I’m turning 22 in October. Now that I have a job, I can treat myself to some things (treat yo. self!)–like new paint and furniture and bedding for my room and $100 worth of food and drinks from the Asian market–but gifts are never as special when they’re gifts to yourself. And I need to start saving for Disneyland!!
People don’t usually ask a soon-to-be-22 year old what she wants for her birthday. Mostly because I just demand gifts. I think I’m supposed to be at an age where I accept a lunch date or free Starbucks as a birthday gift. Which I do, and is lovely, and I’m always very happy for those things! But I have other thiiiings I would like this year if it’s at all possible for friends and family to procure for me. Material, fun things I can’t justify adding to my budget.
1. Felicity Gowns and Accessories – Unfortunately, I was a complete pauper when the Felicity things were still in circulation so the doll was all I had, and now that I’m grown and have money I can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on all the things I’d love to keep and collect for my future daughter, who, when she exists, MUST know the wonders of this Colonial American Girl and the pretty things that go with her. A lot of these things are sold on Ebay for exorbitant amounts of money. I would love to have Felicity’s Christmas gown, her undergarments/shift, the pink birthday gown, and riding habit. To name a few.
2. Korean Drama Things – I want to own You’re Beautiful and Boys Over Flowers. If it’s a Korean Drama and I’ve seen it, I would like to own the soundtrack. But they are not cheap. I have a pig rabbit charm for my cell phone, but I would not mind having the plush pig rabbit, or the hairclip, or hoodies, or any of the charms from the dramas I’ve seen. Just not the necklaces. They’re too special, and I don’t want to cheapen the love story behind each one by owning a replica “one of a kind” necklace. It would feel wrong.
FTIsland is my favourite band of all time ever. And I’ve never had a favourite band before!
Also–and this is Japanese, not Korean–I have not finished watching Emma: A Victorian Romance because they took it down off YouTube which is very distressing to me and it was a great little anime as far as I could tell, so I must own it to finish watching!!
3. Something from Anthropologie – If everyone I know pitched in a five dollar gift card for Anthropologie, I still wouldn’t be able to afford a dress from there. But it would help.
4. Anything from the Victorian Trading Company – Like the birds nest ring or lark earrings or this poison ring!! They also have furniture I want, but cannot afford, nor fit in my bed chamber, and ever so many gowns and cloaks and such that getting on this site is very dangerous and I should stop.
5. My pixie cut!! -I made a decision. I don’t want to wait until I’m 25 to get my hair cut. Now is the optimum time because it can be growing out until I’m 25, and if the stylist botches it for some reason, I don’t want to be hideous around the same time I get desperate for a husband. So 22nd birthday shall be when I get a radical new hair cut, and 25 is the year I sign up for an online dating service or have my dad arrange my marriage (like he is seriously offering to do) if nothing happens before then.
For the bangs and side wispies, this is my favourite.
And for the back layers and general girly nature, I love this one most.
And here is my entire Pinterest board of pixie cuts I’m looking at for inspiration.
[On my lunch break at Panera.]
Asian Man: *stands right over me* I need to make a complaint.
Me: *slurping noodles* o.o
Asian Man: Why are you eating noodle when you are here?
Me: They’re so delicious!
Asian Man: *laughing* You should not be eating noodle here. Iiii should be eating noodle! You’re not Asian, right?
Me: You could tell by the way I’m using these chopsticks, huh?
Best customer experience I’ve had at Panera… probably ever.
Hangul: 풀하우스 English: Full House Romanized: Pool Ha-woo-seu
Synopsis: Aspiring author, Han Ji Eun is tricked by her two friends into leaving on a “free vacation” to China. While she is gone they sell her house and take her money, leaving her stranded in a foreign country. Han Ji Eun begs the help of a famous actor, Lee Young Jae to return to Korea. She arrives home only to find it’s been sold to Lee Young Jae who accepts her services as a live-in maid to pay off her debt to him. Disorganised and messy Han Ji Eun must put up with the dictatorial and particular demands of a pampered actor in order to reclaim her home. Matters are complicated when Young Jae enters a contract marriage with Ji Eun after being rejected by the woman he offers his heart to.
Inferior American/English Counterparts: A bit of The Proposal, a splash of Maid in Manhattan, and a dose of Much Ado About Nothing.
Take note that this has nothing to do with the American television series.
Characters: ♥♠♥♠
With friends like these…
The drama starts with the self-centered motives of two people you would hope never to call “friend.” They are funny, but you can’t stand them most of the time. Despite this, there isn’t any true villainy. Not the make-your-blood-boil kind. The characters do things no one should ever do, like scam a friend into destitution, or cling to a guy that same person just rejected, or hide a wedding ring that doesn’t belong to the person hiding it, but they all come around in the end so I didn’t feel like punching anyone. Maybe slapping, once or twice, but that’s all.
Our two main characters are terrific playing off each other, and Rain’s petulant expressions take the cake. Lucky we get to see a lot of them in the series. Song Hye Kyo as Han Ji Eun is also delightful. Unfortunately, I haven’t much to say about the two love-rivals, Min Hyuk and Hye Won. The acting is good, but the characters themselves aren’t all that interesting.
Hilarity Per Episode: ♥♠♥♠♥
I am busting up every episode. Young Jae is such a jerk, but a really funny one. He has a funny way of expressing his emotions–mostly yelling–and a strong aversion to being sincere. It’s like he’s allergic to doing something nice for the sake of being nice. Even when he means something in earnest, he turns it into a joke or a snide comment. And it’s as hilarious as it is frustrating.
Han Ji Eun’s stupid friends add to the humor, although sometimes their aggravations outweigh the funny.
Tear-Drama: ♥♠♥
Young Jae has some back story that is rather sad, but it isn’t developed to its full potential. The music makes a lot of scenes that aren’t really that sad seem really sad. Then the last few episodes kick in and there are more than a few tear-jerky moments. Episode 14 had me weeping. If you’re a sensitive soul, bring your tissues for that one.
Soundtrack: ♥♠♥♠
Again, not a huge diversity of music, but the two songs that repeat the most are just perfect for this drama. “I Think I” is so manipulative with its emotional heartstrings tugging… *sigh*
Also, it’s a good idea to learn The Three Bears song and dance to impress your in-laws. I did!! And I don’t even have in-laws.
Sleep Deprivation: ♥♠♥♠
I enjoy that I’m not stressed out of my mind with each episode, and even when it’s like “No, for real? You are not ending there. Next episode, next episode, next episode…” it’s not too emotionally distressing to pause. Most of the time.
I do remember Episode 9 was not allowed to end where it did and I threw a fit and watched the next episode even though I was exhausted from the State Fair and opening the bakery. Sometimes you just have to watch another one.
Eye-Candy: ♥♠♥♠♥
Bi Rain is in it. Need I say more? No. I will just post pictures.
Ending: ♥♠♥
The ending was satisfying, but it didn’t blow me away. I’m getting a little frustrated at these dramas depriving me of wedding scenes. Technically, we had a wedding scene… earlier than in the end, but that’s not the point!! Okay, so if there’s not another wedding scene, I want a baby. Show us a baby!!!
YoungJae: The house was dark and empty when you were gone. JiEun:What? YoungJae: That is… because there was no one to turn on the lights for me!
It’s funny how the blogging awards and tagging games spread like diseases. Fun diseases. The kind that get you off work or out of school with minimal discomfort and allow you to sit in bed and watch movies all day… okay I don’t know of any diseases like that. If I’m out of work, I’m usually not able to do anything but down liquids, take drugs, and sleep.
The Rules To This Epidemic
One must post 11 – yes, 11 – facts relevant to one’s self.
One must answer 11 questions chosen by the carrier.
One must choose 4 citizens to pass on the fundemic to.
One must choose 11 questions for the elected 4 to answer in their own post.
-x-
Of Me and Myself
1. I cannot watch the Felicity movie without bursting into giggles every time Ben is on screen. I also just published the first snippet of a Ben/Lissie fan fiction, which I will give linkage for if you are very, very persuasive.
2. I watched Love Never Dies on DVD last Friday. It was as bad as I thought. I liked a couple songs, but only out of context.
3. Two things I need to buy right now are packs of chewing gum for after lunch break breath, and an emery board for when my nails keep chipping. That happens a lot because, you know, I work very hard.
4. I’m stopping in the middle of this to go get cereal.
5. We only had Granola Raisin Bran left. Which is fiiiine, but would not have been my first pick.
6. Cocoa Pebbles would have been my first pick.
7. My coworker asked me to burn her a disc of the best Celtic Thunder songs. She ended up with three CDs of Celtic Thunder songs.
8. I only call my mum “mom” when I’m peeved at her or can’t get her attention. Then she’s “Mom, ma, mum, mumsie, maman, oomani, ooma, madre, mama, mooootheeeeer…” until she responds.
9. I typecast actresses I like, and call those I do not like by their real names. Example: “Why are they still hiring Kiera Knightley for movies?” “Oh! Elizabeth Bennet is in this Hallmark!” Male actors seem to be the exception. “Why can’t you date Liam Neeson’s daughter? Because she’s Taken.”
10. I want a husband who wears tricorns and breeches and spatterdashes. May I have one, please?
11. I just realized it’s technically Wednesday, now that it’s past 12 in the morning, so TO THE DREAMER UPDATE AT ONCE!!!!
1) If you could dye your hair any color for a day, with no judgment from anyone else, what color would you pick? Blonde. Just for a day. I would look something like this…
Oh wait… more like this…
2) If you got a tattoo what would it be? (Even if you would never normally get one!) A rose or a… no, probably a rose. Because they’re pretty and the least provocative. Depending on where you put it, I guess. I’d go with shoulder, or the small of my back.
3) Favorite quote? One of them… “Three grand essentials to happiness in life are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
4) Worst book/movie you ever read/saw? Worst book: The Phantom of Manhattan. Worst movie: The New World
5) If you could go back in time and change something what would it be? (It doesn’t have to involve you) I would steal a man from the 18th or 19th century and change that I have to live my life without one.
6) What’s your most improbable dream/goal? Marrying a man from the 18th/19th century. And books getting published. Because I never finish them.
7) What was the last book you read? The Little Golden Book of Beauty and the Beast. And I’m currently reading Beauty by Robin McKinley, one of my all time favourites. Do I like Beauty and the Beast much? Yes. Yes I do.
8) Why did you start your blog? To give myself a place to write random thoughts without pressuring myself to stick to a schedule or anything, and share with others who have similar amusements and tastes.
9) What’s your favorite newspaper comic? Hmmm…. Get Fuzzy. I love Bucky.Oh, but Dilbert, too!
10) Hipster or Celebrity? Celebrity. Does Kate Middleton count as a celebrity?Because I pick her.
11) What rhymes with orange? Porridge!
-x-
KristinaMara‘s Questions Answered Because I was Tagged Twice
1. What superhero would you be? Starfire! But not the comic version. She’s a little too… boobalicious for me to be. The Cartoon Network Starfire. I think it’s pretty clear that I could be her.
Yes, I am her. Also, my best friend is Raven, so it all makes sense. 2. What color are your favorite pair of socks? Black lace. They’re more like really short stockings that tie with a tiny ribbon in the back. 3. Polkadots or florals? Whyyy do you torment me with such a difficult choice?? *sigh* Since florals are harder to do right, and my favourite skirt (purchased in Southampton, England) is navy blue with polkadots, I choose polkadots. Plus, I’ve always wanted a 40′s bathing suit in polkadots. 4. If you could live in any book, which book would it be? Eurgsh! Another difficult choice!! I hesitate to list any favourite books. I fear entering them would change aspects of the world within and negate the reasons I like them so well. Perhaps a children’s book would be a wise choice. Except there has to be romance. No point if there’s no romance. This is so tough! I’ll go with a general thing and say a Disney book. Then I can be a princess and wear beautiful gowns and marry a prince! But wait… am I the heroine? What if I’m just an original side character? Then I’d want to be in Emma Browne or a Jane Austen, and marry someone I/she failed to marry off. Or if we’re talking outside the general story plot and delving into a world, I could go for any Robin McKinley novel. Her worlds are magical. That was a good question. But too hard for me to answer properly. 5. Where would you go right now if you could go anywhere? Between 1700′s Williamsburg for research, 1800′s England for a husband, or the kitchen because I’m hungry… I cannot decide. 6. What makes up a perfect day? A mixture of productive accomplishments, good food, and a lot of fun. And sweater/hot chocolate weather. 7. It’s raining. You are…? Most likely ringing up orders for soup in a bread bowl as quickly as I can manage. Though ideally, standing on a grassy incline in England, wearing a billowy cloak and getting pelted. But with the understanding that there’s somewhere nice to dry off afterward; somewhere with books and a fireplace and a cosy chair. 8. What’s one thing that always makes you happy? Making other people happy. A good song. A positive review. 9. Which super villain would you be, and why? Oooo. Dangit, Kristina! Such excellent and hard-to-answer questions! I must ponder this as I get a snack… I can’t think of any existing ones! I can’t imagine becoming a villain unless someone I loved was in danger, or killed, and I tried to save them or avenge their death but then got carried away and so consumed in grief and rage that I destroyed much more than a few people I blamed for said danger/death. That makes me think of Darth Vader, but is he a super villain? I’d love to have force powers. There we go. I’d be a fallen Jedi. But it would be because the Jedi forbid marriage and I’d be all, “Forget you, monkish geezers!” and run off with a star pilot and still do good around the galaxy, but not adhere to Jedi rules, so the council would condemn me as a villain, but I’d be perfectly happy with my do-gooder star pilot husband and force persuade powers. [You want to bake me a fresh pastry. You want to give it to me for free.] 10. What is your favorite thing about you? I like that I like a lot of things so I find enjoyment in many simple pleasures and I adapt well. 11. Do you have a signature item? That makes me think of our signature sandwiches at Panera. Recently, I’ve started to wear flower ties in my hair for work because I got sick of my hat making me look boyish. My coworkers worry now when I forget to wear one.
-x-
Spreading The Fun Bug
1. Le Timlet – Are you really surprised? =P Come on, man. Do this thing.
2. Elana of Cartoons & Creative Writing – Not sure if she’s been tagged yet, but I’d love to see how her creative mind answers these questions I picked. =D
3. Kristina from Eccentric Owl – I’m aware that she’s been tagged at least twice before, but I just wanted to show how crazy popular she is by tagging her again. Also, I want her to answer my questions. *pokes comment box*
4. Girl on the Contrary – She’s getting married, so who knows if she’ll have time to do a silly tag-post right away. But since I find her posts uproariously hilarious and surprisingly touching, I figured it doesn’t hurt to dream.
-x-
Interrogation Time In case this is unclear, (because it confused me at first) this is the part where those of you I tagged have to copy these questions and answer them in your posts.
1. What is your favourite animated sequel? (Disney or other)
2. Hardcover or paperback?
3. If you had a writer’s pseudonym, what would it be? (If you have one, what is it?)
4. Name one thing you’re obsessed with that most people don’t understand.
5. If you were famous, how would you use your fame? (Awareness for a cause you believe in, getting free things, meeting other famous people…?)
6. If God said He would grant you one request, what would you ask for?
7. Imagine you’re standing in front of a door, hand raised to knock. Where does the door lead and who is on the other side?
8. Between a thriving vegetable garden or a flourishing flower garden, which would you choose?
9. How do you define a large family?
10. Someone gives you an aquarium and asks you to fill it. Money is no issue and the sky’s the limit. What do you put inside?
11. Would you rather inherit an old fashioned fixer-upper, or a super modern mansion?
I think I’m supposed to be at an age where I accept a lunch date or free Starbucks as a birthday gift. Which I do, and is lovely, and I’m always very happy for those things! But I have other thiiiings I would like this year if it’s at all possible for friends and family to procure for me. Material, fun things I can’t justify adding to my budget.
1. Felicity Gowns and Accessories – Unfortunately, I was a complete pauper when the Felicity things were still in circulation so the doll was all I had, and now that I’m grown and have money I can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on all the things I’d love to keep and collect for my future daughter, who, when she exists, MUST know the wonders of this Colonial American Girl and the pretty things that go with her. A lot of these things are sold on Ebay for exorbitant amounts of money. I would love to have Felicity’s Christmas gown, her undergarments/shift, the pink birthday gown, and riding habit. To name a few. 
I did!! And I don’t even have in-laws. 
Also, my best friend is Raven, so it all makes sense.
