Awakening.

Simply because. And my fingers were itching to write something so I decided to put whatever inspiration that is to good use. On another note, CSI last night was major-ly sweet! Sara and Gil Grissom ftw. (:

For someone who hardly reads chick-lit and almost never watches rom-coms, I am surprisingly adept at writing romance. Yes, I said it. I dunno where it comes from, so please, bear with me if I sounded overly Twilight at times. If Stephenie Meyer toned down the horror and do more research, perhaps the story might still be alright. See? I am not overly biased! But I still have no shame, evidently.

Call this a drabble, warm-up or whatever. It’s Cheri getting her writing streak back on.

Busy holiday coming up!

One of my friends is in Bangkok while the other is probably enjoying in Singapore right now. I’m so jealous of them!

I’m already seeing the workload piling up for this holiday-in a way, I’m not as peeved as I was in college, in fact I’m a tad bit excited to be starting on them. It’s a different thing to be working on something that you have your entire (well at least it’s mostly your own) input in it, no holds barred. It takes a bit of getting used to but it feels great! I wonder how many times have I abused that sentence.

Meeting Ilina on Monday-very excited for that! Haven’t met her in ages so a catch up is in order.

I also have to fix up my ‘portfolio’ site a little now that I’m keeping the blog up and running. More designing to do!

And seriously, I ain’t complaining. (;

Happy Holidays everyone!

Holiday rambles (and song talk)

I’m one happy girl. Because I’ve Dexter Season 2 to keep me occupied (and assignments as well). I suppose I should make a public blog post here or none one would bother stopping by at all. Still, one has to keep her privacy once in a while…

Hwee Lynn and I’ve been catching up a lot lately and I love every moment of it! It’s been seven years since we met each other when we’re 13, and although our first meeting is rather blurry in my mind, high school was great because of you. It pays to have an awesome friend like you, and it shows. (:

We decided to kill time before our movie Vampire Sucks (which on the other hand, rocked) and visited a few shops, including Machines just to plug in my iPhone and enjoy free battery charge and to amp some of my songs through the awesome dock. It seems that most Apple accessories come with a killer price tag-for us students it’s almost suicidal. We also stopped by a piano store, just to admire the gorgeous pianos on sale. Most of them got pretty close to our college fees, no kidding. There was one that simply exceeded it by ten grand, haha. Grand piano, what’d you expect? Still, it was pretty breathtaking to view a piano in such close proximity, let alone touch it and jam the keys, at least that’s what I did. It was much, much more worth it to play it, and that was what Hwee Lynn did.

If only the other people in the shop weren’t playing the guitars and drums etc; they sort of disrupted the atmosphere a little, lol. Final Fantasy songs are amazing! I only have one on my playlist, Eternal Memories of Lights and Waves. Beautiful, beautiful music. Do learn how to play the entire song! (:

I feel so proud that I’ve a friend who can play the piano. I would love to learn it as well, but alas for me it is too late now. And I prefer that the money go into my university funding instead.

So… here are some songs which I would love to see being played (major hint HAHA) (: because they’re just so great and deserved to be translated into simple piano.

1. Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Elton John

Because I love old songs, and that song is really nice. Lame reasoning, but you get the drift. It’s a classic!

2. Life Is Like a Boat, Rie Fu

I really like this song, ever since I heard it. Whether was it because I’d somehow connected with it, I don’t know. Her voice is great, and the melody is wonderful.

3. At The Beginning, Richard Marx and Donna Lewis

Anastasia was a very intriguing show back then, because there was quite a lot of speculation surrounding her and her family etc. Not to mention a really interesting historical background about them as well. I actually read their entire Wiki page (nerd moment). And this song kinda transcends time, if you know what I mean.

4. Drink Up Me Hearties, Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer, you make my world go round. At least my musical world. And Pirates remain one of my favorites. How can anyone resist the theme song that embodies the whole film franchise? Although the pianist at this link is rather terrifying…

5. Bird, Matsushita Yuya

For some reason, I’m oddly pulled towards this song, and it’s not because of his voice. Sounds even better without him singing but- Let’s just say it was the slow but mesmerizing piano intro. I’m a sucker for piano medleys. And suddenly I’m thinking of purity rings and the Jonas Brothers.

And… that’s all that came to mind. Unless anyone’s interested in the scores from Twilight (ducks from flying books). But frankly, the music isn’t all that bad.

Protected: People are people and sometimes we change our minds

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Entry 1; Apple

The title is yet to be confirmed. But here is a contest entry for a competition I’m applying for in college. Creative Writing in English. I know, right. Art college doing something English. My dad was pleasantly surprised himself. Anyway I welcome comments of any kind, constructive ones would be helpful because it would help me in editing this piece. I’ll definitely write more entries because I’m not entirely happy with this one. The 500 word limit is killing me. D:

Edited: To the 500-word version.

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Apple
What a tease. She loathed the mockery he wore like a pin on his lapel. Though he uttered no words, his wily, saccharine smile reached eagerly for his ears. She knew fully well that he intended to watch her struggle, perhaps subject herself to a humiliating bout of a performance.

“Stop giving me that look,” she remarked loftily, letting the pin fall from her thin fingers. It struck the surface of the table with a faint ping, almost inaudible even in the thick, humid silence.

“I was merely suggesting that I offer you some assistance.” Always the gentleman, the courteous bystander. His innocent look was one skillful performance by a veteran actor. It was almost ironic.

“I do not require aid keeping my hair in order.” she laced her fingers together with the eloquence of a dancer, and leaned back in her chair languidly. The hot weather did nothing to lighten her mood, and it was getting darker by the second. And her inability to keep her locks out of her face was infuriating. She was a woman, for Heaven’s sake! A lady could probably be acknowledged as the one specimen on the planet whose self-hygiene was deemed immaculate. Not her. She was the black sheep; the unblemished apple shunned because of the fear of what could be decaying within.

He proceeded to watch her quietly, his dark eyes scrutinizing. That sharp, penetrating gaze never fails to instil a little agitation in her. It probably gave him some satisfaction.

“Perhaps, I should send for a maid…” he began, enunciating his words clearly as if speaking to a child. He observed her pale knuckles draining of whatever remaining color they balled into suffocating fists. Yet there was an amazing measure of calm etched upon her face like a mask; her anger in her hands did not reach her eyes.

Ire and frustration smothered her, consuming her from within, snapping her thin, remaining lines of patience. Biting her lip to quell the brewing storm, she gripped the desk to steady herself. It was her futile effort to cling onto reality, before the past came to drown her again. She felt the familiar stinging sensation as tears moistened her eyes. Incensed by her exhibition of weakness, she made a move to wipe them away, only to have her own hands drawn away from her face.

He sighed with a smile that has ensnared countless victims, yet his voice still carried its jeering edge.

“To weep is only natural.” He wiped away her tears with a tender hand. “Your life has been nothing but an untouched apple, it’s fragrant flesh singing a song of temptation.”

His hands encircled her waist, wandering up to her bare neck, and entwining themselves in her loose, cascading curls. He leaned in close, his sweet breath of honey and musk emanating her senses as his lips met her ear. His smoldering eyes, imbued with unsaid ardor and famine, an implied confession.

“Enticing enough for me to take a bite.”

No words.

A picture bears a thousand words, no?

Movie talk: Alice & Dragon, and a quick update

Ok so my previous blog post was a limp attempt to get myself back on the blogging scene-if there was ever one that I was a part of that is. It must be so redundant to hear me utter the same feeble excuse all the time, but it’s a good/worthy excuse especially when you’re studying in my college. Just ask anyone.

But last weekend, I’ve managed successfully to squeeze in two movies, and both leave me with contrasting reviews.

On Saturday, Hwee Lynn and I finally (unlike the rest of the population) caught Alice in theaters. And what a let down it was. In terms of the story line, the movie fell down the rabbit hole (huh), deep into the pit that most movies seemed to have met their demise lately. Hasn’t the entire ‘chosen one, prophecy, destiny and good over evil in the end’ plot gone sour by 2010? Or at least, nothing this cliche and old school? Even the Matrix used this thing-albeit in a much mind boggling and confusing manner. But, the Matrix was in the 90s.

I was actually surprised that Tim Burton could have churned out something as plain as this. Sure, I was amazed by the costume and set design, visually, it was stunning (although that does not compel me to splurge on 3D, ever) but movie-wise, there wasn’t really anything to see.

And Alice had just as many costume changes as Lady GaGa on her music video Telephone. But I’m not complaining; for me it was one of the highlights of the movie to scrutinize the marvelous craftsmanship of her outfits. Hats off (yes indeed!) to you, Colleen Atwood!

I would also like to mention Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp for being outstanding as their characters respectively. Although I would say that Helena was the star of the show. Sorry, Johnny. ): It would seem that she has a natural flair for pulling of the bizarre and eccentric characters convincingly-but that doesn’t mean that she can’t carry off a ‘normal’ role! She should consider that for a change. (:

Sadly, I’m still besotted by the sparrow garnet necklace worn by Alice in the movie; alas there doesn’t seem to be any way that I can acquire it. Ordering it via HotTopic was a definite no-no; the shipping fees cost more than the item itself, by Jove. Sighh.

I give Alice a measly 2/5 stars. Saved by the other elements of the movie, including acting and the designs.

Now, I shall move on to the creme de la creme. I’m certainly not kidding.

Months ago, when Jason introduced me to this adorable trailer, I can hardly believe my eyes that something this cute was about to be released. It should be a crime! The movie is titled How To Train Your Dragon, and the main dragon is a cross between a salamander and Stitch, but he will definitely melt your heart.

He already has. XD

Strangely enough, this story also follows a similar route in certain movies.

To sum it up, Hiccup always wanted to prove to everyone that he was a real Viking, and win the girl of his dreams. However he isn’t very good at his folks’ main skill-killing dragons that is. His fellow Vikings approach their enemy with brawn, while he does it with brains, and that got him in capturing the rarest and elusive dragon, aka Night Fury. Hiccup not only spared its life, but befriended it ala Eragon, and in the end, turned their culture around by bringing both man and beast together. And he got the girl.

I personally enjoyed Dragon more, as it touches on simple and certain slice-of-life details. Hiccup could very well be me, trying to please everyone but failing hard. He feels useless and often questions himself on his capability and talent, which lies elsewhere out of the field of dragon killing as he later realizes. I can’t remember what his father’s friend said to him, but I do recall that his words struck a chord in me, as if he was talking to me. I think it was something about ‘it’s not what others expect of you, but what you really want’.

It was nice that they showed Hiccup attempting to bond with the dragon a bit. Certainly showed progress as they both became close. Toothless, as he was named, became protective of him, even crashing into the ring to save Hiccup from another dragon, risking its own capture, which eventually happened. That scene was very powerful for me. Even in animation, it was executed beautifully. Hiccup was also forced to choose between his father and his friendship with Toothless, but that he overcame eventually, by being himself.

I know that things don’t always work out like they do on TV and such, but it’s nice to see some hope at the end of the tunnel. Not to mention the dragon was incredibly cute! I shall stress upon that once again.

I’m also impressed by the standard of Dreamworks’ animation. Years ago, the difference between Pixar and Dreamworks are very distinctive, as Dreamworks often lack the details and certain realistic elements etc. But their recent movies are just as amazing now! The village where Hiccup resides, along with the scenic view accompanying it, is very well done indeed. Not to mention Toothless, who gives me an impression that he could be ‘real’, although he isn’t.

So here’s my first blog entry in ages. I originally wanted to write a couple of days earlier, but my mind was so helplessly disoriented and filled with work. One can only wonder how does college students survive through this period of their lives.

I shall end my post here for now. I’ll try to be more active in the future, haha. Hadn’t written anything in ages, but I do hope to start a small project with Hwee Lynn soon, in which we will be breaking down the Harry Potter books (not literally, don’t worry) to compile together a collection of quotes from the entire series! It’s going to be a killer task, but I’m definitely up for something literary!

I think I might be very busy during this semester break. Can’t wait to relax as well. Three more weeks.

Next post: a real analytical post detailing the pros and cons of Matthew Morrison and Matsushita Yuya. Because I don’t think I’m being fair and equal enough in my brief post earlier by simply flashing their images like that.

Work In Progress-Jason’s gift

I made my cousin a very happy birthday boy. In a literal sense of speech.

(:

I’ll color it with watercolor and pass it to him once we meet again. My first (complicated) line art! Which is probably not that complex compared to others, but meh.

EDIT: I forgot to mention about the outlines of wings that I did and eventually removed them for the final outcome. Well, I think the wings were tacky. -.- And I was pressed for time, so yeah.

EDIT II: Thanks to Kitsune, I changed the date below. o_o I always get the date wrong at the beginning of the year, pardon.

Gossip Girl; my take: introduction

I have decided to foray away from my usual blogging topics and venture into something else that I have never, ever written. In fact, once upon a time, I would never have dreamed on writing about this series. But trying out new things can be fun, albeit a bit awkward. So, I’m going to put on my [most pleasant] thinking cap on all things metropolitan, and get straight to the point.

So why Gossip Girl? I once said that the series annoy me to no end-and it still does. For one, drama amongst highly bred young adults really don’t interest me. But yes, I do watch it. And the more I follow this series (thank you, Cindi haha) there is a minute, almost invisible connection. And, watching shows with an open mind enables me to slowly break down and analyze. At least you get to use your brain. Why do I still watch this show? As an amateur in this whole GG universe, I admit that I have only read the prequel novel, and am only following the 2nd season as it runs on the local channel now. So this upcoming entries I’m going to blog is plainly through my perspective of the series. If I get some facts wrong, feel free to correct me. (:

GG has a drop-dead gorgeous cast, I will give them that. But that’s not the reason why. Lets admit it, GG has a stunning array of people, and of course a library-worthy stock of personalities. The people make you cringe and stare in awe. As the story suggests, they are gorgeous, beautiful people. And yes they are. They have us in their impeccably groomed fingers. GG ensnares us with characters that might or do bear a significance in our lives. Maybe it’s true. We fall in love with them, and of course, we relate to these characters. Hollywood has made it evident that beautiful people have huge, out-of-the-world problems.

Gossip Girl has the most cliche of story lines, but with an old fashioned plot that holds the audience and never gets old. We have the elite girls in the elite school, the handsome boys that double for more than just eye candy, and also, the few ‘rejects’ that usually come out in their own way and pulls the story together neatly. And sometimes, it would be them that steals the spotlight, eventually, at least. We have: (the main stars, at least.)

• the winsome, model-esque Serena, the epitome of the all-perfect girl.
• the coiffed and devious Blair, one who always sought control.
• Jenny, a girl who is only starting out.
• the amateur author, Dan.
• either a very confused or simply one who bottles up many emotions-Chuck
• and the troubled Nate who steps up a notch by sleeping with a ‘cougar’. 

One unique twist to this series is that in GG, there is a narrator. The many endeavors of the main cast are told through a mysterious blogger with the alias of Gossip Girl. She unravels a seedy affair or two with a lilting voice that sometimes bears an advice, or a sardonic mocking edge. In the novelization, Gossip Girl spills all on her blog, where readers flock and leave comments. Nothing is too scandalous for GG; wherever there are canards, she will always be there. 

I’m sure it’s not too assuming of me to say that the Gossip Girl books are quite the bestseller. GG would be so thrilled. But I’m not surprised at its success, on paper and on screen. Acts of misconduct has never been so gripping. 

The next post on this would be on the characters-I hope to give each of them a page each if possible. Wish me luck. (:

Minimal

I have been Tweeting too much for my own good. Anyway, I’ve been way busy since this short semester. It’s supposed to be shorter but that doesn’t mean it will be easier. Not so for us Illustration students. So I have to work harder. But then again, I do work harder every sem. And with my iPhone I’ve resorted to Tweeting instead-plain laziness.

Hope everyone’s been having a great year so far!