[Update] Ramblings and LL July babies~

Been a while and my break's ending soon; my final year will be starting in like a week.

Not sure what to feel; at one side, I feel excited since just one more step(year) and I will have made it(graduate) yet making it also means it's time to work for 'life'(at least for about 40 years...)

And based on experience from my internship... It's interesting but also mundane and sometimes stressful... While it is managable in short term, I'm not sure if I can survive in the long term...

However, before I worry about all those, I need to secure a job first... With the bad economy and how competitive it is, it's gng be hard to get a decent job, with a good pay...Sigh...

That aside, I still have a year(to have fun) and top priority of concern is my FYP.

I spoke with my FYP prof, a few days ago and I dreaded for my FYP... While I chose the project, mostly cos it is a chance to learn machine learning, I'm worried I can't do much, given my pathetic skills in programming-.-

To be honest, I would avoid programming if I can since I don't have the talent in it but given the nature of the stuff I do, programming seems to be the thing and I can't run away from it...

^Since I can't run away, I might as well learn what I can and do what I can. But of course, all I could ever do is see and understand sample codes, modifiy them or use them in what I want to achieve...

It feel a lot like sketching; see a drawing and like the posture, you draw the characters you want in that posture... And while you're the one who drew the work, you can't help feel it's not right to claim it is yours, entirely... The same goes for programming when you used someone's sample code and just do the modifications to suit your needs...

^I would try to understand and even write out the sample code myself without referring if I got the time. And if I felt guilty just from using someone else's work to work on my own work, then I wouldn't be able to use program like microsoft word, android studio, etc.
I mean it would be awesome to understand how people created (for example) microsoft word for users to write documents, reports but rather than 'wasting time' on this, I could have written thousands of documents and reports for a company and earn an income out of it.

As such, I feel/think that while it doesn't feel nice to use other people's work but if it saved time and the creators allowed, based on logic thinking, you go for modifications than starting from fresh.- It really saved a lot of time for ppl to work on other aspects than areas(sample codes) that already have answers to them

Sorry for the ramblings.- Had been doing online tutorial on machine learning for the past few weeks and the talk with my FYP prof does not ease my heart of my final year... In a way, I can't help talk a bit of my thoughts on this matter; it helped me to sort out my feelings a little:)

I will end my ramblings here and get on with some share of my works~

LL July babies

For the two cancer(star sign) babies, first up:

Tsushima Yoshiko-13/7/17:

Deviantart

Happy belated birthday, Yos-Yohane!!!

Didn't have inspiration at first till I started to draw. Much like You's work; I drew various doodles of her~

Ranging from anime scenes to SIF card designs and her latest subunit outfit, I had alot of fun drawing her different expressionsXD

Oh and like Kanan's, I made a GIF out of the wips I did; it's just so happened that I uploaded quite a bit of wips to be able to make it^^;

 You can see it from Deviantart or Pixiv.

Next up:

Yazawa Nico-22/7/17

Deviantart

^This is an example that I really, Really have no inspiration to draw...I mean I did say I would draw all muse members in this set of outfits for each of their birthdays yet I can't think of a pose for her(except her usual Nico Nico Ni pose...)

And this draw was supposed to be accompanied with a short manga...

The work was to show how Nico didn't pursue her dream of becoming an idol and went to college, and passed by a standee of her where there were fans whom still remembered her as an (school)idol. And Nico just turned away, telling herself, 'this is all in the past; you're now in college, Nico!'- A remainder to herself that the idol path was a memory in the past. However...

Nico's phone sounded, indicating an notification and upon seeing the messages, Nico can't helped smile- Her school idol days may be the past but the friends she has right now, are defintely the present and also the future!

Nico's phone showed the birthday messages from the muse members~  

^That was what the manga supposed to show but didn't have the time- spent too much time thinking that I was left with like 2 days to finish this work, lol

Again, HAPPY (BELATED)BIRTHDAY, NICO CHAN!!!

PS: I know it's summer in Japan during Nico's bday; messed up with the outfit that Nico worn-.-
Pls take it as she went aboard studying or something^^;

And, I combined the 2 works into one on PIXIV.

New project: FatexLoveLive

It was on a whim that I started this 'mini-project'- It wasn't meant to be a project; heck it shouldn't even be expanded into a project. It was started with a doodle before my hands decided to be itchy and...You know how it goes...

As the title suggested, it's somewhat a 'crossover' between the Fate series and Love Live... Basically, a ServantxMaster work. And currently, I had done 5 pairs;

• ChikaRiko: Chika as Master & Riko as Servant [Saber]
• HonoUmi: Honoka as Master & Umi as Servant [Archer]
• KanaMari: Kanan as Master & Mari as Servant [Rider]
• NozoEli: Nozomi as Master & Eli as Servant [Lancer]
• YouShiko: You as Master & Yohane as Servant [Caster]

I have planned the others but I am not revealing till I do the designs. As it is, I am planning on NicoMaki as the next pair but my muse is not flowing:(

You can see the completed works of the first 4 pairs, HERE or from my twitter(my 5th pair is currently only uploaded on my twitter^^;)

PS: notice the position of the name and the pattern of the pair:) It should give a rough idea who's gng be the master and servant for NicoMaki pair~

Before I end off... Recently, I got a new pet~

New pet

It's* a red-eared slider(RES). 

*I do not know its gender yet- I feel it is a female but... Gng wait for it to grow more to see~

While it always stares at me(like in the above pic), it's quite shy(?) or scared of people at the start; it will just move away or shrunk its head. Currently, it is more opened but still has a bit of shyness.

And it's quite cute in its actions; like sleeping, eating, yawning~

^It's sleeping~

And I think it's kinda interesting(but can be irritating) how it will stare at you for food even tho I have given it quite a few pieces of food(dried shrimp...) and from the internet, RES does beg for food... And that's bad cos they do eat until they throw up; which means they don't know what is [full]...

There's one more thing I noticed; that is how it always shit when I put it back to its tank.- Normally, I will put it in a separate container to feed while I go wash its tank. 

Its cleaned tank was dirtied in a few minutes after I washed the tank... It's nice that it's eating and shitting but to shit right after I put it back... At least do it in the separate container so that the washed tank wouldn't be too smelly for the day(I normally wash the tank once everyday but think after school started, I think I can only afford once in 2 to 3 days or even a week...)

The amount of work is not little but it's worth it for this little guy/gal~

Oh and I initally named it, 'Yoshiko' cos I got him a day before Yoshiko's bday(12/7) but judging from its behaviour; it isn't really a good terrapin(child)... I just thought of the name 'Tohru' instead.

Then again, I doubt it will respond to the name unless I kept calling it that which is weird; I suppose it's weird to talk to terrapin?(esp with it staring at you for food...-.-)

Afterwords:

That's about it I think. I will try to get my other jap trip posts out soon; will defintely get it out before my school starts.

And a little ramblings:

FGOXPixiv art contest results were out and I'm not surprised that I didn't win anything but it still hurts... I thought maybe there would be some 'beginner artist' prize or notable mention... Then again, I am competing with top artists where I am just a nobody(haha...)

^Do take a look at the entries; the top entries are awesome works! And of course, those that will be in the fanbook are also great!

And good job to all artists who particpated!

This is Yaiji signing off!

Yaiji~ 

[Update special] Jap Trip part 2a: Numazu, land of LLSS! Day 1

Part 2 of this post will be on my first trip to Numazu, the location that LLSS is based on, mostly!

It is about 1.5h ride from Tokyo to Numazu.

First, took a bullet train(shinkansen) from tokyo(think you can take from Shinagawa too but the route may be different...Also, the schedules and not to forget seat tickets* of the bullet trains) to Miyajima before changing to the local train** to get to Numazu station.

*Recommend to get reserved seating if you're travelling in a group- got the non-reserved set tickets and it was hard to find seats to sit with my family; we had to split up-.-)
**It is unlikely to miss the stop as the train only stop at Numazu and Miyajima; it is like a loop.

^Side note: It may have sounded simple from the above(which it is unless wrong stop was alighed or wrong train was boarded...) but it was a horrible on the day I went as I had to carry my luggage while surviving the crowded train in the morning with the working adults...
Plus it was quite a long ride to get to Tokyo from Ikebukuro(stayed there as mentioned in my previous part 1 post)

Moving on, upon arrival to Numazu(and not even out of the station), you can already see LLSS advertisement:

2nd Live Tour- hoping for live viewing in my country...

Happy Party Train!!!- long gotten my copy~

At the station, there are a few stores outside but the one that will caught LLSS fans would be the Noppo bun!!!- There are quite a lot sold at the convience store, in the station; you won't miss it as it is just directly in front when you tap out of the station.

I didn't take a pic of the shop but the bun only:

Salt Caramel favour

^The bread can't last long(expired quite fast; about 2-3 days I think) so if Numazu is your last stop before flying back, should be able to bring back some:)

There are other favours too but only got this cos of the wrappers(haha).

Not sure if cos I only ate this like a few days after I bought, the bun was kinda hard... I like salt caramel flavour but feel like it doesn't match the bun, lol. The bun is very much like those cream/jam bun in my country where the cream/jam has the flavour indicated but felt a little artifical like it is cream with that flavour and not that flavour made into cream...
It is hard to explain so pls buy and try these if you have the chances, esp if you are a LLSS fan!

Following that, the first stop was to go to Gamers to get the stamp book* and at the same time, get Yoshiko/Yohane's stamp!

*Currently, there is a stamp collection(much like the Ikebukuro's) where the members' stamps are again scattered around the locations of Numazu or rather LLSS locations.
Due to huge popularity(I think), there is now a second set of those stamps; you can still get the first set of stamp(I think) plus there is sale of badges of designs based on first set of stamps.
Side note: from the locations in second set, I think it is much managable(I will explain that soon; in later part of the post...)
You can see the stamp collection event here: LINK

The is no exchange even if you collect all stamps so it is like a form of achievement if you can collect all(esp for the 1st set...) Plus you need not use the stamp book; you can use your own book but just cos it is LLSS related, decided to buy the book to stamp it with.

The book costs 500 yen and it contains quite a few pages so no worries if you stamped badly.

Before I got to Gamers or rather finding my way to there, I walked to the bookstore that Hanamaru and Ruby were buying books from, back in episode 4(I think)

The outside has quite a bit of LLSS advertisement!

 ^The scene where the bookshop RubyMaru is at!

Even more advertisement inside at the 3rd floor- that's where the anime/manga sections are~

And(didn't know) Furirin(Ruby's VA) came to this store before!!!

Moreover, there is a campaign(dk if it should be called that) going on; buying LL related books/magazines(only selected ones- need see that there is a special tag on them) will give buyers a free bookmark of buyer's choice. Design is of LLSS members.

Of course, I chose Riko(my fave~)

Front design

Back Design- the other outlets

After a few walks(using google maps), finally found it!

And since Mari's bday is just a day before(12/6):

Gamers put up a Mari shrine for her~

And there are various members' notebooks for fans to write messages to the members and since Mari's bday is near: 

 ^Wrote a birthday msg for her in English- not confident in my jap so yeah, haha~


And here, Yoshiko/Yohane's stamp:

Side note: compared to Ikebukuro, dk y or maybe cos the stamps are big, I can't seem to stamp properly-.- I screwed quite a bit(after like 2 times) before I finally got a decent one...

One stamp down; on to the next one which is super close to the station...

The Sun Sun Sunshine Cafe!!!

It is just a straight road up ahead- no traffic light; just walk straight across the bus stops and you will see it.

Maybe cos I went quite early(ard 1200++) when it just opened(at 1130), there wasn't any queue:) However, cos there were like only 2 staffs there, the service may be slow; like if you want to order or ask for the dessert to be served, it can take a while cos that one staff has to take order, serve and even clean up, was super busy... Surprisingly, the wait time for the food wasn't long!

^The food ordered with my family!

Got 3 drinks;

ChikaYouRiko's and was super happy to get ChikaRiko coasters!- whatever I got for the 3rd coaster(which is Dia) is fine for me(except for repeats...) 

Riko Drink with Riko Coaster!!! YAY!!!

Ordered 2 main courses;

-Hanamaru's orange spaghetti(forgot the name^^;)

It was quite a refreshing dish and the oranges matched well with the dish(surprisingly; don't think fruits with spaghetti is a good combination but this proved me wrong!)

-Aqours' pizza- the first pizza that I see, uses broccoli as the vege but tasted great tho! It is a nice dish to share but eating as a main course should be just nice for a meal!

And the main courses come with 2 big coasters; designs of Happy Party Train- there are 3 designs but since all members are inside, I have no preferences!

Also, different food(aside from drinks) have members' flags that you can take home:

Front designs

Back designs

^I regretted not eating Riko'sT.T(partly cos hers was a dessert type and I was planning to eat another...)

Lastly, got a Happy Party Train parfait to try and also get the dessert exclusive coaster!(Forgot to take photo of it, lol...)

The dessert exclusive coasters have 3 designs of each year in their Happy Party Train outfits and damm, got the 2nd years out of the 3!!!!!

Coasters gotten from Sun Sun Sunshine cafe~

Super happy and satisfied with the result~

Oh and before I forgot, Sun Sun Sunshine cafe holds Dia's stamp!(maybe it was fate that I gotten Dia coaster plus that she's S'pore image girl~)

No idea y her as this location but oh well~

And a few photos to share of the cafe's interior:

HAPPY PARTY TRAIN~

Cyaron!- Anchan(Chika's VA) signature!

Guilty Kiss- Rikyako(Riko's VA) signature~

Azalea- Suwawa(Kanan's VA) signature!

The previous coasters(of the anime)
Would prefer this character coaster's design~

Ahh~ Mijuku Dreamer mini figurines- trying to collect all but it's hard(only got Chika, Riko, You, Kanan & Dia... Left the other 4-.-)

Mari's shrine!!!- For her bday!!!

Next up, went to deep sea aquarium- took a bus from numazu station~

This has no LLSS stamp but there is its own stamp:

It's rather big so recommend to stamp on a piece of paper(there r papers provided)
& maybe paste it on the book(which is what I did~)

Also, I wanted to take a look after the 1st years advertised in their 'Teku Teku Aqours' programme plus also buying the notable coelacanth!

The aquarium is not very big but it is interesting to see the different deep sea creatures you don't normally see in other aquarium!

Found them cute but my sis said they r disgusting...
They kinda remind me of the predator from alien vs predator

Sorry for the blur pic...

Coelacanth!!!

"RAWR"

^There is no live coelacanth there cos as it's a deep sea creature so it wouldn't survive in the aquarium but there is quite a lot of info about it and the deep sea environment!

Then, near this aquarium, there's the Numazu Burger which once again, the first years talked about!

Recommend to try the deep sea fish burger which you don't see anywhere(at least not of any burger places I've seen of) and of course the 'tears of fallen angel' which Yoshiko/Yohane made in episode 10. It is a little spicy but managable for someone like me whom can't really handle spicy food.

And if you buy something from their store, a llss file of your choice is given. There are 4 designs; the chibi members of each year(I got the 2nd years) and Yohane in her summoning pose:

Here's the file I got:

  

Front design(CUTE!!!)

Back design with LLSS X Numazu Burger

Tempted to get Yohane file(cos it's special) but can't betrayed my faves(haha)

From there, decided to go to Shougetsu(the shop that Cyaron took part-time in the drama part of their 1st sub-unit single) via bus and based on google maps, there is a 'nearby' bus-stop that can go there.

^That was a mistake...

Or rather, it wouldn't be a mistake if the right bus was boarded; took the bus back to Numazu instead of the direction to Shougetsu... And different from S'pore, you just can't alight at a stop after and expect to find the same bus going the opposite direction near the stop(like the opposite side or something...) It was a horror and that the shop closes at 1700 wasn't helping... Plus that the shop don't open on Tue and Wed- was only at Numazu until Wed so... Bad timing and planning...

In the end, took the taxi(which cost quite an amount... *Cries*) and it was an awkward ride since the driver didn't really know the place well(but he called to ask and was fine after that) and conversation was minimal cos my jp is really bad; could only say like where we were from and basic Q&A...

Maybe cos it won't be opening the day after, there were quite a lot of customers there despite that we arrived like on the dot; 1700!- So, the shop wasn't close but the famous Mikan dorayaki and pound cake were all sold out(shall try again when I get the chance!!!). Ended up buying the normal dorayaki and some biscuits from the shop.

And of course, the main objective to coming to the shop:

Hanamaru stamp!!!

NOTE: it is very Very VERY faint cos of the yellow ink... I had to do some editing to the photo before it is visible to be shown...

While yellow is Hanamaru's color, I think darker color will be better- there's no pointing stamping if the stamp is not visible-.-(tho if stamped on a darker paper may work...)

Nearing Shougetsu, it is Chika's house, Yasudaya Ryokan!

And was staying a night here so it was just nice after a long trip from Tokyo & travelling around to different places in Numazu.

As it's Chika's house, it is naturally that her stamp is here:

Shitake's here too~

.

Contrast to Hanamaru's, Chika's orange is dark that the ink from the stamp actually smeared onto the side page when I closed my stamp book-.-

This is my first time at a ryokan so it is quite an experience for me for both good and bad(^^;)- I'll elaborate ltr.

I've seen ryokan from anime, manga and even tv shows of jp ppl showing the different ryokan and recommendations of jp places. However, experiencing it myself is really different!

First, it is very traditional. The floor is made of wood that if you walk too fast or with huge steps, the sounds made by your footsteps can be heard and loud cos the ryokan is quite quiet inside. 

Next, you are not allowed to enter with your shoes. Much like jp sch; you put aside your shoes and worn the slippers they provided to enter- I think it helped to reduce the dirt from outside and made cleaning easier!

There are yukata provided for guests- you can choose to wear it to meals or the hot spring.

For meals, it is eaten in a hall where the other guests will eat too.- There is a set time and the ryokan staff will ask for your preferred timing.

As for hot spring, there is also timing and duration for both females and males plus there is no mixed ones(and don't think I like that...) so do make sure not to enter wrongly and at the right timing!

In addition, thankfully, I was travelling with my aunt whom had been to ryokan before; apparently, you will be shown to your room and rest up before heading for dinner. And during the course of your dinner(which is a long meal- explain ltr), the ryokan staff actually come to your room to set up the mattress!- They will move the table away and chairs to make way for the mattress* so try not to unpack too much or it may cause a lot of work to the staff!

*Unlike hotels, ryokan provided mattress instead of beds but the mattress are as fuffy as bed so no worries about that if you prefer fuffy sleeping area!

Not sure if this is the same for other ryokan, when my family and I first came into the ryokan to stay for a night(reservations were made beforehand), some refreshments were provided:

I was a little skeptical in taking it; like is it alright for me to have it...? But it was really refreshing, esp the cold green tea and the mikan jelly was nice, after travelling for a day during summer~

Following that, after seeing the room and unpacking a little, went for dinner:

First course

Dessert

The dinner was like eating in a restaurant with a number of courses. The first course(as shown above) was what I thought the only meal until there were many other dishes served after you finished your first course.- I didn't take pictures of all; was busy enjoying my meal(lol)

Think after like 4th course, the dessert was served and I was thinking, 'is this the end???' and yes, it was so yeah~ I mean I love the food but it was a little too much^^;

Following that, it was bath time which means HOT SPRING!!!- This isn't my first time; I went before in a hotel that had it but it was man-made...This time it was natural(I think) but the experience seemed the same tho(haha).

The good thing was that there wasn't anyone when my family entered!- There weren't many females staying; at least from what I seen in the meal hall~

^It was a gd thing for my sis since it was her first time and was quite bashful which is the same for me(in my first time) even tho there are only girls there...

Okay, I think that is enough of my account of my stay. Shall share some LLSS stuff~

As this is Chika's home, there are quite an amount of LLSS stuff, showcased in the ryokan:

ChikaRiko & Shitake!!!
There are messages and signatures by Anchan(Chika's VA) and Rikyako(Riko's VA)

There r signatures of Anchan, Rikyako & Suwawa(Kanan's VA)-
Think they came here during their trip to Ose Fujimi(I will elaborate more in ltr part)

NESOBERI of YouRikoChika!!!(That You tho...)

Other members' Nesoberi- too bad Mari's not here(yet- hers not released yet when I went...)

The ryokan even has a hall, available for use for LLSS fans to host events(like maybe for Chika's bday?) to meet and gather for an amount of fee(forgot how much^^;)

And so, this is my day 1 in Numazu. I will end my post here and continue my account of my day 2 in another post!- The post got too long and adding day 2's stuff will result in an essay which I want to avoid... Plus just this post, I spent like 2 days to finish-.-

Until then, this is Yaiji signing off!

Yaiji~