PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SHORE

Watched, and thumbs up. I miss the hand drawn animations and the Ghibli characters. Havent watched a Ghibli in a long time. I can now see why the production took 3 years. The amount of stuff moving on some scenes is just... wow. Major respects for you... now I feel like sleeping.

Could say more but I suck at reviewing, so... I won't. Although the musical score is just awesome. Need OST NOW.

Nana's

So 2nd Of January Lunar calendar. Today's the day when we visit relatives on our MUM's side. New Years Eve and New Years is spent with the relatives on DAD's side. Departed in the morning... and our Auntie that lives in Taipei was there too, so we could ask about staying over there \o/ (NONAKA AI HERE I COME).

We played mahjong all afternoon... lol. I started out really unlucky and kept losing money... but was saved by a self-draw while being dealer for the 3rd time in a row, which saved me. Still ended up losing $40TW... $15 left from $55... but it was fun so whatever. Food was pretty salty, as usual with my Nana. Talked about random stuff after dinner, then came back. Probably going back again tomorrow. Dammit, we're busy. Falling behind on animu, lol...

Chinese New Years stuff

Well, as you probably know, it's the Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year today. Following tradition, we go to our relatives and stuff, resulting in slow communication as only 4 computers can use the internet and there's like... 7.

So, as tradition goes, yesterday was New Year's Eve, so we went to our grandma's for a new year's meal (or 2). We went there in the morning. Around lunch, we worshipped our ancestors. We had a LOT of food. Like 15+ dishes of all sorts with hotpot. Tradition, man. Ate our fill, then went downstairs to burn paper money. I know we're contributing to global warming, but tradition is tradition. I wish I had that money in real life though. I mean, if I can afford to burn half as much as those hundreds of "$500" bills, I'd be set for life.

Spent a pretty normal afternoon. Cousins wanted to play Basketball, and I haven't played for ages, so I tagged along. Courts were full, so we played baseball instead. A good few hours wasted on the school fields. Then played some mahjong until dinner. I love mahjong.

Dinner was... just as awesome as lunch. After dinner was the main point. RED PACKETS. RED PACKETS. HONG BAO. YUM YUM. Photos are somewhere... I'll grab it later. Got enough money to buy a few ARIA artbooks =), and generally messed around till like 12am, before going home, taking a shower and sleep.

Same pattern today. Went to Grandmas, had dumplings for good luck, and ate another big lunch (and dinner). Minus red packets and staying till late. So blogging about it. Going to Nana's tomorrow. Tighter schedule than Christmas I reckon.

HAPPY CNY

OH YAY SO FUN!

Will update more after we finish going everywhere, lol.

RAGEEEEEEEEE

This message... This message.

原訂2月8日舉 行之「EIKO SHIMAMIYA First Asia Tour 2009 in TAIWAN」演唱會，因臨時與島宮小姐2009年在日本的藝能活動檔期有所衝突，經向日方經紀公司協調後 ，於日前確定短期之內暫時無法安排海外活動，因 此我們必須忍痛取消本此演唱會。島宮小姐本人也對於無法如期來到台灣感到非常地遺憾，近期之內將會透過官方 以某種形式向台灣歌迷致歉。

　2009年對島宮小姐來說將會有全新的發展，也請各位舊雨新知密切注意她在日本最新的藝能活動。本公司期 許將來能夠以更多樣化的型態再度邀請島宮小姐來台舉辦活動，到時候希望各位歌迷們繼續給予她支 持！

Summing it up:
Concert cancelled. No Shimamiya Eiko.

Fak you Taiwan management companies. You did this to Sakakibara Yui too.

At least I can divert my money to Aria...

Ara ara

Today was awesome. We met our friend who we haven't seen in about 6 years. She is an anime fan as well. Double whammy! We met... at an anime store. The one she knews. I bought my mouse pad. We took a photo at one of those booths. Did a lot of editing. We went to the "black Tri-Stars". She was amazed, since she didn't know there was the shops. I bought my ARIA OST. We talked about a lot of random stuff. She is going to Sydney for Uni (Hi Kelvin!) on the 28th.

We didn't spend a lot of time together though, didn;t meet till the night, but we may find another time. Still no Aria PVC's. Went home. Will email later. Simple sentences rule.

Photos:

Ara ara.
*Falls asleep*

Turns into a girl.

Mammoths!

So ya, it's back to the museum today for the Mammoth exhibition. No lines today. HURRAY! Spent about 1.5 hours there looking at info and dead stuff. No photographing though. So no pics D:

After that, we went around the main hall again to see ones we haven't yet. Stuff included A bunch of Chinese stuff, Oceania, Human life, microbes (got some cool pics of spiders and cockroaches www), and a few new limited exhibitions. Didn't get time to go to the gardens though, oh well. Photos are on photobucket, took some interesting ones.

Also went to this "bird's eye view theatre" where you look down on this projector some 3 stories down. I was looking at the aerial shots thinking "I CAN FLY!!!" or something. Pretty fun.

I might have to go there another time, but doubt I'll find the time to. Meh.

Science museum pics

IHU ANIME INDUSTRY

So bascially, I went to a store a few weeks back and saw a cool Aria doll thing. It was limited to 300 only in Japan or something. Now that my parents are back etc, I decided to go buy it, thinking it won't cost more than a few thousand NT.

So, I ask the assistant
Me: "How much is the doll?"
Her: "It's limited to 300 units in Japan"
Me: "I know"
Her: " It will be around 10000TWD."

10,000 TWD = $550NZ = $300 US

TT_TT I need to buy other figures. WAI SO EXPENSIVE, Ok, I know there's only 300 in Japan (well 299, ones in Taiwan), but... D=
Might have to settle for Aria President Nuigurumi... D=

MUST HAVE SOMETIHNG ARIA. GAH.

BTW

Richard, got your fat suit that sheds and turns into a girl. $60 plz

Alan C, ARIA is here. $ erm... I'll calculate later.

"Postage paid"

Yeah, so a few things happened.

Last night, we had a nice long chat with some relatives from mum's side. One of our uncles works at the national post. If he still was working at the central office, I save a fortune on shipping as he can just go with my package, stick "postage paid" stamps on, and send it off. FREE SHIPPING FTW, but no. Since he doesn't have the stamp anymore. D=

Today, we got free money from the government.

3600 NT for flippin free. Now I can go buy erm, stuff. Because Shopping is caring. Helping to boost the economy. Yeah. So its off to buy ARIA stuff! (When I have time. lol.)

Grave matters

Literally.

It's been like ages since we visited our dear grandpa (sleeping down under), so we did that today. We got there at about 9. Then we had a 2.5-3hr mantra. Here, I need to make one point on Buddhism, their mantras are impacting me so much now that I actually understand what they are writing. For example, they list a number of "Hells", eg "Tongue-pulling hell". Any guesses to what happens to you there?

That aside, we burnt some paper money and stuff. The kids enjoyed it.

Afterwards, we went to the actual grave. Imagine an urban area with streets and houses. Now replace the houses with graves and you have a general idea. I swear they are living better than we are. So anyway, we got there, lit some incense sticks, and bowed a number of times. Must have done over 9000 bows today. Then we returned to the world of the living and had lunch.

The Chinese respect their deads so much more than the Westerners.

Exam results

Is wtf.

I got straight E's in physics although I was in despair over the paper, and got no E's in Stats even though its meant to be easy?

Quote from friend : "

	u did ur failure at inputing nos. in calculator again?

"
but...
UE get.
Entrance to Biomed get.
NCEA Lv3 with Excellence get.

MONEY BURNING!

Ok, Time to calculate the amount of cash I burnt... lol

not counting concert ticket (paid in NZ)

Merchandise (CDs+artbooks etc) = 1250NT
Online bookstore (books yet to come) = 5250NT
Today's spending on manga = 3400NT
Aria poster book = 1050NT

To date: 10950NT (=$600NZ at todays rates)

Pics:

ARIA IS <3
Manga for the laughs (and the soul)
Gregs :P

Moving~

Parents are back today, so therefore we moved away from our grandmas (and the anime stores D=), into one of my Uncle's spare flats. It's pretty much a 3LDK, so its will be quite comfy. Internet and stuff has also been set up and working, so everything should be fine.

Now that my parents are back, we have transport and can actually go places now. *polishes camera*. Prob will watch some ARIA then sleep, lol.

Died today

Ok, last time I went to the Black-Tristar anime shoo district, there was this merchandise shop in the bigger shop that wasn't open since it was Sunday.
I went in...
I looked around...
I saw...
YUKKURI HEAD PLUSIES
I died.
I saw Aria Shachou plushies.
I lived again.

However, they are really expensive since they like Airmail it straight from Japan... like the Yukkuri plushies is like $65 US or more. Wow. Still, seeing stuff like the limited Haruhi games, Macross Albums (Jap), Vanilla salt (Jap too!), and Limited edition Aria figures mmade me want to empty my wallet WHEN I GET THE MONEY. Must get that Akari figure or something... (turned ARIA fanboy >.>)

Then bought friend the last Lucky Star shopping bag in stock, and found some cute mini Aria figures which I think I will buy later. Oh gawd I'm so ARIA fanboi now. Not even finished the first season... >.>

Hurry up and give me the money, Mr Ma. I want my animu stuff.

Some updates

Well, haven't been out much these few days because of lack of transport (and money) >.>, wish my parents will cmoe back faster. Instead, I been watching a lot of anime.

Recently finished shows:
Earl and Fairy
Akane Iro
Ef - Melo
Eureka 7
Kannagi
Chaos Head
Hyakko
Both Minami Ke seasons
Munto OVAs
Moyashimon
REC
Oh My Goddess (OMG)
GA REI ZERO (THE BEST, MORE GA REI PLEASE)

Finished 2 Clannad routes. Most of them were October shows that got finished but a few are older shows like Minami-ke, OMG, and Eureka 7.

Also watched Macross Movie today, WHY SEW EPIC D:, probably gonna godly BD rip of OMG 720p tomorrow.

Tomorrow, gonna start Legend of the Galactic Heroes (110 eps XD) and Play more Clannad.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

BANG FIREWORKS BANG

HAPPY NEW YEAR
新年快樂
あけまして　おもでとう　ございます