I am a fan of musicals. Yes, I am. I was exposed to Sound of Music at a young age (who was not?). The latest Silver Screen adaptation of a musical I watched was Mamma Mia. The director did a good job casting the roles. All of them can sing....except for Pierce "007" Brosnan. It seems that he can't sing for peanuts and yet he is given a role in Mamma Mia.
Pei Ru concurred with me as per following MSN conversation...
Chris Yap says: i watch mamma mia already Chris Yap says: pierce brosnan can't sing for nuts am pei ru says: nope he cant Chris Yap says: he was like groaning throughout S.O.S. am pei ru says: wookie Chris Yap says: hahahahah Chris Yap says: chewbacca am pei ru says: he sounded like a whale la am pei ru says: nguuuuuuuuuoooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhk~ Chris Yap says: lmao am pei ru says: (picture of chewbacca) < pierce am pei ru says: ^ ur new james bond Chris Yap says: can i blog this conversation? am pei ru says: yeah.
Sorry Pierce....you are the weakest link in the movie....
N.B. Pei Ru gives Pierce credit for attempting a lead role in a musical. As for myself, Pierce, don't get me wrong....i like u as James Bond. In fact you are rank 2nd on my best Bond list after Sean Connery. Much better than the emo Bond we have now. Just that maybe singing is not ur strong point :D
I forgot to mention that it is customary for Chinese to give red packets with cash to the bride and groom. Each payment ranges from RM50 to RM100 depending on the venue and also the relationship with the bride and groom. So i may guess that i will get practically broke soon.
By the way, u got to listen to their wedding playlist. It is aleays filled with chesssie love songs from the 70's to today. Typical playlist will be:
1) Celione Dion, My Heart Will Go on
2) Super woman
3) Kenny G
so u get the idea.....i even got R. Kelly's I Believe I Can Fly....lmao
My collegue told me the other day that people of different age groups get invited to different kinds of celebration. Like this collegue of mind is 30 odd years old, he had been invite to various baby full moon parties, or at the other spectrum divorce "celebrations". For my case, it has to be weddings.
Christmas season in Malaysia usually brings another kind of
celebration. Since Malaysian school have thier sschool holidays at the
end of the year, people tend to pick this period to get married.
This is the list of wedding I have to attend:
20/12/2008 - Collegue's wedding in Seremban (Central part of Peninsula Malaysia)
27/12/2008 - College Mate's wedding in Alor Setar (the most northern state in Peninsula Malaysia)
28/12/2008 - Another College Mate wedding i Penang (Northern Peninsula Malaysia)
4/1/2009 - High school mate wedding i Segamat (My Hometwon, Southern Peninsual Malaysia)
And there is more to come. All in all i had benn invited to 15 weddings in the year 2008....
There is a saying that you can find people of Chinese descent where ever the sun shines. Chinese people are known to be able to adapt into a new environment and creating a thriving self sustaining community or even assimilating the surrounding neighbourhood. There is a Chinatown in all major cities in US and even Europe. Not surprising to find one in Bangkok.
The Chinatown Enclave in Bangkok is mainly a Teochew Commmunity. The older generations can still speak Teochew but not the younger generations who are mostly Thai speaking.
I lived to see history made. And history was made on my 26th birthday (or the eve of it depending on your time zone).
To think that there was racial segregation in the States during the 50's and to having a African American President Elect in 2008 is just unbelievable. I almost mumble to my friends this is stuff of political thrillers 10 years ago. The West Wing only dared going as far as a Latino President. From what I see from the news and reports, President Elect Obama is just what America and the world needs in these troubled times.
Democracy is still alive and kickin' in America. There's a lot a certain Boleh-land can learn in this aspect.
This heralds a new dawn for America, and if you may, the World.
As a beach resort, Pattaya has all sorts of water sports. Parasailing, Jet ski, Banana Boat...you name it, they've got it. Want particular activity that caught my attention was something called seawalker. Practically, you wear a helmet whereby continuous oxygen supply will be pumped into the helmet while u walk under the sea at around 7 metres deep.
Walking amongst school of fish really is a new experience. The operators even supplied us bread to attract fishes :D
Yes. As Pei Ru says it....TO INFINITY....AND BEYOND!!!!!
So what is so fun in Pattaya? My mates had been telling me that it is just a typical tourist resort. When i got there it seems to be the case. Further confirmed when our first stop in Pattaya was some lame ass Tiger Zoo where we get to see tigers behind glassed enclosures.
And at the same zoo we got to see lamer crocodile hunter show. Head in crocodile mouth. How cliche can one get?
And they sell crocodile meat
The sign reads "skewered bbq crocodile meat. 5 sticks for 100 bath"...nuts i tell u. We didn't bought any.
Next stop was our hotel. Hotel was cool. Nice pool and nice beach. But as May said, so much to do. So little time. We ain't even have time to walk round the pool.
At night went to watch the world famous transvestite cabaret show.
How can you possibly tell that they are men.
Pattaya is what it is supposed to be. Surviving on tourism alone, it is much similat to fake flowers or even cheap perfume. Nice to see, last long, but in the end too artificial. There is one thing i really enjoyed about Pattaya. That's for the next post. TO INFINITY....AND BEYOND!!!!
Bags are packed. Camera batteries charged. All set to go. This will be my first overseas trip this year after Bali.
My 2nd trip to Bangkok but first time to Pattaya. Jessie told me to try the Coconut Birds Nest in Pattaya. And i am so eating fried bugs this time as i could not find any last time around. I remember my tour guide last time that whoever who visit Bangkok will visit again. I guess he is right :D
I went to Shell Gas Station for gas just now. They were doing a promotion thingy for models of Bond Cars throughout the years. Pump RM40 worth of petrol and u get to buy a model car for RM5.50. Decided to grab the DB5 which appeared in Goldfinger.
In my opinion, only an Aston fits to be driven by James Bond. I cringed when I saw a BMW Z3 as a Bond car in Golden Eye. I almost fainted when Bond drove a 750i in Tomorrow Never Dies. Thankfully Aston Martin made a comeback in the form a V12 Vanquish in Die Another Die.
For those who are familiar with the British music scene, the name Damon Albarn will definitely ring a bell. He was the frontman of Blur. After disbanding Blur he created the virtual band Gorillaz with Jamie Hewlett (the artist who did the artwork).
In year 2007, Damon together with Jamie started an Opera based on the classical chinese literature epic, Journey to the West. This is a story of a buddhist monk, Xuan Chang's epic journey to the west (presumably India) in search of sacred Buddhist scripture and also the story of the Monkey's King reformation from a bad ass to a demi god. Along the way, Xuan Chang would had found 2 more diciples namely Piggy (Zhu Ba Jie) and Sandy (Sa Zheng). For this opera production, Damon wrote the score and Jamie did the art work, just like in Gorillaz.
Never the one who shy away from bold musical experiment, the soundtrack of this opera piece is really a delight. A fusion of modern alternative beats and classical Chinese opera music melded into perfection. The name of the tracks basically describe all the important chapters of all the epic:
1) Monkeys World
The Monkey King's birth from stone and his quest for immortality
2) Monkey's Travel
The Monkey's King search for the ultimate weapon
3) Into the Eastern Sea
His search of the ultimate weapon brings him to the Eastern Sea, the home of the Dragon Emperor
4) The Living Sea
His encounter with various mythical sea beings in the Eastern Sea
5) The Dragon King
His confrontation with the Dragon Emperor
6) Iron Rod
His discovery of the Iron Rod, the ultimate weapon weighing 8400 pounds that will shrink and expand at his command. Apparently, this rod was the pillar of the sea. After the Monkey removed the rod, the waves started to roll in the seven seas
7) Out of the Eastern Sea
*self explanatory*
8) Heavenly Peach Banquet
The heavenly queen was throwing a party to celebrate her birthday. Monkey was angry that he was not invited. So he gate crashed the party, ate the heavenly peach reserved for the Empress.
9) Battle in Heaven
A host of heavenly beings tried to stop this Monkey but he was too powerful.
10) O Mi To Fu
Only the mighty Buddha was able to stop this amok Monkey, imprisoning him under the Five Finger Mountain for 500 years.
11) Whisper
Guan Yin (messenger goddess of Buddha) informed the Monkey that salvation will come in the form of Xuan Zhang, where Monkey will have to act as a body guard on the monk's journey to the west. Protection needed as there are many monsters will want to eat Xuan Zhang's flesh to gain immortality.
12) Tripitaka's Curse
Due to the mischievious nature of Monkey. Guan Yin place a crown on the forehead of Monkey. When he is naughty, Xuan Zhang will recite a mantra and the crown will shrink causing Monkey unbearable pain.
13) Confession of Pig
The story of Zhu Ba Jie. Zhu Ba Jie was formerly a heavenly general but his fornicating ways caused him to be reincarnate into mortality. Something went wrong and he incarnated into a pig.
14) Sandy the River Demon
Sha Zheng was also a heavenly general but he accidently broke a vase and was punished by the Jade Emperor into a man eating sand demon.
15) The White Skeleton Demon
One of the main nemesis of the protaganists
This is not the complete track listing but basically the trio and the faithful white horse named White Dragon (who was formerly the son of the Dragon Emperor, punished die to misdemeanor) overcame all odds to reach the west and ascended into demi gods.
It is worthy to mention that Journey to the West is one the most widely adapted Chinese Literature Epic. There are numerous movies and series adaptation to it. But from what i had read and saw on the web, this is the most unique adaptation, thanks to the vision and bold experimentation of Damon Albarn. Watching this production had been added into my list of Things to Do before i Die.
btw, Stephen Chow did a few spoofs of this literature master piece and this scene is one of my all time fave
It had been 3 years since my univeristy days. And it had been that long since i last pull an all nighter for studying. Will be having my exams for Insurance Law next Monday. So, naturally, an all nighter will be required. Felt hungry and went for a bite at a Mamak (Muslim Indian) Eatery around 3 a.m. Yes, one will never go hungry no matter the time in Malaysia :D Really a throwback to my uni days. Only difference no course mates for company this time around. Missed those crazy times with Ah Hock (this dude was my classmate in elementary school all the way to university).
Chatted with Pei Ru over MSN until around 3 a.m. in the morning. Thanks Pei Ru for listening to an "old man" reminiscent. Anyways woke up in the around 11 a.m. and still feeling tired. After lunch tried to do some revision on Insurance Law but felt to tired. Still no call from her. Wondering whether is she trying to send a message to ask me to bugger off. But no news since Thursday after saying that she will call back is too much. Not even picking up my call, that's something. At least a text would had been courteous. Instead of being disappointed, I am seriouslly worried that something bad had happened.
After half chapter plonked onto my bed and napped. The napped turned into sleep and woke up around 6.30p.m. Everyone was out. Drove out in search of dinner with this song playing on my car stereo
Eva Cassidy "live" in Blue Alley - Autumn Leaves
So appropriate at these kind of moments. Driving alone, after the rain had just stopped, dining alone, on a Sunday. Perfect.
Sometimes, I just feel like leaving my job in this big city and go travel around the World for 6 months. Or just return to my hometown and bum around for a month. This city can be so lonely sometimes.
Someone swiped my Ipod earphones a few months back. Yes, I had been without a earphones for the pass 2 months. Decided to get myself a Mylarone Bijou and according to some online forums, this pair of beauty is an audiophile level earphones on a budget. So I went on those forums to search for music to test the new earphones. The name Katie Melua appeared on most of the threads. Wiki'ed her and and found out she is a Georgian who just got her British citizenship.
YouTubed her and found this
well...i rest my case. Her songs are playing on my Ipod right now.
I am going to blitz TOL with more food posts. This is what atypical Malaysian lunch would be.... Nasi Lemak. Rice cooked in coconut milk, with boiled egg, cucumbers , fried anchovies, peanuts and a portion of meat (in this case, curry chicken)
Since May did a food post...i am not about to be outdone..lol
Yesterday my Uncle (dad's youngest bro) bought us dinner at this restaurant in small village about 15 minutes drive from my place. Food is good and price is reasonable. RM262 (about USD80) for 11 pax.
This is called "Pot of Seafood"...no kidding. There are prawns, abalone slices, sea cucumber and a bunch of other stuff in it
Steamed 3 Yolk Egg (Noraml Egg, Salted Egg and Century egg)
NO. This is NOT egg. This is Tofu. I kid you not :D
Stir Fried Black Pepper Ostrich Meat. No worries these ostriches are farm bred.
Prawns
Now...this is the highlight of the night..Curry Fish Head. This is so damn good. It is too spicy (for Malaysian standard) anyway, and the fish is so resh and flaky.
Can one be upright there in the clouds for a good whole of 12 hours and then crash straight back to Earth on a moments notice? Well, i guess one can. I just went through that.
Well...i for one should know that things nvr happen the way we want or plan it to be. Must adhere to Paisley's wisdom...one match at a time. Don't get ahead of myself. Walk before learning to fly.
Anyways, there is still the fortune cookie. "Constant grinding can turn an iron rod into a needle." Yes, i mean it in the clean way :D
One thing good about staying in Malaysia is that you can get all kinds of food. When I say all kinds...i really mean from every country, continent, every variety from cheap to expensive.
Here are some pics of food from an upscale restaurant that serves Taiwanese food...yes u can get Taiwanese cuisine in Malaysia :D
As i mentioned in my last post, i attended the funeral of the dad of a close friend of mine yesterday. Before attending the funeral, my went to brunch with my god parents and a few other parishioners after Sunday Mass. Had a discussion about what happens to us after we are done in this world. For atheist, we only believe in themselves, where do they go when the time comes? Do they realize that believing (what ever religion) is the least that they can do for the love ones that they leave behind. The love ones will at least have something to cling to, something to rely on spiritually.
As Reverand Gabriel said (complete with drogba accent, he is from Nigeria) during the sermon,"This should not be mourning for the deceased, but a reminder to us of our mortality. That any of us can go anytime. And thank the Lord that Brother Peter Chow believed. So that the family can rely on Jesus to support them during life without him." (not the exact quote but something to the effect)
Reminds me of mt 2 colleagues that declared them as non believers when asked about it during our company training last weekend. May they see the light one day.
It's was time for the big bad derby match again. Everton FC v Liverpool FC. In terms of baseball, it is like Yankees vs Metz (the rivalry and all the works :D). Of course Liverpool FC will be more akin to the Yankees as we are the most successful football club (soccer team) in England. We call Everton our little neighbours.
Our star player Fernando Torres (nicknamed El Nino) have not being playing well lately and had went 5 matches without scoring any goal. And Liverpool had not being playing all that well. We drew 0-0 in our last match with a team considered one the weakest in the league. What better way to get back in the grove then beating our old arch nemesis 2-0. Liverpool played brilliantly. The attacking was positive and for once, our attacks from the left flank works. El Nino shrugged of his poor form by hitting in 2 goals in the 2nd half. Could had been 3 goals if not because of the pesky referee. For amusement purposes, Jamie Carragher even managed to block a goal bound shot with his ass.
Pei Ru really is a real lucky charm and I think she should attend my-rawk viewing parties more often. Right, Ru? lmao.....
Sorry if all the above sounds a bit foerign for readers from the States but this is such a big occasion for Liverpool FC fans. You can learn more about Liverpool FC from here:
If anyone tell u anything about a team called Manchester United, close your ears and run away from them. They are bad evil.
Anyways, not all is good news on my front. Attending a funeral tmrw. Father of a close friend of mine passed away on Friday. Attended the wake earlier today and his passing had brought about a lot of contemplation for me spiritually. Will post more about it tmrw after i return from the funeral.
I was browsing through my sis's playlist and found this great singer called Bethany Joy Lenz. Apparently she played a role in One Tree Hill and she is one of May's fave charactor. I have no idea coz i don't know anything about OTH. I only watch Heroes and Chuck :D
But the point is she can sing and my fave has to be "Let Me Fall". The song contains snippets from OTH and there was this girl saying ,"Why can't guy's be more like you? You are loyal. you are sweet...."
I was thinking, well sometimes girls just like to take the hard path. How often you see girls fall for someone who is sweet, loyal, etc etc....Seems like they like a challenge falling for someone who is not sweet, not loyal. That's why I believe that nice guys always finish last.
Was in a company training for from 9 to 5 today. The usual psycho-analysis know yourself better so that you can work with others sort of thingy. Something called Enneagram Profiling. Apparently we human beings are devided into 9 distinct type of personality. The trainer wasn't bad. At least her presentation was interesting and didn't bore the shite out of us.
After going through the 1st day of this 2 days course, i think that i am quite obvious that i am of type nine known as the peacemaker. We did a 200 questions questionnaire at the end of today and the official results will be known tmrw. Let's see whether my self assesment is correct. Here's a summary of type 9.
Supposed to go play football (soccer) with Chua and some other dudes after the training but we can find the bloody field. In the end wasted our petrol driving to Batu Caves (this place is like 20 kilometres from where i live). So got back home instead. Decided not to go to my RAWK to watch the match since i had no place to keep myself occupied before 10pm.
Is it that we human beings are attracted to things that we can't get? In chinese this might be loosely translated into 犯贱. Knowing that something or someone is bound to course you lots of grieve, one would still get attracted to it.
In Hellboy II, the human beings were depicted as a race with insatiable greed, going to war trying to conquer all in its path. To me, its not so much of greed. It is just human nature of wanting what one can't get. Leaving a trail of destruction behind trying to get it. Until one day all is spent, leaving behind a souless shell. As the saying goes, the grass is greeer at the other side of the river.
On a different note, i have to attend a company training over the weekend. Supposedly "Essential Peoples Skill". Waste of good resting time if you ask me....will update tmrw on how did it go.
And btw, Anwar is throwing down the gauntlet, challenging Bodohwi to conveyne emergency parliament session next Tuesday. This is getting more and more Clancy.
Praise the Lord that Teresa Kok had been released. The Lord once said when the time comes, justice will strike fast and swift. And the righteous will have nothing to fear. Let's pray that the day comes sooner rather them later.
Hi everyone. When my sis, May, told me about theonelove, i was practically clueless of what is this.
Further digging peaked my interest...what way better to safe the word (figuritavely speaking) in a small way than to blog.
Why did i choosed IJM?
well, there are lots of oppressed souls in the world...yes, even highly placed Member of Parliament is not spared from oppression. The current political scene in Malaysia will make Tom Clancy proud.
Thanks again for Cassie's invitation and also May for introducing me to this awesome movement.
