Oh My Janey

Life Lately: On Finding My Light and Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

I will always remember 2018 as the year I struggled and survived. It was a pretty amazing year because of all the lessons I learned, and I am amazed and awed at how I thrived through what could possibly be the most challenging year so far.

I met the worst and best versions of myself last year, and I am thankful to the people who stayed despite everything. I am not sure how my loved ones put up with it.

It was a wake up call early last year that helped me get my shit together. It didn’t happen immediately and most probably not that apparent that I went through changes. Sometimes, it’s still a struggle to keep my focus and motivation, and I have to constantly remind myself that all this is not for naught.

Looking back, a lot of things that  happened last year didn’t to make it to my blog. Well, I didn’t really blog much so most of the things I did, saw, experienced, felt, and witnessed didn’t really make it here. I’m hoping my yearly roundup would be enough reminder that 2018 was a difficult year, but definitely still a good one.

When I was trying to write this post earlier this year, I had the sudden motivation to unearth the boxes under my bed. It was embarrassing to read my old diary entries. However, it was also enlightening to see how much I have grown but also how little I have changed. I still have ugly handwriting, and I still like KPOP. I still have too many feelings, and I still resort to writing to express my thoughts and emotions. [Read more…]

My Sister’s Wedding

Ate's WeddingWhen I found out that my sister’s getting married, I was sad and happy at the same time. It’s a natural reaction but a truly selfish one, too.

We weren’t that close when growing up, that’s why it gets me thinking whenever someone comments that my sister and I seem pretty close. Our younger selves frequently clashed and we had different likes and interests. But I guess growing up doesn’t just change people. It changes relationships, too.

Our personalities are way too different. She’s an extreme extrovert, and I’m an awkward introvert. She’s a Choleric-Melancholic, while I’m a Sanguine-Phlegmatic. She shines and thrives in the spotlight, while I cower and flounder under it.

But despite all our differences, I can say that no one else knows me as well as my sister does. Maybe because we share the same room and the same bed all our lives, and all our fights and arguments let us thoroughly understand each other’s quirks. Or maybe we just matured and realized that we’ll always have each other’s back.

We’re not the type to be sweet and cheesy. We were already grownups when we stopped cringing when we kiss and hug each other. We’re not the type to have heart to heart talks about our wishes and dreams, or to pine over our love lives while we lay in bed at night, trying to fall asleep. We share a lot of things, but there are just some things that we don’t discuss with each other. [Read more…]

Apgujeong Grill & Shabu-Shabu: Korean Buffet and Unli BBQ Restaurant in Malate

apgujeong korean restaurantApgujeong Grill & Shabu-Shabu is one of the Korean restaurants that dot the busy streets of Malate. What makes it different is that besides offering unlimited samgyupsal, there’s also unlimited shabu-shabu and a buffet spread of side dishes and other traditional Korean food.

Having dinner at Apgujeong was definitely the perfect end to an incredibly tiring day. We spent the entire afternoon in Divisoria, shopping for supplies and materials for my sister’s wedding, and a buffet dinner was such a satisfying reward. It was the first time in a long time since we had Korean dinner in Malate. We used to try different ones around the area when my sister used to live in Manila. But now, going to Korean restaurants is such a rarity!

I was honestly so tired that day that I could just go straight to bed without eating dinner, but knowing we’d be eating at a Korean buffet, I was energized. I try not to eat too much lately, but there’s no stopping me when it comes to samgyupsal. [Read more…]

WANNA ONE’s One: The World Concert in Manila

Wanna One: One the World in Manila

If you told me last year that I’d be watching a concert of a rookie KPOP group this year, I’d laugh at your face. I’m too old for rookies, I’d say. No one’s good enough to hold my attention, I’d add.

But guess what, I ended up watching Produce 101 Season last December, and it’s been a whirlwind of fangirl feels ever since. So I don’t know how to start this post without explaining how much I love Wanna One (and PD101 boys in general!), and how the past eight months have been a happy comeback to KPOP for me.

I didn’t really want to be too attached to Wanna One, because their contract lasts for only a year and a half. I had enough heartbreak over KPOP groups, and I didn’t want to have another one. But seeing them repeatedly on my Twitter and IG feeds, watching their variety shows, and having my sister become a bigger fan than I am, it was bound to happen.

It took awhile before I fully admitted that I love Wanna One! My top two Produce 101 trainees didn’t make the cut (JongHyun and YoungMin!), so even though I love the eleven Wanna One boys, I didn’t immediately get hooked. It was only these past few months that I eased my way into the fandom, getting to know the boys one by one, playing their songs on loop while I work, and eventually becoming a Wannable. This is actually the first time I called myself one! I love every member almost equally, and it was difficult for me to pick a favorite.

When they announced that Wanna One’s having a concert in Manila, I just had to see them live. Knowing it would be their last concert here before they eventually disband by next year and the last stop of their world tour, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

I am so glad that I decided to see them live, because it was definitely one of the best concerts I attended so far. [Read more…]

Mr. Crazy Baboy: A Must-Try Korean Restaurant in Los Baños

Mr. Crazy Baboy is a Korean grill restaurant in Los Baños near the UPLB campus. It’s one of the Korean restaurants that sprouted in Elbi for the past few years.

And by the past few years, I actually meant the years after I graduated from the university! Why were there suddenly tons of Korean restaurants and cafes and even a student organization for KPOP fans after I left? Where were you when I had no college friends and when I spent years wondering when I could finally try samgyupsal? I swear, greater things happened after I graduated. Anyway.

I don’t visit Elbi as much as I want to, but my sister, who regularly does, brags about the new restaurants she tries everytime she visits. So when we spent an entire day in UPLB for her pre-nuptial shoot, we had dinner at a Korean restaurant right after.

I’m not sure if it’s because I haven’t had samgyupsal in months, but I seriously enjoyed everything we ordered that night. 10/10 would recommend. [Read more…]

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