Omgee! I'm back!

Wow, I haven't been on this thing for forever and a day, it seems.
To tell you the truth, it's because I forgot my password. *smiles cheesily*
But that's not the only reason!
I've been really busy with schoolwork and whatnot.  Getting hardly any sleep.
Oh! Lovely! The Killers just came on the radio!
Tonight's not too bad a night.  The only "due" homework is the Pre-Calculus homework, which I just finished.

I'm really nervous, lately.  My piano recital is coming up on the 14th.  I'm playing Chopin's Nocturne in Eb Major, Op 9 No 2.  It's not that hard but I can never get it right, and I was supposed to have it "down" at least two weeks ago.  Today I was practicing it in the cafeteria during lunch, and it sounded beautiful, but when I played it again I started having to much fun and totally lost it.  Plus I'm still not confident on the last section, where he stops repeating that motif! Oh my god, I'm going to suck on stage! TT_TT

Well, that's one worry.
Worry number two, I have totally lost all self-discipline. Damn me and my manga addictions.
I'm falling waay behind in my "Elite SECA students" list.  It's like WTF, man?
I mean, I wasn't able to take my midterm for Pre-Calculus, so I had an F on my Snapgrades for a week and half until she dropped it (*HUGE sigh of relief there*). I got a B on my Chemistry test today, with the extra-credit.  I got a 24/37 on my AP World History exam; thank God that she's letting everyone retake the test and average out the scores, and even posted  a study guide for us, but I haven't even started on that.

Worry number three,
NaNoWriMo.
Why am I even doing it? Because I've been into writing stories lately (Becca has too) and I don't want to fall behind her.

OHEMGEE Today's my lucky day! The Fray just ended on the radio, and then they played Muse, "Starlight"!  My mood has lifted.  A bit, anyway.

I just wanted to hold you in my arms.

*sigh* Romances are so disappointing but so lovely.
It's too bad their beauty doesn't really exist in real life, ne?
I finished watching Honey and Clover on hulu last weekend with Rebecca (instead of doing my homework). The ending was... well, it was bad.  But, I guess I just wasn't satisfied.  I mean, I totally knew that neither Yuta nor Morita were going to get Hagu in the end, but is she going to end up with Shu-sensei?  Isn't he her uncle?  Why is nobody perturbed by his feelings for her?  And, you can pretty much guess what's going to happen with Takumi and Ayumi-- he'll (perhaps) get together with the target of his maniacal stalking, Rika, and she'll get together with Nomiya.  It's not that I don't like Nomiya, it's just that I like Takumi better.  But I'm annoyed with Takumi, but not because I don't like him.  It's because I don't like Rika.  But.  It's not Rika's fault...?
Argh, I don't know.  My feelings about the ending are all mixed up (as though my opinion on an anime series really matters right now).  All I can say for sure is those last few minutes were touching.  I mean, I'm not really one of those weirdos who go around screaming "Youth is beautiful!" (actually, I was for a while.  After reading Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai at the beginning of the year.  I actually told Becca that we should stop being so pessimistic and go out of our way to have fun for the rest of high school.  She called me and idiot.  I gave up my short-lived resolution soon enough anyway).
Anyway, like I said, I'm (no longer) one of those weirdos who go around screaming "Youth is beautiful!" but after listening to Yuta's little epilogue, I was nearly going to cry.  I don't have any beautiful, youthful memories to cherish here at SECA since I practically hate people but it made me sad that some day this time of my life is going to end.  We won't hang around everyone after a certain point, and... we'll all just drift away.
How sad, right?
But now (2 days later) I'm totally over it.  What happens, happens.  We are not really individuals.  The feelings we are feeling have been felt before.  The ideas we come up with have been thought up before (I just found a whole bunch of holes in that argument, but I won't contradict myself right now).
In these last 2 days, I think I've read over 15 manhwas.  They weren't completed, but.  That's a little pathetic of me.  I should be focusing on my work.

However, they were kick-butt good!  I've re-fallen in love with Hwang Mi Ri (wasn't I talking about how much I hated her before?), but I especially love this new series on MangaFox, Cheese in the Trap! So cute :3
Manhwa artists are so good.  Just like with "Pink Lady".  All color! Can you believe it?

Well, I've ranted long enough.
I made this pointless movie Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Enjoy.

The Thing (no, not the one from "The Adams Family")

So, the big "Thing" which has been wrecking my sub- and not-so-sub- conscious lately: I am still  putting off my summer homework. Seeing how it is 2.42 am on Friday, August the... 6th (?), and I start school at 8 am Wednesday the 11th, I am soon to be in big BIG shi..itake mushrooms!
Anyway, the other "Thing" is... my dearly beloved sister has come home from Missouri and I am oh so overjoyed. Especially because she broke up with her lame boyfriend and keeps complaining about that and keeps telling me to get my eyebrows done and tells me to get the hair dryer from the apartment downstairs and I had to gather up all my clothes from upstairs and lock it downstairs so she wouldn't steal it like she always does and she keeps accusing me of stealing her iPod. Sorry, was that a run-on sentence? I kinda just needed to get that out there.

On much brighter, less stressful notes: manga/anime commentary!
Shiki: I am absolutely lovin' this series. It's like, so... what words should I use to describe it? Mystery, suspense, Japanese, bishie, and vampire!  But like, not in the cliche, Twilight-and-the-like-inspired sense.  You know how people seem to be obsessed with strange and mysterious epidemics that suddenly hit the modern world?  Well, it's kinda got the feel of that, but only because the villager doctor and monk don't suspect something supernatural... such as vampires. By the way, the "vampire" thing is so NOT a spoiler.  It's super obvious from episode 2 that the deaths are a cause of vampires or something, which makes me more than a little frustrated with the main characters.  Then again, they weren't exactly expecting something that's not supposed to exist... but COME ON PEOPLE, HAVEN'T YOU EVER WATCHED A HORROR FLICK? [link to show page on Hulu]
Trace: Speaking of typical Sci-fi, you've probably heard the template for this storyline over and over.  You know, the "30 years ago supernatural creatures came to Earth and caused utter destruction, ruthlessly killing human lives.  For some strange reason, some humans were mutating and also started having supernatural powers..." cliche?  Yeah, that's pretty much the basis of this story, except that this is pretty much my first time reading a Sci-fi manga with this type of storyline, so I'm pretty interested... for now.  I mean, on top of the not very original story idea, the presentation is just a little confusing (although that's probably just the fault of me reading in it's unofficial form), and the art's not particularly aesthetically pleasing.  In truth, I'm only reading it because I caught up with the "Noblesse" updates, but well... I think it's progressing okay enough. [link to manga page on Mangafox]
Black Butler II:  ♥!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If ya watched the first season and were disappointed with the outcome so ya decided not to watch the second season: WATCH THE NEXT SEASON YOU'LL ABSOLUTELY LOO~VE IT.  Claude (the new butler) is totally on par with Sebby! But Ciel is way awesomer than that brat Alois. [link to show page on Hulu]

Um... well, there's more I want to say but Becca seems pretty annoyed and Mom and Dad just woke up and will probably be mad that I'm on the computer at 3.10 am so BAI!

Wow...

 Chapter 95 of "Bakuman" was seriously amazing.  I know I say that for every chapter of "Bakuman", but there's meaning to that, too. Ohba & Obata are plain out of this world.  I love them! (^///^)

Just now, I was also reading "Saiyuki", the anime of which I started watching last summer but never got to finishing because our free Netflix subscription expired (gee, mi familia consists of such cheapskates). As much as I adore Sanzo and Hakkai (in general) and Goku's and Gojyou's bickering, I think I'll stick with the anime.  I know to read  Square 1, even if I do need to review the story a bit, what with reviving my interest after a months-long hiatus.  However, I didn't know that Hakkai's lover that was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by those demons was his older sister. I mean, the theme of incest seems to be following me everywhere in the manga world.  It's positively sickening... but you know what? For Hakkai, it doesn't bother me. I think that it makes him even more appealing. I mean, kind human in love with his sister turns into a mad demon, and then completely reforms himself! Ahh, so lovely!
I mean, tell me this guy isn't bad-a** HAWT.

You're LYING.

Lol, ^^ Well, speaking of incest (although there's not really any incest), "Eden no Hana" was updated on mangafox (V. 10 Ch. 1) warning. SPOILERS LIE BELOW THIS LINE.

That, too, was an awesome-tastic chapter! Midori decides not to live with Tokio! Tokio confesses to Midori! Midori & Tokio's first kiss! I've been waiting for it ever since I got over Hashiba's rejection. Here are some very lovely previewss...

Wait, wait... That was all in V. 9 Ch. 2.2. Sorry! So I'll include the scenes from that chapter too:

                                                          

               

Lol, sorry, I only included kissing scenes! (>///<)

They were just too touching to resist.

Well, anyway, as long as we're on the topic of updates, I might as well talk about "Do You Remember Mogwa" by Han Yu-Rang. Frankly, I'm disappointed.  The beginning was pretty cool, but now it's just confusing and cliche. C'mon, he lost his memories? What a way to spice things up.  But whatever; I think it's Shinjo Mayu who ruined the "lost memories" complex for me.


Okay, so after all that manga-related stuff, on to real life:
It is currently 6.19 AM. The only reason why I'm awake is because I stayed up all night, again. This time I was making plans for Academic Decathlon.  Apparently, the class, under the direction of a new coach, is going to use the same methods as last year: student specialists who teach the rest of the class. Which sucks. But hey, I don't think anyone would listen even if I did complain. So anyway, I'm working on Language and Literature. I'm almost done with the rough sketch of plans, thank God.  Now, just where did I put my copy of "The Grapes of Wrath"...?

Which reminds me, I have no idea where my copy of "Guns, Germs, and Steel", which I have to read for my AP World History homework, is. Better get that finished, since I also have to read "1984" in the next two weeks, and in one of those weeks I am apparently attending a film workshop everyday from 9 am - 3 pm. 0.0

Let's see, is there any other boring aspect of my life I should bring up? Can't really think of anything... well, besides an exchange of texts between a classmate and me about his girlfriend.  But besides, that, no, nothing.
Which means it's time for me to go baibai now! Ciao! :3

Alone in the house on a warm summer day.. I'm all dressed up for nothing.

"In science the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occured."


So today I helped out in the summer Algebra 2 class.  It was pretty fun, but I don't think more than 5 or 6 people will pass and move on to Pre-Calculus for the fall semester.

Besides that, I looked through my journal and found a poem by Tupper that I really liked.  I might've posted it here before, but I don't really care so I'll just post it again.


Sloth, by Tupper

 A little more sleep, a little more slumber,

A little more folding the hands to sleep,"

For quick-footed dreams without order or number,

Over mind mind are beginning to creep--

Rare is the happiness thus to be raptured

By your wild whispers, my Fanciful train;

And, like a linnet, be carelessly captured

In the soft nets of my beautiful brain!

Touch not these curtains!-- your hand will be tearing

Delicate tissues of thoughts and of things--

Call me not!-- your cruel voice will be scaring

Flocks of young visions on gossamer wings:

Leave me, O leave me-- for in your rude presence

Nothing of all my bright world can remain--

Thou art a blight to this garden of pleasance,

Thou art a blog on my beautiful brain!

Cease your dull lecture on cares and employment,

Let me forget awhile trouble and strife,

Leave me to peace-- let me husband enjoyment--

This is my heart and the marrow of life!

For to my feeling the choicest of pleasures

It to lie thus, without peril or pain,

Lazily listening to the musical measures

Of the sweet voice in my beautiful brain!

Hush-- for the halo of calmness is spreading

Over my spirit, as mild as a dove;

Hush-- for the angel of comfort is shedding

Over my body his vial of love;

Hush-- for new slumbers are over me stealing,

Thus would I court them again and again,

Hush-- for my heart is intoxicate-- reeling

In the swift waltz of my beautiful brain!

 I'm not sure exactly what it is I like about this poem, but I suppose it'd be the feeling of laziness yet vanity it emits... as though one realizes that her peace of mind is from the lack of desire to get up and do something, but sees herself as smart and beautiful and deserving of this break from work (although really she knows that's not the case at all).  I'm not sure if that's what Tupper was trying to say, but that's the feeling I get.  It's very similar to my own thoughts. ^^


I just watched Bleach Ep. 113.  Updates for manga I read?  Looks like nothing but "Boy of the Female Wolf" by Han Yu-Rang so far, up for grabs on mangafox.com.
The manga of the week on mangafox is "Flat", and I agree: it is really good.  Even my sis, who's not really all that into manga, loves it.  However, because it doesn't focus around super optimistic and corny lines (which, don't get me wrong, that's a good thing), she thinks that someone's going to die. "I swear, Sarah, if someone [Heisuke or Aki] dies, I will kill you."  In response, I said I would kill myself after killing the mangaka and resurrecting Heisuke and/or Aki. ^^
It's great to be young.


If there's anyone out there who reads my blog, please visit my friend (well, she's not really my friend, but you get what I mean) April, who's blog I'm starting to read.  It's a lot like mine, in  a way.
http://april-apesblog.blogspot.com/

I have some story ideas to post, but this entry is long enough as it is.  I'll just post them later.
Well then, I'm off to do some homework, like a good Japanese student (even though I'm not one).
Ciao! [^^]o0(♥)


Edit Before I forget: yesterday, at church Sis. Frances was talking about how Jesus wants to hear you say that you love him.  I don't want to get super religious right now, but I thought I'd mention the phrase she said:
"Sarah, lovest thou me?"

Is it just me, or does this picture look ridiculously cliche?  Y'know, kinda like the Sample Pictures already on your computer when you buy it?
Anyway, it's a picture of my math teacher's ancient dog, Lady.  Her distinguishable feature (beside the fact that she's old)? She doesn't shed-- she molts.  It's kinda disgusting.  And she LOVES cherries... which makes you wonder how her owners can stand cleaning up after her.
We took the picture at a party on Saturday with my mom's super cool camera that none of us even know how to use.  It's one of those professional-looking types where you can take off the lens and you zoom in by twisting the lens, and this sticky-thingy comes up and flashes every time you take a picture.  Yep, it's pretty cool.  Unfortunately, I know nothing about taking cool pictures.  So, I've been thinking-- should I take a photography class?  I mean, not only would I look insanely awesome as someone who looks like she knows what she's doin' when she handles a camera, but I'd ACTUALLY be able to make something visually appealing.  I mean, my friends can all draw or something, but anything I do with my hands ends up looking like total crap.  I can't exactly bring a piano with me everywhere I go, and people start calling me granny whenever I start crocheting, so... yeah.  PLUS, I'd be able to post cool pictures online, like real bloggers with real lives do (LOL).  Since, y'know... all I do is write and stuff.  Just being the narcissistic teen who thinks people care about what I say.

Well, school's just about over, so here's my schedule for next year:
1. Honors English 10- THANK GOD I'M GETTING NEW ENGLISH TEACHERS.  No offense to my current teachers (actually, I don't really care if I offend them or not), but this year was... not good.   I mean, our teachers previously taught elementary students, and it showed.  We wrote very little serious essays (in fact, we wrote little at all), spent FOREVER doing silly projects, and read like 6 books as a class when as an Honors class we were supposed to have read like, twelve, I think? So yeah.  I was disappointed with English this year.
2. AP Chemistry (although I heard rumors about AP Anatomy).  This scares me a little.  Is our science teacher (currently teacher Biology, when his major was chem) QUALIFIED to teach an AP class?  I know you have to have a certified teacher or something, and let's face it, his teaching this year wasn't exactly challenging, considering he just summarized what was in the book.  Or rather, quoted the book word for word.  However, since his major IS in chemistry, I think hope wouldn't be wasted on thinking that this coming year might be better.
3. AP World History.  It sucks that we're taking World History twice in a row, but since it's AP this time, and it will be insanely hard this time around-- I'm fine with it.  A little scared with having to write essays and annotated timelines all the time, but fine.  Wish that we could be taking AP US History, though, since would've matched up with our Academic Decathlon subject.
4. AVID 10.  And aren't we all just EVER so happy about that...
5. Academic Decathlon Yay!  See secacadeconline.blogspot.com.
6. American Mock Trial, which will be taught by my AP World History teacher, who is a lawyer (and a fanatic about copyrights).  I'm a little scared to take this class at the same time as Academic Decathlon... but heck, it's worth a try.
7. Art History. As a college class.
8. Economics. Also as a college class.  I'm scared these two will be DARN STINKIN' HARD.
9. Possibly another year as a Teacher's Assistant for the math professor.  Maybe. Let's see how hard things get.
10. Pre-Calculus, as dual-credit for high school and University of the Pacific (woot-woot!) ^^  Can't wait!  Even though I heard it'll give me a brain wreck.
11. Anime Club! This year REALLY sucked, so hopefully people will still want to do this.  I want to run for president this year and make it really fun... go to conventions, plan fundraisers, hold movie nights... all the like.
12. Key Club. My dad told me an awesome idea... giving books to public schools in the Philippines! I think that'd be really great, because it's a different type of fundraiser that'll help most of us get rid of books we don't want anymore, and help children in poorer parts of the Philippines learn English!  As many who have visited such schools now, the books there are VERY old-- like, at least 50.  So yeah!  I was also thinking about doing a pen-pal system with students from over there, but considering the price of postage, I don't think the schools over there would be able to do that.  Oh well... my sister was thinking about doing some local stuff here at the school: for example, Meatless Mondays (as inspired by "10 Things I Hate About You") and In Her Shoes (as part of Sexual Harassment Awareness, where everyone in the school wears heels).
And of course, I plan to get back on track with having a proper piano teacher, going to gym classes (and possibly taking up a sport), volunteer work, etc...

With all this going on, should I take up Chess Club?
#"I just don't know what to do with myself." -Song by... The White Stripes?  Don't really remember. (*EDIT* I included the video below)
Okay, well... that was way more than you wanted to know about me.  Here's a few links and stuff to make up for all that jabber:

My sister is currently experimenting with cosmetics (seeing as how our family is very inexperienced >.<).  Isn't she such a motivated artist?
By the way, my birthday is well... today (May 21), but because I knew my friends were trying to throw me a surprise party, they celebrated it on May 20th instead.  Pictures on Facebook! (facebook.com/mizfrazelle)
Gotta sleep now!  There's a test 3rd period and a semi-formal dance tonight! Ciao!