Japanese Calligraphy Class 書道教室

December 2011

My colleague told me about a Japanese calligraphy class 書道教室 in Kumamoto City Community Center for foreigners. Since I had nothing to do on weekend, I decided to join that class. All the teachers were volunteers. They were very kind and funny. It's an activity to make a calendar using Japanese calligraphy, there were 3 classes.

1st Class: learn to draw something using ink brushes
2nd Class: learn to write kanji 漢字 using ink brushes
3rd Class: carve on a mold to make stamp

Kumamoto City Community Center 熊本市中央公民館

Public Secrets by Nora Roberts

This book is quite engaging, I finished it in three days. 

Public Secrets by Nora Roberts

the synopsis

It talks about Emma, a daughter of a very famous rock star, Brian. She was born out of wedlock and when her own biological mother threaten to kill her, her father brought her back and stayed with her father's new bride. Then, her stepmother, Bev gave birth to a son, Darren. The family had a really good time, Bev treated her like her own child and everybody adored Darren. Her father's career was soaring high when baby Darren was killed. Although Emma saw the killers, she was too traumatized and forgot about it. After that, Bev couldn't take it and separated with Brian.

My Phones

I got my first phone, the 'Indestructible Nokia 3310' in 2002. It costs around RM500++ when I bought it. I used it for four years before it got pick pocketed in Klang Bus Station. I was so furious with the pick pocket, I treasured the phone very much! I had to go to the Maxis Centre in KLCC to replace my SIM card, waste of time and money!

Nokia 3310 (the indestructible Nokia)-photo from Wikipedia

Stardust vs Stardust

I like Stardust. However, I don't like the Stardust (movie version). So disappointed with the way it is rewritten for the screenplay. I think it is being sanitized. Luckily I watched it on TV, if I watched it in the cinema, I would feel so sorry for the money spent on the movie ticket.

Part	Book	Movie
The final	The Star was immortal and couldn't have children, at the end of the book, Tristran died and the star was left alone.	However, in the movie version, they had children and live happily ever after.
The 3 witches	In the novel, when The Witch Queen finally caught up with The Star, she realized that she couldn't take her heart because her heart belonged to Tristran (well, it means that she fall in love with him, kind of romantic)	In the movie version, it became a chaos, the witches tried to get The Star's heart even after she fall in love. This part was so unbearable to watch.
Victoria	She married Mr. Monday (Tristran's boss, not so young) and thus helped to free Lady Una.	She looks like a ××○○.

Another part is about Tristran's father, he did not wait for Lady Una, he married another girl and Tristran had a stepmother! There are other things that I don't like, but I have forgotten some details. I wanted to write this after I watched the movie, but I procrastinated. Ahhhhhh!

Genuine Lies by Nora Roberts

Ah, it has been sometime since I last posted about book. I got busy after coming back to Malaysia, and since I drive to work every working days, I don't read anymore during the time commuting to work. The precious time is wasted on staying alert on road and bracing for the traffic jam.

During weekends, I am more interested to catch up with the dramas, tv series, etc. So, it took me 3 months to finish this book. Another reason was on the half way through the book, I read the final chapter! Hahaha! Anyway, finally, I finished this book, yeah!

Genuine Lies by Nora Roberts (I like the dress!)

Red Leaves in Nakatsu, Oita (中津市、大分県) Part 2

18th November 2012

After leaving Aonodomon, we went to Rakanji 羅漢寺, a temple. For me, the only thing that differentiate this temple from other temples is the sky lift. However, according to the explanation from wikipedia, this Rakanji is actually very special. This Rakanji is actually built embeded into the Mt. Rakan 羅漢山. Mt. Rakan has many caves, and in the caves, there are more than 3700 carved stone Buddha.Very magnificent indeed!

the tunnel leading to Rakanji (very autumn feel!)

Red Leaves in Nakatsu, Oita (中津市、大分県) Part 1

18th November 2012

November is the month for red leaves viewing in Japan. Here's the link for the red leaves calendar in Japan.

I had bad lucks when come to red leaves viewing. I went to Kyoto too early on 2011, the leaves still green. So, after moving to Oita, I told myself, I must view the red leaves in their prime in Oita. However, I was one week late, the leaves almost half gone! (-_-!!)

Anyway, here is my collection of photos on the red leaves in Nakatsu, Oita. Well, plus some photos on the attractions in Nakatsu.

On that fine morning, me and my friend went to Aonodomon 青の洞門. In front of the cave entrance, there is a big ginkgo tree (i think it is ginkgo due to the yellow leaves!). When autumn comes, the leaves will turn yellow and form a unique matching view with the cave entrance. Too bad, by the time I reached there, the tree already almost bare. Still, coupled with the fallen leaves on the road, not too bad!

Aonodomon 青の洞門