Thursday, January 29, 2004
So Kimiko left today and I'm relieved. Please make sure my relationship with my future wife is better than that with her parents. (If I ever get married! :p)
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Koala Park, Macquarie University, Hinode Japanese Restaurant.
The other day when I was at Sarah's place before Moonlight Cinema, her mum commented that I had lost weight since she last saw me a month ago. It does seem like I have lost a fair bit of weight since I've come back from Japan. Others have mentioned the same thing to me. I know a lot of this has to do with living at home. Ironic since most people put on weight when they revert back to living with family members again. I feel a lack of control over things here, including, to a certain extent, how and what I eat. Really can't wait to live by myself again.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Lost in Translation with Kimiko and Lisa C. Good story but too drawn out. I fell asleep once or twice.
Bondi Beach. Still paradise for me even though it was very much overcast today.
Tasca (Portugese food) in Petersham. Not so good. They should have crossed off all the things they didn't have on the menu. Our waiter, the only waiter in the restaurant was clueless about the dishes and couldn't even take our order properly. Food was repulsively greasy. Their rissoles were oil-soaked sponges.
Bondi Beach. Still paradise for me even though it was very much overcast today.
Tasca (Portugese food) in Petersham. Not so good. They should have crossed off all the things they didn't have on the menu. Our waiter, the only waiter in the restaurant was clueless about the dishes and couldn't even take our order properly. Food was repulsively greasy. Their rissoles were oil-soaked sponges.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Happy Australia Day.
Picked Kimiko up from airport.
After yum cha lunch in Chatswood, went to city and acted as tour guide.
George Street, Rocks, (DFS, Info Centre), by Hyatt, view of Opera House, Harbour Bridge, pass Doyles, OPT, (saw Tommy Emmanuel) in front of MCA, Circular Quay, dinner with crappy service at Quay sthg. Opera House, Tarpaneium precinct, Botanic Gardens, along Macquarie Street, NSW Library, NSW Parliament House, Sydney Hospital, Sydney Mint, St Mary's Cathedral, Hyde Park, Centrepoint, Pitt Street Mall, Martin Place, QVB, Darling Harbour for Aussie Day fireworks display.
The display, even though not as spectacular as the ones from the Bridge on NYE, was quite creative. They had big speakers blasting out accompanying music to the show after the first 5 minutes, a white cylindrical shade starting to rise from the middle of the fireworks ship. It was like one of those long lantern lamps with the shades going from top to bottom.
Images were lit up onto the revolving cylinder. It started off colourful native animals like the platypus and the frilled-neck lizard. The Irish bit had typical Irish fiddle music go with fireworks darting out from the lower part of the ship along the water like dancing shuffle. It then had a Chinese bit with a dragon stretched across the screen to the sound of Chinese instruments and the fireworks that crackle and pop like firecrackers. By this point, I'm assuming it was a presentation of the history of the people of Australia and many groups of people from all around the world that make up this amazing country. After a few more different displays, they had one with the faces of children of different backgrounds holding little Aussie flags and that changed into one big Aussie flag. Advance Australia Fair came on but I was a little disappointed that so few people sang along.
After the show, I wanted to go by the Imax Theatre to show Kimiko the size of the place (she had never heard of IMAX). But we couldn't get anywhere close to it. People from both sides of the harbour were heading that way and the pedestrian jam was so bad that it was impossible to move. I've never seen anything like this. People just stood there. We just went the other way.
Picked Kimiko up from airport.
After yum cha lunch in Chatswood, went to city and acted as tour guide.
George Street, Rocks, (DFS, Info Centre), by Hyatt, view of Opera House, Harbour Bridge, pass Doyles, OPT, (saw Tommy Emmanuel) in front of MCA, Circular Quay, dinner with crappy service at Quay sthg. Opera House, Tarpaneium precinct, Botanic Gardens, along Macquarie Street, NSW Library, NSW Parliament House, Sydney Hospital, Sydney Mint, St Mary's Cathedral, Hyde Park, Centrepoint, Pitt Street Mall, Martin Place, QVB, Darling Harbour for Aussie Day fireworks display.
The display, even though not as spectacular as the ones from the Bridge on NYE, was quite creative. They had big speakers blasting out accompanying music to the show after the first 5 minutes, a white cylindrical shade starting to rise from the middle of the fireworks ship. It was like one of those long lantern lamps with the shades going from top to bottom.
Images were lit up onto the revolving cylinder. It started off colourful native animals like the platypus and the frilled-neck lizard. The Irish bit had typical Irish fiddle music go with fireworks darting out from the lower part of the ship along the water like dancing shuffle. It then had a Chinese bit with a dragon stretched across the screen to the sound of Chinese instruments and the fireworks that crackle and pop like firecrackers. By this point, I'm assuming it was a presentation of the history of the people of Australia and many groups of people from all around the world that make up this amazing country. After a few more different displays, they had one with the faces of children of different backgrounds holding little Aussie flags and that changed into one big Aussie flag. Advance Australia Fair came on but I was a little disappointed that so few people sang along.
After the show, I wanted to go by the Imax Theatre to show Kimiko the size of the place (she had never heard of IMAX). But we couldn't get anywhere close to it. People from both sides of the harbour were heading that way and the pedestrian jam was so bad that it was impossible to move. I've never seen anything like this. People just stood there. We just went the other way.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Third straight night of being cultural. Went to Moonlight Cinema at Centennial Park Ampitheatre.
Saw Italian Job. It was my second time so the suspense and surprises didn't happen that well.
Vodaphone users got this red gift box with goodies worth $45. It was like Christmas all over again. I can't imagine myself buying most of these things. For those of you who also don't shop at David Jones for your groceries, use this list for your next art gallery opening. Kurrajong Kitchen Lavosh, Rosenborg Danish Camembert (Denmark), Starburet Liverpate (Norway), Beigel Beigel Mega Sesame Sticks (Israel), Red Rock Deli Red Wine & Tuscan Herbs Potato Chips, Angela's Treats Chocolate Coated Peanuts, Superpop Movietime Popcorn, bottle opener, red Vodaphone scarf. Well, maybe not the last few for the opening.
Saw Italian Job. It was my second time so the suspense and surprises didn't happen that well.
Vodaphone users got this red gift box with goodies worth $45. It was like Christmas all over again. I can't imagine myself buying most of these things. For those of you who also don't shop at David Jones for your groceries, use this list for your next art gallery opening. Kurrajong Kitchen Lavosh, Rosenborg Danish Camembert (Denmark), Starburet Liverpate (Norway), Beigel Beigel Mega Sesame Sticks (Israel), Red Rock Deli Red Wine & Tuscan Herbs Potato Chips, Angela's Treats Chocolate Coated Peanuts, Superpop Movietime Popcorn, bottle opener, red Vodaphone scarf. Well, maybe not the last few for the opening.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
On my way to Symphony in the Domain, I saw Alan Cumming (Goldeneye's Boris Grishenko, X2's Nightcrawler) filming for Mask 2 at Martin Place.
It was my first time to see Symphony in the Domain after missing the jazz one last week. Yuichi & Shizuka from the CELTA course had invited me along. They are such a cute couple. I had bought some chicken and bread rolls from Woolies and Yuichi had cooked some potato bits, spiniach and bacon, buttered corn and some single servings bottled sweet wine. He's the cook between the two of them.
The Sydney Symphony was conducted by Antonino Fogliani with special guest violinist Nicole Vasilakis. She was incredible! And to see those fingers move. There was rain during intermission (how timely). Then they did the Nutcracker Suite. So many familiar tunes and still it's my first time to hear it as a complete work. The finale was the Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, with canons going off and fireworks off some building top.
The first time I came to know about the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was during my time at UCLA. I've been in the University Chorus for about 2 terms and found out SSO was touring the US as part of the celebration performance leading up to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. They were to perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony with UCLA Chorale at Royce Hall and I knew I had to get into Chorale that term. Chorale had better singers and after having been in Chorus, I knew the kinda thing they were looking for. I also knew that I just don't have that extra something to be a sure in for Chorale. At the audition with Donald Neuen, I wrote on my form that I really wanted to get into Chorale and he told me that I was good enough but if there were enough people better than me that I won't make it. It was so cool when found out that I made it in.
The performance a few months later sucked a little actually. It's never easy training under one conductor for months and then have another go through it once before the actual performance. (It was the same when I did, funnily enough, the Beethoven 9th in Japan a few years back. We had one practice conductor and then we had to perform under 2 different conductors in 2 different cities.) Anyway, after the performance I hung around and ask to take a photo with Edo De Waart. Definitely a highlight in a my life.
It was my first time to see Symphony in the Domain after missing the jazz one last week. Yuichi & Shizuka from the CELTA course had invited me along. They are such a cute couple. I had bought some chicken and bread rolls from Woolies and Yuichi had cooked some potato bits, spiniach and bacon, buttered corn and some single servings bottled sweet wine. He's the cook between the two of them.
The Sydney Symphony was conducted by Antonino Fogliani with special guest violinist Nicole Vasilakis. She was incredible! And to see those fingers move. There was rain during intermission (how timely). Then they did the Nutcracker Suite. So many familiar tunes and still it's my first time to hear it as a complete work. The finale was the Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, with canons going off and fireworks off some building top.
The first time I came to know about the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was during my time at UCLA. I've been in the University Chorus for about 2 terms and found out SSO was touring the US as part of the celebration performance leading up to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. They were to perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony with UCLA Chorale at Royce Hall and I knew I had to get into Chorale that term. Chorale had better singers and after having been in Chorus, I knew the kinda thing they were looking for. I also knew that I just don't have that extra something to be a sure in for Chorale. At the audition with Donald Neuen, I wrote on my form that I really wanted to get into Chorale and he told me that I was good enough but if there were enough people better than me that I won't make it. It was so cool when found out that I made it in.
The performance a few months later sucked a little actually. It's never easy training under one conductor for months and then have another go through it once before the actual performance. (It was the same when I did, funnily enough, the Beethoven 9th in Japan a few years back. We had one practice conductor and then we had to perform under 2 different conductors in 2 different cities.) Anyway, after the performance I hung around and ask to take a photo with Edo De Waart. Definitely a highlight in a my life.
The Lion King. Disney's pinnacle of artistic triumph. Last night I got to see the musical at the magnificent Capitol Theatre. It was my first time to set foot inside the theatre and what a place! The decor was that of an Italian village with white statues and busts lining the sides of the auditorium. In a sense it was so fake but if you stop being cynical just for a moment you can lose yourself in that atmosphere. The intricate designs on the ceilings of such performance halls are always a nice touch. That, and looking at the entire hall from just above the "orchestra" pit reminded me of performances at Royce Hall in Southern California. Ahh, what I'd give to perform again.
As for the performance itself, I was very impressed. As with the original movie trailer that came out 10 years ago in cinemas, the opening was colourful, festive and very dramatic, all the while leaving you with a sense of curiosity and hope. A very uplifting opening. The costume design was incredible thanks to Julie Taymor's creativity. At times, hints of an Asian influence could be seen. (Like the pointy hat of the antelope-cycle guy and the silhouette parts of the show. Even the hyenas' names of Shenzi and Banzai sound Asian.) The Stampede Scene was really well done, bringing together different theatrical set designs. The Jungle Scene in Act II was magical and was like watching something from Cirque de Soleil. The performaces of Scar, Zazu, Pumbaa and Timon were good. Simba was way too gay; his arms were all over the place. And I couldn't get over the fact it cost $20 for a program! I was very pained to part with money and see it go to Disney.
THE-CIR-CLE-OF-....liiiIIFE!!
As for the performance itself, I was very impressed. As with the original movie trailer that came out 10 years ago in cinemas, the opening was colourful, festive and very dramatic, all the while leaving you with a sense of curiosity and hope. A very uplifting opening. The costume design was incredible thanks to Julie Taymor's creativity. At times, hints of an Asian influence could be seen. (Like the pointy hat of the antelope-cycle guy and the silhouette parts of the show. Even the hyenas' names of Shenzi and Banzai sound Asian.) The Stampede Scene was really well done, bringing together different theatrical set designs. The Jungle Scene in Act II was magical and was like watching something from Cirque de Soleil. The performaces of Scar, Zazu, Pumbaa and Timon were good. Simba was way too gay; his arms were all over the place. And I couldn't get over the fact it cost $20 for a program! I was very pained to part with money and see it go to Disney.
THE-CIR-CLE-OF-....liiiIIFE!!
Friday, January 23, 2004
Take it a day at a time. Before you know it, days will be weeks. And a few more weeks later, it's a month. Two months...
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Happy Chinese New Year!
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Happy Birthday Masaru.
Monday, January 19, 2004
There's just so much going on in my life right now and I'm not one to complain. And still over a month before uni starts so this lack of stability isn't too good for my mental health. In the last month or two since I've started putting some of my thoughts down here, it's helped me sort some things out and keep me sane. I don't always write for the benefit of an audience. I don't want to have to explain everything that I write, and I don't want to be bound by the stupidity that is political correctness. Please keep this in mind when you're reading these pages, especially if you know me.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
My attemt to catch the last day of Flickerfest resulted in me going to Bondi yet again. Met up with Lisa C. and we saw the Spike & Mike session. Many really were sick and twisted and some just tasteless. My favourite ones were 'Shh' (Adam Rob, Australia, 2001), '1300cc' (Eoin Clarke, UK, 2001), 'Beyond Grandpa' (Breehan John Burns, Jason Johnson, USA, 1998), and 'Drink' (Patrick Smith, USA, 2000).
Saturday, January 10, 2004
The Prime Minister in Love Actually opens the film with a monolgue about love being all around us, as evidenced at the arrival area of airports. Having travelled quite a fair bit, I have noticed that it is true there are a lot of displays of love and happiness in these places. It never really bothers me when no one waits for me at the arrival area, but when someone does, it still makes me happy to know that someone cared enough. I remember Cathy came to meet me at Kansai Airport a few years back even though she didn't have to. I really appreciated it. Thanks Cathy.
Jamie: It's my favorite time of day, driving you.
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] It is the saddest part of my day, leaving you.
Just a floor or two above the arrivals, people are saying their farewells to their loved ones, many not knowing the time of their next reunion. It is sad to see that plane taking the person you love away from you. I've learned over the years to hold back just to keep from feeling too much pain. It was never because I didn't care enough. To all my dearest who had shed tears at our partings, know that you are close to my heart and I love you much. And Steve, as yet another plane takes you further away from Australia, my thoughts are still with you. All the best!:)
Jamie: It's my favorite time of day, driving you.
Aurelia: [in Portuguese] It is the saddest part of my day, leaving you.
Just a floor or two above the arrivals, people are saying their farewells to their loved ones, many not knowing the time of their next reunion. It is sad to see that plane taking the person you love away from you. I've learned over the years to hold back just to keep from feeling too much pain. It was never because I didn't care enough. To all my dearest who had shed tears at our partings, know that you are close to my heart and I love you much. And Steve, as yet another plane takes you further away from Australia, my thoughts are still with you. All the best!:)
Friday, January 09, 2004
I LOVE THE BEACH!! And I love Bondi. It is paradise. It is heaven on earth. If God were to go on a holiday, he'd go to Bondi. My attempts to even out my tanlines (the same ones from pre-CELTA) is slowing working but it's also creating ones around my waist and upper legs. But that's ok and less embarrassing since most people out there won't be seeing me naked anytime soon. Or ever.
Caught an Aussie Shorts session at Flickerfest at the Bondi Pavilion. I liked 'Claudia's Shadow' the best. It was innocent, comical and something that I could vaguely relate to. Very vaguely. 'Excursion' was quirky and would've been even better watching it stoned. 'Teratoma' had a lot of special effects for a short. I liked it. You could see where 'Sweetheart' was heading but it was still a nice one.
Caught an Aussie Shorts session at Flickerfest at the Bondi Pavilion. I liked 'Claudia's Shadow' the best. It was innocent, comical and something that I could vaguely relate to. Very vaguely. 'Excursion' was quirky and would've been even better watching it stoned. 'Teratoma' had a lot of special effects for a short. I liked it. You could see where 'Sweetheart' was heading but it was still a nice one.
Well, had my haircut this week ready for another few weeks at the beach. It's the third shop I've tried since coming back. This place specialises only in men's hairstyle so I was a little more trusting, but after ten minutes of buzzes and snips, I still longed for the hands of a Japanese stylist. Sure, I never flinced at paying at least twice the amount back in Wakayama, but the whole treatment was always worth every yen. Every time.
Today was another day I felt betrayed by stupid weather reports, especially the one from yahoo. It is supposed to rain for the 2nd day in a row and it's been sunny all week. So watched Love Actually and it really is worth all the mushy compliments I've heard about it. Won't give a too lengthy film review but my thoughts:
Karen's "True love lasts a lifetime." is a simple oneliner. Almost too simple but it works for me.
For comedic value, it's a tie between Billy Mack of 'love rocks on' (bad singer making come back)...
"Kids, this is a message from your Uncle Billy. Don't buy drugs. Wait until you're a rock star, and they give them to you for free!"
...and Colin of 'love american style' (horny guy goes to America)
"American girls would seriously dig me with my cute British accent."
I could actually relate to the accent thing when I first started studying in LA. People there loved the Aussie accent. And from the mouth of a Chinese boy as a bonus! Now my accent is screwed up and I'll have to watch Croc Dundee or Kath and Kim to salvage what little of it remains.
According to the Love Actually website, I'm a 'Hopeless Romantic', chasing the rainbow wherever it goes, with flowers, candy and a song in my heart. It's probably true since the 'love as a second language' story touched me the most. It had all the key ingredients to be a sure romantic heart-tickler. And even though I was pretty good at holding back for most of the film, that one small teardrop managed to escape my eye and slowly trailed down my right cheek when Jamie found Aurelia at the restaurant on Christmas.
That's pretty much what I have to say about the film itself. But more to come, thoughts on things it's got me thinking. Bondi Beach tomorrow!:)
Today was another day I felt betrayed by stupid weather reports, especially the one from yahoo. It is supposed to rain for the 2nd day in a row and it's been sunny all week. So watched Love Actually and it really is worth all the mushy compliments I've heard about it. Won't give a too lengthy film review but my thoughts:
Karen's "True love lasts a lifetime." is a simple oneliner. Almost too simple but it works for me.
For comedic value, it's a tie between Billy Mack of 'love rocks on' (bad singer making come back)...
"Kids, this is a message from your Uncle Billy. Don't buy drugs. Wait until you're a rock star, and they give them to you for free!"
...and Colin of 'love american style' (horny guy goes to America)
"American girls would seriously dig me with my cute British accent."
I could actually relate to the accent thing when I first started studying in LA. People there loved the Aussie accent. And from the mouth of a Chinese boy as a bonus! Now my accent is screwed up and I'll have to watch Croc Dundee or Kath and Kim to salvage what little of it remains.
According to the Love Actually website, I'm a 'Hopeless Romantic', chasing the rainbow wherever it goes, with flowers, candy and a song in my heart. It's probably true since the 'love as a second language' story touched me the most. It had all the key ingredients to be a sure romantic heart-tickler. And even though I was pretty good at holding back for most of the film, that one small teardrop managed to escape my eye and slowly trailed down my right cheek when Jamie found Aurelia at the restaurant on Christmas.
That's pretty much what I have to say about the film itself. But more to come, thoughts on things it's got me thinking. Bondi Beach tomorrow!:)
Sunday, January 04, 2004
Yesterday: After lunch in the Hills Area, caught a train from Parramatta into the city to meet up with Darren N. It's been about 4 years since I last saw him when I was still in LA, and it was so good to see him again. He was my "NSU Dad" for a year and he could always make people laugh. We spent the arvo hanging out at Bondi (yeah, I can't resist the place,) just chatting away til sunset around 8p, then headed back into the city. Eventually had a quick kebab meal at Cockle Bay Wharf. (Still have to come back for a proper meal at one of the restaurants and hopefully won't have to wait for over an hour.) By the time dinner was over, it was after 10p so we walked back to QVB and Martin Place to take a few photos. (Would like to come back to the city some night next week to see the special illumination and lighting designs of the heritage buildings for the Sydney Festival.) Then we waited forever for Darren's bus but it never came so he took one that went most of the way to his International House in Glebe and I caught the last bus home. A day well spent.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Since I last wrote in November, I had completed the Cambridge CELTA at ATTC at Bondi Junction. It was full on 1 month intensive training and had just finished mid-December. I didn't eat or sleep properly, I didn't see any friends...I was a hermit for the entire month. And as challenging as the course was, I really enjoyed the experience. Initial reports gave me a Pass B (above standard), which is good because I won't need extra teaching hours before I can teach TESOL here in Australia. (Heard that they don't recognise overseas experience. Baaah!)
Friday, January 02, 2004
Left home before 7 to have breakfast with Mum and Bernard at City Extra at Circular Quay. The food was decent and a little on the pricy side but the view (which is better than this mirror project shot) is like no other in the world. And it's always interesting seeing people go back and forth on the ferries and the trains. Then we took the bus to Bondi Beach and started our slow walk along the coast towards Coogee, hitting Tamarama, Bronte, Waverly Cemetry, Clovelly along the way. We then had a maamaa lunch at Maejo Thai; won't be rushing back to eat there again. However, Gelattissimo next door was superb.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
My plan to lay on the beach all day yesterday didn't pan out when I woke up in the morning to a cloudy day. Ended up leaving for the city after lunch and when I got to Circular Quay, on last-minute impulse hopped onto bus for Coogee instead of Bondi. Incidentally, I love the bus rides to Bondi and Coggee, especially when you go over the hill and as you're taking the last bend the ocean appears over the horizon and the entire world with its limitless possibilities opens up in front of you. Today I headed for the cliffs towards Bondi side and remembered the first time I was here on a Saturday over a month ago. In such a short time, this place has come to mean so much to me.
New years eve celebration was great. I really wanted to see the fireworks live this year since the last time I went to the city for it was the 1999-2000 ones. Went as a tagalaong to a friend's friend's birthday/nye party at Rose Bay and the view was incredible. Met some cool people there as well. It's great being out again after being a recluse for a month. Thanks Sarah for hooking me up!
New years eve celebration was great. I really wanted to see the fireworks live this year since the last time I went to the city for it was the 1999-2000 ones. Went as a tagalaong to a friend's friend's birthday/nye party at Rose Bay and the view was incredible. Met some cool people there as well. It's great being out again after being a recluse for a month. Thanks Sarah for hooking me up!
