• Lord of the Rings (all 3 of them)
• What Dreams May Come
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s
• Amelie

Nothing new have been added to the list in ages until now … dundundun … AVATAR!! I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing more news about the movie but I had to add in my two cents. There was nothing spectacular about the plot and it had the most annoying and dumb protagonist ever (I almost wanted to stop watching) but the visuals, action scenes and the epic-ness of it all were amazing. By visuals, I don’t mean the quality of the CGI but the Pandora in itself. It’s nothing new (if you read a lot of fantasy like me) but you rarely get to see it in a film presented in the way that it was. I’m looking forward to the sequels and more importantly, the book. *crosses fingers*

Check out: PROJECT 880: The Avatar That Almost Was (via @junshien).

What made Avatar good for you?

…and what are your favorite movies OF ALL TIME (not just the ones you like)?

All I found was this question on Yahoo Answers which is talking about the same show but never answered. Ah.

I’m trying to remember the name of this show and it’s killing me!! HELP!!

Poor Girl whose extremely stupid/naive and always gets caught in a love triangle. She’s either really cute and happy OR always sad, depressed and would stare into space for hours while sappy music plays.

Rich Dude whose arrogant, stubborn, full of himself and doesn’t know how to show emotion. Poor Girl hates him at first but ends up falling in love with even though he treats her like shit.

Rich Dude’s Ex/First Love who rejects Rich Dude in the beginning only to want him back when him and Poor Girl gets closer. She’s the bitch you love to hate!

Rich Dude’s Best Friend who is always the nice guy and always there for Poor Girl when Rich Dude hurts her. He always gets rejected at the end.

Sometimes the roles may be switched (eg. Rich Bitch + Poor Guy).

Anyway, what are you favorite Korean dramas?

My absolute favorites are Queen of Housewives, My Girl, My Lovely Sam-Soon, Boys Over Flowers and Only You. I like a lot of the old ones but haven’t found too many new ones I really liked.

I finally got around to watching Goong and I loved it! I actually started Goong S earlier this year but it sucked (well I just couldn’t stand Se7en) so I didn’t want to watch the first one …but it’s way better. I’m either going to watch Soulmate next or finish Delightful Girl.

K/J-drama recommendations?

Tasha (a.k.a. T) is a a part Korean and African-American hip hop artist in Korea and she’s one of the best! She’s known as the Queen of Soul in the Korean music industry and married to the Korean hip hop legend, Tiger JK. This was one of her first music videos I watched that got me hooked on her music.

Whose going to win the Korean girl group wars?

Last week, my girlfriends and I were out enjoying a sushi dinner and amongst our random conversation topics, the 2012 prophecy came up. I don’t believe in that stuff but if the world were to end in 2012, what would you do with your the remaining years?

Me? I’d totally pig out on the yummiest and fatty foods for the next couple years (and then only to go FUCK when the world doesn’t end).

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Move over Tasha, Lexy, Yubin, CL and Miryo:

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]]> http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/06/twitter-and-things/feed/ 16 http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/06/i-like-boybands/ http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/06/i-like-boybands/#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:26:49 +0000 Katy http://twentyfourcarat.net/?p=5574 Here are some of my ALL TIME favorite songs (most of them are old). Sorry guys, it’s mostly K-Pop because once I get into my K-Pop phase, I don’t listen to anything else! The Backstreet Boys were lucky that I didn’t start listening to Korean music until I was 13 or else they would’ve lost one obsessive teeny-boppin’ fan. I tried to do 1 artist + 1 song but it didn’t work too well because I had to cheat. In no particular order:

• SS501 – Wings of the World
  Loved how my Kyu and Young Saeng got teary while singing this… it’s definitely one of their best ballads. Must add Find because I love Young Saeng’s voice (although I wish everyone else got to sing more) and I also love Deja Vu but I wish JM didn’t try to speak English in the beginning. Out of all the groups, SS501 still tops my list because of their music and distinctive personalities. They are one of the most underrated groups IMO. BUT thank god their “cutsey” (WTF DSP!!) days are over… on with their new look please!
• Epik High – Love Love Love
  Epik High is definitely one of the BEST groups in Korea! I love 95% of their songs. If you like hip hop, check them out (don’t worry, I wouldn’t consider them a “boy band” at all).
• Big Bang – Haru Haru
  Asian guys with make up? Have to love them anyway. My thoughts on BB: they really only need Tae Yang, T.O.P. and G-Dragon, why does G-Dragon always play the main character in all their music videos and I LOVE T.O.P.’s voice!!
• G-Dragon – This Love
  At first, I found this song sooo annoying but I’ve developed a strange obsession for it. I love watching our dear little leader perform; maybe it’s the fact that it amuses me when he looks so feminine in some of their videos with all that make up on or because it’s always entertaining to analyze what he’s wearing. Here’s an English version.

  Sorry guys, I couldn’t resist!! Don’t be surprised, it’s only G-Dragon.

  

  I burst out laughing every time I see the rabbit and the naked woman drawing shirt! You can't say BLAME THE STYLIST with him because he'd probably wear some of these outfits on his own anyway... but what IS Mr. YG thinking, letting him do this to himself?! If it was anyone else, they might get bashed and lose fans but he can because well... he's G-DRAGON!!

• Lexy ft. Tae Yang & T.O.P. – Super Fly
  One of my favorite female Korean rappers and my two favorites from Big Bang!
• YG Family – YMCA
  This songs brings back sooo many memories. Gotta love YG!!
• Drunken Tiger – G-Fresh
  This was THE song that got me into Korean music.
• T – Black Happiness
  Love Tasha!! Her and Tiger JK was the most perfect union of Korean-ness. Sigh.
• 1TYM – Falling In Love
  Another one of the songs that got me into Korean music. I honestly love ALL of 1TYM’s songs and I think they are a classic so here’s a couple more: The Reason Why I Close My Eyes, Without You, One Love and Can’t Let You Go.
• Jinusean – Telephone Number
  I had a hard time choosing one Jinusean song too! Their first song I heard was the How Deep is Your Love remake.
• 

  How can you not stare at Hero's freakishly PERFECT face (and hair)?

  DBSK- O
  I like DBSK but I think it’s stupid to have so many different names… I was like WTF is a TVXQ? I thought it was a DVD player but anyway DBSK’s got the whole package, look like they came straight out of an anime and have a lot of awesome songs including Rising Sun and Love in the Ice. They’re probably the biggest boy band in Asia although I never really got into the whole DBSK/DVD player obsession.

• Fly to the Sky – Condition Of My Heart
  Another one of the first Korean songs I’ve heard and one of the best songs EVER (because Brian and Fany sang it). Le sigh.
• Yoo Seung Jun ft. Yuki Hsu – Can’t Wait
  This song came out so long ago yet I can still listen to it over and over and not get sick of it! I also use to think that YSJ was the hottest thing ever to grace our earth except I’ll always remember hating the blue jumpsuit he wore in this video because it looks like he’s wearing a giant blue condom. Oh well.
• Shinhwa – Angel
  Did you think I was going to leave Shinhwa out of the list?
• Super Junior – Marry You
  The thought of a THIRTEEN member boy band is just a LITTLE intimidating (I mean, Korean names are hard enough to learn if you’re not Korean) but I won’t judge and have to admit, I just LURVE their music. It’s a shame how some of the best voices get drowned out though… seriously, who’d want to be in a 13-member boy band if they had a choice?
• Clazziquai Project – Love Mode
  I love Clazziquai Project because their music is very mellow and soothing. Plus DJ Clazzi and Alex is from Vancouver! I only started listening to them after watching Alex on the Korean TV show, We Got Married.
• 2NE1 – Fire
  This is one of those songs you have to listen to a few times before you get totally addicted but I just had to add these girls to the list! I’m not a huge fan of Korean girl groups because their voices can get really annoying but I think it’s the fact that 2NE1 was bred by YG! I can’t wait to see where they go and the release of their first album.

And the stuff I absolutely love that everyone can understand:

• Bryan Adams, Sting & Rod Stewart – All For Love
• Guns N’ Roses – November Rain
• Phil Collins – True Colors
• Lady Gaga – Just Dance
• Rihanna – Disturbia

Where to get these songs? YESASIA of course (if you want to go the legal route). If you really want to support your favorite [overseas] artist, I suggest you buy their albums because some of them really depend on their album sales. Do you have any favorite [Asian] songs?

]]> http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/06/i-like-boybands/feed/ 39 http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/03/just-one/ http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/03/just-one/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:20:12 +0000 Katy http://twentyfourcarat.net/?p=4643 One poem At the Mid Hour of Night At the mid hour of night, when stars are weeping, I fly To the lone vale we loved, when life shone warm in thine eye; And I think oft, if spirits can steal from the regions of air, To revisit past [...]]]> From SoloLisa.com.
I’ll tag whoever is interested in doing this.

One picture

My favorite photo: Marie Antoinette in Vogue (by Annie Leibovitz)

One poem

At the Mid Hour of Night

At the mid hour of night, when stars are weeping, I fly
To the lone vale we loved, when life shone warm in thine eye;
And I think oft, if spirits can steal from the regions of air,
To revisit past scenes of delight, thou wilt come to me there,
And tell me our love is remember’d, even in the sky.

Then I sing the wild song ’twas once such pleasure to hear!
When our voices commingling breathed, like one, on the ear;
And, as Echo far off through the vale my said orison rolls,
I think, oh my love! ’tis thy voice from the Kingdom of Souls,
Faintly answering still the notes that once were so dear.

-Thomas Moore

One item of clothing

Haute Couture gown (by Elie Saab)

One song

This is a remake of my all time favorite song: All For Love (by Bryan Adams, Rod Steward & Sting) but almost as good (couldn't find a video of the real one)

One place

Giza Plateau, Egypt (photo by Joanot)

One Disney princess

Cinderella (photo by Annie Leibovitz)

One quote

Outside of a dog, a man’s best friend is a book. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx

]]> http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/03/just-one/feed/ 15 http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/03/couch-potatoing/ http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/03/couch-potatoing/#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:35:37 +0000 Katy http://twentyfourcarat.net/?p=4386 What are your top 5 TV shows?

 

1. Lost
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. Jon and Kate Plus 8
4. The Real Housewives of Orange County
5. Girls Next Door

I also love 24 (but waiting for season to be over to start watching) and Gossip Girl (but usually catch that online). I don’t use to watch a lot of TV but I’m turning into a TV nut!

Anyway, today is Wednesday. HAPPY LOST DAY!!
Sigh. I love Wednesdays.

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]]> http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/03/couch-potatoing/feed/ 44 http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/01/charice-pempengco/ http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/01/charice-pempengco/#comments Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:49:57 +0000 Katy http://twentyfourcarat.net/?p=3514 I haven’t really been into the music scene ever since those days when my girlfriends and I would each pick a Backstreet Boy to be and record ourselves performing Backstreet’s Back but I recently discovered the most talented singer in the world (IN THE WORLD!!): Charice Pempengco!

You’ve probably heard of her before but l always discover things like this at least a year too late. I’ve only written about music twice in this blog and so she HAS to be good if I’m writing about music again (not that I have anything against music but it’s usually nothing interesting to blog about). Read on…

She’s Filipino, she’s only 16 yet her voice is freaking powerful and amazing… where the hell does it come from?! She’s so tiny! Amazing. She was discovered on Youtube and introduced to America by Ellen, she’s been praised by Oprah, she’s being produced by David Foster and she performed at Obama’s Pre-Inauguration Concert; I swear this girl is going to be the WhitneyMariahCelineHoustonCareyDion of this generation. I was reading comments on an article and someone wrote, “If she was a drug, I would be in rehab for the rest of my life.” WELL, SAME HERE.

You know how every up-and-coming singer performs “I Will Survive” on every talent show? Well this is probably the BEST version I’ve ever heard.

Sigh. I. Am. So. Amazed.

I seriously wish the best for this girl and I can’t wait to see where her voice will take her!

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]]> http://twentyfourcarat.net/2009/01/charice-pempengco/feed/ 40 http://twentyfourcarat.net/2008/12/why-i-hate-sundays/ http://twentyfourcarat.net/2008/12/why-i-hate-sundays/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:39:14 +0000 Katy http://twentyfourcarat.net/?p=3007

…and Sundays are one of the days I always force myself to go work out when I’d rather be stuffing myself with mac and cheese and Korean seafood pancakes.

Random pictures of the day:

“Nooo this is how a cowboy looks like!!” … featuring their HSM hat.

Speaking of Highschool Musical, we took the kids to see HSM on Ice last weekend and I seriously got so bored I had to whip my iPod (and I felt bad afterwards). I wish I was young again so those things could actually keep me entertained. I guess it didn’t help much that we missed the first half hour of it due to that horrible accident on the highway that morning. When we were driving out to Maple Ridge at around 10am to pick up the kids, the traffic was crawling through slowly and when we were going back at around 3, there was still traffic. It makes me sooo angry when idiots drive on the HOV lane when they’re not suppose to; that’s karma for them which they totally deserve but not the other vehicles involved and everyone else who gets stuck in traffic. It also doesn’t make sense why HOV lanes aren’t opened up to everybody when it’s not rush hour because it’s obvious they don’t help much when it’s not.

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Good night, Momo. ♥

Cholesterol + screaming filled night.

Trieu playing Rockband with the kids and getting his arse kicked.

Big bouncy castle fun.

Where’s Waldo?

Haha love *E’s expression!

A night I’d like to forget and never relive again.

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THE BACKSTREET BOYS CONCERT WAS SOOOOOO AWESOME!!! N and I got 7th row floor tickets (don’t remember where the other girls were sitting though) and we were gushing the whole time how close we were to the guys. I nearly teared up when they started singing I’ll Never Break Your Heart and got so excited when they started singing Larger Than Life. Talk about teenybopper moment! Once a BSB fan, always a BSB fan. GM Place was packed and the screaming was incredible; it’s amazing how they’ve been together for 15+ years (well minus Kevin) yet their fans are still so extremely loyal. I wish I got more pictures but this time I decided to enjoy it rather than spend my time snapping and recording away which I did in their 2005 concert. I got one picture though where Brian looked straight into my camera and waved (probably because my camera took so long to stabilize and the flash was right in his face) but the picture turned out all blurry!! Oh well. They’ll be back.

Girlicious opened for them which was another reason why I really wanted to go to the concert. I LOVE those girls because they’re hot and I actually enjoyed their album although the reality TV show really annoyed me (until the last couple episodes). My favorite songs of theirs are Still in Love and Already Gone. Hehehe. We went to Pop Opera right after the concert where they were partying it up in the VIP area, drinking Gray Goose and eating pizza but they swarmed by fans and cameras… it felt like a zoo; I felt bad for the but I guess they’re use to this treatment. I got separate pictures of Chrystina and Nichole smiling into my camera again because of my annoying flash (didn’t even bother trying to get a picture with them) but only the one with Nichole turned out.

I swear N and I didn’t plan our outfits! We were almost wearing the exact same thing; black shorts, suede boots and both our outfits had gold in it (belts, zippers, etc). We just didn’t know whether to dress for clubbing or for a concert. LOL.

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• Was all the planning-stress worth it? I guess so.
• Do it again next year? After 3 years of it, NO. We’re getting a travel agent next time.
• Like always, unfair share of housework.
• But hot tub and sun made up for it (although it sounds a bit ironic together).
• Beach: Saturday was hot and sunny. Sunday was a lot more windy so we chilled on the patio instead.
• Went horseback-riding along the beach. Loved it.
• Purchased and finished The Other Boleyn Girl (since I was so obsessed with the movie)! Five stars.
• Lots of eating and breaking of diets (you cannot escape the food and candy!!).
• Lots of shopping (although this wasn’t suppose to be a shopping trip). Totally successful.
• Lots and lots of gossiping.
• Hilarious car rides.
• Favorite purchase was a Marilyn Monroe wall clock.
• Found lots of nice jeans. ♥
• Got stuck in rush hour traffic to the Coast AND back home (we obviously don’t learn).
• Got home really late and still haven’t finished unpacking yet.
• Don’t have to go back to work until Friday! :cheer:

Mochi pick of the day:

Being lazy on a hot day.

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50 Designers’ Current Favorite Typefaces; found this on Johno’s blog (ilovetypography.com). The book is limited edition because they were printed for free so unfortunately they are out of stock. But according to James from createreject.com, if you are anywhere near London right now, there are still some copies in Koenig Books in Charing Cross Road and Artwords in Shoreditch. Proceeds of the book sales go to Unicef.

Pantone Expresso Cups; although I quit drinking coffee a year ago (it was a very long and hard withdrawal), maybe I should start again just so I can buy these Pantone cups and drink in style and pretend that I’m a better designer than I actually am. Actually, screw that I’m going to stick with my Chinese herbal teas but I’ll be drinking them out of pantone cups.

Romain Laurent; some very very cool photo manipulations by a very talented designer.

Cable Box (by Blue Lounge); if you know me and have seen my desk at work or at home, you’ll know I need one of these… BAD.

Lovemomiji.com’s Collection; for the lovers of all things CUTE, check out their collection and their shop! *ahem Richelle.

Sonya Gladiator Sandal by Dolce Vita; we all know we love gladiator sandals and can’t get enough of them! So totally sexy. Yummy.

Jean-Michel Cazabat Twister Sandals in Gold; and you thought Gladiator sandals were hot? Check out these snake themed sandals; very very sexy and Cleopatra-like. I like. I like. Now I hope someone gets them for me

Hautelook.com is having a Vix sale. Very very cute bikini’s— perfect for this perfect weather we’ve been having. Unfortunately I’ll be saying no to this until I get back to my “regular” weight. Damn office job, and gourmet cafeteria (and free gym access that I rarely take advantage of)!!

Corteo, which means “cortege” in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality

Boyfriend actually thought Corteo was “boring” compared to other shows!! I was sooo annoyed at him when he said that because I thought it was the most amazing show I’ve ever seen… I actually teared up during some of the acts because it was so damn beautiful (yes, I get emotional sometimes). LOL. The dramatic lighting and music totally set the mood and got the viewers involved in the story and of course, the costumes and stage props were sexy like always. He still liked it though but he just doesn’t know how to appreciate art as much as I do (I’m still trying to drill it into his head)! PSH. I think they were mostly there for the acrobatic performances which was awesome as well, of course.

It’s kinda funny because the first time I heard about the shows in Vancouver a couple years ago, I was so excited but he was rather the opposite and didn’t want to go because he thought it was lame. Forward to a couple weeks later, he suddenly told me he was going to get tickets (of couse I had to call him a hypocrite and didn’t let him forget about it for weeks) and now I think he loves the shows more than I do.

I can’t wait to find out what’s coming next year!

If you’ve never seen a show, I totally recommend you go see at least one.

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Here’s a link the another Youtube video without the text on the bottom (because EMB was disabled). The quality isn’t that great, but you can find a better (but smaller) version on her myspace page.

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I totally LOL’ed at those idiots who made the comments about the video. It’s a shame that those people are actually around and wasting our air.

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This is still my favorite video though.

QOTD:

What do you work for: the love of success or the fear of failure?

Both. Success is better than sex (or is it?) but failure is my biggest fear.

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We went to see The Golden Compass and I actually liked the movie except it was a bit rushed and they didn’t show the proper ending. Oh yeah, and the fact that the movie didn’t have the mystique the book did (but what movie remake does?). I was getting ready to be sad for Roger’s death too! Oops, did I just ruin it? (Whatever, that’s why you should read the books.) Nevertheless, if I’ve never read the book before, it would’ve left me totally intrigued and excited for the next two movies especially for The Amber Spyglass. I can’t wait. Nicole Kidman is the PERFECT actress to play Ms. Coulter and I think that’s how I imagined her to look like when I read the book too. Pan’s voice was exactly as I imagined it too (so cute!). I give the movie a 6.75/10 just because I’m a hard critic when it comes to things like this. I think the Boyfriend quite enjoyed it too except he doesn’t want to totally admit it. I’m eager to re-read the books except I just gave my copies to his little sister. Oh well, I have too many books to read for now.

Anyway, on not ending with the book’s original ending:

Compass still would have been a religious conversation starter had it retained the book’s Let’s-go-kill-the-Authority! climax. But after testing the film, New Line decided that sequence was too bleak. The movie now ends on a happier, more heroic note. ”It was a tough decision,” Weitz admits. ”[But] it was quite dark material, no pun intended. We wanted to end the first one as up-note as possible.” He hopes the cut footage will be used as the first act of the would-be sequel, The Subtle Knife, though Forte cautions, ”Whether or not we’re going to do that, we don’t know.”

Source: ‘Golden Compass’: What’s God Got To Do With It?

I usually don’t like posting Youtube videos, but my friend sent me this one and I couldn’t stop laughing. It’s so stupid and ridiculous that it’s freaking hilarious! Why don’t I ever see this stuff on the streets?

Random article you should read: Amazon still under threat.

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I desaturated the image because we were red from alchy.

Anyway, it’s funny because I don’t think I’ll ever pay to go to a concert unless it’s the Backstreet Boys (since we didn’t pay for this one). Old school much? Once a fan, you’ll always be a fan. After that “boy band” era ended, I never admired a musician as much as BSB and I don’t think I ever will. I swear I would pay $500+ for front row seats to BSB too if I got the chance. Maybe I’ve never recovered from that teenybopper phase. KTPBA!

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