Eve Notebook - The Kite Runner

I am truly blessed this year to have received wonderful gifts of great books from friends this year. The latest gift I received, The Kite Runner, had been on my mind and fate would have it to bring this book to me from a friend who didn't know.

The author, Khaled Hosseini, was born in Afghanistan thus you can trust that a lot of the things you read about in this story is probably as raw and true as it can get.

This overview was taken off Bloomsbury's website:

"Unfolding against Afghanistan’s destructive history, from the fall of the monarchy to the oppression of the Northern Alliance and the advent of the Taliban, The Kite Runner is a story of fathers and sons, friendship and betrayal, and the casualties of fate.

At the heart is Amir, whose childhood betrayal of his closest friend alters the course of his life until he discovers that ‘there is a way to be good again’. "

Frankly, I think this description does the story no justice. You have to read it for yourself to see how richly the author has told this story. It is a story about family, kinship, brotherhood, friendship, honor, righteousness, forgiveness and perhaps above all, redemption. It is amazing how the author brings you through all these themes without imposing them on you.

I love how the author introduces elements which allow the reader to peek into what a peaceful Afghanistan might have been. I love how those seemingly irrelevant and unimportant details tell so much about each of the characters and eventually bring you into the whirlpool of the story. The story starts so simply, brings you through an unsuspecting ride to finally finish off with an ending that makes you come all round and say "wow". I felt shivers of joy at the ending.

This story will move, provoke and shake you.

Now I can't wait for the film!

About The Kite Runner at Bloomsbury site:
http://www.bloomsbury.com/Authors/microsite.asp?id=480&section=1&aid=1763

The Author's website:
http://www.khaledhosseini.com/

Movie Trailer:
http://www.bloomsbury.com/flashvideos/video.asp?vid_id=kiterunner.flv&vid_sz=5

End of Yet Another Year

Ah it has come to the time of the year where I sum up the year that is going to pass. If you care enough to read, thank you :)

There was once upon a point in my life where love was all important, where weekends were best spent partying and where dressing was more flamboyant.

Today, I prefer to spend time at home or with friends in cosy settings. I drink little if not none at all. My ideal gift (other than money haha) would be good books or CDs because they help me in writing. I prefer laid back and casual. I don't try hard to impress. Yeah maybe I am not a social animal but at least you know I am being sincere. Socialistic hypocrisy ain't my thing.

Overall, I would say this is a better year than 2006. There are many things for me to feel happy about. As I wave goodbye to the year that gave me a really cool birthday date on 20.07.2007, these are the things that made my year:

1) Writing

I really can't possibly dismiss how important this discovery has been to me. You probably know by now that I love writing and there have been people who have encouraged me to pursue writing more.

It is by pure accident that I started writing fiction. I really have to thank DBSK for that, for giving me inspiration, Hei Bi who started me on fanfics and the many readers who have accompanied me along the way. Without that, I would not have started writing on a whim of fancy to discover how much I enjoy and how this may turn out to be a serious calling for me.

Writing gave me reprieve and brought me joy, not to mention the many friends that I have since known. They come from all over the world - Canada, France, Venezuela, Korea and so on. Never mind that we have never met, their heartfelt words and encouragement have touched my heart greatly. To these many strangers and a handful of real life friends who have shown their support for my work, read, commented and regularly stayed updated - they have made this path so much less lonely.

If you are one of them, thank you. I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate the support because it is simply such an important part of my life now. For being part of this important part, thank you.

2) Yoga

I have been wanting to do Yoga for the longest time. I held it off until I finally decided to try to improve my flexibility. It turned out to be one of the most important fitness discoveries I will ever find. I was so impressed that I even cancelled my gym membership and signed up for a yoga membership instead.

In yoga I found peace. I also believe it to be responsible for improvements in my flexibility, patience, health and energy levels. I didn't believe it until I tried it and like they say, I have never looked back. I always look forward to Yoga every week now.

3) Happiness

I remember once writing about happiness and the pursue for happiness. We often find happiness in other things but at some point I started to wonder about the possibility of pure happiness - happiness that does not result from owning something, but exists just because one is purely happy.

I can't say that I have found it. But I can say maybe I experienced a little of what it may feel like.

For a long time, I could not bring myself to say I am happy. I had too much to be unhappy about. Thus, you can imagine my surprise and joy when I recently started saying to people that "I am generally happy with my life."

Folks, I have not achieved financial independence and some woes continue to plague me. My health is not at its best even if it has recovered so much. I am not at my slimmest and neither has my skin finally reached my dream porcelain state. Like many others, I have many things I still want or want more of.

Yet, I can surprisingly bring myself to say I am happy. Happy to be on my own, happy that I don't need another person to feel complete, happy that I have friends, happy that I have a roof over my head and just so many mundane things - but to sum it up, it isn't so bad. I am sure discovering writing has a big part of play but still...

If you wanna know how much this means to me, try telling another person that you are happy. There are not that many people I know who are capable of seriously saying that. If you can, I truly from the bottom of my heart, congratulate you.

4) Sotong family

Oh yes, we shriek and shrill over the silliest things but I have found true friends in sotong family. They have made this year so much more fun and I am truly thankful for their friendship.

5) Connecting with friends

I must say I have connected more with some friends whom I really should have connected more with. For that, I am thankful.

Now, for the wishes for the new year ahead...

1) I hope to met good clients, hit my targets and for the studio to do well = more money heh heh
2) I hope to keep writing and to polish my writing to make it good enough to publish or film.
3) I hopw my writing project comes through and it gets published.
4) I hope to stay in good health and good shape (yes, vain).
5) I hope to be even better at saving money (hey I made improvements this year).
6) I hope to improve in Korean and visit Korea this year.
7) I hope to connect more with my family and people that matter.
8) I hope to meet Leader-shi kekekeke

The list goes on...I will try to add on :)

And as always, Thank you to God and all the nice people I have met who have made life wonderful for me this year.

Eve Notebook - Bangkok Dec 2007

I just went to Bangkok last weekend for five absolutely hot guys.

No, not a dirty weekend. Sorry to disappoint you.

They are...

Dong Bang Shin Ki, The Rising Gods of The East

Ok I shall not try to digress from the objective of this post which is to talk about Bangkok.

Bangkok traffic is still bad as ever. A bad jam can drag out what may be an hour trip to two. I stayed at Dusit Thani hotel which was situated just outside Silom train station. It's proximity to the Sala Daeng BTS station also made it convenient to get around.

Being a major hotel, Dusit Thani came with the full works: pool (a tad too small), gym (which was very impressive by the way), restaurants and spa. The rooms were nicely furnished though there wasn't much of a view frankly. The service was pretty helpful though I really would have expected their frontline staff to have a stronger command of English.

I didn't get to shop much or walk around much this time but I did find a very nice little joint a few minutes away from the hotel.

Unfortunately, I was down with possible infection of the intestines just before the trip. Thus, I had to avoid overly strong food during the trip. Thus, you can imagine my joy when I found Wai Thai.

Using a modern open kitchen concept along with cool jazz music in the air, Wai Thai was cool and clean. Claiming to serve healthy Thai food made with fresh ingredients and no oil, no salt, no sugar and no MSG added, I must say I was curious. Is it even possible?

Apparently it is.

My mushroom noodle soup came looking very decent. So it looks good, but does it taste good?

I must say I was suitably impressed with the taste. The dark soup was sweet with a tinge of mushroom. The vegetables were fresh and the mushrooms were succulent. The noodle was cooked to yummy softness. If they had managed to achieve such a taste without adding all that, I must say I have to be impressed. Even my drink of Carrot with Ginger was refreshing with just enough of ginger to not kill the drink.

I liked it so much that I went back for a second visit with my friend and she also found favor in the joint for its cool and cosy interiors along with healthy Thai food. The only thing I thought strange was that Paad Thai is cooked differently in Bangkok compared to here. The Paad Thai is actually sweet there compared to the salty ones here.

In terms of shopping, I went to MBK and nearby where I found a lot of cool t-shirts going for less than $10. Yes no prizes for guessing what I bought. Of course you do get people trying to get you into one of the sleazy joints where the ladies (maybe men too) with heavenlly bodies in bikinis will make you regret your sumptuous dinner, but hey it's all part of the charm.

I sure hope to see more of Bangkok next time :)

Eve Notebook - Pret A Manger

I found this place call Pret A Manger along busy Shenton Way by accident and may I say it was a wondrous discovery indeed.

All too often we have frozen food, MSG, too much salt or additives in our food when we eat out but the food served at Pret are made fresh daily with good health in mind. This is not to say they compromise in taste. Indeed, the light and tasty fare at Pret is a refreshing breeze compared to the much heavier food found in its neighbours.

The menu ranges from soup to salads, wraps and sandwiches. The ingredients are always fresh and the combinations are lovely. The price is a little higher than hawker fare but honestly I don't mind it for the freshness and how light it is on the waistline.

What keeps me going back again and again is one particular item that has caught my heart and stomach. It comes in a little pot like this:


THE Raspberry Granola Pret Pot

Hidden in this little pot is a little serving of light yoghurt (little because I really can possibly eat two of it) along with raspberry and granola. Do get the ones with granola in them. It just makes the taste so much richer. The light sour of yoghurt sweetened by fresh raspberry compote and natural granola....ahhhh what can I say....absolutely heavenly~~

The best part is they have inhouse wireless internet and and lovely music played all day. You can sit there and read or do work because it is not too noisy for most of the day except lunchtime. Cool ambience, healthy and nice food and friendly service...honestly what more can one ask for in busy Shenton Way?

短发

短发

不需要长发的抚魅
不需要过去的影子


放开

三千丝沉重的记忆
为过去的篇章划号一句

剪去

换取自由的轻盈
踏上天边无限的彩云

找到

全新而熟悉的自己
一个适合现在的自己

Way to Go Epik High!

I love this performance of tradition meets new world pop...awesome!

Fan
Epik High
Golden Disk Awards

Tears For A Stranger

Today I was watching a funny video and I laughed till I saw the end "By Kayem7289".

I never knew.

I must have watched so many videos by her and laughed to it, not knowing it was her work. I must have read so many of her posts and saved so many of the pics she gave without knowing.

I never knew her and yet I felt like I saw so much of her around and how she continues to leave all these pieces of her behind.

This is a tribute made by Kay's sister, containing the excerpts of the words she wrote 2 days before she died.




Kay's Last Letter

-November 30, 2007! Woot!

Well, hey girls. If this entry is being read at this moment, then that means that fate has finally gotten to me. (It's about time, fate! *Shakes fist angrily at sky* LOL)I am writing this last entry today because I am not feeling too well at the moment, and yes, I know, we all get a little sick once in a while, but I just feel...Different this time. It sounds a little pessimistic, but I know, know, know that my time is coming, and any day now...I will back in my appa's arms, catching up on nearly nine lost years.

It's been 8 days since I said goodbye to the cyberworld, but this time, I'm saying farewell and good luck to everyone here in the real world. Or in other words, you earthlings xD! Sounds like an alien, huh? Just remember that this is Earth that we are talking about, our first life, our hardest life, and that the best is in store. Technically it's already December 1st because it's 2:04 am right now and I see the snow falling from the sky, and it makes me feel all jittery all of a sudden. I don't really like to play in the snow, but seeing the land covered in bright white, makes such an ugly world, look so beautiful and calm. It makes me forget about all the sadness and pain out there, just for a second as I gaze into the purified world. However, just like life, the beauty is only temporary, and before you know it, spring comes and new flowers bloom. What does this tell us? Life that seems like it has ended, is still there, just sleeping and waiting for the right time to reappear. I might not be here physically, but my thoughts, my wishes, my abandoned hopes; all still linger here, waiting to be fulfilled.

I dreamt of becoming a mother, a wife, an employee for a big company (lol), and even though none of them were probable, I still lived a wonderful, beautiful life. Who says fairy tales always have a happy ending? Who said beautiful movies or stories always had to end the way everyone wanted it to? The beauty of life is that it is mysterious, it's unfair, it gives us exactly what we don't want! It is all of a matter of how you look at it. Are you going to cry and sulk about how life is treating you unfairly, or live it to the fullest and rub it all in life's face [if he/she had one, that is].

"Hey, life! You're being an bubble gum, but I'm still happy! HAH!"
There's a greater prize waiting for us, but you'll have to earn it.

Please be kind to my sister, Cindy. She is just a 15 year old gal, trying to live a normal life, and is probably an emotional wreck by now.

I know that I always rely on her to bring the bad news, but remember, she's just my messenger, don't harass her for anything...Or bring up perverted thoughts! *Stares at perverted girls at the corner* Oh Cindy, my little naive dongsaeng, unnie is going to miss calling you every week...But try to stay strong and just remember that I'll always be your awesome unnie lol. I know that all the times we've seen each other recently, have been rather sullen, but the next time you see me, I'll be healthy! No more tubes connected to by nose, no needles in my arms and no wheelchair! I'll be that unnie you grew up knowing, the one who was never afraid of anything, the one who told you to live your life on the wild side! This goes out to everyone as well. Anticipate our next meeting, neh?

I'm so sorry, girls! I know that I am supposed to come back in ten days, but I guess I was dreaming too far ahead.

I really wanted to make it through one more Christmas, to spend with you all, and to make New Year's resolutions as well.

I guess I'll never have the chance to indulge in chocolates during Valentine's Day, or chug one or two beers for St. Patrick's Day, but at least all my wonderful girls still have that opportunity. Celebrate on my behalf, leave a cup of soda for me, buy me a box of chocolates lol, or maybe not...Your parents might get a bit weirded out about it all.

"I see dead people." OMO!

You know what I mean though...Don't take all these little things for granted, or you'll regret it when you get in my shoes one day. "I wish I would've eaten more on Thanksgiving last year," or "I really should've bought my mom that gift she wanted for Christmas." I beg of you, girls, please, life is not a game where you can just go move by move hoping for the best. You must think everything through and through, make all your decisions count!

No tears! You guys are lucky I wasn't able to bash all your heads in with my plank lol. I don't want to see all those tears when I'm gone, just think about all those great times we've had.

As long as you don't erase me, or my existence, I'll always be alive.Keep living, keep dreaming, keep wishing, keep hoping, keep breathing and keep waiting...For me.

Before you know it, we'll be having conversations again like nothing ever even changed. I'll be waiting for you guys up there, don't keep me waiting too long, okay?

Holy crap this is long! My last message and it's so asdjklasdf long lol, sorry if I bored you to death!

Peace out homes! Lol, I'm a gangster now, apparently.*Blows everyone kisses*

<3>



This part really got me crying...

"Life that seems like it has ended is still there, just sleeping and waiting for the right time to reappear. I might not be here physically, but my thoughts, my wishes, my abandoned hopes; all still linger here, waiting to be fulfilled."

I cannot begin to imagine the dreams that the 18 year old Kyung Min had...all abandoned.

People, life is really too precious to be lived in any way that is less than the most we can and want to be, in any way that is less happy than what it deserves...

May your days be lived to the maximum of your dreams and hopes.

Goodbye Kayem7289

Cancer has taken another young girl's life.

Some of you may remember me writing about a girl who died of cancer sometime back. Now, another girl from soompi has also passed away from cancer.

It's so sudden isn't it?

I didn't know her at all but I have seen her nick so many times on one of the threads I frequent. I remember her nick, her posts and the long farewell she wrote when she decided to leave the forum due to all that was going on in her life.

She's only 18 this year.

I would like to share some excerpts from one of the last posts she wrote and I hope it will give you some perspective from someone who truly was on life's border. If you are her family and wish me to remove this, please let me know. I will gladly do so.

"Last year on August 18, I was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma after going to the hospital for a bruised hip. If you don't know what Ewing's Sarcoma is, it is a form of bone cancer that usually occurs in males more than females. For every five males diagnosed with this illness, one female is affected, and I was that lucky candidate. Which gives me the urge to find the five guys before me and give them a good shaking lol. What happens to the bones is that a chromosome moves out of place and into the wrong...Well, DNA strand. Which is why it's more common in males, when they go through the growth spurt, it forces the bones to adapt and change too rapidly, causing the [already corrupt] chromosomes to go out of whack even more. I grew from 5'2 in freshmen year to 5'8 in junior year, and I also went through a dramatic weight loss, so if there were any contributions to my illness, the blame is all on me and my body. Actually, information about this cancer is still limited so any information I give out, is what I've either been told by a doctor or researched.

The survival rate for bone cancer is usually moderately high, ranging from the 50-70's, UNLESS the cancer metastasizes (spreads), and then your chances of survival dramatically dive...Which is what happened exactly in my case. When I first was diagnosed, I was a stage two patient and the cells were stabilized in my right leg and hip...However, after my last checkup in September, I became a stage four patient (stage five means you are literally on the deathbed waiting for Death's call) because the cells had metastasized into my lungs, pancreas and liver (although I was told that I was getting better). Once you become a stage four patient, there is not much more the doctors or medical staff can do anymore to improve your condition, literally, they can't do anything for you anymore except attempt to perform surgery or intense chemo/radiotherapy (which would still provide just a placebo effect). Like I mentioned above, people diagnosed with bone cancer usually live for years and years because of the high survival rate, until you get to my case...I have approximately six months to live and a 34% of living my life to the fullest.. So right now, I'm in the acceptance stage; I've accepted what is already coming and have fully prepared myself for what is to inevitably come. Now, it's time to fulfill lost dreams and say all that I have left to say so that I can leave peacefully with no regrets. My dad died of cancer when I was nine as well, so I will probably succumb the same way he did. However, I am not angry about dying, in fact, I am looking forward to it [mildly] just because I will be able to be with him again.

I also know that some people must be wondering where I have been for the past week or so, on my so-called trip lol. Well, first and foremost, I apologize about deceiving you all about saying that I was going on a trip when in fact I wasn't. It was actually my first operation, to remove benign tumors from my pancreas and liver, as well as getting a part of my hip replaced. I KNEW it was not going to improve my health at all, but it was for my mom. I knew that undergoing the surgery would at least re-assure her that I was trying harder, so I did it for her. My mom, how I will miss her so much. Her cooking, her crazy stories, her love...I'm just glad that when I pass, such a burden will be lifted off her shoulders and she can live peacefully with my siblings. I am so proud of my mother, having to go through TWO loves of her life dying of cancer and still striving for the best in life. "

"What I've Learned:

Take what you can, and leave what you can't. Seriously, that saying is just...Too true. I've tried as hard as I could to be nice to everyone, as well as being on good terms with whomever I met, but I guess the world just doesn't work that way. You win some, and you lose some. I spent SIX months trying to befriend a member here at Soompi, showering her with replies and compliments, only to discover that she had been talking mini cooper about me all this time. Not only that, to her friends as well. Which brought in new insight: it's THEIR loss, not mine. Why would I want to be friends with someone who talks crap about other people anyway, and without justifiable reasons at that? She knows EXACTLY who she is, so no need to bring up names, but all I know is that I tried, and when someone dislikes you for no apparent reason, then there's nothing else you can do about it...Except, move on. She and her little friends can say crap about me all they want because well, I'm not going to let the comments of such 'high-class' ladies effect me ('monkey-faced', seriously, that's the best you could come up with?). I was pissed at first, but now...I could care less, in fact, I encourage more trash talk, it's entertaining when strangers hate you!

Just be yourself and say whatever the hell you want, well...At least in a tasteful manner. I make no apologies for any of my "essays" because I honestly don't feel like they were offensive enough to have to redeem myself for. In fact, I'd rank them as controversial, but hardly offensive in any way, shape or form. I DO, however, apologize for the times when I deliberately tried to argue with people just so I could gain an ego boost. If you didn't like what I wrote to begin with, why do you bother reading my works anyway? Ever heard of the ignore list or skipping a certain post? Also, I firmly believe I wrote everything as tastefully as possible, so I feel no guilt for what I wrote. Take it or leave it, simple as that.I've also learned that there are more good people out there, than bad. I may have stumbled across a few nasty girls here and there, but overall, people are generally more warm than critical and condescending. It seems the good are usually overlooked because of just a few people, but when you are in my shoes and have no time to analyze what is what, you take what you can and cherish it. If people are going to respect me, I will reciprocate, and if people choose to be negative, then it's better to just move on. It's always better to assume the best in people whether first impressions result in hat judgment or not.

Finally, the last, extremely cliche saying...Live life to the fullest like there is no tomorrow. You don't really fully take that line into consideration until something so drastic forces you to change. I believe we all still take life for granted and don't strive for the best, well...This is KAY speaking from the heart, please do not take your life for granted because it is a precious gift that you should cherish and hold on to for as long as you can. Life, for me, is trying to escape from the world and I am hanging on to it by a thread...I don't know how much longer this thread can hold or support my will to keep living on until I grow old and gray, but I WILL make it work to my best ability...I hope that you will, too, no matter what situation you are in."

May your soul rest in peace, Moon Kyung Min otherwise known as kayem7289.