Archive for February, 2007
February 28 2007: Burnt
Disgustingly, I think I’m already burnt out from university…and it’s only been two days. The main reason would largely be the Chinese textbook that I’m going to be using this year. Basically, I was almost apoplectic with shock when I opened it for the first time. I’m going to be studying Lu Xun’s novels. As in, reading a novel by China’s greatest writer of the twentieth century. In Chinese.
I know I’m technically in Level 9 Chinese (equivalent to the fifth year of Chinese study), but please do keep in mind that I only started studying Chinese in 2005, and it’s only because I’ve spent three months in Shanghai in the past two years that I’m even ‘technically’ up to this level. In short, reading a novel? Way beyond my ability…consulting my electronic dictionary every five characters isn’t an attractive prospect.
I approached my teacher this afternoon, explaining my situation.
“Listen,” I say. “I have absolutely no problem understanding you, or talking to you in Chinese, but reading? That’s a different matter. To be honest, I can’t read this.”
She was surprisingly understanding. “There are English translations of his stories available. Read them first to get an idea of what the story is about, then you know the gist of it when you come to write your essays. Remember, the essays are worth 45% of your overall mark, so as long as you write them and manage to not fail the exam, you’ll pass the unit without a problem.”
Fingers crossed. Hopeful…but doubtful.
EDIT: Results just out for the holiday program I did in Shanghai. Got a Distinction. Yay!
Filed under Asian-ness & Uni/Work with 6 Comments
February 27 2007: Blog Community Lovage
Vixx of Furious Angel has just had an operation…go show her some love.
Filed under Online with 3 Comments
February 26 2007: Oscars 2007
Today was the first time in a long time that I’ve seen Nicole Kidman wearing an actual colour at an awards ceremony. After years of black, cream, white, and off-white, it’s nice to see her wearing a colour as eye-catching as bright fire-engine red that goes so well with porcelain skin…though that huge bow leaves a lot to be desired.
However, her best friend Naomi Watts needs some help. If you’re pregnant, your boobs are bound to be bigger. Trust me, I work in maternity wear, I know these things. If you’re pregnant, you really should steer clear of strapless dresses…especially since they don’t really make strapless maternity bras. Even the pregnant “happy glow” doesn’t help disguise sagging boobs.
You know, sometimes I can’t tell Nicole, Naomi, and Cate Blanchett apart. They all have the “blond, delicate, porcelain skin” thing going for them. But Cate just seems to have that extra bit of…class? Unfortunately, she almost looks matronly in this dress (come on…that beading at the bottom is best left to the +60 age group). However, I can forgive her…I’m still extolling the beauty of that yellow dress she wore two years ago.
Reese Witherspoon is beautiful as always. I’m in love. (Though does anyone else see those huge bags under her eyes? Single parenthood is hard.)
Kirsten, some effort with your hair would be appreciated. This is the Oscars…not some casual Sunday brunch with friends. The same sentiment can be applied to your dress. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Gwyneth Paltrow forgot to do her hair as well.
Good God Anne Hathaway. Is it just me, or do you always make the worst fashion blunders? Remember your dress from last year? Did working on “The Devil Wears Prada” teach you nothing about haute couture?
Oh, Kate Winslet always does the Grecian Goddess look well. Classy, regal, etc. I wish she’d been more adventurous with the colour though…something like the electric blue of a few years back would have been stunning. She’s definitely a girl who looks better in strong colours, rather than muted shades.
Holy moly Penelope Cruz. That skirt of yours is big and flouncy enough to hide some WoMD under it. In fact, NOTE TO THE ALLIES. Looking for WoMD? Don’t look in Iraq. Look under Penelope’s skirt…or, when she takes it off, under Olivier Martinez’s bed. (Or is it Orlando Bloom? I get mixed up now, it seems like she’s dating all the tall, dark, and handsome men in Hollywood.)
Okay, so Beyonce has what looks to be a grapevine winding itself around her body. That’s cool. I can dig that. At least her boobs aren’t out on display, a la the Golden Globes. (Haha. Pun. Golden Globes. Get it? My god, I’m so witty.)
This is already quite a long entry…so I’ll have to save the next few critiques for tomorrow. And the day after. And depending how many more Oscars photos I dig up, possibly the day after that too. Because as we all know, one can never have enough celebrity gossip/outfit critiques.
Filed under Fashion & Media with 11 Comments