JYJ Showcase..

The constricting feeling in my chest got worse the further I moved away from Stadium Negara. By the time I'd settled into my KFC early dinner an hour later, I was thoroughly depressed.

Seriously, I tried.

I tried so hard to be supportive of them. I bought the pricey tickets. I roasted myself in the sun for nearly three hours waiting in line for admittance. I bought the CD afterwards (because I sincerely loved the songs). I even joined the crowd in kicking and screaming whenever they performed live - which cumulatively sums up to about half an hour tops - all so I could see them happy at our show of undying love.

But that's the problem. They weren't happy.

Xiah toned-down considerably, compared to the usual happy virus that he is. There were no jokes, no attempts at gags. There was not even a hint of that trademark laughter everyone loves so much. Just plain, serious Junsu giving textbook answers to equally textbook questions.

Yuchun was visibly strained from having to involuntarily lead the team. Gone was the cheeky Micky we couldn't help adoring. Being the only one of the three to understand english, questions were inadvertently directed to him. He tried including everyone else in the conversation, particularly the despondent Jae, but that just serves to make the situation worse.

Speaking of Jae..

My heart really went out to him. Joongie seemed so out of place, and restless! Like a lost child looking for someone to belong to. He skirted questions, and left his best friend scrambling to handle the show alone. Honestly, he looked as if he was desperately wishing a certain beloved member would just pop out onto the stage to hold him and calm his nerves.

It was heartbreaking to see Jae hug himself, so much that the image has become the only thing I remembered about the show.

Diehard fans can say what they will, but it is clear to me that at least for now, the trio is lost without Yunho's leadership and Changmin's strength.

No, I'm not saying JYJ will never make it. Heaven knows they have all the potential. They are afterall, the three lead vocals of TVXQ. It's just.. there are some things in life you just can't go without. Talent is a great posession, but talent without love and support from the those who mean the world to you won't really go anywhere.

TVXQ, AKTF.

SOMEONE LIKE ME?

Enggang sama enggang.
Jika aku mahu kamu, maka aku harus berubah.

Mak aku tergelak bila aku minta dia doakan cepat bertemu jodoh. "Doa saja?"

Nenek aku lagi best... "Kamu? nak kawin? rupa tu!?"

Hn.

Tak tahu apa nak cakap.

Aku cuma nak elak semuanya dari luruh ke hati.

The Everything Entry

Well, isn't this nice...

I haven't been writing for what, more than two months now? I'm sorry.. It's been way too hectic. I've been chasing after things, and you need to stay put to write. And when I did get to stay put, the mood just turns out all wrong.. (-____-)

I find myself a little apologetic over the past few weekends, and I feel like I should make amends here (at least the first two points). Bear with me as i go through these; if your name comes up, know that Kak Sofie is really sorry..

1. Ati's Graduation

This is just one too many mishap piling together at the wrong place and at absolutely the wrong time! The night before Ati's big day, my cellphone died and refused to charge. At the same time, one of my close relatives had a stroke, so you can imagine where I was after that. To make it worse, I was also the designated driver for this occasion, which got Ann and Mun dragged into the whole mess.

None of us girls made it to KLCC, but thank you Lutfi for making the trip! ^^

Ati, I'm so very sorry for missing your graduation. We girls would like to take you out for eats to celebrate some time. We'll make it a grand one ya!


2. Majlis Kikah Azkiya

Sebab tak mau Pojan confuse, akak tulis dalam BM ya.. ~.^

Sabtu lepas bertemankan Mun, Ann dan CD SuJu, aku penuhi jemputan Dayah dan Pojan ke majlis kikah Azkiya di Ipoh. Kami sampai dalam pukul 2.30 petang (aku driving sambil lewa, bawah 100 km/j). Time tu makcik-makcik marhaban baru saja nak jejakkan kaki ke dalam rumah..

Sampai je time makan, aku pulun kurma kambing biri-biri (read: lamb). FYI, aku sangat suka lamb! Tapi, selesai makan, sedang aku asyik bersembang dengan Mun dan Ann, saga 'Hari Paling Menyeksakan Dalam Hidup' bermula..

Kamu pernah keracunan makanan? Baru sekarang aku tahu bahawasanya sebelum ini aku tak pernah kena! Selama ni apa yang aku sangka food poisoning tu adalah dongengan belaka, cuma angin dalam perut yang degil tak mau keluar..

The real thing, sakitnya Subhanallah! Aku tak pernah rasa sakit camtu. Tu tak kira lagi sesi muntah, trip ke bilik air dua tiga kali... Mulanya aku ingat nak tunjuk 'terrer', ada hati nak drive balik KL! Mun dengan Ann skeptikal tahap dewa. Pojan risau, terus belikan aku pil Chick It Take On (amende tah berbiji-biji cam tahi kambing tapi bau cam makjun opah aku..) dan sebotol Gatorade.

Kesudahannya, kami balik KL dekat nak Maghrib: aku dah tak sedarkan diri kat seat belakang, Ann jadi long-distance driver with Mun as co-pilot.

Pojan & Dayah, akak minta maaf mengkucar-kacirkan majlis. I know you guys were really worried. Mesti fikir benda-benda cam, Kak Sofie sakit sebab makan kat rumah kita ke? Jangan mengarut! I probably ate something weird the night before, and the lamb (or something) triggered a reaction. Salah akak la pun. Sapa suruh pi makan kambing sampai tahap tak ingat?

Ann & Mun, akak minta maaf korang kena strok driving atas highway malam-malam buta time hujan-ribut-halilintar-menyambar.. It was not my intention to give you impromptu driving lessons. But, now you know what it really takes to drive out there. It's scary, but as you've found out, it's also not impossible! ^^

I am very proud of you guys for making it all the way back to Kepong (with me unconscious, thank you very much), and then to Serdang and Bangi. Next time kita pi driving dalam hujan, Ann jadi supir, kay!

3. Happy 23rd birthday Pura! ^^

Along feels so old now that you're creeping closer to 25.. and she feels a whole lot older with the next event the both of us will be involved in.. (-_-) Luv you so much, hunny!

Er, as per birthday presents.. Well, I've bought you at least two things this month, so.. I know that's not exactly a birthday present because I didn't buy it for the occasion... but you know, technically it is, because presents are what you want to have and the things I bought you were what you really wanted..

Yeah, I'll get you something else, kay.. (-__-)

4. Fanmeets

Who knew that after 12 years of listening to Korean music, I'd be attending my very first showcase? I've never been to a concert in my life (well, technically this isn't a concert, but whathehey..)

So, I guess I'm excited....?

I love the complete version of this group - which goes by the title DBSK - but sadly, for the JYJ showcase my favorite member won't be attending. But my little sister begged me to accompany her because obviously her favorite member will be present, and as most of you are painfully aware, I seldom say no to whatever she wants..

So, can you imagine the Godfather surrounded by teenage fangirls, screaming chants and waving glowsticks? (O_o)

On the plus side though, the phenomenon pictured above is something I want to be a part of at least once in my life, which can only be observed where DBSK members perform: Cassiopeia's Red Ocean! ^^


5. Paris, attendez moi!


Sepuluh tahun selepas aku mula melupakan bahasa Perancis, baru Tuhan berikan aku peluang untuk jejakkan kaki di muka buminya.

Aku pergi sekadar untuk temankan mama ke headquarters CIRAD di Montpellier, Selatan Perancis. Tah kenapa kali ni dia takut nak pergi seorang (my mum is definitely not the fearful type!), hatta dia sanggup sponsor penerbangan aku ke sana. But it makes sense. Walau aku dah tak berapa fasih bertutur, tapi berkat kelas intensif Monsieur Rose waktu aku di Highschool, aku masih boleh memahami bahasanya. So in a sense, I'm my mother's personal guide on this trip!

Aku agak excited, sebab Montpellier berdekatan dengan laut Mediterranean. Bandarnya dikatakan sangat cantik, tapi aku masih belum dapat menemukan warga Malaysia yang tinggal di sana. Susah juga kalau tak ada local guide ni, terutama yang Muslim. Soal halal haram sangat penting, lebih lagi la bila Perancis sangat terkenal dengan makanan-makanan exoticnya (read: pelik-pelik)..

Dua hari sebelum balik, kami cadang nak singgah Paris. Serius, terlampau banyak tempat yang aku nak visit! Ni la padahnya belajar bahasa dan budaya orang lain.. Eiffel Tower isn't even at the top of my list! Aku nak pergi musium Le Louvre, Pont Neuf, Cathedral Notre Dame, L'Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysee, Kediaman Marie Antoinette, Montmartre, etc etc!

Haish, so much to do, so little time to do it. On top of all this, I've got less than 8 months to finish my Masters (thesis writing included). But, buat masa sekarang ni aku malas nak fikirkan. I just want to go through things one at a time.

I'll get there when I get there I guess..