! ಠ‿ಠ Feel free to suggest more!
DIY Visa Series: How to Apply for a Turkey Visa in Abu Dhabi
Ever since I came here to UAE in 2012, it has been my dream to visit the wondrous city of Istanbul. Only a 4 hour flight from Dubai, to be able to go there will be like going to Asia and Europe at the same time - and with its rich history, the people, the food and the architecture, it will truly be worth the 9 day trip without being tempted to cross to the nearest European country (Greece) which will only be a 20 minute ferry from Bodrum or Fethiye. 4 years in the making and finally~ finally -- my dreams are coming true ^^
Okay, but first things first ~ since we're Filipinos, we definitely need a visa to enter Turkey. However, they do have an exception, you can get an e-visa (like what we did for Taiwan), provided that you have a valid Schengen members or USA, UK, Ireland visa or residence permit. Click here for more information.
Since we didn't have any of those, our only option was to get a sticker visa the traditional way. I tried to search again on how-to's but mostly the process was Dubai-based and if your residence visas were issued under Al Ain or Abu Dhabi, you need to apply here in Abu Dhabi.
Everybody's saying that getting a Turkish visa is a piece of cake but after the hulabaloo for our supposed South Korea trip last September, I didn't rest easy till I see that visa stamped and sealed on my passport T_T Hindi man lang nila pinag-isipan! Chos! #moveonalready
GETTING STARTED
Most of the people I know lodged their visa applications personally at the embassy but first you need a confirmed appointment before going there. I tried to do it online but the scheduling system was fully booked until next year so I went with VFS Visa Application Center. You have to pay an extra fee for the appointment though (128 AED / person) but it's worth it since you can't book by the embassy's website anyway.
However, kindly note that the process outlined here is based on our experience only, at the time of our application.
WHAT TO PREPARE
Listed below are for tourism, single-entry purposes only, taken from the VFS website. For requirements under different categories, please check their website, VFS Global, by clicking here:
HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
If all your documents are ready, go to this link and register for an account. If you're applying with somebody else, you can schedule an appointment under the person's name as well, along with yours.
Once you're registered, you will receive an appointment confirmation like below. Print it out and attach it to your application as well, and if you're doing this by group, 1 copy is enough for everybody.
APPOINTMENT DAY
Go to VFS Application center, see map below, and make sure you're there 15 minutes prior to your appointment. We were the first ones there, but the ladies who manned the Turkish visa area were very pleasant and made the experience very smooth for us.
Okay, but first things first ~ since we're Filipinos, we definitely need a visa to enter Turkey. However, they do have an exception, you can get an e-visa (like what we did for Taiwan), provided that you have a valid Schengen members or USA, UK, Ireland visa or residence permit. Click here for more information.
Everybody's saying that getting a Turkish visa is a piece of cake but after the hulabaloo for our supposed South Korea trip last September, I didn't rest easy till I see that visa stamped and sealed on my passport T_T Hindi man lang nila pinag-isipan! Chos! #moveonalready
GETTING STARTED
Most of the people I know lodged their visa applications personally at the embassy but first you need a confirmed appointment before going there. I tried to do it online but the scheduling system was fully booked until next year so I went with VFS Visa Application Center. You have to pay an extra fee for the appointment though (128 AED / person) but it's worth it since you can't book by the embassy's website anyway.
However, kindly note that the process outlined here is based on our experience only, at the time of our application.
WHAT TO PREPARE
Listed below are for tourism, single-entry purposes only, taken from the VFS website. For requirements under different categories, please check their website, VFS Global, by clicking here:
- Application form signed by the applicant. This should be filled out online and you need to print it out, sign it, and attach to your application.
- Passport with at least 6 months validity, and copies of entry and exit seal/stamps of previously obtained visas, if any.
- Emirates identity card, and a resident/work permit with at least 6 months validity.
- Current biometric photo (with a white background, taken in the last 6 months, with the face and ears clearly visible, in 5x6 size).
- Round trip flight reservation (pre-reservation)
- Hotel reservation (pre-reservation)
- Since we'll be going to Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus, along with Istanbul, we opted to add our 9 day itinerary as well, along with booked domestic flights via Pegasus Air.
- Travel medical insurance valid for the duration of the visa (A document indicating that the plans of private health insurance holders cover overseas medical expenses is also accepted).
- Even if we both have worldwide coverage from Zurich, we still opted to get travel insurance under AXA Travel Smart. A colleague from work had recommended this to us after she was scammed in Amsterdam. She was able to make a claim as soon as she got back in AUH so yeyyy, and best of all, you can do the whole process online like in worldnomads.
- Family registration certificate issued in the name of the applicant (for family applications).
- Work documents to be prepared by the applicant himself/herself or the person providing him/her:
- If employee: Guarantee letter (a company official or owner statement, which includes their contact details, offers the employee’s position, start date of employment, off-duty dates, and guarantees that the employee will return to his/her country and workplace after his/her travel), payrolls for the last 3 months, and the company trade license, all of which will be obtained from the company he/she works for.
- Take note, a guarantee letter is much like the NOC (No Objection Certificate) in a way but with the wording that your company will guarantee your return after your leave dates. However, some companies will not issue guarantees so you can just submit both your NOC and Salary Certificate in its place.
- If company owner: The company’s certificate of establishment and registration, the company’s trade license, and the company bank account statement showing transactions for the last 3 months (sealed, signed).
- If his/her spouse provides him/her: Documents requested from the above-mentioned employee or company owner regarding the providing spouse.
- Documents showing the financial position: The bank account statement showing transactions for the last 3 months (sealed and signed), documents regarding the person's immovables located in Turkey (title deed, license etc.), and if any, his/her bank account statements available in Turkey.
- If another person provides him/her; then the above-mentioned documents for the provider must be presented.
- Group travels also require the following documents in addition to the above-mentioned documents:
- Documents regarding the company organizing the travel
- Applications are reviewed individually for group travels.
- Visa application fee (225 AED/person)
HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT
If all your documents are ready, go to this link and register for an account. If you're applying with somebody else, you can schedule an appointment under the person's name as well, along with yours.
Once you're registered, you will receive an appointment confirmation like below. Print it out and attach it to your application as well, and if you're doing this by group, 1 copy is enough for everybody.
APPOINTMENT DAY
Go to VFS Application center, see map below, and make sure you're there 15 minutes prior to your appointment. We were the first ones there, but the ladies who manned the Turkish visa area were very pleasant and made the experience very smooth for us.
You will receive SMS and email alerts to track your application status. You can also opt for Aramex delivery instead of collecting your passport personally but it will be an additional 40 AED per person. However, if you do decide to forego the delivery and have another person collect it in your stead (kuripot levels), they can present the original receipt along with your signed authorization letter and a photocopy of your emirates ID.
And 7 working days after, we got our visa!
And 7 working days after, we got our visa!
Over-all, the pre-application period was hectic and the waiting game was nerve-wracking but it's totally worth it! To my world history teacher in high school, cheers to ya! :P I'm going to set foot to where the greats of history have tread before!
Date applied: 31-Oct-17
Passport Collected: 8-Nov-17
To anyone who's going there for the National Day holidays, see y'all around! Hope it's extended till the 3rd so I can sleep off the jetlag! #wishfulthinking
Date applied: 31-Oct-17
Passport Collected: 8-Nov-17
To anyone who's going there for the National Day holidays, see y'all around! Hope it's extended till the 3rd so I can sleep off the jetlag! #wishfulthinking
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Balik Alindog Project 2017
I know I only have 2 months left till it's 2018 but I'm totally, definitely sticking to my 1,200 calorie diet till I get my target weight!
Need to be ready by 2019 becauseeee HIHIHI #char
I do have 3 exams to hurdle through before the year ends so no slacking off - and DME billing to finalize before the 24th so I need to finalize my priorities and stick to evenings for my 500 words a day grammar exercises.
Dami gusto gawin! Grabe siya!
Gym later! :P
Need to be ready by 2019 becauseeee HIHIHI #char
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| San Juan Nepomuceno Church (San Juan, Batangas) |
I do have 3 exams to hurdle through before the year ends so no slacking off - and DME billing to finalize before the 24th so I need to finalize my priorities and stick to evenings for my 500 words a day grammar exercises.
Dami gusto gawin! Grabe siya!
Gym later! :P
Neorun Weekend
It was always on my bucketlist, to be able to run in a marathon ~ and I had tried to sign up since 2012 but it was always getting cancelled one way or another. First time was when I had to cancel because of a trip abroad and just this year, a freak storm in UAE (Color Run Abu Dhabi) T_T so of course it came to a point that I just have to make it happen -- my fitness goals were not to be thwarted! #CHAR #dramarama
HEHEHEHE no, I just wanted to run. And have fun doing it ~~ with the fiance and friends. It was like when I just got here, it was a novelty for me to find actual outdoor running grounds not located inside a sports complex - where it's safe to run (specially for women and children) even at nighttime. I just put on The Morning Rush podcasts and spend at least an hour and a half running, not thinking about anything. Come to think of it, I was majorly emo back then so to avoid pity parties, petty kabayan jealousies, homesickness and being overly tired from working night shifts with my home-based stint and dayjob at IHD, I ran.
Plus, I don't want to be idle on weekends. There are days when I go into hibernation mode but I'm all pumped up for my upcoming Turkey trip in November that I can't just sit still at home and watch Bring it On Ghost and Stranger Things Season 2 all day even if it's totally WORTH IT sooo here's where we ended up:
However, us, the gurangs (Tagalog WOTD meaning oldies) didn't get to enjoy it much because it was mostly adolescents who were up for the party scene that attended. And I didn't get to run, mostly walked, because the path was too dark and the crowd was too rowdy.
Anyway, it was still fun and we did manage to party it up a bit afterwards for like 15 minutes. A colleague who came with her boyfriend went directly from the 5km walk to the beach and chill out but like the good ol' gurangs that we 3 are, we took selfies first then trudged on home to do laundry and watch Stranger Things Season 2 :)
AJA AJA FIGHTING!
HEHEHEHE no, I just wanted to run. And have fun doing it ~~ with the fiance and friends. It was like when I just got here, it was a novelty for me to find actual outdoor running grounds not located inside a sports complex - where it's safe to run (specially for women and children) even at nighttime. I just put on The Morning Rush podcasts and spend at least an hour and a half running, not thinking about anything. Come to think of it, I was majorly emo back then so to avoid pity parties, petty kabayan jealousies, homesickness and being overly tired from working night shifts with my home-based stint and dayjob at IHD, I ran.
Plus, I don't want to be idle on weekends. There are days when I go into hibernation mode but I'm all pumped up for my upcoming Turkey trip in November that I can't just sit still at home and watch Bring it On Ghost and Stranger Things Season 2 all day even if it's totally WORTH IT sooo here's where we ended up:
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AUH Rescue vehicles - yess that's a Lamborghini that they allowed us to sit in later that night!  
Scored a free ticket from GuavaPass! Thanks again Mehak!
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However, us, the gurangs (Tagalog WOTD meaning oldies) didn't get to enjoy it much because it was mostly adolescents who were up for the party scene that attended. And I didn't get to run, mostly walked, because the path was too dark and the crowd was too rowdy.
Anyway, it was still fun and we did manage to party it up a bit afterwards for like 15 minutes. A colleague who came with her boyfriend went directly from the 5km walk to the beach and chill out but like the good ol' gurangs that we 3 are, we took selfies first then trudged on home to do laundry and watch Stranger Things Season 2 :)
AJA AJA FIGHTING!
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| Photocredit to Medical Coding Geeks (Brian Cui) |
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Turkish Visa via VFS Global Abu Dhabi
Has anybody tried it? Would like to get some pointers for our National Day trip.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
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