- i'm alive -

so there you go, left 4 dead.





i like this "hokkien-version" series.
started with LoTR and Titanic, and now this.
there's a "cantonese-version" series too ;D

- of sweets and snacks -

of chips...

i love Karamucho, by Koikeya.
the "normal" Karamucho.
its name comes from Japanese adjective "karai (辛い)" which means "spicy/hot", and Spanish word "mucho" which means "a lot of/much".

there's a limited edition called Karamucho Stick 5-times Spicier Hot Chili Flavor (カラムーチョスティック 辛さ5倍ホットチリ味), which you can find in nearby convenience stores and supermarkets, but personally i still prefer the "normal" flavor :p
first of all, it wasn't as spicy as i thought.
(although, Japanese might wanna read 辛さ as "tsurasa", which means "painful/unbearable/tough", because according to the Japanese standard it IS unbearably hot.)

and i like them in big chunks, not tiny sticks.
same rule applies to french fries and Pocky sticks ;)

but i love Jagariko too, even though they're sticks.
it's a kind of fried potato snack by Calbee which comes in a paper cup.
and apparently, if you dip it in boiled water, it'll turn into mashed potato.
hmm, makes sense.

also, don't forget Pizza Potato, again by Calbee.
basically it's pizza-flavored potato chips topped with cheese.
pity it doesn't come in large packets like Karamucho.

*****

of chocolate...

by the way, there's been a huge dispute debate among the Japanese community, over which kind of snack is better - Kinoko no Yama, or Takenoko no Sato.
and it takes forever to resolve.
they're both chocolate-topped snacks, both made by Meiji.
and they both look wrong.
the only different in appearance is that...
Kinoko no Yama, literally "mountain of mushrooms (きのこの山)", takes the shape of a mushroom; whereas Takenoko no Sato, literally "village of bamboo shoot (たけのこの里)", the shape of a bamboo shoot.

which do you prefer?

by the way, i like Karamucho (LOL).
if it has to be a chocolate flavored snack, i'd pick Koala no March.
'nuff said.

*****

of ice-creams...

hello price rise.
goodbye Häagen-Dazs.
it was 248 yen. or maybe cheaper.
and it's now 284 yen.
mainly due to the rise in price of milk and crude oil.
waiting for someone to treat me ;D

there's a price rise for Baskin-Robbins too.
first time in 18 years.
but don't worry Very Berry Strawberry, i still love you.

speaking of which, i had Romancing the Cheesecake the other day.
at Cold Stone Creamery.
yes, Cold Stone, not Cold Storage.
waffle cone, size: love it.
that's 670 yen, which is equivalent to a full meal at Gusto.
it's really nice, though. cheesecake flavoured ice-cream topped with strawberries and chocolate syrup. crispy waffle cone. and of course, nice weather ;D

what makes it different from B-R is that, B-R ice-creams are ready-made, but at Cold Stone, they're mixed right in front of you. i'm not an expert in ice-cream so it doesn't really matter if it's freshly made or not but.. it's supposed to be like bread? freshly baked = hot and yum. not so fresh = bleh?

oh, and you can choose to make your very own flavor by picking the ingredients you like. on top of that, the employees sing for you. i'm not sure what's their purpose of doing it, maybe to make the mood in the store livelier? still i don't understand why do they have to sing in English when almost none of them can pronounce it properly. i know it's an American chain. but they way they sing it, it's nowhere near USA. LoLs.

*****

of doughnuts...

there's hiyashi tantanmen in Mister Donuts again, yayyyyy!!!
i know i know. that's not a doughnut.
i love Misdo's seasonal menu.
and i miss the Yumcha Set dumplings :
why aren't they sold anymore? refer to this.

on the other hand, we discovered a new doughnut chains.
well not exactly new. but i've been eating at Mister Donuts (and a bit of Dunkin Donuts) all my life.

Doughnut Plant.
there're only a few of them, and they're all distributed in/around Tokyo.
heard it's nice. but i haven't tried this one.

Krispy Kreme.
said to be better than Mister Donuts, but i'm not really sure about this.
because i've only tried the Original Glazed. lots of them though.
they're really nice and sweet.
and you get FREE doughnuts when you queue up at the Shinjuku Southern Terrace store.

*****

of traditional Japanese cakes...

taiyaki. yum.
"tai" in Japanese, is a kind of fish (according to the dictionary, it's sea bream). but this Japanese cake has nothing to do with fish apart from its appearance.
usually it's filled with sweet red bean paste.
and it's often featured in Japanese drama and anime.

again, there's been a huge debate over which side to eat first - the head or the tail.

i'm a person who saves the best for the last. so i eat from the tail. because sometimes, the tail isn't filled with red bean paste (when it's supposed to be filled everywhere if it's a "perfect" taiyaki!!!! i dunno, it's just my opinion :p).

try out different flavors of taiyaki at one of the most famous taiyaki stores in Japan, Gin no An (銀のあん)! apart from red beans, there are also maccha (green tea), custard, black honey and warabi, sweet chestnut, black sesame with walnut, and so on.

*****

tired... -.-
just typing this out makes me feel fat.

i once had a debate with my teacher regarding "saving the best for the last", when we were eating Häagen-Dazs. his opinion was "Eat fast! Get to the best part immediately! You wouldn't know when will the world end!!" in fact he finished his freezing cold strawberry cup in a minute.

note:
hiyashi tantanmen - cold tantanmen, a kind of Chinese noodle.

- rules are meant to be broken -

「規則は破るためにある」。

それとも、単に自分が反抗的なだけかな。
小学生の頃、よくカンニングしてました（笑）
しかも一人や二人とかじゃなく、クラス単位で ^p^
そういえばクラス単位でネトゲー中毒になったことが・・
あるような、ないような。

そんなこんなで、こんなモン見つけました。
日本に住む（あるいは旅行に来ている）外国人のためのフリーペーパー『att.JAPAN』。
それの7月/8月号に載っている「温泉入浴方法」です。
これはさすがに守らなきゃダメですな　^p^

or is it simply because i'm rebellious?
i used to cheat in exams when i was in primary school LOL
and it wasn't just one or two of us, it's the entre class :p
not sure if it's true or it's just my imagination,
but i think there was a time when the entire class was addicted to internet games.

anyways, i found this.
on issue 47 of "att.JAPAN",
a free magazine for foreign residents and visitors in Japan,
there's an article regarding "how to bathe in an Onsen".
obviously, you wouldn't wanna break these rules :p

*****

How to Bathe in an Onsen

1. First of all you will have to completely undress... Other than you birthday suit, you may bring one small towel or wash-cloth to the bathing area for washing with. Do not make the mistake of changing into and going in your bathing suit!
↑ i actually paused for a moment when i saw "birthday suit", then i finally got what it means. oh dear, i not speeek engrish D:

2. Once in the bathing area, rinse off with hot water before getting into the onsen... Hot water is drawn from the tub or tap and poured over the entire body to rinse thoroughly. This is considered one of the most important points of onsen manners.

3. After you have completely rinsed, it's time to get into the hot tub. Get in slowly up to your knees, then up to your waist, followed by the chest, then neck. In doing so your body will slowly get used to the water temperature. Do not put the towel into the water. You may see people fold and put it on their heads, now you know why - it doesn't belong in the water.
↑ yes we did it once when we went to an onsen in Nagano, and we were scolded by the old ladies. you've only washed your body, not your towel. it's just common sense not to put something dirty into the onsen, where everyone's enjoying the bath - even if the towel is new and unused and you think it's "clean".

4. One dip is usually no more than 10 minutes. As there are mineral elements in the water, longer exposure is not only relaxing, but allows the body to soak up more of those minerals. Getting at least 2 to 3 times a day is reasonable.
↑ you'll faint if you dip yourself for too long due to the heat of the water. i always fainted or puked in onsen when i was a kid, now i think i know why. or is it true that kids are not allowed in onsen?

5. Where tap and washing stalls are available, switching from wash stall to tub and back is up to you... Never bring the soap or suds into the tub!

6. Some hot springs provide more than one tub, such as the rotenburo (outdoor onsen). Switching from bath to bath may also be done freely.

7. When your body is hot and your are totally relaxed, taking a shower is entirely up to you, although may be a waste of the onsen's mineral healing properties. Leaving them to soak in may be better for your skin.

8. Once out of the onsen, dry off with a towel. Taking a nap is effective; bathing in a hotspring takes quite some physical energy.

[extracted from att.JAPAN issue 47, pg.25]

*****

these links might help too ;D

・Onsen, the Japanese Bath - pure inside out
↑ details on bathing in an Onsen. also, benefits of the Onsen.
・What to wear inside Oedo Onsen? - JapanForum.com
↑ your birthday suit ;D
・Onsen Japanese vs American Spa for Skin Care - Free Online Library
・Types of Onsen and Their Effectiveness - Nara: A Journey to the Ancient City


*****

hmm, i couldn't think of a good word/phrase for "さすがに".
it's "memant patut sekali" in Malay, in this context.

oh, and i'm going to Kansai later this month. Kobe: for shopping and tabehoudai. Kyoto, Nara, Shiga: visiting temples and shrines, more tabehoudai. Osaka: visiting CJLC at Osaka U, and Semba Curry at Kitasenri! i just can't wait to see my bank savings drop to 5 digit -.-

- Niconico Jikkyou Summer Fes 2009 -

ニコニコ実況サマーフェス2009

[Extract from original website]
2009年、ニコニコ動画・実況プレイの夏の一大イベントと称しまして、
27時間という長時間のネットラジオイベントを8/8・9に開催させていただきます。
放送時間は8/8/18:00～8/9/21:00という長大な時間を3人のMCがお相手します。

今回もMC1人とゲストのフリートークを中心に様々な企画を行っていきます。
更に今回は視聴者の方に参加頂ける多数の企画も募集中です。
　・出演者への質問メール募集
　・イベントに関するイラストやPV動画の募集
　・出演実況プレイヤー一般募集/27時間ゲームマラソン出演者募集
[End of extract]

In summer 2009, as one of the biggest events for jikkyou-play* on Niconico Video, a 27-hour long internet radio event will be held on 8th and 9th August. The broadcast time will be from 6:00PM on 8th August till 9:00PM on 9th August, and there will be three MC's.

This event will revolve around free talks between the MC and the guests. Also, we are holding several projects for listeners to participate in:
- Accepting questions for the guests;
- Accepting illustrations and promotion videoclips related to the event; and
- Accepting applications for guest jikkyou-players/participants for the 27-hour game marathon.

*****

MC
→ いたる(Itaru)
→ ユニ(Uni)
→ ジャック・オ・蘭たん(Jack-o-Rantan... or Jack-o-Lantern)

Guests
→ あいなちゃん＆たーちゃん
→ 朝日奈あや
→ あなごみ
→ あにぃ
→ あんだーそん
→ 囲炉裏
→ うるすぐ
→ おくり
→ おしり
→ かんた
→ キリン
→ ぎんねこ
→ kuru&しそ
→ SAKI
→ 三段峡
→ 〆鯖
→ しゃかりき
→ しょうこ♂
→ 焼酎うめぇ
→ すーしー
→ スパーク
→ 聖上Ｐ
→ 瀬戸内
→ チロりん
→ トシゾー
→ ちょい
→ にしのん
→ no name
→ ビスまる
→ ふじことみ
→ 藤原
→ ブンブン
→ ふひきー(ボルゾイ企画)
→ マツリ
→ 水城あくあ
→ みやじ
→ 森永ふんふん
→ もるひね
→ やぎさん
→ やまもと
→ ゆうきななえ
→ recog
→ Revin
→ りゅーやん
→ ロウ＆ヒロセ

詳しくはイベントサイトで！
For more details, go to the event website!



*****

Note:
* A jikkyou-play video is a video in which someone gives a running commentary, and usually it's about a game.

- craving for some old anime? -

i'm not sure why, but i've been wanting to watch Kiki's Delivery Service ;p
even though i've watched it like... a gazillion times.



just for the lols.

*D*1*S*<*L*A*1*M*Σ*R* 1DD0ON0TT0WNNTH1SSV1DΣ0. N0RRAMM1RRΣLATΣDDT0TTHΣUUPL0ADΣRR1NNANYYWAY.

L33T much? ;D

*****

finals just started today.
and i've already made a fantastic careless mistake in calculation.
which probably took 25 points away. 25 out of 100. woot.

anyways, the schedule.

Tests:
27 JUL - Structural Design I (建築構造設計第一) ← Done.
30 JUL - Structural Mechanics II （建築構造力学第二）
31 JUL - Environmental Engineering and Building Services I （建築環境設備学第一）
4 AUG - Geotechnical Engineering （地盤工学）
4 AUG - Strength of Materials S （一般材料力学S）
*Well at least it isn't three subjects in a day... >__>

Reports:
7 AUG - Environmental and Structural Engineering Laboratory I （建築学実験第一）
*Basically, an experiment report on refined concrete.
8 AUG - Special Study of Japanese Culture II （日本文化特論II）
*Empat ribu perkataan, eh? Cam mane boleh abis dlam sehari nih?

Others:
28 JUL - Cleaning up the Drawing Room.
14~19 SEPT - Field Survey of Historic Buildings （建築史実習）
*Date subject to change.

- the traumatic antagonist, Takasugi -

高杉晋助
攘夷浪士の生き残りで、「攘夷浪士の中で最も過激で最も危険な男」と言われる。・・・幼少時代に銀時・桂らと寺子屋に通っていた頃の師であった吉田松陽を奪った世の中に対しての憎しみが行動力の源となっている。

祭りが好きで、派手で大規模なテロ行為による破壊を好む。そのニヒルで破滅的な魅力に惹き付けられている者も多い。攘夷戦争が終結した後は京に身を潜め、数々の破壊活動や幕府要人の惨殺を働いており、幕府からは特に危険視されている。

モデルは、奇兵隊を創設した長州藩士、高杉晋作。声優：子安武人。

Shinsuke Takasugi
Takasugi is a former comrade of Gintoki and Katsura during the Amanto invasion, and a major antagonist throughout the series. He leads a radical Joui faction called the Kiheitai and is known amongst the Shinsengumi as one of the worst criminals. ...... After the war ended, he vanished, and has since gained a dangerous reputation due to his assassination of many of the Bakufu's main officers and his planning of a large-scale coup d'état.

Unlike Katsura, he does not seem to be interested in saving the country: rather, he believes that the only way to save it is to destroy the "rotten" post-Joui war world. He is particularly resentful about this, as he claims that it has stolen their teacher- Shouyou Yoshida, who instructed him, Katsura, and Gintoki on the ways of the samurai- away from them.

He is based on the historical Shinsaku Takasugi. He is voiced by Takehito Koyasu.

*****

Prince Hata
Prince Hata (ハタ皇子) is a Squat-like, purple alien living on Earth. He has an eccentric habit of collecting rare pets, but as he is incompetent in managing them, they often attack him or escape to cause havoc in Edo. The Prince is often known as "Baka Ōji" (Stupid Prince) due to his simple-mindedness and lack of responsibility with his animal collection. He is voiced by Kōichi Sakaguchi.

*****

this.

is what happens.

when the retard Prince Hata dubs the *supposedly* cool antagonist, Takasugi.



t... trauma... aaaaaaaah...





*****

References:
奇兵隊
List of Gintama Characters

- i love sadistic anime characters -

they're fun ;)


Translation (for reference purpose only):

Shinsengumi: Okita Sougo
a.k.a The Prince from Sadistic Star
(Let us) now look back at his glorious history

-----
Okita: Goodbye, Vice Captain. Why don’t you suck on some mayonnaise in the afterlife?
Hijikata: Oi Sougo, just what do you think you’re doing?
Okita: *tutts* ...Tch!
Hijikata: NOT "TCH"! DO YOU WANNA DIE ONCE?!
Okita: Oh, no(, don't be like that). It was just a joke. A joke!
-----
???: ... Die... Die, Hijikata...
Hijikata: ... D... Don't tell me, it's really..
Okita: Di........... *hides his hands quickly*
Hijikata: What the hell are you doing... at this time of night..?
Okita: J.. Jogging.
Hijikata: LIAR!!! IF YOU RUN IN THAT GETUP YOUR HEAD'LL BECOME A FIREBALL!!! It must be a ritual...YOU'RE DOING A RITUAL TO ANNIHILATE ME!!
-----
Okita: I can't stand your wriggling any longer, sir. Rather than live on in shame, why don't you just die honorably like a samurai?
Matsudaira: Fools like you always convert to charcoal suicide whenever something happens! But face the facts, life is not that honorable. Real honor means, even if you lose your face, even if you're humiliated..
Okita: *bang*
Hijikata: ... Did you have to shoot..?
Okita: I just can't do it anymore.. I just can't watch him... grovel any longer...... Hijikata-san... Why are humans always so...
Hijikata: ... Huh?
Okita: ... Did you have to shoot..?
Hijikata: Why are you trying to make it look like I fired the gun? .. What are those sweatdrops?! It's really pissing me off!!!
Okita: *monotonously* Everyone! Come over! Hijikata-san.. Hijikata-san's gone maaaaaad..! I don't know what to do anymoreeeee..!
Hijikata: No, no! It's not me! I didn't do it, okay?! You jerk, can you freaking stop..
Okita: He's gonna kill meeee...
-----
Hijikata: How is it up the..
Okita: AAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!
Hijikata: YOU..!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?!!!
Okita: I FORGOT TO CLOSE THE BELT! I FORGOT TO CLOSE THE BELT!!!!!
Matsudaira: H-Hey, what's with this guy? He's like a different person from before! He's panicking all over!
Okita: IT'S BECAUSE I'M AN S THAT I'M VULNERABLEEE!! I'M A GLASS SWOOOORRDDD!!!! S-S-S-S-SAVE ME, HIJIKATA YOU BASTARRDDD!!!!!!!!!
Hijikata: You..!!
Okita: AAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
-----
Okita: Wow, the Captain sure is popular. It's full of ignorant masses wherever she goes - fall off a cliff and die, Hijikata.
Hijikata: Anyway, what's up with this song? It sounds like nothing but a song that's making fun of us - get violated and die, Okita. **Note: as in, punched and kicked.
Okita: That's what you call, "being overly self-conscious". To me, it sounds like a sweet love song - go to the next world by gas poisoning, Hijikata.
Otsuu: Everyone! Thank you very much - Indian millet poop!
Masses: Indian millet poop!
Hijikata: It feels like our image is just going from bad to worse - fall off a precipice and die, Okita.
Okita: What do we do if there really is a terrorist attack? We don't have our swords - soak in boiling hot water and die, Hijikata.
Hijikata: I don't give a damn anymore - hey, Moomin, kill Okita.
Okita: Die, Hijikata.
Hijikata: Die, Okita.
Okita: Die, Okita.. Ah, I messed up...
-----
Flip: "Do the robot dance."
Hijikata: Damn, these bastards are getting carried away. They wanna see the robot dance? That would be limited to Okita.
Okita: Really? Guess I have no choice. ROCKET PUNCH!!!
Hijikata: Didn't I say dance? That's a killing blow!
Okita: It's a dance that starts from rocket punch.
Hijikata: ... And he's good. What is he? Doesn't he have a weak point?!
Flip: "Imitate someone."
Hijikata: "Imitate someone". No designation. It can't be helped. I'll do this one. IMITATING OKITA!
Okita: *dives and swings his arms around Hijikata's waist* IMITATING A PRAWN!
Hijikata: Oi, you.. I'm seriously asking you. Let me hit you just once. It won't hurt... I beg you!!
Okita: No way.
Hijikata: Stop fooling around, you damn brat!
-----
Hijikata: Stop joking! You do it!
Gintoki: Now is not the time to argue! Focus on what we should do right now! Grow up! I don't wanna be the base!
Shinpachi: YOU are the one who should grow up!
Okita: Take that! SADO-BEAM!!! **Sado --> Sadistic
*The Shogun's golden beetle survives*
Okita: Tch.. What a stubborn fella. Can I defeat it already? Your answer doesn't matter though.
-----
Okita & Gintoki: Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! It hurts, Daddy!
Okita: Please bring me a band-aid! As huge as you can! One that can wrap up an entire person!
Hijikata: Did you guys arrange beforehand or something..?!

Shinpachi: We didn't mean any harm. We didn't have a job. As it's summer, we figured exorcism would be an easy way to make money, and when we tried our luck in town.... Right, Gin-san?
Gintoki: That's right. I've been able to see spirits since childhood, so I thought I'd put it to good use... Oh, there's a really angry old hag standing behind you..!
Okita: Really? That must be that old hag from the candy store, then. She must be mad at me for trying to claim prizes from those numerous popsicle winning tickets that I faked. What should I do?
Gintoki: Don't worry. You just need to free us and douse her some water, and everything you've done will be forgiven. **mizu wo ataeru = to provide water. mizu ni nagasu = to forget and forgive.
Okita: Really? Okay then. Drink this through your nose, then.
Gintoki: What? Owwww! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! What is this? It feels so familiar! It feels like the time I almost drowned in the swimming pool! Ah.. Aaaahh...
Kagura: Gin-chan.. I feel like my head's gonna explode. Like, boooom. Save me...
Gintoki: Hey! This spunky young girl's head is gonna explode! And you're fine with that?!?!?! This anime will be finished, at this rate!! HEEEEEYY!!!
Okita: From next episode onwards, it will be "The Bloody Records of Shinsengumi". Everyone, please be sure to tune in.
-----

Credits:
**Although I've replaced some words and phrases here and there.
Gintama Quotes
Gintama Manga Translation
Gintama Anime Subtitles