2011's End and 2012's Beginning

I should've done this at the end of December, but look at this...IT'S ALREADY JANUARY!!!! 
Very much has happened in 2011.  It not only ranges from my fan girl life, but also in reality.  From war/revolution to really bad natural disasters to economical issues we're still facing.  It was a really rough year.  Of course the revolutions in the Middle East were a big topic.  Every now and then, I'd hear about them on the news and I'd wonder and hope that the civilians over there that are just minding their own business would be okay.  The death of a few dictators also spread across the news.  The death of the N. Korean leader was the one I paid more attention to because I've become quite attached to S. Korea through it's Kpop.  I'm always wishing for peace between the north and south, but I also know it's got a long way to go.  The 'end of the world' scare was another noteworthy event of 2011.  Some people actually thought it would end.  I was a bit afraid, but we're still here, so God isn't finished with us just yet.  ^_^  One of the big pieces of news from last year that REALLY caught my attention was the triple threat of the major earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear problems in Japan.

It totally shocked me and I was really sad.  :(  I used to live there and it gave me goosebumps just to see the water come on land like it did.  Since it was really late over here when it occurred, I stayed up until about 3am watching everything about it.  I switched between CNN, Fox News, and others.  If I only had NHK at the time I could have gotten the feed straight from Japan since it was based there.  Truthfully, I was worried about the Japanese artists that I was fond of.  Some were hurt, some were reported 'missing' for a while, and some lost belongings.  But I also worried about the citizens, and I had hoped that there wouldn't be too many casualties.  In the wake of the disaster, I had heard that people were suprised at how the Japanese acted and coordinated.  ^_^  But I was also annoyed at how some people had said mean things about them.  If I could, I would still love to go back.  People just don't know how beautiful of a country it is until they see it with their own eyes~!

Aside from that, another really bad thing was the Joplin, MO tornado. 

The part that is brown is the tornado path.  This sucker was an EF5--the highest rating a tornado can have.

I do admit that I really didn't watch all the coverage about this like I did for Japan.  And this even happened in my own country!  But I felt bad because I used to live in the infamous 'Tornado Alley' as well.  Every spring, I worried myself about something like this happening.  So far, I've been blessed, but I do hope that we won't have things like this happen any time soon. 

In my fangirl life, there were many problems as well.  What with newcomer groups and comebacks of old groups, I found it difficult to keep track.  Probably the biggest comeback of last year was HoMin coming back as TVXQ.

Do you know how that shook the Cassiopeia fandom?  It was great to have them back on the stage, but I wasn't really comfortable with them still being called TVXQ.  Little by little, I'm adjusting, but there're days when it's still hard.  And let's not forget the on and off 'fanwars' between stans.  -_-  But it wasn't just TVXQ who was suffering.  Other groups like U-KISS, Super Junior, Big Bang, KARA, SNSD, etc. (and their fandoms) also had their share of problems--be it major or minor ones.  I must say that Kpop has become quite a global thing however.  Places outside of Asia and the U.S. got a taste of Kpop groups when they have been dying to see when some held concerts in their countries.  Lucky fans...  >_>  I may live here in the U.S., but my part of the country remains untouched by Kpop and Jpop...even anime conventions are rare (in the state I live in).  ;___;

In the realm of Jpop, I was happy to hear the news of Maaya Sakamoto--my favorite Japanese songstress--was getting married!  And a few months later, Koda Kumi got married!  For some reason, I'm okay with my favorite female singers getting married, but when it comes to my favorite male singers EVEN DATING I flip out.  XD  This year I got into one of the groups that I only listen to on occasion: KAT-TUN~!  \(^o^)/ 

I'm taking my time getting to know them, but they are quite a funny bunch.  If you ever have watched 'Cartoon KAT-TUN' you will know what I mean.  And for those who haven't I suggest you watch it.  The things that I'm still adjusting to with them (as with alot of Jpop) is that their dancing isn't as sychronized as Kpop and it is difficult to distiguish voices in the group.  I have also become quite infatuated with the member named Junnosuke Taguchi this year.  It's probably a shallow reason, but what attracted me to him is how he and Changmin look similar upon first glance.  His personality is really sweet too as far as I've learned. 

And who wouldn't want to love someone as adorable as him?  <3

So, last year had it's ups and downs.  I'm pretty sure that this year may have some as well.  But I hope it will be more good than bad.  Of course we all have to prepare for all the 'end of the world' propoganda this year as it is 2012.  I just hope that nothing really will happen.  However, as I was taught...nobody knows the time nor the hour when things will end for us.  All we have to do is just keep 'prayed up' and keep living. 

Peace out, everyone~!  ^_6