EA's Birthday celebration (笑)

Last night was EA's 19th birthday! Earlier that afternoon, he had pizza and coke delivered to our Toujin hangout. We kampai'd. (笑)

Happy birthday, EA! No one could ask for a better guitarist for our band.
...Just work on getting past those TV-sizes, okay? (笑)

On a side note, it rained quite heavily that evening. While waiting to go out, I danced in the rain for the first time. (笑)It wasn't very long, but it felt awesome. (^^)

We were supposed to watch Inception, but I wasn't allowed to go out for a movie. However, I did manage to hang around with EA, Geline and Anna at Eastwood.

We knocked ourselves out at the arcade and ate dinner at a Euro-Japanese restaurant, Mr. Kurosawa.

The food is awesome, though, I will have to admit, rather pricey. (>.<) The sushi platter had a bunch of things I'd never tasted before, like octopus and SEA URCHIN!


I like sea urchin nao. (笑)
But, like genuine takoyaki, it will definitely be a rarity here. (笑)

I also got to drink sake for the first time. Strawberry-flavored sake! I wish I had taken a photo.(笑)

I'm a very careless drinker though. (^^;) I gulp instead of sipping. (笑)

It was a very fun night and I hope to spend more time with everyone soon~♪

TOUJIN GA AFTERMATH.

LEXIE!! ♪

I never thought I would see you again *sobsob*

Shocking as it was, a lot of people came to eat in Mcdo after the Toujin GA even though I was worried that people wouldn't fit or wouldn't be able to eat or...I don't know. (笑)

I think that, thanks to a couple of quick lessons, I might be able to get my drawing groove back. (笑)

Lucky?! Hahah. I miss drawing~

History~

I got to see an actual piece of what they called "Mickey Mouse Money" from the time of the Japanese Occupation here in the Philippines. ♪

Sometimes pieces of history like this are hard to come by~

I feel very fortunate (笑)

What.

What is this I don't even.

It's not every day that I get clung to for nearly an hour.

WakuWaku!

WakuWaku is this anime and hobby shop that is based in Katipunan, at the FBR arcade. I find myself getting dragged there recently by friends, and every visit is a fun highlight to my day.

I don't remember much about my first visit (it was long ago), except that at the time, it was still a small, budding business. Now, it has expanded slightly, and I hear that it often enjoys the spotlight at conventions. Today was only my third visit to the store, and I'm already growing quite attached to the place.

The man who runs it, Kuya Joma (we fondly refer to him as Kuya WakuWaku, hee hee) is cordial and friendly, and always accommodating. Coming to WakuWaku doesn't feel like you're entering a store, it feels as though you're entering a friend's home. The atmosphere is, overall, very welcoming--its very easy to just walk in, bond with Kuya Joma over random things, get drinks and siomai from a stall in the back (or food at the Korean grocery, heheh), and basically just hang. My recent visits have normally resulted in some kind of souvenir, and I've been very satisfied with my purchases. (^o^)/ I bought a cute yukata from there today--I've been waltzing around in it feeling pretty. Haha!

Many of the items I see on display, I've never seen in Comic Alley or any other store, though honestly speaking, Comic Alley is pretty much combed over and sometimes sells questionable merchandise. (>.>) Wakuwaku sells quality, original stuff for reasonable prices; I don't really hear my wallet crying in protest when I take it out to pay for something. (^^) Or maybe that's just me. Hee hee.

To sum it all up: awesome merchanise, a relaxing atmosphere, and a cool storeowner. What more can you ask for? Check it out, everyone. You won't regret visiting it. (^o^)/

It can be found in the ground floor of FBR Arcade, 317 Katipunan Avenue. Just look for the building with Yellow Cab and enter the main building--you'll spot it. Follow the sound of Japanese music! Hee hee hee.

I know I'll be coming back more often now. XD

Amateur hairstylist. (笑)

Drove to school for the first time today~ (笑)

And also, got an "emergency call" to be a hairstylist.

What??? (笑)

Apparently, my two kouhais, Rei and Niki, had an org assembly to attend, and the theme was Avatar: The Last Airbender. For some reason, they wanted me to style their hair.

So, uhm. Okay. (笑)

And funnily enough, I looked like one. (笑)

We need dance nights.

We meant to have a dance-a-thon. Really.

But we went everywhere instead. (笑)

Went to Momo's house along with Eiji and Tezuka-buchou, Ochibi and Kin-chan. Things were kind of awkward for some of us, but we tried our best to have fun anyway. And even though it was late, Eiji and I went back to Ochibi and Kin-chan's house for dinner and Tenimyu randomness. (^o^)/

Until now, I am ashamed of my lackluster dance skills. (笑)

I ended up staying over at the house because I could no longer commute home--it was very late. (^^;) Carelessness on my part...

In any case, I cannot wait to see them again, and maybe next time, we can have a more serious dance session...?

Ahahaha~

NEW!!!

Because I saw it and wanted it immediately. (笑) Kin-chan took me to WakuWaku, and I bought this there.

In all fairness, I am a Gundam00 fan, and I've watched both seasons. I cannot wait for the movie this year!!

I haggled the price from 290 pesos to 200; this is the first time I have ever haggled in my life. I am utter fail. (笑) I'm glad for a new pencil case nonetheless!

No, Kin-chan, I am not giving you my Prince of Tennis pencil case. Eiji gave it to me. (^_^)

I finally got to see Rei and Niki's condo unit for the first time! Even with lagging Smartbro internet, we managed to load a video from The Last Airbender, and we proceeded to poke fun at it. We are now determined to make some kind of parody of the movie and show them what a better job we with even lower budgets can do. Seriously, 150 million for that project and they show us footage this bad? (>o<) I am disappointed, and I don't even follow Avatar. (笑)

In other news, I have accomplished my first Toujin Report for this year, in our mailing groups! I hope to write more updates, this was a part of my old job that I loved. Writing reports and updates are fun.

Blackout.

The rain was so bad yesterday!! (>o<)We got stuck in a school building waiting for it to let up. I had to take a photo, though I'm not sure if you can tell how bad the rain was from this.

Typhoon Basyang pretty much officially struck later that evening. I was working on some things on my laptop when I heard the wind pick up, and heard things get knocked over outside...It was a pretty scary thing to hear.

I don't like storms very much...and I dislike them even more when there are blackouts--not only is it nerve-wracking to hear the chaos, thunder, and howling winds outside, but it is also very dark and spooky. It makes me feel like a lost child. (>.<) The power came back to our neighborhood about an hour ago, so I tried to get back to work then.

Unfortunately, it might take a little while more to figure out my thesis...I don't have a theoretical framework just yet. Urgh...


On a side note, the integration seminar for seniors was actually quite entertaining--I attended it last Monday, and picked up some useful things...I guess.
They made us write "bucket lists"--things we want to accomplish by the end of our senior year. Honestly, it really serves to make me a little more pressured...Especially that bit I wrote about my thesis.

I'm determined to make my thesis based on the otaku culture here in the Philippines...and I know I will do it. I need to do this, to convince myself that I can...Research paper writing has never been one of my greatest strengths, and so I need to make this one particularly good.

No use worrying about it though...I need to actually do something about it. Ugh...The power blackout kind of halted my progress on my thesis...I need to find something.

頑張ります!

YAMATO!!!

All I can say is: EPIC.(笑)

It was the last night of Yamato in Manila and their performance was AMAZING. (^o^)

It was a performance I won't soon forget. They're more than just talented and hardworking musicians, they're skilled entertainers who really know how to get an audience up and excited and cheering. They were very funny, very focused, and very free-spirited--the best thing about their performance was the fact that they performed with sincere, heartfelt smiles. They really enjoyed what they were doing, and I loved that. What I love in performers is the amount of heart they put into their act, and they truly showed a spirit behind Taiko that I had never seen before.

This was a chance of a lifetime, and I am so glad I took it. I wasn't as lucky as some of the people near the stage though--they got to take photos with the performers themselves. They were kinda pushy though (^^;) Ahahaa. Nonetheless!!! It was fun, and it was all definitely worth the trip.(笑)


Ochibi was able to make it, and I yoinked my friend Yanna to watch it too. (^^)
But I owe a big, big thank you to Yanagi-senpai (Celiiiine!!!) and her uncle. It was because I ran into them at the line for the performance that she pulled us into their line and gave us their extra tickets. It was also the reason why we got such good seats, instead of being so far out into the audience. I am eternally grateful.

On a side note though, after it was all over, the sole of my foot was in absolute pain. I wonder why? I didn't strain it or anything. (><)

I will have to limp until it feels better. (笑)

I shall sleep now.　おやすみ！

Auditions finished safely~

No, I have no picture from the auditions. (笑) I was too nervous to take a photo~

I'm still not good at something as simple as the minuet on the violin. (>_<)
At least I know I didn't do too badly on the interview, they looked okay with me at the very least. Aaaaa~ I really want to get better at violin. As it is, I'm not particularly good with any of the skills I'm trying to develop (dancing for example, or singing), so i couldn't join the university's dance company or the music pool. (>o<) They're all very intense in their training and won't accept anyone below par (at least, the dance group is).

I would love to be a dancer! But as of now, I kind of suck. (笑)

Anyway!!

I'm excited about tomorrow!!!



Yamato: Drums of Japan is here in Manila for a three-night performance, and tomorrow is their last night here! Thankfully they're at a venue that isn't too far off--I can actually go and see them!!!

I'm so excited!!! I have always wanted to see a Taiko performance (>w<) This is the chance of a lifetime for me!!

Relaxed.

Just had a cold bath and a delicious dinner, nothing could bring the day to a better end (^_^)


Today was a day full of surprises! In one of my classes, our teacher, Jim Paredes (of APO Hiking Society) got someone to speak to our class about political humor, and who better to talk about it than Mae Paner, a.k.a Juana Change! She's a very funny political satirist whose Youtube videos are not only amusing, but very striking. She's been quite brave in speaking out her thoughts about Philippine politics (and politicians) and I admire her for it. (^^) I was lucky enough to have my camera with me, I took a photo with her at the end of the class. (^o^)/

Part of me feels that it was also a bit of a train wreck of a day, too. I got sprayed with the new Axe Twist earlier by a couple of friends, didn't really appreciate it (even though I like the smell of Axe in general). (>o<)!! It was not very pleasant.

Also, Toujin interviews continue! I got to meet some interesting people today and I'm glad to have stuck around, although Nikki on her sugar high kind of made me freak a little. (^^;) Aiyo.

In addition, I'm very nervous about my audition for Blue Symphony tomorrow...And I have a guidance test to worry about, too!! I suppose the relaxing end for the day is just to prepare me for the horrors tomorrow (>.<)/

In the end, it didn't rain today and I didn't get to do any special Tanabata rituals or whatnot to make up for forgetting yesterday. I should have burned a wish today or something? (>_<)

FLASHBACK, kimi wa CLEVER~ (笑)

As it is, I haven't been blogging lately. (笑)

Life has been crazy the past couple of days, honestly. its been a while since I've found time to sit down, eat some cookies, post photos and blog.
So, first things first! Last June 29th, the band got together again for some random jamming. I came along as a vocalist (though I'm still not quite confident about my voice ^^;)
The band!

EA, the guitarist; Mujib, the bassist; and MJ, the drummer.
Our main vocalist, Sarah, and our keyboardist, Patrick, weren't around.
Therefore, Kae and I stood in for vocalists. And failed quite epically. (>o<)/

We had fun though, even if we messed up on quite a number of songs. I am seriously beginning to wonder if I can even aspire to be a vocalist, really. I know I go off-key majority of the time. (T_T)


Following that, the week after, the recruitment week for school orgs started. Naturally, Toujin, our Japanese Culture org, was part of it and basically made a killing, so to speak. (笑) We got so many members!! Over 200! (^o^)/


Hung out at McDonald's for a while on one of those days, got teased by Ochibi for this picture. Do I really look like a Rikkai student with that scarf on? (笑)


Fun times, good times, sundae times. Kin-chan failed at many things that day.(笑)


Then finally, last Saturday (July 3rd), Ochibi, Kin-chan and I went to Saizen (known in Japan as Daiso). We saw a lot of things we wanted to buy, but as it is, we had to wait till the next time we could get together. I saw a great pass case that I wanted, but then again, I could probably wait until next time.


We ended our trip with a hearty dinner from Silver Lake, one of our main choices in Ali Mall's food court. Imagine getting two viands, rice, soup, a fried vegetable roll, and free iced tea, only for 85 pesos? And depending on your food, you can have it on one of those sizzling hot plates. It was really a very nice dinner, once again with us poking fun at Kin-chan and her fail. (^^)

It was one of the nicest weekends I'd spent in a long time. I hope to have another great weekend soon enough.

On a side note, I joined Blue Symphony this year! I'll be auditioning with my violin this Friday (July 9). I'm so nervous!!! I'm really not that good at playing yet, I hope they're willing to teach me more even if I suck (T.T)/

Today was a horribly rainy day. I'm glad I brought a cardigan along, I don't think I would have survived the day, considering I have my thesis class in an air-conditioned classroom.
And I'm starting to get a clearer picture of what I want my thesis to be...I know I definitely want to make a thesis on otaku culture...I just need an angle...

頑張ります!!

[EDIT] I FORGOT THAT IT WAS TANABATA TODAY. IT IS PAST MIDNIGHT, CAN I STILL WRITE MY WISH OR SOMETHING? D:

[EDIT 2] OKAY SO YOU BURN WISHES THE NEXT DAY BUT DO THEY HAVE TO BE WRITTEN ON TANABATA DAY?

[EDIT 3] Okay...So the actual 7th day of the 7th month isn't necessarily July 7th...It's actually on August 16th this year.

[EDIT 4] EVEN SO!!! I was too late!! Ah well. I will burn one of my wishes tomorrow I guess? Or set it afloat in the rain if it rains tomorrow/later.