Good news, I finally got that Kenshin toy! The one that I have been looking for ages. And who would’ve known that it would actually find it’s way to me bwahaha! There is a newly opened wrestling stuff stall at UN Times Plaza. They sell WWF videos, PS2 games, and –drumroll- TOYS! Very limited though, they have action figures of wrestlers, McFarlane toys (the best!), and… to my surprise, they have the Kenshin action figure released by Yamato, Inc. that I’ve been desperately seeking for, well, ages! Darn, I’ve searched every toyshop I know, but I never found any stock. Plus, when I finally found one in Comic Alley Megamall, it’s not for sale. I persuaded the CA salespeople a million times already, damn, I even bid 5000 bucks (but that was just a bluff hehe) for Kenshin but they just wouldn’t sell it. Anyways, it made me felt incomplete, that I have Kaoru, Tomoe, Saito and Okita, but no Kenshin. During the time that it was still available (around 5 years ago), I haven’t got this enthusiasm for toys yet. My concentration back then geared on manga and Artbooks. Going back to the wrestling stuff shop, when I asked the saleslady if the toys (all of them) are for sale, she told me that for now they weren’t because the owner hasn’t put a price on them yet. At least it gave me an idea that they’ll be for sale in the future. The next day, I went there to check again. This time, I inquired specifically for my target. Heavens must have heard me, the saleslady gave me the price! it’s significantly cheaper than what I expected but I have to buy the whole set. I inspected the toy though, and they are not really on their best condition. I'll give it a grade of B. Still, I think it won’t be a lost if I buy it with the price given. The original price when it was still on the market was about 650 per head. When it got obsolete, toy sellers sold them from 2900-4500 per set, but incomplete, usually Kaoru is missing. And that was 2 years ago, and they were actually second hand, mind you. Now this shop which is few steps away from my work place is selling a set of 3 (Kenshin, Saito and Sano) for P1500. Surely, heavens have heard my plead hahaha So I wasted no time and asked the saleslady to reserve it for me. heck, I even told her to put it out of display hehe. Anyways, I have it now, all mine! Ureshii! Bad news is, it’s totally out of my budget… so… I’m super broke again haha… oh well…–sigh- I even sacrificed paying half of my dues to Citibank. I promise to pay it back on the next payday though.. At least it’s another obligation fulfilled to Kenshin hehehe. Just 7 more RK manga, and I am fully free of Ruroken obligation. I mean, at least I would’ve fulfill my promises to him ahaha.

By the way, I just want to share, last week I watched XXX Holic anime series and movie. Hmmm, considering I have read the earliest volumes about two years ago, I think it’s acceptable if I can’t remember if the stories featured in the anime were the same as the manga (is it?). But I can confidently say that the plot is the same. The white Mokona had a cameo in 3rd episode, but only as a CHESS PIECE. Hey CLAMP fans, where have you seen that? Yep, the CLAMP no Kiseki publication. Damn, I’ll get one of those when I get my 13th month pay! A must!!! Okay, here I go again...anyway, I really loved the movie XXX Holic: Manatsu no Yoru no Yume (Midsummer Night’s Dream). The wish-granting-in-replace-of-an-equal-value shop of Yuuko received a request from a middle-aged (around 30+) woman to help her get into her own house, because her key won’t fit in. That is to say, she can’t enter the house. Prior to that, Yuuko received an invitation coming from the housemaster of the same house (everything about XXX Holic is weird, which made it really interesting). Together with Doumeki and Watanuki, Yuuko went to the house with the purpose of complying with her customer and granting the mysterious invitation. When they got into the house, aww, make that mansion, they were surprised to see that there were other people invited. They are actually collectors, and the invitation actually said that they’ll be able to complete their collection by granting the invitation. The collectors who came believed that the housemaster conducts an underground auction, and everyone believed that they can get something to add up or complete their collection. Now this really sounded interesting for me because I am a collector too. Now I wouldn’t want to spoil my readers so let me just conclude the synopsis with the information that the housemaster has a significant LINK to Yuuko’s middle-aged female customer. And let me add that XXX Holic movie was linked (finally) with Tsubasa Chronicles: Tori no Kage movie. Once again, let me say, I loved it. This collector theme thingie really aroused me hehehe. And the animation was really superb, it kinda reminded me of Spirited Away. Moral-wise, it reminded me of my “unhealthy emotional attachment” to my collection, which is actually turning (or might have turned) to avarice, which is really bad for my spirituality. Honestly, I love my collection that much that I give so much priority to it than my health, basic needs, and even family and friends. Bad huh, I admit that this is something that I need to work on. But I hope, people around me would understand that my collection is my primary source of motivation to work (just work okay). It’s the main thing that keeps me stick to my job, even if I’m not happy anymore. I’d always tell myself, you can’t buy what you want when you lose your source of income. Haayyy… the dilemma of poor people like me… anyway, pls. don’t condemn my collection because they have done so much to make me happy.

Last night was just so unexpected. The QM staff together with Dr. Hogar, Dr. Carnate and Frances spend the night at Pier One in Mall of Asia. It was really unplanned. It all started when Dr. Hogar was dragging Frances at Tien de Citas, dragging Aris, dragging Dr. Carnate, dragging Ma’am Shella, and ended up dragging everyone hahaha. Aris wasn’t able to come along though. He said he had some matters to fix. So we dine out at Pier One. This was the first time that we had Dr. Carnate in our gimmicks, so I was really surprised that he’s actually easy to get along with, very approachable. He has this “untouchable” aura whenever I’d see him. That is to say he’s very professional and formal when dealing with us, so I never really thought that he could have a casual conversation with us. He’s very generous indeed and I was quite surprised (again) that he can actually crack jokes hehehe. Now he’s one of those doctors that I respect very well. He’s very professional, diligent, intellectual and I believe he has achieved so much at a young age yet he keep his low profile and he gives due respect to other people. Unlike some people I know who holds so much power and fortune, yet they enjoy humiliating other people, discriminating who they consider “below” their level. The kind of people who enjoy other’s respect out of sheer fear. They are the kind of people who are not contented with what they have. They must have had a disturbed past that led them to such behavior. They are pathetic. Geez, I hate it when I become opinionated of something that is not worthy of my attention hehehe. Going back to our night out, again I broke my pledge not to eat much. It’s so damn hard to resist when so much delights is in front of you. Worst, I was able to drink alcohol again! How many times do I have to remind myself that I have this skin allergy whenever I drink. I drank 4 variants of alcohol!!! There’s this drink that they call “Blow Job”, just a one shot drink, with 3 layers of fluid - Bailey, chocolate and gin, topped with blue flame (that’s literally fire). The thrill is sipping the drink straight with the flames on (but I still don’t get it why it’s called BJ hehehe). And how was it? It feels hot in the throat like any hard drink, but it has this sweet taste. It’s actually good. But after drinking it I knew I had to stop or I’ll be suffering (from my allergy) later. But then Dr. Hogar ordered Margarita and another drink called Zombie (some sort of punch). And lastly, for all we’ve ordered, we got free San Mig lights hahaha… and that kept me drinking until I finally felt dizzy and sober. Hahaha, I’m such a wimpy. But I never really had so much alcohol intake. The last time was more than 2 years ago, during Ivy’s birthday, when I literally drooped in the couch and had to give up. Last night was even worse, other than feeling dizzy, I wanted to throw up so badly, but I didn’t. I wish I did because the feeling was even worse. Frances and I went up ahead of the group, though I wanted to stay longer, I felt the longing for my bed so badly… I am a wimpy after all *sigh* The worst part was yet to come. At around 3AM, my allergy came to attack! With so little space (my cousin’s back), I struggled for relieving my back from skin itch! It was really pissing! But that was my fault and I really can’t blame anyone but myself. So again, I’d like to pledge not to drink alcohol that MUCH. Yeah right. But I don’t feel any regrets, after all I had fun with everyone last night, and that matters the most. I didn't came to class though because i'm still not feeling well... *sigh*

Furuba again?!?

My chest hurts… feels like it will shatter. An impossible wish… I’m depressed… because I know what it’s like to have an unrealizable wish – Tohru Honda, Fruits Basket

I finally finished reading Furuba all 19 volumes. I slept past 3AM just to finish it. It’s not like I felt obliged to finish reading it before the weekend, but it’s just that I find it hard to stop, especially when things are getting more and more interesting. Besides I drank 6 (read that SIX) cups of coffee from the seminar I attended yesterday. Geez, these raccoon eyes are hopeless hehehe. Anyway, though it’s really obvious, I want to say it once again… I LOVE FURUBA SO MUCH!!! Reading this manga makes me more amazed on the similarities of the events to my life. I remember a certain someone said that anime portrays real events in life. It really does, same goes for manga (of course). And yeah, let me take back what I said that Akito being a girl was just a rumor. NO! I was so stubborn, to say something like that when I was only at volume 12. Akito is really a SHE! It wasn’t revealed until volume 17. But when she is being hugged by male junishis (I envy her), they don’t turn into their animal form… oh yeah, she’s the “god” hehehe. But little by little I understand her burdens… it wasn’t fully disclosed yet, but just like any cursed Souma, she had this disturbing past… With almost everyone, finding their true happiness and slowly feeling the taste of freedom, I thought the story will finally conclude on volume 19, but it had just left me hanging… AGAIN! Grrrrr!!! Anyways, the Sohmas have grown up, Kyo and Yuki look more mature now. Kisa and Hiro have grown taller. And Momiji, dear Lord, he’s soooo cool! He’s just as those nerdy school girls have imagined him to be. He’s taller than Tohru now, but he still has that child-LIKE attitude, he’s carrying a bunny backpack (kawaii!!! I want something like that!!!) . He still hangs around Tohru like a kid, holding hands while walking hehehe. And he had gained fangirls! He’s really cute hehehe. Yuki got new friends, officers of the Student council, and he finally realized that his feelings for Tohru were just like a son is to a mother. It surprised me a bit that he actually opened up to his new friend Kakeru instead of Tohru. Although I like him the least, I cried when he finally told his past. He was also ALONE… he grew up knowing he’s hated by everyone, not needed by his family… nobody to protect him. Yet when he finally found friends, they eventually had to be taken away. Having the family secret exposed, their memory had to be erased. That was so sad –sniff-. Let’s move to Kyou, after graduation, he’ll be locked away. And it’s Tohru’s goal, to lift the curse of the junishi. Sorry for all the Yukiru fans, she’ll definitely end up with Kyou hehehe. I can’t wait to see what’ll happen next. And yeah, it turned out that everyone will end up in a “straight” relationship, despite the rampant shonen and shojo ai implications hehehe. And that reminds me, only Momiji and Kagura have no partner. And I don’t see any possibility of them ending up together. I’m sure that Momiji needs someone younger than him hehehe… Kagura too hehehe –long live the pedophiles!- hmmm, I think she’ll be better off with Nao-chan hahaha… Furuba, had made me laugh, cry, giggle, understand my life, understand myself… I was so moved… again, it encouraged me… that there’s hope… that this “snow” life of mine, would melt someday…(“,x)

I can’t wait to come home. I miss my family so much. I’m sure my sister would give me that annoying comment that “so, you’ve gained weight again huh” waaaahh! Really I’m starting to lessen my food intake. May there be no food treats at least for one month so I won’t get tempted hehehe… and I can’t wait to call Sri. It has been my routine to call her every weekend, but since I haven’t gone home for a month now, we haven’t talked since then. We have this Ayame and Shigure kind of friendship hahaha, our conversations never fails to make me laugh. I really miss her. I can’t wait to tell her the progress of Furuba ever since the anime concluded hehehe. Anyways, it had been rainy this week, but still very fruitful and fun, thanks to Momonja, my source of entertainment hahaha.

The past 2 days were really rainy. I love it when it’s raining. Reminds me of a lot of things… sweet moments hehehe. I don’t care if I get soak, it’s way better than getting burned from the heat of the furious sun. And besides, I’m residing at an area not affected by rain, I mean its effect, flood. As long as it won’t cause a power failure, I prefer to rain hehehe. And the good thing about heavy rain, suspension of classes! But that was really selfish of me, I know a lot of people suffer when it’s raining, may God forgive my childish wishes. Of course, I wouldn’t want it to rain much, just a moderate one and on an irregular basis.

I’m already at volume 12 of Furuba, I finally met all the members of Junishi. In the anime, only the horse and the rooster were not introduced. I used to think that Akito was also part of the junishi, but it turned out that he’s actually the “god” of the 12 animals hehehe. Still I couldn’t understand the fact that he’s carrying the burden of the curse. He’s still a freak to me, but I mean that in a nice way hehehe. He’s so evil, I love him hehe. That reminds me, I also heard that Akito is female in manga version, but it turned out to be just a rumor. Akito is a HE! And yeah, I also love Shigure’s manipulative schemes, he’s really cool. Oh I love them all, except Yuki. He’s the character I like the least. I just couldn’t find anything interesting about him. Or probably because I hate rodents… But I like his fans club hehehe. Okay, enough of this, I’m going back to reading hehehe...

I would rather live on carrying the memory until the end. Because even if it’s a sad memory, even if it’s a memory that only hurts me, even if it’s a memory I would rather forget… If I carry it until the end without running away from it… Someday, someday I may become myself who wouldn’t lose to those memories… I believe it… because I want to believe… there is such no memory that you can just forget… the truth is… I didn’t really want her to forget about me… but this is just my childish wish…

Now that I’ve decided to stop reading Blade of the Immortal until I reviewed vol. 1-13, I am currently reading Furuba! Fruits Basket is one of my most favorite titles. And the abovementioned line was quoted by Momiji, in episode 15 of the anime. But Momiji’s story was featured in volume 4. Do I need to say that it’s my favorite part. Every time I’d watch it, I always end up with my eyes teary (awww). Even unmoving panels in manga is no exception. It’s just that I admire Momiji’s strength at a very young age. To be forgotten by the person you love most… is just the most painful thing. But Momiji… for the sake of her mom… for her happiness… he accepted this tragic fate. His story struck me that much hehehe. And by the way, Momiji’s entrance in manga is way cooler than in anime. Kyou is my favorite Furuba character, but Momiji is MY character, in so many ways. Well, actually, I find fragments of myself in all the characters of Furuba, but Momiji has the most hehehe. I’m really hooked now. I find it hard to stop reading even if I had to get some sleep. I’m already at volume 7 hehehe. By the way, I just learned that Natsuki Takaya (the creator) had her left hand injured and led to surgery, and she’s left handed too, that’s why by volume 7, she apologized that her handwriting got worse hehehe. Anyways, my goal is to finish the 19 volumes this week, so I can start reviewing BOTI when I get home on Saturday, I’ve got lots of reading to do hehehe. All the Sohma’s are sooooo cute!!!

Yay, I just want to share that I finally got my anime and manga orders yesterday. And I’ve read vol. 7 & 8 of XXX Holic, and the story just gets more and more interesting, much more interesting than TRC in fact (sorry Shaoran-kun). Argh, it’s the latest that I’ve got, I wonder just how many more to end, I’m sure there’ll be more to come, and it’s kinda steering away from it’s interfacing series TRC, awww, I’m thinking too much, Yuuko haven’t got any contact with Mokona’s party since volume 6 (I think… I have to check hehehe). And yeah, Watanuki and Doumeki’s “relationship” is slowly gearing towards uhmmm… a more positive manner hehehe. Ah, CLAMP is really the best! I want to read ALL their works! I’m currently reading Blade of the Immortal (BOTI). But I’m afraid I’m a little lost, or I might be lost all the way… well not really… it’s just that, I stopped reading more than two years ago (yeah that long!). I kept on looking for sites or private dealers for the succeeding chapters, but I couldn’t find any. Thank goodness I attended toycon and came across Mango Manga! Lo and behold, they got the titles I’ve been looking for years… it was worth coming after all hehehe. Going back to BOTI, I remember Manji, Rin… the plot… I remember Anotsu Kagehisa and Maki Tachibana (oh who wouldn’t!)… but Magatsu… Kagimura… ohhh… I hate it, this is one of the best samurai epic I’ve known, yet I have forgotten some important details… I guess a lot had happened to me since volume 13 huh… and of course not to mention that I’ve been reading too many manga… books… oh well, I have to scan read BOTI from the beginning hehehe…

Okay, enough of manga, let’s move on to anime, I have just seen TRC the movie… it barely lasted 35 minutes. The story continues Shaoran and friends’ quest for Sakura’s feathers. In this movie, they landed on a bird-cage like dimension where birds are people’s companion, each person have a bird companion, some sort of alter ego… similar to Kudan, except that these birds have no supernatural powers, and thus cannot be used for combats, except the King’s and the princess’. Okay, when I was watching the movie, I noticed myself eagerly waiting to spot characters from other CLAMP series. And I even noted that 9 minutes had passed and still no cameos hehehe. I realized just now that ever since I read TRC manga, I’ve been testing myself how much I know the CLAMP world, indeed, I even write cameos that I could identify. Then I would compare it with the web’s info. And I would end up concluding, I’m not knowledgeable enough hehehe. But that was just a part of the edges of TRC. What really makes me stick to it, is the fun of seeing the characters I loved, in a whole new world… persona… yet the same attitude… back to the film, if I’m not mistaken, only Tomoyo appeared in the movie (aside from Mokona’s party and Yuuko). Haay, they had a different set of seiyuus… I miss Iwao Junko’s Tomoyo version…

Whoa! It’s the start of the week, not a very good one, I’m starving to death hehehe. But I’m so excited because it’s payday, I’m gonna eat till I stuff! And I’m getting excited the most for my anime and manga orders –weeee! But what a weekend I had, I spent my Saturday at Dasmarinas Cavite, in Medz resort. Our exam was to do a photo shoot. This is not photography but Computer 2! Anyways, we have to choose a product to endorse, shoot ‘em and edit in Photoshop. But why go all the way to Cavite? According to my professor, we have to make use of landscape of the resort. Hah, I think the landscape thingie was just an alibi, a mask, it was actually an outing. Not that I don’t want to have that kind of bonding with them, but there are better places. Okay here goes my frustrations… it’s just that at my current financial condition, I want to get the smoke of my money’s worth. The pools were very ordinary, the cottages were messy, the toilets were stinky (dear Lord), and the landscape- I can get better landscapes in Manila (Luneta or CCP) and Makati (Greenbelt) for FREE. Anyway, the only good thing about it was I get to hangout with 3rd year students. Wha, I was surprised to find out that they are more tamed than my 2nd year classmates. But they are fun to be with, too. So what was my product? Well, I’m torn among shades, jacket or cigar hehehe…

Last week I bought an April 30, 2001 back issue of TIME magazine… -nostalgic- haay, I miss those days, the bests of my life… anyway, the magazine features Japan, how the world sees it. Various points of views in different aspects were considered, be it economy, sports, politics, cuisine, pop culture, movies, anime, electronics, literature, etc. But of all insights raised, this war sentiments of other Asian countries lingered to my mind. Admittedly. I used to hate the Japanese when I was young. After what I learned in Philippine History, I despised Japan. I hated it when my classmates would tell me I looked like a Japanese… but people change as we grow…I got hooked to anime and I eventually embraced (partially) the exquisite world of Japanese culture. So this is Kid, an otaku, who’s interested in anything Japanese… now let me contemplate a little… If I belonged in the gray haired generation, chances are, I was one of the victims of the Japanese invasion. If that was so, then I may never forgive them. I’d be resenting them to my grave. But then, this is Kid, member of generation X, hehehehe… okay I can only sympathize and NOT empathize with the victims of Japanese soldier’s ruthlessness. But let’s face it, more than 50 years had passed and I believe Japan had made so much to make up for its sins. They had donated more than $80 billion to assist it’s Asian neighbors (Japan is world’s most generous donor according to Guinness). Pasts and present prime ministers had vowed and apologized endlessly. Those war soldiers are, if not dead, suffering or enjoying old age already. And do not forget the living and suffering victims of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombing. In my opinion (probably biased), Japan had paid off for its inhumanity. We don’t have to forget our history, but it doesn’t mean that we won’t forgive them. If God does, why can’t we… yeah, you go kid! I love Japan! Banzai!!!

Waii, it’s been so long! I’ve been suuupppperrr bishie, I mean busy hehehe. I got busy both in work and school (what’s new?). Yeah, but it’s been really fruitful this past week. Hmmm let’s see, my accomplishments… Dr. Joson gave me an assignment, to make an IC poster for our (MDH) Disaster preparedness program. His usual point person is on leave, so he gave the assignment to me. I know very little of Photoshop, so I thought he wouldn’t like my work, but when I showed it to him this afternoon, he was satisfied and he gave me another assignment. He told me that he’d rely on me from now on with this kind of tasks. Awww, this is good, I can work more frequently on photoshop and so I can get better. But I have to thank Mike, my good friend and sensei for teaching me the basics. Thanks dude! Now moving on, I’ve been missing my family. I haven’t gone home for 3 weeks now. And I won’t be able to come home tomorrow because our class will be going to a resort in Cavite for a photo shoot. It’s a requirement for our computer 2 subject. And I regret that I can’t attend Tam’s christening rites, I’m one of her godmothers =( …oh well, next week, I have to come home at any cost! Okay, now to my favorite topic… I finally finished Death Note! Of course, I have expected how things will end, but how it was done was truly surprising. I really hate to spoil it, so I’m keeping my mouth shut. All I could say is that any manga otaku would miss half of his life if he won’t read Death Note! Hail to Light Yagami hehehe… also, I’ve finished Slamdunk manga, of course, I started reading where the anime left me and most avid watchers hanging, the Interhigh competition! Starting volume 24-31, and yes, I read it in one day. I loved the way it ended, they (Shohoku team) didn’t make it on top as they have envisioned, but they were able to beat the reigning best team (Sannoh) for years. And I just love that scene when Rukawa and Hanamichi tapped each others hands –then turn away after haha- wow, it’s still fresh on me, I still got those goosebumps whenever I’d think of it. I’m currently reading Magic Kinghts Rayearth, ironic, this is the manga that made CLAMP really popular but this is the CLAMP series that I like the least… then again, this is CLAMP we’re talking, so it’s worth the time, besides there’re only 6 volumes… I’m currently at volume 2. oh yeah, I’m so excited on Monday, I’ll be getting my anime and manga orders from BJ. I’m so excited I can finally watch TRC movie, XXX Holic anime, and read Furuba manga –I ordered the 19 volumes!!! Yay!

Ittadakimasu!!!

Yesterday, my friends and I went to Isshin to dine. Isshin is a Japanese restaurant that Sherry and I have been dreaming to eat at since college. I first heard of this resto in Questor magazine more than 5 years ago. Finally, we had the chance to dine there. We even managed to tag along friends so we were able to be seated at the tatami floor area (it was because I read from a more recent article that if you go in 6, you’ll be seated there). Anyway, we were with Mike, Pao, Lester (sherry’s friend), and Kring (Sherry’s sister). It was really fun to eat the Japanese way, I suddenly remember the Kenshingumi having a lunch out at Akabeko Tae’s… a few frustrations though, I never thought they serve food that is consumable by 2 persons per order, yes they serve BIG! That should be a good thing, but since we didn’t anticipate this, we took one order per person, and only Pao was able to finish his food hehehe… second, I was really expecting a great Japanese cuisine. But I’m not saying, their delicacy is not good, I’m just not satisfied with the ramen I ordered. Their Ebi Tempura was pretty good though. Oh well, I’m gonna try other delicacies next time. Anyway, I’d definitely go back there. And yeah, just a word of advice, you must be financially prepared if you’d decide to dine in there, I was really shocked when I saw our bill –yikes-. And yeah, we also tried Sake, yay, I finally tasted sake… Mike liked it, but alcohol is not my cup of tea. I’m glad that I never like alcoholic drinks, though I do drink occasionally, it’s not good to have too many vices hehehe… anyways, I highly recommend Isshin to J-aficionados with BIG appetite hehehe.