Three cheers for Hetalia!

I'm so happy that I couldn't resist writing! Ah, Hetalia: Paint It White was shown just now at around 9am! Italy!!!!!!!!!

If you know Hetalia, you'd know it is about countries personified as their national stereotypes. Granted, it might offend people (which is why we didn't get to see S. Korea in all his awesomeness) but if your sense of humour is anything like mine, you'll like it. The plot isn't much, faceless aliens invade our world and steal the colours on Earth. Yeah, sounds like one of America's B-grade movies gone wrong. Personally, I think it should be called Hetalia: Break The Fourth Wall To Smithereens, because really, stealing colours and the faces of people?

Interspersed with the alien invasion plot are clips from the series proper and I loved those the most! A pity that they didn't translate the notes about the intended France-UK union due to the Suez crisis. It'd explain why France was forcing Britain to marry him...... and teach Malaysian's more world history than their textbooks. I'll add it here, because I can.

In September 1956, during the Suez Crisis due to a common foe an Anglo-French Task Force was created. French Prime Minister Guy Mollet proposed a union between the United Kingdom and the French Union with Elizabeth II as head of state and a common citizenship. As an alternative, Mollet proposed that France join the British Commonwealth of Nations. British Prime Minister Anthony Eden rejected both proposals and France went on to join the Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community and strengthened the Franco-German cooperation.

The only "world" history we learn is about the rise of Islamic empires. Not that I have anything against that, the Ottoman Empire is just AWESOME! But why in the world would I want to know about the spread of Islam in Malaysia? 

I think the Malay dub voices were ok. Which came as a surprise to me as I usually don't like (read: absolutely hate) dub voices. The only ones I didn't like were Liechtenstein, Prussia, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. Thankfully, they were only side characters. I think the rest of the cast did decent jobs, though I must state my love for America, England, France, Hungary, Austria and Canada's voice actor, especially Canada! But then again, I'm biased.

Now for the screw ups, China's voice actor is good except that he got a female voice actor. Yeah, She's a Man in Japan, thank you tvtropes. And Hungary got Austria's name wrong. She called him Australia *facepalm. Though I'm pretty sure there was a strip about people getting Austria's name wrong somewhere. Um..... look through here? What surprises me is that Germany got it correct. Wasn't Hungary considered married to Austria in the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire? Its rather strange if your ex-wife can't get your name right.

Despite all that, I am still incredibly happy!!!! Hetalia on national television, yeah!!!!!!!! Oh, has anyone seen the character design for the Principality of Wy? She's just so adorable!!! And I like her going all huffy at Sealand, just because she's recognized. Still, whysoadorableWyandSeborga~ <3 Hetalia will make me a history nerd, its evil in that way.

Why do I do this to myself?!

Oh crap, history just makes you tear up, when done properly. To comfort myself for having missed the movie and having to go to school soon, I dabbled in the world of Hetalia. Let's just say there are things I have to remember from now on about Hetalia fanworks.

1. Don't go looking for Lithuania/Belarus stuff
2. I will feel despair from the small amount of fanwork available
3. And if I do manage to find it, I am going to feel really bad for Lithuania
4. Belarus will make me feel bad for her too, because she is too damn obsessed with Russia
5. Refrain from reading "America's cleaning of the storeroom" strip too much
6. Or watching that particular clip on youtube
7. Because I will start tearing up
8. Even if its just the dub
9. Don't read anything that has to do with the dissolution of Prussia
10. Hetalia will cause me to be unreasonably attached to his awesomeness
11. And I will start bawling
12. Which means I must not read "Choking" and "20 Photographs"
13. Or watch the "CROSS" video on youtube
14. Because tears will fall
15. Keep a box of Kleenex within reach if I insist on torturing myself
16. I must keep a box of Kleenex within reach

I guess I'll just stick to the webcomic and the anime episodes. They're usually funny enough and a great thing to relax with. As long as I stay away from the rare sad strips *cough Bloody Sunday *cough. It amazes me actually, how every country can inspire such darker and edgier work. I guess there is just no country in the world who has completely no blood on their hands. Ack! No reading Zikaron, I'll have to remember that too. Even if its just so good, and chilling...... Why do I do this to myself?!?!

Lets update before school starts!

I figured I should do one of those random posts where I just write what I've been doing lately to satisfy some juvenile urge to reveal all. So nothing will make sense, there will be no theme, nothing will be coherent and topics will jump around for no rhyme or reason. Hmmm..... this could be fun.

I'm sitting at home, with laryngitis. It sucks to speak in a ridiculously hoarse voice and I have resorted to sign language in public, just to annoy my family. Though they're probably glad that I'm quiet, goodness knows how high I raise the decibel levels in the house. I hate not being able to sing, I've never gone so long without singing before. It's awful!

There's a Barbie and Twelve dancing princesses fanfic that I want to update but my plot bunnies aren't translating well on paper... or on my word processor. I'm not sure I want to write about each princess in turn or just write random one-shots. It's a problem..... Gah!

I don't know where to go after Form 5. Should I take Cambridge A levels? South Australian Matriculation? Foundation? Do they even have a Foundation Course for those who want to take medicine? Damn! Why in the world does Malaysian education stop at 17?! And I am not considering Form 6 because it is 2 years and it's longer then all the other courses. Ugghh...... and the icing on the cake is that university costs and arm and a leg. I am so SCREWED!!!!!!!

I've been seeing High School Musical a lot lately. My brother downloaded all three of 'em and we've been watching. I think the songs are nice, but my music preferences are rather varied anyway. Also helps that I'm a teen. Watching all 3 of them rekindled my liking for the Ryan/Kelsi pairing. What can I say, when everyone out there was screaming that "NO! Ryan should have been gay!" I was happily squeeing away. I have a penchant for minor and unusual pairings (Ryan is campy so this IS unusual). It helps that I find Olesya Rulin cute as Kelsi Neilsen and I saw HSM 3 before HSM 2 therefore missing out on the Chad, Ryan baseball game. Not that I don't agree with the folks on tv tropes that it was a rather...... fangirl squeeing moment? But, everyone has their preferences *shrugs. At least Ryelsi (portmanteau couple name, hehe.....) has a decent sized fan following. I've practically been devouring fanfiction on them these couple of days. No real person fics though, to me they are kinda like you're trying to tell actual people how to run their lives and it gets disturbing.

Speaking about campy, the other campy guy that I like is Ruby from Pokemon Special. He's just so interesting! Not to mention that his interactions with Sapphire are just so hilarious!! She is a wild child with complete disregard for social norms. He is a prissy guy who has more interest in making sure his Pokemon are pretty. She doesn't mind getting poop on her nose and goes around in a grass bikini with matching skirt. He can't stand even a little dirt on his clothes and he sews. I am a total sadist for wanting them to be together when they are older. Ehehehe........ it goes right up there next to Lithuania/Belarus. Yeah, yeah I'm a hypocrite but somehow Hetalia makes everything justifiable. And when exactly is the Hetalia: Paint It White movie showing in Malaysia. 8th December or 29th December?

I don't want to go back to school. I am dreading it with all my heart! I've been going online almost everyday for the past month and a half and have yet to be bored. Sleeping late, waking up late, access to the internet (endless entertainment), can you blame me for not wanting to go back to a routine of homework and co-curricular activities and tuition. Besides, Mi-chan and Chi-chan wouldn't be there now that they've graduated. I'll miss eating lunch with Mi-chan...... TT^TT It's my last year in secondary school and I just feel like time is going so fast. Oops! Did I just reveal my age? Oh pooey.......

Do I have to write and ending? I don't wanna write an ending! How do you write an ending for a piece that has no rhyme or reason for anything that is written. I hate endings. Everything should go on and on and on. Pfft.... open endings are awesome, except for in books. Then they just drive you mad with the "what ifs". Urh... I'll be shutting up now.

I like stuff others don't know/don't like

This makes me totally frustrated because there is no fan material on the pairings or characters I like! I can't write them by myself, I often don't have any ideas and I prefer reading about them, discovering new insights on them through someone else's eyes but damn it because my pairings/characters are obscure/rarely known/unloved/side characters!!!!! They get no love. Except NejiXHinata, I'm so glad that Japan doesn't mind cousin marriages.

Now before anybody accuses me of being a sicko (all you yaoi fangirls out there are sickos in someone else's eyes too), might I add that in my culture its perfectly alright to marry cousins. Yes, even your father's brother's children. Yes, there are people who do marry their cousins. As a result, I really have no qualms about this, so it amuses me to see comments like "Incest! Eww......" and "Won't they have mutated babies?". It doesn't amuse me to see comments like "Neji and Hinata wouldn't do that! Neji belongs to Tenten and Hinata to Naruto/anyone else! You should go to hell for writing this!!!!!"

In a fandom as big as Naruto's, you kiddies should learn to respect others preferences and just plain don't read a fic that doesn't agree with you. The right to not read is a basic readers right. Besides, the sooner you learn tolerance without compromising your own beliefs the sooner you will be on your way to a decent adult.  To make it clear, I don't mean that you condone it and sacrifice your beliefs. Everyone has their own beliefs and opinions and if you respect that people are more likely to respect yours. Yeah I'm a digressing hypocrite but this is only a suggestion. You don't have to take it.

It seems like my tendency for obscurity is going into manga. For instance has anyone seen this:

I really want it but I can't seem to find the official Malay translation anymore. The truth is I really want to see the 2nd story, That Sweet Organ Song, again. I borrowed it from a friend a long time ago and the story was so good that it stuck in my mind. So I want it! And I will buy it, even if my miser image cracks a bit.

That Sweet Organ Song  is a period piece set in the 1920s between a the son of a rich merchant, Shotaro and a girl who works in a bookstore, Setsu. Setsu wants to be a teacher, despite the fact that poverty has stopped her from continuing her education and Shotaro wants to be a composer, even if he is the only heir to his father's business. The story builds up their relationship nicely and the bittersweet ending caught me by surprise! I really thought it would be one of those "love conquers all stories" where the protagonists will be poor but happy and everyone lives happily ever after. Not a chance. Which is why I love it so, because the ending makes it so memorable. When Setsu, now an old woman, hears Shotaro's song being played on tv, I was so touched. She got her wish to be a witness when Shotaro's song was passed on to the future generation!

Gah, the bloody problem is that very few people have read it and I can find little to no information on it! Nobody can tell me where I can buy it in my area and nobody writes their opinion on it either, something I like to read too. Sigh, my poor under-appreciated interests.  

I've been crying more than usual, I wonder why.......

So I've been reading stuff that made me cry lately (but that was obvious), too touching/sad and whatever other reasons that make my over sensitive tear ducts work overtime. Yeah, I cry easily.

First one would be Cat Street. It's a really sweet slice of life manga revolving around the life of 4 friends who study at the El Liston free school. I admit the art took some time to get used to, but I fell in love with the story so it ceased to matter after some time.

Aoyama Keito was a child actress who, after embarassing herself during a stage performance, lives the life of a recluse for 7 years. Bizarre and a rather flimsy plot excuse because we've all embarassed ourselves and not wanted to face the world afterward yet we still do. Then again Keito's stubbornness  and her lack of knowledge concerning social conventions, due to being busy working during her childhood, could make this poor excuse stretch. 

Despite that, this story has got to be one of those stories that touch the heart. It is one of those slow, peaceful stories that really shows its characters growth, so its not for those searching for an action packed or even a romantic story. There is romance, it is a shoujo manga after all (by the author of Hana Yori Dango no less), but the highlight to me was Keito coming out of her shell. I was so invested in Keito's growth, in her change from that lifeless, anti-social girl into a confident , mature and talented actress. I was just touched...... and ridiculously happy to see her change. I cried tears of happiness here.

The other story was Anatolia Story/ Red River/ Sora wa Akai Kawa no Hotori. The truth is, I really have no patience with this story. Its your typical run of the mill, girl from the future ends up in the past/alternate world story and all the other tropes that you would associate with it, with added smut. Granted, I'm a bit biased since Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden upped the standard for me.  My pace through it is laughably slow, 18 chapters in 3-4 days! That's longer than I took with Cat Street or even Sailor Moon. Its not a bad story per se, I like it more than Fushigi Yuugi (its redeeming point was bishies and nice art.....and being a pioneer of the reverse harem, you gotta give it credit for daring to do that), its just that it is a bit old and other people have copied most of its ideas. Also I have come to a stage in my life where romance stories are beginning to seem cliche.

 To tell you the truth the only reason I'm sticking to it is to get to the Ramses part, whom the fandom seems to consider hot stuff (well I am in search of bishies) and the villains' love story. Somebody said it was the most poignant romance they'd read. Yes, Nakia is horrible, they are pure evulz but the way an author handles the bad guys is a mark of how good their storytelling ability is to me. Ok, I also can enjoy stories where the bad guys are evil just because they are such deprave individuals, so I can hate their guts out. Yul's mother in Goong is an example. I respect her cunning though. 

Why did I cry over this? I cheated and jumped straight to Urhi's past. The poor guy has been through so much! I cried because of how much of a waste it was and well, I pitied them terribly. And Nakia, what was her story? The manga doesn't really address that I think, I don't know, I haven't finish. How was she raised? I'm intrigued by her background, I want to know her reasons. Was the Babylonian court as dangerous and deceitful as the Chinese court? If yes, then I can come up with dozens of theories and possible scenarios that can shape Nakia into who she became. For instance, did Nakia grow up among jealous court women who poisoned each other and caused miscarriages to prevent someone from gaining favour?

Last thing is a Narnia fanfiction about Susan. I'd wondered why she wasn't with the Pevensies at the end in Aslan's country just because of lipsticks and nylons. Then I realized that I'd been somewhat influenced by a publication I read and on closer inspection of the story I found out it wasn't solely because of that. This fanfic addresses that issue perfectly and is such a heartwarming story. Susan's redemption is done beautifully and I really recommend it for all those who had wished that Susan had gotten a better ending. The author deals with the Christian symbolism tastefully and it meshes well with the story without seeming too heavy handed. Don't believe me? Read it for yourself, yeah, its that good.  http://honorh.livejournal.com/226358.html

I don't know what to call this piece, neither do I know what it is

My child, my child,
Don't cry, don't cry.
My child, my child,
Don't fret, don't sigh.
Your dreams have fallen apart
And you are burying them tonight.
However, life goes on
And there is nothing you can do
But soldier on.
Do not despair,
I have something to tell you.
There will be new dreams,
So you must at least try
To bring them to life.
Though some may die,
Do not let them be stillborn.
My child, my child,
Don't cry, don't cry.
My child, my child,
Don't fret, don't sigh.

Little Women or let us go SQUEEEE

I got my book from scholastic today, yes, book, singular. Books are so expensive in Malaysia and the libraries in my small "city" or more appropriately, town are dreadfully lacking in the quality reading department. I couldn't even find Animal Farm! I tell you my school library is better stocked, but they lost their copy of Animal Farm (its an antique too!) and To Kill a Mockingbird. Sacrilege, I know, the very thought of a library losing books. Or with bare shelves whichever one is scarier to you.  Yes, Ipoh libraries I am looking at you.

So back to the real topic, I finished The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick in class and I was so happy with all the Little Women references. Yes, I was so giddy and it helps that the characters are likable too. I adore Emma, am rooting for Jess, want to befriend Cassidy, and would like to see Megan continue to improve. Then the next book is about Anne of Green Gables!! Scholastic, please send the catalogue to my school ASAP!

I love Little Women, it's part of my childhood. I was rather sad that Laurie and Jo weren't together though I like Mr Bhaer well enough and feel that Amy has grown tremendously. I was absolutely heartbroken when Beth died but I cried when I read about how Jo coped with the death of her sister. To quote, "Poor Jo, those were dark days for her." Though don't take my word for it since my memory is lousy and I can't vouch for the accuracy of the quote. But then, we're not lawyers and there is no need to be that accurate. Its not like someone's life is hanging in the balance.



 To tell you the truth, I've never seen the musical. I only stumbled on this by chance while surfing Youtube. It's sort of a community hall kinda thing but this is my favourite version. They're so sweet and I like the kite part. All sorts of symbolism without being melodramatic. Yes, I've seen various interpretations of this scene but this is my favourite. Oh, Beth............

Now to soften the blow and the disappointment when Jo rejected Laurie, take a look at this comparison of the proposal scene in the 1994 Little Women movie and the much older Anne of Avonlea movie. Apparently (and I stress it's only hearsay), LM Montgomery was inspired by Jo's rejection to write Anne's rejection of Gilbert's proposal! Thankfully, Anne accepted his second proposal or we would have no "Mrs Doctor Dear" and the world would be a poorer place indeed.



 

Remember what I said about romantic two girl friendships?

Play-acting at school, but........
Ic-chan: Me and KitMun are sisters. We both want 1 girl (JuLian).
Mariam: Oo...... *looks at Viniy* I don't understand.
All: *Laugh*
Ic-chan: Like this...... Me and KitMun are sisters, und?
JuLian: No no no... let me say, let me say. I'm KitMun's darling and   KitMun's my honey. This two (Ic-chan and KitMun) are sisters. But, Ic-chan has a crush on me. See, I so diminati ramai!
Ic-chan: I'm the pihak ketiga you see.
Mariam: Oo...... So who with who ah?
JuLian: Me with KitMun......
Mariam: She (Ic-chan)?
Viniy: She's the pihak ketiga.
Mariam: Oo...... So...... you all lesbian larh?
All: *smash heads while laughing*
KitMun: Post this on facebook!
Viniy: Means like Suju couple lar.
JuLian: Yeah! Like Heechul and Hankyung! You are Heechul, Viniy's Hankyung.
Ic-chan: Yea lor, yea lor! Because Viniy know chinese.
JuLian: This (KitMun) is KyuHyun. That (Ic-chan) is Yesung.
Ic-chan: Then who are you?
JuLian: I'm Ryeowook of course!
KitMun: I don't even know what you are talking about?!
JuLian: Aiya, never mind lah!
Ic-chan: Eh......eh......! Does this mean we are Suju KRY?!
JuLian, Viniy: Yeah hor!
Ic-chan: *shakes head* So in the end, its JuLian bercurang with me.
Viniy: Poor KitMun.
KitMun: Yeah lor. *pretends to be sad* But I lebih bersalah because I always bercurang with other guys.
JuLian: See I so mulia. But then I more "geng" then you, I bercurang with 13 guys!
Viniy: Oh......? Ah, me also!
JuLian: You more than that!
Viniy: ......? Yeah hor!
KitMun: What lah you all......

This group of people...... don't know what is going on in their minds lah!

Note: To the people who know us in real life. Please don't put names or any other indication of the real identities of the speakers if you intend to comment. This is the internet and I'd prefer to be safe than sorry.

Who wants to be a missionary?

Maranatha! What brought this on? Just a little something I found in the newspaper, that's all. Maranatha is now my "word" of the day. Hehe.....

I've been hearing some rather interesting views lately, especially the new (all right its new only to me) concept of "reverse missionaries". Essentially, it means that people from countries which are traditionally regarded as non-Christian/pagan will go to countries that used to send missionaries. Imagine, Asian and African missionaries spreading the gospel to America and Europe! That thought somehow makes me giddy.

Anybody can tell that so-called Christian nations are in fact increasingly reverting back to paganism, while in other parts of the world the reverse is increasingly becoming true. In one article I read (accuracy needs to be confirmed), there are more Christians in Africa than in America and Europe combined!

Yet, there are still some who in their arrogance and ignorance assume that things are as they were. Christianity has never been a western religion. It did not originate there but in the Middle East. Now, it is going back there, going full circle, and taking others that were not reached with it.

So, who wants to go to North America and Europe as missionaries? Be warned that you will face prosecution. Yet, consider it as doing them a favour. Once they brought the gospel to you, now you will take it back to them.

PS: Remember also the minority groups in China. They still need translations of the Bible in their own languages.

Cartoons cartoons cartoons!

Today Ic-chan would like to talk about some of Ic-chan's all time favourite, you got it, cartoons. Ic-chan wonders what gave that away?

By cartoons, I really mean western animated movies. Japanese anime deserves it's own post because of the sheer length that post will be.
Does 3D movies count though?

Ic-chan is not going to list the cartoons in any order, it'll be as random as you can get. So without further ado, lets roll!



1. Sleeping Beauty

Ic-chan has loved this since Ic-chan was really young. Maybe because Ic-chan didn't get to see it often. Ic-chan doesn't really know why Ic-chan likes this one when there is zero character development. The title character doesn't even appear that much!

2. Princess and the Frog

Disney's return to 2D animation is also a return to good memorable stories. Character development, check. Gorgeous visuals, check. Great songs, check. A good story, check. Additions not in the vein of the traditional Disney princess formula are main characters with personalities. Yes, the prince has a PERSONALITY! A horrible personality but that's what character development is for. What is not to like?

3. Lion King

Ic-chan has seen this one so many times that Ic-chan will recite entire scenes plus the song at any time. Simba is just so cute! Reasons why Ic-chan loves this is the same as above. So much Disney eh?

4. The Swan Princess

If Ic-chan remembers correctuly, this isn't a Disney cartoon. It is pretty much like a standard Disney princess story though. Ic-chan loves the stories, the songs, the princess etc. Ic-chan doesn't really like the prince though. I just hate that hair style.

5. Mulan

A Chinese heroine who kicks butt! Not to mention Ic-chan had a crush on Captain Shang at the time. Mushu though, really stole the spotlight for me. The clincher was the song Reflection.

6. Cinderella

Ic-chan's reasons are so repetitive that Ic-chan hopes you will refer to everything above and fill in the blanks here.

Ic-chan thinks that this post is long enough already and will not do 4 more to complete a top 10 list, but then this isn't even in order since Ic-chan only puts in whatever Ic-chan remembers. Ic-chan would place The Incredibles and Madagascar there if Ic-chan felt like tormenting you any longer.

Too much free time

I've been thinking lately about my friendships at school. The internet being now available to me from dawn to dusk opened my mind. It occurs to me that the way my friends and I behave around each other is not the same as in co-educational schools. We're quite affectionate with each other to the extend of jokingly calling each other "dear" and "honey". It also seems like we have a lot more physical contact. Sorry, yuri fans there is no kissing though.

This type of thing is apparently called Romantic friendship. Something quite common in England of old. To the point that when they write letters to each other it reads like a love letter. I've never done such a thing but I now suspect that the girls that write love letters to their seniors are actually having one of these instead of being actual lesbians. The Japanese call this Class S and it seems to be a fairly common phenomenon.

So you get a bunch of girls in an all girls school, making kissy faces and calling each other with terms of endearment. They hold hands and hug it each other whenever they feel like it. Mind you this is Asia where a person is supposed to act chaste. Do we qualify to star in a yuri manga?

Holi holidayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Sung to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Repubilc.

My eyes have seen the glory

of the burning of the school

We have tortured all the teachers

we have broken every rule......

And that's as far as tv tropes would give me. I now totally regret reading the Ear Worm page. I don't think I'll be able to keep a straight face for GB's annual enrollment ceremony next year, which is a pity since it will be my last. Still I thought it was rather fitting for a post celebrating the first day of school holidays.

That being said, I don't think I'll be doing anything much besides homework. The only plus points are being able to sleep late and wake up late. I'm going to throw discipline to the curb (not that I had much to begin with) and place my alarm in cold storage. Somehow I"ll find a way to finish my homework............. I now fear for my life when school reopens.

School holidays have also thrown some problems my way. My mother (beloved food stuffer) will forget that I am fasting in the morning and make breakfast. She will only remember when I start glaring in pain over the aroma of mouth watering food. Jesus help me!!!!!!!!!!!! Where can I go to hide from the scent of food? No matter where I go in this house, be it the roof or the yard, it will find me. *sob*

Well, when all else fails, just be yourself and let other people shout at you. I'm going to read Skip Beat and make most of this "unlimited" internet time. The rambling is more like too much to say, unsure what to add. Go figure.

Merdeka!!!

Happy Merdeka! No, I didn't celebrate much this year. If you ask me this year's celebration is rather low key. I think everyone is saving energy for Hari Raya anyway.

I did a Hetalia fic last year in conjunction with Malaysia's birthday but I've got no inspiration this year. The only other thing that I had with Malaysia-tan in mind was about someone writing a farewell letter. A bittersweet affair and well, not suitable for an occasion that calls for love letters and pats-on-the-back and all sorts of self comforting. I miss Yasmin Ahmad. She was good at the self comforting part.

So....... oh goodness, I don't know what to write! It doesn't seem we have much to be grateful for. To be frank, I actually want to do a Merdeka rant. Yet, I just don't have the heart to rain on the parade. It's Malaysia's birthday and you don't go bashing people on their birthdays. Tomorrow though, is a whole different kettle of fish.

I mean like seriously? Where did this "serious" rant come from?

Hey, look! I'm updating frequently, isn't it weird? I'll probably find myself a new "kick" and stop this but in the meantime...........

Mi-chan made me so touched mentioning in her blog that she could have a decent conversation on "certain topics" with me and Wan-chan. The funny thing is we're both younger than her. True its only a year but it matters to me (cause I'm such a child). Let's say I have pretty strong views on some of those issues being a conservative Christian and all but who am I to deny people their views? I figured it would be the right thing to actually listen and not spew insults, its not like the other party is going to actually listen to me (prejudice you see is inherent in every human being). Besides, if I consciously cultivate a respectful and hopefully mature response to differing views the less chance I have of being a politician.

Is it just me or does Indonesia like to pick fights with Malaysia during Merdeka month? Can't they just let a country alone on their birthday? Okay that last sentence was too much Hetalia influnece. But seriously, it happened last year (which by the way lasted 'till exams, so you can imagine how the students' joked about not taking exams if we were actually attacked) and so it happens again this year. Somebody ask them to calm down.

I'm not the most patriotic person out there but the least they can do is cut the crap! And for the love of all that is good and holy, DON'T recall your ambassador!!! Who the heck is gonna take care of the welfare of your people over here?!?! Since you already view Malaysian as demons, why the heck do you want to leave thousands of your citizens here defenseless without anyone to vouch/protect/get them out of danger?? Ambassadors are there for a reason.

Whew! Now I'm gonna search for ASEAN Ocs Hetalia fic, the region has so much love-hate relationships that I think the drama would last us for years! I'm rather intrigue by the discussion in the forums that Malaysia should be bipolar. All of a sudden we're all so "patriotic". Maybe I'll go find K-pop videos instead, at least that country is friendly. Go 50 years of diplomatic relations!!

Does anyone like musicals?

Or to be more specific, does anyone like "The Fiddler on the Roof"? I rewatched the film today and it surprised me how there were things I didn't notice before. Details like expressions, scenery, songs I didn't like before etc. Now that I'm older, I appreciate Act II better.

"Far from the home I love", "Do you love me", "Chava sequence" and "Anatevka" really stood out for me this time. In fact, I've been rewatching the "Chava sequence" on Youtube instead of searching for K-pop. This act is so much more serious and with a bit more understanding brought by age plus a lot more knowledge on history than I had before, I've come to like this part.

"Chava sequence" or "Chava Ballet" is more dance than song but Topol's face as he sung it just......well, it reduced me to a blubbering mess. He was singing of how he (Tevye) didn't understand the world anymore, how things have changed. Chava started dancing with her mother in the background, then with her sisters. There they were 3 girls playing and dancing around, 3 carefree children. Slowly, they went off hand in hand with their loves, Tzeitel with Motel, Hodel with Perchik. Of course the clincher comes next. Fyedka comes for Chava and as she hesitates between the Fiddler (tradition, the life she's known) and Fyedka (love, an uncertain future) I was just so......heartbroken. And when she chooses Fyedka, slowly the scene changes to Tevye's face as he contemplates this. The pain and hurt in his face was just so........ I don't know what to say. I started sobbing there and I had to grab a lot of tissues during the dialogue bits where Chava asks Tevye to accept her marriage (she married Fyedka secretly that morning) and Tevye is debating it in a monologue. He finally decides that he can't accept this, that it would be tantamount to betraying his faith, his people, and walks away, Chava crying out to him in the background.

I can sort of understand that. One of the first things my mother told me was not to marry outside my religion. They'd act like Tevye had or perhaps they'd react like Golde, a bit more willing to forgive. I'd make them cry terribly of this I'm certain. The pain on Tevye's face, I don't think I'd be able to bear it if I caused them to look like that. And my dad.............

On the other hand, I think my grandparent's were rather outrage when my parents became Christian. My maternal grandparents became Christians eventually, my paternal side is still staunchly Buddhist. No disowning happened.

What should the stance be on this? Follow your heart or traditions? I guess it depends on the situation. I support Chava's decision by the way yet sympathise with Tevye. So, I think my answer is "I don't know".

Ara? I'm writing again?

I think I might be a contender for "World Champion for Procrastination". Notice the reeaaallllyyyy long interval between blog posts. Sigh, me and schedules just can't mix it seems, such a pity.

Though I'm pretty sure no one looks here anymore, I felt like writing, for nostalgia's sake. I've not been writing lately. It's 1/2 parts laziness, no ideas and pondering on self censorship. Should we practice self censorship on the things we post online? Does "Freedom of Speech" have a limit? I really have no idea.

On one hand, it's quite a relief to just rant and give your opinion. On the other hand, what you write might just come back to bite you in the arse. I know how words can be twisted, I've seen how dangerous it is. Your very life could depend on the immature words of your youth. When people want to get rid of you, anything goes. And if they have a good lawyer, kiss yourself goodbye!

So where are the boundaries? What can you write? According to government propaganda (Moral class, it serves no other purpose), freedom of speech means: no discussing "sensitive issues" e.g. race, religion, government policy, corruption etc. What in the world do we talk about?! I think people want to discuss such things and besides its in human nature to break laws. Not to mention, people like airing their views regardless of who is listening.

So what is "Freedom of Speech"? Must we check ourselves for writing "sensitive" topics? Isn't everyone biased at heart? And is there any truth in the old sayings telling you to think before you speak?