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.
Simplicity has never been so beautiful.
Title: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Price: AUD24.99
In short: Inspiring.
Labels: Leisure and pleasure, Reviews
The days certainly fly when one's having a good time. =P My one-week Easter break has finally come to an end, so I'm back at RMH - a new clinical block; a fresh start.
[For the curious, this block consists of: Dermatology, Rheumatology, Orthopaedics, Plastics and Anaesthesiology.....quite a handful for 6 weeks!!!]
It looks like I've deviated from the subject I wanted to blog, so....back to my original plan. =P
When I was still at Trinity College, I watched a play at the Melbourne Arts Centre. What enthralled me then was the fact that:
1. Limited props were used (which consisted of 2 paintcans, 2 footstools, 2 electric guitars, 2 amplifiers and a ladder)
2. There were no backdrops at all, and
3. There were only TWO actors throughout the 2-hour long play!
Within that two hours, both actors took on numerous characters (from problematic teenage boys to narrators and stern police officers), switching from one persona to another (on stage, mind you) with astounding precision and speed. Even the setups and transitions from one setting to another completely blew me away. Who would have thought that depictions of a garage, a highway and an overhead bridge, a bar, an interrogation room, a jail cell and a courtroom could be done, simply by clever use of props (as mentioned)? Well I didn't think it was feasible at the beginning, so that was quite an eye-opener for me.
Keeping that in mind, imagine my excitement when I discover yet ANOTHER play, echoing similar concepts as above!! XD
Only this time around, there are FOUR actors altogether. And between them - over 150 characters to play. Yup, you heard me: ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY characters. 
[Note: picture taken from www.theartscentre.com.au]
Now this upcoming play is called "The 39 Steps", which is based on John Buchanan's novel of the same name. If you wonder why this sounds familiar, it may be because the story has been adapted for the silverscreen three times in cinematic history, the most memorable of them being Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" (1935). =P Since I'm running short of time, allow me to indulge you a few (albeit brief) details on the play before I sign off. "The 39 steps" is to be staged by the Melbourne Theater Company, at the Melbourne Arts Centre between 5th April - 10th May 2008. Prices range from AUD55.40-75.30. For more information, kindly proceed to the Arts Centre official website, or simply click hereAnyone gamed for it? I am. =P Labels: Events, Reviews
FETCHEZ LA VACHE!!! [Fr. "Bring Forth the Cow!"]
On Saturday, my sister and I watched Monty Python's SPAMALOT, a musical comedy which was "lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty 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)...."
-exerpt taken from http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/-
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.
(-_-")
[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
Labels: Leisure and pleasure, Reviews
This movie certainly saved me from another mundane evening! =) Based on Neil Gailman's novella, it tells the tale of 11-year old Coraline Jones and the events that ensued after she moved into the Pink Palace Apartment with her parents.
Coraline reminded me of "Little Big Planet" in many ways (which incidentally is also the only PS3 game I WOULD play so far =P), especially in the alternate world where the characters are more doll-like. Very beautifully crafted, in my opinion. AND WHAT MUSIC!!!! The scores are haunting, and simply fitting for the overall theme. 
