Passage of time: Doraemon's dimension

" Do you know why are eyes placed at the front?

To look forward. " - Nobita in Doraemon

When i was younger (i like using the comparative adjective 'younger' because it tells that i'm still young; instead of 'young' because then, it means i am already old) almost every night before i snoozed into dreamland, i would read Doraemon. Sometimes, i might finish the whole book. There is something about Doraemon that is so engrossing, so appealing that i sometimes wished i was there to be in the fantasy land.

What makes me enjoy reading Doraemon comics are the characters. Seeing how Doraemon helps Nobita, Nobita takes advantage at Doraemon's helping hand, and simply the journey of them together through ups and downs of life sell this comic like none other. Nobita struggles with his study and come home to the lecture of his mother, time and time again getting zero for his tests. Doraemon hails from another world, out from Nobita's drawer, and has since then became his friend, brother, and family. His friends, Sinyu and Giant, at some point, are fun to read. Giant and his singing 'talent' behind the bully never fails to show the softer side when it comes to his mother and sister. He shows respect and obedience to his family. Sinyu, on the other hand, is a rich kid with a boastful attitude, and it is entertaining to see at times when his action bites back. Sizuka, Nobita's girlfriend and future wife, portrays a loving and caring character. Chong Meng makes special on and off appearances and he plays Nobita's rival over Sizuka. In the evenings, they meet at the neighbourhood field and play baseball, and see how everybody runs whenever the ball strikes the glass window of one of the nearby houses. Sometimes, they go over to someone's home and play cards, or to celebrate an occasion. They walk to school together, or sometimes walk on their own and meet them on the way to school. I admire their friendship so much that i would want to live in their neighbourhood. The creator has definitely designed a setting for the comic that blends perfectly well with great characterization of the characters. Simply amiable!

The story of how i grew attached to Doraemon is elusive. I can't remember when it started but i'm pretty sure that it has something to do with a visit to the newspaper stand in the market. One stall in particular sold Doraemon comic books in Malay. Since i can't read Chinese and i don't find any English versions around, the stall became my target week after week. It was because new edition of the comic books would hit the store and i would be there to grab one myself. Like Nobita. I remembered it was Rm 4.50 per book. Then after breakfast, i would lie on a couch and start to read the book, page after page. At bookstores which sell Doraemon comic books, i would visit that section and spend time flipping its pages. Again, like Nobita.

The comic books offer a wide range of stories. Some stories made me laugh non-stop like the microphone which can captivate the attention of others or the one when a chair was throw out the window at a special reversal hour-glass story, while some stories are just tear-jerking. One i can still remember is Book 6's last story when Doraemon needed to leave Nobita and Nobita fought with Giant to prove to Doraemon that he can stand on his own two feet. I needed Book 7's first story to recover. Another was a story that brought Nobita back in time with his grandmother, who reignited his spirit to stand up after every fall. The stories are inspiring and has great inventions- though some might not seem plausible. I'm literally translating some of them to English from my own interpretation- Door to Anywhere (Pintu Sesuka Hati), Flying Bamboo (Buluh Terbang), Diminishing Lamp (Lampu Pengecil), all from his little pocket (saku).

What inspired me to blog about Doraemon in this third installment of Passage of Time was the chat i had with my friends about it. It brought me back to childhood and how amazing those times were. The times of innocence. And Doraemon has definitely taught a lesson or two about life and about people. I read them before i sleep. I read them in my toilet.

There are movies made for Doraemon and TV series based on the comics. There are games on Doraemon. But still, the comic books are my favourite. Drawn in a very circular geometry, Doraemon is undeniably a cute and cuddly cat robot. A cat who fears mice (or mouse). And funny how he never wins at 'rock, paper, scissors'.

Unlike other Japanese comic books, Doraemon has something special that i can associate to and with. And it is Doraemon, Nobita and his friends that i will always talk about.

Have you been into Doraemon's dimension? Share with me. wc11 excuses himself to dive into another Doraemon comic book once you see the full-stop at the end of this sentence.

Season 7, Episode 12: Four.Months

" Sometimes the world tries to knock it out of you. But i believe in music the way that some people believe in fairy tales. " - August Rush

Finally, i can breathe. The pressures of exam, the sleepless nights, loads of assignments, never-ending tests, will all be put aside for the next four months. Yes, four months and i will be away from uni, doing something else, something i enjoy more. Perhaps, this 4 month-long semester break might be the last in my years of university life. Counting my remaining years, after this, it's all work and no play. There are short breaks, but none as long as 4 months. Four. Months.

We go around asking friends 'how are you spending your four months?'. Popular question. Various acceptable answers. Some opt for pre-intern, some opt for part time jobs. Some go for exchange. Some just go do what they like. But me? What will i be doing? I'm not fixed to any plans at the moment but i have it sort of in mind. Four months is long. But then again, if we plan to work, minus two months at least. Then holidays, probably a week. Then some other work, ending up soon facing the next year, the next semester. I do not want to regret my 4 months doing nothing and i really need to plan my time, organize and prioritize what comes first, what comes next. Whatever it is, first things first, i need a break. 8 months of study is somewhat tiring and it would be a lie if i tell you that i'm not worn out. *exaggeration intended*

It has been a while i last cleared my room, completely. Moving the things from the room to the car, thankfully with the help of my friends, it was faster than i thought and definitely less exhausting. A fully loaded car on a three hour journey back home, always a sweet feeling!

Somehow, i purposely made this season a twelve-episode season. Why? It was just that the number twelve has time and again crossed path in my life. I was born on the twelve. My ETP group number was twelve. I thought it might seem a nice way to end this season with a twelfth episode. This series will take a break and comes back next year. wc11 sits down, plans, prioritizes his time and budget, for what lies ahead. Four. Months. I say 'Bring it on!'

" The music. I can hear it everywhere. In the wind, in the air, in the light. It's all around us. All you have to do is open yourself up. All you have to do... is listen. "

Season 7, Episode 11: It's seven eleven!

" The meanings of words are not in words, but rather in the people who uses those words. "

It has been a while since i last blogged. I visited my blog regularly but decided to put the updating task on hold. Well, to say i was just focusing on my final exams would not entirely be true. It was a mix of celebrations and stress instead. Celebrations of many reasons, non-academic related though. And a reason why i decided now to steal some time away from my heavily filled books of words, would be my friend's comment, 'You didn't update'.

Going back home welcomed much good food, and even better with the Raya and Merdeka air surrounding the little escapade days. It was the remaining few days of bazaar Ramadan when i was back but it still did not stop me from devouring on my favourites: murtabak ayam 'chicken murtabak', roti bom, roti john, crispy and succulent ayam goreng and sweet brown kuih we call kuih cawan- because it uses the cup as mold. The highlight of my Raya would be the visit to my father's friend's open house. It never fails to satisfy, especially with her incomparably delicious cakes (the Red Velvet picks the best spot, Chocolate comes second already) and Malay dishes of lemang, nasi beriyani kambing and the unforgettable beef rendang! The lunch treat was lip-smacking!

The next day was Merdeka, Malaysia's Independence Day. Somehow, my mood for Merdeka celebration had diminished over the years, especially when stepping into university with no more school day celebrations of Independence. I missed the moments we waved our Jalur Gemilang in pride during our school assembly, singing proudly our national anthem along other patriotic songs (Keranamu Malaysia, Jalur Gemilang, Tanggal 31). And recalling back even to when i was younger the moment my family and i had to wait by the roadside in KL to watch the parade. If it still has, i urge you, Malaysian or not, to experience it because it is an atmosphere you can hardly forget.

This year's Merdeka held another birthday celebration- my grandpa. Dinner was good, with a little too much white wine consumed. Sad to say, it was my second experience. Alcohol, oh alcohol. In another way, it is a sign that i should practice more! And i will practice more, come my 21st birthday in another year time.

Back to the dinner, it was good, and it ended with another devouring round of cake. Perhaps, it was one too many that forced it out.



After dinner, we went back home to wait for the fireworks display by one of the nearby restaurants. The restaurant was organizing a company dinner with fireworks in its agenda. So, matching the date and day together, the firework display was one for the Merdeka celebration too! Happy Independence Day, Malaysia!

As i have mentioned before, in earlier seasons, going back home pose much distraction. Like always, the television. There were just too many good shows airing now: The Voice, The Gates, The Glee Project, Hell's Kitchen, DIVA movies, Wipeout, you name it, it's there, or somehow among what is there. Much to say, books were the only standing, open thing between me and the television. With great technology comes great distraction. I don't mean just the television but other devices too.

Because too much play time, and relaxing moments, it's time to drill as fast and as much as possible these last few days. Exams are already rearing their heads while i buckle up to load my guns and missiles. I like study, i like learning, but i never like exams.

My friend said how we wished we could burn the books and drink them down. Doraemon ingeniously invented another, a bread in which we can print our notes on them and swallow them down, straight so that it is in our mind.

If Doraemon comes to my world, it'll solve the pressures of exams for now.

wc11 returns to hitting the books, with mind swaying on and off to the moment of his own 'independence'.