Jemalelinh came over yesterday to just nuah. We went grocery shopping at J8, bought a lot of prawns and came back to my place to cook. It was pretty fun and HEY! We didn't give ourselves indigestion after that. Then after that we sat around the TV room and talked and ate Famous Amos and talked and... You get the idea... Talk and talk and talk... And I think that the greatest thing that we did for each other was that we just listened as the other one talked. It didn't matter if advice was given or not. I'm really glad that this friendship was saved. I know that during the whole of last year, I was kind of... not there. But when I managed to find my way back, Jemalelinh was still there. :D I don't know why you stuck around but I love you so much for it. :)
I've written my appeal letter. So now I'm just waiting for Ms Tan to pass me her referral letter. I could actually just hand in my appeal without it but the referral would give my case a boost. E-mailed the dept head for an appointment but there's been no e-mail so I'm guessing he's not around. Probably on leave in the same happy holiday place that all the Vice-dean's are in. Sigh. You know what they say about harsh reality hitting you in the face? I got a bit of that yesterday when I checked the CORS website and found that they had suspended my CORS account. I think I was hoping that they wouldn't do that until the appeal period is over but I guess technically speaking I've already been dismissed. So there really wouldn't be a point for the system to keep my account active would there?
They say the worst part is the waiting. It's so true. I keep wondering "what happens if Ms Tan gives me the referral late?", "what if I finally get all I need and send in my appeal but it's too late??", "what happens if they look at my appeal and throw it in my face?", "what happens if..." over and over and over again. So now, I don't know if I should just sit tight, or if I should start planning my time-table for next sem or... I don't know. What should I do?
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Repaired
Ok. Most of the damage has been repaired albeit with some changed headings coz I no longer remember what I originally called them and with some bits still missing. If I'm missing a link to somebody's blog please let me know. Seriously I don't know what happened. I thought I was just changing my "Daily Snow" comment and POOF!!! My entire blog has disappeared. Ah well... It's back now.
Sigh... Called up the Dean's office to ask when we'd be receiving our results slips coz I'd probably receive my dismissal letter then as well. So called to ask if I should wait for the letter before writing in an appeal or just write it anyhow. The woman on the phone told me that I can start writing it now, except that all the vice-deans are happily away on vacation and they don't know when my appeal can be processed. Sigh. I don't know friends... I really hope that I can at least finish properly in Singapore. I'm not ready to say goodbye yet.
Sigh... Called up the Dean's office to ask when we'd be receiving our results slips coz I'd probably receive my dismissal letter then as well. So called to ask if I should wait for the letter before writing in an appeal or just write it anyhow. The woman on the phone told me that I can start writing it now, except that all the vice-deans are happily away on vacation and they don't know when my appeal can be processed. Sigh. I don't know friends... I really hope that I can at least finish properly in Singapore. I'm not ready to say goodbye yet.
D-U-H
Damn i am such a klutz... If you're wondering why some sections of the side bar have different titles or are missing bits well... It's because I actually managed to delete my template somehow and I can't remember everything I put there. So I am now in the process of repairing my blog, but the main body is up and so is the chatterbox. So carry on my good people. Don't let all the reconstruction distract you.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Return From Cat City
Came back from Kuching earlier this evening. Got a new Nike knapsack from my aunt, had my fill of the wonderful wonderful Sarawak guolong mee and ever-yummy Sarawak Laksa, a slightly burned face from walking one hot morning all the way back to my grandpa's place from the Dayak market.
Was really happy to see my grandpa again. Only get to see him once a year and I know how happy it makes him to see the old house get filled up with people again. There's always so much noise, I suppose it reminds him of the past. Apparently the local Chinese newspapers came and interviewed him earlier this month. They published his story in over two days in a ten or eleven-part series about people and events that affected the history of Sarawak.
I always knew that my grandpa was a really great person and I always saw him as something of a hero. But that two-part news feature really made me feel so proud that he was my grandpa. Of course the whole family also had a bit of fun translating the article, since besides my grandpa, my sis and I are the only ones who are more fluent in Chinese. As with most Chinese newspapers, there was all this flowery language which served to emphasize or serve as anologies as to my grandpa's achievements. So there was great fun and laughter as my sis and I ran literal translations of the proverbs and similies used, which made my grandpa sound like some kind of demi-god. And my grandpa, never one to miss out on putting on a good show, quite matter-of-factly agreed with it all, claiming all that the reporter put in to be "absolutely true!" Well... For him to actually be the reincarnation of the legendary Hua Tuo is a bit of a stretch but hey! We all had fun with it and he was greatly amused.
What really saddens me though is that even though my grandpa still obviously has a really brilliant mind (he can still remember his Japanese along with at least 3 other languages besides English and here I can barely remember my Jap... Not to mention all that history he's experienced... It's all in there in his head!!), his body is shutting down at an increasing rate. Last year, although he needed help getting up, moving around and with meals, he was still turning the pages of his newspapers himself and was still able to hold long conversations before getting too tired. This year I never even saw him lifting up the papers. His arms had become too stiff and his fingers are completely frozen. His ability to have a proper conversation is so stunted now because he gets so physically tired just from getting up and moving around the table. Sometimes we're all seated at the table with him and talking, and his eyes will close or he'll start to sink a little in his chair. We know he can actually hear what we say because sometimes he'll suddenly comment and it's not just the random mumblings of a senile old man. He really knows what we were talking about. It's only because his body can't physically stay awake for very long. I'm ashamed to say this but sometimes I look at him and actually wonder if this man was really once the same grandpa that would lift me and my cousins onto his shoulders and turn us upside down, even when he was already 60-odd years old. He did so many wonderful things in his life... He doesn't deserve to have to grow old like this. It's not fair. Sigh... But... Such is life. I just hope he can stay happy for as long as possible.
In other news, I also received my Christmas present from NUS via the internet. I actually wanted to make an entry on the day itself but was attacked by teenage cousins. The cousins aren't so bad by themselves, I quite like my cousins (except for one anti-social bottomless pit currently taking refuge in my house and one she-monster from my dad's side who is gladfully going off to Dubai coz her dad got posted there for two years. Muahahahaha). The problem is that the presence of cute cousins means the presence of an uncle who is in constant need of an ego boost(goodness knows why). Back when my brother was serving NS in the air force and my eldest cousin (the bottonless pit) was in the M'sian navy, he was forever trying to compare the two. Even now with my brother on study leave and my cousin working in S'pore, he tries to find something to compare. Last year he tried to compare me and my other older cousin who's studying in Illinois. If he had found out about my situation there would be endless condescensions. Huh... Aiyah... Maybe Nicholas can help you lah.. Even though he's in freakin'faraway-Illinois doing bloodyhell-Engineering that has forPete'ssake-nothing to do with your major but Nicky's a scholarship boy lah and he can help you... *roll eyes* Save me. My uncles from both sides were all married into the family and for some reason there has to be a weirdo one to balance out the nice one on each...
Anyhow I got 2 C+s, 2 C's and a Satisfactory for Genes & Society. Not bad, considering that most of my second year was filled with F's. But I don't think it's enough for me to be put out of academic probation. I needed a B average for that. And considering that this sem was my critical sem, I'm actually expecting to see a dimissal letter for the Registrar's Office any day this week. Don't get me wrong, I'm not actually giving up hope yet. Just this morning before I left my grandpa's house for the airport I sent an "Intent to Appeal" e-mail to the Dean's office. A sort of "pre-appeal" letter. Actually my mother helped me with it coz I was still half asleep. Heh... Then I forwarded it to Ms Tan (my Resident Fellow when I was in KR) and Terada in hopes of establishing a support base should I actually need to appeal. Ms Tan has already replied and thankfully has offered to give me any help I need. Terada on the other hand, is off on another one of his gallivants and according to his auto-reply system will only be back next month. Hopefully he returns before the appeal period is over. So Ms O8ight, don't go booking your holiday ticket just yet. You might find yourself without accomodation. Hahah. But to all of you who've posted supportively on my chatterbox and those who've kept tabs on me through sms... RJ, O8ight, Eskie, Nekoweenie, Jemalelinh... I wanna give you all a BEEG HUG and THANK YOU for just being there. It's nice sometimes not to be told what to do. *Big teary-eyed grin* Thanx.
Was really happy to see my grandpa again. Only get to see him once a year and I know how happy it makes him to see the old house get filled up with people again. There's always so much noise, I suppose it reminds him of the past. Apparently the local Chinese newspapers came and interviewed him earlier this month. They published his story in over two days in a ten or eleven-part series about people and events that affected the history of Sarawak.
I always knew that my grandpa was a really great person and I always saw him as something of a hero. But that two-part news feature really made me feel so proud that he was my grandpa. Of course the whole family also had a bit of fun translating the article, since besides my grandpa, my sis and I are the only ones who are more fluent in Chinese. As with most Chinese newspapers, there was all this flowery language which served to emphasize or serve as anologies as to my grandpa's achievements. So there was great fun and laughter as my sis and I ran literal translations of the proverbs and similies used, which made my grandpa sound like some kind of demi-god. And my grandpa, never one to miss out on putting on a good show, quite matter-of-factly agreed with it all, claiming all that the reporter put in to be "absolutely true!" Well... For him to actually be the reincarnation of the legendary Hua Tuo is a bit of a stretch but hey! We all had fun with it and he was greatly amused.
What really saddens me though is that even though my grandpa still obviously has a really brilliant mind (he can still remember his Japanese along with at least 3 other languages besides English and here I can barely remember my Jap... Not to mention all that history he's experienced... It's all in there in his head!!), his body is shutting down at an increasing rate. Last year, although he needed help getting up, moving around and with meals, he was still turning the pages of his newspapers himself and was still able to hold long conversations before getting too tired. This year I never even saw him lifting up the papers. His arms had become too stiff and his fingers are completely frozen. His ability to have a proper conversation is so stunted now because he gets so physically tired just from getting up and moving around the table. Sometimes we're all seated at the table with him and talking, and his eyes will close or he'll start to sink a little in his chair. We know he can actually hear what we say because sometimes he'll suddenly comment and it's not just the random mumblings of a senile old man. He really knows what we were talking about. It's only because his body can't physically stay awake for very long. I'm ashamed to say this but sometimes I look at him and actually wonder if this man was really once the same grandpa that would lift me and my cousins onto his shoulders and turn us upside down, even when he was already 60-odd years old. He did so many wonderful things in his life... He doesn't deserve to have to grow old like this. It's not fair. Sigh... But... Such is life. I just hope he can stay happy for as long as possible.
In other news, I also received my Christmas present from NUS via the internet. I actually wanted to make an entry on the day itself but was attacked by teenage cousins. The cousins aren't so bad by themselves, I quite like my cousins (except for one anti-social bottomless pit currently taking refuge in my house and one she-monster from my dad's side who is gladfully going off to Dubai coz her dad got posted there for two years. Muahahahaha). The problem is that the presence of cute cousins means the presence of an uncle who is in constant need of an ego boost(goodness knows why). Back when my brother was serving NS in the air force and my eldest cousin (the bottonless pit) was in the M'sian navy, he was forever trying to compare the two. Even now with my brother on study leave and my cousin working in S'pore, he tries to find something to compare. Last year he tried to compare me and my other older cousin who's studying in Illinois. If he had found out about my situation there would be endless condescensions. Huh... Aiyah... Maybe Nicholas can help you lah.. Even though he's in freakin'faraway-Illinois doing bloodyhell-Engineering that has forPete'ssake-nothing to do with your major but Nicky's a scholarship boy lah and he can help you... *roll eyes* Save me. My uncles from both sides were all married into the family and for some reason there has to be a weirdo one to balance out the nice one on each...
Anyhow I got 2 C+s, 2 C's and a Satisfactory for Genes & Society. Not bad, considering that most of my second year was filled with F's. But I don't think it's enough for me to be put out of academic probation. I needed a B average for that. And considering that this sem was my critical sem, I'm actually expecting to see a dimissal letter for the Registrar's Office any day this week. Don't get me wrong, I'm not actually giving up hope yet. Just this morning before I left my grandpa's house for the airport I sent an "Intent to Appeal" e-mail to the Dean's office. A sort of "pre-appeal" letter. Actually my mother helped me with it coz I was still half asleep. Heh... Then I forwarded it to Ms Tan (my Resident Fellow when I was in KR) and Terada in hopes of establishing a support base should I actually need to appeal. Ms Tan has already replied and thankfully has offered to give me any help I need. Terada on the other hand, is off on another one of his gallivants and according to his auto-reply system will only be back next month. Hopefully he returns before the appeal period is over. So Ms O8ight, don't go booking your holiday ticket just yet. You might find yourself without accomodation. Hahah. But to all of you who've posted supportively on my chatterbox and those who've kept tabs on me through sms... RJ, O8ight, Eskie, Nekoweenie, Jemalelinh... I wanna give you all a BEEG HUG and THANK YOU for just being there. It's nice sometimes not to be told what to do. *Big teary-eyed grin* Thanx.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Kaname Jun!
Hmmph... Since Nekoweenie claims that Kaname Jun only looks good with his hair covering his face and posted an example pic I shall post a pic of him without his hair covering his face. He still looks good ok!! :P:P:P
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Psycho Siew Mai Strikes Again
I just realized that I may actually be over-reacting again. The last post sounds a little end-of-the-world doesn't it?? I don't know. Actually it might be me running away again. Running away from NUS. I'm always running away from my problems or from things I find troubling. You guys want to know the truth? I applied for hall stay to get away from home. I hardly went home because I didn't want to be at home. Not that I was really having any problems at home. I just wanted to get away from my mum's nagging, my brother's machoism, my sister's trying-too-hard-ism... Basically I was running away from my family's expectations of me. And now for an even harsher truth.
I ran away from KR.
My mum telling me to withdraw from KR is only half the story. I wanted to get out. My mum actually suggested that I keep the room but withdraw from all activities. But I knew that was going to be difficult. I didn't want to be there and face all these people who expected me to give them something. Like I owed it to them to do something. So I used my mum and my grades as my ticket out of KR. I ran away. Again.
*bitter laugh* I can just imagine the reaction of those 6F bastards if they actually knew. On the other hand, they might not care at all. All of them were just waiting for me to fail anyhow.
Ok yes. I'm turning psycho. Listen to me... Talk about paranoia. Although I'm not unconvinced that those assholes upstairs (actually mainly 2 of them) were good people who had good intentions. They were f***ing bastards and hypocrites. And ok I'm going to stop now before I churn out an even more psycho rant.
I ran away from KR.
My mum telling me to withdraw from KR is only half the story. I wanted to get out. My mum actually suggested that I keep the room but withdraw from all activities. But I knew that was going to be difficult. I didn't want to be there and face all these people who expected me to give them something. Like I owed it to them to do something. So I used my mum and my grades as my ticket out of KR. I ran away. Again.
*bitter laugh* I can just imagine the reaction of those 6F bastards if they actually knew. On the other hand, they might not care at all. All of them were just waiting for me to fail anyhow.
Ok yes. I'm turning psycho. Listen to me... Talk about paranoia. Although I'm not unconvinced that those assholes upstairs (actually mainly 2 of them) were good people who had good intentions. They were f***ing bastards and hypocrites. And ok I'm going to stop now before I churn out an even more psycho rant.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
End of A Chapter?
Everyone who reads this blog probably already knows that I've been on academic probation and that this sem was my last chance to redeem myself. The only person who didn't know was my mother. I mean, she knew that I had failed badly during my second year, but I only told her that much at the end of last sem. She didn't know that at that point in time I had already been on academic probation for one sem. And it wasn't easy telling her. After that everytime she brought up the subject of my grades it became difficult to communicate. I couldn't talk to her about it. But somehow yesterday I managed to sit down with her during lunch and talk about it calmly. I didn't become particularly upset or anything. I told her my chances of getting off probation was probably 50-50. So she suggested going down to the Dean's office to talk to the Dean or one of the Vice-Deans. Said that at least when the time comes for real appeals, the deanery would have an idea of my situation already.
So I went home and called the office to try my luck. Of course getting a hearing with the Dean is never that easy so they told me to go and find any of the admin officers first. So with Aronwy's advice to get it over and done with asap, I went down to school. Nekoweenie came along to lend moral support and for that I am ETERNALLY grateful. It's never easy when you have to go face the people on top and beg for mercy. So we got to AS7 and I asked to see an admin officer for advice. But they told me that they couldn't really advise me on anything until the results for this sem actually came out. Still, I am thankful that the AO on duty went through the trouble of listening to me and trying to find someone whom I could talk to. And I'm so glad that Nekoweenie came with me. Seriously if you hadn't been there I think I would have just imploded in front of the AO's desk. *POOMFFF*
So the wait for the results continue. Though at the same time, I am considering finding an alternative path of study. Some things that my mum and Nekoweenie said made me wonder. I was quite amazed when my mum said that it can't be denied that I was depressed and that I obviously had a problem the whole of last year. I never spoke to her about it and yet she knew, even though she never found out the root of the problem. Then she said that she could never quite understand why I insisted on studying arts even though I seem more comfortable with logic-based or methodical subjects. Made me wonder why I did too. It's kind of true you know. Just look at my 'O'-level results. Then when I told Nekoweenie about it, she said why not go study something like mass communications? Popular culture and science technology all mashed together.
I'm amazed at how other people can know me better than I know myself. I always thought myself as some kind of artsy fartsy person. But I'm really just a geek inside. Even Jemalelinh knows it without my having to say it. But then you know a lot about me without my having to say it Jemalelinh.. :p I'm a mixed breed I guess. Hahaha... Anyhow I've been looking at Monash and Curtin Techological University. My mum seems to like Monash a lot. Though Curtin's got something called Internet Studies and surprise surprise, it's actually a Bachelor of Arts. Talk about cross-faculty discipline. But I haven't really made up my mind. I might still decide to go back to studying the life sciences like bio or chem. I should decide quickly though since most foundation courses in Australia start in Feb and so do the diploma courses in Monash College (which will allow me to go straight into second year at Monash Uni). And yet... I'd like to just stay in Singapore a while longer. So here's hoping for the best.
I hope.
So I went home and called the office to try my luck. Of course getting a hearing with the Dean is never that easy so they told me to go and find any of the admin officers first. So with Aronwy's advice to get it over and done with asap, I went down to school. Nekoweenie came along to lend moral support and for that I am ETERNALLY grateful. It's never easy when you have to go face the people on top and beg for mercy. So we got to AS7 and I asked to see an admin officer for advice. But they told me that they couldn't really advise me on anything until the results for this sem actually came out. Still, I am thankful that the AO on duty went through the trouble of listening to me and trying to find someone whom I could talk to. And I'm so glad that Nekoweenie came with me. Seriously if you hadn't been there I think I would have just imploded in front of the AO's desk. *POOMFFF*
So the wait for the results continue. Though at the same time, I am considering finding an alternative path of study. Some things that my mum and Nekoweenie said made me wonder. I was quite amazed when my mum said that it can't be denied that I was depressed and that I obviously had a problem the whole of last year. I never spoke to her about it and yet she knew, even though she never found out the root of the problem. Then she said that she could never quite understand why I insisted on studying arts even though I seem more comfortable with logic-based or methodical subjects. Made me wonder why I did too. It's kind of true you know. Just look at my 'O'-level results. Then when I told Nekoweenie about it, she said why not go study something like mass communications? Popular culture and science technology all mashed together.
I'm amazed at how other people can know me better than I know myself. I always thought myself as some kind of artsy fartsy person. But I'm really just a geek inside. Even Jemalelinh knows it without my having to say it. But then you know a lot about me without my having to say it Jemalelinh.. :p I'm a mixed breed I guess. Hahaha... Anyhow I've been looking at Monash and Curtin Techological University. My mum seems to like Monash a lot. Though Curtin's got something called Internet Studies and surprise surprise, it's actually a Bachelor of Arts. Talk about cross-faculty discipline. But I haven't really made up my mind. I might still decide to go back to studying the life sciences like bio or chem. I should decide quickly though since most foundation courses in Australia start in Feb and so do the diploma courses in Monash College (which will allow me to go straight into second year at Monash Uni). And yet... I'd like to just stay in Singapore a while longer. So here's hoping for the best.
I hope.
Friday, December 17, 2004
"Why Must We Keep Fighting?"
Went to watch this Japanese sci-fi movie called "Casshern" with Nekoweenie today. I must say that I was very entertained. We both were. We were giggling almost throughout the whole movie. Not because the movie sucked or anything but more because the direction of the movie was just one big anime cliche. Seriously it was like watching an anime with live people instead of 2D characters.
Some typical sci-fi/fantasy anime characteristics:
- alternate future where the world's atmosphere is severely damaged and mutants/aliens/cyborgs/robots are taking over the world and humans have courageously managed to overcome all odds to fight and survive.
- Wars and battles all over the place between humans and mutants/aliens/cyborgs
- Enigmatic scientist who comes up with some wonderful new way of saving the human race.
- He usually later turns out to be slightly mad as well.
- Poor estranged son of the enigmatic mad scientist who also happens to be the hero of the story.
- Heroine that everyone will fall in love with and who believes deeply in the good of everyone and will eventually be the deciding factor in the battle of good vs evil.
- Enigmatic bad guy who only wants the end of humanity as we know it. In most cases we find out later that he's not all that bad, just pushed to the edge due to heart-wrenching circumstances.
- Bumbling/dense henchman of Enigmatic Bad Guy who is actually very kind-hearted, just on the wrong side due to unfortunate circumstances. Sometimes turns out to be the most insightful character despite having fewer brain cells.
- Hot sexy dominatrix who kicks ass, especially if the ass is male. Usually has little to say and absolutely loyal to Enigmatic Bad Guy. Doesn't question his motives.
- Hot sexy bad guy who kicks ass, any ass. Also doesn't say much. Second-in-command to Enigmatic Bad Guy and also very loyal. Also tends to tread the line between good and evil.
Heh. Ok. Must stop. If I say anymore then this post would be just one big spoiler and I might as well just tell you the whole story. Not that I haven't already nearly done so. When I said the movie was just one big anime cliche, i mean it is one big anime cliche. But I suppose if you consider that it is based on a very old anime that ran during the 1970s, you could say the director is actually staying true to the story.
That's not to say that the movie was a terrible one. After you finish sniggering at the cliches you realize that it's actually quite good when you put it all into context. Very entertaining and actually very very thought provoking. The title of this post is actually a line that the heroine says somewhere in the middle of the show. Although it may have been unintended (and since the original story was thought of so long ago, I believe it is so), there are numerous parallels that you can draw to the state of the world that we live in today. Stem cell issues, mindless wars, racism, religious discrimination and religious fanatism, environmental issues, our growing dependency on technology... The list goes on my friends. It's also a cinematographic achievement. Like "Sky Captain", this film was made almost entirely on a CGI background with a live action cast. Only certain sets and props were real. Apparently there's some debate going on about who did it first but I don't really know the details. Right now I am currently quite in love with the Hot Sexy Second-in-Command, Barashin (the actor's name is Kaname Jun 要潤). So hot. I seem to have this bad habit of falling in love with characters that are standing on the edge. Hehehe... I want to go and buy the soundtrack. The songs inside quite quite cool.
So do I recommend this movie? Yes, actually, I do. I thought it was quite worth it. Although my only advice would be not to watch this movie with live-action movie expectations. Go watch it as an anime, and it will blast you away.
Cool trailer: http://www.apple.com/jp/quicktime/trailers/casshern_large.html
Trailer translation:
Some typical sci-fi/fantasy anime characteristics:
- alternate future where the world's atmosphere is severely damaged and mutants/aliens/cyborgs/robots are taking over the world and humans have courageously managed to overcome all odds to fight and survive.
- Wars and battles all over the place between humans and mutants/aliens/cyborgs
- Enigmatic scientist who comes up with some wonderful new way of saving the human race.
- He usually later turns out to be slightly mad as well.
- Poor estranged son of the enigmatic mad scientist who also happens to be the hero of the story.
- Heroine that everyone will fall in love with and who believes deeply in the good of everyone and will eventually be the deciding factor in the battle of good vs evil.
- Enigmatic bad guy who only wants the end of humanity as we know it. In most cases we find out later that he's not all that bad, just pushed to the edge due to heart-wrenching circumstances.
- Bumbling/dense henchman of Enigmatic Bad Guy who is actually very kind-hearted, just on the wrong side due to unfortunate circumstances. Sometimes turns out to be the most insightful character despite having fewer brain cells.
- Hot sexy dominatrix who kicks ass, especially if the ass is male. Usually has little to say and absolutely loyal to Enigmatic Bad Guy. Doesn't question his motives.
- Hot sexy bad guy who kicks ass, any ass. Also doesn't say much. Second-in-command to Enigmatic Bad Guy and also very loyal. Also tends to tread the line between good and evil.
Heh. Ok. Must stop. If I say anymore then this post would be just one big spoiler and I might as well just tell you the whole story. Not that I haven't already nearly done so. When I said the movie was just one big anime cliche, i mean it is one big anime cliche. But I suppose if you consider that it is based on a very old anime that ran during the 1970s, you could say the director is actually staying true to the story.
That's not to say that the movie was a terrible one. After you finish sniggering at the cliches you realize that it's actually quite good when you put it all into context. Very entertaining and actually very very thought provoking. The title of this post is actually a line that the heroine says somewhere in the middle of the show. Although it may have been unintended (and since the original story was thought of so long ago, I believe it is so), there are numerous parallels that you can draw to the state of the world that we live in today. Stem cell issues, mindless wars, racism, religious discrimination and religious fanatism, environmental issues, our growing dependency on technology... The list goes on my friends. It's also a cinematographic achievement. Like "Sky Captain", this film was made almost entirely on a CGI background with a live action cast. Only certain sets and props were real. Apparently there's some debate going on about who did it first but I don't really know the details. Right now I am currently quite in love with the Hot Sexy Second-in-Command, Barashin (the actor's name is Kaname Jun 要潤). So hot. I seem to have this bad habit of falling in love with characters that are standing on the edge. Hehehe... I want to go and buy the soundtrack. The songs inside quite quite cool.
So do I recommend this movie? Yes, actually, I do. I thought it was quite worth it. Although my only advice would be not to watch this movie with live-action movie expectations. Go watch it as an anime, and it will blast you away.
Cool trailer: http://www.apple.com/jp/quicktime/trailers/casshern_large.html
Trailer translation:
Thursday, December 16, 2004
In Case You Haven't Noticed...
I added a small section to the side bar called "Daily Snow". This is for me to put down my thought for the day or just a random shout out if I don't really have anything to post. Now that the holidays have started I doubt I will have much to blog about. My life is that exciting. So happening hor. Tch.
I was looking at my teeth and the dentist was right. I do have big teeth. Good. Can bite people harder next time. Hahaha.. Yes yes... I'm talking about my wisdom teeth. The dentist gave them back to me and they've been sitting on my table. My mother suggusted soaking them in bleach or hydrogen peroxide to preserve them. Just for the heck of it. Heheh.. Trouble is that one of them is in bits. One big bit and 3 little bits. That's the lower one that he had to drill before he could yank it out. He actually told me to glue it back. -_-'" I'm looking at the pieces and I can't quite figure out where each piece goes... Tooth jigsaw... Hmm...
Egads... I'm actually writing a post about my already extracted wisdom teeth. Writing about the process of extraction is one thing. I'm writing about teeth that are now sitting on my table and looking at me. I seriously need to get out of the house and do something. I'm such a sloth.
I was looking at my teeth and the dentist was right. I do have big teeth. Good. Can bite people harder next time. Hahaha.. Yes yes... I'm talking about my wisdom teeth. The dentist gave them back to me and they've been sitting on my table. My mother suggusted soaking them in bleach or hydrogen peroxide to preserve them. Just for the heck of it. Heheh.. Trouble is that one of them is in bits. One big bit and 3 little bits. That's the lower one that he had to drill before he could yank it out. He actually told me to glue it back. -_-'" I'm looking at the pieces and I can't quite figure out where each piece goes... Tooth jigsaw... Hmm...
Egads... I'm actually writing a post about my already extracted wisdom teeth. Writing about the process of extraction is one thing. I'm writing about teeth that are now sitting on my table and looking at me. I seriously need to get out of the house and do something. I'm such a sloth.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Epitome of Miserable-ness
The past few days, I have been utterly miserable. Today I am MISERABLE.
My lower right side gums started to get really sore around Thursday and by the weekend it was so painful I could barely open my mouth. So today I went down to the dentist and as expected it was my wisdom tooth causing problems. What I didn't expect was that the upper wisdom tooth was aggravating the problem so that had to go as well. I was actually supposed to make another appointment for the surgery but as it so happened, one of the other patients suddenly postponed her appointment so I could do it today. So I had both my right side wisdom teeth removed and so the right side of my face is now numb and swollen. Actually the anaesthsia is starting to wear off so it's starting to hurt a bit. Ok. More than a bit.
Anyhow. The surgery itself was quite ok. Injected my jaw was loads of anaesthesia and it was numb within seconds. The upper wisdom tooth came out easily enough. He actually managed to yank it out whole. The lower one had to be drilled into bits before he could pick out the pieces. Then after that he gave them to me and told me to go home and glue it back together... -_-"' So diao-ded.
So I am going to be the most miserable person in the world today. Forgive me if I snap at anyone. I don't handle pain very well.
On an interesting note? After I took a dental X-ray, the dentist showed me something quite curious... I apparently have an extra but undeveloped tooth buried in my lower gum near my incisors... Wonder why it's there.. Maybe I'm one of those people who had an undeveloped twin.... O_o
My lower right side gums started to get really sore around Thursday and by the weekend it was so painful I could barely open my mouth. So today I went down to the dentist and as expected it was my wisdom tooth causing problems. What I didn't expect was that the upper wisdom tooth was aggravating the problem so that had to go as well. I was actually supposed to make another appointment for the surgery but as it so happened, one of the other patients suddenly postponed her appointment so I could do it today. So I had both my right side wisdom teeth removed and so the right side of my face is now numb and swollen. Actually the anaesthsia is starting to wear off so it's starting to hurt a bit. Ok. More than a bit.
Anyhow. The surgery itself was quite ok. Injected my jaw was loads of anaesthesia and it was numb within seconds. The upper wisdom tooth came out easily enough. He actually managed to yank it out whole. The lower one had to be drilled into bits before he could pick out the pieces. Then after that he gave them to me and told me to go home and glue it back together... -_-"' So diao-ded.
So I am going to be the most miserable person in the world today. Forgive me if I snap at anyone. I don't handle pain very well.
On an interesting note? After I took a dental X-ray, the dentist showed me something quite curious... I apparently have an extra but undeveloped tooth buried in my lower gum near my incisors... Wonder why it's there.. Maybe I'm one of those people who had an undeveloped twin.... O_o
Friday, December 10, 2004
Random Thoughts
Who is the fool and who is the wiseman?
One who acts the fool or one who claims the wiser?
Religion: As an abstract concept it can be amazingly simple. But sometimes it seems too simple not be abstract.
*ahem* Once again let me emphasize that these thoughts and everything else on my blog are my own opinions. You don't have to agree with them and you don't have to give any response either. Especially if your response turns out to be some kind of flaming. I'm not promoting my ideas nor do I insist that my opinions are the absolute truth. I'm just voicing out whatever's in my head. So it's not really your place to tell me that what I think is absolutely wrong either.
One who acts the fool or one who claims the wiser?
Religion: As an abstract concept it can be amazingly simple. But sometimes it seems too simple not be abstract.
*ahem* Once again let me emphasize that these thoughts and everything else on my blog are my own opinions. You don't have to agree with them and you don't have to give any response either. Especially if your response turns out to be some kind of flaming. I'm not promoting my ideas nor do I insist that my opinions are the absolute truth. I'm just voicing out whatever's in my head. So it's not really your place to tell me that what I think is absolutely wrong either.
Mini-Reunion
Just came back from dinner with some of the guys from my JC class. Yee Sen, Lionel, Stuart and Ahmed. It was quite fun seeing them again. We ate about $85 worth of Marche and then went over to Bakers Inn at One Fullerton to have dessert and coffee. And that was another $53. Damn expensive. I'm very very poor now. But I must say that the warm chocolate cake is VERY nice. Except that it's the smallest cake I've ever seen. It was smaller than a can of tuna. Anyhow there was some catching up. But in the end a lot of the conversations turned into a remember this remember that and - boys being boys - talk about games, consoles, LAN, etc. And of course Stuart going on and on about how great Sydney is but insisting that he wasn't going to migrate. Would've liked to hear more about how all their lives have been so far. I mean except for Ahmed whom I see every now and then in NUS, I haven't seen the others since we graduated from JC.
In case any of you are wondering, I was never close to the girls in my class, which is why this little dinner consisted of the 4 guys and me. SB3 back then, if you want to put it really generally, was split into two. The half that Kelly Koh (my GP teacher) couldn't stand (i.e. spoilt, brainless, bengs, lians or jocks. A fine example would be V. Pang. *pui*) and the half that got along just fine with him (the MEP gang, half the boys in the class and me). Yes... Sad though it may be... I was the only girl in a group of boys. Except for Chun Rui but she was always more of the MEP gang. So yah. No matter what the class did, ultimately we always split into the two halves. Even during prom. And I always ended up hanging out with the guys. And it was fun! The first time those idiots brought me LAN gaming was damn hilarious. How the hell would I know how to play Counter Strike??? I "landed" and immediately got lost in the map. Nuts.
Just for the record, it's not "Veetwo and her boys". I'm just one of the guys. Aronwy declared that it's the same thing over MSN and I insisted that it's not. Even though she conceded in the end i don't think she was really convinced. And really I'm just lazy to explain it over MSN which is why I'm writing it in my blog, so don't take any offence Aronwy. It is NOT the same to me. "My boys" would mean like I take care of them, look after them or vice versa, or something to that extent. It's not the case at all! We were friends and buddies and we were all just part of the gang. But that's just MY opinion. MY view on the matter. MY way of defining things. I'm not saying your definition or your opinion is wrong but that doesn't make my point of view any less correct. Whether or not it was your intention - which I don't think it was. It just came out wrong - it sounded like you were pushing your views on me. And this isn't the first time it's happened.
So just a word of advice, for everyone who reads this blog - you need to be careful with the opinions and beliefs of other people. Even your friends. Actually it should be ESPECIALLY your friends. Every individual will have their own mindset. Their own POVs and their own way of thinking. RESPECT that. Just because someone thinks differently from you doesn't mean you can't be their friend. And just because someone IS your friend doesn't mean that they have to think exactly or even remotely like you. Friendship, or any other relationship, is based on love, understanding and mutual respect. Opinions and beliefs should not stand in the way of a potentially important relationship. So yes. Respect other people's beliefs, even if you can't understand it. Stay open to ideas because you never know - someone might just come up with something truly great.
But then again, that's just my opinion. Siew Mai logic if you will. ;) Cheers people.
In case any of you are wondering, I was never close to the girls in my class, which is why this little dinner consisted of the 4 guys and me. SB3 back then, if you want to put it really generally, was split into two. The half that Kelly Koh (my GP teacher) couldn't stand (i.e. spoilt, brainless, bengs, lians or jocks. A fine example would be V. Pang. *pui*) and the half that got along just fine with him (the MEP gang, half the boys in the class and me). Yes... Sad though it may be... I was the only girl in a group of boys. Except for Chun Rui but she was always more of the MEP gang. So yah. No matter what the class did, ultimately we always split into the two halves. Even during prom. And I always ended up hanging out with the guys. And it was fun! The first time those idiots brought me LAN gaming was damn hilarious. How the hell would I know how to play Counter Strike??? I "landed" and immediately got lost in the map. Nuts.
Just for the record, it's not "Veetwo and her boys". I'm just one of the guys. Aronwy declared that it's the same thing over MSN and I insisted that it's not. Even though she conceded in the end i don't think she was really convinced. And really I'm just lazy to explain it over MSN which is why I'm writing it in my blog, so don't take any offence Aronwy. It is NOT the same to me. "My boys" would mean like I take care of them, look after them or vice versa, or something to that extent. It's not the case at all! We were friends and buddies and we were all just part of the gang. But that's just MY opinion. MY view on the matter. MY way of defining things. I'm not saying your definition or your opinion is wrong but that doesn't make my point of view any less correct. Whether or not it was your intention - which I don't think it was. It just came out wrong - it sounded like you were pushing your views on me. And this isn't the first time it's happened.
So just a word of advice, for everyone who reads this blog - you need to be careful with the opinions and beliefs of other people. Even your friends. Actually it should be ESPECIALLY your friends. Every individual will have their own mindset. Their own POVs and their own way of thinking. RESPECT that. Just because someone thinks differently from you doesn't mean you can't be their friend. And just because someone IS your friend doesn't mean that they have to think exactly or even remotely like you. Friendship, or any other relationship, is based on love, understanding and mutual respect. Opinions and beliefs should not stand in the way of a potentially important relationship. So yes. Respect other people's beliefs, even if you can't understand it. Stay open to ideas because you never know - someone might just come up with something truly great.
But then again, that's just my opinion. Siew Mai logic if you will. ;) Cheers people.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Permanently Attached
To my chair, that is.
I have officially done nothing - absolutely NOTHING - for two whole days. Oh. Well there was the JLPT exam yesterday morning. That went fine. Except that I think I shaded one wrong circle under my registration number for one of the OASs (optical answer sheet)... But Nekoweenie says that if I wrote my name then it should still be ok... Hope so. Oh well... It's over. No point mulling over it anymore.
I can't believe I just bummed two days away sitting in front of my comp. Hmm... Actually that's not quite right either. I spent the rest of yesterday eating with my family and watching LOTR: The Two Towers Extended Edition. Then I spent today in front of my comp. And I wasn't even watching anime... Noooo... *ahem* I was.. er... *sheepishly* playing Neopets...
Just for the record, I'm not a regular neopet-er... I just go whenever I feel like it. So very often I find my pets in "dying" status. I wonder why they nvr actually "die". Hmm.. Oh well.
Having a little class gathering on Thursday. Mainly just the little gang that I was close to. Yee Sen, Ahmed, Lionel and Stuart. Yibin might come I think... Gosh... I haven't seen Lionel since I bumped into him one day in my first year, Yee Sen I haven't seen since graduation and Stuart too. To think Yee Sen used to be my best friend in JC... Hmm... Wonder if I'll have anything to say to them. Ha... Will definitely keep track of the number awkward silences that occur.
I have officially done nothing - absolutely NOTHING - for two whole days. Oh. Well there was the JLPT exam yesterday morning. That went fine. Except that I think I shaded one wrong circle under my registration number for one of the OASs (optical answer sheet)... But Nekoweenie says that if I wrote my name then it should still be ok... Hope so. Oh well... It's over. No point mulling over it anymore.
I can't believe I just bummed two days away sitting in front of my comp. Hmm... Actually that's not quite right either. I spent the rest of yesterday eating with my family and watching LOTR: The Two Towers Extended Edition. Then I spent today in front of my comp. And I wasn't even watching anime... Noooo... *ahem* I was.. er... *sheepishly* playing Neopets...
Just for the record, I'm not a regular neopet-er... I just go whenever I feel like it. So very often I find my pets in "dying" status. I wonder why they nvr actually "die". Hmm.. Oh well.
Having a little class gathering on Thursday. Mainly just the little gang that I was close to. Yee Sen, Ahmed, Lionel and Stuart. Yibin might come I think... Gosh... I haven't seen Lionel since I bumped into him one day in my first year, Yee Sen I haven't seen since graduation and Stuart too. To think Yee Sen used to be my best friend in JC... Hmm... Wonder if I'll have anything to say to them. Ha... Will definitely keep track of the number awkward silences that occur.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
No Cure!
That's it. It is confirmed!
I have an incurable disease!!! It might be fatal. I don't know.
It's called Bummeritis. Very serious illness, Bummeritis. You can never get off your bum.
I have an incurable disease!!! It might be fatal. I don't know.
It's called Bummeritis. Very serious illness, Bummeritis. You can never get off your bum.
Let The Bumming Begin...
Lalala...
Exams are finally over. Except for my JLPT 4 exam which is tomorrow all the way in freaking Changi. Dunno why they have to build the Japanese school there. Anyway. Although I should be going through my tenses and verbs and particles... I'm sitting around playing Bejewelled2 and wondering whether or not to continue watching The Two Towers: Extended Edition. I was watching it this afternoon but got interrupted by my mum after an hour coz she wanted to go and see this other gym in Novena. Why are we looking at another gym when we've got Fitness First? Because trainer Danny was given the boot and he's going to the one at Novena. Apparently the Novena gym there's no obligation to join as a member even if you make use of the personal trainer services, unlike most gyms. And it's much cheaper. But to tell the truth I'd rather stay in Fitness First and take up training with Shane again. Yes.. Shane is back. He's left all the work to his business partner and come back to the gym to slack around and spread some more peranakan oiliness. But I feel bad for Danny sia. He's really actually quite a nice guy. A bit duh.. But he's nice.
Back to the current bumming. Heh. I watched the EE version of Fellowship of The Ring yesterday. That's why wanted to watch Two Towers today. Hehehe... Can't wait for Return of The King EE to come out. Woooo!! I still think Sean Astin deserves Best Supporting Actor. Sean Bean is good too!! Hee!!! Beanie Baby!! I just thought of that. REALLY!! Anyway... Elijah Wood sucks. HE CAN'T ACT!!!! *pui* Why they had to cast him as Frodo, I can't understand. Bah. Made him look weak. In the book he's not that weak. INJUSTICE!!! Down with Elijah Wood!!! Pah.
Really doesn't feel like I'm having an international exam tomorrow. Feel very slack about it. So nonchalant hor. Hahaha... Sigh... I might even forget to go.. Got that kind of feeling. Hahaa... No no... I WILL go... Don't worry. The question is how to get there. Apparently the only bus service there is SBS2 and the nearest MRT station is Tanah Merah but you still need to take a cab after that. Sucks. Can't get the parental units to send me coz my mum is taking part in some funny charity run and my dad's chauffering her. Sigh. What to do what to do...
Exams are finally over. Except for my JLPT 4 exam which is tomorrow all the way in freaking Changi. Dunno why they have to build the Japanese school there. Anyway. Although I should be going through my tenses and verbs and particles... I'm sitting around playing Bejewelled2 and wondering whether or not to continue watching The Two Towers: Extended Edition. I was watching it this afternoon but got interrupted by my mum after an hour coz she wanted to go and see this other gym in Novena. Why are we looking at another gym when we've got Fitness First? Because trainer Danny was given the boot and he's going to the one at Novena. Apparently the Novena gym there's no obligation to join as a member even if you make use of the personal trainer services, unlike most gyms. And it's much cheaper. But to tell the truth I'd rather stay in Fitness First and take up training with Shane again. Yes.. Shane is back. He's left all the work to his business partner and come back to the gym to slack around and spread some more peranakan oiliness. But I feel bad for Danny sia. He's really actually quite a nice guy. A bit duh.. But he's nice.
Back to the current bumming. Heh. I watched the EE version of Fellowship of The Ring yesterday. That's why wanted to watch Two Towers today. Hehehe... Can't wait for Return of The King EE to come out. Woooo!! I still think Sean Astin deserves Best Supporting Actor. Sean Bean is good too!! Hee!!! Beanie Baby!! I just thought of that. REALLY!! Anyway... Elijah Wood sucks. HE CAN'T ACT!!!! *pui* Why they had to cast him as Frodo, I can't understand. Bah. Made him look weak. In the book he's not that weak. INJUSTICE!!! Down with Elijah Wood!!! Pah.
Really doesn't feel like I'm having an international exam tomorrow. Feel very slack about it. So nonchalant hor. Hahaha... Sigh... I might even forget to go.. Got that kind of feeling. Hahaa... No no... I WILL go... Don't worry. The question is how to get there. Apparently the only bus service there is SBS2 and the nearest MRT station is Tanah Merah but you still need to take a cab after that. Sucks. Can't get the parental units to send me coz my mum is taking part in some funny charity run and my dad's chauffering her. Sigh. What to do what to do...
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