Ignorance Expert Level

This post continues from the post at the bottom =)

Alright, so, finally, we have the second culture shock's Final Boss.

Multiracial Malaysia

Picture adapted from http://scorpiocupoftea.blogspot.com/

Now, if you look in Wikipedia, it describes multiracial as "people whose ancestries come from different races". However, in Malaysia, the word 'multiracial' has a different meaning altogether. (Of course, we also have people whose ancestries come from different races. We call them mixed.) For Malaysia, when we say multiracial country, we refer to at least 100 ethnic and sub-ethnic groups which make up the country. Especially in my hometown Sarawak, there are about 40 sub-ethnic groups, mainly the Iban community which make up 30% of the population, not mentioning the various sub-communities/ethnics of the Chinese population.

For a Japanese, this is something absolutely unimaginable. Although there have been an increase in the number of immigrants, creating cities like Oota in Gunma where there are big communities of Brazilians, Koreans... However, most of them cluster in their own groups and do not mix with the Japanese.

Now, this was so in Malaysia too. However, now, the situation has changed so much. Of course, we have our share of conflicts, misunderstandings and prejudices. But at least we are more willing to communicate and share our differences and more free to express our individual thoughts than ever.

In Sarawak, there are more Muslim women who do not cover their heads in public than in Semenanjung. This included one of my friends. When my Japanese friends met with her, they didn't know she was Malay. Until I told them of course.. And they were like "oh, really? hmmm" with a big frown on their face. I think they were thinking, 'well, everybody is malaysian.. what about malay, or chinese?' In a Japanese' mindset, nationality is race. But for a Malaysian, nationality and race are totally different things.

Oh, one more thing. Malay = Muslim. I also forgot to explain this fact to them, which is something everyone knows and doesn't need to be explained in Malaysia. I only found out I forgot to explain it to them (because it's so normal to me I didn't even notice they didn't know) after talking to a Japanese cameraman in Sarawak.

What's worse, in their minds, they had an image that Muslims equal terrorists. Yes, we have our share of Jemaah Islamiah troubles and Muslim cults, but Malaysian Muslims, and many other country's Muslims, including Malaysian Muslims, American Muslims are moderate and irradical.

I think this is one cultural difference that a Japanese will have the hardest time understanding about Malaysia. This is also one of the things I love most about Malaysia. I believe this diversity has changed and made our food culture, language, and mindset so much more different and special than any other nation in the world.

Ignorance

I know I'm kiasu, but more comments please! The world works like this : more demand <-> more production. =) but I guess I'm not in demand.. sighs.. >.<

Sorry.. One paragraph gone somewhere.. ^^;
Now, 2nd Japan-Malaysia Culture Shock : Ignorance. Now, I'm not generalising. Not all Japanese are ignorant. In fact, Japanese people are one of the most literate and learned people in the world, and read the most books and newspapers on average. So what do I mean by ignorance?

Let's start with Level 1: Beginner Yes, coconutWah, this is the first time i see Coconut Milk!

Malaysian: What? Coconut Milk?? HAR? What did you say?
Japanese: Coconut Milk lar.. You donno meh?? the one you put in dessert and it become very sweet 1 lor!
Malaysian: HAR? I know lar Coconut Milk. Where? I don't see any.
Japanese: Neh, Inside lar! You blind arH?
Malaysian: Walau. That is Coconut Juice lar. Adui!

This is how you make Coconut Milk (Santan)

And that's what Coconut Milk (Santan) looks like

Japanese: Walau.. You don't cheat me lar.. Coconut Milk come out from Coconut 1 ler.. and is Liquid 1. I know 1. Don't play play! ^^

Level 2 : Intermediate

Chilli

辛い.."Karai" What does this word mean? In my dictionary, it's translated as 'hot', 'spicy', 'peppery'.. But what does it really mean to a Japanese? Well, i imagine if you asked them, they would say 'curry?' or 'wasabi?'.. But for us, Hot and Spicy means so much more. Why do I prefer Malaysian food over Japanese food? One word : Spice. Give me one example of a Japanese food cooked with more than 5 spices and I'll admit defeat. But it's a fact : Japanese people just don't cook Spicy food.

Okay, that's all for tonight.. almost midnight.. will add Expert tmrw.. hehe

Sheesh!

Darn I can't find the picture I wanted to upload on my new post.. sheesh the post is going to have to wait for tomorrow.. after i get the pics from my friend. but not many ppl will read my blog anyways.. haha.. just want to write it for no reason anyways ^^

oh ya, i would like to announce a very very very HAPPY news for the alumni of St Thom Form 5sc1 class of 2004
If you have not read this post , please do!
Congratulations to our dear ex-classmate, Gabriel for his relationship, and now a renewed single life! For more info, please contact him on your own. And Gab, an early thank you for the future treat XD

Hooked on it~

I'm tottally hooked on this song now.. Love Chronicle from the anime Full Moon wo Sagashite (it's on my Jukebox if u didn't notice)

Original / Romaji Lyrics
naze darou koi no shikata sae sukkari wasureteta deai wa itsuka kuru wakare no hajimari to itsu no manika kimetsukete ita
yogoreta SUNIIKAA no hodoketa himo musunde kureta hanikamu anata no egao asahi o abite TOKIMEIta kyuu ni
aisareta ikara aishiti wake jyanai massugu aisuru yuuki o kureta ne
kore kara no tabi ni futari ima chikau yo nani ga atte mo kono te hanasanai zutto
fushigi da ne itsumo no keshiki mo tokubetsu ni miete kuru hana ya tori ya umikaze yama amai taiyou subete kagayaki yorisou naka
tokenai JIGUSOU no saigo no PIISU mitsuketa yo ooki na anata no senaka watashi mamorare tsuite yuku eien ni
ima made konna ni mawarimichi shita kedo massugu aisuru jishin o moteta ne
asu kara no yume ni futari ima mukau yo nani ga atte mo hitomi sorasanai
aisareta ikara aishitai wake jyanai massugu aisuru yuuki o kureta ne
asu kara no yume ni futari ima yukau yo nani ga atte mo hitomi sorasanai
aisareta ikara aishitai wake jyanai massugu aisuru yuuki o kureta ne
kore kara no tabi ni futari ima chikau yo nani ga atte mo kono te hanasanai zutto

English Translation

why? I've completely forgotten how to love
meetings will come someday with the beginning of parting
somehow, I have decided upon that idea

you tied my loose shoe laces of my dirty sneakers
your shy smile suddenly shone in the sunlight

it's not that I love for want of love
you gave me the courage to love straight-forward

the two swear to the journey from now
that no matter what occurs, the two hands will never part

it's weird, the everyday landscape begin to seem special
the flowers, birds, and sea the wind, mountains, sweet sun
when everything shines and cuddles together

I found the last piece to the unsolvable jigsaw puzzle
your broad back protects me and I'll continue to follow you
for eternity

until now, I've took the longer way around but
I'm finally able to love straight-forward

the two will head to the dream of tomorrow
no matter what occurs, the gaze won't be shifted

it's not that I love for want of love
you gave me the courage to love straight-forward

the two will head to the dream of tomorrow
no matter what occurs, the gaze won't be shifted

it's not that I love for want of love
you gave me the courage to love straight-forward

the two swear to the journey from now
that no matter what occurs, the two hands will never part

Source: Anime Lyrics dot Com

The music is nice and soothing, and the lyric is just lovely ^^
Well, my exam starts tmrw, and I'm sure a lot of others have their exams starting tmrw too, so, ganbarimashou! ^^

でたらめな春話 Random Spring Tales

はい、はい、いつもブログ放置で（特にカルビちゃんに向けて）すみませんでした。。。
Yes, Yes, I'm sorry (especially to Calbi-chan) for leaving my blog unupdated...

Well, from now on, it will be a rare thing for me to update my blog.. unlike our Super Blogman (you-know-who)

Anyways, for today, we have the Random Strawberry Tale (でたらめなイチゴ話）
Yes, this is me with a (strawberry) vampire fang.. grrrr
Here's my detachable (strawberry) vampire fang.. Yes, i see u noticed those holes on the fangs.. those are actually pores that can suck in the blood on it and use it to immediately generate energy and vampire lore.. yes, it's that crazy =)

hmm.. i'm lazy to reveal any more of my vampire secrets now.. see u maybe during the next full moon

Proficiency? 能力？

Proficiency Test? What is that? Can eat ar?
能力試験？なにそれ？おいしいの？

Please start your ramblings. I have passed the Test with a score of 315/400.
さあ、騒いでおくれ！俺様は試験に　315点　で合格した。

I'm great ain't I? Ohohohoho~
すごいでしょう？（ぎりぎりだけど）すごいでしょう？おっほほほほ～

Lol.. Thanks for those who have been cursing praying for me.. ^^ Well, anyways, it's just a test anyways.. not a big deal.. to those who are taking the test this year, ganbatte~

ええええ～

またみぞれだ。。俺、勉強しなきゃ。。なのに。。バンブーベレードの誘惑が。。たまちゃんたまらないす～
It's falling sleet again. And I have to study, but.. The temptation of Bamboo Blade... Just can't have enough of Tama-chan!

To the Schoolchildren of Japan

Einstein visited Japan in 1922. This message published in Mein Weltbild (My view of the world), Amsterdam: Querido Verlag, 1934.

In sending this greeting to you Japanese schoolchildren, I can lay claim to a special right to do so. For I have myself visited your beautiful country, seen its cities and houses, its mountains and woods, and the Japanese boys who had learned to love their country for its beauty. A big fat book full of colored drawings by Japanese children lies always on my table.

If you get my message of greeting from all this distance, remember that ours is the first age in history to bring about friendly and understanding intercourse between people of different nationalities; in former times nations passed their lives in mutual ignorance, and in fact in hatred and fear of one another. May the spirit of brotherly understanding gain more and more ground among them. With this in mind I, an old man, greet you Japanese schoolchildren from afar and hope that your generation may some day put mine to shame.

Adapted from Ideas and Opinions published by Three Rivers Press, New York

読めますか？要するに、これはアインシュタインの当時の日本の学生たちに対するメッセージでした。

ここで和訳しましょう。アインシュタインは1922年に日本を訪れました。このメッセージは「私の世界に対する観念」に出版されました。

　　日本の学生のあなた達にこの挨拶を送るには、私はその特権を持っている。なぜかといえば、私自身があなた達の美しい国を訪れて、その都市と住宅や山々と森林、そしてその美しい国を愛する日本の少年達を見てきたからである。私の机の上には日本の子供達が書いた色のついた絵で満ちた大きくて厚い本がいつも置いてある。
　　こんな離れた距離から私の挨拶が届いたら、覚えなさい、我々の時代は史上で最初にいろいろな国の人々の間に友情と合意の交流をもたらしたことを；　昔は国々は相互的な無知を過ごしてきた、実にお互いに憎しみかあるいは恐怖を抱えてきた。兄弟にふさわしい合意の魂が国々の間にもっともっと強くなるように。これを考えて、年をとった私は日本の学生達のあなたをこの離れた地から挨拶を申し上げ、あなた達の世代がいつか我々のに恥をかかせるのを期待する。

今更だけど、ちゃんと届きましたね？まあ、対象がちょっと外れてるけど、とても意味深い言葉だと思う。友達の Ah Yuan の最近の記事を読んだら、ちょっと切ないね。確かに日本は今日いろんな分野においてヨーロッパより優れているといえるのだが、若者の間ではその知性や技術に対する情熱はだんだんなくなっているように思える。僕は日本の若者達にその情熱を再び見つけてほしいと思う。知識と教育は政治や経済のようなつまらないものに拘束されてはならない。

ちょっと話題が変わりますが、原子爆弾を発明したのがアインシュタインだと思って恨んでいる人もいるかもしれないが、アインシュタインは戦争をとても憎んで、当時軍縮交渉にも活躍した平和な方だと言われている。当時のナチのドイツを圧迫するためアメリカにナチより早く原子爆弾を開発するように勧めたが、戦争には強く反対した。

How Sweet? 甘さの程度

Last night on msn, I conducted an experiment/survey which was quite successful. I have found out that it is possible to find out the type of person we like/are keen to fall in love to through a very small piece of information.
昨夜たまたま友達とチャットしたら、ちょっとした実験・調査を実行してある程度成功しました。僕は人の好きなタイプや恋に落ちやすいタイプを知るにはひとつのちっちゃい情報だけで十分だということに気づきました。

And what could that information be?
その情報というのは何でしょう？
It is the type of sweet stuff that you like best (for example, chocolates or fruits)
それは一番好きな甘い食べ物です　（たとえば、チョコレートとか果物）

Let me give you some examples. 例を告げよう。
Let's say you like papaya, パパイヤが好きだとする、
What type of person would you probably like?
Most probably a girl who is not that talkative and open to ppl, but at the core, she is very bright and energetic.
あなたはどんな人が好きだろう？
たぶんあんまり話さないで、人の前には素直になれないが、実はとても明るくて、元気いっぱいの女性。

Okay, what if I like strawberries?
じゃあ、イチゴが好きだったら？
Then you might prefer girls who are sweet and romantic and popular. However, as they say, a woman's heart changes as easy as the seasons, so always be careful when the fruit turns sour.
じゃあ、あなたはおそらく甘くて、ロマンチックで、人気のある女性を好むだろう。でも、イチゴも旬があるように、女心は秋の空と言われているから、くれぐれも気をつけなさい。

Then, what about chocolates?
それでは、チョコレートは？
Well, I like dark chocolates, and it can be deduced that I prefer girls who are bittersweet and mysterious.
まあ、僕はダークチョコレートが好きだから、苦くて甘い謎のある女性が好みだと推定できます。

What about milk chocolates?
ミルクチョコレートは？
You might like girls who are very sweet or cute and love to be pampered.
あなたはとても甘いかとてもかわいくて甘えがちの女性が好きだろう。

For the last example is our great Master's (PPKTJ 05/06 batch sifu) answer to the question "What type of sweet stuff do you like?"
最後には私の大師匠の「君はどんな甘いものが好き？」という質問に対する答えです。
Yes, his answer was DURIAN! ^^
そう、あの方の答えは正にドリアンでした！
And the first thing that came to my mind was......"u like girls who might not have a good appearance but are sweet.. and u might also like girls who are hard to approach or hard to get"
そして、僕の頭に最初に思い浮かべたのは　「君はおそらく外面はあまりきれいではないが、甘い性格を持っていて、ちょっと近づけにくいとか相手にされにくい女が好きだろう。」

These are only my own guesses, so please don't mind if it hurt your feelings. If it did, I apologize in advance here. And you might have noticed that it was all "the girl you like". It is usually hard for girls to decide the type of sweet stuff they like the best, so the results are not as accurate. Well, this also proves that a girl's heart is really like the seasons. If you would like to know your own "Sweetness Level", please do leave a comment and I will answer you as soon as possible.

これらはあくまでも僕自身の推測だから、傷つけたりするつもりはありません。気に障ったのなら、ここで先にお謝りします。それと、すべての調査では「好きな女性」ばかり書いてありましたが、気づいてもらいましたか？そうですね、女性には一番好きな甘いものが何かと問われたら、なかなか決められないから、結果は割りと当てになりません。まあ、これも「女心は秋の空」ってやつでしょうね。自分の「甘さの程度」を知りたかったら、ぜひ遠慮なくコメントを残してください。早いうちにお問いしますので。

炒飯物語 Fried Rice Story

昨日の晩御飯でした。炒飯です。なぜか橙色ばかり。This was last night's dinner. Fried Rice. Somehow it was very orange. ^^

今からジョー特性炒飯の作り方を教えます。I am going to teach you how to make the Jo Special Fried Rice now.

まずは色んな材料を用意します。お米はもちろん、たまごちゃん一個、炒飯の素、コショウが基本。そして、おかずとしては三つぐらいの肉類や野菜。僕の場合はにんじん、きのこ、と鶏肉。基本的には自分が好きなものをいっぱい入れてください。
First of all, prepare all kinds of ingredients.. Of course you'll need rice, an egg, essence of fried rice (^^;), and pepper. And for the side ingredients, have about 3 types of vegetable and meat. For me, I got carrots, mushrooms and chicken meat. Basically, just put in lots of anything it is that you like.
[質問：炒飯の素がなかったらどうする？　自分の素を作る。基本はコショウたっぷり、塩を少し、と砂糖少し水で薄めたしょうゆにいれて、素の代わりに入れます。ふりかけでもいいけど。。
おかずがなかったら？　たまごちゃんの数を増やします。
Question: If I don't have any fried rice essence? Make your own. The basic is lots of pepper, a bit of salt, a titbit of sugar melted in some soy sauce lightened with water.
If I don't have side ingredients? Add more eggs.]

次はご飯を炊きます。（ご飯の炊き方分からないとか言うな）　ご飯が出来上がるまでにおかずを軽く炒めます。油はできるだけ控えめにしてください（僕の場合は油を入れすぎて、それが大失敗）。調味料は特に要りません。おかずのそのままの味でいいです。
Next, cook the rice (Don't tell me you can't cook rice). While waiting for the rice to be done, stir-fry the side ingredients. Try to use as little oil as possible (I put too much oil, and that was my big failure). It is not a must to add any seasonings. It is okay to go with the natural taste of the side ingredients.
[質問：ご飯の炊き方本当に分からなかったら？　冷凍のご飯でも買ってください。
油を入れすぎたり、おかずを炒めすぎたりしたら？　捨てます。大事なおなかを壊すな。
Question: What if I really don't know how to cook rice? Buy some frozen ready-made rice.
If I put too much oil, or overcook the side ingredients? Throw it away. Don't destroy your stomach.]

出来上がったおかずは別のお皿に置いといて、ちょっと多めの油（ご飯がフライパンにくつかないように）をフライパンの上で温めて、中火で溶きたまごを炒める。たまごがちょっと出来上がったら、ご飯を入れて、どんどんかき混ぜる。それから、おかずを入れて、ちょっとかき混ぜたら、炒飯の素とコショウをふりかけます。ご飯に焼き目がついたら、炒めすぎ。うすい茶色の炒飯でいい。
When the side ingredients are done, put it in another plate and pour quite a big size of oil onto the frypan (so that your rice does not stick), heat it up and fry the stirred egg under medium fire. When the egg is half done, put in your rice and stir it hard. After that, put in your side ingredients and after stirring it a bit, pour in the fried rice essence and pepper. If your rice turns dark brown, you have burnt it. A light brown fried rice is good enough.
[質問：　ご飯を置きっぱなしにして、悪くなっちゃたりしたら？　まだ食べれる状態なら、そのまま炒めます。熱を加えると菌はだいたい死にますから。
コショウが嫌だったら？　唐辛子でも何か辛い調味料でいい。
わさびでいいの？　あほか？
辛いものが嫌だったら？　じゃあ、コショウと一緒に塩をいっぱ～い入れてください。塩で味覚が乱れたら辛くなくなります。
Questions: If I left the rice and it turned bad? If it is still edible, fry it as it is. The bacterias will die when you add heat.
If I hate pepper? Red pepper (tongarashi) or anything spicy would be okay.
Will wasabi do? Arse..
If I don't like spicy? Then, along with the pepper, add lo~ts of salt. When your taste buds are spoiled, it won't be spicy anymore. ^^]

さて、召し上がり！いただきます！Let's eat!

Mixi Tag (Calbi, Chan, Sim, Ming Rong, 生方)

Sigh... lazy to translate.. ^^;

【ルール】
タイトルに次にこのバトンを回す、恋愛観を知りたい5人の名前を書いてびっくりさせましよう。
[Rule]
Pass this baton on the title. Write down the name of 5 people whose views on love you would like to know and surprise them.

1.外見でタイプを教えて下さい。 Tell us the type you like in matters of outer appearance.
一般に言えばかわいいのが好きだね。服装はあまりにもセクシなのは嫌。そう、淑やかな女がいいね。
Generally, I like cute girls.. I don't like girls who like to wear very sexy clothes. A modest girl is best, I guess.

2.内面でタイプを教えて下さい。　Tell us the type you like in matters of character and personality
えっと、やっぱりかわいいのが。。＾＾　うん、しっかりしている人もいいんだけど、自分でいられる人がいいかな。恋愛には誠実が基本だから。そうだね、内面についてもあまり厳密に考えられないなあ。やはり人は時の流れとともに変わるもんだから、重要なのは自分でいられて、自分自身をしっかり分かっていて認識し、そしてそれをいつでも放さない人。
Umm, I guess I just love cute girls.. hehe.. Well, I do like girls who've got their act together, but I guess I like girls who can be themselves. Honesty is the basic of love anyways. Actually I can't really think of the character or personality I like in depth because people change with time, it's a given. So, the most important thing, I guess is a girl who can be herself, understands and acknowledges herself and doesn't let go of it no matter what happens.

3.恋愛対象はいくつから?? Within what age range do you search for a lover?
+-3歳ぐらいかな。まあ、一般には年下がいい。
3 years older or younger. But generally younger ones.

4.無口な人と喋る人どっちがィィ?? Do you like a silent or talkative lover?
自分は無口だから喋るひとがいいけど、喋りすぎだとついていけないし、喋れても無口でもいられる人が理想。
I'm a silent person, so a talkative person would be good, but if she talks too much, I won't be able to follow up. I guess a girl who can be talkative but can also stay silent at times would be ideal.

5.異性のどんなところに弱い?? Which part of the opposite sex are you weak(most attracted) to?
僕は髪がきれいな女性に弱いね。そして、かわいいのもすぐ好きになっちゃう。もうだめだ。＾＾；
I'm weak to girls with pretty hair.. And I tend to like cute girls immediately.. hehe.. I'm so dead..

6.異性にされて、もしくは言われて嫌なコトは?? What do you dislike being done upon you, or said to you by the opposite sex?
うん、実は自分はしっかりしてないから、悪く言われても仕方ない気がするけど。。まあ、自分が無視されるのが一番嫌なのかもしれない。
Hmm, well, honestly speaking, I'm not a person who's got his act together, so I feel that there's not much I can do even if someone says something bad about me. But I suppose I hate being ignored the most.

7.好きな人が出来るとどんな行動にでる?? When you like someone, what type of action or behaviour do you take upon?
まず、仲良くします。相手のことを友達や相手自身から調べる。それから、普通は目が相手から離れなくなったりする。
First of all, be good to her. Then, find out about her from her friends and she herself. And usually I just can't get my eyes of the girl I like. heh..

8.積極的ですか??消極的ですか?? Are you an active or passive lover?
ある程度は積極ですが、前の彼女には告られちゃったね。僕は積極的になると、断られちゃうことが多い。＞。＜ でも、恋人になると恥ずかしいがりで消極的になっちゃう。それは直さなきゃだね。
I'm quite active, but I was confessed to by both my ex-girlfriends. When I become active and confess, I'm usually refused. hehe. But after becoming couples, I kinda turn passive. I'll have to fix that..

9.告白はしたい方??されたい方?? Are you the type who prefers to confess or to be confessed?
うん、8番を見ると、したいしされたい方なのかもしれない。でも、最近女性にはあまり気づかれないようだから、どんどん告白しちゃうのよね。
Hmm.. judging from the answer for q. 8, I guess I like to confess as well as be confessed. But nowadays I'm not really noticed by girls so I confess a lot.

10.このバトンを回す恋愛観を知りたい5人の恋愛におけるイメージは?? What image do you have of the five person whose views on love you would like to know, whom you will pass this baton?
Calbi-chan : Lover Boy =)
Chan : Gay.. gay.. bi.. gay.. heh.. interesting person.
Sim : うん、体はちさいけど活発で元気な人。A person with a small body but very active.
Ming Rong : Lover Boy number 2. Sometimes brave but most of the times not. But I think he's gotten mature after a year in Japan. Congrats, man!
生方: If anyone(excluding Japanese) can read this name, I chia u eat sushi at Ueno(or yakiniku at shinjuku). hehe. A bit quiet and mysterious, but very kind girl. ちょっと無口で謎だが、やさしい女子。

俺色スカイ (Me-coloured sky)

(It is recommended to play the 6th song on the jukebox on the right when reading this)

Most contemporary songs nowadays are usually about love or life. How many times have you heard songs dedicated to the stars? FYI, "twinkle, twinkle little star" is not considered a contemporary song.

This is another of Radwimps' song. I just love the lyrics written by the lead singer! This time, I will type the Roman characters under the Japanese characters, and the English translation will be at the bottom.

こんなに晴れた空もいつか必ず　この世界の悲しさにもう耐えられず
Konna ni hareta sora mo itsuka kanarazu Kono sekai no kanashisa ni mou taerarezu
身を焦がし　夕焼けと化し　それ見上げ涙流し
Mi wo kogashi Yuuyake to kashi Sore miage namida nagashi
俺は思い出す　あの人思い出す
Ore wa omoidasu Ano hito omoidasu

この空は今日も俺を見つめてた　言葉よりデカイ何かで俺を慰めてた
Kono sora wa kyou mo ore wo mitsumeteta Kotoba yori dekai nani ka de ore wo nagusameteta
悲しい人が多ければ多いほど　その日は美しい夕焼けが燃えていた
Kanashii hito ga ookereba ooi hodo Sono hi wa utsukushii yuuyake ga moeteita

だからね　一人夕焼けにね
Dakarane hitori yuuyake ni ne
「お前キレイだなぁ」って　言ってみたりすると
"Omae kirei da naa" tte itte mitari suru to
どこかで胸がぎゅっとなって泣けたりするの
Dokokade mune ga gyuu tto natte naketari suru no

PLEASE,PLEASE BE WITH ME FOREVER
俺が明日なんか来るなよと願っても　嫌がっても
Ore ga ashita nanka kuruna yo to negattemo iyagattemo
SHINE,SHINE FOR ME PLEASE WILL YOU?
あいも変わらずに朝日を照らしてよ　明日を呼んでよ
Ai mo kawarazu ni asahi wo terashiteyo ashita wo yondeyo

夜空を見ると　なぜなんだろう　寂しくも嬉しくも思えたりするの
Yozora wo miru to naze nan darou sabishiku mo ureshikumo omoetari suru no
きっとあれかなぁ　人ってやつはさ
Kitto are kanaa hitotte yatsu wa sa
無限の空の中　自分の心を見るのかなぁ
Mugen no sora no naka jibun no kokoro wo miru no kanaa

人はいつか消える一瞬の光　だから闇を怖れ　光を生み　
Hito wa itsuka kieru isshun no hikari dakara yami wo osore hikari wo umi
星を消したの　だけどさ
Hoshi wo keshita no dakedo sa
なぜだか　星よどこに行った?って
Naze da ka hoshi yo doko ni itta?tte
夜になればその足跡探してみたりした
Yoru ni nareba sono ashiato sagashite mitari shita

だからね　俺はいつもね　消えた星たちの居場所　天国が
Dakara ne ore wa itsumo ne kieta hoshitachi no ibasho tengoku ga
あの空の上にあると信じてるの
Ano sora no ue ni aru to shinjiteru no

PLEASE,PLEASE BE WITH ME FOREVER
俺が寂しい時ばかりさ　甘えちゃって　ごめんな
Ore ga sabishii toki bakari sa amaechatte gomen na
SHINE,SHINE FOR ME PLEASE WILL YOU?
俺が嬉しい時もお前見てくれてるの　知ってるよ
Ore ga ureshii toki mo omae mite kureteruno shitteru yo

ダチと飲んで帰るそんな朝は　ロマンチストなんだ空は
Dachi to nonde kaeru sonna asa wa romanchisto nanda sora wa
俺らのための朝焼けをプレゼントしてくれる
Orera no tame no asayake wo purezento shite kureru
「ずっと友達でいようね」なんて照れくさい言葉でさえ言えちゃうの
"Zutto tomodachi de iyou ne"nante terekusai kotoba de sae iechau no
すると　もっと空は笑うの
Suru to motto sora wa warau no

PLEASE PLEASE
BE WITH ME
笑ってたいね
Warattetai neeee

いつか　時が流れ星が　いなくなった時は
Itsuka toki ga nagareboshi ga inakunatta toki wa
人は”when you wish upon a star”
Hito wa "when you wish upon a star"
そんな言葉もみんな忘れてしまうの?そうなの?
Sonna kotoba mo minna wasurete shimau no? Sou nano?

PLEASE,PLEASE BE WITH ME FOREVER
SHINE,SHINE FOR ME PLEASE WILL YOU?

振られて帰るそんな夜は　センチメンタリスト空は
Furarete kaeru sonna yoru wa senchimentaristo Sora wa
俺に満天の星空をプレゼントしてくれる
Ore ni manten no hoshizora wo purezento shite kureru

まるで俺にドンマイ　星の数ほどいるんだい
Maru de ore ni don mai Hoshi no kazu hodo irun dai
女なんてさ　って言ってるみたいでさ
Onna nante sa tte itteru mitai de sa

手つないで見た朧月も　全て流してくれた雨も
Te tsunaide mita oborozuki mo subete nagashite kureta ame mo
今思えば俺見ていてくれたんだな
Ima omoeba ore miteite kuretan da na
俺を見ててくれよな　ずっと見ててくれよな
Ore wo mitete kure yo na zutto mitete kure yo na
いつか　俺にお前が見えなくなっても
Itsuka ore ni omae ga mienakunatte mo

PLEASE,PLEASE BE WITH ME FOREVER

English translation

Such a clear sky would surely one day Lose patience with this world's sadness
Burning itself up, turning into an evening glow, and looking at that, crying.
I remember, that person remembers.

This sky stared at me again today Comforting me with something larger than words
The more sad people there are, on that day a beautiful sunset burns in the sky

So, alone, facing the sunset
saying "You are so pretty"
You feel your heart squeezing, and you could cry

Please, please be with me forever
Even if I wished that tomorrow never comes, hating it
Shine, shine for me please will you?
Please make the morning sun shine as always. Call the morning sun

Whenever I look at the night sky, I don't know why but I would feel lonely and happy at the same time
It must be that, people..
In the infinite sky, they see their own hearts.

People are instances of light which would die out some day. So, they fear the dark and gave birth to light
They have shut out the stars. But,
Somehow we ask the stars where they have gone
When the night comes, I searched for those tracks

That is why, I always (believe that on top of those skies,) Heaven is the place where the vanished stars are.

Please, please be with me forever
Sorry for always depending on you only when I am lonely
I know that even when I am happy, you look at me.

On mornings going back after drinking with friends, The sky is romantic
Giving the morning glow for us as a present.
It makes you say even embarrasing things like "Let's always be friends"
And when you do that, the sky smiles wider

Please please
Be with me
It makes you want to laugh

Someday when time and shooting stars pass away,
Will people (forget even words like) "when you wish upon a star"
Would they really?

Please, please be with me forever
Shine, shine for me please will you?

On nights going back after being rejected, the sentimental sky
gives me a star-filled sky as a present

As if (telling me) Don't mind, there are as many as the stars
Girls are.

The hazy moon we saw while holding hands, and all the rain poured too
When I think of it now, I realize you were always looking at me
Do look at me all the time, Do look at me forever
Even when I can't see you anymore someday

Please, please be with me forever

Blood Donation

I think I joined a blood donation once in Malaysia, but somehow I can't really remember the details.. Probably it just didn't leave any impression on me. Today, I donated my blood for the first time in Japan.

Well, after a long time filling forms (imagine medical terms in Japanese) and checking if Malaysia has any dangerous contagious diseases(such as malaria) and 2 ant bites(on the left for a blood test, and on the right for the donation, 400ml), I came back with these :

On the upper left corner is a red and gold card. I'm sure you recognize the red cross. The Japanese words translate to "Blood Donation Card" and "Japan Red Cross Society". When you get this card, your data will be input into the card and the next time you wish to donate blood, all you have to do is show the card to them. Cool right? And to prevent people with HIV from simply using your card to donate blood, you are also asked to lock it with a 4-number pin. hehe..

On the right is a mechanical pencil with a Hello Kitty Nurse on it. ^^; The Japanese words translate to "Blood donation is a gift of love" and "Gunma Prefecture Red Cross Blood Centre". On the middle left is a Calorie Mate Block, which is commonly sold in Japan. This is the first time I ate this thing. It's supposed to be an easy source of energy and nutrition at any time.

I'm very sure I will never forget this Blood Donation experience in Japan. The people handling the donation were nice and you get some souvenirs and most of all, you get the feeling that your blood will be put to good use. I'll be looking forward to this again next year!

Oh ya, the Japanese words on the plastic file translates to "Let's start the 20 years old(Adult) Blood Donation". Here's a piece of news about it: Daily Sports Online And for those who are interested, the model's name is Eikura Nana （榮倉奈々）.

Massive Cloud to Strike Milky Way, Scientists Say

An incoming cloud of hydrogen gas will likely trigger a huge burst of star formation—and then numerous violent supernovae—when it collides with the Milky Way in less than 40 million years, scientists say.

National Geographic

We always say we have to look forward to the future and plan for the future. However, don't you think scientists nowadays are looking a bit too far? 40 million years. You've got to be kidding me. By that time, we might have evolved right back into dinosaurs.. lol.. Unless The End of the world and The Judgement comes first lar.

Google Search [click] Google 検索 ｛クリック｝

Google receives daily search requests from all over the world, including Antarctica. The average number is 200 million searches a day.
Googleは毎日世界中から検索の依頼を受けとっている、南極帯を含める。検索の数は一日に2億だと言われています。

So, what am I getting at? For those who use blog statistic trackers which track visitor traffic on their blogs, I think you know. Most of these trackers are also able to track the search keywords used to find your blog. And this is one of my favourite columns whenever I open the blog tracker page.

There were quite a few very interesting searches today. Well, there are interesting searches everyday anyways.. hehe

Last 10 Keywords:

怨み晴らします (Google) (must be someone who wanted to curse a friend/enemy.. lol..) Jigoku Shoujo

sakura kiss song sounds avril (Google) (Wah got other people find out also? haha.. the world is small indeed.. or maybe just someone who forgot my web address? ^^)Japanese Avril?

Poem legend of the Bumble Bee (Google) (there are too little pages about bumblebees so somehow they always get to my page)

japan child idol (Google) (One of the most popular searches my blog gets.. lol.. What a small, perverted world we live in..) Child Idol Scene in Japan

japanese schoolgirl adult (Google) (Since when my page become ADULT??????????)

christian walk (Google)

schoolgirl blog (Google) (I'm not a schoolgirl...^^;)

Mizuki Yoshii (Google) (Not many pages have this name on them. The Japanese are doing a good job hiding their child idol scene from the rest of the world. You'll be surprised.)

idolm@ster (Google) (hohoho... So glad got other ppl have the same hobby as me.. ^^) Idolm@ster Xenoglossia

modeling agency in sapporo (Google) (Err?? This one have to ask our good friend CTR in Hokkaido, right?? hehehehe)

So, you see how fun and interesting blog stats trackers are?? haha. Although my average visitors number is only 10+ per day, it's good to know that some of my posts at least give some info to some people. ^^

Japanese Avril?

Have you ever listened to your music player on shuffle mode and suddenly the next song sounds exactly like the last one and yet totally different? These two songs are absolutely different songs with different lyrics and different Languages! But you will notice immediately that the music and tune is strikingly similar. Of course there are a lot of Chinese-dubbed English songs and English-dubbed Chinese songs, but this is different! The titles and lyrics have so much difference.

5th single
「桜キッス」"Sakura Kiss"
Kawabe Chieco
2006.04.26 OUT
JPop News

Girlfriend (2007/3/21) Avril Lavigne Wiki Japan
From this fact, it is a high probability that Avril somehow listened to the Jap song and thought of a song with the same tune. But Avril listening to a JPop song?? How ridiculous is that?

On May 25, 2007, Lavigne, her co-songwriter Lukasz Gottwald, and her record label were sued by songwriters James Gangwer and Tommy Dunbar over claims that her song "Girlfriend" infringes on their 1979 song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", originally performed by The Rubinoos.[30]
Wikipedia
And here, if Avril actually did listen to Sakura Kiss, her claim that she had "never heard the song in her life" would be irrefutable. Well, that would mean trespass of Kawabe Chieco's copyright however.

If it is true that Avril never heard both songs, then it would be very astonishing that 3 people could come to the exact same music and tune with different lyrics.

Is the world small or what?

In June 2007, Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, with whom Lavigne wrote the majority of her second album, Under My Skin, spoke to Performing Songwriter magazine about Lavigne's songwriting, saying, "I mean, Avril, songwriter? Avril doesn't really sit and write songs by herself or anything. Avril will also cross the ethical line and no one says anything. That's why I'll never work with her again. I sent her a song two years ago called 'Contagious', and I just saw the tracklisting to this album and there's a song called 'Contagious' on it – and my name's not on it. What do you do with that? See, I won't [call the lawyers], I'll just tell you. Art should not be subject to that kind of controversy."
Wikipedia

Or is the world just full of desperate people? ^^;
Truthfully, Avril's third album "The Best Damn Thing" didn't have as many good songs as her last two. It was a bit disappointing.

Chap Cheap!?

This is the "Ali Baba" telephone card I bought from Shinokubo. As you can see, it says "chap cheap". The price written is 3000 yen, but it was sold at 1500 yen.

So, exactly how "chap cheap" is this card? My friend from "Long Hill", Calbi-chan who now has a girlfriend in Malacca told me that Free-Dial from Japan to house phone in Malaysia can call up to 300 minutes. 300 minutes! RM45 for 300 minutes~. That is so cheap, right? However, when I tried yesterday, the operator said "You have.... 110 minutes." Heyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!! That is soooooo much difference. What "chap cheap" lar??

Well, at least it is a bit cheaper than Brastel, I guess.. And for guys wooing gals in Malaysia, it should be quite a bargain. XD

Red Zone

My room has unofficially become the red zone of Gunma. For influenza, that is. ^^ I live between two other foreigners who have contracted the influenza virus during the winter holiday. One guy has gotten better, but another has just been told by the doctor to stay in his room and not have any contact with anybody for 5 days.

It seems that some people do not know the difference between influenza(abbreviated as flu) and a simple cold(風邪) and how dangerous it is. Well, in a simple sentence, in the worst case, influenza might cause pneumonia and the person contracted would eventually cease breathing. The worst case lar.. hehe.. A healthy teenager wouldn't die so easily though. The highest death rate is among the elderly. However, it is absolutely not fun to contract the virus at any costs!

Anyways, to check if you are in the red, please visit Influenza Info. For Japan lar.. Malaysia don't have yet kua...... For those who have checked the map, you would notice that Hokkaido is in the red. Well, commonly, the virus has a long life where it is cold, and Hokkaido also has many forest reserves which allow a lot of bird emmigration. So, to our friends in Hokkaido, please be careful! Remember to wash your hands properly! (no matter how cold the water is.. hehe)

明けおめです！Merry New Year!

Sorry for being 3 days late.. haha.. So lazy to update. heh.. Anyways,....

Another year has passed and the dawn of a new year falls upon us. But exactly what is New Year?
もう一年がたった。そして、新しい年が訪れた。でも、お正月ってそもそもなんだろう？

The New Year is an event that happens when a culture celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of the next year. Cultures that measure yearly calendars all have New Year celebrations.

from Wiki

Well, in Malaysia, our country of diverse cultures, everyone gets to celebrate at least 3 new years in a year. Oh, wait, that sounds weird. How can you have 3 new years in only 1 year? lol. It's really quite astonishing, you get ang pau and super illegal fireworks during Chinese New Year, then tuak and a feast during Gawai, and Rendang and Satay during Hari Raya. Name any country you can think of, but I am sure there is no other country that celebrates as many New Years as Malaysia does.
我々の他民族のマレーシアでは、みんな一年にせいぜい3回ぐらいお正月が楽しめるのだ。ちょっと待って、それじゃおかしいわね。一年に3回お正月？（笑）そう、不思議に思うかもしれないが、旧正月にはお年玉と不法な花火（マレーシアで一番楽しみにしている花火と言っていいだろう）、イバン民族のガワイにツアッ（米で作ったお酒）とごちそう、イスラム教のハリラヤにはレンダン（牛肉）とサテー（焼き鳥）。考えられる国を全部言ってみてください。でも、マレーシア程お正月を祝っている国はないと思う。

Anyways, nowadays, most people go by the Gregorian calendar and accept that the New Year is on the 1st of January.And usually you have countdowns and fireworks on December 31, the New Year's Eve. It has also become a custom to make New Year Resolutions and look back upon the year that has passed..
今日は、多くの人々は西暦に従い1月一日をお正月と認めている。そして、12月31日の夜中にはカウントダウンや花火が行われる。それから、新しい年のための目標を作ったり去った年の反省したりするのが流行している。

For me, I don't really like making resolutions because I usually forget about it after a week. heh.. But just for the record, I would like to be more hardworking, learn more deeply about my majors, and throw away my bad habits, and also visit Kansai and Disneyland/DisneySea and visit East Hokkaido.
僕はあまり目標を作るの好みじゃないな。。すぐ忘れちゃうから。まあ、一応、もっと真面目になりたい、専門をもっと深く学びたい、悪い癖を捨てたい、そして関西やディズニーランド・ディズニーシーや東北海道に行きたい。

As for reflections, I don't really have much to reflect on. Just that really living independently in Japan made me realize how sloppy I really am. So I really gotta change that attitude.. heh.. But anyways, travelling was really fun. And I am happy to say that I've seen the most beautiful sceneries I have ever seen in my life last year.
反省と言えば、僕はあまりたいした反省できる思い出はないけど。ただ独りで日本で暮らすことは自分がどれだけだらしないかが分かってきた。だから、その癖を変えなきゃならない。でも、日本で旅行したことは楽しかった。そして、僕は去年一生一番きれいな風景を見られるととても喜んでる。
And what are those? それがなんだろうか？
1. Lavender Farm (Numata,Gunma) ラベンダー畑（沼田、群馬）
2. Asahiyama Zoo's Animals (Asahikawa, Hokkaido) 旭山動物園の動物達（旭川、北海道）
3. Otaru Canal (Otaru, Hokkaido) 小樽運河（小樽、北海道）
4. Oonuma Sunset (Oonuma, Hokkaido) 大沼の夕焼け（大沼、北海道）
5. The Night View of Hakodate City from Mount Hakodate (Hakodate, Hokkaido) 函館山から眺めた函館の夜景（函館、北海道）
6. Noboribetsu Bear Park (Noboribetsu, Hokkaido) 登別熊牧場（登別、北海道）
7. Hell Valley (Noboribetsu, Hokkaido) 地獄谷（登別、北海道）
8. Fukuroda Waterfall (Daigo City,Ibaraki) 袋田の滝（大子町、茨城）
9. Snow fall while snowboarding (Togari, Nagano) スノーボード中に雪降り（戸狩、長野）
10. Shibuya's busiest intersection. 渋谷の一番混んでる交差点

Okay, that`s all for now. Have a great 2008!

Christmas,Santa Claus,Jesus Christ

Happy Christmas everyone! Late 1 day coz my friend ask me to 'party' a bit with him last night.. haha.. （こんなに長くなっちゃってごめんよ。頑張って！　＾ー＾）

Hmm, so we all must have said "Merry Christmas" countless times to our friends and family and people we don't even know.. but what is the real significance of Christmas? Have you actually thought about that before you say "Merry Christmas" to someone? The other day I went to church, the pastor was saying something about "merry" coming from "Mary", the virgin mother of Jesus. Hmm.. don't really understand what significance that has.. hehe.. In English, "Merry" generally means being happy and cheerful. And Christmas could probably mean the birth of Jesus Christ.

So, now, what has all that have to do with Santa Claus? Is Santa Jesus' uncle or something? heh. of course not. The legend of Santa Claus told in modern times is that he lives in the North Pole and is assisted by his green elfs and reindeer to give presents to children during Christmas. However, this legend, which has been told for a long time to children all over the world, Christian or not, is of course only a legend. And the tradition of passing on the story is also slowly becoming irrelevant because kids find out about it easily nowadays and refuse to believe.

And as shocking as it may sound, I think one of the most Santa-believing kids are actually in Japan. When asked by my teacher in class, most of my classmates say they only found out that the presents were not from Santa at around age 8 or 9, and some even believed until they were 11! Do you notice that the way I'm saying this implies that every one of my classmates believed in Santa? ^^ If you were to say that you believed in Santa in Malaysia, you would be laughed at like an idiot by the other kids for sure.

Well, the reason for this might be that we were not lied taught by out parents about Santa that way. In Japan, parents buy presents and put it beside their bed or Christmas tree to make it look as if Santa came and dropped them the present. This is how strong-going the Christmas legend/tradition is in Japan. Many times, when kids find out that Santa do not really exist, they become distrustful for being cheated and some even come to hate Santa and legends they were told when they were young. Well, I believe that every legend told comes from a true story some way or the other. It might have been someone great and admired, so the people write about them, adding a bit "zest" to the stories and making everything ideal.

As for Santa Claus, it was a Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century by the name of Saint Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity.

Source : Wikipedia


Another version of this story is that Saint Nicholas dropped 3 gold coins through the chimney into the house of the daughters mentioned, and coincidentally they were drying up their socks at the fireplace, so the coins fell straight into the socks. This is where the tradition of giving presents in a sock come from. So, you're asking how a Christian saint became our great magical uncle in the North Pole? Well, all I can say is, humans have really great imaginations. ^^

So, what about Jesus Christ? Well, to start with it, in the Bible, Jesus is said to have been born of the Virgin Mary. The night Jesus was born is said to have been a very holy night, bringing joy to the hearts of people. Jesus himself was said to have not cried when born, despite of being born in a stable and laid in a manger. I believe that it is undeniable that Jesus' birth fulfilled the prophecies made by Jewish prophets long before His birth of a Messiah who would be a Saviour. This day is what is now officially called Christmas Day, generally accepted to be on the 25th December.

However, the real date is actually unknown. The date was actually decided by the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine.

There are numerous reasons why Constantine may have chosen the date of December 25th to celebrate Christmas. On that date also was celebrated the birth of Mithras, the Persian god of light.

Source: Wiki
You might ask why Constantine had this wild idea of replacing a pagan holiday with Christ's birthday. However, during that time, it might have been the wisest thing to do, because the nations he ruled all believed in the pagan Gods, and by replacing the pagan holiday, people would thus be celebrating Christ and not pagans. It was also easier for the people to celebrate a holiday on the day they were familiar with.

However, in conclusion, December 25th needs only to be seen as the day of celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and not the birthdate of Jesus Christ. Many churches seem to forget this fact (or uninformed) and proclaim that the birth of Jesus Christ is on this day. You might ask what does that matter? Well, when you think of it in a spiritual way, the day Christ was born is a Holy Day and a day full of joy and power. It is the day that the Son of God was born in flesh and blood to the world. Now you see how significant it is?

During the Reformation, some Protestants condemned Christmas celebration as "trappings of popery" and the "rags of the Beast". The Roman Catholic Church responded by promoting the festival in an even more religiously oriented form. Following the Parliamentary victory over King Charles I during the English Civil War, England's Puritan rulers banned Christmas, in 1647.

Source: Wikipedia
To think that the Protestants actually banned Christmas, and are now celebrating it vigorously is kind of weird. Well, either ways, Christmas is a happy day on which we should all celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, Son of God who saved our souls with His own innocent blood. And it is also a day to remind ourselves that He is coming again. We do not know when, but it is imminent that we prepare ourselves for it.