Classes are okay. Professors are okay. Contrary to popular opinion, the student population really isn't that nerdy. There's a good mix of people all around. And the food is extraordinarily good, considering I used to retch at the stuff I ate at home. And Freshman Fifteen? More like Freshman Negative Five or something. Yes, I've been losing weight.

The campus is nice, but I've heard sirens from the surrounding city every day since I've been here. It makes me think of the events that occasion those emergency responders. People have also warned of a gang of preteens running around mugging people… which, I don't know… seems a little funny to me.

The Furry's been quieter than usual. I haven't heard him squeak much. He does accompany me to class and to the dining halls. He's still lovely. Davey-boy molests him, though. I'll have to do something about that.

So, in all, my depression seems well on the road to recovery.

At any rate, I did find this one tune with fitting lyrics for this period in my life ("Lost Inside" by Nemesea). I included the whole album playlist below for your listening pleasure. Trust me, it's a beautiful album. Even pop lovers should adore it.

The Furry and I will go to dinner now. See you around.

BoA, 22-year-old Korean and overall Asian pop star extraordinaire, just released her debut U.S. album today, self-titled BoA, as was described extensively in my previous entry.

Whoa, a review already, Fa? On the day of its release? Sadly, yes. I'm not beneath downloading it illegally, especially when I harbor no respect for pop artists whatsoever. And you could just say I'm mildly curious.

Continue this way to learn all the itty, gritty details (and perhaps snag a free download along the way).

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Asian pop star BoA seems to be pulling out all the stops on her latest, self-titled album BoA, an English language release planned to hit the U.S. on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. And yes, you read that right. The Korean sweetheart, BoA, 22, beloved by South Koreans, Japanese, some Chinese, and multitudes of Asians abroad, is finally setting her eyes on the distant shores of the United States.

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Being misanthropic, depressed, and constantly alienated, I do try to cheer myself up from time to time. One of the most common ways I do this is by finding some gem of a music video to drool over.

"Bye Bye Beautiful" by Nightwish, Dark Passion Play (2007)

Yes! You guessed it. Gorgeous models backed by even more gorgeous music. And I simply adore Marco Hietala, the guy who accompanies Anette Olzon in the duet, even despite his, uh, double goatee (is that a double goatee?). Such a sexy voice. And speaking of sexy, see that punk rocker-esque keyboard player with the black eyeliner? I realized (just yesterday) that he was the composer/lyricist/mastermind/genius Tuomas Holopainen himself. I seriously had no idea he was that dashing in real life.

"Amaranth" by Nightwish, Dark Passion Play (2007)

THE quintessential rock video. Really pop in disguise, despite the heavy riffing, but I'm not complaining. Beautiful, beautiful stuff.

As an aside, Dark Passion Play is the first of Nightwish's studio albums to feature their new vocalist, Anette Olzon of Sweden. Her predecessor, Tarja Turunen, was fired in an open letter in 2005. The majority of fans are still divided about the move, and I myself think the rest of the band's demeanor towards her was uncalled for. ("Bye Bye Beautiful": "Did you ever hear what I told you? / Did you ever read what I wrote you?" It's really a spiteful farewell song to Tarja.) However, though I greatly miss Tarja's operatic vocals (after all, classical singing can't be beat), I'm gradually warming up to a Tarja-less Nightwish. In the long run, it probably was the right decision, given that they were moving away from classical vocals anyway. And if they keep producing euro-metal gold like "Bye Bye Beautiful" and "Amaranth"… well, then, I'm OK.

"The Islander" by Nightwish, Dark Passion Play (2007)

Beautiful folk ballad. One of the most haunting and visually arresting works of fine video.

And that concludes your musical update from Jenny-fa.

"– My fall will be for you –
My fall will be for you
My love will be in you
If you be the one to cut me
I will bleed forever…"
— Nightwish, "Ghost Love Score"

This operatic chorus (featuring none other than the London Philharmonic Orchestra) is one of the most awesome hooks I've ever heard. Check it out.

"Ghost Love Score" by Nightwish, Once (2004)

Since I had a nice long nap today, I'm determined to spend the entire night (and early morning) catching up on my favorite shows on Hulu. And since I know you're just bursting with curiosity, the shows in question include (in approximate ranking of brilliance/preference):

1. House
2. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
3. Legend of the Seeker — based on a series of fantasy novels called The Sword of Truth
4. And to a lesser extent, Fringe, which has gotten ruddy spectacular all of a sudden

In short, Alec Baldwin can be very persuasive.

On the other hand, I need to go wash my hair.

Edit: Dreamhost's $0.77/month hosting sale is still on, for those of you still interested.