Hey.
I moved. Cloudy days

If the voice does not remember.

When I was sorting off my folders of pictures, I came across some art pieces made by a really amazing artist (Shel-Yang) under the category of Soundless.

Shel has this distinctively simple yet really sweet watercolour art style. Her pictures could tell a story without any words.

My favorite collection of hers is, obviously, Soundless.
I had admired and collected her pieces since 3 years ago, when I first came across her artworks. (Fear not, I didn't make any profitable distribution or use them without her permission whatsoever.) The collection revolved around a dark haired boy and a brown haired girl.

Interested?

I googled (don't ask me 'why now') for the stories or artbook behind the Soundless collection and found this on Baidu. It's in Chinese, obviously.

It was basically (a) short story(/ies) published by '落落' (Luò Luò) about a girl named 吉澤玉緒 (Jí zé yù xù) and a boy named 新堂聖 (Xīntáng shèng).
Personally, I like to read their names in Japanese: Yoshizawa Tamao and Shindo Sei
So, the Baidu link I provided had some abstracts and extracts written in it, so if you understand Chinese, just read them! :D

Anyway, I kinda like the Poem from the book, so I decided to post here.
--

如果聲音不記得.

如果聲音不記得 有種相望叫做尋找
如果聲音不記得 有種平凡叫做甜蜜
如果聲音不記得 有種爭執叫做保護
如果聲音不記得 有種哭泣叫做幸福
如果聲音不記得 有種辛苦叫做執著
如果聲音不記得 有種期盼叫做等待
如果聲音不記得 有種相聚叫做和諧
如果聲音不記得 有種牽手叫做愛情
如果聲音不記得 有種平淡叫做肯定
如果聲音不記得 有種滋味叫做吻
如果聲音不記得 有種傷痛叫做分手
如果聲音不記得 有種突然叫做幸福
如果聲音不記得 有種冷漠叫做在乎
如果聲音不記得 有種挽回叫做無奈
如果聲音不記得 有種笑靨叫做初戀
如果聲音不記得 有種朋友叫做哥們
如果聲音不記得 有種背影叫做驚喜
如果聲音不記得 有種溫度叫做孤單
如果聲音不記得 有種童年叫做兩小無猜
如果聲音不記得 有種逃避叫做珍惜

My rough translation:

If the voice does not remember.
If the voice does not remember, there is a look [at each other] called search
If the voice does not remember, there is a normalcy called sweetness
If the voice does not remember, there is a disagreement called protection
If the voice does not remember, there is a weep called happiness
If the voice does not remember, there is hardship called attachment
If the voice does not remember, there is an expectation called waiting
If the voice does not remember, there is an encounter called harmony
If the voice does not remember, there is [an act of] holding hands called love
If the voice does not remember, there is calmness called certainty
If the voice does not remember, there is a taste called kiss
If the voice does not remember, there is pain called breaking up
If the voice does not remember, there is abruptness called happiness
If the voice does not remember, there is coldness called care
If the voice does not remember, there is a retrieval called helplessness
If the voice does not remember, there is a dimple called first love
If the voice does not remember, there is a friend called brother
If the voice does not remember, there is a shadow called surprise
If the voice does not remember, there is a temperature called loneliness
If the voice does not remember, there is a childhood called Jeux d ' enfants
If the voice does not remember, there is an escape called appreciation

...I MIGHT (emphasizing on the probability) attempt to translate the extracts and abstracts tomorrow.

20122011

Sam looks blankly at the piece of white-dyed wood fibers in front of him.
He scratches his head in attempt to diminish the nonexistent itch as the frustration slowly grows in exasperation. He realizes he has stared at the piece of paper (or at least, at the new blank ones substituting the crumpled ideas on his waste box) for about four hours.

Sam knows very well that this is merely a high school assignment and that Mrs. Brown doesn't demand much but a mere complete set of coherent words she could grade.
But he also knows very well that he wants to write; as a small means to express his thoughts and silent pleas for others to see.

So many things he needs to reconsider.

Should he write it all?
Should he write little?
Should he write straightforward?
Should he write in secrecy; in codes that not most could decipher?
Should he write at all?

...should he?

Letting out another silent sigh, again he picked up his pen and decided to start scribbling.

--
This protruding blankness in my life,
Not knowing when or how it would be filled.
Let alone what or who would fill it.

This vacancy in my soul,
So untouchable, yet so real.
Young I may be, but exhausted is my heart.

Like cocoon I've always shielded,
So afraid of it ever breaking,
So very fragile I've realized it is.

The little pseudo hope and belief,
The vain attempt of assuring,
I would be okay.
--

Sam reads his work over and over again, carefully analyzes every word, every letter.
He finally smiles at himself and turns off his table lamp.

I've always been the one got pulled out to the lights.
I've always been the one got picked up pieces by pieces.
I've always been the one got concerned by others.
I've always been the one made smile by others.

It's always a passive voice for me.
I want to do things, not get things done to me.
I want to change.

11172011

Hey. I'm supposed to be sleeping right now. But..
--
"Rick."

"What." The lad in question answers monotonously while he continues scribbling down the essential materials and the events arrangement for the upcoming festival. He then shifts his eyes to the list of sponsors and analyzes them carefully. Evidently, the budget couldn't cover most of the cost. He glances back at the words and numbers he had scribbled neatly and frowns slightly. Maybe they need to omit the local band and just hire their school's ba-

"RICK!" A deafening feminine voice shrieks near his ears.

Slightly startled, Rick looks up from his papers to the red-headed girl who is sitting on the chair facing him. The girl grins in mischief and pride now that she has his attention. Rick, having been accustomed to the girl's antics for sometime now, raises his left eyebrow.

"Can't you see I'm trying to work right now?"

"Can't you see I'm trying to amuse myself right now?"

"Go home, Summer." With that, Rick proceeds to concentrate back on his work. Summer is obviously not pleased when he ignores her..again. Is this a way to treat a lady? Even after she has decided to wait for him to finish his work? She even misses her beloved 4pm anime for him!

"You know, your papers seem so bland and I could help decorating it. Thankfully, I brought my colour markers and glitters around. Oh, maybe we could cut out some butterflies too."

Rick put down his pen in exasperation and sighed, "What do you want?"

"Amusement."

"Then go home."

"Come on. Why are you doing all the work? You're the vice president of student rep for screaming out loud!"

"Exactly. And these are my responsibility. Thanks for understanding, Summer."

"Riick!" The girl continues to whine at the uncaring boy. She starts to rock her chair back and forth to create mini earthquakes on the table where Rick is trying to write.

"Alright. Alright. What do you want me to do?"

Summer cheers out loud when she hears his dejected offer, "Tell me a story!"

Rick frowns in disbelief as he asks in sarcasm, "How old are you?"

"Five."

The raven haired guy squints at his friend's horrendous effort in looking like a five year old girl. "Very funny."

"I know. Now start telling me a story."

Rick ruffles his short black locks and wonders to himself how in the world he could befriend someone as unbelievable as this girl.
"Once upon a time.." Rick notices that Summer's eyes round in anticipation and lets out a small chuckle, "there was a young man who worked as a farmer in a small Kingdom called Neskia. His name was-"

"Brendan!"

"Are you interrupting me?"

"No, I was-"

"Good. If you interrupt again, I'll stop the story." Rick almost chuckles again at Summer's pout. He then continues, "Brendan was a hard-working farmer. He lived alone in a small yet comfortable cottage. He worked night and day tiling his land. He grew a lot of crops and always sold his goods in low prices. He also offered the same kindness to everyone. All in all, he was a well-respected farmer.

"One day, he traveled to the market to buy some supplies. He had bought some seeds, bread and some daily needs items. On his way home, he bumped into someone and dropped his bought items.

'S-Sorry.' a melodious and sweet feminine voice resounded. 'Are you okay?' the lady asked.

Brendan was rendered speechless as he dove into a pair of ocean blue orbs staring innocently at him. He nodded absentmindedly as he admired her long golden silky tresses. He could smell faint roses fragrance as the lady handed back some of his scattered belongings.

'I believe that's all you've dropped.' The lady smiled sweetly at Brendan. Brendan tried to stretch his facial muscle to form an awkward smile. However, their (one-way) conversation was cut short when a voice called out.

'Princess Spring! We need to hurry!'

'Coming!'

With that, the princess left the poor farmer without another word. They never crossed path again ever since that day. And the farmer, could only look at her in admiration from afar.

The End."

The redhead frowned at the raven haired boy, "What? The End? That's not an end!"

"Yes it is. I tell the story, I decide when it's going to end." She could feel his darkened mood.

She knows better to stop, but yet-

"So, Brendan will stay like that forever? Not even bother to try approaching Princess Spring?"

"Yes. He's a mere farmer and she's a Princess. They won't change. Forever."

She knows not to pry further, but yet-
"So what if she's a Princess? She still has heart right? She could fall for Brendan for sure! Brendan. What a joke. What sort of loser is that? Giving up without putting any effort! Can't he at least-"

"SHUT UP!" Summer is taken aback from the unexpected loud interruption, "You don't know anything about Brendan." His voice is cold and bitter. His scowl reflects all the sourness he's experiencing at the moment. "Don't judge him like you have the right to do so."

Summer tries hard not to tremble as she glares back. She's only trying to help and make suggestion for Brendan. She wants Brendan to go for his happiness instead of watching in silence forever.

Rick then backs off and sighs, "I'm sorry for yelling. I'll go wash my face. I must have been too tired." He walks across the room and goes out without even looking back at the redhead.

Summer looks at his retreating figure and sighs. Maybe she has crossed the line. Maybe she needs to be gentler.

She knows he's talking about her.

Maybe because she's not her.

The last thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"I know Brendan more than you know...idiot."
--

It's 2:28AM. I NEED TO SLEEP.
Weird post by the way, I know. :/

14112011.

Hey there.
I figure I haven't updated anything about my life for long enough.

First things first.
JAY CHOU HAS JUST RELEASED HIS 11TH ALBUM ON 11/11/2011!!

驚嘆號 (Exclamation Point)
The complete Track List:
1. "驚嘆號" (Jīng Tàn Hào Exclamation Mark)
2. "迷魂曲" (Mí Hún Qǔ Enchanting Melody)
3. "Mine Mine"
4. "公主病" (Gōng Zhǔ Bìng Princess Syndrome)
5. "你好嗎" (Nǐ Hǎo Ma How Are You?)
6. "療傷燒肉粽" (Liáo Shāng Shāo Ròu Zòng Healing Dumplings)
7. "琴傷" (Qín Shāng Piano Sadness)
8. "水手怕水" (Shuǐ Shǒu Pà Shuǐ Hydrophobic Sailor)
9. "世界未末日" (Shì Jiè Wèi Mò Rì The World's Not Over)
10. "皮影戲" (Pí Yǐng Xì Shadow Puppetry)
11. "超跑女神" (Chāo Pǎo Nǚ Shén The Goddess of Race)

How epic is that?
Sadly, I haven't had the chance to purchase one copy for myself..yet.
Since I'm a pirate, I've listened to every song in it.

The first two tracks introduced to me were "驚嘆號" and "Mine Mine". I have to be honest: I was pretty disappointed when I listened to them for the first time.
(Okay, here comes the know-it-all bitching)
As for "驚嘆號", maybe it's because I'm not a big fan of Chinese-rock songs and the poor quality of the sample song I found didn't help either.
Whereas "Mine Mine" on the other hand, is pretty easy on ear. I like the music. But then again, Jay decided to autotune the whole song, and I was like, 'WTF Jay, your voice sounds brilliant without all those artificial touches.'

However after the album was released and after I listened to all the tracks, I've decided, I LOVE the album.

I mean, are you kidding, the whole album has been on repeat on my playlist for like the whole day. (Some of my contacts must have noticed it.)
(Don't worry, I WILL BUY the album.)

My favorite song by far is "你好嗎".
Its mellow melody and simple yet deep lyrics manage to get me. :)
And of course, Jay always manages to sing sad songs so well that it (almost) always touches my heart. (Over-dramatic much?)

Following closely is "公主病", the melody of which is pretty similar to "陽光宅男" (a song from his past album "我很忙", well...Jay himself has demonstrated it actually, far before the makings of the album.

The lyrics of "公主病" are so fluffy that I melted the moment I learned about it..almost literally. It should be illegal for someone his age to be so cute!

The other songs, they're good, but they haven't struck me as hard as the two above do..yet.

In conclusion: All in all, I love the album.
Jay NEVER disappoints me.
(But then again, I always love the songs made by Jay..)
(And then again, I was a tad bit shocked when I first heard about his so-called marriage..I'm not going to lie: I was depressed, devastated. Fanatic much?)
--

So, about my day today..
The whole day went just fine, nothing too bad nor too good happened.
My EB (English for Business) lecturer handed us back our individual feedbacks on our previous assessments. The feedbacks aren't mandatory for the lecturers, she just chose to provide us with some. Thank her.
At first when I read the words 'Well done!', 'Good Job!' etc in the feedback paper, needless to say I almost jumped up and down in excitement.
But after reading through some of my friends' feedbacks which contain almost similar words, I started to doubt the ambiguity meaning behind the words.
Is she trying to console us, who didn't do as well as the others?
Or does that mean the work we did is sufficient?

...I doubt it.

Anyhow, nothing else of importance emerges.
However, my journey back today wasn't as enjoyable as the other days.
First of all, the bus was fully packed. I tried to wriggle out when I realize my friend couldn't get in, but I was roughly shoved by the bus' entrance door. Thankfully I didn't get squeezed (to death by the door) or something.

When we arrived at the next stop, the driver didn't even bother to inform me that he was going to open the door. I mean hello? Am I supposed to notice anything with my back facing the door, I obviously couldn't see a thing.
If I wasn't wrong, the other drivers did make a short announcement when they were about to do so..
And what was he thinking? We could barely move and he still expected more passengers to ride? Come on, at least let the passengers alight first, won't you?

In the end, my right slipper was stuck..under the door. I struggled to get it back (and I believe some people outside the bus watched me did so) before quickly made my way to the body of the bus.
--

Yes I do love leaving my stories hanging like this. :)
(Actually nothing happened afterwards, just some boring walking and boring eating and boring browsing and a bit boring sketching before blogging boring post...)

Another thing is, I'm about to face my first semester examination in about 15 days..and that sucks.
(I don't know, I just have the habit of blogging just right before examinations..I guess.)

I should be revising right now..

Naturally.

Some people are just...
So naturally beautiful.
So naturally smart.
So naturally loveable.
So naturally healthy.
So naturally friendly.
So naturally patient.
So naturally kindhearted.
So naturally perfect.

What about the others?