When Bordedom Gets to You

Anime Review: Mai-Otome

    The artwork in this anime particularly caught my attention. Great graphics! Especially in the fight scenes. Soundtrack is okay too, but I’m more impressed by the opening and ending artwork than the music. Semi-ecchi, but it’s not a typical harem anime. Why, you ask? Because they’re practically all girls. There certainly are a couple of sexual scenes and innuendos, but there are no actual scenes depicting full-frontal nudity or sex. (I’m suddenly hearing "awwwws" from the distance.. heh-heh-heh ^__^)

    This is about a couple of girls learning how to be a Meister Otome. Meister Otomes are warriors that serve to protect the royalty of various kingdoms on the planet. These Meister Otomes are female virgins (yes, virgins talaga dapat..) that use nanomachines in their body to gain super strength and abilities, plus a very cool battle suit.

    The main character is Arika Yumemiya, who came to the kingdom of Windbloom, to look for her mother, who was a great Otome, and to attain her goal of becoming a great Meister Otome herself. Aside from Arika’s adventures as a student, the story also follows various political issues and power struggles between those who seek the technology used by the Otome, and somehow, Arika has found her way in the middle of it all.

    In this anime, friendship is given so much importance to by Arika. Friendship, above all else, makes her braver, stronger, and more noble. I can’t say this is uncommon. In a lot of anime, characters usually become stronger or become more superhuman at the sight of their friends in danger, or their loved ones in need. If it’s not love, it’s definitely friendship that makes their world go round. Nothing else matters if they’re all happy together. Naive, I know. Not their weaknesses, not their enemies, and not even the hardest situations thrown at them make them flinch.

    Anyways, I’m a sucker for romantic-comedies, and even though this anime has only a few scenes/episodes dedicated to the lovey-dovey parts of the story, I still like it. I do wish the ending was a little different, but I guess everything worked out just fine. I would SO want to see a 2nd season of this anime, definitely.

Now for the score:

Artwork - 4.5/5
Story - 4/5
Character Development - 4/5
Soundtrack - 3/5

    A long time ago, when I was still in college, me and my classmates played this game, Worms. We got good at it, and kinareer namin. I remember we held a Worms tourney, me and a couple of the guys from my class. Guess what, I won! I got really good at it. Lately, Shikamaru (he was one of the guys I beat before) and I got to talking about it.

mel: do u still have the worms installer?
shikamaru: yup
mel: pahiram
shikamaru: lol
shikamaru: bad ka!!!
shikamaru: office yan indi playpen!
mel: yeah right!!! that coming from you isn’t so convincing
shikamaru: pero cge pahiramin kita
mel: thanks! ^__^
mel: dalahin mo
shikamaru: dis week
shikamaru: u want to feel superior nanaman…
shikamaru: dats bad
shikamaru: even if u can nvr beat me *here’s where it all started*
mel: i beat ur sorry lil ass a million times already *added wood to the fire*
mel: i’m the almighty worms master *added more wood*
shikamaru: lols
shikamaru: ako ang GRAND MASTER….
mel: you are seriously in denial!!!
mel: ako kaya ung champion natin sa worms tourney natin sa class
shikamaru: compared to my lil bro ur all lil weaklings…
mel: hah! he hasn’t met me yet!
shikamaru: lol
shikamaru: si jason lang kaya mo
shikamaru: ibang level ako!
shikamaru: too bad we cant play anymore to settle dis
shikamaru: so just deal with it
shikamaru: CAUSE IM THE CHAMP!
mel: talo ko kaya kayong lahat!
mel: i remember it clearly
shikamaru: lols
shikamaru: mag sama sama na kayo
mel: tayong dalawa pa natira
mel: down to just one worm each
mel: tapos i outsmarted your lil worm
mel: and i beat u to a pulp
mel: overkill!!!!!!! yessssss
mel: i remember it well
mel: good ol’ days
shikamaru: crap i cant even remember our fights coz… u guys are so boring to play with
mel: omg! bui, u have a problem..
mel: DENIAL
mel: deal with it
shikamaru: crap
shikamaru: get ur weak ass over here
shikamaru: lets finish this now, once and for all
shikamaru: even if ur a gal i wont go ec on you…
mel: hah! right!
mel: like you could beat me
shikamaru: keep dreamin…
mel: seryoso bui.. i really truly beat u dati
mel: can’t you remember?
mel: i got really good at it kasi
shikamaru: even if u did
mel: finally!
mel: inamin din
mel: that’s all i need
shikamaru: dats was either luck, or i let  u win
shikamaru: cause ur a bad loser!
shikamaru: but i even beat ur sorry ass more
mel: uhhh reality check!
mel: you haven’t beaten me yet
mel: besides.. i’m not a bad loser
shikamaru: ungas….
mel: bad losers are those that don’t admit they’re losers
shikamaru: cha-cha: besides.. i’m not a bad loser
shikamaru: dats a good one
mel: well i’m not
mel: so that’s that
mel: when i get my new pc
mel: i’ll start playing worms again
mel: that’s my kinda hobby
mel: where you just use your brains
mel: no getting tired
mel: pahiram ako installer ha
shikamaru: lol
shikamaru: k!
shikamaru: coz u need to practice
mel: yeah right! like I need it
mel: my officemate is practically begging me to kick his ass
mel: hehehe
shikamaru: nxt time we meet ill beat ur ass to a pulp
mel: *pfffft* shikamaru: nxt time we meet ill beat ur ass to a pulp >> that’s rich!!!
shikamaru: actually…
shikamaru: shikamaru: nxt time we meet ill beat ur ass to a pulp >> ITS THE TRUTH!
mel: keep telling yourself that
shikamaru: i dont have too
shikamaru: ganda ng stat ko noh! (CHA-CHA! i’m sorry! but you can’t beat me! HAHAHA! ^^V Pis!)
mel: mas maganda stat ko (bui, YOU’RE IN DENIAL! wake up and smell the stench of defeat.)
shikamaru: dats a pretty funny stat
shikamaru: but mine is a fact
mel: facts aren’t facts if they’re based on assumptions/guesses/lies/weak retorts
shikamaru: assumption: NO
shikamaru: guesses: no
shikamaru: lies: no
shikamaru: weak retorts?: NO!
shikamaru: its a fact
mel: oh give it a rest.. face facts, and accept it. you lost to me, and i beat you fair and square 
shikamaru: o crap….
shikamaru: keep that up
shikamaru: watever floats ur boat
mel: that’s my line
shikamaru: u can blog this… BRAGGING FOOLS!
mel: i’m already writing it down
shikamaru: LOL
shikamaru: ure a pretty good bragger
shikamaru: too bad i aint bragging
mel: uhhhh yeah you are
shikamaru: speaking the truth isnt bragging
mel: yeah but you weren’t, and i quote, "speaking the truth"
shikamaru: SET THE TIME
shikamaru: SET THE PLACE
shikamaru: AND FINISH IT THERE
shikamaru: PERIOD
mel: it’s like a duel. hahaha!
mel: chill, bui
mel: it’s only a game
mel: LOL
shikamaru: its not just a game anymore..
shikamaru: its a battle for the truth

    Take note, he started it! But seriously, I really do remember beating him at that game. And seriously, he knows it too. He just won’t admit it. Hahaha!!! (bati tayo bui! ^__^’)

My seatmate at work, Kors, is the best. I’ve never had a seatmate here before she came along. I’m so lucky to have her as my seatmate. She’s very sweet, kind, and super smart. She has two fans from our office. Me and Gaze. We both love her very much. We both think she’s the best. ^__^

What I like the most about Kors, is her ability to laugh at me whenever I say something. Ironically, when I tell jokes, it’s funny how she doesn’t seem to belt out even a giggle. I wonder why? *aherm* She also thinks my all-time Japanese crush and favorite JRock performer and favorite JDrama actor, Gackt-san, is gay. Which he isn’t!!! She’s (along with the rest of my officemates [except maan!!! ^__^] ) in denial I tell you! *aherm aherm* Anywho, even if she’s not into Gackt-san, I still am! ^__^ But that’s beside the point. The point is, even if she thinks Gackt-san is gay, she’s still my favorite seatmate ever. Like the way she thinks I’M her all-time favorite seatmate too! I’m so happy that I’m not a sucky seatmate. Just like Kors isn’t a sucky seatmate either! ^__^

When I grow up, I want to be just like Kors. ^__^ (Kors, bati tayu! Ahehehe..)

This entry is dedicated to my sleepy, lazy-ass best friend.

8 tips and tricks for trying to stay awake:
1. Eat something. Anything. Suggestion:
- sugary treats (donuts, chocolates, cake, ice cream)
2. Drink caffeinated/sugary beverages like:
- sodas
- juice (c2 apple, preferrably)
- coffee
3. Browse away. Suggested sites:
- candymag.com (your best-est friend online! [long-tail marketing])
- neopets.com (for those who can’t afford tamagotchis)
- friendster.com (for the friendly/narcissistic/vain)
- multiply.com (for online shopping/mp3 addicts… yes, i only browse multiply to shop or to download mp3)
- animenewsnetwork.com (for anime otakus)
4. Do something that requires brain activity. Finish a couple of spider solitaire sets or something. Trying to think is always good.
5. Doodle. (this always works for me)
6. Walk around. That helps. Go brush your teeth or wash your face or something. Anything to get your ass off that soft reclining chair.
7. Talk to someone. Have a seatmate? Chat her up! Better make it an intelligent conversation. Your seatmate wouldn’t appreciate a dumb conversation from a mumbling half-asleep person.
8. If all the other 7 tips fail, this step won’t. In fact, you should’ve just skipped ‘em all and read this first if you’re really desperate. Can you say, "sleep deprivation"? GO TO SLEEP. You seriously pushed your insomnia buttons last night. Take a load off. Give your red, puffy eyes a rest. You are in dire need of sleep. Do it before you collapse, for cryin’ out loud.

mel: i love the japanese…
mel: i mean, their culture
shikamaru: yah its nice..
shikamaru: im japinoy now
shikamaru: LOL
mel: yukatas, new years cards, obligatory valentine’s chocolates… i wanna be japanese in my next lifetime
shikamaru: yup
shikamaru: valentines for guys
mel: yeah
mel: white something for girls
mel: i forgot
shikamaru: white day for gals
shikamaru: cool isnt it
shikamaru: white day
mel: where boys give the girls something naman
shikamaru: yah if a girl gives chocos to boys
shikamaru: he must atleast give something in return on white day
shikamaru: if he’s kind
shikamaru: LOL
mel: that’s nice
mel: i like their formalities too
mel: with the bowing and stuff
mel: tapos they’re pretty deep
shikamaru: yup
shikamaru: yah me too…
shikamaru: so would u give me any chocos this feb
shikamaru: LOL
mel: would u give me chocos on the white day thing?
shikamaru: if u give me something on feb
shikamaru: that’s how they do it
shikamaru: LOL
mel: oh.. i see
mel: so kawawa pala ung mga popular guys
shikamaru: haha…
shikamaru: mas kawawa ung wlang chocos
shikamaru: LOLOLOL
mel: you’re right about that
shikamaru: dont u think its weird
shikamaru: GIRLS have to give first
shikamaru: then sa march pa ung boys
shikamaru: parang blikstad noh
mel: yeah here it is
mel: but in japan, girls usually make the first move
mel: i mean, with the confessions and stuff
mel: or is that just in anime??
shikamaru: yah yah
shikamaru: weird nga he
shikamaru: tapos if the guy confess… cla na nung gurl
shikamaru: xure ball
shikamaru: amf
mel: or baka equal lang ung # of confessions, pero girls are usually shown sa mga confession scenes in anime
mel: that’s pretty lame
mel: i mean, what if they don’t even know each other
mel: pero i like the whole button thing
mel: it’s cute
shikamaru: yah yah
shikamaru: yah sa grad
shikamaru: cool noh ^^
mel: anong grad?
mel: i thought the guys give girls their button if they like em
shikamaru: sa grad gingawa un di ba
mel: ah reallly
mel: didn’t know that
shikamaru: ung button thing
shikamaru: parang chuvenir
mel: figures.. i mean, if you gave your buttons away in the middle of the school year, you’d end up with an open blazer
mel: hehehe
mel: or polo or whatever they call their uniform
shikamaru: yah
shikamaru: dami tradition sa knila noh…
mel: yeah
mel: i like it all
shikamaru: tpos mabenta ung mga charms
shikamaru: love charm, grad charm, baby charm, <anthing here> charm
mel: yeah!!!!
mel: they sure do like their charms
mel: and kapag new year, they go to the shrines on top of a long flight of stairs, throw coins into the wooden collection box, pray (clapping twice!!! hahaha), then get their fortunes on a slip of paper
shikamaru: yah
mel: i like their shrines
shikamaru: natawa nga ako sa issng manga sbi nung guy
shikamaru: "god pls grant my wish, even though i only have 100 yen"
shikamaru: lol
shikamaru: parang my success rate ung wish
shikamaru: based sa donation
shikamaru: that should be implemented here
shikamaru: i’ll give my whole bonus if its effective..
mel: then the churches would be filthy rich
shikamaru: yah
shikamaru: no wonder there are a lot of temples in japan
mel: yeah! there are tons
shikamaru: ang big ones
mel: on top of tall hills
mel: with lotsa stairs
mel: and the gigantic seals
mel: heheheh
shikamaru: yah….
shikamaru: love japanese culture
shikamaru: and HS uniforms XD
mel: LOL
mel: perv
shikamaru: lol
shikamaru: appreciate..
mel: hehehe
mel: appreciate my foot
shikamaru: haha
shikamaru: "what kind of guy doesnt like to appreciate girls body…."
shikamaru: a quote from some guy anime character…
mel: "a quote from some guy anime character" >> rrrrrriiiight… ¬__¬
mel: i like the guys’ hs uniforms
mel: ung parang chinese collar
shikamaru: me too
shikamaru: it looks so cool
shikamaru: yah yah
mel: which do you prefer. the sailor girl uniform, or the uniform with blazer version?
shikamaru: blazer
mel: really
mel: me too
mel: seifukus are so corny
mel: they’re seifukus, right?
shikamaru: seifukus?
mel: ung sailor girl uniform
shikamaru: ah ok
shikamaru: they’re ok too
shikamaru: siguro pag middle school pa lang
mel: yeah!
mel: kapag ganun ok sha
shikamaru: tpos pag HS na mas cool ung blazer
shikamaru: di ba lahat masaya ^^
shikamaru: i definitely must be a jap in my next life
mel: LOL
mel: i’ve gotta admit
mel: i love their clothes
shikamaru: me too
mel: even if it’s a little bit quirky
shikamaru: yah… they look pretty cool
shikamaru: and stylish
shikamaru: u can dress what ever u want
mel: yeah yeah!!!
mel: you could dye your hair pink and you’d still seem normal
shikamaru: even gwen steffani acknowledged the jap style
mel: yeah
mel: the whole harajuku thing
shikamaru: yupyup
shikamaru: plus…they have great weather
shikamaru: spring winter summer autumn
mel: yeah!!!!
shikamaru: so u can have different outfits
shikamaru: every season
shikamaru: COOL!!!
mel: yeah! COOL!
mel: awwww i’d love to live there someday……..
shikamaru: me too
shikamaru: thats my dream
shikamaru: i want to stay there for 3-4 years
mel: i like scarves
mel: and trench coats
mel: and yukatas
shikamaru: i like turtle neck jackets
shikamaru: girls look elegant in yukatas
mel: yup!
mel: i like the really ornate ones
mel: with the gigantic ribbons
mel: pero i think that’s geisha-wear na
mel: hehehe ^__^;
shikamaru: i’d like to take someone to a fireworks display
shikamaru: they have those in festivals in japan
shikamaru: dats my ideal date
shikamaru: juz gaze upon the sky
shikamaru: and enjoy ^^
mel: i like their festivals too! they have lots of those
mel: and they love to go to the beach in summer
shikamaru: yah..

There are a lot of things I like about the Japanese culture. Their traditions, formalities, style, way of living, anime, etc. I love everything about them. I would SO like to be Japanese in my next lifetime. That’s for sure. ^__^

You guys must know about Erap’s big hearing today. He was found guilty for plundering. Personally, I kinda feel sorry for the guy. He’s already 72 (I think), and life imprisonment is, well, kinda harsh. I mean, everybody steals! Some are just better at covering themselves up than others. Even if he stole from the country, it doesn’t make him any different for the rest of ‘em running the place. Anyways, Ate Mimi told me he’ll be alright, which made me feel better about the whole thing. Stealing from your own country takes guts! Staying in jail for life would be a cinch. It’s just a change of scenery from being in house arrest.

Anyways, that’s not what I wanted to talk about. I was busy getting ready this morning, when I heard our helper talking to dear ol’ Dad about Erap’s case. Then, out of nowhere, my Mom starts yelling at her. Here’s what happened exactly:

Ate Tinay: Ngayon ba yung hearing ni Erap?
Dad: Oo. Mandarambong kasi si Erap eh.
Mom: WAG KANG MAKIKINIG JAN TINAY!!!
Me & Ate Mimi: *alarmed by mom’s yelling, turns to ate tinay and dad*

*mom goes into the room, all the way from downstairs, and yells at dad*

Mom: Wag kang makikinig jan Tinay! Loko yan si Cesar! (my dad) Si Gloria yung dapat ikulong! Buti pa si Erap, million million lang! Eh si Gloria, BILLION!!!
Dad: Hah! Mandarambong yan si Erap! Dapat talaga ikulong yan!

Me: Ano ba yan! Nag-aaway nanaman kayo! Ayos pa sa topic ha!
Me: (towards Ate Mimi who was already LOL-ing) Ayan nanaman yang dalawang yan. That’s why I don’t wanna get involved in politics..

Dad: Gloria nalang ako! Dapat ikulong yan si Erap!
Mom: *tooot* ka! Mas ok pa si Erap kaysa kay Gloria noh!
Me: Ako gusto ko din si Erap! ^__^ << my actual facial expression
Ate Mimi: Ako gusto ko si Ping! At si Lightning McQueen!
Me: LOL!!!!!
Me: (wala sa choices, pero benta!)

That’s how we settle arguments in our family. Simply can’t deny the amusing sense of humor my sis has. It’s never boring in our house, I can guarantee that. I think my Mom and Dad shut up before we left. But that was before Erap was declared guilty for plundering.. Aheh-heh-heh.. ^__^;

    Haven’t blogged in a long time.. kinda rusty. I’d like to take this opportunity to rave about my very close friend’s 18th birthday bash last Sept. 1-2. It’s the most fun debut I’ve attended by far. Pool party, with the coolest 18 roses uhhh.. event? part?.. I’ve ever seen. The guys had to dive into the pool, grab a rose, then dance with the birthday girl (some still bearing their tummies wearing only trunks! hahaha!).

    I commend all my guy friends for the effort and courage to dive into the deep pool and risking their lives, dignity, and reputations for those roses. Don’t worry, we gals still think you guys are still as manly as ever.. even if some of you barely knew how to swim. HAHAHA!!! And even if some of you guys hammed it up so much, you’d think you weren’t forced to do it. *aherm* So! *salute* *salute* You guys did well. Too bad my 18th birthday has already passed.. I wanna do something super hilarious like that too..

    Wait, who said it had to be your 18th birthday party to humiliate be with your friends? See you guys on my 20th birthday! >:)