a story in progress

This few days has been crazy and not to mention a time where spontaneous runs high. It all started when my brother suggested that we paint the room. It was totally random of him to do so, but nevertheless we gave way to it. It would be a lie, if I say I didn't wanted a new look for my room. Thus, began the nonsensical, crazy and totally random days of my life.

We rushed to the nearest hardware shop and bought a colour paint spontaneously. We went back ans started painting. It took us about 5 hours or so to paint the whole room. Well, I have to truthfully admit - the look of the room after it was given a fresh layer of paint did not go so well on any of us. Including myself who ironically choose the colour in the first place. There were several conflicts and misunderstandings beyond that point.

However the next day, we went to the hardware store again to buy yet another colour paint. See, I told you those days were one of the most random and spontaneous days ever! Anyway, without much ado, we went a paint a new layer of paint over the old one.

Have to say, the final look is something that I can live with it for the rest of my life or sojourn over here at SP. (which means good in my book) Below are pictures of my room taken before and after the process of painting;

Before you get any weird ideas, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is actually referring to a book written by John Boyne. I took some time off yesterday, to indulge myself in a constructive and non-destructive way - which is picking up a book and read it.

Anyway, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is about a nine year old boy, Bruno. Basically, the entire plot of the book is about Bruno trying to comprehend what is happening around him in his new home. Sounds kinda trivial right? Well for starters, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a children book. But I'm sure adults will like it as well.

Because the crucial theme of the novel is about the Holocaust period and the Final Solution. I'm sure for those out there who are aware of the term Holocaust, will find themselves asking, what on earth is subject of Holocaust doing in a children's book? Shouldn't children books focus about fantasy, magical quest, knight in a shinning armor, damsel in distress, etc.

Well, that's what I thought at first before purchasing the book. In fact, now that I look back at it, the subject of Holocaust is what probably that drew me into buying the book in the first place.

I'm proud to say that The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas definitely deliver it's killer punch especially at it's last few pages. In fact, I'm not really sure it's meant to be a children book any more after finishing it. One thing is clear though; this book will not go gently into any good night and also it definitely haunts the mind for days after.

So future readers, be warn! The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is not a jolly,light-hearted children novel, to be taken so casually! Be sure to read up on the Holocaust before hand, to help you understand this novel better.


----


On a lighter note, I stumble across 7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe (including myself) while I was surfing the Internet, the other day;

Myth 1: We use only 10 percent of our brains.
Myth 2: You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day.
Myth 3: Fingernails and hair grow after death.
Myth 4: Shaved hair grows back faster, coarser and darker.
Myth 5: Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight.
Myth 6: Eating turkey makes you drowsy.
Myth 7: Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals.

All which are proven untrue after a series of medical evidences and experiments of course. Another way, of educating ourselves and being a smarty pants. Yay!

With only a few days left before we approach the year 2008, everyone out there is busy making some sort of preparations to usher it. Well at least most people are doing it. Whether it's cleaning the house, buying new stuff, doing a bit of organizing and so on. Which kinda makes you wonder - what's with all the hype about the new year? As we progress over time, does that naturally make us a better person?

Honestly, I don't think so. People don't just change or turn over a new leave just as time progresses. People change because they want to and not to mention having the determination to do so. Which brings me to the point of today's post - what is so fascinating/magical/exciting about the new year?

I must confess, I'm never the sort of jolly person to be out there at New Year's Eve, celebrating it with others. Nor am I the sort of person counting down every seconds to it. Somehow, I feel all this are under a false pretense - rather superficial actually. We would like to think that, we have a fresh start in everything. We would hope for better returnings and luck in the upcoming new year. But realistically speaking, how many of this are actually true? Again, I'm a strong believer in the concept D.I.Y. Do it yourself, if you were to wish for something. May it be success, prosperity, health and so on.

Don't get me wrong though. I enjoy the New Year celebrations. You know with all the special offers going on in the malls right now and also not forgetting that the 1st of January is a public holiday - what is there not to like about the New Year? It's just that somehow, I managed to loose that enthusiasms of mines over the years. It seems that the time where I used to eagerly await the arrival of New Year, is of a distant memory. One which I can only recall and perhaps if I'm lucky enough, I get to relive those moments one of this days.

Nevertheless, don't let that dampen your jolly, holiday-ing mood, will you?

Don't let a cynic like me get into your way!


----

Okay I confess, I'm kinda bored and jobless right now. So how does one waste his time? Well, by answering random questions at the Internet of course! I took this one from Mani's blog.

Instructions:
1.Put your music player on shuffle.
2.Press forward for each question.
3.Use the song title as the answer to the question.

What does next year have in store for me?
Thirsty by K

What's my love life like?
Around the World by ATC (Hope so)

What do I say when life gets hard?
In The End by Linkin Park

What do I think when I get up in the morning?
This Love by Maroon Five

What song will I dance to at my wedding?
Can You Keep a Secret by Utada Hikaru

What do you want as a career?
Bubblin by Blue (No way I want it!)

Your favourite saying?
My Humps by Black Eyed Peas (Wtf??!)

Your pet's name?
Give It To Me by Timbaland feat Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake

Favourite place?
Dakishimeru by Boa

What do you think of your parents?
Fighter by Christina Aguilera

First Date?
Here it Comes Again by Melaine C (That's a nice one!)

Drug of choice?
中國話 (Chinese Language) by S.H.E

Describe yourself.
Misunderstood by Bon Jovi (Ironic ain't it?)

What is the thing I like doing most?
Praise You by Fatboy Slim

What is my state of mind like at the moment?
In The Middle by The Sugerbabes

How will I die?
Aka Renga by Teppei Koike (Doesn't seem to be making any sense at the moment)

Yes, ladies and gentlemen it has been one year since I last establish this weblog of mines. It would be a cliche to say this, but I never once thought I would have come this far, one year back. Again, isn't life proven to be a personification of ironies and contradictions? Expect the unexpected they say. But heck with it, I say nitwit, blubber and tweak! Those are the only mantra you ever need to carry on living in this dog eat dog world. Human eat dog world to be more precise though. But a more scary thought would be human eating other humans - cannibalism in other words.

Before I start to lose track amidst all the randomness, it's best I get to my point. Basically, today's post is about reminiscing the past. Ahh. The part where I get to say the good old days. So guys, if you are the sort of person who dislike mushy stuff or emo stuff - it's best you stay out of this! Spend your time in a more constructive way. Such as killing of your brain cells, playing those online games or even rot in moral decadence. All which are kinda popular nowadays. With the adults at least. They always debate bout it as if it's a matter of life and death. On a second thought, it might really be about a matter of life and death after all. Oh heck, there I go again, drifting to some void of randomness. Dang.

Anyway about a year ago, I was drifting about - aimlessly and suffering from what I would like to remember as a emo part of my life. The part where those little buggers call 'teenage raging hormones' run wild. This weblog was something I came up with after much failure with the first one and also as a place to dive into. After much scrutiny, fallacies and thinking about, only did I made this public. Now that I look back at it, I'm uncertain - on whether to take a good laugh on myself or take another plunge. Regardless of that, life still goes on.

I took up the phrase Raison d'être as the title of my weblog simply because it means the reason for being. A French phrase in case you didn't realize that. At that particular time, it sounded right to me anyway.

Here's a retrospect of my life so far. Every year there seem to be something happening that bears some significances - in one way or another.

When I was seven - I was nearly placed in a Chinese school, in hopes that I can pick up both Mandarin and English. But thank god, I wasn't send there at the end. Instead, I landed myself in a national school together with my brother. I know it's weird saying this but somehow, I just don't really like the mindset of those Chinese educated people. Them being critical towards others who are not well versed in Mandarin and their narrow-minded really tick me off. No offense of course to those who are from Chinese school. Some of my closest friends are from there after all. It's just that I don't agree with their mindset. I'm sorry if I offended anyone but this is a personal retrospect on my life after all.

When I was twelve - Someone really dear to me has left to study in Australia. She is yet to come back despite all this years, but I hope she is doing well right now over there. I miss her dearly. It's safe to say I wouldn't be who I am today without her - always nurturing and guiding me. At the mean time, during that year itself, something else happen which I will never forget for the rest of my life. That argument which broke off thanks to a third party, nearly destroy my life and everything I ever cherish. The wounds from that incident are yet to heal completely. Scars from that day are still visible. One thing lead to another series of events. All which are sparked off by one and another. If the whole thing wasn't salvage bit by bit, again I wouldn't be who I am right now.

When I was fourteen - I did something which I will regret for the rest of my life. Something which I never took the chance to apologize for. I'm very sorry for what I did back then. If only time can be that forgiving. I'm still awaiting for the day where I shall receive my karma for the things I have done.

When I was fifteen - It was a depressing year for me. A year where emotions and dramas run high. Not only did I lack the common sense and rational - I did certain rash things which again I live to regret. Somehow, back then everything seem so right to me. But again one incident lead to another. I'm sorry if I did anything selfish then to hurt those around me. It was never my intention to do so. However, it was again at that year I realized something important. Some sort of enlightenment if you might say so. It was then I devoted myself to this in hopes that I keep my life in one piece.

This year - Was one of my best schooling life ever. I discovered the passion of debating. Though, it's not something I'm extremely good in it or that sort but something in it which will most certainly remain a part of me for the rest of my life. It gave me something to look forward to and to keep on treading upon this path. I'm sure those who have similar experience can relate to how I feel about this entire affair.

Somehow, after all the leap and bound - I'm still searching for it. If you are the sort of person to believe in God, the correct phrase would be that "God works in mysterious way". If you are an atheist, well life is just ironic, contradictory with a dash of cynic.

Christmas is just around the corner. With another Christmas, I'm forced to remind myself I'm closer then ever to reality. Or have I been in one all this while without realizing it? No matter. All I want for this Christmas is world peace and a mutual understanding between people of all race and walks of life. Oh alright then, I confess, that was a lie. There is nothing much that a cynic like me can hope for. My wish is like very other wish I ever made in my life - the strength to carry on.

Well, Merry Christmas guys! (Don't over do it with all the food and drinks. Not to mention with the presents as well)

Quoting Gavin Yap - "This Christmas, instead of giving each other presents, let's just spend time together and just be grateful that we have each other in our lives"

'Tis the season to be jolly, guys! Not because it's the Yuletide season guys, but because of the promotional offers going on at the malls right now! Shopaholics will definitely rejoice! Heck, at this rate I might have to even convert myself. Never knew I had it in me.

Just gotten back from my KL trip. To be honest, I'm not really in the mood to blog right now. Damn tired. My back is aching and my head feels kinda heavy. At this rate, I'll need a holiday for hoilday-ing! But owing to several circumstances such as my growing scarcity of computer access and so on, I feel that it's best I take every single opportunity that I have.

Anyway, all I did over there with my family is to shop, shop, shop all day! From morning till night. With the occasional breaks for meal time. And a couple of movies naturally. Other then that, it was either walking store to store or queuing up all the time. By the way, have I mention that over there at KL - most people spend their time queuing up? It's either lining up at the counter, waiting in line for car parks or getting caught in a massive traffic jam! Oh god, keeping your sanity and patience at those moments are kinda tricky. Guess it's the price you have to pay for urbanisation, eh?

The new movies that I watched over there were the newly released National Treasure: Book of Secrets and also The Warlord.



National Treasure: Book of Secrets was another letdown. Sad to say it didn't live up to the the first film. The storyline was kinda lame and the acting was only so-so. Not because the actors were not up to par or of some sort, but rather their charters which they are portraying did not prove to be challenge. They are your stereotype characters found in your every other films. Having Helen Mirren in it, doesn't make much difference either. The only good thing about this film is that it's kinda short. Depending on how you look at things, but for me that's a good thing. The human mind can only tolerate that much after all.

On the other hand, we have The Warlord. A tale of three brothers sworn by a blood oath. Another epic war movie you might say, but if you are the sort of person who love watching shows like 300, then you wouldn't want to miss this as well. Not only it has blood and gore in it, but head decapitating, limb slashing, canon blowing and death in it as well. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of deaths around - most which are senseless. Some might like it. Some might not. Which makes you wonder, with all the violence around, how on earth does this movie manage to get away with an U-rating? I'm still puzzled over it. (the same thing goes for Beowulf) Basically, The Warlord isn't really my cup of tea but despite that I'm sure this movie would appeal to some.

On a side note, I would also like to mention that my movie marathon days are almost at an end. Not much blockbuster movies are being released and also school is gonna reopen soon. Sigh. But if there is a movie to look forward to in the year 2008 would be The Dark Knight. The official sequel remake of Batman Begins.

How on earth can you not be tempted to watch it, now that you have just seen the trailer? Clearly, the spotlight this time would be on Joker. My favourite lines in the trailer gotta be the following;

See.. To them.. You are just a freak.... Like me!

Let's put a smile on that face!

Why so serious?

*diabolical laugh*


---

By the way, I did another online quiz. This time from Mani's blog. Guess what I got?

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

Yesterday, I went for another round of movie marathon! This time it was The Golden Compass and Enchanted. I know those two movies were released some time back but sad to say to, due to many unforeseen circumstances I only got the opportunity to catch those two at the cinema yesterday.

Sigh. How to start with this one? Apparently half way through the movie, I can already compile a list long of reasons on why you shouldn't watch The Golden Compass for you. You know, ever since I watched the Harry Potter trilogy from the big screen itself, I'm prepared for the worst. I'm well aware that movies which are adapted from books tend to stray away from the books. There are bound to be a bit of difference between the book and the movie. Certain amendments are necessary to meet the demands of Hollywood blockbuster movie. Especially when money are concerned.

So there I was entering the cinema with my expectations humbled and tried my very best to enjoy The Golden Compass as what it was - as a movie adaptation of the book The Northen Lights. However, it didn't took me long enough to realize that the movie absolute sucks. It's just plain sucky. Sucky I tell ya! Heck, who am I kidding? How on earth can I so childishly believe that this movie can be a half-decent film in the first place?!


Those Hollywood people with their money making schemes, has see it fit to tone down every single aspect of the book! From the theological mysteries, conspiracies, character developments to the very key theme of the entire book! Their excuse? Religious groups launching a hate campaign, calling for a boycott for this film. Apparently for it's heretical values. But be rest assured, if those religious groups actually watch The Golden Compass, they would undoubtedly scorned at it. Not to mention giving them a good laugh. How can something so weak and feeble be a threat to centuries old of religious foundation?

Thanks to the director of the movie, Chris Weitz - he managed turn one of the best piece of literature work of our time to a piece of trash. All with the help of the Hollywood so-called magical touch of wisdom. Nothing I tell ya, can save this movie form it's impending doom. Not even with the cast of Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Ian Mac Kellen and Christopher Lee. Even with those wonderful touch of Hollywood's magic a.k.a CGI, The Golden Compass is still a trash. A trash with a happy ending if I might say so. A happy ending which reflects nothing but Hollywood's shallowness and it's penchant to rob and destroy the very fine work of Philip Pullman himself. Don't waste your money on this movie I tell ya. Run to the nearest bookstore and get yourself a copy of the book instead.


After watching that piece of trash, I'm glad to say that Enchanted managed to get rid of that bitter taste left in my mouth. I'm what-you-call an older generation of Disney movies. I grew up watching those old Disney classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarf, Sword in the Stone, Beauty and the Beast and so on. Not that the new batch of Disney's movies such as Finding Nemo and Cars are bad or anything. Just that I longed for that magical feeling which only those old Disney's movies manage to provide. So I'm pleasantly glad with Enchanted.

Your classic tale of a heroine Giselle of Andalasia
dreaming of her true love kiss and also someone to sing a duet with. In this case, that Prince Charming is no other then Prince Edward . They even throw in a wicked stepmother to add on that old Disney feel to it. But those movie makers manage to make a spoof of this by sending Giselle to New York - a land where there is no happily-ever-after. Over there at New York, Giselle was rescued by a single father who is also a lawyer named Robert. From that point on words, if you are really observant, you get to notice the many spoofs of the older Disney movies.

But once again, the true star of the movie Enchanted isn't Giselle, Prince Edward or even Robert. The ones who stole the limelight were none other then Nathaniel played by Timothy Spall and the cute little chipmunk Pip. Their roles were simply charming. The songs in this movie are kinda catchy and cheerful as well.

Overall, Enchanted was charmingly brilliant but not to the extent of being enchanted by it. Nevertheless, a great family movie and also a good cure for a bitter tongue caused by a certain trashy movie.

If you are the kind of person to read the title of an article first – then congrats, you and I are of the same category. Though, I highly doubt that, having that in common is even something to talk about in the first place. Anyway, I wish I could entice you with tales of wonderful legends of centuries old and perhaps even about the conspiracies of those chipmunks. But sadly, today's post isn't about legends or even chipmunks - well at least not 100% about them.Went to Queensbay today and watched two movies in a row. Yay! More movie marathons! After all what's the best way to let your brain rot and also experience a rapid drop in one's IQ at the same time other then watching lots of tv? No? Well do excuse me, the last time I checked, tv was (and still is) bad. Spoils the brain and also jeopardize one's health. At least, that's what everyone is propagating ever since MTV was introduced.

Oh well for those who are interested, this little fire hydrant over here managed to get a slice of Alvin & the Chipmunks and I am Legend over there.

The movie I am Legend is a film adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel with the very same title. It features Will Smith and the tagline of this film is "The last man on earth is not alone". What is there not to like about I am Legend? Well, to be precise there are a lot of things in the film that doesn't live up to all the hype that it's being getting out there. To be precise the character Robert Neville played by Will Smith is far from being the last man on Earth. Let alone the last man standing out there.

Set at the year of 2012, a female scientist managed to discover a cure for cancer by genetically re-encoding virus to help mankind instead. Ain't it wonderful? Well, like every good thing out there - there is always a catch to it. In this case, that very genetically enhance virus turn mankind into zombie like creature that preys on anything out there with flesh and bones. Hmm. Where have we heard that before, I wonder? Well my very own personal opinion after watching this is that, the movie would fare much better if they throw in more suspense rather then laying out all the cards from the very start.

On the other hand, we have Alvin and the Chipmunks. To begin with, I'm never much of a fan of the whole chipmunk's series. It just seems to clinched. However, after watching the film. I might have a different opinion of it. Not the cliches though. The movie is filled with it. Alvin and the Chipmunks is starred by Jason Lee. For those who might confused him with some other random guy that you happen to know, this Jason Lee also stars in the comedy series My Name is Earl. (another hilarious comedy worth watching by the way)

I know some (if not most) people out there might dismiss this movie as a "kiddy movie". I won't argue with you on that one. As far as I'm concerned this movie has absolutely no plot, character development or whatsoever. But I'm afraid you are straying away from the main attraction if you are expecting a half decent movie out of Alvin and the Chipmunks. People flock the cinema just to see the kawaii-ness of those three little singing rascals. And I'm glad to say that they have accomplished just that.

The return trip to home however wasn't that pleasant. From the very moment, my bro and I step foot into the jetty, the place was crowded with people waiting for the ferry to arrive. I suppose everyone was heading back to their home as well. But rushing back to your house, ain't a very good reason to start pushing and kicking people in the shins. Unless of course, your wife is about to deliver your child or maybe your house is on fire or of some sort of emergency - that my friend would be a good excuse to start pushing and getting all agitated.

But knowing that we live in Bolehland, where everything is possible I guess it's only normal for people to be so pushy, uncivilized, and impatient.

From the Butterworth jetty, my bro and I took a bus ride heading back to SP. We barely made it, as the bus was nearly full by the time we step down from the ferry terminal. Nevertheless, lady luck must be on our side as both of us managed to get our respective seats. As the bus was about to leave, several people down the road managed to halt the bus and stubbornly board it despite knowing that the bus was fully occupied. I suppose the desire to go back home is strong. Well I can honestly relate to that, since that's something I would normally do everyday after school.

So naturally, those people were forced to stand. So there was this middle aged women, standing right beside my seat. She had a son, daughter and an acquittance with her at that time. At first it would seem rude that I didn't stood up immediately and graciously gave away my seat to that poor, helpless lady. But instead of doing the right thing, I simply shunned my conscious away and sat there staring at the view from the window.

Sounds immoral of me do so right? Not even willing to give my seat away to someone who is much older than me. Well, I will let you in out a little discovery of mines. You see, the very moment the particular lady step in with her merry group of entourage, I couldn't help but observing them. And the first thing I noticed was that, the son managed to find himself a seat right behind mines. Do you know what that boy did next? He sat on it. That's only natural of him, you might suppose. But he has a mother right beside him at that time for god sake!

Instead of giving away his seat to his mother, he sat on it! So there I was thinking, if your own son wouldn't let you sit and you not making any fuss about it. Therefore, I come up with the conclusion that the seat isn't a very important thing to you. At least not at that particular time and place.

So with that, I managed to throw away 10 years worth of moral ed and not to mention a life-time of civic conscious. All with a simple conclusion. Not to mention, shunning away my guilt at the mean time.

After all, don't we all live in Bolehland?

Through the Looking Mirror by Lim Kar-Men


A gaze upon the mirror
Brought about a reflection
A foreboding silhouette
Of untold lies and secrets
One that is unknown
Even to himself
As venial
As it might seems

He shuddered
At the very thought of it
Behind the ingeniously craved facade
Lies a decade of heresies
Of indulgences and fallacies
Being stripped bare
He is left alone
To face his very dæmon

I'm feeling so lost right now. Of course not the direction-wise of being lost. Rather I'm unsure what to do with my life right now. Not that I have much going on. Just somehow, I really hate my present state of being. Wandering around so aimlessly. Losing a purpose in life. Not that I have one in the first place. But I like to think that for once I imagined up a purpose - my very own raison d'être.

Even if it's a mean for me to keep deceiving myself - just so I can keep on walking along this path. That would be a great feeling. A feeling that I longed for right now. Is life suppose to be a personification of irony? Or of contradictions and oxymoron's? I'm really exhausted.

I know what is there left to be done or rather what is there to start with. But lacking the willpower to do so. It really ticks me off. Again, I'm left to remind myself how hopeless I can be. I'm in need of that drive. That drive to move along regardless of the condition. Yet again, I have doubts that such drive ever exist in the world to begin with. The voice of rational is starting to lose out. Or has it already begun?

I really wana line the pieces up together. But it's always easier to put up a facade for everyone to see. But how can one ever put a facade for one to see? Everything lies bare for one to see. Barren as always. Every single aspect of life is open for viewing by him and him alone. How long can one put up with that I wonder?

Do you know what's the latest trend? Rallies and 'peaceful marchers'. It seems that protesting on the streets is the 'in' thing to do or even somehow trendy. I'm sure you guys out there are already well-informed. Unless of course you are a hermit living a solitary life in some cave - far and isolated from civilization. The media has given much coverage about it, so I'm sure you guys don't want to hear a 16 year old teenager crapping more about it.

Well, at least we get to include the entry of 'the year with the most rallies and peaceful marches' in our 2007 achievements.

Anyway, today's post isn't about some peaceful demonstration of human rights or about the struggle for democracy and liberty. Rather it's about a game! Yes, you heard me right - a game! Before you get a heartattack from the greatest shock of your life, the game I'm referring isn't a game where you actually go down to a field and kick some ball. It's a Playstation 2 game!

As if you will ever catch me on the field, running to my heart content chasing over a ball with some 20 other people chasing after you.

It was only yesterday, I managed to finish Shadow of the Colossus. The gameplay is kinda short compared to the other games out there. With only about 10 hours ++ of gameplay. It took me about 13 hours ++ to finish this game though. A couple of days should be more then enough for your total conquest of the game.

What's so great about this game you may ask? Well, I have to say it's one of the best game in the Playstation 2 gaming console. Let's start with the graphic shall we? The graphic throughout this game is simply superb!! Never once in my 13 hours ++ of gaming, has this game ever lagged or freeze. You might scorned at this little feat. Heck, you might say that loads of the other games out there, do not lag as well. But if you actually experience this game firsthand - you will be in awe. This is because the landscape of the game is huge!! Massive I tell ya! It's a whole peninsula by itself. From valleys to mountains. You will never see the same atmosphere twice throughout the game.

The story of Shadow of the Colossus has only 3 characters. You play as a nameless character throughout the game. Besides you, there is only your faithful horse, Agro and a fair maiden who was somehow sacrificed. Your task is to revive this fair maiden by slaying 16 colossi scattered across the land. Simple, eh? What I like best of this game is that everything is kept to the minimal. Even the game control is kept as simple as possible.

The 16 colissi fight each has a unique way slaying it. By limiting the presence of enemies to only bosses , the developers of this game has undoubtedly differentiate the game from others - while creating a cult like status among fan.

Even the music of the game is superb. Each music piece has a very dramatic effect. Making the fight with the colossus as realistic as possible. Not to mention that, this game has a pretty impressive and extensive orchestral soundtrack.

So in a nutshell, I have to say Shadow of the Colossus is definitely a game worthy of every dime and time you spend on it. It's one of those few good games left for the Playstation 2 console. So you should get one immediately and start playing it! I'm sure you won't be disappointed by it.

Below is a trailer of the game. It might give you an idea or two, hows the game like.

Guys! I'm alive!! I'm yet to go crazy amidst all these! Yay!! Cheers, everyone!! Been kinda long since I last update this nonsensical blog of mines. To date, loads of stuff happening lately. Every time one of those rare moments pop up, my first instinct would be to; 'Oh great, that would be something interesting to blog about!' Then again, reality-wise, those rare moments of mines tend to last for about a minute or so. An hour or two, if I'm really inspired by it.

Finally after much postpone-ing, I manage to pull myself together and start blogging! As I'm writing this I'm currently suffering from a combination of deprivation of sleep, hemorrhaging eyes, head splitting headache and a very,very disturbed bowel. Argh!

Therefore to make matters easier for both sides, I will just make a list of past events that happened to me not so long ago.

A list of events happening to me not so long ago;

1. Staying over with my bro at Penang.
2. Attended a dinner banquet.
   
3. Attended a luncheon featuring a supposedly very famous lifestyle guru a.k.a Eric Leong.
4. Encountered a cross dresser for the first time in my life and also a bogus magician from Russia at the same time.
   
5. Went for a TVB drama and anime marathon.
6. Completed Kingdom Hearts 2 : Final Mix.
7. Babysitted my cousin for a week.
   

My mood currently? Feeling nausea, sleepy and agitated all at the same time. I wonder, what will the next few weeks have instore for me? Well, I hope you guys out there are having a much better time then me right now.

Anyway, Happy Holidays guys!

I am sure most of you are familiar with the term soul searching. For those who don't, well basically soul searching means the very act of facing one's inmost self with courage - determined to bring every ulterior thought, emotion, and motive to light. To be honest, I am kinda into these soul searching business. I strongly believe that by going on a soul searching journey, one would be able to achieve a state of clarity, quiescent and tranquille. One would definitely stand to gain a lot by the very act of soul searching.

Therefore holding to such beliefs, I always have the thoughts of going on a soul searching journey once my SPM is over, at the back of head. But at the mean time, I try to read up as much as possible on any available information on soul searching.

And by a stroke of coincidence and luck, I managed to came across an article that tells the very basis of soul searching - which so happens to being honest to oneself. It also tells that the easiest way of achieving that is to compile a list. The list may be anything about yourself - from your deepest secrets to your personal traits. As long as it is deem relevant to yourself, compile up to a minimum of 50 random stuff about yourself. As soon as your done with that, the list is supposedly placed at a position visible to you on a daily basis. I am kinda clueless on this step though. Is it suppose to serve as a constant reminder to oneself, so that he or she can reflect upon the list and improve further in life? And whats with the significance of the number 50? Can't it be any number lesser then that?

Undoubtedly, I heed the advice of that particular article and went ahead with that list. After much digging and pondering, I only managed to compile up to 53 random stuff which you might or might not know about me. Of course knowing myself, I could have went much further, but then again I highly doubt that it would be deemed relevant by the time I reached the hundredth something.

As for the last step, I decided to take it up a to a whole new level - instead of pasting the list somewhere in my bedroom, I will go ahead and post in my blog instead! Well I suppose that's considered facing one's inmost self with courage.

Anyway here's a list of some totally random stuff about me which you might or might not know about me.

1. I am a sleepwalker.
2. I have taken steroids before.
3. I have food allergies.
4. I have no talent or whatsoever in music or art.
5. I have never had the chicken pox before.
6. I used to bite my fingernails.
7. I am into shōjo.
8. I am an agnostic.
9. I am afraid of heights.
10. I love money more then my blood relatives.
11. I dislike participating in sport games.
12. I am a rather vain person.
13. I have moved more than once.
14. I cry easily.
15. I state the obvious.
16. I am more of a mummy’s boy.
17. I cheated on my exams before.
18. I hate the feeling of failing and being helpless.
19. I am a perfectionist.
20. I have been on stage before.
21. I hate it when people are late.
22. I burnt myself on numerous occasions before.
23. I am a firm believer in first impression and body language.
24. I am a level 2 otaku.
25. I enjoy picking up a different language.
26. I love sleeping.
27. I am a chameleon.
28. I enjoy and hate the feeling of being alone.
29. I have a habit of talking to myself.
30. I am into soul searching.
31. I love to read.
32. I been in a fight once.
33. I sing in the shower.
34. I like to keep my thoughts and feelings to myself.
35. I am a liar.
36. I am a hypocrite.
37. I take people/things for granted.
38. I hate being left out.
39. I am a long winded person.
40. I used to be afraid of the dark.
41. I am an indecisive person.
42. I can be quite selfish at times.
43. I love window shopping around the mall.
44. I act naïve at time to gain attention.
45. I am into poetry and philosophy.
46. I dream of playing the piano.
47. I enjoy gazing at the sky above.
48. I tend to curse to myself.
49. I am a self conflicting thinker.
50. I despise the arcade.
51. I get annoyed easily at times.
52. I hate being judged and told what to do.
53. I had several emotional breakdowns before.

Sigh. I could be even doing this whole soul searching stuff just for the sake of getting rid of my boredom and not to mention to waste my time glued to the front of the computer screen. I'm highly skeptical about the last part of the soul searching article though. As for now, I am yet to see any changes in me.

Perhaps this soul searching journey is meant to be dealt step by step. Presumably over the years only one might see the significance of the entire journey. Till then I can only pray for that day to come.

So there I was, surfing the Internet for some enlightenment as I stumble upon this rather prajna site. Guess what? It's none other then our very own Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia website! So out of curiosity, I have a little peep at it. And guess what else I managed to find?

The 2008 SPM timetable! Mind you, according to that site the timetable is supposed to be a cadangan only.

The timetable above is only a mere fraction of it. You can have a proper look at the rest of the timetable over here.

What freaks me out is that the number of days allocated for the SPM examination is about 16 days only! 16 days might seem as a rather long and tedious time frame, but for a Science stream student who is only taking 11 subjects like myself, the actual number of days where you have to actually attend school to take the exams are only 11 days! Provided this time table is implemented next year.

A few years back, the SPM examination might even take up a whole month. During my brother year, their SPM took about one month and a half - with all the in-between-break such as the Hari Raya and Deepavali celebrations of course. Of late however, the Lembaga seems to prefer a shorter time frame for the SPM examination. This is probably due to all the complaints the Lembaga is receiving from the public namely the parents.

I know some of you out there might think that, oh the faster we finish the better. But somehow, I don't seem to like the idea of cramming all 11 subjects with each subject consisting at least one paper or even up to three papers within just 11 days. Doesn't all this seems a bit hectic to you?


Nonetheless, I can't help but feeling worried over it. It's written there, that the time table is considered to be muktamad unless there are any sudden unforeseen circumstance such as flood and so on.

Sigh.

Anyhow I don't find the prospect of having only 11 days of SPM examination to be an exhilarating one.

Perhaps it might be just me alone feeling that way.

These few days have been kinda animated for me. Ongoing renovations have been done here and there around my house to replace all the windows. Oh god, I hate the noise, mess and not to mention the inconvenience caused by it.


Amidst all the renovation works, I did however managed to spend the whole morning reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The main reason I bought this book in the first place was because of the good reviews that I have been getting about this book. Besides that, this book supposedly sold over 30 million copies. That of course, just makes you wana get a copy yourself - after all how often do you come across a book which almost top the sale of the Bible in life? So there I was in Popular, getting myself a copy of this highly acclaimed literature piece.

At first sight, this novel might seem like your every other fictional works that deals with a fictional family with the father as a lawyer dealing with his daily case. Well in short, that is the basis of the story. Nonetheless, this novel offer much more then that. The tale of the widowed father, Atticus - a middle aged lawyer (for his real age wasn't specified throughout the novel) defending a black man called Tom for rapping a young white woman named Mayella. (technically Mayella isn't a pure white woman, rather she is a mix between a white man and a black woman) is a truly enlightening and thought-provoking tale. Told in the eyes of Atticus's daughter Scout Finch, the novel's main theme is about racism or rather racial injustice way back then in the South (as if we don't have racism nowadays) and also the loss of innocence (the death of the innocents in other word).

What I really like about this novel, is the ability of the author to skillfully weave a tale filled with such details, emotions, sarcasm, cynicism, humour and complexities. All of this which are narrated from the point of view of a child filled with such innocence and naivety.

I have to say the significance and the meaning of this novel is also worth mentioning. The title itself is very intriguing indeed. Took me some time later to figure out the reason on why the author choose to use the mockingbird motif throughout the story. Here's a little snippet from the novel itself which might give you some clue or idea on the title of this novel;

In a nutshell, I really love this book very much. It's definitely going to my favourite book list. I would recommend anyone out there who are yet to read it, to buy one from the nearest bookstore and start reading!

And have I mention before, that this novel has a long history? It was my mum's literature book during their secondary schooling years. To Kill A Mockingbird was published way back in 1960. That's 47 years ago - yet this book still remains as a hit and a book relevant in our daily life. So, need I say more about this novel?

Just one;

A Summer Silhouette by Lim Kar-Men

If I can't bring myself to say it right now,
Our summer together might end soon,
I have no confidence that-
I can fake my smile,
But I still smiled at the very least,
The heels of my shoes are worn out,
But let me wear them once again.
Let me start walking-
By first swallowing my sighs,
The wind blowing through the dusk has a scent of autumn,
I used to think that the day just like today would last forever-
Even if I don't wish for it,
I can hear sirens through the open window,
I wonder at what speed am I walking towards the future?
I feel the lives that we lived have little significance indeed,
If only one wish could become true,
What kind of wish would you pick as yours?
I kept pondering until;
I realized the night was coming right next to me,
That day where we began to run,
It was the sign of a new beginning,
If only one wish could become true,
What kind of wish would you pick as yours?
I kept pondering until;
I realized the night was coming right next to me.

What the fuck?! I just realize there is some serious error /glitch going on in this blog!