~ Our Beloved Summer ~ Favorite Moments/ / Stills (1) 🌺

~ Changing into a Personal Blog ~

Hello,

Firstly, I just want to say thank you for being here. I haven't really uploaded in a long time and I have been unsure about what I want to do with this space.

After much deliberation, I've decided to convert my blog from a journaling/K-drama blog to a personal one, where I record my daily memories, photo notes of things I am recently loving, and any quotes or pictures that inspire me.

I know this may not be anyone's vibe but mine, so please feel free to unfollow if that's what you'd prefer. :) Thank you for sharing this space with me, and now it's unto a new blog chapter.💙

~ Our Beloved Summer ~ Favorite Moments / Stills (2) 🌺

“Though you have changed a thousand times, He has not changed once.” ~ @thehoneydesignco

'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)

Sometime last year, a post of @galadarling said, "You are not stuck. You are choosing not to choose." . This hit home. . I was in a rut, in regards to a lot of aspects of my life. I kept telling myself "I don't know what to do" and I kept chanting that "I was stuck". . Slowly, on reflecting upon Gala's words, I realised, I wasn't stuck, I was choosing not to make a choice because I was afraid I would make the wrong ones. . But, I learnt that if you don't choose, you don't move forward and as hence, you stop yourself from growing. . So this year, I started to choose to choose. I am learning to become "unstuck" one choice at a time. . For anyone who needs to hear this today: make a choice. Even if it turns out to be a terrible one. Because despite the bad result, you are at least moving, you are at least learning and you are at least willing to choose a direction. Sometimes, that's all it takes to come unstuck.🌼

~ 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.

~ 'quiet enjoyment' ~ ~ the art of deriving deep joy from life's moments tenderly, without feeling the need to talk about it.~ . e.g: a small, steady smile as you breathe in the fresh morning air, humming softly as you prepare coffee, feeling content while you create, sitting down with a loved one in shared silence. 🌼 . . Picture: Jaehee Cho, Behance

Hyori's Bed & Breakfast ~  Season 1, Episode 1

Hyori's Bed & Breakfast has been a non-pushy contender on my Netflix to-watch 'list' give and take, for the past 6 months.🍄

At the forefront are Lee Hyori and her husband Sang-Soon who live on Jeju island. The house in itself is modest (considering they have an entire field as a backyard and then some more). It serves as a reflection of the quiet, lazy life the couple prefers. 🍄

Episode 1 opens up to Hyori and Soon starting their day, sitting in their dining room sipping tea. Hyori is yet to figure out a camera angle that shies away from her nasal hair. She'll target Soon's next. 🍄

The couple are having second thoughts on signing up to have their home serve as a bed & breakfast for surprise guests. Living with 5 dogs and 2 cats (their children), it is Hyori and Soon's easy, nonchalant, loving camaraderie that I spot right away. 🍄

Having failed to look good on camera as they eat breakfast, the couple settles on prepping their home as the next B&B on Jeju. Their pace is slow, unhurried and they are very good with unintentional, slapstick comedy (especially the part when Hyori drops a comforter on Soon's head). 🍄

You'll see them clean, head out to get groceries, play with their pets and have a lot of moments where they don't have anything interesting for the camera. But rest assured, for the English subtitles deserve a mini Oscar. They do a hilarious 'reading between the lines' and accurate (read: LOL-worthy) interpretations of the on-goings in the house. 🍄

The episode ends with the to-be B&B owners having their last restful night of sleep as their first guests are due to arrive the next day. 🍄

My favorite bits:

1. Hyori and Soon's fail humor. 🍄 2. Little Mocha's (their tiny dog) adoption story. 🍄 3. Hyori's take on worldly possessions after she nearly buys the entire slipper shelf at a store. 🍄    4. Soon's adventurous-chef spirit. 🍄 5. Their drive to the local market filled with open highways, trees and sunsets. 🍄    6. Hyori and Soon's little tea setup in the dining room. 🍄 7. The house cats’ 'why do I tolerate these humans?' faces. 🍄 8. Hyori waking up after a nap. 🍄 9. The real reason why Soon married Hyori. 🍄

Image Credits: 1) channelkorea.com 2) Netflix

~ Kodoku no Gurume ~ Ep. 2, S7 ~ Favorite Moments

101 Guide on the intricacies of enjoying a buffet spread by Goro:

~ The Tale Of Nokdu ~ 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽