~ ‘Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast’ Reaffirmed My Love For A Simple Life ~

⁓ Favorite Stills: Midnight Diner: Episode 1⁓

A bit about Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories - 

This is a collection of short stories that happen in a diner in Tokyo, Japan. The owner of this diner is called ‘Master’ and he becomes a catalyst in either bringing people together or tying lose ends of a tale. Often serving as the voice of wisdom, his diner opens at midnight and shuts shop at 7 each morning. 

The stories in themselves are beautiful depictions of human emotions. They are positive, light and simple. Food serves as a connector between the people who visit the diner and is often the reason for new friendships and love interests. 

Here are a few favorite stills of mine from the Episode 1, Season 1. 

All images here are screenshots from the show and are owned by Netflix. I don’t own any copyrights to them.

~ Some GIF-love from Hyori’s Bed & Breakfast (Season 1) ~

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Credits: GIF 1: MyDramaList, GIF 2, 3 & 4: Amino Apps

~ it's okay to bloom at your own pace ~  . Blooming isn't a competition. It doesn't have a predefined pace. . Often, our social media feeds may make us feel "slow" about our personal growth but may we know that the obstacles and curves in our path are only known to us. . Nobody else can determine your healing or its pace. Nobody else has a say in how you grow and what your growth should look like. . The courage it takes to show up day after day, isn't a visible thing. It happens only within. . So the next time we get tempted to compare our '3' to somebody's '20', may we stop ourselves and acknowledge the beauty of our own inner journey. 🌼

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Picture | @11990904

~ Our Beloved Summer ~ Favorite Moments / Stills (2) 🌺

“Miracles don’t exist. It’s the little heroes inside us working together. The donations that quietly pile up. The small acts of kindness done by kind people. It’s just the result of all the good deeds you’ve done. You just think it’s a miracle.” ~ When the Camellia Blooms ~

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Credits: GIF 1 - Tumgir | GIF 2 - Giphy | GIF 3 & 4 - Soompi Forums | GIF 5 - KStar Live | GIF 6 - Bored Homebody, Wordpress 

'Over cake and coffee'

v. (verb) ~ to talk about the big & small things with someone you love, over a slice of cake and a cup of warm coffee. ~

I have sorely missed writing over the past couple of months. God only knows when it became a part of my being, but writing this is already making me smile.

I was telling my friend today morning that one of my favorite things to do was head to a quiet coffee shop, with a friend or a lover, settle ourselves with our respective cups of coffee and a slice of cake to share (always a good idea), talk for hours as we watch time slowly slip by, and people come and go. Those are my most, most favorite kind of dates.

So I was wondering, why not pair little notes of love, light and all the good feelings with pictures of coffee mugs and cake? :) The thought made me so happy that I had to write it down. :)

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Photo by: Masaki (IG)

~ My Thoughts on ‘Yuru Camp’, Season 1 ~

I was looking for an easy-going drama, and ‘Yuru Camp’ was exactly the one my tired mind needed. I am a sucker for nature & food-centric stories and this is the kind of healing I always want more of.

1. Right off the bat, I fell in love with the little while scooter of Shinma Rin and the breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji. I usually travel with my friends, but I could see the beauty of camping solo through Rin's passion for her hobby.

2. Rin may not be people-friendly but there is something very grounding about her. I think she's true to her heart in her own unique way and follows it. I love how comfortable she is with her herself & how much she relishes her own company. It was so lovely and refreshing to see that. On the other hand, it was also cute to watch her awkwardly open up to people and friendship. Nadeshiko was the primary reason for this happening, but I also loved Rin's efforts in taking the initiative to be a better friend. There's also such a caring side to Rin and this comes forth every time Nadeshiko does something reckless or stupid. Lol, I love that concern and the hilarious camaraderie the two share.

3. Now, a little about Nadeshiko, because even though she's shown to be a bit naïve, I found her very soulful as a person. For one thing, I love anyone who devours a cup of instant Nissan like they're eating the most delish dish in the world. Nadeshiko will always have my heart for it. Amidst getting lost and napping on the pavement, I love how she's always up for new things, new people and ideas. Her first camping experience with Rin, the serene beauty of Mt. Fuji against a pale, full moon instilled in her a love for the outdoors.

4. Even the school's outdoor club was such a cool venture. I loved how they find these perfect hot springs for their first outing and relish in the warmth of nature's water-gift. I even loved how they enjoy a dessert date, tasting each other's picks one after another.

5. My favorite moment was when Nadeshiko and Rin make a hot-pot on one of their camping trips. The mandu look so plump and juicy and the sheer deliciousness of having hot soup with dumplings almost bursting with filling brings goosies to my heart. I love how they relished each bite, especially Rin's face when she had her first one.💕

6. Another favorite moment was when they went camping in a forest, by the lake. Tall trees, an evening sun, and our 'Secret Blanet Society' of Rin and Nadeshiko was superb. There was also this moment when Nadeshiko's sister enjoys a cup of hot coffee sitting by the lake, when she comes to drop off her sibling at the campsite. That is such a peaceful and heart-filling moment too.

7. There is a solo trip that Rin takes, where the route to the camping site is blocked and she decides to persevere and take a longer detour. On the way, she buys buns filled with meat and vegetables. She learns how winging it is also a joy of travelling and finally, on arriving at the campsite, she watches a night sky shimmering with stars, tiny lights lit up in the village houses below, while enjoying a crispy-yet-soft grilled bun for dinner.

8. The show was such a lovely respite from my anxieties around regular life. It really made me feel all warm and happy on the inside. It also made me realize how much I love feel-good Japanese dramas that have no agenda except to cherish the beauty of simple things and everyday moments of living.

~ '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) 🌟~

A Small Guide on How to Sit with Yourself

My Teacher said, "Sit with yourself for 15 minutes everyday. Take this time to reflect and just enjoy your solitude."

It's the best advice on self-love I've received. I do this every morning, with a cup of coffee alongside. Here's a tiny guide I'd like to share for you to experience this joy too:

* Choose your favorite spot (at home, a café or even the metro)

* Not mandatory: It's good to have trees or the sky to look at

* Put your phone away for the next 10-15 minutes

* Consciously pause all the mental to-do lists and planning of activities or goals that's surprisingly always running in the background, even when you're not aware of it

* The minute you do this, you might hear yourself exhale or sigh a bit louder than usual. (It's a good sign)

* Feel free to have a coffee or a mug of tea for company

* Notice the most predominant feeling present inside you in that moment

* Allow this feeling and any other ones to fully move through you without stopping or analyzing them

* Once you've felt all of them deeply, allow yourself to talk to yourself or the Universe about things that feel too tough to solve, hurtful or confusing

* You may feel a sense of release, even if the answers aren't coming to you yet (don't worry, they'll come. Answers have a unique way of showing up when we least expect them.)

* Right now, notice if your breathing has softened and slowed down. Enjoy this state of presence with yourself

* Talk aloud to yourself if you'd like. (I find this particularly comforting.) It doesn't have to be profound talk. Even a regular catch-up with your thoughts, something that changed your perspective yesterday, a new learning, a meal you'd like to eat again, all are good.

* You may want to chill with yourself past those 15 minutes. Go on, it's a fine idea.:) 

* For some, it may be discomforting at first-- the silence, the weirdness about meeting yourself-- and that's cool. 

* Try to keep coming back to yourself everyday if you can. Mind you, it can get addicting. :) 

P.S: I'd like to thank you my wonderful Teacher who made me meet myself in this soul-easing way.

~ Finished watching ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim?’ last week and these are some of my favorite lines from the drama. Also, I think Ji-Ah was so cute.❤ ~