Perceived Grattitude

... because there are times when we just do not fit in....

Insecured Praise Seekers

Supposed teamwork.
Why don't you all just shut up
and do your work?

I want ...

... to learn and play it well....

I suddenly feel motivated again.

I've always loved the cello. Something to do with the beautiful bass sounds it creates.

Sekob loves his ...

It plays so smooth!

A touch of personality ...
MY personality! =p

Nankurunaisa....

... Because everything will work out in the end....

Check out the Blood+ anime....

Confused

Happy Birthday!

So, yesterday was mom's birthday. We had a chit-chat on the phone and mom being mom, asked about myself more than the actual reason for my calling to wish her birthday greeting. I guess that's where a mother's love never fail to put her loved ones ahead of her. Thanks, mom.

So happens, it was also Bernice's birthday, but since her boyfriend took the trouble to fly down from Adelaide to meet her for this reason, we decided to allow them their time for romance. Jonathan, the organizer, decided to hold her party one day after. It's a real pity that Bernice's boyfriend, Kenny couldn't join us for the party although I think he would very much love to.

Well, anyway, the party was a good time to catch up with Jonathan, Sarah, Bernice and Er Li (the Monash 5s) since it's been sometime I had met up with them. Everyone's really stressed up over the semester.

I decided to buy a plain shirt and personalize it for her....

It's winter, so long sleeves will do well, and besides,
it's not too hot to wear during summer as well.

I painted a cello for her since she is a cellist.
I think I'm gonna pick up cello or violin when I have the time ...
HOPEFULLY!

The princess of the day and the artist.
I'm posing with the product, not the person ... HAHAHA!!! =p
Just kidding. =)

Well, Bernice, have a nice one and I hope you enjoyed the fellowship and the efforts your friends painstakingly sacrificed for the success of this party.

Happy Birthday, Bernice!

Hishoku no Sora (Scarlet Sky)

I watched the anime series titled 'Shakugan no Shana', and I'm not sure why, but everytime I hear the opening theme song play, I'm filled with emotions that make me want to cry. It's not like I understood what was sung. And to be honest, I've had a few times where my eyes did well up with tears. So after watching the whole two seasons which were released, I decided to do a little research on the song lyrics translation. Then, I understood why I cried....

Lyrics ： Kawada Mami
Music & Arrangement ： Nakazawa Tomoyuki
Vocals ： Kawada Mami (I've)

Japanese phonetics:

Soshite kono sora akaku somete mata kuru toki kono mi de susumu dake

Surechigatte iku ‘hito’ mo magirenakushita ‘MONO’ mo
Itsuka wa kieyuku toki
Atsuku yurugasu ‘tsuyosa’ hakanaku yureru ‘yowasa’
Shosen onaji mirai

Sonna nichijou kouka wo tokashi arawareru hi kureru sekai

Kaze ni nabikase sen wo hiite nagareru you na kamisaki teki wo sasu
Yurikitta omoi minagiru yume
Subete wa ima kono te de shimei hatashiteyuku dake

Mata hi ga hitotsu otosare sotto dokoka de kieta
Genjitsu kawaranu hibi
Dakedo tashikani kanjiru kimi no nukumori kodou
Kore mo shinjitsu da to

Soshite kurenai koujin wo maki yuuhi wo sei ni ima hajimaru saa

Naze takanaru kokoro ni mayoi tomadoi kanjiru no
Hayaku itazura ni abaredasu itami kowashite

Sora ni nijinda yaketa kumo wa uchi ni himeta negai ga kogashiteru
Tameratta hitomi ukabu namida demo ashita no chikara ni kaete

Subete sasagete mai orita chi saeru yaiba hitotsu de yami wo kiru
Itsu datte mune wo oku no hikari　mabatakasete
Kono mi de shimei hatashiteyuku dake

English Translation:

And therefore, dye this sky red. The time has come again for my body to only go forward

Even the ‘people’ who pass by and the ‘THINGS’ which become lost in confusion
Will one day be like vanished memories
A passionate unwavering ‘strength’, a fleeting swaying ‘weakness’
They meet the same end after all

Such ordinary days melt the mundane world. The sun appears above the crimson world

Flutter in the wind and draw back the lines. Like the flowing tips of the hair, pierce the enemy
The feelings which were slashed, the swelling dream
Now, I will only carry all of my duties in my hands until the end

Once again, another light has fallen, it has quietly disappeared to somewhere
It’s the reality which doesn’t change day after day
However, I definitely feel it, your warmth, your heartbeat
This can also be called the truth

And therefore, it becomes crimson, scattering the mundane world. It’s now starting in the background of the evening sun

Why do I feel hesitation and confusion in my rapidly throbbing heart?
Hurry, destroy this pain which explodes in useless rage

The stained and scorched clouds in the sky burn the wishes concealed within
Tears welled up in my hesitant eyes, but change them into strength tomorrow

Offer up everything to the land where I have descended. With my single bright blade, I shall decapitate the darkness
The light deep within my heart will always sparkle
I will only carry out my duties until the end

It is a beautiful story and it is complimented with a beautiful opening theme song. Perhaps it was the way Kawada Mami sang it with feelings. Surprisingly, the song is upbeat but with quite a sad but energetic melody. Some sort of like a need to fulfill an honourable task and therefore requires sacrifice. Mind you that at this time, I still did not know what the song meant. Kawada seemed to have captured my attention to her singing. She was like communicating with me via tunes and managed to reach out to my senses. Without a doubt, I cried real hard after finding out the meaning of this song.

When I heard her sing, I felt like I needed to fulfill my duties to the end even if it felt like a losing cause. Perhaps, in all hopelessness in the world, there are those who still strive to hold on to something important ... HONOUR.... Honour meant that we fight on against all odds. I am very drawn to this idea and even made it a principle in my life. Probably why I admire the Japanese and their Samurai culture. I guess even in simple cartoons and comics, the Japs have maintained one of their most treasured traditions and that is the mindset of an honourable way of life.

Anyway, I'd recommend anyone who is interested in anime to give this series a go. Apparently, there is a third season to which I am still waiting for it to be released. I will not spoil the story for you. Just watch it for yourself and besides, my main objective in this entry is the song and how it captured me.

You may say that I am an emo person and I'd agree to a certain extent. I do not feel a need to justify myself since this is a part of me. But one thing I have to put through is that I trust my senses and when I feel the way I do, it is probably the most honest feeling that is in me.

Ps:- I did not post my artworks up yet. I decided to put it up only when I have received my assessment results. So, it'll be up soon enough.

Sick!!!!!

Why didn't i take that jab before I came here? =_='''

The virus is a very itchy one

After living nearly a quarter of a century of my life, I caught that stupid virus. Why do people "catch" a virus or an illness for that matter? Shouldn't we actually be running away from it? Hmmm....

Well, there is a bright side to this incident:

- I now have an immunity to it
- I get to say that I had it in Tasmania while most of my friends had it back home

Hmmm ... somehow, the second excuse feels like it's not something to be proud of.

ps:- For those of you who still can't figure out what virus I caught (even through the obvious picture above), I'd like to start by calling you blind or stupid I caught the pox related to poultry and if you have had it before, you can visit me if you like. Otherwise, stay far away from me because it is contagious.