Stay (Faraway, So Close)

Green light, Seven Eleven 
You stop in for a pack of cigarettes 
You don't smoke, don't even want to 
Hey now, check your change 
Dressed up like a car crash 
Your wheels are turning but you're upside down 
You say when he hits you, you don't mind 
Because when he hurts you, you feel alive 
Hey babe, is that what it is 

Red lights, gray morning 
You stumble out of a hole in the ground 
A vampire or a victim 
It depend's on who's around 
You used to stay in to watch the adverts 
You could lip synch to the talk shows 

And if you look, you look through me 
And when you talk, you talk at me 
And when I touch you, you don't feel a thing 

If I could stay... 
Then the night would give you up 
Stay...and the day would keep its trust 
Stay...and the night would be enough 

Faraway, so close 
Up with the static and the radio 
With satelite television 
You can go anywhere 
Miami, New Orleans 
London, Belfast and Berlin 

And if you listen I can't call 
And if you jump, you just might fall 
And if you shout, I'll only hear you 

If I could stay... 
Then the night would give you up 
Stay...then the day would keep its trust 
Stay...with the demons you drowned 
Stay...with the spirit I found 
Stay...and the night would be enough 

Three o'clock in the morning 
It's quiet and there's no one around 
Just the bang and the clatter 
As an angel runs to ground 

Just the bang 
And the clatter 
As an angel 
Hits the ground

by U2, taken from the album "Zooropa"

Do they ever love you back?

Tonite, I was doing my packing job, when I turned on the TV, and saw the cute Drew Barrymore on a movie. The movie was Fever Pitch, which was based on a book by Nick Hornby (same title, only in the book, it's about an Arsenal huge fan). Well, the story was like this, a high-school teacher Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon) is a good catch. He's charming, funny and great with kids. When he meets Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymore), an ambitious business consultant whose spirit is as luminous as her beauty, their attraction is immediate. Sure, they have their differences. She's a workaholic; he loves his summers off. He lives and breathes the THE BOSTON RED SOX (quote: super duper fucking' OBSESSED). 

Ben always watch every Red Sox games, not missing an inning. On the other hand, Lindsey is a no-go about baseball, meaning she does not know any shit about Red Sox. Well, she tried...read the books, went to the games, doing her best to keep the balance between the job (she works her ass to get a promotion) and Ben with his 'Red-Sox life'. Until one day, well...u know...Lindsey couldn't stand it anymore...So, whose fault is it? Ben who's lost in his obsession...or Lindsey who can't understand Ben at all? One thing for sure, Lindsey made a bold move toward the relationship when she accompanied Ben to watch the live games...maybe it's normal in the US or Europe, when people become obsessed with sports...but not HERE!!!! especially not HERE!!!!!!!

 

Ben didn't understand with Lindsey (guys...always), he thought she'd understood him from the beginning, until a kid told him..."Do they (Red Sox) ever love you back?"....whoa!!! That's a jackpot...bull's eye!!! Mind you, in history, Red Sox never won any trophies since 1918 if I'm not mistaken. So, it's like...a one-sided love afterall...

Yeah, I'm a Man United Fan...and fortunately they're winning trophies...Am I an obsessed fan? Perhaps...Last 2 seasons...I almost watched every matches...always keeps me updated with their latest news...felt so bad when they're losing...felt so good when they're winning....buying their merchandises...

I'm grateful enough, my girl is able to understand this...she always put her ears on whenever I told her stories bout Man Utd...She used to dislike football, looked at it as a useless sport, when 20 people fight each other for a stupid ball (kinda stupid actually, someone breaks your legs because he just wants the ball!!!).

Present day? She knows Rooney, Ferguson, Cantona, Ronaldo, and she is aware there's a Korean guy in the team, and she knows that we may not be able to watch Giggs and Scholes playing any more near the future...She knows the difference between league, cup, or champions matches (she stayed up with me up till morning watching last year Champions Final)...And she understands OFF SIDE!!! Gosh, I couldn't expect anything more than that. 

Perhaps, the thing she likes is that I'm not an obsessed person. I could keep the balance between Man Utd and 'girlfriend' times...(quote: prioritizing things). She was also grateful that I like football, enjoying it with friends together, rather to go the clubs or hanging around till midnite drinking, or other...'useless' things...

Oh well, I love Man Utd (they kept a good run at this moment!!!), and I love her also...yeah, in this case, 'THEY' really love me back...

I'm engaged....

Gosh, never thought I'll have to start using those words...I know I'm 26, and now my friends are starting to upload their own or friends' marriage pics....So probably, it's not too early for me to do this...yeah, it's time...Mentally, I think I ready for that...financially...well, we'll catch it up soon enough....meaning , after I got my work, I guess no more spending...(no more LEGO, forget PS3 or Xbox 360, etc etc etc)....

At first I was thinking...'Oh, I'm gonna be engaged...oh well, things will be the same'; hahaha well, I'm proud to say... (from my point of view)...it's slightly different....whenever I look at my girlfriend, ups...fiance....I'm thinking...whoa, this woman will be my future-wife...

MAN, now I just spoke a new word...'future - wife'... when I haven't got used to say thwe word 'fiance'...how heavy is that??? 

Nah, it's not a burden...it's full of excitement, I must say...From my stand point, I believe we're a happy couple, we care for each other and we learn from each other...and those things involved debates, fights, screaming (nay, I'm just exaggerating...)

Thanks for all the wishes from our family and friends...wishing us the best, guys!!!

Slumdog Millionaire

What does it take to find a lost love?

A. Money

B. Luck

C. Smarts

D. Destiny

I've been eager to watch Danny Boyle's latest Slumdog Millionaire, since it was gaining lots of interest after won numerous awards from various film festival, and it is an Oscar favorite contender. It is touching, memorable, contains many social issues, also hopes and dreams, from the eyes of a young impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik. He is just one question away from the "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" biggest prize. But then, he was suspected of cheating, caught by the police, and interrogated. During this process, Jamal told us an amazing story of a Mumbai Boy, where each answer from the quiz questions unfolds his living experience, from his admiration of Amitabh Bachan, complicated relation with his brother, the fighting of finding his lost childhood love, and last but not least...trying to fulfill his destiny...Based on the book Q&A, by Vikas Swarup, i guarantee, you'll be blown away....Nice Job, Danny!!!

All the cast play their role adequately, it's interesting to see the growth of these young siblings played by different actors, and you can't feel the gap, it was just running smoothly...I bet, the long lost love of Jamal, captured the attention of the guys, since she's so sweet, appears to be so  vulnerable, but also struggle for her own freedom. 

It's been awhile I've never seen a movie like this, it's refreshing yet thrilling. What really hits me is that if somehow we can change the setting of the story into Jakarta, it will fit perfectly...damn, how come no one from 200 million people don't have the idea to make a movie like this??? or at least write a decent script, find a good notable director to make it...rather than invest the money in some teenage movie trash or really bad horror movies.

Overall, Slumdog Millionaire is the best film of the year and one of the most exhilarating film-going experiences

My review: 9/10

2008_a reflection..

Goodbye 2008! 

It was a good year I must say. A whole new experience actually, cause I spent almost a year (well, you can cut the mid year break) in Singapore, pursuing my master degree (finished that, yippie)...yeah, living abroad was good (for now), and teaching me lots of stuff (yeah, 'life is tough' doesn't sound so cliche anymore'). And also, living with OTHER PEOPLE also gave me many lessons (I can hear Suri says, "I TOLD YOU!!!"). 

So, what are the memorable moments which I can pick up from the hat (not in particular order, mind you)...hmmm, lemme see...

The final presentation...we fucked it up, but I still got an A. I'm a happy man...

Remember statistics??? 1 week of it, and that's already pushing us to the limit.

I can start with the completion of my postgrad studies, which was a relieve...yeah, no more exams!!!! (hopefully)...tell you the truth, the 1st semester didn't give me headache, it was okay enough. But, after I spend the first 2 weeks of the 2nd semester , under this fuckin' module called RESEARCH METHOD, and start studying statistics, logic, and little philosophy (too many bullshits, way toooo many), now we're talking...the last month of the final paper deadlines and final exams, was the toughest moment of the year...the good thing, I lost weight...4 kgs...and 2 days after the exams, got sick, terrible flu...and Suri got it from me afterwards, even worse....oh well, anyway, I got my results already, and it was really satisfying...and from Suri and my parent's standard...they said, it wayyy above 'satisfying'. Gotta say thanks a lot for their support all these time (thanks mum, dad....especially for the prayers, and the..ehm ehm...financial support...ehm)....

I almost missed Jason Mraz, whew...

Okay, how do I spend my time in S'pore...I can skip the shopping and orchard, too common. SINGFEST was a new experience for me...watching live performance!!! I was just 10 m away from Jason Mraz, whoa...I think it's the closest I can get, compared with my friends, though, hahaha...It was tiring, all day long, got free tanning, dehidrated, etc etc...but...I can't wait to watch SINGFEST09...

He is supposed to move in together this year...

Hangout with friends were fun, and sometimes, lame...my regret was that I didn't spend too much time with highschool friends...cause I felt there's some difficulties hanging out with my college friends. Dunno why, but I felt there's a gap there....well, what I know is, dun depend and ask too much from them...cause most of the time, they will dissapoint you...(not all of them, but i know some cases). But, one thing for sure, Gepenk, you're my best bud out through out the year, yeah...can't wait until we live together later on... 

Obama...this is your year...yeah, I believe in you...go prove it this year what you can do...You're the man!!!

Movies: Until this minute, I've watched Dark Knight for 7 times, and still loving it. But, Wall-E should be my pick for the Best Movie of the year...Kungfu Panda was the funniest one, Indy was dissapointing, Hulk was okay, Bond was still great,  Mamma Mia was my guilty pleasure, Forgetting Sarah Marshall was the best romantic comedy (Definitely Maybe came close). Apart from these titles. I can't remember any more..

Can they pull up this kind of thing again?

SPORTS....Man Utd won the double, nuff said...Nadal conquer the 2008 grand slams, trashing out Federer from the top spot...Sharapova, Jankovic, and Ivanovic...the hot chicks...I hope I can see more from them...Spain won the Euro, Hamilton pissed Massa off on the last lap, and last but not least...Michael Phelps is the living legend!!!

My best friend's wedding

And 2008 was closed by hanging out with my old friends. For Andre and Tessa, congrats for your wedding, it was fun, thanks for appointing me as one of the best men. The best years are coming ahead of you. Davin and Indah, sorry couldn't make it on your wedding celebration in Singapore, but I'm so glad to see both of you together, both of you look great!!.

Alicia, too bad we didn't have time to hang out together, but at least, we were able to meed for Andre and Tessa wed, for the whole day...I'll catch up with you, hopefully this year...

Thanks for the rest, Erick, Icil, Edo, Adri, Aryo, Monic, Kevin, Tetep, Erik, Astrid, and Nyo2. All of you have made the christmas and the new year's eve celebration became memorable. Can't wait to hangout altogether again...

My Sister and Temmy, thanks for the lovely nephew. Oh gosh, Arthur, I wish I can see you everyday and watching you grow bigger and bigger. You're adorable, and I know you're in the right hands. One day, I'm gonna play together with you and teaching you lots of things...

My parents, too many things to be said, but for the past year, thanks for everything...I know maybe it's a bit tough for both of you, cause this is the first we actually were separated, and the house was quite silent. But look now Mum, we can chat together on MSN, isn't that cool??? 

Last but not least, the light of my life, the bunny who gives laughter and the hunny of my days. You've opened my eyes, my heart, and my soul, and I have kept part of you within me. Thanks for making not just and ordinary person, and I believe we are an extraordinary couple.. (crazy couple came close actually, but we'll never beat Andre+Tessa, they're the top of the list). We may encounter too many obstacles, nonsense debates, useless fights....but these things actually making us realize that we need each other. Both of us have our own strength and weaknesses, and along the way, we are opening our selves for us to complete each other (okay, maybe you can puke now!!!)....Love you

God Bless You all...welcome 2009