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･∪

Hotteok - Seasonal Favourite

Bungeoppang ready to get in my tummyヽ(;^o^ヽ) 

My Conchaboy's special person introduced me to 'Hotteok" - Korean Pancake

We met Concha's favorite human "J" or we refer to her as Conchaboy's human girlfriend at Concha's old doggy daycare where she used to bring her dog, later I discovered that she's our neighbor and I started regularly met up with her to walk our dogs together. Aside from being pretty and kind, she radiates energy that excites the dogs when she enters the dog park! Eventually, our dog walks turned into drives to visit other dog parks and stopping by to Korea Town Centre for produce and our favourite --- Hotteok.

Kim's Korean Waffles and Pancakes is a popular food cart located in Koreatown beside the Hannam Supermarket. Aside from Hotteok, they also sell 'Bungeoppang 'or the Korean version of Taiyaki. According to "J", Hotteok and Bungeoppang are well-known winter treats in Korea. Following the Korean tradition, Kim's is only open around October till April, Going to Kim's has become my adapted winter season tradition.

Kim's Korean Waffles & Pancakes Food Cart 

There's always a steady lineup of customers whenever we visit Kim's. The comforting scent of sugar and cinnamon mixture creates a strong spell that makes me forget my diet....but it wont...it evokes a nostalgic memory of me on a line up for bibingka and puto bumbong, a popular treat during the Holiday season in the Philippines. Similar scenario but different flavour. I don't have picture of my beloved puto bumbong and bibingka yet so that topic will be saved in the future, So here's a link of me enjoying Hotteok.  

Me, enjoying pancake in the 'cafe'.

Thank you J for introducing to Hotteok! Hope that all your prayers would come true! (⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃

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 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

Emily Is Still Going Out!

If you happen to follow my mis(adventures) in the world of blogging, you might probably noticed my inactivity. I think most bloggers would be guilty of this at some point. Good thing that this is not my main source of income and for sure I don't have a following in the wide scary and crazy world of the internet, there's no risk of breaking someone's heart (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و

When Emily goes out with Concha

But then, the yearning to share my thoughts somewhere is still with me. My lame but valid excuse ---" life happens". No, I don't blame life; I created life and take care of lives, parenting is a very challenging calling... It's fun, scary, frustrating, rewarding and oh it's damn hard for the most part. 

Speaking of life, we are still going through this devasting effect of the virus. I personally know some people who have contracted it, and we all lost loved ones because of it... Everybody's lives were affected in so many ways, that it made me reflect more on life in general, it made me focus more on what is really important and along this journey found new hobbies. Now having my daughter, my priority is her, I want to make time for her, and hopefully, share some of my hobbies with her, I also want to spend my time with my dear husband 🐻 and my black Labrador Retriever Conchaboy. 

One of the main results of the lockdowns and health orders was re-igniting my interest in gardening, I don't boast of having a green thumb but I am motivated in creating a beautiful space for my daughter and Conchaboy where they can hang out and have fun. 

I am planning to add more about gardening projects in the near future and might probably tweak a little in WEGO; as for eating out, I still go and enjoy some of the cool yummy places in the Vancouver area, there's more to come here in WEGO, hopefully, add food content soon! (•̀o•́)ง

Mother's Day Sakura Afternoon Tea at Trump Vancouver Champagne Lounge

It was supposed to be in Tsujiri in Richmond, but my dear 🐻was not able to book a spot for us. Then an ad showed up that Trump Vancouver Champagne Lounge was having a Sakura-themed afternoon tea. Being a Japanophile myself, thrilled by what I saw, I have decided to go to Trump Vancouver the second time around to celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mom.

Deluxe Sakura Afternoon Tea

Mini Doughnut, Matcha Roll and Sakura Puff

We arrived in a busy lounge, with most patrons coming for the Sakura afternoon tea. I couldn't help admiring the tree tray used to display the tea set and the cherry blossom-shaped cookie pops. After settling in our seats and ensuring that my daughter was comfortable in her stroller; we reviewed the menu to decide which tea set and tea flavour to choose, my heart fluttered with glee upon seeing both motoyaki and takoyaki on the savoury selections. Wishing to take home some of their macarons later and treat myself with champagne, I picked the deluxe set (presented in a birdcage instead of the ring tree to display the tea sets)  and as for the tea, I chose Bain de Roses to match the floral theme. 

Sakura Afternoon Tea Menu

We both shared all the three scones--how I wish there was two of each flavour because they were all really good. My husband gave me his share of the motoyaki and takoyaki as he is not a big fan of both. I gladly accepted the offer; extra motoyaki and takoyaki are always welcome (｡✿‿✿｡)! To show my appreciation, I gave him my mini doughnut in return.

Not wanting to save the best for last, I started working on my first takoyaki and motoyaki. The takoyaki, being deep fried created a pleasant crunch at each bite, and the oyster motoyaki...it was absolute heaven once it reached my tongue, I love how rich it was and had a hint of lemon to blend the creamy flavour of the sauce and oyster together.

My favourite dessert in the set, the Sakura pannacotta, had a base flavour of vanilla - my forever favourite flavour, with the simple addition of sakura on top, transformed a simple dessert into a piece of delicate edible art.

I am happy that I celebrated my first Mother's Day with my infant daughter with an afternoon tea. Looking forward to more afternoon tea with her as she grows up. This mommy is very happy to go home, and looking forward to having her macaron, but....Concha has another plan. Probably he was not pleased being left in the crate while we dined out.

Being a mom of a Labrador retriever, I forgave the glutton; every Lab mom is very familiar with this story.

Concha's Revenge

Update: Trump Vancouver has permanently closed on August 28, 2020.