Murakami's Norwegian Wood

Yep, I've recently just finished Norwegian Wood. This book was great. The overall tone and the mellow mood Murakami makes throughout the whole story is just wonderful. This story is also very erotic and sexual; but regardless, a very nice approach.

Some Murakami fans have said that this type of mainstream story isn't the typical Murakami, who often writes more surrealistic. Murakami said that it was a challenge for him, but he wanted to prove to his fans that he COULD write stories that are not surreal/mysterious. Hence, Norwegian Wood. This book, he says, was sort of an autobiography of his earlier days in college. He mentioned that it wasn't as exciting as Toru's, but slightly similar to his own. So I pretty much think that this book is a true war story; a fictionalized version of his own college life.

I've watched a little snippet of the movie but it wasn't portrayed the best way. It was also missing some of the key details in the book. I thought the cast was a little off except Midori who was played by Kiko Mizuhara. She was the kind of girl I imagined in the book, except maybe a little slimmer. lol

Overall, Norwegian Wood is a very nice book and I would recommend it for any romanticist or anyone who craves romance.

Concealment of Japanese Book Covers

Why do people in Japan conceal book covers when they read? Perhaps this is why most of the book covers are so utilitarian-- not much but the title with a one color background. Book covers in the U.S are more sophisticated, colorful, graphic, and sometimes persuasive. It's because they don't conceal them! But why is it so ordinary that Japanese people conceal them? The covers don't seem to be embarrassing--unless you're reading an X-rated book--especially since most of them have nothing but the title and the author. Is it because they don't want other people to judge from what they're reading? Are they afraid that they are reading a bad book? Are they not confident enough to show the public what they're reading? Wouldn't other people be more curious in what they're reading and ask them more often?

I mean, think of it the other way. In Onsen (public bath), people bathe together without minding their privacy. Perhaps one could argue that it's because people are all the same and there is nothing new. But still, it's ironic that they don't mind being in a public bath nude and actually do mind about showing what they read.

Not only do Japanese people conceal books, also when they eat. Now I'm not saying ALL of them do, but some of them. This might be because they don't want other people to judge from what they eat; some might think it's disgusting. But still... y'know? It would make sense if they were eating something very esoteric such as natto in the middle of the street in New York, but not in Japan, since most know what it is.

A big, fat nap

Today, I finished a test. A test that took more than 4 hours and required students to write with number 2 pencils. Yes, that test.

After the test, my mind was dazed and I felt confused for a minute. What the hell was I doing in a high school classroom for more than 4 hours? I felt this when I finished and walked outside.

It was just plain exhausting. Waking up at 6 in the morning on a weekend was alone, a hard thing to do. So immediately after I arrived home, I took a big, FAT nap, just as my college counselor suggested. 2 hours later, I woke up and read Norwegian Wood.

Crescent

The crescent moon was seen up high in the dark sky. Calm, I stretched out on my bed and read. It was nine. Nine twenty. I looked out my window and decided to gaze on the moon, slowly being covered by the gloomy, twilight clouds. I then lay back down on my bed and tried to read again. But I couldn't. Something was telling me that I shouldn't read. I then looked up in the sky again and saw that the crescent vanished completely. Not even a speck. Completely gone; blackout.

I lay back down on my bed and put my book aside. I turned off the light as I went to sleep.

Carmelo Anthony visits our school

It appears that Carmelo Anthony, small forward for the New York Knicks, and his wife, Lala visited our school today. Unfortunately, I did not get to see him, but my friend got a chance to briefly talk to him. At first he was shaking and was in a state of ebullience. He told the couple that he was doing a project on sports. Then Carmelo said, "oh that's cool." My friend told me that it was the greatest moment of his life.

I am shocked that I did not get to see him.

Osama Bin Laden confirmed dead

After 10 years, the president has confirmed that Osama Bin Laden, the chief of Al Qaeda, is dead.

However, we will never forget the many civilians who lost their lives in the disaster of 9/11.

But as our president, Obama, states, Justice has been achieved.

College Fair....

This evening I just went to a College fair, where most high schoolers find out more information about certain colleges in the U.S. It was more crowded than I had expected. For some I had to wait in line in order to talk to the admissions people. But overall it was an okay experience. It was kind of awkward trying to talk to some people since the booths were all surrounding me.

But it was okay... hahahah