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My Love For My Mister

I'm a Kdrama fan and have been watching dramas since 2005 (my first one being Lovers in Paris). It doesn't matter if it's a romantic comedy or a drama as long as the story, directing, and acting are good. I've watched so many that I know a lot of Korean actors and actresses and remember the titles of the dramas they've starred in. Although I can mention many titles that I can recommend to those who are asking which shows to watch, there're but a few dramas that have really pulled at my heart strings and lingered in my thoughts for a long time (Misaeng, Dear My Friends, and Secret Love Affair). However, there's this one drama that I've watched three times already and plan to watch again since I can't seem to get enough of it and have a hard time leaving it behind, and that's the recently concluded My Ahjusshi (My Mister). 

To give you an idea of what it's all about is this plot synopsis by AsianWiki:

A man (Lee Sun-Kyun) in his 40's withstands the weight of life. A woman (IU) in her 20's goes through difficult experiences, but also withstands the weight of her life. The man and woman get together to help each other.

Dong Hoon (Lee Sun Kyun) is married to Yoon-Hee (Lee Ji-Ah). His wife is secretly having an affair with a senior executive at the construction company where he works. Yoon-Hee wants to divorce Dong-Hoon and marry the executive, Joon-Young (Kim Young-Min). Dong Hoon also has two brothers who live with his mother. The oldest brother, Sang-Hoon (Park Ho-San), doesn't have a job and he is separated from his wife. Gi-Hoon (Song Sae-Byeok) is the youngest brother and he wants to become a movie director.

Meanwhile, Ji An (IU) lives in a difficult situation. She supports her grandmother who is unable to move by herself. Ji-An is also in heavy debt and is harassed by loan shark Gwang-Il (Chang Ki-Yong). She works as a temp employee at the same construction company as Dong Hoon. One day, she sees Dong Hoon receive 50 million won ($50,000 USD) of gift certificates. She goes back to the office late at night and takes the gift certificates from Dong-Hoon's desk. She tries to pay off her debts with the gift certificates, but her plan doesn't work out.

Ji An learns that Joon-Young, the company Vice President, is having an affair with Dong-Hoon's wife. She goes to Joon-Young and offers to make Dong Hoon leave the company if he will pay her.

I won't go into details so as not to spoil the viewing pleasure of those who haven't watched it. I just want to say that watching My Ahjusshi was an experience in itself. You'll learn a lot about life such as moving on from a bad past and realizing that such a past does not define who you are. It also tells you to learn to love yourself more and not be too selfless especially when your selflessness becomes a hindrance to your happiness. It also reminds us that eventhough we live in an imperfect world that's inhabited by some not so good people, we should not stop ourselves from loving and trusting those who truly care for us. There're still good people around. Kind people. 

My Ahjusshi is a masterpiece. It's just good on all levels - writing, directing, acting, OST etc. It's meant to be watched a couple of times because some dialogue needs to be deciphered to be understood. It's also a drama that you need to watch attentively from the first until the last episode, otherwise you might not fully understand some of the scenes. 

I have to say that the acting has really blown me away. I know that Lee Sun Kyun is a good actor and I've loved him eversince I saw him in Coffee Prince but his acting here deserves an award. It's so heartfelt and real. His facial expressions and the way he acts with his eyes is amazing. The role of Park Dong Hoon is tailor-made for him. Of course who would forget his beautiful, deep, distinct voice. A lot of Korean actors have beautiful voices but his is the best. I can listen to his voice the whole day. I also like the way he walks and moves. Damn, I love everything about Lee Sun Kyun! Lee Jieun (IU) is a revelation here. She's so good! I didn't see IU but only saw Ji An. She totally became the character. The rest of the cast is also good and if there's an award for the best cast in a drama series, My Ahjusshi should win. 

The producers of My Ahjusshi sold this as a healing drama and said that it's not a romantic drama but honestly I think it's the most romantic Kdrama I've ever watched. The relationship of the main leads is quite ambiguous. It's up to the viewer to figure out if the relationship between Dong Hoon and Ji An is on a romantic level or just between senior and junior. The way I see it, they're in love. The director presented everything in a subtle way but the love between a man and a woman, I think, is all there. Some people think otherwise. I have to say that the chemistry between Lee Sun Kyun and Lee Jieun is off the charts. They don't have any kissing scenes or any kind of skinship but still you get all tingly watching them. They just stare and glance at each other and I get excited already. It's really amazing. Plus, their age gap seems to not matter because of that sizzling chemistry. 

Find out for yourself what all my raving is about and watch My Ahjusshi (My Mister).

Age is Just a Number

Imagine for a bit, and let's say, you don't know how old  you are. What number would you give when people ask you the somewhat socially-intrusive question, "How old are you?" Conduct a social experiment and act as young or as old as you want to be and see how your family and friends treat you or act around you.

You might be surprised to hear comments, "you should act your age," "you're already x-number of years old so you should feel a certain way," or "why are you so immature?" This social experiment is actually the opposite of immaturity because you're shattering  stereotypes about age and embracing the wise but fun side of you!

Who says you can't  love or be kilig like a love-struck teenager? Who says you can't make adult decisions because you're only a fresh college graduate? Who says you can't lift weights or run a marathon after a certain age? Who says working professionals can't love anime or cosplay? You can do and be anything you want to be when you're young or when you're old. As long as you're not physically or emotionally hurting anyone, even yourself, stick to what makes you happy at any age.




*Taken from Belle De Jour Power Planner

My First Althea Box

I ordered an Althea Box as a gift to myself last Christmas. I saw several posts on Instagram and immediately became curious. I've subscribed to other beauty boxes like the BDJ Box and Glamour Box so this was not an entirely new thing for me although it's my first time to try out Korean beauty products. It took a while for the box to arrive (approximately 3 weeks) but I let it pass since I knew that they'll be shipped directly from Korea. I'm used to receiving my online purchases within 2 - 3 days so this was a bit of a torture. All the waiting was worth it though since the box contained lots of items for only Php1,370 (actual price is Php3,250). It's really a steal since there were 3 full size items. This definitely won't be the last time I order from Althea.

What's in the box?

Missha The First Treatment Essence Intensive Moist (Full Size)
Rire Pore Tightening Fresh Toner (Full Size)
Missha Super Aqua Refreshing Cleansing Foam (Full Size)
It's Skin Power 10 Formula (13 Options Sample)
Innisfree My Real Squeeze Mask Green Tea (2 pcs.)
Max Clinic Max Change Oil Foam Sample (2 pcs.)
Chica Y Chico Matt Cushion Semi Matt #23

Hortikultura 2018

Living in the city has always had its perks. From the bustling economy, a wide range of shopping malls to choose from to the sleepless rendezvous. But once in a while, you’d be telling yourself that you’d need a breather! With the countless room for opportunities, the metro has its dark, looming side, air pollution that is!      So how can you escape this impending health hazard? With plants of course! Plants have this powerful ability to cleanse our air off the harmful substances, particularly carbon dioxide. The more plants the better of course!  Apart from cleaning the air that we breathe in , plants also  lend a very calming and refreshing  ambience. Studies show that indulging your peepers in anything green is a form of relaxation.  

Since we are in the metro spawned by massive buildings and edifices how can we go about introducing more greeneries into our homes and environment? The Philippine Horticultural Society Inc or PHSI is a non-profit organization  of plant lovers whose advocacy is to spread  , once again, the enthusiasm for plants . Some of the organization’s mission is to promote the preservation and conservation of native plant species, to promote awareness and appreciation of plant life and to promote affiliation with international plant communities.  With the efforts of  the PHSI, the metro will hopefully breathe  fresher air  again. It can always begin in our own homes and communities!     In line with this advocacy, the PHSI will be holding a “grand greenery event ” on February 2018!

On Feb 2-11, a massive greenery festival will showcase our own endemic, and hybrid plants. Celebrated annually, the Horikultura Filipina 2018  will also showcase several gardening and horticultural practices in manila. If you are aching to grow out your own garden in your homes but don’t know how, this is the perfect event for you! As per the organization, you need not be a plant expert or one with the so called “green thumb “to cultivate your own garden. You just need to know the  basic knows and how’s. This is one of the goals of the organization, to make gardening and cultivation of plants accessible to everyone! To keep up the excitement, we’ve heard that they are also going to showcase some plant species that may cost up to 2 M pesos ( eyes popping!)  So set your calendars for one of the country’s widest  greenery festival, the HORTIKULTURA 2018. 

 Activities to expect at HORTIKULTURA 2018                                                                 

TRADE FAIR, ORNAMENTAL POTTED PLANTS COMPETITION, STREET DANCING, INSTALLATION ART, PHOTO EXHIBIT OF PHILIPPINE ORCHID SPECIES, BONSAI EXHIBIT, TERRARIUM, AQUA SCAPE VIVARIUM EXHIBIT, GARDEN TOUR, DAILY RAFFLE, ACOUSTIC NIGHTS, DAILY LECTURE AND WORKSHOP,ORCHIDS ASEPTIC CULTURE EXHIBIT, DAILY RAFFLE.                              

                                                                

For more information, you can visit their Facebook page, Philippine Horticultural Society Inc.