Money makes the world ...

Money makes the world go round.
Indeed, money is too important.
However, we do not view it similarly.
So, don't enforce your values on me.

Movie: Sex and the city (M18)

Synopsis:
Through the eyes of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Sex and the city is about herself and her three BFF (best friends forever): Charlotte York (Kristin Davis), a happily married and the youngest of the lot, Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), the stressful career woman, and Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), the lusty one. Watch as they struggle through love and marriage.

Review:
Spoiling it would mean death threats from the fans. It has been four years since the hit series and this movie is definitely for those who missed the fabulous four. Past forty, these women are still stunning with their fashion sense and their beautiful shoes. Moments of laughter and admiration aside, this movie deserves a better plot. After 140 plus minutes, the plot has come full circle, and really at that. It also seemed a too-long advertisement for Louis Vuitton, Prada, Manolo. The sex scenes were, I felt, just to justify the title of the movie as the audience were suddenly exposed to scenes of male and female genetalia. All these aside, it was a rather wonderful experience watching it, and it is not a surprise why it is a hit.

Rating:
3.5/5

Gear 11

Was slightly late for lesson so was a little hurried to get everything started. Was a little worried that the lesson would turn out to be a repeat of the previous. However, it turned out fine. In fact, everything was perfect until I stalled the engine five minutes before the lesson ended. But, I was quite happy with myself. Note to self: Get out, complacency!

Regret

Regret by Mai Hoshimura

Lyrics and translation

Gear 10

Driving fee is going to rise soon and I bet my instructor just loves me for spending so much money on driving.

Beyond the point of care, I am truly 'amazing'.

Under construction...

Even though there are a couple more months to go, time is running out fast. There are so many things to settle, yet I am still unsure. Helps are definitely available and really thankful for them, or else I am sure to be lost. No more dependence on others to mark out my life, I guess.

Gear 9

Good start,
Good end,
With disaster linking them...

Gear 8

Today's lesson was totally bad, almost as if I was the mastermind for the failure. It was a total letdown.

Main problem: The clutch.

Thought I had mastered it, but no. Today's lesson totally proved it as the engine stalled for an uncountable number of times. Totally fed up with myself. Complacency?

Immaturely, I would blame the sinister weather. It was so hot.

Today could have learnt something new, but I guess my instructor knew I wasn't up to it yet... (in other words, almost giving up on me...) And when will I be ready...?

With them

Finally set aside a day to visit Eugene while he is working. Was on Hippo tour for city sight-seeing.

Rather enjoyable, laughing and insulting, as we learn more about our lovely Singapore.

Hippo tour

After his shift, we went to Changing appetites for our dinner. Quite similar to cafe cartel but minus the free flow of bread. Ordered ribs. It was a very big serving, almost could not finish it.

Changing appetites

Had such a great time at Changing appetites, but it was not really because of the food. More likely, it was a time for us to sit and chit-chat, gossip (almost like Sex and the city but it's all guys, no cosmo and no sex...). Lol... But it was truly enjoyable to catch up with friends, especially when they are your best friends.

Vesak day

Went to Guang Ming San Temple to pray. Forgot to bring my camera though, so didn't have any photos to post... Anyway, the temple is really near: only three bus stops away. It was foresight that we did not take the public transport as the road was heavily packed with vehicles. Likewise could be said for the temple as it was completely filled with devotees praying for themselves or for their love ones.

There were many activities and queues: the famous three steps and pray or bathing the buddha. Was involved in the latter. The queue was extremely long. Luckily the organisers installed fans throughout the premise. As I slowly moved towards my goal, soothing buddhism music reverberated in my mind. Many were even singing along to it.

After that, went for a stroll around the temple. It was truly amazing how devoted people are to their religion. Some volunteered their time while others volunteered their money. One way or another, they are really selfless. It is really amazing.

Fishing

Went to Bedok jetty for fishing (first time!)... My initial idea of the jetty was definitely not of the picture, definitely not as developed. Anyway, we were there at low tide but still, there were many people there. Cool! And it's fishing 101 from my friend: setting up the rods and stuff...

Bedok jetty

Fish!

I guess that I preferred using the shorter rods and catch the smaller fishes. Somehow, it was more exciting rather than waiting for the bigger fishes to take the bait... Guess that I am not the patient type... Lol...

Caught a really small fish, but really excited!

Sunset... Beautiful

As the sun set, so was our fishing. Caught a total of six fishes. Not bad! Would definitely go fishing again some day.

Group photo!

Went to East Coast hawker centre for our dinner. So many stalls to order from, and all the delicious scent coming from so many different stalls.

Had wanton noodle (rather yummy but only two wantons), carrot cake (good), fried rice (could have been better), satays (not bad), rojak (alright). And for dessert, I had mango de nata (or something like that) which was too sweet for my liking.

Sweet ending

About nothing much to do

Met up for a play "About nothing much to do", which was held at the Arts House. Finally get to meet Eugene's gf. She is very friendly.

Anyway, back to the play. It is okay... Nothing too extreme... With Shakespeare's "Much ado about nothing" as the main story, malay elements were infused into it. It was rather interesting, but I wish that they could improve on the timings of the subtitles as it was tiring to continuously look up and down. Besides that, I was actually more interested to know more about the narrator's story than how they play out the Shakespeare's one.

StAJeWorks' director

Guess ...

Guess that it is hard to make everyone understand,
Even those that are closest to you.
Guess that no matter what I said or did not say,
They may not listen anyway.
Guess that if I remain silent,
Everything would seem fine.
Guess that if I maintain a happy face,
There are no problems residing behind.
Guess that even if I tried to fulfil,
They will never be happy.
Guess that they are only concerned about the end result,
Regardless of the emotional trauma that I faced.
Guess what,
I don't really care anymore...

Every day an activity day...

Every day should be an activity-filled day.
Whether is it doing menial jobs, learning driving, going out for an exercise, going to the library or even meeting up with friends, anything would be great to fill the day with.
Making each day a purposeful one, a fantastic one.
Occupying the mind.
Trying to seem busy.
Distract the mind from worrying over things that could not be changed.
Every day an activity day makes one look forward to it.

Gear 7

Can't believe that it is the seventh lesson already.

Round and round we go...
Sweat on my forehead.
Round and round we go...

And my ankle hurts

Yoga

Went for a complimentary yoga session at Pure yoga. The complimentary was because I will be helping Pure yoga to give out flyers. Anyway, there are two Pure yoga outlets in Singapore: one at Taka and the other at Chevron house.

The Hartha yoga is for beginners and although it is an easy form, I was having a relatively hard time at it. Maybe because it was my first time (and maybe the last), I was visibly sweating like a pig. Being not as flexible, it is embarrassing to see other people contorting their body so well. However, I must say yoga is interesting and really a good way to relieve stress (especially when you are focussing on maintaining your balance...). It was with great satisfaction when I ended the session. It was truly amazing.

Gear 6

It's lesson six already and what can I say about myself... Nothing great unless you count the mistakes. In fact, I thought I performed better for my fifth lesson... Maybe a few more rounds will do the trip... Lol, certainly hope so...

Movie: What happens in Vegas (PG)

Synopsis:
What happened in Vegas starred Cameron Diaz as Joy, a forex trader who plans for everything, and Ashton Kutcher as Jack, a happy-go-lucky guy. After getting dumped at her boyfriend's surprise birthday party and getting fired at his dad's company, they both decided to go to Vegas. An adminstration mishap matched the mismatched couple and began their adventure in Vegas. In their drunken state, they got married. Realising their mistake, what forced them to remain together were the jackpot prize of three million and a court ruling to live together for six months.

Review:
The storyline is really average, not as bitchy as I hope it to be. Thus, the whole show depended largely on its actors to carry it through, which Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher could, though no outstandingly. Well, this could be a show for people who lust after Cameron Diaz (she looked better when the camera is not zooming into her...) or Ashton Kutcher from punk'd (didn't like his sloppy hairstyle though...) Only one line remained after the show:"Isn't it better to do nothing and be happy, than do something that make yourself sad".

Rating:
3/5

Film Garde

Went to Film Garde for movie. Located at where Kallang theatre used to be, it is quite remote until the circle line is complete. From Kallang station, there is supposedly a shuttle service to the place, but we saw no sign of it...

From outside, the building looks pretty, hopefully internally would be too... However, one depressing note would be the gigantic car parks but only sparsely filled...

Just a pretty face?

There are not many shops in the complex. True that they have most of the shops catering to your needs but they are distinctly lacking in ATM machines and MacDonalds, which one would thought they are the basis of a modern shopping mall...

Film Garde

Bought our tickets... Sad to say, there seem to have more service assistant than customers...

Into the theatre we went... The biggest theatre is comparable to an average GV or Cathay one...
Perhaps commendable would be the seats: they are rather comfortable and there are enough leg space, and that the screen is really near even though we are sitting in the centre. However, I hope that just because there is an ice rink in the complex, they should not assume that every customer is dressed for the winter...

Plain flavoured?

Singapore flyer

Went to the Singapore flyer.

As my dad said,"It's an attraction that every Singaporean should go." Indeed..., and thus we went.

Boarding the capsule

Beautiful sunset

Family time

Flyer at night

Bought the tickets for the 1900h ride. It was a good choice as we could view the sunset while on the flyer. Holding roughly 28 people per capsule, it was just right.

Before actually stepping into the capsule, we were told to have our photos taken in the booth. A little surprised but our doubts were answered later.

After the many queues and security check, we finally entered the capsule and began our half an hour ride.

The scenery was not bad and would definitely be better once the IR is completed. No time to waste and I began to photograph every possible moment (and I am not the only one...) So fun to take photo... and the sunset was beautiful...

It was hard to believe the ride was over. Initially I thought that it would be boring, but I was wrong.

Definitely a good experience!

After the ride, we went to collect our photo that was taken earlier on, and realised that our picture was cropped into the image of a capsule with its picturesque landscape. The organisers are so smart...lol...

Desperately waiting...

"When will it arrive?" This question reverberates in my mind. Waiting anxiously and desperately, the lack of information and assurance have stressed me out.

"What if..." Doubts and dilemmas began to surface, contributing to the tense condition.

Maybe I am worrying over nothing, maybe my mind is just playing with me, but the deadline is near and the missing stuffs are worrying. With my future at stake, how could I not worry.

Questions, but no where to direct to...

Class gathering

Had our class gathering at la mei zi steamboat at bugis. The gathering was a little overdue, thus it was a joyous occasion to find out how everyone is doing. Super happy!
As for the steamboat, it was average fare. One unique thing would be that you can have two different soup base, definitely satisfying those with fickle tastebuds.
After the steamboat, we went to suntec for ben & jerry's. Ordered the banana split and icecream of lemonade, raspberry and some choc & marshmallow (am sure that aaron would scold me for mixing fruit-flavoured with chocs). Yum-yum, especially the choc one. Almost wanted to buy a pint home...

yum yum Banana-split

class gathering

Gear 5

Not too bad... In fact, it could be the best lesson I ever had.
This time, the engine did not stall, just that maybe I stepped too much on the accelerator.
Not bad..., considering the fact that initially I dreaded going for the lesson...

Package...

The package has arrived,
With a headache in mind...

Casting the circle

Finally, the circle is cast
And the wheels are in motion...

Gear 4

Too much oil...
Clutch control..
Steering wheel...

Seems to me that I need more lessons to correct them (if it's even possible...)
Seriously, driving lesson is an easy way to spend money... Well, no choice...

I realised that I seemed to drive slightly better when I am bored... (hope that is not totally true...)

Oh well, gambate then...

Gear 3

Today's lesson was super angsty...

First, I was late for the lesson, but that's still fine...
Then, during lesson, my dear instructor finally told me that my placement of hands during steering was wrong. Ok, so I tried to follow his method with difficulty. Tried so many times still wrong, which is depressing... When I reasoned that my old method was what he taught me during the first lesson, he denied it and told me to change instructor if I think that his teaching is wrong. That made me a little pissed off...

Well, maybe I am really wrong. Alright, must improve!

Taunt

You may have your reasons,
But have you considered the consequences.
If you knew that the outcome will not favour you,
What is the purpose of it.
Do you seek joy from fear and resentment,
Or to reach out to the diminishing hope.
It is sickening and sad,
That you still choose to remain self-centered.

Gold...

Are you a gold-panning type,
Or a gold-making one...

Movie: Iron Man (PG)

Synopsis:
After a weapon demonstration in Afghanistan, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) was kidnapped and forced to build a deadly weapon. With a mini reactor inside his body, he build a body armour suit to escape back to America. After announcing that Stark Corporation will no longer build weapons, Tony refined his suit. Unbeknownst to him, it was his right hand man who wanted him dead. With the help of Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and his friend Lt Col Rhodes, they managed to stop his evil scheme.

Review:
This could be one of the best marvel hero movies I've watched. The character of Tony is a smart, witty playboy. It was fun watching his character played by Robert Downey Jr., who has been absent for a while. Gwyneth Paltrow plays his beautiful and loyal 'sidekick', providing most of the 'blonde' moments. It's amazing how she is able to run so fast in her high heels. There are quite a couple of humourable moments such as Iron man trying to control his flight, which kept the show fun and exciting. The design of the armour suit is slick and cool, making me jealous of the technology. While this is the introduction of how Iron man comes about, I am definitely waiting for the sequel.

Rating:
4/5

Official website: http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/