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Drama Review: Extracurricular

‘Extracurricular’ is that one show in 2020, so far, that has totally blown my mind with its unpredictability, original storyline, great directing and fine acting.Here’s why:

It’s a realistic & gripping take on how extreme poverty & circumstances can send anyone, let alone a teenager to adult education that only life from the dark side can offer. The characters are given storylines with scenes of peer pressure & school bullying, family background filled with parental neglect & absence that you feel for the teenager that has to grow up too fast too soon in an unforgiving world. It is K-Drama’s modern take on rebel without a cause.

The drama is a visual fest with director Kim Ji Min (‘Lawless Lawyer’, ‘Marriage Contract‘) fresh take on teen crime. The scriptwriter Jin Hae Sae delivers an awesome script with fleshed out characters like villains & plot lines that makes your skin crawl! They are stuff like ‘service providers’ and karaoke cum brothels that are fast becoming a modern playground for the current teenager who are growing much too fast to face the grim realities or understand the repercussions.

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Book Review- Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

"Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" talks about the Japanese island of Okinawa and explains the various blue zones that are the reason for the longevity of its residents. The concept of Ikigai, or a deep purpose of life, is an important factor in achieving this longevity. Each one of us carries this sense of purpose within us. All that is needed to lead a fulfilling and enriching life is to unearth and discover it.

10 rules of ikigai

Stay energetic; don’t retire.

Take it gradually.

Don’t fill your abdomen.

Surround your self with good mates.

Get in the form of your next birthday.

Smile.

Reconnect with nature.

Give thanks.

Live in the moment.

Follow your ikigai.

A few key takeaways

What is your cause for being? Find that means in life, as a result of there’s a passion inside you, singular expertise that’s the driving power to turn into the very best you.

Eat sufficiently so your abdomen is full for around 80%, do not overeat and exhaust your physique. There are scientific causes behind this which yow will discover within the e-book.

Create robust bonds with folks. Other individuals are the very best answer to scale back worries. Talking to an in-depth good friend or a member of the family can lighten stress ranges in your physique.

Always keep energetic, don’t sit at residence languishing.

A smart individual mustn’t ignore life’s pleasures, however, ought to at all times stay acutely aware of how simple it’s to be enslaved by them. You must be ready for these pleasures disappearing very quickly.

The current is all that exists and is the one factor that we are able to manage.

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Béchamel Sauce Veggie Pasta

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

1 cup shell pasta or macaroni

1.5 cups chopped white button mushrooms

½ cup green peas – fresh or frozen

1 medium potato

1 small to medium carrot

1 small to medium capsicum, any color – red, green or yellow (bell pepper)

4 to 5 baby corn

1 medium onion – chopped

2 to 3 small garlic – finely chopped

2 cups whole full fat milk

2.5 tablespoon all purpose flour

½ teaspoon dry oregano or basil or a mix of both or your choice of dry herbs

2 to 3 tablespoon butter

2 to 3 tablespoon grated cheddar or regular cheese (optional)

salt as required

black pepper as required

Instructions for Preparation:

First steam or boil the potatoes, carrots, baby corn and peas in a steamer or pressure cooker.

Drain and then chop them. Keep aside.

Heat enough water in a pan with salt and a few drops of oil.

When the water comes to a boil, add the pasta and boil them till they are completely cooked.

Strain the pasta and rinse with water. Drain and keep aside.

Making Vegetable Pasta In White Sauce

In a pan, melt the butter. Add the onions and garlic and saute till the onions are softened.

Then add the mushrooms. Stir and saute the mushrooms till the mushrooms are lightly browned from the sides.

The mushrooms will release their juices initially and after continuous sauteing, the juices will evaporate. There should be no moisture in the pan.

Keep on stirring in breaks while sauteing the mushrooms.

Then add the chopped capsicum (bell pepper) and saute for 10 to 12 minutes.

Add the flour and saute for 4 to 5 minutes.

Add the boiled vegetables and saute for a minute.

Pour milk in a gentle stream to the pan and keep on stirring. The flour will combine with the milk and you will see the sauce getting thickened slowly.

Season with salt, pepper and oregano or basil or your choice of herbs.

When the sauce starts to thicken and reaches your desired consistency. Add the pasta.

Stir well so that the white sauce coats the vegetables and the pasta. Switch off the flame.

If the white sauce becomes too thick or lumpy, then add some hot water or milk and thin the sauce.

Lastly add some grated cheese if required.

Serve creamy veg white sauce pasta hot with some toasted bread or baguette.

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Video film making from house

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Anime film Review: Kimi no Nawa

After the movie ended, I promptly burst into tears. I sat there sobbing for a very long time after the movie, simply overcome with copious emotions. It's still hard for me to put into words exactly what this movie made me feel; but it changed me. It made me feel so incredible, so ethereal! The movie made me appreciate so many little things that I had taken for granted in those past few months. It showed me so clearly how these beautiful things we get to see every day, most of which we don't even slow down to see and take in, are so incredibly temporary. And thus so, though we may one day forget these memories, we should make them as often as we can. It made me realize that though I did not have something, I still had so much else. And I should cherish that with all I am. Furthermore, it made me appreciate connections with real people that we I so often took for granted; the beauty of genuine happiness on a persons face, their pride in an accomplishment, it's all so incredible

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Drama Review: Itaewon Class

This drama has it all!! Such a mix of emotions, great plot, great pacing, amazing acting all round, engaging OST and exquisitely shot scenes that pull you into the story and just make you want to watch more. The first few episodes literally explode onto the screen. This is such a dynamic drama with a lot of substance exploring some progressive and real issues. Each and every character is very well written and interesting. They are real and complex. And Park Seo Joon! What can I say, he is not scared to stretch his acting chops. Those subtle smiles, the anger and sadness, him losing it in jail have been so realistic and believable, I was yelling and crying with him in that first couple of episodes. He delivers big time. I've now become so invested in his character and his struggle. I wasn't a huge fan of his (in that I haven't really paid much attention to him specifically as an actor although enjoyed other dramas he's been in) but he is really showing his acting versatility in this role and I'm definitely becoming a huge fan now. Loving the strong, kind, determined, loyal character he portrays. (EDIT: ep.12 and now PSJ has become my absolute Favourite actor!! He brings his A-game to this role, such a talented actor!) Da-mi gets introduced in episodes 3 and 4 and boy what an interesting character she portrays as well! And her acting, WOW! Loving all the strong female character's in this drama. Highly recommend that you start watching! It will take you on an amazing emotional rollercoaster ride you won't want to end. It's already up there as one of my top favourite k-dramas.

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Harmonium time

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Rabindra Sangeet Fule Fule Dhole Dhole sung by me

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Corona

At first everything was just humorous

I found out the truth and I made a fuss

I looked around and everything was gone

It looks like mother nature is just done

Death, Fear and panic swept over the world

My life just seemed like it was swirled and twirled

It feels like I am back at the start line

Ready for my race for the second time

Here at home wallowing in my pity

No one can show their socialbility

We are all distant from one another

Because we need to save eachother

I hate the people who just go out and roam

Please the people of this world just stay home

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Book Review

I finished reading Kafka on the shore recently and it has a great impact on the way we look at things. The characters are deep yet sometimes simple. The story run between parallels of different people and the time runs back and forth. Remember time is not a substance here and the characters have much more to offer. The main characters are Kafka Tamura son of Koichi Tamura the sculpturor who is scared of a prophecy which is similar to prophecy of Odeipus from Greek Mythology. He is 15 yr old and he is protagonist leading the story. His character is certainly very deep for a 15 yr old and Murakami has added many layers and his character grows over time. Nakata is another important part of this story and holds same value as Kafka. His ability to view things through different lens brings freshness out of it. You cannot ignore the power he holds to stir this entire story. Without Nakata there is no mystery, there is no fantasy and no fish raining from sky. His character is one of the best written characters in any book I have read We have Oshima who holds strong position in supporting the whole life of kafka and character is very subtle and given just as much as it was required of him. But Oshima quoting things from classical music to Philosophy to psychology to Greek mythology is a lot to learn from and he is good at looking through metaphors in everything. I love the point of Oshima recognizing strength in prejudices. Miss Saeki is the central part or cerebrum of this story, she create the entrance, she made the chords, she sang the song , she does everything she can to escape the world yet to be trapped in a world she created. Her character has strength,weakness, sorrow, pain yet very charismatic. The more you know about her the more you want to know. Mr. Hoshino shows us how perfect he was a typical person stuck in something and flowing with what his heart says and as if he is chosen one to save the world. His character is amazing like fresh breath of air and the relationship with Nakata is so realistic. He does things which were to be done and he becomes part of the journey. Johnnie walker aka koichi the person who is dark evil yet something about him feels he is doing it against his will but he is one causing catastrophe. The story line oscillates between dreams and reality, sometimes you are as confused as the Characters themselves constantly trying to understand the realm you are in. Murakami does amazing job in writing these characters emotions. As a reader you can feel the emotions of Kafka who is 15 yr old trying to be strong and escaping from fate or Nakata who is just trying to live his life not knowing what has to come or like Miss Saeki with the sorrow in her eyes , the way she misses her lover , the way she is waiting for her death or Hoshino who is just going by flow. It's a masterpiece for sure and worth the read. I like the narrative style and the writing is deep yet subtle at places. Complex yet simple. There is something about this book which will keep me awake for a while. The story starts with stars miles apart but getting connected later forming a constellation. I suggest to give it a read.

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Oats and Raisin Cookies Recipe

Ingredients: 14 tablespoons butter, softened,3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar,1/2 cup granulated sugar,2 eggs,1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour,1 teaspoon baking soda,1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ,1/2 teaspoon salt (optional),3 cups Quaker® Oats (Quick or Old Fashioned, uncooked),1 cup raisins Directions: Prep:20 m Cook:8 m Ready In:28 m Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and raisins; mix well. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered. Serving Tips: Bar Cookies: Press dough onto bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered. 24 BARS. Variations: Substitute 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolate pieces for raisins; omit cinnamon. Substitute 1 cup diced dried mixed fruit. HIGH ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Increase flour to 1-3/4 cups and bake as directed. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 96 calories; 4 g fat; 14.3 g carbohydrates; 1.5 g protein; 17 mg cholesterol; 79 mg sodium.