Quote:

"If we have loved well while we were alive, there is life after death here; our love will go on for generations." -Desmond Tutu

Sunday, March 20, 2011

My Reason for Learning French

The reason I became interested in French was honestly because of its music. I’d really never thought about the rich culture and history that it had until I was about to take French class. I’ve always been big on music, taking my ipod with me wherever I go and constantly changing favorites. Punk rock one year, Korean pop the next, classical music and techno during different seasons, and then one day, upbeat French music.

It started with Yelle’s A cause de Garcon, who I feel is France’s Lady Gaga only with more of a techno beat then pop. Her music, from what I’ve listened to, always seems to be really upbeat, fun, and in a way, loud. All kinds of sounds are combined in her music, which can easily be seen in her latest single, Safari Disco Club, where it starts out with what sounds like cans, then electronic noises, and drums, until it all combines into this really electronic upbeat dance ryhtm. Actually, I have to admit, I’m disappointed in that song, but I love Que Veux Tu from her new album (so I recommend that one and tons of her older music). Anyways, on top of her really unique sounds, all of her videos have spots of color everywhere and her outfits are often outrageous or extremely creative. The videos are fun to watch and the music fun to listen, or dance, to.

I also did sometimes listen to Les Shades, but their music was always really different and unique. Every song had a different feel to it, so I admired them for what they did, but didn’t often go searching for them unless I was in the mood. Their somewhat latest song though, A l’Horizon, which is so completely different from their style that it shocked me. It seems they finally caved in to their companies demands, for its missing all the rock they had in it before, has a constant electronic background beat, and is really upbeat with a type of cutesy sound to the chorus. Strangely enough, it made me realize how much I missed their old music for being what it was, different. Though I will mention that the lyrics for their song, C'est la guerre (This is War), is really beautiful and witty to me.

If they were to cave into any type of sound to follow, I would've loved for Les Shades to have gone with the sounds from their song Electrique. Upbeat rock with a crazy type of feel to it. Lots of energy and rhythm in everything. In a way, one could say it's overwhelming until the singer starts, his voice mellowing everything out as they all mix together. That was one song that was always on my French playlist, unlike the rest of their songs.

I also sometimes listened to Plastiscines, but their lead singers voice was strangely a bit too deep to me at times so it wasn't something I constantly listened to. However, when I was in the right mood and didn't mind her voice, I adored their beat. It was the same type of feel as Les Shades, an upbeat rock feel with lots of energy. My favorite from them being Pas Avec Toi which is very much rock in that one.

My most favorite French band ever though is BB Brunes. I'm not sure exactly what it is about their music, but I just love everything. The lead singers voice is ridiculously attractive to me and the beats they have in all their songs have something about it that lures me to it. The rock rhythm is somehow really upbeat and meshes extremely well with his voice. Either way, whatever it is that I love about it, I do and I recommend my most favorite by them Dis Moi.

BB Brunes also now has an english album, which I'm not sure yet how I feel about it. I still love his voice, I think that'll always be sexy no matter what language he's speaking, but the beat seems a bit different from what I feel they have in French. It seems somehow, a bit more mellow so far, but we'll see if it changes as I listen to it more.

Anyways, that's my little random bit for the day!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

"On the other hand, I'll take that pie to go."

Well, first off, I'm back in school. This semester is easy but hard at the same time. I'm taking only 3 classes, but one of them counts for 6 credits, so it's a full 12 credit hours. If I get un-waitlisted and into them, I'll be taking Tai Chi Chuan (I think?) and Relaxation and Stretching. Which yes, I won't lie, both are relaxing (though Tai Chi can be used for combat, hence it being a martial art), but my main purpose in the last one is to learn to stress less and teach it to my mom. She needs it. (I love my mommy so much, but she worries way too much, so I'm learning ways to help you stay super mom!)

Anyways, I'm taking Japanese 202, French 101, and Italian 201/202(which is 1 year smushed in 1 semester). So lots of studying and memorizing to do. Along with writing and speaking. OTL. I've made a Japanese friend though, so I hope that'll help with my Japanese grammar. I also want to join the clubs, so I need to get one that... owo;;

What else... Oh right! I have a new obession! owo;; Comic books, specifically heros, mainly Batman and Robin, Damian being my fave Robin [there are 4 Robins. I don't count that girl. D< ]. Along with now... Young Justice! Which leads into MORE comic books, because I love Kid Flash now and Kon (Connan) is growing on me too, Super Boy is just so damn angry all the time (but so lovable). I kinda like Aqualad too now! ORZ. Which means more wiki reading and maybe future comic buying... =w=;; Uh fu fu fu. My uncle was right when it starts small and just escalates. /sobs/

Speaking of Young Justice, my quote comes from that where Superman is being a douche. No, really. I can't blame him, he's always Mr. Nice guy, and he can have his moments. Specially when all of a sudden he finds he has a 'son' that was cloned and changed from his own genes... Takes getting used to. But seeing Bats (batman) be a better 'dad' than Supes(superman) is like HILARIOUS. I love comics... owo;; Oh right, the quote is from when Supes avoided Bats talk about being a mentor and gets that pie to go.

And with that, I link a added on pie joke comic - http://kisukaite.deviantart.com/art/Apple-Pie-196749464

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Family-ish stuff

One of the things I’m always wanting to get to know about how to explain in another language is my family, because I’m very big on family and I like to brag. Well, I mainly just talk about my mother and youngest brother because I have the most to say about them. My middle brother and father has like some bragging and mostly complaining.

But I've noticed a trend. Through-out the languages I learn all the books seem to do the same thing, give me only a handful of vocabulary words to go off. (languages btw mean, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese. Eventually French. [yes, that's me bragging about myself]) So I'm stuck using those to describe my family members. It usually works for my mom and brother, they get things like 'nice' and 'cool', but my brother and dad get like 'short-tempered'. Extra work of searching up other things? I think not, I'll just stick to the truth with the short vocab words I got, thanks.

This usually works except it makes me look like I don't like my middle brother and dad. I do, just only some of the time. I mean, we all have those moments where even the people we adore say something and you want to strangle them. Not enough to kill 'em, but to make 'em shut up. Yeah, well, they do that.

I'm not sure what the point of this blog is exactly, except that it striked me odd that I have this habit. I'm also avoiding homework, specifically piles of Italian homework. I even twittered earlier. Who twitters? Ha ha.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Fear of the Unknown

This is all just contemplative thoughts from what I've read about, watched, and discussed. It's mostly formed through taking Horror Films and Supernatural Japan this semester. Anyways:

What about the unknown makes it so fearful? To be painfully simple, it's unknown. But, let me delve into this more. The moment something becomes unknown, we are unable to label it in any way. Without the ability to label it, we can't exert power over it, even if it's power imagined in our heads. The unknown then is like a monster from a horror genre, any one among the wide genres in that. It is a sadistic killer, a vengeful ghost, a karmic force, etc. but no matter what it is, it is horrifying because it is unknown and the worst thing about the unknown is that we don't know whether to fear it and if we should, how to combat against it.

An example of this is the fact I do love a good Vampire book, but in real life when anyone jokes "wouldn't you love to met one then!?" my answer will always remain the same "No, that'd be ridiculously dangerous." A vampire from the original Dracula to the newest types in Twilight is still a dangerous creature that's driven purpose is to destroy us humans/mortal, yes even when they are 'good' as they are fighting against the urges. Therefore, if I met one, even if it is fighting the urge to drink my blood or drain me of my energy, it is physically dangerous to me.

Continuing with the example, I feel that if I was to even encounter a 'bad' vampire, I'd have some power over it. If given the chance and needed, I could stake them in the heart, attempt holy water throwing, hold a cross, not invite them into my house, burn their coffin, attack them with silver, and in a last attempt throw garlic at them or cut open an animal and hope they hunger for that more than I instead. If all these attempts were to fail for me, this vampire becomes an unknown vampire for me, it is not Dracula, it is not from Twilight, it is not from Anne Rice, or any other Vampire book I have read. It is completely unknown. I am defenseless physically and mentally.

What is terrifying about the unknown to me is exactly that. There is not even an idea of where to start on the monster (the unknown) one has encountered. Where do you even attempt to begin? How do you destroy the unknown? Here comes something even more terrifying, you must delve further into the unknown in order to destroy it. If you wanted to say, destroy the upper class family and yet didn't know their weakness, you could either go around trying everything and more likely end up in jail, or you could infiltrate the upper class, gain knowledge, and become mentally prepared (even if only slightly). Now, turning this back into mainly the diverse Horror genre of the unknown monster this is a common theme/issue in horror movies. The character in the Grudge must learn more about the ghost and thus thrust herself into open danger in hopes of finding information to destroy the ghost with. Same thing with Halloween, one of the characters must find out something to kill this psychotic thing that won't die, find out why it is here and hopefully stop it somehow.

But with the unknown you must delve deeper into it, open yourself up to danger and your wits, and race against time. Can you find that piece of information in time? Say, it is the start of a zombie apocalypse only unlike in the movies you can not bash them in the head and kill them, they still move. You must find several other zombies to hit in several other spots to find a weakness. Then to stop zombies entirely after this weakness, you must avoid them, kill all zombies you see, or find a way to reverse or kill of several of these zombies at once. You must race to do so because they are zombies, they are unknowns so hopefully they aren't fast as the movies always perceive them quite slow because they become troublesome in the movies even when slow!

Do you see my point? You have something you are faced with that you must destroy and that alone is difficult, you are killing. But now you are racing against time and now you must also force yourself into this problem all the more. The unknown is disturbing. Granted, not everything that is unknown can be terrifying in the case of fearing for ones life. In this case it is as I am talking of the horror genre therefore it is, but the unknown can be kind/misunderstood. In fact, many times in history this is what has happened, the Native Americans for example. This in no way justifies what they did to them, but because they feared them and didn't understand their ways they labeled them 'savages' saw them in a way as 'zombies' and something that needed to be destroyed. In this case, Fear has gotten the best of the victim and they are just killing off everything Unknown because they refuse to delve into it and to understand it.

This though connects back with something I did want to bring up, the fact most 'monsters' in horror films are abnormal or horrific, this is what makes them monstrous. If they aren't, there is no reason for there to be fear from this unknown thing that doesn't wish you harm. No matter what, the unknown must be horrific and monstrous to justify a reason for fearing the unknown for more than the fact we have no knowledge or understanding of it. Sure, it would be disturbing to wake up to an unknown ghost near your bed, but until they wish you harm or attempt it themselves, there is no reason to fear them or need to delve into them.

It is only when the unknown is horrific and monstrous does it become terrifying and not just a fear.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Due Volto a Italia! Debere se in primavera o estate?

Title says (btw): My second tour of Italy (volto is like tour/trip/etc.). Should it be in spring or summer? (If my Italian is wrong, please correct me!)

So here's my problem... I want to go to Italy and I want my mother to be able to visit towards the end. I would like to show off my Italian as I show her around the places I've been.~ She went with me (and my grandmother) the first time I ever went and we both loved it. It was also a major great bonding moment for us. Especially because a few weeks before we left... She found out I had been cutting myself and got me a counselor. =w=;;

Anyways, I feel in love with Italy and promised myself to go back. Yay for Studying Abroad in college for giving me the opportunity~! I don't want a full year in Italy, so only a semester, and I also really want to study abroad in Boston. So a semester in Italy and another in Boston, one full year of studying abroad. Hurrah~

Now the problem that has arisen is that Boston is fucking cold... Like srsly, it's cold. I'm used to cold from my home town, but for the past few years it hasn't snowed as much and thus hasn't been cold as much (I know, cold = snow, but you know what I mean)... So my tolerance is dropping. I'm used to 40-50 degree weather, 30s-ish as well if I know I'm not going to be out for long. >.<;;

From what I read it tends to be in the 40-30s... But Ryu, my boyfriend, has me a bit scared it's worse. D: If that's so, I'm highly considering now a study program that's one month during the summer and then staying for a month after and traveling around on my own/ with month... That would let me go to Boston in Spring instead of the effing cold Fall semester... But then would it really be enough time in Italy?

All these thoughts I need to think about. I honestly think I should toughen up and just bite the cold in the face. 5 months in Italy... Can I pass that up just cuz I'm a freezing chicken?

Saturday, October 9, 2010



" Stop, Go Back, Try Again" by regularjaneflying on DA. Please give all credit to her.

"I'm battle scarred... I am working oh so hard. to get back to who I used to be."

I was always a hard worker and determined. I liked having my fun and getting away with things, but I balanced it all out. The moment she started to die, towards the end of my freshman year in college, my grades job, my smile began to become fake, my weight increased, and my lack of care with the world started... The moments that I should've made happen with us, I let slip through my fingers like sand. I regret that a lot.

I also had something happen that summer that ruined me for awhile. I didn't honestly feel better about it till crying to my mother I said what I felt. I was afraid God would shun me for the sin and so I tried to hide from his eyes. I felt so disgusted with myself I gained weight subconsciously on purpose and I have this thing now where I hate when guys look at me...

But lately I have been getting more friends. I have been telling my mother everything. I am getting much closer to my boyfriend and Cj himself is starting to spend more time with us again. I still have a very long way to go, but I am realizing again just how blessed I am.

"Near to you, I am healing, but it's taking so long... 'Cause though [s]he's gone and you are wonderful, it's hard to move on. Yet, I'm better near to you."

I believe I have lived so far one of the best lives out there. I have been more blessed than maybe 1 million people out there. I can say this with confidence. Never once have I truly gone hungry. I have never not had someone out there thinking about me at least once during that day. I have people online and in person who know me so well. I have things to do and am never really bored.

I know most of my cousins well, my friends and I spend time together, my boyfriends a great sweetheart, and my brothers are definitely my brothers, we are close. My parents worry about me, my dad looking for cars for me, my mother freaking out when she doesn't hear from me in one day. My aunt letting me always do laundry at her house and feeding me. My aunts in cali, one letting me call them and helping when I was sick once, along with my uncle actually coming over and helping me feel better. My other aunt giving me an opportunity to go to Hawaii and San Francisco. My grandparents on both sides of the family paying attention to me.

My boyfriends never even met me! Three of my really close online friends haven't either, but we do so much for each other! I must have something about me, right? I need to continue thanking God, making everyone know how much I appreciate them, and for once, leaning on their shoulders when I need to cry. I need to stop holding it in and acting like I'm alone, because I never have been once.

I need to get up and start being myself again. I need to study hard and do everything that I need to do. None of it really was as bad as I was making it out to seem. Grandma, I will always do the one thing you always taught us: "Live life without regrets. Care for everyone and share the love. Always listen to your heart."

I will take your examples and form them into my own. I too want to live a life that like you, completely changes people forever.

"I only know that I am better where you are... I only know that I belong where you are."

Letting go is so hard...


"flying, lonely, days" by KalbiCamdan on DA. Please give all credit to him.

"[S]he's disappearing, fading suddenly. I'm so close to being yours. Won't you stay with me, please?"

My grandmother died in May this year... I am the type of person that hides all her emotions inside. Bottles them up so nice and tight she nearly forgets they existed at all. But then something comes along, nudges just a bit, and everything goes wrong. I said I was lazy last semester, but to be honest I was denying even to myself that I was depressed. I was going to lose my grandmother soon and I knew it. I prayed selfishly to God, for just one more Christmas, and then after he granted that, for one more birthday celebration. He gave that to me too.

I remember calling her up after my first A on my English 101 paper and Grandma laughing said, "I'm not surprised." I remember Grandma calling to remind me that Sherlock Holmes was on and me usually going over and watching them with her. Often I had to explain what was going on because they spoke so quietly sometimes even I had trouble hearing them.... But I also remember, missing her and visiting only once on the weekend I'm down there because I can see the way she is dying. I remember telling her I couldn't watch the show tonight, be it Jane Austen Theater show or Sherlock Holmes, because I am lazy at home on the couch, and taking her for granted...

If she was here, she'd be sad I'm thinking like that. She didn't like anyone to blame things on themselves. She didn't like to cry either. I don't believe once I ever saw her do so. It didn't hit me till last week, when I was afraid for Cj, that she was really gone. Suddenly, it was like I got punched in the lungs and couldn't breathe...

"Such pain as this shouldn't have to be experienced. I'm still reeling from the loss, still a little bit delirious."

Suddenly everything I'm doing is bringing me to tears. I went to McDonald the other day and thought "these fries are perfectly salted!" and then with my own tears salted them some more. I remembered that time Grandma wasn't supposed to have salt, and I snuck in some fries with her and secretly we ate them together. I can see her licking her fingers and smiling at me...

I relish, like a spoiled child, the fact I was the last person to show her the fall. We ate at Scholostksys, she got tortilla soup and a sandwich. Because I was vegetarian at the time, I gave her all my pepperonis. She praised the soup, I remember that she'd really enjoyed it. We went by Bonito lake and took tons of pictures. The leaves crisp and bright with color, red, yellow, and fiery mixtures. She talked to me and I was able to see nature the way she did, as one of Gods miracles and our greatest pleasures...

I put all of my hair up once, despite hating the lack of security my bangs gave me from covering part of my face, and she told me "I told you you'd look best with all the hair out of your face!" She was always wanting me to put all my hair up and to get "those bangs out of your face"... I only did it once, but I still hear her voice in my head when I am looking in the mirror and finding things wrong...