New Discovery!!
Raine doesn't ONLY have a weird facination with Korean and Japanese songs.
Yes, it's sad (that I'm not only attracted to Korean music), but yesterday when I was channel surfing during some boring advertisements (Please note the use of the word 'boring'. Some advertisements are worth mentioning, others are boring and as an aspiring advertiser, I have to make this clear distinction known to you.), the 'triangle' channel caught my 110% attention. The triangle channel shows international programmes from around the world and it just so happened that there was a German MTV playing on that channel. At that time, I had no idea that they were singing in German, but I was just so mesmorised by the voices.
It's sung by this female youth choir (or perhaps there were a couple of boys in the choir but I didn't notice them). But their voices, there was just something about it. The MTV wasn't particularly fantastic, or perhaps it was how the 30 odd choir members clad in black were all seated or standing in this big room, singing beautifully with straight faces that caught my attention. Nevertheless, their young soprano voices carried across this uplifting yet powerful ensemble. Fantastic!
Scala and Kolacny Brothers (choir name!!) presents 'Schrei nach Liebe' (good luck with the pronounciation).
So to add to my growing facination with foreign songs:
1) KOREAN SONGS - K-Pop to be exact.
2) JAP RAP and OTHER SONGS - something about 'em screaming girls and cute/catchy bounce to the songs.
3) CHINESE SONGS - not totally foreign, but some of 'em lyrics are gorgeous.
4) FRENCH RAP - classy yet street-smart, invincible combination.
NEW!!! 5) GERMAN YOUTH CHOIR - there's just an unexplanable 'UMPF' to it.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
Like an overdressed, out-of-place DORK
Yes, that's how I feel. Like an over-dressed, out-of-place, insignificant dork wandering around aimlessly in a foreign country, knowing full well that I am out of place but still trying to act as if I could possibly fit it, perhaps maybe even a little bit.
It's weird. Just last year, I would have felt comfortable walking around in uni grounds, perhaps not so much with the city campus (that's still a maze to me with big scary buildings and a vast sea of people with agendas) but at least I would fit a little more - I would probably be dressed more appropriately, and carrying a much bigger and less flash bag. I would still have a lost look on my face whenever I'm in the city campus, but at least I felt confident in my appearance.
And here I am today, dressed more sophisticatedly than a lot of these uni students which perhaps suggests more confidence - BULLOCKS.
Half an hour DRAGS ON........
Moral of the story: don't be late, but NEVER be early - always be on time.
It's weird. Just last year, I would have felt comfortable walking around in uni grounds, perhaps not so much with the city campus (that's still a maze to me with big scary buildings and a vast sea of people with agendas) but at least I would fit a little more - I would probably be dressed more appropriately, and carrying a much bigger and less flash bag. I would still have a lost look on my face whenever I'm in the city campus, but at least I felt confident in my appearance.
And here I am today, dressed more sophisticatedly than a lot of these uni students which perhaps suggests more confidence - BULLOCKS.
Half an hour DRAGS ON........
Moral of the story: don't be late, but NEVER be early - always be on time.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Butterflies, Booze, Boredom, and Bliss
I should have blogged about the butterflies yesterday, but I was far too tired last night - couldn't even stay awake in cell group *oopsy*.
Since Thursday last week, we've been running around at work, getting this Sping Feature up and running, I haven't had a breather! Monday was similar to Friday - a hectic, panic rush - and Tuesday likewise. However, Wednesday (yesterday) was the last of all this drama. That was the day everything needed to be done and sent away to production and that meant the end of stress, rushed lunches, and overtime.
To end the Spring Feature on Wednesday, I had an appointment at the Butterfly Creek to take pictures for their feature. I've never been to the Butterfly Creek - a butterfly enclosure, mini-scale farm and lots of other attractions. I was a little nervous at the start and I had all rights to be. If Raine was afraid of a tiny ladybug, imagine a big butterfly, correction, LOTS of butterflies. Any insect is a big no-no for me.
I met Chris Sanders at the Butterfly Creek and he took me on a free tour of the grounds. We had to pass the fish tanks to get to the butterfly enclosure, where Chris proudly introduced me to several of their fishes, including their 'Nemo and Dory' tank. Then we got to the butterfly enclosure. I wasn't sure what to expect with this being my frist time. The moment I stepped through the door into the enclosure, I was greeted by a big butterfly flying right across in front of me. That gave me a shock and I retreated with a tiny (I've got to maintain a reasonably professional image in front of the client) yelp "yymmmmyyymmmmmm". Right there in front of me were many different sizes of butterflies and moths flying around freely, interacting with all the tourists in the enclosure. There was a senior citizen group touring the enclosure. I could see they were having a blast. I, on the other hand, couldn't feel at ease. My whole body was tensed, fidgeting and shying away as a butterfly flew within a metre of me. An elderly couple smiled at my sillyness, assuring me that the butterflies were harmless. I still beg to differ. One scary image was when a butterfly landed on the goldenish white hair of a tourist. I DIDN'T, WOULDN'T, COULDN'T dare to think that, at that moment, a butterfly could be on my head.
I got star treatment though. Chris got a butterfly keeper to climb over the fence into the garden to retrieve a massive moth of palm size so that I could take a picture of it. He settled it nicely on a big palm leaf. Chris told me to move slowly towards it or else it might fly off - AND I WAS REALLY SLOW IN MY APPROACH - I'm not risking a massive moth flying in front of me. After several good shots, the 'actor' took a break, taking off. I was clear of his path when he did that - PHEW. Chris himself climbed over the fence to take a picture of a butterfly on a flower. We also spotted this moth which had landed on the back shoulder of a tourist. I didn't miss my opportunity to take a photo, and seeked permission from the lady afterwards to have her picture in the advertisement which she gladly agreed to.
Thankfully - MUCH TO MY RELIEF - we left the enclosure and headed over to the baby animal farm (very much harmless). There was a group of kindergarden children on a field trip and we managed to obtain permission from a parent to take a 'cutie' shot of her little girl and a baby lamb.
After I left the Butterfly Creek, I was feeling weird all around, flicking through my hair to make sure no butterfly was hiding underneath and I was thankful to be dressed appropriately in black that day - butterflies are attracted to bright colours.
I wonder if butterflies poo? Well, I got my answer when I got back to the office and asked my colleagues - YES
The rest of the afternoon was spent taking somemore photos and loading the last of the photos onto the computer. The 2 sales reps I take photos for surprised me with a bottle of wine and chocolates to thank me for the hard work. I guess all that 'suffering' in the butterfly enclosure paid off huh! But I felt a little bad receiving a gift. Afterall, it was my job to take photos of what they tell me to. But then I reasoned...if they were getting commission from selling all those ads, a bottle of wine and some chocs wouldn't severely harm their commission. It was really nice of them to get me something and it felt good to be appreciated, forgetting all about the chaos and stress I had in the past few days. To celebrate the close of the spring feature rush, Julie gave us an early end to the day.
Today was weird, and I wasn't the only one who felt that way. It was a little like going cold turkey. We didn't know what to do and everyone was drumming their fingers at their desk feeling all 'empty' in a way. It was weird, going from HECTIC HECTIC HECTIC to almost boredom. And our brains finally had a chance to process our hunger coz at noon sharp, we were all in the lunchroom scoffing down our lunch. I loved the boredom. I tried to look as busy as I could so that I could savour the boredom a little longer, praying hard that Trish and Mason wouldn't give me more work. We were finally able to re-adjust ourselves to our usual workload. The Spring Feature had thrown us completely off track and it was nice to have our workload return to normal.
After all that hard work, the spring feature that's coming out in the first week of October better look good OR ELSE.............
Since Thursday last week, we've been running around at work, getting this Sping Feature up and running, I haven't had a breather! Monday was similar to Friday - a hectic, panic rush - and Tuesday likewise. However, Wednesday (yesterday) was the last of all this drama. That was the day everything needed to be done and sent away to production and that meant the end of stress, rushed lunches, and overtime.
To end the Spring Feature on Wednesday, I had an appointment at the Butterfly Creek to take pictures for their feature. I've never been to the Butterfly Creek - a butterfly enclosure, mini-scale farm and lots of other attractions. I was a little nervous at the start and I had all rights to be. If Raine was afraid of a tiny ladybug, imagine a big butterfly, correction, LOTS of butterflies. Any insect is a big no-no for me.
I met Chris Sanders at the Butterfly Creek and he took me on a free tour of the grounds. We had to pass the fish tanks to get to the butterfly enclosure, where Chris proudly introduced me to several of their fishes, including their 'Nemo and Dory' tank. Then we got to the butterfly enclosure. I wasn't sure what to expect with this being my frist time. The moment I stepped through the door into the enclosure, I was greeted by a big butterfly flying right across in front of me. That gave me a shock and I retreated with a tiny (I've got to maintain a reasonably professional image in front of the client) yelp "yymmmmyyymmmmmm". Right there in front of me were many different sizes of butterflies and moths flying around freely, interacting with all the tourists in the enclosure. There was a senior citizen group touring the enclosure. I could see they were having a blast. I, on the other hand, couldn't feel at ease. My whole body was tensed, fidgeting and shying away as a butterfly flew within a metre of me. An elderly couple smiled at my sillyness, assuring me that the butterflies were harmless. I still beg to differ. One scary image was when a butterfly landed on the goldenish white hair of a tourist. I DIDN'T, WOULDN'T, COULDN'T dare to think that, at that moment, a butterfly could be on my head.
I got star treatment though. Chris got a butterfly keeper to climb over the fence into the garden to retrieve a massive moth of palm size so that I could take a picture of it. He settled it nicely on a big palm leaf. Chris told me to move slowly towards it or else it might fly off - AND I WAS REALLY SLOW IN MY APPROACH - I'm not risking a massive moth flying in front of me. After several good shots, the 'actor' took a break, taking off. I was clear of his path when he did that - PHEW. Chris himself climbed over the fence to take a picture of a butterfly on a flower. We also spotted this moth which had landed on the back shoulder of a tourist. I didn't miss my opportunity to take a photo, and seeked permission from the lady afterwards to have her picture in the advertisement which she gladly agreed to.
Thankfully - MUCH TO MY RELIEF - we left the enclosure and headed over to the baby animal farm (very much harmless). There was a group of kindergarden children on a field trip and we managed to obtain permission from a parent to take a 'cutie' shot of her little girl and a baby lamb.
After I left the Butterfly Creek, I was feeling weird all around, flicking through my hair to make sure no butterfly was hiding underneath and I was thankful to be dressed appropriately in black that day - butterflies are attracted to bright colours.
I wonder if butterflies poo? Well, I got my answer when I got back to the office and asked my colleagues - YES
The rest of the afternoon was spent taking somemore photos and loading the last of the photos onto the computer. The 2 sales reps I take photos for surprised me with a bottle of wine and chocolates to thank me for the hard work. I guess all that 'suffering' in the butterfly enclosure paid off huh! But I felt a little bad receiving a gift. Afterall, it was my job to take photos of what they tell me to. But then I reasoned...if they were getting commission from selling all those ads, a bottle of wine and some chocs wouldn't severely harm their commission. It was really nice of them to get me something and it felt good to be appreciated, forgetting all about the chaos and stress I had in the past few days. To celebrate the close of the spring feature rush, Julie gave us an early end to the day.
Today was weird, and I wasn't the only one who felt that way. It was a little like going cold turkey. We didn't know what to do and everyone was drumming their fingers at their desk feeling all 'empty' in a way. It was weird, going from HECTIC HECTIC HECTIC to almost boredom. And our brains finally had a chance to process our hunger coz at noon sharp, we were all in the lunchroom scoffing down our lunch. I loved the boredom. I tried to look as busy as I could so that I could savour the boredom a little longer, praying hard that Trish and Mason wouldn't give me more work. We were finally able to re-adjust ourselves to our usual workload. The Spring Feature had thrown us completely off track and it was nice to have our workload return to normal.
After all that hard work, the spring feature that's coming out in the first week of October better look good OR ELSE.............
Sunday, September 18, 2005
A happy sort of boredom
I'm bored. Bored bored bored.
I don't know what I WANT to do.
I want to watch tv, but I don't know which show (the many vcds I have to choose from) to watch.
I want to sew, but I'm lazy to set up the sewing machine and I don't know what to sew.
I want to sleep, but it's a little too early.
I want to read, but I don't have a book I'm dying to read and I don't want to waste time reading anything.
I want to practice my Korean, but I can't really be bothered talking to myself. Same goes for French.
I want to stay on the computer, there's nothing compelling me to stay on further.
I don't know what I WANT to do.
I want to watch tv, but I don't know which show (the many vcds I have to choose from) to watch.
I want to sew, but I'm lazy to set up the sewing machine and I don't know what to sew.
I want to sleep, but it's a little too early.
I want to read, but I don't have a book I'm dying to read and I don't want to waste time reading anything.
I want to practice my Korean, but I can't really be bothered talking to myself. Same goes for French.
I want to stay on the computer, there's nothing compelling me to stay on further.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Double Whammy
Today, I went for a haircut. It was 'about time' according to my hair-stylist. When I came for my appointment, she joked that I came 'once every year' when in actual fact, the last time I went was only at the end of April, but according to her, having a haircut or trim should be once every 8-10 weeks. Anyway, I was getting a little bored with my hair (feeling a little heavy) and I wanted a change but yet keeping the length. It feels heaps lighter now and guess what? I got 'conned' into buying products. Coz she was complaining how my hair was much dryer than before and shooked her head when I told her what shampoo and conditioner I used. Haha...always happens, so I ended up spending another $103 on top of my haircut. Fantastic huh!
The end result? See for yourself!
This evening, we also rented 2 movies and watched it back-to-back from 6.30pm till 10pm. The first was 'The Pacifier'. It was quite a funny movie, it's strange seeing Vin Diesel as the Nanny, but it's a predictable plot, especially when Arnie has acted as a kindergarden teacher before. But the weirdest, and most wrong image in the movie was at the end when the hero kisses his object of affection: Vin Diesel and Lorelai Gilmore??? Okay, her real name is Lauren Graham but all I see is Lorelai and it's a totally wrong matchmake - URGH!!
But the second movie was fantastic!! Bride and Prejudice entertained me all night. Bollywood movies are hilarious, how they sing and run between trees and play peek-a-boo behind pillars. Bride and Prejudice had some classic Indian singing and dancing, but it was mixed with a little touch of American and British so it was really cool. I even replayed some scenes after the movie just for kicks. The double whammy?? Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) was in the movie. She was the little sister of Will Darcy (the lead actor).
That made my day!! Lorelai in The Pacifier and Rory in Bride and Prejudice - and I didn't even need to see Gilmore Girls for this invincible combi. I applaud my choice of movies tonight!
The end result? See for yourself!
This evening, we also rented 2 movies and watched it back-to-back from 6.30pm till 10pm. The first was 'The Pacifier'. It was quite a funny movie, it's strange seeing Vin Diesel as the Nanny, but it's a predictable plot, especially when Arnie has acted as a kindergarden teacher before. But the weirdest, and most wrong image in the movie was at the end when the hero kisses his object of affection: Vin Diesel and Lorelai Gilmore??? Okay, her real name is Lauren Graham but all I see is Lorelai and it's a totally wrong matchmake - URGH!!
But the second movie was fantastic!! Bride and Prejudice entertained me all night. Bollywood movies are hilarious, how they sing and run between trees and play peek-a-boo behind pillars. Bride and Prejudice had some classic Indian singing and dancing, but it was mixed with a little touch of American and British so it was really cool. I even replayed some scenes after the movie just for kicks. The double whammy?? Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) was in the movie. She was the little sister of Will Darcy (the lead actor).
That made my day!! Lorelai in The Pacifier and Rory in Bride and Prejudice - and I didn't even need to see Gilmore Girls for this invincible combi. I applaud my choice of movies tonight!
Friday, September 16, 2005
S.O.S. for hugs
Laura...I need a hug!!
Nikiyoko...I need a hug!!
Today is one of those days where I come home, needy for hugs, but no one to give it to me. One, Laura - my usual hugging buddy - is all the way at Palmy. Nikiyoko - my occassional hugging buddy (remember, during the couple of months you stayed with us) - is obviously back at home and not within convenient reach. Mum and dad - my 'only home after 5.45pm' hugging buddies - were of course not home at 5.30pm when I most needed the hug. And my boyfriend - my completely non-existent hugging buddy - couldn't help me there. So there I was, standing at our front door staring into an empty home, panging for hugs...
It was a hectic, chaotic and stressful day at work today...not only did I start the day wrong with a bad choice of sandals which gave me blisters, stepping into a puddle of muddy water was uncalled for and I had appointments lined up back to back, giving me hardly any time to regain my composure before heading off to the next venue. It was insane and right now, I am completely exhausted, zombed out and I just want to curl up on bed and zzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Why such a hectic day? Coz of this new one-off spring feature that the big big boss decided to SPRING upon all the suburban newspapers. Everyone has to sell into a spring feature for their specific region, i.e. Mangere will have their own spring feature, Manurewa will have one, so will Manukau city and etc. While the Sales Reps are busy selling the ads and the reporters are busy writing up the advertorials, we, the co-ordinators are busy running around taking pictures for the ads.
And all this is on top of what we usually have to do. Want some inside juice to my day as a photographer?
8.30am
Work starts. Emailing clients with the proofs of their ads, loading pictures onto the computer.
9.30am
First appointment to take photos at the Mangere Cosmopolitan Club.
10am
Second appointment at Apex Cars (luckily it was next door to the previous appointment). It was at this fateful yard that I stepped into a puddle of muddy water, so after taking the photos, I had to rush to Mangere Town Centre and find myself a public toilet to wash my feet.
11am
Third appointment at Hong Kong Canton Restaurant at Papakura. I also bought lunch from my client's place, but I didn't eat it just yet.
11.40pm
Went for my fourth appointment at Furniture Shack at Papatoetoe, taking more pictures. It was at this client's place that I discovered my camera was running out of battery. It was auto-shutting after every pic I took which was frustrating but also scary from the fear of it shutting down anytime - most probably at a terrible, most unfortunate time. The worst part...I HAD AN ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AT 12.30pm!!!
12pm
Rushed back to the office which was along the way from the Furniture Shack at Papatoetoe to my next appointment at Manurewa. There, I charged my camera battery for 10 minutes, making use of this 10 minutes to use the toilet -my morning 2 glasses of water bursting to get out and quench my thirst - forgot to take a bottle of water for the road.
12.30pm
I was at my next appointment in Manurewa, taking photos of this hair-dresser.
12.50pm
LUNCH!! Finally, a break.
1.15pm
Work work work!! I obviously had other work waiting for me at the office to do as well. This spring feature is additional work, on top of our usual workload and that's why it's been so stressful coz while everyone is going around and getting this spring feature up and running, we also have to maintain relationships with our usual clients.
2.30pm
I had to stop some work I was doing halfway to rush out for another photograph appointment all the way at Onehunga.
3.15pm
Finally, back at the office for the day and I had to rush finish the copy of an ad and then I had to load all the pics I took today and that just occupied all my time till it was 5pm - TO MY RELIEF!!
I was so stressed out after this whole day of running around, I decided to treat myself to an ice cream so I headed over to Manukau Westfield Shopping Mall after work and bought myself a New Zealand Natural ice cream cone. You know how when you are stressed and you want to indulge in sinful food to feel better, ...well...IT DIDN'T WORK!! How upsetting!! I even got 2 of my favourite flavours: Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Caffe Espresso!! POOOOZZZ!! Maybe if it was Moven Pic it could have done the trick, but I was disappointed. I still felt just as stressed and not even a slightest bit of bliss.
So ladies out there who uses stress as an excuse to eat junk - who are you fooling!!
Nikiyoko...I need a hug!!
Today is one of those days where I come home, needy for hugs, but no one to give it to me. One, Laura - my usual hugging buddy - is all the way at Palmy. Nikiyoko - my occassional hugging buddy (remember, during the couple of months you stayed with us) - is obviously back at home and not within convenient reach. Mum and dad - my 'only home after 5.45pm' hugging buddies - were of course not home at 5.30pm when I most needed the hug. And my boyfriend - my completely non-existent hugging buddy - couldn't help me there. So there I was, standing at our front door staring into an empty home, panging for hugs...
It was a hectic, chaotic and stressful day at work today...not only did I start the day wrong with a bad choice of sandals which gave me blisters, stepping into a puddle of muddy water was uncalled for and I had appointments lined up back to back, giving me hardly any time to regain my composure before heading off to the next venue. It was insane and right now, I am completely exhausted, zombed out and I just want to curl up on bed and zzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Why such a hectic day? Coz of this new one-off spring feature that the big big boss decided to SPRING upon all the suburban newspapers. Everyone has to sell into a spring feature for their specific region, i.e. Mangere will have their own spring feature, Manurewa will have one, so will Manukau city and etc. While the Sales Reps are busy selling the ads and the reporters are busy writing up the advertorials, we, the co-ordinators are busy running around taking pictures for the ads.
And all this is on top of what we usually have to do. Want some inside juice to my day as a photographer?
8.30am
Work starts. Emailing clients with the proofs of their ads, loading pictures onto the computer.
9.30am
First appointment to take photos at the Mangere Cosmopolitan Club.
10am
Second appointment at Apex Cars (luckily it was next door to the previous appointment). It was at this fateful yard that I stepped into a puddle of muddy water, so after taking the photos, I had to rush to Mangere Town Centre and find myself a public toilet to wash my feet.
11am
Third appointment at Hong Kong Canton Restaurant at Papakura. I also bought lunch from my client's place, but I didn't eat it just yet.
11.40pm
Went for my fourth appointment at Furniture Shack at Papatoetoe, taking more pictures. It was at this client's place that I discovered my camera was running out of battery. It was auto-shutting after every pic I took which was frustrating but also scary from the fear of it shutting down anytime - most probably at a terrible, most unfortunate time. The worst part...I HAD AN ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AT 12.30pm!!!
12pm
Rushed back to the office which was along the way from the Furniture Shack at Papatoetoe to my next appointment at Manurewa. There, I charged my camera battery for 10 minutes, making use of this 10 minutes to use the toilet -my morning 2 glasses of water bursting to get out and quench my thirst - forgot to take a bottle of water for the road.
12.30pm
I was at my next appointment in Manurewa, taking photos of this hair-dresser.
12.50pm
LUNCH!! Finally, a break.
1.15pm
Work work work!! I obviously had other work waiting for me at the office to do as well. This spring feature is additional work, on top of our usual workload and that's why it's been so stressful coz while everyone is going around and getting this spring feature up and running, we also have to maintain relationships with our usual clients.
2.30pm
I had to stop some work I was doing halfway to rush out for another photograph appointment all the way at Onehunga.
3.15pm
Finally, back at the office for the day and I had to rush finish the copy of an ad and then I had to load all the pics I took today and that just occupied all my time till it was 5pm - TO MY RELIEF!!
I was so stressed out after this whole day of running around, I decided to treat myself to an ice cream so I headed over to Manukau Westfield Shopping Mall after work and bought myself a New Zealand Natural ice cream cone. You know how when you are stressed and you want to indulge in sinful food to feel better, ...well...IT DIDN'T WORK!! How upsetting!! I even got 2 of my favourite flavours: Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Caffe Espresso!! POOOOZZZ!! Maybe if it was Moven Pic it could have done the trick, but I was disappointed. I still felt just as stressed and not even a slightest bit of bliss.
So ladies out there who uses stress as an excuse to eat junk - who are you fooling!!
Monday, September 12, 2005
Senior Coordinator
Today was the first day for the new co-ordinator. She didn't seem as enthusiastic as Julie, the assistant manager who interviewed her, had said she was, but I guess it's the first day jitters. Soon she'll feel totally comfy in our whacky environment.
The funny thing: I was introduced to her as the senior coordinator - AND I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE SINCE THE START OF FEB. There are several interpretations to that:
1) I'm OLD - seennniiiiooooorrr!!
2) I'm still stuck at this job - I never moved on while others did...loser!
3) I've got loads of experience - I would love it to be this, but loads of experience usually comes hand in hand with being OLD - see point one for further explanation.
Oh well...I don't have long to go...82 more days till I quit - ooh...that came out wrong, I sound very 'wang(4) en(1) fu(4) yi(4)' don't I? What I meant was that I can't wait to...er...quit *yea, quit was the right word* coz after that, I'll be in Singapore and hopefully with a job I enjoy more!! But of course, this one year of work experience as an advertising coordinator has taught me heaps too and geared me up for the working life...haha...now I'm being 'ying(2) shui(3) si(1) yuan(2)'.
Gosh...2 chinese proverbs in one paragraph? Is this really Raine talking??
The funny thing: I was introduced to her as the senior coordinator - AND I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE SINCE THE START OF FEB. There are several interpretations to that:
1) I'm OLD - seennniiiiooooorrr!!
2) I'm still stuck at this job - I never moved on while others did...loser!
3) I've got loads of experience - I would love it to be this, but loads of experience usually comes hand in hand with being OLD - see point one for further explanation.
Oh well...I don't have long to go...82 more days till I quit - ooh...that came out wrong, I sound very 'wang(4) en(1) fu(4) yi(4)' don't I? What I meant was that I can't wait to...er...quit *yea, quit was the right word* coz after that, I'll be in Singapore and hopefully with a job I enjoy more!! But of course, this one year of work experience as an advertising coordinator has taught me heaps too and geared me up for the working life...haha...now I'm being 'ying(2) shui(3) si(1) yuan(2)'.
Gosh...2 chinese proverbs in one paragraph? Is this really Raine talking??
Sunday, September 11, 2005
What is my calling?
Raine vs Times Square? Is this the path I choose to take, where lies become truth and wants become needs? Can I make it big in this dog-eat-dog universe, yet keeping my principles and morals preserved?
"Sometimes I wonder what lies ahead
How long till my hunger is fed
They say it's hard to make it in this part of town
So many people on this merry-go-round
Some folks try astrology
Some turn to crystal balls
To find an answer,
To get through it all
I just fall on my knees and I try to pray
In the silence I can hear Him say
The river runs and the river hides
Out to the ocean and under the sky
I promise you, the answer will come
Hold on to patience and watch for the sign
Everything in its time"
:: Everything In Its Time - Written by Corrinne May Ying Foo & Carole Bayer Sager ::
Clayderman Resurrected
Just the other day, I decided to touch our piano keyboard which has been neglected for ages and to my horror, I discovered that I had forgotten how to play the only piano piece I know - DISASTER!!
That's the ONLY piano piece I know (not including chopsticks, which I'm still a beginner at) - how could I possibly face the world?? At least when I knew that one piano piece, I could still hop on the piano and show off as if I knew how to play fantastically, but that day, I felt utterly hopeless, a disappointment to the music industry.
With the help of Laura and a lot of counting - counting the number of lines and spaces from the middle C to the little black dot that's sitting on the fence and then matching the keys on the keyboard to that number - and with a lot of noise pollution at 11pm at night, I finally managed to resurrect Richard Clayderman and his 'Ballade Pour Adeline'.
Now I can continue to fool the world with my 'brillant' piano skills.
That's the ONLY piano piece I know (not including chopsticks, which I'm still a beginner at) - how could I possibly face the world?? At least when I knew that one piano piece, I could still hop on the piano and show off as if I knew how to play fantastically, but that day, I felt utterly hopeless, a disappointment to the music industry.
With the help of Laura and a lot of counting - counting the number of lines and spaces from the middle C to the little black dot that's sitting on the fence and then matching the keys on the keyboard to that number - and with a lot of noise pollution at 11pm at night, I finally managed to resurrect Richard Clayderman and his 'Ballade Pour Adeline'.
Now I can continue to fool the world with my 'brillant' piano skills.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Regret and Remorse
We just got back from the city. Tonight, we had dinner at The Orbit in the Sky Tower. The Orbit is a revolving restaurant at the top of Sky Tower and it has amazing views. We decided to use Father's Day as an excuse to treat ourselves to some posh dining - my kind of restaurant. I told myself that in future, if I ever do open a restaurant, it'll be one of those posh restaurants, which serves a miserable portion of food on a MASSIVE plate with elaborate decors, charging $30 for it.
Anyway...dinner was good. I had salmon, always a good choice. But dessert...ahhhh...
I was tossing between 2 and decided to go for the "Hazelnut and Fudge Chocolate Tartlet". The waiter told me it was a good choice, that I would not regret this decision. LIAR. The moment the plate of dessert came, I felt this immediate familar feeling - the feeling of greed, regret and remorse. Taking the first bite into the devine piece of tartlet proved to be worse...with each bite came "why did I let greed make the decision?", "why didn't I top after mains?" and "why couldn't I have chosen a slightly less sinful dessert?"
To relief my 'suffering', I offered daddy and mummy a share in my sinfulness.
Anyway...dinner was good. I had salmon, always a good choice. But dessert...ahhhh...
I was tossing between 2 and decided to go for the "Hazelnut and Fudge Chocolate Tartlet". The waiter told me it was a good choice, that I would not regret this decision. LIAR. The moment the plate of dessert came, I felt this immediate familar feeling - the feeling of greed, regret and remorse. Taking the first bite into the devine piece of tartlet proved to be worse...with each bite came "why did I let greed make the decision?", "why didn't I top after mains?" and "why couldn't I have chosen a slightly less sinful dessert?"
To relief my 'suffering', I offered daddy and mummy a share in my sinfulness.
P.S. POOOZ!!
I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!!
Laura just came back from Palmy yesterday and in the evening, she played Kingdom Hearts and POOOOOOZ!!!!! She tagged that stupid star in less than 10 minutes and I can't believe there I was trying and trying and trying for almost an hour. Life is unfair! How come I suck so badly at Playstation?!?! POOOZ.
Laura just came back from Palmy yesterday and in the evening, she played Kingdom Hearts and POOOOOOZ!!!!! She tagged that stupid star in less than 10 minutes and I can't believe there I was trying and trying and trying for almost an hour. Life is unfair! How come I suck so badly at Playstation?!?! POOOZ.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Winter and Summer
Have you ever been in a place, where there's winter and summer happening at the same time? Well...welcome to my lovely home.
While it's COLD downstairs (here I am, currently wrapped in a blanket in front of the computer)...it's WARM upstairs (I could practically walk around in my short skirt)...WEIRD!
Today was a busy day at work. Usually on a Friday, I'm sitting at my desk, twidling my fingers and either reading a storybook or comic, doing Sudoku (a number placing game) or drawing some stickman figures (I've become quite a pro at drawing stickmen)...but today...AWWWW. I've learnt my lesson...when I have nothing to do, don't take out a comic to read or a pen to draw, always look busy and so that way your colleague wouldn't give you more work. But I know that's very sneaky. If I'm free, why not ay? Well I'll tell you why not...coz today, things started piling up...from what looked like a very relaxing Friday or one that kept me on my toes all the way till 5pm! I'm not complaining or anything, I need to start training myself up for the Singapore workforce which would probably be 10 times worse than today, EVERYDAY!!!
So anyway...I'm exhausted and almost dead! TGIF is such a fantastic saying...cheers to whoever came up with this phrase.
While it's COLD downstairs (here I am, currently wrapped in a blanket in front of the computer)...it's WARM upstairs (I could practically walk around in my short skirt)...WEIRD!
Today was a busy day at work. Usually on a Friday, I'm sitting at my desk, twidling my fingers and either reading a storybook or comic, doing Sudoku (a number placing game) or drawing some stickman figures (I've become quite a pro at drawing stickmen)...but today...AWWWW. I've learnt my lesson...when I have nothing to do, don't take out a comic to read or a pen to draw, always look busy and so that way your colleague wouldn't give you more work. But I know that's very sneaky. If I'm free, why not ay? Well I'll tell you why not...coz today, things started piling up...from what looked like a very relaxing Friday or one that kept me on my toes all the way till 5pm! I'm not complaining or anything, I need to start training myself up for the Singapore workforce which would probably be 10 times worse than today, EVERYDAY!!!
So anyway...I'm exhausted and almost dead! TGIF is such a fantastic saying...cheers to whoever came up with this phrase.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Dear Lord Jesus...
I thank You for this awesome night of fellowship, for gathering these amazing people together to have an awesome time of discussion, to share in Your wonders and Your amazing love. We had a very fantastic evening of sharing, with some opening up more to us and sharing on a more personal level tonight. I feel that this is a fantastic step towards Your kingdom and I pray for Your hand to work among us, to reach out and touch the lives that You have strategically place in our midst.
Tonight, several questions were raised, some trivial in comparison to the ultimate picture of your love, grace and mercy, but all were important. It gave us knowledge of what to say and do in situations when we are asked these questions by others. Lord, I feel strengthen with this knowledge and I pray for wisdom when placed in these situations, so that all of us may know how to use Your word, our life examples and through action to move lives.
Lord, I'd like to pray for each and everyone of us, and for those who are in our thoughts and constant prayers. I thank You for the many lives You are changing through baptism, and I pray for those newly baptised, that they will continue in their journey with you Lord, serving the best that they can in their ministry of calling. I'd also like to lift up to You those who are struggling with their Christian walk and for those who have gone astray. I pray for Your presence to come among them, to help them along in this time of difficulty and to pick them up and carry them through whatever obstacles that they are facing. I also pray for those who are actively sharing Your word with others. I pray for each and every opportunity that comes their way, that they will be an open vessel for You to work through them to reach out, to evangelise and to spread Your love.
Lord, I'd like to pray for this awesome group of friends, who are so full of Your love and so ready to share about You with others. Lord, I can see us growing in faith and in our spiritual walk with You, and I pray that we will continue to grow and be a loving example to others.
I'd just like to close this blogprayer with a meaningful scripture passage that sums up who You are and the way we should lead our lives.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and 13 says "4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails...13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE."
Through Your Holy Name, I Pray.
Amen.
Tonight, several questions were raised, some trivial in comparison to the ultimate picture of your love, grace and mercy, but all were important. It gave us knowledge of what to say and do in situations when we are asked these questions by others. Lord, I feel strengthen with this knowledge and I pray for wisdom when placed in these situations, so that all of us may know how to use Your word, our life examples and through action to move lives.
Lord, I'd like to pray for each and everyone of us, and for those who are in our thoughts and constant prayers. I thank You for the many lives You are changing through baptism, and I pray for those newly baptised, that they will continue in their journey with you Lord, serving the best that they can in their ministry of calling. I'd also like to lift up to You those who are struggling with their Christian walk and for those who have gone astray. I pray for Your presence to come among them, to help them along in this time of difficulty and to pick them up and carry them through whatever obstacles that they are facing. I also pray for those who are actively sharing Your word with others. I pray for each and every opportunity that comes their way, that they will be an open vessel for You to work through them to reach out, to evangelise and to spread Your love.
Lord, I'd like to pray for this awesome group of friends, who are so full of Your love and so ready to share about You with others. Lord, I can see us growing in faith and in our spiritual walk with You, and I pray that we will continue to grow and be a loving example to others.
I'd just like to close this blogprayer with a meaningful scripture passage that sums up who You are and the way we should lead our lives.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and 13 says "4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails...13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE."
Through Your Holy Name, I Pray.
Amen.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
MY 'Cave Of The Golden Rose'
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *breathe* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *breathe* AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
*breathe*breathe*breathe*breathe*breathe*
This is the 4th entry of the day! Goodness!! Somedays I just talk a lot huh!!
I found my FAV FAV FAV FAV FAV show selling on DVD!!! My FAV FAV show!!! When I was very very young, I watched 'The Cave Of The Golden Rose' and I fell in love with it. It was my favourite show ever and they always showed it on one of the Malaysian channels during the Christmas period, but I don't think I have ever caught every single episode of this mini series. There's about 5 episodes I think. I've always been searching for this series. Last time, while surfing the net, I saw an online chatboard and heaps of people were asking where they could get the dvd but no one seemed to know and today, I found it. I actually found a website that sells it!!! Go www.cinecityplanet.com!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!
BUT...(why must there always be a 'but', and several 'but's may I add)...one very important skepticism I have is the legitimacy of this website. Is it safe to buy online? My second 'BUT' goes to the fact that they don't have the entire series...the english version is incomplete, missing the 5th episode which contains the last 2 parts of the show, HOW POOZ. And the biggest hindrance, which actually isn't much of a hindrance since my motto in life is that 'money can be earned back' is that it costs Euro 170. It just makes it more risky if the website is dodgy.
I also found this other website, I think it's a german or italian or spanish (can't tell) version of trade me and someone was selling their second hand DVD set for only 25 Euros. But, the bidding had closed and it was sold this year in Feb!! I missed it!! POOZ...but even if that was the case, I wouldn't know how to go about it coz the entire website was in german or italian or spanish (can't tell). SOB SOB SOB.
I'm so CLOSE, and yet so FAR!
*breathe*breathe*breathe*breathe*breathe*
This is the 4th entry of the day! Goodness!! Somedays I just talk a lot huh!!
I found my FAV FAV FAV FAV FAV show selling on DVD!!! My FAV FAV show!!! When I was very very young, I watched 'The Cave Of The Golden Rose' and I fell in love with it. It was my favourite show ever and they always showed it on one of the Malaysian channels during the Christmas period, but I don't think I have ever caught every single episode of this mini series. There's about 5 episodes I think. I've always been searching for this series. Last time, while surfing the net, I saw an online chatboard and heaps of people were asking where they could get the dvd but no one seemed to know and today, I found it. I actually found a website that sells it!!! Go www.cinecityplanet.com!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!
BUT...(why must there always be a 'but', and several 'but's may I add)...one very important skepticism I have is the legitimacy of this website. Is it safe to buy online? My second 'BUT' goes to the fact that they don't have the entire series...the english version is incomplete, missing the 5th episode which contains the last 2 parts of the show, HOW POOZ. And the biggest hindrance, which actually isn't much of a hindrance since my motto in life is that 'money can be earned back' is that it costs Euro 170. It just makes it more risky if the website is dodgy.
I also found this other website, I think it's a german or italian or spanish (can't tell) version of trade me and someone was selling their second hand DVD set for only 25 Euros. But, the bidding had closed and it was sold this year in Feb!! I missed it!! POOZ...but even if that was the case, I wouldn't know how to go about it coz the entire website was in german or italian or spanish (can't tell). SOB SOB SOB.
I'm so CLOSE, and yet so FAR!
Love is...
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca - age 8
Awwww...
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
I am looking forward to this day...being old doesn't seem so daunting anymore.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7
It's just little things that add special meaning to life.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 5
The reason behind giving is love.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7
Maybe not Robert Redford, but Takeshi Kaneshiro...or Kangta!
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6
Haha...yes, I've always wondered about that.
:: LoVe Is ::
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
This is one of my favourite coz I can completely relate to it. Laura, now you understand how much I love you?
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7
If it's an Armani shirt, I can see why.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5
I like that...instead of "let's go out on a date", we should say "let's go out and smell each other".
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
This girl must really like her fries!
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
And hence the saying 'you are my pillar of strength'.
:: LoVe Is ::
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
Awwww...
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy - age 6
I am looking forward to this day...being old doesn't seem so daunting anymore.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7
It's just little things that add special meaning to life.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine-age 5
The reason behind giving is love.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7
Maybe not Robert Redford, but Takeshi Kaneshiro...or Kangta!
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark - age 6
Haha...yes, I've always wondered about that.
:: LoVe Is ::
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4
This is one of my favourite coz I can completely relate to it. Laura, now you understand how much I love you?
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle - age 7
If it's an Armani shirt, I can see why.
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5
I like that...instead of "let's go out on a date", we should say "let's go out and smell each other".
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6
This girl must really like her fries!
:: LoVe Is ::
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4
And hence the saying 'you are my pillar of strength'.
:: LoVe Is ::
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4
Lorraine...
:: LoVe Is ::
But here's a fantastic description of LOVE...
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7
I have to admit, I've never really stopped and listen so maybe it's time for all of us to slow down (especially with our busy lives) and take a breather.
:: LoVe Is ::
But here's a fantastic description of LOVE...
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7
I have to admit, I've never really stopped and listen so maybe it's time for all of us to slow down (especially with our busy lives) and take a breather.
Rain rain go away!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
The timing couldn't be more perfect! It's raining now. As much as I love the rain, I love my clean clean car even more after a hard hard wash!
The timing couldn't be more perfect! It's raining now. As much as I love the rain, I love my clean clean car even more after a hard hard wash!
Workout Baby!!
Wow...I just did a massive workout and my arms are aching (my right arm is worse off)! OUCH. Washing my baby was tiring!!! I almost wanted to give up, drive to the nearby 'drive-through' and let the machine do all the work. But I stuck to it, and at the end of the day, seeing the end product always puts a smile on my face and all that slogging was, afterall, worth it.
Life's like that...though the process of getting through life can be trying and tiresome, but with hard work and determination, all is worth it. When you look back on your entire journey, you see beautiful memories, gorgeous creations and a life well-lived.
Life's like that...though the process of getting through life can be trying and tiresome, but with hard work and determination, all is worth it. When you look back on your entire journey, you see beautiful memories, gorgeous creations and a life well-lived.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Multi-tasking - Raine's 'speciality'
Multi-tasking is the topic of today's discussion. Specifically, Raine's current multi-tasks.
I realise that recently, I'm taking on many things, from classes to TV shows. There are so many things I need to juggle at a time and I am finding less and less time to blog about it, and hence the 'once in a while' pointless blog posts which really isn't a detailed insight into my 'appearingly' eventful life.
So let me share with you some of the tasks I have on hand:
1) French Classes
Bonjour tout le monde! Ca va? Je m'appelle Lorraine. If you didn't get what I just said, basically I was greeting "Hello to everyone. How's it going? My name is Lorraine." Yes, Daddy and I have started taking French lessons every Monday evening at Edgewater College. It's for 15 weeks, an hour and a half per lesson. We've attended 3 lessons so far, but we are only just scrapping the surface, covering the basic greetings. Slow progress but I guess at the end of this 15 weeks, I'll be able to speak a-little-bitta French to take on Paris for 3 days in January.
2) Korean Language
This should always be a work-in-progress for Lorraine, and that is to be constantly learning and practicing my korean language.
3) Save Money
Ahh...telling a shoppaholic to stop spending is like telling a pig to fly - impossible. But...I really need to and if I have to sacrifice some wants, then it's got to be done. Why the big saving spree? One, I'm planning a sky-diving trip at the end of this year...can't wait, and also coz I need to save up for my UK holiday plus my future investments in Singapore. Several things need to go: my bionicle collection - no more buying of new bionicle figurines; my barbie collection - I guess the 8 girls will have to remain single; clothes, shoes and accessories - there will be much nicer and cheaper ones in Singapore, plus, my luggage can't fit all of my clothes, let alone the new ones. Okay...maybe I'll just get the odd item once in a while when it catches my eye, and of course I need to hunt around for a nice warm winter jacket for UK and for future investment purposes - completely justified. Try telling a shoppaholic to go cold turkey - IN YOUR DREAMS.
4) Meteor Garden Comics
I've just started reading my Meteor Garden Comics all over again, and currently I've got 35 and three quarter to go.
5) The Bible
I've also just started reading my Bible once again and I'm aiming to read one chapter every day - NO SLACKING ALLOWED.
6) Television Shows
I've got a long long list of shows I want to watch all over again. Right now, I've just started watching this Jap drama called 'OverTime'. Other shows on the list are Meteor Garden (both the anime as well as the taiwanese version), the Jap Initial D anime series, Friends (this Korean-Jap mini series), this Korean drama that I want to rent from the video rental shop (but that would mean spending money, see point 3 for why it might not be possible); and of course, I want to watch all the classic movies all over again, like last night, we watched 'Mary Poppins', tomorrow night we'll watch 'My Fair Lady' and other need-to-watch classics (to my definition) are 'The Sound of Music', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'Sleepless in Seattle', 'Notting Hill', 'You've Got Mail', and many others.
7) My stories
I'm currently in the process of typing out this 151 chapter story that I wrote (handwritten). At the mo, I'm halfway through chapter 8. Just 143 chapters more to go. Whoo Hoo! I've also started writing another story, I've only written 2 chapters and I'm suffering from writers' block - well, not actually writers' block but rather, laziness and lack of flowery vocab is hindering the progress of this book. So much for wanting to be a budding writer huh!
8) My 112 Days Project
I'm into the second day of my 112 days project. I'm keeping it on a down-low coz the aim of it is a pretty silly one that I don't want to publish to the world - SO DON'T ASK - but just know that I've got to put away around 40 minutes everyday for that. I don't know what the outcome of it would be and that's why I don't want to go around boasting about it - just in case it doesn't work out.
Wallah, this is all that I can think of at the mo. I think it's a lot to start with right now...not to mention some others that I haven't mentioned, like brushing up on my one and only piano piece I know how to play, and improving my golf.
Ambitious? I reckon! Multi-tasking? Oh help me!
I realise that recently, I'm taking on many things, from classes to TV shows. There are so many things I need to juggle at a time and I am finding less and less time to blog about it, and hence the 'once in a while' pointless blog posts which really isn't a detailed insight into my 'appearingly' eventful life.
So let me share with you some of the tasks I have on hand:
1) French Classes
Bonjour tout le monde! Ca va? Je m'appelle Lorraine. If you didn't get what I just said, basically I was greeting "Hello to everyone. How's it going? My name is Lorraine." Yes, Daddy and I have started taking French lessons every Monday evening at Edgewater College. It's for 15 weeks, an hour and a half per lesson. We've attended 3 lessons so far, but we are only just scrapping the surface, covering the basic greetings. Slow progress but I guess at the end of this 15 weeks, I'll be able to speak a-little-bitta French to take on Paris for 3 days in January.
2) Korean Language
This should always be a work-in-progress for Lorraine, and that is to be constantly learning and practicing my korean language.
3) Save Money
Ahh...telling a shoppaholic to stop spending is like telling a pig to fly - impossible. But...I really need to and if I have to sacrifice some wants, then it's got to be done. Why the big saving spree? One, I'm planning a sky-diving trip at the end of this year...can't wait, and also coz I need to save up for my UK holiday plus my future investments in Singapore. Several things need to go: my bionicle collection - no more buying of new bionicle figurines; my barbie collection - I guess the 8 girls will have to remain single; clothes, shoes and accessories - there will be much nicer and cheaper ones in Singapore, plus, my luggage can't fit all of my clothes, let alone the new ones. Okay...maybe I'll just get the odd item once in a while when it catches my eye, and of course I need to hunt around for a nice warm winter jacket for UK and for future investment purposes - completely justified. Try telling a shoppaholic to go cold turkey - IN YOUR DREAMS.
4) Meteor Garden Comics
I've just started reading my Meteor Garden Comics all over again, and currently I've got 35 and three quarter to go.
5) The Bible
I've also just started reading my Bible once again and I'm aiming to read one chapter every day - NO SLACKING ALLOWED.
6) Television Shows
I've got a long long list of shows I want to watch all over again. Right now, I've just started watching this Jap drama called 'OverTime'. Other shows on the list are Meteor Garden (both the anime as well as the taiwanese version), the Jap Initial D anime series, Friends (this Korean-Jap mini series), this Korean drama that I want to rent from the video rental shop (but that would mean spending money, see point 3 for why it might not be possible); and of course, I want to watch all the classic movies all over again, like last night, we watched 'Mary Poppins', tomorrow night we'll watch 'My Fair Lady' and other need-to-watch classics (to my definition) are 'The Sound of Music', 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'Sleepless in Seattle', 'Notting Hill', 'You've Got Mail', and many others.
7) My stories
I'm currently in the process of typing out this 151 chapter story that I wrote (handwritten). At the mo, I'm halfway through chapter 8. Just 143 chapters more to go. Whoo Hoo! I've also started writing another story, I've only written 2 chapters and I'm suffering from writers' block - well, not actually writers' block but rather, laziness and lack of flowery vocab is hindering the progress of this book. So much for wanting to be a budding writer huh!
8) My 112 Days Project
I'm into the second day of my 112 days project. I'm keeping it on a down-low coz the aim of it is a pretty silly one that I don't want to publish to the world - SO DON'T ASK - but just know that I've got to put away around 40 minutes everyday for that. I don't know what the outcome of it would be and that's why I don't want to go around boasting about it - just in case it doesn't work out.
Wallah, this is all that I can think of at the mo. I think it's a lot to start with right now...not to mention some others that I haven't mentioned, like brushing up on my one and only piano piece I know how to play, and improving my golf.
Ambitious? I reckon! Multi-tasking? Oh help me!
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Why didn't I blog last night...today, it's just not the same feeling.
Yesterday, we had an awesome cell group discussion. It wasn't one like we used to do, with a set topic and a set regime, rather, it was impromptu and I reckon, rather useful.
We talked about why there are different denominations among Christians (methodist, pentecostal, baptist, brethren, etc) and each one has their own way of worshiping God, is there a right or a wrong or a good and a better? We had a really productive discussion, and at the end of the discussion, I have learnt a good answer when asked this question.
First, bible quotes:
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:21
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
Next:
Well, what's next is pretty S.E.. So even though there's so many different denominations, but at the end of the day, we are one, worshiping and praising God's name.
I feel very blessed to have this wonderful group of friends, who are always there to support and encourage. That's the one thing I'm going to miss when I return to Singapore...but I think it'll be a good thing as well, because I'll be seeking out for such an awesome cell group in Singapore, and if I find one - AWESOME - and if I don't, no worries, coz it will only give me more determination to start a cell group like this...
God has big plans...AND I'M PART OF IT!
Yesterday, we had an awesome cell group discussion. It wasn't one like we used to do, with a set topic and a set regime, rather, it was impromptu and I reckon, rather useful.
We talked about why there are different denominations among Christians (methodist, pentecostal, baptist, brethren, etc) and each one has their own way of worshiping God, is there a right or a wrong or a good and a better? We had a really productive discussion, and at the end of the discussion, I have learnt a good answer when asked this question.
First, bible quotes:
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:21
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
Next:
Well, what's next is pretty S.E.. So even though there's so many different denominations, but at the end of the day, we are one, worshiping and praising God's name.
I feel very blessed to have this wonderful group of friends, who are always there to support and encourage. That's the one thing I'm going to miss when I return to Singapore...but I think it'll be a good thing as well, because I'll be seeking out for such an awesome cell group in Singapore, and if I find one - AWESOME - and if I don't, no worries, coz it will only give me more determination to start a cell group like this...
God has big plans...AND I'M PART OF IT!
Monday, August 22, 2005
You do the math!
Today, Lorraine's curiousity into the weight-watchers points system caused her meals to be under scrutiny.
One of my colleagues is on the weight-watchers programme and out of curiousity, I wondered how much I had eaten up until afternoon tea, so we did a little bit of calculation, refering to her trusty point booklet for guidance.
Breakfast:
2 slices of pizza (last night's leftovers)... ...9 points (!!!!!!)
Morning Tea:
1 biscuit... ...~0.5 (unknown really coz didn't know how much that was worth)
Lunch:
3 slices of pizza (polished off the remaining pieces of pizza)... ...13.5 points (OUCH!!!)
Salad (no dressing)... ...0 points (THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT!)
Afternoon Tea:
Half a scone (shared with a colleague)... ...2 points
SUB-TOTAL: 25 points
And if you are wondering, is that a lot? Well...at the end a any day, here's how many points I shouldn't exceed if I'm (my current weight taken into consideration) on weight-watchers: (DRUM ROLL) 18!
Therefore, you do the maths. I'm 7 points over! And it wasn't even at the end of the day...throw in dinner (pineapple yellow rice - a bigger portion than I usually eat, a couple of fried chicken wings, some dark soysauce marinated kind of chicken wings, curry chicken, and for dessert, half a crunchie bar ice cream - yea I'm into my halves)...
And the result.....................................
One of my colleagues is on the weight-watchers programme and out of curiousity, I wondered how much I had eaten up until afternoon tea, so we did a little bit of calculation, refering to her trusty point booklet for guidance.
Breakfast:
2 slices of pizza (last night's leftovers)... ...9 points (!!!!!!)
Morning Tea:
1 biscuit... ...~0.5 (unknown really coz didn't know how much that was worth)
Lunch:
3 slices of pizza (polished off the remaining pieces of pizza)... ...13.5 points (OUCH!!!)
Salad (no dressing)... ...0 points (THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT!)
Afternoon Tea:
Half a scone (shared with a colleague)... ...2 points
SUB-TOTAL: 25 points
And if you are wondering, is that a lot? Well...at the end a any day, here's how many points I shouldn't exceed if I'm (my current weight taken into consideration) on weight-watchers: (DRUM ROLL) 18!
Therefore, you do the maths. I'm 7 points over! And it wasn't even at the end of the day...throw in dinner (pineapple yellow rice - a bigger portion than I usually eat, a couple of fried chicken wings, some dark soysauce marinated kind of chicken wings, curry chicken, and for dessert, half a crunchie bar ice cream - yea I'm into my halves)...
And the result.....................................
Thursday, August 18, 2005
I HATE PLAYSTATION
I HATE PLAYSTATION!
I HATE PLAYSTATION!
I HATE PLAYSTATION!
I CAN'T PLAY!
I CAN'T PLAY!
I CAN'T PLAY!
I SUCK AT IT!
I SUCK AT IT!
I SUCK AT IT!
WHY! WHY! WHY!
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I SUCK SO BAD AT PLAYSTATION!! LAURA...COME HOME!! I WANT YOU TO COME HOME AND PLAY KINGDOM HEARTS FOR ME!! I WANT TO PLAY KINGDOM HEARTS BUT I KEEP GETTING STUCK AT THIS STAGE. I'M IN THIS RACE AND I NEED TO GET TO THIS STAR BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO JUMP FROM STUMP TO STUMP TO GET TO IT. I KEEP FALLING! I CAN'T GET TO THAT STAR AND IT'S SO FRUSTRATING COZ I KEEP HAVING TO REPEAT WHAT I'M DOING AND I'M NOT GETTING ANY CLOSER. I KEEP FALLING WHEN I LEAP FROM STUMP TO STUMP AND THEN I HAVE TO START ALL OVER FROM THE FIRST STUMP.
I HATE PLAYSTATION. WHY DO I SUCK SO BAD AT IT.
BUT I WANT TO PLAY KINGDOM HEARTS!!! IT'S SUCH A CUTE WALT DISNEY GAME!! ACTUALLY...I DON'T MIND JUST SITTING AND WATCHING SOMEONE PLAY FOR ME...I JUST WANT TO WATCH THE SHOW!!! LAURA COME HOME!!!
NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR!!! I HAVE THIS FEELING THE MOMENT LAURA PLAYS THE GAME...SHE WILL GET IT. FOR THE PAST HOUR, I HAVE BEEN AT IT AND TRYING TO CONQUER THIS STAGE. I NEED TO GET TO THIS STAR AND I CAN'T GET TO IT. I NEED TO JUMP FROM STUMP TO STUMP TO GET TO THIS STAR AND ALWAYS, AT THIS PARTICULAR STUMP, I CAN'T LEAP ACROSS AND I FALL FALL FALL, ALL THE TIME. SO IRRITATING!!! AND I CAN'T PLAY ANYTHING ELSE COZ I NEED TO GET TO THE STAR FIRST! AND THE STUPID COOL GUY WILL DEFINITELY BEAT ME TO IT FOR SURE AND NOW HE GETS TO SHARE THE FRUIT WITH THE CUTE CUTE GIRL. NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR. MY GUY IS SUPPOSE TO SHARE THE FRUIT WITH THAT CUTE CUTE GIRL. SHE'S MY GUY'S GIRL!
POOZ!! WHY DO I SUCK SO MUCH AT PLAYSTATION? I DON'T GET WHY MY FINGERS DON'T RESPOND TO THE CONTROLLER! IT'S JUST IRRITATING. IT'S LIKE I'M PLAYSTATION ILLITERATE!
POOZ POOZ POOOOZZ POOOOOZZZ POOOOOOZZZZ
I HATE PLAYSTATION!
I HATE PLAYSTATION!
I CAN'T PLAY!
I CAN'T PLAY!
I CAN'T PLAY!
I SUCK AT IT!
I SUCK AT IT!
I SUCK AT IT!
WHY! WHY! WHY!
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I SUCK SO BAD AT PLAYSTATION!! LAURA...COME HOME!! I WANT YOU TO COME HOME AND PLAY KINGDOM HEARTS FOR ME!! I WANT TO PLAY KINGDOM HEARTS BUT I KEEP GETTING STUCK AT THIS STAGE. I'M IN THIS RACE AND I NEED TO GET TO THIS STAR BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO JUMP FROM STUMP TO STUMP TO GET TO IT. I KEEP FALLING! I CAN'T GET TO THAT STAR AND IT'S SO FRUSTRATING COZ I KEEP HAVING TO REPEAT WHAT I'M DOING AND I'M NOT GETTING ANY CLOSER. I KEEP FALLING WHEN I LEAP FROM STUMP TO STUMP AND THEN I HAVE TO START ALL OVER FROM THE FIRST STUMP.
I HATE PLAYSTATION. WHY DO I SUCK SO BAD AT IT.
BUT I WANT TO PLAY KINGDOM HEARTS!!! IT'S SUCH A CUTE WALT DISNEY GAME!! ACTUALLY...I DON'T MIND JUST SITTING AND WATCHING SOMEONE PLAY FOR ME...I JUST WANT TO WATCH THE SHOW!!! LAURA COME HOME!!!
NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR!!! I HAVE THIS FEELING THE MOMENT LAURA PLAYS THE GAME...SHE WILL GET IT. FOR THE PAST HOUR, I HAVE BEEN AT IT AND TRYING TO CONQUER THIS STAGE. I NEED TO GET TO THIS STAR AND I CAN'T GET TO IT. I NEED TO JUMP FROM STUMP TO STUMP TO GET TO THIS STAR AND ALWAYS, AT THIS PARTICULAR STUMP, I CAN'T LEAP ACROSS AND I FALL FALL FALL, ALL THE TIME. SO IRRITATING!!! AND I CAN'T PLAY ANYTHING ELSE COZ I NEED TO GET TO THE STAR FIRST! AND THE STUPID COOL GUY WILL DEFINITELY BEAT ME TO IT FOR SURE AND NOW HE GETS TO SHARE THE FRUIT WITH THE CUTE CUTE GIRL. NOT FAIR NOT FAIR NOT FAIR. MY GUY IS SUPPOSE TO SHARE THE FRUIT WITH THAT CUTE CUTE GIRL. SHE'S MY GUY'S GIRL!
POOZ!! WHY DO I SUCK SO MUCH AT PLAYSTATION? I DON'T GET WHY MY FINGERS DON'T RESPOND TO THE CONTROLLER! IT'S JUST IRRITATING. IT'S LIKE I'M PLAYSTATION ILLITERATE!
POOZ POOZ POOOOZZ POOOOOZZZ POOOOOOZZZZ
Flutterby and Lecery Facts
I'm bored, so I thought I'll entertain you with some Flutterby and Lecery facts.
1) The original name for butterfly was flutterby.
For all you know, 'cucumber' was 'cumcuber' and 'certificate' was 'cerfiticate' when our little mouths were tongue-tied with those big big words.
2) Celery has negative calories. It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with.
Hey hey...all you people dieting out there...now that's a reason to eat chocolates!
1) The original name for butterfly was flutterby.
For all you know, 'cucumber' was 'cumcuber' and 'certificate' was 'cerfiticate' when our little mouths were tongue-tied with those big big words.
2) Celery has negative calories. It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with.
Hey hey...all you people dieting out there...now that's a reason to eat chocolates!
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Take 5...
I should load photos of the 5-star room and Minus 5 and all that stuff, but I'm too lazy. Another night...TV TIME. Maybe I'll start a new Japanese Drama - wait...I've got to finish my current Japanese Drama - OH NO...Apprentice is on TV NOW!!!!!!
The big catch up
Here I am again, after a good long break...and 'boy' do I have heaps to tell!
Let me start from Thursday and Friday. I had this 'Workplace First Aid' course over those 2 days, and it was boring. I'm not nurse material. Give me blood and I'll freak and whimp out. But nevertheless, I survived the boring course. I learnt how to do CPR (I gave my first kiss to a maniqin) and I'm certified to break a few rib bones while I'm at it, saved a choking maniqin (whack them as hard as you can on the small of the back), and had a big cut of my right arm, sprained my wrist and ankle and of course I went into shock (we all became qualified actors at the end of this course).
On Friday, right after my course, I raced home - excited to finally get out of that boring course - but also coz I hadn't packed for the weekend. That Friday evening, Dad and I drove down to Rotorua, meeting up with Mum, her friend and her son who had left that morning. We stayed at the Rydges Hotel in Rotorua - 5 STAR and FANTASTIC!! The room was like...right out of a Korean Drama, where the rich man stays in a nice hotel room when on holiday. There was a king size bed, flat screen LCD TV in the bedroom, a kitchen, a glass dining table for 6, a 2-1 sofa set plus another TV in the living area, a balcony with amazing views overlooking into a horse-racing track, but of course, you can't miss the private SPA tub with jacuzzi jets! AWwwwwww....I had a bubbly bubbly time!!!
On Saturday morning, we checked out of the hotel and made our way down to Palmerston North - the main reason for our trip: to pass Laura the Camry now that we didn't need it. Meeting and catching up with Laura was fun. We shopped around a little that Saturday afternoon - didn't really buy much though I wish I did buy this corduroy jacket from Supre - pooz to my ficklemindedness. Maybe I will go shopping this weekend and get it from the New Market Supre. After that, we had dinner and chilled at the motel, watching a funny and sweet korean show on Laura's lap top called "My Little Bride". After that, we went out for supper at this road-side truck selling Japanese takeaways. The truck caters for the masses of Japanese students staying at this international college and it operates at nights. You can sit in (probably can accommodate only 6 people) or takeaway. It was just a fun experience, seeing a road-side food truck in NZ. Kind of unheard of after 9pm at night. We had takeaways and watched the 'Initial D' movie till late into the night.
Sunday, we said our goodbyes and went on our long long journey back to Auckland. However, it wasn't as long as it felt from last time because this time around, we had fun company, hearing stories about my mum and her friend's childhood.
We got back that Sunday evening, had dinner and after that, we headed into the city and went to Minus 5 to freeze our butts off for 20 minutes in this ICE ICE ICEY BAR. BRrrrrrr!
So that was my eventful weekend...but wait...that's not all.
On Monday night, I caught up on the Gilmore Girls episode I missed that Sunday. YAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!
"Luke, will you marry me?" - End of episode.
Oh my gosh...I would never ever ever ever have imagined Lorelai asking that question!!! But YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!! They are my perfect couple...they have to get married...which brings me to my next worry.
I don't want to know what's going to happen in the next and last episode of Season 5. Last episodes of the season always ends horribly...leaving you hanging and irritated and impatient and just frustrated. I don't want that. I want Season 5 to end NOW coz I love the ending!!!!! I can just use my imagination from here on. I don't wanna watch the last episode coz I have this bad bad feeling - it always is...but then I wanna know as well.
Should I read the episode transcript for the last episode??
Let me start from Thursday and Friday. I had this 'Workplace First Aid' course over those 2 days, and it was boring. I'm not nurse material. Give me blood and I'll freak and whimp out. But nevertheless, I survived the boring course. I learnt how to do CPR (I gave my first kiss to a maniqin) and I'm certified to break a few rib bones while I'm at it, saved a choking maniqin (whack them as hard as you can on the small of the back), and had a big cut of my right arm, sprained my wrist and ankle and of course I went into shock (we all became qualified actors at the end of this course).
On Friday, right after my course, I raced home - excited to finally get out of that boring course - but also coz I hadn't packed for the weekend. That Friday evening, Dad and I drove down to Rotorua, meeting up with Mum, her friend and her son who had left that morning. We stayed at the Rydges Hotel in Rotorua - 5 STAR and FANTASTIC!! The room was like...right out of a Korean Drama, where the rich man stays in a nice hotel room when on holiday. There was a king size bed, flat screen LCD TV in the bedroom, a kitchen, a glass dining table for 6, a 2-1 sofa set plus another TV in the living area, a balcony with amazing views overlooking into a horse-racing track, but of course, you can't miss the private SPA tub with jacuzzi jets! AWwwwwww....I had a bubbly bubbly time!!!
On Saturday morning, we checked out of the hotel and made our way down to Palmerston North - the main reason for our trip: to pass Laura the Camry now that we didn't need it. Meeting and catching up with Laura was fun. We shopped around a little that Saturday afternoon - didn't really buy much though I wish I did buy this corduroy jacket from Supre - pooz to my ficklemindedness. Maybe I will go shopping this weekend and get it from the New Market Supre. After that, we had dinner and chilled at the motel, watching a funny and sweet korean show on Laura's lap top called "My Little Bride". After that, we went out for supper at this road-side truck selling Japanese takeaways. The truck caters for the masses of Japanese students staying at this international college and it operates at nights. You can sit in (probably can accommodate only 6 people) or takeaway. It was just a fun experience, seeing a road-side food truck in NZ. Kind of unheard of after 9pm at night. We had takeaways and watched the 'Initial D' movie till late into the night.
Sunday, we said our goodbyes and went on our long long journey back to Auckland. However, it wasn't as long as it felt from last time because this time around, we had fun company, hearing stories about my mum and her friend's childhood.
We got back that Sunday evening, had dinner and after that, we headed into the city and went to Minus 5 to freeze our butts off for 20 minutes in this ICE ICE ICEY BAR. BRrrrrrr!
So that was my eventful weekend...but wait...that's not all.
On Monday night, I caught up on the Gilmore Girls episode I missed that Sunday. YAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!
"Luke, will you marry me?" - End of episode.
Oh my gosh...I would never ever ever ever have imagined Lorelai asking that question!!! But YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!! They are my perfect couple...they have to get married...which brings me to my next worry.
I don't want to know what's going to happen in the next and last episode of Season 5. Last episodes of the season always ends horribly...leaving you hanging and irritated and impatient and just frustrated. I don't want that. I want Season 5 to end NOW coz I love the ending!!!!! I can just use my imagination from here on. I don't wanna watch the last episode coz I have this bad bad feeling - it always is...but then I wanna know as well.
Should I read the episode transcript for the last episode??
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Nurse Raine
For the next 2 days, I'll be attending a First Aid course that my company has sent me on...apparently, it's quite informative...but BORING. Guess there's always a trade-off. Anyway...I better go off to bed coz I need to get up at 6.30am tomorrow morning to get ready for that - half an hour earlier than my usual working day!! Pooz. But the good thing is...I can wear JEANS...I can take a break from working clothes and put on something FUNKY. Always a perk! Gotta look good when I'm saving someone's life...
CPR...here I come!
CPR...here I come!
Stay...
Oh my gosh!!!
Mum's friend from Singapore just came over and she brought over heaps of goodies for us, including Mooncakes, Love Letters, Pineapple Tarts and all those yummy biscuits!! Oh...she even managed to get 'Arh Zha' (pickled vegetables) through customs!!! Amazing...but the best best best things I received...
DRUMROLL...........Dum dum dum dummmmm..............
1) Kangta's 3rd Album: Persona
2) Fly to the Sky's 5th Album: Gravity
I highly recommend these 2 CDS!!! LOVE!!! I've downloaded most of Kangta's new songs, so the songs on the album didn't surprise me at all - LOVE.
But Fly to the Sky...my gosh!! They have matured - I mean in their voices, that is. They sound fantastic!!! Gorgeous voices and beautiful songs. I listened to the CD 3 times in the car on my way to work, going around to the client's places and coming home from work!! And tonight, I shall listen it to sleep. AMAZING!!! I LOVE THIS CD. Every album of theirs get better and better...the best song is 'Stay'. It has an amazing chorus, with a beautiful background choir, a wonderful ensemble of musical instruments and not to forget, the amazing crescendo that just gives that whole song a 'umfph'.
Encore!
Mum's friend from Singapore just came over and she brought over heaps of goodies for us, including Mooncakes, Love Letters, Pineapple Tarts and all those yummy biscuits!! Oh...she even managed to get 'Arh Zha' (pickled vegetables) through customs!!! Amazing...but the best best best things I received...
DRUMROLL...........Dum dum dum dummmmm..............
1) Kangta's 3rd Album: Persona
2) Fly to the Sky's 5th Album: Gravity
I highly recommend these 2 CDS!!! LOVE!!! I've downloaded most of Kangta's new songs, so the songs on the album didn't surprise me at all - LOVE.
But Fly to the Sky...my gosh!! They have matured - I mean in their voices, that is. They sound fantastic!!! Gorgeous voices and beautiful songs. I listened to the CD 3 times in the car on my way to work, going around to the client's places and coming home from work!! And tonight, I shall listen it to sleep. AMAZING!!! I LOVE THIS CD. Every album of theirs get better and better...the best song is 'Stay'. It has an amazing chorus, with a beautiful background choir, a wonderful ensemble of musical instruments and not to forget, the amazing crescendo that just gives that whole song a 'umfph'.
Encore!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Paris Twist!
I love Lovers in Paris!!!
Hey Rach, Jo, the ending wasn't as bad as I had thought you guys made it sound. I loved it! It's a twist, but aside from the twist, it's so beautiful and it ends on a hopefully note - truely fairytale-lish! I'm a sucker for 'happily ever after' stories.
I cried so much while watching the last couple of discs, my eyes must be swollen right now, but I cheered at the ending which erases all that sorrow throughout the show. Love happy endings!
I want to watch it again...sigh...I love the little bits in the show, those little couple-ly lovey-dovey parts...just the little bits where they are just having fun in each other's company...I reckon those are so much more romantic than a candles-on-the-beach scene - not that candles on the beach is not romantic but I think even the little things in life can set off tingly feelings within me.
I can't wait for my turn...
Ki Da Ri...
Hey Rach, Jo, the ending wasn't as bad as I had thought you guys made it sound. I loved it! It's a twist, but aside from the twist, it's so beautiful and it ends on a hopefully note - truely fairytale-lish! I'm a sucker for 'happily ever after' stories.
I cried so much while watching the last couple of discs, my eyes must be swollen right now, but I cheered at the ending which erases all that sorrow throughout the show. Love happy endings!
I want to watch it again...sigh...I love the little bits in the show, those little couple-ly lovey-dovey parts...just the little bits where they are just having fun in each other's company...I reckon those are so much more romantic than a candles-on-the-beach scene - not that candles on the beach is not romantic but I think even the little things in life can set off tingly feelings within me.
I can't wait for my turn...
Ki Da Ri...
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Lovers in Paris - The Pash
Today, I thought I would write a review on Lovers in Paris - or rather, a review about my favourite favourite part in the show so far (I'm only on episode 12 of this 20 or so episode serial)...
So here's the setting in brief. There's a very rich guy - lead actor - who likes this poor girl - lead actress - but he's supposed to be engaged (marriage of convenience) to this other rich girl whom he doesn't like her at all - every drama has got to have their biatch. So, Yoon-Ah (the biatch) is jealous of the attention Ki-Joo (the lead actor) is giving to Tae-Young (the lead actress) and comes up with this plan to humilate Tae-Young in front of Ki-Joo's classy friends.
Yoon-Ah rings Tae-Young, asking her to meet at this posh social club that Ki-Joo and friends are. Yoon-Ah then shows up unannounced, throwing Ki-Joo off course, asking Ki-Joo to introduce her to his friends. Ki-Joo is of course reluctant, hating her every presence (okay, maybe I'm dramatising a bit but its all fun). Without Ki-Joo saying anything, his friends recognise her as "the one who almost got engaged with Ki-Joo". (Okay...flash back, they had this major engagement party where Ki-Joo walked out, saying he will not get engaged to her). Yoon-Ah agreed, saying that there was some delay but they are setting a new date. Ki-Joo rolls his eyes, irritated at her as he had told her countless times that he will not get engaged to her.
At this moment, the screen flashes to Tar-Young, dressed so casually in tee-shirt and pants, as she strodes into the posh club. Heads turns to look at her in disdain at her outfit. Tae-Young notices but doesn't put it to heart, making her way through the club to search for Yoon-Ah. She accidently bumps into this guy (a 'friend' of Ki-Joo - they never really got along), spilling his drink over his suit. She apologies profusely and he takes fancy on her uniqueness (aka proverty) as she is not a person who comes along frequently into these rich rich rich men's life. He asks her for a drink and she turns it down, saying that she's looking for a friend and walks off, leaving him staring with an impressed expression on his face, maybe impressed and slightly shocked that she didn't take up his (generous) offer. He rejoins the group of 'friends'.
Yoon-Ah spots Tae-Young and runs over, dragging Tae-Young to meet the group. Tae-Young is shocked and in a daze to see Ki-Joo. Ki-Joo doesn't speak, neither does he look stunned. He looks on at Tae-Young. The guy that Tae-young bumped into recognised her, and started hitting on her once again, suggesting that they should have a drink. Tae-Young is put on the spot once again, and she tries to explain (staring straight at Ki-Joo who still remains silent) how she came to know him but she only manages to stutter. The guy cuts her off, saying that Tae-Young stands out in her outfit and he thought this gathering was boring, but now the fun was starting. He put his hand onto Tae-Young's shoulder, saying that he likes cute girls. Tae-Young is of course in an awkward position and flips his hand off, staring with anger at Ki-Joo, who doesn't come to her rescue but instead stares silently along. The guy tells his friends to have a good time and he took Tae-Young by the shoulders and said they would go upstairs to the quiet rooms and enjoy themselves.
FINALLY...Ki-Joo speaks in a commanding tone, "Get your hands off her."
"What?" The guy asks back.
"I said, get your hands off her." Ki-Joo orders.
"Why don't you take care of your fiancee?" He asked back in a what-is-it-to-you tone.
This sets Ki-Joo off and he lunged at his 'friend', throwing punches at him. Ki-Joo shouted at him, "Didn't I tell you? I told you to get your hands off my woman!" Their friends held them back as they struggled to attack each other.
After warning his 'friend', Ki-Joo grabbed Tae-Young and dragged her out of the club. Yoon-Ah wanted to follow but was stopped by Ki-Joo's right hand man and good friend, who told Yoon-Ah to stop and asked her why she was following them. He said, "what more do you need before you give up?" Yoon-Ah is left humilated. This was fantastic!! Usually in Korean dramas, when the evil person sets up a plan, it never back-fires but ends up causing terrible things and break-ups and stuff. But in this scene, not only did the plan back-fire, the bi-atch got humilated along with it as well. BRILLANT!
But...the best part is yet to come. Outside the club, Ki-Joo asked Tae-Young in a demanding tone, "Why? Why were you just standing there? Are you dumb? Why can't you talk? Why didn't you tell him to get his hands off?"
Tae-Young, her eyes brimming with tears, says fearfully, "How would I?"
"Why not? Can't you talk? Can't you scream? Cant' you tell him?"
"I would have if I could, but he was your friend." Tae-Young said for herself.
"What friend? He's not my friend!" Ki-Joo said in a fit of anger.
"I couldn't say it because of you." Tae-Young replies with a little fear in her tone.
"For me? Why not for you? Why for me? "He's my man", "He's my boyfriend". WHY CAN'T YOU SAY THAT?!?!" Ki-Joo shouted in agitatedly.
Tae-Young finally stood up for herself crying as she spoke, "How can I say that looking like this? How could I, among those people? What would they think of you? I can't embarrass you in exchange for my little pride. How could I?"
What would they think of you? I can't embarrass you in exchange for my little pride. That was all she needed to say. He walked over to her, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately and the Korean music rose in the background as the camera spinned around the love-struck couple embracing in their first kiss.
GAHP !!!! (Translation: AWWWWWWWWWWW............)
So here's the setting in brief. There's a very rich guy - lead actor - who likes this poor girl - lead actress - but he's supposed to be engaged (marriage of convenience) to this other rich girl whom he doesn't like her at all - every drama has got to have their biatch. So, Yoon-Ah (the biatch) is jealous of the attention Ki-Joo (the lead actor) is giving to Tae-Young (the lead actress) and comes up with this plan to humilate Tae-Young in front of Ki-Joo's classy friends.
Yoon-Ah rings Tae-Young, asking her to meet at this posh social club that Ki-Joo and friends are. Yoon-Ah then shows up unannounced, throwing Ki-Joo off course, asking Ki-Joo to introduce her to his friends. Ki-Joo is of course reluctant, hating her every presence (okay, maybe I'm dramatising a bit but its all fun). Without Ki-Joo saying anything, his friends recognise her as "the one who almost got engaged with Ki-Joo". (Okay...flash back, they had this major engagement party where Ki-Joo walked out, saying he will not get engaged to her). Yoon-Ah agreed, saying that there was some delay but they are setting a new date. Ki-Joo rolls his eyes, irritated at her as he had told her countless times that he will not get engaged to her.
At this moment, the screen flashes to Tar-Young, dressed so casually in tee-shirt and pants, as she strodes into the posh club. Heads turns to look at her in disdain at her outfit. Tae-Young notices but doesn't put it to heart, making her way through the club to search for Yoon-Ah. She accidently bumps into this guy (a 'friend' of Ki-Joo - they never really got along), spilling his drink over his suit. She apologies profusely and he takes fancy on her uniqueness (aka proverty) as she is not a person who comes along frequently into these rich rich rich men's life. He asks her for a drink and she turns it down, saying that she's looking for a friend and walks off, leaving him staring with an impressed expression on his face, maybe impressed and slightly shocked that she didn't take up his (generous) offer. He rejoins the group of 'friends'.
Yoon-Ah spots Tae-Young and runs over, dragging Tae-Young to meet the group. Tae-Young is shocked and in a daze to see Ki-Joo. Ki-Joo doesn't speak, neither does he look stunned. He looks on at Tae-Young. The guy that Tae-young bumped into recognised her, and started hitting on her once again, suggesting that they should have a drink. Tae-Young is put on the spot once again, and she tries to explain (staring straight at Ki-Joo who still remains silent) how she came to know him but she only manages to stutter. The guy cuts her off, saying that Tae-Young stands out in her outfit and he thought this gathering was boring, but now the fun was starting. He put his hand onto Tae-Young's shoulder, saying that he likes cute girls. Tae-Young is of course in an awkward position and flips his hand off, staring with anger at Ki-Joo, who doesn't come to her rescue but instead stares silently along. The guy tells his friends to have a good time and he took Tae-Young by the shoulders and said they would go upstairs to the quiet rooms and enjoy themselves.
FINALLY...Ki-Joo speaks in a commanding tone, "Get your hands off her."
"What?" The guy asks back.
"I said, get your hands off her." Ki-Joo orders.
"Why don't you take care of your fiancee?" He asked back in a what-is-it-to-you tone.
This sets Ki-Joo off and he lunged at his 'friend', throwing punches at him. Ki-Joo shouted at him, "Didn't I tell you? I told you to get your hands off my woman!" Their friends held them back as they struggled to attack each other.
After warning his 'friend', Ki-Joo grabbed Tae-Young and dragged her out of the club. Yoon-Ah wanted to follow but was stopped by Ki-Joo's right hand man and good friend, who told Yoon-Ah to stop and asked her why she was following them. He said, "what more do you need before you give up?" Yoon-Ah is left humilated. This was fantastic!! Usually in Korean dramas, when the evil person sets up a plan, it never back-fires but ends up causing terrible things and break-ups and stuff. But in this scene, not only did the plan back-fire, the bi-atch got humilated along with it as well. BRILLANT!
But...the best part is yet to come. Outside the club, Ki-Joo asked Tae-Young in a demanding tone, "Why? Why were you just standing there? Are you dumb? Why can't you talk? Why didn't you tell him to get his hands off?"
Tae-Young, her eyes brimming with tears, says fearfully, "How would I?"
"Why not? Can't you talk? Can't you scream? Cant' you tell him?"
"I would have if I could, but he was your friend." Tae-Young said for herself.
"What friend? He's not my friend!" Ki-Joo said in a fit of anger.
"I couldn't say it because of you." Tae-Young replies with a little fear in her tone.
"For me? Why not for you? Why for me? "He's my man", "He's my boyfriend". WHY CAN'T YOU SAY THAT?!?!" Ki-Joo shouted in agitatedly.
Tae-Young finally stood up for herself crying as she spoke, "How can I say that looking like this? How could I, among those people? What would they think of you? I can't embarrass you in exchange for my little pride. How could I?"
What would they think of you? I can't embarrass you in exchange for my little pride. That was all she needed to say. He walked over to her, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately and the Korean music rose in the background as the camera spinned around the love-struck couple embracing in their first kiss.
GAHP !!!! (Translation: AWWWWWWWWWWW............)
Monday, August 01, 2005
Drowning noise with noise
My computer is making this weird weird noise, in fact, it's been doing this for several weeks now. It started with just "wheeeeaaa wheeeaa" every once in half an hour or so and this "whhhheeeeeeee" sound prolonged till now, it's just "whheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-ing" constantly and I have this ominous feeling that it's going to die soon. No...I KNOW that it's going to die soon...the only question there is to it is "WHEN?"
And to conquere this problem, I've cranked up my Windows Media Player to drown out the noise - a logical approach to solving a "wheee-ing" sound in a computer's hard drive. Actually...I can't say it's really effective because the "wheeeeeeeee-ing" is competing with my music, but I guess on a more positive note, there's a constant rhythm to all my songs.
Anyway...I think this is a rather useless blog entry about my 'rather interesting' life. I think staring at my new blog layout would be more facinating. And while we are on this topic, what do you think of my new layout? I don't really know what I think about it...I am not extremely happy about it, but I'm not dissappointed as well. I like it, but there's just something about it that's bugging me - maybe it's the cluttered-ness of all the pictures, or maybe it's just the too-pastel colours, or maybe it's the "The page cannot be displayed" tag board (which is completely out of my control)...but two things I like about this new layout is the background with only a few - definitely not all - of my fav brands and a very - very (might I add) - tiny insight to my assets.
Okay...I think I shall pull a Houdini now. TV time! I'm currently stuck on this AMAZING korean drama serial - recommended highly by Rachel, another korean drama fanatic - called "LOVERS IN PARIS" (only on episode 4 of 21) and it's a fantastically fairytale-ishly dreamable material. I want to watch more now but my parents are not home yet. I've got them hooked on the show, except that mum doesn't get back till 6.30pm, and dinner doesn't finish by 7.30pm, plus watching the show without them is out of the question, so I have to patiently wait wait wait till we are all ready to sit down and have our family tv time. But for the time being, I shall just rewatch the first episode or something, brush up on my korean and have a good laugh. Pear, this is a must watch if they are showing it in Singapore or if you can get hold of the DVD from your mum's friend.
An Nyong!
And to conquere this problem, I've cranked up my Windows Media Player to drown out the noise - a logical approach to solving a "wheee-ing" sound in a computer's hard drive. Actually...I can't say it's really effective because the "wheeeeeeeee-ing" is competing with my music, but I guess on a more positive note, there's a constant rhythm to all my songs.
Anyway...I think this is a rather useless blog entry about my 'rather interesting' life. I think staring at my new blog layout would be more facinating. And while we are on this topic, what do you think of my new layout? I don't really know what I think about it...I am not extremely happy about it, but I'm not dissappointed as well. I like it, but there's just something about it that's bugging me - maybe it's the cluttered-ness of all the pictures, or maybe it's just the too-pastel colours, or maybe it's the "The page cannot be displayed" tag board (which is completely out of my control)...but two things I like about this new layout is the background with only a few - definitely not all - of my fav brands and a very - very (might I add) - tiny insight to my assets.
Okay...I think I shall pull a Houdini now. TV time! I'm currently stuck on this AMAZING korean drama serial - recommended highly by Rachel, another korean drama fanatic - called "LOVERS IN PARIS" (only on episode 4 of 21) and it's a fantastically fairytale-ishly dreamable material. I want to watch more now but my parents are not home yet. I've got them hooked on the show, except that mum doesn't get back till 6.30pm, and dinner doesn't finish by 7.30pm, plus watching the show without them is out of the question, so I have to patiently wait wait wait till we are all ready to sit down and have our family tv time. But for the time being, I shall just rewatch the first episode or something, brush up on my korean and have a good laugh. Pear, this is a must watch if they are showing it in Singapore or if you can get hold of the DVD from your mum's friend.
An Nyong!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
I NEED PICTURES!!
Help everyone!!
I need pictures of you or your friends partying at a club or pub...being merry and well...slightly drunk is alright too!! Or pictures of bands on stage performing in a club...DJs welcomed as well!
WHY? Well...coz I'm banner girl that's why! I need pictures to be inserted into our Gig Guide Banner (all about Gigs in South Auckland) and I need all the help I can get...sorry, I don't have time to explain in further detail, but if you have any suitable pictures...please HELP!
I need pictures of you or your friends partying at a club or pub...being merry and well...slightly drunk is alright too!! Or pictures of bands on stage performing in a club...DJs welcomed as well!
WHY? Well...coz I'm banner girl that's why! I need pictures to be inserted into our Gig Guide Banner (all about Gigs in South Auckland) and I need all the help I can get...sorry, I don't have time to explain in further detail, but if you have any suitable pictures...please HELP!
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