How I Spent My 31st August

Today is Malaysia’s 51^st independence day. To celebrate, I revised the lecture on Abnormal Tissue Growth.

No, really. Well later on I did go out. And spend the whole day at Midvalley. I was meeting up with on old friend, we hooked up, walked around, watched a movie, browsed shops.

It's been ages since I've been to Midvalley, no thanks to the piece of crap that is the KTM- which I need to take to get there. After walking into Jusco I decided I need to get out of Bukit Jalil/Sri Petaling more often.

Wall.E was decent, but not mind-blowingly fabulous. The soppy romance between two robots (of all things) didn’t do much for me, rather it was the subtle message I felt the movie was trying to portray. I don’t know which is worse; a fate of being morbidly obese in space for 700 years, or one like in Soylent Green. Dinner was a huge パン from the bakery outside Jusco because the movie was at 6pm.

The single 3 things that made me happy today (apart from having a good time with an old friend):

1. McDonalds RM2 chocolate sundae
God I should be having this more often. We tried queuing up for Baskin Robbin’s 31% off but the queue was so long and they were all brandishing this coupon thing and we really didn’t know what to do. In the end we left and got the sundaes in 5 minutes and a couple of bucks, god knows it made me just as happy as having to wait half an hour for discounted yet still overpriced ice-cream.

2. Jusco
Variety-wise, it owns Carrefour, where I usually get my groceries. Apart from tasting every single free sample there was (and there were lots of it) I must have spent an hour lingering over the Japanese food section. I rarely get to see so much Japanese food so concentrated in a single area, and to take my time browsing through everything, was heaven. Bought カレ.

I CAN HAS カレ

3. Huge パン
I love huge buns...literally of course. In fact pastries are wonderful and bakeries are the best things since....sliced bread. (Yes, I always envied Takato Matsuda.) But anyway, I had a huge bun and that made me happy. ^^

So, Happy Merdeka Day to those who feel strongly about it. As a Sarawakian, 31st August should mean less than 16th September, but when I'm in a good mood I'm less inclined to partake of my normal RAGE rants. And I just realized the things that made me happy are all edibles. I hope I'm not turning into a foodie urgh.

Toshokan Sensou novels translated!!

Got the news off UsagiJen's. This is great, great news for Japanese illiterate fans like me. :D Get it here. Hana was right, LJ is awesome cuz you can get everything there!!!! :D

I find it's more enjoyable reading original novels than their anime or manga counterparts (which are nevertheless important as they are usually the first step into the foray), there's something about the challenge of literary imagery that you don't find when the story is told in scenes and frames. A story is best expressed when it is written, not acted or animated- you get to envisualize things like settings, how the characters look etc. It may be way off the mark from what the author originally intended, but there are far more options and it's interesting to see how your imagination differs from the authors. (If anything, it's also where those oh-the-book-was-so-much-better-than-the-movie sentiments come from).

Anyway, enough with the senseless pro-book rant. I've read quite a few novel translations, official or otherwise, and I find there's something about the style of a Japanese light novel that's different from your average English novel. If an English novel wants to be funny, it's usually chick lit or crude bashing humour. A Japanese light novel doesn't try too hard to be funny- it combines subtle wit and simple everyday things to form humour that is natural and refreshingly original, while looking smart and intelligent at the same time. Or maybe the novel translations I've read just happen to be the good ones. Either way, light novels are a great alternative for someone who's looking for something new.

For now just read ToshoSen. :D

PS. The Sheryl/Ranka duet Lion just blows me away. Man the Macross songs just keep getting better and better. I love how Yoko Kanno-sama always utilizes the bass to it's full potential.

A weekend in KL

Sort of.

Stayed over with お父さん, did the usual Kinokuniya camping since the hotel was a ten-minute walk away from KLCC. Did some damage.



Finally got what I was looking for-- FMP vol.3. :D Hung around the Japanese section, decided to get something from there. But honestly after a couple of hours trying to decipher heaps of kana, I was seriously mentally exhausted. Had to make a decision between Shugo Chara vol.7, Toshokan Sensou -Spitfire- vol.1, a Lala issue with some Shugo Chara merchandise in it. Picked the first option, since I can read ToshoSen online and there's no way I'm gonna buy a magazine called 'Lala'. Besides I was dying to read Shugo Chara vol.7 (who can say no to Amuto and trap insanity?), even if I had to painstackingly read kana by kana.


So けいかく is actually 計劃.

First off my knowledge of Japanese is worse than an Ah Lian's command of English (I still can't tell ソso from ンn etc), but with several educated guesses (and spoilers/bit of translation :P) it's not too hard to figure out what's going on. Thank god for furigana and katakana and my dwindling ability to recognize Chinese characters. =_= Even so it takes me 5 minutes to read a page but somehow I don't mind (yet).



Also I can't tell when ツ is used as tsu or to join two words together. Japanese is a mighty confusing language, but I'll try to learn as much as I can for now. ^^U After all Danny Choo mastered 日本語　by reading Idol mags. I've read....like 8 pages so far? I need a breather after every few pages. =_= I would've gotten the Chinese version instead but there was none to be had. Seriously, surely a popular manga like Shugo Chara would have been published in Chinese? Maybe I didn't look hard enough. T_T As for FMP, I'm not touching it till I pass EOS.


400yen=RM12. I wonder what the extra 75% was needed for. >.<

And so, some other random stuff.


Remember the time in Sem1 when we were forced asked to answer the survey on Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Now we know where that went....


Made of 100% aluminium cans. Pretty cool.


Loot stolen from hotel.

Saw someone while going out for a walk.


I has a picture taken with Lee Chong Wei!!!! woot The guy's a real celebrity now, with politicians scrambling for his presence in Parliment, their campaigns etc.
Congrats on the silver. :)

So ends the great weekend. Back to everything else.

誕生日

Today is a very special day for a certain someone. Someone I've spent a good 19 years of my life with. All these years I remember you

Wrestling with the crowd to get food in the canteen for me at primary school.
Making Chinese New Year cookies at grandma's.
Writing prank letters to RIUVA and getting flamed for it.
Fixing our computers for as long as I can remember.
Introducing us noobs to DOS games.
Coming up with parodies of parodies.
Re-enacting Rudy and JJ.
Emo-ing about life, the universe and everything.
Cycling all over Kuching and taking random buses on your own to 'see where the would go'.
Fanboying over Clannad girls.
Generally possessing HAX stalking and cracking skills.
Ranting about world politics and history when I crash your room.
Pointing Kurogane out to me at CF07 XP.
RAGE-ing at the Malaysian gahment, 1337 speakers, loliyuri fanboys and everything else in between.
Etc etc.

Happy 21st birthday, お兄さん.


Here, have some Kotomi playing you a birthday song on violin.

Congratulations, you're legal!!! To vote, buy duty-free booze etc. All the adult-sy stuff. And still young too. Ain't it awesome. :D Look forward to 2010. :)

Falling for Fall (anime)

Ho hum~~~



I'm in a good mood, partly because tomorrow's Parasitology lecture has been switched with...a PPD lecture!!! It's on the Malaysian Health Care system which could be very interesting if the lecturer delivers well, but I'm all smiles because that's one less lecture to scratch my head and pour over books over. Plus おとう‐さんis coming over and I might have my first real weekend out since coming back. ^^

Anyway I've been checking out THAT's Fall season preview, scouring out the new shows like I always do. List as follows:

Will definitely watch 絶対に

Nodame Cantabile Paris-hen

Details
Number of episodes: 11
Website: http://www.nodame-anime.com/
Japanese Air Date: October 9
Animation Company: J.C Staff (Honey & Clover, Shakugan no Shana)
Seiyuu: Ayako Kawasumi, Tomokazu Seki

Summary
The 2nd season of Nodame Cantabile, based on the manga drawn by Tomoko Ninomiya.

This is the sequel to Nodame Cantabile, focusing on the Paris chapters where they continued to improve their musical artistry. The original series is based on two characters, Chiaki and Nodame. At a top music academy in Japan, Shinichi Chiaki’s arrogance is matched only by his top-notch piano playing. But when Chiaki and the teacher get into a fight, he’s demoted to the reject class. Chiaki is left to pursue his dream of being a conductor while surrounded by a bunch of loser musicians and one annoying girl, Noda, who has proclaimed herself Chiaki’s girlfriend. It doesn’t help that Noda, who insists on being called Nodame, lives right next door to him. (ANN first season summary)

Thoughts
I'd be crazy not to pick this one up. I mean, I have a somewhat strong classical music background, but seriously who can not like Nodame Cantabile?

Gundam 00 Second Season

Details
Number of episodes:
Website: http://www.gundam00.net/
Japanese Air Date: October 5
Animation Company: Sunrise
Seiyuu: Mamoru Miyano, Hiroshi Kamiya

Summary
The sequel to Gundam 00. Here’s the synopsis for the first season.

2312 A.D. Four years have passed since the final battle between Celestial Being and the UN Forces. Humanity, after having established the Earth Sphere Federation, forms an independent security force, Arrows, separate from the formal Federation army to further unify nations and the will of mankind. But the reality is the inhumane oppression of anti-government powers, doctrines, and ideologies in the name of unity. Setsuna F. Seiei, after surviving the battle four years ago, has decided to once again fight with his Gundam. (ANN)

Thoughts
I sat throught the first season and was surprisingly satisfied. No reason not to watch the second season, after all it's Gundam, and I am a closet emo bishounen fangirl.

Clannad ~After Story~

Details
Number of episodes: 13
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/clannad/
Japanese Air Date: October 6
Animation Company: Kyoto Animation (Air, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Lucky Star)
Seiyuu: Mai Nakahara, Yuuichi Nakamura, Houko Kuwashima

Summary
The sequel of Clannad, based on the visual novel by Key.

This is the after story after the graduation of Tomoya and Nagisa, where he lives his life with Nagisa as the two are finally attached. What will happen to their lives?

Thoughts
Ditto Nodame, if you've gone through the first season, you will be mad not to pick this up. I know a certain fanboy will be frothing at the mouth when it comes out. :D

(Notice how they're all sequels. Lol.)

Will give a shot

CHAOS;HEAD

Details
Number of episodes:
Website: http://www.chaoshead.jp/
Japanese Air Date: October
Animation Company: Madhouse (Death Note, Saiunkoku Monogatari)
Seiyuu: Eri Kitamuram, Hiroyuki Yoshino

Summary
This is an anime based on a Japanese visual novel developed by 5pb. and Nitroplus with gore, psychology, and science fiction elements .

The game is described by the development team as a “Delusional Science VN.” The game’s premise revolves around a high school student named Takumi Nishijō who unknowingly walks into the scene of a gruesome murder on his way home. More mysterious events starts happening afterwards as more gruesome murders occurs in the area. Takumi struggles to cope with reality and the delusions he experiences as he tries to avoid being getting caught by the perpetrator behind the chain of murders.

Thoughts
I'm always game for some sci-fi psychology twisters involving gristly murders. Not all of then work for me though, like how Kara no Kyoukai didn't, but I'll hang around out of curiousity to see if it gives off Monster vibes.

Tytania

Details

Number of episodes:
Website: http://www.tytania.jp/
Japanese Air Date: October 4
Animation Company: Artland (Bokura ga Ita, Mushi-Shi)
Seiyuu: Daisuke Kishio, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Kaori Nazuka

Summary
Based on the novels by Yoshiki Tanaka, original writer of the novels Legend of Galactic Heroes and the currently airing Yakushiji Ryōko no Kaiki Jikenbo.

This space adventure epic is about a soldier who flees the space faring Tytania empire and seeks refuge with a force leading a rebellion. The original story was written between 1988 to 1991, spanning three novels. Yoshiki Tanaka is no stranger to weaving space opera epics, and a new adventure to the galaxy will start.

Thoughts
I know I've missed out on many a classic sci-mech epic, so now's a good time as any other to start. Looks good.

Yozakura Shijuusou ~Yozakura Quartet~

Details

Number of episodes:
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/yozakura/
Japanese Air Date: October 2
Animation Company: Nomad (Rozen Maiden series, Kyōran Kazoku Nikki)
Seiyuu: Misato Fukuen, Miyuki Sawashiro, Saki Fujita, Yuuki Kaji

Summary
Adaptation of Suzuhito Yasuda’s manga with the English title Yozakura Quartet.

The Yozakura Quartet manga is the story of three teen girls - super-strong Hime, the mind-reader Ao, the conjurer Kotoha - and the ordinary teen boy Akina who protect their city from supernatural threats. (AnimeNation)

Thoughts
I'm not big on the supernatural genre, but I feel it's worth a shot, plus I remember reading a very good review praising the manga.

Yeap that's it for now. As usual, go to THAT for the full details, they're the masters at season previews. I'd normally link to Psgels too but I don't think he's done a write up yet. Anyway, FYI other Fall shows include your sequels for a bisoujo romance, a hardcore yaoi, harem fanservice, lolibait, emo vampires; a new butler-shota yaoi; more harems; adaptations for a shoujo, an RPG, a Disney, an eroge; some other random stuff. Amongst others.

6 potential shows are ok, I'm pretty sure I'll be picking some and dropping some. The best thing is, by the time Fall airs most of my current list (Code Geass R2, Macross F, Nijuu Mensou Musume, Nabari no Ou, Shugo Chara) will have ended. That's only Xam'd to continue. Perfect taimingu.

All show details and summaries copy pasta'ed clean from THAT's compilation. Not the images, I think that'll be what they call hotlinking. Heh.

Lulz of the Day

Don't know where or when this shit happened or if it happened at all but here's the cap to use the next time someone says some thing phail on the internets or on those troll forums my dad frequents. Imageboard lurker, out.

Why am I here

My anime watching schedule has been kinda dry of late- there's everything's either finished or on hold. It's usually Macross on Sundays, Geass to wash off Monday blues, then the rest of the week depends whether there's a release of Shugo Chara or Nijuu Mensou Musume or Xam'd or Nabari no Ou, which, can be quite far in between.

Not that I'm complaining. I need to catch up with studies anyway*ackmicrobiology* Anyway, obligatory random thoughts on random eps and updates:

Code Geass 18: I'm speechless. I can't think at all, except that 'heads will roll'.
Macross F 18: Please send your donations to the Help Sheryl Foundation (1-800-HELP-SHRL), your generousity will forever be cherished.
Nabari no Ou 17: All ninjas are gay. Still can't get over KugiRie's silent shota voice.
Shugo Chara 40: IKUTO ARC PL0X :(
Nijuu Mensou Musume 13: I hope this won't turn out to be a one-mystery-per-few-eps kinda thing with the Detective Girls. When will Nijuu Mensou's gang get back like the old days?
Bounen no Xamdou 3: The Eureka Seven references increase. Excellent setting. Otherwise, I still don't know wtf is going on.
Blogging: Somebody recently became a bigshot. Omedetou senpai!! :P
Random: For the next RenAi blogger, Hinano should consider: Sat-chan/Impzie yuri, Jen doing Kasahara Iku cosplay, and a mad scientist bringing dangos to life, but something somewhere went wrong so the dangos are evil and ready to take over the world.
Myself: I'm really gonna dislocate that shoulder one day. -_-

In before you-sure-have-a-lot-of-free-time. And I still want to cook. :(

Oh yes I've been reading some Kuching blogs lately and it's always about Form 6ers/Swinburne students (my peers- may or may not be friends/acquantainces) having a good time at some eatery or other. Hell, I didn't even know such places exist, but I was never a foodie anyway. Still it makes me wonder, if I had stayed on in Kuching, would I be doing all that? Driving my own car to The Spring out, eating at cool restaurants, having kolo mee whenever I feel like it, camwhoring with classmates, earning money by working jobs, celebraing grandparents birthdays, generally not having to worry about laundry getting caught in the rain or what to do for dinner or do I have any cash left or why public transport here is so horrible.


Random lulz to bring myself away from recent happenings

Another random filler post

I have this sudden obsession with making food. I want to cook. I want to bake. I want to prep the ingrediants. I want to experiment. I want to mix and shake and stir and flip. Only I have nothing. No food, no cooking equipment. Nada. Nil. :(

A sub-obsession would be bento making. I have this sudden urge to try out making a bento. Wish I was home so I could try it out. Those elaborate bento-making sites only serve to fuel my sudden passion. It must be the tuna sandwich lunches I've had for the past week.

CPR class tomorrow.

RenAi Blogger: So this is what a Visual Novel is like

I'm late to the party (not that I was invited XD), but I just gave Hinano's RenAi Blogger VN a shot and.....

Ok for starters, I've never played any visual novels or eroge or dating sims so I really really REALLY didn't know what to expect. I don't think I even finished playing the game- I only got through Natsuko, Jen and CJ's paths and it was all done in half an hour. How do I get to Hinano's path? Am I supposed to get killed by a yaoi paddle? And what's this about JP's stamina? @_@

I first went through Jen's good route and finished before realizing I had to save the game at parts so I didn't have to run through the whole Chase airplane-subway drag all over again. I started saving and got the good and bad ends to Natsuko, Jen and CJ's. I saw moe trap Impz. Calawain doesn't look half as bad actually. :P


Living up to His Trapiness

Yeah so while I can't really say much about it as it's my very first VN, it was still nonetheless a good way to kill half an hour (I should be studying orz) and it's a good laugh at all the inside jokes of the anime blogosphere. I don't consider sixteen years old loli, though. It's also fairly easy to play, even a noob like me got the bearings before long. Though could someone explain what those '1237NQRWACEBDFV' buttons on the bottom left were?

Will probably give the game a good run when I'm less strapped with Uni pressure, maybe after EOS. :( There might be a sequel by then. :D

Inferiority Complex

IMU Cup started.

It's like what its name suggests, some varsity sports tournament thing. Stuff includes regular sports like basketball, track, swimming etc to oddities like Dota. Each batch competes against one another. Each sport has representatives from each batch. And suddenly these amazing sports talents step out of the nerdy medical student fascade and start casually owning in their respective sports, flexing talent and muscle.

To cut to the chase, I suck at sports. I've attempted many but somehow never stuck on one and got real good at it. I'm not even mediocre at anything, just noob all the way. It's not justificable given the resources I was exposed to. If there was one thing I could change about my life, is to dabble in competitive sports- just to get good at something. Instead of being a noob at some trades and master of absolutely none.

Ah well. It's just a momentary state of inferiority, will get over soon. Just seeing these people be so good at sports..I've been kicking myself for not grabbing the opportunities I had, and mental bruises have been had.

Ah well.

PS. MEDT108 beat M206 in guy's Volleyball.

Reinforcements have arrived

I love second hand sales.



For it's price this loot came in considerably good condition-- no curved-up cover edges and a perfectly smooth spine. It's like it was never touched since taken out of shrinkwrap. I don't even dare to touch it now. T_T Kurogane sure takes good care of his stuff- and it's worth the week-long diet on wholemeal sandwiches and oats.

Also, it makes up for the words-can't-describe crappy internet I've been getting lately. Been resorting to traditional methods of being entertained-- reading a real paper-based stuff. But there's only so many times one can re-read an April issue of National Geographic.

Oh and I just got back from Passion 08. It was a blast. These Americans sure know how to cook up something memorable. :D