~ My Favorite Quote From ‘I Am Not A Robot’. I Think Ji Ah And Min Kyu Make One Of The Cutest, Prettiest

“How your life feels is more important than how it looks.” - homebody club.

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| Passport Journal |

~ ‘Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast’ Reaffirmed My Love For A Simple Life ~

A lot of folks on my IG feed kept posting stories of them watching reruns of ‘Hyori's Bed & Breakfast’. After a point, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to add it to 'My List' on Netflix. It took a while before I actually got down to watching the first season, but man, when I did, I had to stop myself from falling head over heels for it.

A bit about the story:

The show revolves around K-Pop sensation Lee Hyori and her house on Jeju Island where she lives with her husband Lee Sang-Soon and their pets. The couple decide to open their home for a 'bed and breakfast' experience to selected guests.

Introverts by nature and unaccustomed to company, Hyori and Sang-Soon are initially quite apprehensive about the idea. But as the days go on, we watch them turn into beautiful caretakers to every single guest they host. 

Their pets are whole different level of cute. There's Mi-Mi the cat who's stoically disdainful of human beings, there's Sam-Sik who's so fat that she gets mistaken as a pillow most times, and then there are 5 dogs, among which Mocha is my personal favorite.

As the B&B opens, we watch people from all walks of life come in and make a home here. From college friends, to old couples, to high-school siblings and even scientists and explorers, the guests have a wonderful charm of their own.

If you've watched this show already, you know how IMPOSSIBLE it is not fall in love with IU a.k.a. Ji-Eun. 🐼💕

Even though I don't listen to K-pop music, knowing IU for the first time onscreen through the show felt like finding a kindred spirit. She's warm, kind, cool, extremely talented and humble. I love how she took over Sang-Soon's coffee duty at the B&B.

I've learned a gazillion things from this show but here's listing down my 4 favorites:

1. As we watch Hyori make peace with her super successful past as a K-Pop superstar, we also watch her in love with her present. Choosing to lead a life that feels right to her is what brings her immense peace and satisfaction, even if it isn't a life everybody (her fans, more specifically) would have her choose. Living in her own authentic way, I took pride in the way Hyori stayed true to herself.

2. Sometimes, discomfort is a pathway to new adventures. This is beautifully proven when we see Sang-Soon and Hyori open themselves up to other people, other ways of thinking and being, through the show. Initially awkward, we see them grow more confident and then even excited, to welcome new folks home.

3. When you watch Hyori and Sang Soon with each other, it just reaffirms the fact that the right kind of love will always find you if you allow yourself to be found. I felt my heart soar as I watched the ease, comfort, honesty, care and affection the two showered on each other without the need for words or loud actions.

4. Last but not the least, this show's taught me that we should laugh, as much as possible and be kind, as often as we can. Be it absolutely terrible jokes between Hyori and Sang-Soon or the camaraderie between IU and the guests or just our pet babies faffing around the bonfire for a piece of meat, the house was always filled with sounds of laughter and quiet, steady, care.

Picture Credits | Korea Boo, Netflix, (Art) The Doodle App

“serious transformations begin with two commitments:

the courage to try new things and act in new ways

the honesty needed to no longer hide from or  lie to ourselves.” 

~ @yungpueblo

~ Iburigurashi (Smoked Couple): Ep 1. Favorite Stills ~

~ A few weeks back, while on the hunt for a soothing J-drama, I decided to explore ‘Iburigurashi’—- the story about a young couple who spends their Sundays cooking smoked food. They learn from each other, not just through words but also through presence. 

I think the beauty of daily life is captured so amazingly in such slow Japanese dramas. There’s a lot of room for reflection, for joy, for appreciating the grace of everyday. 

This is the biggest reason why I love these shows. They are a hug to the tired mind and remind it to find happiness in the ordinary, once again.~ 🍚🍢

Heartwork 06.02.2020

Find more journaling inspiration @anvijournals

~ My Thoughts on ‘Yuru Camp’, Season 1 ~

I was looking for an easy-going drama, and ‘Yuru Camp’ was exactly the one my tired mind needed. I am a sucker for nature & food-centric stories and this is the kind of healing I always want more of.

1. Right off the bat, I fell in love with the little while scooter of Shinma Rin and the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji. I usually travel with my friends, but I could see the beauty of camping solo through Rin's passion for her hobby.

2. Rin may not be people-friendly but there is something very grounding about her. I think she's true to her heart in her own unique way and follows it. I love how comfortable she is with her herself & how much she relishes her own company. It was so lovely and refreshing to see that. On the other hand, it was also cute to watch her awkwardly open up to people and friendship. Nadeshiko was the primary reason for this happening, but I also loved Rin's efforts in taking the initiative to be a better friend. There's also such a caring side to Rin and this comes forth every time Nadeshiko does something reckless or stupid. Lol, I love that concern and the hilarious camaraderie the two share.

3. Now, a little about Nadeshiko, because even though she's shown to be a bit naïve, I found her very soulful as a person. For one thing, I love anyone who devours a cup of instant Nissan like they're eating the most delish dish in the world. Nadeshiko will always have my heart for it. Amidst getting lost and napping on the pavement, I love how she's always up for new things, new people and ideas. Her first camping experience with Rin, the serene beauty of Mt. Fuji against a pale, full moon instilled in her a love for the outdoors.

4. Even the school's outdoor club was such a cool venture. I loved how they find these perfect hot springs for their first outing and relish in the warmth of nature's water-gift. I even loved how they enjoy a dessert date, tasting each other's picks one after another.

5. My favorite moment was when Nadeshiko and Rin make a hot-pot on one of their camping trips. The mandu look so plump and juicy and the sheer deliciousness of having hot soup with dumplings almost bursting with filling brings goosies to my heart. I love how they relished each bite, especially Rin's face when she had her first one.💕

6. Another favorite moment was when they went camping in a forest, by the lake. Tall trees, an evening sun, and our 'Secret Blanet Society' of Rin and Nadeshiko was superb. There was also this moment when Nadeshiko's sister enjoys a cup of hot coffee sitting by the lake, when she comes to drop off her sibling at the campsite. That is such a peaceful and heart-filling moment too.

7. There is a solo trip that Rin takes, where the route to the camping site is blocked and she decides to persevere and take a longer detour. On the way, she buys buns filled with meat and vegetables. She learns how winging it is also a joy of travelling and finally, on arriving at the campsite, she watches a night sky shimmering with stars, tiny lights lit up in the village houses below, while enjoying a crispy-yet-soft grilled bun for dinner.

8. The show was such a lovely respite from my anxieties around regular life. It really made me feel all warm and happy on the inside. It also made me realize how much I love feel-good Japanese dramas that have no agenda except to cherish the beauty of simple things and everyday moments of living.

~ Currently crushing on: Bellaanna and Sabrina ~ 🌺

I was watching a journaling video in 2020 and spotted these. It was love at first sight. I decided to wait until these became available in India. 

I finally found these last week, listed on a local store’s Instagram page. You can imagine my delight. 

They were delivered yesterday and I had to play with all the inks I had to make tons of Bellaanna and Sabrina flowers! (The stamps from Mo Card are a journaller’s delight.) 

There was this quote on their boxes that made my heart smile, “Look for the most beautiful flower in the box and give it to you.” 

'Over cake and coffee'

v. (verb) ~ to talk about the big & small things with someone you love, over a slice of cake and a cup of warm coffee. ~

I have sorely missed writing over the past couple of months. God only knows when it became a part of my being, but writing this is already making me smile.

I was telling my friend today morning that one of my favorite things to do was head to a quiet coffee shop, with a friend or a lover, settle ourselves with our respective cups of coffee and a slice of cake to share (always a good idea), talk for hours as we watch time slowly slip by, and people come and go. Those are my most, most favorite kind of dates.

So I was wondering, why not pair little notes of love, light and all the good feelings with pictures of coffee mugs and cake? :) The thought made me so happy that I had to write it down. :)

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Photo by: Masaki (IG)

~ ✨🐛☁🌼~

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~ notes from everyday ~

" 'It seems to me that you're getting anxious, thinking that you have to discover quickly what you enjoy or do well.' 'Is it so? Hmm... that's true.' Mincheol averted his gaze as he mumbled. He turned back to Seungwoo. 'It feels like I have to find it quickly.'

'Why are you in a rush? You don't have to hurry. If coming here isn't boring, just come over more often. Be who you are right now, and you will be fine.'"

~

~ Page 221, Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, Hwang Bo-Reum~

Image Credits: @spongecake on Tumblr