La Liberté Guidant Le Peuple

La Liberté Guidant le Peuple. Liberty Leading The People. It's a very famous painting by Eugéne Delacroix. You may even have seen it on my blog before. It is actually a painting symbolising the French Revolution, and that is Lady Liberty. Now, art is very subjective. The interpretation of art is something to behold as each and every individual has their own unique exposition of art, be it any any form ; paiting, film, literature, poetry, music. I have a sudden urge to write about this painting. The theme is very evident, liberty, something many AUSMATians are feeling, albeit something fleeting.

As far as I can see, Lady Liberty is the only woman in this painting. For some reasons, still unbeknownst to me, abstract things such as liberty and luck are portrayed by women. A possible reason may be the fact that there were the Roman goddesses of luck and liberty. On a side note, look at The Statue of Liberty. Back to the painting, the woman is holding the French flag, the tricolore. It very obviously symbolises freedom of some sort for the French (I have limited knowledge on French history).

But, look to the left of Lady Luck, who do we have here? Merlin's pants! It's Honest Abe. Now what in the world is Abraham Lincoln doing fighting for the French? Haha, it's only a theory, because in fact, this painting was painted in 1830. So, Abraham Lincoln, would've only been about 21 years of age, certainly not that famous to be depicted in a painting by a French artist.

Now to the right of Lady Luck is a young boy, this probably symbolises the universal scale of war. Everyone is involved, affected. Down below, there are many dead bodies, symbolising the devastation brought on the the onslaught of battle. But look at the horizon, behind those smoky clouds of smoldering remains of a French city, blue skies are in sight. So, in this case, it seems, the battle was well worth for.

Actually, I wanted to write about post-exam liberty, but I ended up doing this. Never mind, there's always a time for post-exam analysis. :D Wait in anticipation.

*Insert random blog title here*

Why not put to good use the knowledge I have learnt in English class. The power of literature.
Literary analysis is always so subjective, that it can lead to crazy, irrational statements being made. Who cares, right? It's all fun and games.
So, I shall. Be there or be square.


P/s ZOMG solamegodeleteyourbloglah

Ho Yeah!

Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that thought they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.

William Penn, More Fruits of Solitude

-Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling-

Epic Fail

Blogging in the month of October = epic fail! 

October is the month of awesome-ness and awesome people are born in October. Just refer to the AWESUM world factbook, it says that about 83% of awesome people were born in the month of October. True story. 

Okay, cut the crap. I can't let my blog just sit here and die, can I? No, my minimum quota is 1 post per month. (Note: The word "quota" carries many negative connotations for myself) 

Okay, let's see what been happening this few weeks... To sum up the Ausmat program from July till now, I quote my classmate's words that precisely and concisely described our predicament; "When we are free, we are super free until got nothing to do. When we are busy, aaaaah, work piling up like hell"

I can hardly say that I agree more with the above statement. Since July, my hobby (one of them) has been to brag about my awesome and relatively free schedule of classes to my more hardworking friends. Well, these past two weeks have been a rush to beating deadlines (not exactly la). Econs report, writing a 5 page report on a newspaper article from the main topic of price elasticity. Truth be told, it was rather interesting. I did a report on the food prices in New Zealand (aha, wannabe!). It's quite interesting to compare the market of food there to Malaysia, since it's something we all know very well. I am starting to observe more real-life situations from a more economic perspective. Okay, grab the newspaper beside you. Not that side, the other side. Yes. Okay, now flip through it, and search for any full page promotional adverts by any major hypermarket. Your reaction now might be " WAAAAA, SO CHEAP AH?!!! MUST GO BUY NOW!!" or *flips page and throws paper aside* .

Haha, well. I got to know about the pricing strategies of major supermarkets, and how they can still gain profit from lower prices of other goods. It's quite interesting to note how effective it is on certain individuals. However, at the same time, indignant feelings because we are subjected to such tricks arise.

Okay, abrupt change of topic: EALD book report. By now, I am so sick of The Joy Luck Club that I am going to store it away somewhere high up my shelve of books. I can think of so many books that would have been better to write on, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. I could've written a 20 page essay if I wanted to. Nevertheless, it's over and I'm glad. 

Maths presentation is finally over as well. As you may have noticed, I am very (extremely) successful at keeping my temper intact in situations of crisis and tension. Well, in cases of extreme emotion, even I have difficulty of masking any excess annoyance. But still, I'm pretty sure that no one, other than Jui Yong noticed it. Haha. End of this chapter of the story. I still want you all to think of me as a happy happy person. LOL

So, all major assignments are done (for now). Shawshank is waiting for me. And yes, I do enjoy English class a lot. I expect it's the vibrance, experience and enthusiasm of my teacher. I am discreetly aware of prying eyes, so I'll just put it at that. 

And yes, one last thing. I have a new record, 3 or 4 consecutive posts without a comment. So, I dare you, try to stop my amazing and unbroken streak if you dare! If not, run along like the nice shy person you are. BYEEEEEEEEEEEE

New Horizons

EALD discussion in class that day was interesting. Come to think of it, EALD is always interesting!
However, back to the point. The topic was transitions in life, and how we have come to change in these past few months, entering college life and all.

Most of my classmates had very clear-cut transitional changes. Physical and mental, as well as emotional. I mean, who can not expect huge changes in one's life when you move to Sunway from all over the country. Leaving your home, parents, siblings, pets behind. It's bound to be a life-changer. Starting life at Casa and Sunway, away from home should make you more independent. I agree. However, I don't live at Casa, nor do I stay at Casa. Once in a blue and yellow moon, perhaps so,  but not that often. I live 11+ km from college. And it takes me just as much time to travel from home to college as Casa to college. So, I choose, for the moment to stay at home. Yes, with all the comforts of home, who wouldn't?

So, at first I thought that this wasn't a particularly big transition for me, in terms of being independent or "young adult". No, I pretty much lived the same way. However, what I failed to realise was the wider or deeper transitions taking place. The widening of my horizon. Broadening of my mind, to things I have never considered before. Encouragement to think more intellectually and radically. Persuasion and support to speak confidently. Yes, that's basically my transition. Something that cannot be seen clearly with the naked eye, but perhaps the microscopic scrutiny of some.

I have opened up my reading options from what limited genres that have dominated my bookshelf for the past few years. Reading classics or controversial and widely debated books are very interesting all of a sudden. But, I have to give due credit to my book-loving friends. Not that there weren't any at school, but most of my classmates (not generalisation with negative purposes) read chick-lit, which doesn't interest me. But here, I can have discussions on books with friends who share my likes or have opposing views on books. And now I am even more open to book recommendations by others.

So, imagine my joy at receiving a book report assignment. I am serious, no sarcasm involved. :D Most of the books are classics, or very thought-provoking books that have become best-sellers and sit on prestigious lists such as Top 100 books of the 20th century. I think that reading these said books can bring about change in perceptions on a variety of issues.

So lo and behold, I have siphoned through the list of books that was given, these few have caught my eye:
1. Lord of the Flies, by William Golding.  Seems to be quite intriguing. It's about a group of boys, who try to maintain control over each other? I'm not so sure. 


2. Atonement, by Ian McEwan. This is about a girl who aspires to be a writer, but makes a mistake, thus spending the rest of her life, well atoning. Haha


3.The Colour Purple , by Alice Walker. A books on the issue of racial segregation and persecution, from what I understand. Perhaps the same major theme as "To Kill A Mockingbird"

4. Life of Pi , by Yann Martel. Robinson Crusoe-ish? I don't think so. Is it about spritiuality? 

5. The Catcher In The Rye , by J.D. Salinger. A teenage rebellion icon book. Veeeerry interesting and perhaps suitable for critical analysis.

6. The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan . Seems to be even more suited to my assignment questions. Character development? Traditional values and conflicts.

Now these are the books that are interesting but I guess I am ruling them out for certain reasons. I have recently read tTo KIll A Mockingbird, and I found the story quite well developed. And the issues discussed were done so by the author very tactfully through the yes of a child. However, after having a discussion on whether is should be banned from schools or not, I think that this may become a popular choice. So, I am trying to opt for something different.
I have also read A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. I found it to be rather depressing, and having said that, it is a very good book. Having achieved its aim perhaps? But I don't think that I want to analyse this book.

So yes, writer's block has struck me right in the middle of a post. I guess I'll just stop for now.
If you are taking EALD, what book are you choosing and why? 

:D

Reviews in progress : To Kill a Mockingbird (book)
                                    Fantastic Mr Fox (movie)

P.s Holidays are ending soon. :( I want one more week please.

The Prestige

Hooray! It’s the holidays! That means that I can take some time to watch the movies that I have obtained. Movie numero uno that I am going to talk about, not really review because I’m cool like that. Drum roll please…..;

The Prestige!

The Prestige is a movie that was directed by the infamous Christopher Nolan. I think it was released in 2006. Back then, I had no idea who this person was and I didn’t really watch much movies ( not that I do now though) . However, I vaguely remember my cousin telling me that it was, I quote “Awesome! It’s about two magicians trying to outsmart each other”

Uhuh, yeahh. The whole movie can be basically summarise into that short sentence…IF it WASN’T  a movie by Christopher Nolan. However, taking into the account of  who Mr. Nolan is, you should be able to guess that he likes to spin your mind roun’ and roun’. :D

I had no idea that the prestige had anything to do with magic tricks. I just thought that the prestige meant, well, prestige lah!  Higher social status, fame ,infamy etc. The prestige is actually the most important part of the magic trick.  I quote from Cutter, also known as, Alfred the butler in Batman. :D

[First lines] Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige".

Okay, now we know what “The Prestige” means. So this movie is about Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christopher Bale) who are two rival magicians. Basically, they became mortal enemies as when they were still “Sorcerer’s Apprentices” they worked for the same magician. And Angier’s wife died in the trick because Borden tried to tie a different knot, making it harder for Angier’s wife to escape from the water-filled container, and thus drowning. (My hypothesis la)

So after she died, they started their own shows, and thus began the sabotaging of each other. Angier and Borden are actually like Tom and Jerry, except that Angier doesn’t try to eat Borden la. :P

One day, Borden came up with this new trick, the Transported Man. It’s basically this trick is about him showing us two doors, just the door and the frame, mind you. And he bounces a rubber ball on the stage. As he does so, he enters from the first door, comes through the second, and catches the bouncing ball. Impressive eh? Oh yeah, don’t expect to understand it immediately. Nolan, for some unknown reason didn’t show us the complete trick. He only showed Borden entering the first door. And expected us to understand. -_-“

Since, Borden’s new trick was so amazing, Angier became Angrier. And tried to find the secret to the trick la. Now enters the super confusing part, with Nikola Tesla, lala and cats and hats. Basically, there is a twist at the end. And then, there is another twist. And then comes another twist. Twisted Nolan. Okay, no spoilers, as I promised. So, just watch it. Come on, you get to see GOLLUM! (Andy Serkis) and David Bowie who plays Nikola Tesla. Look out for his differently coloured eyes- yes it’s true. You get to feel stupid as in “Why didn’t I notice that before?!” and you get to feel confused. At the end of it, you might even have a headache and try to watch Inception instead, maybe finding it less complicating and easier to understand than this movie.

All in all, good story la. Christopher Nolan makes us think. Acting was okay, save the fact that Christian Bale’s British accent was horrid, and he was born in Wales, mind you.

My rating : 7/10

P.s. I’ve also watched Kick-Ass which was bloody bloody. (that wasn’t a kata ganda. I meant it.) I may decide to review it later though. For now, I have these movies to watch :

Boy A

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Memento (Oh no! Nolan again!)

The Hurt Locker ( I will determine if it was worthy of its accolades.)