Latest Posts by anvisdays - Page 4

~ On Seong Wu’s photography skills are 💯💯💯. Here are a few of the photos he snapped from their first day in Buenos Aires. Kang Ha Neul was a complete fairy when he offered to take Seong Wu’s photos so that the latter would have enough memories of himself from the trip. What cuties.❤ ~

From: Traveler (S2), Episode 1

~ I started watching Traveler (Season 2) yesterday and I am already in love with Kang Ha-Neul. Also, I didn’t expect Ong Seong Wu to be so timid and cute. I’d thought he’d be more of a snob, but he’s as soft as a puppy. Also, also, hello Argentina and Buenos Aires! ❤ ~

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From: Episode 1

Me: *falls in love with dramas*

Me: So this is what it’s like to be a fan...

My heart:

~ Growth is a silent, invisible thing ~ . Growth is a quiet affair;  a day-to-day phenomenon. . Growth happens behind the scenes, you and your heart, the only witnesses. . Growth creeps up on you, subtly, ordinarily. One day you're a seed and then steadily, you see yourself become the majestic tree you envisioned yourself to be. . Growth speaks of humility and surrender. . Growth is the messy, chaotic, tumultuous in-between.  . And if you aren't paying attention, those delicate moments of growth pass you by without being cherished. . So, keep your heart and mind in tune with your present self as you bloom bravely, day after day, night after night.

~ notes from everyday ~ 

~ I love making little paper pockets in my journal pages and I love using bills as paper layers. ~ 🌼

Don’t Let Your Past Dictate Your Present Is What  I Learnt From ‘Chocolate’

For every drama I've loved so far, there's an inner Anvi screaming "O, my god! What a show! Go watch it!". It's screaming very loudly for this one as well.

My third drama to be precise and my first Korean one, ‘Chocolate’ (2019) had my heart in a knot and made me weep like a baby. It took every broken piece inside me and took its time in gluing it back with a little bit more magic and love.

Man, this show. Oh man, this show.

A tale of two childhood sweethearts, Dr. Kang and chef Moon Cha Young, the two reunite after nearly two decades with only Cha Young recognizing her first love. Dr. Lee Kang, an illegitimate heir of a big medical institution, lives with his step-family who wants nothing more than his inheritance. A boy who once dreamed of becoming a chef, Kang now seeks revenge for his mother's death.

Moon Cha Young has had it rough in life. A survivor of a terrifying building crash, she finds solace in food and cooking. Suffering from post-traumatic disorder, Cha Young keeps to herself, until Kang's best friend falls for her.

(I won't spill the beans further because that would just unravel the plot making it pointless to watch. Which is precisely what I don't want --- I want you to watch the drama and fall head over heels for it and cry buckets just like I did.)

Kang and Cha Young cross paths once again in a hospice for terminally ill patients and it is here, amidst stories of love, death, family and friendship that they begin to know each other.

The drama is tear-jerker, NGL. But I didn't mind that one bit. It isn't a light watch, it is mature and heavy and worth every minute of your precious time.

As is typical of drama male leads, Kang's initial treatment of Cha Young pissed the shit out of me even though I could understand where his attitude stemmed from -- Cha Young after all, broke the heart of his only and best friend. Still, I wanted to punch the man in his face a lot of times. And I also wanted to shake the hell out of Cha Young for returning to him time and again like a wounded puppy. Thank god she stopped after a while, thank god for some self-respect.

I also love, love the side-cast in this show. What freaking cool actors and boomers. I particularly love head nurse Ha Young Shi who's totally cool, gives zero shits about gender stereotypes and goes all in with her heart. Then there is Lee Joon who's narrative I particularly enjoyed, especially the way he chose to let his own heart guide him rather than his family's expectations of him. I loved Director Kwon Hyun Sik, a father figure to Kang and an absolutely beautiful man.

My learnings:

1. Some people are worth those second chances. 

Some people are worth placing your trust back into and trying once more. Some people are worth the fight. 

2. Don’t let your past dictate your present. 

Let your present dictate your choices, your heart. The past is long gone and if something from it comes revisiting, it is worth looking at in a brand new way.

3. It’s never too late to open your heart again.

For me, 'Chocolate' still remains one of my favorite dramas till date. I love the slow-paced nature of the show, I love how it wrings out all kinds of emotions from you and how it heals you in ways you don't even realize.

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GIF Credits: | GIF 2  - Soompi | GIF 7: Tumgir | GIF 11: Netflix 

Image Credits: Hancinema.net

if tumblr was person I’d hug the shit out of them. ❤

~ In the little joys, the daily joys, happiness awaits to hug us with arms open wide. ~ 

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~notesfromeveryday ~ 

~ 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. 

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~ notes from everyday ~

I tried something out of my comfort zone the other day. Inspired by @milkyystudy I decided to do a stickers-inspired spread and it turned out quite delicious.✨🌼 . . Stickers from: @thepagemark @noonchie.co @stationerymoon_21 (Using someone's art in your journal is priceless.💕) . Celebrated my first MT washi tapes as well.🌼 . . Music: Lay Down Beside You Musician: Carl Storm (@carlstormofficial )

a) One of my favorite quotes from ‘Mr. Queen’

b) I still don’t fully realize how hard I’ve fallen for this drama. 

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Pictures | TVN & The Doodle App

~ I started a tiny Kawaii journal using a pocket note from Muji. I’ve been wanting to use the stationery I own, especially the super cute stickers I recently purchased from Indian sticker shops. 

I also stamped a favorite Korean word (Sarange = I love you) on the cover. Journaling in here was SO much fun. ~ 

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

'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo' Taught Me That When You're Tired, Rest, Don't Quit

I have a LOT OF FEELINGS for this show. I am going to leave it at that.

The Story:

Kim Bok-joo, our young weightlifter finds no greater joy than when she's lifting weights. Her ultimate dream is to bag a gold medal. She's loud, huge, can break a few teeth when messed with and has the softest, purest heart. Her father, Kim Chang Gul runs a fried chicken joint and is as animated as his daughter.

Jung Joon-Hyun, is an upcoming star-athlete in the swimming department whose main struggle is to not mess up during the start-time of a race. Being one of the prettiest boys on campus, he suffers from abandonment issues & a rough heartbreak. However, he's got a killer smile and a warm heart that's open to healing.

The story pans around different subjects:

From the life of university athletes, to how love can be right next to you even when you cannot see it,

From addressing what it means to 'be and look like a woman', to how friendship is the knight in shining armor during your darkest times,

From what it means to be a team, to how choosing yourself over others is sometimes exactly what you need,

From unabashedly chasing your crush to knowing how 'family' goes beyond blood.

This drama was such a wonderful surprise for me. It is hilarious, sweet, impactful and a deeply comforting friend, especially when you need a pick-me-up. I am already planning a slow re-watch so that I can truly savor it, once again.

My favorite bits about the show include: ~ Bok-joo's refreshing personality and her confidence in being who she is.🐷 ~ Her heartwarming relationship with her father, Chang Gul  🐷 ~ Coach Choi Sung Eun and her strength + badassery 🐷 ~ First love 🐷 ~ Chung Nan Hee's pickup line of the millennium: "Do you like Messi?" 🐷 ~ 'Swag' 🐷 ~ Joon-Hyun and Bok-joo (forever and everrrrrrrrrrr) 🐷

Learnings:

1. The questions is: how beautiful are you on the inside? It was so nice to see a female lead character that focused on being beautiful within. I loved how Bok-joo never lost her innocence or the essence of who she is. For her, all that mattered was having a good heart.

2. And when you're tired, learn to rest, not quit This was my favorite learning. As we watch Bok-joo struggle with her love for weightlifting and this deep, repressed desire to do things that girls her age explore, it is heartwarming to see her take a break from her passion without entirely giving up on it. I'd like to give a small shoutout to her father, Chang Gul for being an absolute cutie and supporting her.

3. Some people are like sunshine and they deserve to be kept warm Joon-Hyun is one such person who lights up in Bok-joo's presence, while she feels thoroughly comfortable in her skin with him. It is this ease and this love between them that makes you realize how people can be each other's suns and moons.

My last words:

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GIF Credits: | GIF 1, 7 & 13: Pinterest | GIF 2: Steam Community | GIF 3: gfycat | GIF 4: KpopMap | GIF 5: @kdramascenarios | GIF 6: A Gypsy Socresses’s Library | GIF 8: Kdrama Fangirls Review Stuffs | GIF 9: Coffeecaramello | GIF 10: Cosmo.ph | GIF 11 & 15: We Heart It | GIF 12: @seokjinings | GIF 14: Wattapad | GIF 16: OneHallyu

~ Have you wondered how big an act of faith you perform every single night, as you fall asleep in the arms of darkness, trusting life to awaken you each morning, back to light? ~ @anvidoshi

~ A small look-book of Jang Man Wol’s killer wardrobe and a big talent-appreciation post. ~ 

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GIF Credits: | GIF 3 - Soompi | GIF 4 - Blight @Wattapad | GIF 7 - KPop Map |  GIF 9 & 11 - Giphy | GIF 6, 10 & 12 - Dramabeans | GIF 11 - @foriu​ | GIF 13: Literature and Movies | GIF 14 - Pinterest | 

“My love language is reminding you of your power.” ~ @galadarling

~ a little too late, she realized, not all things deserved her heart. ~ 🌼

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Picture | @littlealienproducts​

~ A very proud moment for me. I completed a 100 blog posts of original, heartwork yesterday evening.

This blog has been a source of comfort, creativity, fulfillment and a space where I’ve learned the joy of putting in consistent work to build something from scratch.

The feeling is indescribable and for everyone here, supporting my journey, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Turning this into a beautiful memory today.🌼🥑 ~

~ One of my favorites from one of my favorite dramas: Guardian: The Great and Lonely God ~

“The Universe is watching you in absolute awe. . Each time you step forward and share your magic, A breath of relief can be heard . For you are being who you were destined to be.” 

- girlandhermoon

~ This teaching, among the many that make this heart soar, comes from my spiritual teacher, my Guru. . I hope we each turn inwards and I hope we find the inherent, never-fading, gorgeous, priceless treasure of our own self.  . Here's to experiencing we are our own home.~

‘Hotel Del Luna’ Showed Me That Sometimes, You Get To Choose Who You Call ‘Family’

I wasn't ready to see IU on screen. I wasn't ready for that killer walk in a purple high-slight gown with a rifle in hand. I wasn't ready either for a drama world filled with magic, humor and sass. But it happened and there I already adding 'Hotel Del Luna' to my 're-watch' and 'favorites' lists.

The Story:

The story commences with Jang Man Wol, a 1000-year-old woman for whom the flow of time has stopped. As a manager of 'Hotel Del Luna' (a pit-stop for souls to rest and move on from the earthly realm to afterlife), Man Wol is snooty, obsessed with money, high-end fashion and the latest cars.

In comes Koo Chan Sung, a Forbes-listed hotelier who's bound by a curse to work for Del Luna and hence, he comes to be the 99th caretaker (private secretary) of Jang Man Wol.

We now enter the world of spirits and their stories that deal with our deep attachment to the past, need for revenge, the beauty of letting go and the very scientific bearings of karma. These are wonderfully conveyed in the drama through humor, sensitivity and wisdom.

The hotel staff consists of 3 primary ghosts: Kim Sun Bi, a misunderstood Joseon scholar with a tainted name, Choi Seo Hee, a wronged mother seeking vengeance and Ji Hyun Joong, a brother who is waiting to step into the afterlife with his still-living baby sister.

What I loved:

~ Man Wol's potty mouth + impeccable wardrobe + kind heart 🎃 ~ Beautiful stories of spirits' healing  🎃 ~ The bubbly deity Ma Go Shin and the superbly deadpan Grim Reaper Sa Shin 🎃 ~ The interplay between past and present of each character's story 🎃 ~ Korean mythology and magic 🎃 ~ Man Wol & Goo Chan Sung's love 🎃

Learnings:

1. "Do not judge a book by its cover."

The saying particularly fits Man Wol's character which on the surface, seems selfish and self-centered but actually houses a lot of compassion and justice within. With every episode, through Koo Chan Sung, we come across various layers of Man Wol's personality which seem otherwise absent. This taught me to look beyond what I perceive people to be and allow myself the chance to really know them.

2. Choosing what's best for the one you love is an act of deep courage.

This is my favorite part of Man Wol and Koo Chan Sung's connection. They choose what is the best for the person they love and help them bloom into the best versions of who they are. While it seems like the obvious thing to do, it is far from easy but this is exactly why true love is termed 'selfless'.

3. And while you're here, live. Do not simply exist.  Time and time again, whether it is through the stories of the ghosts or through Man Wol, I learned the power of living each day to the fullest. Which includes lots of laughter, walking your own path, ticking of that wish-list of dreams and loving people deeply.

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GIF Credits: | GIF 1: Quora | GIF 2: @foriu​ | GIF 4: J’Marei, Soompi | GIF 5:  Shine Smile | GIF 6: Bir Otakunun Dunyasi | GIF 7: Tumblr | GIF 8: Aghasewatchtv | GIF 9: Giphy | GIF 10: El Blog de Wendy

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

~ When we have a constantly active inner critic that thrives on self-hate, try as hard as we may, it becomes extremely difficult to move towards positive self-growth. . The negative self-talk from such an inner critic instantly demotivates you and since that's all we hear, we begin to see ourselves solely from the eyes of this critic. . This propels us to second-guess the nourishing choices we've decided to make and stops us from taking regular action to back these choices, hence causing us to stay in this same toxic loop of self-caused pain.  . If we get down to the root of this, we realize, that in order to back ourselves up, we need to trust ourselves. Due to loop patterns of self-destructive behavior (both conscious + unconscious), without knowing it, over time, we lose trust in our self and our power to make healthy choices. . The way out, I've realised over this past year, is to back the promises you make to yourself by regular, consistent actions.  . This weakens the negative self-talk the inner critic often thrives on and suddenly, there opens a tiny space where you start seeing yourself minus this toxic lens of self-hate (which is the primary cause of self-hurt and self-sabotage).  . Slowly, by backing the words + choices we tell & make for ourselves with regular, positive actions, we invite buds of self-trust to bloom once more. 

"Overthinking is a habit that we create when we feel unsafe. It's the the mind's attempt to predict the future. It's the illusion that we can 'think' our way into security. The truth is we cannot control anything external. Mantra for overthinking: I am choosing peace in this present moment. ❤

- Dr. Nicole @the.holistic.psychologist

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

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

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Quote from: Haro to Ao no Obento Bako

"No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself." - Virginia Woolf

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