Kris's Libra_ry

Resolution

2012-01-14T02:19:00.003+08:00

Is it too late for resolution now that it is the 14th?

Took sick leave today, and spent a total of 20 hours in complete silence.

(granted that 8 of those are sleeping hours)

I needed the convalescence for a very, very sore throat that woke me up before dawn for 2 consecutive days.

Therefore, I have decided...

My New Year resolution is to shut up.

Always imagine myself in my book cafe, with a soothing cup of honey...

How wonderful =)

Looking quite awesome, thank you

2011-12-31T14:06:00.001+08:00

A gazillion thanks to my girlfriends who helped me prep up for my dinner party. This post is for you =D

Not A Glee Fan....

2011-12-29T13:57:00.000+08:00

But this has got to be one of THE most awesome Adele covers ever....Santana totally rock it!

Envious

2011-12-02T17:42:00.001+08:00

I struck up a conversation with this lady a while back at a book sale. It was so sweet the way she describe her relationship with her husband. Here goes:

Her husband always tell her don't buy any more books because their house have no more space (owning over 700 books can do that to a house). However, on the first day of the book sale - I met her on the third day sale - the husband came home and told her to park further away because he wanted to take the nearer parking to their house. Turns out he brought back over 20 books from the sale. And here she was again at the same book sale trying to dig out more treasures and her husband will be joining her after his appointment.

I told her that it must be great to have a husband who loves reading as much as she does - and she said yes, although it makes one very cramp house!

Now I wonder....when will my book loving husband arrive?

***

2011-09-09T23:24:00.001+08:00

It is one of the many phases ~

No true recognition

just being awed by you.

The anticipation

for just a short appearance.

You may be silent,

You may be loud and clear,

Still, every breath seems to hold time still

But it is clearer than the morning dewdrops

You're not the man I see you to be now

So a silent goodbye

is already lying in the horizon

patiently bidding its time

to rise again

Until then.....

Queen of J-pop

2011-08-07T21:59:00.000+08:00

I've always been a fan of Ayumi Hamasaki, and recently I went back and watch some of her live performances, and they're as good as I remembered. Some very kind people even embedded the subtitle of her lyrics in the youtube videos which makes it even more meaningful to watch =)

A song for XX is the title song from her first album. Unfortunately it was not produced as a single.....However it remains as one of her best songs with some of the most truthful lyrics ever

Another of my favorite is Appear. Again, the lyrics are simple but beautiful.

for more videos, you'll just have to youtube them yourselves =D

surprise surprise

2011-08-05T00:26:00.000+08:00

I am quite shocked at myself. The me who prized stability has been unstable for more than a year. I do really wonder what is going on inside my head. Even I do not know.

This is a bad sign indeed =(

some happy little pics XD

2011-07-30T23:22:00.003+08:00

The thing I love most being a working adult : I can spend my money on things that makes me happy.

In Love with Robert Frost's poetry

2011-06-17T14:13:00.000+08:00

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire;

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Sonnet #29

2011-06-14T23:59:00.000+08:00

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Disney...

2011-04-02T02:02:00.000+08:00

I've got to post this. At least I can play the whole list here, rather than just wasting 2 hours on youtube searching for all of them

Here are some of my favorites. It's seriously hard to choose. And there are plenty amazing songs missing from this list. I've got to make another list =)

In no particular order

Circle of Life

Beauty and the Beast

I Won't Say (I'm in Love)

Part of that World

Colors of the Wind

I'll Make a Man out of You

Strangers Like Me

Belle

You'll be in My Heart

Listen with Your Heart

So random ar?

2011-03-26T00:18:00.000+08:00

This post is a dedication to the randomness of moi whom was too lazy to have specific posts for each one of them. In conclusion, these are all miscellaneous photos which plays a role somewhere in my life's history =)

Goodbye MMU hostel room, forever and ever more...much as I detest you sometime, but the love is more than hate (May 2010)

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My first and only time ruining a shirt while ironing. It was the morning of one of my job interviews.

The first thing i did when i saw those burnt curls: I ran to get my camera

(somewhere between May - July 2010)

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Oh boots!!!!!!! I've dreamt of owning you for years, and you're finally mine

(end of 2010)

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RT Pastry House

Puchong Branch - IOI Boulevard

Subang Jaya Branch - same row as Public Bank

shamelessly promoting.....I am completely in love with their cakes.

(warning: their employees are not those kind who will get EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD)

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These 3 little animal toys (they're so small i can grasp all of them with 1 hand) were sitting in my drawer the last time i saw them.........But after the flood, I have not yet the chance to go find them and see they've drowned or not......so so sorry T_T

(Flood: March 2011)

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Leg scar???

And it's just one of 3 leg injuries I got on that fateful day

(12th March 2011)

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Re-living my childhood.....

41 Enid Blyton books + 6 Paddington Bear books............I am on a roll ^^

And I have not yet even include the other miscellaneous books that I bought

The flood had a huge impact on how I am practically throwing money around to get as many books as I can to replace my collection.

And that's it for a random post. Nitez everyone =D

Where did Lady Luck went?

2011-03-07T23:00:00.001+08:00

Ok.....what the hell happened?

1. House flooded - my precious book collection's gone
2. An idiotic motorcyclist scratched my car during rush hour
3. The car next to me crashed into the car in front of it at the traffic light approximately 30 seconds after idiotic motorcyclist hit my car.
4. My car couldn't start up, and i made a wasted trip to the workshop which was already closed.

I need something good to happen to me soon =(

The King's Speech

2011-02-27T02:53:00.000+08:00

It's been a long time I've watched a high quality drama that is also audience-pleasing at the same time. It hearkens back to the time of simple straightforward films that captures us with the imaginative dialogues, picture perfect cinematography as well as the all important acting.

With a premise set in the Royal British Family, it is one of those rare historical films that actually makes one wants to study back on history. However, the film is also very intimate. For example, the impending WWII seems more like a watercolor background painting that helps moves the more important facet of the story: the relationship between a king and his speech therapist. In my personal opinion, I am glad that this film kept its focus. I will watch a war movie if i want to see war.

All the castings are spot on. Colin Firth is perfect as the stammering King. His stammering scenes truly pained me because his character made me feel the pain of watching his struggles. On the other hand, Geoffrey Rush's character brings colour to the film which is filled to the brim with stoic "British". It is pretty funny to see an Australian among all those stiff, uppity royalty. And Helena Bonham Carter just surprises me. I suppose I am too used to see her over-the-top antics (eg Harry Potter series as well as Alice in Wonderland), that her understated character as the supportive wife of Prince Albert was a sort of a welcome rush.

This is undoubtedly an Oscar-worthy film. And I would be sorely disappointed if it did not win Best Picture and Best Actor for Colin Firth.

A Dedication

2011-02-21T21:57:00.000+08:00

Dear May & Mynn

Welcome to the pig-rabbit hole.

Aren't you girls glad we went down together?

I'm in love

2011-02-01T23:25:00.000+08:00

If I am rich....what would i use the money for?
The first would definitely be this :

You can get a sneak peek here

This collector's edition is the crème de la crème of the many photobooks of Audrey Hepburn.
How I wish I have a few of thousand bucks to throw....

Not a good friend?

2011-01-08T02:58:00.000+08:00

I know the answer is yes.

I've never been a particularly good listener

I have no idea on how to advice or even just to give comfort words

And many a time, i can be darn mean

And hurt you over and over again without realizing it

Making you wonder, if I am worth the weight of a Friend.

But the fact is that when (and if) you still stand by me

Willing to be a good listener when i cry

And would comfort me, even if just like me, you can only dispense stilted words

Be angry and hurt over my horridness

Yet accepting it all as a part of me that I am trying to understand and change

And believing in the end, I am worth the weight of a Friend.

For that,

I know I could sit with you for hours

standing by you and try to listen

Try to comfort you although I would probably fail

Try to apologize and make amends for my cruelness

And pray that even when I do not deserve it

You will always think i am worth the weight of a Friend

Goodbye 2010

2010-12-28T00:18:00.000+08:00

Christmas is over...which means 2011 is coming.

It's been a turbulent year for me personally. Full of everything - problems, funs, happiness, sadness....and I am glad for it, because it meant I am living and well alive.

A chapter is closing, a new one beginning soon. Say hello to new friends, and no goodbyes to old.

To the dearest of dearests, my family who have no choice but to love me

I love you all too.

Thank you, everyone

And have a great 2011

An Interview with Alan Menken

2010-12-03T00:36:00.000+08:00

An Interview with Alan Menken, the great composer, a living legend in his field, the only person alive to have won 8 Academy Awards for his brilliant creation of some of the most wonderful music.

Even if you've never heard of his name, you most definitely heard his music. Composing the tunes that made up most of the childhood of the 90's - Alan Menken is the person we all have to thank for for bringing a breathe of musical life into The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, and many more. And most recently - Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale.

Have fun reading the interview!

Disney Tangled - A Review

2010-12-02T00:23:00.006+08:00

First, let me just say that Tangled is the first Disney Princess movie I've ever watched IN THE CINEMA (I had a chance to watch Princess & the Frog, but i refused because i knew it was a letdown) and boy, was I glad that Tangled could be my "first". Add to the fact that I am ALMOST ALWAYS partial to Disney animations, you should know that my review will be quite positive.

First the pros:

THAT GORGEOUS HAIR!!!!

I could wax lyrical for weeks about rapunzel's hair. And it does deserve huge compliments, considering how much the animators worked on it.

Seriously, the movie's kind of worth it even if it's only to see her hair. But of course, being a Disney movie, and a princess movie at that, expectations were flying high. They got a reputation to maintain (and to earn back after the flop of Princess & the Frog.....okie - i should stop grinding that movie!).

THE SONGS & SCOREs

I have to admit, the songs did not make a big impact on me when watching the movie. However, listening to it again makes quite a big difference. Mandy Moore still can't hit the high notes, and Mother Gothel's voice is still not to my taste, but the bottom line is - yeah, I do like the songs. And the more I listen to it, the more I realize I would want to listen to it again. And that, my readers, is the clearest indication that Tangled managed to score with its scores (pun intended). Now that I start to memorize the lyrics, I find that they're not as bad as i thought they were. Witty and fun to sing-along with, actually.

Read on later in the cons part to see my initial reaction to the music in Tangled.

THE COMEDY

Tangled is all about the laughter. There's plenty of it all around, and seriously - Maximus (the horse) stole the thunder. Interestingly, I wasn't at all interested in the horse character when watching the trailer, therefore, Maximus was a huge and pleasant comedic surprise. Flynn Rider (our hero) is also pretty funny - which is something new from Disney. I don't remember any of the heroes being funny (can someone correct me if I'm wrong?). Google told me that Disney needed to appeal to the little boys and so, they not only changed the title (which is kind of redundant since the whole world know it's a Rapunzel movie) but also added more spice to the hero's character - and so, we have FLYNN RIDER!!

OVERALL STORYLINE

Believe it or not, the storybook Tangled was published even before the film came out, and I accidentally read it (ok, it was not an accident, i was plain curious). Which means that I know the story. The Entire Story. Spoilers don't hurt me if the film is good. And I am happy to announce that this one is. However, there are a couple of "kind of bad" scenes in between, which I will go into further in the cons section. Anyway, there are some really incredible scenes in this film. Spoiler alert. The part where Rapunzel finally got to the kingdom and spend her birthday dancing and playing, and seeing the lanterns was really, really beautifully done and....luscious. Another part would of course be Maximus's scenes....any of them, really. And the climax - which i already knew what happen, but still really touching.

OUR HEROINE

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down thy hair. Mandy Moore did a pretty good job. It's been Disney tradition to not use famous actors/actresses to voice their characters. This is one tradition that I support fully. Voices that are recognizable would only undermine and distract viewers. And famous as Mandy Moore is, her voice is pretty random - as in, any other girl can have that voice.

As for the character, she's really spunky, and with her magic hair and her saucepan, she can pretty much look after herself. In fact, she's right up on level of Mulan when it comes to the action scenes! Except that Mulan didn't have magic hair....hmmm.......

Alrighty then- on with the cons:

The Pub Scene (Spoiler)

I was incredibly dissapointed with this scene. First of all, Disney is suppose to make the impossible realistic - I believed in mermaids and beasts and magical hair. But I just can't believe how Rapunzel managed to stop the thugs from killing Flynn just by announcing her dream. And the thugs just started singing bout theirs???? WTH - even Flynn couldn't believe it!

The problem here lies not in the impossibility of such a thing happening - it lies in the smoothness of the story - and it just wasn't smooth! This was a huge crack in the entire film that I couldn't ignore.

The Opening Scene (Spoiler)

Although not as bad as the pub scene, it was pretty boring. And that's saying plenty. Comparing with the opening scenes of other films (especially the incredible Lion King), this one leaves much to be desired. Unfortunately, the narration by Flynn Rider didn't do a good enough job. And the fact that it's only the start of the movie made me quite worried. Luckily, things got better after that.

The Songs
(if you guys are wondering why The Songs appeared on both the pros & cons, read the bottom of this section)

Ok - first off, it's not that bad - but the problem here is that it's not that good either. As I mentioned earlier on, the bar had been set high, and the music is an incredibly important part. So important that even a good effort is not good enough. Alan Menken did the score - and I have to applaud him - the score is pretty nice.....but the lyrics are not. The magic of Howard Ashman (may he rest in peace) is sorely missing here, and so was their partnership.

Another point is the singers. Mandy Moore is a singer, I know, but they should have went with a more powerful voice - remember the days when Lea Salonga used to ghost sing for Jasmine and Mulan? Or Paige O'hara who sings on Broadway? Another dissapointment was Mother Gothel - her voice is not evil enough. Although voiced by Broadway star Donna Murphy, I can imagine the song "mother knows best" being much more memorable if only she have an eviler voice.

If you need a comparison on how important the music is - take good care to Listen to (instead of watch) Beauty and the Beast. Their songs take up 25 minutes of the entire film, and only 5 minutes of the film were without any musical score at all. Every single scene was filled with music that helps set the emotion. Both the songs and score are so memorable that most disney fans would be able to recognize it.

A note: I might change my mind regarding this section as I usually need a second or third listening, and therefore, I might fall in love with the songs after all. But for now, it is the tune during the lantern scene that captures me the most.

A second note: Naturally, I went back for a second and third round.......and I am officially moving this section to the pros. But I won't be deleting what I wrote, as it makes for interesting comparison.

CONCLUSION

Tangled is a good movie, there's no doubting it. I enjoyed and had great fun watching with all the little childrens (and some teenagers). And parents. And other adults like me.....However, it couldn't live up to its predecessors.

Now, I'm not saying that it's a lot worse than Lion King,The Little Mermaid etc, but, the fact is people have memories. And attachments to what they grow up with. And honestly, I quite doubt if there is anything that can live up to it. I went into that cinema telling myself that I should not compare Tangled with the others, but I still do (as you can clearly see in my review).

If taking away all those old classics, Tangled did a pretty banged-up job. Maybe, it can't be compared with the classics now, but I'm pretty sure 10 years down the road, it will be a classic to the little kids whom I watched the movie with tonight.

Some thoughts...

There's been some news about how important Tangled is in bringing back Disney animation and keeping on par with its family, Pixar, and how it had failed. Failing is a very big word here, and it packs a huge punch in the gut, which I, after watching the movie, felt was undeserving. Tangled served its purpose, albeit with a few bad mistakes here and there, but no movie is perfect. Not even the classics.

Another piece of news is that Disney plans to end their princess movies production with Tangled. That means they will be moving in the same directions as other animation productions such as Dreamworks Animation, whereby more "action" animations will be produced. I personally have no idea how this will affect the future of Disney and its films. In one way, I do not welcome this decision of Disney, but thinking it through, change is good. Although I will miss the old Disney, but I look forward to their approach in future productions.

2 movies in 1 week?

2010-11-21T01:00:00.000+08:00

I am amazed by myself. I rarely go the cinema but I went twice this week!

Unstoppable & Harry Potter.

Unstoppable was alright for an action movie which seems to have the simplest of a storyline. I mean, the whole entire movie can be described in 1 sentence - it is a movie about stopping a runaway train!
To give it credit though, Denzel Washington & Chris Pine's conversations sure are ironically funny. However, there doesn't seem to be anything else to comment about regarding this film. And that's a problem when a film relies on nothing but its "actions".

Harry Potter = watch because it's "tradition"
Growing up with HP being the biggest phenomenon ever in the literature world of our generation just means that one can't possibly miss the film adaptation no matter how bad it is, and some of the HP films do get a little draggy.
As for Deathly Hallows Part 1...yup - the middle is draggy. But I can forgive it. This is a total bias on my part, i know. Just like I can't accept anything Twilight, I can accept almost anything Potter. After all, it is a goodbye. Might as well squeeze every last bit out of it while we can.
Unlike Unstoppable which seemingly has no plot, Deathly Hallows is over-brimming with it. Characters come and go like the wind. In fact, most of the characters appeared for only a few minutes. Certain scenes were totally unexplained. I did feel as if i was in an exam where i had no answer to some of the questions because i did not properly study the textbook - i mean the storybook - beforehand. Taking it positively though, I am itching to get my hands on a copy to re-read it again.

Sorry

2010-11-14T04:04:00.000+08:00

I'm just really sorry.

Chastened

2010-10-29T00:26:00.000+08:00

.........

Monday Blues

2010-10-18T18:57:00.000+08:00

What a great weekend!

Totally enjoyed hanging out with Meow ~~ and Fish also =D

However, a great weekend meant Monday Blues T.T

Dear Monday,

Do us all a favor and take the day off.

Sincerely, Sunday.

It is the THOUGHT that counts

2010-10-13T18:49:00.003+08:00

Apologies to all readers who follow this blog - unfortunately, this post (after such a long hiatus) is more of a rant.

Lately, I've encounter certain "situations" which leads me to think that we humans are actually so thoughtless and insensitive. Of course, this trait is all too human - you don't see a fish being thoughtless....or a giraffe.

I personally have been on both ends....of course, i paint myself as the victim here. You may think otherwise, but I don't really give a damn anyway. Lets see.....2 situations:

First one - a group of people being thoughtless towards me.
Now I am not so emo as to blame them for it......this is more of a situation where they have no idea that they're being insensitive. However, it still hurts, but my pride won't allow me to actually point out to them their mistake.
Who was it that said "I have nothing, but my pride"?? that quote fits me perfectly.

Second situation -
As I said earlier on, I've been on both ends. In the first situation, I was the one who felt the insensitivity of others. In this situation, I tried to be the thoughtful one. Be nice, be helpful - but there IS a limit to how much I can wait and tolerate! If in the end my offer is withdrawn, that doesn't mean you can be pissed off about it. After all, it is not my fault that you are being slow. Missed the boat? Get on the next one! Don't blame me for leaving on time!
It is seriously because of YOU that i wonder why i even bother in the first place. The you who so conveniently shove your ass to my face just because the end result is not to your advantage.

Profanities much? Just this once, i promise. After all, hot air have to be let out of the tummy or else i'll be getting indigestion.

Cinderella

2010-08-22T19:51:00.001+08:00

Just watched my first ballet performance ever. With May & Stephnie. First thing that came into the mind after (or actually it was during) the show was that there's a serious lacking in male dancers. But over all, it was a pleasant performance. Very nice in some parts - the mirrors usage was lovely - horrible in some parts - why oh why is the king a feminine female ballerina?

But it is the kind of performance that will make little girls tug on their parents clothes and asking to be allowed to go for ballet classes. And that is good, I suppose. I just hope that i won't have a kid who does that. Dancing is expensive, and so is watching other people dance!

Very glad I did go to watch this performance. The storyline is famous enough that I need not worry about not understanding. The costumes are prettily pretty. The primary dancers are all good. Love the step sisters & stepmother and the fairies. Cinderella and Prince is pretty good, if not really good. But my expectations aren't that high in the first place - this is after all a local production, and we don't have any particularly good world-class dancers around here. Especially male dancers (those extra male dancers are a hoot to watch!).

Dogathon '10 (Part 3) - My True Love

2010-08-11T21:57:00.004+08:00

(photos courtesy of Stephnie)
How HOT is that stare!!!!! God......i'm in loveeeeeeeeeeeeee
click on pic to see in details his "piercing eyes"

If only this guy is human.

A wolf in wolf clothing =P

What a gentleman!!

This 2 are so photogenic, they look good in all angles.

Goshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............goshhhhhh goshhhhhhh.........*runs back to look at first pic again*

Dogathon '10 (Part 2) - The Big Boys. and girls

2010-08-10T21:56:00.000+08:00

Doesn't their expressions just makes u wanna hug them?

(photos courtesy of Stephnie)

Dogathon '10 (Part 1) - The Toys

2010-08-09T19:58:00.000+08:00

There's just too many cuties around UPM on a bright Sunday morning.

(photos courtesy of Stephnie)

Convocation 2010

2010-08-02T21:49:00.000+08:00

Yes! I officially graduated.

Thanks a million to my beloved family for everything. You're all my biggest supporters! I am glad that you're my dad, mom, sisters, brother.and sis-in-law.

To all the friends whom I spent my uni years with. Life this past 4 years would be awful without you all.

To both Stephnie & Wei Har. I am so thankful for you both who tolerated me and helped make my final few minutes at MMU that much easier.

A Very Potter Sequel ~ 2nd Review 4 days later

2010-07-27T23:21:00.004+08:00

After watching it for the 20th time, and going back to watch AVPM again, I noticed that the songs in AVPS have definitely improved in terms of lyrics, music and choreography....well, that makes it an improvement in every way, doesn't it?

One of my favourite songs : The Coolest Girl

To listen to the song, forward to 4.00 onwards.

Lyrics:

All my dreams
I'm chasing after,
they don't need
all this laughter...

I take a grain of salt,
stiff upper lip.
It's not their fault
I'm not as hip.
Wake up kid, you know you're more than this...

I'm the smartest person
that I've ever met.
So why do I allow myself to
possibly forget:

There's so much I know how to do,
so much more than all of you.
The only thing I wish I knew
was how to make them see
the girl that I can be....

I am
the coolest girl in the whole wide world
I know it
but can't show it at all.

I am
sick and tired
of low, not higher
places, where I should belong.
It's about time I proved them wrong...

Give me a shot
to show what I've got!
I'm a helluva whole lot more

than this frizzy hair,
these frumpy clothes I wear,
though I rock 'em like nobody you've seen before

'Cause I am
the coolest girl in the whole wide world
I know it
below it all.

I am
done with losin',
on with choosin'

the coolest girl on the face of the planet,
the coolest bitch on earth, goddammit!
The coolest chick you've ever seen or heard!

So you can try to bring me down,
but sorry guys, I'm stickin' around!
I've thought about it, and I've found

that I am
the coolest girl!
... Yeah!

And it is not just the music that improved in AVPS. The storyline has much more depth than its predecessor, although it seems otherwise at first. It took me at least 5 repeated watchings to actually catch those precious moments (and it didn't help that the audio quality was so bad, i bet there are many people who gave up watching because of it). Scrounging the facebook page and youtube comments for quotes which i missed helps a lot.

Some fans have said that AVPM & AVPS is even better than the Harry Potter films. I find this to be partially true. As fans themselves, the StarKidPotter gang knew what meant to the fans more than those action scenes in the films. One simple example would be this part. Several fans confessed to have cried at the final 10 seconds of the video.

Although AVPM & AVPS are both parodies, which means there will be plenty of face-palming (as my friend Steph so succinctly noted), I would rather call it an unpolished gem. We can clearly see and feel that these group of people genuinely love and appreciate their topic. The care that goes into the storyline and even the jokes brings it to a level above the rest. If one can look beyond the jokes and the crass humor that practically coat the entire musical play, there will be much valuables to be found.

Warning: I repeat again, this play is full of swearing, colourful words, and overboard antics. don't watch it if you can't take it.

Totally Awesome!!

2010-07-24T02:32:00.003+08:00

Remember A Very Potter Musical? The Sequel is out!!!!

I was apprehensive about it as the AVPM was totally awesome, but my fears were unfounded. AVPS manages to retain the heart of its fans - this much is clear from the overwhelming support in its Facebook fanpage as well as the youtube channel.

The beginning was a little slow, and it took me some time to warm up to the play, but boy, was it worth it. What makes AVPS so successful as comparative to its predecessor is that the creators manages to bring a whole new twist to the well-known story while still retaining many references and tiny details to AVPM. This is definitely a recipe that can't go wrong, especially with viewers who are so familiar with the first musical that they can practically quote every sentence in the script. It makes it a whole lot more fun when a single sentence or action reminded the viewers of the original musical. It brings the viewers closer as they felt that they were given the privilege to be part of the inside family joke.

Another reason was the casting of the characters. There will be no spoilers here, especially because I myself appreciate the shock value on an unsuspecting viewer (I was so shocked when i watched the video, that I had to literally paused and gasp like a blowfish!). But I am glad that AVPS brought a different look to its cast. We, the viewers get a fresh taste of the musical and yet nostalgia rings time and again at strategic moments.

Weaknesses of the play - as I mentioned earlier on, it has a slow start. Another would be the problem of the audio recording. I can barely hear many of the conversations going on, and its really bothersome. It is clearly not the problem of the actors themselves, since the live audience are hearing them clearly.
Another would be the language and content. Make no mistake, this play is full of foul words and crude antics. It is done to generate more comedy, I understand that. Audiences laughed whenever a character swear with wit. However, I am not American and am not comfortable with such flagrant use of swearing.

It is clear that to fully appreciate AVPS, one has to be deeply rooted in AVPM beforehand. This is fanaticism at its very best. Read all 7 books beforehand. Know your stuff. Watch AVPM until you can remember all its famous quotes (there are plenty, trust me!). Then watch AVPS and have fun down memory lane.

Back again

2010-07-12T22:22:00.003+08:00

I'm back again....turned into a pig-rabbit........very very fat pig-rabbit.

This is an old pic...my hair's real short now ^^

Still addicted to minami shineyo, but coffee house brought a lil of the fanaticism into another direction....

hotaru no hikari is a pleasant surprise backtracked drama.

This post is a proof that the pig-rabbit is currently a drama addict who does nothing but sit in front of the pc watching drama, anime and getting fat from laughing and couch-potato(ing).

Angel Beats!

2010-06-26T19:11:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Yifei for introducing this amazing anime to me.

It's been a long time since I got excited over an anime series (the last one is Skip Beat - which I like only because of the manga).

The soundtrack is addictive, the storyline is compelling, and the animation is superbly done. Nuff said ^^

Love Revolution

2010-06-10T21:23:00.006+08:00

It's funny why I choose to review this drama after so long. Love Revolution is going to be 10 years old soon. And it has been almost that long since I last watched it. I guess that is the reason why I decided to post a review - to compare the drama which I watch years ago with the one I watched yesterday. It is the same drama, and I still love watching it, but for completely different reasons.

Esumi Makiko stars as Kyoko Asaoka, a 32-year-old heart surgeon working at a hospital in Tokyo. Men tend to shy away from the tall, well-educated and well-paid Kyoko because they see her as a woman that can do things on her own. The truth of the matter is that Kyoko is just unlucky in love. She is also old-fashioned, and wants to fall in love just like anyone else, but has a hard time showing her real self to men. Fuji TV

I never thought a romance drama could look so different in the eyes of a 24 years old compared to that of a 16 years old girl. The essence of the love story never changed, but I guess I did. Before, I admired the beauty and handsomeness of the characters, and knew that the 2 leads definitely have to be together because it was "meant to be" and that they have really sparkling chemistry on-screen.

However, what I could not capture was the subtler emotions between the characters. A look, or a movement that results in the decisions or actions made. Previously, I could not understand why there are so many up-close scenes of Kyouko's face - what is so interesting with her expression? Or why did Mariko ended up with Fukuda. Didn't she love Yabuki? All this and more makes for "fast-forwarding of the VCD player" 8 years ago. Re-watching the entire drama again now brings new revelations, making the drama all the more meaningful to me.

The drama definitely have plenty of weaknesses. The actor who plays Yabuki is so stone-face and cold as a fish that I couldn't help thinking, why did they not choose a more experience actor, considering that the character Yabuki IS suppose to be an actor? An actor playing an actor is completely hopeless if the actor is already horrible in the first place. Yabuki is in love with Kyouko all the way to the end, but what I see is a ROCK professing love to a beautiful woman. This weakness is even more jarring when you are watching a drama where all the other characters are wonderfully filled by actors who can actually act!

Way To Love

Kiss Of Life - Ken Hirai

Music is important in every drama or movie, and this one is no exception. I truly truly love the music selections here. The OST is a must have. The music editing of Love Revolution is exceptionally good and fitting to all the scenes in the drama. From lighthearted flirting, to the serious and heavy, or towards heartbreaking moments - there is everything.

As a last note, I wish the japanese entertainment industry would go back to these kind of drama (together with dramas like GTO, Long Vacation, Summer Snow, etc) instead of those silly, fluffy dramas that they have recently.

Truth for Mature People

2010-05-27T00:02:00.000+08:00

Took this from dustybookstand. It's seriously funny and true (at least for me)

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don’t want to have to restart my collection…again.

13. I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. “Do not machine wash or tumble dry” means I will never wash this – ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn’t answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an “Avoid Ghetto” routing option.

21. Sometimes, I’ll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

29. There’s no worse feeling than that millisecond you’re sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I’ll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I’d bet my ass everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

More Updates on my current status

2010-05-18T22:04:00.000+08:00

As of now...I am hanging....seriously don't know where to go and what to do....it's a really insecure feeling - like I am blindfolded and walking at the edge of a cliff.

Really hope I pass this hurdle as soon as possible

Photo taken during my trip to Pulau Perhentian last week.

It's been a great escapade. I'm happy I met everyone of you during my days in MMU.

The Room is not big enough

2010-05-06T11:07:00.000+08:00

And I am not big-hearted enough to let this go

Really Really hate IT.

Final (yeah, I am praying it is the FINAL) paper is on 8th May

What a nice, lucky date.

Once again....

#%&Q##)(*&)^&$@)&%&Q)

A room for profanity

2010-04-27T21:15:00.001+08:00

Sorry but....

#&*%)(*^&Q$(!@_&%Q%

and

@(*%Q)^&*(_#JV)%(_34

Everytime I look at IT, I just can't help but feel hatred and resentment.

I really feel ashamed for being this way, but somehow, it irks me that IT can get to me this way.

One of the best part of graduating definitely would be never to see IT again.

But I am getting really really scared that I can't get a job at a good location with a reasonably good pay.

Life is hard these days.

I'm Back

2010-04-25T01:21:00.000+08:00

I've been MIA'ed for more than a month now, I know. Apologies for making some of you guys concern. But no worries, I'm still alive.

Will just post this for the curious ones.

photo of Kelmynn & I at UNite.

Congrats to her for crowning of Prom Queen 2010.

Do I?

2010-03-24T03:45:00.002+08:00

Yep.
I realized that I typed too much....as in my blog entries are always full of words.
No wonder I am anti-tweet
My friend said she won't read coz too long and she's lazy.
T_T
Will try to shorten it next time.

The Book of Kells

2010-03-23T19:42:00.006+08:00

Those of you who are updated with Oscars news would surely have heard of The Secret Of Kells, nominated for best animation but lost the award to Up. Of course, this lost did not deter me from watching the film. And I am glad I did. The film was great. What was even greater, was the introduction it gave me to the Book of Kells, which I would otherwise be ignorant of for the rest of my life.

Some of the folios from the book (It is impossible to appreciate it unless you click to view it in original size):

Opening words of St John's Gospel, folio 292r

Beginning of genealogy of Christ, folio 200r

Portrait of St. John, f291 verso

The Four Evangelists, folio 27 verso

Matthew 23:12-15, folio 99 verso

Breves cause of Matthew, folio 8r

Chi-rho, folio 34r

The following is a short introduction its history taken from Regent University's Library site.

The Book of Kells
by Ian Hackmann, Administrative Assistant

Last month when Dr. Robertson spoke at the Library Town Hall Meeting, he mentioned how much the Book of Kells had influenced his life. Dr. Robertson is not the only individual this book has influenced as over 500,000 visitors grace the Long Hall of Trinity College’s Library in Dublin each year to view but four pages of this magnificent masterpiece.

The Book of Kells has been hailed as “the most beautiful book in the world.” For many years it was believed to have been written by angels. This belief was asserted by Welsh historian Giraldus Cambrensis in the late twelfth century. This assertion was due to the extraordinary detail that the book entails. For example, one, quarter-inch illustration was examined under extreme magnification and found to contain 158 interlacements, ten rare and expensive colors (current printing schemes only use four) and no errors. Modern draughtsmen have attempted to replicate the artwork in the Book of Kells and have abandoned the task as hopeless. Truly, the Book of Kells is an exquisite and unique work of art.

The origin of the Book of Kells (as with much in history) is debated, but there is strong evidence that the original work began in the Iona Monastery in Scotland by the Irish under the commission of, or by, St. Columba of the Collum Cillae order. As for the number of scribes involved, there is a consensus that there was a minimum of two main scribes with speculation that there may have been as many as 30 subordinate scribes contributing. Regardless of the number of scribes involved, it is estimated that it took no less that thirty years to complete.

Currently, the Book of Kells is preserved as four volumes of 340 folios (680 individual pages) of vellum (made from approximately 185 calves’ skins). Originally, the book was bound in one volume and contained the four gospels in Old Latin and Vulgate text, concordances of the gospels compiled in the fourth century by Eusebius of Caesarea, a fragment of Hebrew names, and legal documents associated with the Abbey in which it was written. While the date of conscription is debated, it was no doubt written before 806 AD when the Vikings raided Northern Scotland. At that time, the book was moved to the Kells Monastery where it may or may not have been completed.

The book was most assuredly at Kells in 1006 AD as the Annals of Ulster reports on “its cover of gold studded with precious stones.” Unfortunately, the book was stolen in 1007 AD only to be found in a ditch several months later missing its precious cover and having irreparable damage to approximately 30 of the front and back pages. The book remained at Kells until 1541 when the Roman Catholic Church commandeered it in an effort to preserve it. Eventually, the book was returned to the Governor of Kells in 1653 who presented it as a gift to Trinity College in 1661 where it has remained ever since.

An attempt was made to restore the book in 1821. Unfortunately, an “ignorant and mischievous bookbinder” created even more damage and more of the priceless book was lost forever. A second attempt was made in 1895 which allowed for cessation of further decay. In 1953, the book was repaired and rebound in its final format (now in four volumes due to the extreme disrepair of the original) by Roger Powell. Since that time, due to the extreme demand for the book, a Swiss publisher was allowed to manufacture facsimiles detailed to the 580 holes made by “beetles, weevils and the aging process.” These facsimiles were limited to 1480 copies and retailed for $18,000 in 1990.

The Book of Kells is not only Ireland’s most precious medieval artifact; it is possibly Ireland’s most important artifact. It not only demonstrates the extreme ‘sanctity and reverence’ of effort that the scribes of medieval times devoted to their ‘holy’ task of disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but is also evidence of extreme knowledge and devotion in an era inappropriately named the ‘dark ages.’ If these were indeed dark ages, then the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly penetrated this darkness like a laser that still shines and affects people like Dr. Robertson today.

The incredible journey

2010-03-11T02:02:00.000+08:00

Warning: Beware, this will be a long post.

It all started with: Should I? Should I not?

Yes. I should

That means:

Then comes the looooooong wait.

Until IT finally arrives

After travelling approximately 4608km

The feelings of touching it can't be described

I even shed a few drops of H2O

Trembling hands tore open the box to reveal a box
Box open up to:

It's like layers and layers of treasures

The hands were shaking badly by this time...

It's almost done...bear with me...

One journey ended, and another begins...Goodbye.

The sentence says it all.

2010-03-05T03:46:00.000+08:00

YOU. REALLY. MUST. WATCH. THIS.

2010-02-23T01:19:00.005+08:00

One of my favourite scene (found in part 2):

CHOs POSSY:
Cho Chang
Domo arigato, Cho Chang
Gung Hey Fat Choy, Chang
Happy Happy New Year, Cho Chang

Dialogue
Ginny: Oh, who's that?
Ron: That's Cho Chang. That's the girl Harry's been totally in love with since freshman year.
Hermione: Yeah, but he won't say anything to her.
Ron: Yeah, you never tell a girl you like her. It makes you look like an idiot.
Ginny: Konichiwa Cho Chang. It is good to meet you. I am Gi-nny Wea-sly.
Possy No.1: Bitch, I ain't Cho Chang.
Ron: That's Lavender Brown. Racist, sister!
Cho: It's alright. I'm Cho Chang, y'all.
Harry: She is totally perfect.
Ron: Yeah, too bad she's dating Cedric Diggory though.
Harry: Who the hell is Cedric Diggory?

CEDRIC:
Oh, Cho Chang
I am so in love with Cho Chang
From Bangkok to Ding Dang
I sing my love aloud for Cho Chang

The remaining parts could be found at StarKidPotter's Channel where lyrics could also be found in the info section of each video.

Random bits of thoughts

2010-02-11T01:06:00.003+08:00

A complete stranger managed to dissect the one sole reason for my plight just by listening to my 2 lines worth of complains. But why can't I change?

Because of this inability, I lost many chances....there is so much "if only ___?"

Really hate this part of myself. And really hate the fact that I couldn't get over my regrets.

Will the door ever open again?

A roll-about ^^

2010-02-06T02:16:00.002+08:00

Mummy's 2nd home

2010-01-27T19:22:00.004+08:00

Somehow, someway, the whole family ended up in Genting.

Tiger Woo Hoo

2010-01-20T23:39:00.010+08:00

The dreaded moment was over, and the group made an impromptu decision to go watch a movie - Tiger Woo Hoo....Imagine my "smaller than ever" eyes grow larger by just that 2mm. Coincidentally, I had read the summary in GSC cinema webpage yesterday, and I did not like what I saw. The poster was honest-to-god horrendous to me, and the summary seem whacked and common. There are practically no surprises because everything was explained in the summary (which u can read below). But the guys said that "sources" said that it was hilarious and worth watching. So, off we go!

The summary - Woohoo' (tiger dance) is a tradition practiced in a small village (Beserah, Kuantan) during a prayer ceremony every 60 years. As the only elder who knows "Woohoo" can no longer perform, his filial granddaughter put up a misleading advertisement which in turn attracts five youngsters from different backgrounds - bad-tempered bank security man Ah Beng, indecisive Char Kuey Teow hawker Ah Huat, effeminate designer Rain, university student Bobby and smart alec Alan - to be trained as 'woohoo' players. After some tough training, they finally look like a formidable team. However, few days before the anticipated festival day, the only 'tiger head' is accidentally destroyed by the mischievous kids in the village. (Source: Cinema Online)

The poster:

But. I. Love. The. Movie.

It is the kind of film where you just sit back, put your feet up and have a good laugh for over some lame jokes and antics for about 1 1/2 hour. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon with your friends.

And I am born in the year of Tiger, so yeah...(ok, that is totally random!)

I'm a sucker for.....

2010-01-19T22:07:00.008+08:00

Good laughs :D

Anything cute ^^

delish~~

The labels speak for themselves:

the stomach is never too full for this

yay...pretty

Why this?
Coz of Steph's blog which's been putting out some photos of things I like.
And I'm bored.

Priceless....

2010-01-18T00:41:00.005+08:00

j

Still have tears rolling off my eyes~~

PS: click on image to see full size (just in case u can't read it)

Movie fest

2010-01-13T01:14:00.010+08:00

Watched 2 new movies today - Sherlock Holmes & Up in the Air. It is amazing how both can be so different, yet entertaining at its best.

I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes for years. Who wasn't? Hmm...maybe those who have never read his stories, chronicled by the ever-supportive Dr. Watson. Anyhow, the recent adaptation by Director Guy Ritchie was charming, to say the least. The only unfortunate part of this film is that it has been Hollywood-ized, or in the words of Holmes's ardent fans - brutalized. However, I will not go that far. The strength of actor Robert Downey Jr. did indeed captivate me and I definitely appreciate his acting of Holmes. The storyline was engaging, the villain Lord Blackwood (acted wonderfully by Mark Strong) was villainous ^_^ and Jude Law's Dr. Watson was given a much stronger presence here as compared to the original character.

Yet, as I had noted earlier on, we unfortunately have to have a female lead with some "romantic scenes" to please the mass audience of Hollywood films! Oh, the ever cold and uncompromising Sherlock Holmes actually has a romantic partner! This is where the film starts to fail. Trying to balance between the original and the adaptation, the character Irene Addler was dreadfully developed. Even my bias favoritism towards actress Rachel McAdams could not stop me from crying over the fact that she is almost nothing more than an eye-candy here. Another weakness to point out is that the film concentrates too much on action scenes, rather than on the prowess of Holmes's detective skills. Again - Hollywood formula. We need to have a pretty face, and we need to have men fighting each other with their shirts off. Luckily, I am still entertained, and therefore, could overlook both weaknesses. All in all, I had a number of good laughs.

As for the movie Up in the Air, let me just say I am SO NOT surprised by the fact that it is the current top contender for the upcoming Oscars. But what I AM surprised by was that I love the movie. It is quite rare that those "artistic and dramatic" films that the Oscars tend to favor appeal to the mass market. In all total honesty, this is what makes Up in the Air superior to Sherlock Holmes (if we're making comparisons here, WHICH we should not, since it's completely different genres. But I just did because I watched both movies on the same day, and can't help making comparisons....running off-topic here!!). It does not compromise on standard formulas to appeal to the mass market. Everything depends on the strength of the scripts and on the actors and directing. There's no special cameraworks, no action scenes, no nothing. Just 2 hours of watching the interaction between the characters, and the narration of George Clooney's character. And boy, are they good.

Acting-wise, it is almost picture-perfect. All the main actor/actresses were wonderful. And I could totally forgive Anna Kendrick for being in that pile of trash named Twilight Series (no offense, please). She really showed off her acting chops here. Credits to Vera Farmiga for portraying Alex so delightfully - in the words of Natalie Keener: you're exactly what I wanna look like in 15 years! (spoiler: Alex is NOT perfect, and as the movie viewer who could see everything that is going on, I would not want to be Alex. However, from the POV of Natalie, I could completely understand why she idolizes Alex). The main character, of course, is George Clooney who managed to get all viewers to sympathize with his "job firing" job. No complains there!

One advice to those who would want to watch this film: Honestly, I would advice you NOT to watch it in the cinema, where the Malay subtitles would NOT do the film justice. Like I mentioned earlier on, this film is all about the conversations and interactions between characters, so it is imperative that you actually get EVERY SINGLE WORD that they're saying to fully appreciate the film. Best way is to watch it with English subtitles - get my meaning, eh? ^^

On the contrary, to those who are planning to watch Sherlock Holmes, I would say watch it in the cinema. Wouldn't want to waste all those "efforts" by the producers to bring an action-pack movie by watching it on small screen now, would we? However, do brush up your old-london-english to catch those witty remarks by Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law

New Year updates about Old News

2010-01-04T12:12:00.006+08:00

1st off: Moi got a new bag!! It can be used as both a sling handbag or a backpack!

2nd-ly: The Christmas deco at Mid Valley for 2009 was GORGEOUS!

Went there with my new roomie of Epsilon year (poor moi is in final year already!!!). Introducing...(drumrolls pls)....SiJie

Watched Avatar...and yes, it's good....nothing much to say about it, all have been reviewed by many others.

3rd: Now...for some family time:
Ushered in the New Year with my family....attended a cousin's wedding....AND

The all-famous PIG-RABBIT!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, it does not belong to me. Shared to buy it with the elder sis as a birthday cum christmas present for the younger sis aka little baby of the family (are u happy, YenLi??). Almost fell into temptation to keep it for myself....you can't imagine how much i wanted to pack it back to cyber with me.

HOWEVER, I did not! And i have to satisfy myself with knowing the fact that I have something else that will occupy my entire being later!!! *For those of you who understand this, please DO NOT MENTION ANYTHING HERE OR ELSEWHERE. Let it be an close secret, ne?

Want to see the original pig-rabbit?

With all the happiness over the past few days, I know that I am back the gloom that has pervaded and PERSISTED over the back of my head......Goodbye everyone....

2 Years Old

2009-12-28T20:00:00.002+08:00

Happy Belated Birthday, dear bloggie....

Slow as usual (just like Christmas), but there will be some changes to commemorate this event! Yay!!
Keep a lookout, and as always, I welcome all comments =)

A Little Late, But Aren't I Always?

2009-12-27T02:22:00.005+08:00

And last But not least....

Have a warm & happy holiday!

Dozing off yet again

2009-12-16T23:04:00.003+08:00

Yep, I have officially LOST IT

Some of you people ought to understand that statement. But here's a little reassurance. I am not regretting it ~~yet~~

I've always looked back at certain decisions or actions, wishing I've done the opposite. therefore, I do not want to look back at this one in regret as well.

Wish me luck!!

Dozing off

2009-12-16T17:03:00.005+08:00

Proof that I'm not exactly life-less these days.

Veering off the topic - it is amazing that there's billions of us humans living together and able to build a society with a concrete structure. For each of us with our own standards, to be tolerant of the standards of others is no easy feat.

On my part, I am sometimes hurt by you refused to grasp the meaning of mutual understanding and the phrase "give and take". I might annoy you with my words unintentionally, but this doesn't give you the right to cut back. We both, after all, live by very different standards and it is natural that I could never live up to yours.

Freaking funny!!

2009-12-05T12:50:00.002+08:00

Take a look:

Find out more here =)

Yet another addiction??

2009-12-01T04:12:00.005+08:00

Some of you guys might have noticed that recently, my posts were either some supremely long review of drama/music etc (which I am pretty sure many of you don't read, but I will still write because I need to satisfy this urge to promote everything that I see & Like)

OR

3 short lines of how my life is a living hell for me now.

Naturally, I know that my life is not hell, and I am over-dramatizing my misfortunes. 10 out 0f 10 who are reading this probably has it either equally or even worse off than me. But WTH - I can still rant. *GRINS

Anyway, main purpose of this post. Another promotion of the soundtrack album of K-drama "Soulmate". What is so special about it? Well, instead of korean songs, this OST is more of a very nice compilation of international songs (ENGLISH mostly, as usual). Because the main character of the drama is "music coordinator", we get to sample some very tasteful music for the drama. In fact, I would say the the music arrangement is one of the reason why Soulmate shines among the mountains of K-dramas. For more info, visit javabeans - one of the best review sites out there for k-dramas.

CD 1: Soul Side
This is not a Love Song - Nouvelle Vague
Stop in the name of love - Bang Gang
C'mon Through - Lasse Lindh
Since you've gone - Laurel Music
Fly me to the moon - Olivia
Milod - Brynhildur
The servant - Coco Suma
In a Manner of Speaking - Nouville Vague
The Stuff - Lasse Lindh
Play our Love's Theme - Toki Asako
Goodbye to Romance - Lisa Loeb
Everyday I fall in love again - Linus of Hollywood
C'mon Through (SoulMate edit) - Lasse Lindh

CD 2: Mate Side
Soul Mate - Monla
That's Why - Physical Punction of Groove
mo deun to yo il - Casker
Satisfy Me - Blue'Sorbet
I Miss You - Eniac
Blue Bossa - Lasid
shi gan ee heu reun dwi en - Postino
geu gut do mo reu go - The Note
I Love You - Eniac
byun hae gan se wol sok eh suh (with. cabinet singalongs) - Peppertones
Get Your Hands Up - Aquibird
Eyes - Sung Hyun
hwan chung - Blue'Sorbet
Paris Paris!! - Monla

Download link taken from chinky's movies, so this is for private use only

Oh, by the way, these songs are perfect to listen to when you're drinking hot chocolate on a rainy day =)

A very tiring day

2009-11-26T23:56:00.001+08:00

As many of you might know, my pc completely crashed on me! Reformatted it this evening, only to find out that there is no sound coming out of the speaker! WTH!!!

Tomorrow's a holiday but I feel empty all over........

The only thing that brightens my day (and night) now

2009-11-15T04:24:00.010+08:00

It has been a long time since I was so crazy over a drama (the last being Black & White - and that was not as bad as my current fanaticism!), but currently airing "You're Beautiful" has completely caught me off my hooks! My only regret is that I started watching while it is still airing, and am really really desperate for the new episodes to come out.

It says plenty about how talented the cast is when one can utterly root for a character so flawed as the lead male in You're Beautiful. Let me just list it:

1) Ego big enough for at least 10 guys
2) Bad-tempered/proud
3) Bossy, nitpicker
4) OCD
5) Perfectionist (in both positive and negative ways)
6) Night-blindness
7) Allergic to shellfish, pollen, sesame seeds and god knows what else
8) Clean-freak, Neat-freak, germaphobe
9) Supremely bad with directions, but would never admit it
10) Sleep-walking disorder
etc.

Together with the "nun-to-be" (imagine Maria from Sound of Music), as well as 2 other equally captivating members of A.N.JELL, with strong support from the supporting cast, and one of the best script-writing I've seen in years - we have with us now a drama so attractive and addictive that it's ardent followers could be mistaken as those japanese fan-girls!

But I am getting ahead of myself now. An introduction is need at least.

Go Mi Nyu (Park Shin Hye) was a sister-to-be aka a nun. She was so pure and knows nothing about the ‘outside’ world. One day, a person who called himself her twin brother’s manager came to find her. He said to her that she is urgently needed to help her brother, Go Mi Nam signed a contract because her brother is in the ’state’ where nobody should meet him (botched plastic surgery!!). Under circumstances, she accepted the request to pretend to be Go Mi Nam and meet up with the cool leader, Hwang Tae Kyung.

On the other, the group leader of A.N.Jell, Hwang Tae Kyung (Jang Geun Suk) was not so happy with the news that there will be a new member to the group. After several "happenings", Mi Nyu and the rest of the group have to live together under one roof. No one knows that the new member is actually a girl except the manager but, that what will happen when the groupmates find out?

Taking a cue (or maybe even giving a nod to) from Japanese idol dramas, the entire outlook of You're Beautiful looks a little weird at the start (the effeminated & colourful fashion style, exaggerated facial expressions) to those who are not used to it. But it is something that I myself got over by episode 1 itself. In fact, I think it is very suitable for this kind of drama!

The premise of the story might be familiar (imagine Boys Before Flowers, HanaKimi, Coffee Prince), but it is huge credit and compliment when I say that You're Beautiful turn out to be so fresh, unexpected and twisted! IMO, it is even better than all the others! Scriptwriting by the Hong sisters, who are famous for My Girl, Hong-Gil-Dong, Sassy Girl Chun Hyang etc, this drama is a comedy, romance, AND parody of the idol world of Korean entertainment. Just watch the video to see

It should be quite clear which part is the parody in the drama, and which is the real commercial =P
Only in a Hong sisters drama could you find an idol being chased by a pig.

Do watch it and prepare for loads of side stitches!

PS: Did I mentioned that the OST is really nice as well? So nice that its album sale reach almost 20,000 in the first week (it is difficult for drama OST to surpass 10,000 albums sale). Many of the songs are sung by the actors themselves!

Nothing much...

2009-11-09T15:30:00.002+08:00

Someone told me to update, but I really have only sad news.

FYP. Sick.

The End.

Sydney Symphony!!!

2009-10-27T00:30:00.005+08:00

Just back from KLCC, but I can't wait to blog this...so here I am, sitting in my dress, bag thrown aside, and typing this! Totally did not regret going to all those troubles to watch the Sydney Symphony performing at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas.

The night started off with Vocalise (No. 14) - composer Rachmaninov - a beautiful, melodious piece. I especially love the violins, which is surprising because they're not my favourite instruments (I usually prefer cellos). The piece was a perfect introduction to what was coming up.

The main piece of tonight's performance was Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor (Op.23), one of the most famous classical works by Tchaikovsky. In fact, the 1st movement is so famous that I can 99% bet that every single person who reads this blog had heard it before, even if they do not know it. The pianist for this piece was Behzod Abduraimov. At only the age of 19, he has won plenty of international piano competitions, performed endless of concerts and it is no wonder why. There were magic that flows from his fingers to the piano keys - listening to him play was pure bliss, especially when it is one of my favourite classical works. Watch this and imagine it 10 times better - because it was definitely 10 times better when I heard it tonight.

The finale was Symphony No. 5 in B flat (composer Sergei Prokofiev). Although not so famous (I know it's my first time listening to it), it is indeed a wonderful piece. Here, I could fully appreciate the conducting of Vladimir Ashkenazy - I couldn't see him conducting the Piano Concerto earlier on because he was covered by the grand piano. The 1st movement was as grand and opulent as that of the Piano Concerto, although the melody not as memorable for a first time listener. However, the full use of all the instruments really brought up the performance of the movement. I could hear anything and everything. The sound of each type of instruments, from the violins, to the flute and cello etc was so clear.
However, it is the 2nd movement which really caught me in. Eccentric, surprising, I can't think of any other word to describe it. Every note makes me wait in anticipation at the edge of my seat, wondering what will come next. It comes to a huge surprise when the movement ended in a high note without warning at all.
The 3rd movement is one that seem to foretell doom, with its sorrowful melody but then moved on to the 4th movement which suddenly burst up with energy and ending the piece with full majesty.

The encore piece is one by Edward Elgar. However, I wasn't able to catch the title when mentioned by the conductor. But still, it is another wonderful piece, reminicense of the Vocalise with its melodious tune which again, brought out the best of the violins. A perfect ending.

Feel like crying

2009-10-21T23:39:00.002+08:00

ITP report. FYP title. Hostel accomodation.

The three most important thing in my life now. But none of it is going right.

Trip Over

2009-10-15T19:32:00.002+08:00

The trip is over.....

:(

2009-10-14T12:24:00.003+08:00

Can't find Photoshop in my stupid computer, so here's a Paint version.....
Of all days, Kluang Station...THE original Kluang Station is closed.....Read more here

Back in Kluang

2009-10-13T23:46:00.003+08:00

As usual, please refer here

2nd day...

2009-10-13T11:54:00.002+08:00

You can follow up on previous post here

Trip Trip Trip

2009-10-13T00:49:00.001+08:00

Did not trip over anything. Did not fall, dun worry. It's just a holiday trip :P

Very lazy to retype, so please refer here.

Officially done!

2009-10-09T23:50:00.002+08:00

this is just a short post, more like a tweet...lolz.

Internship's over.

Million thanks to Diana for being such an awesome supervisor. You really made my worktime in TI a memorable one. I can't imagine having my internship under anyone else :P

Thousands thanks to Diana & Nicole for all the car fetching.

Hundred of thanks to Dayah & Waran for all their help during my first month (and Dayah for the subsequent months - having your phone number really saved me a few times). Miss you both.

Tens of thanks for all who spent their precious time to have farewell lunch & dinner with me - Pei Tih, Shila, Nicole, Shanti, Kim, Peter.

For the rest of thanks that I have left in me - I give it to all of you people whom I met and got to know in TI - thanks for just being there. It makes all the difference.

Not a tweet after all...too long...

A Rare chance

2009-10-06T19:30:00.003+08:00

Guess what people? There is an exhibition going on in the National Science Center!!! You might be scratching your head now wondering why the hell I am so excited about some boring exhibition....but let me tell you a secret (which is actually not a secret at all) - it is Da Vinci The Genius Exhibition!

Yup - it's that guy who painted the all famous Mona Lisa as well as The Last Supper. Interested now? Tickets are priced at RM25 for adults, but there's a way to get them for free, it seems. A kind soul is giving away 100 tickets. Click here to find out more.

Countdown!!!

2009-10-02T19:57:00.005+08:00

Really awfully sorry for being such a slack in updates here for the past 2 weeks.

But it's COUNTDOWN TIME!!!!!!
As of 8.05pm Friday night (which is when I post this blog - don't follow the blog clock...it's kind of wrong...hehehe), I officially have

6 days, 21 hours, 25 minutes
or
165 hours (rounded down)
or
9925 minutes
or
595,500 seconds left

before the end of my internship at 5.30pm Friday next week!!!!

May the countdown begin

A cold night, a boiling heart.

2009-09-28T23:31:00.003+08:00

I could write a 1500 words essay about how resentful i am feeling now. However, due to the the fact that my thoughts can't be smoothly translated into words currently(refer previous post), and also because I simple can't openly release my anger in this blog upon the one responsible for making me feel this way, you readers will be spared from a very long tirade.

Therefore, this will be the end of it. Good night.

-------

2009-09-22T21:07:00.001+08:00

Cripes! Writer's block!!!!

@$(*(&*(#%^)!_$&^%&

The Birthday Girl

2009-09-15T13:27:00.003+08:00

Yikes!!!! Can't believe I missed blogging about this. This post is for u Sook Ching, and thank you for being there always.

the birthday girl!!

The celebrating group

Sook Ching blowing the candles unsuccessfully (with the mask...lol)

All of us eating Kelmynn non-stop

I never planned to look, but chance brought me there by force

2009-09-11T00:06:00.002+08:00

I've always been an optimist, believing that there is goodness around us. However, I am also realist enough to know the suffering that this world has to endure.

Photographs have always enthralled the eyes of its viewers. A fleeting beauty could be captured for eternity through the lenses of a photographer. So could ugliness and pain.

Do you really want to take a look?

I'm sure there are certain photos and their accompanying stories that are already familiar to you. Indeed, these are the photos which shocked the world when published. They are also photos which would still give the same impact over and over again, no matter how many times one view them. I could only pray that similar photos would cease in the future.

Baby Got Back

2009-09-09T22:03:00.004+08:00

Been feeling kinda down recently because of various reasons, so I turn to humor again to bring me back up. Used the entire night to search for youtube videos of Friends and had a great time laughing till the tears run down! Cheers for Monica, Chandler, Ross, Phoebe, Joey & Rachel.

Below is one of my most favorite clip of all; the episode The One with Ross's Innappropriate Song.

Prepare for some side-stitches from 0:30 minutes onwards!

StarMasayume

2009-09-02T21:48:00.007+08:00

Wondering what's my title all about?

StarMasayume is a person. A very talented person in my eyes. How talented, you might ask? Well, take a look at some of her works here:

Her chibis are supremely cute!!! And it's not just Death Note, there's plenty more...For instance, the Harry Potter set:

Some of her stuff are available in keychains or stickers....and I am planning to get a few ^_^
Can anyone guess which few? LOLZ.

Do check out more of her works in devianART: Link HERE

How irresponsible can we humans be?

2009-08-29T11:35:00.003+08:00

Was just browsing around when I found

THIS <--- please click, read, and start thinking about our actions.

Just Stand Up

2009-08-28T23:58:00.006+08:00

I honestly do not know how this song ended up in my computer without my knowledge, but it has been there for quite some time. It was only tonight that I truly "heard" the song for the first time. And it was a very, very good song indeed, the lyrics are amazing, and with the many wonderful voices (Refer to lyrics below) singing, it is just a ~~sight~~ sound to behold.

from Wikipedia: "Just Stand Up!" is a song performed by an all-star charity supergroup of pop, R&B, rock, country artists during the live version during the telethon "Stand Up to Cancer". The group was purposely billed as "Artists Stand Up to Cancer" to the public.

The video below shows the live performance (Note that this song was only performed live once). The front part is a tribute to Michael Jackson from the video uploader.
Just my opinion - Miley Cyrus's voice kinda ruin it for me and Beyonce's hair was atrocious, but the rest were incredible. She was much better in the original single recorded, I think. Anyone who wants the song can get it from me :P

Lyrics (from recorded single):

ALL:
Every thing will be alright

Beyonce:
The heart is stronger than you think
It's like it can go through anything
And even when you think it can't
It finds a way to still push on though

Carrie Underwood:
Sometimes you want to run away
Ain't got the patience for the pain
And if you don't believe it
Look into your heart
The beat goes on

Rihanna & Miley Cyrus:
I'm tellin' you
Things get better, through whatever
If you fall, dust it off, don't let up

Sheryl Crow:
Don't you know you can go
Be your own miracle

Beyonce:
You need to know...

Chorus:
If the mind keeps thinking
You've had enough
But the heart keeps telling you
Don't give up
Who are we to be questioning
Wondering what is what
Don't give up, through it all
Just stand up

Fergie & Leona Lewis:
It's like we all have better days
Problems getting all up
In your face
Just because you go through it
Don't mean it got
To take control, no

Keyshia Cole & Leona Lewis:
You ain't gotta find no hiding place
Because the heart
Can beat the hate
Don't wanna let your mind
Keep playin' you
And sayin' you can't go on

Rihanna & Miley Cyrus:
I'm tellin' you
Things get better, through whatever
If you fall, dust it off, don't let up

LeAnn Rimes & Natasha Bedingfield:
Don't you know you can go
Be your own miracle

Carrie Underwood:
You need to know

[Chorus-All]
If the mind keeps thinking
You've had enough
But the heart keeps telling you
Don't give up
Who are we to be questioning
Wondering what is what
Don't give up through it all
Just stand up

Mary J. Blige & Ciara:
You don't gotta be
A prisoner in your mind
If you fall dust it off
You can live your life
Let your heart be your guide

Mariah Carey:
And you will know
That you're good
If you trust in the good

Ashanti:
Everything will be alright, yeah
Light up the dark
If you follow your heart

Mary J. Blige & Mariah Carey:
And it will get better
Through whatever

[Chorus-All]
If the mind keeps thinking
You've had enough
But the heart keeps telling you
Don't give up
Who are we to be questioning
Wondering what is what
Don't give up through it all
Just stand up

Fergie:
You got it in you
Find it within
You got in ya
Find it within now

Through It All, Just Stand Up!

MPO

2009-08-24T01:11:00.004+08:00

I can't believe myself for not posting anything regarding the 2 MPO performances that I went to even though that was sooo last month.

First of all - no pics. Since I'm a goody-two-shoes, I adhered to the rules of "no recording videos/photos in the hall" even though my camera was itching to get out of the bag. So here are just some "official photos" dug up from google images, just to prettify my post.

Now the performances themselves. I must say that I felt like time stopped when I was inside the hall. Everything felt surreal, especially for the first time I went. Maybe it's because I've never truly been to a concert (Not even those pop-concerts at Bukit Jalil Stadium or Genting Arena of Stars).

Anyway, it is truly addictive. I'm already planning for the upcoming 09/10 performances, especially the showcase with Sydney's Symphony Orchestra performing Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky & Prokofiev's works. I can't wait to get the tickets!

I GOT IT!!!!

2009-08-22T23:07:00.002+08:00

Ever since I watched "You've Got Mail" years ago, one scene managed to squeezed itself to the back of my brain - where Kathleen goes to Fox Books and is sitting upstairs in the children's room. Upon overhearing a woman asking for "the Shoe books", Kathleen tells the employee that the books are written by Noel Streatfeild. Kathleen advises the woman to start with the Ballet Shoes, because it is her favorite, although the skating shoes are "completely wonderful".
For years, I've been dreaming of owning the book which Kathleen had loved. And finally today, I bought Ballet Shoes. There were Theater Shoes and Dancing Shoes as well, but I am a poor girl....maybe next time. Too Bad I couldn't find Skating Shoes. I am soooo planning to get them all as a collection!

At the End of Daybreak

2009-08-19T20:46:00.007+08:00

Although I had just did a post on Chocolate, I could not stop myself from writing this post as well. Ever since I watched Sell Out, I found myself getting more interested in local productions. 15M only serve to further encourage this.

After watching Potong Saga, I was very curious to find out more works from Ho Yuhang. And I found this:

I wonder if this trailer is the official one, since the extreme amount of "wordings" caused the trailer to look amateurish. However, everything else looks extremely good and I have to admit that my interest is piqued (or else I would not even post this up in the first place). I was very very impressed by the shot of the mimosa pudica folding after being touched. It is something so small and simple, but to have it appear in the trailer is pure genius.

Some investigation done "somewhere" told me that our major local cinema GSC and TGV have no current plans to screen this indie film (which happens to be a Malaysia-South Korea-Hong Kong production filmed entirely in Malaysia, with the 2 lead casts from HongKong & Malaysia each). However, this film is "making its rounds" around international film festivals, and if it garners enough interest (and/or awards - which it did, since it won the NETPAC prize for best Asian film in the 62nd Locarno International Film Festival), there may be a chance for a screening in future (as what happened with Sell Out!).

Now for some honest opinion regarding Malaysian movie production and screenings. I understand that it is all about money-making, which is why the movies screened are usually targeted towards the interest of the public. However, I really can't accept the fact that movies like Cicak-Man gets a direct shoo-in, whereas good indie films were almost non-existant in the major cinemas unless they win some award. There is a possibility that my knowledge regarding this matter is not thorough enough and I might be giving some wrong information here, but everything I said is from the viewpoint of normal cinema-going Malaysian. I almost never realized the existance of these movies unless it is through my own research, or through word of mouth (which is maybe why these movies are termed as indie movies in the first place. LOLZ).

The bottom line is, I keep hearing "Malaysia Boleh" or "Support Local Production". Let's see some action together with those words!

Note: To find out more about At the End of Daybreak, read this.

Chocolate

2009-08-19T19:26:00.008+08:00

For those of you who are still in the dark, Yasmin Ahmad's Chocolate is out on 15Malaysia. Or you can just watch it here:

First, I would like to give my opinion about the cast. Hon Kah Hoe is alright as the sullen son although his pronunciation was sometimes wrong, but Sharifah Amani was awkward as the Malay girl. This is quite surprising because watching her in "The Making of Chocolate" clip, she was really cute and natural. I wonder if it is because of the script. It is quite disappointing especially after watching Potong Saga yesterday (for those of you who don't know, go watch it in 15Malaysia). Tan Mei Ling as the mother's voice was shrill and annoying enough but she wasn't smooth. There are times she sounded like she was reading the script instead of truly scolding her son. As compared to Potong Saga (where even the supporting cast are excellent), I find the acting here left much to be desired.

The clip in itself is quite good. I like the colour and the lighting chosen. We can really see Yasmin Ahmad's vision when she directs this clip. The storyline is very vague as the 2 main characters doesn't speak much, leaving a lot of "food for their unspoken thoughts". My favourite part was the beginning when the son kept putting different things on his head while his mother was ranting at the background. We can really "feel" what the son himself is feeling.

Now for the theme. Although short, Chocolate opens up doors for plenty of discussion and interpretations. But the bottom line - it is about racial harmony. There has always been discrimination between races, and it is an ongoing problem especially when influenced by family (as shown in the clip), by the system that we live in; and by our own perceptions.

I know that there are many of us who are already united as Malaysians. But hopefully one day in the future, the ending for ALL of us might be different from the one shown in the clip.

7 deadly sins

2009-08-18T00:17:00.004+08:00

There is definitely some sobering up to do. 2 things happen concurrently which I could not hide my eyes, mind and heart from.

Although guilty of all, the ONE sin that I am especially shameful of is actually Envy. I am envious of many, though I try to hide it away in some dark corner. It is not gold or materials which I truly hunger after, as that will fall instead into the category of greed. But instead, it is (as defined by Aristotle) "a pain caused by the good fortune of others". Yes - I do feel that pain.

However, today, I found out that misfortune had fell upon a wonderful and kind person whom I had known for years and have always envy. This news completely brought me to tears even though this misfortune is in no direct effect on me whatsoever. How much more ashamed I was for envying her, for feeling pain instead of joy when she is joyful, for wishing that I could be like her and gain her good fortune.

Today as well, a friend asked me to tell her one bad quality of hers which she would then try to improve on. It is a very good exercise indeed. And I have known for a long time what I should improve on myself. I've already walked the steps. It's time to run.

Dogathon '09

2009-08-16T21:15:00.010+08:00

I'll let the pics and their accompanying comments do the talking. In the meantime, eat your hearts out!

Welcome to Dogathon '09. It's all sunshine and heat out there.

Cute? We're surrounded with overflowing cuteness as you will see when you scroll down.

They're many Golden Retrievers out there today!

I assure you all that this is one REAL dog. And it's super cute!

Prams are all the rage. Convenient for the babies (I'm not talking bout homosapiens here).

This boy here should be the biggest dog around. Reaching up to about 2 inches above my knees (he's only 11 months old!), he's like a miniature horse. Runs as fast as one too (won the speed race)

One of the many competitions.

That's a Mummy's handmade sari dress! How cute is that?

The little kid here has one of the coolest outfit today. Look at those shoes! And his shirt's cool too. Too bad it doesn't show in this pic.

This lady dalmation is one of the most obedient one in the field. Never move or fidget when taking photos with us strangers!

It must have taken forever to groom those furs!

2 St. Bernards today! How lucky can I be?

And now for the finale, Siberian Huskies!!! I am totally in love with these beautiful and handsome and elegant creatures (How is it that they manage to be beautiful and handsome and elegant at the same time, I would never know) and swear with all my heart that if I ever get a chance to own a dog, I will be getting a Siberian Husky!

It Ended With...

2009-08-14T22:35:00.008+08:00

After a week fraught with difficulties (I know some of you might not believe this because this week of all weeks should be superb for me), Friday is finally here. But before I talk about the end, I should start at the beginning.

1) A Cold Weekend

Went to the Highlands to meet up with my family & relatives. Now, these 3 days up there were wonderful. Took loads of photos, sit on all the scary rides and played the bumper cars 3 times to make up for all the bumper cars that I missed before this (can you believe that I NEVER played the bumper car before this? Last time I was just the passenger for one of my family member!)

The men of the Family acting cool...like father like son, right?

Look at kid (wearing stripe shirt) making faces.

The rides that we all went for:

2) The Cannot be Missed (but almost did) Convocation

The start of the difficulties. Due to some miss-timing, I was not only late, but VERY LATE. Uhhhh....like 2 hours late! I decided to just give up (when the KTM so punctually decided to cancel the 12pm train) and just to go to the mall and sit in the bookstore. So thankful that Stephnie decided to wait for me (and her parents...and Wei Har, although I don't think they weren't too pleased to know they're still waiting). Was really glad I went in the end. After all, it is the graduation of one of my oldest and dearest friend (Actually, this girl is taking her Masters, so she's gonna graduate again!), although I couldn't bear to request her to put on those graduation robes again since the sun was trying to burn us as much as possible.

3) The Horrible Truth

Decided to finally load all my Genting photos, only to find out what happened. One of the kids were playing with my camera & accidently changed the setting to VGA size (that means my photos are only a few hundred Kb - about the size you get if you download photos from Facebook). This meant that all my photos resolution are supremely small T_T

4) It Ended With...

The main story of this post. Yes, Friday is here. While preparing to leave the office in the evening, someone in heaven sure must have been angry & sad. It was a full thunderstorm complete with strong winds and lightning etc. I made a sudden decision that if the first bus to arrive goes to KLCC, I will board it and have a couple of hours of fun in the mall since it's a Friday night after all. If not, I would just go back and cook Maggi. Someone up above must have laughed at my thought and really sent me the KLCC bus right when I step into the bus stop.

Almost regretted my decision when I got stuck in the massive traffic jam! But once I reached KLCC, everything was great! I had a nice combination of dinner - Mexican bun just hot out of the oven (I saw them taking them out!) with A&W curly fries & jelly layer cake as dessert. All my favorite food combined together! This is the power of having to decide for you alone and no need to worry bout anyone else.

After dinner, went to hibernate at Kinokuniya (lolz, i think someone will be laughing when he read this part. You should know who you are). Somehow, I find Kinokuniya a very expensive place to hibernate. I came out of it RM100 poorer. It was really hard for me because I found 6 books which I wanted to buy - a fantasy trilogy, a bestseller comedic thriller, and lastly a award winning fiction that is based in Malaysia. Decided to call Steph for opinion, only to regret wasting my money a second later because I already know what her answer would be (and I was correct! She did choose The Gunseller!). So Gunseller it is. After all, how can I not read a book written by one of my favourite actor?

So that's the end. Tomorrow will be another day to be poorer by a couple of hundred ringgit since I am planning to go to the hair salon. Till then, I'll be updating my log book (industrial training) which I did not touch since the first week! Ciao.

Happy? Yes, I should & am

2009-08-06T19:54:00.002+08:00

It's time to lift up the mood even though I am surrounded by murky waters. After all, there are plenty of good news for many of my friends. And I already have plenty of nice plans for the weekend & beyond.

Like they (whoever "they" is) say, It's not all good, but it's good enough.

Let's do some Maths

2009-08-04T22:26:00.008+08:00

Let's see, what had gone wrong for me?

1) my HDD crashed, and so my 150GB movies/dramas/mangas just went up in smoke.

2) wasted time & money to go to and check what the hell was wrong with my external HDD, bought a new casing for it only to come back and see that it's still spoilt.

3) found out about the ticket price hike for rapid KL, and wasted all my free time dreaming about how I will complain about it in my blog, but honestly am too tired and bothered to write an essay about it here.

4) am going really broke since my ptptn money is not in yet. I had borrowed from my parents, my brother AND my sister. Who should i turn to next?

Now, let's see what had went right for me?

1) From all the walking and breathing in hazy air, I am thinner by a couple of milimeters. Not really an achievement though.

2) Am (hopefully) going to meet my family soon.

3) The internet is still working for me.

4) I still have money inside my pocket, so it'll be at least a few more days before I make the call to beg my parents for money

5) Found something really good recently.

Guess "right" wins by a point. Have to stop sulking.

PS: To follow my tradition of posting up maths/equation jokes when I feel bad, here's two ---

Practical Application:

He's teaching her arithmetic,
He said it was his mission,
He kissed her once, he kissed her twice
and said, "Now that's addition."

As he added smack by smack
In silent satisfaction,
She sweetly gave the kisses back
and said, "Now that's subtraction."

Then he kissed her, she kissed him,
Without an explanation,
And both together smiled and said,
"That's multiplication."

Then Dad appeared upon the scene and
Made a quick decision.
He kicked that kid three blocks away
And said, "That's long division!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two mathematicians were having dinner in a restaurant, arguing about the average mathematical knowledge of the American public. One mathematician claimed that this average was woefully inadequate, the other maintained that it was surprisingly high. "I'll tell you what," said the cynic, "ask that waitress a simple math question. If she gets it right, I'll pick up dinner. If not, you do". He then excused himself to visit the men's room, and the other called the waitress over. "When my friend comes back," he told her, "I'm going to ask you a question, and I want you to respond `one third x cubed.' There's twenty bucks in it for you." She agreed. The cynic returned from the bathroom and called the waitress over. "The food was wonderful, thank you," the mathematician started. "Incidentally, do you know what the integral of x squared is?" The waitress looked pensive; almost pained. She looked around the room, at her feet, made gurgling noises, and finally said, "Um, one third x cubed?" So the cynic paid the check. The waitress wheeled around, walked a few paces away, looked back at the two men, and muttered under her breath, "...plus a constant."

Aaarghhh!!!!!!

2009-07-30T22:35:00.004+08:00

Not the best of days....in fact it's the total opposite.

Feeling very stupid, insecure, guilty, tired....
Am really angry with myself for being such an unreliable person.
I wonder how am I ever going to live a life which is worth more than what I am valuing it now?

Edit:

31st July (Friday night) - If it's possible to feel any lousier than yesterday (refer top), I am feeling it now. AND it's a Friday night.

Blogging frenzy??

2009-07-27T23:34:00.003+08:00

I've been peppering posts every few days, & sometimes even more. Guess that it's a phase I just have to get through.

Anyway, I've always been a fan of Hugh Laurie as well as YouTube, so both together is a powerful combination indeed to tempt me into wasting hours just scrounging for old video clips of "A Bit of Fry & Laurie". Here are a couple of my favourite sketches. Watch them; they're impossibly, over the top, outrageously & even stupidly funny!

Wedding post 2.0

2009-07-27T20:37:00.005+08:00

Okayyyyy....The Supervisor is officially reading my blog *runs off and started digging to see if I have any skeletons inside my ~~closet~~ blog. So to commemorate this momentous event (Lolz, juz joking Diana), here's some photos to show off the beautiful couple.

No prizes for guessing which is the bride ^_^

What's that head doing at the bottom? hehehe

One word: WOW

The Last Lecture

2009-07-25T23:24:00.005+08:00

It was not half an hour ago when Sook Ching said she wanted books to read, and asked me for some suggestions on what to buy. Since she wanted motivational/inspiring, the first book that came into my mind was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. The book that was written by the now deceased lecturer was based on his famous lecture, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". An introduction to both the lecture as well as the book can be found here or here.

I remember spending more than an hour watching the lecture itself on youtube last year. It was a moving presentation indeed - simple, but important. Even after almost 2 years past, I felt I must encourage those of you who have not watch it to just take some time off your busy life to appreciate this wonderful lecture. And if you have the chance, go read the book as well!

Hmmm....

2009-07-25T15:04:00.003+08:00

The Blogalyser reveals...

Your blog/web page text has an overall readability index of 13.

This suggests that your writing style is conventional
(to communicate well you should aim for a figure between 10 and 20).Your text contains 40 sentences, which suggests your general message is distinguished by verbosity
(writing for the web should be concise).

CHARACTER MATRIX

male		female
self		world
past		future

Your text shows characteristics which are 58% male and 42% female
(for more information see the Gender Genie).
Looking at pronoun indicators, you write mainly about yourself, then the world in general and finally your social circle. Also, your writing focuses primarily on the present, next the past and lastly the future.

Find out what your blogging style is like!

The results on top is based on one of my many posts, but I did play around with other posts and the results are almost the same (say, about 80% similar). So whaddya think? Does my words sounds mannish? The results otherwise is quite accurate IMO. I like to write conventionally and I do talk alot about my happenings - after all, this is a blog about my ongoing "escapades" (LOLZ....like I am on an adventure or something....). The fact that I focus on the present is to be expected, I guess. It's after all, the most important moment in my life. The past is gone, and the future will come soon enough. Hmm...that phrase is very familiar. Where did I steal it from? Ah...what the heck. Who cares anyway?

The Day I almost lost my phone (AGAIN)

2009-07-24T19:47:00.003+08:00

When the going gets tough....that's the time for bubble wraps!!

I'm sure everyone, had at least once in their lifetime, played with bubble wraps. You know.... pressing the bubbles one by one and listening to it pop, or just plain squeezing the whole thing so it's like 100 pops at once! It's a simple game most kids enjoy. I remember fighting over the bubble wraps with my sister because, after all, it's not everyday that you can find one to play with, and it's a one time thing - once the bubbles burst, it has to be thrown away.

Nowadays, it's quite easy to buy bubble wraps. Go to any bookstore and you can get it - for a price. And I'm definitely not paying RM 4 just for 5 minutes for popping. Instead, I found plenty (and I mean PLENTY) at my current workplace! After all, TIM is a manufacturing company. Naturally, there will be plenty of bubble wraps for packaging. Of course, I can't be playing with those! Instead, I found my source in packages that comes INTO TI, whereby it will be thrown away (not the contents, but the packaging!) To be more specific, into my "department". So now the bubble wraps are a way to release working stress. To squeeze all the bubbles and listen to the familiar popping sounds is just simple bliss which helps a lot to calm my mind. And yeah, I just enjoy playing, tension or no tension.

PS: Got addicted to this as well.

the power of technology & freedom

2009-07-17T10:29:00.004+08:00

As hard as I tried to avoid it, the photos surfaced at last. That's the power of technology and freedom. Since it's out in the open, I might as well show off a couple of my friends/intern-mates of TI:
from left: Waran, Teletubby, Dayah.

Updates, both good & bad

2009-07-15T22:39:00.004+08:00

Really nice small gathering among uni-mates last Sunday. Too bad some of us can't make it. But after almost 2 months not meeting the people I used to see often made me especially happy since none of my friends are with me in TI. Really should have more of these get-togethers (Hint hint to those of you reading this!)

Now on to the bad. As some of you know, I fell down at the roadside 2 days ago (Monday morning). Nope, I DID NOT get whammed by a car or any other form of vehicle. Even I do not know what to blame this incident on. I just FELL DOWN. No reason. Unstability (this one was given by me to my dad)? Duck's feet (this one was given by my dad to me)? Or karma (LOLZ...have I done anything bad to any of you people out there?)?

Not hurt bad, just scrape my left knee till it was flowing water...oops, i mean blood. And now (2 days later), it's one huge patch of gross unmentionables. And being one who is pain sensitive, I have an extreme phobia towards "bathing" lately. Hahaha, just for your information (especially those of you who have not realize it yet), I am making a mountain out of a molehill here. Feeling some drama these days!

PS: No pics of my left knee, thank you. I'm not one of those people who like to show off their battle scars.

PPS: I'll end this with something good at least. GOING BACK KLUANG THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got back in the craze again

2009-07-09T22:06:00.005+08:00

Remember reading one of my post a few months back on Rascal Flatts? Well, I went off the craze after a while because I got busy with Black & White. But I'm back on the bandwagon again. This time, I dedicate the following song to all women with their loser boyfriends. You girls should know what to do.

She left that loser in a dust cloud
Heart in his hand, chin on the ground
Cried her last tear for that clown
She can see a little clearer now
She said, "Oh, oh, I gotta go and find me"
Oh, oh she found the strength to break free

[CHORUS]
Like a painted wild mustang
Flyin' out across the open range
Finally gets to live her life that way
No fear, no fences, nobody -
No reins, No reins

All she's ever felt is held back
She says, "It's kinda nice to hear myself laugh"
She's gonna do a lot more of that
She's makin' plans and makin' tracks
She said, "Oh, oh I gotta go and find me"
Oh, oh she found the strength to break free

[Repeat Chorus]

Oh, oh she's learnin' how to let go
Oh, oh whichever way the wind blows
Oh, oh she's learnin' how to let go

As usual, song can be found under video section on the right. Unfortunately, there is no official video. Credits for the video (as mentioned by uploader) goes to the following:

TylkoKonie
tuffydoodle
lgfsartori
RustyRider1961
DB4L90
PBS
Paramount Pictures
Disney

A little explanation for those who do not understand why it's a video of horses and not the Mustang car or something else. Wild Mustang, as mentioned in the song, is a feral horse (or wild horse). Click to read more. It is a perfect metaphor to use for this song. Very symbolic. The word rein (from the title No Reins) is an equipment used on animals (usually horses) to direct them. It can also mean to hold back or to control (in this song means to hold back the woman from her freedom). Both of these can be used for understanding of the lyrics.

The original rant: Are Rapid KL bus drivers liars?

2009-07-09T19:55:00.002+08:00

Now - this post is 1 day late, so just add everything by a day. Eg yesterday means the day before yesterday.

I'ved always taken the bus or train as my main mode of transport since I do not own a car. Rapid KL was always my favourite because of its' extensive coverage of all the main places I would wish to go.

However, yesterday & today gave me the worst experience yet regarding the Rapid KL bus transportation. Prepare yourself for a torrent of complaints!

Yesterday, I waited for 45 minutes for a "Tempatan" bus which I had expected to arrive within 10 minutes (since I roughly knew its schedule after taking it every day). When I finally decided to ride another "Utama" bus, thereby paying an extra RM2, the bus driver told me that the bus I was waiting for has already arrived in another bus stop, which means that IF I had waited for another 10 minutes, I could have board that bus. This experience, I will attribute it to unluckiness. However, I will still blame the Rapid KL bus management who promises that the Tempatan bus would come within 1/2 hour.

Today, on the other hand, is completely theirs to hold the blame! As I knew that there will be an 8.30 am bus leaving the station, I waited for it, but the bus wasn't even at the station (unlike as usual) When the bus did arrive, I was worried that I will be late for work, so I decided to confirm with the driver what time he will leave the station. He replied 9.30 am. Surprised, I asked whether the schedule has changed & that there is only 1 bus an hour. His reply was a noncommital yes.

Because of his answers, I decided to board a taxi for work, paying about 4 times the amount I would pay if I had took the bus instead. Upon reaching the stop, I came out of the taxi, only to see 2 buses, one in front of the taxi, and one behind. The bus in front was an "Utama" bus which I had already previously enquired whether it passes my company (as well as the name of the road, in case the driver does not know my company), and the answer was no. If I had knew to take the bus, I would not have wasted my money on the taxi.

However, it was the bus behind me that made me really mad. IT was the SAME bus which I had previously confirmed to leave at 9.30! The driver lied to me openly about leaving an hour later, but left just after I did in the taxi & reaching my destination at the same time as I did!

And let me recap on what happened to another passenger a few days ago: A guy rang the bell because he wanted to get down at the next stop. However, the driver did not slow down or show any indication of stopping. Worried that he did not hear the bell, the guy rang it a few more times. Irritated (I knew, because I was sitting near the front and could see the driver's face on the rearview mirror, glancing towards the guy who rang the bell), the driver not only speed up, he in fact passed yet another bus stop! When he finally stop to drop the passenger off, he did not wait for the passenger to fully leave the bus. Instead, he started moving before the guy took the final step off the bus, thereby making him a little unstable. Now what if this passenger is not a young adult man, but an old passenger? Did the bus driver not realize what he had done, just to get some petty revenge on an innocent passenger? Now how's that for an experience of one of the most famous (and supposedly best) transportation management in KL & Selangor?

This is not the first time I had witness such thing. I know that the drivers might not have a very high pay, and that it is tiring to drive the bus all the time. But every job has its ups & downs. Being a rich businessman or a teacher or a constructor workers all have its own kind of pressure. Since you're in the business in providing a service, you should pride yourself in providing the best you can. One of the best examples will be Japanese workers. No matter one is a chairman or a cleaner in the same company, everyone is dedicated to their work and tries to provide the best service.

Let's hope that these "Malaysians" start thinking about behaving better and stop acting like ignorant prats

Wanted to rant.....but forgot my pendrive :-(

2009-07-08T23:45:00.002+08:00

I was planning to post up something I spent 1 whole hour concocting this morning (at work, no less), but I forgot to bring home the pendrive (where I saved my file of course!).... Sigh.....

Not planning to rewrite it again this time, which means that that post will only appear tomorrow night, which by that time the effect (on me, actually) would kinda be gone (I wrote it right after it happened to me...which means that there's quite an amount of angst in it)....

sigh.........

Note that there are quite a lot of ......... in this post......