Oh No, Oh Yes - Akina Nakamori

Written by Mariya Takeuchi, Oh No Oh Yes was released in Akina Nakamori's 1986 album Crimson. Later on, Mariya released her rendition, the version I first encountered after discovering Plastic Love during my stay-at-home mom days while on COVID lockdowns.

I don't normally enjoy live performance videos when I watch them on YouTube. However, when I watched Akina's live performance version and the official video, I could tell that Oh No Oh Yes, is meant for Akina. 

Akina's renditioned a more sensual approach to Mariya's lyrics, from her soft vocals as she swayed in the intro of her live performance. Akina gives a femme-fatale energy to a song describing a complicated situation- a forbidden love. 

The lyrics of "Oh No, Oh Yes" have few English lines, I will only post the Romanized version of the song.

Oh No Oh Yes

Hitotsuhitotsu kie te yuku

Ofisu gai no mado akari

Hiiru no oto mo hisome te

Anata ni au tame ni

Ashibaya ni aruku no

Kusuriyubi no ringu yori

Hitome shinobu koi eran da

Tsuyoi onna ni mie te mo

Kokoro no naka itsumo

Setsuna sa ni yure teru

[Chorus]

Oh no, tsumi na futari ne

But no, hana rerare nai

Oh yes, kono mama aisare tai

Oh no, loving you is not right

But no don't take me home tonight

Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight?

[Verse 2]

Sabirekake ta teatoru ya

Tobira o tozashiteru faamashii

Toori o watare ba sugu ni

Anata no matsu hoteru

Demo tomadotte iru?

Michi yuku koibito tachi wa

Nante shiawase sou na no

Itoshii mune ni kuzure te

Oso sugi ta deai o

Namida de ume te yuku

Oh no, kanawa nu omoi

But no, nani mo ira nai

Oh yes, anata ni daka rerunara

Oh no, it's not the way I planned

But no, don't let it be one night stand

Oh yes, so baby try to understand

Oh no, tsumi na futari ne

But no, hana rerare nai

Oh yes, kono mama aisare tai

Oh no, loving you is not right

But no, don't take me home tonight

Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight?

Oh no, it's not the way I planned

But no, don't let it be one night stand

Oh yes, so baby try to understand

Oh no, loving you is not right

But no, don't take me home tonight

Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight?

Oh no, it's not the way I planned

But no, don't let it be one night stand

Oh yes, so baby try to understand

Oh no, loving you is not right

But no, don't take me home tonight

Oh yes, so baby won't you hold me tight?

This song didnt received my Conchaboy paw of approval, Methinks he finds it too mellow or boring; he just usually sleeps it or keep himself busy looking for leftovers under the table while I sing away, but I do think Concha and me thought of same thing whenever this song comes up in the playlist, mine is the photo below...(/▽＼*) 

This photo makes me say "Oh No..Oh Yes!"

My Best Friend Conchaboy

Seven years since we welcomed Concha home from a breeder in Alberta. With the right combination of tough love and pampering,  we got ourselves a garburator and half couch potato but by all means, he is a perfect dog.

Concha's photo by Hudson Wren

He earned several nicknames since his "gotcha day", from his first nickname "Conchaboy", then there's: Conchaboo, Conchabels, Belsbels, Smelly Belly, Conchapie, Pie-pie, Bellyboi, Smellyboi, Concha-banana, Whitespot, Conchang,  Fatso and the list goes on. I have composed a few songs about him that I regularly sing to get his attention and sometimes I can sense that he does his best to engage with me in his ways like a silent duet partner.

In seven years of being with us, Concha has gained a modest following on his Instagram account  (@Conchaandme) and has been regularly mentioned in my little spot online. He is a dear family member, my daughter's pillow, and my 🐻's afternoon cuddle buddy, his loud snores are music to my ears, and being in his presence brings me comfort, he slept beside me when I contracted Covid virus.

At seven years old, he is considered a middle-aged dog. Gray fur is showing up on his chin, and he doesn't crave long daily walks. He contentedly snores the day away as I work nearby. Conchaboy has mellowed down a lot, but he still occasionally goes nuts when he senses an upcoming surprise, like a walk with his "girlfriend" or being picked up by Boneheads for a day hike, to keep him active and socialized.

He is our best "boi," and because he is the best boi, We give him our best. We have brought him to most of our family trips and photo shoots. We feed him raw food to ensure that he gets nutritious meals.

As we celebrate his birthday, I wonder if he's aware that he is entitled to a birthday wish. If so, what would he wish?

If I could wish on his behalf... I'd wish for him to live longer...

(っ´ω`c)♡ ∪･ω･∪

My Pandesal Story

The scent of freshly baked bread is very comforting, it's one of the best scents in the world. 

It's funny that this scent was at some point a source of mild resentment to me. I remember being forced to wake up early as a child to buy pandesal at the neighborhood's bakery/ corner store. It didn't help that the owner/baker was a middle-aged man with quite an unfriendly, rough, and intimidating disposition. I can still remember his voice whenever he yells at his help in the store. He was not a pleasant man to deal with, his baseline facial expression was the exact opposite of the atmosphere of the warm inviting scent, as soon I got my bag of freshly baked pandesal, I zoomed out of his place to have it enjoy at home with coffee.

Freshly baked pandesal

As I learned my way around Metro Manila, I came across the "pugon" baked ones, they are fluffier, bigger, and tastier, the only downside was pugon baked pandesal price was unfriendly for my student budget, it's one of my "humble" splurges. After leaving Manila, I never taste pugon-style pandesal for so many years...until...A few years ago, there was a bakery in Richmond that specialized in Filipino bread, and their main star - pugon-style pandesal, I recall that 🐻 and would regularly visit Old Manila Bakery for our pandesal and ensaymada fix...but sadly my beloved Old Manila closed...(a common occurrence in Metro Vancouver food scene)

Fast forward to Covid lockdowns, one of my "projects" was to learn to make pandesal and find ways to make it "healthier" for my daughter...

I figured  I should start with the basic: semi-whole wheat pandesal, the taste has to be the same (slightly sweet, and milky) and can be enjoyed even with less white flour.

I found a recipe that matches my memory of how pandesal should be. I tweaked the recipe so the taste remains the same and whole wheat flour is not overpowering. If I don't add whole wheat flour, I could emulate the 'pugon'- style pandesal - bigger, fluffier, and buttery - the way I like it. 

(っ˘ڡ˘ς)

The scent of pandesal emanating from the kitchen is now a source of excitement. Anything pandesal has become our bonding activity, we love it with butter, jam, cream, cheese, and Nutella, it doesn't sound healthy for now, but there are plans to add spinach or moringa powder in the future...I'll keep things simple for now as my dear daughter wants to get involved in the baking process.

My helper

Mr. Grumpy Baker passed on a long time ago (may he rest in peace), not sure who is the new current go-to-pandesal person of the town, but I hope he/she greets the patrons better.

With You - Seiko Matsuda

This is my first post about songs I enjoy singing to our dear family pet. My long-suffering dog - the sole (loyal) audience for my out-of-tune mini-concerts in our household, 

Concha, hoping to get my attention

Let's start with the "Eternal Idol" Seiko Matsuda's With You. Based on my online search, this song was not well known like her other singles like 'Sweet Memories'. Her single duet with Donnie Wahlberg (yep, Mark Wahlberg's older brother) is still popular on the radio stations in the Philippines.

I discovered this song when I was rediscovering my appreciation for J-pop during Covid lockdowns. Seiko's demure vocals match the song's theme - a girl hoping for her crush's attention. So simple and so innocent. There's something nostalgic about the memories of our younger selves admiring someone and longing to be seen by this special person.

Below is my attempt at translating the lyrics into English, and the last column is the Romanji (in Roman letters)

Lyrics 声をかけてね もう祈るように 見つめているの あなたを パーティーの夜 二人が知りあう きっかけだけが無いのね 遠くから好きなの キャンドルの透き間に あなたが踊るのが見えたわ 他の人の誘い みんな断って 一人で待ってるの Let me dance with you 今日のために買った 真っ白な靴が 踊りたがってるの Let me dance with you 遠くから好きなの そうずっと前から 片想いしてたの ほんとよ 空のグラスを手に そばに立ってても 気付きもしないのね Let me dance with you こんな可愛い娘を ほっておくなんて センスを疑うわ Let me dance with you   あまりダンスは 上手じゃないから 靴を踏むかもしれない でもあなたなら うまく踊れそう だから気付いて 私に   Romanji Koe wo kakete ne  mou inoru yo-u ni  mitsumete iru no-u anata wo-u Pa ti noyo-uru futari ga shiri-au  kikkake dake ga nai no ne to-oku kara suki nano kyandoru no sukima ni anata ga ooru no ga mieta wa hoka no hito no sasoi minna kotowatate  hitori de matte’ru no  Let me dance with you  kyou no tame ni katta  masshiro na kutsu ga  odoritagatte’ru no  Let me dance with you tooku kara suki nano sou zutto mae kara kataomoi shite’ta no honto yo kara no gurasu wo te ni soba ni tatte’temo kidzuki mo shinai no ne  Let me dance with you  konna kawaii ko wo  hotte oku nante sensu wo utaugau wa  Let me dance with you amari dansu wa jousu jana i kara  kutsu wo fumu kamo shirenai demo anata nara umaku odoresou  dakara kidsu ite watashi ni

English Translation I’ve been watching you, hoping that You would look and talk to me, On this fun night, will we ever have a chance  To get to know each other? I am admiring you from afar Watch you dance between candle gaps Rejecting other boys’ offers to dance Just to be with you alone Let me dance with you I really want to dance wearing these white shoes I bought Just for this day Let me dance with you Been admiring you from afar.  I’ve had a crush on you for a while, Yeah, it’s true  You never seem to notice me Standing next to you  with empty glass in hand  Let me dance with you How could you ignore a cute girl like me? I am curious what’s in your thoughts now Let me dance with you I’m not that good at dancing,   And might step on my shoes  You dance well and can take the lead Please look at me

I would like to credit the owner of KMNBT Translation for providing the Romanji lyrics.

♪( ´θ｀)ノ U＾ェ＾U

The 'Lab' in the Garden Café

The "Mom" of my air layered quince

Cherry blossom - lab's success story

Maintaining lovingly the café always comes with few heartbreaks. I have experienced loss of some of my beloved plants thru various reasons, ranging from climate extremes, neglect, lack of info on how to provide proper care. A few years ago, I was delighted to be able to propagate my quince thru air layering. among the three air layered, it looks like only one might survives  

(；´ﾟДﾟ)ゞ

Looking at my old photos I realized that I have probably performed plenty of experiments in the café/garden. Some were successful - survived, some perished eventually.  I have read from gardeners' forums that all seasoned gardeners have experienced death of established plants under their care. I mourn the loss of my plant babies and eventually move on, hoping to learn from my journey and pray for more luck.

One of my early experiments, that perished...

With all the losses and few victories in my gardening journey, I came to realize that the café conceals a laboratory, where my experimentations are being done to ensure my plants' survival. The lab is not an intimidating place, it's a space where my hope for my plants' healing manifests. Two of the success stories from the lab that I can share - the cherry plant that I bought online, with the lab's help, it survived the transport shock. The lavender (the last photo) that was left out during autumn and winter, it survived freezing temperatures and heavy rain. 

The main goal of the "lab" for now is to hardened my Japanese Maple seedlings before placing them in their own pot, to avoid sharing the same fate of this unfortunate fella (photo above),  while this gentleman in the photo below ensures the safety of my plant babies from pesky squirrels.  

My "lab" in the café

The future goal, I would love to have my dear Princess get involved in the lab/ garden / café, I wish that all of her beautiful memories from the café would inspire her to be a creative and smart lady.

The survivor

The Garden Café

My garden babies

The patio has evolved into a garden café...it is an ongoing project especially during spring and summer. 

The café is where I put all of my love, energy and where love is celebrated. It has been my escape and source of comfort during challenging times. It's space for my Concha to relax while watching the kids from our neighborhood play in the yard, tea and bbq parties are being held during sunny days.

To evoke happiness and inspiration, I displayed some of my favourite things in the café, It will go through regular changes, but hopefully the welcoming feeling in the café stays the same.

The Princess in the cafe

Maybe who knows, someday you would find yourself enjoying a cup of tea or coffee in my café, while being harassed by my gardening partner. Don't let his size intimidate you, he can only sniff you to death...

The gardening partner