Lily_B

I'm glad you feel that way. Recommending dramas always makes me nervous. ;)

Yes, Shinya Shokudo is a good watch. Each episode is about one person and one dish; I have learned things about Japanese food. :) The episodes are short and each one is a completed story, but sometimes a main character from one ep returns as as supporting character in another. Because of the episodes' short length, the stories are simple but often bittersweet. I like the calm atmosphere of this drama, I often watch an episode at the end of the day.

This week I've had some free-time, but I haven't been able to watch any dramas until yesterday, because internet was down in my home. :( Maybe that's real life trying to tell me something... ;)

So what did you think about Iki mo dekinai natsu? I saw in the feeds that you gave it an 8 so I guess you didn't hate it. :)

Oh, so I'm not the only "eternal student" out there, ha ha. Summer exams, that doesn't sound like fun - but I'm glad to hear it will be over once you're though it all! :) I have a few more years to go, unfortunately.

Yeah, I'm writing... but not as much as I used to. :( These last few years I've had too much stupid stuff on my mind but I still see myself as "somebody who writes". I have tried to write novels, but nothing published yet of course. I used to write poetry when I was younger. I have even written song lyrics. :) Maybe one day I'll write novels for young adults... but on the other hand, it'd be painful if my students hated my books. ;)

Oh, I forgot to add - yes, I remember which opera! :) It was Verdi's Il Trovatore(I picked it because the synopsis sounded more interesting that whatever else they were performing at the time) and I enjoyed it. I don't even remember much about it, except that I wrote something later about being able to relate to the extreme level of passion, or something... I was kind of heartbroken at the time... It was only the third time that I went to the opera (when you don't live in a big city you don't get to do that kind of things often) and I went there alone, because it was at a time when I felt the need to get away and do something fun and special just for myself... It was in spring time, and afterwards I had dinner at a small Italian restaurant outside in the sunset. It was nice. The first proper meal I had had in ages. See, I remember the circumstances more than the actual opera! *lol*

Teacher education here (for high school teachers) is 5 years in total. It's a bit complicated, it's hard to explain briefly how it works! The pedagogics/teaching methods part is 1,5 years and the internship is a part of that. The first period is only 5 weeks. I wasn't considered good enough the first time so I'm doing it again now at another school (where they do think I'm doing good!), which is why I also have my other university classes. Normally, you don't study full-time while doing internship. There are 2 more weeks left, after winterbreak next week. Next internship is also 5 weeks, next year. Finally, there'll be 10 weeks of internship the year after. After that, I'll only have to write a few papers and I'm done. Feels like I've studied all my life! Actually, I have, except the years between my thesis and this, when I was trying to become a writer...*lol*

Oh, "free online photo collage maker", I see! I'll try it because right now, it just looks... messy, lol.

That sounds like fun! And especially since it's a friend of yours singing! I haven't been to the opera since 2006 even though I like it. When I finally get a teaching job I'll hopefully be able to do stuff like that.

Well, my favourite book by her is called "Rit" in Swedish but I don't know if there are any translations. I also like this: http://www.amazon.de/Hexenmädchen-Inger-Edelfeldt/dp/3401029428/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392924426&sr=1-2 and http://www.amazon.de/Briefe-Königin-Nacht-Inger-Edelfeldt/dp/3423780037/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392924426&sr=1-10
Well, at least I loved them when I was a teenager/around 20. :)

It'll be fun to hear about her new book at the cruise. I wanted to read her recent ones, I just never got around to it.

Yeah, last night instead of going to bed like I was supposed to, I felt like adding some pics! I just wish I knew how to look better together, like on your page for instance. :)

Sometimes even the thought of going somewhere is very tiring, yes! But often it's worth it in the end, I hope it will be for you. What are you and your friend going to do?

The writer is Inger Edelfeldt, some of her books are translated to German. I haven't read anything by her in ages, but she was like my literary role model when I was younger. :)

Yes, I still like it. It's fun but with serious undertones and so far I like how the story progresses.

This is a very good Stalker's Guide! :)
Oguri Shun was in the first drama I watched, RMPW. :) Since then I've only seen him twice more. Rui was my favourite character in HYD and I so shipped Tsukushi/Rui!
I think that all the movies you mention seem really interesting, so thank you.

So you tried! :) Yeah, I guess there are lots of things that are easier to find by going to Japan than online, haha. Have you been there? You say on your profile that you're half Japanese. :)

I know, many people seem to have been disappointed in Iki mo dekinai natsu! I heard about it from someone before I read the synopsis, so I didn't watch it expecting any romance at all. I think people watched it expecting a different kind of story because the only listed genre was "romance". I hope you'll like it, but of course, there's no guarantee that you will just because I do. :)

I'm glad bad times are over! And even if you could do some work, everyone deserves a break now and then. :) I can't complain about my workload because my supervisor has invited me to this "literature cruise" where you meet writers and attend lectures and stuff. One of my favourite writers will be there! I should study but I decided to take this chance to do something fun for a change!

Wow, singing lessons, cool! Teaching is hard, but one thing that surprises me: it's not as scary as I thought to stand in front of a class! A professor from university visited my school today,he even said I looked relaxed and comfortable! I still have a lot to learn, though.

I know what you mean about feeling old, I get that with my students who are half my age... *lol*

I'm glad you found that song ok. I'm also giving up on becoming a fan, I think! It's good enough to like MatsuJun as an actor. :)

I watched Dinner too, just a couple months ago, and I really enjoyed it. I've only seen Eguchi-san in three roles but they are all very different. I find it fascinating that he's also a poet and a singer! :) It makes me want to be able to read Japanese! (Well, okay, I wanted to even before I was a drama watcher, but now from a fangirl point of view...)

What I liked about Iki mo dekinai natsu, hm... I did find the story strange, but immediately captivating (I was like "huh? what? why? is this even possible?!") while it was also rather slow-paced. There was character growth, and I liked most of the characters. I liked how the relationship between the main characters developed. Friendship, but something more between the lines - this was very obvious even though it can't at all be called a "romance drama" imo. That was what I liked best, I guess. :) And I did find Eguchi-san hot in it. ;)

Hello! Thank you! :) I had the same thought when I read your profile, we seem to share some similarity in taste. I just said to another person that it's fun when you see someone who "understands you" - not to imply that it's a must to have similar taste to have a good talk. :) You're the first one so far that I've seen who mentions Eguchi Yosuke as a favorite.

(cont.)
*lol* I see, the things I don't know about anime/manga characters... well, that's a lot! I'm not an Arashi fan either, I was just thinking "why are they so very popular, what am I missing?" and I thought I'd ask someone who looks like a fan, ha ha. I like the opening for season one 1 of HYD, but that's most likely because of the mood the song creates in combination with the drama! (I don't think I started to sing along while watching until after a couple of episodes...) I also like the Bambino! opening, I guess for the same reason. They're on my "I'm home alone and I'm in the mood for cooking!"-playlist... ;) I haven't tried listening to their songs a lot but so far they don't impress me much. For some reason, I do like this song, though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6Rozkl8LQ4 I'm not sure it qualifies as a "good one", it's not even something I'd "normally" like! *lol*

Don't worry, we're all busy sometimes. I am, too, trying to teach and all... but it looks like I have less discipline than you, because here I am... ;) (I don't watch a lot of dramas now though. Just Shitsuren Chocolatier and sometimes an episode of Amachan, because they're short enough not to make me feel guilty.) I'm fine, thanks! It's fun actually, but exhausting because I'm just not used to being a teacher yet, and I also study full-time. How about you?

I'm happy you liked my Stalker's Guide! And even more happy that you want to check him out. Mission accomplished! :D I hope to convert all readers into fans. Or rather, I'm sure he'll convince you with his acting as soon as you've seen some of it! :)

I don't know why I'm so wordy all the time, I'll have to put the rest in another comment!

I don't know any of the people you mention, but your article made me want to watch the anime! :) I loved the movie.

Yeah, I know - I need to watch more Kdramas. :)

Okay, thanks. I just thought it looked funny. :) What is he trying to do there with so many pencils? :)

Where's that picture from? :)

Ja, det kanske ligger något i det! Fast om liknelsen verkligen stämde så skulle jag väl ha fäst mig vid Oguri Shun istället, för han dök nog upp i bild först. ;) Eller snarare vid Ishihara Satomi, i egenskap av kvinna!

Kimura Takuya, hm? Jag har inte sett just någonting med honom. Varje gång någon nämner honom undrar jag om jag är konstig på nåt vis, för alla älskar Pride medan jag inte fattade grejen utan lade serien åt sidan i mitten av tredje avsnittet... tyckte bara att allt verkade väldigt jobbigt på något sätt.

Åh, mina favoriter! Det kräver mer utrymme än en profilkommentar... ;)

Thank you for reading and commenting!
I think that what you describe about being too busy falling for Oguri Shun to have any sympathies for another's character is more or less the same way I was when I was watching Chase. ;)
It would have been a different and shorter drama if Asahina hadn't acted upon his feelings, but yeah, I do understand what you mean... but I loved loved loved how Hyuga forgave him so completely. Anyway I don't think I'll rewatch my first ever j-drama!
I'm happy you and other people feel curious about some of the dramas I've mentioned here. At the same time I feel nervous and somehow responsible; what you hate everything! *lol* Well, but even if I talk from a fangirl's point of view, many less biased people appreciate this actor too, so that's reassuring. ;)