The Message - 風聲

I’ve never really tuned into a Mainland China movie. But this is really good.

The message stars Zhou Xun and Li Bing Bing - these ladies deserve all praise for their endearing and convincing act in the show.

In a nutshell, the shows revolves around 5 high ranking officials who are brought in for questioning - amongst them was a suspected traitor. Slowly as the show progressed, one official was tortured to death and the other shot himself. Leaving behind 3 officials.

The torture was slow, but the show wasn’t slow. For those officials who were not willing to speak, they were tortured by Mister Six, a man who used acupuncture as a form of torture. One of the female officials was also tortured - for ways that I shall not comment about.

The story is really well woven and well shot. I sat there wanting to know more, and wanting to know who was the traitor and how was the person trying to get the message out.

And how the Japanese man got killed in the end - that was really a wow moment.

Review: Narciso Rodriguez for her.

Over the past year, I’ve accumulated a lot of perfume samples, and I shall take the time to review them one by one.

For starters, I shall start with Narciso Rodriguez for her.

Narciso Rodriguez for her smells as sharp and clean as it (the bottle) looks. There is simply no hint of overpowering powdery flora fragrance, but bears a crisp note of it instead. The scent sort of reminds me of a power corporate who is enjoying a sumptuous weekend lunch in a top class hotel, decked out in her classy black and white.

However, because it is so classy and clean, the scent may appear a little generic. It also bears minimal excitement and fun. It’s more appropriate for wear on your I’m-in-a-fuss-free-mood-days. On the light side, it is for these reasons that I’m liken to use the perfume as my room scent and spritz it in my diary.

If you want to get a perfume that is subtle, simple and no-frills attach. Give this perfume a go ahead.

Justin Nozuka

I present to you Justin Nozuka - soulful, yearning - his incredible vocals and emotive gaze sent shivers down my spine. His singing style is peppered with twangs of soft rock and blues, coupled with modernity.

He is the modern singer. The modern man. And he is really pretty.

Born in New York to Japanese and American parents, Nozuka grew up in Toronto (Yay Canada).

Rough, yet sensitive - his ballads are emotional; it tugs the very last tearful corner of your heart. At the same time, he has a punk side - taking on rock pop songs with an urban-edgy voice. He is a gem in the rough waiting to be discovered and cut to its sparkling best.

I like the fact that there is a sort of raw edged quality to his singing. It is something that you can keep listening to for a long period of time, without having this nagging toothache. I just dig his street-style approach to the songs.

I love his versatility too! From the common love story, to death at war time, to daily fun, his songs are stung with strong emotions - sorrowful, longing, or plain funky.

I’m buying his album the moment I can squeeze time to head to the stores - heck about my spending quota for the month.

I’m hooked.

Watch Justin Nozuka’s music video on youtube. Watch this video on “After Tonight” as well!

Harper’s Island - Gasp, Sigh

I’m distraught. Mid-way through the 2 hour season finale, my heart felt like it sunk to the bottom of the sea. True to the director’s sense of twists and turns, the ending was a bumpy one.

Episode 12:
Victim 1: Danny Brooks. The college buddy. Died by being stabbed by a rod that holds paper.
Victim 2: Trish Wellington. The bride. Stabbed by her husband-to-be, Henry.

Episode 13:
Victim 1: Christopher Sullivan. The best man. Killed by being stabbed by his best friend, Henry.
Victim 2: John Wakefield. Stabbed by his son, Henry.
Victim 3: Henry Dunn. The groom. Stabbed by Abby.

Survivors:
Abby Mills, Jimmy Mance, Shea and Madison Allen.

Can we say yay?

As it turns out, Henry is Abby’s half brother. He has turned psycho. He is on a rampage to kill everyone, whom he brought to the island, on the pretext of celebrating his wedding.

I feel my stomach making a sick turn.

Henry is filled with rage that he was abandoned at birth by his real mother, Abby’s mum. Henry meets Wakefield by chance after the killings 7 years ago. A year later, Wakefield searches for Henry, and Henry acknowledges him as his father.

So here is the nice Henry who plotted the series of sick killings. He got himself a fiance (Trish), made himself a best friend (Sully) and good friends (Booth, Malcolm, and Danny) who graced his wedding as groomsmen. He conveniently held the wedding at Harper’s Island, because the love of his life (Abby) told him, when he was a kid, that she wished that the two of them could spend all summer on the island by themselves.

He designed it for that purpose.

Having despised his adoptive family for a long time, he killed his adoptive family’s only son (J.D.). He also killed his adoptive uncle, Marty.

Unfortunately the rest of Trish’s wedding list guest had to go too (Beth, Chloe, Cal, Katherine, Richard, and Lucy). We knew that Henry has always had something against Mr. Wellington, so the poor man had to go, even though he was the father of the bride.

They were all just part of the plan.

Lastly, any person who was unfortunate to have implicated themselves in this joyous occasion were axed (Shane, Maggie, Hunter, and Nikki).

Someone please cry foul play.

As luck turns out, Henry chose Abby over his father - killing his father at the end. So shout relief, at least justice was served to one deserving soul.

To make sure that the show ends with zero murderer running loose, the script writer made sure that justice was served to the last deserving person, Henry. In self-defense, Abby stabbed Henry.

After 13 episodes, I’m pretty happy that it ended. Finally. But, it cannot describe my anguish that it had to end in such a strange way.

Half-brother has a thing for his younger half-sister? He holds an unrequited love for his half-sister? Thus, plots for 5 years to get her back to the island, so that he can fulfill her dream? In the midst kill innocent people, just because they were part of the plan.

I think I’ll steal some of my niece’s bed-time fairytales to read tonight, to comfort my distorted heart.

Le Le Pot

I love my niece very very much.

Ate at Le Le pot at Tiong Bahru some two weeks ago. Simply made for my niece who we lovingly call Le Le too!

Le Le pot is opened by a Chinese celebrity. The eatery is decorated with walls of pictures of celebrities, framed in colourful Ikea frames. The air-conditioned place is also really clean and not smokey at all. I didn’t feel the urgent need to rush home to bath, unlike most other steamboat experience.

Dining in this steamboat place feels like you are eating at home. The service staff are friendly and smiley. A definite plus.

The steamboat buffet is really awesome. You can choose between the ala-carte version or buffet. I would recommend the buffet if you are dining for 5 or 6 (which is approx $25 per pax), and the ala-carte version if you are only eating for 2.

The buffet spread include prawns, chicken wings, mushrooms and poultry meat. Crab, sea cucumber, and cray fish are available at additional cost. All of which are presented in nice clean plates. Drinks are sold separately. Oh, and I love their desert! It is homemade ice jelly, or ice topped with durian, mango.

Evidently, I enjoyed stuffing myself to the brim at this cosy homely eatery.

Visit the Le Le Pot at Blk 58 Seng Poh Road #01-23 (opposite Tiong Bahru Market). Call to make reservations at 6222 9442. They can be rather crowded during weekends.

Lisa Ono & Chocolatchino

I love my bags and pretty dresses. But, music will always be my soul.

I take a really long time to decide on whether I want to purchase a bag or a wallet; the same goes for clothes. But, when it comes to buying music cds, I always seem to buy them after listening a sample.

Japanese - Brazilian singer, Lisa Ono, recently released two Bossanova CDs: Look to the rainbow and Cheek to cheek.

And they are really good.

The songs in Look to the rainbow have a quirky feel to it, whilst the songs in Cheek to cheek are more soothing and mainstream. For a sample of songs from either one of the CDs, visit Lisa Ono’s website at http://www.onolisa.com.

I don’t know why she released the songs in two separate albums, even though the songs were recorded during the same period and released with twin-like covers. Perhaps it is because there is a slight difference in the character of songs in the two albums.

To fully enjoy the music, listen to it on a rainy day, snuggle up in bed, read a book whilst drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Now, that’s art.

Greece: Samaria Gorge

I end my Greecian journey with a leg-breaking trekking on the 16 km long Samaria gorge, one of Europe’s longest gorge.

1 day. 16 km. 1,250 m climb down. 5 to 6 hours. 6 litres of water. 1 fall on the bum-bum. 3 days worth of sore thighs. Totally worth it.

We started our journey at this small little rest spot. Breakfast was just two slices of bread with jam, and a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Take a water break too, for there is no bathroom till the next one or two hours into your journey.

Before I begun my descend. My hike guide had to scare me by saying that there are park rangers roaming around to carry any injured person out of the trail. This is a popular hiking destination. It couldn’t be that dangerous right? I’m so wrong.

Right: A photo opportunity with the Zeus rock.

Below: Snap shots of the scenic view as I made my descend. It was just a spectacular morning, with the mist just lifting from the thick forestry. What a lovely way to end the Cretan experience.

Right at the beginning, I had to climb probably 1,000 m down in about 50 flight of steps. I was amused at the number of grandmas and grandpas flashing past us - all decked out in their seasoned hiking gears. They even have a tan to boost! I on the other hand was under dressed in a pair of running shoes that did not have a good grip on the slippery stone. I feared for my life.

Being the weaker of the trio, I had to speed walk my way. I had to cut down on my resting time to keep in pace with my friends (who were gliding and not walking down the winding path). It didn’t help that I had a couple of near falls down the smooth rock steps. We past by Zeus rock - supposedly where Zeus was born or was enthroned (can’t remember which).

Along the way, you will see pretty things. Like Inuk rock formation, bright bougainvillea, nice whirly old trees (I took a picture with one! The lighting was so strong, I look as if I was giving off light).

Below: Quick snaps of the streams, flowers, and rocks of the Samaria Gorge.

Left: The old whirly tree that we spotted mid-way into our journey. We paused here for a photo opportunity. We had to hurry though, because we needed to be out of this gorge before sunset.

At about noon time, we hit the abandoned village of Samaria. Hikers usually eat their packed lunch here. Replenish your bottles with the spring water before you continue your trek.

Right: The abandoned village of Samaria. I have no idea how did these people survive here. It was about 3 hours away from the start of the climb and 3 hours away from the open ocean.

Compared to the previous trek, trekking from here on was leisure. It was like a stroll in the park, except that you are like a little doll.

10 km into the hike, you will see the Iron Gate. This is the narrowest path in the entire gorge. This is also where the flow of the water is the highest during the rainy season. We were really lucky to be there during a dry season, for in 1993, a flash flood washed some hikers out to sea, and they were killed.

Be really careful about falling rocks though. The likelihood of being killed by these huge rocks is much bigger. Do not stray from the allocated path as well. Follow the arrows as marked.

I must admit the markers can be unclear at certain points in the trek. I accidentally strayed off the trek at a picturesque spot near the Iron Gate. Here is the bed of the lake. As there is still a constant flow of spring water downwards, it is not surprising to see that the markers are either washed out (painted stones) or washed away (branches).

While I was snapping away, I heard this rumbling of falling stones. I froze. Right before my eyes, a huge chunk of stone fell. I scrambled for safety. Found the right marker, and went back to the appropriate path. Phew. Never belittle the signs that says “falling rocks”. (Not that there was one where that rock fell).

I loved the later part of the walk. I loved the feel of the granite and the feel of having cool spring water trickling through my fingers. I got excited at the occasional sightings of wild Cretan mountain goats.

The end of our Samaria Gorge trail ends off with a subtle mountain-valley feel. It reminds me of those touristy postcard shots.

Just look at those hikers in the picture.

We had to cross gentle streams. We walked on handmade bridges to avoid getting our legs wet. It was just aye, so soothing, and so restful.

The scenery was the same throughout the end, except for the occasional spotting of flowering trees in the gravel ground. (How do these plants survive the annual winter season or flash floods for that matter?)

Our trek ends with a fishy dinner at Agia Roumeli. I loved the char-grilled fish. The Cretans really do a good job at it. Lightly grilled with salt. Simple yet mouth watering.

If you have some time to spare (if you are one of those crazy hikers who can finish off the trek in two hours - seriously, how do they do it?), you can take a luxurious dip into the clear blue waters at the harbour. I even spotted some people swimming in their bikinis - really well prepared ehz?

Below: Candid shots of the Agia Roumeli village.

Next up, Turkey - the last league of my graduation trip.

Greece: Mykonos

Welcome to the island of partying! If you love nightlife, this is one of the Greecian island you have to visit.

When my friends and I were googling to see which Greecian islands to visit, Mykonos’  name kept coming up. Not only does this tiny island have natural attraction of its own, it has been made popular by the numerous happening parties that it hosts.

Due to time constraints, my friends and I did not have the opportunity to go to one of the most famous partying beach strips - Super Paradise. We did, however, bobbed in the waters near our apartment. 18 days without seeing the seas and 14 days burning in the hot Egyptian sun, dipping into this beach waters was already paradise to us. Look how happy I was wearing my odd attire of a swim suit and a sun dress

What I loved most about this island, had got to be snooping around the main town - it was like alice in wonderland - winding streets, similar doors, never ending roads. With every turn, I would just swoon at the attas (or snobbish) shops and their delicious window display. If you want a rouge gauge on how high-class this island is - just imagine that a normal looking piece of dress costs EU$150 (then equivalent to SGD$300).

A major highlight to my friends (and secretly myself) was that this island was full of pretty people! It was just unbelievable. Even the Mykonos’s bougainvillea looked so pretty - unlike their white-washed counterparts back home.

To wrap up your touristy day, you need to visit the windmills of Mykonos. Snap away as the sun sets.

Do also enjoy a seafood dinner at any of the restaurants, for their catch is always fresh. I recommend the seafood platter.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my daddy’s birthday.

To celebrate his birthday, we went to eat at Nadamen at Shangri-La. It was so awesome! Even though it is a bit tad high class, the ambiance was not at all stuffy, and the service staff were so helpful and friendly.

Look at the sumptuous lunch that we had!

From the menu, I chose the beef teppanyakki lunch set. It costs $55. Really worth it. I heart the scallop and cod fish. The vegetables were a little bit too salty for my liking, but the rest of the menu was great! I heart the vanilla ice-cream too. To round off the sweet deal, the good people of Shangri-La gave my dad a complimentary cake.

Happy birthday daddy!

PS: Shangri-La is currently having “flash your age” promotion. On your birthday you are entitled to discounted meals (according to your age - if you are 60 years old, your discount is 60% - how fantastic is that).  Call 67373644 to make reservations. You have to be quick because there is a quota daily.

NB: One of the pictures above was taken from hungrygowhere.com

Christian Lacriox Showcase

Today’s entry will be in honour of Christian Lacriox, French couture fashion designer extraordinaire.

The National Museum of Singapore has been showcasing Lacriox’s costume designs for the opera, theatre, dance, and music since March this year. It will close tomorrow.

Be wowed by the gorgeous collection of couture gowns and suits. Lacriox is a true visionary. I was so annoyed at myself for forgetting to bring a proper camera and thus was only able to snap poor shots of the display using my camera phone.

Here are some drool-worthy gowns that he created. (His gowns are stunning even though I snapped the pictures using a lousy camera phone.)

And his sketches.

My pictures don’t do justice to his showcase! You have to visit the showcase. It is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s.