Presenting Jon Schmidt - an American, "New Age Classical" pianist with a flair of combining contemporary pieces, as depicted in the following arrangement. Hope you enjoy his music as much as I did when I saw this video. =)
Love Story (Taylor Swift) meets Vida la Vida (Coldplay)
For more information regarding Operation Christmas Child, Click Here
May this box brightens a child's day somewhere in SEA/Pacific. XD
It was quite fun filling the shoebox up with Min!! The space was somewhat limited though, since there were simply so many things we wanted to throw in!! LOL.
Anyhow, Min's finally flying home for the summer hols. Man, I wish I could go with her too!!! *sniffs* (I'm sure gonna miss having that little bugger around. =P)
And so, to "celebrate" her last day in Melbourne (well not exactly last, as she's comng back next March....but you know what I mean =P), Min and I decided to do a little baking. Since it was her first time helping me out in the kitchen, the results were nothing short of hilarious. We were like kids in a candy shop - preparing, mixing the ingredients, forming dough, and shaping them into logs, all the while bantering and making one heck of a mess on the table (much to my uncle's angst!) LOL. So far, we've made a batch of hazelnut shortbread - it's my first go at the recipe too, so hopefully they'll turn out fine!!! XD The dough's in the fridge at the mo....will bake them once it's firm.
Love how my fingers currently smell of vanilla, butter and hazelnuts.... ^_^
Chrno Crusade - one of the better animes I've watched so far. Such a beautiful story.... but boy, did I cry my eyeballs out when I finished the last episode!!!! *sigh* My eyes are SO gonna be swollen tomorrow..... ><"
Anyway, would like to share with you this soundtrack from Chrno Crusade. A fitting piece for the ending, don't you think? Hope you'll enjoy this song as much as I do.
[WARNING: This clip contains segments from Chrno's last episode, so if you haven't watched this anime yet....and would like to see it one day, DON'T VIEW THIS MUSIC CLIP!!! =P]
The name MANIFEST (which stands for Melbourne Anime Festival) speaks for itself. =P In short, it's a yearly convention held at Melbourne Uni over the last eight years (I think).
(For more information regarding MANIFEST, clickHERE)
This was the first time I've ever attended an anime convention. With that in mind, and without realizing MANIFEST has such a strong foothold in Melbourne, I (unfortunately) underestimated the turnout last Saturday. My lack of insight thus resulted in an excruciating 2 1/2 hour wait under the hot afternoon sun. Just to collect my Saturday entry pass which I've booked online weeks before. Geez.
"Le pass". To think I waited in line for a 5cm x 8cm plastic card. I like the little samurai though.
Of course my "lateness" have led me to miss a number of key events I wanted to attend - most notably the Cosplay competitions in the afternoon. Some of the anime merchandise I wanted to buy even ran out of stock by the time I got there. (@&%@#!!!).
Oh well. At least I managed to procure a Kon plushie-cum-backpack, with a zipped pouch at his back. To the uninitiated, this is a character from Bleach. Haha. Reminds me of an episode when they fashioned Kon into a backpack. Hilarious! XD
Moral of the story: Collect your passes one day BEFORE you turn up....
Apart from that, the convention was actually pretty good. I was especially surprised by the sheer effort of many who Cosplayed for the event. THEY REALLY LOOKED THE PART. XD
Didn't take many pictures this time around, mainly because I was too hot (from the weather, in case you're wondering =P) and pissed by the "entry glitches".
Some of the photos my sis (Min) took on Sat:
Min with the "One Piece" crew. =)
Min with Roxes (Kingdom Hearts 2) and Tidus (Final Fantasy VII X)
Zelda
(Edited) A character Scorpion from the game Mortal Kombat taking a shine at a rather gargantuan Moogle. =P
And a few photos taken by a professional at MANIFEST ^^ (to view his picture gallery clickHERE):
Seth from Trinity Blood.
Erm, don't know where did they come from.... although the character in red looks familiar. =P Help, anyone? (edited: Freya Crescent and Kuja from Final Fantasy IX)
Don't know this one either. lol. But the costume looks good on her, don't you think? =)
It's one of those books I couldn't put down once I started reading. Despite being in publication for 20 years already, The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is still a compelling read.
A gist of this 175-page novel before I go any further:
"This story is about an Andalusian shepherd boy called Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find wordly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within."
In all honesty, it has quite a simple plot. What makes it good, however, are the pearls of wisdom interwoven within the story - of hope and faith, dreams, courage, love.... and many other things we tend to take for granted in this fast-paced world.
A book of symbolisms brimming with stories within a story, it is simple yet thought-provoking.
Cynics may think the reason behind The Alchemist's popularity is attributed to Coelho's acknowledgement of what his readers want to hear. Perhaps so, to some extent. Nevertheless, one cannot deny its appeal to many - we can identify ourselves with the protagonist at some point or another, we all have dreams, and we LOVE it when someone tells us that our dreams may one day come true.
Game On: The History of Video Games Exhibition @ ACMI
Specifically for gamers, or for anyone who'd like to re-live their childhood days. XD
Until Sunday 13 July 2008 Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Federation Square Open daily 10am - 6pm, Late night Thursdays until 9pm Full $15; Concession $10
A gist of what's in store:
"Get ready for Melbourne's must-see exhibition of 2008 - the action-packed celebration of games culture that has thrilled over one million players of all ages around the world. Game On tracks the development of videogames from the first computer game to arcade-era hits and the very latest from today's billion dollar industry...." "Original illustrations by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and concept sketches behind classics like Tomb Raider and Grand Theft Auto provide unique insight into the creative process of game development. Rarely-seen consoles, controllers, arcade machines, packaging and collectables are brought together in a showcase of game history like no other....."
Just attended Australian's version of My Fair Lady at the Victorian Arts Centre, this afternoon.
I was a bit disappointed with the first act and a few actors. The score "Wouldn't it be Loverly?" during the first act was sung dismally in my opinion. The chorus, in particular, 'drowned' the lead actor's voice at one point. A shame, really....since she has a beautiful voice. As for the actors who did not meet my expectations, let's just say that their presence on stage was not commanding enough. Heh. Then again, given that the 1964 film "My Fair Lady" (which starred Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn) was executed to near perfection, they have a lot to live up to. People tend to compare between productions. Heck, even my views and expectations are "coloured" by the film! =P
[To my readers who have never watched this film before, I'M URGING YOU TO WATCH IT AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFETIME! IT'S SERIOUSLY SOMETHING YOU SHOULD NOT MISS!!!!!]
[My Fair Lady (1964): Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle, and Rex Harrison as Prof. Henry Higgins]
Apart from that, it was enjoyable overall. The costumes and backdrops were superb, choreography was good, and the actors who played Alfred Doolittle, Mrs. Pearce and Mrs. Higgins really packed a punch! XD
On Saturday, my sister and I watched Monty Python's SPAMALOT, a musical comedy which was "lovingly ripped off from the motion pictureMonty Python and the Holy Grail".
A bit of the storyline before I move on:
"...Telling the legendary tale of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table, and featuring a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits and (flatulent) french (soldiers).... Monty Python's SPAMALOT raises "siliness to an art form" (The Sunday Times) and has been hailed as "a-no-holds-barredsmash hit" (The New Yorker)...."
Truth to be told, I was initiallysceptical about this musical, even more so after I rented the original Monty Python's "King Arthur and the Holy Grail" (1975) and "painfully" viewed its first half. Sure, the characters were hilarious in their own accord, but the plot build-up was too....sillyfor a film.
(-_-") [Note to self: Then again, Monty Python is all about being silly now, isn't it? :P]
So there I was, reeling from the "shock" of it all, thinking "Will it be worth going to the theatre to WATCH THIS???"
My verdict after watching the musical?
*drumrolls*
I became an instant convert. :P
The plot is still as silly (and yes, it IS a rip-off from the Monty Python original, as advertised). On broadway, however, there are a few "extras" which by far surpasses the movie:
1. Excellent choreography
2. Beautiful back-drops and colourful costumes
3. Engaging actors
4. Memorable scores
5. Hilarious (and highly contagious) punchlines
......so what more can I ask for? It was overall, a musical one could not possibly forget. XD
Nothing beats a round of Yoga and Body Balance (which is a combination of Taiji, Yoga and Pilates) in the mornings.
It's been a month since I started the programmes, and I've never felt better!!! I feel more flexible, my lower back and hamstrings aren't giving me as much trouble as before, my upper limbs (especially the triceps) are stronger than ever, and my mind's refreshed after every workout. *yay!!*
I highly recommend them to people who would LOVE to destress after a hard day's work. XD
A food-obsessed medic
who'd rather spend her time in the kitchen,
and pores over cookbooks
more often than she should.
Loves furry, white terriers to bits -
would do (almost) anything to own one.
Currently in Melbourne,
attempting to understand
the pathogenesis of every disease,
and wonders why she has to learn
molecular oncology in great detail....
VISUALIZED ♥
WISHLIST ♥
Travel! [NOTE: not for another few years unfortunately]
Sample (almost) every single food known to man
Stay fit and healthy [NOTE: Contradictory to the 2nd wishlist, I know :P]
An 8Gb iPod nano [Update: obtained!]
Master another language
Learn to play the violin properly [Update: learning atm! ^_^]
You just gotta watch this. SUPERB!!!! XD
May this box brightens a child's day somewhere in SEA/Pacific. XD
"Le pass". To think I waited in line for a 5cm x 8cm plastic card. I like the little samurai though.
Oh well. At least I managed to procure a Kon plushie-cum-backpack, with a zipped pouch at his back. To the uninitiated, this is a character from Bleach. Haha. Reminds me of an episode when they fashioned Kon into a backpack. Hilarious! XD
Min with Roxes (Kingdom Hearts 2) and Tidus (Final Fantasy 
Don't know this one either. lol. But the costume looks good on her, don't you think? =)
It's one of those books I couldn't put down once I started reading. Despite being in publication for 20 years already, The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is still a compelling read. 
Truth to be told, I was initially sceptical about this musical, even more so after I rented the original Monty Python's "King Arthur and the Holy Grail" (1975) and "painfully" viewed its first half. Sure, the characters were hilarious in their own accord, but the plot build-up was too....silly for a film. 
4. Memorable scores
