songs, request, and a fic-bit

[meitachi]

'Cause I promised gossymer a while back that I would do this meme and post the music! :D

The Meme: List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your LJ along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they're listening to.

1. Epik High - One [Korean]
This song is ridiculously catchy. The MV is incredible and the beginning gets stuck in my head all the time. "Time is tickin', ti-time is tickin' tickin. Time is tickin', ti-time is tickin' away~" Also, I love Epik High like whoa.

2. Super Junior M - At Least I Still Have You [Chinese]
The original song is gorgeous in itself (also a Chinese classic) but this SJM remake of it is equally, if not more gorgeous. I am probably biased because it is slightly lower and thus easier to sing along with, but also all the guys have amazing vocals. Note: four of the seven singers are Korean--their Chinese pronunciation is really amazing, trufax.

3. Darren Hayes - Love and Attraction [English]
Catchy like hell and fun. Gets stuck in my head a lot too. :D

4. Wang Lee Hom - Kiss Goodbye [Chinese]
I blame Ryeowook singing this all the time; it's a pretty famous Chinese pop ballad. Bittersweet romantic song with a chorus I quote everywhere because the lyrics are just cheesy enough, heh.

5. Orange Range - Hana [Japanese]
Orange Range is the shit you guys. I love them and this song. I don't know what else there is to say about it. Uh, Teukie also loves this song?

6. CSJH the Grace (feat. Kyuhyun) - Just For One Day [Korean]
This song is flat out gorgeous. All the girls in CSJH have great voices and Kyuhyun, goddamn, that boy is phenomenal. Put them together for a great power ballad that is seriously beautiful and has some amazing passion and voices packed into it. Recced.

7. Ciara - Hotline [English]
This is my KangTeuk clubbing song, you guys. Someone should write a fic. It's sexy and fun and, well, sometimes that's all a girl needs.

Tagging: whoever wants to share their music! :D


Question: So I'm going to China and that means I need to bring little gifts for people who host me or help me out in any way. My parents are taking care of the larger gifts to their friends, but I need to have little trinkets too, so what do you suggest? Something small but fairly unique to the States/West that wouldn't be so readily available in China, something that isn't super expensive but doesn't seem like I got at the dollar store, lol.

So help, any suggestions? What do you think would be appropriate? What would you like to get? (I'm thinking, idk, little cell phone charms or the pretty bookmarks or...actually, I don't know. HELP.)

Oh Asian tradiations. They make traveling so much more complicated. D:



leeteuk-centric, some platonic kangteuk; based off this

You stumble and flinch at the sharp pain in your hip, but you swallow the whimper that threatens to escape. There are too many eyes watching, too many cameras and expectations, and that, if nothing else, strengthens your resolve. You limp forward another step, hands clenching around the bundle of balloon strings, and remind yourself that this isn't about you. When the pain throbs through you again, a piercing ache, you tear up and grit your teeth.

This is not about you and you will be damned if you make it otherwise.

--

When he stumbles again, you want to go back and hold him. Your step falters as you hesitate, but in the end you don't cross the expanse of street. Your heart aches when you see his expression, but it's not your place to hold him up; he would refuse you and resent you for it. He wants to do this alone.

You run forward and try not to think about it, but the image of his halting progress remains imprinted in your mind. Your heart tugs. Your fingers itch. You want to wrap your arms around him and let him lean against you, you want him to allow you to carry his weight.

But this time he wants to do it without you--I rely on you for too much, he's said--and you have to let him, because you love him.

This time, it isn't about you.

Comments

[dear-whimsy.livejournal.com]

I will have a more useful comment later, but idk, cell phone charms are pretty easy to get in China. D: Something very "Canadian" + cheap here, expensive there?

[meiface.livejournal.com]

ARE YOU STUDYING?

Also re: cell phone charms, I know. :( But I'm hoping if they're very...Western cell phone charms? Or maybe that the thought will count? Except that cell phone charms aren't cheap in the U.S. lol nevermind.

[svz-insanity.livejournal.com]

Hmm, ask if there's any kind of American chocolate they can't get there? Maybe this (http://community.livejournal.com/asian_beauty/3622509.html) will help.

[meiface.livejournal.com]

I will think on this. I just want to make sure it's something that will keep and isn't too heavy. Lotions are...a pain the ass. D: For traveling/packing. But I will think about chocolates/Disney things lol. Thank you, Stacy~

[forochel.livejournal.com]

...hahaha, second person. ♥ the days when I had my head stuck in second person and submitted assignments in second person and then had my teacher telling me that it's a really huge risk to take.

well the best thing would be to get food that they can't get in China/Korea. That's what we do, anyway - bring people bakkwa, which is a Singaporean specialty thing.

Stole the ORANGE RANGE and Darren Hayes, by the way. :D♥

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Transmitting food across international borders is kind of a pain though. :/ But if I can find some appropriate food I will go for that. Something that comes in various packages distributable to various people~

The other problem is there's no guarantee they will like it/eat it either. Gah.

[uminohikari.livejournal.com]

Hm, what about like, lotions and sprays and things like that? Though, now they're a lot harder to get through customs. :|
Cell phone charms are more expensive in the states than in china though? >>

Poor Yesung D:

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Like you said, lotions and sprays are hard to get through customs. D: Plus they start weighing a lot. Idk though! I will think about it. They do come in pretty packaging though~

Yeah, cell phone charms in the states are ridiculously expensive unless bought at (ahaha) Chinatown or something like that.


Teukie & Yesung. :( CRUTCHES!YESUNG. Oh boys, take a break.

[kasugai-gummie.livejournal.com]

Plushies. Puzzles? Games! Or um.... music? Cheap music that's "official" as opposed to bootlegged/pirated. Shirts with non-engrish print on them. :3

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Plushies take up waaay too much space. Puzzles, maybe, but for people my age? D: Maybe not.

Music, hm. You know, I haven't bought music in years. SJM's album was the first in a long long time, lol. I'm a terrible person but seriously. Gah.

[ricciolo.livejournal.com]

I think bookmarks would be pretty nice. Um, what about clothing (or would that be too expensive)? Oh! What about jewelry? Like the ones from Claire's and such? They're not too expensive, but they look cute (or could you get prettier ones in China?). American postcards? Because while Asian stationary is really cute/pretty, U.S. postcards have scenic photographs and, IDK, good blurbs about the U.S.? Or maybe that works better the other way around: when you're traveling and you want to get something for people back home. I don't know if I even helped. -____-;;

[meiface.livejournal.com]

I've gotten bookmarks before so I know they are acceptable as a gift! As long as they are nice bookmarks. :D; I may consider jewelry too, but clothing is a little...big. And expensive, haha. I plan on leaving as much room in my suitcase as possible for all the things I want to cart back...oh Asia.

But I love your postcards idea. I think a lot of them would appreciate pretty postcards of scenic American landscapes/landmarks. It's such an Asian thing to give too. *___* You're awesome, thank you.

[meemobunny.livejournal.com]

western brand makeup generally makes a good gift? 'cause brand names tend to be more expensive in china and they're seen as luxury items. anything with western brands are well-received by teens/young adults. my cousin loves it when we get him adidas or nike t-shirts (because he's such a brand whore LOL). or ginseng! i remember my parents used to bring bags of ginseng back to china. XD

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's a good point. It's just...brand name make-up also tends to be on the pricey side. I think I may buy a few brand name things for the people who help us more lol. And go with smaller, cheaper gifts for people I meet just, idk, once.

Yes, I will be carting a lot of ginseng back, but my parents are handling the purchasing of that haha. Thank god.

[loser-no-jutsu.livejournal.com]

maybe some kind of cute american fashion accessory? i don't really know what the 'style' in china is like, but maybe some cute headbands or earrings, or a nice wallet (claire's and the icing have nice stuff)? I'M REALLY BAD A GIFTING PEOPLE, BY THE WAY.

probably going to steal this meme tomorrow/in the near future. 8D

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Apparently it's a bad idea to bring fashionable stuff from the US to China because Asia is much more fashion conscious and thus fashion forward by, like, two or three trends. D: Otherwise I would've totally done this because little fashion trinkets are the easiest things to buy and distrbute, lol. Oh Asia, WHY MAKE THIS SO HARD FOR ME?

Oooh music from you. ♥

Oooh ShiHan icon~♥

[rawthorne.livejournal.com]

Sad fic makes me sad, but wow, well written.

Cute trinkets never go amiss.

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm probably going along the lines of cute trinkets. I will just have to figure out what kind of cute trinkets, since Asia is pretty much the home of cute trinkets, lol. Something American...

Sad events make sad fic sad. :(

[sharona1x2.livejournal.com]

I always like magnets that have to do with places I've visited. Or keychains. I bought a few keychains for friends when I was in Orlando recently.

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Ooh, keychains are a nice idea. Especially ones that have American symbols or landmarks on them. :D Thanks!

[b-rokenheels.livejournal.com]

Loved SJM's version of the song. Not exactly very fond of zhoumi/henry's vocals but I trembled at kyu's voice...

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Kyu's voice is ridiculous and amazing. Especially in Chinese, when I can understand him. ♥

[ch-ar-me.livejournal.com]

lksdjlashdlakhda The ficlet why must it hurt. ;_; Oh Teukie. <3

Oh I love Just For One Day. But I prefer the Japanese version with Jaejoong. *gets bricked*

And Epik High is so much made of win.

[meiface.livejournal.com]

I saw your post on it and then the super_junior post and I made the D: face a lot.

I think I like the Korean version because 1. I am biased about Kyuhyun's voice lol and 2. because it's everyone's native language so they're more sure when they sing in it and it's just even more amazing.

Epik High is awweessome, indeed. :D

[coyotecolored.livejournal.com]

oh kangteuk u.u

and regarding your question--one of the things that was suggested to me, for taking overseas as a small, relatively cheap, non-perishable gift that is semi-hard to find in Asia was honey ^^ like, something locally produced/quirky, if you're in an area that produces anything like that~

[meiface.livejournal.com]

Ooh, honey, that's interesting. Non-perishable sounds like a good plan, but I'm not sure if we have anything terribly unique that's locally produced. But I'll look into it, thanks!

[emeraldcrystal.livejournal.com]

OMG FIC. KT! :DDDDD

AND LOL. KISS GOODBYE. Earlier today me and my family were at a restaurant and this song came on. My sister wanted it in her iPod but I told her I didn't know where to download Chinese songs and then I find this! Thanks! XD

[meiface.livejournal.com]

YES KT. Never enough love. ♥

Hee, hope you enjoy the song~