Casimir Pulaski Day - Sufjan Stevens


Golden rod and the 4-H stone
The things I brought you
When I found out you had cancer of the bone

Your father cried on the telephone
And he drove his care to the Navy yard
Just to prove that he was sorry

In the morning through the window shade
When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade
I could see what you were reading

Oh the glory that the lord has made
And the complications you could do without
When I kissed you on the mouth

Tuesday night at the bible stury
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens

I remember at Michael's house
In the living room when you kissed my neck
And I almost touched your blouse

In the morning at the top of the stairs
When your father found out what we did that night
And you told me you were scared

Oh the glory when you ran outside
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied
And you told me not to follow you

Sunday night when I cleaned the house
I find the card where you wrote it out
With the picture of your mother

On the floor at the great divide
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied
I am crying in the bathroom

In the morning when you finally go
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low
And the cardinal hits the window

In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March on the holiday
I thought I say you breathing

Oh the glory that the lord has made
And the complications when I see his face
In the morning in the window

Oh the glory when he took our place
But he took my shoulders and he shook my

In the Legend of 1900, where 1900 records his piece, and suddenly the girl that he longs for is at the windows.. I know it would usually be stalker like if you just trailed the person you love from the other side of the wall, lingering on each loose hair and every facial expression... But in his case, it's just heart wrenching. The song, I think, is made up by him at the spot and is inspired by the girl at that very moment. Just how he never pushes her to like him (even though he does go to her cabin and try to kiss her?) and ends up breaking the vinyl recording of that moment (which later gets restored in a series of events), I still think it's one of the most romantic scenes in the history of movies. 
WATCH IT!

 Guess what?












LES MISERABLES IS COMING TO TOWN!!!!!!
IT'S THE CONCERT VERSION!!!!!!!
AND I'M AUDITIONING!!!!!!!!







oo that felt good. 
The auditions are next Saturday, the 12th, 1100. There's no acting involved so that's a bit of a relief. I can't wait to hear One Day More live. Hopefully, I will get somebody to tape the whole thing. So what if it's going to be hectic, with this and volley ball? I don't care. It's Les Miz!!!!!!!!!

XD

Senri Shiki or Kaname Kuran from "Vampire Knight". Oh yes.

( Birthday present, and card. Don't read if annoyed by slight pride for hard work.  )</a>
In reality, the letters are not flipped like that. That's the tardis from the series "Dr. Who". 
Then I asked her what she would like for a birthday present. She didn't know, so we narrowed it down to handmade. Apparently, a 3-headed teddybear would've been amazing, but she decided to let me choose what and how many heads. Alas, this is what was borne.

 

A tri-colored sheep. Close enough? Not really...
Btw Crystal, hush hush about this, since I'm supposed to surprise her.l Just wanted to show someone somewhere. 

 </div>

Temperance Brennan, if she counts.

Adam and Joan!!!! Then again, they did break up.. 
Still, those 2 are the couple.
(from Joan of Arcadia)

My news round up comes from "The Week" magazine. World news, new scientific studies, and more. I've become addicted to it actually. 
God. And I'm not even in my 20s yet....

Really depends. Mais, if I were to choose from my favorites and etc., then:
1) Jeff Buckley for the hardcore alternative fans, someone in need of inspiration for art, or for the people who want THE best version of Hallelujah ever. My opinion that is. But his version is soulful, and for the guitar lovers as well. Each chords just strikes you,

2) Jason Mraz. Many people only know him for his breakthrough song "I'm Yours". For people who like that songs &&/ acoustic&&/ pop-y songs, then check out his earlier songs. He has fun lyrics, and the voice of an angel. 

3) Avenue Q. I know, I know, it's a show, not an album and all that. Still, the songs in there are funny as heck, ("Everyone's a Little Bit Racist", "If You Were Gay" and so on), and they can also be very meaningful with a memorable tune ("There's a Fine, Fine Line").

4) Brandi Carlile because I got hooked on her song "The Story". "Shadow on the Wall" is also great. 

5) OMG LES MISERABLES!!!!! Cannot forget this musical. Especially the 10th anniversary version, I love it! Nothing bad to say about it, except for the fact that I couldn't be there... Darn time. Always gets in the way
 
6) Julia Nunes, AJ Rafael, and Bo Burnham. All of them I found on Youtube. All are very much interesting and search worthy.

Journey, The Police, Foreigner, Jimi Hendrix, Nat King Cole, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire... That's all I can think of for now. 

Happy Listening!!

 I just found out about the spanish upside-down exclamation point, so that was insanely cool. 
But you know what's better? 
IT'S CRYSTAL'S (crystallitmoon), BIRTHDAY!!!!!
¡¡¡Happy Birthday!!!
お誕生日おめでとう!!!
I have no idea how to say it in any other language!! Yay!
So this entry will be a tribute to her, since I can't go frikin hug her..... AGH
But leave the hate and anger and pointless mumble jumble aside, I didn't know that someone's birthday could make another completely different person so happy. In this case, me. 
Crystal, you are talented, intelligent, gorgeous, humorous, admirable, and a once in a life time kind of friend. If you think that this is a joke, then fix your head girl!! You, my special individual, deserve this today and everyday, but today I'm just making it obvious for you, because of how special it is. 
I remember how, in Mr. Dippold's class, you used to recite things like they were from the text book. Amazing in so many ways in all the classes that I had with you(regretfully, not many), I am tres proud to be able to know you personally. 
You've got everything that I think a quality friend/best friend needs. No joke. No sugar and spice added to that. Completely serious. 
You know what? I feel like a doting cousin or aunt that you get really embarrassed about. But who cares. I might get a bit overwhelming for you a bit sometimes, but you're nothing to be ashamed of.
Lastly and sadly, I'm so so so so sorry that I can't send you anything for a present, or even a tiny card for you to read. But this is the most I can give you as a cake of some sort, for your birthday. 
Hopefully, I'll see you in Virginia in the summer, and hopefully, you'll be having the time of your life even before I spice it up for you ;)
Congratulations, happy birthday,
miss you muches, 
xoxoxo
maki

 I recently borrowed the movie "Pan's Labyrinth" a.k.a. "El Laberinto Del Fauno" from Netflix. The movie is a must see, and I can see why it won Oscars. No joke. 
The whole story is heart wrenching, with no space left to feel good about anything except for the fairies and the bi-polar faun. I thought it was in English, but apparently, the movie naturally came in English subtitles. Just proves that any other country can come up with a good movie and make anyone cry, because "Pan's Labyrinth" is a serious tear-jerker. 
I wished for Ofelia to escape from so many things, and for her to be happy and accepted. I wished that the mother F-ing bastard of a captain would just go ahead and kill himself for treating everyone so cruelly. 
I sincerely wish that anybody reading this will watch the movie, and let themselves be captivated by this work of art and emotions. If you don't like it too much for any reason, then I'm sorry that I asked you to watch this, but I thank you for trying this out. 
I actually cried at this one. 
P.S. This movie is restricted. Rated R for violence, but not sexual stuff. Still great. 

 Not even connected to Matin Luther King. Well, the Nazi's are 20 years before him.... Still, everyone in my dream had modern clothes on. Jeans, shirts. I don't think I saw any covered up people. 
The dream that I saw about a month ago was realistic. Not even kidding realistic. 
Here's how it went:

( my dream. future telling? )

 I will be attending a sleep over soon enough, but until then, my time will be spent lazily at the computer, finding songs that I will selfishly make Crystal play when I get back to the U.S.A.
One that is famous for its haunting and beautiful melody is the Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Taan tataann....taan tatann.... Yea, I know, its hard to sing online. Just some simple notes stuck together makes this wonderful piece, never too complicated or furious, just touching and wary, like a lost memory... You can just see a solitary girl with pale skin dancing under the moonlight, soft and smooth. Light touches to the ground, mourning for her love... Or even, (a little more for the adults) bathing in the lake with the dark night sky, slipping into the water, arms raising to float, sinking, sinking...
I passionately love this song now, however long it is. 
Also, Simple Gifts by Copland. Cheery, light, and sunshiny, mostly the complete opposite, except for the fact that it is still simple. 
Start out with that Crystal, and I'll think up some more. The simple gifts should come before the moonlight sonata if making a story, the part where the couple, is having the time of their life, but this is sophisticated, so a married couple would make it better. What would come before the madly in love teenager?
Hmm....If thought deeply, all these songs could make the start of a story...
But I think only classical music can do that, and a song with no words especially, because you can fit them in. 
*sighs and a dreamy look*

xoxo
maki

 Afyon was basically a lot of land dedicated to almost boring people out of their minds, or tiring them. 
There's a warm-ish pool there to swim in that was about my height, where I met this pretty girl who wanted to talk to me. I missed her name because she said it in a hurry, but she's 13 years old, and from Turkey. Language barrier's can really make a difference. 
There was also a hot tub that I managed to stay in for 15 minutes, about? Got tired to the bone because of the warm swimming and the hot tub. The mid day sleep was comfortable. 
Sam's family was there too, and what was a incy bit awkward was that our families ate together at lunch. His dad's sweet, and his mom is powerful. I'm not sure what to tell to Sapir, since she'll be something by the lines of;
"What!? You ate with his family? Even I haven't! What was it like, blah blah........."
I don't know the rest. 

Glad I got to spend some time with Michelle, since she's so relaxing to be with. No big doses of complaining, making light fun of people, just being myself with no exceptions. Sighs and memories. 

Gotta go color shopping tomorrow. And get a present for Sapir's birthday. 
Why am I complaining when I've actually got friends? Hmm

xoxo
maki

 A book that I just this second finished was 
「ホームレス中学生」or, translated, "Homeless Middle schooler"
This is a true story, and an autobiography about a comedian's life from middle school to high school. He lost his apartment when he was about my age, 13, and his father's last words was;

He started living in a park that was called poop park, because of the big slide there that looked like a swirly poop. He was mistaken as the poop ghost, then upgraded to a poop god by little kids, because he lived in the slide. 
The comedian was saved by his friend's family who took him in so that he wouldn't have to live in the park. Later, his friend's family and the neighbors pitched in to borrow an apartment for him and his brother and sister. 
The whole thing starts out like this, and there was a time when he could only spend 300 yen, about 3 dollars each day for lunch and breakfast. He found that if you chewed rice for more than 10 minutes, even after the taste is gone, there's a second where a faint bit of taste came back. 
This book is hilarious, from the scene where the little kids throw rocks at him to make him leave the park, and makes you think, because of his talk about his mother's death, and more. 
If only they would translate it. 

A book that I am almost finished with is called
"Son of a Witch" the sequel to "Wicked"
It's all politics, but still an interesting read. The fact is, the book makes me feel depressed for Elphaba, because she was slowly forgotten by everyone. I might comment more about it when I'm finished with it.

't's all for now folks
xoxo
maki

 I. AM. IN. LOVE. WITH. IT.
And the fact that the 10th anniversary one has Lea Salonga in it (aka Mulan, aka Jasmine). Her parts are so breathtaking. And Cosette's mother, how she sings I Dreamed a Dream. 
It's all tragedies, but its all so good.
And One Day More? Absolutely stunning. Total respect for the writer of the book, the composer of all of the songs, and the singers, each and every one of them.

 This site popped up when I was searching the Internet for the hookah smoking caterpillar. 
www.sciencemusings.com/2006/04/youre-getting-warm.html
Nice use of Alice in Wonderland. The reason for the caterpillar was for my walls. I'm doing this whole painting the walls thing really slowly, but I wanted it painted somehow. So why not draw? I decided some Alice in Wonderland characters here and there would be pretty, and would give me satisfaction. I'm not sure if it would please me long term, so the idea is still just in the head. 

Can't believe a week has already passed. Vincent's gone (!!!!!!). All the boys look like they lost their place in life. The thing is, the boys thought that being with Vince would make them popular, cool. But in the girls perspective, and I'm sure of this, he was an ass. A liar and an ass. Not hot either, so that didn't help. The boys were like his bitches, licking at his feet. I swear. I know I'm being harsh on them, but he just irritated me. 
Crystal, you know Jerrale? I think that's his name. You told me before that you guys did the "yo mama" things back and forth. I wouldn't mind that. I would think that as interesting, funny, and harmless. Just Vincent, he always used to say to me, when I was a bit snappy, "Tamaki, you givin me attitude?" and on about how I was having an attitude against him. 
.....
What's so funny about that?
All the boys smiled and laughed at it, but I just didn't get it. Attitude? Aren't you the one who has that? 
So all the boys who lost their place are now silent, just looking around for a new leader. 
What really freaked me out, is when Jeff told me that Vince told him he was going to be back. And at that time, he said it was tomorrow. Back to school. Well, the boy cried wolf again. 


enough about me, how about you?

xoxo
maki

 Today is tuesday. 
Tuesday is dancing day.
From now, that is.
XD

We had a volunteer teacher that came today, and demonstrated before. Every tuesday at the same time will be dancing day, so that's one thing to look forward to at the start of the week. Nothing in the middle yet, but I'll find something. Or another.

Why is it that I can't ignore the topic of love, when there is obviously so many more things to this crazy little human world that I'm hardly touching anything when I talk about the enviroment? That sounded complicating even to me. What am I saying? Gosh darn it. Tid Winkles. Whatever people say these days.
I should know all this, right?
But, I don't.

On another note, I HATE my P.E. teacher. He has a stomach like he has quadruplets or more, and his attitude... I swear, his wife just had no one better in her home town. 
Speaking of school, I think my locker is a masochist. I can't open it normally. The locker combo is right, but I have to hit it for it to open. 

xoxo
maki

 I don't think I could keep my promise on the "tell you later" post that I made. 
Sorry. I'm just too lazy and cannot be bothered. 
On a lighter note, I realized how much I eat in Turkey. I think it has to do with the whole socializing thing. Starbucks, McDonald's, etc. Really not healthy. So I'm trying to cut down on my food intake. Mostly candy... My mind will miss the sugar, but my body won't. 
I also realized the amount of reading I'm doing. It's almost zero. So I read 2 books so far. Finished one of them in about 1 and a 1/2 days, and the other one about the same time. 
Twilight was one of the 2. I'm sorry Crystal, but I have to disagree on the crappy part. I actually liked it. 
Boys in books are better aren't they? 

p.s. 
If I'd have stayed in Turkey, I would have had a white christmas. It's snowing like mad here. They say last year school was canceled for about 2 weeks because of the snow. 

xoxo
maki