round and round we go

Title: Antique Cakeshop
Starring: Ju Ji Hun (주지훈), Yoo Ah In (유아인), Kim Jae Wook (김재욱), Choi Ji Ho (최지호), Andy Gillet

Once again, the Koreans have produced another entertaining hit based off of an originally Japanese series.  This time its based of the Japanese manga Antique Bakery by Fumi Yoshinaga.  This series was popular in Japan and was even turned into an anime.  The story tells of a man who opens up a cake shop by converting it from the Antique shop it once was.  He ends up working with a skilled patissier, nicknamed “The Gay of Demonic Charm”, who just so happened to have a crush on him in high school.  However, the owner of the shop has no interest in men what so ever.  The story follows life and the events that follow working at the cake shop.

The first word that comes to mind when I think of this movie is “cute.”  Its quirky French-styled cinematography and humorous script will leave you entertained and amused throughout.  It’s a very fast paced movie, which is a plus because I hate movies that unnecessarily drag and bore you with some overdramatic serious scenes.  Luckily, Antique Bakery had an overall cheerful and happy feeling to it, even if the entire movie wasn’t all just fun and games.  It had a good plot too, making it an undeniably good movie (and chick flick).

My Rating: (5/5)

The moment fangirls (and guys) have all been waiting for is here.  The 25th episode aired today, marking the end of the Korean version of the series (꽃보다 남자 / Kgotboda Namja).  It had to have probably been Asia’s biggest/highly viewed drama this season.

Overall, the series was entertaining.  Thousands were hooked on watching all over the world.  Episodes would be subtitled into numerous languages just a few hours after they aired (with the convenience of viikii’s online collaborative subbing).  It was hilarious, dramatic, and addicting.

But was it enough to please the diehard fans of the original series (Hana Yori Dango)?

In my opinion, it satisfied their overall craze for the series.  Fans may have squirmed or twitched a bit after seeing the plot stray a little too far from the original, but many kept their mouth shut since they still found it entertaining.

The ending was a disappointed.  It felt rather incomplete, not to mention it was way different than the ending of the original series .  It still leaves you wondering about many things that they never went back on.  Which makes me wonder, is their going to be a special episode?  That would certainly explain a lot, but not much.  Fans can only hope, but I doubt it.  The 25th episode ends with a scene four years into the future when they are adults.

The ending had a “feel good” sensation to it, which left most viewers happy.  Or were they happy that the series finally came to end?  Conclusions are always exciting.

Here we go for the hundredth time,
Hand grenade pins in every line,
Throw 'em up and let something shine.
Going out of my f**king mind.
Filthy mouth, no excuse.
Find a new place to hang this noose.
String me up from atop these roofs.
Knot it tight so I won't get loose.
Truth is you can stop and stare,
Bled myself out and no one cares.
Dug a trench out, laid down there
With a shovel up out to reach somewhere.
Yeah someone pour it in,
Make it a dirt dance floor again.
Say your prayers and stomp it out,
When they bring that chorus in.

I bleed it out,
Digging deeper just to throw it away.
I bleed it out,
Digging deeper just to throw it away.
I bleed it out,
Digging deeper just to throw it away,
Just to throw it away,
Just to throw it away.

School today was somewhat insane...well only gym class.  Our school went nazi over kids wearing costumes in school.  However, since my gym class is awesome, and it was the last period of the day...some kids wore their costumes during gym.  We had Tigger, some character from Naruto, A fairy, and elf, and some other winterry holiday looking figure.  Oh, and Jason (technically it was gym class appropriate). xP
Anyways, they controlled the teacher for awhile until he threatened to take away all of the gym points for the day.  It was fun while it lasted.  Oh, and someone wrote WHORIFYING on Andrew's arm, which I thought was so hilarious and suited him very much. ^.^

Happy Halloween

Okay, so I have decided to write summaries for this series because it is so good.  I've even included pics. ^w^  Sorry for this one being so long, the first episodes are usually kind of the longest and there was a lot of information to cover.  This is a Japanese drama series starring Toda Erica as Kanzaki Nao and Matsuda Shota as Akiyama Shin'ichi.  I apologize in advance for bad grammer.  I wrote this late at night and, honestly, I think I'm terrible at writing.  Anyways, Enjoy. =)

Liar Game - Episode 1 Summary

In the beginning of the episode you meet Kanzaki Nao, walking along and giving a brief intro. She admits that she is gullible and too honest for her own good. She is easily fooled by other people and is very trusting in others. When she arrives at her houseshe finds a strange black card in the mail addressed to her from LGT Secretariat along with a box. Curious about the contents of the box, she opens to find it filled with money.

She opens the card addressed to her for an explanation and learns that she has been selected to play in the Liar Game Tournament. Astonished about finding this money, she counts it only to learn that it's 100 million yen. She finds a cassete tape at the bottom of the box and puts it into the VCR to watch it. A screen immedietly pops up with a masked man on the screen. He introduces himself as the dealer, Leronira. He says that if she is watching the video, then it must mean that she has chosen to participate in the "Liar Game". He tells her that she cannot cancel her decision to play. Nao glances over at the card and finds that it says, "Open this box only if you want to participate. Cancellation will not be accepted."

He then explains the rules for the first round of the Liar Game. In the game, both opponents must try to swindle or rob each other's money. There is no need to worry about comitting a criminal act because both opponents have consented to participate. The game is to last 30 days starting from when the opponents are decided. The person with most money in the end wins the game. After the game has ended, LGT Secretariat will send someone to recieve the money, which is the same amount as handed out in the beginning of the game, that is, 100 million yen. The amount of money swindled from your opponent will be your prize money, so the maximum you can earn is 100 million yen. If your opponent mananages to swindle your money, you must compensate for it, even if it means taking a loan. If you lose, the highest amount there is to compensate is 100 million yen. At the end of the tape he wishes her good luck and the screen goes blank.

After watching the video, Nao panicks. All she can think about is going in debt. She locks the door, closes the curtains. At night she calls over the security guard/ police officer to ask him if he could do something about it. The officer says that he can't do anything because police can't act unless it turns into a real incident, so Nao is forced to hold on to the money. She winds up staring at the money all night afraid that someone is going to come and steal it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the morning she ends up getting another card in the mail, this time telling her who her opponent is. She is to relieved to find that her opponent is Mr. Fujisawa, her old grade school teacher. She immedietly takes all the money to his house to ask him his opinion. At the door she tells him she was relieved to hear the he was her opponent. Mr. Fujisawa is shocked to hear it and claims that all that swindling money from your opponent stuff was a lie and that the whole game is some kind of cleverly designed fraud.

He comes up with a scenario where the two opponents don't know each other. If one opponent is losing money he might think that it's his opponents doing and vice versa. I actuality its LGT Secretariat's doing, so in the end both opponents will end up in debt. Nao, being the gullible person she is, believes in Mr. Fujisawa. She tells him that she brought the money with her because she couldn't bare having it at home. He suggests putting the money into a deposit account in the bank for the whole 30 days so that they won't be able to get the money. He tells her not to worry because he will take care of her share as well. Nao thanks him and leaves the money with him.

When she arrives at her home at night, she finds another card in the mail. This time the card gives the current results, with Mr. Fujisawa gaining 100 million and her with a 100 million debt. She calls Mr. Fujisawa to tell him and he persuades her that it is still just a trick. In the morning she goes to his house in order to apologize for accusing him of doing such a thing, but at the gate she overhears Mr. Fujisawa talking on the phone about how easy it was to decieve her. Nao is devestated and goes home to sulk and recieves another tape in the mail. The tape asks her to understand that she has been decieved. He reminds her that if she is unable to reobtain the 100 million yen, she will have to pay up.

In the morning, she goes to the officer and again asks him to do something about it. However, the officer says he cannot because he doesn't think that the police can take action. He suggests asking a swindler for his opinion. He then tells her of a swindler that will be released from prison the next day. Apparently he was caught 3 years before and was said to be a genius. She then does some research to find the swindler. She learns that his name was Akiyama Shin'ichi.

The next scene shows Akiyama walking out of jail. Nao is searching for the entrance while she bumps into him. She asks him for his help in swindling and he tells her that he just got out of jail and asks her to go away. However, Nao is persistent and continues to follow him. She follows him to a market and Akiyama asks her when she is going to stop following him. She asks him just to hear her out and that she will stop following him. Akiyama agrees and tells her to stay right there while he goes to put his stuff away. Nao obediently waits, through the rain and through the night. In the morning the cleaning lady wakes her up and chases her away.

She then sees Akiyama and he asks her why she was still waiting. She says it was because he told her to do so. Akiyama points out that she was swindled out of her money because she is too honest for her own good. Nao asks him if its a bad thing to be too honest for her own good. There is a flashback where Akiyama sees a girl lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood. He then agrees to listen to her story. After hearing her story, he takes her to Mr. Fujisawa's house in order to confront him. Mr. Fujisawa claims he can't get the money because it's in the bank which is only open on weekdays till 5 pm. When she does confront him, he admits he decieved her but it was because his life was already ruined by divorce and debts and he needs the money to survive. He also tells her that people are not to be trusted. Nao pleeds with him to return the money because her father is terminally ill with cancer and with a debt she wont be able to help him. He tells her he wont return the money and then slams the door in her face.

On the bus ride home, Akiyama tells Nao that he agrees to help her. Nao says that she doesn't see how they can get their hands on the money because it rests safely in the bank. Akiyama claims there is a flaw with the money being in the bank. The game ends on a Sunday, so in order for Mr. Fujisawa to retrieve the money he would have to take it out two days in advance. Nao worries about how to get the money after its taken out of bank, but Akiyama has a plan for that too. He agrees to help her on the condition that they split the prize money. so after swindling Mr. Fujisawa's money as well, they each will recieve 50 million yen. Nao agrees to the proposition.

In the morning, as Mr. Fujisawa gets his mail, Nao appears before him in disheveled clothing and has a crazy expression on her face. She tells him to watch out because she will be participating in the Liar Game and will take the 200 million yen that is currently in it. As instructed to do so by Akiyama, she keeps constant watch on him, often exagerating her actions. Mr. Fujisawa gets freaked out from not knowing what she is up to. Akiyama rents a small apartment so that they can keep a better watch on him. They take turns keeping watch on him. In the morning Akiyama tells Mr. Fujisawa that he will be taking part in the game as well as Nao's right hand man. This freaks Mr. Fujisawa out even more when he hears they have a secret plan. He locks himself in his house, only to come out once a week for the mail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time goes by, and Nao begins to feel uneasy because they haven't made any progress. When she says this to Akiyama, he tells her not to worry. His plan is to put Mr. Fujisawa under extreme stress and then decieve him. From Mr. Fujiawa's actions Akiyama concludes that the money is in the house.

In the morning when Mr. Fujisawa wakes up, he sees smoke and hears the sound of fire. When he opens the door to leave, he decides not to and tries to call the fire department instead. However, he can't bring himself to finish dialing. Then the sound of the fire stops, and Mr. Fujisawa looks up to find Nao and Akiyama standing in the doorway. Nao holds a cassete player in her hand, which is where the sound was coming from, and a bucket (with dry ice in it?). Akiyama asks Mr. Fujisawa why he didn't call the firefighters. Akiyama confronts him about hiding the money in the room. Mr. Fujisawa admits he is and that they still won't be able to get the money even if they knew its exact location. The money is inside a well built safe that he even shows to them, while laughing evily. Nao panicks upon seeing the safe, but Akiyama just smirks. He tells Mr. Fujisawa that it's a piece of cake to steal the 200 million out of the safe.

 

And that is the end of episode 1, the ending to this round in episode two is amazing! stay tuned. =)

 

 

As many of you may already know, a few days ago was Prophet Mohammed's birthday.  I heard of many people going all out and celebrating it, even at mosques.  The thought of it makes me cringe.  The people who celebrate his birthday are very misinformed.  Birthdays are not celebrated in Islam.  The Prophet himself did not celebrate them and, in Islam, muslims are to use him as an example.  Of course he did acknoledge that it was his birthday, but he never actually celebrated it.

Birthdays themselves have a pagan origin.  The idea of blowing out the candles and giving presents were thought to scare away the evil spirits that were trying to harm the person whos birthday it was.  The evil spirits would be scared away so that they wouldn't come back a whole nother year.  After hearing about its pagan origins, why would muslims continue to choose to celebrate it when they know it's wrong to do so?  On top of that why would they choose to celebrate the Prophet's birthday?  I believe it is because they choose to be ignorant.  Many muslims are just looking for an excuse to party.

Now, what even more people don't know is that Prophet's Mohammed's birthday is the same day that he died.  So, are you to celebrate his birthday or mourn his death?  Well, technically you aren't supposed to mourn over his death either because mourning on death aniversarys is also wrong.  A muslim has to get over a person's death after three days unless it is a women who has been widowed by her husband's death (in that case she has 3 months to mourn).

I would say that his birthday and his death day cancel each other out, so that it's pretty much nuetral.  You shouldn't celebrate his birthday or mourn his death.  Besides, doing one thing would be ignoring the other.  I'd say that you should atleast acknowledge the day when it shows up.  If you want to read the Quran or send blessings on the Prophet, go right ahead.  There is nothing wrong in doing so as long as don't go out partying about it.

It was quite an eventful day today.  It all started second period when I was too frustrated with the tutorial I was working on for 3Ds Max for my Computer Animation class.  I was halfway done with it and my teacher would not come over to my side of the classroom, so I decided to work on my WebDesign2 classwork instead while I was waiting for her.  I worked on it for awhile, I got a lot of work done, so much that I was so close to completing it.  I was so happy of the progress I made, but then this guy comes over to talk to the people that were sitting in front of us, and in the process ends up screwing up the wiring of my computer. My computer shut down and I lost everything, including the stuff I had done on 3Ds Max.

Next, came lunch.  I shall use nicknames to describe this story, just for fun.  Sally's table was talking about Mikael's Sci-Fi class and how there were people of many religions in it.  Apparently, the Athiests in the class were trying to force the others to believe their views, hence the conflict and tension. Then the table starts talking to Jenny and Jibril about the Taste of Choas concert they went to, to which they started talking about all the emo people there.  Someone said, "A heard of emos."  This lead to the topic "What do you call a bunch of emos?" Twas pretty interesting coming up with answers.  Someone mentioned "A shadow of emos". 
Anyways, Mike made this really funny, yet mean joke about emos.  He felt so bad about it he started praying for forgiveness right at the table.  This shocked the other table members.

Ginny: Since when have you been so religious?
Mikael: What are you talking about.  I've always been religious.
Ginny: Yeah, right.  When was the last time you went to church?
Mikael: xD Last week
Ginny: OKay, when was the last time you went to church before last week?
Mikael: The week before that. xD
Jibril: *random interuption* WHAT WAS JESUS'S LAST NAME?
Mikael: *blinkblink* He didn't have one. xD
Jibril: CHRIST
Entire Table: XD *laughs their butts off*

If you didn't laugh, then I guess it was one of those 'had to be there' moments.

Then, later in gym class we played color tag.  I was the person who was semi-watching the jail.  There was a point in the game when someone from Antuan's (another nickname) team came up to tag him and free him.  I tried to pull his flag out, but I only ended up in a head on collision with Antuan.  So now I have a slight bruise next to my eye/eyebrow.  Luckily, it's not really visible because I have dark skin.

And that is pretty much everything about today worth writing about.

What, to you, is the first sign of spring? Have you seen it yet?
Submitted by Spy.

The first sign of spring you say? Warmth, birds chirping, and the snow melting away.

HSPAs officially start tomorrow morning and I find myself wondering is my life really supposed to be so uneventful at this point of my life.  Everyone else seems to be out there having fun while I'm stuck here in my house doing nothing.  That's how I feel anyway.

Yesterday I went to Sunna's house and she mentioned that having a dream in which someone is getting married is a bad omen.  I never thought much of it until just awhile ago when I remembered something.  A long time ago, like a year or two ago, I had a dream in which I was getting married, but I never saw who my husband was.  Is that a good thing, because the thought of me having such a dream just gives me the chills.

Anyways, I'm going to look over the science packets the school gave us one last time before I go to sleep.  Wish me luck. :)

I'm typing here because I haven't been here in a while.  How is everyone?  Honestly, it's become a hastle just to keep updating, especially with all the workload I've been recieving from school.  Nothing really major has happened this week except that I watched the first episode of Hana Yori Dango 2.  It was really amazing.  It was in Japanese with no subtitles though.  I just couldn't wait anymore, I just had to watch it (with or without subtitles).  I do not resent watching it without subtitles one bit.  I feel as if this huge craving has been satisfied.  What a relief.  I can't wait till the second episode comes out.  For some reason Daddicts is not working, so I can't download the first episode. 

Nothing else is new, except that I'm failing bio.  To me, failing is getting below a B-.  But yeah, I hate having to study for the tests and quizzes. I swear, they are two hard.  I'm glad that I don't get As all the time.  Why? Becuase my parents would expect too much of me. They'd think it's easy to get As, only to be dissapointed when I don't recieve one.

I can't wait till an Epic Movie comes out.  It looks so good! I don't care if it's around midterms, I'm still going to see it.  I think it comes out after midterms, which is good because it would be like a treat after all that studying.  My parents better let me go see it.  They really don't know how antisocial I'm becoming.  I really need to get out more.

You know how I always talk about how fun my English class is? Well, it's because there are so few of us in that class and it's at the end of the day.  My teacher claims it's like a dinner table.  Anyways, the second period class accused my teacher for liking our class better and hating their class.  Upon hearing this, my english class raged war against the second period class to defend my english teacher's honor.  Then the seventh period class got jealous because they were not included in all all the action, so they raged war on all the english classes.  It's a tad bit chaotic in English at the moment, but the teacher did claim that she did feel special that she was being fought over.You know how I always talk about how fun my English class is? Well, it's because there are so few of us in that class and it's at the end of the day.  My teacher claims it's like a dinner table.  Anyways, the second period class accused my teacher for liking our class better and hating their class.  Upon hearing this, my english class raged war against the second period class to defend my english teacher's honor.  Then the seventh period class got jealous because they were not included in all all the action, so they raged war on all the english classes.  It's a tad bit chaotic in English at the moment, but the teacher did claim that she did feel special that she was being fought over.

From what I've noticed, the jdoramas that I absolutely love are the ones that have either Matsumoto Jun or Tomohisa Yamashita (Yamapi) in them. They are my favorite japanese actors. x3  So now my favorite actors are them and Jonny Depp.  I have watched a bunch of Jdoramas this weekend, mainly because I needed a break from manga and anime.  I finished watching Kurosagi, starting watching Sapuri, but I ended up forcing myself to watch that one.

I think I'm going to start rating stuff, becuase that is what I absolutely love to do.  I'm gonna do manga, anime, jdoramas, books, and well other stuff. o_o

 

So I'll rate what I watched or read this week...

JDoramas:

Sapuri: C-

It was okay, but I really was forcing myself to get through it.

GTO: Greatest Teacher Onizuka: C+

This was actually kind of funny, but did get annoying at times.

Kurosagi: A

Loved the plot and loved the acting.

Gokusen: B

It was really funny at times, laugh out loud funny.  But I found some of the characters really annoying, which just added to my not liking it, but its really good.

Manga:

Rebound: B

Although it may seem really stupid if you judge it by its cover, the plot is actually good, especially if you understand basketball.  It has some comedy in it as well, which makes it even better.  The only problem is that the manga seems so drawn out, which can get boring after awhile.

Chibi Vampire: A

This is a really cute manga with a good plot and some comedy in it.