A break

To take a break, it's to ensure that one can walk even further.
When things around get you down, it will be good if you can take a backseat, observe your surroundings, get detached, and take a momentary break.
Not because you concede defeat, but it's because you know this break will help you to prepare yourself for more down the road and be more determined to cross every obstacle.

Afterall, the light at the end of the tunnel
is the light from an oncoming train.
=)

Sometimes, being the jaded and pessimist me, this is the best I can think to push myself.
And yes, I need a break. A Europe trip to be exact. =)

Been speaking to a few friends about this graduation trip recently, and decided to suss out the alternatives of travelling cheap and easy to Europe.
Here's my 2 cent worth on back packing cheaply. Literally, since my ideas are fuss-free and inexpensive.

1. Accomodation

Because most of the time will be spent travelling, it will be more practical and realistic to stay in a cheap hostel, instead of a hotel. For obvious economic reasons, the accomodation place will probably be used in the night. And contrary to beliefs, most hostels are really quite comfortable.

To book your hostels, these are the following reliable sites:

a. www.hostelworld.com

Personally, having booked hostels numerous times from this site, it has never failed me and has a good feedback system you can check out before booking. With a STA student card, you can also save the $2 booking fee each time you book. It's quite a good website and I rely on it quite a lot. In terms of the booking, the practice is to pay around 10% downpayment online first, and you pay the rest after you check in at the hostel itself.

For example, my personal experience with St. Athans Guesthouse in London has left me with good memories. As advertised in www.hostelworld.com, it made us feel very welcome with a very filling and generous English breakfast. The place was a little dilapidated, but it was in a good location. It has sure motivated us to return.


b. www.hostelbookers.com
Having not used this personally myself, the feedback from my friend was that the website is just as user-friendly as Hostel World. Will probably use it myself the next time.

c. www.couchsurfing.com
My friend introduced me to this website which apparently allows you to have intercultural exchanges with people all over the world by bunking with them. Sounds too good to be true? Maybe. But I believe in the goodwill of travellers - the guideline is to give back to your hosts who allow you to well, couchsurf. For example by doing the dishes, share a special skill. It's really an intriguing idea to me, and I am just waiting to try it out.

That's at least what I can offer so far about accomodation. =) Hope that I have more to share in days to come.

2. Travelling

If you're like me, planning a cheap backpacking trip and saving time desperately as I only have approximately 3 weeks to cover the exotic places in Europe, I am looking for a time-saving travelling method. Sure, there are so many ways but I will only cover certain aspects for now such as buses and planes as the others such as rail transport is a little more complicated and I do not have the material with me now.

a. Buses are a wonderful and cheap way, albeit sometimes uncomfortable. But what's a poor traveller to do, except to make do with the inexpensive but practical way. One good example will be www.megabus.com. Megabus apparently now runs in US too.

Why Megabus? Because it is cheap. The price to travel from Newcastle to London can be 1 pound (SGD 3 dollars) IF you book early. If not, it can be more but if you plan in advance, you can really save quite a fortune. It also goes to Edinburgh. The trip from Newcastle to London is approximately 6 hours and sometimes, the seats can get a little uncomfortable. Just a cautionary word: some bus passengers can be rather inconsiderate by taking up 2 seats, and you end up sitting on a cramped seat. One bus ticket also limits you to one hand carry, for those who have heavy luggages, and thus, it can be quite problematic. But generally, cheap and reliable.

b. Airplanes

Airplanes can help save time if you want to be ambitious and carry out the exploring of as many cities as possible. Sure, it's no fun jetting to one place to another, not being able to stay and really tour the place. But budget airlines can be rather time-saving.

www.easyjet.com

Generally, I enjoy my travels with them as the airline crew are very friendly, and professional. I feel more at ease with them honestly, than Ryanair and my travels with EasyJet have so far been good. The only memorably unhappy time was when I was stuck in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport - my flight was supposed to be at 9pm but because the flight was delayed due to a person in cast was flying and was having difficulties, I only flew at 12 amand reached Newcastle at 1.30am, hungry, tired and very grumpy as I had to edit my essays due next day 9am. It was a shocker for me, but I decided against complaining as they were really professional and apologized for the delay. This shows how important service and damage control are.

www.ryanair.com

Personally, I do not really like Ryanair. I have met several cabin crew who were rude and rowdy, but I give it to them that they pride themselves on being the most punctual budget airline. But mostly, I felt that the seats were uncomfortable. But Ryanair wins forhaving cheap tickets, very important for poor travellers like me. Sometimes, if you book early enough, you can get flights at 0 Euros, exclusive of airport tax. So a trip from Paris to Barcelona cost me about 80 singapore dollars (40 Euros). Quite a good deal, if you consider that the trips are fast and well, cheap, though sometimes uncomfortable.

Another very helpful website if you are planning your flight itinerary will be www.whichbudget.com - this allows you to check out most of the time the cheapest flights and it is highly reliable. Very useful and fuss-free. Saves you the trouble of going though different airline companies to check if they offer flights to specific destinations.

I guess that's all for now. Typing all these is very therapeutic. =)

Nightmares

While I could bore you to tears by rambling about how unlucky I've been recently, I decided to spare myself the pain of reliving the nightmares and remember to stay positive in these times of gloom.

I just hope that my dearest ones around me and their families and friends are safe and sound. Please take care, my dear friend.

Accident

Un accident, toi et moi.

Il pleut dans le ciel

vous, n'arretez pas!

mais trop tard -

je pense.


ce moment,

j'ai fermé mes yeux, nos cœurs se sont rencontrés, le temp s'est passé... et j'ai oublié.

nous sommes blessés, mais c'est pas grave.

Un accident, toi et moi.

In the mood for travelling

Been contemplating if I should embark on a graduation trip to Europe. With obvious obstacles such as the lack of money, it's been bugging me quite a lot. I guess I just have to save up and decide after that. Undeniably, it is good to have a motivation to look forward to. May, the month of wonderful possibilities: graduation with a second upper, travelling in europe, a challenging job and my birthday.

My 23rd birthday. Well, not very enthusiastic to look forward to because I am growing too old, way too fast. I was just complaining to Loon the other day that when I was seventeen, I always wanted to be twenty. And once you are twenty, time flies and there's no end to that. You just keep growing very old. 20, 21, 22, 23... and it just goes on. It gets depressing sometimes. 23. I can't believe I've stayed so long on this earth. And sometimes, I really wonder what I have truly achieved. Not in terms of solid achievements, but personal ones.

When I was 21, I told myself that I must accomplish certain stuff in the entire year I turned 21. And I guess I did. I got my driving license, after 3 attempts no less (!!), dug out my guts to apply for exchange in Europe, took up Jazz Dance and Guitar classes.

After 21, I feel empty somehow. I have no idea why. It is funny how you meet your secondary friends and you exclaim that you have known the person for a good whole 10 years. And then you count. And you realise, yes, indeed, you are THAT old.

Back to travelling in Europe. These are the places I truly want to visit, before I die, or possibly for my Graduation trip. Someone give me strength to conquer all my tuition assignments and save incessantly.

1. Northern Lights (Scandinavian countries)



What can I say? Transcient, breath taking, gorgeous. I remembered reading that they can be found once a year, in places like Sweden and Iceland. I would totally love to stand underneath those azure skies, soak in the beauty and remember it for the rest of my life.

2. Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)



This stunning tower amazes me always. Even though I have stood underneath this gigantic monument both in the day and night, I will never cease wanting to visit this French national monument. In the night, it aptly appropriates the title "City of Lights" to Paris. A perfect spot for lovers, yet an individual will never feel lonely in the midst of these shimmering stars. The queue to go up to the highest point can be a bit frustrating and expensive, but I would highly recommend it.




You can always get a kick out of finding Singapore in the viewing tower and knowing that you are really, really far away =)

3. Neuswanstein Castle (Munich, Germany)



Too beautiful that it looks almost unreal. A real castle once habited by King Ludwig, the view of the Disney castle from Marion bridge is awesome. Not for those afraid of heights as you are suspended high above the ground and you can see the sea below. But worth the challenge. I know because I was trying not to cringe as I shot the above picture. The inner decorations of the castle is a disappointment as opposed to the outer façade but it is a must visit! Especially beautiful when travelling in the winter as the mountains are snow-capped and it looks all too ravishing. However, be careful of the shoes you wear. I know because me and Loon almost slipped to our deaths as the paths were icy and slippery and we almost disappeared from the face of the earth.

4. Berlin Wall (Berlin, Germany)


My fascination with European history demanded me to visit the remnants of the wall. There were actually different locations of the Berlin wall, cutting across East and West Berlin. This array is the artists' constructions on the wall - one can often spot cries for peace on this whole stretch of wall. It is so beautiful that you can just stand there in utter amazement.


This is a very interesting slab of wall where you can see many many people writing on their birth years. Finding whatever pen we had, of course we left our marks.

The other sections of the wall is rather old and destroyed, and I guess it is a more vivid and true depiction of how the Wall separated the Germans in the Cold War. A must visit. I would also recommend the Free Walking Tour in Berlin which I went for two times. They meet at the Starbucks in the morning, near the Brandenburg Gate. Very informational. A historical tour that you experience with your eyes. A must go for history buffs.


5. The Colosseum (Rome, Italy)

Colosseum by day



Colosseum by night

All roads lead to Rome. I guess that is true. A trip to Europe must encompass a visit to this beautiful monument. I would recommend a visit to this place in the night as the lights which light up this gargantuan landmark are truly magnificent. A pity we did not manage to enter this place as it was midnight by the time we reached there. A must-go for us again!

6. Venice, Italy

Who can forget this beautiful place after just a mere visit? Not me. The canals are quite an awesome sight, and a boat ride through the Grand Canals is very delightful. The views are simply indescribable. Caution about the gondola rides though - they may seem romantic but they can hurt quite a lot in the pocket. I remember the prices range about 60 Euros. I skipped it because I prefer the good old boat rides. Oh well, you can pretend you are on the gondola while on the boat travelling through the Grand Canals. =)







According to what we read, they are building a fourth bridge for Venice. The bridges are individually beautiful and unique. I remember that I was busy taking pictures in the cold.


The splendid Venetian costumes. For keepsakes, I purchased a small little Venetian mask. And their Murano glass ornaments are simply cute!



I have a weakness for these jewellery, especially those which are very unique. I had to be dragged away by Loon before I spend my entire fortune in those shops. I bought a few goldfish ball ornaments which I do not bear to wear yet. However, beware of some shops which may be selling non-genuine Murano glass goods. It is common to see fake goods being peddled around, especially outside the branded stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton. The peddlars can be seen peddling their wares such as bags, belts and shades blatantly outside these shops. Quite an amusing sight.




St Mark's Square, Venice. Very romantic, and quaint. Excellent for an euro-centric person like me.

7. Athens, Greece


One of the world's oldest cities - how to resist? I have not been there personally, but I would sure love to experience one of the oldest remnants of civilisations.

The Olympics Stadium in Athens.

8. St Charles Bridge (Prague, Czech Republic)

Misty and mysterious. You almost cannot believe your sights. This bridge is my favourite. By the side, artists display their work and it is very tempting to stop by every stall.


This is no exaggeration of how the sights look like. It is that charming. An eastern europe tourist spot, St Charles Bridge has the perfect mise-en-scene for great photographs and makes you never want to leave.


After writing all these, it makes me realise that I have visited some of these places and want to go there again. A very boring person maybe, but it speaks a lot about the captivating sights they behold. =)

Aliens vs Predator 2

For those who have caught the prequel AVP, this film is the exact reason why sequels are never worth your time. Watched it at Tampines Mall yesterday, and the only redeeming factor of the film is the fascinating cinematic effects. Other than that, I feel for my poor pocket.


AVP 2 is a confusing, erratic combination of poorly scripted plot, a myriad of characters and weak directions which leaves you wondering why you bothered paying money for the film. To start off with, the human characters are there for no sure reason.





You wonder whether they are there for the sex factor (with this cleavage revealing babe) or just to be killed off. The fight scenes are contrived, almost as if they are there to scare or gross you. No plot, no link, no thing. Nothing.




The only best part, and I emphasize this with only, is the aggressive sparring scenes between the Predator and Aliens. However, this is sadly interrupted with abrupt intrusions of human characters with no plot whatsoever.



And amusing enough, throughout the WHOLE entire film, there was only one Predator against innumerable Aliens. And you wonder why.

No wonder our friend joked that it was already stated explicitly in the film title that it was: AlienS vs Predator 2.

I guess what one of the critics mentioned abt AVP 2 is true: "The only winner in Aliens versus Predator 2? The one who avoids watching it."

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Harbouring a deep love for Europe's history, this show was a must-watch for me.

Having watched the prequel in my JC years, I was keen to find out how the sequel would turn out, fully aware that more often than not, sequels were not worth the time.

Cate Blanchett is reinstated in her role as Queen Elizabeth, and in all glory at that. I must say that the effects are overwhelmingly powerful in furiously driving the plot forward, and some scenes beautifully etched in my mind. The movie captured poignant moments of Elizabeth, as a benevolent ruler - melancholic but beautiful.



Seemingly manipulative and driven by absolute power, Elizabeth is anything but that as subtly and brilliantly portrayed. I feel her loneliness as the virgin queen, not able to be loved as a person other than her status as a queen. Overwhelmed by pressure to marry and marriage proposals, she did not succumb. Intermingled with themes of love, friendship and war, this movie weaves them prettily into a neat set of storyline.




The charming seaman came along, charmed her heart but left her heartbroken. Trust broken and faced with an impending attack from the Spanish, Elizabeth's temper rears its ugly head. Ironically, the manipulation of effects only made it easier to emphatize with her. She yearned to be free, contrary to how one would expect a monarch to behave.




I enjoyed the tremendous effort in recreating the scenes of the monarchy, despite detractors criticisms of how all the magnificent effects only served to veil the powerful acting. After all, an epic movie would only be an empty shell without them.


My favourite snapshot of the movie - the depiction of how small she was in the world.
Merely a chess piece in the infinity of politics.


With strokes of luck, the Spanish were defeated in a surprising turn of fate with Elizabeth proclaiming to her people that she would meet them in heaven or the battlefield of success.



A very rich piece of work I would recommend.

4 out of 5 stars.

I am Legend

Initially viewed with my keen suspicion as just another movie with the same forgettable recurring theme of the destruction of mankind, I am Legend took me by surprise by being anything but that. The mise-en-scene sets Will Smith in a destroyed world, delivering his monologues to himself or his dog.
The movie does not state the obvious: you sense how the loneliness drives him almost delirious when he starts setting up mannequins in the local DVD rental store and visits it daily. Not knowing when his day is the last, he starts his day with a routine to keep sane. His sudden burst of fury and insanity - we can understand and even sympathise with - as it signifies his lack of control over the chaotic situation. His pursuit of a cure, though fleetingly slim, says more than anything else.




Flirting with danger, Smith steals the limelight and commands the movie with his solo performance. The pace of the show is set almost perfectly until a twist wrings away all the respect I had for the movie. A pity as it would have earned quite a high rating if not for the ending which stands out like a sore thumb.



The explanations become contrived and confusing, leaving questions unanswered. The end is rightly touted as a sheer disappointment; other than that, a show worth watching.

3.5 out of 5 stars

The time of the year.

Scouting for jobs can be the most exhilarating time or the worst depressing time.
Exhilarating because you feel that you have so much lined up ahead for you but devastating when you realise you do not qualify for the jobs that you are eyeing for.
One life, live it.
That is the way I see it.
There are no definite full-stops for you to put an end to, and yet there are infinite choices ahead.
My dream job will be one that is endlessly challenging as I cannot sit still,
stimulating and allows me to travel alot.
I can only hope that I can achieve this crazy dream of mine of working in Europe one day.

On a brighter note, I am looking forward to graduating although it can be immensely intimidating for a small being like me in this infinite universe.
Sometimes, I really thirst for exploring this world, where maybe something beautiful ahead lies for me.
And I know I must fight for it.
The contemplative mood is hovering above me.

I truly wonder what is ahead for me.

Sometimes I forget what I wake up for.
And sometimes I forget the nightmares I have had.
And when the eyelids flutter open,
the stream of sunlight hearkens to me.
Like the beginning of the end,
it ironically ends and begins at the same time.
Like how a new year behaves too.

Sometimes I forget how I cried
and sometimes I forget how we shared laughters
And when my fingers caress those waxy papers
the smiles call back to me
Like the beginning of the end,
it has ended and started.
Like how we all do not know each other now.

Sometimes I forget how I lived
but sometimes I remember how I struggled
And when my tear streaked eyes get less misty
i wipe the pearls with a toothy grin
Like the beginning of the end
we embrace it nonetheless
Like how life has in store for us - millions of treasures.
=)

Une nouvelle annee

:)