Liz Lisa bag

Another fave brand in Japan is Liz Lisa, I know it's girly-girly but it's appealing.
Not everything but a lot ^^ clothes, bags, shoes and accessories.
I bought a few items at their various stores when I was in Japan ^^

I'm really happy with this bag ^^
I actually wanted one more and I could have bought it but well I didn't bring a big suitcase enough..
And well.. I'll probably go back to Japan soon ^^

You can purchase the bag here.. it comes in various colours :)

Liz Lisa's homepage - Webshop

My new shoes

I bought three pair of shoes in Japan...
And these are my fave, or well.. they are the summer season ones ^^

I purchased them at Flag J's store in Shibuya 109.
I'm very happy with these! ^^
Flag J is one of my fave shoe stores in Tokyo and they always have so many cute shoes, so it was super difficult to choose only one pair! :P

Today's quote

"is thinking no matter how many times in life things haven't worked out just right...doesn't mean they won't someday...!

My latest addiction

My latest addiction is watermelon, I think I could eat it any day, any time ^^
Last week I bought 3 of them, total 14 kilos!! and I still have 5 kgs left.
But that also shows how much I like it right ^^

Then again, it's perfect for this summer season and it's not many weeks its this delicious, so I guess I have to eat it while I can ^^

What's your summer addiction?

A surprise mail

Yesterday when I came home I had received a letter from Yoko-san in Japan.
She sent me a small letter and a few pictures we took when I visited Tokyo.
She and Susumu-san took me to Tokyo Sky Tree and Asakusa, we had a great day and it was really fun spending time with them.

so it was fun to get the pictures from them...
Also I miss them alot, they are so nice, kinda like extra aunt/uncle.
Even though they are much older, to me they are like family and it's always nice to meet with them!!
And as they talk 99% in Japanese with me, they sure make me to practice my Japanese ^^

Today's quote

"Nobody's perfect. Be open minded and accept one's fault"

Vol.2 Pink Tape

SM's sensation f(x) is back with their second album called Pink tape.
I like their style because they are very different from their senior Girls' Generation.
And also they bring a new mix to SM and Kpop.
However this album do not convince me, I prefer their old albums more.
What I will give them cred for is the enormous mix of music styles featured on the album.
I'm not saying this is bad, but the thing is... I listen and after I go, what did I just listen to!? The only songs that get stuck on my mind are "Goodbye summer" with Amber, Luna, Krystal and EXO-K's D.O. and "Ending page"
Maybe I need to listen more to it, but to be frank, I don't really feel like it. Oh well... better luck next year!

f(x) - Pink Tape

★

Track List
01. 첫 사랑니 (Rum Pum Pum Pum)
02. 미행 (그림자 Shadow)
03. Pretty Girl
04. Kick
05. 시그널 (Signal)
06. Step
07. Goodbye Summer (f(Amber+Luna+Krystal)) (Feat. D.O. of EXO-K)
08. Airplane
09. Toy
10. 여우 같은 내 친구 (No More)
11. Snapshot
12. Ending Page

What an ending to a fantastic drama

Yesterday evening I finally was able to watch the final episode of the japanese drama called KAZOKU GAME.
The ending had a huge twist and I never expected it to end like that.

I'm not gonna spoil the end for you who hasn't watched it yet... but you have to watch this drama!!
In all... a kinda scary and twisted drama but very well made!!

I have never seen Sho-kun acted like that, and he did an awesome job.
He really took his acting skills to another level!!! and I hope he will get even more acting jobs after this ^^

In a way it's kinda sad it's over, I really really liked this drama...
Oh well there will be a new one soon ^^

What I miss the most

I donno why I miss it to be honest. In Sweden when its this crowded I detest it, but in Tokyo, I cannot be without it. I love being in Tokyo, I like the crowded places and the spirit of life and movement!

In Tokyo they have my fave 4 f's: Fashion, Food, Friends/Family and Fun ^^

Continue with ms Kelly

Good morning from a dark and cloudy Stockholm!
I'm already at the office...exhausted and I have already had a large cup of coffee, seems like I need another one asap ^^
Oh well....I continue this Monday morning with some more music from ms Kelly Clarkson.
This time... Mr. Know it all.

SuJu - Hero

Super Junior is releasing their first full-length Japanese album! Hero features a total of eleven tracks, including their Japanese versions of Bonamana, Sexy, Free & Single, Opera and Mr. Simple, as well as new original Japanese-language songs.

I'm not a fan of the Japanese versions of some songs, then again SM has a weird way to make Japanese versions, the lyrics is sometimes so weird you can question if a drunk person created it or if that person is trying to make fun of the group!! (SNSD's The boys and Flower is proof)
For this album I kinda question A-Cha.
However when it comes to many of the original Japanese songs they are really good.

This album is filled with ballads ^^ and my fave songs on this album is Promise you, Hanamizuki, Way, and Hero

★★

– CD 1 -

01. INTRO-SUPERMAN PRELUDE-
02. ★BAMBINA★
03. Sexy,Free & Single
04. Mr.Simple
05. Opera
06. Wonder Boy
07. Our Love
08. A-CHA
009. 美人(BONAMANA)
10. TUXEDO
11. Way
12. Hero
13. Hero -Performance ver.- [Bonus Track]

- CD 2 -

01. I WANNA DANCE
02. 太完美(Perfection)
03. Promise You
04. 明日のために、
05. 命運線(Destiny)
06. Oppa,Oppa
07. ロクゴ!!!(Rokuko)
08. Love That I Need feat.HENRY
09. First Love
10. ハナミズキ

Dinner

Today i cooked dinner for my parents, i cooked the dish my dad requested...Tempura ^^
Not that difficult, but it takes time~
Around one hour. And so worth it, my parents became so happy too ^^
All delicious!

I used sweet potato, beans, broccoli, zucchini...and shrimp! ^^

Dark side

This song is one of my fave songs by Kelly Clarkson.
The lyrics is kinda sad in a way but it has a point.
After all... we are all human!
Also Kelly's voice is powerful and not many people could do this!!

Today's quote

"No matter who you are, where you go, or what you do..there will always be someone opposing you. So why waste your time caring about what they think? 


Just LIVE!"

Pump it up!

So in order to be able to clean I need some music to get me working..
Here's on song that gets me goin ^^

BoA's Energetic from 2009

Cleaning

So this is the first weekend I'm home after the big trip.
Anyway it's not a rest, i have been working out, buying groceries and I'm trying to clean and unpack.
However it's not as easy as i thought!

I realized i have over 2000 photos from the trip...
Will try to post more later and tell more about the trip ^^

슈퍼주니어's Hero

This song climbed the Oricon chart as it released.
I really like this sound from Super Junior, also...the lyrics is nice ^^

Even though the concept feels like stuff they have done before, it suits the song!

Today's quote

"Refuse to let your dreams just be dreams..."

NEVER again

Yesterday after work i went to Solna Centrum because i wanted to try the "new" bubble tea place called Bobo Tea.
At first, Yay... a real bubble tea place in Stockholm!!
Then, when I came there, not a single customer! Which is not a good sign but then again bubble tea is not a big thing here.

So i looked at the menu, slightly different from the ones in Asia.
In the end i chose the milk based one.
So what happened, well the guy who worked there mixed a flavoured powder with milk!! Just by looking i felt, what have i just paid for. Then he used what almost looked like a drink mix and mixed normal milk, powder.. and flavoured syrup! (in my case passion fruit..cause I had no idea what fruit would go well with coconut)

I took my first taste, it tasted like a REALLY bad milkshake! It was so sweet and tasted artificial. And the bubbles... let's NOT talk about them! I ordered tapioka ones (standard), that are supposed to be a little bit chewy, but these fell apart in my mouth, totally overcooked and felt like they were just growing in my mouth! It was disgusting!!

So my judgement, (1) that store should not be able to serve bubble tea! They bring shame to the name Bubble tea! (2) Their way of mixing it... I mean milk and artificial powder, it doesn't even look good or taste good. And in today's world to bring a new concept into town you need to do it better than that to survive or become successful (not just to break even)
(3) They have too much on the menu that doesn't fit, it feels like they googled instead of making a real research!
Also poor people who tries Bubble tea for the first time there! They'd probably end up disliking it and never try again, or at least get the wrong idea of what Bubble tea really is!!!

Well at least i gave it a try..which I regret,. 35sek for nothing!!

I shall never visit again. and i recommend others NOT to visit the place.
If you want some good bubble tea I guess you have to travel to London, Copenhagen or Asia!!
It is a shame because Bubble tea is something really delicious when it's made the proper way. And Sweden and Swedes need something new!!
Maybe they can shape up?! or change the way of making it... but maybe without a large number of customers it's too expensive? They should take a look at their business model to see what's feasible.

Just look at the bubbles, they even look defect!!!

Edit: As of June 2014 it seems it closed, I passed by Solna Centrum and I couldn't see it... or maybe they moved!? I was actually gonna try to give them a second chance...oh well...



Here's my review of the other place you can get bubble tea in Stockholm YOI bubble tea Stockholm review

Today's quote

"Success doesn't come to you? You go to it."

I gave you

Not enough that I cannot go and see them, they just have to post an awesome video.
It makes me even more sadder by the fact that I'm missing out on their concert.
YET again!!!

YG + Everland’s Hologram Concert = Opened!!

The YG Entertainment’s project with Everland, to establish a year-round hologram concert hall dubbed “K-Pop Hologram has now opened to the public.20.
The hall is 383.47 m2 wide and located in Global Fair of Everland. It can accommodate 100 visitors at a time, and visitors to Everland can enter the hall for free.

It's said that YG is in charge of creating hologram visual aid of its artists - PSY, Big Bang and 2NE1, while Everland is responsible for the facility, such as design & visual and music.
As the first step it will be PSY only.

The hologram concert hall has big screens and is said to make a life-like feeling. Visitors can experience an excellent sound system. It's also said that pictures of the audience will be displayed on the screens, which is supposed to encourage audience to participate. The performance goes on for 30 minutes, with 16 performances per day.

There is also said to be a gift shop by the entrance where visitors can find various Hallyu goods, like accessories, stationery, phone cases of YG artists as well as Everland goods.

リミット

I found this by accident.. is it even okay to say? ^^
I became interested in this drama because the one who wrote the manga is the same person who wrote LIFE.
A scary yet good drama. So also this one is on my list of the dramas I follow.
I have watched two episodes so far and it's scary already. I wonder how it will turn out. However one thing is sure, you can never know what will happen to people when you are in situations out of the ordinary.

Title: リミット
Title romaji: LIMIT
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Suspense
Episodes: TBA
Viewership ratings: TBD
Broadcast network: TV Tokyo
Broadcast period: 2013-Jul-12 start
Air time: Friday 24:12
Theme song: SAVAGE HEAVEN by bump.y


Story
The protagonist is a girl named ‘Konno Mizuki’ (Sakuraba), a typical senior high school girl who is good at studying, knows much about fashion and is good at reading the situation. She is also fortunate to belong to the cool clique of her class called the “Sakura Group”.
One day the class is on their way to a field trip, when suddenly their bus falls of a cliff in the mountains. Only five girls survive the accident. They are injured, lost in the mountains and no one is coming for their rescue anytime soon. Pushed to their limits, the girls are forced to switch into survival mode and to lay bare their innermost feelings.

Cast
Sakuraba Nanami as Konno Mizuki
Tsuchiya Tao as Kamiya Chieko
Kudo Ayano as Ichinose Haru
Yamashita Rio as Morishige Arisa
Suzuki Katsuhiro as Hinata Haruaki
Masuda Yuka as Usui Chikage
Kubota Masataka as Igarashi Wataru
Watanabe Ikkei as Konno Hirokazu
Funaki Sachi as Konno Sumiyo
Taki Yukari as Konno Haruka
Takada Riho as Himesawa Sakura
Yamamoto Yuko as Mitsuoka Yuriko
Oishi Goro as Principal Mabuchi
Koshoji Shion as Kamiya Riko
Hashino Ryonosuke as Kamiya Yutaro
Hirasawa Kokoro as Kamiya Mamiko

첫 사랑니(Rum Pum Pum Pum) MV

It's here... F(x)'s comeback song.
It's a...hmmm...typical f(x) kind of song yet different.
After listening to it, it's so so, both music and lyrics. But I think I will grow to like it, I hope so, if I listen more to it.

As for the mv, kinda boring!? The dance and concept looks like something we have seen before. Where's the surprise!?!?!
Also I do not like Krystal's, Amber's or Sulli's hairstyles. But Luna and Victoria looks good ^^

There's something about Tim?!

I came across this article, "Man buys 500 free coffees for customers at downtown Edmonton Tim Hortons", and thought, what a nice gesture...AND where were I? :P
Ever since I came back to Sweden I have missed my daily Tim Hortons.

Anyway... after this article the thing I most curious about is WHY?! ^^

go to article --> Tim Hortons for free

The girl in the sun

I mentioned this book before, 陽だまりの彼女/양지의 그녀/The girl in the sun.I managed to pick up a copy of it in Korea, and I think I have read around 70 pages so far, still got 250+ to go. Anyway, the book so far has been great. I'm still at the beginning of the story so it's not much to tell, other than it has captured me.

And when I was travelling in Japan last month I saw ads for the movie and book, which maked me excited although it will take some time before I can watch it. Hopefully I have finished the book before that!

Looking at the screen shots from the movie makes me even more excited ^^

even too much for me...

I like Hello Kitty a lot, I think people who follow my blog knows it too.
I found this photo on the Sanrio HK group on FB.
And I have to say, even though I like HK, this is too much for me.
I wonder who'd dress their car like this!?

More Androp

Yesterday I introduced music by Androp....
Here's another song by them, I like it a lot ^^ Hope you like it too :)

Here's END ROLL.

Football on top of the station!!

Football, or soccer as some call it is big all over the world and Korea is no exception.
Not long time ago, Adidas launched a football field on top of Yongsan Station in Seoul.

Now teams can rent this field to play :)
Good idea right!? ^^

I have seen this kind of thing in Japan before...and I think it's an awesome idea to also have it in Seoul.
And Yongsan is kinda central in Seoul so I guess it's gonna be crowded by teams who wants to rent it ^^

Photos cred to owner

Today's quote

"memories are the most beautiful photographs..."

JTBC's 히든싱어 (Hidden Singer)

South Korea has so many shows, and I donno which one to watch.
However while staying in Korea last June I came to like the show "Hidden Singer" a lot.
It's so weird how people can sound the same!!!
Take a look at this episode and be amazed...!!

The guy, Kim Jae Sun, said he had been to the army (In Korea that usually means they get more manly in their tone) also he said his parents sent him to a boys school, Still he sounds like that!!!!!

Hope for humans

I think many of you have seen photos of crowded subways in Japan.
I can tell you what you see is true, I have been pushed into cars several times in Tokyo.

Today, a person, 30 year old woman, fell between the train and the platform during the morning rush hour, around 9 am.
So what happened? Well, Everybody pushed the train to get the person out!!! People can be very nice in Tokyo!!! :)
This is from Minami Urawa Station (Keihin-Tōhoku Line), Saitama prefecture


Orginal article: Yahoo news

Voice

This is the title track for the draam, Woman, see previous post.
I really like the sound and lyrics.
It's a perfect song to wake up to in the morning ^^
Kinda "genki" song :)

Woman

The latest drama I'm following is this one... Woman.

I have to admit I found it because I like Oguri Shun, then I heard it's the same screen writer as for the drama series Mother, which I followed back in 2010. Then also, the story in itself is very interesting and I think this is a big problem not only in Japan but in many countries around the world.

Anyway so far I have seen the 3 episodes that has been released and I'm hooked. I wonder how the story will develop.

Title: Woman
Title (romaji): Woman
Format: Renzoku
Genre: Family
Episodes: TBD
Viewership rating: TBA
Broadcast network: NTV
Broadcast period: 2013-Jul-03
Air time: Wednesday 22:00
Theme song: VOICE by androp

Story
Currently, there are over 1 million single mothers in Japan. Their average annual income is about 2 mil yen (1.8 mil if government subsidies are excluded), which is about a third of the nation's average annual income of 5.4 mil yen. We cannot begin to imagine the stress they are under to make ends meet. Shunned by society, they find it difficult to find a way out of their poverty. This drama showcases how a single mother gives her all in trying to provide for her beloved children.

Koharu (Hikari Mitsushima) lost her husband Shin (Shun Oguri) in an unexpected accident. Koharu must go on for her two children Nozomi (Rio Suzuki) and Riku (Rai Takahashi).
Koharu works hard to make a living, but her financial situation does not improve. She goes to the social welfare office to apply for assistance, but is refused due to not meeting certain requirements.
An employee at the welfare office asks Koharu if she has family that can support her, but she says no. Koharu's father passed away and her mother Sachi (Yuko Tanaka) left her and her father for another man (Kaoru Kobayashi) twenty years ago. They have been estranged since then.
An employee at the welfare office then contacts Sachi. Her mother makes it known she will provide support for Koharu. Meanwhile, Koharu is stunned by her mother's response. After twenty years, Koharu decides to meet her mother again.

Cast
Mitsushima Hikari as Aoyagi Koharu
Suzuki Rio as Aoyagi Nozomi
Suda Rio as 4-yr old Nozomi
Takahashi Rai as Aoyagi Riku
Tanaka Rei as 1-yr old Riku
Oguri Shun as Aoyagi Shin
Tanaka Yuko as Uesugi Sachi
Kobayashi Kaoru as Uesugi Kentaro
Nikaido Fumi (二階堂ふみ) as Uesugi Shiori
Tanimura Mitsuki as Sunagawa Aiko
Miura Takahiro as Sunagawa Ryosuke
Takahashi Issei as Sawamura Yugo
Usuda Asami as Kamata Yuki
Kose Tatsuya as Kamata Naoto
Takada Manato as Kamata Masato

Today's quote

"There is life after wrong decisions." ;)

ババヘラ (ice sherbet)

I came across this on a Japanese site..
It's a special looking ice cream you can find in Japan. Unlucky me I haven't found it so I cannot judge if it's good or not, but it's ice cream so ^^
Also it looks so cute ^^

It costs about 150 yen (US$1.50). There are always 2 flavors in Babahera; strawberry and banana. Babahera sellers are normally old women, in their 60s to 70s.

Have any of you found this?

Photo cred @ uploader

Happy Sunday

Just came back from the cottage, and i passed by the supermarket and found watermelon... Super cheap too, so i bought myself a big one ^^
My own Sunday delight!
Tigger keeps me company ;)

Today's quote

"Sometimes the best moments are gained accidentally"

Summer time

The smell of this little thing is strong, and when finding it you know the summer season is here ^^
So lovely ;)

Falling in LOVE

It was released a few weeks ago.
And it's already number one, No surprise there ^^

I'm not to into the song to be honest.
Lately I'm not into 2NE1 as much as I used to be.
I really looked forward to their comeback but this song is not my cup of tea, or maybe I need to listen a lot more to it.

Anyway... Congrats to their number ones!!!



I wonder what's wrong!?

I take the same bus everyday, and now when it's summer the roads are basically empty!!
Still the bus comes late every day, also the bus driver takes extra long stops, looking at his watch as if he's before schedule.
I wonder how they work and who sets the schedule. Because for me to get to work with this traffic is a mystery!!!

That's why people still take their cars, and politicians still wonder what the problem is!!!!!

The most annoying song this summer

I don't get this song at all to be honest.
But I guess it's a Korean thing.
To me this is just annoying.... it's 4Minutes "What's your name". They played it all over Korea.
I have tried to ignore it but stupid shops in Korea wouldn't let me so all I can hear in my ears is What's your name and what's your number.

This song was released a few weeks ago... still going strong ^^
So...instead of being the only one, I'd thought I share it with you

Bird mess

I woke up to a bouncing sound this morning...
I heard it was from the balcony and knew it couldn't be good.
So when I got there I saw a big bird messing around. He had flown in and couln't find his way out.
During the summer we normally have one window open because it gets so hot, we have windows around it and it become a green house.
Anyway, this is the very first time in what....15 years a bird actually flew into the balcony.

I hate birds and I'm super scared of them so I panicked too.
Also the bird had started to shit all over the place because it panicked!!!!

So both of us ended up having panick, I even called my parents and woke them up. As they currently are not at home.
My parents told me to let the bird be alone and it would sooner or later find its way out.
So instead I got ready for work and just before I was about to leave it got quiet so I looked out from the window and it was gone. I hurried out to lock the window ^^
I don't want to find another one when I get back home.... then again I guess I need to clean the bird poo.

what a messy morning, I missed out on breakfast and missed my train to work. Still I managed to come in time!! Luckily enough!! But

Today's quote

"You may not end up where you thought you'd be, but you will always end up where you're meant to be..."

みそカツ

My friend gave me this when i visited Japan. This is a quite special snack, and a 100% Japanese treat. It's called miso katsu... To be honest it taste just like a pork cutlet, and the texture is difficult to explain...just that it's nothing i have ever tasted before. Anyway i just love Japanese inventions, this was sure a once in a lifetime taste. I don't think i would have found it myself ^^ that's another reasons why it's fun to have Japanese friends, they bring funny surprises!

Food for thought

Awesome solo debut

This man is one of my fave singers, I have been a fan of Westlife since elementary school and I was devastated when they split.
Anyway, now Shane is back...solo!!
As his first solo song I'm happily surprised and I look forward hearing more from him!!
His voice is amazing :)

London Calling

I know I came home a few days ago, but I'm already looking forward to a weekend in August with my two girls E and J.
I haven't met J since..hmmm.. 2009?! I think, and E, I met 6 months ago.
It sucks living in different places, but that's life. Anyway, I hope I can find good tickets.

Also I haven't been to London since 2009 either so I guess it's time to stop by!!

Today's quote

"Don't look back to where you've been, just keep your eyes on where you're going."

Today's quote

"No matter what you do in life, your words, your actions, your looks, your thoughts, you're never going to please everyone"

Romantic for two!?

This is one of many delicious things you can get in Seoul/S.Korea while having a coffee.
I bet you can get similar in many other parts of the world.
Korea has lots of sweets, and to be honest it's difficult to choose what to eat ^^

Anyway, this one, does not only look delicious, the taste is delicious too ^^
This one is from the coffee place called Angels in Us. ^^

Popular in Seoul

Last time i was in Korea there weren't a lot of bubble tea places in Seoul, I only knew two places actually. Instead there were new normal coffee places...

However this time it seems like the new popular thing is bubble tea.
To my surprise, I found bubble tea places anywhere and everywhere around Seoul!
My fave bubble tea place is called GONG CHA, it's a chain and can be found outside of Seoul too.
I posted about this bubble tea a few weeks ago... ;)

While staying in Seoul, I visited their shops in Edae area, Lotte young plaza in Myungdong, Lotte fitin in Dongdaemun and the shop in Gangnam station.
My fave one became their Toffee, black pearls, no sugar and 50% ice.
I know you should have sugar in bubble tea but i like mine sugarless ^^
Anyway if you happen to visit Seoul, visit GONG CHA ;)

Home again

I'm back on Swedish territory again!
It took almost 20hours in total.

I'm so tired now, i will just go to bed, and therefore update more when i have slept a bit ^^

At the end

We are at the end of the trip, it feels so weird, it's has almost been 4 weeks!
I don't want to leave already! I want to spend more time with friends, want to travel around more, eat more delicious food etc.

I made great memories, and i really need to go back soon!

This is what we had for dinner today ^^
We met up with one of my friends for dinner and dessert in Nonhyun-dong ^^ we had samgyupsal from Jeju island!

Beach time

This morning we took the KTX train from Seoul, bound south east.
We arrived in the port city Busan.
We took a city tour bus as it seemed most convenient ^^
Busan is a very beautiful city! I love the ocean too!
Our first stop became the famous beach HAEUNDAE.
The weather was perfect! It almost felt like we should have spent the night there just to enjoy the beach much more!
I so have to visit the area again ^^