To be honest, I am not a big fan of motion pictures. I am like those who pop by a cinema once in a while when there is a seemingly good movie, with the left hand carrying a box of popcorn and the right hand a cup of Coke and that's it.
However, the film making one-day course that I attended last Saturday was purely amazing. It was taught by a filmmaker from Toronto, Elliot Grove, who has founded the Raindance Film Festival, Raindance Filmmaking School and the British Independent Film Award, and has produced some of the world greatest directors- Christopher Nolan (Inception, The Dark Knight); Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes); Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class).
Not to forget also actor like Sacha Baron Cohen (The Dictator/Borat), is also one of the alumni of the Raindance Filmmaking School.
He mentioned that when he was young, due to his Amish background, his mum has forbidden him to go into the cinema because "the devils live inside". And, by the age of 16, he finally couldn't stand the curiosity and he went in for the first time, and saw that the cinema is not so different from a church-it also has rows of chairs. From there, he found his interest in making movies.
He was so poor that he had to live in a farm when he started his career. However, that turned out to be a blessing for him as he was taught to find the behavioral patterns for insects and the growth pattern of the wheat fields. The training was particular useful for a volatile environment like the film industry.
He also said, to follow your dream is an uphill battle, a very difficult task. He remembered how he broke his mum's heart when he can enter the top 3 universities in Canada, but ended up in an art school. And, how embarrassing it was, to tell his friends, especially his high school sweetheart about his interest, but the rest was history.
As he mentioned, sometimes we thought that film making is fake, because it's all about acting; but if we try to see it from the other perspective, it's probably even real than the reality, because in film making, we show every single emotion, by removing the public mask.
To him, motion picture is the most amazing tool that can move a person's emotion. It represents the idea, the social setting and the culture that the scriptwriter and director come from. It's telling a story; by bringing a corner of the world to the centre stage.
So, there he is, inspiring every amateur filmmaker, to become the next Steven Spielberg.
10 May 2012
The Statue in the Park
It's the same path in the park. The same rough, uneven path that I use to walk to college everyday.
Spring has arrived, yet the rainy season still lingers around; just like the curse on the land of Narnia, but in this case, instead of layers of thick, white snow, the path is blanketed with murky water.
I used to think that cycling to college by cutting through the park will be a cool idea. After a few years down the road, I come to think that probably that was the imagination incepted by movies or dramas.
Walking to college is not too bad either. Every inch that I take, is a hundred mile my mind takes to wonder, just like the pixies in the Neverland.
And, if I cycle, I might miss the chance to stop by this statue.
So, there's this statue, situated in the middle of my path to college. I see many people will stop by and take a picture or purely admire this bronze statue, which seems to be apparated from the ancient Rome.
It's called the Statue of Physical Energy. You will see a knight sitting on a horse from the medieval age, looking towards the Kensington Palace, where Kate Middleton and Prince William reside.
There are many paths branched out from the statue. Just imagine a small roundabout you will encounter on the road when you are driving. I have been taking the same route, every single day, to college. And, now I come to think that if one day, I stop going to college. Which path should I take?
However, as I look up to this statue, I see that it's looking towards the West. I smile.
The last ember of the day, is the flame of dawn for tomorrow. As long as the sight is on the horizon, which path you take is not that daunting anymore.
Spring has arrived, yet the rainy season still lingers around; just like the curse on the land of Narnia, but in this case, instead of layers of thick, white snow, the path is blanketed with murky water.
I used to think that cycling to college by cutting through the park will be a cool idea. After a few years down the road, I come to think that probably that was the imagination incepted by movies or dramas.
Walking to college is not too bad either. Every inch that I take, is a hundred mile my mind takes to wonder, just like the pixies in the Neverland.
And, if I cycle, I might miss the chance to stop by this statue.
So, there's this statue, situated in the middle of my path to college. I see many people will stop by and take a picture or purely admire this bronze statue, which seems to be apparated from the ancient Rome.
It's called the Statue of Physical Energy. You will see a knight sitting on a horse from the medieval age, looking towards the Kensington Palace, where Kate Middleton and Prince William reside.
There are many paths branched out from the statue. Just imagine a small roundabout you will encounter on the road when you are driving. I have been taking the same route, every single day, to college. And, now I come to think that if one day, I stop going to college. Which path should I take?
However, as I look up to this statue, I see that it's looking towards the West. I smile.
The last ember of the day, is the flame of dawn for tomorrow. As long as the sight is on the horizon, which path you take is not that daunting anymore.
03 May 2012
Bersih 3.0 开讲
*以下文章纯属幽默作用。若有雷同，纯属巧合。
最近，因为考试的关系，所以并没有太去留意这篇新闻。须知道，大学生的责任是读好书。这对拿着奖学金的学生来说，更要保持冷静。
稍微不慎，钱没了；书读不了；那就真是要示威了。Occupy J**。
这有时候，也很恼人。
你不去了解新闻，人家说你在海外不是有KBKK思维的吗？你去评论，人家说你不尊敬合约内容。站在篱笆上，又被说没主见。
随着科技的发展，不需要做太多的research，只要勤开Facebook，各方的新闻和评论都会展现眼前。也有搞笑一族，不断以Bersih题材来开玩笑。
其实，现任政府，无论你怎样看，都已经大势已去，气数已尽。不管怎样，它是必须要走的。时代只会前进，不会退后。
我们看见了国外很多媒体和政治人物，都要控告我国媒体。
就连某官员写给拿着奖学金的大学生的“劝告信”，也曝光了。
这次的Bersih 3.0， 很多人都选择自己要看的东西。这没有错，器官是长在自己的身上，当然你可以选。但是，捏造事实，就万万不可。
就像身材走样的学生，在发放Facebook profile pic 时，只拍上半身一样。
不管这次的是静坐还是示威，在某种层度上，都是为即将来临的大选拉票，或者更为准确来说，“test water”。在生意的角度来说，"market estimation"。
可能，到头来，创办人可能会被人责骂虚伪，但，这其实不过是 " a means to an end"。在这种情形下，有些人会夸大这方面的说辞，但是，想像一下，就算她是虚伪，要那么多人，在星期六，大热天下去游行，也总算要有少少的自愿吧。
有人告诉我，警察打人。说真的，没有人告诉我，还以为有人欠债没还，被大耳窿追打。好像怕他不会死那样。
机会不是没有给，给了那么多年，就像不断说谎的Pinnochio一样，鼻子已经长到不行了。五年后，再奋斗过吧。
最近，因为考试的关系，所以并没有太去留意这篇新闻。须知道，大学生的责任是读好书。这对拿着奖学金的学生来说，更要保持冷静。
稍微不慎，钱没了；书读不了；那就真是要示威了。Occupy J**。
这有时候，也很恼人。
你不去了解新闻，人家说你在海外不是有KBKK思维的吗？你去评论，人家说你不尊敬合约内容。站在篱笆上，又被说没主见。
随着科技的发展，不需要做太多的research，只要勤开Facebook，各方的新闻和评论都会展现眼前。也有搞笑一族，不断以Bersih题材来开玩笑。
其实，现任政府，无论你怎样看，都已经大势已去，气数已尽。不管怎样，它是必须要走的。时代只会前进，不会退后。
我们看见了国外很多媒体和政治人物，都要控告我国媒体。
就连某官员写给拿着奖学金的大学生的“劝告信”，也曝光了。
这次的Bersih 3.0， 很多人都选择自己要看的东西。这没有错，器官是长在自己的身上，当然你可以选。但是，捏造事实，就万万不可。
就像身材走样的学生，在发放Facebook profile pic 时，只拍上半身一样。
不管这次的是静坐还是示威，在某种层度上，都是为即将来临的大选拉票，或者更为准确来说，“test water”。在生意的角度来说，"market estimation"。
可能，到头来，创办人可能会被人责骂虚伪，但，这其实不过是 " a means to an end"。在这种情形下，有些人会夸大这方面的说辞，但是，想像一下，就算她是虚伪，要那么多人，在星期六，大热天下去游行，也总算要有少少的自愿吧。
有人告诉我，警察打人。说真的，没有人告诉我，还以为有人欠债没还，被大耳窿追打。好像怕他不会死那样。
机会不是没有给，给了那么多年，就像不断说谎的Pinnochio一样，鼻子已经长到不行了。五年后，再奋斗过吧。
18 April 2012
不可思议
最近，伦敦好像患上了荷尔蒙失调。天气阴晴不定，Easter Break 竟然下起了冰雹。(hailing)
嘀嗒的声音，在窗内对着Facebook的我，觉得有点儿惊讶。有点儿不可思议。
其实，很多时候，不可思议的事情，反而多的是。就像当年Justin Bieber 一炮而红后，大家都不知道音乐界发了什么神经一样。又或者，看看马来西亚，不可思议的国家问题，几乎成了我国最大的输出品(Export)。
但是，不可思议，往往让你感到，原来，生活像个雨后彩虹，在最想像不到的时刻，美丽的彩虹天桥，筑起了内心美好的希望。
这，或许是理想主义(idealism)在作祟。理想主义最不理想的地方，就是试图把所有东西理想化。就像个小丑，一直想要成为马戏团的主角，才发现，他始终比不上在铁网里奔走的电单车，或者那会喷火的表演者。
写了老半天，才能够吐出那么多文字。看来准备考试这段时间，把脑袋给弄迟钝了。
冰雹继续下，我继续Facebook，那是个多么懒洋洋的下午啊！
嘀嗒的声音，在窗内对着Facebook的我，觉得有点儿惊讶。有点儿不可思议。
其实，很多时候，不可思议的事情，反而多的是。就像当年Justin Bieber 一炮而红后，大家都不知道音乐界发了什么神经一样。又或者，看看马来西亚，不可思议的国家问题，几乎成了我国最大的输出品(Export)。
但是，不可思议，往往让你感到，原来，生活像个雨后彩虹，在最想像不到的时刻，美丽的彩虹天桥，筑起了内心美好的希望。
这，或许是理想主义(idealism)在作祟。理想主义最不理想的地方，就是试图把所有东西理想化。就像个小丑，一直想要成为马戏团的主角，才发现，他始终比不上在铁网里奔走的电单车，或者那会喷火的表演者。
写了老半天，才能够吐出那么多文字。看来准备考试这段时间，把脑袋给弄迟钝了。
冰雹继续下，我继续Facebook，那是个多么懒洋洋的下午啊！
28 February 2012
Midnight on L.A.
Lately, having lots of chocolates, while reading articles or watching series at night.
Seems like a source of evil indulgence, serves as a good source of inspiration instead. It reminds you of a sweet distant memory.
Every bites is an inch walking back in time, seeing a clearer picture of the past, that portrayed an uncertain future.
Lost it in the thin breath, caught it back in the cross road.
Now, flying like an angel, disappearing from the palm of certainty.
'Erm, I don't know'. The brain gave up.
How can you know, if you are running away from the heart?
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
- Just A Kiss, Lady Antebellum
Seems like a source of evil indulgence, serves as a good source of inspiration instead. It reminds you of a sweet distant memory.
Every bites is an inch walking back in time, seeing a clearer picture of the past, that portrayed an uncertain future.
Lost it in the thin breath, caught it back in the cross road.
Now, flying like an angel, disappearing from the palm of certainty.
'Erm, I don't know'. The brain gave up.
How can you know, if you are running away from the heart?
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No I don't want to mess this thing up
I don't want to push too far
- Just A Kiss, Lady Antebellum
25 February 2012
散思
散开的思绪，在凌晨四点钟，漫步在伦敦的马路上。
看着那9 个deadlines，突然觉得 时间，好像在嘲笑着你。最近，也没干什么，就是徘徊在电脑和头脑之间，尽量把课业赶完。
这，也没什么。都第三年了，习惯了这种非人的生活。
可喜的是，最近倒是遇到一些贵人。开始读起了很多类型的课外读物，一个来到Imperial后，被遗忘了很久的兴趣。
可惜的是，太多的资讯，太少时间，太少精力；在取舍间，往往必须放置一旁。
突然发觉，原来，connecting the dots， 就能把所有东西连串在一起。看起来是失望的苦果，也可能是暗藏着甜蜜果汁。
看着那9 个deadlines，突然觉得 时间，好像在嘲笑着你。最近，也没干什么，就是徘徊在电脑和头脑之间，尽量把课业赶完。
这，也没什么。都第三年了，习惯了这种非人的生活。
可喜的是，最近倒是遇到一些贵人。开始读起了很多类型的课外读物，一个来到Imperial后，被遗忘了很久的兴趣。
可惜的是，太多的资讯，太少时间，太少精力；在取舍间，往往必须放置一旁。
突然发觉，原来，connecting the dots， 就能把所有东西连串在一起。看起来是失望的苦果，也可能是暗藏着甜蜜果汁。
16 February 2012
随笔
最近，天气开始转暖了。天气的瞬间变化，让人无法理解；就像很多事物，依旧走在信念的钢线上。
功课，像往常一样，忙着的时候，也盲了双眼，对很多事情的视若无睹。结果是，灵感也像水蒸气般，蒸发掉了。
也不知道为什么，现在写起东西来，总是欠缺动力，这是最近才发现的。或许，少了生活上的体验，就不怎么想随便写写了。
没有内容的文章，就像没有灵魂的活尸体。Imperial生活的千篇一律，是当人家问起，你就会说，“你我都知道，我会给你什么答案。”
好像很久没有寄情于月了。告诉她，时间会轻轻地，把我想说的话，化成甜蜜的等待。
02 February 2012
春季
很快的，又开课了约一个月。然后，一眨眼，第三年又快结束了。
今年的春季，确实有点不寻常。
不知道是内分泌失调(Endocrine Disorders)，还是月经周期(Menstruation Cycle)乱掉， 冬季像秋天；春天却冷到你不断发抖，嘴巴也不经意地骂起三字经。
零下的温度，加上那不时会刮起的大风，要出门，都要三思。那美丽的公园，现在简直像个坟场，路过的，都走快两步。
谈到春季，当然少不了过年。
屈指一算，现在也有三年没回家过年了。但，托科技的发达，有了Skype这玩意儿，能够隔着荧幕，感受一下家人吃团圆饭， 和调皮表哥剥着柑皮，在你面前示威的表情。
这里的过年，就像在大马过着圣诞节，摆设是有，朋友一大群吃饭也有，就是进入不了那气氛。
只因，笑声下，都隐藏着游子的背影。
今年的春季，确实有点不寻常。
不知道是内分泌失调(Endocrine Disorders)，还是月经周期(Menstruation Cycle)乱掉， 冬季像秋天；春天却冷到你不断发抖，嘴巴也不经意地骂起三字经。
零下的温度，加上那不时会刮起的大风，要出门，都要三思。那美丽的公园，现在简直像个坟场，路过的，都走快两步。
谈到春季，当然少不了过年。
屈指一算，现在也有三年没回家过年了。但，托科技的发达，有了Skype这玩意儿，能够隔着荧幕，感受一下家人吃团圆饭， 和调皮表哥剥着柑皮，在你面前示威的表情。
这里的过年，就像在大马过着圣诞节，摆设是有，朋友一大群吃饭也有，就是进入不了那气氛。
只因，笑声下，都隐藏着游子的背影。
19 January 2012
When Serenity meets Serendipity @Budapest
Budapest, a place
where time stops to enjoy the wine and the jazz.
After all
the complications, finally I can travel out of UK! (*yeepee-yeepee-yay-ing*).
It has been
an amazing trip with more appreciation towards life and culture. The time stops and flows with the rhythm of
jazz, as well as with the aromatic Hungarian latte at the Central coffee shop.
With a small slice of Kreme, a local pastry sandwiched with 2 inches thick of
clotted cream, you smile at the sunny weather outside Ruszwurm, the oldest
confectionery in Budapest.
Quoting it
from a friend, “Be indifferent. Don’t rush into anything. You feel
frustrated and disappointed only when you are rushing for the train.” It changes my perspective in life, and with
many recent happenings, this quote came quite timely I would say.
This trip,
with different travel partners, we initiated many random conversations, from
philosophy to architecture, from arts to politics, from literature to history,
and from coffee to wine. We also saw how different upbringings and experience managed
to strike vibrant and diverse viewpoints on certain topics.
The city is
full of sweet tranquility. Sitting in a decent restaurant, while savouring the tenderloin
steak and drinking a glass of 0.1L Tokaji Azsu 3 puttonyos, we got to watch light,
white fragments of sleet, showering outside the window, covering the pavements.
Or, when you
are overlooking the whole city of Budapest, from the 400m St.Gelert’s Hill,
under 4oCelcius, it’s just purely amazing. Witnessing a city with 1000
years in history, is like stepping on the stones and rocks in the Colosseum , a
fulfillment you get when you visit the ancient ruins which live through the millennium.
Sometimes, when
you are able to see how life can be transformed into a great feast of
self-indulgence in a cultural or historical field trip, it reminds you that keeping
your writing and travelling dreams are essential.
 |
| Taken @Budapest |
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08 January 2012
When lyrics are just not words
When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
- 'I won't give up', Jason Mraz
The subtle tune that sings out your moods, does not always have to be fast and loud; with a little bit of pauses in between, you feel relaxed and at peace with the surroundings.
While I am listening to this song, I couldn't help but wonder, what if Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars and Boyce Avenue get together, to make a song?
"It would be a disaster", my heart whispers. Yes, it will.
Less is more, I thought.
Plucking the feelings, the guitar in my heart; seems like an endless waltz with the imagination of tomorrow. Best things in life are free, and they are real.
'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up
The wave, quietly washes down the memories of yesterday; but it brings you the beautiful seashell that you never expect.
You sail out to the ocean, with the seashell, and your jar of heart, hoping to reach the horizon, some days.
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
- 'I won't give up', Jason Mraz
The subtle tune that sings out your moods, does not always have to be fast and loud; with a little bit of pauses in between, you feel relaxed and at peace with the surroundings.
While I am listening to this song, I couldn't help but wonder, what if Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars and Boyce Avenue get together, to make a song?
"It would be a disaster", my heart whispers. Yes, it will.
Less is more, I thought.
Plucking the feelings, the guitar in my heart; seems like an endless waltz with the imagination of tomorrow. Best things in life are free, and they are real.
'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up
The wave, quietly washes down the memories of yesterday; but it brings you the beautiful seashell that you never expect.
You sail out to the ocean, with the seashell, and your jar of heart, hoping to reach the horizon, some days.
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