Phew - quite a few things have happened that I guess I should write on my blog.
#1. Believe it or not, I found a job! I actually got it about 3 weeks ago, but decided to keep it on the DL. This company is a Taiwanese manufacturer that specializes in plastic injected and metal stamping parts for cellular phones. The position requires me to communicate with the "customer" and the plants in Taiwan and China. It's awesome because these "customers" include many familiar names!
Interestingly enough, proficiency in Mandarin is not required. Once things get into full swing, however, I will be required to do traveling. It's not a deal breaker, but it's supposedly quite stressful. I think I deal with stress pretty well, plus I am fairly good at adaptation anyhow.
The big thing I'm most "worried" about is the drive to work. Taking public transportation isn't entirely out of the question, but traveling might be required during regular work hours, although the boss-lady says I can take her car if needed. Weird, but cool.
The pay isn't spectacular, the drive is pretty long, and the benefits are pretty basic. But even with all of these things, I still accepted the position. I did it because I believe in the future of Asia, I believe in traveling for work, and I believe in the consumer electronics industry. During my job search, I found that it is surprisingly difficult to find this sort of combination. However, I think I was fortunate enough to find it.
#2. Last weekend, I went on a roadtrip with a few friends to Toronto, Ontario, Canada! The drive was long and I was sick throughout the trip, but it was so much fun! We stopped at London, Ontario. Then to Niagara Falls. Then to Toronto.
In Toronto, my first sight upon waking up was seeing a homeless man urinate in public, on this restaurant called "Ho Lee Chow." I got to see his pee-pee and everything. It was such a disgusting sight! Hahaha...priceless. We got to walk around downtown Toronto and go through a few landmarks and locales. We spent a lot of time [mostly window] shopping and then we went to the suburbs to visit Chinatown, because that's what we do, haha!
The trip was great - we had a lot of fun, ate some great food, spent a lot of money, and coughed a lot...yea. Haha.
#3. Last night, somebody broke into my garage! WTF?! They managed to break in, but they didn't steal anything and didn't damage any of the cars! WTF?!
I filed a popo report, took pics and everything. Right now, I'm waiting for my dad to get home with the new supplies so we can fix the thing. Friggin' thieves. At least the baby's fine. I washed her today too! *hugz*
#4. This next coming week is going to be a bit stressful though. I've got to go to the restaurant these next few days. Tomorrow's a retirement party and my mom wants all the help she can get. The day after, I'm supposed to help move this ginormous 70+" HDTV that's been given to us as a gift - because the guy's getting a bigger and better TV. No complaints here! And on Sunday, there's the annual street fair that's going on. After a 2-day break, I have to start my job!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Kidou Senshi Mobile Suit Gundam 00
It's been a long time since I've felt like this. There's always a sense of sadness and void whenever I finish a GREAT anime. I just finished watching the 25-episode series, Gundam 00 - and seriously, I'm like all shook up right now. My heart is still in shock, my mind is scrambling for answers, and my body is still feeling gross for not having showered today. You know when the characters scream, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING OOOOOON?!" It's kinda like that.
The story is of a divided world engaged in heavy fighting. A secret organization called Celestial Being, armed with 4 Gundams, begin "armed intervention" - to "eradicate war from the world through force." They have a noble cause, but draw the ire of all of Earth's military groups.
The story starts off a bit far-fetched and similar Gundam Wing. I was surprised to find that Wikipedia agreed with me on this as well, haha. But after you get used to it and start to get a grasp of the characters, you (read: I) get really into it. The story seriously picks up after the midway point. This can be shown by the fact that I just watched the last 8-9 episodes today when i started 5 days ago.
In the words of Griz from 30 Rock, "It's like a rollercoaster ride of emotions in here." And what a ride! What really sucks though is that I can't even say I'm satisfied. The finale was intense, don't get me wrong. But...why did they turn out like this for everyone?!
There's no way I can fully restrain myself from telling spoilers, so if you plan to watch it stop now.
SPOILER ALERT
1. First and foremost, the characters (and young lovers), Saji and Louise (girl). I thought that they were so irrelevant. And indeed, they still were up until the end. But their story is shown more as the innocent civilian who is forced to live through, and survive, the "war" with the Gundams. Louise is an annoying girl who comes from an affluent family. She's a very needy girl who pushes Saji around, but I admit they make a pretty fun couple.
As the story progresses, Louise leaves for home to attend a family wedding. During the wedding, an enemy Gundam opens fire on the ceremony on a whim - killing the whole family and everyone in attendance, except for Louise (go figure). Upon hearing the news, Saji flies to Louise, who is hospitalized. Saji remembers that Louise once asked him to buy her an expensive ring, which Saji could not afford - but worked his ass off to buy it and bring it to her. At the hospital, Louise tells Saji, "The ring is so beautiful, but I cannot wear it." and starts to cry. When Saji asks why not, Louise reveals to him that her left hand has been blown off as a result of the attack.
After several more heart-wrenching scenes, Louise tells Saji to return to home and go back to school. It was Saji's dream to work in space and that he should work towards that dream for the both of them. Saji reluctantly returns. In the epilogue, it is revealed that Saji does indeed end up working in space, but also that Louise stopped keeping in contact with Saji. Her story is not known, but she is shown later with one of the surviving Gundam pilots. Their love story is very sad indeed.
2. The "relationship" between the Gundam pilot Lockon (guy) and Felt (girl) is one of those...unspoken loves...the would've could'ves that never were because...Lockon dies in battle. With the intention of avenging his family, who died in a terrorist attack in Europe, Lockon gives chase to his target (who was responsible for his family's death).
Lockon, who specializes in sniping and recently lost his sniping eye in a previous battle, is outgunned but puts up an outstanding fight. After his Gundam is blown up, he sends his robotic companion, Haro, to return to the mothership with the Gundam remains. Meanwhile, Lockon decides to take out the enemy mobile suit without having one himself, and with an amazing display of resourcefulness, severely damages his enemy, forcing him to retreat. However, Lockon dies in the ensuing explosions as a result.
Meanwhile, everyone on the mothership receives transmission that Lockon's mobile suit is returning. For a moment, they think that everyone is safe, not knowing that Lockon is not inside. However, Haro begins transmission, saying only, "Lockon! Lockon! Lockon!" Knowing something was amiss, everyone realizes that Lockon has died, being the first of the pilots to die. Lockon was my favorite pilot, too.
3. Another Gundam pilot, Allelujah (peaceful), with split personality Hallelujah (violent), was created to be a "supersoldier" on earth. As a result, he ends up with an alter ego. (You can tell who is who by the way his hair is parted.) As a kid, Hallelujah took over and goes on a murder spree at the facility he was created in, and is rejected as a failed experiment.
Throughout the series, Allelujah often engages in battle with another supersoldier just like him by the codename Soma. Whenever he comes into contact with her, however, Hallelujah appears. The two personalities often fight with each other, but in the finale, they both come to terms and agree that they must fight together to live. In a final display of cooperation, H/Allelujah throws his hair back so that you cannot tell who is who anymore. They end up "defeating" his supersoldier rival, but also finds out that Soma is in fact someone from his past, but is never revealed who exactly.
Badly injured and floating in space, Hallelujah tells Allelujah, in Full Metal Alchemist-fashion, "I'm going first." It is unclear what happens to Allelujah, but it appears as though he survives.
4. There's a lot more, but it would be too difficult to tell all the backstory. Plus I'm now put at ease, having written all of that. Phew. Great anime...great anime. *salute*
Mission Incomplete! Get ready for season 2 in Oct 2008!
The story is of a divided world engaged in heavy fighting. A secret organization called Celestial Being, armed with 4 Gundams, begin "armed intervention" - to "eradicate war from the world through force." They have a noble cause, but draw the ire of all of Earth's military groups.
The story starts off a bit far-fetched and similar Gundam Wing. I was surprised to find that Wikipedia agreed with me on this as well, haha. But after you get used to it and start to get a grasp of the characters, you (read: I) get really into it. The story seriously picks up after the midway point. This can be shown by the fact that I just watched the last 8-9 episodes today when i started 5 days ago.
In the words of Griz from 30 Rock, "It's like a rollercoaster ride of emotions in here." And what a ride! What really sucks though is that I can't even say I'm satisfied. The finale was intense, don't get me wrong. But...why did they turn out like this for everyone?!
There's no way I can fully restrain myself from telling spoilers, so if you plan to watch it stop now.
SPOILER ALERT
1. First and foremost, the characters (and young lovers), Saji and Louise (girl). I thought that they were so irrelevant. And indeed, they still were up until the end. But their story is shown more as the innocent civilian who is forced to live through, and survive, the "war" with the Gundams. Louise is an annoying girl who comes from an affluent family. She's a very needy girl who pushes Saji around, but I admit they make a pretty fun couple.
As the story progresses, Louise leaves for home to attend a family wedding. During the wedding, an enemy Gundam opens fire on the ceremony on a whim - killing the whole family and everyone in attendance, except for Louise (go figure). Upon hearing the news, Saji flies to Louise, who is hospitalized. Saji remembers that Louise once asked him to buy her an expensive ring, which Saji could not afford - but worked his ass off to buy it and bring it to her. At the hospital, Louise tells Saji, "The ring is so beautiful, but I cannot wear it." and starts to cry. When Saji asks why not, Louise reveals to him that her left hand has been blown off as a result of the attack.
After several more heart-wrenching scenes, Louise tells Saji to return to home and go back to school. It was Saji's dream to work in space and that he should work towards that dream for the both of them. Saji reluctantly returns. In the epilogue, it is revealed that Saji does indeed end up working in space, but also that Louise stopped keeping in contact with Saji. Her story is not known, but she is shown later with one of the surviving Gundam pilots. Their love story is very sad indeed.
2. The "relationship" between the Gundam pilot Lockon (guy) and Felt (girl) is one of those...unspoken loves...the would've could'ves that never were because...Lockon dies in battle. With the intention of avenging his family, who died in a terrorist attack in Europe, Lockon gives chase to his target (who was responsible for his family's death).
Lockon, who specializes in sniping and recently lost his sniping eye in a previous battle, is outgunned but puts up an outstanding fight. After his Gundam is blown up, he sends his robotic companion, Haro, to return to the mothership with the Gundam remains. Meanwhile, Lockon decides to take out the enemy mobile suit without having one himself, and with an amazing display of resourcefulness, severely damages his enemy, forcing him to retreat. However, Lockon dies in the ensuing explosions as a result.
Meanwhile, everyone on the mothership receives transmission that Lockon's mobile suit is returning. For a moment, they think that everyone is safe, not knowing that Lockon is not inside. However, Haro begins transmission, saying only, "Lockon! Lockon! Lockon!" Knowing something was amiss, everyone realizes that Lockon has died, being the first of the pilots to die. Lockon was my favorite pilot, too.
3. Another Gundam pilot, Allelujah (peaceful), with split personality Hallelujah (violent), was created to be a "supersoldier" on earth. As a result, he ends up with an alter ego. (You can tell who is who by the way his hair is parted.) As a kid, Hallelujah took over and goes on a murder spree at the facility he was created in, and is rejected as a failed experiment.
Throughout the series, Allelujah often engages in battle with another supersoldier just like him by the codename Soma. Whenever he comes into contact with her, however, Hallelujah appears. The two personalities often fight with each other, but in the finale, they both come to terms and agree that they must fight together to live. In a final display of cooperation, H/Allelujah throws his hair back so that you cannot tell who is who anymore. They end up "defeating" his supersoldier rival, but also finds out that Soma is in fact someone from his past, but is never revealed who exactly.
Badly injured and floating in space, Hallelujah tells Allelujah, in Full Metal Alchemist-fashion, "I'm going first." It is unclear what happens to Allelujah, but it appears as though he survives.
4. There's a lot more, but it would be too difficult to tell all the backstory. Plus I'm now put at ease, having written all of that. Phew. Great anime...great anime. *salute*
Mission Incomplete! Get ready for season 2 in Oct 2008!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Gintama Rush
It's been a while since I wrote a new post, but I've been busy looking for a job and cleaning my room and all that post-graduation jazz.
But I spent my free time catching up in Gintama. I love Gintama because of its off-the-wall humor - parodies, sarcasm, spontaneity, third-part references, first-party references - I LOVE that kind of comedy!
I finished up season 1 and that was great. Surprisingly, season 2 takes a more serious route, where the first several episodes try to have some sort of touching message. And then they do the abnormally-serious "Benizakura" arc. Having just finished that arc, I must say it was awesome-possum!
The picture above is from one of the fight scenes, where Kagura catches a few bullets that were shot at her while falling through the air before she kicks Matako. The look on her face + intensity of fight scene = WIN.
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