*misakichan's note: This blog is in the process of er, transformation(?). Please be patient because it is not finished yet. ^^

SUMMER "RAIN"

Summer has begun. And the heat is killing me... TASUKETE!!! 0___o

Well, I just finished watching FULL HOUSE with my mom. Actually, I didn't want to watch any TV dramas anymore, but my mom was so excited when I got my copy, and Hya was insisting that I watch it, so I did. Full House is a 16-episode KBS drama which tells the unusual love story of a popular movie star named Lee Young Jae (played by singer/actor Rain) and a writer wanna-be named Han Ji Eun (Song Hye Gyo). Because of a deception, Ji Eun's house (which is called Full House) was sold to Young Jae by her so-called "friends". Since all of Ji Eun's money was also taken by her friends and since she doesn't want to give up her house, which was built by her father, she was convinced by Young Jae to have a contract marriage with him and work as his maid to earn some money. The two are as different as night and day, and they can't stand each other and often fight. But at the same time, they also have to keep up with appearances and show the public that they are happily married. But as to be expected from two people who spend most of their time together, they start to fall in love with each other, despite the fact that Young Jae has someone whom he deeply cares about, and Ji Eun's dashing boss is also falling for her...



If I am not mistaken, Full House was aired in Korea around the same time Lovers In Paris was aired, so I guess that must be some competition, since Pari boasts of its 50-something percent viewer's ratings. But then we're not here to compare but to review TV dramas, hehehe Besides, too much has already been said about Pari. ^o^ Anyway, feedback from my friends regarding Full House is quite good. Hya particularly loves it, and has been talking about it and telling us that it's a must-see and a must-have, and she also promoted Rain to her Top 5 Bishie List. ^^;; For me, I like Rain but he wouldn't be anywhere in Top 10. And personally, I just thought the series was OK. It was very entertaining, and the fun parts were really amusing and kept me and my mom laughing out hearts out.... BUT! (yes, there's a "BUT" ^^)... But what I didn't like was the flow of the story, or rather the non-flow (non-movement) of the story. It was OK at first - Ji Eun moving out, Ji Eun moving back, Ji Eun angry at Young Jae then making up, Young Jae angry at Ji Eun then making up, Ji Eun friends with Young Jae, Ji Eun vows never to speak to him, Ji Eun falls for Young Jae, Ji Eun gets angry at him again, yadda yadda - but when you take the same elements and keep repeating them, the story doesn't go anywhere and it becomes a little boring. Plus there are also a few loopholes in the story which I just kept off my mind. And although the last episode was sweet and lovey-dovey (which Rain fans will probably take in with gusto), I thought it was a bit too mushy for my taste.



About the cast, well actually, I'm a bit biased against the two main actors, Rain and Song Hye Gyo. Let's just say that Rain didn't make a good first impression to me before and I didn't like Song Hye Gyo's characters in previous dramas, not to mention that she used to be Lee Byung Hun's girlfriend IRL so I took that against her. I know, that's just so unfair of me. Sorry! ^^;; But I'm quite open-minded and I always give second chances. So anyway, I can't really evaluate if Rain's acting improved since Sangdoo! Let's Go To School since I didn't watch that series yet even though I got it since a long time ago. But in Full House, he was really cute and funny when he tries to be cute and funny, and he was also OK in the serious scenes. What I didn't like was that he kept yelling a lot... Yah, it's probably part of his character, so I think the flaw is not his but of his character. He actually reminds me of Kim Rae Won, they have the same manner of talking. And whenever I observe that, I also notice that Rain has kissable lips. Nyahahaha ^^ For Song Hye Gyo, I am very pleased that she plays a very different character here from her usual roles, and THAT is a very very refreshing change. It's too much for me to keep seeing her play these sick and dying or sad and broken-hearted characters who keep crying and crying. She's a young, gifted and very pretty actress, she should be given opportunities for other roles which can explore her talents. So I am happy that she was able to pull off such a sweet and mischievous character. And if I'm not mistaken, this was filmed probably around the same time she and Lee Byung Hun broke up, so it must be hard to act all cheerful on-screen. But she was able to, and so I think she really deserves some credit. Other characters in Full House are Kang Hye Won, played by Han Eun Jung - I think she's also in Success Story of Bright Girl, and Yoo Min Hyuk was played by Kim Sung Soo. I would just like to point out that I like Kim Sung Soo, hehehe He's cute and looks great in a suit, and I like his character in Full House. Kim Sung Soo is also in Yuriwha (Stained Glass) with Lee Dong Gun and Kim Ha Neul, so my excitement is doubled (tripled, quadrupled... ^^)



But anyway, my mom was very happy with Full House and was willing to watch it with me even until 4am (that must count for something, ne?), so over-all, I would say that Full House is funny and entertaining. The OST also is good and features lots of nice songs and instrumental tracks. Perhaps not exactly a must-see or a must-have, but if you want to have a fun light-hearted story and a good laugh, then you're very much welcome to enter the Full House. ^o^

P.S. Here's a really cutie pic of Rain:
Top: "yobo ya~" (ei, honey~)

Bottom: "sarang he~" (i love you~)
Yes Rain, I love you too... LOL

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

I think it was the very first day in med school, when Doc Berdon handed out those scholarship certificates and referring to three students (including me), she said, "To those who have been given much, much is also expected from you..". When I entered med school, I actually had that in mind. Perhaps, the stress and pressure really got to me, because after 3 years, I gradually forgot about my goals.

I am very sad that I got a (slight) cut from my scholarship. It really isn't much, compared to the VERY BIG help that has been given to me the past 6 years by the scholarship foundation, but still I feel... how should I say it, "sayang bah"! T__T It's my last year after all. It would've been nice if I actually breezed through med school without paying for anything, or at least, without having to pay for tuition fees. But anyway... //deep sigh// I deserve the cut anyway. I think I didn't do my best. I think I didn't make enough sacrifices. And most importantly, I didn't pray hard enough. I know I deserve it. I'm really quite a goofball, ne? x__X

I was really afraid to tell my family about it, because I know they will be extremely disappointed. For some reason, my relatives actually look up to me.. (when in fact, there is nothing to look up to. LOL ^^;;) So last week, I was really under a lot of emotional stress, because I had to report this "bad" news to my uncle, at the same time inform him that I need new uniforms, etc. I couldn't concentrate at all, couldn't even finish P-chan's movies. I really expected a good "scolding". So when I called him up, I was really ashamed to even speak. Demo ne, he wasn't even angry. He spoke really gently, and said he'll continue to give full support for my studies. He gave me lots of advices for my clerkship, and it seemed like everyone else is happy that I'm already a senior clerk. I was very surprised, and even more embarrassed. I wish my uncle got angry and scolded me instead. I would've felt better if he did. But he didn't. Anyway, I am just happy now that everything's OK and I have calmed my fears and worries - or at least part of it anyway, since I'm still so freaked out at the thought of starting clerkship next week. But I feel a lot better now, and I also finished enrolling.

Tonikaku, I promise to do really well this year. I know that it's something that I always say, but I really mean it.

LOVE STORY.. DAW!

Pchan sent me this link, which is also a bit similar to drabble-matic. And this is the love story it created:

One cheerful summer day at Tokyo, Japan, you see the most strong creature you have ever seen. His name is Kimura Takuya, and every move he makes just turns you on more and more. You nudge your best friend Lee Dong Gun and say, "Wow, that has to be the most beautiful body I have ever seen." Suddenly, he looks in your direction and starts walking right towards you!!! He says, "I noticed you staring at me from over there. I just had to tell you, that I think you are so cute, and was wondering if you'd like to go to bathroom with me and sleep?" With a stupid smile on your face you say, "gwapokayukimutaku! gwapokayukimutaku!" and go with him. When you finally get to bathroom, he moves closer to you, and gives you the biggest kiss ever. The two of you are passionately kissing, when you feel a dvd player hit you on the back of the head. You open your eyes to find out it's all a dream, but there is a note left next to your bed.

It reads: "Kimura Takuya is the love you've been waiting your whole life for. He will ask you out in 14 days or less, but only if you send this e-mail to at least 10 people within the next few minutes. The more people you send it to, the sooner he will ask you out, and you both fall in love. Do not take this lightly, because if you simply ignore this, you will have bad luck in love for the next 14 years!"

LOL. Corny. But I was pleased that KimuTaku called me "cute", but not very happy that Lee Dong Gun was just my "best friend". I want BOTH of them. I am selfish de-su!! LOL

BORN TO LOVE YOU

Someone was having a press conference, and the venue looked very familiar. We all gathered and I gawked and went numb when I realized who it was. It was THE Kimura Takuya and he looked so darn too good and too beautiful for words. I was totally (yes, Trin ^^) "mesmerized" by his good looks and sweet smile and charming eyes. Yes, he was definitely looking so so kakkoi. Even my classmates were gathering around and staring at him and tugging at my sleeves to tell them who he is. I ignored them and hurriedly rushed to KimuTaku and handed him a small pad of paper and a pen. I bowed my head and boldly said, "sign, onegaishimasu!" I was surprised that there were still words that came out from my mouth. It all seemed unreal. KimuTaku looked up to me and smiled, and took the paper and started writing. He wrote something like "As brotherhood..." then I couldn't understand anything because I was not only getting so dizzy with delight, he also had terrible cursive handwriting which I couldn't understand. I sat next to him, so near him. Then he wrote his name in kanji, and I was shocked that he only wrote three characters. "But Mr. Kimura, aren't there four characters in your name?" I asked. He shrugged and grinned boyishly. "I'm not really good with kanji. I can't even write my own name," he said with his japanese accent. I was a bit surprised, but I still managed to say something. "Hontou ne? So a lot of Japanese can't read or write kanji? I thought I'm the only one in this world who couldn't!" I exclaimed. KimuTaku looked at me with delight when he found out we had something in common. Then he took out a magazine about vegetables. He started pointing at kanji characters which he couldn't read. I also asked him how to read some words. I thought to myself that KimuTaku was just absolutely amazing to even talk so casually to a fan like me. Sheryl was tugging at my sleeves to introduce her but I ignored her. I was about to tell KimuTaku what a great fan I am and how I love his doramas when someone called him and told him that they have to leave. He has a busy schedule ahead and needs to get going already. We ended our conversation, and he headed up the stairs, while I was trying to operate my VCD player so I can show him that his name really has four characters. I wanted to show him my VCDs of his doramas but I was feeling slightly embarrassed because all my cds were pirated copies. But he was leaving already, and so in frustration, I looked up to the stairs, and there he stood, only an arm-stretch away from me. He purposely stopped to look and smile at me and to tell me that he had to go. He looked so darn cute and "glorious", that I could only stare at him with a look of amazement and awe and gratefulness. I stood there, clutching his autograph, and felt like I was the happiest and luckiest girl in the whole world.

The above paragraph is not a drabble. It is also not a fan fic. It really happened, in my DREAM! 'KUSO! I woke up smiling like silly and clutching an imaginary piece of paper, then when I opened my eyes and realized that none of those happened - no autograph, no conversation, no KIMUTAKU! - I just wanted to break down and cry. It all seemed so so real. And KimuTaku was really so near me that I could almost touch him (and perhaps I did). If I knew it was only a dream then I should've just kissed him right then and there. Darn. That was my only chance! LOL I felt really happy though, as if something radiant was within me. I was truly happy, even though it was not real, even though it was only a dream. I should've noticed that something was wrong, KimuTaku couldn't possibly have held a presscon in MY KITCHEN! LOL And of course, he knows how to write his own name! LOL After I woke up, I hurriedly practiced how to write his name in kanji, so that the next time I'll meet him, I am prepared. ^_________^

Ahh, darn these bishie dreams. The last time I had one, I think it was about Gackt. And he was singing and dancing right in front of us. But that dream had a sad ending because Hya ran off with him and I couldn't find them anywhere. I couldn't believe that Hya had infiltrated my dreams and "stole" Gackt away from me. At least now with KimuTaku, I had him all for myself. Ha.Ha.Ha.

I'm really so crazy over KimuTaku now. I actually don't want to like him, because I know he already has lots of fans, but I just can't help myself. I have totally fallen so crazy "in love" with him. It all started with those doramas, then the craze intensified with the SMAP '03 MIJ CONCERT. His singing and dancing totally left me drained and breathless with elation. I've watched the same scenes over and over to the point that I could even memorize the faces of the audiences. I had my attention focused on KimuTaku (with slight glances at Shingo, hehehe), and I "feel" that whenever he's looking at the camera, looking so cute and all, he's actually looking straight at ME. That's of course my own opinion (and my own wishful thinking). LOL Maybe I should just change the title of today's entry into CONFESSIONS OF A PSYCHOTIC MIND. Yes, I think that would be most appropriate. ^______^

Tonikaku, I'm in a KimuTaku frenzy right now. I was supposed to write some reviews, but I can't think straight at all.

Kimura Takuya, aishiteruuuuuuu!!!! //sings// I was born to love you... with every single beat of my heart... I was born to take care of you... with every single day of my life... (MUST.WATCH.PRIDE.AGAIN.)

FOR THE LAST TIME

It's a Saturday and I'm supposed to be on vacation. Yet I just came back from school and I'm still wearing my uniform now. I feel silly, but this would be the last time I would be wearing this... because yesterday we already got our grades and... I passed. Yes, I PASSED!!! FOURTH YEAR NA KO!!!! wehehehe ^________^ So happy. Now we have to make many preparations for the senior clerkship, like new uniforms and nameplates, etc., but I'm just so grateful that God is faithful and good to me. I hope I can do well in the hospital. I am not skillful but I will do my best and improve myself. Ganbarimasu! >.<

The bad thing when I start clerkship this April 1 is that I probably won't be able to update my blog anymore. Actually, I was considering just closing this down, since I don't want to leave it idle. Demo ne, the thought of it just breaks my heart because I love my blog! It contains so much of me and my thoughts already. So anyway, I'll just try to update as often as I can, especially during this break. I doubt if people read this anyway, hehehe, but then I'm just writing all these for myself.

Finished TOKYO LOVE STORY and PUL SAE (Firebird/Phoenix) recently. TLS tells the story of cheerful girl named Rika who falls for her co-worker, Kanji. However, Kanji has an unconfessed love for someone in his past whom he cannot forget. I've read somewhere that TLS is the "best" jdorama, but unfortunately I don't agree. I did feel a lot of joys and pains throughout the story, but overall, I can say that it's just OK. But I think it must have been one of the nicest during its time. I found it sad that Rika and Kanji didn't end up together after all they've went thru. I could only conclude that perhaps Kanji never did love her at all. Perhaps he just needed her to fill the void within him. Perhaps he couldn't accept Rika's unusual way of loving. Come to think of it, how does one love anyway? Is there a right and wrong way when it comes to loving? Isn't it just an honest feeling that one tries to express? I really do not know. But as the title goes, perhaps their romance was just like it - a tokyo love story.

Firebird is a 26-episode korean drama starring Lee Seo Jin (Damo), Lee Eun Joo (Taegukgi) and Eric of Shinhwa. It tells the story of a rich spoiled girl (Ji Eun) and a poor smart guy (Sae Hoon) who loved each other so passionately, yet because they were still so young, foolish, and irresponsible, they only brought pain and grief to themselves and the people around them. They go their own ways, but by a twist of fate, find themselves again 10 years later. This time the tables have turned and Sae Hoon is now rich and successful, while Ji Eun has matured through the many difficult trials she has been through. Sae Hoon also has a fiancee, while Ji Eun has a devoted suitor. However, as the saying goes, first love never dies, and as the story unwinds, the flames of past love are rekindled.

Firebird is really a long and sad drama that I probably wouldn't want to ever watch again. One of the reasons is because everytime I look at Lee Eun Joo, my heart just bleeds knowing that such a beautiful and talented woman has suffered so much in her heart and she has left us already and I won't see her in any new movie ever again. I really like her and the thought of her sudden death just makes me so sad. u__u
But back to the series, I love the concept but didn't like the slow-paced flow of the story. I love the characters but didn't like what happened to some of them in the end (like Yoon Mi Ran). I was pleased though that it had a happy ending and everyone finally got to move on with his or her life. The character I liked best in this story is Jung Min, and it's not because Eric is good looking, hehehe ^^;; I just love the way he sees Ji Eun and his love for her. I felt most sad for him, although I knew that even if he was the sweetest and most ideal man, he wasn't the one destined for her. I realized here that love can be expressed in many different ways, and that we cannot really blame people when they become crazy because of "love" because, well, that's how they feel. And we can't stop them from feeling that way. I also learned that there is a right time for the perfect love and we just cannot force ourselves into it. Love is as passionate as the phoenix, and yet like this mystical bird which engulfs itself in its flames, it also involves sacrifices. I don't know what I'm writing anymore because I am at a loss again for words trying to describe what love is from this drama's point of view. All I just want to say is that if you want to burden your heart with another sad love story, then Firebird may very well be your cup of tea. In addition to the excellent cast, the OST is really really good and I highly recommend it.

Early this week I received some more new stuffs. Finally got my own complete copy of CARD CAPTOR SAKURA and will be watching it already, so expect the reincarnation of ShaoRan no Miko very soon. ^o^ Also, Trina sent me my advance tanjoubi puresento (arigatou, Trin!! ^o^)- a J-dorama called HEAVEN CANNOT WAIT, which I will watch later, plus Wonbin's MY BROTHER and a lot of j-music stuffs including Gackt's SIXTH DAY album, more Gackt and L'arc~en~ciel and Chemistry PVs, plus the SMAP '03 MIJ CONCERT. KimuTaku dancing -- GYAAAAAHHHH, CHOOOOKAKKOOOIIIII!!!! ^____^ I have more than enough CDs to keep me busy and drooling and breathless till the next time I rant again.

P.S. Today is the birthday of one of my bestest friends. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATH!! ^________^

AI NO UTA

It's ironic, really. Right now I'm a witness to the early stirrings of love, at the same time, the painful separation of two hearts. I am happy for one couple, but extremely sad for another. And all I can basically do is listen to them and be their friend... //sigh// How can they actually ask someone who is NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth) to give them advice about their love lives?!? @___@

Anyhoo, 'nuff about the melodramas of life... Last night was INUYASHA NIGHT, meaning I finished all the three Inuyasha movies in one sitting. And all I can say is.. SUGOI DA NE!! I love all three movies!! ^___^ Although I have only seen several random episodes of the series, but the movies really helped a lot to make me further understand the world of Inuyasha. I just love Inuyasha's stubbornness! He reminds me a lot of Ranma (and everyone knows how much I love that guy/girl! LOL) that I'm starting to think of them as "brothers" in different time zones. Demo ne, Inuyasha's a lot more um, shall we say, "better"(?) in the love department? Seeing that he's more open about his feelings (and yes, he kisses his girls too ^^). Ranma should learn more from him. LOL //sigh// I really want to see the complete Inuyasha series ne, and see more of Inuyasha and Kagome, Miroku and Sango, Shippou-chan and the Happosai-looking oji-chan (what's his name again?) and Sesshoumaru-sama!! It's quite a bummer that it will cost more than PhP2000 to order the entire set, which means I can't afford it. Not now. But I really wanna watch it!!! I really wanna see Kagome yell, OSUWARI!! again and again and again! LOL

I love all the three Inuyasha movies, but if I have to choose a personal favorite, then it would be the second movie - The Castle Beyond The Looking Glass. OK.. I guess I admit that I really love the cheesy scenes between Inuyasha and Kagome here. I love the locket with their cute piccies!! //laughs as she remembers Inuyasha trying to battle with the puricla machine ^.^// The "I'll stay a hanyou a little longer, for you.." really got me grinning with joy from ear to ear. And my most favorite part was when Kagome and Inuyasha had that little heart-to-heart talk and Ai no Uta was playing in the background. I was like, "mygoodness!itseverylittlething!" ^_____^ I love Every Little Thing. They are one of my most most favorite jpop groups!! So it was really a delight to hear Kaori's singing voice featured in such a great anime movie! Actually, I like all the jpop songs featured in Inuyasha. It's such a treat to listen and associate Do As Infinity or Hamasaki Ayumi and other popular jpop music to such adorable characters! =^.^=

Another anime I watched lately was Katsuhiro Otomo's MEMORIES which featured three short stories. I was most interested in Stink Bomb, because of its unique plot and very exciting rendering of the story. Magnetic Rose was a little freaky, but it was also nice. I think the wonderful background music was done by Yoko Kanno, if I'm not mistaken? The third story, Cannon Fodder, was a little difficult for me to appreciate. ^^;;

I also saw two Hayao Miyazaki works - My Neighbor Totoro and The Cat Returns. Both were also very entertaining, but I like My Neighbor Totoro better. (Gervie likes The Cat Returns better.) I like it more because of its refreshing artwork and the simplicity and magical feel of the plot. I enjoyed Satsuki and Mei's adventures with the totoros. And most of all, tsk, I love the NEKO-BUS!!! Soft and fluffy, and as swift and fast as the winds, I wanna ride it too!! ^_______^ I'm really looking forward for the upcoming work by Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle. Besides the top-notch animation and interesting plot, I heard Kimura Takuya also did one of the voices. That is definitely something to watch out for!

Well, right now I have to make a powerpoint presentation for my sister's friend. I love making powerpoint presentations, but to actually make one about Rurouni Kenshin, is simply sheer pleasure. ^_______^