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Showing posts from January, 2013

Hyouka

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Oreki Houtarou is a lazy, easygoing, and a bit anti-social high school student who suddenly finds himself immersed in the activities of the new members of the Classics Club. He was asked by his sister to save the club by enlisting as a member. He agreed thinking that no one else would bother to sign up. However it was through this club that he met the highly curious and energetic Chitanda Eru, the strong and determined Ibara Mayaka, and his long-time friend Fukube Satoshi who tagged along when he discovered that Houtarou joined a club. The group discovers Houtarou's knack for solving mysteries. His skills were put to the ultimate test when they investigated a school event involving Chitanda's uncle 45 years ago. Oreki Houtarou (L-R) Chitanda Eru, Ibara Mayaka, and Fukube Satoshi Although the 22-episode series started off with plenty of mysteries that the characters had to solve, it spiraled into a day-to-day narration of normal high school friends getting thro...

Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson

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This first installment of the Kharkanas Trilogy introduces the realm of Kurald Galain as it was long before the advent of the Malazan Empire. Told from various characters' points of view, it relates the events leading to the schism of its old and recent inhabitants, particularly the Tiste. Readers will be able to deduce how the Tiste broke up into what are now known as the Andii, Liosan, and Edur. There are familiar characters from the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, notably a younger and more emotional Anomander, as well as new characters including those that are mentioned only in passing in the other books. Readers will be reintroduced to the Vitr, Azath, Shake, Hust Swords,  and the Warrens or Houses. Several clues are given to the origins and functions of those mentioned, but new questions will come to mind. Unlike the Malazan series however, the story is told in a direct manner, seldom steering away from the main story; that's if the long character ramblings a...

Kaichou wa Maid Sama!

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Ayuzawa Misaki is well-liked by her friends for her passion and determination  in trying to manage her time in both school and work. As school council president, she's very strict and hardworking, oftentimes labeled as a terror to the boys. Her insistence in creating a school environment attractive to the female students sometimes gets her in trouble. It was this willingness to help the female students that forced her to confront Usui Takumi, a good-looking and talented popular guy who is known to have broken more than a few girls' hearts. Misaki is determined to keep this wholesome image and must therefore keep her part-time job a secret from her schoolmates. She loves working at Cafe Maid Latte but she doesn't want to be seen in such condition. Later Usui discovers what she does for a living but promised to keep it a secret. Since then they see each other more often. The story is about friendship, perseverance, and change. It highlights the trials and trium...

Yuan Lai Wo Bu Shuai (So I'm Not Handsome)

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Xiao Zhuang (JJ Lin) discovers that even "his good looks" is not enough to win the school beauty Xu Xin Ting's heart. What's more Xu Xin Ting or Cindy told him he's ugly. For years he believed that he's handsome because everyone tells him that he is. More than just comedy, this series shows that there's more to romance than dating a good-looking person and sharing happy times. Xiao Zhuang discovers more things about Cindy other than her pleasant face. The friendship and the memories they created together strengthened their relationship. Through Cindy's tears and sorrow, Xiao Zhuang later realized that making her happy is enough and that to keep chasing her would be futile. He learned that he can never replace Dr. Duan Zhao Wei, Cindy's deceased sister's boyfriend, in her heart. Although it wasn't fully explored in the series, the viewer might question Cindy's feelings for Dr. Duan. Was feeling guilty over her sister's death b...

My Humble Spurs Items Collection

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I have a few Spurs item that I've collected in the past few years. The Tim Duncan mug is the most special (and most useful) in my collection. Championship VCDs  Magazines with Tim Duncan on the covers A children's storybook Plastic folder Spring notebook Me wearing my Duncan jersey