Evo 2014

I ended up giving up on blogging my Asia trip after my phone was wiped out and how internet was terrible in the Philippines. I feel bad....but next time I'll prepare better...

But, let's move on to the event I was at last weekend: Evo 2014.

This was my third Evo I attended. Although I must admit, I've only watched Top 8 for The King of Fighters XIII the past years...Unfortunately I didn't enter this year, since I knew I was going to get my butt kicked yet again, along with the work grind I pulled the past months.

But ever since the Friday night where I got to spend time with friends, Elric and Carlo, it made me remember my love of King of Fighters. Work, dating, and school can do what it takes to make me occupied, but at the end, I realized it could never take my love of King of Fighters or fighting games away from me. It made me remember how much I would fangirl all the cool combos my friends would do and made me remember how crazy I was for the character, Mai Shiranui! Although I was so scrubby in general with the game, the one character I always saved for last was Mai as a way to redeem myself! I thought she was so cool, outgoing and sexy, so I always liked picking her in my teams. Getting to Neo Max Carlo with Mai was awesome...sorry Carlo!

As for Saturday, it was the King of Fighters-only day. I got to see a ton of cool matches and *gasp* met some other KOF ladies! It was definitely nice, but then I got pulled away for a wee bit since I had to watch my friend's art booth. But after she came back, I immediately dashed inside the main venue to get some nice seats for Top 8!

Overall, I'll be honest: It was okay. Maybe I'm bummed out I didn't see Woo's Mai in action, or that there was no intense Grand Finale when Xiaohai just slaughtered Tokido after Tokido restarted the bracket.

I think the most tragic part of Top 8 was after the tournament was over. As the announcers called everyone back to stage, it didn't feel as united as the other two years. After everyone from Top 8 got their medals...nothing really happened. There was an attempt to chant "K.O.F.!" and have all of the Top 8 players hold hands and lead, but it pretty much was a broken, low chant. It broke my heart a bit. Is that odd to say?

Dressed up like Chun-Li...watching KOF XIII Top 8. Wait, what?!
Credit to: David Zhou

I hope next year KOF XIII can at least have one more year at Evo...Otherwise SNK, please release KOF XIV!

On the brighter side...

I got my nails done at the famous nail salon, BUB. Head's up: It's highly recommended if you know Korean or even  Japanese (owner is Japanese and the paper you fill out is in Japanese, but I don't know kanji and enough conversational Japanese). Only one worker knows English and she wasn't working that day. Thankfully a woman next to me did and helped me and the workers communicate. I could never thank her enough! Most of all, as a messy hair blondie passed us, that woman told me that girl is Hyoyeon from SNSD and that I was lucky to be there. For those who may not know, SNSD is the most famous Korean pop group. Every household knows of them. BUB happens to also be their favorite (and many other Korean celebrities) nail salon. I suppose I got very lucky that day, hehe...

I also got the chance to go to the legendary Daerim arcade, Green. Since the online instructions if Google'd is super outdated (and I personally like my directions better), here is how to get your butt there. To get there, take either Line 2 or 7 to Daerim. Then, go through Exit 9 and keep going straight out. Keep walking until you see a bright pink banner with a heart. Rather than go downstairs, head upstairs and you'll see the Tekken posters. The machines for Tekken is only...300KRW! But...these guys are amazing! This place is not famous for nothing! They will body you! So if that happens, feel free to play music games~ Buuut this place is a known hidden gem for music games such as IIDX and actual updated Jubeat machines. This place is also recommended to know some Korean.

Or get a smartphone and download  Korean dictionary. Apparently a lot of tourists have been generally communicating with translating apps. I think I definitely want to learn Korean instead (because "hello", "yes", "no" and a very badly done "thank you" isn't enough to properly socialize) so I don't depend on my phone so much. I am too heavily dependent on my phone...

Now why this blog is called "On the brighter side..."

Bad news: my phone got wiped out. So anything not uploaded on social media is gone. This entry has one photo previously uploaded...the rest is gone. A lot of sights I saw, all gone. I cried so much when I finally arrived at a friend's bar. I got lost even trying to find the guesthouse I was staying at because I was that upset (and I will admit I had a drink too)...

I managed to recover some apps. Other than that, I'm pretty bummed out. Hopefully the days get better...

Lost Day?

Sunday was definitely my "rest day". I woke up that day with a terrible stomach ache and a headache from the terrible amount of sleep I had. I'm getting better from the jetlag, but now I need to try overcoming my digestive system.

[Before I got to write this entry, I had a nosebleed as a result of the dry, hot climate. Don't worry, this was normal for me back when I would travel with family to similar, hot environments. I'm OK!]

But back on topic and why this blog entry is called "Lost Day". I didn't exactly lose a day, I ended up exploring the Yeonhuidong neighborhood I'm staying at. I know, I wasn't supposed to go outside! But I was tired of being cooped up all day! So I went out you to do some groceries.

Tip: You gotta be quick and bag your groceries yourself. Oh and grab your change! Next time I need to not take my time with groceries...

Right when I was about to walk back to the guesthouse, I thought "Hey, I want to explore and...get lost?" And so I did.

I mean it. I really managed to get lost. To start, the residential areas are like a maze. Not only that, but there are businesses operating within these houses, so it can get a bit confusing. I find my way back, but I did take a few photos. I can definitely say there are a lot of small shops and cafes in this neighborhood!

One thing I learned from that day is that no matter the location, there's always a way to venture out and discover something new.

Gangnam Girl

As you all know, "Gangnam" is a well known district in Seoul where  many of the stylish, wealthier folks hang out or do business at. Sometimes with the way you dress, you can tell someone is going to Gangnam. A lot of the men wore nice, tailored suits and women were in the latest fashions with...high heels?! Yes, that's right: high heels! I saw so many women there, even in the most casual outfits, wearing heels! I wonder if their feet get tired...?

The Line 2 takes you directly to Gangnam, but believe me, this place is HUGE! When you get out the station, there is a TON of shopping to do, both cheap deals and costly items roam around here. It's amazing under there, it's the size of a local mall back home!

Now what really stood out for Gangnam was Apgujeoung Rodeo Street (you need to subway transfer). This part is where the shopping until you drop really starts!

There are both local and international brands, and all the prices vary. Regardless, you might end up with a lot of shopping bags. However, there are benefits for it!!! If you are a foreign visitor, you can get your global tax refund for it if you buy at least 30,000KRW worth of merchandise from certain stores. I'll blog later once I get there, but basically you get some money back after all your shopping. KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS!

Hongik University: A Young Heart's Friday Night

Hongik University Street was one of the hot spots I was told to go to, since it's a street where all the "young people" hang out at.

In these busy streets, you'll see mainly college students roaming around and socializing. The place is packed with restaurants, bars, and even...stores? That's right folks, some of these stores are open until 11PM (I think some even longer!), willing  to sell to these night owl youngsters. By the way, when I also say youngsters, I mean there are sometimes young children with their parents here as they try to win them giant stuffed animals on the streets!

Did I mention there's plenty of music to enjoy too? From K-Pop blasting from some shops to amateur singers singing their hearts out with covers (I've even seen non-Koreans too), you're guaranteed to pass by music wherever you go in this area.

This is definitely a spot I like~! I'd totally recommend it to my friends with young, night owl lives.

My Soul Found Seoul

I have arrived. I'll type more a wee bit later.

But this post is to assure I am safe.

Cheers!

-Jasmine

Mahalo!

Goodbye Hawaii! Thank you to my godmother, my godsister and the rest of their family for housing me for my layover. It was great being to catch up with them~

I'll be boarding the plane soon...I'm very anxious on what will happen when I first get there.  I just hope I do not get lost, hehe.

But for now: the waiting game.

See you all again soon!

XOXO,
Jasmine

Two More Days

I'm very anxious about how my trip will go.

For those who don't know, I'll be going to Asia for the very first time in my life, specifically Seoul, South Korea and Manila, Philippines. I ask myself, "What is it like in those countries" or "What should I expect?" and much more questions...

For now, I'm going to be focusing on finishing my plans and packing.