Giving thanks for the two and the food

Saying a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving over Hnin, Wendy and the food

Hnin's and Wendy's Appreciation Lunch (31 Mar '10)

We gathered just now to have a time of appreciation for our two beloved co-workers... eh, this sounds like an eulogy. :p well, we did have fun and laughter, and we continue to pray that Hnin and Wendy will continue to have much fun and laughter wherever God leads them ;)

黃國倫-我願意

Hmm, was reminded of this song while on the bus-ride to work. Didn't had my earphones,* so was just stoning on the way to work. Somehow was led to remember this song. Even though it's supposed to be a secular love song, can't help comparing the emotions with that of the Heavenly Father, who loved us so much that He sent us Jesus.

Okay, it's a bit of a stretch to link the Father God would stay up at night and be breathless while thinking of His creation. And it's a further stretch to say that He's willing to forget His name for us.  What to do? I'm a helpless romantic :P

思念是一種很玄的東西　如影隨行

無聲又無息出沒在心底

轉眼　吞沒我在寂寞裡

我無力抗拒　特別是夜裡

想你到無法呼吸

恨不能立即　朝你狂奔去

大聲的告訴你

願意為你　我願意為你

我願意為你　忘記我姓名

就算多一秒　停留在你懷裡

失去世界也不可惜

我願意為你　我願意為你

我願意為你　被放逐天際

只要你真心　拿愛與我回應

甚麼都願意　甚麼都願意　為你

我願意為你　我願意為你

我願意為你　被放逐天際

只要你真心　拿愛與我回應

甚麼都願意　我甚麼都願意　為你

Lyrics from
http://album.ezpeer.com/album_dev/michael/show_ly.php?xx=p000028-a0001032-s000079-t001-c0

*Left them in the office :p

About the singer (in Mandarin)
http://data.yule.baidu.com/star_details/%BB%C6%B9%FA%C2%D7

慶幸有你愛我-蔡淳佳

hmm, listened to this on the radio early in the morning while on my way to work. Usually my mind will switch off on the bus-ride, but somehow my mind was awakened when I listened to the lyrics to this song. The song's a bit "emo", and sorta outta context; but i was reminded of the love of Christ...

失去和擁有　刹 那的感動
人生有時候像 一場夢
醒著的時候　 睜開了雙眸
不如意的很多

朋友和情人　來的來走的走
反反覆覆　尋尋覓覓　爲了什麽
要多少時間　才能夠瞭解
其實　有你就足夠

握著你的手　走過快樂和難過
黑夜白晝我們都曾經擁有
人生是沒有定律的一種節奏
不如用心去感受

快樂的一刻　勝過永恒的難過
黑夜過後就有日出和日落
兩個人走不會寂寞　每一刻都會珍惜
都會把握　慶倖有你愛我

失去和擁有　淚水和笑容
人生有時候像一場夢
累了的時候　閉上的雙眸
誰在回憶上游

多少的朋友　來的來走的走
聚散從來都不給任何的理由
轉過身以後　才忽然感受
你一直都在背後

握著你的手　走過快樂和難過
黑夜白晝每個人都會擁有
人生是沒有定律的一種節奏
不如用心去感受

快樂的一刻　勝過永恒的難過
黑夜過後就有日出和日落
兩個人走不會寂寞　每一刻都會珍惜
都會把握　慶倖有你愛我

握著你的手　走過快樂和難過
黑夜白晝每個人都會擁有
人生是沒有定律的一種節奏
不必在乎得太多

快樂的一刻　勝過永恒的難過
黑夜過後就有日出和日落
只要和你一起度過　人生沒幾人懂我
懂得把握　慶倖有你　愛我

Lyrics and embedded player taken from
http://mymedia.yam.com/m/1826739

Hillsong - Desert Song

My friend shared this with us during staff devotions this morning. First time I heard this song, very poignant and moving. May it bless the start of your weekend~

Megumi Japanese Restaurant

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Restaurants
Cuisine:	Japanese / Sushi
Location:	Lodge 77, 77 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455218

Great place to have Japanese food. Must make reservations in advance, as quite a lot of people frequent the place. The portions are generous, and taste really good! I had the charcoal soba and the fried smelt fish, as well as fried black sesame ice cream for desserts. All i can shay ish Oiishi! XD

Phone : 6243 0700

Opening Hours
Daily:
Lunch: 11.30am - 2.30pm
Dinner: 5.30pm - 10.30pm

Photo taken from
http://sd2.streetdirectory.com/restaurants/singapore/reviews/images_list-Megumi_Japanese_Restaurant-1000000488.php

Lunch at Megumi (25 Mar '10)

Our boss gave a few of us a lunch treat, in appreciation of us helping out in the training these few days. We decided to head over to a nearby Japanese food restaurant at Siglap which most of us haven't tried before.

It's a good thing we went there early, because it was quickly filled with customers. The food is great! I thoroughly enjoyed my charcoal soba and smelt fish. And the fried black sesame ice cream dessert, c'est tres delicieux! Ooo la lalalaLA!

Faith Like Potatoes (2006)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

Hmm, inspiring story. However, the pacing is a bit slow and awkward at times. The conversion process is kinda sudden. Nonetheless, a thought-provoking story, on a farmer that surrendered his life to God.


Official Site:
http://www.faithlikepotatoes.com/Faith_like_Potatoes/Faith_like_Potatoes.html

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0850667/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_Like_Potatoes

YUI - Never Say Die

Woohoo!

Kaiji: Jinsei gyakuten gêmu/ カイジ ～人生逆転ゲーム～ (2009)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Foreign

woohoo! An unexpected gem. Din read the manga, so went in clueless. Was surprised to find the lead of "Boss" acting in there. The male leads, I have never seen before, on account of not following "Deathnote". The story and plot is ludicrous, but the acting and the dramatic tension is pitched perfect. And the song by Yui is fantastic! A must watch!

Official Movie Site (Japanese)
http://www.kaiji-movie.jp/index.html

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1309449/

Wiki about the manga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiji_%28manga%29

View from the 40th level (13 Mar '10)

During lunch on Saturday, my friends were telling me what a great view they saw from one of the tallest flats in Toa Payoh. Was intrigued, so got them to take me there for a look. Indeed the view was fantastic. But I sure can't imagine living there if the lift breaks down... :p

Saturday Lunch Out (13 Mar '10)

Saturday had bible study with my friends from university days. They took me out for a pre-birthday lunch at Hog's Breath cafe at Tao Payoh. The place was kinda deserted then, because we had a long bible study discussion and went there at around two-ish. Nice joint, and the food was superb. Totally enjoyed my lamb shank, mm mmm! Thanks guys!

Nodame Kantâbire: Saishuu-gakushou - Zenpen/ のだめカンタービレ最終楽章前編 (2009)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Foreign

Gyabo! Totally hilarious! Love the actors and actresses. Not much deviation from the manga series. However, this is part 1 of a film. Must wait for part 2 to come out sometime later this year... can't wait!

Official Website: (Japanese)
http://www.nodame-movie.jp/index1219.html

Movie Website: (Singapore)
http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/nodamecantabilethemovie/nodamecantabilethemovie.html

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1337672/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nodame_Cantabile

Crab Bee Hoon night (10 Mar '10)

Had our 12th Anniversary gathering*. The girls were all overseas, so only the guys met up. It was great time bonding over crab at Mellben. As usual, all the
wisecracks and antics. The highlight gotta be my friend dropping the crab shell with all the precious crab roe in it! "Hum bin ah"!

We met one another in the first semester of our university life, and have been meeting up with each other. Through all the ups and downs , and some misunderstandings, our bond are still strong~ Viva la PS1102 group!

* I'm kept thinking it's the 10th!

Pasta Fresca Lunch at Siglap (09 Mar '10)

Went to have Italian cuisine to celebrate our friend's belated birthday. No face shots as she got something against showing her public profile on the Internet :p The food was pretty alright (even though the ice cream machine broke down and we were able to try the pistachio or chocolate gelato). The company was fun, as we sat down to a slow lunch together. Ah, nothing like great company to make the food and drinks taste oiishi!

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

Woohoo! Managed to get tickets for the film in 3D format. Definitely an enjoyable experience watching all the special effects in 3D. Kept giggling like a mad hatter throughout the show. The nuances, oh, the nuances! Bravo! Oh bravvvooooo!

Official Site:
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_%282010_film%29

《大兵小将》主题曲 - 油菜花

一条大路呦 通呀通我家
我家住在呦 梁呀梁山下
山下土肥呦 地呀地五亩啊
五亩良田呦 种点啥
谁会记得我的模样
谁会记得 我受过的伤
谁的欲望 谁的战场
让我们都背离善良
何时才能 回到故乡
何时才能看 她的红妆
我用长剑 劈断目光
劈不断我想家的狂
一条大河呦 通呀通我家
有妻有儿呦 瓦呀瓦房大
鸡肥鹅肥呦 牛呀牛羊壮啊
种豆种稻呦油菜花
谁会记得 我的模样
谁会记得我受过的伤
谁的欲望 谁的战场
让我们都 背离善良
何时才能 回到故乡
何时才能 看她的红妆
我用长剑 劈断目光
劈不断我想家的狂 。
一条大路呦通呀通我家
我家住在呦梁呀梁山下
山下土肥呦地呀地五亩啊
五亩良田呦油菜花

(Taken from http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_6308d80d0100gobf.html)

Goemon (2009)

Rating:	★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

Disappointing film, to say the least. I went to catch it because it's been a long time since I last seen the male lead, Yôsuke Eguchi acted in any film. Plus it has one my adolescent crushes, Ryoko Hirosue. And surprisingly, there were a lot of Japanese actors who are casted in primary roles or cameos. And certainly it's a colorful re-imagining of late 16th century Japan~

Unfortunately, over-reliance on CGI rendering has made everything onscreen appear too bright and grainy. My eyes were tearing at the end of the show, and that's not because the story was moving. I detected some cuts here and there, probably due to censorship, which is another minus point.

I believed this is primarily a summer release for children. The DVD could be better, and I'm doubtful...

Official Site (Japanese)
http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/goemon/

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1054122/

Wiki Entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goemon_%28film%29

P.S. Since when were Japanese people have blue iris?? Heeennnnnn...

Summer Wars/ サマーウォーズ/ Samā Wōzu (2009)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Animation

Sugoi! From the people who brought us "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" comes another fantastic sci-fi fantasy anime movie! Even though it's a 2D film, there's a lot of superb 3D rendered CGI within the story. A film which really throws in a lot of Japanese culture and J-pop culture. A must watch for all Japan-philes!

Koi koi!

Official Site (Japanese)
http://s-wars.jp/

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1474276/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Wars

Little Big Soldier/大兵小將 (2010)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Action & Adventure

Wasn't intending to go watch this movie; but my friend passed me free movie passes for this show. Went to catch it and was surprised it's not a bad show. Contains lotsa classic Jackie Chan comedic kungfu acts. Wang Leehom comes across as a very "man" character, to both our surprise. Humorous yet sobering towards the ending. Catchy theme song too...

一条大路哟 通我家。。。

Official Site (Mandarin)
http://dbxj.ent.sina.com.cn/

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1319718/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Big_Soldier