Happy news!

I know I haven't been the most judicious with updates as far as this blog is concerned but pray forgive! I have a valid reason for not posting for so long!

Get this!

I've finally managed to get a job that's just tailor-made for me! I'm officially a Translator! And I've never felt surer about what I am good at! This job, it's made for me, baby!

This must also explain my inability to contribute as much as I'd like in my blog! And not to mention that the classes for N3 have started and believe me, now I see why they call this language difficult! But it's all so interesting! It feels like I'm discovering a part of myself that was lost long ago... in some other lifetime! It feels like homecoming to me.

JLPT N4! Here I coooooooome!!

♬Today is the day! Oh yeah.... Today is the day! Today I'll have my way. Oh yeah! Today is the daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!♬

Ahem...As most of us on this side of the planet struggle to get our peepers open so early on a Sunday morn, I'm full of beaming energy! Today, I submit my JLPT N4 application form! There's another reason why I'm so super-cali-fragalistic so early in the morning! Yesterday in class, I was actually able to understand the Kanji and the context of the story more easily than most in class. It could be because I knew the story of Urashima Tarou beforehand but still... I feel elated that maybe I am not as hopeless in this new class as I had feared! And, I also  realized that the few who were really good (one guy who seems really nice but is a little "show-off"y at times) actually was taking this class for the second time! And yesterday, Swarna-san and I managed to garner some attention towards ourselves in the positive sense! There were enquiries of where we did our N5 (though we mentioned it at the first class itself!) and how long ago we'd started learning! Swarna-san was able to crack N5 with just two months of preparation! Hah! Take that, you people who think we're not good enough in what we learn!

Hmmm.... Shimizu-sensei was so happy for Swarna-san that I still grin like an idiot when I think back at how her eyes shone with pride when she gave her the mark scores! And I seriously cannot let her down! So, henceforth, I am going to become the bushi of Japanese and shall take down anything that stands in my way of complete Japanese mastery! :D

On a completely disconnected note, the folks who're staying as tenants at our place seem to be intent on breaking the doors before they leave! There's this really old man with them and by the gods above! If he weren't old... I swear I would've given him quite the lashing for all the garbage he spews around the house! *sigh* I shalln't spoil the good mood I'm in right now and shall reserve these issues for another post.

Of Illustrators and Tablets....

My feelings exactly when I draw!

If you haven't noticed it yet, I'm currently focusing a lot on drawing stick figures and other...erm... illustrations for my posts. I'm quite proud of the fact that I can actually draw coherent images that don't resemble a mammoth's hiney when in reality I intend to draw someone's face!

But all that being said and done, I must also admit that drawing with the mouse is quite the pain in the nether regions! Oh, how I long for a wacom tablet! :) Will there be no one for me who can gift me that? Hmmmmmmmm......? Will this artistic talent be left to rot in the back alleys for the simple fact that she could not afford a tablet? Will there not be a saviour who shall provide the said tablet and release onto the world, a talent so pristine and wonderful that the world shall look at that person like a messiah?!

Okay.... I know that's pushing a bit too far... So... yeah... that's about it!

Yessir! Yessir! A refrigirator full!

Happy day! Happy day! I went grocery shopping at Nuts 'n' Spices and managed to get all the sauces that I love in Subway! And sooooooooo, right now, at my place, I have -

• Mayonnaise! Well... we always have mayo here but still, yay!
• Barbecue sauce! Yay again!
• Vinaigrette! This was such a lucky break... I wasn't even looking for salad dressings today but this baby just wanted to come home with me!
• TERIYAKI SAUCE!!!!!!!! Yes! I have it finally! So there! I'm doing the happy dance here. :)
• Italian Seasoning! I've been wanting this for the longest time and just recently managed to procure it.
• Lychee juice! I love Lychee... Absolutely love lychee! If I get enough arable land, I'd plant the entire place with Lychee! I'd sleep in a bed of lychee if I could! That's how much I love lychee!

So, thank you to every single one of you who'd sent positive vibes my way to aid me in the quest for the elusive sauces and salad dressings! And another big thankies to everyone of you who thought of places in Chennai where I'd get these and were about to let me know after their Sunday brunch! :D I still love you guys!

Hmmmm.... now comes the task of finding room in my 冷蔵庫 for all these babies! :D

In need of some therapy here! And I know just the thing! :D

As many would know, I've been really sick the past few days. And to make matters worse, the medicines that I was advised to consume were the vilest ever! I can still feel the retch return when I think of my cough syrup!

And I'm craving for some sort of healing.... and you know what would heal me the fastest?

THIS!!!!

©Palimpsest

And some more of THISSSSSS!

Oh... And a whole shelf of these!

©Palimpsest

And who could resist this!

I mean, look at all those beautiful pencils!

I must get to a stationery shop as soon as possible! So, if we were on a (friendly) date to some mall and you suddenly found me missing, you'll know where to find me. I'll be by the stationeries with this expression on my face!

Ah well... Now if you'll excuse me, I'll need to put my Faber-Castell's and Staedtler's to sleep. The poor things have been worried sick for me! :P

I'm finally finally finally.... getting ANIMAX!!!! KYAAAAAAAAA!!!!! :D

Are you the kind of person who gets the "oh-god-she's-at-it-again-like-a-ten-year-old!" stares on a regular basis? Are you the type to fall madly in love with an Anime character and go out professing your love for all to hear irrespective of there not being anyone who's listening? Are you the one cries when your favorite character dies or worse... finds a girlfriend? Well, that means you're an Otaku!

For those wondering why I'm rambling on about Anime and Otaku now,
And I, for one, am one! Wooot! :D
I'm really over the moon to let you all know that I have access to Animax once more! Yayayayayayayayayayay!

For those wondering what Animax is, were you living under a rock or something?! It's the only Anime oriented channel in the country and goes out to show how different Anime is from *pfft* cartoons! Exactly why there is an Animax apart from a Cartoon Network, people!

I remember a time when Animax was a free to air channel and suddenly, I felt like I actually belonged somewhere amidst all those characters and I didn't need to be someone else as my other 'real' friends expected me to be, most of the time. And then, Fate dealt me the "Hand of Death" and Animax went bye bye into the land of paid channels. And suddenly, I was left with nothing but mindless soap operas and silly reality shows! To make things worse, I didn't have anyone around who appreciated my need for Anime and everybody I turned to tended to laugh at me and tell me to grow up. (In spite of my constant reminder that Anime was NOT a Cartoon!!)

But today, I finally saw some of the old shows I'd watched years ago and suddenly, it was like being home... Sure, there were minor changes here and there.... but still.... the love is still there... the characters have not changed. Ah... to see Inuyasha battle it out with Naraku over the final shard of the Shikon no Tama, stuck to Housenki's body... Ah... to see Sesshoumaru fight for his brother even though he claims not to give a damn! Ah, Bliss!!!

Now if they only decide to air Gintama, I'll definitely die of Happiness! Hey, folks at Animax.... are you listening? Hmmmmm? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

P.S. Excuse the raccoon nose digging pun... and if you didn't get it, I guess you haven't watched Gintama yet! Go watch it NOW!!!

P.P.S. On second thought, Ali the Raccoon looks more like a fox! -__-;;;

P.P.P.S. I'm going to shut up now! :D

Finally...Photoshop CS5 Extended has arrived!

Yesterday was a pot pourrie of mixed emotions.... I managed to bring to light the fact that I absolutely suck at spectroscopy and have the most interesting habit of forgetting the simplest formulae in Math when I need it the most. But on the positive side of things, I managed to procure Photoshop CS5 Extended! For all the nit pickers out there, I downloaded it from the Adobe site and intend to have some really close friends get the legal copy for me as soon as the trial period expires! :)

Ever since I'd lost my software collection to the Virus Demons of the Netherworld, I've always felt that my computer feels like a patient with selective amnesia! It's the same... but somehow, saddeningly different! But having Photoshop in my Iris' brain again feels so good... Finally, she shall remember herself to be the Majestic and Uber cool computer that she was!

And so, without further much ado, I proudly doth announce,

And so, while I try mastering the ancient art of preparing for a PhD and enjoying life at the same time (can it be done? :D) while I simultaneously take time for my hobbies of designing and writing all at one go, you can be rest assured that there'll be more on it's way where this came from!

P.S. I know the picture looks very simple and not exactly as flashy as is to be expected from someone who's gotten their hands on the latest copy of Photoshop... please bear with me this once. I'm still reeling from the shock of finally having it with me! :P

In came Tsume!

Remember the last post where I had mentioned we'd taken in a stray and named her Tsume? Well... I can't bring myself to tell how glad I am that we did what we did!

She seems to have become so fond of Dad and I that one sees her eyes light up with hoy every time we walk out towards her! And this same creature was sulking around, scared and sad just last week! It's amazing what love can do to living things! It makes me so happy that I've been the reason some creature got out of depression! (And dogs undergo depression too!)

Just last week, she probably didn't have anyone to look at her kindly, let alone play with her... nobody to scratch her ears and tell her how much they love her... nobody to give her a bowl of piping hot broth (or any other form of supper) and pat her gently as she eats it all up. Simply put, she must've felt so lonely... so desperately seeking some comfort... and in she came into our house, into our hearts!

Tsume, my love! You're like a god given gift for which I am thankful! And if only everyone reading this would go out and adopt an animal from the shelter... or take in and give home to a stray, I'm sure the world would seem a much better place! :)

Happy Birthday, 星宿-くん!

Today's 2nd of April... Hotohori's birthday. I know it must sound really retarded to celebrate some fictional character's birthday, but Hotohori has been more than just a character to me. Heck! He kept me going when I was sure I was going to sink! :D And so, I am honouring "陛下様の誕生日" with a wallpaper that I humbly made. Sure, it isn't much... and technically, I made this one ages ago. But heck! :P

お誕生日おめでとうございます,星宿-恋!

P.S. Hotohori shares his Birthday with Hans Christian Anderson! :D And I share mine with Hideki Yukawa! *faints with joy*

I have finally fallen

After all the precautions I had undertaken to prevent this from happening... I was so foolish to have underestimated the power of the opponent. Yes... he is very clever... as clever as they come! And now, having fallen for that one thing that I promised myself I wouldn't, I have nothing to say in my defence... except that I LOVE IT!

I should say... Hmmm... Not bad.... not bad at all! I had remained apprehensive if it would indeed be to my genteel tastes. I needn't have worried so much... The entire experience was one exciting, enticing, pleasurable ordeal! ;)

I the end, do I have something left to say?

Naruto... is a good Manga, DATTEBAYO! :P
And, DARN YOU KISHIMOTO-SENSEI!!!!

I danced... I actually DANCED!!!

Remember the concert that I had mentioned in my previous post? Well... hehehe... I actually did attend it. It was awesome - Just the thing I needed to drive my blues away! And to make it even more memorable, I actually managed to dance. And if anyone is curious, I've always been under the impression that I possessed two left feet! And now, my impression hasn't changed much... but I guess in the dark, where people are least bothered about what you're doing and too engrossed in the the singer on stage, dancing like a dodo isn't such a bad thing! :P

Well, I wasn't alone in this endeavour! We were a group of seven to eight people and we all managed to dance like nobody was watching! (and mostly they weren't... so... I guess that part holds true!)

The only flip side to this situation.... right now, my whole body feels like I let a herd of African Elephants on it! Ooooooh.... the pain! LOL... but that's hardly any reason to never do it again!

Hehehehe.... So, everybody out there, that's one other thing off my 'TO DO' list... dance like an idiot! :P

I got a new phone!

Hello folks! I bring with me happy news! I've gotten a new phone! yes... the very same model that was lost! Remember that post?

>>Clickity Clickity<<

And I seriously hope the bitch who stole my phone ends up getting bitten by rabid monkeys! And for all you prospective phone thieves out there, you'd better keep your stinking hands off my phone, bastards... or else, there'll be trouble abrewing for ye, I say! >=(

Birthdays and wishes

I recently celebrated my Birthday and let me tell you... it was such fun! For the very first time in 22 years, I cut a cake and had friends around who'd arranged for the whole thing... cheering me on... letting me know how much they loved me. And at that moment, if I could have had one wish come to pass, I would've wished for all my friends, wherever they are... however they are, to be happy! I hope all their dreams come true!

I love you guys!

Psssssst: And I know I haven't been updating that very religiously these days! I've a million assignment deadlines and entrance exams coming up! Gomen ne... Oh... and I got a really pretty purple and black backpack! I'm so Hap-py! =D

The Little things that matter.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Mary Angelou

Today, I realized the truth behind the quote above! My family has always seemed more conservative than we're actually... sure, I don't go to parties every weekend! Heck... I don't leave home much. But that's not because I'm not allowed... merely because I don't prefer to. I've had a few friends who still think I'm being held "hostage" by my parents most of the time. LOL... But I wouldn't change a thing about my parents... My mother is probably the best friend I've always wanted. And the way my parents and I talk, it's more like being in the midst of friends than in front of parents! And I cannot thank God enough for such a wonderful family I'm blessed with! =D

And so, today, as I was browsing the net just like that, I stumbled upon some song from the eighties titled 'Cars'. This was when I remembered something my mom had told me ages ago... some eight to nine years ago. She had said how she really loved a particular song "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman. I guess I wanted to bring a smile onto her face and so, I decided to hunt the song down for her. A few frantic clicks later, I managed to find the video on YouTube.

You should've seen the look on her face when she saw the video... It was something small.. heck! It was nothing compared to what people gift their mothers! But somehow, I knew she would love it... It would take her down memory lanes... back when she was young... back when she didn't have to worry about a family... back when she was a bit free! And when she told Dad on how I'd searched for a song for her and having remembered it even after all these years, I couldn't miss a hint of pride in her voice... And that, my dear friends... that was more than what I need to keep me going. God, I love them! =D

And here's the video from YouTube...

A Merry Christmas Everybody! ^_______^.

Ahhhhhhhh.... I don't know why... but somehow, this year's Christmas seems so magical! Actually, I don't celebrate Christmas strictly... me not being a Christian is a good enough reason. But this year, as I sit and reflect, I realize I don't have to be one to celebrate! Heck! It's the spirit of Christmas that matters right? And this year, I've been singing Carols as loud as I can and am smiling at every family member as they consider if they should pack me off to the nearest Mental Institution... But who cares! It's Christmas! =D

And in this same high spirited note, I made a Christmas card for all you readers out there! I don't even care if many people don't come here! For the very few who do... or will be, here you go, folks! A merry Christmas to you all~!

Psssssssst! Did you know you could track Santa as he goes about distributing gifts to children who have been good? Oh yes! Official NORAD Santa Tracker does that exactly! ^__^. And for those of you who think I might be finally losing my mind, all I have to say is...... Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! ^__________^.

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Hello there people! I know I haven't been blogging for quite some time now... but, I bring some really awesome news to make up for the lack of posts recently!

If there is anyone out there who's a hardcore Graphic designer (or wannabe graphic designer like me!), you'll love what I have to say!

Now, I'm sure most of those who're atleast a little into the design arena will know how wonderful and kakkoi Photoshop can be and when you have brushes that you can actually use to make awesome art, do you need to ask for more now? ;)

And if there's one person I know who makes some of the most beautiful and awesome brushes that I've seen in a lot of Billboards in my city (yep! Here... in lil' Chennai!), it has to be the one.... the only Jason Gaylor!

You don't have to take my word for it people! Do drop into his website (and such a marvelous one at it!) and see for yourselves!

Designfruit.com

Now, for all those out there who're like me (broke but with a million dreams in our eyes), you'll be well on your way to high heaven when you hear what I'm about to say!

Jason Gaylor is giving away free brush packs (bundles of three complete brush packs - not the itty bitty sample ones, which are just as great! =D)!

But this offer is only for a limited period! I mean.... these brush packs that are worth $40 are free for the next three days! Now, if you're happy and you know it, hug the nearest person you find and pass the love!

I still can't believe this is actually happening... and for good reason! For the past six months, I'd kept my graphic designing ideas (crappy ones... but still...) to myself and haven't touched my Photoshop software in ages. And today, I'm just checking out all the favorite websites I've hearted and I find this! Divine providence or what! ;P

And a really BIG thank you to you, Mr. Gaylor! You ave no idea how grateful we all are! (or maybe you do... he he...)

And as soon as my exams get over, I might make some decent looking wallpapers out of these babies and I'll post some of them here! And if you still haven't grabbed this offer with both hands like you ought to, poo poo.... shame on you! :P (or maybe you're rich enough to get it for $40 later on! ;D And if that's true, say.... can I borrow a ten? ;P)

A day in which I lost my umbrella, my phone and gained a happy-happy!

What does one do when one has lost one's umbrella in lab, one's phone in the bus and feels like the whole world's on to something?

Well.... I've been through this recently and just so everybody knows, I do not like it!

But to be positive (or realistic), I think my phone's just been misplaced. It rings when I call it. So, I think nobody's bothered flicking it. And I wouldn't blame them... well... that phone looked sickly and old (in phone terms). So, now, it says switched off. And I think it's because of the low battery.

Heh heh... I would love to see the baka who flicked it (if it was flicked in the first place!). I mean.... you can do nothing with it! Not use it without giving it the correct security code, not change SIM cards without giving it the correct security code or even switch off and switch it on without giving it the darned security code! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! So, I'm presuming they just threw it away without bothering too much about that.... Hmmmm.... Asstards! And they forgot to flick my iPod that was in the same place as my phone! HAH! ASSTARDS!!!

And then there's this problem with my umbrella. It was an old one (but a sturdy one!). And I think someone who comes sweeping our classrooms has flicked this one. Keh... bitches! Hope their progeny dies from diarrhea!

But to be honest, the day wasn't exactly all that bad. My best friend has finally found her soul mate and I am probably one of the happiest people on earth right now! She deserves to be loved and cared about! And I totally approve of her guy(like she needed my approval! =P)! All in all, I'm having a happy-happy right now (and a hungry-hungry as well).

And there you have it folks! I guess I'll be phone-less for a while now! (DARN! I WAS HOPING TO USE THIS PHONE FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS! so what if it would be in pieces by then?! I'm broke!)

And if anyone out there would like to gift me a phone or an umbrella or both, I love you~ ^_^.

Ahem... that's it for now folks!

Happy times at the beach!

Today, we went out to the beach with my Uncle and my niece! It was an awesome way to spend my Saturday! Here are some snaps that I managed to take!

My Niece - Varsha


Mom with Varsha. Dad's somewhere in the background, glaring at tiny crabs! =D


Random Photographer being photographed!


Dad, still glaring at the crab!=P


Random people at the beach


A log floated ashore and suddenly, a lot of Nikon toting dudes were almost lying on top of it trying to take its pictures!


Uncle dearest and Varsha


Daddy (finally let go of the crab ne!), Uncle and Varsha


Mom, dad and Varsha


Random kite flying so high.... *dreams away*


"The Log" that traps unwitting photographers to snap a picture of its magnificent self! Who was I to resist?! ;D


Magnificent Horses that won't take you places!


Samosa Channa! YUM YUM!

Kintama! ROFL


Chili Mala!


Playtime!


The sunset in Marina


Daddy contemplating how to get the car out from behind fifty rows of parked vehicles!

All in all... it was a wonderful trip!

My new knapsack! Woot!

When it rains, it pours! And I for once, know that this is true! how else does one explain getting two branded trousers and an awesome knapsack when one just walks into a shop to look around?

I know I'm tall... I've been bullied at for this one reason since my eighth grade. And add to that, my lanky stature and my buck teeth and you get the class clown. And though my lanky frame has become a bit more plumper (now they say I have a willowy frame!) and my buck teeth all fixed, my height still makes heads turn when I walk into the open. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad one. But being tall means lesser leg space in an already cramped bus, ill fitting ready made dresses and trousers... blah blah blah...

And so, I've been on the hunt for the perfect jeans for as long as I can remember! And well, the search ended in Eranakulam recently... at least for now!

Mom, Dad and I had gone temple hopping to Kerala and there, we managed to find an Levi's store right next to our hotel room. We just walked in to inquire the price but somehow, we ended up getting a pair of jeans, a pair of camo cargoes, and a knapsack! I'm way too lazy to post the pictures of the clothing right now. But the knapsack that I now carry to the university, I shall post it's pictures here.

Oh... And I am a HUGE fan of tiny dolls and trinkets that one adds to one's bags to personalize them. I should say my bag's become quite unique in my university in that respect (and this also leads to a lot of flicking of stuff! T__T)!

So.... here she is! =D

The front

The Back

I really love the material on this one!

Maybe I'll post the picture of the cargoes and the jeans (that fit me perfectly! Tra la la la la!!!) some other time! =D

Updates... updates!

Hello there dearies!
I know it's been long but well... I've hardly had enough time to get through the mundane activities of my life and just so the few people who actually read my blog know, I'm sorry for not updating much, ne!

Anyway... the post for the day is going to be about the Summer training I'm taking up in Advanced Physics. Ah, the nerd in me roars with delight! =D

This course is being offered by Madras University and has about thirty very privileged students from all over the State taking part in a month long sojourn that involved lectures on the most 'happening' fields in Physics and also trips to some really advanced Research Labs in the vicinity!

Altogether, it's a really wonderful dream come true for me. And well... I can say my Quantum Mechanics is stronger than ever before and suddenly, I feel some sort of purpose in my life! Yay me!

It also gives me an opportunity to interact with so many students who have differing ideals about their futures and what they wish to pursue. It's a really wonderful experience, I should say.

Anyway... I'll be attending this course till the nineteenth of this month and they plan to take us to IGCAR next week! I can hardly wait! =D

And just when I was wondering if I should actually continue with a literary venture that i was pursuing, I am receiving a lot of wonderful and supportive comments from a lot of readers! Thank you folks! I love you all! =D

P.S. Stark from Bleach kicks ass! :P