And The Oscar Goes To...

The best in the movies for 2008 was announced and I was excited to watch the 81st Academy Awards aired live via Fox Movies channel 94. 

Straight from my Lahore flight which by the way a mixed of boos and woos, a CM that's very popular with crew to be strict and stiff and a whole bunch of good passengers from a connecting flights YYZ, JFK, DUB, LHR & MAN with all those international passport holders flaunting it intentionally (wink ). A passenger who smoked bravely in front of us near R4 door's slide pack and unapologetic to his behavior saying "don't scare me of the police!" (whuwattt )

Anyway, after landing, post security check and clearing the immigration. I rushed to a queue for a limousine service (yabang) worth 70 DHS so that I will not be late for the awards. (I still have the chills) .I don't have dirhams yet so I paid uncle $20 for the taxi ( huhuhu ). 

I made it on time, actually 3 hours ahead of time. In the ad it says 0100 KSA so + 1 hour, so 0200H right? but hey, it's 0330H and it haven't started the pre-Oscar so I fell asleep and waking up around 0600H and Penelope Cruz was announced as the Best Actress in a supporting role. Hey!

I haven't slept yet because I have to watch Kate Winslet take her little man with her after 6 nominations spanning 14 years of painstakingly waiting for an Oscar from Sense and Sensibility, Titanic,Iris, Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind Little Children and the Reader...

Aside from Kate, Slumdog Millionaire is there.

As expected the underdog proved to be the superior contender from 10 nominations it bagged 8 Oscar's including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Song and more... It slapped the big studios producing Milk, Benjamin Button & Frost/Nixon.

It's worth the wait for Kate being nominated with array of stellar actress like Meryl Streep who had 14 nominations in her belt and 3 wins for her almost 40 years in the business, Anne Hathaway's first Oscar nomination for Rachel Getting Married, Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie-Pitt for Changeling and Melissa Leo for Froze River.

The Academy Awards amuses me every year with grandiose presentation and good host like "The Sexiest Man Alive" - - Hugh Jackman who proved to be a good dancer. Singing and dancing his way with Beyonce.

The way they present now is with 5 previous Oscar winners presenting the nominees and their qualities why they were nominated. Perfect!

Though the program was quiet long, I enjoyed it a lot.

Congratulations Kate Winslet, Sean Penn for Milk, Heath Ledger for Batman and Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Winners For The 81st Academy Awards

I'm always amazed of people putting extra effort to make predictions or leaked materials that pretends to be an official list of some sort.

I have one here for tonight's 81st Academy Awards or the Oscars.

As long as Slumdog and Kate Winslet are there, No Worries!

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Approximately 12 days ago since I last watched a movie in a cinema house, I was eager to do it in Singapore but the movie houses there close early during night time so I opted to stay in my hotel room and sleep. 

So, just this afternoon, I pushed myself to go to Marina Mall to what else?Window shop & actually ending up buying some nitty outfit. Then decided to watch the " Confessions Of A Shopaholic" since I'm a visual individual and I can't stand reading the novel, I feast myself watching it amongst the rest of the couch potatoes.

I would say that the film was another awakening call for me, a slapped in my face and really, a reality check for me & the rest of us, Shopaholics. I was depressed after watching it although I really enjoyed the film! 

I realized that I am like Rebecca, the lead star. Shopping for me is an outlet to find happiness, temporary bliss only. It enlightens my spirit every time I see the words LV, ZARA & H&M. There is a hard-pounding and butterflies in my chest and stomach. I can't wait to see the latest collection or the classics of the brands I love. I rigidly visit their website to check for new items. Crazy really!

I indulge the smell of LV's authentic calf leather and the golden brown canvass that glitters before my eyes.

Then H&M & ZARA completes my trip at the mall... They have all the right ingredients for our taste.

Or it's just me...

And all this for what? For happiness that is not skin deep. Season changes and before you know it, you need to reinvent everything or throw it again because some may be out of style.

Is this a good investment? Nope. I am in limbo.

Films like this are not a fiction...It happens in real life and most of the time it's not a happy ending right?

We need to make a decision, to keep the golden cards and forever be indebted to this giant financial companies that eats our hard-earned money? Or to take a chance for a new life.

Shopping is really an addiction and indeed, therefore I am an addict! Am I still in denial about this?

I will do try to avoid bags, shoes and men's section this time...

I guess so! But I should act now before it's too late...

So I am taking a stand... 

I will try to evade this thirst for the elegant paper bags and plastic bags... 

No more magic cards for me, it's all cut into halves...

Just one step at a time... I hope I can bear this...

For a better me... 

I hope...

Not So Earthly Photo

If you think that this is how our dear Earth looks like, Think again.

I was bothered a few days back when I heard of debris from satellite falling on earth's ground causing bush fires and some collateral damage.

One definition of the word satellite is a body that orbits a larger body.

 If you take this as the definition of satellite then the answer to our question is millions! 

This includes actual spacecraft, and any man-made debris that has been made during the past 30 years of space exploration. 

People call this debris "space junk". "Space junk" orbits at a speed of roughly 7.5 kilometers/second. That is close to 17,000 miles/hour! Think of the damage even a small speck of paint could do to the space shuttle if impact occurred at such high speeds !

Another definition of satellite is a manufactured vehicle intended to orbit the Earth. This definition makes our count much less because it includes only spacecraft and not debris that orbits the Earth. The Goddard Space Flight Center's lists 2,271 satellites currently in orbit. Russia has the most satellites currently in orbit, with 1,324 satellites, followed by the U.S. with 658.

Source: Windows To Universe

After 63 Years Of Waiting...

After 63 years of waiting...

the United States Of America will finally honor their promises to it's allay and regain its respect once more by repaying a lump sum amount of $15,000 for Filipino Veterans in the US and $ 9,000 for Filipino Veterans in the Philippines who fought for the US in the second world war.

President Obama will finally sign the stimulus bill which will release funds to boost US economy including paying veterans of war.

I am happy and fulfilled because my grandmother will finally receive this good news. My grandfather was one of them and is it worth the wait? I guess so... 

It's not really about the financial help but the words promised by America during the war that they will help Filipinos and other nationality that fought for US.

God Speed...

Nothing Spectacular...

Finally I'm back to reality...Life that's full of fun, loneliness and lust. Back in the United Arab Emirates after 9 days of well, relaxation and headache, heartache and excitement, stereotyping and acceptance.

I would say that I have sinned in Singapore, really! Not the earthly or carnal thing okay but my mouth and thoughts can't stop complaining about how unexpected my experience in this small but progressive city of Singapore.

There were accumulation of good and bad experiences in Uniquely Singapore.

The hype of Singapore was too much for me to bear, that's why for almost half a year, we have been trying to get this sector. But I was too disappointed.

First time I arrived, I was struck by the excellent transport system and urbanization of this city, it's perfect, wide roads, high-rise buildings, mixed of old and new structures, high-end shops and restaurants and rules. Whether you follow it or try to bend it? Then imagine yourself hanging in a rope or shedding huge amount of cash as fine. People are disciplined however the human touch or heart disappeared.

I find Singapore as a snobbish and unwelcoming city. I am not generalizing all Singaporeans who live here but based on my experience, for almost 100 + hours a stayed here, I had a big headache.

People I bumped here were full of stress and angst in their system and they don't smile.

Maybe it's just me?

Because I was raised in an environment that harbor happy thoughts, happy living and giving. Entering any stores or malls, whether a posh or 7-11 stores, they are either not interested or too picky or too protective. It's like they are competing with the customers, Hey! given you are in a position that you own the store or just an SA, give credit to the people coming to your shops, Welcome them, greet them with a smile, if you are not happy that you are servicing us, let's change position and I am more gladly to serve others... or Maybe it's just me.

I hate discrimination...I don't tolerate it that's why I tell them in their face. I went to Louis Vuitton in Raffles Hotel. When we entered, as if a ghost entered the room, the SA are too busy either looking in the computer screen or in their mobile. I asked one SA about the Pochette Cles & see the monogram, damier eben and damier azure. She was faceless, no expression when she gave the items I wanted to check.

And then, I can't help myself, " Miss...It's won't die if you smile" and the she replied " Ohh... " and she forced herself to smile back. Grrrrr....


Anyway, when I went back to the hotel, I passed through Fairmont and the bellman, "Greeted me and Smiled" I raised my voice... "You're the first Singaporean to greet me and smiled geniunely." with all the guests hearing it and they nodded. Well, it's true and he made my day. All the bad experiences I had during my stay was erased by the Indian-Singaporean Bellman named Andan. Who never hesitated to welcome me...

I won't brag anymore...wrinkles...wrinkles...wrinkles


Though I enjoyed McDonald's only--The Indian store manager who returned my Nokia E71 when I left it after breakfast. For the Singapore Tourism Board who mediated the overpriced camera I bought from Bally Photo at Funan, I got back 130 SGD though it should have been 230 SGD. For Breadtalk and Singapore Flyer and the Taxis & MRT.

I just realized that behind the success of everything...we need to keep our soul and heart. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, as long as you have your soul and heart with you, you are indeed a wealthy person.

Maybe it's just me... Acceptance is the key maybe, that they were all raised like that... to be stiff, stressed, competitive, unwelcoming or just human nature... I don't not... It's not me!

So, Should I come back to Singapore... I guess not... Well, the feeling is mutual I guess... Peace... This is just my experience and definitely this varies from people who have visited the Singapore...

Teri Makasi and Xie Xie for the experience and the journey. I am deeply grateful... Thanks for the LV too!