YES!!!

I don’t know if it is because of my love for Zooey Deschanel’s quirkiness (I was aware of and loved the Deschanel sisters before 500 Days of Summer showed), but I felt really really good after watching Yes Man.

I have always been a fan of Jim Carey, but his movies haven’t been the biggest commercial or critical successes after the 90’s. I was not tempted to watch Yes Man in the theatre, and only did so after I got a copy from my friend (after a failed attempt to view Man on the Moon).

I had expected a regular slapstick comedy a la JC, but I think Zooey Deschanel made up for it. She is adorable as always, playing the quirky free-spirited girl with witty conversations and an open mind and heart. She has a husky voice (which I love) and piercing blue eyes peeking out behind the dark hair. She is the girl that all guys love and all girls adore. Somehow I’ve got a hunch that is her in real life too.

Anyhow, this isn’t a movie review. This movie made me feel… light, made my heart flutter. It definitely is a feel good movie, but so many aspects resonated in me. I admire and pursue traits in Zooey – love for spontaneity, witty banter, comfortable to be around because she doesn’t care about being impressed (at least not in the conventional ways), not trying to impress people around her, and doing things from the heart. The last trait, I must say, is something I have to sort out. I do put my heart into doing many things, meanwhile my rationality can interfere. That is why I am not fully a free-spirited person.

Watching this movie opened me up again. It’s not like I haven’t been open to new experiences, but I didn’t open myself up. I worry too much and keep holding myself back because I am not sure of taking chances. This movie, coincided with events the last two days, lifted me a bit.

1. On Friday, I decided that I will give myself a rest and not feel guilty about being unproductive. In the end, I applied to a few jobs.

2. I got a reply from a job I applied for out of fun – I completely customized the resume and cover letter. It’s a trainee position, and I thought what the heck, might as well try, and I’m interviewing on Monday!

3. I attended a funeral service. It didn’t hit too close to me… after the lunch, I felt a lot better being able to chat and laugh in the context. It felt like a release from being appropriately miserable. It felt like things were going to be better.

All of these were positive encouragements to life being hopeful. I just have to do it and not think too much. Things are alright. I will get over the hump. Life is alright.

PS. Zooey Deschanel and Katy Perry definitely can pass for sisters, couldn't they?

Even found a pic of them together:

Marshmallow test

This video is based on the simple Psychology theory that younger children cannot grasp the idea of having more rewards after waiting (Yes, there is a scientific experiment for everything). So if you're impatient... maybe you've got the EQ of a kid :) The kid you see in the preview shot (blond boy with green tshirt) is definitely the star! Enjoy!

Not a funny article

The Grammys and Oscar award shows will have a lot of people to include in their memorial montages. Many of the world’s icons from the musical, theatrical, political and athletic industries have passed away in 2009. Just searching for celebrities deaths in 2009 found me this list, last updated Sep 3. Add to that Mary Travers from the group Peter, Paul and Mary, and Kanye’s musical career for the near future.

I hoped that the deaths would stay in Hollywood. Then it closer to home - I heard that a Hong Kong actor, nicknamed “Dai Sor Gor” (大傻哥) for his numerous supporting roles as a gullible villain, passed away from cancer. He had already backed away from the limelight and situated himself as a village mayor/chief, but many Hong Kong citizens still recognize him.

成奎安 aka 大傻哥

Suddenly... I never expected anything like the following to happen. I didn't believe it when I heard. A friend from primary school was sent to the intensive care unit after an accident. I haven’t met up with her since I returned to Toronto, and last week was the very first time I’ve seen her since 12 years old. The first glance I see of her is when she was in the hospital bed, unconscious… and it was the last time I will ever see of her.

I can’t say I was close, but this was someone I had a part of my childhood with, even though a brief 3 years. This was someone who did not have her life taken away by a dangerous lifestyle of drugs or speeding or risky activities. You can say she didn't deserve to have it happen to her. I am just glad– with the little bit of Christian faith in me – that she accepted Christ in the last few days of her life, and that her sister was able to smile as all her friends visited.

So many have used the phrase “summer of death” to label 2009. The ends of the lives of many people brought grief because they have accomplished so much and brought so much to the lives of many. The least I can do is make something from this and make a modest relation to my life. I have finished my undergraduate degree and need to tread my way through the “real world” (or in John Mayer’s words, a lie we gotta rise above). It is the official end of the transition from dependence and childhood. I am still struggling to find myself but, cliché but precisely, I want to have lived my life to the fullest with no regrets. I don't care about owning sports cars or mansions or having a shoe closet the size of my apartment. I don't want to be famous for being a talentless Hong Kong singer or pseudo-model (term used loosely). What I want is knowledge, wisdom, trust, faith, loyalty, and people I am comfortable with. In the end when my turn comes, I hope that I would have accomplished what I wanted to, or at least on my way there.

I think I am hoping really hard that deaths mean something, that they didn't happen just because. There's always a reason for things to happen, right?

Kanye meme Gayfish = my desktop

Screencap evidence:
One of the most awesome memes X one of the best childhood books X South Park reference
image from http://immaletyoufinish.com/

I think my week would be awesome.

Dream log: I was a nudist in a band with Natalie Portman

I dreamt that I was a in a five person band, where another member and I were nudists with acoustic guitars covering ourselves, one was Natalie Portman with her head shaved, and one was a drag with eyeliner/false lashes and a hair straightener addiction. The other member was a regular man with a mustache and beard resembling Chris Martin.

I remember we walked to a train station, then climbed onto blue tiered seats on a wall. They were arranged like rocks jabbing out of a mountain with plastic-y coverings and you can only mount them as if rock climbing. With lots of people walking by in winter coats and woolly hats, I suddenly remembered I was nude but didn’t feel cold at all (and I also felt like I was a man). I voiced my amazement out loud, and the drag was curious and thought he might give it a try. The regular man laughed and told him his balls would freeze off. Then I thought – does that mean I’m not a man?

We were at a house gathering where the entire place was packed. The drag had on false lashes and makeup, and had his shoulder length dirty blond hair pulled pin straight. The top front section of hair was pulled back into a high loop and gelled so that it was shiny and smooth as if it was plastic. He was wearing something like a pink bath robe. He was going somewhere – I had a feeling he was leaving for good or for an audition – and we all gave him kisses on both cheeks to wish him good luck. I remember I teased him and pretended to mess up his meticulous hair. He chuckled with watery eyes and returned the kisses. I had a feeling I was going to miss him.

Time: Sunday Evening Nap.