Jetoy-less-itis

I'm supposed to be reading up for my research paper, but my mind's polluted by images of Jetoy's products.

Princess Choo Choo, Po Po, the Dreamer series!!!
Salivates~

To what extent you ask?

I'm already scouring for details to Korea.
Yes. Flights, addresses etc.

It's that bad.

Please help me.
I'm in dire straits here.

I need a blardy vaccination against Jetoy.

I watched Slumdog Millionaire earlier this week, which proved to be quite a delightful experience. It is up to the individual to analyze whether the film glorifies poverty or portrays the real scenes of those often swept under the carpet.

You be the judge.

I felt the movie was able to capture the essence of living in the slums in Mumbai, India, framed by a kaleidoscope of colors. The outdoor toilets, the manic fascination of Bollywood stars, the rancid discrimination of people burdened by their caste and of a love a boy could not erase.

It tells the story of Jamal, who enters the wildly famous game show, “Who wants to be a Millionare” and ends up getting every answer right. He gets investigated by the local authorities for suspected foul play, simply because an uneducated man from the slums could not possibly know so much.

Or have remarkable luck.

It is written..

Jamal unveils how his life’s experiences led him to answer all the questions correctly.

Of how he and his elder brother, Salim; trawled the streets and peddled on trains after being left homeless and orphaned. Of how they survived on ingenuity, making money being traveling salesmen, makeshift hawkers and tour guides. Of how they were used by the syndicate and of how greed robs people of their innocence. Of how some memories he'd rather not have..

And of how the dynamics between brothers can shift as a result of greed.

the 3 musketeers

Best of all, I admired the longstanding connection that Jamal and Latika shared. It was wonderful that the film ended on a positive note because so much had sandwiched between the 2 “butterfly lovers” enroute to happiness.

Stick Insect and I also headed to Aston’s, a quaint little western food place over in pseudo ghost town Cathay (4th flr). We had the spaghetti Bolognese and the beef steak with corn on the cob and mashed potatoes. With its affordable prices, the place has a reputation for snaking queues so you are advised to go early or at odd times to avoid the mealtime crowds.

However, the food was nothing to shout about. I am, after all, a very traditional woman. Give me Chinese food anytime. Crystal jade..!!!

We ended our day over at Secret Recipe, having the Tom Yum Noodles, a sad rendition of an iced blended chocolate, an even more deplorable chicken ham and cheese spaghetti (which Stick Insect insist resembles vomitus).

The cakes we had were also seriously disappointing. The raspberry cheesecake was mildly passable but the complimentary brownie was something you would have chucked down the toilet without any guilt. There was an oil slick surrounding the poor thing which left me suspicious of an oil leak. Terrible.

These Hands

Have I ever told you that scrapbooking is extremely addictive?

Yes, apparently I have.

Here's a little peek at my current collection. With my fave brands being Sassafrass Lass, K&Company, Basic Grey and Die Cuts With A View.

Toiling through nights to compile papers, paste stickers, find the right picture... it's strange how different materials can pile upon each other to create little works of art that frame pictures of memories so wonderfully.

And recieving something handmade is an indescribable joy. It doesn't matter if it looks like a dog has had a field day with it prior to coming into your hands, or that stuff are dropping out like dandruff.

It's handmade and f*cking special. Perfect as perfect can be, at the very least to me.

Made with love.

The only piece in the world. And that's something nothing can compare with. To know that someone bothered enough about you to MAKE you something. And that sure says someone about where you stand in their lives.

Movies I would sooooooo LOVE to watch!!!

All about a mother's love. How can I say NO to that?!

It's a bollywood thing...

Brandon Fraser!!

Bigwigs in meaty roles!

Akan Datang...!!

Adapted from my fave book..

Whatever movie Drew Barrymore is in, is good enough for me!

I do love them horror movies!

This I got to see!

I bought the book at Kino and they gave me a voucher for a 1 for 1 deal to watch the movie at Cathay. The book costs approx $14 and comes with a reader's guide too.

A happy, feel good kinda movie!!

I'm elated that Shaw has an on-going promo with UOB so I get to enjoy $6/movie throughout the weekdays which translates to hefty savings. Just the way I like it!!

Here's wishing everyone a really blessed Valentine' s Day!

By the way.. here's some really cute kitty stuff that we found recently. And Stick Insect has already bought me some fantastic stuff.. hohoho!! This range by San-X is available at Isetan and Takashimaya. They come in a variety of note pads, letter pads, pouches and even bags.

Each letter pad you see below go for $5.80/pc.
It's a wonderfully delightful addition to any cat lover's collection.

I have this set.. and I'm sure there will be many more from Stick Insect.. hehehehee

Warning -

The following entry contains spoilers to the movie

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button

Like its namesake, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an intriguing tale of a man who is born aging backwards until finally dying as a baby.

The story opens with Daisy close to her last breaths. Lying on the hospital bed, she asks her daughter to read the contents of a leather bound diary.

A diary that recounts the life of a man her mother once knew.
(this portion reminds me of the movie Big Fish)

Hereby unfolding the curious case of Benjamin Button.

I was born under unusual circumstances.

Set in picturesque New Orleans in the early 1900s; the war has just ended and we see people pouring into the streets to celebrate.

They say it was a good time to be born.

A clock maker shares his story about his latest addition in the railway station. As he exposes a clock running backwards, he reveals his wish of turning back time so events could rewind and perhaps end up a little differently.

In another part of town, we see young Benjamin’s mother dying after a devastating labor. His father, unable to accept the disfigured fate of his flesh and blood, abandons the newborn on the steps of a nursing home.

The child is saved by Queenie, whose womb is unable to carry the fruit of love with her long time lover. She finds salvation in this unwanted child that God has blessed her with, loving him as if her own.

Everyone feels different about themselves one way or another, but we all going the same way.
In the home, Benjamin finds acceptance as he blends in with the residents who look no different from the people surrounding him.

Did I ever tell you that I was struck by lightning 7 times?

There, he crosses paths with a resident’s granddaughter, Daisy. The 2 have an instant connection and this chance meeting sparks off a love story that would last to the last days of their lives.

Along the way you bump into people who make a dent on your life.

Because of their visually incompatible physical appearance, both head in different directions to find the meaning of their life. Daisy blossoms into a talented dancer and Benjamin finds himself answering the call of the oceans.

Through trial and tribulation, they find themselves always magnetically gravitating towards square one. Unfortunately, their happiness is destined to fail as the harsh reality of their situation set in.

We’re meant to lose the people we love.
How else are we supposed to know how important they are?

On the whole, the story explores the similarities we encounter in the different ages of our lives. Brad Pitt is without a doubt eye candy, though his wooden rendition of this character is enhanced by the plot.

The story does not dissect the powerful emotions of the protagonist (or the other characters) as he deals with death, love, acceptance and other life experiences. I feel that more could have been done to focus on these aspects of human interaction.

It’s a funny thing coming home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You’ll realize what’s changed is you.

How true eh?

Lives converge and part in different directions.

Some people are meant to be permanent fixtures.

Some provide learning opportunities.

While others flirt through to provide temporary or comic relief.

You life is defined by its opportunities. Even the ones you miss.

Nonetheless, the movie is an enjoyable one with marvellous cinematography, memorable dialogue and impressive makeup. The posters do no justice to Cate Blanchett, who appear absolutely divine as a young lady! A good respite for an otherwise tiring week of work.

My fave line from the film : You can be mad as a mad dog at the way things went; you can swear and curse the fates - but when it comes to the end, you have to let go.

Because at the end of it all, what really matters doesn't seem to matter anymore.