Anime Recommendation: 1. Honey and Clover (Hachikuro)

The story involves 5 main characters:

M-Yūta Takemoto
M-Takumi Mayama
M-Shinobu Morita
F-Hagumi Hanamotou
F-Ayumi Yamada

The story follows these five characters in their love triangles, graduating from college, finding jobs, and learning more about themselves.

Among all the animes i've watched, this is probably one that touches on issues closer to reality. Rather than fantasy romance, it tells of a life and love story viewed from different perspectives. The story itself is not much of a suspense though.

For me, it was probably the heart to heart and inner conversations that the characters exchange that strikes close to home. Some events may even be nostalgic to some viewers.

On a personal note, my attentions throughout the story was focused on Yamada-san. Watching her was like watching a fictional version of myself. During the times that she was down, so was I. And when she began to understand and improve herself, so did I. There were countless times when I felt like she was conveying on my behalf, all those inner thoughts that i could never put into words, that I could never share...but note that I do not have the same love problems that she does. Haha...

In conclusion, there will be at least ONE character there that you will find with a close resemblance, whether in thoughts or looks to you. If you liked the first season, you will most probably be hunting for the second season. And yes, there is one. And it is complete.

H&C episode 19- Yamada & Nomiya (Ferris wheel scene OST)

Song Collection: 4. Lily Allen - LDN

Amusingly sarcastic...
True of the world today...not only 'London' as described...
Same for Sweeney Todd's "There's no place like London" ...


==============================================
Lyrics
==============================================

(Verse 1)
Riding through the city on my bike all day,
'Coz the filth took away my license.
It doesn't get me down and I feel OK,
'Coz the sights that I'm seeing are priceless!
Everything seems to look as it should,
But, I wonder what goes on behind doors.
A fella looking dapper - and he's sitting with a slapper,
Then I see it's a pimp and his crack whore!

You might laugh - you might frown,
Walking round London town

(Chorus)
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
When you look with your eyes,
Everything seems nice...
But, if you look twice,
You can see it's all lies!

(Verse 2)
There was a little old lady,
Who was walkin down the road,
She was struggling with bags from Tesco.
There were people from the city havin' lunch in the park,
I believe that is called 'al fresco'.
When a kid came along to offer a hand,
But before she had time to accept it,
Hits her over the head - doesn't care if she's dead,
'Cause he's got all her jewellery and wallet!

You might laugh - you might frown,
Walkin round London town.

(Chorus)
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
When you look with your eyes,
Everything seems nice...
But, if you look twice,
You can see it's all lies!

Life, yeah that city life, yeah that city life, yeah that city life...
Life, yeah thats city life, yeah thats city life, yeah thats city life.

(Chorus)
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?
Sun is in the sky, oh why, oh why
Would I wanna be anywhere else?

When you look with your eyes,
Everything seems nice...
But, if you look twice,
You can see it's all lies!

When you look with your eyes,
Everything seems nice...
But, if you look twice,
You can see it's all lies!
==============================================

Song Collection: 3. Fukuyama Masaharu - Squall

OST of Perfect Love:

============================================== Lyrics ==============================================
Sakki made no toori ame ga Uso mitai ni kirei na sora The sky is so beautiful Making the recent rain seem like a lie Sonna fuu ni hohoemu kara Itsu no ma ni ka ureshiku naru yo Because you smile like that I get happy without even noticing Chotto ookina anata no shatsu Tooshita sode wo tsumande mita ima... Your slightly-too-large shirt I just now grabbed onto the sleeve as you passed... Watashi koi wo shite iru kanashii kurai Mou kakusenai kono setsunasa wa Motto issho ni itai Futari de itai Kanaete hoshii natsu no akogare Sagashiteta anata dake... I'm so much in love it's sad I can't hide this pain anymore I want to be with you more Just the two of us I want you to make my summer longing come true I've been searching, just for you... Ase wo kaita aisutii to Toorisugita poraroido shashin The sweating glasses of iced tea And too many Polaroids Anna fuu ni hashaida kara Kaeri michi wa samishiku naru yo Because we frolicked around like that The way home seems so lonely Yuuyake somaru eki no hoomu Te wo furu anata tooku natte iku... The train station dyed by the sunset You wave your hand as you get farther away... Watashi koi ni ochiteru kurushii kurai Mou kakusenai atsui tokimeki Zutto meguriau koto Yume ni miteta no Wakatte hoshii natsu no akogare I'm falling in love so much it hurts I can't hide this passion anymore I always dreamed That we'd meet each other I want you to understand my summer longing And I touched the rain! So I need your love Watashi koi wo shite iru koi ni ochiteru Mou kakusanai atsui tokimeki Yatto meguriaeta no Yume ni miteta no Sameru koto nai natsu no akogare Sagashiteta anata dake... I'm in love, I'm falling in love I won't hide this passion anymore I dreamed That we finally met An unending summer longing I've been searching, just for you... ============================================== P.s: Lyrics aren't that touching but the song has a nice, calming feel to it...

Tea & food pairings

The information below is obtained from a website:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ White Tea: Because of the extremely subtle flavor of white teas, we recommend pairing them with only the mildest of flavors, like basmati rice. Green Tea: In general, the subtle, vegetative flavor and aroma of most green tea is well suited to mild or subtly-flavored foods, such as seafood, rice, salads, melon or chicken. Oolong Tea: Many argue that the subtle complexity of flavor and aroma attributed to oolong tea demand drinking it on its own. However, because oolongs can range in character between green and black teas, many can be paired with food along the same lines as their green or black counterparts. For instance, greener oolongs tend to go well with scallops, lobster and other sweet rich foods, while darker oolongs compliment somewhat stronger-flavored foods such as duck and grilled meats. Black Tea: The more robust flavors and aromas of most black teas, as well as the most pronounced tannins, are well suited to pairing with full-flavored foods such as meat and spicy dishes. Pu-erh teas are worthy of special note, being known for their digestive benefits. Not only do these teas pair well with meats and oily foods, they can offer a welcome settling effect after large, multi-course meals! Green Tea Dragonwell After a Large Meal; Seafood or Fish, Salads, Chicken Gunpowder Strong-Tasting Foods; Asian or Middle Eastern Foods Jasmine Alone Oolong Tea Formosa Oolong Alone or with Chicken, Seafood, or Fruits Ti Kuan Yin Desserts and Fruits Black Tea Assam Hearty Foods; Breakfast Foods; Chocolate, Custard or Lemon Desserts Darjeeling Egg Dishes; Creamy Desserts Keemun Meats; Fish; Chinese Foods; Spicy Mexican, Italian, or Indian Dishes Yunnan Highly Seasoned Foods Lapsang Souchong Chicken, Smoked Salmon, Lemony Desserts Kenya Strong Savory and Sweet Flavors Pu-Erh After a Large Meal; Chicken and Meats, Stir-Fries, Oily Foods

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Categories of Chinese Tea

Chinese tea may be classified into five categories according to the different methods by which it is processed.

Green tea

Green tea is the variety which keeps the original colour of the tea leaves without fermentation during processing. This category consists mainly of Longjing tea of Zhejiang Province, Maofeng of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province and Biluochun produced in Jiangsu.

Black tea

Black tea, known as "red tea" (hong cha) in China, is the category which is fermented before baking; it is a later variety developed on the basis of the green tea. The best brands of black tea are Qihong of Anhui , Dianhong of Yunnan, Suhong of Jiangsu, Chuanhong of Sichuan and Huhong of Hunan.

Wulong tea

This represents a variety half way between the green and the black teas, being made after partial fermentation. It is a specialty from the provinces on China's southeast coast: Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan.

Compressed tea

This is the kind of tea which is compressed and hardened into a certain shape. It is good for transport and storage and is mainly supplied to the ethnic minorities living in the border areas of the country. As compressed tea is black in colour in its commercial form, so it is also known in China as "black tea". Most of the compressed tea is in the form of bricks; it is, therefore, generally called "brick tea", though it is sometimes also in the form of cakes and bowls. It is mainly produced in Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.

Scented tea

This kind of tea is made by mixing fragrant flowers in the tea leaves in the course of processing. The flowers commonly used for this purpose are jasmine and magnolia among others. Jasmine tea is a well-known favourite with the northerners of China and with a growing number of foreigners.

Tisane

BASIL TEA

Directions: 3 teaspoons of fresh chopped leaves to each cup.
Benefits: Reduces nausea (good for morning and travel sickness).

BERGAMOT TEA

Directions: 3 teaspoons of leaves and flowers to each cup.

Benefits: Helps with sore throats and chest ailments.

CARAWAY TEA

Directions: 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons of crushed seeds. Let steep for 5 min. Strain and drink.

Benefits: Beneficial to kidney function, the glands and digestion.

CHAMOMILE TEA

Directions: Add dried or fresh chamomile flowers to a saucepan of boiling water, cover and simmer for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes before straining and drinking.

Benefits: Excellent bedtime drink, relieves tension and menstrual pain.

DILL TEA

Directions: Pour a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of crushed seed and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain and drink.

Benefits: Aids poor digestion, flatulence and stomach upsets. Helps with insomnia.

FENNEL TEA

Directions: Pour a cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of crushed seed, steep for 5 minutes, strain and drink.

Benefits: A mild diuretic (helps combat fluid retention) and laxative. You can also soak cotton wool in cooled tea and dab on tired eyes.
(Warning: large amounts of fennel might be harmful during pregnancy).

LEMON BALM TEA

Directions: Infuse 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves in 1 cup boiling water.

Benefits: Relieves headaches, toothaches, as well as tension. Helps relieve symptoms of colds.

LOVAGE TEA

Directions: Infuse 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves in a cup of boiling water.

Benefits: A very mild diuretic, also good for kidneys and will stimulate appetite.

MINT TEA

Directions: Infuse 3 teaspoons of fresh spearmint/peppermint in a cup of boiling water.

Benefits: Clears the head, sweetens the breath, and is good for digestion.

PARSLEY TEA

Directions: Infuse 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves in a cup of boiling water.

Benefits: Drunk hot, it is a diuretic and will help those with an iron deficiency.

ROSEMARY TEA

Directions: Infuse 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves in a cup of boiling water.

Benefits: Relieves headaches, improves memory and is an excellent bedtime drink.

For laughs...

For the Homer Simpson fan:



Laughter is the best medicine...

For the childhood memories...

For those who once loved and still love the anime 'SwanLake'.


















Alternative title:
El Lago De Los Cisnes (Spanish)
Il lago dei cigni (Italian)
Le lac des cygnes (French)
Sekai Meisaku Douwa - Hakuchou no Mizuumi (Japanese)
Svanprinsessan (Swedish)
بحيرة البجع (Arabic)
世界名作童話 白鳥の湖 (Japanese)

Here's the OST:

1. Beginning


2. Dance of the Swans


3. Finale


4. Waltz (Ballroom scene)


There is a website that offers a lot of cutscenes but it is in italian.
Here is the link:

SwanLake (Italian)


Hope you found that little lost fragment of your past as I did...

Cherish them forever...

Picture Gallery

This is just a trial of using PictureTrail.com feature, 'Slideshow'.

The wallpapers belong to Squaresoft.

'Collection' is a snapshot of some of the FFVIII items that I own.

'Cute? Cute?' is a snapshot of my Rinoa figurine with Squall the Hamster.
Note: Meant for personal amusement with no means of attempting to ridicule the actual character design: Squall Leonhart.

Song Collection: 2. Matsu Takako - Sakura no Ame, Itsuka

Matsu Takako's 'Sakura no Ame, Itsuka'. Enjoy...



============================================
Lyrics
============================================
~Someday's Cherry Blossom Rain~

Haru no hikari ni tsutsumareta mama de
Hitori iki wo hisome naite ita
While encircled by the light of spring
Alone, hiding my breathing, I cried

Sayonara mo iezu ni
Hanareta ano hito no omokage ga nazeka
Yomigaeru
Without even saying farewell, we parted
For some reason, reminders of that person are now
Reviving

Nani mo shite agerarenakatta noni
Itsumo mimamotte kurete ita koto
Though I couldn't do a thing for you
You always watched over me

Tsutaetakatta noni
Anata wa mou nani mo kotaete kurenai
Tooi hito
Though I wanted to tell you that
You won't respond to me anymore,
You're so distant

Arigatou-tte ittara eien ni sayonara ni naru
Hateshinai kono tabi de dokoka de itsuka aou
If I said "thank you", it will become like "farewell forever"
On this endless journey, let's meet again somewhere, sometime

Motto iron na koto hanashitakatta
Itsuka kanau mono to omotte ita
I wanted to tell you about so much more
I'd believed that it was something I could accomplish

Yasuraka na negao ni
Sotto fureta kuchibiru ni koborete yuku
Namida ga
On your peaceful sleeping face
I gently touched you with lips, moistened
by falling tears

Sakura no ame ni naru yume ga ima niji wo kaketeku
Anata wa sora wo yuku watashi wo hitori ni shite
Becoming a rain of cherry blossoms
My dreams are now creating a rainbow
You fly across the sky, making me all alone

Eien no oyasumi
Sasayaite miageta kono machi no sora wa
Aokute
A rest for eternity
Murmuring, looking up, the sky above the town
Was blue

Sakura no ame ga furu yume ga ima niji wo koeteku
Anata wa sora wo yuku watashi wo hitori nokoshite
Becoming a rain of cherry blossoms
My dreams are now crossing the rainbow
You fly across the sky, leaving me all alone

Arigatou-tte ittara eien ni sayonara ni naru
Hateshinai kono tabi de dokoka de itsuka aeru
If I said "thank you", it will become like "farewell forever"
On this endless journey, I'll be able to see you again somewhere, sometime

========================================

Song Collection: 1. NANA - Winter Sleep

Will be adding songs and lyrics here too.
I have a habit of collecting songs which have nice memorable lyrics (IMHO).
Some may think otherwise...*shrugs*

Here's NANA OST: Winter Sleep



======================================================
-Lyrics-
======================================================

It keeps coming back to me
I remember this pain
It spreads across my eyes
Everything is dull

Everyone's smiling, they're smiling
It pushes me far far away
I can't understand
Everything is blue

Can you hear me out there?

Will you hold me now...? Hold me now, My frozen heart
I'm gazing from the distance and
I feel everything pass through me
I can't be alone right now
Will you hold me now...? Hold me now, My frozen heart
I'm lost in a deep winter sleep
I can't seem to find my way out alone

Can you wake me?

I know when I let it in
It hides love from this moment
So I guard it close
I watch the move it makes

But it gets me, but it gets me
I wish I could understand how I
Could make it disappear, make it disappear

Anyone out there hear me now?

Will you hold me now...? Hold me now, My frozen heart
Kiss my lips and maybe you can take me to your world for now
I can't be alone right now
Will you hold me now...? Hold me now, My frozen heart
Please make it all go away
Am I ever gonna feel myself again?
I hope I will

Will you hold me now...? Hold me now, My frozen heart
I'm gazing from the distance and
I feel everything pass through me
I can't be alone right now
Will you hold me now...? Hold me now, My frozen heart
I'm lost in a deep winter sleep
I can't seem to find my way out alone

Can you wake me?

====================================================

Final Fantasy VIII - Part 3: Walkthrough

For those who are still attempting to finish the game and for those who would love to replay the game without missing out any secret stages/items...

Here's is the link to one of the best walkthroughs available on the web:

Scott Ong's FFVIII Walkthrough - Part 1
Scott Ong's FFVIII Walkthrough - Part 2(end)

Beginners will find his guide and explanation easy to comprehend.

Complete with Enemy/Boss Stats, you will be well informed and equipped for the next fight.
(And you will love to come back and whack them over and over...and over again for the trouble they've caused you when you were still a noob.)

Best of Luck~!





(Avatar by Sheila)

Happy Birthday, Rinoa!

To those who are familiar with FFVIII's lovely heroine, let it be known that today marks another year in her virtual age.

Rinoa's birthday falls on the 3rd of March, making her a Pisces too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happy Birthday, Rinoa Heartilly!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And thank you,Tetsuya Nomura, for introducing her into our lives...

May her charms live on into eternity among fans worldwide.

Final Fantasy VIII - Part 2: Meet the Characters

~MAIN CHARACTERS~

SQUALL LEONHART

The main protagonist/hero of the story.
Squall is on the surface a quiet, introverted individual who dislikes relying on other people due to an experience during his childhood. Known as a "lone wolf" by his peers, he never explains his feelings. As the game progresses, Squall begins to warm up to his friends and eventually realizes his love for the game's heroine, Rinoa.

RINOA HEARTILLY

The main heroine.
Sweet, straightforward and outright mischievous, this 17 year-old angel breaks through Squall's barrier with little effort. The rebellious daughter of a military general, Rinoa can often be stubborn. Despite their many disputes and contradicting behaviors, Rinoa and Squall learn to understand and support one another throughout the game.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
~Supporting Characters: Main Team~

QUISTIS TREPE
ZELL DINCHT
SELPHIE TILMITT
IRVINE KINNEAS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For other characters in the game, please refer to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VIII

Final Fantasy VIII - Part 1: Overview

Final Fantasy VIII (ファイナルファンタジーVIII) is a 1999 console role-playing game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix), for the Sony PlayStation video game console and Windows-based personal computers as a part of the Final Fantasy video game series.

The game's story focuses on a group of young mercenaries who are drawn into an international conflict, and seek to protect the world from a sorceress manipulating the war for her own purposes.

Thirteen weeks after its release, Final Fantasy VIII had earned more than US$50 million in sales,making it the fastest selling Final Fantasy title. Additionally, Final Fantasy VIII was voted the 22nd-best game of all time by readers of the Japanese magazine Famitsu.

Final Fantasy VIII is a departure from many traditional standards of the Final Fantasy series. It is the first game in the series to consistently use realistically proportioned characters, the first to feature a vocal piece as its theme music, and one of the only titles to deviate from the series' traditional means of increasing a character's power.

~Wikipedia

Welcome to my blog...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..."
~John 1: 1


Welcome to my blog...Come freely. Go safely; and bring with you a pleasant memory of your visit here.

I am the Webmistress, RinHeart.

Glad am I that you found your way here, but I cannot say for sure how much there is that will interest you.

Let it be known early, to my guests, that this is a first personal attempt of designing and maintaining a blog and therefore, I seek your forgiveness for possible flaws within viewing range.

It is also with regret, that I would not leave any form of contact here for it is the purpose of this blog to become a keep of knowledge I wish to share and not to become a book of feedbacks and personal thoughts.

Perhaps, we should begin with an insight to the contents of which this blog will and shall offer;

This blog contains links and information touching on various topics that has come to my interest.

In the Category of:

-GAMES-
You will find useful links and information related to Squaresoft's Final Fantasy VIII and Xenogears. Perhaps more titles will be added soon.

-HOROSCOPES-
You will find a link to a horoscope site of which I have found to be very accurate in predictions. Perhaps it will not apply to all but for the curious, I would recommend.

-OTHERS-
It is my intention to include topics like TEA and AROMATHERAPY in the near future.