Tired.

When you have a late, late night, and wake up early the next morning, it seems like you're floating around. That's how I feel.

Friday night went for wenjie's AMBience concert (yup, another band concert). The band sounded ok. Alumni band, as expected, sounded better.

Left after alumni band performance and went to Raffles City Shopping Centre to shop. Don't know - it's been ages since I bought something for myself.

Bought this tee from edc (espirit). 2 for $49.90. So ya, zhiwen and I paid $25 each. Shall wear it on days when I feel famous. o.O


This is the next Marche-like restaurant wave to hit Singapore. Shokudo Japanese Food Bazaar @ basement of Raffles City Shopping Centre. I want to go! Queues are freakin' long.

Saturday: went to roxane's house for mahjong with Eugene and Elicia. After that they came over and we watched Daisakusen (yes, again). Until like 2+ am, decided that enough is enough, we need to sleep 'cause the next morning we need to wake at 8am to go temple to pray.

So, Sunday, we were damn tired. Didn't even stay in grandma's house to play mahjong =x Lamerz had a failed plan to go partyworld again. Zhiwei, next time ba =p
~

AHHHHH!! Driving course is ending! Oh man. Oh man. Oh man.

Anw, this is a nice chinese song. 吴克群's 为你写诗



Take care, peeps!

English & Chinese Earworms

These are potential ear-worms for those people who are into music.

The English ones first...

1) Love In This Club by Usher feat. Young Jeezy

Rating: 3.5/5
Old-school R&B with an infectious backgroud riff. #1 on Billboard Hot100 for 2 straight weeks!


2) Break The Ice by Britney Spears

Rating: 3.0/5
She released an anime music video! Wow. It's undoubtedly a very cool move. Although it's not as strong as Gimme More or Piece of Me, the album Blackout is churning out catchy hits like nobody's business. Watch-out.


3) No Air by Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown

Rating: 3.0/5
Jordin Sparks is now proving herself to be bankable in the pop genre after the infectious Tattoo. This R&B/Pop ditty grows on you. Besides, it features Chris Brown. So you know nothing much can go wrong.


4) Feels Like Tonight by Daughtry

Rating: 4.0/5
It feels like a modern-day classic rock hit. Well done!


Now for the Mandarin songs...

1) 洋葱 by 杨宗纬

Rating: 4.5/5
Although he doesn't look good (the painful truth, guys) he is a FANTASTIC singer. And this song, written by 五月天's 阿信 is perfect for his amazing vocals.


2) 亲爱的那不是爱情 by 张韶涵

Rating: 3.5/5
Written by Jay Chou and his long-time collaborator 方文山, this melodious single is a sure K-Box hit (although you may have to lower a few keys).


3) 期待爱 by 林俊杰 & 金莎

Rating: 4.0/5
His 'new' album of 新歌+精选 is obviously a ploy to earn money and remind people that he still exists while we wait (eagerly) for his brand new studio album. I mean, there's only one new song and it's this one. But still, no complaining. It's another lovely hit from the home-grown talent.
~

Clocked finish my island-wide today. It's really tiring to drive on the expressways for 50km at only 50km/h. But it's done. No more driving after this. I think I'm going to have withdrawal symptoms =x

Damn tired.

Take care, peeps!

Nocturnal

For the Good Friday and the weekend, I only went out after 6pm. I'm becoming nocturnal! Well, not exactly. I still sleep before day-break. Anyway, watched 2 movies this weekend. Went for my first CO (Chinese Orchestra) concert since don't know when.

Firstly, Horton (aka Horton Hears a Who!)
I give the movie:



Now I know why critics are raving about this film - simply because it's good! Really hilarious and faithful adaptation of the beloved children's book. The effects are quite fabulous (the reconstruction of Whoville alone is worth your money). The producers did the right job in hiring comic talents Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell to helm the lead characters. They're simply a hoot!

FINAL SAY: Carries some hidden messages and morals, which is interesting to explore. Overall a very enjoyable movie for everyone.
~


Secondly, Vantage Point
I give the movie:



Really interesting premise of an assasination of US president told from 8 points of view. Boasts a stellar ensemble of actors including Dennis Quaid, Sigorney Weaver and William Hurt. Throughout the movie, we're taken back to 12pm (the time of the assassination) at least 5 times, to introduce to us a different point of view to the plot. (This drew unnecessary giggles from the audience)

But what really killed the movie was how impossible the story unfolded, introducing new twists and new characters as if just for the sake of shocking the audience. Some people might think it's cool, but I think it defeats logic.

Good point in Vantage Point is that it has one of the most intense car chases caught on film since The Bourne Ultimatum (2007).

FINAL SAY: Interesting but far-fetched storyline. Average entertainment.
~

Watched Vantage Point with zirong, baoyuan and his gf. First time seeing Hannah. Thank you for going to my concert in 2006! If you guys still remember haha. Talked about Mas Selamat and baoyuan's MLM.

Hey Fungi! My friend also went Eunos for his MLM. But you didn't sign up for it right? I think there's no right or wrong. It's just that you have so much time on your hands, nothing to lose right? (I hope)
~

Went for sze's sis (aka hui ern) CO concert (swiss cottage secondary aka 瑞士村中学 - haha I like the chinese name!) @ Republic Poly Cultural Centre. This new polytechnic looks freakin' modern and nice lah!

Anyway, it's not bad. Been awhile since I've been to a CO concert. I actually enjoyed it.
But oh my gosh lah, they actually prepared 3 encore pieces!! For a concert band if they play 2 it's already considered quite thick skin. But well, they had 3. Lucky 3 were not bad.

This was their first encore piece. It was actually Jay Chou's 菊花台:






It's actually not bad =)

Some pics we took @ the concert:

Serkun, sze, sze's sis aka hui ern with the sunflower we bought for her which sze embarrassingly waved wildly at the start of the concert, and me with a fat face. Oh man, it must be SDC's nasi lemak.

Me with bloated face again.

And.. the ultimate photo of the night:

Serkun what you doing!? LOLOL.

After the concert went to Causeway's Pasta Mania to eat. Damn hungry. Thanks to the 3 encores.

Witnessed a near-fight. An ah pek was picking up a chair and trying to fling it to an ah lian in Yoshinoya. Whoa I tell you ah, if the ah pek really fling the chair over, seriously...

I'll whip out my cam to take video. =P

Eh, now you send such things to STOMP can get $50 NTUC voucher leh (my driving instructor said). That's why now accidents got soooo many by-standers.

Okay, got to sleep le. Tomorrow island-wide driving. Hope can get a feel of the auto jeep.

Last but not least...

Only sze and serkun will understand. But don't be mistaken, I really admire tanya chua's music!!

Take care, peeps!

Certified Driver!

Yup. I can now drive on the roads with a military vehicle! =) Passed my Public Road Driving Test today first attempt. Quite a nerve-wrecking experience with such a strict tester, but I'm glad it's done.

Lamerz sort of settled on going to Pulau Redang, Malaysia.

Did a little research of it myself on Wiki. =P

From Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redang_Island
"Redang Island, locally known as Pulau Redang or just "Redang" is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Malaysia. ...which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities. ...The island is also an important conservation site for sea turtles."

Here's a pic of the splendid-looking getaway:
"Pasir Panjang beach on Pulau Redang. The beach is covered with soft white sand. Corals and fish can be seen just a few metres from the beach."

Hope everything goes well and the air tickets can be as cheeaapp as sze said.

Although this quite resemble the place I went to this year:

(Koh Samui, Thailand)

But it's gonna be so different going with friends =)

Ok, I look quite farni in that shot =P

Take care, peeps!

=S

There are scary elements in this post =p

Firstly, Rule #1 aka 第一戒.
Met Fungi and Zw (only, 'cause some of them were too scared to watch) on Friday evening. After a movie-timing mistake (or is it? I want to complain about Shaw!), we hurried from Lot1 to Westmall to catch the 9:15pm movie.


I give the movie:



After a moderately passable first attempt (The Maid), Singaporean film-maker Kelvin Tong decides to hit the regional circuit this time with yet another Asian horror fare. I'm happy and proud to say that he does serve up an above-average, scary movie with a good twist.

We all know that the rule #1 here is going to be bulls**t, so audiences venture into the cinema expecting your usual horror scares. The movie does deliver some effective, freaky sequences (the now-famous one would be the 'screaming' swimming pool) and you've been warned: the rating NC16 was partly for gore.

The acting here is superb, even though the script got a little unbelievable and sketchy towards the middle. Our very own Fiona Xie proves to be competent beside co-stars like Shawn Yue and Ekin Cheng. To hear her emote in Cantonese, visit this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXTFxgUbN9c (1:42)

For people expecting a happy-ending, you'll be quite surprised. You may not agree with the twist in the end but it was well-executed and timely; perfectly haunting for the mood of the film.

FINAL SAY: A slightly screwed-up middle part but overall, a good effort. Let's hope the quality of Asian horror will take this as a benchmark and improve again.

~
It's been a looonng time since I've watched horror movies. Which was why I dreaded a number of scenes during the movie! Even Fungi said at the first 15mins: "I regret watching this liao." Lol. Zw sat quite far away so he jump in his seat I also dunno =x But anyway, I won't mind spending $ to scare myself if the story is good and not a waste of time =P

~
Next up, another scary but non-horror flick, No Country For Old Men.

I give the movie:



I have to admit: I can't appreciate the movie fully simply because I don't understand some parts of it, which is a pity since it was this year's Oscar Best Picture. It's based on a novel, which makes it even harder to comprehend.

But anyway, the film is full of real suspense and I believe Hollywood hasn't created a more fearful serial killer since Hannibal Lector (the cannibal doctor from Silence of the Lambs, incidentally also a novel).

FINAL SAY: A very beautifully-filmed movie with thrills and scares along the way. But I don't get why it won Best Picture, when I felt Juno was better =P

~
On Saturday Roxane Elicia and Eugene came over for overnight mahjong. I one person won everybody, but still, asked them to pay a bit only lah. It's okay. We have fun can le. And, this was quite a freaky picture:


Don't worry, that shady figure is not a ghost, it's me!

~
Lamerz came over on Sunday for a secret mission. It's confidential since the event hasn't taken place yet =P

Anw, we discussed about our proposed-holiday trip in July. Want to go Phuket and Bangkok together but news just in: Pj's cousin say July is monsoon season. Which means if we don't want to get washed back to Singapore via the sea, we should avoid going there on holiday =P

But where else can we go?? Taiwan zw don't want. Might be going with cousins eoy also. Hk got SARS (again). Hmmmm, any suggestions, people?

Same old jokes took place. Sze had a blast playing "Poke the Grape" =X Thanks to sze for the FREE Kettle-cooked Lays potato chips you koped from NUS openhouse! Wahaha. And serkun for making it in time. For Bee Hoon. haha jkjk. Fungi and Mr Eunos (ok, this is my fault lah). Make it clear people, apparently she didn't go on a date =x lol. But thanks ah, miss, my clothes you haven't help me iron and fold then you go home. =P

~
Whoa, quite a long post. Shagged.

Tomorrow public road driving assessment! Argh!

Take care, peeps!

Da Streetz

Yo people wassup!? Ok, shall not be stupid =P

Step Up 2: The Streets was simply da bomb man!

After driving on monday, I chiiiooonnggeedd back home then chiiiooonnggeedd out (I bathed and changed and was on the road in 15mins flat) to meet Eugene, Mingming, Elicia and Roxane @ Orchard for dinner before the movie.

Ate at NYDC. Talked crap for a bit then proceeded to the cinema.

Well, it wasn't really a gala premiere. It was more like a private function =X

Okay, you can't really see the faces from here. But we're already in the (old and chui) cinema.
That's Shan Wee and Rosalyn (from the Shan & Ros show, 4-8pm, 987fm).

So, the movie starts. And boy, was it a blast!
I give the movie:



Really a solid, well-filmed flick made by people passionate about hip-hop dancing, or just dancing, for that matter. The dance sequences here (especially the last one in the rain) is well-worth the price of the ticket.

Go watch it, man. It also boasts a killa soundtrack. Waaayy better than the first movie.

P.S. The montage above is cool right? Totally in line with the mood of the film =P

Reached home then slept only at 12+. Shagggeedd.


~
Watched Meet the Spartans online the other day. I've learnt my lesson after Epic Movie. So, luckily I didn't spend $ on this show.

I give the movie:




I was right. It sucked BIG time. Watch MadTV on YouTube for the same spoofs. They're way better and funnier.

~
Okay, got HSP test tomorrow. Shall read a bit before sleeping. Still, damn tired.

Take care, peeps!

Out for the Weekend

Ehh, busy weekend man.

Saturday morning went for driving then afternoon played Mahjong @ zhiwei's house with Fungi and serkun. Quite long never meet up le. Won some $. Hehe.

Remember, Fungi: The thing we have to buy. And.. to serkun too.. watch Rule #1! =p

In the evening went to support zhiwen at acjc alumni band concert.

The vitasoy (my dinner) and the concert ticket. In the background is wenjie eating his cup noodles (his dinner). We're so pathetic =x

Met Tess at the concert (she went to support senior) then I passed her the earrings that suits her and only her haha =x Notice: Black, white, black.

And.. this is a snippet of their encore piece.






DORAEMON!! Lol.. oh man..

~
Then on Sunday.. met up with baoyuan to accompany sukai (the now-famous 6A's girl =P) to Conrad Hotel for the London School of Economics (LSE) talk and 'exhibition'.

Such a nice hotel right? Heng i didn't wear bermudas =x

I guess sukai found out what she needed. Here's my advice for you (from a wise ah pek): Go for it lah. It's 3 years of new experience. Tide over the maybe-uneasy first few months, and I'm sure you'll find it exciting and enriching soon after =)

Then we caught 10,000 BC at Marina Square before we went to the IT Show @ Suntec.

My rating:
[edited as of 21 Mar 2008]


(If you realised, I changed my rating system. 'cause that baoyuan say 'Wow' is his trademark. So, oh well =P)

Don't want to waste time for a full review (in case someone scroll through it again) hehe.

Final Say: A rubbishy storyline with spectacular effects. An over-blown, old-fashioned fable.

Then we met zirong at suntec for the last day of the IT SHOW. Squeeze like mad here and there. Ate dinner at Ichiban Boshi (i love the cheap sashimi), then decided that we shouldn't go back to the IT Show again to grab last-minute offers 'cause it was simply too crowded, so we went home.

~
Shoots. So late liao. Need to sleep.

Very excited for tomorrow's Step Up 2 gala premiere @ Lido!

Shall blog 'bout that soon.

Take care, peeps!

Vrrrooom

Ok, lame.

But anyway, drove on the public road for the first time today!

Whoa, driving course is really quite stressful. Brain-cells kena fried. Instructor always niam niam niam. But I guess it's for our own good. Driving on the road don't pray pray.

Good job to those 'A' Level ppl (juniors, cousins). Whatever you get that's the first step. Time to think about your future!

Roxane won a 987FM phone-in contest and got us cousins 5tix to the Gala Premiere of Step Up 2: The Streets!

How cool is that!? Very. It's on Monday night. Must really rush off from SDC to make it. But shall not miss the opportunity to meet the DJs.

And...

Shhh. I'm happy my dad got them. =)
[Clockwise from Right] - There Will Be Blood (Oscar Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis), Juno (Oscar Best Original Screenplay), No Country For Old Men (Oscar Best Picture), American Gangster.


I got this myself for $18+ at TS Video hor. =P

A bit pinkish but heck lah, it's a nice show =x

~
Alright. Time to go. Damn tired.

Take care, peeps!

Music Moods.

Went for NTU band concert last night with zhiwen and jingwei.

It's been so long since I got in touch with the band world. But yea, the concert was alright. The only piece I enjoyed was their encore piece =x 76 Trombones. The band succeeded in the parts requiring togetherness and where the music swells. Very nice =)

Sojourn 2008 - The name of their concert. Under the baton of Mr Takehiro Oura (also RJC's band conductor).

Don't know why this photo turned out so formal lol. [L-R ] Me with new white specs, jingwei, mabel, wan ting. (Fyi, all these sweet girls are from NTU leh)

Something very embarrassing happened to me before the concert.

Mabel has this twin, you see. But when I saw her I thought it was my long-time-no-see dear senior, so I immediately called "Mabelll!!!" But the girl just smiled and said "I'm Iris." Then she laughed. I laughed, apologised, then turned away.

My face, I guess, was as red as a tomato. Lol. Dang.

To display my different tastes of music, I shall feature two songs today.

First, is Japanese Graffiti V, one of my favourite band pieces ever. =) enjoy


Secondly, is a new song by Buckcherry, Sorry.

~
Whoa, got Highway Code test tomorrow. Shall revise later. Slack first. Haha.

Take care, peeps!