the book of sereneione

I'm a Gleek

2009-11-27T23:19:00.004+13:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

Frankly speaking, I have nothing to write about. But I'll think of something as I go along. I hope.

Alright, here's something.

I've been watching Glee recently. Doing it one week at a time, not by downloading, but by catching it on TV. I know that, eventually, I will grab the episodes off a friend to keep, but at the moment, I am doing it the old-fashioned way.

Anyway, I really like the show. Everytime they break into a song or a dance, I find myself laughing my heart out, or at the very least, smiling broadly. I don't find their jokes particularly funny; in fact I find a lot of the characters annoying. But I really enjoy watching them sing and dance, so I'm going to continue watching the show, up to the very end. Because I never watch a show halfway. Unless it is utterly and totally unbearable, like that Ben Stiller movie. I either watch the whole thing, or I don't watch it at all.

I wonder if the weather is going to be good enough tomorrow for me to go out. Not that I have anything in particular to do outside, but it'd be a change from staying indoors all the time. Hmm. Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Victorian Fete

2009-11-22T23:01:00.003+13:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

I just got sunburnt for possibly the very first time in my life.

Alright, so maybe I have been sunburnt before, I don't quite remember actually, but I'm pretty sure that it was never as bad this time. And the funny thing is, the only parts which are sunburnt are the back of my hands (half of each back, the thumb-half) and the décolletage area. These areas are now bright red in colour, and they feel raw.

What should I do?

Wasted bandwidth

2009-11-21T12:10:00.002+13:00

Currently listening to: 玉蝴蝶 by 謝霆鋒

I am obsessed with this song at the moment. And we all know how long I stay obsessed with something.

Anyway, I had dinner at Bell Pepper Blues yesterday. I am so glad that they didn't let me down, in terms of food. Nothing is worse than going to a place with high expectations, only to be disappointed badly. And it's not closing down, people. So head on there whenever.

Also, nothing is more enjoyable to watch than a group of performers who clearly enjoy performing. It puts a smile on my face, seeing the look of pure enjoyment on their faces. Makes me enjoy their performance even more.

玉蝴蝶

2009-11-16T23:42:00.005+13:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

Guess which plant has a variety called the "Jade Butterfly"?

Ginkgo biloba.

Now try saying the words twice, in quick succession of each other. And no, there is no particular reason for doing this.

Actually, yes there is.

These words remind me of this radio show which I used to tune in to every Sunday back when I was still in high school. It was on Hitz FM; I think it was called "Rick Dee and the Weekly Top 40", or something like that. I remember that they used to play quite often on the show a clip of someone going "Ginkgo biloba ginkgo biloba!" I didn't know what it was for, or why they had done it, but it left an impression on me, and so, ever since then, every time I see these words, I think of that radio show, and the clip automatically plays itself in my head.

Anyway, according to various websites on the Internet, the "Jade Butterfly" is an unusual dwarf, vase-shaped ginkgo with clumps of dark green leaves that look similar to a butterfly’s wings. It's a slow-growing form plant with a mature height that is less than half that of standard forms (grows to approximately 4 to 5 feet in 10 years!). It's an introduction out of New Zealand, turns golden-butter-yellow in colour during the fall, tolerant to poor growing conditions, and also insect, disease, and deer resistant.

Looks like my current obsession with Nicholas Tse is not a waste of time after all.

Stupid boy

2009-11-15T14:16:00.002+13:00

Currently listening to: Some song by Nicholas Tse

Yeah I'm not entirely out of it yet, since I ended up going on a download spree of his songs yesterday. But I have to say, I am pleasantly suprised to find that his songs are not that bad after all. Quite pleasing to the ears.

Anyway, I knew it was going to rain, but I got my car washed yesterday regardless because it's truly been a while since I last washed it, and it's pretty filthy now, by my standards. Cost me 7 bucks, since I didn't do it at home (the weather was not warm enough and there's no hose) but at this self-service car wash place.

Snail-pace

2009-11-12T20:46:00.004+13:00

Currently listening to: 紅豆 by 王菲

Here's a quote from the Japanese manga My Girl by Sahara Mizu:

I finally began to realise that the lies that parents tell become the things that support their children. Therefore, if I can see my daughter with that expression, then I'll become as much of a liar as I have to be.

And here's another from the Japanese manga Sukima Shiki by the same mangaka:

"I see. So you've already decided what you're going to do, Usami?"

"Well, I'm the only son. I haven't exactly been dilligent in my studies, so I'll probably work in the dumpling shop..."

"Eh, that's nice! Mr Dumpling-Maker, pick me, pick me!"

"Pick you?"

"To be your wife!"

Some time later...

"Wow, this is great!"

"Really? I made it myself."

"No way. It's awesome!"

"So, I've earned your respect?"

"Totally earned it!"

"Then, pick me, pick me!"

"Pick you?"

"For your husband."

Title-less

2009-11-10T22:12:00.002+13:00

Currently listening to: Happy Valley by Vanessa Mae

Am trying to withdraw myself from my "addiction" at the moment. It seems to be working. Slowly. But that's alright I don't mind slow. Slow and steady wins the race.

I watched Julie & Julia the other day. Meryl Streep was awesome, as usual. She's got the character down to a T, despite my not knowing how the real Julia Child is in person. Amy Adams was alright too. I just found her character a little annoying, that was all.

...because the one left behind will suffer more

2009-11-08T00:13:00.005+13:00

Currently listening to: 來夜方長 by 蘇永康

Yes I am still hooked on Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung. Today, I've been reading up on their news via this Chinese entertainment news website. It's in Chinese (obviously), so I took the opportunity to brush up on my "character recognizing". It's a good thing really, because usually, when I see a page full of Chinese characters, I get put off very quickly and won't even bother trying to get through even the first sentence. This time around, I actually had the determination to go through every single word, from the beginning to the end. Heck, I even read them out loud, and repeated myself to ensure that I got the pronunciations right. Some motivation indeed.

I'd wish for you to die first...

2009-11-04T22:04:00.005+13:00

Currently watching: A Nicholas Tse interview

For the past 2 to 3 days, I've been hooked on Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung. More on Nicholas Tse, actually, since Cecilia has more or less faded into the background since giving birth to their son.

So, I've been watching some of his interviews. It is utterly amazing, how much love they've got for each other, based on what he'd said in the interviews anyway. He spoke of their interactions with each other while still dating, his preparation to propose, the proposal itself, married life, their son Lucas, and even the sex pictures scandal. When he spoke of her, the look on his face, and the smile on his lips, I mean, you can practically see the love shining out of his eyes and oozing out of his every word. And from what he'd said about her, about what she'd done for him (and still does), the feeling is very mutual.

I feel envious, of course, and I also feel "In your face you stupid media people!", because this is proof of what the entertainment media is really all about; false reporting for the sake of making more money. Idiots.

I've been using that word a lot at work, by the way. It's become like a pet-word now. Idiots.

Happy birthday to Daddy!

2009-10-28T21:44:00.002+13:00

Currently listening to: 趁早 by 張惠妹

Sometimes, the weather people are quite accurate. I say sometimes, because sometimes, they are not. Anyway, they forecasted that there will be hailing today. It is now hailing. And quite heavily too.

On another matter altogether, some of my favourite restaurants have closed down, no thanks to the recession. It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of the following restaurants: A Cow Called Berta, High Tide Waterfront Restaurant, and Conservatory Restaurant (Corstorphine House). With a slightly lighter heart, I announce the closure of the following restaurant: Yellow Train. Finally, with no heavy heart at all, I announce the closure of the following restaurant: The Hungry Frenchman.

Now, I just need to make sure that I pay another visit to Bell Pepper Blues and Claddagh Restaurant (Lisburn House) before they ever close down.

Di Ren Jie

2009-10-25T18:43:00.003+13:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

I've just finished watching the Hong Kong Chinese drama The Greatness Of A Hero. I found it really hard to understand it at first, because the characters literally speak as if they're reciting poetry, and I'm not particularly well-versed in the Chinese language. Luckily, it got easier towards the end. At least I managed to understand the whole story.

Anyway, it's not particularly bad, so I guess it's alright. It's just that I find some things a little unnecessary, such as the fight between the 2 concubines of the Crown Prince. It has nothing to do with the whole story whatsoever, and yet it took up at least one episode on its own. Also, I find that some of the characters were killed off too easily and quickly. It's fine if the character is not that important, but when it's the boyfriend of the main character's daughter, and he had plenty of screen time throughout the whole story, suddenly killing him off in the second last episode seems a little too unrealistic. The way he died was a bit unbelievable too.

Oh well. Moving on...

888 posts

2009-10-24T00:25:00.006+13:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

It's funny, how I know more details of Leslie Cheung's death and funeral now, than back then when he died, which was more than 6 years past. For reasons unbeknownst to myself, I have been looking up on the Internet news coverage of his death and funeral for the past few days, and managed to find enough to know as much as one would have known all those years ago. Despite the not-long-but-not-short time frame, it still saddens me when I read the reports, see the pictures, and watch the videos. I have always enjoyed his movies, and although I have not heard a lot of his songs before, the ones that I have, I liked a lot. Like the song 追, which is from the movie He's A Woman, She's A Man. If you can actually remember, which I highly doubt, I've talked about this movie before, albeit briefly, in the past.

Selene

2009-10-19T00:23:00.003+13:00

Currently watching: Underworld Evolution on TV

I've watched this movie before, but I forgot just how gory it is. Real gory. But I'll take gore over horror anytime. Some of you may ask, what is the difference between the two? Well, I guess when I say horror, I refer to movies with very scary displays of the supernatural, and when I say gore, I refer to movies with very graphic displays of violence and bloodshed.

Anyway, I found out that the Paso Doble which Michael Tse performed in the Chinese version of Strictly Come Dancing was a complete "copy" of the Paso Doble performed by Sara Von Gillern and Jesus Solorio in the 3rd season of So You Think You Can Dance. I must admit that I'm a little bit disappointed, because the organisers of the Chinese show seriously lacked originality and took so much off their English/American counterparts. Having said that, I think Michael Tse did a better job, even if only by a little. I could be biased, but oh well.

Wedding woes

2009-10-18T17:51:00.003+13:00

Currently listening to: Potter Waltz

I've got 2 friends getting married in January 2010, but I am unable to attend. Sucks. Actually, I've got another friend who's getting married in December, but I am also unable to attend. Really sucks.

Maybe I should start planning for future weddings. Set aside some money for travelling back to attend them.

In reality, however, that is not a very feasible plan. Because, even if I've got the money to spare, I'd need to take leave from work. And when you're having to travel half a day to someplace, you don't just take 1-2 days off. You'd want to take longer. Especially when you're having to pay a couple of thousand dollars for the travel.

Irish, or Scottish?

2009-10-14T19:29:00.008+13:00

Currently watching: Grand Designs Revisited on TV

I think Anita Yuen is very beautiful. The more I watch her (whether in a movie, a TV series, or an interview), the more I really like her. I think she is a very "real" person. I am unsure of how to explain it further (and I'm also lazy), so I'll just leave it at that.

I am also beginning to really like Michael Miu too. I think he looks better older. Can't say the same for his wife though. I'm not saying that she's bad-looking; I'm just saying that she doesn't age as well as her husband. I guess therein lies the difference between men and women.

Anyway, both Anita Yuen and Michael Miu starred in the Hong Kong Chinese drama Love Exchange, and I finished watching it in 2 days. That's 20 episodes in 2 days, 14 of which, as I had mentioned in an earlier post, was finished in 11 hours of a day.

It's not a very interesting drama, but I enjoyed watching it, all thanks to the great acting from most of the cast, if not all. I particularly liked it when they have scenes together. Not the romantic scenes, because, the truth is, they do not have much on-screen love chemistry together. The "neutral" scenes, on the other hand, were very fun to watch, as they were very compatible with each other, and thus were able to display a very believable and enviable friendship.

In conclusion, I am going to keep this series so that I can watch it again whenever I feel like it in the future. Even if I don't watch it in full, I'm pretty sure that I will watch my favourite scenes from time to time. Because that's exactly what I'm doing with Strictly Come Dancing at the moment. To the point that I can no longer count on both hands AND feet how many times I've watched the Samba, Jazz-Cha Cha Cha, Argentine Tango, and Paso Doble performances.

Happy 25

2009-10-12T13:41:00.005+13:00

Currently watching: Love Exchange

I have officially hit the quarter-of-a-century milestone. And no, I am not having a crisis. In fact, I embrace it, totally and happily. After all, you don't turn 25 twice in a lifetime.

Anyway, on the day itself, I had dinner with a friend and her family. This year, I have been spending all of their birthdays with them, so I thought it would be nice to make it a full circle. And they were very nice to me too; not only did they get me a cake and foot the bill, they also created a bit of unwanted attention from the other patrons in the restaurant by singing the birthday song in different languages, and almost caused me to faint from lack of oxygen by getting me "magic" candles, the kind that wouldn't go out with just one or even a few blows.

After that, we went for a 3-hour karaoke session, which got a little bit tense closer towards the end because of a small argument breaking out between 2 of my friends, but otherwise it was fun singing old boyband songs and what not. When that was over, we went for a drink at a nearby cocktail bar and got some food from a nearby 24-hour convenience shop, before hitting one of the pubs in town, staying there for about 2 hours or so. By the time I reached home, it was 4 something in the morning, and I didn't go to bed until about an hour later.

The next day, I slept in until I had enough of it, then hung around my room surfing the Internet and watching some shows until I had to get ready for dinner. 2 friends and I dined at this place which was an hour's drive away, and received raving reviews about their food, the atmosphere of the place, and their hospitality. Indeed, I agree that the latter two are to be raved about, but as for the former, I think I have had better elsewhere. Still, it was time and money well spent in my opinion. And I thank my 2 friends for their company and time, despite their busy schedules.

Yesterday, I once again slept in until I had enough of it, then hung around my room surfing the Internet and watching this Chinese drama Love Exchange. I must've broken my previous record, because I watched 14 episodes in one sitting. That's 11 hours of non-stop watching.

And today, I took a very-short-notice day off, because I had a very busy last week (my colleague was away for the whole week) and was exhausted by it, and I also came down with a very mild flu over the weekend. I don't think my manager was too pleased about it when I asked her if I could take the day off as an annual leave. I could've said that I was sick, but I didn't think that it was appropriate; after all, my main reason for wanting to take the day off was not because I was sick.

Oh well. It's already done, and I did call to make sure that my colleague was back at work before I asked for the day off, so I'll just make good use of today and rest to my heart's content until I go back to work tomorrow. Oh, I also managed to run some errands, so that's good too.

Otago Daily Times

2009-10-07T20:54:00.005+13:00

Currently watching: SVU Special Victims Unit on TV

I've got my hair coloured and cut yesterday. I like the colour; it's red, but because it's scattered lightly all over, it doesn't stand out too much. Just enough to be able to see the difference. As for the cut, I've learnt that in order to get a proper fringe, I will need to change my hair parting. I didn't, so what I've got at the moment passes as a half-fringe, if there is such a term. I may go back to the salon for a follow-up; get my current fringe cut even shorter. We'll see.

Anyway, I got the following quote from an article in the news:

Like many husbands, he has trouble remembering their wedding anniversary. But he insists it's not important anyway. What matters to him is the day in 1947 when he sought permission at town hall to marry her.

And what he remembers is this: "Even though they said no, Elvira told me, 'It doesn't matter because I will never stop loving you.'"

CSI is back!

2009-10-03T15:59:00.002+13:00

Currently watching: Strictly Come Dancing (still)

It was a 5-minute struggle against the wind, trying to put my duvet cover out to dry. I mean, it did help me straighten out the cover at first (since it just came out of the washing machine), but after that I was fighting a seemingly losing battle, trying to keep the cover on the line until I can put the clips on to make it stay there. I said seemingly, because obviously, I had managed to win the battle, otherwise you would not be hearing about this tale in the first place.

Having said that, I had decided against putting my fitted sheet out to dry as well, opting to leave it to dry inside the house. Just because I've won the battle once doesn't mean that I should go into battle again.

Measles

2009-09-30T20:40:00.003+13:00

Currently watching: SVU Special Victims Unit on TV

I injure my fingers so often, it's not funny. Cuts, scratches, I get them all the time. It sucks.

Now, what colour should I choose for my highlights? Brown? Red? Reddish brown? Brownish red? I want loose curls, but my hair is probably not long enough, plus I can't be colouring and perming at the same time. That's DAMAGE multiplied by 2. Not to mention COST multiplied by 2.

Regardless of what I'm going to do or how much I'll be paying, I'm excited all the same. 1 more week. Woohoo!

Zaibatsu

2009-09-27T00:40:00.004+12:00

Currently watching: Strictly Come Dancing (again)

This time around, I am not going to change the layout of my blog to signify a new beginning/year/whatever. I've decided to do something else. Like changing my number. Actually I didn't change my number; I just changed the network provider. Still counts I suppose. I also changed my health insurance policy so that I am now paying less than before. Lame, but a change nonetheless.

Lastly, I have decided to do something to my hair. I was still mulling over it before, but not anymore. It's almost like it is meant to be, because a couple of nights ago, while I was contemplating between 2 hair salons, I checked up on this "great bargains" website (which I do everyday), and one of the hair salons was featured on the website having a rather good deal, where you get a free haircut if you go in for some colour and treatment services. So yeah, I've booked myself in for some highlights, treatment, and a cut, and I am most fortunate that the girl was sweet enough to let me have the deal even though my appointment is more than a week away. See, the deals featured on the website are usually valid for 1 day only.

Anyway, I'm quite excited about it really. I hope it turns out well. Otherwise I'll have to invest in a wig. A good quality wig. Even though I do not know where I can get one. Honestly, I think it'd be nice to have wigs, because then I can change my hairstyle often enough without having to get my hair cut all the time. If I had all the money in the world, I'd seriously consider this option.

NCIS

2009-09-23T19:47:00.004+12:00

Currently watching: Grand Designs Revisited on TV

Why is it that the expenses either don't happen at all for a long period of time, or pile up one right after the other in a short period time?

Here's a list of mine for the next 2 weeks or so:

Contact lenses - $312 (assuming that my health insurance is going to cover the other $400)
Car registration - $247.86

I am hoping that there won't be another one anytime soon. Having said that, I think there will be, due to my growing desire to get a haircut within the next 3 weeks. Now, it doesn't have to be expensive, but I don't want to go cheap and end up with cut I do not like. Hence my current dilemma. To splurge, or not to splurge?

Plus, the most important question of all still remains; to cut, or not to cut?

St Joseph

2009-09-22T22:43:00.003+12:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

I just found out that the brother of a dear friend has recently (almost 2 months ago) passed away from liver cancer. And I am deeply ashamed and heartbroken to admit that I only found out about it because of Facebook. In fact, if she hadn't updated her profile picture, I probably would not have gone to her page at all, and thus would not have seen the messages on her wall. There weren't a lot of them, but there were enough to make me realise that something was wrong.

I am so sorry for your loss my dear friend. I am so sorry that I only found out about it today; I am such a poor excuse of a friend. I hope that you are feeling much better now, and that you are taking good care of yourself, as well as your family. Hopefully, I will be able to talk to you real soon. Until then, do take care, and take comfort in the thought that your brother is now in the good hands of God.

Psapp

2009-09-19T17:50:00.004+12:00

Currently listening to: Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven

Coincidentally, the day before yesterday was Wade Robson's birthday. Cool dude. You should watch the dance routine "The Hummingbird And The Flower" which he choreographed for a couple of the contestants from the show So You Think You Can Dance. And the "Homage to the Rabbits" dance routine too. I totally agree with the comments that he is the Tim Burton of dance. Ingenious, the both of them are.

Anyway, thanks again to Anonymous for all the links. I will enjoy them very much. Cheers!

Bubble

2009-09-18T22:14:00.011+12:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

A week has passed since I first watched the final episode of the Chinese version of Strictly Come Dancing. And almost every night since then, I found myself watching some of the dances over and over again, more specifically Michael Tse's performances. For the past few nights, I have to at least watch his second last performance, the Paso Doble, before I can go to sleep.

By the way, thank you to Anonymous for enlightening me to the name of the dance; up until just now, I only know it as the "bullfight" dance, a direct translation from the Chinese name. And yes, the Argentine Tango is my second favourite too. I guess it's true what they say, that great minds think alike. Hehe.

Anyway, just how obssessed am I with Michael's perfomances on the show? I recommended the show to a friend last weekend, and lent her my hard drive containing the episodes, but I forgot to take it back afterwards. I could not bear the thought of not being able to re-watch some of the dances until I get my hard drive back, so I went digging on YouTube, and I found the Paso Doble performance (yay!), as well as his final performance on the show (a mix of ballet, jazz, and hip-hop; it is actually a rough "copy" of the final dance scene from the movie Step Up), and his opening performance for the second season of the Chinese version of Strictly Come Dancing (which is a rough "copy" of Wade Robson's routine from Dancing With The Stars).

So now, the Paso Doble and the opening performance is on my YouTube's favourites list, and I even posted the Paso Doble video on my Facebook profile so that I can easily watch it whenever I log in (which is every day).

Yes I am THAT obsessed.

Gale

2009-09-14T20:16:00.006+12:00

Currently listening to: Nothing

I seriously can't get enough of Michael Tse and his AWESOME dancing on the Chinese version of the Strictly Come Dancing show. I've been watching and watching his dances (especially the second last one) for 3 days in a row now. Amazing. I'm so glad he got partnered up with Tang Xiao; they most definitely bring the best out of each other.

On another matter altogether, my heart goes out to Taylor Swift for the uncalled-for humiliation which was bestowed upon her at the MTV Video Music Awards, no thanks to a certain Kanye West (shame on you!). I can only imagine how the poor girl must have felt as she stood there, not knowing how to continue with her thank-you speech, and not knowing if the audience were actually applauding her or the awful dude who had left her in that state. The audience were applauding her of course; they just kept on cheering her name, and a lot of them got to their feet as well, but when you're like a deer caught in the headlights, I guess it's going to be hard trying to tell anything apart.