A Class from Heaven

I've got only one part time job right now and it's going to help me with rent and food for a while. I know I should still be thankful. But I am extra thankful because my first class yesterday was super fine! These five kids I am teaching are just students from heaven! They are super enthusiastic and I hope this reaction is not only for the first class. I am inspired by these kids and they bring sunshine and warmth to the cold and glum weather in Hanoi! Indeed, the one and only class I am having for now is heaven-sent! ^_^

AVATART!

It's been a looong time since I wrote something. I am here in Hanoi with only one part time job and everyday here is just spend, spend, spend. I fear I may not be able to handle this crap any more. Speaking of crap, just saw AVATAR yesterday in 3D and it just sucked. Anyone can perfectly execute special effects these days but AVATAR's story and characters were just thin as air. The execution was good but it's the same old "white-man-saves-the-natives-Pocahontas-shit." Got to see a sleek new film before I go crazy. That's all...

ALiCe in wOnderLAnd!

Why is it sometimes difficult to accept the reality of uncertainty? The level of confusion may vary from person to person. Why is it that some people prefer a clear-cut truth? A black and white reality? And so I say pardon me if I say one thing and mean the other. If there is sarcasm embedded in my words. If I say I am happy yet I frown. I choose to remain ambivalent. Maybe it’s a good thing, maybe not. I know yesterday I said I wanted to stay but today I wish to fly away. But taking just one side I will not bother, because tomorrow I might feverishly fight for the other.

Quickview (A quick review): DON'T TELL PAPA

I was extremely smothered by the Korean dramedy “Don’t Tell Papa.” I am not a big fan of Korean comedies but then again what got me attracted to this is the right balance of tragedy and humor. Most of my affection for the film has something to do with the very young and cute Yoo Seung Ho. Oh, did I mention he is also very talented?

The film revolves on a very simple, even typical story. The film is about a good man who falls in love with the ambitious girl and knocks her up only to find out the next day that the girl has already dumped him with an extra package—their baby. The good man then works hard to raise the baby and the baby grows up and loves him so much. In pure coincidence, presumably, mom comes home and grows fond of the child. I guess you get the plot, don’t you?

Possibly what worked with the film is the excellent execution and performances of the actors. As most comedies, the characters in this film are not very much fleshed out—except Ho’s deliverance. Not many young actors can show a range of emotion as he did in this film. He was about ten at that time and now, at fifteen, has had much recognition as any young actor could ever imagine. Still, he is working hard to feel worthy of his new nickname “Little So Ji Sup” as he share similar features with the hot and critically-acclaimed star.

The film uses a specific soundtrack that makes it even more heart-warming. The excessive use of a particular love song in three different versions is almost very likable. This film is also loaded with smart dialogues, mostly expressed by Ho. The jokes are also typical but are very well-delivered. Though how simple and predictable the plot may be, the film never loses its consistency. Again, the keyword: execution. This is why tons of films are made with the same theme but are still loved like the first time we have seen them.

FIGHT CLUB: Blu ray Cover Art Review

And I thought the previous cover art versions were nifty? Another "Fight Club" cover art comes along, for their 10th year anniversary, now in Blu ray that has got me really excited and in fact, made me want to reminisce the movie again. "Fight Club" is a story of a boy, a man, of fights and of clubs. We all know it is more than the details I've mentioned. People who watched and understood the film will say that this is one hot movie that leaves a fingerprint in pop culture while not failing to incorporate the story with intelligent remarks and exposes on current consumerism.

The previous art covers include a pic of a pink soap with the lead characters nameless narrator, played by Edward Norton and Tyler, played by Brad Pitt. Another version is a sleek pic of a package, presumably packing the infamous "pink soap." But what makes the new art cover appealing is that it really does its best to outdo the previous covers and in a weird way does. There are many versions of the new release but I've picked my fave (the large one). The gritty black and white paper cut slash photocopy-esque rendition of the nameless narrator with a neon pink, spray-painted movie title overlay definitely caught my eye. Added, in a white graffiti-like font, is a wildly favorite quotation of mine from the movie "YOU ARE NOT SPECIAL." Well, maybe not but this new cover art truly is...

I CAN DO ANYTHING...but what do I really want?

This is going to be quick. I was typing in Yahoo this phrase: "how to know what you really want" and I stumbled upon this amazing article and a fantastic site. Now, I just want to share this with you...

What Do You REALLY Want?

December 7th, 2007 by Editor, Pick The Brain

The statement, “You can do anything you put your mind to,” leads us to believe that all you must do is imagine what you’d like to accomplish, set your mind to the task, and wait for success.

To a certain degree this is true. Focused intention combined with action is a powerful force. But the statement is misleading because it fails to mention the difficulty and necessity of focusing your mind on a specific goal.

Most of us don’t know what we want. We think we do, but we really don’t. We only know what we don’t want. We don’t want a boring job. We don’t want to be poor. We don’t want to disappoint our loved ones.

Knowing specifically what you want is much different than knowing what you don’t want. When you only know what you don’t want, your intentions aren’t focused. Consider this example.

Pete doesn’t want to be poor. He’s sick of earning less than his friends, and he’s determined to raise his status. To accomplish this goal, Pete could take many different paths. He could train for a high paying profession, such as doctor or lawyer. He could start his own company, go into real estate, or do many other things that would lead to acquiring wealth.

But Pete isn’t sure what he wants to do. He doesn’t know which path best fits his skills and personality, so he doesn’t resolve to follow any particular path.

Hoping to answer this question, he investigates a dozen possibilities, but as soon as he runs into adversity he decides that path isn’t for him and moves on to a new solution.

Pete’s actions aren’t focused. Although he works very hard, his efforts don’t build on each other. Rather than building one giant impenetrable sand castle, Pete has built twenty smalls ones that are easily toppled. He ends up confused and discouraged. Ultimately Pete’s lack of focus leads to failure.

Now, what if Pete had chosen a specific path? Suppose he decided on the law profession. His actions would have been clearly defined:

• Get a high score on the LSAT
• Attain letters of recommendation
• Get accepted to a good law school
• Decide on a field of law
• Earn a law degree
• Find a high paying job with a good law firm

A set of specific goals is much easier to achieve than a vague end goal like becoming wealthy. Being focused on a path gives Pete a logical set of actions to follow. Each accomplishment is one step closer to the final goal.

I think we can all agree that committing to a clearly defined path, regardless of which one, gives Pete the best chance of becoming wealthy.

But how can he choose a path if he doesn’t know what he wants? Maybe money isn’t his only goal. Maybe he wants to do something he loves at the same time. Maybe he can’t afford to go back to school. Reality is complicated, and Pete doesn’t want to commit too soon.

And that’s why he fails.

But I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. Most people don’t fit neatly into a predefined path. Forcing yourself into one may lead to success, but it probably won’t make you happy.

This is the point. If you want to be conventionally successful, to attain wealth and status, you need to choose a specific path (preferably something mainstream) and follow it to the letter.

On the other hand, if you aren’t particularly concerned with wealth or success, you can take your time searching for that perfect niche.

Just don’t wait too long to decide. Each moment you deliberate, your already committed competitors sprint further ahead.

But, then again, maybe life isn’t a race, and maybe the most interesting people follow a path all their own.

- from http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/you-arent-getting-anywhere-because-you-dont-know-where-you-want-to-go/

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...And the other site I'm talking about: http://www.thewaytohappiness.org/#/videos

The site's title and tagline totally rocks: The Way to Happiness: A Common Sense Guide to Better Living.

Random FAVE things

I LOVE: (Part 1)

1. Britney Spears and most of her upbeat songs. People say she's an entertainer. I say she is, only plus genuis. I don't know why I like her so much. I am very picky with movies. I criticize the half-hearted and formulaic films that are so predictable. But with music, I love pop songs, dance songs, songs that doesn't require me to think much. Fun songs. This blog ain't really about her so I will stop now. I just love her and it is something I can never fully explain. Maybe it's the entire package. Ok, stopping now.

2. Pixar. I worship all of their movies. So excited to see the short "Partly Cloudy" (currently downloading).

3. Social Networks especially Facebook.

4. Friends and Family (God, I miss them. Di pa gyud ko kauli X-mas.)

5. Madonna, God of Pop. I have witnessed her reinventions and evolution. Say she's old but as the old adage goes "old doesn't mean irrelevant." She's the epitome of relevance.

to be continued...