Tarzan Program

Mood:

Or, Tai Shan Cheng Shi. By Fahrenheit. One of the few Cpop songs that I like. I'm a bit newer to Cpop (or Chinese pop music). Tend to listen the most to Jpop/Jrock and a bit of Kpop. I think they all have a different overall 'feel' towards their music. I'm interested in all music from around the world. Just have more of an interest at the moment in Asian music. Anyways, Fahrenheit is an extremely popular band throughout Asia. They debuted in 2005 in Taiwan. Each member represents a season or temperature that corresponds to their different personalities. Calvin Chen represents spring, warm; Jiro Wang represents summer, hot; Wu Zun represents autumn, cool; and Aaron Yan represents winter, cold. Each one has a specific temp in Fahrenheit, too. Wu Zun was born and raised in Brunei, is a graduate from a college in Australia, and was introduced to the entertainment industry during a trip to Taiwan. Aaron grew up in New York City, and went back to Taiwan for high school and college. After Calvin graduated high school in Taiwan, he attended a university in Canada. He won a talent show, where the prize was a free ticket to Taiwan and a contract with a music company. Jiro seems to be the only one that's stayed in Taiwan the whole time. It's interesting how these people even met. The song is obviously Tarzan themed, about setting your own rules of the jungle and winning over evil. 

I finally applied to be a barista at Starbucks on Sunday.I'm a little nervous about it. If I get the job, it'll be my first 'real' one. I'll also get health/dental/eye insurance. Things I really need. I love making things for people, and seeing them smile. So, maybe it'll be a great job for me. Also, there's a Starbucks really close to the area I want to move to in Seattle. So, I could just transfer when I move. Heard that they treat their employees or 'partners' really well, too. You get a pound of coffee or tea each week.

I read a bit about their dress code. Have to have either black or brown shoes. I didn't have either, so I went out and found a pretty nice black pair. They almost sound like tap shoes.Makes sense that they wouldn't allow white shoes, considering you'll have to deal with spills and such. Also, got some cloth scrunchies for my hair. I knew I would have to pull it back somehow, considering I don't want strands of my hair in someone's drink...Was thinking about getting bandanas, but thought it would be too much trouble every time. The plastic scrunchies that I have, ruin my hair if I wear them too often. Also, my hair will be ruined again if I put it up into a bun. (Did that a lot for about a year or so.) So, I'm stuck with a pony tail look. The only thing I don't think I'll like is tucking in my shirts. It looks lame that way. But, I'd still do it. The apron looks like it hides it mostly, anyways.

Downloaded Second Life on Saturday. I think I had tried it before, but was frustrated by it. It was a while ago, and for some reason, my computer runs a lot smoother now. They have some learning Japanese, Jewish, LGBTQ allies, etc. clubs. So, thought it would be really great for me that way. So far, I've messed around with my avatar's appearance, and still exploring around the beginner's island area. Decided on the 'Steampunk' look. She looks more like a fancy 'princess' with a small hat on the side.I like Steampunk normally, but it doesn't quite seem like it. I like it though. Flying is easier for moving around with the computer I have. Her dress gets all billowy and cool when she flies. Graceful landings, too. Also, figuring out the free stuff, at the moment. Eventually, I'll search for these groups. Went to a Japanese tea house. No one was there, and it was extremely well made. It really was beautiful and fascinating.Even had a koi pond, with maple and sakura trees around it. You also had the option of sitting the traditional ways. I got lost last time while I was exploring the apartment looking buildings. They looked abandoned. It'll be interesting what comes out of this. Dad used it for a while for her support group. And met some interesting people. Mom would join her occasionally. I think that was why I had looked at it before, as well. 

Started writing the 'forward' part of my next novel.This time it's going to be an anthology of short stories based on my recurring nightmares. Since I can remember, almost every night I have had some sort of nightmare. Some really 'light' kind of stuff. And some that are truly terrifying.Those ones are usually gruesome and psychologically scary at the same time. I remember telling a friend about one of them, and I barely got through half of it before she told me she couldn't stand to hear more of it. It was just too scary. She also believed I was possessed because of them. I don't know about that...I've also told a few other friends that were really into the horror genre, and they freaked out. Wouldn't let me finish telling them. So, I'm not sure how it'll do after I publish it. If people will say it's too scary or what not. Who knows maybe some people will like that kind of thing. Maybe this is why I have so many nightmares. It's that I need to put out anthologies based on them.

Also, started to look more seriously at the online dating stuff again. Actually initiated a message to a guy!Usually, they message me first. I doubt he'll respond...We'll see. Should be another exciting thing to my life.

I used to be really into a site in college called Asian Food Grocer, or AFG. And, I still get their emails about their deals and new products. Decided to look at them again. They've gotten a butt load more things than when I was in college. And, they're still relatively cheap. They've added pet fashion, more kitchenware, cookbooks, stationary, etc. As well as a ton of new food products. Really turned into an interesting place. The more I looked at, the more I realize I like their 'style/design' for things. I don't really know why, but a lot of it feels like my kind of thing. (Even if it's 'Asian' themed, it still grabs me more than a lot of other similar places.) So, when I eventually have my own place, I'll probably have quite a bit of stuff from them. Amazon is cool too, but somehow doesn't feel like it goes to this extent with some of the stuff I'm interested in. They have stuff from Japan, China, Thailand, India, Germany, Jamaica, and the US (mostly from Hawaii). I'm not really sure why they would have German and Jamaican stuff. (They seem to not know either.) Cool, though. They also have some interesting recipes. 

日本語

The 2 kanji for today were: 習 and 集. With the first one, it's usually pronounced as しゅう (shuu) in compounds. As なら.い (nara.i): as is habit, the way life normally is. As なら.う (nara.u): to take lessons in, be taught, learn, study, get training in. There was only one compound listed for this one. 練習 or れんしゅう (renshuu): practice. If the second kanji, 集, is pronounced as しゅう (shuu): collection, compilation. As あつ.まる (atsu.maru): to gather, collect assemble. As あつ.める (atsu.meru): to collect, assemble, gather. As つど.う (tsudo.u): to meet, assemble, congregate. It has quite a lot of compounds listed. In fact, next time I'll cover more of them. 雲集 or うんしゅう (unshuu): swarm, throng. 会集 or かいしゅう (kaishuu): audience, assembly, meeting. 歌集 or かしゅう (kashuu): anthology, book of poetry, songbook. 群集 or ぐんしゅう (gunshuu): crowd, community. 集荷 or しゅうか (shuuka): collection of cargo. Also, started a blog that'll just be in Japanese. Kind of to help me practice. It was another idea from someone who's also studying on their own. Very interesting to change the language of the blog itself to Japanese. So, everything on the page is in it. Except for my profile info. Looks kind of out of place with the Japanese around it.Should be fun to do!

Next week I'll be up to the last episode of Dinner. It's been good so far, and there has been some interesting mishaps. It was very well acted. Even the music made me feel like eating Italian food. Hitman Reborn was about a recent manga chapter I've read. Interesting to see how they tweaked it a bit for the anime audience. They did a lot more stuff. One of the few things I've noticed that progressed differently than the manga. I love that kind of stuff. A different way of telling the same story, is always interesting to me. I'm still on the Deliora Arc of the manga version of Fairy Tail. Seems to be going slower than the anime. 

Erev Shavuot

Mood:

Or, the eve of Shavuot. The holiday starts at sundown tonight, and goes until Thursday at sundown. The reason why it's not just one day is the date's disputed. So, why not cover both days that's debated? Anyways, Shavuot literally means 'weeks'. It commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and it's also a harvest festival. One side of the discussion of when to observe it is the day it actually occurs (with the giving of the Torah), and the conclusion of the counting of the Omer. (Some Reform Jews only observe one of the days.) It's the counting of days between the holidays Passover (2nd day) and Shavuot. Thus, Shavuot falls on the last day, or 50th day. Omer (literally 'sheaf') is a measure of grain used in the Torah. 

It's also common to have dairy foods during the holiday. There are many explanations as to why. Here are just a couple: one is the Torah is compared to milk by King Solomon who wrote: "Like honey and milk, it lies under your tongue." There's a psalm that refers to Mount Sinai as Har Gavnunim or mountain of majestic peaks, which is etymologically similar to gevinah which means cheese. 

People are also encouraged to stay up all night studying Torah. (Many people study the Talmud, Torah, and/or Mishnah.) This tradition apparently goes back to 1533.Sometimes there's a small group that gets together from our congregation, and we study/discuss parts of the Torah for as long as we can. Usually not all night, but it can go pretty late. Then, some of the congregants go home and do self-study for the rest of the night. It's a lot more fun and interesting with a lot of people. This year, it doesn't seem like anyone's getting together.So, I guess I have the option of studying it by myself. It'd be interesting if I did study it all night long. Doubt I will, though. We'll see.

The Jdrama, Dinner, has been interesting. I almost feel like it's too happy, or things work out too well for the characters. It's still a nice show. In Hitman Reborn, Xanxus was defeated and imprisoned in ice that seals the Dying Will's flame. Cool that Tsuna was able to learn a technique handed down from the 1st. Gokudera and the others lost all the rings to Mammon and Bel, but at least they all seem safe. Mammon suddenly appears in front of Tsuna after he defeated Xanxus. Almost like he's just taunting him now. Wonder what he'll do next, if his boss was taken out. Xanxus was once sealed in ice before by the 9th. Still on the Deliora story arc in the manga version of Fairy Tail. Pretty much going exactly the way it did in the anime.

Managed to play my clarinet today. Did some of my advanced Mozart tunes, and some of the advanced solo pieces. Wasn't my best, but I haven't seriously played in a while. Probably not the best to do the advanced stuff after not playing for so long.

日本語

A couple of days ago I went over a new kanji. Finally, a new one! The last one had so many compounds! The new one is 写. If pronounced as うつ.し (utsu.shi): copy, duplicate, facsimile, transcript. As うつ.す (utsu.su): to transcribe, duplicate, reproduce, imitate, trace; to describe; to film, picture, photograph. As うつ.る (utsu.ru): to be photographed, be projected. It tends to be just しゃ (sha) in compounds. 映写 or えいしゃ (eisha): projection. 活写 or かっしゃ (kassha): vivid description, painting a lively picture of. 誤写 or ごしゃ (gosha): error in copying. 試写 or ししゃ (shisha): preview, private showing. 接写 or せっしゃ (sessha): close-up photography. 速写 or そくしゃ (sokusha): snapshot. 透写 or とうしゃ (tousha): tracing. 描写 or びょうしゃ (byousha): depiction, description, portrayal. 写真 or しゃしん (shashin): photograph, photo. 写生 or しゃせい (shasei): sketching, drawing from nature. 写像 or しゃぞう (shazou): image, map, mapping. 写本 or しゃほん (shahon): manuscript, written copy, codex. So, since I finished the compounds for this one today, I can move on to the next kanji tomorrow.

Planned a bit more of my next drawing. It'll feature all my characters from Alliance, their heights together, personalities, and designs. Probably will take me a while, but I think it'll be fun.Also, edited a bit more of that last panel from the drawing meme. Soon, I'll be done with that, put it all together in the actual meme, and then post it. Won't take me long. Also, thinking of making a poster/flyer for my book. Just to post in places like cafes, and to hand out to people, I guess. It'll get the word out more.It's now available on Smashwords, Kobo, and iTunes. Still only 12 downloads, and no sells. It's early, and a lot of the retailers just got it but haven't put them up yet. So, we'll see.

National Cherry Pie Day!

Mood:

One of my favorite pies!I really love cherries, and to put them in a pie is awesome! It's also Love Your Pet Day. I love my cats, Rosie and Tasha! People should love their pets all year round. Not just one special day. But, I guess you can spoil them more or something. Yesterday was National Chocolate Mint Day. Sometimes I really love mint, and sometimes it's too much for me. Depends on my mood. It goes well with chocolate though. 

I have felt pretty miserable since Friday. I think I've been having a constant painful migraine since then.It's quite a bit better today, though. Oddly, especially on Friday, I had this tightening and nauseous feeling building up in my stomach. And, starting yesterday, my back's been killing me. I looked at my back in the mirror and noticed a rather large lump kind of close to my spine. I hope it's nothing. Although, all these other symptoms combined with that, scares me.I guess I'll see what happens by this coming Friday, and if things get worse, I'll call the nurse hotline at least. Another odd thing is Dad has felt terrible too. She seems to be feeling a bit better now, as well.

I started doing my 60 sit-ups twice a day on Monday. I can't believe I'm able to do that many now!Every time I do my sit-ups, Rosie thinks something's wrong with me. Especially, when I lay there for a second after doing them. A couple of nights ago she went right up to my mouth, sniffing really quickly. Looked a bit like a rabbit. And, she tries to poke me with her paw. Kind of like saying, is it alive? She sometimes bites my feet, elbows, and my sides while or after I do them. Kind of annoying, but I think she's confused about what's going on. I haven't gone for my walk for the last few days. Mainly because of the massive pain I've been feeling. Had a hard time even standing. So, not wise to go for a 2-mile walk in that state.I will get back to it today, though. Regardless if I'm feeling worse or better. 

I've decided on making a cauliflower/potato/coconut milk curry for tonight. The recipe I found sounds amazing!I need to get back to really 'cooking' more. I love to do it, and it's so satisfying when you're done and it turns out. And other people like it, too. I wanted to use a cauliflower curry recipe I saw a while back, but I can't seem to find it.Oh well, this one sounds even better. 

I'll make some hamantaschen probably on Friday. Found a very simple and easy recipe for that one. Even easier sounding than my mom's recipe that she adapted from an old cookbook. I already have some ideas for fillings. This recipe makes about 60 of them, so I could probably make a few different kinds. I think we still have some chocolate chips, there's nutella, strawberry jam, red currant jam, blackberry jam, and some other things I can use. Maybe even peanut butter...Sounds like it'll be fun. So, we already have everything for both of these dishes. Makes it even easier. I'm actually feeling really excited about both of these!

Went to the support group yesterday. Everyone seemed a bit 'off'. I even noticed myself being a little off. Oh well. It still was nice to see people. The only problem I had, was one of the members decided to touch and pet my hair at one point.It was so quick, I didn't have time to react much. Apparently, they like my hair. Even had another member say that my hair was beautiful. Kind of a nice feeling. Yet creepy, if they touch my hair. At least, without permission.

Went to Shari's after with most of the group, and had some mozzarella sticks, and then a chocolate lava cake for dessert. The sticks were surprisingly good!The batter actually had a lot of flavor. The lava cake was kind of lukewarm. But it was really good, too. Had a couple of small burritos at home for part of my 'dinner' before we left. So everything combined made a nice meal. Of course, like the 'diet' I've been trying to stick to, I had half of everything I got at the restaurant. So, I managed to have a really nice brunch today with the leftovers.

I was feeling so bad, I decided to play a little of the Sims 2 on Saturday. Played with the sim that I made that looks a lot like me. She got married, and is now pregnant. I was hoping to get them to have a ceremony or something. But, I must have chose the wrong option for that. So, they got married with one friend who showed up kind of randomly watching on. It was quick. Anyways, she's had the worst morning sickness I've seen for a sim. Almost everytime she eats, she throws up. It's interesting actually. The guy she married is a real lady's man. (He's actually based off a character from my story. Who isn't quite like that in personality. He is a bit of a lecher though.) So, he has a lot of aspirations to be with multiple sims. She keeps having these weird 'attraction' moments. Where she thinks about him and fans herself with her hand, and looks like she's about to faint. I haven't seen that before, either. She's worried that he'll catch her having an affair. And, yet she hasn't fallen for anyone else. I'm not sure if I'll let him fulfill some of his aspirations. It would make it more entertaining. I think they can divorce each other. But, I'm hoping to let them have a lot of kids. Then, play with them. I've never played passed a generation. And, supposedly you can make a pretty big family tree. I wonder what they would look like, since I've customized them? I guess it'll be fun to find out. The Sims 2 keeps surprising me, and I've had it for a while now. 

The Jdrama, Dinner, actually made me tear up a bit this time. The only female chef was caught in a bit of a dilemma. She didn't feel she stacked up to the guys, and that they would never acknowledge her skills. She asked the head chef if there was a female chef who made it to the same place he did for training. (It's a prestigious place apparently for chefs who want to specialize in Italian cooking, only the best are accepted.) He said that was a silly question, because he sees everyone as equal regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, etc. A good chef, is a good chef. They should only be judged on how they cook. But, he did know a female chef that went to the same place. She worked twice as hard as the men, always had a smile on her face, and she was one of the few chefs he really admired. She went back to Canada after her training. (Not many Japanese people made it in.) I think she really needed to hear that. So, she decided to work harder at it. Her father, a wanted criminal, showed up at the restaurant. He wanted to try her food, before turning himself in. Was a very touching moment. 

I'll probably start seriously playing from my advanced Mozart book today. If not today, then definitely tomorrow. I'll do the same as I did with the klezmer book. This one will take a bit longer, but I think I'll improve a lot more through it. I want to get back to the way I was playing my clarinet in high school, if not better. I was sloppy with things for too long.But, I'm already sounding much better after seriously going through my klezmer book.

I'm really close to figuring out one of the place names in my story. Then, I can really get back into the story again. I have so many more ideas. I'm really close to finishing this chapter. And, I only have one more to do. Then, it's editing the whole thing again. (Maybe a couple more times.) And, finally I can get it out there. Actually doesn't sound like it'll take me too long. I just have to stick with it everyday again. Then, if this first novel does well, I'll start with a sequel. Hoping I can make this a long series. Also at some point, I'm thinking of writing a memoir, and a novel that's a compilation of most of my recurring nightmares as short stories. So, lots of ideas for more books. I just have to get this one done.

Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, finally has a group who's translating it again. I think the group that did it before, either dropped it all together or have stalled on it. I really like the story of this one. It's one of the few seinens I like. The Seinen genre is usually targeted at men ages 18-30 (some are aimed at people in their 40s). So, they're a bit more mature than the shounen genre which is for boys 10 and up. Seinen literally means 'young men', and doesn't necessarily have to do with suggestive/sexual situations. Josei is the genre intended for women in the same age group as for seinen. Some people get them confused with which manga falls under which category, and they can also appeal to both men and women. Both are usually more 'realistic' with the plot than the younger versions, shounen and shoujo. Shounen is the most popular, since its grown and evolved to such a point that it appeals to everyone. (Shounen literally means 'young person's comic'.) I mostly like shounen ones, and occasionally josei. 

Anyways, they killed off one of the main characters in Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge. He was kind of a 'villain' you loved to hate. His 'killing goods' was the rule book of sentencing and execution. If he created a certain situation that made the person sound like they committed a crime, he can hang them by a noose or execute them through other methods with his rule book. He had a rather dramatic death. The story's really getting interesting.

Been going over more kanji and compounds. Almost done editing the first panel of that long drawing meme. I might draw another character's face soon from my story. I'd like to work more on her design. Just to at least see it more clearly in my head. 

Youtube:
Thought this would be interesting for some to see. It's from one of the Japanese channels I'm following that's devoted to their commercials. (The newest batch of them.) Some are really trippy:

World Nutella Day!

Mood:

I really love this stuff!I don't know why I shied away from it when I was little. It's great for an easy dessert with just that and some toast. I'm not a fan of eating it everyday. But, it's really good to have once in a while. I also occasionally put it on whole wheat waffles, and eat it like a waffle sandwich.Good stuff. You can also have somewhat of a s'more if you use fluff and graham crackers with it. It's actually pretty versatile. 

Got to playing my clarinet yesterday and today. Just going over those same klezmer tunes. I'm getting better and better. Edited the first panel in the drawing meme I'm filling out. Almost done with that part. It's looking better than I expected it would be.

Wrote a bit more of chapter 19 today. I'm getting better ideas for this chapter, and the next. I might end this novel with 2 cliffhangers, instead of the one I was planning to do earlier. But, that might make it more fun. Also, edited part of the chapter a bit. Then, brainstormed some more on another name for a place in the story. For a while there I kind of hit a wall, but now I feel like I've broken through it.

The Jdrama, Dinner, has been very interesting so far. I like how the manager finally stood up for herself and the restaurant this time. The new head chef is interesting. He keeps coming up with new dishes. It's nice that they make it seem like the characters are already competent in cooking, but just need some direction and to be whipped into shape. So many Jdramas have characters that need to be taught from scratch. That gets somewhat annoying. But, this is different. 

In Hitman Reborn, it was Gokudera's battle against Bel, or the battle for the 'Storm' ring. So far it's an interesting fight. They've all been interesting so far. 

Also read Fairy Tail. I'm at the Moon Drip and Deliora arc. The story's pretty much the same as with the anime. But, the character designs seem quite different. It's interesting. I kind of like to see how artists evolve their characters over time. Makes it fun. They even have different types of clothes compared to the anime. And, I haven't really noticed it, but the guild's logo is supposedly slightly different too. It's almost like a parallel world if I compare them that way.

日本語

Yesterday, I found some interesting Japanese channels on Youtube. One that shows Japanese commercials (updated every week or 2), ANN (All-Nippon News Network), Chukyo TV, and one channel that's from Japan, but geared towards foreigners. That last channel also has some news on cultural stuff that's going on in Japan. Kind of cool channels. Most of these are in Japanese, so I get another opportunity to hear it. And, to see more of their culture. I didn't know Youtube had these. Of course, I never bothered to look around for them.Oh! And, each one has suggestions for other Japanese channels. I went over 2 more kanji. 県 and 庫. First one is pronounced as けん or ken. It means: prefecture. The second one's pronounced as くら (kura), こ (ko), or く (ku). It means: warehouse, storehouse, depository, cellar. They said sometime this month, I'll get my results for the JLPT through the mail. I'm a bit nervous, but I think I did much better than last time. So, we'll see.

Just got back from the support group that meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. (Also, meets on the 5th, if there is one. Like, last week.) It was a pretty lively discussion, like usual. People had a hard time talking about what happened to them recently, because we met just last week. But, there were some interesting topics that were brought up. Went to Shari's after. Thought I'd try their potato pancakes, and hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was ok. The pancakes were highly processed and seemed too soft. There was WAY too much pepper, too. (Seemed like more pepper than potatoes.) The only thing I liked on that entree were the apples that come on the side. They're oddly cut, but the sauce they were in was awesome. They only give you 3 little pancakes. Had half of them, but needed something more once we got home. So, I tried some frozen mini bite-sized gyros from Trader Joe's. They were very good! They were tiny, but seemed to have a lot more 'bite' than the pancakes did. 

deviantART fave: So Much Love I Died :Valentine's: I did not make this! It's a cute/dark drawing of a bear who apparently loved too much, and his love crushed his partner. His partner ends up being a ghost next to him. Done by an artist I watch. A lot of his stuff is amazing!

Love!

Mood:

By Hebe Tien. Hebe is a Taiwanese singer, actress, and TV program hostess. She's also a member of S.H.E. I already liked a few of S.H.E's songs, but never looked into the members' solo songs before. (Or even that they had them.) Lastfm suggested it, and I curiously checked it out. She has an amazing voice. I'm also rather new to songs that are in Chinese. (Whether from China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong.) They sound very interesting. It's another music avenue to explore, I guess. Anyways, not only does the song sound beautiful, the lyrics are interesting too. Even if they're repeated over and over again, it doesn't get old. It's about how everyone loves everyone else, but why don't people love themselves. The main part is saying, "I love you, you love her, she loves her, she loves him, you love me, I love him, he loves him, he loves her." Kind of an interesting part, too. The video's kind of cool.

It's still pretty cold out. I saw a couple of days ago, that there's a possibility of snow next week. Oh joy.The last couple of days I've been doing my walks a little later than usual. But, I hope to get back to the time I was doing before. I don't feel quite as safe when it's after sunset.Today's been weird mood wise, because for a while I'll feel happy, and then I feel a bit depressed. Not terribly depressed, but somewhat down. I don't really know why. Oh well. 

Started watching Dinner Tuesday. At a famous Italian restaurant, the chef and owner, collapses from a heart attack and slips into a coma. No one knows if he'll ever wake up again. The restaurant starts to go through a rough patch. The sous-chefs and manager (the owner's daughter) try their best to keep the restaurant running, but the amount of customers drops drastically. Saori, the manager, then decides to hire an extraordinary chef Esaki as the restaurant's new head chef. He focuses more on taste then tradition. He visited the restaurant as a customer the day before he started working there. He was very disappointed. It'll be interesting to see what he does to change the restaurant. The drama also gives off a warm atmosphere, which is enjoyable. I haven't totally fallen for this one, but I'll stick around to see what happens.

On Cartoon KAT-TUN yesterday they had a veteran actor. One that's been big in Japan for decades. The members of Kat-tun apparently grew up watching his work. Also had Aly and AJ (I've never heard of them, even though this was several years ago...) from the USA as guests on their 'secret briefcase' segment. They didn't seem very bright, although they did try to joke with the band members. So, I give them that. They gave Kat-tun Hello Kitty themed shirts with Aly and AJ featured in that style. Kat-tun gave them huge exercise balls or 'rodeo' balls. 

In Fairy Tail, Yukino was humiliated and thrown out of Raven Tail for losing a fight once. She was forced to strip off all her clothes in front of everyone, and remove her guild mark with her magic. She ran over to Fairy Tail's inn, and was willing to give up the last 2 keys Lucy needed to complete her set of celestial spirits. Lucy declined. Not knowing what to do or where to go, she broke down just outside of Fairy Tail's inn. Natsu had rushed to her trying to apologize to her, thinking that she was upset because of something he did. He found out what they did to her, and busted into Raven Tail's inn. He was furious and seemed much more powerful than usual. It ended with him challenging their guild master. 

Started reading Tripeace a couple of weeks ago. Nana has experienced extreme amnesia, and has forgotten his real name. After witnessing the unjust deaths of 3 children he met while traveling, he vows to eradicate all wars. In the most current chapter that I read, he stops children who started a 'war' over a cat. He said it was like a test run. That's all I know from what I've been reading. In the description they say he joins a group of activists called Tripeace, whose members stop at nothing to bring peace to the world. They apparently have lots of different weapons. And, they'll use violence in order to achieve peace. That sounds like it'll be interesting. Nana's kind of a funny character, but I like him already. 

At the cafe yesterday, I had a small hot chocolate. The barista who was filling in for the one that's normally there, added a ton of chocolate. More than what I usually get. That was a nice surprise.Practiced my kanji, drew a Tu B'Shvat thing and started drawing the assassin from my story, transposed an Irish tune, read more of The Silmarillion, and started rewriting the letter to my penpal. And the last couple of days, I've managed to play my clarinet some more. 

Youtube:
Another cool Gintama amv: