On this awful Tuesday afternoon, where I slept till 11am, looked outside the window and it's almost all fog, though it's clearing up now. I had a shower and got ready, then decided to skip a lecture. I decided that skipping the lecture to start on my management coursework (due in six days) will be more productive than going to the lecture only to find myself bored and wish I never went.
My Windows Media Player was being a bitch (I really need to import all my music to iTunes). So... YouTube was my alternate source of music. I saw the new DBSK (I say DBSK, but it's not really DBSK is it? *sigh*) music video on FB this morning but I decided not to watch it and go take a shower instead or I'll just be all depressed. Then I'm sure YT is just provoking me to watch the video...
(I don't think SM videos allows playback sometimes, so there's the link instead)
It's just sooo epic. If only it was a movie! I have to say, Changmin does look really good in it =]
I wasn't convinced about their 'fluffy' clothes... i.e. the first scene where YunHo sings, there's too much fur on his jacket. Other than some awfully exaggerated scenes (where YunHo kills the ultimate bad guy in all those gun shot scenes) it's a really good MV. When it comes to DBSK (even the 'old DBSK'), they've never really had proper storylines so this is pretty new stuff. It actually reminds me of the Timeless MV *buckets of tears come flowing out* oh boy, I miss that MV... heheheh Siwon heheheheh
I won't comment on my suspicions for deeper meanings behind the MV. I'm sure there are enough people out there to suggest what the MV means in terms of JYJ. *sighs again*
Anyway, enjoy the music video. It's a really good music video.
Back to coursework... but that video completely shattered my 'coursework mood'.
After a whole day of listening to ballads, I should rephrase that, after listening to the same few ballads, I can't help but fall into one of my emotional moods. Then when I had dinner, about an hour ago, I decided to watch One Piece (I have to watch something whilst I'm eating... I find it really weird to just concentrate on eating...) I thought I'd have at least four episodes of One Piece to watch, but during the time which feels like a long time, it had only been just over two weeks. I say that I don't like watching OP anymore because I've read the manga, but that's not true... it's actually so much more epic with background music... *sigh* Shanks... he's just too awesome! OP is really too epic for my heart! I can't believe I've watched nearly 500 episodes of OP... well I'm on 490. Episode 490 didn't air because of the earthquake in Japan. I was so shocked when I read about it on Friday. I've been meaning to blog about it but I don't know what to write except that I wish for their well being. It makes me so sad when natural disasters happen, I'm sure it makes everyone sad. When I watch video clips and images, I just want to go out their and physically help. But it's difficult when you live on the other side of the world... so all we can do is contribute to organisations who have the ability to help.
I found out about the incident in Japan after my appointment on Friday morning. I came home and was just doing the usual stuff, checking emails, Facebook, checking uni stuff etc, until I needed to search something and went onto Google. Then there was this little news bit on the bottom of Google and that's when I read about it. The first thing I did was go onto the Guardian to confirm the news. I read about it and was just shocked; it was so sudden. The first thing that came across my mind was Saar and Noriyuki (my Japanese penpal). Saar is a lovely girl (I say 'girl', she's a few years older than me). I met her during the WYC in Turkey. We were stomach ache buddies - both of us couldn't take the food and basically were constantly ill =[ After reading on the Guardian and watching the devastating videos, the next thing I did was check where abouts was affected... and thank God, Saar was in Kyoto which is quite a bit away from the worst affected areas. Still, I posted on her wall on FB and when I came back from uni on Friday evening I saw a post with the first words being 'I am safe'.
The main reason I'm writing this post is because of Saar. I've just read a post she blogged on her tumblr a while ago http://wego2gether.tumblr.com/post/3830405920/safety-is-no-longer-an-option. I remember a few months back, when Saar was deciding whether to go travelling and where to, etc. I really admire her for having the courage to travel round on her own (I still don't go to the doctor's on my own), especially in such an unfamiliar environment - the other side of the world. After following her blog and reading her posts, I'm really glad she has found her 'place' in a way, and most importantly, she's enjoying it.
(I don't know who else besides Miranda, Naa and Megan reads this... but sometimes I do get a few weird statistics on this blog). But if you (anyone who's reading this) have a few spare moments, please visit's Saar's tumblr http://wego2gether.tumblr.com.
This makes me think about what I want to do. A while ago, I've been thinking is uni really the thing for me? Am I enjoying uni? Yes and somewhat. I've been pondering whether university is really the right thing for me for a few months now, and after I got my results last Wednesday, I thought to myself: yes, uni is the right thing for me. Firstly, I didn't get super amazing marks, but I did considerably alright and at the end of the day, I'm a studying-person. I enjoy learning: I enjoy learning about economics. I wish I could say the same for management, but I am starting to like it a bit more this term (besides the coursework T_T). And most importantly, if I wasn't in uni, I can't think of something better. Work? No thanks, when I graduate I've got years and years of that to come. Travelling? Of course I'd love to, but let's be realistic, I don't have the savings to travel and what comes after travelling? So, I've deciding, I shall work really hard in uni, stop spending so much on crap (easier said than done... I made this resolution a few days ago and all I've done since then is spend money), and save up for things I truly enjoy. After last weekend in London, and seeing the wildlife photography photos, I've realised that I really do like photography. I guess it was my part time work that sparked my interest, but I feel really happy when I take photos. So here I am with an additional goal: to save up to buy an awesome camera and travel. I know I keep saying this, but this time, I am really going to save up for what I truly have passion for: camera, travelling, a new piano.
I miss my piano so much... I keep saying that I'll buy a crappy keyboard just to practice on whilst I'm in Sheffield but I can't bring myself to do it. When I'm looking at keyboards, I always just look at the pianos too and they're just too difficult to resist.
So, they're my goals for this year (or the next few years). For me, it's important to have plans and goals to know the direction you're going in. I'd love to be one of those people who can just go with the flow... but unfortunately (or sometimes fortunately) I need plans to keep me going forward =]
I did try to look for a part time job. I've sent out a few CVs and lousy covering letters but no response so far. I won't give up though, I'll keep trying hard. This year, I was planning to go to Estonia, then maybe go to the nearby countries too, like Norway, Denmark, etc. But I've decided, this summer, I'm just going to get a job and work and take steps towards my goal of doing things I truly like =]
These video's don't really fit in with the mood but I've been listening to these all day.
This song is by a female artist called Wax. The title is translated roughly into "I want to love". I came across this song when I was listening to this song called "My Love My Fate" and I found out that Wax was the original. So here it is:
This is the song I was originally listening to: "My Love My Fate" by Janice. She's a Chinese singer but she sings in both Chineses and English. I was actually searching for chords for one of her English versions of a song, then I ended up stumbling on YT and listening to her stuff there. Then ended up listening to this live version of "My Love My Fate" and hence ended up listening to Wax. It might sound a little weird because it's cantonese, but I think Janice is an awesome singer... and I do quite like how she changed this concert version (from her usual version) ^^
Yet again, I have no arty contribution to my blog today. I haven't even finished (or continued, shall I say) the background I was working on. It's been really busy lately, and it's only been the second week into the term. Last weekend, I went to Manchester and it was awesome. It was wonderful to meet old friends again, especially one who I haven't seen for two and a half years, since I moved down to Hertfordshire. And I think, catching up with friends, seeing what they've been doing over the past year has been good. Sometimes, you just need those moments in life.
I also bought lots (I say lots, but it wasn't that much, I wish I had bought more). I've actually eaten most of it already, and today's only Wednesday. I actually can't wait till my next trip till Manchester, I'm going to stock up like crazy. It's not that there isn't Pocky and stuff in Sheffield, but it's more expensive. If I was unaware, I would be willing to pay a ridiculous price for Pocky and all the other Japanese sweets, but you don't fool me when I know the prices >=[ There's this new Japanese store (which I mentioned in the previous post), and they were selling Pocky for £2.10 and Pretz for a similar price, the Chinese supermarket round here only sells it for 90p or £1.20 or something like that... but in Manchester I bought Pocky for 60p! So here's my mini rant on prices xD And just think about all the extra snacks I could buy from the money I save ^^ No one is going to separate me from my Pocky and cuttlefish (there's this snack which is called 'seasoned cuttlefish' according to the packet and it's damn amazing... It's not to everyone's taste but my life would be a sadder life without it ^^)
I've decided that this post is going to be one of those where I talk a lot of myself. Interestingly, everyone seems to be blogging more about pictures and drawings and stuff. But in my old blog, my friends there and I used to just blog a whole page of writing... maybe blogger is just a lot less wordy?
Today was my day off! YAY FOR WEDNESDAYS! I went bowling with some friends. First we went to Pizza Hut after I said I didn't like Nandos (we had a dilemma between Pizza Hut and Nandos). As usual, Pizza Hut had incredibly bad service. I wonder are they ever going to get it right? It's been so many years... surely some dude at the head office would have received enough and complaints and decide they must do something about it. There's really something wrong with the disciplines and management of that company. Today, I had to ask three times for a straw. The first time, the waitress said she'll get me one in a couple of minutes and walked off somewhere (she wasn't even going off to do something else that was urgent, in fact, she wasn't doing anything at all). Second time, I decided to try a different waitress, she also told me to wait a few minutes. Then finally, I asked the third waitress, and I finally got a straw. She also bought out a pasta dish my friend had ordered, then, just before he was about to eat it, he realised there was chicken in it. So they had to recook his dish, without the chicken. Another friend who ordered potato wedges for starters, then a small margarita pizza... but her pizza order was never placed. Sometimes I wonder will that place ever get things right?
Then bowling was fun, after not bowling for so long... it felt a little weird but fun. I do regret not cutting my nails before hand though... because (maybe I'm bowling wrong) but I get this pain in my right thumb and after a few goes when the pain shows up... I'm worried about my nail breaking. It happened once and it was horrible. But nonetheless, I didn't come last. I only got one strike in two games, but it's a small achievement ^^
After bowling, I wanted to go shopping in town and make the most of my day ticket for the tram. But I had a stomach ache (I personally suspect the pizza because I hadn't eaten anything else that day besides my tea and biscuits which I have every day). Besides that, it was also because I was just super tired and needed to go home and rest. (Yes, I needed to rest, even though I did nothing but sleep till 10am and ate and went bowling... =.=") But the night before I was doing Purple Peace stuff till rather late; and boy, does making a website make your head hurt or make your head hurt? It makes your head hurt. Another thing I did on Saturday was discuss PP plans and this week I made a deadline for 21st February. That's the last day for the website to finish, and then we have to start promotions for our new website. But there's just so much to do on my super long to-do list. And the Purple Peace comic is driving me insane. But I know it'll all be worth it some day. PP is like my child (I know it sounds weird but just bare with it xP).
Lastly, here's a little piano piece by koreanjeenyus. I can't even remember subscribing to him but I came across this video in my subscriptions and rather liked it =]
YAY! I finished my coursework. It's not very good and the more I think about it, the more I didn't answer the question but it's too late for that... (translation: I'm too lazy to change it). I printed it off and handed it in this morning. And when I handed it in the woman at the enquiry office apologised that the computer was being slow, because the first one tends to be slow. (I have to print of a coversheet, each person has a unique bar code and she scans the barcode). Anyway, I was happy because I was the first one to hand in my coursework =D (mind, it's due Monday... and the management school isn't open on weekends, so it's either today or Monday... and it doesn't feel right, handing in coursework on the last day).
Recently (two days ago, to be exact), I've been listening to Jay Chou's new concert album. It's sooo good! I strongly recommend it ^^ I love listening to concert albums because even though you're not there and you're not even watching it, just listening to the audio you can feel the music =) Track 5 is I'm Not Worthy (我不配), it's so good in the album and he changes a bit in the middle... hehe *fangirl moment*
Even his faster songs, which I occasionally skip when they come up on my iPod, when I was listening to this album, I was going to skip Sunshine Boy (or something on the lines of that, I need to work on my Chinese), because it's slightly too happy for a ballad lover xD but it sounds so good that I didn't even skip it =]
And last week, or the week before, I found a piano score to Saturday Night ♥ I love that song like no tomorrow ^^ and I printed it out today =] even though I don't have a piano in Sheffield, but I'll try and follow the piano score and work out the guitar as well =] hehehehehhe
Once again - it's been a while since I've posted. It's been rather busy lately, with lectures and reading and tests and coursework and all sorts. And also upcoming assignments =[ bad times.
The weather's changing... it's officially really, really cold. It's been cold for a while, but recently it's been chilly-cold, if you get what I mean. The wind just pierces through the skin~~ that's actually a really scary thought.
I've also been missing my guitar and piano lately: I shall blame Alice Nine for that. Actually, I've been listening to a lot of music lately. I've been watching stuff too, but a little less. It's because I can do work and listen to music at the same time; but I can't do work and watch drama at the same time, mainly because I need to read subtitles. So yeah, I've been listening to Alice Nine, Jay Chou, etc.
Oh oh, about a year or so ago, I was finding Alice Nine guitar tabs, then I came across their bandscores on YesAsia. Initially I thought they were scores for the whole album and I was like O_O WOW *mustbuymustbuy*... then I concluded that must be too awesome to be true and I saw a bandscore for a single song somewhere, so I thought it was only one song. But it's not actually true. You actually get scores for a whole album of songs.
So mwuahahaha, so aim is to save up at buy the Vandalize bandscore, and look at the Mirror Ball one and use that to figure out the awesome piano arrangement version. There a 'Vandalize version' of Mirror Ball in the album and it's really awesome. It's just the piano and Shou's voice *^^* They also did this version live and it's so amazing. I remember when I used to walk home listening to that song on the iPod... good old 'getting the bus from St Albans to Hemel and then having to walk 15 minutes home in the cold and dark' times!
They're so cool, they're basically another shopping website but they even sell guitars... incredibly expensive but it's nice just to have a look ^^
They even sell awesome picks! They only sell the Saga pick though... as much as I love Saga and as sexy as he is... they should sell more Alice Nine ones... a Hiroto one will be much loved too. Oh oh, they even sell L'arc~en~ciel picks.
In between writing this post... I've been 'browsing' the website... so cool! I may have to buy the Saga pick... or two... I feel like I need a spare in case I lose the first one... shipping isn't too bad either =]
As you may have gathered, buying unnecessary stuff is a hobby of mine... having more than two picks is essentially unnecessary because you only need one to play the guitar... but all the picks look so awesome ^^
I think I'm going to close that tab before it distracts me any more *was actually making notes*
