Japanese Journalist Killed in Syria: My thoughts

Now, I just turned 20 years old and I'm not exactly very knowledgeable in the areas of politics and world peace. Frankly because I'm just not that interested in these topic. It irks me, for some reason. However, after stumbling upon a news of a Japanese journalist killed in Syria, I felt compelled to share my thoughts and opinion to these matters.

I was watching the news halfway and they showed this video of a Japanese lady, a journalist who is reporting in the midst of violence and shooting. I later found out that this was in Syria and the video shown was the last clip of her reporting. She was shown to give some warnings to the people nearby of armed people coming and even interviewed some civilians along the way. Somewhere in the middle of the video, she was missing and later a clip showing people carrying a body wrapped in a long, black plastic bag in the hospital. That body was her. And her name is Mika Yamamoto. For more detailed information, Click this link.

I have no idea why I was particularly intrigued by her death. It's not like she's the first ever journalist to be ever killed. I've seen and read some news of reporters and journalists that lost their lives while reporting at these dangerous countries. Perhaps it was her appearance and her gender, a lady who spoke with a polite-sounding voice and the fact that the clip was actually her few hours before the very end of her life.
In another news article, a rebel fighter said, "I hope that these countries that have not been moved by Syrian blood will be moved by the blood of their people." He's been upset by the lack of action from other countries and international bodies, so it's understandable that he uttered these words.

I guess what drawn me to this particular news was that here is a woman, who had been through and reported at least two notable wars. She wanted to report to show the world of the sufferings behind these wars and conflict that can easily be overlooked by leaders and politicians around the world. I respect her bravery, as well as other journalist and reporters that risked their lives, and some that died while on duty, to go these conflict-filled and dangerous countries for the sake of showing the world the reality and grueling truth of the suffering of the people and how severe the war is.

I really do not understand why war occur, just as most normal people do. Why would war even happen in the first place? Is it for the people? For freedom? For the nation? For the people? Yet these all came at the expense of innocent lives. What is so good about war? That the invaluable lives of people are traded? Will war ever end? Can we even prevent war from happening in the future?

It's choongjaeday :)

It's choongjaeday, a.k.a Jun Jin's birthday today. That's the chosen trending word for this year. Sadly it only trended in Singapore only, unlike SmallChilliBongDay, which trended at least both in Singapore and Malaysia.

There's this fanproject where we can send either messages (in any language), pictures or videos to a @Shinhwa_Updates in Twitter and they put all of that into a birthday video tribute. Keke, nice to see my message's not left out.

2012 Happy Birthday Junjin! My message is at 7:35 ^^. Credits goes to ShinhwaForeverSF

I actually summarized that message because I was afraid I might have got carried away and wrote a letter instead of a message. =.= So, I'll just write my full message here instead.

Park Choong Jae, you, who lived up to your other well-known name, Jun Jin.
I must admit, when I first know Shinhwa back when I was a mere 14 year old girl, I hated the sight of you.
I thought you were too cocky and arrogant. For this, I must apologize my young and immature self, for you are much, much different from my first impression.
This year, when I looked at the very first new pic of Shinhwa's comeback, I was struck by your easy smile and handsome looks. This is before I'm obsessed with Shinhwa again. As I watch more old and new videos, as well as Shinhwa Broadcast, you turned out to be someone who is quite happy-go-lucky.
Though you looked extremely handsome and manly, yet you love to do aegyo and many other weird stuff for the sake of variety and laughter.
Though your Shinhwa members tend to make fun, teased or pranked you, you take it all in without bothering much.
Your trusting and slight naive nature... Your competitiveness... There are so many sides of you which I had failed to see few years ago.

Park Choong Jae, you have been through a lot in your life... and from such a young age even.
Yet you continue to move forward, through the ups and downs.
With that frequent smile on your face, you braved on and even joked around along the way.
Just to put everyone, your loved ones, Shinhwa members, fans, at ease.
With that, I have come to respect and adore you.

On this special day, may all your wishes come true. I'm sure currently you're glued to your phone, messaging to that special someone, no? ;) Hopefully this special someone would ended up to be your loved one for the rest of your life. I look forward to hear happy news from you, you who deserved it more than anyone else.

Park Choong Jae oppa, saranghae. ^_^

Mini pic/gif spam.

All pics and gifs do not belong to me, I took them from Tumblr. Credits to the original owner~ :)

Another Pensive Mood...

Ever since I came to stay in Penang, I have been spending most of my time in front of my laptop and cooped up at home. Since I'm somewhat in a pensive mood, I shall try to recount what have I been doing, why I ended up like this and what I really want to do in my life.

I live with my relatives and almost everyday is pretty lively, with all my cousins and aunts visiting the house on an almost daily basis. They do have a close-knit relationship, even though my five aunts tend to argue with each other, especially my 2nd and 4th aunt. I'm not used to this sort of lifestyle. In Brunei, I live a quite introverted lifestyle. After school, I will stay in my room for most of the time, blasting music from my laptop, trying (but failed miserable countless times) to rearrange my stuff and tidy up my room, reading my book whenever I'm in the mood, have my nap... I did almost everything inside my room. I don't even eat dinner with my parents, we don't have that habit of eating together. Mom gets hungry easily, Dad comes home quite late from work, and me, well I may be asleep, so we usually eat separately at separate times. I do go out sometimes, hanging out with my friends, especially during Form Sixth where most of us are separated and we tried to meet up whenever someone came back from overseas. My parents and I don't go out too, like going out shopping or just travelling. I don't like that therefore I'm always the one left at home. At the time when we moved to a new house and I had my own room (like finally), I discovered there's a WiFi service at my house area and I finally have Internet in my own house, when I was 16 years old btw. So I was really fascinated by the Internet starting from there on.

I came to Penang for my degree studies. My parents, especially my Dad, seems to think it was the best possible decision for me. In Penang, it's quite an extroverted lifestyle here. Youngsters tend to went out after classes, especially college/uni students, who most of them have driver's license and their own transports. Whenever I opened my Facebook, I saw my coursemates' status or uploaded photos. They usually went out together or with their own friends, living life and having fun.

And me?

I have to look after my brother, who has epilepsy and is also really naughty. I do not have much friends too, which is why I seldom went out. My friends, have their own friends too, and boyfriends, and work, so they do not have much time for me. That's okay. I don't blame them. My only haven is my laptop, my books and Shinhwa (recently). My aunts tend to scold me about this. I know. Really. I know that this is unhealthy, that I should go out, try new things... do something, rather than rotting at home in front of my laptop.

But I think and think again, what can I do? First, there's slight language barrier, I can't speak Hokkien nor do I understand much of it. And most of the people here preferred to speak in Hokkien. I do not own my own transport, can't really go anywhere. Third, I have to look after my brother, as I had mentioned in the above paragraph. My 2nd aunt always scolded me, saying I should go out... the way she scold me is really spiteful. She's the main reason why I'm so unhappy here. Until now, I still can't seem to warm up to this place.

There are many things I really want to do now and during my 20s. I want to travel around the world, especially European countries. I want to buy a decent camera and take pics of all the scenery when I go travelling next time. I want to learn archery, learn another language, especially Korean, Japanese and French. I want to learn how to cook, I want a bookshelf where I can proudly display my vast collection of books. I wonder when I finally can take flight away from this oppression and finally be free to make decisions of my own. I do hope at least by the end of this year, I will be able to find a part-time job, make my own bank account and finally be able to buy Shinhwa albums and DVDs online. Lol.

It's SmallChilliBongDay!!!

It's SmallChilliBongDay!!! It's this year trending word in commemoration for Shinhwa Lee Min Woo's birthday. Why small chilli, you may wonder? Why, watch Shinhwa Broadcast (specifically Ep 19) and you will get your answer? XD It's a quintessential ShinChangs trolling. Haha~

I admit, few years back I never really liked Minwoo. I thought he was kinda cocky for some reason (WTF WAS I THINKING BACK THEN). Now, I love him and the rest of the members just all the same. His eye-smile are to die for. Sigh~ And he's ships himself with every Shinhwa members. King of fanservice, not to mention his dancing skills. Seriously jjang!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FOREVER OUR COOL GUY!!!

Me: Minwoo oppa-ya

???

Me: Happy Birthday~! ^ ^

^_^

Kanji b!

Thanks! :D

Me: I got a present for you! ^ ^

HOOOOOOOOOO!!! (this gif is too epic XD)

PRESENTS!!!

Me: Close your eyes~ ^^

Ok.

Me: And your ears too~

Ok. 

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?!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: YOU'VE BEEN TROLLED HAHAHA!!!

T T

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 Few days later

I'm gonna do a runway~

Me: WOOT!

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It's M Style

Me: !!!!!!!!!!!!

Stupid! =P

Me: T T

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 Ok, time to get real.

Me: KYAHHHHHHH OPPA-YA!!!!!!!! DAEBAK!!!

Psh.

That's why I'm Lee Min Woo. *charisma*

Disclaimer: Picture all credits to the original owner. I'm just borrowing these and by no means claim them as mine. :) Cheers~

There comes a time...

"There comes a time when people get tired of being trampled over by the iron feet of oppression."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Officially Entering Life in Twenties

It's my birthday today. Well, it's a pretty ordinary day to be honest. Bought myself three books and one bookmark as a present to myself, went to Starbucks and found out I got to redeem a free slice of cake this month, so got myself a blueberry cheesecake. I must say, it's pretty good! The blueberry jam wasn't too sour, it was just at the right taste. The cheese wasn't too concentrated and the bottom base biscuit part was not too hard. There's some slight crunch yet soft enough while eating it. It's even better than Secret Recipe's one.

This morning my dad called me and at the same time informed my 4th aunt that it's my birthday. I had no expectations from my aunts anyways since they only celebrate the Chinese birthday. On that day then they will give me red packets. So I guess my 4th aunt told my other aunts it's my birthday today because my 5th aunt called me and asked me what cake flavour I like and whether hazelnut is fine with me. I was kinda flustered and kept thinking "!!! DAD!!!" In the end she bought it anyways and then we had a really awkward mini birthday celebration for me, with three aunts and two of the cousins I'm most awkward with. Also took some pics. Gah so awkward!!! XD But then I appreciate the effort. ^^;; And the cake is pretty. Maybe I'll edit this post next time with the picture, since the pictures were taken with my 2nd aunt's Ipad.

In the afternoon I kinda got depressed actually. I was at the mall on the way to Starbucks and I kept seeing some senior citizens. It got me thinking. Due to personal reasons, I don't actually plan to get married. But then when I'm old in the future, no one will be able to take care of me. I would be slow in movement and have to use a cane to support myself while walking. Thinking about these made me really depressed. But enough about that for now!

So now, how I'm planning to spend the remaining hours of my birthday?

Why, some Shinhwa videos marathon would be lovely! Go Go Go *imitates Hyesung's voice*

"Your life is a gift from the Creator. Your gift back to the Creator is what you do with your life."

Billy Mills

The Chamber of Secrets has opened. 4 chapters to be exact. And stay tune, myHogwarts!

So Slytherin won the House Cup for the first year and they were awarded exclusive access to the first four chapters of The Chamber of Secrets in Pottermore, 24 hours earlier before it's made public. Now, it's already opened to the public and I, naturally, already explored the four chapters.

I must say, Pottermore definitely had improved. They had included mini-games in some of the moments (two to be exact). If within four chapters, we already have 2 mini games, can you imagine the possibilities of more mini-games in the remaining chapters? I shall remain positive. =)

I'm also loving the new information by J.K. Rowling. Again, she never fail to amaze me with her brilliance in making what seems like a mundane information into something really interesting. And Malfoy fans, rejoice, we have more insight and history of this family so do check it out.

On the other hand, myHogwarts is finally about to be opened to public! To be exact, it's today. But then I read somewhere in Facebook that the courses won't be implemented until further notice. I believe maybe sometime in September? Shame, that's basically what attracted me to myHogwarts anyways, the classes and assignments. At least the library remains. Gonna check it out to see how it is, but since the classroom feature won't be available until, at most, September, don't think myHogwarts gonna keep my interest for that long. Oh! But then there's book discussions... hmm, ok maybe I shall stay there longer and meet new people. ^_^

Quote of the Day: Can you really...

“Can you really give an explanation on why one person falls in love with another? Isn’t it something that just happens?”

- Noh Hee-kyung (Korean screenwriter)

Changed my blog's background, so what's next?

Ok, I had done some changes to my blog, using an orange scheme this time. Inspired by my re-newfound love for Shinhwa of course (Shinhwa's official colour is orange ^^). I'm not that fully satisfied of how my header looks so maybe I will modify that next time. Shall add more songs too to my playlist. Love the new playlist. Simplistic and function wells~

Since March, I've been bookmarking tons of Shinhwa-related stuff in Google Chrome. And I've yet to sort those bookmarks out till this day. I think I have thousands of bookmarks... -_- *shudders at the thought of tackling those*

Few months ago I also proposed a challenge to myself. Well, that's not going well too since I'm too busy with Shinhwa updates everyday. Though I must say, now that Shinhwa is back, I have more reasons to smile. Additionally, whenever I'm depressed, I would just watch any Shinhwa's video and my mood would improved~ ^^

July... SHOOT! Missed out blogging during the month of June =.=

Oh shoot! I thought I posted one post in June. Ugh, time really flies. I've been way too preoccupied by Shinhwa these past months. It's insane! I can't believe I'm back to my extreme fangirl-ism life. Ah well, I do hope Shinhwa will be the last and only group I stan. ^^

It's the month of July already. Time really flies (I wonder how many times I repeated that phrase in my blog posts lol). Within days I will finally turn 20. To be honest, I'm not really that enthusiastic about this. Firstly, I'm going to be 20 years old, a young adult, yet my character and personality are still like a child. ._. Second reason, I have no idea when my parents will finally be able to come to Penang again, it's really frustrating how they came up with so many excuses and broke promises so easily. Luckily, I'm used to it, or at least, expected such behaviours from them. Third, I'm kind of in a "hiatus" moment with my college friends (they're all either busy working or dating -.-), and we kinda promised not to celebrate each other's birthday this year (that's because we missed out one of our friends birthday). But then, they have other friends to celebrate their birthday with. And me, very sadly, only have them as my friends. My friends from Brunei (the ones that are currently studying in K.L. in particular) usually had given me false hopes that they'll be coming to Penang for holiday. Yet, in the end, there's no news or any more updates, and hence, the topic is buried and lay forgotten. I don't blame them though, honestly, stuff might have happened. But I would have preferred if they don't tell me at all if they're unsure. I rather be surprised at the unexpected rather than disappointed from expectations.

Ok, enough ranting! Since my birthday falls on a Wednesday, in which I have lecture classes in the morning, I shall spent my birthday in Starbucks with my laptop, a hot cup of coffee (maybe caramel macchiato?) and a slice of cake. As a birthday treat for myself... well, I wanted to buy books, but I have tons of books I haven't read yet. It's crazy how I carelessly spent my money on books every time I visit the bookstores! There has gotta be 20, 30, or even more books which I bought this year and had not even read! Maybe I'll just buy one expensive book then. ^^;;

P.S. I wonder if it seems very pitiful that I listed out my plans of celebrating my birthday... alone. =P