Because of You

Title: Because of You
Other Titles: Fairytale Under the Starlight
Chinese Title: 星光下的童話 (Xing Guang Xia De Tong Hua)
Language: Chinese (Mandarin)
Amount of Episodes: 14
Theme Song: 愛是關鍵 (Love is Critical) By: Lego Li
Closing Song: 因為你 (Because of You) By: Lego Li
Starring: Lego Li as Fang Zi Hao, Barron Chen as Sun Fan, Megan Lai as Tong Tong and Tanaka Chie as Xing Yie Zheng.
Reccomended For: Teenage Viewers

"Why must you hit my dearest 'husband'? Ever since the first punch you gave to Fang Zi Hao, you have become my biggest enemy."

Summary: Sun Fan has always wished that he could become a big star since he was a little kid, now, that he's grown, he's acting in all kinds of shows and commercials, trouble is, he's only the stunt double. Yu You Tong (Tong Tong) has been a die hard Fang Zi Hao fan since she was 17, and has decided that she will save herself for her darling "husband." Zi Hao switches girlfriends like how people switch cloths, for the filming of his new mv, one of the workers accidently uses Zi Hao's ex-girlfriend, Zi Hao is furious and calls for a new filming and a totally new lead. With no one left, everyone has no idea what to do, but they can't not do anything or else they will incur the wrath of Zi Hao.

Sun Fan hears this news and decides to ask his GF Xing Ye Zheng to act as the mv lead. All of his fellow workers caution him, saying any girl that falls into Zi Hao's grip will fall instantly in love with him. Sun Fan does not heed their warnings. As he expected his GF gets the part and he is overjoyed. But when he sees her and Zi Hao in the changing room together, he misunderstands and attacks Zi Hao. Tong Tong just happens to be there, and is infuriated, she takes videos and decides to mobilize the fan base against him. But her plan backfires, instead of hurting him, it makes him into an overnight sensation. Fate brings them together, and soon all four of their lives become entangled in a way none of them thought possible.

Watch Episode 1 English subbed HERE!

Wdebo's Review: In the beginning I was so excited to start watching this drama. Such an all-star cast, you've got Megan Lai (From The Story of Time, Silence, etc), Baron Chen (From Fated to Love You) and finally Legon Li (From Honey and Clover).

In the beginning it was pretty good, a pretty good idea, and I loved Baron's character, I wasn't such a big fan of him when he was Dylan in Fated to Love You, but in Because of You he was just ADORABLE! And of course I love Lego Li because he is so cute, a wonderful singer/songwriter, and he was an amazing actor. And of course Megan is such a great actress, I really liked her in The Story of Time. But after a while, the whole drama just started to infuriate me. There seemed to be something wrong with all of the characters, and I absolutely HATED Xing Ye Zheng, but I really liked Tanaka in Cape No. 7.

Wow, that just seems like there is only bad things in this drama, which isn't true...there are good. I really loved Sun Fan's grandfather he was very funny and cute and so was Sun Fan's father. I was surprised how slowly the love developed, but I was disappointed how fast the love came at the end and also the ending was not the most creative (flashbacks aren't that good of endings). But the story was pretty good...who doesn't want their favorite idol to want to fight for your love, I know that if Show was going to do that, I would be over the moon about it.

All in all, this drama was not horrible, it was just not the best drama I ever watched. I would reccomend this drama to someone who watches a lot of dramas and needs kind of like a filler drama.

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

Front and Center By: Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Title: Front and Center
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
HARDBACK
Amount of Pages: 272
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Release Date: October 19, 2009
Geared Towards: Teens + Dairy Queen fans
Extra Info: This is the third and last book of the Dairy Queen trilogy. [List on bottom]
From: Library

"So I guess you could say that the weekend ended a lot better than it began, although that wasn't so hard, because when you're at the bottom all directions point up."

Summary: After several weeks of taking care of her brother, Win, D.J. Schwenk is finally (and she never thought she would say this) and thankfully back at school. School should be great, right? Her best friend, Amber, has finally returned, basketball season is finally kicking off and she's hoping to be able to score a good scholarship, and her ex, Brian has been totally forgotten. But things get a lot more complicated then she thought they would ever be. Her best bud, Beaner, super, excitable, attention-magnet, Beaner, has asked her out on a date (!!), an actual date date, not a buddies hanging around kinda date. College searching turns out to be way tougher then she ever expected and she really does not know if she can find her leadership skills on the court. And when Brian sneaks back into her life, D.J. has to ask herself, has she really forgotten him? Or will she be willing to risk getting her heart stomped on all over again, just for a chance to be with him?

Wdebo's Review: Yeah! D.J. is finally back for the last (sob) book in the Dairy Queen trilogy. I still remember waking up at 5 AM just to finish Dairy Queen when I was in 7th grade, that's how much I enjoyed it. D.J. has gone through a lot since then, from falling in and out then in love with Brian, playing football then basketball, and living with her newly-gay best friend being ostricized.

I love how in Dairy Queen it follows D.J. as she works towards her self-confidence and playing football, but in Front and Center it shows D.J. as she grows as a basketball player and the stress of college applications (!!) yet though the subjects are different D.J. has still retained her same humor, sarcasm and realness that has made me love this series.

Everything in this book is so real, though I have not started college applications yet (next year!) I am still feeling stressed just thinking about it. D.J. has a very real way of approaching everything, learning to cope with everything and just growing. All of the conflicts, both external and inernal, are really something teenagers deal with every single day so it's very easy to relate to. However, it was still kind of annoying listening to D.J. grumbling about whether or not to be with Brian, I just wanted to take her and shake her and just tell her to make up her mind! And sometimes, the book gets kind of boring, because there is just a maturity in it that a lot of YA books don't seem to have, but it gets good after a while.

I really like the chracter of Beaner, he is just such a sweet and great guy, but I just felt so bad for him, because it was obvious that D.J. didn't like him like that, like how she liked Brian, but he was so in love with her...sigh, it was sad to read. But I was also very surprised how fast, Beaner and D.J. got together, because one minute Beaner asks D.J. out on a "date" and she's all like, come on it has to only be a friend hang-out time, and she's totally clueless, and the next they're making out on his bed. It felt a little fast to be believable.

Cafe Chit Chat: I like the cover, it's kinda cute, and the sky is muy pretty also :) (B+)

All in all, a very good ending to the Dairy Queen trilogy, that hopefully all of the Dairy Queen lovers will enjoy. And if you haven't started this trilogy yet, you should!

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

******

Books in the Dairy Queen trilogy:

1. Dairy Queen [Read and loved!]

2. The Off Season [Click HERE for review]

3. Front and Center [This one!]

That Girl-David Choi

Title: That Girl
Artist: David Choi
Language: English
TTS: No

Wdebo's Notes: I can't believe this is my first David Choi song I've ever heard, his voice is just wonderful + soothing~! Gotta listen more to him.

Hope you enjoy!

Hope you enjoy! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures in Japan

Title: Japan Ai: A tall girl's adventures in Japan

Author: Aimee Major Steinberger

PAPERBACK

Amount of Pages: 171

Publisher: Go! Comi

Release Date: September 1, 2007

Geared Towards: Teens + Japan lovers

From: Public Library

"We bought our plane tickets the next day."

Summary (Fom B.O.B): In Japanese, "Ai" means "Love"-and if you love Japan, get ready to dive head-first into the incredible world of Japanese pop-culture!

Join Aimee Major Steinberger (a professional animator with a passion for all things cute) on the ultimate otaku vacation! Visit fantasy restuarants, maid cafes, and the world's most exclusive doll store! Cosplay on the infamous Harjuku Street! Attend an outrageous all-female Takarazuka musical! See beautiful shrines, hot springs, stores full of manga, and so much more! Aimee captures it all in a manga journal that is both adorable and breathtaking!

Wdebo's Review: Though I am not a GIANT Japan lover like some of my friends I know, but I went to Japan for the first time last year so I thought this would be a good book to read...and I'm a sucker for a cutesy graphic novel :)

The drawings were all adorable, I love how Aimee is able to capture the humerous and beautiful and culture-filled parts of Japan in her drawings. She can switch easily between manga-esque drawings and actually full on sketches...totally admirable. It was cool to see a lot of things that I saw on my trip to Japan and also to learn a lot about Japanese culture. Japanese culture is very interesting since sometimes it is just so outrageous and out-there, it was great to see it all through the eyes of a fellow foreigner, her comments were quite funny. And her adventures and the fun she had made me want to go back to Japan.

Cover Chit Chat: It's so cute and...pink (!) always a plus :) (B+)

All in all, for those that are in LOVE with Japan or those who are just interested in Japanese culture, this is a very good book for you!

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

A-Mei

O.M.G. I can't believe it has taken me so long to spotlight A-Mei. She was the very first idol I have ever known (My parents introduced her to me when I was five or so, and I have loved her music ever since!)

She has a wonderfully gorgeous voice, and I hope everone can listen to her music!

Chinese Name: 張惠妹 (Zhang Hui Mei)
English Name: A-Mei
Birthday: August 9, 1972
Age: 37
Birthplace: Taitung, Taiwan
Instruments: Vocals, drums, and guitar
What she does: Singer

Background Info: Because A-Mei is a Taiwanese Aboriginese, she was exposed to tribal music at a young age. (It seems there are so many Taiwanese Aborigonese singers now...but they all have amazing voices ^_^)

One of her most famous songs, that was one of the first songs I ever listened to her is called 姊妹 (Jie Mei) (Sisters), it was the title song of her very first album. My family + friends sing it everytime we go karaokeing! Such a classic!

Now, for some music to enjoy!

The first song, Can I hug you?, is also another classic by her...such a simple and beautiful song! (English Translation on bottom!)

Subs By: caruthersm

It's raining outside,
seems just like my bleeding heart,
Loving you for that long
was actually not that easy.

When it comes to separating our things,
tomorrow it won't even matter.
The clothes left at home;
when you have the time, take them back.

Don't think that love always ends happily,
I'm not willing to constantly find excuses.
I won't force you to do this for me.
Your heart is not here; it still hurts whether or not you stay.

Can I hug you, lover?
Let me cry on your shoulder.
If today we were to break up,
let me happily cry out loud.

Can I hug you, darling?
Let me call you this for one last time.
You are also unhappy.
I will leave, smiling.

Next song, I want Happiness?, another beautiful song by her...enjoy!

Hope you enjoy! And please comment!

Wdebo :)

Very LeFreak By: Rachel Cohn

Title: Very LeFreak

Author: Rachel Cohn

HARDBACK

Amount of Pages: 320

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Release Date: January 12, 2010

Geared Towards: Teens (Tech lovers + those in between)

From: Random Buzzers (ARC)

"Very LeFreak was indeed the freakiest of the freaks. Not the cool brand of fun freak. She was the worst case of freak, a complete and utter loser"

Summary (From B.O.B): MEET VERY LeFREAK

playlist maker, party planner, heartbreaker, good-time girl who can't enough good time, especially when she's online (all the time). She's the girl everyone wants to know, the girl other girls want to be like, and the girl all the guys want to be with.

But underneath all of that is the real girl: Veronica. The Veronica who misses her mother, who wishes she cared more about school, and who wants to be a good friend.

It's just that, well, Very can't stop checking her e-mail, sending text messages, making playlists, updating her Web site, finding new online shopping sites to spend money she doesn't have. Her electronic addictions are getting in the way of everything else: her scholarship at Columbia is at risk, she's facing academic probation, her friends have just about given up on her. So what's a girl to do?

Why, escape, of couse. To rehab at ESCAPE, Emergency Services for Computer-Addicted Persons Everywehre, in quiet, leafy Vermont. Where Very will be forbidden to use anything electronic: goodbye, iPhone. So long, laptop. But maybe twenty-eight days of being unplugged will be just what the doctor/dean/great-aunt ordered to clear Very's head-and her heart.

Wdebo's Review: As a big Rachel Cohn fan I could not wait to open and read Very LeFreak. I had very high expectations for this book, and though it did not meet them, Very LeFreak was still a very well written book by Rachel.

I loved the idea of a technology adddict...seeieng as how I spend numerous hours on my laptop, not really doing much, I can totally relate (it pisses my mom off so much). Except even though the book says that Very is on her laptop during the wee hours of the morning, it doesn't feel like she's a super big technology obsesse...she seems more like a song obsesse then anything.

I was also very surprised at how quickly Very adjusted to ESCAPE...Even though Very did want to get better, but I thought there would be at least some kicking and screaming instead of serine compliance.

I'm not really a big fan of Very she is not really the kind of character I like, but at least she does want to get better and do the right thing, she just seems to not have as much control as she wants over herself. Lavina/Jennifer is a nice person, and the thing that annoys me is that Bryan is shown as a yoga-loving vegan...or something like that just because he's from Oregon and the truth is most Oregonians AREN'T hippies/lumberjacks/yoga-loving/vegans!!

Cafe Cover Chat: I like this cover, it looks pretty, except they show Very as very shy and stuff while she is actually very wild and hyper. (B+)

All in all, a good book that many Rachel Cohn fans are sure to enjoy!

Grade: B+

Wdebo :)

Only Want to Love You-S.H.E

-ENGLISH SUBBED-

Chinese Title: 愛上你 (Ai Shang Ni)

English Title: Fall in Love With You

Extra Info On Title: The official title is 愛上你, but when DWL was first airing it was called 只為愛上你 (Only Want to Love You)

Artist: S.H.E + Judy Zhou (Rap)

Language: Chinese (Mandarin)

TTS: S.H.E-HERE; Judy Zhou-none

Wdebo's Notes: This is the AMAZING Closing Song to Down With Love [Click HERE for review], the wonderful drama staring Ella Chen (S.H.E) and Jerry Yan (F4 [Disbanded]). This song is so sweet and cute, and all of S.H.E looks so pretty in it...I want their outfits so badly!! Especially Hebe's + Ella's.

The members...

Ella-Short red hair

Selina-Long hair with bow thing in hair

Hebe-Ponytail

Enjoy!

Hope you enjoy! And Please Comment!

Wdebo :)