If only, if only

Dear reader,






I just think I should let you know, I'm using you. Yes, you're nothing but a tool. A procrastination and dilly-dallying tool. I'm sorry, but I'm just being brutally honest here. I have this thing--two things actually--that I have to get done. By tonight. Tomorrow morning at the latest. And, me being me, I'll probably leave it to the last possible minute second.


If only I wasn't such an incorrigible feet-dragger. If only I was obnoxiously motivated and organized, and had a schedule book detailing my life to the most precise second. If only I was a preppy, socially-competent, valedictorian-type girl who submits every assignment on time and does all the right things and never says anything stupid.


If only I had a real camera, with a lens the size and breadth of my effing arm. That came with a wicked cool camera strap with a pink skull-and-crossbones pattern on it. If only I knew how to use said fictional camera.


If only I had more awesome dresses to wear, cause--despite being a jeans and T-shirt girl most of the time--I love wearing dresses for no reason other than "I just felt like it". If only I were chic.


If only all the pain, tragedies and atrocities in the world could just disappear, leaving only love, peace and an undeniable understanding of every human's equality behind. If only I weren't such an idealist. Or if only more people I knew were idealists...we could form a club or something. With our own buttons. With witty slogans printed on them.


If only I had a pair of Mary-Jane's. Seriously, those shoes are the epitome of awesome-ness. I could settle for a pair of ankle boots, though. Hmmm...if only I weren't so obsessed with shoes? Nah.

If only everyone was a better person than they currently are...or if only they at least actively strive to make themselves better. Myself included. Myself especially. 

If only, if only.


Speaking of 'better people'...did you know I love India.Arie? No, I am not abruptly changing the subject, dear reader. I am referring to a song of her's, called 'Better People'. It's a great song, and coincidentally really relevant to my life right now. Like, extremely so. Profoundly so. It's almost creepy, in fact. I'm not telling you why, though. What? I like to pretend I'm mysterious. Don't shatter my deluded ramblings, kind reader. Just let me go through life in a haze of ignorant bliss.








Lyrics:

I wish there was a video game
To teach you your ancestor's name
I wish there was a phone number
Like 1-800-Save-Your-Brother
I'm thankful for the radio station
Not afraid to put the truth in rotation
There is certain information
That you can only get in conversation with


[Chorus]
Young people, talk to
Old people, it would make us a
Better people, all around
(Yes it would)
And if old people, would talk to
Young people, it would make us a
Better people, all around
(Yes it would)

We went from radio to TV
Now we're going from LP to CD
Don't be afraid to try something new
I can help you with the brand new technology
You can help me with the age old philosophy
Together there's so much we can do, when...

[Chorus]

They say that every generation gets worse
They call it a generational curse
But these problems don't just drop out o' the sky
Listen to Mahatma Ghandi's words
Be the change you wanna see in the world
Start with yourself and healing will multiply
That's what happens when...

Young people, talk to
Old people, it would make us a
Better people, all around...
(Yes it would)
If Old People would talk to
Young people...
Better people, all around

If black people would talk to white people
It would make us a
Better people, all around

If Republican people would
Talk to Democratic people
It would make us diplomatic people, all around






I just love the lyrics. Music, to me, is an experience. It's about the sound, the beat, the voice, and especially the lyrics. Do not expect me to listen to a song with crappy lyrics. Just because you can rhyme 'girl' with 'world' or 'life' with 'wife', doesn't make you a songwriter. Yes, hip-hoppers and wannabe-gangsta-rappers, I'm talking to you. Having said that, it's not like I despise rap or anything. I like Eminem. Sometimes. And Jay-Z is a legend in my mind, the Rap Grandmaster. I absolutely adore Mike Shinoda, and by extension Fort Minor. Jason Mraz, technically, is a rapper. Well he used to rap more before he got old and mellow. Not that I don't like his newer songs, I just find it frustrating that people who never liked him before suddenly jumped on the 'I'm Yours' bandwagon. I liked him way before he was considered cool...or mainstream, rather. And I liked the original version of 'I'm Yours' better.

Wow, this turned out to be a longer post than I had intended it to be. I should probably go now. It's already past midnight. Better get cracking. Yup. No more procrastinating. Gotta get a move on. Sigh. Alright, alright...I'm going. See ya round the bend, dear reader.




Yours,


Figgy the Incorrigible

Sad song and exams

Don't be deluded, dear reader, this is strictly a quickie post.
I've had this song for a relatively long time, but it somehow means more to me now than it did then. Maybe you'll understand that cryptic statement, and maybe you won't...but I'm too tired and hungry right now to make a whole post out of it.



Death Cab For Cutie
I Will Follow You into the Dark






Before I knew the lyrics, I thought it was 'illuminate the nose on their vacancy signs', haha.
I believe in Heaven and Hell, and I doubt very much that they have 'no vacancy' signs, but it doesn't matter really. It's the concept behind it: even if the place you're going to is...nowhere, even if it's only darkness, I'll still follow you there. Other than a creeping suspicion that this song might inspire suicidal tendencies, I find it sweet and moving. And extremely sad.

I have exams tomorrow...I mean, today. And I haven't even started studying. I should really stop procrastinating. Now.


Guess what this is! It's Figgy's abrupt departure~

Hottest in the market...

Dear reader,








Okay, so I know I'm a day late for Musical Monday, but I was busy. Besides, I was going to just skip it altogether, but then I decided to type it up at the last minute, so you should just keep your complaints to yourself, sit back--preferably in a posture of belated gratitude--and enjoy the post. The song of the day is 'Terhangat di Pasaran', by KRU and Adam. Roughly translated, it means 'Hottest in the Market'. It's been a long time since I translated a song, don't you think, dear reader? Well, long enough anyway. So, here it is...enjoy!











KRU & Adam
'Terhangat di Pasaran'

Tak cukup bertiga, kami berempat pula

Makin melonjak-lonjak saham di kalangan wanita

Jika masih ragu, lima puluh-lima puluh

Di penghujung lagu, kau bisa terpengaruh

Bilang saja berapa mata yang memandang mengekori langkahku

Itu pun baru sahaja ku acah lagak gaya penampilan segakku

Jangan kau buang masa melayan jejaka sekadar petah bicara

Usah rungsingkan fikiran, pilihlah aku saja, pakar jurusan wanita

[Chorus]

Jangan ketinggalan, tawaran yang istimewa

Kepuasan dijamin, seratus peratus buatan Malaysia

Dapatkan segera sementara masih ada

Jantan rebutan, terhangat di pasaran

Ku bisa kecapi segala mimpimu

Merealisasi semua impian hidup

 Ku rasa kau sedar (rasa kau sedar)

Ku pilihan nyata (pilihan nyata)

Tak henti-henti panggilan berdering untuk merebut peluang bertutur

Belum kira barisan yang beratur hingga ke Singapura menunggu janji temu

Ramai lelaki mengaku ’macho’ tapi hancur hanya omong kosong

Lainlah aku yang tampan, susuk tubuh menawan, dapat kau pasti beruntung

[Chorus]

Ooh…Ooh…ku tak sampai hati

Melihat kau rugi menggigit jari

Kerana jika kau lepaskan peluang berharga

Bagai dijamu piranha aku disambar

Ayuh lekas-lekas, sementara masih panas

Terimalah diriku, gunakan tanpa was-was

Tawaran ditutup bila ku dah dicekup

Pastinya ku calon membuat kau terpegun

Ku…

Bisa kecapi segala mimpimu

Merealisasi semua impian hidup

 Ku rasa kau sedar (rasa kau sedar)

Ku pilihan nyata (pilihan nyata)

Jaa…ngan ketinggalan, tawaran yang istimewa

Kepuasan dijamin, seratus peratus buatan Malaysia

Dapatkan segera sementara masih ada

Jantan rebutan

Yang terhangat, yang terhangat

Hangat di pasaran

Hey Adam, KRU

Kini bersatu di dalam lagu

Di studio

Di radio

Yeahh…yeah…

English translation

KRU & Adam

'Terhangat di Pasaran'

Three wasn’t enough, now there are four of us

Our stock keeps rising among the ladies

If you’re still doubtful, fifty-fifty

You’ll be convinced at the end of this song

Just count how many eyes are looking, following my movements

And that’s just when I’m acting cool, with my stylish appearance

Don’t waste your time entertaining a man who only talks a good game

You don’t need to think so hard, just pick me, an expert in the field of women

[Chorus]

Don’t miss out, it’s a special offer

Satisfaction guaranteed, hundred percent Malaysian-made

Get it now, while stocks last

Male in demand, hottest in the market

I can achieve all your dreams

Make all your life’s dreams a reality

I think you realize (think you realize)

I’m the obvious choice (obvious choice)

The calls never cease ringing, trying to get a chance to talk to me

I haven’t counted the line stretching to Singapore, all waiting for a date

A lot of guys say they’re ‘macho’ but it’s all empty talk

It’s different with me, handsome, attractive body, you’re sure to profit

[Chorus]

Ooh…ooh…I can’t bear

To see you lose out, biting your fingers

Because if you let go of this valuable opportunity

I’ll be snatched up, like I’m being eaten by piranhas

Come on, hurry, while it’s still hot

Accept me, use me without apprehension

When I’m taken, the offer will be closed

I’m surely the candidate to make you awestruck

I…

Can achieve all your dreams

Make all your life’s dreams a reality

I think you realize (think you realize)

I’m the obvious choice (obvious choice)

Doo…on’t miss out, it’s a special offer

Satisfaction guaranteed, hundred percent Malaysian-made

Get it now, while stocks last

Male in demand

The hottest, the hottest

Hot in the market

Hey Adam, KRU

Come together in a song

In the studio

On the radio

Yeahh…yeah…

Footnote time! The obnoxious announcer guy in the beginning of the video is a famous emcee/talk show host in Malaysia, Aznil. Though, for the life of me, I simply can't figure out why people like him so much. Anyway, I was too lazy to translate what he's saying word-for-word. Basically, he's going on about how he's happy to see us again--us being the audience, him being the host of a fictional TV show called 'Jantan Macho...la'--and introducing the last five competitors who still remain in the running. 'Jantan Macho...la' just means 'Macho Guy...la'. The 'la' is almost impossible to translate because it doesn't really mean anything, it's just used for emphasis. This video is pretty much a parody of a real Malaysian TV show called Akademi Fantasia (Fantasy Academy), AF for short, which is pretty much another American-Idol-become-a-singer-and-get-famous kind of thing. There are a lot of inside jokes that, if you don't live in Malaysia or don't have access to Malaysian TV, you probably won't get. Like, for example, Aznil was actually the host of AF before he got his own show. I love spoofs, don't you?




You know, when I was searching for a nice video to embed, I came across something appalling. I simply hate, abhor, detest, loathe and extremely dislike it when people write stuff like 'dipasaran' instead of 'di pasaran'. If there's a space between the 'di' and the other word, then it's a place. But if there's no space between them, it's a verb. That's a really, really big mistake to make. And there's no such word in the Malay language as 'dipasaran'. Anyway. It has to do with a person's age, also. Malay is a relatively new language, and the rules are always changing. Way back when, during the colonial days, we used to spell words differently. Like 'chinta' is now 'cinta' (love), and 'puteh' is now spelt 'putih' (white). It probably had a lot to do with the British and their phonetic alphabet. But the younger ones have no excuse.




Alright, moving on. I don't really have much to say about this translation. It's a bit rough, though. To any Malay-speakers out there who happen to stumble upon this post, you're welcome to comment and offer any alternative translations. I know mine isn't the only or even the best one. And with that, I bid you adieu. Til next time, my dear reader.














Yours,






Figgy, Not In The Market Or In Demand

...and karma strikes back

Dear reader,

Yes, I believe in karma. Okay, technically, I believe in 'reaping what you sow'; but karma's easier to say. A person can't just commit injustice after injustice and get away with it. Sooner or later, karma strikes back. That's just the way it is; non-negotiable, inevitable. Like gravity. You jump off a building, you plummet headfirst to the ground--doesn't matter what your race is, how much you weigh, or how rich you are. The only way to go is down.

But I'm getting a little off topic here. The reason behind this post is actually to share a song with you, dear reader. About time for another musical post, in my opinion. So, here we go. The song in question is called [surprise, surprise] 'Karma', by the Indonesian band Cokelat. Enjoy!

Cokelat

'Karma'

Sekian lama kita bersama
Ternyata kau juga sama saja
Kau kira kupercaya semua
S'gala tipu daya, oh...percuma

Kau buat sempurna, awalnya
Berakhir bencana

[chorus]
S'lamat tinggal, sayang
Bila umurku panjang

Kelak ku 'kan datang 'tuk buktikan
Satu balas 'kan kau jelang
Jangan menangis, sayang
Ku ingin kau rasakan

Pahitnya terbuang, sia-sia
Memang kau pantas dapatkan

Akhirnya, usai sudah semua
Ku dapat tertawa, bahagia...

S'lalu tampak indah, awalnya
Berakhir bencana

[chorus]

Kau buat sempurna, awalnya
Berakhir bencana

[chorus]

English translation:

Cokelat

'Karma'

We've been together all this while

Evidently you're still the same

You think I'd believe everything

All your deceit, oh...just like that

You acted perfectly, at first

It ended in disaster

[chorus]

Goodbye, my love

When I'm older

I'll come back to prove

You'll get what's coming to you

Don't cry, my love

I want you to feel

The bitterness of being abandoned, useless

Really, you'll get yours soon

Finally, when it's all over

I can laugh, joyfully

It always looks beautiful, at first

It ended in disaster

[chorus]

You acted perfectly, at first

It ended in disaster

[chorus]

And there you have it! Oh, guess what, my dear reader. It's footnote time! Please direct your attention to the crimson tinged phrases above; and then kindly redirect your attention down here, for I shall be a dear and write them again...riiiight here: 'Memang kau pantas dapatkan', which I translated as 'Really, you'll get yours soon'. This one was a bit of a challenge. I'm not too happy with it, to be honest. It sounds a bit funny, doesn't it? Translated word-for-word it means 'indeed, you'll get it quickly'...or something like that. However, if you, my dearest reader, have any alternative translations, give it here! I would be very glad with any improvement to this--currently--awkward-sounding line. Yes, Sammy-boy, I'm talking to you! You're my only 'follower', after all. *crouches in a corner pondering her pathetic excuse for a blog*

Right. Well. Moving on. Is it just me, or does this singer have a sort of Alanis Morissette feel to her voice? I can safely say that I'm an Alanis Morissette fan. My favourite song of hers is--oh, wait. That's a whole other post in itself. I suppose I should let you go now, no doubt you are at this very moment occupied in some pressing engagement, extremely busy doing something extremely important, or just generally full of activity. At least, I hope you are. You should be.

Oh, and on a side note, I'm starting school on the 10th of August! That's--let me see--a Monday. I still can't believe I'm looking forward to it as much as I am. I'm practically gleeful at my upcoming incarceration in the higher education system. I am a bit nervous, as well. You know, the kind of excited nervousness one inevitably feels at the start of a new school year. New classes, new pencils, new erasers, new books...old brain.

Ah, yes, I should end this post now. Forgive my rambling, dear reader. So, off I go! I wonder if I should buy some new pens...

Yours,

Figgy the Karmic

Jump Higher!

Dear Reader,

I've just realized...it's been almost a month since my last musical post. This just won't do. I must have my music! Plus, it's been a boring couple of days and I have absolutely nothing else worth blogging about. So, today I shall share and translate a song called 'Melompat Lebih Tinggi' by Sheila On 7. It means 'Jump Higher' in English, hence the title of this post. It was sort of the theme song for an Indonesian movie, '30 Hari Mencari Cinta' (30 Days To Look For Love) so the video clip is basically a movie trailer. 

The movie in a nutshell: three housemates, who are also the bestest of friends, make a bet with each other to see who can successfully procure a boyfriend first after being called lesbians by a really annoying, shallow, big-slut-on-campus type girl. The catch is, they have a 30-day deadline...and the loser has to do all the chores for a month or something. So, a classic I-have-to-find-me-the-perfect-guy-amidst-all-these-losers montage ensues.

The video clip is just a compilation of little bits and pieces from the movie, but with the band-dudes substituting some of the wannabe boyfriends used in the real movie. I love Sheila On 7! They just crack me up. And their lyrics aren't half bad, either.

Anyway...enjoy!

Sheila On 7

'Melompat Lebih Tinggi'

Kita berlari dan teruskan bernanyi

Kita buka lebar pelukan mentari

Bila ku terjatuh nanti,

Kau siap mengangkat aku lebih tinggi.

Seperti pedih yang telah kita bagi

Layaknya luka yang telah terobati

Bila kita jatuh nanti

Kita siap 'tuk melompat lebih tinggi.

Bersama kita bagai hutan dan hujan

Aku ada karna kau telah tercipta.

[chorus]

Kupetik bintang untuk kau simpan

Cahayanya tenang, berikan kau perlindungan

Sebagai pengingat teman

Juga s'bagai jawaban

Semua tantangan

[chorus]

Sebelum waktu memisahkan detikku, detikmu

Sebelum dewasa, menua, memisahkan kita

Degupan jantung kita akan s'lalu seirama

Bila kau rindu aku...

[chorus] x2

English Translation:

Sheila On 7

'Jump Higher'

We run and continue singing

We open wide the embrace of the sun

When I fall down,

You're ready to lift me higher.

Like a pain that we have divided

Like a cut that has been treated

When we fall down,

We're ready to jump higher.

Together we're like the forest and the rain

I am here because you were created.

[chorus]

I pluck a star for you to keep

Its light is calm, it gives you protection

As a reminder of friends

Also as the answer to

All challenges

[chorus]

Before time separates my moment, your moment

Before adulthood, aging, separates us

Our heartbeats will always be in rhythm

When you miss me...

[chorus] x2

Okay, footnote time! Kindly suppress your groans until I am safely out of earshot, my dear reader. Ahem. So. If you are Indonesian-speaking, you're probably wondering why on earth I translated bagi as divided. Well, my dear reader, that particular 'bagi' is probably a shortened version of 'bahagi', which, in fact, means 'divided'. You see, 'bagi' usually means 'give'...but I couldn't very well translate the line as 'like a pain that we have (been) given' or something like that. It doesn't make any sense! So, I deliberated that the songwriter actually meant the other 'bagi'; 'bahagi'. Then it's 'like a pain that we have divided (amongst ourselves, therefore we both share it and feel it less)'.

Well...I think that's it for this post; I'm all blogged out. Good news for you, I suppose, my dear reader. But please, don't break out into song just yet. I'm already cooking up an absolutely amazing post as we speak. It will blow your mind. Prepare to be mind-blown! 

Nyeh...not really. I have no idea what I'm going to write about next. Guess I'll just wing it. Sort of like I'm doing right now. Just winging it. Alrighty then, I'm gonna wing it on out of here. Until next time, dear reader.

Yours,

Figgy

[FiSPToW]

♪ Jat da da-da... ♫

Dear Reader,






Do you know what I'm gonna write about today? As per the title of this post, I am going to share about yet another song, called 'Jat Da Da Da' by Dia Fadila. Now, as I understand, this is not the original version of the song. I think it was sung in Thai (Kon-Jai Ngai by Ice Srunyou) first, and then in Korean ('Zza La La' by As One), but I could be mistaken about the order. Well, it doesn't matter either way; I can't understand Thai or Korean, so you'll just have to be happy with this version, my dearest reader.


Enjoy!


















Dia Fadila
'Jat Da Da Da'


Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
[repeat]


Entah mengapa debar di jiwa
Terasa bagai ku telah jatuh cinta
Semakin lama, semakin mula rasa rindu
Kini ku sedar ku tak berdaya
Memendam rasa yang sekian lama
Menginginkanmu, mencintaimu
Oh, sayangku...


[chorus]
Jangan cuba mencipta harapan
Jika kau hanya mainkan perasaan
Yang sekian lamanya dambakan kehadiranmu
Jangan biar ku mencintaimu
Melainkan kau merasa begitu
Kerna hati ini tak bisa diluka lagi


Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
[repeat]

Katakan saja, yang sejujurnya
Ada kau rasa apa yang ku rasa?
Kau 'kan setia, mengharap sinar bahagia


[chorus]


Jat da da-da da...


[chorus]


Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
[repeat]















English translation:
Dia Fadila
'Jat Da Da Da'


Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
[repeat]



I don't know why, this thrashing in my soul
It feels like I've fallen in love
The more time passes, the more I start to miss you
Now I realize I am incapable
Of suppressing my feelings that have, for a long time
Been wanting you, been loving you
Oh, my love...


[chorus]
Don't try to create hope
If you're only playing with my feelings
That have been longing for your presence all this while
Don't permit me to love you
Unless you feel the same way
Because this heart can't be hurt again



Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
[repeat]


Just say it, honestly
Do you feel what I feel?
That you will be faithful, hoping for rays of happiness


[chorus]


Jat da da-da da...


[chorus]



Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
Jat da da da
Jat da-da da da (whoo~)
[repeat]















Alright, I know what you're thinking, my dear reader. The English version is so much longer compared to the Malaysian one. I paraphrased a little. Or a lot. You see, if I had translated it word-for-word, it would sound like a bunch of nonsense. I tweaked the English meaning a bit, to suit the mood and feel of the song.


For example, I translated the line 'Jangan biar ku mencintaimu' to 'Don't permit me to love you'. A more accurate translation of 'biar' would be 'let', but I thought it sounded a bit dry, so I replaced it with 'permit', which means practically the same thing, but carries a different feel, a different atmosphere, if you will. Like she needs his consent or permission to love him. You know, because 'this heart can't be hurt again'.


Anyway, I shall close this session here, before I come up with another example to bore you with, my dear reader, as I am sure you have better things to do than to sit in front of the computer all day, hanging on to my every word, merely existing until my next post makes its [tardy] appearance. Until then, dear reader, arrivederci!









Yours,





Figgy the Self Proclaimed Translator of the World
[FiSPToW, for short]

♪ Thank you for the music... ♫

Dear Reader,





It's high time for another musical post. This time, I would like to share a song called 'Bagaikan Puteri' by Farra. It means 'Like a Princess'. The meaning behind the lyrics is a bit sad, but the tune is really catchy. I mean, super catchy. Like stuck-in-your-head-for-a-week catchy. Anyway, here are the lyrics and the translation.





Farra
'Bagaikan Puteri'

[Chorus]
Tapi sayang, hanyalah impian
Bulan tak bisa tumbuh di taman
Dan bila mentari datang
Pulanglah segala kenyataan

Jika dunia aku yang punya
Akanku dirikan
Sebuah syurga
Malam tanpa siang
Untukku bermimpi

[*]

Sepanjang masa, tanpa kecewa
Bertemankan bintang yang setia
Bagaikan puteri kisah khayalan
Yang hidupnya suci dan sempurna

[Chorus]

Jika dunia aku yang punya
Akanku hiaskan
Sepasang sayap
Putih dan berseri
Untukku kemudi

[*]

[Chorus] x2

English translation:Farra
'Like a Princess'

[Chorus]
But too bad, it's only a dream
The moon can't grow in a garden
And when the sun comes
The reality returns

If the world belonged to me
I would build
A paradise
A night without day
For me to dream

[*]

All the time
Without disappointment
Accompanied by the loyal stars
Like a fairy-tale princess
With a pure and perfect life

[Chorus]

If the world belonged to me
I would adorn
A pair of wings
White and shining
For me to navigate

[*]

[Chorus] x2

See what I mean? A bit pessimistic, really...but at least it's realistic; it is a widely accepted belief that the moon does not grow in gardens. Anyway, that's all for today. Hope you enjoyed this somewhat brief post. It must be a refreshing change for you, my dear reader. Until we meet again, ciao!

Yours,

Figgy the Music Lover