Anime Review ~ Durarara!!

It was a fine morning in Ikebukuro. A young small town lad descends the train in Ikebukuro station to meet his childhood friend. Seeking excitement and new adventures here in Ikebukuro as a change of scenery in his mundane small-town life. This young lad is up for a surprise when he get involved with Ikebukuro's many underground subculture - of the secret society known as The Dollars, the notorious gangster group calling themselves Yellow Scarves, a bartender with superhuman strength, a headless rider, a slasher who makes an appearance every now and then leaving marks on her victims but never killing them and a certain informant who plays with the lives of others. Here, he discovers what's he made of, what's really important to him and some real life lessons that changed him for the better.

~*Ryugamine Mikado*~

Very popular in his school and among otakus as having a name "that sounds like a protagonist's name in a manga". Mikado is a shy and reserved boy, often clueless about things around him. Don't let his poker face fool you, he is the cause of a major revolution in Ikebukuro. He is the young lad who arrived in Ikebukuro as a change of scenery and to meet with his childhood friend. 17 years old.

~*Kida Masaomi*~

A happy-go-lucky, easy-going and cheerful boy. His hobbies include trying to get girls to drink with him. He likes his classmate Sonohara Anri and cares deeply for his childhood friend, Ryugamine Mikado. He is the ringleader for the notorious gangster gang Yellow Scarves. 17 years old.

~*Sonohara Anri*~

Mikado's and Kida's classmate. Very popular in school for being very pretty and...having impressive chest. Her parents died when she was very young and actually witnessing them die hence rendering her apathetic. She is secretly loved by both her classmates but choosing Mikado in the end. She is revealed to be Saika, the slasher.

~*Izaya Orihara*~

A 23 year old Informant who likes to toy with the lives of others solely because he's bored. He claims to love humanity yet behind many troublesome events he is the mastermind. He has a fierce rivalry with Heiwajima Shizuo, whom I personally thinks he really admires than his claims of Shizuo being an annoying existence. He is also a member of The Dollars which is how he gets to scrape information about the outside world and Ikebukuro.

~*Shizuo Heiwajima*~

A bartender with super strength. He hates violence, really, just that everytime he's pissed off he breaks a building. Shizu-chan is actually a very private person who minds his own business but it's people who pisses him off. He has a reputation of being quite good looking "looks like a movie star" as he's often described as - so he's quite popular among women. He is a member of the Dollars.

~*Celty Sturlusson*~

A Dullahan from Ireland who got her head stolen by a visiting Japanese scientist. Hence, she truly is the urban legend in Ikebukuro that a headless rider rides a motorcycle that makes neighing sounds like a horse. She is now in Japan with a black-market doctor whom she lives with and working various jobs assigned to her at the same time finding clues about her stolen head. Celty is at least a 1000 years old and was once partner with Shizuo but broke up because of his violent temper. She fell in love with the black market doctor she's living with and a wedding seems to be in place. She's also a member of the Dollars.


Durarara!! is one such anime that has fantastic storyline that somehow brilliantly shows how each of the main characters lives are entwined, whether or not they realize it. It has amazing new-age soundtrack, natural dialogues that are rare for an anime and relatable characters. Each episodes highlights an event in the very happening Ikebukuro and how each characters contribute into making it happen.

Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Soundtrack: 10/10

Thaipusam Revealed

With the increasing attention to India through the medium of superhit movies like Enthiran, 3 Idiots, Slumdog Millionaire and many more movies that garnered international attention, it came to my attention that foreigners becoming more and more curious about my Motherland.

In conjunction with the upcoming Indian festival Thaipusam(which takes place in Feb 7th 2012), I would like to take this opportunity to briefly touch about a piece of my rich culture.

What is Thaipusam?

The Myth: Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi was given a mango by Naratha. They couldn't decide to whom they could give it to so they told both their sons that whoever takes it around the world fastest may have the mango. Lord Murugan was excited to show his love for his parents, immediately dashed off to go around the world. Ganesha, on the other hand, thought for a brief while and much to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi's surprise, held the mango in his hands and walked around them, meaning his parents are his world and they have his utmost love above all. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi were extremely satisfied with the answer and praised Ganesha. Murugan heard of this and became angry. In a fit of rage, he left his home. Ganesha was stricken to have lost his brother this way, held a parade filled with offerings and many festivities to cajole his little brother home.

*there are many versions of how Thaipusam came about but this is my favourite version. If you want clarificaion as to which one is the true story, don't be shy to ask a Hindu Guru*


*Some corrections have been made after a nice commenter pointed out my mistake in the story of Thaipusam*

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi

Lord Ganesha

Lord Murugan - The One Who Got Away LOL ABISHTU!

Hence, a tradition was born where people carry offerings of milk, santhanam and honey and many more as a medium to bring Murugan back home.

Offerings of milk, honey and santhanam are known as Pal Kodam. Devotees wear yellow/orange traditional Indian outfits as it is considered a sacred color. Devotees who decided to take Pal Kodam must be vegetarian from 3 days to one week.

a) Milk

Milk is offered as a symbol to receive longevity.

b) Santhanam (Sandalwood paste)

Santhanam is offered as a symbol to receive luck in money.

c) Honey

Honey is offered as a symbol to receive blessings in education. So students out there who are sitting for major exams this year, take note.

The Kavadi:

It's a dance-like parade involving devotees impaling themselves with spikes attached to lemons and lime. Devotees go into a translike state and dance throughout the parade accompanied by booming musical instruments. Devotees who decide take kavadi must go on a strict vegetarian diet for one whole week.

It's not uncommon to see foreigners taking part in the Kavadi. =)

If you're planning a vacation to another country do stop by/consider Malaysia as your destination because you won't even see this in India Thaipusam is pretty much a Malaysian thing. This happens only once a year so do take this opportunity to take part in this very colorful and happening event. 

Dossvedanya! =)

Movie Review: Nanban(2012)

Nanban(literally meaning Friend) is the Tamil remake of Bollywood's 3 Idiots. The storyline, characters and theme is exactly the same as the Bollywood version but the unique touch of South Indian cinema deserved it's own attention.

Pari is a gifted student who loves engineering. Venkat wants to be a wildlife photographer yet due to his family obligations he studied engineering together with his buddies Pari and Senthil - comes from a poor family described as having come "straight from a melancholic Tamil epic" - decrepit father, long suffering mother, unmarried sister close to spinsterhood but he's extremely hardworking fellow. Senthil and Venkat were normal grade-hounding students until Pari comes along and teaches them the joy of learning and living life to it's fullest.

Actor Vijay

Here is Panchavan "Pari" Pariventhen aka Kosaksi Pasupugazh. A spirited young man who is the glue to everyone and everybody. Trust Pari to brighten up your day with his comical antiques and zest.

Actor Srikanth

Venkat Ramakrishnan. A rather clueless student who is very impressionable - seen with how he regards Pari very highly: even idolizes him. *bromance* cough *bromance*. After 3 years of wasting his life studying engineering, he finally gathered up the courage to open up to his father about his unwillingness to continue a career in engineering and he would be a lot happier doing what he loves. Guess who got a professional camera later that day? He is supposed to represent the child that is forced to study a course of his parent's choice because that's what had been decided for him since he was born. 

My own story is that my both my parents wanted me to be a pediatrician(I don't even like kids!). Years later, Yours Truly was seen taking an honors Diploma in Counselling and currently pursuing a Degree in Psychology. 

Actor Jeeva

Sevalkodi Senthil. Due to the pressure of wanting to provide a better future for his family, he jumped off the principal's building when asked to choose between him and Pari. In the meantime of him in a coma, he had time to reflect about his life, decisions and things that he had been doing wrong. Senthil is always seen praying and studying like a typical Asian kid as he is representation of a student trying his best to achieve his dreams but pressure of it all made it worse.

Actor Satyaraj

Virumandi Santhanam aka Virus. He got his name purely because of his existence. His stickler attitude and severe disciplinarian approach had cost him the life of a student and almost that of Senthil. Virus is the dean of the fictitious prestigious engineering school in India. He represents the typical Indian parent - child must either be a doctor or engineer or else he/she is worth nothing, utmost filialty is expected of the child and he(the parent) must have the final word for everything.

Actress Illeana D'Cruz 

Ria Santhanam. She is Virus' daughter and I think she's pursuing gynaecology/obstetrician course. Pari broke her engagement to an irritating dandy, helped her send Senthil's father to the hospital and finally, falling for Pari.

Actor Satyan

Srivatsan (Silencer). Notorious for his gaseous emissions, he was named Silencer because...well, imagine you're studying....and all of a sudden there's an unearthly stench wafting around the room. His method of studying is the classic memorize word-to-word and passing all of them. Silencer has a fiercer rivalry with Pari for he strives to be better than Pari yet Pari always surpasses him for reasons known. =) 

~*~

As someone who doesn't know a word of Hindi I found that the Tamil version was A LOT easier to comprehend. The jokes were funnier too in Tamil, the acting was more natural and down-to-earth and the atmosphere was more relatable to South Indian families like myself. Out of 10, this Tamil remake earns  a full 11.

Nevertheless, the original Hindi version cast deserves their own mention.

7 Hottest Guys (In My Opinion)

My perverted self never cease to scout for hot smexeh men. I just like to look at beautiful people regardless whether they're men or women.

...Im such a creeper. That aside, I was browsing thorugh blogs and noticed that at least once they would feature hot guys according to their opinion. I thought to myself  "Why don't I do one?".

Have fun drooling.


1. Vlad Sokolovsky

Im sorry, but I have a fetish for foreign men - especially the blonde blue-eyed heartbreaking devils like this.

2. Ganesh Venkatraman

South Indian model with bewitching penetrating eyes. =)

3. Vikram

The most talented/versatile/amazing actor in Tamil cinema.

4. Shahid Kapoor

Those...lips...*dies of heart palpitations*

5. Bharath

Who doesn't like baby-faced boys?

6. Imran Abbas

It's Imran Abbas dammit. Do I need to explain?

7. Ben Barnes

I had a secret crush on this talented but severely underrated/unappreciated actor after watching him in Dorian Gray. HOT DAMN this guy is beautiful enough to be Dorian Gray.

Amaran! Pil Rogol Terbaru!

Rohypnol TAKTIK BARU PEROGOL.


Menurut laporan Polis seorang wanita telah dirogol oleh 5 lelaki disebuah kelab malam di Singapura pada malam Sabtu sebelum ditinggalkan.Wanita tersebut tidak berupaya untuk mengingati kejadian malam tersebut, namun ujian mengesahkan bahawa beliau telah dirogol berulang kali dengan kesan rohypnol di dalam darahnya dan progestrex, sejenis pil “mencuci” yang kecil.


Dad...ah tersebut kini digunakan oleh perogol-perogol dan kemudian “mencuci” mereka. Progesterex dibekalkan kepada para Doktor haiwan untuk “mencuci” haiwan besar.


Khabarnya Progesterex digunakan bersama Rohypnol, sebagai dadah “Dating” dan rogol.


Apa yang mereka perlu lakukan ialah menitiskan Rohypnol ke dalam minuman si gadis, mangsa tersebut tidak akan ingat apa-apa pun esok paginya, apa yang berlaku kepadanya sepanjang malam tersebut.
Progesterex amat senang larut dalam minuman, akan “mencuci” agar simangsa tidak akan mengandung akibat dari perkosaan tersebut dan siperogol tidak bimbang untuk perlu menjalani ujian air mani dan DNA kemudian.


Kesan dadah ini adalah K*E*K*A*L terhadap si mangsa.
Prodesterex asalnya adalah untuk memandulkan kuda.


Mana-mana wanita yang mengambilnya TIDAK AKAN MENGANDUNG SAMPAI BILA-BILA.
Si durjana boleh memperolehi dadah ini boleh mendapatkan dadah ini dari pusat haiwan atau mana-mana universiti, dan ia diramalkan akan digunakan dengan berleluasa di kampus-kampus.


Tolong edarkan maklumat ini kepada semua yang anda kenali, terutama teman wanita dan gadis remaja.


Berwaspada apabila anda keluar, jangan biarkan minuman anda terbiar tanpa dijaga oleh orang yang anda percayai.

Venomous Jealousy and Contagious Envy

Jealousy and envy are nothing more than misplaced admiration. It is the degree to which they're executed that matters. By talking about envy and jealousy, I am also going to link this to the relevance of bullying.

I, a noob uncertified psychologist have come up with my own categorization of bullying.

1. Harmless

a) No involvement between perpetrator and victim
b) Perpetrator just watches from afar, thoughts preoccupied about victim.

2. Borderline

a) Significant involvement.
b) Perpetrator influences victim, actions have impact on victim.

3. Severe

a) Extreme involvement
b) Perpetrator actively engages in activities that effects victim severely on both physiologically and psychologically. This may be murder, torture, rape etc.

My own experience as a bully victim have thought me much. It allowed me to have introspection and see from a neutral vantage point that sees from the perspectives of both the victim(you and I) and the perpetrator. Let me bring to light what I have realized, which should have happened long ago.

The thing about bullies is they're extremely insecure of themselves. Their targets/victims are usually of people whom they regard as "above" them and possess characteristics that perpetrators want for themselves.

It is this frustration on unobtaining the desired characteristics for themselves that prompts them to resort to underhanded methods we all know as bullying.

I am in the opinion that if you are bullied, you should be flattered. Yes, as incredulous as it sounds: I am absolutely certain of my claim. You possess a quality that your bully longs to have. There is something good in you that your bully wants but is unable to achieve.

BE PROUD OF IT.

Having said that, this is no way a shout out to endure your pain. No. I would like to take the opportunity to empower those who are being bullied to stand up, speak up. SHOUT! if you must so your bully know you mean business. Tackle the harrassment as long as you can endure. When you feel that you have reched your limit of enduring it, I strongly suggest that you involve an adult to settle things in a more effective way. An adult would act as a mediator who listens to both sides of the stories and come to a decision on how to effectively solve the drift between you and your bully. Ask your bully of the motive he/she is doing this.
Hear them out. For all we know, the root of this evil is nothing more than a misunderstanding. If the bully is doing it because of spite and unwarranted sadism, no one would blame you for being upset with them.

If the case is serious ie your bully have gone physical on you than rest assured you are in good hands of people who would support you, ensuring your bully get his appropriate punishment.

Please don't be afraid to speak up. You do not have to endure such things for happiness is what you deserve.
If you're teenager, even if you're a 19 years old, it helps to tell someone of your misfortune. An adult confidant can be anyone - a trusted teacher, best friend, lover, family, relatives, school counsellor, anyone you feel closest with.

If you are a shy person like me, email jo@samaritans.org. These are good online counsellors - free service - who provide professional help. You have the privilege of being anonymous and have a neutral third party give helpful suggestions as per your case. Talk with them first, see what they have got to say about handling your bully case and from there pick up on.

Remember, a dog would only keep barking until you tell him to shut up.

10 Reasons To Marry an Indian Man

Before you shoot me with accusations of racism against me, I just want to gently remind you that I am also an Indian and I take this as nothing more than a light and friendly jest against my own race. All in good fun people, all in good fun. Also, I stole this from someone's FB status so yeah it ain't mine.

10. They come in a family pack. You get a mother, a father, a few sisters-in-law, half dozen cousins, and countless relatives for free.

9. They would never leave you. They get fat and lazy too fast and no woman will ever be interested in them.

8. You will never get tired of hubby improvement projects. They come with countless imperfections and guaranteed to be really slow learners.

7. Despite their crude exterior and rude attitude, they are docile at heart. They are well trained by their mother to follow orders from woman of the house. You are in control.

6. They would be grateful all their lives; all other 37 girls they interviewed turned them down.

5. They will be available all the time. They do not have any friends or social life or passion to keep them busy.

4. You never have to worry about their past girlfriends: most likely they never had one, or in the rare case they had a girlfriend, she is too busy erasing the memory.

3. You will earn the sympathy of everyone, even your worst enemy.

2. They will stop harassing you once you marry them.

And number one reason for marrying an Indian man
1. For the rest of your life whenever you say “I could have done better,” you will be right.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Yindian man all the way!