OMG! The Japanese girl who Jason Mraz sang “Lucky” with in his concert here in Osaka just PMed me.

Subject: I’m a fan of Jason Mraz!

Hello, this is Miku.
I’m the girl singing “Lucky” with Jason Mraz! I was looking for it, because I didn’t film this performance.
So I’m happy that you updated it. Thank you so much!!!

Miku

Yay! Now I’m loving YouTube more. ^_^

Anyway, the reason why I was able to take that video is because we were actually there during the concert: Igor, Ate Erlyn, Nico and me (IENE, according to Gogoch). It’s just that one day, Igor told us: Jason Mraz is having a tour here in Japan… and will have a concert here in OSAKA! Wow!

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Sidenote: The history behind me knowing Jason Mraz

There was this one stretch of time wherein we were always singing “Way Back Into Love” from the movie Music&Lyrics by Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Igor, in the beginning, was getting sick and tired of it, until he, himself, was constantly singing it too. Then, one day, while riding in the bus going back to Minoh from Suita, he said: “I have a new song for you two.”

Lucky (Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat)

Do you hear me,
I’m talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I’m trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

They don’t know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I’ll wait for you I promise you, I will

I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we’re in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I’m sailing through the sea
To an island where we’ll meet
You’ll hear the music fill the air
I’ll put a flower in your hair

though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you’re all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I’m lucky we’re in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooooh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

We just listened to it… and since it was so easy to remember, we can already hum to the tune of “Ooohh ooooh oooh oooh ooh ooh ooh ooh” just when we were getting off the bus. Oh well, so that was it.

Igor knew Jason Mraz because he liked Colbie and he was looking for Colbie’s songs, and this song is a popular one. Igor introduced Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat music to us, and wallah! Now we all love them both.

There was even a time, when we were walking to Minoh Waterfalls, Nico and I were simply singing along the way.

They don’t know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I’ll wait for you I promise you, I will

End of sidenote.

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This concert is actually my first here in Japan and even the first International artist concert that I have watched (I have watched some concerts back in Ateneo, although they’re not as BIGTIME as this.) So, I was so excited about it. Weeks before the concert, I was playing songs from Jason Mraz’s latest album:

And with this concert, we discovered how to use the machine in Lawson to buy tickets. JPY6000 is WORTH IT!!!

Our concert Tix!

More about the concert in another post. Meanwhile, here’s the Lucky video. Hope you’ll enjoy it!

Ciao!

０８年０７月３１日

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We planned to have an A Class Party to celebrate the 4-month-long Japanese course wherein we actually did not only spend time together to learn vocabulary, grammar, hiragana, katakana, and kanji… but moreso, we bonded together; learned more about each other’s cultures, traditions, likes and dislikes, personalities, and research topics; ate together; laughed with (not at) each other; even faught against each other; and made-up; thought that we were always the coolest class vs B and C クラス (and I guess, even the IRIS people agree); became friends; turned into a big 家族.

We wanted to culminate everything that we did and were for our first 4 months of stay in Japan—because for us, this newly found family helped us a lot to cope with the sudden change of culture, language, and environment that we’re (un)fortunately in. We turned to each other in times of need. No. Every day in class, we find time to express ourselves as individuals—and find laughter in simple ways—which made us feel at home even though we’re miles and miles away from our real homes.

Suddenly, our classroom is a place to go home to everyday, not because we simply rest there… but because it’s where we belong.

But of course, we had to part ways… and before we do, WE PARTY!!!

We invited all of our Senseis and the following came: Yoshinaga-sensei (our coordinator), Uzuhashi-sensei (our grammar teacher), Saitoo-sensei (our Kanji teacher), Smith-sensei (our conversation teacher), Hayashi-sensei (our computer teacher), and Naitoo-sensei (another grammar teacher of ours). Too bad Abe-sensei (another Kanji teacher) and Okazaki-sensei (another grammar teacher) couldn’t come. We also invited the coordinators of B and C Classes: Muraoka-sensei and Nishimura-sensei. From IRIS, it was so good to have Ami-san, Miho-san, and Bando-san enjoying with us in the party. And of course, we have Azusa-san, our dear tutor. Chin-san of the yellow book should have been there too. And did we invite Mina-san? OMG! Nobody invited Mina-san—but I guess Mina-san was there too. Hahaha!

I heard that this was the first time a class initiated to have a party… and so, Yoshinaga-sensei even decided to “award” us our completion certificates (a very good looking certificate, but zenzen wakarimasen!) not during our individual feedback sessions but during the party.

Everybody was bikurishita, you know… (I sound like a slang-Japanese speaker… so bad!)

Anyway, here’s what happened…

The Preparation

In the morning, Ate Erlyn and I decided to go to Suita early because… of the Internet, probably. While we were in the bus, Chajeeta called me. “En, what are we going to do?!?! We have to decide now. What to buy? What to prepare? Are you coming here?” “Yes. I’m on my way.” “Ok, see you.” End of call.

And then I remembered, we decided on that date because it was Chatterjee’s birthday. Phonebook. Chatterjee. Call.

“Hello?” “Chatterjee!!! Happy Birthday! Otanjoubi Omedetou!!!” Words of thanks. “See you!”

We arrived in IC Hall and talked about the food to serve. Chajeeta was willing to sponsor burgers and bakery stuffs. So, the plan of having just donuts and cream puffs for the party was canceled. Thanks for all the effort, guys!

Anyway, before the party, as some of us were preparing in IRIS kitchen, the others were fixing Room 5 and some are preparing for the program(me).

Ahn, Ate Erlyn, Haredy, Eduardo, and Chatterjee while preparing the fruits

Mahdi-niisan, Shintu, and me in our classroom, deciding the program flow

The Food and Drinks

The Venue

The Arrival

Before the party began, one by one, the Senseis, staff, and the other A Class peeps arrived. It was so cool that the corridor seemed like a Celebrity Walk for everybody. Raj, Shintu, and Jun were taking the pictures. I wasn’t really supposed to walk through there, but because I went to the トイレ, I had to pass by there going back to the party room. Hehehe. ^_^

Most of the Senseis brought something. We didn’t really want them to bring anything. But they still came with fruits and Uzuhashi-sensei even made Tapioka for us. So sweet. >(^_^)<

Most of the Senseis dressed well… and of course, they’re always so きれい. Pawan and his wife looked like they’re attending a marriage party, said Chatterjee. Well, Shintu arrived in his Pristine White Indian Sherwani (quoting Chajeeta). Nobody can beat that!

I could’ve worn something Filipina as well, but oh well, first, I don’t have anything like that in the dorm. Second, no time to improvise. Third, we were busy preparing the whole day… I even looked si haggard already come party time. But still, it’s not what you wear in the party. It’s what you do, what you EAT!, and how you enjoy with everybody…

The People and The Party!!!

Chatterjee: All those who put up with us... Eng: And they will forever remain in our hearts...

The party started with Ate Erlyn’s opening remarks: “Ima kara, happyou wo…”

Nyahahaha!!! All the Senseis were raising their hands saying “shitsumon, shitsumon!!”

That’s A Class. We are seriously crazy.

Anyway, Ate Erlyn continued to say, “Ima kara paatii wo hajimemasu. Enjoy shite kudasai.”

Then Mahdi-niisan expressed our sentiments and thanks… about everything that has been everything that will be—in this newly found family. “At first we can’t even say douzo, douzo … yo.. what? But now, when we can easily say ‘Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu’.” “It’s ok with us that somebody eats kodomo… because it really means kudamono.” “We know each other’s cities… and we can now locate them in the world map.” Mahdi-niisan even started with Quezon City, Zamboanga City.. etc. “We consider being kowai, abunai, and kiken interesting and fun.” “We now know a lot about each other… and this is only the beginning.”

Then, we showed a clip. Watch it here.

Then, it’s Kampai! time… I asked Yoshinaga-sensei to lead the kampai. We poured drinks for our beloved Senseis, and just did the same for our own cups. Nyahaha! Then I ran around, making sure I was able to kampai with each and everyone of them before I drink from the cup (I now remember Jason Mraz’s song: What about taking this empty cup and filling it up…) Anyway, It was a cool Kampai experience. ^_^

Then, Yoshinaga-sensei started to give us our certificates. Yatta! One by one, we received our DEAR PROOF that we completed the very, uberly, tremendously INTENSIVE Japanese Course in Osaka University, which is probably the best program there is here in Japan.

PROOF of our Hardwork!!! (nyahahaha!)

After this… EATING TIME!!!

While eating, most of us started to write on our Farewell Boards. This is an idea I thought of when we were deciding on what to give the Senseis. For me, I think the most gratifying gift ever is anything that comes from the heart. And so how can we give a portion of all of our hearts to just one gift for each Sensei? Tantadadan!!! Use the Farewell Board!

We also have one for each of us, and so the Senseis had to write 16 times! And it’s amazing how personal their messages were (in Nihongo X_X).

Then, shashin all the way!!!

パーテイーを終わる。
Watch the video!

1. nagising ako na tila gustong matulala—kaso kailangan kong katagpuin ang aking “host mom”. kaya kinailangan ko ring kumilos nang mabilis.
2. naiwan ako ng tren patungong umeda. pinili kong sumakay sa tren papuntang tengachaya, at mag-norikae nalang sa awaji. sa huli, matagal pa rin akong nakarating sa harap ng yodobashi camera.
3. mukha raw akong may sakit. siguro kasi umitim ako dahil sa paglalaro ng tennis sa gitna ng mainit na sikat ng galit na galit na si haring araw nung linggo. malamang, dahil din ito sa tila pagod kong itsura. pinilit kong bilisang hanapin ang yodobashi camera. unang beses ko kasi iyon na pumunta gamit ang hankyu line. parati akong sumasakay sa chikatetsu. o baka dahil lang din sa ang init talaga ng panahon. pamatay!
4. matapos naming kumain ng masarap na pasta, hinanap namin kung saan makakabili ng dragonball keychain na bilin ni ate erlyn. sa kasamaang palad, walang matinong keychain akong nakita (matino: mura na, ayos pa!). ngunit dahil sa tila gusto kong gumastos sa araw na ito, bumili ako ng isang character pin. bakit ito? kasi itim. tsaka pusa.
5. tapos mukhang wala na kaming mapupuntahan. sabi ko, punta po tayo sa kinokuniya. bigla kong naisip, gusto kong bumili ng Blink na ipinabasa sakin ni Sir Greg dati. nga naman. kapag hinanap mo, makikita mo. unang hakbang ko palang sa mga English na libro, ayun na kagad siya sa harap ko. kakaiba. gumastos na naman ako. (ps: ang galing ko talagang maghanap ng aklat sa library man o sa bookstore. bakit kaya?)
6. tapos nakita kong showing na ang Dark Knight (sa wakas) dito sa Japan—sa 0809!!! kaso, naka-naka chansu ga arimasen. T_T tsaka na, pagdating ng susunod na allowance.
7. pauwi, wala lang. naisip ko, gusto ko talagang gumastos sa araw na ito. kaya paglapag ko sa kita senri, takbo kaagad sa mister donut. omochikaeri po. lima ata binili ko. dalawa para sa akin, tapos tig-iisa yung tatlo kinagabihan, pagkatapos ng hapunan. tapos, di pa ako nakuntento, dumaan pa ako ng starbucks. unang beses ko ito… at pansin ko lang, mas gusto ko ang starbucks sa pilipinas. wala lang. nandun kasi si mao. ayun, bumili ako ng tatlong venti na iba’t ibang frap. java chip, mocha, tsaka vanilla. alam kong gabi pa makakauwi si nico kaya di ko na siya binilhan. mabuti naman at mukhang nagustuhan nina kaachan at gogoch.
8. kalaunan, may natanggap akong mensahe galing kay mamen. “anak! sabi ng kapatid mo, may gumagamit ng pangalan mo at mga litrato sa Friendster.” ayun, sumobra na. sinabayan pa ang init ng panahon. pakiramdam ko, umakyat ang presyon ko.
9. matapos ang mahaba-habang pag-uusap at pagsasabi sa lahat na hindi ako ang taong iyon, lumabas ako upang makapagpalipas ng sama ng loob. nag-bike ako papuntang saito nishi. tapos, tumakbo patungong madame shinco at pabalik. kakapagod sobra. hinihingal ako pagbalik ko. yung tipong di ko alam kung kasya pa ba sa baga ko ang hanging gusto kong ihinga. pero ayos, pagbalik ko sa dorm, ok na ako.
10. wala akong ganang kumain. wala akong ganang uminom ng apple juice o kung anuman. wala lang. ewan.

pero paglipas ng kahapon, tila baga nawala ang lahat. ang pagod. ang hinanakit. ang inis. ang galit at takot, kung meron man.

Today. Masaya.

Today is the tomorrow of yesterday and the yesterday of tomorrow.

Ang saya ng today. ^_^

1. sa wakas, nakausap ko na rin ang mga taong gusto kong makausap—matagal na—pero siyempre, bitin pa rin. (sa uulitin, please…)
2. sa wakas, naliwanagan ako ng kaunti ukol sa mga bagay na bumabagabag sa akin… kaso di ko alam kung ang kaliwanagan ba na ito ang gusto kong makita. (nasan ka, dilim!!!)
3. sa wakas, nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataon na tumakbo upang mapagpawisan… pero may biglang sumulpot na kakaibang itim na bagay sa harap namin. (ikukwento sa ibang post)
4. mas lalo kong ginugulo ang aking sarili, ang aking isip, at nasosobrahan na yata ako sa kakanood ng kdrama/jdorama. tama na.
5. ang mga sinampay ko, nabasa ulit lahat. nakatulog kasi ako.
6. ang kwarto ko, di ko pa rin nililinis. ang tagal na nitong ganito.
7. ang mga files ko sa tatlo kong harddisks, di ko pa rin naaayos (organize, etc.). kelan pa?
8. akala ko, buong araw lang akong nakakulong sa loob ng maliit kong silid. pero ayos lang, feeling ko naman marami akong kasama dahil sa marami akong kausap. kaso, di ako nadapuan ng sikat ng araw.

Yesterday is the today of the day before today. Yesterday never comes. It’s always there. And it doesn’t go away.

pero sa lahat ng mga nangyari, at di nangyari… ang nakakapagtaka, sa pagtatapos ng kahapon, di man lamang ako makaiyak. di man lamang ako makabuntong hininga. eto na naman ako… namamanhid. hahaha!

daanin mo nalang kasi sa tawa, eng.

I have no idea...

I used to write to myself. And there was this one stretch in my life when all that I write–experiences, rants and raves, feelings–I connect with colors. Today, I searched for that file. What is your color? And I have seen pretty interesting thoughts about a lot of things.

And this one is pretty timely. Almost same time of the year. No. It was vacation time–October to November. No. This is the timestamp: November 2, 2007 11:43 PM.

And it’s entitled “Gray”.

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Every time you close your eyes, you feel at ease. It seems that opening them won’t do you any good… for when you do, it means that you have to do something. That you cannot stay still anymore because time runs fast and life is too short. That there are a lot of things to be done and leaving them untouched is like running away. That success comes in doing, not just in thinking and dreaming. That dreams can only be talked about, or dreamt of, if you are focused even on the lowliest task in front of you. That good deeds are rewarded. That nothing is bad. That choosing to slack off and bum around doesn’t do you any good.

But of course, there are also those who say… you need rest. You need to take time and think about things yourself. You need silence and reflection.

But you still feel restless. That you have had enough.

Still you kept doing nothing.

What do you fear? Why do you not maximize your skills? Your efforts and energy? Why waste them for matters that doesn’t produce? Why be trash when you can be gold?

We all know you have things to do. We all know you have a lot going on in your mind. But why leave them untouched? Why search for meaning and happiness in things that don’t hold them? Why choose the easy, when the hard will give you glory and peace?

Why be selfish?

…

There are certainly things we take time doing. It is because if we do, we tend to do it beautifully… well. Like when writing a letter, the longer you write it, the more cursive… the more feelings you’ll be pouring in it… the more meaningful it becomes. But there are also things that we need to do fast. There are deadlines to beat, last chances to take, even patience to please… and that is because we live in the world that is not stopping because we want it to. As they say, “It goes on.” It moves even though we want it to stay still. And in this life that we live, there are actually only two choices that we have: to do something or not.

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