Monday, July 23, 2007

OMG! Harry Potter is the best! (SPOILER ALERT)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: SPOILER ALERT!
***Read at your own risk ***


So many unexpected twists, so many interesting characters, so many deaths...

I thought I prepared myself for all the blood, and I thought as long as Hagrid makes it alive, I was ok...but I was wrong.

I was surprised (to say the least) about who did not make it till the end (just some notable characters):

Hedwig - Hedwig!? Yep, the owl was the first to go. Hit by a curse when Harry was being transported from Privet Drive.
Mad-Eye - NOOOOO! His magical eye was later found stuck to the door of Umbridge's office at the Ministry. That bitch. She was using the eye to spy on the Ministry rank and file.
Scrimgeour - I just had to mention him. He became Minister of Magic after Fudge. The baddies killed him off too.
Ted Tonks - Nymphadora Tonks' dad, a Muggle.
Fred Weasley - (*&^%!
Remus Lupin - Yes, the werewolf...He died in the Battle of Hogwarts
Nymphadora Tonks - Died with her husband, Remus...She gave birth to a boy, whom they named Teddy Remus Lupin, and Harry is godfather. Now, little Teddy is an orphan. :(

But the death that affected me most was DOBBY's. :( Yep, the Malfoys' former house elf. He died saving Harry. Once again, Dobby saved Harry but this time, he did not survive. Couldn't hold back the tears. I just had to cry for him. Damn Bellatrix. It felt really good when Mrs. Weasley killed her.

But I am happy Snape was vindicated in the end. I knew he was a good guy...a little too lovesick for my taste, but he was ok.

The 'Deathly Hallows' were supposed to reveal clues when translated to different languages. Here are a few:

French: de mort sanctifie
German: tödlich heiligt
Spanish: mortal santifica
Japanese: 死んだように神聖化する

I don't think they made a lot of sense, and the nearest was the Spanish translation.

Because I was devouring the book so fast, I might have skimmed over some bits of information. Like, why were Lily's eyes important? I don't think it was THAT important. I want to re-read it...but Aya is waiting (tagal na nagsabing next siya sa book). How long will I have to wait again...

As expected, Harry ends up with Ginny (whose real name is actually GINEVRA...I thought all along it was VIRGINIA...Will have to read Chamber of Secrets again. I just had to make sure.); they have 3 kids: James, Albus Severus and Lily. Ron marries Hermione and have 2 kids together: Rose and Hugo. ^_^

Oh yeah, Dumbledore is really dead. Now get over it! :P

Some bit of Potter news from Japan: Book doesn't conjure up long lines in Japan

Well, that was quite expected, wasn't it? They don't really want to read a thick novel in English. Why does Matsuoka-sensei need a year to translate?! Pinoys are lucky, we can read English ^_~

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Posted by Unknown at 09:37 1 comments

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Formalin in White Rabbit candies

Nooo!!

White rabbit candies have long been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Now, we get this news yesterday that the same candies (imported from China, of course) contain formalin in them. Importers and local retailers have already recalled the product from the market.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Japan has recalled toothpaste (the kind used in toothbrush-toothpaste kits in hotels) that has an ingredient used in anti-freeze. The toothpaste was made in China.

Oh yeah, last night, on CNN, I saw a feature regarding forced labor in China. Young boys and gaunt young men were being coerced into working for 16 hours a day. The perpetrators were eventually tried and sentenced...one of them got the death sentence.

These are just a few reasons why I adamantly refuse to believe that China will be the next economic super power. No way. No matter what Jax says about it. China is not Japan, and will never be...unless it cleans up its act, big time.

Here is an interesting read from MSN.com: Broken China - A dysfunctional nation

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Posted by Unknown at 08:34 1 comments

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Did you know that...

The bartender in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is actually Aberforth Dumbledore??

Throughout the HP series, there have been references to the Hog's Head barman: he was there the day Trelawney was being interviewed by Dumbledore for the job of Divinations teacher; Dumbledore mentioned that he receives news about the activities of Voldemort's followers because he was 'friendly with the local barman', and this particular barman was at the funeral of Albus Dumbledore.

Eventually, JKR did admit that the barman is indeed Albus' brother, Aberforth. ^_^

I've read the spoilers already...the real spoilers. So I'm really thinking that I should excuse myself from class on Saturday. ^_^

Harry and Ginny/Ron and Hermione finally end up together. Wipee!

I've always felt that somehow, Snape will redeem himself...and it looks like I'm right. Yes!

I can't think clearly, my posts do not make a lot of sense. That's because I'm so full of HP and that is all I can seriously think about these days.

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Monday, July 16, 2007

User-friendliness is not dead

I really wonder how some people can get away with user-friendliness, how they can be downright in-your-face and still have the gall to be friendly and all.

Japinoy has been around for a little over a year now, and while we do not claim that we are already an authority for things Japanese, we do work hard on providing correct and updated information. We scour many sources online and otherwise to get as much accurate information as possible. We also try to put in original articles and content regularly. We do that for the benefit of members, to foster their Japan-related interest and to help spread knowledge about the country in general.

Yet some people use Japinoy to make themselves look smart online. They get the content from our site, then blog about it and not even give a bit of credit to Japinoy. Talk about asses.

And the Visa section! Come on, our dear Admin used to work for the Japanese Embassy in Manila, and obviously is an authority in Japanese visa matters. And has a mother who is equally knowledgeable in legal and visa issues. Then you get asses who log on, ask questions about visas, then post the answers on other forum sites without credit to Japinoy.com.

I hate them so much. Instant karma's gonna get you, *******.

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Thursday, July 12, 2007

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - The day after

Gawd, I don't even know how to start with this. We made it to the movie house with about 10 minutes to spare, but got good seats anyway. The place was packed to the rafters...actually, we were at the topmost row, which wasn't so bad, because the cinema house wasn't that big, and the view was good from that row.

Anyway, some thoughts on the characters:

Harry and Ron - HOT. Are they really teenagers? How come they have bodies like those?? When I was their age, my male peers were either too pudgy or too skinny to be called cute. But these boys are H-O-T. It's so unfair...I never got to see Equus. Haha.

Hermione - Too intense. I think she's talented, but she should tone down her acting a bit. I love her when she's all giggly and happy. But I think she's trying to take the 'tough girl' act a little too far.

Luna Lovegood - Whoever cast this actress casted the perfect girl. Silvery blond hair, super raised eyebrows, the clear blue eyes that make her look surprised. She looked like she came right out of the book. I think this girl is perfect for the role, and I am happy with her performance. Loony Luna looks like a veela with a wonky personality...or a Malfoy affliated with the good side. ^_^

Dolores Umbridge - I hate you!! I hate you!! I hate you!!

Professor Snape - I love you! I love you! I love you! So cool seeing the high school aged Snape. Again, perfect actor.

Bellatrix Lestrange - Helena Bonham Carter is perfect for playing corpse-like witches. Haha! Would've loved to see her and Neville duel more.

Professor Dumbledore - I've always had an issue with Dumbledore, eversince Michael Gambon took over. I really think he is too fidgety and quirky to be the cool Dumbledore in the books. I sorely miss the silent authority that Richard "Dumbledore" Harris had before. He need not move around too much, not a lot of gestures, but you feel his authority just by looking at his eyes. *Sigh* That Ministry of Magic scene with Voldy would have looked much more impressive had it been Richard Harris dueling with Ralph Fiennes. Oh well...

Now, as for the book scenes I loved the most...the Weasley twins leaving the school was something I was really looking forward to (same with the Ministry of Magic duel), but I felt that it wasn't as impressive as I imagined it to be. This was one scene that I read many times in the book before, because I was trying to imagine how colorful and noisy it was. It would've been good to see the normally prim and proper McGonnagall whooping it up with the rest of the students, and Peeves the Poltergeist bowing to Fred and George. But it didn't happen in the movie. :(

Same goes with the MM scenes. I think it was alright that they removed all the unnecessary actions/scenese between the room of Prophecies and the courtroom duel...but I wished Sirius didn't just go like that. It was too easy. They should've prolonged it a bit, just to show Bella struggling against Sirius, then BAM! The final spell.

I loved the Voldy-Dumbledore duel, intense and for a short bit, I felt my eyes misting over for some unknown reason. I wonder how much more intense it would've gotten had it been Richard Harris fighting Voldy there...ok, stop it. Let the guy rest in peace.

This is probably the best HP movie so far. I would love to see it again, I wonder how it is going to be in IMAX.

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Posted by Unknown at 08:44 1 comments

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Day

Woohoo! Today is the day!

Ok, traditionally, I used to see the HP movies on the first full show of the day...The last time I did that was with Teta (who decided to back out, and go to work instead, haha!) in SM Manila. Classy, huh?

Anyway, today, I can't do that...technically, I can, since I am already eligible for leaves at my new job.

But I don't want to push it. I was already on sick leave last Monday. So I'm just going to see it after work. Papa got us some tickets from their group's 'block screening', whatever that is. I so want this day to end now.

Then on the 21st, I'll be getting the 7th book...from National Bookstore in Rob Place Manila. Again, classy. Heh, I know lots of people would rather get their copies from more high-end places like Fully Booked. But what the heck. I won't go that far to get my HP. Rob Place Manila is nearer and more convenient...which means, I will probably one of the very first to grab a copy. ^_~

Which also means, I will be late for my first class in Intermediate Kaiwa. So what? ^_~ They can wait. :P

...Sirius Black dies in the movie? No kidding...

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Saturday, July 07, 2007

Sony Ericsson Z610i (in Rosy Pink)

I can smell it now...and it smells really, really pretty.


Wasn't able to get one, because I simply had to get Tsubaki first...Tsubaki is the name of my Nintendo DS Lite ^_~

Speaking of, yesterday, I saw the Order of the Phoenix game...at half the orig price! Gyaaaa! I have to get my hands on that...and that Kanji learning software that's on free delivery from Play-Asia.com...and that Jump Ultimate Stars that Schatz is salivating over because it has all the big anime stars from anime like Dragon Ball, Slam Dunk, Shaman King and more.

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Posted by Unknown at 23:27 0 comments

Friday, July 06, 2007

Death of Harry Potter Makes Mythological Sense

No, no, no, no...tell me this isn't true...that JK isn't really prepping us up for his murder...
Death of Harry Potter Makes Mythological
Sense

Jul 5, 4:42 PM EST
The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Brace yourselves, Harry Potter fans. No matter how desperate you are for Harry to live, some experts in classic literature and mythology say that finishing off the young wizard would make sense — in a literary kind of way.

J.K. Rowling has never shied from darkness in her phenomenally successful series — it started with the murder of Harry's parents, continued through his discovery that an evil wizard was trying to destroy him, and has included pain and torture and the deaths of major characters. She's already promised two deaths in the seventh and final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," coming out July 21, and has refused to commit to Harry surviving. But she couldn't kill Harry off, could she? She wouldn't do that, would she?

Read the article at MSN.com

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Posted by Unknown at 09:24 0 comments