May 09 Ear Candies: Starry Stairs, Lost Coastlines, Blue Tulips

I'm listening to a lot of indie music lately. But my favorite among them is Okkervil River. Okkervil River is an indie band from Austin, Texas.

I'm addicted to their album, The Stand Ins.

They use interesting pieces of musical instruments and good vocals.

The other day, on a clear night, I listened to them while lying outside the lab around 2 am, and gazing at the stars of May skies. Felt like I was floating with the stars!

Here are my ear candies this month:

Starry Stairs,

Lost Coastlines,

Blue Tulips,

Study walk

Today, I went for a study stroll in one neighborhood near the university. This was part of the class I'm taking this semester. We have to pick one community and make an assessment of its earthquake and fire hazards.

I spent the whole morning with my group rummaging Ebaramachi. Our assigned community is still part of Tokyo. But looking at the pictures however, they look like as if they are not part of the city anymore.

However, I realize that these images are what make Tokyo real. These old parts, tattered yet rich of stories from the old people living in the neighborhood, constitute the actual places where people live, do their market, greet friends on the street, or walk their dogs. I think that it's not Shibuya, nor Ginza that makes you a real Tokyo denizen but these types of neighborhood.

The whole time we were looking around, I can't help but feel this feeling that I'm home, I'm at home among these streets or that these streets feel like home. Funny, you might think of me. And weird. Haha... But I really don't know why. It just feels right.

New roomie

I spent this Sunday lurking inside my room, doing what I like the most: rearranging the few furniture inside my small space.

Now, my table is facing the balcony. When I sit by my table, all I can see is blue, blue skies. I think that's perfect for summer, which is coming really soon.

Hiking

I went hiking to this little mountain near Tokyo the other day with friends from the university. This week is Golden week, which means one week of holidays.

By some twist of stupidity, I erased all the photos I took using my camera. (>o<)

I only had the photos above from Felipe.

Had fun though!

Apr 09 Ear Candy: Stay Away

Diana told me about this band, and this song.

April is spring, and this song is tragic. Did a thousand loops this past weekend.

Honorary Title's Stay Away,

Traipsing through spring

Spring in the university

Mar 09 Ear Candy: Good Morning

The spring is slowly showing its soft mornings. I'm addicted to John Legend's 'Good Morning'. Such a song that makes you feel lazy and just want to stay in the bed the whole day. haha

There's always a fix to a broken

Lazy, lazy Sunday. Under the sheets the whole day. Dreaming of banana pancakes because it's raining so lightly outside.

Spring ride

My lab had an out of town trip the other day. We went to a quaint little town west of Tokyo popular for its onsen. During the drinking party, I was drunk like hell and slept only with my boxers on. I had the worst hangover the next day. Took these pictures before all the mess happened.

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Kyoto, February 2009