Seven at Sentosa

Okay, I know my face looks round in the photos. My mouth looks a bit swollen. In some of them I'm eating chocolates and in others, I have no excuse. Okay, I've got an ulcer at my lip and another on my tongue. It hurts to give my yang guang nan hai smile, so I'm frowning a bit more than usual. But that does not imply that I didn't smile at all during the trip. In fact I laughed more than I ever did in an entire semester! I think we have all types of humour. Everyone's really funny (well I don't think I am, but everyone else is). It's hard to share when most of our nonsense was R(A) and the audience being just ourselves.

Organising it was really fun. And the company was just fantastic, especially when we were doing nothing at all. After checking in, we chilled at the pool where we did nothing but float around and played with a random ball, with which we played fake Quidditch. We went down to the beach but the weather sucked, the sea sucked and the sand sucked. But we will persevere on our Become Gorgeous This Holiday programme. Compared to 2 years ago I'm not longer confident of my physique. I need to really work on that this holiday. We will continue with our work out regime next Monday!

After that we got changed and went to Kou Fu for dinner, before going to Cafe Del Mar. They checked all our ICs as we ordered alcohol which was kind of lame. Do we look like underage drinkers? I'll still go back there because I like the ambience but... it's just kind of weird. Topics that popped up were Zefron and 17 Again, as well as random bits of popular culture that revolutionised our generation - the likes of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Twilight. We talked about Interpersonal Communication - flirting, stages of relationships and then the rest of the night watching CSI in our room, talking about Image Sound Production - lights, sound and classic narrative structure.

We then contemplated and wondered if we learned nothing at all from being in CS.

We were armed with 2 packets of chips and a beer each. By the end of the night we got nothing left, which was quite sad. There was Eternal Time and we chatted till 2 AM and then had a hell of a time falling asleep.























I look back and I'm in awe of the chemistry that we have. Will we find the stuff we talked about funny in years to come? Will we do stupid things like having the guys look away while the girls change in the room when we are like, 30? Will we ever, when we graduate and can afford bungalows for chalets, squeeze 7 people on 2 beds with 2 pillows and 2 blankets although it was such a painful but funny experience?

Get Crazy

I hadn't danced so much in a very long time.

Another Chapter

It's scary how parts of your soul and memories are connected to the people, places and things around you, kind of like how Voldemort stored parts of his soul in Horcruxes.

I haven't moved out of Hall since I stepped foot in that particular room 2 years ago. Just as time passed more swiftly than I imagined, my belongings accumulated sneakily. Every photo, every piece of paper, every container reminds me of something. I thought it only happened in the movies. People look at stuff and then there are flashbacks. Today, almost every item that I laid eyes on or touched roused emotions and memories. It was strange because they came unexpectedly so it felt like I was assaulted. But they were mine, these emotions and memories were in me and I was supposed to be in control. But I wasn't.

There were times I was close to tearing but I ended up choking on an invisible ball of emotion that formed in my throat.

Packing was thus arduous and draining. Despite being more decisive and throwing away as much as I could, there were still plenty I could not part with - the same things that would have difficulty finding a place in my house. I ended up with more bags than I could carry in 2 trips. I was confused, frustrated and drowning in the surrounding dust.

Finally I was more or less done. It was a crazy 2 hours. It was as if I fast-forwarded and lived 2 years in those 2 hours. I've done so much - the good, the bad and the ugly. True, there are things that I'm proud of, and nice memories like how I started my Hall life as a pageant contestant. But much more than that, there's so much I can't change. There's so much I look back at with regret. And there's so much that's out of control. I can't relive the good parts either. I can only look back, pathetically, knowing that it will not come round again.

It has also been the most recent two years of my life, the two years that I felt that I was responsible for most of what has gone on and for that, I'm proud of how it turned out. It could've been much worse.

So much drama.

I should be glad. I am. I am happy about where I am now. I don't need a restart button. I just need to march forth, bravely, and carry on.

On Mah Radaar 2

Stellar

Shinjuku Incident 4/5

Great stuff, but I watched it too long ago to give proper comments other than I liked how it was set against a solid setting and explores issues of immigration. I was really pissed at how all the characters and plots converged into a mass killing orgy. Lame.

Revolutionary Road 5/5

Awesome acting, awesome lighting, awesome sound. That would probably mean that Sam Mendes is brilliant. I enjoyed how the mise-en-scene was so deliberate and at times probably excessively so but only because there was something to be said. Frank goes out to work and everyone around him seems to be dressed like him, walk like him... The themes of industrialisation and identity were so well-portrayed. He is later seen at the staircase standing still while everyone rushes home, kind of like mindless ants.

My favourite fight scenes are the ones at the car and the one at the climax, where Frank smashes a chair. The lighting was so emotionally-charged with long shadows and silhouettes. It was really awesome to watch.

And the morning after the big fight started off with three shots of the various rooms in the house, with no action at all. The startling neatness and cleanliness and abscence of scars of from the previous day's battle was as intense as the overwhelming silence it was matched by.

Needless to say, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's performances in the movie looked as if they were giving a masterclass on acting. Give them a place, conflicting characters and a disagreement and you get fireworks in your face. I was in slack-jawed with awe. It's amazing how a movie about the monotony of life could become so interesting in the hands of these two. Epic.

And John was fucking scary. He was a refreshing character alright, but scary.

I like how it ended. I like that there was closure, just that it was done without excessive explanation. Just showing and letting the audience interpret it in whatever way they want to.

The Sniper 4/5

Initially I watched it because I was a fervent fan of Edison Chen but the movie made me a fan of Dante Lam instead! I enjoyed how the story unfolded, although there were useless moments as many other reviewers have mentioned, such as the one scene lame-ass appearance of OJ's dad and girlfriend. But unlike them, I thought this movie was really good. The story is packed with twists and turns, pushing the story onward relentlessly. There are many dangling causes that are so subtle that I was in shock when the effects were revealed later.

SPOILER ALERT.

When Lincoln returned from jail and returned to his house, it was completely dark. Suddenly the lights were turned on, even though the switches were beside him. One would assume that it is his wife who turned it on but I was puzzled because it didn't make any sense to me. Why didn't she meet him outside the jail if she was pining her return? In a much later scene and with good use of the Kuleshov effect (although I saw it coming because I had seen something similar before), Hartman breaks into his house and the audience is led to thinking that Lincoln is in there. However Lincoln is at his hideout with Bowie Lam's character. He starts talking to his wife, whom Bowie reveals had died. At this point we are seeing two seperate scenes - the police and Lincoln's warehouse. It then goes into the flashback mode. And Lincoln realises his wife has died, loses it and starts seeing even more "ghosts", opens fire at them and accidentally kills Bowie.

The revelations and events unfolded so fast and furiously that me and Ruiqi totally brain-spoil. We were working hard enjoying the film and trying to rip its mysteries apart with our analytical skills and we managed to guess a few of it but the film outsmarted us in the end. We were both hanging on for dear life at the final shootout. Awesome stuff.

Comedy, Comedy, Comedy

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 1/5

A complete waste of money. Lacking in originality. Lacking in plot. Sorely lacking. Everything. Predictable. Dumb. Humourless humour.

Confessions Of A Shopaholic 3/5

Despite powerful advertising muscles being flexed, a weak movie is a weak movie. It started out good but ended weakly, with all the plots getting wrapped up haphazardly. It is like porn for shopaholics - the appeal is that shallow.

17 Again 4/5

The moment I saw Matthew Perry I thought the movie was going to be awesome. The man doesn't need to try to be funny, to be funny. I'm this close to renting the entire seasons of Friends without him reminding me that I have yet to watch any.

The star of course is Zac Efron and he was hilarious. Aside from that I really appreciated the effort in making the characters complex and how everything was brought tightly together, instead of being left to chance. The parodies of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings were epic. Despite being a tad predictable at parts, I laughed harder and louder during this movie than I did the previous 2.

A great way to start the holidays.

On Mah Radaar

Pub Design

Note to Self

Purchasing size 28 pants when one is size 29 makes one feel unnecessarily fat. Despite the well-known fact that what is fashionable is uncomfortable, one should be content with size 30, especially when said berms was going for twelve dollars. When it is already so cheap, one should not expect it to be a perfect fit. One would not have made such a mistake if said store was nice enough to allow a fitting but because it was on discount, trying it on was not allowed.

Drinking a Mocha Venti Frap with whipped cream worsens the situation. The pressure on my bladder makes me want to go to the toilet every 3 hours. It bulges in places that I really should be proud of but only makes me a want to cover it up at every chance I get. I will have to wear it with a shirt as long as the one I wore today. Or longer.

I hope very very hard that somehow it'll be stretched to fit me nicely when I wear it more often.

Else I should really go for a run.

Sunday Afternoon

You have blood on your hands
And I'm feeling faint

You poured blood in my heart
And I can't get enough

There is blood on my feet
As I walk away

Sun Day

Day and Night

I am happiest when I sleep early and wake up even earlier. But lifestyles change to suit the environment and I haven't really been living like that ever since I got into Uni.

This time it's different. I slept relatively early. I woke up at 8. The sun was brilliant. I am a morning person. I enjoy being with nature and soaking in the rays of the sun. The greenery outside looked especially charming. I got up, studied, went for a swim and had a meal. I should probably have had breakfast though!

I'd like the rest of my holiday to be like that. I used to obsess with being the "yang guang nan hai". Now it isn't that big a deal. It's more of living the life than roasting yourself with endless tanning sessions. I'll be less hung up with creating the perfect image... I just want to get up when the sun does and appreciate the day for all the sights it brings.

And to live and appreciate the moment. Judging by that, the day is going very well.

My New Hero

Black and Gold

Ends Begins

So. Why is everything in life fleeting?

Now Hear Me?

Every blog has a voice. I value the magic of words more than the superficiality of great photos. I've come across more of the latter - great eye candy, wondrous places and exciting adventures. The former is more rare - an insight to a warm heart and an intriguing mind. I've been reading one of my favourite blogs of all time. I'm quite sad that it is not being updated any more. Reading that feels like curling up beside a cosy fireplace with a good friend, speaking to you, offering treasure beyond imagination.

I wonder what reading mine feels like. I used to rant a lot, till I realised that length is nothing compared to substance. Along the way I've tried to write better. And I think that there's some improvement. But it's been marred by the life I live. I think it's hard to look inside when there is nothing. I need inspiration and I need a life. And possibly lots of reading and a small dose of humour.

Am in need of new perspective and a life as humble, honest and true.

Mean Questions To Ask A P6 Kid 1

The ball is rolling from left to right. Fill in the direction which friction acts in in the blue box.

I Do Not

I do not appreciate it when people bring their kids and another someone lagging behind and rings my bell and knocks sharply on my door in the morning. It's worse when I open the door and the person wants to tell me about religion. It is difficult to be tolerant of others when they are shoving their beliefs in your face. Her last comment was that her religion has some basis in science when I said I was Buddhist. What was she trying to imply?

I know I shouldn't let it get to me. But I think everyone needs that personal space. And it's just so annoying... especially since this is not the first time. I had to put up with stories that took about an hour of my time when I was out innocently walking when I was Sec 2.

I will follow the way of my forefathers. I want to be where they are when I die.

More Epic

COM 206 has always been a fertile ground for creativity and I think this semester's no different. I didn't attend the screening like I did the past two sems, but the videos on facebook that I've seen are amazing!

The three that have rocked my socks off so far are L'Homme, everybody touch, The Reason Why We Sleep Peacefully at Night. The standard is getting higher and higher every sem, it's crazy... I don't dare to look back at mine already! Hahaha...

Great job guys!

Yellow

Do you understand?



Sorry about the first minute or so of colour bars, I'm too lazy to remove it now!

For Every Occasion

I had to do some music recommendation for my hall publication thing so since I've already written something, I thought I'd put it up here. Just for kicks.

1. Good to mug with



Madonna – Confessions on a Dancefloor (2005)

"I wanted a record with no ballads. I wanted there to be no breaks, with one song segueing into the next -- just like in a disco,” said Madonna. And she recorded this album.

The songs on this album go on and on and on. The tracks don’t stop. There’s no silence in between. It’s a never-ending loop. Similarly, one should not lift their butt off the chair while studying. Take a break only at the 55th-minute – the length of the entire album.

2. Wake up with



Good Charlotte – Good Morning Revival (2007)

“It felt like a new start and Good Morning Revival is kind of a cool way of saying that,” said Benji Madden, guitarist of Good Charlotte.

The lyrics on this album go on about misery being good company, about living in a beautiful place, being victims of love and marching on till you see the sun. It’s for people who have pain and issues and need a push and shove to get up in the morning. Bright, cheery, morning-people have a soundtrack for waking up in the morning – the bloody birds chirping. For the rest of us, there’s Good Charlotte.

3. Cure insomnia With



Rachael Yamagata – Elephants... Teeth Sinking Into Heart (2008)

Sleep is of great importance. It is not a joking matter to insomniacs and us hard-working, driven people who need our energy every day. Therefore I’m taking no chances by recommending Rachael Yamagata.

It is an album of acquired taste. The first couple of listens might bore you with its “blues rock” feel and smoky voice, putting you to sleep. A couple more listens opens your subconscious to the lyrics and how beautifully they sum up each day.

4. Release tension with



Beyonce – I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008)

First of all, with all due respect to Beyonce, one of the most talented artistes of our generation and one of my favorite singers, the album title’s hilarious enough to warrant a 5 minute laugh.

What kind of name is Sasha Fierce?

Then of course you could get up and parody Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) just like Justin Timberlake did. Or you can bust your lungs and vocal chords singing If I Were A Boy. Or sob to Broken-Hearted Girl. Or grind to Scared of Lonely. There’s a track to fulfill every single means of relaxation so spin it, choose your poison and release your tension.

Therapy

I needed therapy. I visited my favourite hairdreser. A cup of warm water. The massage. Feeling clean and refreshed. The soft the lighting. The rhythmic clipping sound of the scissors. Intense concentration, complete attention. It was so comfortable I almost nodded off. I felt the tension seep out of me.

I feel brand new.