hues of sunset @ mandai

Rediscovered a great place to view sunset. Moderately deserted. Saw a few lovable children running around, even a couple having their wedding photo shoot. And of course, the mesmerizing shades of dusk that seems to put a serene full-stop to the buzz of daytime. Perfect for a couple like us.

Le Concert

This movie's plot piqued my interest that I went ahead to watch it without understanding any of the dialogue in its trailer. Le Concert is a French film which sets in Russia, on a janitor of the historic Bolshoi Grand Theater - Andrei Filipov.

Andrei, once regarded the greatest conductor in Russia, was the Maestro of the Bolshoi orchestra thirty years ago. During one of the performances at the height of his career, he was fired and accused of being a traitor for refusing to abandon his Jewish musicians in the same orchestra. That performance was thus disrupted halfway and they never got to perform the Violin Concerto in D major by Tchaikovsky, the Russian composer whose works Andrei is so passionate about, again.

Now a cleaner there, he happened to be cleaning the Bolshoi's director's room when he saw a fax from France's prestigious Chatelet Theater, inviting the current orchestra to perform there. Seeing this as an opportunity to perform once again, he gathered his old musician friends who are now having menial jobs and attempt to pass them off as the Bolshoi orchestra.

Minus the part about the performance being disrupted and the naming of the musical piece, this is what I interpret from the synopsis and trailer. However, I was in for a surprise as this story delves much deeper. Beneath the surface of a madcap comedy portrayed by Andrei's friends is a surprising tragedy and truth that connects everyone of them together.

It helps if you possess some knowledge on the stereotypical representations of Russians and Jews to get the humor but I feel that it just takes an audience who's willing to read deeper into what's shown to 'feel' for the characters here. Even though the middle part of this movie starts to lose some vitality, the ending with le concert makes up for all that it lacks with a brilliant performance of the Tchaikovsky's piece which I feel is like an explosive burst of the whole orchestra's sentiments throughout the thirty years.

shot by rosebullet

Always on the lookout for alternative clothes' brands, my best friend and I discovered Rosebullet a few years ago. At that time, this Japanese label has just been launched in Singapore, the first in the South-East Asian region. I remembered how exhilarated both of us were at finding a label wherein its style is just so, well, our style of dressing - simple and sweet while playing with every details. Plus, we were delighted at not always having to buy from the dominant labels.

Unfortunately, the style of its collections gradually changed to a more flamboyant one, perhaps due to the departure of its Japanese Manager whom I believed was in charged with selecting which apparels and accessories to be brought in here. Hoping that I would finally see a revert back to the original style, I would always be disappointed after stepping out of Isetan, where it is located. Eventually, I stopped going there for my fashion fix.

That was the case till I happened to pass by there again last Saturday. I had the exact feeling when I first saw its clothes that it is like a re-bonding session. I bought a cute navy dress with mini gold studs all over it and received its catalog that showcases its spring/summer collection. I loved the whole package of its presentation - the summer-vacation theme, the choice of colors, and the laid-back style of the clothes - that best encapsulates these two seasons:

CNY oh CNY

Yay! Finally a break!

Even though it's a break from school and not from work (and a very short one too), I'm pretty hyped up knowing that Chinese New Year (CNY) is just around the corner! I'm probably the only one who's that excited for CNY as it's the only time in the year where I get to have the whole family, including both of my sisters' (as they're married), get together and spend some quality time.

Haha I'm in such good mood anticipating that the exhaustion I just accumulated juggling assignments and work for several months wear off when I think of what to decorate my house with for this upcoming festivities. I've bought two gigantic yellow pineapples (a symbol for good fortune and luck) and a lovely 福 (which means the same thing as the pineapple), in which the font is designed with pink and red peonies in cardboard.

I happened to drive past a store selling CNY decors on my way to school when this huge yellow pineapple hanging between two smaller red pineapples caught my eye. I couldn't get the picture of it off my mind for some reason and as I'm always in a rush to school, I didn't stop and purchase them. I was so fixated on them that I told Kevin (my bf) that I must get them.

Thinking they are easily available, I looked for them at similar stores when I passed by them on foot but all of them don't carry this specific pineapple. Fellow Chinese must be thinking 'why' right? That's because the one I eyed on is the largest one - 45 inches - as compared to the ''normal' size of about 20 inches. That supposedly enormous one just seemed like the right size to me that I refused to buy any of biggest ones (30 inches) available there.

When I finally went to that store and purchase them, I was (and still is) elated. Walking away with the pair of $38 pineapples, I was grinning from from ear to ear. Once I reached home, Kevin helped me to set up and stapled them as they were in the initial flattened state.

The moment he helped me hung them up, I couldn't help laughing to myself. They're really huge! Way too big to be hung at the sides of my front door! Kevin was like, 'don't look at me, I told you it's going to be really huge, you're the one who's bent on getting it in this size'. What if my three mischievous little nephew and nieces pull them down?!

As my camera is not working anymore and I'm still contemplating on whether I should splurge on one, I can't upload any photographs on them at the moment. I'll try to upload them soon! Meanwhile, I hope that all the Chinese have as much fun and enjoyment as me preparing for CNY!

頑張ります!

Came across this quote that I like very much:

"The quality of your life depends less on what you are doing with your body, and more on what you are doing with your time and spirit. Keep your soul nourished and everything else will fall into place."

Even though my circumstances resulted in me having a job I don't like, I do feel alive and rejuvenated whenever I'm studying. These steps I'm taking may seem like baby steps, but the time and the joy of working on my chosen field of interest in university constantly remind me that I have to keep moving on to my goal regardless of the odds.

頑張ります! (I'll try my best!)

The Hurt Locker

In the war-torn Iraq of 2004, terrorism is rife. Bombs can be found anywhere, even in the most inconspicuous plastic bags at the roadside amidst the rubble of what might once had been a wall at the nearby building.

In The Hurt Locker, we see the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the US Army is tasked with the perilous mission of defusing these bombs in this hostile landscape.

I may give the idea that I know a lot about this film before I watched it, but I don't. I usually 'do my homework' on movies before I choose to catch them, but in this case, I watched it without knowing anything except a vague description of "many explosions" from my bf.

Which is why it came as a pleasant surprise for me to watch this fabulous movie.

"Real and raw" is what I would describe this dramatization of urban warfare. I love how cinematographer Barry Ackroyd seizes your utmost attention (& panic for me) as he seamlessly weaves the critical scenes into one great film. By capturing both the macro and micro angles, he not only shows tension, but emphasizes on it while adding the 'real' element in it.

Director Kathryn Bigelow does a great job at depicting the insecurity and life of the three soldiers in the Bravo company. This documentary-like film portrays how their daily missions there is like a huge gamble they make on their lives well everyday by just carrying on with their tasks.

This gripping movie has won me over with its brilliant cinematography in fifteen minutes. 116 minutes later, I walked out of the cinema as a fan.

opening of Docs' clinic for the individualistic dresser

September 25 is the grand opening of Dr. Martens concept store in Orchard Central. The theme of this boutique is based on UK, where Docs launched its first series of the iconic 1460 eight-eyelet boots. The name '1460' simply derives from the date it is launched - April Fool's Day 1960.

I love how the spacious store gives off a cozy vibe, like a celebrity without airs. I could read the books on DM's history and skinheads culture (that is Docs' first-ever symbol of subculture), or flip through the 'lookbook' for customers to read and get ideas on how to match with your Dr. Martens' boots while resting on the big burgundy Victorian-styled leather sofas at the center.

If you're interested in DM boots, here's its blog on the latest news in Singapore.

I was too occupied at the official launch there, but I did managed to take some photos (minus the crowd of media friends and buyers ;p):

1. 
   This is a table that functions like a trailer at a cinema. It gives you a 'sneak preview on the next upcoming new arrivals that have not reached Singapore yet.
   
   
   I took this pic a week ago. This is a Vespa scooter that is placed on the window display here. It's designed by local designer Lee Wei Chong, along with the pair of Docs' boots next to it.
   
   
   With the staff from the left - Honglim, Jackson, me and Samantha.
   
   With the gorgeous models who did a runway for the launch. Jackson was laughing his head off when he noticed the height gap between me and them when he took this photo.
   
   
   This is the eye-catching wallpaper that many love. It is on the walls behind the cashier, next to a British flag. And the plastic bag that's like a mini replica of it:
   Look closely... Spot a circled boot? That's one of my boots heez.. And here's the actual one:This is the 'rock star' that I wore to the opening yesterday. Her real name? 'Stella'.

photos update

I'm finally free after a period of endless workload and school work. Here are the photos for these 2 weeks.


Right after exam:

The groggy-eyed gang binging on hot Thai food to relieve the stress accumulated after exam. I had my favorite tom yam soup with glass noodles.

Kenneth's and my birthday cake

This is Kenneth's indulging in his Udder's Bailey's ice-cream. Still can't believe this guy has the exact birthdate as me

From left to right: Daniel, Rosslyn & Joyce. Daniel and Ross are the sweet ones who bought the cake for us. Thanks!

With my closest girlfriends (Just a simple get-together can cause me to be this happy):

Look at how work has done to our face! We just got off work and we look like this already! Haggard level - 3/5


Only Val (the one in black) exudes radiance. Never doubt the magical confidence and radiance that a lady can have when she's getting married ;)


Birthday:

@ Satsuma Shochu Dining Bar. Kevin brought me here 'coz he knows how much I love Japanese cuisine and sakura :)

Enjoying the ambiance... the sake, and the food. Here're some of them:

Scallop with soya milk in claypot

Grilled rice balls

My mini birthday cake with sweet candied potatoes

~Thanks dear!~

Ice-cream version of strawberry shortcake. See the packs of Vitasoy (soya milk) at the corner? Everyone finished it before I could even drink it ;(


Kevin's birthday:

The cake I bought for him - Raspberry cheesecake with almonds

Disney Princesses ice-cream cake from his buddies

top 10 fav animes

Yes, I love watching Japanese animations despite the impression I give to people in person. Here's a list of my all-time favorites:

1. Bartender- it is one of the rare animes that calms you down.
2. Slam Dunk - a classic that all (locally) who plays basketball know about.
3. Liar Game - clever and unique storyline about outsmarting others
4. One Piece - you can never predict what comes next in this insanely long-running but exciting anime
5. Skip Beat - all animes are based on mangas (comics). They are categorized as shounen (boys) and shoujo (girls) mangas. I usually prefer shounen to shoujo mangas, but this shoujo manga has me addicted. It is about a girl's accidental step into the show business.
6. Monster - gripping storyline about a skilled surgeon being framed for murder.
7. Hikaru no Go - about the world of Go (a strategic board game). For those who are interested, I would recommend going straight to reading the manga instead as the drawings and plot are more detailed.
8. The FullMetal Alchemist - a story about alchemy set in the era of the European Industrial Revolution.
9. Claymore - Similar to the function of a weapon of a claymore sword, female warriors who are half-human, half-demon are called a Claymore. These soldiers void of emotions are tasked with killing the demons to protect human race.
   
10. Initial D - about car-racing on hills. Lots and lots of drifts in here.
    

10 places I want to visit

With recession and yet another global virus casting a gloomy dark cloud upon us all, it's no wonder that magazines are dishing out articles on destressing tips.

While having my hair done, I came across this article from one of the magazines in the salon about what you can do to unwind yourself.

In this UK-edition of Marie Claire, a writer suggested that we could come up with a list of 10 destinations we would like to go.
Here's mine (not in order of preference):



1) Palais de I'Equilibre, Neuchatel, Switzerland 2) Northern Lights, Alaska 3) Mount Roy, N.Z. 4) Peruvians

1. Peru: For those archeology-lovers and explorers-at-heart, who could resist not wanting to get lost in the mysterious and rugged beauty of the Sacred Valley of the Inca (there is a village that is constantly occupied for over 500 years!); the vibrant cultures of the indigenous; and part of the majestic Andes mountain?
2. New Zealand: In the beginning of its tourism commercial: "...Welcome. To the youngest country on earth..." Metaphorically true. Natural beauty, mesmerizing glaciers, Mount Cook, Bay of Islands... Need I say more?
3. Japan: Getting your feet sunk in the snow-capped mountains and indulging in hot springs in Hokkaido + filling your desire for incredibly fresh seafood in the Shinkansen (bullet-train) + shrines-divine in Kyoto + youth culture and trendspotting from Harajuku to Shibuya in Tokyo = my kind of holiday :p
4. Alaska, U.S.: Other than the adventurous activities, the one I want to do most over there is to witness the phenomenal Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
5. Tibet: Despite its political conflict with China, one can never ignore Tibet's rich cultural heritage and the Tibetans' deep faith in their religion. Those are what I'm drawn to, plus the expansive rugged mountain terrains and the world's largest canyon. Not forgetting Mt. Everest too, though I'm definitely not up to the task of conquering it, unlike the commendable group of Singapore girls.
6. Rome, Italy: I would love to immerse in the historical architectural sites in which I was in awe with as a child when I read stories about the Roman empire.
   
7. France: Eat, learn (Lourve Museum), and experience (exploring Lyon or walking down the vineyards to the hidden cafe down the alley on the cobblestoned street sounds nice to me).
   
8. Scotland: Castles and highlands galore!
9. England: It's a place where I get creative with my dressing without getting stares on the street! Cities I'm dying to visit - London, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham and York.
   
10. Australia: I want to go there again!

random photos taken during the past 2 weeks

Make a Smilebox slideshow

going gaga over mustangs

Let's face it. Everyone has at least one dream car. I myself have, shamelessly, two dream cars, all of which are the icons of the American muscle.

No. 1 - the Shelby Cobra Snake GT500 '08 edition, complete with 725 horsepower (Woo Hoo!).

Read about it here.


Above: Black stripes over the red base is gorgeous, the color combination in Kelly's MV above is whistle-blowing too.
Bottom: I'm crazy over this bumblebee's color combination as well



No. 2 - the vintage 1967 Shelby GT350 in black with white cobra stripes. Classic!


It's a pity Singapore does not allow these cars to be sold here, which is why I can only look at its pictures. Not that I can afford them now though, that is why they're my 'dream' cars!