Last day of 2010!!!

(Ending 2010 with this post….totalling to 510 posts including this one to end year 2010)

Time flies, a month is going to end, and it is the last month of the year 2010 too. Today is the last day of the year. Few more hours later, we are stepping into year 2011 together. But before that, as the last day of the year, many things and events have surely been planned for the night. Many are still working on the day, and by night, majority would be on for the countdown to usher into new year 2011. But for Malaysians, today is already made public holiday due to victory of Malaysia in AFF Suzuki Cup 2010. So, everyone is enjoying an extra day of holiday in Malaysia!

Traffic congestion on this late afternoon is going to be worse than last week when people are going out for christmas countdown. All events planned tonight are to be in full force, enhanced by the more atmospheric condition in ushering for new year with fireworks display all around the city of Kuala Lumpur, or to extend further, the highly-populated Klang Valley region.

Of course, everyone wish to have a fantastic night later. All would beg for no rain please…as rain is the major problem that upsets all the people whom wanted to go party all out for countdown-ing to new year. Traffic jams will only cause some people to reach late to destination, but rain would just stopped everything; especially fireworks! Fireworks are the most anticipated in countdown to new year. Many malls; Sunway Pyramid, Sungei Wang Plaza, The Curve, 1U, etc…as well as the newly-opened Axis Atrium near my house would be having grand celebration tonight…and not to forget the fireworks display from KLCC, where iconic Petronas Twin Towers stand.

The celebration is of course not only in Malaysia, but also everywhere around the world…the countdown would be held everywhere, according to time zones of respective regions. Feeling a bit uncomfortable these few days, I have to cancel countdown outing with my friends…but staying at home is nice too…can watch tv show on live countdown concerts from across the world, and I’m anticipating for Taipei ones. For Malaysia, it is around four more hours till 2011 comes!

(The last digit of ’1′ is coming up very soon to replace the ’0′)

Flashback: 2010 to me…

After written a post on 2010 to the world, it’s time for the year 2010 to me. What had 2010 brought to me? I have to flashback a while and finally sort out some of the memorable events that happened to me throughout year 2010.

In January 2010, a new member was added to my family, as my eldest sister gave birth to a baby boy, which is my lovely nephew. The most coincident news is that the baby was born on the same birthday with his mom, my sister. Next month, he is going to celebrate his one-year old birthday. Love him very much!

                 

In February 2010, me, my second sister, my dad, and my cousin went for oversea trip to South Korea during Chinese New Year. It has becomes our tradition to went for holiday trip oversea for every CNY rather than staying in Malaysia, bored with not much places to go.

In March 2010, I had watched the concert at Genting of my favorite singer, Sammi Cheng whom is one of the divas of Hong Kong. My Year 2 of study in architecture began with Semester One. Everything is getting much tougher but I have to stay on. The semester ended on June. The most interesting part of the semester is the class trip to Kuching, Sarawak for design project of a riverside ensemble. This is the first time for me going to the eastern Malaysia. The result of the semester is not very satisfying and I have to improve very much next semester. In June, this is the first time I’m participating on an architecture workshop, called as Archustic, representing my university, and we won an award from it.

It is not a boring holiday for me in the month of July, because as soon as our semester one ended, we in a group of friends went for holiday trip to Penang Island, Malaysia. Then,  I worked as stage builders along with some of my friends to assist our former design lecturer. The stage is for a musical event by PAN Production, called as Always in Wonderland. It is a nice show anyway. I had watched the Richie Jen concert at Genting as well as Astro Star Quest 2010 Final in Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil in month of July.

Oh, Semester Two of my study began in August, and this is by far the toughest semester ever. Everything is getting much more difficult for us to go through as our study level progresses. Luckily, it ended well in November 2010. The most interesting part of the semester is again, the class trip to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh of Cambodia in September 2010. This is my second oversea trip of the year. I really had great days with memorable experiences there and I have seen one of the seven wonders of Asia, Angkor Wat. My improvement seems to be working well, as my result for this semester is very well, by far the best in my study these few years.

In December 2010, it is the holiday for many people including me. I had visited many shopping malls, to shop, to watch movies, to sing k, as well as to check out Christmas decorations. Of course, majority of the time, is rotting at home, but still home sweet home…it’s nice to have no assignments at all, just relax and chill…

This year, I had the most trips of all, totaling to 4, two overseas and two in Malaysia. I had the toughest year of my study in 2010 too, not to mention what is going to happen to my last year of study next year in 2011. This is the year when I am 19 years old, and by next year, my age would be 20…ahh…old already! January 2011 is approaching, just around the corner, and here I would be wishing for a very successful and blessed year ahead! Same goes to all of you!

Flashback: 2010 to the world…

2010 is coming to an end. As usual in my blog, I would write a post to summarize on some unforgettable events and things that happened in year 2010. In this 365-days, many things have occurred and became history, and yet these things are still fresh in my minds, some you might have forgotten, but here you would recall some…

2010 is the first year of 2010s decade and it’s going to be ending soon with arrival of 2011. 2010 is dedicated as International Year of Biodiversity and Youth by United Nations.

In January, we had witnessed the official opening of Burj Khalifa, the world tallest man made structure, standing at an incredible height of 828m on land of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The construction of this superstructure had broken many records, mainly in tallest categories and had attracted the media from around the world. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake had occurred on Haiti, devastating the nation’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Many buildings including the presidential building collapsed while over 230 000 lives were lost. It is among the deadliest earthquake ever recorded.

In February, out of five major international sporting events to be held in year 2010, the first one was held in this month, the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The games was held from 12^th till 28^th in Vancouver, Canada. A 8.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in Chile, triggering a tsunami over Pacific and claiming almost 500 lives. It is among the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in history.

Nothing much was happening in March and April, as well as May. However, in April 2010, President of Poland is killed in an airplane crash that claimed almost 100 lives. Besides that, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in Qinghai, China, killing over 2000 people and injuring more than 10 000. There is also an oil spill, among the largest in history, over the Gulf of Mexico in April due to oil platform’s explosion.

In June, the world most anticipated sporting event, the second major sporting event held in 2010, is the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa from June 11^th till July 11^th for a duration of a month. The championship was won by Spain. Many things are sparked from the event, like the hit song, Waka Waka by Shakira, the winner-predictor, Paul the Octopus, etc.

Nothing much happened in July except for the exciting final of FIFA World Cup. In August 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) declare the H1N1 influenza pandemic was over, saying that worldwide flu activity has returned to typical seasonal patterns. The third major sporting event of the year was held, the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games, held at Singapore from 14^th till 26^th.

There are no big things happening in September. In October 2010, several earthquakes and tsunamis were reported killing over 400 people and leaves over hundreds missing in Sumatra, Indonesia. Repeated eruptions from Mount Merapi in Central Jawa, Indonesia, have killed at least 240 people too and the eruptions continued till today. The fourth major sporting event of the year and the third world largest international sporting event, 2010 Commonwealth Games was held in New Delhi, India from 3^rd till 14^th October 2010 successfully despite news and reports of delay, damage, danger, and corruption.

In November 2010, the fifth and the last major sporting event of the year, the world second largest sporting event, 2010 Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, China from 12^th till 27^th November 2010. The games is reported to be spectacular, biggest in history of Asiad, and on same level of success with Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

In December 2010, nothing important happened, except that many are focusing on celebrating Christmas and New Year! It is as well a month of holiday for many people around the world.

Ahh, not to forget the world biggest ever World Expo 2010 held in Shanghai, China that broke the record of most visited expo in history, as well as becoming the first ever developing country to host World Expo held once in five years. The expo ran from May till October 2010 in a duration of six months themed on ‘Better City, Better Life’.

That’s all, some of the big things happened in 2010. It brought us joy, happiness as well as sad moments too. Natural disasters especially earthquakes had become a frequent tragedy happening to any part of the world. This year 2010, is also the year with many international sporting events. Some bad and unwanted events still occurred, like wars and freak accidents. Anyway, the world is still in peace and harmony in year 2010. May God bless all in the following years, starting with 2011 as soon as 2010 ends.

Films in 2010 that I have watched… (UPDATED – 3/4/2011)

I decided to write this post up because it seems that I watched quite a lot of movies this whole year which is going to end very soon. I have watched these movies, mainly from the cinemas, the dominating Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) found everywhere in KL, and not to forget Tanjong Golden Village (TGV) cinemas. For some movies, I can’t make it to cinema, but still purchasing blu-ray disc of those movies would be a good option as I’m watching those movies quite late to wait for the time when I’m free from my semester study.

Furthermore, it seems that I have written a lot of movie reviews throughout this year. As soon as I have watched a particular movie, I would definitely write a post to review on it as soon as I got back home. Countless of reviews, and even including my rating for the movies based on my perceptions. Definitely my reviews are not as good as those from IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, etc…all my reviews in this blog here are just to express my thoughts and opinions…remember, everyone have different opinions…

Ahh…well, these are the films released in 2010 that I have watched…I need to refer on the list of films released in 2010 from internet to recall back on how many movies released in 2010 that I have watched. There might be a probability that I forgot to mention some movies that I have watched, since it is hard for me to actually recall all. Anyway, this is the list of the movies released in 2010 that I have watched. (not in order)

American and UK films (English Language): (34 out of countless number of films released in 2010….my top 10 favourites are bolded)

The Spy Next Door

Frozen

The Crazies

The Human Centipede

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Iron Man 2

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

The Karate Kid

Toy Story 3

Knight and Day

The Last Airbender

Despicable Me

Predators

Inception

Salt

Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Piranha 3D

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole

Red

Buried

Saw 3D

Skyline

127 Hours

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)

The Next Three Days

Unstoppable

Tangled

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Gulliver’s Travel

Yogi Bear

The King’s Speech

The Social Network

The Tourist

Hong Kong films (Cantonese): (13 films I have watched in 2010, not many interesting HK films this year…my top five favourites are bolded)

72 Tenants of Prosperity

All’s Well, Ends Well 2010

The Child’s Eye

Ip Man 2

The Jade and the Pearl

Just Another Pandora’s Box

La Comedie Humaine

Perfect Wedding

The Legend is Born – Ip Man

Legend of the Fist – The Return of Chen Zhen

Adventure of the King

Detective Dee and the Mystery of Phantom Flame

Dream Home

Singapore films: (2 films so far….one of it is picked as my favourite which is bolded)

Phua Chu Kang: The Movie (English)

Kidnapper (Mandarin)

Thai films: (1 film only, since it is very hard for us in not understanding the Thai language spoken in Thai movies)

The King Cobra (Thai)

Malaysian film: (only watched one, and it is considered good already, there is only one Malaysian-Chinese film released in 2010)

Tiger Woohoo (Cantonese, Hokkien, etc) … the Chinese New Year themed movie for 2010…I’m currently anticipating for CNY themed movie for 2011 called as Great Day…have to support since it is a Malaysian production)

So..quite a long list, right? Wah…I have watched 50 movies released in 2010, not to mention some others that are released in other years but I just watched those this year….must be reaching over 60. Quite a movie addict then…haha…I like to watch movies, of course must be interesting and exciting to get my attention….You may check out the reviews that I have written for each of the movies listed above in my previous posts. Go search it, easy steps to browse through on all the movie reviews, including all the posts I have written in 2010, 2009, and 2008! Might be harder if you are checking on all, because my blog here had over 500 posts since its’ creation in late 2008.

Ho..Ho..Ho..Merry Christmas!

Jingle bells…jingle bells…jingles all the way…

                           

I decided to post this greeting early in my blog here as christmas atmosphere is already everywhere and getting much intense and exciting by now, on this christmas eve! Do not let the afternoon’s rain dampen our high spirit of celebrating X’mas! Merry Christmas to all! Let’s celebrate this festive day with fun and joy with your friends and family!

It is forever Christmas without winter in Malaysia! People nowadays are just celebrating this festival in modern ways, like going for shopping, outing, dating rather than traditional ways of gathering at home, playing at home, collecting presents, etc. For me, Christmas is just another day. However, since it’s holiday, so it’s time for some shopping to buy new clothes for upcoming Chinese New Year in 2011. I will be also staying at home for the day, time for the family! So practically, I’m celebrating christmas in modern and traditional approaches too! Haha…

There must be a lot of people out there in those shopping malls. Must be crowded…malls are the only cooler place where Malaysians can enjoy..thanks to all the air-conditioning..haha…. It’s summer christmas, no snow at all…all in decoration are just fake, and they are just mere decoration which cannot be used to play…I’m a bit jealous of winter christmas, when you can play snow, build snowman, etc. What to do? we are in Malaysia!

One more week, and it will be new year 2011…let’s live the last week of 2010 to the fullest! Merry Christmas to all once again!

Happy Dongzhi Festival!

It’s 22nd December, not christmas yet, today is the Dongzhi Festival for all Chinese in East Asia…scientifically called as Winter Solstice Festival which falls on or around December 22nd every year when sunshine is weakest and daylight shortest.

Eventhough there is no winter here in Malaysia, but it is still a tradition for Chinese to have some sort of family reunion or gathering which is kept at least important nowadays. Tang yuan, or known as ball of glutinuous rice became the symbol of the festival. I like tang yuan, especially the original one with colours; usually pink, white and light green. Nowadays, these balls are filled with ingredients like peanut, red bean, etc for more taste.

This festive food is also a reminder that we are a year older and should behave better in the coming year. Even today, many Chinese around the world, especially the elderly, still insist that one is a year older right after Dongzhi celebration instead of waiting for Chinese New Year. Opps, if this is the case, then I’m 20 already…haha!

Taipei 101 to display biggest ever fireworks show to welcome 2011!

I did not hear or read any news regarding fireworks display for ushering to new year 2011 of Petronas Twin Towers, which are just kilometres away from my house. It has been very quiet for the towers, or preferably called as KLCC for these past few years. Many countdown events in KLCC were cancelled due to small reasons. So I do not have any expectation on KLCC to host a major countdown event for new year 2011.

Hence, my focus would be still on Taipei 101, the world second tallest building in Taipei, Taiwan. I had visited this skyscraper before and it is really a nice building. Every year, Taipei 101 would gave us spectacular new year fireworks. However, this year’s countdown fireworks to usher for 2011 would be much more!

The fireworks is going to transform Taipei 101 into a silver waterfall, a glowing pagoda and a ferocious dragon. This year’s show will last for 288 seconds, 100 seconds more than the standard 188 seconds of new year fireworks. 100 seconds is added to the show as the nation is going to celebrate its 100th founding anniversary next year. More than 30 000 fireworks would be used which cost more than NT$60 million (US$2.01 million) and is being touted as the longest, biggest and most expensive of the last six years.

Six other New Year’s Eve fireworks displays will take place around the country. Besides the one at Taipei 101, the capital will also have two other shows to ring in the new year, including one sponsored by the Council of Cultural Affairs to be held at Dajia Riverside Park and another one at the Miramar shopping center in the Neihu District.

In central Taiwan, in addition to a show at the Taichung Stadium, Janfusun Fancy World amusement park in Yunlin County will also light up the sky with 15,000 fireworks in 11 minutes and will turn its Ferris wheel into the world’s biggest “smiley face.”

In southern Taiwan, the newest entertainment landmark — E-da World in Kaohsiung County — is preparing to wow spectators with 50,000 fireworks, while Dream Mall in Kaohsiung City will also hold its annual display after a massive New Year’s Eve count-down party.

I would be then waiting to watch the fireworks display by Taipei 101, and some few more from other countries, like Sydney (Australia), Hong Kong (China), and London (England) which are always very fantastic every year. Just have to give up on my nation’s countdown fireworks, it’s being too boring every year!

Movie review: Skyline

This movie had been released to cinema way long ago, more than a month ago. Due to the hectic and busy schedule on the time of release, I do not have the chance to watch this in the cinema. So I have to watch it from disc instead, in this time of my holiday. Usually, watching from disc, I will not write a review for it. However, for this one, I feel want to do so…this is exceptional!

Before I watched this movie, I had checked many of the reviews written regarding this film. Many are in negative feedbacks. However, I find this movie interesting. My thoughts are basically different with others. This film is about a group of young adults trying to escape from the strange lights going down over city of Los Angeles which later is known to be from gigantic extraterrestrial ships. It is all about alien invasion, ugly creatures trying to kidnap people and absorbing some sort of thing from their head by light (radiation) to reproduce a creature of same species in their ships.

The story develops in a pace that is very acceptable. I thought that it would moves quite slowly at the beginning before the extraterrestrials’ invasion. However, it is fast, and still character development is not being abandoned in this film at the beginning. The current technology in film-making industry enabled the special effects of this film made at its best. Very great CGI effects. I love to see it as though all of these creatures are real in our world. I have to accept the fact that the acting performances by the main characters are not at its best, but the intensity of the alien invasion overwhelmed that.

I am pretty much excited over the creatures chasing over the people trying at their best to escape. Those scenes really attracted my attention and this is what makes this film not boring at all. Here, it wins an important point, a movie that does not get you bored can be considered a successful film. I wonder why it received such a bad feedbacks. However, I also did see some good comments about it. I am praising this film, good and really worth watching. Out of 10 points, I would give this one 7.9.

Movie review: Gullivers Travel

I must be among the first to write a review on the movie ‘Gullivers Travel’ because I am among the first to watch this film! It is to be released on 23rd December, and I had watched the premiere at Pavilion KL today, 19th December at 1pm, four days earlier, which is way very early!

After watching the trailer around two weeks ago, I’m anticipating for this comedy and adventurous film, which is about a man portrayed by Jack Black lost in an island (called Lilliput Island) inhabited by dwarfs (tiny people whom are great builders) after his mission to write for Bermuda Triangle, and he as the beast had to save the dwarfs’ kingdom from being conquered by the evil kingdom on the other side. That’s all I’m going to say…this is basically the story which is interesting…

What I have to mention that there must be a lot of thing to laugh at after looking at the idea of how dwarfs facing a gigantic beast. Yes, there are many humorous scenes in the film that won’t get you boring throughout the story. This is what makes a movie interesting and fun to watch, as well as suitable for all audiences. Yet, it is premiere and not much people are attending, it’s not easy to get the tickets, and where all these people who got the tickets gone to? Wasted!

Okay, back to the film. The acting’s performance by Jack Black is incredibly well as the main character which is undeniable. The only part I’m dissatisfied with is that the happy ending that they sang and dance together themed on war prevention is a bit too weird, unnecessary and exaggerated. I knew it is a good and happy way of ending a film but really not appropriate for this one with sudden dance and singing thingy going on. Anyway, it is really a nice movie, and out of 10 points, I would give 8.0.

First time in Fahrenheit, amazing Xmas deco in Pavilion KL

Sunday is definitely a good day for outing. Christmas is just around the corner, aah, it’s on next weekend…many people would take some time for outing at malls to check out different christmas decoration and to have year end sale on! I seldom see KL roads so flooded with people, way too many people…something I would only see in Beijing’s streets during my CNY 2009′s trip.

All went out, to malls around Bukit Bintang area. Today I went for the premiere of ‘Gullivers Travel’ which is to be released on 23rd December. I had watched it four days earlier than the whole world….time to check out on christmas decoration of Pavilion which is always very spectacular. Same goes to this year, the decoration is way too awesome! Similar to last year’s concept, there are few more additions to the decoration by having gold-coloured curtains added to red ones, beautifully-decorated gold-coloured gazebos, and snowy walk at the main entrance. The company must have spent a lot on it, but it is worthy as many people just stood there, admiring the decorations and taking pictures everywhere! This is the best ever xmas decoration I saw among many other malls in Klang Valley region. Love it!

It’s a lovely atmosphere, but just too many people until it’s very hard to take photos. As soon as I’m ready, people are passing by, and in the same time, disrupting others in taking pictures too. Time to check out the nearby newly-renovated mall of Fahrenheit, replacing former KL Plaza which is an old building with less people visiting. However, once Pavilion company took over it and renovated it to current Fahreinheit 88 Mall, it is another new addition to world class shopping facility in KL that attracted a lot of people too.

The entrance is not as grand as Pavilion, but I just love the simplicity of it. The main atrium is small, but still the christmas decoration there that is kept in low profile, attracted many visitors too. I like how disc is used any where in the mall for decoration, permanent as well as for temporary xmas decoration. Creative, especially when they cover the framed structure of Xmas tree with reflective disc enhanced with blinking light effect. That is cool.

What’s famous in there is that there is a shop called Uniqlo, a famous Japan’s apparel brand. So it is a must to visit that shop. Wow, there are many people, and all clothes in there are for winter season, and yet Malaysians are buying it. Probably many Malaysians would love to go oversea, especially to places with winter season, including me. It is definitely inappropriate to wear those clothes in Malaysia, you would get fever immediately! lol…bought a jacket there that costs only RM49.90…saw some other clothes that attracted my attention, but I have to let go…what for buy so much that can be only used when it is really cold out there, which is not in favour in Malaysia’s climate.