Friday, January 6, 2006

   2 geniuses: Miyazaki and Whedon
Listening to: "In This Diary" - The Ataris

Finally I got rid of that stupid virus that was infecting my computer. I'm just bad luck when it comes to electronics. It's a good thing my dad used to be in the computer business.

I didn't do too much today since Sci-Fi had a Firefly marathon. It's kind of funny since I still haven't seen the 1st episode in its entirety. Last night, I saw Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. I hadn't seen the latter before, and I found it the darkest of all Miyazaki films. There wasn't too much gore, but those worm things on the pig gave me nightmares. Literally I dreamt about being infected w/ maggots. :o

Quote of the day:
"Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up/ These are the best days of our lives./ The only thing that matters is just following your heart/ And eventually you'll finally get it right." - "In This Diary" by The Ataris
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Thursday, January 5, 2006

   3 days left
Listening to: "Rock the Casbah" - The Clash

Okay, I just lost my original post b/c I accidentally clicked "back." T_T

Here's the latest of my work: Serenity fanfic

I picked a bad time to get hooked on soaps, but luckily it's more of an actor. I've been watching One Life to Live for Michael Easton. He played the hot vampire Caleb on Port Charles (Kelly Monaco, from Dancing w/ the Stars, made a great biatch as Livvie). I'm worried about going back to school and setting everything up. Do I have enough time? All my stuff has been moved to the 1st floor, but nothing is in the right place since the former resident hadn't completely moved out. Not to mention I'm planning a party. The last time I tried that it bombed, but hopefully I can get all my friends together this time around.

Quote of the day:
Caleb - "I would hate to waste a perfectly good minister."
Lucy (PC's vampire slayer) - "What are you gonna do, Caleb... have him for your evening snack?"
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Monday, January 2, 2006

   2006 - oh boy
Listening to: "Enter Sandman" - Metallica

I just had a scary thought: next week, I'll be in my new dorm room, preparing for the upcoming semester. Classes start Jan 11. Boy does time fly! I'm not allowed to complain b/c my brother and mom (who works at a middle school) start tomorrow. Anyway, I'm still agonizing over what to take b/c orgo kicked my butt last semester and all the good classes are at the same time.

Yesterday, we had a New Year party. My dad's old friend came over; I haven't seen his daughters in a couple of years. The oldest is a junior in high school so she's asking me about college stuff. I had a lot of advice even though I'm still figuring things out. Then, Dennis and Jennifer came over. We kind of drove everyone away from the dinner table w/ an intense Naruto discussion. XP I'm gonna have to borrow episodes from Dennis. After that, we decided to watch Hero, which I finally saw in its entirety. OMG, it is a beautiful film, my favorite of Ang Lee's (his other works were lacking in the coherent storyline department).

I also finally got to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Since we decided to go at the last minute today, I missed the beginning. :( Although it's my favorite of the HP films, it left me wanting more. Also, it was different than I expected (less epic, even though that's the fault of the hype). What bothers me is that they keep leaving out important details in the movies. Since this was such a large book, I wouldn't have mind it being over 3 hours or split into 2 movies. Oh well, I still enjoyed it. It's interesting to see the actors grow up and develop. Fred and George have become my favorite b/c they're just so funny together.

Quote of the day:
"Actually, we don't really talk at all... Viktor's more of a physical being." - Hermoine in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (funny line although they do carry on a conversation in the book)
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Sunday, January 1, 2006

   Ringing in the new year w/ bloodshed
Listening to: "I Alone" - Live

Watching anime w/ my mother is amusing. Last night, I discovered that she loves Hikaru no Go, especially Akira and Sai. What I don't understand is how she knew that Sai was a guy but thought Haku was a girl. Perhaps it had to do w/ the dubbing (we have HnG in Chinese).

Anyway, the latest episode of Naruto got me thinking about the past year. Haku talked about how he had no reason to live when he stopped being "useful." That reminded me of when I bemoan my "useless" existence. I've realized that I constantly seek praise, like Naruto, b/c I can't acknowledge my own worth. So many times I've been beaten down that I have to rely on others to lift me up. I fear failure b/c sometimes I think it takes away my reason for existence. Haku's death always saddened me even though I'm not exactly sure why. He never really lived for himself, but he was content w/ serving Zabuza. Considering his past, things couldn't have been different. Maybe what saddens me the most is that he didn't have a choice in how to live his life. He is right about the most painful feeling in the world is that of feeling unwanted.

It's interesting how Haku, Naruto, and I are alike and yet so different. Haku and Naruto are like ice and fire. They seem to be opposites, but they're both elements w/ great destructive power. Haku is ice b/c he has hardened himself to become an emotionless weapon. He made himself numb to the suffering of others (although Sasuke and Naruto change that). On the other hand, Naruto is fire b/c he is able to feel strong emotions, which makes him volatile. He is passionate about accomplishing his dream and will stop at nothing to reach his goals, but he recognizes that others have dreams too. I'm in the middle. I've been told that I'm a cold individual, but people have also said that I can really feel for others. The fire burning in me is what keeps me from being a tragic figure, but sometimes its only a flicker. Nevertheless, it's there, reminding me that I the world does need me, that I can make a difference.

Quote of the day:
"I realized it was the most painful thing...that in this world...I am a person who is unwanted." - Haku
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Thursday, December 29, 2005

   new FMA fanfic
Listening to: "Isolation" - NANA starring Mika Nakashima

Finally finished this sucker. 3 days isn't bad considering how I was gone most of yesterday. Anyway, here it is:
Baby It's Cold Outside
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Wednesday, December 28, 2005

   yay for old friends
Listening to: "Oceania" - Bond

Slowly I've been trying to meet up w/ old friends. It was Kira on Sunday, Teresa (who's more like a new friend since we go to the same school) on Monday, Lauren today, and Laura and Jenna tomorrow. ^_^ It's fun sharing wild stories...if there are some to share.

Random musing time! This year, I was in the holiday spirit but not in the Christmas mood, if that makes any sense. It must be the Wiccan influence b/c I didn't do much specific to Christmas. Listened to some songs, decorated the house, went to church w/ the neighbors (didn't really want to go but they're great people), gave presents. I enjoyed playing the holiday fairy to my friends b/c, as corny as this sounds, I got the warm-fuzzies. Those do exist, and they really do make you feel good. Speaking of holiday stuff, I need to finish my fanfic, which was supposed to be Christmas-based.

Quote of the day:
"Life, n.
A spiritual pickle preserving the body from decay. We live in daily apprehension of its loss; yet when lost it is not missed. The question, 'Is life worth living?' has been much discussed; particularly by those who think it is not, many of whom have written at great length in support of their view and by careful observance of the laws of health enjoyed for long terms of years the honors of successful controversy." - The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce
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Sunday, December 25, 2005

   Merry Christmas!
Listening to: "Carol of the Bells" - Transiberian Orchestra

Phew, I'm still tired from the flight back home. We got in yesterday at 3:30 AM. It might be a while before I post pictures, and I don't think I'm going to do a big recap since I'm pretty busy these upcoming days.

We stayed at Treasure Island, like we always do when we're at Vegas. My dad wants to change hotels next time, but I like being a pirate. :p There was a lot of wandering around to see what free shows each casino offerred. For example, Rio had this little dance show and parade. At the end, they would throw beads, and everybody would try to get them. Afterwards, the Chippendale guys were there for pictures. I got one, but the film messed up so I wound up paying half price for my photo. They said that mine (the 2nd one) turned out really well. XD

One night my brother and I had dinner at the Tournament of the Kings. It's this banquet/show at Excalibur that featured this battle btwn King Arthur's knights and Mordred's dragon knights. We at medieval style (w/o utensils), sitting in the Hungary section. Our knight did pretty well, but the French one ended up winning. I thought the Spanish and Austrian knights were hot. ^^ There were also dancing maidens, acrobats, and pyrotechnics. Merlin and the midget were funny. King Arthur was pretty humourous too, but he went too far w/ the puns.

I wanted to see Curtis Adams, this cute 23-year-old magician, but we didn't have time. Of course Mom and Dad wanted to spend the night gambling so my brother and I usually wound up staying in the hotel room watching Chinese TV. I was sick when we left so it was okay. However, they did let us wander around at Luxor to see the Tutankhamen exhibit and play in the arcade. We thought $1 to play DDR was a ripoff so we ended up shopping around and then going next door to play the carnival games at Excalibur. We got a couple stuffed animals so it wasn't a total waste.

Part of me was content to be in the hotel b/c I wanted to finish Howl's Moving Castle. I got the book for the flight and wound up being totally hooked. It's very different from the anime, but the wittiness is still there. I can really relate to Sophie and Howl (I'm pretty sure that I'd cover the room in green slime when I'm in bad mood if I could). Since the plot is different for both, I can't say which is better. The book does have more intricate twists and turns and better characterization. Anyway, if you love the movie or a non-traditional fantasy story, read it!

Quote of the day:
"In the land of Ingary, where such things as seven-league boots and cloaks of invisibility really exist, it is quite a misfortune to be born the eldest of three. Everyone knows you are the one who will fail first, and worst, if the three of you set out to seek your fortunes." - 1st 2 lines of Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
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Monday, December 19, 2005

   Viva Las Vegas!
Listening to: "My Tourniquet" - Evanescence

Alright, I head off for Las Vegas tomorrow! It should be fun although I feel like I'm getting sick right now. Too many times, I've been sick on vacation; it really puts a damper on things. Hopefully, the sneezing is just from allergies. I've been to Vegas so many times that I'm running out of things I can do as someone under 21. I get back on Christmas Eve at 3 in morning. >_<

This manga addiction is going to be hard to kick. Last night, I read another chapter of NANA, 2 short stories by Shinjo Mayu (the manga world's equivalent of Danielle Steele), and 1 short piece by Mitsukazu Mihara (a Gothic Lolita mangaka). Lately I've been finding myself getting more and more into shoujo. However, the ones I like usually stray from the typical boy-loves-girl, girl-loves-boy, problems and angst galore type of shoujo. They all do involve romance, but NANA, for example, focuses more on the relationship btwn 2 friends who are nothing alike (also Nana Osaki is my fashion idol). Shinjo Mayu's works are a guilty pleasure (she also wrote Sensual Phrase). I want to hate her characters b/c the guys practically rape the girls, who are really stupid to then do nothing about it, but it's so cute when they fall in love. Of course, I have to love Mitsukazu Mihara, the writer of DOLL, for her Gothic style and themes. The story, "A Slice of Black Chocolate," that I read had absolutely no dialogue and was less than 10 pages. Nevertheless, it explores the question of whether love can transgress boundaries that separate 2 individuals.

Quote of the day:
"The deeps are cold:/In that darkness camaraderie does not hold." - "Relic" by Ted Hughes (I'm being a nerd and reading out of my English textbook.)
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Friday, December 16, 2005

   Happy birthday to me!
Listening to: "Slither" - Velvet Revolver (much love for the sexy Scott Weiland)

I have reached the last year of being a teenager. Around 10-11 PM (don't know the exact time), I will officially be 19 years old. ^_^

Moving out sucked yesterday b/c I was getting yelled at half the time for being slow and being the one that chose going from the 5th floor to the 1st. A big thanks to Jason for helping out and Amanda for telling me to call him.

Quote of the day:
"Y'all got on this boat for different reasons, but y'all come to the same place. So now I'm asking more of you than I have before. Maybe all. Sure as I know anything, I know this - they will try again. Maybe on another world, maybe on this very ground swept clean. A year from now, ten? They'll swing back to the belief that they can make people... better. And I do not hold to that. So no more runnin'. I aim to misbehave." - Capt. Malcolm Reynolds in Serenity (I love this speech so much I'll probably wind up memorizing it XD)
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Wednesday, December 14, 2005

   Finished!
Listening to: "White Christmas (Cyber Trance X'mas)" - Orion Too feat. Caitlin (a very cool rendition of a classic...I'm really starting to get in the holiday mood w/ my music, aren't I?)

*chorus of angels* I am done w/ the fall semester of my sophomore year! There was much toiling over the past few nights, and I did manage to restrain myself from hanging out w/ my friends instead of doing work (except for last night's dinner b/c I haven't seen Becky since the orgo exam on Saturday). Anyway, I swung by the movie room, and what I saw just totally made my day. I'm not sure who did it, but 6 of the anime drawings I made (Parker, Rob, Jared, Gabe, Cat, and Amanda) are on their door. That's so awesome! I'm a little embarrassed since I don't consider myself a great artist, but it's very flattering. Right now, I'm waiting for Stefan to come w/ the last 2 episodes of DNAngel since we never got to finish it in anime club. If any of y'all are interested, I'll post my essay on mythology and anime. It probably won't be up until January though b/c I have not wear to put that 11 page sucker. Interestingly, as I worked on that and my English paper on Romanticism, I discovered very startling similarities between Angel Sanctuary and the themes of the Romantic poets. It was probably a conscious effort on Yuki-sensei's part since both she and the Romantics make Lucifer a pretty cool guy.

Quote of the night:
"Please take this cup and let me fill it w/ sake. Even a beautiful flower loses its petals. Life is only a 'goodbye.'" - 1st page of Ch.1 of Saiyuki Gaiden by Kazuya Minekura
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