Gymming . Changi

Didn't do much on Saturday. Just went to the gym at my place to work out. Gosh! It's been ages since I last exercised and really need to get back to the routine, otherwise I'll turn into a big ugly blob of fat. Haha. Went to grandma's place fer dinner and then followed my mum to pick my bro up from the airport. Waited fer him fer like an hour, as he busied himself buying alcohol and queuing up to pay for them. And while waitn', took some pics...

Dim Sum . Summer Palace

Whee! Finally got my bonus yesterday! My colleague and I went for a little celebration during lunch by having dim sum at 包今天. The food’s not bad, and presentation quite nice. Met CC in the evening for dinner and to watch Summer Palace. In my opinion, Summer Palace is definitely one of the best movies to be shown this year. It revolves around the lives of 4 people during a period a climate of change in China, and how the events affect their lives and change the course of the lives. There is no Hollywood glamorisation of characters and plot, no photoshopped effects. The plot is simple, and the scenes are shot simply, with no special effects or special lighting. The actors have barely any makeup on. No eyeliner, no mascara, no fake lashes, almost no foundation. The director, Lou Ye, tells the story as true to life as it can be, and makes no attempts at masking the fact that we humans have sex and masturbate, and that most of us will cheat on our partners at some point or another. Watching the movie, it seems more like watching a home made video, or a documentary of sorts. It certainly made me think what life as an ordinary human is about. The pace is slow, but not to the point that will make you bored to tears. Instead, there is something philosophical about this intended slow pace. I like the poetic monologues in some of the scenes too. This is definitely a show to catch if you are over 21 (The movie is R21 rated). But if you are the kind who likes action and climaxes, then this is not for you.
Watched Planet Earth today. Have not missed an episode so far, a feat that I am quite proud of *smirks* But getting kind of lazy to document that episodes. I feel that it is better to just watch the documentary than put t down in words. My limited vocabulary is not enough to describe some of the astounding scenes that are featured in it. Anyways, found the official websites for Planet Earth - http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/planet-earth/about/episode.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/planetearth/prog_summary.shtml


What I had fer lunch...

And Dinner!

The Movie

Of Mark and Albino Alligators

This week's Do Not Disturb has Mark Lee helming the episode. I must say it's a really good effort by him. He really protrays his AIDS-stricken character well, showing the emotions and turmoil that he is going through. While most of the other episodes have almost equal parts for the male and female characters, for this one, Mark is clearly the focus. Next week is the final episode, and I will stay at home to catch it.
Was browsing the website when I came across an article on an albino alligator. I have heard of white tiger and white lion, but this is the 1st time that I have heard of alligators! Anyways, here's a pic of the said alligator.

Between Me and The Celebrities - Part II

Here's the results for another photo that I posted.

http://www.myheritage.com

Between Me and The Celebrities

I was reading the Straits Times and came across this article introducing a website that shows which celebrity you look like most. Decided to post a photo of myself and see if I resemble any of the celebrities. You can see the results below. It seems like I've got a pretty international face. But it's not 100% accurate, as different photos may yield different results. But well, it's all in the name of fun! Shall try my other photos and see which celebrity appears the most. Shall post my other results soon!

http://www.myheritage.com

Phantom of the Opera

Just came back from watching Phantom of the Opera. And it is really a fantastic show, as what critics have said all these years and the sheer number of people who have watched the musical have proved. The props are ingenious, and the transitions between scenes totally smooth. The acting's great, and the singing so good that I had goosebumps. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. And with the whole hall full on a Tuesday night, what more can I say?

Movie . Shopping . Prezzie . TV . Sick

Sighs... I am sick again, barely a month since I last recovered... wonder what's happening to my body... maybe I am gettin' old... haha Since I am cooped up at home, shall do abit of updating.
Went to watch Spiderman 3 on Sat at Orchard Cineleisure with QJ and LW. I was actually quite sick, and didn't really want to leave home, but the tickets have been bought, so I have to go, no matter how sick I am. The movie's not bad, just that I didn't like the fact that they tried to squeeze so much into the 2 hours, and this left little room for more character development. The effects department did a fantastic job though.
Met my cousins, JY and PY for some shopping at Vivo City on Sun. My motive was to check out River Island's sale, as well as look ard fer Mummy dearest's birthday-cum-mother's day prezzie. Bought a $10 top from River Island, but the sad thing was, there wasn't anymore size for this v-neck pullover that I so lurve. Well, at least I saved some moolah. As for Mum's prezzie, decided to buy SK II's Mother's Day gift, which cost me (gasp!) $275. Hopefully my bros will contribute to the cost... haha.
On Monday evening, after having dinner at Crystal Jade to celebrate Mum's birthday, watched Do Not Disturb as usual. This week's episode is about an Australian guy and a Malaysian girl who decided to have a ONS. One could only understand English and the other, Chinese (or is it really so?). It shows the games that people play to try to get what they want, in this case, sex with no strings attached for the guy, and a marriage to a rich Caucasian guy so that she can escape poverty.
Need some rest now. I don't want to keep coughing and have my nose running away from me... And yes, I have not updated on last week's Planet Earth. Too sick too. Shall do it together with the next episode.

In Lurve with Accessories

Was surfing the web and chanced upon L'ArtChaut's website. Totally mesmerised by the range of accessories they offer! Tatty Devine, Atelier11, Servane Gaxotte, Vice&Vanity, Wouters & Hendrix...I LURVE THEM ALL!! The price's veri nice too... Anybody out there who's willing to sponsor me a few pieces??

Painful Humongous Pimple

Errgh! I have a humongous pimple on my right jaw!! It's been a week, yet it doesn't seem to be going down, and it's still as painful as when it first popped out. This is by far the most stubborn pimple that I remember getting. Can someone please help me get rid of it???

Mango Central

Met SY, QJ and CT at Orchard on Saturday for dinner and some shopping. Had dinner at Central, a HK style cafe at Takashimaya's basement, after dropping by Mango, where there was a sale going on. I couldn't resist the tempatation and bought a red linen dress, which is the 1st all red clothing that I have ever bought. Talk about being adventurous!
We walked around town for abit after dinner and had a little girls' talk on (what else?) beauty and skincare products, among other stuff, at a secluded corner outside Takashimaya, recommended by QJ. At least we do not have to pay to sit at some cafe... Haha
Headed back home nearing 11pm, and was really tired out. But... I stayed up till almost 3am, watching anime on Channel U as well as surfing the Net. My panda eyes will get even worse after this...














The red dress from Mango, an Abercrombie top that I bought on Friday, and a small foldable mirror from Muji.



At Central....

How good was the food? Look at how engrossed everyone is with their food...

Eternal Summer * 盛夏光年

Met up with CC on Thursday to watch Eternal Summer, a made in Taiwan movie directed by Leste Chen. It revolves around 2 boys, Shane and Jonathon, who are in the same class when they were in primary school. Shane is a hyperactive child, and Jonathon, being the class monitor was asked by the form teacher to befriend Shane. He does so unwillingly, and thus begins a journey that Jonathon never thought would change the course of his life. They became best friends, and went to the same secondary school and college. As they come of age, Jonathon slowly realises that his feelings for Shane is not as simple as he thought.

Matters become complicated when Carrie enters their lives, discovering Jonathon's secret, while Shane falls for her. Shane also realises how dependent he is on Jonathon and begins feels that Jonathon's treatment towards him seems to be more than just friends. Tension builds between the 3 of them, and when they arrive at a seculded beach, secrets are revealed.

The story is interesting, and I like the way some of the scenes are shot. However, there were too little dialouge, and the whole plot was not tight enough. Leste left too many scenes for the audience to guess, and this is not a very good thing as the whole story may be lost on the audience, which it did in this case. I feel that the pace is abit too slow too. Conclusion? It would be a yawn for those who are used to fast scenes and clear storyline. But if you can't catch the plot, at least you can oogle at the guys. Both Bryant Chang and Joseph Chang are cute! CC likes Joseph. Bryant is my personal fave though.

Planet Earth - Caves

Caves, Earth’s final frontier, is the theme for this week’s Planet Earth. The different caves in the world are explored, and one of it is the Swallow Caves in Mexico. It is one of the biggest cave shaft in the world, and the entry to the cave plunges so deep (400metres) that the entire Empire State Building can be fitted comfortably into it. As such, many extreme sports enthusiasts come to here to base jump.
The Deer Cave, located on the island of Borneo, is so wide that a jumbo jet can fly in it. Millions of bats live in here, and their droppings form a 100 meter mound on the cave floor, providing a neverending supply of food for the countless of cockroaches that live in this mound. In a place where sunlight doesn’t shine in, one can, bizarrely, find crabs living among the cockroaches.
Living side by side with the bats in the cave are the swiftlets. These small birds build their nests on the steep walls of the cave using only their saliva. A nest will take a whole 30 days to complete, and it is one of most precious nest because it is – you guessed it – the origins of the bird’s nest that we consume.








The swift & its nest


When a cave is flooded, it becomes a gigantic freshwater well, which supports a variety of plants and animals, in addition to preserving features in the cave intact.
One of the most recent discoveries is the Lechuguilla Cave in USA. The whole cave is covered with gypsum crystal formations, carved out by sulphuric acid. These formations can be as high as 6 metres, and they sparkle like the stars in the sky as light is reflected off the crystals and minerals.








Clear, still water in Lechuguilla Cave












The Chandelier Ballroom, Lechuguilla Cave


Animals do thrive in these seeminly harsh places where there is no sunlight. Subtarannean, eyeless animals like the Texan cave salamandar, white crabs and cave angel fish live here, feeding on whatever food or minerals that brought into the cave by the flowing river.
This is indeed an eye opener for me. Although there are no stunning photography in this episode, there are still some beautiful scenes peppered throughout the show.

Retail Theraphy - Gone . Dessert - Yummy!

I must be real tired out yesterday. I woke up only at 1130am today, and I still felt I did not sleep enough. Ate one mee chiam kueh (pancake) with peanut fer breakfast (or should I say brunch) with a warm cup of milo. Yumyum. Watched tv, play on my laptop and ate the other mee chiam kueh at 2 odd.

Got out of the house at 5 odd to meet RL at Novena for some shopping and dinner. We were both hungry, and so decided to go fer dinner 1st. We wanted to try out Harry's but somehow, the staff practically ignored us. And so we settled for dinner at TCC. Food was good, but dessert is even better! Hahaha. We talked and and ate for like 2 over hours, and by the time we are done with our meal, it was already past 9 and most of the shops have closed. Talk about shopping. Haa. But had a nice time though, chatting over dinner. Thanks RL! You were such great company. Shall get my dosage of retail theraphy next time.

Planet Earth - Fresh Water

Fresh water – which contributes to only 3% of all water found on Earth – defines how the life on land is distrubuted. This week’s Planet Earth focuses on this life-giving source, right from where it all starts – rain.
Rain is the source of most fresh water, and with it, the beginnings of a river is formed. A river usually begins as a stream high up in the mountains, and as streams gather, it grows and form a river. And as the river flows, making it journey down the highlands, it will encounter many obstacles. And one of the obstacles that it faces, and definitely the most spectacular, is the waterfall.
At 1000 metres tall, Angel Falls is the highest waterfall found on this planet. As the camera moves from the river to the edge to of the cliff where the river makes a steep descent, one can see the sheer height at which the water falls. Swivelling 360 degrees around Angel Falls, one can see the beauty of the waterfall. The water falls unbroken all the way down, and being so tall, it gets blown away as mist before it hits the river below.
The river has a destructive nature too, and this is vividly demonstrated in Grand Canyon. Carved out by Colorado River, it is the world’s longest canyon system, a 1000 mile scar clearly visible from space.
Animals need freshwater to survive. And to get to the source of fresh water, animals may have to migrate. The wildebeest is one such species. Herds of wildebeest will do the annual migration through the plains to the Mara River for fresh water, and the vast numbers of these animals, when seen from the air, looks like an army of ants moving on the forest floor. Once they reach the river, they will encounter their nemesis, the crocodile. In a sequence, with the speed slowed down (just like the shark sequence in the 1st episode), one can see the crocodile pounce on the wildebeests drinking at the edge of the river with lightning speed, snapping their jaws tight around the animal with a vicelike grip, never letting go till its meal has died.
Where there is a beginning, there will always be an end. For the river, its journey either ends in the sea or lake. The largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Baikal, is home to the Earth’s only freshwater seal. Coupled with the corals that grow in it, Lake Baikal looks more like a sea than fresh water lake. Certainly something that I never knew about till I watched this episode.
This episode is a little bit of a yawn for me. The images are good, but not exactly fantastic and somehow, it sounds more like a documentary made specially for O-levels geography lesson.