Sunday, May. 11, 2003

Maddy

Got my haircut in the afternoon just now, at my affordable barber shop. So now, my hair is quite short. Better cuz I'm quite irritated with my hair getting longer and unmanageable.

Mother's Day is actually tomorrow, but my older sisters decided to celebrate our Mother's Day today, as a big family. So they bought a nice cake for her. I was supposed to meet Ina but had to cancel due to this last minute family celebration.

Except for my eldest sister's family everyone else was there. It's quite a mild affair. If only I have enough money, I would buy my mother something nice, darn it. Quite fun though, watching my baby nephew's antics. He's so cute, I could just eat him up. Okay he's already 2 yrs old but Azzam is just so cute and smart! Dancing around and all...watching him inspired me to get a son in the future...

MTV Asia is having a Madonna weekend today and tomorrow. So got to watch her older interviews with MTV as well as her old music videos. She's definitely one of my favourite female singers of all time, aside from the other Miss M. I actually have almost all of her albums, and have always been following her career. I truly respect and admire what she has done for the entertainment scene. She's truly a living icon. She never look the same way twice, always reinventing her image.

I used to have discussions with Mona on our favourite Madonna songs. Back then, I couldn't really come up with just 20, cuz I love almost all her songs and I can never choose among them. But now, let me try to list them, gosh this is hard...

Top 10...Deeper & Deeper, Like A Prayer, Vogue, Don't Tell Me, Papa Don't Preach, Ray Of Light, Music, Cherish, Beautiful Stranger, Take A Bow...

Next 10...Crazy For You, Open Your Heart, American Life, I'll Remember, Rain, American Pie, Who's That Girl, Holiday, Secret, This Used To Be My Playground...

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As for my Fav 10 Madonna videos. well, that's even harder. She's one of the best video artists ever, to me, so I'll just say that Bedtime Story is my fav Madonna video ever. That was such a visual showcase! Wonderful! Argh, from that MTV 1-hr showcase she had, her new album, American Life sounds good. I so wanna get this album, arrghhhh, no money!

posted at 2:47 a.m.

Saturday, May. 10, 2003

Ancient

Since this week, I have been rambling on and on about my favourite childhood comic superheroes, here's another personal picture with one of my favourites, Batman (and Robin).

posted at 2:05 a.m.

Was intending to have my haircut but the barber shop was closed. Have no money to go to my neighbourhood salon that I usually frequent. Feeling quite restless now, cuz already installed my printer ink to my ancient Epson Stylus Color 300 but somehow I just can't get it to work. My printer is not responding at all. Should the cable or the port problem. Have sought help from KY, but still it's not working. Sigh.

Time to get a new printer, but the cheapest out there is around $99, but I don't even have that much money. And I can't keep asking my friends to help me print my stuff, very paiseh to waste their ink and paper. I desperately need a printer to print my resumes...

Another Survivor: The Amazon episode is over. Big-teeth, big-boobs, small-brains Heidi is voted out. This episode is not as exciting as last week's, but this season has been very entertaining so far. One of the best.

Actually, somehow I wanted Heidi to stay till Final 4. I prefer her to the invisible Butch. That guy is so boring. At least Heidi is a hardcore player, albeit self-absorbed and delusional just like her twin, Jenna, but they both make the show more interesting. Butch is so under-the-radar, and I don't really like such players. The only interesting thing that he had contributed to the show, is, oh wait there's none.

The Jacare camp was on fire when they were away at the reward challenge, I sympathise with them, especially at these last few days of the game.

I can't wait for Monday's finale and reunion special. Luckily, Ch 5 has decided to show it on the same day, unlike Survivor: Marquesas. Everything's up in the air now. Best Final 2 would be Matthew-Rob, worst Final 2 would be Butch-Jenna. I'm rooting for both Matt and Rob to win. But pls, anyone but Butch to win. If he wins, it would definitely be a let-down for me!

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The Final 4 for Survivor: The Amazon, from left, Matthew Von Ertfelda, Jenna Morasca, Rob Cesternino and Butch Lockley.

Heidi Strobel, all cleaned up at an interview on CBS's Early Show. Her hair looks too bleached for me, still not that "cute".

posted at 12:54 a.m.

Friday, May. 09, 2003

Clay All The Way!

Finally Joshua Gracin is out of American Idol 2! He did perform alright this time around, but really he's not in the same league as the other three...

Okay, Clay better win this competition. Both Ruben and Kimberley Locke are good too, and I love their voice, but I'm rooting for Clay. If he ends up losing, hell will freeze over!

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American Idol 2's Final 4: From left, Ruben, Kim L, Clay and booted off tonight, Joshua Gracin.

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This week's theme is Bee Gees! Very cool! Robin Gibb was the guest. Great nostalgic songs sung by all four of them. Each had to sing two. I definitely love Clay's rendition of To Love Somebody. One of my fav Bee Gees songs. His voice reminded me of Michael Bolton who did cover this long ago. And Clay's voice is powerful enough man! And his performance of Grease was good too, albeit not typical Clay fashion, but it's good that he's showing variety.

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Okay, off the top of my head, these are my 10 most fav Bee Gees songs. Not in order of preference, they are:

...To Love Somebody, How Deep Is Your Love, Words, If I Can't Have You, Run To Me, Stayin' Alive, Too Much Heaven, Alone, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Night Fever...

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Clay and Kim Locke would be my choice for Final 2, I repeat! I would definitely buy Clay's CD if he wins this competition, or if he gets to record an album. He's gone a long way from becoming a wildcard choice. I'm intending to buy Kelly Clarkson's CD too, just to check it out. She was the winner of the first edition of the show. And she's got great lungs too.

Sigh, there are so many CDs that I really wanna buy but have no moolah. Argh, life sucks now!

posted at 12:38 a.m.

Thursday, May. 08, 2003

Pathetic

Felt quite loser-ish and pathetic today, but we just needed to do it.

Went job-hunting with KY in the afternoon. We went to Ministry of Education to apply for relief teaching positions. Had to go through the SARS routine check before going to their Customer Service Centre. They checked our temperature and gave us green circle stickers to indicate that we are SARS-free.

The application form is so complicated to fill up. But we finally realised that we could complete it at home and submit to the primary school that we want. So we left the place and headed down to Maxwell House and then to International Plaza to register to more employment agencies. But the situation is pretty intense and depressing, cuz at International Plaza, we saw a lot of job-seekers going from office to office ask for job opportunities. Sigh...I pray to God, that we both get a job soon as possible.

After accompanying KY with his meal, he then went home and I went to my sec school's friend's (Farik) office to attend a briefing. I'm comtemplating on joining his business in network marketing, selling aroma biotechnology diffusers/essential oils. The product seems unique, but I'm having second thoughts, coupled with the fact that a number of my friends have advised me not to waste my time. But with the situation I'm in, I can't be choosy or fussy. I think I should keep an open mind with other opportunities too. I don't know man.

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Mariah's next single taken off her Charmbracelet album, I'm so feeling this right now. A cover of an old Def Leppard rock ballad.

BRINGIN' ON THE HEARTBREAK

(performed by Mariah Carey)

Gypsy, sittin lookin pretty / A broken rose and laughin' eyes / You're a mystery / Always runnin' wild / Like a child without a home / You're always searchin' / Searchin for a feelin' / But it's easy come and easy go

Oh / I'm sorry but it's true / You're bringin' on the heartache / Takin all the best of me / Oh can't you see / You got the best of me / Whoah can't you see

You're bringin' on the heartbreak / Bringin' on the heartache / You're bringin' on the heartbreak / Bringin' on the heartache / Can't you see / Oh

You're such a secret / Misty eyed and shady / Baby, how you hold the key / Oh, you're like a candle / Your flame slowly fadin' / Burnin' out and burnin' me / Can't you see

Just tryin' to say to you / You're bringin' on the heartache / Takin all the best of me / Oh can't you see / You got the best of me / Oh can't you see

You're bringin' on the heartbreak / Bringin' on the heartache / You're bringin' on the heartbreak / Bringin' on the heartache / Can't you see / Can't you see

No, No, No

You got the best of me / Oh can't you see / You got the best of me / Oh can't you see

You're bringin on the heartbreak / Bringin' on the heartache / You're bringin on the heartbreak / You're bringin on the heartache / You're bringin on the heartbreak / Bringin' on the heartache / You're bringin on the heartbreak / You're bringin on the heartache / You're bringin on the heartbreak

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Pls don't give up yet. I'm not sure I can handle it...

posted at 1:31 a.m.

Wednesday, May. 07, 2003

Recommended...

Boring day today. School's finally over, and yet I still don't have a job. But I'm not gonna sit on my butt all the time. Have to put in more effort aggressively to find a job.

Applied for a job thru the net just now. Thanks to Nat, she has been forwarding us a lot of emails of job vacancies. Hoping I get a reply for a 3 mths assignment. Going for another job hunt with KY tomorrow. Visiting Ministry of Education to apply for relief teaching and then maybe registering ourselves at some employment agencies. The one that we went to at Jurong East a few weeks ago, Business Trends, have yet to call us for opportunities, so we're trying our chances at other agencies.

However, not sure how my luck's gonna be though. Still rather do something relevant, but in this economic climate, I can't be choosy, neither can I be complacent.

I'm still on a high, after watching X2: X-Men United. Been surfing a lot of X-Men websites, to remind me of their history. So for anyone of you who are interested in the background of these X-Men characters, you can check out this website, UncannyXmen.net .

I highly recommend this website as to me, it is the most comprehensive website on X-Men comic books and its characters. You can find out about Professor Charles Xavier and his 5 original X-Men students, Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Iceman and Jean Grey (Phoenix IV), the second team of X-Men, mainly Storm, Nightcrawler, Wolverine, Colossus, Rogue, Psylocke and Shadowcat and even the irresistible villain, Mystique.

For those uninitiated, you might be surprised that Nightcrawler is actually Mystique's son (that explains their blue skin) and Rogue is her adopted daughter in the comics. This history, the movie didn't mention at all. Just go to the website and go to the page, 'Spotlight On' under "Cerebro Files", and you can find out more about the X-Men characters. Especially for you guys who want to understand more about the ending and plot of the show.

Okay, the first personal photo of the week. This is taken at Chinatown Point in June 2000, if I'm not wrong. I had a gathering with my friends, before I was enlisted to NS. See, from the sign on my shirt, even now, I still feel like a child, still a huge fan of comic superheroes...

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Clockwise from top right, Jason, Mona, me and Sha. Sigh, memories...

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If I'm not wrong KY was behind the camera. We were all trying to have a candid photo taken, but obviously it was a failure. Sha as usual looked cheeky, Mona was acting demure and wearing an oh-so-yellow top, Jason being, well, Jason, and me, obviously not a natural in front of the camera...

posted at 1:54 a.m.

Tuesday, May. 06, 2003

X-Men Exam!

The dark rings are back, thanks to the past few sleepless nights studying for my exam (well, I'm exaggerating a bit).

I finally took my final exam, so now officially I have finished schooling at SIM, and awaiting for my final results and graduation, unless, God forbid, I did really badly for the exam. I thought the exam was quite alright. The approriate word to use to describe that three hours was strenuous. Though I didn't stay throughout the three hours. Cuz I chose to complete the questions faster and leave the exam hall just before they barred anyone else from leaving before the three hours is up.

The rest of the gang, KY, Liping, Liz, Naz and Nat, surprisingly stayed in the exam hall throughout the whole duration. That made me a bit nervous. When I came out, I expected a few of them to complete the exam and leave the hall earlier like me, but they didn't. Maybe my answers were not sufficient enough? But seriously, I don't think I could have bullshit the answers more. Plus the air-con was damn cold. What the heck, just hope I can score enough to pass this final module.

For lunch, the six of us plus 2 more classmates, Raqesh and Kin Hoe went to have lunch at NYDC Cafe at Holland Village. Poor Naz, there wasn't much for her to eat cuz the food there is not really halal. But she ended up eating some veggie sandwich (was it called karma sandwich?). As for me, I chose to eat the Picasso pizza without any meat and just pineapple as toppings. Yummy! Actually, I wanted to go there to quench my craving for the boo-boo cake. Sinful pleasure for me.

After a few unforseen circumstances and last minute plan changes, we finally did watch X2: X-Men United just now. Kin Hoe, Raqesh and Nat didn't join us. While Liping had to go back to the office for awhile, and Liz and Naz went to Tanglin Mall to check out shoes, me and KY went to buy the tickets for the 5 of us first. I can't remember the last time I watched a movie at the theatre. Since the SARS breakout, I havn't gone to the cinema...X2: X-Men United is definitely worth it for me to break this hiatus...

I absolutely love this sequel. It's hundred times better than the first movie. I'm intending to watch it again soon, since I watched the first movie twice in the theatres back in 2000. Bryan Singer is a genius! X2 clearly is a masterpiece for the average viewing public and for X-Men fanatics like me. I'm glad that they made the movie and gave a nod to us fanboys who understand what the ending is all about. Can't wait for X3! It should be about the Phoenix (Jean Grey's code name, besides Marvel Girl), but not sure how they're gonna incorporate the Phoenix force storyline into the movie.

I can't really choose which character is my favourite in the movie. My fav. X-Men character in the comics has always been Rogue, but it's too bad that the movie Rogue is not at all like the comic Rogue. Hope there's a way the writers could make her be as problematic and conflicted with her powers as in the comic. And get her to absorb someones else's power so that she can fly, be strong and invulnerable. Don't think they can incorporate Ms Marvel into the movie for this to happen though.

Storm's and Jean Grey's role is so much bigger this time around, so that's a good thing. Wolverine is as always cool. There's a reason why Cyclops doesn't have much screen time this time around, but nevertheless, whenever he appears, it's very crucial. Nightcrawler, Iceman, Pyro, Magneto, Mystique all rocked. But one of my most fav parts of the movie was when Collossus appeared for his cameo. That was the best! Too bad in the comic he already died!

My wishlist for X3 is that, everyone of the characters that are in X2: X-Men United surface again for X3. And hopefully, Collossus, Beast (both of them have cameo appearances in X2), Archangel and Psylocke will appear more than just a cameo. Honestly, I don't really care much for Gambit. He's just a poor man's Wolverine to me. But maybe they need him to provide a love triangle for Iceman and Rogue. And did I say that Yuriko's (Lady Deathstrike) role in the movie is just wasting space. Wolverine should have had a better villain to fight with. Although their fight scene was really brutal.

Oh I forgot about Kitty Pryde or Shadowcat! Enough of having her as cameo appearances for these first two movies using her phasing powers and moving through walls and people. She's a much more important X-men than you know it. Hope she can play a bigger role for X3. Let me count the days till then...

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Arguably the best comic book superhero movie ever, X2: X-Men United!

posted at 12:48 a.m.

Monday, May. 05, 2003

Just Can't Wait

It's almost 1am now, and I don't know whether to freak out or just take it easy.

Gonna be taking my final exam in 9 hrs' time, and yet, I havn't really finished absorbing 3/4 of the exam topics. But in a way, I'm in a boh-chup attitude. I guess, somehow I just couldn't be bothered, but I know, I should stop acting that way. This is after all, my final exam. After this, will finally graduate, get my degree and so on and so forth. But don't know why, I just don't feel the urgency to face the exam tomorrow.

I just hope it's gonna be easy. Managed to read thru every topic, but as you know there's a difference between reading through and absorbing. Told myself a few days ago, to have my own revision marathon, but just can't help it, too many distractions beckoning me.

Did the usual vacuuming of my house today, but much later in the evening, cuz before that I was lying down on my bed, trying to complete my readings. Hmm, I think my Sunday activities entries are starting to sound like a broken record, since I keep writing about doing the same thing, every Sunday, vacuum and vacuum and vacuum.

Was so bored of facing my txtbook that I called and sms-ed my SIM gang, asking them on the progress of their own revisions, hoping that someone would have the time to have a mini quiz with me, so that I'm more prepared for the exam tomorrow. But alas, Kok Yong, Nazrana and Liping were all busy watching tv premiere of X-Men on Ch 5. Haha, as expected.

I think they're gearing up for tomorrow's movie outing. The timing of the screening on Ch 5 was just right..I was intending to watch also, but I already watched that twice in the theatre back in 2000 and already watched it over and over again on my DVD, so I rather concentrate on revision. But I did discuss with Liping on the phone for a while. Both of us had a few questions with the exam tips.

After going through with her, I thought of continuing with my revision, but got distracted with the net once again. Surfed the net for more information on X2 - X-Men United. Yes, I went to some message boards to check out some spoilers and reviews for the movie. Bo liao you said? No, I don't think reading them has ruined my anticipation. I just couldn't resist and was too impatient. And from what I read, it's gonna be a fantabulous show. The more I read the spoilers, the more I can't stop dreaming about the show.

Okay, let me estimate, surf some more net first, then read the rest of the chapters again, and by 3am, shall sleep. Don't know whether to burn midnight oil or not. Aaarghhh, can't time just skip faster and bring me forward to tomorrow afternoon, so I can watch X2! I can't wait any longer! SARS or no SARS, I shall not miss X2 - X-Men United at the cinema!

Okay, later on when I sleep, I shall dream of the X-Men...

posted at 12:53 a.m.

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