07-Ghost (continue)

Just ordered 07-Ghost anime's OST CD "Melody of Michael" (SGD50.95) from playasia.

The songs from this anime are superb, especially 《ラグスの鎮魂歌》and 《瞳のこたえ》  . I love the lyrics, very beautifully written.

Here's the lyrics for 《瞳のこたえ》in original Japanese and its translation (translation from Deciphered melody wordpress).

tooi natsukashiki keshiki yasashii yuki no kaori
togire togire no kioku wo tsumui de michi wo sagasu

The distant and nostalgic scenery, that sweet fragrance of snow,
they tie down my broken memories and search for the road I must take.

kurui dashita sadame ni tashikana me no mae mo
nani mo kamo mienai

In this Chaotic Destiny, you may not be able to see the certainty
right in front of your eyes.

tookute mienai chiisana tomoshibi
negau hodo ni ushinau mono
fukai yami wo kirisaiteku
kokoro ha koko ni aru to

The small light is so far I can’t see it,
if I wish enough in order to see it…I’ll lose something.
But a heart that shatters the deepest darkness
lies right here.

kanaderu sanbika atatakai namida
koboreochiru ikiyuku kagiri
sora wo aogu akai hitomi
mitsuketa asu he no michi
arukidasu

This flowing hymn, this warm tear
spill and try to live as much as they can.
These Scarlet Eyes look at the sky,
and I walk the road leading to the future
they found.

itsuka chikatta kotoba ga azayaka ni yomigaeru
tadorifureyuku kioku ha ibara no michi no shirushi

The words we once vowed vividly resurrect,
the memories it finally touched upon, are the proof of the Thorny Path we took.

omoidashita sadame no subete wo ukeireta
nigiru te ha kesenai

I remembered I accepted everything this life gave me,
our held hands won’t disappear.

itsukushimu inori chiisana hohoemi
mamoru tame ni michibikareru
kanashimi sae kirisaiteku
kokoro ha koko ni aru to

This pitiful prayer, this tiny smile,
in order to protect them, I’m led towards
the heart that can even shatter sadness,
that heart lies right here.

tsunagaru utagoe ai wo shiru namida
ikutsumo aru inochi no kagiri
sora he tsudzuku hana no tsubasa
sakaseta asu he no michi
tsudzuiteku

Synchronized singing voices, tears that know of love,
there are many of them in this limited life.
The Wings of Flowers continue towards the heavens,
continuing towards the
road of a Flourished Future.

saigo no negai wo kanaeru no da to shitara
hitotsu dake no hikari wo todokeru

If my final wish is granted,
I will send you a single ray of light.

tookute mienai chiisana tomoshibi
negau hodo ni ushinau mono
fukai yami wo kirisaiteku
kokoro ha koko ni aru to

The small light is so far I can’t see it,
if I wish enough in order to see it…I’ll lose something.
But a heart that shatters the deepest darkness
lies right here.

kanaderu sanbika atatakai namida
koboreochiru ikiyuku kagiri
kageri mo naku mayoi no nai
hitomi no kotae idaite susundeku

This flowing hymn, this warm tear
spill and try to live as much as they can.
There’s nothing to be sad about, nothing to be confused about,
I embrace the Answer of my Eyes and continue forward.

****************************************
Happy Happy New Year 2010!

Favorite Anime... just before year ends!

For those who love Japanese fantasy anime, you would most likely fall in love with this one - 07-Ghost. I love the story, the drawing, the characters and the music! ^_^ Take a look at the fan-made amv, see for yourself.  



Story (source - Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/07-Ghost) 

Teito Klein is a former slave sent to attend the Barsburg Empire's military academy due to his ability to use Zaiphon, a type of supernatural power. The ability is rare, and thus highly prized. Teito is an amnesiac and doesn't remember anything of his past, but he has recurring and often traumatizing dreams in which he sees a grand church or castle and a man he feels he may know.

After a year at the academy, Teito takes the graduation exam; it is notoriously difficult with the average pass rate of one in twenty-five and rumor has it that candidates died in the exam. The night before Teito and his best (and only) friend, Mikage, take the exam, they swear they will never abandon the other when the other needs help. The next day, Teito is delivering papers to a professor when he overhears his name. He stops to listen and realizes that the speaker, a man named Ayanami, is the person who killed the man he sees in his dreams, who is his father, the king of the destroyed Raggs Kingdom. Teito is found eavesdropping and tries to attack his father's murderer, but is quickly brought down by one of Ayanami's subordinates and sent to prison. Mikage comes to help him escape, only to find that Teito has managed to fight past the guards by himself. The two flee the building, but are cornered on a balcony. Teito pretends to hold Mikage hostage, threatening to kill him if the guards pursue him, and tries to escape when Ayanami sends a Zaiphon attack after him, which Teito manages to partly deflect. A Bishop in the nearby 7th District takes the injured Teito to the church to recuperate. Because of the law of sanctuary, as long as Teito stays in the church the army cannot enter the place, hence cannot arrest him.

In fact Teito carries the Eye of Mikhail, a powerful talisman that his home country, the Raggs Kingdom, was ransacked for. The tragic death of a loved one catapults him into his quest for revenge against the Barsburg Empire and knowledge about his past, while he becomes entangled with the Gods, Verloren, and the 7 Ghosts.

His best friend's fate spurs Teito into trying to master the Bascule — a powerful weapon that can harness and focus his innate power. Friends become enemies and rivals become allies as Teito begins to fulfill his destiny, and protect his fallen country from the minions of his former masters.

*****************
Some pictures from the anime:-

Wishing all a wonderful new year ahead! =)

Merry Christmas

Christmas is a time to remind myself the precious truths... In very simple terms, it is - Christ is with me, in me and will be with me and in me forever. I was reading the "Holy Experience" (blog by Ann Voskamp) and was touched by what she wrote:-

"On the eve of the darkest night of the year, the old demons, anxiety, discouragement and ugly perfectionism slink up through the shadows. My skin crawls with the darkness. Tears don't wash me clean.

I'm overwhelmed by some projects greater than my skillset, by to-do lists with more items than moments in my day. There isn't enough of me and and what there is of me seems impotent and I'm groping for grace. It's easy to forget the truth in the dark. Sadness wrings the bones dry and finally late I give up, find my way to bed, pull the covers high...."

This is precisely what I have been experiencing for the past few weeks, especially these few days! Hubby frowned whenever I buried myself in the endless piles of work - no time to rest, smile or stop to appreciate what is around me.

"During the darkest days of the year, the world celebrates that Light has come into the world, a dawning over the land of the shadow of death, and in the warmth of that halo, we have hope....

Lord God... I simply Come to the Light.
That's all I need this Christmas.
In the dark, to rest in the healing warmth of You."

May this Christmas be a special day for you... May He touch you and remind you that you are never alone.

(Photos from Flickr. Hover mouse to photos for exact image address. Thanks to the talented photographers for the excellent photos!) 

Amazing wallets and small accessories from Rakuten

I am a big fan of Rakuten's jewelry pieces (featured several such items in the past here on my blog). Now I'm in love with their leather goods and small accessories too. Take a look below, I bet you'd go "wow~!" like me. ^_^  

KC,s Experience Leather Craft - http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/kc-s/





Tsumori - http://item.rakuten.co.jp/tigerstail/c/0000000184/ 


Katherine Hamnett
- Not a Japanese brand but found on Rakuten... and so beautiful too! http://item.rakuten.co.jp/rammy/c/0000000201/ 




Want more of such eye candies? Let me know. =)

Orangetree Christmas Giveaway

Orangetree Christmas Giveaway - One lucky winner will receive this pair of lovely flower and pearls earrings. Made of silver plated flower charms and coin freshwater pearls. =) Check out my blogshop for details!

Sale on Orangetree Etsy!

Sale Sale Sale!

Please check out my Orangetree Etsy Shop. All items under "Specials" are on sale. Grab my unique filigree floral series and precious gemstone bracelets at very special prices. From now till end Dec 09. Don't miss out!

WIP

Realised eraser works wonders on drawings! This is WIP, for as long as I want. For the moment, I will stop here. I'm making little little progress and I am happy!