Juno Fever

I caught on the 'Juno fever' real late. All year long I heard advices to catch the film but only today did I really feel like catching Juno, which I did. 

Loved every moment of the film... even watched the credits, which was a first for me; The song selections were brilliant in my opinion. I loved the songs in the film so much that I'd even made the effort to learn one of them; the very last song in the show which the leads Michael Cera and Ellen Page played together: Anyone Else But You (originally by the Moldy Peaches).

Heres a clip, taken from the film itself, of Michael Cera and Ellen Page performing the song (or at least a short version of it) : 

I'm so going to buy that Juno Original Soundtrack CD!

Reopening of Old Wounds

Just watched Money No Enough 2. The movie was humorous and yet serious at times. I wasn't able to fully enjoy the movie though; I was seated right in front and I had to keep my head raised in order to have a good view of the movie screen. I had heard good things about the film from Charlie during the wait for my turn during the GCE 'O' Levels English Oral Examinations and so I had great expectations of the movie. Maybe it was because I had to keep my head raised (which led to a major headache on the way home) but I wasn't impressed by the computer-generated imagery. It all look quite amateurish to me... but then again, this may be because of the high levels of computer-generated imagery displayed in recent movies such as Transformers. The editing could also have been done a bit better; I got lost a few times in the movie. However, the thing that impressed me most was the level of reality in this movie. In Money No Enough 2, director Jack Neo had decided to not only film about the financial problems faced by Singaporeans but also the family issues of some, if not many, of the families in Singapore. The story line of the movie was extremely real (if not a bit exaggerated); in fact, it was so real that it was almost cruel. Now, I wouldn't want to spoil the movie for those who haven't watch it yet... but let's just say that it has happened to my family before... only 2 years ago. The wounds from then had just began to heal when my family and I went to catch this movie. Towards the end of the movie, I began to regret our choice of catching Money No Enough 2 as the wounds... had reopened. The drive home was a silent affair; only the sound of the radio could be heard. Since leaving the movie theatre, my dad hasn't said a word. I hope he'll be alright after a night's sleep and be back to his usual bubbly self. However, we weren't the only ones affected by the movie... while squeezing through the exit of the movie theatre, I looked around me and there were people with grins and people with puffy red eyes. This movie has definitely made a impact on a number of people.

Sir Nils Olav

Was flipping through the New Paper when I saw this tiny article about Sir Nils Olav. What aroused my curiosity was not the knighting but the fact that Nils Olav is actually a penguin. Fancy that! A penguin being knighted! But don't look down on Sir Nils Olav though, he has been an honorary member and mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard since the 1980s and was made Honorary Colonel-in-Chief in 2005.

Heres a photo of Sir Nils Olav inspecting soldiers of the Norwegian King's Guard regiment.

(photo taken from Deadline Press & Picture Agency's flickr account)

"Superior Intelligence"

I stumbled into an IQ test online and decided to try it out. 



According to an IQ score guide from the same website (http://www.free-iqtest.net/iq-score-guide.asp), I'm a part of the "Gifted" which is a group that consists of only 2.3% of the test-takers. Never crossed my mind that I was "gifted"... well, until today.

Had my GCE 'O' Levels English Oral Examination today. While waiting for my turn, I wasn't nervous actually... only till it was almost my turn that I started to shake my legs nervously. Perhaps, this lack of nervousness was due to me preparing for the Oral Examinations the previous night. Or maybe, it was because I was beside a talkative bunch while waiting for my turn (Yes, Charlie and Damian, if you so happen to be reading this, I'm referring to you! :P) Anyways, I can proudly say that I've tried my best. I've talked till my lips were dry and till I had to lick them ever so often just to be able to continue my conquest for that elusive distinction in English Oral. No regrets though, if I don't get that distinction in English Oral. What is more important is that I tried my very best.

It was a kind of trying week for me. I'd finally completed my Design and Technology (DnT) artifact (YES!!! AT LONG LAST! GODDAMN-IT!). Now, all I have to do for DnT is to focus on my journal and presentation boards. Though I have to admit that after all that hard work on the artifact, I don't quite feel like in the mood to do my journals and presentation boards. And of course, being that perfectionist I am, I still have that tinge of regret that my artifact wasn't as perfect as I'd wanted it to be...

Then, there was the GCE 'O' Levels Chinese Results. I'd obtain a B3 which is quite good considering that my school is labelled as one of the 'Top 10 WORST schools for Chinese'. I was relieved by my results but somehow, I wasn't quite able to smile. Just that thought of narrowly missing out on that distinction for Chinese... it kind of made me angry at myself? I can't quite describe my emotions at missing out on that distinction but... just understand that I was quite sad. Still, I had tried my best during the Chinese examinations and I was contemplating on whether I should just settle on my results. After many tossing and turning on the bed, I eventually reached my decision to retake the GCE 'O' Levels Chinese Examination papers. After all, maybe some years down the road I may regret not retaking the papers? I just didn't want to remember my secondary school days as my 'Years Of Regrets'. Hopefully this time I would be able to achieve distinction...

Less of my typing now! Here are some photos from the trip to the Singapore Discovery Centre in celebration of the nation's birthday:

Before I go, heres a shout-out to the Singapore Ladies' Table Tennis team in reaching the finals of the Table Tennis Olympics. This means that Singapore would have its first medal in the Olympics after 48 years! Woo~! Go Singapore~!

Spokesmen

Vijay and me, we can really be spokesmen for folios. I'm not sure about others but I am certain Vijay and me, we work on our Design and Technology (DnT) folios EVERYWHERE. From inside the lobby of a country club to the poolside to even beside some renovation works, we have done our DnT folios diligently (Umm... the diligently part referred to me, not Vijay ;P). I've even worked on my folio in the toilet!

Even though I've worked so hard on my folios, whenever I'm waiting for the MRT train, I can hardly resist the temptation to just dump the folios I'm holding into the gap between the platform and the MRT train tracks. Why, you may ask? Actually, I'm not certain why I have this huge urge too. Perhaps, I just want to see just what would happen if I ruin my DnT folios. Kind of... weird, huh? Well... that's just me, like it or not.

Working on the folio with Vijay at the Serangoon Gardens Country Club has been the most 'enriching' experience on my folio-doing 'journey' so far. We have been chased out of the air-conditioned lobby, told off by a lady in the study room and yet again, chased out of our seats in the lobby. The first time we were chased out, we settled to work beside the pool under the SCORCHING (and damn, do I mean SCORCHING...!) sun. Well, it was still a fruitful experience though. At least, I managed to hear Vijay crack a joke:

Me: It's bloody hot, Vijay. HOW?!

Vijay: What how? You see me. I'm black right? And a good radiator of heat!

Me *after a moment of silence*: Oh my god, Vijay! You made a joke! First time, man!

*Bam!* And I got a whacking.

And why oh why did we get told off by that lady in the study room? We always get scolded because of Vijay. Vijay the idiot who couldn't keep his mouse shut when I'm teaching him something on Physics. Hopefully, he doesn't see all this. He's probably going to kill me when he sees this.

Hopefully, we get that much-wanted A1 for DnT. All that work and effort... it'll be a waste if we don't score in DnT. Sadly though, hard work isn't always reflected in the report books. Hopefully this time round it'll be different.

Singapore Television

Was looking forward to this day. Firstly, obviously because it's national day. Secondly, because after the live telecast of the National Day Parade there's a whole range of exciting television shows. 

Calefare. 

The trailer for Calefare was amusing and it really made me want to catch it. Unfortunately, I was out for dinner and missed most of it. Still, the last part was funny enough to make me roar with laughter. Vadi Pvss, the man most commonly known for his part in the M1 advertisement (Remember 'Mumbai Dah'?), was hilarious. Hope the remaining episodes are as hilarious.

Below is the M1 advertisement, just in case you didn't get what I mean. ;)

First Class was also nice... though the teachers are a bit... how do I say?... unrealistic? Even though I'm from a school where the teachers can sometimes be a bit wacky, I couldn't believe the behavior of the teachers in First Class. I mean... can you have someone who 'senses' emotions by pulling her hands out in the direction of a person as a teacher? I suppose that's what makes television so addicting I guess... reality-defying things which you really want to see.

Heroes: Season 2's pilot episode is on air now. Can't type! Gotta watch it! :)

C-VAT Results

Took a C-VAT Personal Value Assessment at breezeto5.com a few days ago, just curious to see what a computer would say of my values. I actually learnt something about myself that I find untrue, which according to Mengxuan was extremely true. Here are the findings of the C-VAT:

Mr SuHuai is prepared to put in hard work moderately but he may at times prefer to work at his own pace.

Mr SuHuai is relatively dependable to deliver results on time. He may sometimes be late in meeting deadlines.

Mr SuHuai initiates plans and ideas easily but may not persist with the tasks until completion. He is prepared to leave tasks unfinished; hence he may prefer short-term assignments as he is more likely to complete these tasks. He may lose interest and focus when working on long term assignments.

Mr SuHuai is likely to be quality-conscious and achievement-oriented. He is motivated to produce work that is of a high standard. He is observant, quick to spot errors and critical where work is concerned. He is likely to be meticulous, careful and pre-occupied with detail.

Mr SuHuai is an emotional person. He finds it difficult to conceal his feelings. He is likely to seek attention from others. Mr SuHuai is passionate, romantic and warm, and needs to be with people. As his emotional needs are high, he is often the 'taker' in a relationship. He tends to make decisions based on his own feelings and opinions.

Mr SuHuai is sympathetic and considerate towards others. He is also likely to be tolerant, understanding and forgiving. Mr SuHuai lends support and offers help readily. He often lends a listening ear to others and is concerned about their welfare. He is also charitable.

Being a shy, quiet and reserved person, Mr SuHuai prefers his own company and feels awkward when meeting people for the first time. In social gatherings, he tends to stay in the background.

Mr SuHuai is the sort of person who forms long term bonds and attachments. He is faithful, trustworthy, and devoted in such relationships. He tends to be trusting, dedicated and protective towards those he loves. Patriotism and sense of duty is a significant aspect of his character.

Positions of power, influence and authority are not Mr SuHuai's concern. He does not mind letting others assert authority over him. He is accommodating, laid back and easy-going.

Mr SuHuai is concerned with position and status. He cares about how people view him. Prestige, quality, rank and reputation are important to him. He is likely to be brand-conscious and would attach significance to status symbols. He takes pride in his appearance.

Mr SuHuai sees people as friendly, reliable and honest. He is trusting and believes what people say. He tends to be unsuspecting of people.s behaviour and motives. He is uncomfortable when he has to wheel and deal.

A good supporter to the people around him, Mr SuHuai does not desire to lead or influence people. He is uncomfortable taking charge and does not feel the thrill of challenge in leading others. He prefers to responds rather than initiate. He looks to others to provide direction and does not naturally want to persuade or motivate others to take a certain course of action.

Intellectual matters do not interest Mr SuHuai. He is more concerned with practical issues than abstract theories. Mr SuHuai prefers to talk about useful and workable solutions than discuss hypotheses and concepts. He is more likely to build on ideas rather than generate them.

Mr SuHuai puts in effort to plan ahead some of the times. He may at times not be as detailed in his planning.

Mr SuHuai is generally able to express himself although not to a high degree of eloquence.

Being one who needs clear and thorough instructions before he can proceed on action, Mr SuHuai resists when conditions are uncertain. He does not adapt easily to changes. Before he embarks on a new project, expect Mr SuHuai to find out more and probe deeply.

Some parts, like me feeling awkward when meeting people for the first time, I felt were so true while others, like me being emotional and finding it difficult to conceal my feelings (are they trying to say I'm emo?), ... let's just say I laughed my head off in disbelief. 

The results even had a pie chart with different aspects ranging from 1 to 20. My highest aspect was 'Empathy' with a score of 18 and my lowest was 'Politics' with a score of 8. Guess this means I'm gonna be bullied in my future workplace... Well, at least I know early... I'll have the time to mentally prepare myself...

Here's the pie chart:

Kind of interesting, isn't it? Well, if you're curious to discover more about yourself, do register at breezeto5.com and try out the C-VAT test. In fact, Mengxuan is gonna try it soon... I'm excited about discovering his results. Will he get bullied in his future workplace like me?