Searching for Love

Finally got to watch Slumdog Millionaire with A~ tonight, despite many technical difficulties. Even though it took us five hours to finish a two hour movie, I think we both reasonably enjoyed it. Freida Pinto is breathtakingly gorgeous, and I warmed up to Dev Patel as Jamal. I am intrigued by the soundtrack - A.R. Rahman's beautiful score juxtaposed with M.I.A.'s Paper Planes. One of the IMDB reviewers mentioned that the movie would've been better in Hindi (instead of an English/Hindi mix), and I will have to agree. The story is just the classic underdog tale, but set against a "foreign" backdrop, I suppose it can't go wrong. All in all, I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Check out Signs, a simple story about love and communication by Publicis Mojo and Radical Media. Beautiful piece and nice agency promotion (or perhaps discreet Schweppes ad). It clocks in at around 12 minutes but is worth the watch. [Source: Media Bistro]

Congrats to a certain someone who got some very good news last Tuesday!

Currently listening to: Latika's Theme - A.R. Rahman featuring Suzanne (Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack)

Imminent Attack

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately. Yay!

Watched Red Cliff II (Chi Bi) today, the latest by director John Woo. Some gorgeous shots, pretty decent battle scenes, and masterful war stratagems. I enjoyed it. Plus having Takeshi Kaneshiro (as Zhuge Liang) never hurts. The movie is based on the historical account Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms and famous historical fiction novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which detail the battles leading up to the Three Kingdom era in China. Good thing my parents helped me brush up on my history. I've gotten super rusty. By the way, if you're going to watch either one of them, I'd recommend Part 2. Much more battle and less talk. The only decent trailers with quality movie shots I could find are the Korean (below) or Japanese versions (please ignore the annoying English narration), but check out this one too if you're still interested.

I get such a kick out of this hacked and reprogrammed sign in Austin. [Source: The Denver Egotist]

Currently listening to: When I'm Coming Home - Quartus

Scenic Backdrop

I am thankful today. Thankful for the beautiful weather. Thankful for phone calls from friends that are planned and those that are not. Thankful for good news, and thankful for when God chooses to shut doors. Thankful for being with family but also for being able to communicate when we are not together.

My brother showed me this TVC for Formula 1 Ferrari with some gorgeous backdrops. See how many locales you can recognize.

Currently listening to: Split Screen Sadness - John Mayer (I don't know what's wrong with me, I'm on a John Mayer kick)

A Lot More to Goh

It's been a long time since I've been home for CNY, so I am making the most of it! Today is the third day of the New Year, which means by tradition people stay home instead of going out to visit relatives, for fear that (in theory) arguments will arise. So we remained at home today and I partook of all my mom's yummy steamed cakes.

Here are the two most traditional kinds:
Lian goh (年糕) - This is a sweet glutinous cake that is made up basically of sticky flour and sugar. It's one of my favorites (surprise) and I ask my mom to make it all the time. And by that, I really do mean all the time. She'll be steaming it in the middle of July or October; it doesn't matter to me that it's not really the New Year's. After steaming the cake, you fry it lightly, either plain or with egg (although, in my opinion, the egg kind is gross). [Photo source: Flickr avlxyz]
Lou bak goh (蘿蔔糕) or Turnip cake - This is a salty "cake" usually made up of grated turnip, minced meat, dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, and mushroom. My mom thankfully makes it without the mushroom for me. This is a much more common dish, and you can order it as a dim sum year round. But it is tradition to make this and the lian goh for New Year's. [Photo source: Biggest Menu]

Currently listening to: Still Have My Heart - Caitlin Crosby

Bam!

(post for Tuesday)
We had firecrackers going off here at 2 and 6 am this morning. Some people really like their noisemakers. Or they're really not taking chances on warding off bad spirits.

University of Texas Southwestern scientists have found that a single brain cell is capable of retaining memories for a brief period of time. The brain works differently to store and process short term (a vast quantity of information but little retention rate) and long term memories. Researchers pinpointed a chemical receptor in mice brains that signals the cell to keep a certain memory. This could lead to understanding about Alzheimer's, etc. Read more at BBC News.

Currently listening to: Mad - Ne-Yo

新年快樂 (Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy CNY))!

Happy New Years, everyone! ICYMI, we ushered out the rat and welcomed in the ox.
I'm exhausted from being out and about celebrating, but wishing everyone 恭喜發財 (wishing you prosperity).

Currently listening to: The Ponyo Song (from Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea) - the trailer is being played everywhere and driving me nuts!

Still Camera Magic

Even cupcakes need to escape sometimes. A very yummy, beautifully shot stop motion vid. Who says there can't be love for both desserts and veg?

Everytime I see the ad for this I think about blogging it but then I always forget. The packaging for KFC's new fish nuggets is adorable! I'm told the taste is mediocre but at least you get to look at something cute.
Gorgeous photo of Galapagos tortoises by Dutch photographer Frans Lanting that my uncle found for me. [Source: National Geographic]
I was happy to find out crowd scenes from Slumdog Millionaire (which I have regrettably yet to see) were shot with a Canon still camera. Director Danny Boyle wanted to "preserve a natural, unscripted energy" and shot 12 fps secretly. [Source: Gizmodo]

Goodbye Rat! Hello Ox!

Currently listening to: Her Morning Elegance - Oren Lavie (also a beautiful stop motion shot on a bed)

Tell It Like It Is

Even I have to admit these kids' letters to President Obama from book Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country are pretty cute. [Source: GiggleSugar and The New York Times]

Dear President Obama,
Here is a list of the first 10 things you should do as president:
1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter.
2. Walk in.
3. Wipe feet.
4. Walk to the Oval Office.
5. Sit down in a chair.
6. Put hand-sanitizer on hands.
7. Enjoy moment.
8. Get up.
9. Get in car.
10. Go to the dog pound.
– Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago

Dear President Obama, I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though.
– Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle

President Obama,
You should not smoke when you are president! There are simple reasons. Because you will die by smoking, and then you will not be president! But I want you to be.
Your No. 1 fan,
– David Lopez, age 7, Los Angeles

Dear President Obama,
I want to tell you hi. Do you work with Santa Claus? Can I meet you in your house? Can I say bye to you after I meet you? And then can I meet you again? And then again after that?
– Sergio Magana, age 5, San Francisco

Dear Obama,
I like you because you won. We saw you on TV. I hope I am your friend.
– Edwin Martinez, age 6, Los Angeles

I, along with many others, am growing a bit tired of the same Pulp Fiction typography copycat videos, like the recent I Pledge celeb-packed TVC. But check out this beautiful old piece for Sky TV Crime and Investigation by DDB NZ.
Nothing ground breaking but also beautifully art directed spot for Starbuck's Pledge 5 Hours.

I just noticed that the alma mater did an impressive website update. We clean up well!

There is supposed to be a spectacular solar eclipse on Monday night but unfortunately you'll only see it if you're near the Indian Ocean. Sad. [Source: Yahoo!News]

Currently listening to: Please Don't Leave Me - Pink

Ever the Same

(post for Friday)
Got to spend time with some familiar faces and one new one today. Yay for friends!
Super cool mahjong cell phone screen wiper we saw.
Obama look-alike Kenyan-American Ilham Anas. [Source: Media Bistro]
Last but not least, happy birthday to a crazy kid. Rock it cuz it's your day!

Currently listening to: Sweet and Low (Augustana cover) - singindork888 (amazing voice and my newest subscription)

Flowers and Fancies

The CNY prep is in full swing. Went to fa hui (flower market) today and picked up some wares. This year's display is disappointingly small, but it may be because we went early. We got a nice selection of flowers though. Here are some of the more common choices you might find there:
'Gut' (mandarin orange) trees
Orchids
Chrysanthemums
Peach blossoms
Nm Doi Tong Tong (I have no idea what these are called in English, but the name refers to five generations of family) - I have a soft spot for this gourd-like plant. The orange color is fantastic!
We also saw some uncommon merchandise, including a cow poop hat (matching scarf also available), giant gai dan tsai ("egg" waffle balls), and plush 'gut' fruit with faces. Apologies for the blurry photography; we had to sneak in those shots!
They had hot Vitasoy there too, so I snagged a bottle. Yum.
Crazy new vid for Coldplay's Life in Technicolor II.

LOST Season 5 starts (finally) tonight! If you need a little refresher, check out Entertainment Weekly's nice recap. I can't wait!

Been meaning to post this great (restaurant) ad that features some past and present leaders of the world in order to sell lian goh (CNY sweet cake).
Last but not least, happy bday to someone special! White mint chocolate chip ice cream being mentally sent your way!

Currently listening to: Cubicles - Snow Patrol

On the Cusp

I think this is meant to be cute but I find it seriously creepy. The movie, Gake no ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea), is the latest offspring of the great animator Hayao Miyazaki (famous for Totoro, KiKi's Delivery Service, Spirited Away) that was just released here. The film is about a baby fish/mermaid who befriends a human boy.

Great Web Design Sketchbook found on Paranaiv. It's perfect for concepting! [Source: Advertka]
The 2009 Inauguration is about to happen and Facebook teamed up with CNN.com to do a great live coverage. I'm wondering if the whole world is going to be watching. History is definitely being made. Bush can finally put up his gloves and rest.
Welcome to the office, President Obama.

Currently listening to: Save Me Now - Casey Desmond

Made from Scratch

Happy MLK Jr. Day!
Wanted to feature the amazing work of M~ today. Check out these crocheted donut keychains! Fantastic! Although totally different things, I feel like this (and S~'s work) puts my knitting to shame.
That is going well, by the way. Mom and I are teaming up to try to finish a scarf in time.
Fantastic cut out MV You are Home by Levi Weaver, who penned the song and did the art himself.
Levi Weaver "You Are Home" from Paper Beats Rock on Vimeo.

Cute cardboard comic The Juzzard by Philippa Rice.
On the eve of Obama's inauguration, NBC does a great piece about presidential aging.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Currently listening to: Obama's Lincoln Memorial Address

Surgically Cut

Check out felt wood sculpture work by Stephanie Metz.
Thanks to my bro, I found her work through Street Anatomy, a blog that features skulls, guts, and all things innards. Severely creepy and amazing all at the same time.
Super cool skeleton and heart hoodie
Watermelon brain
Bone socks
(Apologies to M~, Chip, Edna, and the kids in advance for this one) Knitted rat dissection
Got to spend time with T~ today, and then went to lop off all my hair. It's the first time someone has used an electric hair razor on me. Sweet! I wanted it shorter but the stylist wouldn't let me. I think he was worried I'd break down in tears or something. Psh...

Currently listening to: The Great Escape (Patrick Watson cover) - Gary Go