Thoughts On Work So Far

You want my honest opinion on my job, thus far? I don't think I'm going to last long. As I said before, I'm on a temporary trial period, but I think that they won't want me permanently. And to be very honest, that is fine by me.

Yesterday, I was all alone. The owners were doing all the food prep, while I manned the register. Which by the way, I have never used before! I finally got the basic hang of it, later on. I went home for a while after my shift, but they decided that they needed to train me. So, I go back around 5:00 and they had another person train me for about an hour. (Gee, you'd think they would want to do that beforehand! -_-') I didn't have to work today, but I have to work both shifts tomorrow. Meaning 10:15-2:15 and 4:30-9:30. About eight hours, with about two in between. *groan* I only worked four hours yesterday, and I'm still in pain.

I'm going to finish out next week and see where to go from there. I actually wouldn't mind it if they don't want me. I'm busy enough with school as it is, and this could very well interfere. In fact, it already kind of is. But anyways, I do have an alternate plan, if this doesn't work out. Around mid-to-late April, I'm going to look for an office job. I'll probably apply to a temp agency, as well...just not the one I tried last year. Thinking back on my other jobs and this one, I'm not cut out for fast-paced work. I need someplace quiet.

Well, I've got to hang in there. Ganbare, Aya!

New Job Getto Daze!

As the title suggests, I got a job at Fujiya. And I start tomorrow! Good God! I'm a total bundle of nerves, right now! I'll be temporary, for now, but we'll see what happens. Also, they're starting me out on the cash register, which I never got around to using one. The manager showed me how to use it, but I'm going to need more practice, which I'll probably be doing anyways. I just need to keep telling myself that I'll be okay. Daijoubu desu! Daijoubu desu!

And speaking of Pokemon references, the three-part Tag Battle is going to air this weekend on Cartoon Network! Now, I haven't watched an English version episode for a long time, but I'm going to make an exception. I can't wait to see reactions to the awesome-ness that is Kouhei. Seriously, that guy needs to make another appearance.

Well then, wish me luck! I think I'm going to need it. -_-'

Edit: I was just checking the Bandai page for Code Geass, and we have some new cast members. It turns out that I had guessed three more VAs correctly. Cornelia-Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Jeremiah (Orange-kun)-Crispin Freeman, and Diethard-Jamison Price. I couldn't think of anyone else playing these characters. I will say this, though, Freeman and Price as Orange-kun and Diethard are going to crack me the hell up! ...As if they didn't already.

I was surprised that Dorothy Elias-Fahn isn't going to be Cecile, though. I've never heard of the woman that's playing her, before. However, I'm keeping positive. Also, Kirk Thorton is going to be Ohgi. I would've preferred him as Tamaki, but it'll be all right. Michelle Ruff is going to be Euphie. I still think she would've been better as Milly, but it could work out fine. Then, Megan Hollingshead is going to be Villetta. I guess this means that Wendee Lee is going to be Rakshata, then? Because I had Lee for Villetta and Hollingshead for Rakshata. We'll see, I guess. (And I'm still looking forward to hearing Liam O'Brien as Lloyd! ^___^)

It looks like it's setting up to be a great dub, and I'm really looking forward to it. Also, the DVD section is starting to take shape. So, can we be expecting a release date, soon? I'm definitely pre-ordering the limited editions. (Heh! Lucky that I fell into this job. I hope it works out, so I can keep it.) I keep saying that I'm going all-out on this series, and I mean it! Even if it kills my bank account!

Steps In The Right Direction?

So, yesterday I got an application for that new Japanese cafe in town called Fujiya. I turned it in this afternoon, and they asked me what days I'd be able to work. Even though nothing is finalized yet, I've got a good feeling that I might be getting a job there soon. The place looks to be owned by a couple, who speak English. Thank goodness! I was worried about a language barrier for a while there. Then again, there were some Caucasian teenagers working the register, last night. Other than that, I still need to try the food. They seem to have a nice selection of sushi, more than just tuna rolls. Yay! I won't get my hopes up, yet, but I'm keeping positive nonetheless. And it would be nice to learn how to make properly make sushi.

Second, we seem to be getting somewhere with my grandparents' situation. On Tuesday, some people from a nursing home that my dad and grandpa looked at went to my grandparents' house. Mainly to check on my grandma and ask some questions to grandpa, dad, and Aunt Carol (my aunt that's staying with them). Apparently, they have an opening, and we may putting her into their care, soon. Like one-to-two weeks. It isn't final yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were to happen.

As I've said before, it can't be helped. I feel somewhat relieved already; but at the same time, I know we're planning the end of her life. Right now, I feel this mix of relief and sorrow. My grandma has meant a lot to me. She took care of me when I was little, she taught me how to swim, and we always played cards or checkers together. I constantly tell myself that it's for the best; but now that it may be becoming a reality, I feel like my "shield" is starting to fail. But I know it's for the best. I know that all too well.

Today is Made of Major Suckage

*groan* I'm having one of those days where everything sucks, if you didn't get that from the title. I was almost late for class, due to a malfunctioning traffic light near my house. I totally embarrassed myself by trying to get into a conversation in Sociology. I just could not get what I wanted to say to sound the way I wanted it to. Tongue-tied, I suppose you'd call it. It's been freezing cold out, despite that I like cooler temperatures. But this is just ridiculous, especially for Texas. There were a few other things, but they're trivial. There is something I am rather pissed off about that didn't happen today, as well. You know that I wanted to take Algebra, because of my teacher last semester? Well, the department decided to switch her schedule around, so now I don't have her. I suppose that there is one thing I should be thankful for, today. Dad's on his way to Australia for two and a half weeks.

Also, I've seen some screenshots of the trailer for Geass R2. I'm really thinking that V.V. or someone got a hold of Unkei's Mad Sprict alter power from Scryed. Some of those shots scream "mind warp" to me. It seems that Ashford Academy is still up and running, so I can assume Nina's bomb didn't go off. The Knights have been captured, but Diethard and Rakshata are listed as "Wanted". So, I'm assuming they're on the run. Oh, and there was Bunny Girl Kallen and naked C.C. So, I guess we shouldn't worry too much about missing the fanservice. *rolls eyes* The Chinese guy from ep. 23 looks cool, too. I hope that Koyasu or someone good will be doing his voice. He just looks like a Koyasu character, so sue me! There's just one problem. (Here we go!) Where the hell are my Lloyd and Cecile?! I'm going to assume that they're alive and well due to Lancelot's upgrade, but still! Errgh! April just can't get here soon enough!

End of My Winter Vacation/Keroro 194

Well, the new semester of college starts tomorrow. As usual, I'm really nervous about it. I know I shouldn't be, but it's just natural for me to worry. I don't even have a notebook and writing utensils, yet. We haven't exactly gotten around to buying stuff. So, we're probably going to do it tomorrow evening. However, I should be alright. I'm at least looking forward to Algebra, at any rate.

Now, on a more positive note, yesterday's episode of Keroro. Oh God! What can I say about that? The first part was a toilet humor-filled parody of Transformers. Or as Kururu put it, "Toiletformers". I don't usually like excessive toilet humor in general, but in this case I have to make an exception. I'm sorry, but the whole thing was hilarious! It started out with Keroro getting the idea of Pekoponian-sucking toilets. Toilet rape, anyone? However, I think that there was a malfunction with Kururu's Toiletformer device, and the toilets rebelled. The leader of the pack was a parody of Optimus Prime. Anyways, the key to victory was Fuyuki's underwear, which Momoka was more than happy with. Still, I wonder what Sunrise was on when they came up with this one. I kind of think that they did this episode just to see how much they could get away with.

The second part of the episode was about Kururu finding a puppy. It was so cute...until we find out that the puppy was Giroro after getting shot with the turn-into-animals gun. The scene where he ran away crying in shame was priceless. I also liked the part where Fuyuki and Natsumi thought that Kururu was going to use puppy Giroro for curry, only to find that Kururu was taking one of his curry baths. He had such a funny high-pitched scream. "I'm so embarassed!" And then there were the scenes where Kururu was playing with puppy Giroro. It was definitely "Awww worthy".

Topic in Which Aya Bitches About...Bitches

*exasperated sigh*

Okay, this is the first of my topics where I vent about various aspects of anime/fandom that annoy me. Like I said in my last post, what I plan to say could offend some people. I know very well that what one person thinks is bad, could be good to another person. Then again, we all have our own opinions.

Anyhow, I need to vent about a certain archetype that's really annoying me. It's the tsundere character. Now, I don't mind if the character, who's mostly a girl in this case, has a problem; but if she's being a bitch 95-99% of the time then I have a problem. And I really have a problem if they abuse others for little to no reason. You know the classic cases, like Asuka from Evangelion and Naru from Love Hina. I really wouldn't mind if the character actually shows more hints of a conscious every now and then. There are some out there who barely, if ever, show that they're human, too.

My main offender in the abusive category is Natsumi Hinata from Keroro Gunso. Not only does she tend to abuse the frogs, but sometimes she does it for no reason at all. Even when the platoon is trying to help her with something, she beats the crap out of them! I believe that there's at least one episode that depicts this. Sure, Keroro does need to be taken down a few notches every now and then, but geez woman! Not to mention that I find her to be a deus ex machina. She's always right, and she always wins at everything. (Well, there was that one episode with the pool where Keroro won a swimming race against her.) And when she's in the wrong, she rarely ever gets her comeuppance. It always goes back to the frogs. I don't know; I tried to tolerate her at first, but I've long lost my patience with her. I wish Kululu (Apparently that's how his name is supposed to be Romanized. I've seen it on Japanese products.) would torture her in the worst ways possible...very slowly. Natsumi-flavored curry perhaps? Kukuku~

Continuing with the Keroro references, I'm not too fond of Momoka either. Which some might find weird, considering that I adore Tamama. It's mostly because her crush on Fuyuki tends to cause a lot of damage. There have been times when people could've gotten killed because of her! Of course they won't, because it is a comedy series after all. She's like Nina from Code Geass. They're both mentally unstable, have crushes on people that won't reciprocate, and are all around dangerous. (And yet, I still sympathize with Nina for some reason. *shrug* I do tend to agree that she needs to be put out of her misery, though.) Then again, would Momoka be considered more of a yandere?

Now then, what to say about Louise from Gundam 00? I still don't think it's a coincidence that she's got the same seiyuu as Natsumi. I don't think she's as abusive like Natsumi, but she sure as hell bitches enough. After she got mad at Saji for the first time, I knew she would be another annoying thorn in the side. Episode 5 proved my suspicions correct. She has no purpose other than being tsundere fan-bait. For that matter, are she and Saji actually dating? Because I've been under the impression that she only thinks they are. It's like Saji is more her man-slave than anything. And I still fail to understand why her mother is taking her time in Japan. She need to do us a favor and take Louise back home already! However, if Louise does manage to become important later on, it should consist of her getting killed. Because as it stands now, she's just in the way.

Looking back, I think that the only tsundere character that I really ended up liking was Tokiko from Busou Renkin. She acts as mostly the "straight-man" to the other characters around her, who are really a bunch of dorks when you get down to it. ^^ And, she actually showed her shy side more than I thought she would. I honestly thought that I'd end up hating her, but I really liked her a lot.

Well, that pretty much sums up my feelings about this subject. I apologize if I've offended anyone, but I've been holding in my feelings about this for a very long time. I just needed to get it out.

First Post of the Year

I'm hoping that 2008 will be a good year. 2007 was an okay year. I started driving, went back to college, and lost some weight (which I'm sure I gained some back over the holidays) among other things. There were some downsides, of course. Some worse than others; like my dad's worsening alcohol addiction, and my grandma's Alzheimer's. Then there was the "meh-ness"; like last year's A-Kon. It could've been better, and it looks like could this year. We got Nabeshin coming!

I'm keeping positive about this year, too. I start my next semester of college a week from Monday. I'm mostly taking core classes, this time. I'm taking U.S. History, Government with my sister, Sociology (I loved this class in high school), and Algebra with my brother. I'm especially looking forward to Algebra because I got the class that Mrs. Wilson is teaching. She's my awesome Pre-Algebra teacher from last semester, by the way. So, I'm happy with that.

Then, I'm going to have to find another job. We have a few strip malls coming up out here, but I'm so sure that they'll all be the same. Nail salon, donut shop, cell phone store, and whatever the hell else is common in strip malls these days. I might look into that Fujiya place, but only if there isn't some language barrier problem. I can speak clips and phrases, but I am by no means fluent in Japanese. Well, we'll have to see.

On the anime front, not much right now. Like I said in my recent post, it looks like the winter season is all fanservice. I will admit that I plan on looking into Wolf and Spices, but only because we have Jun Fukuyama and Ami Koshimizu as the main characters. Kaori Nazuka appears to have a role, as well. On the other hand, spring is looking excellent. Besides Code Geass R2, there are a few other series I'm planning on checking out. And FYI, I am planning on actually blogging my thoughts on every episode of Code Geass. I'm thinking of putting up screenshots, too. But I'm thinking of putting up just a few of some of the points of interest. Think Kero-chan's Check, from the Leave it to Kero-chan omake from Card Captor Sakura. ^_^ And just for the record, I won't be focusing on just Team Lancelot.'Kay?

Finally, I'm seriously thinking about blogging a few topics that might piss some people off. I've been planning on ranting about some of the facets of anime/fandom that have really gotten under my skin. I might actually do my first one tomorrow, depending if I get super-annoyed or not. I'll give you a hint: it mostly has to do with Louise from Gundam 00 and Natsumi from Keroro Gunso. And no it's not because they share the same seiyuu... it might not be a coincidence that they do, however. We'll see, though.