Hello, friends! As promised, I definitely became a casual blogger last month where I posted quite spontaneously. Though I missed the times I was away from this corner of the internet, it was also very liberating to just not have a schedule.
Because I’ve been rather inactive, I’ll be replying to comments (including finishing up the ones from my last discussion post months ago-I’m truly so sorry it’s taking me ages!) and blog hopping very soon. (I’ve already bookmarked a list of your blogs. So expect to see me around!) I’ll probably be doing this early to mid next week since I have to work today and tomorrow at the salon.
Anyway, onto the recap of July.
There were a lot of highs and lows last month. Exo came back with a new album, but, unfortunately, without my favorite member, Yixing. Then I saw the tragic news about Chester Bennington. (More on this later.) And then, again, happy news… I recently learned that I’ve been hired as a permanent, paid year-round intern at the local independent pharmacy I was on rotation (which is basically an externship where I’m not getting paid but rather graded on my performance) at in June. (However, I’ll share more about that as well in next month’s wrap up since it really happened a few days ago, at the beginning of August.) I just wanted to share the great news with you guys, early, since you’ve been along this journey with me since I was an undergrad. 🙂
Oh and I also reached 1,000 followers on this blog! I never imagined I’d reach this milestone, because my blog started off as a really small space. Anyway, THANK YOU SO MUCH for sticking with me and being such a great support! I really appreciate and value each and every one of you. ❤
– What I Read –
I finished my 2017 Goodreads challenge (and I always only count reading an entire manga series as one book, which makes this more impressive if I do say so myself). Honestly, it wasn’t that ambitious (only 25!) because I was unsure what my schedule would be like with school. For now, I have no plans of increasing it because I need to soon factor in juggling school with two jobs. :’) (I’m really more excited than anything though!)

Daytime Shooting Star (full manga series) (Myanimelist) | The Leavers | Lady Midnight | milk and honey
– July Blog Post –
- Summing It Up: June 2017 [Wrap Up/Favorites]
- Book Haul: March – June 2017 (And Some of July) [Book Haul]
- Daytime Shooting Star [Manga Review] 3 Stars
- Summer [Miscellaneous]
- milk and honey [Book Review] 3.5 Stars
– Favorites –

The top reason why I waited reading Lady Midnight was because I didn’t like the characters when they appeared in the last book of The Mortal Instruments, City of Heavenly Fire. However, I was so blown away by how much they’ve changed. I really like them now that they’re not children and are older. Lady Midnight is Cassandra Clare’s strongest first installment yet. It features a forbidden, best friends into something more relationship. (Looks like I’ll forever be shadowhunter and Cassandra Clare trash. I thought I was done with this world, hah.)

As earlier mentioned, my favorite boy band, Exo, came back with a new album called The War: Ko Ko Bop! And, of course, I bought all three versions (in Korean) and bought the Mandarin one digitally on iTunes. Typically, I’d love to collect them all and support my boys, but I couldn’t afford doing that this time with so many versions. Besides, Yixing wasn’t even part of this promotion cycle, which I’m both still bitter and relieved by.

I did my nails… again! I’ve actually done this glitter gradient style several times before so it may look familiar. I just really like that it’s clear at the top and when there’s growth it isn’t as noticeable. Besides, I actually prefer lighter polishes and French manicures, or anything simple. (It also matches my new agenda!)

I’m currently making my way through Lord of Shadows (slowly because the wait for book 3 is going to be torturous), but what I really wanted to feature with this photo is the In the Wick of Time “Parabatai” candle. I’m sort of one the fence with literary candles. The concept is nice but the quality is definitely not up to par to Yankee Candle or Bath and Body Works candles, and, sadly, they’re expensive and the shipping makes them even less affordable. Also, it’s always a hit or miss when buying scents online… (I strongly dislike floral smells.) Despite all this, I think I’ll still collect them when I have the extra money just because of bookstagram and the way they look on my shelves. (Lol, I wasn’t expecting to make this a mini bookish/literary candle review… but let’s face it… that post I promised to do won’t be happening anytime soon.) Anyhow. I was beyond pleased with the Parabatai candle. It truly smells wonderful. Actually not much different from my Pantene shampoo, but with undertones of fruit.
– Video Favorites –
Linkin Park was a big part of my life during my teenage years. (I’m sure other 90s kids can relate.) Me and my friends listened to the band’s songs nearly everyday and their lyrics really resonated with us at time. (The teenage years are some dark years, especially since it’s so common for that age group to be insecure and confused about many things.) Anyway, I was so, so sad when I heard about Bennington’s death. He was such an inspiration through what he shared in his music and words. Such a great loss. #RIPChester
(Watching this video really makes me cry. T_T)
Aside from Yixing’s absence and Kai’s tragic hair, I have no complaints with this comeback. I absolutely love the title track, “Ko Ko Bop.” The MV itself is ultra trippy but I like that they’re using their superpowers again, haha.
I don’t mention them enough but I’ve become a big fan after “Don’t Recall.” “Oh NaNa” and “Rumor” were catchy but just okay to me. Their sophomore pre-debut song had me hooked though so I was so pumped for their comeback. I absolutely adore their friendship off camera and they all individually have great stage presences with unique vocal timbres. I’m already impressed with them as rookie idols; I’m looking forward to seeing how they’ll grow in the future. Also, my fave is Jiwoo (the girl with unicorn hair in this MV).
“Red Flavor,” this group’s title song for this comeback, is different and very Red Velvet but I don’t really care for it? I like “You Better Know,” a softer summer jam, better.
I can’t be the only one felt like this choreography reminded me of krumping? Anyway, I thought it fit the song really well and was one that really stuck with me this month. (I replayed it many, many times.)
In June, I liked Lee Hyori’s “Seoul.” Unfortunately “Black” wasn’t for me, but this somewhat simple choreo make me like this song a lot more for some reason.
My last dance video for July, I promise. I just had to include this because I love this song and Yoojung so very much.
– What I’ve Been Watch –
I watched and caught up with a lot of the series I was watching in June about the first two weeks into July, but later in the month I didn’t watch a single anything. (I was too busy reading and taking bookstagram photos, lol.) Hence, why I’m still not completed Princess Agents and Suspicious Partner even though both have finished airing.

Doctor-X – 6.5/10 [Completed]

Drowning Love – 2.5/10 [Completed]

Noblesse: Awakening – 7/10 [Completed]

Princess Agents – ?/10 [Currently Watching]

Suspicious Partner – ?/10 [Currently Watching]
And that’s all from my end! Thanks so much for tuning in and have a lovely day! (This is a scheduled post. I’ll be at work when this goes live, hehe.)
Congrats
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Thank you, Matt!
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It was a great month. For me it was just another college heavy month but August is starting great with Tome Topple. Hopefully I can get into writing soon. 😀
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I’m so glad to hear that (the heavy studies aside, that is). Tome Topple? That’s the first I’ve heard of that readathon; thanks for always introducing me to knew things, haha. And I hope that you’re enjoying your August! 🙂
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It’s pretty popular around Youtube, that is how I find most of my readathons. xD
Hope August is also treating you well.
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Congratulations on your pharmacy internship!!
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Thank you so much!!
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I think I already said so on Instagram, but once again, congratulations on the intern position, this is so great, I’m so happy for you, Summer! ❤
Congratulations on the 1K just as well, you deserve all of them and more and more. It’s always so great to hear from you on here. I hope you’ll have an amazing August ❤
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I believe that you did, but I loved hearing it a second time. Thank you, Marie! ❤
And omg, thank you so much! It feels extra special hearing it from you because you’ve been there with me early on in the journey. ^.^
I hope you’re having a fantastic August as well. (I love seeing your food and travel adventures on Instagram, hehe..) ❤
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I actually think we have been blogging for…well we started blogging almost at the same time ahah. It’s so great ❤ ❤
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Is it possible to add an image to a comment?
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Possibly!
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Noblesse: Awakening looks like something me and my cousin will enjoy watching. I’ll have to make a note for that one.
You have had an incredible July. Congrats on the 1,000 followers. You definitely deserve all of them and many more. I’m also super happy that you got offered the intern position. You obviously made a great impression on them. 😀
Chester </3 Watching all these Linkin Park videos is really hitting me. Like you, the band basically defined my teenage years. It’s still so shocking and heart breaking. That video of his last show had me welling up.
I agree with you about the candles. They’re aesthetically pleasing but when it comes to lighting them they don’t hit the mark. The only time I actually get bookish candles is if they happen to be featured in a book subscription box I’ve ordered, which is a rare thing in itself.
Happy August. 😀
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Yes, add that onto your list! Besides, I think it’s only 30 minutes total. (Look at me being a bad influence, again. 😉 )
You’re really too kind to me, Lois, thank you! T.T ❤ I was super thrilled when I heard about the job because you know how I was looking for one for a while now.
Indeed, the news about Chester is so tragic. It hits me so hard every time I leave my playlist on shuffle and a LP song comes on. T_T
Exactly!! I’ve been wanting to create an honest candle review post because I feel like too many users on bookstagram just say “this smells splendid” because they’re reps for a company. Or maybe I’m being too harsh and discrediting them for they genuinely do love the smell of smoke and musk. /shrugs/ Anyway, I bought a few more from new up and coming companies, but I hope to share them on here soon. 🙂
Thank you, Lois! And thank you for the essay comment; you’re the best. ^.^
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Congratulations on your internship and also reaching 1000 followers! I was pretty much shocked with Chester’s Death. Linkin Park is one of my favorite band! I still listen to their old albums especially Hybrid Theory. Noblesse Awakening sounds interesting! I’ll definitely check it out. I saw the trailer of Princess Agents and I liked it but i’m not gonna watch it until it was completed. Hope you have an awesome August! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Raven! :’) Learning about what happened to Chester really hit me hard because I also really love LP. May he rest in peace. And I definitely recommend Noblesse! It’s a short film and the comedy is A+. Princess Agents was actually VERY good; I highly recommend it as well. And it’s done airing just so you know. 😉 Have a lovely August to you as well! 🙂
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Congratulations on your internship and 1000 followers!!
I absolutely love your nails!
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Thank you so much (on all accounts), Kristin!
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Congrats on 1000 followers! That is huge. I somehow never seem to increase my follower count even when the page views increase alot. You have had a nice reading month. I am interested in the Leavers. I should pick it up some day
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Thanks so much, Resh Susan! How people find my blog is a mystery to me as well. (A lot of account names sound very obscure sometimes, tbh.) Interesting! I’m sure a lot of views come from your stunning Instagram account. 🙂 Ooh, The Leavers, ultimately, didn’t work for me but I do hope you enjoy it!
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Congraaaatulations on getting an internship and reaching 1k!!! And as usual gorgeous pictures and love your nails!! ❤
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Thank you so much on everything, Poulami! ❤ It’s definitely a busy (but very exciting) time for me. 🙂
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Congratulations on 1000 followers and for being offered a paid internship!!! Yaay so happy for you!! ❤
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Oh my gosh, thank you SO MUCH, Hannah! It really means a lot. ❤
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