-Je voulais faire part d’une belle photo de ma puce à son baptême. Elle est splendide. Je pourrais mettre plein de photo sauf que je vais me garder une petite gêne. C’est quand même un moment de famille. Mais celle-ci je ne pouvais m’empêcher de la partager. Je sais je l’ai envoyé a quelque personne, mais la je la mets pour tous les autres.

- Pour ceux qu’ils veulent profiter du soleil fait le aujourd’hui et demain dans la journée, car après il annonce de la pluie alors nous allons être pris a l’intérieur. Je vais en profiter pour faire du lavage aujourd’hui.

-Nous sommes rendus avec des bougons en dessous de chez nous. C’est rendu que même la voisine du duplex a coté de chez nous demande a nos voisins d’en bas de nettoyer, car l’odeur entre dans la fenêtre de la cuisine de cette dite voisine.

-Je n’ai pas encore réussi à faire mon petit film que je vous ai parlé en début de semaine alors je crois que je vais laisser tomber. L’ordi et moi on s’aime pas faut croire.

- Il  me reste à savoir maintenant comment faire un CD avec des photos de bébé O. C’est bien beau avoir les photos dans un album, mais nous savons jamais se que peut arriver avec l’ordi et tout perdre alors que si j’ai un cd je pourrais le mettre dans mon coffre (anti feu) et j’aurais toujours mes souvenirs.

1. Ginger and I will be guest speakers at my mom's church on Sunday morning. I am bringing a powerful message from the "Lost" series we did at Central Assembly last year. Remember it? It had the video of me talking about "The Taste Test" and filling all those cups up and talking about Solomon? Ginger is planning on ministering the song she wrote called, "Let it Rain" as well.

2. I am going to visit a tree I planted at my elementary school -- Maple School. When I think of me being a 3rd grader and 8 years-old -- well it makes ME FEEL pretty old indeed. But there was a legacy left there for now two generations!

3. We plan on visiting my Grandpa and Grandma Hohm's grave in Sycamore, Illinois. I remember every Memorial Day we would go there until I was probably 14 or 15 years old. One time this 1-hour trip took like 6 hours because our Toyota Crown Station Wagon's carborator's needle-valve kept sticking open and flooding the engine with gas. That gas back then? Probably 45 cents per gallon. NOW I AM REALLY FEELING OLD!

More to come ... just bookmark this page or check in to http://chicago.revtim.com at any time for updates!

Background

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also known as Hag HaMatzah, is a reminder to the Jew of God's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage. When the Jews fled captivity in the middle of the night, they were instructed to take only unleavened bread because there was no time for bread dough to rise (Ex. 12:39; Deut. 16:3). The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a seven-day holiday, beginning the day after Passover. Together, Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are sometimes called the "Eight Days of Passover" in Scripture.

Unleavened Bread is the first of three annual pilgrim feasts. For each of these feasts - the other two are Weeks and Tabernacles - all Jewish men were required to present themselves before the Lord in the Temple (Ex. 23:14-17, 34:18-23; Deut. 16:16; 2 Chron. 8:13). At age 12, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem for this feast and confounded the scholars with His understanding of Scripture (Luke 2:41-50).

The Biblical Observance

To properly prepare for the feast, leaven, or yeast, must be removed from the house and no leaven is to be eaten until the feast has ended seven days later (Ex. 12:15, 13:7; Deut. 16:4). In addition, this feast is considered a "high Sabbath," with an extra Sabbath besides the weekly Sabbath. No work is to be done the first day or the seventh day of the feast (Ex. 12:16). Finally, this feast is declared a memorial to be kept forever (Ex. 12:17).

The Modern Observance

Preparation for Unleavened Bread begins 30 days ahead of time. Walls are washed and painted, cooking utensils scalded, clothing washed and pockets turned inside out, carpets cleaned, and special dishes brought out. The women of the house begin removing all leaven, also known as chametz, from the house - even toothpaste if it has baking soda in it. According to Scripture, the Passover may not be celebrated if there is leaven in the house.

However, the woman of the house leaves 10 small pieces of bread with leaven hidden in various rooms. On the 14th  day of Nisan, the night before Passover, the man of the house lights a candle, and takes a wooden spoon, feather and paper bag and searches the house until he has found all 10 pieces of bread. He uses the feather to whisk the bread onto the wooden spoon, and then dumps the bread from the spoon into the paper bag. The bag is then taken outside and burned. Afterwards, he says the following prayer: "Any chametz which is in my possession which I did not see, and remove, nor know about, shall be nullified and become ownerless, like the dust of the earth."

With that work completed, the family is ready to celebrate Passover and Unleavened Bread, with special worship services on the first and seventh days. 

The household search for leaven represents the Messiah. For example:

     - The candle symbolizes the Word of God (Jesus), who is the Light of the World.

     - The feather represents the Holy Spirit, directing us to the cross.

     - The wooden spoon represents the cross, upon which Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us.

     - The paper bag represents the grave.

     - The fire represents the full judgment of our sins.

Fulfillment

Leaven is a picture of sin in the Bible (Matt. 16:6-12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1; Gal. 5:9).  Leaven permeates the dough, contaminates it, and swells it to many times its size. The fermentation process operates because of the curse of death decreed by God when Adam sinned. That's why only unleavened bread was used in the Temple (Lev. 2:11).

Unleavened bread is a wonderful picture of Jesus the Messiah. The bread is without leaven, as He is without sin. It also is striped and pierced, as His body was beaten and pierced for our sins (Isa. 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). In addition, the Feast of Unleavened Bread symbolizes Jesus' burial. His body was placed in the grave but did not see corruption as He rose on the third day (see Psalm 16:10; Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60, 28:1-10) and carried our sins away (Psalm 103:12; Heb. 9:26).

There are other symbolic markers in this feast:

    -  Jesus referred to Himself as the bread of life (John 6:35) and chose the bread of the Passover to be the symbolic memorial of His broken body (Luke 22:19).

    -  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means "house of bread."

     - The Lord expects believers to put aside sin in our lives, as leaven is put aside during this feast (1 Cor. 5:7-8; see also Eph. 4:22-24 and Gal. 5:16-24).

     - The seven days speak of satisfaction or fullness; believers are completely satisfied in Christ.

In summary, Passover and Unleavened Bread together picture the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Jesus - the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world - and the burial of His body, which God the Father raised on the third day before it decayed. The resurrection, as we'll see next week, is pictured in the Feast of Firstfruits.

Next: The Feast of Firstfruits

Copyright 2008 by Rob Phillips

Sete pessoas foram presas em operação da PF para combater adulteração de leite.
Advogados da empresa ainda não se manifestaram.

Cinco marca de leites em pó serão retiradas do mercado por suspeita de adulteração, conforme informou nesta quinta-feira (15) a Polícia Federal da Paraíba. A decisão afeta todos os lotes das marcas Só Beber, Naturesse, Bom Du Leite, Cilpe e Big Leite, produtos que são embalados pela empresa Big Leite Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos Ltda.

Na manhã desta quinta-feira, a Polícia Federal deflagrou a Operação Lactose , para desarticular uma quadrilha acusada de adulterar leite em pó integral, falsificar notas fiscais, sonegar impostos e corromper funcionários públicos. Os agentes cumpriram mandados de prisão, busca e apreensão na Paraíba, em Pernambuco, na Bahia, no Ceará e em Santa Catarina.

Sete pessoas foram presas, incluindo um funcionário do Ministério da Agricultura, os proprietários da Big Leite e funcionários da empresa, informou ao G1 a delegada Luciana Paiva Barbosa, chefe da delegacia de repressão aos crimes fazendários da Polícia Federal da Paraíba.

De acordo com a PF, a empresa Big Leite adquiria o leite a granel e o reempacotava em volumes menores para revender o produto no varejo. Durante o reempacotamento, a empresa substituiria cerca de 50% do leite por soro.

"O leite estava sendo distribuído para merenda escolar, programa de cesta básica de governos, até para população de baixa renda que comprava esse leite nos supermercado", afirma Luciana.

O preço do produto, diz a delegada, era mais baixo que o de outras marcas. "A Big Leite ganhava concorrência, porque, enquanto as outras vendiam leite, ela vendia soro."

O G1 entrou em contato com os advogados da Big Leite, mas eles ainda não se manifestaram sobre o assunto.

Segundo a delegada, os leites serão recolhidos inicialmente nos cinco estados onde foi montada a operação da PF. Luciana Paiva disse que a Big Leite, com sede na Paraíba, tinha autorização para vender o produto em todo o território nacional.

"Onde temos certeza de que tem o leite, ele será retirado", disse a delegada. "Em um segundo momento, veremos se ele chegou a outros estados, para ampliarmos o recolhimento. O importante é que as pessoas que virem essas marcas no supermercado entrem em contato com a Polícia Federal".

Apenas em Pernambuco, cerca de 6 toneladas de leite já foram recolhidas dos supermercados.

A delegada descartou a possibilidade de o leite adulterado ser prejudicial à saúde do consumidor em um primeiro momento. "O leite não faz mal, é como se, em vez de beber leite, você bebesse água. Mas, a longo prazo, por falta de nutrientes, a pessoa pode ficar raquítica, desnutrida, com os ossos fracos, porque não obteve o cálcio que o leite devia ter."

Fonte: www.g1.com.br

Jr. Holanda

I finished downloading the manga Honey and Clover, but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the continuing chapters in season 2. Probably, the Shoujo Magic hasn’t finished scanlating it, well, no wonder, it is hard to translate such difficult series.

However, if you have the full copy of the season 2 (and so on) scanlated manga, please let me know!  I only got three chapter- scanlated copies of the volume two, that is from chapters 10-12, but since it is still ongoing (whatever happened, please do continue Shoujo Magic!) I’m still waiting here!

I love the Honey and Clover manga. And I’ve also seen its season 1 and 2 anime version that premiered on Animax. However, I haven’t seen yet the live action series (or is it movie?).

I made a summary out of the season one Honey and Clover manga because I love it so much. If you planned to read the manga and wishes not to get spoiled here, DON’T READ BEYOND THIS because it might definitely spoil you! But if you welcome such things, then continue at your risk. *laughs.

Chapter 1

“Well, well, the cherry blossoms will start blooming soon.

It’s getting warm, this is so relaxing.”

- Shuuji Hanamoto

Here we found out the life that college students would experience in Tokyo. The prices skyrocketed high. Mayama Takumi (22, a fourth year architecture student), Yuuta Takemoto (19, second year architectural design student), Morita Shinobu (24, sixth year art student) and with the other guys shared their lives in a cheap apartment of 9 square meters and no showers. Morita, after his disappearance for twelve days, came home with lots of korokkes, (fried mashed potatoes covered with bread crumbs) for his board mates. Mayama-sempai said that Morita always go out somewhere for days, and they didn’t know where. Morita came back exhausted with a mysterious amount of money in his pocket. But everyone had no idea where Morita was working or what. While other mates were saying that Morita was only snickering at their poverty by buying only korokkes and not meat, Mayama asks why Morita wasn’t sleeping in his room. Takemoto answered that he was told off by his sempai Morita to wake him up at eight tomorrow. Morita, according to Mayama, missed one requirement in a class when he was a first year, and went on forgetting it for the last three years so that he wasn’t able to graduate. Then, Morita stayed another year because he lacked one hour worth of class attendance but failed to comply it, that’s why he had to repeat another year. Morita, says Mayama, also repeat his second year because he overslept a lot of times. It was already 9:30 in the morning, and both Mayama and Takemoto were trying to wake up Morita. Just as Takemoto gave up on him by saying “If you end up repeating another year, don’t hold a grudge against me!”, Morita suddenly opened his eyes and readily went to school with Mayama’s kickboard (a wooden cheap version of scooters he made for Mayama). Because he was rushing so much, he bumped into some department cart and said, in excuse that it was not him who destroyed the cart, but Mayama, who had just passed by.

With their art professor Shuuji Hanamoto, Mayama and Takemoto talked about Morita’s unusual behavior when suddenly Mayama noticed a little girl he mistaken as Shuuji’s daughter. But it was found out that it was Shuuji’s cousin’s daughter Hagumi Hanamoto (nicknamed Hagu) who had just entered the university as a first year art student. Surprisingly, she was already 18 years old, although when one looks at her, she looks like a middle school student. While Shuuji was preventing Mayama to introduce himself, on one corner, Takemoto asked Hagu to eat the korokkes with him (which he brought to eat for his lunch).

While Hagu was drinking her tea, Mayama was about to say something to Takemoto but he stopped short at Takemoto’s expression. He realized that his friend was in love at first sight with Hagu.

Suddenly, Morita arrived to thank Takemoto for waking him up this morning, and because of that he can now graduate. In an instant, Morita caught sight of Hagu, and ran away from the room to a yam field behind the university. Then he came back and gave Hagu a fuki leaf (butterbur leaf) and said “Korobokkuru!” Korobokkuru is a character in Ainu myths, and also means a person under a fuki leaf. Hagu was scared while Morita was taking photographs of her. Takemoto was saying that Hagu might cry if Morita won’t stop soon. Shuuji was smiling by saying Hagu looked cute in whatever she was doing. Mayama on the other hand, realized that Morita was in love and reflected that this is another way of falling in love, but apparently nobody realized because of its “unusual method of emotional communication”.

Chapter 2

“How I’d like to see the world through Hagu’s eyes.”

• Shuuji Hanamoto to Yuuta Takemoto

Mayama and Takemoto were staring at the clay footprint of Hagu, which was compared to a stick of cigarette in length. Hagu, who was taken a copy of a footprint yesterday, was terrified of Morita and was now venting her stress on some artwork. Mayama and Takemoto went to see how she was doing and they were shocked at the huge statue Hagu was working upon. The statue would be displayed at the lobby of an art museum at Minatomirai in Yokohama. This made Takemoto reflect about himself and his future. According to him, everyone was doing well: Hagu is so talented that she could enter any job, Morita had a serious job somewhere, and Mayama, who was about to graduate, was invited to work full-time at the design studio he was now working part-time. Mayama consoled him by saying that Takemoto was just a second year, and should do anything that would interest him.

The next day, Mayama and Takemoto noticed that Hagu was cutting out pictures of sandals, bags, and dresses. It was found out that she was making a notebook about them because she could not buy it. Then a person came and noticed Hagu, and said ‘Korobokkuru’ which made Hagu startled. That person said that he saw a person just like Hagu in the internet, and surely they checked it online and found a website which Morita made about the ‘Korobokkuru’. They found out that Morita was earning money from it because 50% of it was commercials, but according to that person, lots of maniacs like him were looking forward to the updates of the website. Suddenly, Morita arrived and gave Hagu a paperweight out of her footprint. Due to her anger Hagu threw all sorts of things to Morita, and one of it was her notebook about the things she wanted. Morita kept it in his pocket. Takemoto invited him to come at the Teppanyaki party with Mayama at Shuuji’s apartment in a week’s time. Morita answered that that he had a work for that night which would take a week. Mayama, on the other hand, asked the person to keep the whole situation as secret as Hagu was Shuuji’s niece.

So for over a week Morita was gone again. After a week, as he was about to go home, he passed by a certain shop and bought a pair of Miu Miu sandals for 32,000 yen. Then he headed off to Shuuji’s place and met Takemoto, whom he gave the one kg. of beef. Takemoto was extremely happy about it.

Morita caught sight of Hagu hiding behind the curtain, and approached her, handing her the pink patent leather Miu Miu sandals. Because the Miu Miu brand is a famous designer brand in Japan, Hagu was so happy. Morita, meanwhile, collapsed because he was exhausted from work. Takemoto took him on his back to take him to the futon.

While carrying Morita, Takemoto felt a pain in his stomach because he was hungry. But Takemoto has to realize that it wasn’t really the pain in his stomach that ached him, but the pain in his chest. He never realized that the guy he was carrying on his back was his love rival.

Chapter 3

“Girls like Morita because he isn’t influenced by what other people say. But he doesn’t have a girlfriend because he doesn’t listen to what other people say at all.”

Morita was sleeping at Takemoto’s room, while Hasegawa (a board mate) was reading about a survey of three hundred girls about the kind of guys that they hate: a self-centered guy, a guy who acts suspiciously, a guy with a long hair that doesn’t take care of himself, the guy who still wears his gym clothes – all of these descriptions perfectly suited Morita, but then again, Morita still got free bento lunches from girls. This irritated Hasegawa. Mayama, on the other hand, explained what really happened. At that time, Morita was eating plain bread for lunch, and this was noticed by a bunch of girls, who took pity of him. They each gave their bento lunches, believing that Morita was so poor to have them. But then suddenly Mayama remembered the time when he asked some girls for a drink, and all of them said that they were going if the guy who wears his high school jersey would go too – and the guy they were talking about was Morita. This irritated Mayama too, like Hasegawa.

Still preoccupied by it, they took it out with Shuuji. Shuuji explained that probably girls like Morita because he was not influenced with other people and just go on with his life doing what he wanted. He also said that in a manually-driven society, it was so hard to find guys like that and that the guys that the girls hated most could be the guys that are influenced by the surveys. These ideas stuck in Mayama and Takemoto’s thoughts as they went out. They both saw Morita by the water fountain pouring water on his head. But later they realized that Morita was taking a bath! The girls nearby were shocked by this action, but later one of them tossed floral scent soap.

The sky gave threats of rain. Morita caught sight of Takemoto and Mayama, and Morita asked Mayama to lend him his pants. Takemoto and Mayama ran away thinking why the girls would like a guy like him.

When they were far enough, they discussed more about Morita. Takemoto asked if Morita has a girlfriend because he was so popular. Mayama was confused what to answer so they just went in to a shop to buy some drinks when they noticed Morita there, wearing, what looked like robes. But those ‘robes’ were just the curtains in Shuuji’s classroom he had stolen.

Chapter 4

And it was thought that their juicy and their fortunate days would never end…

Morita was crying over his noodles. Weeks had passed since they haven’t eaten meat, and Morita was throwing a tantrum by rolling on the floor because of only eating noodles, and no meat.

While passing by the corridor, Takemoto asked Mayama who stayed at the room 103, and why it remained closed ever since he got there. Mayama said it was Romaiya-sempai’s room, who was taking a break in his school to help her family managing the farm as his father was ill. Takemoto couldn’t help but notice the pain expression in Mayama’s face. Just then, as though some miracle, Romaiya came back! All the other board mates, except Takemoto, welcomed him as though he was the savior. Then, Takemoto realized why because Romaiya brought with him sausages, ham, and other meat products. Romaiya said that since he was starting with his ham delivery, he would be able to bring ham again. Takemoto was introduced to him, as he was the newest boarder. Romaiya even said to all of them that they could come to their house and promised them that they would have something to eat, if they have no place to go.

For two weeks, Morita, Hasegawa, Takemoto and Mayama were extremely happy about their situation. They were even uplifted in their creative spirits. But then again, Romaiya came back to his house because his father fell ill again, leaving the guys ‘juicy memories and empty stomachs’. Farewell juicy days.

Chapter 5

But during the whole summer, in the back of my eyes,

the small fireworks that I saw on that riverside,

continued to flicker lightly.

-Yuuta Takemoto

Shuuji, Hagu, Morita, Mayama and Takemoto decided to have a vacation in a nearby beach. Mayama was teasing Hagu by asking her to hold a small size watermelon. Then all of them were satisfied to see that the watermelon looked like a normal sized watermelon for her. Then suddenly, the watermelon slipped between her hands, and Morita shouted, “The Korobokkuru let the dessert float away!” causing her to slip too, so that she was soaked and wet. Takemoto took of his shirt and let Hagu wear it, and it became a one-piece dress for her.

After eating, they lighted up the fireworks. Mayama was shocked because Morita was starting with a 5,000 yen fireworks set (very expensive!). While Morita was dancing with the light of his fireworks, Mayama and Shuuji were talking about Takemoto and Hagu, who were having their conversation. Shuuji said that it was okay since it was a party and they would go to Nagano for summer vacation anyway, but he jokingly said that he would kill Takemoto if he would get fifteen centimeters closer to her.

The next day, Shuuji and Hagu went to Nagano for summer vacation. It was longest summer ever for Takemoto.

Chapter 6

“Her eye lashes are long

that they cast shadows on her face.”

- Yuuta Takemoto, while looking at Hagu

Morita, Mayama and Takemoto talked about how they haven’t seen Hagu and Shuuji for a month. Morita was thinking about what they would bring for souvenirs. Then suddenly, Takemoto’s phone rang. It was Hagu. She called to tell them that her uncle Shuuji wanted to know what they would want for souvenirs: whether its buckwheat noodles or vegetables. Takemoto asked the two, and Morita said “Meat!”. Shuuji, on the other hand, decided it should be buckwheat noodles then.

Takemoto told the other two that they were coming home tomorrow and that they would have to come tonight in Shuuji’s place to get the noodles. Mayama was worried because he wasn’t able to finish the work Shuuji assigned to him. Morita readily offered his help, saying he only have to pay 2,000 yen per hour. Mayama grudgingly refused, while Morita said, “Let me help you Mayama! Aren’t we friends?”

While Takemoto was reflecting about Hagu’s return and how her call made him nervous, Mayama asked about his ring tone of his phone. Takemoto answered that it was “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, and it rings if someone calls that is not registered on his phone book. He also said that he has a different ring tone for Mayama and Morita. He then asked Mayama if he also does that, and Mayama answered that it was fun at first but then he used the same ring tone for any call. When Morita was asked he answered that he doesn’t have a cellphone. Then suddenly, Mayama phone rang, and the tone was familiar to Takemoto. It was “Moon River”.

Then suddenly Mayama went off, while Morita said, “It’s a woman”. This surprised Takemoto that Mayama might have a girlfriend.

The next morning, Takemoto noticed that somebody was inside Mayama’s room. He went there and was surprised to see Morita curling up due to the freezing coldness of the room. It seemed as if Morita was trying to save his electricity bill by using other people’s room, in this case, Mayama’s room. He brought with him his game console, and left the air conditioner and fan on all night. Takemoto was worried about him and asked him if he could still come to Shuuji’s noodle party tonight. Morita answered that he wanted to see Korobokkuru’s face – so that he could take more pictures and update his website.

While walking to school, Takemoto thought if the time will come if a guy like Morita would fall in love with Hagu and whether he will be able to win. Realizing that it was embarrassing to think about it when he’s not even dating Hagu, he shoved off those thoughts.

Meanwhile, a guy came to Morita’s room saying that a weird request came in and asking if he was available. Morita was still curling up with his blanket saying that he’ll have Korobokkuru and noodles for tonight. But the guy offered that if he finished it tonight the pay would be 60,000 yen. Morita got up in his bed and said that he’d do it.

While in the car with the guy, Morita caught sight of Shuuji and Hagu walking in the street. He then closed his eyes. <Probably he was depressed because he can’t see korobokkuru for that night>

In the end, it was only Takemoto who joined the party that night. Shuuji was a bit surprised, and they shared the food altogether. Hagu showed Takemoto her room, and her tiny bed, and her collection of tiny dolls of which she made them clothes. But then Takemoto realized that she doesn’t have a closet for her doll’s clothes and offer to make one for her. Hagu was extremely happy about it, and asked Takemoto to build a rococo style, of which Takemoto was shocked because it was difficult to do so. Shuuji, on the other hand, lent books about rococo style structures to the stressed Takemoto to study on.

Chapter 7

No matter how mad you get at me,

I probably won’t change.

It would be much easier for you to find some other guy to like.

- Mayama Takumi to Ayumi Yamada

Takemoto was walking to school, still plagued with thoughts of rococo style, when he saw Mayama coming out the car. He was with a woman. The girls around him noticed it too, saying that Mayama must have spent the night with her. Suddenly, somebody shouted Mayama’s name, and attacked him. It was Ayumi Yamada, 21 years old, who is nicknamed as the Iron Lady for running 6km to school every morning with her dog during her first year so that the dog would lose weight. She was known in the school with her womanly strength, and she is extremely famous among guys. She is also good in pottery.

She was furious about Mayama’s hooking up with different girls. This is because other girls from different colleges constantly inquired about Mayama from Yamada, and this irritated Yamada. While Yamada and Mayama were fighting, Morita was taking pictures of them, with his optical zoom and 4.32 million pixel-camera, and this irritated Yamada because Morita bought an expensive camera without paying his debts to her. While Morita and Yamada were fighting, Mayama sneaked away. In the end, Yamada’s high-heeled kick made Morita unconscious and brought him to the school clinic.

While walking at the corridor, Takemoto the woman with whom Mayama was thought to have spent the night with. She was walking with a walking stick. Takemoto was curious why that woman went to Shuuji Hanamoto’s room, and why his Shuuji-sensei knew her.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Shuuji prepared a coffee for Rika. She was good friends with Shuuji, along with her husband who died in the accident. This accident left Rika badly scarred on her back and damaged her leg, that’s why she couldn’t walk at long periods without the help of a walking stick.

Shuuji asked her how she was doing, and Rika answered that she was busy but Mayama helped her out a lot. It was Shuuji who introduced Mayama to Rika to work part-time at Harada Design which Rika and her former husband managed. Rika visited Shuuji to borrow a chair she could use at her office for the meantime.

Takemoto, on the other hand, noticed Hagu looking at some home made pudding displays which she intended to give to her uncle Shuuji. Takemoto said that the professor was having a visitor so he wouldn’t probably eat it. Then he noticed that Hagu was hungry and bought her a treat even though he was broke. Takemoto reflected why Hagu was not frequently seen with a group of friends. The café was filled with lots of people talking, and suddenly Hagu felt a pain in the stomach, of which Takemoto accompanied her back to Shuuji’s.

Back at Shuuji’s place, Takemoto asked about Rika, and whether she was Mayama’s girlfriend. Noticing that Shuuji stopped short at this question, Takemoto added that Morita told him that Mayama has a girlfriend, and that there was a phone call to which Mayama responded readily, and the thought that Mayama didn’t came home that night, and him witnessing Mayama coming out the car with Rika, before finally rephrasing his question whether Mayama and Rika were going out. Shuuji was silent for a moment and told Takemoto that their relationship wasn’t the kind that he’s thinking of, and changed the subject by presenting Takemoto more books about rococo style.

Meanwhile, Yamada finally found Mayama lying down somewhere where there was no person in sight, and asked him why does Mayama ran when things weren’t going well. Mayama grudgingly answered that it was because Yamada ran after him, and Yamada fired back that it was because he was always running away. Yamada told him to get himself a job and not just to keep working at Rika’s place. She also asked him why he hasn’t told Rika that he liked her, and whether he would just go on with his life without a definite answer. Mayama answered her back, by asking “Why me?” and that Yamada should find another guy to like because he wouldn’t change. He said it would be better for her to forget about him.

Suddenly, Mayama received a phone call. He left the crying Yamada and dashed off to help Rika carry the chair. Mayama offered to accompany her, but Rika said he need not to.

Alone at the classroom, Yamada was crying while making pottery. Morita came offering her a can of water, and said she had to drink it because she might be drained because of her tears. To lighten up the atmosphere, Morita praised Yamada’s work and told her to send the pots off to a ‘broken-hearted’ restaurant. He also called Yamada as its ‘boss’. Yamada kept on telling that Mayama was an idiot, who put up a nice image but ran away when he couldn’t help it. Morita, confused, asked Yamada that if Mayama was an idiot, then why did she like him, and Yamada answered him back that she didn’t know why. She said that even though she hated Mayama, she still wanted to hear his voice or touch his hand. Then suddenly Morita finally understood it all, and said to Yamada that it was love, and that Yamada was in love with Mayama.

Chapter 8

Is the moon seen through Hagu’s eyes,

different from the moon seen through my eyes?

• Yuuta Takemoto

Mayama reminisced about the time that he listened to Rika singing a song. It was a theme song of a famous movie. At that time, he had just woken up because he stayed late finishing his work with Rika. He didn’t know that Rika does that, and so he held his breath and didn’t move so that Rika wouldn’t notice that he was listening nearby. Suddenly, he remembered the words he said to Yamada, and was disturbed. He noticed Yamada was walking to his direction, and he hide in the bush so that she wouldn’t notice him. He didn’t know that Yamada did notice him hiding there.

Mayama’s phone rang. Morita appeared to annoy Mayama’s ring tone, by singing the lyrics of Moon River. But he fled away when Mayama angrily shouted at him.

Rika called Mayama because she just arrived in school to return the chair to Shuuji, the one he borrowed. Rika asked Mayama to deliver a letter to Tsukamoto-sensei because she was going over to Shuuji’s room. She also thanked Mayama by increasing his pay by 30% because their job was almost finished, and said that she wouldn’t need him for quite a while.

While at Shuuji’s room, Rika was thinking about the past when they were still students. Then Shuuji asked Rika if she had plans for that day because Mayama was waiting outside.

Shuuji stopped by his car in Mayama’s direction. Rika was in her car. Mayama asked where are they going and Rika said that Shuuji will accompany him to buy some wallpaper samples. She also said that a certain Asai-san has tickets for a soccer game and advised Mayama to go with him because it looked like he favored Mayama. Then they rode off while Shuuji was saying whether it was okay if Mayama get snatched away by the other firm. Rika said that if it would happen, then it would.

Meanwhile, Yamada had just finished eating in a cafeteria when Morita came up, greeting her as ‘heart-broken boss’. This fired up Yamada and punched Morita, knocking him half-conscious.

Hagu was about to buy something when she heard a group of students talking about her which made her stressed. She ran to her room and finished her artwork when the metal wire snapped across her cheek. Right on cue Morita arrived to annoy her Korobokkuru again, making her mouse number one. Then suddenly she noticed that Hagu was spaced out, and didn’t move. Then, Takemoto arrived and Morita told him that his mouse number one wouldn’t move. This angered Takemoto because he was suspecting Morita did something to her. Takemoto took Hagu away. Morita on the other hand, decided to follow, but was held off by his professor because of his unfinished work.

At the clinic, the nurse was explaining to Takemoto that Hagu was stressed. She said that everyone around Hagu anticipated another great work from her, when they should make it easy for her. Morita came in, still feeling terrible. Then Shuuji came in late and took her niece away, expressing thanks to both Morita and Takemoto.

Chapter 9

Might she be

trying to cheer me up?

- Yuuta Takemoto, on Hagu

Takemoto was feeling the December blues. Morita, trying to dress in a Santa Claus outfit came in giving him a Christmas invitation at a party. Morita also gave Mayama an invitational card, to which he said that he was already 22 years old to attend and that he should do other things. But Morita ran away before hearing it all, and this irritated Mayama.

Shuuji also confirmed to Takemoto and Mayama that he received a card too, and was surprised because he didn’t know the party would be held in his room. The card said that they should bring snacks and a present of under 1000 yen to exchange. But because Hagu was happy about it, he just consented to Morita’s idea.

Morita also gave Yamada an invitation, and Yamada said that she might not go because Mayama might be going and he might not want her to be there. Morita became serious, but then he hugged Yamada and said “Let me smell the scent of love!” Yamada gave him a wrestling maneuver, which knocked him down and she earned cheers from her male admirers.

And so Christmas Eve came.

Hagu and Takemoto were going out to buy their presents. Hagu was happy and jolly, but Takemoto was still having what he called the Christmas blues. It is because he used to spend Christmas at the pediatrics ward of the hospital. He was living with his mother who was working as a nurse there. That’s why every time he thought about Christmas, he automatically associated it with the smell of the hospital. Hagu noticed that he was spaced all through out, and tried to cheer him.

Mayama went to Rika’s place, and noticed that Shuuji’s car was parking in front her apartment. Mayama asked if they were going out somewhere with Shuuji, and Rika said yes. Mayama didn’t answer, instead he gave the coffee to Rika and said to drink it in the car. Then he left.

When Rika went inside the car, Shuuji asked what was she holding and Rika said it was a thermos of coffee that Mayama brought. Shuuji was worried, thinking that Mayama might kill him someday.

At the Christmas party, Yamada didn’t know what to do with the 8 kg. pile of croquettes Morita brought, but then later decided to make a salad out of it with the cabbages that Morita also brought. Mayama came, bringing with him a party bucket (what looked like fireworks) and was teased by Morita that Rika rejected him. Mayama was surprised to see Yamada, who was already gulping bottles of alcohol, and was drunk already. Mayama tried to get the alcohol out of her hands, and Yamada fell down, revealing her sexy, long legs. Hagu cried because of her envy of Yamada’s legs, and tried to comfort her by saying that she might have those if she’ll be older, but this only aggravated the situation. To cap it all, Morita was also crying because of Hagu’s contagious tears. Mayama went out the room.

Then, Shuuji arrived and Mayama asked her where Rika went. Shuuji answered that she went to her husband’s grave, and Shuuji asked him if he knew about it. Mayama said that he knew about little by little. Hagu went outside and saw her uncle, and they all went inside.

When it was past midnight, Shuuji’s room was a chaos. Yamada was drunk, and everyone was sleeping on the floor. Shuuji and Mayama decided to bring the girls home and came back there to clean up. Morita, who was still awake, invited Mayama to drink. They both noticed the smile on Takemoto’s face when he was sleeping which annoyed them.

They didn’t know that Takemoto was having a good dream: he and Hagu had just finished decorating the Christmas tree and was shouting, “Merry Christmas!”

-END- vol.1

***

Whew! That was one heck of a summary! Yep, to be more specific, it is a by-chapter summary of the season 1 volume.

The manga series was created by Umino Chica, and was published by Queens Comics. Really great thanks to Shoujo Magic who scanlated it for fans like me! (I saw it in the manga copy that I have). I’m really grateful to you guys, especially –

to the editors siana, cutedevil, and lelei;

to the translators jekyl03, taisa, pochi, yuwa, nexx, thestripedone, and kechi;

and to sayuri, sophendolbot, argentum_telesto for your quality checking abilities.

I really want to thank you personally for coming up with this wonderful love-filled manga. Please visit their site http://shoujomagic.net or their irc channel #shoujomagic@irc.irchighway.net.

Made by the fans for the fans like me!

]]> http://kyrillevin.wordpress.com/?p=32 Thu, 15 May 2008 03:28:16 +0000 kyrillevin http://kyrillevin.wordpress.com/?p=32

I finished downloading the manga Honey and Clover, but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the continuing chapters in season 2. Probably, the Shoujo Magic hasn’t finished scanlating it, well, no wonder, it is hard to translate such difficult series.

However, if you have the full copy of the season 2 (and so on) scanlated manga, please let me know!  I only got three chapter- scanlated copies of the volume two, that is from chapters 10-12, but since it is still ongoing (whatever happened, please do continue Shoujo Magic!) I’m still waiting here!

I love the Honey and Clover manga. And I’ve also seen its season 1 and 2 anime version that premiered on Animax. However, I haven’t seen yet the live action series (or is it movie?).

I made a summary out of the season one Honey and Clover manga because I love it so much. If you planned to read the manga and wishes not to get spoiled here, DON’T READ BEYOND THIS because it might definitely spoil you! But if you welcome such things, then continue at your risk. *laughs.

Chapter 1

“Well, well, the cherry blossoms will start blooming soon.

It’s getting warm, this is so relaxing.”

- Shuuji Hanamoto

Here we found out the life that college students would experience in Tokyo. The prices skyrocketed high. Mayama Takumi (22, a fourth year architecture student), Yuuta Takemoto (19, second year architectural design student), Morita Shinobu (24, sixth year art student) and with the other guys shared their lives in a cheap apartment of 9 square meters and no showers. Morita, after his disappearance for twelve days, came home with lots of korokkes, (fried mashed potatoes covered with bread crumbs) for his board mates. Mayama-sempai said that Morita always go out somewhere for days, and they didn’t know where. Morita came back exhausted with a mysterious amount of money in his pocket. But everyone had no idea where Morita was working or what. While other mates were saying that Morita was only snickering at their poverty by buying only korokkes and not meat, Mayama asks why Morita wasn’t sleeping in his room. Takemoto answered that he was told off by his sempai Morita to wake him up at eight tomorrow. Morita, according to Mayama, missed one requirement in a class when he was a first year, and went on forgetting it for the last three years so that he wasn’t able to graduate. Then, Morita stayed another year because he lacked one hour worth of class attendance but failed to comply it, that’s why he had to repeat another year. Morita, says Mayama, also repeat his second year because he overslept a lot of times. It was already 9:30 in the morning, and both Mayama and Takemoto were trying to wake up Morita. Just as Takemoto gave up on him by saying “If you end up repeating another year, don’t hold a grudge against me!”, Morita suddenly opened his eyes and readily went to school with Mayama’s kickboard (a wooden cheap version of scooters he made for Mayama). Because he was rushing so much, he bumped into some department cart and said, in excuse that it was not him who destroyed the cart, but Mayama, who had just passed by.

With their art professor Shuuji Hanamoto, Mayama and Takemoto talked about Morita’s unusual behavior when suddenly Mayama noticed a little girl he mistaken as Shuuji’s daughter. But it was found out that it was Shuuji’s cousin’s daughter Hagumi Hanamoto (nicknamed Hagu) who had just entered the university as a first year art student. Surprisingly, she was already 18 years old, although when one looks at her, she looks like a middle school student. While Shuuji was preventing Mayama to introduce himself, on one corner, Takemoto asked Hagu to eat the korokkes with him (which he brought to eat for his lunch).

While Hagu was drinking her tea, Mayama was about to say something to Takemoto but he stopped short at Takemoto’s expression. He realized that his friend was in love at first sight with Hagu.

Suddenly, Morita arrived to thank Takemoto for waking him up this morning, and because of that he can now graduate. In an instant, Morita caught sight of Hagu, and ran away from the room to a yam field behind the university. Then he came back and gave Hagu a fuki leaf (butterbur leaf) and said “Korobokkuru!” Korobokkuru is a character in Ainu myths, and also means a person under a fuki leaf. Hagu was scared while Morita was taking photographs of her. Takemoto was saying that Hagu might cry if Morita won’t stop soon. Shuuji was smiling by saying Hagu looked cute in whatever she was doing. Mayama on the other hand, realized that Morita was in love and reflected that this is another way of falling in love, but apparently nobody realized because of its “unusual method of emotional communication”.

Chapter 2

“How I’d like to see the world through Hagu’s eyes.”

• Shuuji Hanamoto to Yuuta Takemoto

Mayama and Takemoto were staring at the clay footprint of Hagu, which was compared to a stick of cigarette in length. Hagu, who was taken a copy of a footprint yesterday, was terrified of Morita and was now venting her stress on some artwork. Mayama and Takemoto went to see how she was doing and they were shocked at the huge statue Hagu was working upon. The statue would be displayed at the lobby of an art museum at Minatomirai in Yokohama. This made Takemoto reflect about himself and his future. According to him, everyone was doing well: Hagu is so talented that she could enter any job, Morita had a serious job somewhere, and Mayama, who was about to graduate, was invited to work full-time at the design studio he was now working part-time. Mayama consoled him by saying that Takemoto was just a second year, and should do anything that would interest him.

The next day, Mayama and Takemoto noticed that Hagu was cutting out pictures of sandals, bags, and dresses. It was found out that she was making a notebook about them because she could not buy it. Then a person came and noticed Hagu, and said ‘Korobokkuru’ which made Hagu startled. That person said that he saw a person just like Hagu in the internet, and surely they checked it online and found a website which Morita made about the ‘Korobokkuru’. They found out that Morita was earning money from it because 50% of it was commercials, but according to that person, lots of maniacs like him were looking forward to the updates of the website. Suddenly, Morita arrived and gave Hagu a paperweight out of her footprint. Due to her anger Hagu threw all sorts of things to Morita, and one of it was her notebook about the things she wanted. Morita kept it in his pocket. Takemoto invited him to come at the Teppanyaki party with Mayama at Shuuji’s apartment in a week’s time. Morita answered that that he had a work for that night which would take a week. Mayama, on the other hand, asked the person to keep the whole situation as secret as Hagu was Shuuji’s niece.

So for over a week Morita was gone again. After a week, as he was about to go home, he passed by a certain shop and bought a pair of Miu Miu sandals for 32,000 yen. Then he headed off to Shuuji’s place and met Takemoto, whom he gave the one kg. of beef. Takemoto was extremely happy about it.

Morita caught sight of Hagu hiding behind the curtain, and approached her, handing her the pink patent leather Miu Miu sandals. Because the Miu Miu brand is a famous designer brand in Japan, Hagu was so happy. Morita, meanwhile, collapsed because he was exhausted from work. Takemoto took him on his back to take him to the futon.

While carrying Morita, Takemoto felt a pain in his stomach because he was hungry. But Takemoto has to realize that it wasn’t really the pain in his stomach that ached him, but the pain in his chest. He never realized that the guy he was carrying on his back was his love rival.

Chapter 3

“Girls like Morita because he isn’t influenced by what other people say. But he doesn’t have a girlfriend because he doesn’t listen to what other people say at all.”

Morita was sleeping at Takemoto’s room, while Hasegawa (a board mate) was reading about a survey of three hundred girls about the kind of guys that they hate: a self-centered guy, a guy who acts suspiciously, a guy with a long hair that doesn’t take care of himself, the guy who still wears his gym clothes – all of these descriptions perfectly suited Morita, but then again, Morita still got free bento lunches from girls. This irritated Hasegawa. Mayama, on the other hand, explained what really happened. At that time, Morita was eating plain bread for lunch, and this was noticed by a bunch of girls, who took pity of him. They each gave their bento lunches, believing that Morita was so poor to have them. But then suddenly Mayama remembered the time when he asked some girls for a drink, and all of them said that they were going if the guy who wears his high school jersey would go too – and the guy they were talking about was Morita. This irritated Mayama too, like Hasegawa.

Still preoccupied by it, they took it out with Shuuji. Shuuji explained that probably girls like Morita because he was not influenced with other people and just go on with his life doing what he wanted. He also said that in a manually-driven society, it was so hard to find guys like that and that the guys that the girls hated most could be the guys that are influenced by the surveys. These ideas stuck in Mayama and Takemoto’s thoughts as they went out. They both saw Morita by the water fountain pouring water on his head. But later they realized that Morita was taking a bath! The girls nearby were shocked by this action, but later one of them tossed floral scent soap.

The sky gave threats of rain. Morita caught sight of Takemoto and Mayama, and Morita asked Mayama to lend him his pants. Takemoto and Mayama ran away thinking why the girls would like a guy like him.

When they were far enough, they discussed more about Morita. Takemoto asked if Morita has a girlfriend because he was so popular. Mayama was confused what to answer so they just went in to a shop to buy some drinks when they noticed Morita there, wearing, what looked like robes. But those ‘robes’ were just the curtains in Shuuji’s classroom he had stolen.

Chapter 4

And it was thought that their juicy and their fortunate days would never end…

Morita was crying over his noodles. Weeks had passed since they haven’t eaten meat, and Morita was throwing a tantrum by rolling on the floor because of only eating noodles, and no meat.

While passing by the corridor, Takemoto asked Mayama who stayed at the room 103, and why it remained closed ever since he got there. Mayama said it was Romaiya-sempai’s room, who was taking a break in his school to help her family managing the farm as his father was ill. Takemoto couldn’t help but notice the pain expression in Mayama’s face. Just then, as though some miracle, Romaiya came back! All the other board mates, except Takemoto, welcomed him as though he was the savior. Then, Takemoto realized why because Romaiya brought with him sausages, ham, and other meat products. Romaiya said that since he was starting with his ham delivery, he would be able to bring ham again. Takemoto was introduced to him, as he was the newest boarder. Romaiya even said to all of them that they could come to their house and promised them that they would have something to eat, if they have no place to go.

For two weeks, Morita, Hasegawa, Takemoto and Mayama were extremely happy about their situation. They were even uplifted in their creative spirits. But then again, Romaiya came back to his house because his father fell ill again, leaving the guys ‘juicy memories and empty stomachs’. Farewell juicy days.

Chapter 5

But during the whole summer, in the back of my eyes,

the small fireworks that I saw on that riverside,

continued to flicker lightly.

-Yuuta Takemoto

Shuuji, Hagu, Morita, Mayama and Takemoto decided to have a vacation in a nearby beach. Mayama was teasing Hagu by asking her to hold a small size watermelon. Then all of them were satisfied to see that the watermelon looked like a normal sized watermelon for her. Then suddenly, the watermelon slipped between her hands, and Morita shouted, “The Korobokkuru let the dessert float away!” causing her to slip too, so that she was soaked and wet. Takemoto took of his shirt and let Hagu wear it, and it became a one-piece dress for her.

After eating, they lighted up the fireworks. Mayama was shocked because Morita was starting with a 5,000 yen fireworks set (very expensive!). While Morita was dancing with the light of his fireworks, Mayama and Shuuji were talking about Takemoto and Hagu, who were having their conversation. Shuuji said that it was okay since it was a party and they would go to Nagano for summer vacation anyway, but he jokingly said that he would kill Takemoto if he would get fifteen centimeters closer to her.

The next day, Shuuji and Hagu went to Nagano for summer vacation. It was longest summer ever for Takemoto.

Chapter 6

“Her eye lashes are long

that they cast shadows on her face.”

- Yuuta Takemoto, while looking at Hagu

Morita, Mayama and Takemoto talked about how they haven’t seen Hagu and Shuuji for a month. Morita was thinking about what they would bring for souvenirs. Then suddenly, Takemoto’s phone rang. It was Hagu. She called to tell them that her uncle Shuuji wanted to know what they would want for souvenirs: whether its buckwheat noodles or vegetables. Takemoto asked the two, and Morita said “Meat!”. Shuuji, on the other hand, decided it should be buckwheat noodles then.

Takemoto told the other two that they were coming home tomorrow and that they would have to come tonight in Shuuji’s place to get the noodles. Mayama was worried because he wasn’t able to finish the work Shuuji assigned to him. Morita readily offered his help, saying he only have to pay 2,000 yen per hour. Mayama grudgingly refused, while Morita said, “Let me help you Mayama! Aren’t we friends?”

While Takemoto was reflecting about Hagu’s return and how her call made him nervous, Mayama asked about his ring tone of his phone. Takemoto answered that it was “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, and it rings if someone calls that is not registered on his phone book. He also said that he has a different ring tone for Mayama and Morita. He then asked Mayama if he also does that, and Mayama answered that it was fun at first but then he used the same ring tone for any call. When Morita was asked he answered that he doesn’t have a cellphone. Then suddenly, Mayama phone rang, and the tone was familiar to Takemoto. It was “Moon River”.

Then suddenly Mayama went off, while Morita said, “It’s a woman”. This surprised Takemoto that Mayama might have a girlfriend.

The next morning, Takemoto noticed that somebody was inside Mayama’s room. He went there and was surprised to see Morita curling up due to the freezing coldness of the room. It seemed as if Morita was trying to save his electricity bill by using other people’s room, in this case, Mayama’s room. He brought with him his game console, and left the air conditioner and fan on all night. Takemoto was worried about him and asked him if he could still come to Shuuji’s noodle party tonight. Morita answered that he wanted to see Korobokkuru’s face – so that he could take more pictures and update his website.

While walking to school, Takemoto thought if the time will come if a guy like Morita would fall in love with Hagu and whether he will be able to win. Realizing that it was embarrassing to think about it when he’s not even dating Hagu, he shoved off those thoughts.

Meanwhile, a guy came to Morita’s room saying that a weird request came in and asking if he was available. Morita was still curling up with his blanket saying that he’ll have Korobokkuru and noodles for tonight. But the guy offered that if he finished it tonight the pay would be 60,000 yen. Morita got up in his bed and said that he’d do it.

While in the car with the guy, Morita caught sight of Shuuji and Hagu walking in the street. He then closed his eyes. <Probably he was depressed because he can’t see korobokkuru for that night>

In the end, it was only Takemoto who joined the party that night. Shuuji was a bit surprised, and they shared the food altogether. Hagu showed Takemoto her room, and her tiny bed, and her collection of tiny dolls of which she made them clothes. But then Takemoto realized that she doesn’t have a closet for her doll’s clothes and offer to make one for her. Hagu was extremely happy about it, and asked Takemoto to build a rococo style, of which Takemoto was shocked because it was difficult to do so. Shuuji, on the other hand, lent books about rococo style structures to the stressed Takemoto to study on.

Chapter 7

No matter how mad you get at me,

I probably won’t change.

It would be much easier for you to find some other guy to like.

- Mayama Takumi to Ayumi Yamada

Takemoto was walking to school, still plagued with thoughts of rococo style, when he saw Mayama coming out the car. He was with a woman. The girls around him noticed it too, saying that Mayama must have spent the night with her. Suddenly, somebody shouted Mayama’s name, and attacked him. It was Ayumi Yamada, 21 years old, who is nicknamed as the Iron Lady for running 6km to school every morning with her dog during her first year so that the dog would lose weight. She was known in the school with her womanly strength, and she is extremely famous among guys. She is also good in pottery.

She was furious about Mayama’s hooking up with different girls. This is because other girls from different colleges constantly inquired about Mayama from Yamada, and this irritated Yamada. While Yamada and Mayama were fighting, Morita was taking pictures of them, with his optical zoom and 4.32 million pixel-camera, and this irritated Yamada because Morita bought an expensive camera without paying his debts to her. While Morita and Yamada were fighting, Mayama sneaked away. In the end, Yamada’s high-heeled kick made Morita unconscious and brought him to the school clinic.

While walking at the corridor, Takemoto the woman with whom Mayama was thought to have spent the night with. She was walking with a walking stick. Takemoto was curious why that woman went to Shuuji Hanamoto’s room, and why his Shuuji-sensei knew her.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Shuuji prepared a coffee for Rika. She was good friends with Shuuji, along with her husband who died in the accident. This accident left Rika badly scarred on her back and damaged her leg, that’s why she couldn’t walk at long periods without the help of a walking stick.

Shuuji asked her how she was doing, and Rika answered that she was busy but Mayama helped her out a lot. It was Shuuji who introduced Mayama to Rika to work part-time at Harada Design which Rika and her former husband managed. Rika visited Shuuji to borrow a chair she could use at her office for the meantime.

Takemoto, on the other hand, noticed Hagu looking at some home made pudding displays which she intended to give to her uncle Shuuji. Takemoto said that the professor was having a visitor so he wouldn’t probably eat it. Then he noticed that Hagu was hungry and bought her a treat even though he was broke. Takemoto reflected why Hagu was not frequently seen with a group of friends. The café was filled with lots of people talking, and suddenly Hagu felt a pain in the stomach, of which Takemoto accompanied her back to Shuuji’s.

Back at Shuuji’s place, Takemoto asked about Rika, and whether she was Mayama’s girlfriend. Noticing that Shuuji stopped short at this question, Takemoto added that Morita told him that Mayama has a girlfriend, and that there was a phone call to which Mayama responded readily, and the thought that Mayama didn’t came home that night, and him witnessing Mayama coming out the car with Rika, before finally rephrasing his question whether Mayama and Rika were going out. Shuuji was silent for a moment and told Takemoto that their relationship wasn’t the kind that he’s thinking of, and changed the subject by presenting Takemoto more books about rococo style.

Meanwhile, Yamada finally found Mayama lying down somewhere where there was no person in sight, and asked him why does Mayama ran when things weren’t going well. Mayama grudgingly answered that it was because Yamada ran after him, and Yamada fired back that it was because he was always running away. Yamada told him to get himself a job and not just to keep working at Rika’s place. She also asked him why he hasn’t told Rika that he liked her, and whether he would just go on with his life without a definite answer. Mayama answered her back, by asking “Why me?” and that Yamada should find another guy to like because he wouldn’t change. He said it would be better for her to forget about him.

Suddenly, Mayama received a phone call. He left the crying Yamada and dashed off to help Rika carry the chair. Mayama offered to accompany her, but Rika said he need not to.

Alone at the classroom, Yamada was crying while making pottery. Morita came offering her a can of water, and said she had to drink it because she might be drained because of her tears. To lighten up the atmosphere, Morita praised Yamada’s work and told her to send the pots off to a ‘broken-hearted’ restaurant. He also called Yamada as its ‘boss’. Yamada kept on telling that Mayama was an idiot, who put up a nice image but ran away when he couldn’t help it. Morita, confused, asked Yamada that if Mayama was an idiot, then why did she like him, and Yamada answered him back that she didn’t know why. She said that even though she hated Mayama, she still wanted to hear his voice or touch his hand. Then suddenly Morita finally understood it all, and said to Yamada that it was love, and that Yamada was in love with Mayama.

Chapter 8

Is the moon seen through Hagu’s eyes,

different from the moon seen through my eyes?

• Yuuta Takemoto

Mayama reminisced about the time that he listened to Rika singing a song. It was a theme song of a famous movie. At that time, he had just woken up because he stayed late finishing his work with Rika. He didn’t know that Rika does that, and so he held his breath and didn’t move so that Rika wouldn’t notice that he was listening nearby. Suddenly, he remembered the words he said to Yamada, and was disturbed. He noticed Yamada was walking to his direction, and he hide in the bush so that she wouldn’t notice him. He didn’t know that Yamada did notice him hiding there.

Mayama’s phone rang. Morita appeared to annoy Mayama’s ring tone, by singing the lyrics of Moon River. But he fled away when Mayama angrily shouted at him.

Rika called Mayama because she just arrived in school to return the chair to Shuuji, the one he borrowed. Rika asked Mayama to deliver a letter to Tsukamoto-sensei because she was going over to Shuuji’s room. She also thanked Mayama by increasing his pay by 30% because their job was almost finished, and said that she wouldn’t need him for quite a while.

While at Shuuji’s room, Rika was thinking about the past when they were still students. Then Shuuji asked Rika if she had plans for that day because Mayama was waiting outside.

Shuuji stopped by his car in Mayama’s direction. Rika was in her car. Mayama asked where are they going and Rika said that Shuuji will accompany him to buy some wallpaper samples. She also said that a certain Asai-san has tickets for a soccer game and advised Mayama to go with him because it looked like he favored Mayama. Then they rode off while Shuuji was saying whether it was okay if Mayama get snatched away by the other firm. Rika said that if it would happen, then it would.

Meanwhile, Yamada had just finished eating in a cafeteria when Morita came up, greeting her as ‘heart-broken boss’. This fired up Yamada and punched Morita, knocking him half-conscious.

Hagu was about to buy something when she heard a group of students talking about her which made her stressed. She ran to her room and finished her artwork when the metal wire snapped across her cheek. Right on cue Morita arrived to annoy her Korobokkuru again, making her mouse number one. Then suddenly she noticed that Hagu was spaced out, and didn’t move. Then, Takemoto arrived and Morita told him that his mouse number one wouldn’t move. This angered Takemoto because he was suspecting Morita did something to her. Takemoto took Hagu away. Morita on the other hand, decided to follow, but was held off by his professor because of his unfinished work.

At the clinic, the nurse was explaining to Takemoto that Hagu was stressed. She said that everyone around Hagu anticipated another great work from her, when they should make it easy for her. Morita came in, still feeling terrible. Then Shuuji came in late and took her niece away, expressing thanks to both Morita and Takemoto.

Chapter 9

Might she be

trying to cheer me up?

- Yuuta Takemoto, on Hagu

Takemoto was feeling the December blues. Morita, trying to dress in a Santa Claus outfit came in giving him a Christmas invitation at a party. Morita also gave Mayama an invitational card, to which he said that he was already 22 years old to attend and that he should do other things. But Morita ran away before hearing it all, and this irritated Mayama.

Shuuji also confirmed to Takemoto and Mayama that he received a card too, and was surprised because he didn’t know the party would be held in his room. The card said that they should bring snacks and a present of under 1000 yen to exchange. But because Hagu was happy about it, he just consented to Morita’s idea.

Morita also gave Yamada an invitation, and Yamada said that she might not go because Mayama might be going and he might not want her to be there. Morita became serious, but then he hugged Yamada and said “Let me smell the scent of love!” Yamada gave him a wrestling maneuver, which knocked him down and she earned cheers from her male admirers.

And so Christmas Eve came.

Hagu and Takemoto were going out to buy their presents. Hagu was happy and jolly, but Takemoto was still having what he called the Christmas blues. It is because he used to spend Christmas at the pediatrics ward of the hospital. He was living with his mother who was working as a nurse there. That’s why every time he thought about Christmas, he automatically associated it with the smell of the hospital. Hagu noticed that he was spaced all through out, and tried to cheer him.

Mayama went to Rika’s place, and noticed that Shuuji’s car was parking in front her apartment. Mayama asked if they were going out somewhere with Shuuji, and Rika said yes. Mayama didn’t answer, instead he gave the coffee to Rika and said to drink it in the car. Then he left.

When Rika went inside the car, Shuuji asked what was she holding and Rika said it was a thermos of coffee that Mayama brought. Shuuji was worried, thinking that Mayama might kill him someday.

At the Christmas party, Yamada didn’t know what to do with the 8 kg. pile of croquettes Morita brought, but then later decided to make a salad out of it with the cabbages that Morita also brought. Mayama came, bringing with him a party bucket (what looked like fireworks) and was teased by Morita that Rika rejected him. Mayama was surprised to see Yamada, who was already gulping bottles of alcohol, and was drunk already. Mayama tried to get the alcohol out of her hands, and Yamada fell down, revealing her sexy, long legs. Hagu cried because of her envy of Yamada’s legs, and tried to comfort her by saying that she might have those if she’ll be older, but this only aggravated the situation. To cap it all, Morita was also crying because of Hagu’s contagious tears. Mayama went out the room.

Then, Shuuji arrived and Mayama asked her where Rika went. Shuuji answered that she went to her husband’s grave, and Shuuji asked him if he knew about it. Mayama said that he knew about little by little. Hagu went outside and saw her uncle, and they all went inside.

When it was past midnight, Shuuji’s room was a chaos. Yamada was drunk, and everyone was sleeping on the floor. Shuuji and Mayama decided to bring the girls home and came back there to clean up. Morita, who was still awake, invited Mayama to drink. They both noticed the smile on Takemoto’s face when he was sleeping which annoyed them.

They didn’t know that Takemoto was having a good dream: he and Hagu had just finished decorating the Christmas tree and was shouting, “Merry Christmas!”

-END- vol.1

***

Whew! That was one heck of a summary! Yep, to be more specific, it is a by-chapter summary of the season 1 volume.

The manga series was created by Umino Chica, and was published by Queens Comics. Really great thanks to Shoujo Magic who scanlated it for fans like me! (I saw it in the manga copy that I have). I’m really grateful to you guys, especially –

to the editors siana, cutedevil, and lelei;

to the translators jekyl03, taisa, pochi, yuwa, nexx, thestripedone, and kechi;

and to sayuri, sophendolbot, argentum_telesto for your quality checking abilities.

I really want to thank you personally for coming up with this wonderful love-filled manga. Please visit their site http://shoujomagic.net or their irc channel #shoujomagic@irc.irchighway.net.

Made by the fans for the fans like me!

]]> http://selfishisagay.wordpress.com/?p=46 Wed, 14 May 2008 16:01:37 +0000 selfishisagay http://selfishisagay.wordpress.com/?p=46 So I was like walking my dog today and i saw this woman on crutches like moving really fucking slowly. I smiled and walked on, but later, when i had reached the graveyard down the path, I saw she was where i had been like 5 minutes ago. I felt so sorry for her. Induring OMG SELFISH HAS FEELINS LOL!!11><?,

But anyway, I was walking around trying to take subtle pictures of the stones hoping that god didn't unleash the fucking fury on me, when this dog walker like appeared out of fucking no where. My dog does not like other dogs. The graveyard is like sooooo quiet so i literally sprinted in the opposite direction from the walker and ran home lol. Here i am dongsdongsdongs

anyway

hai alison ^_________________^

Din cate spune legea in campania electorala nu se pot oferi de catre partide, decat obiecte cu o valoare materiala mica, ca de exemplu: pixuri....se pare ca "astia" fac orice pentru un vot.

October 2005

Not that I'm thinking of popping off anywhere anytime soon, but it would be hard to pass up an offer currently running at Antwerp's Schoonselhof necropolis, last resting place of such luminaries as writers Hendrik Conscience, Gaston Burssens and Marnix Gijsen, composers Peter Benoit and Armand Preud'Homme, and artists Pol Mara and Vic Gentils.

The deal is, for a mere €800 you get a burial place for two people, to be used within the next 50 years. The one draw-back is that you have to move in, as it were, beside what we shall refer to as a previous occupant. In fact, it's not even as ghoulish as that, since when your time comes, and you are gathered to your Maker, they'll open up the plot, take out the bloke who's in there and who can hardly be said to care by this time, and make a space for you.

It is, as graveyard guide Jacques Beurmans pointed out, a more democratic system than the one operating at the turn of the 19th-20th century when the graveyard was opened. Then, the biggest and the fanciest stones, the statuary and the cellars (a kind of marble lining for the hole, which will incidentally push the price up to € 1,600) were the preserve of the rich alone. Now, the price is the same for everyone, and they'll stick you under someone else's stone. In return, while awaiting the day when you cash in your chips, you get to keep the place looking trim and tidy, which is actually the secret plan behind the whole scheme.

If you're a bit strapped for eight C-notes, I did discover that you can adopt a gravestone for a mere €7.50, which brings the privilege of keeping the monument clean and maintained until you die, when you can go and be buried somewhere else, cheapskate. That could also be an option for those of us who don't intend to die within the next 50 years. Though frankly the way medical science is going, we'll all have life expectancies of 250 years just at the moment the asteroid strikes, so you have to wonder if it's all worth it. But I digress.

So much for being buried. If you're going to be cremated, meanwhile, try not to fill the air with too many dioxins. That's what happened at the Antwerp crematorium a week or so ago, when the dioxin levels were pushed up to three time their legal limit. The director said a filter had accidentally fallen out, but my question is: what do we need dioxin filters at crematoria for anyway? Well, it turns out the evil-sounding emissions are produced in many forms of combustion, like volcanoes and forest fires. When I tell you another major source is meat being grilled on a barbecue, I trust I need explain no further.

When I die, I hope it's in summer, so that the crowds who were unable to be accommodated in the church don't get cold and wet standing outside. Some people, on the other hand, want to go out of the world as they came into it: as a pain in the butt who keeps everyone waiting. That's why a Dutch funeral entrepreneur is now offering the possibility of being taken to your last resting place – whether that's a fancy second-hand grave or a nice warm barbecue – in a caravan. So you'll be able to die as you lived: creating long lines of traffic behind you. The caravan in question, funeral director Dick Mijnhart said, only has room for the coffin. So, considerably more spacious than most caravans, then.

Finally, the city of Nola near Naples in Italy (where Caesar Augustus died and Giordano Bruno was born) is giving a free funeral with casket and hearse (though not those ostentatious wreaths of flowers formed into words associated with Italian funerals in Francis Ford Coppola movies) to deceased persons who have been organ donors. Sign up to hand over your kidneys, heart or cornea (and whatever other offal the science whizz-kids are transplanting these days) and the city administration will pick up the tab for your transport into the World Beyond. And none of your cheap one-previous-occupant rubbish, either.

It was a nice day and there were crowds of people throughout the place.  I only saw one funeral but there was an awful lot of people with tools cleaning and repairing graves.

First stop was the Chinese section (I mostly make random stops depending on which part I get lost in).  The Chinese section is pretty central and the Pavillion makes it stand out. 

There was a haze over the place from joss sticks being burned and the smell from the incense was both beautiful and slightly unnerving. 

I was amazed at the size of the section. 

The photo shows only one small portion in the newer section.  The graves are well maintained, cleaned and visited often, judging by the offerings of flowers and joss.

There's a large collection of older graves too.  Their families are long gone and the inscriptions have worn away.  Many of them have no trace of anything left on them and only their positions marked on a map could tell you who they are.

I guess one has to be careful when choosing both the stone and the mason.  Some have survived much better than others.

After wandering around through the Chinese section, I picked roads and random and ended up in a slightly overgrown part of the necropolis that turned out to be the Lutherean section.  It was clearly an older section - the trees there were gnarly and twisted and moss covered the ground beneath them. 

So far, out of all of Rookwood, this is my favourite part.  It was shadowy and cool here and very, very quiet.  The graves are old enough that they are seldon visited, but not so old that they have completely decayed.  And the moss on the ground looked soft and inviting.

There were a few crypts and many, many birds.  The little blue wrens were everywhere in the sunlight but too quick for me to snap.  I did grab a photo of another visitor, however.

And I shot a nice artsy photo of a set of crypt doors that were interestingly rusted;

The doors are rusting slowly away but the bronze of the handles is weathering well.  As you can see, they've been polished by use to nearly mirror brightness - you can just make out my shadow in them as I bent across to get the shot.  This is one of my favourite photo's from the day.  Somehow, I seem to do better with the more abstract shots.

Speaking of which;

If it looks like the grave is gaping open, it's because it is.  The earth has shifted and the cap stone has cracked and popped open.  This grave is somewhere in the independant section but I was taken by the colours and amount of life on this piece of stone.  The grey thing on stop is a shard of sandstone that has fallen from further up the cap.

I took a lot more photos but this is all I've had time to go through so far.  I'll post further installments as I get around to it (we've officially moving on the 24th so posting will be patchy until then).  I'd still like to go back and spend some more time at Rookwood - I average about 2 or 3 hours each time before it all gets too much and I need to sit down and process the size of the place.  On the way out (trying to find the particular exit I wanted took some time) I found an abadoned section from the mid 1800's that had a lot of interesting Masonic symbolism on various graves.  I've got some photo's but I'd like to go back and do a little more research.  Stay tuned!

Asa ca alegeti stapaniii cu grija!