In the frenzy of packing and gathering the required omiyage over the past couple of days, I've been slowly becoming more aware of the upcoming notion of this thing called "studying in Japan".
Since it's always been somewhat surreal that I'm actually going to live [somewhat] and study in this country which has always been one of those favorite holiday destinations, I think it hadn't quite set in yet. It still hasn't set in yet actually - and that's probably why it took me so long to consolidate the energy to actually start packing.
So yes! In a few hours, I'll be on that plane with Jeldine on our way to yet another adventure in the land of Japanese-studies! =P
Wee!!! I hope I get those Gackt tickets! And all the wagashi, Pocky, etc. that I could ever eat!~ And of course all the food.. xD xD xD And friends too.^_^
The summer sun, it blows my mind Is falling down on all that I've ever known Time will kiss the world goodbye Falling down on all that I've ever known Is all that I've ever known
A dying scream makes no sound Calling out to all that I've ever known Here am I, lost and found Calling out to all
We live a dying dream If you know what I mean All that I've ever known It's all that I've ever known
Catch the wheel that breaks the butterfly I cried the rain that fills the ocean wide I tried to talk with God to no avail Calling Him in and out of nowhere Said if You won't save me, please don't waste my time
All that I've ever known All that I've ever known It's all that I've ever known
Catch the wheel that breaks the butterfly I cried the rain that fills the ocean wide I tried to talk with God to no avail Calling my name and out of nowhere Said if You won't save me, please don't waste my time
The summer sun, it blows my mind It's falling down on all that I've ever known Time will kiss the world goodbye Falling down on all that I've ever known Is all that I've ever known
This is really just for Sam and XW to take a look, but you know, since there are other readers, everyone is welcome to comment and critique!~
Brandy-soaked Cherry and Yogurt Cream Charlotte. Brandy infused yogurt-cream layered lady finger biscuits with brandy-soaked dried sweet and tart cherries, topped off with cherry brandy whipped cream, fresh cherries, and toasted almonds.
Made that for my dad's friends' birthdays [4 birthdays celebrated at once. Can you imagine?! O__o] yesterday~ I had a bunch of guinea pigs who were all old enough to drink so that made me happy.=D Haha... If I keep testing on the same group... However can I garner enough feedback?! O__o
But yes, there you go Sam and XW! Can we market stuff like that?
In other news, I am now hooked on the new anime series: 東のエデン or Eden of the East in English.=D And they have a great~ opening song!!! When I first heard it, I was like ooh this is a really good song! and who in the world is the band who can sing in such great english?! I finally realized, of course, that it was by Oasis. Haha. I guess that explains the english part, and also the great song part.=D
The trailer for 東のエデン.
From the director of Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex, and the artist of Honey & Clover, comes an interesting anime that seems to hold much promise - even in the second episode!
Is this not the cutest sight ever in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park:
OMG. It's チョウ～かわいい！！！ Can you imagine going to a park, and suddenly you see this little bunny rabbit on the grass patch?! OMG! SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~~~
Of course it's on a leash and I'm a bit sad about that, but it's UBER cute, and so totally forgiven. [I still don't believe in pets though... xP]
Altogether now! Awwwww.
I'm super taken in by rabbits I realized.-_-" That and other uber cute puppies. Super. Taken. In. X__X I'm a little awed by how *gullible* I am. Hahaha.
A toddler and a bunny!!~ Omg. So cute. Only in Japan will you see a bunny on a leash. xD かわい過ぎる！～
While I am squealing over a bunny, I just finished making 2 Brandy-Soaked Cherry Yogurt Charlottes, and am currently baking a Rum-Soaked Cherry Pound Cake.=D And it's not even cherry season now!!! Haha. I'll be sad when all the Michigan dried cherries are gone though... I can't find better dried cherries in Singapore. (哭) I'll probably be moving on to other things soon.. Like tropical fruit!! Durian Cake? =D And mango mousse... Cheesecake! Mwahaha.
Wine-tasting sessions would be very interesting you'd think, with everyone quaffing endless amounts of expensive wine, and getting terribly drunk. Well, in actual fact no one really gets drunk but a goodly amount of alcohol is definitely poured.
After wine-tasting at a beautiful vineyard near Traverse City [wasn't fabulous] I got pulled along [ok fine, I said I'd go willingly..] for a night of dinner and wine-tasting - a session with food that would complement the wine. A night of Burgundy in fact - with food from the region as well.
French Bread Escargot with fennel and dill [Petit Chablis] Red-wine poached eggs with lardons Coq au vin 3 cheeses Coffee/Tea and Petit Fours The other courses were with... Vosnes [?] Romanee from different Domaines.=)
The food was ok [although I thought the wine-poached egg was rather interesting!], and the wines went with the food but I'm not big on reds so I couldn't truly appreciate it.=P Still, it was rather interesting and definitely something I wouldn't mind trying again - just this time.. maybe I'd rather go for whites.=P
Besides that, we got to check out the new Lexus hybrid models.=) Lexus cars are quite pretty!!! Then again, so are BMWs and Audis.=P
I suppose since I've been back for more than 24 hours, it's about time I updated! Haha...
Back in the heat, humidity, and total civilization of a city, I guess I can also say I'm back home. Although now that I've come to think about it, Ann Arbor is kind of home too. It's a place where I've built a lot of memories with my friends, a place where I've learned many new things, and a place where I can fully enjoy the weather even if it's totally unpredictable.
But I'm back in Singapore, 出身地 to me. And I guess that means something different compared to a place I've only spent 2 years in. ^_^
And it's good to be back! Home-cooked food, fun and games, languishing on my bed with dorama dorama dorama... YAY. I think I'll like this summer but before I say anything that curses it, I'll take things as they come. ;)
Currently, we're in a ... settlement (!) called Paradise, Michigan. It's a one-street town, with no cellphone network coverage, no streetlights, no open restaurants, a population close to 0, and... let me think. Nothing else.
It's sent GL and I into fits of giggles every 5 seconds because it's such an experience that it's almost indescribable.
Ever since we crossed the Mackinac Bridge [and left the lovely and quaint Mackinac Island], we've lost our network coverage and seen very very very few cars along the way. Everytime we saw a house, it's like, WOW CIVILIZATION!!! =D =D =D Because houses, cars, humans are a rarity up here.
It gives a whole new meaning to remote and ulu. [definition from the Coxford Dictionary: Malay term used to denote the remoteness of a place, with connotations of backwardness]
For dinner, we'll have to drive 14 miles to Tahquemenon Falls because Paradise doesn't have a restaurant that is open. O__o Excuse me while I die of shock.
Hahahaha.
I feel like Ann Arbor is suddenly super city-like, very happening, and extremely well-located. *coughs*
signing off from one of the most ulu places you can be, cheers *[-witchstone-]*
Up in the U.P. in Traverse City!! The views here are amazing!~ Today we went to a gorgeously located vineyard/winery, this beautiful Mission Lighthouse, and walked along the Great Traverse Bay coastline.=)
It's all been ultra gorgeous but very ~romantic~ so here's a beautiful set of wedding vows from Corpse Bride:
With this hand, I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, For I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine.
Tomorrow we're heading to Sleeping Bear Dunes!!! =D More gorgeous sights!!! I'm excited~
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : lapping waves by the Lake Michigan shore] [mood : ^_^v] [food : beer-battered onion rings!]
My Emotible!
starry-eyed: filled with such youthful hope and optimism that one's eyes twinkle even when it's dark
Wish List
ie: motivation to save money!
- clothes
- shoes [heels! boots!]
- the perfect tote
- coats/outerwear! [Soïa & Kyo, Burberry...]
- Gackt - nine*nine
- Gackt Photobooks:
1 The Gift The Sixth Day & Seventh Night Tour Document (2004)
2 Crescent Photobook (out of print)
- Cookbooks!
1 Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook
2 The Nobu Cookbook
3 Emily Luchetti A Passion for Desserts
4 Alice Medrich Pure Dessert
- Anime/Manga
1 Rurouni Kenshin
2 xxxHOLiC
3 Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-
- Proficiency at Japanese!
- Learn French for Food!
