Cyriel

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Sienna]For general knowledge, I have just started my freshman year at University of the Pacific. It's strange, but I really don't feel like I'm at college at all, but at some sort of summer school or camp, after which I will return home in an undesignated length of time. Moving in was quite the adventure - so many things forgotten, but luckily my mother stayed about a week (I'm so spoiled by her), and so we went out shopping almost everyday to buy trinkets and much-needed items. However, I did bring some odd items...such as a rice-cooker, to cook my bag of rice that I also brought. I also have with me packets of salted seaweed, frozen homemade Jja-jang myun (delicious Korean food), and other oriental oddities. And as my week progresses, so too does my awareness expand of my ignorance of the "college life." So I suppose that I'm asking for advice, stories, and all that other good stuff from the members who've had their own experiences. What are the weirdest things you (or others that you've heard of) have brought to college? What was your oddest experience? In what did you invest the most time in? Attend parties, or not? How to not waste the parents' money, and at the same time have an exciting experience... So please! Divest some knowledge! Educate me! Especially about how to survive without any Korean restaurants around in the city of Stockton...[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=1][COLOR=Sienna][I]Edit:[/I] By the way, is anyone else addicted to facebook?[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple][B]Typography Project[/B] - This is very nice; I'm liking the patchwork feel it has. I guess I'd just like to see a little more...variation on the images I think. I mean, like, there are some pieces that are stuck right next to others that are very similar to each other, and so you just lose the random pattern of it. Also, maybe if it really did have more of a global thing, because it's 'World Typography,' but I'm only seeing...English. [B]Gold Anthem[/B] - What to say on this? It's your lovely, simple style that's become revolutionary on the 'Boards. Absolutely picturesque... Alot of your work reminds me of the simple, zen-like teachings of many Asian beliefs. [B]One Day I Will Fly Away[/B] - I absolutely worship you for this stunning, brilliant, unquestionable masterpiece. Just the image and the words in your combination produces this immensely pervasive sense of emotion and spiritual quality - I don't know what it is really, but I take one look at this image and all I can think of is how much larger the world really is, in comparison with just our own existences. It just reminds me of my trip to Belize, and seeing the state and conditions of the people there, and yet, just how happy and joyful they could still be, although I felt this intense sorrow mixed with...solace. I just...it's just a very moving piece, not to get all teary-eyed and everything on you there...^_^;; It's amazing and wonderful. [B]Pardon Me[/B] - This is such a beautiful piece as well! I absolutely adore the fonts, and the color combos you used. I feel like an idiot though - I though it said 'while I bum' instead of 'while I burn.' So yeah...pardon my confusion, because it's really quite marvelous. [B]Doubleplus[/B] - There must be something behind this that I'm uneducated in or something, because I don't really understand this... It does, however, remind me of my perfect grade...=_=;; I'm just not sure how any of these things really connect...although I do like the concept. [B]typoGRAPHIK1[/B] - As with [I]Pardon Me[/I] there are once again very nice fonts and colors. I absolutely adore the red streakish things (I have no idea what to call them). However, I don't like how some of the red dots got splattered onto the black lettering - it just looks careless. The box at the bottom also seems a little too close to the border - it looks almost...squished, even though there's this wide expanse of space around it. [B]typoGRAPHIK2[/B] - This is my favorite of the two - it just seems so much more attractive and inviting I think. Yes, nothing really to critique, because I can't see anything blatantly wrong. This one just makes me happy. ^__^ [B]Elegant Dream[/B] - Wow, I am very impressed. This one is just so...wow. I love how you broke up the words and expression, but how you can still easily just piece it back together without even trying - I just forms together by itself. The...roughness, I guess? provides so much texture. The only thing I dislike is the part where 'ntspaces' and 'dont exi' are put slightly on top of one another, although...as I keep looking at it, I keep liking it more. This, for some reason, reminds me alot of [I]The Motorcycle Diaries[/I]. It has the same feel, I guess. I applaud you - even though you say the work is older, it's still quite laudable. [B]Warning[/B] - My same complaint as before: I'm not really a fan of how two pieces so similar are stuck right next to each other (the two striped ones). I also think that 'do not touch' could be moved up a tad, along with that whole little barcode - it looks too close to the border. The little man is so funny (even though that situation really wouldn't be..), and the concept is very nice as well. Once again, you never cease to surprise me.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple]I'd have to agree with [I]Boo[/I] on [B]Ichigo Swirl[/B]. The sword and background don't match, although they're both quite cool. Also, not liking the huge white space...although I have no idea what could be added there, and there's a little smudge type deal going on with the guy's thumb. The grass looks very, very cool in [B]Night Fights[/B], but I feel like it doesn't really match the style of the rest of the picture. Cool picture though. [B]Anethesia Touch[/B] - Did you mean 'anesthesia?' Anyway, you have beautiful colors in this - it reminds me of algae in an aquarium...although that sounds horrible. Nah, think of shows on Discovery Channel where they're showing sunlight glimmering through kelp forests (and cute little sea otters swimming through). I adore the overall image, but then...well, I can accept the text, although I'm not a big fan. I detest the weird block/line things - it just stands out (and not really in a good way) like some sort of grotesque mole or something. But I love everything else. [B]Music[/B] - Again, these confounded blocks. It's a good (better) effort than in the other piece, but still get in the way. I think if you took away the two vertical ones it would look better. You have a wonderful way with color - it's very neat what you've done here. Although, perhaps the black blob could be a bit smaller...or more faded into, I'm not sure. Still, it's all very good. More to come, I hope?[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple][B]Industrial[/B] - This is just absolutely lovely. So simple and clean, and the colors are beautiful. [B]LMS[/B] is just as Doc said: simple, good color combinations, and utterly charming. [B]Kids with Guns[/B] - There's something...oddly frightening about this. It's an absolutely lovely work of art - it's just kind of scary how something so sweet and beautiful is about something so brutal. The subject of the piece is complimented by the antithesis of the gentle colors and style of the piece. It's interesting how the two opposites pull together and meld into one complete work. I think the only problem I have with it is that in the upper right-hand corner, it seems...well, it doesn't really seem to match the other side. It's..chunkier? I really have no idea. Still, it's absolutely lovely. [B]Watch the Way I Navigate[/B] - This is such a smooth/suave image in my mind. Very nice, although I think that the words in the upper left-hand corner look squished vertically. I think a little more spacing would be nice, like maybe 'Walking' and the little man could be positioned a tiny bit lower, but not much. Also, I almost skipped over the words on the right-hand side. They're well-placed and good colors, but...I'm not really sure, I just think it might help if they were a little bolder in the picture. After all, it's somewhat a title. Still, very cool and very talented.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple][B]Complete[/B] - Hmm...not a real fan of this one, methinks. The colors are lovely, and the little gridding thingummies as well, but... Well, compared to your other works, I just don't think it's as impressive. 'Complete' implies something of a concluding nature, but this...makes me feel like I'm left hanging. Also, I don't really like how the word is dangling off the edge of the red band - I think instead the word should be moved so that the entire thing is on the band of colors. Of course it'll be off-center of the entire thing, but it will give the illusion of still being centered I believe. Did that even make sense? [B]Wingman[/B] - This was my absolute favorite out of the other set of four. Seeing the title, I was not very excited to look at it, because I was expecting something dark/dreary/militaristic. Instead, it was such a pleasant surprise! It was just so unexpected, and absolutely beautiful. The lettering is just fantastic, and so complimenting to everything else, but at the same time garners so much deserved attention. This was just another reminder to me about how I can never be prepared for the focused expanse of your work.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

...This has nothing to do with anime or manga of any sort... [url]http://artpad.art.com/?ik0grg7byxk[/url] It's kind of pathetic how long it takes me to do something this...simple... Not to mention, there was supposed to be more...but I got lazy, and decided I wanted to read HP6.

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple]The beginning sucks, but [I]read this the whole way through![/I] "Wow, did heaven lose a couple of angels? 'Cause I can see them bouncing around inside your blouse." Yeah, I never said I recommended it - it's a good way to get castrated, boys. ^_~[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple][quote name='Retribution]Hate is stronger than love because of the fact its higest aim is to take another's life (ultimately, anyway). And when you reach the level of taking another human's life, I don't see how you can go any higher.[/QUOTE][QUOTE=Pumpkin']Retribution is right. Hate can be a stronger emotion infact it is possible to hate and love someone at the same time. That is a very strong mixed emotion.[/quote]I [B]disagree[/B]. I would have to agree with Kamuro when he says that [B]love is the strongest emotion[/B]. It's true, of course, that hate does overwhelm and control many people. It's extremely contagious and destructive. However, hate is also easy to give in to. It's like the easy way out. I would say that love is the stronger emotion because people actually have to bring themselves to work to overcome and defeat their hate. It takes more effort to forgive than to punish, and more effort to love than to hate. So perhaps more people hate because it's the easier thing to feel, but that in no way makes it the stronger emotion. I think that the stronger emotion is the one that you have to apply to, even if other things threaten to topple it or overcome it. The stronger emotion is the one that you have to work for, and strive to achieve, because then you won't let go of it. Love is that thing.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple]The weirdest thing I've ever eaten was executed quite recently at an IHOP: it was a disgusting shot of Half & Half, and Tabasco sauce. Nasty! The best bagel is blueberry w/ marionberry creamcheese, or pesto bagel w/ plain creamcheese. Both are excellent choices.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple]I'm such a fan of K-dramas! Yeah, we used to pirate, but they're scrambling their satellite signal, so for the moment we don't have our Korean channels anymore. But these shows are so addicting! I think that the historical dramas are really the most interesting to watch - the costumes and settings are just so attractive, and I just love the old style. So probably the best drama of the season was [B]Dae Jang Geum[/B]. I have never seen such a hype as for that drama, but it was excellent! Although I was disappointed when her focus went off of food - that was seriously the key thing about it! I'd hum the music to annoy my cousin. ^_^;; [B]Yellow Handkerchief[/B] - I followed this one for a while; it was the typical melodramatic stuff, and everyone else hated it, but I love watching these annoying things. It entertains me to take my anger out on characters. And they [I]are[/I] addictive, so you can't help watching. My friends were obsessed with [B]Stairway to Heaven[/B], and I also saw the last bits of [B]Pearl Necklace[/B]. There was also a really fun one called [B]Screen[/B], but I think they took it off the air or something...but it was lovely! But I have to say that one of my favorites was [/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=2][COLOR=Purple]결혼하구싶은 여자.[/COLOR][/SIZE][SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple] It was just absolutely hilarious, and so sweet. I have yet to see [B]My Sassy Girl[/B], but I will soon! At a friend's house recently, I also saw an episode of [B]Wicked Wife[/B], and now I can't wait to get my hands on it![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkSlateGray]Blood was thicker than water, or so he had believed. It was blood that gave life ? not water. Blood was the only thing that bound Michael to anything, or anyone. But now, which blood was stronger? His brother?s, or his daughter?s? [I]To who do I owe my allegiance?[/I] He removed the bag from Gabriel?s head. ?Well, Gabriel, here we are at last. Two enemies, facing each other across a table. Somehow it?s not quite as I had imagined it all these years?? Gabriel nodded, and looked around ? he had been in this room many times, but definitely not under these circumstances. ?Yes, well, this isn?t exactly what I had imagined either.? Michael stood, taking out a handkerchief and wiping off the spots of blood on his skin. He took a breath, ?You know I can?t just let you go.? ?You won?t have to,? Gabriel smiled. ?Ah, of course,? Michael answered wryly. ?You know, it [I]did[/I] surprise me a bit ? your crew, I mean. Perhaps I didn?t expect that you could gather even that small following.? ?I'm sure you would have been disappointed if I hadn't. After all, we are blood. You, leader of the Angels; and I?leader of ? ? ?Your crew.? Gabriel nodded. Silence again in the room. ?Enough Michael. We have work to do.? Michael drew his gun again. ?Yes? As I said before, I can?t just let you go. Since you share my blood, there is a responsibility to that, and therefore I expect you will live up to it.? He started to pace a bit, and then stopped. ?You were able to convince others to join your cause ? let?s see how much you can do, then. You will find Hadrienne?s killer. You will find that bastard, and you will lead me to him; and in return, I?ll give you a chance.? ?What?s my chance?? ?I?ll give you a fifteen second head start out of here. After that, I can?t guarantee anything.? [I]Damn[/I], Gabriel thought, [I]he always did like to play hardball.[/I] But he was up for the challenge. Michael cocked the gun. ?One??[/COLOR] OOC: You know your way out, Fallen. ;)[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple][B]dfacto[/B] - Like Hack Helba said, simple and enjoyable. It's just clean-cut. I guess the only thing that bothers me is some spelling mistakes/grammar, but maybe that was intentional...? Other than that, I like it very much. [B]We Hope that You Choke[/B] - I love the combination of color you used here. There are so many little details and things to pick out - so many layers, but it doesn't make it seem cluttered at all. Although, I'm not really into the...rust-colored scribble on the guy's neck - I can't really make it out, but I just don't like the position of it, I guess. Maybe if it were moved somewhere else...but I don't know. But this is just a really cool piece. Ah Radiohead...^__^[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[COLOR=Purple][SIZE=1][B]Hitchhike[/B] - This image is just really lovely. The way the light is spreading through the trees is really beautiful, and you just enhanced it with whatever you did to it (because I have no idea what you did ^__^;;). The font is pretty decent too. The only thing is, what are those little white lines on the right side? It looks like you started something there...and then didn't finish it or something. It looks only half-developed, so maybe if you did something more...? But I still love the whole thing. [B]Post-Apocalypse[/B] - This is interesting... I like the color schemes, although I have no idea what this is supposed to be. The white things remind me of marshmallows...:animesmil But I really like the bottom left corner of this - it reminds me of the burned down village in [I]Mulan[/I]. [B]Renji[/B] - This is so...cool! Again, I love the colors - they're just so complimenting to each other, but each stand out in their own. The image behind is also very fitting with this as a whole, it seems. The only thing is...the font, I guess. I'm not really a fan of it, for some reason. But this was cool.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple][B]Really Big Pen[/B] - This reminds me of Calvin & Hobbes, when Calvin is in class and his imagination runs wild, and dinosaurs and fighter jets start coming off of the paper. Either that, or a massive exam is coming up, and you're freaking yourself out. ^__~[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well, I just got back from a mission trip in Belize, and there were tons of cool things to see there. But I think that the weirdest thing I saw was two dogs... Yeah, [B]never[/B] want to see that again.[/SIZE]

[COLOR=Purple][SIZE=1][B]Fusion Time[/B] - For some reason, this keeps echoing 'Power Rangers' in my head. Either that or Sailor Moon. It's just got the vibes of like...when they hold up their little transformer gadget and yell..." ___ power!" [B]Who?[/B] - This is...kind of depressing. It just reminds me of so many relationships going bad. It's like how people are always trying to assign the blame, or asking themselves what went wrong, when in reality, the blame can't be assigned, and you just have to accept that things happened.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

GOOSE. I dare you to...eat a mandarin orange whole - like w/ the peel and everything. Teehee

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][SIZE=1]Lucifer was late, as usual. Michael?s eyes scanned the misty air surrounding them with an unhurried expression. [I]Demons[/I], he thought, [I]never can do anything on time.[/I] But soon enough some of the Angels around him tensed, hands tightening on weapons; there were footsteps approaching. Michael nodded ? it was time. Astaroth was shoved forward, and Michael pushed him onto the pathway in front of him. They walked until they stood halfway, and then stopped. Michael waited, listening to Astaroth?s ragged, broken breathing. He closed his eyes. In front of him, he could imagine Gabriel? The man that had once been his second-in-command, whom he had trusted and depended on like no other ever before. Michael almost felt?regretful. Gabriel had been valuable. He had almost been a way out - an escape for Michael. Yet another picture entered Michael?s mind?a very familiar place that he kept visiting, over and over in his nightmares: somewhere on the West Side, in an ordinary alley, where precious blood had been spilled. Gabriel was going to die. [I]But it won?t be enough. It will never be enough.[/I] He raised his arms, and opened his eyes, seeing the target of all his loss in the world. ?As you can see, I am unarmed,? said Lucifer. ?Now can we get on with this? It?s getting rather chilly.? Michael smiled faintly at the familiar arrogance of the voice. ?I?ll be glad to ?.? He paused. ?It?ll be nice having Gabriel back where he belongs.? He watched Gabriel?s expression of recognition, heard the faint whisper of his name. ?Michael.? Michael nodded, ?Correct. You always were a smart one, Gabriel.? And he laughed, but it was empty, with no satisfaction upon the capture of his prey. It was a bitter sound of loss that only he and one other person recognized now, for the other one was gone. Lucifer gestured impatiently, and Michael obliged. He tapped Astaroth lightly on the shoulder, and the Demon began to walk. Michael watched as Gabriel began to walk as well, their eyes locked onto each other as each grew closer to the other? But all Michael could see was Hadrienne. [I]Damn Gabriel.[/I] He would [I]suffer[/I] before he died. OOC: For those of you who haven't seen it yet, my sign-up is in the Inn.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[SIZE=1]This is with permission from Fallen - sorry I didn't post this up earlier. [COLOR=DarkSlateGray][CENTER][B]Name:[/B] Michael [B]Age:[/B] 34 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Former Occupation:[/B] Unknown [B]Affiliation:[/B] Angels [B]Appearance:[/B] see attachment; all credit to artist[/CENTER] [B]Personality:[/B] If one word were to describe Michael, it would be ?magnetic.? Despite the obvious darkness and cruelty needed in a man to control this brutal group, people are still drawn to Michael by an unseen force. He remains always realistic, and above all values honesty and loyalty. Despicable and violent scenes do not faze him, but neither does he take enjoyment from them as some do. He is efficient, effective, and solitary, and yet maintains a sort of god-like status among the Angels. There is a deep respect for him, even by his enemies, and Michael acknowledges this accordingly. Things are never done in half-measures with Michael ? he will devote himself to the task he has chosen until it has reached its finish. [B]Bio:[/B] The details of Michael?s childhood are unknown, and no birth records can be found. The man that leads the Angels has always been known as Michael, with no other clues to his identity. However, at some point in his past he had relations, the product being his only kin: twin daughters. The mother is unknown; Michael raised both girls himself, slowly introducing them to the gang environment. The Angels, having had a part in the raising of the girls, are extremely protective of both, very attached and fond as well. The two girls were also trained, and taking after Michael, were both very skilled and comfortable in weaponry and combat. Indeed, they also undertook some of the more dire missions. However, recently Hadrienne was found brutally raped and killed on the West Side, and Michael has put out the hunt for Gabriel, his once trusted second in command. Now only his other daughter, Aubine, remains. [B]Weapons:[/B] He is adept at all kinds of weaponry, and has no preference. However, Michael will usually carry at least one handgun (with silencer), as well as a deadly obsidian blade. [B]Skills:[/B] To be the leader of this organization, Michael has acquired a wide range of skills that he is always adding and building to. He is a master in almost every known type of combat, and is comfortable with almost any weapon. The real extent of his skills is unknown, except to himself. [B]Character Snippet:[/B] The funeral was in the morning, in the earliest hour, just as dawn was turning into something more ? a flower blooming in the heavens? a flower for her. She, who would always wake in the dark, waiting and watching for the assurance of the coming day. [I]My dear Hadrienne?my youngest.[/I] He loved both of his daughters ? there was no question about that. But he knew from his own experience that there was always something lingering about the youngest child. And although they were only a few minutes apart, his two children had always been so vastly different. Different and?inseparable. Their births?had been a miracle. Never had Michael imagined being a father. No, he had been so sure that he never wanted children, had been so angry when he found out about the pregnancy. And yet, for some reason he had still gone to the hospital that day. He had seen his fair share of blood, a scarlet signature of death. It was familiar to him, and yet, Michael had felt such awe when he had seen those tiny beings that came forth, covered in beautiful, crimson, life-giving blood. It changed him. It changed everything. Aubin he had recognized as his. She had his coloring: fair hair, icy eyes, an angular build. She was truly his child in every way. Michael had called her Aubin, in honor of her light coloring. But Hadrienne? She had been so?different. There she was, with delicate figure and skin, a cloud of dark hair, and deep eyes that intrigued him. Hadrienne had been akin to the night, in which all truth lay. And she had brought out the truth in Michael? He had learned what love truly was. They were both blessings ? blessed miracles of his. ?But all good things must come to an end. Oh Hadrienne?? he whispered. The others waited in silence for him, all in black garb. It seemed out of place in the rays of light that flitted in the morning. Michael turned, and led the way back. A fresh grave, covered in blossoms, waited for the assurance of the day. But there was no day for Michael. [/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Purple][SIZE=1]Blessed solitude. [RIGHT]Was it odd for a little girl to be relieved when her parents left? It [I]was[/I] odd ? but Marie was relieved. Silence was better than careless laughter; loneliness was better than false love; and solitude was better than the pseudo-family façade.[/RIGHT] Family ? it was a word that Marie missed, and one that she denied herself to imagine. To imagine would be to hope, and even in her childish innocence, she knew that in this case, her hopes would be shattered. [CENTER][I]Father. Papa. Daddy.[/I] They were no longer uttered by her mouth; they were strangers to her tongue. The words of love had been buried in a cemetery Marie had never seen, and had never been to. And while she had barred herself in her room, the words decayed and rotted away, until their existence in her memory had been completely wiped clean. That is, at least in the hours of the day.[/CENTER] But at night?when moonlight washed her skin, and enfolded her in sweet loneliness...the tears would come; and with every tear was a memory, a piece of her heart that had wasted away. Marie curled into her pillow as she heard sounds of her mother?s car drive away. Her mother, and?[I]that man[/I], were out for another night of lights and dancing, losing themselves in their sexual bliss and alcoholic maze. And Marie was home again, all alone. Always alone now. [RIGHT]?[B]Daddy?[/B]? she whispered. And she hugged her pillow, allowing herself to remember the warm strength she had found in his arms.[/RIGHT] [CENTER][B]~~~~[/B][/CENTER] [CENTER]It had been their ninth and last Christmas together, when he had bought her the snow globe. He had called her up to his study, with its familiar mixed scent of musky leather, paper, and ink. Old books and ancient tomes lined the walls, and it had been many times that she had brought one down and traced the delicate pages with light fingers, his soft voice lulling her to a comfortable sleep in the secure circle of his arms.[/CENTER] But this time when Marie had gone up, he had held out a package, simply but beautifully wrapped in textured paper. He had never done this before ? all her gifts had always been under the tree. [RIGHT]He smiled and beckoned to her, kneeling down as he said in a mock-secretive voice, ?[B]This one is secret from Mommy, alright?[/B]? He winked, and she clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her laugh.[/RIGHT] Taking the package carefully in her hands, Marie slowly peeled the paper away, and dug through the folds of tissue paper as well. Her hands alighted on something cool and smooth, and then she held up the snow globe. Beautiful crystal flakes swirled in the globe, and Marie looked closer at the figurines inside: a small girl and a man were standing together in an ice rink, skates on, the man extending his hand to the girl. [CENTER][I]Daddy and me.[/I][/CENTER] [RIGHT]But strangely, he had knelt down then, taking both her hands in his. ?[B]?Marie, my little M. I can?t always be here for you. But you?re special Marie ? you?re so special in so many ways, and even if I?m not here, you will never have to worry about being alone.[/B]?[/RIGHT] [CENTER][B]~~~~[/B][/CENTER] Silently she slid out of bed, kneeling in front of her window as moonlight brightened the snow globe standing in the sill. Inside the perfect glass globe, the world was perfect ? the same as it had always been. But Marie felt sad? Looking at the two figurines, she saw that the man would be forever outstretching his hand, and the girl would forever be reaching for him. They would never reach each other. [CENTER][I]I am already alone.[/I][/CENTER] Solitude. But?not so blessed, this time.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple][QUOTE]the Japanese subway system is actually wonderful (especially in comparison to the rather horrid Metro in DC). Buying tickets and getting around is incredibly easy. The stations are well-lit, which made me feel much more safe than I would usually feel in a subway, and at least some of the trains have air conditioning.[/QUOTE]Not to mention, the subway system is [I]always[/I] on time. Seriously, if you try to use the subway as an excuse for being late to work in the morning, they won't believe you, because it's so rarely off schedule. When the subway is late, it'll actually print out like a receipt for you to take to work, as proof that it was really off schedule. I just found that kind of interesting..[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[COLOR=Purple][SIZE=1]Here are a few of my favorites: [QUOTE]You better be afraid walking down those lonely back roads, I might just "pop-up" and...accidentally run ya over.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]I will always remember your child-in-face impression. That said, STOP FALLING ASLEEP IN CLASS![/QUOTE] Yeah, I'm a sleeper =_=;; [QUOTE]PS - you showed up to APBIO hungover![/QUOTE] This is totally untrue. I've never drank in my life. [QUOTE]Min lets drink.[/QUOTE] This is from the guy who says I'm a heavy drinker...sigh... [QUOTE]I have learned much in this, my senior year, like to appreciate my friends (like you), the value of a dollar, and boobs![/QUOTE] This has gotta be one of the weirdest... :animeswea [/SIZE][/COLOR]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=Purple]People are talking about buying katanas... I'm not an expert on Japan, but aren't real katanas like a national treasure or something? So I heard that you're not allowed to take them out of the country. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I think I'd like to try fugu (blowfish), and I know this sounds corny, but it would be so cool to pretend to be a geisha for a day or two. Quite the experience. I think I'd also want to visit the tea fields.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

I'm actually going to Belize on a mission trip for ten days at the end of June this summer. After that, it's all free for...well...the basic doing nothing, but that's ok because it's the last summer before I head off to college!!

[SIZE=1][COLOR=SeaGreen][RIGHT]Helie gave T'kure a cold glance as he held Rin by a cord of plasma.[/RIGHT] With another flick of her fingers, she ripped boards off from a nearby house, and sent them flying towards Kyle and Kiana, both who dodged the flying projectiles. [CENTER][B]"Yes, you [I]are[/I] in trouble,"[/B] she replied, her voice like silver.[/CENTER] T'kure was about to reply, but Helie stopped him with a piercing glance, and he stopped. She proceeded to rip hundreds of shingles from the buildings and in the rubble, and sent the wicked barrage raining down on them. They were quick - wind was with them - but they couldn't evade them all, and what hit left fierce, bloody splinters in their skin; it was like being flayed alive. The shingles they managed to hit away buried themselves in the dirt, looking like cheap gravestones. [CENTER]Suddenly Kyle lifted a hand, and the wind picked up power. Helie felt the shingles ripped away from her control, and suddenly they were hurdling towards her, carried by the wind of the Celestials. She threw herself on the ground, vines and roots shielding her in an explosion of soil and rot. Coming up again, her fingers lanced out at the pair of Celestials, and she spread her roots snaking through the ground, disrupting the ground around them. [I]Jason! Where are you??[/I] [/CENTER][/COLOR] [RIGHT][COLOR=DarkRed][B]"Right beside you, Halcyon. Why, were you getting worried?"[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=SeaGreen]his voice murmured beside her, full of dangerous malice.[/RIGHT] She shook her head. [B]"It's about time, Blaze. Usually you can't wait to kill them."[/B] The roots exploded again around Kiana and Kyle, and Helie sent more grained shrapnel as well. But the full time in this attack, her attention was focused on Jason beside her. He looked like he was praying, with his hands clasped gently together. But his gaze was much too wild, full of raw power that played in his blood. [CENTER]And then he [I][B]smiled[/B][/I].[/CENTER] The roots and wood flying around Kyle and Kiana all exploded into flame - they were trapped in the inferno.[/COLOR][/SIZE]