Have you ever heard of the phrase "I have a dream"? This phrase had been commonly employed and used in our lives. There was this time when my mom wanted to show me a speech by Martin Luther King Jr., she said that it was inspirational and wanted to expose me to it. I was blank about what it was all about and she said, "You know, the 'I have a dream' speech." I didn't know. In the end, she didn't show it to me coz she left the copy in the office.
From then on, I knew there was such a thing as King's "I have a dream" speech on his dreams where white and blacks will live harmoniously in America. I have read about a friend making a reference to this phrase and also listening to Sophie singing "I have a dream" in Mamma Mia. It is only now that I worked towards quenching my curiosity.
Below is the "I have a dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr. This was the first time I have read it and was awed by the vision he painted with his words. It was extracted from US Constitution Online. If this is the first time you have come across this speech as well, it will be a worthy experience to know what it is all about.
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."
And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Friday, October 31, 2008
Of Spooks, Birthdays and Idols
I'm putting up a lot of random posts lately.
First off, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! Secondly, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Magie! (though I know you won't come across this blog) So yeah, I have a friend whose birthday falls on this spooky celebration.
The bunch of us, half the class I think, sort of planned this surprise on her. It's not exactly a party, more like an excuse to get together before the sem comes to a close. Anyway, we bought these junk food and a cake. After midnight, we gathered at a friend's place just opposite the birthday girl's place. Anyway, we sneaked into the house, knocked on her room's door, and then... awkward silence. You know, for things like this there is usually a loud SURPRISE or HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Instead, there was just this silence, and Magie exclaiming, "Oh!" Haha.. I figured it's coz we didn't plan on what to say when she saw us. Anyway, we managed to make up for it by singing a rambunctious birthday song for her. All in all, a good break from all those final moments stress.
Oooh!! I've experienced my first contact with a celebrity!! Okay~ so what if he's only a DJ and not a real celebrity? Anyway, he's my favourite DJ hosting my favourite program on 988, a chinese radio station. I've recently added him and also becoming a fan of his club on Facebook. There was this picture of him that I commented and he replied! He was generally teased as being fat, but that picture of him portrayed him pretty well, so I just commented that he's really not fat. I guess flattery works for he replied. Lol~
Ah... my biggest wish when it comes to things concerning idols is to be able to hug Eason Chan. I want to embrace him in a giant bear hug and have him sing personally to me... ah...~~ Everytime I went to his concert I day dreamed that he would pick me out from the crowd and invite me onto the stage. Haha.. This revelation was sparked from me watching this entertainment show on youtube where Eason was the guest. He played some games with his fans. He hugged one of them and sang together with another! I metaphorically melted.. sigh~~
A girl can wish, yes? Haha..
edit 3.57am - ps: did I mention that I am going to the Mamma Mia musical? Uakakakkaa... ~ I'm a disgustingly lucky gal, I know.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Poor Kitty
There was this cat that started coming into our house (my hostel unit, that is). We lived on the sixth floor, so it came in through the balcony, coming from next door. We never really know whose cat it is or whether it even has an owner. IT is actually a she, white and has red eyes in the dark. Xiao Lu er said that she's an old cat. Though I dislike cats, I can see that she's really beautiful with her white fur and slanted eyes.
The first time she came inside, Xiao Lu er was ecstatic. The second time, the cat was fed. Xiao Lu er purposely bought cat food for her. For the past week, the cat has been a nuisance for me, especially when it is just me and her in the house. I avoided her as much as possible. Thank God she never leapt at me, I guess she's too lofty to do something like that. There was this one time when I came back bearing food. When I put my food down on the table, that freaking cat jumped on the table, sniffing my way. I quickly swiped the food into my arms and put a humongous distance between us. In panic, I threw a piece of bread on the floor. And when her attention was elsewhere, I ran to my room.
Though I don't like the cat, I never really did resent her presence, so long as it's not just the two of us.
Something happened to the cat today. I was sleeping when it happened. Xiao Lu er came back and the cat was by the door. Suddenly, strange gurgling noises emitted from the cat and it vomitted on the floor. Xiao Lu er was freaked when the cat came after her, puke still falling from her mouth. She ran out the door with it hot on her heels. I don't really know what happened next, but someone from next door came to carry the cat off. Though the cat always appeared from next door, even those people did not know where she came from. I was SO lucky to be sleeping when they cleaned up the mess that cat made. Yes, they cleaned up it's puke. But then again, I have seen something worse before that my dog made.
Anyway, after the floor was cleaned and everything, the cat appeared once more on the balcony. She couldn't come in coz the glass door was closed. It kept mewing outside. Xiao Lu er was too scared over what happened to like the cat anymore.
I dount the cat will get the chance to come into the house anymore. For that, I'm grateful. But then again, pity the cat. Everyone loved it when it was clean and normal. At the first sign of trouble, people just dumped her and won't even touch her again. This kind of attitude pisses me off at times. One thing about pets is that if you want to treat it good, go all the way. They don't understand when the affection just stopped.
I was a lousy pet owner. I never want to have pets again, unless I know I am able to commit myself to it.
The first time she came inside, Xiao Lu er was ecstatic. The second time, the cat was fed. Xiao Lu er purposely bought cat food for her. For the past week, the cat has been a nuisance for me, especially when it is just me and her in the house. I avoided her as much as possible. Thank God she never leapt at me, I guess she's too lofty to do something like that. There was this one time when I came back bearing food. When I put my food down on the table, that freaking cat jumped on the table, sniffing my way. I quickly swiped the food into my arms and put a humongous distance between us. In panic, I threw a piece of bread on the floor. And when her attention was elsewhere, I ran to my room.
Though I don't like the cat, I never really did resent her presence, so long as it's not just the two of us.
Something happened to the cat today. I was sleeping when it happened. Xiao Lu er came back and the cat was by the door. Suddenly, strange gurgling noises emitted from the cat and it vomitted on the floor. Xiao Lu er was freaked when the cat came after her, puke still falling from her mouth. She ran out the door with it hot on her heels. I don't really know what happened next, but someone from next door came to carry the cat off. Though the cat always appeared from next door, even those people did not know where she came from. I was SO lucky to be sleeping when they cleaned up the mess that cat made. Yes, they cleaned up it's puke. But then again, I have seen something worse before that my dog made.
Anyway, after the floor was cleaned and everything, the cat appeared once more on the balcony. She couldn't come in coz the glass door was closed. It kept mewing outside. Xiao Lu er was too scared over what happened to like the cat anymore.
I dount the cat will get the chance to come into the house anymore. For that, I'm grateful. But then again, pity the cat. Everyone loved it when it was clean and normal. At the first sign of trouble, people just dumped her and won't even touch her again. This kind of attitude pisses me off at times. One thing about pets is that if you want to treat it good, go all the way. They don't understand when the affection just stopped.
I was a lousy pet owner. I never want to have pets again, unless I know I am able to commit myself to it.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
And Beyond...
Ah-hah! I can't help myself. I'm already planning what to do after I'm done with all these crappy assignments! That is a list that I have compiled so far. I really hope I can manage to pull some of the stuff off. I usually make this kind of list for breaks but when the time comes, I usually sleep my holidays off. I just changed my wall paper today. I know there's nothing interesting there, but don't you just love the colour? It's so refreshing after the pale yellow of my last image there.The Taste
I don't know why I bother blogging about this assignment. It's such a "goreng" piece. Everything is just make believe, the information are made up and we don't really learn how to properly do this.
Anyway, we are supposed to work in pairs and we take turns becoming client and designer. Supposedly we are to acquire approval from our "client". In the end, we just said, "I'm okay with yours so you're surely okay with mine?" kind of things. So much for learning experience. Hah!
The cover. That is the logo I "goreng".
I sort of had fun making up restrictions on how to use the logo correctly.
There are some other side stuff to do. This is the business card.
Anyway, we are supposed to work in pairs and we take turns becoming client and designer. Supposedly we are to acquire approval from our "client". In the end, we just said, "I'm okay with yours so you're surely okay with mine?" kind of things. So much for learning experience. Hah!
The cover. That is the logo I "goreng".
I sort of had fun making up restrictions on how to use the logo correctly.There are some other side stuff to do. This is the business card.Though we do not have to print all those materials like the stationery set, but we do have to print the manual itself. I counted eighteen pages. Another chunk of money here. Sigh...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Cinderella
I listened to this song while in the car with Xiao Lu er. It was sung by Tata Young. I liked the song immediately. There are times when we are down that we'd want someone to be there to lend a shoulder to lean on. There are times when you're lonely and you'd want a person to hug. There are also times when you'd wish there will be this special someone who will rescue you from predicaments and will simply accept you, flaws and all. But before that someone ultra special comes along, it's important to know you're perfectly able to stand on your own and wield your own sword. So that when he did come, you'll know you need him for real, and not just as a temporary shoulder, bolster or body guard.
"Cinderella"
When I was just a little girl
My momma used to tuck me into bed and she read me a story
It always was about a Princess in distress
And how a guy would save her and end up with the glory
I'd lie in bed and think about the person that I wanted to be
Then one day I realized the fairy tale life wasn't for me
[Chorus]
I don't wanna be like Cinderella
Sittin' in a dark old dusty cellar
Waiting for somebody, to come and set me free
I don't wanna be like Snow White waiting
For a handsome prince to come and save me
On a horse of white, unless we're riding side by side
Don't want to depend on no-one else
I'd rather rescue myselfSomeday
I'm gonna find someone who wants my soul, heart and mind
Who's not afraid to show that he loves me
Somebody who will understand I'm happy just the way I am
Don't need nobody taking care of me
I will be there for him just as strong as he, will be there for me
When I give myself then it has got to be, an equal thing
[Chorus]
I can slay, my own dragon
I can dream, my own dreams
My knight in shining armour is me
So I'm gonna set me free
[Chorus]
My Conscience is Mean
I am such an emotional wreck now. My works are not done. I thought I have them under control but apparently not. There is like this huge stone on my chest. I want to scream but I can't. I listen to songs and got touched for no reasons. I want to run away from this place so much. I have screwed up big time. Only reprinting will help. And that means another big chunk out of my now pitifully puny wallet. My heart nearly stopped when I realized the mistake. I thought I could pull it through. Pretend it's not there. Close one eye. Two eyes if I really can't take it. But no matter how many eyes I close, there're still the eyes of my conscience. It poked me. I pretend not to feel anything. It shoved me till I stumbled, I pretend it's a tiny earthquake. It slammed its mighty fist on my desk, I pretend it's those guys next door jamming. It then held me by the collar and slapped my face multiple times. I pretend there's wind blowing. Finally, the simplest things of all. Using its powerful forefingers and thumbs, it pried my tightly shut eyes open. And then put my work in front of my reluctant gaze. And then my conscience won. I lost. I can pretend no longer.
What is another hundred ringgit among the hundreds I have already spent? What is one week of hell compared to months of bliss?
Work. Do not stall. Work.
Pull myself out of this and I will see the light at the end of this long dark tunnel.
Work.
What is another hundred ringgit among the hundreds I have already spent? What is one week of hell compared to months of bliss?
Work. Do not stall. Work.
Pull myself out of this and I will see the light at the end of this long dark tunnel.
Work.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
天下无双
This is another one of my favourite songs by Eason Chan. I can sing along to it without having to see the lyrics. Whenever I'm sad, I'll just listen to the song and think about the people who are there for me. It'll simply lift the gloom.
If you know how to read it, enjoy. If not, too bad for you.
天下无双
给我信心 当我未如愿
披雨戴风问寒送我暖
亲切眼光 舒我乱和倦
从无更改心照总不宣
长长路中 走到那里生命里
有你我方找到生存来源
难行日子 不削我对生命眷恋
因有著你 跟我一起 亲爱的你
一次也不 推说乱和倦
一次你都未曾去计算
给了再给 始了便无断
无条件分担各种辛酸
从前没讲 今次要说多谢你
我有你给的爱因而完全
谁人是我 心里至爱生命至尊
都也是你 真了不起 亲爱的你
若问世界谁无双
会令昨天明天也闪亮
定是答你从无双
多么感激竟然有一双 我俩
一世庆祝 整个地球上
亿个背影但和你碰上
想说你知 整个地球上
无人可使我更想 奔向
Oooh.. yess.. since coming here in August for the new sem, I have been following the Teikoku match in Eyeshield 21. They are down to the final second and next week will be the deciding chapter! How coincidental, the ending of the match coinciding with the end of my sem. I shall work towards finishing all my assignments then!
Good luck to you too.
edit 2Nov, 3.40am: I have already finished that final chapter on the Teikoku match. Two low points here: that chapter did not live up to expectations and I still have not finished my work. How I wish I can recapture my optimism of the moment I wrote this post.
If you know how to read it, enjoy. If not, too bad for you.
天下无双
给我信心 当我未如愿
披雨戴风问寒送我暖
亲切眼光 舒我乱和倦
从无更改心照总不宣
长长路中 走到那里生命里
有你我方找到生存来源
难行日子 不削我对生命眷恋
因有著你 跟我一起 亲爱的你
一次也不 推说乱和倦
一次你都未曾去计算
给了再给 始了便无断
无条件分担各种辛酸
从前没讲 今次要说多谢你
我有你给的爱因而完全
谁人是我 心里至爱生命至尊
都也是你 真了不起 亲爱的你
若问世界谁无双
会令昨天明天也闪亮
定是答你从无双
多么感激竟然有一双 我俩
一世庆祝 整个地球上
亿个背影但和你碰上
想说你知 整个地球上
无人可使我更想 奔向
Oooh.. yess.. since coming here in August for the new sem, I have been following the Teikoku match in Eyeshield 21. They are down to the final second and next week will be the deciding chapter! How coincidental, the ending of the match coinciding with the end of my sem. I shall work towards finishing all my assignments then!
Good luck to you too.
edit 2Nov, 3.40am: I have already finished that final chapter on the Teikoku match. Two low points here: that chapter did not live up to expectations and I still have not finished my work. How I wish I can recapture my optimism of the moment I wrote this post.
PINK!
I miss Pinky. There was a cat that sneaked into the house for the past few days.
I don't like cats.
But I miss Pinky.
I never really do have a proper picture of her. This is the most I remember.
I think.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Of Name and Food
This is going to be a totally random kind of post. I searched my name "Quin". Guess what I found?
Courtesy of onelook.com;
Quick definitions (quin)
▸ noun: one of five children born at the same time from the same pregnancy
▸ name: A surname (rare: 1 in 100000 families; popularity rank in the U.S.: #15374)
How can five children be born at the same time??
Anyway, I followed this link :what2seeonline.com, from Chia Li's msn shoutout.
Omg~ I shouldn't have done that! It reminded me of all the good food in Penang. Besides that, this blogger have also snapped some truly tantalising images of the food. I didn't know there are so many western food outlets in all the nooks and corners of Penang. I love western food. So fellow Penang friends, maybe we can go to some of the recommended places for a gathering?
Courtesy of onelook.com;
Quick definitions (quin)
▸ noun: one of five children born at the same time from the same pregnancy
▸ name: A surname (rare: 1 in 100000 families; popularity rank in the U.S.: #15374)
How can five children be born at the same time??
Anyway, I followed this link :what2seeonline.com, from Chia Li's msn shoutout.
Omg~ I shouldn't have done that! It reminded me of all the good food in Penang. Besides that, this blogger have also snapped some truly tantalising images of the food. I didn't know there are so many western food outlets in all the nooks and corners of Penang. I love western food. So fellow Penang friends, maybe we can go to some of the recommended places for a gathering?
See-Aye-What?
The assignment I'm currently working on is Corporate Identity Manual. What is it? Beats me.
Really. We do not have any guidelines when it comes to this. All she did was toss a few of these manuals that our seniors did at us. She claimed those are standards she want. Nothing more after that. She did not explain what CIM really is. She did not say what are the things that are supposed to be in there. It was only after flipping those examples did we find out that we are supposed to include rationals and all sorts of stuff in it. I wondered at how those students know how to go about doing it. Probably got tossed the manuals did by their seniors.
Really. Is it any wonder why I am constantly frustrated by the quality of the teachings here? We are given assingments that the lecturers themselves have no idea what they are at times.
This is CIM:
"The protection of visual identity is probably one of the most important issues when it comes to developing concepts in which corporate identity (CI) is used. Both in web design and in print - corporate identity manuals are supposed to give designers precise guidelines on how logotypes, colors and typography should be used. Basically for one simple reason: to promote the visual identity in the most convenient, consistent and efficient way and make sure no mistakes are done. E.g. the logotype remains readable and the whitespace around the logo gives it the space it needs to breathe and be effective - throughout various projects."
-Smashing Magazine-
Really. We do not have any guidelines when it comes to this. All she did was toss a few of these manuals that our seniors did at us. She claimed those are standards she want. Nothing more after that. She did not explain what CIM really is. She did not say what are the things that are supposed to be in there. It was only after flipping those examples did we find out that we are supposed to include rationals and all sorts of stuff in it. I wondered at how those students know how to go about doing it. Probably got tossed the manuals did by their seniors.
Really. Is it any wonder why I am constantly frustrated by the quality of the teachings here? We are given assingments that the lecturers themselves have no idea what they are at times.
This is CIM:
"The protection of visual identity is probably one of the most important issues when it comes to developing concepts in which corporate identity (CI) is used. Both in web design and in print - corporate identity manuals are supposed to give designers precise guidelines on how logotypes, colors and typography should be used. Basically for one simple reason: to promote the visual identity in the most convenient, consistent and efficient way and make sure no mistakes are done. E.g. the logotype remains readable and the whitespace around the logo gives it the space it needs to breathe and be effective - throughout various projects."
-Smashing Magazine-
Tag. Again.
I should have been working on my Corporate Identity Manual. So what am I doing here? All Jaryn's fault! All her fault! (then who asked you to come online in the first place, huh? Um...)
Whatever.
Tagged by Jaryn
Part One
1. What is the relationship of you and her?
Old primary school mates!
2. Your five impressions towards him/her.
This is like a polish to her ego, but a well deserved one, hehe.. Jaryn has most qualities I'd like for myself: outspoken, friendly, smart, funny and knows what she wants in life.
3. The most memorable thing she/he had done for you.
She has done lots of memorable things, but nothing to me in particular. The most memorable thing she did was asking all the waiters' names who served us but in the end not remembering any. I guess it's coz they all look alike?
4. The most memorable thing she/he had said to you.
Urm... ah... erm... Got it. We shared the same passion for our nephews, and when she said that my nephew's name was great, I couldn't agree more. (Btw, my nephew's Ethan Chow. Good name, yes?)
5. If she/he become your lover, you will...
Er... never going to happen. Seriously.
6. If she/he become your enemy, you will...
Burn all her MU jerseys! If I'm going to be someone's enemy, might as well be memorable.. whahahaa!!!
7. If she/he become your lover, she/he has to improve on...
Not going to happen. Again, seriously. But even if it did, nothing can improve perfection, right? (gloat, Jaryn, gloat.)
8. If she/he become your enemy, the reason is...
because I burnt all her MU jerseys. So not going to happen, let me declare! (before she chops me to pieces!)
9. The most desirable thing to do on her/him is?
make her laugh. She has a great laugh.
10. The overall impression of her/him is?
Nice. Very nice.
11. How do you think the people around you will feel about you?
Not nice. Not very nice.
12. The character of you for yourself is?
I don't get myself sometimes.
13. On contrary, the character you hate of yourself is?
The little selfish devil that sometimes crops its head up.
14. The most ideal person that you wanna be is?
HIM! Who? Haha...
Part Two
1. Each player of this game starts off with 15 weird things/habits/little known facts about yourself.
2. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 15 weird things/habits/little known facts as well as state the rules clearly.
3. At the end, you need to choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names.
4. No tags back!
1. I love old canto songs.
2. I love listening to the radio, especially at night until the early hours of morning.
3. I need perfect silence when I have to think/brainstorm. So no radio then.
4. I find the sound of the ceiling fan comforting.
5. I occasionally have my own karaoke session singing Eason Chan songs alone. Very relaxing.
6. I would love to learn how to dance.
7. I never pick up unknown money no matter how big the amount.
8. I have more than 2000 songs in my iTunes playlist!
9. I talk to myself. A lot.
10. When in a frenzy, I eat chips like nobody's business.
11. I have to read something before going to sleep.
12. I have a bolster that has been with me since I don't know when.
13. I sniff my bolster for comfort.
14. I love the morning air, just moments after day break.
15. I like walking and sweating but hate the stench of my own sweat.
Urm... I tag. Tzeyee. Kelly. Yu Jean. Eichi.
I really don't have that many blogger friends.
Whatever.
Tagged by Jaryn
Part One
1. What is the relationship of you and her?
Old primary school mates!
2. Your five impressions towards him/her.
This is like a polish to her ego, but a well deserved one, hehe.. Jaryn has most qualities I'd like for myself: outspoken, friendly, smart, funny and knows what she wants in life.
3. The most memorable thing she/he had done for you.
She has done lots of memorable things, but nothing to me in particular. The most memorable thing she did was asking all the waiters' names who served us but in the end not remembering any. I guess it's coz they all look alike?
4. The most memorable thing she/he had said to you.
Urm... ah... erm... Got it. We shared the same passion for our nephews, and when she said that my nephew's name was great, I couldn't agree more. (Btw, my nephew's Ethan Chow. Good name, yes?)
5. If she/he become your lover, you will...
Er... never going to happen. Seriously.
6. If she/he become your enemy, you will...
Burn all her MU jerseys! If I'm going to be someone's enemy, might as well be memorable.. whahahaa!!!
7. If she/he become your lover, she/he has to improve on...
Not going to happen. Again, seriously. But even if it did, nothing can improve perfection, right? (gloat, Jaryn, gloat.)
8. If she/he become your enemy, the reason is...
because I burnt all her MU jerseys. So not going to happen, let me declare! (before she chops me to pieces!)
9. The most desirable thing to do on her/him is?
make her laugh. She has a great laugh.
10. The overall impression of her/him is?
Nice. Very nice.
11. How do you think the people around you will feel about you?
Not nice. Not very nice.
12. The character of you for yourself is?
I don't get myself sometimes.
13. On contrary, the character you hate of yourself is?
The little selfish devil that sometimes crops its head up.
14. The most ideal person that you wanna be is?
HIM! Who? Haha...
Part Two
1. Each player of this game starts off with 15 weird things/habits/little known facts about yourself.
2. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 15 weird things/habits/little known facts as well as state the rules clearly.
3. At the end, you need to choose 10 people to be tagged and list their names.
4. No tags back!
1. I love old canto songs.
2. I love listening to the radio, especially at night until the early hours of morning.
3. I need perfect silence when I have to think/brainstorm. So no radio then.
4. I find the sound of the ceiling fan comforting.
5. I occasionally have my own karaoke session singing Eason Chan songs alone. Very relaxing.
6. I would love to learn how to dance.
7. I never pick up unknown money no matter how big the amount.
8. I have more than 2000 songs in my iTunes playlist!
9. I talk to myself. A lot.
10. When in a frenzy, I eat chips like nobody's business.
11. I have to read something before going to sleep.
12. I have a bolster that has been with me since I don't know when.
13. I sniff my bolster for comfort.
14. I love the morning air, just moments after day break.
15. I like walking and sweating but hate the stench of my own sweat.
Urm... I tag. Tzeyee. Kelly. Yu Jean. Eichi.
I really don't have that many blogger friends.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Wet Look Final
It's okay. Really, it's okay. No point forcing it, right? What's all the fuss about? Seriously... no biggie!
Fine! I have already reserved myself to the fact that I am no good in photography yet (no way am I not going to be good for ever). So what if it's more like digital imaging? So sue me.
Whatever.
The best three I have chosen! Not approved yet, but I doubt there'll be any trouble there. However, they are not perfect yet in terms of layout. Don't be too harsh on me. Savour away!
Fine! I have already reserved myself to the fact that I am no good in photography yet (no way am I not going to be good for ever). So what if it's more like digital imaging? So sue me.
Whatever.
The best three I have chosen! Not approved yet, but I doubt there'll be any trouble there. However, they are not perfect yet in terms of layout. Don't be too harsh on me. Savour away!
Again, Dylan, a fantastically huge THANK YOU!!!! You were awesome!
p.s: I blabber a lot especially in the wee hours of morning when I am deprived of sleep and yet is desperate to blog.
I WANT
I want a car. I want a laptop. I want a new handphone. I want to design professionally. I want capable lecturers. I want to start earning money with design.
I don't have a single one of the above. My life will not be complete without them.
Which is a total lie.
I simply want, I don't need.
But sometimes the wants in your life make you totally depreciate the plentiful needs you already have.
And that's just being human.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Agenda for the Month
I haven't been doing anything much today. Was just feeling so freaking lazy. This kind of lazy is the kind where you know you can do the work but is just feeling too slacky to actually make the first move. And once I have made the first move, it turned out that I was not that lazy after all.
I slacked off the whole day but made it up at night, as of now.
In reference to the title above, I'm going to list all the things left to go this semester. Once I have ticked off every single item, it means it is time to go home, in Paris and Rome (Buble, if you didn't get it). Despite my mortification from the "BOOMB!" post, it so happens that the semester is not really cut short at all. Even if it officially ends this month, all our due dates are still in week 15. Whatever. I have already made up my mind to get it all done by the end of this month. Seriously.
Graphic Design and Typography
1. Packaging 75% done
2. Design Journal 30% done
3. Typo final assignment 2% done wahahhahahahahha
Illustration
1. Hari Raya "billboard" 30% done
2. Portfolio arrangement 0% done
Computer Graphic
1. Newsletter 0% done
Design Heritage
1. Bauhaus essay 95% done
2. Design journal 50% done
Design Management
1. Corporate Identity Manual 10% done
2. Design Journal 75% done
Photography
1. Final project "wet look" 50% done
2. sorry excuse of a journal 99% done like what is there to put in that stupid book??!
I have been note taking for DM journal. I felt so stupid coz I don't get what the notes are talking about. This has been the case for all the study subjects that I have taken since sem 1. It has been a long time since the last time I actually understand the contents of the notes I am taking. Argh! I blame it all on the lecturer. All on the lecturer.
edit Oct 21, 2008, 12.26 a.m.
I slacked off the whole day but made it up at night, as of now.
In reference to the title above, I'm going to list all the things left to go this semester. Once I have ticked off every single item, it means it is time to go home, in Paris and Rome (Buble, if you didn't get it). Despite my mortification from the "BOOMB!" post, it so happens that the semester is not really cut short at all. Even if it officially ends this month, all our due dates are still in week 15. Whatever. I have already made up my mind to get it all done by the end of this month. Seriously.
Graphic Design and Typography
1. Packaging 75% done
2. Design Journal 30% done
3. Typo final assignment 2% done wahahhahahahahha
Illustration
1. Hari Raya "billboard" 30% done
2. Portfolio arrangement 0% done
Computer Graphic
1. Newsletter 0% done
Design Heritage
1. Bauhaus essay 95% done
2. Design journal 50% done
Design Management
1. Corporate Identity Manual 10% done
2. Design Journal 75% done
Photography
1. Final project "wet look" 50% done
2. sorry excuse of a journal 99% done like what is there to put in that stupid book??!
I have been note taking for DM journal. I felt so stupid coz I don't get what the notes are talking about. This has been the case for all the study subjects that I have taken since sem 1. It has been a long time since the last time I actually understand the contents of the notes I am taking. Argh! I blame it all on the lecturer. All on the lecturer.
edit Oct 21, 2008, 12.26 a.m.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
TAGGED!!
Tagged by Tzeyee
My first tag in this blog! Should be fun?
Instructions: Remove 1 question (any from below) and add in a personal question, make it a total of 19 questions. Then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged. (since Tzeyee tagged only me, so I guess I am also allowed to tag only one? coz I really can't think of anyone who won't kill me for tagging them so near the end of sem)
1. What are your nicknames?
Hah.. unfortunately my name rhymes with penguin and some idiot see it right to call me fishy, why I do not know.
2. What is your most favourite thing to do?
Reading!
3. What would you give up in return to eat all you want in the world and not get fat?
Nothing. I don't really want that freedom.
4. Is there someone in your heart right now?
Definitely.
5. Do you believe you can survive without money?
No.
6. What are you afraid to lose the most?
My Family.
7. What do you feel like doing right now?
Eat.
8. If there's someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
No... I am too much of a chicken.
9. List out 3 goods points of the person who tagged you!
Loyal, friendly, and trustworthy.
10. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
Kindness and love.
11. What are the things that will make you think that he/she is bad?
Cheating.
12. If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Potato chips! Now I will be willing to give up something to have this constantly and not grow pimples!
13. If you had a choice to be rich or happy, which one would you pick?
Happy.
14. If you have a chance, which part of your character you would like to change?
I don't want to be so stubborn and be a tad more humble?
15. How do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Successful and confident!
16. What is the one thing you love about yourself?
Knowing that I'm a good person.
17. If you can bring only one thing along with you to another world, what would it be?
Don't wanna bring anything.
18. Are you afraid of falling in love?
No. Looking forward to it, actually.
19. If there were no restrictions, what will your biggest dream be?
Travel to the most beautiful places in the world!
I tag... Chia Li and Jaryn! (sorry girls.. I know you're busy, we all are.)
My first tag in this blog! Should be fun?
Instructions: Remove 1 question (any from below) and add in a personal question, make it a total of 19 questions. Then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged. (since Tzeyee tagged only me, so I guess I am also allowed to tag only one? coz I really can't think of anyone who won't kill me for tagging them so near the end of sem)
1. What are your nicknames?
Hah.. unfortunately my name rhymes with penguin and some idiot see it right to call me fishy, why I do not know.
2. What is your most favourite thing to do?
Reading!
3. What would you give up in return to eat all you want in the world and not get fat?
Nothing. I don't really want that freedom.
4. Is there someone in your heart right now?
Definitely.
5. Do you believe you can survive without money?
No.
6. What are you afraid to lose the most?
My Family.
7. What do you feel like doing right now?
Eat.
8. If there's someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
No... I am too much of a chicken.
9. List out 3 goods points of the person who tagged you!
Loyal, friendly, and trustworthy.
10. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
Kindness and love.
11. What are the things that will make you think that he/she is bad?
Cheating.
12. If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Potato chips! Now I will be willing to give up something to have this constantly and not grow pimples!
13. If you had a choice to be rich or happy, which one would you pick?
Happy.
14. If you have a chance, which part of your character you would like to change?
I don't want to be so stubborn and be a tad more humble?
15. How do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Successful and confident!
16. What is the one thing you love about yourself?
Knowing that I'm a good person.
17. If you can bring only one thing along with you to another world, what would it be?
Don't wanna bring anything.
18. Are you afraid of falling in love?
No. Looking forward to it, actually.
19. If there were no restrictions, what will your biggest dream be?
Travel to the most beautiful places in the world!
I tag... Chia Li and Jaryn! (sorry girls.. I know you're busy, we all are.)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wet Look 1
This is Dylan. He is the guy I have been pestering to be my model and had to endure some of the crazy ideas I have for him. There is nothing for him in this, that's why I'm feeling kinda bad for imposing this on him.Anyway, I'm shooting for my final photography assingment. It's not done yet, but I have a basic idea. My product will be LEVI's. The concept is wet look. The picture below is a sort of a photo montage I did.
Ah... hopefully I don't have to use this style. It feels more like digital imaging rather than photography. Hopefully all goes well tomorrow and I will have some good photos to show.
Have to take note of a few things though. Gotta ask Dylan to act tough!! Umph!
Progress Check 3
As of now, IT'S ALL FREAKING DONE!!!!!
Look at the print screen above, that's the number of craps I have to create. There's a folder titled booklet as well, with twenty-three pages inside. FREAKING TWENTY THREE!! Huh~ it's all so uninspired. I don't know.. just trying to get it done and then put aside. I'm sick of Barbies, sick at looking only at black, white, gray and pink.
But then it is not to say I don't like my whole work here. I love the glass packaging, which I have yet to unveil here, I love the Barbies I have costumed, and I like the overall concept.
I'm just sick of it. I love them, but SICK of them.
Will be aiming for final approval tomorrow. See what he wants, fix a little on what he wants, then put the whole thing away by Saturday. Will only go for printing when my friends are ready as well.
I figured it'll also be a whole load of work after printing, foldings and all. Sigh... a long way till I can officially call it done and dusted.
SICK SICK SICK!!
p.s: will be shooting outdoor tomorrow. Am kinda looking forward to it, at least it's no more Barbies.. cheers!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Feature 003:Brylcreem Xtreme Design Contest
Hahaha.. yeah, I know. Still stalling.
Anyway, this post will be for a good cause. I'm naturally a selfish person but this contest is too cool to keep for myself (as if I'm winning, anyway, hah!). Check it out, click on the image.
Extremely, extremely cool prizes! And deadline is end of November! After all my projects, if I have the dedication I can actually attempt to join the contest. Anyway, check out the prizes. For drooling at this point.
Anyway, this post will be for a good cause. I'm naturally a selfish person but this contest is too cool to keep for myself (as if I'm winning, anyway, hah!). Check it out, click on the image.
Extremely, extremely cool prizes! And deadline is end of November! After all my projects, if I have the dedication I can actually attempt to join the contest. Anyway, check out the prizes. For drooling at this point.
Progress Check 2
No approval yet for the above poster but I thought it's about time to show off the finished Barbies. Yes, they are finished. I have no plans what-so-ever to add anymore accessories, tweak the costume or comb the hair. They are done!
I'm now still working on the final details of this project. I kept doing and doing and stuff I neglected kept cropping up. Maybe it was because others were doing six packagings and I'm only doing three that is making me insecure. I kept trying to compensate by doing additional stuff like souvenirs, box for souvenirs, and crappy items.
Now I have worked it down to these items: fan, booklet, certificate and box skin.
I know, I know. All these and she said working on final details. It seemed as if I'm only half way there, no? The remaining four items shouldn't be too hard as I have discovered after working on some other side items. Basically I have covered all the designing aspects after finishing the packaging boxes and dolls. From then on, I need only to recycle the designs and create a layout on different items. Pretty easy, actually.
These are the things I have accomplished so far: dressed three dolls, crafted three glass packagings, designed labels, boxes, a calendar plus cover, three ugly coasters, three boring flyers and the big poster you're seeing up there. 
These are the flyers you're seeing here. The reason they are boring is because of the layout. I'm at this point where I just want to finish it off. I don't want to think too much, thus the boring straight forward layout. But I do like the colour palette here though. These colours will be seen running through all my designs in this project.
Hopefully I will be able to finish these off by today or tomorrow. Then get final approval on Friday. If the print shop is open, print on Saturday. If not, then Monday. After that, that's it! Not touching this thing anymore. Argh.. there are works other than GD, you know. I'm afraid even if I aim to score an A here, I will then flunk the rest.
Need to get back to work. Blogging only takes up that much time.
Major
I used to harbour so much hope on this word. Before I came here, I got myself all excited just thinking about when the time comes for me to make the decision. Major.
Which major to choose.
There was a briefing today on the majors available for us when we go to semester five next year. There are two, advertising or multimedia. It didn't matter what they say. The only think I have truly learnt for all my time here is this: all fancy-pancy promises are rubbish. In the end, I will be better off making decisions based on my own judgement rather than those made up dreams and empty promises they gave us.
This is basically the summary of what they told us in the briefing.
Advertising
The important thing here is selling idea. Everything you do here is aimed at the ultimate objective: selling. The minor here will be marketing. As far as I am concerned, the pro is that this seemed to be an exciting field and there are all kinds of possibilities to the things I can pick up from here. The con is that the principal lecturer is a guy who looked as if he just graduated from the university. He stressed on how important verbal communication is but was a mess when he briefed us on this. I remembered seeing this man when he took over the class last semester from a lecturer who was absent. I thought he was new then because he looked nervous and actually stuttered when he addressed the class. This from a man who is supposed to be the head of advertising.
Multimedia
The gist of multimedia is that we will be learning an array of softwares that deals with web design, interactive and animation. We will no longer do 2D designing but instead expand our abilities to 3D. The principal lecturer who briefed us was better, he looked as if he knew what he was doing. I might be wrong, but after two years here, you can't blame me for not having the confidence that they will have capable people to teach all these designing softwares.
So let us compare this two majors:
Pros
Advertising will teach me things I can never learn on my own.
Multimedia will give me the opportunity to learn things I am dying to learn.
Advertising seemed to be able to fetch more money.
Multimedia have two tempting majors which are animation and web tech.
Advertising is all about ideas generation.
Multimedia is all about jamming all cool elements together to create one ultra-cool design.
Cons
Advertising comes with a lousy principal lecturer.
Multimedia's promise of really teaching us all those softwares is dim.
Advertising comes with a boring minor which is marketing.
Multimedia involves softwares that I can learn on my own, so why do I need to major in it?
As of now, I'm leaning more heavily towards advertising. Maybe I will change my mind. Maybe not. As of now, this is really the least of my worries.
Which major to choose.
There was a briefing today on the majors available for us when we go to semester five next year. There are two, advertising or multimedia. It didn't matter what they say. The only think I have truly learnt for all my time here is this: all fancy-pancy promises are rubbish. In the end, I will be better off making decisions based on my own judgement rather than those made up dreams and empty promises they gave us.
This is basically the summary of what they told us in the briefing.
Advertising
The important thing here is selling idea. Everything you do here is aimed at the ultimate objective: selling. The minor here will be marketing. As far as I am concerned, the pro is that this seemed to be an exciting field and there are all kinds of possibilities to the things I can pick up from here. The con is that the principal lecturer is a guy who looked as if he just graduated from the university. He stressed on how important verbal communication is but was a mess when he briefed us on this. I remembered seeing this man when he took over the class last semester from a lecturer who was absent. I thought he was new then because he looked nervous and actually stuttered when he addressed the class. This from a man who is supposed to be the head of advertising.
Multimedia
The gist of multimedia is that we will be learning an array of softwares that deals with web design, interactive and animation. We will no longer do 2D designing but instead expand our abilities to 3D. The principal lecturer who briefed us was better, he looked as if he knew what he was doing. I might be wrong, but after two years here, you can't blame me for not having the confidence that they will have capable people to teach all these designing softwares.
So let us compare this two majors:
Pros
Advertising will teach me things I can never learn on my own.
Multimedia will give me the opportunity to learn things I am dying to learn.
Advertising seemed to be able to fetch more money.
Multimedia have two tempting majors which are animation and web tech.
Advertising is all about ideas generation.
Multimedia is all about jamming all cool elements together to create one ultra-cool design.
Cons
Advertising comes with a lousy principal lecturer.
Multimedia's promise of really teaching us all those softwares is dim.
Advertising comes with a boring minor which is marketing.
Multimedia involves softwares that I can learn on my own, so why do I need to major in it?
As of now, I'm leaning more heavily towards advertising. Maybe I will change my mind. Maybe not. As of now, this is really the least of my worries.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dairy Products A Harm??!
I got an email from my sister the other day. She's constantly forwarding me emails regarding scams that happened to women, dangers of women in KL or some sort of disease awareness thing. This time, the email she forwarded me made me start a little. Have a read, and let me know to what extent do you believe.
edit 16 Oct 2.20 a.m. I've cut short the post here. Even I don't want to read something this long.
Summary:-
1) Only one in 10,000 women in China will die from breast cancer.
2) The Chinese do not eat dairy produce!
3) Observation : Elimination of dairy products caused the cancerous lump to shrink within days
Extracted from Your Life in Your Hands, by Professor Jane Plant.
I had no alternative but to die or to try to find a cure for myself. I am a scientist - surely there was a rational explanation for this cruel illness that affects one in 12 women in the UK ? I had suffered the loss of one breast, and undergone radiotherapy. I was now receiving painful chemotherapy, and had been seen by some of the country's most eminent specialists. But, deep down, I felt certain I was facing death. I had a loving husband, a beautiful home and two young children to care for. I desperately wanted to live.Fortunately, this desire drove me to unearth the facts, some of which were known only to a handful of scientists at the time.
The conclusion we can draw from these statistics strikes you with some force. If a Western woman were to move to industrialized, irradiated Hiroshima , she would slash her risk of contracting breast cancer by half.Obviously, this is absurd. It seemed obvious to me that some lifestyle factor not related to pollution, urbanization or the environment is seriously increasing the Western woman's chance of contracting breast cancer.I then discovered that whatever causes the huge differences in breast cancer rates between oriental and Western countries, it isn't genetic.Scientific research showed that when Chinese or Japanese people move to the West, within one or two generations their rates of breast cancer approach those of their host community.The same thing happens when oriental people adopt a completely Western lifestyle in Hong Kong .
In fact, the slang name for breast cancer in China translates as 'Rich Woman's Disease'. This is because, in China , only the better off can afford to eat what is termed ' Hong Kong food'.The Chinese describe all Western food, including everything from ice cream and chocolate bars to spaghetti and feta cheese, as 'Hong Kong food', because of its availability in the former British colony and its scarcity, in the past, in mainland China .So it made perfect sense to me that whatever was causing my breast cancer and the shockingly high incidence in this country generally, it was almost certainly something to do with our better-off, middle-class, Western lifestyle.
Then one day something rather special happened. Peter and I have worked together so closely over the years that I am not sure which one of us first said: 'The Chinese don't eat dairy produce!'It is hard to explain to a non-scientist the sudden mental and emotional 'buzz' you get when you know you have had an important insight. It's as if you have had a lot of pieces of a jigsaw in your mind, and suddenly, in a few seconds, they all fall into place and the whole picture is clear.
Suddenly I recalled how many Chinese people were physically unable to tolerate milk, how the Chinese people I had worked with had always said that milk was only for babies, and how one of my close friends, who is of Chinese origin, always politely turned down the cheese course at dinner parties.I knew of no Chinese people who lived a traditional Chinese life who ever used cow or other dairy food to feed their babies. The tradition was to use a wet nurse but never, ever, dairy products.Culturally, the Chinese find our Western preoccupation with milk and milk products very strange. I remember entertaining a large delegation of Chinese scientists shortly after the ending of the Cultural Revolution in the 1980s.On advice from the Foreign Office, we had asked the caterer to provide a pudding that contained a lot of ice cream. After inquiring what the pudding consisted of, all of the Chinese, including their interpreter, politely but firmly refused to eat it, and they could not be persuaded to change their minds.At the time we were all delighted and ate extra portions!Milk, I discovered, is one of the most common causes of food allergies. Over 70% of the world's population were unable to digest the milk sugar, lactose, which has led nutritionists to believe that this is the normal condition for adults, not some sort of deficiency.
Perhaps nature is trying to tell us that we are eating the wrong food.
Before I had breast cancer for the first time, I had eaten a lot of dairy produce, such as skimmed milk, low-fat cheese and yoghurt. I had used it as my main source of protein. I also ate cheap but lean minced beef, which I now realized was probably often ground-up dairy cow.In order to cope with the chemotherapy I received for my fifth case of cancer, I had been eating organic yoghurts as a way of helping my digestive tract to recover and repopulate my gut with 'good' bacteria.Recently, I discovered that way back in 1989 yoghurt had been implicated in ovarian cancer. Dr Daniel Cramer of Harvard University studied hundreds of women with ovarian cancer, and had them recorded in detail what they normally ate.
Up to this point, I had been steadfastly measuring the progress of my fifth cancerous lump with calipers and plotting the results. Despite all the encouraging comments and positive feedback from my doctors and nurses, my own precise observations told me the bitter truth.My first chemotherapy sessions had produced no effect - the lump was still the same size.Then I eliminated dairy products. Within days, the lump started to shrink!
About two weeks after my second chemotherapy session and one week after giving up dairy produce, the lump in my neck started to itch. Then it began to soften and to reduce in size. The line on the graph, which had shown no change, was now pointing downwards as the tumour got smaller and smaller. And, very significantly, I noted that instead of declining exponentially (a graceful curve) as cancer is meant to do, the tumour's decrease in size was plotted on a straight line heading off the bottom of the graph, indicating a cure, not suppression (or remission) of the tumour.One Saturday afternoon after about six weeks of excluding all dairy produce from my diet, I practised an hour of meditation then felt for what was left of the lump. I couldn't find it. Yet I was very experienced at detecting cancerous lumps - I had discovered all five cancers on my own. I went downstairs and asked my husband to feel my neck. He could not find any trace of the lump either.On the following Thursday I was due to be seen by my cancer specialist at Charing Cross Hospital in London .
He examined me thoroughly, especially my neck where the tumour had been. He was initially bemused and then delighted as he said, 'I cannot find it.'None of my doctors, it appeared, had expected someone with my type and stage of cancer (which had clearly spread to the lymph system) to survive, let alone be so hale and hearty.My specialist was as overjoyed as I was. When I first discussed my ideas with him he was understandably skeptical. But I understand that he now uses maps showing cancer portality in China in his lectures, and recommends a non-dairy diet to his cancer patients.
I now believe that the link between dairy produce and breast cancer is similar to the link between smoking and lung cancer. I believe that identifying the link between breast cancer and dairy produce, and then developing a diet specifically targeted at maintaining the health of my breast and hormone system, cured me.It was difficult for me, as it may be for you, to accept that a substance as 'natural' as milk might have such ominous health implications.
But I am a living proof that it works and, starting from tomorrow, I shall reveal the secrets of my revolutionary action plan.
Extracted from Your Life in Your Hands, by Professor Jane Plant.
Understand why this article started me? Because my steady daily diet nowadays consisted of HL milk, pasta, biscuits, and yoghurt. Never mind the fact that I love chocolates and ice creams and slathering a lot of butter on my bread. All dairy products.
edit 16 Oct 2.20 a.m. I've cut short the post here. Even I don't want to read something this long.
Summary:-
1) Only one in 10,000 women in China will die from breast cancer.
2) The Chinese do not eat dairy produce!
3) Observation : Elimination of dairy products caused the cancerous lump to shrink within days
Extracted from Your Life in Your Hands, by Professor Jane Plant.
I had no alternative but to die or to try to find a cure for myself. I am a scientist - surely there was a rational explanation for this cruel illness that affects one in 12 women in the UK ? I had suffered the loss of one breast, and undergone radiotherapy. I was now receiving painful chemotherapy, and had been seen by some of the country's most eminent specialists. But, deep down, I felt certain I was facing death. I had a loving husband, a beautiful home and two young children to care for. I desperately wanted to live.Fortunately, this desire drove me to unearth the facts, some of which were known only to a handful of scientists at the time.
The conclusion we can draw from these statistics strikes you with some force. If a Western woman were to move to industrialized, irradiated Hiroshima , she would slash her risk of contracting breast cancer by half.Obviously, this is absurd. It seemed obvious to me that some lifestyle factor not related to pollution, urbanization or the environment is seriously increasing the Western woman's chance of contracting breast cancer.I then discovered that whatever causes the huge differences in breast cancer rates between oriental and Western countries, it isn't genetic.Scientific research showed that when Chinese or Japanese people move to the West, within one or two generations their rates of breast cancer approach those of their host community.The same thing happens when oriental people adopt a completely Western lifestyle in Hong Kong .
In fact, the slang name for breast cancer in China translates as 'Rich Woman's Disease'. This is because, in China , only the better off can afford to eat what is termed ' Hong Kong food'.The Chinese describe all Western food, including everything from ice cream and chocolate bars to spaghetti and feta cheese, as 'Hong Kong food', because of its availability in the former British colony and its scarcity, in the past, in mainland China .So it made perfect sense to me that whatever was causing my breast cancer and the shockingly high incidence in this country generally, it was almost certainly something to do with our better-off, middle-class, Western lifestyle.
Then one day something rather special happened. Peter and I have worked together so closely over the years that I am not sure which one of us first said: 'The Chinese don't eat dairy produce!'It is hard to explain to a non-scientist the sudden mental and emotional 'buzz' you get when you know you have had an important insight. It's as if you have had a lot of pieces of a jigsaw in your mind, and suddenly, in a few seconds, they all fall into place and the whole picture is clear.
Suddenly I recalled how many Chinese people were physically unable to tolerate milk, how the Chinese people I had worked with had always said that milk was only for babies, and how one of my close friends, who is of Chinese origin, always politely turned down the cheese course at dinner parties.I knew of no Chinese people who lived a traditional Chinese life who ever used cow or other dairy food to feed their babies. The tradition was to use a wet nurse but never, ever, dairy products.Culturally, the Chinese find our Western preoccupation with milk and milk products very strange. I remember entertaining a large delegation of Chinese scientists shortly after the ending of the Cultural Revolution in the 1980s.On advice from the Foreign Office, we had asked the caterer to provide a pudding that contained a lot of ice cream. After inquiring what the pudding consisted of, all of the Chinese, including their interpreter, politely but firmly refused to eat it, and they could not be persuaded to change their minds.At the time we were all delighted and ate extra portions!Milk, I discovered, is one of the most common causes of food allergies. Over 70% of the world's population were unable to digest the milk sugar, lactose, which has led nutritionists to believe that this is the normal condition for adults, not some sort of deficiency.
Perhaps nature is trying to tell us that we are eating the wrong food.
Before I had breast cancer for the first time, I had eaten a lot of dairy produce, such as skimmed milk, low-fat cheese and yoghurt. I had used it as my main source of protein. I also ate cheap but lean minced beef, which I now realized was probably often ground-up dairy cow.In order to cope with the chemotherapy I received for my fifth case of cancer, I had been eating organic yoghurts as a way of helping my digestive tract to recover and repopulate my gut with 'good' bacteria.Recently, I discovered that way back in 1989 yoghurt had been implicated in ovarian cancer. Dr Daniel Cramer of Harvard University studied hundreds of women with ovarian cancer, and had them recorded in detail what they normally ate.
Up to this point, I had been steadfastly measuring the progress of my fifth cancerous lump with calipers and plotting the results. Despite all the encouraging comments and positive feedback from my doctors and nurses, my own precise observations told me the bitter truth.My first chemotherapy sessions had produced no effect - the lump was still the same size.Then I eliminated dairy products. Within days, the lump started to shrink!
About two weeks after my second chemotherapy session and one week after giving up dairy produce, the lump in my neck started to itch. Then it began to soften and to reduce in size. The line on the graph, which had shown no change, was now pointing downwards as the tumour got smaller and smaller. And, very significantly, I noted that instead of declining exponentially (a graceful curve) as cancer is meant to do, the tumour's decrease in size was plotted on a straight line heading off the bottom of the graph, indicating a cure, not suppression (or remission) of the tumour.One Saturday afternoon after about six weeks of excluding all dairy produce from my diet, I practised an hour of meditation then felt for what was left of the lump. I couldn't find it. Yet I was very experienced at detecting cancerous lumps - I had discovered all five cancers on my own. I went downstairs and asked my husband to feel my neck. He could not find any trace of the lump either.On the following Thursday I was due to be seen by my cancer specialist at Charing Cross Hospital in London .
He examined me thoroughly, especially my neck where the tumour had been. He was initially bemused and then delighted as he said, 'I cannot find it.'None of my doctors, it appeared, had expected someone with my type and stage of cancer (which had clearly spread to the lymph system) to survive, let alone be so hale and hearty.My specialist was as overjoyed as I was. When I first discussed my ideas with him he was understandably skeptical. But I understand that he now uses maps showing cancer portality in China in his lectures, and recommends a non-dairy diet to his cancer patients.
I now believe that the link between dairy produce and breast cancer is similar to the link between smoking and lung cancer. I believe that identifying the link between breast cancer and dairy produce, and then developing a diet specifically targeted at maintaining the health of my breast and hormone system, cured me.It was difficult for me, as it may be for you, to accept that a substance as 'natural' as milk might have such ominous health implications.
But I am a living proof that it works and, starting from tomorrow, I shall reveal the secrets of my revolutionary action plan.
Extracted from Your Life in Your Hands, by Professor Jane Plant.
Understand why this article started me? Because my steady daily diet nowadays consisted of HL milk, pasta, biscuits, and yoghurt. Never mind the fact that I love chocolates and ice creams and slathering a lot of butter on my bread. All dairy products.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
为了你的一句话
手先，我想要对王康蕊说“这全都因为你”。没有你的话我不会有那么高难度的跳槽。你说要我自己找出有些字的拼音。
penang 槟城
woman 女人
Chow Kok Quin 周国娟
原来不难但是没有想像中那么快。其是那此拼音不是全部都是我猜出来的。但是我并没有跑去问小露。这是我反给你的难题。你可以猜一猜我有什为法找出那此我不懂的拼音吗?我有一个办法比打字还容易。嘻嘻,想到吗?
其实有一个中文的部落格对我这比较会写英文的人来讲一点都不容易。很多想法想不到那些比较有意思的字来表突。只可以写出这些无聊的东西。
我的功课越做越觉得多。没有信心可以在计画中的时间完成它。一做好那部份突然间多出另外一样东西。现在没有心情要去想太多。只好慢慢的一步一步的走下去。哈哈,这真的是太短了吧。太难啦。但是是一个好玩的新常试。错字是一定有的啦。我为一的要求就是不要笑我笑到太大声哦。伤到自已我会觉得不好意思的。
就这样吧。
完。
Now for the English translation! Phew! Writing that much in Chinese was not easy at all, all thanks to a certain Ms. Ong Kang Rui who challenged me to it. This was after me asking her why didn't she keep up her Chinese blog. Okay~ you made your point!
I actually wanted to translate the whole thing into English but am feeling the task too tedious now. No worries, you have missed nothing. I cannot write anything worthy in Chinese to save my life with.
Back to work for me. If you're one of those who are browsing through here with tonnes of assignments piling but just need a breather, well, take a deep breath and dive back into those works. It's just gonna get bigger unless you do something to stop it from growing.
Ta!
penang 槟城
woman 女人
Chow Kok Quin 周国娟
原来不难但是没有想像中那么快。其是那此拼音不是全部都是我猜出来的。但是我并没有跑去问小露。这是我反给你的难题。你可以猜一猜我有什为法找出那此我不懂的拼音吗?我有一个办法比打字还容易。嘻嘻,想到吗?
其实有一个中文的部落格对我这比较会写英文的人来讲一点都不容易。很多想法想不到那些比较有意思的字来表突。只可以写出这些无聊的东西。
我的功课越做越觉得多。没有信心可以在计画中的时间完成它。一做好那部份突然间多出另外一样东西。现在没有心情要去想太多。只好慢慢的一步一步的走下去。哈哈,这真的是太短了吧。太难啦。但是是一个好玩的新常试。错字是一定有的啦。我为一的要求就是不要笑我笑到太大声哦。伤到自已我会觉得不好意思的。
就这样吧。
完。
Now for the English translation! Phew! Writing that much in Chinese was not easy at all, all thanks to a certain Ms. Ong Kang Rui who challenged me to it. This was after me asking her why didn't she keep up her Chinese blog. Okay~ you made your point!
I actually wanted to translate the whole thing into English but am feeling the task too tedious now. No worries, you have missed nothing. I cannot write anything worthy in Chinese to save my life with.
Back to work for me. If you're one of those who are browsing through here with tonnes of assignments piling but just need a breather, well, take a deep breath and dive back into those works. It's just gonna get bigger unless you do something to stop it from growing.
Ta!
Feature 002: Butterfly Award
Thank you, thank you, Yu Jean, for awarding my lil' blog here with the Butterfly Award! Awesome, eh?
These are the conditions, in which I can choose to do or not, if I were to accept the award.
1. Put the logo on your blog;
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you;
3. Nominate any number of blog you want to share this award with.
4. Add links to those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
Let’s spread the joy of blogging and warmth of friendship through this Butterfly Award.Please accept the award and happy blogging.
Well, I can choose to do everything listed, meaning going to all my awardees and put a comment in their blog telling them they have been awarded and then asking them to do what I am doing now; or I can use that time to finish my packaging project. Hah, I'm in a dead end with the project anyway. And it's all in good sport, yea??!
These are the people I have awarded (I have awarded, haha, never really used these two words in the same context before). And also a little snippet on why I think they deserve it. (and you can just find their links at the side bar of this blog)
Jaryn for the funny little posts you have that just put a smile on my face everytime I'm there
Farah for challenging my vocabs everytime I'm at your site
Tze Yee for letting me understand a little bit more about who you are
Eichi for the cute crazy looking pink rabbit
Chia Li for making envious over your lovey-dovey relationship
Kelly for the incredibly good looking Chaplin header
Kang Rui for having the initiative to create a Chinese blog
I guess that's all. The people that I read are pretty limited. Ta!
ps: oh yeah.. now I have to thread over to these people's blog and tell them that they are awarded with my ultra problematic line today.. okai!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
BOOOMB!
The GD lecturer dropped a bomb yesterday. Couldn't say I was surprised. There have been signs.
A normal semester consisted of fifteen/sixteen weeks. From previous posts, I have often stressed how I have six more weeks until the sem ends. Well, I sort of have a "breather" here. The sem is going to end early. Three weeks earlier. From week sixteen, at the most, everything is going to be pushed up to week thirteen. Everything. All submission dates. That means things that we have five more weeks to do are suddenly down to mere three weeks. As for GD, supposedly we have another final assignment after the packaging project, now this is going to be taken in as the final instead.
Quantity of assignments have been cut short. So has the duration.
When the lecturer was announcing this, everybody was shocked. It sucked to think that for the whole semester we only did two assignments for our core subject, GD and also typography. It felt as though they have cheated our money. The lecturer gave us the option of doing a petition if we are not happy with the situation. While I felt breathless over this, I can't stop thinking about my photography final, the one I am most dissatisfied over is him.
When I asked if we could possibly have a refund since our semester is cut short and the amount of assignments we had was not enough, he offered to give us another typo assignment. Hello?! That's so not the point.
Everything is going to finish at the end of October. I can go home then. Aih... I don't know if this is a good news or a really bad one. So many things to do and I still have time for afternoon naps.
*bangs head against wall*
A normal semester consisted of fifteen/sixteen weeks. From previous posts, I have often stressed how I have six more weeks until the sem ends. Well, I sort of have a "breather" here. The sem is going to end early. Three weeks earlier. From week sixteen, at the most, everything is going to be pushed up to week thirteen. Everything. All submission dates. That means things that we have five more weeks to do are suddenly down to mere three weeks. As for GD, supposedly we have another final assignment after the packaging project, now this is going to be taken in as the final instead.
Quantity of assignments have been cut short. So has the duration.
When the lecturer was announcing this, everybody was shocked. It sucked to think that for the whole semester we only did two assignments for our core subject, GD and also typography. It felt as though they have cheated our money. The lecturer gave us the option of doing a petition if we are not happy with the situation. While I felt breathless over this, I can't stop thinking about my photography final, the one I am most dissatisfied over is him.
When I asked if we could possibly have a refund since our semester is cut short and the amount of assignments we had was not enough, he offered to give us another typo assignment. Hello?! That's so not the point.
Everything is going to finish at the end of October. I can go home then. Aih... I don't know if this is a good news or a really bad one. So many things to do and I still have time for afternoon naps.
*bangs head against wall*
Monday, October 06, 2008
Drama Review: I'm Sorry I Love You
First off, I want to say this to Tze Yee, "I'm sorry, I love you."
I'm sorry is because for doubting you everytime when you said that this drama is very good. I love you for giving me this drama to watch.
Oh man, this drama is so good! Maybe on the outside, it seemed like just any Korean tear jerker with the supporting actor being better looking than the lead. But just being quarter of the way into it, I was already entranced by the storyline and the lead actor, So Ji Sup. Haha.. me knowing the name of a Korean actor is a big lead into how much I love that person. The only other actor whose name I bothered remembering was Kwong Sang Wu (correct spelling, I think), whom I was introduced to in Stairway to Heaven, another of my favourite Korean drama.
This was my third attempt in watching this. The first time I watched like maybe five minutes and felt the chinese sub was too tiring to follow, so I gave up. The second time, I watched the ten minutes in the beginning, couldn't figure out what the story was about, then gave up. The third time, I finished the first episode, thought it was nothing special and didn't like the Australia setting that much. To get an idea on the story, I searched for it online. Got to Wikipedia and read the whole story plus ending. You can say that the ending was spoilt for me but it didn't detract any of the drama's appeal.
So, a very basic understanding of the story. Please bear in mind that the spelling for the names are not totally correct. The lead, was Mu Hyeok, or something like that, a guy who was abandoned as a baby. He went into a foster family in Australia but then ran away from that place. From then on, he sort of grew up into a thug on the streets, cheating tourists and doing all sorts of low stuff. In episode one, he met this girl, Yin Chai (haha, mandarin pin yin), who was the assistant to a Korean singer, Yun (this have to be right!). She and Yun were childhood friends and she had fallen in love with him without him knowing. Anyway, something happened to Yin Chai and Mu Hyeok helped her. This set the introduction of the two leads.
Mu Hyeok had a girlfriend who was getting married to a rich man. At her wedding, the rich man's enemy ordered sent an assassin. Amidst the gun fire, to save his girlfriend, Mu Hyeok shielded her and got shot in the head. He was lucky to survive but a bullet was lodged in his brain. It was told that at the most, he had a year to live. Driven by remorse, his girlfriend gave him money and asked him to return to Korea to look for his brith mother and not just die on the streets.
Upon returning to Korea, he found out that his birth mother was not a poor woman forced to abandon him as a baby. His mother was actually a wealthy woman and has a singer son, who was Yun. Mu Hyeok got very bitter at this discovery and plotted to revenge against this woman who was his mother.
That is the basis of the story.
The pace might be slow but you just don't get bored watching it. So Ji Sup was a very good actor, able to cry at a whim. I think this is probably one of the requirements for Korean actors, to cry. But the thing that made me really admire him was the energy he portrayed in those explosive scenes. When he was angry or hurt, you can actually feel it along with him.
I simply love this movie. I only did cry a bit at the last part. In the end, all the characters simply endeared you to them. This was another worthy thing to note. Some of the charcters may seem stereotypical at first but as the story evolved, you see their change and that made the story richer.
Love, love, love this movie! One of the reasonsthat deterred me from my assignments. :P
p.s: To Hooi Fong, you remembered when I asked you if this drama was good in MSN? Though you haven't watched it you commented that So Ji Sup was not good looking. I guess this was one of the reasons you haven't watch this? Well, he might not be handsome, but he is certainly attractive!! Watch this, watch this, and I dare you to disagree with me, haha...
END OF BREAK.
I really can't think of anything worthwhile that I did besides screwing up my sleeping time. For the past few days, I have been sleeping at 7am and waking up at 3pm. When I felt sleepy at 9pm just now, I was so happy that I hopped into the bed at once, thinking I won't be an insomniac before class tomorrow. What the heck, it seemed that my body just wanted a nap. I woke up again at 12am, three hours later. For goodness sake! I felt refreshed! And for once that is a bad thing.
Nothing I can do now except prepare for the stuff to do tomorrow. And blogging. When the break started, I listed things I would do. Let's see how well I have done them all, or some.
1. Research Malaysian art history. I tried, but the site just wouldn't work! I'm prepare to just crap for this assignment.
2. Look for glass suitable to be used in packaging. Done!
3. Finish dressing up the Barbies. Done!
4. Design secondary items for packaging. Half way there. I have a style for these items that I am sticking to and that makes the designing process easier.
5. Look for lights to be used in packaging. This is so not happening. A good idea though, might keep it for future projects if the workload not as heavy as this one?
6. Do photo montage for Photoshop. Done! Just need approval by Elson, my CG lect. If only he will reply my mail quick.
7. Think of ideas for Typo assignment. Didn't even enter my mind. Sigh...
8. Outline Ramadhan sketches for illustration. Did only two and haven't outlined yet. I have a lot more to go and have to show them to Ernesto on Tuesday. Argh...!!
9. Design a box for packaging. Not done yet but as of now, I have already started on the glass packaging. Maybe after tomorrow I can get the measurements down for the box.
10. Learn Flash. It was impossible. Hah!
All in all I think I did okay for the break, huh? I didn't utilize my time perfectly, but at least I didn't do nothing!
I had a lot of freedom during the break. It was a time I couldn't recall with regret but filled me with remorse when I think of it being over. I'm already too slacked for my own good. Have to revive the engine for the remaining six weeks. Six weeks until I can go home!! Yeah!! Called home today. Ethan can now call me, and can say lots of stuff and iut has only been two months! I miss that big head baby so much!
I finished I'm Sorry I Love You, a Korean drama. One of the best Korean dramas I have watched. Will blog about it later.
Will surf around for a while, hoping sleep will come soon.
Goodbye break, I'll miss you. But the end of this short holiday means the distance between the big break and I is getting closer.
Home. :)
Nothing I can do now except prepare for the stuff to do tomorrow. And blogging. When the break started, I listed things I would do. Let's see how well I have done them all, or some.
1. Research Malaysian art history. I tried, but the site just wouldn't work! I'm prepare to just crap for this assignment.
2. Look for glass suitable to be used in packaging. Done!
3. Finish dressing up the Barbies. Done!
4. Design secondary items for packaging. Half way there. I have a style for these items that I am sticking to and that makes the designing process easier.
5. Look for lights to be used in packaging. This is so not happening. A good idea though, might keep it for future projects if the workload not as heavy as this one?
6. Do photo montage for Photoshop. Done! Just need approval by Elson, my CG lect. If only he will reply my mail quick.
7. Think of ideas for Typo assignment. Didn't even enter my mind. Sigh...
8. Outline Ramadhan sketches for illustration. Did only two and haven't outlined yet. I have a lot more to go and have to show them to Ernesto on Tuesday. Argh...!!
9. Design a box for packaging. Not done yet but as of now, I have already started on the glass packaging. Maybe after tomorrow I can get the measurements down for the box.
10. Learn Flash. It was impossible. Hah!
All in all I think I did okay for the break, huh? I didn't utilize my time perfectly, but at least I didn't do nothing!
I had a lot of freedom during the break. It was a time I couldn't recall with regret but filled me with remorse when I think of it being over. I'm already too slacked for my own good. Have to revive the engine for the remaining six weeks. Six weeks until I can go home!! Yeah!! Called home today. Ethan can now call me, and can say lots of stuff and iut has only been two months! I miss that big head baby so much!
I finished I'm Sorry I Love You, a Korean drama. One of the best Korean dramas I have watched. Will blog about it later.
Will surf around for a while, hoping sleep will come soon.
Goodbye break, I'll miss you. But the end of this short holiday means the distance between the big break and I is getting closer.
Home. :)
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Movie Review: Mamma Mia!
My Gosh!
I haven't watch such a happy movie in a very, very long time. What would have made the experience even better will be watching this with fellow tc09ers.
Guys, if you're reading this post, you would have remembered the late night chat we had on MSN. It was such a rare thing for all of us to gather online at the same time (minus Ms. Ong, who had her TGIF and couldn't be bothered with us). I had such fun talking about trivial stuff like make ups, catching up on songs and movies, best of all, drilling you-know-who on her new love. Rui must be ecstatic to hand over the hot seat to the poor new victim. Consider yourself lucky, you-know-who, I doubt we gave it our all that night. Haha..
I guess watching the movie after having the virtual gathering was what made me connect to the movie so much.
Okay, a brief background update on this. I think, without a doubt, many will recognize this as the on-screen reproduction on the famous broadway hit. Yes, go into the cinema expecting them to break out into songs and dances, so if you're caught unaware, please stop the groanings that will spoil the movie for other musical lovers, such as your faithful here. The movie began with a girl, Sophie, sending out three letters to three different men who might be her father. She wanted to meet them to find out who her real father is so that he can give her away on her wedding. This gave a shock to her mother Donna, who didn't expect three of her past lovers appear at her doorstep, or goat house, if you're very particular about the details. This is a movie on relationships and loves. Love between a mother and daughter, between age old friends and lovers.
I love this movie. Prior to it, I read from Kookie Jar that Pierce Brosnan couldn't sing to save his life. Evelyn confirmed by saying though he didn't neccessarily have the voice, he sure do have the Bond charisma to make up for. It came as a no wonder that I was dreading the moment Pierce Brosnan will open his mouth to sing. And when it came, though nothing to go excited about, I thought it was okay. Not very, very bad. But not bad. And he did look good on screen.
Evelyn also warned me that one will have the tendency to sing along in the movie for the songs are recognizable. Spot on, Eve! I wanted to sing out loud so much, thanks to the English subtitles at the bottom that to me, made the big screen seemed like karaoke in Red Box.
Love the songs. Love, love, love the songs. Though the way those back ups seemed to crop out and the dancing looked corny, the songs were the best!
The whole movie was so beautiful. The location, the seas, and rocky cliffs. The location they chose where to hold the wedding was so breath taking and romantic. It made me day dreamed that if I were to marry one day, I'd like a ceremony at just such a place. And then I thought of all the old aunties and uncles I had to invite and doubted they could make the climb up. Oh, well.
As mentioned, this movie was made so much better for it reminded me of the friendships back home. Sophie herself had two best friends who came especially for her wedding. Her mom, Donna, had also two old best friends who she asked to come for the wedding. The way they reunited and talked about the past and the easy caramaderie made me miss my friends back home so much! All those gigglings, teasings and crazy singing out loud remind me of you girls.
Hooi Fong, Adrienne, Kang Rui, Evelyn and Chia Yinn (ms ong, when i said singing out loud, i meant you). Yes. You girls.
Another thing that moved me was the love between mother and daughter. This reminded me of my mom. Dank... I'm too home sicked for my own good.
I laughed from the beginning till the end. I enjoyed every corny dance, sang along in my mind to every song, feast my eyes on every setting and left the cinema with a warm feeling despite the cold in the cinema.
Is this movie recommended? You bet it is!
p.s: Xiao Lu er watched this with me. She thought the whole thing was boring. I guess this is another reason why I miss the company I missed. :)
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Movie Review: Jodhaa Akbhar
When I was doing my research for which historical queens to feature in my packaging, I came a cross this Bollywood movie. It is a historical depiction of a Muslim Mughal Emperor who is to marry a Hindu Rajput Princess. Back then, it was a big controversy for a muslim to marry a hindu, especially for the emperor. It is a marriage of alliance. Hritik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai starred in the roles of the Emperor and Princess respectively.
My lecturer told me to do a research on Jodhaa Akhbar for it is reputed that she contributes a lot to her husband's kingdom. Thankfully I really did dig further, and only then did I find out that this story is largely mythical. The movie itself is like the typical Bollywood romance and didn't exactly touch a lot on the historical aspect.
I love Hritik Roshan. He's so good looking. I especially enjoyed watching him in this movie. Another thing I loved are the costumes and posters. Just look at the costume Aishwarya Rai is wearing. It's so elaborate and detailed. The posters are designed very attractively. I especially love the colours and how dramatic everything looked.
The movie was four hour long. I watched it in a span of two weeks. I watched one vcd a day, taking long breaks in between. I guess this is one of the problem of the movie. There is no rush for me to get back to it quickly. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed the attraction between this two main characters.
Besides the relationship between the emperor and princess, there is really nothing much worth noting in this movie. The way the emperor being depicted was too ideal. I guess he is honourable to a point where it is a bit hard to swallow.
In terms of Bollywood film, this is certainly not one of the best. But it definitely is a good eye candy to feast upon Hritik Roshan. Haha...
p.s.: Hooi Fong, if you're reading this, I know you're itching to borrow the VCD, hehe..
Book Review: The Face of Death
I have just finished a thriller that really shook me.
For friends who knew me, you read it right here. Yes, thriller. Not romance. I read romances so much that there was one time I blurted out loud, "Ugh, I'm sick of reading romance!" Rui within hearing distance exclaimed, "Ah, finally!"
Well, romance is still my favourite genre. Anyway, the reason I deterred from my preferred genre is because I ran out of books and am low in cash. Xiao Lu er bought this thriller together with me but didn't managed to read it yet. The reason is simply she doesn't read. Hah!
This thriller I read is actually just the second from the author, Cody McFadyen. I have no idea how to pronounce the last name. The title of the book is "The Face of Death". There were a few complaints I have for the book after reading it and one if it is how run-of-the-mill the title is.
To start things off, I don't read a lot of thrillers. The last one I read was my first real taste of Stephen King, "The Dead Zone". Though King's style of writing is undoubtedly more refined than McFadyen, I had trouble picking up the momentum reading King's.
Anyway, as I said, "The Face of Death" is a stand alone book though it featured the same protagonist from his first book, "The Shadowman." The main character is a female FBI agent, Smoky Barrett. The first few chapters touched on her background story. The thing that struck me here was how McFadyen didn't show any hesitation in making his protagonist's life miserable. You know how in most books the main character didn't suffer as thoroughly as some side characters. Here, Smoky Barrett's life was so messed up that I couldn't help but cringe at how anyone could have overcome it.
This book is about a team of FBI agents hunting down a serial killer named, "The Stranger". "The Stranger" has been tormenting this 16 year old girl since she was six, first killing her family and then anyone whom she has loved. She was kept alive by this killer but nobody believed her story that the killer existed. When "The Stranger" killed her latest foster family, the girl held a gun to her head, threatening to blow her head off unless Smoky Barrett met her. Being not really good in supplying a short recap, I have copied below a description of the book"
“I want to talk to Smoky Barrett or I’ll kill myself.”
The girl is sixteen, at the scene of a grisly triple homicide, and has a gun to her head. She claims “The Stranger” killed her adoptive family, that he’s been following her all her life, killing everyone she ever loved, and that no one believes her.
No one has. Until now.
Special Agent Smoky Barrett is head of the violent crimes unit in Los Angeles, the part of the FBI reserved for tracking down the worst of the worst. Her team has been handpicked from among the nation’s elite law enforcement specialists and they are as obsessed and relentless as the psychos they hunt; they’ll have to be to deal with this case.
For another vicious double homicide reveals a killer embarked on a dark crusade of trauma and death: an “artist” who’s molding sixteen-year-old Sarah into the perfect victim -- and the ultimate weapon. But Smoky Barrett has another, more personal reason for catching The Stranger -- an adopted daughter and a new life that are worth protecting at any cost.
This time Smoky is going to have to put it all on the line. Because The Stranger is all too real, all too close, and all too relentless. And when he finally shows his face, if she’s not ready to confront her worst fear, Smoky won’t have time to do anything but die.
The book is filled with gore. Very graphic details on how the murder took place. It is like the writer's head is filled with too much sick stuff and he doesn't hesitate at all to make any character of his choosing suffer.
I'm not so infused with romantic plots that I do not know what to expect from a thriller. Though I know the victims are going to die a horrible death, I couldn't help but dread the outcome. It was such a roller coaster ride in some scenes that I am a bit embarrassed to admit that I cried and snivelled through them. His writings of gore simply touched me.
However, there are some parts that seemed a bit too good to be true. I guess the contrast between this and what is bad is too stark that some times I have a hard time buying it.
The ending was a bit of a let down for its predictability. It was as though he ran out of energy at the end after writing so exhilaritingly.
Anyways, I love this book. I'm thinking of buying it from Xiao Lu er at a highly discounted price and have my mom take a go at it. Hehe, it makes me happy to provide my mom with a good read.
Oh yeah, if you're interested in what I have said, do check out his website: www.codymcfadyen.com
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