Cheesy 龙

Happy Chinese New Year! Enjoy this 龙 weekend hehe!^^v

Arrietty's song (Cover)

Cover over a piano version of "Arrietty's song" originally by Cecile Corbel for the movie "The Borrower Arrietty"/"The Secret World of Arrietty", produced by Studio Ghibli (Its their 2nd newest release before "From up on poppy hill"). I really liked this song the first time I heard it, and its sung by Cecile, who is not a native Japanese singer. The original song is mainly played with the harp by herself and its recorded in many languages by the same singer as she is fluent in all of them (English, German, French, Italian etc) and also by another singer G.E.M. in Cantonese. Cecile apparently was a huge fan of Studio Ghibli and she sent them some of her demo tapes, which led the producer to choose her for this project. Its a haunting, mysterious, mystical sounding song (the original at least), which is quite fitting for the movie I guess.

I have yet to see the movie, but shall do so soon! It won the Animation of the year (2010) at the 34th Japan Academy Awards. I think it wouldn't beat the older movies but should be a enjoyable film nonetheless.

So here's the video complete with english subtitles I made:



Arrietty's Song
originally by Cecile Corbel
from "The Secret World of Arrietty"
-


I'm 14 years old, I'm pretty
元気な 小さい Lady
床下に ずっと 借りぐらししてたの
I'm 14 years old and I'm pretty
Genki na Chiisai Lady
Yukashita ni zutto Karigurashi shitetano

時にはHappy, 時にはBlue,
誰かに会いたい
Toki ni wa Happy Toki ni wa Blue
Dareka to Aitai

風 髪に感じて 空を眺めたい
あなたに花 届けたい
Kaze kami ni kanshite, Sora wo nagametai
Anata ni hana todoketai

向こうは別の世界
ほら蝶々が舞ってる 私を待っている
Mukou wa wake no sekai
Hora chou-chou ga matteru, Watashi wo matteiru

そう、変わることのない わたしの小さい世界
嫌いじゃないの でもあなたを
もっと もっと知りたくて
Sou, Kawaru kotono nai, Watashi no Chiisai Sekai
Kirai janai no, demo anata wo
Motto, Motto Shiritakute 

喜びと悲しみは いつも 折り混ざってゆく
Yorokobi to kanashimi wa itsumo ori mazatteyuku

風 髪に感じて 空を眺めたい
あなたに花 届けたい
Kaze kami ni kanjite, Sora wo nakametai
Anata ni hana todoketai

向こうは別の世界
ほら蝶々が舞ってる あなたを待っている
Mukou wa wake no sekai
Hora chou-chou ga matteru, anata wo matteiru

太陽の下で 花に囲まれて
あなたと日々 過ごしたい
この想いを胸に 新しい世界で
私らしく 生きる
Taiyou no shimo de, Hana ni kakoimawate
Anata to hibi sugoshitai
Kono omoi wo mune ni atarashii sekai de
Watashi rashiku ikiru



The original:
 

Futomaki sushi

Woke up this morning and realised I ran out of breakfast foods (bread, cereal, pasta) so finally can't procrastinate using the sushi ingredients I bought way back. Been meaning to make some, but kept putting it off. So decided to make some futomaki sushi with the limited ingredients I have in the fridge.

Watched the another 'cooking with dog' video to remind myself how to do the omelette:

And then made mine!

Its really easy. If you work fast, the whole affair takes ~30mins I would say. :)
Excuse the really humble ingredients. (u.u)

 and instant miso soup.

Back to work~

11 mins of glorious fire in the sky

Good morning!~

I think by now its safe to say every country in the world is already in the year 2012. Woke up this morning to see BBC's video of last night's spectacular SPECTACULAR fireworks display at the London eye online. And after watching it I must say they really went all out with this one, seeing as the Olympics is starting this summer. 2012 is also the year that marks the Queen's Diamond Jubilee to celebrate 60 years of reign. Hence, economic woes and regional instability issues aside, these are some few causes for celebration.

Hence I've heard that it would be worth seeing this year, but as usual the crowd is a deterrent, so opted to try watching it on Primrose Hill instead, which was packed with a sizeable crowd over the entire top of the hill. The advantage is that you can get a really pretty paranomic view of the city, and that means you can see MANY MANY fireworks spot all at once (I didn't know there were so many in the UK!) including the London eye one. But the disadvantage is of course, you're are not under the umbrella of the fireworks with the sounds of the explosions ringing in your ear and the lights lighting up the entire sky in the field of your vision, but watching it from a distance. So the whole time I was like AHHH I WISHED I WAS OVER THERE! ah well, there is always the BBC video to remind myself of what I missed. X.X i shall try to brave the crowds next year perhaps if I have friends who are gungho enough. (D, A? :D)
 

I would say London won the best fireworks display this year. :) What do you think?

Some photos of the day:

Started my day by watching 2nd half of the annual NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen stream online. Ayu was the opening act probably cause she needs to rush to her own countdown live. Here's a relatively clear video:

Look out for 1.40 mins where there is a neat surprise! (highlight below for hint)

( Her dress is not what it seems! )

The red (female) team won! After the last years years of domination by the white team (male). :)

Went to Natural History Museum to meet CS on her last day in London enroute to Canada for exchange.

Then joined her relatives for afternoon tea at Mandarin Oriental Hotel which they said was the best they have tried in London.

Then went to a Chang's noodles near British Museum for Henan and Sichuan food (Lamb knife cut noodles) which was a nice warming meal for winter days. After which went to their house for a short stay until close to midnight when we joined Liz at Primrose Hill. (I sooo need a good camera for night shots!)

 There were many people setting off Kong Ming Lanterns.

 Anyway Happy New Year! :D

Another New Year

Yet another year has passed. In another 24 hours' time, it's going to be a new year for everyone. For me, this year is significantly different from the last, which is, too, significantly different from the preceding one. The recent years have all proved to be of extreme instability and perhaps a perfect example to illustrate the concept of change.

Same old — new year, new resolutions. What is a new year without the setting of new goals and targets anyway? The problem is that I can't even bear to give 2012 a thought. It's unnerving to realize so many things at once. All of a sudden, I'm no longer a teen. A year later, I'm an adult. Graduation after graduation, people meet, people leave. Everything is suddenly zooming past me like a whirlwind.

Or maybe it's just me (I did think of this). Maybe it's just me complicating life. Me putting too much thought into irrelevant issues that I stop being aware of the more important aspects in life, only to find out that I have missed so much when I snap out of my trance one day. So yeah, maybe, just maybe.

In any case, I'm pretty proud to announce that my life is back on track. Education, love, finance-wise, all looking good, at least for now that is but I'm an easily contented girl. I have my insecurities at times but I shall blame that on hormonal imbalance instead hah.

In the coming year, here's my list of resolutions:



1) Leave my hair long (all guys prefer long hair, no?)

2) Save up! (for, you know, future...)

3) Understand myself more (which is pretty difficult because the older you grow, the more you realize that you are onehellfafickle&baffling bitch, or at least that is what I think. Plus I genuinely believe that I need to understand what I want before I can give others what they want, especially when views don't agree.)

4) Survive in school (I say survive because I'm starting to feel the insignificance of papers to come by the mathematical concept called average)

5) Be happier (as with every year, naturally. Which, I realize, has got something to do with being a fool at times.)

6) Everyone around me to be happier (because I do love all of you so.)



I think that's about it. They are somewhat simple, slightly boring, some may even consider them to be immature (in the sense that I ought to mention something about ambition, career, something more concrete, dream bigger etc. FYI, I already have a good idea of what I want with regards to that so don't worry, haters). Anyway, it's always the simplest wishes which are the hardest to fulfill.

As much as I fear, I still look forward a new year and I will live it spending quality time with my family and friends. I will accept all new challenges with faith and since I'm another year older, I will make wiser decisions.

So, yes I am ready. C'mon 2012, BRING IT ON.

鳥の詩 (Cover)

Finally recorded "Tori no uta", a rather well-known song even by people who don't watch the anime AIR (It is the opening song). Its originally sung by Lia who did a few other songs for KEY animation. I say "finally" because I really like it, but never saved a recording because its a little difficult to get a decent one. Its a little challenging to sing because of the wider flucuations in pitch - I quote wikipedia: "Lia's vocal range spans almost two octaves from F-sharp₄ to D₆." So....I think I went flat on the lower notes. 


Anyway, here it this:

鳥の詩

Tori no uta from AIR (anime)

Originally by Lia

English translation from Atashi

We saw off the vanishing contrails

It was too glaring and I ran away- I was weak at all times

And regretting that I couldn’t stay unchanged since that day

That I couldn’t stay unchanged forever

I let go of your fingers

That bird still can’t fly well

But it’ll learn of slicing through the wind someday

An unreachable place still exists afar

Keeping my wish only to myself, I gaze at it

Children walk on the railroad tracks in summer

Exposing their bare feet to the blowing wind

I put my childhood days into the distance

I put the hope that takes off into my hands

We chased and chased the vanishing contrails

And overcame this hill, and since that day, they’ve stayed unchanged forever

So that it’ll be there for us readily

We can uphold the sea-godlike strength, certainly

The windmill’s blades spinning in that sky

Dream the same dream forever

I’m always gazing at the unreachable place

I kept my wish, the bird’s dream, to myself

When I look back, even if the cumulonimbus clouds

Concealing the sunburnt railroad tracks change shape

May we remember

The yesterday the seasons left behind

We chased and chased the vanishing contrails

And we burst into laughter at the too-early sign, forever

For our gazes to look straight ahead

Even if your hand is soaked in sweat, I won’t let go of it, always

We saw off the vanishing contrails

It was too glaring and I ran away- I was weak at all times

And regretting that I couldn’t stay unchanged since that day

That I couldn’t stay unchanged forever

I let go of your fingers

01:18

Right, so this is the second post of the night. I'm just wondering - who still reads our blog? Like seriously, even I don't feel like reading my recent posts lol.

I just drove out with K's car on my own and oh god, it's such fun.

Yeah, that's the end of my random pointless post hahaha.

Season Greetings

Ergh, I'm so terribly uninspired lately I can't stand myself. It's like I can't be bothered to dress up. I cheat and I throw on a leather jacket over everything and voila, I look put together. But no, I want new ideas, I need new styles. Le sigh.

Holidays pass real fast. I'm not exactly having a lot of fun but it's been satisfactory. I love my friends, family and my boyfriend. They have been great. I just feel like I lack something innately. Perhaps I have been too caught up with my bowels. My abdominal hasn't been looking great. I feel bloated most of the time and I was put on chlordiazepoxide and domperidone. It sucks. Or maybe it's that my skin is looking bad, though it's recovering.

On the other hand, I have been feeling accomplished. I'm kept busy with classes and occasions. There was so much on my to-do list! Genting trip, K's birthday, Christmas and New Year's Eve soon. It has been real fruitful. Pictures another time! I guess because of these consecutive parties that I had to organize that I am tired out. Fortunately, they all turned out successful and I am so proud of myself. Lots of friends showed up for K's BBQ and I received many compliments for the Christmas decorations during the house party. Attended K's friends' Christmas party on the eve of eve and I enjoyed myself immensely. I think it's lovely that I enjoy their company. They are really an awesome bunch.

As for the other aspect of my life, I am also indulging in Korean dramas till wee hours in the morning. Hyun Joong is just pure L.O.V.E. And then there's my boring hair that I tie up everyday. I am thinking of going dirty blonde just for the fun of it. I'm being fickle though - dirty blonde doesn't sound like it would go well with a qipao, does it?

Yeah, so that is mostly what goes on in my mind. It's not a lot but I'm occupied with them all the time. School's starting again soon and I wonder how I can make the best out of this semester. My recent CAP has been surprisingly not-as-bad (that means it's still bad sobs) considering the amount I studied. I got an A- for MKT1003X despite only reading the notes two days before the paper and not bringing in a textbook for an open-book format. Yes, everyone should take this mod. It's sadly boring but do it for your grades.

I think I am done updating on my life again! I don't think I sounded quite happy so I'm going to assure you now that YES I AM HAPPY. It's probably because I just hit twenty-one and ought to give my future some thought. It's scary how uncertain that can be so I'm deep in thought most of the time. But I am happy.

Till my next update!

Happy Boxing Day xx

コクリコ坂から From Up On Poppy Hill (Cover)

A short cover of "Sayonara no natsu" さよならの夏 from the movie コクリコ坂から (From Up On Poppy Hill) by Goro Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli. Its a gentle and wistful kind of song. If you watch the trailer or read the plot of the movie, you'll find that the theme song actually does relate well to it.

さよならの夏

Originally by Aoi Teshima

Translation:

A ship veiled in the shining sea

leaves behind the steam of good-bye

If I went down that loose hill,

would I meet the summer coloured wind

My love is a melody

which I sing high and low

My love is a seagull

that flies high and low

If I tried to call out in the sunset,

I wonder if I'd encounter the gentle you

The sound of a piano that somebody plays
very much resembles the rumbling of the sea
Do the people who come and go late in the afternoon
carry a summer coloured dream too?
My love is a diary
that spells the pages of my life 
My love is a boat
that goes throughout the empty sea
If I looked back in the sunset,
I wonder if you'd be looking for me


On the promenade shaking trees
cast shadows of good-bye
Can the old chapel and chicken weather vane 
be seen in the summer coloured town
Yesterday's love is nothing more but tears
they will soon dry out and disappear
Tomorrow's love is a mere refrain -
words that have no end
If we met by chance in the sunset,
I wonder if you'd embrace me.

The trailer for the movie if you are interested:

いつかのメリークリスマス (Cover)

Another recording done on christmas eve.

I wonder if I did the song justice?

いつかのメリークリスマス

Itsuka no Merry Christmas

Originally by B'z

The lights of December

Are slowly lit

And everyone comes to love

This frenetically dancing town

I rushed to the shops right before they closed

And bought the chair you wanted

Alone on the train, holding my package

I was happy

I felt like we could

Hold hands forever

Everything was sparkling

As we chased our dreams without a care

We smile at each other

As we think of how the day will come

When we’ll share all of both our happiness and our sadness

A merry Christmas one faded day

I sang as I followed the tracks to your house, hurrying a little

When you opened the door

You were busy making dinner

When I proudly showed you your present

You were happy from the bottom of your heart

At the sight of your face

I came right out and held you again

I felt like we could

Hold hands forever

Everything was sparkling

As we chased our dreams without a care

For the first time

I was afraid of losing you

A merry Christmas one day

When I realised what it was like to love somebody

Watching the light of the candles that lit up the room

I said we’d never be apart

And then suddenly

I cried, without even knowing why

I felt like we could

Hold hands forever

Everything was sparkling

As we chased our dreams without a care

For the first time

I was afraid of losing you

A merry Christmas one day

When I realised what it was like to love somebody

As I stand still someone hurries past me

Carrying their luggage with a happy face

Merry Christmas!

Here are some of my favourite songs to listen to on this day. :) They all have a different mood. Which one is closest to yours?

Itsuka no Merry Christmas (Originally by B'z)
I really really like the lyrics.



SMILE (Myco)
A nice upbeat Christmas-y song.



Winter Wish (Love Hina)

by Yonekura Chihiro. Another memorable christmas anime insert songs.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Do I plug this too much? A classic though.



If you are a fan of jpop, this is an excellent list you can check out for more songs :)

And lastly,
A short christmas medley.



Have yourself a merry little christmas!
Good night. :)

Food chronicle

Alone again with darkening sky outside at 2pm. Had 3 hours of weak sunlight today. On the bright (haha) side, yesterday was winter solstice so that means I can start counting down to longer sunlight hours with each day. I really should be mugging now since there is nothing on, but I'm stuck refreshing tabs on my explorer (come on i know you do too). And when the stubborn stagnancy of that finally bores me (which is a feat since I'm beyond bored), I turn to growing imaginary crops, raising livestock, bribing/befriending villagers and wooing cute bachelors on an farming game (Harvest Moon: A Tale of Two Towns!). I've set my heart on Cam to wed my character to. Takes me an one to get through one day on it. #fml. Other sad things to do is grocery runs, housework (what little of it) and ddr to get my bum off the chair for a few hours. Can't complain much as its kinda like a self induced laziness I can only blame myself for, but hey! what are holidays for? All I can say is i'm not alone heh heh heh. not that it should be an excuse.

Anyway, spent like a good 40mins perhaps today making pancakes. Its a long time to take for a few pancakes, but I was determined to get nice looking ones, which entails low heat, max time.

Used the morinaga japanese pancake mix I got on a whim after some failed thin crepey ones I ended up with last time, cause fluffy ones are the best! And I'm happy with the result. :) Looks kinda like the box doesn't it?

The instructions were pretty detailed:

1 medium egg + 100ml milk, + 150g packet of mix.
beat up egg and milk, add mix, lightly mix till even and don't over mix.
heat up pan with medium fire, coat evenly with oil, don't leave droplets of oil or it won't brown evenly.
remove pan and place on a wet towel to distribute heat evenly.
replace pan on small fire.
pour a ladle of mixture from a height of ~30cm from pan.
heat till small bubbles appear on top ~3mins.
flip over pancake and cover pan with lid for about 2mins.
done and repeat! phew.

It tasted really nice with the tart cranberry sauce i made from a while back. now i'm really full. ><

Some previous food photos (to justify taking them):

Gave in to temptation and bought the bar version of the Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles I always see in posh departmental stores. Its really sweet (a little too sweet?) with a mild champagne taste in the filling. Hmm..perhaps the truffles will taste better, but I think the packaging is sweet.

Smoked salmon was on offer in Waitrose and I bought 9pds worth of it. 0.0 (Its in a packet!) Had many indulgent toast with smoked salmon for a few days but its not exactly healthy (salt!) so not buying anymore after its gone.

Homemade matcha latte! Its really simple and healthy. :) Good way to start a day, and alternative to coffee! (Has caffeine)

And Pierre Herme macaroons! Which I think is nicer than Laduree's in terms of flavour and its not as overly sweet. :)

I got the white truffle flavour (was always curious about how it tastes like exactly) and...well I don't think it really goes with macaroons. ^^; There is a nice pearly sheen to it though. :) 綺麗！ 

and also Chuao - Dark Chocolate and Blackcurrant. Which was a good match. Each costs 1.85pds. *_* Probably the most worth-your-cost dessert to make it yourself.













Anyway, I should be studying! Or at least trying to.

テルーの唄

Hello. An update on my life. Its currently winter break now and London is being characteristically itself (rain and overcast skies.). The sun sets at 3ish mid afternoon and I'm home alone on my winter break thats not due to end until 3 weeks later. I should be studying, but haven't gotten into the hang of it yet, so i'm just being sedentary and wasting my time away. So, singing is just about the most calorie busting activity I have. Yup. 

Acquired a new (ex!) microphone as a present recently, so here is a recording to celebrate! :) hmm...not fantastic but oh well! There are 2 versions, the 2nd is more similar to the original singer (Aoi Teshima's singing..i think) and so happens to be shorter by one verse. The first is more of my interpretation? Didn't try and imitate her airy style(?). You probably can't tell the difference perhaps, so I shall cut the crap. =_= Until i can decide which to keep, here's both! @.@

#1

#2

Cover of "テルーの唄" (Teru no uta) originally by Aoi teshima from the movie "ゲド戦記" (Tales from Earthsea).

Lyrics translation:

At twilight above the clouds, the hawk which is always flying alone, must be sad.
In the midst of the silent wind, he cannot rest his wings that are clutching the air.

What can I compare my heart to?
My heart is like the hawk's.
What can I compare my heart to?
I feel sad just like him wheeling in the sky.

In the shadow of a rock in the drizzling rain, a small flower in bloom, must be painful.
In the dim coloured rain, she has no one to touch and love her faint peach petals.

What can I compare my heart to?
My heart is like the flower's.
What can I compare my heart to?
I feel as painful as being exposed to the rain.

Copper

My new copper nails looks almost minx, so friggin' rad I can't stop admiring.

Hi All

SURPRISE! Yes, I'm not dead. Just been suffering from the lack of inspiration lately. And I really mean it with respect to every single little thing. It's like I'm in a bubble looking at the world to which I can't reach, and neither can it reach me. It is quite a funny feeling, really. Kind of quaint in fact. Not threatening-quaint, but hmmmm-quaint, if you get what I mean.

(Actually, I blame it on my defunct laptop which I haven't got to repairing it. In it are links to my sources of inspiration here and there, little bits of my past and present, and naturally, some dark secrets of mine.)

On another note, Christmas is coming and that excites me. I'm not a crazy over Christmas but I always appreciate a good occasion to get together. What better than Christmas with all its festivities already brewing all over town? I have even got my Christmas tree up and going ;)

And that concludes my short update on my life. As for the rest untold, they are all mighty good ♥