"Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him."
-Aldous Huxley

I had come across this quote many years ago, but when I heard it again yesterday, it somehow gave me a very different perspective.

I'd started with Xanga in May 2003.   Seven years.  I did not realise it was that long.  Till now.  It's time to say goodbye.  Thanks.  See you at blogspot. Sooner or later...

My favourite Jap band Laruku's latest single.  Though it's not their best to date, the song's still quite uplifting and inspirational.



君へと夢は今

遠い地平線へ向かい優しい腕から
ずっと駆けて来たんだね
最初は小さい歩幅で

一つ一つ歩を進め
振り向けば長い足跡
歪んでても真直ぐ
You have come a long way
Everything is for today

君へと夢は今 目の前で煌めいてる
花弁の舞降るような雪が祝福した

花々しい季節も横目に過ぎ去り
ため息白くついて
迷ったりもしたけど

しんと張りつめた風景
鼓動は高鳴りを覚え
あふれる想いはこの瞬間を迎える?
Everything is for today

空へと鐘の音が 時を告げ鳴り響くよ
翼ひろげ飛び立ってゆく君に祝福あれ

想いを乗せ君は今 大地を蹴る
心ひとつ喜びも悲しみも全部詰め込んで

君へと夢は今 目の前で煌めいてる
花弁の舞降るような雪が祝福した

---

Kimi e to yume wa ima

Tooi chiheisen e mukai yasashii ude kara
Zutto kaketekitandane
Saisho wa chiisai hohaba de

Hitotsu hitotsu ho wo susume
Furimukeba nagai ashiato
Yugandete mo massugu
You have come a long way
Everything is for today

Kimi he to yume wa ima -
Me no mae de kirameiteru
Hanabira no mai furu you na yuki ga shukufuku shita

Hanabanashii kisetsu mo yokome ni sugisari
Tameiki shiroku tsuite
Mayottari mo shita kedo

Shinto haritsumeta fuukei
Kodou wa takanari wo oboe
Afureru omoi wa kono shunkan wo koeru
Everything is for today

Sora e to kanenone ga toki wo tsuge narihibikuyo
Tsubasa hiroge tobidatte yuku kimi ni shukufuku are

Omoi wo nose kimi wa ima daichi wo keru
Kokoro hitotsu yorokobi mo kanashimi mo zembu tsumekonde

Kimi he to yume wa ima -
Me no mae de kirameiteru
Hanabira no maifuru you na yuki ga shukufuku shita

---

The dream for you is now...

You have been running from gentle arms towards the distant horizon
With small steps at first

Moving on step by step
It's a long trail of footsteps when you look back
Crooked yet straight forward
You have come a long way
Everything is for today

The dream for you is now sparkling before your eyes
It's blessed by snow falling like petals

Brilliant season has gone by in a glance
A sigh tinted white
Although there were times of doubt

A scene immersed in silence
Feeling the pulse beating fast
Can overflowing emotions face this moment?
Everything is for today

The sound of the bell marks the time and echoes in the air
May it bless you who is spreading wings and flying away

You now cross the ground with hope
Packing your heart with joy and sadness

The dream for you is now sparkling before your eyes
It's blessed by snow falling like petals