Letters and postcards

Recently I've taken up the hobby of writing snail mail letters/postcards. Thanks to postcrossing. So this is my profile there. I said I speak Chinese, but really it's more like I wish I could. That is despite it being my mother tongue and all.

I really like this postcard from Finland. The scan doesn't do it any justice, really.

As much as I like to participate in the swap, I decided to take a break this December, cos I simply can't find any Christmas themed postcards, and I know they're all expecting some. Singapore is not big on postcards in the first place. It's hard enough looking for non-touristy types. Not like say, Perth, where there were so many, I was spoilt for choice. Maybe I'll need to check out those tourist attractions to find some nice ones. The postcards I bought previously were water colour paintings of places near the Singapore River from Holland V, at a dollar each.

I also wrote to a girl from the Netherlands last week. Then I realised yesterday, that people expect more than just a letter plain and simple, they want pretty stationary, stickers, letters that look more like a scrapbook than a sheet of paper. Oh dear.

I've also heard that not everyone replies the first letter. Oh dear.

On a happier note, I'll be getting my driving license soon! The actual card, which is now at the post office. Will need to pick it up sometime soon.

Every cowboy has his sad sad song

via (freeyourmind)

Day diez of Project Sew Coz

I like the progress made so far, it gets very exciting when more colours are added. It's coming together. But with a project so big, there are bound to be some mistakes. Like this one below. The section on the left should be a square higher, which means unstitching and redoing it again. 

Also I can't count higher than 10 in Spanish, (stuff learnt in my Spanish 101 lessons are fading fast). I'm not sure how I'll work on this when I start work on the 1st of December either. The deadline has been pushed back to Christmas.

I bought some black thread from Spotlight yesterday, so things are getting exciting, and am feeling more motivated although I've finished whatever TV series I was watching when stitching.

Watching Avatar and stitching used to make my day.

Today's been a really good day.

I can't explain the feeling.

I got my driving license. Really thank God for it, I don't know exactly what happened, it's all a blur right now.

And I also just finished the whole 3 seasons (or books as they call it) of Avatar: the Last Air Bender. It's probably the best cartoon series I've watched. I don't usually like anime, (although my old friends were crazy about all things anime and manga) but I decided to make an exception for this. The funny thing is I started after watching the movie version, which is probably the worst film adaptation of anything ever. It blows my mind how movie makers spend so much money on special effects, yet let neglect the basics of story-telling: plot, character development, etc.

Another thing, I like these shoes:



(in navy though)

Day five and six of project Sew Cozy

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Sunday and Monday's work. You can see some movement on the right, and oh my messy table.

Your Song

Great song... but am I the only one who finds it odd there's no one else in the video except her? I mean why is there no other main character in the video that the song is supposed to be for?

On my number 1 to watch in 2011 list:

Never Let Me Go
For the rest of the year there's still Harry Potter, Narnia and The Social Network.
(The rest of the spots on that list are still waiting to be filled)

Day tres of Sew Cozy

My cross-stitching project. It's really big for me, 18"x16" of fabric. It's for my mom's birthday on the 28th of November. Thing is I bought it 3 years ago, but never actually got to it.
The pink thing on the right is a shelf, and the blue is the start of a cupboard.
I know most people won't call this exciting in the least, but I do. But then, I also think cross-stitch is a game of strategy.
Back to work.

Disney World - Florida

Disney - Partners With Castle Dream Lights - 7X HDR (Explored) (via Express Monorail

One of these days I going to go to Disney World.

The Stars in Your Eyes

(via NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center)

Just one of those night's ya' know, when one feels small and minute in the scheme of things.

The universe is so big, and it's one of those nights I wish I lived somewhere else. Here isn't too bad, just small. If you want to leave town, you'll probably have to leave the country to make it proper. There aren't that many opportunities no matter what people say either.

Memento

Watched it some time last week. In a word, it was excellent. I know that doesn't say much. I wanted to watch it since I saw Inception in the cinema and was recommended this.

The story is told backward front, to mirror the main character's mental condition. He is unable to make short-term memory, and uses tattoos and polaroids to make sense of things, yet his main aim in life is to avenge the death of his wife.

Like Inception it's an ace movie. The ending catches you by surprise (that goes without being said), and repeated watches will allow the viewer glean more from the (rather) tragic tale each time.

But not something to watch if you want to unwind after a long day at work

The Fall

via (The Fall Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes)

After finishing the entire two seasons of Pushing Daisies (loved the premise, the casting, the treatment, hated the ending), I decided to watch The Fall.

Despite getting a 60% in Rotten Tomatoes (I do my research) I found it splendid. The so-called lack of plot development some critics complained of is from the modern fast paced The kind of concept for a story that I would have hoped to have thought of first, although I would definitely have told it another way. The backdrop was breathtakingly gorgeous, mainly taken from historical sites in India. The sequences are fantastical, but after watching Love Me If You Dare (Jeux d'enfants) it doesn't faze me too much.

Since I’m not going to write the review here’s a good one I came across: http://www.scene-stealers.com/print-reviews/young-actress-unlikely-images-propel-remarkable-the-fall/

Truth be told, I was interrupted half-way through, I so I’m not sure if that’d affect the experience for me?

One Of Us

They passed me by, all of those great romances
You were, I felt, robbing me of my rightful chances
My picture clear, everything seemed so easy
And so I dealt you the blow
One of us had to go
Now it's different, I want you to know

One of us is crying
One of us is lying
In her lonely bed
Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
One of us is lonely
One of us is only
Waiting for a call
Sorry for herself, feeling stupid feeling small
Wishing she had never left at all

I saw myself as a concealed attraction
I felt you kept me away from the heat and the action
Just like a child, stubborn and misconceiving
That's how I started the show
One of us had to go
Now I've changed and I want you to know
One of us is crying
One of us is lying
In her lonely bed
Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
One of us is lonely
One of us is only
Waiting for a call
Sorry for herself, feeling stupid feeling small
Wishing she had never left at all
Never left at all

Staring at the ceiling
Wishing she was somewhere else instead
One of us is lonely
One of us is only
Waiting for a call

Do relationships all have to be so hard?

Roller-coasters, love them or hate them

(via Coney Island Cyclone)

I never could decide just how I feel about coasters. They terrify yet pose a challenge that you cannot deny. 

The other day's expedition to the newly opened USS theme park was, to me, a disappointment. Probably because the star attractions, the wildly anticipated Dueling Coasters are closed till next year for repairs. And the rest of the rides are not much to my liking. I mean, I like loop-de-loops and sharp dives just fine, but not critters hiding in the darkness, waiting to poke their spiny claws out at you, whether it be mechanized or tricks of light.

You ever feel like that?

(above is an example of the type of coasters I prefer)

Bliss

I should rewatch 500 Days of Summer soon. I absolutely adored it the first time round so yea. 

A random thought, is it really better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? Then at least you can live in happy ignorant bliss right?

Inception

(via FilmoFilia)

I watched Inception last week, and they were all right. It is a brilliant movie, the best I've seen in a long while.

And it's yesterday no more

072010_alpha, originally uploaded by kristen caston.

Stormtrooper vs Clone trooper

I don't profess to be a fan of Starwars, nor have I even watched all the movies. Science Fiction however, I find it fascinating.

To cut the story short, after viewing photos from Flickr groups along the lines of this and this, I convinced myself I had to get a stormtrooper myself. So I went out and got myself a Clone trooper. Yeap. A mistake. With Phase II armour. I've done my research, although a little too late.

But still, he's a dear.

99 Luftballoons

Hast Du etwas Zeit für mich Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich Von 99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Denkst Du vielleicht grad' an mich Dann singe ich ein Lied fuer Dich Von 99 Luftballons Und dass sowas von sowas kommt	You and I in a little toy shop Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got. Set them free at the break of dawn 'Til one by one, they were gone. Back at base, bugs in the software Flash the message, Something's out there. Floating in the summer sky. 99 red balloons go by.
99 Luftballons Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont Hielt man fuer UFOs aus dem All Darum schickte ein General Eine Fliegerstaffel hinterher Alarm zu geben, wenn es so war Dabei war da am Horizont Nur 99 Luftballons	99 red balloons. floating in the summer sky. Panic bells, it's red alert. There's something here from somewhere else. The war machine springs to life. Opens up one eager eye. Focusing it on the sky. Where 99 red balloons go by.
99 Duesenjaeger Jeder war ein grosser Krieger Hielten sich fuer Captain Kirk Das gab ein grosses Feuerwerk Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft Und fuehlten sich gleich angemacht Dabei schoss man am Horizont Auf 99 Luftballons	99 Decision Street. 99 ministers meet. To worry, worry, super-scurry. Call the troops out in a hurry. This is what we've waited for. This is it boys, this is war. The president is on the line As 99 red balloons go by.
99 Kriegsminister Streichholz und Benzinkanister Hielten sich fuer schlaue Leute Witterten schon fette Beute Riefen: Krieg und wollten Macht Mann, wer haette das gedacht Dass es einmal soweit kommt Wegen 99 Luftballons	99 Knights of the air Ride super-high-tech jet fighters Everyone's a superhero. Everyone's a Captain Kirk. With orders to identify. To clarify and classify. Scramble in the summer sky. As 99 red balloons go by.
99 Jahre Krieg Liessen keinen Platz fuer Sieger Kriegsminister gibt es nicht mehr Und auch keine Duesenflieger Heute zieh ich meine Runden Seh die Welt in Truemmern liegen Hab' nen Luftballon gefunden Denk' an Dich und lass' ihn fliegen	99 dreams I have had. In every one a red balloon. It's all over and I'm standing pretty. In this dust that was a city. If I could find a souvenier. Just to prove the world was here. And here is a red balloon I think of you and let it go.

Is that cruel?

So I just came back from Perth, Australia, my friends are still stuck there because someone stole their passports, and I'm thinking of traveling, again. Is that cruel?

BBC Merlin

(via monkeyknifefight)

Was trawling through my tumblr, must admit that looking at it can make me immensely happy.

Been watching Merlin again, season 2, and this is a nice shot of the main cast. At first watching it, I was confused how the characters are not much like the little I've read of the Arthurian legend, then again it is an interesting interpretation.

Pen Fetish

, originally uploaded by Jason Tavares

I have a problem. Some would not consider it a problem, but I have far too many interests. When they come, they remain, like a fossil that is under the grim of daily life but unforgotten.

My latest interest is FOUNTAIN PENS. I've always been intrigued by pens. But ball-point types. I started my search for the perfect writing pen since I was 13 or 14. I've always had that thing where I need to have a certain pen to write. People in my family can't understand why I couldn't just pick any pen, and I can't explain adequately enough either. My current favourite pen is by Pentel Liquid Gel Ink Energel WWF 0.5 pen. I haven't seen the design anywhere since I bought it sometime last year. Besides that I also adore Uni-ball Signo DX 0.38, I've so many hanging around in various colours. They're very popular in this country. Also, there's the Pilot G-Tec-C4 0.4 in black.

Then I saw this pen and the handwriting (about an hour or two before), and I am in awe. Suddenly out of the blue I want to own one and learn how to use it. I've my eye on the Lamy Safari as a starter. Then we can see where this interest develops.

Amreeka

I watched Amreeka yesterday evening. It was good I guess, but not really the type I'd watch again. Like Bend it Like Beckham, one of those movies I only realise are comedies until after I've finished watching it. Oh wait, that was when I was 12.

The first day of work

View from our cottage, originally uploaded by wili_hybrid.

It's odd that it's all starting all over again.

But then I think of my fantasy NZ road trip. Sometime after I actually get my driving licence.

Eventuality

You know I've been there before. And you can get out of it. Eventually.

to Watch:

Mmmmm. I'd like to watch this. Uh and Little Miss Sunshine too. Heh.

I saw the trailer of Amreeka, and it looks good. But I doubt it's coming here. It's already April 2010! And it does not appear on the Yahoo Movies search here.

meltmeltmelt. drip.

I just melt, looking at pictures from this blog. They are just amazing. So I really want to earn some money so I can travel.

The movies

, originally uploaded by SACHIMO.

Oh MAN. Who's with me?
I just feel like going out and getting some of that. Sitting in a dark, cold room watching pictures move across the screen never felt this good.

So. This is me right now?

# DESIRE, originally uploaded by TRIANGULAR APACHE.

UNKNOWN being unknown to me right now.

I'm not exactly sure what has overcome me at the moment. Although I suppose I'll revert to my normal self pretty soon. It's interesting while it lasts. And simpler. :)

Trying to 'restore' the ipod to windows settings right now. So that's fun.

Travel bug

Highway Insomnia, originally uploaded by Nrbelex.

Back from the India trip. Truth be told, I wasn't all that psyched about going. But it was a good trip. The best since I was 5 (Perth, Australia).

It seems that I've been bitten by the travel bug if there is indeed such a thing. Others call it wanderlust.

In which everybody stalks everybody

I watch the stars from my window sill
The whole world is moving and I'm standing still

- The Weepies

Everyone stalks everyone, but we act surprised when we find out we are being stalked ourselves.

Blogging is such a strange phenomenon.

Who do we actually write for? Certainly not ourselves. Yet while I for one would like some people to read my blog, I'd rather others keep their eyes away. But it's all public, and the amount of control we have is very minimal.

Quote:

“Human beings are funny. They long to be with the person they love but refuse to admit it openly. Some are afraid to show even the slightest sign of affection because of fear. Fear that their feelings may not be recognized, or even worst, returned. But the one thing about human beings that puzzles me the most is their conscious effort to be connected with the object of their affection even if it kills them slowly within.”

- Sigmund Freud

You know I think the V Day bug might actually be getting into me.

SLR

(via artpixie)

One day, I’d buy a lovely SLR, and join the club. And then we’d all shoot delightful pictures together.

Star Wars and Quote

"The world breaks us all. Afterward, some are stronger at the broken places"

Ernest Hemmingway


It's the same with Mass Communications. Afterward, some go to the lightside, while others go to the darkside.

My inner Star Wars geek.

Imagery

I just love the imagery in this song:

(I Can't Seem To) Make You Mine - The Clientele

In the silence of the garden
Moss arizing on the wind
And the beast is pondering love love love
'Till the rusty nail grow dim

(Chorus)
I can't seem to make you mine
Through the long and lonely night
And I try so hard, darling
But the crowd pulled you away
Through the rhythm and the rain
And the ivy coiled around my hand

So I lingered with the people
In the silent August glade
But the rain has brought the night
And the night has brought the rain

Just one of those faces

Flight Of The Conchords - Jenny

One of the funniest things I've seen in a long while.