Songs...

A couple of songs by James Blunt which I liked their lyrics very much..

It's Not Easy To Be Me

I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
I’m just out to find
The better part of me
I’m more than a bird…i’m more than a plane
More than some pretty face beside a train

It’s not easy to be me
Wish that i could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home i’ll never see
It may sound absurd…but don’t be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed…but won’t you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream

It’s not easy to be me
Up, up and away…away from me
It’s all right…you can all sleep sound tonight
I’m not crazy…or anything…
I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive

Men weren’t meant to ride
With clouds between their knees
I’m only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me
It’s not easy to be me.

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

Tears and Rain

How I wish I could surrender my soul;
Shed the clothes that become my skin;
See the liar that burns within my needing.
How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold.
How I wish I had screamed out loud,
Instead I've found no meaning.

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind;
Hold memory close at hand,
Help me understand the years.
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell.
How I wish I would save my soul.
I'm so cold from fear.

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
Far, far away; find comfort in pain.
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

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

I'll Take Everything

Oh these feet carry me far. Oh my body. Oh so tired.
Mouth is dry. Hardly speak. Holy Spirit rise in me.
Here I swear, forever is just a minute to me.
I'll take everything in this life.
I'll join everyone when I die.
Have my body. Have my mind. Have my coat. Take my time.
These I borrow. Borrow so far. Turn to dust. Fall apart.
Here I swear, forever is just a minute to me.
I'll take everything in this life.
I'll join everyone and understand.
'Cause all men die. 'Cause all men die.
I'll take everything in this life
I'll join everyone since I'm gonna die
I'll take everything in this life
I'll join everyone 'cause all men die

好歌。。。分享

海阔天空
歌手：信乐团

我曾怀疑我　走在沙漠中
从不结果　无论种什么梦
才张开翅膀　风却便沉默
习惯伤痛能不能　算收获

庆幸的是我　一直没回头
终于发现　真的是有绿洲
每把汗流了　生命变的厚重
走出沮丧才看见　新宇宙

海阔天空　在勇敢以后
要拿执着　将命运的锁打破
冷漠的人
谢谢你们曾经看轻我
让我不低头　更精采的活

凌晨的窗口　失眠整夜以后
看着黎明　从云里抬起了头
日落是沉潜　日出是成熟
只要是光一定会　灿烂的

海阔天空　在勇敢以后
要拿执着　将命运的锁打破
冷漠的人
谢谢你们曾经看轻我
让我不低头　更精采的活

海阔天空　狂风暴雨以后
转过头　对旧心酸一笑而过
最懂我的人
谢谢一路默默的陪着我
让我拥有好故事可以说

看未来　一步步来了

"Happening" Day

In Singlish, "happening" is being used frequently and not the proper adjective, eventful, to describe a day.. Thus instead of saying "today was an eventful day", we say "today very happening".. :P

Yes, yesterday was quite happening for me.. In short, I witnessed a traffic accident on my way to school and I got a hair cut.. :P Should have written about it earlier but was too tired after my karate practice last night..

As usual, I walked to school from Takadanobaba Station... There is a 3-way junction just before reaching the West Exit of Waseda Campus, right in front of a Mitsubishi UFJ Bank. I was on the opposite side of the bank. Around 8:35am, I was approaching the pedestrian crossing when the green light started blinking. Since I was fairly early, I didn't see the need to rush across the road and so I stopped. I had barely stopped in front of the pedestrian crossing when a big two-seater bike got ramped from the side by a taxi which was turning left without signaling.. It felt so unreal watching the biker and his girlfriend get hit. They skidded across the road and landed in the middle of the road.. Luckily, both vehicles were not traveling fast as they had stopped for the traffic light a moment before.. The guy shouted at the taxi to stop and took his girlfriend aside before pushing his big bike to the side of the road.. The taxi driver got out, bowing and apologizing non-stop, while the unlucky passenger in the taxi went to comfort the girl.. At that time, the traffic light changed, and I walked on..

I didn't wanna wait around being a busybody.. The last thing these people want is a group of onlookers gawking at their misfortune.. But knowing how "rare" such accidents is in Japan, I won't blame these bystanders for wanting to have a look.. It was only after my Japanese class did I have the time to really reflect on that accident.. Frankly, it was quite shocking to see an accident happening right in front of me and also knowing fully that if I were to reach the crossing 10-20 second earlier, there could be a chance for me to be hit by one of the vehicles involved in the accident.. A split second decision not to rush across the road might just have saved me..

Anyway, I got over the shock by noon.. :P

On my way back home, I went for a hair cut that was long overdue.. Had been wanting to cut my hair as it was getting messier and more difficult to manage.. Almost all of the highlighted part of my hair were cut off as it had grown so much since I got it highlighted in Singapore more than 8 months ago .. Haven't had my original hair color for a long long while.. ;) It was always highlighted or colored with colors ranging from reddish to brownish.. Maybe I might want to get it highlighted next year before I go back for Chinese New Year...

Poems... IV

Sorrow's Uses by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

The uses of sorrow I comprehend
Better and better at each year’s end.

Deeper and deeper I seem to see
Why and wherefore it has to be

Only after the dark, wet days
Do we fully rejoice in the sun’s bright rays.

Sweeter the crust tastes after the fast
Than the sated gourmand’s finest repast.

The faintest cheer sounds never amiss
To the actor who once has heard a hiss.

To one who the sadness of freedom knows,
Light seem the fetters love may impose.

And he who has dwelt with his heart alone,
Hears all the music in friendship’s tone.

So better and better I comprehend,
How sorrow ever would be our friend.

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

Autumn Within by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It is autumn; not without
But within me is the cold.
Youth and spring are all about;
It is I that have grown old.

Birds are darting through the air,
Singing, building without rest;
Life is stirring everywhere,
Save within my lonely breast.

There is silence: the dead leaves
Fall and rustle and are still;
Beats no flail upon the sheaves,
Comes no murmur from the mill.

诗。。。（三)

愤怒
作者：食指

我的愤怒不再是泪雨滂沱，
也不是压抑不住的满腔怒火，
更不指望别人来帮我复仇，
尽管曾经有过这样的时刻。

我的愤怒不再是忿忿不平，
也不是无休无止的评理述说，
更不会为此大声地几乎呐喊，
尽管曾经有过这样的时刻。

虽然我的脸上还带着孩子气，
尽管我还说不上是一个强者，
但是在我未完全成熟的心中，
愤怒已化为一片可怕的沉默。

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

悲伤
作者：杨键

没有一部作品可以把我变为恒河，
可以把这老朽的死亡平息，
可以削除一个朝代的阴湿，
我想起柏拉图与塞涅卡的演讲，
孔子的游说，与老子的无言，
我想起入暮的讲经堂，纯净的寺院，
一柄剑的沉默有如聆听圣歌的沉默。
死亡，爱情和光阴，都成了
一个个问题，但不是最后一个问题，
我想起曙光的无言，落日的圆满，
而没有词语，真正的清净。
没有一部作品可以让我忘掉黑夜，
忘掉我的愚蠢，我的喧闹的生命。

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

<月下独酌>
作者：李白

花间一壶酒，独酌无相亲。
举杯邀明月，对影成三人。
月既不解饮，影徒随我身。
暂伴月将影，行乐须及春。
我歌月徘徊，我舞影零乱。
醒时同交欢，醉后各分散。
永结无情游，相期邈云汉

。

Poems... III

Autumn Song by Sarojini Naidu

Like a joy on the heart of a sorrow,
The sunset hangs on a cloud;
A golden storm of glittering sheaves,
Of fair and frail and fluttering leaves,
The wild wind blows in a cloud.

Hark to a voice that is calling
To my heart in the voice of the wind:
My heart is weary and sad and alone,
For its dreams like the fluttering leaves have gone,
And why should I stay behind?

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

Sorrow by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Sorrow like a ceaseless rain
Beats upon my heart.
People twist and scream in pain,—
Dawn will find them still again;
This has neither wax nor wane,
Neither stop nor start.

People dress and go to town;
I sit in my chair.
All my thoughts are slow and brown:
Standing up or sitting down
Little matters, or what gown
Or what shoes I wear.

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

Happiness by Amy Lowell

Happiness, to some, elation;
Is, to others, mere stagnation.
Days of passive somnolence,
At its wildest, indolence.
Hours of empty quietness,
No delight, and no distress.
Happiness to me is wine,
Effervescent, superfine.
Full of tang and fiery pleasure,
Far too hot to leave me leisure
For a single thought beyond it.
Drunk! Forgetful! This the bond: it
Means to give one's soul to gain
Life's quintessence. Even pain
Pricks to livelier living, then
Wakes the nerves to laugh again,
Rapture's self is three parts sorrow.
Although we must die to-morrow,
Losing every thought but this;
Torn, triumphant, drowned in bliss.
Happiness: We rarely feel it.
I would buy it, beg it, steal it,
Pay in coins of dripping blood
For this one transcendent good.

分了。。

聚聚分分、离离合合。。

昨天看到了一则娱乐新闻，令我感触良多。。嘟嘟郑裕玲与交往了16年的吕方分手了！！这姐弟恋最终还是以分手为收场，十分让人惋惜。。但无论如何这都是当事人的意愿，想必是已经深思熟虑才作出的决定。。无需责问谁对谁错或是猜测谁负了谁。。其他人只有资格在一旁关心及关切。。

希望他们两人都能找到各自的幸福。。 衷心祝福。。

What's happening... IV

Seriously, what else is safe in this place?? Is there anything that we can eat without worrying about being poisoned? And everyone thought that the food safety in Japan is high... :x :o :x
Japanese meat company recalls tainted sausage, pizza
Cos the water supply was found to be toxic... :o :o
Bug repellent detected in 21 instant noodle products
Even the poor men's food is now in jeopardy.. :x :x

And that the health care quality here is good with news like these?!?!?!
Woman turned away by 7 hospitals dies 3 days after giving birth
And they wonder why they can't get the birthrate up.. :x :x

with diet fads like this one...
Japan Goes Bananas for a New Diet
Banana Diet "Recipe For Disaster" For Most
A serious case of "monkey see monkey do"... what new fads will they think of next??? Durian diet anyone??

And social issues that seems to have no end in sight...
Japanese parents hire matchmakers to marry off adult children
The reason? Cos these adult children are "parasites".. living off their old parents while not wanting to hold a permanent job.. :x :x
Pilot alcohol levels stalled more flights: ANA
Mmmm.. add this to the long list of reasons/excuses for flight delays... :x :x
Japan struggles with elderly crime wave
That's what I call grumpy old men/women...

And finally, this...
Japan slaughters dolphins
:o :o :o :o :@ :@ :@ :@ :@

诗歌。。。(二)

秋天的梦
作者：戴望舒

迢遥的牧女的羊铃，
摇落了轻的树叶。

秋天的梦是轻的，
那是窈窕的牧女之恋。

于是我的梦静静地来了，
但却载着沉重的昔日。

哦，现在，我有一些寒冷，
一些寒冷，和一些忧郁。

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

一切
作者： 北岛

一切都是命运
一切都是烟云
一切都是没有结局的开始
一切都是稍纵即逝的追寻
一切欢乐都没有微笑
一切苦难都没有泪痕
一切语言都是重复
一切交往都是初逢
一切爱情都在心里
一切往事都在梦中
一切希望都带着注释
一切信仰都带着呻吟
一切爆发都有片刻的宁静
一切死亡都有冗长的回声

-------------------------------------------
意义空白
作者： 昌耀

有一天你发现自己不复分辩梦与非梦的界限。
有一天你发现生死与否自己同样活着。
有一天你发现所有的论辩都在捉着一个迷藏。
有一天你发现语言一经说出无异于自设陷阱。
有一天你发现道德箴言成了嵌银描金的玩具。
有一天你发现你的呐喊阗寂无声空作姿态。
有一天你发现你的担忧不幸言中万劫不复。
有一天你发现苦乐众生只证明一种精神存在。
有一天你发现千古人物原在一个平面演示一台共时的戏剧。

Poems... II

Autumn Perspective by Erica Jong

Now, moving in, cartons on the floor,
the radio playing to bare walls,
picture hooks left stranded
in the unsoiled squares where paintings were,
and something reminding us
this is like all other moving days;
finding the dirty ends of someone else's life,
hair fallen in the sink, a peach pit,
and burned-out matches in the corner;
things not preserved, yet never swept away
like fragments of disturbing dreams
we stumble on all day. . .
in ordering our lives, we will discard them,
scrub clean the floorboards of this our home
lest refuse from the lives we did not lead
become, in some strange, frightening way, our own.
And we have plans that will not tolerate
our fears-- a year laid out like rooms
in a new house--the dusty wine glasses
rinsed off, the vases filled, and bookshelves
sagging with heavy winter books.
Seeing the room always as it will be,
we are content to dust and wait.
We will return here from the dark and silent
streets, arms full of books and food,
anxious as we always are in winter,
and looking for the Good Life we have made.

I see myself then: tense, solemn,
in high-heeled shoes that pinch,
not basking in the light of goals fulfilled,
but looking back to now and seeing
a lazy, sunburned, sandaled girl
in a bare room, full of promise
and feeling envious.

Now we plan, postponing, pushing our lives forward
into the future--as if, when the room
contains us and all our treasured junk
we will have filled whatever gap it is
that makes us wander, discontented
from ourselves.

The room will not change:
a rug, or armchair, or new coat of paint
won't make much difference;
our eyes are fickle
but we remain the same beneath our suntans,
pale, frightened,
dreaming ourselves backward and forward in time,
dreaming our dreaming selves.

I look forward and see myself looking back.

诗歌。。

我的记忆
作者：戴望舒

我的记忆是忠实于我的
忠实甚于我最好的友人，
它生存在燃着的烟卷上，
它生存在绘着百合花的笔杆上，
它生存在破旧的粉盒上，
它生存在颓垣的木莓上，
它生存在喝了一半的酒瓶上，
在撕碎的往日的诗稿上，
在压干的花片上，
在凄暗的灯上，
在平静的水上，
在一切有灵魂没有灵魂的东西上，
它在到处生存着，
像我在这世界一样。
它是胆小的，
它怕着人们的喧嚣，
但在寂廖时，
它便对我来作密切的拜访。
它的声音是低微的，
但它的话却很长，很长，
很长，很琐碎，而且永远不肯休；
它的话是古旧的，
老讲着同样的故事，
它的音调是和谐的，
老唱着同样的曲子，
有时它还模仿着爱娇的少女的声音，
它的声音是没有气力的，
而且还挟着眼泪，夹着太息。
它的拜访是没有一定的，
在任何时间，在任何地点，
时常当我已上床，朦胧地想睡了；
或是选一个大清早，
人们会说它没有礼貌，
但是我们是老朋友。
它是琐琐地永远不肯休止的，
除非我凄凄地哭了，
或者沉沉地睡了，
但是我永远不讨厌它，
因为它是忠实于我的。

忙与盲

词:袁琼琼 张艾嘉
曲:李宗盛

曾有一次晚餐和一张床
在什么时间地点和哪个对象
我已经遗忘 我已经遗忘
生活是肥皂香水 眼影唇膏
许多的电话在响
许多的事要备忘
许多的门与抽屉
开了要关关了又开 如此的慌张
我来来往往 我匆匆忙忙
从一个方向 到另一个方向

忙忙忙忙忙忙
忙是为了自己的理想
还是为了不让别人失望
盲盲盲盲盲盲
盲得已经没有主张
盲得已经失去方向
忙忙忙盲盲盲
忙得分不清欢 喜和忧伤
忙得没有时间 痛苦一场

----------------------------------------
曾几何时，我也是如同歌词里所叙述的一样，每天忙碌着奔波着。。就只觉得一天过一天的，周日周末来了又过去了，岁月在慢慢地消耗着可是一点都没感觉到自己有所成长，似乎生“存”着但却非真正地生“活”着。。那是好多年前的事了，也算是我年少茫然的时代吧。。

虽然不能说我目前正过着我理想中的生活，但至少我会试图让自己当下的每一天都过得充实有意义。。当然每个人对“充实”的定义不同。对我而言，吸取知识及多了解一些资讯是充实的。所以我情愿一个人呆在房里看书、看电影、看电视剧、看纪录片甚至是上网都不想去逛街血拼或闲话家常地聊天。加上我能继续当学生的时间也不多了，一年之后我就不可能再像现在一样悠闲自在，所以我一定会尽我所能来让自己不后悔在这期间所做或是没做的事物。那你呢？？

Poems...

Forget Not Yet
(A poem by Thomas Wyatt)

Forget not yet the tried intent
Of such a truth as I have meant
My great travail so gladly spent
Forget not yet.

Forget not yet when first began
The weary life ye knew, since whan
The suit, the service, none tell can,
Forget not yet.

Forget not yet the great assays,
The cruel wrongs, the scornful ways,
The painful patience in denays
Forget not yet.

Forget not yet, forget not this,
How long ago hath been, and is,
The mind that never means amiss;
Forget not yet.

Forget not yet thine own approved,
The which so long hath thee so loved,
Whose steadfast faith yet never moved,
Forget not this.

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

Life
(A poem by Sir Walter Raleigh)

What is our life? A play of passion,
Our mirth the music of division,
Our mother's wombs the tiring-houses be,
Where we are dressed for this short comedy.
Heaven the judicious sharp spectator is,
That sits and marks still who doth act amiss.
Our graves that hide us from the setting sun
Are like drawn curtains when the play is done.
Thus march we, playing, to our latest rest,
Only we die in earnest, that's no jest.

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

Oh Never More
(A poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley)

O world! O life! O time!
On whose last steps I climb,
Trembling at that where I had stood before;
When will return the glory of your prime?
No more--Oh, never more!.

Out of the day and night
A joy has taken flight;
Fresh spring, and summer, and winter hoar,
Move my faint heart with grief, but with delight
No more--Oh, never more!

I feel blue...

Feeling slightly under the weather these few of days.. coupled with a lingering sense of blue..

Been listening to songs by Tanya Chua (蔡健雅) recently.. Her low soothing voice is just the right match with the mood of autumn.. not too passionate, yet there is a sense of sensuality with a little tinge of sadness and longing in her songs..

Ah.. two more months to.... maybe that's why...

These old men...

Once upon a time, there was He and He .. both being the top-dog in his own country... now in their old age, let's see how things have changed..

He is widely respected internationally... while He is openly despised even in his own country..
He is invited by governments/institutions all over the world to share his management mantra... while He didn't even get to attend his own party's meetings...
He sprouts wisdom and provides foresight... while He spits venom and takes potshots...
He picked his successor carefully and groomed him well... while He kept changing his mind and doomed all of his successors...
One of his sons has succeeded him and proved himself to be his own man... while both his sons are trying to move up capitalizing on his reputation...
He took his country from third to first world... while He kept his struggling in the 3rd...
His country was one of the smallest (in size) but its citizens are welcomed anywhere in the world... while His country wasn't the biggest (in size) but its leaders behaved as if it is...
He chose to compete against the best and had emerged as their equals... while He continue to rub shoulder with some of the worst and felt proud...
He chose to make friends with the world and kept his enemies at home... while He chose to make enemies with the world and kept his friends at home...
His people wished that he would maintain his sanity and keep giving speeches... while His people wished that he would go senile soon and kept his silence...

And so goes the legacy of this old man and this old man...

Ice-cream fan...

After the introduction on the chocolates that I have tried, I will now showcase some of the ice-creams available here... :)
















Being a self-professed chocolate-lover, it is not difficult to see which of these are my favorites.. the last four.. :) Never like strawberry nor plain vanilla... Maybe I shall persuade myself to try other flavors.. :p

Unlike chocolates, I would only allow myself to indulge in them once in a while as their calorie counts are quite high..

Fatiguing Fridays..

Yet another Friday.. :( another long day in school...

Another late night attending my lab's seminar.. talking about things that I don't find useful in the real world at all.. :x more castles building in the air.. :x :x more butchering of the English language by some fellow students.. :x :x :x more fruitless discussions without the presence of any teaching staff.. :x :x :x :x in short, more "talking cock"...

So the time that would have been better utilized was "used" (I won't use the word "wasted" as it would have been too harsh, but I can't say that I wasn't tempted..:P ) to gather a group of "fellow" lab-mates to discuss things that, in my opinion, are too grandeur yet of little importance once a week.. it is very sad to see that everyone would either, "act blur", "siam" or "tai-ji away" anything that was delegated down by my prof... Very sad indeed... but all in all, I did find the time we stole in between presentations and the like to catch-up/gossip/condemn to be very "productive".. ;) :p

Am sooooo looking forward to the weekend.. thank goodness I don't have classes on Mondays!! At least I have a 3-day long weekend as "compensation"... :) :)

Tiresome Thursdays..

Feel very tired today.. and most probably will continue to feel the same every Thursdays.. The reason? My karate practice the night before, the need to wake up for 9am Japanese writing class and the fact that my classes on Thursdays end at 7:30pm.. :(

Not being as young and as fit as I was, I noticed that the time I need to recover from any physical exertion is getting longer.. :x hopefully this is only due to the accumulative effect of seasonal changes (getting colder), the start of the new school term and the surge of jobs that is required of me... I will give myself a couple more weeks to get used to the rhythm of schooling and see how my body responds before admitting my getting old... :P

From 6 to 5

Just got the result of my karate promotion exams this evening.. I passed!! :) Am promoted from 6th to 5th kyu (level).. still green belt though..

Two weeks ago, I was tested on 2 kata (型 or 形, detailed patterns of movements), one is the basic of the basic: Tai-Sabaki no kata (体捌の型) and the other is a must for promoting from 6th to 5th kyu: Heian Sandan (平安三段).. The former was the first kata to be learned by all beginners but to execute it perfectly still needs lots of practices.. Although the latter kata was more intermediate but if compare to other more advance katas, this wasn't very long nor was it very complicated.. but still training only once a week for about 4 times before taking the exam was quite a stretch.. so I was very grateful that the Sensei passed me... :p

Looking back in the past 18 months, I had taken 4 promotion exams and had been promoted from 0 kyu (white belt) to 5th kyu (green belt) so far.. not too bad I must say.. :p :p :p but from here to my target of brown belt (at least 3rd kyu), I think it would not be as smooth sailing as it was the past months.. need to clear two more exams before I can reach brown belt.. hopefully I can do it before I graduate next September.. :) And if I were to work in Japan, I will try to continue this weekly karate practice and hopefully get to black belt... ;) cos I can really feel the improvement in my well-being.. haven't been so 元気 (healthy) and so flexible since my university days.. :)

The next promotion kata, from 5th kyu to the 4th, would be Chi-i no kata (地位の型) which is much much more difficult with lots of steps and turns.. I must admit that I am very "retarded" in the turning portions.. :( :x always mixing up between turning left or right and moving which leg.. :x :x :x So I think I need to really really put in a lot of effort in mastering this kata.. The possible exam date would most probably be in Dec, so not much time to learn.. gambarimasu!!

Forgot about....

For the first time, I left my room without my wallet and came to school with less than 300yen (of small change) in my bag.

I had put some money in my wallet this morning, wanting to do some much-needed grocery-shopping after classes today.. but I left it on my bed... :( :( I only realised it when I reached school.. I sat down and felt strange as there was nothing pushing against my butt.. :p First I panicked thinking that I must have lost it along the way to school.. then I remembered NOT taking my wallet.. :x

Aiy.. must be getting old.. need to stop going to bed so late every night..

What's happening III

Things aren't looking nice and chummy lately, even after the 700billion rescue package approved by the US government to stem the financial collapse..

Here are some of the news headlines that I saw on Google News and the first few thoughts that came to my mind..

Crisis may set back poorest: World Bank panel
"DUH"!!! It is like saying "Drink driving may kill: Police Department".. :x :x :x If most of the big countries and major economies are struggling and suffering under this current crisis, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize how much worse it will impact on those poor developing countries... :x

Airstrikes kill more than 60 Taliban fighters in Helmand
Pakistan hit 'kills 27 Taleban'
Seriously, does anyone really bother about how many got killed in either Iraq/ Afghanistan/Pakistan/wherever anymore? Knowing that I might sound cynical and selfish to some, I would say this about those two countries: Let them rule themselves and stop meddling; if they want to be rule by the Taliban/whomever, who are we as outsiders to say otherwise?

Tourist goes on £18m voyage to space station
Ah!! Another "fat cat" who paid millions, which could have been better used in these time of crisis, to "be among the stars" and just to get the rights to boast about being "in space"... *roll eyes*

In Final Months in Office, Bush Is Burdened but Still Confident
Bush seeks to reassure fearful investors ahead of G7 meeting
Oh!? He is still around, huh?? With all the presidential election campaigning by both the Republicans and Democrats taking up center stage these last few months, I had almost forgotten about Mr. Incumbent.. Frankly, I can't see how much confident he can inspire among his citizens and the international community when he will be leaving his successor with a USD482 billion debt...

Morgan Stanley and MUFG renegotiating pact
Oh shit! Not another one!?!?! First it was Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, AIG, Washington Mutual and not it is Morgan Stanley... :x Doesn't seem like there is an end in sight for all these financial crisis.. This really does show that we are truly a "big, happy(?)" global family... Here for a CHRONOLOGY of US financial crisis

Japan: No room at inn for foreigners
Mmmmm... So they expect the locals to continue to prop up their businesses, eh?? Even amidst lower birth rates (meaning fewer customers to cater for), aging population (meaning more senior-citizen friendly facilities which transform into higher cost) and declining spending power (meaning the same amount of Yen can no longer pays for the same amount of services)?? Good luck to them then!!

Radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir defends Bali bombers
Still in dreamland, huh?? Still so taken by the martyrdom and the "rewards" (aka 72 virgins in Heaven) in the afterlife that they still thinks it was justify to kill and maim innocent people, huh?? Maybe a special location, something along the line of buildings designated to be demolished, should be set aside for them to blow themselves up. Then no lives would be lost and they can have those virgins in Heaven too.. a Win-Win situation, no??!!

Anwar not revealing new date
First, it was September 16, then it was to be when the Parliament resumed its sittings, and now it is "somewhere" in December... :x :x I know it isn't easy trying to unseat the ruling party, but stop playing the date game!! You are just giving people false hopes, one after another and make investors nervous.. Like the Nike tag line, "JUST DO IT". Announced it when you have taken over the country.. not while you are plotting..

Cheras Umno starts fund for Utusan
So there is going to be a big legal suit huh?? Some "big shot" donated RM20,000 to "kick-off" this fund.. can the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) check this guy out? How did he manage to get and then give so much money? If he is seriously about wanting to "defend the Malays", he should use that money to help his fellow Malays who are poor and needy..

Unbearable..

This is actually the English version of an earlier entry in Chinese, 受不了. I think I should not deprive those who doesn't understand Chinese of what I perceive of the Japanese guys...

Here goes:

Yesterday (or rather last Thursday), during one of my Masters class, I saw an gesture/habit of one of the Japanese male students that confirmed my hunch that the young Japanese guys are turning into.... :x :x

Can any one of you guess what I had seen that guy doing while he was listening to the lecture? He was playing with his hair... :o :o His hair wasn't long, just average length for a guy.. Yet, there he was, touching and twirling his hair around his fingers the whole time!!! Oh my God!! If it was a girl doing that then it was still forgivable, even so I seldom see any girl playing with her hair for such a long period of time.... Well, if the guy was shaking his legs, digging his nose, digging his ears, doodling some obscene drawings, scratching his scab or took off his shoes and/or socks, I might not have so big a reaction..

This is really intolerable for me.. These Japanese guys are so freaking effeminate or "sissy".. Of course there is no lack of macho-looking guys around, but there is still a great number of them with effeminate gestures/behaviors.. Where else but in Japan can you see guys clasping their bags with their arms/ankles or wearing pointed high-heel boots??? They are just so "sissy" no matter where they are.. :o :x :o

Frankly I don't look highly upon these younger Japanese guys.. Other than the fact that they are slightly well-dressed, there is nothing fantastic about them.. Comparatively, they are not as hardworking as the Chinese guys; they do not take care of their families as well as the Malaysian guys; they are not as ambitious as the Singaporean guys; they are not as cheerful as the American guys; they are not as romantic as the French guys; nor are they as sensitive as the Taiwanese guys.. On top of these "flaws", these young Japanese guys are so weak/sickly, and yet they continue to behave so chauvinistically.. No wonder more and more Japanese girls are running into the arms of foreigners... Who wants to be with a weakling chauvinist?? One that can't provide a sense of security, a workaholic who prefers to hang around with his colleagues than going home to help his wife with the kids/chores, who assumed that his wife is his possession and has all the rights in the world to be served... I rather be single than to marry such guys...

To put it bluntly, I think I can, one on one, outfight half of these young Japanese guys.. :p Most of them are just too skinny, too frail and too wimpy.. :x :x

Maybe these are all my stereotyping.. Maybe I am not objective enough... Maybe I am biased against them, but unfortunately this is what I really think of them... Till this day, I have yet to meet one who will/can change this perception of mine..

Buzi, Buzy, Busy II

Very busy the past week.. although I still could managed to get some R&R time to unwind in between.. :p

Was doing some translations, preparing for presentation and completing the stuffs my professor had requested, in addition to attending 9 classes and 3 seminars last week.. These would most probably be my routine for this semester.. on top of studying for my JLPT exam in Dec, too.. :x

So far, I have yet to get used to waking up for my 9am classes.. think it will take me another week or so.. now I am waking up automatically before 8am, so a bit more work need to be done to make sure I could wake up automatically before/around 7am.. With the temperature dropping and stress level increasing, my craving for food just went up a notch.. :( I need to monitor and control my appetite so that those few kilos that I lost during the summer holidays will stay away.. not been doing a good job though.. :( :(

I do want to visit some places during this semester.. just need to plan and budget for them properly.. haven't quite decided where to yet, but no where too expensive as I need to save $$$ for next year.. when I hope to be able to make a trip to Moscow and Eastern Europe, although the possibility of doing so is shrinking by the months.. :( just too many things that I wanna do and too many places that I wanna visit with not enough time and money for all of them.. :( :( I really wanna do most of these before I have to go back to work after my graduation next Aug/Sept..

Thus in the mean time, I shall study hard and save harder during this semester.. less than 2 months to go before my JLPT.. must die die pass it!! Gambarimasu!!!

受不了

昨天上课时在班上看到一位日本男同学的小动作，真的让我坚信日本年轻男生果然是。。。。 :x :x :x

各位可猜到一个大男生在听课的同时正在不自觉地做什么吗？？他在玩他的头发！！！！ :x :x 他的头发并不长，可是他却一直不停地用手指抓弄着转弄着他的头发！！！！ :x :x 哇靠！如果是女生这么弄，我认为是情有可原，但就连女生我也很少看到这种情景。。。如果他是在抖脚、挖鼻孔、抠耳屎、涂鸦、搓脚指或是抓头皮屑的话我还没那么大反应及反感。。

真的受不了了！！日本的男生的确真他妈的有够娘的。。当然阳刚型的不亏欠却，但这些有“娘”动作或行为的男士们也还蛮多的。。谁有在日本以外的地方看过男生提包包时是用手肘夹着的？？或是穿尖头的高跟鞋？？他们真的是无时无刻无处“不娘”的。。 :x :x :x

我还蛮看不起日本年轻的男生，觉得他们除了稍微懂得打扮之外，好像一无是处。相较之下，日本的男生不比中国的男生努力上进，不比马来西亚的男生老实顾家，不比新加坡的男生务实积极，不比美国的男生朝气蓬勃，不比法国的男生浪漫感性，不比台湾的男生体贴细心。。除了以上这些不如其他国家的男生之外，日本的年轻男生普遍上来说都是一副弱不经风的病猫样，再不然就是扮酷装大男人。。难怪就连日本女生也往老外的怀里钻。。谁想要一个大男人主义的弱男生啊？没安全感、没肩膀没担当、一天到晚工作加班、不顾家不顾小孩、家里的一切都要女生在做、认为被服侍是理所当然的。。 与其嫁给这种男生，还不如一个人生活。。

老实说我真的认为如果真的要一对一单挑的话，我很有可能可以打败半数以上的日本年轻的男生吧。。他们太柔软了，太纤细了，太像女生了！！ :x :x

也许这些都是刻板印象，也许我不够客观，也许我对他们持有偏见，但这的确是我对他们的印象。。而到目前为止仍然还未遇到一个有可能让我改观的日本男生或同学。。

Not going to..

As Monbusho scholars, we need to fill in a form to indicate if we wanna continue to do our PhD after we graduate... After giving it much thought, I have decided to not pursue my PhD after my Masters. It wasn't an easy decision, but I think I made the right one.

Well, for those who know me, it should have been a no-brainer.. but to be honest, I could think of many advantages if I were to stay on to do my PhD and then moving into the academia.. for one thing, I would have all the time in the world to do whatever I want for another 3 more years.. ;) ;) ;) add to the fact that the academia is least affected by any global downturn or economic crisis.. and I do like to teach (or maybe preach, some of you might say.. :p) people (adults, not children)...

I would have chosen to pursue my PhD if the current circumstances are not what they are right now.. if this was the US and not Japan... if I were a couple of years younger then I won't mind spending 3 more years on this... if my supervisor was... if this was a better known university (among other countries, I mean)... if the graduate school had produced more prestigious, renown or just simply better (quality-wise) alumni... if I could see what my future career path will be in the academia..

There are many ifs but THE deciding factor, or you could say the deal breaker, was my supervisor.. I've seen so many of my PhD Senpai (seniors) struggled without guidance in their research/thesis and frankly that didn't give me much hope/possibility that I would be able to graduate in 3 years with a PhD.. I dare to say that if it was any other professors in my graduate school, I would most probably choose to stay on.. but since I have made my bed, I have to lie upon it... the only possible solution is to graduate A.S.A.P...

Also I don't feel secure nor do I feel that I am accomplishing something by taking PhD now.. Till now I don't feel that my feet are firmly on the ground.. I need the security of a job and being a PhD student is NOT a job in my opinion.. There is a sense of unrealism since I am, in my mind, not being "productive" nor "contributing" to the REAL world.. Maybe it is just me being pragmatic and realistic.. I just can't discuss theories for a perfect situation or concoct some nice idealized pictures in my heads.. I need to DO SOMETHING in the REAL world.. and the academia, in my mind, is NOT the real world.. at least it doesn't feel real to me..

Sincerely, I am very grateful for the Japanese government for awarding me this scholarship, but I think I should not be selfish and "hoard" this generosity. I should not deny those who are really talented and truly dedicated in their research/fields the opportunity to pursue a doctorate.. I shall go back to the REAL world and grow (professionally and academically) from there.. :)

Nonetheless I will definitely do my PhD, but not now.. that shall be one of the things to keep me occupied when I retire.. :)

Turkish Libran celebration

Attended a birthday celebration party for Libran babies among the Malaysians in Tokyo yesterday.. in a Turkish restaurant called Istanbul in Shinjuku.. it was fun and "happening"... :)

About 17 of us went.. were expecting more but a couple of them couldn't make it last minute.. all are fellow Malaysians except for one.. many of whom I was meeting for the first time.. a couple of them asked why haven't they seen me around, to which I would always provide the same answer with a straight-face, "Because I am anti-social!", which is actually more or less the truth.. I was never a sociable person.. :p

It was raining and a few of them were either lost or late.. We left Shinjuku Station around 7:30pm and walked in the rain for more than 20minutes before finally reaching the Turkish restaurant.. :x Everyone were busy chatting and/or catching up with one another, we barely noticed the time nor bothered by the rain that seemed to be getting heavier.. We got there just after 8pm..

The place was small, as with most restaurants in Tokyo.. about 30 seats.. the food was okay, since I was too hungry to be choosy.. :p After everyone had eaten and was beginning to feel restless, the lights went off, happy birthday song was played and the cake we bought from Tokyu Departmental store lighted with 3 candles was brought out.. it was a strawberry cake.. as with anything else in Japan, it looked exquisitely delicious but relatively expensive for its size... More photos were taken and the cake was brought back to the kitchen to be cut..

Then the "real" main course started.. it was a Turkish belly dancing!!


The lady "dragged" a couple of the group to go out and dance with her.. and all of them sportingly did.. and I have most of their videos.. (You know who you are.. :) ) Most of the guys can't get their eyes off the dancer.. ;) while the girls were amazed at how she was able to do some of the moves she did.....



It was an enjoyable night for all.. :) All thanks to Chua-san... :)

What is happening III

More bad news from the world... :o :o :o

First was the US banks/financial institutions, now the German's second biggest commercial property lender is on the brink of collapse after a 35billion euro (USD$48billion) rescue plan collapsed. .. News here...

Then the news of US losing 159,000 jobs in September, signaling the worst one-month drop in 5 years... News here...

The contaminant melamine was found in some Chinese egg tarts sold in Japan... News here...

Here are a couple of sad news from around the globe... :( :( :(

A 90-year old woman in US tried to kill herself last week as she was facing eviction from her house that she had lived for the past 38 years.. News here...

A guy set fire to an adult video theatre in Osaka, Japan, killing at least 15 people, all because he "was sick and tired of living.." ...again...News here..

Nothing seems to be safe from melamine nor the impact of the banking/financial turmoil..

Making my life difficult... II

Just when I thought I would have it easy this semester... :(

In the beginning, I had wanted to concentrate on my Japanese this semester since I needed only 2 more advanced Masters subjects to satisfy my graduation criteria.. and I was "lucky" in the sense that those 2 Masters subjects were scheduled on the same day!! :) Unfortunately, due to some miscommunications (a nicer way of saying some people screwed up), there were some inconsistency between the actual class and the syllables provided that had misguided many to sign-up for that particular class.. Anyway, I have decided to take up the challenge and continue on with that class.. but in order to safeguard myself and ensure that I will have enough good (here, meaning A or A+) credits to graduate, I shall burden myself with an additional Masters subject, thus making it 3 advanced subjects this semester.. :x

With the intention of doing more for the improvement of my Japanese this semester, I had signed up for the Intensive Japanese for Thematic Interaction class that is 5 lessons a week, on top of Oral Expression, Keigo and Grammar classes, which meant that I would have 8 Japanese classes per week!!! But even these have to change after I have attended the orientation week lessons.. :(

Initially, I had wanted to have a same group of classmates so that there will be some sort of "camaraderie" or rapport among us, so I decided to take a class that will meet more than once a week.. however, after attending the Intensive Japanese class for 2 days, I have decided to drop it.. It wasn't because the teachers are no good, nor was it due to the heavy work load.. so why then? Well, because I don't like the people in my class.. not all of them, just 2 of them.. Since this Intensive Thematic class is an unstructured class with students' ideas and interaction taking center stage and the teachers being the coordinators, I realised that those Caucasians tend to dominate the whole class by talking non-stop!! :x They are never shy at expressing themselves, thus the class had become their conventions!! :x :x Add to the fact that our works will not be corrected by the teachers (for grammars and stuff since the main objective of the class is to interact and exchange ideas) and our works shall be graded by follow classmates, I realized that I will not be able to enjoy these classes at all..

I do not need to be encouraged to "think" (as that is the main theme for the class), nor do I need to sit there and listen to some "youngsters" talking about their pub-hopping experiences or their "extensive" knowledge about the night-life in Tokyo.. And also frankly, I can't help but have the impression that most of the Caucasians in Waseda are here for a good time, not so much of a good education per se.. Of course, there are definitely exceptions and I did meet with a few of them.. but that is my general perception.. Maybe I am biased..

In the end, I will drop the 5-lessons per week Intensive Thematic class and take up several other Japanese classes..

All classes is 90minutes while seminars might last from 2hours to whichever timing as dictated by the professor in-charged.. Here is how my school week will look like:

Mondays :
No classes :)
Tuesdays :
9am - Japanese Reading class,
10:40am - Masters class
Wednesdays:
9am - Japanese Oral Expression class,
1pm - Japanese Keigo Communication class
Thursdays:
9am - Japanese Written class,
1pm - Masters class,
2:40pm - Masters seminar,
6pm - Masters class
Fridays:
10:40am - Japanese Grammar class,
1pm - Japanese Grammar class,
2:40pm - Masters seminar (until 6pm or 9pm, depending)

Hopefully there will not be any changes to this timetable again next week...

I Love Autumn

After 1.5 years in Japan and had experienced all the four seasons, I must confess that I like autumn the most.. :) with winter coming in second and summer last..

Unlike Spring where everything is just beginning to come alive.. where flowers bloom, plants blossoming and all living creatures start to come out of their winter somber.. or Summer where everything is at its brightest and fullest.. where trees are at its greenest, cicadas buzzing loudly and everyone is off to the beach or hiding in shades.. or Winter where everything is at a standstill.. where bald trees and dead plants can be seen everywhere.. where daylight is short and night falls early..

Ya.. I like Autumn, because Autumn is the period that we will reap what we had sow months earlier, regardless.. because it is when leaves change colors and trees begin shedding them.. because it is when reddish/brownish leaves are swept up and swirled them around.. because it is when soft cool breeze caresses those walking in the outdoors ever so gently (maybe not here in Tokyo, where wind comes in gusts).. because it is when everything is starting to slow down in preparation for the long winter ahead.. a sense of melancholy was ever present signaling things are coming to an end , yet somehow intermixed with hope that things will be better after the long winter ends..

It is cooling, not very hot nor very cold.. just nice to take a walk in the park.. just nice to stroll along the streets.. just nice to enjoy a good workout/jog without sweating much.. this is the season where people start to pile layers of clothes on.. :p this is also the season to watch out for fashionable people.. coats, hats and scarfs start to appear.. ;) unfortunately, I haven't gotten a good stylish-looking jacket/coat yet.. :( and I hate shopping.. how?? :x

Anyway, I shall take good care of myself so as not to catch a cold or something.. :) If I'm not going to work in Japan (or I can't find a high-paying job) next year, then this will be my last autumn in Japan.. and thus I shall definitely relish this autumn to the fullest.. :) :)

闭关修炼

的确是闭关了好几天。。有五天半吧？！ :p 从上个星期四下午一直到今天早上，应该有超过130多个小时没出过房门半步吧。。如果今天没课，我想我会一直呆在房里不出来。。 ;)

常常听到他人说不知如何自己一个人度过一天或是觉得几天不出门是件不可思议的事。。身边也有好多友人对我的足不出户而且还能乐在其中感到不解。。其实我真的可以几天不出门也无所谓的。 :) 因为对我而言，在家或是房间里真的有太多的事情可以做太多的方法可以打发时间了！

比如说可以看电影：美国的、英国的、台湾的、香港的、日本的、其他国家的；票房大制作大卡士的、独立小成本的、粘土动画的；唯美爱情、惊悚冒险、星际科幻、诡异恐怖、平实感人的。。太多选择了。。如果电影看腻了，可以看电视剧，也是同样的多元化多语言多选择，如连续剧、搞笑剧、警匪侦探剧、综艺节目、命理谈话节目、真人秀等。。再不然就是看记录片！上自人文地理、科学电脑、心理生理、历史神话、民俗宗教等等，我都有兴趣知道。。。别忘了还有动画，可以顺便练习一下日语的听解。。 ;) 早大的图书馆里头也有很多我想阅读的书籍，包括一些资讯管理、企业领导、性格心理、自传心得相关的书籍杂志。。更别提起网路世界里包罗万象应有尽有的新闻报道、事件解析、目击八卦。。 我唯一的遗憾可是时间不够用!!

对我而言，与其浪费时间交际应酬，面对一些不相干无关痛痒的闲人，聊一些下一分钟就可能忘了的话题，我宁可一个人呆在房里做一些我认为比较充实有用的事情。。与其花时间和精神去烦恼服饰打扮，去担心自己是否被他人接纳或是被排挤，去紧张他人对自己的评价观点，倒不如轻轻松松地呆在家做自己喜欢及让自己愉悦的事情。。当然对于那些我把他（她）们当成是真正好朋友的朋友，我可是非常愿意花时间、精力、心思甚至金钱来好好经营维系的。。 :)

无可否认地有些人就是天生的交际花“人来疯”，跟什么人都能聊，聊什么都那么起劲。。他（她）们喜欢在派对集会当中穿梭打滚，喜欢成为众人目光的焦点明星。。他（她）们没有一秒不需要朋友在身边，无时无刻不能没有人陪伴。。他（她）们非常地怕孤单，十分地恐惧寂寞。。我就不是如此。。有人陪伴当然是件好事，但我也不畏惧孤独一个人生活。。

老实说，与其每天寻寻觅觅，忧心重重地茶饭不思地担心自己是否会孤独终老，倒不如早早学会如何坦坦荡荡地潇洒自如地面对一个人的自己。。 :)

They are coming!! (II)

Yes.. been chasing these shows.. so exciting!!

Heroes..
The 2-hour premiere was fantastic.. Interesting twists.. now that Hiro is back and will join in the action, unlike the last season being stuck in feudal Japan.. hate that part... curious to see how the story will unfold for Dr.Suresh... The Petrelli brothers are each following their own paths/destiny after Peter changed it.. every heroes trying to save the world in their own ways, no less...

The Sarah Connor Chronicles..
I watched 3 episodes at one-go.. :) They are good!! One thing I don't quite like was how John keep disobeying his mum and knowingly putting his life in danger and making his mum suffer.. I really wanna kick his ass sometimes.. Another thing is I don't like the new villain, that corporate lady.. she looked weird to me..

Survivor: Gabon
Yet another 18 contestants vying for the title of Survivor in this 17th season... this time, they are "stuck" in Africa.. and for once they don't have to build their tents from scratch.. no rain to drench them wet and make them miserable.. thus these contestants have the time and energy to strategize.. so hopefully there will be more backstabbing, lying, scheming and manipulating this season.. :p so far, one of the tribes seemed pretty dense while the other looked set to win all the way.. waiting to see what kind of twists the show producers are going to throw in this season...

The Amazing Race
11 teams of two racing around the world for the prize money of USD 1 million dollars.. This 13th season got started 2 days ago.. First stop was Salvador, Brazil.. So far, yet to see the uniqueness of each team.. will there be a team as quarrelsome as Nathan and Jennifer? as colorful as Kynt and Vyxsin? as cool as TK and Rachel? So far, my favorite teams are Terence & Sarah and Toni & Dallas..