Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I almost reluctant to write anything about this book. Not bcos I don't like but quite the contrary actually. I love it so much! I'm afraid my words will do injustice to it. p3 'cemetery of forgotten books' I dont know why but those mere words stole my heart away and I'm completely smitten by the book. And I only just started. Cemetery of forgotten books is a place of mystery, a sanctuary. Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down it's pages, it's spirit grows and strengthens. How cool is that? Just by reading the introductory I can feel it in my bones that I've just hit the jackpot. It literally gave me goosebumps!! Daniel is entrusted with a book which became his destiny in finding out who and what happen to the said book missing author Julian Carax. p9 A secret's worth depends on the people from whom it must be kept p233 Destiny is usually just around the corner. Like a thief, a hooker or a lottery vendor, it's three most common personification. But what destiny does not do is home visits. You have to go for it yourself. I had many suspicions or theories as the story unfold. So alert - spoilers ahead: 1. Somewhere along the pages, I suspected Julian's mother got to do with something or everything 2. The Devil is Carax or at least Carax is alive 3. Julian is related to Daniel? p76 Presents are made for the pleasure of the one who gives them, not the merits of those who receive them. I can't brag enough ~ I enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind so much. Thank you Zafon.

Don't Go Home by GD & Top (Big Bang)

The group Big Bang has always been one of my favourite group from South Korea. My favourite band member is G-Dragon. However this video is not from the group per se but rather 2 of the group members G-Dragon and TOP from their mini album project outside the original group. Seung ri another group member also released a mini album on his own. In addition, the group Big Bang itself has recently released a new single. Hopefully I'll be able to post their videos in other entry.

Both GD and Top are famous with their quirky sense of style and hairstyle or rather colors. But it is not so obvious in this video. Anyways their music/songs are often cute, with catchy tunes and naughty lyrics which are typically them. Enjoy.

A Home at the End of the World by Michael Cunningham

Read this book somewhere mid Dec last year. I'm not really good in updating the books that I have read am I?? Sigh. Not something I'm proud of.

The two main protagonists in this book were Jonathan and Bobby. Jonathan, lost his younger sister at birth when he was five and Bobby, lost his 16 year old brother when he was nine. Two different lives and on page 41 they finally met. I dont like the way Jonathan treated his mother when he was a teenager. He can get pretty self centred. Whilst for Bobby, honestly I dont quite understand him. I thought he suppose to be quiet, cool and dangerous type of guy. He turned out to be quiet but not the other 2 traits.

The two boys childhood pretty much shaped up their future lives. This is not my usual type of book. Cant really say I like it but I was engrossed by it. I really want to know what happen to these two characters whom were infatuated with each other originally but somehow along the line there is a girl involved and later a baby and another male lover who has Aids. The ending was not what I expected. I remembered feeling like aahh.. there is no closure. It was like one of those ... life goes on thingy, take it or leave it.

The only good thing that when I closed the final page, I finally can enjoy my dinner which was a burger at this ancient A&W outlet in PJ, which surprising still exist. The end.

Genie by SNSD / Girls' Generation

The next 'it' export of Korea apart from brands like LG, Samsung, Kia would probably be SNSD or also known as Girls Generation. The 9 members (only in korea where you get girl or boy band members exceed the typical 3-5 members in a band) girl group is making wave with their long legged trademarks. Their sold out concert in Bangkok saw 70% of audiences were guys. No surprises there ^_^

Other famous songs from SNSD are Run Devil Run, Oh!, Gee and this one which is my favourite Genie. I hope the video doesn't halt too much for you. If yes, just let it run and replay it again. Enjoy.

The Outcast by Sadie Jones

'Gilbert, am I all right, do you think? You're lovely.
All right for him? All right for anybody'

That's the conversation between Lewis's future stepmother and his father~ Gilbert. For a while I thought everything will be going well for this troubled young boy. But I was wrong.

From a very young age, Lewis was confused by his parents relationship and his mom's alcoholic daze behaviour. Nevertheless they are his parents and he loves them. Until tragedy strikes and his luck and life seems to spiral down from there. As a young man, he's confused. People misunderstood him, he can't even understand himself which lead him into doing harmful things to his surroundings and himself.

p331 Lewis walks towards the Carmichael's house ... (I can't read anymore. Can't stand the suspense of what Dicky ~ Tamsin's abusive and arrogant father would do to Lewis). Dont know how many times I closed the book with my heart beating fast fearing for Lewis. A few beats went by before I felt brave enough to look at the pages again and read on.

And then there is Kit (Tamsin's younger, plain-jane looking sister). Whom had a secret crush on the much older Lewis. Both Kit and Lewis shared a same bond which neither of them knew at that time. They were both considered difficult and different from the other 'normal' family members. They were both an 'outcast' so to speak.

p433 I can feel myself smirking when Kit said to her mom `but when I'm gone, don't you think it will be your turn again, Mother?'
Domestic violence will never stop or go away by itself, if you keep quiet about it.

There is no justice at the end of this story, well not the kind that I'm looking for. But at least, I believe there is peace in Lewis's very turmoil mind.

p440 'Look Lewis, Kit said holding her arms out wide 'We're saved!'

Worlds Within Korean Drama

Okay I admit, watched this because of my new interest in the leading actor Hyun Bin who was also in the previous drama which I recently watched Secret Garden. Didnt recognise him in My Lovely Samsoon (which I only see half way).

However, watching the drama reminds me too much of work because it's about people behind the scene. People who makes drama -EP, directors, crews etc. Though I don't do dramas but it's comforting (in a way) to see that TV stations 'atmosphere' are about the same wherever you are. Stressful.
I was reading a comment in one of the episode where someone was asking on the scene where a tape had to be deliver too close to the TX time, PA was rushing back almost got hit by a car, threw the tape at post production, director and editor furiously editing and barely made it into transmission. Don't know in drama production but in tv especially in reality tv shows, that's normal. So if you have a heart problem stay far, far away from this industry. If you don't have such condition, there's a high chance you might develop one.

I read somewhere that this drama didnt get the high ratings that they hope for. Maybe because it was too much of a reality compare to the cinderella fantasy of Secret Garden but I still like it. Hyun Bin and leading lady Song Hye-Kyo on camera chemistry was perfect. So I guess that's why they continue it off set ^_^

Danish's 12th Birthday Bash (part 2)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This is the second part of my eldest son Danish's birthday party. At the end the whole 'chaotic' episodes were worth it when he exclaimed he thinks and his friends also think it was the best birthday they have attended so far. Aww... I should have made this into a profession ^_^

Danial my youngest son is asking when will be his turn? Wait for another 3 years if I'm still up to it.

Enjoy this.