1st day at AB.

I was expecting something a bit more extreme, I'll admit it. I was really nervous the day before, as it suddenly dawned that Monday would be my starting day of school-- at Espaço Aberto-- new school, new people, new teachers, new teaching method, etc.

I thought nobody really wouldn't talk to me, as I found my classroom on the second floor, 1B, and found a seat not too far in the back and not too far in the front. Boys joked and girls screamed hysterically as all former 8th grade students reunited and greeted eachother. Finally, the teacher arrived, A.K.A my new Portuguese Grammer teacher and she gave a basic FYI about what we were going to learn and review this year. She seemed nice n' cheerful.

The next class after that was Math, who, from what I could see, was the type of guy who takes things pretty seriously and doesn't tolerate much goofing off. He was all-- "Look guys, I am picky, to those who don't already know me." What could that possibly mean? It's daunting--especially for me who basically sucks at math! He also did not pity us when it came to giving out exercises and homework on the first day of class. He went right to it; I wrote 9 pages worth of algebric expressions he wrote on the board. And when he gave us one of our last exercises to do-- he went: "Trust me, guys, I am going slow today." And all I could think of was... if this is "slow" what is it like when he's fast? I don't want to have to find out.

The last teacher we got to know today was our Biology teacher. He, well, least to say, was really cool. A young guy in his early twenty's, maybe, since he said he had a fiancé-- he was not shy at all. Not to mention really funny and great at cracking jokes! He said: "I'm sorry, guys, for talking so much. I'm just kind of crazy, you know? I didn't take my medication today." He also said that he believes in the whole thing with having friendships with his students-- and if you ever needed to talk to him, either in class or out, he'd be totally open to it. Which was nice. All I know for sure is that he really made me laugh. And I can't help but like people who make me laugh!

Unfortunately, since our Biology teacher confused the shifts, we ended up being stuck with 4 math classes in one day, whereas, the actual schedule was supposed to have been this:
-- Portuguese Grammer
-- Biology
-- Biology
-- Math
-- Math

Oh well. Thankfully next math class is only on Friday.
Next classes for tomorrow shall be:
1. Philosophy
2. Geography (2 classes)
3. Ethics
4. Chemistry
Sounds interesting enough, no?

Luckily for me, someone actually did talk to me. One girl from my class almost imediateley invited me to tag along with her and her other friends after the first class was over. She was the only one who actually attempted to have a conversation, though. Anybody else who said hello, well, just said that. Hello and "a pleasure". Which I know sounds old fashioned, but that's normal here. Anyway, she was nice. We'll see how it goes tomorrow...

From what I could estimate, there are were/are only 2 breaks-- both 10 minutes each, where you can go to the bathroom, or grab a snack at the snack bar.... or just try not to bump into the cowds, lol.

All in all, it wasn't so bad as I thought it'd be. It just sucked waiting for my dad to pick me up, that's all. What with the warm uniform in the hot sun and my backpack dangling on my shoulder. But it was me who was being stubborn and waiting outside in the sun, so whatever...

Oh, and they also explained the whole test system there. Which I prefer not to talk about now, 'cause it's just daunting. Let's just hope I survive tomorrow, ahem.

woo-hoo. yar.

It's such a relief to have one more week of no school. My classes, instead of the 22nd, will start on the 29th. Awesome. <3

You can't eat a sandwich in one bite, you know.

I mean, really. You just feel too bloated afterwards. Which isn't exactly what I did-- seeing my sandwich is basically the book I was just reading. Just makes a very big emphasis simply because I really did just finish it a couple hours ago. And when did I start reading it? Yesterday afternoon. Or last night. And that was no tiny book. Sure, it was small in comparison to some big novels you can find nowadays-- but it had around 385 pages or so. I read that whole book in pretty much one day or less.

I think I shall take my time to read the rest of my books. You know, like the way you savor your favorite soft ice-cream. Mine is vanilla, btw. I take my time eating it 'cause I know I won't have it at home-- or the experience will be unique-- just like the first read of a book will be unique.

Anyway, yeah. I haven't mentioned that yesterday my Christmas package finally arrived. I ordered several books I've been wanting to read, plus some manga I've been dying to get. Unfortunately, Amazon.com is against me getting the rest of the volumes available for D.N. Angel or else I would have chosen to get volume 7 to 10 or 11. But no-- it's a consipiracy. They just happened to not have the 8th volume available, so I had no choice but to be satisfied with just getting the 7th volume of D.N. Angel. It was still very yummy and I don't regret getting it.

Aside from that, I also got:
• "Twilight" (Vol. 1) & "New Moon" (Vol. 2) by Stephenie Meyer
• Artemis Fowl Vol. 4 & 5 by Eoin Colfer
• All-American Girl Vol. 1 & 2 by Meg Cabot

The 1st volume of "All-American Girl" was the book I just ate up. It's quite a silly, far-fecthed, typical teeny novel like most of Meg Cabot's books. But the humor is so relatable with the way teenagers sometimes talk-- with "like" and lots of "whatever" and "duh"-- and goofy stuff like that. The bluntness of everything makes the book very amusing quite a lot of LOLs.

I also got some other manga... like Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, and some more Ranma 1/2, and 3 volumes of Death Note! It was kind of aggrivating to read a bit of Death Note. It was like you had read your favorite book and now we're seeing the other version of it-- only the manga is the original. I'm just use to the way the anime is told, so gaah, it's just needed to get use to, is all. The changes are minor-- but details make all the difference. Anyway... besides that... the vampire books from Stephenie Meyer has some gorgeous covers. It made me really tempted to start reading it first. But I think I'm going to leave it for last.

On a side note-- today was busy with much hammering from the apartment bellow, many phone calls, which I answered, plus much reading. Seriously, I nearly got a headache from it-- I think. Or it may have been a mixture of everything going on today. It didn't help that I'm in that wonderful time of month, though.

Little Johanna

I see a sweet girl skipping through the courtyard through the window. A wonderful feeling comes across me, as she turns her head to smile at me. I was wondered-- oh little Johanna -- by your adorable oh so big blue eyes and sweet coffee cream covered smile. My heart skips a beat. Oh Johanna, I gotta dance with you-- it's this feeling, this bittersweet remedy that makes me feel so light. My image of you jumps down in my heart, like my favorite jellybean on a trampoline-- oh Johanna. It's so sweet. I laugh and cry at the same time-- little Johanna is here. Oh yes-- you gotta love Johanna. I would die in her arms any day. Danger never's near when little Johanna is here.

This was written by listening to the song "Little Johanna" from the boy-band McFly from the U.K. They only have a couple songs I like. This writing bit was a bit harder to do then the last one from Utada Hikaru, since the whole song is made of pretty much English lyrics, while the other song from UH was mostly Japanese and a few English words in between. It was a struggle to not totally copy the song, lol. My goal was to try to transmit a wonderful, happy, somewhat joyful feeling-- just like the song does. Dunno if I managed.

Should I be posting this at Penny Paint? Tell me what you think of it. :)

Tu-tu-turu-tu.

I hear the piano play in the street, each key singing with some crazy sweet sour thing called emotion. It's a song. A song of our oh my god life. People of the town hum and whistle to its tune-- slowly-- oh my god-- movin' their feet. Enemies and friends gather in one, dancing -- how much I love you -- to the oh so strange beat.

There are times when one doesn't have much to say. It is in times like these that I listen to music, ask for my inspiration to knock on the door, and write what comes out afterwards.

Hikki, (AKA japanese singer Utada Hikaru), caters to songs with quirky, questionable rythm and mixed, jumbled up feelings. I decided to listen to one of my favorites, "Hayotachi (Remix)", and what you see in italics is what came from listening to it. I want to do this more often. It makes me release whatever frustration I may have and feel better about everything.

Honey and Clover

Honey and Clover is a story of several college art students in Tokyo. The story starts with 3 male college students, Mayama, Takemoto, and Morita, who all live in the same, cheap apartment complex, as well as go to the same art college. Other people in their life come into the story, such as Ayumi Yamada, a pottery art student, Shuji, a teacher of art, and of course, the passionate artist Hugu, who comes across as a petite child, although she is 18-- and of course many others.

Honey and Clover narrates the story of these several college students and their friends, their life to adult-hood and maybe even self realization, as they meet new people, make friends, fall in love, and make the decisions of life. It sounds quite simple and least to say-- boring. But the wide variety of characters make up for it, as you start to fall for them and simply wish for their happiness as you would your own friends. It's an anime that has a meaning.

The anime consists of 2 seasons, the 1st having 24 episodes, and the 2nd having only 12 episodes. I'd recommend it to anybody who's willing to try an anime with a simple but heartfelt plot-- and much silliness as well. It's bound to make you sad, but also to make you smile and laugh at the many silly jokes flying through it all. Please give it a try, I'm sure you'll like it after a couple episodes.

To start watching it online, go to the infamous site called YouTube and search for "Honey and Clover 1" for the 1st season. If you don't feel like doing even that, then just click my link I just put here and it'll direct you to the 1st bit of the 1st episode of H&C. Stick to the author who uploaded it, and you'll be able to find all the episodes of the 1st season easily. Hope ya enjoy it.

Also, try not to judge it by the weirdo opening. It's supposed to be funny, I guess. In a Japanese humor-ish way.

New Years Resolution 2007

Feeling: optimistic
Listening to: "Anything but Ordinary" - Avril Lavigne

As I looked upon the pretty fireworks doing their magical display in the night sky last night, I thinked to myself-- how can so much fit into such a thing as a year that goes by so fast? It's just wonderable. The good part is that I can say this year was very good. It could've been better, I could've made it better, but nonetheless-- it was good. I look upon it and look at many happy memories. I just hope this year will have its share too.

This year is a year of much change for me. My social life might completely change, studying will become stricter and possibly harder. I'll eventually adjust to a whole new enviroment that will be my morning life, my school life. That honestly scares me a little. But it also make me excited for something new. If that "new" shall be good or not, will be seen later, 'course.

Aside from that, I'll also be moving to another part in the city where I used to live a couple years ago, in a larger apartment than in the tiny flat-like apartment that we are living in now. I'm excited about that. I'm hoping to be able to paint my room! It would be nice, at least.

And with a new year, I will also grow older... Is that even something to look foward too?

I tried writing a New Years Resolution for 2006 last year and it was very vague. It had to do a lot with things I have yet to fix or get over-- like my insecurity and my lack of determination and motivation in the things I like to do. I wouldn't like to say I didn't fufill any on the list, but at least I haven't fufilled them to the fullest, like I would have wanted to.

I haven't thought very well what my resolutions of this year shall be. I guess they would stay slighty the same no matter what. But this time I want to be more specific. So here it is:

New Years Resolution 2007
1. Get out more. See the city, the beach, people.
2. If someone invites you to a party, don't say no. Try going.
3. Pick a sport or exercise and practice it till you're good at it.
4. Practice drawing more often. 1 or 2 times a day. Draw from a photo for reference until you're comfortable with it.
5. Be more social. Talk more to new people. Start a conversation.
6. Speak louder. Clearer. Try not to stutter!
7. Pick 3 to 2 stories max and stick with them until you finish them.
8. When out of home, relax too. Stop being so tense. Be yourself.
9. Stop being so terribly conscious of what others think.
10. Don't be shy to laugh and look stupid.