Sunday, May 30, 2010

In a Daze...

The week went by in a blur. I have hardly been home this week. Okay, except for this bit where I am trying to blog about the week. Despite being a blur, it was a great week. 

It started of with an examination. Nothing good about that. Well maybe one bit, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Nevertheless, it was still bad. Moving on, Sam and myself put ourselves through Shutter Island. We were suppose to relax after the ming boggling exam. And it was a clear wrong choice. We went ahead with it and went to bed feeling all confused as to what we might have just witnessed. I still loved it! Confusion is not my forte, neither is Clarity. But Martin Scorsese is definitely a favorite. On that note, I recommend all to watch this movie. The background score might mislead you, but it is no way a horror film. It is all about what you perceive and if what you percieve is what it really is. No worries, clarity is out the window when you are done watching the film.

The next day I decided to relax further with a book. I picked up Haruki Murakami's South of the Border, West of the Sun. If Shutter Island didn't mess with my mind enough, this guy made it worse. I am now a fan of Haruki Murakami. :-D This book was not his best as I have heard. It was one of his shorter novels compared to his other famous ones. His genre, similar to his other writings deals with lonliness, empathy, feeling of emptiness, and his take on the related issues. His works are usually fictional but they carry the vibes of a scene taking place right next door. It is that casual, belivable even. I was done with the book in 4 hours straight. I didn't have much to do, and the lonely guy in the novel with his thoughts on this other mysterious lady was just too captivating to put the book down. I was a little disappointed with the ending and the mystery behind the leading female character having ended without a completion. It was a massive void that really bothers me. Bothered, to be accurate.

The following day, the Professors somehow picked up our chill mode and dumped a ton load of assignments on us. Unfair! I know! Professors are the arch nemesis of Students. In some cases, Parents.

That was no way gonna deter us from doing what we intended to! I went shopping and bought me self a couple of dresses. I haven't shopped in a year. Realisation hit me real late. I ain't much of a shopper anyways.  So, it is normal in my case have a long hiatus between shopping sprees.

The day after the shopping, the dresses were put to some good use. I had the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Performance to attend. We had some of the closest seats to the Orchestra. The concert included a cello solo, a Beethovan number and a really long German composition. I am assuming it was German for the Japanese singers who were performing that day sang German Opera. I didn't understand a single thing. Which made it worse for me to appreciate the song. Then again, the female Opera singer had a strong voice and my favorite for that day was the cello solo. It sat in well. :)

Walked to the newly revamped Bund, also known as the French Concession here in Shanghai. It was awesome! The skyscrapers were all lit up, the walkways were made to look like dams beneath them. The water from the Huang Pu River was sucked back in by some mechanism to pump it back into the River from the sides of the walkway. Sort of like a mini waterfall. It was really pretty. They added a couple of cafes around the river. It would be the ideal romantic getway. We friends, sat at one of the concrete structures near the river over looking the city skyline and chatted for a bit before heading off to take the ferry to the other side. On the other side, we repeated the same thing. Lol.. We sat chatted, laughed at the passer bys, battled the crowds and the locals who stalk us into buying their stuff. It was an awesome night. 

The crowds of Shanghai had increased significantly with the arrival of tourits for the recent World Expo - Shanghai. If the usual population is 20 million I fear to think of an appropriate figure right now. :s 

With that, I get back to "exhilarating" prepartion for the next set of examinations that awaits me.

I'm just trying to keep my
feet on the ground.
Trying to stop the sky
from falling down.

I can't speak cos 
I might say 
what I know I can't 
betray.

So tell me, 
tell me the way 
from here.

Tell me 
Please tell me
Don't say 
What I wanna hear.

- Tell Me - I Can't Think Straight - Leonie Casanova -

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Emo on Repeat Mode


Your pride has built a wall so strong
That I can't get through
Is there really no chance 
To start once again?
I'm loving you....

- Still Loving You - Scorpions - 



Friday, May 21, 2010

Misery in Twilight

The movie that started it all and brought crazy fans towards Edward Cullen or whatever-his-first-name-was Pattinson. Do not ask my why I chose to sit and suffer through this movie. I have yet to figure that bit out. I definitely was not in my right mind. Coming straight to the point, the movie was such a...I don't know. I am not going to catch the rest of the series. That should explain it.

It was miserably slow. Bella turned out to be dumber than I thought she ought to be. She annoyed me with her rhetorical questions and her confused looks. The first time Edward saved her from a car crash, I was secretly hoping the car would just crash into her and the movie would have ended there and then. Yes, I could have always turned it off. But you see part of me wanted to know how the story ended and why the Cullens were supposedly "vegetarians". I never read the book, never read the synopsis, never read anything even remotely close to the movie.

The actress who played Bella, what is her name? Oh well, she certainly isn't one of my favourites. And Tayler Lautner? Seriously, is he really crazy cute? Or the definition of the term has changed since the movie was released? Edward looked older than a high school kid which made sense, since he had been 17 years old for a long long while. But his lines? They have aged with time as well!

"Bella, you are my life!" I cringed.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Laziness is a Crime

Sam: Come to Food Street with us. (The upscale Touristy area is referred to as Food Street. By Us :D)
Usha: I'm feeling extremely lazy today. You guys have fun.
Sam: Cold Stone :)
Usha: Tempting..But Today I'm gonna let it pass..
Sam: :-O!!!! Are you okay? Feeling emo? Go take in some sunshine. :) Why are you lazy? Don't be lazy! Get up and do something like come with us!
Usha: What's wrong with you? Is staying home a crime?
Sam: No. But why not join in the fun? Maybe we can even watch a movie. Being lazy should be a crime!

Eventually I did manage to get outta bed and drag myself to Food Street. It was a fun day which continued with a visit to Shanghai Museum where they were having a special Italian Exhibit till June. It showcased paintings from Raphael, Michaelangelo, and many more. I figured these Italians were very captivated by still art. There were also self portraits of Queen of France, and so many others I hardly recognised. The paintings included raw meat, vegetables, flowers, that were more alive than paintings ought to be. They were all Oil Paintings. Something the Chinese painters of the same era were not exposed to. It has always been water colors here.

It was indeed an awesome summer day to be spending outside. The park was filled with people feeding pigeons, blowing bubbles outta those soap bottles. I wanted one too! But oh well..There were lotsa  toddlers who were standing among the pigeons, attempting to both feed the birds and also to not scare themselves.

Moving on I was engrossed in observing this 5 to 6 year old who loved posing for photos while her mother was the camerawoman. She would pout, hold her skirt from both sides and pose a bow and so many other poses she could muster. She really was enjoying herself. Not to mention her vanity. She wouldn't smile as we smiled at her. What we did next, was to pose in an exactly similar manner and get our pictures taken by the fellas. The mother did not approach us for any copyright issues. After all its China.

After all that gazing and random walking down the city streets of Shanghai, we retreated into the Foreign Bookstore. Bought The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. It was my first step towards reading the entire Lord of the Rings Series. Bought this other  book which was a compilation titled Books that Changed the World. Interesting eh. It was awfully cheap as well! The first couple of pages were highly philosophical. We'll see how much I learn from this book.

It was a perfect day
What I'd give if I could find a way to stay
Lost in this moment now
Ain't worried about tomorrow
When you're busy livin', feels like dreamin', slowly drifting,
through this perfect day.

- Lady Antebellum - Perfect Day -


Monday, May 10, 2010

Missing M.J.

You always knew just how to make me cry

And never did I ask you questions why
It seems you get your kicks from hurting me
Don't try to understand me
Because your words just aren't enough

Love is a feeling
Quench my desire
Give it when I want it
Takin me higher
Tell it to the preacher
Satisfy the feeling
Give in to me
Give in to me

- Give in to me - Michael Jackson -

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Love or Obsession

What I just did a couple of minutes ago, I never thought I would. Though yes, I always knew I'm a little crazy. So, what exactly did I do? Nothing too fancy...

I was walking home from Starbucks, reached my apartment and saw this fella pushing the newspaper cart.  He was one of those who visit residences to collect old newspapers and other unwanted stuff. There were newspapers, magazines, three English Novels in it. I stopped him and casually asked him, what he was gonna do with the stuff in the cart. 

"I sale them" he replied. 

"Even the English Books?" I mean how many will actually buy them. Many foreigners aren't even aware of 2nd hand bookstores. Least I haven't come across one for English Novels. So, naturally they were gonna be recycled (I hope) or into the trash.

"I'll buy them. How much will you give me". The books were kinda old, not too old that the pages have turned yellow. 

First he smiled, then he said "RNB5 for one".

"They are not new. And they got wet in the rain. Come on, I'll give you RNB10 for all three". At this point, you have to know, I had no idea what the novels were about. One appeared to be a thriller and the others by authors I haven't heard of. Call me mad, but I felt really sad when I saw the books in the cart getting wet.

"No...No..." he said. "Why do you foreigners like bargaining so much?"

"Why do you locals like to charge us so much?" To be honest it was not alot. I mean 15RNB for three books is USD1.50. That is awfully cheap. But, if I can bargain why not right? 

Either it was not in my fortune to bargain or he sensed that I really wanted to get the books. He didn't budge. I gave in. Paid the fifteen bucks and saved the books from the rain. 

I felt like a hero. Is my love for books turning into an obsession?

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

From my Wallet


Dear Usha,
You have been a brilliant student and its been a pleasure having you in my class. All the best in whatever you do and I do hope you'll retain some media knowledge. Hope to hear from you years down the road when you're happily married with _children and _university degrees.
Lydia
Media Production and Analysis
23/10/07

Dear Usha,
Happy Valentine's Day! You're one of the special people who holds the key to my heart and world.
<3 Always
Ly

To My Darling Usha...
You are the air in my breath
The water in my sea
The crust of creation
is made of you and me
In strength and in sorrow
You carry me through
I'm mesmerised by
EVERYTHING that YOU DO
Each moment with you is a moment divine
Usha, I am so glad you are
mine
Let's carry on our beautiful
relationship
Through the brightness and blues
Even after you read
This crap I have 4 you.
LOL!
From your "BELOVED"
Euphemia
7/3/05

My Dearest Chappathi Founder,
Thanks so much for lending me your chem file. I've learnt so much with the help of the file. :p I can't believe this but apparently ur handwriting is waaaay nicer than mine. >.< (Don't quote me!) Well, thanks once again, ur the sweetest.
Lowe you loads
Ly

To Usha
Happy Birthday! Wish you all the best in the future. Hope you liked the present!
From
Meiyi and Sumitha
2002

Wallet is considered valuable since it houses the dollar notes. Mine keeps these notes. Talk about value now...

Monday, May 3, 2010

Abstract Expressionism

Mona Lisa Smile. One of my favourite movies. I watched it again for what..the millionth time again last night. Every time I watch it, it makes me feel good. Julia Roberts, her beliefs in the movie. Her character that breaks the norms, its just awesome. Actually, awesome is an understatement. I love her. I love the movie. They're both amazing. Maggie Gylanhaal, one of the best character portrayals I have seen her in thus far. 

Jackson Pollack whilst creating his Composition 31 
                           (http://www.beyeler.com)
The movie was set in the early 50s. How credible the movie was in conveying the real Wellesley girls is beyond me. However, I do believe the general mentality of women of that era, to some extent, was accurately portrayed. Why travel back in time to the 50s? I am surrounded by girls who still withhold the mentality. And I have failed to understand why. 

            Composition 31, Jackson Pollack
What Pollock did for the widely accepted masterpiece of his, was simply to lay a canvas on the ground and start pouring oil paint over it. He repeated the action for a long time. Using other materials including traditional paint brushes, some other improvised 'brushes' and the existing Gravity, to create the image. His art forms were classified under Abstract Expressionism. How aptly named!

Not all Who Wander are Aimless
Especially not Those who seek Truth
Beyond Tradition, Beyond Image
Beyond Definition.

- Mona Lisa Smile -

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