As a teenager, I read a book called Les Roses De Dublin by Louis Valentin, in which the story takes place in Dublin. I loved it so much that I promised myself to visit Dublin one day; it finally happened in December 2023 when I started my solo travel journey.

I chose Dublin for my first solo trip to make a childhood dream come true, but also because of its proximity and familiarity. I put all my travel plans on hold to care for my daughters, and since becoming a mother, they haven't left my side until they moved in with their dad.

I was unsure if I was ready for my first solo trip, so it was best to choose a European destination that's both close and culturally similar to England or France. Dublin was both affordable and perfect for a first solo trip.

Feeling Nostalgic For The '90s

I went to Dublin for a couple of days, thinking it would be enough for me to visit the city. I travelled in December, and the Christmas decorations were stunning as soon as I landed at the airport. I took a coach from Dublin Airport to the city centre as there is no train connection.

The journey was less than an hour, and Dublin may not be as big as Paris or London, but it has a unique charm that made me fall in love with the city. So I didn't go straight to my Airbnb and went sightseeing first. The Ha'penny Bridge is a landmark I've been meaning to see since I read Les Roses De Dublin.

It felt nostalgic to walk down the streets of Dublin, even though it was my first time in the city, and I suddenly found myself thinking about life in the 90s. Back then, most people didn't have access to mobile phones and the internet, so as a kid, I laughed at my dad's jokes during dinner.

Things I Miss From The '90s

This might come across as biased, but I think our generation had the best childhood growing up in the '90s. Those days were amazing, and as a mother with two preteen daughters, I wanted to share that experience with my daughters. I began collecting vintage items, including porcelain tea sets, chandeliers, VHS tapes, and vintage consoles, among other things.

I had an impressive vintage collection before moving to London, and on my first day in Dublin, I felt nostalgic about the things that made my childhood. Still, I had to leave them behind to keep up with the times, and what I miss the most about the '90s are handwritten letters and postcards. My parents were strict and didn't allow me to make friends in school, so I spent most of my time in my bedroom, watching anime and reading books.

When I was 15, I picked up one of my sister's magazines and came across the pen pal section while flipping the pages. It piqued my curiosity, and I started reading the messages. One stood out to me; a German boy, a couple of years older than me, was looking for friends around the world. I went back to my room and started writing a letter to this boy, as I wanted to be his friend.

My First Handwritten Letter

It took a couple of days to write what I thought was a good letter, and then I sent it to the address he provided in the message. It was the first time I did something without asking my parents first, as I thought they wouldn't let me send the letter. I was nervous and kept wondering if he would be interested in being friends with me. We didn't even speak the same language, what if he wants to be friends with boys only?!

I couldn't sleep for a couple of days after sending the letter, and I checked the letterbox every time I got home from school. Life wasn't convenient back then, as it is nowadays with emails, mobile phones, and apps for almost everything. Handwritten letters were the most common way to communicate; the house phone was also used to stay in touch with friends and family, but it was expensive. I was so anxious to hear back from the German boy that I had a tightness in my throat for days and kept telling myself it was fine if he wasn't interested in being friends with me.

But it wasn't fine, as I could barely eat or sleep, and to be honest, anticipating a letter that might never come is the only thing I don't miss about receiving handwritten letters. I was losing my mind waiting for his response; it took up to two weeks for international mail to arrive back then, and it felt like I had been waiting for months. It finally came when I gave up and moved on. I went straight to my room after school that day without even checking the letterbox, when my mother walked in and handed me an envelope.

The Charm Of Handwritten Letters And Postcards

I opened the envelope without waiting for my mother to leave the room. There was a handwritten letter and a postcard inside, both written in French. He sent me a postcard of his hometown. It's been years, and I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was one of the happiest days of my life. I received a handwritten letter and a postcard from abroad on the same day; it was almost too good to be true for a girl who has no friends.

The uncertainty of getting a response kept me on edge for days, but I was happy I took the initiative to send a letter. When I read his letter, it felt as though we were in the same room talking to each other. I didn't know what he looked like, but I could picture him saying those words to me. He asked his French teacher to help him write the letter, which is why it took so long to hear from him.

I always looked forward to receiving his letters or postcards. We even exchanged photos and spoke on the phone at some point, although we didn't say much, and had some awkward silence. It was a beautiful and innocent friendship, and for the first time, I understood what it meant to be someone's friend through his handwritten letters. We talked about meeting in person, but my mother was against it.

The Warmth And Closeness Of Handwritten Letters

Our friendship lasted over a year, but we eventually grew apart as we each found new interests. It happened decades ago, and I have no idea where he is now, but I'll never forget the excitement I felt expecting one of his letters. It's one of those feelings that stays with you even after the memory starts to fade. A handwritten letter is just words on a piece of paper, but there is warmth and closeness to it that you can't feel from emails.

Although communication is more convenient nowadays, I do miss the charm of handwritten letters, and I wish I had friends to exchange them with. I received my last handwritten letter from a stranger back in 2023. He purchased an item from my vintage collection and sent me a thank-you note afterwards. During my trip to Dublin, I realised that I didn't have to wait for a family member to send a handwritten postcard. I could send them to myself in every city I visit. It was a great way to keep track of the cities I visit while enjoying the charm of handwritten letters and postcards.

The anticipation won't be the same as it would if it came from someone else, but it would be exciting nonetheless. So I purchased some postcards in Dublin and sent them to myself, which were displayed on a board in the corridor at my old house. I have yet to start collecting them since moving to London, and would love to have a friend to exchange postcards with...

Thank you for reading!

In the summer of 2024, I was looking for a new drama series to watch while working from home when I came across Koizora (Sky of Love).  I have been watching J-dramas for years, but I've never heard of it, even though the movie starring Hurama Miura and Yui Aragaki came out in 2007, and the drama series a year later.

When I started watching the series, I thought it was another sweet and innocent high school romance. Boy meets girl, and girl falls head over heels for the boy, but I had no idea of what I was getting myself into when I started this beautiful yet painful love story. I didn't experience my first love in high school; in fact, I didn't date until university. However, as a teenager, I had an unrealistic idea of what love was.

Most girls tend to think that their first love will be the man they'll get married to and have children with, at least I did. A breakup or death never came up in any of the scenarios I came up with when I started thinking about love, and Koizora (Sky of Love) shows that love isn't any easier for teenagers and sometimes, it isn't enough to be with the person you love.

Koizora (Sky Of Love): Hiro And Mika

The Koizora (Sky of Love) drama series and movie are based on a mobile novel written by Mika. Mika was a new writer when she submitted a story based on her own experience, which was then published as a book in 2007. A movie adaptation was released in the same year, followed by a drama series in 2008 starring Koji Seto as Hiro and Erena Mizusawa as Mika. 

The story follows Mika Tahara, an easygoing high school student who loves taking photos of the sky and has yet to encounter true love. One day, she bumps into a rebellious kid in school, Hiro, who stands out due to his bleached hair and piercings. Hiro leaves a bad impression on Mika, who is put off by his appearance. A few days later, Mika loses her mobile phone while hanging out with her friends, only to find it later on with all her contacts deleted.

From that day on, she received calls from the mysterious boy who deleted her contacts. As they spoke daily on the phone, Mika became interested in the boy, and one day he asked her if they could meet on the first day back to school after summer break. Mika is shocked to find out that the person on the other end of the phone is Hiro Sakurai, the rebellious boy with silver hair. As Mika gets to know Hiro, they fall in love. Little does she know that their love would be beautiful, painful and tragic.

Hiro (Koji Seto) and Mika (Erena Mizusawa) in Koizora, Sky of Love drama

Hiro, Mika And The Other Girl

Hiro had an ex-girlfriend, whom he broke up with before dating Mika. She didn't take it well, as expected and decided to torment Mika for being with Hiro. Mika had nothing to do with their breakup, but she was blinded by jealousy and hired some guys to rape Mika. What happened to her was horrible, and Hiro blamed himself for not being able to protect her. Despite the pain and anger, this awful experience will bring them closer and strengthen their love.

It seemed like nothing could tear them apart, but strategy struck soon after, more than once. I believe I've said enough to make you want to watch the drama or movie; it's worth it, and there is so much to learn from Hiro and Mika's story. Their love was intense for their age, and it is the type of love that can easily go wrong. Hiro was a gentle soul despite his rebellious look. His feelings for Mika were genuine, and he stayed true to himself until the end, even though I don't agree with some of the decisions he made.

Hiro was Mika's first love, and she loved him with all her heart. She didn't blame him or walk away when his ex-girlfriend was tormenting her. She was always there for him, and later on would come back to be by his side after he pushed her away. It brought her so much pain to love him, yet she never had any regrets. She seemed sweet and delicate, but Mika is an amazing girl who was able to recover from a horrible experience and grief.

The Boy Who Became The Sky

Mika's impression of Hiro is that he was like a river, looking ahead without ever stopping! This was reaffirmed when Hiro took her to his favourite place, and she told him. You really are like a river, to which Hiro replied, I would rather be like the sky so that I can always find you wherever you go. It's one of the most beautiful and emotional scenes in Koizora. When I was halfway through the drama in 2024, I remember saying to myself, May this type of love never find me.

Falling in love with Hiro felt like a punishment for Mika; they had happy moments, but she went through so much just for loving him, and it was heartbreaking to watch. I cried my eyes out the entire time, and after watching the movie the other night, I now think their story has some valuable life lessons I didn't want to acknowledge at the time.

Koizora (Sky of Love) is a tale of a beautiful and tragic love story between two high schoolers. It perfectly captures the realities of life, and love isn't easy for teenagers. Jealousy can turn a cute high school girl into a crazy ex-girlfriend, and your first love might not have a happy ending. If you haven't watched Koizora, I highly recommend picking up the drama or movie and why not both? Have your tissue box ready, you'll need it!

sister and a mother. I flew to Bordeaux, France, for Christmas. It was my first time in the city, and choosing to be alone for Christmas seems like an odd choice since my family lives in Strasbourg. It is a significant moment for a family, and we all want to spend it with our loved ones, but I needed time to myself. I haven't been myself since moving to London, and I have some important decisions to make for 2026.

It seems like an excuse for choosing to be alone for Christmas when I have children, but these decisions will also have an impact on their lives. My daughters were very young when I broke up with their dad, the youngest being only three years old at the time. I raised them on my own until 2024, when their dad finally took over, as I was burned out. My life as a single mum abroad wasn't easy, and it left me physically and mentally exhausted.

It wasn't easy to let my daughters go, but I needed a break, and I've been feeling lonely ever since. I didn't spend Christmas with them in 2024 because they had moved in with their dad in August, and I wanted them to have their first Christmas together regardless of how I felt. I moved to London this year, and I've been the one to visit because I live in a shared house and don't have enough space to have them over. Most people were excited for Christmas, but it reminded me that I wouldn't be with my daughters this year as well.

Breaking The Christmas Tree Tradition

I started putting up a Christmas Tree in the house every year since becoming a mum for the first time in 2011. It became a happy and fun yearly tradition, and my daughters always looked forward to that time of the year. My youngest loves Christmas so much that she even watches Christmas movies in the summer. I still put up a Christmas tree in 2024 after they left, since I had them around before Christmas.

And for the first time in fourteen years, there was no house or Christmas tree. I'm living in a tiny room in London, so even if I wanted to keep the tradition going, there isn't enough space for the tree. What hurt the most was being unable to have the girls over; they still haven't seen my place in London. I usually visit them two to three times a month and saw them a week before Christmas. I even ordered their presents online to be shipped to their dad's house!

It wouldn't be fun to spend Christmas in a hotel room if I asked them to come to London. I also didn't want to go to my sister's house for Christmas and impose myself on her family when I couldn't be with my daughters. Christmas at my mother's house wasn't an option because she's overbearing and will constantly ask me why I'm still not married. I was feeling depressed after visiting my daughter, and thought it was best to go on a trip.

Being Alone For Christmas To Find Myself

Life in London has been fun, and I've grown so much as a person since moving here, but I've already decided that this isn't the place for me. I'm not a big city person and will never get used to life in London, so I started travelling all over the country to see if I could find a town to call my new "home". I have been travelling a lot in the last couple of months, mostly to visit cities or attend job interviews (vlogs are on my YouTube Channel).

I've been in London for over six months now, and I'm still struggling to find my place in this city. I don't recognise myself anymore, it's like I'm becoming a different person, and I don't like it. I decided to move after visiting a beautiful and historic city near London. I went on a day trip and fell in love with the city. This festive season reaffirmed my decision, as I want to spend more time with my daughters, or even have them back, and it won't be possible as long as I stay in London.

I'm planning another big change in the next few months, which is why I needed time to myself and chose to spend Christmas alone so I can think things through. I have to find myself if I want things to work out the way I want them to within the time I gave myself. I know from experience that change is never easy, and I have to be mentally and physically prepared. I chose to visit Bordeaux for Christmas, a city where I have no family and don't know anyone, to focus on myself and think of where I want to be by the end of 2026!

A Moment Of Happiness And Reflection

As a Christian, a Catholic to be exact, I'm embarrassed to say that I've been questioning my faith and considering converting to Buddhism, which I had an interest in as a teenager. I haven't been to church for a couple of years, and I used to pray at home, but stopped recently. It's so hard to be a Christian these days, and my faith is weakening. So I didn't attend mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

I went sightseeing during the day, watched TV shows throughout the night and didn't wake up until 12 in the afternoon on Christmas Day. I was alone, depressed in a hotel room and questioning my life choices when my daughters and the rest of my family called to wish me a Merry Christmas. Talking to my family reminded me that it was my choice to be alone for Christmas, but it didn't mean I had to be lonely.

I don't mind being on my own and enjoy my own company, but it doesn't feel the same since moving to London. I've grown a lot as a person, and trying to adapt to my new life has taught me some good and hard lessons, but this isn't where I want to be a year from now. Christmas isn't just a time for joy and happiness; it's also a time to reflect on your life. A time to think of where you came from, where you are and where you want to be next. After spending a few days alone in Bordeaux over Christmas, I now know exactly where I want to be for Christmas next year...

Thank you for reading!

 When I left home a few years ago to go on a journey away from my family, I didn't know how hard it would be to live abroad. No matter where you go, locals always use foreigners as scapegoats for their problems, and England isn't any different.

As a foreigner, you can never get it right with the locals, no matter how outstanding you might be. Some will blame you for their unemployment and financial difficulties, others will target you at work for not being one of them, and let's not forget how foreigners almost always commit all crimes.

Living abroad is a double-edged sword where you get to explore a different culture, learn a new language, and meet new people, while being perceived as the source of every problem in your host country. I don't have it as bad as some people, but it's one of the reasons I left my quiet life in the North of England to start over in London.

It's Important To Know When To Leave

People often ask me why I left my old life to move to London, even though I'm already in my 40s. I'm not one to complain, and it's best to leave when people make you feel unwanted. What is the point of staying somewhere if the bad experiences start to outweigh the positive ones?

I also prefer not to disclose the real reason I left, and often say it was time for me to start a new journey. So why move to London instead of going back home? I had a pretty good life in England and didn't want the last couple of years to define my entire experience in this country.

I was planning to travel to Japan from London, then return home from there, but things have changed, and now I'm not sure when I'll finally make the trip to Japan. I decided to stay in this beautiful city a bit longer and enjoy life, and start my healing journey. What do I mean by I went back there for acceptance?

A Spontaneous Trip To The North

It's been over six months since I started living in London, and it's been fun to explore the city, eat delicious food, and meet new people. People can say whatever they want about London being expensive, but the sushi is good and affordable. I made plans to visit a sushi restaurant called Iro Sushi, and I look forward to trying their food.

Also, I'm no longer on my own and get to see my sister at least once a week, so life is good so far, and I've got no complaints. One day, I felt like it was time for me to head back north and spend some time in the city where I used to live. It was one of those days when I felt like being spontaneous, so I purchased a ticket and booked a hotel for a couple of nights, then left London the following day.

Why did I want to go back there in the first place? Did I miss my old life? It's nothing like that; most people don't feel attached to a place that made them feel unwelcome, and I'm not different. I had some traumatic experiences, which led to my decision to leave, and I felt like going back to see how I feel about the place now. I've been on a healing journey since moving to London, and it was important for me to go back where my pain started.

There Is No Healing Without Acceptance

I still don't know why I was mistreated, but as I said above, it's just one of those things you have to go through when you live abroad. Most people can't tell where I'm from by the way I look, since there are black people in this country, but I have a French accent, and as soon as I start speaking, I can see the change in their attitude.

I'm fine with it since I'm the one who chose to move to this country, but it doesn't mean I have to endure bad treatment just because I don't belong here. That’s why I decided to leave. It's not my job to educate them on xenophobia, and I'd rather leave than try to convince people that it's wrong to dislike someone because they're a foreigner.

I had free will to come here, and I still have free will to leave whenever I feel like it. That’s why I don't complain and hold grudges; I move on, as life is too short to dwell on bad experiences. That's why I had to go back there to be sure I had moved on from everything.

My Mind Is Finally At Peace

I went straight to Old Trafford, Manchester United stadium, after I arrived, because it's my favourite team and one of the reasons I moved there. It was emotional to see the stadium again. Then I walked around Salford Quays before going to the Trafford Centre for lunch. I had delicious sushi at a new Japanese restaurant there, and did some window shopping before heading to my hotel.

I had planned to do more sightseeing the following day, but once I got to the hotel, I didn't leave my room until it was time to head back to London. I was hurt and disappointed when I left that city for a new life in London, but it was exactly what I needed because I'm in a better place now. I'm not bitter, and I no longer feel anything for that city, even though I spent a few years there.

My decision to move to London might have been an emotional one, given the stressful situation I was in at the time, but it turned out to be the right thing to do. Sometimes, your life needs a reset when you feel helpless or hit a wall. I had some doubts when I walked away from everything. I'm already in my 40s and didn't know if I would be able to do it again, but I took a leap of faith because my mental health was more important than what I had going on there.

When I left my home country a few years ago to start over in England, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. It was my first time stepping out of my comfort zone by leaving my family and friends to move to a country where I didn't speak the language.

I knew it wouldn't be easy for me to start over and build a life for myself in a country where I would never feel at home, but I was confident and ready to take a leap of faith. As daunting as it was to leave what I had known my entire life, it was more exciting for me to embark on a new journey, connect with new people, and immerse myself in a new language and culture.

So I moved to England, but my life didn't change much. I spoke French at home and mostly hung out with French people or other foreigners like myself, and still didn't speak the language, despite attending a language school to learn English.

Hardship Makes Character

I had a pretty good life in London. I met some people who became close friends, had a place to live, and a sister to rely on. Everything was fine, and I'm still grateful for the life I had back then, but I wasn't content with what I had; something was missing. So I left London to move to the north of England, and that's when my hardships in this country started.

I moved up north without a plan and ended up being homeless for a few days, then a friend from the language school in London helped me find a place to stay. My English wasn't good enough to get a decent job, so I lived off agency work for a few months until I finally secured a permanent position in a hotel. Life was hard, and I can't tell you how many times I cried in my bed, but I still didn't run back home.

The years spent in the north of England were without a doubt the hardest years of my life; things could've been better if I had met good people as I did in London, but it wasn't the case. Still, I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world because it shaped me as a person, and I wouldn't be who I am today if I hadn't stepped out of my comfort zone.

When You Find That Special Place

My mother knew how hard life was for me in the city where I decided to live, and often asked me why I stayed instead of moving back to London or coming home. I visited the city for the first time for a weekend and fell in love instantly. I knew that's where I wanted to start over, and I never felt that way about London or any other city.

That's why I didn't feel like walking away, no matter how hard life was, I stayed and kept pushing until I learned the language, got a better job, and finally found a house my daughters and I called home until I left this summer.

Although my life has improved over the years and I have achieved many things, I haven't known a moment of peace since moving there. I had to prove myself and fight over and over again, and an incident at my job earlier this year triggered my decision to leave. So I walked away from the life I had spent many tears on and worked hard for to start over in London. It's been over five months since I gave up on my old life, and enough time has passed to reflect on my decision.

Never Too Late To Start Over

When I decided to start over, I knew from experience that things wouldn't be easy, but I was moving to a place I had lived before and didn't have to worry about the language barrier since I'm fluent in English now.

There's just one thing I didn't take into account when moving: my age. I honestly didn't think it would be an issue since it's never too late to start over, but I wasn't ready for the reaction, especially from people around my age, when they found out I moved to London this summer.

"Why did you move here? Why now, and aren't you a little too old to start over?" All these questions are written all over their faces; it seems puzzling to them that someone in their 40s would take such a risk. Let's be honest and call it what it is, a risk; I went from having my own house to sharing a house with strangers.

Don't Let Circumstances Define You

A couple of months after I moved, I wondered if it hadn't been a mistake to leave my old life to start over at my age. No matter how much confidence you have, you'll doubt yourself at some point, and it was the case for me just a few weeks after moving to London.

I felt lost in this big city, and nothing seemed to work out for me, no matter how hard I tried. So I asked myself if it was worth it to walk away from everything I had to start from scratch at 41. Then I remembered that I had it worse the first time I came to England; at least I have a place to sleep now, which wasn't the case when I moved to Manchester.

Things aren't going my way now, but it doesn't mean life won't get better. I was able to make a good life for myself because I didn't give up and never let my circumstances define me. I came to this country with a purpose that gave me the drive to keep going despite all the challenges I faced.

Finding A New Purpose In Life

I walked away from my old life because I had already achieved every goal I set for myself, and now I have to find a new purpose in London, a reason to get out of bed every day and face all the challenges life will throw at me.

It felt like a step back to have to start over again, and I'll continue regretting what I left behind if I keep looking back and comparing that life to my current one. The first step to starting over, regardless of your age, is learning to let go. I let go of everything the first time I came to England and let them go again when I moved to London.

One day, I will let them go once more when I'm ready to move back to my home country, where I'll have to start over again. It's a lot harder to leave your country than it is to move from one city to another, and I was confident in my decision because I've already done it once.

As long as you have something to look forward to, it will always be worth it to start over, whether in your 20s or 40s.

Thank you for reading!

"I know you wanted your children to grow up with their dad as you did, but things didn't go as planned, and don't you think it's time for you to move on and find someone else?"

I turned around to look at my mum and asked, "What are you talking about? Do you think I'm single because I'm unable to move on?

My mum stayed with me for the first time since I moved to England last year. I love her dearly, but it was some of the most trying times of my life. The woman is controlling and toxic. I couldn't wait for her to go back, but she loved staying with me and spent a couple of months with me.

She used to sit with me in my home office when I was working from home, and one day, she went on and on about how she'd never seen me go on dates since she'd been in my house. She even asked if I've given up on love, and I thought it was funny for her to assume that just because I don't go on dates.

Traditional Values And Strict Upbringing

Before I share the real reason I stopped dating, let me provide some context to explain why dating was never a priority for me. I was born in a very conservative family, where girls are taught about gender roles at a young age.

I was sent to the kitchen to learn how to cook once I turned thirteen, to prepare me for marriage, because it's a mother's responsibility to feed her family. I didn't have the same freedom my brothers had for being a girl; I wasn't allowed to have friends and went straight home from school.

When I asked why I couldn't have friends, my mum said they were a bad influence, she didn't want me to start smoking or doing drugs to seem cool to my friends, and they are more likely to encourage me to get a boyfriend, which can lead to pregnancy, and my life would be over if I got pregnant.

The Reason I Turned To Books And Anime

I never questioned my parents and thought I was being a good daughter by letting them make decisions for me. I didn't stand up for myself and just went with the flow because I thought I could live without having friends. So I don't know what it's like to hang out with friends, have a sleepover, smoke, drink, and talk about boys.

I didn't experience any of that, and instead, I spent my teenage years focusing on my education to please my parents, reading books to keep busy, and finally fully immersing myself in the world of anime. Anime gave me some of my best childhood memories, and it's the reason I promised myself to visit Japan one day.

My mother still had to make sure I wasn't dating anyone, even though I was always in my room after school, and since she worked in a hospital at the time, she took me to her hospital every six months to check if I was still a virgin. The pain and humiliation put me off boys and dating.

No Boyfriend Until 18

I grew up to become exactly the type of daughter she wanted, a good girl who doesn't drink, smoke, or sleep around, but now she's asking why I'm always home and not dating anyone. I haven't given up on love or anything, I just learned to live without it.

During those years, I spent time in my bedroom, finding different ways to keep busy and entertained so my life wouldn't seem so miserable. I don't have a crazy story about how I fell head over heels for a man I met in a bookstore.

When I was finally allowed to date, my first boyfriend turned out to be someone close, my mum's friend's son. He told his mum he wanted to marry me, and that's when my parents were fine with me dating. I'm oblivious when it comes to love. I’m unsure if a man is interested in me or just being friendly.

You Can't Expect A Cat To Bark

I never put in any effort to be with a man, and I was told from a young age that a woman shouldn't chase after a man. That's how I've been living my life. I want a man in my life and to fall in love, but it has never been a priority for me. My motto is "If there's a man out there for me, I'll meet him if it's meant to be."

That's why I focus more on my hobbies than on trying to find a husband. I was in my early 30s when I broke up with the father of my children, and I haven't been in a serious relationship since. In fact, my daughters have never seen me with a man and often ask if I'm dating anyone.

I tried dating, but soon gave up when I realised the amount of effort some men expected from me. If a man expects me to chase him after I've already shown an interest, it would be a deal breaker. It's a big turn-off for me when a man plays hard to get, and it's probably one of the reasons I'm still single.

Hobbies Keep Me Distracted

Dating would be easy if a man is meant for you, and that's why I give up as soon as a man I'm talking to starts playing games. I don't have the patience for it and would rather invest that time in my hobbies; at least they will never disappoint me.

I now spend so much time on my hobbies that it is distracting me from things like loneliness and love. I had a crush when I first moved to London, but he turned out to be married, so I got over it. I still believe in love and want to fall in love again, but I haven't met the right person yet, and I'm not sure if I will.

It's hurting my mum to see me alone and single, but she's partly responsible; she was too strict, and as a result, I learned to live without men and love. It's both sad and annoying to hear her asking God to send me a husband, but I get where she's coming from.

You can't lock your daughter away and still expect a man to knock on your door and ask for her hand in marriage. This is why being overprotective might hurt your child more than you think...

Thank you for reading!

When I opened YouTube one day, I was suggested the trailer to an upcoming Korean film called Good News on Netflix. I started watching K-dramas/movies this year, and I'm enjoying their crime TV shows. So I clicked on the video and a few seconds in, my boy Sato from Tokyo Vice, aka Sho Kasamatsu, appeared on the screen. Isn’t this supposed to be a Korean film?! And who do I see next, the one and only Serizawa (Takayuki Yamada).

Tamao Serizawa is a character in the Crows Zero movies, based on the popular delinquent manga Crows by Hiroshi Takahashi. This is what got me into delinquent manga ( yes, I love delinquent manga). Crows is a classic, and for those who watched the High & Low movies, especially the crossover with Crows, you've heard of Suzuran and Housen. So Tamao Serizawa is Suzuran’s boss in the first Crows Zero movie.

I'm team Housen and don't care about Suzuran, but I like Genji Takiya (Shun Oguri) more than Serizawa. Now, back to Good News. I was initially confused to see Japanese actors in a Korean film, and since I didn't know what it was about, I did some research and found out the film is based on true events. I've been into Japanese media for decades, and I can't tell you how happy I was to see a Japanese cast I'm familiar with in a foreign movie.

Takayuki Yamada as Shinichi Ishida

Japanese Dramas In The West

I started watching Japanese dramas in 2008, and the very first drama I watched was Hanakimi, also known as Ikkemen Paradise, which is now available on Netflix. I loved it so much I started looking for something similar, and that's how my interest shifted from anime to Japanese dramas and movies.

Although many J-dramas are based on popular manga, they have never reached the same level of popularity as anime, especially here in Europe. It wasn't easy to come across people who loved J-dramas in the late 2000s, as the fandom is very niche. When K-dramas exploded in the West, I wondered why it hadn’t happened with J-dramas.

I finally understood when I started watching K-dramas this year. Korean filmmakers knew how to appeal to an international audience by making K-dramas accessible to the West. It's easy to find J-dramas on streaming services these days, but it wasn't the case a few years ago. Japan is well-known for its strict copyright laws, and I believe it's one of the reasons J-dramas are only starting to gain popularity in Europe. Last Samurai Standing was in the UK Top 10 TV shows for a couple of weeks.

Storytelling tailored only for a Japanese audience is also another factor; if that's the case, why did I get into J-dramas in the first place? As I mentioned, I've been watching anime since childhood, so I'm familiar with Japanese storytelling, which is why it was easy to transition from anime to dramas. Their storytelling might be "shocking" by its realness to someone who is just getting into manga or dramas.

And finally, Japanese actors' lack of interest in working outside Japan. Shun Oguri has been my favourite Japanese actor since Hana Yori Dango, and I wish I had seen him in international projects. The same goes for Kento Yamazaki; he's doing well and reminds me of Shun Oguri, then. Like him, his work is limited to Japan. That’s why I have a soft spot for Mackenyu and Sho Kasamatsu; these guys are bold and going for international roles.

Hong Kyung as Lieutenant Seo Go-Myung

Good News: The Crossover We Needed

Good News is a 2025 Thriller - Comedy based on true events and directed by Byun Sung-Hyun. The story follows a group of Japanese communists who hijack a domestic flight and change its course to Pyongyang. Things don't go as planned when someone diverts the plane to Seoul. The movie features an international cast including Hong Kyung, Sho Kasamatsu, Takayuki Yamada and Ryoo Seung-bum.

I was excited about the movie because the trailer was hilarious, and it was amazing to see such a crossover between Japanese and South Korean cinema. As I mentioned earlier, many Japanese actors tend to limit themselves to Japan, and you can't help but feel excited when you see such an assembly of actors. At the same time, I also didn't know what to expect as I had never seen such a crossover before. Can Korean and Japanese acting and humour go well together?

Good News is one of the best films I watched this year; it's a satire with witty humour, and I laughed my head off. They knew how to capture Japanese humour and stereotypes as well as the complex relations between Koreans and the Japanese. My favourite scene is when they see a black guy eating a burger in Pyongyang. I'm still laughing as I'm writing this post. I felt bad for Seo Go-myung, the guy was trying so hard, while no one seemed to care. It shows how disconnected from reality people in high positions really are.

What Happened To Joe Yabuki

The highlight of the movie for me was when one of the hijackers quoted Joe Yabuki, for context, Joe Yabuki is the protagonist in the sports manga series Ashita no Joe, written by Asao Takamori and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba. The story follows a young drifter who discovers a passion for boxing and makes a name for himself on the global boxing scene.

I watched Ashita no Joe as a child with my dad in the early 90s; it was his favourite anime, and I didn't understand back then why he loved it so much. In the first few episodes, Joe Yabuki was a scum, so why did he love it so much? It all made sense when I watched it again as an adult to remember my dad, and it's only then that I realised its social impact.

This movie raised an interesting question: what happened to Joe? Did he really die? I'm glad I finally got into K-dramas this year because if I didn't, I would've missed out on such a gem. There are only two words to describe Good News: fantastic and ridiculous, and I recommend it enough.

Thank you for reading!