Wednesday, July 14
Have you ever been in a situation where you're so worried about something and constantly cringing on your brains and working out all possible negative outcomes one by one? thinking how your life would fall apart eventually and you wouldn't know how to deal with what's to come?
That's exactly what happened to me up in the air while I was on my flight back to Kuching about two weeks ago. I so worried about finding find a job in Kuching once I get back and how would I survive the month in securing a job while at the same time hanging out and catching up with my hometown friends. During the whole flight, I was so stressed out I couldn't even sleep in the plane as my mind goes bonkers over-thinking everything.
Once I landed in Kuching, like the notorious nature of me in disobeying regulations, I switched on my phone to check whether I have any messages or missed calls while I was still inside the plane, read them, then I held on to my phone while waiting for the hatch door of the plane to open and the passengers to start moving. In less than a minute, I got a call from a familiar local number, so I answered it. Turns out I got a call from a company which I interviewed roughly a month ago and then BAM! I got a job!!
where it all happened
just so you know, everything happened while I was still in the plane and I haven't even had the chance to step foot on Kuching soil! be it fate or coincidence, I don't care because I got a job! everything just felt right and I just smiled after I hung up the phone. For once, in that moment of splendid twisted fate, I was relieved and happy.
and now, it's my 2nd week at work now and everything has changed from my uni days, and fate has turned the final page of that chapter into a new chapter of my life. It's been a tough and challenging one, guess I've got to step up into the working environment, out of my comfort zone and start making big decisions for myself now.
I didn't even know they provide name cards for employees
All the best to all my buddies who's transitioned from their uni days into the working world! Looking forward to all our convocation day :)
p/s: this goes out to you too Ken although you're way past convocation...
That's exactly what happened to me up in the air while I was on my flight back to Kuching about two weeks ago. I so worried about finding find a job in Kuching once I get back and how would I survive the month in securing a job while at the same time hanging out and catching up with my hometown friends. During the whole flight, I was so stressed out I couldn't even sleep in the plane as my mind goes bonkers over-thinking everything.
Once I landed in Kuching, like the notorious nature of me in disobeying regulations, I switched on my phone to check whether I have any messages or missed calls while I was still inside the plane, read them, then I held on to my phone while waiting for the hatch door of the plane to open and the passengers to start moving. In less than a minute, I got a call from a familiar local number, so I answered it. Turns out I got a call from a company which I interviewed roughly a month ago and then BAM! I got a job!!
where it all happenedjust so you know, everything happened while I was still in the plane and I haven't even had the chance to step foot on Kuching soil! be it fate or coincidence, I don't care because I got a job! everything just felt right and I just smiled after I hung up the phone. For once, in that moment of splendid twisted fate, I was relieved and happy.
and now, it's my 2nd week at work now and everything has changed from my uni days, and fate has turned the final page of that chapter into a new chapter of my life. It's been a tough and challenging one, guess I've got to step up into the working environment, out of my comfort zone and start making big decisions for myself now.
I didn't even know they provide name cards for employeesAll the best to all my buddies who's transitioned from their uni days into the working world! Looking forward to all our convocation day :)
p/s: this goes out to you too Ken although you're way past convocation...
Labels: degree, Engineering, job, Kuching, photos, sama jaya, sarawak, tabuan, work
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Friday, June 11
Was back in Kuching for less than two weeks, but due to some accreditation issues with my university, here I am now back in Melaka, reluctantly if I may add. Still trying to hold on to every shred of optimism that I can find so far. Anyway, hope you guys won't mind this blog post being overdue.
I guess it's been 11 months since May last year the last time I was in Kuching adding on to the fact that I skipped Chinese New Year for the first time this year. Although it was only a week plus, I vowed to spend each and everyday to the fullest and fulfill my undying ever craving for Kuching food! Do note that I'm saying this while totally being unaware of the excess weight I gained. That's me being in denial.
Anyway, back to this entry.. been so long since the last time I was at LCCT terminal and I'd not know about the one-hand-carry-bag-not-exceeding-7kg-policy till I checked in my luggage. Fortunately enough I bought my plane ticket that time with a check-in baggage of 20KG at that time assuming that there would be a load full of stuff to bring back to Kuching for good, at the end I checked-in a luggage and a hand-carry item before going into the departure hall. To my surprise, I saw this right at the Departure Hall entrance.
what is this!?
Why can't AirAsia use a proper weighing scale that is more presentable? I refuse to believe that with the profit revenue that AirAsia currently generates in a year they can't afford a decent digital weighing scale that's more easier on the eyes and less pathetic. LCCT would look lesser of a Malaysian night market as it already is.
The first thing I did when I landed in Kuching was going for mixed grill with Ken at petanak and got addressed by the title "Uncle", first time I felt so old being called an uncle. Snapped photos of most of my food quest around Kuching and these are the few of my favourite eating spots in Kuching that I love so badly.
Song Hin porridge at open air, my favourite pork liver porridge. Cooked to perfection, slightly medium rare and not over-cooked, just how I like it.
not your ordinary squishy over-cooked pork liver
Chin Seng, best Fried Oyster at open air next to Song Hin porridge. You can actually see and taste the oysters, unlike the ones at the Peninsular where the oysters were small, over-cooked till it was too dry, and too heavy on the tapioca flour.
for RM12, to me it's really worth it.
Of course not forgetting the Fried Chicken Kolo Mee at Da Wan Gong @ 大碗公 at Jalan Ang Cheng Ho, the reason why this particular dish of kolo mee was special to me and my most favourite other than the taste is somewhat personal for me. When I was in primary school, I remembered that my mom brought me there every sunday morning for breakfast before sending me off to my mental arithmetic class and no matter how many times the store was relocated (three times), my mom would eventually find it and bring me there and I would order Fried Chicken Kolo Mee every single time and my mom would always give some comments about me doing so, just one of the little things that me and my mom shared together.
my favourite variant of Kuching Kolo Mee
Another favourite hometown dish of mine is definitely the Sarawak Laksa at Chuan Choon Cafe! this stall is situated in the middle of town and during morning weekends, the place would be ridiculously packed like crazy and I swear there would be moments you thought as if you were in KL. Personally, to me this particular sarawak laksa didn't really have an impression on me, I just went simply because it was near my place and I had a hard craving for Sarawak Laksa for breakfast.
love the 3-layer teh c peng with the laksa
There's this place that I went during secondary when I remembered going to 7th mile for 3-layer teh C peng occasionally at night situated somewhere near the airport, back then I still remembered the first time we heard "3-layer teh C peng" in Kuching was at this very place at 7th mile where I dare say it all started. The 3-layer teh C pengs of all 3-layer teh C pengs! One thing about the teh C peng in Kuching and the ones at peninsular is the layer of brown sugar at the bottom, they used thick syrup instead of brown sugar and some of them used some sweetening green-ish liquid! Don't even get me started on the tea layer.
7th Mile, forgot the kopitiam's name, best 3-layer Teh C Peng in Kuching
This famous ice kacang stall called Yeo Ah Seng has been there since I was born I think, back then I still remembered the worn out tables and stools with the poorly cemented platforms, worst of all the stalls were situated near an actual drain. Now, the local government built a small hawker center nearby for the stalls to relocate to the new location, but the ice kacang is still good as ever, they even built a recreational park just on top of the old location. One thing I missed so much is the cendol! I never knew what to call the green chewy thingy up till when I was at Melaka where they called it "cendol". The major difference between the particular cendol in Melaka and Kuching is the texture. In Kuching, the cendol has a more chewy texture but the cendol in Melaka is agar-agar like (yucks). Personally, I prefer the chewy one better of course.
behind Chung Hua No. 3, one of the best tasting ice-kacangs in Kuching
chewy green cendol!
Aside from the quest for local Kuching food, Nurul exposed me to a new sensation with ShiSha at Little Lebanon which I never had the balls to try up till now, I really have no idea why was it even called that anyway. I just remembered the next morning I woke up with a sore throat from the excessive inhaling I think. Nurul, we've got to do this more often sometime! Might I also add that the fishkebab is divine!
Shisha
Aside from my slow death in my attempt of trying to lose weigh with Kuching food, most of the times were spent with my Kuching buddies since most of them had already finished their degree (well sort of) and had came back for their holidays.. it was the breakfasts, lunches, dinners, the movies, the rants during supper with them that made coming back to Kuching worth it. Being away from the familiarity of friends and my hometown and having to deal with Melaka for almost 11 months really took a toll on myself, and I guess all I needed was a place where I could be myself and really smile for once.
something that I've missed out for so long...
Took me a while to finish this entry as I was in the middle of interviews and tests and just only this week I could finally breathe because this week's lecture week and without exams, but I won't be saying the same for the coming weeks ahead.. gosh, I wish I get offered a job soon and everything would just end...
I guess it's been 11 months since May last year the last time I was in Kuching adding on to the fact that I skipped Chinese New Year for the first time this year. Although it was only a week plus, I vowed to spend each and everyday to the fullest and fulfill my undying ever craving for Kuching food! Do note that I'm saying this while totally being unaware of the excess weight I gained. That's me being in denial.
Anyway, back to this entry.. been so long since the last time I was at LCCT terminal and I'd not know about the one-hand-carry-bag-not-exceeding-7kg-policy till I checked in my luggage. Fortunately enough I bought my plane ticket that time with a check-in baggage of 20KG at that time assuming that there would be a load full of stuff to bring back to Kuching for good, at the end I checked-in a luggage and a hand-carry item before going into the departure hall. To my surprise, I saw this right at the Departure Hall entrance.
what is this!?Why can't AirAsia use a proper weighing scale that is more presentable? I refuse to believe that with the profit revenue that AirAsia currently generates in a year they can't afford a decent digital weighing scale that's more easier on the eyes and less pathetic. LCCT would look lesser of a Malaysian night market as it already is.
The first thing I did when I landed in Kuching was going for mixed grill with Ken at petanak and got addressed by the title "Uncle", first time I felt so old being called an uncle. Snapped photos of most of my food quest around Kuching and these are the few of my favourite eating spots in Kuching that I love so badly.
Song Hin porridge at open air, my favourite pork liver porridge. Cooked to perfection, slightly medium rare and not over-cooked, just how I like it.
not your ordinary squishy over-cooked pork liverChin Seng, best Fried Oyster at open air next to Song Hin porridge. You can actually see and taste the oysters, unlike the ones at the Peninsular where the oysters were small, over-cooked till it was too dry, and too heavy on the tapioca flour.
for RM12, to me it's really worth it.Of course not forgetting the Fried Chicken Kolo Mee at Da Wan Gong @ 大碗公 at Jalan Ang Cheng Ho, the reason why this particular dish of kolo mee was special to me and my most favourite other than the taste is somewhat personal for me. When I was in primary school, I remembered that my mom brought me there every sunday morning for breakfast before sending me off to my mental arithmetic class and no matter how many times the store was relocated (three times), my mom would eventually find it and bring me there and I would order Fried Chicken Kolo Mee every single time and my mom would always give some comments about me doing so, just one of the little things that me and my mom shared together.
my favourite variant of Kuching Kolo MeeAnother favourite hometown dish of mine is definitely the Sarawak Laksa at Chuan Choon Cafe! this stall is situated in the middle of town and during morning weekends, the place would be ridiculously packed like crazy and I swear there would be moments you thought as if you were in KL. Personally, to me this particular sarawak laksa didn't really have an impression on me, I just went simply because it was near my place and I had a hard craving for Sarawak Laksa for breakfast.
love the 3-layer teh c peng with the laksaThere's this place that I went during secondary when I remembered going to 7th mile for 3-layer teh C peng occasionally at night situated somewhere near the airport, back then I still remembered the first time we heard "3-layer teh C peng" in Kuching was at this very place at 7th mile where I dare say it all started. The 3-layer teh C pengs of all 3-layer teh C pengs! One thing about the teh C peng in Kuching and the ones at peninsular is the layer of brown sugar at the bottom, they used thick syrup instead of brown sugar and some of them used some sweetening green-ish liquid! Don't even get me started on the tea layer.
7th Mile, forgot the kopitiam's name, best 3-layer Teh C Peng in KuchingThis famous ice kacang stall called Yeo Ah Seng has been there since I was born I think, back then I still remembered the worn out tables and stools with the poorly cemented platforms, worst of all the stalls were situated near an actual drain. Now, the local government built a small hawker center nearby for the stalls to relocate to the new location, but the ice kacang is still good as ever, they even built a recreational park just on top of the old location. One thing I missed so much is the cendol! I never knew what to call the green chewy thingy up till when I was at Melaka where they called it "cendol". The major difference between the particular cendol in Melaka and Kuching is the texture. In Kuching, the cendol has a more chewy texture but the cendol in Melaka is agar-agar like (yucks). Personally, I prefer the chewy one better of course.
behind Chung Hua No. 3, one of the best tasting ice-kacangs in Kuching
chewy green cendol!Aside from the quest for local Kuching food, Nurul exposed me to a new sensation with ShiSha at Little Lebanon which I never had the balls to try up till now, I really have no idea why was it even called that anyway. I just remembered the next morning I woke up with a sore throat from the excessive inhaling I think. Nurul, we've got to do this more often sometime! Might I also add that the fishkebab is divine!
Shisha
something that I've missed out for so long...Took me a while to finish this entry as I was in the middle of interviews and tests and just only this week I could finally breathe because this week's lecture week and without exams, but I won't be saying the same for the coming weeks ahead.. gosh, I wish I get offered a job soon and everything would just end...
Labels: food, friends, kolo mee, Kuching, laughs, Malaysia, photos, sarawak, thoughts
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Thursday, April 22
In the midst of having my finals, one more last paper to go to absolute freedom. I'm not just saying that lightly, and it's not just ANY freedom... In fact that paper would be my last paper for my 4 years degree!!
Who would've known that the final paper for a degree in Electronic Engineering majoring in Computer Engineering would be Technopreneurship??
Better get back to my bo... I mean slides!!
Who would've known that the final paper for a degree in Electronic Engineering majoring in Computer Engineering would be Technopreneurship??
Better get back to my bo... I mean slides!!
Labels: degree, exams, photos, technopreneurship
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Wednesday, December 9
over the past few weeks, things haven't been going great for me and I needed some distraction just to get my mind off things for a bit, so I left for KL.
Having to experience my first homesick-ish state over this past 4 years, my friend coincidentally brought me to one his favourite sarawak laksa stalls in KL somewhere at Bangsar called 南泉 or "Nam Chun".
The taukenio was originally from Kuching Padungan area, so her sarawak laksa lived up to my expectations and never would I thought I would ever be able to have a taste of good sarawak laksa at west malaysia. RM5 per bowl, but I'd still say it's worth it.
the shrimps were huge but tasted a little odd.
then that night we went for a friend's mini BBQ gathering at the apartment balcony like literally using a 2-hour-instant-charcoal-BBQ-kit from tesco haha.. I was listening to their mingling and chatter of their post-graduating experiences, their new jobs and future plans. I realized that all of them had already detached from their student lives and started having more profound insights towards life, something that I'm still trying to grasp at the moment.
On sunday, after having brunch at TTDI, we went to the PC fair at KLCC and boy was it an experience. Aside from the obvious eye candies, the size of the fair puts to shame all other PC fairs at all states, an eye opener indeed. One thing I hate about the fair was parking! Parking was ridiculous in the center of KL city! drivers were extra brutally selfish and parking spaces was damn expensive! shit, a fucking cut-throat RM10 for one single parking! ugh...
Well.. at least the fair compensated for most of it ;)
I couldn't actually see anything from the fair because it was SoOoOOoo crowded! and all I could see was people and all the gadgets seemed insignificant regardless of the whole event. Unless you're prepared and have an item in mind to buy, I'd say it's pointless to get in and becoming a living human pancake with the crowds.
people mountain people sea
then had lunch at KLCC, and even KLCC was in the festive mood and the decorations were awesome.
One thing I liked bout KLCC was the green landscape designed in the space adjacent outside the shopping centre. As if among all the confines of the high-rise buildings and the complications of the city life, at its center, a semblance of mushrooming civilization of greenery and nature still remains.
Everything was just what I needed at that time, an escape from all the thoughts and questions that has been meddling around inside my mind for so long. At KL, I was free, free from all expectations and all the disappointments. I left KL with a heavy heart, getting heavier at each decreasing kilometers approaching melaka, but I guess it can't be helped..
Like how my friend would always put for me... C'est la vie ;)
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Sunday, August 30
Been missing in action from the blogging world for almost 4 months now with heaps of entry drafts that I could never find myself to complete and expired chatterbox sessions due to it's long due inactivity.
In the mood of Independence and thanksgiving, today I shall blog...
Happy Independence Day and Selamat Hari Merdeka.
p/s: pun not intended in photo
In the mood of Independence and thanksgiving, today I shall blog...
Happy Independence Day and Selamat Hari Merdeka.
p/s: pun not intended in photo
Labels: Independence, Malaysia, photos, thoughts, updates
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Thursday, April 2
Like how much time I've had in my hands, I downloaded this bold and inspiring movie which plots on a wide spectrum of issues like racism, hate, anger and discrimination but all intelligently expressed on an emotionally gentle loving canvas. Probably that's the reason why the novel was a best-selling hit in the first place, people have become more conscious of these issues and more aware of the importance of equality and love. Something that I can't say for this country just yet.
First thing that hit me while I was scouring for my daily dose of inspiring movies when I saw this title was... "Documentary". Then when I read the summary and the amazingly talented casts involved in this production, I knew I just had to watch it. Come on, missing out on a performance from Dakota Fanning (from War of the Worlds) and Jennifer Hudson (from Dreamgirls)?! not forgetting Alicia Keys and Queen Latifah as well if I might add. The story talks about a girl who was trying to run away from her life and trying to find the truth and everything about her mother that left her when she was little. Turn of events that happened with her maid who was violently discriminated was her one way ticket to leaving that place and soon founded her way into the truth and set her free.
It was really an inspiring movie when it triggered and brought up a wide range and combination of emotions and feelings while watching this movie. There were times when I was mad as hell and wanted to slam the screen of my laptop and also felt sad and sorry during some scenes that
At the end of the movie, I felt completed inside my thoughts, adding another piece to my moral being, as though I've been brought into light and everything in life seems clearer.
That's why I just love movies with dialogs.
Labels: movies, photos, The Secret Life Of Bees, thoughts
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Thursday, March 26
finally, justice has been served for Kuching's largest shopping mall.
I mean.. how ridiculous is it for a shopping mall in Malaysia without a cinema? let alone being one of the largest malls in town. I was checking out the latest movie releases from www.cinema.com.my and then happened to stumble on the news that MBO Cinemas is going to open an 8-hall cineplex in The Spring, Kuching's largest lifestyle mall in May.
The only MBO Cinemas that I've ever been to was in Melaka Mall opposite Jusco at Bukit Beruang in Melaka. Guess StarCineplex is going to have a hell of a fight with this one considering that they've been in the safe spot for almost a decade now without any reputable rivalry. I'll definitely still be in Kuching to check out the new cineplex when it opens during May later.
Check out the news link here.
I mean.. how ridiculous is it for a shopping mall in Malaysia without a cinema? let alone being one of the largest malls in town. I was checking out the latest movie releases from www.cinema.com.my and then happened to stumble on the news that MBO Cinemas is going to open an 8-hall cineplex in The Spring, Kuching's largest lifestyle mall in May.
The only MBO Cinemas that I've ever been to was in Melaka Mall opposite Jusco at Bukit Beruang in Melaka. Guess StarCineplex is going to have a hell of a fight with this one considering that they've been in the safe spot for almost a decade now without any reputable rivalry. I'll definitely still be in Kuching to check out the new cineplex when it opens during May later.
Check out the news link here.
Labels: Kuching, MBO, movies, photos, The Spring
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Wednesday, March 11
I lost my Hammy.
On Monday night, my housemate in Melaka who was looking after her for me there said Hammy was lost and he couldn't find her anywhere. I didn't know how to react when I heard the news and for that I'm feeling somewhat guilty. Having being the owner, I haven't seen Hammy for almost 4 months ever since I left her at Melaka and now I may never get to see her again.
Apparently what happened was, Hammy always disliked being caged in. Since I would normally had her cage on top of my shelf, I would leave the cage door open so she would be free to roam out of the cage around the vicinity on the top of the shelf, just so that she wouldn't feel stressed out being caged in. Whenever I forgot to open the cage door, she would normally chew on the cage and signal me.
Before flying back to Kuching for my internship, I had planned to sneak Hammy through but then the risk (and the penalty fine) was too much if she was caught because I couldn't bring her on board and I couldn't bring her back to Melaka either. I did tried to call AirAsia to ask whether animals were allowed on board even if I got a health permit from the vet and they just responded that animals or pets are STRICTLY PROHIBITED. I had no choice but to leave Hammy in Melaka knowing what was at stake.
After I left for Kuching, my housemate was keeping an eye on her with the cage in the living room. When I called my housemate to check on her, he said she was always chewing on the cage bars, so I told her to let her out of the cage to roam and make sure every possible exit route was sealed. So my housemate did just that for quite some time and according to my housemate, she would normally end up at the same spot waiting for him to bring her up into her cage. It was usually safe since the living room of our rented house is practically empty with nothing.
But on that monday, she never came back.
I asked my housemate to search the fridge and the washing machine, probably she got curious and crawled into the holes and got stuck inside. According to him, the main entrance door was sealed shut and every possible hole was too small for Hammy to go through. I've asked him to set small traps by scattering sunflower seeds at corners and leave the cage on the floor of the living room with the door open and wait for her to return back. I really don't know wad to do right now. The last time I saw Hammy was through a webcam my housemate video called on msn. I can't help but feel so damn fucking helpless and the fact that I'm opposite across the South China Sea isn't really helping at all in any bit.
I hope she comes back safe and sound. I really miss her.
Sigh...
On Monday night, my housemate in Melaka who was looking after her for me there said Hammy was lost and he couldn't find her anywhere. I didn't know how to react when I heard the news and for that I'm feeling somewhat guilty. Having being the owner, I haven't seen Hammy for almost 4 months ever since I left her at Melaka and now I may never get to see her again.
Apparently what happened was, Hammy always disliked being caged in. Since I would normally had her cage on top of my shelf, I would leave the cage door open so she would be free to roam out of the cage around the vicinity on the top of the shelf, just so that she wouldn't feel stressed out being caged in. Whenever I forgot to open the cage door, she would normally chew on the cage and signal me.
Before flying back to Kuching for my internship, I had planned to sneak Hammy through but then the risk (and the penalty fine) was too much if she was caught because I couldn't bring her on board and I couldn't bring her back to Melaka either. I did tried to call AirAsia to ask whether animals were allowed on board even if I got a health permit from the vet and they just responded that animals or pets are STRICTLY PROHIBITED. I had no choice but to leave Hammy in Melaka knowing what was at stake.
After I left for Kuching, my housemate was keeping an eye on her with the cage in the living room. When I called my housemate to check on her, he said she was always chewing on the cage bars, so I told her to let her out of the cage to roam and make sure every possible exit route was sealed. So my housemate did just that for quite some time and according to my housemate, she would normally end up at the same spot waiting for him to bring her up into her cage. It was usually safe since the living room of our rented house is practically empty with nothing.
But on that monday, she never came back.
I asked my housemate to search the fridge and the washing machine, probably she got curious and crawled into the holes and got stuck inside. According to him, the main entrance door was sealed shut and every possible hole was too small for Hammy to go through. I've asked him to set small traps by scattering sunflower seeds at corners and leave the cage on the floor of the living room with the door open and wait for her to return back. I really don't know wad to do right now. The last time I saw Hammy was through a webcam my housemate video called on msn. I can't help but feel so damn fucking helpless and the fact that I'm opposite across the South China Sea isn't really helping at all in any bit.
I hope she comes back safe and sound. I really miss her.
Sigh...
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Saturday, February 28
Being the movie fanatic that I am, I downloaded the 3 hour long 81st Annual Academy Awards (better known as The Oscars) and boy was it the BEST Academy Awards show movie event of the year EVER! I know it's a little due to post an entry on the Oscars but I just love it so much I kept on playing some of the scenes over and over again.
Since the event was held in the Kodak Theatre, it made sense to make the award show depicting a live theatrical performance. Hosted by Hugh Jackman, his opening number was absolutely the best opening monologue ever with a performance.
Even better when he swept Anne Hathaway (who can actually sing) off her feet literally and carrying her on center stage. Next thing you know, Anne Hathaway starts singing and went into the high note.
I guess this is the first time I've ever seen a stage so close to the audience and at the same time, I was rather daunted by it. It just seemed really awkward and terrifying for television viewers to watch in fear of not knowing what to expect or what would happen at a LIVE telecast. Take it from Anne Hathaway.
There were a few scenes from the show that I absolutely loved (other than the opening), one of them was for Best Original Screenplay when Tina Fey and Steve Martin had their hilarious opening appearance to present the nominations, after which was won by Dustin Lance Black for his original screenplay work for the movie Milk.
Also my favourite was during the video montage for Romance 2008 which featured movies last year like revolutionary road, slumdog millionaire, twilight, australia, milk, the curious case of benjamin button just to name a few, meshed and synched together with the song Lovers in Japan by Coldplay at the background. Simply beautiful, Coldplay has done it again. Then there's the montage for Action 2008, also blew me away at the "tick, tick, tick" part, AWESOME.
Then there's Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Role in which he won and his family accepted the Oscar on his behalf. Honestly, if I didn't know that Heath Ledger was being casted as The Joker in The Dark Knight in the first place, I wouldn't have known it was him because his depiction of the diabolic-cynical Joker was absolutely a work or art. I seriously have no idea how any future Batman sequels could top that.
For Best Actress in a Leading Role, I've only watched Changeling from nominee Angelina Jolie with her acting as a single mother who refuses to let her lost son be forgotten from a police cover up when police investigations found the wrong child, based on a true story. Her role was inspiring, bold and emotional. Although she didn't win, she looked stunningly gorgeous as always.
Kate Winslet won leading actress instead for the movie The Reader acting in a german role. I haven't watched it yet but I will soon enough. Downloaded of course.
If you watched last year's Leading Actress winner Marion Cotillard, her brilliant and stunning performance in the french movie La Vie En Rose which I happened to watched after The Academy Awards last year was admirable, her poise and voice in the portrayal of her character in the life of the famous French singer Édith Piaf got her instant nomination and recognition, now alongside Kate Winslet.
For Best Leading Actor, the Oscar goes to the legendary Sean Penn for his bold portrayal of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay rights activist and politician to be elected to public office and was assassinated in 1978. Knowing that this movie would NEVER see the light of day in Malaysian Cinemas, I will be downloading this movie as well.
The main category of the night was Best Motion Picture presented by Steven Spielberg won by none other than Slumdog Millionaire. At first before I even knew about the movie, I just noticed that the lead character was Dev Patel from one of my favourite British series called Skins which I had been watching since the first season which he played a Muslim role. Knowing he transitioned from a cast of a British series to the big screen and seeing him playing an Indian role drove my curiosity even more to watch this movie. I never regretted it.
To tell ya the truth, the most gratifying part watching The Oscars especially in another country is the fact that I've watched almost EVERY film being nominated on the show and able to actually understood and give credit for the nominees for their skillful acting and art. The only sad part about it is that I had to download them off the internet in order to watch good movies and good true acting without the risk of being censored in Malaysia.
Even if the movies made it into Malaysia, out of 10 international movies made, probably like what? 4 of them or less will only make it into the big screen in Malaysia and that is just seriously an abomination and a disgrace to the democracy in Malaysia's Independence. There, I've said it.
I'll definitely be watching some of the nominated movies that I haven't watched yet like Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Milk, Doubt, Rachel Getting Married, The Reader, Frost/Nixon just to name a few.
p/s: If you haven't watched The 81st Annual Academy Awards, you could download the torrents here for the 1st part and here for the 2nd part and download with BitComet other torrent downloading applications.
Labels: letstalkabout, movies, oscars, photos
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Saturday, February 21
I'm guessing by now you guys were wondering why the long pause of updates from my blog right? I'd have to admit that in a way I was going through a slight "phase" I guess, probably withdrawal symptoms after the chinese new year break adding on that valentine's and chap goh meh were just around the corner along with my programming work load on a dateline. Everytime when I bring myself to post an entry, I had to reflect back into recent events, and then the blogging sensation just gradually died away so I just collapsed the browser tab instead (you have no idea how many drafts I had saved in my post page that I had to delete).
Now after all the busy outings, I'm right back to the like of ROUTINES. This time with an added programming work load for a project at the company which my cousin is working on.
Then there's the beginning of something I guess none of my friends would know I'm capable of getting in my mind to do... which is, waking up at six in the morning for morning jogs before I go to work! I know, I know.. bet some of you would think that it won't last long. Well, you were right. I stopped waking up for early jogs this week after doing it for 2 weeks. My excuse? Not enough sleep. Went out for a few nights this week and got back pretty late and since I couldn't bring myself to wake up that early afterwards, my brain just turned to snooze mode and next thing I know, I only have 30 minutes to prepare for work and adding on the fact that I'm procrastinator, a very good one if I might add.
Other than that, I really needs shed off some extra pounds and get back on track for a healthy life style adding the fact that I'm on antibiotic medication.
I guess now it's the period that I have to make a difference in my life since I'm practically surviving my months like a zombie with half of my daily scheduled planned out for me as a slave to the working world.
sad really.
Now after all the busy outings, I'm right back to the like of ROUTINES. This time with an added programming work load for a project at the company which my cousin is working on.
Then there's the beginning of something I guess none of my friends would know I'm capable of getting in my mind to do... which is, waking up at six in the morning for morning jogs before I go to work! I know, I know.. bet some of you would think that it won't last long. Well, you were right. I stopped waking up for early jogs this week after doing it for 2 weeks. My excuse? Not enough sleep. Went out for a few nights this week and got back pretty late and since I couldn't bring myself to wake up that early afterwards, my brain just turned to snooze mode and next thing I know, I only have 30 minutes to prepare for work and adding on the fact that I'm procrastinator, a very good one if I might add.
Other than that, I really needs shed off some extra pounds and get back on track for a healthy life style adding the fact that I'm on antibiotic medication.
I guess now it's the period that I have to make a difference in my life since I'm practically surviving my months like a zombie with half of my daily scheduled planned out for me as a slave to the working world.
sad really.
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Sunday, January 18
Despite of the flood that happened last week, I still had the mood to make a green tea cheesecake although I'm fully aware that I'm literally living above sea level.
Actually the idea just struck me in that morning while I was browsing the net in the office and decided to give it a shot to make something for the chinese new year celebrations, so I bought the cream cheese and the necessary ingredients during lunch break for a trial bake to see how it would taste and experiment before making an actual one for chinese new year (cannot sia suoi mah...)
Basically the ingredients are mostly the same as the durian cheesecake recipe, and just substitute the part where the durians were added with the flavour you want. In this case, green tea powder or others call it macha powder.
Basically just add two teaspoons of green tea powder to the mixture and mix it all together, the green tea powder will give it a natural light grey-ish green colour. My cheesecake colour was a little off because I wanted to make green swirls on the top layer actually but instead the swirly mixture was not "liquid" enough (biggg mistake) and I can't mix the two mixtures on top, so I had to kinda blend it in instead.
That's why you see the colour on the top layer of the cake in the photo above a little "disturbing" in a way haha.. But when I tried it the next morning, I couldn't taste the slightest taste of green tea or any sweetness for that matter because I left out the condensed milk in order to fully compliment the green tea flavour. However I did add like a few spoons of sugar so it's not totally plain.
A little disappointed though, but weird enough my cousin Kim tasted it while I was at work and she msged me on msn saying that it's good?! Surprisingly, my aunt thought the same. I didn't get it, probably the cakes I made before I added sugar + condensed milk and it was TOO sweet? and I guess they liked the natural cheesey flavour instead of the sweetness. So in a sense, the green tea cheesecake now is like regular cheesecake, only GREEN?
I think next time I'd use Anchor cream cheese instead of Philadephia for green tea cheesecake because Philadephia has a stronger cheese smell (that's why it's more expensive) but Anchor has a lighter cheese smell (cheaper!), something I need to fully compliment and allow the green tea powder to work it's magic.
Sigh...
Actually the idea just struck me in that morning while I was browsing the net in the office and decided to give it a shot to make something for the chinese new year celebrations, so I bought the cream cheese and the necessary ingredients during lunch break for a trial bake to see how it would taste and experiment before making an actual one for chinese new year (cannot sia suoi mah...)
Basically the ingredients are mostly the same as the durian cheesecake recipe, and just substitute the part where the durians were added with the flavour you want. In this case, green tea powder or others call it macha powder.
Basically just add two teaspoons of green tea powder to the mixture and mix it all together, the green tea powder will give it a natural light grey-ish green colour. My cheesecake colour was a little off because I wanted to make green swirls on the top layer actually but instead the swirly mixture was not "liquid" enough (biggg mistake) and I can't mix the two mixtures on top, so I had to kinda blend it in instead.
That's why you see the colour on the top layer of the cake in the photo above a little "disturbing" in a way haha.. But when I tried it the next morning, I couldn't taste the slightest taste of green tea or any sweetness for that matter because I left out the condensed milk in order to fully compliment the green tea flavour. However I did add like a few spoons of sugar so it's not totally plain.
A little disappointed though, but weird enough my cousin Kim tasted it while I was at work and she msged me on msn saying that it's good?! Surprisingly, my aunt thought the same. I didn't get it, probably the cakes I made before I added sugar + condensed milk and it was TOO sweet? and I guess they liked the natural cheesey flavour instead of the sweetness. So in a sense, the green tea cheesecake now is like regular cheesecake, only GREEN?
I think next time I'd use Anchor cream cheese instead of Philadephia for green tea cheesecake because Philadephia has a stronger cheese smell (that's why it's more expensive) but Anchor has a lighter cheese smell (cheaper!), something I need to fully compliment and allow the green tea powder to work it's magic.
Sigh...
Labels: cheesecakes, food, photos
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