19 November 2009

Seoul

Maybe it's the cold weather that reminds me of Seoul. I enjoyed tremendously during the time I'm there. I could still vividly remember the wind blowing towards me and walking down the streets along trees filled with red and yellow leaves. The "secret garden" in Changdeok Palace was exceptionally beautiful. I walked on the winding road there as if I was in the movies, with falling leaves surrounding me. How I wish I was not there alone but with someone who could share the romantic sight...

Cool-san said he went to Taipei 101 because of a taiwanese drama he watched. I myself went to Building 63 because of a korean drama I watched - My Girl. The building and layout was not what I thought. Well that was because they underwent a renovation subsequent to the drama. But I did walk along the river banks and indeed that was a familiar sight in many of the drama series I watched.

Once I thought the place plays the most in creating romance, But now I think it's the person's mentality that plays the most. If you think it's romantic, who can disagree with you? Is happiness round or squarish? The answer is you'll be happy when what you perceive is what you think.

"When the snow melts, what does it become?"
"Spring..."

11 October 2009

The City of Life and Death

I did not plan on watching the movie. In fact it was an impromptu decision as President asked me and I agreed - 2 hrs before the movie.

It's a black and white movie and this further enhanced the grim plot that the movie is unrevealing. The movie focused on different characters to present the story and the atrocities performed by the Japanese to the civilians in Nanking. Although I admit I find the movie sometimes confusing as it never explains clearly some of the reasons for the certain scenes i.e. Why was Mr Tang killed? Yes, he did not manage to leave with Rabe. But why does he have to die? Maybe all these confusing scenes are to portray that at that era, deaths are meaningless. There might not need any reasons for killings to arise. Indeed such moments offer room for imagination.

Someone asked me if after watching the show, will I hate the Japanese? The answer is no. Because one of the leading characters inside the film is a Japanese who was supposedly to be rather sympathetic to the Chinese. This is also one of the reasons why the film was rather condemned in China. But I guess by portraying a "sympathetic" Japanese makes this film a more realistic one in my view. Yes the Japanese indeed committed atrocities which were unforgivable. But some of these soldiers might have another side which was not easily seen - they might also be people who missed home and hoped to win the war so that they could return to their homeland and be reunited with relatives.

Inside the movie, it offers another perspective of why people turned traitors. They wanted to protect their family. Because of this greed, this might translate into more terror than one had wished. E.g. Mr Tang in the movie, because of his greed, he caused more harm than good to his family members. And perhaps that is to illustrate that Japanese could not be trusted. Or perhaps life has its own karma. In the end he chose to stay behind and then he died. At that moment, I chose to believe he somehow felt guilty for his betrayal.

I guess in the end why I think this movie is worth watching is because of its theme. Its realistic theme of wartime. It makes me more appreciative of what I have and the peace we're enjoying. Wars caused senseless killings and pain to families and even soldiers - no matter which side they are from. The horrors and remnants of war are unimaginable. That is when I think I like what all candidates of Ms Universe say.... "I hope for.... and World Peace".

21 September 2009

The Ugly Truth 2

I finally watched the movie " The Ugly Truth". Although there are some "sexual terms" used or hinted in the movie which I believe are indeed explicit and at times make people bit uncomfortable, the movie itself is really funny and humorous; and not to mention the insights in relationships which make it even more interesting.

Foremost, it seems to indicate that one should enter a relationship by simply being yourself. In the movie, the female leading actress started to enter a relationship with the handsome doctor neighbour. But she was not being her normal self when she was dating him. She was simply "pretending" to be someone self. Pretending that she was not a control freak. Always being so elegant and calm. As such, the handsome doctor neighbour was eventually "in love" with someone who was not actually her. And in the end she realised she actually preferred to have someone who loved the real her.

Secondly, there might not be any specific reason why people fall in love. While people might have checklists to start with, but eventually I guess what people wanted to be with is someone who they are comfortable with and could accept who they really are.

Thirdly, I guess what the female leading actress said is rather true. Many women believe that men are like those portrayed in novels - heroic and will not run away from reality. But in the reality that might not always be the truth. And maybe that is the reason why men are always portrayed as hero and the perfect lover in novels or drama series. Because that is the dream of every woman. Because if people want to read the truth, they will be reading news and not novels! =P

So throw away all the guidebooks in relationships and start seeing the real truth - which is of course not pretty... haha...

10 September 2009

The Ugly Truth

After watching the trailer on "The Ugly Truth", I'm very interested to watch this movie because it seems so funny! But what is even more amusing is that Cool-san asked me why is the movie called "The Ugly Truth"? Well my answer is "The Truth is never pretty". =P

Went to surfed the movie website earlier and I saw the comments people posted on the website on their feelings of what's the ugly truth and these seem interesting quotes:

"The ugly truth is you can't make someone fall in love with you."

"The ugly truth is there is no such thing as soul mates or the perfect person. There is only the person who you are willing to make it work with."

"The ugly truth is you're never going to change him. "

"The ugly truth is when a guy says he doesn't want to get married, it actually means he doesn't want to get married to YOU."

"The ugly truth is happiness can't be found in a relationship. You have to already have it."

"The ugly truth is women are shallow too, and first sight does matter."

"The ugly truth is that guys are clueless. No matter how much you hint that you like them, they won't get it until you spell it out."

"The ugly truth is that a lot of women are insecure. And men just don't care."

Well... guess that there's many things whereby the truth are always ugly. And that's the ugly truth.

29 August 2009

Coco avant Chanel

This is a movie I rather enjoyed.
There are no thrills or suspense involved.
It is a biography of Gabrielle Chanel aka Coco, the famous French fashion designer who founded the famous fashion brand, Chanel. The early years of Chanel, from her birth till her set-up of first shop in Paris. Her love story with Arthur Capel aka Boy.

The movie was kept interesting by the witty conversations in the movie and the scenes of courage, intelligence and preserverance displayed by Gabrielle Chanel inside when she succeeded to continue staying in Balsan's house. I especially like the witty response (somewhat similar) made by Chanel in the movie, when asked about her age:-

Balsan: "How old are you?"
Chanel: "Depends on my mood. When I'm bored, I feel ancient"
Balsan: "How are are you now?"
Chanel: "1000 years old"

I admire the courage shown by Chanel inside. She dreamed of love and marriage too when she met Arthur Capel. But when reality sank in, she survived. She went ahead to pursue her dreams instead of conveniently accepting the marriage of proposal from Balsan. To her marriage is not a solution to her problems. She just wanted to work and not to live off man. She's a woman who defied conventions in her times, shown in her fashion and her success in her boutique.

The movie was further liven up by the charisma of the actors and actresses. I especially like the actor - Alessandro Nivola in his role of Arthur Capel. He really was the handsome rogue lover that most women will dream and desire.

This movie did not show Chanel's later years and her speculated involvement with a German officer. Whatever her involvement was, i believe it could not deny her of her due credits in her strength, intelligence and success in the fashion industry.

26 August 2009

The Way I Read...

I always enjoy reading. Newspapers, novels, comics etc.
My favourite remains the romantic-suspense books. Meaning both romance and a couple of murders in it, with the murders being solved by clever sleuthing on the part of the hero and heroine.

In one of these books I read, I especially love the conversation between the hero and heroine it makes me realise I actually have much in common with the heroine...

Like her, I like to read romantic-suspense books.
Even though in real life the motivation for murder is a lot straightforward and majority of cases are solved because someone talks and not because of clever sleuthing. But this doesn't matter because like what she said "If I want real police work, I'll read the newspapers, not a book."

Like her, I tend to read the ending of the book before I commit to the whole book, because I read for the story and not the ending. I agree with her logic that " Life is too short to waste on books that end badly / unhappily ".
That perhaps could translate into my view of life too. Not sure if it's good or bad. But if I have a perception that certain things do not have a good ending or rather I'll be unhappy about, I will tend not to go through with it. Life is too short to be unhappy. But does this also indicate that I lack the courage and determination as I seem to take the easy way out?

Hmm... an issue indeed worth pondering... ??

21 June 2009

My Favourite Show <<败犬女王>>

这部戏 <<败犬女王>> 感动了我.

年過三十, 單身的女強人是一隻人生的敗犬? 这部戏 以轻松感人的手法探讨了爱情和婚姻. 它有点像韓剧<<达子的春天>>.

我想故事要表达的是人生最重要的是过得充实, 追逐梦想.
原来平时不是时间过得很快, 而是我们的步伐太快了, 偶尔错过了美丽的事与物?

而没有结婚不代表是败犬. 毕竟爱情及结婚应凭感觉, 而不是条件.
因为没有感觉的爱情及婚姻真的会幸福吗?
我想是见仁见智吧.

但让我最感动的是男主角因了解女主角缺乏安全感,而为了她更加奋斗.
他以行动表示了对女主角的真诚, 爱意.
他是个让女人期待的完美情人...

15 June 2009

Today....

Today is my birthday.
A day to celebrate as it's the anniversary of my birth.
A day my mum will believe an anniversary of her pain as she has to undergo the labour before I'm presented into the world. Nevertheless she's being convinced to keep celebrating for me year after year. haha...

Thanks to all who send me their best wishes...and thanks for the presents I received to date... hehe... the list as follows:

1) Ah Hua Bear (given together with Francis bear) from Jess, Gooi & Feng
2) Aaron Kwok concert ticket and birthday cake from Sis
3) Pink Coach wristlet (born in Tokyo), birthday ornament and flowers from 神秘人
4) Gem stone earrings from 贝儿 in HK
5) "Pearl" earrings from Cool-san in HK
6) Earrings from TML
7) Precious moments cup from Jeanne
8) "I love Fri" T-shirt and Pink Rainbow Care bear from Louisa
9) Wii games and set from Myself (as Babe as said... we need to reward ourselves with presents! )

and not forgeting the Birthday lunches and dinners....

Well another year has passed... and I've indeed stopped putting all the candles onto the cake and only 1 now (Have forgotten when I've started the habit haha). Hopefully I can stay young in the process? And maybe I have to slowly change my wardrobe and buy more mature clothings? =P

As I grew older I sometimes think what I have achieved in life because it seems that time passes very fast. I love travelling but it seems I've been stuck in HK and Japan in these 2 years! haha... maybe I need to explore beyond that soon. I remember I still have many fantastic places like Egypt, Spain, Greece, Mauritius, Tuscany in Italy, Scotland, England, Russia, Turkey, Australia etc that I've yet to explore.

Guess I need to work on this soon.... and on my dream. Maybe the no-pay leave of once a month could be a good start to the realisation of these.... and provided I still could finish my work in time! haha...

5 April 2009

Confessions of a Shopaholic

A light-hearted comedy indeed. So many scenes that I had uncontrollable bursts of laughter.
I love the part when she used so many credit cards to pay for a shawl.
I love the part when she went to the hot dog stall to queue and request for cash back.
I love the part she hit her boss with the fan as she danced with him.
I love the part she went uncontrollable shopping and snatched the boots.

Of course I also felt sad when she saw the man she loved with another woman. There're touching moments naturally. Her life full of ups and downs. And in the end a happy ending naturally. If not, it'll leave many people disappointed. Including me. Though the cynical side of me also wondered if it will only happen in movies as it's too good to be true in real life.

I guess I love the show too because it somehow talks about something close to my heart. Something I could relate to. I'm not a shopaholic. But I do like to shop, especially when you realise there's bargains.

I can vividly remember my shopping in Osaka, Japan on the last day when I bought my favourite clothes and bag. Especially my bag. When I bought the bag, I was very excited and happy. It's as if you're the happiest person. Very satisfied. I guess to the extent when I used it on the plane back, and when the air steward nicely asked me to place it on the floor, I guess I must have shot daggers at him. My first thoughts were "How could he ask me to put my precious bag onto the floor? He must be crazy and ought to be scolded!" haha.. that's how irrational I was. A woman in love indeed. But not with a man then but with a bag. As such, I guess I could somehow felt how the leading actress felt then in the movie when she walked into the dazzling store and see all the wonderful shopping items being displayed.

I also felt a bit overwhelmed when I watched the show. I pondered and wondered. I guess maybe because of the fact the man resigned and set up his own company to realise his dream, standing on his own feet. I realised that I have yet to realise my dream too. Maybe I should start working to my dream too. And not keep writing in my new year resolution every year but no progress made.

Oh and I'm supposed to learn baking too... according to my best friends when we had a small chat at Mos Burger... haha as she had a dream... at her current mature age.. Oh on 5th April 2009 =) hehe.. anyway who knows we'll become a great baker next time... though I seriously wonder about my talent in this particular field... as I seriously lack patience.. hehe.. Anyone interested to be the guinea pig on my baking???

28 March 2009

水果蓝

这一两天我阅读着<<水果蓝>>的漫画系列. 像一两年前阅读时一般, 我依然非常感动.
泪水依然不自觉便滑落.
记得笫一次见到它的动画片时, 我被它的台词感动了:

"雪溶化了会变成什么?"
答:"春天" (而不昰水)

就这样我开始阅读了这本少女漫画.
十二生肖与神的牵绊或诅咒.
故事人物的内心世界与爱情.
想爱又害怕.
因为他们不是正常人.
昰被十二生肖附身的人.
一跟异性拥抱就会变身为动物.
他们也不能违抗神的意思.
故事不但感人,又不忘搞笑.
因为再开心的人也有忧虑和他的秘密.
他们多了一份人性,并不完美.
所以我喜欢.

我喜欢的台词例:

1) 我喜欢你. 这点是坚定不移的亊实.

2) 如果在人生中, 能够连一步都不会踏错的话, 那不知道该有多好!
好是好啦, 但是.... 那是不可能的!
就算失败, 跌倒, 迷失, 走错路,
也只能够慢慢地, 一步一步地,
硬著头皮走下去.
靠自己的双脚, 就算遍体鳞伤...
也要祈祷...
祈祷终有一天会抵达某个地方...
祈祷终有一天会到达某个人的身旁.

3) 你希望有人呵护你.
希望有人注意到你.
希望有人需要你.
希望有人...
聆听你的心声.
了解你... 接受你...
希望有人... 爱你.
而我... 就是这样的人.

4) 你有恋童癖吗?
不是! 是你投胎得太慢...

5) 原来是因为寂寞啊...
我希望自己的视线...
能跟她相同.
即使只有一点点,
我也希望能了解她.
如果不能那样,
那我待在她身边就一点意义也没有.

23 March 2009

Dedication of Song

Guess it's more than 10 years ago when I first heard this song sang in the musical production "Carousel" organised by my school. It was very touching and I love this song, be it the lyrics or tune.

Will like to specially dedicate this song to Babe....

"When you walk through a storm hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone!"

Babe, you'll never walk alone be it in the storm or rainbows.
As you'll always have friends like me who'll be with you sharing your joys and troubles.
Take care.

18 March 2009

Forever Love

This is the song by Wang Lee Hom, I heard during one of my friend's wedding.
A lovely song... to share with all...

爱你, 不是因为你的美和影
我越来越爱你,
每个眼神触动我的心
因为你让我看见forever
才了解自己,
未来这些日子
要好好珍惜

爱我, 有些痛苦有些不公平
如果真的爱我不是理所当然的决定
感到你的呼吸在我耳边
像微风深情温柔的安抚,
我的不安定
所以我要
每年研究你的笑容Wo~~
多么自然

Forever love forever love
我只想用我这一辈子去爱你
从今以后,
你会是所有
幸福的理由

爱情, 是场最美最远的旅行
沿途遇经泥泞
偶尔阻碍我们的前进
感到你的体温在我怀里
像阳光和煦
巧妙的熔化
我的不安定
不可思议
证明我爱你的理由
WO
多么自然你感动的眼睛,
我沉默的声音,
仿佛就是最好的证明
就让我再说一次
I love you ~~
直到永远
oh
Forever love Forever love Forever love

9 March 2009

Reflections Age

Saw this at someone's facebook. Quite interesting... haha... though I'm not 30 yet..
but could feel time passed really very soon... Dedicated to my friends who are 30 and over.
Let us wish for the best in the future and friends forever...

" 三十而立;四十而不惑,五十知天命。。。
红尘滚滚;岁月匆匆;
走过三十,回忆过去成败梦想,对未来要充满更多的热诚,希望。尽管路上似乎有许多风雨。。。
感谢知心的朋友和我走过这人生的三十年。。。"

4 March 2009

Punggol End


Went to Punggol End with 神秘人 the other day for the 1st time...
Rather surprised to see the lalangs and nature there... quite interesting...
A journey to the countryside... and some photos to share...












2 February 2009

TODAY

Saw the advertisement on tv the other day...
Couldn't remember the exact wordings...
But there's a para in the advertisement... and I find it very interesting and true...

Today is not yesterday, as the past has passed.
Today is not tomorrow, unless you know time travel.
Today is today.

Today is a day we should cherish.
We should not keep postponing the things till tomorrow as we're not sure what happens next, unless we know the future or time travel.
Today is today.

1 February 2009

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today is the 7th day of Chinese New Year, and hereby will like to wish all a very Happy Chinese New Year and Happy Birthday!

Somehow I don't really feel the mood of Chinese New Year. Perhaps because I didn't go to Chinatown this year or went to the riverside and see all the laterns and chinese decorations. Or is it because the new year is merely weeks after christmas? Or is it because of the recession?

Perhaps to many, the new year wish will be that the recession will soon be over and everyone can be happy in this new year.... haha...

If you read the forecasts by fortune-tellers, they will state that the Chinese New Year should be on the 4th February, the 1st day of Spring. So I guess we can say Happy Chinese New Year again on that day! New bag or wallet is preferred... and wealth will follow! =D

Wishing all to a fantastic new year ahead! =P

24 January 2009

今年过年的禁忌

(Just for laughter and fun....)

今年过年的禁忌还真不少叻好像只剩"恭喜发财"可以讲了
财源滚滚~裁员滚滚
招财进宝~遭裁禁饱
万事如意~万市如忆
心想事成~薪饷四成
鸿图大展~红屠大斩
财源广进~裁员广尽
还有不要喝!!仙草蜜<先炒..me!!!>

4 January 2009

Beautiful Babe


On 11 Dec, a beautiful baby girl, Kaylene is being born and welcomed to the world.
I could sense her mother's happiness, pride and love in the baby's arrival from her sms.
That's a mother's love.

Congratulations to you, Kaylene's mother...
You're still as pretty as ever... even after the birth.
Take care....

2 January 2009

Cambodia Trip - Photos

Some of the photos taken during the visit in Phnom Penh....
Some at at the street home, some are from the school and some are from the households we visited...

He's around 3-4 years old. He was sent to the street shelter after the in-charge persuaded his mum (who's living on the streets) to send him in...


(The family now runs a business selling the above thanks to World Vision providing them with a loan... )

( All the sponsored kids with the sponsors)

(See the bicycle... it's as tall as the kids)







(Drawings from the Drawing club drawn by the kids there....)

1 January 2009

New Year

Wishing all a very Happy New Year!

Everyone is hoping that 2009 will be a better one than 2008 in terms of economy and world peace. Well I wish for that too. That good news will arrive and bad news will now be the past and history.

Any new resolutions for Year 2009?
Well I guess at least 2 resolutions from Year 2008 will still continue to be part of this year's resolutions. Reason - I have not accomplish that! haha..

Was thinking of what I want when I realise that I want many things.
But actually they are more of good-to-have than must-haves. I'm currently pretty contented with I've. So I guess I should continue to feel this way. Afterall what I usually wish is for happiness and that according to many, that is not definitive but a state of mind. So if I could be pretty contented with I've, achieving the aim of happiness is not too faraway... hmm...

Wishlist: Top 3 Wishes

(1) To accomplish my 2 wishes brought forward from Year 2008
(2) To travel at least 2-3 times a year (my favourite is travelling!!!)
(3) To lose weight (",)

Hope everyone has a wonderful year ahead!