It's Still January...

... so technically, I can still post a New Year meme! :p

(and how lame is that? my first entry for the year is a freakin' meme?)

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

A lot of things, but the best would be that I traveled abroad for the first time! I also celebrated my birthday away from my family and closest friends, also a first time.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t exactly make resolutions, because I find it kinda limiting (does that make sense?). I remember though that I gave myself 2-3 years to plan for a trip in Japan and guess what? The trip unexpectedly happened last year! (well, it's job-related but, Japan dude!)

For this year, I'm again not making any resolutions. On the other hand, last year gave me more reasons and motivations to make new dreams. I don't expect everything to come true this year, nor do I expect that all of my dreams will come true. I just want something to aspire for, and enjoy the experience as I try to reach that goal.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister-in-law; my niece is now 8 9 months old and already basking in her status as our family's princess. Not that the previous not exactly family princess is complaining.


4. Did anyone close to you die?

No one, but there were so many deaths in 2009 that shook me up. :(

5. What countries did you visit?

China and of course, JAPAN *hearts*


6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Time and money! Also, not necessarily lacked, but I felt I was kind of gutsy in 2009 and I want to have that same gutsiness this year.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The day I tendered my resignation, my birthday in China, my first day in Japan and of course, my Tokyo Dome adventure!


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Moving to a new company; being alone in a foreign country.


9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being able to watch Arashi's concert in Tokyo :(

I can't say if this is really failure, but there were some opportunities that I missed last year. But when I think about it, if I didn't miss those opportunities, I wouldn't have experienced most of my best memories last year!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I really can't remember! Maybe not.


11. What was the best thing you bought?

Arashi concert goodies!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Filipinos collectively, when we paid tribute to Cory Aquino and when we gave help and support to our countrymen devastated by the calamities last year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Ampatuan, for starters. The shameless politicians who took advantage of the calamities to advance their political mileage.


14. Where did most of your money go?

Food, travel, car loan :(


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Japan trip! And the slightest, minisculest chance I would bump into Arashi or Toma!


16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Arashi’s Still… <3>


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?

The last half of the year made up for what could have been a lousy year, so yeah, happier.

b) thinner or fatter?

Fatter

c) richer or poorer?

Poorer OMG


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Read books, travel

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Work! Hahaha! Bum around


20. How did you spend Christmas?

The usual, with family, waiting for my inaanaks to pay me a visit and receive their gifts.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

I fell in love with Japan!


22. What was your favorite TV program?

I realized I watched a lot less TV last year because I've been busy elsewhere. My new finds last year that I really enjoyed were Leverage and Big Bang Theory.


23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No

24. What was the best book you read?


I can't even remember what books I've read last year! I think I only read Kazuo Isiguro's Never Let Me Go last year? So that's my answer.


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Greatest?! Isn't that a bit high a qualification?

Anyway, my new musical discoveries last year are Kings of Leon and Tokio Hotel (I know they've been around much longer but I seem to be far behind on what's current in the music scene!). Also, I'm not exactly fond of Lady Gaga, but I like Bad Romance so in a way, that's a musical discovery.


26. What did you want and get?

A new job! Trip to Japan!


27. What did you want and not get?

A new iPod; although it's more of me deciding to stick with my iPod until the very end :). More time in Japan as well. Gosh, I really want to go back!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Geez, I did not keep track of the films I saw last year! I'm totally biased, so Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is in my list. I also like Hurt Locker, Taken and Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (which was released ages ago but I've only seen last year).

29. What did you do on your birth day, and how old were you?


I was in China for work, so during the day I was working, but later that night my officemates threw a party for me at the hotel. I learned how to play Texas Hold 'Em poker. To cap the night, I washed my clothes using the Chinese washing machine.


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Maybe if I had more time to do other stuffs? Oh, if only I could have gotten inside Tokyo Dome and see Arashi in the flesh!


31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Comfort? I'm not exactly into fashion...


32. What kept you sane?

Arashi! My family and friends.


33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Need I say it again? Arashi! But most especially Sakurai Sho. Ikuta Toma. Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal. Hugh Jackman, dammit, Hugh Jackman in Wolverine. Joshua Jackson in Fringe. Sheldon in Big Bang Theory! Paul Jake of PBB <3


34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The never ending battle to change the constitution, Erap's political comeback, if Korina Sanchez would someday be the First Lady OMFG. Obama swatting a fly hahaha!


35. Who did you miss?

My brother, nephew and sis-in-law in New Zealand. My friends who I haven't seen for a really long time.


36. Who was the best new person you met?

I'm happy to found new friends at work! I also think that my Japanese colleague was nice. She asked me to call her by her first name and to not suffix it with -san. :)

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

I've learned this a long time ago but 2009 reinforced it - just a little courage is all it takes; to go where you want, to take a chance, to change things, to make your dreams come true.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

From Arashi's Still...:

(English translation)

This isn't goodbye, it's the beginning of many new meetings

But, I still want to see you again

Still...

Someday we'll meet again smiling, yes, I know it.

That was probably the day we set off walking, each on a different path

Until the time when we understand why we met each other

When the wheel starts to turn, the journey begin

So I'll gently embrace the past so I won't go astray again

Baka Gaijin - The Tokyo Dome Experience

Sometimes, I still can't believe it was only a week ago that I was circling the perimeter of Tokyo Dome, buying Arashi merchandise while trying to catch the sounds from their concert!

The minute I got confirmation that I'm really going to Japan, I checked Arashi's concert schedule and got the next best news - their Tokyo Dome concert coincided with my last week in Japan! I promised myself I would go there, even if I have no idea where Tokyo Dome is, or how to get there, even if I had to go there alone. :)

So, as it happens, I really went there alone. After the physically punishing (but oh-so-rewarding) pasyal we did (plus, the mentally exhausting work), they have to beg off from my yaya. Me? I'm just as tired as them, but I'm a girl on a mission. Armed with my map and digicam, with my reliable nano for company, I set off from Yokohama to Tokyo Dome.

From Yokohama to Tokyo was easy; we had a lot of practice taking the Minatomirai/Tokyu Toyoko line from Nihon-odori to Shibuya. From Shibuya, I took the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line, then at Nagatacho station I transferred to Tokyo Metro Namboku line which would take me to Korakuen station, the station nearest to Tokyo Dome City.

It was with much anticipation that I got off at Korakuen. It's not just because of all the Arashi goodies that I'd be buying, or the slight chance that I'd get to hear the ongoing concert, it's also because it was my first time going to Tokyo Dome City and I'm very excited to see the place. While I was exiting the station, I noticed some Japanese ladies lugging around rolled up papers wrapped in plastics of various colors and I know with certainty that those were Arashi posters! (Well, for one the colors of the plastics matched the assigned colors of each of the members). My pace quickened; all the while I was debating with myself whether to buy a poster. I promised I would only limit my Arashi goodies to their eco bag, cellphone strap and notebook. Let's see whether I stayed true to my promise!

And then - I was greeted by the huge stadium, the bright lights, and Arashi fans everywhere! Back in Manila, I don't personally know anyone who is an Arashi fan and now all of the sudden, I was surrounded by Arashi fans. It's kind of a nice feeling. :) And they come in all shapes and sizes and ages! I'm amazed that Arashi is supported by this very diverse set of fans. I was feeling quite gutsy and wanted to chat some of them, then I remembered I don't speak decent Nihonggo and I was overcome by shyness and intimidation. So I just went to find the booth selling the goodies. I didn't have to look long and hard as the booths were quite near the entrance.

Now the challenge: there's a sign with a drawing that means "no photos", but other than that, I can't read the instructions. I made my first mistake: I went in on the wrong side, so the staff tried to stop me and pointed me at the right entrance. I got in; since the concert had started already, there were no lines on the booths and you can flit in from one booth to another. I bought the eco bag, cellphone strap and notebook. As usual, I got what I wanted by pointing at the stuffs. The staff selling the goodies are non-English speaking, but they were very pleasant and helpful and not at all that surprised that a non-Nihonggo speaking idiot was trying to buy their goodies. THEN I also bought a clear file folder, the concert pamphlet (which was actually a photobook!) and A POSTER. The poster I had a hard time buying; it was a spontaneous decision and naturally I don't know how to say poster in Japanese! I couldn't do the point-and-buy method because the posters were not displayed prominently. After much pantomiming on my part, the staff finally understood and gave me what I wanted. Whew. I got the group poster; before I make another spur-of-the-moment decision and buy INDIVIDUAL POSTERS OF EACH OF THE FIVE MEMBERS, I immediately exited the booths. Until now, I'm still justifying that decision to myself. :( I didn't regret buying all those stuffs, I kind of regret not getting the individual posters. Aargh.

After I exited, I soon become aware of the sounds coming out from inside the Dome. And - shoot - I never felt so frustrated in my life than at that moment. I was there, really there, I was near Arashi, and I couldn't even get a glimpse of them. Then I noticed the other fans in the area who were paying much closer attention to the concert noises than I was. Some were subconsciously waving their arms in tune with the songs. Some had their ears pressed close to the walls of the Dome. I realized that if I'm feeling frustrated, then some of these fans would be feeling the same way, if not more.

I decided to walk around. I become aware of the venue and it was a pretty and dazzling place. I love the lights and the yellow autumn trees and the bigness of the area. I took a lot of pictures; I found myself in the Tokyo Dome front entrance and the Arashi anniversary bus was there, and even more Arashi fans. There was also another merchandise booth set up and I was immediately seized by the urge to get all the posters. Must. Resist. Then I clearly heard the opening riffs to "Happiness" and knew I must get away from the Dome. Must. Fight. These feelings of frustration and envy. Envyyyyy...

Tokyo Dome City was really big and pretty. I liked that I was there at night, all the more to appreciate the dazzling show of lights. I stopped at a burger store near the Dome to eat and rest my tired legs. I was leisurely eating a set meal when I heard a buzz outside: the concert has ended. Group by group, the fans exited the Dome and some of them even went to the burger store! Before I go mad with jealousy, I left the burger shop and went to a souvenir shop I saw earlier to buy some Tokyo Dome City souvenirs. I met more fans lucky enough to have watched the concert: most were wearing the Arashi t-shirts and some were cosplaying Uta no Oniisan! At the souvenir shop were more Arashi fans - the store started playing Arashi songs. When "Still..." was played, I stopped for a few seconds and said to myself: I WILL WATCH AN ARASHI CONCERT SOMEDAY. So from that day on, "Still..." will be the song that will always remind me of this experience and my dearest wish to watch an Arashi concert.

Going back to the Korakuen station was slow because a lot of concert-goers were going that way as well. It was quite tiring, but I feel I've accomplished so much. I roamed the streets of a foreign city on my own, I bought the stuffs I wanted (and more!), and found something to aspire for.

So I guess this much is obvious: until now I'm still on Arashi-high. :D I appreciate that the internet has allowed me almost free access to Arashi media, but it's a nice feeling that I get to support an artist I like, even if it's just buying their concert merchandise or a photobook. And to be surrounded by people with whom you share a common passion, even if you can't actually talk to them about it - there's just so much happiness in the air that night.

House of Ill-Advised Procrastination

It seemed I dropped off from the face of blogging universe! It's not entirely procrastination (I think!) but a lot of things took up my spare time these last few days, and I found myself lacking the energy to write about what’s keeping me busy and/or entertained. So I’m updating in bullet points!

• Nintendo DS lite
  I rarely talk about my gaming endeavors, because I already admitted to myself that I pretty much suck at video games. That didn’t stop me from trying, though; if anything, my doggedness at pursuing something I’m not really good at is my saving grace. :D
  
  SO. Ninjatown and Big Bang Mini are costing me hours of sleep. I officially gave up on Prince of Persia; the game movement is erratic and unreliable to me. Wish I could say the same for Sudoku. Why am I still staying up late for Sudoku? Just how many Sudoku games can I play in this lifetime before I say enough is enough?!



• Jdramas
  Obviously. I am watching THREE on-going jdramas this season, and catching up with another one. I gave up a long time ago on the Korean Hana Yori Dango. It started well, but went downhill for me. The story is nothing like Hana Yori Dango or Meteor Garden. Heck, I’d take Meteor Garden 2 over the second half of the kdrama (and I disliked MG2!). In addition to the three, oops, four current jdramas, I also finished watching one old jdrama. The current jdrama season is about to end, but there’s no rest for this adik. Next season is going to be awesome! Jun! Toma! Sho! Me flailing each week and the hard drive about to crash and burn!



• American TV shows/series
  I finally caught up with Burn Notice’s latest season! Still behind Fringe damn it. I’m waiting for Criminal Minds’ season 4 to end so I can watch everything in one go. Gave up on Prison Break, but would like to reconnect with Heroes and House. American Idol is still not interesting enough for me. I’m kind of tempted to check out Dancing With the Stars because Steve-O is one of the contestants. (Yep, he’s the guy from Jackass and Wildboyz, and he’s paired up with Lacey Schwimmer!) I also want to watch Kings, Leverage and The Mentalist... Let's see about that!



• I… haven’t read any new books since January. *cries* I’ve been re-reading Foxtrot comics and the Artemis Fowl series.



• Still busy complaining about the weather! I just want to go to Baguio!

Fivesome, Again

Five things, this time from Mak:

1. Eraserheads

Right now is not a good time to be an Eheads fan. They'll be having their Final Set this Saturday and I'm not going. Boo hoo.

Eraserheads' music was part of some of the bestest years of my life. I can write the soundtrack of my life using Eheads' songs. I looked at their discography for inspiration when I started blogging - from Tindahan ni Aling Dyela to Buttercup and Butterscotch to mylemonlime.

So, no, I'm not a big Eheads fan. *is bitter*

2. The name JR. Don't ask me why.

WHAT. THE. HELL.

Fine, I'll ride along. JR is the name of one of my former crushes. You could say that he was my almost-bf, but nothing came out of it because I was only 14 years old when I met him and he was so torpe. He moved away when I was 16, never communicated until I was 18 and (supposedly) allowed to have a bf. Problem was, I already have a bf then (if only I could turn back time, hahaha...). He literally hanged up on me when I told him my news and I felt slightly guilty over it. A few months after that he called again and asked me to speak with someone who he said was his gf. I was genuinely happy for him (not to mention, relieved) but it was NOT the reaction he was looking for. So on that same phone conversation, he admitted that he's a big fat liar and that girl was not really his gf and he was just trying to get a reaction from me. Jerk.

We met again after a few years and had one of our best conversations and time together. We met again during that time when my relationship was on the verge of hitting rock-bottom. We met again and I was happy and for a moment was willing to give up what I already have (and maybe I should have, and all those stupid dramas might have been prevented. Ah, the could-have-beens). I rejected him for the second time and it's harder than the last time.

And then, he learned that I was single again and we communicated again. And then he was gone again. Sigh.

So, Mak, what part of this answer you don't like? *sticks tongue*

3. Starbucks Greenbelt 1

Place to unwind after office hours and place to meet up with friends. The place underwent a renovation last year, which was a good move since it's always full, although the additional tables and chairs in the open area make it look too cluttered.

Also, a place where most pretentious social climbers hang out to be seen. Which means "mock them" time for me.

4. MCS

The quick fix. I go there with friends to search for "want-now" dibidis, although more often than not, I fail to find what I was looking for. So I end up buying dibidis not on my list. I still prefer Quiapo.

5. Korean guys

Wait, what? Do you mean Japanese guys? Well, if you must ask, I like the lead actor in the kdrama My Girl, but other than him and Rain sometimes, I don't lust crush on Korean guys.

NOW JAPANESE GUYS are a different story. If I create a guide meter on my celebrity crushes, Japanese guys will be on one extreme of the spectrum. To use that analogy, the other end of the spectrum will be populated by guys like:

whose every ripple of muscle screams sexMAN.

Now, the extreme end of the spectrum where my Japanese guys fall will have someone like:

my Arashi boytoy, Sakurai Sho, who looks prettier as a man dressing up as woman than I am, even on my best day.

That's not to say he can't bring the sexy:

(still a long way to go compared to Hugh Jackman's Biceps Of Swoon-inducing Masculinity)

(a-also, I have a picture of Arashi's latest calendar where he is posing like a stripper, but I might be disowned by my friends if I post it here)

Double Entry

This is not a diss on all accountants, only on those who can’t think “outside the box” (this phrase is a cliché and I don’t like using it to criticize people, but it’s just appropriate). Plus, I promised myself I won’t get annoyed on the smallest things anymore but OMG this fried my brain!

I don’t get why a one peso (or in some cases, 1 CENTAVO) reconciling item should merit about four pages of e-mail exchanges (It started with something like “We have P1 discrepancy. For your immediate action” and then about 4 departments were copied in the email, in essence trying to assign blame responsibility). I understand the need to balance the books and to account for every single centavo, but if the difference is VERY CLEARLY due to rounding-off of figures computed when the accrual was made versus the actual billing statement received from the counterparty (which is the basis for payment), do we even need a discussion on how it must be booked? Or, as suggested in this case, pay the counterparty the difference of 1 FREAKIN’ peso?! Would booking the one peso discrepancy in Miscellaneous/Other Charges be such a big audit red flag? Yes? No? Maybe?

You know, this is one of the reasons why (as some would put it) I wasted my CPA license by not pursuing a career as an accountant. It’s mechanical and monotonous. It didn’t help that some whose thankless job is to book, balance and reconcile would only do those things and nothing more. A bit of analysis every now and then is not out of the scope of one’s responsibilities. Like in this case, what is 1 peso compared to the hours wasted in those email exchanges? Or in that gah-awful scenario when the counterparty gets a refund of 1 peso? We don’t even need some analysis here, only logic.

Again, I am not dissing the accounting profession in general. Even if I’m not a practicing CPA, I’m proud to be one and I have respect for most accountants. I have friends who are accountants and they are good in what they do. I just don’t like some corporate lackeys with bean-counter mentality. They give accountants a bad name.

Rant hopefullyover.



***
In other, more fun, news:
It amuses me no end that my officemates are listening to Arashi songs and are NOT COMPLAINING about it. I managed to sneak in a couple of songs in our department’s mp3 database and the songs have been randomly playing for quite a while. I guess they were already used to my random taste in songs (they’ve been subjected to System of a Down, Menudo and sappy OPM Christmas songs, to name a few) that they don’t care anymore what I play.

I – I’m yet to try playing Arashi songs in our car when my brother’s driving. It’s still my car, even if I’m not driving it, and I love it because the insurance and maintenance costs are OMG mahal too much to risk any damage my brother might inflict on it. I’ll start on his PSP first. (He used to like Jerry Yan in Meteor Garden, so my hopes are high.)

P.S. Aren’t you amazed how I can still mention Arashi in my posts even when I’m ranting? Yes? No? Maybe?

Hana Kimi Stole My Heart And Social Life

A year ago today, an obsession was born.

For lack of something to do, I decided to watch the DVD of this TV drama that a friend lent me. He first told me about this two weeks prior on our friend’s house blessing.

Friend: Do you like Japanese shows?
Me: Well, I watch anime.
Friend: Are you familiar with the human tetris?
Me: On youtube? Yeah! I’ve seen those!
Friend: Hilarious, isn’t it?! How about jdramas?
Me: Uh, no…
Friend: Good! I’ll show you something! Tell me if you don’t like it, but really, it’s awesome!

And then he made me watch on a portable player the first few minutes of the drama. It featured this cute girl dressed in a boy’s uniform trying to sneak in at a popular all-boys’ school.

Me: She’s a she, right? What is she doing there???
Friend: *smiles mysteriously*
Me: Right. I’m supposed to watch to figure it out.

I got until the part when the girl met the tall, somewhat arrogant athlete ("she disguised herself as a boy for this guy?!?!") when we were cut off by our friends. He promised to lend me the DVD so I can watch the full season. I was curious enough to find out what happens next so I said yes.

So – a year ago today, I watched. And watched. And watched. And finished all eleven episodes in one day. Didn’t I say that it was the start of an obsession?


By the way, that little drama that changed my life? It was called Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, or Hana Kimi for short.

I have to admit that it wasn’t obsession love at first sight. The show was weird! Why was it called a “drama” when it’s so anime-ish? How can the students of this exclusive school for handsome boys - them of the raging hormones - be so blind and stupid they don’t realize there’s a girl in their midst? And why is that girl so attracted to that jerk when the awesome Nakatsu is so willing to go gay for himher? It was crazy. It was full of crack. And OMG I love it.

The biggest reason for this mad love was Ikuta Toma. I didn’t know a thing about him before Hana Kimi. I didn’t even like him the first time I saw him on screen. But Toma’s turn as Nakatsu was so memorable and so lovable he ended up stealing the drama from the two leads. I couldn’t care less whether Mizuki and Sano hook up, I just want to see Nakatsu do his crazy monologues or walk around half naked looking for the damn shampoo. His homo janai dance was epic. I was flailing so hard when he decided to pursue Mizuki and damn if it makes him gay! I was flailing equally as hard when he discovered that Mizuki was actually a she and damn whatever her reason was for hiding her identity! And then he got rejected, and I love him for taking it like a true gentleman.

I ended up re-watching the jdrama for almost two months. I figured I could limit my jdrama intake in this lifetime to just Hana Kimi. And then other dramas and other Japanese boys happened.

Hana Kimi and Toma led to Hana Yori Dango and Matsujun. Hana Yori Dango and Matsujun led to various Matsujun dramas and Arashi. Arashi led to irreversible addiction on my part and bewilderment on the part of my friends and families. So far, my JE-fandom is limited to just Toma and Arashi, but I’m getting to know the other JE boys bit by bit. The sheer amount of media available (on Arashi’s part, especially) was scary at first, but I’m trying my best to catch up. It’s a long way to go for me, but I learned to just enjoy each TV show/drama/concert that I could watch, and not worry about the others I haven’t seen yet.

I love that this obsession of mine led me to this LJ-fandom where fans are friendly and helpful, where fans don’t have strange or crazy expectations from their idols, where the obsessives mock and poke fun at their idols at regular intervals (and not be accused of loving them any less). I may not be able to convince my RL friends to get into either Toma or Arashi, but I’m glad I get to meet others who are bigger fans than I am.


Happy anniversary to me and Toma and Hana Kimi! :D

"There's also the metaphor - a flower in the storm"

Finally watched Hana Yori Dango Final and… okay, it’s very cheesy and contrived and feel-good, but I like it! :D

This movie reminded me why I love the jdrama so much and why Matsumoto Jun will always be THE Domyouji for me. I love how he and Inoue Mao have so much chemistry together, I love how despite all the craziness and the presence of Hanazawa Rui (quite a leading man in his own right), I still and will always want Domyouji and Makino to end up together and live happily ever after – because you know they will be happy together, for always, constant bickering and Domyouji’s horrible Japanese notwithstanding.

And yep, even after finding the movie cheesy, I was a bit teary eyed at the end when Makino gave her good news to Domyouji. Domyouji’s reaction (“That’s UNBELIEVABLE!”) was so cute!

I… I, I think I might be in love with Matsujun again?

Happy 2009!!!

This year I’m thankful for a lot of things: family, friends, good health, my 3-year old iPod nano (still functioning!), my first trip to Baguio, my Boracay vacation, successfully passing the SEC certification exam, Barack Obama becoming the US President, my newfound love affair with jdramas (I am thankful, my friends are probably rolling their eyes), Ikuta Toma's dimples and overall cuteness, the combined dorkery and hotness of Arashi, The Dark Knight, friends’ healthy bundle of joys, the totally cool iDock I won from Oliboy!, new friends, enough time to bum around and marathon-watch various shows... well, the reasons may seem trivial but the list is long.

I read somewhere that we tend to remember our sad moments more than the happy ones. After all, happy experiences don't leave wounds the way painful ones do. But I guess it's those scars that make the good moments all the more precious. We are not just defined by the wounds we sustained from our personal battles but also by the smiles and laughters we get even from simplest of reasons.

Here's wishing you all a happy and colorful 2009!

P.S. 11:20pm
It's a rainy New Year's eve, but rain or not, I already decided that, for the first time in my life, I will not welcome 2009 in the streets. I'm inside the house, in front of the PC, live streaming Johnny's Countdown in Japan, hosted by Arashi. I had troubles earlier with the streaming sites, I had to switch to another site and there's still buffering time but I'm enjoying the show so far. God, I'm too crazy over Arashi! However you spend the night, I hope you're all having fun like me! :)

(Tokio is now playing - damn, Nagase is too hot!)

Whatever Yaya, Christmas Na!

I just got home from work - the long vacation in our country officially begins now!


It was kind of lonely walking in Makati carrying around too much stuffs. My friends were either on leave or went home early so I felt a bit alone and sad. But I realize - how often do I see an almost deserted Ayala Avenue with no harassed corporate slaves in sight? The traffic was surprisingly light and by the time I got home, I feel a lot better. Hey, it's Christmas! That should be reason enough to feel happy and thankful. :)

This post is brought to you by Arashi:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Arashi For Dream!

My pimp post about Arashi is BEGGING to be written – especially after I read the translation of their latest TV guesting and… damn. This boy band is too retarded and too full of crack and I love them for it!

Their retardery, especially Sho’s, couldn’t come at a better time as I find myself suddenly attracted to this boy (my previous crush was Matsujun. I still like him and all but I’m very much attached to Sho right now!). I mean, what’s not to like? Sho is good looking with a hot body to boot, he’s an awesome rapper, he has a degree from Keio University (considered an Ivy League school in Japan) (and he got his degree while STILL in the band!), and he’s a weekly newscaster for News Zero. Beauty and brains, he clearly is.

And then he and the rest of his dorky bandmates went on NATIONAL TELEVISION and talk about how an old man at a massage parlor in Shanghai, flipped Sho’s bleep bleep upwards to scrub… what needs to be scrubbed on that area. *dies* Then proceed to demonstrate the story to the audience and to the whole of Japan. *dies some more*

FAIL. Fail, I say. (And by that, I mean win.)

Yet I still love him.

ARASHI. Throwing their reputations out of the window since 1999.


BUT – more proof of this band’s awesomeness is the actual reason for the said TV appearance (no, they don’t just go around TV shows spouting hilarious stories).

Arashi is Japan’s Artist for 2008, with two of their singles capturing the #1 and #2 slots in the Oricon year end charts! truth/Kaze no mukou e and One Love are ranked #1 and #2, respectively, in terms of CD sales. They also clinched the #10 slot for Beautiful Days and #12 for Step and Go. You probably don’t have any idea what I’m talking about but let me tell you that THIS is a huge, HUGE accomplishment because no single artist has occupied the #1 and #2 slot in a single year in Japan’s music charts since 19 years ago!

WIN. Win, I say. (And by that, I mean massive, epic WIN.)

I love them all.

ARASHI. Breaking records and creating their own since 1999.

This is My Way of Saying I’m Back

Sometimes, you get those life-altering lessons at work that you don’t get in real life. Like this lesson I learned from an email:

Hi,

We have a disbalance of Php1.00. Please check.

(names, amounts and exact wording of email were omitted/substituted to protect the ignorant innocent)


How stupid of me NOT to realize that the English translation of the word “disbalanse” is disbalance! Isn’t that the perfectly logical translation? And here I am making my whole corporate existence complicated by using difference or discrepancy when referring to uh… disbalance. Now I know – and you now know, too!


***


And in other news – why, hello blog! I miss you so much!

Anyway, I had to take a break from the web to study for my certification exam. Well, not exactly. I did study, but that’s not the only thing I did during my long hiatus. In fact, I pretty much did a lot of things EXCEPT study well.

Which resulted to me pestering my friends with text messages whining how I’m not getting any studying done because of they-know-what-and-who and how I’m going to flunk my exam.

But – yey! I passed the exam! Despite the pressures and my self-doubts, I still got good results. And that’s thanks to my friends’ prayers and constant encouragement.

Now that the exam is over, and as I start to make some changes in my life, I hope to still make this blog my witness to my various addictions and misadventures. Sana regular na din ang update ko!


***


What made me happy today: hearing Arashi’s “Wish” being played in Tokyo Tokyo! That was the first time I heard an Arashi song from a source other than my iPod and it made me so giddy! I’m so mababaw.

The Loss Of My Sanity

I contemplated for about 5 seconds whether this is the way I want to introduce Arashi in my blog but the decision is quite too easy. This youtube video is just too dorky and hilarious and beautiful to pass up!

One day I'm going to write a really nice and beautiful post about Arashi, but for now this video will suffice: