TRAX

I am not a videographer so my opinion is devoid of authority. But this video has such a great visual concept that I would view it over and over. The use of black and white, which are my favorite colors, is so classically elegant but hip in a way. To think of it, the acting was so simple yet the flashes and the composition of each clip are so engaging (well, at least to me). Define simple yet elegant and hip. This video does.

Memories of Japan

I remember dashing to the school library at recess when I was 10 and take out that red square book about Japan. I've borrowed it, took it home, brought it back and put it in a place in the library where only I could know where it is. I dreamed of becoming a swords-woman. A samurai. Seriously. I made plans of saving up money throughout high school and use that to fly to Japan and enroll in a school where they teach swordsmanship. I looked online and searched books about swordsmanship schools; dreamed of raining sakura as I read on histories, places, culture and values.

Because I didn't have proper chopsticks I brought barbecue sticks to eat my lunch at school and pretended I'm Japanese. I wanted to buy a kimono, a tabi and a futon for a start. I also began my self-study on their language but I guess the writing systems became the dead-end for me. It was too complicated for a 5th grader's brain, I guess. But still I continued reading more about Japan: how they sit, tea ceremonies and ikebana. I also decided that my Japanese name would be Yuki.

Well, so much for my memories about a land I've never been to...

Last week, Japan was rocked by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by a heart-wrenching tsunami. Childhood memories of Japan wakened my heart to really pray for this country that I have loved even before Korea. Okay, so that statement may sound that I have lived in Japan when I was a child. No, I didn't. Never laid my feet on that land but I'd want to someday.

Japan is rich and economically advanced that they would seem needless but inside their souls are very dry. Even if Christianity is allowed in their country, there's so much thirst for materialism; Buddhism and Shintoism still prevail.

Pray for Japan. Pray that God would raise more believers and that the whole of Japan would know Christ.

Socks

Last Friday, we had a talk in Makati Integrated Christian Academy. The setting was laid back as all students sat on the floor with pillows and mats. Of course they took off their shoes and I saw a Korean student wearing these socks:

Really cool isn't it? I wasn't intentionally looking at their socks. I was just observing. :D I didn't even know that there are such things as Super Junior socks. 

After taking a photo of that curious pair of socks I talked some Konglish (Korean/English) to the Korean girls. I found out they're cousins and that Sunshine's father is a missionary to the Philippines for twenty years now and so she understands some Tagalog and her cousin has only been here for a short time to understand Tagalog. Anyway more than talking to Koreans I was so stoked to learn that THEY ARE SUPER JUNIOR FANS!!!!!

I think it was obvious with the socks. Haha! They're not going to Super Show 3 on February 26 but they've been to Super Show 2 in Korea almost two years ago and they said it was so good. If you're a fangirl well you'd understand. Anyway I shared that Siwon is my favorite and theirs are Kyuhyun and Leeteuk. Our conversation was short but it was fun. What's so amazing about these two is that they're for Purity!

Sing the Road Ahead

I do not have a superb singing voice. Don't request me to sing because you'll be sorely disappointed. I just really love to sing but then loving it doesn't have anything to do with the quality. When I like a song I listen to it in repeat until the melody is retained in my memory.

Today iTunes got tired with Better Than Life by Hillsong and 진심 (All My Heart/Sincerity) by Super Junior. The latter one is harder because it's in another language. I have this weird penchant in singing songs from different languages. I know some songs in French, Latin, Japanese (a lot), Korean (a lot too), Mandarin, German and Italian. If I can't speak all these at least I can sing them. =)

Well, just another short post just to keep this blog going. Where be my staff?! I'll be off now singing to  the road ahead!

What It Really Looks Like

I discovered last night that some computers (i.e. PC) can't project the actual template of my blog. Not that it's a big thing but I just like seeing the cliff whenever, wherever. Seeing the cliff creates a stirring in me to swing my arms, fall off and fly. So, here's the actual full look of it.

Click photo to see actual size

Novo

Obviously I'm emphasizing what is obvious by writing it out. Haha. Well, after two years I decided to change my blog template. It took me hours to find this and make alterations according to how I want it. Anyway, it isn't much of expert work and I suspect that blogger template makers are likely to raise their brows and say, "That took you hours?!"

It's the same blog still, just a different look. It's still down from my door where it began--only that the door is now so far away and I've been up and down, under and over cliffs, highways and lonely roads. Since I'm away so often I might do something new to at least give a cared-for feeling to my very neglected blog. Let's just see when I will be back.

Where be my cloak now? Well, I'll be off!

Wedding & Music

Editing a groom's wedding vow is such a sweet privilege of preview into the ceremony. But even sweeter and glorious is witnessing the groom give life to his words for his bride.

Today is the first time I attended a wedding ceremony of a couple with whom I have a close connexion. The weddings I’ve attended before are more of just invitations and there wasn't really much of a connexion with them. This morning, when the groom began declaring his vow, I couldn’t keep my tears bottled anymore because two days ago they were just sweet and nice words. But today it’s so much different. The words aren’t just simply sweet and nice but vibrant, jubilant and passionate. 

The exchange of vows is my favorite part but aside from that I've never seen music become so alive in people's lives. I listen to a lot of music but instrumentals have a special soulful niche in my heart and Yiruma Music and Korean drama instrumentals reside there. Most that were played all throughout the ceremony (there wasn't a "music-less" part) are Yiruma's except for one. Here's the list and should you think of getting married someday, do consider Yiruma's music. =)

*Maybe

*Hope

*What Beautiful Stars

*Love

*River Flows In You

*Present

*Doo bun jjae sarang Instrumental

Maybe and Love are special-est among them because it strikes a chord in my aorta.