Arashi [嵐] - One Love

So after the ABBA madness (I know I didn't post about Mamma Mia!, actually I did but at the forums instead of here), now it's on to Arashi ^_^ Only the third Japanese "boyband" that I'm actually interested in (after SMAP and KAT-TUN)... Orange Range doesn't count since they're more rap in nature (plus Wikipedia puts them as alternative-rock) so I don't categorise them as a boyband, and the other groups I go for specific songs rather than the group... Anyways, this song is the theme for the Hana Yori Dango. Have yet to watch the movie but have heard this a number of times over Japanese section of 96.3FM, and it's one of those songs that just grow on you..... Lyrics are under the cut.

伝えたくて 伝わらなくて
I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't
時には素直になれずに
Occasionally, before I became meek
泣いた季節を 越えた僕らは
The us that passed the season of crying
今とても輝いてるよ
Now are really shining


それぞれ描く 幸せのかたちは重なり
Each of the forms of happiness we'd painted are overlapping
今 大きな愛になる
Now they've become a big love
ずっと二人で 生きてゆこう
Let's go on living together, always

CHORUS
百年先も 愛を誓うよ
Even if it were a hundred years past, I swear my love
君は僕の全てさ
You are my everything
信じている ただ信じてる
I believe, I just believe
同じ時間(とき)を刻む人へ
In the person with whom I carve out a common time
どんな君も どんな僕でも
No matter what you're like, or even what I'm like
ひとつひとつが愛しい
Every little thing is loved
君がいれば 何もいらない
With you around I don't need anything
きっと幸せにするから
Because we'll surely be happy

雨の中で君を待ってた
I waited for you in the rain
優しさの意味さえ知らず
Without even knowing the meaning of kindness
すれ違いに傷ついた夜
The wounded night where we passed each other by
それでもここまで来たんだ
Even then, we've come this far

かけがえのない　出逢いは奇跡を繋いでく
Our irreplaceable chance meeting, I connect it with a miracle
思い出 重なりあう
Our memories overlap
はじまりの歌 鳴り響いて
The song from our beginning reverberates

どんなときも 支えてくれた 笑い泣いた仲間へ
To the friends who have supported us through thick and thin, and laughed and cried with us
心を込めて ただひとつだけ 贈る言葉はありがとう
I put just one thing into my heart, the words I send are "thank you"

百年先も 愛を誓うよ
Even if it were a hundred years past, I swear my love
君は僕の全てさ
You are my everything
愛している ただ愛してる
I love you, I just love you
同じ明日約束しよう
Let's make a vow on the same tomorrow
世界中に ただ一人だけ 僕は君を選んだ
Just one person in the entire world, the you I have chosen
君といれば どんな未来も
Because if I'm with you, no matter what the future is like
ずっと輝いているから
It'll be shining always

ラララ 〜
La la la ~

Click for the rambling...

SoulJa - Sotsugyo [graduation]

歌：SoulJa 作詞：SoulJa 作曲：SoulJa
遊んだあのブランコ コンビニ前待ち合わせの場所
初めて告白した人 思い出詰まったあのグラウンド
川辺に沿ってくあの道 思い出せば歩いてた毎日
昔暑い日にした水遊び 夏休みの終わりの祭り花火

君とまいた 花の種実り 色あせないため心に
大事にするmemory 誓い 無くしたくない so離さない
未来のこと これからのこと 何が起こるかわからないけれど
扉のむこうに待つ 景色の方へと 歩き出そう

僕たちはこれからどこへ行き そこでは何を見る
今までのこと 今までの顔 忘れずに前を進む

いつの間にか時は流れた 過去の日々はどこへと消えた
短いようで長かった日々が 流れるのが早すぎた
少年時代の夢は無限大 広がる世界に希望がいっぱい
この気持ちneva wanna say"good-by"
My一生涯忘れたくはない

休むことなく地球は巡る その上で僕たち前進む
それを見る 太陽道照らす 夜には月が僕たち励ます
これから会う明日よ 君は僕たちとともに どこへどう 導くだろう
過去よ今まで マジありがとう

僕たちはこれからどこへ行き そこでは何を見る
今までのこと 今までの顔 忘れずに前を進む

僕たちはこれからどこへ行き そこでは何を見る
今までのこと 今までの顔 忘れずに前を進む

僕たちはこれからどこへ行き そこでは何を見る
今までのこと 今までの顔 忘れずに前を進む
Click for the rambling...

「きみは愛されるため生まれた」 당신은 사랑받기 위해 태어난 사람 (You were Born to be Loved)

My blog stalkers readers must think I am mad. I go without any updates for ages and ages and suddenly I put up 2 entries in a row. Stumbled upon this song on Bookbinder, and as I read the lyrics, I felt my eyes tearing... It's just such an encouragement to me since I have been feeling somewhat blue these past few weeks (yar, I know it doesn't show but...) Such a poignant reminder that yes, I am born to be loved, and the one up there is kinda giving me a loving hug in the form of this song. Yes, I am sitting here typing this with tears in my eyes (no, they have yet to fall, so jiejie don't call me a crybaby!). Yes, the one that was put up is in Japanese but I found out that it's actually a Japanese version of a Korean gospel song, so I'm putting up both versions. I don't know how close the lyrics are since I don't know Korean. Here's the English translation for those of you who don't know Japanese or Korean.

You were born to be loved
And you are receiving that love through your life.
You were born to be loved
And you are receiving that love through your life.
The love from God that started since the beginning of your birth
Becomes connected with us meeting each other.
You were born to be loved
And you are receiving that love through your life.

きみは愛されるため生まれた
kimi wa aisareru tame umareta
きみの生涯は愛で満ちている
kimi no shougai wa ai de michiteiru
きみは愛されるため生まれた
kimi wa aisareru tame umareta
きみの生涯は愛で満ちている
kimi no shougai wa ai de michiteiru

永遠の神の愛は
eien no kami no ai wa
われらの出会いの中で実を結ぶ
warera no deai no naka de mi wo musubu
きみの存在が
kimi no sonzai ga
私にはどれほど大きな喜びでしょう
watashi ni wa dore hodo ookina yorokobi deshou

きみは愛されるため生まれた
kimi wa aisareru tame umareta
今もその愛受けている
ima mo sono ai uketeiru
きみは愛されるため生まれた
kimi wa aisareru tame umareta
今もその愛受けている
ima mo sono ai uketeiru


(Korean lyrics and the pronounciation taken from here)

당신은 사랑 받기위해 태어난 사람
Dangseenun sarang badgi wehae taeonan saram
당신의 삶 속에서 그 사랑 받고 있지요
Dangseeneek salm sokeso gu sarang badgo eetchiyo
당신은 사랑 받기 위해 태어난 사람
Dangseenun sarang badgi wehae taeonan saram
당신의 삶 속에서 그 사랑 받고 있지요
Dangseneek salm sokeso gu sarang badgo eetchiyo

태초부터 시작된 하나님의 사랑은
Taetchobuto seechakdwon hananomeek sarangun
우리의 만남를 통해 열매를 맺고
Uroeek mannamrul tonghae yeolmaerul maechgo
당신이 이 세상에 존재함으로 인해
dangseenee yi saesang-eh chonchaehamuro eenhae
우리에겐 얼마나 큰 기쁨이 되는지
uro-eh-kehn orlmanakun geebumee duwochee

당신은 사랑 받기 위해 태어난 사람
Dangseenun sarang badgi wehae taeonan saram
지금도 그 사랑 받고 있지요
chigumdo gu sarang badgo eetchiyo
당신은 사랑 받기 위해 태어난 사람
dangranun sarang badgi wehae taeeonan saram
지금도 그 사랑 받고 있지요
chigumdo gu sarang badgo etchiyo

@@@@@@@
Also, this guy kindly put up the chords for the song too!

Click for the rambling...

また雨の季節かな...

今、シンガポールで毎日夕立が出てる...　気持ち悪い。　太陽さん、何で朝だけくる？　春雨がちょっと好きけど、夕立と大雨は...　窓でてるてる坊主ちゃんが書いた、太陽さん早く戻ってください～～
日本人と雨

Click for the rambling...

Introducing our nudibranchs! 「シンガポールのウミウシ」

Have been dragging out this post for like ages now, especially since I wanted this to be part of my IYOR mini-project series.... Guess that would have to wait (yet again), so that this entry doesn't end up being one of my to-be-blogged-but-never-made-it-onto-ASHIRA entries...

=======
Be it while walking the intertidals or while diving here in Singapore, the one organism that never ever fails to intrigue me (no matter how many times I see them) are the nudibranchs and their fellow seaslug relatives. Definitely WAY WAY WAY sexier than their landlocked slug relatives! The word "nudibranch" is a mix of Latin and Greek, meaning "naked gills". So these little sluggies that I love so much are actually just shell-less snails! In fact, thery ARE related to marine snails and some of their opisthobranch (Greek for "behind gills") relatives still retain some sort of shell. But to me, nudibranchs are pretty much butterflies of the sea. Their colorfulness, graceful swimming, and their widespread appeal to divers all over the world, just seems so butterfly-like. It's not surprising that I also find butterflies fascinating! =^-^= That's a story for another time... Let's get back to introducing some of these colorful critters found in our tiny island locale.

(1) Jorunna funebris ブチウミウシ Those who follow Neville Coleman's books on nudibranchs would know this bloke as the funeral Jorunna. I prefer to call it "oreo cookie nudibranch" - because it reminds me of many Oreo cookies with all their creamy goodness spilling out in a great big pool! These nudis are commonly found in tidal pools when the tide is out, as well as when diving, and there are times in the year when we are really lucky to see them in the process of procreating! While some people with more sensitive skin are allergic to sponges, this species FEEDS on blue sponges. Thinking of the spicules (glass-like pokey bits) found in sponges, I can only imagine how tough their mouth parts and stomach are!

(2) Glossodoris atromarginata キイロウミウシ Another species of nudibranchs that also feed on sponges is the black-marginated Glossodoris. Like the Jorunna funebris, it is also a commonly seen denizen of our coral reefs. A literal translation of its Japanese name can be taken to be "yellow colored nudibranch", and from the photo on the right I am sure you can tell why! The main body color ranges from a very pale yellowish off-white to the nice creamy butter yellow seen above.

(3) Pteraeolidia ianthina ムカデミノウミウシ Serpent Pteraeolidia, is known locally as the blue dragon, and can sometimes be mis-identified as a Flabellina sp. as they look rather similar at first glance. Unlike the first 2 nudis introduced above, this species of nudibranchs possess zooxanthellae, and can photosynthesize, just like hard corals and giant clams!! They are extremely common and as many as 15-20 individuals can be spotted in a single dive or approximately 40 minutes!! I kid you not!! Given that our local waters are NOT known for their sparkling clarity, you are probably wondering how they managed to proliferate if they just photosynthesize... Just like hard corals and giant clams, the zooxs are not the sole food source of the blue dragon. They also feed on the nasty stingy hydroids that a really a dime-a-dozen here. Sometimes we even spot some small juveniles that are mostly white, lacking the zooxanthellae (see below). That's all for now. Would definitely be back with more slug goodness!! More photos of nudibranchs and other seaslugs can be found here:
http://flickr.com/photos/juanicths/sets/72157602810022239/
http://flickr.com/photos/juanicths/sets/72157602811360563/

Click for the rambling...

Keep the Faith [KAT-TUN]

Never really took note of KAT-TUN's songs despite them being around the scene for quite a while.... And honestly, have only heard of 2 of their members, namely Kamenashi Kazuya (亀梨和也) and Akanishi Jin (赤西仁), and of these 2 I can only recognise Kamenashi mainly due to dramas like Kindaichi, Nobuta wo PRODUCE and Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, as well as 1 Pound Gospel that's currently airing in Japan at the moment. There's just something about his features/attitude that intrigues me. Heh... So I guess it's because of him that I started taking note of the group? Speaking of which, this song is also the theme song for Yukan Club. Don't know about the show but found this song rather catchy. ^^ Pretty interesting seeing how far this group has comed since starting off as a dance support group for KinKi Kids' Domoto Koichi... However, despite the upbeat tempo, THERE WASN'T ANY DANCING in this PV.... Just loads of gothic attire posing... Haha..



わがまま　言ってたけど　
I had said many selfish things
ここなら You know, baby　居場所があったし
If you’re here, you know baby, I have a place to be
“信じること”　口で言えても傷つくから
Because even saying, “I believe” leaves scars
小さな声で優しさ探し歩き　
I walk, looking for kindness said in a small voice
疲れた羽根でしゃがみこんでいる
I’m crouching down with tired wings

No No No　You show me the faith
No No No, You show me the faith
必ず　I'll keep it for you
Definitely I'll keep it for you
一人じゃ明日見失うから　
Because alone we will lose sight of tomorrow
派手に叫ぶのさ　Keep the faith
Yell it out loudly, Keep the faith

敵無し不可能もなし
No enemies and no impossibilities
飛ばすぜ　燃え上がれ本能
Fire it up, let your instincts burn
つまらねえ　毎日抜け出すぜ
Sneak away from the boring everyday
固い約束さ　Keep the faith
My solid promise to keep the faith

間違いだらけの街
A town full of mistakes
何かが自分変えようとしても
Even when I feel like changing myself in some way
おびえないで　心の中は変えられない
Don’t be afraid, I can’t change what’s inside my heart
足りない言葉　消えぬ痛み抱え
Insufficient words, the clown carries its pain
作り笑い立ち尽くしてる
Faking a smile, I’m standing still

No No No　You show me the faith
No No No, You show me the faith
必ず　I'll keep it for you
Definitely I'll keep it for you
俺らが灯りをともすから　
Because we will light the lamp
一人泣かないで　Keep the faith
Don’t cry alone, keep the faith

その声離れてても　心はこの場所にある
Even if the voice goes further away, the feelings will be here
夢見て倒れて立ち上がれ　
Have a dream, fall down and get back up
全て賭けるのさ　Keep the faith
I’m betting everything on it, so keep the faith

誰も何も見ない振りで　君を傷つける
I hurt you by acting like I don’t see anyone or anything
俺ら側に感じるだろう　君をそこから救い出すよ
You may feel us close by, I will rescue you from that

Count down 開始　5 to the 4
The countdown begins, 5 to the 4
Don't touch センサー 3 to the 2
Don’t touch the sensor, 3 to the 2
I don't wanna change da style, keep da faith
I don’t wanna change da style, keep da faith
自分のpaceでrace これはGame
Race at your own pace, this is a game
そろそろ着火 Runaway 1, Lifeをかけた愛撫で Blahh...
It’s time to ignite, runaway 1, bet your life on a caress, blahh…

だから近くに… “Sweetie”
So nearby… “Sweetie"

No No No　You show me the faith
No No No, You show me the faith
必ず　I'll keep it for you
Definitely I'll keep it for you
一人じゃ明日見失うから　
Because alone we will lose sight of tomorrow
派手に叫ぶのさ　Keep the faith
Yell it out loudly, Keep the faith

敵無し不可能もなし
No enemies and no impossibilities
飛ばすぜ燃え上がれ本能
Fire it up, let your instincts burn
つまらねえ　毎日抜け出すぜ
Sneak away from the boring everyday
固い約束さ　Keep the faith
My solid promise to keep the faith

夢見て倒れて立ち上がれ　
Have a dream, fall down and get back up
全て賭けるのさ　Keep the faith
I’m betting everything on it, so keep the faith

Click for the rambling...

IYOR01: Introducing Singapore’s Coral Reefs 「シンガポールの珊瑚礁を紹介する」

今年は「国際サンゴ礁年」だから、シンガポールの珊瑚礁の事を日本語でブログしようかなと思った。そして、これから時々シンガポール潮間の活動を簡単に書くよ～～
Since this year is the International Year of the Reef, I thought that I should try blogging about Singapore’s coral reefs in Japanese. So from now on, some of the intertidal activities would be written in very basic Japanese (with English translations/versions of course!) All the better to reach out to the Japanese people both in Singapore and overseas!



じゃ、始めましょう～　シンガポールは小さな国から、もちろん珊瑚礁の地面も小さい。けれど、種類がいっぱいあるぞ！！すごいじゃないの？熱帯国のシンガポールの位置は東南アジアの珊瑚三角の中心だからさ、海の暖かさとか日光の強さとかもちょうどいい。それで、珊瑚の生きる易い場所～
So let’s start. Singapore’s a small country so the area covered by coral reefs is also small. However, the species diversity is AMAZING for such a small area!! Being the tropical country it is, Singapore is situated in the middle of the South East Asian coral reef hotspot area, thus the ideal conditions of warm temperatures, constant sunlight etc. for coral growth.


残念だけど、進展のためにシンガポール本島の珊瑚礁もなくなってちゃった…… o(TT.TT)o 今、珊瑚礁があるところは、大体は南島々である、少ないは東北島々である。私はいつも行くのは南島々（時々友達と一緒に他の潮間所も行く）… だから、ブログの時多分南島のことを書くんぞ！今年ももちろん毎低潮色んな潮間を行くぜ～～
It’s a pity but we have lost the coral reefs surrounding the main island of Singapore to the development of our shoreline…. Presently, our coral reefs are found mainly around the southern islands, with some at the northern islands (and shores). Since I tend to visit the southern islands (with occasional forays into the northern shores with friends), these special IYOR08 entries would largely be on Singapore’s southern islands. Chasing the shores at lowtides again this year!


さぁぁぁ…英語版と日本語版のブログは違うところもあるし、変な事もあるし…本とに本とにごめんね～～日本語は一年半もあんまり使わないから… もっともっと楽しい事を教えるけど…じゃ、頑張ってなきゃぁぁ～～またね！
OK, so the English and Japanese versions aren’t exactly the same since there is so much more I can say in English but can barely express in Japanese but I do hope I get better as time passes! Stay tuned~~

Click for the rambling...

Flavor of Life - Utada Hikaru

ありがとうと君に言われると
なんだか切ない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life...... The flavor of life......
When you say thank you to me,
for some reason it hurts,
like a magic spell that doesn’t
get undone even after the good bye.
a hint of bitterness.
The flavor of life.... The flavor of life...

友達でも恋人でもない中間地点で
収穫の時を夢見てる青いフルーツ
Stuck midpoint between friends and lovers,
like an un-riped fruit dreaming about the day of harvest

あと一歩が踏み出せないせいで
じれったいの何のってBaby
because of being unable to just move one more step forward
what’s causing this frustration baby

ありがとうと君に言われると
なんだか切ない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life...... The flavor of life......
When you say thank you to me,
for some reason it hurts,
like a magic spell that doesn’t
get undone even after the good bye.
a hint of bitterness.
The flavor of life.... The flavor of life...

甘いだけの誘い文句
味気のないTalk
そんなものには興味をそそられない
Sweet talk and tasteless conversations.
it sparks no interest in me

思い通りにいかない時だって
人生捨てたもんじゃないって
even when things do not go the way you want
it doesnt mean you’ve thrown your life away

「どうしたの？」と
急に聞かれると
「ううん、何でもない」
さようならの後に消える笑顔
私らしくない
When asked ‘ whats wrong?’
I answer ‘its nothing’
The smile that disappears after goodbye
It’s unlike me

信じたいと願えば願うほど
なんだか切ない
「愛してるよ」よりも「大好き」の方が
君らしいんじゃない
The flavor of life…
The more i wish to believe in you,
For some reason it hurts even more
‘I like you a lot’ instead of ‘I love you’ sounds more like you
the flavor of life

忘れかけてた人の香りを
突然思い出す頃
降り積もる雪の白さをもっと
素直に喜びたいよ
The period when you suddenly remember the scent of someone you had almost forgotten,
I want to be able to openly and honestly cherish the white purity of the falling snow more

ダイヤモンドより軟らかくて
温かな未来
手にしたいよ限りある時間を
君と過ごしたい
A future tender and warmer than a diamond
I want to grasp it, in this limited time we have,
I want to spend it with you

ありがとうと君に言われると
なんだか切ない
さようならの後も解けぬ魔法
淡くほろ苦い
The flavor of life......The flavor of life...
When you say thank you to me,
for some reason it hurts,
like a magic spell that doesn’t
get undone even after the good bye.
a hint of bitterness.
The flavor of life.... The flavor of life...
Click for the rambling...

イケナイ太陽 Unreachable Heaven (Irresistable Sun) by Orange Range

チョットでいいから 見せてくれないか
お前のセクシー・フェロモンで オレ メロメロ
Just for a while, won't you let me peek?
I'm falling down drunk with your sexy pheromones...

Ah ふれちゃいそう でも イケナイの!
徐々に高なる鼓動 止められないわ
Ah, I might get rejected, but it's impossible to resist!
My heart beat's gradually increasing, I can't stop it

交わす言葉の 記憶遠く 口元の動きに揺れ動く
濡れた髪を撫でた そして Ah?
The lips are trembling, but the words are far away...
I brushed your hair gently and now, heh?

ABC 続かない そんなんじゃ ダメじゃない
だって ココロの奥は違うんじゃない?
オレの青春 そんなもんじゃない 熱く奥で果てたいよ
きっと キミじゃなきゃ やだよ オレは イケナイ太陽
ABC, I can't go further... is it not OK, is it a no,
isn't your heart feeling differently?
My youth was nothing like this, I want to extinguish this fire
If it's not with you, for sure it's an unreachable heaven

「赤い糸」なんて絵空事 でも下心でさえ信じたいの
俺は正しい キミも正しい とにかくもう左右されないゼ
What's with this "red thread"? I don't get it, but still want to believe in it...
I'm right as you're also right, but even so I hate this control

騙し騙され胸うずく 下手な芝居が より盛り上げる夜
息が耳に触れた二人 Ah
Trying to fool my own heart, this bad acting's taking over the night
I get excited just by hearing us breathe Ah...

ABC 続かない そんなんじゃ ダメじゃない
だって ココロの奥は違うんじゃない?
あたしの青春 そんなもんじゃない 熱く奥で果てたいよ
きっと キミじゃなきゃ やだよ あたし イケナイ太陽
ABC, I can't go further... is it not OK, is it a no,
isn't your heart feeling differently?
My youth was nothing like this, I want to extinguish this fire
If it's not with you, for sure it's an unreachable heaven

交わす言葉の 記憶遠く 口元の動きに揺れ動く
濡れた髪を撫でた そして Ah?
The lips are trembling, but the words are far away...
I brushed your hair gently and now, heh?

ABC 続かない そんなんじゃ ダメじゃない
だって ココロの奥は違うんじゃない?
オレの青春 そんなもんじゃない 熱く奥で果てたいよ
きっと キミじゃなきゃ やだよ オレは イケナイ太陽
ABC, I can't go further... is it not OK, is it a no,
isn't your heart feeling differently?
My youth was nothing like this, I want to extinguish this fire
If it's not with you, for sure it's an unreachable heaven

絡み合う糸は 君と俺を結ぶ赤い糸
The red thread is entangled but it ties us together, Na Na Na~ Click for the rambling...

French-Japanese street magician Cyril Takayama

Thanks to Ivan for sending the link to the Lacoste magic/illusion that Cyril Takayama did. Blur me was wondering what Japanese thing this was until I calmed down. Did a quick search on Youtube to turn up a wider sampling of his stuff ^^ The shows are in Japanese but you can get the gist of things just by watching.

Link to the youmaker version of Lacoste street magic (The youtube quality ain't as good and I just could't find the code to embed this...


Lacoste magic


Glass magic


Burger trick

More samplings on Youtube Click for the rambling...

眠い～～～

どうして仕事中いつも眠い、全然わかないよ～～ だけど、この１ヶ月でいろいろなこと教えてもらった、本とに嬉しい。　シンガポールの大自然とか、珊瑚礁とか…　自分のプロジェクトはまだ始まらないけど、来週から、蒼い海は戻るはずです～～～　

Don't worry too much if you don't understand this entry. It's just a random ramble that was brought to it's abrupt end due to my superbly rusty Japanese.... That's as far as I can go at the moment when rambling in Japanese. Need to oil me Japanese gears man! 加油！頑張ります～

p/s. このブログの酷い日本語を許してくださいね～ 　使わない時間は長いだから…

Click for the rambling...

YASHA

OK, despite the previous post, took the rest of Sat off from work and did a bit of catching up on dramas ^^ Found this interesting Jdrama, YASHA, starring Itou Hideaki (male lead in the Umizaru series) and Abe Hiroshi (male lead in the TRICK series). It aired in 2000 and has a rather interesting suspense-thriller styled storyline involving genetic modification/cloning, viral outbreaks. Despite having mild homosexual undertones (that CAN be interpreted as "best buddies", really worth watching. What's it with Japanese dramas that they are able to pack a a punch in like 11 episodes? Comparatively, the recent SG dramas seem to keep getting longer and longer.... Just dragging on the plot...

Okies... used up my break time... back to drafting drafting drafting...

Click for the rambling...

hotaru no haka

5 min into watching the live action re-make of the Studio Ghibli anime, and I am already tearing... This movie was made to make the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII, and ever since watching the the anime the first time round a few years back, I can't help but recall this movie when I see a box/tin of those Meiji Fruitdrop sweets... *cries some more* War is heart wrenching, esp so when you think about the civilians who are trying so hard to survive... oh, the children.... This year would mark the 61st anniversary of the end of WWII and I really hope that there would NEVER ever be a WWIII, and that NOBODY would have to suffer from the effects of another nuclear bomb (or anything as horrifying) *shudder* Memories of the artifacts and vids we saw at the Hiroshima A-Bomb Museum start coming to mind... Think I shld pay a visit there again when I am back in Hiroshima (hopefully in May for the internship)

*goes back to the movie and a tear-fest*

2.5h later.....
Nice seeing a new perspective to the original anime, with the introduction of another family (that DOES survive the war) to tell the story as a kinda flashback from 2005, and set in Kobe during the war years (Showa period), and atempts to make it a little more realistic than 2 children trying to survive all on their own during the last year of WWII. But isn't Sawano Hisako too harsh on the 2 kids, all the same? War and hunger just seems to bring out the worst in humans, but isn't there some way to survive together cooperatively? Or am I just being over-idealistic?

Click for the rambling...

今年の初めての日本語チュトリア

今晩、TAが行ったばかりだった。このクラスの先生は武田先生だ。やさしいし、ユーモアもあるし、いい先生かもしれないと思う。このクラスの学生、全員は９人だけだ。少し小さいから、私達の教室は大き過ぎみたいね～ 午後６時から８時までの授業は一番悪い時間と思う。晩ご飯の時間もないし、皆も疲れっていし、元気じゃないし...　でも、今学期、あたしはその時間の授業が一週間に２回ある。火曜日も、水曜日も...　仕方がないよ～　他のチュトリアは行かないから...

今日、彼の授業は６時終わったのに、待っていて、一緒に晩ご飯を食べた。本当にありがとうございましたね～　いつもあたしのことを考えている。日本語でブログが書く難しいから、今日はそれだけだ。もっと勉強すれば、もっと書く長くなってと思っている。じゃ、ね～

Click for the rambling...

何故雨がいつも降っている？

土曜日から、雨がいつも降っていて、気が重くなるよ～　太陽に会いたいなあ～　そ の上、昨日授業が始まった。今学期の最初の授業は日本語５よ。クラスの全員は４１人、大抵知っているクラスメート。よかったね～　でも、日本語でブログを 書くスピードは遅過ぎて、英語で書くほうがいいと思う...

My written Japanese feels so uberly rusty, and there is quite a bit I wanna blog abt before I head downstairs to print the tonnes of stuff that Dr Li just put up for 4253 As I have already mentioned in Japanese, the rain seems to be neverending.... It just keeps going on and on and on, just like the Lamb Chop's song.... This is the rain that doesn't end, yes, it goes on and on my friend... Depressing, and I need to go sample collecting on Thu too... *groan* Thanks to this rain, running yesterday was cancelled... If this keeps on, I'm REALLY gonna get stuck in my sluggish mode...

Jap lecture was different... Another change of 先生, this time to Walker-先生 and Takeda-先生... Now EVERYTHING is in Japanese, even good ol' IVLE Even more reason for me to brush up my Japanese reading speed.... Guess I should start visiting my Japanese webbies more often now... And w my trusty E-dict at hand too! (Speaking of which, managed to find an online blog abt the production of the latest Ghibli anime, "Tales from Earthsea" aka 「ゲド戦記」) Wonder what our project this semester would be on... So far we only noe that it involves conversing/interviewing 日本人. Wonder how I would survive doing intermediate Japanese....

Manged to crash Tropical Conservation in the afternoon. Seems like a fun and interesting module, but pity the clash w 3262 practicals, or else can haf fun w Wai and the other marine lab pple... At least there's still 4253 to see them in.... Just hope that prof doesn't notice me sitting in for the class as and when I can... hee...

Prolonged rain seems to just sap my energy away, and just feel even more un-motivated to do anything at all No nice bright Mr Sun to brighten up the skies... Definitely not the way I would like to start the new year, or even a new semester... Feel even sluggish-er than normal... 太陽はどこで隠してしまったんの？

In search of the sun...

Click for the rambling...

作文０１ 『ラップトップは必要と思う』

最近、ラップトップを利用する人が増えています。私はそれはいいことだと思います。

なぜなら、ラップトップはどこでも使えて、デスクトップよりラップトップのほうが便利だからです。例えば、バスとか電車とか飛行機で長い時間に旅をする時、乗り物の中でラップトップが使えます。宿題やレポートが書けるし、仕事もできるし、電子本も読めるし、PCゲームも遊べるし、デジタルアートも書けるし、とても便利です。もしかしたら、旅行中に仕事をしなければならないかもしれませんから、デスクトップの代わりに軽いラップトップが使えます。

それに、私は大学でいつもラップトップを使っています。大抵音楽を聞きながら勉強しています。友達に連絡したい時、MSNも使えるし、ブログもチェックで きます。そのうえ、大切なメール（例えば、先生からのメール）も読めます。もし時間があったら、時々ラップトップで映画とアニメも見られます。

それに加えて、今時の世界でラップトップを持たなくて、上記のことは全部できられません。単語を調べるのに使う電子辞書も使えませんから、とても不便だと思います。

ですから、私はラップトップは仕事をする時にも暇な時にも勉強する時にも大切だし必要な物だと思います。

Click for the rambling...

森岡浩之の 「星界の紋章」 １－３

私はバカよ。　さっき、ラップトップのファイルを整理するとき、この日本語で電子 本を見つけた。　びっくりしたね！　持つのは、本当に忘れてしまったんの...　嬉しい～　＝＾－＾＝　実は、先日、シンガポールの紀伊国屋書店 (Kinokuniya)で中国語語版も見た。　さあ、やっとラフィールとジントの経験を読みたい...　でも、今忙し過ぎるので、時間がない。　ちょっ と大変だと思う。　それに、私の日本語版の「キノの旅」２－８　と「ふしぎ遊戯パーフェクトワールド」雑誌もまだ読める...　うん～　残念だね...　 １２月にJLPT3の試験を受けるつもりから、もっと　もっと勉強しなければならない。　頑張れね！

じゃ、今晩ご飯の時間から、また今度～

Click for the rambling...

直した作文...

Juan is to avoid doing 作文 late at night when half-asleep.... There really is a correlation between the time I do them and the coherence of the essay.... Well, here they are, after corrections...

『私の好きなアニメの登場人物』
私の一番好きなアニメ　キャラクタ－は、「十二国記」の楽俊です。声優は鈴村健一さｎです。楽俊は、半獣です。大抵大きいグレイの色の毛がある鼠が現れていますが、若い人間の男に変わることもできます。楽俊は、頭がよくて、優しいです。鼠のときは、とてもかわいいです！

『私の昼ごはん』
私は大抵大学の食堂で友達と話しながら昼ごはんを食べます。でも、時間がないとき、勉強しながら食事します。いつも科学部の食堂で食べています。いろいろな食べ物があるし、食べ物も安いし、それでにぎやかです。少し不便ですが、しかたがありません。


『本屋で友達になりました』
先学期、ポ－プラ－本屋で買い物していたとき、知らない人に会いました。二人の女の人は本を探していましたから、私たちは話を始めました。それから、みんなは同じ趣味だと分かりました。それで、電話番号を交換して、友達になりました。今尚、時々連絡しています。


『50年後...』
50年後、私は緑が多い国に住もうと思っています。広いし、静かな所はすばらしいと思います。でも、未来の世界はもっと汚染されているになっていすと思いますから、この夢は、多分無理です。それで、今から地球の大自然を守りたいと思っています。

Click for the rambling...

3-in-1 update...

Disclaimer: The following is probably the longest single entry I have ever made on the blog....

[Thursday-Howl's Moving Castle]
Yay!!! Finally managed to catch the movie with Kemin and Mingxian ^^ Plus when we came out, we met Weiwen and his friend who were going to catch the next one! Think it is a pretty neat animation adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' book of the same title... Had taken her story and transformed it into a Ghibli version of it ^^ Tho' one would probably fully enjoy it only if one had read the book before hand. I like the Howl in the anime much better than the wuss (yes, he really is one!) that is protrayed in the book... heehee... No more details from me since I don't want to spoil it for those who have yet to catch it! (I do recommend reading the book first....

I like Jones' style of storytelling, tho' she REALLY likes convoluted plots... Especially when her targeted audience are "older readers" (whatever that means...) The first book or hers that I read was Hexwood, and boy was that storyline mindboggling!! But that in itself was an appeal, and everything just suddenly fell into place in the last few chapters ^^ It's like trying to puzzle out a jigsaw puzzle when all you had were the most obscure bits, then you suddenly uncovered all the corners and edges.... Wants to look for the sequel to Howl's Moving Castle, Castle in the Air to read.....


[Friday-Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve]
To start of with, silly Juan forgot to bring the digicam that Juan borrowed from Watson, so no photos to show... Gomen ne... Anyway, the afternoon was really hot and humid *perspired the afternoon away* The recent dry spell didn't do the mangrove swamp any good... We went around high tide but the areas nearer the visitor centre were all pretty much dried out... Poor mangrove... Seems like the light rain on Thursday didn't help much... We saw lotsa plants *duh* Quite a few episesarmine crabs at the Kranji broadwalk area, some herons plus another species of bird we could not identify, and a couple of monitor lizards... Poor Leonard got ticked off by our TA, Sean, for being such a photography enthusiast... Time was really limited, so we didn't walk around much, and honestly speaking, saw REALLY little of SBWR *hefty sigh* Took our quiz (Yay!! No report dued!!) and were soon on our way back to NUS... Compared to the last fieldtrip to Labrador, this was rather dull... Anyway, next on the schedule is Pulau Tioman in 2 weeks' time!! (Just after *most* of my CAs...)


[Satuday-Gen12ii Mass Training @ Foochow Methodist Church]
Mom talked to Dad about the trip.... He didn't outright oppose (which is really very good!) tho' he did comment on crime rates in Tokyo... Am still keeping fingers crossed....

Really rainy day... Been such a long time since we had such wet weather! Met most of my team-mates for the very 1st time since we kinda had a team meeting before the mass training.... Quite a number of us are taking/took Japanese ^^ Zhizhen is doing Japanese 6 now! So amazing.... Well, we definitely would find out more about each other over the next few months as we prepare for the trip, as well as go for the trip itself ^^ Altogether, there are 13 of us going to Tokyo... Victor is the staff for our team, while Bixia is with the Nagoya team. Oh yeah, Victor started a team blog (yes, there is gonna be a link on the right) on the Gen12ii webbie, so there would be more general web updates for the team there, as well as my own personal updates here.

There's gonna be another team meeting after the support raising session next Saturday, and we would be assigning roles. By then, we should also have prepared our personal objectives for the trip (after prayer and waiting upon the Lord). Oh boy oh boy oh boy.... Support raising.... Sounds (and feels) very daunting to me.... This is probably a pretty large step of faith for me.... Shan't worry about where the money is gonna come from... Jehovah Jireh, He will provide....

p/s. If anyone is interested in either prayer or financial support, do drop me a note! Thank you!

Click for the rambling...

作文 － 『わたしは好きなアニメのどう場人物』

わたしの一番好きなアニメ　カラクタは、『十二国記』の楽俊です。声優は鈴村健一さんです。楽俊は、半獣です。大抵、大きグレイの色の毛がある鼠は現れ出りますが、若い人間の男も化せます。楽俊は、頭がよくて、優しいです。鼠ときは、とてもかわいいです！

Click for the rambling...