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Misc Announcements:

I have received my first deposit for YUI 3rd Tour Goods order.

Remember that order cut off date is November 10, and all deposits must be collected by November 12.

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Yesterday, this suspicious looking car came to our international student dormitory.



When I entered the dorm from grocery shopping, I saw people in suits and some people were setting up lights, camera and what not.

Being a super busybody, I asked our manager whether if he is going to be an actor or not, and teased another French girl that I'm going to watch her on TV.

Then suddenly, one of the person in charge suggested me to be one of the interviewee, I was like..."but I'm not presentable enough"

And I went back to my room.

I thought, this is a great topic to blog about, so I took my camera, and pretended to go down and throw a bag rubbish. I managed to take a picture before the shooting started.



The person in charge spotted me and he asked me to come in. I was hesitated. After I took that picture above, I was like, what the heck and entered the kitchen.

Yeah, the location was first floor kitchen.

When I entered the room, I was like, "Is that okay for me to enter? Since I'm the only Asian looking person."

Even though the majority of students staying in this dorm are Chinese, they didn't ask any Chinese to be interviewed.

3 French, 1 Swedish, 2 British, 1 American, 1 Danish, 1 Indian,

and one busybody Asian-Chinese looking Malaysian.

I was wondering why all French, because we have German, Mexican, Spanish, Scottish, Slovakian, Samoan, Russian, Australian in our dorm as well. All western looking.

Maybe they didn't have enough time, that's why I can be part of it XD

They asked us to write down our names, age, and nationality. The announcer was like, "Wow, so diverse~"

That kinda made me laughed, at heart. It can be more diverse you know.

Oh the recording is for next week's ZOOM IN!! SUPER by NTV. I'm sure you guys heard of this program, thanks to YUI.

Basically they wanted to know whether foreign students are affected by the recent economy crisis, together with the rise of Japanese yen, what sort of measurement they have taken.

All the while I was just sitting there and listen, because I shy, because I'm Chinese, because I don't feel like using my lousy Japanese or English, because I don't want to waste their tapes.

我有自知之明，不想丢人现眼 = 怕死丢脸

Listening to them talking about how they have to cancel a lot plans, trips, had to stay in the dorm most of the time to prevent using more money, how much their savings had shrunk, I am glad that I don't have to suffer this. I just need to be careful on my spendings so that my concert/travel fund won't go down =x

One of the British student was the 'official' interpreter, he was SOOO good *ashamed* Then another British guy who is in my class purposely used English instead of Japanese lol. After that he told us that he was interviewed by Fuji TV last week and they treated him a big meal after shooting, and we should be paid for appearing on TV instead of getting this only:



After the shooting, as this was my first ever TV shooting experience, I had to get some sort of proof so that I can brag about it in the future. So I approached the announcer and and asked if I could take pictures together with her (she's pretty btw), and she suggested that we take group photos instead.


I was wearing the 3rd Tour hoodie.

I'm a gaijin, so I didn't know who she is. Luckily I asked her name, she said Yoko, and kinda annoyed, because she mentioned her name in the beginning, or maybe because I didn't recognise her since she is an announcer lol.

So I googled: ようこ + 日本テレビ

At first I thought she was this girl, because she is graduated from Waseda, hosts ZOOM IN!! SUPER as well. Hmm the pictures don't really match.

Then I went to the official website of ZOOM IN! SUPER and went through all female presenters in the profile page.

Voila!

She has an interesting profile. Should have kacau her more.

I'm glad that I found the courage to walk back down with a bag of rubbish, if not I won't be witnessing something like westerners talking in super fluent Japanese in real time. Better study + work harder ><

Gotta glue to the TV on next week~

PS: I apologise if I have made any mistakes on nationalities. Sometimes people call me Malayan haha. Tell me if I have made any wrong definitions.

Shibuya Spain-zaka, October 18

First off all, thank you for willing to contribute to my concert/ YUI fund.

I don't have much cash on me, I cannot help you guys order unless I have sufficient fund. Hence a small amount of deposit must be paid before I make any orders.

This is to prevent myself from 'over collecting' YUI 3rd Tour Goods as well.

Malaysia: RM 40 (CIMB or HSBC)
Singapore: SGD 20 (OCBC)
Other Countries: USD 15

Order Cut-Off Date: November 10

Deposit must reach either me or Jie Wei (for Singaporeans) by November 12, if we didn't receive anything from you, your order will be cancelled.

I will order the goods for Lawson after November 12.

Here is the link for the tour goods, and below is the service charge:

< 1900 yen items: 300 yen each
2000~3000 yen items: 500 yen each
Hoodie: 800 yen each

Note that this does not include the shipping charges. Be aware of that. And according to that website, I will get the goods after November 25.

I have appointed a SG representative, Jie Wei. She will be in charge of the payments and what not. If you have any questions regarding on how to pay, email her at: ajiewien@gmail.com

Please convert the amount using this currency converter. The actual amount of the goods will based on the day I make payment. For example, if I paid on October 28, the YUI phone strap will cost SGD 18.96.

Any other enquiries, placing order, please email to: hinfinitie@hotmail.com

As for the fliers below, 100 yen each (First come first serve).



On the left is Sony's latest Walkman line up brochure, YUI is just on the cover only. The other one is VA magazine from Tsutaya, YUI's upcoming album is featured in this magazine.

Happy YUI-ing~

I got this news from CCDDSS that apparently YUI 3rd Tour Goods are still available to order via Lawson.

Check out which tour goods they still have here.

I can pre-order to whoever is interested provided you pay for the shipping and service charge:

< 1900 yen items: 300 yen each
2000~3000 yen items: 500 yen each
Hoodie: 800 yen each (I'm wearing this to school like every day, very warm, not suitable for SG or Malaysia)

I have set the price based on quotations by J-Friends. Note that the price is not including shipping and packaging fees, and whatever bank transaction, money order charges.

You can check for the shipping rates at Japan Post, this is the EMS rate. I'm sending from Tokyo.

Serious buyers only. If Malaysia buyers can send it to HSBC or CIMB bank. For the rest......I need to ask around first.

Right now, I have ordered 5 YUI straps~

And I can go get more of these below if you guys are interested. 100 yen each.



Or any other stuff. The other day I helped someone to get this at convenient store. I had to get it from the counter and the staff was looking at me in a weird way =.=

I'm relying you guys to sponsor me on YUI stuff and my concerts fund haha. I will be going to:

1. GO!GO!7188~~~
2. Chatmonchy!!
3. monobright

For now. Maybe more.

Note: No YUI in this post.


This is not Waseda University.

In case anyone is interested.

Core course:
Intensive Japanese Standard 6

Skill Subjects:
Japanese Pronunciation 6
Japanese Listening Comprehension 7
Japanese Reading Comprehension 6
Japanese Kanji 7
Japanese Oral Expression 6 - Cleared the presentation yesssss. Even though my presentation sucked.
Japanese Written Expression 6
Japanese Functional Sentence Pattern 7 (aka Grammar) - I took two classes, because I'm sick of reading Japanese novels in a super slow speed and only understand half of it.

Japanese Theme Subjects:
Problems in Translation 5-6 (Japanese <-> English)
Reading Japanese Contemporary Literature 6-8 (Haruki Murakami!!)

The numbers indicated are the levels I am taking. I am in level 6, highest is 8 (I'm sure you guys know who is in level 8). I am taking Intensive Japanese Language Program in Waseda University, yeah Monday to Friday, all Japanese.

The downside is I don't have any Japanese classmates =.= I need to look for them in some other places.


I LOVE this library. They have RED carpets inside. And the interior inside make you feel as if you are doing homework/sleeping in some European country.

Basically it is very flexible, you get to choose which skill subjects/theme subjects you like, and if you want to go up/down one level, you can do so as long as you get permission from the lecturer in charge. Besides exchange students (like me), there are independent students who came here to improve their Japanese for various reasons. The difference are:

1. They already graduated from various majors.
2. They might be wiser, more experienced.
3. They need to pay Waseda school fees.


This is THE place to check exam results. They will put up boards on THAT day. Reminds me of Dragon Zakura.

So far the classes are okay, nothing much to be complain/brag about, just that some what we (Bekka students) are having completely different university life than normal Japanese students.

Rumour 1:
Japanese students sleep in the class openly.
I was looking forward to do that but, I can't T.T

Rumour 2:
It is normal to be late for classes.
Some teachers come to classes earlier than students. Haih. Luckily I stay 10 minutes away from school.


Students get to practise in real dojo looking building OMG. Left: Archery, Right: Kendo.

Maybe Bekka is different. Being a loyal reader of All Japanese All The Time and The Linguist, I believe that what we did after class is equally important to increase proficiency (such as YUI-ing, watch jdramas). Since I'm a lazy person, I have to rely on classes, especially grammar. But most of the time, I think that I learn faster, and learn more outside classes. Well, like blogging in Japanese, writing mails in Japanese, listening to a bunch of stuff, watch dramas and shows etc.

Have to show some LOVE to that language. Why can't I do that to Korean language >.<

No matter how good you are, they are always people a lot better than us. Let it be Japanese, guitar, whatever. I used to admire people who can understand Japanese/plays guitar, now that I have reached a certain level, I still think that I suck. Really.

Before entering Waseda University, I always thought that it is so far away. Before knowing anyone from Tokyo University, Cambridge, or maybe Stanford, they seemed to be so high above, but now I get to talk with them, in person. Actually we are all the same (I still think that they are some what different though, because I have never met such 'elite' people ma).

In the end, we just have to find a balance, be humble, but not too humble, if not people will not know the other side of you.


I wonder if sometimes I think too much or being too weird =x

That is the Red Gate (Akamon) of Tokyo University. Imagine passing through this gate everyday. But to Toudai students, it might be just another gate.

Sometimes things look precious when we don't have it, and we tend not to appreciate what we already have.

Now I feel like studying in Toudai instead XD

Which university tour next??

Special thanks to a fellow Malaysian who is studying in Tokyo University for showing me around.

PS: I will reply emails. I will.

There seem to be two free concert on next week =D

Since I last splurged on so many things. Or should I say, I have never done that before. Not with my own money.

My guitar finally arrived~ I thought I might have to wait for another week.

After one year of part timing + waiting, my first ever electric guitar.


The cable is too short ><

I bought all of them from this online store: SOUNDHOUSE, because they offer the lowest price haha.

Fender Japan Standard Telecaster Candy Apple Red - 45,800 yen
Roland Micro Cube Red - 13,500 yen
Foldable Guitar Stand - 800 yen
30 cm long cable - 300 yen (That's the consequence you will get if buying things online and try to be cheap)
Earphone adapter - 80 yen
Free soft case

Plus shipping 2,100 yen, it was total 62,580 yen (RM 2,177).

I shopped for around 2 weeks before I decided which one to buy.

First I went to Ishibashi's store in Ochanomizu with depyon.

Meiji University (YamaPi!! graduated =/) is there, a lot of guitar stores are there as well. Example 1:



Example 2:


This is for ah Vun. I promise to take pictures of real Zemaitissss next time...

I went to try out MIJ Tele and Strat, together with Micro Cube amp (cheap people). Luckily at that time they didn't have Red Tele in stock, so I told them I'll go to Shinjuku's Ishibashi and check it out myself instead XD I actually kinda like the Blue Tele too...and tempted to buy Strat... I wanted to have Chrome Red instead of Candy Apple Red but only made in Mexico (or USA *pukes*) Teles are in Chrome Red..........

Even after one year, I still couldn't really decide which one I want.

So in the end, it is still Telecaster. Because Eriko chan from Chatmonchy uses it, GO!GO!7188's Yuu uses it haha.



Maple neck because YUI likes maple neck. Red because...


monobright concert ticket, Nintendo DS Crimson Red with Red case and the only original 'game' I have (dictionary), Red Hand phone, MPIO mp3 player, I listen to radio, podcasts with this little thing.

I think I've had enough of red.

This is how a guitar beginner buys her first ever electric guitar. It took her one year to get one. I wonder when is she going to get her next guitar.

I need to buy a LONGER cable. Any recommendation? Because I bought the cheapest available and the amp will produce feedback/make sounds if the volume is set a little bit high =/ Is it a cable problem or my electric guitar is too close to the amp, since the cable is damn short.

And and, the earphone/headphone adapter/plug thingy, I can only hear one side of my earphone, did I buy the wrong thing?? No fun if I can only listen to one side...

Right now, I'm trying to love this guitar, still figuring which is the best tone and all, every tone seems to sound a bit weird. I wanted to cover this song, and I think I'm able to watch them in next month =D

Gotta apply for work permit soon, if this continues.

I kinda miss acoustic guitar. Hopefully the French girl in my dorm will get acoustic.

A very big thanks to Darren for all the guitar advices and lending me his guitarsss, Miss Kok for lending her amp, ah Vun for always tabbing stuff so fast, Dennis for accompanying me to Ochanomizu, ah Mel and other guitar mates out there. ROCK ON~!!

Note: My parents paid zero yen for all the stuff mentioned above. They sent me food and Nutella though =3

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Misc YUI Rants:

Yesterday I wanted to record I'll be but I didn't expect that SOL will air the song right after the show starts =.=

I was watching DBSK in YouTube. Aiks. Hotness XD

Luckily lamevil recorded it. Thanks~ =D

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My first ever Haagen-Dazs~

I don't know which Japanese book to read, so I borrowed books that YUI recommended from university library.

YUI mentioned this book by Giniro Natsuo （銀色 夏生）, Mitaka kun to Watashi （ミタカくんと私） in DAVINCI magazine, according to YUI Summary. YUI once said that she doesn't really have preference on which genre to read, sometimes her picks are based on illustrations on book covers.

After reading Mitaka kun to Watashi, I think I know why she picked this book. The cover was drawn by Giniro san himself, there are cute illustrations inside this novel as well, on particular scenes.

These illustrations are good for those who have so-so Japanese reading skill like me, and make it an easy read.

Basically this book is about the daily lives of this high school girl called Namiko, between her family and her neighbour, Mitaka kun. It kinda reminds me of my high school days, the time when we could just sit at home all day doing nothing and got all bored, having no idea our future would be, having no goals, and no targets besides getting good grades.

Nothing much happened in this book, actually. But I kinda like it. There is a sequel, which YUI introduced in B-PASS. Hyoutan kara Sora （ひょうたんから空）. This sequel is about the family planting gourds together haha. Of all the fruits/plants, GOURD.


I bought Namidairo and LOVE & TRUTH normal edition from Amazon Marketplace for 1 yen each. They are rental CDs though (Shipping is 340 yen each). I can say that I have them, technically.

Anyway it is kinda interesting, when the writer describing the process, how smelly gourds can be and stuff.

Back then when I was reading Japanese books or watching Japanese dramas, I could just imagine how is it like being in Japan, having four season, riding the trains and what not. Now I'm glad that I'm able to experience them, including the bad ones. For example when YUI asking her fans to take care of themselves because it is getting cold, I could feel that she was referring to me as well, because it is getting cold here ><

The scenes in J-dramas couldn't get any more real, narrow roads, small houses, small cars, the buildings...

I can experience all that, thanks to my lecturers, my family, and most important, my scholarship provider =D

If you are looking for Japanese novels which is not so difficult to read, this can be a good one.

For now on I'm gonna spend more time in Waseda University's library, to sleep haha. If I stay in my room, I'm gonna sleep longer so it is better to stay outside.

Left: Limited Edition (CD + DVD), Right: Normal Edition (CD Only)

01 - I'll be
02 - HELP
03 - Last Train
04 - Winter Hot Music
05 - Jam
06 - Skyline
07 - Free Bird
08 - I wanna be...
09 - Oh My God
10 - Cloudy
11 - Driving today
12 - Understand
13 - crossroad
14 - It's happy line
15 - Why me

* After the release of this album (November 12), YUI will start having her 3 months to 1 year break.

According to Sony Music Shop, both version comes with original sticker, and the DVD included in limited edition has:

1. PV of I'll be, Understand and Jam.
2. Special Live Clip of YUI 3rd Tour 2008 "oui" ～I LOVED YESTERDAY～
3. Secret street lives YUI has performed in different areas during 3rd Tour.

Thanks to YUI daisuki! san for the heads up. He is speculating on whether Sony will decide not to release DVD for Budoukan and 3rd tour, since they have included snippets on the live performances in other releases. Boo.

I'm definitely looking forward to the secret street lives footages.

If you want to support YUI directly, please pre order this album from HMV Japan, Amazon Japan or CD Japan. HMV is the cheapest overall if you order from Asia region, and they are very generous.

As usual, I like the cover with guitar more =P

Brings back all the memories.



I went to Harajuku for the first time to catch Do As Infinity FREE LIVE -FREE SOUL! FREE SPIRITS! at Yoyogi Park Open-Air Stage. Apparently we can see weird looking people in Harajuku every Sunday. Must go see see someday.

I went there all alone after class, and missed first couple of songs because I couldn't find the open stage.

But it ended up with a little bit of twist.

Sometimes, good stuff always come when you are least expected.

Morning 6.30 am, I woke up and made my breakfast and lunch for the very first time (not so tasty spaghetti). Then I walked to school, alone. This week is orientation week, so I try to attend as many classes as possible, to check out the lecturers and stuff. My classes are gonna be all Japanese language related.

Around noon I had lunch with this girl from Czech Republic, together with a German girl, and two Taiwanese. I was getting worried that I'm gonna eat alone, usually I'm fine with it but something happened this few days and I'm started to get all depressed whenever I'm all by myself. I wanted to invite this Korean guy in my class for lunch, but you know, I shy. Then I saw the Czech Republic girl *relieved*

I stopped checking out classes around 3.30 pm, tired. Since I'm a cheap person, I decided to walk all the way to Shinjuku, instead of paying 130 yen. On my way, I bumped into another German girl and this couple looking Thais. The girl is actually half Thai half Japanese or something, both of them are in level 7 class if I'm not mistaken, super geng (pro).

I like nice people.

So I walked to Shinjuku, and went to see electronic dictionary (aka Nintendo DS). The journey was around 40 minutes, I was listening to DAI's albums all the way.

In the end I didn't buy Nintendo DS.

Then I took Yamanote Line from Shinjuku to Harajuku.



I was pretty tired when I reached there (around 5 pm, already dark), I thought of finding some nice coffee shop and have a light dinner while do some review for tomorrow's kanji test. But I wanted to know where the exact place first, hence I went to Yoyogi Park.

As I had no idea where the outdoor stage is, I just followed those people who seemed to be going to a concert instead of dating in the park or jogging. There were no banners, maps or whatsoever indicating the exact place of the stage.

So I made another mistake. When I realised it, I was in front of the entrance of Yoyogi Park, for the second time, feeling hungry and exhausted. Another 40 minutes walk. There was a Japanese guy who tried to ask me whether I am going to DAI's live, where is the outdoor stage. I just told him that I followed the crowd, and left that Japanese guy. Too tulan to talk adi (no mood to chit chat).

That's the problem if you are alone.

I'm not so nice after all.

Since I was outside the entrance again, I might as well go find something to eat. I returned back to Harajuku Station, passing Meiji Shrine's entrance, and walked towards Omotesandou.

I always have problem deciding what to eat, especially when I'm alone in some foreign country. As I get further and further away from Yoyogi Park, trying to find a familiar looking restaurant which is cheap and no meat, on a chilly evening (15 degrees), time was running out. After making a big round back to Harajuku Station (and drank my first ever hot can coffee from vending machine), I saw some happening street, and I could see yellow M sign clearly, among the crowd.

In the end I ate crepe though. Because McD's 100 yen (RM 3.28) Filet-O-Fish campaign already ended, because I heard that crepes in Japan are nice.


I chose Angels Heart crepe instead of Marion because there was a bench for me to sit (finally!!) outside the store.

I spent quite some time figuring out which crepe to buy. In the end I bought chocolate ice cream with syrup, minus whipped cream. I forget to include banana when I was ordering my crepe. These crepes have long names =.=

On my way back to Yoyogi Park (again), I bought one Tuna mayo onigiri at Family Mart. It was around 6.35 pm. The show supposed to start around 6.30, with opening act by some band.

BUT, on my way to Yoyogi Park, I could hear Hi no ataru sakamichi from far away. OMG. 6.30 pm starts means that DAI will start singing at 6.30 pm?! I increased my walking pace, and rushed towards the sound source, as I still had no idea where the stage was.

Then I saw two high school looking girls walking frantically beside me. I asked them where is the actual place and they didn't know either. So three of us, ran towards the lights. We heard Fukai mori. One of the girl got all panic and wondered if the show will end once we reached there.

It was really crowded. We couldn't even see the stage (10,000 people turned up, and I'm short), but I could hear Tomiko Van's beautiful voice clearly from far away. Then they played Yesterday & Today.

O.M.G

Classic.

We walked around to look for a better spot, in the end I settled myself behind the VIP area, with a park bench behind me so that I could lean on it.


Taken using my hand phone.

I could see Ban-chan was in long hair, Ryo was using black Les Paul and another guitarist, that was all. It was drizzling through out their performance, Ban-chan 'complained' about the rain during MC:

何だよ、この雨。
何だよ。
What the heck is wrong with the rain.
Wth.

Unlike the badminton tournament I watched the other day, the audience were very enthusiastic, but since I was behind the VIP area, at the corner, I could only cheer and clap along with few people around. The guy beside me remained silent whole time.

I enjoyed week!! the most. No wonder YUI wrote certain songs for live performances, certain songs do sound different between live and listening from CD.　If I camped at Yoyogi Park for one night, I might be able to see Ban-chan clearly and which chord Ryo was holding =/

Set List

1. new world
2. Tooku made
MC
3. Hi no ataru sakamichi
4. Fukai mori
5. Yesterday & Today
MC
6. Honjitsu wa seiten nari
7. Boukenshatachi
8. SUMMER DAYS
-EN-
MC
9. week!!
MC
10. Ai no uta

That was the first time I heard Ai no uta =x

So called a Do as infinity fan.

When the live came to an end, the staff gave away free paper bag with the calligraphy 'Do As 復活' on it. I couldn't get one because they didn't expect so many people turned up. Seeing all the people around holding that white bag made me kinda jealous. Even though it is just a stupid white paper bag. Gahhhh.



As I was trying desperately to get the bag, I searched around the park, hoping that the staff would bring out more boxes. People were taking pictures of the stage. Japanese are really law abiding citizens. Even though the concert was held in a huge open space. No one really took pictures or flashed here and there. I only took one picture with no flash, and managed to record a few seconds of Yesterday & Today.

Me 'tries' to obey law too. I don't want to be DEPORTED from Japan.



Then I bumped into one of the high school looking girl again. Talk about coincidence. She couldn't get the bag either.

Fate.

We exchanged emails and apparently they are the same age as YUI! (and me)

Both of them are from Shiga prefecture, somewhere beside Kyoto. Yuka is currently studying hair make in Osaka, went for one year exchange in Canada before, and Hitomi is a NEET lol.

That was the first time I met a NEET too, and got to know more about Shiga prefecture.


Yuka, Hitomi, Teo. It was still raining.

Guess that it wasn't so bad going to a concert, alone. I might bump into random people.

I wonder what will happen in monobright concert.