カーテン(2021)

My Favorite Fruits Basket Quotes Part 1—TOHRU

(My first volume has been lent out and not returned, so we don't have the classic plum quote, sorry)

A lot of these are kinda sad bc I really love the part of the story where we learn about Tohru's inner demons

"I believe it, too. I want to hold every memory in my heart and believe in it. So that I become strong enough to stick it out, and to one day overcome them...until they become precious memories." (ch. 23)

"For me, it's always the people around me who give me the strength to go on." (ch. 30)

"Just like you've listened to all my whining, Kyo-kun, from now on I want you to let me hear your complaints. I want you to tell me when it's hard, when you're scared, when you're weak. I want us to be able to confront your troubles together. Together...just like we've been doing. I want to live, eat, study, and struggle together! I want to be with you!" (ch. 33)

"After all...you have courage in your heart." (ch. 38)

"Maybe the truth is that no one is born with a 'reason.' Maybe that's something each person has to find on their own. A reason for being born, a reason to stick around, a reason to exist. I think everyone has to find it on their own, and decide it on their own." (ch. 45)

"I have a feeling that I can't even find the words to describe." (ch. 48)

"I want to protect them. I want to use all the strength I have to protect the paths they're walking on." (ch. 67)

"I can't give up. Something...there must be something I can do. I want to believe that. I have to believe that." (ch. 67)

"The warmth in our hearts is proof that there is light. It's so small that it seems like even a tiny wind might blow it out...but the light is definitely there." (ch. 72)

"My heart aches. It feels like it's going to be torn apart. Is it because my outrageous wish doesn't stand a chance? Is it because I know that some wishes just don't come true? Even so...I'll keep wishing." (ch. 75)

"Every night greets the dawn. There is no night that goes on forever." (ch. 99)

"One step at a time...I want to unravel these mysteries, these truths. One step at a time." (ch. 99)

"I know I'll have to do something when the time comes...but I think I already know what I'll have to let go of." (ch. 108)

"My heart was breaking on my way home that day. I was crying ugly tears because I could feel it yet again...the feeling of something fading away. Fading away into 'memories.' And even if I don't forget the loneliness and sorrow that tore me apart, the memories themselves are fading, too. No matter how much I try to hold on, no matter how many times I swear it to myself...time moves on, and they begin to fade. It's cruel." (ch. 114)

"And that 'me' is becoming a memory, too." (ch. 114)

"I'm ashamed. I'm dishonest, weak, and dirty." (ch. 114)

"I can't. Stop...don't go anywhere. Don't leave me." (ch. 114)

"I'm sorry...for being such a coward." (ch. 114)

"I can't get the words out. I have to gather up my courage. Courage...it's time to be brave. I'm not going to put the lid back on. This feeling...can't be stopped anymore. It's time to be brave." (ch. 114)

"If change is part of life, then it's such a cruel kindness." (ch. 121)

"I've decided...I can't remain at a standstill anymore." (ch. 121)

"Neither people nor feelings can be bound, frozen in time." (ch. 121)

"Just as all good things, happy things, fun things must come to an end...scary and sad things will also come to an end. Always. Even if you can't believe it when it happens, please...please don't give up. Live. I want you to live. You might make mistakes or lose your way, but please...please live. Don't ever stop moving forward. Please...that's all I ask. Don't give up. Even if I'm no longer at your side." (ch. 122)

"I do want to be with him. Not being able to...breaks my heart. It breaks my heart." (ch. 129)

"I've always been lousy at hiding my feelings." (ch. 129)

"I could hear those words dozens of times, hundreds of times, thousands of times...and I would still think this is like a dream." (ch. 129)

"I really love you...and that love is invincible!" (ch. 129)

"I'm so thankful that you're feeling this pain for me, in my stead. I'm so thankful..." (ch. 133)

Dark Academia for Brown People

 Most people, when they think of dark academia is books (that’s the whole point) and ancient languages such as Latin or Ancient Greek. I’m here to tell you that you all are SLEEPING on brown culture. Love that is conveyed in the languages of Persian and Urdu (my native language) crosses borders. Sure, Shakespeare and Sappho wrote great pieces of literature but the stories and poems of Rumi, Manto, Hafez and Iqbal have a special place in my heart. 

Some of my favourites are:- (all are translated)

Sit at my grave with wine and a minstrel in a trance, so your smell will raise me from the dead.

HAFEZ

My lover’s sadness lit a fire in my heart that burned my chest, there was a fire in his house that burned the nest.

HAFEZ

O the day turned night, what a shame, a gazelle of kindness a lion became, my partner and lover grew tired of my words and prayers too.

RUMI

These are my personal favourites. I can always make a longer post if you all want.

Female poets deserve a whole other post.

As someone who goes to an English-Medium school, we are always taught to converse in English, see the language as a part of yourself but deny a place to Urdu. As I grow older, I have come to appreciate my identity and so should all my fellow brown people. Take pride in your mother tongue.

we stan one (1) chaotic boi

Guess who binged watched all of BNA in one sitting😌

Best-Friends-to-Lovers, the Bollywood edition!

Best Friends to Lovers, the Bollywood Edition: I have always loved the best-friends-to-lovers trope more than anything else in the world because I find it so precious and beautiful that two people who know each other so well fall in love with each other, except it's so much more special because they're already best friends. I'm here for the will-they-won't-they-ness of it all, the I-liked-you-before-you-liked-me angst, and the healthy sort of jealousy that makes one realize that they have feelings for (if not already in love that is) for the other one--> HECK YEAH.

Anyway, here's a representation of the cycle of how Best Friends turn into Lovers through Bollywood gifs! Enjoy, leave a heart if you liked it! <3

Teasing (from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)

Bickering (from Jab We Met)

Goofing about together (from Happy Ending)

Until one of them falls for the other (from Bareilly Ki Barfi)

And the other doesn't realize yet (from 2 States)

And it's all angst and sadness until (from I Hate Love Storys)

Until one day they realize it too (from Hasee Toh Phasee)

After which everything is the same (from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)

Except that they're best friends (from Ok Jaanu)

And they're in love! (from Dil Dhadakne Do)

got any skincare recs? (especially toners + emulsions)

first, i’d recommend doing research. r/skincareaddiction on reddit is a great resource that focuses on science-based skincare with an eye for detail and rigorous evidence, not just hype. they have a great wiki on routine order that gives a good resource on how to create a routine in general (eg what’s an active? what ph should your skin be for xyz ingredient to be most effective? should i apply xyz ingredient before or after pqr ingredient?)

so on to my own recs, for toners and moisturizing products in particular

etude house - soonjung - tbh this whole line is great for sensitive skin. pretty much all of the products are oil free, alcohol free, and fragrance free, and contain only the bare bones. i use the ph 5.5 toner and the 10-free moist emulsion. the etude house soonjung moist emulsion is literally my favorite moisturizer right now. steer clear of their other skincare tho, since it tends to be heavy on fragrance.

purito - another korean drugstore brand that focuses on good ingredients without oils, alcohols, and fragrances. they have an unscented centella serum i use that’s 10% niacinamide and good for redness

cosrx - of course i recommend cosrx. if you’re dealing with acne and need a good aha/bha product, pretty much everything made by cosrx is well formulated and affordable

other:

sunscreen - 100% always wear sunscreen. not only does it prevent hyperpigmentation and loss of skin elasticity caused by uv exposure, the simple act of wearing high spf sunscreen does a lot to prevent skin cancer. make sure it’s coral reef safe, since some of the chemicals used in sunscreens are terrible for the oceans. i’d recommend looking for a product with both physical and chemical protection. definitely go with an asian brand, since asian sunscreens are superior — odorless, non greasy, dries matte, thin texture, no white cast.

non-korean brands: i use cerave in the winter when my skin gets dry

oil cleansers: use one. westerners aren’t hip to oil cleansers because they’re scared of it, but nothing takes off your makeup as easily as an oil cleanser. instantly dissolves even the toughest waterproof mascaras (use asian brands for that too) and is great at removing sebum plugs from your pores. look up double cleansing. yes, you wash your face twice, but your skin will thank you.

so. my current full routine is

AM: shiseido perfect whip cleansing foam -> etude house soonjung ph 5.5 toner -> etude house soonjung 10-free moist emulsion -> missha all around safe block essence sun milk

PM: banila co cleansing balm -> shiseido perfect whip cleansing foam -> 10% benzoyl peroxide -> let that sit for 5-10 minutes (while i’m in the shower) then wash off -> etude house soonjung ph 5.5 toner -> 0.1% adapalene -> etude house soonjung 10-free moist emulsion

note that this is my routine now, since my acne is under control and i’m mostly focused on maintaining my skin. so i’m not using many actives currently, but while i was still in college, i was very careful about using an AHA and BHA on alternating days and using a good formulation vitamin c (ie L-ascorbic acid, no water, since that causes it to degrade, kept in an airless pump, and stored in a dark place)

hello~ i recently hit 6k on this blog so thank you all for following me and this little blog where all i do is throw gifset after gifset at y’all 💛 i have no idea where you all came from but i am appreciative nonetheless! and with the very exciting news that the three mxtx novels are getting official eng translations, i’m going to be doing a giveaway for the vol 1 pre-orders. 

as you may have noticed, i’m not actually in any of the fandoms for the mxtx novels lol but i still wanted to do something to show my support. also, if publishers see how well these sell, it may open doors for future official eng translations of all the other many wonderful c-novels we all love! 

✨giveaway rules✨

there will be three (3) winners - each person gets their choice of one vol 1 pre-order

reblogs only, likes are bookmarks (each user gets one entry regardless of how many times you reblog so please don’t spam)

you don’t have to be following me! i’m doing this because i want to support the translators and i’m happy that the books will go to someone who will love and appreciate them

book depository must be able to ship to you

ends August 20, 2021 at 11:59PM pst - i will use a random generator to pick the winners the next day and dm you

if winners don’t respond within 48hrs w/ their choice of book and address then i will pick someone else

yeee ok i think i’ve covered everything i needed to and hopefully this won’t flop lmao but if you have any questions, feel free me to send an ask!

Serenity