As Often As You Need, Disconnect From The Noise Of The Surrounding World So That You Can Listen To Yourself

~ May I live today as it comes.~ . May I surrender my expectations of how it "should be", with all my "what ifs" and "buts".✨ . May I be present to this day, with an open mind and a loving heart.✨

“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” 

~ George Eliot ~

Such a precious friendship, Ao-san and Haru-chan. 🌼

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Quote from: Haro to Ao no Obento Bako

~ Meguru and Yori constantly inspire each other to be better people. Even though Meguru feels like the wiser one, Yori has a quiet strength to her.  She may not speak her musings out loud, but her actions display her experience and wisdom consistently. I find her a reliable anchor in the relationship she shares with Meguru--- someone he can share and learn from at the same time.~🌞

'I Am Not A Robot' Taught Me That Some People Are Worth Opening Your Heart For

This drama has a special place in my heart for the warmth and laughter it brought me. I recommend watching this show when you need a break from similar-trouped K-dramas and want to watch something light yet hearty.

The Story:

Kim Min Kyu is the Director of his father's firm, KM Finance. He's smart, witty and has absolutely distrusts fellow human beings. He bears a secret ailment where a single touch from another person can cause him a severe allergy resulting in death. Hiding his condition in order to continue keeping his father's company, Min Kyu keeps his distance from people.

After his father's death, he witnesses his father's closest colleague and confidant, Hwang Do Won, try to maliciously takeover the firm. Here's when Min Gyu pledges vengence against the man and his son (also Min Gyu's then BFF), Hwang Yoo Chul.

On the other hand, we have a team of fallen-from-fame scientists under the leadership of Hong Baek Gyun. Baek Gyun is a wiz and he's currently developing a humanoid called 'Aji 3' -- a robot that is created to resemble and think like a real person. For Baek Gyun, it is essential to secure a sponsor for releasing Aji 3 to the world. And in Kim Gyu, they find the perfect opportunity to do so.

However, things do not go as plan which is where our heroine, Jo Ji Ah comes in to the picture. On the day when Baek Gyun's team is supposed to send across Aji 3 for a live demo-testing to Min Gyu's home, a crucial part for the humanoid's functioning crashes. The scientists are desperate but Baek Gyun has a plan. Aji 3's physical looks exactly resemble those of his ex-lover Ji Ah and in order to save their hides, Baek Gyun asks her to step in as Aji 3's double.

Unaware of Min Gyun's disease, Ji Ah accepts the offer for the money she badly needs.

An inventor herself, Ji Ah has always been fascinated with making fun, wacky inventions that could also be useful to people. However, luck has not been on her side and Ji Ah is yet seeking her big breakthrough. Her big ray of hope lies in securing a prize at the annual competition for inventors sponsored by KM Finance. With her plans leading her to the very founder of the company she badly wants to impress, Ji Ah resolves to slyly deposit her proposal of ideas when she's playing Aji 3.

The story follows Min Gyu and Ji Ah's unconventional tale of friendship and love. Min Gyu's distrust of people slowly evaporates as he begins to spend more time with Aji 3. He also gradually opens up to the possibility that the world isn't as evil a place as he thinks it to be and it is safe to open his heart to it.

Side Characters:

I have an entourage of side characters that have added so much fun to the show.

There is Pi, Baek Gyun's first assistant who's a genius. She's been in love with her mentor ever since they began working together.

Then we have Hoktal, our blubbered, too-cute-but-doesn't-know-how-to-as-a-girl-out assistant. He reminds me of a lost puppy.

There is Ssanip, our youngest, funniest assistant in the team who has really bad comic timing. He's a complete softie.

Hwang Sun Hye is a tarot-card reader who also prides on giving the best relationship advice. Ji Ah's best friend, she's fierce, sexy and very charismatic.

Lastly, there's Jo Jin Bae, Ji Ah's brother. He works as Min Gyu's secretary and is extremely talented and smart. I love how he silently cheers Ji Ah on even though he's also the one who brings her frequent reality checks.

What I Liked:

~ I LOVED how this show cracked me up and was such an interesting story overall.🌼

~ Kim Min Gyu's 'Pretties' (a collection of all his precious gadgets whom he considers and talks to like one would with real people).🌼

~ Aji 3 and Min Gyu's super adorable friendship.🌼

~ Ji Ah's eccentric, never-going-to-stop-trying attitude.🌼

~ Ssanip and Hoktal's very fun bromance.🌼

~ Min Gyu's dazzling smile *take my heart, please.* 🌼

~ The slow, natural evolvement of relationships between all our  characters.🌼

~ Baek Gyun's journey to realizing the errors of his ways and owning his wrongs.🌼

~ Pi's no-nonsense crush on her boss.🌼

What I Didn’t Like:

~ I'd like to have seen more romance between Ji Ah and Min Gyu versus just Aji 3 & Min Gyu. I think that was missing for me.

My Favorite Learnings:

1. Trust is a journey. It doesn't happen overnight. 2. Let in people, especially if they are good for your heart. 3. Life is too beautiful to be afraid of, even when it hasn't been kind to you before.

My Last Thoughts: Aji 3's official enlistment as a 'pretty'.🙊

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GIF Credits: GIF 1, 9: @kdramareviews​ | GIF 2: Pinterest | GIF 10: We Heart It

~ if there is a single way in which i'd like to see the world, it is as a splattering of love--- kind, gentle, soft, overwhelming, bright, love. 🌼 ~ . ©anvidoshi

~ Over the last few months, I’ve been enjoying more minimal spreads. A funny connection that I’ve observed: the more I declutter my space (clothes, books, stationery, etc.), the more cleaner and simpler my journal pages turn out. I love how content they make me feel. And here’s to the tiny sushi stickers to whom my heart belongs. ~

‘Dinner Mate’: One Of The Most Underrated K-Dramas Of 2020

My first access point to K-dramas has been Netflix, so it was quite a while later when I realized there are thousands of great dramas not listed on the platform that I could probably access elsewhere. Of course, there were a lot of trials involved in stumbling upon a high-quality, free streaming platform, but I managed.

The Story:

'Dinner Mate' a 2020 drama, fit the bill for my next watch. Two strangers share a meal coincidentally and what follows is a relationship where they refrain from sharing personal details as they continue meeting over dinner to enjoy food.

I came to love this drama SO much. Every element in the story has a purpose and a place. 

Dr. Kim-Haeyoung, a psychiatrist uses food therapy to heal his patients while Producer Woo Do-Hee breathes and slays B-Class tacky content at 2N Media Box. Both of them have survived terrible heartbreaks from long relationships.

What unfolds is not just a story of healing but also of how the acceptance of our pasts can allow us to make the most of the present moment. While their ex-lovers show up, demanding a place back in their hearts, it is wonderful to watch Kim-Haeyoung and Do-Hee let go of residual pain and hurt, as they begin to accept and flourish the love that's blooming between them.

I love badass characters, especially female leads and Do-Hee is one of them. She's bold, fierce, proudly weird and says exactly what's on her mind. Kim Haeyoung is calm, composed and yet bears a childlike curiosity that always leads him to unexpected adventures.

Jin-Eol and Jae-Hyuk, the ex-lovers of our protagonists map a trajectory that begins with entitlement to the love they once walked away from, to fighting a one-sided fight and finally, understanding the beauty of letting go. There's my favorite Nam A-yung, the 43-year-old CEO of 2N Media Box. She's as wild as her wardrobe but has a heart that's more open than any of the lead characters we see.

The story is simply beautiful with elements of humor, heart and emotion seamlessly supporting and elevating each other. Every episode is a delight to watch, every moment dripping with insight and meaning. 

This is one of those underrated wonders which I'd proudly download and re-watch over and over.

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Pictures | IQUI & Doodle App

GIFs | 1&2 - Dramabeans | 3&4 - Soompi Forums

'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)

I Set Small Goals that Align with My Heart

Sometime at the start of this year, I realized I want to set small goals that feel true to myself rather than set 'big' goals because they are 'necessary to get somewhere in life'.

My goals may be very simple, and they may probably be considered underwhelming, but they should align with the way my heart wants to feel.

Whatever I decide upon as the direction for my life, my work, and my relationships, it should make me feel good. The goals I make should feel fun, exciting, and challenging but not completely far-fetched.

I took a small but big step today and set goals that make my heart smile.