Sunday, February 22, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

Just finished watching Slumdog Millionaire and I now know why this movie is getting so much hype, even getting 10 Oscars nominations. It is really as good as it gets!

Slumdog MillionaireThe protagonist of the story, 18-year old Jamal Malik, comes from the slums of Mumbai and is just 1 question away from winning 20million rupees on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" Times up, the show breaks for the night and on his way out, Jamal is arrested (and tortured) on suspicion of cheating. Why so? Because no one believes that a kid from the slums with no education and who is working as a tea server in a call center can know so much!

To prove his innoncence, Jamal tells the story of his life; as a kid living in the slums with his brother Salim, of their adventures and encounters on the road, their brush with local gangsters using orphanage as a means of getting abandoned children to beg, and of the girl Latika whom he loved. She is the main reason he came on the show in the first place; it was never about the money. And interestingly, each chapter of his life justifies each correct answer.

The storyline is not just good, it also touched me. It really serves as a good reminder to all of us why we need to be thankful of how good our lives are. Imagine yourself living in a run-down, garbage strewn and densely populated slums where your (and everyone else's) big/small businesses just drop into the river knowing that that same river is also the source for your water and washing needs. Not to mention how Jamal had to jump into a pool of that same crap just so he could get Amitabh Bachan's autograph!

Also how lucky for us with parents to provide us with lots of TLC. There's no way I can forgive those ppl who make use of little kids to go begging and live on those free money. Not just that, they know very well how to pull the strings in good people's hearts. Little kids that can sing earns, BLIND kids that can sing earns double! And mind you, not necessarily from birth...

As the saying goes "Learning is a lifelong experience". Every success and failures, every sweet and bitter moments, every twists and turns in life are lessons waiting to be taught. And we can only come out stronger and wiser :)

So what else did I learn?

Don't drink mineral waters even from seemingly high-end restaurants! And always have a pair of the oldest, most worn-off shoes with you just in case you ever need to go to places of interest where you need to take off your shoes :P


My Rating:

P/S: On another note, being a film set in India, Slumdog Millionaire also ended with a scene typical in Indian movies - big group of crowds coming together to dance ala bollywood style lol.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Change

Change is coming - big time.

Monday, February 09, 2009

ReC!Pe: Omelettes

Omelettes

Bak kua OmeletteSmoked Salmon Omelette

Omelettes are tasty and super easy to make, be it a simple omelette or combined with other ingredients. Also they can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even supper; whenever you just want to whip up something quick yet yummy.

I usually have them for brunch with grilled pineapples, capsicums and toasted bread to go with :)

What You Need:
1-2 eggs per omelette
Salt and pepper
A knob of butter or a tablespoon of olive oil
Grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Suggested ingredients that can be added to your omelette:
Smoked salmon
Bacon crisps
Mushrooms
Or for the cny mood, bak kua can be used as well ;)

What To Do:

  1. Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Beat well with a fork.

  2. Depending on the ingredient used, fry them in a hot non-stick frying pan with a tiny drizzle of olive oil/butter for a few minutes. Skip this step if just making simple omelette.

  3. Turn the heat down, add you eggs and move the pan around to spread them out evenly.

  4. When the omelette begins to cook and firm up, sprinkle over the cheese.

  5. Using a spatula, ease around the edges of the omelette and fold it in half.

  6. When it starst to turn golden brown, remove from heat and slide omelette onto a plate.

Time to dig in! ^_^

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Pai Ti Kong

The corner lot neighbour one floor below just set off a long string of firecrackers. The temple nearby has at least a dozen strings of firecrackers going off almost at once. All around fireworks light up the dark skies. Cracklings, boomings and hissings are the music of the night.


Fireworks going off

- View from home @ 090203 ~0000

(Ok, time to go to bed..ciao)

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Fortune

This year's fortune cookies taste good. Crispy with an orangey flavor. And the fortune reading looks good too :P


Fortune cookie

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!

GONG XI FA CAI