Hello there. 
Thanks for stopping by my journal. 
My journal is currently friends-only, 
although there are occasional posts that I keep public.
I'm always happy to make new friends, so feel free to add me.
Just keep in mind, that if you do randomly add me, 
I might not add you back if we share no common interests 
or if you have nothing posted in your journal. 
(Sorry for the precaution, but I don't like adding dummy journals)
But just drop a message and I'll be happy to add you back.
Bye. And take care!

~ Vera26

I love the concept of this website, FreeRice, which is contributing to help end world hunger.

All we have to do is play a word game and for every word we get right, the website will donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations. While that's not much, if we can spread the word and play the game as many times as possible, you'll soon be able to donate a bowl of rice or more!

I think it's ingenious, so take a stab at it, I promise it's really addictive. Plus, we finally can put to some good use all those SAT words we memorized back in high school.

Apparently, my closet is trying to tell me something.
I was rudely awoken from my sleep-deprived awoken state
By the sound of a loud crack in my closet.



Methinks it's time to get a larger closet.
It's not that I have too many clothes, it's just that my closet is too tiny.
Clearly, it's the closet's problem.
#FirstWorldProblems

WHOOO! I am back from the BIG BANG ALIVE CONCERT!!!

2 hour concert of nearly non-stop Big Bang music with an additional 45 min encore :D Concert started at a bit after 8pm and ended a little before 10:45pm, It was $230+ worth of money well spent. My seats were amazing. Even better than for SMTownLA’s which were already really good, not paying for VIP prices. Still side-eyeing the difficulty of purchasing tickets.
Onward to the concert! I have to admit, I’m not a Big Bang fan, but I’ve heard some of their songs before and know who they are in kpop to like them. I went with friends who were. But I enjoyed the concert. I’m glad I went. I enjoyed the concert-going experience. Plus the boys were really great with the fans, despite the language barrier.

TOP, why are you so adorkable?! TOP is such an awkward dancer. I love it. Let’s just say he is the complete opposite of Donghae when it comes to dancing xD

AND TOP YOU ARE SUCH A TEASE. A MASTER OF TEASE. LIKE MY BABY HAE. Seungri picked up candy (I think it was yang geng? could be wrong) that was thrown up by fans (btw, fans were throwing up plushies for the boys it was awesome - Seungri had a bunch of pandas thrown at him), gave it to TOP, who proceeded to unwrap the candy and take a bit out of it. TOP then proceeded to go to a side of the stage eating that candy in front of the fans, threw some into the crowd. TOP offered the last piece of candy to the fans, so fans stretched their hands out for it. He then popped it into his mouth. U TROLL!

There were a crap load of TOP signs in the crowd, a couple G Gragon signs sprinkled in, but mostly it was all TOP signs (some for his b-day). He definitely was the crowd favorite. So TOP went to sit at the end with the fans that were holding out the TOP signs. TOP then took a fan towel, wiped his face with it, and gave it back to the fan. Seriously, I can’t with this namja.

The boys sang Happy Brithday to TOP with the crowd. Wheeled out a cake for him. It was sweet. TOP did his infamous dork dance that epic and priceless. The man really can not dance. But he is adorkable.

Taeyang was a ball of energy. Especially during the encore. He sorta served as MC with his getto engrish. I don’t think he wanted to leave. He was constantly stripping and showing off his toned body. At the end of the encore, all four of the boys were either sleeveless or topless except TOP (of course) who was fully buttoned and clothed from head to toe.
G Dragon definitely looked ready to leave by the end of the encore, he looked pooped. Can’t say I blame him since he wurked his ass off during the concert. He started hanging out on the top with the band. Meanwhile Taeyang was still running around in the mosh pit topless. Lucky fans.

Seungri and Daesung were so adorable. Daseung with his adorable smiley face. He has a great voice. Especially live. Seungri was hilarious xD Pulling his maknae rank at times with his adorable Engrish. I was impressed that they mostly spoke in Engrish with us. I couldn’t understand some of what they said at times. But I appreciated it nonetheless. Daesung and Taeyang, especially Taeyang looked so tiny standing next to the giant that is TOP.
Security at the BIG BANG concert was a bitch tho. Just like SMTownLA. They instructed a really lame no camera policy. Security was patrolling the aisles like crazy. I saw at least three different people get asked to leave and delete everything they had recorded on their cameras. It was ridiculous. People behind me and in front of me got asked to stop taking pictures.
Lucky for me, I didn’t get caught, I was able to take a few this time. My picture quality was shitty because I was afraid I’d get caught by security. Here’s my blurry picture of TOP on the concert screen with the rest of the boys. I wish I hadn’t heeded security last time for SMTownLA. It’s such a shame I didn’t take pic, since last time, I had such a clear view of flawless Donghae :(

BIG BANG was also really sweet in asking us to cheer for the East Coast and all the people affected by Hurricane Sandy. They’re very aware that they will be performing in New Jersey next week and I thought that was a classy gesture. I’m glad they decided to go on as scheduled. Way to go, Big Bang!

For their first world wide tour and 2nd concert in LA, I have to say Big Bang was pretty great. Wish they had a longer set list. In comparison to the Super Shows, the scale of Big Bang’s concert was a lot smaller. They had some pyrotechnics, fireworks, steam blowers, streamers, backup dancers, and for a brief moment during Daesung’s solo, aerial harness, but for the most part their set list was super short. Like I said, they had a 45 minute encore repeating the same songs they had performed beforehand.

I also have a new found appreciation for Suju’s VCRs. During their costume changes, Big Bang’s VCR moments in between songs was lol-worthy. It was all CGI rendered videos, with a strange CGI dragon appearing in one of them. I didn’t get it xD It was weird and really out of place, imo. They’d been better filming a VCR of the boys just sitting or standing moodily. But I have a feeling if they embark on a 2nd world tour with new material, their next concert is going to be bigger and better than ever. It better! Since Big Bang promised they be back soon to California.

Yah! SUJU, are you paying attention? Super Show 5 better be in LA next year!
AND FREAKING HAVE A MERCHANDISE BOOTH READY. Big Bang (sponsored by Samsung Galaxy S3) had so many merchandise booths and really cool merchandise for fans to buy like two versions of a light stick ($30 crown flash light, and $20 Big Bang flash light), tees, backpack, $100 VIP packs. WHY DIDN’T WE HAVE THIS FOR SMTOWNLA?!

WARNING: This is what happens when you watch MISS PANDA AND HEDGEHOG.

You get inexplicable feels for macarons, cakes, cupcakes, dessert, sweet things in general. You feel like nomming all the time and devouring everything in sight. Especially if it's full of sugar. BUT that's not the worst of it. Oh no. You will crave and get extremely inexplicable feels for the flawless namja that is Lee Donghae. Be prepared. You have been warned. Watch at your own discretion ♥

I started craving macarons during that macaron arc from like episodes 5 to 8. 

^This was literally my face whenever the macarons showed up. Okay, as well as whenever Donghae showed up. What? I liked what I saw.

So, I finally caved into most of my Donghae feels.



Went out with Mabel and nommed on Pizza & Chicken Love Letter's Sweet Potato Gold Crust. I'm thinking of getting their bulgogi pizza next time. Splurged on a crapload of baked goods from Paris Baguette including their royal pudding, sweet potato pastries, and macarons. Wandered over to a record store selling c-pop, j-pop and k-pop. Finally, pampered ourselves with some facial masks.



But yes, I finally caved into my Donghae feels. I've been resisting for some time to purchase any merchandise, aside from the gorgeous Skip Beat photobook my brother treated me for my birthday, I really don't have any Suju or Donghae merchandise. Trying to exert some self-control because I don't want it to become a snowball effect.

At any rate, I don't regret my purchases. I mostly purchased the macarons due to Donghae's drama. Watching Panda and Hedgehog has made me crave desserts like crazy. I've been on a ridiculously sweet tooth binge. And the fact that I haven't tried macarons before, made me even want to try it even more. So I caved and purchased a tray from Paris Baguette. Bloody expensive. 12 for $15, are you kidding?! Hence the warning. But they really are delish.

Then at the record store, I caved into my pervy fangirl feels and splurged on the new Super Junior album, Sexy Free & Single *snickers*(sorry the title still is lol-inducing for me), Version B. I was tempted to get Version A and SPY Version C, but like I said, snowball. So I chose the one I really wanted the most and that was half-nekkid Suju. But really, I got it for the half-nekkid Donghae. Yes, exactly for that reason you see in the picture. I have no shame. I like what I see. Why there’s only four half-nekkid pics is beyond me. But it’s so pretty, I can’t. Don’t even get me started on that destroyer and harbinger of feels and ovaries that is Lee Donghae. His body has transformed in the past five years from a boy's to a man's. It's beautiful. I love that he has just the right amount of muscle definition. 


^ Yep, this is the dork I stan. He's flawless, gorgeous, beautiful, adorable and sexy isn't he?  Slayer of ovaries I tell you, slayer. 

Before Episode 7 of Donghae's Miss Panda and Hedgehog airs tonight, there are some issues I'd like to address. So we're six episodes in (yes, I am behind on the recaps), nearly more than a third of the drama has aired, what's the verdict?

For the most part, I like the drama. It's good enough for me to want to tune in each week. But at the same time, six episodes in, there are still many unanswered questions. I feel that if many of these questions aren't addressed soon within the next few episodes, I'll be really irritated. This is a romantic comedy, not a mystery. I don't understand the writer's penchant for making the unneccesary more mysterious than it needs to be. Yes, I'm side-eying It's Okay, Daddy's Girl as my point of reference here.

First, let me list the positives:

1. Donghae. Yes, he is complete eyecandy, but it's clear that he has a lot of screen presence. In Skip Beat, he commanded the screen, despite his limited screen time. I thought that might have been a fluke considering he was playing such a colorful character (literally), but in Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog, his acting is continually improving with each episode and what's more important is that he's able to let go of his idol image and he's not afraid to mess up his face and portray his character the way the script asks (see: his Drunk scenes).
   
   I do hope though, in the next drama he is in, he chooses a more meatier role, something that'll let him really sink his teeth in. He has the potential to have more dramatic lead roles, he just needs more experience so that he can expand and hone his skills. He already has the leading man presence, now he just needs to hone his craft. I would like to see him in a role that shows him tormented in agony or anguish. I like that he gets to act around veterans like Park Keun Hyung, who will give him tips. Knowing Donghae, he'll retain their advice gratefully and apply it.


2. THE CAKES! OMG THE CAKES! If you are on a diet, this drama is torture. If you're not on a diet, this drama is torture because you still want to nom your way through the screen. Either way, the desserts, cakes and pastries featured so fare have been f00d porn. I can't get enough. Macarons, cupcakes, it's a feast for the eyes.
   

3. The cool characters aside from the main leads: Seungji's grandpa, Seungji's friends, Won Il's sister, Won Il's friend, Panda's sister & Panda's aunt. These are the cool kids. I love them.

And now the negatives:

1. Panda's character development. I really like Panda. I think she's cute, kind and funny, but six episodes in, I'm starting to change my tune. I still think she's inherently a kind person and I'm hoping she'll redeem herself, but she's also a whole lot of stupid. The summary says she's as sweet as her name suggests, but at times, she's more pricklier than the hedgehog, Seung Ji. I understand why Donghae said that out of all the characters in the drama, Seung Ji is actually the most selfless, warmhearted and compassionate character.
   
   Panda is hopelessly naive and dumb. Her younger sister has more sense than she does. I should have known she was an idiot when she kept that crappy Patissier around as long as she did. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and credited her for being a kind person since girlfriend knew he handed her a fake patissier license. Unfortunately, I also think she must have lost some brain cells when she grew up because her younger self seems to be a lot smarter.
   
   I don't understand how men are attracted to women like this and I don't understand how women like Panda are good role models for girls. She cannot seem to function on her own. Her shameless need to rely on others and depend on others is alarming. I remember side-eying her when she asked Won Il to give her a easier job. She even blatantly tells him she can't do anything very well. Great interviewing skills, Panda. You're lucky you happen to know Won Il and he wants to get jiggy with you.
   
   And who hops out of their car to ask a stranger to drive for them? That's like asking someone to steal your car without even trying. I would like to see Panda be more independent. At this point, she's been useless and I really would like to see her become more independent and say something intelligent once in a while. Because I really don't want to dislike her character if I'm going to be watching 16 episodes.


2. THE CAKES! WHY AREN'T THERE MOAR?! I WANT MOAR FOOD P0RN! I want to see Seungji bake extravagant cakes, five tiered high that'll make me salivate and drool and want to attack the screen with a fork. Fuck this cutesy macaron shit. GIMME A TIERED CAKE WITH A MINDBLOWING DESIGN. AND PIE. AND PUDDING. AND ANYTHING THAT'LL GIVE ME A SUGAR COMA. MOAR MOAR MOAR. LIKE WILLY WONKA STYLE.  


3. Pacing. I'd like a lot of the questions that arose in episode one to be answered by now. I'd also like them to focus more on the baking aspects rather than the love story. It's taken Won Il two episodes to "attempt" to tell Seungji that his stepdad is ripping off Seungji's macaron designs. WTF. Please man up in episode 7 and tell Seungji what your creepy stepdad has done. Thanks.

Questions that need Answers

1. The question that everyone is desperate to know the answer to. Why does Seung Ji mumble that bug speech of his? There are theories out there, including its tie with Panda's bug song in episode one. We know that he says this to help himself concentrate. But official confirmation on this would be nice sooner rather than later.


2. 1, 2, 3, Go! This will probably never be answered considering it seems like just one of those catchphrases characters say without explanation or reason. Just a "cute" defining quirk to the character. But I suppose it's a play off his name Go Seung Ji. He even managed to wrangle his nickname: goseum dochi (hedgehog) out of it. He sure is a creative one that Go Seung Ji.


3. Why did Seung Ji go to jail? It probably doesn't add to the story, but this is a backstory that is interesting. What exactly did Seung Ji do to make him serve time? Steal? And when will the Panda crew find out? What will their reactions be?


4. How did Seung Ji lose his memory?


5. How did Seung Ji meet his grandfather? We only know that Seung Ji learned to make cakes from his grandfather and that his grandfather stopped him from burning down Saint Honore. It was hinted slightly that Seung Ji might have learned to bake cakes from his grandfather in jail. My guess is that the grandfather would visit his daughter in jail and would also teach recreational cooking lessons in jail. And that's how they met. Again, a backstory on their meeting would be nice.


6. What exactly did the grandfather do to his daughter that was unforgivable? It's been hinted at it probably has something to do with the reason why she was in jail. I also have a theory the grandfather might have forced her into a relationship or marriage with Seungji's father who she didn't love? And possibly her lost son ...


7. Did Seung Ji's father abandon him to hook up with Choi Won Il's mother?


8. If Won Yi is Won Il's half sister and our theories about Seungji's dad being Won Il's stepfather are correct, then that means Won Yi is Seungji's half sister too. HOLY MIND FUCK. PLEASE CONFIRM, DRAMA, NAO. DIS SHIT IS HITTING DYNASTY LEVELS.


9. Why can't Won Il eat cake? I have a theory that maybe because Saint Honore's cakes are filled with chemicals, preservatives and additives, he's trying to prevent his taste buds and morals from being corrupted? That more maybe he's afraid the cakes sent to him are poisoned? 'SPLAINPLZ

Well, here's to episode 7 and 8 this weekend! HOLY SNAP we'll be halfway through this drama by Sunday. I don't want it to end yet!

I haven't watched enough Korean dramas to know the ins and outs of k-dramas, but two episodes in, I'm finding Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog very enjoyable to watch. I used to avoid watching k-dramas like the plague because back in like 2002, depressing as shit k-dramas were the rage and I tend to dislike watching anything melodramatic where everybody dies in it. Thankfully, I don't think this drama's going to be anything like that. In fact, I think it's going to be the complete opposite: fluffy, cute, adorable and sweet. YESH! Exactly what I need right now. I will get my soap opera on when fall arrives in the form of Revenge. For now, Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog is the perfect way to cap off summer.

Like I said last time, the scriptwriter for Miss Panda and Hedgehog is the same scriptwriter for It's Okay, Daddy's Girl, and there are already certain similarities. Like the scriptwriter's penchant for introducing a shit load of characters in the first episode. The plot so far seems simple in comparison, but we're only two episodes in. I'm waiting in trepidation for le shit to hit the fan. And for some reason half the cast was transplanted from It's Okay, Daddy's Girl to Miss Panda and Hedgehog. Not that I mind, since I liked most of the actors that were transplanted over. It's just amusing me. I feel like I'm watching a happier and fluffier version of It's Okay, Daddy's Girl, but instead, it is It's Okay, Grandpa's Boy instead.

Episode One.
I'm already confused by the opening sequence with a flashback of what I think is our two main characters meeting as children. Panda is singing a bug song and the little boy is drawing cakes. Shift to present time, we are treated to Donghae yelling and chasing after a debtor. I approve. Yelling and running Donghae is hot. Btw, we get three of these chase sequences in this episode. HOT. In two of the three chase scenes, he's interrupted by a giant stuffed Panda, carried by none other than our female lead. This leads him to suspect our female lead is in cahoots with the debtor.

Drat dat pesky Panda	Always getting in the way

( Episode One RecapCollapse )

Episode Two.
Picking up right where we left episode one, Seungji has Panda in his arm, while an envious and confused Choi Won Il watches on. Seungji leans in forward to Panda who proceeds to close her eyes and he asks her why she's closing his eyes when he's having a hard time hoisting her. She chuckles embarrassedly and they straighten, while Won Il drives off in jealousy and confusion. And I love it. Ah, the sweet distinct aroma of a love triangle brewing.

Going for the kiss!	Not. Just Trolling. LMAO.

( Episode Two RecapCollapse )

Saturday was finally the premiere of Donghae's new drama, Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog. Unfortunately for me, the episode airs at 7:30pm Korean standard time, which means I have to stay awake until 3:30am pacific standard time to watch the live stream of it. Saturday was fine, the excitement of finally seeing the drama made me forget how tired was and I watched it to the end at 4:30am. But that was a mistake also because I spend the next hour or so spazzing over what the heck I had just watched. The cruelty of watching a drama without subtitles and not understanding a single thing except for a few words is agonizing. Still, just to finally see the drama and have a visual confirmation of what the drama's tone, production value, plot and characters would be was worth it.

Then Sunday approached and I crashed. I had to get up Sunday to meet an elderly couple I had befriended when I was in college who were visiting me from Texas. I completely forgot episode two was also airing Sunday. So after seeing them, I spent Sunday night marathoning the english subs of both episodes. Let me just say, those subbers are insane and amazing. Within a day of the episode airing they've already got it subbed. I am seriously grateful to all the subbers at viki for their hardwork. This time, it won't be like Skip Beat / Extravagant Challenge where I could afford to watch the raws and understand what was going on without subs. With subs truly makes a world of difference. Without subs, I thought I was watching crack.

Before I jump into my opinions of each episode, I wonder if this means they'll be release two episodes a weekend or if this two episode weekend special was for the premiere only. It makes more sense to release two episodes for the weekend premiere and then subsequently one episode a week after that since there's only going to be about 16 episodes. Apparently, it's too episodes a week, yay! Either way, it's good to see Donghae acting and hear him sing for the OST again.

Speaking of the OST, I'm loving that Donghae's singing the ending theme song, "Plz Don't," but I have to be honest, I'm a smidge disappointed he didn't have a hand in writing or composing the song. It's understandable why he didn't with preparations for 6jib and filming the drama, but we've been spoiled by his amazing collaboration with Chance for "This is Love." After all this time, I can't believe that song is still my jam. I think it's my favorite Donghae co-composed song thus far. For the record, I'm side-eying the spelling, but I'm loving "Plz Don't." Aside from "Daydream" and "Haru," I'm loving it more than any of the filler ballad songs in Super Junior's current album.

Ever since Skip Beat/Extravagant Challenge ended in April, I have been on a slight dramaDonghae withdrawal. His bad boy Fuwa Sho/Bu Po Shang was the highlight of the drama and it was a pity his character wasn't around enough to truly cause havoc and mayhem between the two main leads. So nursing my dramaHae withdrawal, I decided to check out Donghae's first drama, "It's Okay, Daddy's Girl," and good lord what a mess of a drama that was, with its saving grace being the minor characters, Donghae and the ultra fine Choi Jinhyuk.

But thankfully around March, rumors began spreading of Donghae being cast as the male lead in "Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog," a romantic comedy drama between a prickly genius patissier and a cheerful cafe owner. Aside from the WTF R U SERIOUS? title, the premise sounded promising, especially since it would reunite Donghae with Choi Jinhyuk as rivals, until around May when it was revealed that the drama would be written by the same scriptwriter who wrote "It's Okay, Daddy's Girl." Oh facepalm, I should have known from the title.

So now I await in trepidation of the drama's first episode, which will be airing this Saturday on August 18th. I'm not asking for much, but please let it be cute and fluffy, and not melodramatic like "It's Okay, Daddy's Girl."  Worse case scenario, at least let there be a lot of food p0rn. But knowing me, even if this ends up being even more unpalatable than "It's Okay, Daddy's Girl," I'll watch it for the eyecandy that is Lee Donghae. After all, I've already been waiting for it since March, I'm going to see it through. In the weeks leading up to the drama's premiere, they've been releasing a steady stream of teaser videos. I'm still waiting for the actual trailer as I don't think any of the teasers give us the premise of what this drama's about. I'm guessing they'll be releasing the trailer at tomorrow's press conference. Until then I'll just have to whet my appetite (last pun I swear) with the teasers.

My Reactions and Feels While Watching Teasers for Donghae's New Drama "Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog"
DRAMA TEASER	MY EMOTIONS
1, 2, 3 = Won Too Twree His Engrish xD	R00d baby is rude, but I love me some bossy Hae
OMG Who beat you up? Who threw you out with le trash?	Lemme hug you and take you home Even with garbage he looks good
Putting on a strip show Look at dem muscles	Me gusta ... I like what I see What's this drama about again?
HE HAS A HEDGEHOG TATTOO AND IT'S ON HIS BACK WHUT	A FAT HEDGEHOG IN FACT SQUEE THAT IS TOO CUTE
The cameraman zoomed IN ON HIS ASS	LMAO obligatory fanservice for the perverted fangirls
MARZIPAN? JAPAN? All I see is HAEFACE	KINDLY CONTROL UR FACE SIR LOL EPIC HAEFACE FTW
THE KISS SCENE TROLLOLOLO ON THE FOREHEAD	So cute and sweet Awwwwwww
BAM! ANOTHER SHOT OF NEKKID-NESS	Is this drama out yet? SERIOUSLY. STOP TEASING ME.

First off, congratulations to Team USA and all the other nations for a great Olympics. I'm looking at the total gold and metal count for Team USA and couldn't be more happier. What a satisfactory result compared to the 2008 Olympics. Great performances from David Boudia, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, Allyson Felix and the women's track and & field team, Hope Solo and the women's soccer team, Gabby Douglas and the women's gymnastics team, Michael Phelps and the men's swimming team, and the rest of Team USA.



But for me, the most bittersweet moment was watching Kobe Bryant win his last Olympic gold medal.

Congratulations to Team USA on the gold medal victory over Spain. Congratulations to Kobe Bryant, who will forever be my favorite basketball player in the world. I’m so happy and proud of him. What a bittersweet moment this must be for him. I have watched Kobe Bryant play basketball since I was ten years old. Knowing this is his last Olympics game is heartbreaking, because it also means the day he retires will be near. And I can’t think about it.

As his fans, we’ve been through a lot of up and downs supporting Kobe Bean Bryant, but every minute has been worth it. All these years, through the highs and lows, I have enjoyed watching Kobe play beautiful basketball. I can’t imagine watching the NBA or the Olympics without him. But I am thankful to him for making the sport of basketball so beautiful for me to watch.

Thank you, Kobe. You are a two-time Olympic champion, a five-time NBA champion, a MVP and an inspiration to me. Savor your gold medal today. And let’s have a kickass 2013 season with the Lakers, you handsome bish.