Fin

2012, I dub thee... The Transition Year. From childhood to teenhood, the path was rocky. Love and loss, hope and despair, tears of joy and tears of pain, have all marked my own personal journey toward growth and maturity. Gradually, I noticed that my opinions and views of many areas of life had changed and due to the influences (both positive and negative) on me, particularly from people. Each person I have met and gotten to know throughout this year has taught me a life lesson - some more valuable than others, but every single one important. I can only hope that the upcoming year will bless me with just as much experience and love as I had this year. These memories are priceless.
Everyone, let's make 2013 fantastic! I promise to try my best  ^_^

 

"Sometimes in our lives

We all have pain

We all have sorrow

But if we are wise

We know that there's always tomorrow"

Bill Withers, Lean On Me

iPhone 5

After three and a half years of using a brick, I can genuinely say that I am pretty happy that I got an iPhone 5. So happy, in fact, that I feel like screaming from the rooftops. Right now. Until daybreak.

on the same page

"You tell me there is no fighting or hatred or desire in the Town. That is a beautiful dream, and I do want your happiness. But the absence of fighting or hatred or desire also means the opposites do not exist either. No joy, no communion, no love. Only where there is disillusionment and depression and sorrow does happiness arise; without the despair of loss, there is no hope."

Haruki Murakami, Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

Yellow Ribbon

This makes me so foolishly happy~

on the same page

"I don't understand." In fact, I didn't understand. On the whole, I'm a regular guy. I say I understand when I do, and I say I don't when I don't. I try not to mince words. It seems to me a lot of trouble in this world has its origins in vague speech. Most people, when they go around not speaking clearly, somewhere in their unconscious they're asking for trouble.

Haruki Murakami, Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

If I could...

Euthanasia

A brilliant representation of how little of a role spoken language plays in conveying emotions. Watching the video for the first time, I didn't pay close attention and couldn't fully grasp the storyline, simply thinking it was a nice song. Then, as I watched it again several days later, it struck me not as a beautiful music video, but as a small masterpiece of its own.
I started noticing the smallest hints of body language, the little details that made the story so much more tragic, so close to home. Loss is an incredibly difficult feeling to portray. Helplessness goes hand in hand with loss, the two mixing together to produce the worst heaviness of the soul. No words can ever explain the feeling.

Flights of Fancy

The flat fan of black hair seems too dark in the sterile white room. Lying on bed sheets that smell faintly of bleach and pain killers, she watches the dull sky behind the window glass. Mouth slightly ajar with words left unspoken, she wills her tongue to bring some color back to her chapped lips. She turns her head over to the other side, the pillow making a soft squelching sound that seems too loud in the tall, mute room. Her empty eyes slowly register a plastic green chair in front of the iron framed bed. How strange, she thinks. All visitor's chairs have been long removed from this room, as they were never occupied. She slides her arm up to the pillow, her bony fingers brushing away thin black hair that had fallen across her face. Examining her chipped fingernails, she dully thinks of what her mother would have said, were she around. She would have scorned her. Made her scrub the staleness off her body until her skin was raw. Tore through the knots in her dry hair, scolding her even louder to block out her cries of pain. She would have shamed her; were she around.
Silence presses against her ears, making the feeling of true loneliness seem all too close. The still, dead air never leaves the room, as if afraid of what lies outside the white door. A white hallway. A white courtyard. A white city. A white world.
Doctors come and go. They sit by the bed, thoughtfully poking their chins with their pens, asking her questions. She stares blankly at the floor, the ceiling, the blue blanket clutched tightly between her fingers. The blue blanket, once a lovingly made gift, now frayed with age and drained of feeling. She stopped answering their questions long ago.
The hours pass. The visitor's chair stands alone, facing the bed on which a frail young body is draped in white cloth. The tender spring sunlight fades, giving way to an early evening. The chair stands, patiently waiting for someone to walk through the door, or for the girl to move. But visiting hours end and the institution plunges into a deep night.
There are no more tears. Everything had gone, forgetting only a brittle shell. Pain, joy, curiosity, love. All of it steadily seeped out from her eyes, running down the worn-out tracks of her hollow cheeks.

(this piece was inspired by the song "The Story Only I Didn't Know" by IU)

Ten Toes

I have a long standing love-hate relationship with a certain someone. Actually, certain someones.
Feet. That's right, those wierd endings of the legs, composed of five stubby wanna-be fingers and connected to incredibly fragile ankles. Why do I hate them? They rarely breathe, which is unhealthy and sometimes gives them an odd odor - stuffed into socks in the morning, shoved into shoes during the day, and finally put into slippers in the evening. Feet look pretty ridiculous with the toes either sticking out, curving, bending, or missing altogether. Really, feet are just yucky.
But I also love them. And I understand why they are one of the biggest turn-ons for both men and women, as they are similar to hands but not shown as often. The turn-on effect is also psychological - if you see someone's feet, you are likely either on a beach or in a bed.

It's so ugly, it's kinda cute. Just like feet.

A Year in Quotations: 40/365

A Year in Quotations: 39/365

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves."

 

1 Corinthians 13:4

Faith in Humanity: Regained

Faith in Humanity: Lost

A World of Difference(s)

"Always remember you're unique... just like everyone else."

Alison Boulter

 

Right you are, Ms. Boulter! Unfortunately, many people misinterpret this saying. The tone of the quote implies that because everyone is different, everyone is the same. Since each one of us is unique, and everyone else is also unique, it no longer seems like such an exclusive club to be part of. Many automatically think that the quote disregards them as an individual and places emphasis on the similarities of the human race, while in reality, it does the opposite and draws on the differences.
I believe there are two ways to interpret the quote. The first one being the more pessimistic way, and the way many people think of it - "because everyone is special, I'm no longer special." The second way, and the more accurate one in my view, goes something like this - "everyone is different, so I'm different from everyone."
Saying that all people are alike because they're all different is like saying all food items at a potluck lunch are the same because they're each unique. That doesn't make any sense, right? Chicken nuggets are unique, and so is Caesar salad, and gimbap, and samosas, and barbequed steak... Sure, they're all food (just like we are all human), and some of them may have similar ingredients (personality, traits, appearances), but on what planet can you say that they are the same?
I don't know which way Alison Boulter meant for us to interpret her saying, but I hope that she tried to instill the human virtue of understanding in us, to remember that everyone is unique; and because people accept our differences, we need to accept the differences of others.

A Year in Quotations: 38/365

"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him."

 

Romans 10:12

Money from the Sky

Absolute favorite evening-time activity during early winter? Zipping up my favorite jacket, walking through the cold to Starbucks, enjoying a hot cup of frappuccino, and laughing with you. I can't wait.

What am I listening to: If You Really Love Me (Busker Busker)
What am I thinking of: how much I love this song
What I should be doing: homework, I guess
What I want to do: learn to play this on the guitar...

U-turn

Change is so difficult to initiate and accept, it almost seems as if it's not worth it to even try. When you're heading down the wrong path, it's frightening and almost impossible to stop in your tracks and turn back toward the faint glowing light. It's easier to hunch your shoulders in defeat and let your feet propel you forward, into the darkness of the abyss...

Luckily, life allows for U-turns. On our personal journeys, we encounter people who are going in the same direction, and our common goals allow us to become either friends or enemies. And sometimes, we encounter those who are moving in the opposite direction from the light, which creates struggle as both of us try to push past each other. Choices are made and chances are taken, and the tiresome trek up the hill begins. Slow progress, setbacks, achievements, failures, feelings of regret and guilt, all mark the journey which we now share, leaning on each other to be able to walk a little straighter. On days when the clouds cover the sun, giving up and moving on may feel like the smarter option, and definitely the less troublesome one. There is never a guarantee that months of hard work will pay off and that all will be well. But if you succeed, your journey will likely become one that you won't readily forget, and be filled with lessons that won't easily slip your mind. Overcoming obstacles is often the best way to forge the strongest bonds.
The hardships are absolutely nothing compared to the joys felt when you step off the dark and treacherous path onto the sun-bathed road together. What has this part of my journey with you taught me? Persevere, try your hardest, trust, and always keep the heart a little softer than the head.

정말로 사랑한다면

 

I can't love you with just the words, "I love you"

My obvious words are hurting you

Words spit out too easily; love that is too easy

Is a lie

JustKidding

Bart as Asian Mom... Doesn't get much better.

A Year in Quotations: 37/365

"If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent - not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him."

2 Corinthians 2:5

Triforce

A day spent exploring Lanayru Desert is never wasted. It was so much fun! Judging from today's experience, it looks like I'll be playing Skyward Sword from the Legend of Zelda game series fairly often until Christmas. Or maybe beyond that, it's quite lengthy. Unfortunately for me though, I'm fully booked for tomorrow so I won't be able to continue adventuring until Monday. Sigh...

 

 A little somethin' for you pop-culture conscious people..

What am I listening to: the clock ticking
What am I thinking of: playing Skyward Sword, duh
What I should be doing: my homework, duh
What I want to do: eat some flaky pastry from Anna's Cake House

Poetry vs. Reality

Click on the YouTube button to watch the videos on a larger screen.

 

 

Puck.

 

I used to laugh at the Canadian romance with hockey, and wonder how the nation could be represented by a sport. Now, due to the Lockout, I realize that hockey was my drug too.

Although I was never one for watching the game, I recently understood that the real reason I love hockey season is because it unites people of all ages and backgrounds. Much like Christmas, the spirit of hockey is contagious, whether you are a follower or not. I can't help but smile when the talk in class turns to last night's game. Hockey season gives us reason to either hotly argue over who the best team is, or to go crazy over an impossible shot. Cheering for a team and feeling like part of a nationwide family of hockey lovers is what makes the game truly dear to the heart.

A Year in Quotations: 36/365

"Compare

Where you are and where you wanna be

And you'll get

No where"

Sara Bareilles, Uncharted

Our lessons

100 questions; 1 answer

The Truth about Perfection

 

I could say that it's a waste of time to seek perfection. I could say that flaws are what make everyone human; that a perfect person is dull. I could also say that bullying will stop because Amanda Todd committed suicide. But then I would be lying. So I'm going to say that perfection should always be sought. Individual perfection. Perfection will never be reached, it is humanly impossible - but what harm is it to get as close as we can?

Fangirl

Sigh, I used to be such a dedicated fangirl. What happened..?

fangirl (noun): a rabid breed of human female who has crossed the line between healthy fandom and indecent obsession. Known to squeal, hyperventilate, endlessly rant, and tackle at the mention of their idol. Usually, members of this label are seen as insane, idiotic, and scary.

- totally reliable source, UrbanDictionary.com

Ehem. Let's clear a few things up before jumping to conclusions. First off, there are 3 different types of fangirls. It is crucial to understand and be able to distinguish the differences.


Exhibit A

Below Average Fangirl
Barely allowed to call themselves a fangirl, this type is least likely to cause mayhem and annoy non-fans with useless facts about their idol. Own several objects of official merchandise (exhibit A), and know a fair amount of facts without crossing too many boundaries. May rant from time to time, but know that it is boring for others, so they try not to go overboard. They are aware of their slight obsession, but are mature about it and are able to laugh at themselves for it.

Average Fangirl
The most common type of fangirl, generally harmless but easily insulted. Prone to squeal at high frequencies, overload on rants, write fanfics, and own an impressive collection of images, gifs, and video clips of their idol doing regular activities such as brushing their teeth. Usually have a couple of friends who are fans of the same object/person. Have watched several hundred interviews, movie appearances, music video shoots, and God knows what else. Believe they are the girlfriend/wife/ideal type of their idol. May have flown to the other side of the world on cheap airfare to see a few performances.



Exhibit B (click to enlarge)

Above Average Fangirl
Crossing all healthy boundaries of fandom and taking the Average Fangirl tendencies to the next level, they are the main reason celebrities have passionate haters. Repelling people with their endless rants, high levels of immaturity, and uncontrollable drooling, they are also capable of  producing inhuman sounds at the mention of their idol's name. Fangirl to the point where it physically hurts them (exhibit B). Can become dangerously violent upon hearing that they are worshipping a two-dimensional character or someone they will never meet.

Now that you are well-learned in the different kinds of fangirls, you may openly judge me. Yes, I used to love SHINee to bits. I own a digital archive of roughly 200 images. I listened to all their songs. I watched some subbed interviews. I have two posters, a keychain, official photo-shoot photos, and a calendar. I ranted to my friends, even though I knew they didn't care, I told them only a fraction of what I really wanted to say. Was I an Average Fangirl? I think so.
Now, I fit into the Below Average category quite nicely. I still silently cheer whenever they win an award, and love their music. I want to learn the Lucifer dance. I still think they're extremely handsome (Jonghyun, ahhh~).
Well, my attitude toward SHINee is now positively healthy, instead of borderline psychotic. All those fangirls, whether below average or above, will also come to their senses eventually - they just need time  ^_^

Love: what is it?

Sometimes... I get scared.

Tears in Heaven

it's simple

Realize.

Why do we not do the things we've always wanted to do or say the things we've always wanted to say until a terrible disaster looms just around the corner? Why do we wait for the perfect moment to tell that special person we truly love them, when we know, deep in our hearts, that horrid tragedy can come sooner? Why do we treat our bodies like trash cans, tossing in processed foods and pouring in chemical drinks until the only thing between us and death's door is an IV stand?

What the hell is everyone waiting for? Do people really think that they get to live forever? We know that we're all going to die one day, but we never think that that day might be tomorrow, or even today, even now. There is no time. There is no time to be unhappy, to do things we regret, to refrain from saying what we really mean. Each day is a miracle; treat it like one.

Online Comedians

How I love to waste time staring at my computer screen. As do millions of other people, I wonder how time can pass so goddamn slowly when I'm sitting in class, but zoom by when I'm clicking away on the web. Well, it can't be helped.
One of my favorite pastimes on the internet is watching online comedian clips. Especially David So and JustKidding Films. Warning: very easy to get carried away watching these, make sure you have at least 3 hours available before you click. Speaking from experience.

David So - Clubbin! not my thang...; The Boys Who Killed Hip Hop; Pretty Girl Problems
JustKiddingFilms - Why Parents Criticise; Friend Problems

Norwegian Wood

I need to watch this soon.. I remember reading the book last February, how the soundtrack of the movie replayed over and over in my head during that month, specifically the two songs used in the trailer.
Haruki Murakami is a truly odd writer. His novels are strangely hypnotic; I crave to read another one.

Flights of Fancy

Shouldering my way forward through the oncoming crowd, I cross the road and step into a lively alley lit bright with neon signs and flushed faces. The hustle and bustle of Tokyo is accentuated on this narrow street overflowing with restaurants, bars, and night clubs. After a hectic day at work, all sorts of people swarm to this place from throughout the city, packing into their preferred nooks like canned sardines.
Adjusting the thick wool scarf around my neck, I am swallowed by a flock of businessmen filing out of a Shinkansen train station, chattering with fellow employees and loosening their formal neck ties. Ahead of me, a man in a navy blue suit laughs at a joke I didn't catch, his warm breath forming white clouds that are whisked away into the night. I bumble along behind them, glad for the sturdy wall of shoulders in front of me, providing protection from the chilly headwind. The party enters a dimly lit restaurant, the noise of drunken laughter spilling through the door and into the busy street.
As I pass the dark restaurant, I nearly collide with a pair of young women rushing out of a tea house, wearing traditional geisha makeup and giggling, probably on their way to another party. I turn, wanting to get a closer look at their intricate silk kimonos, but the bright yellow and red hues have already rounded a corner and disappeared from view. I marvel at the smells coming from the restaurants, my mouth watering. The noise of laughter and chatter from different eateries blends with that of others, creating a pleasant hum.
The sound of the sizzling grill and friendly conversation envelops me as I push open the door of my favorite restaurant. The place is jam-packed as usual, and I wait in line for a seat next to the bar-like open kitchen. Tables and chairs litter the tiny room, evenly clustered with customers. A woman in a maroon sweater is shoveling rice into her kids' bowls; a party of four is laughing heartily over cups of sake; three young men in school uniforms are discussing their classes. The walls are painted a light brown color and dark wooden beams are placed along at even intervals. There is space for only two paintings - a portrait of a beautiful geisha with white facial makeup and bright red lips, and an equally stunning watercolor painting of a Sakura tree in a gentle wind. There is nothing out of the ordinary with the small eatery, save for the luscious flavors on the menu. A tall man shuffles past me and leaves the restaurant as I slide into the freshly available seat, taking off my jacket. I place my order and watch the crafty hands of the chef combine simple ingredients to create a delectable meal.

Opinion: The Street of a Thousand Blossoms

Beautifully written, the novel follows the lives of a handful of characters from 1939 to 1966; prior to Japan's involvement in World War II to the end of the American occupation. Gail Tsukiyama is known for her emotional and detailed writing, and her non-fussy storytelling style makes the pages flip themselves.

As soon as I curled up next to the fireplace with a hot cup of green tea and read the first chapter, I knew I was holding a masterpiece. The elegant writing captured me immediately and I spent all my evenings during the week reading. A family saga, the novel did not focus on one particular character, but instead divided the reader's attention between four main groups of people.
1. Hiroshi, an orphan with dreams of becoming a sumo wrestler; and Kenji, his younger brother, a quiet and introverted child with a keen interest in the masks of Japanese Noh theater.
2. Fumiko and Yoshio, the grandparents of Hiroshi and Kenji, who have taken care of the boys since their parents' unforeseen deaths before the war.
3. Sho Tanaka, a renowned sumo master; as well as his wife and two daughters.
4. Akira Yoshiwara, a famed Noh mask maker in the Tokyo area.
The Street of a Thousand Blossoms was written in a clear, clean, uncluttered style, which left the reader with all the information and the ability to decide what to do with it. Through the characters, I felt the desperation, hunger, and fear of the war, the horrors that came at such a high price. Tsukiyama's descriptions are so vivid; during the most intense moments of the war, I had to stop to catch my breath because I was so engaged in the story. There were also countless parts that were emotionally charged and left me dazed for minutes, pondering over what I had just read.
Reading this book was partially therapeutic to me, as thoughts of either one of the World Wars affect me and I close up like a flower at sunset, shut down within myself. Having gone to several memorials and listened to stories from a survivor of the concentration camps only shocked me further. I don't think I will ever be able to get over the impact and devastation of the wars, but reading about something so horrific that it makes me go quiet for a while is ironically a positive experience.
An intimate story of the true price of war; of what happens to ordinary people in frightening and tragic times; and of the children of a war era, struggling to find the strength to move forward.

A Year in Quotations: 35/365

"For none of us lives our lives alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone."

 

Romans 14:7

Y, Si Fuera Ella

A Russian person speaking fluent English fully understands a song in Korean by reading Spanish subtitles. This world is truly something xD

The song is in fact Spanish, sung by Alejandro Sanz and translated into several languages. So soulful, especially Jonghyun's live performances (below is one without Spanish subs, but it's the best vocally). Everytime I hear this man sing, I wildly wish I also had a drop of musical talent...

Black Cats and Carved Pumpkins

I'm currently wrapping up a story, but it's quite dampening to the mood, so I don't want to put it up just yet.. Let's talk about something cheery. Like Halloween!
To be honest, Halloween isn't one of my favorite holidays. I don't mind it, but I don't get excited for it as I do for Christmas. Maybe it's because I don't like pumpkins (sorry Tiger). I also can't watch horror movies. I tried watching Mirrors a couple of years ago, but turned off the TV after seeing a man slit his own throat. Which was about 6 minutes into the movie.
Another aspect that I'm not especially fond of is Trick-or-Treating. I'm way too lazy to open the door every 3 minutes and pretend to be Jolly Julia while handing out delicious chocolates and complimenting little children's terrible costumes. Sigh.
Alright, alright, I'll try to get into the spirit this year. As long as I get some chocolate too.

Coffee Break

I'm going to Whistler for the Thanksgiving Weekend with my friend for a much-needed vacation, finally! When I come back, I'll hopefully have a short story that I can post up. I haven't written anything in a while and I feel like I'm overflowing with creativity. Maybe you'll like what I write  ^_^

Please await my return!

A Year in Quotations: 34/365

meh.

I'm getting very lazy with the blog.. Sorry, I'll pick it up soon. Please endure just a few more short picture posts, then I promise to start putting up big chunks of text again.

Love: what is it?

Exactly.

Alive

There's a really strange shift in perspective as I go from my biology class to my geography class.
 

One microscopic cell in our body is just one of trillions. In it, there are organelles capable of complex processes such as anabolism, autophagy, phagocytosis, and copying of genetic material. A single flagella is made of nine doublets of microtubules, which are arranged in a ring and connected to a central pair by radical spokes. Dynein extends from one pair of microtubules to the next, and by using ATP, dynein arms slide past each other to move, thereby causing the flagella to bend. Dynein also carries substances through the cytoskeleton from one part of the cell to the other, such as a signal in a nerve cell. How fast does the signal travel from one side of the cell to the other, and through several thousand cells to our brain, if it takes us a fraction of a second to realize an object is hot to the touch? As I'm sitting here typing this, my brain is thinking, my blood is pumping, my heart is beating... My body is constantly working. And it's doing the same thing for you. And seven billion other people.

And then there are forces that can change the surface of the earth in a matter of minutes, forces that can wipe out entire cities and even split apart continents. They don't care about us, about any of us. An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 can shut a door at 700 miles per hour. An earthquake of magnitude 9.4 can drive a glass shard 5 inches deep into an oak desk. An earthquake of magnitude 9.8 can hurl the ground up and down for 2 and a half minutes, rising 30 feet each time with incredible speed. The Earth's crust can shift an inch at any given moment, and we can bid farewell to our dearly beloved, all our belongings, our hobbies, all that time we spent on absolutely anything, and all we've ever hoped for and dreamed of.

Life is so fragile. Take care of it.

American Horror Films

I don't remember laughing so hard in years xD

Welcome Home

Meanwhile, in Soviet Russia..

 

But seriously. This is happening today.

a simple man's advice.

"I think over the many years of dating and break-ups, if there’s anything I learnt about loving someone and being in a relationship, it’s patience.
It’s not about how sweet you can be, how many gifts you give, or even how much you’re willing to do for your loved one. It’s about how patient and understanding you can be when things aren’t going right, when someone does something that makes you angry, sad, or hurt.
If I think over every single argument I’ve had in the past, and the break ups, most of the time, if only one side could be more patient and understanding, everything could’ve been prevented.
It’s actually really easy to treat someone nicely, it’s easy to do a lot of sweet things for someone, it’s easy to shower someone with love and gifts. But it’s so hard, so hard, to be understanding and patient when things aren’t going the way you want. It took me so many years to try to learn this, and even now I can’t say it’s easy, but I know I’m trying.
In this relationship, I lose in almost every argument I have with my girlfriend. Not because I have no sense of principle or opinion. It’s because I think that for almost every argument, it’s not really important who wins, deep inside, most of us all know what’s right and wrong. It’s just at the heat of the moment, we become stubborn, or we let our emotions take over our logic and we argue. In the past, every time I win an argument, after it’s all over, I know deep inside who was right and who was wrong. If you care and love someone, try to just let little meaningless things go, sometimes even let the big things slide..."

- HJ Story

Love: what is it?

 

Heads Up!

A new page will soon be added to this blog, titled "HJ Story". It will consist of periodical updates of the most adorable little drawings I've ever seen, done by an amateur artist (no one knows his name). I came across them yesterday and gushed over the simple style and cute messages for hours. The page will be similar to that of Sungha Jung's on the blog.
He's like me - terrible with expressing his feelings through words. So he started drawing pictures for his long-time girlfriend (and now wife).
I hope you enjoy the cute pictures as much as I do, and please spread the word about this guy if you like him!
Check out the new addition, coming to you soon~

What am I listening to: Always Be Here (Sungha Jung)
What am I thinking of: nail polish
What I should be doing: going through my homework pile
What I want to do: nothing.. something's missing.

Love is Pain

 

Fingers burnt, shoulder strained, back cramped up...

I love playing guitar.

Dazzling World

I swear, I've been living in Narnia or something. I only found out about SHINee's new album 10 minutes ago! I need to get back on top of my game..
The album release date is October 10th, but people have already mixed the various teasers of Dazzling Girl (cover song) and put them together, so it sounds like the finished version. So upbeat! I love it, especially the dance~
I don't have much to say about the comeback style - nothing that grabs too much attention, but still doesn't blend into the background. One thing.. Key's teaser picture kinda freaks me out (left).
Most artists don't make too much of an effort with their international affairs, so SHINee didn't train so long to put together this Japanese album (which is fine with me, since I like their Korean songs better). I'm looking forward to the upcoming official release and the MV, it looks promising!

Official Dazzling Girl teaser

Faith in Humanity: Lost

"Without money, we'd all be rich."

 

 

PSY.cho

 "Right now, the entire world is fascinated

by a mad South Korean." 

- DRS 3, Switzerland National Radio

This guy is something unreal. He's taken the music industry by storm, appeared on numerous music hit shows as well as talk shows, stayed at the top of international music charts for several consecutive weeks, performed at festivals across the world, won the Most Viewed Youtube Video award for a K-pop song, and triggered at least fourteen flash mobs, most well over 800 people. Wow.
PSY has completely smashed the image of a typical K-pop idol - a handsome young man in his early 20s, not too slim but not too muscular, a hairstyle to die for, good dancer, always single. Pfft, forget it! Thirty-four years old, married, two daughters, named himself after "psycho", fined for inappropriate content on released CDs, once arrested for possession of marijuana, wiggled out of completing mandatory military service and re-drafted to serve second term, and known as the "Bizarre Singer" in his home country.
He's not one of my favorite idols, but I like Gangnam Style well enough. I applaud his weirdness.

If you haven't seen the music video yet.. You're a little slow.

Opinion: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

This movie should be renamed to Extremely Beautiful and Incredibly Uplifting. With some fantastic acting from the young Thomas Horn and a wonderfully fitting soundtrack, it had me wipe away more than a few tears. I award this Friday's Movie-Night experience 8.5/10.
The story was not complex to understand and the plot was simple to follow - a ten year old boy with a relentlessly active mind searches New York City to find the final message his dad left him before his death in the 9/11 attacks. Although it is a false hope that 427 people in New York City would open their front door to a child and answer a multitude of questions, it was necessary for the story to move forward.
The acting of Thomas Horn completely surprised me. I wasn't expecting such an earnest and touching performance from a young newcomer. I don't think many adult actors could have done it better. I don't even need to comment on Sandra Bullock's work because we all know she was unbeatable, as was Tom Hanks.
The set design was pleasing to the eye in the sense that it was tastefully coloured, with lots of attention to detail. The handling, position, and angle of the camera were reasonably solid, as it didn't distract the viewer. The soundtrack.. Ah, a wonderful aspect of the movie for music maniacs like me. This was one of the best-suited OSTs I've heard, with light melodies of the heavy heartbreak.
I attempted to read the novel several months ago, but gave up several chapters through due to its long talks about nothing. Now that I understand the movie, it may be time to crack the spine of the book and keep going with the stirring story.

Zelda's Theme

Dedicated to Anne!

Opinion: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo turned out to be exactly what I had expected based on the reviews: terrific. Dark, brutal, and intriguing, it's a page-turner. There is absolutely nothing negative I can say about it. In addition to the novel, I wrapped up my journey to Sweden by watching the American film, which I also review below. Complex and captivating, the interpretation of the fantastic novel received 8.5/10 stars from me.

First, about the novel. I'm going to be honest here and say that I reluctantly started reading because of a recommendation, and had to bully myself into finishing the first few chapters. Maybe because I don't care much about business (the first chapters), or maybe due to other factors. It wasn't dry and the story kept moving, but it did not capture my attention until about a quarter way through, when the mystery got underway. I couldn't put the book down after I dived in.
As expected, my favorite character was Lisbeth Salander, the pierced and tattooed social outcast aiding Mikael Blomkvist. I must say that I idolize her quick and innovative mind, as I would have called the case dead closed right from the start. The writing style was praiseworthy, and the author patiently explained the important aspects without boring the reader, as well as planting the incredible twists right where they would have the most impact. It wasn't an easy case to crack.
Now to the movie, which, in the amount of time permitted, retold the story quite well. The acting was some of the most believable I've seen in a long time. Warning: contains various disturbing scenes, ranging from blue-lipped torture to pornography. Nothing wrong with the soundtrack, although in my opinion it could have been a bit better suited. The movie was unavoidably shortened and therefore did not include many aspects, including allowing the viewer to become one with the Vanger family, as in the novel. One fairly important piece that downgraded the movie was the interpretation of Salander. I felt like I read about one person and watched another one on the screen. The novel and film described two different individuals, which was unfortunate.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo left a mark with its ruthless and troubling nature, and landed a spot in my favorite novels list. A fresh and ingenious mystery to thrill all.

English

Let’s face it: English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant or ham in hamburger, neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins were not invented in England or french fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies, while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat.

We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. And why is it that writers write, but fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t groce, and hammers don’t ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth beeth? One goose, two geese. So, one moose, two meese? One index, two indices? Is cheese the plural of choose? If teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? Park on driveways and drive on parkways? How can a "slim chance" and a "fat chance" be the same, while a "wise man" and a "wise guy" are opposites? How can the weather be "hot as hell" one day an "cold as hell" another? When a house burns up, it burns down. You fill in a form by filling it out and an alarm clock goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, isn't a race at all). That's why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I end it?

Now I know why I flunked my English. It’s not my fault; the silly language doesn’t quite know whether it’s coming or going.

U.S. author, speaker, and teacher Richard Lederer

I'm such a kid.

Yesterday, a wave of nostalgia slapped me in the face so I played on my Nintendo DS for the sake of my happy childhood days. I picked my favorite game from grade 6, Animal Crossing: Wild World.
Oh man, did I love that thing or what. I have so many memories with this game, virtual and real. I asked for it as a Christmas present because my friends couldn't shut up about it. After that, all hell broke loose with me playing all day and waking up before school to fit in a few hours. I was only in grade 6! Maybe that's why I didn't do so well in school back then.. I mean, who in their right mind would want to do math equations rather than run around talking to their pixel neighbors?
I have to hand it to Nintendo, they made a great game. For the year and some that I've played it, I haven't had one repeating town and haven't met all the animals. With always something to do day and night, I didn't get bored. There were tons of options to nearly everything and I could directly affect many aspects of town life. Plant trees, cut down trees; add to my house, remove from my house; shoot down presents from the sky, recklessly spend my cash.. Yup, those were the good days. I also credit Animal Crossing to my extensive knowledge of insects and fish as I had to catch them to fill the museum exhibits.
Sadly now that I'm older, I quickly got bored and the game seemed slightly repetitive and I wished I could do more things my way. Like speeding up the expansion of the goddamned store.

 

 

Umm... Why did I write about this again?.. Sorry.

Sh*t

I get to see a lot of this at my friends' houses, and even some at home from my own mom  ^_^

 

 

R.I.P. summer 2012

Well, here we are at the end of the summer. What can I say, it's been a good one! Lots of crazy, silly fun.
Let's make the school year just as great, hmm? Good luck everyone  ^_^

Waikiki Beach, Oahu.

We don't need your post cards. We make our own.

 

 

Note: all photos taken by me between August 24th and August 31 at Waikiki Beach and Polynesian Cultural Centre contain no edited material.

 

Wisdom

I was busy laughing

You know you're having too much fun in the real world when you don't have the desire to visit the virtual one.

Faith in Humanity: Regained

Faith in Humanity: Lost

A Year in Quotations: 33/365

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything."

George Bernard Shaw

Love and Lust

Whoever made this...

...is an idiot. 

Opinion: The Day After Tomorrow

I don't have much to say about this movie. There wasn't a single aspect of it that stood out. No character development, poor graphics, average acting...
However, it wasn't a typical disaster movie either, as it had some rather ridiculous scenes that were difficult not to laugh about. Overall, The Day After Tomorrow was a blah movie that earned itself 4/10 stars.

Considering the fact that it was made in 2004, the visuals were not bad. But if the movie was released today, people will think it was made with an advanced version of Windows Movie Maker.

There was no real character development, but that is forgiven as this is a disaster movie, and the audience is focusing on all the dead people rather than the live ones.

At times, the acting was slightly forced and unrealistic, but that's just me being picky. Casting Dennis Quaid for the main role was a good move by the director, but that's about where it ended. The actress playing the mother, Sela Ward, had her gaze positioned strangely. I didn't like the main character's son, Jake Gyllenhaal, because he was ugly. Sorry. The only character I liked was the homeless guy and his dog. And there you have it, my take on the cast.

I wouldn't call it melodramatic as it was trying to be serious about the coming of an Ice Age. However, some scenes distracted the audience from the horrors and instead had them bend double in laughter. How can three adolescent boys, one of whom is missing a chunk of his leg, outrun a blast of freezing air and close the doors on it? Oh, that's right. They can't.

This baffled me completely - the previous Ice Ages last a million years each. This one lasted three days.

As I stated earlier, nothing at all impressed me about the movie. I wouldn't recommend it.

A Year in Quotations: 32/365

"This is my command: Love each other."

John 15:17

Domo

Can someone kindly explain why this bread loaf with a never-closing mouth is so popular? I'm baffled by the fact that millions are so mesmerised by this - excuse me - rather ugly character.

PS: Another addition to my blog! Two, actually, but they're related. The first, titled For Ever, is a collection of things that I will always love without hesitation. The second, For Now, consists of images of items that fascinate me right now, which are bound to change, some sooner than others. Did I miss anything?

PPS: The order of the images does not matter. If one is in front of another, it doesn't mean I like it more.

What am I listening to: Butterfly (G-Dragon of BIGBANG)
What am I thinking of: I should get curtains
What I should be doing: getting my lazy ass out of bed
What I want to do: keep my lazy ass in bed

Shopping

Lemmie at it. Please.

Permanent Mark

If I were to get a tattoo, I'd like this one. Life, love, memories, music - all in one.

Don't worry mom, I really don't want a tattoo.

Happiness. I haz it.

Doubutsu Uranai

I found this while cleaning my computer of unused files, and I thought of sharing it with you. It's a pretty cool personality identifier, using just your name, gender, and birth date. You don't even have to enter your name if you don't want to, it still works. For all the people I have checked, including my parents and friends, each personality outcome has been surprisingly correct, to the point that I wondered how it can be so accurate. Check it out!
(the Engrish is shitty, but still understandable)

Doubutsu Uranai World

What am I listening to: Sunset Glow (BIGBANG)
What am I thinking of: iPhone 5
What I should be doing: washing the dishes
What I want to do: browse the web