Before I begin, let me say it feels just like yesterday I was making a post like this. Where in fact, its been a year already. Amazingly f-list, we've been friends for a year now at least XD


The marvelous spectacle of the total lunar eclipse over the Li Jiang River

中秋节快乐!! Happy Mid-Autumn~ To those who celebrate, have a wonderful time with family!! May you be happy and healthy always.


The following song was orginally sung by Teresa Teng, but this is Faye Wong's version which I much prefer. Lyrics are based on the very uber well-known poem by famous Song dynasty poet Su Dong Po about looking to the moon pinning for a loved-one. Both poem and poet is very uber well-known XD



1st line: Original Verse
2nd line: Chinese Explanation
3rd line: English Explanation
All taken from baidu baike. None is of my doing except the notes. I must say the English Translation is beautiful.

明月几时有？把酒问青天。
明月从何时才有？手持酒杯来询问青天。
When will the moon be clear and bright?
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the gods.
　　
不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。
不知道天上宫殿，今年是哪年。
I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.
　　
我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，
我想要乘御清风归返，又恐怕返回月宫的琼楼玉宇，
I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.
Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions, (note: refering to the palace on the moon)

高处不胜寒。
受不住高耸九天的冷落、风寒。
Are much too high and cold for me.
　　
起舞弄清影，何似在人间。
起舞翩翩玩赏着月下清影，归返月殿怎比得上在人间！
Dancing with my moon-lit shadow.
It seems like in the heavens.
　　
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。
转过朱红楼阁，月光低洒在绮窗前，照到床上人惆怅无眠。
The moon rounds the red mansion; stoops to silk-pad doors.
Shines upon the sleepless.
　　
不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？
明月不该有什么怨恨，却为何总在亲人离别时候才圆？
The moon should bear no grudge,
But why does it tend to be full when people are apart?
　　
人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，
人有悲欢离合的变迁，月有阴晴圆缺的转换，
People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart,
The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane.
　　
此事古难全。
这种事自古来难以周全。
This has been going on since the beginning of time.
　　
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
但愿离人能平安康健，远隔千里共享月色明媚皎然。
May we all be blessed with longevity (note: indirectly wishing for 'peace & health' because that's what you need to live long^^)
Though not together we are, let's enjoy the moon's beauty.


Every line has deeper meanings to it, but let's leave it to the scholars to decipher that. The poet alters between dimensions - the world in the heavens and on earth and grabbles between which place is much better to forget his pinning . And finally becomes aware that the sorrows of parting & change is a part of human experience. Hence, ends the lamentation on a positive note :)

I caught a bug somewhere, so spent the weekend self-moaning at my plight. On top of which I played badminton with friends on Saturday morning, something which I haven't done in almost a year. Now the hilarious thing is every muscle in my body aches like crazy, so much so that I can't giggle properly neither can I shiver in the cold till my hearts content, because my abdominal muscles will squirm and make me go 'ouch'! The slight headache, stuffy nose, sore throat and watery eyes have totally become of secondary concern, instead I've to concentrate on trying to get out of a chair properly without twitching a muscle ;D

I heard Ryo is sick too. Don't ask me why I remembered that. *hugs* Ryo. Maybe I'll stick my head out and keep watching Orthorus no Iru. Since he has been so overworked recently, at least I should support his drama a bit. Eventhough I fell asleep towards the end of the 1st episode >.< Takki's whole manipulation story towards the end was too slow.

Anyway, I've been lazy. Lazy to reply to comments but since its Monday, don't be surprise I'll spam you soon because work can be so easy to procrastinate on. Pho50 was wondering where I got one of the quotes from my last post from. Here is the full article to bring anyone who reads this, some warmth into their day ♥


Barkor Square in sunset, Lhasa, Tibet. Photography by reurinkjan.

On this day, you read something that moved you and made you realise there were no more fears to fear.
No tears to cry. No head to hang in shame.
That every time you thought you’d offended someone, it was all just in your head and really,
they love you with all their heart and nothing will ever change that.
That everyone and everything lives on inside you.
That that doesn’t make any of it any less real.

That soft touches will change you and stay with you longer than hard ones.

That being alone means you’re free.
That old lovers miss you and new lovers want you and the one you’re with is the one you’re meant to be with.
That the tingles running down your arms are angel feathers and they whisper in your ear, constantly, if you choose to hear them.
That everything you want to happen, will happen, if you decide you want it enough.
That every time you think a sad thought, you can think a happy one instead.

That you control that completely.

That the people who make you laugh are more beautiful than beautiful people.
That you laugh more than you cry. That crying is good for you.
That the people you hate wish you would stop and you do too.

That your friends are reflections of the best parts of you.
That you are more than the sum total of the things you know and how you react to them.
That dancing is sometimes more important than listening to the music.

That the most embarrassing, awkward moments of your life are only remembered by you and no one else.
That no one judges you when you walk into a room and all they really want to know, is if you’re judging them.
That what you make and what you do with your time is more important than you’ll ever fathom and should be treated as such.
That the difference between a job and art is passion. That neither defines who you are.
That talking to strangers is how you make friends.

That bad days end but a smile can go around the world.
That life contradicts itself, constantly. That that’s why it’s worth living.

That the difference between pain and love is time. That love is only as real as you want it to be.
That if you feel good, you look good but it doesn’t always work the other way around.

That the sun will rise each day and it’s up to you each day if you match it.
That nothing matters up until this point.
That what you decide now, in this moment, will change the future. Forever.
That rain is beautiful.

And so are you.

Original source



We both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust

Joan Baez - Diamonds and Rust.mp3 // Lyrics

   


( Today is 冬至 (Dong Zhi) )I'm currently addicted to:


( 星になれたら Hoshi ni Naretara )

Random banner from boundary at collapsingnight. She makes the most lovely graphics. Most of my stock icons are from her.


( What's with Christmas? )

This is Ken's radio session on bayfm every Monday (24:00~24:30)/Tuesday (00:00~00:30).
Official Japanese Transcripts can be found here.
All translations are from chinese only.
Chinese translation thanks to kenxgo.

Note:
1. There are various themes Ken will talk about depending on the week and he will read letters and respond to them based around that theme. Some examples are 'confessions and break ups' and 'men's talk'. Men's talk sessions usually occur with 4 guys (including Ken, his manager and bayfm staff) and you get to listen to stuff from men's perspective.
2. The original translator doesn't always translate the full radio show because she doesn't have the time. Hence, some translations you'll see here are full transcripts, some are a short segment of the show and some will be descriptions of the dialog.
3. Do not repost elsewhere before asking.

Today's Highlight:
Have you eaten Ken & Takki before?

( ~Miyake Ken's Radio~ 20080929 )

Edit: To prevent double posting today XD The University Rankings came out yesterday. Website: http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/  I believe there are two most recognised rankings at the moment and this is the Times version. I guess this may not be very important, being in the best university doesn't guarantee a happy life. But being Asian means you'll chose a university based on the rankings ^^ I kinda hate it, it meant extra pressure. I still feel it even though I've got in already. Don't people just love to compare.