phantom of the opera
we (my family and i) watched the matinee at 2 p.m.
props and costumes, as well as effects, were impressive. using a pair of binoculars from time to time enabled me to focus on details like structure and setting of props, movement of characters and detailed artwork of the exquisitely embellished and sequin-adorned costumes.
marvellous.
there's a big however, of course. at some parts, the singing was too "opera-tic" for me, and i dozed off for about 2 minutes. and as some reviewers have mentioned, if we were to critique it as an exact duplicate of the original story, there are significant and numerous bits chopped off.
personally, i haven't seen the full-length movie as yet. i must remind myself to TRY, when my assignments have ceased "avalanching" on me. but overall, i will give it a 7.
excellent vocals for the lady who played christine. an absolute power house. :) Wednesday, April 25, 2007
research revelation
DISCLAIMER: THE PHOTOS IN THIS POST MAY/MAY NOT BE OFFENSIVE TO SOME. IN ANY CASE, PLEASE VIEW WITH AN OPEN MIND AND WITH CAUTION.
so, here's the deal. for my next journalism assignment, i have to write up a news story of any topic I THINK is relevant to our society (i.e. singapore). so i chose obsession with weight. it may not be an obsession as yet, but it's an issue/concern that is increasingly becoming a major debate in health-related discussions. i decided to focus on anorexia. and i was busy researching for the flow i wanted for my story the ENTIRE afternoon, and i stumbled on some of the most shocking pictures and videos. hang on people. this are just few of the materials i came across.
this ain't that bad. yet.
yes, male anorexia EXISTS. okay, maybe this is digestable. for now.
getting worse, innit?
now THIS, is horrific enough for any sane person.
but this one take's a home run. it's earth shatteringly raw.
well, you get the picture (no pun intended!). these victims are real. no editing. no photoshopped bits. sheer, 100%, raw reality people. so the next time you plan to skip a meal, maybe one day. then the next, and the next, think of what you just saw.
that's how it always starts. "just today". then it becomes a habit. then a routine. then your LIFE. can you believe there's even a new term coined for the kind of aspiration that pro-anorexics aim for? it's called "thinspiration". and they've called themselves "pro-ana" (short for pro-anorexic). it's an outright shame. utterly and devastatingly sad.
seeing all this gave me even more motivation to write up a good news story. i think people need to wake up and see more than what's in the mirror.
to satisfy my curiousity
okay "anonymous", since you've been talking so much about this fazura woman, i've taken the liberty to take up the little challenge (if it is!) of finding out who she is - and most importantly, what she looks like.
ta-da!!!
and you say i resemble her? if i looked HALF as good as her, i'd be so thankful already!
i wish. >.<
Tuesday, April 24, 2007happy 21st nora babe!
BABEEEEEE! happy 21st birthday.. finally, eh?? :)
i hope all those lavish gifts that jason showered (and will shower you with!) are worth the wait to be spoilt and pampered! because you deserve it. hee.
have an awesome one this year, and we got to meet up real, real soon ok?
MUACKS to you babe! cheers!
acceptance of the past
today i saw a video of my baby when he entered a pageant way back in 2001. yes, you read it right, a PAGEANT. technically, Mr & Ms ITE (Bishan) 2001.
cheesy, i agree 100%. or even more. but the point is, it took me back to a time when i didn't even know he existed. heck, i was only 15! and for me, it allowed me to see a glimpse of how he was like 6 years ago.
looks. poise. mannerisms. presence. and i liked what i saw. in fact, i was pleasantly surprised.
he was so charming. and out of all the contestants, it was very obvious - he was shaking up there. hee. i found it really cute. ^_^
before the "question and answer" segment, the girls and the guys were paired up. the guy would then lead the girl on-stage in a very "prom-like" manner, and start posing on-stage for the sake of displaying their elegance and poise.
now this, i didn't expect to happen: i got jealous. because he went on-stage with his female partner and hugged her from behind so that he could "show her off" to the judges and the audience. they did 3 or so poses in embrace before he let her go.
i didn't say anything because i knew jolly well it wasn't right of me to feel that way. for God's sake, it was bloody 6 YEARS ago!!! and that girl had a boyfriend! and it's just a pageant! (yeah, tell that to the consciousness inside of me that was turning greener and greener by the second)
eventually, i couldn't take it. so i told him. and i think he was surprised.
"yeah, but look now. 5 years later i met you."
:)
the entire point is (nope, i wasn't typing it all out in detail to start bragging!), i'm glad he showed me that video. because reflecting back on it, it sends a warm wash of love for him over me. he could've chosen not to show it to me, in fear of coming off as "showy".
but that's his past. and the last time he let me peak into his life before he met me, was when we brought photos of our childhood and teenage years, to exchange with one another.
by the way, he won the title. :D and boy, if i'd known him back then, i'd try my luck. ;-)
california, here we come
right back where we started from.
take care. i'll miss you. :( Sunday, April 22, 2007
of the latest and what-not
well, let's just say i kind of knew who would win this year's ms singapore universe, even before it's LIVE television broadcast just now. and not because i'm ignorantly psychic.
i've got my sources. :)
but personally, i think cristabelle should have won, for a major factor that MANY singaporeans just don't have: HEIGHT.
you're going to send the winning lady to compete INTERNATIONALLY in MEXICO, and the one thing we could at least be on the same page on as the other contestants is height, right? :-S
don't get me wrong, i think jessica's cute though. the type of girl every mother would want her son to bring home: sacchirine sweet in manners and annoyingly, physically even more sweet. wth.
one thing that really, seriously annoyed me till my wits' end though, were the intellectually insulting and demeaning questions they asked the top 10 girls. who the FUCK wants to know OR cares if you would prefer to dance with the Flying Dutchman or Glenn Ong??!! or what you will tell your "celebrity friend" if they have bad body odour??!!
even those mindless Truth Or Dare games have more riveting and mind-nerving questions!!!
the idiocy of the people who came up with such ridiculous shit. pfft. Wednesday, April 18, 2007
it's all his fault!
in light of the recent Virginia Tech University shoot-out, where 33 innocent people's lives were taken from them, i went to YouTube to check out what interesting pieces of "opinions" i could gather from people all over the world.
and while watching a clip, i came across this comment: (*all spelling and grammar were kept intact for the sake of authenticity)
"All koreans are the same that come to free countries from their home piece of shit country. MEANWHILE... There are millions of starving people in the world. Why is this such a huge deal just 30 people died. at least 30 people die from starvation everyday in africa. NO BIG DEAL?"
it's amazing how ignorant and cold some people can be. and as much as some say that we shouldn't blame Bush for his own ignorance on the right to possess firearm, it's inevitable. why the hell would one man close both his eyes to the terror within his own country, while putting all manpower and money in trying to "liberate" another? and some have also said that the issue is not about owning firearms, because there are countries around the world where it's banned, and yet, they have one of the highest crime and death rates in the world.
point taken. but we do have to remember, giving people the privilege to legally own firearms doesn't IMPROVE the situation. neither does it DETER it. if it's obvious that your people aren't responsible enough to own and handle a weapon that could end people's lives, shouldn't you take away that privilege from them? a right is a right. but once it's abused, it's a downright SIN.
it's all a matter of choice. we all know america is infamous for it's take on "freedom of speech" and that it's labelled as a "free country". but humans will forever be humans till armegeddon. and rage, jealousy and spite are just enough to push us over the edge to commit a sin we'll pay with the rest of our lives.
in the mean time, my condolences go out to all the family and friends of the victims. as well, as to all the staff at the university. God bless. :) Monday, April 16, 2007
a kiss on the hand
the best moment of today was when You took my hand from across the table.
held my hands in Yours.
looked deep into my eyes.
it was so intense, a part of me was blushing so hard, i couldn't look up.
you brought my hands to Your soft lips and kissed them.
then You outstretched Your right hand and swept my hair aside.
and caressed my cheeks.
"why?" i asked.
"nothing", You replied. and smiled the sweetest smile in a long time.
the last time You ever did that, and when i ever felt that way,
was about 2 years ago.
that night. when i cried into Your arms.
and we danced our very first dance.
"everything's going to be alright", You said.
and i guess, things do have a way being so. :) Saturday, April 14, 2007
within
it's more than that. much, much more.
it's not the fact that i won't be seeing You later today.
or that i don't understand.
or that i'm selfish.
NO.
it's the one thing that could take away my loneliness from this hole.
it happened again.
and i'm beginning to sink further, with only vacuum to breathe.
if You only knew.
but i would never speak of it. only to burden You. Friday, April 13, 2007
My cool celebrity look-alike collage from MyHeritage.com. Get one for yourself.
a weekend all for me
finally! this weekend i'll be out for 2 whole days. but unfortunately, once next week starts, it's all downhill. :(
i still can't believe i have 7 freaking assignments next month... and 3 due next week alone. like FUCK, man. even today, i have 1 due. shit.
it's funny, because as much as i find studying really a chore, i cannot imagine myself starting work. :-S
you can't win them all, i suppose.
by the way, i watched 'the reaping' yesterday at Prince. i hear rumours about that place being a pretty "seedy" location to catch a show, well-known for its... erm, unusual patrons. but we were so lucky that we didn't get to witness any of that sort of... err, action. haha! in fact, i was surprised at how big the theatre is, considering it's not patronised very much.
if you want privacy, this is the place. there was only me and my baby, another young couple, and another middle-aged man. in a theatre that was about half the size of those HUGE shaw theaters at Lido (i think Lido 1). so, in the end, we decided to sit right smack in the middle, and wayyy at the back (couple seat) - not for any hanky panky, but for a good, unobstructed view. really, i'm serious. *gives an innocent look*
anyway, as for the movie itself, i must say it was an above average horror flick. the story line is not as lame as you'd think, and it does make you want to stick around to see what happens. of course, what movie doesn't have its "asking for it" moments? where a character goes out into the dark forest in the middle of the night, trying to figure what she sees in a distance because she just HAS to be curious. blehh. but it keeps you at the edge of your seat, and i found it creepy enough to hide behind my hands throughout, at LEAST, a third of the movie. hee.
even my baby jumped in this seat twice, i think.
funny stuff. ^_^ Tuesday, April 10, 2007
busy bee
i need to AT LEAST trim my mane. yes, MANE, not HAIR. it's so unruly and basically a living, breathing disaster. i hardly know what to do with it every day before i step out of the house. regardless of how i try to tame it, i know humidity will pounce its grubby, moist paws on my mane. eww!!!
but i'm far too busy to even find the time to get it done. just looking at all the deadlines make me want to hurl. ugh.
i don't get the obsession with weight. i know it's healthier, and it's called keeping fit (unlike me). but there's a fine line between obsession and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. and that is why, for my next journalism assignment, that is the story i'm going to cover:
youths' and weight issues: obsession or health conscious?
i'm kind of excited because i'm going to interview various sources, like professionals (e.g. doctors, trainers, etc.), goverment associations (e.g. Ministry of Health, etc.) and individuals (i.e. public). can't wait to get the grit. just like a real reporter! :)
i, personally, lost a little weight due to the flu bug. but now, i've gained it back, and i still feel good about myself. i'm done with people telling me i'm fat. because i know i'm not. fuck everyone who says anything above a size 6 is FAT. i love my curves, and they're here to stay for a long time to come.
i still watch what i stuff in my mouth, and if i know i've been binging too much, i hold back for a few days to "detox".
it took me a long time to come to this point. and gradually, i'm beginning to love my body. i'm curvaceous by genes, and big boned by birth. so fuck you. Saturday, April 07, 2007
grin
i'm glad i made the trip.
i surprised my baby by driving across the island (yeah, i know it's not THAT FAR! but bukit timah to pasir ris in a downpour where you can only go 40km/h on the PIE is far enough!) and passing him my belated 2nd year anniversary gift. i really hope he likes it... especially the BIG bear card. cheesy and mushy, yes, that's me.
^_^
as you can hear and see, i've changed the song on my blog. placebo's 'running up that hill' seems apt for this rainy and somewhat "nostalgic" weather. and i just discovered my #1 pet peeve on the road:
when drivers don't signal and just cut into your lane, even though you're a good distance behind them. YUCKS!!! and then they keep changing lanes from right to left and back to right. and worst, when they can't make up their fucking minds, and hog 2 lanes... and finally deciding to stay in your lane!!! or maybe when they want to turn into a slip road, or any turn for that matter, and they don't signal at ALL! it seriously gets my blood boiliing. no idea why. heh.
well, all in all, driving is fun. but nothing beats being chauffered around. especially on my baby's bike. i know i hate the messed up hair, greasy and carbon-smeared face and uncomfortable long rides, but i enjoy it no less. :) when he was in reservist for almost 3 weeks, and left his bike in the repair shop for the WHOLE of his reservist, cabbing around definitely made me appreciate his bike all the more!
thank You sayang for never complaining when You whiz by my place to pick me up for our dates. :D
i really appreciate it.
lalalalaaaaa.
bore bore
now i've passed the bug to my baby. seeeee. i told him not to kiss me. sigh.
i'm dead bored doing my assignment now. i tried calling him, but he's fast asleep. ergh. i'm just plain bored. but then again, when am i not?
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in the dark - that's where i thrive.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007vault of pictures
there has been aplenty of pictures that i haven't shown, here or in multiply. and that only means one thing: backdated!
i'm lagging in updating things like this because it's just too tiresome. what with the editing (IF there's any need) and posting and aligning so it turns out PURR-FECT!
so, since my assignment (due tomorrow actually) got postponed (YAYY!) an entire week, to next friday, i shall spend this time updating. feast your eyes! :)
now you see it, now you don't! :D it was a delicious chocolate dessert affair at il Lido (at Sentosa) for my mom's birthday. chocolate lava cake a la mode, and chocolate fudge cake. yummmmmy!
we went to sentosa for our 2 year anniversary. and it was a blast! though the weather wasn't favourable in the morning (showers with thunderstorm! gosh!), the sky cleared up for us towards the afternoon. thank God! we wanted to go to siloso beach, but got lost and winded up at palawan beach instead. boo! oh well, the privacy was really nice. ;-)
this is his best attempt to look (somewhat) like a Manhunt finalist. sigh.
and yet, another one. this time, like Bond, in Casino Royale. double sigh.
Banana Boat Dark Tanning Oil. pretty shot! :)
^_^ yes, i do.
the weather was beautiful after the rain.
and lastly, to round off the unforgettable day...
we filled our stomachs with east coast's bbq-ed chicken and satay. yummmmy!
well, that's all the photos for now. damn, can't believe i took almost 3 hours just doing up this post. worth the effort, i guess. especially all the candid shots my baby has a fondness of posing for. hahaha!
Sunday, April 01, 2007posh posh POSH
i think i kind of asked for it, i guess. after only 3 hours of nap (NOT sleep!) last night, and forgetting to take my medicine before my night nap, i awoke feeling seriously groggy and awful. my fever returned and i had to endure a whole day trying to not fall asleep.
thank God i already decided not to go to school. phew. why did i not sleep, you ask?
because of me and my sister's BRILLIANT idea of doing up a scrapbook for my mom's birthday present at the very last minute. we managed to do a whole 20-page scrapbook in 4 hours. omigosh.
from 1 a.m. till 5 a.m. NEVER EVER AGAIN. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
but thankfully the immense effort (to stay awake) paid off! my mom cried... which made me and my sis cry. shucks!
some things really don't have a price. :)
now i have my 2nd year anniversary to look forward to tomorrow, and an extended day of celebration on tuesday! yayy! one thing though: i totally haven't gotten anything for my baby. jeez. -.-
all in all, it's been a pretty above average weekend. oh yeah, dinner last night for my mom's birthday was at Sentosa's il Lido. posh posh POSH place. (no!!! i'm NOTTTT bragging)
my sis had some pasta with half a lobster at $45. and my dad's tenderloin was $48. my mom had a seafood soup which cost $22... BUT (!), the portion was unkowingly tiny! i'm not kidding! it was the size of cupping both your hands. my dad told the captain it was my mom's birthday, so when she told him she was shocked at the size (or lack of it!) of the portion, he gave her another serving on the house. aww! now, that's service. :D
i had fettucini with some crabmeat... and what-not which cost $35. i chowed it down in 10 minutes. no joke. i felt like that was my appetiser. :-P
dessert made up for it though. me and my sis ordered a serving of lava cake each, which came a la mode (aka with ice cream). but my mom had a complimentary chocolate fudge cake, of which we all got a slice each. the dessert was what made my dinner filling, NOT the main course. hah!
tomorrow, more indulging... at a place i told my baby, would be a secret. shh... can't wait!
and tuesday's picnic better be unforgettable!
because i'll make your 2 days with me, absolutely unforgettable. hee. ^_^
