The Courtesan And The Samurai

This is unexpected.

Warning: SPOILER alert.

The Courtesan And The Samurai by Lesley Downer.

Having read one of her books previously, I was quite excited when this book came out.

I had some expectations but was utterly devastated at how this book turned out.

I tend to try not to spoil the story in my reviews but here, I just have to!

The story is particularly draggy, though the descriptions are detailed. Similar to the her previous work, the amount of research she has done is undisputed and extensive. The author certainly penned down the history in this novel and has used the same historical background as her previous novel. The afterword she wrote also gives a thorough explanation on the accuracy of the history in her work. Since I have gained some knowledge on ancient Japan during the Edo-period, this is easier for me to relate as I already have a mental painting in my mind.

What is destroying though, is the weak plot. This is a pretty predictable story without a lot of climax and exciting parts. It's very easy for me to guess and that kinda spoils the surprise it is supposed to give. This is the reason why I actually stopped reading it for a while. Nonetheless, I've picked it up again and managed to finish it.

I hate the ending. The ending makes me wanna throw the book down the toilet and flush it. The male is a samurai and I would expect him to honour his code of samurai and rescue his comrades in prison. He was already on his way when he decides to give that up and go save the girl instead.

WHY??????

One would argue that the male has a different mindset due to him having travelled to the the West, but that's not an excuse to abandon his superior that has fought alongside him for YEARS and has been a faithful friend, brother and father to him. But NO, he decides a prostitute he met in the pleasure quarters is more important.

The author gave uneven weight to the main characters, even though she wrote in their perspective in interval chapters. She seemed to highlight the female more, about how the female is sold into prostitution and how she carries on with life there. Even so, I feel that the female is very 2D. Like, I can't feel her. It's as if she's static and I just watch as she moves along. Also, I have this very strong notion that the author just wants to find the female a partner and thus invented him. Yes, she did gave him a good background, but that doesn't make up for the lack of character development. We see the female grows from a dutiful wife to an expert courtesan but the male.. just remains so.

Or that from an honourable samurai to a coward.

The interesting read about this book is really, only the history bits. Like how the author would picture the marshes, the bitter cold winter in Ezo and the legendary Yoshiwara. If I were to give points on this book, it would be based on the extensive historical content it has, not the teenage romance the main characters have.

This is a really disappointing read.

Do not touch this.

Done!

DESTROYED!

Makes me happy!

DESTROYED!

Dizzy has no instant kill in GGXX#Reload. And May's missing here.

Gosh so awesome!

*Diedofexcitement*

THE JOY!!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!

SOME LIGHT IN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!

Hope is not lost after all!

Now, I know what to do.

Gentlemen! Here we GO!!! :D

EDIT; 22 February 2012, 1316 GMT 0

MAKE. THAT. DOUBLE!

Depths Of A Shallow World

I'm definitely going to hell for this.

I can't believe it.

Seriously.

If you know me you know I will NEVER EVER do this.

But I am!

*Inhales*

I have officially turned into a cougar.

There! I said it!

And it's all because of Aki-chan!

Nakajima Yuto 中島 裕翔, 19.

He is the member of the teenage boy band, Hey! Say! JUMP.

I'm not a fan of the band and that's not how I come across him.

Akira has always been a fan of them and is ultimately obsessed with Yamada Ryousuke, the overrated-biased member of the group. That boy has a new drama and she showed me the poster.

From left: Unknowndon'tcare, Yamada, Nakajima.

Him in the poster has managed to capture my attention. But when I found out that he's a lot younger than I am (2 DARN YEARS, DAMN IT!), I brushed it off.

Until I decided to press 'PLAY' when Akira tagged me in their latest PV.

I'm sold. C-O-M-P-L-E-T-E-L-Y.

I knew I shouldn't have watch the video!

Now I'm on the dark side.

Nakajima kyun~~~~! I'll take good care of you~~~♥ !

I didn't realise I created someone like this! His uneven teeth just makes him so likeable! Smart, yet cute.

This is really gay. But it's so adorable at the same time!!

Imagine this plus an apron... *lossofbloodfaint*

OHMYSELF YES!!!!!

But really, sometimes he's just too cute for my liking.

He looks like Kyuhyun, doesn't he? I guess that's partly why I'm attracted. The same type.

Hideaki and him!!!!!! OMGOSHDOUBLENOSEBLEED.

At this rate, I might just really going to date younger guys >.<

Cooking Cooking! II

Hello and welcome.

Today I'm gonna be showing you my food.

Because I want to show them off!

Actually it's for my mother. Hahaha.

Scallops with asparagus. Stir-fried with LOTS of onion and garlic.

Prawn, asparagus and ENOKI MUSHROOM stir-fried.

OMGOSH ENOKI MUSHROOM IS <3!!

Char-siew. Actually this failed. I shouldn't have add water.

But it still turns out OK :D

My steps into professional motherhood!

MUAHAHAHAHA!!!

Greens

My poor little babies.

I've talked about their lovely arrival.

When I left for London and Liverpool, I've entrusted Daisy to look after my plants for me.

Few days later, she texted me saying she'll be visiting Scotland and hence had someone else to look after it for me.

Well, fine I guess, since I can't do anything and I don't think any huge harm can come to it..

NAIVE!!!!!!!!

The first thing I did after I reach Cardiff is phone Daisy and ask her if she's around so I could collect my babies. Unfortunately she left for London on the same day so I had to resolve to waiting at the door till someone comes along and opens it for me. She'd told me that the plants were in the kitchen.

I cannot tell you how heartbroken I was when I saw my babies.

Before I left, they were full and beautiful. My venus plant even has a tall bud that's about to bloom and I was bitter about how I wouldn't be able to wait for it.

Once I have them in my room again, I start examining them and again, my heart died a little more.

The calandiva.

Someone decided to snip off some of the less attractive branches!

I know part of the plant is wilting, but there is really no need to snip them off! It felt so bald and I am really really sad over it.

My venus.

Remember the bud? It got snipped off as well!!! Leaving the long stalk hanging. Might as well cut the stalk off as well right?

The point is, the bud is gone! I don't even see a trace of anything resembling a flower.

A lot of the cups died too!! Before I left, they were growing like mad and I have about seven to eight of them. Then, it has just two left. And they're on the verge of dying too!!

I'm soooo upset.

So I've taken to nurturing them, ensuring them having plenty of sunlight and enough water.

It pains me everytime I look at them.

Just sad.

Now, a month and a half later, they're recovering! :D

Under my love and care <3

My loves.

My poor little venus.

But hey! There's a new bud!!!!!!! The cups are also rapidly growing <3

It still look funny with most of the branches got snipped off, but nonetheless, is blooming beautifully.

I'm not entirely satisfied yet, but I am happy with their recovery progress!

What a great mother I am! :D

Bodoh-ness II

Sometimes, I really hate the judges.

Like to the point where I just wanna get a machine gun, barge into a hearing and start mass killing them.

Case 243/84 John Walker [1986] ECR 2265

- is whisky similar to fruit wine?

Case 184/85 Commission v Italy (Italian Fruit) [1987] ECR 2013

- are bananas similar to peaches and pears?

Case 170/78 Commission v UK (Beer and Wine) [1983] ECR 2265

- held potentially substitutable.

Actually, I'll leave alcohol alone.

Tell me, honourable people.

How is banana similar to peaches and pears??

I am damn well sure this is not about whatever that's literally similar to them, nor the fact that they are fruits or perishable goods.

I really don't know where they're getting at.

I just can't accept that they would compare bananas to peaches and pears.

What? Why don't we compare durian and watermelon!

Stupid No. 2:

Boardman v Phipps [1967] 2 AC 46

- held breach of duty as a trustee, but the profit he made are held under trust

Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!

I know he is acting ultra vires, and yes, he did breach his duty. But to subsequently say the profit made due to the breach are still held under trust? Where is the justice?????

Geez.

I'm all worked up now!

Bunch of kuso jiji!

Abracadabra!

Halfway towards Law and Religion.


This song came up and...!

Needless to say, I danced. LOL.

Quoting the top comment:

"Thumbs up that whenever you hear this song, you unconsciously move your hips side to side"

True that! :D

Now I'm going get myself an orange lipstick!

"I used to be nice,

Now you turned me into something bad"

Distancetology

I haven't talk to Siong for two full days.

I emo.

I know she's busy. But she's TOO busy! To the point that she barely has time for herself.

*Shakeshead*

I'd slap some sense into her if only I can reach her.

Do you know I'm worried?

Priorities, darling, priorities!!

Gehh.

A perfect tune for my current distress.

Dream III

Weirdness!

# I dreamt that I am driving a Nissan-GTR.

# Uncle Sar came to visit my family and I.

# I'm in the movie Crocodile.

EDIT; 16 February 2012, 1530 GMT 0:

# I dreamt that I cut my hair short. VERY SHORT!

What the hell??

Teeny Tiny

For show!

Thanks to Connie! Daging salai in the UK yo!

Ever since Hellsing, every red thing I see is related to Alucard and blood.

For a phone camera, this is a pretty good picture. It's ribena. Hahaa.

Codes

I just have to.

Ah Th & # 3 9 ; ng!

Link.

Ha ha & ha!

Online Shopping

I've never thought I'd actually succumb to online shopping.

LOL. Succumb. What a word.

But it is one that really describes it: I used to fear online shopping due to deceit, fraud and dissatisfaction on the products, such as wrong size, fake items, spoiled stuff, etc.

I tested water on Amazon.uk for a white eyeliner which costs cheaply with free delivery. After debunk-ing my worries, I went one BIG step ahead.

Initially I meant to order these things I'm about to show you for Chinese New Year. However, due to I'm-too-lazy-to-explain circumstances, they came a well week later.

Anyway, TADA~!

I was given a tracking number and believe me, I checked so many times a day! So I kinda knew when it's gonna arrive :D

Nevertheless, my excitement is just obvious!

"Made in Japan" made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :D :D :D

Lavshuca <3

I've tried this last Saturday, on the night on my performance. I've put it on around 2000 and when I got home at 0300, my face is still perfect. It does a really good cover job.

It has been a few days since I last removed my makeup and to top it off, I've been sleeping at inhumane hours recently. Still, no traces of breakout on my skin. Considering the hyper degree of my skin's sensitivity, I'm happy!

Mascara.

Don't ask me why.

I just feel like I had to get it since I saw it on a makeup guru's mascara review.

So I went ahead and got it.

It's light and feel as if no mascara is put on. Easy to remove too. I'm happy with this too!

I got another pullover as well, but I did not take a photo for no reason, I suppose. Anyway, I love it and was planning to wear it for the first time today for Valentine's Day. But due to my ingenious time management and other stuff related to it, I woke up today, stoned and zombified, totally forgotten about it.

Last but not least!

MY SAVIOUR IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been complaining about how dry my skin was. Well, it got worse to a point that cucumber doesn't even work anymore. So I had to burn that hole in my pocket to get this shipped from HongKong to UK through Amazon US. Why don't Amazon.uk has it?? Geez.

This thing. I have been absolutely correct. It is just miraculous. It works like magic water, you know???? And I don't even use more than two drops every time! I'm happppppy.

Now I sound like some bimbo blogging about her day purchases.

But I think this will be the one and only time, because I merely want to share my first online shopping experience. So people like AKIRA can get some tips or two :p

And at least I'm not showing you my GROCERY shoppings. HAHAA.

Now, my Valentine night will include hot chocolate with a movie <3

Oyasumi!

Snow II

It finally snowed in Cardiff!

Note this is on the 3rd of February.

Yes, so I'm late in updating. I was busy alright!

I woke up this.

The first thing I did?

Played this song:

Kutsuzure by Matsuda Ryoji, from Black Cat.

Somehow this song just fits the image of snow, since the first time I hear it.

It's my first snow.

As I put my hand out to feel the snow, they just melt once they land on my hand :(

Anyway, the white is just pretty. And clean.

Yuki da!

Sa, nemure!!

One would imagine that during tutorials, full attention and alertness is given.

Not today.

I was daydreaming 80% of the time.

The best part is I sit NEXT to the tutor.

I'm really tired. My brain can't function.

And I also dislike the tutor.

AAAAAHHHHHH~!

Hellsing

When a human's tears finally dry up forever,

They transform into a monster,

They dry themselves up..

- Father Alexander Anderson.

Hellsing.

95 chapters, I did this in a span of three to four nights.

But it's only this fast because it's relatively short; one chapter having about 20 pages only.

Even so!!

I enjoyed it very much!!

I was a little worried about the gore and blood and violence at first, hearing what Raphael commented some time ago.

Turns out they don't bother me at all :p

The background of the plot is (admittedly) derived from Bram Stoker's Dracula. However, it branches out on its own at one point and that's where Hellsing came into play. As such, our main character, the Nosferatu Alucard is independently a character on its own, much detached from Dracula.

Alucard is Dracula in reverse.

Hellsing is a vampire-buster agency, pioneered by Abraham Van Helsing. A century later, the current leader and the only blood of the Hellsing family left is Integra, who is also Alucard's master. It was said that Abraham defeated Dracula and chained him in a bond, to which later Integra's father imprisoned him until Integra sets him free. He later turned a policewoman, Victoria Seras on a whim, apparently due to her strong will to live and thus directly gaining a servant in the process.

Alucard.

Towards the first third of the story, interesting events began to took place, where artificial vampires rampage around, leading to a suspicion as to their origins. It turns out that those were part of the Millennium project, an underground project by the German Nazis that Alucard supposedly destroyed 50 years ago.

It's rebirth was one feared but however unstoppable.

The famed speech!

If you recall, I wrote about this before: The Evil That You Will Like; This Is Pure Evil.

The Major has an ultimate goal of destroying Alucard, as he loathes the latter's existence, claiming that Alucard gave up on humanity and sold his soul and life to the devil, marking Alucard a worthy enemy. In order to do so, the Major staged an all-out attack on modern day London, just to destroy Alucard.

Though seemingly he managed to kill Alucard and died satisfied when Integra kills him, Alucard returns 30 years later from his slumber and war within himself.

I LOVE THIS PIECE OF ART!

If only the story has more depth!!!

My favourite, favourite scene, that gives me a tumble of mixed feelings.

Dead Enrico and Father Alexander.

Examples of blood.

Too cool!

Now, I have to get my hands on the anime!

But since the OVAs are not completed yet, I can wait.

Muahahahaha!!!

Not to my own surprise, my favourite character is Enrico Maxwell, leader of Division XIII, the Iscariots of the Vatican, Roman Catholics. Later, he was promoted to archbishop but subsequently dies as a result of his pride and greed in power. In other words, he is an insane and ruthless man.

Aah, and Akira has been questioning my recent tastes! Now I prove to you, it hasn't change at all! :p

Monsters don't cry.

You became a monster so you wouldn't have to right?

Not Yet

Tuesdays and Fridays are my longest days.

[00:25:04] See Tho Wai Siong: i think the world has a conspiracy of trying to kill me

[00:26:35] Joolyone: why

[00:27:07] See Tho Wai Siong: week after week, i would think my workload will get better

[00:27:08] See Tho Wai Siong: but no

[00:29:26] Joolyone: serious?

[00:29:28] Joolyone: anyway

[00:29:33] Joolyone: you're a nice person

[00:29:47] Joolyone: if there's anyone the world wants to kill, it would be me

[00:30:33] See Tho Wai Siong: lol

[00:30:43] See Tho Wai Siong: you're not evil

[00:30:58] See Tho Wai Siong: thats good enuf

[00:31:27] Joolyone: uhh

[00:31:34] Joolyone: my day wasn't exactly good either

My shoulders are sore.

My works are staring at me everyday begging me to caress them.

My Harvey and Hitler are asking for my attention.

My FMAB is calling out to me.

I'm so doomed.

Despite those.

A virtual hug, knowing how you're not alone and that they are always there to listen, is as helpful as ever.

Aah~

I'm mentally exhausted.

I'm done for.

I'm dead.

Heaven Is A Place On Earth

My collection of most inspiring, meaningful and motivating lyrics ever!

A secret smile, that's our final weapon

"Don't worry!" That is our symbol!!

-Dual by Yellow Generation, from Ginban Kaleidoscope. Link.

It's simple. Look forward.

And next time you get lonely.

You'll definitely find it in the changing world

It's true. It's a regret.

You've gotta fall in love in a big future. You're lonely, yeah, pretty lonely.

I don't want dreams that are just safe..

It's no one's fault. Now, sleep! Inside of your slumber

Try and search for... A signpost to a healthy lust!

- U-n-d-e-r--standing! by SV Tribe, from Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai. Link.

If you do not call this love, then what do you now call love?

- Unlimited by Aikawa Nanase, from Samurai 7. Link.

And so, the day repeats itself

Accompanied by a summer breeze

In a corner of the familiar day-by-day routine

I suddenly meet with loneliness.

I'll never forget

How fast I could kick the wind on my bike

Going however far I wanted.

La la la la I'll sing my song

With my face towards the sky

La la la la It's my life

I'll walk on

Using my own strength,

To go forward along this endless road

- Tooi Kono Machi De by Kaiya Naomi, from Cardcaptor Sakura. Link.

I am the voice

Of love that cannot live

Yet it doesn't die

Never!

- Diva by Elin Carlson and Mark Mancina, from Blood+. Link.

A carefree carnival

A machine gun of dreams and hopes

Go after what you really want Bang! Bang!

Dance, play, bravo!

Ride the rocket of dreams

Let's embark on our inevitable success story

- Galaxy Bang! Bang! by Angel-tai, from Galaxy Angel. Link.

Mr. Deja Vu, you are not here

You become an illusion everyday

When I realised that you are gone

The clock's hands won't move

... speak to me

- Mr. Deja Vu by Naja, from Get Backers. Link.

I'll keep my running pace till the finish line

I have a dream I can't lose

That I can't realise on my own

Let's do this together!

I'll save you with my faith

That echoes in our friendship, so believe in me

I'll always be there to protect you

Even if it means going against fate!

- Heaven Is A Place On Earth by fripSide, from Hayate no Gotoku. Link.

The denial of possibility is a warning

The twelve dictators in silence

- Toki Tsukasadoru Juuni no Meiyaku by Yui Sakakibara, from Steins; Gate. Link.

In that world we have found ourselves in

We have learned the true meaning of life

The ones who never give up trying

Can always face tomorrow, no matter how painful it may be

Neither the night nor the past can be wiped away

So cherish the present time the way you want

For tomorrow, and for yourself

- Sekai yo Warae by Yoshida Jungo, from Kyo Kara Maou! Link.

In the endlessly far sky, there's only the feeling of "thank you"

As if reaching out, I'll spread my hands and laugh

The light of truth will increase the brightness

Wiping away darkness, your heart will illuminate the future

Let's promise one thing; I'm alive here

It's great to still be so

A pure white colour that seems to glare

Before long, my thoughts will someday arrive at my destiny

And find a limitless strength

In the endlessly far sky..

- Hateshinaku Tooi Sora Ni by The Stand Up, from Kyo Kara Maou! Link.

If we suddenly discovered

A hidden power

In our arms now

What would you do?

What would I do?

Ride on earth, we were born

Ride on earth, in this ship

And we climbed on board

This part of our life

Ride on earth, nobody's hand can stop us

Nobody's hand is allowed to stop us

This is surely what were born for

- Earthship by SweetS, from Law of Ueki. Link.

I can't say it's 'first love'

Because it's out-of-character for me!

Hey, we'll see each other again tomorrow, right?

When I close my eyelids,

All I see is a shining you

Today was fun, too

Ah, I'm in love.

I'm so happy, I'm so happy.

Nice to meet you, my awakening of love

I'll see you again tomorrow

Good night.

I'll see you later in my dream

Good night.

- Zzz by Sayaka Sasaki, from Nichijou. Link.

Take me to a dream I've never seen before, far away

We'll go together... to the town of wind.

- Kaze no Machi e by FictionJunction KEIKO, from Tsubasa Chronicle. Link.

I have something I want to protect

And I don't want to lose it again

The sound of my pulse, smaller and fragile

But also stronger than anyone else's

- Daia no Hana by Yoriko, from Black Cat. Link.

I'm gonna be on my way

Bye bye my younger days

Now wipe your tears away

- Brand New Map by K, from Blood+. Link.

We, together, we realise our dream of creating

A new world

- Si, Tu Sei Diverso from Black Cat. Link.

What will I draw on the tomorrow that spreads infinitely, pure white?

What will I draw on the tomorrow that reality stained pure black?

I struggle and shine

- Complication by ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D, from Durarara!!! Link.

I hold close to me only those dreams that I can open my eyes to see

Even if my heart is swayed by the blowing howling wind and battering rain

I can endure the pain for dreams that I can open my eyes to see

As long as the sky has its way, I can be honest

- Daydream Generation by Matsuko Mawatari, from Yu Yu Hakusho. Link.

They drive me forward everyday! ♥

Sadistic

Hmm.

I was on Gaia, before going for a nice warm shower.

For some reason, suddenly I was in the nasty mode.

One of those activities I do on Gaia is feed my fish and answer messages in a bottle.

Let me show you my fishies ♥

Valhalla.

From left to right now!

The orange: Jelly

The pink and bubbly: Aztec

The pink and flowery: Loony

The other orange: Morgan

The green school: Tanker

The other, other orange: Hendrik

The other green school: Might

Out of the many messages in the bottle, these are some:

Q: Live to the fullest and regrate nothing!

A: Please REGRET your spelling.

Q: What's your favourite singer?

A: What's your first language? English?

Q: I know a lot of you are going to say no, but I'm going to ask anyway. Would you donate some gold?

A: Would you to me?

Q: Hey, just wanted to say... write on my wallor aqarium and give me advice...

A: Find your spacebar.

Q: Should I be happy getting a new father? Who is perfect..

A: Do you need one?

Q: School is a bust and life itself is failing...how in the world am i to find a best friend? times filled with sorrow and sadness...life is gray and times ahead are harder than what we realy think...sad

A: And thus there is no other way than to end all of this misery, by travelling to a world where only the dead can be.

Q: So, I'm an author, ever had any horrible diseases?

A: What does you being an author has anything to do with me having diseases?

Q: Can I hv anyone mobile number?

A: 999

Q: 22202222jhjjjjj

A: Grow a brain.

Q: Whats black when you buy it red when you use it and gray when you are done with it?

A: Punctuation.

Q: yoyoyo wat up the ............................................................................................................................sky hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

A: Your English.

Not very nice, I know.

Especially the 'new father' one. I got scolded by Siong afterwards.

I didn't have any ill intention towards that girl, really.

I'm just bored.

And nasty.

Jaana.

Purgatory

Into the pit of fire.

A friend will never push you into the realms of evilness.

Even if you ask for it.

Even if you beg for it.

However.

This also means I'm not getting my butler!!!

ARGH!!!

There's no other choice. At this point in time, I could only rely on myself:

Be rich and hire a butler.

Yums ♥

Black Cat

I can't believe I don't have a review for this!

This, is by far, the anime that has the BEST fighting scenes. BEST!

It's fast, smooth, and the coordination is just so so right.

I hold my breath for EVERY combat scenes.

This is also the only anime EVER that I did NOT skip the opening. For EVERY episodes, yes.

Even the second time I watch it.

Daia No Hana by Yoriko.

Black Cat.

Story begins with an assassin named Train Heartnet, Number XIII in the Chronos organisation. His nickname, Black Cat is a result of both his profession and his unlucky number thirteen, as black cats are deemed as bad omen.

His immense ability of agility and marksmanship is what makes him an outstanding eraser for Chronos. I think it is also why, instead of only twelve numbers (Chrono mean time, naturally, the twelve numbers on the clock), he was an exception and was given the ranking of a Chronos Number.

Train Heartnet.

Chronos Numbers.

Chronos Number VII; Jenos Hazard.

After an encounter with a sweeper (bounty hunter) Saya, Train's life and thoughts changed immensely. Instead of living a life tied to the merciless organisation who claims for peace, he demands a free life. Coupled with Saya's murder and his failure to terminate a target, Eve who appears to be a bio-weapon, Train took a step forward and became a free cat, along with Sven and Eve.

Creed Diskenth. The villain, also my <3

The Eden arc in the anime is non-existent in the manga, which I think is a pity. It's a really good arc and has potential to expand into something more. The manga only ended at Creed's defeat.
However, in the manga, Train never leaves Sven and Eve. Instead, he works as a sweeper with them, and I prefer this ending very much.

:D

Rate: 8/10.

I would give it a 9 if only it has more episodes!

23 is too brief a number for such an interesting plot!

Favourites?

Creed!

And Train :)

And sometimes Jenos :p

Jaana!