Life is (one hell of) a Rollercoaster

Oh my gosh, erm, like where do I even start!?

It's been, what, more than a month? What atrocity, man!

Okay, get ready for one long post of pictures, little anecdotes, and every other thing in between to fill this one month void.

But anyway, for those who knew what happened in my family, maybe you could understand why, for this period of time, I just didn't feel like updating at all.

Okay, at the risk of sounding emo (which I'm trying to abstain from), let's just say my job is another huge reason why the first thing I reach home, I think about collapsing on my bed (let alone logging onto the internet and writing about more stressful stuff, and be reminded of them in the process).

To lighten things up first, let me indulge in a few moments of stress-release.

(Content removed by author)
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The next thing some of you probably know from the picture.

Well, I guess now since the situation has stabilised, I guess I should write about this harrowing and unfortunate event that happened in my family, particularly, to my dad.

It was the week before Chinese New Year. It was another tiring day at work and I just entered the MRT with my colleagues, preparing to go home. It was then that I read this SMS from my mom: "Daddy attack by bees in Malaysia. He now at the eye specialist."

I remembered feeling shocked, and exclaiming, prompting both my colleagues' concern as well. I called my mom immediately - it was also then that she explained to me something which the initial shock didn't make me realise: why was my dad at an eye specialist?

She said that my dad was at the golfing green that morning when he was attacked by the bees. I then recalled that my dad had drove across the causeway together with my neighbour for a golfing trip. But the worst had yet to come. The next thing she mentioned - something so out of this world that it made my stomach churn - my father was stung in the eye by a bee during the attack, and the sting was still embedded in his pupil.

The only expression I could muster at that time was a loud "HUH?". That has got to be one of the most outrageous things I've ever heard. At that moment, I knew it was not a matter to be taken lightly, and my both colleagues could tell from the expression on my face.

The bad news didn't stop. Apart from being badly stung on the body, my dad also sustained multiple scrapes on his limps from running and falling while escaping the bees. His brand new Nokia phone was damaged after he jumped into the pond, but the most serious issue was that the doctors in Malaysia couldn't remove the sting so my dad insisted on coming back to Singapore (wise move, right?). My neighbour, who also suffered from bee stings, drove my dad all the way back, both of them vomitting and suffering from fever throughout the journey.

Dumbfounded, all I could ask at that time was his condition. She kept saying it was "serious" in a very hushed tone, but insisted I should go home first, because my younger brother wasn't aware yet. Feeling flustered and extremely uneasy after hanging up, I finally SMS-ed my mom to suggest one last time if I need to go down. It was her reply that made up my mind: "Doctor said too deep can't remove it. Now we at mount elizabeth A&E dept."

I had to rush down.

He went into day surgery, one hour, and he was out. He couldn't even remember anything about the operation because of the local anesthesia given. Thankfully, the sting was removed. But for two days, my dad couldn't open his affected because it was too swollen.

After being hospitalised for 3 nights, he was finally discharged; but because of the damaged cornea, it will be a long route to recovery. Full-recovery is not certain yet - it's still too early to tell.


But what my uncle said was right: “平安就好” (it's a blessing he is safe)

I really want to thank my relatives who visited - their immediate concern was touching and it did provide the necessary support for mainly me and my mom to tide through the unfortunate event.

And of course, the well wishes and regards from my colleagues and friends. Thanks for the understanding, people! I really appreciate it =)
~

Okay, emo incident aside. I think it's time for the tsunami of pictures and events that I've missed out on updating. Really sorry if I've forgotten any. There are just too many. Here we go!

In absolute random order (basically, what I can remember, I hantum first):

1) Zhiwei and Peijun's Birthday Celebrations!

Celebrating your birthday at Fish & Co means standing on chairs, doing embarrassing things, and letting the whole restaurant know about it.

This joke, I predict, will go on for quite some time.

Fungi, if you see clearly, you're in the picture too!
~


2) Fungi's 21st!
Memoirs of a Geisha... er.. not really, hor? And the raising of the pink cloth at the back 小龙女-style is just because we don't know how to tie that ribbon.

If you must know, our nonya is holding a basket of bananas. Oh my, I can't stop laughing.

Sorry szern I took this photo. I knew what you said about it on your blog, but it's the most complete one =p
~


3) Vivien's 21st!
It's the Geek with his Bimbos.. 超级 unglam 的 lor..

My table. Tess you're right.. I am a lucky guy =P

My 'lucky draw' prize. It reads: My friend was in Nepal and all she brought me back was this lousy T-shirt. Yea, she really went Nepal. And yea, all she brought me back was this lousy T-shirt.

05S10 band members rock!
~


4) Serkun's 21st!

This photo seriously needs some touch up.

'Peace' is the word of the day.

Told you it'll be a joke. Redefines the meaning of 无所不在..
~


5) CNY 09!
花开富贵！

Steamboat rocks!

We should've never opened that box =x

And so it begins...

Our dear banker Keifer looking confident...

My dad sneaking a peek at my cards..

And the night's best Pokerface goes to... Szetho! Pro-kia.. taught us how to do the 'chip combining' move.. Which I think Bernard (Szetho's left) is trying out.. Haha..

(Thanks Bernard for the photos!)


Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I've reviewed a movie! Well, managed to catch 2 movies during CNY period. Sad to say, this has got to be one of the most dismal offering of CNY movies in recent years.

Only one blockbuster, in my opinion, was worth the watch. I even caught a chick-flick on the first day of CNY, which explains how bad the situation was.

Similar movie posters - similarly boycotted. Why? The Wedding Game, although was #1 at the box office, is incidentally one of the most unnecessary local movies ever. Love Matters, well, it's a Jack Neo movie. 'Nuff said.


Movie 1) Red Cliff 2
I give the movie:






(Yep, that's my new movie-rating. That stands for 3.5/5)

As thrilling and as clever as the war strategies go, it was all quite a feeling of been-there-done-that this time around. Besides the battle scenes being long-drawn, useless plotlines such as Zhao Wei and a simple-minded soldier's relationship, and Lin Chi-Ling's idiotic way of distracting the enemy (I can't believe he fell for that) all marred the movie from closing off the 2-part epic nicely.

Last Say: Watch it only if you've watched part one.


Movie 2) Bride Wars
I give the movie:






Not exactly the best that chick-flick queen (Kate Hudson) and chick-flick princess (Anne Hatthaway) have to offer. Hatthaway, by the way, is nominated for an Oscar best actress for another movie about getting married (Rachel Getting Married), but she is not getting married in that movie.

Ok, lame puns aside, I did enjoy myself in this movie (c'mon, those two actresses are gorgeous) but yeah, it can't be taken seriously.

Last Say: Watch it only if the other movies available are The Wedding Game and Love Matters, which, incidentally, is what happened to me! Still, it did have its funny moments =)

And of course, what's CNY without a visit and mahjong with Lamerz? Aside to szern, I hope you have stopped your sounds-ang-moh-but-not-ang-moh english accent =p

Ming Ming's 21st!
Sorry, no pictures. But yea, made me think.. how should I celebrate my 21st birthday this year?? Hmmm...
~

6) Slumdog Millionaire!

Met up with Bernard, Colin, Bobo and Junming to catch that Oscar nominated film @ PS. If only it wasn't for Junming's blunder (he mistook the third row from the front as the third row from the back) I believe I would've enjoyed the movie slightly better. (But of course, if we sat behind, we wouldn't be able to enjoy that extra 'sensory' experience - wink, inside joke)

That said, the movie is the first great film I've watched of 2009 =)
I give the movie:






This movie is truly an energetic triumph - from is brilliant pulsating score, to its breathtaking and colourful visuals of the slums of India - if Oscar was based on audience's votes, this film will surely win Best Picture (hey, it just might, after sweeping the Golden Globes and SAG awards).

Fundamentally a love story, the thrilling plot also revolves around the boy's historic win on India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. Did he cheat? Is he a genius? How did he get to know all the answers?

Let this fascinating movie enchant you and you'll find the answers (and perhaps, love) along the way.

Last Say: I want to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to see which is better. But currently, this movie is my million-dollar bet for Best Picture (figure of speech, people).

~
Okay, I guess that's it? Obviously not. But I can't possibly remember so many things.

Anyway, will start to blog more frequently now.

Work is not getting easier. Bleah. Just thank goodness I'm learning things along the way.

Take care, peeps!

One More Month...

(Feel free to play around with my new iTouch player at the sidebar)

Yep, one more month. Freedom is coming but... the stress seems to be piling up!

But more on that later. Went to catch two movies this week. Makan-ed at Lot1, Central @ Clarke Quay, Kolo Mee and MOF @ Marina Square. PLUS a lot of presents to buy....... all these have put a BIG hole in my wallet. (Which is one stress)

Firstly, Painted Skin.
I give the movie:



Even though 3.5/5 is an above average rating, but honestly, I expected more. First thing, do not believe what the movie tagline says: "More than just a love story". Well, it is actually just a love story.

Although there are moments that border on eerie (the story is from Strange Tales of Liao Zhai afterall), but it is the love triangle between Chen Kun the general, Zhou Xun the Fox Demon and Zhao Wei the suffering wife that tugs at the heatstrings. This is actually the first movie this year that has effectively put a tear to my eyes.

FINAL SAY: Zhou Xun and Zhao Wei's heart-rending acting is the best reason to catch this supernatural/love story.
~

Secondly, 20th Century Boys aka 20世纪少年.
I give the movie:



[ WARNING: This movie is only PART 1 of a TRILOGY ]
Dang, I didn't know that. But besides that gripe, I think this Manga-turned-Mega Blockbuster does live up to its expectations of being the BIGGEST film in Japan this year.

In true Japanese creativity/craziness/quirkiness/brilliance, the plot unfolds and intrigues you so much that you won't really realise that one hour has past and all the movie did was characterization.

In a nutshell, a group of grown men discover that a worldwide virus attack is realising all the end-of-the-world prophecies that they wrote in a comic when they were young. And a masked stranger (see poster) named 'Friend' is orchestrating all these attacks with his own religious cult.

FINAL SAY: It's funny. It's scary. It's ironic. It's great. Shall wait patiently for the next two installments (or maybe I'll just go find the manga =x)
~

Okay, about my stress.

> There's driving (I need to complete at least 15 lessons before my TP which is on 5DEC!).

> I need to find work or I'll have zero income after I ORD!

> Really spending a lot lately. Driving fees too.

> Camp is still busy 'cos of audits!

But ok lah, just need to plan my time properly.

Growing up is not easy.

Today went to listen SMU's Symphonic Band @ Esplanade for free (Beautiful Sunday concert series) with Jiamin and Caijie. Fun, fun. So long never listen concert le. Shopped a bit later. But never spend $. Cannot, lah!

Ok, booking in soon. Thursday Friday off and leave, wohoo!
But Sunday guard. What the sh**.

Take care, peeps!

"Why So Serious?"

..you might ask. Well, then, "let's put a smile on that face." :]

By now you should know which movie I've quoted from. But more on that later.

Seriously (pardon the pun), this weekend have been a treat for the senses, I must say. I've watched two solid movies (both blockbusters), and I must tell you, they both come with my seal of approval.
~

Friday met up with a long-time-no-see friend (we've not seen each other for, like, 2 years?). Intro-ed her to desserts @ MOF, which is now officially my favourite dessert place. And to prove to you that it's my favourite:



Yup, that's right, I've signed up for a MOF membership, which instantly gives me 10% off the bill and a further 20% off selected dessert items! Wow.


Anyway, we caught the movie:
赤壁 (上) aka Red Cliff (part 1)



I give the film:



This has got to be one of the most important movies of our time. For us Chinese, this is a chance to see the Biggest Battle of Ancient China being flashed out as a historical epic, under the guidance of mega-director John Woo, plus a powerful cast which includes Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro.

This majestic film is complete with pulse-racing action and sweeping cinematography which - I dare say - rival that of Lord of the Rings.

On a side-note, the media has been siting 林志玲 as a "花瓶" (decorative flower vase) in the movie. In her defense, she's a very beautiful 花瓶; and she is the exact embodiment of 小乔 - demure, soft-spoken and most importantly, very pretty. Heck, I think her casting is perfect.

FINAL SAY: With all the grandeur of the film and set, you might ask what is holding me back in giving it 5stars? Well, I'm reserving it for the final battle of red cliff itself (赤壁之战), which will be shown at the end of the year. All I can say is, it'll be good. I just know.
~

And now...

THE DARK KNIGHT


I give the film:



One word: "WHOA!"

This is officially the best movie in 2008 so far. The story, the mind-blowing sets (literally), the actors, the kan-cheong-ness, Heath Ledger's acting...... it's all just excellent, I tell you.

I can't even begin to say how amazing is (the late) Heath Ledger's turn as the Joker. Everytime he comes on screen you're drawn to him. You're scared of him. But you think he's funny. Then you think he's freaky. Then funny. Then scary. Yes, you're under the spell of a talented actor.. that's how schizophrenically-good he is.

Everything about this movie is big, BIG, BIG. A Singaporean guy plays a major villain in the movie. Edison Chen makes a blink-and-you'll-miss cameo as.. er, some extra assistant. And I must say, the director filmed the Hong Kong skyscrapers so majestically you won't believe it's hk =x

The story is as heart-wrenching as it is spectacular. And that is only the tip of the iceberg. I've said enough.

FINAL SAY: You'll be blown-off your seat. Believe the hype. Go watch it. Please.
~

Baoyuan, her gf (hannah) and yoketeng came over for mahjong on sunday. Weilong can't make it 'cos he overslept after duty. Nvm, dude, after I come back from Malaysia. Haha.

And, wth, hannah was sooo lucky!

Look at what she 自摸-ed:


SHI SAN YAO!!!!! (I don't know how to write in chinese!!)

Just looking at that gives me the chills...

Random photo of a random shirt and berms I bought over the weekend:

I hope you all don't find out where I bought this from 'cos I don't want to be caught wearing the same thing as you. Thanks.
~

Okay, notice:
I'm leaving for Redang (East Malaysia) from Saturday (26jul) to Tuesday (28jul) with Lamerz, Inc!

(Plus guard duty waiting for me on the 30th when I return. Argh!!!)

Take care, peeps!

I'll Stand By You

Followed dad to car showroom on saturday. Initially he wanted to show us the Honda Odyssey and Honda Jazz. However, me and bro totally changed his mind. After test-driving Honda CRV and Honda Stream, our new car is born......

The HONDA CR-V!

Yeah, it's smooth and rugged. I sat at the driver's seat to get the 'feel'. It feels snug and alright. Great =) Can't wait to drive it! =P Colour will be 'Green Tea'. Sounds cheesy? But the colour is maintenance free and it looks damn chio.

Watched The Forbidden Kingdom with my family (it's such a family-film) @ FilmGarde @ Kallang Leisure Park. The cinema is surprisingly good. Just like a normal Cathay or GV theatre.





It's a surprisingly good Hollywood film that's (loosely) based on the Chinese story of Journey To The West.

Those that've eagerly anticipated to see Jet Li and Jackie Chan spar in the same movie, you'll NOT be disappointed. The martial arts choreography is helmed by the legendary Yuen Woo Ping (卧虎藏龙 and Matrix trilogy) are realised by the two fantastic actors in many scenes.

Liu Yi Fei (last seen in Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle as a mute) is scene-stealing beautiful as the avenging Sparrow plus Li Bing Bing as a white-haired witch round off the largely Chinese cast that makes this show credible to watch.

Michael Angarano (Sky High) is the awkward American lead who does a competent job here. However, it's the English-speaking that cripples this movie.

FINAL SAY: Weak script and dialogue but nevertheless a very enjoyable movie that's worth the wait for Jet and Jackie. The kung fu alone will please everyone.
~

Take just 3 minutes of your life to watch this video.

Carrie Underwood's I'll Stand By You on Idol Gives Back, American Idol's annual charity show.

~

Went to check out Haji Lane (near Arab St next to Bugis). They have this array of shops by local designers. The stuff there is real cool! I bought this brown berm there @ $30. Was on discount. Next month get pay i'm definitely going back there again =P

Exterior of the shop where I bought my berms.

The interior of the shop. K, I took this secretly, so quite a bad pic.

That's the brown berms. The top is from 77th Street. I now have 77th Street discount card. If you want to buy anything from there, tell me! Got 10% discount.

And, some random pics...

~

Okay, got to bathe and book in liao.

Take care, peeps!