Tokyo mode

Tokyo mode (Tou.Kio. Mou.D)
Meaning: Fast-paced activities occurring continuously with no break over 24/7.
Synonym: Damn busy.

-Source: MiharuDictionary.com-


I've been in Tokyo mode lately.
It's like, I wake up early in the morning and do stuff, and do stuff, and do stuff, and bam! The day is over, time to sleep. And then the cycle repeats. Where did my whole day go?
This is what my typical week's like:

Monday
Grow bacteria. Cook dinner. Japanese homework (i.e. Code Geass).
Tuesday
Grow more bacteria. Practise violin. Japanese homework (i.e. Vampire Knight).
Wednesday
Grow that damn bacteria. Cook dinner. Practise violin. Japanese homework (i.e. real JLPT2 homework).
Thursday
Would the stupid bacteria please grow already?! Practise violin. Japanese homework (more JLPT2 questions)
Friday
Kill bacteria. Practise violin. (more) Japanese homework.
Saturday
Grocery shopping. Practise violin. Violin class. Kill more bacteria. Cook dinner. Japanese homework.
Sunday
Travel to city. Japanese class. Lunch. Wait 5hrs. Japanese JLPT2 class. Dinner. Travel back. Conk out.
Monday
... it's Monday AGAIN?!


It's not like I'd complain being occupied all the time. I actually love being occupied all day long. It's just that it's so... Tokyo mode. So damn busy.

Therefore, I'll just do highlights to the nice (or not) things that happened recently.

• Japanese class

(Okay, Japanese things are always nice to me :P)
After a month of waiting, there's finally vacancy to the last level of Pre-advanced Japanese class for me.

It's high time that I re-attend the classes before my Nihongo goes rusty again. Since it's one of the higher level classes, the class is naturally conducted by the most senior Sensei in school, MZ-sensei. Now, I've seen anxiety in the face of my former classmates when they saw MZ-sensei, and I thought she must be a very scary person. But in my first lesson with MZ-sensei, I find her VERY interesting. Military-style training conducted with an out-of-world wacky sense of humor. She tells tall stories with such seriousness and humor that newbies like me spend half the time deciding whether her stories are lies or not. (It appears her jaded students can easily decipher her fake stories from true ones....)

Then again, MZ-sensei is stricter than other teachers, so it'll be a lie to say it's a stress-free lesson. And thanks to my enthusiasm, I've landed myself in a double-dose of MZ-sensei per day by enrolling in the JLPT2 (Japanese Language Proficiency Test 2) prep class that takes place in the later part of the same day. This prep class is far more demanding than the regular Japanese lesson, as MZ-sensei speeds through the required syllabus in 1.5 hours. In ONE breath. By the end of the day, I'd be totally drained of mental energy. Tired, but happy to be learning.

MZ-sensei, 楽しいレッソンをありがとう！

• Work

There's nothing nice about work because my prima donna bacteria is not growing properly. Prima donna, that prokarytic existence!! As my boss would describe, "It needs precarious coddling, and it's moody."

What does it think it is? Royal princess??!

... unfortunately, it is. TT_TT

• Surprise visit

Mum and Dad came over last weekend for a surprise visit!
So glad to have them here, because I've been missing home lots. Since I've used up all my annual leave and can't go home, Mum and Dad brought home to me. Figuratively. Didn't do much, but spent all the time lazying around in the hotel room as a family. Listening to cat stories. Apparently Siren, the stray pet, has reached the rebellious age.

Best weekend ever.
Thank you, Mum and Dad!

• New phone

I've got a Nokia 6500 slide for $0.
I love the fact I got a $188-worth phone for free.

Thanks Sis for recontracting so that I can get that free phone. Muaks!

• Socializing

Watched 'KungFu Panda' with AM and co. a few weeks ago. Went for the company, not the movie particularly. The movie was nothing to shout about; although funny here and there, the story was terribly lame and predictable. But hey, what can you expect of a children's cartoon? Nevertheless, the company was great as it had been sometime since we last got together, catching up.

And then, sometime last week, my lab had a dinner outing to celebrate our boss's birthday. We had a very filling seafood dinner, complete with black pepper(!) crab. The food was nothing to rave about (I've had better seafood back in hometown), but the company was fun. After stuffing ourselves, we had some girl talk, before the two attachment students in our lab lured us all serious scientists into REALLY lame games. It was absolutely hilarious watching my serious colleagues trying to follow the game, in all it's lame-ness. We spent like half the night lame-ing.

• Violin

I had long realized my pinky is shorter than most normal people, and in practising my exam pieces, I've finally experienced the difficulty of having a stunted pinky. But, I'm practising hard. And I love the songs! Especially Moon River from Breakfast At Tiffany's. The dreamy quality is difficult to express, but so nice to listen to.... my tutor playing it.

がんばります！


Although frenzied, Tokyo mode is not all that bad afterall, considering the vibrancy and enjoyment it brings.

まぁ、こんなモンかな、人生は。

～みはる～

Child Prodigy

*Ok, I'm going to swamp this post with lots of videos, so be warned.*

When my friend first recommended me to watch this video, I rolled my eyes and said, "It's just another kid trying to sing in another one of your reality pop idol competitions."

I was so WRONG.



Connie Talbot is not just another 7-year-old trying to sing in a competition.
Connie Talbot is an angel sent to spread the joy of music.



It's no surprise why people cry listening to her.
Connie has a voice purer than the mountain stream, sweeter than the heavenly harp, and so beautiful that no words can describe. She has the voice of an angel.



And what do you get when Connie meets Ee Eun?
It's God's angels delivering the gift and joy of music.



A blind 5-year-old pianist and a sweet 7-year-old singer.

Music is a gift of joy.

～みはる～

Sweet Rain ~ 死神の精度

君は死ぬことについてどう思う？
(What do you think of death?)

I don't do this often, but this is one of the rare moments where I willingly fork out money (at bad economic times!) for exorbitant cinema tickets, just to spend two hours drooling over the most dashing, coolest man ever walked on Earth.

Of course I'm talking about Kaneshiro Takeshi. While every female would have her preference, not one would refute he's cool. For his age, he's dashing. Handsome. Suave. Dashing. COOL.

*cough* I'll leave my Takeshi-fangirling at that.

Thank's to Sis's recommendation, I did not miss one of the best movies of this year. Kaneshiro Takeshi's latest Japanese movie, entitled 「Sweet Rain~死神の精度」 (a.k.a. Accuracy of Death), took to screens since March in Japan and since last month in other Asian regions. Being the movie-retard I've always been, I had no idea there was a new release by Takeshi. When I realized it is a Japanese film starring Kaneshiro so-dashingly-cool Takeshi, I wouldn't be able to sleep if I do not catch it in the cinema. So, we did. Plonked ourselves in a cinema in the city centre for a 2-hr dose of Takeshi.

Sweet Rain is a film of 3 intertwined short stories, spanning half a century. It follows a Shinigami (Death God) by the name of Chiba, played by none other than Kaneshiro Takeshi, whose job is to interact, for 7 days, with the person who is shortlisted for dying. By the end of the 7 days, he will decide whether to 'proceed' with or 'suspend' the death of the death-candidate. For Chiba, if he feels the candidate has fulfilled his/her purpose of living, he will proceed with the death. Otherwise, he will suspend the death, thus allowing the candidate more time on the land of living.

The first story takes place in 1985, where Chiba was assigned to judge whether a 27-yr old OL (office lady), Fujiki Kazue, is fit for death. If anything, Kazue seems to fit the bill for death. Depressed, surrounded by death, and apparently stalked by some weirdo who longs to hear her voice multiple times a day, Kazue feels life is meaningless and would probably be more than willing to die (much to Chiba's relief). However, during the 7 days of judgement, her interaction with Chiba brought a little light back to her life, and in an unexpected turn of events, she wound up being scouted as a singer. For the first time, Chiba 'suspended' a death.

The second story takes place in our generation of 2007, where Chiba judged a middle-aged yakuza for death. It wasn't so much his interaction with the death candidate Fujita, but Fujita's underling Akutsu, which was central to this story. Akutsu looked up to Fujita as a father figure and would sacrifice himself to prevent Fujita from dying in the yakuza internal conflict. However in his meeting with Chiba, Akutsu was given a painful lesson of faith, courage and reality of death. While Chiba 'proceeded' with the death, it was a death out of expectation (a bit lame if you ask me, but well, he had to die... somehow or rather).

The final story was fast forwarded to the future in the age of 2028, where humanoid robots are already a norm. In a remote coast, lives a 70-yr old dignified hairdresser obaachan (grandma) Kazue, who coincidentally is Chiba's next job list. Interestingly, Kazue was not entirely surprised to receive her unannouced guest Chiba, and she even correctly guessed his Shinigami profile (you just HAVE to look at Takeshi's expression here. Priceless). She is willing to 'go' with him (i.e. accept her death), but before that, she requested that Chiba realize her last wish in the living world. The normally cool and collected Chiba is suddenly placed in a tight spot (human subjects never mess with Shinigamis, what more ask for a favor), as he tried his best to fulfill her wish, which was to gather as many elementary school boys for a free haircut as possible by the day after tomorrow. It turns out, Kazue wanted to glimpse the child of her estranged son before her death. While it wasn't directly shown that Chiba 'proceeded' or 'suspended' the death, I think it's pretty clearly implicated Kazue died a happy obaachan.

Sweet Rain ~ Shinigami no Seido Trailer

This movie is a great alternative to contemporary movies which boast complicated plots, adrenaline-pumping action, twisted characters and elaborate settings. The soothing theme and laidback concept, complete with dashing actor and capable actresses, makes the movie a very pleasant watch. Although simple, it was not lack in entertainment. Emotions were rightly placed at the appropriate scenes and it gives a very refreshing slice-of-life feel. I particularly love the nuances implicated in the movie. The director used rain, blue skies, coin toss, sunflower, and music to finely thread the three stories together very tastefully. By virtue of these elements, we will learn that the hairdresser obaachan Kazue was the same young Kazue who's life Chiba spared in the first story, and lived a long and fulfilling life, learning to put up with the pain and mistakes in life, such as leaving her son Akutsu in the hands of a yakuza in the second story, and yet able to experience the joy of cutting his child's (her grandson's) hair in the epilogue. Simply ingenious and uncomplicated.

I like the idea that Chiba learnt the meaning and precious value of life through his meeting with Fujiki Kazue. It is very heart-warming. In their initial acquaintance, all was gloom and doom for Kazue and Chiba. Every time Chiba's on job, it would definitely be raining, hence he wistfully wonders to Kazue as to when he will actually get to see the blue sky. When he meet the 70-yr old her, he finally get to experience the warmth of the wide blue sky with a jaded Kazue chiding him that a Shinigami like him who sees death everyday would find it difficult to understand the preciousness of life to the living being.

As many reviewers mentioned, this movie will definitely be popular with the ladies because of the eye candy. Um, I mean, Kaneshiro Takeshi. He's so seamless in his act that you wouldn't realize he's been away from Japanese silverscreens for more than 6 years. Furthermore, you'll never find another more good-looking Shinigami than Takeshi. I mean, if you had to come face to face with Death, let it be in the form of Kaneshiro Takeshi and you'd probably die happy. What I was trying to say is, he looks really good in the movie. If you don't watch for the story, just go watch him. It's worth the money. Plus, he's really good with the subtle wit. His naive and innocent antics were pretty funny and lightening.

Oh, I love his side-kick black Retriever. The dog-boss communicates with him! It's really funny. More so if you read Japanese because the punch line is.... Japanese.

Bottomline is, it's really worth watching. I'm waiting for the DVD.

Sweet Rain~Shinigami no Seido Press Conference

Visit the official website

～みはる～

Daylight robbery

Thanks to the ever corrupted BN government, the people of Malaysia now face at least 41% increase in fuel prices, with increasing electricity tariffs, food and consumer goods prices in the roll. Let's not forget the skyrocketing inflation, impending decrease in investment and job opportunities, threatening rise of social ills and crime - all ready to be unfolded in the background of political unrest.

...I'm far too angered and disappointed for words. This is just plain daylight robbery. How do these corrupted beings squander the rakyat's hard earn money (a.k.a. tax) in the day and sleep soundly at night beats my logic.

Thanks to you, my dear government, for bolstering my resolve to remain overseas and not return to the slumps of Malaysia.

～みはる～

Visit Malaysiakini for updates on fuel and what-not hikes.

Baby panda

A friend of mine sent me these photos that had been circulating around the network. It's so cute I just have to put it up here.

You don't see so many young ones together this often. They look like a heap of soft toy on the floor. If you flip their backside, you might see a tag that reads "Made in China".

This one had me squealing... Look at the little one on the right, raiding the drawer; and the one at the back, toying with the tank cable. It's like a panda kindergarten!

Simply kawaii-overload.

～みはる～

Scam

I received a scam email this morning. I have no idea what is going on in the heads of these scammers, but please-lah, if you want to scam make it more believable, okay? One look at the email and it's so obviously fake.

Here's an excerpt:


The Unicef Orgnasation, Would like to notify you that you have been chosen by the board of trustees as one of the final recipients of a cash Grant/Donation for your own personal, educational, and business development. The Unicef Orgnasation was formed in 1947 after WWII to help children displaced by the war. It was then called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. The United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European Union (EU) was conceived with the objective of human growth, educational, and community development.

To celebrate the 27th anniversary program, The Unicef Organisation is giving out a yearly donation of One Million Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand United States Dollars. These specific Donations/Grants will be awarded to 70 lucky international recipients worldwide....

...You are required to contact the Permanent Secetary below for qualification documentation and processing of your claims. After contacting our office, you will be given your pin number, which you will used in claiming the funds. Please endeavor to quote your Awarded pin numbers (U-777-1815, D-01-47) in all discussions.


So obviously scam, right?

Someone actually analyzed the email and poked fun at the numerous errors that led leaked the scam. Damn funny.

Tip to scammers: if you intend to cheat people's money, check your spelling first dammit.

～みはる～

Superstar in the making

Can you believe she is 9?



Valerie Kim is definitely a superstar in the making. At only 9, she commands the presence of a professional violinist. Can you imagine at this rate what she'll be like in 5 years? Phenomenal!!



Oh wait, she masters piano too!

Now who doesn't agree that this girl is history in the making??!

～みはる～

The Beauty of Beethoven

Went to the final SSO concert for the 07/08 season last Friday.

Themed 'The Beauty of Beethoven', it was a gala concert featuring violinist Leila Josefowicz and conductor Maestro Eri Klas.

Repertoire:

• The Creatures of Prometheus: Overture, Op.43
• Violin Concerto in D Major, Op.61
• Symphony No.7 in A Major, Op.92

Actually, I went for the symphony. I'm not sure whether it was because I was sitting a little far from the stage or it was the flaw in their performance, but I find that I enjoyed Brahm's Symphony No.1 in the previous concert much more than this Beethoven's 7th. The first movement was paced a little too slow for my liking. However, I liked the 2nd and 4th movements: the expression, dynamics and speed were just right.

The first song, The Creatures of Prometheus, was surprisingly enjoyable although a little short. Leila Josefowicz solo-ed the violin concerto, and throughout her performance, only 2 things roll in my head: technique and violin. Her technique was near-perfect and precise, thus every note was clearly and beautifully delivered. And Leila owns a damn good violin. When she played, the most beautiful sound rang in the concert hall. You can tell that is one very well made antique. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this piece too much, because I find it rather bland in expression and in true blue Beethoven style, the same pattern is repeated way too many times. Before long, I could almost tell when a passage is going to be repeated. However, Leila graciously obliged us an encore, where she played a series of high technique passages.

While it was a lovely concert, I didn't enjoy it as much probably because I was pretty tired from work. I had been up since early morning, and it was rather tiring after a long day.

This would probably be my last orchestra concert for some time. Living expenses had skyrocketed lately, and my student salary is taking a big hit, so I'll most likely lay off such luxuries for a while.

～みはる～