Under The Greenwood Tree

I watched this movie last night. I think it was just okay. A story of a beautiful teacher, Fancy Day. And  three admirers. One is a wealthy man, a pastor and a poor guy. But it's interesting. As always, Thomas Hardy story is not as easy as it looks. There must be some twists here and there.

When a movie can attracts me no matter how lazy i am at that moment, than, it must be great. Usually, when i found it boring, i would just turn it off. But this one, i wait till it finished. Imagine if i was in the mood for it. I must've rated this five. :)

Rating: 4 stars

Mockingjay by Suzzane Collins

It took me a whole day to finish this. To some extent, it kind of bores me. It has too much actions. And maybe it was just me who don't like exaggerated actions. But it's not exaggerated. It's just how you explain things. But again, maybe it was just me, who don't like actions.

Even so, i really liked the scene when Finnick and Katniss and others had dinner in the dining hall. Where they laughed about the turtle swimming off with Finnick's hat. And Peeta joined them. I liked it the best. I don't know why. There were some warmth to it. In the hardships, they stole some times to hear stories and laugh.

The ending is very dissapointing even though in the end, Katniss chose to be with Peeta because Gale didn't coming back for her. I don't know. I have a lot of dissapointments on this book. Like, when Katniss were traumatized by all the wars of physical condition and mental disorientation. There were no one besides her. Not even her mother! I kept wishing for Peeta or Gale to show up. But Katniss will always be on her own.

I mean, the war itself is already full of darkness. And why should they add more darkness to it? I was waiting for warm touches from some of the characters. To add a little bit of emotions towards the ending. But there were none. So it ended up flat and emotionless.

This book failed to bring ups and downs in my emotion like the second book does. So i can't rate it high. ):

My rating: 2 1/2 stars.

The best book from this series would be Catching Fire. From this point, i'm sure i'm gonna continue reading it again and again.

Catching Fire by Suzzane Collins

 

When i first read it. I thought it was boring. Cos i just realized that i want Katniss to be with Peeta. But, the writer keeps giving hints about how Katniss love Gale. And they even kissed.

While Peeta was left alone. And he was like, neutralized himself from all the feelings and try to stay normal because he knows that Katniss didn't love him.

So, it started with frustration to me. But as the Quarter Quell started. They were requiered to go back into the arena with other victors from the past. Things get better. They even sleep together so Katniss won't be haunted by nightmares in her sleep.

I love every twists in this book. About them going into the arena. How Peeta would die for Katniss. And Katniss just kept thinking of Peeta's priority throughout the game. Just to get him out alive. And also, the surprise when Peeta's been interviewed. They told people that they were married in secret. And Katniss is pregnant with his child.

Finnick Odair is another character to love. Because he was described as a very pretty boy. And seductive, which i think is funny. And also Beetee and Wiress. And not to forget Mags. Pity her. Oh, i heard Chris Colfer will play Finnick's role in the movie. Is it true? I think it's okay because Chris is such a pretty boy himself. And why not?

All i can say is, as soon as i finished this book, i went to the Mocingjay immediately. But as always... the introduction is very slow and boring...

Even though Catching Fire makes me feel good reading it. But, it was such a dissapointment that in the end, Peeta get caught by the Gamemakers. And Katniss is under Gale's care. Now i'm afraid the author would make Katniss marry Gale. Cos i really love Peeta.

If it was destined for Gale and Katniss to be together in the end, i don't know how to bear with dissapointment. I just don't know. ):

Little Dorrit 2008

When i was in secondary school. I did got my hands on Little Dorrit book. But, my english wasn't that good. So, after reading a few chapters. I gave up. And returned the book to the school library without finishing them up.

I finally watched the series. And i am so in love with it! I mean, a lot! Obviously the series bring independent attraction itself, without clinging to the novel's plot. It was twisted and brilliantly planned. I'm so in love with their characters. Especially Arthur Clennam and Little Dorrit.

When i read the book, i thought Arthur must be a much older man than Amy. But thank God they didn't use an older actor. Matthew Macfadyen is just perfect because he's always nice for a kind hearted role. And Little Dorrit... Claire Foy is just perfect. She's small. And she has that innocent, sad eyes, angelic face. She's just perfect for the role. Ah, the casting for this series is just awesome.

This story is very clever and i really want to read the book now. The only advice i would give for anyone who's going to watch this is, please get subtitles for them. It would make a HUGE difference. Well, exception for the English speaking people. I don't speak english, so for those who were like me. Please, please, go get the subtitles. It's a very interesting series, so i really want everyone to understand what they're talking about.

It comes in 14 episodes. And it worth every seconds of your time. I've spent every precious moment of my life for this. And i really love it!

FIVE stars. Of course.

Hunger Games Movie Review

Yay! I've watched Hunger Games! As comparison to the book. Of course the book is better in description and details. But movie is just as good cos it provides details in visuals. And it does tell you the story that you can't imagine in the book cos the book only provide us with Katniss' point of view. And for sure, they'll get rid of some of the characters like the Avox girl and Peeta's father. And some sponsors Katniss got from District 11, the bread and the syrup for Peeta. And also the lamb, wild rice and rolls etc they got when they couldn't go hunting in the pouring rain. Well, and a loooot more... But doesn't matter.

I walked out of the cinema with smiling face anyway. :) That's what a good movie can do to you!

And I can see Jennifer Lawrence everywhere. Everywhere! I forgot how pretty she was in that movie. She's such an angel, wasn't she?

I know i've seen this girl somewhere. It's from the Winterbones. Yes, the Missouri girl looking for her drug dealer father. Looking for the remain of her father. Yes. And even from that movie, i've been searching for this girl. But not much info on her. But she's really pretty!! And you know, all my life, i've always loves straight eyebrows that i even shaped my brows to be straight. And, Jennifer herself is a straight eyebrows girl!

But looking at her in photoshoots, she does look like a Russian, maybe because of the blonde hair and the eyes. Her athletic figure looks even more athletic in revealing clothes. And put on a lot of makeup. She looks better with less revealing clothes and minimal makeup. AND, in brunette of course.

She's the prettiest girl in the universe.

 For the movie it deserves a FIVE star.

Mansfield Park 2007

I am quite dissapointed with this movie. I always thought, that they will hire a graceful, feminine looking actress to play the main role in period drama. But i was so surprised to see her in this movie. I don't blame her for the overjet issue. But, couldn't they find someone better to portray a kind, innocent, obedient girl like Fanny?


I really don't blame her. Her act was really well. It's just the masculine face i can't stand. ):

Hmm, my rating will be 2.5 out of 5. Forget about the looks. I rate it 2.5 because the story itself is quite boring. And i'll definitely won't watch it again.

Got The Chance!

I am sooo gonna watch Hunger Games now. I thought the showing period has ended! Oh God... :')

The Hunger Games Book Review

I've just finished reading this book. Well, all i can say is, it's beyond expectation!

It took me almost a year to get my hands on this. It's not convincing at all! I mean, look at the cover. Isn't it looks serious, very adult, hardtodigest, boring kinda book? So, to find it as the most read book on the Goodreads really shocked me. I didn't have any intention to read it all. Though i know this must be the next big thing after Twilight. And i really thought to myself, if someone turned it into a movie, then only i will go watch it.

But later, i heard that this popular book on Goodreads is premierring. I did tried to get it into my business. I checked them on the Wikipedia, read, what it's all about. But then i was really sure i will never ever read it. Cos it has something to do with 'war'. The killing and all that. I don't like that kinda stuff.

Even when i went to cinema, i didn't even consider checking their showing time. But, i just focus on Titanic 3D instead! And even Wrath of the Titans got a bit of attention from me... *sigh*

A couple of days ago, i don't know what had possessed me. I came across this audiobook on Youtube, read by McCormick. So i was tempted enough to download. I thought it'd be cool to listen to audiobooks while knitting.

But i tell you what, things got serious that i finally focused on the reading alone! I finished the first part of audiobook and switched to reading it in my mobile.

I liked the herbs, remedies, goats, cheese, hunting, snares stuff. And also how Gale calls her Catnip. I also liked the fact that Katniss and Peeta were 'related' from the bread part when she was a kid. And the fact that they both knew about it but kept silence about it until the games get serious.

I really thought i'd rate it 4 stars. But as soon as i finished reading it, i found myself craving for more. You know, when i read something, and i get that feeling, then i know it's a FIVE star book.

The one touched the inner part of my heart the most is when Peeta knew that Katniss was pretending all this time, while everything he did was sincerely from his naive heart. All the kisses, all the speeches about eating the poisonous berries at the end of show etc. They were all just lies, i kinda feel dissapointed for him. And as the book ends, i crave for more stories from them.

So now i have the 2nd and the 3rd. I'm gonna be away reading it.

Story of Cumin

=

Seriously! I'm sure, once in your life, you must have encountered this situation. Being in a bus, or walking on the sidewalks, and suddenly your nose smelled this nasty body odor. Here in Malaysia, whenever i'm about to walk pass a foreigner like Iranians, Nigerians or Bangladeshis, i'll get my nose ready for emergency. When i sense the danger of the horrible smell, i'll bring my fingers to my nose immediately. I don't even care about offending them. That smell could damage my nose!

One day, i went to Tesco and busy smelling spices in their containers. I took a handful of cumin and smell them. My friend jumped away and gave a disgust expression. I asked why. She said it's the smell of armpit. We both laughed really hard. Yes it's TRUE!

Next time, when you're opening a packet of curry powder, try to catch a hint of smell. When it smells like 'those people'. Than, yes, that's cumin. LOL

Cowl's Progress

I think i do better in crochet than knitting. This is a beret i crochet about three weeks ago. I was comfortable crocheting it. No burden. Just happy with the results. Easy as breeze.

I used this pattern = Rakuten 26-RC-cap.

And when i was knitting i get stressed out cos i don't feel comfortable doing it. My tension will get too tight, and sometimes it gets too loose. When i look back at the previous rows, i saw holes here and there. I don't know why it looks soooo ugly! Maybe it's the yarn colour which is black. Or maybe it's just me! I have no talent! ):

I'm ashamed of it!

Perfect First Knitting Project

I haven't told you about me starting knitting. So, yes. I did! And to my surprise, it was extremely hard! I never thought it would be that hard cos i know how to crochet already. But seriously, it's painfully hard!

What's hard?
The fingers movement. How to handle the needles? The awkwardness of how to guide the yarn! It's just hard! But being stubborn, i kept trying and trying and trying. I watched videos and videos of how to knit and purl. But nothing can be better than the Japanese one, of course. *sigh*

These are the links:
(Knit) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEBFwmNax9Q
(Purl) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iehVU9pZzmU

It took me a whole week to master purl and knit stitches alone. I know there are only two stitches in knitting. But if i watched cable knitting, the honeycomb videos/patterns etc... i feel like i'm never ever gonna be able to do them. And! The double pointed needles! Urgh!

I've left knitting for a week cos i've been very frustrated with it. I couldn't find a clue where to begin. I didn't know how to read patterns. I thought i can learn from diagram (Japanese pattern), but i don't understand them at all. So i stopped thinking about knitting. I thought, all the knits and purls that i've learned would be wasted.

But today i went through Ravelry again. To try my luck on written pattern. I heard that scarf is an ideal first knitting project. But, here in Malaysia, it's damn hot to wear a scarf around your neck. Insane. But, i was desperate enough to try a scarf anyway. Because, i cannot knit a sweater. It's a lot complicated and my knowledge is very limited. So, finally, i decided to try on this pretty cowl.



You can go check out this blog for the pattern. It's very very easy and it's SO PERFECT for a beginner like me.

Don't you think it's cute? I can't wait to finish this cowl.
There are many reasons why a person learn to knit. Well, my confession is, i knit cos it's cool. (◕‿-)

Again, My Crash Diet

If you're an internet addict. And you're on diet, then come closer. I have something to tell you.

•  Avoid Looking at Food Pictures

Yes. Avoid your eyes from looking at food photos on blogs. I'm on diet now and that's what i'm doing. I've stopped my daily visit to food blogs. And I don't feel hungry at all. What makes us hungry is our appetite. Lust. For food. Thinking. Wanting. Well, we don't actually need it. No food photos, and we'll survive.

• Drink Gallons of Water

As a matter of fact, you can lose 0.5kg a day! But you need to drink a lot of water. Like, 3 liter a day. I know it's water weight, you'll gain it back... bla bla bla... But, you want a motivation right? Just drink!

• Make Yourself Sweat

I don't like sports. But i know sweating is good. It's good for getting rid of salt in your body. The salt will keep the water in your cell. And you won't lose much weight. So, to get rid of the salt faster, go sweat yourself. It's not hard. For those who don't like sports like me, you just need to switch off the fan and air conditioner. Stay in your room and let the sweat come out for as long as you want. But if you move, it'll sweat better. Do yoga for instance.

There's also a trick to do a sauna at home. For those who really really don't wanna move. Or, if you have winter at your place. You need a chair, a blanket, and a bucket of boiling water. Just go sit on the chair, wrap yourself in the blanket and place the bucket of boiling water underneath your chair. And then, let the magic happen!

I've always chose crash diet. I know most of people would say it won't work and everything. But i guess they're just jealous cos we'll lose so much weight on this. And i think they've never even tried it.

I'm always on crash diet whenever i feel like losing weight. Cos it takes a little time and it shows result almost immediately.

The last time i tried it. For a month of drinking only mocha, coffee, chocolate, and plain water, a lil bit of yoga... i lost 10kg. But i also took multivitamin. And laxative once in a while. Maybe it sounds bad. But for someone who've been in this situation, i don't feel like a torture at all. In fact, i feel lighter and soooo much healthier. I feel pretty! And everyday when you get on the scale, you can see the number is dropping. And it feels so good. You'll definitely get your daily motivation just by looking at the number.

So, don't be afraid to try crash diet. It works! Besides, the only thing that stops you from continuing a diet is MOTIVATION.

I can't imagine myself setting a whole three months for a slow healthy diet. And you can only weigh yourself once a week. I cannot do that. I'll weigh myself everyday. And the result wouldn't be good. When the results aren't good, i'll start to lose motivation. And the whole diet plan will go into the bin. 

My style of crash diet is by consuming only liquid. Anything at all. As long as it's a liquid. You hungry, you starving, you full - everything on liquid. I don't count calorie. But don't forget your multivitamin.

So, guys, lets crash diet. It don't have to be 20kg a month! Just set a target like, 3kg a week. Or 10kg in a month. It's not a burden. Everyone can do it.

Switched at Birth

Oh yes, have you watched this series? If you were a South East Asian, then you know how INDONESIANS lovvvveee this theme for their sinetrons! But this one is not made in Indonesia. But it was made by the Americans.

When i first read the title, i went 'hmmm....' and you know what i was thinking. Very negative for sure! All this time, Indonesians film/sinetron makers presented it as all 'funny' and unwatchable. So, can you imagine eating inedible dish? Yuck!

But this series is totally different! It was cool!

It first started with a rebellious teenage girl, complaining about how her blood type is different from the rest of her family and her physical being cannot be related to her mother at all.

So they went for DNA test. So it proved that she (Bay) is not their daughter. Things went smoothly without excessive emotions like the Indonesian sinetrons. They met their actual daughter, Daphne, who happens to be deaf! Yes, deaf! And trust me, there are no single tears being spread while these all happening. I mean, no tears AT ALL. I was amazed and i'm happy for it.

So, started from there, the plot developed. It's getting more and more interesting. And i finally couldn't stop watching cos so far, there is nothing wrong with it for me to criticize.

It's just i hope Indonesian sinetron makers will get a copy of this series and make a good observation out of this. They should stop making stories of accidentally switched children or continue doing it (yes, since you loved it so much) BUT do it with brain. I know it's all about money, you want to produce as much episodes as you want right? But wouldn't it be sweeter if it's clever?

Anyway, i just want to talk about the Switched at Birth tv series. Sorry for snagging about the sinetrons. It's just i can't stand it anymore and Malaysian TV keeps buying it. I really hate their series! I'm ashamed for them.

But this Bay and Daphne switching saga is totally worth your time. The storyline is smart and the issues arise are logical. It's really good! I would rate them 4.3 out of 5.

Tipping the Velvet

This is another series that i liked. It can be categorized as a clever. Clever movies, clever series... whatever you want to call them but it's clever.

The storyline is really great. Smoothly running, twisted and smart enough though it can be predicted.

Looking at the cast poster is enough to give you a hint of what it's all about. There sure must be a touch of eroticism in this. But it revolves around ladies. Except for one period of time when Nan roaming around the street to serve men as a male prostitute.

If you're interested to know about this series. Go figure.

Interesting fact is. It's not written by a classic writer. But the writer is here in recent world.

I am highly recommend you to watch this series. Once you start watching, you can never stop. The presentation, the layout, the way the editor plays with music and flashes of clips to represent emotions and memories really captured our attention. I just love it.

4.2 for this one.

Titanic 3D - My Review

3D thingy took place only about 20% of the whole story. It doesn't really matter if it's 3D or not. For the first 30 minutes, your brain will run fast, keep judging the 3D performance. But as it goes on and on, you completely forget about the 3D effect and even the 3D glasses on your nose.

I've been watching Titanic many many times myself. I lost count. The reason i went for the 3D cinema is just to experience it in 3D. Well, in that criteria. It failed to WOW me. But in terms of influence. Yes. It's still intense. When you walked out of the room, you have this amazing feeling lingers in your heart. The emotions and flashes of the scenes keep following you. The emotions are very intense. It never failed to let you roam free without the big solid sadness and memories inside your heart. For sure, you'll keep coming back to it. It's like, you will never get tired of it. I'm surprised myself that i still have those feelings. And even now i am browsing Youtube for clips of Titanic.

When i first watched it a few years ago, the scene when the boat was going down with Rose in it. Looking up at Jack and Cal - leaving them behind. That was the climax of my emotion.

But today, my favourite part is when Rose lying down - looking at the sky with empty gaze and she was wrapped with blanket on the rescue ship. I kinda feel for her lost. TT TT

Titanic is the best.

It's Raining

I guess the monsoon rain has arrived in the West Coast. It's been weeks the earth thirsts for rain. So many sleepless nights for me since my room is only equipped with a ceiling fan. A couple of days lately, it rained in the morning. And today, as i start preparing to cook my lunch, the sky turned gray. The rumbling starts crackling the space. And soon after, the rain pearls starts dotting the earth. I hope it'll never stop. Keep pouring precious rain. We've been waiting for you for so long.