One. Complete at least five major portrait drawings before my birthday this year.
Two. Gain weight.
Three. More muscles.
Four. Meet up with them in near future. *finger-crossed*
Five. Write music review on underground solo artistes/groups.
Six. Promote local/oversea artistes’ music which are only famous outside Malaysia. (Through my blog, It’s yoongruey.™ and also through Facebook.)
From left to right: Yuka Kashino (Kashiyuka), Ayano Omoto (Nocchi) & Ayaka Nishiwaki (A-chan).
由左至右： 樫野有香(Kashiyuka), 大本彩乃 (Nocchi) & 西脇綾香 (A-chan)。
Perfume is a Japanese electro-pop girl group that was formed 13 years ago in Hiroshima, Japan.
日本流行电音女子组合—“香水”于13年前在日本广岛县成立。
7 years ago, the trio released their first major debut “Linear Motor Girl”.
7年前，这三人组推出了第一首主打歌《Linear Motor Girl》。
I stumbled upon their music when I was searching for neo-modern Japanese electronic music on YouTube.
我其实是在上优管(YouTube)搜寻新摩登日式电子乐时，才偶然发现她们的音乐的。
I found electro-pop artistes like MEG, Capsule, Coltemonikha, Halcali… and Perfume.
我找到了一些流行电音艺人如：MEG，Capsule，Coltemonikha，Halcali … … 还有“香水”。
Looking back, I did not pay much attention to this trio because I merely wanted to find out more about Japanese-styled electro-pop music in order to fulfill my curiosity. So, I only browsed through the pages.
回想当时，我并没什么留意这三人组，因为那时我只想对日本风格的流行电音曲了解个究竟，以便满足我的好奇心。所以，我只是随便游览那些网页罢了。
Of all the search results, I found that Perfume’s music was pretty catchy.
从众多的搜寻结果中，我发现“香水”的音乐听起来十分上口。
Not bad. It was the first time I listened to Japanese electronica and it was indeed an eye-opener for me.
不错。那是我第一次听日式电子乐曲，确实让我大开眼界。
The first Perfume song I listened was “Polyrhythm”, in which later I found that it was used as the soundtrack for Disney Pixar’s blockbuster, “Cars 2” in June last year.
第一首我所接触的歌曲是《Polyrhythm》，且之后我也发现它原来被用作迪斯尼皮克思 (Disney Pixar)于去年6月的年度巨作-《反斗车王 2》的电影插曲。
Apart from that, Perfume also won the “Best Asia Pop Artist” award at Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) which was held in Macau on November 2010.
除此之外，“香水”也于2010年11月在澳门举办的 Mnet 亚洲音乐颁奖典礼(Mnet Asian Music Awards)，简称 MAMA，中赢得了“最佳亚洲流行艺人奖”的荣誉。
“Wow, this is amazing!” I thought.
“哗，这真是太棒了！”，我心想。
Since then, I started to search for their music. Then, I was surprised to know that Yasutaka Nakata, (DJ from Japanese techno duo, Capsule.) also worked as the main music producer for Perfume.
自此，我开始搜寻她们的歌曲。之后，当我知道来自Capsule (日本铁克诺(Techno)双人组)的光碟骑士-中田康贵竟是“香水”的主要音乐制作人时，感到惊讶。
Yasutaka Nakata | 中田康贵
Perfume used to struggle between fantasy and reality. But their passion to become pop stars one day has motivated them to move forward and in turn, it eliminated the meaning of ‘give up’ from their dictionary.
“香水”曾经在梦想与现实之间挣扎过。但是，她们对于有朝一日要成为流行歌手的理想，所怀着的那份热衷正给以她们推动力，使她们勇往直前，进而把“放弃”这二字从字典中删除掉。
A scene of encore from their concert held in Tokyo Dome on 3rd November 2010.
于2010年11月3日在Tokyo Dome举办的一场演唱会。(安哥一幕)
The trio is getting more mature every time when they overcome the obstacles which fall ahead of them. Together, three of them walked out of the fortress of failure with confidence. What makes them successful today is because of the positive attitude they hold in doing everything. Facing hardships with optimism, Perfume finally shines proudly as a star on stage today, performing live in front of 50 thousands audience!
每当这三人跨越降临在她们前方的重重障碍时，她们就变得更加成熟。她们仨以自信，一起走出失败的堡垒。全都基于她们在做任何事情所秉持着的正面态度，才能造就如今成功的“香水”。常以乐观来笑迎逆境的“香水”终于在今日，站在5万名观众面前来个现场演出，并如众所望，成为舞台上的闪耀之星！
They really deserve the success they have now.
今天的成就确实是她们应得的。
Of course, Perfume always remembers to thank their teacher and supportive fans around the world that help them realize their dream.
当然，“香水”也不忘感激实现她们梦想的恩师，还有来自世界各地的忠实粉丝们。
Perfume went for a radio program after the Tokyo Dome concert.
“香水”在Tokyo Dome演唱会谢幕后，上了某电台的一个清谈节目。
***
Documentary |纪录片
Inspired by the film “Fifth Element”, Perfume performed their music in a unique style that consists of house-pop and electro-pop, which unlike the mainstream music. However, the girls could still arouse the interest of the audience, especially techno lovers.
从电影《第五元素》取得灵感的“香水”，以流行浩室及流行电音的独特形式，来呈现那看似与主流派有所差异的音乐。不过，她们依然成功挑起听众们的兴趣，尤其是那些铁克诺(Techno)爱好者。
Here’s my top 10 list of Perfume song:
这是我为“香水”所挑选出的十大歌曲排行榜：
I like the sentimental side of Perfume, so my choices may look different from the majority.
我喜欢“香水”感性的一面，因此我歌曲的选择上可能与大多数人不一样。
Anyhow, I am going to rate 7.5 out of 10 for this group.
无论如何，若总分为10分，那我会以7.5分来评价这组人马。
It is actually not bad to listen to Perfume’s music when it comes to neo-modern Japanese electronica.
如果想到新摩登日式电子乐，不妨听一番“香水”的音乐，因为它确实是个不错的听觉享受。
Well, we can’t compare Perfume with K-pop groups like 2NE1, SNSD, Rania, After School, KARA… since both of them have different music style.
我们不可以把韩流组合像2NE1, SNSD, Rania, After School, KARA等等，与“香水”作比较，原因是她们都有着不同的音乐类型。
Let’s take 2NE1 as an example. There are 4 members in this Korean hip hop electro-dance group and each of them is in charge of different role.
我们就以2NE1作为例子吧。总共有4名成员的这组韩国嘻哈电音舞乐团，皆各司其职。
CL is the main rapper and she leads the group.
CL主要负责饶舌，还有领导团队。
Minzy is also a rapper and the lead vocalist of 2NE1, but her focus is in dancing.
Minzy 也是个饶舌手和2NE1的主音，不过她的专长是跳舞。
Park Bom is another vocalist and her voice is more powerful than Minzy’s.
身为另一个主音的Park Bom，声音的爆发力比Minzy来得强。
And lastly, Dara gives balance to the group because her voice is softer.
最后，由于Dara的音色柔和，因此她能为乐团给以平衡。
Overall, 2NE1 combines different elements in order to make the group more lively and energetic.
总的来说，2NE1 综合了不同元素，使整个组合更加有朝气，更有活力。
“I Am The Best“ by 2NE1
On the other hand, Perfume focuses more on the dance choreography of their song.
另一方面，“香水”较专注于她们歌曲的舞蹈动作。
The trio has gone for intensive training to enhance their dancing skill.
这三人组通过密集训练来提升她们的舞蹈技能。
Plus, their experience is more than any other K-pop girl groups. Three of them formed this group when they were studying in Hiroshima Actor’s School during their teenage years. They have learned a lot from their past failure.
再说，她们的经验比任何其他的韩流女子乐团来得多。她们仨打从年少时期，在广岛艺人学校上学时，就已经合成这支组合，并从过去的错误中学习良多。
They have since developed their music style from indie to post-Shibuya-kei to electro-pop, and they found their current style finally being accepted by the people.
她们的音乐风格自此有了变化，由英迪到后渋谷系，再到流行电音，还有她们也发现其现有的风格终于能被人们接受。
I think Perfume’s singing skill still has room for improvement, particularly on their vocal’s strength. Despite the fact that they often use autotune in their music, they actually possess good voices. Perfume’s dance movement has also never failed to entertain the crowd, as it is often perfectly synchronized.
我觉得“香水”的歌唱技巧还有很大的进步空间，特别是她们的声音的强化性。虽然她们常在音乐中被音调，但她们的音准其实是蛮不错的。“香水”的舞蹈从不失于娱乐群众，因为她们的舞蹈动作可说是十分完美整齐。
“Polyrhythm” by Perfume.
So, I will conclude each of these two with four words.
所以呢，我会用四个词来为各两组作个总结。
For Perfume: Nostalgic, hope, diligent and confidence;
致“香水”：怀旧，希望，努力和自信。
For 2NE1: Powerful, adventurous, active and wild.
致2NE1：力量，具冒险性，活跃和野性。
:D
OK, this is gonna be a quick one.
I just finished watching a documentary of a Japanese techno-pop trio called Perfume.
And I am deeply touched by their story.
It is just like how I felt when watching the interview of Alan Dawa Dolma, a very successful Tibetan Chinese artiste who has gone through thick and thin before she becomes famous in Japan and China.
Besides the unique music genre, I am also attracted by their spirit and attitude as a professional entertainer.
I am utterly impressed by their story. (Both Alan’s and Perfume’s.)
What I found similar from the two is that a dream is still a dream, if there is no practical action. Moreover, both of them decided to leave their hometown in search of their ambition.
Moral of the story: One who have dreams must be optimistic besides having the enthusiasm to fight for his dream. To sum it up, despite what he does, one must always assert himself with a persistent degree of endurance if he wish to achieve his target and be successful.
And yeah, you girls have me now! ;)
*support from yoongruey*
Thank you for your music!
p/s: Even though the TV and radio stations in Malaysia do not broadcast or play their songs on air plus there are not much of publicity of these fabulous talents, I still hope that my blog readers who are Malaysian could support them. At least, try to listen to their music. (Who knows, maybe their music style might surprise you?)
p/p/s: I will post a review on the trio next time. Good night. :)
I don’t know how long should I continue to think about you.
And wonder how I can reach your heart,
though I don’t use soft words.
You know, if someday this wish comes true,
I don’t mind to be disappeared sparklingly in air.
How long?
In the seventh heaven.
You look at me from upper place, and stroke my forehead softly.
Ah, I want to cling to your big hand…
Surely, the hand will rise me up to the universe
as it is to the paradise of heaven.
I don’t know how long should I continue to think about you.
And wonder how I can reach your heart,
through the feeling of your soft skin?
You know, if someday this wish comes true,
I don’t mind to be melted and disappeared
in the seventh heaven.
The upper place from me,
I feel the distance too far to go near.
I can’t approach you.
Ah, every time your big eyes gaze at me,
I am rid of tension with pleasure
in the paradise of heaven.
I don’t know how long should I continue to think about you.
And wonder how I can reach your heart,
through the feeling of your soft skin?
You know, If someday this wish comes true,
I don’t mind to be melted and disappeared
in the seventh heaven.
In the seventh heaven…
Seventh heaven.
Seventh Heaven
+Supreme Happiness+
by Perfume.
2007.
364 days gone in a glimpse.
There is nothing I can do…
but to learn to accept and adopt to the changing climate
and learn to grow in every predicaments
and learn not to procrastinate.
Looking ahead in imagination to what the future may bring,
I found myself standing at a dark distant corner,
where I could barely see a bright light.
Nothing, yet.
There is nothing,
perhaps, just for now.
But will miracle happen?
I do not know.
I close my eyes.
I wish.
I sleep.
When the ray from the golden sun creeps through my window,
it is time to kick start a new journey.
And I know that it is tomorrow
when
a journey in which I believe,
would guide me a way
to find the light
and say goodbye.
I want to be as free as the winds that cross the earth
As they bring the breath of life to all under the same sky.
Of the northern lights and the whispering forests, I have dreamt and
With the song of the stream and the ascent of the sun, I welcome the morning.
I’ll embrace these feelings of love
As I set off for the future, journeying to a time I yearn to live in,
I am grateful for the hope of courage
That has been given me on this beautiful star.
Opening the door of wisdom, a light shines on me as
I hear the distant song of the earth.
From where it springs and to where it journeys, I strain to ask and
In listening closely and stepping into the nakedness of my heart, I will find the answer.
Holding on to all the things I love
As I set off on a journey, I head for the future we are longing for.
On this beautiful star,
I have found the gratefulness for the hope of courage.
Holding on to everything that is love to me,
I set out for the wonder that is the future.
In the overflowing myriad of colour,
I have witnessed the beauty that is on this planet.
I can hope for nothing more than that this song would reach you,
Riding on the wings of love and delivered in the range of voices
Of all the people who are sharing in the living of this life
On this beautiful star:
This blue planet.
A beautiful song by Alan Dawa Dolma, a versatile Tibetan Chinese artiste who is active in the Japanese music industry. A rising star who mesmerises her audience with her unique Tibetan wail in every performances since 2007, Alan successfully merges different elements into her music, creating a melodious fusion in which this makes her music stands out in the crowd.
Well, I fall in love with her voice for the first time when I listen to “Longing Future”. This was the song where I discover a newborn talent, and I actually found out Alan’s music on Youtube. Unfortunately, in Malaysia, there is still lacking of the her exposure throughout the media.
But anyway,
Kudos to you, Alan! Keep up with the good work!
***
吹いて渡る 風のように 自由でいたい
同じ空の 下に生きる 息吹のように
北のオーロラ 森の囁き 夢を見た
川のせせらぎ 昇る太陽 朝が来る
愛しい気持ちを抱きしめよう
旅立つ未来 懐かしい時へ
勇気を希望をありがとう
美しい星の上で
知恵の扉 開けてみよう 光の中で
聞こえてくる 遥か遥か 大地の歌が
どこから来たの どこへ向こうの たずねたい
耳をすまそう 裸の心で 見つけよう
愛しいすべてを抱きしめて
旅立つ時は 懐かしい未来
勇気を希望をありがとう
美しい星の上で
愛しいすべてを抱きしめて
旅立つ時は 懐かしい未来
たくさんの色に溢れてる
美しい星の上で
きっとあなたへと届けたい
翼にのせて しなやかな声を
みんなが共に生きていこう
美しい星の上で
この蒼い星の上で
“谢谢您的音乐，兰兰姐! 我很喜欢您把World Fusion 的元素加入您的音乐之中，因为那是一种截然不同的曲风，听起来很清新，确实是个不错的尝试。希望您再接再厉! 唔，我本身也十分期待您的新作品! 所以要加油哦!”
但愿平安喜乐!
Love & Peace.
Dear angel,
I pray,
for a better self…
and a better tomorrow.
Merry Christmas 2011.
yoongruey
12:58 – Struggling with my pen, racing with every single seconds to complete the very last sentence of my essay.
12:59 – Double checking? Done. Was editing my answers.
13:00 – The anticipated moment had finally come. I handed up my answer sheets to the examiner in the room.
13:01 – Left the exam room. Shouted out loud from the heart: “YES! I AM DONE WITH YOU, SPM!!!”
***
终于，
我所期待的那一刻已到来。
13:00
即今天下午1 时正，
在我最后一次把答案卷交上给监考官的刹那间，
一股喜悦感涌上心头，
兴奋，
自由，
因为想到自己将与梦想靠拢，
感叹，
惆怅，
因为这一刻也结束了我的中学生涯。
五年?
不! 应该是十一年。
等待的就是这一刻，
关关难过，关关过。
呼，
我终于捱了过去，
你可否想像
那是令人多么激动的
仰天长啸呀!
***
***
相信，
今天将成为我们记忆长河中的一部分。
届时，
你我将在成绩放榜那天重逢。
再见，
母校。
再见，
老师。
再见，
朋友。
真心许你我一个美好的前程。
与你共勉之。
***
Just some words before I end.
Goodbye SPM! May “you” rest in peace! :P
Hello to freedom and hey, I am on a step forward to realize my dream now! :D
p/s:
身为华裔子弟的我，
因报考华文
而感到万分荣幸，
以及无比的骄傲，
虽然华文科的考试水准高，
确实很难达到优等级别，
但它毕竟是我们的母语啊!
在此，
对所有在大马教育文凭(SPM)中坚持报考华文的中五生及高二生说声：
p/p/s:
To Daryl Ong, wish you have a safe flight to New Zealand!
To Xe Sie, all the best to you in UK!
Do come back to Malaysia once in a while whenever you feel homesick, alright?
Will miss you two.
Bye-bye! =’)
