Scribbled Wall

Moved to Tumblr

2010-07-26T16:44:00.005+09:00

I have been writing in Blogger since 2003, thus it almost 10 years since I start blogging. It's a difficult decision to leave Blogger, for all the memories, joy and tears, we shared through all my journey of life.

However, I have decided to move on with something new. I managed to stick with Blogger during the time where all my blogging friend changed their platform to Movable Type, Wordpress and many other cool blog platform. And now Blogger is way cooler than all of them, but I decided to switch. Talking about how people change their mind.

I'm moving to Tumblr. Not because they have some kind of extra feature that made me change my mind, but somehow, some change would be a fresh starting point. And I hope by that it will keep me blogging despite my hectic grad student life.

But if it bores me, it's not impossible I return back to this ground.

So find me in my new playground:
http://fidanuar.tumblr.com

よろしく．

Balik Kampung

2010-02-08T10:37:00.003+09:00

I can't believe I am in lab right now, while the truth is my flight to Hong Kong is only a day away. Scribbling facts and arguments about sustainable energy and filling out form in Japanese (yes, in kanji mind you) is the last thing I could ever imagine to do before heading south to a warmer climate. Geez. I should start reading fiction, lazying around or at least packing some stuffs! But now the real picture is my home in total mess, and I'm still here getting my kanji writing right.

Stop babbling and it'll make you an old fart.

So, updates? Well, a lot actually. I learned how to ski, went to my French buddy's housewarming party and tonnes of karaoke meets. Don't let me start with other thing because its all academic, and I am not really sure you delighted to read that.

Oh, and I failed my JLPT. As expected. I remember walking out from the exam hall with dizzy head figuring how to read long Japanese articles and essays as my Kanji illiteracy still slows down my reading. And true indeed, my vocab and reading comprehension marks are the lowest. Listening is the only savior (thanks to frequent Japanese conversation and ridiculous Japanese TV show), but when the other two papers suck, nothing can be done anymore. So here I am, repeating the paper this July, hoping soon I can read Japanese essay as fast as I could (Mr. Haruki Murakami, help me!)

Can't wait to backpack in Hong Kong! Despite my tight budget and financial constraint (hmm, that's the trait of backpackers I reckon? We're the under-privileged people who eager to explore the world :p), I am so gonna explore the sight of Cantopop and Hong Kong movie background. I used to be a big fan (and still do, just not as frequent) of TVB dramas back then (all thanks to my mom who is a drama craze of all genre, and now the gene is inherited to her only son). And of course not surprisingly, I do listen to Cantonese songs from Hong Kong, from Sam Hui mellow, feel good romantic song to newer act like soul kid Khalil Fong (well his songs are in Mandarin, but he is based in Hong Kong anyway).

Oh I'm listening to it right now. Just to get the feel. Call me silly folks.

The weather report shows Hong Kong will be rainy this week long. Not a good sign for backpackers like me who initially plan to walk around town and discover narrow streets and alleys. I should pack my see through umbrella (which I believe only available in Japan, seriously I never seen it been sold anywhere else! If my fact is true, Japan should consider patent it to be national trademark :p)

Toodles, people. See you in a more humid and warmer environment in few days time.

It's 2010 and the Story Continues...

2010-01-03T20:35:00.003+09:00

How fast time flies. I still remember the pandemonium and panic over the Y2K bugs last 10 years, and within blink of eyes, it's already 2010.

2009 has its own mark in my walk of life. The year I started my life in foreign land, specifically in Japan. The year I was so worn out to study for my graduate school entrance exam but Alhamdulillah passed it. And few other adventures and life experiences that I feel so precious to be listed here.

I remember in previous years I did make new year resolutions and aim to achieve it. I dare say I'd fulfilled the 2009 list with some points not achieved but I really feel good. And this year I just hope that my life would be better than last year, the world will be much better place for us to live in and of course, the happiness of everybody. My master course and research will begin this spring, I really hope I can nail it graduate like everyone else.

New year celebration back in my home country has this close image to concerts and fireworks. Sleepless nights. But surprisingly in Japan, although new year is a big celebration celebrated by Japanese (long holiday and they go back to their hometown, like Christmas for Christians and Eid for Muslims), concerts and fireworks are not common to celebrate New Year. I can't recall what I did back in 2009 for New Year's Eve, probably watch the countdown at home. It has been ages since I went to countdown concerts and watch firework show for new year, the last one maybe while I was still in college.

New Year's Eve: This year I didn't go out either, I was not really motivated to spend the whole night outside since it was freezing. Watched Downtown Gaki ni Tsukai: Waratte wa Ikenai and Kouhaku Uta Gassen with Shogo and Anthony instead (without both of them, my New Year's Eve will be a bit lonely). I watched both show in Youtube before (I think it's pretty famous on Internet), so this is my first time to watch it on tv. Ended up continue watch tv the whole night and sleep at 5:00 am. What a way to celebrate new year.

Jan 1: woke up at 14:00, and went to Nagareyama Ootakanomori to check out the fukubukuro scene but unfortunately all shops were closed (New Year is really like Eid in Malaysia, Tokyo streets were almost empty and shops are mostly closed), so decided to go to karaoke with Shogo and Reginaldo instead. At least the karaoke parlor and kombini was still open. More about Japanese new year, click here.

My first 年賀状/nengajou/New Year's Postcard, a common etiquette in Japan (more about common etiquette in Japan, click here) from Coy. The postcard normally will be received exactly on the first day of new year and commonly replied within seven days.

Jan 2: went to Gotemba Premium Outlet in Gotemba, Shizuoka. The bus ride took about one and a half hour from Tokyo. Despite colder weather in Shizuoka, the crowd was immense, all can't wait to spend their yens. Managed to get myself a new wallet, Nike Snow Trainer 3 and francfranc fukubukuro.

富士山/Fuji-san/Fuji Mountain from far. Gotemba located in the foot of the mountain.

皆さん、
新年明けましておめでとうございます。
昨年は色々とお世話になりました。
ありがとうございます。
今年も宜しくお願いします。
今年も頑張りましょう。

【PV】コブクロ - 風
アップロード者 kenjikasukabe. - 音楽動画をHD画質でもっと見る！

「。。。この風は
あなたですか？
次の春を吹きますか。。。」
ーコブクロ「風」２００２

New Skin

2009-12-12T23:51:00.004+09:00

I spend the whole Saturday watching online drama and tweaking layouts. And venturing into Hatena. Not something productive physically I tell you, but lazying around do give me some blissful feeling.

I am not sure whether it is the sign of aging or maturity that get me thinking I am getting lazier and lazier, day by day. I used to have habit in diligently drilling into html or xml codes to get what I want for the layout, sadly, I am no more near that feeling. Just upload the downloaded templates from the Internet, add some Blogger gadgets and Twitter/Facebook widgets, gotcha here I am. Simple, I don't even have blogroll now.

I remember I signed up with Blogger service since 2002, and have been blogging ever since although I changed URL few times and lost my early archives. This blog has seen my ups and downs in life. I have been tempted to switch to WordPress and Movable Type, for reason that they have cooler features and designs, but true what people said, first love remains forever. I first fall in love with Blogger and for that reason, I decided to keep blogging in this platform.

Even after I found Hatena and their cool features like Diary(the blog service, with some cute layouts to drool), Fotolife (replacement of Flickr and so on), Haiku (similar like Twitter), Ugomemo(you can create your own drawings and scribbles; normally by Nintendo DS, big thing in Japan) and Bookmark(like you share links on Facebook), I keep with my decision, to stay blogging in English, in Blogger.

As a non-native English speaker, I used to suck in English (in fact I still do), mispronouncing words is my common habit, when I was in elementary school, I cannot understand any English fiction I read and I don't score much in my high school English exam. I started blogging initially just to share my own thought, and like others do, to improve my writing skill in English. Without realizing it, blogging does improve my English skill.

When I come to Japan, one problem that I have to face is the challenge of maintaining the English skill (which already broken prior coming here, unfortunately) and yet at the same time, improve the skill in Japanese. I bet it is common challenge to all foreigners here (who interested to learn Japanese and has not gave up yet, obviously).

So I decided to start blogging in Japanese, for the same initial reason when I start blogging in English. It is the same feeling, embarrassed by limited vocabulary and broken grammar rules, but learning is never an easy process. It's like climbing the mountain, they said, you stopped to take your breath, then continue walk up the path.

My Hatena user ID is groover58. Yoroshiku.

p/s- One of Hatena blogger that I love.

小さな恋のうた/Chiisana Koi no Uta by MONGOL800

2009-12-11T17:27:00.003+09:00

作詞：Kiyosaku Uezu
作曲：MONGOL800

広い宇宙の数ある一つ
青い地球の広い世界で
小さな恋の思いは届く
小さな島のあなたのもとへ

あなたと出会い　時は流れる
思いを込めた手紙もふえる
いつしか二人互いに響く
時に激しく　時に切なく

響くは遠く　遥か彼方へ
やさしい歌は世界を変える

ほら　あなたにとって大事な人ほど
すぐそばにいるの
ただ　あなたにだけ届いて欲しい
響け恋の歌
ほら～　ほら～　ほら～
響け恋の歌

あなたは気づく　二人は歩く
暗い道でも　日々照らす月
握りしめた手　離すことなく
思いは強く　永遠誓う
永遠の淵　きっと僕は言う
思い変わらず同じ言葉を

それでも足りず　涙に変り喜びになり
言葉にできず　ただ抱きしめる
ただ抱きしめる

ほら　あなたにとって大事な人ほど
すぐそばにいるの
ただ　あなたにだけ届いて欲しい
響け恋の歌
ほら～　ほら～　ほら～
響け恋の歌

夢ならば覚めないで　
夢ならば覚めないで
あなたと過ごした時　永遠の星となる

ほら　あなたにとって大事な人ほど
すぐそばにいるの
ただ　あなたにだけ届いて欲しい
響け恋の歌

ほら　あなたにとって大事な人ほど
すぐそばにいるの
ただ　あなたにだけ届いて欲しい
響け恋の歌
ほら～　ほら～　ほら～
響け恋の歌

English translation:

In this wide universe, there is
A big world in a blue earth
A small memory of love will reach
You who are living in a small island

Time has passed since I met you
The letter with my piled up feelings increases
Without us realising, it is already echoing between us
Sometimes we’re full of intensity,
sometimes we’re full of sadness

These feelings echoes distantly
This gentle love song will change the world

Look, the person who is important to you
Is right beside you
I just want you to receive
This echoing love song
Listen, listen, listen to this echoing love song

You’ve realized even when we walked
In the dark, the moonlight will shine on us
I won’t let go of you hand
I swear that these strong feelings will last for eternity

In the depths of forever, I’ll definitely say
These same words without any change of feelings
Even if it’s still not enough, it’ll change into tears
And it’ll change into joy that I can’t put into words
I’ll just hold you, I’ll just hold you

Look, the person who is important to you
Is right beside you
I just want you to receive
This echoing love song
Listen, listen, listen to this echoing love song

If it’s a dream don’t wake up, if it’s a dream don’t wake up
The time I’ve spent with you will become an everlasting star

Look, the person who is important to you
Is right beside you
I just want you to receive
This echoing love song

Look, the person who is important to you
Is right beside you
I just want you to receive
This echoing love song
Listen, listen, listen to this echoing love song

Original live version:

Cover by anonymous Youtube user, slower guitar version:

The Sony Walkman Play You CM (this song is a background song, but sing by Aragaki Yui):

I know it's winter and depressing, but enough with melancholic songs for now. Headbanging in winter not feel that bad though.

Resume.

2009-12-10T22:28:00.004+09:00

No. It's not suppose to be read as resume as in curriculum vitae, but as resume or continue.

First. It is hard to resist all the laziness feeling during winter since coldness will only help you gain some fat due to excess in sleeping and eating activity (unfortunately the theory does not work for me).

Second. The pilates class in my campus ended yesterday and the next session will only started next spring semester. Since the class basically just cater the needs for general attendees without considering the level of each student, it can be said that it's pretty basic and refreshing. Nonetheless, some of the movement did hurt my abs muscle.

Third. Am also done with JLPT Level 2. Don't wanna talk more about it since I didn't read the question properly (due to my slow kanji reading :p). I'm pretty much sure that I will fail it, but hey yeah, I still believe in lady luck and hope some miracle will still exist next February (when the result is announced).

Fourth. This week I've become a proud owner of Karrimor Flyer 55L backpack.

Now I'm ready to hit the road for backpacking! Backpacking plan so far:

1. Hong Kong stopover for 3 days this coming February! I know it's a bad timing since my travel date will coincide with Chinese New Year celebration, but I hope the festive season would do me some cheer moments (looking forward to the spectacular fireworks and pyrotechnics show). Any supportive advice for Hong Kong would be much appreciated.

2. Istanbul! This city always in my travel list and there is no way I'm gonna skipped Istanbul in my whole lifetime! Hopefully the plan with Dolly next coming Golden Week goes well.

3. Snowboard trip to Nagano. One of my lab friends, Nishiiri hails from Nagano, famous for its mountainous area and ski (Nagano once hosted Winter Olympics) and hope I can go there this coming January!

4. North Japan summer backpack trip. Initial plan is Tokyo-Sendai-Hakodate-Sapporo-Furano-Akita-Tokyo. Options so far is Seishun 18 Kippu or Hokkaido Pass. Really wanna try hitchhiking in Hokkaido (heard it's pretty popular there, but dunno whether I have enough guts to show my thumb and stop the stranger's car for a lift, somehow it feels scary yet exciting)

Anybody here is a member of Hostel International? or Japan Youth Hostel? Wanna apply for their membership card, but dunno how it gonna benefit my trip plan.

Fifth. Drooling over Docomo Smart Series phone. But still wanna keep my Softbank number and iPhone. Geez, temptations people!

Sixth. Going to reactivate Flickr and start using hatena.

Till the next post people.

That's What We Live For

2009-10-30T10:59:00.004+09:00

(picture taken from last.fm)

Cassandra Steen - Darum leben wir (That's What We Live For)

Wenn es dunkel wird, sagst du zu mir // When it gets dark outside, you tell me
Das darf nie zu Ende sein // this can never end
Und wenn es hell wird, sag ich zu dir // and when a new day dawns, I tell you
Geh nicht, lass mich nicht allein // don't go, do not leave me alone
Denn wir sind doch eins // because we're One

Nichts geschieht ein zweites Mal // nothing happens for a second time
Das kann nicht sein // that can't be
Alles ist nur einmal da // everything exists only one time
Auch wenn es nicht so scheint // even when it doesnt seem like it
Und ich sag zu dem Moment: geh nicht vorbei // I say to this momemt: dont pass
Bleib noch // stay
Du bist viel zu schön // you're too beautiful to go (the moment)

Und darum leben wir // and that's what we live for
Wir leben um da zu sein // we live to be there
Leben um wahr zu sein // live to be true
Und darum leben wir // and thats why we live
Und wir nehmen alles mit // we take everything with us
Jeden Schmerz und alles Glück // every pain and every joy
Der Welt // of the world

In jeder Nacht bricht der erste Tag // in every night the first day dawns
Vom Rest unseres Lebens an // for the rest of our lives
Und jeden Morgen springen wir // and every morning we jump straight to the
Direkt auf die Umlaufbahn // orbit

Wenn nicht heute jetzt und hier // if not today here and now
Wann und wo denn dann // when and where, then?
Keiner kann die Zukunft sehen // nobody can see the future
Kennt den großen Plan // nobody knows the full "plan"

Auch du hast es gesehen genau wie ich // you also saw it like I did
Den Schmetterling im Schnee den Tunnel voller Licht // the butterfly in the snow, the tunnel full of light
Du hast so wie ich das Tal durchwandert // you, like me, wandered through the valley
Und es gab keinen Weg zurück // and there was no way back

(lyrics and English translation from allthelyrics.com)
******************

It's been a while since I listen to any German songs. The last one definitely by Xavier Naidoo or Soehne Mannheims. I just encounter Cassandra's songs from YouTube, and I like her voice instantly. And pretty good lyrics too.

I should brush up my German again but definitely I need to finish learning Japanese first, especially this JLPT Level 2 never ending kanji drill and stuff. 一生懸命頑張りましょう！

Link:
Watch the official Youtube video.
More about Cassandra in Wiki and her official website (only in German though).

Without Plan and Agenda, She Left.

2009-10-25T11:52:00.004+09:00

picture taken from impresscreative. One of my favourite photos of late Kak Yasmin.

I attended the Tokyo International Film Festival last week to watch Muallaf (The Convert), one of the controversial films of arwah Kak Yasmin (it has been banned in Malaysia before but insyaAllah will be screened this December with some lines muted). Was my second time watching it, the first time when it first released in Singapore. Although my favourite Yasmin's piece is still Gubra, I admit Muallaf has the aura as well.

Muallaf is a story of three souls finding a solace in religion. Started with the tale of two sisters who runaway from home, they become the subject of attention in school where Rohana, the younger sister studying, as they appear to be weird for some people. Rohana frequently chants some number (with later appear to be versus from Bible, Quran and also Tao Te Ching) and Rohani, the elder ones, is been rumored to work in a pub. Both of them are fan of comparative religion and theology, and discuss it publicly. Then comes another character Brian, Rohana's teacher, who always received call from his mother on Sunday reminding him to go to church, but Brian lost his faith in Christianity because he was humiliated by his late father who is a strict Catholic when he was 12 years old.

I was hoping someone could direct her upcoming project, Wasurenagusa (a Japanese movie, means 'Forget Me Not'), since I heard from Kak Orked (Yasmin Ahmad's younger sister, who came to represent Yasmin in Tokyo International Film Festival) that the script has been completed before she died. Ho Yuhang maybe?

The Tokyo International Film Festival organizer this year made some special tribute to the late Yasmin (read about it here).

We are after all just a normal human being. What I love about late arwah Kak Yasmin's works is the way she reminds us that we are all finding God in our way and everyone wants to find happiness in their life. She always starts her movie with the verse BismillahiRahmanniRahim (in the name of God, the Most Merciful and Most Gracious) and in Muallaf the Bismillah is written in Chinese (奉大仁大慈真主的尊名). I recall encounter some Japanese article about her, ヤスミンアハマド：早すぎる死ぬ / Yasmin Ahmad: Gone Too Soon, and realized she created a strong fanbase here in Japan. Everyone still expecting more from her, but without plan and agenda, she left.

"If I could paint a sad goodbye;
I’d paint your eyes a clear blue sky.
Pluck you grace from a pale faced moon
And slumber down this tattered room.
If I could find an amber train;
Lord I’d ride it to the bitter end.
Passing hope in the summer bloom;
Passing dreams and a fading tune.
If I should stray amid crimson rose…
Whither angels on wings of gold?
Who for flowers in the month of May?
Who for you on your winter’s day?
Who for flowers in the months of May?
Who for you?"
-Pete Teo's Who For You, the ending song for Gubra.

You Decide. I Decide.

2009-10-25T11:33:00.002+09:00

日光の紅葉, Nikko, Japan
Originally uploaded by hk_traveller.

Can't hardly wait for the bronze autumn leaves season (紅葉）to come.

My friend, Nauwar asked me whether I can be contributor (co-author) for her entertainment blog covering the news and updates of Japan music industry, considering that I am currently dwelling in Japan and my interest in Japan entertainment industry. I posted my first post (in Bahasa Melayu, mind you, what a biggest challenge to write in my own mother tongue :p) about weekly song ranking in Music Station. You can read the post here.

Another challenge is the WordPress platform. I have been a loyal Blogger user since the year 2002 (although I have changed blog and address few times) and when I first write my post in WordPress, I really had difficult time to find the way how to publish it. I have been considering to change my blog platform from Blogger to WordPress (especially because of their super cool layout) and also Hatena (the Japanese blog service, I think they have pretty cool layout and intergration service as well), but with my problem is getting used with the new blogging service make me daunting.

Too many things in my head right now. About whether I should change my blog platform to Hatena or WordPress. About whether I should get that Canon G11. Whether I should subscribe to Yoga Journal and Monocle.

I reckon what I need is Decision Making 101.

Burberry Alligator

2009-10-20T12:34:00.005+09:00

picture taken from Selectism

I personally feel the limited edition Burberry Alligator watch is indeed sleek and awesome looking, especially the green ones. Albeit the fact that my birthday has been belated for quite few weeks, can I have this for my birthday? Anyone?

And the craving for Canon Power Shot G11 and Cole Haan bags is haunting me again. I need help.

ps- Forgive me for such a short and unrelated updates. I have so many things to blog, about comparative religion, recent issues and so on, but let me stay in this solemn state for few more days.

「青い空に高く　今なら飛べるかな。。。」

2009-10-10T23:05:00.005+09:00

picture taken from flickr@hiromy

まぶしい光に　憧れた
その日　殻にヒビが入った
思い切って　のぞいて
初めて見た高い空

嬉しくもなって　手をのばした
同時に怖くもなった
この羽の使い方は
とてもじゃないけど解らない

小さく小さく　風に負けても
信じきってみたい

青い空に高く　今なら飛べるかな
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでもいい

宝を持ったこと　幸でもあり
欲望にのまれたりもする
こんなはずじゃなくて　何度も言った
素直な気持ちだった

小さな世界をやぶって
大きく君を愛したい

青い空に高く　いろんな景色を見て
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでもいい

朱く泣く道しるべ
心は透き通って
いつか大きくうなずく

青い空に高く
今なら飛べるかな
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでもいい
青い空に高く
今なら飛べるよね
もしこのまま　落下しても
今はそれでイイ
-大塚愛「羽ありたまご」

For those who dream big, and want to make it a reality. Good luck.

Being Vocal and Take Action

2009-09-25T10:25:00.004+09:00

(unrelated picture: the new prime minister of Japan, Hatoyama Yukio and his wife, Miyuki when they were young. Picture taken from The Independent)

Albeit the fact that I am supposed to write a 2 A4 pages essay for Panasonic Essay Contest, I ended up writing some nonsensical stuff here. Writing in Japanese is quite a new thing for me, considering my shaky intermediate level of the language, especially in kanji/漢字(the Chinese character) and bunpou/文法(grammar). I admit I still have a long way to go in mastering Japanese verb conjugation and bombastic vocabulary.

And I'm dying to read Murakami Haruki pieces in its original language.

I am currently reading the online homepage of Al-Jazeera regarding concern voiced over climate change all around the world. News in Japan has focused on their new prime minister, Hatoyama Yukio speech in United Nation meeting in New York regarding Japan's upcoming 25% CO2 reduction by 2020 compared to 1990 level. Some commented that it is a very high aim for Japan to cut that much, especially with pressure from the industrial sector (like Keidanren/経団連/Japan Business Federation) and current economic condition.

Whether Japan will succeed on its vision to save the earth, it all depends on the succeeding plan and strategy. Japan is known as one of the most energy efficient in the world, just look to their dedication towards hybrid car and energy efficient air-cond.

Putting Japan outside the frame, how about other major emitters that supposed to take similar or stronger action regarding greenhouse gas emission? United States for example, has been criticized globally for their unwilling act on ratification of Kyoto Protocol, despite their image as the sole power in United Nation. China, who is the largest emitter, has made a better move by ratifying the protocol, but response to critic against their energy policy as unjust and not fair, with regards to their gigantic population (they made one-fifth of total human being on this globe).

It is a good news to know that these powers has started to voice their concern regarding the climate change issue and ready to take necessary action on it. On the other note, topics regarding food and energy security and also world peace need further attention as well. Referring to the speech made my the president of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi on recent United Nation meeting, he called for major reformation in Security Council, quoting the 'Security Council' as 'Terror Council' due to his view that the decision taken by Security Council does not reflect the stand point of the other 192 member of United Nation. And as expected, Gaddafi's speech has been lambasted by African and Middle East media for the reason he did not mention anything about climate change in spite of the focus of the meeting.

If we look at Malaysia as another sample study case, comparing the verbal action voiced over and physical action taken with regards to any issues of concern, you will observe a high discrepancy there. Issue regarding illegal immigrants has been in the media for ages, with thousands of response and opinions heard. But I would feel sorry to realize nothing much has been done to solve it.

Being vocal is necessary. Taking action is undeniably would be much better.

Will the great powers unite to tackle the climate issue? Finger crossed.
Will the world be at peace forever like the Snow White ending? I doubt it would be possible in recent years to come.
Will the illegal immigrant issue in Malaysia be solved? A stronger reinforcement would do (I am an immigrant myself now in this foreign land, but at least I'm legal)
Will I manage to complete the essay in Japanese? Maybe I should just translate this thing back to Japanese. Sigh.

Post Raya Thoughts

2009-09-22T13:00:00.004+09:00

It is second day of Raya and here I am at lab, connecting to the Internet since I lost my connection at home (serve me right for stealing, sigh). Too lazy to upload Eid pics to Facebook, instead I spend the day reading the news and blogs I missed since last week. Not much of updates, in Japan mostly it's all about the new Hatoyama line up and his plan to cut out CO2 up to 25%. The new environment minister, Sakihito Ozawa would soon pass the basic bill to Diet regarding the emission trading system and environment tax to meet Hatoyama emission vision.

And my fingers not really in the mood of typing. In my mind now:
1. internet connection at home (thinking of NTT Flets Hikari),
2. English teaching certification,
3. Copenhagen and aurora trip (watching aurora in front of my eyes is one of my life must-see list and I always want to backpack to Scandinavian country albeit its crazy super expensive cost), 4. Olympus Pen EP-1 (oh, that Panasonic GF1 looks good too),
5. autumn peacoat at Hanjiro (definitely must buy),
6. United Arrows's Green Label Relaxing chronograph (surprised to know their sunglass and wrist accessory collection are not that expensive),
7. walk around Ochanomizu neighborhood (to look for sax and some cheap CD title include My Favourite Ennio Morricone presented by Junichiro Koizumi) and Ueno.
8. Panasonic essay contest (still deciding what to write though, sigh)

On another note, Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood is awesome. Still few chapters more to complete, what a difficult book to put down. Murakami Haruki definitely one of my favourite author to date, especially in modern Japanese literature. Really can't hardly wait to be able to read his pieces in Japanese though I know that need a lil bit of hard work (kanji, and so on, sigh again)

I'm trying my very best to stop listening to Raya songs this few days, but still can't stop listening to Amy Mastura's Setahun Sekali

and Black Dog Bone's Cahaya Aidilfitri.

And the new Yuzu's Niji comes in between.

Have a lovely day everyone.

Eid Mubarak, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Lebaran

2009-09-18T15:04:00.002+09:00

(picture from my own collection, taken during Panasonic Orientation for new scholars, April 2009)

Two days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Or known globally as Eid or some called it Lebaran. I am not coming back to Malaysia and celebrate Eid there this year because I just feel that it is better for me to stay here since I already know the feeling of celebrating Eid back home. And back home, I come to realize that I am no longer have 'kampung' like I used to back in childhood days, since my grandmother of my mom side passed away few years back. And my grandmonther from my dad side is no longer stay in Johor, she's in KL now.

It has been a while since I feel any joy celebrating Raya. For me, every year, Raya turned out to be a simple celebration, our small family just celebrate it in KL and everyone knows what KL should look like during Raya days, empty and spacey. And ever since I celebrate it, for me Raya always has this sad image, depressed and melancholic songs (although there are cheerful Raya songs out there, but my mind always associate the feel of Raya with sorrowful feel). And for that I take it that I didn't really appreciate Raya as I supposed to 25 years back.

But I do have beautiful memories during Raya. They said Raya is for the kids, and I can't hardly argue that is so true. My childhood Raya memories was always look beautiful in my mind, the joy of balik kampung (going back to hometown of dad and mum side), spending the time with cousins and relatives, glorious Raya foods, fireworks and awesome TV shows. And not forgotten the euphoria feel of getting duit Raya. But year by year, when I start to grow up, the feel is slowly fade away, left me with the feel of assuming that Raya just like other ordinary holiday in my life.

This year marks my first Raya celebration away from family, abroad. To think it will be the same feeling like previous years, I don't dare to make any pre-assumptions yet. But I do miss my family, friends and somehow the sensation of Raya back in Malaysia. Some said you will appreciate thing more when you lost it. Which I feel so true.

"Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri buat mak, abah and adik di Kuala Lumpur. Kupohon kemaafan zahir dan batin andai ada tersilap kata mahupun perbuatan. Tidak lupa juga buat saudara-mara, teman-teman akrab, sahabat handai yang mengenali diri ini. Semoga Hari Raya tahun ini lebih berkat dan menjadikan diri kita insan yang lebih baik dan berkualiti daripada sebelumnya"
-Fid Anuar, Tokyo, Japan September 2009

Ada Apa Dengan Nagoya?

2009-09-09T21:46:00.004+09:00

(picture taken from flickr@sinkdd)
Summer will be leaving us soon, goodbye heat, and welcome coldness. Welcome chilly wind, welcome melancholy.

And I will be leaving Tokyo tomorrow, to one place called Nagoya/名古屋. Interesting fact about Nagoya:

1. Stuck between Tokyo and Osaka, it is one of the most populous area in Japan after Tokyo-Yokohama and Osaka-Kobe region.
2. I have been informed that it is also one of the area where girl is said to be uglier than other part in Japan (日本三大ブス), the other two includes girl from Sendai/仙台 and Mito/水戸. No pun intended anyway. So, where have all the beautiful girls gone? They are all said to be concentrated in Akita/秋田, Kyoto/京都 (the reason why it is famous for geishas maybe?) and Ishikawa/石川, three areas called 日本三大美人 in Japanese. Boys, now you know the place of interest to visit when you're in Japan.
3. Contrary to the above fact (if I can call it a fact), the cost for wedding ceremony in Nagoya is the the most expensive in Japan. A contradictory statement I reckon. Uglier girl costs you more money in Japan. Again folks, no pun intended. I'm just making a conclusion based on the pool of information I received from local friend.
4. Home to one of the largest automotive industry in the world, Toyota. Nagoya also base to many manufacturing company in Japan, instead of textile image for Malaysian. Oh, Nagoya also the birthplace of pachinko, the Japanese version of pinball.

Welcoming autumn, I am expecting beautiful yellowish leaves on ground, more attractive wool sweaters and cardigans and also a pair of Timberland boot. More on fashion talk, UNIQLO, the Japanese version of Gap is going chic with their recent collaboration with Jil Sanders, in a project called +J UNIQLO.

And Armani Xchange watches and shades are super attractive. Not within my current budget anyhow, I should stop dreaming and read more books.

Off to Nagoya people. I'll be reading Miyuki Miyabe's All She Was Worth and Murakami Haruki's Norwegian Wood and listening to Arashi's One Love, With You I'm Born Again by Mariah Carey and John Legend, Yuzu's new single, Niji and my favourite Kobukuro's pieces, Niji/虹 and Toki no Ashioto/時の足音 along the journey. At least as a replacement to food I cannot consume during Ramadhan. The travelogue will be posted after the journey.

On Holy Scriptures

2009-09-04T12:12:00.003+09:00

I didn't go to the lab today because I'm waiting for the postman to deliver my halal meat to my door. And suddenly my door bell chimes, and when I open my front door, two 40-ish Japanese lady stand in front of me and greet.

They are actually Christian missionaries. It is pretty normal sight in Japan especially during weekend that these missionaries come knocking your door and preaching about Bible and Christianity. Some people might be annoyed, and that including me because I don't like to be disturbed during my own personal quality time. But being me, I am not that rude to simply ignoring these people or reject them away.

So there I was. Listening to their words and voice out my thoughts here and there. And they look surprised because they said they rarely heard about Islam in Japan, let alone seen any Quran with Japanese translation. I quickly bring my Quran (but with Indonesian translation), and they totally amazed to see Quran for the first time. I said I will try to find Quran with Japanese translation and give them to read next time.

Later I found myself thinking, where have all the Islam missionaries been? I encounter few situations before regarding local people who really wants to know certain issues about Islam to solve their religion conundrum and since they know I am Muslim, they seek the answer from me. I admit I myself not a good resource but I'm trying my best to explain. Muslim is not a big community in Japan, but I think it would be much better if people who concern to know more about Islam can easily access Japanese website that can provide them with true and authentic information they looking for. And since many local here browse the Internet from their 携帯/keitai/mobile phone, a website accessible from mobile phone would be very informative indeed. Any website to recommend? Wikipedia excluded please.

And now where I can buy the Quran with Japanese translation in Tokyo?

Landslide and Responsibility

2009-09-02T11:19:00.005+09:00

(picture taken from Linda Sieg's Reuters blog)

I am not gonna talk about any disaster or whatnot but more about the current political updates here in Japan. As some of you already read the news, Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ, Minshutō - 民主党) lead by Yukio Hatoyama has won the Lower House election on 30th August 2009. This marks a new history in Japan political landscape where the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, Jimintō - 自民党) who had ruled Japan since its formation in 1955 (post-war period) had lost goverment, and only manage to win 26.7% of lower house of Diet of Japan's seat.

That means a landslide victory for Hatoyama and his party, DPJ. And following normal Japanese response towards responsibility, Taro Aso is going to step down as LDP leader to take full responsibility for his party's defeat.

I'm not normally blog about politic since my topic of interest ranges from music, movie and daily personal stuff. Although I love to read about environment and sustainability things, still I'm not really keen to blog about those two topics either. All this while my life has been exposed to Malaysian political scene (since my dad is a huge fan of that :p), but I rather label Malaysia political milieu is a bit disappointing.

Nevertheless, observing foreign political process when I have the chance to (since here is where I'm studying now) is somehow interesting, with regards to comparing it with our political scene back in Malaysia. Watching all parties campaign in mass media (each parties have their own TV commercial, and equal coverage in news).

It is somehow feel like deja-vu to see DPJ landslide victory over LDP as the most recent election in Malaysia seen a close call to that situation. The different part is just UMNO, the Malaysia's ruling party since our independence in 1957 was not defeated, but lost its two third majority, the first time in our history as well. And Pak Lah didn't stepped down immediately in response to that.

Albeit their triumph over the current election, most Japanese I known (and went voting) says they're not really happy Hatoyama wins. They're quite unsure whether DPJ has enough financial ability to perform what they promised in their manifesto, and in today's Yomiuri Shinbun survey shown 66% respondents believe LDP will regain back their power, just mere 2 days after election. Frustration and exasperation aside, now people have to wait for the next 4 years to elect the government again.

Thus, place your vote wisely. Not based on manifestos, emotions, branding or image.

Cool fact: Taro Aso known for his fond interest in comics and anime, and Yukio Hatoyama is known as E.T (the alien) among his supporters and opposition alike.

The Sun Shines, After The Storm

2009-08-30T02:39:00.003+09:00

PROLOGUE: Al-Fatihah to the late Yasmin Ahmad and Asri Ibrahim. May Allah blesses their soul. For all the good deeds they did to our world and humankind.

And I am finally back at blogging. After months of dreadful life.

All praises to Allah, I pass the entrance exam and officially belong here. Although some people said the entrance exam is just a formality to be accepted in, but I know I had tried my best and worked very hard for it. And for sure now, I feel liberated that I already passed one stage of my life here.

Another six months to go before I started my postgraduate course. Six months full of plans. Six months packed with pursuing my interests, exploring cultures, learning new stuffs. And start thinking about the direction of my research.

I am a man of planning. Detailed and organized. Not a multitasker. Some people said it complicated and wasting time, but I can't helped being myself because it's in my gene. I prefer to do job one at a time. And since I settled with the exam thing, now is the time for doing the next task and make it work.

In my list include: back at blogging (let this be the first post to start with), resume my reading list (The Second World: How Emerging Powers Are Redefining Global Competition in The Twenty-first Century by Parag Khanna is on my currently reading status), continue yoga (my last stretch is last year, what a long time. Miss the pretzel-ing moment), prepare for JLPT Level 2 this December and aiming to read Murakami Haruki's 1Q84 (of course in Japanese, so far no English translation yet) at least by the time I pass JLPT Level 1 next year. Pick up at least one blowing instrument before April next year, jazz saxophone is in my mind now. So much of a list, I questioned myself whether I can keep up with that or not.

But no harm listing, I said to myself. Having goals is way better than having nothing at all. Than living aimlessly.

I am happy and content that all of you are here with me; families, friends and acquaintances. We might not living within reach, but somehow I can feel the connection to make me less feel that I am so far away from home.

"My yesterdays are all boxed up and neatly put away
But every now and then you come to mind
Cause you were always waiting to be picked to play the game
But when your name was called, you found a place to hide
When you knew that I was always on your side"
-Always On Your Side by Sheryl Crow feat. Sting, 2005.

EPILOGUE: August 2006, London, United Kingdom. The moment when my life ended, and started again.

One Month

2009-07-25T00:39:00.004+09:00

It's been ages since I update anything here, pardon me for being so busy with mathematics and studies (like that is something bad to do, sigh). My entrance exam will be one month from now. And I already prepared my research plan presentation slide and receive a good feedback from fellow labmates and my supervisor. I really hope everything will turn out well (of course with the math too :p)

So what I am going to confront in this entrance exam? Starting on 25th August, until the following four days, I will face TOEFL in the first day, written examination (comprises of 300 words environmental essay and two questions that can be chosen from math, physics, chemistry, biology and geoscience-time duration 2.5 hours) on the second day, five minutes presentation on research plan and undergraduate thesis on the third day, and the last day for interview and results!

So wish me luck people!

There are so many things I want to update, but I just don't have energy to write to tell you the truth. My life everyday is full of numbers and math formula cheat sheets, that utterly complete my lost of words. During my hiatus I have been to Kansai (Osaka region, which includes Kyoto, Hyogo, Kobe, Wakayama and the surrounding area), been to Universal Studios in Osaka, watched my first Kabuki performance in National Theatre in Hanzomon, Tokyo and many more things. My elaborate updates will only begin after the exam ended people, so just hang in there.

On another matter, I received an sms about Yasmin Ahmad passed away and was totally shocked. Thank God the rumor was not true, and apparently she stopped breathing after a stroke attack during her presentation in TV3 and now stabilizes to coma. My prayer for her, ya Allah. I really love the endless creative idea that comes from her movie and commercial.

My favourite Yasmin Ahmad movie is still Gubra. I remember I watched it four times in cinema (yes, I was that pathetic) and I still remember the ending part dearly.

Beautiful.

And from the same movie, comes my favourite line from Malaysian movie, the script when the people from different faith prays and that time you realize that no matter what God do you pray for, we all still pray for the happiness in life and forgiveness of all the sin we had done.

"Have mercy on me, oh God...
Maka ampunilah bagi kami segala dosa kami
According to your unfailing love
According to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions, wash away all my iniquity,
dan hapuskanlah dari kami segala kejahatan kami
and cleanse me from my sin
Wahai Tuhan kami,
berikanlah pada kami apa yang telah Engkau janjikan melalui Rasul Mu
dan janganlah hinakan kami pada Hari Kiamat
Sesungguhnya Engkau tidak menyalahi janji"

-Gubra, Yasmin Ahmad 2006 (the English lines come from Psalm 51, and the Malay part comes from Ali-Imran 192-194).

Life Consists of Cycle

2009-07-05T11:28:00.003+09:00

Short rants, short rants...

I just could not figure out the right title to fill the empty space in the title field, so let it be. I am super busy with maths, Panasonic Summer Seminar (going for 8 hours bus ride to Kyoto tomorrow's night!) in Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture, Tanabata Party in Kashiwanoha Future Village (I am sooo looking forward to 花火/hanabi/fireworks tonight, but the 梅雨/tsuyu/rainy season makes me worried)

It's already July and there will be only one month and few weeks left before the 入学試験/nyuugaku shiken/university entrance exam in August. Wish me all the best in the world people! I really have to pass this, so that I feel totally belong here!

...and to make all my other plan works out.

I saw Natsuo Kirino's new novel, In in Kinokuniya Nagareyama last few days and contemplating to buy it. It is in Japanese of course ;p. The Summer sale craze already started here, and I manage to do some quick bargain. Love my new silver snickers from Zara!

Away to Kansai region peeps! Will be back next Sunday, and the entrance exam mode will be switch on to full blast after that!

Later.

Rest in Peace, Michael Joseph Jackson 1958-2009

2009-06-27T11:38:00.004+09:00

I woke up yesterday and did my usual routine, breakfast and coffee, reading news Utusan Malaysia, Yomiuri Shimbun and Reuters online. But before I managed to type the URL and press enter, Najib buzzed me through IM.

'Michael Jackson has gone'

I was numb as usual. No feeling. I know he is like the King of Pop and the most phenomenal thing this music industry can offer. But I just woke up from sleep and didn't have the mood to feel lost.

But, it would be a lie if I don't feel moved at all. Being 80's baby, I grew up listening to his songs. I agree I ain't really a die hard fan, but some of his songs somehow blends in me.

I personally love him back in The Jackson 5 days. The era where he is still young, naive kids who hasn't done any weird changes to his face yet. It reminds me much about my childhood years. Listening to 'I'll be There' brings a lot of glowing memories inside me.

It was very unfortunate for him to not able to make the comeback before he passed away. The bankruptcy issue and many other lawsuit against him did make me sad. And when he said he wants to embrace Islam and live in Middle East, I can feel the joy felt by his Muslim fan.

So long MJ. Rest in peace.

"Even though the pain and heartache
Seems to follow me wherever I go
Though I try and try to hide my feelings
They always seem to show
Then you try to say you're leaving me
And I always have to say no..."
-Never Can Say Goodbye, The Jackson 5, 1971.

The Sunao MInd

2009-06-18T00:32:00.005+09:00

I had read 'The Art and Wisdom of Management: His Life and Management Philosophy' by Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic and Matsushita Corporation. And it is not just my other normal reading, which I do just to fill my empty pastimes and to kill the time, this one is more like a homework. I need to submit a report, sort of a blurb and comment regarding the management style of Matsushita-san and a bit about the history of his life.

One of the Matsushita management style is 'Sunao' mind. Sunao, as described by Matsushita-san himself that there is no direct translation for the word in English, is actually the level of human mind where it becomes free, transparent and able to decide and think without any prejudice. The sunao mind, he said, is the main factor for Matsushita successful business and management style all this while. He claimed that by having sunao mind, it had give him the opportunity to decide the best decision for his company and business, no matter how hard the economic and political situation that affect the business.

I found Matsushita-san philosophy has many similarities with the Islamic philosophy of life. By having unbiased and no prejudice mentality and state of mind. By having the attitude that everyone has their own responsibilities to the society. And to know that everyone has their own limitation and thus, don't go overboard.

It saddened me to realize that some Muslim doesn't even practice this philosophy in their life, let alone in their business. It frightened me even more to realize that some Muslim do the total opposite things than one's should follow in Islamic way, but then claimed their wrong act to be Islamic. What a shame.

I was at first thought that this one will just end up as other normal assignments and normal report writings. Man, was I wrong. I finished the last page with new perspective of life, a fresh thoughts on my mission, and of course, seed of a sunao mind just started growing inside of me.

p/s-
1. On a more personal note, I'm still busy revising my math for the entrance exam this August. がんばれ，がんばれ，もっとがんばれ！
2. Done with Murakami Haruki's Kafka on The Shore. Awesome, my big applause. Really wanna read his latest 1Q84. Really.

I Come With The Rain

2009-06-01T00:37:00.003+09:00

It is almost impossible for me to skip this. I am a big fan of Takuya Kimura, Josh Hartnett and Shawn Yue and all of them is in this movie. Finally something to anticipate to drag my lazy bones to Japan's cinema.

Wind Blows and The Day Goes By

2009-05-29T10:08:00.002+09:00

Forgive me for being a lazy blogger. I did have a lot of fun in my life during my hiatus time, but my sluggish trait just hold my thoughts from being spilled here for much a longer time.

One of the big and major news clouding over Tokyo is the past few weeks include the spreading case of swine influenza in Kantou area (Kantou covers the Tokyo and its suburbs area), starting with Hachioji and Kawasaki. Both areas are located near Yokohama and Kanagawa Prefecture, which is pretty far from my location in Chiba and Kashiwa. But the fast H1N1 virus spreaded fast to Saitama Prefecture in just mere days, and since Saitama is even closer to Chiba, supposedly I think, the time has come to get freaky.

But apparently it was not. The number of people wearing mask in the train or in the busy street of Shibuya is just normal, and it is perhaps due to the slowing outbreak (I think there is no more new cases reported around Kantou, and the government starts to announce that things are getting better). Nevertheless, the virus is still around, so it is better to stay safe and alert.

I am currently on a marathon run of reading all Murakami Haruki's psychotic fiction but since my life is more preoccupied of academic thesis, IPCC reports and IEA journals, the fiction reading activity has been slowing down a bit. Murakami's new anticipated novel, 1Q84 (which can be pronounced as 1984 in Japanese) is a hit before it even reaches the bookstore's shelf. The publisher got 480,000 orders for first run copy and that is really quite a number. Too bad I still haven't attempted to read any Japanese fictions yet, so I can only let my finger crossed on 1Q84 to be translated to English as soon as possible.

On a more personal note, the entrance exam is getting near. I really need get my hands done on every essential mathematics before the burden comes.

Wish me luck and have a nice day.

ps. picture of 1Q84 in bookstores, courtesy of Japan Times/AP

City of Cyclist

2009-05-17T19:25:00.003+09:00

Sunday is always on lazy mode for me, and I believe for everyone else too. The cloudy, rainy and windy weather here in Kashiwa make the feel even stronger. I love sipping the coffee at home and watching the minutes go by, just like that. Unproductive, you tell me, but somehow I feel good doing that.

I had a busy and full of activity last week where I need to present two papers in my lab's seminar. The first one is about McKinsey&Co.'s Pathway to Low Carbon Economy paper and the second one os International Energy Agency's Carbon Capture and Storage paper. The former paper is all about economic terms and et cetera, so I had a tough time wiki-ing and googling all those terms. Both presentations went well though. Praise to Allah.

My university campus ground supposedly had a BBQ party last week but it was canceled due to crazy wind in Kashiwa. God, I never feel this windy before. It almost made me change the lane in my bicycle ride. Oh yes, I have the bicycle now. Just like I want it, slightly smaller 20-inch type. So cute, just like the rider.

I found the video about Copenhagen City of Cyclist promo and I find it absolutely cool. Bicycle is a normal transportation here in Japan although everyone knows Japan is one big leader in automotive manufacturer. I certainly feel it is good if Malaysia should be the same, everyone cycles to work/school everyday, less traffic congestion and lesser carbon emission, of course.

Copenhagen - City of Cyclists from Colville Andersen on Vimeo.

Oh I'm listening to the free tracks of Coldplay from the album of Left Right Left Right. Awesome tracks and it's free! Download now from here. Can't wait to watch them in action if they come here in Tokyo.

May is already halfway and it means my time for preparing for the entrance exam is getting less and less day by day. I really need to focus and getting my nerves back on math.

ps. My June want list grows to Levi's skinny jeans, Muji yoga mat and clothing, francfranc laundry basket, and stuff from ettusais men and Lush handmade cosmetics!

pss. Kansai region (specifically Kobe prefecture) has their first H1N1 influenza case. Don't you dare to hit Kantou, Mr. Influenza. Please.