Friday, April 29, 2005

if...

There is something you could change, anything at all, what would it be?

Monday, April 25, 2005

embrace.variety

because variety is the spice of life. Even in the most mundane of jobs, we can find variety by exploring different ways to get the same thing done. There can be variety in routines too. Read books you never thought you'll read. Go places you never thought you'll go. Be experimental. I was like that before, I may have lost some of that, sucked into the hum drum of life and trying to fit into norms. I realised people should just live according to their own terms because at the end of the day, you're only answerable to God and yourself.

Live once, live well.

Saturday, April 23, 2005

::untouched::

This pic was taken late Nov..on the way to Bangkok, we saw a sunset. Take an evening flight..you might just get the same paranomic view. On hindsight, I think this is such a romantic shot.

Posted by Hello
Found this pic by chance..has been lying in my PC..i think this is one of the rare shots that I quite like. My brother took it for me last November. Posted by Hello

Monday, April 18, 2005

The Apprentice & Donald Trump

Nobody I know likes to admit they watch reality TV (even if they DO watch, in secret). Reality programs are considered the lowest of low TV, promoting undesirable traits and showcasing the worst of human behaviour. What's more, they make entertainment out of people's misery...the ugly list goes on.

While this is true of most reality programs, I can't say the same for the Apprentice and The Amazing Race, both of which i follow with a passion. Of course I will never say that I watch the Apprentice for the bitchy tiffs and back-stabbing (gasp!that would have been unforgivable!) rather, I'll say I watch the program for the man the contestants are all dying to impress- Donald Trump.

For someone with so little hair, he sure has alot of personality and ego (possibly larger than his empire). Unemotional and firm, he can make a decision in a split second..and say "You're fired" in the straightest of faces. I love that. I'm not going to lie..I admire that sort of no-nonsense-no-regrets decisiveness, something I'm absolutely incapable of. With him, you never quite know what to expect -and that is key to making The Apprentice an entertaining program.

A normal run of The Apprentice typically consists of an interesting challenge, a mind-blowing reward and a showdown in the boardroom. Sounds Delicious? You bet. Yes, there is alot of bickering but on the good side, we get to see how some these fiesty participants defend themselves, how to lead a team and how NOT to be like those snakes who take credit for other people's work. Personally, I think it's a great program with a great concept. I also root for some of the contestants...the ones I think are nice and competent.

So, the next time you see the show on air, dont rush to flip the channel- watch on and then tell us what you think (if you aren't secretly watching already...:)

Sunday, April 10, 2005

about.everything.and.nothing

Ok 3 random thoughts before i forget.

Samura, the Movie....(think the Ring 2)
turned out to be a big mistake. I didn't enjoy the movie one bit. It was a replica of the same old tricks used by the same old producer. Tactics that do not shock and awe no more. The Ring 1 (Asian version) was a resounding success in the region but Samura (U.S version, the Ring 2), is an attempt by the producer to marry a Western face to a very Asian type of horror. It just doesn't work this way. The West's idea of horror is quite different from the East. (i can't quite put my finger to it, but it is!) The result was a weird, confused picture. Verdict? Don't waste your money. None of the suspense, terror-gripping factor in the Ring 1 was present in Samura. I still hate horror movies...they're pointless. (we watched it only because it was the only movie slot available at that time).

A Money-Saving Tip

All you big shoppers, ladies and gentlemen and fellow Singaporeans:

Here's a secret i suspect you already know: Kuala Lumpur is a great shopping spot! Back from my recent trip, I almost burst my wallet with my purchases. Now, I'm neither rich nor a big spender but the things in KL were just irresistable. Finally, we can shop where there's alot more style and variety and where prices are truly, truly affordable. You'll find that most of the stuff there cannot actually be found here despite the fact that the 2 countries are so near.) This is provided that you go to the right malls. Try Sungei Wang and One Utama (the equivalent of Takashimaya, Far East Plaza and Heerens' here.)

So my money-saving tip? Save up for a month or two and SPLURGE big-time in KL. You'll be better off for it! e.g I spend about S$400 bucks on a coat, a pair of sequinned jeans, many other tops and countless other brooches. This should put me into non-shopping-mode for the next 3 months. This equates to more savings, of course. (This tip applies to guys too, though i doubt they'll care.)

Writers Do Live For Their Bylines

The article I wrote back in february is out. April issue of Today's Parents. It truly is surreal to see your name in print. I did not read the article because i was so sick of writing it by the time i was done with it. I will be truly bewildered if people actually take time to read the stuff i wrote. I did secretly wish i had wrote for a more hippy, trendy magazine but oh well. Some of my friends wanted to show their support by buying the magazine but i told them not to waste their money. Unless you're 1) a parent 2) expecting a child 3)in the course of family-planning, the magazine will not apply to you! (i wrote about injections and diseases). I bought just two copies, one for my keepsake and admiration (yukes!) the other for Kamahl.

FYI, I just write on a freelance basis. I'm not a journalist and I don't work for any publication. I'm a research executive now ( I know it's confusing) .Ok, that's that. Have a great weekend, wherever you are.

Friday, April 08, 2005

::perfection::

Watching Spanglish sparked something off..

Why are so many people so obssessed with perfection? Why is the developed society so bent on having the perfect face or the perfect body (even the perfect smile) all the time? This is so insane and such a waste of time and sometimes, money..seeing how perfection always escape us. There is beauty in flaws too! It'll will be too boring if we all look so darn perfect.

Are you a perfectionist? I'm a perfectionist when it comes to certain things..especially if they are work-related. In school, i used to check through my projects over and over again. everytime i run through it, i make changes, some of them possibly for the worse. It is so tiring to try to be perfect. Now, i'm better at curbing my own expectations. Expecting perfection all the time is unrealistic. The key is to do your best, as cliche and old-fashioned as it sounds.

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Speaking Spanglish

Spanglish! Since Hotel Rwanda, i've not watched too many films that were special, at least to me. I love this movie..how the story slowly unfolds and reveals the true colours of each character..how a mother makes her dignified decisions out of tricky situations while another mum drives herself insane in her pursuit to be perfect. The husband, played by Adam Sandler, is caught between the two women and an unspoken love. The movie is humorous, meaningful and profound all at once.

It's also about how the a small Spanish family almost got 'homogenised' into the American culture. This picture reminds me a little of Lost in Translation, yet it's so different. It is not for the mass market though.. so unless you like a provoking movie, you might feel bored.

if you've seen the film, let me know what you think of it!