Knight & Day Movie & Rant about the Qlap Mall Cineplex

We went to see Knight and Day movie at Qlap Mall Cineplex yesterday. It was our first time there. Our favourite cinema is The Empire Cineplex actually and we watched most movies over there. But they don’t show Knight and Day at the Empire, only at The Mall and Qlap Mall. We found out earlier in the day, there were some sort of exhibitions at The Mall so we assumed there gonna be crowds and its not very tempting to brave that. So we opted to go to Qlap Mall. And this would be our first time going there.

Not sure what to expect. Firstly we were disappointed when they didn’t allow to book seats by phone. Unlike The Empire or even The Mall. Wonder why? So we tried to go early so we could get good seats. We enquired again why we cannot book via phone. No logical answers were given, as usual, these people were lack of compassion, no knowledge whatsoever and very very unprofessional. They couldn’t even answer simple questions. And I tell you one more thing, Qlap Mall was like a ghost town. Most lots were vacant, even the supermarket was closed now. What the heck? Bankcrupt due to no customers I presumed? Very few people wondering around although there were about 20 people watching the movie with us. I wonder how long these so called establishments will survive on this rate. Such a pitiful place.

Back to the movie and cinema. The cinema was ok, the chairs were quite comfortable, its reclining which made it comfy. With slots for drinks, another plus. But it was really quiet before the movie started, no music to fill the void and its strange.

The movie was ok but a bit violent to my liking. I liked both actors though – Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz were brilliant. They are good actors anyway, who didn’t know Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz? And they do share good chemistry in this movie. Cruise is self assured and Diaz is skittish which made the duo so cute together. Especially Diaz - she rocked the show! Haha…. Love her! It’s a romantic action comedy which suits us just fine. My daughter and I loves romantic movie, hubby loves comedy and we could see some good prospect there. The movie is about this woman (Diaz) who was caught between a convert agent and those he claimed set him up. And their adventure becomes so tangle and it becomes a maze of double crossed, change identities and so on. You have to have a good grasp of the movie to understand the whole plot. It was ok for us, we got plenty of laughs and we enjoyed the movie. Hubby and I gave it 7 / 10. Hubby is difficult to please movie wise, so if he gave 7 out of 10 then I considered that good indeed lol. So all I can say, it’s a watchable movie, so go ahead watch it. ;-)

Our Mother's Birthday

We celebrated our mom’s birthday on Sunday with a busy and noisy birthday lunch. Her treat! Everyone came, and the grandkids too. We had a good lunch with lots of talks and laughs. However I felt bad when no one bought her a birthday cake when she always took the time to buy each one of us a cake when it was our birthday. I honestly didn’t remember doing that. But we all had a wonderful time. After lunch the family went to take photos infront of Jame Asri Masjid. Just to capture the moment.

So just want to say..

Happy birthday to our beloved Mom, may Allah bless you with good health, good wealth and happiness. Everyone in the family loves you.

Some pictures which were taken during the birthday lunch.

Another photographer in the family.

Gift giving ceremony ;-)

One of my nephews - all grown up Adik! (Malu2 tia adik ah...hehehe)

Picture of the whole family, except hubby who took this photo.

Close up of the niece and nephews.

Our daughter with the youngest member of the family

Going home time.

Update : Oh, btw.. the new shoes which was missing yesterday, I found it! And now safely with my mom. It was there where I looked last time although I didnt see it, see... I told you this house has some magical power (not haunted lol...)

Haunted house?

This house is haunted! I keep on losing things.

I dont know, its kind of creepy. This morning I was looking for a pair of shoes/slippers I bought for my mom's birthday and it was no way to be found! I bought it a few months ago, and I left it near the stairs where we keep all our shoes, but it was not there anymore. Did it just dissapear? Or I misplace it? Or I may be, I should look for it again, maybe it was misplaced. But where?

I cant stand this. I've lost some money previously, quite alot, lost things here and there. Food sometimes dissapear without us knowing whether we ate it or not, and now this. Who is the culprit? Someone in the house or some invisible power?

Hubby suggested we should install CCTV, I am still toying with the idea. If this carries on, then I think we should get one. I dont want this to become a full blown thief heaven. What else I may lose in the future?

Something to ponder from a mother's perspective

As a mother, my mission is to give the best possible care for my daughter. I think I’ve done well and I feel its not the hardest profession in the world, although there is always up and downs but so far it went well. Its not as if I have 12 children, I only have one. And she is not a child anymore but a 16 year old young lady who is blooming into adulthood.

Although there are times when I doubt my own way of parenting. I may be too flexible and giving her so much. But hey, who could blame me? She is my one and only so all my love and support goes to her. I am trying my best to make her happy and comfortable in her own right and setting. I still treats her like a young child though, still give her lots of hugs and kisses, and she sometimes doesn’t like it. She did mention to me not to treat her like a kid anymore. I am trying that too. To give her more space and privacy. Afterall, everyone knows a teenager needs her space and doesn’t like to be bothered too much. And its hard for me since I have no other children. And I still have lots of love to give. Loneliness comes knocking sometimes when I am on my own while she is happily tapping away on her laptop in her room.

I sometimes miss the time when she was a baby, to hold her, hug her and smother her with kisses. I remember very vividly how cute she was. And now those times were all gone. I treasure those moments as long as I live of course.

We are planning to go away for a few days in July. And I want her to go with us. She didnt seem too happy about it, since she would miss school for 2 days. She doesn’t want to miss school because her exam is looming. But I still want her to go with us. She said she wanted to stay at home but I am worried to leave her on her own for a few days. I will be wrecked with guilt for leaving her. On the other hand, I also knew deep down she doesn’t want to be parted with me so she is also in a cross road. What a difficult situation it was! So at last she reluctantly agreed to go although she might be a bit not happy about it. The thing is, I don’t feel complete if one of us are missing from any outings. Thats how I value their presence in my life (that goes to hubby as well).

This has been a stressful year for my daughter and for us too, and the most crucial time. I hope by next year we would be able to look back and learn on some events that happen this year. And to be able to smile and say something like, we did it! also.

Grumble about work

I have a trying day at the office today. One of my staff is leaving soon, to a new and greener pasture at the other side of the fence. I am not complaining. She earned this and I have no problem with her leaving. I am wishing her all the best and this is the best next level for her career development.

But what I am worried about is the fact that she is leaving a void in my section. Nobody to replace her at the moment, due to some company policy or something. So its going to be vacant and all her work left behind has to be carried out by her other two colleagues. I want to be indifferent, as if I didn’t care but I couldn’t. Something is at stake here so I couldn’t just ignore. I have to ensure all business taken care of, no matter what. Thats what I am getting paid here to do.

So I called all 3 and had a short meeting. I explained the situation, to the best of my knowledge. Telling them we had to let her go otherwise she will lose this opportunity. I think we all wished for her to stay until a replacement is identified but I don’t think thats going to happen. Definitely a cross road. But we have to let her go, this is a new job and a promotion we are talking about! I am sure she wants to be released (its up to me to do that) so I will be responsible if I don’t release her on time. Its just a wrong timing for everyone. So those two poor souls have to bear the burden of having to do extra work until the system stabilized. Its not everyone fault really but I still think its rather fortunate to encounter such situation.

Well.. its not easy to be a supervisor. I have to think of the feeling and welfare of these people at the same time, I need to consider business has to continue. Or those contractors wont get paid on time!

So I am sure for now, there are some happy and not so happy people in my section. And thats the way its gonna be. Until I figure out how to unburden the situation.

Nature at its best

We captured some really beautiful sunset at the Empire on sunday. The sky was so clear and the day was calm. It was really serene and wonderful. We felt so lucky to be there to capture the sunset and enjoy this gift of beautiful day. This makes being a photographer is so worth it.

Breaking News

HM Sultan decision to divorce the 2nd wife is such a big news in Brunei. Very hot topic since it was announced 2 days ago, even in Malaysia. As usual, news at this magnitude sure will invite so many speculations and I am not here to judge. Let it be.

Photography

I suddenly have this sudden interest in photography. I mean very strong interest. Not just randomly taking photos but more to really learn all the different aspect of operating a camera. Like understand what aperture and shutter speed are. How to use them wisely and take advantage of it and get a good photo. Hubby is already a good photographer and he learnt everything from scratch on his own free time. For him it seems so easy but when he taught me a bit here and there, it sounded so hard. But I am getting there, slowly! Hubby has a good knowledge on how to get good photos and I am impressed with that. I like taking pictures but mine was aimless! I mean I don’t follow any theme. I don’t use any creativity or any special angle. Its like bam.. bam.. bam. And thats my photos hahaha.

But now.. its like I want to go in depth what photography is all about. What can I achieve? What are the satisfaction. Use the creativity and use my talent, if I have one, that is lol.

And of course, I need a good camera to achieve this. Although not necessarily the most expensive one! Because from what I read, its not the most expensive camera the key to have good photos but its more to the photographer’s eye, her passion and an interesting angle. A good light is important too and of course if I have some good formal training and a little technology also helps.

Since a few months ago, I’ve been looking at a few photographer websites and like one the most. She is from the US and a very talented photographer. She inspired me to venture into this amazing world of pictures. Her pictures are really good and I wish I could do the same like her.

http://www.kellehampton.com/

I don’t know when I want to venture into this just yet. For starter, I need to get a new camera for myself. A good one. My Sony Cybershot doesnt count I think! hahaha. And this is not cheap. Need lots of thinking. Although I cant wait to share notes with hubby. So for now, I am exploring some possibilities. What camera model I want to get and read some reviews, seek hubby advise and starts from there.

Although... I am more incline to go for this camera. Read some good reviews of it and it seems genuinely possible to handle by an amateur like me.

The Karate Kid the movie

Another girly outing with my daughter today and watched the movie. Its really cool to have this movie so early, its the same release date as in the US! I kind of like it, there were some hilarious scenes as usual and Will Smith's son is so cute and talented too. Of course we all know Jackie Chan, he has taken the character of Mr Han the Kung Fu master.

Well.. there are some confusion there, I even noticed it before I read the review. The movie is called The Karate Kid right? But Mr Han didnt teach karate but kung fu. Dont you think the movie should be called The Kung Fu Kid? hahaha... I dont know this will create reactions from people but I guess there were some hidden plots somewhere. People come to the theatre to watch the Karate Kid, I am sure these people are fans of the original movies but will they get dissapointed with the twist?

Its a good movie though, its all happened in China. And its in Beijing! Another thing that made me wanted to watch it. We had a wonderful holiday in China and I just wanted to watch some of their historical places again and I was not dissapointed. Its about this young American boy and his single mother re-located to China. He does not like the whole idea of moving to another country. Not to mention that he is having a really hard time coping because he does not know how to speak Chinese. Being a stranger to a country with a different culture, he quickly picks up trouble from the local bully and his friends. This is where Jackie Chan comes in as he saves him from getting beaten by these kids.

I think the movie is light, not very dramatic, simple plot. Some good laughs here and there, some violent scenes especially on the bully. But Jaden made the movie interesting with his tactics, face expressions and his inocence. I think he will become a good movie actor just like his dad. So watch it if you have some free time to spare.

And just for my own nostalgic mood of our trip to the great wall of China where this film was produced.

Pasar Malam (Night market)

I accompanied my husband to the Pasar Malam Saturday night to snap some pictures together with his Brunei forever buddies. Pasar Malam is “night market”, located in Gadong area near the Mall. It’s a buzz place, where you could find night stalls (gerai) selling anything under the sun, I mean food wise and some other things like clothings, toys, handbags, perfumes or CD and DVDs. They also have another part of the gerai for vegetables and fruits. This place will even get busier when the fruit seasons come. They are all reasonably price and affordable and the food were really delicious. Like nasi ayam which costs around B$3.50 in restaurant sells at B$2 here so its really good bargain.

It’s a very popular place in Brunei, to locals and tourists alike. You can find anything here. From grilled food, satay, kebabs, fried rice, nasi lemak and every local delicacies. It starts around 4pm and lasts until 2 or 3 in the morning, every day, 365 days a year. So if you come to Brunei, don’t forget to drop by here, even Bobby Chinn knows these place lol.. But let me just warn you the place could be hot and stuffy and smoky too. And the smoke and smell of grilled food will surely follows you back home lol…

We arrived there around 7.30pm and the lots were already gathered and one of them was giving some briefing. Sorry I don’t even know the names of these lads so there isn’t going to be names mentioned lol. But it did turn out fun and I enjoyed all the jalan-jalan, although I wasn’t the taking pictures except for some. I was a little bit apprehensive at first whether it would be ok taking pictures of all these people but I guess they were used to it. Afterall we were not the first one who snapped pictures here, it was such a popular place and they were used to all these cameras. So nothing to worry about there.

These are some of the buddies with hubby.

The vegetables and fruits section. Signboard

Customers

Array of drinks, this one is selling "Air Tebu" or sugarcane drink

This kid is waiting for his kebab, yumm..

Hubby caught these tourists trying out their food with each other

Mistaken identity? Its not kebab, but burgers hehe

Teh tarik, or pulled tea in process. I ordered this actually. Nice hot drink

Do I look exhausted or what? I told you it was hot here

Getting ready to grill the chicken

Berbeque fish, anyone?

Drinks for sale, different colours and taste

Not only food, but clothings and perfume too!

I pity this poor lady, she must be so tired and fell asleep while the husband keep an eye on her. Thats what I called true love!

One of hubby buddies snapping pictures

I told you they sell everything here, thats noddles and this stall also sells recharge cards

Poor little kid, I guess its passed his bed time. He looked tired and sleepy.

The dark side........

Interesting piece of information

A friend from the office sent me this. I wonder if this research is true.

"There was a study done where a control group of 100 people were divided into two. 50 people watched a very funny, tears-of laughter type movie. 50 watched a very sad and tears of compassion type movie. At the end of the sessions researchers collected the "happy tears" and the "sad tears" with eye droppers.

They found that "happy tears" are made up of brine...salt water and not a great deal else. However the "sad tears" were found to contain the very same chemicals and enzymes that are found in tumors, ulcers and other such lumps and bumps and sicknesses through out the body.

This test concluded that the body, when crying in sadness etc is literally flushing out all of the toxic-chemicals that accumulate and are a part of the sadness /heartache experience.

Therefore if one holds back those tears, those toxic-waters will find somewhere else to deposit themselves... .and prolonged lack-of-crying-release will guarantee that the body will accumulate a huge amount of internal pollution and toxicity that should have been released through the tears........is it any wonder that the eyes sting so much when we hold back our tears?"

Lesson learnt from this study? = Cry Your Heart Out when you are sad, lonely or depressed.

Its good for your health!

There.. you have been informed!

Brunei 5th International Halal Expo 2010

Wow... it was awesome at the Brunei 5th IHPex 2010! Alot is going on. Very grand and happening! There were so many exhibition to look at, alot of things to see (and buy!) and alot of food to sample. I think people love these food samplings. Make sure to come with empty stomach. There were not only food, there were free drinks too, lol. The expo attracted so many people and were joined by some other 10 countries around the world so there were really alot to digest. We were there amongst the crowd on saturday and ended up spending almost 3 hours. Well.. lets the pictures do the talking lah.

The stage where the launching took place by His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

The Brunei very own halal logo.

Em... not really tie in with the label of halal but anyway, its good to see all these new technology Plasma/LED and LCD tv.

This is me trying the Samsung 3D tv, forgot how much it cost but it came with 2 3D glasses.

Some of the exhibits.

Perfume.

At the inside stage, we stumbled upon celebrity Chef - Bobby Chin of World Cafe Asia from channel Travel and Living. I knew he was there for some cooking demonstrations yesterday but I didnt know he was still here. No cooking when we were there but he was signing off autographs to his fans, where there seemed to be alot of them. I am not going to disturb, hehe.

Look at him engrossed and entertained all his female star struck fans!

I was browsing through Bobby Chin book, they were for sale, I didnt buy it though. It cost B$33.00 each.

Interesting mini road sign inside the ICC.

Very nice local made biscuits for sale.

Its hubby turn engrossed on Halal Review magazine.

These were Yemeni selling honey. We tried one they offered and it hurt my throat. Didnt know some honey was really hot (pedas). We noticed one of the honey glass jar were sold for married couples only! LOL.

A sales person from Singapore selling brown rice porriage. We didnt buy this but we bought their Brown Rice tea which is supposed to give benefits like reduce migrane, high blood, uninterrupted sleep and so on.

Outside the gallery, the flowers and plants caught my eyes. They were really pretty.

Look at this lovely flowers.

The most famous products from Malaysia, the Keropok Lekor. There were abundance of them, just lay there in the open. Make me wonder what happen when its time to close at night. Do they leave them just like that, cover them or put them back in the boxes? I hope its the latter, imagine if they just leave them like that, with all the rats or coachroaches wondering around at night, yuck! Didnt buy these!

A big crowd gathered at Indonesia stall where they made prawn crackers from a special machine.

On another part of the ICC, there was a pavilion from Thailand, they occupied a big area with so many items for sale, all from Thailand.

This young lady was amongst the talented lads and lasses from Thailand, their jobs during the exhibitions were to show their talent on how to engrave different fruits to other beautiful creations.

I was looking at some pretty slippers.

One of the Thai Muslim girl at the Thai Pavilion. Love the dress!

Well, after spending always 3 hours at the expo, we went home and these were the things/food that we have bought! Didnt realise it was really alot.

At at the Brunei Halal Cooking from the Heart booth, we got free aprons which were really nice.