Feelings in the time of COVID-19
Mar. 27th, 2020 11:52 pmJust typing out this entry feels like a chore, but maybe an articulation of feelings would do me good even if it isn't at all inspiring.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Journey to the Johnny's WEST
Jul. 12th, 2019 11:22 pmI initially planned to tell in detail how exactly I got into Johnny's WEST. How I watched Switched/宇宙を駆けるよだか during a national holiday and fell in love with Shigeoka Daiki's smile. How I ended up being curious about the entire group so I decided to watch Blazing Transfer Students/炎の転校生REBORN.
But I realized, the words don't have to be pretty, or told at length. They just have to be real.
I consider June 12th as the day I became a Johnny's WEST fan, so today marks my first month in the fandom (which I celebrated by watching their first concert). It's been a fun ride so far, aided largely by a very supportive and fun group of Twitter mutuals. It has also made considerable damage to my wallet, with an impulse purchase of the limited edition of the WESTV concert Bluray as well as the cost of fanclub membership.
Until now, I can't explain why I fell for this group so hard and so fast. Sure, Shige's smile was the bait, and he still remains my favorite member. But when I see each of them and get to know their charms more, I can't help but be pulled in further.
Here's to a new journey with a new group of boys to cherish. <3
(In case anyone is curious, I still love Arashi very much. Let's just say the shape of my love for each group is different and cannot be compared.)
But I realized, the words don't have to be pretty, or told at length. They just have to be real.
I consider June 12th as the day I became a Johnny's WEST fan, so today marks my first month in the fandom (which I celebrated by watching their first concert). It's been a fun ride so far, aided largely by a very supportive and fun group of Twitter mutuals. It has also made considerable damage to my wallet, with an impulse purchase of the limited edition of the WESTV concert Bluray as well as the cost of fanclub membership.
Until now, I can't explain why I fell for this group so hard and so fast. Sure, Shige's smile was the bait, and he still remains my favorite member. But when I see each of them and get to know their charms more, I can't help but be pulled in further.
Here's to a new journey with a new group of boys to cherish. <3
(In case anyone is curious, I still love Arashi very much. Let's just say the shape of my love for each group is different and cannot be compared.)
Fandom Entitlement and Twitter
Mar. 18th, 2019 10:12 amIt seems that my longform entries all have some form of Arashi fandom-related rage as a theme. I'm not sure if I should apologize for that.
As most fans on Twitter are aware of, one of the most prominent fans is taking a hiatus due to the actions of an entitled few. (At this point I am really hoping they aren't as many as I think.) Many words have been said by many fans, and after sifting through a lot of sentiments on the matter there's an angle I haven't yet seen: what actually triggers the entitlement of some fans.
Naturally, I can't discuss the psychological aspect of entitlement as it differs from person to person. However, I feel certain platforms - or more importantly, how these platforms are used - make it easier for fans to feel entitled.
One such platform is Twitter.
Twitter is a good place for me. The creation of my fangirl-centric account near the end of 2016 was borne out of a desire to interact with other fans. It's been effective for me in that aspect: at most times I love talking to other fans about anything and nothing, and I've met a few of them in person as well! This wouldn't have been possible, or at least would have been tougher, if Twitter didn't exist.
However, Twitter has also made it possible to easily share content that used to be in locked LiveJournal entries back in the day. Full episodes of shows are still on LiveJournal or Dreamwidth. However, short videos, magazine scans, and even screenshots of Johnny's Web (J-Web) content supposedly accessible only to paid subscribers are freely shared on public Twitter accounts. As those who share on Twitter don't face repercussions or copyright strikedowns, other fans may have the mistaken impression that all content can and should be accessible with the same ease.
(I personally have issues with sharing of J-Web content in public, mainly because I pay for it monthly. Thus, other people don't have an incentive to pay for it because "people share it on Twitter anyway." Ever wondered why they stopped the translation service? Maybe they didn't get the subscription numbers they needed. But I digress.)
Does that excuse the entitlement? Of course not. I am of the belief these entitled people don't deserve to have a place in the fandom unless they apologize to those they have wronged and start realizing how much effort actually goes to maintaining communities. However, I also feel that we can't be too generous with what we share on easily-accessible platforms. Sharing the Arashi love is good, but if it starts to aid in other fans' entitlement maybe slowing down on it won't be a bad thing.
As most fans on Twitter are aware of, one of the most prominent fans is taking a hiatus due to the actions of an entitled few. (At this point I am really hoping they aren't as many as I think.) Many words have been said by many fans, and after sifting through a lot of sentiments on the matter there's an angle I haven't yet seen: what actually triggers the entitlement of some fans.
Naturally, I can't discuss the psychological aspect of entitlement as it differs from person to person. However, I feel certain platforms - or more importantly, how these platforms are used - make it easier for fans to feel entitled.
One such platform is Twitter.
Twitter is a good place for me. The creation of my fangirl-centric account near the end of 2016 was borne out of a desire to interact with other fans. It's been effective for me in that aspect: at most times I love talking to other fans about anything and nothing, and I've met a few of them in person as well! This wouldn't have been possible, or at least would have been tougher, if Twitter didn't exist.
However, Twitter has also made it possible to easily share content that used to be in locked LiveJournal entries back in the day. Full episodes of shows are still on LiveJournal or Dreamwidth. However, short videos, magazine scans, and even screenshots of Johnny's Web (J-Web) content supposedly accessible only to paid subscribers are freely shared on public Twitter accounts. As those who share on Twitter don't face repercussions or copyright strikedowns, other fans may have the mistaken impression that all content can and should be accessible with the same ease.
(I personally have issues with sharing of J-Web content in public, mainly because I pay for it monthly. Thus, other people don't have an incentive to pay for it because "people share it on Twitter anyway." Ever wondered why they stopped the translation service? Maybe they didn't get the subscription numbers they needed. But I digress.)
Does that excuse the entitlement? Of course not. I am of the belief these entitled people don't deserve to have a place in the fandom unless they apologize to those they have wronged and start realizing how much effort actually goes to maintaining communities. However, I also feel that we can't be too generous with what we share on easily-accessible platforms. Sharing the Arashi love is good, but if it starts to aid in other fans' entitlement maybe slowing down on it won't be a bad thing.
It's been a while, after all.
Sep. 18th, 2018 03:39 pmThree-fourths of 2018 is almost over, and after a long absence from online journaling I'm trying yet again to get into the groove of writing. Even if said writings may be too mundane, or delve too much into the personal, I guess it's better than nothing at all.
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( Work, Arashi, a bit on traveling, and books! )
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( Work, Arashi, a bit on traveling, and books! )
Lessons From That Signal # 5 Fiasco
Sep. 15th, 2017 06:08 pmArashi celebrates their 18th formation anniversary today, and I somehow have to apologize for writing this. But there's no better time to talk about it than now, I suppose, while the issue is still fresh.
A subbing community, Signal # 5, advertised on![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
a_ra_shi that they were going to open applications for membership. Normally, announcements of this nature are welcomed with open arms. Despite LiveJournal being a relatively dead platform, people revive their accounts to apply in the hopes that they will be admitted. For this particular community, the response (from what I saw on Twitter, anyway) was overwhelmingly negative, and - at least in my opinion - with good reason.
(Fair warning before proceeding: This post will be long, and will likely not contain any form of summary. Any advice I give are based purely on my own experiences. I have been a long-time consumer of subbed videos, a translator and QC of a subbing group, and currently head moderator of a site that shares raw files of Arashi shows.)
I'm breaking the post down into what I feel are three main reasons for the backlash, and how it may have been avoided. (There is a fourth one, but since I have not yet confirmed if that is how they still do things it would also be unfair to them if I would include it here.) Click on the Read more links to expand further.
POST UPDATES
( Read more... )
Disclaimer: This is not a call to boycott the group, or to send them threats. If you choose to send them criticisms or suggestions, please be polite. Although it is essentially up to them how to interpret comments, it is obvious that engaging them in a harsh manner is unacceptable.
To quote part of their extremely lengthy Disclaimer (emphasis is part of the original):
This is alarming for many reasons (some of which I'll be discussing in the third point). But for this one, I'll delve into the language bit.
( Read more... )
The application process is part and parcel of most, if not all, communities involved in translating content related to artists of Johnny's and Associates (J&A). This is because distribution of such content is illegal and is actually punishable by law, so some communities take that extra step of at least trying to get a profile of those genuinely interested in procuring the videos for personal use. Over the years, communities have gotten creative in screening applicants. Apart from the usual questions such as "Who is your favorite member?" or "What is your favorite song?", some have taken to inserting keywords for applicants to find, or asking them to deliver witty one-liners. It seems ridiculous to an outsider, but the fandom in general likes to err on the side of caution.
Gaining admission to locked communities isn't usually a problem despite numerous questions being hurled at by the communities, For Signal # 5, however, the list of items to answer is so ridiculous. Some have compared it to a college essay, others to a job application. I'm inclined to agree because even as an Arashi fan of 7+ years I find it difficult to answer a favorite drama and movie for each member. That part alone was already worth 15 lines. However, that wasn't even what made my eyes roll so hard.
( Read more... )
I would honestly have let the above two points slide if this third point was not evident in the group's Disclaimer, as well as their interaction with potential applicants and other more experienced translators and subbers who tried to extend a helping hand.
To quote a huge part of the Disclaimer (Emphasis theirs, ellipsis indicates partial redaction):
Incorrect usage of English grammar rules aside, I have numerous issues with this.
( Read more... )
The international Arashi fandom is always growing, and everyone knows more subbers will make everyone happy. But we also need to assess if what we are doing will help the fandom or if it will just be a detriment.
As Signal # 5 and its head mod (who still doesn't seem to understand why the criticisms are actually warranted) seem to be back in business, I hope everyone will at least be aware of the quality of the subs they claim to provide before considering joining the group. Also, do not be afraid to point out any mistakes as politely as possible. It is not wrong to do so, especially if it will be for everyone's benefit - especially theirs. We strive for correctness in this fandom because our boys, even though they are not supposed to see our work, deserve nothing less than for their good reputation to be spread in the most accurate way possible.
I sincerely hope other fans will be aware and will gain something positive from this experience.
A subbing community, Signal # 5, advertised on
a_ra_shi that they were going to open applications for membership. Normally, announcements of this nature are welcomed with open arms. Despite LiveJournal being a relatively dead platform, people revive their accounts to apply in the hopes that they will be admitted. For this particular community, the response (from what I saw on Twitter, anyway) was overwhelmingly negative, and - at least in my opinion - with good reason.(Fair warning before proceeding: This post will be long, and will likely not contain any form of summary. Any advice I give are based purely on my own experiences. I have been a long-time consumer of subbed videos, a translator and QC of a subbing group, and currently head moderator of a site that shares raw files of Arashi shows.)
I'm breaking the post down into what I feel are three main reasons for the backlash, and how it may have been avoided. (There is a fourth one, but since I have not yet confirmed if that is how they still do things it would also be unfair to them if I would include it here.) Click on the Read more links to expand further.
POST UPDATES
( Read more... )
Disclaimer: This is not a call to boycott the group, or to send them threats. If you choose to send them criticisms or suggestions, please be polite. Although it is essentially up to them how to interpret comments, it is obvious that engaging them in a harsh manner is unacceptable.
Brazenly acknowledging a lack of formal study in the language
To quote part of their extremely lengthy Disclaimer (emphasis is part of the original):
You have been informed about this from the very start, so do not complain: Please be informed that the main subber of this community has no formal Nihongo classes, so please forgive us for some inaccuracies that might come. However, we shall do our best to make our translations as accurate as possible. We don't literally translate everything, so we just surmise it from the context of the situation or what has been previously said in the show.
This is alarming for many reasons (some of which I'll be discussing in the third point). But for this one, I'll delve into the language bit.
( Read more... )
Unnecessarily stringent application process
The application process is part and parcel of most, if not all, communities involved in translating content related to artists of Johnny's and Associates (J&A). This is because distribution of such content is illegal and is actually punishable by law, so some communities take that extra step of at least trying to get a profile of those genuinely interested in procuring the videos for personal use. Over the years, communities have gotten creative in screening applicants. Apart from the usual questions such as "Who is your favorite member?" or "What is your favorite song?", some have taken to inserting keywords for applicants to find, or asking them to deliver witty one-liners. It seems ridiculous to an outsider, but the fandom in general likes to err on the side of caution.
Gaining admission to locked communities isn't usually a problem despite numerous questions being hurled at by the communities, For Signal # 5, however, the list of items to answer is so ridiculous. Some have compared it to a college essay, others to a job application. I'm inclined to agree because even as an Arashi fan of 7+ years I find it difficult to answer a favorite drama and movie for each member. That part alone was already worth 15 lines. However, that wasn't even what made my eyes roll so hard.
( Read more... )
Refusal to accept constructive criticism
I would honestly have let the above two points slide if this third point was not evident in the group's Disclaimer, as well as their interaction with potential applicants and other more experienced translators and subbers who tried to extend a helping hand.
To quote a huge part of the Disclaimer (Emphasis theirs, ellipsis indicates partial redaction):
We might not have the proper Nihongo classes, but then, we know what criticisms to follow and not. We take each critique with a grain of salt and as a learning experience to improve the future subs. So if there's an error in our subs and you corrected it, you have to bear the responsibility of explaining it in full detail why it is an error..."
And as such if you are able to explain it well, we will acknowledge it and correct the error, then make it a basis to further make our subs accurate in the coming projects.
Also, can you keep it discreet? If you want something to be corrected, message us instead. We understand the need to give fangirls quality subs, but sometimes, nitpicking is somewhat negative to the ambience of the happy fangirling life, added the fact that this is not an academe or a workplace, but pure leisure where there is a greater room for mistakes to happen.
Constructive criticism is fine as long as you are aiming to correct a person to make him/her better. Also, in the context of subbing communities, if you cannot devote time to reach the right methods and rules for Japanese grammar and linguistic mechanisms because of the lack of time and be fully trusted by those you want to critique, do not even bother to correct. That's how we see it.
It would be a great negativity if it is not truthfully or sincerely aimed for the betterment of the person who has made the mistake.
Incorrect usage of English grammar rules aside, I have numerous issues with this.
( Read more... )
The international Arashi fandom is always growing, and everyone knows more subbers will make everyone happy. But we also need to assess if what we are doing will help the fandom or if it will just be a detriment.
As Signal # 5 and its head mod (who still doesn't seem to understand why the criticisms are actually warranted) seem to be back in business, I hope everyone will at least be aware of the quality of the subs they claim to provide before considering joining the group. Also, do not be afraid to point out any mistakes as politely as possible. It is not wrong to do so, especially if it will be for everyone's benefit - especially theirs. We strive for correctness in this fandom because our boys, even though they are not supposed to see our work, deserve nothing less than for their good reputation to be spread in the most accurate way possible.
I sincerely hope other fans will be aware and will gain something positive from this experience.
Tidbits in Bullets 7/52 and 8/52
Feb. 22nd, 2016 06:08 pmSkipping a week to update happened sooner than I thought it would. :/
Highlights from the past two weeks
This week, I'm looking forward to...
Highlights from the past two weeks
- I watched Deadpool twice! Two weekends ago, I viewed it with my sister and her partner from work. Just last weekend, I watched it again with my sister but this time our brother tagged along. We try to make it a point to watch superhero movies together, and we weren't going to make Deadpool an exception. It's a buttload of fun, as my sister puts it in her review written for What's A Geek!
- Valentine's Day lunch was spent with the extended family to celebrate the 40th wedding anniversary of an aunt and uncle. Food!!! And I also got to buy my luggage for our Japan trip in less than 2 months!
- Last week was a busy time for me because apart from my normal workload, someone decided to acquire my itinerary services on short notice. (I have a sideline where I organize bespoke travel itineraries.) I should be happy because it brought me extra cash, but since I didn't have a lot of time to work on it also cost me precious hours of sleep.
- On the Arashi front, fans subscribing to J-Web were regaled with Sakurai Sho's entry highlighting some of his experiences in the Philippines. To this, we say: Sho, you sheltered, sheltered boy. You need to go to the convenience store more often.
- Le Coeur De France closed for good last February 19th. :'( My sister and I made sure to buy whatever we wanted and could afford during their last week as a way of thanking them for all the good memories we associate with their hot chocolate and bite-sized cookies. It still makes me sad that I won't get to see their shops anymore.
- I've started preparing the necessary documents for our Japan visa application! With less than 2 months before our trip, I'm just praying we do get that visa.
This week, I'm looking forward to...
- submitting our Japan visa requirements to the travel agency! There's still a few we need to obtain, but here's to hoping we get them before Thursday.
- buying a new phone! My phone's been acting up (it's been with the family for around 3 years, after all) so I need a new one before our trip so that it won't break down on me. Thankfully there's a holiday coming up on Thursday so I'll be able to make time to purchase one.
- possibly going to the Great British Festival with my sister! My friend and I went last year and simply walking around the booths and eating British fare street-vendor style was fun!
Tidbits in Bullets 6/52
Feb. 8th, 2016 11:43 pmHappy Lunar New Year! It's a non-working holiday here but I had to do work anyway. :/ Thankfully, going to the office was not made mandatory so I just worked from home.
Last week's highlights
This week, I'm looking forward to...
Last week's highlights
- I got mail! To be more specific, I received a Christmas card that a friend overseas sent before Christmas. Because the Philippine postal system is so terrific, the card arrived in the city post office a month after Christmas and got sent to my house a week after. Still, I suppose it's better late than never. My friend was just happy I actually got it, since the one she sent for Christmas 2014 never saw the light of day. :/
- Us Arashi fangirls based in the Philippines lost our marbles when we found out that Sakurai Sho stepped foot on our country. He actually mentioned in his blog entry last January that he was overseas for work, but none of us had an inkling that he actually had work in the Philippines. It turns out that he went to the area devastated by Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) as part of a documentary to be aired in March. Maybe it was best that we didn't see him, after all, if only because the work he did was very serious in nature. It wouldn't have felt right to flail if we did get to see him.
- I watched a piano competition to support a friend who was one of the contestants. It brought me back to the days when I studied classical piano, joined recitals, and occasionally competed with other students from different branches of the school. A part of me misses it, but I also realized some things. (Hopefully I'll get to expound on that soon.) After the competition I went to the nearby mall and had some Costa Coffee! :D
This week, I'm looking forward to...
- watching Deadpool with my sister on the weekend! We're both loving the advertisements for the movie, and my sister received a SkullPoopL shirt from a friend as a gift
- celebrating the 40th(!) wedding anniversary of an aunt and uncle. I'm mostly looking forward to the food. XDDDDD
Tidbits in Bullets 5/52
Feb. 2nd, 2016 06:51 pmI can't believe it's February already! O_O And I'm already falling behind on this. :\ Work's been a bit unkind last week all until yesterday, not to mention I've been sick with the cough. I'm hoping this week would be better.
Last week's highlight
There's just one, yes: I passed the JLPT!!!!! I might do a separate post with an analysis of the results through the three levels I've taken (N5 up until N3). But until then, I shall rejoice in the fact that I actually passed.
This week, I am looking forward to... watching a friend's piano competition on Saturday, and going to Costa Coffee after. But first I have to get well.
Last week's highlight
There's just one, yes: I passed the JLPT!!!!! I might do a separate post with an analysis of the results through the three levels I've taken (N5 up until N3). But until then, I shall rejoice in the fact that I actually passed.
This week, I am looking forward to... watching a friend's piano competition on Saturday, and going to Costa Coffee after. But first I have to get well.
Tidbits in Bullets 4/52
Jan. 26th, 2016 09:53 pmThis is delayed by a day since until yesterday I was recovering from a horrid 39-degree fever I got over the weekend. It is no one's fault but mine, since I ate a load of sweets the week before and I went out to meet friends on Saturday which made everything worse for my body afterwards. No regrets, though.
Last week's highlights
This week, I'm looking forward to...nothing, at least for now. I don't have anything planned for the weekend that doesn't involve people from work. They're nice enough people, and they do their work well. But I wouldn't classify having to spend time with them beyond work as something I'd look forward to.
This week, I'm half-dreading...the release of the JLPT results online. There's only less than 12 hours to go, and frankly I don't think I'll pass. But I'm still hoping for a miracle.
Last week's highlights
- I attended my first ever major concert!!! Last October, when my sister and I learned that Manila was going to be one of the stops for ONE OK ROCK's 35xxxv tour in Asia, we immediately hustled to buy tickets. I decided to go for VIP Seated and my sister just followed suit. XD The band did not disappoint in the least! They were so amazing, getting the crowd to sing along and jump and raise our hands and what-have-you. Taka's vocals were always on-point, not a single note out of place.
- Early lunch last Saturday was spent with college friends! I wasn't able to see them last Christmas so even if I wasn't in perfect shape in the morning I figured it would still be best to get together with them. (Also, I was quite sure that whatever I was ill with was not viral in nature.) We had lunch at Din Tai Fung, and had very expensive xiao long bao because truffle and pork. The best part of lunch, though, was being regaled with stories of their Japan trip a couple of months back. That definitely beats expensive xiao long bao.
- After lunch, I trooped to the nearby mall to have second lunch/dessert with Judith,
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thelittleone, and Pam. We ate at a place called "Maple." Best. waffles. ever! But good food is made even better with excellent conversation, and there was an abundance of it. Topics ranged from my sister's numerous GIF-able faces to why Pam thinks "Blue is the Warmest Colour" should not be given the title of the best lesbian film ever. - Saturday night until Sunday (and all through yesterday) was spent at home, save for the one hour that I attended Sunday mass. My body temperature shot to 39-degrees. O_O I really must reduce my intake of sweets.
This week, I'm looking forward to...nothing, at least for now. I don't have anything planned for the weekend that doesn't involve people from work. They're nice enough people, and they do their work well. But I wouldn't classify having to spend time with them beyond work as something I'd look forward to.
This week, I'm half-dreading...the release of the JLPT results online. There's only less than 12 hours to go, and frankly I don't think I'll pass. But I'm still hoping for a miracle.
Tidbits in Bullets 3/52
Jan. 18th, 2016 06:38 pmLast week's highlights
This week, I'm looking forward to
- It was my sister's birthday last Tuesday! Gah, I feel old.
- Much stalking on GACKT's Instagram was done, as he has decided to have a short vacation in the southern part of the Philippines (presumably to escape Japan's winter).
- Friday dinner was spent with Judith yet again, and this time we decided to go for Yellow Cab. Their salmon with dill pizza is awesome!!! Also, it was my first time to try Carmen's Best ice cream and it is also awesome. :D
- Saturday was spent eating out and meeting people! Lunch was spent with immediate and extended family since it was to celebrate my sister's birthday. Shi Lin is quite good, I want to go back. Before dinner, I finally met up with a fangirl friend since our schedules were in sync, and I was able to get the Arashi in Miyagi Blast clear file I requested! Dinner was spent with my sister's friends (who are slowly becoming my friends as well, I think). It was fun watching them play Monopoly Deal, and the food was so delicious!!! Tasty club sandwich ftw. Too bad the place will most likely close soon. :(
- I have a new crush, thanks to the K-drama Hotel King. [I can't believe I'm almost halfway already considering that 1) there are 32 episodes and each one is around an hour long, and 2) I only started watching last Thursday or Friday.) Lee Dong Wook is just too handsome, and it really helps that he's quite toned as well! I also love his acting chops; his eyes are really expressive.
This week, I'm looking forward to
- watching the One Ok Rock concert!!! It's the first major concert I'm watching live, so I'm really excited for it. I'm going with my sister, but we'll be meeting other friends as well!
- having lunch with Judith, thelittleone, and Pam! Yay~
Tidbits in Bullets 2/52
Jan. 11th, 2016 06:59 pmLast week's highlights
This week, I'm looking forward to...
- My Arashi Japonism calendar arrived! I've been keeping it in my office locker and just taking it out whenever I arrive at work. It was a good decision, seeing as how my seatmate who isn't even that familiar with the group is very amused by it. XD
- Dinner last Friday was spent with my sister! I finally got to try Coffee Empire, a third-wave coffee shop which has been in the area for a few months. Since we still had time to roam around, we passed by the newly-built canal. Though there are no gondolas yet since the mall will not be fully open until later this year, lots of people have been going to the place as it is indeed lovely for photoshoots. As we were going back, "Time to Say Goodbye" (Con Te Partiro) suddenly blasted on the mall speakers and my sister was so overcome with Princess Tutu feels. XDDDDD
- Saturday was spent with my sister and my best friend from high school! Series and movies were traded on our external HDs, and we got to watch "The Riot Club." It's a good film, though something I may not want to watch again if only because most of the movie made me wince in disgust and disappointment. If you perceive Oxford and Cambridge male students as being the prim-and-proper type this movie may make you think again. Sam Claflin's performance was superb!
- My sister and watched 3 more episodes of Daredevil. It's few mainly because the plot's getting heavy and I don't think I can bring myself to watch more than 2 episodes in a row at this point. Still, we'll definitely make sure finish the series before season 2 starts in March.
This week, I'm looking forward to...
- celebrating my sister's birthday! We'll be having our family lunch on Saturday. :)
- getting my clear file from the Arashi Miyagi Blast concert! I actually almost forgot about this, but my friend who went to the concert reminded me last month that I still haven't gotten it hahaha!
- making an actual draft of our Japan trip schedule. The plans are all in my head, and we already have a high-level schedule since we'll be staying in both Tokyo and Osaka. But since a detailed schedule is required for visa application, I'll have to make a document for it.
Tidbits in Bullets 1/52
Jan. 4th, 2016 04:13 pmHappy New Year to everyone! :)
I thought I'd try something new to spur me into journaling at least once a week. But because I'm still mostly a lazy ass with this kind of thing, the weekly entries will be (mostly) in bullet form. Here's to hoping I actually keep this up.
Last week's highlights
I'm looking forward to...
I'm NOT looking forward to...
I thought I'd try something new to spur me into journaling at least once a week. But because I'm still mostly a lazy ass with this kind of thing, the weekly entries will be (mostly) in bullet form. Here's to hoping I actually keep this up.
Last week's highlights
- One good thing about the holidays is that I get to catch up with people, so I had lunch with grade school friends! I'm really happy they've been generally successful in their chosen fields. One of them lives in SFO and works for a startup, the other has an IT job during the day and runs her business of bottle cap accessories at night and on weekends. It's left me wondering about what I really want to do with my life, and how I should go about certain things. (I might expound more on this if I find myself in the proper mood to do so.)
- I was also able to catch up with perfumedrooms! This was actually the 3rd time we met over the holidays, but it was only on the 3rd meet-up that we got to talk at length. And I got to meet new people, too! XD For an introvert like me, it now seems that I have to meet new people through mutual friends/acquaintances. I'm not fond of going out of way just to expand my network, and I don't know if that's a good thing.
- I actually watched an MMFF movie! It started last year with "English Only, Please," but I didn't think I'd have the opportunity to watch one this season until my sister expressed interest in "Honor Thy Father." It's a really good film, a social commentary of sorts. But it's definitely not a feel-good film for Christmas.
- My sister and I binge-watched a couple of series! One is BOSS, a 2-season Japanese detective drama. Both of us have watched it more than once (I love this drama so much I've lost count), but my sister has fuzzy memories of Season 2. XD Another one we started on was Netflix's Daredevil! It was been long overdue as I've had the series in my PC for some months already. We've watched until episode 5 (or 6?) and we're really loving it so far (even if we cringe at all the blood and broken bones).
- Our family went out for lunch on New Year's! We ate at this Filipino restaurant that's always full when we try to reserve, so we were really fortunate to be able to get a table on New Year's Day. Then again, there were few people in the mall for a holiday.
- My sister and I got to meet up with Mina, even if it was for a really short time. Her family was having lunch in the same area so we thought of dropping by to say hi. We missed her so.
I'm looking forward to...
- getting the Arashi Japonism 2016 calendar! A high school batchmate was able to buy it for me when she watched their concert.
- meeting with my best friend from high school. We were supposed to meet during the weekend but she got sick. :(
- visiting the new Starbucks across our office. Hopefully my sister can tag along.
- buying new pens for my planner
which I will probably stop filling out in three months.
I'm NOT looking forward to...
- dealing with work. I don't exactly hate my job, but time and again I've questioned if this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I'm leaning more towards "no." Not to mention I haven't been transferred to another client as requested.
- getting myself to exercise in order to lose weight and be fit for our Japan trip in 3 1/2 months. I know I have to build up stamina at the very least, but I don't think I've found a routine which I can faithfully stick to. It doesn't help that space at the house is very limited so if I wanted to dance it's more likely I'll bump into furniture. But my sister does it anyway, so I definitely should be able to do it.
