Saturday, December 8, 2012

Temporary freedom.

Hi!

I'm currently enjoying a brief but much-needed study break, and I decided to blog again since the previous post was all about assignment woes. No more of that for now!

Here's another song I found while playing SongPop: Aitakute Ima by Misia. The title is translated as, "Missing You Now." Her song "Everything" pops up (pun not intended) quite frequently in the J-pop category, so when I found a different song featured, I had to YouTube it, and bam! I've found yet another pot of gold at the end of the SongPop rainbow.

Misia's vocals are really powerful, even more so when she's singing a ballad song that carries a lot of impact. Just reading the English translated lyrics invokes a lot of emotions and memories in me. I'm sure almost everyone is familiar with the feeling of missing someone, even more so when you can never see that person again. It's no wonder this song won her quite a number of awards.

Heard that Misia's been around for quite some time, it's a shame I have only discovered her songs now. Consider me a fan!


Translation:
Do you remember the day we first met?
I haven’t forgotten a single day that’s passed
I want to feel everything you had your eyes on
I looked up at the sky, are you there now watching over me? Tell me…

I’m missing you now
There’s so much I want to tell you
Oh, I miss you, I miss you
I sadly long for your presence
Where are you? Hold me
I’ll always be here

If I knew that we’d never see each other again
I would never have let go of your hand
If I had just cried and told you, “Stay with me”
Would you still be here, smiling beside me?

I’m missing you now
There’s so much I want you to hear
Oh, I miss you, I miss you
Tears flow as time just passes me by
Oh, I miss you, hold me close
I’ll always be thinking of you

Even if my destiny won’t change, I have something to tell you
“I want to go back…” to that day, that time, this one wish is all I need

I’m missing you now
There’s so much I want you to know
Oh, I miss you, I miss you
All I could do was wish it was all a dream
This heart of mine is still crying
I’ll always be thinking of you

Credit: quartet4.net

Monday, November 12, 2012

There and Back Again

I pretty much update my blog on impulse. It is such a shame actually, when I reminisce upon the days where blogging was pretty much a significant part of my life. Even more so when I could only access the Internet during weekends only back then. I would always do a mental composition of a blog update throughout the week as interesting events keep popping out like zits. Bad analogy, I know, my mind's fried from the formulation of words and sentences.

I have a lengthy report due in a week's time (probably 40 pages, who knows) and right now, social networking sites are ailments to me. I have successfully, though unwillingly, closed the tab for Facebook and Twitter. But hey! There's Blogger. And thus here I am.

In retrospect, I should feel ashamed of myself for being such a procrastination extraordinaire. Right now, I can't be arsed, so let me be!

I'm listening to Kalafina's latest single - Hikari Furu right now. It's such a great song to listen to during a rainy day like this. Though the image that plays in my mind would be me sipping hot tea while lying on the warm comforts of my bed, it's much more appealing than you imagining me slave-driving away on my laptop, aye?


This is just a 2 minutes plus preview of their PV. Short, but I'm just elated that I can finally watch a Kalafina video on YouTube in HD. We all know how Sony BMG is a huge b*tch when it comes to creations under their copyright. Geez. Kalafina needs their own Vevo, I propose!

P.S. FTS, I'm going to Facebook to play Avengers Alliance before continuing on this turd of a report!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Dear M,

Hi.

It's been a while.

In fact, it's been slightly more than two years since we've last spoken. This makes it all the more difficult in formulating what I have to say henceforth. I'm not sure what are your exact sentiments of me, of the friendship we once had, but to me, you were my very first best friend.

I do not know what triggered this sudden urge for me to just lay my feelings out here, exposed in cyberspace. Let's just say I feel strangely compelled to do so.

I'm also not sure of the reason why we stopped becoming friends. Was it our last argument over how our views on men differ greatly from each other? Or had we both grown up into different people and we just could not accept each other's friendship anymore?

Every now and then, I think of you. This does not happen often, but when it does, I think of what we both went through since we were 10. If we were still on speaking terms with each other, this would be our 11th year as friends. We have both come a long way. Sometimes, I feel the need to reach out to you, communicate with you, and find out what had happened. But the thought that you might reject my sincere hopes to reconcile, it scares me. I am afraid of hearing the words coming from you, expressing your wish to remain as strangers. We both know that you are not the kind of person who would linger in the past.

We have had our fair share of quarrels, but we both survived that. Why couldn't we have survived the last? We have had worse, we cried, we shouted, we even immaturely spewed out the words that we are not friends anymore. In the end, we both held on. So why couldn't we make up this time, and remain best friends?

You have been a great source of influence during my teenage years. You made me share your love for baking, for writing, for learning music (you on the violin while I'll play the piano), we both even shared our obsession over Charmed and many more anime characters. We were so close. We discovered things together as our friendship developed into something greater. We would have sleepovers, and talk non-stop till the wee hours of the morning. We would watch movies together, and rave about how good looking our favourite actors are. We were avid fans of W.I.T.C.H. magazines. We both created our very own Book of Shadows, and filled the book in with our own version of demons and vanquishing spells, potion recipes, and whatnot. We even had a "sisters contract", a childish notion, nonetheless it was something to put our bond into literal form with our signatures adorning the bottom of the paper. All these memories, I still hold precious to me.

You are also the reason why I have become someone who tries as much as I can to hold on to a friendship. Every relationship formed is important to me. I do not want to make the same mistake I did with you. You were my first, and greatest loss. And I resent that. I don't want to lose friends. I didn't want to lose you. I guess 'what fate brings together, life divides.'

What is my purpose of writing all this? I'm not sure too. I guess it would only make things easier for me if I truly understand how you feel. Sometimes I drop by your Facebook to see what have you been up to. I'm happy in a way that you have found a friend to share your interests with now, but at the same time I feel sad, because I know that I've been replaced. Had we not argued in May 2010, that friend would still be me, commenting on your posts and more.

If you do happen to stumble upon my blog and read this, at least I have made it clear to you how I feel about you, and about us. If we could just look beyond what happened, I'm always ready... to be your friend again.

Love,
Amanda

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Day 30 - Anime character you want to cosplay

This is the end :/

C.C. from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion


The life long dream~ :/

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Day 29 - Favorite school uniform

Okay, Brandon, after thinking everything through, it's not Code Geass, it's Vampire Knight! :) Damn, Kaname looks hella sexy.



Black uniform = Day class students a.k.a human beings.
White uniform = Night class students a.k.a. vampires.

P.S. Only one more day to go. Sad :(

Monday, May 21, 2012

Day 28 - Favorite Pokémon

Wow, just two more days and it's the end for the 30-day challenge. Time sure flies!

Well I don't have one particularly favourite Pokémon in particular. But I really love Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle :3 They are so cute!




Oh and also Mew! Its cuteness and powers pwn! 



Sunday, May 20, 2012

Day 27 - Favourite anime ending theme song

1. Trust You - Yuna Ito from Gundam 00 season 2





2. Shinkuu no Diamond Crevasse - May'n from Macross Frontier



Top two favourites :)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Day 26 - Favorite anime opening theme song

Doubt and Trust - Access from D. Gray-Man

Still my number 1 after all these years!

This video features the opening scene, creditless. Enjoy!





I'm squeezing in a number 2 too! By the same band, Access, singing the opening for Code Geass episode 24-25. Why isn't this band any more famous??

Hitomi no Tsubasa - Access





Okay~~ here's number 3. Last!

Resonance - T.M. Revolution from Soul Eater



Friday, May 18, 2012

25 - Best anime villain

Hm. As of right now, I seriously have no idea. 

I'll leave it blank when and if I can think of someone :P

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Day 24 - Favourite anime hero/heroine

OMG I HAVE SO MANY. Never mind, since time is all I have, I shall list them ;) And no Lelouch is not a heroic character, he's known for his anti-hero characteristics so... meh.

Introducing the first two chibi heroes:

1. Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist



He's especially hilarious with his rage face:



Lol. Moving on...

2. Allen Walker from D. Gray-Man 



These two are always teased by other characters in the anime for their "chibi" figure! But don't underestimate them, they kick ass.

Strictly speaking, in Fate/Stay Night and Fate/Zero, there are actual heroic spirits that are summoned by seven masters. Here are my favourites!

3. Archer from Fate/Stay Night


4. Lancer from Fate/Zero




The story of his past is so tragic *sniffs*

5. Gilgamesh from both Fate/Stay Night and Fate/Zero, (though he was known as the Archer rank in Fate/Zero.)


He's one of the more superior Servants, the glorious of all kings. I mean, just look at the face on that cocky bastard in gold. Badass, I like! AND HE'S VOICED BY MY FAVOURITE SEIYUU, SEKI TOMOKAZU. Yummy voiceeeee. Don't ask me how a voice can be yummy.


As for heroine... Okay I know I should choose Saber because she's obviously a strong, powerful woman who ruled Britain as a king. She's superbly popular among the fanboys, maybe that's why I am a little not too fond of her. *jealous*

Anyway, my favourite is Tohsaka Rin from Fate/Stay Night.


I SHIP RIN AND ARCHER TOGETHERRRRRRRR. They are even wearing couple outfits - red. HINT HINT HINT. And he's her Servant. She's his Master. I LOVE THESE TERMS. Okay, I shall stop before I make this into a favourite anime pairing post all over again.


Besides, who could resist those long legs, mini skirt and thigh high socks? ;)


P.S.: Totally didn't know she qualified as a tsundere. Now she's my favourite tsundere!

02 満天 - Kalafina/to the beginning

My love for this song is profound ever since I first heard it as the ending song for episode 18 and 19 of Fate/Zero, the arc of Emiya Kiritsugu's past.


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Day 23 - Anime you think had the best, or most intriguing art

Hmm, I have four in mine. It's gonna be an image-heavy post because art has no limitations! I will do "best" and "most intriguing" because I have my answers to both :)

Best art #1 - Trinity Blood 



Their animation was done so painstakingly beautiful with details. I was in awe.

Best Art #2 - What's best art without inserting a few CLAMP animes eh? We all know how much the CLAMP artist team love their details. Crazy details, might I add.

xxxHolic:





Code Geass:





And as for most intriguing art... Soul Eater!

I mean, just look at the moon in the anime:


And the sun (in the background):

 

And the Death Reaper Shinigami-sama!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Day 22 - Favorite animal side kick, pet or summoning from any anime

Black Mokona from xxxHolic!!


It is so cute okay, it's like a huge bun with legs. There's actually another White Mokona which was featured in Tsubasa Chronicles, but somehow I prefer the Black one. It's funnier, and therefore, cuter!


Watch this, and be enlightened:



P.S.: Happy Birthday to me :)

Monday, May 14, 2012

Day 21 - Best yandere character


Yandere (ヤンデレ?)
Japanese term for a person who is initially very loving and gentle to someone before their devotion becomes destructive in nature, often through violence. The term is derived from the words yanderu (病んでる?) meaning a mental or emotional illness, and deredere(でれでれ?) meaning to show affection. Yandere characters are mentally unstable, and sometimes are incredibly deranged and are not mentally sane, often using extreme violence as an outlet for their emotions.


Mion and Shion Sonozaki from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. 


Twin yandere characters. Things just got a whole lot freaky from there!

Day 20 - Favourite shounen anime

(Shonen is the most popular genre of which is battle manga/anime which is generally about action/fighting but often contains a sense of humor and strong growing friendship-bonds between the characters.)

Definitely Soul Eater!




Other runner-ups would be Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Friday, May 11, 2012

Day 18 - Something moe

(Moe 萌え?, pronounced [mo-eh] is a Japanese slang word. The word has come to be used to mean one particular kind of "adorable", one specific type of "cute", mainly as applied to fictional characters.)

Thus, today's post reinforces my inkling that this challenge was created by a guy!

Let's feature my most favourite female character, in her rare moe form :D


Accurate motivational poster is accurate!

Day 17 - Favorite tsundere

(Tsundere is a Japanese character development process that describes a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing their warm side over time.)

Uh... this is a tough one.

So I googled up a list of tsundere characters who I think might be one of my favourites...

Kyou Fujibayashi from Clannad.


 She kicks ass!

Other runner ups would be Alice from Pandora Hearts, and Louise from Zero no Tsukaima.

Day 16 - Anime you've rewatched the most

Gah! Lack of Internet has totally butchered my need to be consistent in posting this challenge!

And my answer to this is Spirited Away :D that was one heck of an amazing animation.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Day 15 - Post a cute neko-girl

Blench. I'm beginning to think that the person who created this 30-day challenge is a guy. 

Monday, May 7, 2012

Day 14 - Current (or most recent) anime wallpaper

Not really sure what is this referring to, but if it's my current desktop anime wallpaper, here it is: 




If it's referring to the most recent anime wallpaper I've saved, here it is:

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Day 13 - Favorite anime attending high school

Without a doubt...

Ouran High School Host Club!



A bunch of bishounens in an ultra-wealthy, posh high school coming together to form a host club that serves and entertains ladies? WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Day 12 - An ecchi picture from your favorite series

From Wikipedia: Ecchi (エッチ) is an often used slang term in the Japanese language for erotic fantasy and sexual innuendoes. Not to be confused with Hentai (変態 or へんたい).

So here goes!

Behold, C.C in her finest ;)



I'm not posting up Kallen because she's obviously the sex symbol of the series and she's overrated.

Day 11 - Favorite mech series

(dammit, late by 23 minutes for today. But it's okay, better late than never!)

1. Gundam 00



2. Gundam Seed 



3. Code Geass


Well what do ya know, they are all animated by Sunrise studios... Heh. It's late at night and I'm drained so I shall keep this a brief but succinct entry.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Day 10 - Favorite slice of life anime

Clannad and Clannad -After Story-



Okay, the trailer is actually for After Story, I couldn't find the first series' trailer. But just watch it, the music in the trailer just tugs your heartstrings.

Usually, stories tell you about meeting someone you love and getting together. They do not tell you what happens beyond that, but Clannad does, in After Story, everything from their high school life, to marriage, finding a job, and having a kid. It starts off very light-hearted, you'll get the occasional bursts of laughter when you watch, but as the series progresses, it gets more serious, and to be frank, somewhat depressing. That's why it's my favourite slice of life anime. It's a very genuine piece of work.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Day 9 - Saddest anime scene

1. Macross Frontier episode 20 ending





2. Code Geass R2 episode 25 (sigh...)




There's tremendously heart-wrenching scenes from Air and Clannad too, but ugh, I can't. Those animes made me cry a lot.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Day 8 - Most epic scene ever


Well, I was getting my memory jogged and I remembered that the destruction of Memento Mori scene in Gundam 00 season 2 was one of the most epic anime scenes I've ever watched, but I couldn't find any video of it on YouTube (darn you, license!)

So next in line would be... Lelouch destroying the city in Code Geass episode 23. Bahaha. I could still remember how obsessed I was with his pretty evil laugh ;D

Monday, April 30, 2012

Day 7 - Favorite anime couple

1. (the obvious) Lelouch and C.C. from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion 






It is not stated officially that they are together, there have just been some implications here and there, and they just acted like a couple in a few scenes. I mean, why else would you see Lelouch carrying C.C. like that in the picture above eh? ^ One might argue that they have a very strong bond of companionship, but really, C.C. has kissed Lelouch twice already, they've seen each other naked in each other's minds (follow the story). She understands Lelouch's goals and intentions. He allows her to assist him in more ways than one.


(the famous depiction of their first "kiss" in season 1) 


(Look at Lelouch having his hands over her like some protective BAMF.)

SO FUCK THE WRITERS, Lelouch and C.C. are a couple I say! ;)


2. Athrun and Cagalli from Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny





My one true pairing in the series. I absolutely loathe the fact that the director made Athrun a babe magnet in the sequel (Lunamaria, Meer Campbell, Meyrin....) BUT NO. Athrun and Cagalli for me. Opposite attraction works its magic in their relationship. Athrun's quiet, reserved, stoic, while Cagalli's a loud, tomboy-ish princess.

There's been signs that their relationship was waning towards the end of Seed Destiny... and that dumbass director Fukuda showed more interest in developing Athrun and Meyrin together... thus the pictures started to show Athrun and Cagalli's estrangement from each other, like this :(



I refuse to believe that they only defined their "love" as mere "affection." AsuCaga forever!


3. (Yay for a yaoi pairing!) Tamaki and Kyouya from Ouran High School Host Club

One defining feature about reverse harem animes is how an annoying female character gets a bunch of boys vying for her attention. Haruhi annoys me with her naivety. Hello, you're 17 and you can't figure out your romantic feelings for boys? Do you even have hormones?? Ugh ugh ugh. Hate her. Thankfully, Tamaki and Kyouya have such overwhelming bromance throughout the series, it is hard for an intrigued fangirl like me to look away. They were even nicknamed "Father" and "Mother" in the Host Club - with Tamaki as the dad and Kyouya, the mom. Tamaki is president after all, and Kyouya, vice.

Tamaki: 


Kyouya: 



And then images (more like, fanart) like this started to become viral in cyberspace...



and...



and finally... 

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CONSIDER ME SOLD. 
HARDCORE KYOUTAMA FAN +1!