I was kinda disappointed with the film. For some reason, I was looking forward to watching it. It opened in the cinemas in Japan when I was there, but there was no way I was gonna pay 1800yen (about $27 singapore dollars) to watch a movie.... unless it's GV Gold Class lar!
Anyway, as I was saying, MoaG was kinda disappointing. Here's why:
1. Everyone spoke english.
It's just wrong to watch a film about old japanese culture and have every single person speaking in English! I can't help but think how much more authentic it would have been if a japanese director/film company had made this movie. Here we have these old japanese ladies speaking pretty much perfect english with a weird asian accent. Uncanny.
2. Chinese actresses instead of japanese ones.
I've nothing against Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, but I think they should have used japanese actresses instead. It's probably a simple case of americans not being able to tell asians apart. To them, a chinese and a japanese woman probably looks the same. To us, I think we can tell that Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh are just so obviously not japanese. So we have these chinese women, trying so hard to act like japanese geishas. Sorry lar.. to me, I just didn't buy it.
3. No heart.
I think the movie could easily have been a heartwrencher and the director just couldn't get us into the story. I just didn't feel for the poor girl as she was being wronged and mistreated. Then even when she is an adult and having a hard life, there just wasn't any tugs at the heart. Such a waste.
Ok, although it wasn't the best movie, it wasn't that bad a movie. Although it was more than 2 hours long, it didn't really feel it. The movie also has some beautiful scenes too. And Zhang Ziyi was quite pretty lar.
Oh yah, I caught the trailer for Fearless, Jet Li's new movie. It really looks good. Something to look forward to!
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Saturday, January 14, 2006
I'm a little disappointed with myself... didn't blog at all for the whole week. Must have more discipline.
I've kinda started on my new job this week. It's a little unsettling not needing to go into class to teach. Have to psycho myself into a new job mode. I really hope to be able to do better & more interesting things in the year ahead.
We had JRIC on Wednesday. There were some harrowing hiccups in the preparations, but in the end, I think the whole thing went quite well. Congrats to the Sec 1s on receiving their badges!
On Thursday, we had our first ever birthday celebration for the board. I hope it won't be the last. The highlight was of course the sabo on cjy. Heh.. glad it was the first time he had cake on his face. I can't believe no one has done it before to him yet. Like I said.. he must have some mighty wimpy frenz... heh..
Friday was supposed to be uneventful, but heh, it was not to be. Had out first major blackout of the year! Apparently, the construction people hit some major power cable and the school was without power for almost 5 hours. Since I couldn't do anything in school, I went home. And you know what, for the first time in 2006, I actually got home while the sun was still up! It was a nice feeling! Hope to have more such days in the year!
So here we are at Saturday. Went to watch Memoirs of a Geisha today. Will talk about it in the next post.
So there we have it. Week 2. On to the next one. Cheers!
I've kinda started on my new job this week. It's a little unsettling not needing to go into class to teach. Have to psycho myself into a new job mode. I really hope to be able to do better & more interesting things in the year ahead.
We had JRIC on Wednesday. There were some harrowing hiccups in the preparations, but in the end, I think the whole thing went quite well. Congrats to the Sec 1s on receiving their badges!
On Thursday, we had our first ever birthday celebration for the board. I hope it won't be the last. The highlight was of course the sabo on cjy. Heh.. glad it was the first time he had cake on his face. I can't believe no one has done it before to him yet. Like I said.. he must have some mighty wimpy frenz... heh..
Friday was supposed to be uneventful, but heh, it was not to be. Had out first major blackout of the year! Apparently, the construction people hit some major power cable and the school was without power for almost 5 hours. Since I couldn't do anything in school, I went home. And you know what, for the first time in 2006, I actually got home while the sun was still up! It was a nice feeling! Hope to have more such days in the year!
So here we are at Saturday. Went to watch Memoirs of a Geisha today. Will talk about it in the next post.
So there we have it. Week 2. On to the next one. Cheers!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Album Update
Okie, not that the 1M-ers know my blog yet, but my album has been updated with some sec 1 orientation pics. Take a look if you're interested.
The New Paper sent a photographer to take some pics during their war games on the last day. I must say the pic they published was really quite badly taken. Sigh. Thought they would have been more professional.
The New Paper sent a photographer to take some pics during their war games on the last day. I must say the pic they published was really quite badly taken. Sigh. Thought they would have been more professional.
Stuff from Japan
Heh heh.. yeah, it took a while, but here are some stuff I bought from Japan.
First up, I bought these pixel toys which allowed me to make pixel pics of retro Nintendo characters. Quite nice actually, each of the pics below takes about 30mins to put together.
Here's a close up of the board and the pixel pieces.
And here's a little souvenir I bought from the Studio Ghibli Museum. The little creature is their mascot.
And finally, here are the 'capsule toys'... you know, the kind where you put $1 to $3 then spin the handle and hope for a nice toy.. Heh.. I saw this capsule station in a shop selling star wars light sabers and han solo's gun, so I couldn't help but spend the 200yen (about $3 singapore dollars) to try and get some light sabers.
Plenty more stuff... will get round to displaying them proudly when I finally take the pics. Heh.
First up, I bought these pixel toys which allowed me to make pixel pics of retro Nintendo characters. Quite nice actually, each of the pics below takes about 30mins to put together.
Here's a close up of the board and the pixel pieces.
And here's a little souvenir I bought from the Studio Ghibli Museum. The little creature is their mascot.
And finally, here are the 'capsule toys'... you know, the kind where you put $1 to $3 then spin the handle and hope for a nice toy.. Heh.. I saw this capsule station in a shop selling star wars light sabers and han solo's gun, so I couldn't help but spend the 200yen (about $3 singapore dollars) to try and get some light sabers.
Plenty more stuff... will get round to displaying them proudly when I finally take the pics. Heh.
Week 1
The week is finally over. Mixed feelings really. 6 days into the new year and I've spent the past three days in school with the Sec 1 orientation camp. To be perfectly honest, I don't really know what to comment about as far the camp and the past week is concerned. Am I glad with how the camp turned out? yeah.. Am I disappointed? yeah... Like my new class? yeah.... Apprehensive with being a FT who doesn't teach the class? yeah... Excited with new opporunities? yeah... Frustrated with the unknown? yeah...
Maybe I'm just tired so my mind ain't exactly working in a coherent manner. Spent the last two nights sleeping in school. It's only when I'm sleeping on the staff room floor that it strikes me that Boarding has been quite a comfort when it comes to school camps as I was able to simply walk home and stay in my lodge instead of the classrooms/seminar rooms. I guess sleeping on the floor is not too bad, esp with my personal mattress... but it sure doesn't beat the comforts of home.
OK lar, don't think I want to dwell too much on the camp for now.
Anyhoo, first major event of the year is over. Don't really know which is the next major one. I know there's Sec 1 GEP camp and then the Sec 2 Malaysian trip. In between, a few major events. Hmmm, maybe I should just quit and join some event management company. Might add some different excitement and difference to my life.
To any 2006 1M-ers who might have found this blog, a warm 'HI' to you! Hope we'll have a good year ahead.
OK, yawning continuously and eyes are a little hard to keep open. Will stop here for now. bb.
Maybe I'm just tired so my mind ain't exactly working in a coherent manner. Spent the last two nights sleeping in school. It's only when I'm sleeping on the staff room floor that it strikes me that Boarding has been quite a comfort when it comes to school camps as I was able to simply walk home and stay in my lodge instead of the classrooms/seminar rooms. I guess sleeping on the floor is not too bad, esp with my personal mattress... but it sure doesn't beat the comforts of home.
OK lar, don't think I want to dwell too much on the camp for now.
Anyhoo, first major event of the year is over. Don't really know which is the next major one. I know there's Sec 1 GEP camp and then the Sec 2 Malaysian trip. In between, a few major events. Hmmm, maybe I should just quit and join some event management company. Might add some different excitement and difference to my life.
To any 2006 1M-ers who might have found this blog, a warm 'HI' to you! Hope we'll have a good year ahead.
OK, yawning continuously and eyes are a little hard to keep open. Will stop here for now. bb.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
10 days since I last posted.... so many things happening. Quite funny, with so many things happening, there should be plenty to blog. But then have no time to blog. heh.
Two consecutive camps with one more in couple of days time. Yeah, the holidays are over.
Will be a Sec 1 FT again next year. That makes it my third consecutive year as a Sec 1 FT, and also my third consecutive year at Sec 1 camp! lolz...
Guess this will be the last post for 2005. Next year is gonna be a transition year again for me as I try doing other stuff. I look forward to the new challenges. Who knows, maybe I might take up Japanese again (I really need to complete the course once and for all...).
As for other resolutions? Well, I like to make them up as they come along. So, to all... Happy New Year!
Two consecutive camps with one more in couple of days time. Yeah, the holidays are over.
Will be a Sec 1 FT again next year. That makes it my third consecutive year as a Sec 1 FT, and also my third consecutive year at Sec 1 camp! lolz...
Guess this will be the last post for 2005. Next year is gonna be a transition year again for me as I try doing other stuff. I look forward to the new challenges. Who knows, maybe I might take up Japanese again (I really need to complete the course once and for all...).
As for other resolutions? Well, I like to make them up as they come along. So, to all... Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Album Updated
For more pics, visit my flickr site (link on the left.) I dun have many photos coz I been to Tokyo quite often... so not really into taking many pics of the place.
Jump Festa 4
Couldn't help it. This was the only thing I bought from the Jump Festa... not cheap ok. The key chain costs almost $30 and the notebook, about $10. And there were looooong queues by all the japanese to buy these souvenirs and more. Well.. that's Japan for you.
Jump Festa 3
There were plenty of mascots there. Here's a pic of two mascots from Tecmo's Monster Rancher Booth.
Jump Festa 2
Cool Sora statue at the Square Enix booth. I can't wait for Kingdom Hearts II to be released!
Jump Festa 1
Here's a pic from the Jump Festa convention. They had these huge inflatable statues spread out through the THREE exhibition halls. I think the chracters are from Naruto.... aren't they? (I happen not to read Naruto.. so I don't know)
Studio Ghiibli Museum
Here's the only photo they allowed us to take at the museum. They had this cool giant statue (from Laputa) on top of the museum which we could pose and take pictures with. This entire garden was planted on the roof of the museum.
Back once again
Yep, back home in Singapore.. back to reality again... Bought some nice stuff, will upload the pics later. For now, I'm psyching up for two camps... and the start of the new year. so 'exciting'...
Although the trip was just about right, (probably get bored if I stayed too much longer), I can't help but feel that I would love to stay longer. Maybe I should consider going over to maybe study Japanese for 6mths/a year. That would be very interesting.
OK.. like I said, back to reality...
Although the trip was just about right, (probably get bored if I stayed too much longer), I can't help but feel that I would love to stay longer. Maybe I should consider going over to maybe study Japanese for 6mths/a year. That would be very interesting.
OK.. like I said, back to reality...
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Today, I took it easy.. kinda... I went to Shibuya for to shop a little... funny thing is, I've never really gone to Shibuya ever since I first came to Tokyo. Well, took a picture of the famous statue of Hachiko, the faithful dog and then spent some time roaming the streets. In the late afternoon, I went to the big toystore , Yamishiroya, in Ueno. I dunno why I go there all the time. I mean, the prices aren't really good. I think Toys R Us is cheaper, but I guess there is more variety. Strictly for window shopping only. In the evening, I couldn't help myself so it was a trip to Akhihabara again.. tomorrow's my second last day in Toky0, who knows, I might drop by there one last time....
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Japan Day 3
My feet are killing me.
Last night, I tripped on a bump in the road and fell. My left knee got scraped but luckily, still can walk, but with a bit of discomfort. But I think I kinda twisted myself here and there when I fell, so I kinda have some sore muscles. Sigh.
It didnt help that Japan is a place where you have to walk every single place. Today I went to the Jump Festa. It was quite an experience. Took me more than an hour to get to the exhibition hall and it was awesome to see all the game & comic booths with all the game demos & performances. It's such a waste that I don' understand Japanese. I really ought to be more determined to learn the language. Will upload the pics later when I get back to Singapore.
Anyway, it was a long walk all the way to the exhibition hall from the train station... then about 2 hours of walking inside the exhibition then another long walk back to the station. I then decided to do my pilgrimage to the land of electronics, Akihabara. And that was another 2 to 3 hours of walking around. In case I haven't mentioned it.... my feet are killing me.
Oh well, that's it for today. I might take it a little easy tomorrow.... let's see if I can too much walking... hope the brusies from the fall heals fast.
Last night, I tripped on a bump in the road and fell. My left knee got scraped but luckily, still can walk, but with a bit of discomfort. But I think I kinda twisted myself here and there when I fell, so I kinda have some sore muscles. Sigh.
It didnt help that Japan is a place where you have to walk every single place. Today I went to the Jump Festa. It was quite an experience. Took me more than an hour to get to the exhibition hall and it was awesome to see all the game & comic booths with all the game demos & performances. It's such a waste that I don' understand Japanese. I really ought to be more determined to learn the language. Will upload the pics later when I get back to Singapore.
Anyway, it was a long walk all the way to the exhibition hall from the train station... then about 2 hours of walking inside the exhibition then another long walk back to the station. I then decided to do my pilgrimage to the land of electronics, Akihabara. And that was another 2 to 3 hours of walking around. In case I haven't mentioned it.... my feet are killing me.
Oh well, that's it for today. I might take it a little easy tomorrow.... let's see if I can too much walking... hope the brusies from the fall heals fast.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Blogging from Japan
It's my second day in Japan. Yesterday I arrived at about 1.30pm. By the time I reached the hotel in ikebukuro, it was almost 4pm. I spent the rest of the time checking out the familiar shops in Ikebukuro like Tsutaya, Tokyu Hands, Animate and Toys R Us. Didn't do much else coz I was pretty tired after that.
Today, I made my way to the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka. It's a little complicating to get to the museum coz they had this funny system where you had to buy the ticket from the Lawsons convenience stores before you could makeyour way there. Well, luckily I figured it out and I must say that the museum is very interesting, if you are a Hiyao Miyazaki fan. If not, you'll probably find the place too small and not too appealing. Well, I love his animations, so it was a real treat. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed in the museum, so I onli took a few outside it. Will post them after I get back.
Spent the rest of the day roaming Shinjuku and visited a 6-storey toy store called Kiddy Land in Omotedashi (I think I got that wrong.. will check it later). It's always interesting to visit the huge toy places in tokyo.
OK, tomorrow is the Jump Festa. Hope it'll be interesting!
Today, I made my way to the Studio Ghibli museum in Mitaka. It's a little complicating to get to the museum coz they had this funny system where you had to buy the ticket from the Lawsons convenience stores before you could makeyour way there. Well, luckily I figured it out and I must say that the museum is very interesting, if you are a Hiyao Miyazaki fan. If not, you'll probably find the place too small and not too appealing. Well, I love his animations, so it was a real treat. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed in the museum, so I onli took a few outside it. Will post them after I get back.
Spent the rest of the day roaming Shinjuku and visited a 6-storey toy store called Kiddy Land in Omotedashi (I think I got that wrong.. will check it later). It's always interesting to visit the huge toy places in tokyo.
OK, tomorrow is the Jump Festa. Hope it'll be interesting!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Off to Japan
Will be on my way to Japan in about 5 hours. Looking forward to the cold weather and the revisiting all my favourite places in Tokyo. I'm especially looking forward to going for the Jump Festa 2006 which is like a game/comic convention! It'll be my first time visiting a japanese game/comic convention and I think it will be quite an experience!
Plenty to do once I get back, but I shall worry about that later... Here's to a great trip!
Plenty to do once I get back, but I shall worry about that later... Here's to a great trip!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Finally moved out my last box from my room in Hullett Block on Thursday. So that's that. End of my boarding experience.
The unpacking has been progressing slowly and the house is in a real mess. Sometimes I just don't know where to start or what to do. After the last week of moving and unpacking, I think I've only managed to unpack about 30% of my stuff.... there's just so much junk! It's pretty much everything which I have collected since... secondary school! It's been interesting unearthing some nice memories. Maybe I'll upload some pics of the memorable stuff later. I'm targeting to finish all the major unpacking by Tuesday.... heh... almost sounds impossible. But the good news is that I've managed to get a ticket to Tokyo, leaving on Thursday! So I pretty much have something to look forward to! yay!
Oh yah.. I've also been made an uncle... twice.... my brother and sister have both 'produced' their first child. So now, I have to start getting christmas & birthday presents for a nephew and a niece. Funny really. I'm very happy for them of course, but I'm not like giddy with glee. Wonder if that's how other 'uncles' or 'aunties' feel. Maybe it's with all this moving and stuff that took away from the excitement of uncle-hood.
Oh well, back to unpacking!
The unpacking has been progressing slowly and the house is in a real mess. Sometimes I just don't know where to start or what to do. After the last week of moving and unpacking, I think I've only managed to unpack about 30% of my stuff.... there's just so much junk! It's pretty much everything which I have collected since... secondary school! It's been interesting unearthing some nice memories. Maybe I'll upload some pics of the memorable stuff later. I'm targeting to finish all the major unpacking by Tuesday.... heh... almost sounds impossible. But the good news is that I've managed to get a ticket to Tokyo, leaving on Thursday! So I pretty much have something to look forward to! yay!
Oh yah.. I've also been made an uncle... twice.... my brother and sister have both 'produced' their first child. So now, I have to start getting christmas & birthday presents for a nephew and a niece. Funny really. I'm very happy for them of course, but I'm not like giddy with glee. Wonder if that's how other 'uncles' or 'aunties' feel. Maybe it's with all this moving and stuff that took away from the excitement of uncle-hood.
Oh well, back to unpacking!
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Broadband...Finally!
I've finally got my Maxonline installed today. And I am now reconnected. The last few days have been a blur. I've pretty much moved about 80% of my stuff back home. Still have to go back to clear up the remaining crap. But then I'll now have to UNPACK everything. Sigh. It's good to be back. There's broadband, cablevision, home theatre & also maid! heh. But the process of coming home is really tiresome. There's just so much to do in moving.
Well, I'm dying to go overseas but the way things are going, I don't think it's gonna happen. I've still got to unpack. I've not applied for my new passport. I've still got work not done. The odds seem to be against me. Maybe, just maybe, I might be able to take a few days off later, the week just before Christmas. But frankly, I'm not too optimistic with the air ticket situation. Furthermore, I'm contemplating about getting a new laptop.... heh.... choices.. choices....
Well, I'm dying to go overseas but the way things are going, I don't think it's gonna happen. I've still got to unpack. I've not applied for my new passport. I've still got work not done. The odds seem to be against me. Maybe, just maybe, I might be able to take a few days off later, the week just before Christmas. But frankly, I'm not too optimistic with the air ticket situation. Furthermore, I'm contemplating about getting a new laptop.... heh.... choices.. choices....
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Moving Home
5 years of boarding have passed and it's time to move home. The timing is not too bad, considering that Hullett Block is going to be converted into a girls' block while Moor block is being demolished and rebuilt into the two towers. It's been 5 interesting years and the experience has been a good one. But for now, it's time to move on.
It's amazing how much stuff I've accumulated over the 5 years. I remember moving in with really minimal stuff. Something like 5 or 6 boxes of things. Now, I've already packed 10 boxes and I'm not even at the halfway mark.
The next few days are gonna be taken up with packing and more packing. I'm looking forward to having broadband back home. That's start from next Tuesday if all goes well. Until then.. plenty more to pack...
It's amazing how much stuff I've accumulated over the 5 years. I remember moving in with really minimal stuff. Something like 5 or 6 boxes of things. Now, I've already packed 10 boxes and I'm not even at the halfway mark.
The next few days are gonna be taken up with packing and more packing. I'm looking forward to having broadband back home. That's start from next Tuesday if all goes well. Until then.. plenty more to pack...
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