a dedication to the now 25-year-old me

Some songs have become part of my life. It can be a piece of memory embedded in it. A source of inspiration or determination to just do your best. Or a companion that changes along with your mood.

"If we hold on together" by Diana Ross and Utada Hikaru's "First Love" remind me of how me and my girlfriends used to sing them in my secondary school days. "Soar" by Christina Aguilera and Martina McBride's "Anyway" never fails to put me on the right track from procrastination or the point of giving up. (The latter song reminds me of Shin Na (my Feb '09 archive) too.)

For more than five years, I have a habit of listening to "かわらないこと～since 1976～" (Things That Don't Change) by Kokia on my birthdays. I first saw it on MTV and was mesmerized by its lyrics and the feelings that seem to exude from Kokia's singing ever since. Once again, I clicked on this song again subconsciously 34 minutes into my birth date.

Everyone has his/her own interpretations of a song and its lyrics. To me, this track is about gratitude for the little things that remain unchanged in life such as family's love, that makes you want to do your best in everything. And most importantly, to always be myself.

goodbye grandaunt

To me, she's more like my grandmother than my actual one who had passed away too soon. She loved chocolates, napping on her old armchair, our visits, and watching national day parades on television every year. Funny how she passed away in the midst of this year's parade.
Goodbye grandaunt, may you rest in peace. Going to miss you...

for my dear

Alanis Morissette |MTV Music

Thank you for still loving me. Happy anniversary on the 24th.

lazy days

6 min 39 sec. That's the length of a total eclipse on July 22 that blanketed parts of Asia in darkness. It's also the day I went on a cruise. It was pitch black out on the South China Sea at night. I could not even tell if the ship was moving at all if I had not heard and seen the waves splashing by right beneath it.

The beautiful color tones of Redang's ocean and the feel of its fine, sun-soaked sand on my feet; the insanely strong wind that caught me off guard on top of the deck; the refreshing cool wind that perked me up when I woke up on the balcony; the luxury of a slow lazy pace that you can afford only on a relaxing vacation; having the time to stop, admire and absorb the scenery into your mind; watching the sunset, all with a loved one - I love it all.

Night time exploring


Redang Island, Malaysia


Back on board


Views from my room's balcony

this panda's taking a break

I'm going on a short trip on a cruise tomorrow! So glad to leave behind the whole load of work, school and other stuffs, even if it's for a temporary basis.

Oh my 30" luggage, where are you? (horror?!) Ha ha, even though I'm a typical vain-pot, I'm definitely not going to carry a bag that I can smuggle myself in for a three-day trip :p (even though I'm tempted to do that...) It's time to pack!

top 10 fav animes

Yes, I love watching Japanese animations despite the impression I give to people in person. Here's a list of my all-time favorites:

1. Bartender- it is one of the rare animes that calms you down.
2. Slam Dunk - a classic that all (locally) who plays basketball know about.
3. Liar Game - clever and unique storyline about outsmarting others
4. One Piece - you can never predict what comes next in this insanely long-running but exciting anime
5. Skip Beat - all animes are based on mangas (comics). They are categorized as shounen (boys) and shoujo (girls) mangas. I usually prefer shounen to shoujo mangas, but this shoujo manga has me addicted. It is about a girl's accidental step into the show business.
6. Monster - gripping storyline about a skilled surgeon being framed for murder.
7. Hikaru no Go - about the world of Go (a strategic board game). For those who are interested, I would recommend going straight to reading the manga instead as the drawings and plot are more detailed.
8. The FullMetal Alchemist - a story about alchemy set in the era of the European Industrial Revolution.
9. Claymore - Similar to the function of a weapon of a claymore sword, female warriors who are half-human, half-demon are called a Claymore. These soldiers void of emotions are tasked with killing the demons to protect human race.
   
10. Initial D - about car-racing on hills. Lots and lots of drifts in here.
    

these 2 weeks

I'm in the midst of these two weeks that are packed with lessons everyday and looming deadlines for projects and test.

I was worrying about them, how to manage my time for school, work and helping out my parents; and whether I'll be able to do well for all of them.

Then I got fed-up of worrying. What the heck, just live through it.

"Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning."
~ Winston Churchill

R.I.P. MJ

It's sad that people tend to remember or recognize a person for his good attributes only after he died - think how happy he would have been if he knew. I hope that we all remember him as the indisputable "King of Pop" and all the fantastic songs and performances he left behind in our heart.

Rest in peace, Michael Jackson.