Merry Xmas to all who visit me, to all my friends, and to our wonderful boys<3


May your friends and family enfold you in their warmth, may your heart be as light as the falling snow, may your dreams shine as brightly as the stars in the midnight sky, and may you get your every wish:3 This is the time of year when I feel most thankful (as opposed to Thanksgiving;P), so I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported me this far, your kindness and care have been an irreplaceable part of my lifeX3 To my flist, when I needed a smile you were there, when we shared a laugh the distances melted away, and when I can return this warmth I hope you will feel the same^^ If I had my own radio show I would now dedicate La Familia to you all and play it;)
But most of all, thank you Arashi<3 Without you in my life I would not be the person I am today, and because you are there I feel myself working harder, becoming stronger, truly smiling for the first time in my life:3 Your songs and smiles encourage me to believe that no matter what tragedies we have borne there is a beautiful future and joyful present if we believe in ourselves and keep striving for our dreamsX3I want to see you achieve your dreams, but most of all I wish you happiness, from the bottom of my heart<3



I took this picture in Kyoto, I left it exactly the way it is, because it's hard to improve upon such a beautiful sky:3 The next one was taken at a park near my home last winter, for a friend, again completely untouched^^



This last one is overlooking Nara from Mt.Inari as the sun sets...<3



If you're curious as to why I'm in a sky mood...that article I translated a while back really got me thinking about it, and last night I dreamt that Jun and I were talking about the sky, enjoying the beautiful blueness. Then as he walked away to go work he turned back and said he just realized my eyes are the same color as the sky, and he liked that<3 What a happy xmas present:)

A dear friend of mine sent me scans of the November FC pamphlet and suggested I translate them for all of you as an xmas present because they talk about the summer concerts:3 Thank you so much dear!<3 I hope you all enjoy them and will be thankful to her too^^

The cover:



Front page:



Arashi Summer Tour 2007
The summer tour that started in July finally approached its finale at the additional Tokyo Dome performance on October 8th. Up until now and
beyond, this year's long hot summer. With what emotions did the five of them run through it. We tried asking the day after the last performance.
Time Kotoba no Chikara (The power of words)



- What does it feel like right now, as the tour is ending?
Sho: Well, it's like [summer's over] isn't it?
Jun: Kind of ne, although there were delineations time and time again.
- It feels like 'this time it's really over!'?
Sho: Of course, of course. In this way it's not actually ending, even if they say it's a 'supplement' ne. Because we overdid it. I hereby
respectfully decline (laughs). Though the summer tour was long, even though it's already October it feels like when the Tokyo Dome is over
the summer will be over ne.
Ohno: Rather, it's finally over. It doesn't feel like a summer tour, looking back it's like it was constantly continuing since the beginning of spring...
Sho: Doesn't it kind of feel like the year 2007 is already over? I mean, there's only 2 months left right?
Nino: It might be because we were doing liver performances the whole time ne. Because when you're doing your job it probably normally feels
like this ne.
- Doing live performances makes a year go by quickly?
Sho: Fast. This year was especially fast ne.
Nino: We say it's 'fas' every year ne?
Jun: Haha.
Nino: For the last several years we've been saying it's 'fast'.
Ohno: When you do lives performances it's incredibly fast ne.
Jun: Because we really started doing live performances from the beginning of the summer right up until the end ne. It was kind of incredibly great,
even as an experience. In particular, the tension at each and every one of the locations for each of the live performances this year was left an incredible
impresision on me. For that reason as well right now I have an incredible feeling of 'it's over!'. Because we'll definitely not do that set line up
ever again.
- What was particularly impression-leaving?
Sho: The MJ walk, after all ne.
Jun: Well ne~, of course that's what you would expect from something with all 5 of us ne (making a joke)
Nino: Well, it's like the one I developped ne. (this too)
Sho: NK walk (laughs).
- As for the members other than MatsuJun, will you try using it?
Ohno: I'm not.
Jun: Even though would be fun if you tried it ne? Like, the 5 of us doing it before the MC and such.
Sho: Ah~, well that's right ne.(as if his heart's not in it)
- MatsuJun, were you seriously not scared when doing it?



Jun: Well, to be honest I get the feeling I overdid it (laughs).
- It seems like there were a lot of fans who were worried as well.
Jun: Ah~, well~, it was something I started saying that I would do. I think it's great that we were able to do it at each venue without missing any.
Sho: The only that's for sure is that it's 'yabai' (laughs). It was extremely dangerous.
Jun: It was interesting, amazing. It's kind of me saying it, but I think that doing flying in that way was interesting. That it's not just showily floating
around. To say it strongly, it's like 'you guys are still just flying?' (laughs). That's how I think of it.
Sho: Because when it comes to us we were only bouncing around on the bungees ne.
Nino: If it's the bungees we can do it too huh? Well, I guess that's the limit.
- It's a good interpretation of that to say that it's 'something that makes you feel excited just from seeing it' ne?
Jun: That's it, of course.
Ohno: Even if it's something people call 'cool' ne.
Sho: You're doubting their taste ne (laughs).
Nino: He's pulling it the other way (laughs).
Sho: If you asked which way it was, 'we have fun seeing everyone else having fun' would be correct. For example, at the first Osaka show the
guests were clapping their hands and laughing uproariously. But it's like, we should have fun in the latter half...
Jun: 'Being able to laugh' ne, in short (laughs).
Nino: There's no one making us alugh (laughs).
- Doesn't it hurt?
Ohno: At first it hurt.
Nino: Are armpits go stronger ne.
Ohno: Yeah. Although the first time I did it in rehearsal it hurt so much I thought 'I can't take it'.
Jun: The staff improved it ne.
Sho: At the very beginning, when we did it in rehearsals the tubes were in a much more raw state, so when we said 'this hurts' the staff improved it
for us. It became a much more gentle construction, our armpits are extremely strong even now (laughs).
- With what material did they make it more soft?
Jun: We don't know that much (laughs).
Sho: It's kindness ne. It's made with kindness.
Nino: That's right, that's important ne. It's 'kindness'!
- The moving stage also appeared in both it's small and large sizes, that was luxurious ne.



Jun: That was made for this tour. In the middle of doing various meetings with the staff, and since we were going to do the dome again we said 'let's
make it'.
(At this point Aiba-chan, who was doing other work, makes his appearance)
- Aiba-chan was overwhelmed with emotions at the very end ne.
Aiba: Ah~, I felt the warmth of all the incredible fans. I think what we've done up to now as well is thanks to everyone.
Sho: Aiba-san, when the lights hit you it already seemed like you were crying didn't it. Were you touched by my introduction (laughs)?
Aiba: That's right. That's exactly it. I was like [Sho-kun says great things huh~] (laughs).
- But wasn't everyone overwhlemed with emotions at that time?
Jun: Well, speaking honestly, it was because it was okay to cry ne (laughs).
Aiba: At that time ne, I really thought of a lot of good things, because it was the end.
Sho: Despite that it quickly ended without you saying anything ne~ (laughs).
Aiba: So, even though I was thinking about talking about those good things, what entered my sight was the smiles of the fans.
Sho: But it's better than talking a long time about good things? I think that what you were able to convey by tearily saying 'thank you' was very big.
Aiba: But ne~, there were a lot of things that I wanted to convey ne.
Jun: It wasn't the words you thought out right?
Aiba: Yeah, since what I thought at the time was 'thank you' I let it end like that.
Ohno: Well it was great, amazingly so.
Aiba: Despite that, even if you challenged me to I wouldn't say now the things I was thinking of saying.
- When you were doing the lvie performances what was the moment that really got you?
Sho: For me it's the instant we come out in the opening, when I see the sea of penlights and the audience, that's the part that gets me right at the
beginning. And seeing uchiwas that make you wonder just how far they go on. The view of the penlights from the seats is different than
from the stage. That's why, I'm sorry to say, that means it's only us 5 who can see that view. The view where the whole venue is filled with
our guests really does get to you ne. And it keeps getting to you for 3 hours.



Nino: For me I guess it gets to me when I see the guests dancing during [Oh Yeah!] or [Hadashi No Mirai].
Jun: Hey, with the guests that haev come for the first time, the people who don't know the moves, I wonder if they want to dance when seeing the
ones doing that?
Nino: I wonder ne~.
Sho: Wouldn't they? They'd probably want to join in.When they do that from both sides.
Jun: That's pretty much how it is ne.
Nino: Because they're coming to see us because they like us ne.
Aiba: For sure they do it, even if they don't know how.
Sho: I guess it was Niigata. I was so happy when a guy who came by himself was doing it ne.
Ohno: I guess it would be when everyone is dancing too. Like in [Carnival Night Part 2].
Sho: Because Ohno-kun did some of the choreography ne. Even though right now that's not on the DVD.
Ohno: Everyone being able to dance is amazing ne.
Jun: For me the thing that gets my tension up is something incredibly personal... At the point when Aiba-kun comes out to do his solo the guests
always go into an uproar. At that moment I think 'ah~, I did a good job huh'.
Sho: Ahaha! Nice pass (laughs).
Jun: I think 'I made a good assist huh' (laughs).
Aiba: You gave me nice passes (laughs).
- Do you always do a kind of celebratory thing after the end of the very last show?
Sho: Since the year 2001 I guess we don't have a celebration after everything is over. Normally we do it right about in the middle of the tour. This time
we did it about twice ne. In Sendai and in Niigata. After all, after it's over all of the staff have the scramble (tear down).Having a celebration
on the day that it's over is hard ne.
- What was the last day like this time?
Jun: This time we did it lightly with champagne. Because Sho-kun had to go out right away for work (News Zero) his manager held the leftover
glass in his place and the five of us made a toast.
Aiba: A pinch-hitter (laughs).
Sho: I joined in too, in spirit. I really do like that kind of thing ne. I wasn't there this time, but once before, I guess about 2 years ago. I have a memory
of doing that in the dressing room at Yokohama Arena or somewhere.
Jun: Ah~, we did it in the arena dressing room ne.
Sho: I love that kind of thing.



Even though it was just toasting ourselves with champagne in the dressing room and saying 'great work!'. But there's also
kind of a feeling that it's completely over, in the dressing room as well. Gradually more and more the luggage gets removed. Because toasting
it in the middle of a dressing room where it feels like it's getting more and more bare really made it feel incredibly like 'it's over huh~'.
- By the way, why would it be that Arashi doesn't lose that much freshness?
Jun: Fresh?! It wouldn't be freshness right?
Ohno: I don't know if that's good or not ne.
Sho: We haven't thought about that area at all.
- I think there are unexpectedly few people who sing and dance with such happy faces.
Aiba: It may just be that there are a lot of songs like that among our songs ne.
Jun: We don't think it's fresh.
Aiba: We also don't think 'let's do it like this'. Wouldn't it just be that doing it our way is fresh? Though I could be wrong.
Sho: If doing it happily and with good energy is fresh, then it would be because we're having fun I guess. We haven't been aware of it ne, at this
point. Although when we're past 30 we may begin to be aware of it. But when you're over 30 being fresh is kind of painful right (laughs)?
- Do you have the feeling of the 10th year getting closer?
Sho: We do. When 2 years go by it'll be the 10th year right? It's like, what will we do for the 10th year ne. To welcome the 10th anniversary in
a good way. How to do the 9th year. In the end it's that continuity. It's not like we're just working hard aiming for the 10th anniversary. That's
not the goal.
- Have your feelings towards the Dome changed?
Sho: Althougb my awareness of it hasn't changed a lot of people told me this this time. Something like 'there was more scope than the first Dome
occassion, in a good way ne'. That's why I guess it has changed from the perspective of those around us.
Jun: Each time the Dome topic comes up people say 'Aiba-chan cried ne' ne?
Aiba: Ah~...
Ohno: They'll say that for a year ne.
Nino: No, they'll probably say that for 3 years huh.
Jun: So then you'll get sick of not being able to cry ne (laughs).
Sho: Eventually you'll get sick of it saying [Cry Aiba!] on uchiwas and such ne (laughs).

Ah~, I wish I could have seen that last performance>_< I heard that not only was Aiba crying, the others were trying hard not to as well:3 And after working hard all summer, knowing that these moments were coming to an end, I'm sure it was quite an emotional moment. I was nearly in tears at my last concert>_< But poor Aiba, he'll never hear the end of it;) And I lvoed how they talked about their most impactful moments...yes, people who don't know the mvoes try to dance too, I didXD You pick them up as you go, it's part of the fun:D But I also had a good teacher beforehand^^ And of course, Jun and Aiba's 'passes'X3 So cute^^ That was one of my favorite parts, when Jun comes out and lovingly introduces the most 'peace' of the members and Aiba begins 'Friendship'<3 It's such a bittersweet feeling to think of it now~

Also, I saw a partial translation of this, but I thought I'd do the whole thing just for fun^^ It's the Music Station Super Live from 07.12.21=)

Mariko: Thank you very much.
Tamori: Next it's Ohtsuka Ai-chan and Arashi. Your favor please.
All: Your favor please~.
Tamori: Ai-chan, what kind of year was this year?
Ai: This year, um...I put out a 'bests' album and went on a nationwide tour. Nationwide great numbers of people showed up, it was incredibly
fun.
Tamori: Is there anything you want to do next year?
Ai: A nationwide tour next year as well.
Tamori: You're going to do it every year?
Ai: Yes, well I'll do it.
Tamori: Then, your favor please.
Ai: Your favor please.
Tamori: Please go stand by.
All: Your favor please~.
Tamori: This is Arashi.
Jun: Yes!
All: Your favor please.
Tamori: So Arashi, how was this year?
Jun: This year, let's see ne, we did lots of concerts, other than that, the members doing various kinds of work individually and being allowed to
work with various different people was really great. It was very full.
Tamori: It was an active year huh.
Jun: Yeah~.
Mariko: Is there anything that left an impression on you Ninomiya-san?
Nino: Well, the concerts in the middle of the summer, well, there were places we didn't go as well, but coming into contact with the fans in each
location was really great ne.
Mariko: Yes. And actually, Christmas Eve, the 24th, is Aiba-san's 25th birthday.
Aiba: Yes, thank you.
Mariko: Thank you very much.
All: Thanks.
Aiba: Since 24 was an incredibly full year I have to work much harder. I'll work much much harder.
Tamori: Since it's 25 ne.
Aiba: It will be 25.
Tamori: Isn't it kind of hard to have your birthday on Christmas Eve?
Aiba: Well, but...well, that's how it is ne, it's two in one ne. Always.
Tamori: Ne. Because you put them together ne?
Aiba: Well, in a way it's three in a row. Mixing in New Year's too.
Jun: There's presents for New Year's?
Aiba: Well combined with what I got for my New Year's gift, in elementary school it was all one. That's what we did ne~.
Tamori: It feels like there were complaints sometimes ne
Aiba: That's right ne~.
Tamori: What kind of year do you want to have next year?
Ohno: Well...
Tamori: How about you Ohno-kun?
Ohno: ...the five of us want to live humanely.
Sho: We want to live humanely ne.
Nino: It would be wanting to live humanely ne.
Sho: We want to live humanely next year as well ne.
Tamori: What does that mean, wanting to lvie humanely?
Jun: Honestly, we don't know either;P
Ohno: We'll think about it next year.
Tamori: Please favor us next year as well;P
All: Please favor us next yaer as well.
Mariko: Well, let's move along. Well then, this is Ohtsuka Ai-san with 'Peach', and Arashi with 'Love So Sweet'. Go ahead.

Haha, I'm glad no one else knew what Ohno was talking about eitherXDD He's so random!XP But poor Aiba...only getting one present instead of two...I always feel bad for people with bday's near or at xmas:S It's like everyone around them cops out^^; I always try to get two gifts for them, cause it's only fair they get just as much celebration as everyone else^^ I hope they all went out to celebrate it with himX3

Well then, I hope you have/had a wonderful xmas and/or holiday season, no matter where you are or what you celebrate:3 Be well and be happy^^

P.s. My secret santa was winkychan!XD Thank you so much, you're a sweetheart!X3

今日だけでこの愛を伝えればいいじゃない。心の中にあるものを全部ここに表現したい。傷だらけな私でも受け止めるのかな？