Photos from Tokyo

Picture from my recent trip to Japan are posted on my flickr. Only the ones from Tokyo are up for now. More are coming after my engagement party tomorrow :) Looking forward to ur comments!





More on my my flickr page!

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Japan Trip Story

The recent trip to Japan was the most fun tour group trip ever. I think because everybody are from the same industry. The 31 members of the group were companies' owner, shareholders and CEOs; some brings their wives or their children; me, Rico,son of our competitor - but good family friends, and two college guys. Everybody were down to earth. The group members were mostly men, so it felt like a moderate second bachelor trip. Not only I was glad to be back in Japan, but I am also glad to get a chance to travel with the group.

It was interesting was how orderly we were and how everybody understands how to keep the schedule, especially when it come to shopping time :). And you know, shopping made good exercise. Actually talking about exercising, we walk a lot in this trip. I personally walked more than everybody in the group since I did some exploring of my own. I actually lost at least 1KG from this trip.

Anyway, this is just a teaser FYI. The full story is coming soon. I have to do it quick before I forget anything. After Tokyo, I always get too tired to write on my travel journal. I jot down key words and key places instead :).

COMING SOON :D

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My Upcoming Japan Trip :D

My parents are invited by Auto 2000, a large (the largest) Toyota dealership in Jakarta to a free 1 week Japan trip; AND I AM TAGGING ALONG! Jumping for joy~ Not only my parents are treating me, my dad is letting me have my own room - instead of sleeping on the extra bed, trying hard to fall asleep amidst snores~

I will spend 2.5 days in Tokyo and 2.5 days in Nagoya; passing through Kyoto and Osaka at the end. No, there's no typo. They count the days we spend on the planes. -_____-;;

We will leave Sunday, 25th Oct 2009 and arrive the next morning and off to a city tour. No, they probably won't let us stop by the hotel to wash up. This had happened to me every time I am on a tour. The tour would like to save one night accommodation with the cost of their tourists' comfort and hygiene. If you see tourists on the first day of the trip, STAY AWAY~ avoid body contact. I shall prepare wet wipes, deodorant sticks, face wash, perfume, etc. etc. I am not planning to walk around Tokyo feeling gross.

On Tuesday, the group are going to go to Tokyo Motorshow, which I am going to avoid. I will stay in Tokyo and try to meet up with a friend or two if they have time. If not, it's not the first time I am all alone in Tokyo. I already have a list of things I want to buy and places I want to go. So excited :)

The next free day for me is going to be on Day 5. I am really not planning to go along and let myself be tortured throughout the day. They are going to go to Toyota museum and manufacturing plant in Nagoya. No thx. Just so happen, an American friend lives in the city. Yay!

So looking forward to this trip, and will have reports to you like last time :)

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History of Manga Scanlation on InsideScanlation.com

When did scanlation start? Who started it? Who created the standards of good scanlation? Now all becomes clear on InsideScanlation.com

The recently established website had a growing content pertaining to the history of manga scanlation gathered from key players in the scanlations community. You can also find profiles of significant scanlation groups, manga websites & communities, and interviews of important people behind them. You can also check out general information regarding scanlation, how to make scanlations, legal issues and plus the fight against Tazmo. There's even a timeline! Wow this website is awesome, Thank you Gum for putting all of this together!

For me the website does not only reminisce of the time I was active in various scanlation groups, but really reminds me of the roots of my manga voyage. I remember the newbie me arrived in #mangascans looking for manga. Somehow, I was lucky to get picked up by ZlleH as an editor. Shortly after, ZlleH moved into #mangaproject, and I was so confused. Of course I followed him. I asked him why such thing happened, and if there was a fight and the channel split. He wouldn't answer me. Why oh why? Now it's all clear. It was just a friendly split to differentiate #mangascans as a manga fan channel and #mangaproject as a scanlation management channel.

Anyway, I am glad that the scanlations groups that I have worked with are included on the scanlation history. Even though now I am just an audience, I am glad I was once a part of them and proud to help the groups to create history :).

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Online Websites Coming to the Rescue of Lonely Otaku in Need of Friendship and Love

I found Mai Otaku when I was browsing today. This website is not just a virtual networking medium for the otaku, but also a dating website. The creator of the website had recognize the international contagion of Japanese otaku culture and the needs of its communities to get help in finding friends and even dates. You and I have to admit it, it is true in so many ways for many of us.

If you are like me, we had adapted some ways of thinking and actions pictures in anime and manga. An example of how anime and manga had influenced fans' tought process can be found in the a thread from Manga Updates forum, "Manga has ruined my relationships!!!" Most participants of this thread expressed how their expectations and standards have been altered, some to the unrealistic point. In my opinion, if this unrealistic tendencies continue to be fostered, one will end up single and lonely.

Otaku have not only been lonelier in love, but also in social life. Mimicry of anime/manga characters actions & hairstyle, collecting anime figurines and cosplay-ing have been shunned by the greater masses as just plain weird. People don't rush in swarms to befriend weird people. Even social sites targeted to the otaku community, such as 'Mai Otaku', is viewed as frightening; shown on "Kill 'em before they multiply" thread on fuckedgaijin. People who are different, including geniuses, scare the common population; especially when they are in groups.

I was waiting to enter the theater to watch "Transformers: The Revenge of the Fallen" and spotted a pair of male and female about my age that I suspected as otaku. Let's say I have a nose to detect fellow otaku. I poked my boyfriend and said, "Look! There are my kindred here!" He questioned my statement, and I told him to just wait and observe. The pair started using random Japanese expressions (clearly from a number of anime series) very awkwardly followed by weird facial expression & body movement. Me and my bf smiled amongst ourselves. Suddenly the girl took an sideways upward arm swing and started nudging the boy's head and clearly said, "Baka!" We looked at each other and started to giggle quietly. We thought it was amusing, but I am sure other people think it was weird and out of place.

Once I heard that Otaku is the new nerd, even nerds make fun of otaku. I wanted to correct the statement by saying, "Actually 'otaku' is the Japanese word for 'nerd.' Your statement is totally retarded." But I didn't, since just make me look retarded. Anyway, don't fret, comrades! We are not alone. Nerds of other genres are also facing similar social problems. Fan Crush Network had cashed in to the trend and created dating sites catering to four different nerd communities: Dragon Crush, Horror Crush, Otaku Crush and Sci Fi Crush.

I really do wonder if these networking and dating websites can trully assist otaku to improve their social lives. I am worried that they might make things worst and drive some otaku into even more solitary individuals in real life. Also, as any other social networking sites, these websites invites people with bad intentions. So they must be used with care. Let's hope for the better.

Just a reminder to my otaku comrades, please do everything in moderation. Appreciate your unique personality and hobbies without going overboard. Embrace your inner otaku without losing who you are, your culture, heritage and your community. AT ALL COST, avoid the hikokomori tendency. Do not stop at the online communities. The virtual world is not complete without real world experiences and interactions.

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I view myself as a mild otaku. I am more of an all round lover of Japanese things. I don't cosplay, but I do adapt some Japanese clothing style. I don't have anime hairstyle, but I got a Japanese layered hair cut. I don't take anything to the extreme; other than hours I spend on manga and anime marathon every chance I get. I try to balance real life with my otaku life. I think moving back to Jakarta had helped me draw a line. I don't think I am in need of any social or dating help and most of my friends are not otaku, but some do read manga and watch anime. Either way I am still somewhat a nerd an proud of it. If not there won't be Otaku Hime :)

I don't patronized people who frowned upon Otaku. Sometimes, I giggle upon my fellow otaku behaviors. We each have our own views, likes and dislikes. Let's respect each other.

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