The Rootless Body

To a new decade

2010-01-01T15:33:00.001-05:00

2010 sees a new home for my Blog.

Sounds: '09

2009-12-30T18:23:00.005-05:00

In what has become close to a yearly tradition for my blog (2007 and 2008), here are the 20 albums of 2009 I enjoyed this past year.

A Fine Frenzy - Bomb in a Birdcage

Barcelona - Absolutes

The Fray - The Fray

Jack Savoretti - Harder Than Easy

John Mayer - Battle Studies

Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted

Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

Mat Kearney - City of Black & White

Metric - Fantasies

Miike Snow - Miike Snow

Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much

Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

Norah Jones - The Fall

Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up

Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms

Regina Spektor - Far

The Swell Season - Strict Joy

Uninhabitable Mansions - Nature is a Taker

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
Onward to the sounds of 2010! Have a happy new year.

Musical inclination

2009-12-19T16:39:00.011-05:00

If there was one thing I wished I was good at, it is to be more musically inclined, be it in playing an instrument, singing well, having a good sense of rhythm, or understanding music theory. Growing up, the only exposure to music instruments I had was the simplistic recorder that all primary school kids were allowed to fiddle with during Music period. It is a pity my family did not push us beyond what was required; but who can blame them - the arts and music scene in Southeast Asia years back were not particularly the supplier of bountiful jobs with promising, long-lasting careers.

In 2006, the last time my brother and I were back in Kuala Lumpur, my aunts enrolled us in a guitar course for beginners with a one-on-one private tutor. I remember the classes being fun but nerve-wrecking. We invested in a handmade classical guitar from Romania (to my embarrassment, an acoustic guitar was what I thought we had up until recently), which we brought over to Toronto when we returned from our summer vacation. Even though I had meant to continue with guitar classes here and build on this one musical skill whose seeds have been sown, the instrument had been in the storeroom ever since our return. Until now.

One of the To-Do item this free semester off from school was to dust out the guitar. The year is almost at an end and school starts in a couple weeks, while the guitar is only making its way out. I purchased new strings, a tuner and a capo, and I am happy to report that I have successfully strung and tuned the guitar for the first time. I have also been reviewing the lessons I did 3 years ago, and to my surprise some of them are coming back to me easily. All I have to do now is practice, practice, practice. "Practice makes perfect" - we will see about that. Maybe for once, I can become adept with a music instrument if I keep up with this...

"Listen bitch, are you for real?!"

2009-12-13T23:37:00.005-05:00

My brother loves replaying this clip from The Kids in the Hall, a Canadian comedy show from the 1980s. Not going to lie, I usually get annoyed with the videos/music he plays on loop (it's an underlying brother-rivalry thing on my part), but some of them are actually good, like this one.

Good Monday

2009-11-30T20:47:00.006-05:00

My day off today, I did three loads of laundry, cleaned the toilet, cooked dinner, read more of George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones, and obsessively listened to the soundtrack of Where The Wild Things Are. Furthermore, not a single speck of snow for the month of November, a record for Hogtown. It has been a good Monday.

"say hi to forever"

2009-11-19T16:36:00.010-05:00

When I read that model Daul Kim was found dead in Paris this morning, I was shocked. I have always admired her body of work as a model, her blog and videos are entertaining, plus she grew up in Singapore. Apparent suicide at the age of 20. To be young and beautiful with a future ahead of her, I wonder what pushed her over the edge? Perhaps how Korean netizens were on her case over a nude modeling gig she did, and we all know how they are. May justice be upon them for their viciousness, not only in this case but the many incidences of Korean celebrity suicides resulting from these netizens' words and actions. And why did Daul give in - if only she hung on and sought the help she needed. I can never comprehend how anyone can take their own life, no matter how tough the world is for one.

Making things more depressing, she blogged yesterday with the title "say hi to forever". Rest in peace Daul.

School is missed

2009-11-16T16:33:00.004-05:00

I cannot believe this, I actually miss school. Not so much the studying part, but the rushing off to classes, having erratic sleeping times, being under pressure from assignments and all. At least I somehow manage to have more of a social life than I do now. Ever since returning from the cottage and Montréal, both I also miss greatly, my life has revolved around waking up at the dawn of the day to work, lazing around upon returning home in the afternoon, falling asleep till dinnertime, then heading back to bed at hours that will make my mum proud.

January cannot come sooner! Oh, last night I officially indicated my intent of graduation for the June 2010 Convocation! (:

On laziness

2009-11-08T22:40:00.007-05:00

I hate being a lazy bum. Especially when there is a mountain high of errands to do, like clean the house, laundry, books to read, things to learn. My mind lists the items to do at the start of each day right before work, I get home and that mental list evaporates. Believe me when I beat myself over it when I turn it at night. More to do another day, I tell myself.

But sometimes, one gets too lazy trying not to be lazy. So the cycle persists.

Soft Shock

2009-11-05T18:08:00.004-05:00

YYYs should do a purely acoustic album.

Refresh!

2009-10-31T01:17:00.011-04:00

A new look for my blog. It was time to retire the old layout seeing how that has been in place for some years now. I am very pleased with how this turned out.

The three most eventful activities during my absence here have got to be:

1) Being away from the city at a cottage for one full week with people I enjoy being with.

2) Visiting Montréal my very first time with my siblings during Thanksgiving weekend. Met Yixuan, who is on an exchange, there too.

3) Attending Mika's concert the Thanksgiving Monday straight after returning from Montréal.

There are so many pictures and videos to choose from - just looking at them again bring back plenty of good memories! I miss Montréal, tremendously! I do hope we get to go on another mini-Canadian trip soon. Perhaps Ottawa, Vancouver...? Also, I definitely have to work on getting licensed to drive, learning to play the guitar again, and picking up the Korean language. If I might say myself, I appear busier even with my supposed semester off from school.

But till then, I am volunteering with the World Wildlife Fund which hopefully will serve as a good job prospect in the future, and I will be working at Indigo for the holiday season (6AM shifts god dammit!). Christmas is in less than 2 months!

Please don't go

2009-09-07T23:36:00.002-04:00

Bonjour!

2009-08-02T02:19:00.002-04:00

C'est moi. Désolé, j'ai eu peu d'heure au blog parce que je prends à un cours en français cet été. C'est difficile, mais j'aime apprendre une nouvelle langue. Je réussirai!

Live shows

2009-05-11T00:00:00.009-04:00

I went to see Travis on April 21 for the second time in two years. It was in the midst of my exam period, but I thought I deserved a birthday treat and an exam booster. Travis damn well knows how to put on a live show! And thanking us "weirdies" for seeing them instead of Kings of Leon and Flight of the Conchords, then encouraging videos to be posted on YouTube, brilliant!

And for sticking it out through the semester, a pat on my back came in the form of a live Patrick Watson concert. He performed in a church that provided an intimate setting with great lighting and acoustics for the show.

In other news, my interview with the Toronto Zoo did not yield a positive outcome. Bugger, it just means summer school for me. I am quite looking forward to it since the courses are French, and at the downtown campus!

From the zoo to a film festival

2009-04-09T00:50:00.013-04:00

Classes for Winter 2009 have come to an end. I have exams on the 17th, 18th and 25th; I am going to see Travis and opening act The Republic Tigers on the 21st and Patrick Watson on the 2nd next month; and I have an interview with the Toronto Zoo on the 21st!

Speaking of the Zoo, I was there recently as part of a behind-the-scenes visit for my "Roles of Zoos in Conservation" course. I learnt so much from that 2-hour tour - from the keeper's job and the zoo's operations to anecdotes of animal care and conservation efforts.

The Toronto Singapore Film Festival had its fourth run this recent weekend. A smaller event than last year, it ran quite well besides some snafus. With, erm, added responsibility this year, I only managed to catch the opening film, Rice Rhapsody, and another feature, Invisible Children, with the latter surprisingly being more impressive with its subtlety. The people from E-Snacks were there and they remember us from last year, thinking back of the amount of food we bought from them then and this year too (my sister didn't have time to volunteer or catch a screening but somehow found time to get some food). Ryan was in town visiting for a couple of days as well, so he ended up acting as a tourist/volunteer while hanging out with Yiwen and I.

Midterms pwned...

2009-02-25T15:45:00.003-05:00

I think/feel/guess/believe/hope.

I have had, let's see, only 12 hours of sleep since Sunday noon. Yup, still hyper from the caffeine and sugar intake. Yes yes yes!

And libraries do work! They are my favourite exam hangout spots now.

Our eyes will be on Coraline

2009-02-19T18:09:00.002-05:00

I can't get enough of Coraline's soundtrack.. especially this!

Le sigh, I should be studying as I'm way behind. But distractions are evils to overcome, and so is my bed.

Deergate '09

2009-02-16T23:49:00.001-05:00

It was pretty amusing to find a leaked email correspondence between some of my campus faculty. What's more hilarious is the intensity (and stubbornness mixed with a dash of pompousness) in which they "discuss" the topic.

Here's how the story goes... Professor A sends out a request on helping with feed for deers that live in the wilderness of our campus grounds, especially since this practice has been burdening the staff of the on-campus childcare centre financially. Professor B states his reasons on why this should be discouraged in a very diplomatic, scientific manner since a deer population explosion may occur among others; and is fully supported by Professor K. After a flurry of replies stating the wonders of having the endearing creatures in our immediate surroundings (DISNEY! BAMBI! NATURE EDUCATION!), K rebukes on how everyone has disrespected B (and in essence, himself indirectly) by not heeding B's advice. This leads to a professional showdown between Professor M, who so happens to be the spouse of A, and K.

The email leak was stopped and god knows how Deergate was resolved.

Watch out, deer crossing ahead

2009-01-07T22:44:00.006-05:00

There is this road signage near my school with a leaping deer on it. This evening I discovered that it does indeed serve its purpose of cautioning drivers. Two fawns were spotted steadily crossing the busy road with traffic coming from either side. It was dark, but their silhouettes were clearly outlined against the streetlights. Seeing their majestic bodies climbing up the roadside slope made me smile.

The bus driver shouted across the bus, "You saw them?"
"Yeah, I did. All three of them actually."

"Congrats! You got your first A+ in a course with a professor you hated so much you failed him in his evaluation, something you've never done before".

2009-01-06T23:03:00.007-05:00

Yes, that about sums it all up.

Sounds: '08

2008-12-30T14:32:00.003-05:00

My favourite 20 albums of the past year:

Adele - 19

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

Chairlift - Does You Inspire You

Coldplay - Viva la Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Cut Copy - Bright Like Neon Love

Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours

Emiliana Torrini - Me And Armini

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Greg Laswell - Three Flights From Alto Nido

Keane - Perfect Symmetry

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular

Ray LaMontagne - Gossip In The Grain

Santogold - Santogold

She & Him - Volume One

Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns

Steve Reynolds - The Carnival Papers

Tilly & The Wall - o

Travis - Ode To J. Smith

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Show Your Bones
Onward to the sounds of 2009! Have a happy new year.

Night owl cooped by books

2008-12-09T05:09:00.012-05:00

Exams start Thursday and end next Monday. Pretty quick. The problem is, I have no motivation to study, none at all. I sleep in, wake up and somehow end up snoozing again. I then awake in time for dinner and some telly before spending the last few hours trying to cram. Cram I may, I usually end up doing random things on the laptop since my notes are on it. Digitalizing my lecture notes this semester, which I thought would be my part in saving paper and the environment, hasn't turned out to be that much of a rewarding action for my studies thus far.

The Saturday before, fun times:
Which is why my exams need to end soon, for Round 2!

When I say Hey!

2008-11-15T23:09:00.004-05:00

What a wonderful kind of day.
Where you can learn to work and play,
And get along with each other.

I was Arthur the Aardvark for the day. Kids loved me. I loved them back too, but would have loved them more if not for the sweat and the visionless suit.

Yes We Can

2008-11-05T20:40:00.007-05:00

Can you feel it?

History in the making, the first black President in the White House. It is not his race, even though it is the cherry on the cake, but it is the manner in which Barack Obama has reached out to such a diverse group of people, invigorating hope, motivating change, unifying a slipping nation.

When the camera panned over the large turnout at Chicago to watch Obama give his speech, I was in awe. When he addressed the crowd, I was inspired even as an outsider. American politics was the hot topic of discussion today. And mind you, we just had a Canadian election, one that did not spark any form of promise. See, that is how he affects everyone.

I think every country needs an Obama-figure to come into prominence now and then. America has begun its fight to the top once again. But there are insurmountable expectations of him - bust or boom? "Yes we can," says Obama. "Yes we will," says America. So yes, yes he will because they will be there to support and push him.

Change is here.

I Love The World

2008-10-31T01:11:00.000-04:00

Nature nurses, art awakens

2008-10-11T22:21:00.011-04:00

One of my courses this semester is BGYC52: Ecology Field Course. We had a weekend field study north of Toronto at the UofT-owned Koffler Scientific Reserve, Jokers Hill in York Region from the 26th to 28th of September.

The Longworth Trap for small mammals.

Eureka! The inspiration behind the Velcro, this is the Burdock.

We returned to our fly-infested lodging and decided to clean up the place. Took apart the windows and behold, the pile of flies in the side ridges.

Brand new day, early morning wakeup to check on study site #1. Found a dead Sorex (shrew).

Found a dead Blarina (short-tailed shrew). They stink and bite (the undead ones).

Microtus (meadow vole). Cutest of all our captures.

The class of 7 students with Professor Boonstra and our TA Lana, drove up, pooled money for breakfasts and lunches, had one dinner of Chinese takeout after sitting in the restaurant and realizing it was way more expensive than ordering to-go, and a group of us even made a bonfire in drizzle and roasted marshmallows! It was so peaceful and a breath of fresh air - I almost didn't want to leave! The whole trip made me sure of my choice to pursue the career of a Conservation Biologist; field work is definitely what I want to do as an ecologist.

I finally decided to check out Nuit Blanche, an annual overnight arts fest from the dusk of 4th to dawn of 5th October. There were some really cool exhibits, but we didn't get to see many as it was spread across downtown Toronto and we got exhausted from walking and freezing.

Scramble intersection at Yonge-Dundas. Look at the crowd!

"Into the Blue" in Eaton Centre.

"Sitting Ducks" dwindled as people waded into the water to pluck those rubber duckies.

"Conversation #2" at Bay-Wellesley turned out to be my favourite exhibit.

Unglued stacked books, colour coordinated as well!

"Meeky: The World's Strangest Little Boy" had a lineup so we didn't get to see how strange he was.

"Waterfall" at University-College was a quilt made up of recyclable plastic.

Toronto felt so different with the late-night crowds. We took a cab to a subway station and we passed the Meeky exhibit at 4ish-am and there still was a lineup. The lengths people will go for art!

Star-sighting under blinding billboards.

2008-09-09T21:39:00.006-04:00

The Toronto International Film Festival 2008 is on now, and I managed to catch a film entitled "Skin" at the AMC Theatres. It is based on a true story about a girl born with black features to white parents in the era of the Apartheid in South Africa.

I was first in the Rush Line and thankfully managed to get in. And when I did, lo and behold the star of the film, Sophie Okonedo, was seated near the entrance! As the director/writer was giving a short intro, I scuttled off to my seat. After the screening, Sophie was introduced to the audience that reciprocated her astounding performance with a standing ovation. I really love her in "Hotel Rwanda" and she does as good as a job here in the role of Sandra Laing. If the film gets a wide release, do watch it, and given enough recognition, I smell an Oscar nomination.

Given the (great movie seats but) unfavourable star photo-taking seats and the resulting fuzzy photos I took during the Q&A, I scanned the exiting crowd for her for a couple more rude close-up snaps. Only when we were out did I see her and quickly swooped in and timidly asked, "Sophie, can we take a picture with you?"

A sweet "Yes" from her gave us this. She is so pretty and tall in person, very soft-spoken too. I was so giddy with joy that I only thanked her for the picture but not her brilliant work(s). What do you expect, her hand was on my shoulder for Pete's sake!

After...

2008-08-31T09:21:00.014-04:00

After 4 months, my civil servant job at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has come to an end. I had a good time there - met nice people, my sups and my peers of summer students, gained new knowledge and learnt inside workings of a governmental sector. All in all, a great place to begin my Co-op experience. Next year, Toronto Zoo?!

After 1 week of the curtains coming down on the Beijing Olympics, I'm finally posting this (as you can already tell, my blogging streak has slowly but surely diminished). I'd been following some sports really closely as I would tune in to catch the live broadcasts on CBC's website when I first arrive at work. Not exactly the right time or place to do so, and I feel really bad about it even though I got my work done. Towards the end, I only caught snippets of the Closing Ceremony.

After 45 years, Singapore finally gets her second Olympic medal - silver in Team Women's Table Tennis, with the gold going to China. On the side, Li Jiawei winds up 4th, the very familiar position four years ago in Athens, in the singles event, as usual the medals swept by the sea of red and yellow. It's a curse, I tell you - three Olympics in a row at fourth. Malaysia scored one silver in Badminton, while Canada bested its previous Olympic outing after going through half of this year's games with squat and causing Canadians to be on edge.

After 1 whole season of summer, fall is soon to make its reentry. It sort of has, seeing how this sunny season wasn't so sunny/hot, more gloomy/rainy. Regardless, school starts in 2 weeks and I'm greatly looking forward to it after working so much in the past couple of months.

080808

2008-08-08T23:39:00.002-04:00

Watch out world, China had her coming out party. The 29th Olympiad Games erupted to a splendid start of firework displays, cultural performances and a colourful show of precision, enthusiasm and power on the auspicious (or superstitious, your choice) day of 08/08/08.

More awesome photos at: The Big Picture
I had to watch the repeat broadcast as I had to work. Vancouver's sweat glands must be overworked now - this year's Opening Ceremony is going to be a tough act to follow in 2010. Hopefully, this Games stays incident-free till the end. Cut China, or rather the Chinese people, some slack. Sure, more needs to be done in regards to its persistent "human rights" and environmental record, but change does not happen overnight. Forcefully pushing for it will just infuriate China, just like a host embarrassed by its kid in front of guests - what do you do but stay stubborn and rebuke. Besides, onlookers have to understand the historical or cultural background that has led to the current situation before championing democracy for other deemed "suppressive" nations.

Live sporting events are now on CBC. I wonder if I'm ever going to get some sleep if my favourite sports come one after another.. Overnight sports marathon? Possibly, seeing how the qualifying rounds for gymnastics and swimming are coming up. So go Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, and yes, China, the motherland of everything Chinese.

Family & Friends

2008-07-10T20:39:00.015-04:00

My parents and aunt were in town for the three weeks at the end of June for my brother's Convocation ceremony. Their presence were a great welcome, as they provided home-cooked meals, beat our flat into shape by adding furniture and curtains, initiating repairs to worn out spots, oh yeah, and adult wisdom which they claim we have yet to master.

My family departed Toronto in two separate days. Which meant we siblings appeared at Pearson Airport in two consecutive days. Regardless, seeing planes depart/arrive, travelers with backpacks checking in, and the unexplainable atmosphere of an airport, is soothing and motivating to work myself to a international grad trip in two years time (and maybe sneaking in a cross-Canada adventure in between).

Within all that frenzy, I managed to squeeze in E.A.'s party and getting an extra Apple gadget. Yes, I got an iPod Touch - a free one! I'd to pay taxes which amounted to $30+ for a usual $319 8GB one. The Back-to-School promo (get a Mac and a complementary iPod for students) began about two weeks after I purchased the Macbook, and when I first discovered the deal, I was annoyed but didn't think that anything could be done. Thanks to Eleanor who rang Apple, for I would never had called to ask for this favour. Clickety-press-touch!

Ooh, good times. Advice, small spaces packed with people amplifies the fun.

The Uncontactables

2008-06-02T19:19:00.012-04:00

Do you believe that in this world and age, there are still people that civilization, we as a whole, have not yet had any contact with? A tribe of jungle dwellers was recently spotted in the lush Amazon forest of Brazil. Apparently, when the plane flew past the second round, the women and children had fled, the men had painted themselves bright red, equipped themselves with bows and arrows, aimed (and ultimately fired) at the plane. Proof, with photos.

It is almost ironic the way they had their defenses up, treating the alien spacecraft with hostility, while the plane crew had their cameras, ogling them in tourist-like incredulity.

That reminds me of this:

We met our own aliens (on vacation, may I add) on Yonge Street once.

Public servant at work

2008-05-28T09:06:00.006-04:00

Ok. I kid.

It's been exactly one month since I started this job at the Ontario Ministry of Environment. My work is a repetitive task of receiving water samples collected from the Great Lakes stations, settling them in measuring cylinders over days to concentrate them at the bottom, then transferring and storing the vials of algal samples. Somehow I manage to complete them quickly, on top of other chores like updating the sample index and working with Excel spreadsheets.

Having my own cubicle and computer gives me time to play around a little. For example, I watched a majority of episodes of the US version of The Office right in the office during my spare time and breaks. The tech team did however restrict access to Facebook and YouTube. Besides, there are many other activities to do here (i.e. a gym facility, aerobics and dance classes, a table tennis table, street hockey, soccer and baseball games), all of which I've so far foregone in favour of internet-provided entertainment. Geek.

My supervisor and co-workers are nice folks - funny and lenient. I feel sorry for making them worry over having to find me more work to keep me busy, but I end up surfing the web anyway (when I'm done with my work of course).

Hello, I'm a Mac

2008-05-20T20:30:00.006-04:00

Guess who got a Macbook?

I have been using it for a couple of days now since my Friday purchase from the Apple Store at Eaton Centre, and I have to say, I now fully understand why M-fanatics are so protective over their Mac products. This laptop is outwardly sleek and inwardly smooth. I am adapting pretty well to the great switch from PC, loving this white machine more and more each time I see, touch and use it.

This, coming from someone who hates the arrogance that are Mac advertisements. Turning into a Mac snob? I believe so..

I'm handicapped without my laptop and TTC

2008-04-27T22:57:00.011-04:00

My laptop crashed a few days ago. It had been acting weirdly, coming up with error messages warning of hard drive failure. I did back up my files, but I've lost the later movies that I prepared for my post-exam celebration. I'm getting a new one, but that will take a while. To my sister and her laptop which I'm relying on, thank you.

The TTC union went on strike Friday night without any warning, even though 48 hours of notice was promised. Those selfish bastards, putting their gain at the risk of the needy public. There is a reason why TTC is a public transportation. Maybe it's time they turn to privatizing Toronto's transit for improved efficiency through friendly competition, like in Singapore and many other countries. I am definitely not against the union's legal right to strike, it's the unmoral way in which they did it that has completely alienated me and everyone dependent on the TTC. However, I'm still very much reliant on TTC. Thankfully, it has been resolved as they have been forced back to work with a prompt legislation.

The strike gave us two relatively slow weekend days at Indigo. I got to shelve and clear up a cart today. When I tried to get a new one, I was nicely surprised to discover all the Fiction carts were empty! My first time ever that this has happened since beginning last September, which is a good enough reason to even mention it here.

I start my full-time job at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment as part of my Co-op work term tomorrow. I'm actually looking forward to it, just not the traveling to and fro. Phew, the TTC returns at a good time!

Rejoice: An early start to summer!

2008-04-18T14:34:00.005-04:00

I blazed through the past 4 days of intensive examinations, one per day, and finally ended this long nightmare. Hoorah! Although it was draining trying to pull off the late nights and diving from one material to the next in less than 24 hours, the freedom of an early start to summer is especially sweet for this first of mine. Plus, what a warm (almost hot), sunny day to mark this occasion. Even a ladybug greeted me from my jeans.

Those pitiful students still mugging... I feel for you. Good luck!

Toronto Singapore Film Festival '08, lah

2008-04-09T00:50:00.057-04:00

I met more Singaporeans over this past weekend than I ever had over the past three years in Canada, all congregated in one venue. From April 4th-6th 2008, the Toronto Singapore Film Festival (TSFF) returned for its third year and brought out the overseas Lion City denizens in support for the island state's film industry.

This year showcased a selection of 23 films of shorts and features. We managed to watch a substantial proportion of it: 18 Grams of Love and 4:30 while volunteering, Just Follow Law with the complimentary ticket, and we also paid to catch the Short Films Presentation and Singapore Dreaming. The festival made the right choice to open with the romantic-comedy 18 Grams that had an interesting plot quite unlike others. Even though 4:30 dragged on depressively, I enjoyed it as it is so powerfully thought-provoking with its underlying theme and the inconclusive ending up for self-interpretation. It also had this sad Chinese oldie song that I cannot get out of my head. Dreaming had such a big hype at the festival, rightfully so for realistically depicting the contemporary Singaporean way of life. We watched it before but seeing how it was the closing film, we had to join in. The Short Films Presentation was quite a letdown and a bore, although there were a few brilliant standouts.

I felt right back at home with the identifiable lahs-lohs-lehs, the local food being sold by a home caterer (mee siam, satay, currypuff, kuehs!), and the films that were uniquely Singapore with Singlish, ah bengs, markets and hawker centres, 4D lottery queues, and more, while including the prerequisites of every true red-and-white Singaporean movie: the shots of people, walking in Raffles Place and/or chatting or texting away on their handphones, the scenic locations of the Merlion, the Singapore River panning up to the CBD skyline, and HDB neighbourhoods. It was almost too detrimental to our pockets being there with all the money spent. At least all goes in support of the Singaporean culture, which is greatly appreciated since it is so rarely exhibited here.

DAY 1

Opening Party @ Revival Bar after the 18 Grams screening. (Credit)

The Hos vs a Foo, whose two brother backups will soon be on their way from S'pore.

DAY 2

Mee siam, yam cake and satay.

Kuehs and currypuff.

Q&A for short film Zogang. (Credit)

Zobou while we wait for our evening volunteer shift. Well, I was actually working on my assignment, but the yellow walls of the Innis Cafe were too irresistible!

DAY 3

Entrance to the theatre @ Innis Town Hall.

Checking out the synopses for the Short Films Presentation as we wait.

Our coloured glasses, featured as a prop in the short film Colours.

Closing Party @ Innis Cafe with fellow volunteers.

Six of the 7 are Singaporeans loh..

The committee and volunteers cheer to the successful end of TSFF'08. (Credit)

Late review on a failed potluck before Earth Hour

2008-03-29T23:07:00.027-04:00

Work today was eventful.

I come into the Staff Room with a tub full of pasta salad and a tray covered with bread pizza (garnished with mushrooms, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese), both homemade. Co-workers ask me "Didn't you get the memo?," in return I ask, "What memo?" March's potluck was postponed, unbeknownst to me, because the brain behind this monthly event is feeling under the weather. Which explains the funny faces as I made my way across the store carrying the Italian-themed dishes. My siblings contributed tremendously as I was pressed for time, for which I'm appreciative of. The meal was still recognized as there were many thank yous and only scraps were left by the end of my shift.

After half a year working here (wow, it has been that long eh?), I finally received my 3-months appraisal. My probation lasted from September to November, and I was supposed to get it then. But Christmas came and that was that. A pay raise comes with this review, and I won't be shortchanged since I'm going to get the raise from November onwards converted to a hefty bonus in my next paycheck! Equation: $ = (:

Did you turn off the lights today for Earth Hour? As a partner city, Toronto successfully did. I'm glad everyone had an input in this, even though it does come across as gimmicky, an efficient, energy-saving one at that. Most importantly awareness was raised. Just the conspicuousness of being the only brightly lit home, store or building would pressure anyone to take action. Our store did dim the lights and switched off the glare at aisles slightly before 8pm to 9pm. I was hoping for something more drastic, but we did our best. As we all been told by our mama, it's bad for our eyes to read in the dark.

Applying biology in our everyday lives

2008-03-28T15:02:00.006-04:00

In the midst of the professor going on about how there's likely no escaping cancer if we have a family history of it, an acquaintance in today's BGYB11 lecture made my day by writing this on a Post-it note.

"If you want to be thin, go to Tokyo. Proven by Gause's principle of self-thinning."

Not exactly the most ecologically accurate since self-thinning may lead to greater growth, but it was a good laugh. Well, Hong Kong works too if Japan isn't your cup of tea.

Hired for the summer

2008-03-19T23:20:00.015-04:00

My first Co-op work term will be with the Ontario Ministry of Environment. I attended an interview on Monday, got an Offer of Employment the same day, and accepted it yesterday after carefully considering the feasibility of other options that might even be inexistent for all I know. Toronto Zoo, I'm pointing at you.

I arrived half an hour early for the 9.30am interview, even before my soon-to-be supervisor, Ms. Lynda Nakamoto. The 4-months position from April 28th to late-August is as the Algal Laboratory Technician. It involves the repetitive task of sampling algae and phytoplankton from lake water and recording data. Although this job is mainly indoors, being linked to the Sport Fish and Biomonitoring Unit means I may get a chance to go to lakes around Ontario.. I don't know, maybe catch a few fish?

The weekly pay is good considering this being my first Co-op job; the hours are flexible as long as I steadily fulfill 37.5 hours per week; and to have the prestige that is the name of the Ministry of Environment gracing my Resume as a student abroad is no less a boost. In addition, I get to continue on in Toronto with my cherished position at Indigo. My summer then would consist of full-time weekday work, and more work part-time on weekends.

Missing out on summer activities (festivals, parades!) and my family's presence during my brother's convocation are sacrifices in line. Another lament is the distance to travel to Etobicoke. Actually in perspective, it takes around the same time to get there as it does to UTSC in the east. This is what I get for living in central Toronto: the best of two ends. But no buses stop at the building's doorstep so a 10-minutes walk along the 401 highway to get there means I get to have the company of the summer heat on my long walk.

Dear vandalist,

2008-03-12T00:40:00.003-04:00

Besides having made your point, thanks for this ironic photo moment!

Berubah-berubah politiks di Malaysia

2008-03-10T00:47:00.035-04:00

Despite retaining the majority, the Barisan Nasional front suffered its largest lost of Parliamentary seats in the recent Malaysia General Election to only achieve a simple majority while conceding five states to the opposition.

Although I think this is a timely welcome shift, it still is a great shock to me. My brother, particularly as a socialist, is pleasantly surprised. We grew up in a strongly BN-led Malaysia, much of it developing with mega-projects that transformed the skyline of the capital city and my hometown, Kuala Lumpur. I always thought BN has been doing a good job in moving Malaysia forward, despite certain racially-sensitive issues which was one of the tensions that boiled over in this recent election. The incumbent Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who I have viewed as a more people's person than his predecessor and doing a decent work in changing gears in Malaysia's economy, was hurt by displeasure over him "sleeping on the job". I was under the impression of an invincible BN-front, but that has now been successfully contested. Did BN fall because they were too complacent?

Maybe similar lessons can be learnt for Singapore's political scene. I'm pro-PAP as I believe it is the right government for the island state. Despite them claiming and trying to keep in touch with time, they still lack on political freedom and self-rights in terms of its stance on free speech, homosexuality, etc., and these will no doubt be points of reconsideration down the road.

Was it time for a change? With the return of Anwar Ibrahim and a stronger opposition front, so much is changing in the political landscape of Malaysia. If the opposition proves to be competent, they will gain major inroads. As long as it isn't led by PAS, the party that wants a radical Islamist state for a country where at least 40% of the population are of a different race. Good luck to the future of Malaysia.

What A Fine Frenzy!

2008-03-07T18:03:00.010-05:00

A Fine Frenzy (or Alison Sudol), that's the female indie singer whose songs are played on heavy rotation at my workplace. I greatly recommend her debut album One Cell In The Sea. Song #06 is the one that didn't go away. Enjoy the playlist!

Leaping to mindsongs on playloop

2008-02-29T13:40:00.022-05:00

I am being pestered by two tunes playing over and over again in my head. Sometimes, the female-sung indie plays and I forget the other, and then the upbeat male band rocker comes to me when the previous one gets temporarily erased. Short term amnesia, plus the out-of-reach song titles are frustrating me. My only clue: they are being played on loop at my workplace. So it's a no-brainer, get my arse down and track them out. I did, well not for this sole purpose (I've better things to do). Twice in fact, once when the female-led song was playing. But as I said, short term amnesia haunts me. Don't you just hate it when something like this happens?

Leap day, February 29th 2008. How are you spending today of once in four years?

I smell a rat in the premise

2008-02-15T22:28:00.013-05:00

恭喜发财!

A feast fit for the Reunion Dinner, home-made and proud of it:

Yes, that is sliced abalone; a can flown in with my sister back in April specially for this occasion. CNY dishes include lettuce wraps, braised abalone with mushrooms, seafood mix of prawns, scallops and Pacific clams, and 'longevity' noodles to add to the auspiciousness. Care to drool over the upclose photos?

And how convenient for Old Man weather to generously dump snow on us, a storm after another! A couple of days ago, I nearly froze myself to death for stubbornly refusing to move into the heated waiting stand, but the bus was behind by more than an hour. Plan B was implemented when I crumbled beneath the weight of the snow accumulating on me, when my jaw hardened rendering me mouthless, when I lost all possible sensation in my extremities... Go figure.

While working on Sunday, EA brought my attention to a pervert who has been in store every single day. We couldn't do anything unless a customer complains, but all the targeted young girls are so oblivious to his blatant ogling and slabbering in close proximity. Someone apprehend that shameless dirt!

Billiards and Blizzard

2008-01-31T17:30:00.000-05:00

The Indigo Yonge-Eglinton was so grateful to us who slogged over the holiday period that the managers organized an appreciation get-together at Spacco Billiards & Bar last night. It started at 8.30pm and my decision was to arrive fashionably late. It was branded as "Come-When-You-Can", so I suppose 'late' doesn't apply here.

It was the most enjoyable Indigo-related function I've attended so far, not to say I've been to many (including this, 3 fingers are sufficient). There were pool tables and people playing when I arrived, with plenty of food to go about and we each got to claim an alcoholic beverage from the bar. I joined the amateur lot with Des and Camelia to randomly aim for balls in the eight-ball game. Des got drunk, Camelia went off on a thank-you speech everytime she got one in the pocket. Co-workers came and left; some played cards, drank, ate and chatted, while some were on point with their game over at the professional tables. It was nice seeing everyone out of the store, wearing casual, comfortable clothes and footwear. I had to drag myself out of the buzzing place because rest was needed for an early Thursday morning for field work. I should have stayed on longer till the party fizzled even if it meant losing sleep.

Today started and ended early. We arrived at a different stream, a permanent, fast-flowing one located around the previous week's stream. The water level was shockingly a meter higher than usual, making it unsafe to get our water samples. As soon as I stepped into the stream to get some surface samples, I felt a piercing cold sensation: a leaking left boot! When we were at the car, I wrung out water from my layers of socks. I might have as well done my laundry. I couldn't wear my damp, icy socks and my foot was freezing in the open cold of a wind chill temperature of -18 degrees. I forced my foot into the shoe and felt stinging pain. Is this what being close to frostbites feels like?

It's going to be a freaky Friday tomorrow with a winter storm warning. Please, cancel classes! For now, I'm all warm and comfortable in my apartment. Blood is back in my foot and there's extra vigour in my pumping heart as Lost, the saviour of the current state of TV-land, is finally back on tonight!

Juno says, "Oscar loves me!"

2008-01-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

Juno gets nominated in four categories for this year's Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Ellen Page. I got to catch an advance screening in mid-November last year, thanks to Sumaya. I'm glad this movie is getting the buzz it deserves for such a fantastic indie flick.

Michael Cera & Ellen Page - Anyone Else But You (originally by The Moldy Peaches)

And how proper, I've pictures of us exhibiting our Juno tees that we got from the screening. Team Juno tried, but we will do better in the Oscar race than in a game of badminton.

Rollo: So what's the prognosis, Fertile Myrtle? Minus or plus?
Juno MacGuff: There it is. The little pink plus sign is so unholy.
[shakes pregnancy tester]
Rollo: That ain't no Etch-A-Sketch. This is one doodle that can't be undid, homeskillet.

In other news, holy doodoo Heath Ledger is dead?!? OMFG! And the Toronto Maple Leafs finally fire their GM after prolonging this decision. Too.. much.. to.. handle..

Celebrate, and don't freeze your toes

2008-01-21T01:21:00.000-05:00

I went in to work today and guess what? The managers finally spelt my name correctly on the Day Sheet (where we see our day's schedule for breaks). About time, especially after 4 months? Even Ganga and EA were congratulating me. Somehow, they caught on with Chihoe-Ho-Ho-Ho nickname.. It feels like Christmas all over again!

Thursday saw me do my first field work with the Surface & Groundwater Ecology Research Group after spending the last semester in the lab. We drove all the way to the west of Toronto, a good two hours from campus. It felt weird being in the countryside on a school day, yet it was calming to see farms, horses, and cattle out in the open (in the cold and with the snow). Despite wearing the long, green, field boots, my toes were numb with pain from standing in the intermittent stream most of the time. At least I now know what's to come for the next trip out.

An essay time-bomb is ticking in front of my face, and yet I'm not motivated to work on it. I say, when the time comes..

And so begins a new term

2008-01-07T17:53:00.000-05:00

This December break was too short to function as a proper breather this time round. The Winter '08 semester officially started today, but thankfully for me, I won't have any classes on Mondays and Thursdays with 4 courses in place this term.

I have been learning Japanese, slowly but surely. Practice does indeed makes perfect. I can have introductory sentence-exchanges with a Nihonjin, by spouting phrases like "How are you?" and "Do you understand English?" I am working hard on expanding my Japanese vocabulary, but the start of school will soon take its toil. How pessimistic!

'Twas the eve of the silent night

2007-12-24T19:09:00.000-05:00

The Christmas season definitely brings out the people, wallets, and their best and worst sides to the stores. Bad news for us if they turn out to be the meanies who cannot find what they want. The bookstore has been a madhouse the past couple of days. Everyone starts of fresh when we come in for our shift and by the time we get on our first 15-minute break, the staff room has a totally different atmosphere.

Oh, how we love the last-minute Christmas shoppers, especially those who remain calm in the face of book shortages, crowded stores and long lines. Then there are those who would just stop at nothing to get a late gift. Someone called in at the closing minutes of today asking if she could provide a Visa card number to get a gift card for us to send it to the recipient. One word, desperation.

When the store closed at 6pm, everyone was all smiles, knowing 1) we survived yet another day, 2) we get the remaining evening to do some Christmasy activities, 3) we get to have the day off tomorrow. But surely, the thought of working on Boxing Day lingers somewhere in some of our minds.

Sounds: III

2007-12-20T13:38:00.002-05:00

(Relatively) New music since the last similar post.

Chris Garneau - Music For Tourists

Cobra Starship - Viva La Cobra

KT Tunstall - Drastic Fantastic

Paolo Nutini - These Shoes

Patrick Park - Everyone's In Everyone

Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight

Tegan and Sara - The Con

The Perishers - Victorious

I survived yet another semester

2007-12-17T11:39:00.000-05:00

This semester went by very hurriedly in quite a blur. I only remember the neverending string of papers and the deadlines that came with it, proving to be obstacles one after another. Somehow, I always managed to accomplish them in time. I was bursting with glee when I finished up the last exam at 9pm just now.

It has been a while since I utilized this space, so much so that it feels as though this post should bring news of utmost importance. It's lacking in that department, but sufficiently made up with jubilant delight, a long sigh of relief, and an absolutely well-deserved pat on my back for such an exhaustive, tricky term.

I'm still breathing, just not through here

2007-09-28T23:37:00.000-04:00

I have been flooded by an unsuspecting wave of schoolwork, extra-curricular activities and my lovely part-time job at Indigo. Not to say that I'm complaining, but I always end up at home tired and behind everything else that is needed to be done.

Frosh '07 was a blast! We took the streets for the UofT Parade on the 7th and rocked downtown, stopping traffic and gathering curious eyes. I was placed as a Management GL even though I hail from the Science department, but it was nice interacting with those kids. My throat got so sore from Day 1, and I don't think it has fully recovered weeks after. Pictures found here: 1 & 2.

Toronto International Film Festival '07 concluded on the 15th, and we managed to catch two films the nights before. My brother was a volunteer so he had free tickets. September was the first we caught: an Australian film focusing on racial segregation back in the 1960s. There was minimal dialogue and superb cinematography - yellow and pale blue from the vast wheat fields and open sky. A Jihad For Love was the last show screened for the TIFF'07 season. There was a high demand for the show so me and my sister had to queue in the rush line while Wil made it in first. While up front in line, a random man came up to us and asked us what film we were watching. When we said Jihad, he extended his hand and introduced himself as the director! It shocked us all, including two partners behind us who were also catching the same film. One of the characters of the film, who made it to Canada via asylum, was at hand with the director and producer. Literally meaning 'The Struggle for Love', the documentary centers on a few real characters and explores the taboo of homosexuality in Islam. It made me really appreciative of the same-sex policies Canada has, and how open and equal this country is.

ISC has become another home for me now. I have been spending massive amounts of time in the office or at home working on, first Orientation 2007, and second the Buddy Program. We had our first major Buddy event, the Mix & Mingle, last Friday. An unexpected turnout left us with little breathing space and scrimpy food servings. But we're moving forward with finalizing groups. How hilarious is it that all these while at UTSC I never meet any Singaporeans or Malaysians, but now just from BP alone, I have met 7 new people related to SingMa. On Wednesday, the ISC coordinators were unsuspecting victims in Melissa's sudden announcement of her departure in two weeks. No doubt we are happy for her, but this isn't what we were expecting when M said she needed to talk to us, especially after Bonnie's also-sudden move to greener pastures. Nevertheless, I wish her all the best and I'm sure she will be around for us to bug her.

School has NOT been fun. The commute to the campus from my new place is exhausting and dozing off ungracefully on the bus isn't something to be proud of. I've rushed out of the house running late, slept in small lectures where the profs stand close by, lost track of the topics covered by each course.. Many of them are similar; 2 of my courses have a major presentation and an essay (I wonder if I can use one to kill two beasts?), 2 of them are lab courses. Labs have been enjoyable for BGYC59. For the past two weeks we went out to the Rouge Valley near Toronto Zoo to survey very steep patches of forest: the type and size of trees, and their interactions with one another. I now view those thick trunks, varied bark patterns and leaf shapes differently.

Home is not fully done up yet though we are making it quite a habitat. Eversince school started, our attention to the aesthetic of the house has diminished. We're close to sealing the deal for a TV, and the internet is finally in place after a ridiculously long wait. Other pressing items are curtains and a microwave.

Work at Indigo is going on well. Sure, the long hours can be harsh on the soles of my feet, but time passes fast when I'm shelving or serving customers. I just got trained on cash as a backup for the second floor just in case it gets busy. Which should be soon, seeing how we're starting to gear towards Chrismas (and it's only September you say?!?). My home base is Fiction, but I've been rotating around sections to get an idea of how the whole store works. Also, I think I unknowingly interacted with Liv Tyler on Sunday. I knew I should know something when she was walking away from me, but it only came to me when I saw the latest picture of her in T.O. looking very familiar. She is gorgeous in person; flawless skin without any makeup.

Research Assistant with the Surface & Groundwater Ecology Research Group is now another volunteer position I hold. I know both researchers, Catherine (TA for BGYB52 last year, and this year's instructor for EESC04) and Jessica (TA for CHMA10/11 in my first year). There will be lab and field work involving analyzing the carbon concentration and transmission in aquatic ecosystems sorts. I cannot wait to start, though this is going to take up more time between classes.

I wish I could say I have the weekend to myself, but Saturdays and Sundays are work days now. It is about time I do some studying and begin my assignments. When, how and where, I don't have the slightest clue.

I've been Frosh'ed

2007-09-08T01:48:00.000-04:00

Where do we come from?
U-T-S-C
Where do we come from?
U-T-S-C
Where's that?
Scaaarrr-borough

I miss Frosh already.

Hooray hooray, you're my..

2007-08-26T16:18:00.000-04:00

Silver Lining, by Rilo Kiley.

Not quite, a summer for a job

2007-08-21T16:45:00.000-04:00

I ended my sophomore college year hopeful of finding a summer job to earn some bucks for allowance relief. Which was the reason why I did not enrol in any summer courses. It would have done me good, making use of these months slogging through probably my more hateful required courses: BGYB10 and BGYB11 (Cell & Molecular Bio; it can be remotely linked to Conservation Bio in ways I rather not elaborate on, but what's the point?) for the Fall and Winter semester, shortened into just a Summer semester.

Good news came a day earlier, and I nearly chose not to pick the phone up. I got offered and greedily accepted the position of Customer Experience Representative at Canada's largest bookstore. I had attended two rounds of interview, after a walk-in enquiry of whether Indigo Bookstores was hiring. Coincidentally, the person I approached was the Sales Manager and though he didn't give an assuring look while browsing my resume, he scheduled me for the group interview that very same day. The second interview was yesterday, one to one with the new Store Manager. Training is on Thursday; there is a 90-days probation period, pay is above the minimum wage, and there is a vest to wear at work. Most importantly, it is downstairs from where I live, not even a minute walk.

After spending the whole season hunting for one meant for it, I can gladly say that I am looking forward to my first day at a proper job.

Home is where the heart is

2007-08-20T23:34:00.000-04:00

We have set up our new residence at 33 Orchard View Boulevard, and are more or less settling in confortably. The basic essentials have been purchased, less a few others. Curtains and a dining table actually rank lower than a telly and microwave, the latter two contested by my brother as being essential. My sister quips, "Baking equipments."

It was definitely a nightmarish move on August 2nd; possibly the horror of a direct-to-DVD flick entitled "The Movers From Hell". Our initial movers appeared close to three hours after the scheduled time. We had them collect our loveseats first, and by the time they made it to Forest Manor Road, we were left with a time constrain and a bout of rage and disbelief. It was only right that we ordered them to just take the load to Orchard View and refuse to fork out the basal rate for such sloppy services. Besides, we planned to continue using them the next day. What ensued was a blur, but it went something like he refusing, I yelling, he yelling, more yelling, and I slamming the phone. A big mistake, as the image of the loveseats seared across my mind. I cowardly, or perhaps wisely, called him back and brushed it off as my flat phone battery. When I met face to face with the scruffy, lying, hooligan, there was the repetitive argument, where he even threatened to throw our loveseats on the road. I had to pay up in order for them to budge, and if not for the few short cents off from an hour's labour, I wouldn't have lost $15 more than I should have. He cheated me of my change. I was so drained to contend, an energy drink could have done me good then, that I let it go. He and his ragged minions did their half-assed job and I closed the door on them.

Scratch the 2nd, the move only occurred successfully (may I add, very peacefully and efficiently) a full 24-hours later. We spent the night at the new place, since we had earlier brought over our quilts. The next morning, my brother made some phone calls to Chinese movers, fumbled over his Mandarin, and within a few hours, a truck was parked at the loading bay of Forest Manor ready to rumble.

Since then, we have made many trips to furniture centres, hardware stores, home living shops, supermarts. Boxes have been unpacked, some hidden away from sight with the great space of storage areas we now possess. We have decided to forgo a house phone, rather invest into our cellphones. Our internet should be ready tomorrow, but all these while we have been tapping into this free, unknown source that has been providing us with speeds even my laptop of the older generation cannot handle (we reckon it comes from the office building across). Everyone is pleased, satisfied and appreciative.

We have found a house we now call home.

Buoyed NDP

2007-08-09T05:54:00.000-04:00

I have never been to a National Day Parade in my time in Singapore, not even the preview-trip for Primary 5-ers seeing how I started my Singaporean education late into 1999. My only options were watching it on the telly while physicially present back home, or through the laptop while away. The only reason I'm watching this year's is the daring venue: the parade on a giant floating platform among landmarks like the Esplanade and the city skyline, fireworks over the water, and the wind breeze at Marina Bay. Plus, there's always Kit Chan (speaking of, her Forbidden City musical may go on a world tour, and if successfully lands in Toronto, me and my sis are interested). I dislike the shameless advertorial plugs, overly sentimental propaganda, and screechy redundant emcees.

More to come on my house moving. I should turn my attention to the wonderful innovation of live webcast flash player now.

Moving Day

2007-08-02T11:39:00.000-04:00

The big move is to occur in a couple of hours. The movers will be picking up our two loveseats at 4pm, before making their way here. By nightfall, it should be furniture arranging, boxes unpacking, and joyous celebrating at our new address.

From Thursday evening onwards, we will be internet-less since none of us bothered getting it fixed. We may try stealing signals or going to a cafe nearby. So, a final post from 80 Forest Manor Road. After two and a half years here since my life-in-Toronto whirlwind, it's time for a change with both siblings.

See you at 33 Orchard View Boulevard!

Hallow end to HP

2007-07-31T23:37:00.000-04:00

Like I said, lines spun into paragraphs and into chapters. I read 11 chapters each day over the weekends, 8 on Monday, and the remaining 6 plus the final epilogue today. I could not resist putting the book away; besides always stopping at the wrong chapters, chapters before an exciting story event, whoever flips the pages are bound to be enchanted by a Book-Binding Curse. There were highs and lows in The Deathly Hallows. The ending wasn't what I had in mind, but probably all for the better. If done properly, the movie could be very visually engaging, and potentially be the best in the series, as with the book.

The heat is here. Even the soles of my feet were uncomfortable with prickling warmth. Bear, 2 days more to our own air-conditioned apartment!

Deathly Potter magic

2007-07-28T16:01:00.000-04:00

This does not include spoilers regarding the seventh, and possibly final, book of Harry Potter, his friends and adventures, nor do I need any. A copy of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is in hands. Literally fresh out of the box from the Chapters bookstore right next to the Scotiabank Theatre where we caught The Order of The Phoenix in 3D IMAX.

Dinner at Milestone's with my sister and Marina hours before the 22nd-hour movie was eventful. Great food, and we were constantly asked about our dining experience. It's not uncommon to be asked that, but it felt like there was pressure to enjoy, agree and leave quickly to make way for the people waiting in line for a table.

Strawberry Lemonade

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Mexican Corvina Sea Bass for me

Marina with her Prime Rib

Ali with her dessert
After the meal, we spent the remaining hours at Chapters, browsing books, listening to music, and even snoozing (that would be Ali). I discovered many good reads for future pastimes, but for now, The Deathly Hallows has to be the one and only choice.

My brother joined us for the movie. We were handed 3D viewing glasses upon our entry, and being up front in the line, we scooped prime seats. Before the movie, there was a light display for the IMAX presentation where they boasted about the large screen and impressive surround sound system. Then an announcement came on for instructions on when to put on the visors: 3 flashing green glasses appear at the bottom of the screen, and when red substitutes flash, it's time to get them off.

The HP movies gets darker and more adult-oriented each time, and I appreciate them for being so and recognizing how the audience has grown together with the series. Probably the better of the lot, but I disliked, and am sure Potter-fanatics will stand with me on this, how they altered (cough, not Cho-Veritaserum-betrayal) and left out important plot points. Otherwise, they succeeded in bringing out Harry's isolation, and acting-wise, the main trio have improved. Luna 'Loony' Lovegood and Dolores Umbridge were perfecto in their parts. And the Department of Mysteries fight-scene in 3D? Awesome!

Ah, I'm so torn between diving straight into HP7 now, since my concentration should be on packing for our house-moving on August 2nd. The current tenants just moved out yesterday, so we hope to get the key, record some dimensions, and hopefully move small items in before the big Thursday move. There is 1) more packing to do, 2) scheduling the movers on Monday after Judy, whom we bought 2 second-hand loveseats from, confirms Thursday's plans with us, 3) and still a whole lot of packing if I've failed to mention. The move is exciting, the process towards it just isn't.

Likely, a few lines, which may unsurprisingly lengthen into paragraphs and chapters, of magic before bed. And before I become aware of it, I will know how Harry Potter ends.

Please, not by you.

Hyper-Travis-lation: Trois

2007-07-21T21:43:00.000-04:00

Seriously, what an awesome show Travis put up? My throat is sore from the screaming and 'singing', my feet are sore from the pogo-ing, my arms are sore from throwing them up in the air. They tore the Haus down!

When me and Marina arrived at Kool Haus around 6pm, there were aleady people in line. I guess you could say we were the early birds, as we ended up standing about 3 rows from the centre stage. The crowd kept growing behind us, and we tried to stand our ground and not be pushed away. Our only obstacle was an obnoxious girl next to us, who got drunk and wanted to party hard. She was screaming, shovelling, grinding into a taken man, spilling beer everywhere, and most ridiculously, smoking in the crowded venue. Her friend did nothing to control her. Getting off to such a rough start wasn't exactly what we had in mind, but the pest soon wriggled away from us thanks to Travis.

After the opening act, Strata, performed, 2 hours had gone by since our entry. The lights dimmed, spotlights circled above us. People started to turn their heads to the back and the lights focused into the crowd. Cheers erupted. The wait was over. The boys emerged dressed in boxing robes and the crowd parted for their entrance. All four were in arms length from where I stood, I felt dizzy already!

There was a mix of old and new songs, with Fran Healy on vocals and guitar, Douglas 'Dougie' Payne and Andy Dunlop on guitars, Neil Primrose with the drums and Swede touring pianist, Claus Bjorklund. Everyone was singing along to the tunes word for word. The boys were very interactive with the crowd. They got us to welcome Claus by shouting his name repeatedly while pointing at him, so to pressurize him into doing his best. I was hoping they did Big Chair and One Night, but one can't always ask for all..

Fran told us backstories for some songs, like how My Eyes was written for his child. When security was going around cracking down on people recording the performances - guilty as charged here - Fran came to we video-camers' aid and encouraged us to take as many pictures and videos we like, jokingly adding how more Live DVDs are long overdue and that we should upload our videos on YouTube and MySpace. They also got us to wave and make noise at a lappie perched atop a speaker, as it had been recording us come and go, and hopefully it will be up on Travis' MySpace.

While performing All I Want To Do Is Rock, Andy leaped over the barrier and charged into the crowd to where I was standing. He continued to rock the guitar on the floor in front of my very eyes, and shaked Marina's hand! It was crazy.. After the solo encore of 20, Fran was joined by the band for a Flowers In The Window singalong. At one point, he lifted his hands, and Dougie strummed while Andy took care of the other end of Fran's guitar.

As the final performance of the night rained on us, Fran urged us to 'pogo' (jumping up, down, up, down..) to the final chorus of Why Does It Always Rain On Me? I pogo-ed so hard that even though my legs felt like they were going to give way, I kept pushing myself and throwing my arms in the air. I did not care who I was bumping into as I landed on my feet each time, and we just went on till the last tune sounded and we were left breathless.

I would have posted this sooner, had it not been for the difficult picture/video-choosing decision. The night's setlist is captioned with the pictures..

Travis imprint

Opening act: Strata

Spotlights overhead

Fran and Dougie

Dougie and Neil

Fran, Dougie, Neil and Andy

Hey Selfish Jean

Eyes Wide Open in the darkness

Interval after Writing To Reach You

Love Will Come Through

Travis breaks and discusses

As You Are

Ya ya yay, ya ya yay, you got My Eyes

Pipe Dreams

Fran ties his shoelaces like we do

This Line Is Fine

The grass is always greener on the other Side

Drum stunt with Driftwood

I have a Good Feeling, followed by Closer

Sing to the Battleship

Andy says: All I Wanna Do Is Rock

And so he does

Power to Turn

Flying solo with 20

Flowers In The Window, it's such a lovely day

Dougie guitaring on Humpty Dumpty Love Song

Fran mimicking the violin start to Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

Goodbye boys!
And for the videos.. Finally settled on a few that have slightly scrapped by recording my awfully out of tune and cracking voice on tape. I thought my voice blended in with the crowd's.. Apparently not. My camera somehow managed to pick that up.

Closer

Sing (credit to Marina)

20 and an introduction to Claus (credit to Marina)

Flowers In The Window and Fran's freehands

Why Does It Always Rain On Me? and sadly cuts off as I was doing the pogo!
Seriously, what a blast! I enjoyed it so much, even more so than Mr Rice's, sadly for him. The merchandise store was flooded with people, and despite the shortage of sizes, I got an XL Selfish Jean t-shirt, the very same design Fran was wearing, to serve as a token of reminder of the fabulous time I had. Because I heart them so, I'm spreading the Travis-love around. Do give them a listen if you haven't.

They may have taken the backseat for a while, but Travis proves that they still have the soul, energy and commitment of the band that founded the sounds of Brit alternative-rock. If they ever come to town again, and they better do, consider myself present.

Hyper-Travis-lation: Deux

2007-07-20T00:19:00.000-04:00

Travis

is

fucking

fantastic!

Hyper-Travis-lation: Un

2007-07-19T13:52:00.000-04:00

Travis @ Kool Haus in 5 hours time!

And I cannot contain myself. I am more eager now than I was for Mr Rice. Travis is at the top for the 'My Most Favourite Music' list. Meeting with Marina at Union Station at 5.30pm, grab a bite, then make our way to the venue. We hope to be there early to get good standing positions, if not front row. To past the remaining time, I am getting myself better attuned with the melody and lyrics of Travis' songs.

transformers

2007-07-15T18:25:00.000-04:00

I can never look at automobiles the same way again, without expecting them to undergo some major transformation into some extra-terrestrial robots. Transformers proved to be an enjoyable ride. This late-last-night movie was planned the day before. Harry Potter was definitely a no-go, besides we prefer the IMAX experience for it. I was worried Trans would be the 'HP5-overflow choice', but the theatre was relatively pro-formers, responsive to the movie with claps and laughters, and not bitter about being there. Everyone must have somehow made it to see Harry & Co.

I was very much looking forward to Frosh 2007, but the two straight days of brutal training have put a damper to it, for now. I was introduced to the possible ugly side of such large-scale University orientations. It can be intimidating, since UofT's orientation involves the three campuses and the rivalries will tag along. But it will never be Frosh without fun and madness. It runs from September 4th-7th. I'm going to be dead beat when school begins on the 10th. We GLs bear heavy responsibilities: In our hands lie the experience and well-being of our Froshies!

07/08 course lineup

2007-07-12T11:23:00.000-04:00

Sweet, I got into all my courses. A 9-courseload school year, I can handle it.. Right?

Fall 2007
BGYB10 Cell Biology
BGYC58 Consequences of Global Change
BGYC59 Advanced Population Ecology
BGYC61 Community Ecology and Environmental Biology
EESC04 Biodiversity and Biogeography

Winter 2008
BGYB11 Molecular Aspects of Cellular and Genetic Processes
BGYC54 Animal Behaviour
EESB03 Principles of Climatology
IDSB02 International Development Studies: Development and Environment

After undertaking only 3 courses last semester, I'm having a hard time imagining for I will be able to adjust back to the 4, 5 courses per semester workload.

live, earth

2007-07-07T12:00:00.000-04:00

With Live Earth happening right now, it adds larger significance to 07-07-07. Many concerts held over the globe, that seemingly always never in TO or SG, but always in those few- Tokyo, New York, London. I get it, they are major cities in time zones clashing with my choice, and have heavier music influences.

(+): Politicians and performers involved raise profile of situation and awareness to the cause; The stages and props all make use of recyclable items; Carbon emissions from event offset from replanting trees and introducing new green technology and items; Music brings people together and likely will impact the world.
(-): Slight hypocrisy detected when suddenly everyone talks how they practice this and that; How many people at the concerts and at home tuning in is clearly getting the event's message?; Will this 'interest' last and lead to concrete actions?

Overall, pluses shadow minuses. Give it a chance to change the minds of Earthlings. Back to the 28-hours broadcast on CTV. I tried to keep up with the marathon, but gave way to slumber halfway through Sydney. London is on now, NYC to follow. I enjoyed all the acts so far, and the clips promoting the cause were entertaining and informative.

ANSWER THE CALL.

missed-mexx

2007-07-04T23:32:00.000-04:00

The phonecall for me yesterday caught me off guard. I scored a job interview for Mexx Canada (similar to G2000), who is hiring via Service Canada, in the position of Fashion Consultant. I don't know what impulse of my body led me to apply, but I did and it felt good getting a callback.

I was running to my destination, all nicely dressed up in black as requested, on desperation this morning; desperate to get the job, desperate to find the building. I was pleasantly told I was early and arrived first among those in the same interview time. 3 candidates to 3 interviewers. Straight-forward, usual questions that could have been memorized from practices ("What is teamwork and customer service to you?" "Tell me about yourself") were posed to us, together with this quirky one. "If you can be a kitchen appliance, what would it be?" My choice: A frying pan, since it plays a part in many dishes from the appetizers to entrees. Group interviews are misunderstood. They can be intimidating if there is that one person who outshines every other, either by constant chatter and charm or just by pure abilities. But the 'in your face' tension or awkward silences are the least of worries. Plus, it's always nice to hear what others have to say.

But so long to the 9am-6pm training session scheduled for tomorrow, so long to the 3 days of hard work next week to set up the new store at Queen St W and Spadina, so long to the hours working, pay and employee benefits, so long to the title of Fashion Consultant. I did not get a call this evening.

canada's fireworks

2007-07-02T22:31:00.000-04:00

Another Canada Day gone by. This year's turned out to be quite an experience.

My sister's first July 1st signified the need to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display. As per my memory, Ontario Place's fireworks were grand, being shot out from ships anchored out in Lake Ontario. The lake breeze and glittery sparks served against the dark night made up for a wondrous light display. A fateful Japanese dinner resulted in excruciating stomach cramps for both of us. And the nearest toilet was kept away by entrance fees; $13 a person for the washroom and a place by the lakeside for the view. We refused, nearly caving in, opting instead to search for another on the parking grounds much to no avail after much walking.

Frowning for the cold and the missing washroom.
All ended on a good note. We found solace further inland and came across elevated parade seats to enjoy the fireworks from afar that turned out to be over before we knew it. We saved $30 from being stubborn. I will likely never return for fireworks.

Future Miss Canada presents the now night-lighted CN Tower.

My best impression of the evil Professor Snape.

lease

2007-06-30T18:33:00.000-04:00

Signing the lease, some fancy name for an importantly wordy document, has officially made us tenants in name for apartment unit #7-07. So it's a few floors lower than the 11th floor unit that we originally wanted and the view is not as desirable, but it has nearly the exact same layout and size, and we get a renovated kitchen for the same monthly rental. There has been no final word on when the current tenant is moving out, but by August we should very likely be settling down.

I jumped from 13th on the waitlist to admission unexpectedly but all the better for me. Though I can't seem to get out of 7th spot for the other. My big hoopla about being denied enrolment to the last course turned out to be another of my stupid oversight. That course is tagged with an 'enrolment control' label, meaning students of a particular program are given first dibs on enrolment until July 12th when they open the course to the mass student population. Praise the Registrar's busy phonelines, elseways I would have blushed with dumb embarrassment over the phone.

There is much to do till the eighth month, like packing, cleaning up, scheduling movers, and shopping for new household items which undoubtedly has to be the best part. But creating a new blog layout is not one of them as in a spur of the moment, I have completed it. I've been pinching myself from prematurely unveiling it.

entangled course enrolment

2007-06-26T16:22:00.000-04:00

My course enrolment for the Fall 2007 / Winter 2008 turns into a whole mess. I thought I had it figured out with my careful planning of the courses I am to take till I graduate. Control freak, but that is the only way to prevent missing required courses and hopefully skip the headaches of conflicting timetables. Still, out of the 9 courses I planned to take, I am on the waitlist for two courses (7th on one, 14th on the other), and cannot even select to enrol for another as it says 'You do not fit in any enrolment category'. Bullshit! It is a recommended course for my program!

I'm going to give the Registrar Office a call tomorrow and hopefully iron things out.

lost in translation

2007-06-25T01:28:00.000-04:00

After just watching Lost In Translation, I have a newfound respect for Scarlett Johansson as an actress. The movie was simple, yet fresh in the writing and directing. The open-ended conclusion may not necessarily be a bad thing as setting it in film condemns the other end. It's a contemporary picture that may not be the liking to all, with the slow pace and quite stereotypical depicturing of Japanese for that matter which I found irksome initially, but then left it as a side note due to how it was portrayed only to show the vast culture differences. I can now definitely see why critics were divided with Sofia Coppola's follow-up feature to it, Marie Antoinette, which I really enjoyed, since jumping to a larger film comes greater expectations.

On the sides.. A) Pride Parade was yesterday. This year's theme is 'Unstoppable'. Same stuff; humongous crowd, some floats were reused, new floats weren't as vibrant and not many freebies this time round. B) I got a haircut. C) I caught two movies at a theatre in a week. Paprika, a very spontaneous decision led me and my siblings to walk in and pick this out of the many offerings, and it was a nice surprise with a fantastic story, visuals and soundtrack. Knocked Up, hilarious at some parts, and a total in-your-face moment that shocked everyone (a guy actually let aloud an "Oh God!"). D) I am still very bitter over my current unemployed status, but not giving up. E) Great news to come once it is finalized!

I have never done something like this before, but this instrumental piece from the Paprika soundtrack is just too captivating to let off.

two stabs

2007-06-14T23:40:00.000-04:00

Two bad pieces of news in a day?!? Oh, the devastation is too hard to bear!

First stab in the heart: It was supposed to be a happy post announcing the great news of us renting a nice apartment of our own. But the apartment unit that we were so close in renting was snatched away from us. Long story short, partly my oversight, but more due to the brainless lady who is oh-so keen in doing her job, and hurriedly rented it out despite our constant voice of confirmation. Thanks for the disappointment.

Second stab in the heart: Miss Independent has cancelled her My December Tour, which means August 2nd is not going to involve rocking out at the ACC to Kelly's tunes. Her new album leaked, and I do enjoy it despite all the hating from the online world. Then there was also the whole Kelly versus execs/label fiasco.

Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars is now singing "cause you had a bad day.."

me and the isc office's computer

2007-06-13T13:22:00.001-04:00

With only periodic visitors to the ISC office, I've been spending most of my volunteer shift just Wiki'ing on the Harry Potter franchise. The ISC head is away for the week, so she got us to come in and help with office hours. Here till 3pm, then off I go.

I've read the fifth and sixth book of HP in a span of a week or two, and with movie number five coming out, my interest has spiked tremendously. I teared up when I read the part where one of the characters dies in Book 6, even though I've been previously spoiled. I think Potter will end up six feet under too.

sing, travis

2007-06-03T22:18:00.000-04:00

Guess who's going to see Travis at Kool Haus on July 19? Me! And either Marina or Sumaya. Sweet post repetition, but worthy. It's a standing concert, so I'm going to try to be there early to get in front. 'The Boy With No Name' is one of my most favourite album, and with their other singles, it surely will be explosive. My ticket is in hand, thanks to Marina who got them at Rotate This, which I got to know of from Sumaya. So both of them should go catch Travis in action too.

And I forgot to add that the opening act for Miss Clarkson is Mat Kearney. So it's practically two awesome concerts rolled into one!

Reality check: I've been spending but not been earning despite wanting to.

go, kelly

2007-06-02T23:37:00.000-04:00

Guess who's going to see Kelly Clarkson at the Air Canada Centre on August 2nd? Me! And my sister too. We got the cheapest seats, but heck it's Kelly. Can't wait for her new album. Thanks Ju for your help with the tickets.

There was a second Ready Set Go! event today. I got assigned for ushering at the Management session and carpark duty in the later half of the afternoon. I can just say, I'd so much more fun the first time round in the company of friends..

fall missy

2007-05-28T23:32:00.000-04:00

As much as I wanted Korea to win, her vapid answer about having a wallet full of money made her sink like the Titanic. For a moment, it was LOL-worthy, the bum-fall of USA. But then it turned into pity as those horrible Mexicans started booing her, partly due to her making it into the Top 5 and their representative's inability to do so. A nice mix of politics and jealousy tonight.. And so, Japan wins the Miss Universe '07 title! This still doesn't make up for last year's first runner-up Japan contestant who rightfully should have been Missy '06, though I like how Asians are taking over!

Anyhoo, I'm back to watching Season 6 of Scrubs! I applied to 2 jobs today, so crossing my fingers. I also think it's time for a facelift here.

v-mars

2007-05-22T13:01:00.000-04:00

Fuck CW for cancelling Veronica Mars. I hope the network fails miserably and burns in flames for getting rid of such witty television that is missing in modern television. Tonight's the season/series finale filled with heavy sadness, and also angry contempt.

I'll always love you V!

b-greeting

2007-05-21T12:53:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Mun! Your first one in Toronto.

damien rice @ massey hall

2007-05-20T17:32:00.000-04:00

People started cheering and clapping, but I did not see even the slightest shadow of Damien Rice. Understandable, seeing how my seat was the last row of the top-most floor. I resorted to standing for most of the concert. But then, there was no mistake, Damien Rice's haunting voice in the tune of '9 Crimes' opens the show.

Backdrop lightings and candles were used to illuminate and add a certain touch to the concert. But it was the melodies of the instruments of guitar, piano, cello and drums, and the clear, intense yet subtle sound of Rice that brought the performance together. Who needs over-the-top dancing and infinite costume changes?

We were on our feet, continuously cheering for more after Rice & Co. bade farewell. They eventually returned and performed the remaining half of the concert, as though it was planned for us to cheer for them to re-emerge. I was glad he did because he finally sang songs which I've been waiting for like 'Cannonball' and 'The Blower's Daughter'. A dedication to Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi was made as clips of her were played in the background. I really liked it, so watch the video.

Too bad Lisa Hannigan isn't with the band, but Vyvienne Long made up for it just fine. The crowd was spontaneous; we laughed along with the jokes, and responded to Damien's narration of the back-stories and thoughts that went into the birth of the songs performed. Girls, and even a guy, were shouting "I love you Damien", "I love you more Damien", "I love you the most Damien", and others like "Welcome back" and "Toronto loves you". Indeed, we do.

The pictures are either blur or tiny; I haven't a clue how to take proper pictures in dark indoors. I recorded a few videos too, after being initially stopped by an attendant. I had to carry out the illegal act out of sight by lowering the weapon of betrayal, as I just had to take down a live performance of Damien Rice even though it was discouraged. The media may be misleading; the point of view from my eyes where I sat/stood presented a clearer vision of the stage than the point of view from the camera's lens. And pardon the heavy video pixelation. I'm obviously not camera savvy.

Front stage.

Audience.

Angela, the initiator of this Damien Rice concert get-together.

And he appears on piano with '9 Crimes'!

Purple lights.

Intricate pillar design with Damien silhouette.

White lights.

Yellow lights.

Red lights.

Damien on guitar.

Vyvienne with cello.

Blue silhouette.

'Amie' come sit on my wall..

Float like a 'Cannonball'.

Unidentified song with a French ending, but he performed this at Coachella too.

Finale: 'The Blower's Daughter'.
It was a raw, intimate, laid-back, cursing-ridden evening. He promised to be back in September, and maybe I'll be there to see him again.

sounds: II

2007-05-15T13:41:00.000-04:00

As a follow-up to the post I made back in January 19, these are the albums on my jukebox playlist. Some of them aren't new, but nevertheless still music I enjoy.

Damien Rice - O

Damien Rice - 9

Feist - The Reminder

Kings Of Convenience - Quiet Is The New Loud

Kings Of Convenience - Riot On An Empty Street

Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion

Patrick Watson - Close To Paradise

Travis - The Boy With No Name
Travis' The Boy With No Name has become one of my most favourite album of all time. I love the sound of Damien Rice, and the albums are at the top of my playlist so that I can get better acquainted with his songs when I attend his concert this Friday! It's at Massey Hall and I'm sure it's going to be fantastic. I got chills just from watching him through the computer live stream from Coachella, so imagine a live concert! To get into the mood, watch the VIDEO of '9 Crimes', which is pretty strange..

phantom of the opera

2007-05-13T17:37:00.000-04:00

The experience of putting up a class performance of Phantom Of The Opera, and seeing a North American tour performance of Phantom of the Opera, are light years apart. I found that out on Thursday.

My first contact with POTO was when Secondary 4 classes had the annual ritual of putting up performances for the interclass Drama competition. Somehow, we decided on POTO, and 'localization' of the play made it quite different. The process of rehearsals and preparations were fun though.

Perhaps it was because I watched the movie first, but it was hard for me to break out of the 'Christine must look like Emmy Rossum' mentality. The characters were reflective to the movie, or rather the other way round, seeing how the movie was based on the stage play. Also, the audience at POTO weren't as responsive in terms for the clapping, cheering and standing ovation. They had to warm up abit as the minor cast came out before going full out for the main characters, whereas everyone was on their feet for the first ending bow of Wicked!

The set, costumes, singing and effects.. So intricate, yet grand and elaborate. Sparks and fire blazes were used periodically and without notice. It made me jerk from my seat, made me shut my eyes tight from the sudden flash, and definitely made me pay more attention right after.

Princess of Wales Theatre in the evening.

The grand entrance.

Me and my sister's first theatrical outing to POTO!

Finally entering the theatre hall after checkpoints.

Secretly taking pictures from our seats as it's a copyright violation.

Box seats, but out seats still rock.

Self-shot.

After the play..

People rushing out.

We were on the first level, the Orchestra.

Paraphernalia: a POTO poster, and a t-shirt for my sister saying 'Prima Dona'.

Pamphlets: for POTO and the upcoming Dirty Dancing.

Gratitude to the person who got us tickets.

We just couldn't resist taking a picture with more POTO-related items.

Trying to steal the Phantom's rose.

Princess of Wales Theatre in the night.

It was a great night. Me and my sister were all dressed up, and soaked up all the theatrical ambience of Phantom Of The Opera at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

spidey spidey spidey

2007-05-08T22:43:00.000-04:00

The IMAX experience with Spiderman 3. A humongous screen in a theatre filled with a superhero-trilogy-hungry audience, as intimidating that may sound, is in fact intimidating. It doesn't help walking in when the front credits are rolling, and the stairs are creaking, and all I want to do is just get to my seat after passing through half a row of people, probably staring and fuming mad at me.

I was slightly underwhelmed by the supposedly funny moments of the film, but it came across as tacky. 'Emo Spidey'? Tap dancing? Simple explosion to end of a villain? Do not register. Good points, fighting against the internal evilness, fighting against the external evilness, fighting against the love conflicts. Gwen Stacy could have had a better story, but I'm Mary-Jane all the way. Venom was scary, and Spidey's appetite obviously got the better of his form.

Redemption, the theme song used for the final credits. Creative music video too, not the usual "Insert movie clips here" videos..

Spiderman 3 down, and many more summer movies to come (i.e. HP5, Stardust, The Simpsons, Shrek 3, POTC3, Evening, and maybe Fantastic Four 2 and Transformers).

set an ice cap ready to go

2007-05-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

The one day when I actually wanted, and needed, a Timmie's Ice Cap, the machine breaks down.. I have this conspiracy theory that they aren't selling it since everyone has the $2-off coupon from the Ready Set Go! event, and it being summertime, would make the demand high.

It was a funny feeling; being in both the position of authority over the prospective freshmen, and also expressing self to the mass crowd. We covered ushering, crowd control, and campus tours. My group started with 15 people, and at the end of it, I had 7 people with me. I really have no idea where half the group disappeared to. Perhaps I was extremely boring and uninformative.

I got free food, a nice UofT shirt extremely different from the past ones I got, and hung out with awesome volunteers. The downside is I feel dehydrated now from all the talking. Even worse for those with car-parking duty.

retail desperado

2007-05-02T16:42:00.000-04:00

Ugh, I need to find a job, a retail one preferrably. I really wonder how I'm so desperate to work, yet be so picky. Also, with the change of season, I need some retail therapy..

My face is going to be in the Viewbook 2008. Hilarious, 3 people turned up and the rest will be photoshopped in to stand behind us. Popularity, here I come!

summer freedom

2007-04-28T13:48:00.000-04:00

I now have more time on hand to blog because my exams are over! I'm done with my second year of studies at UTSC. The two exams I had were disastrous to say the least. But I felt relief coming out of the last one yesterday.

Hhmm, what should I do with my months of summer freedom? I have and want to get a job, probably a retail one (so I can cash in on the goodies known as employee discounts!). Volunteer activities maybe? I know the ISC has the annual Orientation, and I want to be a part of that in the organization and publicity aspect. It will be like the old days of Student Council.. Can't think of anything else, only as they come by. But surely fun and relaxation!

Last Saturday we had a group dinner served with Bak-kut-teh. I miss the local food back home! Anyway, I was forced to go throw the garbage and Kaleng went with me. Once I opened the door, I was neatly surprised with a birthday cake with candles and people holding cameras. A birthday song after, we dug in to our Mango Moosecake, which was the cake we had on my first birthday here in Toronto (second birthday was forgettable since exams are always at that time of the year). Thanks all!

Melissa, got your card. Your handwriting still inspires me to write better! LOL. Thank you, for keeping in touch in these years (even my so-called friends don't stand up to your level). Also, Monyet-Leng and Marina got me the "Guitar for Dummies" book and had little messages: "May this book stop you from torturing my ears" and "This is to help you rock out the last of your teen years!" Mel's and the duo's messages made me realize, this indeed is my final TEEN year. Depressing ya?!? Oh well, everything will turn out fine. My aim is to age gracefully..

Travis has a new album coming out! THeir first single is Closer. It was leaked on the web and I guiltily got a copy of it. But this has to be their best album yet. I need them to come to Toronto for a concert, yes Kaleng?

PS I'm going to be FAMOUS! An over-exaggeration, but my photo will be taken on Monday to be part of the UTSC Viewbook 2008 for international students. I must insist that they put "From Malaysia/Singapore". Monday is also the training day for volunteer guides for the Ready-Set-Go event next Saturday for new incoming students.

three-ness

2007-04-21T12:05:00.000-04:00

My Mum got on a HK-bound flight last night after 3 weeks with us. Now, 3 people share this lovely room: me, my brother and my sister. Small, but it works out fine. No more sight-seeing, no more feasting. The 'holiday' period is over, and now begins the lives of international students. Further updates:

1) My BGYB51 exam on Wednesday wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was surprisingly straight forward. Crossing my fingers for this, and the other two exams to come. One of the 23rd, and the other on the 27th. I'm really worried for STAB27. Better get to the studying right after this.

2) Warm weekend! I was on the streets yesterday, and everyone was in spring clothes; shorts, tees, singlets, flip-flops.. Crazy, I even saw this white guy with red sunburns already! Hold it, we're going down again.

3) This is old news, but Toronto Maple Leafs are NOT in the playoffs. They missed it by a point. Oh well, there's always next season (aka losers' mentality).

Pictures hopefully to come. My prayers go out to the victims of the VT shooting. On a lighter note, I'm turning another year older on a day that fate, or rather my school's stupid exam-dates setters, had an exam coincide with.. Bless the blogger!

who's the fool?

2007-04-01T18:07:00.000-04:00

I've come to terms with my ability to exist without this blog. Thus, I'm sad to announce that I'm shutting it down for good..

----------
Or not. I'm just back from the weeks-long hiatus. Without blogging, I do think I got some extra time to spare. But as per Melissa's request, I have to give some updates, no? So Mel this post is dedicated to you and all the awesome-ness that you always send to me from across the globe!

1) Today was the last day of the Bell promoter job. Hoorah! Was getting seriously sick of the job. I didn't want to continue, and also I think they didn't want to keep me since I wasn't really productive. But I felt proud of myself for scoring 2 sign-ups yesterday on my own, one after the other. One reason I hated the job was the people. I try to put on a bright, friendly face, but some people, both customers and Future Shop reps are rude. Plus, the reps hover around me when they think I'm about to close a deal since they get commission. When they get their own customers interested in high speed internet, they promote Rogers instead. Ingratitude fools! But at least I got some Canadian work experience now. I've just applied to a few job postings at the UofT Libraries downtown. Better pay, and minus the stressful, unfriendly environment. Oh, I got my first pay cheque. Ka-ching!

2) Spring is finally here. We got some really warm days, but recently it has been raining and windy. Didn't take advantage of the warm days, but I did do some random fun stuff. Caught a few movies like The Namesake (preview screening), and Reno 911, finished up my SCSU Spring Elections Polling Clerk duty and stupidly missed a free 'thank-you lunch'. I also whipped out the dusty guitar and am trying to self-teach myself, like how many great musicians do. But dang, how do they do that?

3) The Toronto Maple Leafs are still sitting out of the playoff picture. Currently at 9th position, and just 1 point out of the final playoff spot. I felt sick to my stomach during last night's game with Pittsburgh. I was turned on the TV for the last 10 minute of the game and saw Toronto leading 4-2. In the last 4 seconds in regulation, Pittsburgh scored the tying goal, forcing OT. Madness. I felt like a jinxed the game. I switched off the TV, but was forced by my housemate to watch the OT, assuring her presence would be a good thing. When the screen came on, Toronto scored the winning goal! And side news, after that tying goal with, I repeat, 4 seconds left to play, someone in the crowd had a heart-attack. No April Fool's joke. Someone literally passed out from the shock. He is reportedly fine now.

4) My Final exams are coming. Quite a good schedule: BGYB51 on April 18th, STAB22 on April 23rd (NOT GOOD; Ahem, someone's birthday), and BGYB31 on April 27th. Been trying to study, but read Point #5.

5) Most importantly, my mum and sister are arriving in Toronto tomorrow night! Mum will be here for 3 weeks, sis for studies. So I've been busy trying to clean up the room, and apartment, to make room for my sister's stuff. Long way to go, so I've to make full use of tonight and tomorrow morning. Plus, my brother is not helping by leaving his clothes everywhere. Pros of arrival: Mum can help cook and lighten housework burden. Cons of arrival: Time spent bringing them around Toronto equals time lost on studying. Though it's not like I would be actively studying..

----------
Plus new song. My favourite KOC song, and a charming video to complement it..

don't shoot the absentee

2007-03-07T10:40:00.000-05:00

I've had the intention of blogging sooner, but somehow it slipped my mind. When I started blabbing in this blog, I did think of the day when I would forget about it, and eventually stop this probably teen-activity of recounting really mundane events of my life. Not to say blogging isn't for mature adults, but the younger me did think that way.

I have no intention of giving up on this weblog, yet. But this should be the period of my life where I'm no longer tied so closely to this blog to make daily updates. I do think of blogging some random stuff when it happens, but when I return home, all is forgotten, and forgiven for forgetting. So I'm going to forgive myself for being absent for now, till something really worth mentioning comes up and provided I commit to taking action in typing it in. With this, some updates:

1) My Midterms are over, perhaps explains why I'm in no mood to do anything else but laze around and rekindle my yearning to watch J-dramas, which I'm gladly doing.

2) Hell freezed over Monday night till now. With wind chill factored in, we got -30 degrees of loveliness. Fret not, because I think Spring is on its way!

3) Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling to make it to the playoffs of the NHL. Please, please do make it.. For? An additional distraction from my studies.

4) In less than a month's time, my sister will be joining us for life in T.O. She will be accompanied with our Mum, who will be here for about 3 weeks. It will be close to our Final exam period (mid-late April), so I wonder how we will be able to act as tour guides for sight-seeing. My Mum wants to go to Niagara Falls again, which sadly I have yet to visit, so this will be a good opportunity to. So, I have to whip out my books now, or regret it later which would likely be the case. At least my Mum can do the cooking and cleaning for us for a change (aka, a break for me!).

5) Something big is brewing, but is yet to be confirmed and acted upon. This will be a major milestone for me and my siblings living in Toronto.

Yes, the soon-to-be absentee's current situation summarized in 5 points..

storm alert

2007-03-01T21:37:00.000-05:00

Toronto experienced one of it's worst snow storm this year just now. It has died down a little as that weather system moves across Ontario, but we are expected to expect freezing rain and ice pellets falling to the ground overnight.

I went for my one hour lecture and was told that the tutorial that was supposed to be at 5-7pm was cancelled because of an impending weather alert. There was this ISC event that needed help with, so I stayed back to study. Later on in the evening, found out that the event was cancelled too, as was every other class on campus effective from 5pm. So for me, the school closure was quite pointless. It was crazy how the wind was blowing, and how snow was continuously dumped on us just now. As I made my way across the campus to the bus-stop, I literally had to plough through thick snow on the ground. Waiting for public transit in such weather was torture. A usually 45-minute journey, ended up to a 2-hour one.

My work shift last weekend was also torturous. I'd to stand for long shifts, approach people, act all enthusiastic and spout the same few lines over and over. Most were easy to talk to, but there was one who was straight out rude to me, yet I'd to smile and thank that son of a bitch. Richmond Hill's Futureshop was much more welcoming than Markham's. Yet, I've to head to Markham this Saturday, my only shift for this week! They pulled RH as it wasn't productive enough. If they assign me to anywhere else outside of Toronto after this week, I'm seriously considering quitting, despite the very attractive pay. My life/time/studies is more important. I've yet to make any sales yet, so perhaps they might fire me even before I quit.

Anyway, I'm quite thankful that I stayed back in school today as I was able to get information into my brain for tomorrow's Midterm. If only they call a Snow Day, or rather an Icy-Slippery-Road Day. I need the rest, as I always do..

bell promoter

2007-02-23T12:24:00.000-05:00

I found a part-time job, to start later on in the evening. It's with an agency that has a contract with Bell, Canada's top phone and internet service provider (Yes, it's Bell of Alexander Graham Bell, the telephone inventor). I'm supposed to travel to Futureshop stores and promote Bell High-Speed Internet to people, with the hope that they will register or switch from the competitor's (cough, Rogers) service. Good pay. Around $5 per hour more than what I earned from the SCSU Polling Clerk job.

I'm kind of overthinking the job as an intimidating one, since I've to go up to people and strike conversations. I personally hate sales staff asking questions like "How are you today?", etc.. So imagine my position. I surely will get over this, and can never let my supervisor know about this otherwise I would be fired before I even began. Besides, I've never really been to places far outside of the Toronto city by myself with public transit, and yet I've to make my way to Markham and Richmond Hill this weekend. I'm told they will relocate me to somewhere accessible by the TTC, but this week is training up north. Thankfully there's Jessica, who introduced me to the job, on the job tomorrow. I'll see how it goes. Apparently the job won't last long since the agency's contract with Bell expires in April or so.. But a job's a job, so it's cool.

I had dumplings with the ISC at school yeterday, though in a small quantity. Reading Week hasn't been productive for my reading, but I'll survive.

evergreen reachout

2007-02-21T23:02:00.000-05:00

Last semester I participated in U Serve 2006. So when a similar volunteer event, Reading Week Reach Out, was opened for registration, I did just that. I was placed in 'Environment' with Evergreen today, with the task of painting this room that would be used as their office at the under-revamp Don Valley Brickworks.

It wasn't easy to get there. Had to take the subway to Castle Frank station, then take a few minutes ride of cab. The Brickworks is an abandoned brickworks located at the Don Valley which is part of a restoration project. There are plans underway to trnasform the quarry and surrounding area into a public space with gardens and activities, all with an environmental-conscious approach..

Ended up, we didn't have to paint. Rather, we had to clean up the place. I suppose that had been the aim of Evergreen all along in getting us there, since 'cleaning' doesn't sound as appealing as 'painting'. But it was okay.. There was an additional activity at the end that allowed us to make our own notebooks out of scrap paper and cardboard boxes as the cover. Plus, we had a tour of the area..

Heading to the quarry. You can see the depth of the current fill, multiply that by two since, and you can gage how deep the quarry used to be. Replanting and the creation of a filter lake system with public-friendly walkays transformed it to...

The brickworks, with the remaining chimney, 'VALLEY', out of four. You can see the bridge network and frozen filter lakes in the foreground.

The group of volunteers.
We also entered this huge industrial building where it was dark but had sparse holes in the roofs letting in streams of light above, the ground was littered with bricks and debris, the walls were graffiti-covered, but yet was a building with high aesthetic value. I didn't have my camera with me then.. and it eventually ran out of battery. But yea, a cool Blair Witch Project-like area.

The whole masterplan is expected to be completed by 2010 or so with delays. I'll check it out then, since I'm hopeful I would still be here..

pigs rule this year

2007-02-18T15:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Year of the Pig!

My third CNY in Toronto. The Beautiful: the first one that falls during my Reading Week, and with most of my Midterms done. The Ugly: I've been sick since Thursday night. It started with late nights, which led to body shivers, and headaches, and a very bad bout of sneezing, and now the remnants of a cold and cough. And I had to brave the Torontonian winter weather to make my way to school on Friday, and Saturday, which no doubt made things worse when I arrived home. It was especially hard surviving these few days since I'd to study for yesterday's Midterm. Hard for me, and the people sitting around me during the exam since I was sniffling and coughing away.

And is this by coincidence that this is Post #666? Devilish.. Quick think of something auspicious to negate this thought. Erm, how about "lok lok lok" which is Cantonese for three sixes but also sounds like 'roll roll roll' for incoming wealth?!? Magnific!

PS Finally a reason to wear my new clothes!

monkey business

2007-02-13T23:36:00.000-05:00

Monkey soft toys - $50
Digital camera - $500
Monkey blowjob caught on camera - Priceless!

A snowstorm is brewing right outside now. There will be an expected 20-30cm of snow by the end of Wednesday, or so I heard. Kind of cool as I haven't seen so much snow since 2 years ago. The last winter was quite a mild one, and so was the start of this one. I want a Snow Day to be called because I need time to take a break from school and study for the coming Saturday's Midterm. But my friend has the textbook that she will pass it to me tomorrow.

I'm starting my part-time Polling Clerk job tomorrow. A total of 4 hours of duty this week (10-12pm for tomorrow, and 2-4pm on Thursday). Not as much as I expected, but I hear salary rolling in. Besides, if a Snow Day is called, I still get paid.

PS Happy V-day to all. Applies to singles too.

somewhere else

2007-02-08T16:24:00.000-05:00

A week went by without me hearing from the SCSU about the training and schedule for the Polling Clerk position. Then, out of the blues, I got a call. Unfortunately for me, French-wannabe Karleng picked that up and started with a "Bonjour!". This reminds me of how my dad loves to joke with my mum and begin a phone conversation with "Mushi-mushi". Freaky. I now feel embarassed to face that guy. Fortunately for me, I got reassurance that this part-time job wasn't something I imagined. So the 'orientation' where we have to sign the contract, get our schedules, and have a little training session, is set for tomorrow, early in the morning at 9-10am. I haven't had to wake up so early to go to school since a year ago.

The information booth for the ISC Montreal Trip was set up early this week. The boards weren't really what I hoped it would turn out, but whatever. Judging from the 2 days that I stood duty at the table in the Students Centre, there's not much of an enthusiastic response. We have yet to go online and pay, have to do that before tomorrow. I just hope it pulls through. More about the trip.. It's a 3-days, 2-nights event, to be held from the February 22-24 of our Reading Week. The cost is at $275 with tax, a considerably good deal. There's a coach from Toronto to Montreal and on the way back, a stop at Ottawa, the nation's capital. In Montreal, there will be a walking tour of the old historicl part of the city, a bus tour of Downtown Montreal, and visiting of places like the Biodome, Notre Dame Cathedral, a jazz club, etc. To top it off, it's a downtown hotel we will be staying at, not some cheap motel.

First Midterm of the semester: STAB27 this Saturday! It's from 9-11am, which worries me deeply regarding the bus schedule. Despite it being 2 days away (with BGYB31's Midterm next Saturday), I feel horribly relaxed. Example, me blogging right now when I should be studying. This semester is supposed to be my buck-up semester.. I need to go somewhere else. My happy place, that includes spontaneous-absorption of knowledge from books. Maybe that can be my Heroes superpower.

polling clerk

2007-02-01T22:26:00.000-05:00

Surprise surpise, I'm a SCSU Polling Clerk in-training. I was surprised by the phone call that came just now informing me about the job offer; I let out a "YES" at once. No biggie, but this is my first paying job in Canada. I hope I find a more permanent part-time job, since this only lasts for 4 days. There will be more information coming my way, especially with the training sessions to be scheduled for this.

Anyway, American Idol had a very touching audition last night. It moved me to tears when Sherman Pore started singing. ~~Watch for yourself~~ (YouTube, thanks for always removing the video).. He should have been awarded a golden ticket. Condolences to him, but this is such a inspirational story about love documented on a reality TV show.

Anyway, the song playing now may sound really weird. But I've come to like it from a scene in Cold Mountain, where everyone is in a church singing along. Then the word about the impending war spreads around the congregation, and the men start going crazy as they are all eager to do their part (FOOLS!). It was just ironic how news of the war breaks and the church session gets disrupted.. And they were doing this unusual lifting-hand movement as they sang along.

polling interview

2007-02-01T14:24:00.000-05:00

I'm in school and just came out of a very stressing interview for the SCSU Spring Elections Polling Clerk. My mouth is now dry from that. I arrived at 2pm, and had to wait for quite a while. It was supposed to be a 20-minute interview but looks like I came out way before time. They had 4 interviewers, each with their own long set of questions. I was making funny faces when they weren't looking and letting off nervous laughs. The notification e-mail will come tonight. I have a very strong gut feeling I'm not going to get the part-time job that pays $8.50 an hour, since for every question I used the words 'safe', 'confidential', and 'erm' in an incoherent manner..

BGYB31 tutorial later at 5pm, so much free time till then. The Midterm for this course is February 17th, two Saturdays from this week. Going to catch up with the BGYB51 online lectures and study for my STAB27 Midterm now.

retreat

2007-01-30T23:28:00.000-05:00

Sunday was a long tiring day, but fun nonetheless. We met in school for the ISC retreat for Coordinators of the new semester. It was the first time I would be attending such a meeting and seeing the gang, consisting of 14 Coordinators including me. Rundown:

Me (Marketing)
My brother and Tina (Events)
Flora (Van-Go!)
Beth and Philip (Volunteers)
Alex and Maggie (Coffee Night)
Mnason and Jerry (Buddy Program)
Jaclyn and Jingjing (English Conversation Program)
Haipeng (Workshops)
Mike (Special Events)

I thought we would be going out for some activity, but we stayed in for a meeting-style retreat. We actually made use of UTSC's Council of Chambers (sounds so Harry Potter-ish eh?), which is the actual boardroom where the Directors and VIPs of the school make important, or stupid, decisions. Impressive!

The main entrance and the high ceiling. Donald Trump, eat your heart out!

I'm the one in grey sweater and yellow hoodie.

Lights on as the outside darkens.
These are the only few pictures I have. I wasn't much into the picture-taking mood, though Alex was. If I get the pictures that show actual humans from him, I'll post them up. Anyway, the day consisted of introduction, pizza as lunch, and lots of discussion on our goals, successes and problems of past events, improvements, future events, etc. We ended the meeting with a much needed Chinese buffet dinner outside the campus by rides of 3 cars to transport the whole gang. Some were interesting in heading for a karaoke session, but everyone went home due to exhaustion and partly because the end of Sunday meant the start of Monday, and school/work for all of us.

I got really freaked out after the whole 'retreat'. Marketing is a MAJOR issue in everyone's "Problems" section. In fact, I just made a new poster for ECP that was needed by Thursday. Phew for that. Even worse is that Tina booked a booth in the Student Centre for tomorrow to publicize a Montreal trip (very cool, but more on that much later). Frustratingly, she could only confirm the details today, which basically means less than a day to do those display boards. I thought that would be bad, but till now she hasn't passed me any detailed information to 'publicize', noting it's 11.50pm on a Tuesday night! I've done the heading which reads in large words "MONTREAL", but a huge chunk is missing. Now I don't even know if I'm going to bring the huge board Nora kindly bought for me today to school and I have a Statistics quiz tomorrow. If I decide not to bother, good luck to Tina in setting up the information-less booth. I am at my wits end even though it's not much of my business now..

On a sort-of gleeful last note, I got a call for an interview on Thursday, 2pm at the Scarborough Campus Student Union's office regarding my application for their Spring Election Polling Clerk. I'm so excited! One of my first interviews for an actual paying job. I need to read up on the Roles and Responsibilities, and brush up on my knowledge on the SCSU. Here's to a successful job interview!

PS I succumbed to peer pressure to create a Facebook account.

El laberinto del fauno

2007-01-27T02:03:00.000-05:00

Pan's Labyrinth, or El laberinto del fauno in Spanish, is one of the greatest movie ever made. I've heard rave reviews about it, and it's 6 nominations by the Academy Awards including Best Foreign Picture, doesn't help cool the hype surrounding it.

My brother's friend had a DVD copy of it, and I was planning to watch it. But as soon as it was borrowed, it was returned. Which drove me to rip a 4GB copy from the world wide web. Thank god I did, as this movie is brilliant. I thought it would be a magical, fairytale-like story. It did incorporate some mystical elements and a fairytale, but it is without a doubt an adult-stylized version.

Basically, it's set against the backdrop of the Spanish civil war, and tells a story of Pan fulfilling her very own fairytale. But what caught me was how the story played out. The conclusion of a happy ending was left to us to decide- did Pan's fairytale come true? Yes, but yet no. Besides all that, the film had a flawless artistic direction (ie makeup, set). Watching Pan's Labyrinth made me want to learn Spanish even more. Guess I will be enrolling myself into the Spanish Introductory Course as my elective in the next school year or so. I know a few phrases, like 'ciao', 'presto', and now 'el laberinto del fauno'. Pathetic, which reinforces my wish to pick up the language, or French, German, Korean or Japanese.

It may seem like I have many time on my hands. Kind of true. I just watched Cold Mountain with Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger, besides others like Natalie Portman. I didn't know the movie had quite some big names with cameo roles. I love Cold Mountain. There are so many poems and quotes with voiceovers by Kidman's Ada, such as one of the ending quotes: "What we have lost will never be returned to us. The land will not heal - too much blood. All we can do is learn from the past and make peace with it". Best line goes to Zellweger's Ruby, who said: "They call this war a cloud over the land. But they made the weather and then they stand in the rain and say 'Shit, it's raining!'" Splendid performances as always by the two actresses. It gives a seemingly realistic portrayal of civilians caught in the American civil war. Yes I know what you are thinking, "not another civil war?!?" Apparently great movies are tagged with drastic solemn backgrounds.

Anyway, I'm enjoying some songs from the soundtrack, one of which is playing and has an Irish tune that has the sounds of only The Corrs. And thank you Marina for CM. Something funny, I now am able to find CM online, and other movies which I previously tried but couldn't locate like The Hours and Closer; more goodness of Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, and Claire Danes. I like Renee Zellweger too.

Finally met Kimberly, and together with Hanit, we are forming a group for our BGYB51 assignment. And Kimberly will be in France for the month of July as part of the Study Abroad program she registered for. Cool, I would love to go to Europe. But for now, finding a job has to be a priority. I've sent out my Resumes 2 weeks ago, but still no news. I may be applying for this Polling Clerk position that the Students Union of UTSC is hiring for their elections. Good pay and a one time job fulfillment. There's this Summer Job Fair on Tuesday, which I may try my luck at too.

Misfortune befell on me today. A nosepiece of my glasses snapped, and when I tried supergluing it back, the icky sticky stuff got all over my fingers and table, with a drop on my comforter. I managed to separate the comforter cover with the padding itself, but a hard rough spot is visible and there no doubt. Same with my table, rough patches here and there. My fingers, well it will heal soon..

Tomorrow we may have a hotpot dinner with the house, and Sunday is the ISC retreat for Coordinators with newbie me and Jerry joining the gang. We're meeting in school first, and hopefully will go somewhere and do something exciting. The tentative night activity is KTV as I last heard? Ah, I need to get some work going. Midterm dates are coming in.. STAB27 on 10th February, and BGYB51 for the second day of March.

BEDTIME.

sounds: I

2007-01-19T20:55:00.000-05:00

Albums of artists and bands I'm grooving to now:

Aqualung - Strange And Beautiful

Augustana - All The Stars And Boulevard

Corrine Bailey Rae - Corrine Bailey Rae

Inara George - All Rise

Jens Lekman - Oh You're So Silent Jens

Travis - 12 Memories
Aqualung, CBR, Inara George, and Jens Lekman have the acoustical folk/pop sound, while Augustana and Travis are alternative rock. I fell in love with Travis, first from the Love Will Come Through song that was played on Grey's Anatomy Six Days (Part 1) episode, and then with the '12 Memories' album that I downloaded and listened to repeatedly for these few days. And I just found out that Love Will Come Through was used in the trailer for Garden State, a movie I adore very much.. Wikipedia says Travis will release a new album this year? Awesome-ness!

Talking about Grey's, this show can do no wrong. I just watched yesterday's Six Days (Part 2) episode just now as I gobbled down my dinner of Lipton Sidekicks instant pasta, and even though I thought the start to be dull, it quickly recovered and fired emotional bullets at me. I found myself weeping by the end of 42-minutes of Grey's. Which is why I love this TV series so much: the story it tells, the characters involved, the magical ability that never fails to make me cry, and the immaculate choice of music to complement each pivotal scene. And in respect for my favourite show, my MSN Messenger nickname will always be in accordance to the title of Grey's episodes every week. Hardcore fan? I believe there are more crazy fanatics out there.

Ahh, I finally got the last mark I've been eagerly awaiting. It definitely wasn't as bad as BGYB50 (WORST EVER!). And my Cumulative GPA fell by 0.12, which may seem small but in fact has a tremendous impact. I've to work my ass now to TRY raising it. And should I pay to get the clerical check for that dreaded grade done?

PS Marina, sorry to hear that Kaleng accidentally spoiled Ugly Betty for you. That revelation is shocking. And thanks for the Cold Mountain search. I may rent it at Blockbuster, and if all else fails, I will just forgo it..

white globe

2007-01-18T00:07:00.000-05:00

Toronto is finally blanketed in snow! True snow, not those that melt away under the sun. It's been freezing cold these few days, but welcomed since we've been missing out on the winter 'joy' for a while now. The downside is the dirty slush that covers the walkways, roads, and in buses and the subway.

J. Hudson for an Oscar? Probably. I watched Dreamgirls on Saturday. The movie rocked, though I do think her performance was slightly over-hyped (she can shined as Effie and can sing no doubt, especially when she belted out "And I'm Telling You..", it was tremendously emotional and powerful). Golden Globes honoured Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty and America Ferrera. Woot!

This is what I've been working on as my first job as the ISC Marketing Coordinator.. This role translates into many hours using Photoshop, and so I would have to read the tutorials since I'm a dummy there. But this effort ain't bad eh?

I've been drifting in and out of school within an hour or two for the past few days. It's kind of nice how 3 courses isn't stressing, yet terrible how everyday is filled with only a hour-long lecture. I got back a mark recently; my worst one yet. A depressing C, which is 10 marks lower than my ex-lowest grade. I see my GPA plummeting down. I'm contemplating getting a clerical check for that BGYB50 course, but I'll wait for my remaining mark to be posted before making a decision. Another journey to school for an hour long lecture in Plant Physiology. I've skipped the Evolutionary Biology lectures; leaving that for the web videos. Nevertheless, buck up time this semester!

school week, winter weekend?

2007-01-13T21:52:00.000-05:00

One week of school, DONE. I guess this semester wouldn't be as bad, seeing how I'm only taking 3 courses: BGYB31 - Plant Physiology, BGYB51 - Evolutionary Biology, STAB27 - Statistics II. I'm kind of loving all of them since they have good profs. But I'm regretting not taking STAB27 together with STAB22 which I took in my Fall '05, since many of the material now are follow-ups. And thankfully, the lectures for BGYB51 a videotaped and posted online. Which translates to an additional of 2 hours of sleep on Tuesday and Thursday for me if I decide to skip them (VERY likely).

Otherwise, I accepted a position at the ISC as their Marketing Coordinator. There should be a training-like session soon. It's going to be fun, everything about this volunteer position. Also, still trying to get a part-time job off-campus. I've dropped off my Resume at places like H&M, Gap, Club Monaco, Tommy Hilfiger, Shopper's Drug Mart, and Godivas Chocolate. Till date, no news. Must be the lack of work experience that is turning employers away. I hope I get something soon.

I started wearing contact lenses on Thursday. Funny story.. I was rubbing my eyes at home yesterday and all of a sudden my left eye went blur. I tried searching for the lost lens everywhere, but couldn't locate it. After I decided to give up the search, I headed to the shower and it popped up in my eye. Somehow, the lens went to the back/top/bottom of my eyeball or eyelid. Scary.. Oh, and I've to get more practice in putting them on. I spend too long a time in the toilet sticking my finger into my eye.

Today is Hockey Day in Canada! I registered at the forum of the Toronto Maple Leafs webbie, and participated in the Game Thread just now as I watched a match between Toronto Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks on TV. Sadly, a brutal lost thanks to anti-Leafs referees and bad-Leafs/good-Canucks goaltending. Gah, I hope the next few games get better. So I'm becoming a full-fledged ice hockey fan. Good or bad?

I'm not getting my hopes too high, but there should be snowfalls over this weekend? Finally! This winter has been mild for Toronto while the west coast got stuck with the Weather Maker's wrath. It's like early spring in T.O.

AND, I'm off to see the ~~Wizard~~ Dreamgirls..

Note to self: Grey's new episode was awesome, and as usual cool songs that came with it. Like Travis' Love Will Come Through. Plus, Golden Globes on Monday. Do not miss it, and root hard for my loves.