The holidays are just around the corner and here I am, in my tiny corner of the world, healing post-operation. That’s right. I recently had an operation. The past couple of days had been quite a rollercoaster. It was my first time to undergo surgery, and a major one, at that!
So many things were running inside my head days prior to the surgery, the night before it, the few hours before it, and during the operation. After it, I was pretty much asleep. To be honest, I wanted to cry more about the needles that poked me and prodded my veins. I am not new to getting IV fluids, but lately it’s been getting more and more challenging to have needles inserted. Something to do with my veins, I was told. It took them seven tries before they finally (and successfully, although temporarily) managed to insert a needle in each hand. The stitches and my lower back where anesthesia was placed were not hurting too much, thanks to the pain relievers.
I’m currently taking it slow and easy. Nothing too strenuous. I shouldn’t even climb up and down the stairs, but I can walk around a few times a day as a form of exercise. Enough talk about the operation, though, because guess what? I have a new short horror story, an upcoming newsletter on writing and living the creative life, as well as some kdrama merch. And we all know this blog wouldn’t be complete if there are no mentions of kdrama.
Let’s get to it!
Books, books, books – Gift me a lighthouse and I’ll pack all my books and writing paraphernalia, and happily live there. It’s a dream come true!
Before that chapter in my life where I had to undergo an operation, I managed to accomplish two things:
- Created a new cover for my romantic comedy, “The Secret Wife”
- Create a new short horror story called “What We Leave Behind”
While I am happy about those, I’m also disappointed with myself because I had more plans than that. Plans that were derailed because of so many things happening all at once. 24 hours a day just isn’t enough these past months.
Speaking of books, I’m happy to report that I have been reading more recently. I’ve finished “Scanlines” by Todd Keisling and “Confessions” by Kanae Minato. The latter was so good. It was plot twist after plot twist after plot twist! Both books are horror story, with the former centered around a haunted video. Think “The Ring” but with a nostalgic spin to it. A nod to the 90s.
Trigger warning: There’s mention of death and suicide. The latter is also horror, but without the bad ghosts or evil spirits. Instead, you dive into a world where everyday life is thrown with the horrors of what humans can do when pushed to the edge. Trigger warning: “Confessions” mentions death of a child and murder.
On writing and living the creative life: a newsletter
For my fellow writers and creative folks out there: How is your daily life? For us, I surmise that a day won’t be complete when we aren’t writing or thinking of plot points and characters, of having a story come to life as they unfold in our minds. Or maybe a day can’t go by without you sketching or painting something, of strumming the guitar or spending some time on the drums or keyboard. Who knows? Maybe you’re having one of those days when you’re able to write a song.
It doesn’t have to happen everyday (or maybe it does, for some), but living life as a creative means looking to create something, even if they are woolgathering days, researching days, singing days, mindlessly letting your fingers float over the piano keyboard. Not everyday needs a fully formed, 100% complete output but each day feels more fulfilled when we take one step closer to creating something – a creative goal, if you will.
I guess talking more about the creative life is something I wanted to do, which is why I came up with CTRL + P newsletter. It just kicked off with a welcome/introductory issue. If you’re interested about the things in a creative life, such as small routines, sharing your work with the world, productivity, creative inspiration, and more then you might want to take a look at my freshly dropped newsletter and subscribe if you like what you see! 🙂
Bring me the drama-rama! Kdrama, that is.
October was a slow month on kdramas for me, which is why I was kicking my legs up in the air from excitement when November rolled in and brought all the good kdramas with it. There are so many good kdramas that I had to narrow them down to consuming three at the moment. Otherwise, I will never have the time to do other things. 😅
“The Fiery Priest season 2”
My favorite hot-headed priest and his quirky gang are back! I was so excited for this one, you folks wouldn’t believe how happy I am that it’s finally released. My Fridays and Saturdays are brighter because of Father Kim Hae-il and his adorable bunch of misfits. 😁
“Love Your Enemy”
This is a kdrama that I watched last-minute. I thought it would be more dramatic than funny, and I was glad to be proven wrong. While I love enemies-to-lovers trope, I’m not really a fan of second chance love. “Love Your Enemy” kdrama has both and you know what? I’m feeling all the feels.
This is such a good romantic comedy! This pair reminds me of Park Hyung Sik and Park Shin Eye in “Doctor Slump.” Their history, their constant fighting, and the cute scenes than sneak up on us viewers when we least expect it. 🥰
“Brewing Love”
Here is yet another series that snuck up on me, pretty much like “Love Your Enemy.” It’s a contrast to the aforementioned kdrama, though. Here, we have two main leads with inner conflicts. It’s a self vs. self for them, with each of them battling private and personal inner demons.
The main male lead, Yun Min Ju, is a brewery owner and struggles to live his life as an empath. He feels a lot of things without even trying and it’s been a burden to him his whole life. As a sensitive man, he had always been at odds with his father, the stereotypical domineering head of the household who also happens to be an ex-army general. It is in Chungcheong province where he started his own brewery that Min Ju finally found peace. In the small town, he had grown fond of his employees and the other villagers.
Then we have Chae Yong Ju, the bubbly and determined female lead. She’s a former special forces soldier who is now a successful salesperson for the beer, Likey. When things go south for her and her team, she’s on a mission to convince Min Ju to join their company in order to save her team.
It’s interesting when these two meet because they have such different personalities – polar opposites, even. There are no Big Bad Guys™ here, but that doesn’t mean it’s all roses and rose-tinted glasses. With the villagers, Yong Ju’s team, other people from the company, and the two main leads pushing and pulling on all directions, “Brewing Love” makes an interesting kdrama that’s light and funny.
When the Phone Rings
To be honest, I watched this one because I have a crush on Yoo Yeon Seok. 🤭 I knew that this was a webtoon and have a vague idea of the plot. Since I was already all caught up with my ongoing kdramas, I decided to start this one just yesterday. This kdrama delivered! I thought it was going to be intense and dramatic; no room for humor. “When the Phone Rings” manages to incorporate humor while nicely balancing the dramatic and intense moments.
Yoo Yeon Seok’s character, the male lead Baek Sa-eon, is the youngest presidential spokesperson in Korea. Sa-eon is married to Hui Ju, is the second daughter of a newspaper owner. She works as a sign language interpreter and has selective mutism. They don’t get along at all, with their marriage that being of convenience. Sa-eon was initially set to marry Hui Ju’s older sister, Hong In-a, who ran away last-minute. In place of her sister, Hui Ju was forced to marry Sa-eon.
I love how “When the Phone Rings” manages to peel off the layers of Sa-eon’s character, who appears cold and indifferent (and even mean at times) to Hui Ju. I also love how Hui Ju manages to hold her own ground and doesn’t let herself get pushed around by Sa-eon.
If you want a kdrama that’s intense and full of plot twists, then this kdrama might be right up your alley.
Aaaand that’s it for me! Please excuse me while I go back to resting. I hope your weekend’s going great. 🫶🏼 I wish you all the good PSL, fluffy and comfortable pillows, and a good night’s sleep that brings you nothing but happy dreams. ✨
The week that was in photo
