Movie Reviews

Contains spoilers.

Some movies I watched recently:

1) The Expendables 3

IMDb gave it a 6.3/10 rating. Yeah I kinda agree on that. It was okay. Some scenes were meant to be funny but turned out pretty meh. A lot of fighting and action scenes as usual. New team this time but they got captured so typically the old team came back. Plus one super annoying guy who talks too much - don't know what his role was in the movie except to annoy the hell out of everybody. Jet Li's cameo role was just that. Thought he would kick some asses cos that's his specialty isn't it? But he just did some shooting scenes. 

2) Lucy

IMDb gave it a 6.6/10 rating. I disagree. I give it a 5/10 and only because Scarlett Johansson's hot. Cs says the movie is like listening to a science lesson. Hahah a lot of explaining. I feel they wasted a lot of time in the end with those travelling through time space, showing the dinosaurs etc. Honestly, the trailer looked better than the movie. There were a lot of things throughout the movie that could be better explained like, why those Korean gangsters are so powerful and can shoot outright at the end? And the ending sucks la. So she died but she built a supercomputer beforehand (those black gore yuck) and the speech "I am Everywhere" wtf. After the movie ended, I see a lot of people standing up immediately. Unlike some movies, people stay in their seats anticipating the after credits. Guess that shows I'm not the only one who thinks it sucks. Ok maybe I give it a 4/10. 

3) Guardians of the Galaxy

IMDb gave it a 8.6/10 rating. Ok I agree with this rating. It was surprisingly good. I like Chris Patt's performance, Groot and even the raccoon. Even though after the movie, everyone kept imitating Groot saying, "I am Groot and We are Groot". Lol. I like his playlist btw (the songs). Oldies but good stuff. :D

4) Hercules

IMDb gave it a 6.5/10. I give it a 4/10. I was so disappointed with this. I didn't want to watch the movie initially cos I didn't like Dwayne Johnson as Hercules simply cos he's too famous as the Rock or in Fast and Furious. I would prefer a less famous actor to act as Hercules. Secondly, it was disappointing because I thought the movie would focus more on his famous accomplishments, those labors but mehh it was glossed over. Overall plot was mehh. Don't like it. Disappointed.  

5) The Other Woman

IMDb gave it a 6.1/10 rating. I give it a 5/10. It was ok la. Typical movie. Guy cheats on wife and girlfriend. So three of them meet up and plot a revenge. But ahh..if I was Leslie Mann's husband I would get sick of her too. Why do they make her sound so irritating? Girl movie la. Not for men. Cs watching it halfway in between Clash of Clans: (yawning) not finished yet? (yawn some more). Kinda boring. 

The Big 3-0

When I was 18 (turning adult), I thought 30 was so far away. I envisioned 30 year old's with stable jobs, kids and you know, just mature people who have got it all together.

Now that I'm 30, I realize that adults are sort of whinging it too. Yes, my life is more put together than it was 10 years ago. At least I have my life goals and people I love and live for, but I'm also still clueless to an extent. Do I want to work for this company 5 to 10 years down the line? No. Do I want more kids? I don't know. Will I be a good parent? I hope so.

One thing I realize now though is, we should really start taking care of our health. Its never too early to start and we take too many things for granted. High blood pressure? Mehh. There's medication for that. High sugar levels? I'll cut down the carbonated drinks for a while. Blood test every year? Whatever for? I'm only 30! Work out? I'll start next week. I'm just too tired today. But its this kind of mindset that will cause us to regret it in our 50's.

Actually even now, I see some people (acquaintances) with health problems already. If we're not careful, we'll be battling diseases for the rest of our lives. But on the flip side, I also believe in fate. Some people have it, some people don't. Some people can eat healthy food, work out, don't smoke or drink, and yep still lung cancer and die. Sorry I'm so morbid when I'm not supposed to be on this post eh.

Turning 30, I feel settled, contented and more at peace with life now. I am more grateful for simple everyday things like spending time with my family and Cs. We have a house together,  we are expecting a baby together, we have the basic necessities of life, and it seems enough.

 Of course I want more money, to travel more and yes, buy myself a ridiculously priced hand bag, but materialistic stuff aside, turning 30 ain't too bad at all.

The twenties seem to be about enjoying life to the fullest, taking risks and having fun. But as I reached my late twenties, I find myself going out less, or if I do go out, we choose quieter place to drink and talk. Our topics of conversations among friends have changed. In the pubs, we are the ancient ones now. Its true: our stories start with: last time, when I was in college or high school and with a start you realize holy shit, was that 10 years ago?!!

I read on Business Insider about this 30 experiences you should have before turning 30. I'll post some of mine here:

1) Run a half marathon. 

Oops.. first on the list and I didn't do this. Actually, I never wanted to join. I don't like running. In Kuching, running marathons seem to have become popular only these recent years. Or maybe I just noticed only because more people are posting it on FB.

But its not too late to try. I can still do this in my thirties. Color run marathon looks so fun. This, I would be willing to try. Saw that there was just one recently in KL. Way cooler compared to Kuching marathon.

2) Travel somewhere exotic

Define exotic please. Exotic makes me think of beach destinations like Maldives or Santorini, both of which are on my to-go list. But for now, Stavanger, Norway seems exotic enough. Look at those houses. Gorgeous!

3) Buy tickets to a music festival

This was a very impromptu festival. Not a major one but still hundreds of people dancing and singing, with lots of booze and carnival games, so I guess it counts? One of the perks of living in London then. Woke up one day and housemates go: Amy, lets go party! Me: OK. Anything also on back then. The freedom of youth. Hahaha. 

4) Go skinny dipping

The outdoor bath at Hakone.

Does this count? I stripped off nude a few times to go for a hot spring bath with other Japanese strangers. But nude beach seems more open somehow. Don't know how is that different. Both nude also.

5) Splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime meal at one of the world's best restaurants

Don't think I have ever dined at any Michelin star restaurants or even Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsay's restaurants before. Fail. Quite kiamsiap eh. Its just that the portions always look teeny and I don't think I'll be full too. My more expensive meals always seem to be treated by family/relatives. Lucky me.

My most recent extravagant looking meal was probably this:

Its not just the food per se. It was the presentation and overall effort they put into serving you. It took 2 waiters several trips from the kitchen to serve this on our table. And no wonder why. Look how huge and heavy that thing is. And this is just ONE dish. This was at a glass house restaurant (the name in mandarin literally) in Taiwan. Don't know how to go there. Have to ask le cousin. Apparently she made the booking a few months in advance! 

6) Cook a huge meal and throw a dinner party for friends

Done this many times actually when we were still staying in MJC. Pool party always. I contribute one or two dishes and the others bring extra food and drinks. 

7) Test drive your dream car

I don't have a dream car. I frequently mix up car name/brands, much to Cs' frustration. Next.

8) Grab the microphone and perform at a karaoke bar

Done. Winnie and I went through a phase at Planet. Our favorite songs to sing included: moves like jagger from Maroon 5, If I die young, among others. We sound horrible yeah..but the good news is nobody can tell our voices apart heheh. Plus we throw in our fancy dance moves for good measure. To cover up the fact that our voices suck. Hahha.

9) Stay up all night partying in a big city like Los Angeles, Tokyo or London.

Done. Stayed up all night partying is what every uni student did especially after exams. There was a period of time where I did this every weekend. Think it was mid year, no exams what. Party. Not to future parents: don't send your kids to big cities to study. Too many distractions. Send your kids to Sunderland - boring small town with nothing hahah sorry but its the truth. Terrorists don't bomb Sunderland too. They target London. My logic works.

10) Watch a meteor shower

Nope but not for lack of trying. I tried many times. One of my efforts documented here. 

11) Go bunjee jumping or skydiving (anything that involves adrenaline)

Rollercoaster is adrenaline enough for me thanks. Lousy photo oh well.

I would try skydiving if I'm strapped to a hunky professional but I wouldn't jump out of the plane myself. Bungee jumping - nahh not interested.

Para sailing counted or not? Actually no adrenaline involved..just dizziness as an after effect. Heheh.

12) Throw yourself a huge birthday party

Done. I'm very beh siao li one. I did this at home and in the clubs.

This is one of the more special looking cakes. Don't know why they got me that. And yes, making a wish to a big cock is weird. Think that was the year I turned 25?

I blogged about my 26th birthday party at home and 24th birthday here.

13) Climb a mountain (it doesn't have to be Mt Everest)

Mount Singai counted or not? So nice even had the exact date and time we were there. This was quite an impromptu trip up there as well. Melissa and I both wore long jeans! Idiots. The guys all had shorts on.

Btw, that's Cs in the middle. He was so thin back then. Good job mi for fattening him up so far.

14) Learn to bartend

Well, I drink so much that I should know how to mix certain drinks already. Plus we have more than enough experience pouring drinks during CNY for dad and his friends. :)

15) Go scuba diving or at least try snorkeling

Went snorkeling at Pulau Sapi, KK. It was not bad. I would like to try scuba diving one day though.

16) Travel somewhere all by yourself

I went to Belgium all by myself to visit an ex-bf but he had no idea I was coming. All I had was an address and I spent most days wandering about all by myself too while he was at work. 

It was an experience all right. Quite daunting the minute I arrived at the station. Didn't even know if I arrived in Leueven or not cos the announcements and signs were all in French or Dutch.

17) Eat something that makes you squirm (bug etc)

Winnie and I having frogs and grasshoppers. The frogs definitely taste better. Less prickly bits. We bought these from a street cart in Bangkok after a night out. Supper in the hotel room. No, it wasn't gross at all. Maybe being tipsy helped. :)

18) Learn to speak a new language

I took Japanese classes for a while in Kuching after living with some Japanese people for a few months. I have always been fascinated with Japan - their culture, food and lifestyle. Living with them only affirmed that one day I would go to Japan! Sooner or later, I'm going. 

They taught me some Japanese words, phrases and card games. I came back to Kuching and decided to attend classes myself. Quit after a couple of months though (shame) because I went back to London for my Masters.

19) Spend a night camping under the stars

The first and last time I went camping was back in Primary 6. It was a school activity. 3 days 2 nights, if I'm not mistaken. One night in a cabin and one night in the tents. It was fun back then cos we were still kids. I wouldn't do it again - the cooking, the showering, toilet, insects part. Nope. 

Real life camping doesn't look as good as this.

20) Join an intramural sports team, even if you're not an athlete

Had to google intramural. Seems like its popular in the U.S. and Canada only sooo..next.

21) Splurge on an item you technically can't afford but will last for years

Like a house? Hahahha good investment what and far more realistic than an expensive bag. OK la I know what you mean. But if I have the money, I always spend it on a vacation first, house stuff, and then others (phone, ipad, clothes), in that order. 

22) Sign up to be a mentor, or spend some time volunteering (Guilty. Didn't do this.)

23) Go whitewater rafting

24) Apply for your dream job, there's no better time to try

25) Take a cross-country road trip (Cross country bus trip counted? London to Newcastle and back..did it countless times).

26) Attend a major sports event, whether its World Cup, Superbowl or World Series

27) Sign up for a summer share at a beach house, ski house or lake house (Not really popular here. In Kuching, we just go to Damai or Sematan).

28) Take a class that's totally out of your element, like golf or pottery making (No thanks.)

29) Get lost in a foreign country. Sometimes that's the best part of the trip. (Got lost in Tokyo underground - the roads are all connected. It was late at nigh and yet still soo crowded. Cs found it funny but I was so tired of walking in rounds by then that I was quite irritated). But it was an experience all right. 

30) Unplug for a full day or week (You mean laze around? Easy.)

OK. That's the whole list of 30 experiences you should supposedly experience.

What do you think? Seems like the twenties are the time to let go, try new things, live and see the world. I think I'll go google for experiences before you turn 40 first. 

This post is turning out way too long. Abrupt end.

Birthday stories

On the morning of, I redeemed my free tiramisu frappucino bright and early! It was only available for Wed, 13 Aug, which was coincidentally my birthday. Sore throat? What sore throat? :P

Convinced other August babies to redeem their free Starbucks drink that day too. 

This espresso cake is here because it serves as a reminder for myself. Never order this again. Well, actually Cs did. It tasted so strong of coffee - quite bitter. Kept baby girl awake and super active for hours. NEVER AGAIN!! My stomach felt so bruised and abused that day.

This might serve as a reminder to myself also: cut down caffeine intake while breastfeeding, cos apparently caffeine keeps her awake. Boo. Thought she would take after her daddy or grandpa, where coffee has no effect on them whatsoever. 

Was clearing out old boxes and found these!! Still new. Since we're waiting for the new house to be completed, I kept most of my stuff away in storage. New magnets from Japan, Taiwan and some countries in Europe courtesy of mom and Winnie. 

Le bff told me she got me some U.K. ones but lost them somehow. Hahaha..its ok. Its the thought that counts. Thank you anyway.

What a room at Four Points looks like. My first time here too. Pleasantly surprised that it was quite roomy, especially the toilet. The bed and pillows were so comfy..the type that you can sink into.

But I think they were cutting costs in some ways: no shaving kit, no shower cap, no hair dryer, no hand or face towels, and no extra toilet paper (to mention a few - have to call and request). 

All dressed up to go for birthday dinner NOT. Hahaha brought my makeup along but forgot to bring makeup remover. Sa gua jiu shi wo (who knows that song?).

I'm getting a bad case of baby brain these days. Its definitely more noticeable these days. I would give examples except I have forgotten them. =.=

See no touch. Boo. Flu so didn't dare risk it. Aih had to force myself to leave out my swimsuit so I wouldn't be tempted. Actually I wasn't really tempted to bare my prego body in my bikini. Not that confident cos the pool was just beside the restaurant. You actually have to walk inside the restaurant and use that door to go to the pool. Mehh.

We went to Bella Italia for dinner. Lasagna ftw! 

My birthday cake this year with the family at home..

It was okay. Cherries on top not nice. As I was making a wish, mom and dad were walking behind me saying stuff like: chubby, fat baby; or cute, chubby baby etc.

Fancy smancy filter to make this photo look cool. Its the only photo I OK-ed cos its of my back. From the front, I had too many things to complain about. Take again - face too fat. Take again - eyes too small etc etc. :D Heheh sorry sorry bear with me.

This photo was from 32 weeks prego sometime last month. Oh wait, I think it was one month ago on dad's birthday.

Finally using Cherrie as my phone case. Too bad she doesn't look this this now. Mom trimmed off a lot of Cherrie's hair and baby girl lost weight too. Don't know if she's pining for Eli or not, or mom is just doing a bad job of feeding Cherrie.

On the bright side, its so much easier to carry Cherrie now. Not as heavy or as round. But still cute. 

Thank you baby for my birthday treat and for spoiling me rotten. Thank you for everything that you do. :)

I want to write a proper post about turning 30. I'll do it in a new post as this is turning out longer than I expected. Ta.

36 weeks - can't wait to pop!

 I'll be 37 weeks pregnant in 2 days. That's full term. Or as my in-law's call it: baby's almost fully cooked by now - (in Teochew). Guess that's why they call it bun in the oven eh.

How am I feeling?

Large. Heavy. Slow. Tight. Full.

Five words off the top of my head.

As I'm sitting on my supposedly nursing chair typing this, staring down at my bump, I feel huge. OK maybe I should elaborate more on other things. I know I love her. Let's hope its a her, not a he. (Referring to mom and relatives confusing me here.) But I never expected pregnancy to feel like this. 

Just now as I was struggling to get up from the bed, I gave up and slumped back down thinking: wow. So this is how being pregnant feels like. 

My boobs are resting on my stomach, my stomach is resting on my thighs (when I sit). Its weird. Cs was touching my ribs this morning and going: wow baby girl's foot. 

Me: you idiot! That's my rib cage/bone la!

Hahahha I don't blame him la cos she always has a foot lodged in there and coincidentally I was rubbing my side in pain, so he thought it was her foot. 

Moving on.

Right now, I am actually quite sick. Boo cos its birthday week. I had sore throat since the past weekend, and went to the doctor on Monday, who gave me lozenges only. But after meeting him (I don't know if its being in the hospital surrounded by germs and bacteria or what), I got worse. Flu, cough and more sore throat. 

So after runny nose, sneezing hundreds of times a day, and tearing eyes, I went back to the doctor again today, who gave me some flu pills. Good news - no teary eyes for now. Nose is still runny but better. Slight headache but its an improvement all right. Bad timing is all.

In all honesty, I can't wait to meet her. So damn impatient. But whenever I say that, people say: whoa..chill.. enjoy your pregnancy now while it lasts. Enjoy your freedom. 

This baffles me. Is it wrong for me to want to meet my daughter already?

Enjoy your pregnancy - pfft. Which part am I supposed to enjoy? The constipation or the vagina pains? Or the back pains, or the not being able to get out of bed part? Or the walking slow part or the looking like shit part? Glowing my ass. Don't let articles fool ya. 

So yeah. I can't wait to meet her and move on with the next chapter of my life.

I  just turned 30 yesterday but it felt very anti climatic. Duh. Of course lah. But meeting my daughter, giving birth, I can safely say that that's the next chapter of my life. 

I know people mean well and obviously have much more experience than me. But I feel like I'm wasting time now. Go out to dinner? Waste money. Better save it for the C-section. Buy clothes for myself? Cannot fit into anything. Buy clothes for after? Fingers crossed I can lose weight. Go watch movie? Can if I can endure all her movements non-stop for 1.5 hours straight. She doesn't like loud noises. But weirdly enough, she seems immune to her baby plus.

I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. Last time, she moved around a lot to Baby plus. Now, she seems to fall asleep every time I play it. Cs and I were joking around that to get her to sleep next time, just turn on the baby plus. Now its terbalik. Every time one hour is gone, I go: oh thank God. Finally! Hahha.

I guess this is sort of an update. Wish me luck for a smooth and easy delivery please.

Surprise birthday party and baby shower

Feel like I should update my blog but I'm so tired (read: lazy) these days. Just wanna laze around. Actually yea la..tired. Everywhere aching blabla what else is new?

Moving on.

My very sweet friends planned a surprise birthday party for me and Charisa (one day apart) and a baby shower for me.

I just hope my baby will like reading too. I don't think there's any way to force kids to read if they don't naturally like it, is there?

Winnie and I both love reading and books but Kev only reads ermm...game manuals maybe? Or anything with pictures like Archie comics. The only book he finished was probably the FHM confession sex stories book that Winnie bought. Actually we all did. :)

That's Charisa. We used to work together but she left the office already boo. 

It was supposed to be a potluck dinner for us to sample Nancy's home cooked meal. Hahah she just got a new oven so Mary and I were sorta pestering to try her food. She made pasta bake and it was awesome btw. 

But they had a surprise up their sleeve. Sneaky sneaky planned this instead.

The theme was pink. Pretty in Pink Party. Mine reads mom to be.

None of us had any clue what a "baby shower" actually involves so I just received gifts hahah so buay paiseh. Probably supposed to play some games but we just sat around chatting, gossiping and eating way too much food that night. Still good fun.

Mary even baked pink cupcakes. According to Kev, they're the most delicious cupcakes he's ever had. High praise indeed. 

Moving on.

The once a year Kuching Festival has arrived! This year, I think one of the main attraction has to be the flower pot ice-cream.

Yep its edible and its ice-cream. I didn't get a proper photo - its in Cs' phone. But it looks like that minus the huge flower (not edible). I had vanilla flavor. The soil was mostly oreo bits and erm another flavor which I didn't know.

Its nice to go for a walk around this area in the evening. There's normally a band or some old folks singing karaoke. Also a lot of smoke from those satay stalls or I don't know what else. But still worth a trip. Oh ya this year, there seems to be a lot of fried food i.e. fried oreos and fried mars bars. Didn't try cos it didn't look tempting. Not evenly fried dough. So yea. But still worth a trip. Once a year ma.

In Dec, when I found out I was prego, I thought that Aug (my birthday month) seemed so long to go. I envisioned myself heavily pregnant going to Kch fest and celebrating my own birthday.

Can't believe the day is here already. Where has the past 9 months gone?? I have brought my big tummy to Kch fest already, tried to hold in my pee while there, ignore my back pains, sweated like a pig, and tapau-ed lots of food back.

My birthday is next week actually. Eek. Damn happy!! 

Took this photo ermm last week I think or last 2 weeks.

I'm gaining weight really fast in the last trimester. Baby's growing really fast too. Just 2 days back I put on the same yellow top and was surprised at how tight it was. Weird. Didn't I just wear it last week?!

Some random prego updates:

I think my baby is a light sleeper like me. Oh nooo. Whenever we go to the movies, she wriggles around non-stop for 2 hours as if telling me: too loud, too loud! I'm trying to sleep here mommy. Repeat: oh nooo. Cs snores!! How?!!

OR she actually really likes the loud sounds/music. Quite unlikely but there's still hope.

When I play music on my ipad/phone, she wriggles around too. But those times, I like to think she's dancing in there. She's got the moves like jagger.

Change topic again. Over Raya break, we went over to my aunt's place. You know how some people like to guess if its a boy or girl. My aunt and grandma both said (quite confidently): its a boy! Must be boy!!

My mom actually believed them and turned to me and said: why your doctor like that one? Tell you wrong gender!

Me (spluttering in disbelief): why cannot be you all are wrong ler??! (My inglish so perfect). Directly translated from mandarin.

In hindsight I sounded rude but luckily aunt found it funny phew.

Made me worried only. I bought all pink stuff ok!! So at the last scan, I asked doc again: she's a girl right? Doc (checks): yep confirmed girl. Nothing between her legs. Phew.

To quote Kevin: you sure its a girl? Maybe last time when scan still small, but now the dick grew out already. 

Me: Dumbass.

That's my brother for you. He still says my tummy is small every other day. Just yesterday he went: your belly is so small!

Me: Stop comparing to your own stomach!

Kev: I mean other pregnant women!

Damn regret not snapping something even more bitchy back.

***

My bump is useful hahaha. Cs took this photo of me balancing my Starbucks cup. Too much effort to put it back on the table so I stuck it on my bump.

Oh nothing. Just another chocolate cheesecake. Quite thankful that my body can digest all the sweet food I'm having. Phew.

And this is le husband being silly. I came out of the shower to find him laughing to himself. Idiot. Hahaa. The one on his chest is a wall light we bought to stick onto the wall. The one on his wrist is a flashlight which he tied on using my rubber bands.

OK abrupt end. Update next time.