Hypocrisy Much?  

Posted by: Audrey in

Hmmph...I'm posting this in my office. At lunch time. On a Saturday.

Just to clarify, my working days are only 5 days a week, but due to some apparent 'big' project, I was roped in to 'volunteer and help out' with some simple UI designs. Because of the 'urgency' of the project, the whole team was supposed to finish the whole thing within....2 weeks! Hence, we have to work at least 12 hours everyday, almost 6 days a week, including public holidays. The catch? We didn't get any OT or actually, NO extra benefits whatsoever.

GAH! Can you say 'STUPID' or moronic, or whatever colorful word you can think of??! I think it's a real big mistake on the big person up there (management) to simply promise a client that we can get it done within that ridiculous time frame. Not just that, since we have this apparent 'separation' of the subsidiaries...it should be handled by that particular subsidiary only. BUT, a lot of the team that was involved in this project (including me) are actually NOT from that subsidiary. Yet, we have to go through this horrendous bitchfest and stress like the rest of them. And if (that's a REALLY big IF) we can get it done, guess who gets all the credit? Yup, THAT subsidiary only...

What really got me pissed was that it was clearly stated that the people who are doing the UI(me included) would be doing the forms and some simple validations ONLY. And yet, when it came to my particular module, I find myself scratching my head and thinking about how to do Javascript for dropdown values that SHOULD be in the database, or passing values from one page to another using Javascript. GAH! Thank goodness it was all resolved. But I'm still pissed though...working on a Saturday with no benefits really grits on my nerves. I think the only thing that keeps me going now is that my contract will be ending next March (which is a few months more only) so...I'm holding on to that thought for now.

'Kay, done ranting...apparently we can go. Half day at work today, because our team 'morale' is good. Pfft!

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The Twilight Saga: New Moon  

Posted by: Audrey in


The opening credits already got me thinking, 'OMG...so cliched!' and hoping fervently that the rest of the movie would not turn out to be something like the newer Star Wars installments: full of corny and cringe-worthy dialogue. I did not get my wish (kind of)...

'New Moon' is based on the second book of the same name in the Twilight Saga series...basically, you get the "girl gets the (vampire) boy of her dreams for the first 10 minutes, girl gets a paper cut and subsequently attacked by a bunch a hungry vampires, boy feels absolutely guilty and leaves girl, girl gets so depressed she gets nightmares and becomes an adrenaline junkie to create hallucinations of boy, girl finds a best friend in a new (werewolf) boy, boy falls in love with girl, something drastic happens and boy (vampire) thinks girl is dead, boy goes to kill himself and girl goes to his rescue, boy realizes his folly and promises never to leave girl again' story. *takes deep breath*

Although I'm a big, BIG fan of the Twilight series, I have to admit 'New Moon' is not one of my favourites in the series...mainly because it's so morose and dry. All Bella ever does is mope about three quarters of the book. But still, I guess every love story has to have its lows right? And without this book, one would not get to know more about Jacob, who is one of the central focus in the book.

What about the movie? I'm quite happy that the director and screenwriters stick quite close to the books...even adapting some of the minor (but very nice) details in the book, which I liked. However, there were also some liberties (I feel) that they took to try and make things more 'interesting' or dramatic, but that kind of takes things into the 'corny, cringe-worthy' direction...like the image of Bella and Edward running about in the woods, dressed in the fashion of supposedly posh English fashion. In SLOW MOTION??!! *shakes head*

Still, effects-wise, it's definitely a step up from the first movie...I'm guessing because they got a bigger budget, and it's great to see it put to (quite) good use. My favourite would be when the boys of the Quileute tribe transform...quite effortless and 'realistic'.

The cast did quite a good job too...Taylor Lautner definitely stood out as Jacob Black, giving Robert Pattinson (playing Edward Cullen) a run for his money. All his hard work buffing himself up for the movie definitely paid off, especially when he takes off his shirt to wipe off some blood on Bella! (another corny moment, but most of the audience went 'OOOOHHH!' when he did it, so...meh.) And it stays off too for most of the movie! *wink* Let's also not mention the eye candy that the other Quileute boys offered with their (also) buff and six-packed half naked bodies...heh!  

Robert Pattinson is still a pretty boy, but I kind of get the feeling that the make up artists loved white too much that they piled on an inch thick of it on Edward...I mean, is it even possible that Edward is EVEN paler compared to Twilight?? Less is DEFINITELY more, people! The effects of Bella 'seeing' Edward as she goes through an adrenaline rush is quite nice, but weird at the same time too...I think the subtler way in the book of Bella only hearing him seems to have a better impact, but I guess since most people came to watch Robert anyways, it wouldn't do to have him only to appear in the first and last 10 minutes of the show...*rolls eyes*

Kristen Stewart did a great job in the role of Bella, although I wish she would drop the 'words are so hard to come out of my mouth it hurts' characteristic that she brings to Bella. I don't know...I never really imagined Bella to be THAT awkward, or to even stutter half the time. She's clumsy, sure, but it doesn't mean she have to almost force herself to talk right? If Kristen loses that little bit of annoying (sometimes to the point of irritation) act for Bella, she would be just perfect.

The casting for the Volturi was very cool...Michael Sheen did a great job as Aro, and the characters of Felix and Demetri were quite good, but my favourite Volturi character had to be Dakota Fanning as Jane. She was spot on, playing the most powerful 'soldier' in the Volturi...and I think she should stick with the red contacts. She looked very cool in them! hehe! It'll be great to see her in the coming movies...*grins*

All in all, it was quite a satisfactory movie...definitely a notch up from Twilight, and a must watch for Twi-hards! Even if you're not, watch it for the nice effects and the eye candy of the cast (especially the Quileute boys...and Jacob Black! *wink*). But also be prepared to be smothered with some really corny dialogue and 'sweet-until-you-get-sick' moments peppered throughout the movie! 

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2012 (The Movie)  

Posted by: Audrey in


Oops, forgot to write this ages ago...*sheepish grin*

(Warning: Spoilers for movie ahead!)


I got to watch this movie last Friday, and I'm a little torn..LOL! 

For those not in the know (for which I have to say, WHAT??!! It's one of the most anticipated movies this year!), 2012 is about the fulfillment of the 'prophecy' by various parties (Mayan, I-Ching, Nostradamus) that the world would come to an end by December 20, 2012 (20/12/2012...get it?). That's not all though...this movie also shows a John Cusack as Jackson Curtis, a down-and-out writer who is having a hard time connecting with his wife and kids...during the world's end, we see him and his family go through disaster after disaster, trying to stay alive. AND, to top it all off, the Government is in it (when is the Government never 'in it', eh?) and there's a 'big thing' brewing behind all of this by which humanity tries to survive this.
The CG and disaster effects were just SUPER cool (I mean, come on...how many movies can you see destruction at this level? From the White House, Tibet, and even the Vatican Church!). The director and the effects team sure did a bang-up job in imagining out what would actually happen if our Earth were to 'self-destruct'! Cool scenes include the mega tsunamis and the moving of the Earth's tectonic plates (giant earthquakes, big craters in every part of the world...you get the picture!). Definitely need to watch it in the cinema to appreciate the vastness and catastrophic proportions!
Not too sure about their scientific terms though...although I have a science background, but I never did study Physics or Geology. The actors seem to be quite convincing, but apparently some others didn't buy it...*shrugs* Still, we all came to watch a movie, and not to critic it's accurate-ness right? heh! 

Storyline-wise, it's quite a typical 'estranged family that doesn't get along eventually comes back together stronger than ever in the face of adversity' story. I get that a Hollywood movie HAS to have some sort of plot to move it along, but some of the 'coincidences' or 'luck is in favour of Jackson' scenes are so comical, it's sad...I mean, how in the world did the guy manage to crawl out of an SUV falling into a giant crater of boiling lava? And to drive through massive earthquakes USING A LIMOSINE (with flying stunts and all) is quite...weird, to say the least. And let's not mention all the other situations where everyone escaped by the skin of their teeth every. Single. Time. (flying between falling two buildings, anyone?) But then, without them surviving till the end, there wouldn't be a story now, would it?

Still, I think it's really cool that we get to see first-hand (sort of...we never really know if this will happen EXACTLY like this until the day comes, right? *wink*) how the Earth comes to an end without getting killed ourselves. heh! So, if you're looking for a movie with lots of destruction and mayhem, 2012 is the movie for you! Just sit back, relax and gape at the awesome-ness of how it can all fall apart in just a short time =)


P/S: As a little side-note, you might want to make sure you empty your bladder before going into the cinema. It's a pretty darn long movie, and I mean REALLY long! (think Lord Of The Rings movie + 20 minutes!) By the time it's over, I felt like I'm about to 'burst'...haha!


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Unforgettable Royal Charity Concert Relived!  

Posted by: Audrey in

Phantom Of The Opera Medley:







Jessica Lee performing Cinema Paradiso:







Sean Ghazi - Bridge Over Troubled Water:







Sean Ghazi - Semalam:







Sean Ghazi - Ku Impikan Bintang:
 






 Sean Ghazi & Estee Pook - The Prayer:
 

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Beauty On The Inside? Me Thinks Not...  

Posted by: Audrey in

Yeah, I seem to be double-posting these days. Probably because I have lots of things on my mind again and need some outlet to...well, let it out. My videos on the Unforgettable Royal Concert seems to be taking ages, but I WILL upload them, by hook or by crook! *wry grin*

Had a little chat today with my cousin...it's funny how we don't really talk much when we see each other (or maybe it's because of the fact that she's away in the US), but we seem to be able to chat quite a bit online. Today's topic seemed to revolve around dieting....wow, my 'favourite' topic.

Most people know me as the 'quiet, shy one' and sometimes 'action' like they say in Malaysia from the first impression...that's because I don't talk as much. I talk more to people that I know and are comfortable with...starting a conversation with a stranger? Not so me. Yes, I have low self-esteem....why? Take one look at me and you'll probably guess why. No, I'm never pretty by any standard...nor am I the ideal 'body type' of how an average Asian is SUPPOSED to look like (read: slim, petite, anything that resembles 'mini' or 'teeny' - take your pick). In fact, I'm probably the extreme opposite of how one Asian girl is supposed to look like...which brings me to this point in life right now.

I don't really know if I am 'depressed' so to speak...I think people like to use that word too liberally, making it less of an impact. I am not suicidal, nor am I at the 'depths of my despair' to quote Anne of Green Gables. Just quite unhappy with the lot in life I'm at right now...part of my brain keeps quoting all those cliches like 'Inner beauty is what matters most' or 'Beauty is only skin-deep' or 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder', but the other part keeps pushing me down and reminding me of all the hurtful comments I've gotten over the years. (Gosh, I can't believe I'm spilling tears even as I write this). True, I may look indifferent to your comments or maybe even laugh at it....but I guess I'm not the forgetting type. It may not hurt me per se if I'm in a good mood...but I tend to drag these things out when I'm in my self-pity mode. Blessed (or cursed, however you may want to see it) with quite a good memory when I want to use it, these things get stored, shut away at some dark corner, and rehashed in its full glory when I'm at that dark place.

What rubs it in further is when I see slim people like my cousins or sisters who all claim they are 'too fat' and want to diet...My God, can't they see that there are actually people who would give almost anything to have any resemblance to that kind of body? The kind where you can easily fit into any small sized clothing without looking like an oversized elephant trying to squeeze into a plastic bag? Or the kind where you can just pick any kind of clothing that is reasonably priced and still look good without having to spend a bomb on something that never looked anywhere near as nice, but buy it anyway because it FITS? Am I vain? I don't know....but I AM sick and tired of having to walk past rows and rows of shops that had nice clothes which doesn't fit me in one glance; or asking for the biggest-sized top only to realize I didn't fit even the biggest size that they carry.

Yeah, I know there are many more people who are 'far worse off' than me...but try living in a family where everyone's as skinny as a twig, and that was the 'benchmark' that people compare you to. It never ceases to amaze me how people think that THAT can be a motivation...it was never a motivation for me. More like torture.

I guess I'm overly sensitive or something...my sis told me once, 'If you hate yourself so much, then DO SOMETHING about it'. Like what? Diet? Did it, but dieting never worked...I ALWAYS end up eating more than I should when I'm depraved of it. Plus, I eat when I'm upset...which is about most of the time. Then when I get fatter, it makes me even MORE upset, and I eat...again. *sigh* Exercise? Never had enough money to go to the gym...hated sports. Yeah, these are lame excuses I know. Not trying to justify myself, so there...I'm wallowing.

Sometimes, I DO feel good though...like I'm proud that I have a bit of a height, and my legs can carry off long pants (sometimes). But then, sheesh...it all comes tumbling down when I spot my two gorgeous sisters heading off in their small sized clothes; when they start shopping for nice, skinny jeans on sale and all they have were sizes 24 - 28. Very good motivation right?

Yeah, yeah...I get the 'so what if you don't look pretty? Got personality already can la' statement. But honestly, personality only comes through after you've gotten to KNOW a person. First impression...ALWAYS looks. And when you don't have it, you don't have it. People keep commenting that I should get a boyfriend, yada yada yada yada...where in the world would you find a guy who would like silly old me? Truth be told, I find it hard to believe that there IS that one guy who could just accept me like I am without changing a single thing about me....which is probably why I'm going to end up alone.

Maybe this is what this post is about anyways...beauty = attraction = first impression = possibility of finding a life partner. I really admire those who really love themselves no matter what people label them as...I guess I'm not that kind of girl. I need to learn how to disregard other people's remarks, but it's been such a habit of mine to keep it in that it's hard to break. I hope I can do that someday.

For now, I guess my only solace would be my little piece of treasure...he was so sweet when I was crying all over the place watching 'My Sister's Keeper'. Scottie kept wanting to come up on the sofa and give me kisses when he saw my tears...I'll always remember that moment =)

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