Paradox Poem | Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Thanks to Jenn for this week's theme

Paradox

Attention seeker.
Angelic smile wishes fame.
Mask of Lucifer.

Deeds unseen, but felt.
Unwilling to hit spotlight.
Hero in disguise.

~RA

I don't know, if these haikus really suit the given theme. But, I hope they still fit for the definition of paradox as "one exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects". Something or someone that you think is good for real, but is actually not. Or, it could also be the other way around. Trying to define between good or bad, right or wrong might always result as one of the ultimate confusions in life. Ah, now I'm getting confused about my own words. If I'm wrong on all of this, the whole post might become a paradox. Because, I'm making "a statement contrary to received opinion." Please, someone help me out of this. LOL

The meme basics:

Haiku is simple!

It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively

(a great way to use your fingers!)

I don't create poetry, I create myself,

for me my poems are a way to me.

~Edith Södergran

Keep a poem in your heart.

Earth Hour | The Muffed Target 20

We participated for the 3rd time on Earth Hour this year, and like always there were many great shots for the Muffed Target as a result of no lights for one hour in an event to raise awareness about environmental and global warning issues. I hope that we will be able to dedicate more than one hour to care for mother earth in our daily life.

LOL about all the blurred photos. Night photography is a very tricky subject to me. The use of flash usually results in too bright photos, while the light of a candle doesn't quite help much. I have been laughing myself off to try focus with my camera, when I could barely see through the viewfinder eyepiece. So, where was the supposed object now?

Can you mention two items in the following photo? I don't have eagle eyes, but may be you are able to notice something.

Here is a brighter version of the same shot slightly edited with Photoshop. Can you see the elementary school mid semester schedule taped to the wall? The shadow of my son waving a flashlight to tease his sister? How about the toes of my husband laying on the bed? Happy searching.

Submitted to Thom's Muffed Target taken over from

Gattina @gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com. 

Thanks for hosting, my friend.

Ne-Yo & Charice: Earth Song @ David Foster's Hitman Returns Concert

We went through Earth Hour on Saturday, March 26th, and I still felt like giving highlight to raise awareness on environmental and global warming issues through Ne-Yo & Charice Pempengco's "Earth Song" performance at the "Hitman Returns: David Foster and Friends" concert on October 15th, 2010 at the Mandala Bay Events Center, Vegas. It needs more than 1 hour to preserve the beauty of mother earth, so let each of us join in daily life. I truly believe it will make a difference.

"Earth Song", which was released by Michael Jackson as third single of his album "History: Past, Present and Future, Book I" in 1995, is one of the most beautiful songs to convey a message about environmental and animal welfare. Finding a refreshing new version of it as one of the performances in "Hitman Returns: David Foster and Friends" was a pleasant surprise. The DVD has been officially released on March 1st, 2011.   
 
David Foster is a phenomenal Canadian musician. His DVD "Hitman: David Foster and Friends" from 2008 belongs to one of my favorite collections and I'm looking forward to add "Hitman Returns" on my list. Charice Pempengco is known as one of his high-talented mentees who comes from the Philippines. Her duet with American singer and songwriter, Ne-Yo, has been stated as one of the greatest highlights of the concert. I really think that it is a powerful music collaboration.

Ne-Yo & Charice
Earth Song

What about sunrise
What about rain
What about all the things
That you said we were to gain...
What about killing fields
Is there a time
What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine...
Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we've shed before
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth its weeping shores?

Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh

What have we done to the world?
Look what we've done.
What about all the peace,
That you pledge your only son?
What about flowering fields?
Is there a time?
What about all the dreams,
That you said was yours and mine?

Did you ever stop to notice,
All the children dead from war?
Did you ever stop to notice,
This crying Earth its weeping shores?

Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh

I used to dream
I used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don't know where we are
Although I know we've drifted far

Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh
Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh

Hey

what about yesterday
(What about us)
What about the seas
(What about us)
The heavens are falling down
(What about us)
I can't even breathe
(What about us)
What about everything
(What about us)
I given you
(What about us)
What about nature's worth
(ooo, ooo)
It's our planet's womb
(What about us)
What about animals
(What about it)
Their kingdoms in dust
(What about us)
What about elephants
(What about us)
Have we lost their trust
(What about us)
What about crying whales
(What about us)
We're ravaging the seas
(What about us)
What about forest trails
(ooo, ooo)
Burnt despite our pleas
(What about us)
What about the holy land
(What about it)
Torn apart by creed
(What about us)
What about the common man
(What about us)
Can't we set him free
(What about us)
What about children dying
(What about us)
Can't you hear them cry
(What about us)
Where did we go wrong
(ooo, ooo)
Someone tell me why
(What about us)
What about baby boy
(What about it)
What about the days
(What about us)
What about all their joy
(What about us)
What about the man
(What about us)
What about the crying man
(What about us)
What about Abraham
(What was us)
What about death again
(ooo, ooo)
Do we give a damn

Aaaaaaaaah Oooooooooh

www.elyrics.net

Thanks to Amanda our Musical Monday host

& Diane@goodmourningglory the creator.
Visit XmasDolly and Denise for more music fun.

Keep a song in your heart.

WWF Earth Hour 2011 Participation

I know this is a close call. However, you can still prepare yourself for a WWF Earth Hour 2011 participation. Tomorrow on Saturday, 26 March 2011 at 8.30 PM of your local time, this wonderful event will take place to raise awareness about issues of climate change. People all over the world will unite to switch off their lights for one hour.

This will be my family's 3rd WWF Earth Hour participation. They say, you don't need to be an expert to join billions of people in one voice. A cause that started out in one country, Australia, has now become a global celebration for our beloved mother earth.

I'm quite aware that it will take more than just one hour to take care and save the beauty of earth, but the spirit behind the huge WWF Earth Hour event is something that should be kept in the heart. Millions of voices coming together for the sake of mother earth should mean something. To me, it is a great sign to start making a change. Let's be a part.

Have a great time at the WWF Earth Hour 2011 Participation. 

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect

~Chief Seattle, 1855

Roots | Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Thanks to Jenn for this week's theme

Roots

Send off with blessings.

No one gets alone to top.

Try not to forget.

~RA

You know these persons send off with blessings to succeed or make something better in life? It might be affection and trust given toward family, friends or even politicians. So, it's always a little bit heartbreaking to see someone forgetting about their roots. Dishonest politicians who have the power to change many lives might be the worst. As much as it takes someone's own effort and qualities, I don't believe that anyone can make it alone to the top. Humans are social beings who need to support each other, even in the smallest groups. Forgetting lending hands, just doesn't make sense. It keeps me thinking, how they have become this way? It's really, really sad.   

The meme basics:

Haiku is simple!
It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively
(a great way to use your fingers!)

I don't create poetry, I create myself,

for me my poems are a way to me.

~Edith Södergran

Keep a poem in your heart.

In Focus | Muffed Target 19

It seems like ages, since the last time I participated in a photo meme. It feels good to join some fun again. Last night, I actually had another shot in mind. But when I took a batch of shots this morning, the following photo appeared to be a perfect fit in contrast to Thom's submitted 'tree' photo this week. I say both of us gotta learn more how to get in focus, even though mother nature can be hard to beat. LOL

Mr. Hubby had bought me a telephoto zoom lens for my Canon on my birthday, and I had almost no chance to try it out in the hectic circumstances we have been going through these weeks. Therefore it was a nice change to ease my mind, when I went on a little photo hunt around the house.

I saw the man on his bike approaching my position, so I stood in anticipation toward the street to wait for a right moment. But, I totally forgot that I was standing under our Indonesian cherry tree. The naughty wind decided to play with me and began to blow at the same time I triggered my camera button. Getting leaves of a branch right in front of the man's features as result. I definitely would prefer to have less of the tree in focus, while Thom wanted to have more tree in his focus. Well, there you have our contrast.
 

 Submitted to Thom's Muffed Target taken over from

Gattina @gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com. 

Thanks for hosting, my friend.

EXILE: Michi, The Road English Lyrics #HelpJapan

I'm still trying to give highlight on Japan's crisis after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, so I have chosen the song "Michi" by EXILE. The beautiful lyrics emphasis on hope, dreams, love, heart, courage, friends and smile. Special times and memories that will lead you back on the road to the future. A feeling like spring to stop cry and move on. Because, things you took for granted will change and the sky will be blue again.

This week's 4M theme is "Your Favorite Male Artist" and I was eager to find out more about Japan male singers. EXILE is a Japanese 14 member male band who has been winning the Billboard Japanese Music Awards 2010 for a second time in a row and according to their music sound, I really can understand why. The band also has received many other awards, like the MTV Icon Award and Japan Gold Disc Award in the same year. "Michi" was their 23th single released on February 14th, 2007.

I also recommend you to check out their song "Futatsu no Kuchibiru", which was chosen as Video of  The Year 2010 and is the closing theme of the Japanese Dorama "Tokyo Dogs" starring Oguri Shun who became popular for his role as Hanazawa Rui in "Hana Yori Dango" and young Shinichi Kudo in "Detective Conan". Unfortunately the video has no English subtitles yet, but I still enjoyed watching it on Youtube. 

EXILE
Michi, The Road lyrics (English subtitle)

“My memories stopped time”
As if to say “Don’t forget today”
A road in my memories
Where we’ll never again walk together in the familiar scenery

I met you on this road
Spring enveloped us
You taught me what love and tenderness were
Don’t cry, move on

The sky is blue again today
That time when you smiled tearfully
Things you take for granted change in the future
I want to talk about “hope”, “dreams”, “love”
Don’t let time move
I scream into the sky
I won’t forget you

When I found that tenderness
I wasn’t alone
Nobody can erase this album in my heart
Maybe it’ll make me smile

“The final time has moved on”
Words I want to say to you
When my tears got in the way and I looked up at the sky
I heard the sounds of spring

I walked this road with you, up to today
My lips move just a little
Thank you for this special time
“Heart”, “courage”, “friend”, “smile”
I’m so happy
That tears have overflowed
And I can’t stop them

I’ll walk on slowly
This road leads to my future
Goodbye, don’t cry
I won’t forget you
Even when we’re apart, I’ll love you

I walked this road with you, up to today
My lips move just a little
Thank you for this special time
“Heart”, “courage”, “friend”, “smile”
I’m so happy
That tears have overflowed
And I can’t stop them

By Cori

Thanks to Amanda our Musical Monday host

& Diane@goodmourningglory the creator.
Visit XmasDolly and Denise for more music fun.

Keep a song in your heart.

Japan Crisis: Translation of Siaran Pers PPI Jepang, Indonesian Student Association Statement to Press

This is a raw translation of Siaran Pers PPI Jepang only shared for informative purposes, because I saw that there was still no English translation available. Hopefully it can help to reduce the anxiety and fear of anyone in need. No copyright infringement intended. Lets help and pray for Japan.

Statement of The Indonesian Student Association in Japan (PPI Japan) about Unprofessional National Media Coverage Related to Japan Disaster, March 2011

Regarding the 9 Richter earthquake in the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, followed by the tsunami and nuclear radiation threat, we the Indonesian students in Japan deeply regret the news on several national medias that are considered non-professional broadcast information. We found these news as wrong and inconsistent to the facts in Japan, resulting to excessive anxiety for people and families in our homeland.

Therefore, on behalf of all Indonesian students in Japan, the Central Board of PPI (Indonesian Student Association) Japan submits the following statements, including a warning toward the press and information about the state of Indonesian citizen in general.

Warning for the press

Considering:

1. that we found a lot of news on the national media that are excessive and disturbing. The news are generally wrong in expressing and understanding data context, giving misinterpretation to Indonesian people.

2. some examples that we consider to be fatal among the spread news are titled:

- "881 Indonesians in Japan Survive, 30,636 Still Unknown" on March 15th and,

- "Japan Tries to Turn Back On Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Electricity" on March 17th.

Both news were published by one of the national news portals.

- the first news, though later revised, is considered wrong in understanding the demographic context of the existing distribution of Indonesian citizens in Japan. Since, except for the four prefectures of Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima, Aomori, the condition of citizens in other locations did not experience significant disruption. The number of 30,636 people is a wrong context.

- The second news is considered as not following journalistic rules by giving the impression that blackouts are experienced all over Japan, whereas they are not.

3. news like the above mentioned cause excessive anxiety, particularly in the homeland. One result is that the Crisis Center of The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo receives many confirmation requests related to these reports, whereas the Embassy in Tokyo has already provided information on their official website.

Request:

4. to the national media to be more professional in referring to the Journalistic Codes of Conduct (Kode Etik Jurnalistik, KEJ) and Journalism Acts. Among them are broadcasting informative, balanced news from credible sources.

General conditions of Indonesian citizens in Japan

5. PPI Japan urges that all information regarding the condition of citizens in Japan can be referenced through one single source, that is the Crisis Center of The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. Please, refer to the KBRI official website, Twitter @ KBRITokyo and Facebook KBRI Tokyo.

6. earthquake, tsunami, and the Fukushima nuclear power plant explosion only have direct effect on the prefectures in the northern part of Honshu Island, such as Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima, Aomori. While the general conditions in other areas, including Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, where most Indonesians reside are reported safe and without casualties.

7. The Indonesian Embassy has managed to evacuate and repatriate more than 100 Indonesian citizens from Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture to Indonesia. And until recently, the Embassy is evacuating other citizens from cities in the north, such as Iwate, Fukushima, Kesennuma, and so forth. More can be accessed on the KBRI Tokyo Official Website.

8. regarding the threat of nuclear radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, based on meeting results between KBRI Tokyo with Indonesian nuclear experts in Japan on March 16th 2011, it was stated that the threat of nuclear radiation is still within the scope of the city of Fukushima (0-50km radius from the NPP), so there is no serious threat to the cities in outer radius of 50km. However, it was reported that the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo continues to perform evacuation of citizens residing in a radius of 0-100km to Tokyo. Keep in mind that KBRI Tokyo is located within 250km from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Learn more on the KBRI Tokyo Official Website.

We convey the statement of attitude in good faith towards positive change. May this be a warning to members of the press in Indonesia to be more careful in publishing their news.

Tokyo, March 17th, 2011

Chairman of PPI Japan
Faisal Fithra Hastiadi
fithra.faisal@ppijepang.org
HP: +81 9064762891

Integrity | Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Thanks to Jenn for this week's theme

Integrity

Hold on to morals.

Once power is in your hands.

Be one to rely.

~RA

Sometimes it's easy to forget about idealism, when your hands get on power. Sadly but true, even the most vocal warrior can become quiet as a mouse once sitting in a comfortable seat. It is my biggest hope to see more people using their power to help others rather than to suppress them. Representatives who can hold on to their morals and become someone to rely on for the sake of people who have put trust in them.  

The meme basics:

Haiku is simple!
It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively
(a great way to use your fingers!)

I don't create poetry, I create myself,

for me my poems are a way to me.

~Edith Södergran

Keep a poem in your heart.

Akanishi Jin: Care English Lyrics #PrayForJapan

A terrible disaster hit Japan through an 8.9/9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami on March 11th around 2:46pm, which was followed by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant explosion. Thousands have been announced death or missing, and the toll keeps on rising. My heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences go out to all the victims. Let's send our continuous prayers and good thoughts to everyone affected. If you are an Indonesian citizen searching for updates on your family or evacuation schedules, you can go to the Indonesian Embassy Twitter account at https://twitter.com/KBRITokyo or their official website at http://www2.indonesianembassy.jp. Hopefully, you'll find some good news. Be strong.

To give some highlights to this heart-crushing event, I have chosen the song "Care" by Akanishi Jin for this week's Musical Monday. I hope that the lyrics of "Care" can add more motivation to a difficult situation like this. It is a beautiful song that gives a message of courage to keep on walking, even though you're about to collapse. Because everyone carries sadness and weaknesses within. There are smiles waiting for you to the many tears you shed. Lean on someone at tiring days. Hold on and believe in yourself.

Akanishi Jin is a Japanese singer, songwriter, and actor who was a lead vocalist of KAT-TUN, a J-Pop boy band formed in 2001 and debuted in 2006. "Care" was the 7th track on their fourth album "Break The Records: By You & For You" released in April 2009. Akanishi Jin left the band in July 2010 to pursue a solo career under the same company. His first single "Eternal" is currently the number one hit at the Oricon Japanese music chart.

Akanishi Jin

Care lyrics (English subtitle)

Amid conspiracies and lies I carry this clumsy love
On days when I was pushed for time and hated it
I felt a little freedom

In a few years this will be a memory, so
I suddenly tried to put now together with the memories I was beginning to forget

Today I’m carrying so many precious things that it’s hard to walk

Surely all of us are always
Carrying around countless sadnesses and weaknesses
Even if you’re about to collapse, have the courage to keep walking
Surely as many smiles as the tears you’ve shed are waiting for you

As days went by I lost sight of something
I hope I never be let go
Of your hand like that

Even if, for example, you get hurt
Everyone’s love changes its colours countless times
On days when you get tired and lean on me
I’ll hold you, however you are

Surely all of us are always
Carrying around countless sadnesses and weaknesses
Even if you’re about to collapse, have the courage to keep walking
Surely as many smiles as the tears you’ve shed are waiting for you
Believe in yourself

www.kiwi-musume.com

Thanks to Amanda our Musical Monday host

& Diane@goodmourningglory the creator.
Visit XmasDolly and Denise for more music fun.

Keep a song in your heart.

Hope | Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Thanks to Jenn for this week's theme

Hope

Reach out for the stars.

Not all is written in stone.

Believe in a chance.

~RA

There are times where you might keep thinking back and forth. Hesitate too much, thus finally decide to drop it all because of being afraid to fall. Well, sometimes you just have to gather your courage to reach for dreams. Whereas, not everything that we paint in our minds is fated to become true. There are still many possibilities to go for.

The meme basics:

Haiku is simple!
It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively
(a great way to use your fingers!)

I don't create poetry, I create myself,

for me my poems are a way to me.

~Edith Södergran

Keep a poem in your heart.

DBSK / TVXQ: Survivor Live Performance (Eng Sub)

The life performance of DBSK / TVXQ "Survivor" seemed to be a perfect fit for my mood this week. It is a talented and popular Korean group consisting of five members who made their debut with the single "Hug" in 2003. Too bad that they had to go on their own ways in 2010. The boys had real good chemistry and actually went through a very long road together to reach their success. Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu filed a lawsuit against their former company and performed under a new group called JYJ. Whereas, Yunho and Changmin decided to stay. You can find many articles on this ongoing battle, if you are interested about further facts. As I am trying to stick on the neutral side and respect each for their decision. Though, I must admit that I also would love to see them perform as one again.

It has been a while, since my last post. We are taking a big step in our life right now, and I'm hoping that it will turn out as the best. Thanks to the loving support of family and friends, it has been easier on us to search for some light on our path to pursue dreams and happiness. I'm positive that with great love like this, whatever comes will be alright. Bless you all.

DBSK / TVXQ
Survivor lyrics (English subtitle)

Everytime, everyday
everybody now is a survivor
Looking for everywhere
In this case, don’t give up

Standing up from here
searching for the light
Together we have a chance
to change, so let’s try
oh baby let’s try

With One Smile
you find a heart Shine on me
Two Smiles
that we can join, Shine on me
Shine like the world does
Smile, Smile
Survive, Survivor!

Even if you’re going
on a u-turn, it’s not so bad
remember something important
Being alone is too hard
We can unite our feelings / thoughts to begin
Oh baby we can

Somewhere there’s One Dream
With the main aim to Still (going) on
Two Dreams for a Brand new world
and someone to love
Dream Dream
Let’s hug

With One Love
Tomorrow can be So easy
Two Love(s)
that we can join to Be happy
believe in yourself
Love Love
Survive, Survivor

Everyone is a Survivor
Together we are Survivors
Smile and dream now
Everybody Everybody night

With One Smile
you find a heart Shine on me
Two Smiles
that we can join,
Shine like the world does
Smile, Smile
Let’s hug

With One Love
Tomorrow can be So easy
Two Love(s)
that we can join to Be happy
believe in yourself
Love Love
Survive, Survivor

Credit: Kenoa @ youtube.com/kenoa83 & frapbois @ DNBN

Thanks to Amanda our Musical Monday host

& Diane@goodmourningglory the creator.
Visit Denise for more music fun.

Keep a song in your heart.