Non-existing Presentation & JB

Hmmm, how should I describe yesterday?

We made plans to go to Johor Bahru, Malaysia as soon as our presentation ended. It was meant to be our last presentation yesterday.

We reached school as usual, 9am and sat outside the class due to the lecturer stating that only the group presenting will be allowed inside, with the exception of each group's representative to ask questions.

He was the one who said that each group is only given 20 minutes at most to present and the question-and-answer session. He was the one who said that each member is to keep the speech to 1 and 1/2 minute.

So, why did he allow blatantly allow the groups to cover more than 30 minutes of presentation, hence exceeding the timing and left the two last groups hanging?

It pissed me off to no end that we got scammed into coming to the non-existing class, wasting two full hours sitting outside the classroom in our formal wear.

This is what I hate about people. He was the one who make it a point to say those instructions and everyone was present to hear it last week. Therefore, it is only polite and correct to adhere to the instructions.

Even if the students themselves exceeded their allocated timing, then, proper timekeeping should be made. I don't see a problem with Special Interest Tourism presentation a couple of weeks ago. The lecturer made sure that there is 5 minutes grace should a group exceeded time.

Naturally, we were angry, given that we are the 4th group. When the 3rd group finished, the hour was up and the lecturer had to rush to another class. Please, don't do something you can't even keep.

If he had wanted a long presentation, just say so and allocated the presentations over 2 weeks, alright? This is common sense. Don't go making false promises just because you are a lecturer.

The worst thing was, he assumed that we will be free, for him, and he wanted us and the last group to present at 1pm. Sheesh, what did he think he is? That we exist purely for him, for the school?!

So, we told him, that we are leaving Singapore at this moment and we will not be free. Which is true, we already made plans to go JB in Malaysia to sort of celebrate.

And he did not apologise to us. Please, for god's sake. The least thing you could do is to say you are sorry for keeping us waiting. Sighs, this shows that teachers aren't infallible and have no sense of apologetic.

Originally, he wanted us to go back on a Friday to present but a friend said that he is flying off on Friday, again due to his empty promise that he will change his class to a Tuesday. Urgh, what is the matter with him, anyway!

Anyway, so now, we're still not done with our presentation and had to go back to school on Tuesday to present, from 11pm to 12pm.

We took group pictures and surprisingly, we took a class photo too. For a class that never bond in 1 year, this is really surprising.

We changed and took a bus to Woodlands and from there, take the MRT to Jurong Est interchange before going up the bus to Malaysia.

It was quite exciting actually. I have never travel overseas with friends before.

The bus sped all the way to JB and we were shocked that the bus seemed to know where to stop and the commuters seemed know where to the bus, when there are no bus-stops. The commuters stood under trees and the bus will pick them up. Strange.

We had fun in the big shopping mall called Jusco. They ate at Pizza Hut and I had take-away KFC. The food is cheap there. Of course, we mustn't forget Baskin Robbins! The one we did for the franchise project.

The ice-cream cakes look so nice and the flavours are plenty. Too bad there is no Love Potion. We ordered triple scoop ice-cream and it costs us 13 ringgit, which is cheap for us. Normally, one scoop would have cost around S$ 3 plus.

We did some window-shopping and walking around. I though that their OPI nail polish will be cheaper there but, alas, that's not true.

By 5.30pm, we were leaving the place and had to walk a long way in order to take the bus home.

It was fun, albeit a little too short. Although my feet were killing me.

Rose-painted Glasses

"What, afraid of a little competition?"

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Who isn't? Though I hate myself for feeling so competitive when I am looking in wonder at my life.
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PDI presentation was over and I guessed it went ok. Other groups were better at this, I had to admit. For some reason, I just don't find this subject and presentation as satisfying as the others. But, I still hope that we can get at least a B+.
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For some reason, I'm having conflicted feelings whether the term ending is a good thing. Apparently, I can't make up my mind. On one hand, I am voicing out my happiness vocally, because this is the almost the end of the crap of a term. On the other hand, though, there have been good days.
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The August holidays is something that marks the end of the polytechnic life and yet, while I look forward to it since the beginning, it is something sinister.
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3 weeks, there could only be 3 weeks of utter relaxation and bliss before everything will turn into a neverending nightmare. Of course, I have forgotten that during the 3 weeks, I am suppose to be studying for the end-semester exams.
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So, I've to plan on what to do during that precious 3 weeks. Surely, it will be the time to catch up on my previously bought books and more new books. Which means that I'll have to cut down on the time spend online.
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I have to make the Harry Potter DH countdown clock! With help from my brother, perhaps. It have to be magnificent, so I will have to find gorgeous pictures.
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I have to tidy up the room as well. I have to paint, ah, must not forget. I have to continue to make beadwork. I have to work! Which is a stupid idea.
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I'll write more when time permits. But, if not now, then when?

Reflections

"Selfish is a beautiful word"

And why not? For everything you live for, it's for yourself. While the world does not spin for you, things do revolve around you.

I believe everything happen for a reason. I must credit luck and the higher powers for the things I have and achieved, but at the same time, I believe I deserve it.

Of course I feel proud whenever I got good results, because I know that it's another hurdle passed. Let's just say I would stop at nothing to get there.

And is it truly a bad thing to wish so hard for things to go your way? Perhaps they don't need it as much as I do. Perhaps given the effort I put in, I believe I should get a greater share. Don't ask of me to share the success with the rest of the people who did nothing to contribute. Afterall, we aren't even acquaintances.

"As the term winds down, it's time to reflect"

Truly, I am right. It's been an emotional roller-coaster. It's been a "hell of a ride". I've been through highs and lows, pretty low in fact. I must say, I am blessed with good group members who are dedicated to the course.

Because I know we couldn't do it alone. As much as things differ and feelings may arise, we still stuck close and let's pray that our hard work pays off.

I don't know. I know we can't possibly dominate all subjects, but a girl could wish. Besides, one or two teams are pretty competitive this time round.

And this is what I fear and hate. I hate myself for feeling competitive and wanting to compete on everything. I had to. I fear that suddenly we will ease to exist. This is why I try so hard, to do well and be good. I am a firm believer that overall matters.

Somehow, I am not as sure this time compared to last semester. It's near impossible to get all As again. I swear I'll scream if I did it. I need a miracle, a couple, actually. Please.

Disgusted

I'm thoroughly disgusted by the subject of Product Development and Innovation. Perhaps, I'm just not into designing products from scratch, especially all those technical parts.

Anyway, things are wrapping up and winding down. Let's just get tomorrow over and done with and I can finally start on housekeeping. By deleting away all those bits and pieces of drafts. They are all over the place. Urgh.

I'm thankful for the group members who have stuck through, since they are the ones who more or less keep this project alive. But, it is not saying I didn't keep any project alive. I guess everyone just have his/her day.

The final hours are always the hardest to pass. I'm so stress over the freaking presentation. 30 minutes! How am I going to endure that? And we have to show our prototype as well.

Luckily (or not), we are the first group to present. In a way, there is no benchmarking for us, once the presentation is done, we can relax and see other groups' presentation.

If ours is good enough, we can perhaps breathe a sign of relief. If it's not, then what is done is done. I think the lecturer won't be changing our marks, unless there is moderation again.

Tomorrow...

There and Back Again

It's not a hobbit's tale.

The "pet" project had been handed up today. Strategic Entrepreneurship, I can't say I dislike the project because it is the only one interesting around. And I must say I learn quite a lot from it. The only problem, the lecturer.

The worst? Product Development and Innovation, closely followed by Event Management. Gods, these two are killers. My brain cells have been battered, steamed, fried, kicked around and more.

Thankfully, Event Management had been handed up and there is no presentation. Phew. What a relief. I won't have to see the accursed thing again in my life. Grades won't be given, and I can only hope that I can get an A.

Now, the main topic for this post. I'm fried. I'm really weary of the world, of projects. I'm sick and tired of these, alright?

I'm so glad that everything is ending, soon. But, please, the last few days are the worst. Money can't buy you time.

PDI sure is disgusting! I hate this subject to the CORE. Yes, so there is no exams. If I can give it up, trust me, I will. Just like what I did for A Maths. I thought I am beyond hating something non-substantiate but it isn't so.

What? Develop a product from scratch? You've got to be freaking kidding me. Do you have any idea how difficult this is for us, for me? What a load of crap.

Partially, the blame is on us, who asked us not to start doing it during the holidays? Enough with all this blah-blahing. I know, we never learn. The day we learn is when we lament.

If there is one thing I will write for the evaluation, I will state clearly that this project does not help us, at all. Firstly, we are not design or technical students, thank goodness for that. I thought we are suppose to be developing proposals and ideas?

PDI is nothing I thought it will be. It came as a nasty shock. Arghhh, if I'm a lesser being, I'll be swearing my head off now.

Mind-boggling

Tell me again, why?

It's a torture, completely a torture. Projects are considered one of the worst.

You can't do without me, and dare I say, I can't do without you. So, let's endure for now and we never have to see each other again. Please, all I can do is to keep up this facade and once this is over, which is in less than a week, we'll shout hooray and see you.

Yes, I can't believe it is going to be over soon, like real soon. Why is it that the last few days are always the hardest? The hardest to pass and the hardest to let go.

Why is it that we never seem to learn our lesson? Time and again, last minute work occurs. WHY? I desperately want to change but it seem that more work just bog me down.

Because we are human, and humans never learn their lesson. If they do, the world will be a better place. Sometimes, I just wish we'll all disappear.

Attempts

"In an attempt to surpass ... I seem to have lost humanity."

*Snort* How dramatic.

But in truth, I seem to get so fixated on doing well and above average that I somewhat lost my direction. No, it's not losing what I want, it's just that I don't enjoy life anymore.

Everything revolves around doing very well, not perfect, but close to it.

What happened to that person I was when Bs are enough? I guess that Life and circumstances got in the way. At this point, there is no other way but to continue my conquest. Perhaps, when everything end, for good, I can finally let it go.

Trust me, if I can do whatever it takes to make sure I get As for my subjects, I will. I was thinking to myself today, if I can afford to break down and cry and things will mend by themselves, I will. That's easy, I feel like crying all this time.

I'm miserable for the better part of my school life, the only moments of happiness come when I have the end to show it. The means to an end is tough.

This idiom just screams "ME". To me, all these are means to an end.

Just like how work is. I don't enjoy it but I have to do it, for the cash. Same goes for striving to be a high-achiever. You have to do all sorts of "disgusting" things to get to where you are.

Because I firmly believe that the end will justify the means. No matter how I feel now, nothing can compare to the pride I feel when I got my just rewards.

Sometimes, I feel as if I'm on a different wavelength from others, people say how they miss school and all sorts, but I don't now. They have fun and have a "heck-care" attitude. I guess I just can't afford that.

So, cheers to being a worry-wart and the minority who don't enjoy Poly life. Life will be good.

Of World Cup 2010 & Paul the Oracle

"You know the World Cup is ending when people starts doing crazy things"

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And the World Cup came to a close this morning with a closing match between Netherlands and Spain.

I, for once, did something crazy. Like waking up at 2.30am in the morning to wake the match with my brother and having classes later on.

I'm glad I did it though. It was pretty fun although tiring. Once the TV was on, I quickly got online and started hanging out on twitter and facebook. In the darkness, I updated my facebook page and laughed at those posts by fellow viewers. Trending topics on Twitter were particularly funny.

I was rooting for Netherlands, just because. I just like their name "Oranje Army". It was quite the boring match, with lots of yellow cards being dished out. The players from Netherlands were almost half-booked with yellow cards.

They went into overtime around 4.30am and I went back to bed, since I had to wake up at 5.30am for school. At 5.00am, my brother came in and told me that Spain shot in their first goal.

Minutes later, Spain won. 1-0 to Spain. Hmmm, too bad for Netherlands, although my heart ache for them. Still, I'm not that big a football fan to groan and moan about it. I did think the referee was a little bias towards the Spain though, mistakes were blatantly made, yet he did not give them yellow cards like he did for the Netherlands. I agreed that the Oranje played it ugly and rough, but so did the Spain.

This is my first time waking up at an ungodly hour to catch the World Cup. I wouldn't say it was worth it, but I am certain I'll regret if I'm not in the action.

This year's World Cup proves to be entertaining, very entertaining. Ultimately, one winner emerged and it's not Spain. In case you live under a rock, you would have heard of a certain 8-legged "oracle" in Germany.

Paul the Octopus is declared as a Oracle and have bought uncontested entertainment to the world. He encountered joy and death treats and yet silently went on his life.

8 times he chose a country as a "winner" and 8 times he was right. It's hard to think that there is not some powers at work here. How many times can a person get this lucky? Regardless, he has to be a special creature that got onto the trending topic on Twitter as Pulpo Paul and dominate the news for days.

Fan pages are made for Paul and gathered so much of fans.

A Spanish businessman wanted to buy him, the Spanish Prime Minister vowed to protect him, people wanted to throw him to the sharks and fried him, people wanted him to be their mascot. And the list goes on and on.

Over the weeks, he has shot to fame by predicting the winner from a certain match. Over the weeks, his exposure grew. And then he take over the world by storm. World Cup was so much more fun when Paul was in it. This have got to be the first time ever in the history of World Cup that a sea creature hogged the limelight.

Now, if that's not a winner, who is?

Viva La Pulpo Paul!

What is in Life

Life is miserable, how could I not known? It's either do or die trying. Either way, you still have to "do" it. It's just whether you can do it well or not.

I saw this coming, didn't I? I said it would be an emotional roller-coaster of a lifetime and it is true. Crap, it's even worse than I thought. I am getting enough radiation to "kill" myself from all those hours in front of the laptop.

I really need a break, get-away from all these. If I'm a lesser person, would I have bulk? But, I can't give up even if I dreamed of doing so. I have too much at stake and not now, not at this stage.

Have I mention how much I hate a lecturer? It's a school for god's sake, don't act as if we are your employees whom you have no respect for.

So what? With all the impressive resume and credentials in the world, and you can't even have good EQ? I know, I know, I'm just a fresh-eyed student and he's this big person in his other life. Please, you are just a lecturer now, relying on your past experiences to make it, don't think for a moment that you are still that big boss.

I'm so going to rate him badly during the appraisal. I hope that by doing so, along with many others, the school can at least know how favoured he is in students' eyes. It's the only way students are given a chance to speak up. Life is unfair, they say, deal with it.

Sometimes, I do feel sorry for him, but that swiftly change everytime Thursdays roll in. It pissed me off seeing the way he treat us.

Downfall

Would this be my downfall?

Event Management sure is the bane of my existence in this semester. The lecturer is really not good despite having all the credentials he has, and the project is slowly killing me. One good thing is that I won't have to see the projects again once they are done. "Out of sight, out of mind."

The only thing I can get back is to rate him badly in the appraisal. I swear I will. God, he just isn't suitable to teach, that's all. He don't reach out to students, are not helpful at all!

Once upon a time, I nearly gave up on Marketing, and that was back when I had nothing to lose. Now, with glory within reach, this just have to happen. Please, please, I beg of you, let me have the As.

For just one night, I would like to not think about projects at all. Damn you all, I can't believe my eyes get teary as I type.

As weird as this sounds, I can't wait till Friday. But first, we must be satisfy with the projects first.

Eclipse movie review

This is the review from a fan, more so of the books than the movies. I've put categories for each aspect of the movie this time for better references.
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Cinematography:
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Kudos David Slade and the crew! Eclipse was pretty impressive!
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I love the addition of beautiful scenery and backdrops such as the snow-tipped mountain ranges and fields. The meadow is the prettiest so far. I’m so glad there is no more ugly blue-tint and too warm tones like that in New Moon. The colour tones used are just right. David Slade put his eye for beauty in good use.-
Extremely cool action scenes in the training and fighting parts! It looks really surreal, fighting between something not quite humans.-
Romance scenes are hotter now, making me feel a bit uncomfortable, most definitely the bedroom scene. It could have gone better though, prolong it a little like that in the book. Tent scene and the fighting scenes stick closest to the book and I love those!
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To quote the words from a fan in Twilightlexicon ”the newborns died as described in the book” which is quite disturbing actually. All those pings of crystal shattering and wrenching of limbs and faces, woah, I love how they stuck close to it.
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Acting:
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Acting certainly had step up a notch. Robert Pattinson still looks like he is grimacing when he smiles, perhaps it’s the contracts?
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Xavier Samuel’s acting is very notable as Riley. The way he moves and delivers his lines, it’s very professional. Kristen Steward and Robert Pattinson’s acting are better, at least they show the right emotions when talking.-
Dakota Fanning is truly very deliciously evil as Jane. I just love her lines, especially her “decisions, decisions” and “The Volturi don’t give second chances” quotes.
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The Cullens have more screen time which is great, especially Jackson Rathbone, who talks and acts more than the 2 previous movies put together.-
I think that Taylor Lautner’s acting is not as bad as some people said it was. For me, the jealously, hatred and sarcasm Jacob has is presented on screen. I don’t think he sounds so wooden either.
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Billy Burke is hilarious as Charlie, in the sex talk scene and graduation scene. He provides comic relief and did well in the portrayal Bella's father.
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All those agony felt by the newborns and Jacob is truly heart-wrenching. Those screams, wow, they raise goosebumps for me. I truly can feel Jacob’s pain in some scenes.
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Make-up:-
Wigs are generally better this time round for everyone. Refresh my memory, but did Rosalie have bone-straight hair? I hated the way Esme’s and Rosalie’s hair are piled up on their heads during the training and fighting scenes.-
Make-up looks more natural, more so on some than others. Pattinson’s face still looks slathered on with too much white-powder. Xavier Samuel’s on the other hand, looks very natural on him. Perhaps it has to do with lighting.
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Plotline:
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Eclipse is the best so far in following the plotline of the book. Twilight is the worst, even though I have said it so many times before. If New Moon is 10 times better Twilight, then Eclipse is 25 times better.-
Although some scenes are mashed together and others cut out, I don’t feel like I’m missing something. The movie is well-paced although scenes are switched around. The second half of the movie sticks closer to the book than the first half, which is acceptable to me.
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Soundtrack/score:
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Nice accompanying music along with the scenes. The songs used matches the feel and overall tone of the movie.
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I love Jacob's score by Howard Shore. The genius who did the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. It's just too bad I didn't know which scene it is.-
Bad points:
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The opening scene was great though the ending wasn’t as nice. It should have ended when Jacob ran away as a wolf, leaving behind his life. That would have been a better ending and a nicer way to lead the story to Breaking Dawn.-
Jasper’s back story is too water-downed. I would have like to see Alice and him meeting at the diner, and delivering their lines in the loving manner.
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Some great quotes are cut off, like Rosalie’s “If we have any happy ending, we would have been lying under gravestones by now” and Jacob’s “I can’t fight with an Eclipse. “ The movie could have more details to it and could have been longer.
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Bella shouldn’t have leave with Jacob in one of the scenes, it just goes against the grain of the book. As much as she loves Jacob, she wouldn’t do that kind of thing in that kind of circumstance.
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The “I’m Switzerland” line could be better delivered than what is shown. It would have been better if Bella have said that “I don’t who is a werewolf or a vampire. From now, I am Bella, you are Jacob and he is Edward. If Angela is a witch, she can join the party too”.
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Good points:
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I like the backstory of Riley and the meeting with Renee at Florida. I am glad they included the graduation party and Bella hitting Jacob and the bracelet. It’s all this small details that make Eclipse works.
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I like the legends Billy told at the campfire scene. It was more than nicely done. The chase at the beginning was awesome, with all the snarling from the wolves and vampires chasing Victoria.
Rosalie’s backstory could have last a tad longer but it still good.
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More quotes directly from the book this time round which pleases me very much.-
Overall feel:-
All in all, it was a satisfying movie session because it stayed close to the book. Everything is much better than before, partly because Eclipse is the beginning of an end. Things are tied up while others break down and most fans agreed that Eclipse is their favourite book.
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Eclipse is without a doubt a movie made for the fans. In the words of Producer Wyck Godfrey “You people count. You people matter. The fans matter. Did you like it?”-
The movie is made as though audience are expected to understand the backstories behind it, the way some scenes and dialogue links back to the books. Which is great, in my opinion.
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It is no doubt the best of the three produced so far and it doesn’t help that Eclipse is my favourite book. I have high expectations for it despite knowing that it was a stupid thing to do. Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed. I learnt my lesson the last time that comparing the book too much with the movie adaption is going to give me heartaches.
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So, that’s two ticks now. It made Twilight the movie seems like a bad memory. I get it that it was a first try and a film either make it or break it. Sequels, on the other hand, can too make or break the success. In the case where book sequels are concerned, generally, it just keeps getting better and better.
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If I have the chance, I would want to watch it again and again. Too bad for me, money don’t grow on trees and I feel guilty for going even for a second time. Like they said, the first time is for the overall feel of the film. The subsequent rounds are to savour the movie bit by bit, analysing the scenes if one wants or just enjoy a second helping with an open-mind.
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I am buying the movie companion guide though. It is just too good to be missed.
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Though I get it how some people, who aren't readers or fans, will not get the story at all. Indeed, if I am a non-reader, I would feel like I'm missing a lot of things.
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But, all I can say is, as a reader and a fan, I am heartened to know that a movie was made with fans in mind. They can't possibly review all the details again, this was an unnecessary thing to do. It makes fans feel special and it is certainly too bad for non-fans and non-readers.
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The Twilight saga movies are just like any book-to-movie adaptions. The main audiences are expected to understand the back stories and relate back to the movie in question.
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In the words of a fan "Do they think that by going just for the last part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy will allow them to understand everything? Or going for only the Deathly Hallows showing?"
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Another issue. I don't get it how some fans are disappointed by the movie. I thought it was quite magnificent, but to each his own, I guess. People have different expectations and hopes. Like how I don't understand why there are fans who like Twilight the movie.
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As long as the box office around the world continue to ring in money, we should feel proud. Money matters, you know it does. Continue breaking records! I'm in awe over the millions of dollars earn in just the first 2 days of the showing. It may fall short of what New Moon had, but it was still very, very cool.
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Happy Eclipse Day!

Happy Eclipse Day!

This came in just a tad late. It was on July 1st 2010 that the movie opened with a bang.

I fretted over about not getting to book seats one week in advance and my father was kind enough to help me book since he went home early on Wednesday. On another note, Golden Village has really bad customer service, I emailed them and did not get a reply.

Wednesdays are a bane in this semester, classes just have to end early on this day.

Anyway, I got the seats I wanted, I guessed I was not surprised that on Wednesday night, only a small portion of the theater was filled. However, by the next day afternoon, the theater was almost full.

I did not finish re-reading Eclipse despite going home early on Thursday. But, I tried to absorb as much as I could. Then, it was time to go off.

The review will come in later.

DHL ceremony 2010

Yesterday was when I got on stage to collect my Director's Honours List award.

I reached the convention centre by 5pm and sat in an almost empty room for almost an hour.

My new heels are literally killing me slowly. My toes were like crushed, still I do love the heels. Slowly, more students arrived. The AY2009/2010 freshmen side were almost filled up while the AY 2009/2010 junior side had seats empty.

My row was the worst, only 3 students were there. I saw some friends who are in other diplomas getting this award too.

It started out with an corporate video of TP and how TP came to be. For some reason, I felt a torrent of emotions ran through me. I don't know, perhaps I just feel like something was right for a second.

Everything happened so fast then. Row by row, we made a big turn to the side and as our names got called, we went on stage to collect the certificate from the director of Business School. I was a little afraid of making a fool of myself.

My name was pronounced wrongly and I thought "It just have to be my name", walked the best I could and shook hands with the Director. Camera light flashed and I was off the stage. I just sincerely hope that the pictures turned out right.

There was a performance from a student and the event ended. My parents and I didn't stay for the buffet though. Somehow, as much as my feet hurt, I wanted to stay. But, oh well. I did saw a former lecturer and he congratulated me.

And I love the feeling. Why not? Something in my life went right and I feel proud. Almost 14 years of schooling and this is the first major achievement I made.