Yours Mine and Ours

So Close...

2012-01-30T21:51:00.001+08:00

This has been lying around my comp for a while now, so I decided to post it. This is me and chia-chen's pvp match (Acrobat v. Mercenary) when we were level 24+ only (so long ago lol). It was 5 matches in total, but that took waaay long, so I cut it down to 2, where each of us won once. I had my comp on mute during the recording since it was late at night and dad was lurking around. Hence, I threw some battle music in to cover the silence. :) Enjoy

ps. the video quality sucks, sorry!

2012-01-29T11:05:00.001+08:00

I was in the car on my way to church when I remembered last night I used phase instead of faze and have been using the wrong word for a few times now. LOL Mini heart attack! *facepalm

Too tired to proofread for spelling/grammatical errors

2012-01-27T01:37:00.000+08:00

I don't usually blog about daily events but I've just spent a day and a half with my seven- and nine-year-old cousin brothers. Being with kids is full of moments when you can't help but think It's so sweet how they've attached themselves to you and some amazement at how much your attention means to them. But many a times, it's full of Don't touch that!, Be careful, Please sit down, Don't hit your brother!, and Kill meeeee.... Hopefully this will be somewhat entertaining (:

Since I will be leaving Malaysia tomorrow, they asked if I could stay the night over, which I did.

The older boy has a baby orange lobster that he keeps with about 6 little fishes. In random intervals, he'd call me over to look at the lobster even though I had just seen it 10 minutes ago. Then he'd point out his observations. Sometimes, he'd ask me to watch lobster videos on YouTube with him.
He also gave me the honour of feeding his fishes :)

That's pretty much all we did before bed. Lobster, lobster, lobster.

At about 12am, they needed to sleep because of tuition lessons the following morning. Instead of their room, they insisted they share the guest room with me. Eeeh, after much convincing I just let them. It was me in the middle and the two boys pressed on both my sides. No wiggle room D:

We chatted a bit but the younger one got sleepy. And then hungry. But sleepiness trumped hunger. One down...

The older one didn't want to sleep, so we kept talking till 2am-ish. After deciding that he shouldn't be awake any longer, I feigned sleep and ignored his constant nudging and calling. I didn't sleep very well that night because of all the legs, arms and heads on me. Then they had to wake me up at 7am.

At 7am, we watched Looney Toons reruns and then played some PS3 - Tekken 6, Transformers and Fifa. We played The Game of Life twice (probably the 10th time since I came back) and was about to watch Jurassic Park, but dad came to pick me up.

I think just as I was about to leave, the younger one gave me six stickers stuck on a blank A4 paper. Following conversation ensued:
"This is for you to collect stickers. When people give you, you stick here okay?"
"Har? Stickers ah?"
"Ya la! When you go to school, your teachers give you sticker, you stick here."
"My teachers don't give me stickers anymore la"
"Then yours friends give you stickers."

This made me laugh :D So guys, I need stickers!
Jokes...

Sigh, my flight is in another 7.5 hours.

Eh..

2012-01-25T15:43:00.001+08:00

My auntie just gave me some strawberry coffee. It smells like strawberry and tastes like both strawberries and coffee. I can't describe the taste =/ My poor tastebuds are confused...

--x--x--x--

If I came upon a forked path, with the choice of a left and a right, and there exists no factor to sway me in either decision, I'd choose left. Just because I like left more... XD

--x--x--x--

What I tell adult relatives: "I don't like *insert food item*"
What adult relatives hear: "I don't want to eat because I'm afraid I'll get fat"

Whaa...?

KITTEN!

2012-01-18T13:27:00.002+08:00

Okay, so I've decided that the last post is too emo this early in the day, so..

I took the liberty of posting about one of my favourite things! :D

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FEED IT!

Seriously, SO CUTE! If this doesn't make you puke rainbows and butterflies, you deserved to be sniped in your sleep tonight. Okay, I'm feeling happier now. XD

Starting my day with some blues (:

2012-01-18T13:09:00.000+08:00

Okay, so I'm feeling a little down at the moment but really... I've just been in the house and it's not like anything actually happened.
So, I was thinking of using the blog to figure things out. I'm not feeling very emotional, just slightly dampened. I think it's mostly got to do with starting uni. I think I'm not a fan of change, like I don't accept it very well.
That's of course, not to say I don't adapt well to it; it's just the transition.
Maybe it's the prospect of responsibility, like having to be more responsible for my own studies and my own success, more so than in high school because right now, I really wish I could disappear.
Just for a bit
Just to a place where time is non-existent
And I can shirk all responsibilities
Just you know, for a bit
What does this say about me though? Am I not ready to be independent? Am I NOT independent?
Maybe I'm still clinging on to childhood...
This is so pathetic though - just got to suck it up
Wishful thinking can only get one so far (not very far I'd imagine) and sooner or later, reality is up your face again.
Time waits for no one, oh boo...

To make ammends

2012-01-15T01:54:00.002+08:00

Rachy, this is for euuu!

Forgive me! Why?

Because you are the best kind of friend anyone could ever ask for. Even though you used to make me cry those years ago, you only did so because you were concerned for me, a friend who only wished to tell me the truth straight up, no sugar-coating or flattery involved.

This is one of my favourite Rachel-trait (: You tell me I'm sometimes selfish, very sheltered and socially retarded and lame. I tell you that you are the most real friend I've had. I know a lot of girls are two-faced (I'm also guilty of saying things I don't mean occasionally) and to be honest, I sometimes doubt their sincerity. But I'd never accuse you of such things. (:

Big-hearted, you try your best to put others first and when you love, you freely and generously give, consciously putting yourself in a vulnerable position as you trust us with pieces of your heart. (: How can I ask for more?

I just stayed up extra late to dedicate this post to you. YOU BETTER FORGIVE ME! XD

A blog update as requested by Max (:

2012-01-15T00:37:00.000+08:00

I was at my cousin's place

Her two sons have some fishes in a tank.

One of them is dead and has long stopped floating on the surface; it's now drifting along the ground.

For some reason, no one has thought to remove the decaying body.

As it turns out, the other fishes are carnivorous.

A couple of hours later, the fishes have nibbled a hole in the dead one's stomach.

A day later, they still haven't removed it = =

When my cousin's husband fished it out of the tank, only the head and parts of the tail remained.

The rest were bones.

D:

They also had a baby lobster

Two days later, the other fishes ate all it's legs and it died.

D:

akjlaskdhf

I loathe fishes!

Ps: Sorry that the next post had to be about a dead fish, Max :P

In the case of a zombie apocalypse...

2012-01-07T17:25:00.000+08:00

...I don't think I'll last very long :P I'm not very good at thinking on my feet or running very fast :( The only thing I would be good at is hiding in small cramped holes. Lol! My metabolism is pretty slow too, I reckon. I'll just hide and hope someone finds me.. T_T I doubt having a gun would help... I have terrible aim, plus I don't weigh much so the recoil might knock me off my feet. D: Unless of course, it's a handgun. Oh well...

Dragon Nest

2012-01-07T16:16:00.003+08:00

Yea.. This blog really needs an update, so I'm just going to post some screenshots from my current MMORPG - Dragon Nest :)

This is of the older mods that we used. Chia-Chen, me and Max from left to right.

This is the current one we're using sans the bow because I changed it. How? I successfully learnt how to mod the mod just hours ago! :D Well, Chia-Chen demonstrated before, but I've only tried it now since I was free. I'll take screenshots of the updated mods later.

And these are of me running around taking screenies while the boys do all the work XD

Lastly, the army of clerics = =

Day is almost half gone

2011-12-21T15:12:00.001+08:00

It turns out that today I'm not needed to work because my brother offered. So I've been sketching Dragon Nest characters to past time. Or attempting to is more like it. :( I'm so frustrated that I cannot get the proportions of the male characters right. I've been drawing, erasing, and drawing, and erasing that the paper is creased. Sigh... They look so ugly at the moment that I don't want to continue, and I haven't even started on the sorceress. I think I'll put it on hiatus for a while first and if I can't remedy it, I'll discontinue it.

Two days ago, some kid ran around the shop.. and urinated as he did. D: So disgusting.

I've also made the template blindingly white because... I don't know why actually, merely just felt like it. You can try to make a psychological inference of my state of mind based on this if you like. I'd actually be very interested with whatever you can come up with (:

Raw

2011-12-10T19:41:00.002+08:00

I will not lie - sometimes, I don't want to go back to Malaysia. Over the years, my motivation to return home has shifted from people to food and lifestyle. There are still a few people whom I would be excited to see, mostly relatives and a couple of friends here and there, but seriously, I've just lost contact with 90% of my friends and it now seems like an obligation to visit them when I make my annual trip back. If I don't, it just seems like I up and left, forgot and never missed them.

Were their friendships any value to me if I could so easily detach myself from them?

I hope none of them doubted how much they meant to me (truth to be told, majority of my friendships in Malaysia ran deeper than my friendships here), but if faced with the truth, I think many of them did. I guess, I'm partly ashamed to face these people because reality does appear like the gradual decomposition of our relationships hadn't faze me in the slightest, what with my lack of social interactions online and my minimal efforts to make contact.

Some may conclude that I am selfish in this aspect - that my complacency to keep in contact, while is convenient for me, is pushing people away and depriving them of a friendship that they would like to keep. But I'm tired of making up excuses for myself. So I'll let them believe what they do and I'll squash the self-pity that occasionally bubbles.

Naturally, a friend (or someone who was once a close friend, now an acquaintance) would vehemently agree that meeting up with them should not be seen as an obligation like some burdensome chore to complete. He/She would most likely take offence that I'm treating this relationship in such a manner. However, think of it in this light: My friend who left for Australia is now back, but she did not take the time to see me. I now have an expectation pinned on me despite our lack of conversation for nearly a year so that the person can feel that our relationship in the past was worth something, even though it now weighs insignificantly.

However, this does not mean I don't like or never liked the person. One of my best friends, who after pissing me off a couple of nights before, bought me a chupa chups and black forest chocolate; who was one of the few people who when texts me, I don't find ways to end the conversation as soon as possible; is now someone I can't stand to be around, only because it's now painfully awkward.

Since this happened years ago, I'll admit that one year I returned to Malaysia crushing on him only to find that our relationship with one another has changed dramatically. When once we shared secret information, now I can't even get him to answer a simple question about his life. This is how I feel with a lot of people that I visit; I know we used to be close, which I appreciatevery much, but that does not change the fact that we cannot relate to each other now as we used to 4 years ago. And to force ourselves into this situation year after year...

So to those people, I'm sorry, sincerely sorry, but it's not that I don't like you or that I don't want to see you - more like I don't know how to interact with you any more.

In my head

2011-12-08T21:02:00.002+08:00

Whilst in the shower, I was thinking about something that I suppose would be considered morbid.

Nearly 2 years ago, my paternal grandfather passed away and his was the first funeral I attended consciously (I was there for my maternal grandfather's one but was barely a year old). Well, the whole thing was obviously an unpleasant experience and not something I would relish in. Who would enjoy a ceremony punctuated by screams and wails, right?

Ever since then, my mind would occasionally, albeit very rarely, scroll through a list of people I love, especially those older than me, and just wonder... how many more funerals would I have to attend? Like I said, it feels morbid and inappropriate to be thinking about such a thing, but there's nothing I can do to stop this from running through my mind.

After my first funeral, I never want to attend one again but mere wishing does not solve anything. Just thinking about attending one of someone even closer makes dying early a little tempting.

I swear I'm not suicidal, just in case that's an inkling you may have :P

.....

2011-12-04T11:19:00.002+08:00

So I'm changing clothes in my room, which has no lock on the door..

Bro: Can I come in?

Me: Wait.

Bro: I just need to take something...

Me: No.

Bro comes in anyways.

What the heck? Seriously?

I miss KH

2011-12-03T18:26:00.002+08:00

My wish for the moment is to play Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep! I've been craving to play these since I heard rumours that the player will control Roxas and the Organisation XIII D: !! SO WANT!! I've been resisting the urge to wiki the storyline for so long that I feel I'm going to burst from curiosity D: Sigh.. So sad the only console is Nintendo DS :( PLEASE BE PLAYABLE ON THE PS! O Roxas and Ventus.. I wanna know your story..

I am spinning on my chair

2011-11-16T12:39:00.003+08:00

Don't feel like I belong

I've got one foot in and one foot out

Ready to bolt in either directions

We have neither history nor things in common

---------------

On a non-emo note, my laptop's fan is not working as it should and so my laptop keeps overheating, then shutting off! I can't get past lvl 1 on Dragon Nest!!

Sigh.. trying again soon...

2011-11-13T10:10:00.002+08:00

I'm coming down from the stairs after finishing my lunch. Conversation with dad ensues:

Dad: Hey, eat a banana

Me: No

Dad: Why you so disobedient? I tell you to eat banana, you don't want?

Me: I tell you to take drugs. Why you didn't take? Disobedience.

Dad: Eh! Should be the other way around la..

Me: You're telling me to take drugs??

First World Problems

2011-11-09T15:53:00.004+08:00

Can't get motivated for Geo and am currently B.O.R.E.D.

And when I'm bored, I crave food even though I just ate something like a minute ago.

So difficult to resist the temptation...

_________

Quite a bit of drama happening around me

I'm so thankful I've managed to abstain from it

But it really hurts to stand at the sidelines and watch how the end of high school marks the end of other important things for my friends

Then again, all this has been happening way before the start of this term and it's starting to make me dispassionate about it.

It's also repetitive. One would think that someone would learn from the first time or so.

If it were me involved, I wouldn't be putting up with this craziness.

_________

How bout a random update of my life to lengthen the procrastination period?

Uhh.. no.

Gotta go cook for my bros who are both passed out from cramming assessments. Nyeeeeh...!

When I'm stressed..

2011-11-03T11:38:00.002+08:00

Walk into my room which I share with older bro-

"Kor.."

Drags him from his computer and makes him lie down on the bed

Lie on top of him and pretend the bed is a stream of lava and he's my plank

Alternatively...

Walk into my room which I share with older bro-

"Kor.."

Lie down on bed and stretch out arms

If he comes, lie on him and pretend he's my plank

If he doesn't, then whine until he does, then lie on him like my plank

This is exclusively for my older brother.

With my younger bro around...

Go into his room and sit down to watch his face, which is more often than not blank and facing a game of DotA

Stare at every blemish on his face

and insult him until I get a satisfactory reaction

Pat his head/lower back and then leave

*The harshness of the insults and degree of force used to pat him is dependent on the amount of stress I feel

zzz

2011-11-01T19:39:00.003+08:00

For the sake of removing that ugly picture from my first post, I'm going to post about my weekend.

I was really hoping to get a lot of work done over the weekend - have my Bio presentation transcript drafted, my Maths b all revised and 50% ready for the Geo exam. But so many things just kinda popped up and I only got Geo done D:

On Friday I went straight to youth because I was involved in the set up so I had to be there early, and had to pack up all the equipment as well which meant I arrived home late (about 10pm). Had a late dinner like I always do on Friday nights and went to bed as soon as possible because of all the physical exertion. I actually enjoy the area I serve in and I knew what I was getting into when I volunteered (I actually thought it would be more difficult and taxing), but yeah, Fridays are tiring when I'm scheduled.

So... SATURDAY! Had big big plans for that day (Not really, it was just working on assignments) (: Woke up extra early and was all pumped. I even went for a jog in the morning, took a nice shower and had a healthy breakfast. Barely into my really really wholesome breakfast, got a call from Dad informing me that Andrew cut his hand on the meat slicer at work. Turned out he sliced the side of his palm whilst cutting meat up for the very first customer in the morning. FAIL! :P he was a big booboo over it but now it's all better. (:

But yeah, I had to take his place at work. I brought my laptop and tried to get some Bio research done between customers but it's very distracting and there was no wifi so I had to rely on the textbook. Save to say, not very productive. After 9 hours of work and sushi for dinner, I did not want to start on assignments. My bed felt so comfy that I wanted to marry it. So yes, Zzz-ed all the way.

Woke up on Sunday and had big big plans for that day (: Again, went for a jog and had a nice breakfast (I should mention that I skip breakfast whenever possible, so this is a big deal). My dad offered to take me out driving when I got home; drove around Carindale for 45 minutes. At 11 I headed out for church small group.. and managed to stub my toe on the edge of the door on my way in. Ripped my toenail but fortunately it didn't bleed excessively.

I started sniffling more and more, and felt fatigued during my time there, so when I came home I just could not get any work done. My throat was sore and phlegm kept building up, plus my nose was stuffy which made breathing really difficult. Worst of all was how hot and uncomfortable I felt. Fortunately though, I got some Geo done that day. Still, a very unproductive and disappointing weekend.

Sigh

Wow.. it was so boring to type out my activities. Now I know why I don't blog about my days.

Did a double-take

2011-10-25T23:26:00.003+08:00

:O Found this picture.

That woman beside Jack looks almost like my grandma :O Except she doesn't own a shirt like that. :O LOOK! :O

Hahaha! I gotta ask her about this when I see her.

Today is not Friday :(

2011-10-25T16:43:00.003+08:00

Aah.. Been neglecting my weekly doodles :P

Here's Roxas from Kingdom Hearts II which I drew in Geography with a purple pen I found on my desk. Either the person who sits where I do before Geography is very forgetful or he/she is intent on blessing me with some stationery. The last time I found a yellow pen and on some other day, random stationery. Today it was a purple pen and an entire pencil case. o.O

On a completely different note, I was watching the X Factor last week. For those who know me, would know that I don't oogle and gush over celebrities, but my gosh, Reece Mastin has some nice guns :P I mean, his arms are not freakishly huge but from an objective point of view (as in not fangirling over him), that's a nice shape and size. Lol!

This is the only picture of him I can find wearing a sleeveless.

Hot Cocoa

2011-10-24T03:10:00.006+08:00

In the same predicament as Len D: Only I won't have the happy ending he does. Lol..

Here's the English translation so you'll know what transpired during the MV:

Nothing will happen if you don't settle down and work on it

As for now, I think I'll have some hot cocoa

I noticed that

There was one day left before it was due

An accumulating assignment

I don't want to work on this...

I had looked away from reality

I've dug my own grave.

Day by Day

"Tomorrow, I can finish it"

"I'll do it tomorrow!"

Putting it off like that is how I reached this point today.

Nothing will happen if you don't settle down and work on it

As for now, I think I'll have some hot cocoa

Don't hesitate, keep working, don't look back at the past days

The crimson shining sun is running away

I noticed that

The date had changed

But the amount of my assignment left to finish hadn't...

I don't want to work on this...

I can't control myself, must get a change of pace, time to do something fun

No No No!

Unable to force myself to start on my assignment

Somebody please end this...

Maybe if time were to stop

Or if it were to reverse

I didn't catch onto the reality that

It was the last night before my assignment was due

There are only 6 hours left

Until the morning

It'd be nice if I could at least get a little sleep...

"It's too much", how many times have I murmured that to myself?

Repeating the same cycle over and over

Let's put an end to it today.

Nothing will happen if you don't settle down and work on it

Shall I drink another cup of hot cocoa?

Don't hesitate, keep working, don't look back at the past days

The white shining moon can now be seen

Although a story may be long, and continue on and on

Someday, it surely will arrive at an ending

It just has to walk there little by little

A magnificent dawn is here to greet me.

Nothing will happen if you don't settle down and work on it

My final cup of hot cocoa

Don't hesitate, keep working

It'll be there in the future

The shining red sun has ascended to the sky.

2011-10-23T09:26:00.002+08:00

I LOVE you, RACHEL!! OMG gonna overdose on fluff! :D

Silly and Sheltered?

2011-10-13T05:32:00.002+08:00

Is it completely idealistic and nothing else to desire to love everyone?

Is it childish naivete to wish to see the 6 or so billion people in the world as God sees them?

The notion seems so simplistic and at most wishful, like a child's obvious solution to a worldly problem adults have spent years viewing and reviewing only to reach dead-ends.

Of course, if everyone loved then the world would be a better place. But if it were that easy, it would have been achieved.

----

Still, I want to love everyone as He has loved me, and I want to see people through His eyes.

As incredibly cheesy as this sounds, I don't want to stop dreaming just because I'm growing up; I don't want to become jaded and cynical.

New Term Resolution

2011-10-07T06:05:00.002+08:00

GONNA GET ORGANISED THIS TERM!!

Anatomically retarded people

2011-10-05T05:51:00.005+08:00

Andrew and I were fooling around and this is the result = =

The character on the right is mine and his is the left one, if you couldn't already tell LOL

He chose to be some fighter mage, with electrical powered fists and an 'electric buddy' (that eye-looking blob floating around), and it's pretty obvious what I am.

1st frame: Introducing characters (mine is called Amanduh)

2nd frame: Quick successive punches from him and Amanduh jump-dodges. Hah!

3rd frame: Whilst in mid-air, Amanduh attempts to stab the ugly woman, almost reaching just below her boobs (I drew Amanduh first so I don't know why Andrew drew the lady blatantly allowing me to stab her) but she electric kicks the sword away.

4th frame: With Amanduh's sword broken, ugly lady takes the chance to power up. Since it was Andrew's turn to draw first, I asked if I could just stab the ugly person during the power up, but the 'electric buddy' was in the way so Amanduh shield bashed it. Sword broken by the wayside as you can see

5th frame: I was really at lost as to how to attack since I've only got my shield so that was my solution. We got bored and didn't want to continue so the ugly person committed suicide.

Excuse the repulsive 'art' and lame skills :)

My Two Cents

2011-10-02T15:20:00.005+08:00

It being the holidays, I tried out Honey and Clover because someone lent it to me and because I've read reviews and heard comments about it being one of the excellent slice of life animes.

The first episode bored me to tears as did the following 3 episodes so I stopped. The plot (what plot?!) was crawling painfully along and the characters were weird and annoying. Sorry, let me start with a sypnosis.

The story revolves mainly around college students, namely 3 boys and 2 girls, but there is also a college professor and an older woman. Two male students fall in love with one female student more or less at first sight but the love is unrequited, while the remaining female student loves the third male student, who doesn't reciprocate the feelings but instead chases after the older woman. She in turn is dating the professor. Basically, this whole anime is one big love triangle fiasco.

Back to characters- I don't like most of them. Of the two guys who are in love with the girl, one of them is a huge whiner (Takemoto), but the other guys is rather eccentric, mysterious and funny which are all elements of a successful character. The girl they are pining after however, I cannot stand her. Do the following pictures look like those of an 18 year old?

I have a huge problem accepting this character because she's acts like a child and is mute 90% of her screentime, which comes off in my mind as mentally retarded. Granted that she is shy, it's just not normal for people to make weird sounds to communicate instead of speaking. The other characters are just dull, lacking traits that make them memorable casts.

One of H&C's redeeming quality is the animation. I think the art is well done with very flattering colours, which are mostly pastel that gives off a very tranquil and pleasant ambiance. It just gives me a good feeling.

Some people commented on good sound as well, but I did not enjoy a song breaking out whenever the episode is ending (I don't mean the anime's ending btw). While I do think that it's a good idea to have a song when something is coming to an end, especially one that reflects the emotional state of the characters, having one at the end of every* episode is a little too much. It just loses its effect and it's best save when an arc is about to end rather than an episode.

*It's underlined because in all 4 of the episodes I've watched have one. I'm not sure about the following ones.

So I've read that one of the most superb characteristic about H&C is the character development that occurs later on where the characters graduate and experience things that the audience can relate to, like the uncertainty about the future and not having crushes and love working out the way fairy tales depict them to be. It's all about them growing up and finding themselves. To be honest, that sounds amazing to watch if it were true, but frankly, it seems too far away and I cannot bring myself to sit through more episodes to confirm that. School term is also starting tomorrow too. Aihz..

No flames please; H&C may get better later on but this is my impression of it after 4 episodes so I may be incorrect about a few details. Also, slice of life is not my kind of genre so it may appear like I'm bashing the anime. However, I'm not simply writing this based on whether I personally like or dislike it; there are animes that I enjoy but don't agree on its quality and vice versa. There's a set of criteria I follow that I've set for myself when discussing anime, which I will dwell on later if anyone's interested, if not I'll just leave it.

---------------

2011-09-30T16:04:00.003+08:00

I have a really short neck.

Sometimes, however, I look at myself in the mirror and think Nup, looks normal to me.

But eventually I'd come across a photo of myself and think Nup, who am I kidding? I have a really short neck. I am a short, chubby girl with a short neck. D:

Psh!

2011-09-29T21:53:00.002+08:00

Eyyy... Not sure if people notice but I've taken down my ugleh drawings from fb.

A couple of them are on DA: http://hazelleberry.deviantart.com/

I'll be putting the ones that I've expended effort on at that site, but for my unworthy doodles, they shall be posted here.

Toodles!

Betrayed

2011-09-03T23:34:00.005+08:00

Doodling while I take a break from English (:

This is the scene where Zexion (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories) dies at the hands of Riku Replica. I think a little piece of me dies each time I see this D: The first time I watched it, I couldn't help but cringe at the agonising sounds he made. His seiyuu is very convincing (Ishida Akira = Gaara's seiyuu :D). I want to whack Axel in the head for this even though he is a redeemable character.

Aaah.. I wish Zeku lasted a little longer; I was hoping to battle him in KH2 :(

Death scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oVDm5XaqOM

On a completely different note, this made me LOL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHy99AllPMk&feature=related

Can I share something with You?

2011-09-02T09:53:00.002+08:00

Of course I can; this is my blog.

I love fantasy.

When the continuous bombardment of cold hard facts and ever-looming reality are reminders of our limitations, of the inevitable, of our failures, our shortcomings and disappointment, pseudo-reality becomes a refuge where personal problems and issues hold absolutely no importance or even relevance.

A conjured universe is sometimes not unlike our own in that what's most real and personal in our daily life - what hits us most hard such as emotions of joy, grief, and regret, or values like friendship and love - is still maintained in fantasy. It is so beautiful when we can laugh along with a character's happiness and weep along with them when their world comes crashing down - because we can understand and we can relate.

It's also made more amazing if we can realise that fantasy is a piece of its creator. The works, ideas and concepts are not birthed from a nonexistent origin but from a portion of someone's life and experience, and this person has allowed us a balcony view of it.

Fantasy to me is that one long-awaited cigarette a smoker has at the end of a tiresome and difficult day. It is sweet release.

If I wasn't compelled to be a teacher or wasn't as interested in wildlife, I would probably throw myself into arts. There is just a beauty in the simplicity of art that sadly eludes many. To have the ability express oneself in a creative and unique manner is seriously awe-inspiring and I want to appreciate it to the fullest.

Of course a shortcoming is that it, like any other earthly forms of escape, is fleeting and we suffer the consequences for indulging in it. There are also the occasional persons who fail to fully disengage from the make-believe dimension and live constantly with their heads in the clouds, but I digress.

I'm just posting this here because I want to get it out of my system. I know I'm an introverted person, and while I tend to keep to myself (No, I'm not suffering from loneliness every time you see me sitting by myself. I'm not sad, distressed, depressed so please refrain from asking me if I'm okay because I can guarantee that the answer will be, "I'm fine" more often than not. 'Hey, how's it going?' will suffice.), I am very open about sharing, if you ask.

To be honest, I enjoy it. Hence, my reason for blogging. Because it would be extremely weird if I came up to you in person and said, "Hey! Did you know I love fantasy, yada yada yada (extensive explanation).."

So, thank you for reading.

Bookman Jr.

2011-08-31T18:45:00.003+08:00

Lavi from D. Gray Man

Started the lineart at school during lunch time.

I worked on it during whatever free time I had/between study periods

I did a colour one as well, but it didn't turn out as well, mostly because my colouring skills are equivalent to a primary kid's.

Quite pleased with the lineart (:

I'm the stereotypical person

2011-08-09T04:07:00.000+08:00

who doesn't enjoy conforming to stereotypes

Procrastination strikes

2011-08-03T18:01:00.003+08:00

Little chibi Lavi (left) and Kanda (right) from D. Gray-Man! :D :D :D

I was sketching them while waiting for my comp to start and login during BCT and legal studies today :P They took less than 10 minutes each, I think, considering how rough and sketchy the lines are. Also, the intricate details on their uniforms are lacking because I mostly drew these without a reference. Allen is missing too, but only because I didn't have time. :(

I owe Disney

2011-07-28T21:35:00.003+08:00

Hey Rach, I was thinking back about the conversations we were having in Sydney, and now I'm listening to soundtracks from Mulan. Lol!

Who knew I'll Make a Man Out of You would be a good song to listen to while doing Bio? :D

2011-07-25T05:17:00.002+08:00

It feels like I have lost this fight

They think that I am staying down

But I'm not giving up tonight

Tonight the wall is coming down

I am stronger than my fears

This is the mountain that I climb

Got 100 steps to go

Tonight I'll make it 99

I have everything to lose

By not getting up to fight

I might get used to giving up

So I am showing up tonight

I am my own enemy

The battle fought within my mind

If I can overcome step one

I can face the 99

'One More' - Superchick

Emofying myself

2011-07-23T09:45:00.004+08:00

Something is seriously wrong with me.

Been in my room doing nothing

and listened to depressing 'I'm-all-alone-don't-leave-me' music

after watching 6 episodes of Wolf's Rain, which is so serious, dark and gloomy.

For my QCS practice written task, I wrote a short story on suicide

About a person who sought emancipation only through death.

Interestingly enough my last blog entry was about deaths, albeit unusual ones.

I assure you I'm neither suicidal nor depressed.

Especially not suicidal.

I think it's the less-than-happy vibes I'm getting from the people around me.

One day, I'm going to look back and laugh at my angsty teenage self, and I will jest about the melodrama and petty problems.

Yes, they will seem small, insignificant and speckle-like 10 years from now,

Overshadowed by my bigger problems in life, like a financial crisis or premature greying

O wow, this is comforting :)

This is how I spend my free time-

2011-07-22T21:52:00.003+08:00

Seems like I doodle one every week. This one I completed during Math in 20 minutes. Again, I was playing around with hair but I feel like the shading was a bit of a fail. Oh, well...

Another interesting point to note, I googled some unusual ways in which people have died.

One guy wanted to prove that a particular glass was unbreakable and thus jumped at it, throwing his entire weight onto the window. The glass didn't break, but the window popped out of its hinges.

There were people who choked to death on a hair found in their milk, died from laughing, and even ate themselves to death.

Apparently, there was also a man who drank himself to death with carrot juice and a US Congressman who died of a self-inflicted gunshot while trying to prove to the jury that it was indeed possible for a person to accidentally shoot oneself.

Another person was assassinated by a modified umbrella.

I hope the demise of others entertained you and made you aware that carrot juice can kill.

Goodnight...

'Odd' is such a cute word

2011-07-08T00:13:00.002+08:00

I'm feeling a little.. odd. Emotionally, I mean.

I know I seldom blog about emotions, I try not to anyway, but I want to get this down.

If I could pin it, I would say melancholy. However, I'm not so sure myself; I'm still trying to reach a conclusion. Pensive, maybe?

The time is 2.20am, yet I don't feel the slightest bit sleepy and I'm just lying still in my room. There is hardly a substantial reason for this tinge of blues I'm experiencing and I don't mind it very much.

I've just finished reading a story, as much as one can finish reading an incomplete piece of fiction anyway, and the chapter where the author stopped was relatively bittersweet, a tad bit more bitter than sweet.

It's so strange how much stories affect me... This is pretty personal, but the feeling is so real. Some pieces of fiction are literally heart-wrenching (i.e. I actually feel a sharp twist in the space where the heart resides). I don't cry after reading them - never cried reading a book before - but the twinge of pain is substantial.

Occasionally, I am left feeling blank and I spend my time staring into space, replaying any memorable events in my head. The opposite sometimes happen too, where the plot or resolution is a particularly happy one. Then I find myself extremely exuberant... And maybe a little annoying to my brothers (:

Seriously, if I'm acting slightly happier than usual, this may be case. Either that, or unusually blank.

Decent?

2011-06-24T20:46:00.002+08:00

Experimenting with some hair styles. (: I've hardly ever done curly/wavy hair so this is my attempt. I started it during English :D Not the best, but what do you think?

I don't know if this is weird but...

2011-06-10T05:04:00.002+08:00

I like to imagine there are zombies in my house.

Like, I'm going downstairs to refill my coffee and I would freeze at the bottom of my stairs and stare at a space in my living room, hypothetically wondering that if there were a zombie feasting at that very spot, should I slowly creep back upstairs or make a mad dash?

Then I think Whatever and turn to get my coffee.

And there's another zombie feasting right behind me.

There goes my imagination again...

Too much Left4Dead!

!!!!!!?

2011-06-05T21:46:00.003+08:00

This convo happened a minute ago:

Bro: What's BPM?

Me: Oh, I was reading about DDR. BPM meaning beats per minute.

Dad: -gives me a weird look- Why're you talking about sperm?

Me and Bro: -gives o.O look- What??

Me: We're talking about the tempo of a game...

Dad: Oh, I heard sperm

My 10 minute escape from boredom

2011-06-02T22:17:00.006+08:00

I seem to be doodling every Wednesday during Study Hall. Two hours of non-stop silent studying gets boring after all, and especially since they stopped giving us that 5 to 10 minute break in between.

This first one I actually doodled last Wednesday but just never got around to uploading. I did his shading in pencil but it is apparently too light. I wish his nose was higher.

If you didn't already know, he is Soul Eater Evans from Soul Eater, but I won't be surprised if no one guessed it right because I purposely strayed from the mangaka's style.

Also, I changed his hair parting because from the angle I drew him in, it looks better and also because if I drew it right instead of left, it ends up looking like a failed imitation of Sasuke. I actually think my doodle is an extremely failed attempt - period! This is how he looks like in the original version:

I love that headband he wears! Lol!

Moving on...

This next one I doodled this Wednesday :) I actually did the outline during English but finished it during Study Hall. It's not meant to be a specific character; it's just a random girl in a random pose. Although she does remind me a little of Fuko-chan from Clannad... Must be the hair.

Dear Peter

2011-06-01T02:38:00.005+08:00

Happy Birthday! Congrats on reaching your 20th year (: Finally, two decades old. Don't mention anything about being old; I get enough of that from my schoolmates already. Lol. Let's appreciate that you've got 20 years of fun-filled memories under your belt instead of moaning your age. :D

As you can see, I got you a sheep to celebrate this joyous occasion seeing as you stayed in NZ long enough to be a Kiwi and Kiwis love their sheep, no? xD Did you know that on the day you were born, Queensland ammended their adoption laws? I don't remember random facts of information just so you know; we're doing this topic in class and it was a major change in legal history.

You're a real awesome and special person and I'll never regret knowing you. (: We had a blast in the early years of high school and even though I miss that very much, I'm content with just smiling at the memories because we can't stay kids forever. I miss you too and especially the laughter and smiles you so easily bring to me. Haha! I'll admit, I laugh a lot at you just cause you were so silly sometimes. Not in a mean way, of course ;)

Happy Birthday again! Hope this one will be a memorable one. Please take care.

Love

Andrea

Dear Rach

2011-05-31T21:54:00.003+08:00

About this morning, just letting you know I'm not bitter about it nor do I hold anything against you, okay? (: I'm not going to put our awesome friendship on the line for something so small and petty. It's all cool...

To eat or not to eat

2011-05-31T21:31:00.002+08:00

I was going to eat this apricot...

...but it has spots on it.

Should I eat it anyway?

You rant, I respond

2011-05-28T22:59:00.004+08:00

Human beings cannot be trusted because we are incapable of committing no fault.

Not all of them, and not all the time.

Eventually, people are going to disappoint us; no one can act in a way that will always always please us.

Even the most seemingly 'perfect' people have flaws.

If we expect too much of them, it hurts a lot more when they fail us.

People are not telepathic either.

Confront them when they have fallen so that they may learn and better themselves.

"A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool" -Prov 18:20

That does not go with the saying we should never place our trust in men at all.

Just saying, not completely.

It is a different matter when we trust God.

Because He cannot fail us.

Let Him hear your plight.

He is there to listen to your difficulties.

All night and day if that's what you want.

Sometimes He calms the storms in life for you,

And other times He'll ride the storm out with you.

I want to beat myself up

2011-05-22T12:31:00.005+08:00

I stole this off Trishy's blog because we teens have to support and fuel each other's procrastinating habits. I feel like scum! Anyway, moving on:

[ZERO] Your ex texted you and wanted you back, would you take them back?

— I don't technically have an ex but speaking hypothetically at this moment, then no.

[ONE] Has anyone told you “Forever and ever” then left?
— Not in a romantic context. There are those 'friends forever' things if those are counted

[TWO] Your relationship status?
— Single and not looking.

[THREE] Where did you meet your crush(s)?
— The current one? Fool! I have no crush! Hyahaha!

[FOUR] Have you ever lost a close friend?
— Yeah

[FIVE] Do you smoke weed regularly?
— No

[SIX] Think back to the beginning of 2011, are you still dating the same person?
— Yeah, this person called 'no one'

[SEVEN] Would your parents be mad if you were in a relationship?
— I highly doubt it, but they won't encourage it at the same time

[EIGHT] When was the last time you really laughed?
— An hour ago

[NINE] Something’s wrong, first guy you turn to?
— My brothers

[TEN] First girl you’d go to?
— Rach

[ELEVEN] Is there anyone who doesn’t like you because of something you did?
— Most probably

[TWELVE] Angry at anyone?
— No

[THIRTEEN] What’s stopping you from going for the person you like?
— There being a hypothetical crush, then myself. I know what I want and at the moment, an intimate relationship is not one.

[FOURTEEN] When was the last time you cried really hard?
— Last year, I suppose.

[FIFTEEN] Is there anyone you would do anything for?
— Putting aside the textbook answer, regrettably no one.

[SEVENTEEN] Who was the last person you talked to for more than 10 minutes on the phone?
— Jeffrey

[EIGHTEEN] What is your favorite song?
— Beats me. (<<
[NINETEEN] Do you like Red Bull?
— I'm neutral

[TWENTY] How many people can you tell just about everything to?
— I'm quite open about myself if people ask. Random strangers not included.

[TWENTY-ONE] Have you ever wished on a shooting star?
— I don't remember even seeing one.

[TWENTY-TWO] Does the last person you held hands with mean something to you?
— Of course, hence the gesture

[TWENTY-FOUR] Describe yourself in one word?

— By-the-book

[TWENTY-FIVE] Do you have anything that belongs to your ex?
— Again, I don't technically have an ex but when people who are special and dear to me give me something, I don't throw them away.

[TWENTY SIX] Can you honestly say you’ve had a sleepover with the opposite gender?
— Yes

[TWENTY-SEVEN] Do you rebound?
— I was never in such a situation

[TWENTY-EIGHT] Ever cheated on someone?
— Again, I was never in a situation that allowed me such action

[TWENTY-NINE] What would you do if you found out the person you like was in a relationship?
— Move on, I suppose

[THIRTY] Do you act differently around the person you like?
— Most occasions, yeah

[THIRTY-ONE] Honestly, what guy’s number do you have memorized?
— My older brother's and surprisingly Peter's old number: 017-2942123 yeah? Lol...

[THIRTY-TWO] Is it hard to make you laugh?
— No

[THIRTY-THREE] Who was the last person to make you mad?
— My dad

[THIRTY-FOUR] Do you think your last ex will eventually want to be with you again?
— What's up with all these 'ex' questions.. I give up clarifying that I don't technically have one. I don't suppose so

[THIRTY-FIVE] Have you ever fallen asleep in someone’s arms?
— My parents' when I was a wee little gal.

[THIRTY-SIX] Has anyone ever called you “scrumptious” before?
— Not to my face they haven't

[THIRTY-SEVEN] Would you like to put a night on repeat, and live it forever?
— Certain sleepovers with my close friends would be nice.

[THIRTY-EIGHT] Do you have a best friend that knows you inside and out?
— Yes, my God.

[THIRTY-NINE] Is your best friend a slut?
— I dare you to say that to her face =P

[FORTY] Is hard drugs a turn off?
— Chyeah

[FORTY-ONE] Are you happy with life right now?
— With my life, yeah. With who I am, nope

[FORTY-THREE] Are you still in love with your ex??
— I'm not in love with the person, but I love the person. Despite my age, I don't believe that I'm delusional to the true meaning of love. I love this person not in a romantic sense but like any of my loved ones, I wish him the best and will support him in his life's journey.

[FORTY-FOUR] Have you ever been the “other person” in a relationship?
— Nope

[FORTY-FIVE] Have you ever had your heart broken?
— Yeah.

[FORTY-SIX] Have you ever broken someone’s heart?
— Maybe

[FORTY-SEVEN] Is there anybody you’re really disappointed in?
— Myself

[FORTY-EIGHT] Where is your best friend?
— Possibly somewhere either gorging herself on chocolate, anime or F-cup biscuits. xD FORGIVE ME!

[FORTY-NINE] Something you're happy about?
— I have mentors with the biggest hearts who are willing to invest in me

[FIFTY] How is your heart lately?
— My heart is fine, thank you. And yours?

Whee.. colossal waste of time over! Back to Hamlet. Curse you Shakespeare!

EDIT: I spotted grammar mistakes! I had to fix it. =P

Hah..?

2011-05-22T12:22:00.000+08:00

I just thought everyone should know I enjoy cleaning my ears. :D

Bleak

2011-04-14T11:44:00.003+08:00

I'm desperately craving for human contact and social interaction at the moment. Too bad I have a practical report and an exam coming up in about 2 hours. ------ I feel so dumb for not getting first-year uni Chemistry. It's suppose to be basic and meant as a foundation. ------ You Found Me by The Fray is one of my favourite songs. The song sadly reflects what I would suppose billions of people are asking and crying out. It is truly heartbreaking. I wish I had an answer.

Product of Boredom

2011-04-04T14:39:00.002+08:00

My dooooodle of Rangiku Matsumoto.

I drew this on the final day of exam block during study hall. Being all sleep deprived (I allnightered! :D) and relieved that assessments are all over, I spent my time during my study period very wisely. After falling into micro-sleeps for about 30 minutes, I felt too self-conscious to continue nodding off, so I doodled.

This is not a serious attempt so certain parts look crap but all the same, throw me some critique people! :)

Rachel is the BEST

2011-04-03T20:48:00.003+08:00

Hey Rach, thought I'd post it here for you. :) Better than commenting a whole heap on Facebook.

Aww... doesn't matter if it's one year late. The fairy one I did was very late too and I know you were busy and preoccupied with other things.

I wonder the same thing as well, but I'm so glad that you stuck by me even though we're about 5000km apart, especially through my anti-social habit of forsaking contacts over studies etc. :P You really invested a great effort seeing as how it must've been so annoying to remind and goad me to come online each time. :)

You're a great and easy person to talk to *Huggies!

Criticism time:

Like all your friends' comments, the body's direction is slightly off, people usually turn their body at an angle during archery

Length of arms are too short

Head-body proportion a little off

I'm questioning if the hood is joined to the clothing or if it's a hat.

I like the hair and the face. Appropriate choice for the hair style I feel. The expression is good and the lips do not look out of place (I always draw lips ugly ><), but instead makes the archer look more mature.

The random leaves adds to the overall feel of the picture.

Good attempt at perspective, but improvements can be made.

I love the right hand =3

Good job and thanks for the drawing. How is it like drawing something serious after all the chibis you've done?

Refine Me

2011-03-24T11:19:00.003+08:00

I realize I'm more self-absorbed than what I initially thought.

What a flaw!

Father, thank you for pointing it out.

This is not an emo post

2011-03-20T16:28:00.003+08:00

I really want to post something angsty.

Why can't I be emo without having my post categorised as the typical teen angst-filled content?

I don't want you to read this, thinking that I'm yet another pathetic person who feels the need to announce, YELL, or exclaim to the public, "Woe is me."

In my daily devotions sometime before, I was reminded that words said without thought or care are sharp and hurtful, but what many sermons and messages fail to point out is the hurt and regret left by unspoken words.

Now I'm left wondering if I should say what I want to say to whom I want to say. Regret though, is never far because the words that have left the lips cannot be swallowed.

Life would be so much simpler if God had given us an undo button...

Is this just part of puberty?

2011-03-20T16:12:00.002+08:00

My emotions are fluctuating. I'm jumping from great bouts of happiness to falling into all time lows in the span of minutes.

This is ridiculous. The whole ordeal appears frivolous, shallow and petty, but I suppose it is typical for many. What matters is the degree of emotion that is suppressed and how much slips through the masks.

This is stupid. I was just crying on Friday at dawn, but smiling during school hours. Now, I don't know, just a little sad because I rewatched the death of yet another favorite character. I really should stop supporting villainous characters...

Just waiting for my emotions to take another upward swing. This is dumb.

My Deepest Wish For You

2011-03-18T04:01:00.001+08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmZfXE3ZIw8

Peter, this is for you.

My Otouto is 16

2011-03-01T21:22:00.003+08:00

I forgot to mention that today is my brother's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!

I'm thinking of making him a $15 voucher! I'm pretty sure he doesn't need anything from me now and whatever I give him will not make him :D because everything he wants is SO EXPENSIVE. So in case I forget that I "owe" him $15-worth of something, I should just give him a voucher which he can later redeem from me xD And to be extra nice, I won't impose an expiry date on him!

MY Brain's All Fuzzy

2011-03-01T20:46:00.002+08:00

I've got 284 unread messages in my inbox!

Today was day 1 of my chemistry course in university so yeah, was pretty nervous but it turned out to be a pretty cool experience. Not looking forward to the extra workload though. Sigh...

I finished Clannad just a while ago, so I'll post my review on it when I have more time. Oh, the things I'm going to say about this. I can't believe someone actually thinks that Clannad is a better anime than Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Such a misguided person...

I am Unproductive!

2011-02-28T20:53:00.004+08:00

Never have I felt so great an apathy towards my school work. After restlessly spending 30 minute intervals of study with 20-30 minute breaks in between (so unproductive!), I'm so frustrated that I cannot get any work done that for a split second, a fleeting moment, instantaneous time- whatever you wish to call it- I felt like I could lie around and hand in nothing on the due date. How I desperately wish I could do that....

Penny For My Thoughts

2011-02-22T20:37:00.003+08:00

While on the topic of ecosystems, my teacher was explaining to a classmate about the movement of energy and matter within a simple food chain.

"Let's use the savanna as an example. There is grass, and the antelopes eat the grass. The lions eat the antelope and when they die, their body returns to the earth. There we have the circle of life."

The reference to Lion King had me choking on laughter between random intervals during class. I'm sure someone found me odd. :)

Hopeless at Concentrating

2011-02-21T19:37:00.002+08:00

I just spent 30 minutes of precious studying time procrastinating. I got my brothers to shoot me with a Nerf gun. :D Had to block off the shots with a DVD.

Absent-Minded

2011-02-20T17:35:00.001+08:00

I saw a piece of nose shit on the wall today and for some reason I not only touched it but scratched at it as well. =_= Ew...

Anime LOVE

2010-11-29T11:22:00.010+08:00

School ended last Thursday, so holidays for me! Lot's of free time warrants some anime watching :D

Also, my dad has upgraded our Internet capacity and we went from having 5GB to 30GB, which is awesome!

Yes, yes, I've been fueling my anime addiction. Gotta love loading anime after anime without getting capped!

After finishing Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, I lost the mood to watch action/adventure anime because aihz.. none will ever live up to it. For some reason, every other anime I tried watching after were too slow paced and lacked the fluidity that FMA:B's action scenes had.

After fruitless searching I thought I'd give D-Gray Man a go because Rachel strongly recommended it and well, the only thing I can say is that I like the main character's design. Other than that, I just didn't feel like continuing with the series and stopped at eps 6 or 7.

The art and atmosphere is so dark and gave off this depressed vibe, which totally turned me off, and the Allen Walker is too nice a guy, which is sort of repulsive because I strongly dislike preachy, goody-goody characters. The concept of the series was commendable. The fighting style and scenes on the other hand, were typical; nothing worth praising, I feel. Lastly, the villains look totally stupid.

Much searching later, I found Angel Beats!, which I was a tad bit hesitant in starting because although it received some high-praised reviews, there were also a few which mentioned that it lacked in depth and character development.

Despite that, I watched the first episode and gosh, I loved it so much! Maybe I was so sick of watching adventure animes and so in spite of the lack of character development and an intricate plot filled with twists and suspense, I found myself just sitting back and enjoying this light series because it is SERIOUSLY funny. (<- Oxymoron there)

Here's a brief synopsis: The story centres around a boy named Otonashi who winds up in a place similar to purgatory, where those who die with regret end up. This place is a high school setting and if the humans become obedient to the rules or satiate their regret they are reincarnated. He meets this group of humans who defy the school rules because they do not wish to be reincarnated. The central antagonist is Angel, the school president who seeks to rid the place of mischief and delinquency.

Some things I enjoyed about this series:

- The animation was incredibly fluid and smooth and the setting was bright and colourful.

- There was a wide variety in terms of the genre. It had action, was funny, yet had its sombre moments.

- The soundtracks, especially the opening and the ending, were pleasant and appropriate

- The storyline is not deep or heavy. Whilst that may be a negative point, the series' lightness was a major plus point for me because I could sit back and not piece together bits of information.

Some things that detracted:

- The relationship between the characters were a little underdeveloped and a tad bit too hasty. As was the plot and the ending.

- There was a few unexplained occurrences and loopholes. For example, it is unexplained why only regretful high school students were the only people who end up in the place and not every person.

So yeah, I STRONGLY recommend Angel Beats! if you're looking for a sweet, short and funny anime. :D

----------

Aihz.. Blogging is so boring but I want to finish what I started. Then I'll go play Final Fantasy XII! ... or DDR, whichever.

Seeing as Angel Beats! only has 13 episodes, the series was over real quick and I went anime hunting again. Aaand found Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan (Our Happy Times) on the list of top rated mangas.

It's a seinan manga, meaning it is aimed at an older demographic, about a lady who has gone through some hardships in her high school days and as a result has attempted to commit suicide 3 times. After the third time, she was given the alternative of accepting professional counseling or helping her aunt, a nun who does volunteer work at a prison.

Her aunt is currently attempting to build a relationship with a young man in prison who has been given the death sentence for the murder of 3 people. Due to circumstances in his childhood, the young man has no qualms about his approaching death but instead anticipates it each day.

When the two meet, there is initial animosity because of the man's distrust in charity workers and church followers, believing their kindness is a mere font to cover up superiority, while the lady judges him as an evil and sinful person.

Throughout the 8 chapters, readers get to see their relationship develop and their backgrounds revealed. There is a sort of satisfaction in seeing the manga address the issues of humanity - the good and bad in people. Because of this, it is quite philosophical, very touching and very mature.

8 chapters, although sounds short, is an appropriate number, giving the story a realistic feel in the time period. The art, I believe, is simple, yet beautiful and once again, mature. Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan was refreshing to me because it's my first seinen manga, which brought about a different setting - one that related more to life and didn't consist of high school dramas and mindless killing sprees.

So I suggest giving it a go and even if you don't think you'll enjoy it as much as me, try it because it's only 8 chapters; you're not going to be sacrificing heaps of your time.

2010-11-16T11:42:00.002+08:00

I stood in front of my class today

and presented the worst presentation I've ever done

________________________________________

Ten to eleven; ten minutes left to complete my work

Panic rising but time waits for no man

Five minutes to print; five minutes to rush out

Three past eleven; three minutes I've overstayed

Run, run, run

Presentation in ten minutes

Bangs stuck to forehead

I arrive but the room is empty

My mistake, the room has changed

Run, run, run

Shirt drenched, mouth dry

I arrive; the presentation has started

I dare not check to see how late

Second to last, so I slide into seat and wait

thankful for air-conditioning

Knowing the pages I'm missing

Remembering the hastily typed PowerPoint

Picturing the examiners expression

Thinking of plausible excuses

Realising it's no ones' fault

but mine alone

The shame burns in my face

The embarrassment aflame on my cheeks

What will my examiner think?

Is my credibility down the drain?

My turn at long last

Or not long enough?

I hand in my transcript and he thanks me

He doesn't deserve my shoddy work

I don't deserve his thanks

He asks for my missing pages

I tell him, "Sorry, sir. I haven't got them"

He says, "This is not like you."

I smile and nod

So he'll never know how much it hurts to disappoint

I stood up in front of my class

and presented the worst presentation I've ever done

But I thank my Father for bringing me thus far :)

A Small Lapse in Self-Control

2010-11-14T19:38:00.003+08:00

I thought I'd remind everyone who my favourite anime character is! Heeee..! Much love to Sasori!!

I took a 3-5 minutes for each. :) Haven't drawn in pencil for ages.

...Aaand a random ShikaTema just cause I felt like it :) I actually like this pairing a lot because I find it's quite mature, without petty dramas happening. Kishimoto has also been hinting at it quite a bit. *shrug

Girl in Kimono Redone

2010-11-07T20:00:00.002+08:00

Here are the two before and after pictures side-by-side because I figured that it's easier to compare this way. The bench is still as hideous as ever, but I made it shorter so that the angle looks more believable. Suggest a background if you are able to think of something suitable :) Cheers!

Today is Sunday

2010-11-07T12:57:00.002+08:00

Contrary to popular belief, or your belief, I actually took the time to redo the shading of the girl in the kimono.

Again, I'm fairly pleased with the result, but good grief!- I cannot draw a suitable background to complement the girl in the foreground! It's failure after failure so now the background is blank.

A solid or gradient background seems simply too plain or implies laziness on my part and I pretty much suck at complex sceneries. I fear I'll never repost the edited version of it.

I'm such a whiner. Got to suck it up.

Here, amuse yourself with these poor fainting kitties. They suffer from myotonia congenita:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CC_9aFuEkA

self-loathing is self-destructive

2010-10-24T19:50:00.003+08:00

O.O

I'm so restless that I'm even blogging twice in a day to avoid working on my English.

I'm really gonna flunk this term. Like seriously.

People always tell me not to worry because I always get good grades anyway, but when I think about it, that's a very dangerous thought to have. I remember saying that to myself some time ago, and I had to stop that train of thought and false notion, because hard work is what gets me my A's, not exceptional brain power. Slacking off just because I got good grades in the past isn't going to get me good grades in the future.

It's foolish to think 'I'll do well anyways - I always do' when I leave studies and assignments till the day before they're due because everything does not always work out like we want to.

To those who assure me with these notions, I'm not being angry or accusing you of anything. HONEST. I just think it's not right because you DON'T know if things WILL work out. Hence why I restrain from comforting people with 'It's going to be okay" and "It'll work out fine'.

High on Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

2010-10-24T18:57:00.005+08:00

I am very into PPG at the moment, which is absolutely not helping because I have an English essay on Shakespeare to write that I'm supposed to hand in tomorrow and it's obviously not going to get done while I look up PPG facts, read PPG fanfics, sketch PPG and watch PPG. Okay, it sounds like I'm obsessed with it, but I'm not. Yeah, that sounded very convincing, no?

Seriously though, the feeling is like I'm sugar high, where sitting still and keeping your hands to yourself is not an option. I cannot concentrate on my English because my fingers are itching to sketch PPG and when I did, the lines came out fast and hard and angry, as if I have no patience to outline them neatly. Here are some that came out the most decently, and seeing as how crap they are, you can guess how well the others were.

They are all from fanficts: (1) Boomer unconscious after being repeated experimentally electrocuted by Mojo; (2) Butch attempting to stand after the same electrocution to stop Mojo (At that moment, Brick was crawling towards the unconscious Boomer in concern, but I messed that up. Hence, I'm not posting it up); (3) Buttercup smashing the cafeteria table with a kick for no apparent reason. You can see the mistake I made with her arms, which I hastily drew over.

I'm not a PPG addict, I promise! It's just that I was already restless enough this afternoon and so happen I came across an awesome PPG fanfic, whose author happened to post a new chapter after I've been waiting for ages, which fuelled this crazy, annoying, frustrating restlessness. GAH!

Anyone want a good PPG fic should read "More Than Human" by sbj, because that is the most realistic high school setting fanfic I've ever come across, and seeing as I've been frequenting FF.net for over 5 years, I must say that is A LOT of fanfics. That is an exeptional piece of writing.

Here's a link to her profile: www.fanfiction.net/u/74176/sbj

Yes, well... better start on that English essay, right?

A Muu... Moment

2010-10-21T14:09:00.002+08:00

Somebody stole my hat today :'(

After getting my books out of the locker + my hat, I placed them on the bench nearby and went to the toilet, which is only about 5-6m away. When I came out, it was gone :'(

I can't believe someone had the gall to steal my hat! What the heck? :'(

A new one will cost me $20 :'(

I hope the person brings it back :)

I like what you've done with the place.

2010-10-15T17:38:00.002+08:00

Wow...

I'm not even sure if this is the same blog i used to write in.

Andrea... i'm pretty sure this is your doing. (i guess you can think of this as my personal letter to you.)
I miss you. :)

I know this sounds bad but yea... i don't really know you anymore.
It's been what... 2 - 3 years maybe? Wow...

I bet you're still sweet though. :)
It always amazed me that the more quiet you were, the more people wanted to know you.

I was just thinking about your church youth camp you invited Sher lyn and i to. ( Sher lyn baby... if you're out there, i miss you too ) It was fun. Probably one of the funnest camps i went to. No, i'm not lying.

Well, i guess i can just start with that. :)

*daily hug

- Marielle (sweet nostalgia maybe? )

2 days + cramped right hand = picture

2010-10-01T11:05:00.002+08:00

This one's for Janell just cause she asked. =) She actually wanted to take my picture of Sasuke =( So in exchange, I promised to sketch a better one. Heee!

I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out and I know I placed more effort for this.

I stole the hair colour off of Hinata xD

Went through Mum's box of ribbons to find designs for the obi and sleeve.

The fringe was inspired by Xiao Long Nu from Legend of Condor Heroes.

Got a reference for the stone bench from google images.

The background... hm... was a quick attempt?

Criticism please? =)

FAIL

2010-09-21T19:18:00.003+08:00

Okay, so Ruby's birthday wasn't on Sunday, which I only found out after I texted her a 'happy birthday' message. A little bit of an 'oops' moment there. Someone told me it was on the following Friday so I scrapped the fail HikaHaru and did another one.

Which is another fail in itself =_= After being 80% complete, the paint tool SAI program decided to close down and I didn't save it at all. I had 1.5 hours left before my mum picked me up and print the picture professionally. Seriously, I was so close to swearing at the thing and pulling my hair out. Was going to scratch the whole idea, but decided to start again. So here's the result:

It's definitely better than the previous one, but it still kinda sucks =( Haruhi looks undernourished....

Woe to all HikaHaru fans

2010-09-12T12:22:00.004+08:00

This is for Ruby who is such a amazing friend, always willing to stick by me =)

I don't reallly know what she likes and I didn't just want to go out and buy the first thing in sight, so I decided to draw her a HikaHaru, just cause Ouran High School Host Club is the only anime that both she and I watch and also because we both agree on the pairing. =P I know it's kinda terribly done: There's absolutely no shading except for Hikaru's hair and his earphones T_T, Hikaru doesn't look like Hikaru, Hikaru's pants is missing its lineart and Haruhi's blush is not visible! If it's so terrible, why leave it as it is, right? Well, all I have to say is that I've only spent 2-3 hours on in and this is as much as I can do before my brother takes it to print. And yeah, the transfer from the desktop computer to this one makes it look squeezed. =/

Disclaimer: Hikaru and Haruhi belongs to Bisco Hatori

T_T Just read chapter 81....

SPOILER START!!

Haruhi just confessed her love to Tamaki, and now Hikaru is crying. T_T Poor Hika-chaaan...

SPOILER OVER!!

Aaah.. so much drama. I feel crushed T_T

Wow

2010-09-03T05:01:00.002+08:00

There is nothing like Your love
No exchange for all You gave
To be welcomed into life
So I can know the love that saves

Now forever to belong
To walk with you for all days
There's no greater love than this
You are the Author and the Way

--Hillsong

Woke up at 4.30 this morning to study for the Geography Exam that's happening today.
Was really worried that I couldn't get all the studying done, but sometime during my studies, this song played itself in my mind so I started singing . What was really odd was that when I tried singing this song previously, I could only remember 2 line of the verse.

While just singing to myself this morning, however, the lyrics came to me in ease. Feeling an urge, I turned on the radio and played this song, and just fully felt the Father's peace on me. Such an indescribable feeling, really. The lyrics are so powerfully and just plain beautiful. There's exactly no greater love than the one God has offered. What can bring greater happiness more than simply walking with Christ for all our days? This verse has just got me fully pumped for the day and for the test, and I know that this is God's hand upon my life; He has intervened, lending His almighty hand to help an insignificant being such as me in something as petty as a Geography exam. All because He loves us so unconditionally.
Just feeling in awe of Him at the moment. :)

Title-less

2010-08-31T14:32:00.006+08:00

This here is the edited version of the short story I posted a couple of weeks ago. I've spent more hours on this story than I did for any other assessment this term, just editing and re-editing it. This is the fifth version of it. =_= I think I've read this more than 20 times.

Don't bother telling me about grammar mistakes because I've already handed this in. It will only succeed in making me regret since I won't have the capability to change it. Also, blogger somehow doesn't allow me to simply copy my work and paste it. So, I typed it out. All 1,372 words. Couldn't bring myself to proofread it for the 21st time so yeah, might have some grammar or spelling errors.

Please give me feedback!

---------

Behind the ethrreal silk curtains of my bedroom window, I looked beyond the once multi-coloured monkey bars, now paint-peeled with angry welts of rust, and teeter-totters that, once upon a time, did not groan under the weight of mere five-year-olds. On the far side, under the sighing trees that bent from the weight of the breeze, two children came into sight. Away from prying eyes, they laid on their bellies peacefully under the swaying arms of the old chestnut tree.

I eyed thirteen-year-old Brody Hunt whose hands were cupped under his chin for support and naked feet kicking rhythmically to and fro in the air as he spoke animatedly to his companion. At the sight of sudden movement, my eyes darted to his left where a girl rested, and caught her pale fingers curling around a patch of green. While his pale lips were parted in mid-sentence, the fistful of wild grass was playfully thrown at him. From my seat behind the transparent glass, I drew my knees to my chest and smiled when giggles bubbled from her glossed lips, followed by an eruption of hearty laughter. My smile stubbornly tugged further at the sight of young Brody's exasperated expression.

"Were you even listening?' his tightly drawn lips and raised brows asked. His cobalt eyes, however, remained smiling under his lashes - always smiling.

Alice Daniels reached forward to gently brush the offending grass from his wavy blond hair and I watched, fascinated, as she deftly picked at the stray strand of green she had missed. The insistent smile I had stretched into a manic grin when I spotted her fingers pause in her fussing and, hesitantly at first, fingered his soft tresses, running the golden locks in between the gaps of her fingers. Brody, I noticed after allowing my gaze to freely roam over his tense facial features, had a faint pink hue ghosting over his cheeks, but when the need to blink overcame my eyes, the slight flush had vanished.

"I love you," I caught the boy mouth in a voice audible only to her.

Despite his impromptu confession, it failed to take me by surprise. As an open book would, his timid cobalt eyes read adoration, affection and child-like love. All the foreknowledge in the world, however, could not have stopped a knot from twisting and writhing in the cavity of my stomach, or the suffocating constriction of my throat when all traces of the smile in her eyes evaporated.

Half a minutes passsed; half a minute spent with bated breath; half a minute before she laughed. She ducked her head, her thinkling laughter shattering the tension and lengthy raven hair cascaded over her face, pooling in ripples on the grass around her. Still shaking with silent laughter, she looked up and with mirth dancing in her small crescent slits, Alice leaned in to plant a chaste kiss on his freckled cheek.

My eyes remained transfixed onto the unfolding events and gradually, I witnessed Time orchestrate the passing of seasons. Spring, summer, autumn, winter; they raced after each other in circles. Seven consecutive cycles, I counted. I see the two children again, now both twenty and children no more. But the skies are darker this time although the sun lingered by, and the silence thick and consuming, despite the crickets' courting songs. The far-away war, it seemed, was not very far away after all.

"I've just got conscripted," I saw him mouth, an expression of morose apparent on his features. My breathing ceased, the rush of air held hostage in my chest as he turned to leave. Weights he could lift and furniture he could move, but he could not find it in his strength to watch the rivulets of tears streaming down her face. Though my gaze lingered on his retreating silhouette, I caught the movements of her lips.

"His for the flags and the gallant sights; his for the medals and his for the fight," she recited, her arms cradling her quivering frame in a futile attempt at comfort. The accumulated colossal wave of self-pity crashed and voice cracking, she sobbed out, "And mine for the dreary, rainy nights..."

Her muffled screams of agony jarred me from the melancholic scene and I tore my gaze from the window. Turning away from it with eyes institinctively squeezed shut, I grit my teeth to suppress the fighting cry of pain no amount of bandages or medication could ever hope to heal. The piteous sound viciously clawed at my throat, filling it with a burning sensation, one that was no stranger to me. My hand flew to my mouth to smother the animalistic cries that escaped my clenched teeth, and my possessed body lurched forward in a hunch with each strangled shriek. When the long hand of my antique clock ticked trice, my strength had deserted me and my throat protested for relief. Reflexively, my hands reached to cover my face, my fingers rubbing circles around my closed eyelids in a soothing rhythm before moving away to swipe the collected moisture that had gathered.

My eyes blinked repetitively when I saw that my furniture lacked their usual hard lines and edges, but those returned as the soft breeze did its wonders and the fresh tears dried. Drawing a shaky breath, I rose on trembling feet, joints popping in the process. A walk would do me good, I decided. Besides, I haven't visited him in a while. I crossed the room, hccupping twice when I reached for the keys. Making my way to the door, I stole a quick glance at the mirror that hung over the mantelpiece. Blinking back at the dark-haired figure, I grimaced. The lady in the mirror grimaced back. Pitiful.

Defeated weary eyes that were red and swollen roved along my features. Crowfeet that would normally decoratge the eyes of any woman aged gracefully, providing a kind twinkle in their eyes, did nothing for me aside from reminding me of my age. Sighing, my reflection fixed her eyes onto the unkempt tendrils hanging off my shoulders. A small pursing of her lips told me that she had noticed the wiry strand of grey that lay mingled amidst the mess of once rich ebony hair. The shadow of the once vivacious Alice Daniels heaved a heavy sigh and turned to exit the door.

Just pitiful.

Twenty minutes of trudging - ten more that it would have taken a decade ago - brought me to my destination. At the sight of his endearing smile, I returned my own weary one in greeting and sank down rather ungracefully beside a cold grey slab of stone, which I leaned into gratefully. A breeze ghosted over the hill, choreographing the drooping branches of the willows to perform a ceremonious dance, while wisps of grass blowed submissively under its force. I shivered but he made no move to wrap his warm arms around me or press me close.

And I sit beside him -- him and me

To talk of the things that used to be

"I thought of you again - of us," I started and I spoke of the laughter and smiles our thirteen-year-old selves had once shared. He remained silent as usual. However, the niggling ringing that often accompanied the evening's stillness was muted by Nature's hush lullabies this time, which I wholly appreciated.

"But this time, I also saw you leaving...," I trailed off, the words dying on my lips when imaginary fingers slithered around my throat, clutching it tight in its deathly grip.

With my constricting throat and brimming hot tears, my frayed nerves could stand it no more. With the aid of the stone slab beside me, I moved to stand, albeit shakily. Shuffling away, I felt it rude to leave him without a word and so, turned to offer him a small, sad smile. Lovingly, I allowed my watery eyes to trail from the words 'Brody Hunt: 1932 to 1958. Beloved husband and son' that were elegantly carved, to the vines of creeper plants that encircled and adorned the worn tombstone I had leaned on moments ago. I then took in my husband's eternal youthful countenance and finally, my gaze rested on his smiling cobalt eyes - always smiling.

"Good night, Brody."

This is the day that You have made

2010-08-24T21:05:00.004+08:00

Was lethargic in school today, and double Math at the end of the day was the icing on the cake.

Prractically just stared at the teacher and I could hear her. Listening and understanding what she was saying was another thing altogether. Spent most of the lesson groaning and sighing, then talking to the person beside me (Maddy). I usually pay attention, just so everyone knows ;) Math is an exception because it is boring. Math-lovers alike, gasp at me all you want, but I seriously cannot muster a passion nor interest for this subject. I won't deny its relevance or importance, but put a math text book beside one of any other subject (Literature, Science, History, Geography, Business - even Physics) and I will choose the other one without any hesitation. I think that double Math lesson turned my mind jelly because I came home and slept for almost 4 hours. I love my sleep, with my blankets and pillows and bed and free, unlimited airconditioner.

....And my phone rang just as I was ready to snuggle under my covers. You know who you are. :)

That was my day, so dear stalkers, you have been thoroughly informed. Taa!

Mu...

2010-08-21T21:05:00.002+08:00

Nyuu! My right hand is cold! OwO

Complete!

2010-08-18T20:49:00.002+08:00

Here's the final part of the story, but I'm not sure how pleased I am with it, because I was rushing it a little. Draft is due tomorrow, after all. Altogether, it's 300 words over the word limit, so I'll have to ask if it's acceptable. May need to edit and cut a few parts. Sigh.. Sleeeeep.....!

Anyway, please tell me what you think, because I've read and re-read it so many times that it has lost its effect on me. An outside opinion is what I need, so please share it with me. =)

Here we go:

---------------------

I say, banish he-

I halt in mid-thought when a melodious disembodied tune wafted through the halls. Recognising it as the customised ringing of my doorbell, I scramble hurriedly from my cushioned seat, race to snatch the red scarf merrily hanging over the banister and skid with sock-clad feet to a stop behind the door.

The opening of the oak door reveals Brody Hunt, and with a sudden lightness that I never thought I could feel, I flash him a smile that I hope came across as dazzling. Brody returns the smile, one that brought mine to shame; it is easy-going, the epitome of his nature; it is boyish, so handsomely boyish.

I take note how the war had chiselled and sculpted his features, darkened the tone of his skin – a complete metamorphosis from a lanky teenager to a lean, attractive young man. At the sight of my best friend, my stomach churns in excitement. The exuberant joy begs to be released and I soon find myself with arms encircled around his waist, the gap closed and our bodies pressed intimately.

“I’m so glad you made it home,” I breathe against the woollen material of his sweater, my nose pressing into his firm chest. Warmth progressively envelope my flesh, pushing away even the sting of cold from my littlest toe, and rising to settle on both cheeks, leaving them flushed and throbbing. The sensation was so enrapturing that my ears strain to hear his deep-throated chuckle and quick reply of, “Yes, let’s celebrate.”

Dismay emerged when my source of warmth dislodge itself from me and left my body crying out in protest. My craving for his contact was satisfied somewhat when I could feel the tender brush of his hands on either side of my shoulders and the heat it emits.

My eyes immediately scour the artwork that is his face and came to rest on his unchanged cobalt eyes – always smiling. I see his lips move; he is saying something. But the words do not matter to me for I find myself deeply captivated by lips I once thought were too thin and pale, and the shapes they form draws me in as a vortex does.

This is my chance to prove I am thirteen no longer, and with that reverberating thought, I take the plunge. On tip toes to seal the height gap, I press my glossed lips to his in fervour and with as passionately as I could muster, while my arms inadvertently snake around his neck.

Imagine my disheartenment when those strong hands pushed me back, depriving me of his much-craved taste. I was an addict robbed of my drugs. Matching gazes with him, my heart plummets to the abyss of my stomach, which lurches agonizingly.

For when I look, I see what he saw eleven years ago; I am looking into eyes that reflect pity and sympathy; I recognise the eyes of thirteen-year-old Alice Daniels.

Fate must indeed despise me, for how else is it that the precise moment I fall in love with him, he falls out of love with me? I thought that love would last for ever; I was wrong.

------------------

It is a tad bit fluffy towards the ending (I was loosing my interest at this point [fluffy is not what I like writing]) so if you're Rachel and you're gagging while reading it, here's a bucket xD

Part II

2010-08-18T15:38:00.002+08:00

Here's the continuation of the short story which I completed in Study Hall today. Not sure whether to be pleased with it or not. There should be a final third part to the story =) Hope someone understands it, and please feel FREE - like seriously - to suggest any additions or correct the grammar.

---------------

Half a minute passed; half a minute spent frozen; half a minute before she laughed. With mirth dancing in her small crescent slits, she managed, “I love you too – as friends, of course.”

I watch helplessly as thirteen-year-old Alice laughed away the uneasiness, the nervousness, the awkwardness, but most regrettably, the knowledge that Brody Hunt had presented his most precious possession; that her best friend had offered his heart on a silver platter.

My eyes remain transfixed and gradually, I witness Time toil and labour. I see the two children, now eighteen each, but the skies were darker this time, though the sun lingered by. The silence was consuming, although crickets chirp in the distance. The far-away war, it seems, was not very far away after all.

“I’ve just got conscripted,” I see him mouth, an expression of morose transparent on his features. His pained tone and the crash of reality that he was just another innocent young man forced to answer the call to war jolt me into the present and I tear my gaze from the open window, but caught a flash of gold from the corner of my eye.

From across my floor length mirror, I took note of cascading blonde locks and down-cast baby blue irises. I look into the reflection of the glass, and I see the same foolish girl – foolish because she had allowed an invaluable opportunity to slip through her chubby fingers like the desert sand. I look, and I see Alice Daniels.

But I’m no more ignorant, naive Alice, who failed to recognise the value of the sand she let fall, or bashful, guarded Alice whose hands were so tiny that the gravity of the circumstance felt too hot and heavy to hold.

That girl who gazed back into cobalt eyes that betray love, but foolishly placed another brick in the wall – I refuse to be! Lock her away, she who disregarded his unconditional words of kindness and unwavering support.

What of the girl who took lightly the sacrifices made to fulfil her selfish desires, the concert ticket left to waste when she came down with the flu, the precious few hours that could be used to prepare for an upcoming Chemistry exam, but were instead spent with a weeping girl? I say, banish her!

Compilation of My Head's Contents

2010-08-16T05:56:00.002+08:00

I realise I owe so many people art pieces!

Here's the pending list, in no particular order in which they will be done:

- John

- Janell

- Peter

....

...Well, now that I've got it written down, it doesn't look so many =/ I'm sure I had more.... Hmm...

If I happened to forget someone and you actually read my blog, then please remind me. I really thought I had more...

If you want one, then feel free to wait next year for that. Kidding! But seriously, I'm swamped with work and am a bit of a procrastinator, so I don't know... I suck. :)

RACH! Even my name backward sounds like a nerd :( 'Aerdna = Nerdna? Hahaha!

Can't Write Anything Decent!

2010-08-12T17:49:00.003+08:00

RAWR! After reading and re-reading and re-reading my short story again, I'm getting frustrated with how it turned out. :( I'm just in a moment of self-loathing. Tell me what you think:

--------------

I look. I look beyond the paint-peeled monkey bars and teeter-totters in desperate need of grease, over the weary swing, and past the beaten slides. On the far side, under the sighing trees that bend from the weight of the breeze, I look and I see two children.

While tomboy Nina Daniels and rowdy Keith Hunt clawed and shoved the other over possession of the only swing, and pristine Rosemary Daniels smoothed her iron-pressed sundress as she told off a sneering Seth Hunt, the youngest of their respectively families were laying on their bellies under the swaying arms of the old chestnut tree.

Brody Hunt had both hands under his chin for support and naked feet kicking back and forth in the air as he spoke animatedly to his companion. In a swift motion, petite fingers curled around a patch of green and while thin lips parted in mid sentence, the fistful of wild grass was playfully thrown at him.

Giggles bubbled from rosy lips and slowly, small laughter erupted when baby blue eyes caught sight of his exasperated expression. At the affectionate display, I cannot help but laugh along. ‘Were you even listening?’ his tightly drawn lips and raised brows asked. His cobalt eyes, however, remained smiling under his lashes – always smiling.

Suppressing more threatening laughter, Alice Daniels reached forward to gently brush the offending leaves from his wavy blond hair and deftly picked at the stray strands of green she missed. A smile was inevitable as my gaze caught her fingers pause in her fussing and, hesitantly at first, fingered his soft tresses, running the golden locks in between the gaps of her fingers.

In the midst of it, Brody resembled a deer caught in headlights; frozen solid. As I allowed my gaze to freely roam over his tense facial features, a faint pink hue ghosted over his cheeks, but when the need to blink overcame my eyes, the slight flush had vanished. I remain silent when the boy recovered and gathered boldness to meet his fair-haired companion eye to eye.

In gentle cobalt, the adoration, admiration and childlike love were painfully evident. Baby blue ones smiled warmly and affectionately in return, but the search for an intimate emotion only resulted in disappointment.

My heart sinks and I bite my bottom lip when the blonde boy mouthed an ‘I love you’ in a voice audible only to her, and cringe when all traces of the smile in her eyes evaporated.

-------------

Spot any grammar mistakes? T_T I'm really displeased with it.

Help me with English, please? =)

2010-08-10T20:22:00.002+08:00

Sigh...

3 hours in front of the computer and I've only got 360 words on my English short story. I know, with my procrastinating habits, it's most plausible that I've been slacking, but this time, I can truthfully say that I've been a good girl, who has REALLY been working on it for 3 hours straight. Well, more like staring at the screen from the lack of appropriate words to express my ideas.

Pening la!

I'm so tempted to post my progress up here to receive feedback from you readers. What do you think? :) Because I find my idea a cliche, it would be nice if you guys can try to predict what happens next; that way, I can know just how cliched and predictable my plot is. So, should I or should I not post it up?

Cranberries Are So Addictive

2010-08-09T19:35:00.002+08:00

You may have noticed the blog's layout has changed...

That should be pretty obvious....

I finally got the thumbs up from Sherlyn

So, yes, tweaked a little bit of everything

Please tell me if this is any improvement...

And I shall see to it as soon as I can

My Failed Attempt at Trying to Stay on Topic

2010-08-09T14:45:00.005+08:00

I can't stop eating cranberries! They're just right within reach; it's so annoying!

On another note, hello! I'm sorry I haven't updated in more than 2 weeks, especially to those whom I've caused boredom because of the lack of life outside of reading my blog (which I sincerely hope is not anyone). Just because I'm so original, I'll start by telling you how exciting my day has been.

Let it be known that I like Mondays and because everyone is so interested and curious, and maybe a little weirded out (Monday blues and all that, you know) as to the reason why, I'll generously share :)

Reason WAN: English is the first subject. What a great way to start the week, right? I'm feeling like I'm starting off sounding sarcastic here, so for your benefit I'll say, "Nope, I really do like English." To be honest, I was a little hesitant about poetry at first because I had never understood it, but the more it's explained, the more interested I get. Shakespeare is a pretty cool guy too.

Reason TOOH: Legal Studies is limited to only 1 period, which sort of minimizes the day's boredom to only 37 minutes plus calling-the-roll-time. I like it when teachers mark the roll because that means extra less ('extra less...' Am I contradicting myself here?) minutes to stay in class.

Reason TREE: Double BCT, or Business Communication and Technology for those who are unfamiliar with that term. Also called The Double Period Where One Is Free To Spin And Roll Around On Their Roll-y Chair And Talk To Their Classmates Without Any Strict Repercussions.

Reason PHOR: Double Biology. I love Biology. End.

So, yes, I had a happy day. Did anyone else?

Art Challenge

2010-07-17T16:59:00.008+08:00

John has pleasantly challenged me to a race to finish our art pieces, which I agreed to. Yeah... I agreed...

It wasn't a very serious one, because it stems from John's suggestion that the loser buys the winner lunch, which is not possible because:

(1) What kind of self-respecting man would make a lady buy him lunch! Sheesh :D

(2) I am approximately 5000 km away and I will have to pay freight

(3) I'll be paying extra in dollars only to have you eat 8-hour-old cold, stale food. Food here is yucky anyway. You wouldn't want it ;P Seriously...

@John: Mmm.. Maybe once I visit M'sia. Remind me then, mm'kay?

For everyone's information, if there's anyone who's curious or interested (which everyone should pretend to be because this is my blog [and partly someone else's, who should, you know, try posting something *coughrachcough*]), I lost but I will not bother going into great lengths to justify it except for a few things xD

(1) I COLOURED mine =) Take that!

(2) I had expected John to draw the entire Justice League

(3) I coloured mine?

Here's the piece that I was to finish before him.

Okay, so maybe, technically, I did not colour it; more of shaded it, but it still takes up the same amount of time minus the time used to pick the EXACT shade of the colour you want.

For the poor Naruto-deprived people who cannot tell who the two are, they are Sakura and Sasori, and no, this scene was not meant to be romantic at the slightest. Frankly, I do not support the SasoSaku pairing because she killed him, in the most Mary-Sueish cheating way, if I may add. AND she had the gall to punch him as he was dying.

Moving on, this drawing was inspired by an excerpt from the fanfiction Just This Once by TK Grimm

------

Oh my God, she thought, her heart sinking. He thinks I'm an idiot. "Erm… I was just… I was…" She pushed her weight off the door and slowly started to walk forward.
Sasori blinked, "Sakura, don't-"
"I know!" she wailed completely losing her cool. "I just wanted to say-"
"No, Sakura, you're going to-"
"Don't say it!" Sakura cried, still walking forward. "I'm sorry! But there's just something I have to – AHH!" She toppled forward, having tripped on Hiruko's unattached left arm. The last thing she saw was Sasori's golden amber eyes widen momentarily before she crashed into him.
"Fall," he finished with a sigh.

------

What I drew was not the exact scene, but rather the picture that came into my mind as I read it.

Below here is the 'coloured' version of it. The reason for the single quotation marks comes from the fact that I didn't colour it. All I did was use some colour tool from photoshop, hence the reason why Sakura's hair is more purple than pink; the only colours available were black, blue, green, purple, red and yellow. This is also why Sasori's cloak is the same grey colour as the original.

Okay, so it's not the greatest piece ever; the purpose of it was to push the lingering idea out of my mind. It definitely didn't come out as I pictured it - Sasori looks younger and Sakura doesn't really look like she crashed onto him. Still, I'm hoping it is a decent enough piece. So, someone please tell me if the background I chose was appropriate. And if there are any flaws? =) It will be most appreciated!

Sasori-look-alike

2010-07-14T11:54:00.002+08:00

Ookay...

I have been thinking about cosplays for a while, hence my reason to look up some interesting ones.

I started with looking at ridiculous ones - http://catsonmars.com/otaku/cosplay/shame_aug04.php - and I got a bit of a laugh at the criticism. Watch out for the foul words though.

After laughing by myself for 15+ minutes, I searched up the better ones and I came upon http://www.nanoda.com/en/naruto/naruto-cosplay.html -

-AND FOUND SASORI!

I'm unsure how much is photoshoped, but this guy (girl?) looks positively like him. @_@ I like the background too.

And the hair.

And the eyes.

Sugoi!

Burikku des!

2010-07-11T20:53:00.003+08:00

Here's Blossom and Brick! =)

It's looking squished but I don't know how to fix it. It squishes on it's own o.o

BRICK is my FAV! xD

Blossom is just pretty to draw.

Brick is shirtless because I was too lazy to draw him a shirt - have to make it realistic, wrinkles and all.

Blossom was initially shirtless but I felt uncomfortable with that, so I added that little bit at the bottom =) Took me 30 seconds.

Both of them took longer to draw and colour compared to Bubbles and Boomer - almost twice as long. That's because I meant it to have more detail and shading. Portrait sizes are more of my thing.

I doubt I'll do a Buttercup and Butch because neither of them interest me.

But who knows! Maybe I will...

Yeah...

Please critique? @_@

PPG/RRB

2010-07-08T08:35:00.003+08:00

Drew this last night! :)

After I discovered that the PPG have been made into an anime version, called PPGZ, I've been itching to draw them in my own version xD

Bubbles have always been my favorite Puff because as a kid, girls tend to like the cute one.

Being tom-boyish and tough, I'm tempted to like Buttercup, but I just have something against brash characters who jump into battle, fist raised at the first taunt.

I dislike Blossom the most. She's so perfect and bossy. Gah!

However, I might draw her because her counterpart is my favorite of the RowdyRuff Boys xD

CLOSE UP! :D

Over My Shoulder

2010-07-05T22:20:00.004+08:00

In my fit of boredom, I had decided to read the earliest entries the three of us (Mar, Lyn and myself) posted, which dates back to 2007. Let me just take this moment to announce how uberly dumbstruck I was at the sheer and utter lameness of the posts made by my 13-year-old self. Not to mention how terrible my grammar was then. What was with all the '...' joining all my sentences? Did my 13-year-old self not know how to use a full stop?

Never again will I write like that - it's so unsophisticated! I would like to add how totally immature and uninteresting the topics were. I wonder how we had more blog visitors then, than we do now. =/

As embarrassing as that is, I would grudgingly admit that blogging over a period of years allows you to reassess yourself from an older perspective. Over time, one is bound to mature, and looking back, one will be able to realize the amount of change that unconsciously occurs. The feeling is immense disbelief.

Oh! A piece of therapy suggestion! :) Not that someone gave it to me because I was whacked in the head or something - I read it off somewhere. It is no secret that keeping a diary makes me people appear sissy, gay or girlie (seriously, why laugh at someone who wants to document every moment and emotion that occurs in their life into a little book locked with a heart shaped lock?), but according to that article, if you document the good and positive things in your life, you can look back at it when life throws you curve balls and disappointments. It sort of makes you feel better, I guess. As silly as it sounds, it does make sense and I can see how it may encourage a person. :)

I have a headache coming, so I'm hopping off to bed. Toodles!

2010-07-05T21:51:00.002+08:00

Hey soul sister; ain't that mister mister; on the radio, stereo

This song is currently reiterating itself in my head, FYI.

Oh! I've got interesting information!

Did you know that...

.....

..........

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.................

.......................

...............................

......................................

................................................

.......................................

...............................

.......................

................

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.......

I just made a symmetrical shape!

Actually, did you know that AIDS was initially termed gay-related immune deficiency (GRID)? Of course they changed it after it was found to affect heterosexuals as well.

Interesting....

A Little Food For Thought, Eh?

2010-07-01T21:53:00.002+08:00

I found this is an article somewhere - newspaper; magazine; internet site, I am unsure of

but it is definite that I did not think this up on my own - which, to sum it up,

explained how people are presently more immersed in a 'me' culture.

This theory evidently stems from social networks such as Facebook and blogs

where countless people are more openly revealing facts about themselves

and their daily activities.

People are interested in announcing to the world about themselves,

which suggests that they hold their personalities as interesting

and their actions as noteworthy.

Another implication was people's desire to be heard.

This idea, which I would like to point out , is not generated by me,

so please spare me the, "That is a absurd generalization!"

and, "How can you assume such things about people you barely know?"

I am merely expressing someone else's thoughts.

Personally, this article serves as a reminder to me

each time I feel the impulse to blog or display something online,

and I constantly find myself holding back and reconsidering;

it makes me aware of how my thoughts and personal information

are readily available to some stranger on the other side of the world.

If it weren't for this lingering thought,

this blog might be filled with numerous more posts,

each expressing my immediate thoughts on everything that occurs.

Just something for you to think about :D

A question to the blog's visitors: Do you prefer this distant, more formal, style of writing or would you rather the more grammar-lacking form filled with 'HAHAHAHAH!', 'Whee!~' and other nonsensical, grammar-violating words?

I Need a Better Past Time

2010-06-15T17:31:00.004+08:00

Eh! Nothing better to do but waste precious time that could be used to get an A in my BCT assignment.

1.What is your occupation right now?
I'm an astronaut

2. What kind of shoes do you have on right now?
The invisible kind

3.What are you listening to right now?
'Human' by The Killers

4.What was the last thing that you ate?
Cocoa Pop O's

5.Can you drive a stick shift?
Uhh.. I can sit on a stick if you'd like.

6.Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My mum

7.Do you like the person who sent this to you?
No one sent this to me. I'm just a terrible procrastinator who stumbled upon this while procrastinating

8.How old are you today?
70 goin' on 86

9.What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Soccer and basketball.

10.What is your favorite drink?
Coconut juice

11.Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yeah, black

12.Favorite food?
Ice cream - So many flavours to choose from, so many colours!

13. What is the last movie you watched?
The latest Hulk movie - don't know the exact name

14.Favorite day of the year?
Day number 66

15.How do you vent anger?
I cry, we cry, we all cry for ice cry!

16.What was your favorite toy as a child?
I was never a child!

17.What is your favorite season?
Autumn, because it has Sasori's hair as a sort of theme colour.

18.Cherries or Blueberries?
Cherries because they are the same colour as Sasori's hair

19.Do you want your friends or relatives to e-mail you back?
This really has got me dumbstruck. Yes?

20.Who is the most likely to respond ?
My friends, I think. I don't even know half the people in my family tree

21.Who is least likely to respond?
The people in the tree

22.How many grandchildren do you have?
113 since last Tuesday

23.When was the last time you cried?
Can't remember. 5 weeks ago...?

24.What is on the floor of your closet?
I'm not in my room... Too lazy to go and look.

25.Which friend that you are sending this to have you had the longest?
I'm not sending this to anyone

26. What did you do last night?
Wasted more of my time blogging

27.What are you most afraid of?
Dead pet fishes and house lizards

28.Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

How bout none?

29.Favorite dog breed?
The Labradoodle

30.Favorite day of the week?
Wednesday because I have Biology, Geography and Sports :)

31.How many states have you lived in?
O.. I almost read the question as 'How many states are you living in?' and I was going to reply 'How can I live in more than one state?', but anyway, 2.

32.Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds, because they can slice through people for self defense. I can do nothing with pearls except maybe throw them and hope someone slips in them.

33.What is your favorite flower?
Lilies or Orchids

Take note that not all answers are true as the questions were answered on a whim.

The Work of A Procrastinator

2010-06-14T20:05:00.004+08:00

Here again... and not working on my assignment. Blueh!

Here's the update =) I've started on a new anime called Fate Stay Night, which my Kor has downloaded and given to me from Malaysia (so sweet ^^) and if anyone hasn't already seen it, here's a bit of an overview :)

I'll start with pictures... because we all LOVE pictures ;)

I haven't completed the series yet to be honest, but since I'm just providing an overview, the ending would not be needed. I just hope I get all the information right .

Da Plot!

Basically, it is about the Holy Grail War, which is a sort of 'game' that is reoccurring (it has already happened 4 or 5 times in history). The winner of this war will receive the Holy Grail, said to be able to grant the winner his most desired wishes. To participate, 7 'Masters' are chosen and each Master is able to summon a 'Servant'. These Servants are heroes from the past and range from a few classes; for example, the first few to appear are Saber, Archer and Lancer, but I won't disclose all as you may want to find out for yourselves. To win, the Masters and Servants have to battle each other for the Holy Grail, however, only killing the Servants are necessary because they are the only ones that can touch the Holy Grail, thus the Master with the surviving Servant wins.The story forms itself around a good hearted boy named Shirou, who finds himself sucked into this twisted war when he becomes a Master.

Mah Opinion!

The concept is without a doubt, very interesting and creative. When the war was first introduced, there was a sense of wariness as Shirou goes about his daily activities. It was tense because each Master has no knowledge of who the other Masters are, which means that anyone at his school or on the street could someone plotting his demise.

Sadly, the concept is the only thing good about Fate Stay Night. The characterisation is so bad and unoriginal! Shirou is some goody-goody with a tragic past, who has an exceptionally strong determination/will and is the only Master who cares a lot about his Servant's welfare and gives her human worth. He has yet to die, although he has already encountered many near-death experience such as have a hole through his body, being stabbed in the heart etc. My point being - he is a typical hero/main character (Think Naruto and Ichigo x10). On a side note, his voice actor is the same as Uchiha Sasuke and Ishida Uryuu, and since I dislike Shirou's multiple screams of "Saber!" + Ishida's voice, it made me dislike Sasuke's voice :(

There's also irrelevant characters who only serve 1 or no purpose to the plot. There's an annoying teacher who's only role so far (I haven't finished the series) is to come to Shirou's house to eat meals and then leave (-_-"), providing poor humour. May I mention that she is the typically female character who is loudmouthed, who 'scarily' and 'brutally' assaults the other characters on the head for a joke (Think Winry and Sakura) but is otherwise totally useless? And another girl who comes to Shirou's house every day to cook for him and do his chores, which was what dumbstruck me because that is just not normal; there is no good explanation as to why she does that.

Animation-wise... Fate is pretty terrible too. Shirou's eyes are so big and shiny, more fit to be a female's, and he wears the same horrid pajama-looking clothes every day. Also, he seems to have a sort of curvy body shape that no man should have and some oddly-shaped eyebrows. Most males in Fate, if I'm not mistaken, are drawn similarly to those in shoujo manga (girl manga): broad shoulders, skinny waist, tight outfits. One guy wore earrings in both ears that matched his outfit. =/

I have not many complaints about the fighting and action that goes on; they are decent. Of course until Shirou shows up with his super awesome powers and makes an unlikely win. On a positive note, though, the events and pace of the anime is good - no standing around for ages talking while fighting.

Personally, I'd rate Fate Stay Night a 4 or 5 out of 10. BUT don't let my opinion deter anyone if you think it's worth a try :)

The Rant of A Highly Distressed Girl Spurred On By...

2010-06-13T12:50:00.006+08:00

...the untimely, unjustified death of a very cool and original character, viciously murdered by an a very uncool and unoriginal Gary Stu, who had absolutely no chance of winning but managed to win anyway due to the very fact that he is a Gary Stu.

Kyaaa! Ulquiorra....!

Hm, isn't this a wee bit strange? I'm a little late in the mourning because he died... quite a while ago actually. I hope Gin doesn't die next T_T

Eeeeh..! I just spoke to myself. Hahaha, so funneh!

Piece of Knowledge

2010-06-11T21:17:00.002+08:00

O... This happened a while ago.

I was drinking a cup of water

And was thinking about how God made everything with a purpose

So, I wondered why our nose was made curved in at the eyes and curved out in the middle of our face

After a particular sip from my mug, I thought:

O! Our nose curves in at the eyes so that when we drink water, there is extra space for the cup to tilt in.

That way lazy people like me don't have to tilt our head up so high to drink water - we can just tilt the glass higher!

I felt so enlightened that I started laughing... by myself.

Whee~

Zekushion

2010-06-04T11:17:00.004+08:00

Lol! Lookie! I just have been reading so many Zexion fanfictions, especially some really good ones which captures his personality so perfectly, that *shrug* I just felt like drawing him. Of course none of them had anything to do with him reading on a couch. =/ That was just random. My itch to get him onto paper (not literally) was pretty frustrating and I just wanted to get it done with, hence the reason why you guys have to put up with this poorly-drawn, two shaded, 1.5 hour piece of work. Lol! Such a random couch. And an ugly one at that too. Don't blame me for the background (actually you can, but just don't) - I didn't want to leave it blank. xD This was an attempt for me to draw him without his cloak, and I was pretty tempted to draw him without an undershirt too~ But thankfully, I have modesty ^^

Oh yeah, doodled picture below, just because my itch to draw wasn't completely satisfied with Zeku there. This one took me 2 minutes at the most. Lol!

Whoopsie

2010-06-03T09:24:00.003+08:00

Lol! I dropped a chocolate malt ball and readied myself to catch it once it bounced back up. Silly me, chocolate balls don't bounce that high! Hee hee~

The Four Hundred Mark

2010-05-11T19:20:00.004+08:00

It's been 4 years since the creation of this blog, give and take some months, and this blog has amazingly reached its 400th post. I find this more on the unbelievable side, than it is believable; I certainly never aimed to reach this number. After much deliberation (say, 3 minutes), I discarded the idea of posting something pointless and unmemorable and thought that I'd dedicate this post to the 3 people who have frequented this blog, what with the recent passing of A.R.K day (Acts of random kindness day).

Firstly to John, who keeps changing his name on the chatbox. Thank you for never failing to keep in touch with me; you need a medal for your persistence :) Your friendship is valued. And who's fanfict I'm still waiting. ^^

To Peter, because you always manage to find an area to encourage me in and build me up. They may be in the forms of simple words and sentences but I'll never take those for granted. I wish you well in your future - be it in studies, career or relationships.

And of course to Rach, who will have to bear this sappy moment for like 1 minute. I'm so, so glad that we are friends, and I love how you can brutally say stuff to my face - no sugarcoating whatsoever. Also, many thanks for your support in my sketches and artwork. :) I have my fingers tightly crossed that we'll see more of each other once you're here ^^

Now, the only thing missing after all that thanks is an Oscars award or something of that sort.

Oh, just for the heck of it, I'll put up some recent pictures! Mind you, these were the product of boredom, and the products of such boredom are rarely ever the best ones. Also, as you may've already noted, I've got a color theme going for each one, and am planning a green and yellow one as we speak. Whether or not those will materialize, however, is completely unknown.

Personally, I found Sakura the more enjoyable of the three to draw, but I'd have to say that the red one came out looking the best, mainly because her position and pose is very relaxed, as opposed to stiff and forced. The red one was inspired by Cornelia from W.I.T.C.H, as her very pretty straight blond hair caught my attention.

The idea for the blue one fixed itself in my imagination after a trip, where I was looking at come figurines. It was planned to look delicate and fragile, but it's up to you guys to decide whether I've achieved that.

I believe I needn't have to say what inspired the Sakura one. She's starting to grow on me, and to me, she has potential to become a very intricate and beautiful artwork (because she drawn very rough and hard in the anime). She's also got many personalities to put on paper - E.g. She can be tough, as with her brute strength and occasional brash treatment towards Naruto; soft because her pink tresses and green eyes; bright because she's lively and cheerful in character - you get my point.

The background for all 3 were pretty random because I refused to have a blank one. xD