I think I'm getting a cold. I have that horrible dull headache I always get at the start of a cold, and I can feel my breath tickling the back of my throat as I breathe, which is super annoying.
It may be because I have just got in from an hour and a half walk, and it is freezing outside, but it definitely feels like a cold is coming. Normally, I'd take echinacea, vitamin c and zinc to boost my immune system, but that involves getting out of my lovely warm bed to go downstairs. I have my electric blanket on, its awesome. I can't even be bothered taking my left hand out from under the covers as I write this, let alone correct my mistakes, so why would I trek downstairs for a few tablets?
I spent most of my day battling with a train, which was nowhere near as exciting as it sounds. The train on the back of the wedding dress - trying to get it the right shape, length and to match the front of the skirt. I'm half wishing I had just brought patterns to copy so I could skip all this part, but it wouldn't feel so personal then, I guess. I just hope it all turns out well, you have no idea how scared I am of it going wrong. If I make one mistake, I've pretty much wrecked my best and oldest friend's wedding (visually).
<3 x
Tuesday 31 January 2012
Monday 30 January 2012
EXO
So SM Entertainment have been promoting their new boyband for what feels like ages now, and last night, they released their first MV. I figured I would share a few thoughts.
SM are a Korean label, and home to some of my favourite bands, namely Super Junior, TVXQ/DBSK, SHINee and Trax. Their new group, the first boyband to debut since SHINee I believe, are called EXO, and consist of two sub groups, EXO K and EXO M, coming together to make EXO PLANET. They will release their songs in both Korean and Mandarin. Kind of like Super Junior M releasing Perfection in Mandarin and Korean at the same time, but less biased.
Up until now, all we have seen are teaser trailers, a few minutes at a time, introducing us primarily to the dance skills of the members, and mostly introducing us to Kai. I'm not hating on the boy, he is clearly really talented for SM to promote him so much more than the other members, some of whom I'm pretty sure haven't even been revealed yet, but I'm not surprised that people started to think EXO M was the group while EXO K actually stood for EXO KAI.
Their first song and MV, 'What is Love', I have to admit, isn't really my sort of thing. A bit ballad-y, and far too much use of 'baby'. So why has the tune being going through my head almost constantly all day?? To be honest its kinda addictive. I've seen comparisons to TVXQ's 'Before You Go', and I can see why from all the 'oooooh''s and the tune and whatnot, but its not like its a carbon copy. These boys would have been in training throughout TVXQ's career, obviously they would be inspired by them. Its not likely they wrote the song anyway, they'll just be singing what and how SM tells them to.
The MV's are pretty cool and suit the song well, the two versions being subtly different but both very visually dynamic, being set in sparse countryside and a run down hut with sunshine filtering in through the walls and roof, which is added to the drama of an eclipse. However, I think I prefer the Mandarin vocal and the Korean video. The Mandarin video seemed to throw in some of the teaser footage somewhat haphazardly, and it didn't fit in with the song or the rest of the video at all. It feels like they ran out of footage half way through so shoved whatever in as filler while the Korean version felt much more consistent.
I like it, I really do, but I'll probably only want to listen to it when I'm specifically in the mood for it, meaning I'd more than likely skip it a fair amount. I do, however, eagerly anticipate what comes next from these boys, and their official debut.
At least they won't break their debut stage, like B.A.P. did ...
<3 x
SM are a Korean label, and home to some of my favourite bands, namely Super Junior, TVXQ/DBSK, SHINee and Trax. Their new group, the first boyband to debut since SHINee I believe, are called EXO, and consist of two sub groups, EXO K and EXO M, coming together to make EXO PLANET. They will release their songs in both Korean and Mandarin. Kind of like Super Junior M releasing Perfection in Mandarin and Korean at the same time, but less biased.
Up until now, all we have seen are teaser trailers, a few minutes at a time, introducing us primarily to the dance skills of the members, and mostly introducing us to Kai. I'm not hating on the boy, he is clearly really talented for SM to promote him so much more than the other members, some of whom I'm pretty sure haven't even been revealed yet, but I'm not surprised that people started to think EXO M was the group while EXO K actually stood for EXO KAI.
Their first song and MV, 'What is Love', I have to admit, isn't really my sort of thing. A bit ballad-y, and far too much use of 'baby'. So why has the tune being going through my head almost constantly all day?? To be honest its kinda addictive. I've seen comparisons to TVXQ's 'Before You Go', and I can see why from all the 'oooooh''s and the tune and whatnot, but its not like its a carbon copy. These boys would have been in training throughout TVXQ's career, obviously they would be inspired by them. Its not likely they wrote the song anyway, they'll just be singing what and how SM tells them to.
KOREAN VERSION
CHINESE VERSION
The MV's are pretty cool and suit the song well, the two versions being subtly different but both very visually dynamic, being set in sparse countryside and a run down hut with sunshine filtering in through the walls and roof, which is added to the drama of an eclipse. However, I think I prefer the Mandarin vocal and the Korean video. The Mandarin video seemed to throw in some of the teaser footage somewhat haphazardly, and it didn't fit in with the song or the rest of the video at all. It feels like they ran out of footage half way through so shoved whatever in as filler while the Korean version felt much more consistent.
I like it, I really do, but I'll probably only want to listen to it when I'm specifically in the mood for it, meaning I'd more than likely skip it a fair amount. I do, however, eagerly anticipate what comes next from these boys, and their official debut.
At least they won't break their debut stage, like B.A.P. did ...
<3 x
Japanese/British Candy Swap
You know, I sat down at my laptop this evening before 11pm to blog, and somehow, from watching Japanese cooking videos on youtube (namely runnyrunny999, he's awesome), I got on to fangirling Super Junior. I have literally no idea how the one could turn into the other, but that's the skill of an ELF (SuJu fan) I guess, to make everything eventually be about Super Junior.
Another super lazy day today, spent mostly watching Secret Garden, although I did also start on disk 2 of my Japanese audio course. I can now introduce myself confidently in Japanese, so that's useful.
Konbanwa. Watashi wa Heather desu. Yoroshiku. Ego ga wakarimasu ka? Watashi wa igirisu-jin desu.
All I need to learn now is 'buy me candy' and I'm all set.
Out of context that probably sounds very wrong. I just want to try Japanese candy and sweets. Its just so different that anything we have here in the UK, so its really intriguing to me. However, its so expensive to buy, as obviously, you have to get it shipped over from Japan or Korea and as it is very much a novelty, they can charge what they want for it. So any Japanese readers out there (unlikely, I know) who have somehow come across this blog, I will quite happily send you British confectionery in return for the Japanese counterpart. I'm happy to try even the weird stuff, like purple potato kitkat and curry flavour pocky, you lovely albeit odd country ^^.
<3 x
Another super lazy day today, spent mostly watching Secret Garden, although I did also start on disk 2 of my Japanese audio course. I can now introduce myself confidently in Japanese, so that's useful.
Konbanwa. Watashi wa Heather desu. Yoroshiku. Ego ga wakarimasu ka? Watashi wa igirisu-jin desu.
All I need to learn now is 'buy me candy' and I'm all set.
Out of context that probably sounds very wrong. I just want to try Japanese candy and sweets. Its just so different that anything we have here in the UK, so its really intriguing to me. However, its so expensive to buy, as obviously, you have to get it shipped over from Japan or Korea and as it is very much a novelty, they can charge what they want for it. So any Japanese readers out there (unlikely, I know) who have somehow come across this blog, I will quite happily send you British confectionery in return for the Japanese counterpart. I'm happy to try even the weird stuff, like purple potato kitkat and curry flavour pocky, you lovely albeit odd country ^^.
<3 x
Saturday 28 January 2012
Lazy
How obvious was it that I was sleep typing at the end of yesterday's post? I think I did quite well until you look at the tags. Mostly, I only have to type in a letter to get an autotag, so that explains the sensible ones like 'BED 2012' and 'iPhone Post', but I have no clue where 'Mrbb' came from. I'm guessing it started off as 'men are stupid' and turned into a snore.
Today I have done absolutely nothing. I woke up at 4am to all the lights being turned on and the sounds of my drunkard father throwing up, which was lovely. Then I literally spent all day watching Secret Garden, with a brief Avon interlude, in which no-one was in, so that was annoying and pointless.
See how exciting I am?
To be fair, I've been in a really funny mood today, one of those anti-social moods where you have to be alone because being around others depresses and annoys you. So literally all I wanted to do was sit on my bed watching Secret Garden and eating pick 'n' mix all day.
I have a new diet plan, by the way. After Zumba, I weighed myself and was not happy with the results. I kind of have to have dinner with my Gran as otherwise she probably won't eat, so I'll do a mini evening meal at lunch time, and then I'm just going to have vegetables and fruit for the rest of the day, with Slimfast as a night-time snack, and LOTS OF WATER. I really need to drink more, but I find it so difficult to actually drink the amount I am supposed to be drinking. I will try harder though ... from Monday, obviously.
<3 x
Today I have done absolutely nothing. I woke up at 4am to all the lights being turned on and the sounds of my drunkard father throwing up, which was lovely. Then I literally spent all day watching Secret Garden, with a brief Avon interlude, in which no-one was in, so that was annoying and pointless.
See how exciting I am?
To be fair, I've been in a really funny mood today, one of those anti-social moods where you have to be alone because being around others depresses and annoys you. So literally all I wanted to do was sit on my bed watching Secret Garden and eating pick 'n' mix all day.
I have a new diet plan, by the way. After Zumba, I weighed myself and was not happy with the results. I kind of have to have dinner with my Gran as otherwise she probably won't eat, so I'll do a mini evening meal at lunch time, and then I'm just going to have vegetables and fruit for the rest of the day, with Slimfast as a night-time snack, and LOTS OF WATER. I really need to drink more, but I find it so difficult to actually drink the amount I am supposed to be drinking. I will try harder though ... from Monday, obviously.
<3 x
Pfffttt
Men are stupid.
I just got in, and noticing that the house was dark, came to the logical conclusion that my mother was asleep. I creeped upstairs without turning on the lights and quietly made it to my room.
About 3 minutes later *CLICK* *SLAM*. On come the hall and landing lights, and up the stairs stomps my father, making more noise than an elephant covered in firecracker ants. I whispered to him 'you are clearly highly inexperienced in coming home late, you are supposed to be quiet and not turn all the lights on, even if you are drunk.', to which he replied loudly, even though he was right outside his bedroom door and all but hanging on to the door frame to stay upright 'I'm not drunk, I feel sick.'. I told him that was called being drunk.
Why are men so inconsiderate? It doesnt take a brain surgeon to figure out that at 1am, people will be trying to sleep, and it's only good manners to respect that.
School went really well today. My hands are stained blue from doing tie dye with one group, and we made an awesome ancient Greece costume for the artists mannequin on the second session. I was nervous this week and felt somewhat unprepared, but everything worked out well.
Right, that's it for today, before I asleep while writing
<3,;
I just got in, and noticing that the house was dark, came to the logical conclusion that my mother was asleep. I creeped upstairs without turning on the lights and quietly made it to my room.
About 3 minutes later *CLICK* *SLAM*. On come the hall and landing lights, and up the stairs stomps my father, making more noise than an elephant covered in firecracker ants. I whispered to him 'you are clearly highly inexperienced in coming home late, you are supposed to be quiet and not turn all the lights on, even if you are drunk.', to which he replied loudly, even though he was right outside his bedroom door and all but hanging on to the door frame to stay upright 'I'm not drunk, I feel sick.'. I told him that was called being drunk.
Why are men so inconsiderate? It doesnt take a brain surgeon to figure out that at 1am, people will be trying to sleep, and it's only good manners to respect that.
School went really well today. My hands are stained blue from doing tie dye with one group, and we made an awesome ancient Greece costume for the artists mannequin on the second session. I was nervous this week and felt somewhat unprepared, but everything worked out well.
Right, that's it for today, before I asleep while writing
<3,;
Thursday 26 January 2012
Zumba
Seeing as I only have minutes before midnight to post this, and I need to write up a load of invoices as well as hopefully watch Secret Garden before I go to sleep, this will be a hastily written and unedited post.
For the first time, my friends and I partook in a Zumba class this evening. Everyone raves about this new take on exercise, I can't say I have ever particularly been intrigued enough to try it out, but I want to get fitter, I enjoy class exercise more than self motivated exercise, and Rachey had a class starting at her school, so we all pretty much thought 'Ah, why not.' Then I realised that it was a perfect opportunity to embarrass my oldest friend, and talked the others into dressing up like twats with head bands and legwarmers, which was not hard to do. Well, it was harder to talk Elle into it, but even she just went along with it resignedly. I guess she is used to us by now.
The class itself was OK. Mostly I felt like a prat, and I'm pretty sure that the others did too. With the exception of Elle, who managed to look like a ballerina while the rest of us lolloped around like hippos. I can't say I feel particularly enthused about the prospect of going back, and I still don't see what all the fuss is about, but it is exercise I guess and you do feel like you have done a work out, but I guess the true test will be tomorrow.
<3 x
For the first time, my friends and I partook in a Zumba class this evening. Everyone raves about this new take on exercise, I can't say I have ever particularly been intrigued enough to try it out, but I want to get fitter, I enjoy class exercise more than self motivated exercise, and Rachey had a class starting at her school, so we all pretty much thought 'Ah, why not.' Then I realised that it was a perfect opportunity to embarrass my oldest friend, and talked the others into dressing up like twats with head bands and legwarmers, which was not hard to do. Well, it was harder to talk Elle into it, but even she just went along with it resignedly. I guess she is used to us by now.
The class itself was OK. Mostly I felt like a prat, and I'm pretty sure that the others did too. With the exception of Elle, who managed to look like a ballerina while the rest of us lolloped around like hippos. I can't say I feel particularly enthused about the prospect of going back, and I still don't see what all the fuss is about, but it is exercise I guess and you do feel like you have done a work out, but I guess the true test will be tomorrow.
<3 x
*INTERMISSION*
Holy crap it's 2am.
Where have the last three hours gone? I was going to watch an episode of Secret Garden (it's the one where they finally switch bodies) but now I'm thinking it's maybe too late. I also have a strange sudden urge to watch a 2AM music video.
*2AM MUSIC VIDEO INTERMISSION*
I was kind of hoping for something new, but they don't seem to have released anything for like a year. I was in the mood for a ballad as well. Maybe I'll just listen to UKISS's 'Take Me Away' while I write this instead.
*UKISS INTERMISSION*
We went to see 'The Sitter' this evening. I'll be honest, I was surprised at how funny it was. I had little to no expectations of the film, but it was quite good, really, and the kids were especially funny. Jonah Hill, the guy from Superbad, has put on a few pounds, but good for him being such a big thing in Hollywood * and not obsessed with his weight and being super skinny. I couldn't exactly say its a good example for kids though.
After the cinema, Linzi and I went on a date to Tesco, where we didn't eat 2 ice creams each straight after a healthy option sandwich.
We are going to a zumba class tomorrow, the first time for all of us, so that should be interesting. Especially after a day of cleaning at my Gran's.
*YAAAAWWWNNNN INTERMISSION*
I think I'm a little sleepier now. Before I started this post, I was going to watch Secret Garden anyway, but now I know for sure I'll fall asleep, so I'll sign off before I start sleep posting again.
<3 x
*no pun intended
Where have the last three hours gone? I was going to watch an episode of Secret Garden (it's the one where they finally switch bodies) but now I'm thinking it's maybe too late. I also have a strange sudden urge to watch a 2AM music video.
*2AM MUSIC VIDEO INTERMISSION*
I was kind of hoping for something new, but they don't seem to have released anything for like a year. I was in the mood for a ballad as well. Maybe I'll just listen to UKISS's 'Take Me Away' while I write this instead.
*UKISS INTERMISSION*
We went to see 'The Sitter' this evening. I'll be honest, I was surprised at how funny it was. I had little to no expectations of the film, but it was quite good, really, and the kids were especially funny. Jonah Hill, the guy from Superbad, has put on a few pounds, but good for him being such a big thing in Hollywood * and not obsessed with his weight and being super skinny. I couldn't exactly say its a good example for kids though.
After the cinema, Linzi and I went on a date to Tesco, where we didn't eat 2 ice creams each straight after a healthy option sandwich.
We are going to a zumba class tomorrow, the first time for all of us, so that should be interesting. Especially after a day of cleaning at my Gran's.
*YAAAAWWWNNNN INTERMISSION*
I think I'm a little sleepier now. Before I started this post, I was going to watch Secret Garden anyway, but now I know for sure I'll fall asleep, so I'll sign off before I start sleep posting again.
<3 x
*no pun intended
Wednesday 25 January 2012
This Post Doesn't Actually Exist.
I have a cunning plan.
I'm going to write the personal post that has been itching to be written, and then disguise it with another post afterwards. This way, hopefully, a blog post filled by my complaining and being confused can be like forgotten about and disappear as swiftly as smoke in the wind.
Doing this probably wont make me any less confused or more content, but it will at least serve the therapeutic means of talking it out, albeit to myself.
Let's just say there's a boy. Someone that I haven't known very long, but feel so comfortable around that it is like we have been friends for years. We text each other almost every day, we make plans for adventures, he promises me baked goods and that he'll fix my car. Others told me he liked me, and I freaked out a little. I was just happy to have made a new friend that to find out that he was interested in more was super scary for me, even if I wasn't really sure I believed it. I suspected he liked someone else, but by then, I started to think how nice he was, and how, if he made a move, I probably wouldn't mind. I'm not going to lie, I don't feel anything but friendship for him, but still ...
We went for a walk, just the two of us, and he told me he liked one of my best friends, and inside, I was torn between 'hah, I knew it!' and '...oh.'.
Nothing has changed. We still make plans for adventures and text every day, and I'm still waiting for my baked goods and a fixed car, but now, if he did make a move, I don't know what I should do. I have always been a bit cautious anyway, not wanting to ruin a friendship that I value, and not wanting to spoil any other friendships on the way. Now, knowing he likes someone else, by his own admission, and that that someone else knows of his affection, the situation just got a lot more confusing. I don't think he will try anything, I'm still not convinced that he ever liked me in the first place. I think he would be lovely, especially for the aforementioned friend, because he would be kind and understanding as he is a genuinely good person. I have even thought of trying to set them up together.
So why am I still waiting for something to happen? Why am I spending every moment that I am alone with him waiting for him to make a move? I don't even know if I want anything to happen, so why am I anticipating it?
Maybe I just watch too many dramas.
Its just occurred to me how mortifying it would be if he was to read this. I did mention that I wrote a blog last time I saw him, but I don't think he got the name or address so I should be safe.
I kind of don't want anyone to read this. It's something that I haven't really talked to anyone about, not in any great depth. I've barely even scraped the surface in this post as to what is actually going through my head and heart. I like to think I'm pretty open, but things like this, my deep down emotions and feelings, these are things that I have no confidence in. I feel like I'm laying myself bare here, revealing my greatest insecurities, and that is terrifying to me.
In fact, I'm going to make this post super secret by typing it in white. (EDIT Crap, I forgot my background isnt white ... *changes to light blue, breathes sigh of relief*.)
Plus points if you managed to read it anyway. If you know me, you know me too well.
Plus points if you managed to read it anyway. If you know me, you know me too well.
<3 x
Told you there wasn't a post here.
BED
I missed a day... properly this time. There's no talking myself out of it.
I know, I suck at BED 2012. Its the 24th day and I have only posted 15 times.
Maybe I should change it to BAED (Blog Almost Every Day) or BOARB (Blog On A Regular Basis). To be honest, I just like doing something with BED in the title.
I'll be honest, I'm kind of thinking of posting twice tonight to make up for it. Then I think that I rarely have enough to say for one post a day let alone two, so maybe I won't.
There's stuff that I kind of want to write about, but once again, I'm a little scared of sharing too much, of being to personal. I guess I could sum it all up by once again complaining about how life isn't like fiction. I so want to live in idealistic non-reality, where every gets a happy ending, the only bad things that happen are ultimately for the greater good, everyone is ridiculously good looking and interesting, no one really goes to the loo and life changing situations fall into your lap on a daily basis. It would just be so much easier.
Then again, this is coming from someone who hasn't even started on the way to their happy ending yet. I'm sure that things seem much more colourful and fiction-y when you have.
<3 x
I know, I suck at BED 2012. Its the 24th day and I have only posted 15 times.
Maybe I should change it to BAED (Blog Almost Every Day) or BOARB (Blog On A Regular Basis). To be honest, I just like doing something with BED in the title.
I'll be honest, I'm kind of thinking of posting twice tonight to make up for it. Then I think that I rarely have enough to say for one post a day let alone two, so maybe I won't.
There's stuff that I kind of want to write about, but once again, I'm a little scared of sharing too much, of being to personal. I guess I could sum it all up by once again complaining about how life isn't like fiction. I so want to live in idealistic non-reality, where every gets a happy ending, the only bad things that happen are ultimately for the greater good, everyone is ridiculously good looking and interesting, no one really goes to the loo and life changing situations fall into your lap on a daily basis. It would just be so much easier.
Then again, this is coming from someone who hasn't even started on the way to their happy ending yet. I'm sure that things seem much more colourful and fiction-y when you have.
<3 x
Sunday 22 January 2012
Personal Taste
Is it me or do I seem to be getting through new series quite quickly? Having said that, I guess I always have done. It's not like I have much of a social life. Instead, I spend most of my free time (and sleeping time) watching these things.
I feel like I should be ashamed, but I'm totally not. I guess I shouldn't complain (as I did in yesterday's post) if I'm not willing to do anything to change my situation.
For an Asian drama based on the idea that a guy pretends to be gay, I must admit that I expected this series to be more amusing. Sure it was funny in places, but it started off pretty sad, what with the main girl character being dumped, and then with all the shit that stopped the main guy and girl getting together, it was more sad and frustrating than a stereotypical romantic comedy.
GaeIn is a struggling furniture designer who recently discovered her boyfriend at the alter with her best friend. JinHo is an architect, who moves into a free room in GaeIn's unique house in order to use it for research for a highly sought after art gallery redesign. GaeIn and her friend mistakenly come to the conclusion that JinHo is gay, and deems it appropriate for him to live with her as she needs to rent money to clear her debts. Obviously, over time, they grow closer and start to fall for each other, blah blah blah.
I can't say I didn't enjoy this drama, I really did. I liked the characters, it was fun and original and some of the more romantic scenes were ... well really romantic. Remember when I said for Buzzer Beat how real kisses shock you because you get so used to barbie kisses? Well, Personal Taste did the same. I actually squee'ed at the first kiss. However, I think this is the only drama I have ever watched that I have fallen asleep mid episode multiple times. Not to say it was boring, I just seemed to fall asleep exactly in the middle whenever I watched an episode past midnight. I didn't think much of the ending either. It was too neat, everyone got a happy ending, even the people who you hated through out the whole series.
Once again, the only Kpop star in this series is from a band I have very little experience of. JinHo's colleague, TaeHoon, is a member of 2AM. i've seen a few of their music videos, but its all a bit ballad-y for me, so I go for their more upbeat counterparts, 2PM. I tend to watch them at 2am because it amuses me.
Next is Secret Garden, a story about a girl and a boy switching bodies. Not exactly original, but I haven't seen it in an Asian drama yet. Lots of girls pretending to be boys *cough*Hana Kimi*cough*Ouran*cough*evenanepisodeofPersonalTaste*cough*, but no girls actually being boys.
You know, I'm starting to think the ranking on dramacrazy is biased towards new rather than 'the best' Asian drama, as series from the last couple of years are far more common than those before, and yet its hard to believe that all the best drama is brand new. It just means I am watching the most popular shows, I think.
<3 x
PS - I put up my canvases today! From my post yesterday, that probably means I should go watch High School Musical or some other sickening attempt at western young romance .... or I may just watch Birdsong.
I feel like I should be ashamed, but I'm totally not. I guess I shouldn't complain (as I did in yesterday's post) if I'm not willing to do anything to change my situation.
For an Asian drama based on the idea that a guy pretends to be gay, I must admit that I expected this series to be more amusing. Sure it was funny in places, but it started off pretty sad, what with the main girl character being dumped, and then with all the shit that stopped the main guy and girl getting together, it was more sad and frustrating than a stereotypical romantic comedy.
From Google. JinHo and GaeIn. Jin Ho was JunPyo in Boys Before Flowers. His nose seemed bigger then.
GaeIn is a struggling furniture designer who recently discovered her boyfriend at the alter with her best friend. JinHo is an architect, who moves into a free room in GaeIn's unique house in order to use it for research for a highly sought after art gallery redesign. GaeIn and her friend mistakenly come to the conclusion that JinHo is gay, and deems it appropriate for him to live with her as she needs to rent money to clear her debts. Obviously, over time, they grow closer and start to fall for each other, blah blah blah.
I can't say I didn't enjoy this drama, I really did. I liked the characters, it was fun and original and some of the more romantic scenes were ... well really romantic. Remember when I said for Buzzer Beat how real kisses shock you because you get so used to barbie kisses? Well, Personal Taste did the same. I actually squee'ed at the first kiss. However, I think this is the only drama I have ever watched that I have fallen asleep mid episode multiple times. Not to say it was boring, I just seemed to fall asleep exactly in the middle whenever I watched an episode past midnight. I didn't think much of the ending either. It was too neat, everyone got a happy ending, even the people who you hated through out the whole series.
Once again, the only Kpop star in this series is from a band I have very little experience of. JinHo's colleague, TaeHoon, is a member of 2AM. i've seen a few of their music videos, but its all a bit ballad-y for me, so I go for their more upbeat counterparts, 2PM. I tend to watch them at 2am because it amuses me.
Next is Secret Garden, a story about a girl and a boy switching bodies. Not exactly original, but I haven't seen it in an Asian drama yet. Lots of girls pretending to be boys *cough*Hana Kimi*cough*Ouran*cough*evenanepisodeofPersonalTaste*cough*, but no girls actually being boys.
You know, I'm starting to think the ranking on dramacrazy is biased towards new rather than 'the best' Asian drama, as series from the last couple of years are far more common than those before, and yet its hard to believe that all the best drama is brand new. It just means I am watching the most popular shows, I think.
<3 x
PS - I put up my canvases today! From my post yesterday, that probably means I should go watch High School Musical or some other sickening attempt at western young romance .... or I may just watch Birdsong.
Saturday 21 January 2012
Don't read this, its a 'feeling sorry for myself' post
Its no secret that I love loosing myself in Asian drama. I'm perfectly happy to watch the types of story that I would scoff at and criticise in western media, assuming that I even agreed to watch it, which is about as likely as me putting up my canvases this weekend.
It makes me so depressed though. I know its fiction, that its not real and that these sorts of scenarios would never happen in real life. I know this. But it doesn't stop be from feeling reality bite me in the arse over my sorry excuse for a love life.
This is difficult. I keep writing down whats in my heart, but then deciding that its too personal and deleting it.
I wrote a post months ago after watching Kimi wa Petto, in which I stated that I could relate to the main character, someone who is literally incapable of loving anyone other than the unconditional affection given and received by a pet. I still think that I am like that, except I don't choose not to feel anything because I have been hurt before, I just don't feel anything. I don't even have a pet.
Yeah yeah yeah, I'm young, plenty of time and all that crap. Bullshit. I'm 23. Surely to have reached this stage in my life, basically a quarter of the way through it, and to have not truly liked anyone, let alone loved them, speaks volumes. Two of my closest friends are getting married this year, and I'll bet that another one and my sister will be as well before long. I'm being left behind.
My mum asked me earlier, knowing that I wanted children one day, whether I would 'go it alone.' My answer was probably, seeing as it will be my only chance. We laughed it off, but it's true. My future is looking very lonely to me right now.
I think I will have to start being nicer to my friends in order not to die alone.
<3 x
It makes me so depressed though. I know its fiction, that its not real and that these sorts of scenarios would never happen in real life. I know this. But it doesn't stop be from feeling reality bite me in the arse over my sorry excuse for a love life.
This is difficult. I keep writing down whats in my heart, but then deciding that its too personal and deleting it.
I wrote a post months ago after watching Kimi wa Petto, in which I stated that I could relate to the main character, someone who is literally incapable of loving anyone other than the unconditional affection given and received by a pet. I still think that I am like that, except I don't choose not to feel anything because I have been hurt before, I just don't feel anything. I don't even have a pet.
Yeah yeah yeah, I'm young, plenty of time and all that crap. Bullshit. I'm 23. Surely to have reached this stage in my life, basically a quarter of the way through it, and to have not truly liked anyone, let alone loved them, speaks volumes. Two of my closest friends are getting married this year, and I'll bet that another one and my sister will be as well before long. I'm being left behind.
My mum asked me earlier, knowing that I wanted children one day, whether I would 'go it alone.' My answer was probably, seeing as it will be my only chance. We laughed it off, but it's true. My future is looking very lonely to me right now.
I think I will have to start being nicer to my friends in order not to die alone.
<3 x
Friday 20 January 2012
BREAD and CHEESE
One of my resolutions this year was to eat better. Part of this was to eat less bread and cheese. Not cut it out completely, that would be impossible, but to basically limit my bread/carb and cheese consumption to one serving a day.
Basically everything I have eaten today consists of bread and cheese. I had cheese toasties for lunch, and then pizza and garlic bread for dinner.
I feel gross, but it was soo good.
I can see Fridays being my bad days, as this is the only day that what I eat is almost completely out of my control.
Its just a shame that these two foods are probably my favourite things to eat, especially as a comfort food. During the BBC filming I pretty much survived off cheese toasties.
School went well today, apparently. People, namely Jon, keep telling me that I am doing really well, that I explain everything really clearly and patiently, and that the kids are really engaged with what I am doing with them. I cant say that I see it so positively. Sure, they aren't refusing to do it or complaining or anything, but I don't think I know enough to show them anything they can really get enthused about. I felt like I struggled quite a lot today, so I guess I should take it as a compliment that I was the only one that noticed it.
I guess it doesn't help that the more people compliment me, the less I tend to believe it.
So now I have a weekend of buying supplies and doing research for next week's sessions. I should probably go see my nan as well, seeing as I haven't spoken to her let alone been to see her since before Christmas. I see one grandmother 4 days a week, and the other probably 4 days every six months. I'm such a good and consistent granddaughter.
<3 x
Basically everything I have eaten today consists of bread and cheese. I had cheese toasties for lunch, and then pizza and garlic bread for dinner.
I feel gross, but it was soo good.
I can see Fridays being my bad days, as this is the only day that what I eat is almost completely out of my control.
Its just a shame that these two foods are probably my favourite things to eat, especially as a comfort food. During the BBC filming I pretty much survived off cheese toasties.
School went well today, apparently. People, namely Jon, keep telling me that I am doing really well, that I explain everything really clearly and patiently, and that the kids are really engaged with what I am doing with them. I cant say that I see it so positively. Sure, they aren't refusing to do it or complaining or anything, but I don't think I know enough to show them anything they can really get enthused about. I felt like I struggled quite a lot today, so I guess I should take it as a compliment that I was the only one that noticed it.
I guess it doesn't help that the more people compliment me, the less I tend to believe it.
So now I have a weekend of buying supplies and doing research for next week's sessions. I should probably go see my nan as well, seeing as I haven't spoken to her let alone been to see her since before Christmas. I see one grandmother 4 days a week, and the other probably 4 days every six months. I'm such a good and consistent granddaughter.
<3 x
Thursday 19 January 2012
Can't think of a relevant or creative title
Today, you get an iPhone post because I literally can't be bothered to walk upstairs to my laptop right now. Even if I did, it wouldn't open blogger quick enough for me to post before midnight, so you would still get an iPhone post. Really I'm just cutting out the middleman, it has nothing to do with my own laziness.
I'm back at the charity school tomorrow, and I have only thus evening been given the go ahead to buy my supplies, which means that for this weeks session at least, I'll have to make do with what they already have and my own kit. Luckily, I was only planning to teach them how to use a sewing machine and maybe do a few samples of appliqué and reverse appliqué, so it all works out I guess, I just hope I can get everything in a week. I'm a little nervous. I know it's going to be very relaxed and not lesson-like, but I want these kids to enjoy these sessions, whether they are particilary interested or not, and I especially don't feel comfortable being left alone with them. This is still something I have never done before, and it's still very scary.
I wish autocorrect would stop changing it's to IRS.
Now I'm going to drag my lazy bum off the sofa and go upstairs to plonkiton my bed. Then I'll turn my laptop on. Yes, I know I said I couldn't be bothered to do just that, but now the senseof urgency has gone to post beforemidnight and my eyes hurtbecause of my lenses.
Also, my iPhone has stopped separating words automatically because it is do used to hashtagging.
<3 x
I'm back at the charity school tomorrow, and I have only thus evening been given the go ahead to buy my supplies, which means that for this weeks session at least, I'll have to make do with what they already have and my own kit. Luckily, I was only planning to teach them how to use a sewing machine and maybe do a few samples of appliqué and reverse appliqué, so it all works out I guess, I just hope I can get everything in a week. I'm a little nervous. I know it's going to be very relaxed and not lesson-like, but I want these kids to enjoy these sessions, whether they are particilary interested or not, and I especially don't feel comfortable being left alone with them. This is still something I have never done before, and it's still very scary.
I wish autocorrect would stop changing it's to IRS.
Now I'm going to drag my lazy bum off the sofa and go upstairs to plonkiton my bed. Then I'll turn my laptop on. Yes, I know I said I couldn't be bothered to do just that, but now the senseof urgency has gone to post beforemidnight and my eyes hurtbecause of my lenses.
Also, my iPhone has stopped separating words automatically because it is do used to hashtagging.
<3 x
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Engrish
I was just watching Personal Taste, and laughing almost hysterically. Then it occurred to me had someone asked my why I was laughing so much, the reason would not be the funny situation brought about due to the plot of a guy pretending to be gay, but simply 'because they are talking English.'
Not in a racist haha-they-think-they-can-speak-english-but-they-can't-because-they-are-korean sort of way. More like haha-oh-my-god-they-are-speaking-the-same-language-as-me way. Like when you see your favourite celebrity wearing the same dress as you have just brought, that sense of 'awesome, they are just like me, that makes me cool.'
Already I'm thinking I should delete this post because I sound like a lunatic.
It just amused me, OK?
I guess I'm so used to watching things that are in a foreign language that when my own language is used, it takes me by surprise. It's a novelty.
Having said that, the way they speak is pretty amusing. Even hearing them use non-asian names is odd, you get so used to the style of the names, and the honorifics, that to come across someone just called Joe makes you pause for thought. Hearing a non-native English speaker saying something like 'Yo yo yo man, lets go!' or 'What you talkin' 'bout?' is always going to be a little weird when it isn't coming out of some American douche's mouth.
Although to be fair, I bet some people learn English through watching American TV shows, just like how I am picking up Japanese and Korean from Asian drama. So if I should like an idiot speaking colloquially in a foreign language, then I give my full permission for the native speakers of that tongue to laugh hysterically at me as well.
I'm going to stop there, before I dig myself any further into a hole.
<3 x
Not in a racist haha-they-think-they-can-speak-english-but-they-can't-because-they-are-korean sort of way. More like haha-oh-my-god-they-are-speaking-the-same-language-as-me way. Like when you see your favourite celebrity wearing the same dress as you have just brought, that sense of 'awesome, they are just like me, that makes me cool.'
Already I'm thinking I should delete this post because I sound like a lunatic.
It just amused me, OK?
I guess I'm so used to watching things that are in a foreign language that when my own language is used, it takes me by surprise. It's a novelty.
Having said that, the way they speak is pretty amusing. Even hearing them use non-asian names is odd, you get so used to the style of the names, and the honorifics, that to come across someone just called Joe makes you pause for thought. Hearing a non-native English speaker saying something like 'Yo yo yo man, lets go!' or 'What you talkin' 'bout?' is always going to be a little weird when it isn't coming out of some American douche's mouth.
Although to be fair, I bet some people learn English through watching American TV shows, just like how I am picking up Japanese and Korean from Asian drama. So if I should like an idiot speaking colloquially in a foreign language, then I give my full permission for the native speakers of that tongue to laugh hysterically at me as well.
I'm going to stop there, before I dig myself any further into a hole.
<3 x
Tuesday 17 January 2012
Foggy Hillside Walks
My laptop is being super slow again, and seeing as I am rapidly running out of time now I really have to blog before midnight, you get an iPhone post. Remember those? They were fun ...
Work was so boring today. The guy whose Internet I used without his permission didn't have it on again, and thus the most I could do all day was play sims on my iPhone. I built all 16 people houses, when before I only had 3 dorm style houses that they all lived in. One house was basically all intricately placed flowers. Yup. That's how bored I got. Also, it killed my battery.
Then this evening, I went for a walk. It was really cool, you could literally see the fog bank start, and where it hovered a foot above the ground. I even saw my first shooting star.
It was really lovely, being able to talk to someone I have known for only months just like I talk with the people I have known for years. Sure, I try to be a little more ladylike around guys than I am with the girls, but all the same, I really like making new friends.
Having said that, I spent the whole evening talking about my friends, so they are obviously still in the forefront. 'Linzi and I did this ...' 'Elle said ...' 'Rachey likes ...'.
I'm surprised he didn't kick me down the hill.
<3 x
Work was so boring today. The guy whose Internet I used without his permission didn't have it on again, and thus the most I could do all day was play sims on my iPhone. I built all 16 people houses, when before I only had 3 dorm style houses that they all lived in. One house was basically all intricately placed flowers. Yup. That's how bored I got. Also, it killed my battery.
Then this evening, I went for a walk. It was really cool, you could literally see the fog bank start, and where it hovered a foot above the ground. I even saw my first shooting star.
It was really lovely, being able to talk to someone I have known for only months just like I talk with the people I have known for years. Sure, I try to be a little more ladylike around guys than I am with the girls, but all the same, I really like making new friends.
Having said that, I spent the whole evening talking about my friends, so they are obviously still in the forefront. 'Linzi and I did this ...' 'Elle said ...' 'Rachey likes ...'.
I'm surprised he didn't kick me down the hill.
<3 x
Monday 16 January 2012
'Blog' isn't in Blogger's Dictionary
My computer is being incredibly slow this evening. It probably just took 15 mins to start up from hibernate and open blogger. I think I really need a new laptop, or at the very least an external hard drive. I've been talking about getting one for ages, and I really should, but half of me just thinks I might as well delete all my photos than move them to a hard drive. Its not like I look at them anyway, but I don't think I could bring myself to do it.
In fact, I should take more photos, really. So many things have happened that I have no photographic evidence of. That sounds like I need proof in court or something. No, just things like past Christmases and birthdays, road trips and random nights in, hell, even Kpop night. Special occasions when special things have happened, and yet nothing to remember them by.
Deciding to take more photos isn't exactly helping my laptops low memory problem.
I'm assuming that its so slow because of lack of memory. It could just be over use and the fact that it is about 6 years old, I suppose.
Anyway, that's enough for tonight. I'm at the office tomorrow, covering while the boss is at a funeral or something. Last time I was there the wireless Internet I usually steal had been turned off, so I hope this isn't the case again, as it makes that job incredibly boring.
On the plus side, though, at least I still have an iPhone with a 3G signal.
<3 x
In fact, I should take more photos, really. So many things have happened that I have no photographic evidence of. That sounds like I need proof in court or something. No, just things like past Christmases and birthdays, road trips and random nights in, hell, even Kpop night. Special occasions when special things have happened, and yet nothing to remember them by.
Deciding to take more photos isn't exactly helping my laptops low memory problem.
I'm assuming that its so slow because of lack of memory. It could just be over use and the fact that it is about 6 years old, I suppose.
Anyway, that's enough for tonight. I'm at the office tomorrow, covering while the boss is at a funeral or something. Last time I was there the wireless Internet I usually steal had been turned off, so I hope this isn't the case again, as it makes that job incredibly boring.
On the plus side, though, at least I still have an iPhone with a 3G signal.
<3 x
Sunday 15 January 2012
A Thorough and Detailed Breakdown of Pretending to be an Adult
Yah, so I missed a day. But you know what the best thing is? I had been posting after midnight, so now no one needs to know that I couldn't even go a week of blooging* every day (after I started a week late, obviously) because it looks like I only posted yesterday. Score!
So I never gave you a breakdown of what happened at the school on Friday. Well, it went really well. I really hate going into new places, and the getting there always stresses me out just as much as the idea of being somewhere new with new people does. Having said that, it was easily to find even if I did nearly get rear ended by breaking so suddenly because I had missed the turning, followed by reversing in a main road to get into the driveway. Luckily the guy behind me who had probably wet himself by my emergency stop had overtaken me at this point and the road behind me was relatively clear.
So I drove in, and all the car parking spaces were full, so I just shoved my car in some corner hoping that the person I was blocking didn't need to leave before I did. I grabbed my stuff, and rang the doorbell, praying that Jon, my friend that suggested I do this and the place's coordinator, would be the one to answer. He was, although he was in the middle of a meeting, so literally thrust me into a room with one other lady and the two kids who I would be working with, and left me to it. So that was scary. I watched them play Cheat for a bit, and then the lady said it was time to move on and would I like to show them all what I had brought. So, thankful that I had brought something and not turned up empty handed like Jon had said I could, I started talking them through my Uni sketchbooks and portfolio. Then Jon came in saying I was blocking someone in, so I gave him the keys to move my car and carried on. The kids seemed relatively interested, about as interested as I thought two boys would be in the subject of sewing, and I'm glad I went for the textiles side rather than the sewing side, as its so much more diverse and ... well, fun. The other lady went to make lunch, and the boys and I played Cheat, which I was about 5 seconds away from winning when lunch was served. Everyone ate together, as its such a small organisation. There were 5 adults, including me, and the two boys, although other people and kids come and go on different days and at different times.
After lunch, Jon took me to speak to a girl with autism, once again leaving me alone. He had warned me that I might find it difficult to communicate with her, as she would either be interested, or not at all, but we got on really well, and after we had talked about my sketchbooks, we also talked about books and travelling and all sorts. I think Jon was shocked at how well we had gotten on, as apparently its the first time she's stayed in the centre for the whole time she is timetabled to be there. After she had gone, Jon and I talked logistics, and I said that I would definitely be interested in doing weekly sessions, and eventually we got ready to go home, it being 4 o'clock, when I had expected to have been finished by about 2 at the latest.
That's when we found my car lights were on, and my battery completely dead. At the time, I had no clue how it had happened, as I knew my lights had been off, and anyway, they go off with the ignition, but I have just today figured out that he must have accidentally knocked the high beams on. So we went on a road trip with three stops to find jump leads, only for them not to work when we finally got hold of some, so we had to bite the bullet and call the AA. He came and fixed it right away, and I had the AA man dumbing down what he was telling me, followed by Jon further dumbing it down, and leaving me feeling like a total girl. Yes, I wear skirts and make up and try to look pretty, but that doesn't mean that I am completely incapable of understanding the purpose of a battery. Sigh.
Anyway, so I have come to the conclusion that my car doesn't like boys. When Linzi's boyfriend gets in my car, the lights play up, first the sides and then the indicator, only to return to normal as soon as he isn't in the car. Then, when Rachey's fiance has to audacity to drive it, my car decides to go in a strop and stop working all together. I suspect it will explode if Elle's boyfriend even touches it. I think Tim must be the exception, seeing as he cleans it. I suspect my car has a crush on him, actually, so much so that any other man won't do.
My car is such a girl ^^.
<3 x
* EDIT - Blogger will flag up 'blogging' as being a spelling mistake, but not 'blooging'? And I thought that it was bad enough that the first correction for 'dont' was 'dint'.
So I never gave you a breakdown of what happened at the school on Friday. Well, it went really well. I really hate going into new places, and the getting there always stresses me out just as much as the idea of being somewhere new with new people does. Having said that, it was easily to find even if I did nearly get rear ended by breaking so suddenly because I had missed the turning, followed by reversing in a main road to get into the driveway. Luckily the guy behind me who had probably wet himself by my emergency stop had overtaken me at this point and the road behind me was relatively clear.
So I drove in, and all the car parking spaces were full, so I just shoved my car in some corner hoping that the person I was blocking didn't need to leave before I did. I grabbed my stuff, and rang the doorbell, praying that Jon, my friend that suggested I do this and the place's coordinator, would be the one to answer. He was, although he was in the middle of a meeting, so literally thrust me into a room with one other lady and the two kids who I would be working with, and left me to it. So that was scary. I watched them play Cheat for a bit, and then the lady said it was time to move on and would I like to show them all what I had brought. So, thankful that I had brought something and not turned up empty handed like Jon had said I could, I started talking them through my Uni sketchbooks and portfolio. Then Jon came in saying I was blocking someone in, so I gave him the keys to move my car and carried on. The kids seemed relatively interested, about as interested as I thought two boys would be in the subject of sewing, and I'm glad I went for the textiles side rather than the sewing side, as its so much more diverse and ... well, fun. The other lady went to make lunch, and the boys and I played Cheat, which I was about 5 seconds away from winning when lunch was served. Everyone ate together, as its such a small organisation. There were 5 adults, including me, and the two boys, although other people and kids come and go on different days and at different times.
After lunch, Jon took me to speak to a girl with autism, once again leaving me alone. He had warned me that I might find it difficult to communicate with her, as she would either be interested, or not at all, but we got on really well, and after we had talked about my sketchbooks, we also talked about books and travelling and all sorts. I think Jon was shocked at how well we had gotten on, as apparently its the first time she's stayed in the centre for the whole time she is timetabled to be there. After she had gone, Jon and I talked logistics, and I said that I would definitely be interested in doing weekly sessions, and eventually we got ready to go home, it being 4 o'clock, when I had expected to have been finished by about 2 at the latest.
That's when we found my car lights were on, and my battery completely dead. At the time, I had no clue how it had happened, as I knew my lights had been off, and anyway, they go off with the ignition, but I have just today figured out that he must have accidentally knocked the high beams on. So we went on a road trip with three stops to find jump leads, only for them not to work when we finally got hold of some, so we had to bite the bullet and call the AA. He came and fixed it right away, and I had the AA man dumbing down what he was telling me, followed by Jon further dumbing it down, and leaving me feeling like a total girl. Yes, I wear skirts and make up and try to look pretty, but that doesn't mean that I am completely incapable of understanding the purpose of a battery. Sigh.
Anyway, so I have come to the conclusion that my car doesn't like boys. When Linzi's boyfriend gets in my car, the lights play up, first the sides and then the indicator, only to return to normal as soon as he isn't in the car. Then, when Rachey's fiance has to audacity to drive it, my car decides to go in a strop and stop working all together. I suspect it will explode if Elle's boyfriend even touches it. I think Tim must be the exception, seeing as he cleans it. I suspect my car has a crush on him, actually, so much so that any other man won't do.
My car is such a girl ^^.
<3 x
* EDIT - Blogger will flag up 'blogging' as being a spelling mistake, but not 'blooging'? And I thought that it was bad enough that the first correction for 'dont' was 'dint'.
Saturday 14 January 2012
Boys Before Flowers
Remember how I said that it would be a while before I could review this drama because it was 25 episodes long? Yeah, so anyway...
My experience of this drama was so much different to my experience of watching You're Beautiful. It was a long time ago that I watched the original version of Boys Before Flowers, Hana Yori Dango - probably at least 9 months - and so the story was much less fresh in my mind. I think that was the problem with You're Beautiful, in that I could remember so much about every plot turn and character development in Ikemen Desu Ne that I couldn't be as sucked in as I know I could have been. Even though the backbones of the plots of Boys Before Flowers and Hana Yori Dango remained the same, some of the little details were changed between the two versions, and I can honestly say these were my favourite parts.
JanDi (Makino) is a poor girl that by chance gets to attend the highly prestigious school which is ruled over by F4, four young men who have everything on their side and get everything they want. Their leader, JunPyo (Tsukasa) targets JanDi for daring to talk back to him, but eventually starts to fall for her, even though she likes another member of F4, JiHoo (Rui). The other two men, YiJung (Sojiro) and WooBin (Akira) generally just follow the others around and do as they are told. It is basically the story of the trails and tribulations of their relationship.
I could see the reason that this was so highly rated, but I do have to admit, I still think I prefer Hana Yori Dango. I couldn't help but find JanDi somewhat annoying, and there was little to no connection between her and JiHoo. I was so rooting for Makino to choose Rui over Tsukasa, but I found my allegiances reversed in this drama, which I guess was the way it is supposed to be. Having said that, one thing that I adored about this version was something that was completely overlooked in the original, and that was the character of GaEul, JanDi's best friend. I was cheering for her subplot relationship with YiJung more than I was for the main characters most of the time, and even though their ending was only hinted at and never really confirmed, the whole sub story was really sweet. In the original, the best friend (I think her name was Yuki, although I cant even remember) came across as more of a stalker, and not as much of a good friend to Makino.
Did I cry? No. Was I close? A few times, but never from anything sad or upsetting happening in the story. The one thing that moved me in this drama was the acting of Kim HyunJoo, who played JunPyo's sister. She was really powerful.
I liked it, but in the end, once again, the original wins outright. If only they could merge the best parts of the two together. Although Boys Before Flowers gets plus points for having Shinee in their soundtrack.
Apparently, my version of connections for Korean dramas is going to be what bands the actors are in. However, this isn't going too successfully as I still have very limited knowledge of kpop. JiHoo is the leader of SS501, WooBin is in T-Max, and both are bands I have heard of but know nothing about. Sigh.
Next is Personal Taste, and something brand new.
<3 x
My experience of this drama was so much different to my experience of watching You're Beautiful. It was a long time ago that I watched the original version of Boys Before Flowers, Hana Yori Dango - probably at least 9 months - and so the story was much less fresh in my mind. I think that was the problem with You're Beautiful, in that I could remember so much about every plot turn and character development in Ikemen Desu Ne that I couldn't be as sucked in as I know I could have been. Even though the backbones of the plots of Boys Before Flowers and Hana Yori Dango remained the same, some of the little details were changed between the two versions, and I can honestly say these were my favourite parts.
JanDi (Makino) is a poor girl that by chance gets to attend the highly prestigious school which is ruled over by F4, four young men who have everything on their side and get everything they want. Their leader, JunPyo (Tsukasa) targets JanDi for daring to talk back to him, but eventually starts to fall for her, even though she likes another member of F4, JiHoo (Rui). The other two men, YiJung (Sojiro) and WooBin (Akira) generally just follow the others around and do as they are told. It is basically the story of the trails and tribulations of their relationship.
From Google. WooBin, JunPyo, JanDi, JiHoo and YiJung. To begin with, I was like 'ah these boys aren't so hot' but they really grow on you.
I could see the reason that this was so highly rated, but I do have to admit, I still think I prefer Hana Yori Dango. I couldn't help but find JanDi somewhat annoying, and there was little to no connection between her and JiHoo. I was so rooting for Makino to choose Rui over Tsukasa, but I found my allegiances reversed in this drama, which I guess was the way it is supposed to be. Having said that, one thing that I adored about this version was something that was completely overlooked in the original, and that was the character of GaEul, JanDi's best friend. I was cheering for her subplot relationship with YiJung more than I was for the main characters most of the time, and even though their ending was only hinted at and never really confirmed, the whole sub story was really sweet. In the original, the best friend (I think her name was Yuki, although I cant even remember) came across as more of a stalker, and not as much of a good friend to Makino.
Did I cry? No. Was I close? A few times, but never from anything sad or upsetting happening in the story. The one thing that moved me in this drama was the acting of Kim HyunJoo, who played JunPyo's sister. She was really powerful.
I liked it, but in the end, once again, the original wins outright. If only they could merge the best parts of the two together. Although Boys Before Flowers gets plus points for having Shinee in their soundtrack.
Apparently, my version of connections for Korean dramas is going to be what bands the actors are in. However, this isn't going too successfully as I still have very limited knowledge of kpop. JiHoo is the leader of SS501, WooBin is in T-Max, and both are bands I have heard of but know nothing about. Sigh.
Next is Personal Taste, and something brand new.
<3 x
Friday 13 January 2012
Trying to be Grown Up.
So apparently I cant blog before midnight. It like literally doesn't even occur to me to start until it is technically tomorrow. Which is fine, I guess, it's not like I have a deadline or anything. The whole point of this is for me to write what I want, so I don't know why doing so at a specific time should be any more important than the content.
Wow, that just fills you with excitement about what I may be posting about in the future, doesn't it?
I'm a little scared right now. In the morning, I am going to introduce myself at a charity school where I may be teaching small groups of children how to sew. I know how to sew, and I have done it many times before, so this is a good start. On the other hand, I do not know how to teach, and I have never really dealt with children before, especially in any from of authoritative role. I've never had to deal with children before full stop. Not since I was one at any rate.
I don't even know how to start.
I'm assured the whole thing is really relaxed and easy going, and I'm sure it is, but it doesn't change the fact that for me, this is something brand new. I get nervous at the best of times, but I am at least somewhat used to going in to new groups of people. Jon, one of best friend's fiance's, and the man who put me up for this, only knows me as the person I am around my friends, when I am content and comfortable. He assured me that I was the sort of person who would be good with these children, but I doubt he has ever seen any of the other side to me. The person I am around my family isn't the same as the person I am around my friends, although those variations are far more similar than the person I am when I am at work or in unfamiliar situations.
I feel unprepared. I don't know what to expect, and that's what bothers me most. I don't know how to go about teaching a class, no matter if its one child or a hundred. Health and safety is something that is playing heavily on my mind, as much of the textile techniques that are the most fun and interesting can also be somewhat dangerous, so how can I know what I will need to ask for them to prepare for my sessions when I don't know what they will be allowed to do?
This is a rant post, as I am sure you are aware. I know that I am getting far too panicked about what is no more than a meet and greet, and I am excited. I do think that it will be something worthy of at least trying out. I might enjoy it and decide to become a teacher. After all, now is the perfect time for me to be experimenting with different career paths.
I know I'll be fine, but it is still a step into the unknown.
<3 x
Wow, that just fills you with excitement about what I may be posting about in the future, doesn't it?
I'm a little scared right now. In the morning, I am going to introduce myself at a charity school where I may be teaching small groups of children how to sew. I know how to sew, and I have done it many times before, so this is a good start. On the other hand, I do not know how to teach, and I have never really dealt with children before, especially in any from of authoritative role. I've never had to deal with children before full stop. Not since I was one at any rate.
I don't even know how to start.
I'm assured the whole thing is really relaxed and easy going, and I'm sure it is, but it doesn't change the fact that for me, this is something brand new. I get nervous at the best of times, but I am at least somewhat used to going in to new groups of people. Jon, one of best friend's fiance's, and the man who put me up for this, only knows me as the person I am around my friends, when I am content and comfortable. He assured me that I was the sort of person who would be good with these children, but I doubt he has ever seen any of the other side to me. The person I am around my family isn't the same as the person I am around my friends, although those variations are far more similar than the person I am when I am at work or in unfamiliar situations.
I feel unprepared. I don't know what to expect, and that's what bothers me most. I don't know how to go about teaching a class, no matter if its one child or a hundred. Health and safety is something that is playing heavily on my mind, as much of the textile techniques that are the most fun and interesting can also be somewhat dangerous, so how can I know what I will need to ask for them to prepare for my sessions when I don't know what they will be allowed to do?
This is a rant post, as I am sure you are aware. I know that I am getting far too panicked about what is no more than a meet and greet, and I am excited. I do think that it will be something worthy of at least trying out. I might enjoy it and decide to become a teacher. After all, now is the perfect time for me to be experimenting with different career paths.
I know I'll be fine, but it is still a step into the unknown.
<3 x
Thursday 12 January 2012
Gherkin is a Weird Word
I was just about to shut down my laptop and go to bed when I remembered that I hadn't posted yet today. Fair enough, you may think, but I have literally been thinking all day about what I was going to write about.
Don't get your hopes up, mind. Its still not very exciting.
Why is it, when you are trying to be good, you crave all sorts of things you wouldn't normally even dream of eating. Like today, I found myself really wanting a McDonald's. I haven't been to McDonald's for probably 10 years, and have certainly never desired their food in that time, yet today, because I was being super good, all I could think about was a cheeseburger. I don't even eat meat. The only thing I can remember about cheeseburgers are the gherkins. So how can I crave it?
How does that even make sense?
Is it just because I want what I know I can't have? Or am I seriously that easily influenced that I can be so sucked in by advertising? I want to say just the first, but I know it's probably both.
This post was a lot longer in my head, but I'm sleepy and want to go to bed so this can be enough. Also, I remember only too well what happened last time I talked about what I wanted to eat while being healthy, an that resulted in the invention of chocolate heart attack, so all the more reason to shut up.
<3 x
Don't get your hopes up, mind. Its still not very exciting.
Why is it, when you are trying to be good, you crave all sorts of things you wouldn't normally even dream of eating. Like today, I found myself really wanting a McDonald's. I haven't been to McDonald's for probably 10 years, and have certainly never desired their food in that time, yet today, because I was being super good, all I could think about was a cheeseburger. I don't even eat meat. The only thing I can remember about cheeseburgers are the gherkins. So how can I crave it?
How does that even make sense?
Is it just because I want what I know I can't have? Or am I seriously that easily influenced that I can be so sucked in by advertising? I want to say just the first, but I know it's probably both.
This post was a lot longer in my head, but I'm sleepy and want to go to bed so this can be enough. Also, I remember only too well what happened last time I talked about what I wanted to eat while being healthy, an that resulted in the invention of chocolate heart attack, so all the more reason to shut up.
<3 x
Wednesday 11 January 2012
Of Water and Walks
I haven't been to sleep yet, so that means that it is still today, not tomorrow, even though its past midnight. Got it?
Today didn't go too well, resolution wise. Firstly, I didn't get up by 9. I had to pick up my Gran from the hairdressers at 11, and seeing as I am also waiting on a parcel, I didn't see the point of rushing myself. So I slept on with my alarm on snooze until 10. Its the best feeling, being woken up by an alarm and knowing you don't really have to get up. Deciding on my own work hours doesn't really help the getting up earlier thing, especially when I would much rather start late and finish late than the opposite. Secondly, even though I ate quite well again, like yesterday, I didn't drink enough. This is the resolution I know I will struggle with most, because it is something I can never really do. I do drink a lot of a tea, and I try to have a drink with my meals as well, but I really struggle just drinking water. I don't ever really feel thirsty though.
Anyway, that's enough boring stuff ... not that I have anything more exciting to say. My day literally consisted of cleaning the oven and cupboards, making lunch, realising that my Gran can't follow the TV anymore, making dinner, and going for a walk. I feel quite confident walking along canals and in woods at night with Linzi, but I am a little concerned now about when she isn't here. Walking in the night in secluded areas maybe isn't such a good idea when you are on your own. Maybe I'll just walk around my house for an hour. Or at least find a temporary substitute.
I stopped talking about boring stuff to talk about more boring stuff.
Sorry.
Welcome to BED2012.
<3 x
Today didn't go too well, resolution wise. Firstly, I didn't get up by 9. I had to pick up my Gran from the hairdressers at 11, and seeing as I am also waiting on a parcel, I didn't see the point of rushing myself. So I slept on with my alarm on snooze until 10. Its the best feeling, being woken up by an alarm and knowing you don't really have to get up. Deciding on my own work hours doesn't really help the getting up earlier thing, especially when I would much rather start late and finish late than the opposite. Secondly, even though I ate quite well again, like yesterday, I didn't drink enough. This is the resolution I know I will struggle with most, because it is something I can never really do. I do drink a lot of a tea, and I try to have a drink with my meals as well, but I really struggle just drinking water. I don't ever really feel thirsty though.
Anyway, that's enough boring stuff ... not that I have anything more exciting to say. My day literally consisted of cleaning the oven and cupboards, making lunch, realising that my Gran can't follow the TV anymore, making dinner, and going for a walk. I feel quite confident walking along canals and in woods at night with Linzi, but I am a little concerned now about when she isn't here. Walking in the night in secluded areas maybe isn't such a good idea when you are on your own. Maybe I'll just walk around my house for an hour. Or at least find a temporary substitute.
I stopped talking about boring stuff to talk about more boring stuff.
Sorry.
Welcome to BED2012.
<3 x
Monday 9 January 2012
New Year Do-Over
I can't say that the first week of 2012 was particularly successful.
Don't get me wrong, nothing bad or negative happened, but literally everything I had decided to do from the beginning of the new year pretty much went straight down the drain. I didn't get up any earlier, instead I would keep my alarm on snooze until late morning. I haven't really eaten any better, nor I have I drunk more water. I tried to exercise more, and Linzi and I have been doing an hour or so walk twice a week, but I need to do more. I'm not even going to go into the whole sorting my life out. I still have time to work on that, I hope, and I am at least taking steps in the right direction.
So, 2012 starts here.
Again.
It's a Monday, and we all know how I have to start things on a Monday, so here goes.
I WILL eat better; more fruit and veg and less sugar and bread.
I WILL drink more; at least a litre of plain water a day, in addition to my usual copious amounts of tea.
I WILL get up before 9 am, no matter what time I go to bed the night before (so I may have had a nap this morning after getting up at 8, but at least I was up, washed and dressed whilst napping).
This means I WILL be at work by 10, and I WILL NOT spend hours playing Sims rather than sewing.
I WILL continue with the bi-weekly walks, even if I don't have a companion, and I WILL throw in another few hours a week of other exercise as well, probably dancing as this is the only exercise I don't seem to despise.
I WILL regularly cover my 'new' roads for Avon, and I WILL NOT wastefully spend my earnings.
I WILL complete my Japanese audio learning course, and maybe even take another one.
I WILL put up the canvases in my room before the end of the month.
I WILL use my cineworld unlimited card more.
I WILL blog about more than Asian drama and Super Junior... in fact, maybe I'll blog everyday ... no ... I WILL blog everyday (maybe)
<3 x
AFTERWORD:
The review post of Boys Before Flowers may come earlier than expected ... its addictive and I literally cannot stop watching it. I'm on episode 15 already. You probably won't get a rant post though; this triangle doesn't bother me as much as Hana Yori Dango's.
Don't get me wrong, nothing bad or negative happened, but literally everything I had decided to do from the beginning of the new year pretty much went straight down the drain. I didn't get up any earlier, instead I would keep my alarm on snooze until late morning. I haven't really eaten any better, nor I have I drunk more water. I tried to exercise more, and Linzi and I have been doing an hour or so walk twice a week, but I need to do more. I'm not even going to go into the whole sorting my life out. I still have time to work on that, I hope, and I am at least taking steps in the right direction.
So, 2012 starts here.
Again.
It's a Monday, and we all know how I have to start things on a Monday, so here goes.
I WILL eat better; more fruit and veg and less sugar and bread.
I WILL drink more; at least a litre of plain water a day, in addition to my usual copious amounts of tea.
I WILL get up before 9 am, no matter what time I go to bed the night before (so I may have had a nap this morning after getting up at 8, but at least I was up, washed and dressed whilst napping).
This means I WILL be at work by 10, and I WILL NOT spend hours playing Sims rather than sewing.
I WILL continue with the bi-weekly walks, even if I don't have a companion, and I WILL throw in another few hours a week of other exercise as well, probably dancing as this is the only exercise I don't seem to despise.
I WILL regularly cover my 'new' roads for Avon, and I WILL NOT wastefully spend my earnings.
I WILL complete my Japanese audio learning course, and maybe even take another one.
I WILL put up the canvases in my room before the end of the month.
I WILL use my cineworld unlimited card more.
I WILL blog about more than Asian drama and Super Junior... in fact, maybe I'll blog everyday ... no ... I WILL blog everyday (maybe)
<3 x
AFTERWORD:
The review post of Boys Before Flowers may come earlier than expected ... its addictive and I literally cannot stop watching it. I'm on episode 15 already. You probably won't get a rant post though; this triangle doesn't bother me as much as Hana Yori Dango's.
[DISCLAIMER: THIS DOESN'T COUNT AS A RESOLUTION FAIL - I SAID I WOULD BLOG ABOUT MORE, NOT THAT I WOULD STOP POSTING ABOUT DRAMAS COMPLETELY.]
Saturday 7 January 2012
You're Beautiful
The title of this post makes it sound like this is going to be a really lovely entry, full of positivity and how to feel good bout yourself.
No.
Its about the Korean drama.
Firstly, it was weird watching a drama in another language. It was like I was back at the beginning again, with the only words I could understand being very basic. I'm not saying I became fluent in Japanese through watching dramas, far from it, but I certainly picked up a lot, and I missed the feeling of being able to pick up certain words. There were a lot of -mida's rather than -masu's, and I found I couldn't let my attention wonder without loosing track completely of what was going on. Another difference was the length of the episodes and series. Japanese dramas tend to be about 45 mins long, and with about 11 episodes. You're Beautiful was 70 mins long with 16 episodes. Things that happened in the second episode of Ikemen Desu Ne didn't happen until the 4th episode of You're Beautiful. Not that the series felt like it was dragging, far from it, although I cant say that there was anything more really added for that time.
Obviously, the names were different. Mio became Mi Nam, Ren was Tae Kyung, Shu was Shin Woo, and Yuki became Jeremy. The characters were all very much the same, and I was surprised how similar Ren and Tae Kyung were in literally every aspect. Yes, the Shin Woo predicament still broke my heart and made me soooo angry, as did the general doucheness of Tae Kyung, but it was still really fun and I enjoyed it a lot.
Which do I prefer? Hard to say, but I think I'm going to have to go with Ikemen. I realise this is probably because it was the one I saw first, and due to this, I pretty much knew everything was going to happen, but certain things that didn't make sense in the Korean version were altered for the Japanese. There was more back story of Mio and Mika's childhood, and I was so much more affected by Yuki's love of Mio than Jeremy's of Mi Nam. Basically, it all boils down to the fact that I cried at Ikemen, but not at You're Beautiful. However, the latter did mention Super Junior on more than one occasion, and even did a parody of Sorry Sorry, so they do get bonus points for that.
I cant really do connections, and I'm not sure I want to when the chances of a Gokusen link are so low. But Shin Woo is the leader of CNBlue, and Jeremy is the leader of FT Island, two Kpop bands I am well aware of even though I don't have much experience of them.
Next up is the Korean version of Hana Yori Dango, Boys Before Flowers. You may get a rant post, but otherwise, don't expect to hear from me about this series for a while, as it is like 25 episodes long ...
<3 x
No.
Its about the Korean drama.
Firstly, it was weird watching a drama in another language. It was like I was back at the beginning again, with the only words I could understand being very basic. I'm not saying I became fluent in Japanese through watching dramas, far from it, but I certainly picked up a lot, and I missed the feeling of being able to pick up certain words. There were a lot of -mida's rather than -masu's, and I found I couldn't let my attention wonder without loosing track completely of what was going on. Another difference was the length of the episodes and series. Japanese dramas tend to be about 45 mins long, and with about 11 episodes. You're Beautiful was 70 mins long with 16 episodes. Things that happened in the second episode of Ikemen Desu Ne didn't happen until the 4th episode of You're Beautiful. Not that the series felt like it was dragging, far from it, although I cant say that there was anything more really added for that time.
Obviously, the names were different. Mio became Mi Nam, Ren was Tae Kyung, Shu was Shin Woo, and Yuki became Jeremy. The characters were all very much the same, and I was surprised how similar Ren and Tae Kyung were in literally every aspect. Yes, the Shin Woo predicament still broke my heart and made me soooo angry, as did the general doucheness of Tae Kyung, but it was still really fun and I enjoyed it a lot.
From Google. Shin Woo, Mi Nam, Tae Kyung and Jeremy. They're prettier than their Japanese counterparts.
Which do I prefer? Hard to say, but I think I'm going to have to go with Ikemen. I realise this is probably because it was the one I saw first, and due to this, I pretty much knew everything was going to happen, but certain things that didn't make sense in the Korean version were altered for the Japanese. There was more back story of Mio and Mika's childhood, and I was so much more affected by Yuki's love of Mio than Jeremy's of Mi Nam. Basically, it all boils down to the fact that I cried at Ikemen, but not at You're Beautiful. However, the latter did mention Super Junior on more than one occasion, and even did a parody of Sorry Sorry, so they do get bonus points for that.
I cant really do connections, and I'm not sure I want to when the chances of a Gokusen link are so low. But Shin Woo is the leader of CNBlue, and Jeremy is the leader of FT Island, two Kpop bands I am well aware of even though I don't have much experience of them.
Next up is the Korean version of Hana Yori Dango, Boys Before Flowers. You may get a rant post, but otherwise, don't expect to hear from me about this series for a while, as it is like 25 episodes long ...
<3 x
Sunday 1 January 2012
Welcome to 2012
In January 2010, I started this blog as a new years resolution. Now, 2 years and 145 posts later, I'm still blogging with no intention to stop, so that's one successfully achieved new years resolution.
Shame about the others.
One year ago, I promised myself I would try new things, be more feminine, help around the house and document my life. I have not tried many new things, at least not as many as I would have liked. I may wear more dresses and skirts and try to take better care of my skin, although I neither exercise or drink any more than I did previously and feel no more feminine. I have not set up a business, and my 'fading obsession with manga and anime' never really faded so much as got replaced with dramas and Kpop. I try to help around the house more, but am still of the firm belief that the most successful way of doing this would be to lock my father in the shed. I do document my life, especially having completed BEDA twice in the last year, but I know that I document too much about Kpop and dramas and not so much about my self (however they ARE my life).
Ive been thinking carefully about what my resolutions are going to be this year. Some will roll over, like exercise and drinking water, especially with two weddings coming up, but other than that, just normal things like get up earlier, and eat better.
Most importantly though, I think I need to grow up. I'm the youngest in my family as well as the youngest of my friends, and I have always acted as such. But the fact of the matter is that I am 23 years old, still living with my parents, without a stable job, and without anyone that loves me. I am in the same place in my life than I was when I was 16, except back then I was more hopeful for the future.
I know I cant do anything about someone loving me, but I can do something about the other things, and both birds can be killed with one stone. I need to decide what I want to do with my life.
<3 x
Shame about the others.
One year ago, I promised myself I would try new things, be more feminine, help around the house and document my life. I have not tried many new things, at least not as many as I would have liked. I may wear more dresses and skirts and try to take better care of my skin, although I neither exercise or drink any more than I did previously and feel no more feminine. I have not set up a business, and my 'fading obsession with manga and anime' never really faded so much as got replaced with dramas and Kpop. I try to help around the house more, but am still of the firm belief that the most successful way of doing this would be to lock my father in the shed. I do document my life, especially having completed BEDA twice in the last year, but I know that I document too much about Kpop and dramas and not so much about my self (however they ARE my life).
Ive been thinking carefully about what my resolutions are going to be this year. Some will roll over, like exercise and drinking water, especially with two weddings coming up, but other than that, just normal things like get up earlier, and eat better.
Most importantly though, I think I need to grow up. I'm the youngest in my family as well as the youngest of my friends, and I have always acted as such. But the fact of the matter is that I am 23 years old, still living with my parents, without a stable job, and without anyone that loves me. I am in the same place in my life than I was when I was 16, except back then I was more hopeful for the future.
I know I cant do anything about someone loving me, but I can do something about the other things, and both birds can be killed with one stone. I need to decide what I want to do with my life.
<3 x
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