Carey Mulligan: An Echo of Classic Hepburn

For more than 10 months now, Hollywood has been vehemently abuzz over a young British newcomer named Carey Mulligan.

You may remember her as the flighty Kitty Bennet next to Keira Knightley in 2005's Pride & Prejudice. If you don't, see nothing to it. I initially didn't either. Hers was one of the quieter roles in the film.

It was only through her first lead role in this year's independent film, An Education, that I received a proper introduction to this up-and-coming actress, who has drawn massive positive hype to this film with her stunning acting contribution.

Eager to study the performance that's been celebrated with fantastic reviews all over America in the past few months, I caught An Education last weekend (and once more after that with Jeanette) and ended up being mesmerised by an extraordinarily gracious talent that reflects the classiness of Audrey Hepburn in the 1953 film, Roman Holiday.

The Education of Life Commences
An Education tells of a story set in 1961 Twickenham in southwest London, about a fascinatingly intelligent 16-year-old Jenny Miller (Mulligan), who has adopted her father's dream of her reading English Language in Oxford University after her A-Levels.

Though her life is kept under the close control of her parents, with her astuteness, wit and wisdom that's far beyond her years, it seems it's only a matter of time before her dreams evolve into reality.

The flowering of a romantic relationship with an alluring but older gentleman, however, opens Jenny's eyes to many things she was blinded from before, while under her parents' watchful care.

Things change. Jenny starts to wake up to a whole other world of possibilities as she experiences what the film is aptly titled with - An Education of life.

Writer Nick Hornby (High Fidelity, About A Boy) approaches this at-times-awkward but merry romantic relationship with refined and delicate ease. It's a script of British and English intelligence. His first screenplay with a female as the protagonist - and a highly intellectual, confident and brave one for that matter - has produced one of the most enduring, well-written and juiciest screen roles of the year.

An Education is also a visually beautiful film thanks to the detailed touch of director Lone Sherfig and cinematographer John de Borman, who received the World Cinema Cinematography Award at the Sundance Film Festival in January this year. The film also won the Audience Choice Award at the festival.

Brilliance with Vintage Elements of the Black And White Era
Two of Hollywood's finest actors, Peter Sarsgaard (who received career-best praise in 2003's Shattered Glass) and Alfred Molina (who starred alongside Salma Hayek in 2002's acclaimed Frida) each deliver yet another well-crafted and balanced performance as Jenny's love interest and father respectively. Sarsgaard is enrapturing as the enchantment of the film while Molina has perfect comedy timing as the uptight parent.

But it's Mulligan who holds her own most marvellously in her first silver screen lead role and is constantly captivating as the bright and graceful teenager.

There's a lightness and wholesomeness in the actress's portrayal that evokes a classic Hepburn air - the way she holds a cigarette, her engaging flamboyance, her charming confidence and above all, her fantastic range of face-acting skills. It resonates many of Hepburn's tour de force performances, from that in Breakfast at Tiffany's to Two For The Road and My Fair Lady.

Take a trip back to the movie scene of 1950's and you'll find that many of the roles that grabbed critics' attention and won awards didn't necessarily revolve around tragic stories, holocaust settings or biographical dramas, the way many acclaimed performances are today.

They were simple, intimate and lovely - three elements that defined the classiness that we now associate with films from that era.

Mulligan gave just that in a year when complicated female roles were aplenty and still emerged with some of the year's best reviews. She mixed the three elements with deep layers of structure in a way that while we enjoy the essence of classiness in this performance, we also get real with Jenny's coming-of-age story.

As the film progresses, Mulligan peels these layers off one by one for her audience most carefully so that when the film concludes, we can confidently say we truly know who Jenny is.

Come Oscar Night, March 2010
Just yesterday, Mulligan was named by the National Board of Review as the recipient of the Best Actress honour in the first awards ceremony of the annual film awards season.

She's already been deemed by critics as the frontrunner for next year's Best Actress Oscar race, ahead of Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), Dame Helen Mirren (The Last Station) and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious).

For this turn, Mulligan may very well be the eventual recipient of an Academy Award come March next year. And though it would be too good to be true for a first-time lead actress, it would definitely be well-deserved.


An Education was released in Singapore last week and is given an exclusive screening at Cinema Europa (the theatre in GV Vivocity that caters to art-house, international and festival pictures).

Beyoncé Leads Grammys with 10 Nominations

The nominees for this year's Grammy Awards were announced just a few moments ago. Beyoncé leads the race with a whopping 10 nominations! The R&B superstar finally gets the recognition she deserves for her amazing work.

Beyoncé vs Taylor vs Gaga vs Peas
Beyoncé was nominated in all 3 of the top and most prestigious categories, Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year. She received 5 more nods in the Pop, R&B and Rap categories and another 2 more for her work in her film soundtrack, Cadillac Records.

Following Beyoncé is Taylor Swift with 8 nods, the Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West with 6 nods and Lady Gaga with 5 nods.

Both Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga are also nominated in all 3 top categories. Swift's remaining 5 nominations came from the Pop and Country field while Lady Gaga's remaining 2 nods were from Dance/Electronic categories.

The Black Eyed Peas too was listed for Record Of The Year and Album Of The Year. They also received nominations in 3 Pop categories and the short form music video category.

Grammys Chose Differently This Year
This is one of the rare years that The Recording Academy chose the nominees with a similar taste to that of the common music lover. There are usually a number of senior or indie music artists who make the competition interesting. However, this year's list is dominated by artists who've also done well commercially.

The competition's really tight between Beyoncé, The Peas, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift in the top categories. They've all done so well this year. It's really anyone's guess as to who'll win.

Come awards night, however, I'll be rooting for Ms Bootylicious. The record for the most Grammys won by a female solo artist in one night is five trophies. Beyoncé is one of the females who've achieved this before. With 10 nominations this year, she has twice the number of opportunities to beat her own record!

Top Of The Nominations List / And A Few Special Mentions

Beyoncé
Record Of The Year - "Halo"
Album Of The Year - "I Am... Sasha Fierce"
Song Of The Year - "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - "Halo"
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "At Last"
Best R&B Song - "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
Best Contemporary R&B Album - "I Am... Sasha Fierce"
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "Ego" (with Kanye West)
Best Song Written For Motion Picture Or Television - "Once In A Lifetime"

Taylor Swift
Record Of The Year - "You Belong With Me"
Album Of The Year - "Fearless"
Song Of The Year - "You Belong With Me"
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - "You Belong With Me"
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals - "Breathe" (with Colbie Caillat)
Best Female Country Vocal Performance - "White Horse"
Best Country Song - "White Horse"
Best Country Album - "Fearless"

Black Eyed Peas
Record Of The Year - "I Gotta Feeling"
Album Of The Year - "The E.N.D."
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - "I Gotta Feeling"
Best Pop Vocal Album - "The E.N.D."
Best Dance Recording - "Boom Boom Pow"
Best Short Form Music Video - "Boom Boom Pow"

Kanye West
Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group - "Make Her Say" (with Common)
Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group - "Amazing" (with Young Jeezy)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "Ego" (with Beyoncé)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "Knock You Down" (with Keri Hilson & Ne-Yo)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "Run This Town" (with Jay-Z & Rihanna)
Best Rap Song - "Run This Town"

David Guetta
Best Dance Recording - "When Love Takes Over" (with Kelly Rowland)
Best Electronic/Dance Album - "One Love"
Best Remixed Recording - "When Love Takes Over" (with Kelly Rowland)
Record Of The Year - "I Gotta Feeling" (producer, Black Eyed Peas record)
Album Of The Year - "The E.N.D." (producer, Black Eyed Peas album)

Lady Gaga
Record Of The Year - "Poker Face"
Album Of The Year - "The Fame"
Song Of The Year - "Poker Face"
Best Dance Recording - "Poker Face"
Best Electronic/Dance Album - "The Fame"

Kings Of Leon
Record Of The Year - "Use Somebody"
Song Of The Year - "Use Somebody"
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals - "Use Somebody"
Best Rock Song - "Use Somebody"

Colbie Caillat
Album Of The Year - "Fearless" (producer for Taylor Swift's album)
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - "Lucky" (with Jason Mraz)
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - "Breathe" (with Taylor Swift)
Best Pop Vocal Album - "Breakthrough"

Jason Mraz (Yayyy!!)
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - "Make It Mine"
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals - "Lucky" (with Colbie Caillat)

Eminem
Best Rap Solo Performance - "Beautiful"
Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group - "Crack A Bottle" (with 50 Cent)
Best Rap Album - "Relapse"

Britney Spears
Best Dance Recording - "Womanizer"

Madonna
Best Dance Recording - "Celebration"

For the complete list of the 52nd Grammy Awards nominations, click HERE.

Memories of My Tiny Room

I'm feeling blue. On Tuesday evening, my mom came into my room to tell me that after a month since we put in the market, our Chiltern Park condominium apartment had finally been sold off.

Chain of Dispiriting Thoughts
I started crying a river inside. I don't know why. I knew it was going to happen some time, since we'd already decided to sell the place. In fact, I was originally looking forward to a new place and decorating a new and much bigger room than the petite one that I'm living in now.

But hearing that the place had finally been sold and that we're officially going to move out of our home of 15 years brought about a chain of melancholy thoughts and feelings.

Every friend of mine who's been to The Wong Residence remembers it for my tiny room. Every single one of them. And despite what many people say of its size, I've always loved how cosy it is. Sure, I sometimes look across the hall at my brother's room and envy how much space he has to himself, but I never once hated my little humble abode.

If These Walls Could Talk
If the walls in my room could talk, they'll tell you all great experiences I had living in there...

I had many fun stayovers in my room. I had my first kiss in my room. I designed all the furniture in my room when I was 10 years of age, including my table and my wardrobe. I choreographed my first dance in my room and dozens more after that. The first film I shot using my Sony HD video recorder was from my window. The first photo I took using my Sony semi-pro camera was of my room.

My room was also the one place I wanted to go to whenever I was sad or angry. It was the place where I watched many historical Academy Awards shows. And it was the place where I discovered and nurtured the introvert side of me.

All my friends and loved ones have a picture of themselves mounted on film strips and pasted on the walls of my room - all of which made the stage backdrop for my 21st birthday jamboree. And, of course, my room is the first home for the gigantic poster I have of my beloved Christina Aguilera.

So many wonderful memories... I'm really going to treasure them. I'll miss you roomie.

What's So Gaga About The Lady?

I never could understand why there's so much positive hype surrounding Lady Gaga.

Unlike the millions of commercial music lovers worldwide, I never did fancy many of her songs. In my mind, "Just Dance" was the only great track in her debut album, The Fame. "Poker Face", "Paparazzi" and "Lovegame" - no matter how I tried to like them - always failed to appeal to me. And it's not like she has a fantastic voice or vocal ability worth admiring.

Her countless and constant changing of styles and images makes for a confusing impression and her infamous dark, dramatic onstage performances - no doubt they succeed in grabbing people's attention - always causes me to question her psychological stability.

Yes, it's just supposed to be entertainment. It's all an act. But I'll say, even if I did like her music, I can't firmly say that I know who Lady Gaga really is. Neither can many people. She has no one identity and that's disturbing.

That's what makes it difficult for me to be a fan. Sexy as her appeal might be, I wouldn't drool over someone who comes across as having identity issues.

"Bad Romance", her latest single, however, is starting to change all this negativity. It doesn't change the facts that I've just raised but at least there's an appealing song to lighten the situation. And it has. I'm addicted.

It's funny how the tune of "Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Roma-roma-mamaa! Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!" can get you hooked and spring you to do a sexy dance. But this "Rah-rah" nonsense could possibly save the seriously deranged image that I've had of Lady Gaga ever since "Poker Face" became a global hit this year.

I'm not a fan yet. But we'll see how it goes.

Magikmonday's On Her Way Home

Whoop-Dee-Doo-Dahh! Talk about a reason to celebrate! By this time tomorrow evening, dearest Nadia would have returned to Singapore! That's right. After a year and a half in Melbourne, my fabulous friend has finally completed her university course and is coming back for the holidays.

Oh how I've missed having this jazzy sensation around. And if it weren't for my Jurong Island army duties from tomorrow night to Saturday, I would have been able to meet her on Thursday. But oh well, all in good time. I'll see you soon, Magikmonday!

After that, we just need to wait for Pamela to come back from Perth on 18th December and our circle of four (including Lungless Linus) will be complete. It's sinfully exciting!

The Most Two-Faced of Them All

Bear with me. I need to uncap the emotions I've been unhealthily bottling up within me for weeks. Lots to say. Tough.

I've been feeling a great deal of wrath and detestation at my workplace in the past few weeks. Since blogging has never failed to make me feel better about unpleasant events or help me recover from negative emotions, I'm hoping my unhealthy rage can be extinguished through this entry.

Coin Toss, It's Mister Two-Face!
The source and target of this anger is a fellow colleague, who constantly reminds me of the Batman villain.

It's appalling to know that a low-ranking, innocent-looking 19-year-old chap can possess so much of the insanely inhumane talent of being two-faced and have so much pride within him.

I can't stand people who are two-faced or people who get through life by sucking up to other people.

This guy sucks up so disgustingly to superiors of high authority and who are of great importance. And he does it so well, at first glance you would think it's a part of what could be a charming personality. That is until a few seconds later when you find him being utterly rude and disrespectful to a less important superior, answering back and disregarding the superior's rank.

Soon after that, you can find him ordering his fellow low-ranking men around and lecturing (and sometimes scolding) them as if he was a sergeant. Behind their backs, he also makes use of them in the most cunning of ways to get what he wants and he'll sabotage them to avoid receiving extra duties. But he's careful not to let his cover blow. Because right after that, he'll go back to sucking up to important superiors with his pretentiously angelic look and smile.

The Self-Appointed VIP
Actually, this guy's main job has nothing to do with the office, which is out-of-bounds to many servicemen. He's just a temporary office personnel who was asked to help out with a few administrative tasks after one of our admin sergeants got posted out.

But using this tiny window of opportunity, he's been planting himself in the office all day long for weeks, pretending to be perpetually busy and pushing his original work responsibilities to his bunk mates.

Yes, on top of sabotaging his fellow mates (they've shared with me many stories about him in the past week), he leaves them to do the bulk of the job that they're supposed to do together.

"But My Arm Is Pain!"
He's been faking an arm injury. One of the sergeants that I'm close to was with him when he saw a specialist for his "injury" a couple of months back. The specialist said "there's nothing wrong with you" and but the boy insisted that he was in great pain. The specialist gave in after many of such complaints from the boy and gave him a long-term medical status.

He's been using his injury to excuse himself from his original job scope and many other physical activities so that he can stay in the office.

There was once he told his bunk mate he can't help with sweeping the bunk because of his medical status. It's just holding a broom and sweeping! Yet, he offered to help with the duty of carrying heavy rounds for our range just a few days ago. Why? Because he wanted to suck up to our officer.

The Pride Behind The Prejudice
When the big shots aren't around, he acts like he's boss. He walks around with an air of self-importance around his head with both his hands in his pockets. He'll allow himself privileges that only sergeants and above are given (like unlimited smoke breaks, unauthorised visits to the canteen, etc). He also tends to excuse himself from daily parades and lingers in the office instead.

I've been working in the office way longer than he has and I've never allowed myself such fall backs. It's horrid. Then when the big shots return, he'll re-commit himself to the computer with "loads of work".

He'll keep himself busy in the office so that he comes across to the important superiors as useful, diligent and hardworking. And it's been working. My captains and officers have all already fallen for his suck-up spells. The great respect that I always had for some of them have started to diminish as a result. They seem to regard him as a faultless and flawless individual.

Now The Boy Has Gone Too Far!
I actually wouldn't be bothered by him or be as affected and pissed as I am now had he not tried to invade my workload. His bunk mates tell me he has the intention of stealing my job as Admin Support Assistant. And that's what he seems to be doing.

He's cutting into all my responsibilities and tasks. Often, when I offer to help my sergeants or officers with certain tasks, he'll go ahead and finish the tasks before I do. When my superiors ask for a file or document from me, he'll rush to get it for them before I do. When the phone rings and I get up to answer it, he'll dash to it before I get there. When my superiors and I are talking and they need to clarify something with me, he'll interrupt us to address their queries before I do.

It's bloody irritating. I hate having to always be on my guard and competitive when it comes to a job that I love. And that's what he's been forcing me to do.

My Poor Puzzled Officer-Brothers
This boy can sense that I dislike him. It's obvious. And he knows that many know of my dislike for him. So to make himself seem like the victim, he treats me well in front of superiors. He'll say "goodnight" to me when he leaves the office in the evening in front of the officers, and talk to me respectfully just so that the officers will be puzzled by my anger.

And that's exactly what the officers have feeling - puzzled. They have been questioning my dislike for him. I haven't told them what I've been seeing because as it is, they're already so busy. And I think they'll hardly believe my stories of the way this boy treats his fellow men and the sergeants. I've been feeling kinda helpless because of this. Some people do end up seeing him as the victim and I just endure the crazy image they have of me and my anger.

These people seem to have an immaculate impression of the boy. They sympathise with him because he's an outcast. They sympathise with his threats of committing suicide and the tragic stories he's been sharing about his family, all of which are fake according to his bunk mates. Some of my officers have been fooled. And it kinda hurts me because I've grown to love them as brothers.

Behind it all, I know this boy can't stand my presence. He's waiting for me to be posted out so that he can take over my job in the office. How would you feel if the job that you love so much was threatened to this extent?

A Series of Failed Therapy
I've approached many methods in the past few weeks to heal the anger I've been feeling. It's not healthy to feel so much negative emotions everyday. I've approached blasting loud Rock music from my iPod into my ears every time I feel irritated. I've tried sharing my unhappiness with the people around me. But because everyone's so busy with their work, I can't bear to continually bother them with my fury. I've even tried accepting the boy for his abhorrent ways. But none of the above proved successful. I always end up being frustrated.

I've also tried avoiding him as much as I can. I don't want to transform my dislike for him and his two-faced attitude into ugly actions. But he doesn't seem to want to get off my back. Aside from cutting into my responsibilities, whenever I go for my meals (relieved to finally have some peace) he'll tag along because I usually dine with the sergeants he sucks up to.

So I literally have to face him all day long and witness his two-faced character at work. It's absolutely foul and loathsome. I've resorted to avoiding the office just to avoid seeing him and constantly being irritated. I do all these and give in to him just to prevent myself from punching him. It's sad. But it's for a good cause ultimately. Plus, it's really unhealthy to keep feeling so much negativity. Walking away is better.

The Pursuit of Happiness
I have a great passion for my job, which involves helping my superiors with their workload. I truly love and care for my job and the people around me. I feel there's such great meaning to that as opposed to going outfield. I've found and received so much happiness through giving and helping them.

If I didn't love and care that much for my work, I wouldn't be bothered by this boy and his intentions.

My work and relationship with my superiors is something I'm extremely proud of because I've worked very hard in the past 10 months to gain their trust without being pretentious. The Addison they know is who I really am.

But now, the exhilarating attitude I once had for my work and workplace has changed drastically and I've been often unattractively down. It's real sad. I hate the state that I'm in. Yet I can't seem to help it.

This entry was not published with a publicity intention. Writing it out was meant to be a form of therapy.

"Heaven, I'm in Heaven"

This weekend turned out to be an unexpectedly sensational one. It was a weekend of 3 major first-times.

Timbre with Adriel Bro
For the first time in what must have been a billion years, I spent some quality time with my brother. After I booked out from camp on Friday night, we headed to Timbre at the Arts House. I was craving for cheese pizza and booze, and Timbre serves both in great quality! "But damn expensive," my brother commented.

Then again, it's been almost a year since I last went there. And Adriel, I found out, has never been to or heard of Timbre. So we spent a couple of hours there, listening to Goodfellas play great music and chatted the night away.

Zirca & Rebel with Army Mates
On Saturday night, the event that I had been looking forward to all week finally came our way. Eleven of us army mates headed to Zirca and Rebel to celebrate David Seto's 21st Birthday.

I'm telling you, I've not had that much booze in such a long time. It was crazy. The moment we sat down at our reserved table, we went straight to finishing 5 bottles of liquor (I think it was five) together with a couple of shots and some lovely champagne.

It was my first time partying with the boys, so it was quite the significant event. I can't remember the last time I got that high and had that much fun being high. Haha! And we boogied the night away on the dance floor till 4 in the morning.

Darling Jea's 21st Birthday at the Botanic Gardens
Sunday marked the first time I celebrated Jeanette's birthday with her in the 7 years we've been buddies (I know... shocking!).

The botanic gardens was a charming choice of venue for the event. The beautiful greenery, a couple of colourful mats, friends from different chapters in Jeanette's life, delicious finger food and countless cameras made for an awesome celebration.

While Jea was busy entertaining her many guests, Rachel and I had fun walking around and taking photos with the gorgeous scenery. That made for an additional highlight to the day. Happy twenty-first, Jea darling!!

Cause It's A Beautiful Thang

Everybody shake it. It's time to be free amongst yourselves.

Your mama told you to be discreet, and keep your FREAK to yourself.

But your mama lied to you all this time.
She knows as well as you and I, you've got to express what is taboo in you.
And share your FREAK with the rest of us.

We have got to break it; every rule, every constriction.
My papa told me to be home by now, but the party has just begun.

Someday he'll understand that I've got to be the FREAK that God made me.
We're all so funkin' dunkin' beautiful, especially when we take our clothes off.

Up, down, black, white and everything in between.
So many thangz that I want to try. I've got to do them before I die.

Cause it's a beautiful thang...
MY SEXUAL REVOLUTION.

A Feature Article on the Legendary Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep has spent more than half her life entertaining on the silver screen and has through the years won legions of fans all over the world. She's had a career that many can only dream of and is deemed by most as the artist of our generation. Now, even at 60 years of age, the actress hardly seems to be wrapping up any time soon.

ADDISON WONG discusses why this film veteran is one of the greatest actors of all time and recounts the road to becoming an ultimate Meryl enthusiast.

There's Something about Meryl
There's no actor worth respecting more in the world right now than Meryl Streep.

For more than 3 decades, this 2-time Oscar winner - known for her consummate versatility in the acting field - has been shaping herself in a marvelous body of art.

She's nailed and killed every role that's been placed under her care - from Joanna Kramer to Karen Silkwood to Miranda Priestly; and most recently the late American cookery icon, Julia Child, in Julie & Julia.

Meryl's a chameleon and by any means a legend. After shining in the insanely competitive Hollywood film industry for 32 years now, she still continues to raise standards and receive wholly adoration from critics and audiences worldwide.

In the past 10 years, I've grown to truly respect this formidable actress, her work, her magnificent craft, and above all, the humility she still holds close to herself in spite of decades' worth of success under her belt.

The Beginning of (Fan)ship
I was 11 years old when I first saw Meryl on screen, in Music of the Heart (1999). It was love at first sight.

As Roberta Guaspari, the music teacher who inspired children in 1980's New York City to develop a love for the violin, Meryl delivered a heartwarming performance that deeply moved me. Since then, her name has constantly struck a strong chord within me.

She later starred alongside Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore in The Hours (2002), which has become my favourite film of all time.

In 2003, Meryl got involved in the miniseries, Angels in America, in which she juggled between 4 vastly different and complex characters. Tough job. Yet, she pulled off the challenge marvelously and gave one of the most amazing performances seen on television to date. My respect for her heightened tremendously with this project.

During my Polytechnic years, I began watching Meryl's earlier films - Kramer vs Kramer (1979), Sophie's Choice (1982), Out of Africa (1985), Postcards from the Edge (1990) and The Bridges of Madison County (1995).

At the same time, new films like The Manchurian Candidate (2004), Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) and Prime (2005) were released in theatres.

Love for The Devil
But it wasn't until 2006 when I saw The Devil Wears Prada that I started to really appreciate the great Meryl Streep as the unparalleled acting goddess.

And her work in Doubt (2008), Mamma Mia! (2008) and Julie & Julia (2009) only made me love her more.

It sounds kind of cheesy, actually, the fact that it took a light comedy like Prada for me to finally love Meryl the way I do now, instead of one of her many stronger, more serious performances in the past. It's the fact that she injected artistic substance into a film that many consider a chick flick and made it into a sensational piece.

If you can star in a chick flick like The Devil Wears Prada and still get an Oscar nomination, then you're really a genius. And that's Meryl Streep.

Meryl is Oscar's Biggest Loser
Meryl has been nominated for an Academy Award - also known as the Oscar, Hollywood's highest honour - a whopping 15 times. That's a record.

Behind her is the late Katharine Hepburn with 12 nods and Jack Nicholson with 11. But because Meryl's only won twice (in 1979 and 1982), she also holds the record for losing the most number of times at the Oscars.

It's been nearly 30 years since Meryl last received the coveted award and for a long time now, countless members of the film industry have been saying she deserves a third statuette. I am a firm supporter of this saying.

There's buzz in Hollywood about her finally winning again next year for Julie & Julia. Once again, Meryl turns a light comedic character into a work of artistic brilliance. I'm crossing my fingers for her this February.

It's about time she won her long overdue third statuette (and she should be given a fourth and fifth one after that too).

100 Years Down the Road...
The message is clear. I love Meryl Streep. I feel real lucky to have developed a love for film and the arts. For should this love not have existed, I wouldn't be able to appreciate how great an actress she is.

More than that, I think people should feel blessed to be living in a time when this legend is around and kicking ass. It sounds crazy, but it's true.

There are times when I think of whether children of the next generation will ever know how great an artist Meryl is; whether she'll be appreciated the way Audrey Hepburn's youthful beauty still is today.

There are many great actors who lived before our time that are now regarded as legends in the halls of Hollywood for defining much of the wondrous film industry that we celebrate today. Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando are some of their names.

But despite the significant contributions they've made to the art of movie-making, their names have become foreign to many in the world today.

It's easy to place Meryl's name in the company of these icons, with the body of work she's crafted over the years. But if her name and her artistry suffers the same fate as her late fellow players, and become foreign to our children's children, that would just be one of the saddest things ever.

That's why it's a real thrill to be alive in this time; to be born into a generation that gets to see the great Meryl Streep in action and witness the crafting and creation of a supreme artistic legacy.

When She Dies To Her Self

She knows what she wants in her love story. She knows it as crystal clearly as she knows herself, her introvert side and her plans in life.

She has the potential to be the sensational love interest we read about and feel hopeful for in fictional love stories. She's got so much love bottled up in her, just waiting to be uncapped by the man she longs for. So much love.

But time and again, her bad luck brings her way boys who are far from resembling the image she has of her gentleman; boys who uncap the bottle but fail to see or appreciate its glorious contents. It's not that the image is far from logical. It's a simple image. It's the boys who are far from decent.

She's had her time of confidence, her time of patience, her time of faith.

But the years' worth of constant disappointments push her to settle with ones who don't fit the bill (some of them can't even PAY the bill, let alone fit it).

She degrades and lowers herself - as well as her expectations of love - just so that she might have a chance at feeling a midget sense of happiness with someone unworthy; someone who can't see the beauty in her, someone who would probably cheat or break her heart.

It's a terribly sad situation to put oneself in. Yet, there are countless beings like her - male, female, gay, straight, black, white and everything in between - who are doing the exact same thing to themselves.

Where, oh where is the Love?

Many one-month love anniversaries lead to one-month break-up anniversaries.

Coming Up Next...

In my previous post, 21 Days, 28 Friends, 15 Films and a Bulk of Glee, I mentioned that I've a number of blog entries that I wrote last month but did not publish due to the crowded schedule for Ain't No Other Man in October, with 20 updates in 31 days.

Thus, I decided to push some of the entries not bound by timeliness to November. My last post, At The Dinner Table with My Brothers & Sisters, was one of these entries. I wrote it about 2 and a half weeks back.

Entries coming up next include a huge feature article that I wrote 3 weeks back on the great Meryl Streep, a bitchy piece on the pride in incompetent people and a story I think women worldwide can relate to.

I'm really excited. Look out for them! And enjoy.

At The Dinner Table with My Brothers & Sisters

There's a strong but endearing magnetic force buried in the heart of the Walker family that's gotten me glued to Brothers & Sisters for 3 years now.

Never since F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Sex And The City has there been a television series which speaks so loudly to me that I end up following it week after week, season after season, for as long as it's been running.

The Heart of the Walker Family
I've fallen insanely in love with this warm, dysfunctional family. Oh, how I've shed buckets and buckets of tears watching them through their griefs and jubilances through the years.

Here is a group of brothers and sisters who are so beautifully close-knitted, you can't help but feel intensely drawn to them as they live out the iconic American dream of a family.

Together, these middle-aged siblings soldier through some tragic realities of life, alongside their uncle, spouses, children and their brave mother, Norah Walker, who tries endlessly to take everything in for them in trying times.

Household of Heartbreak, Hope, Humour & Hilarity
Because these characters are so identifiable and intricately written, it's easy to feel like you already know this family inside out after a few episodes.

It's impossible to not love them for their imperfections, to not shed tears with them in the face of tough situations, to not yearn to be part of their profound quarrels, and to not envy them for the bond that holds them together in spite of their many idiosyncrasies.

There's also the wonderful performances by some of today's best actors in television, from Sally Field to Rachel Griffiths and Calista Flockhart. They give these characters such life that you find yourself feeling so much for the family, as if they're your own.

That's why it's heartbreaking when the household is taken by storm - the death of a cheating father, a brother trapped in the Iraq war, illnesses and diseases, drug addiction, divorces and troubles in the family company.

Teardrops on the Family Album
Sally Field was the sole reason why I set aside that one hour to check out the series premiere back in 2006. A film veteran like her taking on a role in television was just too exciting an event to miss.

But through that dramatic and tear-jerking first episode, I got hooked to so much more than just the actress's amazing talent. I became hooked to a whole bunch of fictional people who've now become my weekly second family.

Now, 3 years later, as I sink myself into Season 4, I look back at the dozens of Brothers & Sisters episodes I've watched repeatedly and the rivers of tears I've cried while following this series, and I think...

"Gosh, that's good TV."

21 Days, 28 Friends, 15 Films and a Bulk of Glee

Freedom has provided me time in the past 3 weeks to catch up with close friends and loved ones whom I've sadly neglected in the last 5 months due to the stress of commitment.

Going on 34 platonic dates with 28 friends in October made the last 3 weeks the most productive of the year - socially, that is - and aided in my recovery of the unpleasant events that I started the month with.

From Joyce Neo, Linus Chen and other Polytechnic mates, to Joann, Theresa, Jeanette, Joel and Rachel Er, Ben Long and Colin from church, to secondary school classmates, new friends in the community, and Dannel and Joel Chua. What a wonderful time I had catching up with them and rekindling the love.

I also found time to watch 15 films, including The Hurt Locker, (500) Days Of Summer and The Blue Mansion, on top of my weekly Brothers & Sisters and a few other television series.

Plus, I've been on an extreme writing spree, with 20 published blog entries in 31 days and an additional 5 more to be published in November.

October turned out to be another eventful month in 2009, in both good and bad ways.

Halloween 2009: Death of The Flintstones

This year, for Halloween, I decided to proclaim the death of one of my all-time favourite cartoon characters - Barney Rubble from The Flintstones. (I can't possibly pull off the tall, fat Fred Flintstone, can I? So the petite Rubble seemed like a more suitable character for me to emulate. Haha!)

I wasn't too excited about the costume at first, but after receiving positive feedback from friends and strangers who came up to me with requests for photos with them, I became pretty darn proud of the bloody, Bedrock-themed ensemble. Haha!

Dannel, myself and a few other friends had a wild time roaming Clarke Quay, people-watching the dressed-up crowd and taking pictures with creatures of the netherworld.

After that, the 11 of us energetic demons headed to Supper Club - where we enjoyed free entry thanks to one of Dannel's friends - and partied the night away!

I had a fantastic time. But the truth remains that last night's partying was nothing compared to Dannel's Rockin' Halloween Party last year (he decorated and transformed the entire first floor of his house into a damn cool Halloween mansion). It was freakin' awesome!

A Date with the Legendary Dead

Because the great Michael Jackson inspired the ardent, profound love that I have for dance today, I knew by a mile I could not afford to miss this film. So 3 weeks ago, I bought tickets for Dannel and myself for this evening's screening of MJ's This Is It film.

It was such a sensational experience watching the King of Pop jazz up the London O2 stage with his signature moves and explosive energy, alongside his 10 principle backup dancers, whom he selected from hundreds and thousands who auditioned for the golden opportunity of supporting MJ's stage.

I loved it. The film gave insight to every aspect of what would have been MJ's final tour. And it was an amazing collaborative work.

With his fans' favourite songs, his best moves, staggering advanced stage technology, fascinating modernized takes of his music videos, and the world's best dancers, musicians, technical engineers and directors packaged into one show, this would have been an MJ extravaganza like never seen before.

And this just deepens the sadness of the fact that he died before he could share his magic with his fans. Every few seconds of the film, I found myself thinking, "Shucks, he didn't get to do that, and that, and that, and THAT?!!".

Thank goodness for this film then. If not, we never would have known.

After More Than 2 Years...

It's been more than 2 years since I last had instant noodles. Yes. Two years.

And I don't mean the ones they fake in Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe as "wanton noodles". I mean the real sinful, unhealthy, disgusting version we cook at home with loads and loads of seasoning.

It may sound like a huge abstinence to the typical lazy bum, but it actually didn't take much effort on my part. I just don't have cravings for instant noodles. When I'm at home and hungry, I usually cook an omelette or have a gorgeous bowl of Koko Krunch soaked in milk.

Then earlier this evening, after a mighty productive gym session at my estate clubhouse downstairs, I found myself way too lazy to get out of the house for dinner. With nothing much in the kitchen that I can whip up dinner with, I gave in to the call of the sinfully delicious Mee Goreng.

And not just one, but two packets' worth!! Haha! *guilty smile*

All that hard work at the gym gone just like that.

No Doubt Site features Addwong Productions!

Dannel called me the other day to tell me that the film I compiled for him of our meet and greet with No Doubt backstage at last month's F1 Rocks was featured on the band's number one fansite, the Beacon Street Online!

Yes, indeed! We were backstage hanging out with Gwen and her band mates at F1 Rocks just last month! Dannel took part in a 987FM Twitter contest (that I introduced him to). And he won (with the tweet that I gave him). Haha!

Then, after getting autographs and taking photos with Gwen and the band, Dannel got to hug his idol and kiss her on her right cheek! He almost died after that. Watch the video in the link below for the recorded evidence.

I found the link to the fansite article on Dannel's blog. Check it out here!
For the photos we took with Gwen and at the F1 Rocks concert, click here.

Lovesome "Lungless" Linus Turns Twenty-One

Everybody loves Linus. It's inevitable that they do. You can't possibly hate a guy with his innocent face, his ever so selfless and compassionate nature, and the fact that he's so fun to bully. Haha!

Love for the Charming Dude
Pam and I agreed a number of times that when we first met Linus back in 2005, we thought he was very handsome... And then he opened his mouth.

Linus has had his share of hilarious, brainless moments in the past. He's remembered for giving many dumb comments in class and during group discussions back in our Polytechnic Mass Comm days. But when it boils down to being a friend, Linus is definitely among the most fantastic ones I've been blessed to have.

He's loyal. He's endearing. He's a man of his word. And he'll be there for his friends in need, no matter the time, place or cost (although some girls have taken advantage of that).

When Linus Takes Your Breath Away...
Linus has quite the ability to read people, which is amazing for someone who comes across as blur. He'll know what to say to comfort you even before you finish your story of a bad day. He can read in between the lines of your blog entries and know you're actually sorrowful underneath those positive words. And he can tell when you have thoughts of giving in to temptation. I know all these from recent experiences.

Look past those beautiful and sexy double eyelids and you'll find a soul that's deep and intelligent. And his thoughtful actions and words of affirmation always move you and leave you speechless.

This year, for my 21st birthday, he went all out to find copies of the past 12 years of Oscar ceremonies and burned them into DVDs for my collection and viewing pleasure. He knows how much I adore the Oscars. So that was truly one of the most thoughtful gifts ever.

Evolution of the Blur Kind
Four years down the road from the beginning of our friendship, I'm glad to share that Linus' naive, brainless ways that used to either tickle or irritate us are all a thing of the past. Through the years, it's been wonderful to receive support from him in a number of aspects in my life.

Now, at 21 years of age, here is a guy who's evolved into a true gentleman, a sensible and mature adult, and a promising asset to the creative industries. I'm so proud to have him as a buddy and a brother.

Happy 21st birthday, Linus darling! I love you so very much. Here's wishing you happiness, love and everything in between, all the days of your life.

The Last Supper with Theresa Maria

Bidding friends farewell as they shift their lives overseas for work or studies is always a painful experience. I've had to do that a lot in the past few years with many of my closest female friends.

And last night, I had to do it once more with Theresa as she embarked on her 2-year adventure in London, where her firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, had relocated her to. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to a dear sister and my buddy for musicals at the Esplanade.

In the past year alone, we watched CATS, Beauty World and the lovely Lea Salonga in Roger and Hammerstein's Cinderella. In 2007, we also went to catch the amazing A*Mei in concert together. It's been such a thrill having Miss Yoong as a musical partner.

The night before, we met at the prata place near Serangoon Gardens for a late-night catch up, which Ben Long referred to in his Grace Before Meal as "The Last Supper before Theresa leaves". Haha!

We stayed there for only about an hour - we were dead beat from the long day that we each had - but nonetheless, that last brief meet was a real significant one. Take care of yourself, Theresa! We'll miss you!

Four Hundred Dollars on 23 October 2009

I had planned to spend four hundred dollars on 22 birthday gifts today. That's as much as the current monthly allowance that I get from the army. It took setting aside a hundred dollars a month for the past 4 months for me to finally save up that amount.

It was going to be the most fabulous set of presents I'd ever put together. I spent a couple of months planning and researching, as well as arranging with friends and relatives whom I knew had discounts at certain restaurants, spas, hotels and bars.

A room at Grand Corpthorne hotel, a pair of size-9 shoes, a spa treatment at Aegean Spa, this fantastic River Island T-Shirt that I chanced upon in August, a birthday video, a hand-made card, a bubble bath with aromatherapy set-up, a DVD (which would have been the person's first), a bouquet of flowers, and meals and drinks at exquisite restaurants and cafes, are just some of the things I had listed.

But looking at the situation, I've decided not to spend the money. I'll bring it over to either my "Macbook Pro Fund" or "America Trip Fund" for 2010.

Oh, Seafood Aglio Olio

Call me unadventurous. Call me boring. Even call me old-fashioned. It won't make a difference.

Ever since Joann treated me to my first meal at TCC about a year and a half ago, every time I dine there, I've been stuck with ordering the dish that she recommended for my main course - the exquisite Seafood Aglio Olio. And I don't mean "stuck" as in a bad way. I mean it in the most wonderful way possible.

Garlic, spices, olive oil and pasta never tasted so good in one glorious bowl as it does at TCC. I don't know how much better it is in Italy, but in Singapore, my belief is that you haven't tasted seafood aglio olio if you haven't tried it at The Coffee Connoisseur.

My mood just lifts itself every time I get a taste of it. And the shrimps and scallops that they serve with the dish are constantly the freshest and most succulent I've tasted of the seafood.

Every now and then, the thought of trying something new does come to mind. But fear of being disappointed and at the expense of being disloyal to the aglio olio always triumphs that thought.

I'm open to trying another soup instead of my favourite Chilli Beef with Garlic Sticks. And I'm willing to step away from the Chocolate Grottini for dessert and be adventurous once in a while. But the one thing I'm not giving up at TCC is the delectable Seafood Aglio Olio.

If you haven't tried it, you really must. It's heavenly.

"I had a boyfriend who cheated on me."

There's this scene in the 3rd episode of Brothers & Sisters (Season 1) that left a mighty strong impact on me when I first saw it 3 years ago.

And up until today, I still remember the exact lines that Kitty Walker (Calista Flockhart) says in that scene - word for word - because it concerns a category of people that I really cannot stand - cheaters.

Every time someone I know gets hurt by a cheating boyfriend or girlfriend, I'm reminded of this exact scene and the powerful words that Kitty delivers to her cheating boyfriend. These are words I will never forget; words that will help me stay grounded all my life - because a cheater is someone I will never allow myself to be.

The scene can be found in the clip below. Hopefully, by posting it here, I'll help spread the inspiration to a few more people. Listen to Kitty's words of wisdom:

I had a boyfriend who cheated on me once, in college. His name was Alex Sapin. And when Tanya Cavenoir told me what he'd done, I went. I found him and I told him what I thought.

I said, "The world is too fragile for people to be untrue. There's too much at stake and life's too short for lies. And you're the worst kind of person in the world because you wasted my heart. And time."

NINE, The Must-Watch Musical of 2009

I've been waiting for this musical for more than a year. For me, it's the most galvanising film release in 2009.

Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Kate Hudson, Fergie, Sophia Loren, Dame Judi Dench and Daniel Day-Lewis. Talk about heavyweight star power in one gigantic musical extravaganza.

Rob Marshall, the visionary director who brought us the electric, sensational musical film, Chicago (the winner of 6 Oscars in 2003, including Best Motion Picture), returns this awards season with another highly promising film adaptation of a broadway musical.

This time, he's chosen the 1982 Tony Award winner, Nine. This theatrical masterpiece is said to be arguably the best musical produced in the last 30 years of broadway history. Place this piece in the hands of the master of silver screen musical direction, Rob Marshall, and you know for sure something gargantuan is coming your way.

The 8 main cast members already share 7 Oscars among them. Takes your breath away eh? For months now, Nine has gotten the whole of Hollywood buzzing with excitement and word has it that it's being considered a frontrunner for next year's Oscars.

I can hardly wait to see it when it comes to Singapore. Watch the trailer HERE!

Carrie Underwood in Singapore!

Did you know Carrie Underwood was scheduled to perform a one-hour concert outside ION Orchard last night? Well, neither did I!

And if I didn't make plans to catch up with dearest Rachel over dinner in town, the both of us would have had no idea either. We were walking towards Lido when we heard screams from outside ION, where an elaborate stage was set up with a barricaded seating area and multi-coloured flashing lights.

Just then, appearing on a screen high on the shopping mall exterior was the 4-time Grammy-winning champion of American Idol 2005! That's when we realised she was performing.

So we went over to ION in hope to see her live. But the concert was an exclusive thing. The public could hear from afar but not see up close. When the show ended, however, security started setting up barricades inside the shopping mall. Crowds gathered in hope to get an autograph or a picture of the Country singer.

Rachel and I joined them and waited for about 20 to 30 minutes before we caught a glimpse of her while she walked towards a private hall in the building. She stopped for to sign just ONE autograph. That's when I got the opportunity to snap the two photos above.

And people mock me for carrying my bulky camera with me everywhere I go. I always say "you never know when you'll need it". Who's laughing out loud now?

Those Cold Lovely Bones

I've been very worried about not being able to dance again. My shin injury still seems to be holding me back from many physical activities, despite the fact that it's been a year since it occurred.

Last Saturday, when I met Theresa for dinner, the topic of old injuries arose in our conversation. I told her about how I fractured my right shin (a hairline crack was found in the bone) and injured my left one during BMT last October.

And after nearly a year of avoiding lower-limb activities, I still feel a strain on my legs at times when I have to jog from one place to another, or rush to catch a bus or train.

I also expressed my worry of my leg not healing in time for me to join the NUS Dance Ensemble when I go to university.

She then shared about the concept of old injuries, something which I realised I didn't know much about prior to that conversation. It's frightening to know that some injuries, although healed, will continue to affect us physically for a lifetime.

I used to silently question people who are pulled back by old injuries that occurred years before, "Shouldn't it have fully healed by now?".

That perception's changed since my conversation with Theresa last week, and especially during the past two days when the weather's been chilly and as a result, I've been feeling a sharp pain in both my left and right shin.

In Love with Julia Child

Ah, the sweet joys of life! After a year of waiting in deep anticipation, I finally got the chance to catch Nora Ephron's Julie & Julia yesterday at a sneak preview. I just couldn't wait till the official opening on October 15th!

Marvelously Magnificent Meryl
And what a thrill it was to do so because Meryl Streep playing the ever so high-spirited and zesty Julia Child was a marvel to watch, really.

Having already read half of Julia Child's My Life in France, which is one of two memoirs that the film was based on, I'd long fallen in love with this late iconic American television personality who singlehandedly awakened America to the pleasures of cooking.

But Meryl gave so much more personality and life to the character than I had envisioned from reading the book, which really made the entire film such a joyous one to watch. She captured and embodied perfectly every little detail that made Julia Child truly Julia Child - her French accent, her high-pitch voice, her lovable, childlike charisma, and her addictive optimistic outlook on life.

And she did it so seemingly effortlessly! Meryl's a genius and a natural as always, and it was a pleasure to see yet another exceptional, fabulous performance from her.

Music that Goes Back to Basics
I've also become insanely hooked to the delightful music score by Alexandre Desplat, one of my favourite composers in the film industry, as well as that classic Margaret Whiting record, "Time After Time", which they featured near the closing of the film.

I'm so glad I caught this film. Dannel was under the weather yesterday so I decided to spend some quality alone time at the movies - something I've missed doing for a long, long time now. And I'm glad I did. Really needed the personal time. Plus, Julia's high spirits was so addictive, it had me coming out of the theatre in a jolly mood.

It's great entering a new week with sense of hope that life can be wonderful - thanks to Julie & Julia.

Baby, You'll Be Gone Too Soon

Theresa announced on her blog three weeks back that she's been posted by her firm to an overseas branch in London. The posting is for two long years and she'll be leaving next Friday.

It's been very difficult getting used to the idea of not having her around for that long, and the fact that it's happening so quickly and soon isn't making it easier.

So we met for dinner yesterday and had a lovely time catching up. Listening to the travel plans she's put together for the next few months makes the whole trip sound so exciting. But she also shared about the bittersweet side of leaving her friends and family in Singapore. Oh well, the bright side is yet to unveil itself - a rare experience of a lifetime.

So, Theresa Maria Tanya Yoong (she gets annoyed when I use her full name, haha), have fun sinking yourself into London life. Take good care of yourself please. Do help me live my dream of watching all the countless fantastic musicals and plays on broadway while you're there. And remember to share your experiences with me!

I'll miss you much, sister. In fact, I'm already feeling it. And you haven't even left yet.

All The Young Dudes, Bring It On Y'all!

I told Dannel a couple of days back I desperately needed a wild night of clubbing. The terribly dramatic week that just passed - on top of August and September being so unexpectedly gruesome and hectic - had consumed me so much, I needed to just escape and get out.

And so last night, club we did! I didn't expect to have so much fun. I thought maybe I'd end up all teary-eyed about the break up again, but it was all good last night. We drank and boogied the evening away.

And then we made friends with a few groups of people and it just made the night out so much more thrilling.

According to Dannel, I got really high. But I'm thinking since I got home safely by myself, was able to bathe, brush my teeth, put on fresh clothes and apply my facial products before I jumped into bed, I couldn't have been that gone. Haha!

I had fun. That's the important part. It felt so good to be out! Pun totally intended. *smiles*

The Bald Guy's One-Year Anniversary

Mother of mothers! Now here's an anniversary I never thought I'd live to see (same old dramatic me talking, of course) - that of the day I got my head shaved and enlisted as a full-time national serviceman.

Golly, it really does feel like yesterday that it happened. Time has raced past and I'm thankful for that.

In fact, it was at this exact time (9:24pm) that the barber started shaving my head a year ago. Haha! Seriously! I clearly recall that I enlisted at 3pm. We took several hours after that to settle down and when darkness fell, it was time for our horrific trip to the one with the razor.

Life hasn't been as bad as I thought it'd be ever since, even though I went through BMT with a fractured shin and limped for months after that. I've grown and matured a little more, as expected, but I haven't lost the person that I was before and I'm grateful for that, considering the categories of abhorrent characters and influence that we're placed under on a daily basis.

Ten more months to go! Can't wait for university. Seriously.

The Heart of the Matter

It's over and done, but the heartache lives on inside.
Bruises fade, brother, but the pain remains the same.

It's kinda like the end of an era and it pains just to think about it. You may not see the logic or understand why it had to lead to this. It's not what I wanted either. I had so much more in plan. But it's the right thing to do looking at the situation.

It'll take some time for me to move past what you did and what I had planned for us and see this as a good thing - and I'm thinking it's the same for you as well - but I'll get there (and I know you will too). Please, just don't hurt anyone else like this again. Take care.

The Chicken Drumstick That Made Me Cry

You read that right. I cried over a fried chicken drumstick in the army cookhouse at lunch today.

I'll say it as it is. Life's been mighty unfair and disheartening the past few days. I never thought I'd experience a heartbreak as intense as this one. And I can't think of anything I've done in the past that would warrant such a painful punishment from karma.

On top of that, I'm not performing well at work. I've lost the top-notch energy that used to drive me as the ever trustworthy and diligent administration assistant in camp.

What a time to lose my drive. While everyone in the office seems to be high with vigour and enthusiasm, I've became just a useless extra being within the four walls. It's terribly demoralising.

I've also just received a couple of freelance filming projects that will finally help my tight financial situation. It's supposed to be real exciting, but I haven't the energy nor the motivation to put in my best effort. It sucks.

Yesterday afternoon, while I was sitting by the office window and staring out blankly, one of my sergeants came up to ask me why I looked so troubled. And I just broke down.

It's been so shitty that when the cookhouse auntie smiled at me and served me a fantastic piece of drumstick from among the less desirable pieces at lunch today, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I then sat at my usual meal table, looked at the chicken, and started weeping. I was having lunch alone, so nobody saw me.

That fab piece of meat was sadly one of the best things that came my way this week.