Author Archives: jasmineorange
arigatou, 2012. dozou yorushiku onegaishimasu, 2013!
Good morning, 2013! Woke up really early and had time to shoot this photo taken from my balcony. Then went to church to start the day and the year right. Don’t worry, I won’t go preachy but the priest talked about “new beginnings”. But I’ve been thinking of this since last night as I reflected […]
behind the story: Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi
I will be diverting from my usual ruminations about pop culture and write something a bit different and serious… though considering my writing style, will most likely still end up lighthearted. It started with a call from my boss exactly a week ago. “Do you want to go to Burma?” It wasn’t really a question […]
Taiwan’s Gamble
The island formerly known as Formosa enters a new century with economic and political issues—and China—hanging over its future. The result of this elections may push it forward or backward By Yasmin Lee G. Arpon in Taipei Asia News Network Publication Date : 13-01-2012 In one history class in Taiwan, grade school students were asked: […]
book: Murakami’s 1Q84
I have stopped reading fiction for a long time–the only fiction I read is fan fiction on my OTP that I and my friends write. I have lost interest in fiction and find explanations of mundane reality more interesting. I have all sorts of non-fiction books filling my book shelves from travel to arts (Jimmy […]
well, hello 2012
I read this editorial today from the Malaysian paper, The Star, and these words struck me: “There is nothing magical about the calendar year, save for the fact that it puts some organisation and predictability into our lives. “And so, without fail, we make resolutions to help us navigate through the new year, knowing full […]
my 2011 in travels
I’m looking at my passport to remember the travels I have done this year. Not many compared to previous years it seems. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (March) My first trip in 2011 happened to be for the Jay Chou concert in Kuala Lumpur. To be honest, KL is not really one of my fave cities in […]
Christmas wish list
Christmas is in the air even in this country that used to play Frosty the Snowman in the middle of summer, so I can’t do my regular blog programming. And while everyone back home is swallowed by the shopping frenzy, I am blissfully listing my Christmas wish list. Coz it’s free to wish anyway. 1. […]
it’s tea time!
I can’t help but laugh whenever Kageyama (Sakurai Sho) stops everything he’s doing in Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de to make way for what he calls as “tea time”. It reminds me of a British friend, who, a few minutes before 4pm, would be puttering about and making herself tea. Without fail. I actually […]
only in Japan: take a break, have a strange KitKat
I bought these packs of KitKat during a recent trip to Manila in orange and mint flavors. I know they’re not even close to the strange flavors that Japan comes up with. According to this Wikipedia entry, there are 101 flavors available in Japan, with a few of them available in other countries, like boring […]
life is like a bowl of durian
I was transcribing my interview with KVS, the director of the World Film Bangkok, earlier for my next popasia column and I had a laugh when he wanted to change the lyrics of his favorite song: “life is like a bowl of cherries, don’t take it serious…” to “life is like a bowl of durian, […]
Taiwan’s Beethoven trucks
The first scene of In Time With You’s episode 6 where Cheng You Qing throws the garbage out reminds me of my colleague LL. During the trip to Harbin, TV Boss found a piano in a Russian salon and he proceeded to play Beethoven’s Für Elise to an impressed group of journalists. After the impromptu […]
100 reasons why I ♥ Taiwan
Taiwan marked its 100 years last October 10 and to mark it, I have decided to list the 100 reasons why I love the country. I haven’t really been all over the tiny island that is shaped like a leaf so the list could be limited. But that is my dream, to take one month […]
the October 1 incident
Seven years after… these fridge magnets are finally home with me. When I left Manila in 2004, I had a boxful of my precious fridge magnets collection. I could not leave without taking them along because they are souvenirs from my travels while some were gifts from friends. TS, one of my closest friends, and […]
I am Yammybear
Orange Jasmine Purple Yam
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