Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is always my favorite festive season, and this year is no different. I love to catch up with some relatives, get to know them a little better and also what they are up to. It's like many things can happen within a year. You might be really rich today, and when I see you again next year, you might be running away from debts. That aside, I believe this year is also the same.

Kids are growing up, evidently from the increasing Blackjack circle we are all familiar with. Not only that, they are maturing way faster. I remember when we were 12ish, we are only playing blindmice and block catching. Right now, they are actually gambling even before the age of 12.

The older generation looks a lot more aged, especially evident in one or two. Parkinson's and falls are definitely the major contributor to the sudden weakening of their bodies and their state of mind. Losing the memory of people who were once close to you, definitely a scary one for me.

The young adults transition phase, including myself, moving into the workforce and starting their own families. The mere thought of it shudders me. Like I said, I am really not a fan of change, but all these is inevitable. I wish all the happy moments will just freeze in time, and we would not need to face up to such harsh reality.

Lastly, I broke down once again, due to alcohol. I really didn't expect it, especially when I was still able to control myself this time. I guess, it is when people hit a nerve; while you are trying to escape, trying to avoid the reality. It did feel good letting it all out, and perhaps, that is what they are there for. Perhaps, it's time for them to know, after all, we have been the closest bunch of distant cousins people might know, and I believe we will be there for each other through thick and thin.

I didn't expect this to turn out quite grim and sad, but yeah, I still love CNY <3

The suit is the modern gentleman's armour

Recently, I caught another 2 movies and I must say, Kingsman was by far the BEST of all 8.

Kingsman is about this secret service agency which helps to save the world anonymously. So the story started with Eggsy, the son of a deceased agent. And he managed to join after he was bailed out by Galahad. So after a stringent selection process, he lost to Roxy at the final selection round. But when Galahad died on a mission to Valentines, he witnessed the killing and he went to find the head of Kingsman - Arthur. However, he realised that Arthur was also bought over by Valentines, so he managed to feed Arthur with his own poison and embarked to a trip to save the world with Merlin and Roxy (who was crowned as Lancelot). I swear, you won't regret watching it.

Rating: 5/5

Are we going to stand around all day or are we going to fight? (Harry Hart/Galahad, Kingsman: The Secret Service)

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The Voices was a really ridiculous show. Funny, but yet also lame and predictable. It's about Jerry having a mental problem and refuses to take his medicine to escape reality. As a result, he could hear voices from his cat, dog, and the heads he chops off. Quite a sad but stupid ending if you ask me.

Rating: 1.5/5

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With that, I wish everyone a Happy Lunar New Year!

Mr. Grey will see you now

I managed to catch 50 Shades of Grey today, alone, on Valentine's Day, alone. Yes, you get the point. So anyway, I figured none of my friends will be interested to watch such a movie with me, so why not? It is a film adapted from the popular trilogy so I guess I shan't bore you with the details, just some thoughts I have. Also, since it's R21, I guess it isn't really appropriate for me to start quoting intimate scenes here right?

For me, I haven't read the book so pardon me if I get details off. I will be getting the trilogy soon, once I have the time to shop for it.

So the story is about Christian Grey, a successful billionaire at 27 owning his own business. However, due to his dark and painful past, he delved into the world of Dominatrix and Submissive, bringing pleasure through inflicting pain, and to keep his secrets, his partners have to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Until he met Anastasia Steele, whom I believed, touched his heart and started to change him. (See I told you change is the only constant.) The movie, however, ended abruptly with Anastasia getting hurt, physically and emotionally, after trying to understand Christian at a deeper level, resulting in her leaving. Hence, I am really looking forward to the next installment!

Rating: 4/5

I don't make love; I fuck... hard. (Christian Grey, 50 Shades of Grey)

I wish I was Christian Grey, of course without the dominatrix part.

Change is the only constant

I am not a fan of changes. In fact, I hate them. I like being comfortable in the now, and trying to achieve a different tomorrow makes me all nervous and well, uncomfortable.

But in our current lives, change is rapid and always happening. Adapting to these changes, therefore becomes integral in our lives as we try to digest and react to them. Being unable to adapt to these changes will only cause you to suffer and slowly become obsolete. However, in the first place, change is also brought about by rule-breakers, revolutionary leaders, and of course every single decision you make. Maybe you can choose not to adapt to the changes, instead bring about another change to change that change that just occurred. Changeception. And maybe that is why change is always around us. Change is the only constant.

But there's nothing to be afraid of, even when the night changes.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Once again, the festive season is just round the corner, and in just ONE week, we are all going to be immersed in that happy time of the year again! Personally, CNY is the time for me to catch up with some relatives, especially those long lost ones who only appear once in a blue moon.Maybe it's just me, being me, who likes to butt in and give advice about studies to parents who only know how to throw their kids to expensive tuition. Or it could be me, being another me, just smiling gleefully when handed angpows (red packets) after angpows. But with that said, it is really disheartening to know that we only do meet some long-distance relatives once a year, and I would really love for that to be improved. But being busy people living in this fast-paced metropolis, it is a really tough dream to fulfill.

And of course, the annual reunion dinners with yu sheng. Reunion dinners originated from China long ago. People, usually men, leave their hometowns (mostly farmlands) for greener pastures all around China. And China, being China, is huge as hell, so once a year, they will make it a point for the whole family to gather and have a reunion dinner to catch up and such. But in our current local context, don't tell me you stay in Jurong and your family stay in Changi and you guys can only meet once a year. I'm not talking about my family because we are really tight, both paternal and maternal side, but I am sure some families out there only see each other once a year for that reunion dinner. Ain't it sad that you can't even arrange your schedule to free up some time just to meet up with the people, who are supposed to be closest to you, for just a simple meal? Utterly disappointing.

When I was younger, I used to value my friends more than my family, but as age start to catch up with me, I realized that certain viewpoints that I held have changed. I am starting to see the importance of spending quality time with my family, and of course trying my best to balance school/work, friends and family, without compromising my personal private time. And after my 25th birthday, I am starting to worry if I would die alone.

Oh well, it's been a long time since I wrote such a long post (that is not Survivor-related). Hopefully, there are people out there who can relate with me and yeah, make friends or something! I shall end this post off with 2 light-hearted CNY-themed videos!

credits: nightowlcinematics and cheokboardstudios

Mortdecai's Imitation Game

It's been another 2 days of movie going for me. And here's a short review!

Monday, 2nd February 2015

Hilarious! And a good choice to get your mind off serious things. I like how Johnny Depp and Gwyneth Paltrow interacted, especially regarding the mustache. I LOVE THE MUSTACHE! It also talked about how lying and cheating actually gets you somewhere, which I don't think we should be doing in our lives. But whatever, enjoyable show on the relax side. Not everyone will appreciate it I guess.

Rating: 3.5/5

Tuesday, 3rd February 2015

This is a really deep show with lots of underlying messages. It talked about how the crossword genius decodes the encrypted Enigma and ultimately led to the Allied Forces to win World War 2. It also delved into the character development of Alan Turing, the guy who made it all happen, and how he dealt with the discrimination he faced because of his sexuality. It was a meaningful movie I would say, but a little slow for plot development.

Rating: 4/5

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I also attended a study group with Prudential, which ultimately talked about careers and whatsnot. And obviously, they are out to poach us, despite saying otherwise. However, it definitely struck something within me and I did consider that as a possible career opportunity. But it would not be my first choice because I still believe that all the technical expertise would go to waste.

And I shall end of this post with a quote:

"Sometimes, it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine." (The Imitation Game)