Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Nobuta Wo Produce (Producing Nobuta)

Image hosting by Photobucket

Basically it's a high school drama about the friendship journey of Kiritani Shuji (Kamenashi Kazuya), Kusano Akira (Yamashita Tomohisa) and Kotani Nobuko (Horikita Maki). It started off with Shuji, the popular guy in the school, with a cool crowd to hang out with and a beautiful girlfriend whom he never dated with. He treated his school as a gamefield that he have to go through everyday and his mission was to get along with everyone without any true intention of being friends. Among the students at the school, Shuji hated and could not stand to be with Akira. Akira was an accentric joker who flaps his hands everytime he goes down the stairs, talks like a drunk with a very rich dad but lived upstairs of the tofu shop to enjoy his schooling days. Even when Shuji despises him, he was persistent in becoming Shuji's friend. Then came Nobuko, the new girl in town whom, if you saw her the first time she would remind you a lot of Sadako from the movie 'The Ring' (She was so different in Densha Otoko). She stutters when she speaks with un-manageable hair, walks as if she got a hump on her back and her smiles looks like she was sick. Definitely colourful characters to begin with.

Before going to school, Shuji have to touch a willow tree by the river for a boost. It was a habit that he can't live with and he believed that if he didn't touch the tree, something bad would happen. One morning he went to the spot and found his beloved tree gone. That was when Nobuko went out with her 'Sadako' expression telling Shuji that the tree has been transplanted elsewhere - and that the branch of the tree was not suitable to commit suicide at. Shuji freaked out and ran off. He freaked even more when he found out that the scary girl by the river was his new classmate. Being the new girl - and of course, weird - Nobuko became the instant target for bullying. Her bento was thrown while she was eating, desk was being scrabbled at and everything else that could be associated with bullying was done to her. Shuji helped Nobuko secretly and by some chance three of them got together when Akira was sprayed with water in his attempt to save her. Shuji made a pledge to make Nobuko the popular girl in school after the spraying incident with the condition that no one should know about the makeover or that they were acquainted, due to his popularity. They chose the name 'Nobuta' for Nobuko, hence the move for Producing Nobuta started.

Okay done with the synopsis, her comes the fangirl rant, hehe. I have actually watched the whole drama TWICE in a week before lending the boxset to Aidah - and that was only after I burned my favourite episodes on my hard-disk. No matter how late, I really feel that this drama deserve a post in my blog because I am absolutely, 100% LOVING IT!!! Seriously, I'm not the only one who say this since the thread for this drama over at JDorama have reached more than 100 pages and people are still raving about it. It was not about having a drastic makeover that we have seen before in movies or dramas like from looking way dull to superstar beautiful. It was about Nobuta who gradually found her courage with her own personality - and a new haircut, hehe. Shuji changed from being an empty popular guy to a guy who appreciates the value of friendship and became a better person. As for Akira, he was still the same baka guy who are really helpful in every single way, hahaha.

The supporting characters in the drama are also interesting - the vice-principal with a very menacing cackle, the bookstore owner who only allow beautiful people to read at his shop, the literature teacher who kept on pulling his pants up during class, hontou ojiichan (the truth grandpa-though he was only a side character) who chases anyone until they gave him a fact of truth about themselves or disaster would strike them, the guy who drank pesticide and much much more. The friendship between Shuji, Akira and Nobuta became stronger until they could actually share dreams together - and passing favours through it. They were always thinking of ways of making each other happy which makes the story even sweeter and the existence of one mysterious girl who kept wrecking what they were working on added up the suspense.

Anyway I've started learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana - terkial-kial macam belajar ABC waktu tadika dulu. I was kind of happy when I was able to read the title although was too slow - nobuta wo purodyuisu, wee hoo!!

Image hosting by Photobucket
Kon!!~~

P.S: Areng, kalau kau baca ni aku rekemen kat kau.

SMS

From: SFMNVDP

------------------------------------------------------------

Jemput awak ke kenduri saya pd 2.4 nanti di temerloh, phg.
Thanks kerana sudi berkawan dgn sy wlupun sekejap

==========================================
Number: +601****7296
Time: 08.18pm
Date: 27/03/2006

My premonition of everything about this is not that off after all.
Hai! watashi ganbaru, zutto!!
A.ra.shi for dream!! hahaha.

P.s: Jangan salah sangka, aku tak sedih. Bersyukur sebab aku tak layan dia dari haritu. Kalau tak aku yang susah.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Wedding, Wedding, Wedding

My cousin's double wedding over in Shah Alam. Good thing I applied for leave 2 weeks before the occasion or I would be stuck at the site supervising projects *sighs. Spent the first day in Shah Alam cooking for those who came over to prepare the food for the wedding and of course the relatives who came and helped with the preparation. 'Pengsan'ed a bit after 3 and continued with the cooking at 4pm for the tahlil which was held after Isyak prayer. By the time I reached Dayah's house in Bangsar, it was already 1.30am and I was dead on my feet - literally.

The next morning I could barely open my eyes to get ready for the wedding. Had a quick breakfast when we reached there before resuming our preparation. We cut the orange and guava - had to go back and forth to sharpen up dayah's & my knife (since I can't work with blunt tools other than the fact that I love to sharpen things, hehehe). While we were cutting the guava suddenly... well I guess the knife that I sharpened for Dayah was sharp enough to leave a deep cut on her left thumb - youch!

Image hosting by Photobucket
At about 12 we were all geared up and ready for the reception to start at the Section 18 MBSA Hall. I helped over as the watergirl (hehe) for a few while and had a good talk with the kendarat (more or less like the food distributor/waiter) group. Then I was in a huge surprise. I was so darn astounded that my uncle actually took the FRU (Federal Reserve Unit) as his kendarat. I thought that they were the Section 18 community. Wallao!! My uncle is actually one of the officials in Bukit Aman but then again... FRU?! Mak aih. I told Dayah that I would be eyeing handsome officers or doctors (my aunt works at the hospital) at the wedding. Fat chance since I was too occupied with the wedding procession, hehehe.

Image hosting by Photobucket

The wedding march from the house started at 1.30pm and I have to say that both are great match. Ijal with Zura decked in soft brown while Yus with Nisa in yellow. The flower girls were too cute - which we suddenly spotted Dayah amidst the flower girls trying her best to blend in by shortening her height since her dress was the exact shade of the flower girls (of course la, two of the girls are her sisters).

Image hosting by Photobucket
L to r - Yus & Nisa, Ijal & Zura


Image hosting by Photobucket Image hosting by Photobucket
Budak cute tak ingat - Flower Girl number 1, Baby & Budak perasan tak ingat - search the odd one , hahaha

Image hosting by Photobucket
Ntah siapa tah...

I left the wedding after a while to begin my quest for J-drama VCD over at Kotaraya since my mak and I was supposed to return home with one of my uncles the next day. I was totally blown away with what I saw at the rack. The VCDs are cheaper compared to the ones I saw in JB and there were wider varieties. After a few hours deliberating, I bought Nobuta Wo Produce. That one was the first that I took from the line-up. Reason? Kame and YamaP was great and it reminded me a lot of my 2 best friends in college, Mukodono 2003 - I was actually aiming for Mukodono because Aiba Masaki of Arashi was in it but I was not that lucky and Stand Up!! because Nino of Arashi, YamaP and Oguri was in it, yatta!!

It was funny seeing the box-sets that was displayed as usually for a drama there were more than 1 box-set although the content was the same. One of the box-set for Hana Yori Dango was translated as "Lake of Misty Dreams" (if I remembered correctly) instead of "Boys over Flower" and Nobuta Wo Produce was translated as "Ambulance" (ROFLMAO) instead of "Producing Nobuta". There were more that I want on the rack - Kimi Wa Petto (no malay/english translations *sighs) Anego, Files of Young Kindaichi 4, Beginner, Hotman, etc etc. Definitely have to go back there someday. When? I don't know.

Before I forget - Happy Birthday Bang Bil!!! And takziah for the passing of Kak Linda's (my sister in-law) father early this morning.
Al-Fatihah.
P.s: Kengkawan, gambar majlis ina klik sini. Sorry lambat. Hontouni gomen

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Shinobi - Heart Under Blade

Image hosting by Photobucket

Shinobi - the tale of two star-crossed lovers.

It was about 2 clans at war - Koga of Manjidani and Iga of Tsubagakure. Gennosuke, the future chieftain of Manjidani fell in love with Oboro, the future chieftain of Tsubagakure. I guess you might have a very strong hunch on where the story might go. The Emperor put a ban on their war but due to the threat that both clans might bring if the rebel brought both shinobi clans on their side, a move was made so both clan would finish off each other. The ban was lifted and both chieftains, Gennosuke's grandfather and Oboro's grandmother have to name 5 warriors of their clan for a duel. The trick was that the victor would determine the next emperor. If the Tsubagakure wins, the eldest son would ascent to the throne. If the Manjidani wins, the second son would.

Gennosuke refused to fight, wanting to find answers straight from the palace on the real reason why the duel would take place. Both chieftains however had an agenda of their own and had their secret duel which in the end caused their deaths. Gennosuke the newly appointed chieftain sent an invitation to the Tsubagakure for their quest to the palace but then again, warriors from both clans ended up fighting each other.

The cinematography was great, though some of the CGI did not manage to blend real well but that was only at the beginning of the movie when some people from Manjidani jumped down from the top of the hill. The fight scene was so great that it was hard for me to catch the still images.

Image hosting by Photobucket

Nakama Yukie (she acted in Gokusen) played Oboro real well, and so did Odagiri Joe whom I guess if you watch Kamen Rider Kuuga, you would know him. I love it when both main roles have very strong characters. The hero is strong, the heroine is strong and could handle her own fight. Now thats more like it. Oboro was known for her 'Eyes of Destruction' that could destroy the whole nerve system with just a stare, while Gennosuke was known for his speed, agility and the ability to see things slowly. Sounds unreal but hey, its a movie. The lowest left screenshot is the part which I cried. Why? I'm not saying anything. Ayumi Hamasaki's Heaven at the end of the credit just made the crying worst.

We have our Puteri Gunung Ledang. If you enjoyed PGL, I would strongly recommend Shinobi.

Though anyway, the translation of Ayumi Hamasaki's Heaven wrap up today's post.

What you offered straight to me
With a smile for the last time
Was just so beautiful
That I gave way to tears

Surely, that day
The two of us touched love

We sought for each other
Lost ourselves at times
And found each other at last
So whatever result may be waiting for us

It's nothing but
Destiny

Stars are shining tenderly upon me

Stay by my side, my love
Crossing over time and changing your shape
You see? The future we haven't yet seen
Remains here like this

Stay by my side, my love
Crossing over time and changing your shape
The future we haven't yet seen
Remains here

Trust me, my love
You live within me
So I'll never
Say good-bye to you

Surely, that day
The two of us touched love

You and I will only be joined...
In our dreams...
Quote from Shinobi - Iga Oboro



Wedding Number.... I forgot

Ina's wedding yesterday to her long time primary school sweetheart (awwww), as always I try my best to go. Its the only time where we would get together and catch up. The day when we become secondary schoolers again, speaking at our highest tone and just be happy. I went there with our 3-car convoy - Imah, Nadia (aku agree dgn Sue, kau still "Cepot" pada kitorang :P), Lin Malek and Yan (who kept covering for Cepot on how much longer Imah and I have to wait at the roadside. 5 minutes turned to 45 minutes, cheh! hahahaha).

Ipah, Abby and Edda drove straight from KL and returned on the same day. Eena came with Helmi, her bf, Intan with her 'guy-next-door', Zah and Zai came together, Sue Mail and Deej came after going to 2 receptions before. In short, it is as always our small reunion. Who's next? From what they said, today is Mulyati's reception and... I forgot who is the other one. School holidays, time for weddings, of course.

Just for the latest news, Areng's wife is expecting their second child. Congratulations Areng n wife!!!

Image hosting by Photobucket

p.s: korang, aku upload gambar kat friendster nenantila. Aku beritau bila dah upload.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Singing On Broadway

Sunday, as usual, the day to laze out and relax. Get my mind charged before Monday comes. Today's list - watching Files of Young Kindaichi 3, Queen of Lunchtime Cuisine, reading my friend, James' story and giving him reviews of what I think of it, surfing jdorama forum and of course chores.

It was just now when my mak came in and pointed me to an article. I couldn't hear anything since I was using the headphone, hehehe. I saw an album review of a local artist. So? What's the big deal about it? My mak said something again, guess I turned deaf already from using the headphone so much ^_^" I glanced at the review again.

Khadeeja.

Okay. I asked my mak, "So?" And then she said, loudly and clearly

"Ni Ayong lah!"

Image hosting by Photobucket

Then I did a double take. Ayong? Then it hit me as I looked at the picture closely. Wallao! it is Ayong - my cousin's daughter. *Smack head. I know her name is Khadeeja but I don't know how she spelled it though. She looks so different. We know that she's a singer and seeing her releasing her own album is a WOW! She's a great singer, I watched her performance once at her college over Dayah's insistence ("Awak, anak sedare awak nyanyi malam ni. Tak nak tengok ke?") They went to the same uni.

All the best Ayong.