Project 365 2011 - Photo #89
Wednesday, March 30, 2011The YES Huddle. I'm surprised that it looks kinda huge.
Movie: The Haunted House Project (2010)
The Haunted House Project (2010) is a Korean horror movie that follows the mockumentary filming style of The Blair Witch Project.
Synopsis: Over the past 42 years, six people had gone missing, eight had died accidentally and eleven had been murdered in an abandoned house.
One day, three paranormal investigators and a three-member film crew decided to explore and film this haunted abandoned house. Despite warnings, they entered the haunted house and disappeared without a trace. A video footage of what they had captured during their unfortunate visit was found and the truth of their disappearance may be uncovered...
Sounds great right? This can be a great movie if not for its obvious repetition of The Blair Witch Project. It's meant to be a mockumentary, so the acting is amateurish on purpose. Also, there are plenty of shaky hand-held camera shots, awkward angles and repeated footage of doors, ceilings, and floors, and one-third of the movie is in darkness and blurriness. Well, this does heighten the sense of anticipation and trepidation.
The climax is at the end of the movie. You'll catch a glimpse of the vengeful spirit and watch everyone massacres one another. The end.
As per tagline, stay out of haunted houses. Leave the spirits alone if you want to stay alive.
Häagen-Dazs Fondue @ Solaris Mont Kiara
Tuesday, March 29, 2011Last Sunday, we used up the voucher when we visited Häagen-Dazs at Solaris Mont Kiara with one my gal friends. We ordered the Fondue.
Treat yourself and your loved ones to a Häagen-Dazs Fondue with mini ice-cream scoops, fresh fruits, and patisserie in hot chocolate sauce.
Every fondue comes with:
Four mini scoops of Belgian Chocolate
Four mini scoops of Strawberry
Four mini scoops of Cookies & Cream
Four mini scoops of Vanilla
Eight cubes of sponge cake
Three pieces of hard cookies
Four pieces of Love Letter
Fresh fruits
Hot chocolate sauce
Top it off with the perfect finishing touch.
Choose any one topping:
Chocolate sprinkle
Almond flakes
Almond nibs
Find out other delectable ice-cream dishes on their website.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #88
My laptop has poor speakers that project barely audible sound. Watching DVD on my laptop is a torturous process to my ears. So I bought this nifty mobile speakers from SonicGear. It's so compact and light and I can bring it anywhere with me. Cool!
Project 365 2011 - Photo #87
Monday, March 28, 2011Movie: She's Out of My League (2010)
She's Out of My League (2010) is a romantic comedy movie.
Synopsis: Airport security agent, Kirk (Jay Baruchel) is a young man stuck with a dead-end job. His boring life takes a turn when drop-dead gorgeous event planner Molly (Alice Eve) whom he stumbles upon at the airport likes him.
Kirk isn't exactly sure why would Molly like him but he's willing to do whatever it takes to make the relationship work. But as his friends point out, he's a 5 and Molly's a hard 10.
With his friends, family, and ex-girlfriend all watching stunned from the sidelines, Kirk discovers that he'll have to work overtime in order to convince Molly that he's worth hanging on to.
Most of the time, this movie is funny, sweet, and endearing. However, there are horrible jokes and silly scenarios that I think are way too rude and not funny at all. The f-bombs are used too often and that really spoils my appetite.
About Jay Baruchel's Kirk, he's an awkward, sweet, and safe guy (that's why Molly loves him), but he has such a low self-esteem issue that causes so much misunderstanding and put his relationship with Molly at stake.
Towards the end of the movie, you'll realize that anything can happen in your life. You meet so many people throughout your life journey and sometimes you might feel you don't match some of them. But one day, out of the blue, the one whom you've been waiting for, materializes before you. You just need to wait for the right time. :)
Project 365 2011 - Photo #86
Sunday, March 27, 2011Sushi from Sushi Zanmai.
Top Row (left to right): Aji Shiitake (Seasoned Shiitake Mushroom Sushi), Tuna Salad Sushi, Kani Corn Sushi, and Avocado Tobbiko (Avocado Sushi topped with Flying Fish Roe).
Bottom Row (left to right): Inari Ebikko (Fish Roe Sushi with Sweet Beancurd), and Salmon Sushi.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #84
Friday, March 25, 2011Movie: Hereafter (2010)
On the other side of the world, Marie (Cécile de France), a French journalist, has a near-death experience that shakes her reality. And when Marcus (Frankie/George McLaren), a London schoolboy loses the person closest to him, he desperately needs answers.
Each on a path in search of the truth, their lives will intersect, forever changed by what they believe might-or must-exist in the hereafter.
Okay, so that's the synopsis.
I began watching this movie without quite knowing what to expect. But it was good, especially the last 30 minutes or so of the movie. Thought-provoking and riveting storyline and awesome performance by the cast are the two main factors that made this movie a surprise hit and a fantastic directorial work by Clint Eastwood.
George is a male character who lives in San Francisco, Marie is a female character who lives in France, and Marcus is a young boy character who lives in London. All of them share one thing in common: They have somehow experienced death throughout the course of their life. Freaky huh?
On one hand, the unanswered question about life after death is a bit tricky but on the other hand, I'm pleasantly surprised to find out how this movie end with a pleasant and satisfying answer: Anything can happen in life. But it takes faith to accept events in life and when that takes places, we'll be at peace.
In a nutshell, this is a very interesting movie. However, due to the tsunami incident in Japan, this movie may not be shown in cinemas anytime soon. The reason is, there is a tsunami scene in the movie. So, do watch it on DVD. :)
Project 365 2011 - Photo #83
Thursday, March 24, 2011Taken at Exotique Fruit Juice Bar, my favorite juice bar at Taman Desa.
Movie: I Am Number Four (2011)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011Here's the synopsis: Three are dead. He is Number Four. D.J. Caruso ("Eagle Eye", "Disturbia") helms an action-packed thriller about an extraordinary teen, John Smith (Alex Pettyfer), who is a fugitive on the run from ruthless enemies sent to destroy him.
Changing his identity, moving from town to town with his guardian Henri (Timothy Olyphant), John is always the new kid with no ties to his past. In the small Ohio town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life-changing events - his first love Sarah (Dianna Agron), powerful new abilities and a connection to others who share his incredible destiny.
In a nutshell, this is a teen movie. What a horrible disappointment. Well, I usually avoided teen movies, e.g. Twilight and Beastly. I watched I Am Number Four because I was misled by the interestingly narrative trailer, thinking that it was some X-Files kind of movie.
Both Alex Pettyfer and Dianna Argon are young stars and their performance is still quite unconvincing. The older cast, including Timothy Olyphant as the guardian and Kevin Durand as the commander of the ruthless Mogs are far better. Action scenes and special effects are pretty awesome too.
Anyway, I don't think I'll recommend this movie to be watched at cinemas. Perhaps watching on DVD is good enough.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #82
There aren't many photos that I manage to take lately. I guess screen captures are counted too. :P
So, here's the screencap of some of my Foursquare badges. Haha.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #81
Tuesday, March 22, 2011"Different stages in life bring different goals and dreams."
So, where are we? :)
Tea-time @ Coffee Chemistry Cafe, Sunway Giza Mall
Address: C-3A-1, Sunway Giza Mall, Kota Damansara.
Facebook: facebook.com/coffeechemistrycafe
Let's find out about their food and coffee. Coffee Chemistry Cafe is described as the 1st Cafe in Malaysia to serve the world's finest coffee at affordable price for everyone.
Cafe Latte is priced at RM6.50 at the moment. I enjoy my cup of good, fine, and most importantly, not overpriced Latte with bliss. :)
I think RM8.90 (pricing at the moment) is a tad too expensive. The soup is tasty and every spoonful, delightful but I think it'd be good if they increase the serving portion or reduce the price. :)
Beef and vegetables, rolled up! Looks and tastes healthy. Also priced at RM8.90 at the moment.
A medley of mushroom, onions, tomato puree, capsicum and gooey cheese! Yummy! The pita bread is a bit too soft but overall, it's delicious! Priced at RM8.90 at the moment.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #80
Monday, March 21, 2011The year is 2140. Peter and Anna are living as 'Legals' but continue to rebel against the laws of the state. Impatient to see action as an agent in the Underground, Peter is tasked with infiltrating the Pincent Pharma Corporation to find out what's going on in the secret Longevity program.
Movie: Unknown (2011)
Sunday, March 20, 2011Unknown (2011) is an action thriller based on the novel by Didier van Cauwelaert.
Here's the synopsis: Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife Liz (January Jones) suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by assassins, he finds himself alone, tired, and on the run.
On his own in a strange country, Martin seeks aid from an unlikely and reluctant source Gina (Diane Kruger) as he plunges headlong into a deadly mystery that will force him to question his sanity, his identity, and just how far he's willing to go to uncover the truth.
My verdict about this movie is that it's a brilliant action thriller with an effective and interesting twist in the ending.
Here's a concise and helpful comment from IMDb: "An ingenious script that echoes concepts, plotting, pace and intrigue from mysteries such as Nowhere Man, Frantic and The Bourne Identity. Once again, Liam Neeson shows his prowess in choosing projects of high interest and executes a performance that connects well with his audience.
To put this in context, mystery thrillers are very hard to pull off anymore. Filmmakers must create layers of mysteries that the audience cannot easily second guess, peel them back one by one to reveal answers that themselves sometimes turn into mysteries later, and resolve all of them in 2 hours without seeming contrived or obvious. To make it more challenging, the characters must be empathetic, the action sequences satisfying, the pace agreeable, the dialog convincing, and the setting compelling.
Director Jaume Collet-Serra has pulled it off again, following on the heels of another successful thriller, Orphan. This director is a rising star."
Highly recommended.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #79
Purchase a minimum of RM5 at McD and you'll get FREE TWO McD Big Breakfast! Promotion valid till 31 March 2011.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #78
Saturday, March 19, 2011Interesting billboard advertisement. Everyone knows about the DARK SIDE. I love inferences related to Star Wars. :)
Movie: World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles (2011)
Here's the synopsis from the official website: For years, there have been documented cases of UFO sightings around the world -- Buenos Aires, Seoul, France, Germany, China. But in 2011, what were once just sightings will become a terrifying reality when Earth is attacked by unknown forces.
As people everywhere watch the world's great cities fall, Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind in a battle no one expected. It's up to a marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to draw a line in the sand as they take on an enemy unlike any they've ever encountered before.
So, that's the synopsis.
Well, do you like war movies? Sci-fi movies? Alien troops? Alien aircraft? Massive destruction? What about Transformers? Okay, minus the Autobots and Decepticons, watching this movie is like watching Transformers.
In a nutshell, for adrenaline and action junkies, this movie is your cup of tea. Have fun watching heavy mercenaries and artillery going around saving the world from the brink of destruction. :)
Project 365 2011 - Photo #76
Thursday, March 17, 2011Saga FL is handsome!
By the way, FL stands for FaceLift. Saga FL, launched in December 2010, is the facelift version of the New Saga M-Line. My car, affectionately named WUQkie, is a Blueberry Tea Saga M-Line, bought end of November 2010.
Well, why didn't I wait for the Saga FL to be launched? Well, a difference of RM2K was a lot. And when I bought WUQkie, I had a promotional rebate of RM2K. So, if I were to get the FL in December 2010, I would need to fork out another RM4K. In the end, I chose my dear dark purple car. :)
Well, I don't think I should spend on changing headlights even if it's doable at this point of time. Perhaps next time. :D
Project 365 2011 - Photo #75
Wednesday, March 16, 2011Thanks Suria KLCC for the Famous Amos Gift Voucher. :)
Movie: Faster (2010)
Faster (2010) is an action movie with this storyline: After 10 years in prison, Drive (Dwayne Johnson) has a singular focus - to avenge the murder of his brother during the botched bank robbery that led to his imprisonment.
Now a free man with a deadly to-do list in hand, he's finally on his mission... but with two men on his trail - a veteran Cop (Billy Bob Thornton) just days from retirement, and a young egocentric hitman, Killer (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) with a flair for the art of killing and a new-found worthy opponent.
The hunter is also the hunted. It's a do or die race to the list's finish as the mystery surrounding his brother's murder deepens, and new details emerge along the way hinting that Driver's list may be incomplete.
It's great to see Dwayne Johnson back with a more serious and convincing role. It reminds me of his wrestling days. His screen presence in this movie is believable, especially the way he plays his character - Driver - full of murderous impulses, anger, hatred, and vengeance. But in the end, you still find him forgivable because he's not inhumane and his conscience doesn't allow him to do what he's not supposed to do.
The twist at the end of the movie caught me off-guard because I didn't guess who the villain was, not until the end when the story has pieced itself together to reveal the 'truth'.
Overall, this is an entertaining movie. A must-watch, I'd say. :)
Article: 5 Communication Tips for Romantic Relationships
Tuesday, March 15, 20115 Communication Tips for Romantic Relationships
by Marie Willsey
How do you keep romance alive? If there's a special person in your life, you know how important good communication is to staying close and keeping the fires of passion burning. Good communication skills are essential, whether you've been together for two months or 32 years.
Psychologists stay that the intoxicating feeling of being in love lasts only about 18 months to three years at most; however, a study conducted by psychologist Bianca Acevedo and biological anthropologist Helen Fisher found that it's possible to keep love alive in a long-term relationship.
When the brains of a group of people in their fifties, who had been married an average of 21 years, were scanned after looking at a photo of their partner, they showed the same level of activity as young lovers who had been together for an average of seven months. There was one important difference, however: Among the older lovers, the brain regions associated with anxiety were no longer active; there was more activity in the areas associated with calmness.
Other studies have proven that a good relationship offers medical benefits of lower stress levels, reduced risk of Alzheimer's, and even improves cancer survival rates.
While there's no arguing the benefits of being in a happy relationship, how can you get -- and stay -- connected? Try these communication tips for romantic relationships and get closer to your loved one.
5: Be honest and share your feelings.
Good relationships are built on mutual trust and respect, and it's essential for romantic partners to be honest with one another. As your relationship grows, open up and talk to your partner about your past, as well as your hopes and dreams for the future. Speak up, even if you have differing opinions about a topic -- whether it's who to vote for in the next election or where to vacation, you need to be able to talk controversial subjects through and respect each other's perspectives.
Make time to talk every day, sharing the details of your daily life or talking about more meaningful issues. Some couples make it a point to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening to relax and talk about the day's events, while others take a walk together or simply touch base on the phone if one partner is on the road.
Your sweetie wants to get to know all about what makes you tick. After all, if you don't share your thoughts and interests, you may not be giving your partner a chance to love you enough!
4: Admire your partner's strengths - and overlook the little things.
Every day, tell your partner how much you admire one of his strengths. Say, "I'm impressed by your patience with others," or "You are such a good cook." Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and sharing good thoughts will have a positive impact on your relationship and your partner's self-esteem. Make sure the quality you highlight really is a strong point, however, or he might doubt your sincerity.
On the other hand, accepting the quirks about your partner that drive you nuts will also go a long way towards enhancing a romantic relationship, as long as it's not a destructive behavior like driving too fast. Some traits that can be endearing when you first meet someone -- like the way he or she wears a certain T-shirt every Saturday or constantly misplaces his or her keys -- can be annoying when you've been together for a while. Be willing to overlook those pesky behaviors; after all, that's what makes your sweetie unique.
3: Make thoughtful gestures.
Let your partner know you think of her even when she's not around, and that you really care about the details of her life. Does your significant other have an important presentation to make to a new client? Send an encouraging "good luck" text message before the meeting, and remember to ask how things went at the end of the day. Is he or she worried about an ailing family member? Show your concern and empathy for what your other half's going through.
You can also strengthen your relationship by taking time to get to know what makes your partner happy and show that you care with thoughtful little gifts and gestures. Pick up her favorite flowers occasionally; bring home his favorite snacks from the grocery store; or make a reservation at a favorite restaurant or a tee time for a round of golf. Thinking warm thoughts when you're apart can easily turn into warmer thoughts when you're together.
2: Learn to listen.
According to Elizabeth Bernstein, a relationships columnist for the Wall Street Journal, there are two categories of people: talkers and non-talkers. The world would be a wonderful place if talkers and non-talkers matched up, but even if they do, it's not always an equation for romantic bliss. It seems that many non-talkers are also non-listeners: they simply tune out the chatter.
Are women always the talkers? Not necessarily, although there is evidence that men and women process language differently: Understanding, producing and listening to speech is easier for women because they have more nerve cells in the left half of the brain, where language is processed.
Whether you're the talker or the non-talker, learn to practice active listening. Look at the person who is speaking, respond occasionally with some verbal cue like "hmmm," "uh-huh" or nod your head. Together, you should set aside some time to talk (and listen) every day, and ask each other questions to clarify thoughts and get more information. Most important, respect one another's need to be able to talk or to spend more time in silence. If necessary, let the talker phone a friend while the non-talker reads a book or enjoys a hobby quietly.
1: Say "I love you" often.
Maybe Stevie Wonder knew the fastest way to a person's heart when he wrote the lyrics "I just called to say 'I love you.'" The most successful couples say "I love you" several times a day -- and mean it.
It's not easy to get those three little words out: Some people grew up in families where love wasn't expressed verbally, and our technology-driven world of e-mail, mobile phones and texting makes it difficult to look into your partner's eyes and tell them how you really feel. Plus, it's very emotionally risky to tell someone you love them when you're hoping they say it back. Yet, when you look into someone's eyes and say "I love you" the brain releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone, and helps strengthen your romantic relationship.
Still having trouble saying it? Show you care in some small way, everyday -- like making coffee in the morning, taking the dog out when it's freezing cold, or massaging your partner's shoulders after a tough day. Or find other words to express your feelings, like "I'm so happy you are part of my life."
Whatever you do, make sure your partner knows just how important he or she is to you.
Reference Check Letter Sample
Monday, March 14, 2011Ms Joyce Lee
(Company Name)
(Company Address)
Dear Ms Joyce,
REFERENCE CHECK FOR XXX
(NRIC NO. XXXXXX-XX-XXXX)
The above mentioned has applied for a position in our Company and from his/her application form, we understand that he/she was employed as a XXX with your Company from MM-YYYY to MM-YYYY. We would thus greatly appreciate if you would furnish us with the following information, as this would facilitate our selection process.
Date of employment:
Date of departure:
Last position held:
Last drawn basic salary:
Reason for leaving:
Overall performance: Excellent / Good / Average / Poor (Please delete where appropriate)
a) Integrity / Honesty: Excellent / Good / Average / Poor
b) Team building: Excellent / Good / Average / Poor
c) Punctuality: Excellent / Good / Average / Poor
d) Leadership: Excellent / Good / Average / Poor
e) Competence: Excellent / Good / Average / Poor
f) Quality of work: Excellent / Good / Average / Poor
Have you ever known or heard of applicant being involved with:
a) Gambling?
b) Undesirable associates?
Do you consider the applicant as being:
a) Reliable?
b) Industrious?
Does the applicant:
a) Follow instructions willingly?
b) Cooperate with fellow colleagues?
Do you consider the applicant a person in whom you would place confidence?
Would you re-hire him/her, if a suitable opportunity arises? Why?
Please state any other information which you would find helpful in our consideration of this application.
Information furnished by:
Signature
Name
Designation
Date
We assure you that whatever information supplied shall be kept in strict confidence and thank you for the time spent in completing the form. We look forward to receiving the completed copy via fax: 03-7781 8005 or email XXX@pearson.com by DD-MM-YYYY.
Yours sincerely,
PEARSON MALAYSIA SDN BHD
Name
Assistant HR / Admin Manager
Project 365 2011 - Photo #73
Stand a chance to meet Fish Leong up close & personal during her promotional tour in Malaysia when you purchase Fish Leong's CallerTunes™ from DiGi!
Contest Period: 14-25 March 2011
For more info, log on to digi.com.my/fish
I want!!!
Project 365 2011 - Photo #72
Sunday, March 13, 20112. The Good, The Bad and The Undead (Jan 2005) - I've read this one.
3. A Fistful of Charms (Jun 2006) - I've read this one.
4. For A Few Demons More (Mar 2007) - I've read this one.
5. Where Demons Dare (Feb 2008) - I've read this one.
7. White Witch, Black Curse (Feb 2009) - I've read this one.
8. Black Magic Sanction (Feb 2010) - I've read this one.
9. Pale Demon (Feb 2011) - I've read this one.
10. A Perfect Blood (Feb 2012) - I've read this one.
Haven't bought yet:
11. Ever After (Jan 2013)
Project 365 2011 - Photo #71
Saturday, March 12, 2011Interesting talks include:
1. How to Choose the Right Multiple Sources of Income and Make It Fly by KC See
2. Invest to Get Rich: Write Your Own Monthly Pay-Cheques with the Stocks You Own by Terence Tan
3. If Your Passion is to Share: Be A Trainer / Coach Today by Jessica See
4. How to Acquire Your Internet Money Making Machine Right After This Presentation by Bernard Hay
5. Investment Kungfu: How to Play the Wall Street Game Beautifully by David Yap
6. Property Investment Strategies for the Next Six Months by Renesial Leong
7. Why Invest in Gold & Silver? And the Smarter & Safer Way to Do It by Richard Hull
8. How to Build Guaranteed Passive Income by Helping SME Owners to Market on Google & Facebook by Willy Lim
Project 365 2011 - Photo #70
Friday, March 11, 2011Hoppity hoppity hop! Lovely bunnies for the Bunny Year.
Movie: The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
The Adjustment Bureau (2011) is a thriller movie with a strong love story.
Synopsis: Young, idealistic, and ambitious politician David Norris (Matt Damon) is about to win a seat in the US Senate when he meets Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), a beautiful contemporary ballet dancer. Just as he realizes he's falling for her, mysterious men clad in hat and coat conspire to deny their plan to be together.
Eventually, David learns that he's going against the agents of Fate and these men will do anything in their considerable power to prevent him from being together with Elise. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path or stay together with her and sacrifice their predetermined future.
This is a very interesting movie. First of all, it's a love story, no doubt. As simple as it may sound, I find the storyline intriguing and I like the way romance and passion are portrayed in this movie. Love is not just about lust or physical contact. Love is about going all the way to be with the someone who makes your life go "upside-down" the moment the two of you decide to be together.
The second interesting aspect of this movie is that it explores the debatable question for ages: Do we control our destiny? Or do unseen forces manipulate us? Is our life controlled by fate? Having said that, this movie touches the presence of God (known as the Chairman in the movie) and angels (known as the case workers in the movie) as well as the concepts of free will and predestination. In fact, according to the director, George Nolfi, the "intention of this film is to raise questions."
Well, to be honest, I don't know whether it's a matter of free will or predestination or both that brings two persons together. Perhaps the answer can be found in this article: Chance or Choice? Think about it.
This movie is highly recommended for sentimental souls out there. :)
Movie: Black Christmas (2006)
Thursday, March 10, 2011Black Christmas (2006) is a slasher movie, with Billy Lenz as the criminally insane serial killer character.
Synopsis: On Christmas eve 1991, Billy Lenz (Robert Mann) murdered his abusive mother and stepfather, and severely injured his little sister/daughter, Agnes.
Years later, his childhood house is turned into the Delta Alpha Kappa sorority house in the campus of the Clement University. The housemother and the sorority sisters, Kelli, Dana, Lauren, Megan, Heather, Melissa, Clair, and Eve are preparing the house for a Christmas party during a stormy night.
An unknown murderer has started to slay the girls in the house. At the same time, Billy escapes from the mental asylum and he's going back to his childhood house for "holidays". The girls begin to receive bizarre phone calls and they begin to die, one by one.
There are basically no substantial elements in this movie except for lots and lots of blood, gore, insanity, torture, pain, and death - the must-have factors in any slasher movie. So, if you're not a slasher fan, don't bother to watch this movie.
Project 365 2011 - Photo #68
Wednesday, March 9, 2011Second photo is my dinner - Pan Mee side dishes at Bao Bao, Aman Suria. Had dinner with David after attending Ash Wednesday mass at St. Ignatius Church, Kelana Jaya.