Latest Posts by anvisdays - Page 2

~ Iburagurashi ~ Ep.1 Favorite Moments, (Part 2) ~

~ Meguru and Yori spend their Sunday afternoon having homemade cocktails and smoked snacks ~

* I’m very attracted to the way J-dramas are appreciative of the little moments of living. It is this quality that I cherish in people too. As I write this, I feel myself smile because I know how much I treasure shows that bring this to my heart, over and over again.✨

* Yori-chan may seem reserved but has a mind that thinks things over. She mulls upon what is shared and is quick to learn new things. She feels a lot but she isn’t very articulate with her thoughts. ✨

* Meguru-chan is the more vibrant of the two. He smiles easily, opens up to new people faster and is way more expressive when he relishes his meals. However, behind all of this is a wonderful depth---he says the wisest of things in the simplest of ways. ✨

* I love how different Yori and Meguru are from each other because it is wonderful to see how their personalities compliment one another. I also like how Yori isn’t forcefully bubbly or talkative like most ‘positive, cute’ women characters in dramas. She’s confident and comfortable in who she is and it is lovely to see that.

* For me, the slow waiting for the cooking pot to smoke the meal of the day instilled peace and calm. It was like a definite pause to my thinking mind. Through that pot, Yori and Meguru explore the adventures of cooking their special yet humble Sunday meals.

* The last picture of the evening sky, with Yori and Meguru having spent their Sunday well in each other’s presence, blessed my the bounty of delicious food, is precious.

~ 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.~ 🍚🍢

~ From my experience with being indecisive for the smallest of things, I’ve come to know that it is the root cause of loop thinking. Often, this could be negative in nature. 

But once I decide, once I choose to make a choice, the wave of thoughts subsides, leaving the mind calmer, more still. Choosing to decide, sooner than later, thus, can elevate a lot of worry, inner confusion, and irritation, self-caused by my mind.~✨

~ Your positive thoughts from today are far more powerful than the negative thoughts from all the yesterdays ~🌼

I hope you have a very good morning.🌞

~ To build something with care requires time. It requires infusion of your spirit. Things built slowly smell of love and patience. Haste has no room when time expands, and you create from the well of joy in your heart. ~🌼

~My Thoughts on ‘Gohoubi Gohan’~

In a line or two: This one will make you want to live better and fall in love with food again.🥟

The Story: 

Ikeda Sakiko, a 22-yr-old young-adult, has moved to Tokyo for her first job in a stationery company. Sakiko’s first love? Food. The show is about Sakiko’s journey as she navigates the ups, the downs, and the learnings of her work life. For her hard work, Sakiko rewards herself every week with ‘Gohoubi Gohan’ a.k.a. ‘Rewarding Meals’.

Thoughts:

1. Nobody does food dramas like the Japanese. No offense to the ‘Let’s Eat’ series fans (I am one too). They have this stupendous knack of combining life lessons, positivity, and love for food in a show. It’s almost reverential.

2. I think Sakiko’s character is so amicable. She’s a newbie at work but she’s also sure of who she is. Her colleagues tease her playfully for her incessant thoughts around ‘what should I eat next’, and Sakiko unabashedly acknowledges her passion. She’s kind but not meek. She’s polite but that doesn’t stop her from being assertive or sharing her thoughts. 

3. Sakiko has 6 colleagues and I absolutely love how every episode is crafted around her getting to know one of them over a meal. From awkward moments to relishing chilled beer after a long work week, friendship springs from sharing grilled skewers, cheese-oozing burgers and piping hot ramen. 

4. I especially loved Sakiko’s solitary food-date. She decides to head to a Taiwanese restaurant by herself in the spirit of exploring new food. Her enthusiasm at the amount of soup in the ‘soup dumpling’ is adorable. 

Watching her eat with thorough love, the owner steps in and recommends local suggestions which Sakiko devours. The gusto with which she opens her mind to an entirely different palette is to me, as a foodie, so inspiring.

5. I love female friendships. The one between Kominato-san and Sakiko is endearing, fun and comforting. 

The former is a lover of all things bread and on their first meal together, where they randomly meet at a hamburger restaurant after work, we see the two bond over deliciousness. Kominato then offers to take Sakiko to eat her hometown food specialty, and over a grill teaming with hot food, the two have heart-to-hearts. 

6. When she’s not exploring food outdoors, Sakiko cooks her Gohoubi Gohan at home. These are equally excellent to watch. From her first French toast experience, to enjoying sushi like her family back home would, Sakiko takes utmost care to prep and enjoy her meals. 

When she cooks, there is an overpowering tenderness in the way she treats the ingredients. Her monologues are joyful, intimate and wholesome. They make you smile and make it hard to stop doing so.

7. A favorite moment of mine was to watch Sakiko spend her bonus on getting premium ingredients to cook herself a lavish ‘Hot Pot’ as her Gohoubi Gohan. I love how she even brought an ‘ingredients manual’ to pick her choices from. 

8. I’m not against ‘hard shelled’ male characters, but I think Isogai’s was a bit too anal for my liking. He’s Sakiko’s senior and one of the most sought-after employees in the product development team. He may not have the intent to communicate harshly, but his words are often demeaning, sexist, and condemning. He does make up for his behavior, but I can’t say I’m his fan. 

9. I watched this drama as my break time between work, and I think it taught me so much about how to approach situations at a workplace, how to choose the right time to say what you feel, and how, there are so many kinds of people out there, all trying to live life in the best way they can. 

10. I am the biggest fan of food commentaries and Sakiko provides an ample amount of them. I love how descriptive, detailed and warm her thoughts on food are. She takes her time to savor various flavor combinations, cherishes the classics, deeply respects the ways of cooking and eating that she’s brought up with, is constantly looking for ways to step out of her culinary comfort zone and expand her taste buds.

11. Another favorite episode of mine was the one where Sakiko steps into this fancy bar. The bartender, a cool, helpful man in his late 60′s, introduces her to the charming world of cocktails. From fresh seasonal fruits to drinks with floral notes, Sakiko learns to treat herself without guilt. The two share a comradery where Sakiko confesses her newness to the world of liquor flavors and the bartender careful guides her to unique, enjoyable ones. 

The show is filled with heart-warming moments and makes you want to hug every character for having the ability to enjoy food so well. I couldn’t have asked for a better ‘Gohan’ drama to the start of my J-drama explorations for the year.

Favorite Learnings:

1. You have your own place in this world. You don’t have to fit it. 

2. Life can get hard sometimes. During such moments, going back to what you love will reconnect you with joy. 

3. Never stop trying new things, even when they feel scary and challenging.

Last Words: If you love food and you love watching people enjoy what they eat while learning kind, lovely things about life, you can’t miss this one.🥞🍛🍜

.

.

.

Image Credits (www.aitado.blogspot.com) : 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24 ,25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 39, 

~ 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.” 

In a recent drama that I watched, I learned something beautiful --- you must share what you are passionate about otherwise your passion for that thing will begin to slowly fade away. 

I am unsure if my love for stationery will die out but I do feel some part of me stifle when I don’t share my passion for it. 

I feel grateful for that learning. It has brought me back to share my sticker and paper love with more hearts. 

Here’s to beginning once again, as many times as I require to.🌺

My Thoughts on ‘Our Beloved Summer’

In a line or two: 

Our Beloved Summer was such a healing, therapeutic watch that did not hide the 'humanness' of love.

The story: 

The drama is about two exes--- Kook Yeon Soo and Choi Woong (high-school students when they began dating) who had a 5-year relationship and broke up. They meet 5 years later and agree (fact: are forced) to shoot a documentary similar to the one they shot in high school. What starts from a '100 Things I Hate About You' turns into an introspective, messy yet heart-warming return to each other.

My Thoughts:

1. I love the layers in Kook Yeon Soo's personality. She's smart, socially inadept, deadpan, and more sensitive than she lets herself acknowledge. I love how the flaws in her character actually make her more endearing and relatable.

2. Kim Ji Woong, our male lead's best friend, is actually the prettiest one here, according to me. He's at constant war with himself, but I also love how he returns to the camera to shoot people's raw selves and finds comfort in it. 

I especially love his friendship with Choi Ung, who despite knowing that Kim Ji Woong has feelings for Yeon Soo, doesn’t push him away.

3. I thought the drama would come to be overwhelming given its storyline. But surprisingly, I couldn't keep away from it because of how comforting I found it to be. 

4. Then we have K-pop idol NJ. She's such a fireball. She's funny, adorable, and yet so trapped and defined by people's idea of her. I love how Choi Ung and she decide to remain friends, comforting each other when things aren't going their way. 

5. Okay, I love Choi Ung's parents so much! Honestly, the idea of running a restaurant and feeding people good food is the definition of a beautiful life for me. However, their care for Ung and his art is so cute and heart rendering.

6. It was through NJ that I realized how joy-crushing fame can be. You forget who you are and try too hard to become someone else's expectations of who you should be.

7. I think Choi-Ung's definition of happiness: "To do lie down and watch the sunlight stream through leaves" was when I first fell for him. 

I love how he's never glorified 'living big'. He's so content with his wants. He knows exactly the kind of people he wants to be around and isn't afraid to go for an unconventional way of living if it makes him peaceful and happy.

8. When they all head for a 3-day trip for the shoot, I got really emotional watching Yeon Soo enjoy herself. It was so nice to see her smile and laugh and let herself free. 

That was the first time I realized how lonely she must have been all these years, handling responsibilities and pushing people away to avoid hurt.

9. My favorite moment of the series was when Ung is waiting for Yeon's answer: will she travel to Germany with him as he enrolls in the architecture program? They meet at Sol Yi's restaurant and Yeon Soo chooses to stay back in Korea because that's what feels right to her. 

There is this amazing moment where they know what they have to do for themselves and yet are so supportive of each other, without letting go of the love they've fought so hard to come back to.

10.Then we have Sol-Yi. I mean, who cannot love her? She's Yeon Soo's 'Reality Check Provider' and also her soundboard + BFF. I have to say I absolutely enjoy watching Park Jin Joo on screen. Even with her supporting role in 'Her Private Life', she was fabulous. 

Here, Sol Yi is spontaneous, has a I-am-the-love-guru vibe and is atrocious in her choice of men. She cooks mediocre food but she doesn't give up on her dream. She's sassy, rude, amazing, and absolutely honest.

11. Lastly, I want to say I came to love Chae Ran so much. She's assistant produce to Kim Ji Ung and is also his unmistakable 'soulmate'. She possess so much sensitivity and yet is so calm and cool. 

I love how she decides to wait for Kim Ji Ung to be in a better headspace before she confesses her feelings for him. That was such a mature, soft, 'ah' moment.

Learnings:

1. When the Universe gives you second chances, grab them with both hands and work to give them your all. People do not come into your life accidentally. Each one is there for a reason.

2. Love has a funny, soft, ridiculously amazing way to make itself known. Allow yourself to feel it when it knocks your door. (P.S: Open it wide and let love rain in your heart.)

3. Love is a fairytale, with all the sparkles, the imperfections, the laughs, the tears, the growth, the support, and the gooey-warm feeling you get when you're with someone right for you.

4. Forgiveness is hard. But regret is worse. 

5. Whoever you were has made you who you are today. But you can always change if you don't like who you've become.

Last Words: 

Oh, please watch this show. It is absolutely adorable, warm and mature.💕💕

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.

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

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

A Small Guide on How to Sit with Yourself

My Teacher said, "Sit with yourself for 15 minutes everyday. Take this time to reflect and just enjoy your solitude."

It's the best advice on self-love I've received. I do this every morning, with a cup of coffee alongside. Here's a tiny guide I'd like to share for you to experience this joy too:

* Choose your favorite spot (at home, a café or even the metro)

* Not mandatory: It's good to have trees or the sky to look at

* Put your phone away for the next 10-15 minutes

* Consciously pause all the mental to-do lists and planning of activities or goals that's surprisingly always running in the background, even when you're not aware of it

* The minute you do this, you might hear yourself exhale or sigh a bit louder than usual. (It's a good sign)

* Feel free to have a coffee or a mug of tea for company

* Notice the most predominant feeling present inside you in that moment

* Allow this feeling and any other ones to fully move through you without stopping or analyzing them

* Once you've felt all of them deeply, allow yourself to talk to yourself or the Universe about things that feel too tough to solve, hurtful or confusing

* You may feel a sense of release, even if the answers aren't coming to you yet (don't worry, they'll come. Answers have a unique way of showing up when we least expect them.)

* Right now, notice if your breathing has softened and slowed down. Enjoy this state of presence with yourself

* Talk aloud to yourself if you'd like. (I find this particularly comforting.) It doesn't have to be profound talk. Even a regular catch-up with your thoughts, something that changed your perspective yesterday, a new learning, a meal you'd like to eat again, all are good.

* You may want to chill with yourself past those 15 minutes. Go on, it's a fine idea.:) 

* For some, it may be discomforting at first-- the silence, the weirdness about meeting yourself-- and that's cool. 

* Try to keep coming back to yourself everyday if you can. Mind you, it can get addicting. :) 

P.S: I'd like to thank you my wonderful Teacher who made me meet myself in this soul-easing way.

~ My Thoughts on Yumi's Cells: Season 1 ~

I usually avoid ongoing dramas because I am more of a 'will watch once all episodes are out' person. But I couldn't wait to watch the show and so, I decided to go for it despite its bi-weekly episode releases. I am glad I did; I felt connected to the story for a longer period of time and it also gave me the room to let it ruminate and settle in my mind.

1. More than Yumi, I love her cells. I thought they were absolutely cool, amazing and it also made me realize how much work they put in to make a human function efficiently. I loved, loved the animations--- they were so funny and yet so human at the same time. I could totally relate to them, every single time and I laughed SO much.

2. My favorite cell hands down is 'Hunger'. I love the little ttetkeboki sign on its head, and I love how Yumi's palette and taste-buds are so in sync with her definition of happiness. 

3. Yumi is such a cool character. She is sure of who she is, is so no-nonsense when she deals with people and I love how she's still hopeful about love, despite her devastating heartbreak. It was so nice to see Kim Go Eun in this story setting because as much as I love her in 'Sea of Hope', I was waiting for her persona to translate into an onscreen one. I fell in love with the Yumi I watched.

4. My heart also goes out to her because the way she deals with her romantic relationships is very similar to how I dealt with mine. However, I love how she arrives at the conclusion that she should be her own priority and not a secondary character in her own tale.

5. I loved the pace of the show. There was no hurry to any aspect of the story. The progression was so natural, so comfortable and so detailed, yet smooth.

6. This also happened to be the first drama that I've watched which is so honest about the strength, the insecurities, and the beauty of human relationships.

GIF Credit: Tumgir

7. I could also related hard to the 'Emotion' cell because I know how it dictates my own life, lol.

GIF Credit: Ahgasewatchtv.com

8. Despite the fact that he is super unfair to Yumi as a partner, I like Woong. He's crystal clear about what he likes and what he doesn't. He's hardworking, a good friend. and also has a vision for where he wants to be professionally. I personally loved how non-floofy he is. I like his simple and straightforward way of being in the world.

9. I also love Goo Woong's natural and easy connect with Yumi. This is why it bothered me to see him not share what was on his mind with her, or to run away from difficult conversations. This is also why I understood why it was better that weren't together, as much as I'd wanted them to be otherwise.

10. With Bobby, initially I found him to be pitiable. He was struggling to keep his relationship alive, one-handedly. He was also fascinated with Yumi but maybe couldn't approach her because his heart was elsewhere. I loved how he was a cheerleader that brought back Yumi's writing cell from the graveyard, and how Yumi and him become friends more than colleagues.

11. There is a sensitivity to Bobby that was very tender to see. From noticing Yumi's talent through her social posts, to spotting the missing 'couple' photo on her desk, to telling her how he'd noticed her at the café the night his girlfriend broke up with him, there was no sense of judgment that I could find in him. He was open, vulnerable and invited Yumi to be the same.

GIF Credit: Ahgasewatchtv

12. Yumi's 'Writer' cell also has my heart, haha! I can totally relate because I write for a living and the creative ups and downs were represented so nicely. I also loved her heart-filled captions that she shared via her social posts.

13. Chae Woo Gi was another favorite of mine. I would have liked to see more of him.

14. As much as Woong and Yumi's breakup sucked, I loved how Yumi learnt to choose herself because of it. I loved how she decided to see a breakup as an option to step out of a dead relationship, an unhappy one, where she had to fear losing out on someone each time she voiced what she wanted. I loved how she appreciated her time with Woong, still loved him but loved herself more to let go.

15. It was one of my favorite drama watches of this year. There is one moment that stands out in my brain--- Yumi's fake reaction to the 'battery' birthday present by Woong. Hahaha, sure she discovered a lovely necklace in it, but her initial reaction was priceless.

~ 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.

My parents have quirks of their own.

The more I spend time with them, the more I realize they are their own people. Sure, they are birth-givers and that's the label I am most comfortable with, but they are their own, whole selves too.

Selves that love murder mysteries and crime thrillers. Selves that like slurping on instant noodles, if someone fed them those everyday. Selves that like table-tennis and purple tee-shirts. Selves that don't like being married as much they enjoy it. Selves that love talking about upset stomachs and sinsuses, and selves that love online shopping and going out.

Selves that I am just beginning to notice, after over three decades of being their offspring. It is these quirks that I cherish, that I have come to love the most about these two beings who brought me into the world.

.

02: A little nugget to help me fall in love with life again.

Picture: @harrylawlor​

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

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

~ Kodoku No Gurume ~ Ep.3, S7, Favorite Moments ~

Goro’s encounter with Zucchini Pudding:

~ A shower to reset the mind, a cry for the heart. ~

Whenever I am stuck in a loop of negative thoughts or my mind feels anxious, my subconscious nudges me to take a shower.

I don't know what the philosophy behind this is, but the warmth of a hot shower helps my head settle down. I allow myself to ease away from the continuous thinking. Sometimes, a cool shower energizes me and preps me up to switch to a happier headspace.

In fact, it's become my thing without me trying to make it my thing. A shower has become the secret reset button for my mind and body.

Shower power? That should be a thing.🌸

.

01: A nugget to help me fall in love with life again.

.

Image Credits: Discovered on @taros

~ Kodoku no Gurume (Solitary Gourmet) Favorite Moments ~ Episode 4, Season 7 ~

Goro finds a Gyoza and Tanmen shop while exploring the lanes of Shimonita. 

Always smitten by the sizzle a dumpling-bum makes when placed on a hot pan and the slightly burnt, golden corn flour cage that is the pride of gyoza-lovers.

'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. :)

.

Photo by: Masaki (IG)

Affirmation: 

i will make the time

to add joy 

into my day.

.

.

.

Image Source: @ceruleansoleil  Words: anvi doshi

~ At first, I thought I’d do a Jang Ki Yong appreciation post, but now, I think I’d be super unfair to not do an overall appreciation for ‘My Roommate Is A Gumiho’ because, all of them were SO stellar and loveable. ~ ❤

.

.

.

Credits: 1: Tumgir | 3, 11 & 14:Bitches Over Dramas | 5: Kdrama Kisses | 7: Kdrama Quotes Galore | 13: @dramaintherain | 15: Soomi Forums | 16: Tumblr

~ Sometimes, we need to be carried. We need to experience care other than our own. During such moments, I hope you find hands that carry your heart softly, with ease and comfort. I hope you they let your being rest. ~

.

.

~ notes from everyday ~

~ ✨🐛☁🌼~

.

~ notes from everyday ~

~ One of my favorites from ‘My Roommate Is A Gumiho’.❤ ~

~ You can pour love into the world from where you are, here and now ~

.

Not needing to wait till you are 'perfect', till all of your ideas have fallen into place, you can breathe into your purpose, as you are today.

.

To fill yourself first before filling others, to love yourself first before loving others, to heal yourself first, before you heal others, that is all this journey asks.

.

.

~ notes from everyday ~

.

Image: chenchenchenrr, Weibo, source: @lunasea​ 

~ Finished watching ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?’ last week and these are some of my favorite lines from the drama. Also, I think Ji-Ah was so cute.❤ ~ 

‘Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol’ Taught Me That to See the Good in the Bad is Indeed, a Very Brave Thing

‘Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol’ is an absolute beam of light, there's no other way to describe the show. It is a haven for when you're lost, a huge hug of positivity when you're having low days and a thoroughly adorable drama.

The Story:

We have our lead protagonist, Gu Ra-Ra, a 24-year-old whose perpetually positive and cannot but look at the silver lining of every bad occurrence. She shines through adversity as she meets Jun Suwoon, a 19-year-old runaway who wants more from life than his family's stifling expectations.

It is in Eunpo, a little town away from Seoul, that the two meet accidentally. From here on we see the story of Ra-Ra and her jolting awareness of the real world as she loses everything she owns and has to now stand up on her two feet.

The show is so heartwarming because of the community of beautiful people Ra-Ra meets in her new, sleep town. Thanks to them (and a lot to Jun), Ra-Ra opens up her own piano academy 'La La Land'.

Dr.Cha: 

Jin Su-Kyeong:

Jin Ha-Yeong:

Lee Seung-Gi:

TWD: (The ‘Want Divorce’ Club)

Kim Man-Bok:

Detective Chu:

My Learnings from ‘Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol’:

1. Take life one day at a time.

Life is utterly unpredictable so sleep your worries away, and take one day at a time, as it comes. Gu Ra-Ra's 'let's do what we can do today' mantra is gold.

2. Love. Love is what makes the stars go around and rewrite themselves.

Oh man, if I can just hug Jun Woo and Ra-Ra for the beautiful, beautiful love they harbor and nurture, I'd have broken my screen by now.

3. Sometimes, we don't find family, it finds us.

To all the lovely people of Eunpo, I am smitten by the way you found Ra-Ra when she most needed companionship, love and comfort. It made me believe that there is sometimes more than just one family for some of us, and that sometimes that 'other' family finds you in the form of new friends, neighbors and landladies.

4. People may forget the rest, but they will always remember that one, unexpected act of kindness.

Ra-ra’s father was her biggest cheerleader and that is what made Ra-Ra stick to the piano. That one moment when her father cheered for her, defines Ra-Ra’s attitude when things get rough. It is this unexpected act of love that shapes Ra-Ra’s way of seeing the world and it showed me how powerful kindness can be. 

My Last Thoughts:

.

.

.

Credits: Picture 1: letsott.com | Picture 2 & 3: Twitter (Hani, KPopandKDrama) | Picture 4: IDN Times | GIF 1 & 8: Tumgir | GIF 2: @dramaintherain​ | GIF 3: southsounder.com | GIF 4 & 6: Gfycat | GIF 5: Netflix | GIF 7: WiffleGif | GIF 9: Bitches Over Dramas 

~ Lean into Grace. It will protect, nourish and set you free. ~ ✨

.

~ notes from everyday ~