I’m finally back after a long and arduous battle of a viral infection! It really took a toll on my body and I’m happy to say, I’m fit enough to resume my blogging!
During my sick days at home, Sam suggested I leave the house to get some ‘fresh’ air. But I didn’t think I could go very far on my feet so he drove me to the cinema to watch a movie! We watched 2 movies, actually, and I was grateful for those few hours of having my mind off being sick..
I insisted on watching Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. I thought the trailer looked funny, so curiosity got the better of me. Turned out, it’s a little bit OTT and try hard scary-movie-meets-date-movie humour. But overall, good escapism (considering the ‘delicate’ situation I was in!) and it was nice to see the two together again actually!
As my health got better, I thought of watching another movie. Well, actually I was hanging out to see Jet Li in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor! (see earlier blog entry) I enjoyed it! I don’t care what other people say about it and bagging it, but I didn’t mind it at all. It was done true to the Mummy ‘genre’ and I didn’t think it could’ve been done any other way. i.e. more serious?? Just think in terms of how the last 2 Mummys were done. One thing I didn’t get… well two things actually.. is firstly, the Yetis. What’s with the Yetis and who do they work for!!?? :) Hmmm…. If they did away with the abominable snowmen, I’m sure they could come up with clever alternate near-death escapes.. Then there is Brendon Fraser. Good to see him again though but does this guy ever age? Surely some kind of makeup can make him look a little more like the father of Alex, who’s all grown up now suddenly with a very distinct American accent as opposed to the little boy Alex (in Mummy 2) who sounded more like his British mum when he spoke! Well, I guess it’s all make believe and I was enjoying every minute of Jet Li…. Oh, and Michelle too..
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
ZEN MISTRESS
I treated myself to a slick Creative Zen … And now we have 2 at home! I find this easier to handle and better than an iPod. Downloading is easy and I’ve finally figured out how to build my playlist. Unfortunately, to most who would like to borrow it, 80% of it is filled with 80’s music. Depeche Mode happened to be the first band I downloaded onto my Zen! Hee hee.. Yesterday I trained with it for the first time and boy was I pumped! I was in a world of my own, (albeit deaf to my surroundings), much to the annoyance of my other team mates who couldn’t really get my attention! (Sorry guys! Love your work…) The arm band does the job by not slipping from my skinny arms during training and it tucks under my sleeves nicely. But I would’ve preferred it if it wasn’t that big. Or my arms just looked small in it. Anyhoo, I just love my new toy!
HAUNTED HOTELS
I’m not one to believe in ghosts or lurking (visible) spirits from the netherworld, neither do I have what they call ‘the third eye’.. But I have friends telling awful stories about their terrifying encounters with the ‘intangible’ beings, claiming to have been touched or (*gasp*) strangled by one while lying in bed. I’m very sceptical about such encounters and will quickly dismiss it as having a hyperactive brain (nightmares or vivid dreams) while sleeping. Here’s the latest story I’ve heard from a frequent-flyer friend.
He checked into this 5-start hotel over the weekend and when he got into bed, he was strangled, push and squashed the whole night. He later described that he was punching and kicking the whole night. Well, I have those too, even on my own bed! It’s just bad sleep for me, where I feel that my brain is awake but I just can’t move my body. But I’ve never once attributed that to having a ghost ‘squash’ my chest!
Another incident where I was sharing a hotel room with a friend of mine. We were on separate single beds and I was suddenly awoken by her murmuring and ‘whining’. Then I sat up to look at her and tried to wake her by calling her name. She then continued the murmuring and ‘whining’ and stirred. I yelled out her name again, simply because she was starting to annoy me for waking me up! Then she jumped up, tore off her blanket with great speed and bolted towards my bed and plonked herself on me, narrowly missing my arm! She looked pale and dazed and quickly said, “Argh! I’ve been squashed by something! I couldn’t move!” Sigh, woke me up for nothing!
Anyway, does anyone have any haunted hotel experiences to share, you may post a comment!
He checked into this 5-start hotel over the weekend and when he got into bed, he was strangled, push and squashed the whole night. He later described that he was punching and kicking the whole night. Well, I have those too, even on my own bed! It’s just bad sleep for me, where I feel that my brain is awake but I just can’t move my body. But I’ve never once attributed that to having a ghost ‘squash’ my chest!
Another incident where I was sharing a hotel room with a friend of mine. We were on separate single beds and I was suddenly awoken by her murmuring and ‘whining’. Then I sat up to look at her and tried to wake her by calling her name. She then continued the murmuring and ‘whining’ and stirred. I yelled out her name again, simply because she was starting to annoy me for waking me up! Then she jumped up, tore off her blanket with great speed and bolted towards my bed and plonked herself on me, narrowly missing my arm! She looked pale and dazed and quickly said, “Argh! I’ve been squashed by something! I couldn’t move!” Sigh, woke me up for nothing!
Anyway, does anyone have any haunted hotel experiences to share, you may post a comment!
Friday, August 15, 2008
BROKEN SOLES
What do you do with all the old training shoes that you accumulate over the years? I can't bare to throw mine away. Although they all look 'holey' like this!
These are my beloved 'Fei Yue' shoes, and a few other BATA ones that didn't last any longer either. As training would dictate, most of the damage is done on the R shoe! I dug them all out last night because I was trying to marry a 'decent' pair together, hoping I can use it to train on gravel. I didn't realise the extent of the (worn) condition that none can be saved.. :(
So I got a new pair (again!) today. I don't forsee this new pair to last past January 2009! I got a pair of black 'Fei Yue' shoes last year - I only have one pair and I only wear it as casual wear. There's no way I'm destroying that!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
DAY 2 OLYMPICS - GYMNASTICS
Wow, how cool was Zhang Yimou’s choreography of the opening ceremony! And I haven’t seen Li Ning since 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and he HAS aged but to have him ‘run’ that length, slow-mo, his body tilted at an angle, takes some endurance from this 44 year old!
Anyway, day 2 of the Games and the women's gymnastics had a good start. We had first coverage of the Chinese and Romanians on the beam & vault and later floor excercise. And indeed, from my previous post, they have started using the new scoring system – with the perfect score of 17.
In summary, the scroring changes are as follows:
A Score = Difficulty
Starts from 0.00 and builds according to difficulty, with 7.0+ on some apparatus.
B Score = Execution
Starts from 10.00 with deduction for errors. (9.0+ is excellent)
Final score = A + B
After watching the Chinese in action on the floor excerise, these athletes have raised the bar (to suit the new scoring system) by choosing up to 5 (diagonal) tumbling runs! The tumbling combinations are SICK but so far the Chinese have nailed the team event.
We have yet to have any coverage on the Aussie girls but we're keeping the telly on. Watch this space...
Anyway, day 2 of the Games and the women's gymnastics had a good start. We had first coverage of the Chinese and Romanians on the beam & vault and later floor excercise. And indeed, from my previous post, they have started using the new scoring system – with the perfect score of 17.
In summary, the scroring changes are as follows:
A Score = Difficulty
Starts from 0.00 and builds according to difficulty, with 7.0+ on some apparatus.
B Score = Execution
Starts from 10.00 with deduction for errors. (9.0+ is excellent)
Final score = A + B
After watching the Chinese in action on the floor excerise, these athletes have raised the bar (to suit the new scoring system) by choosing up to 5 (diagonal) tumbling runs! The tumbling combinations are SICK but so far the Chinese have nailed the team event.
We have yet to have any coverage on the Aussie girls but we're keeping the telly on. Watch this space...
Friday, August 8, 2008
ALL THINGS WOOD
I had to get some of my string instruments fixed and I dare say, it’s about time. It’s been over 8 years since I last played my cello! It was finally shipped to me just 2 years back and found that the sound post had collapsed together with the bridge, pegs and strings... everything.. Sigh, fixing it ain’t cheap I can tell you that, and I have two other violins that needed some loving care too! 
But first things first, I found a very nice couple who repairs string instruments at their property and paid them a visit. Here I was lugging my cases around, navigating through the gates and finally found their workshop situated right at the back of their house. Who would've thought! Such a small and quaint workshop, the smell of varnish, old violins retiring on the walls and sickly looking instuments strewn all over the work bench ready to be nursed back to life!
Well, my instuments are as good as new now, I can start annoying my neighbours!
Many people usually have pianos in their homes, even if no one plays them anymore, they look good as a part of decorative furniture. As for MY household, you will find pieces of violins (even miniature ones!) everywhere, with my 4/4 cello standing bravely in my living room.
A friend of mine from overseas sent this photo of a fine piece of antique ‘furniture’ (no one plays it in the house!) which is apparently about 100 years old. It had a few aesthetic repairs done over the years but it’s a very special piano. If you look closely, the front portion of the piano is made of glass that you can see through the keys inside the piano. So, it’s not all wood!
Although this is not a very good angled photo, this piano is from Berlin and had suffered the wrath of the 1st world war! Apparently it was half bombed and hence the aesthetic flaws and the keys are a little impaired. However the strings are over 100yrs old and sounds 1st class!
But first things first, I found a very nice couple who repairs string instruments at their property and paid them a visit. Here I was lugging my cases around, navigating through the gates and finally found their workshop situated right at the back of their house. Who would've thought! Such a small and quaint workshop, the smell of varnish, old violins retiring on the walls and sickly looking instuments strewn all over the work bench ready to be nursed back to life!Well, my instuments are as good as new now, I can start annoying my neighbours!Many people usually have pianos in their homes, even if no one plays them anymore, they look good as a part of decorative furniture. As for MY household, you will find pieces of violins (even miniature ones!) everywhere, with my 4/4 cello standing bravely in my living room.
A friend of mine from overseas sent this photo of a fine piece of antique ‘furniture’ (no one plays it in the house!) which is apparently about 100 years old. It had a few aesthetic repairs done over the years but it’s a very special piano. If you look closely, the front portion of the piano is made of glass that you can see through the keys inside the piano. So, it’s not all wood!
Before this piano, my friend had an even dated piano!
Although this is not a very good angled photo, this piano is from Berlin and had suffered the wrath of the 1st world war! Apparently it was half bombed and hence the aesthetic flaws and the keys are a little impaired. However the strings are over 100yrs old and sounds 1st class! 080808
So the time has finally arrived for the Opening ceremony! And also for many thousands out there who seized the opportunity to have their wedding celebrations today! How auspicious, the infinite 8.
All eyes on Beijing now and I trust you won’t have a problem identifying the ‘jailbirds’ from the crowd! Last week, Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock music video was on TV and I could’ve sworn it looked like an Elvis inspired design!
All eyes on Beijing now and I trust you won’t have a problem identifying the ‘jailbirds’ from the crowd! Last week, Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock music video was on TV and I could’ve sworn it looked like an Elvis inspired design!
But phew, the Aussies will wear these subtle blue pinstripe suits during the march-in and I think they look superb.. a little hint of a certain airline crew uniform but overall, it looks professional!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
GYMNASTICS 101
As you know by now, from my previous blogs, I will be following gymnastics during the Olympics, as I am a BIG fan! I’m pretty excited to see our Aussie newbies go up against the Russians, Romanians, Americans and Chinese. Before the events start, I thought it’ll be good to give a quick intro on this sport and what to expect during medal tally.
There are 4 apparatus for women’s Gymnastics, which are floor, vault, beam and uneven bars.
For each apparatus there are 1 head judge, 2 judges mark technical content, 6 judges mark execution. The highest and lowerst score of the 6 is discarded and the average taken for the remaining marks which are out of 10. Although there has been discussion about the new scoring system which may be introduced at the Olympics this year. It’s the new perfect score of 17!
Anyway, one preliminary round determines who qualifies for the 3 competitions (medals) - which are 1 team event, 1 all-round event and finals on each apparatus.
1. The top 8 Teams (countries) of 6 gymnasts each, of which only 3 team members competing on each apparatus.
2. The top 24 gymnasts from the preliminary round compete - with a maximum 2 competitors per country.
3. The top 8 gymnasts compete on each apparatus - with a maximum 2 competitors per country.
The floor exercise will consist of 70 secs of speed and agility to produce a sequence of jumps somersaults and twists.
As for the vault, well, just hope that the competitors don’t miss the spring board and run into it – head first. The vault has been replaced during 2001 and it’s now positioned differently to minimise any misses!
1min 30 secs on the balance beam, which is only 10cm wide!
And lastly, between 70 – 90 secs on the uneven bars.
Now that you’ve brushed up your Gymnastics 101, be sure to catch the exciting action!
There are 4 apparatus for women’s Gymnastics, which are floor, vault, beam and uneven bars.
For each apparatus there are 1 head judge, 2 judges mark technical content, 6 judges mark execution. The highest and lowerst score of the 6 is discarded and the average taken for the remaining marks which are out of 10. Although there has been discussion about the new scoring system which may be introduced at the Olympics this year. It’s the new perfect score of 17!
Anyway, one preliminary round determines who qualifies for the 3 competitions (medals) - which are 1 team event, 1 all-round event and finals on each apparatus.
1. The top 8 Teams (countries) of 6 gymnasts each, of which only 3 team members competing on each apparatus.
2. The top 24 gymnasts from the preliminary round compete - with a maximum 2 competitors per country.
3. The top 8 gymnasts compete on each apparatus - with a maximum 2 competitors per country.
The floor exercise will consist of 70 secs of speed and agility to produce a sequence of jumps somersaults and twists.
As for the vault, well, just hope that the competitors don’t miss the spring board and run into it – head first. The vault has been replaced during 2001 and it’s now positioned differently to minimise any misses!
1min 30 secs on the balance beam, which is only 10cm wide!
And lastly, between 70 – 90 secs on the uneven bars.
Now that you’ve brushed up your Gymnastics 101, be sure to catch the exciting action!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
LION DANCE
Ever wondered what those Lion heads are made of? I’ve done a lot of Lion Dance during Chinese New Year and I can tell you that those Lion heads can get heavy after awhile. During my trip to KL, I visited a warehouse where they specialise in making Lion heads. This place is very famous in Malaysia for their production of handmade, top quality lions (to withstand the vigorous movements in very crowded areas!) 
This is the skeleton of the lion head, made of very thin rattan (cane). It’s tied and shaped together neatly by small pieces of fabric string.
Then they cover the skeleton all round with very thin pieces of what looks like muslin cloth (but don’t know what they’re actually made of!) soaked in a sticky paste. Kinda like something we do in Kindy with making paper-marche.. Once dried, it forms a hardened shell. Then the artwork begins. The 2 photos above are artwork ‘stations’ where the first base colour and glitter paper goes on after the ‘paper-mache’ dries up.
This is the skeleton of the lion head, made of very thin rattan (cane). It’s tied and shaped together neatly by small pieces of fabric string. Check out the paint that they use to mix and match. This is how a typical paint table at every artwork ‘station’ looks like.
This lady here looks after the finishing touches. After all the paint dries up and all the glitter paper is glued on, she applies some kind of sealant all over the lion. Someone pointed out to me that the lion that this lady is working on is a lion specially made to perform on wedding occasions. If you look closely, on the front of the lion head has the word ‘Hei’ in red? Which means double happiness (for the couple)
Once the finishing paintwork is done and all the fur around the eyes have been glued on, they hang it up on the wall in a row..
Here’s a couple of striking designs that I liked..
WHOT THE..?
My trip to KL was fantastic. Short and sweet and shopped all weekend! Like any tourists with their cameras ready at hand, I was snapping some pictures of rather unusual business sign boards. Check these out:
This was taken at a coffee shop where their specialty is delicious toasted bread with kaya (caramel spread) & butter. I guess they thought this slogan fits into their product, only thing is that we can’t just TAKE their bread, we have to pay for it!!!
This is such a copyright infringement! This shop sells all hair products, including hairsprays and hair gels.. Go figure..
This was taken at a coffee shop where their specialty is delicious toasted bread with kaya (caramel spread) & butter. I guess they thought this slogan fits into their product, only thing is that we can’t just TAKE their bread, we have to pay for it!!!This is such a copyright infringement! This shop sells all hair products, including hairsprays and hair gels.. Go figure.. 
Talk about advertising!
Moving on to somewhere else outside of shopping malls, I came across this very old and tattered sign. Eww.. I’d say, bring your own trunks and you wouldn’t wanna wear their swimshits!!
Another sign on our bathroom wall, taken in Beijing. I know things could get slippery when you run hot water in an enclosed bathroom but didn’t realise it effects the land beneath us too!!??
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