[Cover] Princess Mononoke Theme

This is the latest addition to songs from Studio Ghibli movies that I have been covering. Recorded in the summer (no I don't have time to do that now lol.), but as usual, took awhile before I'm comfortable to upload it. Haven't used a reverb in a while, but for this song I think its only fitting! Its my first time uploaded something I sang in English (well for the 2nd half at least!) and I actually think its better than the Japanese part (Yes? No?). Didn't used to like singing cover songs cause I think the Singaporean accent kills it, though by now I'm a little better at hiding it so here it is!

「もののけ姫」テーマ (JP & ENG)　

Princess Mononoke Main Theme, in Japanese and English
Music composer: Joe Hisashi
－Vocal coverー

Lyrics:
張り詰めた弓の震える弦よ 

月の光にざわめくおまえの心 

研ぎ澄まされた刃の美しい 

その切っ先によく似たそなたの横顔 

悲しみと怒りに潜む誠の心を知るは森の精 

もののけたちだけ 

もののけたちだけ

In the moonlight I felt your heart 
Quiver like a bowstring's pulse 
In the moon's pure light, you looked at me 
Nobody knows your heart 

When the sun is gone I see you 
Beautiful and haunting, but cold 
Like the blade of a knife, so sharp and so sweet 
Nobody knows your heart 

All of your sorrow, grief and pain 
Locked away in the forest of the night 
Your secret heart belongs to the world 
Of the things that sigh in the dark 
Oh the things that cry in the dark

~*~

My other favourite song from this movie is "Legend of Ashitaka", an instrumental piece, which I have linked below. Enjoy! Heartwrenching would be an accurate descriptor.

The music from this movie is so good I actually heard it before watching the film lol. Click play for some epic, dramatic music! This is a collection of pieces, I like the first and later portion! The middle piece is more war/battle-like.

Vday Totoro bento - キャラクター弁当!

Happy valentines' day!

 The 14th of february is here once again.  And this time I decided to make a charaben 'kyaraben' キャラ弁 (character bento) for the first time ever since I started obsessing about them 3 years ago (essentially looking at bento sites and buying cute boxes). Made Totoro bento (which is a highly popular character) based off designs from google images as he is associated with it in many ways.

totoro character bento

This took wayyy more time than it looks cause I had to figure out how to make it based on whatever's in the fridge! Its kinda like doing art and craft which is fun except I had to keep in mind everything is to be eaten and had to be clean (so much washing!). Also, taste is an additional factor, along with a balance of ingredients e.g. how much rice is needed. It takes more planning then expected. Had to improvise by colouring rice with mashed up boiled curly kale (with a fork!). Never knew colouring rice with natural foods can be so much fun lol. Didn't have fishcake which is commonly used for the eyes so i cut cheese with a scissors! *_* All the nori (seaweed) pieces are hand cut too as I don't have fancy bento cutters!

The tomato heart is the only hint to the bento's purpose. Would ideally have made it more vday-ish but for a first attempt, I'm satisfied! Wouldn't do this on a daily basis for future kids though, kyarabens take too much effort. :P

ととろ after microwaving for 6mins and stabbed with a spoon for eating by hungry soul returned from school.

Anyway, first options class tomorrow plus workshop, perhaps a meal out later?

x Van