Aha

Mood:


By Annamari and Robert Georgescu. This was Romania's entry for the 2010 Eurovision contest. Apparently, one of Romania's possible entries. The one that went on to compete is called Playing with Fire by Paula Seling and Ovi. I like this one, a bit more though.  Kind of a cool, energetic, dance song. Also, seems to have traces of traditional music in the background. 





Wow! It's already getting really warm.  We're in the high 80's so far. People are still saying it will reach 90. Tomorrow they say it will be like 92. We might break a few records. Oh, and today's Chocolate Day!Chocolate's so awesome, it has a holiday devoted to it! Got to have some later or something. (Really just an excuse. ) I posted a pic and a drawing: Little Hammerhead Zero and Loathe The first, a hammerhead we saw at Gumbo Limbo. Second, 2 original characters from my story, Alliance. Technically, Zero and Loathe are the same character, but it's complicated. I'd spoil it for people if I told them the story behind those characters.  I think the drawing came out pretty well. Much better than my previous ones. I guess I'm still improving. I find it funny that Loathe was the easiest to draw. A couple of people have already faved the pic. One actually commented!  That doesn't happen too often.  I'm thinking of filling out some of the memes next. Might draw a little of the next character too. But, it's going to be mostly memes for a little while.  I'll get to develop and torture my characters more.Those text ones sound interesting too. Will help with their development even more. I played more Irish tunes. Wasn't too bad. Only had one big slip-up which I lost my place. Wasn't fantastic, but not bad either. 


I saw a huge raccoon this morning.  (Like the size of a big dog.) She was messing around on the deck. Even looked inside our house a couple of times. Then, she walked off and explored our yard. Eventually, I think she heard me and froze for a minute. Finally, she just walked away. There's a small family of raccoons that live around the greenbelt or woods behind us. They've lived there for years. But, they don't come out in broad daylight usually. There are certain times of the year where they go off to find a stream that runs through. Usually, they have to cross our yard to get to it. I've seen like a family of 5 go single file along what looks like a tiny path. It's very cute, although a little scary at the same time. (They're vicious things!)

In O-Parts Hunter, Ball's spirit finally released. He beats Museshi with his 'cool ball'. The leader of the resistance finally makes it to the government's broadcasting room, but gets ambushed by a Zenom. Jio comes in just in time and saves him. Jagga goes crazy with power and gets sucked into Mekisis. He's the 'sacrifice' needed to make the O-part work. It was all so Wise could control it. 

日本語

I finished one sentence from the grill's manual. Starting another. 使用後は食器用洗剤でよく洗い、水気をふき取ってから収網してください。(Shiyou go wa shokki you senzai de yoku arai, mizuke o fuki totte kara shuu mou shite kudasai.) Please, after properly washing tableware with cleanser, use the vapor and hold from the supply netting. (Sounds funny, I'll go over it later on.) 

I also watched an interesting show called Walking the Kumano Kodo on TV Japan. It follows a woman who's walking the entire length of the trail. It used to be used as a pilgrimage route from Kyoto to Osaka. It leads to some famous shrines on the Kii Peninsula. There's many different little shrines along the way. I read that there are about 99 recorded small shrines. It became a World Heritage site in 2004. I think she made it to the Hongo Temple this time. It was really cool to see the sights along the way. I wouldn't mind walking a little of it. 

In Fairy Tail, as soon as Gray was about to use Iced Shell (which would have killed him) Natsu punched him. He said, 'Since when is dying finishing a battle? Ain't that just running away?' Zalty tilted the ruins back to what it was. Natsu goes off to fight him, while Gray fights Lyon. (This is part of Gray and Lyon's fight. Probably not the best screencap.) Gray wins the fight. At the end, Deliora came out of the ice. 

Lag B'Omer

Mood:


I've been feeling a bit weak, so I took it easy. Today's Lag B'Omer, or in English, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer. The Omer is like a countdown from the second day of Passover until Shavuot. (49 days.) Shavuot is a holiday celebrating the Torah. It's also a harvest festival. Lag B'Omer's a very joyous holiday. There's many reasons behind celebrating it. People celebrate with bonfires, barbeques, getting haircuts, weddings, picnics, listening to music, and parties. (The fires represent the light of the Torah.) Archery's also big during the holiday. My parents went to someone's place to celebrate. They're going to do some archery, have pizza, sit outside, and I'm not sure if they're going to have a bonfire. I just didn't feel like going. Also, Dad's going there as Jill, which should be interesting. I'm thinking of changing the template of my blog, to a more wider version, I guess. Hopefully, it'll look good. 

I watched a Japanese Drama called Mr. Brain on TV Japan last night. It's very funny and interesting. It's like a cross between Bones, CSI, The Mentalist, and Criminal Minds. I like all those shows, so it's pretty awesome! It's about a Neuroscientist named Tsukumo Ryusuke who works at IPS, or Institute of Police Science. His personality reminds me a lot of the main character in the Mentalist, only he's smarter and seems a lot more funny. He loves to get in people's faces, and tries to catch them off guard. The first episode I saw was the second, so I decided to watch the first one. 


It gave me more of a background on him. He used to be a popular Host. He was walking along a sidewalk on a busy street and the metal street walls fell on him. He was rushed to the hospital and they had to operate on his brain. Apparently, during the accident, he injured a part of it. His brain tried to compensate for the area. Which, in turn, has made him a lot smarter. So, he goes back to college and becomes a Neuroscientist all within 5 years. The IPS gave him the smallest lab, and said they don't know much about it. His assistant is Yuri, and she's new to neuroscience and had begged to be transferred somewhere else. After learning a bit more about it from Tsukumo, she's grown to like it a lot. He also has a pet rat that gets into things. He likes to eat a lot when he's trying to think clearly, mostly bananas and sweets. 


The cases are very interesting. The first one I saw was about a killer who likes to eat his victims after he's killed them. The murders are still happening even after his death. The other case was after the killer murdered his victims, he left what the police thought was a calling card. A giant 十 painted with the victims blood, which they either thought meant the symbol for 10 or was a religious symbol. They saw tinier ones in a corner and ignored them. These were a dying message from the victim that was the kanji for the killer's name. The killer tried to distract everybody with the giant one. It didn't distract Tsukumo for too long, and was the only one who noticed it. There's a dirty cop, who's been working with the Yakuza on the side. They thought it was him at first. But, after Tsukumo noticed the message, he knew it couldn't be the cop. So, they couldn't touch him. 


Apparently, a lot of the actors of the show are very famous and have won awards over there. This has sparked my interest in watching more Japanese dramas. As it is now, I've started watching Ando Natsu, Bambino!, and now Mr. Brain. All have been good so far. 


I hope to maybe make something from that recipe site either this week or the next. There's so many good looking ones. I just have to decipher the ones I want and make it. Also, I should find more music for my player this week. 

Ai (Chuuseishin) (Again)

Mood:


From the Excel Saga soundtrack. Funny song, and funny anime.  What could be better?  Well, I got up late again, pretty much for the same reasons as yesterday. Wahoo! At least I got more stuff done that I normally save for the weekend. 


I was looking around the NHK website in Japanese, and found their shows on there too. (Not very many, but some.) It was different than their English site.  Also, I've been looking for Asa Ichi's website for a while, and didn't realize they had their own section on the site. So, that's great! 


Also, on TV Japan, I like to watch something called Today's Menu or きょうの料理(Which literally means Today's Cuisine.) I managed to find their main site called Today's Menu For Everybody. It has cooking tips, recipes, and the basics of cooking. On top of that they have lots of videos on those topics, too.  They had things like the best way to peel a tomato, and how to chop and properly wash Gobo roots or Burdock. Also, I saw a vid on making a chicken saute with garlic and mustard sauce dish. It looked and sounded so good!  I'll have to try it out. 


They had a separate section for people who are members of the site called My Recipes. I thought, oh, why not try to create an account with them?  I thought since I wasn't in Japan, it wouldn't work. But, it did!  I was even able to read their survey and fill it out. It was for improving the site. They asked, how did you hear or find our site? How often do you watch it? Have you bought the books? How often do you cook? The last one helps them figure out what type of recipes to recommend. I like how after everyone's nickname, they put さん or san at the end.  Mine ended up being レイチェルさん. (Rachel-san or in romaji, reicheru-san.) Kind of funny, yet formal at the same time.  I like how they had a section under all the prefectures where you could say you're from abroad or other. I guess that means they know their audience isn't just in Japan. You can search the site by how many calories you'd prefer, what type of meat, vegetables, desserts, different cuisines, almost anything.  It's nice they give you a long list of recommendations too. Once you find a recipe you like, tag it or 'fave' it, and it will go into your personal collection. People can comment about it on your profile too. Also, you can print recipes. This site is another instant fave! 


I also watched an episode of Do! Culture on Women's Karate. I understood most of it.  They were showing how to do the basics in detail. They said that it's a perfect self-defense for women. Looked like it was hard for the host. (Even when they were just stretching.) She also had a good sense of humor about it all.  Eventually, she kept saying it was scary. 


Next, I watched Naruto Shippuden. Which was nice, since I haven't watched it in a while. It was mostly about Naruto finding out about Jiraiya's death. Itachi gave a bit of his power to Naruto so he can defend Konoha from Sasuke; when he had 'bumped' into him before his big fight. Jiraiya had left an encrypted dying message. The only one who might be able to give the key to crack the code is Naruto. Kurenai is very pregnant, and Shikamaru is still looking after her. Since he promised Asuma before he died. Asuma also told him that his baby will become Shikamaru's student. 


I played Flakboy. Which was a great stress reliever, although it was pretty violent. You're a weapons tester, and you're testing them on an alien, who apparently doesn't die. 


Next, I played Hugo Alone in the Tower. It was fun! It's a stick figure tower defense game. I got far in it, too! 


Youtube:
Chiri's crazy hair XD

Cool amv of Gintama with most of the opening and ending scenes:

Another awesome Hetalia tribute:

Maria- the illegal student:

Aha! (All We Want) (Again)

Mood:


By Love Psychedelico. Still an awesome song about love and freedom! Makes you feel good too. Got up a bit late since my muscles were screaming at me for gardening the other day. (Also, for another reason, that seemed to make it worse.) I mostly caught up on things that I usually save for the weekend. 


I looked for online Japanese TV. I wanted something where I could actually pause it and read the text. (Since it goes by so quick on TV Japan, I barely have time to read the first few characters.) Also, it gives me another way to hear what someone said. It's easier that you get to rewind it too. 


The first one I found was Channel J, which was good, but doesn't give you much. Also, it mostly just had the news. I want a mixture of everything. So, that's a good one for staying a bit informed on what's going on over there, but not something I'd frequent too often. 


Next is FNN News. A much more in depth news site. Might use it more than Channel J. Plus, I think they have more videos. 


Third one is Sony Music. This is the official Sony Music site. It has music videos, and music news. It will be a great way to learn more about their music artists, and be exposed to more music in general. 


The last one is Yomiuri Online. This site's amazing!  Tons of shows too! Shows on the news, animals, entertainment, 'popstyle', disasters, and the baseball team the Giants. 


They have an extra section called TV G+. This has a lot more shows, and I think I saw that they're going to add more soon.  One's actually an interesting news show called News Navigator. They have a few culture shows. One's called Komachi, which literally means town beauty. (It can also mean little town. Sounds better to me. ) Mostly it's about them visiting towns. Similar, I guess to ふるさと一番! or Furusato Ichiban! on TV Japan. (They called it Live From Your Hometown in English. I like watching it because you get to learn more about the people of Japan. ) 


Next, they have a show called Do! Culture. It's very interesting. About cultural and popular things. Like, one of the episode's about learning how to cook Italian food, since it's becoming so popular. Also, learning traditional instruments, martial arts and more. Very cool to me! 


Another is called 青森探偵 or Aomori Tantei. Which is Aomori Dectective or investigator. About a person who 'investigates' various towns in the Aomori prefecture. Showing what their famous for, like special foods, attractions and such. Kind of cool too. Another one is about fitness and health. All of these shows sound really awesome to me! We're thinking of dropping TV Japan, so I'm glad I might have found a good online TV site. 


Not only that, but Yomiuri has an amazing amount of other stuff on their site.  I could probably spend hours on it. They have in depth weather forecasts for lots of cities, traffic, and maps. In their gourmet section, they have recipes, tips, lists of good wines and non alcoholic drinks, also a lot of info on Japanese foods.  They have a picture section, with pictures from the news, sports, various towns, seasonal pics, and even tips on how to take good pictures.  They also have a section on the environment. 


Another one is on Tech news, new products and a Q&A part in it.  There's a travel section, with famous places and views, international food, events, and helpful info.  There's a book section, where you can read reviews, news, and interviews of authors.  Another is Home and Garden with news, discussion, home environment, home living tips and skills, world homes, town homes, even picking out gravestones.  I read somewhere in this section that someone grew 20,000 tulips in their garden, all because of a competition between neighbors.  They have a magazine section, where you can read snippets of them. 


An offshoot site is Yorimo with more stuff. Another one is called yomiDr. It has medical news, an encyclopedia of medical treatment or care, info on hospitals, a medical care discussion 'room', senior living, and more health topics. On the actual Yomiuri site they also have a database full of more info. Stuff on historic events, photos, and newspapers. I think this site has become a definite fave!