anvisdays

Latest Posts by anvisdays

Manchurian Dosa | 11th May, Sunday

Went with the Nanus to eat Manchurian Dosa and Schezwan Cheese Frankie at Ghatkopar, on a whim. 👯‍♀️

The Manchurian was green oniony, hot, sour, and garlicky. The chutney was a refreshing contrast against the heat of the Manchurian. The dosa was beautifully soft and yum. 🤤

Unfortunately, it was too dark to take a photo of the Schezwan Cheese Frankie. But it ticked all the boxes --- flaky, crispy cover, potato filling that was heartily assembled with cheese and a generous addition of onions (my favorite part is their crunch), and the goodness of Indian Chinese's version of Schezwan sauce.🤤

Bruch at Juco Cafe | 10th May, Saturday

~ Changing into a Personal Blog ~

Hello,

Firstly, I just want to say thank you for being here. I haven't really uploaded in a long time and I have been unsure about what I want to do with this space.

After much deliberation, I've decided to convert my blog from a journaling/K-drama blog to a personal one, where I record my daily memories, photo notes of things I am recently loving, and any quotes or pictures that inspire me.

I know this may not be anyone's vibe but mine, so please feel free to unfollow if that's what you'd prefer. :) Thank you for sharing this space with me, and now it's unto a new blog chapter.💙

" 'It seems to me that you're getting anxious, thinking that you have to discover quickly what you enjoy or do well.' 'Is it so? Hmm... that's true.' Mincheol averted his gaze as he mumbled. He turned back to Seungwoo. 'It feels like I have to find it quickly.'

'Why are you in a rush? You don't have to hurry. If coming here isn't boring, just come over more often. Be who you are right now, and you will be fine.'"

~

~ Page 221, Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, Hwang Bo-Reum~

Image Credits: @spongecake on Tumblr

"In the past, she used to live by mantras like passion and willpower, as if by imprinting the words on her mind, they would somehow breathe meaning into her life. Then one day she realised it felt like she was driving herself into a corner, and she resolved never to let those words dictate her life again. Instead, she learnt to listen to her body, her feelings, and be in happy places. She would ask herself these questions: does this place make me feel positive? Can I be truly whole and uncompromisingly myself? Do I love and treasure myself here?"

~ Page 2, Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum~

Photo by: @atelierdelinda on Tumblr

In a world full of 'Instagrams' be a Tumblr.

~ Embracing fall and a tiny bit of Halloween in today's page from my Reflections Journal. ~ 🍂🎃

~ Another day, another flashback to a mini journal spread ✨~

~ A decorated page from my Reflections Journal. ~ 🌸

I thought about sharing a filled page (with my journal entry) since handwriting forms a key element of the overall vibe & look, but I am not comfortable sharing my private thoughts on social media. (>'-'<)

So why not celebrate the stickers (especially the lovely LDV girl one), soft yarn, a baby blue bird stamp, and textured memo nonetheless? (❁´◡`❁)

~ 'Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House', a very warm Japanese drama, also happens to be a favorite of mine.

When one of my favorite Instagram artists @wiwadd happened to share a drawing of Kiyo and Sumire, I knew I had to print it out and include it in my Lokta journal. 🥰

The glitter quote 'You're going to do great things' is also fitting for Sumire who achieved her dream of being a Maiko. (Equally fitting for Kiyo who beautifully shows us it is we who must define what success means to us) 🌟~

Got out my Mini Journal after over a year. Couldn't figure out my own style to create in this one for the longest time.

But today, my heart is very happy about not giving up on this baby. 🐥🥺

I love the little shiny quotes that bring in good energy.🥰

~ This is becoming my current favorite journal to craft and write in.🥰

This is my 'Book Records' journal --- a space where I plan my reading for the week, jot down thoughts I have while reading a book, any sidenotes on building a reading habit and keeping a memory of books picked/completed/left unfinished.📝

I've been using the Undated Weekly Schedule Notebook (A5) from Muji and it's perfect. I wanted to deco simple with my favorite girl and dot stickers or pair the freebies I (very kindly) get from stationery shops I order from. 🙋🏻‍♀️💫 ~

~ Sometimes, you need to see the same things from a new perspective. If you do, you may find yourself happy and grateful for not giving them up, and instead, pausing to give yourself time to see them in a new light. ~ ☘️

~ I will take it slow today and reset my heart and mind. On the days when time feels too hard to catch hold off, a mindful breath, a few hours at my desk, writing my thoughts, making things with paper, all of these are like little gifts to myself 🌸 ~

~ I want to hug Japanese dramas because they enliven my heart like flowers in spring. ~ 🌸

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Some more beautiful wisdom from ‘Kitchen for Singles’ 🌸

It’s the middle of a working Tuesday and here I am, sharing a little love note from the beautiful Japanese (YouTube) series ‘Kitchen for Singles (2019)’. 🌸

Hope it makes your heart warm.

As often as you need, disconnect from the noise of the surrounding world so that you can listen to yourself clearly. 🌺

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(Picture of a page before the words were written.)

~ I celebrated the discovery of my own creative journaling style, last Sunday.

Inspired by Ana Jimenez , I wanted to include cute, minimalist illustrations, enjoy fussy-cutting them, play with memos (my favorites), include bits and pieces of handmade papers (sometimes soft, sometimes scratchy, I love their textures), and my weakness--- Avril yarns. :)

I wanted to include one positive quote or saying in each page too. So here’s Davi Nakadamaki’s spring illustration saying hello.~ 🌸🌸🌸

~ You must create a habit to make time for things that nourish your soul ~ 🌼

Sunday wisdom from ‘The Makanai’. 🌼🌞

~ We give so much of our time to things that do not benefit us. I realize this as I struggle with staying off my phone. But becoming aware each time we’re giving away our time to what isn’t good for us, and pausing to reflect and change is a practice. 

🌸 I hope we keep practicing making better choices, to feel and live better. 🌸 ~

- a note from today

A Japanese Vlog that Reminded Me of the Beauty of Life...

I discovered a YouTube video from the creator Takasu Tile named ‘[Country Life in Japan] An Amazing Trip to Kyoto with My Best Friend in the Fall’. 

It was peaceful, lovely, and reminded me of all the beautiful little things life offers.

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🌸 A retro Japanese train with a retro driver’s cabin.

🌸 Fall colors with trees and mountains as far as the eye can see.

🌸 The ‘best friend’ (Oku-chan) of this video’s creator enjoying a bowl of Udon.

🌸 A noodle-bowl appreciation moment which was so nice to read.

🌸 The hues of orange-yellow that only Fall has copyrights to.

🌸 Two best friends who enjoy walking. 

🌸 The kind of red you don’t want to stop looking at.

🌸 Staying at an inn and watching a canopy of golden sunlight.

🌸 Back home, making Matcha tea for the grandmother.

🌸 Holding a warm cup of tea on a cold night.

All images are screenshots from the video & belong to the creator. 

~ I made coffee for myself this morning and it tasted perfect-- bitter, nutty. slightly sweet. It was filled with a thick cover of bubbles and was piping hot. 

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Today I finally begin a passion project here --- sharing my Zen moments with paper. 

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Thank you for being with me. I hope you have a lovely day ahead. 🌼

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Illustration: https://www.instagram.com/wiwadd/?hl=en 

I may not have the wisest words to say but I do want to spread love. That’s the guttural calling I cannot ignore, despite the days when a safe, known life feels easy. 

I do not know what adventure awaits but I can already feel the stirrings of something beginning. Something warm, something exciting, something to make me smile from the inside.

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Sometimes, the easiest way out is to cave in to what your heart already knows but what your mind is too afraid to take a leap for. 

Today, more than ever, may we take that leap. 🌸

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In need of some love and light myself today so sharing another favorite quote from ‘Iburigurashi’. 

These are screengrabs I’ve taken while or after watching an episode. Returning to post these brings the same warmth and fuzziness in my heart as it did the first time I watched these scenes. 

I’m always grateful for positive things in this world, especially on the days that feel a bit too hard. I’m always grateful to be Loved, even though I may not understand the ways in which I’m being taken care of. 

Sometimes, a shoulder to cry, a show to return to, or a Friend who’s picture you can look at and talk to are enough to soothe the rough edges of life. 

I hope you find those too, in case you may need them today. 🌸

~ Meguru and Yori constantly inspire each other to be better people. Even though Meguru feels like the wiser one, Yori has a quiet strength to her.  She may not speak her musings out loud, but her actions display her experience and wisdom consistently. I find her a reliable anchor in the relationship she shares with Meguru--- someone he can share and learn from at the same time.~🌞

~ The day has its own music. Chirping of birds, the murmur leaves make when they move with the wind, vehicles honking, people talking or passing by, and the sound of your own breathing entwined with the melody of this day.

This day has its own music and you are a part of it.~🌸

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

~ Watching Meguru and Yori enjoy simple moments of daily living makes me want to have someone special to share them with too ~ 

* There’s so much I learn from J-dramas. So many beautiful, positive things that help me live life more fully, with fresh perspectives to look at things. That’s my favorite part---most, most favorite. 🌸

* I love this rule Meguru and Yori have--- to say one good thing for each time you share your complaints. How simple but how powerful. Often, I am so absorbed in all that’s ‘not supposed to be this way’ that I forget to count the innumerable blessings I’m surrounded with. :) 🌸

* I think having someone who loves food and eating as much as you do, and to share everyday meals with them is one of the biggest blessings in life. The first picture of Yori and Meguru quietly working in the kitchen warms my heart. 🌸

~ Doing ordinary things with care fills you with soft warmth and joy.~ 

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Yesterday, as I cleaned and organized my stationery folder, I realized I was happy doing this seemingly banal thing because I was doing it with care. May be the little moments of life, which means almost every moment we spend, are not really that little if we pour care into them. 🌞