A Day in The Latrines ~ A Meme

I know, I know. There are many versions of this kind of meme but this is my version.

So I made this in ragestache.com also submitted them but as usual it's not gonna make it due to their nepotistic tendencies.

Book Review: Spellbound by Anna Dale

Athene hates her 6 year old brother, Zack, with a fiery loathsome hatred. The little whelp can't seem to stay away from unnerving her! A chance encounter with a straying gnome-like creature called the Humble Gloam, Athene discovers a magical world she never knew- of the little people that lives inside trees, under trees and inside wells too!

She learns of the way of life of the Humble Gloam, the much feared Low Gloams and other tribes like the Gargantuans who lived in wells and of the Nimble Gloams and in their world - she is called a Glare. Oh, and talking animals when they drink certain potion. 

A fun vacation with the friendly and outgoing Humble Gloams turned sour when Zack decided to join her and the Humble Gloam instantly loved the adorable little boy. Having had enough of Zack taking away her attention she decides that she would lead him to where the Low Gloam lived and leave him there for good so she can have her parents' attention all to her self. 

Guilt and shame eventually ate her from the inside and Athene set out to do something she would not have thought of - rescue her little brother from the clutches of the notorious Low Gloam.

With Humdudgeon and Huffkin - her closest Gloam friends - she set out on a daring rescue mission and uncovered secrets of the Low Gloam lives that could change the Gloam tribes' history.

I know the spoilers are rampant in this post but it's 5.30am here and my EPSP is not exactly active. 

I recommend this to anyone of any age since it's a light hearted children's story without any violence or gore. So parents, your kids are safe to read this book.

Ways To Improve Your English

"Sup? Your sensei is here spill on secrets on how to improve your English. I know, I am not exactly PhD material but I am better than most of my peers and I admit to having a lot of improvement to do plus catching up on my reading.

Fun fact for you - back in 2003 I couldn't speak a word of English. Let alone write them. I am often ridiculed by those around me particularly by my relatives who incessantly reminded me that they couldn't speak to me 'coz my English was abysmal. I still can't speak very well but when my thoughts are manifested the train of words just gushes like a torrent.

If you are in a similar situation, I should think I am the one who can emphatize with you since I have been there and out of it. (Thank goodness).

Here's to you - the one who's reading this post because you want to improve yourself. All my good thoughts.

1. Listen to English songs more.

I understand. It's hard to find 'clean' songs nowadays with all the pop trend having using foul languages as an acceptable medium in their lyrics but you know something. There are good songs out there that doesn't even have hints of obscenity in them. You can always choose oldies, 80's and 90's music. You know what? Just listen to whatever songs you like. As long as it's sung in English.

2. Don't just listen, sing along!

Lip syncing can help with pronounciation and memory power. You may sound like poo but hey, it's all in good fun. So yeah, blast your Ipod to your favourite songs, sing along with it. Over time, you can improve your pronounciation and vocabulary. Speaking of which...

3. Pick up the dictionary.

Don't be lazy. Don't be concerned about looking nerdy/geeky. Do you want improve or not? Whenever you stumble upon an unfamiliar word - immediately look it up the dictionary. You have dictionary in your phones right? Update them or whatever with all the words available. With this, you will be able to expand your vocabulary and use 'big words' in your conversation and essay.

Some online websites:
www.thesaurus.com
This is a very useful website that provides antonyms and synonyms of words. You will get a wider range of words similar to the one you're looking for - great when you want to make your essay look all nice and business-sy using those posh words)

www.Merriam-Webster.com
Another good website for online dictionary. This is a cool one because you get to hear how those words a pronounces ie it comes with audio.

4. Read

There is no better way to improve your language other than picking up a book of your choice and read them! It's improves your grammar, comprehension, challenges your imagination, opens up your mind to new ideas and expose you in knowledge that you never thought could be possible to exist. Start small. Especially if it''s your first  time reading storybooks(magazines, comics etc are also a good way but novels are a lot more...classy don't you think?). Don't think just because you're 20 you're can start with 'adult' books. When I first began my journey to improvement at 13 years old  I picked up the simplest children's book. From there, I branched off to Goosebumps, Singapore Ghost Stories and whatever's left of my sister's Sweet Valley collection. After that, I read YA(Young Adult), historical romance and finally now I am ready to read 'serious' books. At age 22. It's a looonnggg process and takes a lifetime but believe me it's worth it in the end.

5. Watch movies

English movies. Where they speak in English, you know - the one we are talking about right now? This is a fun way to improve your vocabulary because really, who doesn't like to watch movies??? They say learning is fun, damn right it is.

6. Write and proofread.

I actually went an extra mile by writing stories and have them checked by a trusted ally - my sister and my English teacher. Writing challenges the extent which your vocabulary spreads. By writing, you can notice the types of words and grammar you're using. Does your paper bleeds when you get it back after your teacher is done marking it? It used to happen to me too. I asked feedback from my teacher who was very supportive and was very gentle in criticizing. I identified the areas I was weak at, strifed to improve it by (see no.4). By writing, you test yourself, learn of the ways to effectively write the next bestseller. Try this if you want, but I gently remind you though that  this is just a supplementary step.

Hope I was helpful! God Bless! <3

Anime Review ~ Usagi Drop

This light hearted summer anime is a MUST WATCH!

Daikichi attends the funeral of his maternal grandfather. To his surprise, the old man had fathered a child with his young lover who abandoned the little girl to the old man to pursue her work.

The rest of the family members are ashamed of this and unwilling to look after the little girl. In a fit of anger, Daikichi decides he will bring the unfortunate girl home and raise her himself.

He is pleasantly surprised by the joy the little girl brings in his life and learns that as a parent - there are many sacrifices to be made. Yet he finds that these changes aren't so bad after...in fact, he enjoys it!

~*Daikichi Kawachi*~

A calm and good natured young man who adopted his six-year-old aunt(the aforementioned little girl) in a spontaneous fit of rage. A top worker in his department, he finds that he is willing to 'bend the rules' simply to accommodate the newest member in his mundane bachelor life. I can't even begin to describe how much he dotes on the girl. Honestly, I would be glad to have someone like this in my life.

~*Rin Kaga*~

A very pretty little girl. Smart and talented, she is a very sweet person to hang out with. Initially silent and withdrawn due to the early cold treatment received by her elderly father's relatives, she became quiet. After gaining trust from Daikichi, she is seen more open and friendly. Eventually, the rest of Daikichi's family members also warms up to the girl seeing how adorable she is.

This is an anime that highlights the joy and reality of parenting. Watching this, I can't wait to be a parent.

Anime Review ~ Zombie-Loan

Strange things have been happening in an average Japanese high-school. Kita Michiru, a person born with Shinigami Eyes is able to see a black ring around a person's neck if their demise is nearing. Disturbed by this macabre ability, she wore glasses to prevent herself from seeing those black rings.

In an unfortunate encounter with the school's most popular boys - Shita Tachibana and Chika Akatsuki, sh found herself being involved in a world beyond human comprehension and the popular boys are a part of it.

She learns of an organizations called Zombie-Loan where it's clients are bound by a contract to fulfill their destiny and paying "life debts" of some sort by hunting "illegal zombies" - zombies created by external forces without proper contract. Something like underworld loan-sharks.

Thus begins a journey of friendship, adventure and self discovery for the trio.

Characters:

~Kita Michiru*~

A high schooler who lost her parents in a car accident, she lives with her aunt who doesn't really like her presence in the house. Michiru feels lonely and unloved which mat describe why she agreed to join the Zombie-Loan. Her Shinigami Eyes are a useful assets to hunt 'illegal zombies' which is the payment method for Chika and Shito.

~*Chika Akatsuki*~

A cheerful and rambunctious man with a sligthy arrogant nature. His weapon is the sword(katana) and he seems to have high sense of honor and pride. His loyal nature is what appeals to most of hi fangirls. He and Shito supposed have died in a fatal car accident but they decided to live as Zombies in order to get back their life.

~*Shito Tachibana*~

A stoic, secretive and haughty young man who have deep dark secrets that weighs heavily on his heart. His weapon is the gun/revolver. He gets drunk easily. He and Chika seem to argue incessantly but beneath his facade he actually cares very deeply about his partner, Chika. He often annoys Chika by refusing to call him with his first name.

My own verdict is that Zombie-Loan is very original in everyway - plot, characters, story line and execution.
My only criticism is that they could improve on the animation style. Chicken legs and bodies as thick as your wrists isn't exactly...possible. Also, why isn't there a damn second season???

Gallery for you:

Blincon BB Choco Review

How do you prounounce this? I prefer saying it as cho-kho rather than ko-ko. Well it is basically chocolate color.

Anyhoo, as a long time Blincon fan I have waited a LOOOONNNGGG time to finally get my hands on this color.

At last I have it and here is the raw proof. And thank goodness this time the pictures are super clear because I used my sister's Canon camera! Yay for prominent whiteheads and large pores!

http://talesofaluciddreamer.blogspot.com/2011/07/contact-lenses.html

http://talesofaluciddreamer.blogspot.com/2011/10/blincon-bb-color-lens-review.html

Types of Facebookers

*PURELY FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT*

1. The Celebrity

Announces everything nobody cares. The culprit of this subhuman is almost always a teenage female or a young adult female. She thinks it's alright to tell everyone who cares to know that her puppy had just taken it's first dump or that she bought $1m worth of shoes.

2. The Newscaster
This person is up to date about everything's that happening in this world. His/her status usually is in the lines of "BIG NEWS! Miley Cyrus made a sex tape to boost her dwindling poularity! Is she trying to follow the footsteps of Kim Kardiashian?"

ps: Apologies. Those trashy parasitic family seem to be everywhere. Did you hear., the youngest sibling wants to start a socks line for atheletes...right...

3. The Princess
She's probably talks with fuzzy animals in the forests and cleans the house for her evil stepmother. She is always in a relationship - no matter who her beau is -  and often posts stastuses that goes "If he doesn't stop his videogame to chat with you then he's not the one!".

How is she even attractive to boys I want to know? The male counterpart of this type of subhuman also exists but posts about how he loves his 'queen of his heart' and will never let her go. Ugh...

4. The Grim Reaper
"By the time you read this message, I would not be in this world anymore for I have plummeted from a high building to meet my demise." Uh huh.  Just give this kid a damn cake and tell her/him to cheer up already.

5. The Troll
He/she posts dubious links to websites that only makes your harddrive weep. By the time you realize it, your computer has caught an STD known as Trojan Virus. He/she also has a identity issue for they can be seen writing like these "Yo ma homies whr u at? Imma be w8tin' fo u at usual crib. You digg brah?" Please, please someone just chuck them in the waste bin for the love of everything's that holy.

6. The Stalker
They like your every status, comments on everything and likes your pictures from 2008. Before checking their notifications they check YOUR PROFILE NEWSFEEDS to see what you're up to.  Occasionally, they would post on your wall with awkward messages.
Take my advice and delete them off your list because my personal encounter with one was nasty.

~*~

I admit it to being The Newscaster. Damn.