It's so nice to spend the whole day at home, doing nothing except watching videos and catching up on that snacking which hasn't been mentioned since the moveout from the dorm. =) It's nice to do that after a busy term and what will hopefully be a busy internship up ahead.
I've had my not-quite-yet fair share of eating and indulging in Singapore food, and I've also had more than my fair share of the extremely hot weather.. Not that I'm complaining, I love sunny days and blue skies.. I just wish the temperature was more cooperative.
It's quite a contrast when you think of Ann Arbor and Singapore..
Look at Ann Arbor on our last day there for spring:
Vast spaces of greenery, sunny blue skies, beautiful weather that's cool enough to be comfortable but warm enough for a tee. That's the Gandy Dancer by the way, one of the most expensive restaurants in Ann Arbor. ;)
And then you have the wonderful contrast of Singapore, taken from a high-rise apartment:
Buildings buildings everywhere! You've got the same sunny blue skies and ... some spaces of greenery but it's hot. Hot. Very hot. Sure there's wind, but none of those galeforce wonders in Michigan where it's suddenly chilly when there's wind.
I like both places. They both have their charms! On one hand, Singapore is a great city where there's something to do all the time. There are tall buildings everywhere and the hustle and bustle of city life is evident. On the other, Ann Arbor is a small city and is relatively quiet and peaceful. It's got beautiful buildings and everyone is friendly.
I guess doing nothing all day makes you think about stuff and gives you time to sort out all the stuff that has been elusive because you're too busy with everything else in life. Not that I thought of much today.=)
When there are sunny days around [and a big slice of durian cake] why would you need to think of anything?
Here's to more good eats over the summer. There are so many new places to dine in Singapore, and so little time!
I'm back!!! ^_^ It feels good to have my happy bed and bathroom again but at the same time, I do miss Ann Arbor. Especially the weather.. It's now raining cats and dogs and I can barely imagine having to splash my way out later...
On the plane, I saw 3 excellent movies! - The Other Boleyn Girl: There's Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johanssen as well as Eric Bana.. How bad can it be! =P - Juno: Brilliant! I really liked it.=) - Atonement: Very well conceived story which was so sad at the end oh my goodness!!!! (T_T)
Then I saw bits and pieces of other movies and slept a little..=P
Yesterday, we went eating.X__X I can't even describe it any other way! Haha.. I'll probably post the photos soon, once I take photos of lunch..*_*!!! It'll be my aunt's DELICIOUS porridge coming up! Haha.. Yum.. I'm looking forward to it!
But I'm not looking forward to leaving the house.-_-"
I had actually come up with a nice long post in my mind about returning but now that I'm actually here, I can't remember what I had thought of.=( Sigh.
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : Dancing Through Life Wicked OST] [mood : ^_^] [food : everything!!!]
Sam: Next semester!!! Haha..=D
Wendaye: I wish you all the best. Haha.=D =D =D And my apartment is not all that nice!!! Haha..
Yesterday we were supposed to picnic at the Arb.. In the end, we ended up eating indoors and going to the Arb for an after-dinner stroll.=) It wasn't too bad but it looks like I'll have to put more effort into planning an all-girls picnic in future so we can eat by the river side.=)
Anyway! Let me first show you the food!
Homemade Potato Salad! I've never actually made potato salad in my life so I just threw stuff in and crossed my fingers.=P Then thanks to Roy, we added raisins [or rather, Zante Currants] and the whole thing tasted so much better! ^_^
Our staple pasta tossed in olive oil, butter, bacon, sausage and tomato! =P It's so simple, but everyone seems to like it. Haha..
Homemade Seaweed Chicken!! ^_^ We attempted to recreate what you can easily obtain in Singapore in its frozen state.=P Everyone seemed to like it but seriously. I hate deep-frying food.-_-" It's annoying though I'm not so scared of splashing oil anymore..
Our picnic was really just an excuse to help our 2 friends celebrate their birthdays! Haha.. We won't be here with them in the US when their birthdays roll around so an early celebration works too. ;)
COOKIE WAGE + JX and Bunny Custard Puffs + Chenli! ^_^ They are smiling so radiantly! Hahahaha.
Cookie Wage! =P
This is the real Wage.. Don't they look similar? =P
Custard Puffs with a Wabbit! ^_^ I love the rabbit. It's so cute!
A shot in the living room of our apartment! Haha..=) It was an all girls picnic so Roy had to become one of our "姐妹". Haha..=P
After stuffing our faces at dinner (Lihui's Cottage Pie was TO-DIE-FOR!!!), we went to walk around the Arb! ^_^
The moment we entered, we were faced with flowerbeds filled with peonies!
A pink peony that opened to full glory.
An absolutely gorgeous white peony!! ^_^ I think this was one of the prettiest ones we saw.
After trampling through the forest and down the hill, we emerged to see the Huron River at sunset.=) So beautiful!!! It looks even nicer in the daytime trust me.
Thanks to the 10-second delay function on the camera, we could take a group picture!! Haha.. It was a bit dark though because the sun was setting.. (T_T) I love the long summer days though.=) The sun rises at like 5+am and sets at almost 9pm.=)
I'm very pleased though! June 21st is the SUMMER EQUINOX!! ^_^ I get to enjoy the longest day of the year right here in Ann Arbor!
Another view of the river.^_^ It reminds me of Venice somehow.. Maybe it's the reflection of light?
On the way back from the Arb, we walked past the medical campus.^_^ And these are 2 of the university hospital's helipads! ^_^ I couldn't tell at first.. But then I realised it later. Haha..=X
Pretty white and purple flowers on our way back to the apartment.=)
Ahh.. It was such a nice day!! Even though I had to stay up till some ungodly hour to study and do my work, it was totally worth it.=) I think when we return in Fall, we should do it again!! And when that time comes, I'll make sure we go to the Arb early.. Haha.. And that we can take gorgeous photos of the fall colors!!! ^_^
Ok. Time to get back to studying. Tonight and tomorrow night.. 頑張るよ～!
Having finally uploaded photos from erm..the beginning of June, I can finally post photos that I'm sure people are dying to see!! *coughs*
First off, let me show you our CAR! ^_^ It's an Audi A4 and err.. has a 3.0 engine and err.. is silver as you can see and.. I can't remember anything else about the car except that it's nice to drive.=X Oops.
The Audi in our apartment's parking area! ^_^
The BUTT.=P Haha.. Ok.. I meant the boot.
The front interior..=) Rather boring don't you think?
Thankfully we have Hippo and Giraffe to keep us company! =P [Along with the radio.. And CDs.. Haha..]
Okay. Enough of the Audi.=P Though it's really quite fun to drive.. I shall move on to food! ^_^
My first time trying to make sweet and sour pork!! =P The happy fried pieces of meat.. Haha.. Look at how they crisp up happily in the air!!!
The completed dish!! ^_^ Haha.. My mom's happy recipe! =P I replaced the vinegar with lime juice because I have no vinegar and also I err couldn't be bothered to refry the pork.=X So the pieces weren't crispy but I thought they tasted fine. Haha..=X
I need to improve though.*frowns* Like not being so lazy in future so I can get restaurant standard sweet and sour pork.
Chinese Hawaiian Ribs!!! ^_^ This was pretty nice.=D And now I know that Shaoxing wine TOTALLY substitutes for sherry. Hahaha.. Somehow ribs never turn out terribly.=) Look everyone! A failproof dish!
Dinner tonight! Steamed Chicken with Mushrooms and Lap Cheong.=D Haha.. Could finally attempt steaming thanks to my purchase of a LID for my wok!! MWAHAHA. =D Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to steam such a large amount of food.. Haha..
Still not as good as the stuff back home.. I have to get the secret from my mother.O__o
Anyway.. Time for the SWEET STUFF! ^_^
Cheesecake! (with a healthy piece of the most delicious honeydew ever.)
From Kroger, we bought M&M Icecream!!! =D =D =D It wasn't all that great.. But it's really cute! Haha..
A Plate assembled with Love for Roy.=P
Honey Almond Cornflakes!!! ^_^ It makes for great snacking.=P
I have been desperately looking for certain images that I wanted to use but for some reason, I can't find any to my liking.-___-" RAWR. And then I started looking through my old image archives and I found all my old template images.. Ahh. I feel like reviving them once in a while. But we'll see.=P
So anyway, here I present the Summer 2008 template!!! I wanted dragonflies as a theme because they represent summer in Japan but... =S I couldn't find the images I wanted so I used this instead.=)
Brushes: Deviant Art Font: Randomly found online Japanese words: 夏音 by GLAY Main image background: The sky in spring, taken by me. [Part of a larger image] Background: Found it in my image archives Template: Summer 2008
I wanted to do a lyric template again but I felt like I couldn't find nice sounding summer-ish lyrics to embody the kind of feeling I wanted.=P But I was inspired by 夏音 by GLAY! ^_^ It's a sad song though.=( I wanted to include lyrics from 大塚 愛's 金魚花火 which I feel is another summery song but I just couldn't fit them in.=P
夏の匂い 雨の中で the scent of summer in the rain.=) I really like this line!
Today before class, I was racking my brains to write summery haiku which I thought might be included. But I've sent them off to my friend for editing and hopefully she doesn't think they're totally crap though I must say, my amateurish efforts are rather childish.X__X If she deems them ok, I'll post them here with translations.=)
Ahh. Tonight's dinner was meant to be a quick one but my Omelette Night turned into Very Long Dinner Night because the Potato Rosti/Hashbrowns took so long to cook.O__O! Sigh. So now I am paying for my poor time judgment.(T_T)
Back to studying for my quiz. X__X I'm dozing off while reading through my lectures..
From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring. From the same source I have not taken My sorrow; I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone; And all I loved, I loved alone. Then- in my childhood, in the dawn Of a most stormy life- was drawn From every depth of good and ill The mystery which binds me still: From the torrent, or the fountain, From the red cliff of the mountain, From the sun that round me rolled In its autumn tint of gold, From the lightning in the sky As it passed me flying by, From the thunder and the storm, And the cloud that took the form (When the rest of Heaven was blue) Of a demon in my view.
Edgar Allan Poe
Today I made more of that yummy honey-almond-cornflakes. ^_^ Small things can bring those temporary bouts of happiness.
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : 1000 Words Final Fantasy] [mood : ---] [food : Honey-Almond-Cornflakes]
I'm currently doing my readings and... I found the most RETARDED line I've ever seen. -___-"
It's about the Bosnia War as well by the way.
"The trade embargo, which also prohibited cultural exchanges and the like, even banned Disney comics; parents could hardly believe the cruelty of it, and many preferred to tell their children that Donald Duck had died rather than reveal American heartlessness."
So much for swearing off war movies for the better part of the next 10 years at least. Since I'm currently taking Central European Cinema, we've gone through 2 topics and are now on the third. The first one was about the Holocaust - brilliant. That sort of counts as a war movie category. The next was about Women under State Socialism - great stuff! I loved this.. Women's issues are always interesting but some of the most O__O films were in this unit as well.. And now we're on the "Ethnic Discrimination and the Ethnic Warfare in the Former Yugoslavia" unit. O__o We're moving on to The Roma in the next unit which sounds more promising!
I have nothing against war films, personally. In fact, many are well-made and have become great classics that are well worth your time. It's just that I'm not a fan of blood and gore and cruelty and... (T_T) And after taking all that depressing war literature in JC, I was quite ready for a very long break. But while the previous films haven't been too bad [the first was quite bad.. the second one was a documentary so it wasn't awful] but today's film was TOTALLY depressing.
Anyway, the past few extremely depressing films have been about the Bosnian War involving the Serbs against the Bosnians. Till now, I still have not figured out the motivations behind the war.. I know it came from various factors including the break-up of Yugoslavia and stuff like that but I don't really know how this exactly came into play. This probably explains why I feel like the films are so depressing.X__X Having zero sense about WHY people are killing each other cruelly because they do so in self-defense is really retarded.-_-"
Can you imagine believing the other side will kill you THUS you kill them to prevent them from killing you and... having the other side believe exactly the same thing?! It's like this vicious cycle that you can't break out of! Even though the Serbs and Muslims used to live peacefully in Yugoslavia before, suddenly your neighbor is shooting at you and you're shooting at your friend from elementary school and ... X__X Senseless. Totally senseless.
So anyway, today's film was especially depressing because of the helplessness and fragility you could see in the people. And how the UNPROFOR [the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Bosnia] and the international media were portrayed was pretty depressing too.
Anyway the plot on Wikipedia is quite terribly written so I'll have to write my own summary? =S
The movie is basically centered around 3 soldiers stuck in a trench in No Man's Land [hence the title of the film I guess?] between the Serb and Bosnian armies. One is a Serb and two are Bosnians but the catch is that one of the Bosnian soldiers was assumed to be dead and had been placed on top of a mine that would blow the minute he got up. Sadly, he wasn't actually dead and has to remain completely still for fear of killing himself and the people around him. The UN intervenes to try and rescue these men and the press discovers it and rushes to the scene to report. The film comments on the UN's usefulness and the press's discretion when it comes to breaking news.
The most depressing part of the movie is how the man lying over the mine couldn't be saved and the 2 other soldiers kill each other in the end thanks to their constant conflict and lack of understanding and this was all catalysed by the cycle of revenge that plagued them throughout the 2nd half of the movie. X__X The movie ends with an aerial shot of the man lying there, helpless and alone, over the mine while the UN lies about him being rescued and "defuses" the situation with the press.
Somehow, I found the last shot extremely upsetting and completely depressing.(T_T) I mean, the absolute frustration you feel at how they could do nothing for the poor man who lay there, not understanding a word of English that was being exchanged between the UN soldiers. You feel for the poor guy, since he knows with no doubt that he will die since it was only a matter of time. The armies would either bomb the trench, or he'd die from starvation and lack of water, or he'd die if he moved. I mean, the helplessness of the situation is absolutely heart-shattering because you see this guy, lying there in his coffin of the trench, with a weight on his heart and a photo of his loved one in his hand.
And the annoyance you feel toward the UN for being ineffective though they were actually doing the best they could [I don't really know what else they could have done since the mine was of the variety that cannot be defused at all] and toward the press for the complete lack of sensitivity toward other people. I mean, it's important to get a story but seriously, have some subtlety please! -___-"
Sigh. This is another reason I dislike watching war films, they are not only depressing and morbid and cruel, they also make you all riled up.-_-" And annoyed with human beings in general for being such cruel irritating idiots who just refuse to get along with each other. Sigh. Granted, it was a film.. But films are always based on real life? It's like in sociology, a "magnified moment".
The film is quite a good one and actually won a few awards: Best Foreign Language Film, (2001) 74th Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film, 2002 Golden Globe Awards Best Screenplay, 2001 Cannes Film Festival ^_^ The previous year, "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" won.. I've never actually seen it but.. I don't quite see how they are on the same level with regards to issues being addressed.X__X
In a way, I'm really happy that I have the opportunity to attend such a class and learn about such issues that affect other people in other parts of the world that I have little idea about. It's once again, another of those classes I wouldn't have had the opportunity to take if I didn't study in a university that offered all these super random classes. I mean, Central European Cinema! Who would have thought? And the best part? I absolutely love this class! The professor is great, the discussions are super interesting, the films are all pretty good and I get to fulfill a couple of requirements to graduate! SCORE! =D But then there are 3 papers to write, 2 of which need thorough editing to get a good grade.(T_T)
Grouch. And now I have to look over my paper before I go see my Professor for advice on the re-write.X__X And then I have to do my readings and do paper reviews for Psychology class and plan the Freshman Welcome Program... ARGH. -_-" And there'll be another depressing film on Thursday for the next class. I CAN FEEL IT!!! X__X
May the films next week be happy ones! [I totally doubt it. They are from Yugoslavia too.-_-"] At least tomorrow I'll be attempting sweet and sour pork. May the Cooking Gods be with me. ^_^
I love this song.=D It comes at a really touching moment in the musical and is the highlight in the 2nd half.=D
Note: Green Girl is Elphaba and Blonde Girl is Glinda.=)
(Elphaba): I'm limited Just look at me - I'm limited And just look at you You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda So now it's up to you For both of us - now it's up to you...
(Glinda): I've heard it said That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led To those who help us most to grow If we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you...
Like a comet pulled from orbit As it passes a sun Like a stream that meets a boulder Halfway through the wood Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you I have been changed for good
(Elphaba): It well may be That we will never meet again In this lifetime So let me say before we part So much of me Is made of what I learned from you You'll be with me Like a handprint on my heart And now whatever way our stories end I know you have re-written mine By being my friend...
Like a ship blown from its mooring By a wind off the sea Like a seed dropped by a skybird In a distant wood Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you
(Glinda): Because I knew you
(Both): I have been changed for good
(Elphaba): And just to clear the air I ask forgiveness For the things I've done you blame me for
(Glinda): But then, I guess we know There's blame to share
(Both): And none of it seems to matter anymore
(Glinda): Like a comet pulled from orbit As it passes a sun Like a stream that meets a boulder Halfway through the wood
(Elphaba): Like a ship blown from its mooring By a wind off the sea Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood
(Both): Who can say if I've been Changed for the better? I do believe I have been Changed for the better
(Glinda): And because I knew you...
(Elphaba): Because I knew you...
(Both): Because I knew you... I have been changed for good...
And the Japanese version of Wicked:
It features a medley of For Good and Defying Gravity, my other favourite song.=D And parts of it are in Japanese which is rather amusing..^_^ Hee. I think they fit the translated lyrics well into the music as well.=)
And the rehearsal for the musical by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth including some introductions and stuff.
They sing so well. *_*! The sound quality is a little dodgy though..
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : For Good Wicked OST] [mood : ^_^] [food : sweet and sour pork!]
Last night, I attended a Dinner Party at my Professor's home in Saline, Michigan! That's an area just outside of Ann Arbor, and is really pretty. Saline appears to be mostly residential so it was really nice to see something different from Ann Arbor..=)
I thought it was really nice of him to invite people over on a regular basis to get to know his students better. In the process of it all, we got to know him and his family as well.=) I've never heard of professors who invite students to their homes for a meal, just to get to know them. I guess my classmates and I are really lucky to have such a nice professor! Plus, apparently he's pretty well-known in the psychology field.. Or something like that..=P
Anyway, dinner was great..^_^ There was spicy couscous [it wasn't that spicy..], vegetable curry [absolutely fabulous] and baked chicken [so so good].^_^ For dessert, we had this ginger peach dessert with ice-cream! I didn't like the ice-cream much [artificial vanilla is an enemy.-_-"] but the peaches were yummy! ^_^
We played games all the way.. Haha. It was weird.. I was the only person not from Michigan and also only non-American so I hadn't HEARD of any of the games..X__X They had to explain every single game to me.. Haha.. It was fun though!!!
One thing I noticed about my classmates though.. They are all pretty well-off.O__O Most were from West Bloomfield and Farmington Hills, relatively rich suburbs of Detroit.. And they drove nice cars!! *_*!! Jeeps.. But still.. Nice.. Haha.. And they carried expensive bags and stuff. I was like, HMM... And I also noticed that most of them are sorority girls. Nice people though! ^_^
And tonight there's another dinner with someone from the Overseas Singapore Unit. =S So I'm studying hard for my exam right now..(T_T) Oh the sad life of a student! And last night I had the weirdest dream..
二人の世界は他の人が入らない所だね．．．
Must run. We're going to have lunch soon consisting of homemade pizza and garlic bread. Yumm!
cheers *[-witchstone-]*
[music : River Ishii Tatsuya + still doll Wakeshima Kanon] [mood : thoughtful] [food : garlic bread!]
Jiamin: It's called the power of wikipedia. Haha..
My Emotible!
starry-eyed: filled with such youthful hope and optimism that one's eyes twinkle even when it's dark
Wish List
ie: motivation to save money!
- clothes
- shoes [heels! boots!]
- the perfect tote
- coats/outerwear! [Soïa & Kyo, Burberry...]
- Gackt - nine*nine
- Gackt Photobooks:
1 The Gift The Sixth Day & Seventh Night Tour Document (2004)
2 Crescent Photobook (out of print)
- Cookbooks!
1 Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook
2 The Nobu Cookbook
3 Emily Luchetti A Passion for Desserts
4 Alice Medrich Pure Dessert
- Anime/Manga
1 Rurouni Kenshin
2 xxxHOLiC
3 Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-
- Proficiency at Japanese!
- Learn French for Food!
