So I have not been manga lately. But now I started a new one called Skipbeat スキップ・ビート  華麗的挑戰  written by Yoshiki Nakamura which started in 2002 and is still on-going . (I did get caught up on the others too–with recent english translations-Bleach, Ouran, Wallflower…). This manga has been made into an anime and was supposedly going to be a live action drama made in Taiwan, but recently it was pulled indefinitely.

I am hooked and I just finishe the first 7 volumes. So far there about 18 volumes available in the USA translated but about 22 volumes in Japan.

Basically this manga chronicles 17 year old Kyoko Mogami 最上 キョーコ. She runs away from home and does not attend high school on a whim with her childhood friend/cruch Sho Fue 不破 尚 . He goes to Tokyo in dreams of becoming rich and famous. He does not want to inherit and live a stuffy life owning a Japanese inn. Kyoko was trained at a young age while living with Sho’s family all there is to know about working in a Japanese inn.

One day, Kyoko learns that Sho does not love her and was only using her as a “maid” while she was selflessly working 3 jobs to support Sho who did not have to lift a finger doing anything at home-housework, laundry, cooking etc. Then she swears she will get revenge by becoming a bigger star than Sho. Problem is she has not special talents, she is plain and not curvy. This breaks Kyoko’s heart and shatters any last vestiges of humanity, compassion in her heart.

Sho’s goal is to take away the most popular guy in Japan from 敦賀 蓮 Ren Tsuruga. Later on, Kyoko joins Ren’s company LME but on an interesting trial basis. But the  President of the company saw that Kyoko had potential but was leery of her attitude of only wanting revenge.

Other

Anime Network

Memories of a girl who grew up during the Cultural Revolution is the topic of Moying Li’s book “Snow Falling in Spring.” It is a very quick read. But it chronicles the lives of her family and those around her. Moving and very informative with some cherished family photos interspersed in the book, I really enjoyed it.

It tells of a young girl born into education and privilege. But it all comes shattering down under Mao and the Cultural Revolution. The day her innocence and childhood ended was when she heard her headmaster committed suicide.

Currently she lives in the Boston area.

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Book Review by International Herald Tribune

Author’s website Moying Li

Friday the 13th was a regular day at work. I did get a facial. I hadn’t gotten one in almost a year. Luckily Michelle was my person. The owner or the daughter give me a hard time for not coming more. I like her alot. My fave part is the massage and the least fave is the extraction. I always get a nice rest though. This time I came with my pal TK. Afterwards we went to dinner at Pho Hua as our usual Xinh Xinh was packed to the gils next door. We wanted to do something different and decided to go to Redline for a mixer. Ended up that the people were at the front and by the time we realized it, we were not interested.

VDAY-Woke up at 5am to volunteer at a local Chinatown food pantry. I have gone here a few times and this time beyond the usual packing, assembling I got to talk to the participants and use my Cantonese/Mandarin to good use. Fueled by a delicious  SB expresso truffle, I was able to power through the session. One kind man asked if I was Cantonese. Upon hearing yes, he noted that my mandarin was good. Awww, very kind of him but I know I only can get by in Mandarin.

Since I was in Back Bay, I was able to accomplish a few longstanding tasks. One to pay off my friend TN and I headed to Bank of America.I got some stuff at FBasement and browsed Borders. (I had to kill some time before meeting up with my friend for lunch.) With a little time, I headed to the ICA to see the new big exhibit. Fairey has a big one and has recently been arrested for his previous outstanding warrants for his arrest for his graffiti. I think the man is very talented.

Grabbed lunch with AO and then went to see Black and White at the CitiWang Theater. I can see the economic slump as upper areas of the theater were empty! Afterwards we headed to Chinatown and my friend wanted to get some Chinese medicine and ended up seeing a Chinese doctor and having acupuncture done. Dinner was vietnamese again, I didn’t mind as I like it.

I ended up staying up til 7am doing odds and ends. What I am not sure of.

Sunday 2/16-Got a text at 10am so my 11am dimsum was happening afterall. UGGGH. With 3 hours sleep I scrambled to meet up with my friend HS 현숙 in Chinatown. While waiting at the Boylston T station I met up with SLan who I had met at a mixer earlier in the week. (Such a small world eh?) We shared a table and had many different things as I wanted HS 현숙 to try stuff as she won’t be able to have it in Pusan. Afterwards we went to Eldos and I got her some stuff I love to eat there. But most importantly we got freshly made egg custard tarts still yummy and warm from the oven!

After dropping her off, I had to rush over to meet up with Tomo for lunch/tea. No tea was served but it was lunch. We had a lovely nice nice meal to celebrate her bday and graduation from grad school. So proud of her. After a leisurely meal, we head over to Washington Square to hang out before I head to meet MPK for Indian at Tamarind Bay. We had an interesting conversation and this was the most about his opinions and thoughts I have heard from MPK in a long time. Still I am glad we are good friends.

Sunday was such a food day that I needed some bitter melon tea. I have gotten used to drinking it when I need it.This weekend was very packed and busy. You work all week for the weekend to end up not having much time at home. But I had fun doing it and meeting up with friends.