Libera me, Domine, de morte æterna, in die illa tremenda

I don't even know what to make of this. Seriously.



In case you couldn't tell (I COULDN'T), that's Jiro Wang on the right. I never thought I'd see a day where I wasn't attracted to him. That is possibly the worst haircut I've ever seen in my life. It does NOTHING for him. In fact, it makes his face look really puffy (It does look like he's gained weight in his face or something - kinda like fat!Ken... Ken wasn't really fat, but his face got all super puffy). Just... no. Please Jiro, get a haircut. For me. And here I thought Wilbur Pan's former hair was the worse I've seen... (Just kidding, Will's hair is FAR worse)

BTW, that's Danson Tang he's standing next to (at Danson's photobook signing). Conversely, Danson is looking fine.

Fahrenheit new MV is pretty awesome. Hilarious, yes. But still awesome.

The title of their new album is "太熱", which quite literally means 'too hot'. And while I do agree with that sentiment (the boys got RIPPED for this album - hilariously a little while back there was an article about how they all beefed up for it. Except Wu Zun, who was already beefy enough. Apparently he just got a tan), it's also pretty cheesy. The title song is their first single. The concept is a bit weird. Icebergs, mesh shirts, lots of black and red, random flames, Jiro wearing black nail polish... To be honest, I liked the concept for 越來越愛 a lot more. But really, I can't argue too hard against sweaty half naked boys.

I do quite like the song though, despite it's awkward chorus ("super hot, 多謝每個人都在煽風點火, way too hot", which I awkwardly/roughly translated to "super hot, many thanks everyone is on fire, way too hot"). Also, it's autotuned. But honestly, autotune doesn't bother me nearly as much as it seems to bother others. I KNOW Fahrenheit can sing, so the autotune is, to me, just a stylistic choice.

Random other comments about the MV;
- TOWEL　DANCE?! 真的嗎, 飛輪海? 真的? 我不甚至知道. It's apparently supposed to make them seem manly. Again, I don't even know.
- During some parts of the video, Jiro's face is hilarious, and terribly amusing. Oh Jiro. I love you, you big, fragile, accident prone boy. 加油大東! 我愛妳!
- Wu Zun is THIRTY. He's going to be 31 in a few months. I appreciate his age (older idols make Meredith feel less skeevy), but I'm also angered by it. Damn him for looking like he's 10 years younger than he actually is. I want to look 10 years younger (okay, maybe not ten years... maybe five years).

This may very well be the last album Fahrenheit puts out as a group. Their contract with HIM is for for either four or five albums (this is their fourth album). So yeah. Kinda sad. The end of an era. It's like losing F4 all over again. Except I like Fahrenheit a lot more.

Anyway, the album does on sale in mid September. I am waiting quite anxiously for it. I wish I were in Taiwan right now. They're having a fan meeting thing, and I want to gooooo! I stupidly missed their concert last year when I was actually IN Taipei, so now I just feel sad. Maybe they'll come to the US, like S.H.E did! *hopes*

- Fahrenheit is set to release a new album in August. This news is old (from JANUARY... how did I miss that?!), so I wonder if the date will be pushed back due to Wu Zun's drama with Rainie. Either way, I am greatly anticipating this album. I love Fahrenheit (second favorite Asian boyband), and I want to see the new stuff they come up with.

- Aaron Yan is also set to release a solo album towards the end of the year. This half makes me sad, since it's the beginning of the eventual breakup of Fahrenheit (they only have one more album in their contract). On the other hand, yay Aaron!

- Jolin is also going to release an album this August. I've seen her concept photos, and they look pretty awesome. I'm excited!


This August is going to be crazy with all the new releases. Fahrenheit (...maybe?), Jolin, and Big Bang (at least their new Japanese single - "Beautiful Hangover", but hopefully their Korean comeback as well)! Good thing I am currently employed, because goodbye monies.

Ordered my tickets for the S.H.E concert! It's this Saturday, I'm so excited! With all the free booze and gambling, it'll be even more fun.

In trying to get myself back on the track of not sucking, I decided to clean out my closet. This involved getting rid of SIX bags of clothes, one bag of shoes, and random other stuff. Goodwill is going to either love me, or hate me. Also, teenage!me made some interesting fashion choices; purple suede pencil skirts, mesh shirts (FOUR OF THEM), a pair of grey nylon capris, etc. I also discovered that I have an ungodly amount of fleece jackets. I think I buy a new one every year, because about a fifth of my closet is fleece.

I finished Better Off Ted, which was awesome, and due to my developing a girlcrush on Portia de Rossi, I started watching Arrested Development (which I also love). I do this when I get all depressed - watch sitcoms. For some reason, usually what I watch is Fraiser... Though I have had a recent desire to watch Wings. I LOVED Wings when I was a kid. I want to go to Nantucket and hang out in the airport...

I will definitely be going to the S.H.E concert later this month. I'm excited! I was going to stay overnight in the casino, but it's $1200 A NIGHT. FOR THE CHEAPEST ROOM. Naturally I compared this to the most famous and luxurious hotel in Taipei, which was around $200 a night. The disparity is too great. I've got to stop comparing prices here to prices in Taiwan...

Speaking of Taiwan, I'm going to an honest-to-God Taiwanese restaurant tonight. I will finally get to eat a damn scallion pancake. They don't have oyster omelets, thought they do have an oyster pancake. Not sure what that is... There are two locations, and the menu for one of them had shaved ice on it (OMG SHAVED ICE!!!), but the other one doesn't. And of course I'm going to the one without the ice on the menu... But, you never know. They might have it. And bubble tea. AND PATATA?! No one has Patata...

Feeling kinda weird right now... I was drinking some delightful chocolate liqueur, but on an empty stomach, so now I just kinda feel sick... (PSSST! Not drunk, just really tired, which is why this entry is all over the place)

But, you guys, I'm going to be seeing Selina, Hebe, and Ella live!! And because I can understand and speak some Mandarin, I will be able to sing along and make sense. And I can also scream "加油 Selina! 加油 Hebe! 加油 Ella! 加油 S.H.E!! 我愛你!!!!". It'll be fun.

Ahahahahaha! OMG I love it. Makes me miss Taiwan a lot. I love that I've been to some of these places (I love Taiwan and all, but they should really make it easier for tourists... it's hard to go outside the major cities without speaking a lot of Mandarin).



Incidentally, my first picture from Taiwan = Fahrenheit advertising for Taiwan at the airport. Also a soda machine.


I miss Taiwan so much. I wish I could find a way to go back, and work there (without teaching English).

I've been listening to a lot of Mandarin music lately. I love kpop, but cpop was my first Asian music love.

So my recent favorites:

( Videos below )

Recent news:

Show Luo just released a new MV


I read an article where they were talking about his "interracial relationship" in the MV. He mentioned that in real life, he'd be afraid of his mother not approving of him dating a foreigner. *sigh* But anyway, I wonder how his fans will react to the kiss in the MV. They've been known to be a little crazy (read: a lot crazy), and have gotten upset at him kissing a girl while filming a CF...


Making big money from adverts and acting : Zai Zai Dumps "BnW" to work with Zhu Ge Liang! - Several things from this article I found interesting...
- Zai Zai is advertising for Family Mart Oden... Of course he had to wait until I left Taiwan to do it! Interestingly, Mark Zhao advertises for Family Mart's Mr. Brown Let's Cafe coffee. I love the CF for it (where his father appears too!). In Taiwan I got a little sick of Mark Zaho, actually. He's EVERYWHERE, advertising EVERYTHING. I probably have pictures of him doing ads somewhere...
- Speaking of... the article mentions a rumor I had apparently not heard: That Zai Zai and Mark Zhao did not get along during filming, and had some sort of rivalry. I think a lot of it stems from the fact that Zai Zai and Mark Zhao were up against one another for the Golden Bell award. Most people esxpected Zai zai to win, but Mark won instead. (I didn't watch the drama, so of course I can't say who deserved it) There's also talks about how Mark Zhao declined a movie role, and then Zai Zai took it over, etc.
- Zai Zai's camp basically says that there is next to no chance of him appearing in the Black and White movie due to his schedule (they later state they haven't seen a script, so they'll have to see).
- But he is filming a movie that looks interesting to me (it's also the movie role that supposedly Mark Zhao declined). It's current title is Killer, and he plays a, uh, killer. Probably an assassin... Anyway, one of my FAVORITE Taiwanese actresses, Sandrine Pinna, is also in the movie. The best part is they've worked together before, in Poor Prince Taro.
- Lastly, Zai Zai will be in a new drama that will probably air in the autumn or winter (but knowing Taiwan, it might air in 2011), called Back Home, where he plays a doctor.


Show Luo Fulfills the Dream of His Diabetic Mother – Opens a Sweetener (Non-sugar) Dessert Shop - This article warmed my cold, dead heart! Show wants to fulfill his mother's dream of opening a dessert shop specifically for diabetics. Show's mother is a diabetic herself, and wants others to be able to enjoy sweets, without the danger. I think that's amazing, and totally sweet. Both of my parents, and well as both my sisters are diabetic, so I know how it can effect lives negatively.


Random non-Taiwanese, but still interesting... - APPARENTLY, Yamapi and Kitagawa Keiko are dating! This news makes me squeal with glee, because they were SO FREAKING ADORABLE together in Buzzer Beat!

Geez, I swear I'll get to comment responses one of these days. I've been alternatively busy, or weirdly sick.

Did I mention I totally puked in the "bushes" outside of my school one morning on the way to class. People probably thought I was hungover. I wasn't. Afterwards I went to class as if nothing happened, and after getting the horrid taste out of my mouth, I was perfectly fine. Weird.

Culture classes start soon, and I'm SO conflicted as to which to pick. Each class is once a week for 2 hours, and cost $90 for the semester. I was thinking of taking (at least) two. I'm almost certain I'll take chop engraving as one (OMG chops! Since I first heard of them, I've been entranced. And think! It's the gift that keeps giving! I could make chops for EVERYONE!), but as for the other(s), well, I don't know. Soooo... POLL!! (Though goodness knows I do not expect much of a response, as I've been a horrid LJ friend recently! I still read everyone's entries though ;P )

[Poll #1462856]

The ones we decided against were Chinese Macrame (though it DOES interest me), Chinese Culinary Arts (love it, but probably have to deal with meat), the Chinese Harp (time consuming), and random other not as interesting ones.

Oh, and I got myself a copy of Super Junior M's First Mini Album!!!!!! It wasn't supposed to be released here yet, but randomly there it was, and I jumped on it. And because the register girl loved me, she gave me a free SuJu M folder!!! I have no words for my glee. I also bought Ariel Lin's album, and nearly bought Big Bang's Japanese album, but it didn't contain the DVD. (Awesome bit of info, music stores in Taiwan (or at least eslite) organize their CDs by artist name IN ZHUYIN, which is highly awesome.

I have a billion more pictures, and a billion more stories, but I'm SO TIRED. We just finished watching the Korean horror movie Cinderella, and it's 3am. YEAH. Sleep time.

But, um, have I mentioned that we're almost certainly going to be going to South Korea, Japan, AND Hong Kong sometime while here? Because, yeah, we are. Korea is my idea. Lisa wants Japan (course I'd love to go as well!), and Hong Kong because it's SO cheap to go.

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with stuff recently. I've been feeling quite shitty.

But that's beside the point; Random Taiwanese stuff!!

SO, both Ariel Lin and Xiao Gui (Alien) are coming out with albums this summer. I knew about Ariels, but not about Xiao Gui's! Ariel's comes out 17Jul09, and Xiao Gui's 24Jul09. I'll probably buy both when I'm in Taiwan, since the shipping will take 2 weeks anyway. I'm particularly excited for Ariel's album. Her music isn't really my type (poppy and ballady), BUT I adore her voice.

Summer dramas... well... I haven't been talking about them much, because, to be honest, not a lot of them really interest me. I mean, you've got;

1. Mo Nu 18 Hao (Magic 18) - Joyce Zhao and Sam Wang are the redeeming factors of this drama for me. Mostly revolves around family, and magic, and it's complicated

2. Roseate Love - I'm SO bitter about this drama it's not even funny. Like, I'm sure it'll be good and everything, but it was SUPPOSED to star Ariel Lin AND BRYANT CHANG. In a lead role! But then bad things happened, and now he's not in it, and I'm sad. Rui Jia deserves a lead role, damn it! I mean, he was FABULOUS in Eternal Summer and Summer's Tail...

3. Momo Love - Drastic cast and plot changes cooled my desire to watch this as well. I might still watch it because Vanness and Ken will be in it (along with some other Taiwanese character actors I like), but I can't say it's number one on my list.

4. Love Buffet - This one is a maybe for me. It might actually be a high school twdrama, which never happens... But Calvin and Aaron are adorable, so maybe. I THINK it's based on a manga, and I usually like manga adaptations, so yeah.

5. Fighting Spirit - I have no idea what this one is about, and I think it was only recently announced... It's a sports drama though, so yeah. Not for me.

6. Calling Big Star - I love Mike He, but the premise just seems boring.

There's a few more, but the details are scarce....

ON THE OTHER HAND, there ARE twdramas I'm looking forward to!

7. Down With Love - Ella and Jerry's drama. Anything with Ella in it automatically goes on my list. Add a fun plotline, and it's on my must-see for the summer list!

8. Easy Fortune Happy Life - I finally got the first episode of this, and I'm so excited to see it! Qiao En = LOVE.

9. Ni Shi Wo De Wei Yi - OMG I want to watch this SO BADLY, but it'll probably never get subbed.

10. Summer's Bubble - Cast changes put it down my list, but the plotline, with the fakecest, makes me want to watch it.

11. Take Care of You, Accompanied by the Lights - This is a cdrama, but whatever. The pairing of Ming Dao and Chen Qiao En makes me happy beyond words. I CANNOT WAIT for this drama.

12. Meteor Shower - Another cdrama. This is, obviously, the mainland version of Hana Yori Dano. I want to see it for the lulz.

As for the Taiwanese version of Full House... I'm not really sure how I feel about that one. I adore Wu Zun, and I think he'll be great. I haven't heard of Zhou Xun, but she's a mainland actress, so it's not like I would have heard of her anyway. BUT she's beautiful, and supposedly a good actress. One part of the story I LOVE is the cross cultural issues it'll be addressing, since the plot will go into the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan. THAT is interesting. But then, I have a thing with Taiwanese history and politics.