36...barbara

There are many women that i admire and think are wonderful, not only from the people around me but also people i've never met, or even characters who don't live in the same dimension as me. One of those women happen to be Barbara Streisand. Of course, i've never met her and most likely (or even definitely) what i know might simply be just a tiny portion of what makes up 'Barbara Streisand' - but for that small portion i know, i think she's wonderful. I mean, i don't know any other actress who has made such an impact to have a phenomenon named after her.
Now, i've never actually seen Oprah, and i never really intended to (simply because 1) i never lived in a country where it was broadcasted on tv and due to 1), 2) i never really knew what it was about) but i suddenly had the urge to look Barbara up and found an interview she did on Oprah, and well, just thought i'd share. Just because. And i doubt it was just me who melted over Robert Redford...

36...snapshots from a short drive

Brrr it's chilly, but that just means "time for a cup of tea/cocoa" to me!
This isn't a proper post but just a few pictures from a lazy afternoon the other day - the sunset was too nice to let by without a few shots.

35...which to let win - procrastination or sleep?

Happy hump day!
I think this feeling comes to me every year but once again, it's getting quite cold here and i start wishing we could hibernate like bears to wait for the winter to pass...but then we'd miss out on good food and enjoying the winter scenery that has its charms unlike any other. But on some days, it's nice to cuddle up in your blankets, have someone pour you a warm mug of cocoa, and slug out to ignore the weather outside.
(←my cat trying to hide? we bought her a new play house but what we didn't realize when we did was that our cat was too darn big now to fit T.T So she now uses it as a head warmer)

Aaand chosen from the ones i've seen during this winter so far, here are a few movies you could watch while you do:)

1. Cloud Atlas (2012)
I'd have to say that for me, the book was definitely easier to follow compared to the movie - but nonetheless that didn't stop me from enjoying this film. I actually went to see this when it came out two years ago, and re-watched it over this break; The transformations of the actors who play multiple roles throughout the film are worth checking out.

2. Hairspray (1988)
If you've seen the recent version, don't be discouraged to see this: this version has different songs, a different twist in the main story, and is probably more entertaining for teens/adults. The political and social fight to end racism is more intense in this first version - and you'd get to see a Tracy thats more daring and quite the flirt!

3. 20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
Back-up singers - I can't speak for all but i'm pretty sure most of us take them for granted. I recently saw this documentary but it is powerful; i like movies/documentaries like this where those we take for granted or who we don't even acknowledge at all have a chance to voice their opinions and this one does just that.

4. Argo (2012)
I remember when this won the academy and thinking to myself 'i should watch this' - and after two years, it just so happened to be showing on the tv when i switched it on. Although it may not be a perfectly accurate portrayal of what truly happened during the escape of the American embassy staff during the Iranian revolution, i thought it was quite a cleverly made film.

5. While You Were Sleeping (1995)
Sandra Bullock is an actress who i've admired for as long as i can remember, and i thought i'd seen most of her films but somewhere along the road i missed this one - and i'm glad i came across it. It's a sweet love comedy film that perhaps would make most think 'typical' while watching, but if you just want to end your day with a feel-good film, here's a good one.

Any recommendations:)?

34...back to my usual routine

In a way, it all happened so fast - classes came to an end, christmas came by, the last few days of 2013 whizzed by, and then all of a sudden it's already the 7th of the new year, and i'm back to reading textbooks and deciphering poems. I've been meaning to get a post up of photos from my super short trip to Hokkaido up but i've been a couch potato most of the time i've been home - my sloth side likes to creep out and make the most of whatever free time i have. But i've finally gotten around to sorting out the photos, and i'll have to say that i probably had the best meal for new years eve last year.
Ever since my grandmother passed away, my mother has refused to stay home for new years, so for the last few years we've been travelling around Japan for the toshikoshi/年越し/to see the old year out, and my mother thought it would be nice to go to Hokkaido to spend it with my 98 year old great grandma this year. In a way it's nice since the whole family gets together, but since no one in my family bothers to stay up for the countdown, it also seems like any other trip. I guess the only difference would be the food - although we usually don't eat osechi/おせち (Japanese festive food to celebrate the new years - you can read all about it and what each 'dish' symbolises here) we usually get to try the local speciality of wherever we are, which is a nice change.
今年もよろしくお願いします~!

Welcome to Jyozankei~~~! 

 We were really lucky to be able to see this since it wasn't snowing horribly that night↑

Oh my Japan>< i have to end with this, 

i'd say this is worth being on engrish.com!

33...almost there

It's almost 12 in Japan, So as cliche as this is going to sound, 2014 is just around the corner - an hour away to be precise. There are so many things that i would mention here about this year, but for now, i'll just mention one thing for next year:

My sister (who recently came home for the holidays from Thailand) and also Maya (a few minutes ago) asked me what i was gonna aim for next year, which made me think...i like having goals etc but i forget them as quick as i am to make them. But one thing my sister mentioned was to try appreciating the people she cares about more, and i agree that that's one thing i need to do. Therefore, starting here, beginning with Miwa who always leaves lovely comments & my friends who give me feedback, thank you. May 2014 be a year filled with more laughs for you since laughing always seems to make things better ;)