Nobody has expected 2020 to turn out the way things are happening right now, and guess who’s back to her safe space? Yes, hello, I’m back! I am sorry I have abandoned Blogger for years. But since we’ve got enough time (because of the community quarantine) and maybe I got a little spark of passion for writing in me at the moment, let me update this little online home about the things that has kept me busy in the past year: about the bucket lists that we’ve checked slowly but surely; about the dreams that we’ve given up and the goals that we are still working on to achieve; about life and everything in between.

I scream for (matcha) ice cream!!! This one tasted like jasmine, though.

Until the next matcha-dventure!

From having BTS roleplaying group chats (seriously, group name: ぼうだんしょうねんだん complete with the nicknames) and staying in character with BTS-themed shoots (kind of), we also didn't miss the chance to visit Japan's Korean Towns (towns, because there are apparently two)!

Note: This edition of Versus doesn't aim to determine which is better between the two but it is merely a guide to get to enjoy your travels better and who knows, they might make their way to your future Japan itineraries, yes?

Getting ready and in character.... (Hwaiting!)

***

Shin-Ōkubo vs Tsuruhashi

THE ACCESS

For our first stop, we have visited Shin-Ōkubo in Tokyo. It is easily accessible as it is located near the station of the same name in Yamanote Line (JR).  Simply go right after exiting the station and walk down the main street and you are just a few steps away from your Korean town heaven.

The other Korean town is located in Tsuruhashi in Osaka in which you could access via the JR Osaka Loop Line, the Sennichimae Line of the Osaka subway and Kintetsu Railway's Osaka and Nara Lines depending on where you are coming from. We had difficulties at first because we exited on the wrong Exit so we had to walk longer than necessary but there is beauty in getting lost and it makes you even appreciate the place when you've reach your destination.

Or not. Ha. By now you should know to save your energy as much as you can as Google Maps may not be as accurate as you'd like to assume and it doesn't usually point you to the easier/shorter route possible. To a native it can be "walking distance" but if you are not the walking type (also if you are wearing heels like I was, good luck!) it could feel like a couple of miles and well,  learn from our mistake and take the West Exit of the station. This exit takes you directly into the heart of the covered shopping arcade of Tsuruhashi. 

THE VIBE

The inhabitants of the Tsuruhashi area are predominantly of Korean descent, known as Zainichi Kankokujin (Japan-Resident Koreans) so it will give you that good ol' South Korean vibe. There are also temple and shrines near the area in which you could enter for your side trips. They are so historic and pretty. Meanwhile, Shin-Ōkubo gives off the feels of the bustling shopping districts of modern Seoul (not that I have been there yet, but you get what I mean.)

SHOPPING!

Part of staying in character, I also remembered how in the Philippines, when I put the pin that Freda has given me on my bag, I got ARMY-called: like someone would randomly scream "AAAARMY!" in the most Kim Seokjin way out of nowhere but in Japan they won't even bother as it is none of their businesses. Needless to say, Jimin and Taehyung pins have wandered freely and peacefully even in the most Korean place that you could visit in Japan.

There is nothing out of ordinary at first glance but there is a vast number of Korean goodies that you could feast on as you walk on the streets from the K-Pop merchandises (both official and unofficial) to their skin care and cosmetic products that are to die for (and relatively cheaper than getting them from other parts of Japan or in your country, too) up to trying their authentic street food and meeting oppas/noonas as this is where they usually hangout if you are brazen enough to socialize, that is.

.....they are everywhere. haha

Yoongi/Freda even tried this surprise ball machine for ¥300 and she's got..... 

...Kim Taehyung! 

I don't have the guts to try as I don't think I can take it if I don't get Taehyung (I'm the Taetae of the group and I like him best after all). haha

Kidding aside, I still don't fully consider myself as an ARMY (maybe when I get to have my own ARMY bomb then I will. ha) but I do enjoy and appreciate their music and visuals that I even buy some of their stuff (buy them off iTunes sometimes like what I'd do when I like something). And that is alright, I think. You don't have to be a part of something to enjoy something. You don't have to know every single fact about a group to appreciate something. As long as it makes you feel something, happiness mostly, then you should go for it. And my best mate and her niece are fans and they make them happy so, why not? Showing support through any way that you could is more important than actual group labels, right?

Sadly, the LINE Store in Shibuya isn't selling BT21 items yet but we'll visit them some other time (maybe in BT21's birthplace in Itaewon? Who knows.). As for my hoards, I got Tata and Chimmy (BT21 plush head chains) and a CNBLUE CD (how I miss them!). 

THE FOOD

I am a fan of Korean food because despite being spicy for most of the dishes, they are tasty and nutritious (bibimbap used to be a food for the royals, did you know?) and there are just a lot of varieties usually from their meat, noodles to the veggies with so many side dishes that comes in a set. A total package! And so we've tried some of them!

We went to eat samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), gaeran mari (Korean omellete), gaeranjim (Korean steamed egg) and chijeu-buldak (fire chicken cheese although this one is mild) in a restaurant in Tokyo while we had the authentic tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cake) and bujimgae (Korean pancake) in Osaka. Again if you are into the authentic Korean street style food trip experience, Osaka is the best place for that. Modern BBQ and tteok stalls (tasty and authentic, likewise) can be found in Tokyo. 

Although I have also tried some of them in Manila, there's always a delight in having tried them in another country and yes, I loved it. Jal moke got sumnida! Ma shi suh yo! 잘 먹었습니다! 맛이 있어요! (I ate very well! It is delicious!) 

***

We went to Korean towns on Day 5 and 6 of our Japan escapade so we are quite exhausted (by default) at this point but the physical pain can't stop us from visiting stores after stores. We also have lesser photos from these days and we aren't complete (seven) as Seokjin has already enlisted in the military (nah, he went to visit some of his relatives and has a flight earlier than ours) and Yoongi had to meet up with colleagues at some point, but we definitely had fun.

Next stop: South Korea? Hmmm? We'll see.

April x

Hello. I have not blogged in a long while. It's not even because I have been so busy with life, is the thing. I could have updated if I wanted to but ever felt like not having the same enthusiasm towards something? I just don't have the same fire anymore. But the said fire is not lost. It is even burning even more brightly than ever. And I may have been channeling it into another part of my life. 

Speaking of life, I still am at that point where I could not pinpoint where I would want my life to lead. Will we ever learn, though? At this point I just... live. And there is nothing wrong with that, too.

I admire those who gets to figure out what they want to do with their lives early on. I also admire being in the dark to the point of basking in it. It makes you appreciate the light when it comes. 

Birthday month/week per my experience is when all anxiety levels are up. It makes you ponder on how you have spent the past year, how you've probably slacked and/or of how far you've come. I was waiting for that moment, the sleepless night. For crying out of nowhere thinking where I fucked up with my life. For every mistake that I could have prevented if I have put more effort and if I have put my focus on the things that (in the eyes of the curious crowd) matter. Surprisingly, it didn't come.  While the future is still as vague and uncertain as it has ever been, I am in a better place than I was the previous year and I am grateful to be here.

Happier, I am. With my relationships and my mental state. My career? I could definitely work on it. And I will work harder to achieve the goals that I have set for myself. I never go through it alone, anyway. If there is anything I am really sure of, it is that I have Him. 

We'll all be fine.

To challenges.

To living.

Cheers. x

***

Ah, I have a couple of backlogs but I cannot wait to share my Taiwan trip! It was a nice experience. Also, matcha stuff are coming your way!

May you have auspiciousness and causes of success

May you have the confidence to always do your best

May you take no effort in your being generous

Sharing what you can, nothing more nothing less

May you know the meaning of the word happiness

May you always lead from the beating in your chest

May you be treated like an esteemed guest

May you get to rest, may you catch your breath

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙨

And may the road less paved be the road that you follow

Here’s to the hearts that you're gonna break

Here's to the lives that you're gonna change

Here's to the infinite possible ways to love you

I want you to have it.

Here's to the good times we're gonna have

You don’t need money, you got a free pass

Here's to the fact that I'll be sad without you

I want you to have it all.

***

Borrowing words from a Jason Mraz’ song (he sang it best!).... There are moments this year that I felt like giving up but there are times, too in which I wonder why I even doubted when I should have just put my trust in His plans for my life. 

I'll never get tired of proclaiming how grateful I am for everything that has happened this year. Mind you, it has not been always good. There are days when it is so bad that I would just cry it out at church or cry myself to sleep. I even had to delete my social media apps on my phone at some point, I am so tired -- seeing your life not working out the way you initially plan it to be. I focused on the things that I lack instead of the things that I have. I drown myself in worries. When you thought it could not get any worse, it can and it feels like you cannot do something about it. But you can do something about it. I... prayed. Harder than I have ever had.  And then gradually I realised that He's been sending me hugs in many forms, I am just blinded by my worries to see it, but it's definitely there. It could be in the form of company, of my family, my cat and friends. It could be through the comfort of my favourite food or through listening to my favourite songs. It could be the joy of getting to try and explore things for the very first time. Maybe things are not working out because you deserve something better (You definitely do.) Maybe He is preparing you for something bigger. We've all been down there. And we can get better.

See, it won’t always feel like it’s the best life, but life indeed gets better. Plot twists are everywhere. It’ll make you cry, make you doubt. But there will be blessings and they are everywhere, too. 

Thank you, 2018! I’m forever grateful for your lessons.

Cheers, 2019. Let’s have it all, April x

***

It's the new year's eve later and it'll get so busy at home so I posted this early. I still have a few things to blog but I thought, there is no deadline as this is my own virtual journal and I could do it some other time. I have not been writing a lot or reading and a lot of things have changed all year long, I have figured. We're getting older..? haha. But I still find this cathartic so I'll try to write and share more. Til then! x