Weekly Web Roundup 2.0

Happy weekend! I hope your week was as memorable and fantastic as you'd imagined. And if it wasn’t, well, a new week is upon us. 

My week was a great one. The highlight of this week was discussing Khaled Hosseni’s And the Mountains Echoed as well as a k-drama with my sister. She had consistently pestered me to read And the Mountains Echoed, and I’m glad that I did! The one-hour plus spent on the call with her was oh-so memorable. 

Now, let’s get to business. Here are some exciting and remarkable things that caught my eye throughout the week. 

This piece about voice notes and female friendship left me swooooned. 

Jenny Rosenstrach crafted a deeply poignant and heart-wrenching eulogy for her father, and reading it moved me to tears.

A long read, but very much worth it. If you’re running out of time, you can skim through some areas. 

I was listening to Omar Suleiman’s podcast, and I realised how much the lives of the sahabiyat were great sources of inspiration for women in present times. I wrote lessons from the lives of sahabiyat for Amaliah, and here’s a link to one of the articles. 

Thanks to my sister, I’ve added Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns to my list of must-read books. Can’t wait to find time to start.

Have a great weekend, and until next time!

Weekly Web Roundup

I’m glad to introduce a new segment that features remarkable things I’ve read and watched from around the web. How was your week? Was it fun and memorable? I’ve spent the past couple of weeks hanging out with my siblings after work and during the weekends. It’s been an enjoyable experience with loads of discussions, food, and laughter. 

Now, let’s get to business. Here are some exciting and remarkable things that caught my eye throughout the week. 

I read this guest post on one of my favourite Substack pages, Oldster Magazine. The piece was so beautiful that I commented (I rarely comment on posts) and shared it with my sisters. 

Why you should own a cat! 

These Kenyan parents noticed their daughter had reduced in weight and stocked her home with food. Sooo wholesome!

This lady perfectly dissected the rift between Palestine and Israel. 

*Spoiler alert* This lady’s husband watched Reply 1988, and here’s his reaction to Deok-Sun ending up with Taek and not Jung-Hwan! 

I stumbled upon this funny series. I downloaded an episode and am looking forward to creating time to start. 

Why is Making Dinner So Hard? An article on Hello Gloria.

I launched a jollof rice page! Let’s see what I’ll make of it. 

A review of Khaled Hosseini’s And the Mountains Echoed.

Have a nice weekend, guys! 

Interview with Itunnu: The Blogger Promoting the Beauty of K-Dramas

 

Korean dramas have become the ultimate favorites among females in Nigeria, captivating audiences with their intriguing storylines, aesthetics, humor, and romance. The rising popularity of K-dramas can be attributed to their unique charm and the valuable life and love lessons they impart.

Kdramaswithitunnu is one of the platforms that beautifully showcases the essence of these series. Itunnu shares K-drama recommendations, reviews of her watched dramas, top drama lists in various genres, news and trends about South Korean actors, download locations for K-dramas, and much more.

To delve deeper into Itunnu's inspiration and profound love for Korean culture, Maryam Nitty Wall brings us an interview filled with fun and curious questions.

Q: Tell us more about yourself.

A: Hello! My name is Raji Omobolaji, popularly known as Itunnu. I am a fresh graduate from the university, finally! I am a freelance photographer and image editor with almost 4 years of experience. I am also a content creator on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram with a good amount of following. As you know, I am a huge fan of the Korean culture. I am particularly excited about everything that concerns it. From K-pop to K-drama to K-food, and the like. I am so excited about this interview and I look forward to answering all your questions!

Q: Each of us has that enlightening moment when our love for something or someone becomes indescribable. Can you recall when you realized your passion for South Korean dramas?

A: Of course. My passion for K-dramas started when I was in my final year in Primary School. That is almost 13 years now. I used to watch K-dramas on CDs because I was not using an internet phone back then. I cannot properly recall how I got my hands on the ‘Boys Over Flower’ compact disk but that was my first K-drama and I know it was also the first of so many others. I took a liking to the second lead who was called ‘Ji-ho Sunbae’ in the drama, while everyone fell for the main lead, ‘Gu Jun-pyo’. The drama caught my attention so much in terms of high school, comedy, friendship, romance, and unrequited love. After that drama, I went to get more dramas that featured the leads from ‘BOF’ and that was how I got pulled into the world of K-dramas and I don’t regret it one bit.

Q: What motivated you to create a platform centered around K-Dramas and everything in between?

A: It first started when I randomly posted how I felt about a K-drama called ‘Yumi’s Cells’ in the middle of 2022. Prior to that, I always made a few posts about my interest in Korean culture. Most especially about K-food and K-pop. PS: I am an Army, so I used to post about BTS sometimes. So, after posting about ‘Yumi’s Cells’, I realized that video got quite a lot of views. It made me excited that a few people took an interest in my opinion. After that, I posted 2 edits of a K-drama I did myself, because I love editing videos and I was good at it to an extent. Those videos blew up too. I got almost 700k views on one and a little over 10k on the other. I made more and more videos around K-dramas- reviews, recommendations, and everything in-between and now, I can boast of a community.

Q: You must have explored movies from various regions. How do K-Dramas stand out in comparison?

A: K-dramas have managed to give us quality despite the quantity. Not just quality, they also give their audiences a chance to connect with the actors on a deeper level. I am always able to understand each actor’s emotions, feelings, and dialogues. Not just from the protagonists, but also the antagonists. In K-dramas, the actors, especially the male actors, are sometimes made to be vulnerable. What I mean is, in K-dramas, men cry, show emotions, express their feelings, and so on. That is something most shows from other countries, especially my country, lack. Also, we get a background story to actors in K-dramas properly. I can’t speak for all K-dramas, but for most I’ve seen.

Q: I've noticed that you not only adore South Korean dramas but also have a deep appreciation for their culture as a whole. What aspects of their culture do you find particularly fascinating?

A: Their food, oh my goodness! I love how they have so many side dishes that complement their main dishes. As a Korean lover living in Nigeria, I made it my mission to try as much K-food as I can even before going to South Korea someday. Some of which are; Kimchi, Tteokbokki, Ramyeon, Jjajangmyeon (Black Bean Noodles), Korean BBQ, Kimbap, Potato Jeon, Tofu Stew, Beef Fried Rice, Kimchi Fried Rice, some side dishes, and drinks like Boba Tea and Soju, of course! Other aspects that fascinate me are; their music and music videos, their language, and their fashion, both the ancient and the modern.

Q: It's impressive that you understand and even speak the Korean language! How did you acquire this skill? Was it a conscious effort on your part, or did you pick it up while watching K-dramas?

A: Well, I would not call myself an expert yet. I am still learning the language to be much more fluent. You can say I picked up some words while watching K-dramas but that is not enough to learn the language well. I took to Google, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Phone Applications, got some textbooks and every material I could find to help me learn the language. I also have some Nigerian and Korean friends that help me with learning. I am not 100% fluent yet but I hope to be in a few months to come. I mean, learning a new language at this age is not an easy feat, especially as an adult with a lot of distractions but I keep learning to get better.

Q: Could you share your top 5 all-time favorite K-dramas, in no specific order?

A: Reply 1988, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay, 100 Days My Prince, My Liberation Notes, The Healer. It took me a lot not to mention more!

Q: Who are your top 5 Korean actors?

A: Anyone that knows ‘Itunnu’ will know that Ji Chang-Wook is my all-time favorite. Others include; Lee Jae-wook, So Ji-sub, Son Ye-jin and Seo Ye-ji. These are just my personal favorites. I have so many more favorites but we’ll stop at those five.

Q: South Korea is renowned for its exceptional cuisine. Watching their movies, I fell in love with noodles! What are your top 3 South Korean dishes?

A: All types of Ramen, Tteokbokki, and Tofu Stew. Out of the ones I’ve tasted, those three stand out for me.

Q: If you had to choose just one K-drama to watch for the rest of your life (although we hope  that never happens:), which one would it be?

A: It would be Reply 1988. That drama just has everything it should have and more! Romance, friendship, family, comedy, youth, adulthood, and many more. The togetherness of the characters is such a beautiful thing! They laugh, cry, love, eat, and play together. What I love the most is their concern for each other like one big family. It is a drama I wish I can forget all memories of, so I can watch it all over again.

Q: While K-dramas can be enjoyable, cheesy, and sometimes silly, they often convey profound life lessons. What lessons have you learned about living and loving from these dramas?

A: “Do what you want to do. Those that hate you will, and those that love you will. The most important thing is to place less importance on the haters and focus on what makes you happy.”

Q: Apart from their captivating storylines and delectable dishes, Korean actresses' fashion sense is truly remarkable. Who, in your opinion, is the most fashionable actor or actress?

A: To be honest, I don’t think I can answer this. They are all so good at fashion like they were born for it. I get jealous most times like, how can y’all be this good at dressing even when they aren’t putting in so much effort? I know they have stylists and whatnot, but regardless of that, they all dress so good! There’s something about South Koreans and fashion, even skincare. They’re like at the top of the game for me, every one of them.

Q: Last year, you hosted an incredible Korean-themed event (which I wish I had attended). Do          you have any plans to host another event in the near future?

A: Oh definitely! We will host one by the end of the year 2023 by God’s grace. It will be as fun as always. I am looking forward to planning everything with my amazing team.

Q: Please share your social media platforms so that curious readers can connect with you and engage with your enriching content.

A: Okay, thank you very much for having me. It is an amazing opportunity to be featured on your blog while talking about what I love.

 

My TikTok handle is @itunnu_

My Instagram handle is @kdramaswithitunnu

My YouTube channels are Kdrama Talk With Itunnu and Itunnu’s Vlog

Habits to Become an Early Riser: Your Guide to a Happier, Healthier Life

When it comes to being an early riser, most people think it’s a nice thing to do on the weekend, not something you should do every day. In fact, some people feel so strongly about their aversion to waking up early that they have created entire websites dedicated to hating mornings and other early risers. But there are many benefits to waking up early – from getting more time in your day to improving your productivity at work and home. Let’s check out why you need to become an early riser!

There are many habits that can help you become an early riser, but here are seven key ones to start with. If you begin implementing these into your daily routine, you’ll be amazed at how quickly they can change your life and make waking up early easier.

• Wake Up and Go to Bed at the Same Time Every Day

Before you can become an early riser, you have to have an established time to go to sleep every night. And then you have to wake up at the same time every morning. Your body has a natural rhythm, and you need to allow it to naturally fall into it. By having a sleep schedule, your body will begin to crave the sleep it needs and will crave waking up at the same time every day. This is a very helpful habit to have, and it’ll put you on the right path to becoming an early riser.

• Have a Morning Ritual

Your morning ritual is important for a lot of reasons, but one of the most prominent is that it gives you something to look forward to every morning. When you have a ritual that you do each morning, you’ll get excited about it and look forward to it. This will help you become more consistent with your morning rituals and make waking up early easier.

• Make Your Bedroom a Comfort Zone

Your bedroom should be a place where you feel relaxed. If the things in your bedroom are stressing you out, then it’s time to change things up. It’s important to make your bedroom a comfort zone so that when you go to sleep, you’ll be in a relaxed state of mind and sleep better at night. You may want to consider changing the color of your walls, rearranging your furniture, or getting new sheets—whatever you need to do to create a more comfortable environment in your bedroom. This is a key habit you should start today if you want to become an early riser.

• Eat a Good Breakfast - A good breakfast can do wonders for your mood, energy levels, and productivity during the day. When you eat a good breakfast, you’ll find it easier to get out of bed in the morning, and you’ll have more energy to get things done throughout the day. A good breakfast should be balanced and contain protein, fibre, and healthy carbs. Cereal, while a popular breakfast choice, doesn’t have enough protein to keep you going all morning. Eggs and yogurt are great options, as are granola and oatmeal.

• Exercise in the Morning - The best time to exercise is in the morning because it can help you become an early riser. You’ll feel more energized and have more motivation to tackle the rest of your day after a good workout. Plus, exercising in the morning will help you get more done during the day, since you won’t be as exhausted after a workout as you would if you had waited to exercise at the end of the day.
• Let There Be Light - If you work best in the dark, you can become an early riser. But you need to let there be light. When you’re ready to start your day and you want to flip on the lights, you’ll be able to see and be more productive. If you work better in the dark, you may want to consider getting blackout curtains or other window coverings to make your room darker.

Conclusion

When you have a consistent morning routine, you’ll have a consistent day. This will make it easier for you to become an early riser and get the most out of your day. You may find that by becoming an early riser, you’ll have more time in your day, and you’ll feel happier and more productive because of it. You’ll also be setting yourself up for a healthier lifestyle by creating a routine that you can fall into each day. When you become an early riser, you’ll have time to do more in your day, and you’ll feel happier and more productive as a result. You’ll also be setting yourself up for a healthier lifestyle by creating a routine that you can fall into each day.
 

The Late-Sleeper, Obsessed Taraweeh Observer, and Lover of Swallow: 3 Muslims Share their Ramadan Routines

During the blessed and holy month of Ramadan, my daily routine shifts - for example, on weekends I'm usually in bed by 9:30 pm, whereas in other months I often stay up later, engaging in various activities before retiring for the night.

Without a doubt, Ramadan is a unique month that sets itself apart from the rest of the year. What is your routine like during this blessed month? Do you spend the night in prayerful reflection, observing taraweeh, and immersing yourself in the imam's melodious voice? Or do you stay up all night, engaging in tahajjud? What kind of meals do you enjoy most, and what about Ramadan brings you the most joy? Its incomparable mercy, unparalleled peace, bountiful provisions, and infinite joy are truly something to behold.

We have invited some Muslims to share their unique Ramadan routines with us. From those who love to savour the deliciousness of swallow to the devoted Muslim who spends their nights in prayerful Taraweeh, hear how they strive to create harmony between their personal and spiritual obligations throughout the holy month.

 

ABDULRAHMAN

Two words to describe your mood when Ramadan approaches:

Excited & Hopeful.

 

What, to you, is the best part of the holy month?

The month of Ramadan is an amazing experience for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Muslims who are not so religious during other months strive to become better during Ramadan. I recently came across this chart that analyzed the level of atrocities people commit every month. It was so high in other months, but when it got to the month of Ramadan, the atrocities were so reduced that the chart was flat. We've even seen the streets of London decorated to celebrate the commencement of Ramadan, which makes it all the more special.

 

What time do you wake up during the holy month? What time do you sleep?

For the first twenty days, I woke up at around four in the morning to pray tahajjud, do dhikr, and read the Qur'an before having sahur at five. My sleep schedule varies, as I often read the Qur'an at night due to my work during the day, but I generally try to go to bed earlier than usual.

How has your sleeping pattern changed since Ramadan commenced?

Since the start of the fast, my sleeping pattern has drastically changed: I now sleep early and wake up early, and I even take naps during the day to make up for the lost hours at night.

Tell us about a particular favorite activity you enjoy performing in Ramadan. Do you read, watch videos, or hang out with friends?

Before Ramadan began, I used to only open the Qur’an for hifz (memorization) and murajjah (revision). However, during this blessed month, I have taken the time to appreciate the Qur’an by actually reading it.

 

What kind of meals do you enjoy eating for sahur and iftar?

For sahur, I relish hot semo and egusi soup, accompanied by succulent goat meat. I don't have a particular preference when it comes to iftar, as I enjoy a variety of delicacies. Nonetheless, I'm especially fond of fried foods such as fried eggs and potatoes. 

HAMIDA

Two words to describe your mood when Ramadan approaches.

Delighted and Anxious.

What, to you, is the best part of the holy month?

The night of Laylatul Qadr. It's my favorite part of the holy month. 

What time do you wake up during the holy month? What time do you sleep?

Mostly, I get up by 4:30 to prepare for sahur, and afterward, I observe the fajr prayer before going back to sleep (which depends on the day's schedule).

How has your sleeping pattern changed since Ramadan commenced?

Of course, it has. Before Ramadan began, I stayed up late a lot. Sometimes I go to bed by 11 p.m. or 12. Nowadays, I'll be deep in my sleep by 9 p.m.

Tell us about a particular favorite activity you enjoy performing in Ramadan. Do you read, watch videos, or hang out with friends?

I enjoy reading a lot. But lately, that's all I seem to do.

What kind of meals do you enjoy eating for sahur and iftar?

I don't have a specific preference for the types of meals I enjoy during iftar and sahur. I enjoy eating spontaneously.

Reveal your most beloved form of worship.

Waking up while the night is silent and praying to Allah. 

MARYAM

Two words to describe your mood when Ramadan approaches:

Anxious & Hopeful.

What, to you, is the best part of the holy month?

The fact that every Muslim, irrespective of their level of faith, takes individual steps to please Allah and maximize the benefits of the holy month. It is inspiring to witness how many Muslims, through small acts, strive to do things they wouldn't normally do, such as abstaining from music or staying up late to pray tahajjud. Ramadan is a reminder that Muslims can strive to do better for themselves and others and to prepare for the afterlife.

What time do you wake up during the holy month? What time do you sleep?

At the start of Ramadan, I make an effort to wake up at 4:00 am, pray a few rak'ahs, and prepare for Sahur. Lately, however, I have been having difficulty waking up on time. I am thankful for the last 10 days and the opportunity to make a change. Additionally, I have adjusted my nightly routine to ensure that I can wake up at a reasonable hour for tahajjud and sahur rather than sleeping late like I do during other months.

How has your sleeping pattern changed since Ramadan commenced?

Since the beginning of Ramadan, my sleep cycle has been significantly altered, yet my body is adjusting to the new routine of rising, sleeping, and eating.

Tell us about a particular favorite activity you enjoy performing in Ramadan. Do you read, watch videos, or hang out with friends?

I read Islamic books and watch inspiring videos. I also enjoy reading the Qur’an and staring at Muslims storming the mosque for the taraweeh prayers. 

What kind of meals do you enjoy eating for sahur and iftar?

I enjoy eating light meals for Sahur, like rice and pasta. I also enjoy eating eba. Rice and pasta are also my go-to meals for Iftar.