American Sniper

So I went to catch American Sniper yesterday. It was a really good film which touched my heart. It is a real life story about how Chris Kyle, American's legendary marksman, transited from his carefree life, to becoming a NAVY seal, and back to civilian life. It captures the pains and struggles he went through and these problems are definitely real and applicable to us, even if we aren't military personnel. I was so motivated by the show that I actually shed tears in the end. I definitely felt that this show has triggered me to think more about my life and stop wasting it on less important stuff.

Rating: 4.5/5

Hands down one of the best film I've watched. Next up, Project Almanac/The Boy Next Door/The Imitation Game/Mordecai!

Amnesia

I wish some things could be forgotten easily. Allows people to have less "burdens" moving forward. However, it is also these "burdens" that mold us into what we are today, that help us grow and mature, that defines who we are and differentiates us from others.

Do you wish you have amnesia?

Tell me this is just a dream, because it is not fine at all.

Snorlax used Amnesia! It's Special Defense greatly rose!

Learn to say NO

Sometimes, I feel that I am too easy-going, which always leads to me helping other do things despite being inconvenient. I guess I still don't know how to reject people. Hopefully, this video can help me, and other people who are facing the same problem as me.

Blackhat into the woods

Life after submission has been great. No lab. No report. Just doing whatever swing my boat. Watched 2 recent movie release and they are like on the different ends of my spectrum.

19th January 2015, Into The Woods

A ridiculous yet hilarious musical. I watched it because of Meryl Streep and she was really good in it, playing the witch. I feel that the story could incorporate Rapunzel better, but I love how they mash Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk into one comedy. The baker story line was also quite funny, about how he depended on his wife. The movie has many learning points about life and I honestly enjoyed it.

Rating: 3.5/5

20th January 2015, Blackhat

Waste of time, waste of money. The plot is decent but the way the movie was portrayed sucked balls. I was so bored that I googled the whole plot and spent the rest of my time being a jerk using my phone in the cinema. The only redeeming factor for me is Chris Hemsworth, because duh, he is Thor. Other than that, the movie tried too hard to incorporate more comedy scenes, which dulled the whole movie and didn't pique my interest at all.

Rating: 0.5/5

Last but not least, sorry for being that jerk ):

How I destress

Well, I was just invited into my design project group and realized there is a ton of readings. And the leader already arranged a meeting tomorrow, and prepared a to-do list for us. Feeling 小stressed right now.

I tend to watch nonsensical videos every time I feel really shitty doing work. So I'm sharing with you guys this awesome funny video. Unfortunately, you might not understand it if you are not from Singapore ):

Hope you guys enjoyed it and had a good laugh! #diao什么diao

THAT empty feeling

Probably the most hectic birthday in my life. My schedule yesterday was literally:

3am - left Utown

4am - sleep

9am - wake up

10am - editing report in school

1pm - design lecture

4pm - last minute report polishing

4.30pm - printing and binding

4.45pm - submission

6pm - class

9pm - left school

I truly believe that this experience has molded me into a better person. My perseverance and tolerance definitely increased and I noticed that I can take a lot more shit that I expected.

With that said, the submission of the FYP final report left a void in my life. The past few days of insane rushing of report has taken its toll on me though, I am like super heaty now, and my complexion is like terrible.

Feeling a little empty and too free right now. I guess I should be enjoying my freedom and somehow make up to myself that horrible birthday I just had.

Fig 1. Siying "surprising" me in Engin but forgot to bring spoons so we can't eat the cake.

Fig 2. My family preparing a cake for me. <3

Pardon the report style writing, I have to attend to that empty feeling.

Blank Space

Nice to meet you, where you been?

I could show you incredible things

Magic, madness, heaven sent

Saw you there and I thought

Oh my God, look at that face

You look like my next mistake

Love's a game, want to play?

New money, suit and tie

I can read you like a magazine

Ain't it funny, rumors, lies?

And I know you heard about me

So hey, let's be friends

I'm dying to see how this one ends

Grab your passport and my hand

I can make the bad guys good for a weekend

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long-list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space baby

And I'll write your name

Cherry lips, crystal scars

I could show you incredible things

Stolen kisses, pretty lies

You're the king, baby, I'm your queen

Find out what you want

Be that girl for a month

Wait the worst is yet to come, oh no

Screaming, crying, perfect storm

I can make all the tables turn

Rose garden filled with thorns

Keep you guessing like

"Oh my God, who is she?"

I get drunk on jealousy

But you'll come back each time you leave

'Cause darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long-list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space baby

And I'll write your name

Boys only want love, if it's torture

Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn you

Boys only want love, if it's torture

Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn you

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long-list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space baby

And I'll write your name

My mind is a slate of blank right now, because I've just offloaded everything into my FYP report. 2 more days and it will all end.

Langkawi and Penang

I just got back from my short getaway to the islands of West Malaysia, Langkawi and Penang. Overall, I enjoyed myself because the company was awesome. Since I was the only guy, I naturally assumed the "protector" role over the girls as it was the right thing to do. But of course, they didn't need much protection anyways.

Eagle Square, Langkawi. This is apparently a famous landmark here, which (in my own words) signify Langkawi spreading its wings to fly off to the great unknown or success.

Sunset at Eagle Square, Langkawi. Pretty babes with pretty sunset, what more can you ask for?

Cenang Beach, Langkawi. We spent 10 ringgit on that ultraman ball which we played for a minute. Spent the rest of the time there playing bridge. #oldalready

Street Art, Georgetown, Penang. Part of the UNESCO heritage preservation site, street arts like these are actually found all around the streets. You can make it a day trip to hunt down all these street arts!

Han Jiang Ancestral Temple of the Penang Teochew Association, Georgetown, Penang. Well, felt a little obliged to visit this place when Siying mentioned "Teochew". It's like a back to my roots type of thing. Didn't really have time to go through it thoroughly because Priscilla was urgently finding a toilet, but I have pictures of the interior with information (which I hope I will find time to look through).

Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Georgetown, Penang. I insisted on this visit purely because of TAR 16 pitstop. However, the 20 ringgit spent there was totally worth it, we had a very informative guide (who also joked with us) and I learnt lots of history of the Babas and the Nyonyas. One of my favourite this trip!

Church Street Pier, Georgetown, Penang. Supposedly left behind by the British during their colony, this pier still retains its English touch.

Chew Jetty, Clan Jetties, Penang. I find this really interesting because they don't live on land, but they built houses on these jetties that stretches out from the mainland. As a result, they are exempted from paying taxes. On top of that, each jetty houses a different clan (surname) and has their own temples. Priscilla said that the temple is because they go out to sea very often and it is for them to pray for their loved ones.

Some random street, Georgetown, Penang. L-O-V-E. I love these girls to bits. They are the best people to go overseas with. <3

In conclusion, the trip was overall satisfying, except for the rain on Langkawi Day 2 which spoilt our plans effectively. Other than that, the food in Penang was way off the charts, and I definitely wouldn't mind going back again for more awesome food. Ciao~

Quote of the trip: We learn something new everyday! (Chew; Koh; Soh & Tan, 2015)

A new year, a new start

Well, I shall bid farewell to my previous blog as the dashboard follows the old system and I can't make changes to the templates. So say hello to this new blog!

As we move into 2015, I am facing my quarter year crisis. Caught between being a carefree child and a responsible adult, it's a difficult phase to transit into. Gotta put down my past mistakes and look forward into a vibrant future!

With that, my new year's resolution for 2015 is to be myself as much as possible. You can't make everyone happy, because by doing so, you are only sacrificing your own happiness. (A quote by Walden Schmidt/Ashton Kutcher in Two and a Half Men)