Sleepless In Hospital

My grandmother is in the hospital for the 12th day now. And the doctors do not know what is wrong with her.

Last night I stayed at the hospital with her right after getting back from Kampar. I was sleepless the whole night. My grandmother was suffering throughout the night, coughing and wheezing. Each breathe is labored, each move is excruciating, each cough shook her entire body. Only 12 days and she got so thin. Her skin hanging like loose flesh from her bones, like pieces of wrinkled rags hanging on a stick. Her eyes are always tired and I can barely hear her whispers between moans.

I touched her warm hand and saw all the bruises caused by needles from medication and IV drip. Even simple acts of sitting up from the bed and going to the toilet become such labored work for her weak and small frame. I support her, help her walk and carry her at times. I was utterly surprised by the light weight and suddenly realise how weak she is. The grandmother who watched me grew up, the strong lady who baby-sitted a stubborn naughty girl like me, the soft heart that listen to my tears and tell me that everything will be okay, is now like a fragile little child, depending on me for movements.

It pains me to see a strong woman who raised four children single-handedly become weaken by old age. It pains me to see the very woman who taught me how to be strong at heart and spirit, and is such a fine example herself, be weaken by illness. It pains me to see her expression, winced in pain every time I help her to the toilet or to sit her up. It pains me to see the bruises on her arms caused by needles.

These 2 weeks, I've been praying a lot. I pray for her health and well- being. Despite that I am losing precious sleep every night and I may look like a complete disaster with the pimple over-growth and the eye bags when I start degree in about 3 weeks time, I would give anything to be next to my dearest grandmother.

Year 1 Semester 1

The title is so cliche but I can't help it...

I am proud to say that I've "survived" Degree Year 1 Semester 1!! Well, compared to Medicine and many other courses, Biomedical Science is not really that cut-throat, but it is rumoured to be the most difficult bioscience course in UTAR.

Biotechs and Chemistry,
don't shoot me...
That's what the admin said...

Anyway, I have to say that this semester is really an eye opener to experiences and situations. I took part in the organising committee of Blood Donation and also Welcoming Concert and became friends with a lot of people, not to mention the experience of sharing among guitarists who performed in the concert. It was really a good experience as I learned a lot. Then I joined the New Village Project and visited the small town of Malim Nawar. This project was really interesting as the materials to work on was cool. I learned a lot about managing and communication through this project. I also became helper for the Festival of the Minds and met a lot of incredibly cool people!! Thanks to everyone involved in the process of these projects cause I really learned a lot from everyone!!

Part of the Welcoming Concert organising committee

Team of Blood Donation Campaign

New Village Project

Kevin the guitarist and Qian the camwhore king

Academic wise, well, not all are smooth- sailing... In fact I've mastered the art of last minute work!! But thanks a lot to friends and course mates who are willing to teach and share. Reports were really energy-draining but fun at the same time. I have to admit that I am a little disappointed with the system as not much brain storming or "akal" is used. It is really rote learning... I wonder what happen to holistic learning? Anyway, thanks to Zarry and Levnn for the rides to and fro campus. And thanks to my course mates who gave me a helping hand when I need them, especially Yang Kiat, Snack King, Zarry, Hui En, Kumutha and many many others.

Last outing with Goldon before he took off to Russia

This semester, I was a little crazy and definitely more daring. I remember the time where YY and I went drinking, or mostly she and Andrew drink, and that was like the weekend before a mid term paper! I also remember the insane day trip to Ipoh just to watch G.I Joe. Of course, I managed to gobble up an entire season of House despite it is Finals season. In this 14 weeks, I've discovered a little obsession for shopping and dresses!! I also went a little insane on guitar learning and posted two covers on my blog although I am really a beginner. Thank you YY, Andrew, Vee, KKY, Nicole, and everyone else for the good times. Thank you Ben for the encouragement to continue guitar.

Kumutha and Nicole in McDonalds

Jamie and I in Jusco

I also did double piercings and dyed my hair red. Not really bright flaming red, but a hint of red which a friend of mine described as "mysterious" cause one moment it was there, reflected by the light, and the next it wasn't there anymore. And I like it!!

The piercing was some time ago though...

Just dyed...
Now you can see my hair is brownish as the colour fades...

Besides all the crazy stuff I did, I enjoy Thursday dinners with my beloved Cheryl and YY. It was the night where I saved up whole week and eat really good food on that particular night. Huge thanks to Cheryl for driving us out. And gosh, the speeding on empty road with windows down and music blast to the max was EXHILARATING!!

Sushi King's giant sushi which I forgot the name

Japanese food which, again, I forgot the name of...

Of course, cooking with Vee and YY is enjoyable as I get to experiment with food and also try other cooking style. Spaghetti Night was a little insane... (I mostly enjoyed watching Vee's face when she ate the sour sauce)

Kumutha's Assam Fish

Penne with Cheese and Herbs

Alas, one semester has come to an end. I am now planning my semester break. Looking forward to trips and outings... Anyone wanna go out for yumcha or movies can gimme a call, I'll try to arrange.

Goodbye UTAR...
Hello Home Sweet Home!!

Instant

In this era of modernisation

sweat...
my opening line sounds like
some BM Karangan in Form 5

we have a lot of instant stuff...

Instant noodles...

Instant porridge...

Instant coffee...

Instant you-name-it-we've-got-it

But Ryanne's Instant Pick Me Up is
ICE CREAM!!!

Yea, was feeling a little bumped with Chinese II revision...
Plus the super hot weather wasn't helping to ease the headache too...

Luckily, my fridge is forever stocked with
ICE CREAM!!

So a big helping of CHOCOLATE SUNDAE!!!

(Yea, I love chocolate!!)

You see an Instant Satisfying Smile on me!!

Ok... This post is non-sensical...
I am just a little stressed out by Chinese II...
My Last Finals paper then I am off to home!!!
Hurray!!!

Mr Brightside - A Cover

I was extremely bored with studying...
Thus, I picked up my guitar, and recorded this piece...
Purely out of boredom...

A little crappy... Still learning...
But what the hell, I just want to have a little fun!!

Dedicate this to a friend of mine
who loves to tease me...
PS : I am not stress la...
Just want to have fun only~

I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I'm falling asleep
And she's calling a cab
While he's having a smoke
And she's taking a drag
Now they're going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it's all in my head
But she's touching his-chest
Now, he takes off her dress
Now, letting me go

And I just can't look its killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr Brightside

London Fashion Week

A little back-dated... But I feel like doing fashion reviews today...

One thing I notice about London Fashion Week is that the designs are generally more vibrant with colours and symmetry and very chic rather than the usual typical London fashion...
Let's take a look...


This number is so chic. The upper part is bland but be surprised by the sudden bloom of ruffles.
It is elegant, a little professional, but mostly feminine.

I absolutely love the smart use of lines and symmetry here!
The dress on the left makes someone who is really thin look healthy and sexy.
The dress on the right accentuate all the right places with lines.

An obvious contrast of vibrant colours and typical black chic-ness.
The dress on the left spelt FUN all over it! And I love the design on the waist!!
The piece on the right looks trendy, minus the legging though. I am not really a fan of leggings...

The perfect sweet innocent girl fashion!!
Love the design of the dress on the left with a sudden pout. The top can be matched with some other items too!!
The piece on the right is equally alluring. The top has intricate designs but not too complex.

This collection is one fierce collection!!
Perfect dress code for the fashionable powerhouse fabulous girl!!
They present a woman with style and sense yet command attention in a very feminine way!!

I fell in love with the number on the left most. The whole design is so chic!!
The number on the center is not bad too, except for the very weird hair...
The one on the right wasn't really my taste... Too prim and proper... And what's with the hair?

This golden dress is fabolous for partying... Or just a very flashy cocktail dress...
I am more attracted to the piece behind... The very colourful top contrast against black skirt...
Wonderful combination!!

Another brilliant collection with brilliant use of materials and very smart combination of bland colours.
It gives me the feeling of autumn but in a very nice way.
I adore the leather corset on the right!!

Last but not least, diverse use of colours and style!
It feels very china-ish... But the most important thing is that the dresses bring out a cheerful vibe on each model.


Suddenly, I feel like going to shopping again!!
Shopping therapy for screwing Maths finals?

LoveStoned

Found this guy with insane guitar skill on YouTube...

He made an acoustic version of LoveStoned by Justin Timberlake. That song is so heavily digitalised and he made an ACOUSTIC version of it!! This is to me, insanity, not to mention drop dead geniusy (if there is such word)!!

Check it out!!
Notice how the fingers "fly" across the fret board!
Damn, I wanna play like that!!



Agree with me that this is KICKASS COOL?

Dear Sir, I Miss You

Dear Sir,

I miss you since yesterday. Throughout the whole Anatomy & Physiology Finals, I can't stop thinking about you. Even when after the test and I got home to get some rest, I was still thinking about you. And today, while I am revising my Maths, I miss you even more.

Yours truly,
Yun Xin the "Bumpin' "

Yes, this entry is written as a tribute to my beloved teacher Mr Chee. He was my tuition teacher since I was in Form 1 and he was the one "sending me off to SPM hell" in Form 5. He is my mentor, my motivation and my guide in the very big forest of knowledge.

I remember vividly when I first entered his class in the morning when I was a Form 1 midget. I was totally lost and blur. Nope, he did not spend time teaching me patiently, with the oh-so-fatherly-love or anything. Instead, he called me a "pig" and a "bumpin' " (that is the female variation of "bump", meaning idiot.) When I answered a question wrongly in class, he openly insulted me, calling me names and making fun of me. When I was sleepy in class, he made me repeat answers or nonsensical sentence many many times. When I made a careless mistake, he humiliate me in front of the whole class. He even writes in illegible handwriting that the whole class can only guess what he is writing. When we asked him what he wrote, he would rudely tell us that "This is a Biology class, not a 5 year old spelling class."

Many of you will think that either I am crazy or I am one sado fellow who likes to be treated badly. Sorry to disappoint, but I am neither crazy nor sado. His very sarcastic and cynical methods had propelled me into a huge part of who I am today. His insults made me finish all the exercises in the workbook just to prove him wrong that I was not lazy. His name calling made me read thick academic books, yes, university modules, when I was just in Form 2, so that I don't get called a "Bumpin" in class. Him making fun of me in class made me read all my text at least twice before entering tuition room so that I don't make silly mistakes. His humiliation made me brave and not afraid to make mistakes and take risk in class. His incoherent grunts and illegible handwritings made me think and consider a lot of things, not to mention the encouragement to read more in order to understand his class. His method that seemed so rude and pointless to others, actually motivated me into becoming who I am today.

When I graduated Primary school, I was determined that I will hate science. But his was of teaching made me curious of the world around me. He made me inquire into things, ask questions, look into things from different angles, and think out of the box. Slowly, I took an interest in Science and here I am, doing a Bachelor's degree on Biomedical Science. I miss those Thursdays where Biology tuition was the ONLY class that taught me how to be street smart instead of book smart. I miss those Thursdays where I will bombard Mr Chee with questions during break time, got scolded in return but returned to class with a big grin on my face with answers. (No, I am not crazy) I miss those Thursdays where I get called "Yun Xin the Bumpin' " (Yea, slowly, everyone in the class took pride in being called a Bump or a Bumpin' an academic honour.)

Being in University for over a year now, I am deeply disappointed in the system. We are not encouraged to think or even ask. We just need to swallow, and regurgitate. Digestion is not even needed. Sad to say, I've succumbed into this system in order to survive in it. I don't know how long I can keep the "learning for knowledge" thinking as it seems like knowledge is not even needed in exams.

I miss Biology tuition classes in that small room with a class of less than 20 students where you will insult, scold, humiliate and throw us insane unexpected questions. I miss that clipping sound of your suitcase and the silhouette of a limping man strutting into the class. Hell, I miss being called a "Bumpin' " by your ever so rude voice.

Dear Sir, I've watched many many episodes of House and realised that the 2 of you, work the exact same way. You are cynical, sarcastic, have bad manners, yet you always right, until I prove you wrong, which is extremely rare. And you are certainly the best teacher I've ever had.

And you and Dr House share another similarity:
You two LIMP!

Final Destination 4 - A Review

I watched this with my best friend last Saturday, just for the sake of hanging out.


The movie started with some dude who saw visions of a car crash on a race track where everyone died a gory death. He warned everyone, everyone thought he was crazy and ran out of scene with him until something happens. Then these people who escaped death got hunted down by death and died a horrible gory death one by one, according to the order of who die first on the race track. Dear boy genius and his girlfriend try to change things by disrupting the order as he kept seeing visions of how the next person is going to die. In the end, everyone died a horrible gory death.


Seriously, I will sit through another movie of District 9 and withstand all the blood and gore than watch Final Destination 4. The plot, sounds familiar? Because it is the SAME plot used for all the other 3 instalment. The casts are also unknowns that do not even need to do a good job acting. All they have to do is act bimbotic, skeptical, and the ending scene for every actor is always the orgasmic shock face with blood and gore everywhere.


But I do have to applaud the creativity of the movie. Tampoons as ear plugs? Pool drainage that suck out people's innards? On fire while being dragged by a chain? Very creative deaths indeed!! Even the initial visions of deaths seen by the dude whose name I can't remember and don't really want to find out, are incredibly creative deaths. I never thought of tire decapitation or a flying piece of shrapnel cutting people into halves. But very impossible too. Didn't the production team watch Mythbusters on Discovery Channel? It is IMPOSSIBLE to suck one's intestines out using a pool drainage.

Alas, I guess "horror" movies like these aren't meant to have logic or a proper plot. They are just entertainment, entertainment where the audience takes pleasure in watching people die. Well, this is certainly a better form of entertainment watching people die in the movies than watching people die fighting in the Colosseum or something.

Ratings : 5/10. Visual was not too bad but my stubborn brain just keep telling me that this is one movie that tried too hard.

Philly Pepper

Accidentally found this very awesome guy on YouTube and ALL his work are so AWESOME!!

These are my best picks of Philly Pepper...
Enjoy~~









Cool eh? And I so love his voice and I so love his music arrangements!!


PS : I know I have been MIA for a few days... Was very busy with studies and my grandma got admitted into the hospital and I've spent a few days there... So now I am finally getting a little breather here...

Sleeping To Dream

Lately I absolutely fell in love with this song by Jason Mraz.

I'm dreaming of sleeping next to you
I'm feeling like a lost little boy in a brand new town.
I'm counting my sheep and each one that passes is another dream to ashes
and they all fall down.
And as I lay me down tonight,
I close my eyes, what a beautiful sight.

Sleeping to dream about you
and I'm so damn tired.
Of havin' to live without you
But I, I don't mind.
Sleeping to dream about you and I'm so tired.
Oh, yes I am

I found myself in the riches
Your eyes, your lips, your hair
Well you were everywhere, out there.
I woke up in the ditches.
I hit the light and I thought you might be here
But you were nowhere. Oh love,
Well, you were nowhere at home.
As I lay me back to sleep,
This love I pray that I can Keep.

Sleeping to dream about you
and I'm so damn tired.
Of having to live without you
But I, I don't mind.
Sleeping to dream about you and I'm so tired.

I'm so tired.

Well its Just a little lullaby to keep myself from crying myself to sleep at night. Once I dry my eyes I'll...

Sleeping to dream about you
and I'm so damn tired.
Of having to live without you
But I, I don't mind.

Sleeping to dream about you and I'm so tired.
I'm so...tired.

I am sleeping to dream about you
If only you know
If only....

Faith

Faith is not necessary when you know how things are going to work out,
- that's knowledge.

It's in the time of unknowing that having faith
is what sees you through to the other side.

Faith is what gives you strength.

Faith is that light in your heart that keeps on shining
even when it's all darkness outside.

Why Be Like Everyone Else

This one is a really touching clip.
It really cheer me up.

Thank you Andrew for sharing!!

Why do you have to be like others?

Music, is a visible thing.
Close your eyes. And you will see.

And need I say again,
Canon in D
has the ability to move me to tears,
yet bring joy to my ears...

District 9 - A Review

District 9 is an unusual movie. Very unusual indeed.


The movie is about an alien ship in human airspace that could no longer fly, leaving the aliens stranded on Earth. The aliens, looking like prawns, were brilliantly named Prawns by the human. They were relocated on Earth in District 9. But after many years here, District 9 became a slum, where the Prawns savaged on rubbish and anything else that they can put their very ugly hands on. Then the Multi National United (MNU) decided to relocated these growing number of Prawns into another alines. Wikus Van Der Morwe (Sharlto Copley) was one of the officers serving eviction notice to the aliens. Then he got sprayed in the face by some black fluid and acquired alien DNA. He was turning into a Prawn and was hunted down by the humans to do experiments on him. He had no where else to go but back to District 9 where there appears to be a Slumdog Millionaire Prawn, named Christopher Johnson, with a slightly larger brain than the rest. They worked together, took back a silver tube of substance and Christopher flew back to their planet, not knowing if he will come back to cure Wikus of his "transformation".


I have to give credit to Neill Blomkamp, for writing and directing this movie with such fashion. The whole movie was shot in a very realistic angle, documentary like angle. And this is only one story that I've come across where aliens were not superior to human beings. And to paint them as very ugly looking tentacle faced Prawns, not green little stick people with a triangular head. And kudos to the visual effects team and the make up artists. Everything, including the transformation and the Prawns looked awfully real.


I also must thank the whole crew for giving me goosebumps the entire evening. Prawns and human alike, were being mercilessly hacked, torn apart, blew part, and many more. Judging by the amount of blood, gore, brains and internal organs flying around the screen, I thought I was watching Final Destination, Saw I, II, III, and maybe even the gory 300, all add together. And this one is like 100 times more realistic. Thank God I didn't eat before the movie. And the idea of inter-species prostitutes, and "riding a Prawn, pony- style"? Yuck!! Not to mention the self mutilation of Wikus by chopping off his finger to experiment if he can naively remove his alien appendage. Also, I must thank the script writers for temporarily changing my speech patterns. Dear old Wikus was creatively saying "Fokking" the very Irish style in every sentence he said. It was really fokking annoying to hear so many fokking noise over all those fokking gore flying all over the fokking screen and at the same time fokking catch up with the fokking messy camera work with the fokking fast paced storyline. Well, you get the idea.


And there is this really big hole in the plot. Wikus got sprayed by a black fluid that is suppose to be fuel to the Mothership. How can fuel possibly alter one's DNA while the very disgusting Nigeria Mafia who consumed the entire Prawn limb raw was still very human up till the moment some metal thing sticking out of his "dislocated" brain? And how come there is only ONE smart alien among the alleged 2000 Prawns? The ship don't just fly into human space with only ONE brain and 1999 idiots. Or maybe it did. Also, the aliens stayed on Earth for less than a decade, how can human and Prawn communicate so well, the way Wikus and Christopher did? I swear it was better communication than normal couples can. I mean, Wikus understood muttered clicks and Christopher understood English?


Ratings : 6/10
Comments : I am not a bloody person. If I want to see mindless hacking, I will watch Final Destination, Saw or 300, separately. The idea is good no doubt. But, not really my cup of tea.

Phone Booth - A Review

This one is recommended by YY and Kumutha. The movie is only 1 hour plus and a really thrilling destressor.

The movie opened with a fascinating narration which I am pretty sure was not by Don LaFontaine, though it provides the same deep voiced comfort. Then we see a man (Colin Farrell) strutting on the street, talking on the phone, in his expensive Italian suits, with self importance. This man is a publicist and he cheated in everyday life to make a living. He stopped at a phone booth everyday to call his "love interest" while he was married. This day was just like any other day. After cheating people in his business, he stepped into the phone booth, took off his wedding ring and called his "love interest", played by Katie Holmes.


After his call, the public phone rang and he picked up. His day took a 360 degrees turn as the call was from a sniper threatening to kill him unless he does everything he was told to do. A series of terror occured and the sniper shot at a few guys. This one is a thriller with a surprising ending. Thus, I shall not spoil it by continuing the story. Just watch it for yourself.


This movie has a relatively simple plot. The effect weren't spectacular, so to speak. But the acting was SUPERB!! The cast consists of Colin Farrell, Forrest Whitaker, Katie Holmes and many other notable actors. It really impressed me that Colin Farrell was talking to the phone with such emotions and expression while he was actually talking to himself on the set. And the utter terror shown by Farrell and Whitaker while it was really on the set and they were perfectly safe. And I also think that it is pretty creative to tell a 1 hour plus story revolving an ordinary phone booth.

Ratings : 6/10
Comments : Good movie to take a break with. Nice thriller but not the kind that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Good for people with the risk of heart attacks. For those who want to induce heart attack, look elsewhere.

Perfume : The Story of a Murderer - A Review

I caught this movie by accident on TV and I watched the whole thing for 2 hours plus.


This movie is about a young man, Jean Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), born with superhuman olfactory ability. He was abandoned in the fish market and grew up to be a weird boy. One day, he startled a girl selling plums and tried to cover her mouth to prevent her from screaming. He accidentally suffocated her to death. After her death, he stripped her naked and smell her body scent until the scent left. Grenouille was extremely fascinated by human scent. After that incident, he learned how to make perfume from a washed up perfume maker Giuseppe Baldini (Dustin Hoffman). Grenouille learned that the perfect perfume contains harmonies of twelve individual scents, and may contain a theoretical thirteenth scent. Grenouille became obsessed with scents and embarked on a journey to Grasse to learn to make perfume.

In Grasse, he became even more obsessed with human scent and learned to preserve human scent by killing young virgins, cutting their hair and applying animal fat on their naked bodies. The fats were then distilled and made into perfume. Grasse was terrified of this murderer on killing spree, killing beautiful young virgins and leaving their bodies all over the city. However, Grenouille seemed to be untouched by the fear of the city and chose the last girl, Laura ( Rachel Hurd Wood) as his thirteenth scent to make his perfect perfume. Laura's wealthy father (Alan Rickman) fled the city with his daughter to an inn. However, Grenouille tracked down her scent and murdered her in her own room.


Shortly after completing his perfume, Grenouille was caught and was sentence to death. Right before his execution, he dabbed a few drops of the perfume on himself and the public who were there to witness his execution went into ecstasy and euphoria. Even the Bishop himself claimed that he was innocent and released him. Grenouille walked out of Grasse unscathed and with enough perfume to conquer the world. However, he went back to that humble fish market where he was abandoned, releasing that he cannot be a normal person that love and be loved in return. He poured the entire bottle of perfume onto himself and the crowd devoured him on the spot. The movie ends with a scene where a single drop of perfume dropped from the empty bottle.


The plot itself is interesting, horrible and fascinating at the same time. The story tells of an anti-hero that one cannot be possibly feel sympathy for, but at the same time, one cannot be disgusted of his quest for perfection. The story was told in a flashback manner, where the pace was fast and slow at the same time. It is really skillful of the director, Tom Tykwer, to tell a story like a form of art. It may sound compact to put the origin of a murderer and his 12 priced killings in such short time but you don't really notice that you sat through 12 murders in about 2 hours.

The movie was a visual feast, where colours and emotions where potrayed so beautifully. Even the murder scenes looked like art. To me, the story was queer and unusual. But this movie provides such visual fact that I willingly throw out all logic in the world. Yes, it is virtually impossible for a man to have olfactory ability like a dog, maybe even greater. Yes, it is also impossible that human pheromone induce such explosive impact on fellow human beings. But this story was so brilliantly told that logic doesn't have to exist in them. And it certainly helped that the actors are really good.



Ratings : 7.5 /10
Comments : The idea of the movie might disgust you. The movie itself might disgust you. But watch with an open mind and screw logic, this one will be really a visual feast.

白天不懂夜的黑

我想什么，

你不知道。。。

你想什么，

我也不知道。。。

就是那样，

距离就远了。。。

En Route

In about 9 hours, I will sit for my Principles of Nutrition paper.

This semester I sit finals with a little style. You see, Biomedical Science is the opening ceremony (First paper in the whole of UTAR along with a few other courses) and the closing ceremony (Last paper of the entire May 2009 semester) figuratively.

Am I scared?

Yes.

Am I worried?

Yes.

How do I feel like?

Feel like crying.
And watching House.

But Dad reminded me something.

"Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.
Always work with it, not against it."

"Your chances of success are directly proportional to the degree of pleasure you derive from what you do."

So, even though I may not get the desired results for finals, I do enjoy studying my subjects, no matter how many brain cells I've killed to actually comprehend them. Alas, accept it and work with it, even if it means failing miserably...

Good luck to all UTARians sitting for finals paper!!
May you be blessed with luck and intuition!!

Today is 9/11.
A tribute to those who perished on that very fated day.
May you guys rest in peace.

Don't Gimme That - Album Review

Few days ago, Ben posted some band on his blog.

Next thing I know, I am playing their album on loop for 5 hours straight.

ALOHA FROM HELL!!!

This is a German Band consists of 17 year old Vivien Eileen as lead vocal, 20 year old Moritz Keith and 22 year old Andreas Gerhard as guitarists, 19 year old Maximilian Forman as bassist and 16 year old Felix Keith as drummer. This band absolutely ROCK!! I love the music and the arrangement of the songs. Vivien Eileen's very teenage Avril Lavigne style definitely ROCK!!

You can download their album by clicking HERE (link not tested)

From their album Don't Gimme That... Here is my first album review...

01 No More Days To Waste
The opening song of the album. The bridge promise a fun song and the chorus is addictive. The rhythm of the song is quite addictive too! Makes me wanna shake my head to the beat of the music. And I absolutely love the vocals on this number. Vivien reached all the high notes and her voice take off so beautifully!

02 Can You Hear Me Boys
The opening guitar was enough to excite me already! This song strut of girl power and confidence. The lyrics are cheeky and fun. And again, the rhythm of the song is energy- packed. And the walkie- talkie ending is simply creative!

03 Don't Gimme That
The quiet starting was surprising after the two very energetic songs before. The bridge and the chorus is where the attitude comes in. This is some sort of a heartbreak song, with a tinge of sadness, disappointment and angst, but it doesn't carry the usual emo-ness in a heartbreak song. The fade out ending definitely complete the song in a really perfect way.

04 Fear of Tomorrow
The opening guitar play is kinda cool and I was sort of anticipating some great energetic song. The lyrics were good and kind of inspiring. The rhythm has yet to fail to impress me. The bridge guitar play and the chorus is addictive. Even when I am not listening to the song, I can hear that bridge guitar play in my head!! Plus, the effect of this song, the megaphone sort of voice over suits the song perfectly.

05 Walk Away
After 4 energetic songs, this one is a slower number. The use of piano surprised me at first but it brought out the emotion of the song perfectly. There was one part where the guitar has a solo play. Love that part!! And Vivien's voice is so emotional and raw! A different song from the others, nonetheless, still amazed me!!

06 Don't Hurt Yourself
Very interesting opening. Smart use of effects and brilliant lyrics. I would say that this song is a combination of style where the rhythm and beat is very much alike with the first two songs. And the chorus carries the similar tune to "Walk Away". But what I love best about is the lyrics of the song. "Don't hurt yourself, Cause you are gorgeous." It seems like this song are focusing on a bigger issue that people seldom acknowledge, suicide or self mutilation due to general perception of "ugliness". I like the slow-down technique used at the ending.

07. Wake Me Up
The tune of the song was a little boring and similar to the rest of the songs. But Aloha From Hell are creative in a way that this song delivers not only energetic melody but a story. At the bridge, there was an interesting play of keyboard and effects, which kind of amused me. I also find the chorus where Vivien repeatedly sang "Wake Me Up" especially helpful when I am feeling sleepy studying.

08. Hello, Hello
This song reminds me of "Can You Hear Me". They really love using the walkie- talkie effects here. Listening to this song reminds me of Avril Lavigne, in Sk8ter Boy. Very angst filled and attitude. Really a kickass song!

09. How Come You Are The One
This number is a little boring. Though it is energetic but not as enthusiastic as the earlier songs as the tune is really similar to the rest. Again, they employ the walkie- talkie effects, though in a suitable sort of way, but fail to evoke the same awesome-ness. However, this song is still pleasant because the rhythm really entice me to shake my head according to the high- angst guitar play.

10. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'
I like the chorus of the song where I really sang along with Vivien. This 2.53 song is enthusiastic and fun. The rhythm is great and the guitar play, though not really obvious but the treble play was kinda good, especially at the ending. Great energy!

11. You
Vivien kicked off the song with attitude and the bass and guitar came in at perfect timing. Vivien's voice sound a little strained but the energy of the song is just explosive. The lyrics make the song a really good "Fuck-You" song. It is not mean or bitchy, but it delivers the angst perfectly. I specially love the bridge of the song, where it is slow and steady, like a short rest before continuing another round of shouting "You". Great arrangement there!

12 Catch Me If You Can
This one is energetic and enthusiastic and addictive!! The guitar solos at various part of the song added fun into the song. The drums totally brought out the attitude of the song. The bridge gives a mysterious vibe, then the song shoots right back into rocking the world with power! The funky guitar play right before the song ends is awesome!

13 Don't Gimme That (Rock Version)
The rock version of this song is obviously less quiet than the original one. The guitar technique and the effects employed transformed this song. This one has more angst and attitude to it and there isn't really the sad or disappointment feeling in the song. The drums are played a little different when compared to the original. The rock version is equally unique as the original.


Overall : Great album. Since I was playing the song on loop for 5 hours, it is guranteed not a boring album.

Ratings : 8/10

A Really Really Really Lame Post

Hungry...

Extremely hungry...

And it is 3.38am.

Will it help me study Principles of Nutrition if I succumb to my tummy's calling
and EAT?

WARNING!!
I am being extremely lame. Go away if you are allergic to lame-ness.

On the other hand, will I score better in Anatomy & Physiology if I rajin- rajin watch HOUSE?


Maybe I need to watch Numb3rs too before sitting for Maths for Bioscience paper.


Definitely will watch Red Cliff or some Zhang Yimou kickass wushu movie before taking Chinese II paper.

Any recommendations on how to sit for Structural Biochemistry paper?

I'll Say My Piece

I found this original song on YouTube earlier. I can't stop listening to it.



If you guys want to download the song, click HERE.

I just love Chester See's voice. And the very emotional and raw feelings that were portrayed in the song.

Guitars

I was just sorting my external hard disk today ( I am the proud owner of TWO external hard disk now!!) And I found this photo. I really like it, for some reasons unknown to even myself.

It was taken some time ago, when David and Khim Yao were still in Kampar. I was just a guitar beginner that time ( still is, anyway...) And David and Khim Yao taught me some really basic stuff. It was really enjoyable though it was for a really short time and only one session.

From left : Kumutha's, mine, Khim Yao's, David's, Zach's, and YY's

Kumutha, Zach and YY rarely play the guitar these days. David and Khim Yao are in Setapak campus already.

I wonder if I will ever have a quality, fun- filled jamming session in near future...

I'm Falling For You by Chester See

This song totally touched my heart.

This is an original piece written by Chester See. Judging from the lyrics, he wrote this for a crush or an ex. He sang of unreturned love. I love it.

Music by Tyler Ward

I was totally insane over Jason Mraz the entire week after my dad passed me live concert CDs from Jason Mraz.

Any one who wants the song can contact me.
I'll try to zip it and email to you guys.

I just noticed that how creative and original he is because all his performances are different, in terms of singing style, guitar playing style and also lyrics.

I seriously wonder if he planned it all out
or just make it up as he goes!

However, this song totally break the cycle, thanks to Kuen May's great recommendation. This is a cover by Tyler Ward on The Fray's Never Say Never.



I personally think that it is better than the original. Naturally, I am strumming away on my own guitar, trying to imitate the playing (which I am no where near) Gosh, finals is next Friday and I am learning a new song?

Another one by Tyler Ward is Wonderwall by The Oasis. I already love the original but this one is equally nice. Love the vocal arrangement and the unique guitar strumming (FYI, I don't know why I can't strum like that!!)

The acoustic cover bug must have caught me!!

Lust.Love

Lust has the meaning of want to take,
while love has the meaning of want to give.

I lust after the shiny surface and the perfect hum of an electric guitar.
I want to take it and jam my heart out on it.

I love the harmonious melody that my acoustic guitar produce
and the seasoned strings my acoustic guitar has.


I knew it was love when I rather save up my lunch money so that I can give it a good polish or spent money buying accessories for it.

PS : I am a little bored and a little insane when I post this... Just a de-stressor...

Tonight, I find myself wanting to believe in the sacred power of prayer very much.

15Malaysia Films

This is one of my favourite 15Malaysia films so far, besides Chocolate by Yasmin Ahmad. This film, Slovak Sling, is directed by Woo Ming Jin, on a rather controversial open secret in our nation, but with a twist of humour that really makes one laugh. The story and dialogues are pretty simple to answer and it simply produces the effect of "Siapa makan cili, dialah yang rasa pedas." (Or something like that... My BM is rotten...)



Who say Malaysia no talent? Film-makers are good tau!!

And this one, another queer one. But very interesting. Because the hidden message was hidden in plain sight!! Director Tan Chui Mui is brilliant, by telling the story using a narrator and in a sort of stop motion way. The plot is simple yet powerful. Interesting!!



Who say only Steven Spielberg is the only good sci-fi director? Our very own Tan Chui Mui tells a sci-fi story in present tense too!

Juliette Low Seminar

I have been dreaming to go to this seminar ever since I entered the Girl Guides Young Leader Training Programme. And my motivation to go to this seminar is further encouraged when I represented Perak in Malaysia's very own National Dato Hendon Seminar, which is the local version of Juliette Low Seminar.

I saw some very nice pictures from Kah Ling's Facebook and she gave me this link.

http://wagggsworld.org/en/JLSKenya/AboutJLS

I so want to attend this seminar!! Really a great experience as it is an event with 67 participants from 64 countries.

Dear Sister Guides, let's keep each other posted on your regional training programmes ya? Happy Guiding!!

Los Angeles Wildfire Time Lapse

I found this random clip on YouTube. This is a time lapse of Los Angeles Wildfire. The owner of this clip recorded the whole thing from his balcony from sunrise to sunset on 29 August 2009.

We can obviously see the smoke in the sky and at night, we can see the fire ravaging the woods. The smoke appeared as if they are exploding out of each other. As the night falls, we can see the fire devouring the forest near housing areas. The scenes are eerily beautiful yet very scary.



Somehow, I wonder, if there is anyone hurt from this wildfire. Are the authorities doing enough t save the forest? From the comments in YouTube, it appears that the people living near this area are not even concern about the fire. How can people be so ignorant when it comes to the environment? How can people be so oblivion about things around them?

G.I. Joe : The Rise of The Cobra - A Review

When I first watched the trailer, I have been wanting to watch the movie. Today, 6 crazy fellows really drove all the way to Ipoh to watch it.

And I wasn't disappointed at all!!


The movie started with the introduction of James McCullen being executed for dealing arms with both sides in 1641. Fast forward to a not so distant future, we saw the heir of McCullen, still selling arms. But this McCullen was much more smarter and evil. He used the NATO funding to develop a technology called Nanomite that eats metal and also control human beings. Then he stole it back to blackmail the world. Our hero, Duke (Channing Tatum) and his comrade Rip, were assigned to deliver the warheads but Ana aka Baroness (Sienna Miller) killed the entire team and almost steal the warheads. The Joes came and rescued everyone. Later on, we were introduced to the elite army of Joes. After a lot of kickass action and the "denaturation" of Eiffel Tower by the Nanomites, the bad guys were caught, couples were formed and happily ever after, for now.


The cast consists of big names with the likes of Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, and a cameo by Branden Fraser!! The characters have great dynamics!!


The plot is not exactly thick. There were a lot of expected unexpected twists (if you know what I mean, like, you know that kind of "unexpected" things are bound to happen in the movie sooner or later) But the stunts and choreographs are bloody kickass!! YY, Jamie and I were practically screaming and cheering in every action scene possible (the theater was quite empty actually, it is a weekday.) The gadgets are so impossible but they are so cool that I have to disregard the fact that they are impossible. The effects are quite ok actually. A little game- like but still acceptable.



The characters' outfits are absolutely fantastic!! They are either leather clad or suited in extremely cool "uniforms".


My most memorable character is actually Scarlett (Rachel Nichols). She is so hot and cool, at the same time. Her motorcycle chase scenes, though obviously can see that it is CGIs, still manage to awe me even now. And I absolutely love her hair colour!! Imagine me in that colour~~


Though the movie is quite good, but the plot is so tightly wrapped that it leaves little space for imagination. However, it did hint of a sequel coming, since that not all the bad guys are behind bars. Thus, I shall await the sequel!!


Ratings : 7/10. Very entertaining. And definitely very cool.
PS : I do not play the game. Thus, I don't really know if this one is better or worse than the game.