Addition to My Collection!

I got them from IKEA! 

Are they pretty? =3

I'm still thinking what to make using these darlings.

I need suggestions. ><

Invictus

 

INVICTUS (2009)
Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon

I've been watching some movies I stored up in my externals, and I came across this film which I never thought that I'd like it. You see, I have this habit where I'll google a bit for film plots before watching the film itself. I just don't feel like wasting time on watching something I don't like. 

The film is about an inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa united the country with the help of Francois Pienaar, caption of Springboks, the national rugby team. Being the first black president, Mandela faced challenges where racial division between the white and black South Africans exists. Mandela believed that Springboks' victory in the World Cup can unite the country.

I do not have the ability and confidence to write a good synopsis for the film, so I found a link to share. Click here (Full Synopsis) if you are interested in the full synopsis. By the way it contains spoilers. =P

I would like to share a few parts of the film which I like best. =)

FIRSTLY, the short Victorian poem which inspired Mandela in the prison -- "Invictus".

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

My favourite lines are the last two. We are responsible for our own life. We take the responsibility for everything we have done, resulting in everything we face. We work hard and strive to reach our ultimate target, not giving up to hardships on the way. 

SECONDLY, the scenes where the citizens, both white and black South Africans, cheered for Springboks. Initially, the blacks cheer against the team as the mostly-white Springboks represents apartheid. 

It teared me up when I saw the citizens supporting the team throughout the final match. Springboks was having a hard time but Francois motivated them. The South Africans cheered for them, showing great support. Their cheers and sighs, I felt them. I felt like I was being pulled into that scenario, feeling the tension of the atmosphere. When Springboks won, it was so touching to see the citizens celebrate in unity.

THIRDLY, this film has awesome soundtracks! Below is the playlist I found on YouTube:

INVICTUS OST (Playlist)

I find this film very inspiring, as in not giving up in life. I am also happy to see that there are leaders out there who are really trying their best in uniting the country. I have friends from different races and religions, and we respect each other, enjoying life together though they are not my very very close friends. I appreciate the chances where I get to learn more from them, and we enjoy the learning process together. I know racial discrimination still exists in our country. Sometimes I just wish that I can see exact effort that bears fruit.

Seeing my students getting along with each other happily regardless of their skin colour and beliefs, the same question pops out every now and then:

Why can't we, the adults be like them?

To end this post, these two are my favourites from the playlist. =3

"COLORBLIND" by Overtone

"WORLD IN UNION '95" by Overtone with Yollandi Nortjie

Strawberry Craze!

Fresh from Cameron Highlands, at RM5 per box!

It's like heaven! ♥

Butterflies in My Tummy

Forgive me for not telling the reason, yet.

Well just in case I jinx anything.

*gulps*

Wish me good luck!

The Awesome Internet

I have been home in Penang for a week already. My year end break has already begun! To be frank I think I really did made the past whole week look like a holiday. I didn't even take up a pen, I didn't do anything which I consider meaningful enough. The best things I've done throughout the week are like, taking over all the house chores, giving my younger brother morning revisions, helped out my dad at his stall once, and a belated birthday celebration for the elder younger brother and dad. Hmm.. Yep, that's pretty much the best I can list out.

On the other hand, two major less-meaningful (I think using the word 'meaningless' is too harsh, these were some of my best hobbies!) stuff I've been doing for the past seven days were.. as below.

THIS

I used to share a Nintendo GBA with Yu Kee. He played Pokemon FireRed while I played Pokemon LeafGreen. I didn't get to finish my game because the GBA broke down before I could. =( 

I'm now playing the PC version! And there are so many advantages when compared to playing with the GBA. I get to save and play multiple accounts. I get to save at ANY time I want, this is freaking important when you encounter rare pokemons. XD Last but not least the best part, SPACE BAR SPEEDS UP THE GAME. 3 minutes' game accomplished in 1 minute, best of the best!! 

and THIS!!

I've also been reading mandarin novels! I know some friends refer these books as 'low-class cheapskate monotonous love' stories. I respect those opinions, but that doesn't mean I agree about everything. I just enjoy reading them. These books played an important role in my high school life, I started writing my own mandarin short stories and poems after reading these. Of course they're not super good quality best sellers, but one of the poems I wrote was actually chosen and published in a magazine okay. =P (Obviously getting more and more syok sendiri.)

I used to save up almost all of my pocket money to buy novels, which is an act which I still cannot comprehend until now. I mean, what in the world was in my head to make me spend ALMOST ALL of my money on that?! I remember getting so addicted that I can borrow more novels from friends and read up to three books per day, in a sitting. ==

Anyway I'm reading online now. XD I don't have to buy them anymore, I even get to follow every single book my favourite authors wrote online, and I can follow the series now! It's heaven! All books within a few clicks! How I wish I can read the english best-sellers like this too. =(

Think, the Internet is just so awesome. I don't need the GBA to play my favourite childhood game anymore, I can even play several versions other than my favourite one. I don't have to buy these novels to read them anymore, I can just get them online from a variety of websites. 

I mean, I COULD HAVE SAVED SO MUCH MONEY. D:

I didn't have internet access at home until I was 17. The only websites I knew before that were Google and Yahoo. Amazing leh? The only things that occupied my daily life were books, my phone MP3 and the radio. Without the internet, I treasured everything so much coz it took me effort to have access to all the things I like. Until now, I still hate to throw my collections because of that. ><

The internet sure has made my life a lot more easier, but it makes me treasure things I can't get via the internet even more. =)

I shall continue enjoying my internet luxury for a few more days, and then I'll find something more meaningful to do. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! XD

Swollen Knee

THIS is the look of my left knee, right now. 

11 weeks ago (less than 3 months), I took my first Taekwondo grading in five years. When I was performing one of the kicks, I lost my balance and I attempted to land my foot without falling onto the ground. I stressed my left knee without realizing it, and I literally heard a 'TAK' sound when my foot landed nicely. The whole leg felt numb almost immediately but the senses came back after a short while. That was also why I didn't take it seriously.

I felt the first pain 6 weeks ago. I couldn't bend my left knee, and finally I couldn't walk nicely. I looked like a duck waddling. == Mum got worried and suggested that I should see the 'shifu' to give it a good massage. I did, and apparently my left knee was swollen. After some good massage and the knee bandaged up with chinese herbal medicine, the pain eased on the second day. I rested for a few days and everything went back to normal.

Last night, for the second time, this swollen left knee brought so much pain that it affected my leg's movement. I think it's my fault for bringing myself so much pain this time. We had this Independence Month Closing Celebration at the school and I was in charge of the 'kolam' activity. The 'kolam' is like forming an illustration on the floor with coloured rice, it's an Indian tradition. 

I was told that I only had to supervise the pupils doing it, so I wore high heels to school that day. I vaguely remember how it happened, but in the end some of the teachers (including me) joined the pupils in the fun. For two whole hours, I stood up and knelt down several times, and this movement put a lot of stress on my knees. 

Mind you, I was wearing HIGH HEELS. Yay, I'm a genius. 

I didn't feel the pain until that night, after I reached Penang. Luckily I came home, parents brought me to the 'shifu' again, and he exclaimed 'WAH SO SWOLLEN AH?'. Like the first time, massage and bandage. Now my knee is all wrapped up again as shown in the photo above.

I felt like slapping myself on the face, really. I regret not taking my old injury seriously, and ended up putting my knee through that pain again. I can't walk nicely, and I have to rest it again. The worst thing is, my knee will not be as strong as before anymore. I'm not encouraged to strain it too much, and I might get rheumatism later. Shit that.

Right now, I just hope that my knee will get better quickly. I still have to take the bus back to Ipoh tomorrow, and teaching means standing all day again. I will try my best to take good care of it and hope this won't happen again. *fingers crossed*

HI

I've been busy with my practicum for almost two months, and I never expected things to be THIS hard. I seem to be unlucky enough the get the most packed schedule among the six of us who are allocated in this school. Nevertheless, I think I'm tough enough to strive through all these? XD 

Two weeks left and actually I'm still very busy now, with both the final observations by my lecturers scheduled on the next week. I miss writing a lot, and I think it won't harm much to scribble a few words here before I continue my work. Hee. 

To friends who have been wondering whether I've abandoned this blog or not, my answer is no. But IF I really do plan to stop blogging (which won't be anytime near, at least for a few more years ahead), I'll leave a message, and not just run off without saying anything. 

I still love writing. ♥

好流氓

林健辉  - 《好流氓》

作词：彭学斌

作曲：彭学斌

在爱情面前有人伤   有人慌

有人幸福到我无法想像

和爱的人啊有时热   有时懒

有时像我一样屡败屡战

体贴解释成纠缠
坚持解释成野蛮

我想也许你不爱我了
所以变得不耐烦

眼看这一切  打扰了你的新欢

我再清楚也搞不清楚状况

我只是  一直爱  一直爱
任由你批判

就算真的嚣张
我也是个好流氓

我只是  一直要  一直要
要我怎么办

那就这样吗
我真的会了解吗

你忘了那时你多甜   我多壮

每天的步伐如阳光灿烂

然后你变得不一样   心散漫

在紧的拥抱也冷落冰霜

体贴解释成纠缠
坚持解释成野蛮

我想也许你不爱我了
所以变得不耐烦

眼看这一切  打扰了你的新欢

我再清楚也搞不清楚状况

我只是  一直爱  一直爱
任由你批判

就算真的嚣张
我也是个好流氓

我只是  一直要  一直要
要我怎么办

那就这样吗
我真的会了解吗

应该挂肚牵肠
 应该一去不复返

我多想狠若流氓
将你的回忆一刀两断

我只是  一直爱  一直爱
任由你批判

就算真的嚣张
我也是个好流氓

我只是  一直要  一直要
要我怎么办

那就这样吗
我真的会了解吗

在爱情面前有人伤   有人慌
有人幸福到我无法想像

我只是  一直爱  一直爱

任由你批判

体贴解释成纠缠

坚持解释成野蛮

我想也许你不爱我了

所以变得不耐烦

人海中

人生中只有一个人会对你永不离弃

那就是自己

这么简单的道理我不是不懂

但我一直都是那么的渴望着

那种诱惑，我抵挡不到

无论我如何摊开心房

还是受伤，相信，再受伤

就算是那样

我仍傻傻地等待着奇迹

自信一点一点地被剥削了

是被人、事？还是自己？

如果我说，

我觉得我一天比一天过得还孤独..

有人相信我吗？

A Small Motivation, Perhaps

THIS, is a totally random post in the middle of the night. XD

I was scrolling through my news feed page on FB before going to bed, and I saw this!

Just so if you don't understand Mandarin: 

The horoscopes which are most likely to lose weight successfully during this summer:

8th - Taurus

9th - Capricorn

10th - Aries

11th - Virgo

12th - Aquarius

I'M A TAURUS. 

AND MALAYSIA IS HAVING SUMMER ALL YEAR ROUND. 

DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO LOSE WEIGHT THIS YEAR? =D

Okay I know this is stupid, especially in the middle of the night. Night night. ==

今晚的你很不开心，但愿一觉醒来后，你会感到好一些。

我陪你。