Author: mitch.e

Mitch founded Chocolate Chimney year 2009 that made artisanal and decorated cakes and cookies loved by Filipinos. She was a young entrepreneur when SM SVI (supermarket) invited her to consign with them and paved way to her business putting upto 5 stalls in prime SM Supermarket branches in Metro Manila. She is also passionate about Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Family and Health. Received Certification in Nutrition and Health from Wageningen University, Introduction to Psychology, Managing Emotions from Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence, and Emotional and Social Intelligence by UC Davis. Currently studying Graphic Design under California College of Arts as her first love - Art <3 사랑
Posted in Art & Music

For d love of Kpop: Le Sserafim

Posted on by mitch.e

In my playlists, there’s Le Sserafim. My favorite chill songs from them are Blue Flame and Sour Grapes.

LE SSERAFIM (르세라핌) is a five member girl group and the first female group under Hybe. They officially debuted last May of this year and also under Source Music.

Current members consist of (from left to right of photo) Kazuha, Chaewon, Sakura, Yunjin and Eunchae. Relatively a new group but some members like Sakura and Chaewon are former Iz*one members and Yunjin was from Produce 48 and been a trainee of Pledis Entertainment.

Not here to feature the members one by one, here’s my fave music from them and hope you also enjoy them as much as I do. You may opt to support and follow them in their official sites – links in the end of this article. ❤

Blue Flame
Sour Grapes

LE SSERAFIM Fandom Name: FEARNOT (피어나)

LE SSERAFIM Official Accounts:
Official Website: le-sserafim.com
Weverse: LE SSERAFIM
Instagram: @le_sserafim
YouTube: LE SSERAFIM
Facebook: LE SSERAFIM
Twitter: @IM_LESSERAFIM
Staff Twitter: @le_sserafim
Japan Twitter: @le_sserafim_jp
VLive: LE SSERAFIM
Weibo: LE SSERAFIM
Tiktok: @le_sserafim

Posted in life

Think Local, Support Small Businesses

Posted on by mitch.e

Why Supporting Local Small Businesses is good for the community?

Local businesses are establishments in your neighborhood that humbly faced all kinds of challenges in the economy. From crisis of covid-19 pandemic to destruction and outtages after typhoon Odette. They are optimistic locals who keep in mind the welfare of the community. For them service is on personal level. Not from a corporate standpoint. Everyone is treated like a family.


Why Support local stores?
Because they care for you. With the endless motto – “customer is king” their top priority is to serve the neighborhood especially in this time of crisis. For owners of micro-businesses every customer, employee and staff is important. Their interests, health, transport, stress, total well-being are kept in mind. They take measures for the concern of each individual.

In this volatile times, smaller, local businesses count on your patronage in order to stay afloat; every transaction is precious to them. They start small, with capital that came from their savings, goals and dreams are humble and decent. By supporting these small businesses, you are in turn supporting your local economy; more money stays in a community when purchases are made at locally owned. You support their dreams!

Local small businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors! They care about you and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future. They employ trust worthy people who have become a family.

So the next time you need to get some groceries, craving for snacks or do a little shopping, seek out a small business and see what they have to offer! You could discover some great products (even handmade) and services while helping to build a strong and successful community around you.

Angel Pharmacy Cebu
Angel Pharmacy Cebu
Angel Pharmacy Cebu

#thinklocal

❤

Posted in kdrama

Tragedy in Epic Fantasy – Alchemy of Souls

Posted on by mitch.e

The curse of being late in following a series is to get spoiled by its ending.

[Disclaimer – this post may contain some spoilers]

I was told by fellow K-drama lovers to get my tissues ready. And of course the sentimental side of me who cries so easily – is expecting the tragedy behind this fantasy drama.

Growing up with Disney fairy tales such as Beauty and the Beast, Snow White etc, happy endings are the norm and what’s needed for a complete closure. But not in season 1 of Alchemy of Souls.

Ep 1

A tragic romance between Jang Uk and Mu-deok is what makes this show beautiful. My heart aches as I watch their love and friendship unfold. In the beginning, there are light moments with cute and comic exchanges between the characters. And I love how they portray the “change of heart” from Haksu to Mu-deok, in one scene you’ll pity her and another scene you’d like her to stay away from Uk.

The essence of true love is manifested here not by sensual scenes, but by what truly matters – sacrifice, dedication, loyalty.

I can do anything, if it only means being able to see you.

– Jang Uk

Netizens find this story gripping and exciting, making us beg for more. Yes, many fans go through a plethora of emotions and I’m no exception. Real life experiences tell me that we can all relate with their struggles…

Gearing towards the season finale which they said – genius & gorgeuos! Let’s all get ready for this… ❤

Posted in kdrama

Alchemy of Souls: Spellbound & enchanting series

Posted on by mitch.e

Quite late on this as everyone’s talking about season 2 coming this December. We just finished episode 3 and this series continues to mesmerize me. With beautiful faces, gorgeous ensemble, makeup, costumes, scenery and fantastic special effects.

Alchemy of Souls (Netflix) from creators the Hong Sisters, Jung-eun and Mi-ran (Hotel Del Luna, Korean Odyssey), takes us to a magical land called Daeho, where sorcerers (mages) have harnessed the power of the natural world.

Jang Uk (Lee Jae-Wook) comes from the noble Jang family. He holds an unpleasant secret about his birth. A troublemaker, switching from one master to another and happens to meet Mu-Deok (Jung So-Min) – an elite warrior and assassin, but her soul is trapped in a physically weak body. She then becomes Uk’s servant, secretly teaching him martial arts and skills.

So the plot seems pretty simple, about these two main characters – Uk and Mu-doek exhanging funny antics, determined to prove themselves in this magical world while romance is being developed.

Alchemy of Souls – tVn

One notable character is Seo Yul (Minhyun) who comes from Seo family. Aside from his good looks, he is also intelligent and has strong martial arts skills. I’m sensing a love triangle in the future episodes 😉

Alchemy of Souls

Stream this on Netflix and other sites, surely your love for fantasy will be revived as spells come left and right.

❤

Posted in kdrama

What we can learn from Kdrama Tomorrow

Posted on by mitch.e

Tomorrow is a fantasy drama based on a webtoon of the same name by Llama. It follows the story of Choi Junwoong and his job as part of the Special Crisis Management Team of the underworld. Casts include Kim HeeSun as Koo Ryun, SF9’s RoWoon as Choi Junwoong, Lee Soo Hyhuk, and Yun Ji On.

Tomorrow or Naeil in Korean is a drama that said to convey warm sympathy and comfort to those living in real harsh world. True to its promise, me and my hubby (kdrama) buddy are currently glued to this series as we watch the characters and their sufferings and healing. This series has gained attention for its different approach to sensitive and dark topics like suicide.

Suicide is a serious topic and with South Korea ranking fourth in the world when it comes to suicidal rate according to WHO. In the Philippines, there’s a 57% increase in suicidal rate because of Covid-19 mainly from loss of jobs and business.

This appealed to me from a personal level and there are many lessons that we can learn from this drama (Will post separately). You help people with kindness, kindness that begins with understanding that we all struggle. We all have problems.

You would think of grim reapers as escorts of death, but no, there’s a special group dedicated to save souls or people from committing suicide. The empathic side of me is very touched, an innate desire to help people in dire need.

“What saves people is not your powers but the weight of your words”

Director of Jumadeung

❤

Posted in kdrama

Extraordinary Attorney Woo: Season 1 finale & Spoilers

Posted on by mitch.e

Episode 16: Though Unusual and Peculiar

This marks the finale of season 1 and what a beautiful way to end it by Attorney Woo discovering a new emotion – “fulfillment.”

In my Psychology class, we’re repeatedly taught to identify our feelings. It is amazing and extraordinary for Attorney Woo who has Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was able to discover and name that new feeling. Thanks to the good upbringing of her father that even in the lack of money/power, she turned out well.

This drama grew on me as I see the maturity of Young Woo despite her disability. Her conversations with her parents and peers are thought provoking even the dialogue with herself is heartwarming. No wonder I have made several posts about this Kdrama 😉

In this episode we’ll meet Tae Su-mi’s son and younger brother of Attorney Woo – Sang Hyeon, also a genius and gimbap lover. Many “good” things happened like Attorney Min-woo having a change of heart, bravery of Young Woo and her realizations, confession of Jun-ho, etc. It’s like everything falls into place as they wrap up season 1.

Allow me to share the touching words of Young Woo talking to Tae Su-mi ~

“Sang Hyeon believes you’re a good mom. Don’t betray his belief.”

“You were not a good mother to me, but at the very least, please be a good mother to Sang Hyeon.”

Young Woo began the confrontation by saying that she is like a narwhal in a pod of belugas. Being with different whales and an ocean of many experiences, she appreciates and sees this in a beautiful way. “Though unusual and peculiar” – title of this episode was manifested very well. Jun-ho got back together with Young Woo and their talk about a love for a cat is cute and funny.

After winning the case, the characters gather to eat and celebrate. They are happy, teasing each other as usual. I love this Hanbada team so much!

Episode 16 stills

Attorney Woo is the character we all need in this difficult times. This drama appealed to me in many levels and if you’d agree with me the ending is life-like, it’s meant to go on (as we look forward to season 2).

Youtube/The Swoon

All whales are happy now, this is a perfect ending for season 1 indeed

❤ 사랑

Posted in kdrama

Extraordinary Attorney Woo : Episodes 13 & 14 Spoiler Insights

Posted on by mitch.e

– The Blue Night in Jeju

Every Wednesday/Thursday night airs 2 new episodes of this Kdrama we all adore – Extraordinary Attorney Woo. I’ve talked about this in previous posts and obviously this has become my drama of the year.

As this series is nearing its end, I can’t help but feel sad, the more after watching episodes 13 and 14. We’re all worried for attorney Jung (Kang KiYoung) as he was diagnosed with stage 3 stomach cancer. Actually, I thought he has lung disease as he spat blood prompting him to see a doctor.

This episode with their new case in a cultural heritage in Jeju, is most meaningful to Attorney Jung as he was reflecting on his life and marriage.

Episodes 13 & 14 highlighted the story of attorney Jung, plus the emotional scenes of Attorney Woo with Jun-ho. I will only spoil you a bit because these two episodes are unlike the previous ones and you wouldn’t want to miss it.

Attorney Woo in dolphin watching

It is a challenge no doubt to love somebody with health issues or a disability. You need a great amount of understanding and patience. We see different sides of each character here in this week’s episodes…

❤

Posted in motivational

Signs of high EQ

Posted on by mitch.e

As part of my note taking in Emotional and Social Intelligence ESI (UC Davis) – a course I’m currently taking online. Here are the signs of a person, employee or co-worker with high EQ (emotional quotient) or EI (emotional intelligence).

But first we define Emotional Intelligence or EQ as the capacity to be aware of control and express your emotions as well as navigate interpersonal relationships with both good judgement and empathy.

EQ/EI affects every aspect in your life and has been proven to be in the top 10 most important workplace skills needed for success according to World Economic Forum (2020).

Professor Laurie Cozart, UC Davis
– UC Davis

More bullet points to remember;

  • EQ is not as a soft skill
  • people with high EQ make more and perform better
  • high EQ is synonymous to high satisfaction
Professor Laurie Cozart – UC Davis
UC Davis

Posted in kdrama

Ghost Doctor (2022) Kdrama

Posted on by mitch.e

My hubby a.k.a my Kdrama (친수) buddy and I watch this new drama back to back with Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Having a medical background as I took BS Nursing for college, this series is relatable in many levels and super hilarious.

Starring Rain as Doctor Cha (main role) and Kim Bum as Doctor Seung tak. A fantasy and comedy series that first aired last January this year. Watch it on Viu, Netflix, Rakuten and other streaming sites.

Enjoy!

Trailer – Viu
Behind the scenes – Viu

❤ 사랑

Posted in health, natural medicine

Allergic rhinitis

Posted on by mitch.e

Currently writing this while having an attack, and yes you may conclude that I’m immune to this overly sensitive nose of mine.

Not to sound pathetic, but I have been suffering from allergic rhinitis since time immemorial & somehow I got used to it. From dust to mold, even a mere lack of sleep can make me sick. Then came endometriosis, adenomyosis and so forth. I had a couple of doses of GnRH from 2020 and since then I’ve noticed changes in my overall health. My allergies became more severe and it’s so frustrating. Stomach becomes painful (aside from my poor nose) from endless sneezing. Consuming a box of kleenex in one sitting.

So I had to find ways, studied health courses online, continuously hunting for definite cure or miracle for these health issues. The following are remedies, tips and facts that may help your condition.

  • Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, is a common condition that causes symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, watery eyes and itching of the nose, eyes or the roof of the mouth.
  • Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air called allergens. When you breathe in allergens through your nose or mouth, your body reacts by releasing a natural chemical called histamine.
  • Several indoor and outdoor allergens cause hay fever. Common causes include dust mites, mold, pet dander and pollen from trees and plants.
  • You can have allergic rhinitis any season or all year round (ditto!).
  • It is inherited.
Natural ways to treat allergies – Dr. Berg

It’s difficult (impossible) to completely avoid potential allergens, but you can take steps to reduce exposure to a particular allergen you know or suspect is triggering your allergic rhinitis. This will help improve your symptoms. And if you can’t take it anymore, there are antihistamine medications that will help – just ask your doctor for prescription. My go-to medications are cetirizine, levocetirizine (antihistamines).

❤