i clutched the book close to me, my eyes fixed on the words that were printed neatly over the pages of the popular novel, the da vinci code.
i breathed in deeply, my heart pounding fast and hard as i followed through the mystery as it progressively uncovers the truth behind it all. i exclaimed nearly after every chapter, on how shockingly captivating the story is; i had to take breaks in order to slowly absorb the information that was being fed to me through this wondrous, well-written, well-plotted novel by dan brown.

it has got to be one of the best books i will ever read, even though i'm only a third through it. it is about religion- christianity, pagan and feminine worship; the secrets behind da vinci's renowned works, particularly the mona lisa.
i truly never did imagined there was so much symbolism in the pleasant potrait of mona lisa: the backdrop where the horizon is not in line, the derivation of mona lisa. and also, the 1.618 value of the mathematical PHI: the divine proportion of nature. mind-baffling.

so let me crack this mystery, and bathe in the wonders of the da vinci code.

i just came home after a night at downtown toronto for a late-night snack with my brother and housemates.

caribana, a celebration for carribean culture, is on this weekend, and downtown toronto was filled with afro people. how should i put this, i was kind of intimidated by the presence of the large black crowd (trust me, it was really large). there were many police officers on duty; like every few metres one is stationed, while some patrolled the whole stretch of yonge street. still my heart was uneasy. i must say, i don't have anything against the afro crowd. it's just that sometimes gun shootouts or gang fights trace to most of them.

after the snack, we walked along yonge street. made a right-turn and welcome to gay town. yes, situated at the church-wellesley area, it's the main gay pride. my first time being there, we walked passed clubs and more clubs.. practically saw many gays hanging out.

then made out way to bloor-yonge, took a subway and came right home. interesting, seeing the night-life of toronto after being here for quite some time.

it was one heck of a night.

amkss's nomad is here yet again. i love performing in nomad, and participating in any school's events. like performing drama nite (the best ever), student council events, silver jubilee, etc etc. those days were fun; the preparation and staying late in school (getting scolded by my father once i return home late, but all worthwhile) with friends practising or rushing for the day..
this year's nomad is kind of different. it's a journey in school, as the audience walk around to interact and view performances at 'a different angle'.

drama has such a small role to play. how dare them! and there's news of drama and lds merging. oppose to that people! drama is the REAL DEAL! petition, revolt, overthrow- whatever it takes to show them who's boss. drama rocks!

i rediscovered all-american rejects!


check out their website for the 'dirty little secret' music video which is kind of cool. listen in to others too. love the songs as they do rock. woohoo!

it's dark, but it's not night. and i'm not yet asleep. the freedom with holidays. my poor brother is mugging for his final test. age of empires II kept me company as i keep my brother who is keeping his books company through the night..

the sun is now shining, my pimple has dried and shrunk, and the school will send my transcript to me so i need not return.. maybe it's not such a bad day afterall.

it's wet and gloomy outside, and i have to go to school just to pick up a form for my student permit renewal. i wanted to kill three birds with one stone; to pick up my report card which was ready a month ago, and also the ossd certificate which it seems isn't. and that means i would still have to return to collect one pathetic paper! arrrgghh. i was hoping never to return after this trip..

and i have a prominent hideous-looking pimple on my forehead. it's red from the bleeding when my towel scrapped across it. ouch and eeew..

i found the golden ticket! i entered the chocolate factory and met willy wonka and the other spoilt kids.. and mr wonka is giving me his chocolate factory! (:

if only. i watched the movie and felt like i relived my childhood. i grew up reading story books by roald dahl books like charlie and the chocolate factory, matilda, the witches, james and the giant peach, the twits, george's marvellous medicine..
the movie is good. really kiddy! and the impersonation of johnny depp as willy and the oompa loompas are so funny! i love violet and augustus. lol.

well i need a rest after all the walking from the tour and the shock that i got the factory..

"Chariot" - Gavin DeGraw

Staring at a maple leaf
Leaning on the mother tree
I said to myself we all lost touch
Your favorite fruit is chocolate-covered cherries
And seedless watermelon
Nothing from the ground is good enough
Body rised
It puts over me

Oh chariot, your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh chariot, I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your
Strength

Remember seeking moons rebirth
Rains made mirrors of the earth
The sun was just yellow energy
It is a living promise land
Even over fields of sand
Seasons fill my mind and
Cover me
From bringing back
More than a memory

Oh chariot, your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh chariot, I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your
Strength

You'll be my vacation away from this place
You know what I want
Holding that cup
It's pouring over the sides
Make me wanna spread my arms and fly

Oh chariot, your golden waves
Are walking down upon this face
Oh chariot, I'm singing out loud
To guide me
Give me your strength

Give me your strength.. chariot
Give me your strength.. chariot
Give me your strength.. chariot
Give me your strength.. chariot
Give it to me.. chariot
Give it to me.. chariot
Give it to me.. chariot
Give me your strength
Oh chariot..

for me to play with my computer, read up catherine lim's following the wrong god home, snuggle and nap, and practically slack away another day of my holiday.

this sucks like hell. it's even worse than having normal bad hair days. the long awaited haircut for me finally arrived, and i ended up with a horrendous hairstyle..

it's so damn short! the last time i had such a cut was way back in singapore where the strict rules and disciplines of government schools restricted students like me back then to have hair longer than the ears or eyebrows. and now, when i could actually have any quirky hairstyle i can think of, i had to be cut right back to that same short one. help!

i'm going to shut myself at home for the next 2 weeks, and only then i can go to utsc to make my university student id card. i would never want the card to remind me of the short-hair days. but for now, i'm consoling myself by repeating "HAIR GROWS, HAIR GROWS!"

i was looking at a picture of the student council exco taken during our investiture in 2003 along the corridor of the first floor in amkss which was pinned up on the board above my table. it gave a glimpse of the parade square and the front class block..

and this led to me trying to picture myself right back there. as i stand near the steps of the walkway leading down to the brick-red ground; and look right up and see the flags, the podium and the other school blocks. i felt the ground i stood on; i heard the sounds of amksians.

i shuddered as the bumps on my hand started to rise. i miss those days in amkss. walking around the school building, crapping with friends, having lessons.. call me mad, but those definitely were the days.

i know we have to move on and get a life, but sometimes longing back for it doesn't hurts, right?

when i was much much younger, i always thought me with eyeglasses looked kind of nice. serious and much like a studious person (or you can just term it as nerd).

and at that time, my brother was already part of the spectacles-club. curious (and idiotic from what i see now) me, would take his glasses and put them on. soon, i joined the club.

now, i wished i never joined..

i've been very lazy the past few days. done no blogging, fulfilled no to-do items.. the laze-bug has bit me!

and i've been so into the reality series of big brother. it's survivor: civilized-style. living in a house with cameras for 3 months; fighting to be head-of-household, for food and luxury, for the power of veto to save anyone from eviction; secrets and backstabbing; how cool is that?

going off to be lazy once again.. i need to find something useful to do with my boring life right now. the sixth book 'harry potter & the half-blood prince' is out now; maybe i can get my hands on a copy through bullying other kids to let me have theirs so i can evade the long queues for it and fill my time with magic.

hmmm.. just a random thought.

is that it's hard to shop for me. well, in general males.

males who love to shop, nod if you read this. compared to females, where they have special boutiques and a wide selection from many, many options, we guys have a hard time to shop for clothes.
females can choose to wear skirts, jeans, tank-tops, bare-backs, collared, etc etc; whereas guys only have the same old shirts and trousers. besides, finding the suitable fitting and the right price proves to be yet another obstacle.

and why this sudden complaint? because i spent hours today walking fairview mall in search for a little something that i like, but to NO success. store after store with my 2 female friends we went, but i always exit with a frown because of lack of menswear or because the price is too steep. in terms of canadian dollars, it's reasonable, like let's say CA$30 for a t-shirt.. but wait, after currency conversion, it would be like twice to triple the price in S$ or RM, which makes it totally absurd for just a simple tee.

so you tell me, what are the pains for a guy shopping in a faraway land from home?

i'm adding another movie to my list of MUST WATCH... tim burton's corpse bride! it's animated, like those of james and the giant peach. so cool. watch the trailer here. it's opening on the 23 september 2005 and starring johnny depp and more.

want more trailers? here you go.. of course these are those i want to watch. (requires quicktime player)
charlie & the chocolate factory (15 july)
must love dogs (29 july)
in her shoes (7 october)
elizabethtown (14 october)
dreamer (21 october)
harry potter & the goblet of fire (18 november)
the lion, the witch & the wardrobe (9 december)

i wanted to type out a short summary, but realized that's what trailers are for! :)

"Somebody" - Bonnie McKee

I sit alone
Dark theatre watchin' the people go by
Hand in hand
Everybody but me
I stay behind, watchin' the credits roll by
Roll, roll, roll right by me

But I know, I won't cry
'Cause there is somebody, somebody
Somebody waiting for me
Out in the rain
Won't cry, not tonight
'Cause there is somebody waiting for me

I take a walk
The streets are busy tonight
And I am searching for you
Waiting to brush your shoulder
But I'm alone
I watch the faces roll by
Roll, roll, roll right by me

But I know, I won't cry
'Cause there is somebody, somebody
Somebody waiting for me
Out in the rain
Won't cry, not tonight
'Cause there is somebody waiting for me

How many words will go unspoken
Till I hear knockin' upon my door
Losing track of the nights I spent heartbroken
But tonight I know
I won't cry no more

I lie awake
I left the porch light on
I hope it helps you to find your way
Outside I hear the thunder roll by
Roll, roll, roll right by me

But I know, I won't cry
'Cause there is somebody, somebody
Somebody waitin' for me
Out in the rain
Not gonna cry tonight
No, 'cause there is somebody waitin' for me
Not gonna cry tonight
No, no, no, no, no
Not gonna cry
Not tonight
'Cause there is somebody waitin' for me

I stay behind, watchin' the credits roll by
Roll, roll, roll right by me

OMG! i got the shock of my life when i read my sister's most recent post on her blog. i couldn't help but laugh out loud with my brother. it was till my mouth held a pool of saliva from the vigorous laughter disabling me to swallow it down.. get it?
anyway, it's oldies pictures when 3 of us would stay at our grandma's house when we visited singapore. we were still living in kuala lumpur back then. we looked like ambassadors of buddha! and i looked so sickly and creepy. no smile, and my face was all pale with dark eye rings like those children in horror movies..

but those were my past. my sweet past.. now memories.

war of the worlds is mind-blowing. although the story came across to me as kind of crappy, the visual effects were cool. but the idea of alien invasion with tripods it's freakish, especially if they had been buried under the ground way before our time just waiting to strike..

dakota fanning in war of the worlds is awesome. she is one star to look out for; her acting is superb, and the way she talks, sensible for her age. she will be in dreamer coming soon in october, about a horse and faith.

there are so many movies coming out in theatres. i made a rough list of what i want to watch..
charlie & the chocolate factory: 15/7/2005
must love dogs: 29/7/2005
just like heaven: 16/9/2005
in her shoes: 7/10/2005
elizabethtown: 14/10/2005
dreamer: 21/10/2005
harry potter & the goblet of fire: 18/11/2005
the lion, the witch and the wardrobe: 9/12/2005
AND special mentions for next year..
da vince code: 19/5/2006
x-men 3: 26/5/2006

i did my research. and i hope i do watch all of them..

more of fingericapped. i got a deep cut on the index finger of my trusted right hand. this is particularly hard for a right-handed person since the injury is at the joint of the more important finger. which means i cannot bend my finger at all, otherwise the sealed cut will split and red blood will sputter out. this already happened once.

yes, i typed this post with the fingers of my left hand..

watched mona lisa smile. all the stuffs about pre-modern times, where a perceived woman's place was at home back then. the show was okay. some parts had depth. in the show, kirsten dunst said about mona lisa's portrait "surfacely looking happy, but who knows if she is really happy?" how true..

it's always better to show what people want to see. so smiled, mona lisa did.

london had been the centre of public-attention for the past 24 hours eversince she won the bid to host the 2012 summer olympic games. and now she still will be too, with more watchful eyes.

london got hit by bomb blasts in the subways and a bus, just when many common-londoners made their way home.. imagine being one of them, and suddenly the public transport you are in just ka-pow and flies into many different direction; you lose yourself in that few seconds. god bless their souls..

i hate terrorism and terrorists particularly. they justify their actions saying they are fulfilling what their religion needs, and liberating people under the western world. and come on, what kind of devilish religion supports that? don't deframe muslims, because i know that isn't what islam is about. stupid assholes.

what kind of logic thinking is that behind the puny brains? what exactly has the world come to now?

finally watched andrew lloyd webber's the phantom of the opera on dvd. i liked the movie, maybe because of the fact that it reminded me about 4/1's play last year.

all the songs that we used for our play, i once again heard it in the movie. though we didn't win, we really had fun. it would have been nice if our videocam actually worked. otherwise it wouldn't be just a one-time feeling thing. 4/3 did chicago, and 4/4 moulin rouge. and amkss drama club also did a musical in 2001: the place for us. i love all of them so much. all the music, the singing, the dancing, the acting.. i love musicals!

the results from singapore announced the 30th olympiad being in london! woohoo.. though it's sad paris lost again. and oh, the awful looking logo of london for the 2012 olympic games.

2008 is in beijing. i'm more interested in it, since it's the first time china, or a chinese place has held it. i wonder what wonders it will bring..

i hate bad-hair days. been getting that alot recently. a haircut is in need QUICK, before i start pulling my long irritating hair out of my scalp. eeeww...

i was angered when i had to unwillingly go with my brother to utsc because of his own derma-problem. and when i was there, besides asking that few pathetic questions for my own admission, i sat like a fool and wasted a fraction of my life doing nothing.

and on the bus, when i read the daily circulated free newspapers, i happened to flip to the horoscope section. this is what they said about taurus for today:
"Nerves are rather on edge, and conditions are getting worse. Your calm and steady temperament is appreciated."

whoa, when did horoscopes get this accurate?

"Drive" - Ziggy Marley

Who's gonna tell you when
It's too late
Who's gonna tell you things
Aren't so great

You know you can't go on
Thinking nothing's wrong
Who's gonna drive you home
Tonight

Who's gonna pick you up
When you fall
Who's gonna hang it up
When you call
Who's gonna pay attention
To your dreams
Who's gonna plug their ear
When you scream

You can't go on
Thinking nothing's wrong
Who's gonna drive you home
Tonight

Who's gonna hold you down
When you shake
Who's gonna come around
When you break

I said you can't go on
Thinking nothing's wrong
Who's gonna drive you home
Tonight

You can't go on
Just thinking that nothing's wrong
Who's gonna drive you home
Tonight

i started this day with a joyous post on my blog. but now this will be a less-so-joyous, solemn one.

the live8 concert is on right now in 8 different locations (canada, usa, uk, south africa, italy, france, russia) to call for justice to end poverty in third world nations. they don't want our money, but our support.
lend your voice to live8. i have.

how is poverty measured? in developed countries, there are still people who are poor, but i guess the real meaning of poverty is not being able to provide for the basic essentials- food, health, home, education. so the world is always unjust. watch the video entitled "orphans of nkandla" and "toddlers" under the 'watch this' section at live8. i teared watching the first one, you will too..

so let's end poverty and make history. for mankind.

well well well. so there's more to canada day.
it started well after my nice rest on my bed with music and the wind. had a little bbq-hotplate style dinner with meat, veggie, seafood, and the company of friends..

and it didn't stop there. went to north york centre where the mel lastman square was located to see a fireworks display. we got there and it was so windy and cold. but among the large crowd, the loud country music, the cheering, the celebration, i found comfort.



exit north york centre subway station, and you see this..


me and my messy hair due to strong wind, with the brightly illuminated ttc signboard!


welcome to mel lastman square....


at 5100 yonge (read: young) street!


the crowd. at the far end where you see the concert lights, there's this amphitheatre where there are many seats on steps. really so much more people there!


the group, minus me.


the group, minus one plus me.


my housemates, juyenty (left) and nora (right)
dancing to the music.


the crowd, lazing as it grows dark.


we walked to the front where the concert is.
see the canada flag flutter!


after the songs, here's the start of the fireworks.


it's musical, so the starting was dead with slow music.


more on the little light ones.


observe, more colours now..


and getting higher..


and getting smokey..


and getting brighter.


my favourite one!


follow-up of the favourite one.


and then red, and really smokey.


clearer red.


higher it goes..


slowly it changes..


and changes.


pow, bright ones!


it dies off, and that's the end.


finally manage to get a shot of the stage as people squirm out of the square.

there isn't those big flower ones, because it was at the north york civic centre region where there are many buildings and limited open space. downtown near the harbourfront at ontario place, there's a bigger one. maybe next year we will head there, if me and my brother stay for the summer.

we made our way out. subway had to be evaded for the meantime as everyone was heading there. so we walked our way to sheppard-yonge and went to this taiwan snack house. played some games as we drank bubble-tea and ate some snacks. then made our way home..
better go get some sleep. i love my holidays!

i'm sitting on my bedsheet-fresh bed, typing away on my laptop in my blog as i feel the strong cooling breeze in this hot sunny summer day. and i'm grooving to the music on perfect 10 playing on my real player right now. i so love my summer holidays...

happy birthday canada!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide, O Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

yet, canada day is like any other day. like public holidays, the streets are empty, the shops are closed, and the people are dead? there is no life here. okay maybe downtown where the excitement lies..

the swimming pool down at the apartment i live in just opened just now as i came back from grocery at a chinese shop (only asian places, especially chinese ones are open on public holidays! so you can imagine our desperation for shopping during the festive season). and ahh, i feel like swimming. but the pool is pathetically small and it's being overrun by kiddos. so here's another desperation: i want to swim, i want a tan!