Cherry Blossom's Autumn

1. Starting December 11, 2009, I will be doing a photo post a day. Hopefully for a year. But at minimum, at three months. So, if you don't want a flood of photo posts, feel free to de-friend me. Photo posts will be public, for the most part. I will not promise that I will post everyday, but I will take a photo everyday, and then post. Maybe I'll post once a week, 7 photos. Something like that. We shall see.




There were more announcements, but I can't remember them now.
Am a little distracted.



Check it, I changed my layout style to something ... green. :)

I was told, to my great flattery, that I am 'one cool person I can be myself in front of'.

This has got me thinking.
Why is there the need to pretend at all?
Why do you want to make a lie of yourself and pretend you are something you are not, simply to impress another person?

Upon a little reflection, I do understand the need to impress someone. You want them to accept you no? And if they like xxxx, they would be more likely to accept you if you too liked xxxx.
But if you DON'T like xxxx, and instead liked yyyy, this would surely backfire on you sooner or later.
Why even bother to pretend then? It's a waste of time, and the lies eventually pile up and ...ew.
I dislike lies.

A white lie, ok (but sometimes you have to ask what is a white lie?).
Not mentioning something -- technically not a lie, but depends how far you take it.

It simply baffles me why you want to pretend to be someone else just to get someone to like you. If you're honest from the start, then you know, from the start, whether this relationship is worth investing in.
But then, I'm the sort of person to invest in all sorts of relationships, whether I have stuff in common with them or not. Diversity rocks and all that jazz.
Besides, I've met a ton of awesome people simply by being myself. They probably all think I'm a major dork (which I am), but I'm ok with that because ... well, because I think I'm a dork and don't particularly care that others think I'm a dork. If you become my friend and still think I'm a dork, I'm ok with that because in return, I get to think you're a dork for being friends with a dork. Get it? (LOL read that last paragraph out loud real fast.)
In the battle of truth vs. pretence, there just aren't enough pros for pretence for me.


It's easier to be yourself, than to pretend you're something you're not.
I'm grateful that I haven't been put in the position where I feel the need to pretend I'm something I'm not yet. I hope that day never comes.



Now, to the person who inspired this entry, if you happen to be reading it: I am, for one, glad that you have been yourself around me. Your inner-self is pretty awesome; not that I'd admit it to your face ... no need to inflate your ego :)


But basic thing I'm trying to express?
Be yourself.

Taken from my LiveFacebook feed:

xxxxxxxxx is now looking up the cast of Tomorrow When the War Began
Ellie is too pretty...doesn't look like she could last being battered by war
Robyn is meh okayish
Fi should be blonder i think
Lee - very disappointed...figured he be hotter
Homer - again disappointed but not too bad, he mayb okay for the role
Kevin is cool
Chris not wat i had in my head but i can see it working out fine
Corrie - she is english!!! I wonder how they are going to work with her accent... i mean all these characters are really aussie characters...BUT she looks like a good corrie.

So, given that:

maiaki thinks that:
- Caitlyn Stasey is WAY too pretty to plat Ellie. Her look doesn't match up with the rugged outback image I've built up of Ellie.
- Ashleigh Cummings looks like the perfect Robyn, though I imagined her slightly less childlike.
Phoebe Tonkin is the perfect Robyn. Because really, are there that many rich blonde people in AU? Most people I know are brunettes. Or bottle blondes.
- Chris Pang makes a good Lee, but I'm slightly disappointed that that he (Chris) is Chinese as opposed to Viet/Thai(?) as Lee is.
- Deniz Yannos, Lincoln Lewis and Andy Ryan are perfect looking for the roles of Homer, Kevin and Chris.
- is so surprised that they picked Rachel Hurd-Wood, who played WENDY from PETER PAN (♥♥♥) to play Corrie -- > but good choice?
- check out the cast @the website

Overall? Really, really really good choices for the cast (barring 'Ellie'; but, prove me wrong. I've only seen her with one 'look', so Caitlyn, prove me wrong)

I'm really looking forward to this movie.
Though I'm really sad because I know the fate of these characters and by putting a human face (as opposed to my imaginary ones) to them just makes it more tragic...

Recently I've been on an 'old favourites' kick.

Examples of which:
-- Reconnecting with Fruits Basket {manga is ♥LOVELY♥}
-- Peter Pan {"To live would be an awfully big adventure."}
-- Robots, Cars, Ice Age 1&2 {admittedly not favourites but enjoyable non-the-less}

And on that note, I re-do a music meme because it is an old favourite. :)

( Everybody Wants You .. )

I finally saw UP over the weekend. When I saw the trailer on TV, it was freaking hilarious and I couldn't stop laughing, so of course, I expected a comedy.
And don't get me wrong, it definitely was a comedy ... but, the actual story ... it was so sad. I couldn't stop crying. I cried through 90% of that movie.
OMG. The whole time I kept kicking myself for being such a loser.

A first for an animated film (for me anyway), they actually gave a full on back story, provided a reason for why the characters were the way they were. I guess I just didn't know what to expect, so I was completely unprepared for what was presented to me. There was such detailed explanation for the main character; completely unexpected for a kids film.
And I just had to double check the rating (PG) to make sure it was a kids film. There was so much to that film that makes me doubt whether or not it was intended for children, but then again, perhaps I'm just getting more out of the film than a child would (it's a sign of age lol).

In any case, it was a brilliant film, and unexpectedly sad, in a brilliant way.
You'll perhaps think that I'm a big baby girl, crying throughout the whole movie, but, I maintain it was sad. My reaction, I admit, may have been a little very on the extreme side, and this is perhaps the only time I'll ever use this as an excuse (unless I go get pregnant lol), but I'm going to blame my extreme reaction on a hormonal imbalance.

At least I'm admitting it.
Whatever.

Lol. Anyway, I saw it in 3D, something we weren't planning, and I was wearing my glasses. So. I had to wear my 3D glasses over my glasses ... and that just made it very uncomfortable and awkward throughout the entire thing, especially when I had tears streaming down my face.

From a more technical standpoint, the animation was brilliant! And I am very, very surprised to agree with my friends when I say that the kid scout is ASIAN.
Something else completely unexpected.

Do yourself (me?) a favour and don't read any (other) reviews about the movie. Just go see it.
Reviews will undoubtedly hint at the little surprises about the story which should, most definitely should, be surprises.

Ahhhh~ There's is nothing like sexily dancing guys in suits to pick you up ... :)

In Malaysia, I had a really random and impulsive buy of a set of cleanser, tone, moisturiser and whitening masks of Neutrogena Fine Fairness range.
I never thought I'd buy whitening stuff because I'm pretty pale to begin with.
But it looked so pretty, that I just grabbed it off the shelf and walked up to the counter with it.
When in Asia right?

( Ramble of product which can be surmised into: smells really pretty, evens out skin tone but also makes (my) skin A LOT paler )

Basically, I have found yet another Neutrogena product I love. This brand has not yet failed me - so I concede: something can be said about trusted brand names. Branding isn't just the bullshit I spieled off about a couple years ago. It isn't all the bullshit I still sometimes rant about.

Another recent and very stupid buy were some new glasses. The link will show you a picture of brown frames, but I got them in black. I don't regret buying them, but I know they were a stupid buy because
a) I have two other pairs of glasses I can wear, PLUS contact lenses
b) I really can't afford them right now.
Yet I got them anyway and put them on my step-mum credit card.

I really like them though. I've never had black frames before.

All right, back to my not very progressing market entry report... >

This Swift review was written a month ago about my soon to be new car.
It makes me giggle :)
And I still ♥ my soon to be Suzuki Swift.


I'M SO EXCITED.

(I'm also meant to be doing homework. But instead, I study the Swift.)
Damn I wish I remembered to push for a spoiler at the purchase point.

If you're wondering about the title of this post, the past week I've been sitting quietly, then randomly cry out SWIIIFT~~!
I think people are sick of my new car already.
OH WELL.

It's taking a little getting used to not singing either 'zoom zoom zoooo~m!' or 'suuuuu-ba-ruuuu~'. But now I can sing 'SWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFT~' without thinking of the catchy Mazda tune ...

*look forward to some more very Swift related posts*

Melbourne commuters will shudder when they hear the name Connex.

For many reasons which I don't think deserves the effort of me relating here (mostly because my experience with Connex is nowhere near as bad as other people I know), but :

Fire on train!


SO glad I didn't catch the train today.
{Go Connex} *rolls eyes*

Just wanted to share:



and linking it with Chen's Twilight Movie Parody ... yes, I read Twilight recently, and laughed my way through the book. Then I was made to watch the movie and had to try very hard (very unsuccessfully) not to laugh out loud throughout because the person I watched it with liked it ...

I'm not quite procrastinating enough to write up a full on review; I don't particularly think Twilight is even worth it, so I will instead rely upon other's mocking ...
*For the record: I don't hate Twilight, I just find it so amusing!

Ah hah! And maiaki@wordpress has decided what to do with herself.

Thus, the wordpress blog will be filled with posts deemed 'educated' or 'serious', making maiaki@lj filled with inarticulate spazzes of waning fandom and waning real life.

Why? It has come to Maiaki's attention that she is posting more and more spazz whing-fests on lj, complaining about various things, then f-locking them (making it un-viewable to anyone not on her f-list). Now, if you are to know the real 'maiaki' at all, you will realise she has no propensity at all to censor things, being absolutely unable to say 'a friend' rather than 'X' did this - any use of 'a friend' or unhypothetical 'x' has been done so at great restraint and mass editing. No, when the 'real' Maiaki speaks about something, she speaks with a tell-all attitude.

However, that is not to say she cannot keep a secret.

Maiaki@wordpress will also have the added bonus of removing some traffic from fellow lj friends pages. (You're welcome.)

Anyway. Declaration of and decision of new blog (under the same name) concluded.

I make an awful instant coffee.
I admit it.
And I admit this based upon the fact that I've never tasted my instant coffee.

I realise I make an awful instant coffee because I really don't care what my Dad's employees, or guests want. I just make it. I add enough water and milk for it to resemble that brown, coffee colour. And one sugar.

I don't care if random guy #1 like its with two creams and one sugar, I don't care if random guy #2 likes it black.
I don't know you, so tough cookies.



:)




This essay will be the death of me, because I particularly don't care about Mao and his followers.

I know the first is the 'good' one - inspiring and all that. The second one is a parody, mimicking 'evil', this I also know.

But with the second one, I'm struck by the words "Thank God our perception of real life is distorted."
I saw those words, and for some reason, I related it back to innocence, and children.

Things are a hell of a lot simpler, and prettier when you're a child.
I think I've become one of those over protective parents because I don't want my child to see the ugliness of real life.
Only, I don't have a child. So I suppose that feeling applies to my sister, and baby cousins?





On a side note: Chinese history/Mao essay: 25 hours, and at the 50% mark! whooo~ .... read the tired unenthusiastic sarcasm there.

At home, not doing my Chinese history essay, I find myself researching Scientology. Having spent about an hour watching videos on the Scientology website, my not so deep thoughts include:

( About The Basic Principles of Scientology; brief, I promise! )

Something else:
religion |riˈlijən| noun
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods : ideas about the relationship between science and religion.
• details of belief as taught or discussed : when the school first opened they taught only religion, Italian, and mathematics.
• a particular system of faith and worship : the world's great religions.
• a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance : consumerism is the new religion.

I just watched the Koran version of SJ's U.

I much prefer SJM's U.
The fact that they're wearing suits makes them sexier for one. I have nothing against the grunge look of SJ ... it's just that those clothes remind me a little too much of my year 12 class talent act ~_~'

SJM's U MV was done much better. More appealing over all, as opposed to SJ's warehouse backdrop.
Hmm. Class, or ... grunge? (for lack of a better word)

And SJ's hair! The hair!! What a disaster! I'm glad the cleaned up for the SJM version.





Just felt like sharing.

This whole swine flu thing is getting a little concerning.
According to an email my university sent me, 24 cases in Victoria.
Worrisome.
Extremely.



I was sitting next to this lady on the train; she kept coughing and coughing and coughing. Made me all nervous because I really don't want to come down with something right before exam period.
I ended up moving away from her, and then when she got off at my station, I opted to take the stairs instead of be stuck in an elevator with her.
Nothing personal, I just don't want to get sick.

Yesterday, in class, I coughed. I covered my mouth and did it as remotely as I could. It was only a little cough. But I turned back to my Hong Kong class mate and he had this look on his face, one which clearly said 'Sick people should stay at home and not infect others.'
It was only a little, once off cough.
But, I understand his paranoia because he had previously described to me the horror of the Avian Influenza he lived through (ack, his expression when he described the face mask thing!).
And compared to my own lazy, care-free attitude towards this Swine Flu situation ... well, yes. I can rationalise it. He's just the type to be vigilant about such things I suppose.
I wonder if its a Hong Kong-nese trait, or just his own personality trait?

Is it too late to say 'stay away from Mexico?'
Not that I want to back out of Malaysia, but still.

Smart Traveller Advice; Swine Influenza

If you are likely to be offended by issues of discrimination in race, religion, sexuality or body size, please don’t watch The Foundary's Anti-Discrimination Ad.
( Talking about it.. )

On a lighter hearted note:The Urban Dictionary. Gives you a definition for names. Example:
Jason
A jason is a cute, awkward, dorky boy. He's funny and sweet, can attract many girls by his lovable, boyish charm. However, a Jason isn't the best boyfriend because he doens't like talking or discussing relationship problems, only enjoys showing off his new "prize girl".

... I have better examples, but I'm not giving it away .. .:)

Damn you lveaddkt. Damn you.

Because of you, I have listened/watched a youtube clip of Super Junior's Sorry Sorry for the third time now. And downloading is their album.

Whilst the tune is catchy {sorry sorry sorry} it's not really the type of music I would usually subscribe to. It's very techno-like (?).
But.

There's just something about a bunch of cute guys proving they can dance.



ah! the 3 - It's You (Repackaged) finished downloading! Damn, I love this fast internet thing.

I said I'd do this post a long time ago.
And, months upon months later, here it is.

( welcome a whinge-fest about Fahrenheit )


On another note: I saw the X-men Origins: Wolverine yesterday.
It was awesome.


Hugh Jackman? GORGEOUS.
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine? YUM.
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine with memories? *DIES*

Well, this though came much earlier than 2am.

Anyway.
An artist friend had an exhibition today. She says stuff along the lines of how artwork is an outlet so a part of herself comes out through it, and an exhibition is not just an exhibition of her work, but part of her. Which I think most people would agree with.

My addition to this is that it's the same with writing.
I've always loved writing, and as a child, I aspired to be a writer.
But as an adult, I've realised that writing is much too scary because it displays too much of me. When you (I) write, you (I) expose that secret part of yourself (myself) you (I) don't often let people see.

Of course, there is the plain and simple inarticulate and non-comprehensive way in which I write. Usually there are so many things I want to get down on paper, nothing comes out.
But, there is also that part of me that realises that I'm exposing a very vulnerable side of myself through writing, no matter how obscurely.

It's a true talent to be able to write fantastic stories and distance yourself from your work in such a way that the exposure of yourself is kept to a minimum.


Point?
Art, in whatever form, is a little scary.