Monday, December 26, 2011

Sixth Day of Hanukkah!

Mood::iconeestiplz:


Yay! It's the 6th day!:dummy:Feels like it's going by so fast. Might make latkes again at some point. Today's also National Candy Cane Day. And, Rosh Chodesh Tevet, which is the new month of Tevet on the Jewish calendar. It's also the start of Kwanzaa. So, happy Kwanzaa to those who celebrate it!:iconchibicanadaplz:Oh, and if you celebrate Christmas, hope it was a good one.:)And, today's also Boxing Day in Canada and the UK. So many holidays. Cool.:iconfrancisplz:


I got another present a couple of nights ago!:la:A clarinet stand. It's so awesome!:iconchibinitalyplz:Sometimes, I need to stop and get/do something for a minute in the middle of practice. This is better than laying it on a table, or trying to somehow maneuver it so I can carry it with me, or leaving it on a chair, etc. I can just leave it standing up. The keys won't bend this way, or damage something it's on.:iconnorwayunimpressedplz:I keep thinking that it's not very sturdy, but I've pushed it hard and it's stayed where it was. 


The design's interesting too. The 'legs' are inside the main part that supports the clarinet. You just unscrew the bottom, and they flop out. Then, to secure it, screw in the bottom again. It's from Germany. And, there's like 6 languages on it. Warranty thing's only in 3. English, German, and French. But, there's Japanese, Chinese, and Russian as well everywhere else. That alone's interesting to me.:iconheroamericaplz: 


Mom said that she has one present she'll give me Tuesday night, and the other one's still on its way. So, it'll be a little late. That's ok with me. I'm happy to get any presents.:meow:So far, the pens and stand are really awesome presents! I wonder what else there will be?:iconchibiaustriaplz:


Went to the Hanukkah party Saturday night. It was really nice to get out, see people, and have some fun.:iconhappychinaplz:We did Havdalah, and lit the many cool menorahs people brought. Really pretty when they turned out the lights. There were some traditional ones, homemade ones, artsy looking ones, etc. We said the blessings and sang a few songs over the candles. 


Then, we had dinner downstairs. The tables were pushed way too close to each other. Even the really skinny people had issues getting in and out of their chairs.:iconkikuplz:There was some pretty good food this time. Vegetarian lo mein, pot stickers, spring rolls, latkes, a couple of salads, bagels, mac and cheese (weird...:iconseychelles-plz:), pizza, and some others I can't remember at the moment. They had gelt and M&M's scattered across the tables, along with some dreidels. There were so many desserts, too!:iconitalyplz:A cake, mini cinnamon rolls, cheesecake (?), fortune cookies, and more. 


I met a Japanese woman at the party, who seemed a bit overwhelmed with everything. As soon as she heard that I was learning the language, she sat down with me. We talked for a long time. It was kind of nice.:iconthailandplz:She's a lot more traditional with her Japanese, so there were a couple moments of confusion on both sides. Sad thing is she's much older than me, and there's a different way of speaking to someone like that in their culture anyways. She said she's heard that the 'youth' have really changed the way they used to speak. They're not as polite, and they say things 'oddly'. (Her words, not mine.) She was so excited about meeting me, she gave me her phone number. (I gave her mine, too.) She said I should call her if I need anything, whether it be help with my Japanese or just to talk. She said she wants to learn more about me. And, she's pretty interesting, too. So, that's great. I was hoping to find someone much closer in age to me.:iconswissplz:But, that's ok, it'll give me experience in talking to that age group, as well.


After talking to her, we went up to watch the movie. It was Up. I've seen it before, but it's still funny. I usually forget that parts of it has some pretty cool art. 


On Friday, we went to get some groceries. We were running low on a lot of things, and we usually go then to get our challah. It was packed!:iconitalyishorrifiedplz:People were parking in the street outside the parking lot. Crazy! We got a lot of stuff, most of it we really needed, some for what I want to make this week, and a few 'extra' things. We were late enough, that by the time we went to the check-out it wasn't too bad. Not a long wait, like one or 2 people before us.


I'm thinking of making salmon chowder, a Korean chicken recipe (first time cooking a whole chicken. We'll see how that goes...:iconusaplz:), and a Finnish sausage thing this week. All of them sound soooo good!:iconukplz:I decided on making an Irish bread and butter pudding with whiskey sauce as a dessert for Friday. Sounds awesome!:iconchibispainplz:


Dad made duck last night with some stuffing, carrots, and peas. Turned out pretty tasty. It's been a long time since I've had duck. To me, they taste much better than chicken.:iconberwaldplz:But, they're kind of expensive, and seem more fattening. I think she's going to make a soup out of the leftovers tonight. I was kind of thinking about the salmon chowder, but I see her reasoning with getting rid of some leftovers before we might make more. Sounds good anyways. So, maybe I'll do salmon chowder tomorrow night, instead.:iconicelandfukkiretaplz:


A friend I haven't seen in at least 5 years talked to me through FB. She said she was in the neighborhood visiting someone. And, that maybe we'd get together before she left. Which was today at around noon. Doesn't look like it's happening, but she said it was a maybe. So, she probably didn't have time, or was too tired. It's all good. Maybe next time.:iconchibiamericaplz:She has another friend who lives in the neighborhood, who went to the same schools I attended. (Including college. Weird, pretty much through elementary school and on.) I've known him for a much longer time. We're not very close, though. Nice guy. We were a little surprised that someone would be friends with both of us. She's known him for a long time too. Didn't go to the same schools though. (Well, except college. We all at least started with the same one.) Anyways, it was nice that she was thinking about just 'stopping by'. She's always been very spontaneous, so it doesn't surprise me. Things seem to suddenly be getting better for me. Maybe that's a good sign for the new year?:iconlittleroderichplz: 


Did my own service again Saturday morning. This time, it was like Rosie was attending it. She didn't even try to eat my tzitzit, and sat (what looked like) in awe next to me. When I bowed, she bowed too. She's an interesting cat. Very into music, and now my service stuff? (Probably doesn't understand the service, but still wonders what I'm doing.:iconcuteamericaplz:


Kept up with my clarinet, except for on Saturday. Ran out of time. Poor planning on my part.:iconnataliaplz:But, it's cool to see how far I've improved with practicing so much. 


Gintama was even funnier today.:lmao:I don't see how this show does it. And, I was right! It was all a crazy prank on Gintoki. They wanted him to quit drinking, so they came up with this messed up story that he had sex with 6 of them (one a guy) while he was drunk. He tried to own up to what he had supposedly done, by living with all of them in different apartments that were a part of the same complex. Zenzou played a role as giving him really bad advice through the whole thing. It was one of the best pranks that I've seen. He said he'll get his revenge on them soon. But, it did the trick for a while, even after he found out. But, as soon as he found out he may have really did something with Madao (the guy), he immediately ran to a bar to try and 'forget' everything. 


Yamada Taro Monogatari seems to always make me smile more at the end of each episode. Just a really nice show. Ikegami seems like she's actually growing up a bit. Liking her more that way. Mimura is a little trickster. But, a good one. One that has a lot of good intentions. In D no Arashi, they did some experiments with some of the animals at a zoo in Chiba. Things like, are elephants really dexterous? Giving them small things like peanuts. I already knew it, but their conclusion was yes they are. Another was, do lions play like their house cat cousins? Turns out they do. Only it's a lot more dangerous, obviously.:iconwtfukplz:I love this show.:happycry:


deviantART fave: BBY Head Dance I did not make this! A funny dancing character animated by an amazing artist I watch. He's been doing a lot of these kinds of things lately. And, I like them. 


Youtube:
One of the Ao no Exorcist's, or Blue Exorcist's specials. The funniest one so far. Most have been really weird:

A Gintama amv featuring Katsura. I love this song for some reason. It's mostly in Swedish. Found out about it from another Gintama amv a couple of years ago featuring Gintoki. It was a lot better, but this is pretty good. Fits him, too:

Thursday, December 22, 2011

2nd Day of Hanukkah!

Mood::iconthailandplz:


Yay! It's here!:la:The first night I made some latkes, and a broccoli and cheddar scramble (for protein and a vegetable). The latkes were from a 'Homestyle' mix. Really thick batter, and fell apart easily. But, good nonetheless. (Especially, with some applesauce.) They tasted more 'real', than the batch I made last year.:iconchibispainplz:Which was just a normal mix. 


We also lit the candles both nights. They're really pretty when the whole thing's lit, too. Last night, we didn't have latkes. But, I got a present!:dummy:Some Pigma Sensei pens (different sizes), a special pencil, and an eraser together as a set. Great for manga-style drawings. Really awesome!:iconfrancisplz:I'm really happy about it! It even comes with suggestions on what each pen is used for in your drawing. Kind of nice. 


We decided that all 3 of us are going to the Hanukkah party on Saturday. They're ordering lots of Chinese food, and people are bringing latkes and sides. Supposedly, there's going to be a movie, too. Don't know what it is.:iconkikuplz:Sounds more fun than the one at our regular synagogue, though. They'll also have a Havdalah thing before we light the candles.
On Tuesday, I started another drama called Boku to Star no 99 Nichi or My 99 Days With a Star. It's pretty funny. Interesting that they have a couple of actual Korean actors in this one. A top Korean actress, Han Yoo-Na, falls in love with a quiet man named Kohei Namiki. He's hired to be her bodyguard while she works on a movie in Japan, since he has no interest in her whatsoever at first. Everyone else is a crazy fan. He's asked to be her bodyguard for 99 days. I like how they show the cultural differences, and that the actress thinks she can get away with things, thinking he can't understand her. The stars Kohei is more interested in, are the ones up in space. He's hoping to become an astronomer one day. This also has a couple of actors that I like from other shows. That's a plus.:iconchibinitalyplz:


I've kept up with playing my clarinet everyday. It's getting even more fun.:iconchibihungaryplz:I'm sounding better every time. Rosie's acting like it's a free concert and lovin' it. Parents are enjoying it, too. Only encourages me to keep it up.:iconchibiamericaplz: 


Gintama was too funny!:rofl:I couldn't stop laughing through the entire episode. One of their best episodes! In Fairy Tail, Natsu, Wendy, Happy, and Carla find out that they're with Edola's (a parallel world's) version of the guild. Erza's a 'Fairy Hunter', and has a different last name. She's ordered to 'hunt down' guilds. Their Fairy Tail seems to be terrified of Happy and Carla. 


Finished correcting the first conversation in Japanese I wrote out on Japanese paper. I decided on writing a Hanukkah-themed short story during the holiday.:iconchibicanadaplz:From a memory and perspective of Shadow. (My main character in Alliance.) It'd be fun to write something a little 'different' and short. 


Read through some articles in You Maga at the cafe yesterday. Nothing really interesting in them. Also, got a mocha with whipped cream while we were there. So good!:iconitalyplz:One of the players at Mom's mahj thing there, gave everyone a box of chocolate truffles. Really sweet of him. The cafe was really packed this time, too. 


Finished transposing another Irish tune. Almost transposed 20 tunes! Yay!:iconchibipolandplz:Read more of Timeline. Getting into really graphic parts now. Still, so close to finishing...:iconnorwayunimpressedplz:


deviantART faves: Night Descents Enro You Spin Me Round I did not make these! First, a cool drawing by an artist I watch. Second, a drawing of an oc, also by an artist I watch. Third, a cute drawing of a dreidel spinning. 


Youtube:
2 fun Hanukkah music videos:

Monday, December 19, 2011

National Hard Candy Day!

Mood::iconchibiswedenplz:


Didn't know that they made a day for it. I like hard candy, but I don't go nuts over it.:iconseychelles-plz:Specifically, I like most candy canes, caramels, and occasionally lollipops. I have to really be in the mood for one.:icontinoplz:Tomorrow night's the start of Hanukkah! Yay!:iconfrancisplz:I'll probably make latkes for it. There's 2 parties this time.:icondenmarkgrinplz:One on Friday and another on Saturday. The Saturday one will have more of a 'dinner' than the other. They're ordering Chinese, along with people bringing latkes, and desserts. Most likely going to that one.:iconeestiplz:
Started watching Maou on Friday. Has a lot of actors I like. (Also, the show won many awards.) Very intense and interesting. This is a remake of a popular suspense drama from Korea called The Devil. (Maou literally means Devil.) One of the main characters, is played by Ohno Satoshi from the band Arashi. I think it's the first time I've seen him in a drama. He's good.:iconchibinitalyplz:He plays a two-faced lawyer, Naruse, who people consider to be kind hearted, almost angelic. But, he's really plotting revenge, using his brilliant mind, on the person who killed one of his relatives. (I think his brother.) The other main character is played by Ikuta Toma. Who's been in a couple of dramas that I really liked. He plays a detective, Naoto, who's pursuing a mysterious series of murders and fighting against the 'devil'. Which apparently is Naruse. Still don't know much yet. But, I like dramas that make you think, and have many twists.:iconchibihungaryplz:


Started watching the Ao no Exorcist specials. They're only about a minute long each. And, they're really weird. Hopefully, the movie that's coming out soon will be better. Also, looked for anime movies to watch for now. Nothing interested me. Maybe next Saturday I'll watch a live action Japanese movie, instead. Pandora Hearts has been awesome! Very cool story.:iconchibipolandplz:


Was able to keep playing my clarinet every day this weekend. It's been great. And, I've only been getting better. Only thing that threw me off, was while I was practicing, there was someone walking through our front lawn over to our neighbors, laughing. It felt really weird.:iconlovinoplz:We had someone throw an egg at our house, and ring the doorbell, but leave as soon as we answer. Feels funny. But, if they really wanted to egg our house, there would be more than one. Maybe the person at the door was lost, and suddenly remembered where they needed to go and left. Maybe the guy walking through our lawn had lost a ball or something. I hope it's like that.:iconraivisplz:


Went through looking at Radiohead and the Black Eyed Peas songs. I used to love them so much. Now, not so much.:iconkikuplz:It's weird. Didn't find anything that interest me. So, I started looking at traditional Irish tunes. Hopefully, next time I'll find something good. I'll probably be looking at Irish tunes for a while. That's a huge and vague selection.:iconlietplz:Next week I think I'll look at Hanukkah music or something, though.:iconheroamericaplz:


Started my Hanukkah drawing. Just have an outline of the menorah and table. For some reason, maybe it's where I decided to draw, it was incredibly crooked at first.:iconusaplz:I was able to fix most of that, but it took up most of my time.:iconwtfukplz:


Managed to get some writing done!:dummy:I think it's going to get really fun to write soon. Getting to an interesting part of the story again. Worked more on drawing my oc Sin's head. I don't know why, but I was having some issues with one of her eyes. But, I like how she's turning out now.:iconicelandfukkiretaplz:Worked some more on my character sheets and building descriptions. Kind of fun to think about the restaurant building. It seems so clear in my head, I just need to type it out. I think I might make a bread and butter pudding with whiskey sauce on Friday. It's an Irish recipe, and sounds so good.:iconitalyplz:It was either that or a German rum cake. Which sounds just as good.:iconchibispainplz:Maybe I'll do that next time.


deviantART faves: Blue Spoon Angel and Fork Devil :WIP: Shinta Child Spoon Angel and Fork Devil I did not make these! First, an interesting drawing by an artist I watch. Second and fourth, cute animations by an artist I watch. I like both the spoon angel and fork devil. He's such a versatile artist. Third, a nice animated drawing by an artist I watch. He hasn't posted anything in sooo long!