but their eyes when they met spoke more fondly and kissed tenderly

SPIRITED AWAY OST

H A P P Y H A L L O W E E N ! ! ! ;)

During dinner time today, my brother decided to play Spirited Away on Netflix, again. Think it's the 8th time rewatching the movie? He said it was my favourite film by Hayao Miyazaki, however I retorted that my favorite was actually Howl's Moving Castle. Despite, I still finished watching the whole film, again. Hayao Miyazaki's films always manages to create this magical world for us to dive in, away from our realistic lives. And there is always some new insight gained from rewatching his films.

For one, Hayao Miyazaki depicted Chihiro/Sen, as such a strong-willed and determined protagonist. Rather, she didn't have much of a choice. At first, she was seen as being so afraid of this new world around her, and sought to Kohaku/Haku for help and support, but he told her that she would have to get used to life around here herself. Throughout the whole film, we indeed witness her growth as she garnered strength and courage with every obstacle faced.

Hayao portrayed Chihiro as a hardworking young girl, whom was not greedy and easily loved by the new people she met, such as Kamaji and Lin (they showed sympathy for her while the other bathhouse workers ostracized her, being human). Hayao gave Chihiro such an innocent attribute, in contrast to the reality of society these days, where people are tempted by the thought of gaining more wealth. When the Stink spirit (who was in fact the spirit of a polluted river) came to the bathhouse, the bathhouse workers all avoided to serve him, except Chihiro, whom provided him with a herbal bath and unclogged the pollution from his river body.

Despite the chaos and fearful characters she faced, Chihiro still showed kindness and was not judgemental of the strangers she met. Towards no-face, she still believed there was goodness in him despite him devouring the bathhouse workers and taking on their greedy, selfish characteristics. She eventually led him into the care of the kind hearted witch, Zeniba. Despite, (the bad witch) Yubaba's baby, Boh, and Yubaba's assistant, treating Chihiro unkindly, she took great care of them while on the journey to find Zeniba.

Lastly, the relationship between Chihiro and Kohaku... their interactions were so subtle, with little focus. However, one can feel the care and support they have for each other. The fact that Kohaku actually remebered Chihiro from their past, short encounter, despite him not even remembering his own name... How he first helped Chihiro settle into Yubaba's world, how he brought her to see her confined parents, and how he comforted her when she felt helpless... How Chihiro tried to save Kohaku when he was gravely injured, and travelling to meet Zeniba to undo his mistake, as well as seeking a solution to heal him.

Towards the end of the film, when Chihiro was able to leave with her parents, but Kohaku had to stay behind in his world, and the soundtrack started playing in the background... made me tear a little. The thought of the two, not being able to see each other again... but with every separation, comes hope, that those fated to meet will meet again...

OSCAR LANG - YOU

learn to live without the person you can’t live without

FINNEAS - WHAT THEY'LL SAY ABOUT US

Healing myself :) Woke up at 8am on Saturday, super early for the weekends x) and headed to Adventure Cove with xinyun, chewen and shirley. Not sure if we have explored the entire theme park; We first went on the whirlpool and spiral washout, which was an exciting start, followed by the bluewater bay (with the waves) and the chill adventure river. The dueling racer was much milder than it looks, and we queued to go on the riptide rocket, which we all agreed was the most fun ride.

Had to wait til 2pm to go on the tidal twister and pipeline plunge, which were meh :| The rainbow reef was a surprise though, didn't expect myself to enjoy it so much, as it was my first try at snorkeling. My first time at Adventure Cove 8 years ago, we somehow didn't felt the urge to try it. Wouldn't mind going back just to experience rainbow reef again, swimming amongst the fishes while admiring the reefs and underwater ravines/'city'

Afterwhich, we headed to Coastes for late lunch. We sat seperately due to the 2 pax rule, and xinyun as usual, suggested that we order a jug of beer due to the price offer. Although we were proud for snatching up on the deal, we regretted it later feeling the bloatedness from all that drinking. Was super chill, people watching and chatting, if not for the burning sun shining upon us.
To end off the day, the four of us had some desserts at Baristart coffee, seated seperately again. Tried their coffee ice cream and their shaved ice (shiro kuma) 'v' Headed home around dinner time.

Going off topic: Years ago when I took the Myers Briggs personality test, I was an INFJ (one of the rarest personality 1.5%). But taking the test again recently, I got the INFP (4.4% of the population, so maybe I'm not so weird or unique afterall) o_o"

it is a duty to take this risk, to love and feel without defense or reserve

romantic oldies

The two kinds of people;

You have to fight for your life, what you want/aim to achieve. Accords/achievements and relationships do not just fall into your hands. The determination lies within yourself.

Let go, they say. The more you yearn for something or someone, the further away it/they seems. Let go of any expectations, focus on yourself, live your life, and all will fall into place.

Well, I don't have much of the former... not really spurred by status or recognition... I do have some dream jobs which I would like to have a go at. But society's all about experience in your 20's, and changing lanes/industry in your 30's would be... tough. Was discussing this topic with leckqi and alvin during our meetup last month.

Have been in my current job for 6, 7 years already :\ ('family business', but then not really anymore...) Been seeing a lack of purpose in staying any longer, when there's so much unhappiness. Have been promising one of my cousins, and my friends that I would search for a new job the following year. Fingers crossed!

Haha, would sometimes discuss with weiqi, that in future, after we both settled down with our own families and kids, we would open a stationery or mama shop, or even a cafe. And we discussed about all the stuff we could sell. Take it easy being our own bosses xD And we could have the flexibilty of spending more time with our own families.

choose to be happy, choose to see things positively.

KESHI - US

Can't wait to reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Ironically, I don't really know how... don't know what makes me truly happy. I do know how to distract myself from day to day problems, but somehow having this lonely feeling. Would be nice to share with someone the woes or the alternate reality in my imagination ;)

someone who will love me as much as I love the stars

SWAE LEE FT. JHENÉ AIKO - IN THE DARK

Finally watched =Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings= on Saturday with my mom and sister, after clearing out the remainder of my sis' room. It has been 8 months since she moved to her husbands' place as they wait for the completion of their own home.

Anyway, just wnna mention how I love that they incorporated the concept of Tai Chi in the movie. Tai Chi is mainly about balance and being at peace within oneself. I used to watch Hong Kong movies whereby a Tai Chi master is able to use the softest of movements to control an opponent's forceful attacks.

To be more exact, it is the embodiment of the Yin and the Yang , the Good and the Bad, the Light and the Darkness. If we are able to accept the flaws or negativity within ourselves, forgive ourselves, and be at peace within, then we'll be a much better self. In contrast to avoiding or denying them.

Looking back at the first quarter of my life, I have always been a quieter kid, whom entertains myself while my mom does her housework. My siblings and I have huge age gaps, and they would hang out with friends after school. I was pretty unsociable and shy in primary school.

In secondary school, I was much more positive and bonded well with my class in secondary one/two. However, somehow I dived back into my emo state in secondary three/four, having only a small group of my close friends. In Poly, it was pretty much the same, where I was closer with my first year's class, and distant from second/third years' classes.

Shifting into adulthood, I kept falling into a negative dark space at night, as I lay in bed in thoughts. Always thinking of the worse possibilities. But somehow, all that negativity gave rise to more positivity in a way, like "I've already thought of the worse that I could face, so in reality, if whatever I'm facing is of a lesser extent, it's all maneageable..."

Slowly but surely, from a negative and timid state, I grew more positive and unafraid of whatever comes my way. But I always keep in mind that, within me, it isn't all unicorns and rainbows. That there's also darkness which I keep hidden from others. But because both co-exists, I am whole and balanced :)

the things that excite you are not random

MALUMA & THE WEEKND - HAWÁI

Just dropping by :)
Not totally relating to the lyrics of the song, but the rhthym is pretty uplifting. Transports one to some island resort or coastal town. Was moving to the beat while in the shower XD

Speaking of islands and coastal towns... Can't wait to be able to travel again~ Would definitely wnna chill at some island of the neighbouring countries (bali, phuket etc). Or plan for a road trip at new zealand 'v'