Music favorites + new discoveries

To say that music defines my life is kind of an understatement. I'll listen to anything that sounds good - from classical, opera, to techno, and hard metal (usually my foremost preference). But then again, if you look around, "music defines my life" would be more applicable to those who really live with music, for the music. I am merely another person on earth who listens to music. =)

So, here are a few of my favorites, especially in the past month or so.



RELENT You Still Love
I've been listening to this since I started volunteering for CYW. I could safely say RELENT is the only local band that I actually like. This would be a song that I might have performed at my wedding (if it ever happens), and the band members are really friendly, especially vocalist Neil, and percussionist Cuzario. =D

曲婉婷 我的歌声里 (Qu Wan Ting You Exist in My Song)
I think in the later part of 2012, this was the hit song in Malaysian. Performed by Malaysian Wanting, the song has been voted for over and over again on various music stations (I listen to OneFM). It's a song Jasmine and I like to sing along to.

Rie Tanaka Ningyo Hime (Mermaid Princess) [Chobits ED2]
This used to voice my feelings so much - of clinging to every strand left, never letting go. Although those thoughts are pretty much behind me, it's a song I like to sing along to. Romanji lyrics and translation here.

the GazettE PLEDGE

Emotional, intense, and the lyrics are just beautiful. The guitars, the bass, the drums, Ruki's voice - every emotion screamed from this song... Romanji lyrics everywhere, and the translation here.

Roxette Listen to Your Heart
I have a soft spot for love songs with a touch of rock, like this song here. My sister and I used to put it on replay while playing MapleSEA.

Tainaka Sachi Saikou no Kataomoi [Saiunkoku Monogatari ED]
Another anime song. It's impossible to be addicted to anime while not getting addicted to their songs. Modern Japanese songs have almost always stood out from the crowd for me, and this is just one of the songs that I used to hate ('cause I couldn't reach the high notes), but came to love slowly.

Utada Hikaru First Love
According to my friends, this was THE hit song when we were in primary school. The thing is, my first Hikki song was Flavor of Life, and I didn't hear of First Love until only recently. In primary school, I was following the trend, listening to Britney, Avril, and some Taiwanese pop groups. Now it's a song I sing to annoy my sister. =D

Jade from SWEETBOX 1000 Words [Final Fantasy X-2 soundtrack]
No person can be qualified as an FF fan if they don't know this song. This was THE song when I was in my early years of secondary school, just when I started discovering Gackt, hyde (and subsequently L'Arc~en~Ciel), Miyavi, and the GazettE, followed by many other visual bands.

The lyrics of this song are just beautiful:

Oh, a thousand words
Called out through the ages
They'll fly to you
Even though I can't see
I know they're reaching you
Suspended on silver wings

If you listened to the song while actually playing the video game, I can guarantee that you'll need tissues to try your tears.


***

Now for some new discoveries. Lately I haven't really been musically adventurous, playing the few songs above again and again and again, without really getting tired of them. Just a few days ago, though, I decided to try out some new music.

Guns N' Roses November Rain
I have a guy on my Facebook friends list called November Rain, and I have a few friends who are rock enthusiasts. I was listening to songs like Hotel California and Every Breath You Take, and found this on the suggestions box. I told myself, why not? I am now officially completely awed by Slash's badass-ness.

Davide Sonar Natural
I'll be honest. I've never really liked techno until I started listening to J-rock. I'm not a party person (even if I wanted to), but I like songs with a beat. In a way, I came across this by accident, and it just totally blew my mind. My first dose of Italian hardstyle, and I'm lovin' it!




Davide Sonar Dedication
You can rest assured that this will be only music in my room for the next week or so. I'll have it on replay until my ears burst from an overload of auditory orgasms.


***

I know. The video has been under editing for more than two weeks already. I'm trying really hard not to rip my hair out, because the software I'm using to edit the video now stalls a few seconds every time I do something.

I Am Not For Sale campaign recap

Tiring but fun Friday

*practically no pictures because my Nokia camera is incapable of taking pictures without flash*

I was up at 7am, out of the door by 7.10am, and reached campus at 7.30am. Just. For. Parking. Since I was gonna meet up Jasmine at around 8am, I took a half hour nap in the car. And guess what? THERE WERE STILL PARKING SPACES. IN THE BASEMENT, no less. *rawr*


And I didn't have class on Friday. So why was I on campus? Ah, yes. To do my Flash portfolio. Adobe Flash, the source of my increasing insanity. Like I'm not nuts enough already. Since Thursday, my animation was not moving, AT ALL, which got me bloody panicky.


However, after a consultation with my lecturer, the awesome Mr Alex Tan, it turned out that I had just ONE EXTRA LINE in my script which stopped my animation from playing: stop(); IKR?! And just because of 7 characters, I was dreading the moment when my lecturer would tell me I would have to redo everything FROM SCRATCH.


Anyways, despite my animation looking like a complete noob's work which could've been done better by a 12-year-old, I was really proud of my work - hey, it's the first time I've done Flash animation, and it's SOMETHING. Oh, and I used MapleStory's main menu soundtrack. =D


Somewhere in between all the Adobe Flash worries, I had a consultation session with Mr Alex, and after that, I was requested at the UniGym. For MAKE-UP!!! *so happy!* Some girls were rehearsing for their Performing Arts performance, and they needed make-up.


Seeing them rehearse made me regret not taking up Performing Arts. Oh well. Their make-up was supposed to be something that I interpreted as sexy, sultry, seductive a la Amy Winehouse - super thick winged liner, similar to that which I did for Chien Min, but minus the eye shadow. I mostly only did Xue Ren's make-up, I just helped some other girls with their eyeliner and mascara.


Anyways, by 3pm, our Flash portfolios were handed in, and we had lunch at the mamak. AND THIS TIME I HAD VARIETY. Star Teh Tarik does not have rotis available from 12-3pm, for whatever reason. I had a delicious combo of maggi goreng and thosai telur for lunch, and we talked until almost 5pm.


I went up to D3 to meet up with Quinie and Susu, who were still laboring over their assignment, and started with my make-up. *note to self: do an updated make-up pouch post* I really love how perfect my brows turns out these days. Tip to girls who draw on their brows: give your brows as much love and attention as you give to the windows of your soul~

Waiting for the guys~ This is what happens when you take flash photos when wearing make-up that contains SPF - you get a super pale face.

By 7pm it was raining cats and dogs, and I was waiting for everyone (Adeline, Brian, Junyi, Dennis and Vincent) in front of AmBank, so that we could go to the volunteer party together. Seriously, a Satria Neo is definitely not a passenger car. =P


Dennis' mum guided us there, with a lot of phone calls in between. IT WAS SO CLOSE! After the Subang LDP toll, take the U-turn under the bridge, then turn left.

After the entire day... My new LBD from Kitschen~ Accessorized with a simple jade pendant~

Basically, we stuck with our group. The only other people I knew there were Jude, Kelvin, Neil, Cuzario and Dan. Anyways, the party started with something like an ice-breaker session - a game called Catastrophe. In other words, it was a game to see how fast you could run. Definitely not a game in which dresses are suitable. =P


The girls got to get their food first (rice, lemongrass chicken, and nasi lemak condiments and sides, plus ondeh-ondeh). Halfway through our dinner, we were serenaded with a few beautiful keyboard pieces, by a keyboardist. Though I forgot her name (a little too involved with her lyrics), I'm looking forward to her upcoming album, which she is now recording.

The mug I got from CYW - FINALLY. The ideal mug handle for me~

Change Your World: Engaging Creativity To Save Lives! Let's end modern day slavery!

There were a few videos from the I Am Not For Sale campaign, then something like an appreciation ceremony. We initially had plans to go to Snowflake at SS15, but we just went home after that. I drove everyone back to Taylor's, and went home.

Achievement unlocked: I can fit into a size S! The price tag for my new dress, which was bought on impulse =D Lovin' it!

All in all it was a really long day, which passed quite quickly, which meant that I enjoyed most of it~

Event: Celebrities with a Cause Closing Ceremony

*Ugh, I'm so sorry. This was supposed to be up a week ago. And I seriously apologize for the bad photo quality*

Official event poster.

Winnie invited me to the event, and since there was volunteering involved (I've kinda fell in love with it, but I've still yet to experience it thoroughly), I went to the Celebrities with a Cause Closing Ceremony. I was initially contemplating whether to go, 'cause I only slept for a couple of hours the previous night, and had been at campus for most of the day doing video editing.


The event was organized by Taylor's Business School and Do Something Good. DSG is an organization which helps provide chances to volunteer for any cause of your choice via an online platform. Various other organizations (NGOs) were present, i.e. SOLS 24/7, Rockcorps Malaysia, WWF Malaysia, and Epic Homes.


The event was supposed to start at 5pm, but it didn't really start until 6pm. Brian registered me, then I sat about a row behind the celebrities' seats. At first I was alone, then before the event I had a can of Nescafe latte while having a conversation with Jason, then during the majority of the event, I was accompanied by Crystal.


The front few rows of seats were reserved for the V.I.Ps, namely all the personnel from the related NGOs, as well as the celebrities who were supposed to attend. The celebrity line-up included Sarimah Ibrahim, JFK, Altimet, Ben Ibrahim, and Amber Chia to name some.

TWO ROWS BACK!

Where I sat was very far in front, because I was one of the earlier ones to get there. Little did I know that I would be sitting TWO SEATS BACK from Sarimah Ibrahim. I mean I'm not a hardcore fan of local celebrities, but they're celebrities nonetheless, some I get a little starstruck around them (like I do with Mr Lady Gaga every time I see him on campus @_@)

Sarimah performing.

The event started with a bit of speeches, as well as a performance by Sarimah - Thank You by Alanis Morisette. I typically tune in to OneFM, or Hitz.fm or RedFM occasionally, if not just switching to my forever-there L'Arc~en~Ciel Awake album. I didn't know Sarimah's voice was so... versatile? I don't know how to describe her performance, but it was an eye opener.

V.I.P shot

The dean of Taylor's Business School and the Deputy Minister of Education, while the founder of DSG looks on.

The V.I.Ps, plus the entire team who made the event happen.

Then there were a few more speeches, as well as ceremonies where tokens of appreciations were given to the V.I.Ps. Amber Chia couldn't make it, Sarimah left early, and so did the Deputy Minister of Education (I'm really sorry, but I was too drowsy).

Team JFK doing Charades.

It was after they left that the games started. JFK, Altimet, and emcee Ben Ibrahim were called upon to pick three members each for a game of charades, which was exceedingly hilarious, as the things that they were supposed to act out were, well, nearly impossible to act out.

The limbo volunteers~ JFK's team was on the other side of the stage.

First up: Team Ben!

Altimet was awesome!

JFK nailing it!

After charades was a battle of limbo. To be honest, except for the celebrities themselves, as well as a few petite girls, a lot of them cheated. =P No, you are now allowed to duck under the bar. It's limbo - you're supposed to limbo through it! XD


Throughout the games, there was much taunting, joking, and laughter, which made it a really fun night for a lot of people. Oh, yeah. And I have not included the performances yet.

Oppa Sabah Style~

First there was an Oppa Sabah Style dance performance by students from the SOLS 24/7, which is an NGO that provides training and boarding through Unique Education Program for Youths. The lead dancer's poker face was amazingly funny~

The blur is his yoyo.

DSG's home rap crew.

The two "hosts" from an R&B organization.

Justin in da haus!

Rap performance.

Group rap performance.

Then was a rap performance by DSG's own crew, followed by a freestyle yoyo performance. The rest of the night was filled with R&B performances - B-boy, rapping, etc.

Da beatboxer. I regret not remembering his name...

The highlight of the night was still the beatboxing. I've only ever seen beatboxing on the internet, as well as Koujee's performance at Miyavi's KL Live, so I only had those to compare to. I was almost literally blown away - even with the crappy sound system, the sounds were so unique.


UPDATE: Beatboxer's name is A Beat C. Courtesy of Mahirah~ XD


By the end of the event, most of the people were gone. In conclusion is was a good night - fun~ It was 8pm, and the highway would still be congested with tired traffic, so I headed to the gym to do my 5km on the treadmill.

I Am Not For Sale @ Offline Blogshop, Berjaya Times Square

I should prolly blog about the Celebrities for a Cause Closing Ceremony first, but I'm still trying to sort out the photos @_@ Bear with me~

I volunteered with Change Your World for their I Am Not For Sale campaign at Sunway Pyramid last week as a Change Advocate. This week, the I Am Not For Sale campaign was, and will be held tomorrow (25th November) at Offline Blogshop, 1st Avenue, Berjaya Times Square~

Couldn't find a mirror, so had to use the window pane =x

This time I volunteered as a Live Mannequin, portraying the role of a prostitute. =P My breakfast was instant noodles with an egg, then I took a 20-minute walk to the Bukit Jalil LRT station, a 20-minute train ride, then another 10 minutes to walk from the station to the mall, then to the destination.

Getting made up. So many MaxFactor and Make Up For Ever products @_@

1pm was the assigned arrival time, and I got there 5 minutes early. =D I changed out of my T-shirt into a tank top, and put on the *wait for it* fishnet stockings. I borrowed some short shorts from Jasmine, and the fishnets from Joyce, and the tank top from my mum. The only part of my wardrobe that was mine were my heels. @_@

Final result~ Dark, tired eyes, blushed up cheeks, and sparkly glossed lips~ And uber-sexy curled hair~

Waited for a while for the make-up artists to get back from lunch to transform me from Plain Jane to a wasted hooker. I almost went around squealing when I saw their train cases... *make-up junkie almost surfaced* I was secretly so excited when I saw that she used my favorite eyeliner and my favorite mascara on me. XD

CYW merchandise on sale~ T-shirts, badges, and RELENT CDs~

I talked with Cuzario and the rest of the people for a bit, and almost 3pm on-the-dot, I was given a very wrinkled Pall Mall cigarette as my prop. The first half hour was alright - gawking people; girlfriends, wives, and mothers throwing me dirty looks. =P


For the next half hour, I took up a role as a Change Advocate, then back to Live Mannequin for the next. It alternated like this, somewhat; the second Change Advocate duty being to distribute flyers at the crossing bridge near Bread Story and ROMP.


Just that half hour of distributing flyers, I came to see how many ignorant, naive "pimps" there are out there. They said things like "how much per night?", "Woman for sale!", "So when you gonna take that off?". I so wanted to start shouting profanities at them and their ignorance.


Attention is something that I bask in, but this is the kind of attention I'm seriously uncomfortable with. Sideways glances, pointing, I'm fine with that. Degrading my morality? You messed with the wrong hooker, dude.

RELENT performing. Neil on vocals, Jude on guitar, Daniel on bass, and Cuzario on drums.

Anyways, just as my shift ended, RELENT (Facebook / Twitter) was up to perform. Their songs have been playing over and over the entire day, but they never seem to get boring~ *devising plan to get mum to get their CDs* Right after the band performance, and some chocolate wafer cubes, I walked to the outside of Melia Hotel to wait for my mum to pick me up.

On the way home, stuck in heavy traffic... I SO LOVE THESE CURLS!

Her first reaction was: "wear a jacket or something. Do you really wanna be picked up here?" I guess I could've changed back to my blue T-shirt, but it was so hot T_T Alright, alright, I was basking in my temporary "right" to dress up like a slut. =P


Traffic was almost horrendous, though. Offline Blogshop was located basically right at the corner of the building. Those who passed by were mostly the ignorant majority of people, or large families with a gazillion kids in tow. Traffic was definitely better at Sunway Pyramid...


But hey, I got to dress up and raise awareness at the same time! XD Here are some extra photos from today:

Eunice~

Sophia, the sweet, sweet mail-order bride~

With Neil~

Half shot with Cuzario (photobomber, I see you XD cute little dude)

With Cuzario #2~ My heels made me too tall XD