The Hudson hero

The pilot, who managed a miraculous smooth landing, saved 155 onboard has became a hero overnight. Mr. Chelsey Sullenberger's swift decision to land in the Hudson river after a double bird strike has since earned him much respect and gratitude! I salute him too!

It was the headline in the papers few days ago. I was reading the online articles and realised many have cited dissimilar things. Some reported 1 injured while some mentioned as high as 78. The local paper, The Straits Times, quoted some passengers screaming,"Women and childen first!", which I hope is true that these days GENTLEMEN still exist! I mean, in such a crisis and an emergency situation, many selfish people would have only care for their own lives... it really moved me when I read that there are others who care for OTHERS (no kinship, no friendship)...

It seems like I haven't seen that many around, what is the world coming to...

Loss

Singapore just lost one of us to the terror attacks in Mumbai, and the victim whom was held as a hostage is only 28 years old. How saddening...

Read more.

The winter rain

The German poem I have been working on is about to be out of the oven, but let's wait patiently. It's done in fact but I'm just not so sure when I want it up.

It has been raining continuously for at least 6 hours, I'm afraid Singapore is being flooded. I'm sure some parts are already, like it always does. The past few days, I have compensated more than enough on my beauty sleep but I didn't feel the benefits on my health somehow.


On the other side of the world...

Miss China is being crowned Miss World 2007! Not only has she brought glory to the Chinese people, and I feel it is important that the Far Eastern is being recognized as well. Miss Japan has been crowned Miss Universe earlier, and it is becoming increasingly significant to show that everyone can be equal regardless of skin color.

Quoted from BBC News:
"Miss China, Zhang Zilin, has been crowned Miss World 2007 in the Chinese resort of Sanya, the first time an East Asian contestant has won."

2 movies - seen and loved

Film: Barfuss (In German)
My Rating: * * * * (4 out of 5) for the humour and romance

Barfuss means "barefooted" in English.

This is one of the funniest german films... despite quite a few serious ones I have seen in the past. Barfuss is about a mental patient whom followed the cleaner (Til Schweiger as "Nick") from the psychiatric hospital. Nick (yay, drools... he's so gorgeous!) is a hedonistic bachelor who has too much trouble himself (from being jobless, penniless, unruly and on a conflicting relationship with his brother and step-father). Leila, the barefooted girl, who has clung herself to him since escaping from the hospital, began a journey of adventure and love with Nick. He soon realised... Leila is someone he would want to take care of. How touching, absurd and crazy the way the story ends... But I guess I'm another foolish romantic at heart who constantly believe such fairytale exists.


Film: Quinceañera (In Spanish but based in USA)
My Rating: * * * ^{+ 1/2} (3.5 out of 5)

"The Quinceañera or Quince Años is, in some Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas, a young woman's celebration of her fifteenth birthday. This celebration marks the transition from the childhood to womanhood of a Quinceañera." -- quoted from Wikipedia.

Something about this film is very engaging... It must be that personal feel you can almost put yourself in those shoes. The kinship, love and hate, misunderstanding(s) in our everyday life can be so easily seen in the movie, it's very expressive - the characters. It also touches certain sensitive issues: immigrant culture, gay, sex, drug and teenage pregnacy. The story revolves around a 14-year-old girl who got pregnant, and how it stirred up problems in her love, family and school life; and living under the same roof with her gay cousin and great-grand uncle. A heart-warming film, I would say.

Yah lah! yah lah!

Just watched a Swedish Comedy Film last night, named Jalla! Jalla! It's revolving different cultures (Traditional Lebanese & Swedish), the romance, sex related issue (yes, erection) and of course a lot of hilarious actions. Like all the good Romance comedies, things always work out in the end. How often I wish it happens more in the daily life... I wonder if anyone objects to the idea of a "heart broken" person watching a Romance film...?? I used to think it would make one even more depressed, but instead it often makes me becoming more hopeful. It again makes me believe in the fairytale romance... believe that one day, someone will break out of their own culture to love me like in Jalla! Jalla! ;)

Is this a desire or my desire??

I want to go back.

You may ask, back where? When? My answer is there, United Kingdom (London again?), Germany, or anywhere out there.

But is this just a desire watching my friends leaving or left again for the foreign land, or is this my real desire... I can't seem to tell. My heart is straying; my head is blaming Singapore for all bad luck I'm encountering! I can't help but admit I'm so prejudiced right now. Is Singapore really not for me??

I have to say being out there on my own, I felt much more responsibility, positive, carefree, emotionally independent, and leading a far more fulfilling life than the one I have in Singapore. Away from routine, away from tradition, away from the constraint.

Perhaps my trip back here is a good evidence for my parents that I'm not a little kid anymore. I have a dream and I still love them when I'm out there. I've not been truly happy since I boarded the flight home... I was reluctant. If I had a choice and no burdens to carry, I would have chosen to stay.

Singapore, perhaps is just not the right place for me now.

S.P.G

In Singapore, we have a name for women or girls whom only go for white men (Caucasians). Sarong Party Girl. It sounds Malay to me, and I didn't know how it came about. Now it's infamous and every time you see a white man with a local girl, u think she must be a SPG. Even though I've a German boyfriend now... I still strictly believe I'm not one. My expats friends/colleagues never thought I am one anyway... not sure about my Singaporean mates...

In my own definition, how do I differ from the normal SPG...

1. I do not ONLY date white men, I take whatever that I fancy and comes at the right timing.
2. I do not specifically go to the expats hang-outs and fish for one.
3. I do not offer or initiate sex to them just because they think you're an easy prey.
4. I don't wear skimpy, don't like to show off having a boyfriend whom is white (unless of course I'm proud of who he is).
5. I do not have the mindset that white (Caucasians) are always better than the yellow (Asians). In some way, I still prefer some cultural values us (the Asians) have. In another way, I prefer the upbringing in the western countries. Maybe they should learn from one another.
6. I never seduced one!

p/s: so, if you always have been thinking I'm a SPG, pls stand up and voice out... ;)

Good O' friday

I like the word "gibberish" today.

I'm fuckin' later than usual today, all that runny nose and few late nights have made me lost track of counting time. I boarded the train. It is an uncommon sight to see Caucasians boarding at Tampines. I sat down. He then sat besides me.

Tall. Thin. Dark haired. Spectacles. Exactly the image I pictured in my head of an overseas undergraduate student studying in the local university or maybe just a foreign exchange student. He held a book in his hands, but not reading it, instead he was just so engrossed with all the text messaging. I caught a glimpse of the book title, something like "Chinese for better conversation" or similar. I was taken aback about some dark haired Caucasian so keen about learning mandarin! I figure he wouldn't understand much yet if I happened to speak. His phone vibrated and then I heard him spoke for the first time.

He has successfully adapted to our Singaporean slang, however still carrying a less distinctive accent of his own. He sounded like he's a Spanish, not surprising if he is. I can't help but noticed we have the same habit of looking at pretty girls whom entered the cabin. Yes, I'm straight but I tend to spend time on beautiful sights as well. I pretended to be asleep throughout the journey. When he stood up, he gave me a last look that I did not reciprocate.

I've a date tonight, actually I'm not calling it a date. It's a dinner with a friend - a friend whom I used to date. It's actually nerve-wrecking to see him again after many months, somehow I know I won't have much to say over the dinner. I'm not excited. I'm just aloof.

Meaningless film

The Amazing Story is not at all amazing... I'd call it long, dragging and meaningless. What are these Japaneses thinking?? Abduction of brother's wife?? Funny people.

There are a few sex scenes, and this is the first time I cried when I watched it. Somehow it made me emotional... *sad*

Randomness VIII

Maybe I can make a book out of this "trixilitus randomness series"...

Mr. Yankee came on MSN today, surprisingly he spoke more to me.

Yankee says: well, when i first saw you...i was really shocked!
Yankee says: i never guessed you were so beautiful and cute
Yankee says: cos i never met you in person
Me: lol
Yankee says: then I got kind of nervous

He said he actually came to Singapore just to meet up with me (on the way home). I have not spoken to him regularly ever, sometimes it makes me wonder why he came. Then again, he has friends here. So sweet of someone to say that really, even though most of the time I wouldn't take their words for it.

The holidaymaker scheme!! I found a mate who is doing that, exactly the same as me. Of course I'm thrilled, however, coming back to think about it, I still am depending on myself. This guy, Song, an ex-colleague, is leaving in a month's time for London. I can't wait to find someone I can trust to share a flat with, a bit too early for me, my stupid brain is as anxious like always. These two days, I've been speaking to him about it. Both of us are so... so... so... excited about the future in UK, about the places we are going to visit. He's crazy about Spain!

In another week's time, I'm leaving my job. I haven't got any work for replacement, nor am I eager about the pending job offer. Tomorrow I'll have to meet a bloke (actually my idol) for the discussion. Whatever the decision is, I bet I'm still as pleased. My future is a mystery...

Surviving the hours

Some of you might already know I went for the movie marathon at AGF Theatre, Alliance Francaise. Saturday night. It began at 2330 and ended 0730. There was some delays here and there, due to some screening fault and the usual waiting for audience to get settled in their nest. An estimate of 8 hours with 10-15 minutes of break in between. The theatre was okay, looks like a lecture hall, a really small one though. Chairs were all right, though I had expected more comfy one.

The first show was complicated, about too many women and men. At the end of it, I was still pretty conscious. The second was a love story, slow and predictable. It managed to keep me awake still, maybe I was looking for some twist. The third, a dramatic comedy. It got so ridiculously funny at some points. Thanks for that, the laughter was the caffeine. The last one is a thai-french love story revolving around thai boxing. I wanted to catch it to see how interesting a western movie moved east. Oh, still quite cool I think.

I'm amazed at my own staying power. I was awake. But my sunday was simply bedded.

Die Franzosen

The 19th Singapore French Film Festival
27th Oct - 11th Nov 2003

Here are some interesting ones I'll like to catch:

1. Fureur / Rage
Shot in Paris' Chinatown and Thailand, the film mixes a rich array of cultures.

Manu is a young Thai boxing champion. Upon his parents' death, his elder brother Raph had to give up boxing to take charge of the family business, freeing Manu to follow up his promising boxing career. But when Manu is killed in an illegal fight by the brother of Raph's new love, his retired elder brother finds himself torn by a desire for revenge and the call of love.

2. Le Papillon / The Butterfly
A huge hit in France, “Le Papillon� is a highly entertaining comedy for all ages.

A widowed, retired Parisian sets off on an expedition to find a rare mountain butterfly. A lonely young girl from his apartment building manages to tag along, constantly asking questions, upsetting the tranquility the old man longs for and causing fears at home that she has been abducted.

3. L'Auberge espagnole / The Spanish Apartment
*Commercially released in Singapore on 30th October 2003**

4. Tanguy
5. Le cœur des hommes / Frenchmen

or maybe even this

A Movie Marathon on 8 Nov, Sat:
11.30pm : Embrassez qui vous voudrez / See How They Run R(A)
1.30am : Une femme de ménage / A Housekeeper
3.30am : Tanguy
5.30am : Fureur /Rage

Anyone interested to join me or watch with friends, you can check them out at www.sistic.com.sg or drop me a sms/call/comment!!

Note: Above films' information are taken from www.sistic.com.sg.

El solo

I badly needed a comedy. My first time, watching solo, it was the weirdest feeling. Even it sounded stupid to book a ticket since its always easy to grab one seat, I still went ahead. Whatever so, I got myself one of the best seats for that minimal booking fee. Sitting through all the commercial runs, many images ran through my head. The cinema wasn't half full, just enough warmth surrounding me. I was so glad I could snigger, giggled, chortled and laughed away in my own company. Disregard. I love it. The show ended but I never left my seat till everyone had gone. I stared blindly at those credits which no one bothered to spare any time for them. I was alone, except for one of the staffs going around clearing up the litters and leftovers. I was reluctant to go, seemed like I was waiting for something. The lights came on, the credits still running after more than 3 minutes, I wonder how big is the production crew!! I had to scram...

L'Auberge Espagnole / The Spanish Apartment

A fresh comedy from the new Europe, L'AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE is the story of a young man who, through cosmopolitan adventures and comic tribulations, finds his own unexpected place in a mixed-up, multi-cultural modern world. Bursting with energy, optimism and cinematic invention, the film was a runaway box-office hit in France and an award winner at festivals across the globe, ultimately garnering France's Oscar equivalent, the César, in the category of Best Female Newcomer for Cécile De France and receiving five César nominations including Best Film, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Editing and Best Supporting Actress for Judith Godrèche.

Above info is quoted from Golden Village.

Oz friend

James is HERE. Strange to recall how we befriended, I wasn't interested then to stay in touch. It wasn't anything to do with how he looks. He's pretty okay, considered attractive to japanese gals. And he always never fail to appear with his blond hair all spiky. I still think he is skinny, ha ha.. Eyes too big and wide for his tiny face. Its about communication I guess despite we talked lot of shit online. He came over two years ago for a design conference. It was then he joined me & my mates for the same conference, party together for a night. I saw him a few times when he visited Singapore, I reckoned he has made it his second home. I'm making holiday plans to go brisbane, he has invited me over to stay in his brand new apartment!!

Ok, so he was here on Saturday. Wait... I had volleyball on Saturday, skills deteriorating with the two weeks of slacking. It was still fun; at least we lost some, won some. A whole new bigger gang this time -- Me, angie, joy, benson, marz, ashley, tom, winston, patrick, chris, dude & jacky!!! That's a fucking big group, in a good way I mean. Romantic candles by the beach ha ha. Ummm got bullied by the guys, but I let them did that out of my own will. Probably I'm feeling kinky being thrown into the water, cheez.. how can I say that!? Ignore me, but yeah I was being spontaneous. And it made everyone playful and got into the water. The tide was low, moist slimy sand underneath my feet, big rocks under, it was risky getting a few cuts on my legs. We had such a hard time grabbing Benson (he's the pirate whom always mastermind the kidnap and throw us into the water), I nearly pulled his pants off. Fortunately it didn't come off.

And now, returning to James... We spent a night drinking together, as expected there was no crowd on a Sunday. Superb boring!! We sat at Sound bar till nearly 1am, were among the last few customers. Walked down the whole stretch of clubs, taxis queuing down the isolated lane, I could almost pity their long hours of waiting. We went in another club, there was merely 20 people. And they looked like wandering kids whom didn't want to go home. I drank a B-52, running with white flames. James could talk whole night, I was amazed. I couldn't catch up, nearly dozing off -- must be the volleyball yesterday. Finally, we went back yes yes, I was waiting for that... I had a dip in the bath tube, got to admit it was my first time soaking in a tub. No rubber duckie. In a misty translucent bathroom. I felt so naked in the room, it seemed like there wasn't any wall there. I had my eyes on the tv when he took his shower!! Then the lights wouldn't go off, we had to get someone to come fix it before we could finally slept at 4am. Argh!

We eventually dragged our bum off the bed and headed for lunch at Bugis. I met his ex-gf, Karen. Ummm, I shouldn't comment on other people's gals, right? Anyhow, she looks sweet but not so appealing. :p

Honest, it's the first time I shared bed with a friend of an opposite sex.

Tourism, a finding

Umm, they didn't mention Asians, I'm proud.

Below source taken from BBC NEWS.

Britons and Germans 'rudest tourists'

British holidaymakers have come a very close second to the Germans in a survey to find the rudest nation of tourists.

Many British tourists were described as "drunken, yobbish, and spitting", with frequent displays of "arrogance" and "ignorance" when on holiday abroad.

After the Germans and the British, the Americans and French were considered the next rudest nations, each with 18% of the votes, followed by the Italians with 17%.

Mr Yankee IV

Mr. Yankee called today to bid farewell... sort of pleasing to hear I'm a good company;)

Mr Yankee III

Oh yeah, again. I missed his call (too engrossed with my own shopping)!

We met in Borders eventually, just visiting bookstores. I feel like he was accompanying me than really doing something meaningful. How exciting eh:S He got me a woodcraft - elephant from Thailand. He was there before he came, he asked what I want from Thailand. I said," A big elephant." I didn't join his again partying plan tonight, as I had to work from home!!

So my 50 bucks is gone.

20.70 German-English dictionary.
23.90 A top (angie, can't help it... >.< style="font-weight: bold;">
2.90 Lunch

Mr Yankee II

Mr. Yankee and I met. He was wearing blue. I was wearing blue. I kinda recognized him (except his new short hair!). Very blonde, he dresses like a 22, looks like 25. Guess what? He's 34. I couldn't believe it almost.

I took him around to look at Singapore's most magnificient building (where I used to go with my date), oopps. This time, they didn't forbid any photography, so it was cool. But no camera on me either, argh. We went to Bugis Village, looked at nice stuffs (I thought guys do not like shopping!), but he's a tourist. So he got souvenirs. Merlion!! Maybe, now Merlion is a symbol of our little island. For once, I felt I am going to be a potential tour guide.

It is funny I can talk a whole lot tonight. I was so shy yesterday. But I couldn't keep silence over dinner, we talked about our stories. How we met. And maybe funny things, because I made him laughed a couple of times. I like having a good laugh. That's more important than anything.

I couldn't join his partying plan as I was too exhausted (imagine my colleague assuming I've to work over the weekend, Fu*k U mr. doodle!!). I promise myself never to step in unless absolutely necessary. I have confidence in myself I'll finish on Monday itself. Tuesday I got myself a movie date (haven't found a date) but I'm all going for it! That's the only consolation to encourage myself to put in extra shit hours for work the next few weeks. Idol, your the motivation now!!

Maybe I'll see Mr. Yankee tomorrow.

Mr Yankee

I received 2 anonymous calls on Tuesday. I was literally pissed off when the person didn't speak a word after I answered. And he left me voicemails that are nothing!!

Yesterday he called again... This time, he spoke. Damn, I almost forgotten about it. Mr Yankee. I can't remember how or when I knew him (long ago it seems, but we never talked much), he's a designer/photographer in USA and currently in Singapore for a holiday. So I am supposed to meet him this time, to chill out. Sounds cool.