Here's a series that Guo Lu and I created to let you know when the exams are getting to you.
First you're faced with a table covered in books, notes, scribblings of frustration, and lecture slides that mean absolutely nothing:
Then as your sadness at life builds up as people are MOVING OUT OF THE DORM AROUND YOU, you start to do something about it!
The Stressed Orange Series
Xiaowei
Sze Yen
Guo Lu
The Imitation: Sze Yen
The Imitation: Guo Lu
The Imitation: Xiaowei
The Threes: The Row.
The Threes: 老天爷！为什么我们的命这么苦！
The Threes: Sze Yen
The Threes: Guo Lu Head On
The Threes: Guo Lu Profile
The Head Knock / 撞头
All photos taken with Sony Ericsson phones.
I cannot wait for tomorrow evening when all this will be DONE!!
Even the oranges are crying for us.(T_T)
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : Dreams High and Mighty Color] [mood : --"] [food : Garlic Bread!]
YX: Durian sticky rice just replaces the mango with durian. Hahaha.=P It's yummy! One semester for us is about 4 months? And my spring break is LONG over! I went to NYC.=D =D =D I have a week's break between this semester [winter semester] and next half semester [spring semester].^_^"
Jiamin: Yup! Exciting right.. I want to read Murakami in Japanese but I can barely read manga so let's not even bring up novels..=P 22 degrees is EXTREMELY hot. You're grateful for the wind..X__x I don't want to think about Singapore's weather yet.^_^"
So we had lovely warm days, going all the way up to an extremely warm 20 degrees [walking around in a t-shirt is the MOST you would wear to revel in the warmth] and cool breezes to dampen the frightfully strong sun.
Then yesterday we had snow. Some flurries perhaps, and some large flakes which stopped in the afternoon much to my dismay [and to the delight of many others].
And today, what do we have? An in-between and very warm 12 degrees with the sun blazing down and a breeze to cool you down.=)
Today in class we started on a new drama called オヤジぃ / "Oyaji", well not really started.. We're just randomly watching it because we've finished Tokyo Tower. Which is the saddest drama ever with a very O__o ending. I liked the whole drama but not the ending that much.=( And it's got a great song too!
So I seem to be keeping this archive of songs I can find on youtube from Conversation Table.^_^ Haha. They are easy songs for most beginners [hence why we are singing them] and really show a progression of vocabulary and grammar that we've learnt.^_^ Speaking, singing, listening and whatnot in whatever foreign language you are learning is really the best way to improve.^_^ I'm glad my teacher makes learning so fun!
Here we have the song from Tokyo Tower! It's a really fantastic song from one of the most popular bands in Japan right now.^_^ And by the way, you should REALLY watch Tokyo Tower. It's so good!
蕾 / Tsubomi By: コブクロ / Kobukuro
涙こぼしても 汗にまみれた笑顔の中じゃ namida koboshitemo asenimamireta egao no nakaja 誰も気付いてはくれない dare mo kizuitewa kurenai だから あなたの涙を僕は知らない dakara anata no namida wo boku wa shiranai
絶やす事無く 僕の心に 灯されていた tayasu koto naku boku no kokoro ni tomosareteita 優しい明かりは あなたがくれた 理由なき愛の証 yasashii akari wa anata ga kureta riyuu naki ai no akashi
柔らかな陽だまりが包む 背中に ポツリ 話しかけながら yawarakana hidamariga tsutsumu senaka ni potsuri hanashikakenagara いつかこんな日が来る事も itsuka konna hi ga kuru koto mo きっと きっと きっと わかってたはずなのに kitto kitto kitto wakattetahazunanoni
消えそうに 咲きそうな 蕾が 今年も僕を待ってる kiesouni sakisouna tsubomi ga kotoshi mo boku wo matteru 掌じゃ 掴めない 風に踊る花びら tenohiraja tsukamenai kaze ni odoru hanabira 立ち止まる肩にヒラリ tachi tomaru kata ni hirari 上手に乗せて 笑って見せた あなたを思い出す 一人 jouzu ni nosete waratte miseta anata wo omoidasu hitori
ﾋﾞﾙの谷間に 埋もれた夢を いつか芽吹いて biru no tanima ni umoreta yume wo itsuka mebuite 花を咲かすだろう 信じた夢は 咲く場所を選ばない hana wo sakasu darou shinjita yume wa saku basho wo erabanai
僕等この街に落とされた影法師 みんな 光を探して bokura kono machi ni otosareta kageboushi minna hikari wo sagashite 重なり合う時の流れも kasanari au toki no nagare mo きっと きっと きっと 追い越せる日が 来るさ kitto kitto kitto oi koseru higa kurusa
風のない 線路道 五月の美空は 青く寂しく kaze no nai senromichi gogatsu no misora wa aoku sabishiku 動かない 千切れ雲 いつまでも浮かべてた ugokanai chigire kumo itsuma demo ukabeteta どこにも もう戻れない dokonimo mou modorenai 僕のようだと ささやく風に キラリ舞い落ちてく 涙 boku no youdatato sasayaku kaze ni kirari mai ochiteku namida
散り際に もう一度 開く花びらは あなたのように chiri kiwani mou ichidou hiraku hanabira wa anata no you ni 聴こえない 頑張れを 握った両手に 何度もくれた kikoenai ganbare wo nigitta ryoute ni nando mo kureta
消えそうに 咲きそうな 蕾が 今年も僕を待ってる kiesouni sakisouna tsubomi ga kotoshi mo boku wo matteru 今もまだ 掴めない あなたと描いた夢 ima mo mada tsukamenai anata to egaita yume 立ち止まる 僕のそばで tachi tomaru boku no soba de 優しく開く笑顔のような 蕾を探してる 空に yasashiku hiraku egao no you na tsubomi wo sagashiteru sora ni
Secondly, allow me to introduce the song for Oyaji, さよなら 大好きな人 by Hana * Hana.=) It's a very nice song that is very easy to sing along to and so I've romanized the lyrics below! ^_^
さよなら 大好きな人 / sayonara daisuki na hito By: 花＊花 / Hana * Hana
さよなら 大好きな人 sayonara daisuki na hito さよなら 大好きな人 sayonara daisuki na hito まだ 大好きな人 mada daisuki na hito
何もかも忘れられない nani mo kamo wasurerarenai 何もかも捨てきれない nani mo kamo sutekirenai こんな自分がみじめで konna jibun gamijimede 弱くてかわいそうで大きらい yowakute kawaisou de daikirai
さよなら 大好きな人 sayonara daisuki na hito さよなら 大好きな人 sayonara daisuki na hito ずっと 大好きな人 zutto daisuki na hito ずっとずっと 大好きな人 zutto zutto daisuki na hito
泣かないよ 今は nakanaiyo ima wa 泣かないよ 今は nakanaiyo ima wa 心 はなれていく kokoro hanareteiku それでも私の 大好きな人 soredemo watashi no daisuki na hito
最後だと言いきかせて saigo da to iikikasete 最後だと言いきかせて saigo da to iikikasete 涙よ 止まれ namida yo tomare 最後に笑顔を saigo ni egao wo 覚えていおくために oboeteiokutameni
さよなら 大好きな人 sayonara daisuki na hito さよなら 大好きな人 sayonara daisuki na hito ずっと 大好きな人 zutto daisuki na hito ずっとずっと 大好きな人 zutto zutto daisuki na hito ずっとずっとずっと 大好きな人 zutto zutto zutto daisuki na hito
AHH! I love these songs!!! ^_^ Wee! I have been karaoke-ing Tsubomi for the longest time.=X But! There's another song that is super catchy and something you MUST know.=P
ありがとう / Arigatoo SMAP / SMAP
どうしようもない doushiyou monai いつもしょうがない事ばかりで itsumo shouganai koto bakaride 盛り上がって そんなぼくらも 大人になって moriyagatte sonnabokuramo otona ni natte どんな時も 僕に勇気をくれるみんなが donna toki mo boku ni yuuki wo kureru minna ga 僕の言う希望 大切だから最高仲間 boku no iu kibou taisetsu dakara saikou nakama 泣かせてきた人も、たくさん nakasete kita hito mo, takusan もう見たくない 母の涙 mou mitakunai haha no namida こんな僕でも 見捨てなかった konna boku de mo misutenakatta こんなにも すてきな人たちが そばにいてくれた konna ni mo suteki na hitotachi ga soba ni itekureta
ありがとう （なくさないで笑顔 忘れないで涙） arigatoo (nakusanaide egao wasurenaidenamida) ありがとう （僕の大切な言葉 僕の大切な人へ） arigatoo (boku no taisetsu na kotoba boku no taisetsu na hito e) ありがとう （なくさないで 笑顔） arigatoo (nakusanaide egao) ありがとう （忘れないで涙） arigatoo (wasurenaide namida) ありがとう （僕の大好きな言葉 僕の大切な人へ） arigatoo (boku no daisuki na kotoba boku no taisetsu na hito e)
小さな 小さな幸せでいい chiisana chiisana shiawase de ii
僕らにずっと 続きますように・・・・ bokura ni zutto tsuzukimasuyouni
どうしようもない いつもしょうもないことばかりで doushiyoumonai itsumo shoumonai kotobakaride 盛り上がって そんな僕でも 人を愛した moriyagatte sonna boku de mo hito wo aishita どんな時も 愛のために donna toki mo ai no tameni その思いが 募るたびに sono omoi ga tsunorutabini わかり合えずに 離れ離れに wakari aezuni hanare banare ni 泣かせてきた人の心 もう見たくない君の涙 nakasete kita hito no kokoro mou mitakunai kimi no namida こんな僕でも愛してくれた konna boku demo aishite kureta なによりも 君と出会えることが 出来てよかった naniyorimo kimi to dearukoto ga dekite yokatta
あの日々が （怖がらずに今を 強く生きて行こう） ano hibi ga (kowagarazuni ima wo tsuyoku ikite ikou) あの愛が （助けられた言葉 今もずっと胸に） ano ai ga (tsukerareta kotoba ima mo zutto mune ni) あの人が （怖がらずに今を） ano hi ga (kowagarazuni ima wo) くれたもの （強く生きてゆこう） kureta mono (tsuku ikite yukou) 忘れない （助けられた言葉 今もずっと胸に） wasurenai (tsukerareta kotoba ima mo zutto mune ni)
大きな大きな愛情だけで ooki na ooki na aijou dakede 僕らはきっと強くなれるんだ bokurawa kitto tsuyoku narerunda
訳もなく人は淋しくなるけど wake mo naku hito wa sabishiku naru kedo 一人ぼっちではないんだ hitori bocchi dewanainda 大きな存在がきっっと救ってくれるから ooki na sonzai ga kitto sukutte kureru kara
ありがとう arigatou 、、、、、、、、、、
小さな幸せでいい chiisana shiawase de ii 僕らにずっと続きますように、、、、 bokurani zutto tsuzukimasuyouni
ありがとう arigatou 、、、、、、、、、、
愛する人へ ありがとう ai suru hito e arigatou
GOSH THAT WAS LONG.-__- But it is SUCH a catchy song!!! xD Haha.
And as usual, I've changed the words to fit their pronounciations.^_^ Do remember that Japanese has a lot of different pronounciations for each word that differs according to the structure of the phrase/sentence.=)
OKAYS. I must run. I wish I could karaoke by myself longer! Haha.=D
^_^v Ari, Jeldine and I baked this flourless chocolate cake in faraway North Campus yesterday.. Haha. Then we met EARLY this morning to decorate it...
So today's my Japanese teacher's birthday! We wanted to write "先生お誕生日おめでとうございます！" but it's too long so we urhhh took a shortcut by writing Happy B'day. Hahaha.=P And we were totally 失礼 in writing just おめでとう on the cake. Hahaha.=X
And I must thank XW for lending me her Onigiri-Chan character.xD Haha. It's a VERY poor representation on the cake though. I must apologise for that.=X Oops. The one I drew on a paper to test out the design was urhhh MUCH cuter. Coughs.
佐藤先生 and バーにーさん in our favourite 百六十四 Greene in East Quad! Haha. =P
Dang I keep getting distracted! I swear I'll post the Japanese Cultural Festival and Tup Tim photos soon!!! =X
Oops! Got to go for class. *waves* cheers *[-witchstone-]*
Whew. Typing in Japanese is hard. (T_T) Haha. But allow me to translate [and add on detail to] what I said up there:
Title: In Japanese please!
During yesterday's Japanese Conversation Table, we all came up haiku because we've been running out of stuff to talk about! [When you talk to each other EVERYDAY about the same things because that's all you can say, it gets kind of frustrating.] Since this is my first time, it really seems like something a child would come up with.
部屋にいる 声聞こえない みなはどこ
Literal translation: I am in a room I cannot hear anything Where is everyone?
Omg! I even managed to haiku it in English with the 5-7-5 rule! MWAHAHA. xD
Also, we sang Kiroro's 長い間 Nagai Aida, which means long distance/space in between. I really like this song, so please watch the Youtube video!
Here it is again.=P
長い間 待たせてごめん nagai aida matasete gomen また急に 仕事が入った mata kyuni shigoto ga haitta いつもいっしょに いられなくて itsumo isshoni irarenakute 淋しい思いをさせたね sabishii omoi wo sasetane
会えないとき 受話器から聞こえる 君の声がかすれてる aenai toki jyuuwaki kara kikoeru kimi no koe ga kasureteru ひさしぶりに会ったときの hisashiburi ni atta toki no
君の笑顔が胸をさらっていく kimi no egao ga mune wo saratteika
気づいたの あなたがこんなに 胸の中にいること kizuita no anata ga konna ni mune no naka ni iru koto 愛してる まさかねそんなこと 言えない aishiteru masakane sonna koto ienai
It's a good song isn't it! ^_^
This morning, I went to participate in the U of M's Center for Japanese Studies' Japan Quiz Bowl as a volunteer.=) Woke up at 7am damnit! X__X! It was really fun! I was a time-keeper in the event [and worked with a judge and scorekeeper]. Lots of high school students from all around Michigan came to take part in the Quiz Bowl [in Japanese and English, testing their knowledge of Japanese and the like]. It was hilarious that no one knew how the word "Karaoke" came about. The question: What is the popular activity whose name originated from the words "silent orchestra"? Ehehe! =D Because sensei told us the answer in the past, we knew the answer!! ^_^ *beams beams* So proud of myself. Haha. But, the answers were actually fairly interesting! Like for example, they asked the students what the highest rank in sumo is and only one person knew. *_*! So impressive!!! Hahaha. Also, the food they provided was AMAZINGLY YUMMY!!! xD xD xD I had this great Japanese salad, and absolutely DELICIOUS granola... And they had sandwiches and loads of cookies and drinks and ... *trails off!* The granola is from Kirkland Springs *makes mental note*. After the quizzes were over, they had a kendo demonstration in the main auditorium! xD xD xD Really interesting stuff!
Next year, I think I just might take part again.=)
Also, I met a lot of other Japanese students and stuff, and people who come as volunteers to Conversation Table and stuff! ^_^ Happy!
Last Wednesday, there was a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration! And there was actually a workshop in the afternoon when I had class!!! (T_T) Because I didn't have time, I didn't go. Isn't that regrettable... At that time, although I REALLY wanted to go, I had a lot of homework so I couldn't. ;_; SO SAD!!!
Next Monday, we're having another tele-conference with the students from Hiroshima's Aki Central [fuchuu = central?] High School! ^_^ I'm really looking forward to it... Apparently, sensei told us that the high school students wish to do a karate demonstration for us! Seems interesting don't you think... I think it's great that we have a chance to communicate with Japanese students through the RC program.=) However, there are only 11 people in class... And about 50 people in the Japanese high school's class... O__O! SCARY!!!
So.. I'm going to work on my individual project for Japanese. See you!
-end translating-
On a quick note: Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!!! ^_^ Don't get TOO drunk..=P
Last night, Guo Lu and I did the crazy thing and decided to go outside to enjoy the weather! ^_^ When we were walking back from ballroom, it was icing a lot and it was so pretty!!! xD xD xD It wasn't snow, it was freezing rain. In other words, it was rain that had frozen because it was SO COLD. That differs from snow but because I'm not familiar with meteorological terms, I shall not attempt to explain.
Anyway, the difference between snow and freezing rain is that snow has larger snowflakes whereas freezing rain comes in little bits of ice. And when snow piles up, it looks soft, fluffy and pure white whereas freezing rain looks soft, white and glittery because the ice reflects light. SO PRETTY!!! xD xD xD
So with the wind howling at up to 51km/h [it's UP TO, which means a maximum, which means it might not actually be 51km/h but has the potential to be], Guo Lu and I went out to play!
All wrapped up and everything, we trooped outside only to find that... It wasn't that cold.-___-" I'm glad I wore my giant winter jacket out though.. It was raining and freezing-raining at the same time so water droplets kept freezing onto my jacket.O__o
Your hands don't fair too well in such weather though. Your cheeks too.X__x
There was about an inch or 2 of "snow" I think.^_^ Pretty!!!
Footprints in the snow!!! I love my new jacket. It's hell of a heavy but it's really really really really really warm. I felt totally overdressed.. Especially when we saw some girls wearing teensy mini skirts and stilettos.O___o
We quickly drew this when there was no one around.xD Haha. Totally embarrassing otherwise...
And this too!!!
A lousy snow angel.(T_T) I'll make a nicer one when there's thicker snow!
Playin' in the Snow/Ice is fun!!! =D Sadly, it was starting to melt a bit and as you know, it is when snow/ice melts that it gets REALLY cold.xP Something about Latent Heat of Fusion. Or something like that. Then it got cold again so... This morning everything looked like this:
^_^
Tonight we're going for the Michigan Pops Orchestra Concert!!! ^_^ cheers *[-witchstone-]*
This evening, Guo Lu, Rachel and I went to see the CJS [Center for Japanese Studies in Umich] screening of 幸福の黄色いハンカチ [Shiiawase no kiiroi hankachi or The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness].=) The lead actress in the show, 桃井かおり [Momoi Kaori], is visiting Umich right now so this was one of the events they had planned.=) There was a Q&A session after the movie which was rather interesting.=)
A 1977 film, it really reflects the era, from the clothes to the kind of car they drove and the places they saw.=) It was in the 1970s I think, when Japan was in the midst of development and advancement.
The film is basically about a roadtrip started by this random guy [Kinya, played by 武田鉄矢, Takeda Tetsuya] from Kyushuu who goes to Hokkaido to see life anew. However, the movie skews a bit from him and we eventually find out the main plot of the story. At the port in Hokkaido, he meets a girl [Akemi, played by Momoi Kaori] and they start travelling together. At the same time, the camera focuses on this random dude [Yusaku, played by 高倉健, Takakura Ken] and you wonder why they keep zooming in on him? Eventually, our 3 friends randomly meet! And thus begins a mini road trip around Hokkaido with 3 strangers who discover more about each other along the way. The main plot develops with Mr Random, Yusaku who is actually an ex-convict who was just released from prison. We slowly delve into his past and his story which is probably what inspired the title. It's basically a story of a man who wonders whether he should return to his wife, whom he insisted on divorcing after entering the prison, who might POSSIBLY be waiting for him.=) And of course, there's the growing feelings between the other 2 characters.^_^
While not brilliantly shot [I thought some scenes were rather randomly amateurish.O__o], I think this has a nice story flow though it'd have been nice to see more development from Kinya and Akemi who are basically supporting actors in this whole endeavour to return Yusaku to his home in Yubari, Hokkaido.=) Also, seeing how undeveloped most of Hokkaido is makes me wonder if its the same now? It's not so much undeveloped as it is just covered with farmlands. Also, Yubari [where Yusaku is from] is a coal mining town and I wonder how many of those are left?
It was a very nice film to watch with occasional comedic scenes that had everyone laughing in unison.=) Although it has by no means any high ideals or great and memorable scenes, and there are definitely several flaws, it is an enjoyable movie that captures the feelings of the actors very well and showcases some good Japanese cinema. I highly recommend it!
Trivia: It won the first Japanese Academy Awards for Best movie, Best Director, Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, etc.^_^ Not bad huh?
The Q&A session after the screening of the movie was rather illuminating.=) I really admire Momoi Kaori for the way she handled the crowd! She was funny or serious, depending on how she wanted the crowd to react but she seemed to have this presence and sincerity.^_^ Very nice. Plus, I totally couldn't tell she's in her 50s!!! O__o! I really want to see the film she directed tomorrow but I don't think I have the time.(T_T)
On a separate note, the stupid fire alarm rang just now.-___-" I twitch! And the worst thing is, there's a snow storm watch up on weather.com for Ann Arbor tomorrow. I love snow and all, but its not terribly fun to walk in the horrendously strong winds.xP
Oh! And I must declare renewed love for Tsubasa and xxxHOLiC.xD xD xD SO GOOD. I love CLAMP! *squeals* cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : teens Hamasaki Ayumi] [mood : ^_^] [food : something better than what I'm getting now]
Here I am on a cold, windy Thursday afternoon attempting to enjoy the warmth that is NOT my room.-___-" Damn the heater. Why isn't it working!
I just returned from a yummy and filling lunch with my Japanese classmates at University Cafe, a Korean place less than 5 minutes from East Quad. Just walking there was tough.. The wind was so STRONG!! All of us were screaming away.xD Haha. Mmm. Korean food! I love Asian food! ^_^ Rice makes me fall asleep but I love it anyway. Ahaha. I think it was a nice change to eat out instead of crawling to the dining hall and weeping over the food again. I'm definitely never doing the 13-meals a week plan ever again.xP
Anyway, Guo Lu and I decided to slack off after dinner yesterday and watch Shinobi!!!
It's basically about 2 groups of ninjas who are sworn enemies but the 2 to-be leaders of the clans have fallen in love! Oh horrors. You can imagine much ninja fighting [a couple of useless deaths and a couple of very cool deaths] and much love story cliches to reveal themselves in the course of the movie.
It is based on a manga of the same name but is a much pared down version. And much much prettier. Starring the gorgeous Nakama Yukie [of Ooku and Gokusen fame] as Oboro, the granddaughter of the leader of her clan, the Iga as well as Odagiri Joe [of Mushishi fame] as Gennosuke, the grandson of the leader of his clan, the Koga. The movie is FILLED with eye candy! ^_^ And of course, there's the gorgeous scenery to contemplate as well as the cool ninja moves.=)
On the whole, the storyline is pretty dumb because I think they took out many of the smart elements from the manga in order to not have a very long and convoluted movie that is 5 hours long. The characters also don't appear very intelligent and our poor Oboro [the leading lady I might add] is portrayed as beautiful but absolutely useless until she reveals her secret skill, the Eyes of Destruction [破幻之眼, it sounds so much cooler in Chinese]. Then poor Gennosuke is portrayed as a completely ineffective leader who is righteous but not terribly bright nor skillful at leading people. Despite the rather tragic storyline [that redeemed itself by being at least quite cool], I thought the acting was rather good and the shooting angles were nice too.
I love Nakama Yukie. She's gorgeous! *_*! And she has a beautiful, quiet way of gazing at people. Dies. Haha. And of course. Odagiri Joe is completely goodlooking. ;) Haha.
The soundtrack was rather appropriate though nothing to shout about, except for the theme song. The theme song is HEAVEN by Hamasaki Ayumi.=) SUCH a gorgeous song! =D =D =D It's a really very nice song... Ayumi occasionally releases one of her more brilliant songs like this one, or SEASONS or teens. They actually show that she can sing!
[edit] Now that I've found the video on Youtube, here's the HEAVEN by Hamasaki Ayumi PV with singalong subtitles! ^_^
It's a fabulous song. Please listen to it! ^_^ And the PV is one of her more inspired ones.. /[edit]
Anyway, I'm glad I watched Shinobi.=) It wasn't the best show I've ever seen but it wasn't too bad and watching Japanese movies is always a fun activity.
Beside the distraction of Shinobi, I've also discovered the joy that is Crossword Puzzles! ^_^ With the iGoogle application, I added the New York Times Crossword to my homepage and finished it!!! YAY! Okay. Actually, Xiaowei and I finished it together.=D So fun! Haha. I'm now determined to do one every week! And play Sudoku too to stimulate my sadly deteriorating brain.^_^
Alright. I really should get started on my work. ^_^ I hope everyone is well! cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : HEAVEN Hamasaki Ayumi + Glow in the sun D] [mood : ^_^ Korean food!] [food : Bulgogi Stirfry!]
cch: Lazy.
Jiamin: Well. They only offered that low fat version so yay! ^_^ I've come to the realisation that it is not the combination of strawberry and banana that I dislike but the richness of the Orange Julius version that I dislike.=P I never liked creamy things remember. Haha. I think the panda is adorable too! xD
Today is 光棍节 according to my dear Guo Lu! xD It's a celebration for all those who are single! Haha. I can't stop laughing at how hilarious this is. But anyway.. Let me take the chance to tell you about my weekend instead.=)
First let me show you the Wuxi Pai Gu [Wuxi Pork Ribs] at Asian Legend that we ate on Rongsiu's birthday some weeks ago.=D YUM. I could eat a whole plate on my own!
And when I looked at my photo, and the photo that Ted took with his SLR, I was immediately convinced that not only will a SLR help in all aspects, it's a must-have. Even though it's extremely ugly.
And on Friday evening, we went to Saigon Garden for a batch dinner.=) Pho! Yay! Yum! Haha. Beams. I love Pho! It wasn't THAT good [it was okay.] but the company was good so that made up for it.
On Saturday morning, Rongsiu, Sam, Rachel, my brother and I took a nice walk to Kerrytown to see...
The Farmer's Market!
Yay! I love Farmer's Markets. I bought this apple bread that was REALLY expensive xP but smells AMAZINGLY good.=D I can't wait to eat it for breakfast! And I bought my favourite Mutsu apples too for breakfast.^_^ I'm going to have an apple-y week ahead! Haha. Yumm.
The apples for sale.=) I bought Mutsu (Crisp and Tart) apples because the ones I wanted, Cameo (Sweet and Crisp), weren't available. Since I'm in Michigan, I should try all the amazing varieties they have. You'd never see all these varieties in Singapore!!! I'm still loyal to my Fuji apples though. Yum.^_^
Not only were they selling apples and honey and things like that, they also sold Christmas decorations!! ^_^ You can start stocking up before Thanksgiving for Christmas! Yay! Everything looks so pretty and happy!
There were also many root vegetables for sale since winter is the time for root vegetables. Yummy!!! I'm so happy whenever there's sweet potato or any type of pumpkin or squash available at the dining hall. I LOVE root vegetables.=D =D =D So good! Especially mashed pumpkin baked with a crumble topping. Yummy dessert!!! =D
After buying what we had to, we went to...
ZINGERMAN'S!!!
After the girls insisted he smile. Hahaha.
^_^ Yay!
Our sandwiches!! Okay.. My sandwich. And my brother's sandwich..
I wanted to try something different [I had a Croque Monsieur the last time] so I had an Italian ham with mozarella, sliced tomatoes, olive oil and red wine vinegar sandwich. It was really good.=D I actually wanted a warm sandwich with melted cheese, but the mozarella was so good, I forgave them.^_^
The famous Zingerman's Reuben! This is the best Reuben I've ever had. It's SO good.xD xD xD The combination of russian dressing, sauerkraut, corned beef [their corned beef tastes different from all the others I've tried. Yum!] and cheese along with grilled bread is amazing.
We are happy campers!
On our way back, we walked through the Diag and admired the beautiful fall colours! ^_^ It would have been nicer if it had been sunny but o well..
The pretty colours of fall! [Although I think autumn is a nicer word..]
And I finally got a picture of the SUPER FAT squirrel!! SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xD xD xD
It's SO FAT!!!!!!! KYAAA!!!~~~ xD xD xD
The gorgeous Diag.=)
West Hall! Or whatever it's called. I always call it to Archway to the UGLi [Undergraduate Library] and the Diag. Hahaha.=P
After that, I went for ballroom! ^_^ It was fun but my feet were TOTALLY wrecked and dying so I padded my way slowly to dinner at Raja Rani! =) Indian food for a belated Deepavali celebration. Haha.
To fill up space I added 2 more pictures from our outing in the morning.^_^"
Mmmm. Northern Indian!!! It wasn't too bad but it could definitely have been better.=) I still love naan though. Beams. I want to eat more naan!!! xP xP xP
And today, Sunday, was extremely uneventful. Except for the realisation that it is 光棍节, I went to the library in East Quad to study, then after dinner, Xiaowei and I went to the UGLi. I had to borrow philosophy books for my term paper. Weeps. They look so boring! I shall persevere. *nods*
We're up for another busy week before Thanksgiving. Sigh. Japanese... *stomach sinks*
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : Heiseijyuushichi shichigatsu nanoka alice nine. + Wu Ding Jay Chou + Anima Mundi Rentrer en Soi] [mood : --] [food : vegetables! *wails*]
Jiamin: Hmm.. I don't think we'll get snow anytime soon. Hahaha. Those were flurries. So sad.
Wendy: Hello! I haven't heard from you in ages by the way. Pokes! xP And yes. We'll probably die from the heat and humidity when we get back. So sad.
After finishing an exam [Psychology] and a test [Japanese], I finally got down to thinking about my philosophy thesis paper [I want to do it on epistemology]. Then you know how things go... When you think about philosophy and other deep thoughts, your mind trails off somewhere else and I eventually started thinking about dorm life. Or rather, what I've discovered about dorm life.
You know how everyone tells you how fun dorm life is and how you get a ton of freedom and everything? It's true. It really is. For the first time in my life, I've had zero curfew [only my own curfew. And that hardly counts.] and I can spend as much time as I want doing whatever I want [as long as I get my work done so I don't die later]. It's also the first time in my life that I've spent so much time with my friends. I mean, I've basically only spent time apart from them when I go to sleep. Everyone studies together, eats together, go to class with other people and then you still have a roommate to come back to when you return.
All this means that, I've never really been alone since I came here. Which can be a good and bad thing, though I really don't like classifying things in such a way. It's a good thing because it's fulfilled all my "omygosh I want to spend all my time with my friends!" dreams and because you are never really lonely since you always have people around you. And this is a wonderful thing for people who don't like to be alone. On the other hand, it means that I've never really been alone and I don't really have time for myself anymore. I don't have time to pursue what I want to on the internet [like diligently reading food blogs and Gackt news] because I'm always hanging out somewhere else or studying. And you'd think that I could talk to people and read my food blogs but no. This stupid dorm has no wireless internet and even if it does, it sucks beyond all belief.-___-" Hence, I've never really had time to check my email or leisurely read my food blogs [which are gradually moving on beyond me. O NO.] unless I do it late at night or early in the morning.
I've never really appreciated my alonetime so much before. When I was at home, I had a ton of alonetime and I loved it! But it also made me appreciate being with my friends a lot more. Not that I don't appreciate being with my friends now, it's just that I spend so much time with them, I feel like I'm not spending enough time by myself. So today, when I suddenly found myself alone this sunny afternoon, I don't feel lonely at all.
Beyond relationships within the dorm, let's talk about the food. It's generally accepted to be quite horrible and un-nutritious so I'm really dying to move out to cook my own food. But it's the most value for money to eat the 13-meals a week plan which basically covers ALL my meals except breakfast everyday and Saturday dinner. But I don't really eat breakfast anyway so that's not a big deal. And it really helps to cut down on spending on food outside the dorm even if you ARE paying more to eat in the dorm than if you eat out cheaply. It's so sad.. Dorm food gets very depressing and as you slowly run out of things to eat, you try to convince yourself that dieting is a good plan anyway. But choosing not to eat and having nothing to eat are two very different concepts. One gives you a choice in the matter which empowers you [to borrow terms off this stupid Eating Disorders video we watched in Psychology class] and the other leaves you with no choice [except to not eat because it looks so bad]. At this stage, it makes me miss the fabulous canteen food offerings in Singapore but at the same time, I've not felt any homesickness at all.
I wonder if that's a good thing?
Right now I'm trying to plan what to do in Winter 2007/2008 and in Spring 2008 for school. Since I'm going to attempt to apply to the organizational studies course [I hope I get in. If they wish to look at my psychology grades and eventual economics grades closely, I might just as well die.], I don't really have a choice as to what to study next semester because I need to do the pre-requisites anyway. At least I'll be studying Japanese and sociology! Fun! ^_^ Then I have to think of Spring! =) Haha. Maybe I should do Stats then.=P But how about my Asian studies courses?! *torn*
Another fabulous thing I've learnt about myself as I'm getting older [and possibly, just possibly, wiser] is that I can actually work consistently hard. *gasp* I know! Isn't it shocking?! I was thinking about it just now [see how philosophy leads you into deep questions about life? Haha.] and I realised that I've been doing my homework everyday. And if I'm not doing my homework, I'm studying. STUDYING. Like. OMG. And I'm not even studying because I need to study for a test. [Okay, for Japanese, we have a test every week so it doesn't quite count.] I actually read ahead for class, I make notes, I make flashcards [you should see my Japanese flashcards! I'm so proud of them. Haha.=P] and I'm actually prepared everytime I go to class. I never knew I could be this way since in JC, you tend to um. Slack off. And in secondary school well.. No self-discipline necessary. =X Is this a sign of age? (T_T)
The only thing we haven't really done is go out to like Briarwood Mall or do anything beyond going out for dinner on Saturday evenings. Or go grocery shopping. Which is fun but you know. It's not exactly ... what teenage people usually do. That is pretty sad I must say... And I am determined to change it! *nods* We need more of a life. We're in college! And we're freshmen! We shouldn't be doing work all day! I need to go shopping! I haven't yet found a pair of pretty and practical knee-high boots!!! O SADNESS. I did buy a pair of pretty black suede boots at Footprints, a footwear store near East Quad though.=D Yay! And I waterproofed it too so it's totally prepared for winter.xD
With nothing else to occupy my mind except Japanese, I shall continue chanting this while I do corrections on my Japanese essay. Wee! To improvement we shall go! cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : Yuri wa aoku saite alice nine.] [mood : contemplative] [food : some variety would be nice..]
Not too long ago we returned from HELL VEGAS! the Halloween Party 2007 by the SSA.=D =D =D Yay them! It was largely a phototaking session though we did try to play cards every now and then.^_^" Following this will be a TON of photos but I'll put everything up on Facebook for easier referencing.=)
Disclaimer: Owing to the fact that this is, after all, a personal blog and since no one else knows who everyone is, I'll be posting all the photos that don't include me on Facebook! ^_^ So go check there!
By the side of Washtenaw, Behind the span of weeds in Fall, Masked beneath the skin of a quotidian architecture, Trotter house echoed with sardonic laughter.
On the twilight of this very day, Even the sun goes out of ray. Faceless figures start gliding in, The kind of ambiguity – veiled, guised and inked.
An abrupt whirlwind of black and red, Set the impetuous winds of fear that shakes. The wheels gyrate, the dice rotate, The Kings and Queens evidently elate.
Abruptly, the bell chimed thrice, Trotter House echoed with Marie’s cries. A sea of distressed souls startled and scared, It is within Hell Vegas that everyone’s trapped.
Guo Lu and I after completing our hair and makeup! ^_^ We then had to set about helping others... O___o
In Rachel's room before setting off to hunt Kevin down!
Upon arrival at Trotter House, we discovered that we were far too early and the place was completely empty. Hence, after taking the obligatory group shot, we set about playing bridge [which I am terrible at] and tai-ti [which I am less terrible at but still terrible at].
Before the masked dealers arrived!
When the party got into almost full swing.
Rongs is a GREAT dead person!!! xD And Xiaowei looks so L-ish.=P
Hi Ted!!! ^_^
Lihui's witch hat is so cute!
The power of the accidental effect.
Finally! A closeup of our dear friend Kevin! Haha. His costume was really interesting. ;) Loads of symbolisms and whatnot.
Sam!!! ^_^
Eugene is pretty scary...xP
Group photo!
Shuying! Looking great as usual... ^_^
Teehee. Bao En is the Statue of Liberty Michigan style! xD She even had a Blue Book [a book you use for writing your exams] with her.=D
John... The Matrix?
Kai Jian.. One of the masked dealers! At one point, they shut off the lights, and had some horribly gross thing fall from the ceiling before all the dealers whipped off their masks to reveal halloween makeup.;)
Check out Xiaowei's cool surfboard! And no. It's not a boat. Made exclusively by Kevin and Xiaowei.^_^
After we came back, Guo Lu and I were still pretty hyper and started taking MORE photos! =P I won't post all of them. My fingers will die from clicking.
Kawaii! [Not me obviously. Guo Lu.]
Our costumes! Urhhh though my "costume" would be what I would wear on a regular occasion if I could be bothered with all the makeup and hair..=P Rachel did my hair.. It's really nice!!! xD
By the way, I was supposed to be doing my version of "Japanese goth". Hmm. Japanese represented by the hair decoration and fan and goth by the urm... corset-ish top and cool spiderweb tights? Haha.=P
Ok. I am BEAT. -___-" And I think I still need to study!!! WEEPS. Shouldn't have posted so many photos. But at least everyone will have stuff to read for the next few days. Hahaha.=P
A quick weather report! It's getting cold but we just go out in a top with a jacket over. How brave we are! Haha. Every building's heater is on though so it ain't so bad. East Quad's heater is wonky sadly.xP Last night, it dropped to almost -2 degrees Celcius! Guo Lu and I almost DIED of shock.O___o Negative! IN FALL!!! O___o FAINTS. And tonight when we were walking back from the Halloween party, it was about 2 degrees Celcius. Shudders.
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : Rachel's playlist of clubbing songs!] [mood : extremely tired] [food : something better and more nutritious than dorm food]
YX: You lucky cow you. Umich won't cancel classes even if there was a bad bad snowstorm. Oh the horror.
Fel: Yup! My friend is at UCSD. Those lucky cows! xP But it's also bad because not only are forests being destroyed, it's also killing off poor little animals and stuff. And to think it's getting cold here...
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!
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