From Bacterial Flux to Beethoven Virus to Birthday Bashing

It's my 16-yr old keyboard organ. 

My first instrument before my aunt bought 

an upright piano. 

Yeohmee's being supportive to me.

She loves to stay there while I play

and warm up with my Hanon strokes...

In relation to my hobbies and interest in classical music, I just finished watching Beethoven Virus, a Korean drama that depicted the lives of classical musicians and orchestra in Korea (of course). I am a K-drama fan, and I can say, that this is the best Korean Drama I have seen. It's unconventional and unpredictable compared to the typical cheesy Korean soaps. One of the lead actors Kim Myung Min even studied conducting for 5 months before they started out filming. The tapings were crucial, because they have to film and record the orchestra pieces separately, not to mention that some of the actors who don't really play real instruments had to study at least the sequence, posture, and the exact strokes to make the scene more realistic.

Very inspiring, compelling, and it definitely stood out among others because of its some degree of genuineness - classical music. Though apart from the small love triangle among the conductor, the trumpeter, and the violinist, the story focuses more on the on the other character's problems and issues as well - their struggles on being the outcasts of the classical scene (a pub trumpeter, a violinist with  Menier's disease, an old oboe player with crippling dementia, a blue-collar subordinate who plays contrabass, etc) with their inner and personal battles. Despite the occasional comical insertions, Beethoven is by far, the most mature drama I have ever seen. 

This is a sample scene (episode 5) from Beethoven virus,

wherein Jung Hee Yun (cellist) doing 

her lead on Astor Piazolla's Libertango.

Mostly drowned in household chores, unappreciated by her 

family, has finally liberated herself.. 

This is one of my most favorite scene (the other one was when Gunwoo conducted the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no 1 with his own style and version). Aside from Yo-Yo Ma's version of Libertango, this arrangement captured my ears and heart as well....

Two weeks ago was birthday. Didn't have much time to celebrate big time, but we had a few drinks with Denz's band (since its Octoberfest), a dinner with my best friends at my favorite restaurant Ziggurat, made some Kimchi Dumplings, had some Taiwanese noodles in Chinatown, and a couple of pizzas with my family...

Too busy that I missed a couple of shows from the Philippine Fashion Week. My cousin will be seen in a Project runway-like reality show "MEGA Young Designers", to be premiered on Novermber 15. Pictures and videos are not yet allowed to shown to the public.

Octoberfest means San Miguel Pale Pilsen

My free bucket of oysters. Thanks Marina Resto...

My birthday foodie activity ---- Kimchi Dumpling Project

Recipe will be posted next

Our favorite pizza is back! The Ultimate 6-Cheese of Pizza Hut!

And what's missing? I topped it with Shaved Black truffles and

drizzled it with some White Truffle oil. 

6 Cheese + Truffles = heaven

Cowabunga!!

(Spicy Taco, Anchovies Lovers, Jamaican, 

and Beef with Mushroom)

Taiwan Special Beef Noodles

Kutchay Dumplings

And last not but not the least, a not too late birthday dinner with my bestfriend Grace, whose also an Octoberian. We had a hearty dinner at one of my favorite Mediterranean Resto, Ziggurat

Arabian Khoubiz and Muttabal

Fried Stuffed Papadum

Samosas with Tamarind Chutney

North African Lamb Couscous T'faya

Chicken and Potatoes in Goan Pink Curry

We had a wonderful, festive dinner - felt like an Arab Royalty.

I highly recommend this place. I have dined at this resto

for more than 3 times, and have

 introduced this place to some of my friends. 

Obviously this has become one of my favorites. 

 My full review will be posted soon..