Movie Review: Mr. Popper's Penguins

Yes, Jim Carrey still has it!

For more than a year Jim Carrey faded from the big screens after starring last film, "A Christmas Carol," in 2009. This year, this winner of MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance returns to bring to audience more hilarious comedy, lame jokes and family morals.

"Mr. Popper's Penguins" is more than just laugh bombs; it is a sum of self-expressions, romance, family conflicts, and six adorably troublesome penguins.

Tom Popper (as played by Jim Carrey) is a divorced, professional realtor whose father traveled to many parts of the world when Tom was young. And as a youngster growing up by himself, he portrayed a character that many young Americans will be able to relate today.

As Popper learns about the death of his father, a "souvenir" showed up at his doorstep. Here's where all the drama that Popper has never imagined would take place, took place. Worse still, some miss-communications that take place later add up the number of "troubles" (unwanted penguins).

Whilst Popper tries to adapt himself with the new found pets, audience learns about the rest of his family - the lovely yet divorced wife (Carla Gugino), the wimpy daughter (Madeline Carroll) and the charming son (Maxwell Perry Cotton).

As many might have expected Mr. Popper to give up holding the family together with all its head-aching issues on top of the six annoying penguins, Mr. Popper stuns many with his ability to juggle all problems through his own kind of humorous attitude.

The penguins, nicely balanced of their relevance in this film, have indirectly become the liaisons between the family members.

Not forgetting to mention, British actress Ophelia Lovibond (as Pippi) adds a good taste of funniness to the entire show, with her "P"-accents.

What many viewers can take away from this movie is the traditional family value, a family sticks with one another. This applies, too, to the penguins, where in the end they showed loyalty towards the Poppers.

Even if one wasn't up for any silly jokes cracked by this nominated Teen Choice Best Comedy Actor, "Mr. Popper's Penguins" is still worth the ticket for a time good family bonding.

If you need some break from your stressful routine, this film is "Yep-solutely" the show to go to. At the very least, they have penguins!

RATING: 6/10

Written for SCSU University Chronicle. All right reserved.

Movie Review: Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

“Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon” is yet another eye-candy for those who love to indulge in Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg’s heavy metal visuals and sound effects.

People say, third time the charm. This third sequel of “Transformers” continued the battle between Autobots and Decepticons with much conflict, cruel fights and a sexy girlfriend.

Since the Decepticons decided to take over planet Earth as a mean to rebuild their Cybertron (an alienated planet where the transformers were once ‘gods’ over there), the human race now play an important role in the middle of this robotic battle field.

Yet, the two-and-a-half-hour story plot of “Transformers 3” isn’t as compelling as its previous masters.

Audience is brought to their conscience that human (in fact, even Autobots) can betray their own packs in the name of “freeing the race.”

The role of Fox is dropped and replaced with Sam Witwicky’s (as played by Shia LaBeuof) new love interest, played by English model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. She did try hard to appear as seducing as, if not sexier than, Megan Fox.

It was interesting, though, that the landing on the moon historic incident was incorporated into the storyline, even making it a part of the title of the series.

Besides, sports cars lovers shall also expect even more advanced cars in this sequel, like the hot red Ferrari 458 Italia and a not-so-shabby blue Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

As Michael Bay tries to blow things up, the scenes where the Autobots and Deceptions battled – with those sky-scrappers collapsing left and right – were worth the ticket to simply enjoy the defined details and extraordinary audios in the theatre. Let’s just say audience should look forward to the Blu-ray version of “Transformers 3.”

The thin, indifferent scripts of “Transformers 3” come to a conclusion when the Autobots finally kicked the ass of Deceptions, and stopped the invasion of Cybertron to planet Earth.

One good value that audience can take away from the movie is that one should never give up or turn their back on their own race.

As portrayed by both the playboy accountant Dylan Gould (as played by Patrick Dempsey) and the ancient Autobot Sentinel Prime, betrayers never ended up staying alive. Hence, teaching us to stay loyal and faithful to our own pack.

Overall, “Transformer 3” is, need not to say, a great production to pleasure the sensory organs but may not be as successful when it comes to its feeble scripts and plotting.

RATING: 7/10

Written for the SCSU University Chronicle. All rights reserved.

Movie Review: Super 8

“Super 8” is definitely a summer blockbuster.

Director J. J. Abrams and producer Steven Spielberg brought together family issues, young love and friendship, with a heavy taste of alien invasion onto the big screen.

From visual effects to sound engineering, the movie is top notched based on a sci-fi theme.

The idea of “metafilm” (a film within a film) is brilliant. As the title of the movie suggests, “Super 8” is actually short of Super 8 mm film, a motion picture format released by Eastman Kodak in 1965.

Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) and his friends kicked-off their summer time working on their own Super 8 short film, “The Case,” as directed by Charles Kaznyk (Riley Griffiths). They hoped their production will be featured in the upcoming Super 8 film festival.

The thrilling tragedy began when a train clashed with a pick-up truck at the train station where the kids were shooting one of their newly-added scenes. Once they found out the driver of the truck to be their science teacher Dr. Woodward (Glynn Turman), they embarked on a journey trying to figure out the context of this questionable incident.

Much of Steven Spielberg’s styles were observed in the entire movie: the heavy metal background sound effects, suspense, and the transformer-like cubes.

The movie has not only caught the breath of its audience by unveiling the face of the invading alien, but also set them into a mysterious mood regarding the death of Joe’s mother.

As the story moves on, audience learns the struggles between the Lamb’s and Dainard’s. Also revealing is the effort of Dr. Woodward in freeing the alien instead of killing it, as assumed by many in the public and the U.S. Air Force.


While the city is being evacuated, the kids decided to help save the alien-abducted people by researching about the alien in Dr. Woodward’s office. Joe and his friend then arrived at the creature’s nest where it kept all its abductees and “machines.”

An unexplained moment took place where Joe met the creature vis-à-vis at the bottom of its nest. The alien seemed to understand Joe, like a mother speaking to her child.

The whole mystery was finally resolved when the town gathers to witness the blast-off of the alien-built spaceship (using all household appliances “stolen” from the town).

Unlike most movies pushed to large screen this year, “Super 8” doesn’t have strong (or obvious) moral values that audience could take home with. Instead, it gives them a pinch of bravery as shown from within the kids and how they handle family cum friendship issues.

In some ways, the adults in the movie appeared to be pretty vulnerable and ignorant about the whole tragedy.

On the whole, “Super 8” taught its audience the importance of courage and friendship.

Having said, “Super 8” is indeed the movie to watch for a mid-summer sensation.

If not for its compelling special effects, the 80’s nostalgic music and technology shown in the movie may be the other great selling points of the production.

RATING: 8/10

Written for the SCSU University Chronicle. All rights reserved.

Super 8, movie review, "super 8 review"

A Camp Review

3 days, 2 nights, 1 worn-out me. Last weekend's camp was the first BB I got to attend this year. The aim of this camp was to prepare the Boys for their upcoming production - the church 114th anniversary cantata. While the main focus of the camp revolves around the vocal trainings, we got to sneak in some team building elements for the Boys.

Both Edward (an instructor now, previously a 1st KL Sergeant who left for studies in Australia) and I have been spending days to plan the camp, its activities as well as all the details involved. It was a fun experience as both of us haven't really ran a camp as officers before. So we took out all the past experience we had in camps management and ran it our way.


Aside the fruitful vocal training sessions the Boys had, they also enjoyed each other's fellowship. Considering most of them as "the younger ones," most of them had a good time learning to take lead and work together as teams. Many of the activities planned was to challenge these youngsters to think and participate as a team.

We are glad that many young leaders stood up to guide their younger members. I also observed many sacrifices these leaders made to help their teammates achieve success. BB is indeed a place where you learn to give and receive help from your comrades.

After the camp, many gave feedback that they have learned to better trust one another. I have also personally learned to work with younger leaders.

Overall, this camp was a great springboard for the senior section to achieve greater things. Both Edward and myself believe that teamwork is the ultimate foundation for a collective success. Having gone for a long time, I miss camps. I really look forward to the next camp installed!

More photos here.

Movie Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2

There is a lot of truth in the movie “Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules,” a follow-up sequel to the 2010 surprise hits. Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon) returns with even more hilarious happenings along with his friends and family as he ventures into seventh grade.

The “wimpy,” cool, middle school kid is now confronted with even more episodic moments as his mother, Susan Heffley (Rachael Harris), would like him to bond with his older brother, Rodrick Heffley (Devon Bostick), while she keeps up with her parenting column.

Nothing bothers Greg more with his ambition of staying cool in front of his peers and a girl he admires in his class. Now with Rod interfering his daily activities, he has got to find a way out.

Rod, on the other hand, thinks that his younger brother is a nerd and doesn’t want him to be an embarrassment, especially when his friends are around.

Yet, tempted by the mom’s bucks reward – merit given for brotherly bonding – Rod tries to fake out some “happy relationship” with Greg.

Rod was asked to give drum lessons to Greg, sending and picking him from school, and even staying alone with him in the house while the family goes for a trip.

The brothers truly developed trust and begin to understand one another better during the house party that Rod threw in the absence of his parents.

In order to keep the incident secret from their parents, the brothers began covering each other’s back. That was when the audience learns how real “brotherly love” takes place.



But in the end things turn out negative when the parents finally find that the kids are lying to them, especially Susan, to whom was very upset about her own parenting style.

The brothers were then banned from doing their favorite things – Greg was to stay away from his video games and Rod, sadly, was not allowed to participate in his long anticipated talent show.

Rod begins to hate Greg, and their relationship was again put into test.
Meanwhile, Greg finds chance to talk to Holly Hillis (Peyton List) and finally gets Holly’s attention.

In the end, Greg sacrifices his “coolness” by performing the magic act with his friend in order to help his brother participate at the talent show. The mother sees the mutual understanding between the brothers and at last allowed Rod to play at the show.

As audience sees the bumpy relationships between the two teenagers, many could possibly relate to the family conflicts that take place in their own lives.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2” is a comedy that not only entertains but also reveals the real reveries between siblings. In an exaggerated way, the “wimpy” kid shows us the ways to live with an intolerant brother and a dramatic family.

Though we were once young, we sometimes forget the difficulties brothers (or sisters) may experience as we get older. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2” serves well in reminding many audiences about understanding and helping one another overcome challenges in the family.

Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda 2

[Spoiler included]

The unexpected sequel of Dream Works Animation’s “Kung Fu Panda” now tells the story of a deceived ruler of China, a villain peacock, for whom was not satisfied for being kicked out by his emperor parents.

The previous emperors brought to China happiness with their development of fireworks. Their son, Lord Shen, has found another application of his parents’ invention. With his “unstoppable weapon,” Lord Shen threw the country into complete terror.

The entire story of “Kung Fu Panda 2” revolves around Dragon Warrior Po and the Furious Five who embark on a journey to defeat Lord Shen’s mission of taking over China.

“Kung Fu Panda 2” brings back the A-list voices with Jack Black as Po the Panda, now comfortably fulfilling his celebrity role as the prophesied Dragon Warrior, and the Furious Five consisting of Angelina Jolie as the no-nonsense, hard-hitting Tigress, Seth Rogen as the wisecracking Mantis, David Cross as Crane, Lucy Liu as Viper and the underused Jackie Chan as Monkey.

Also returning are Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu and James Hong as Mr. Ping, while joining the frontline are Gary Oldman as the chief villain Lord Shen the vain peacock, Michelle Yeoh as The Soothsayer, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Master Crocrodile, Dennis Haysbert as Master Oxen and Victor Garber as Master Thundering Rhino.

Malaysian Dato Michelle Yeoh voiced-over the Soothsayer.

Meanwhile, Po begins to question his identity as he sees visions of his mother abandoning him, of which bothers him a lot.

Po became so disturbed that he could not fight the enemies attentively and finally ran to his so-called father to find out about his real background.

In the end, we learn that Po was adopted and that he was not really the son of a goose (thanks for the clarification!). Po’s parents had to abandon him in order to save him from being killed by Lord Shen’s army. It was then this divine love that Po’s felt towards his parents that later helped him to overcome fear.

The comedy became a mashed-up drama when Master Shifu tries to teach Bo how to discover “inner peace.” Maybe that could be the only part of the movie that is really related to Kung Fu.

Too many things tried to take place and competed to appear as important – including the two jailed Kung Fu masters that come from nowhere – unlike previously, where Po was only taught to trust in himself.

Yet, the funny-ness the furry warrior did not decrease. His clumsiness, sometimes stupidity, and jokes continue to keep audience entertained.

One thing that audience may take away from this sequel is that staying true about one’s self can help them to overcome obstacles.

The ending of the story is a recycle of (almost all) superhero stories where the warrior returns home bringing victory and peace.

“Kung Fu Panda 2” is overall a pleasant story and a visually striking movie for the family.

(Written for SCSU University Chronicle. All Rights Reserved.)

Movie Review: X-MEN: First Class

[Spoiler included]

High-tech, bold, and breathtaking.

The newly released X-Men: First Class has put one of DC’s best comic book stories onto large screen, after the successful screening of X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009.

The team of absurd mutants was introduced one by one, some with their backgrounds as children. In the beginning one learns about the little Polish boy, Erik Lehnsherr (later known as Magneto), who was separated from his mother and hence revealed his power that is controlled by anger and hatred.

Charles Xavier, who was just entitled professor of genetics from Oxford, well, hits on girls a lot with his theories of mutations. He is a mutant himself, who is referred as the telepathic. He reads mind and control behaviors.

Yet, his kind heart preserved the search for an army of similar mutants around the world, building an army to fight Sebastian Shaw, to whom has intended to evade the Reich allies.
Shaw is another mutant whose ability allows him to absorb kinetic energy to boost his own strength.

Professor Xavier was approached by non-mutant CIA agent Dr. Moira MacTaggert, played by Rose Byrne (she stands out a lot among the mutants for being the normal one), to track down Shaw.

As the story rolls out we find out more about the rest of the mutants: Raven the shape-shifting mutant, Big Foot “Hank” or Beast the smarty pants who later transformed into a frightening looking mutant, Angel with insectoid physiology, Banshee the screaming hypersonic, Darwin who “adapts to survive,” Havok with cosmic blasting energy, Riptide who has the ability to create whirlwinds from his hands, Emma Frost the crystal girl, and Azazel, who has the ability to teleport.

The climax of the movie reaches as the Russians plan to declare war with the Americans. Shaw was behind the Russians to engineer missile onto Cuba. It was breathtaking as the Russian ships move towards the Kennedy-instituted blockade line across the ocean.

The mutant army worked together trying to stop Shaw from his evil plan, which may “trigger a World War III.” Little did they know that Shaw’s ultimate goal was to dominate the world.

As the Shaw-controlled Russian ship approaches the blockade line, Professor Xavier made a last-minute decision, using another Russian ship to destroy the missile freighter.

Banshee then locates Shaw and the fight of mutants begins. Shaw led Lehnsherr into a psychic blackspot but was eventually killed by Lehnsherr using the same coil he gave him in the concentration-camp, where Lehnsherr’s mother was killed.

Nevertheless, Lehnsherr lost control and spoke of mutant pride. The two fleets – Americans and Russians – both fired their missiles at the mutants but failed. Professor Xavier was almost killed by the bullets deflected by Lehnsherr, shot by Agent MacTaggert. That explains his paralyzing.

In the end, Lehnsherr, Raven (Mystique), Azazel, Riptide and Emma form their own squad. Professor Xavier (Professor X) then opened a school at his mansion and wiped clean the memories of Agent MacTaggert. The left-opened ending of the movie calls for a sequel to the series.

The whole movie gives viewers a rollercoaster rides, given its exciting storyline and high-tech effects. Yet somewhere along the anti-climax the story became heroes-directed. Also, the appearance of Jack Hughman as Wolverine during the mutant army recruitment also leaves us to wonder the correctness of the sequence of appearance; since Wolverine is supposedly brought up by Professor X himself.

Still, “X-Men: First Class” teaches a bold value: do not be afraid to be different. Viewers are taught to embraces their differences as Raven/Mystique closes the story saying “mutant, and proud.”

(Written for SCSU University Chronicle. All rights Reserved.)

Week in review

Diverting some minutes off my desk so I can bring you a short update on the week.

This week was more of a back-to-serious-mode since the internship at Ogilvy has begun. Bukit Damansara is an alien place to me so I am still getting to know what's around. First thing first, food, nice food (ok, when is lunch?). Anyways, I guess it may be early to say but this internship experience is different than the one I had in last summer, nonetheless I am looking for more things to do and learn in the weeks to come.

As for BB, the 34th Singapore BB Company will be paying 1st KL a visit this Saturday, reminding me of the 31st Singapore visitation that took place in 2006. I remember being the worship leader for that day, which was held in the Youth Center (now torn down for a new bulding) and coincidentally this time round I was assigned to be in-charge for the praise and worship session again. Oh wait, and that was five years ago?! I guess I should probably get back in touch with the back-then-Sergeant, whom had I collaborated then to complete my BB International Relations badge.

Also on Saturday morning, I have the honor to be one of the judges for Selangor State BB footdrill competition at Subang. Hopefully the weather permits and things will run smoothly there.

I am guessing things are moving along pretty smoothly now, only thing is that I regret not spending enough time lazying around before this. Alright, back to work.

Cheers!

TV Review - Glee

Started off as a musical comedy that uses music to advance its plot, Fox's "Glee" has always been a controversial television series: audience either love it or hate it. Yet, today's "Gleeks" may even have to find themselves a reason to keep watching the series.

It has been difficult to follow the episodes of "Glee" after the Super Bowl. USA Today's TV Critic Robert Bianco wrote an interesting review of "Glee" last Tuesday.

He said, "Yet sadly, somewhere around the time Kurt (Chris Colfer) exited the Glee club [at McKinley High School, and joined the Warblers]... the show seemed to lose its way and its balance. What had been a musical comedy with at least one toe dipped in real waters now seems to be an over-produced, overly Auto-Tuned variety show that exists merely to sell downloads of its covers..."

"Glee" used to be a show that advocate for minorities, or people with disability, which has made it different than any other shows. Nevertheless, today's "Glee" is nothing more than an animated jukebox.

The songs (Bianco called them "once the show's saving graces") were basically alright, it was the story that has become ridiculous and hence unbelievable. Audience may also find it shocking in the recent episodes that the Warblers and Blain (Darren Criss) simply dropped in a couple of acapellas in the middle of nowhere.

Sex education, alcohol awareness, homosexual love - just too much. It was almost like a hit-and-run attempt to carry these themes in a 45-minute episode. The overall story becomes irrelevant, episodes after episodes. For instance, Santana (Naya Rivera) is now in love with Brittany (Heather Morris), indeed classic.

Also, some plots are merely recycled ideas (Quinn, Rachel and Finn's rejuggling relationships).

It may be true that "Glee" has become one of those "too hot too fast" shows. With Holly Holiday's (guest Gwyneth Paltrow) comeback, "Glee" has shown a tendency to indulge in getting special guests to spice up their episodes. Let's just cross fingers that the producers are not thinking about doing so.

Not to forget - thanks Bianco for bringing that up - the nasty Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) whose character has become so intolerable. The latest episode showed Sue punching the drunk host at the Regional stage (adding to her history of pushing a teacher down the stairs, throwing students into lockers, attempting to fire Brittany off a canon, and so many more). Have not the producers thought about this question: What the audience are going to take away from those behaviors?

Most audience are not enjoying the violence and absurd incidents portrayed in "Glee." What some audience would like to see is the old "Glee" that makes their hearts beat (faster) when the cast uses music to define their feelings and character, the "Glee" that makes them feel connected to the cast's lives.

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Aron Ralston inspires life, strong will driven by love.

Aron Ralston

“The most powerful force on earth is the will to love,” said Aron Ralston, a true hero.

I never thought it would strike me that much simply watching “Minute to Win It” like every other nights. It was more than a game show that night, with Aron Ralston’s appearance, who played the game to raise money for Wilderness Workshop.

How many of us have had to make terrible choices in the past?

“Gosh,” I screwed up my last three driving tests. Guess I will have to redo it.

“Gosh,” my girl just broke up with me. Guess I will find a new one.

“Gosh,” uttered Aron Ralston, a regular hiker, nature explorer, and adventurer, who had his arm stuck in between an 800-pound rock loose and the canyon wall.

Guess what, Ralston was stuck there – in the middle of complete wilderness – for five days, more than 127 hours.

On April 26, 2003, the mountaineer went on a day of adventure in the remote southeast Utah. According to him, he did not tell anyone where he’d gone. Little (I bet never) did he know that the trip have brought him to the most horrible choice he had to make in his life.

Personally, I have had some puzzling decisions to make in the past: whether or not to leave my home country and study abroad; whether or not to leave my family behind and pursue my dream; and whether or not to dine at the new “Star of India.”

I must confess that none of them – none of all the decisions I had made in my life – had even been close to the decision that Ralston had to make, after the 127 hours of losing himself in space and time.

Image footage from Aron's video cam while he was stuck.

The instinct of human survival kicked in when Ralston final knew that he will die if he kept waiting for rescue. After much enormous torture of the mind and to the body, Ralston decided to cut his arm off in order to escape from the rocks. And he did.

Not only that he figured a way to rip off his bones and cutting his arms with a blunt knife, he also rappelled off a 60-foot cliff, and then hiked seven miles, before ultimately he was noticed by a helicopter his mom sent to initiate a search operation. My heart sunk having to think about how much pain and suffering Ralston have had to experience.

Now, let’s take a look at ourselves and ask, “What’s so bad, after all?” There are so much things that we have not experienced in life. Who are we to rant about the so-very little discomfort amongst our luxurious life?

It was the feeling of love that gave force to Ralston to keep struggling for survival. He could have just stabbed himself with the blunt knife and bleed to death. He could have died without anyone’s acknowledgement, to end the pain and suffering he’s undergoing.

Yet, Ralston has chosen life. The love for his loved ones and the hope for his future family kept Ralston alive.

Think about students who chose to commit suicide every year all over the world. How bad exactly was your problem? Haven’t you had the choice? While many would have chosen a quick end, Ralston chose to keep battling on.

Aron speaks at several seminars.

This is what made Ralston a true hero. As a man of the family he did not want to disappoint his parents. He did not want his blood relatives to mourn for him. It was love for the family that has given Ralston his strength and determination. I cannot imagine what I would do if stuck in similar situation. No, I don’t even dare to imagine.

We have heard it enough: when life gives you lemon, make lemonade. This saying is just too simple. Don’t be silly, life is not just about lemon and lemonade. We have way too many decisions that we had to make and many of these decisions will not guarantee a happily-ever-after.

Just be grateful for the people around you – family, friends, teachers, and whosoever that crosses our path in everyday life. In the end, you may be surprised of how much these people can help us to generate the power to face every different, challenging tomorrow.

Aron Ralston poses for his book "Between A Rock and A Hard Place."

Seven years later, Ralston turned out to be a motivational speaker, challenging people of many corners of the world to live strong. Ralston also wrote a book entitled "Between A Rock and A Hard Place" based on his experience. His story was also made into a film, starred James Franco, which then was nominated for six Oscar Awards.

"127 Hours" was released last year.

I strongly encourage those who needs a bit of motivation to watch or read Ralston's story.

Aron Ralston, Ralphston, 127 Hours, 127 hours, Between a rock and a hard place, james franco, decisions, cutting arm

Catching the last train

Do you hear it coming?

How exciting: new resolutions, new hopes, new opportunities, new initiatives, new results - a chance to start all over, and to get it right.

It doesn't take long before one realizes how quickly a year has slipped by and how little could be achieved if no planning was done. In fact, many people make long, ambitious list of resolutions, yet very few of them sustained.

Well, one way is to reflect on the events in this past one year and evaluate if I have been productive. It's a question journalists love to ask themselves at the end of every year.

____________________________________________________________

2010 Year In Review

January
Volunteered as an International Peer Advisor for new students; Published my first news story on the school paper; Got rejected on my first tryout for the spring musicale.

February
Completed Community Advisor workshop; Road-tripped to Duluth, Minn.; Paid a visit to UofM's international students association and joined their CNY party.

March

Cibecue, Arizona mission trip during Spring Break.

April

Joined Chi Alpha for an educational trip to the Minneapolis Science Museum, saw the dead sea scroll; Attended the Excellence in Leadership Award banquet, awarded the William Lingren scholarship.

May

Turned 20; Back to Malaysia for summer break; Began internship at Creative Thumbprint.

June

Visited Phuket, Thailand; a dozen camps at church; 19th Boys' Brigade Pesta at Penang.

July

More BB camps; World Cup fever; Appointed a Warrant Officer at 1st Kuala Lumpur Boys' Brigade Company.

August

Back to the states for continued semesters; Switched major from TV Broadcasting to Advertising.

September

A dozen of op-ed; Soft-launched my professional website - The Navigator.

October

Attended Emma's wedding ceremony at the cities; Chi Alpha Fall Retreat at Pillager, Minn.

November

Had a blast at Malaysian Night; Thanksgiving at the Martin's; ISA Annual Passport to the World.

December

Vegas and Arizona trip; Earned bucks working uncountable morning shifts at dormitory front desk.

____________________________________________________________

Before the fireworks go off, while the social networks and phone lines have yet to be buzzed with well-wishes from all around the world, it's time for reflections. I believe 2010 was a year of content. Everything seems to fall into the right spots, with very minimum hiccups and maximum opportunities to learn.

All I wish for the coming 365 days on the Gregorian calendar is to do better. Whatever I had, whomever shall provide, whenever it may be, I want to get the best out of it. Along the way, integrity has to be preserved and perseverance shall prevail.

My wishes to you, fellow readers, are to stay healthy, stay strong, love the people around you, and serve God and His people whole-heartedly. Nothing is too big to achieve, as long as you have a willing heart. Wait no more - go pursue the dreams you have.

Golden Rule: The sky is the limit.

If you haven't accomplished the goals you've set for this year, don't worry! Hop on this last train for the night and be sure to finish up your works soonest possible. When there's a will, there's a way. Though time and tide may not wait for nobody, you can alter the ways you do things and be sure to keep to your crafts. Catching this last train may be the most fortunate thing you could have done for yourself!

So well, all the best, and I shall see you in 2011. Happy New Year! Have a blissful year!

new year, happy new year, 2011, catching last train, resolutions, year in review

Launching: Navigator

The Navigator

Ladies and Gentlemen, and to all who have a passionate heart for advertising and communications, here is your new site!

Navigator is my first official website, sharing resources related to branding, marketing, advertising and communications.

The Navigator serves as a guide for scholars and professionals to attaining various thoughts, articles, resources related to branding, advertising, marketing and communications.

After writing in this personal blog for almost five years, I now want to move on doing something more corporate. However, Navigator is beginning as a not-for-profit business. The ultimate objective of the site is to provide a more organized structure and access to information.

I do need support for this initiative. Please drop by at Navigator by clicking on the link above or the image itself. Comment, too, if you are comfortable doing so. I appreciate all forms of feedback.


However, I will not stop blogging on this page. My Life | His Way is my original source of passion and I swear I'll never lose it. No worries over that!

So, show your support on facebook, twitter, and of course, the website itself!

Cheers!

The Consulting Detective

You must have come across this man in famous English detective stories - Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective character created by a Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I am a big fan of Mr. Holmes for his indescribable ability to take on any disguise and solve any cases using his considerably "real" science of deduction.

This man is not a very welcomed figure during his time in London. He was described as a man who can make no friends because of his freaky behaviors and attitude. Apparently he can just "see through" people - what they've done, eaten, gone to, etc.

He was, however, a very helpful person to the police who can't seem to solve cases. A "consulting detective," is what Mr. Holmes referred himself as.


Dr. John Watson, is a significant character created for Mr. Holmes. He helped Mr. Holmes in solving cases by providing the medical science's point-of-view or the "second opinion," according to the freaky detective. Dr. Watson is also the bibliographer for Mr. Holmes.

Dr. Watson regarded Mr. Holmes as a person with Bohemian lifestyles and habits, with no concern for good order and contemporary standards.

If you dissect Mr. Holmes' brains, you may result in the following findings: He has no knowledge of literature, philosophy, and astronomy; feeble knowledge of politics, variable knowledge on botany, limited geological understanding, profound knowledge of chemistry; accurate yet systematic knowledge of anatomy; immense knowledge for sensational literature; an expert singlestick player, boxer and swordman; also plays the violin well; and a good practitioner of the British law.

While lodging (and working) with Dr. Watson in Baker Street 221B apartment, Mr. Holmes occasional hires a group of underclass people to gather information for him. They were called "the Baker Street Irregulars."

Mr. Holmes first appeared in publication in 1887 and was featured in a total of four novels, 56 stories. Stories cover from 1880 to 1907, with a final case in 1914.


Anyways, after all, I just wanna encourage you to watch "Sherlock" on in BBC TV series, written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. The TV show stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson. This show "wow" me because it is written in the modern time. So, expect iPhones, texting, and all tech savvy features. Hope you'll enjoy this.



Reference: Our beloved wikipedia on Sherlock Holmes.

p/s: I have gotten feedback that there is problem with my previous entry. If you can't read the post below, you can find the same write-up here.

A Summer Report

Warning: Long Post

After a (4+12+4+2) hours flight, I am finally back to SCSU! It does really feel good to be back. Looking at the familiar buildings and faces around, I recollected some of the precious memories I had with the University last academic year.

One question raised during an introductory session in the Community Advisor (CA) training today was: How was your summer? Was it your best summer ever?

I answered yes, for sure.


Chapter 1: Family
I haven't been closer to my family than this summer. We went to Phuket islands for a family retreat in June. Through the small and little incidents happened each day, I think we had come closer as a family unit. I also had more open conversation with my parents than before.


Chapter 2: Friends
Since most of my friends are no longer categorized as "teenagers," we are all busy with our own lives, jobs and studies. However, my bond with some friends grew mature and we understood friendship as supports. I also made some younger friends through the Brigade and mentor over their lives.


Chapter 3: Boys' Brigade
I spent all my Saturdays (and Sundays, some weekends) with the Brigade and I would say it was the best of my summer. The first highlight was the 19th Pesta we attended in Penang. As an instructor to the singing team, I've been through sweats and tears with the Boys. Then I've also conducted a number of award classes with the Boys: Drill, Hobbies and the Gold Award. It was quite an experience to complete so much at such a short period. Above all, I am glad I fulfilled one of my resolutions this year, which is to be appointed as an Officer in the company. The transition was challenging but it was a moment I've been awaiting since I promised myself to rise to that rank when I was 13.


Chapter 4: Studies
I took three online classes for the whole summer session. Plus the internship it was a 12 credits load. I struggled very much since the beginning of the session but adapted to the rush through the mid-session. Quizzes, assignments and writing projects took away most of my weekday nights. I am sorry to some of my friends who planned to hang out but I've put studies first.


Chapter 5: Work/internship
I was caught unprepared for this internship. By the grace of God I was offered a copywriter's position with Terence Yap at Creative Thumbprint. I worked two and a half months there as a copywriter intern and sometimes a brand strategist assistant. I seriously learned a lot from this industrial training and it has definitely been eye-opening.

In short, this summer was fruitful. I will cherish all the great memories I had from the summer and use them as motivations in time of need.

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. ~Celia Thaxter

Well, its time to move on. Cheers, folks!

Movie Review: Knight and Day

Summer is always the best time to sit back and enjoy a film about charisma and on-screen chemistry, over some gun fire.

“Knight and Day” follows the old-fashioned adventure of Roy Miller (Tom Cruise), whose real name is Knight, and June Havens (Cameron Diaz).

Roy is a super agent who wants to secure Simon Feck (Paul Dano), the inventor of an everlasting battery called the Zephyr. June accidentally bumped into Roy in the airport as she prepares to fly home to attend her sister’s wedding. Roy’s enemy, Agent Fitzgerald (Peter Saarsgard), thought that June is working together with Roy and thus planned an airplane attacked.

The chaotic fight in the plane caused Roy to kill the pilots accidentally. A plane crash then followed at a large cornfield in Kansas.

Before sending June home, Roy reminded her not to reveal her relationship with him and to stay away from any strange officials and vehicles. June woke up in her bed the next day and attended her sister’s dress fitting. She was then confronted by a group of men who identified themselves as the intelligence agents. Roy came in to the scene to rescue June from her captivation and the situation breaks into a gunfight, in which Roy killed a number of the agents. June found a chance to flee to her boyfriend, Rodney (Marc Blucas), a firefighter.

Roy found her in the fire station. He handcuffed her and shot Rodney in a specific non-vital area. Roy also told him that this would all make him a hero and virtually guarantee his promotion to lieutenant. Roy tried his best to explain to June that she will be safer if she stays with him.

June finally decided to follow Roy and they headed to look for Simon at his safe house. They found that Simon was gone after arriving there and they were confronted by a bunch of armed fighters belonging to Antonio (Jordi Mollà), a Spanish arms dealer.

June was drugged and drifted in and out of consciousness between their capture and escape from Antonio's men, and Miller brings her to an island that is off the grid, which Miller uses as a safe house. June then woke in the island and received a phone call from her sister’s number. They were then located by the CIA.

After being knocked out again, June was brought onto a train to Alps and met Simon there, as well as an assassin. An interesting fight followed and a train killed the assassin in the end.

The three of them arrived in a hotel in Spain and Roy left for dinner with mysteriously beautiful women. June thought that Roy was going to sell the battery.

After a confrontation with the CIA agents, June decided to bring the CIA agents to Roy by clicking a pen that transmits notification. After leading the CIA agents on a chase, Miller is apparently shot and falls into a river.

Upon returning home, June remembered the address indicated on Roy’s iPhone. She found his parents living there and got to know Roy’s real name as Matthew Knight. June then self-recorded a message saying that she has the Zephyr with her. She was soon caught by Antonio’s men. She is drugged with truth serum (which turn out to be more like a sex arousal) before being rescued by Roy, who was tracking Fitzgerald, who was delivering Simon to Antonio.

While chasing Fitzgerald, Roy saves Simon from a gunshot. He handed the battery to Fitzgerald who fled with a helicopter. Simon said that Zephyr was actually a failure and an explosion follows in the air. Roy collapsed and was sent to the hospital. June managed to bring him out from the hospital and drives away with the rebuilt GTO.

After Roy wakes up asking what day it is, June kisses him and says it's someday. This is a reference from the start of the movie that they both have things they want to do someday, and June begins to drive towards Cape Horn.

Some critics said this movie is the kind of thing that was big 20 years ago but has been going out of fashion for a while and there's a whiff of desperation about the whole thing. Audience may be expecting more actions and fighting from the movie rather than the flirting of two stars on the screen.

Not because of the quality of the movie itself, but just the kind of film it is, there was some parts that were done over exaggerated such as drugging June for about four times. Some say Tom Cruise could have done a better job instead of leaving behind a legacy that swings in between Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow or Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, each enhancing the other.

Overall, “Knight and Day” wants to do that, but they were not there, yet.