Looking Back (2011) - The Reads & The Plays

Right as many would have known by now, I'm a geek. I like comics a lot. I like fantasy a lot. I like toy cars and cute stuff. I can play video games without taking in any food for a long time. And I love the science of arts like crazy. (oh my, since when did science and art merge together?)

The year 2011 was the year I continued to enhance my geekiness and artistic appreciation while somehow slacked off in my writing. I tend to make up for that slacking off this 2012, so I do hope that all will be well. Now I'll be listing a few reads and plays that got me running as a geek this year. Roll the camera!

[MANGA READING LIST]

One Piece: Engaging as ever, the action in this manga never ceased. Ever since my first read of this comic in 2001, One Piece has never failed in showing character development. Though the story may be straight forward a little bit now and then; strong battles and interesting characters make up for it.
Bleach: Well at times I find it boring after the Aizen arc. The story now is getting more fast paced, and there's too much questions that it is making me ask. But then again, the powers are cool and it makes me wanna try and start reading Naruto again.
Beelzebub: It's simple art with a simple storyline. The characters development are good in a sense that there are also a lot of characters like in One Piece or Bleach. But then the story seemed to be getting fast paced, skipping many battle scenes that I was looking forward to read at. Oh well, it is still interesting.
Toriko: A manga about food! Always leaves me hungry and salivating. The author is really good at making the ingredients and cooking look delicious. Even though there are not that many flashy techniques or skills used during battles, it's a good read that leaves your food grumbling.. :P
Sket Dance: A heart warming school manga. It's about a club called Sket Dance helping out with their schoolmates in dealing with their problems. The story is funny, and it's been a while since I really laughed a lot after the comic Ranma 1/2. There's also drama where youngsters can probably relate to. A worthy read, since it's not your usual battle manga.
Fairy Tail: When RAVE ended, it left me with a strong impression of Hiro Mashima. Now his new manga Fairy Tail, the tone is very much alike with probably a different setting and a whole set of new characters. The story this time revolves around magicians, battling evil and stuff. What's important is that there are dragons!
Katekyo Hitman Reborn: An action packed comic about the mafia world. Like usual battle like manga, the story is interesting with the various characters having different set of skills. The story has gotten way better now ever since the end of the future arc, and I hope to see more.
Bakuman: Never once I failed to read Bakuman without getting inspired. Inspirational to any artist, Bakuman offers the story of creating art (in the story's case, a manga) step by step. The issues and challenges are realistic, and it may tempt fellow artists to have bigger dreams and higher hopes. It teaches me the value that in art, nothing is certain. You just have to make things as interesting as possible.

[AVIASI FANTASI]

After a while of searching, I finally got a hold of 2 volumes of this book this year. It was very hard to find one, and I treasure it a lot. And it didn't disappoint me as well. Aviasi Fantasi is a comic made by Nazry (the writer) and Afiq (the illustrator) who call themselves by the pen name Feeqry. The comic is purely Malaysian, and the story is breathtaking. It is an adventure like story where two friends go out on an adventure on a self built aeroplane! I have been a fan of them ever since Misi 8A. And I know they have very good control over the story and character development. The art is good as well. It is very balanced and the pages doesn't look empty at all. It is quite sad when they say the story will end soon due to several issues, but I do look forward to more from them.

[BOBOI BOY]

Yes I know this is not a book nor a game, but this animation is awesome in it's own way. Boboi Boy is a Malaysian animation made with the same artistic concept of Upin & Ipin. However, the difference is that it is an action based story; with powers and evil and monsters and stuff. I did support Upin & Ipin when it went out as a series, but Boboi Boy clearly wins a place as a favourite. Go watch it, it's good! (terbaikkk..!)

[POKEMON BLACK]

It's Pokemon guys! The concept of catching monsters and raising them has always won a spot in my heart. This time Pokemon has several new creatures to catch, and a whole new world to explore. There's also a new concept of battle where 3 Pokemon can battle at once. Though I still find it tiring to do trading, I hope this time I'm able to complete my Pokedex!

[DEFENSE OF THE ANCIENTS]

And yes, I still cannot let go of DoTA from my heart. It has strategy. It has beautiful characters and skills. And it has interesting people playing alongside you. There are 4 new heroes released during Christmas, can't wait to try them out! :D

Looking Back (2011) - The People

It will be around 12 hours before a new year dawns over us. So, is your heart filled with anticipation? Is there excitement? Is there fear?

Hello everyone. Welcome again to another entry by me, after two whole months of absolute silence. I have only myself to blame anyway, and I'd like to apologize to Arlene for being away for so long. I missed you a lot, that's why I'm back. Back with a new spirit, so that you won't be filled with dust anymore.

Ha, look at me talking. All right since it's almost the new year, I thought I'd do something different this time around. There will be multiple posts between today until tomorrow, depicting the three major timelines - the past, the present and the future - about the things I wish to keep in the form of writing.

And starting off with the first post are about people! That's right, the people that were such important individuals to me throughout 2011. The people that I would always remember and keep close to my heart, no matter what. I hope they read this.. >.<

[THE FAMILY]

I know I'm not usually the outspoken type, but my love for you guys never waver. Thank you for being the place where I can call home. There's warmth, and there's always good food. It calms my mind just being around you guys.

* To dad, thank you for all the support you ever gave. I'll do my best!
* To mommy, thank you for your motherly magic. And food!
* To Farris and Hafiy, thank you for being funny and loving brothers. I'll worry about you guys forever!

[THE EXTENDED SIBLINGS]

Again, I'm not the one that talks a lot. But you guys deserve the best. Thank you for being there for each other, it's been 3 years since we battled our way through. Now we're entering our 4th year, and carving our own roads ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for all the things that I did wrong to you guys. My love and care will always be there.

* To Dwane, thank you for being a great dude throughout the year. A great guy with deep thoughts and technological awareness. I'll update my iPad later.. :P
* To Nana, thank you for being excited almost all the time. A cheerful person, who tends to worry a lot. A hardworking genius!
* To Fatin, thank you for being the concerned one. No secrets between siblings right? Your words, I'll always remember it.

[THE BEST FRIENDS]

This dedication is for the people whom I consider as best friends (even if they don't). I don't really know what counts as being a best friend, but I think what's important is that they are people that I can talk to about something and get comfortable. You know who you are, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. And sorry for all the mistakes that has ever happened between us. Once a best friend, always a best friend.

[THE GUYS]

Right, the guys are the people that has been there as buddies who sit down together and have fun. Be it a barbecue, a long session of PES/DoTA or maybe an outing; you guys rock!

*To Afiq, Luqman, Salleh, Ade, Akhmal, Azfar, Zul...good luck in your exams. And take care always!
*To Aizat, Ammar and Ikram...let's hangout some more soon!

[THE FUTURE TEACHERS]

This dedication is for all of BEDSA members! Ever since I got to know BEDSA in 2009, I know that this is the place where I belong. Let us do our best as future teachers, and gain valuable experiences together. Love all of you very much!

[THE GAMERS]

And finally, another extended family of mine. To DoTA and HoN family members and also those from Cybergamerz, though we rarely meet in person; I always love to have our virtual sessions together. Together we rampage right? Thank you for a wonderful year; lets do more in the next!

* My love especially extends for these guys: Dex, Muaz, Arip, Cold, Jing, Pop, Peter, Gee, Eppy, Sam, Mirul, Paen, Aiman, Raja, Sauk, Paan, Nami, Feroth, Muzamir, Acap, Ajim, Amin, Aie, Selei, Zakir, Ecah, Dee, Dida, Broz, Syakir, Mat Nuox, Zaid, Regos, Salleh, Salam.

p/s: Congratulations to Dex for getting a daughter! :D

* And not forgetting from overseas: Nik, Faaris, Cot,Zharul, Zwan, Aloy, Nas, Zaki, Ulam, Musubi (Ubi), Cipan, Issact, R, Robin, GQ, Kaizho, Shamir, Hadi, Niq, Natasha, Pump, Siden, Syafiq.

Phenomenal

My mind seemed to have wondered quite far these past few weeks. So far, that I'm not sure if I can find back the original road that I was on before. When I try to go back, there's doubt. When I want to move forward, there's a heavy rain. Yes, the rain ain't stopping yet.

Hello readers! Sorry for the confusing introduction, but it puts my mind at ease when I make some of my thoughts clear through writing. Even though the gap between this post and the previous one isn't that ridiculous as before, but it's still wide. I need my writing spirit back! Help me! But hey, I did look for ways to get help and I found one. I'm going to go to some sort of writing seminar next week organized by SERUMPUN, and the theme "Melangitkan Karya, Membumikan Cinta" just swept me off my feet. Hope I get the the chance to enhance my writer's enthusiasm and acts.

The reason why I want to be back on track is because I have this dream. The dream to do something big, something phenomenal. I want to move people with what I do, and I want the world to be shaken (in a good manner of course) by my name. When we were still young, my brother Farris and I had the idea to spread the Azere (our second name) name and build the Azere empire. I still want that, and I know my brother is doing it in his own way for now.

This October is the month of smiles! And in line with my dreams especially in achieving a phenomenal grade, I've also launched my first ever campaign related to this month's theme. Welcome to DANS October Smile Campaign! The details can be read in the 'Campaign' section below, so I hope that it'll get a good response from the public. For now I'll pray hard for things that I really want, strive to work intensely and let fate decide the rest. Take care readers! :)

[CAMPAIGN]

Hello! Welcome to DANS October Smile Campaign! In conjunction with my university's upcoming convocation, I've decided to hold a Smiling Campaign this hold month.

Smiling is, in fact, something easy to do. It's a symbol of happiness, it's fun, it's sweet and it's a simple gift that any human can ever give to someone. I like smiles a lot, since it reminds me that there are still some things in this world that can make the heart flutter. My specialty is suddenly smiling when reading something sweet and romantic anyway. :P

So how does the campaign work out? It's simple. Just send me a picture of you or your group through e-mail, showing smiles that you think are the best. Also tell me what makes you smile. I'll gather up all of the pictures by the end of every week and post it up for people to see (here at my blog, Arlene), so that they too can be inspired to smile more and participate in the campaign. Sharing is caring right? I hope that by doing this we can spread the smiles through even the darkest hours.

Below I've inserted a step by step method as to how to make this campaign active. You can promote this campaign with your friends, through your blog or even forward it to your institutions. I hope that everyone will have a great day, and a smile that promises to stay strong always. Thanks a billion.


1. Get your best picture (solo or group, old or new, drawn art is also acceptable) showing the best smiling pose.

2. E-mail your picture to danielazere@yahoo.com along with details below:

* Name
* Current school/university/workplace/location
* Reasons that make you smile
* E-mail (optional)

3. Check out your picture at the end of every week at this blog and spread the smiles!

[REVIEW]

I've never really been a big fan of newspapers. So on the date that IIUM's (International Islamic University Malaysia) first ever newspaper 'The Torch' was supposed to come up, I totally forgot about it (even though I was kinda anticipating it the day before). When a friend of my came to me holding it, I slapped my head.

Anyways, 'The Torch' issue number one is out! With a collaboration with the New Strait Time (NST), IIUM finally published it's very own student's newspaper. It's not as thick as a regular paper, but the news inside was definitely concise and well written. The paper focuses greatly on news related to IIUM and it's people; which makes it easier for the IIUM community to relate with the stories published. Oh and the paper was free for all.

What makes me kinda proud about the paper is the fact that it's a project that requires a lot to do to pull it off, and the paper's team (consisting of mostly the students themselves) managed to give a clean start to The Torch. When it came out almost everyone I met around the campus was holding one, and it indeed has garnered a phenomenal start. Though there were a few minor errors that I noticed, I'm really supporting the best for the newspaper's prospects in the future. If there's some extra money, I hope that The Torch can improve in the quantity of it's content and sections. Good job! (Rating: 4.3 out of 5)

Resting! (as a University Student)

The gap between this post and the previous entry is, in a way, utterly ridiculous. I've always avoided the 'diary-like' kind of post, so that's why there aren't a lot of things to say here (or am I making excuses now?). All in all, welcome back Daniel Azere!

This month of July marks the season of holiday. Where students (especially those on the tertiary levels) go out and about, enjoying the summer sun or winter snow, traveling across borders with families and friends. Some also might prefer the comfort of their home, munching cookies along the way, doing stuff that could never be exactly fitted properly in their busy student's life. Some might even opt the challenge to take on a job, getting a few extra cash to be kept or spent during the relaxing holiday period. The resting time for students is here, almost for each and every one of them.

Taking a rest from the university for isn't about getting the mind off of studying. Personally, I adore learning. Plus being at the university allows me to meet people a lot. What I truly want to take a rest on is basically from the non-academic activities. Don't get me wrong, getting involved in programs make me feel alive. But at times when there's a direct wave of things to do and programs to settle, the energy from the body and mind just seeps away quickly without time to recharge properly. I know that this may be the result of me not having proper time management (working hard on this, don't worry!), I'm just glad that now I get some 'me' time and finally put my thoughts in writing.

So how's your holiday going on for you? Come share with me if you feel like it. As a final word, get the time to recharge and let me see all of you with a renewed spirit for the new semester. Until next time, take care!

[UPDATE]


Actually, I didn't go through (almost) one year of gap without any creative input. But lately I've been involved in poetry, so if any of you haven't checked it out be sure to go through the link at bottom. On a side note, my friend (Luq) and I have finally self published our very own poetry book last year! It was an exciting experience, and our second book is on the way. So do anticipate for it~ :D

http://dansoriginal.blogspot.com/