All the Roads' a Circus

Yes, it's true the roads are filled with stuntmen (and women). I live in Chandigarh, a town in North India and it's a common site. And yes, they are licensed to drive.

If you've never been to India and are absolutely baffled by this natural phenomena then let me get a picture into your head: 

The roads are lined with trash and dirt. There are street cleaners that sweep the dirt off the walking paths but for some reason they just leave that pile of dirt there. It's just there to be exposed to the winds and then they are blown over again, destined to litter over the paths again and again. Cars rule the roads. And when I say rule I literally mean rule. Sure they have laws but everyone seems to bend those laws. One way roads are filled with cars going the opposite directions. During traffic jams its perfectly OK to go out of your car and get stuff from your trunk. No one seems to complain when you go over the road divider.

Not in Chandigarh.... but somewhere in India

Got a picture in your head? Let's move on shall we? 

I ask myself at times, How is it possible they have a driver's permit? 

Then another question immediately pops up, Who licensed their driving license? Do they know how to drive? Safely? 

The most probable answer would be NO. Comforting isn't it? (Sarcasm) 

But considering all this for some bizarre reason my car is somewhat untouchable. Sure it has a few scratches, went for a bumper change once and had to get its side view mirrors replaced.... it's still untouchable. When we go around roundabouts usually the buses would look like they're attacking us and when you look out the window they would be just all in your face. They're just a metre away from you. Though don't worry your car is untouchable.

If you would look at the walking path beside you there is a probable chance there would be a small car going over it. Do they understand that it's a pedestrian walking path not some alternative road way? Even if you are in a hurry, that is no excuse to use the pedestrian walking path as your speed way. It's not safe. At all.

Want to cross the road? I suggest you avoid that at all cost.

I could go on but my fingers are getting tired.

So now do you see why all the road's a circus?

Ni sa

DIY: Rose Clip

On my last post I posted a picture of a rose garden and I got really inspired. After several tries I found an easy way to make a rose clip. It'll probably only take you 30 minutes or less. 

1. Scissors

2. Small scrap of green paper (trust me you won't need alot since it's only for the leaves)

3. Tissue paper ( or any other thin, tissue like paper E.g. kite paper) in the colour of your choice 

4. Old bobby pin 

5. Glue stick

6. All purpose glue

7. Stapler

8. Pencil

9. (Not shown) A small piece of card-stock or thick paper (Don't use normal printer paper it won't be strong enough)

Steps: 

(Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Step 1 First you fold the tissue paper in half several times. I recommend folding it over 4 times as I did here as it will create enough flower cut-outs. If you do more than 4 folds it will be harder to cut the flower out. 

Then you draw a flower in any size you want. I suggest drawing a small flower as it will make a delicate rose. Make sure you don't draw the flower too big or too small or else it'll look awkward on your head.  Here I drew a four petal flower because it's easier to cut out. Next, you cut the flower out. If you have a flower hole puncher big enough, you can hole punch the tissue paper instead of drawing and cutting.

Next, you will re-stack the flower cut-outs randomly. This means that you don't have to stack them perfectly one on top of another. We do this to create dimension to the rose later on. After this you staple the flower in a criss-cross way as shown in the picture.  

Step 2 Take the card-stock and cut 2 small square pieces. Make sure that each piece is the same size as the flower you just cut out.  Then you slide one piece into the bobby pin making sure that the top part of the bobby pin is facing you. The top part of the bobby pin is where the rose will be placed. 

Then you take the other piece of square card-stock and apply all purpose glue to it. Now, making sure that the top part of the bobby pin is facing you, you paste the second piece of card-stock on top of the other piece of card-stock. This is where you will stick the rose you will make later on.

Step 3 You take the piece of green paper and draw two leaves for the rose. Remember that these leaves should be proportionate to the flower. 

The bottom part of the bobby pin is the side where the bottom of the rose will be, that is the side that's not the top part. Then taking the bobby pin making sure that it the bottom part of the bobby pin is facing you, you glue the card-stock with a glue stick. Next, you stick the leaves you made on to the card-stock. 

Step 4 Take the flower cut-out and scrunch it, starting from the top layer of the flower cut-outs. Scrunching basically means using all four fingers + one thumb of one hand and bring the flower petals together and "creasing" it. You keep doing this until you reach the bottom few layers. Do not scrunch these layers as they will be the outermost layers of the rose. Now you see that you've turned those layers of flower cut-outs into layers of your rose! After scrunching you have turned your flower into a rose! 

Then taking the bobby pin making sure the top part is facing you apply a little bit of all purpose glue to the card-stock. Then you simply paste the rose on to the card-stock. Violà! There you have it. 

I hope you had fun making it and I hope you've understood my instructions. Don't forget to personalize the clip maybe add glitter or whatnot, experiment with different materials. Just following Step 3 you can paste anything to a clip. 

Please comment below if there's anything you didn't understand or you want me to make more of these types of posts.

Ni sa

Slap on a smile

Happy Friday Everyone! Don't you love the feeling of making it through another week? I feel a sense of accomplishment like when you finally tackle that tangle of necklaces. Here's some things that are making me smile today...

Roses in the morning light (Source)

I love bright open spaces, especially gardens. Magical gardens full of blooming flowers. If you've ever read The Secret Garden you'll know what I mean. I love roses, especially lovely pink ones. They look so delicate in the morning light. 

Cute! (Source)

I really LOVE this bow bun and it's actually looks easy to do. Unfortunately, my hair is too silky smooth and thin to do the bow. Sigh. I'll stick to my braids and buns. 

Beautifully True.



Excuse me, can I please have 8 flavours of ice cream one a cone please? How do they even do that? Putting 8 scoops of ice cream is not easy. To be honest, I can only manage 2 perfect lopsided scoops of  ice cream on top of each other... sometimes  rarely. Otherwise they fuse together.

Which picture makes you smile the most?

Ni sa

L is for Leprosy

That pirate monkey with the hideous face scared me. Badly. Yeah, I'm talking about the pirate monkey, Captain Gutt, from Ice Age 4. Really who's idea was it to name a ruthless, not-so-blood-thirsty monkey, Gutt? Putting him aside, the movie was hilarious! Manny and his friends are separated from the other animals when the landmass they were living on splits. Manny and his friends are floating on a large chunk of ice when they captured by the pirate gang headed by ugly Captain Gutt. I started laughing around here since this was around when the jokes started rolling.

Here's a two of my favourite scenes:

• Scene: Manny, Sid, Diego and Granny are on a large ice ship back home

Manny: I think Diego has a problem with L...

Sid: L for Leprosy!

Manny (with a fail face on): No... it starts with a L, four letter word, ends with E...

Sid: L for LICE!

Manny: Diego has a problem with LOVE! 

• Scene: Scrat ( the squirrel) on ice going through an area full of Sirens. Sirens are sea nymphs that attract sailors with their singing and by changing shape according to your desire. They then eat you.

Scrats' following map that leads him to a pile full of acorns

Siren changes shape to Scratte, pretty female squirrel

Scratte (Siren): Oh Scrat! Come here boy! (smirks)

Scrat is allured by Scratte's voice turns around

Scratte: Come here!

Scrat turns back around, digusted as he sees Scratte

Siren turns into acorn

Scrat sees acorn, rushes to it and starts eating it 

Siren turns back to normal with head stuck in Scrat's mouth

Other Sirens start beating Scrat up

It's a fun movie that you should definitely see.

Ni sa

Book Review: Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy

This is the second book in Cathy Cassidy's The  Chocolate Box Girls Series. 

Skye and Summer are identical twins.

They do everything together, but lately Skye's been feeling like second-best - it's the story of her life. And when her friend Alfie confesses he's fallen not for her but for Summer it hurts.

Skye wants to be her own person, but, with an effortlessly cool twin, will she get her own chance to shine. 

I got this book for my birthday and I absolutely love it! The story is full of mystery and history. There is a mist from the past that hangs in Skye's mind. She is constantly haunted by the past.... and that's the reason why I love this book. Skye feels that living in the past, in her dreams, is better than living in the present. She hates being in her sister's constant shadow. She's always picking up things that her sister doesn't want any more from scarves to clothes to friends. No wonder living in the past seems so much interesting. 

She starts getting "haunted" by the mystical past when she finds a trunk full of vintage clothes belonging to a distant relative from the 40's (I think) , Clara Travers, who supposedly killed herself. Then the odd dreams begins where she takes place as Clara and living her life. The dreams are filled with gypsies in the woods, dancing and laughing, a place where there is no time. In her dreams she meets a boy, Finch, but she can't decide if he was real or imaginary. She starts falling for a boy that doesn't exists. 

Throughout the story Skye is lost between her dream world and the real world. Her twin sister, Summer, starts worrying that Skye is slipping away, which is true. Suddenly Skye starts putting her own inputs on things and disagreeing with Summer. She's becoming her own person. I really liked seeing that. Also liked the fact that Cathy balanced the time Skye spends in her worlds. 

All in all 4/5 

Ni sa

Back From Non-Existence

Honestly I didn't think that I'll ever come back. I thought my posts are boring, a drag of some type and definitely not me, enough. But, I kept getting page views and though not a large amount, it somehow encouraged me. There's lots of room for improvement and I could fix that. I'll try putting more ME in them. 

I feel for you kitty

I've also been literally BURIED in homework. In India, the school system is tough. You get 2 tests every week on sometimes 2 Chapters, other times 4 Chapters, really it just depends on how many chapters you've done in that subject. You get a crushing amount of homework everyday. Then you got to study for those tests and mid-year exams. In the end your desk gets piled up with lots and lots of fluff that needs to be done. On the brighter side at least I will be somewhat ahead of my friends in Singapore. International School are so much easier compared to Indian Schools. 

July is also a really busy month for me packed full of stuff: 

• My birthday is on July and as well as 2 of my friends and my aunt 
• There's about 1 month till mid-year exams. This translates to study, study, study! 
• I really want to watch the Olympics but the timings are not right. They usually start in the evening and  finish at around 1AM the next morning. There is no chance that I'm giving up precious sleep for this. I'm STILL trying to watch the Opening Ceremonies on YouTube. 
• It's a fasting month for Muslims and that includes moi.  

July's jam packed but I love it!

Ni sa

Book Review: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl. You've probably heard the name.

If Internet rumours are to be believed, he's responsible for every major crime of the new century. If you haven't heard of young Artemis, then you're lucky. You'll sleep better not knowing that someone like him is out there. But  if you must know, if curiosity is eating away at you, as it did at me, then let's start at the beginning...

In this, the story of Artemis's first encounter with the fairy People, you'll find out how he hatched a plot to restore his family's fortune. You'll read how he discovered a world below ground of armed and dangerous fairies, farting dwarfs and mind-blowing technology. And you'll learn how, by kidnapping Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police, Artemis almost triggered a cross-species war.

Still with me? Well, strap in, adventurers -you've never read anything quite like this...

Eoin Colfer

You might think that someone who almost triggered a cross-species war would be at least of middle age, has white hair, a sagging face and  incredible intelligence. Well, Artemis Fowl is not your normal villain. He's 12 and a child prodigy. He's like your school super genius, the one who knows everything, with a cold, wicked heart. Through out the story you'll see glimpses of an actual 12 year old, which I enjoy to see as it helps me connect with the character more.

Butler is Artemis's bodyguard and the closest thing he has to a friend. During the first few chapters of the book, Butler seems as heartless as his master but he really isn't. Even though Butler is big and burly he is more human than Artemis. He has morals and values and sticks to them unlike Artemis who only cures his mother's illness for his own advantages.

I didn't really like the book until they introduced Holly Short, a character that I can familiarise with. My favourite characters would be Butler and Holly because of their strong moral characters. The book's protagonist might be Fowl but there are parts where the book is written in the point of view of other characters, which is refreshing as I don't always want to know what's going on in Fowl's mind.

Overall I give it 4/5. 
I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Ni sa

Shopping Fever

It always comes around this year and I know the reason why. GSS. The Great Singapore Sale, the time when people get crazy over shopping. There's a rumour saying that Singapore's national sport is shopping and even though its not official, it may as well be. You can easily lose a couple of Kgs running around grabbing and shoving. I know I have.

Seriously, the malls are packed to the max with people during weekends. Your elbows must be strong, it's like riding on a train in Mumbai  excluding the dirtiness of course. If you haven't rode on an Indian train, watch the Outsourced episode, Training Day ( I think Outsourced is hilarious by the way). A little tip if you're going to Singapore, shop during the last week of the Sale if possible. The prices are much lower and they have great sale combos. Last year I shopped too early and during the last week I saw the stuff I bought on much lower prices. I wanted to smack my face. During the last week the crowd thins out because they're either too tired or the more probable reason, have no more funds.

When I landed in Singapore my need for a new pretty thing was so strong, it was almost irresistible. Fortunately I have developed a technique called the shield. It's when you list all the things you really want and keep that in mind. So when you go out, your mind's track is set and your eyes turn away at all the other pretty things, forming a shield. Do you do that?

Well bye bye for now. Enjoy your holidays no matter where you're going.
Nisa

Book Review: When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

Anna is not sure who Hitler is, but she sees his face on posters all over Berlin. Then one morning, Anna and her brother awake to find her father gone! Her mother explains that their father has had to leave and soon they will secretly join him. Anna just doesn't understand. Why do their parents keep insisting that Germany is no longer safe for Jews like them? Because of Hitler, Anna must leave everything behind. 

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit is probably one of my favourite books. It's a book based on Anna's perspective as she goes through life as a refugee. I think that's what really attracted me, the travelling and the weird customs that she encounters. The descriptions are sometimes so vivid I can feel myself in Anna's shoes, walking through the streets holding Mama's hands. That's the best part of a great book when you can feel yourself in that person's place. 

The story starts off quickly and to the point. After hours of travelling they finally reach Switzerland, where I think you'll find the funniest custom being practised, though I'm not quite sure if it's really an actual custom in Switzerland. In Switzerland, Anna finds more and more about herself, especially when a Nazi family comes in town. After some time they move elsewhere (I'm not telling where, I'm not spoiling the story for you). There Anna's character changes and grows. I love the place; I can imagine the little house they stay in with the amazing view. Then Anna goes back to Switzerland for a holiday and she finds herself so changed when she accidentally talks to her old teacher in French. Anna was shocked to find herself talk to her old teacher like that and feels that France is now more like home than she had thought.

I really enjoyed seeing Anna's character change, how interesting it was to learn a whole different language and culture. To live a different life. I'd give it 5/5. A highly recommended book. What have you been reading lately?

Ni sa

Destination: Nepal

Note: All the pictures (excluding the Angkot) has been taken by my family and I. Click on pictures for close up.

I think it's been over a month since I last blogged and you can clearly blame that on the sudden school load I had to do. 8th Grade clearly is a lot more tough but thank goodness it's the summer holidays now!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Getting back, I want to start on a section or series or whateveryoucallit called Destination. It's basically a travel series where I show you the places I have recently went to. Travelling is one of my favourite things to do. Over a month ago I went to Nepal. You know I never imagined myself to actually reach Nepal. It's like "the top of the world", where Land meets Sky. Kind of a Earth Meets Heaven mojo going on, well... That's what I thought anyways. But it's actually not like that.

Angkot

 When I reached Kathmandu, the capital, I saw that they didn't really have any high rise buildings. The streets were over crowded with so many vehicles, like many cities but what I found interesting was there were more minibuses then there were cars. These minibuses are used as a mode of public transportation, much like the angkot I can find in Indonesia. Kathmandu itself is quite messy, as in the planning of the city but it gives it a unique charm. I found so many interesting souvenirs and hand made things in Kathamndu in the alley near the Radisson Hotel. There was a shop there that sold stuff, from bags to bottle holders, that are made from recycled items, which I found really interesting and cool. Bigmart, a supermarket, is actually one of my favourite places...ironically, because it has sooo much more imported stuff and at a cheaper price than specialists stores in Chandigarh! It got stuff imported from Malaysia! So. Unfair.

Moving on to nature... I visited Bhaktapur and Nagarkot. Bhaktapur is a town filled with history. It's around a 2 hours drive from Kathmandu and when you reach there, there will be a counter. You need to pay them to look around the place. We got a paid tour guide from the counter took take us around. You've got to hike a bit to reach the actual place and when you get there you enter Durbar Square, a Temple Courtyard, with Temples dating centuries back. From the courtyard there are many different alley ways that lead you to other squares, this is the reason why I recommend getting a tour guide as the chances of you getting lost is very plausible. I loved Bhaktapur because it made me feel like an explorer going through those alleys, travelling back in time.

Nagarkot is a town nestled in the mountains and it's famous for their Himalayan views. We went there to see the sunset and my,oh my how lucky we were! It was a cloudless evening, unlike for the pass few days. The views were breathtaking!

Nagarkot Pictures

Picture of mountains taken in the plane

Nepal was amazing and not just its views. So were the people who were kind and honest. It was quite the adventure.

Ni sa

I'm in love with....

I love you Chocomania!

As of yesterday I had the urge to buy something, anything really from TBS (The Body Shop). Yesterday, after school we spent the afternoon in TBS searching for a present for my friend. We tried on the Wild Rose hand cream, which smells weird... and squirted body glitter on each other. I was having a hard time on whether to buy the New Chocomania Lotion or the Body Butter for her. I settled for the Lotion. The new Chocomania collection smells HEAVENLY! I'm kicking myself because I swear if that thing was edible it would've been the BEST chocolate mousse I've ever had! *EDIT 21/5/12 - I actually dared myself to eat it. it does not taste good!-EDIT* It smells just like Chocolate, if I didn't know it was lotion I'd eat it all up! The smell reminds me of cold winter nights drinking hot chocolate infront of the heater. I sooo wish that Lotion was mine, but I bet the Zebra bank (yes, I have a cute Zebra Bank instead of an old Piggy Bank) wouldn't cough up enough money! Here's some other stuff I've been in love with lately:

White Gardenia Eau de Toilette

Another Body Shop thing. I love the daintyness of the smell. I like how it reminds of my 1st Grade teacher and my Grandmother at the same time. They have a body mist version of this, which is cheaper, but I don't get the difference. Someone tell me.

Another Body Shop thing, (I'm basically in love with TBS these days). Honestly, I'm just attracted by the cover design on it. But usually TBS comes out with good stuff, so this has to be good too right?

(TBS) Strawberry Eau de Toilette

I just love this fruity smell! It makes me feel fresh and lively. It says that it's no longer availlable on the UK site, but it's in stock in India. Other else than the smell the bottle is cute.

I found out about Olly Murs through Jango. He's a good artist and this is my favourite song from him.

Okay, I know it's a weird video. If you can't stand it close your eyes or scroll down and listen to the music. I didn't quite like it at first, but give it a second chance, you'll like it. 

That's for now! 

Ni sa :)

First Week of April

Yay! It's Thursday, just ONE more day till the weekend! But that doesn't matter now, for me this week anyways... I've got 2 days holidays after just three days of school. Those first 3 days were odd. I felt uncomfortable in my class, it's as if I'm changing skin and I'm just getting use to it. There's a sense of familiarity to the class though, like my old classmates and my friends. The teachers give us lectures and so far we haven't taken any notes like we did last year. At home I'm continuously studying, this year there's more of self studying. Putting that aside what I really love about being in class 8 is this leadership programme that we've got to do. It's lots of fun, there's lots of interactions and games that we need to do. Last class we did this game where we had 4 groups and each one had to make a noise each time the teacher pointed to our group. It was lots of fun, we sounded like a coordinated group of monkeys. Sometimes I feel lonely though since my friend sit on the other side of class...

I've been reading this book I got from the library

The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Mariarty 


A Spell to make Somebody Eat a Piece of chocolate Cake
A Spell to make a Person get stung by a Bee
A Spell to Make Two People Fall in Love AGAIN


Since Listen Taylor's dad started dating a Zing, her life has gone from unusual to downright weird. The delightfully mad Zing family lives in its own strange world, protecting its huge family secret.


But Listen also has something to hide - a secret too heartbreaking to share - and an unconventional spell book that might that might be the answer to her problems. 


 I like this book. It's different. I can't describe it but it's just is. If this book was in a series, I can still understand it. What really draws me to this book is the Zing Family Secret and Cath Murphy. You can say that it's 1 story seen in the point of view of three different groups of people. I like it. I haven't finished it and I certainly haven't figured out the secret!  I'll find it soon enough!

So how was your 1st week of April? Also Happy Birthday to my friend today!

Ni sa

The Last Sunday

Well today's the Last Sunday of my Spring Break meaning that tomorrow is the 1st Day of School. This means both dread and excitement to me. Dread because I barely know anyone in my class and none of my best friends are with me. I have a feeling the reason that my teachers separated my friends and I from each other is that we distract each other. Well... I have no objections that my friends do disturb me but do they really need to leave me hanging by myself? I do have two people who I know in my class though it's not the same without my best buddies with me. I just keep thinking to myself who will be with me if both of my class friends are absent? I'll be downright miserable that's what. But I'll push that thought aside for now. I can't bear being alone though, no one does. I have a theory that every even grade that I go to will be a good school year and for every odd grade it will be the opposite but it has changed since I got here, it's as if the Universe has other plans for me now...

I hope it won't be a bad year since it got off to a bad start. I'm half-excited for tomorrow though because I get to see all my friends again after 2 weeks. We're all separated so that means we will meet each other at break time. But that's what's worrying me. The same situation happened to me in Grade 5, all of us were separated, so we met up at lunch time, though after awhile one by one we drifted away from each other. We had continuous arguments and disagreements until we split up. I don't want that to happen again. It was awful.

I guess I have to put that negativity aside, I can't sleep with bad thoughts in my head and I need a good night's sleep for tomorrow. Tomorrow I need to wake up early.... Wow! I haven't done that in a long time! Anyways since school started articles on how to concentrate and study better is popping up everywhere here! Check this article out on how to concentrate better in class. It's very useful, don't forget to checkout the rest of here School/Organization tips, it had helped me alot.

Inspite of the negativity in my body right now, this made my day! Ironic really, but to me it just means to be prepared for tomorrow.

Hahaha... (Source)

Well Goodnight World and Happy April Fool's Day!

Ni sa

Sukhna Lake Trip

For those of you who don't know what Sukhna Lake is, it's an iconic lake in Chandigarh. I've lived here for quite sometime now but I've never been to the touristy places like Sukhna Lake, The Rock Garden etc.. My sister has been to The Rock Garden and she says it's amazing. In The Rock Garden they display statues made out of recycled materials, considering that it's basically our trash. Anyways my family and a close family friend have been planning to have a picnic since Spring break started (which was about 11/2 ago...) and we finally did it! My mom has been urging to go out since the break started but I just stayed inside hiding away from the sun, turning my AC on high. Here in India the weather doesn't gradually slip into another season but it just goes straight into it. We still have Autumn and Spring but just for a little while... ( I LOVE Spring it's my absolutely favourite season!)

Sukhna Lake is beautiful. I should've come here earlier. The trees are nice, big and provide a really good shade. We bought lots of food with us, we didn't have a proper lunch but I was stuffed after eating all that brownie, tarts, muffins, cookie and nuggets. The police didn't let us use our scooters at first but after some convincing they let us in. Now the difference between a scooter and a bicycle is the fact that one has a seat and peddles while the other doesn't because really they're both just 2 wheel vehicles. But for some reason the police doesn't let a bicycle in while they let a scooter in...... Though overall it was a great picnic and there was good weather with it too, nice and breezy, not too hot either.

I took pretty much everything that we possibly need even sunscreen and a change of shoes. I like to be prepared. My grandmother is like that she has pretty much everything in her bag, she's got plastic bags, candy, handkerchiefs, food, book, water, even a mini iron (trust me though there's more)... she's like Mary Poppins taking out everything imaginable out of a seemingly small bag. Anyways I thought I got everything except my camera so from now on I'll always bring one every time I go out.

Ni sa

I've watched the movie + Sundae Girl

So I've watched The Hunger Games movie today and it really wasn't what expected. All in all I thought it was great as a movie but not as great compared to the book (isn't it always?). They took out chunks of stuff out from the book, I promise no spoilers. But they did a good job making the Capitol come alive. I love the way the people dressed up with all their crazy costumes, the colourful, vivid wigs and the amazing make up.

Back in my old school they have book week where on one day you get to dress up as a character. I would probably dress up as a Capitol citizen with crazy neon pink nails with fake crystals, a bizarre bubble dress, comfortable flats and pink, pink lips, though no wig! I need to be comfortable so that explains no wig, I just can see myself blowing away a weird pastel pink wig from my face and feeling my head go all sweaty and icky. It's a subtler Capitol look, but hey I need to be able to actually work in class.

Here's a very rough look at it. I tried my best. :)

It's my best try...

All in all a 4.5/5 as a movie and a 3.9/5 as a book/movie comparison. What made me give these scores is because of the fact that the chunk that they did take out didn't include the suspense and strong emotions. You could see right through, even if you didn't know about the books at first that Katniss is going to win because (a) the careers weren't as strong or scary and (b) Katniss wasn't as scared as she should be.

I recently went to the library and got four books. So far I've read only one:

Sundae Girl by Cathy Cassidy

Jude's family are crazy, quirky, bizarre... her mum brings her plenty of problems and her dad thinks he's Elvis! All she wants is a hassle-free life - but it's not easy when she's chasing a trail of broken promises.

Nothing seems to go Jude's way, until she realizes the floppy-haired boy from school could her knight on shining rollerblades. And that sometimes, when everything turns sour, only something sweet can make it ok....

When you read the blurb you might think that Jude's family is way off the tracks but the family really isn't that crazy. I would probably say that her family is funky and that all families have their problems so her family isn't as different as others. The book itself is a little different from Cathy's other stories (that I've read) usually its all lovey-dovey but this one concentrates more on life problems, which reminds me of Jacqueline Wilson a bit. Just a bit. Totally different writing styles. Definitely. I'd give it a 4.5/5 because it doesn't have enough suspense and at times it seems a little too sad and at other times it's just fine, but the way it makes you go up and down is a good thing, just like how the character would feel.

That's all for now :)

Ni sa

Happy (Belated) Hunger Games!

Happy Hunger Games Everybody! I meant to post this yesterday but I didn't have the time. I've waited to see the movie for soooo long, but unfortunately I have to wait till Tuesday since I'm gonna see this with my friend. I plan to read the book again to get the story fresh in my mind but all the stores here are SOLD OUT of the books. I personally don't know anyone crazier than me about THG and I haven't seen anyone that looks like they're into it, so how can it be sold out?! I feel like I'm the only one around here, but apparently there are others here who are just like me.

I'm a subtle crazy-about-THG person. I certainly do not dress up like any of the characters. I don't fantasize about them (if people do this.... it's a little creepy). And it's not the only thing I talk about. I'm certainly not a die hard fan. So anyways here's a couple HG related stuff:

I've never thought about like that....

Heheheh...

 

 

I'm not on board about this 'team' thing but here face just makes me laugh

 

Here's an article about THG franchise, some are wearable while others completely cheesy and impractical.

Bye people,

Nisa

Spring Break

Hello! I'm alive! I know it's been a month since I posted something as I had a crazy schedule since I had my final exams. But they are over now and I'm really pleased with my marks. I got above 80% on all subjects and I'm really pleased that I got 99% on Biology, considering it's my weakness in Science. I also improved a lot since my mid-terms.

I went on the school trip to Delhi and it was great. I had fun and all but..... I felt like I was being the party pooper for once. I'm the type of person who slumps into sleep if I'm too tired which is what I exactly did since we got back to the hotel at 1AM. My friends slept much later than me say around 3 or 4. I missed all of the talking and fun. Ahh well.... I'm not on the web to complain so this topic saved for my family to endure

Anyways Spring Break is here. I got 2 whole weeks to be filled with something. I'm planning to do some cooking, learn some crafts and practice my violin. I wasted two days of my holiday doing nothing except for staring at the TV all day. I have this project of mine too clean out my desk, wardrobe, library, my room to be exact and all the stuff that I don't need I'll donate it to some place.

I've already started with my desk.

From this:

To this:

But unfortunately it got messy again. Darn.

Ni sa

Exams, Books and Trips

I look over at the pile of books sitting right next to my school bag and I cringe. They keep reminding me that mu exams are officially starting in 4 days and I feel has I haven't prepared for it. Which is completely untrue, but I can't help myself as I keep repeating it in my head. I hate exams, maybe not hate, but I try to avoid it. When I think about it three things comes in my mind. Pressure. Work. Cringe. Other things spring but these things are underlined in bold in my head. So since I was so pressurized I thought of taking a day off to let my brain rest.

And it feels liberating. To be free again, or has far away I can actually get to avoid my exams. The pile is still there though.Unfortunately. Sigh. So far this week I've read two books I borrowed from the library. I only got two as I found out that if I borrow more, I won't finish and return them in time.

Zero Moment, The Joshua Files - M.G. Harris

One boy. One deadly prophecy. One heart-stopping adventure.
Josh thinks he has solved the puzzle of time travel - but now he faces an even bigger dilemma.


His mother and his best friends have been abducted in Brazil, and the kidnappers are demanding something Josh has. But what?


He must try to work it out... fast. 


So this book is the 3rd book in the Joshua Files series, which my friend introduced me to.... 3 years back. I know big mistake. It hardly made sense for me to read it now, I should have read the 1st book (Invisible City) again but I couldn't help myself as I was too curious as what would happen next. But all in all a good series to read, though I highly recommend starting on the first book. A 3.5/5

Just as Long as We're Together - Judy Blume 


How can you be best friends with someone who keeps secrets form you?


Stephanie's best friend is Rachel. Until she meets Alison, that is. And it looks as if no one can have two best friends - especially when Rachel starts keeping secrets from her.


But Stephanie already has a secret of her own. It's worse than anything Rachel's hiding, and she just can't find the words to share it with anyone.   


 I really like this book, it might be short but it's a compelling book telling real life friendship and family problems. Which I think not only interesting but helpful as I had my share of problems with friends. A really good read and I recommend it. (It seems like I recommend everything so I'm just gonna rate these books...) A 4/5

Moving on, my school has organized a trip to Delhi (which by the way is India's Capital, just in case you don''t know). It's a really, really big deal cause we don't get field trips here unlike in Singapore. The same way as you don't do any science experiments, the extra pressure and yeah, the stinking hut which sells baked "good" and acts as a cafeteria. Which really isn't a cafeteria but literally a small, thatched roofed hut that sells baked goods....

Anyways we're going after our exams and we're staying over night in a nice hotel. And that I've never done before. My old school went camping once for 2 nights, but that was in Singapore which is a small island, but Chandigarh - Delhi probably covers more distance then the whole of Singapore itself.  So this kinda thing is new to me, yeah I'm partially nervous about leaving my family this far away... Chandigarh  - Delhi is approximately 6 hours away by car. But also I'm excited. One whole night with my friends together, no adult  supervision... Though doesn't mean for one night I'll go wild or something (yes, I'm talking to you dad. To be clear I'm. not. going. wild.)

The note said that we're going on luxury buses, but I might think twice about that since the last time we went on a end of year trip we used these cramped, dinky school buses... Shudders...

Well, ta ta!
Ni sa

I'm not Photogenic

So earlier on this week I had my photo shoot for the school yearbook. I hate photo shoots because of last year's traumatic experience. Last time, they had this "community brush", as I like to call it, which everyone uses to fix their hair. When I saw that brush all I can think of was how many people actually used it and what was on their heads.... dandruff (eww), lice (sick), dirt.... Who knows? Then when it was my turn the photographer had many problems with me. Sure I know I'm not photogenic but is it really necessary for him to fix my hair and my shirt? I don't like him touching my hair. No touchy-touchy, is my motto. My friend was there and she started bursting out in giggles and since it was so contagious, I laughed my head off as well. That photo shoot was a long and funny experience. But I hated it because of that guy. :(

This year we had a different photographer (maybe the last one went as he disliked me as much I disliked him) and I thought This is Year it's going to be different to fret! Boy oh boy how wrong was I?! It was pretty much worse. Now this guy did the exact same thing, so I told him, out loud, not to touch me. So he bugged off, he looked clearly annoyed (apparently I have this special quality towards photographers, don't I?) with me. And yes my friend was there too and so was another girl who called another and all three laughed there heads off with me. My stomach hurts just looking at their faces. Then he told me to show my smile since I was "hiding" it and to put my chin down and to the right. I got annoyed. Very annoyed. Irritated. So after a year of bottling up my resentment towards a similar guy and staying quiet the last time I met a photographer I shouted (in the most polite way a shout could be) I can't help if my lips are thin! Which is very true because, yes, I do have thin lips. I can't help it. I'm not inserting botox or something because I've got such thin lips... Eventually I was done with the shoot and from then onwards.... I hate photographers that my school picks. That fiasco made me make my decision...

Now ending this post on a more happier tone, the Taylor Swift Safe and Sound came out this Monday! Here it is:

I know it's not official but you can't see the official one outside the US. Sucks I know. One thing that's sad about the video is that Taylor looks like an older version of Prim, if she had survived. Also I'm guessing that house she visited is Katniss's house. If I'm right, I can't wait to tell you guys I Told You So! 

So have you ever had a bad photo day? Tell me about it in the comments section below.

Until next time,

Ni sa

Original Songs Not By Me

So I was just going around YouTube when I luckily stumbled upon RaeofRandomness' music. She does Hunger Games based piano songs (as far as I know), which I think captures the song titles. By far my favourites are:

You should subscribe to her channel, if you can. They are all great pieces and even if you don't know the Hunger Games, it's still great piano music. Her music are some of the few instrumental pieces that I can relate to. On that note here's another one of my favourite instrumental music, this time by a great modern composer called Yann Tiersen:

It's a song which calms me down and makes me think. This song and other Yann Tiersen songs are played in the French movie, Ameile. I'v never seen the movie (cause it's in French), but I've heard it's really good.

I know this like my fourth THG related post so on my next post I'll try to do something else. I'll promise not to turn this site to a shrine devoted to THG. My sis says that I'm obsessed with it...well I can't help myself since it's such an awesome book. :) 

Well gotta go!

Bye!

Ni sa