This is actually what I did as I was sitting in the Las Vegas airport on my way home spring break. People were staring at my laptop as if they'd never seen one before. Sheesh. Anyway.
This is the opening song to Trinity Blood, one of my favourite anime. The tone and lyrics fit the mood and content of the anime quite well, even though at first glance they may seem a little strange. Just watching the opening song is more than enough to give you a feel for what you'll experience during viewing, which is much unlike most anime opening songs.
Credit goes to BUCK-TICK for the song. Please enjoy. : )
ドレス 『bloody trinity mix』
DRESS -bloody trinity mix-
鏡の前で君とまどろむ薄紅の指先
その手は不意に弱さを見せて
唇を塞いだ
kagami no mae de kimi to madoromu usubeni no yubisaki
sono te wa fui ni yowasa wo misete
kuchibiru wo fusaida
I doze in front of the mirror with you, with rouge fingertips
Unexpectedly, that hand showed weakness
And you closed your lips
あの日君と約束を交わした
今は二人思い出せずに。。。
ano hi kimi to yakusoku wo kawashita
ima wa futari omoidasezu ni...
That day, I exchanged promises with you
And now we can't remember it...
退屈な歌に耳を傾け
窓の外見つめる
僕はDRESSを纏踊って見せよう
狂ってる会教えて
taikutsu na uta ni mimi wo katamuke mado no soto mitsumeru
boku wa DRESS wo matori odotte miseyou
kurutterukai? oshiete
I hum a boring tune as I gaze out the window
Let me put on a dress and dance for you
Am I insane? Please tell me
いつかかぜにさらわれてゆくだろう
今は二人想い出せず Oh。。。
itsuka kaze ni sarawarete yuku darou
ima wa futari omoidasezu Oh...
Someday, the wind will carry me away
And now we can't remember it Oh...
僕はなぜ風のように雲のようにあの空へと浮かぶ羽がない？ なぜ。。。
星のように月のように全て包むあの夜へと沈む羽がない？ ああ。。。
Boku wa naze kaze no you ni kumo no you ni sora he to ukabu hane ga nai? Naze...
Hoshi no you ni, tsuki no you ni, subete tsutsumu ano yoru he to shizumu hane ga nai? Aa...
Why don't I have wings to fly in that sky, like the wind, like the clouds? Why...
Why don't I have wings to sink into that all-enveloping night, like the stars, like the moon? Aah...
忘れないで愛溢れたあの日々
君の顔も思い出せずに
wasurenai de ai afureta ano hibi
kimi no kao mo omoidasezu ni
Don't forget the love that overflowed on that day
I can't even remember your face
いつか風に書き消されてゆくだろう
いまは二人思い出せず Oh。。。
itsuka kaze ni kaki kesarete yuku darou
ima wa futari omoidasezu Oh...
Someday, the wind will erase what was written
And now, we can't remember it Oh...
僕はなぜ風のように雲のようにあの空へと浮かぶ羽がない？ なぜ。。。
星のように月のように全て包むあの夜へと沈む羽がない？ ああ。。。
Boku wa naze kaze no you ni kumo no you ni sora he to ukabu hane ga nai? Naze...
Hoshi no you ni, tsuki no you ni subete tsutsumu ano yoru he to shizumu hane ga nai? Aa...
Why don't I have wings to fly in that sky, like the wind, like the clouds? Why...
Why don't I have wings to sink into that all-encompassing night, like the stars, like the moon? Aah...
僕はなぜ風のように雲のようにあの空へと浮かぶ羽がない？ なぜ。。。
この愛もこの傷も懐かしい今は愛しくて痛み出す。。。ああ。。。
Boku wa naze kaze no you ni, kumo no you ni ano sora he to ukabu hane ga nai? Naze
kono ai mo kono kizu mo natsukashii ima wa itoshikute itamidasu Aah...
Why don't I have wings to fly in that sky, like the wind, like the clouds? Why...
This love, and this wound, are now something beloved. They begin to ache... Aah...
Friday, May 30, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Seminary Graduation and Thoughts on Religion
I just graduated from the LDS Seminary program about an hour ago. It's been a long four years studying the scriptures, but I have made it through.
Seminary has been a mixed experience for me. My first year, I didn't want to take seminary. I was too concerned with getting in all my credits for regular high school graduation. At my parents' insistence, I reluctantly signed up to begin seminary in ninth grade.
I think that year was my most impressing year. I had so many spiritual experiences and I felt the Spirit almost every time I walked in. That year we were studying the New Testament. This has always been my favourite part of the quad we Mormons have, as blasphemous as it is to claim something other than the Book of Mormon as my favourite gospel book. I feel like learning about the Saviour, and His sacrifice for us, and His teachings, is the most fundamental and necessary part of any Christian religion. Without Him, there would be none of our religion.
Sometimes, I feel like Mormons get too wrapped up in the Book of Mormon. Now, I understand that the BoM is indeed an important part of our religion. But, it is not the only part of our religion. The BoM is another testament of Jesus Christ, not the only one. And while it does teach many important things, and testify that there were people in the Americas that saw the Saviour, it does not show the Saviour, nor his miracles, nor show us the degree of His suffering or His death for us. It is important that people other than those in the Middle East saw Him, but I feel more inspired by His teachings, rather than the bare testimonies of His followers, as powerful as they are.
The next year, I moved up to the high school and learned about the Book of Mormon. This was a year of learning and realization for me - I left the US for almost three weeks in the middle of the first semester. My first trip abroad, and to someplace as different from the US as Taiwan, I had a true awakening. I saw, for the first real time, a religion outside my own, a people who were as good as any Mormon, who were kind. They told me and my dad about how they saw the missionaries - kind, handsome young men - and how impressed they were with them. They graciously accepted the fact that we didn't drink wine, or tea, or coffee. And, along with all this, I realized how big the world is, how diverse its people are, and I began to understand God's love for all his children, no matter what race or religion they are.
And when I returned home, I realized to myself how petty and sheltered everyone at school was. I realized for the first time how difficult and selfish Mormons that have grown up in a place where there is basically no other religion are. I think it was after that trip I entered into a very difficult phase - the phase of knowing things, and having experienced things, that no one in their life could ever dream of having.
It was hard for me. I became less acceptable than I already was. When Mormons at school found out that I had gone to Taoist and Buddhist temples, and done some of the most basic gestures, such as bowing to a statue out of respect, they turned on me. I found it difficult to really pay attention in seminary when everyone acted as if I wasn't there. Why freak out over something so small? I am not going to go to hell for experiencing another culture, and acting respectably upon their religion's practices. It's not like I had converted to Taoism. Reading the Book of Mormon was a struggle.
And yet, I think I had the first true, strong manifestation of the Spirit at the end of that year. After having struggled with something that was wearing on me mentally and physically, and after a powerful lesson on prayer, I knelt and prayed with all my heart. The Spirit came to me, so strongly, that I knew more than anything that the Church was true, and that Heavenly Father cared about me. Just that one prayer. Can one who was a heathen, and who had 'rejected the gospel' feel such a truth?
The next year, I was in London and the rest of Europe for half the year. Amazingly, Mormons over there were more accepting. They were much more willing to allow me into their circle, and talk about my experiences with me. I'll attribute it to the fact that most of them didn't grow up in an area that was predominantly Mormon - in fact, most of them were converts. They knew that there was no true evil in another religion (any God-worshipping religion, anyway. Of course, devil-worshipping is evil. /disclaimer). They didn't shun me for bowing in a Buddhist temple, or washing my hands at a fountain in front of a temple to Kanon.
And, while I was there, I traveled to many cathedrals of Catholics and Anglicans. I attended evensong at Salisbury. I knelt in St. Peter's in the area where kings were crowned, and when I was unintentionally abandoned in a side chapel for a few hours, I knelt down with other Catholics and prayed for awhile. No one looked at me as if I was a freak when I did that. True, they probably didn't know I was a Mormon, but at least they weren't staring at me as if to say, "You American Protestant! How dare you defile our chapel by praying?"
Why is it that people outside Mormonism are so much more accepting?
And so I came back, again. I didn't say anything about the religious experiencing I had done in Europe - at least, not explicitly. Upon returning to regular Utah seminary, I acted as a friend and translator to a Japanese exchange student. It was difficult, as I again was generally ignored (I don't know if the other students inherently knew that I had done rituals outside the Mormon religion, or if they just didn't care to get to know the "new girl"). I was proud of the growth and Spirit that Yuka had experienced. I still pray for her, and hope that she is continuing to learn the gospel back in Yokohama.
This last year has probably been my hardest. So many things have happened this year that it was difficult to concentrate in seminary, and, in the few times I was been able to, I felt let down due to what was going on in the class. I couldn't feel the spirit I felt like I should have been feeling. As a senior, in a class where most students have either dropped seminary, skip classes all the time, or just don't care, it's been very difficult for me to want to go to class. The juniors and sophomores that have been in my classes don't seem to understand the gravity of the words they are ignoring. This last semester, one certain boy has come in, pulled out his brown-bag lunch, and munched loudly on it. Once finished, he proceeds to make as much noise as possible and attempt to draw all attention to himself.
It's disgusting, especially since after a few days almost every other boy in class joined him in making a racket. I could probably have learned more about the Old Testament by just going home, pulling out my scriptures, and reading myself. There should be a big sign on the doors to the seminary building reading: "IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY, IF YOU ARE NOT COMING TO FEEL THE SPIRIT, IF YOU ARE NOT COMING BECAUSE YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE GOSPEL, DON'T BOTHER COMING." The way the younger students have acted has made this year pointless.
Did I point out that it got out that I had participated in mass and prayed in a Catholic church? For the most part, I think this was accepted generally well. But I still get the occasional look that says, "You're going to hell for straying outside the gospel. Catholics and Anglicans are so sacrilegious. There is no redemption for you." (I suppose that pointing out most of the chapels in the valley are in that very 'sacreligious' cruciform didn't help me?)
I'm a bad Mormon because I participated in Mass. I'm a bad Mormon because I bought incense and waved it through a Taoist temple. I'm a bad Mormon because I tolerate others' swearing. I'm a bad Mormon because I'm friends with Catholics. I'm a bad Mormon because I know, I know that gays aren't bad people, and I'm bad because I don't verbally abuse gays or participate in such conversations. I'm a bad Mormon because I think Gothic cathedrals are beautiful. I'm a bad Mormon because I don't go out on a date every weekend, or have plans to get married as soon as I graduate from high school. I'm a bad Mormon because I'm not waiting for a missionary. I'm a bad Mormon I want to go to Japan for university, rather than staying at BYU. I'm a bad Mormon because I want to go explore the world, explore cultures, live somewhere other than in Utah all my life.
Where have I gone wrong, I wonder?
It's my view that there's truth in every religion. I thought that it was good to be a well-rounded person, and I consider being able to respect other religions, and being willing to participate in their rituals, part of becoming well-rounded. Am I wrong? Am I damned for being willing to participate in the activities of other religions, especially when Mormons are encouraged to invite friends of other faiths to their activities? Is there ever a commandment somewhere saying, "You do all you can to bring your friends to the gospel, but if they ever invite you to a friendly activity of theirs, you turn snobbish and say you won't participate in those devil rituals"? Am I going to hell for being willing to learn, and experiences, things from other cultures, even if I still have a testimony of the truth of the gospel I know, and I am still a faithful member? And, with all this confusion, rejection, and the occasional mock-crossing of oneself directed at me, am I not validated in feeling like seminary was overall a bad experience, mostly deprived of the spirit I was supposed to experience?
If so, I might as well go become an Anglican.
Seminary has been a mixed experience for me. My first year, I didn't want to take seminary. I was too concerned with getting in all my credits for regular high school graduation. At my parents' insistence, I reluctantly signed up to begin seminary in ninth grade.
I think that year was my most impressing year. I had so many spiritual experiences and I felt the Spirit almost every time I walked in. That year we were studying the New Testament. This has always been my favourite part of the quad we Mormons have, as blasphemous as it is to claim something other than the Book of Mormon as my favourite gospel book. I feel like learning about the Saviour, and His sacrifice for us, and His teachings, is the most fundamental and necessary part of any Christian religion. Without Him, there would be none of our religion.
Sometimes, I feel like Mormons get too wrapped up in the Book of Mormon. Now, I understand that the BoM is indeed an important part of our religion. But, it is not the only part of our religion. The BoM is another testament of Jesus Christ, not the only one. And while it does teach many important things, and testify that there were people in the Americas that saw the Saviour, it does not show the Saviour, nor his miracles, nor show us the degree of His suffering or His death for us. It is important that people other than those in the Middle East saw Him, but I feel more inspired by His teachings, rather than the bare testimonies of His followers, as powerful as they are.
The next year, I moved up to the high school and learned about the Book of Mormon. This was a year of learning and realization for me - I left the US for almost three weeks in the middle of the first semester. My first trip abroad, and to someplace as different from the US as Taiwan, I had a true awakening. I saw, for the first real time, a religion outside my own, a people who were as good as any Mormon, who were kind. They told me and my dad about how they saw the missionaries - kind, handsome young men - and how impressed they were with them. They graciously accepted the fact that we didn't drink wine, or tea, or coffee. And, along with all this, I realized how big the world is, how diverse its people are, and I began to understand God's love for all his children, no matter what race or religion they are.
And when I returned home, I realized to myself how petty and sheltered everyone at school was. I realized for the first time how difficult and selfish Mormons that have grown up in a place where there is basically no other religion are. I think it was after that trip I entered into a very difficult phase - the phase of knowing things, and having experienced things, that no one in their life could ever dream of having.
It was hard for me. I became less acceptable than I already was. When Mormons at school found out that I had gone to Taoist and Buddhist temples, and done some of the most basic gestures, such as bowing to a statue out of respect, they turned on me. I found it difficult to really pay attention in seminary when everyone acted as if I wasn't there. Why freak out over something so small? I am not going to go to hell for experiencing another culture, and acting respectably upon their religion's practices. It's not like I had converted to Taoism. Reading the Book of Mormon was a struggle.
And yet, I think I had the first true, strong manifestation of the Spirit at the end of that year. After having struggled with something that was wearing on me mentally and physically, and after a powerful lesson on prayer, I knelt and prayed with all my heart. The Spirit came to me, so strongly, that I knew more than anything that the Church was true, and that Heavenly Father cared about me. Just that one prayer. Can one who was a heathen, and who had 'rejected the gospel' feel such a truth?
The next year, I was in London and the rest of Europe for half the year. Amazingly, Mormons over there were more accepting. They were much more willing to allow me into their circle, and talk about my experiences with me. I'll attribute it to the fact that most of them didn't grow up in an area that was predominantly Mormon - in fact, most of them were converts. They knew that there was no true evil in another religion (any God-worshipping religion, anyway. Of course, devil-worshipping is evil. /disclaimer). They didn't shun me for bowing in a Buddhist temple, or washing my hands at a fountain in front of a temple to Kanon.
And, while I was there, I traveled to many cathedrals of Catholics and Anglicans. I attended evensong at Salisbury. I knelt in St. Peter's in the area where kings were crowned, and when I was unintentionally abandoned in a side chapel for a few hours, I knelt down with other Catholics and prayed for awhile. No one looked at me as if I was a freak when I did that. True, they probably didn't know I was a Mormon, but at least they weren't staring at me as if to say, "You American Protestant! How dare you defile our chapel by praying?"
Why is it that people outside Mormonism are so much more accepting?
And so I came back, again. I didn't say anything about the religious experiencing I had done in Europe - at least, not explicitly. Upon returning to regular Utah seminary, I acted as a friend and translator to a Japanese exchange student. It was difficult, as I again was generally ignored (I don't know if the other students inherently knew that I had done rituals outside the Mormon religion, or if they just didn't care to get to know the "new girl"). I was proud of the growth and Spirit that Yuka had experienced. I still pray for her, and hope that she is continuing to learn the gospel back in Yokohama.
This last year has probably been my hardest. So many things have happened this year that it was difficult to concentrate in seminary, and, in the few times I was been able to, I felt let down due to what was going on in the class. I couldn't feel the spirit I felt like I should have been feeling. As a senior, in a class where most students have either dropped seminary, skip classes all the time, or just don't care, it's been very difficult for me to want to go to class. The juniors and sophomores that have been in my classes don't seem to understand the gravity of the words they are ignoring. This last semester, one certain boy has come in, pulled out his brown-bag lunch, and munched loudly on it. Once finished, he proceeds to make as much noise as possible and attempt to draw all attention to himself.
It's disgusting, especially since after a few days almost every other boy in class joined him in making a racket. I could probably have learned more about the Old Testament by just going home, pulling out my scriptures, and reading myself. There should be a big sign on the doors to the seminary building reading: "IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY, IF YOU ARE NOT COMING TO FEEL THE SPIRIT, IF YOU ARE NOT COMING BECAUSE YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE GOSPEL, DON'T BOTHER COMING." The way the younger students have acted has made this year pointless.
Did I point out that it got out that I had participated in mass and prayed in a Catholic church? For the most part, I think this was accepted generally well. But I still get the occasional look that says, "You're going to hell for straying outside the gospel. Catholics and Anglicans are so sacrilegious. There is no redemption for you." (I suppose that pointing out most of the chapels in the valley are in that very 'sacreligious' cruciform didn't help me?)
I'm a bad Mormon because I participated in Mass. I'm a bad Mormon because I bought incense and waved it through a Taoist temple. I'm a bad Mormon because I tolerate others' swearing. I'm a bad Mormon because I'm friends with Catholics. I'm a bad Mormon because I know, I know that gays aren't bad people, and I'm bad because I don't verbally abuse gays or participate in such conversations. I'm a bad Mormon because I think Gothic cathedrals are beautiful. I'm a bad Mormon because I don't go out on a date every weekend, or have plans to get married as soon as I graduate from high school. I'm a bad Mormon because I'm not waiting for a missionary. I'm a bad Mormon I want to go to Japan for university, rather than staying at BYU. I'm a bad Mormon because I want to go explore the world, explore cultures, live somewhere other than in Utah all my life.
Where have I gone wrong, I wonder?
It's my view that there's truth in every religion. I thought that it was good to be a well-rounded person, and I consider being able to respect other religions, and being willing to participate in their rituals, part of becoming well-rounded. Am I wrong? Am I damned for being willing to participate in the activities of other religions, especially when Mormons are encouraged to invite friends of other faiths to their activities? Is there ever a commandment somewhere saying, "You do all you can to bring your friends to the gospel, but if they ever invite you to a friendly activity of theirs, you turn snobbish and say you won't participate in those devil rituals"? Am I going to hell for being willing to learn, and experiences, things from other cultures, even if I still have a testimony of the truth of the gospel I know, and I am still a faithful member? And, with all this confusion, rejection, and the occasional mock-crossing of oneself directed at me, am I not validated in feeling like seminary was overall a bad experience, mostly deprived of the spirit I was supposed to experience?
If so, I might as well go become an Anglican.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Birthday presents, birthday thoughts
Death Note was a blast. Although it is very intense, very psychological, there were so many humourous scenes it was almost difficult to take it seriously. At least, on my end. Most of the humour revolved around the frightening Ryuk. In fact, when my friend, who has had no Death Note experience whatsoever, saw Ryuk, she whispered to me, "Now I'll have nightmares." I replied that within the hour, she would wonder why she ever said so.
I think it was about the time Ryuk started banging his head against the ceiling screaming, "I just want some apples!!" she realized how true this was. Now, if only we hadn't had the otaku jerks sitting behind us, I think the movie would have been much better. But that's just my opinion.
It's weird to think that I'm an adult now. I can vote, I can buy dry ice, I can get married, I can move out, I can go to jail. I don't feel like an adult at all. I don't want to take care of myself. Maybe I'll get over it.
My birthday's a little spread out this year, since my family and I don't live together. I think in total, it'll last about five days, if you count from when I got my first present to when I'll probably get my last one. I've gotten, so far:
-A gift card to Subway
-A Death Note L t-shirt and bookmark
-$100 for the buying of a tennis racket and other necessaries
-Two shirts, a pair of jeans, and new shoes
-"England's Thousand Best Churches", a book about... well, England's thousand best churches
-Dinner at the Happy Sumo
-Ice cream at Cold Stone
-Contract for my apartment!!! Yes!!!
-... random Finnish souvenir paraphernalia? XD I won't get that for awhile, but...
Oh goodness. Best birthday ever.
I think it was about the time Ryuk started banging his head against the ceiling screaming, "I just want some apples!!" she realized how true this was. Now, if only we hadn't had the otaku jerks sitting behind us, I think the movie would have been much better. But that's just my opinion.
It's weird to think that I'm an adult now. I can vote, I can buy dry ice, I can get married, I can move out, I can go to jail. I don't feel like an adult at all. I don't want to take care of myself. Maybe I'll get over it.
My birthday's a little spread out this year, since my family and I don't live together. I think in total, it'll last about five days, if you count from when I got my first present to when I'll probably get my last one. I've gotten, so far:
-A gift card to Subway
-A Death Note L t-shirt and bookmark
-$100 for the buying of a tennis racket and other necessaries
-Two shirts, a pair of jeans, and new shoes
-"England's Thousand Best Churches", a book about... well, England's thousand best churches
-Dinner at the Happy Sumo
-Ice cream at Cold Stone
-Contract for my apartment!!! Yes!!!
-... random Finnish souvenir paraphernalia? XD I won't get that for awhile, but...
Oh goodness. Best birthday ever.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Happy birthday to me!
高校は終っている! 今日、私が私の最後の日を行きました。実は、高校が終りまへん；今日のあとで、私は行きまへん。クラスのに、 私たちがことしない、 じゃ私は仕事を行きますとお金をある。
School is over! I attended my last day today. Technically, it is not over; I am just not going anymore. We are doing nothing in my classes, so I figured that it would be better to go work and put some money into my college fund.
そして、この木曜日は私の誕生日です、 私の家族が来る。何時家族が来る、誰かが高校を行きます？
Plus, my birthday is on Thursday and my family is coming out to visit me. Who would go to school when people are coming to see them?
そう言うなら、この 朝、 私が一のクラスが出した、 私のローッカがバルーンとKimeruの写真をはち切れる! サインが読む: 「お誕生日おえでと、部長! お前のファクルブがお前の大好き!」
Speaking of my birthday, I came out of first period today to find my locker excessively decorated and stuffed with balloons and pictures of Kimeru. The finishing touches read, "Happy Birthday, Buchou! Your Fan Club Loves You!"
私の友達が大好き。☆キラキラ☆
I love my friends.
私のバースデイパーテイが明日の夜。私達が饅頭とチョコレットと山葵のケッキを食べます。 あと、私達が「DEATH NOTE」を見ている。見ている、 私が嬉しい、でもその映画がダブです、 じゃ私は少し恐がるです。(笑)
I'm having my birthday party tomorrow night. Several of my friends and I are going to meet at my house to have dim tai fun and chocolate-wasabi cake before we head off to the nearby mall in order to watch the live-action Death Note movie. I'm excited to see it, but it's dubbed, so I'm a little afraid as well. -laugh-
In other good news, my friend Nicole and I did finally find a place to stay for fall/winter semesters this term. We got a shared room at a small apartment complex just a couple streets south of campus. The apartments are very nice, and the rooms are a decent size, with a tall ceiling and plenty of space, plus a sink in each room. The bedrooms are even up a small set of stairs, so it feels more like a small little townhouse, rather than a cramped dormitory.
If there's anything I'm afraid about, it's the fear that we might have landed a room with some snot like what Nicole had to room with fall semester this last year. It would be easier, because Nicole and I get along really well and we would be in our own room, but it would be nice if we didn't have to put up with someone like... I'll say no *coughhelencough* names. I don't know who our apartmentmates are... hopefully they're nice.
We'll rush like madwomen and move into the apartment in late August.
Hurray for birthdays!
Oh... and if you didn't notice, I am going to start trying to write parts of my blogs in Japanese as well, now. In a few months, I'll probably look back and say, "Stone the flamin' crows, I was terrible!" Oh well. Such is life.
School is over! I attended my last day today. Technically, it is not over; I am just not going anymore. We are doing nothing in my classes, so I figured that it would be better to go work and put some money into my college fund.
そして、この木曜日は私の誕生日です、 私の家族が来る。何時家族が来る、誰かが高校を行きます？
Plus, my birthday is on Thursday and my family is coming out to visit me. Who would go to school when people are coming to see them?
そう言うなら、この 朝、 私が一のクラスが出した、 私のローッカがバルーンとKimeruの写真をはち切れる! サインが読む: 「お誕生日おえでと、部長! お前のファクルブがお前の大好き!」
Speaking of my birthday, I came out of first period today to find my locker excessively decorated and stuffed with balloons and pictures of Kimeru. The finishing touches read, "Happy Birthday, Buchou! Your Fan Club Loves You!"
私の友達が大好き。☆キラキラ☆
I love my friends.
私のバースデイパーテイが明日の夜。私達が饅頭とチョコレットと山葵のケッキを食べます。 あと、私達が「DEATH NOTE」を見ている。見ている、 私が嬉しい、でもその映画がダブです、 じゃ私は少し恐がるです。(笑)
I'm having my birthday party tomorrow night. Several of my friends and I are going to meet at my house to have dim tai fun and chocolate-wasabi cake before we head off to the nearby mall in order to watch the live-action Death Note movie. I'm excited to see it, but it's dubbed, so I'm a little afraid as well. -laugh-
In other good news, my friend Nicole and I did finally find a place to stay for fall/winter semesters this term. We got a shared room at a small apartment complex just a couple streets south of campus. The apartments are very nice, and the rooms are a decent size, with a tall ceiling and plenty of space, plus a sink in each room. The bedrooms are even up a small set of stairs, so it feels more like a small little townhouse, rather than a cramped dormitory.
If there's anything I'm afraid about, it's the fear that we might have landed a room with some snot like what Nicole had to room with fall semester this last year. It would be easier, because Nicole and I get along really well and we would be in our own room, but it would be nice if we didn't have to put up with someone like... I'll say no *coughhelencough* names. I don't know who our apartmentmates are... hopefully they're nice.
We'll rush like madwomen and move into the apartment in late August.
Hurray for birthdays!
Oh... and if you didn't notice, I am going to start trying to write parts of my blogs in Japanese as well, now. In a few months, I'll probably look back and say, "Stone the flamin' crows, I was terrible!" Oh well. Such is life.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Anime is Literary
So I like anime. Big deal. So I don’t like dubbed anime. Big deal. Why?
For some reason, I seem to find more “literary” themes in the anime I’m attracted to, so to speak, than I do in most books I read. The Japanese version of anime always keeps plots and subliminal themes that seem to reveal so much more of the cruelty and hope of humanity than even some of the so called “masterpiece literature” we read in class.
To make a (not very strong) point, here are some themes and plots in my favourite anime – that is, the anime that I’ve watched that I fully enjoy, and that I don’t just watch for the sake of watching – that I’ve noticed as the years and episodes go by.
(And hopefully, if my family is reading this, they will not freak out about what they see. If you do, you might as well go whale on English teachers. Life is life, and life sucks sometimes. I have learned this, if nothing else, from my Literature class this year).
Yuugiou / Yuugiou: Duel Monsters / Yuugiou: Duel Monsters GX
- We all have an “other self” inside of us. Beautifully explained by the creator, Takahashi Kazuki.
- Ambitions, dreams, and ideals can be seen in an action as simple as playing a card game
- Morality of murder, suicide, crime, etc.
- Theme of reincarnation
- Theme of nihilism/existentialism
- Theme and limits of friendship
- Exploration of split personalities, IDD, and other mental disorders
- In GX: the criticism and exploration of the situations that induce homicidal behaviour
- Possession, destruction, helplessness of humankind against celestial and supernatural forces
Angel Sanctuary
- Morality of incest
- Is heaven all good? Is hell all bad?
- Reincarnation
- Criticism of divine judgement, morals, and laws
- Nihilism/existentialism
- Murder, suicide, genocide, etc.
- What exactly is love worth?
- War, calamity, end of the world
Hakushaku Cain / Godchild
- Incest, adultery
- Black magic (ie tarot reading, necromancy) and supernatural powers
- Corruption, hatred, war, civil unrest
- “Children that are hated by God” / “Children that cannot receive God’s blessing”
- Struggling against destiny/foreordination
- Murder, suicide, homicide
- Selfishness, selflessness
- Filial love = hatred
- Abuse
- Deceit, trickery
- Split personalities
- Heavy sacrilegious themes
- The story of Abel and Cain – did God truly hate Cain?
Trinity Blood
- Unrest between religion and the world
- The Vatican vs. Vampires
- War and peace
- “Let thine eyes be not averted” (I take this as “do not look away from the world/truth”)
- Finding true religion
- Abel and Cain
- Split personalities
- Hatred and love
- Death is unavoidable
- Truth vs. lies
Shaman King
-If twins are born, are they their own selves, or are they separate units of the same person?
-Whose ideals deserve to prevail, and whose deserve to die?
-Genocide, the establishment of a world for only the chosen people (Hitler ideals?)
-Commitment, either to the “right” or “wrong” cause – neutrality when given extremist options… or is neutrality even an option?
-Is killing criminals a crime? Does a higher being command us to kill? Is there any difference between killing and “execution”?
-Choosing sides
-Belief in oneself and in others
Tennis no Oujisama
-Idea of one being unable to progress (due to unwillingness to progress, not feeling the need to progress)
-Doing things on your own vs. teamwork
-Sacrifice for your goals
-Silent suffering
-Conflict of promises
-Constant struggle to overcome yourself
Death Note
-What is “good”? What is “evil”? And the struggle to determine the answer to these questions
-Is someone who kills a criminal a murderer?
-Psychological warfare, cat-and-mouse game
-Using other people, lying, deceit, doing whatever necessary in order to accomplish your goals
-Is a good intention that utilizes committing crime really a good intention?
-Who deserves to judge humankind? Is divine judgment best left to God, or should humans take the initiative?
-Ideas of terrorism, homicide, etc.
-Is what you get in the end what you truly deserve?
-Does power, or the want to gain power, delude you or cause you to lose your mind?
-Are some ideals worth fighting for, no matter how delusional they may be?
Fruits Basket
-Exclusion of people that are different
-Suffering at the hands of a corrupted Christ-figure
-Unconditional love
-Family secrets, curses, and the repercussions of such things
Meine Liebe / Wieder
-Should government change? Is democracy or monarchy the best option for a kingdom?
-Coming to realize one’s limits, one’s true self, one’s true beliefs
-War, tension between countries, choosing what is best for one and one’s country
-Struggle for power
-Dreams and hopes of youth vs. cruelty of the world’s reality
-Change
-Crumbling of the social classes – giving those of lower social status a chance
-Tradition vs. need to modernize
Wolf’s Rain
-World after the apocalypse
-Quest for “paradise” – does it even exist? Are only the chosen ones allowed to gain access to paradise?
-Sacrifice
-Suffering
-Banding with others for strength and companionship
-Hunting those that can save the world
… So, does this do anything to convince you that anime is not just a different set of cartoons?
If not, I know not what to say.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
End-of-Year Sadness
My classmate is a very good person. He has an excellent sense of humour, loves to have fun, and is very friendly.
Today, we found out that he's in the hospital and might not make it.
On Friday, while driving, he had a seizure and ran into a house after losing control of the car. He was fine, but when they took him to the hospital, they found a tumor in his brain the size of an egg. Since it was most likely cancerous, they removed it. However, they nicked a blood vessel and he has been hemorrhaging since. At first they thought he might just be paralyzed on his left size, but about forty-five minutes ago we found out that they don't think he'll live through it.
This is upsetting to me. Here we are, almost to graduation, with our entire lives ahead of us, and someone right out of the midst of us has been struck with some of the worst of life's woes.
It's not fair, but what can I do?
Today, we found out that he's in the hospital and might not make it.
On Friday, while driving, he had a seizure and ran into a house after losing control of the car. He was fine, but when they took him to the hospital, they found a tumor in his brain the size of an egg. Since it was most likely cancerous, they removed it. However, they nicked a blood vessel and he has been hemorrhaging since. At first they thought he might just be paralyzed on his left size, but about forty-five minutes ago we found out that they don't think he'll live through it.
This is upsetting to me. Here we are, almost to graduation, with our entire lives ahead of us, and someone right out of the midst of us has been struck with some of the worst of life's woes.
It's not fair, but what can I do?
Sunday, May 4, 2008
End of school... it's coming!
Wow, I really haven't posted here in a long time... things have gotten pretty hectic as of last month. There was moving, going to California with my family for spring break, and since then mass-studying (at least, as much as I can stand).
I have finals these next two weeks: Government tomorrow, Literature on Thursday, then Biology the next Monday and Art History that Wednesday. Then, in all principle, school is over.
I have dorm selection dates this Wednesday. My birthday (and I'll finally be a legal adult D8) is in less than three weeks. I graduate a few days after that. Then college starts a month after my birthday.
Oh. My. Heck. I am growing up, and I don't think I like it.
I have finals these next two weeks: Government tomorrow, Literature on Thursday, then Biology the next Monday and Art History that Wednesday. Then, in all principle, school is over.
I have dorm selection dates this Wednesday. My birthday (and I'll finally be a legal adult D8) is in less than three weeks. I graduate a few days after that. Then college starts a month after my birthday.
Oh. My. Heck. I am growing up, and I don't think I like it.
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