HITS:

CHEESE STAND in Shibuya (Haruka)

Did you ever want to devour freshly made cheese? If so, you should definitely visit CHEESE STAND in Shibuya. Since they opened in June 2012, they have been increasing in popularity each year. You may think, don’t they just import so-called-fresh cheese from France and Italy? NO. They believe that imported cheeses taste slightly different by the time they arrive in Tokyo. So they actually have a kitchen where they use milk and cheese imported from Hachioji (about an hour away from Tokyo) and make exquisite mozzarella, Burrata (Mozzarella pouches filled with cream) and Ricotta cheese. Although it is a bit pricey, you definitely have to try the Fresh Mozzarella and Ricotta (¥‎640) and Burrata with fresh tomato and oregano (¥‎1,680). Also, if you want more filling dishes, they also have sandwiches and pizzas. I guarantee that you will want more after you take a bite of their cheese. But I recommend you go early in the morning (around 10:30a.m.~11:00a.m) just so that you don’t have to wait an hour in line.

DWTS Nyle DiMarco (Reshma)

By the end of season 21, fans of “Dancing with the Stars” were fatigued from watching dancer Derek Hough win his fifth Mirrorball trophy. Convinced that “Dancing with the Stars” had transformed into “The Derek Hough Show”, I decided to give up watching the reality television series. But my love for the show resurrected when Nyle DiMarco, winner of “America’s Next Top Model” was invited to be the celebrity dancer. As he is deaf, audience members wondered how it was possible to synchronise his body to the rhythm of the music without being able to hear. However, through the careful guidance of his dance partner, Peta Murgatroyd, and his interpreter, within four weeks DiMarco has become one of the top dancers on the show. As cheesy as it may sound, Nyle DiMarco is another reminder to us that we can continue to open doors we thought were walls as long as we continue to believe in the power of perseverance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpd9LqD2BHs

Spotlight (Haruka)

My friend recently recommended the film “Spotlight” to watch during spring break. Without much expectation, I rented out “Spotlight” on iTunes. Thirty minutes into the movie my eyes were glued to the screen. I felt the tension building wanting to know what would happen next. By the end of the film, I was struck with the realisation of the impact of an public service article on society.

The movie is based on a true story by the Boston Globe’s “Spotlight” team and their investigation regarding a church cover-up of child abuse by Catholic priests.The film is a journey of uncovering the truth. However, the process reveals each and every journalist’s fear as they begin to realise the weight of the issue. Moreover, the movie accurately portrays the victims’ conflict fear of revealing the past. The justice that this article brought was enormous, and I believe that this movie wonderfully portrayed the journalists’ struggles. I strongly recommend this movie when it is released in Japanese theaters on April 15.

New Melon Frappuccino in Starbucks (Mina)

Recently, the Starbucks beverage line up has been quite unimpressive. The selection of drinks, especially, frappuccinos, seem to be dwindling in size and becoming blander. But something new, AND good, has finally appeared on the familiar menu. “Cantaloupe Melon and Cream Frappuccino” is what I have been waiting for what seems like forever. The surprising mix of real cantaloupe pieces and milk-flavored panna cotta cream is a perfect blend that welcomes the approaching summer. It is due to end its sale by May 17, so don’t miss out on your chance to taste a cup of fruit heaven!

MISSES:

Cherry Blossom Season Ends Early (Darya)

Although the beauty in cherry blossoms is in their short season, the ‘hanami’ period has ended earlier this year. According to the Sakura Weather Map, as Tokyo faced a warm winter, it was harder for the sakura flowers to fully bloom, causing them to fall relatively quickly.Due to rain and occasional storms, most of the sakura fell before the end of the first week of April. Even Yoyogi Park, which is usually filled with people laying out blue mats and picnicking under the cherry blossom trees, was less abundant throughout the hanami season. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t in our favor this year, but let’s keep our hopes up for the next sakura season.