Attack of the sequels

This year, there are so many freaking sequals that have been and are going to be released that I have lost count. Seriously, there's Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Carribean 3, Shrek 3, Ocean's Thirteen, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Harry Potter 5, Evan Almighty, Die Hard 4.0, National Treasure: Book of Secrets and the list goes on...Is this the year of the sequels or what!?

So, on Wednesday, I watched Shrek the third with Mei Zhi and Sandra at Queensbay. The movie was okay I guess. Not that fantastic. My sister was right, the plot was not so good. Well basically, I didn't like it as much as I had anticipated. In the cinema, Mei Zhi was seated on the left followed by Sandra and then me. There were these two aunties sitting beside Mei Zhi and she was complaining about the smell of the food those aunties were eating. So I was like "Why don't you shift next to me coz there's an empty seat here." And so she did. Halfway into the movie, there was this kid who was constantly kicking Sandra's seat from behind. And she got irritated that she switched to the seat Mei Zhi originally sat. I gotta say ...there was a lot of seat switching in there.

We lunched at the Dragon-i restaurant. I must say, very expensive food. I had a smoked duck ramen meal which costs 12 ringgit. But the duck meat was good. I really like duck. Good duck. Duck, duck, duck. I hope you get the picture already! The waiters in there were only speaking Mandarin and I was so glad that Mei Zhi was there. When the waiter was talking, Sandra and I looked at each other stupidly. Sad case. I should've learned Mandarin.

Then, I got this month's issue of GQ from Borders bookstore but then Sandra was unwilling to go into the store coz apparently there is this lecturer who is totaly creepy and unprofessional for trying to...you know what, i'm not going to go into it coz it's not my story to tell. But in the end she went in with us. So I was paying for the magazine (with Jessica Alba on the front cover) when Sandra called me ham sap for buying it in front of the cashier! I am NOT letting this go yet!! Grrrrr...woof!

Then off to shopping! We went to here, there and everywhere. We spent most of our time at the Padini store. The two of them tried out so many clothes! God...it was almost excruciating to watch...kidding! But yeah, Mei Zhi was trying on the same item in all the colours and sizes they have. And Sandra was trying out another item also in all the colours they featured. She kept saying "I so hate you all for dragging me in here" because she found something she really liked.

Sandra said "Should I buy it, should I buy it?" and Mei Zhi was all "Do these match, do these match?" And together they said "Do I look good, do I look good?" So I went all like "Yes you should and yes you do...Yes your legs are long and No your cleavage isn't showing...Yes you should definitely buy it! You know you want to..." And in the end we left the store with their wallets slightly lighter and my feet slightly sorer. We spent a total of 7 hours and 45 minutes at the mall and that was our day there.

For more detailed accounts of our outing check Mei Zhi's and Sandra's posts.

On Friday, I went out with Zhi Xiang to watch Ocean's Thirteen and Queensbay. (I know Queensbay again, but I like it there coz the cinema seats have more leg-room compared ot the one at Gurney) The movie: Not bad. Not bad at all. I liked the show but not as much as the first one. But it was worth watching. This sequel features Al Pacino but unfortunately, no Julia Roberts.

We were walking around and there was this Panasonic promotion at the centre court and I saw this uber-huge plasma TV. It was HUMONGOUS! 103 inches! Yikes! I wish I had that in my living room...though i'm not sure whether it'll fit.

- one huge-ass TV

We also went into the newly opened Quicksilver outlet. I think it was the opening day. To you Quicksilver lovers out there, they are having an opening sale: 30% off all merchandise until tomorrow! I didn't buy anything though coz i'm being barred from shopping...financial reasons. Don't ask! Zhi Xiang had to drag me away from the Quicksilver shop becaase he didn't want me to give into temptation. I went "I hate you! I hate you!" But at the end of the day, i'm glad he did so.

The best movie!

Today Zhi Xiang and I went to Gurney to watch the highly anticipated movie "Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End.' Okay, that was like the best movie i've seen so far this year. Really just SO good. I could totaly watch it again if I wanted to. It was worth sitting for 3 hours in the freezing cinema. Apparently, Zhi Xiang didn't watch the second installment, so before going into the cinema I kinda summarized it for him (Although, I'm kinda bad at summarizing movies). But he still managed to follow the story. Anyways, I was wondering, is it just me or do other people find it difficult to differentiate between Lord Beckett and the Norrington guy...you know the two British people with the curly curly white hair? I think it's gotta be the hair...yeah, it confuses me. Makes them look the same.

This is the best ending to this trilogy that I could imagine. And Chow Yun Fatt stars in it too...which is really something. It's also nice to see that they've expanded the character, Tia Dalma aka Calypso. I think she plays her part well. She's got the whole accent thing going on. And there's a cameo by Keith Richards as Jack Sparrow's father. Plus, the graphics were totaly awesome! I like the pebble shaped crabs. They were weird but kinda cool. By the way, for those who haven't seen it, make sure you continue watching after the movie ends, coz there's a small clip somewhere between the credits which is seriously not to be missed. I read that in a website and then was confirmed by Mei Zhi. For those who missed it...WATCH IT AGAIN MATEY!

~WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!...especially for those who have not seen the small clip at the end~

Apparently, there was a scene which was cut out from the movie which explains that if Calypso were to greet Davy Jones at the end of his 10 years of ferrying dead souls, then he would have been freed of his duty. So since Elizabeth was still faithful to William after 10 years, he too would be free from being captain of the Flying Dutchman.

After the movie, the two of us went to have lunch at 600cc and then to the Padini Store on one to use Zhi Xiang's discount privilages. We tried on a bunch of clothes which we knew we weren't gonna buy. But that was pretty much the whole point. The workers are probably hating me right now for making them fold the clothes which I tried on but did not buy. Then I tried on a pair of shorts which I thought were okay, until I saw this:

-holes!?

Seriously!...Holes!...At the back of the pants! What are they for, to let everyone get a glimpse of your underwear!? Jeesh...

And as I was trying out clothes, I discovered that I had scratched myself on my leg earlier and I didn't even feel it. The blood had clotted when I noticed it. It's not deep though.

-scratch...with oozing blood...OOOOZING!!! (Nah, just kidding)

Mundane

I haven't done anything exciting for the past week or more. Everything in my life is kinda mundane right now. Nothing to complain about except how boring things can get when you're not in school. I mean seriously, i'm bored to tears (metaphorically of course). My life is so vanilla right now that the most interesting occasion that has grabbed my full attention is the opening of a Gap outlet in Queensbay mall. Seriously! Normally that would probably be at the bottom of my 'Things to do/check-out' list. God, I wish something awesome comes my way.

I had a small problem with my car the other day. When I was about to go out, my car remote decided to fail on me. I couldn't use the keys to open otherwise the alarm would go off. The batteries were A-okay. Must be a circuit thing. But the next day, it was back to normal. Urgh..I hate the damn thing.


Yesterday, Jeff and I watched 'Blades of Glory" in the mall. He kept making me insist it would be a good movie and I was like "It's gonna be really really great." I tell you, it was real hilarious, we laughed our heads off. The two of us were probably the loudest in there.

Anyway, Jeff treated me to lunch at nando's (how great right...Thank You Jeffrey) and then we were off walking around the mall. I went home empty-handed but Jeff had like a gazillion shopping bags with him. He was on shopping spree it seems. He bought two t-shirts and two bottoms in one day. Two outfits in a day (way to go!). But while he was queing at the counter in one of the shops, he was like "Oh no...I have to carry the Jusco bag all around the mall." I was like "What the...seriously? Seriously!?" It seems someone is becoming brand conscious. But when he asked me to carry the Jusco bag for him I went "You know what...my hand's feeling a bit sore right now." Haha. We spent 6 hours and 58 minutes there. But to me it seemed shorter. Time passes when you're having fun.

I was supposed to go to KL this weekend but it turns out, I don't have to. Apparently I can register from Penang and that would make everything so much easier. I hate the thought of a 4 hour drive just for a mere two days. It's so not worth the energy and time. But this means I won't be able to buy the iPod dock. You see, i'm planning to buy myself an iPod dock for my room. And if i'm not mistaken, it can double as an alarm clock. Sometimes I like to drift into sleep whilst listening to music. I totaly have to get it.

One Year Later

Hey Guys,

I'm so estatic to announce that this is the FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY of my blog here!! So...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

It's been a year and a great year at that. I was just looking back over my past posts and i've come to realize how this blog has grown and changed not only in the display but also in content and I hope it'll continue on it's metamorphosis and improve with age. Thank you readers! YOU make it possible!

Fun Fact: Here is my first post ever. Look at the time of posting and you'll see that it's the same as this post, right down to the minute!

Sincerely,
Justin W. Khoo
Avid blogger on www.just-in-me.blogspot.com

Birthdays

Today's my birthday on the chinese calendar, so I woke up in the morning and found out that my aunt had made me two red hard boiled eggs like she always does. Yes it's nice and all but it also reminds me that i'm getting older and thus can't act all childish anymore. Darn it! I don't really like my birthdays. I don't know whether it's because of my increasing age, or due to my many many past traumatic birthday incidences (don't ask). But I think i'll blame it on the first one, although I truly believe it's actually the latter that has more effect on how I feel about my birthdays. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate birthdays. It's just I tend to feel slightly down a little bit. So i'll usually just let it pass like any other day. But i'll try to treat myself to a little something or other just to cheer myself up.

Anyway, I had bowling plans today, so I headed downtown to meet Al and Ivan and they totaly surprised me with a birthday cake. It's pineapple flavoured and it was good. Never really had a pineapple cake before. Thanks you guys sooo much! I was really really surprised.

-my very own cake

- my piece

After lunch at Little Cottage, we commenced with our original plans: Bowling. Yeah, I kicked a$$. It's been a while since I bowled but I still managed to achieve points around 90-120. That's quite good for an amateur like me. Ivan and Al were competing among themselves mostly. It was real neck and neck there between them. I love bowling! We played 3 sets each and it was totaly great 'coz we laughed like crazy each time we got a gutter ball. I want to bowl again!

- random picture (butterfly style)

When I got home, I discovered my dad drove home his company car, so I asked nicely and he let me drive the Smart car around the apartment block under supervision. Yay! It doesn't really go very fast though. And it's really jerky. And it's so small. Who would buy such a thing?!

- Smart car for two: the steering wheel + dash board

- Me behind the wheel

This is a shot I took today and it shows the area intended for Gurney Plaza's new wing which I am hopeful for and looking forward to. Construction is clearly in progress:

Roll On...

Okay, so yesterday was the rescheduled meeting. I fetched Sandra and Mei Zhi from Inti and we proceeded to the skating rink in Queensbay. The student fee was only 8 ringgit which is only half of the normal adult pricing. That would entitle you to:

• your choice of rollerblades or rollerskates
• unlimited time in the skating rink (per entrance only, of course)
• usage of their washroom; and
• a free coke drink.

But you have to fork out an additional 1 ringgit for the locker to store your belongings and your shoe. That's right, 'shoe' not 'shoes'. It's because they will ask you for one side of your shoe for what i'm guessing is collateral for the rollerblades/rollerskates. When they took our shoes, the three of us were like "what the...they're taking our shoe hostage?!?!?!" And fyi: the locker only locks once. You can't open it and lock it again 'coz then you'll need another 1 ringgit to re-lock it.

Anyway, the three of us opted for the rollerblades and we were the very first ones to skate there for the day. There was like no one else in there for the first hour. We skated round and round, here and there. There were those platform things for you to do stunts in the middle of the rink but none of us dared to go for it. Mei Zhi was the worst among the three of us (no offence). To me, it was like watching Bambi learn how to walk! Sandra and I each had to hold one of her arms and guide her. But as expected, Mei Zhi fell...and took us both down with her! We fell flat on our a$$es a couple of times and kept laughing. Hehe.

- ready...let's GO!

- teaching Bambi learn how to walk

- oopsie!

While skating, Sandra said "Wah, Justin you skate so gracefully. More graceful than us." And I looked at her, eyes wide open, in utter shocked horror. Sad case. Well, that's only because i've skated before in my home. But I don't know how to do all those fancy tricks and jumps and believe it or not, I don't even know how to stop! All I knew is just how to go forward and that's it. There were times when I had to slam into the wall to stop like these guys:

-smack! *ouch*

So, we skated for like 4 hours, albeit not continuously but now my calves and arms are sore but i've got no bruises on me as far as I can see. I can't say the same for the girls...

Here are a few tips for potential skaters:

• bring socks...DUH.
• bring lots of tissue papers or a small towel, you WILL sweat.
• bring an extra t-shirt, just in case.
• bring perfume too, or you can just do what I did and go to a shop which sells perfume (eg. the Body Shop) and get a free spritz!
• wear trousers to avoid scratching your legs if you were to fall.

Speaking of falling, there was this cute girl who from what I observed, fell intentionally to get the attention of the instructor (or whatever you call them). The way she fell was so...fake. She was doin' just fine and all of a sudden, she just flopped down on her knees. O.o

PS: I think rollerblades are easier compared to rollerskates. I switched to rollerskates but in the end I switched back. Yes, you can exchange between the two.

Yesterday and the day before

Zhi Xiang and I were up again for our Movie Friday regime and this time, we watched the greatly anticipated Spiderman 3. And as expected, the movie was simply put...AWESOME! The new black spidey suit was much cooler than the original, ignoring the fact that it makes you go gaga for revenge. This sequel throws in more actors like Topher Grace and Bryce Dallas Howard, making it my favourite. The special effects were great. I especially like the way the venomous substance travels and grabs hold of Peter Parker, who by the way has very large feet, I must say (watch the part where he pours sand out from his shoes). But best of all, we watched it for only 5 ringgit! It pays to be a student.




After the show, we were off to Batu Feringghi and I finally got to purchase the Grey's Anatomy set of DVDs!!! I've been watching them all day today and it's so great! I totaly missed out the beginning of the series on Astro due to my HSC exams but now i'm gonna get myself up to speed.

Yesterday, I drove over to Inti and met up with Mei Zhi and Sandra and headed over to Queensbay Mall. Our original plan was to check out the new skating rink place up on the 3rd floor but it was like overpriced. 16 ringgit just to get in! Come on! But there was this student special on weekdays and so we decided to reschedule for Wednesday instead. We ended up spending most of our time at Borders bookstore reading books and mags. We had lunch at Mcdonalds and dinner at KFC. Fastfood all the way...that can't be good can it? Sandra wanted to eat chicken rice but Mei Zhi and I protested (I just had Chicken rice the day before with Zhi Xiang). Other than that, we went shopping...well actually, Sandra did. She carried like 4 bags out of the mall while the two of us walked out empty handed. But that's not surprising since i'm broke now.

I don't know about other people but Queensbay Mall is getting more and more blase to me. The original thrill of the new mall is wearing off coz' there hasn't been any new shops that have opened up their doors to the shoppers. Heck, the three of us had nothing to do there 'til we even checked out the furniture shops on the 4th floor! But you know what I think, I think Queensbay is missing something. I think there should be some place where people could just hang out in the mall itself free of charge. Kinda like a place to have a rendezvous and have casual afternoon conversations. I think there should be sofas in the mall. Like those comfy chairs you find in Starbucks, only you get to sit in them for free. Yeah...that's right.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to this week coz' i've got plans to go skating, Ivan's coming back to town and I really wanna make plans with Jeff and Al to go have some Japanese dinner.

I got a waxing

No, it's not a leg waxing. And no it's not on my body at all. My waxing came from the candles which I helped to sell during Wesak Day! I wanted to go for the procession at night but Ivan's away in KL and it just wouldn't be the same. So instead, I decided to pledge some of my time and volunteer at the Burmese temple.

I started off selling the candles to the devotees but then I got tired of handling all the money (people kept forking over 50 ringgit notes by the way) and I switched over to arranging, relighting candles and scraping wax off the table surfaces and that's how I got my very own waxing! Even my t'shirt got a wax stain by accident but thank goodness I was able to get it out with some hot water and detergent. It wasn't just some colourless wax, it was like blood red wax. I tell you, if you're gonna deal a whole lot with wax, i'd suggest wearing a dark coloured t'shirt. Or something you're gonna throw away. Maybe I should've just worn an apron...

Today I got my self a hair cut, but the guy cut it just a little too short for my liking. And now I kinda look like DUHHHH... I'll probably just wait for it to grow back. Besides that, i've been spending most of my time today tuning in to the new channel on Astro, E!. I watched E! during my holidays in the states and now it's here! God I like celebrity gossip. After all, we are living in a celebrity-obsessed world. I sure hope the food channel shows up on Astro too, then I can watch Rachel Ray!