212. the fire inside

On Sunday, I went with Laura to see Crystal Lake x Country Yard play at Shinjuku ACB Hall. It was Country Yard's show with Crystal Lake opening for them. They started at almost 7 and opened to (my surprise) Matrix. The had a good set list that day, including (Laura's favorite) Light Up The Tunnel. I was kind of bummed they didn't play Mahakala but was happy they played Ovecome. They closed to The Fire Inside. The crowd on Sunday was more brutal than the last time I saw them at NERDS' Fest. Ryo (vocalist) got kicked in the face several times and me, standing away from the crowd also go hit. It's fun to watch how wild the crowd can get because it made me enjoy their set thoroughly. After starting classes for almost 2 weeks, I felt like I was "losing myself", but seeing them made me feel comfortable in my own skin again. It's strange, when you meet new people that don't really get you, you have to put on this front but when I go to shows I don't have to, and that's what I love about music so much. 

There was a short interval before Country Yard took the stage. To be perfectly honest, I really am not a fan of melodic pop punk, or melodic punk for that matter but Country Yard were really good live with great energy on stage and interacting with the crowd. I've never been to see any melodic punk shows but they had (good? will you call it that?) mosh and circle pits, which I never expected to see coming from a softer sounding band. They played for over an hour and it was really funny because even though I was dazing off after a while, I was actually standing next to Crystal Lake's merchandise table, Ryo (vocals) and Crystal Lake's staff was singing so loudly, it kinda kept me entertained.

Laura and I hung around after the show and talked to the bands for a bit before heading to supper. Since I hardly go to Shinjuku, I don't know where to go, so Laura asked one of her friends for recommendations and we had a nice supper. Unfortunately, we missed our last trains home so we took the train to Shibuya and went to our usual bar where we bumped into another group of Laura's friends and spent the entire night talking to them. It was an entertaining night I would say. We went for a small breakfast and headed home after that. I managed somehow to get up and still go for class the next day.

There's just something about music that I love so much that makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. Sometimes, it gets so hard to stay grounded and remember the reason I'm back for. I'm happy to be back in Japan and can't wait to go to more shows. I seriously can't wait to see lynch. again next month, even though it's a seated show, I feel like that would really make me the happiest.

211. decade of beauty, the novembers

On Friday, I was eagerly waiting for my class to end because I was so excited to see THE NOVEMBERS again. I haven't seen them in a long time (last time was September), let alone a one-man show. The last time I saw them at just a one-man show was way back in 2013 when they were doing their album tour at Shindaita FEVER, and I went to see them play To(melt into) and (Two) into holy. I lost interest in them for several reasons but since they posted a special web live video, it made me really miss their music and want to see them again.

Coincidentally, they are also celebrating their 10th anniversary (like lynch.) so I thought it would be good to see them again. After having dinner with my classmates, I went off to Club Quattro for their show. They didn't disappoint and were as good as I remembered. They opened to Romance and everything suddenly fell into a dream like atmosphere, like their music. I was so happy they played many old songs because fans requested and they posted on their social networking accounts (as pictured above) which songs they were going to play. This show actually had most of my favorites. 

I really really enjoyed their faster songs starting from Primal because you could feel the music and just sway or dance to it. Blood music 1985 and Xeno were really good live. I always fall into a trance like state when they play faster songs, it is totally different feeling I get when I see lynch. or any other heavy band. It's weird because I hardly listened to their latest album but really enjoyed those two. I totally forgot how they would actually headbang to their faster songs and Yusuke could hit some really high notes, though some people might not like it (people have told me he looks weird or it's annoying when he sings the high notes), but I think it actually adds to how good the band or he actually is? 

Also, rare songs were played like chernobyl, a friend of mine who have seen the band so many times have only seen them play it twice. So it was good, this show really reminded me why I used to love them so much. 

They played for almost 2 hours, and I was really surprised Yusuke Kobayashi (vocals) did a little bit of mc and laughed because I've never seen him talk during a show. So it was nice to see that side of him. At the end of the show, they were distributing the setlist! I wish more bands would do that. Also, their setlist is kinda cool looking, can't expect more from artsy people, haha. 

I got a badge at their merch table as well since I've always liked the little thing Yusuke draws. Hopefully, they have more one-man shows this year. I really want to see them play a long set again. 

PS. It was a nice change of crowd after going to some hxc and only lynch. shows.

210. pink, rain

So, the "pink" titles continue until all the sakura trees are completely bare I think, it looks like it is going to rain for the rest of the week. Today felt like it was still winter, wish I brought back more warm clothing. Yesterday the weather was nice though, so I managed to take a couple of photos of the sakura trees to use as reference for a new piece.

Feels nice to have my own reference photos instead  of going through multiple websites (pinterest, flickr, tumblr etc) to look for some inspiration. These were taken at Cat Street in Harajuku while I was doing some shopping with my school mates on Monday. I went home early and roamed around my housing area a little bit and took some more photos.

The sakura infront of my apartment have already started falling, it looks so pretty in photos and even better in real life, I couldn't resist to take so many photos.

On Tuesday was officially the first day of my class. It was pretty alright, I was spacing out most of the time and even when my teacher called me I didn't respond (classic Lyy). After class, I met up with Laura for dinner. Initially, we were planning to go to Yoyogi but the weather forecast this week is pretty shitty, so we went to Ikebukuro for dinner. We had udon because I was craving something warm. After that, we went around Sunshine City's character shops and finally went to Moomin Stand! I've been wanting to go since I saw the one next to Universal Studios in Osaka. I didn't try it then since the line was so long, but when Laura told me they opened one in Tokyo, I was so happy. I ordered Soy Salted Caramel and it was pretty good. 

The shop is pretty small but cute. I was more than happy.

They even had Moomin outside to take photos with! 

We didn't stay too long at Sunshine, so went around Ikebukuro. To the pet shop and then to a couple of those arcades just to see the UFO Catchers! All the toys in the machines are so cute now and are mostly 90's anime themed, Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Rayearth, even my sister's favorite Ranma 1/2! I couldn't help but want the little Shampoo toy. 

My first time playing a UFO Catcher and I got it on my third try with a little cheating (Laura asked the shop staff to move the toy so that it'll be easy for me to catch it, lol.) Even if it was made easier, I was still happy I got Shampoo!

Laura also played with some gachapon machines to get the alien from Toy Story shaped like an ice-cream cone. It was really cute too, and she got it on her second try. I always like Ikebukuro because I'm so used to it, I had to change trains at Ikebukuro all the time when I stayed in Itabashi. Not complaining about this new place though, there is even a moomin shop near me! Also, it's even more convenient living here than in Itabashi so I'm already settled in and comfortably living here.

There are some plans for the rest of the week, picnic on Thursday, The Novembers on Friday and I'm meeting someone new on Saturday. It seems like it's going to be another eventful week and I'm lucky because my classes start in the afternoon, that means I can sleep in and won't be so tired out. I already feel much less lethargic and productive than I was in Singapore. 

209. pink, sweetness

Yesterday was such an eventful day. I was late to my (kinda) first day in school, it was actually just orientation but I was running late despite getting up early. There was introducing of school rules etc and a placement test. I managed to make a new friend, she's actually from Melbourne too, so I'm pretty happy about that.

After finishing up with school, we went to get sushi for lunch and she was telling me how it's difficult to make friends in Japan. It's true, I won't deny it, I just got lucky. We parted ways at about 1pm and told her I'll bring her around Harajuku after school the next day. I did my usual Shibuya - Harajuku routine. I walked to Harajuku from Shibuya and got coffee at The Roastery first. I've missed it so much for the last 2 months.

It was crazy crowded in Harajuku because of hanami and also spring break. I went to Kiddyland first to check up on what's new and get some stuff. To my surprise, they were selling so much Powerpuff Girls' merchandise. I texted little sis straight away and in the end, bought 3 pouches - Bubbles, Blossom & Buttercup and a phone case for her, I got myself a pencil case.

After that I went to GYRE and bumped into Sen Mitsuji  while walking around. I was shocked because he is the only model that I actually have been crushing on for the last 4 years (even before Hazuki). He was walking in front of me and I didn't really know what to say to him so I didn't bother stopping him. I'm just really happy to see him in person, and he looks better in person... like that's even possible?

Seeing him reminded me of his exhibition going on at GYRE, so I went to take a look and I liked the concept of it. Photography wise, he's always been good and I've always enjoyed his work but seeing it in person is kinda... I think I don't know how to "properly" enjoy or be in depth with photography. This piece was my favorite :

In Time is a short film that focuses on the adversities young people face when their personalities and ideals confront the structure and pressure of adult society. To make these themes accessible to everyone, not just those who have the time to watch the whole film, this exhibit seeks to mimic the framework of "In Time". Much like a storyboard that might be used in preproduction, these photographs and clips offer a glimpse of the physical narrative of the film. Having whetted your appetite it is our hope that "In Time" you might be moved to watch the whole thing.

Sen Mitsuji

After that, I walked around some more and killed time at Tower Records reading some magazines and listening to Bury Tomorrow's new record while waiting for Laura. She arrived at about 5pm and we went to My Melody & My Sweet Piano Cafe. We've been wanting to go since she showed it to me when I was back in Singapore.

Everything was really cute and really... pink. Notice the pink subject heading I have for these two latest entries? It definitely does suit spring well. We both ordered curry rice, I had chicken and she had vegetables. For drinks, I got an elderflower soda and she had some strawberry drink which tasted like haagen das ice-cream! We were so busy taking photos, well, I mean it's a themed cafe so obviously we would. The food was way more edible compared to Pokemon Cafe. The curry was actually pretty good for a themed thing? To be honest, I'm not that big a fan of My Melody. I just went because who the hell cooks pink curry?

We spent about an hour there eating, taking pictures and chatting away. After that, we walked to Harajuku and before heading back we had cinnabons! They had a special Nutella flavoured one, so the both of us got that! It was really yummy. Talked some more, dropped by Tower Records again and finally went back at about 10.30pm. I wish I could stay out longer but I've been out the entire day and I'm awfully tired.

Since coming back to Japan, my body has been really tired. That's what you get for being a hermit for the last two months. I'm definitely staying in this weekend, I'm planning to paint, finish up setting up my house and cook! 

Here's a unicorn Pusheen because that's exactly what I'm feeling this day has been, haha.

208. pink, poodles

the view from my balcony.

sakura tree in front of my place.

Finally arrived back in Tokyo almost two days ago, my flight on Monday was so early in the morning (7am), I barely slept the night before. But, even with the lack of sleep, I was watching movies on the entire flight - Big Hero 6, The Hunger Games : Mockingjay Part I and Fantastic Mr. Fox. I really enjoyed Big Hero 6 and Fantastic Mr. Fox but writing will have to wait, I'll do another post on those films for sure.

I finally got to my apartment at almost 10pm and everything was already closed, so I just went to Lawson to get some food before going to bed. Even when I was so tired, I kept waking up every two hours, probably because I'm still not used to the new place but good thing I did wake up at 6am to watch the sunrise from my balcony and went back to sleep after. Yesterday was spent running errands, setting up my place... I'm still far from done. Even though it's still really bare now, I love it already, it's much bigger than my old place and cheaper, probably because it's far away from Tokyo central, about 40 minutes on train to Shinjuku. Also, did I mention it has a bathtub? I'm going to make use of it for sure.

春のおすすめ

In the evening, I met up with Laura to get dinner and after that, we went to Naka Meguro for Hanami! It was pretty crowded but not as crowded as I expected it to be. Since it was my first hanami, I didn't know what to expect but it felt like New Year's where there were food stalls along the river and most people drinking. A lot of stalls sold Sangria! It was fun walking down, and just chatting away, we stopped by a conbini to get drinks and continued walking where we saw jumbo sized poodles! Everyone who walked by were saying "yabai!" "takai!"Actually got the word "jumbo" from someone walking by, he shouted " JUMBOプーダル！" haha, so many people were taking photos of it. Laura's reaction was so funny "you can ride it!!!!" 

I think the highlight of the evening was not the sakura but actually the poodles. We set somewhere for a little bit talking some more and finally went home at about 11:30pm. Since I got bedding in the day, I could finally have a good night's rest. Today I still have so much stuff to get for my apartment but thankfully, the station is only 15 minutes away from me and there's an IKEA, Loft and a ton of department stores, so it's easy. 

Pretty excited about being back, though to be honest, it was a little bit of culture shock again. I have a ton of new people to meet, classes start in a week, and shows to go to. I've already got my ticket to see THE NOVEMBERS next Friday, I'm excited for it since I haven't seen them since last September and it's been almost 2 years since I've been to one of their one-man shows. I think it'll probably be a good show since it's also their 10th anniversary. 

Now, my blog will not be as dead as before.  ❤(◕‿◕✿)