Hugo, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

When was the last time we saw a child actor playing a role in a big movie? I could only name Macaulay Culkin, then Dakota Fanning, then Abigal Breslin and Sofie Vassilieva from "My Sister's Keeper" who made me cried a river, then who else?
Well, I'm about to name two of the highlights at the end and in the beginning of 2012. 

1. Hugo 

I first saw the trailer last September and I just couldn't wait to watch the movie. Everytime I wanted to download new movies from the internet, Hugo was always the first one that I typed. It turned out that after months of waiting, Hugo is now my new favorite movie. I just love it, especially Asa Butterfield. When I watched him in Nanny McPhee's sequel, I couldn't stop thinking about his voice and eyes. He made me a fan of him ever since then. Now, he continues to constantly amaze me. (I don't have to be his parent to be proud of him!) I was sort of upset while watching the movie just because I didn't watch it in 3D lol. In addition to that, I have no idea who Martin Scorsese is although I've heard that name before, but this movie made me really think that he is a real deal among movie-makers. This movie deserves awards equivalent to oscar for aspiring young actors and actresses.   

Isabelle: We could get into trouble! | Hugo Cabret: That's how you know it's an adventure. 
Hugo Cabret: Right after my father died, I would come up here a lot. I'd imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts, you know. They always come with the exact amount they need. So I figured, if the entire world was one big machine, I couldn't be an extra part. I had to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason too.
Georges Méliès: If you ever wonder where your dreams come from, look around: this is where they're made.

Hugo Cabret: It's like a puzzle. When you put it together, something's going to happen. 
Hugo Cabret: If you lose your purpose, it's like you're broken.
Georges Méliès: Happy endings only happen in the movies. | Hugo Cabret: The story's not over yet.

2. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

I first saw the book when I was on the airport in Singapore, waiting to board. I was so glad that I found that book because when the first time I saw the trailer of the movie, I couldn't help myself from being curious to the story (similar to what happened when I saw trailer of Hugo). Then I bought and then I started to read that book as soon as I was on the plane. I couldn't stop reading it although being so high in the air sometimes made me feel sick. Guess what, I regret nothing. 

But I could only read half of the whole book because school isn't giving me time to read the rest -____- (well, I've regained my mood to read books after all. It's been almost a year since the last time I completed a book, not that book that my teachers asked me to read *sighs*)

But anyway. I downloaded the movie (yes, finally!)

I love Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. I also love the kid. He was so perfectly fine although his character has Asperger's. (I LOVE THAT KID lol) Based on what I've read on the book, the story has inspired me to be more aware of things around me, then just learn from it and enjoy. It also makes me feel that I need to satisfy my curiosity no matter what because I'm that type of person who keen to search for things that I've been wondering (if circumstances allow me to do so). 

Talent Assessment Result

I got the result of my talent assessment today. According to the test, (which means it’s likely to completely/slightly true, irrelevant or even capable of breaking my heart into pieces) this is the conclusion they derived:

• Ability to Think:

1. General intelligence = 3
2. Comprehension = 3
3. Verbal = 4
4. Numeric = 3
5. Abstraction = 3
6. Logic = 2
7. Spatial = 3
8. Concentration/focus = 2

• Creativity:

1. Creativity in general = 1
2. Critical thinking = 1
3. Diverse thinking = 1
4. Originality = 2
5. Elaboration = 1

• Personality:

1. Achieving = 2
2. Diligence = 3
3. Self-confident = 2
4. Self-adjustment = 2
5. Social contact = 2
6. Emotional stability = 2

*Note: 1 = Very low, 2 = Low, 3 = Average, 4 = High, 5 = Very High

I'm interested in Artistic, Investigative, Social and Conventional, which means I'm not interested in Realistic and Entrepreneurship*
*For the further reference, those are called the R-I-A-S-E-C, one of the part from the talent assessment result. 

I'm still considering bunch of things. I hope that through consultation next week, will be able to help me  *fingers-crossed for clearer air*

On My Way

It's the Winter finale that I've been waiting for and avoiding from. Yes, there would be another plot twist and amazing performances but there would be also this guilty feeling since it is the last episode before another hiatus (Yes, there'll be seven weeks without Glee) *sobs*

This episode has so much drama going on. A little bit too far for a comedy-musical, but I still love it! No wonder if this episode is either in the Top Episode of 2012 or Glee itself will get nominated for favorite TV drama series. This is just another episode where we are all being taught and inspired by. I love this episode because this episode brings up teen bullying, teen suicide, texting while driving and marriage at young age issues. We really have to learn from it and we shall care and be aware of it. 

• Sebastian did it again. Ugh.

In the beginning of the episode, Sebastian blackmailed Rachel to drop out from the competition or else he will upload a photoshopped photo of Finn Hudson's face with someone else's naked photo in the locker room (ew). Sebastian is so, ugh. Finn was definitely so mad knowing that it would embarrass him. But then Sebastian deleted all the photos because he regretted and was upset because he always think of so many things as a joke, including what he said to Karofsky, which is "stay in your closet". He was in tears btw :'c

• "The pressure to protect your reputation is so much worse than when we were kids."

Dave Karofsky appeared and was one of the main plot in the episode. As we all know, Karofsky never wanted to come out of the closet, unlike Kurt or Santana. He buried everything deep down thousands feet under. But until a dog with the best smelling sense came and found what he had buried. Several kids (one of them saw Karofsky and Kurt at Breadstix on the Val's day) in Karofsky's new school wrote "Fag" on his locker, wrote bad stuff on Karofsky's Facebook wall and the worst thing they did, was texting everyone in the school that Karofsky's gay. That's just so horrible and inhumane (u_u)t

It brought me back to an emotional episode in season 2 where Kurt's father was in comma (2x03). We always need to go somewhere brighter than we were. I agreed with Quinn who said that how worse and awful life is, never take your own life. 

Gladfully, Karofsky's attempt to suicide failed. He survived and after his conversation with Kurt at the hospital, he got enlightened and decided to move forward and screw everyone who didn't like it. 

The scene where Dave Karofsky sobbed in his bedroom and then attempted to suicide was going along with Blaine (Darren) singing "Cough Syrup". I love the song, I love it when he sang it, it sort of pulled me with a string and I couldn't resist that. So beautiful. Love it. 

Waiting for this cough syrup to come down.

Kurt: "I'm not gonna lie to you. It isn't going to be easy and there will be some days when life just sucks, but you're gonna get through this, because I'm gonna help you and so is everyone else who loves you and accepts you for who you are. And if they can't accept that then screw them, right?"

• Rory tasted his first peanut butter! 

First of all, Rory (Damian) always has the charm, y'know. No matter how lucky (to live with Brittany or get Sugar) or unlucky (when he got pushed all the time or when he got attacked by dodge balls) he is. I said the same thing as Rory when I tasted my first peanut butter when I was in elementary lol. It was seriously the best I've ever tasted. But then I wasn't allowed to eat the whole pack, so I ate it with several slices of bread. 

Mr. Schue was the one who asked Rory to eat the peanut butter when all of the kids were sitting, making a big circle on the stage. Mr. Schue wanted everyone to promise him, that no matter how depressed they get, no matter how hopeless or alone they feel, always try to imagine and remember all the amazing experiences they've had.  Mr. Schue also told them about his experience on the edge of everything when he was in junior high school for being caught cheating and embarrassed. That was just shocking to me.

What I love about the idea is, that Mr. Schue asked all the kids about something that they're really looking forward to in the future. That was so moving and it made me think about myself. I was in turmoils before, and I was always glad that I wasn't too overwhelmed with the burdens. 

1. Sam: "Someday, I want to earn enough money to buy my folks a new house so they don't ever have to through losing their home again."
2. Mercedes: "I'm most looking forward to meeting Rachel Berry's children."
3. Artie: "I want to be there to see my kids' first steps."
4. Sugar: "I want to be there to see Sex and the City part 3"
5. Puck: "I really do want to graduate high school."
6. Finn: "I'm gonna petition the army to change my dad's dishonorable discharge status to an honorable one."
7. Quinn: "I'm looking forward to graduating from Yale at the top of my class."
8. Santana: "I'm looking forward to the day when my grandmother loves me again."
9. Brittany: "I want Lord Tubbington to kick his ecstasy addiction."
10. Blaine: "I'm looking forward to marriage equality in all 50 states."
11. Mike: "I'm looking forward to the first time I dance at Carnegie Hall."
12. Tina: "I just want a song."
13. Kurt: "I'm looking forward to my dad watching my dad make a difference in congress."
14. Rachel: "I'm looking forward to being friends with all of you for the rest of my life."
15. Rory: "..winning at Regionals" (hell yes!)

Look at the picture above carefully. You'll see that girl in red, rubbing that
boy in yellow and black trousers.
Who are they? :')

• Regionals

- The Warbler opened the Regionals and they gave me chills especially after Sebastian (Grant) finished the first stanza of The Wanted's "Glad You Came" then the other Warblers started the upbeat part. The last time I got chills like that, was when Blaine (Darren) sang "Somewhere Only We Know" with the Warblers. Great job, Grant! 

- We've seen other glee clubs from other schools aside from New Directions and the Warblers that compete in the show choir competitions this season. We've seen the Unitards, then on the Regionals, we saw Golden Goblets! That (Golden Goblets) choir perfectly suited for my interest in choir aside from glee club, because that was the similar type of choir that I've joined with for five years! Haha. It was great to see the more traditional choir, it brought back so many memories :')

- This time, the New Directions performed three songs and they were all so amazing. And those performances suited with the theme of this year's Regionals; Inspiration. Can't tell how proud I was. The first song they performed was a mash-up of Nicki Minaj's "Fly" and R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly". Santana (Naya) and Blaine (Darren) rapped, WOOT! I was super thrilled! 

Then the Troubletones (as the member of New Directions) performed Kelly Clarkson's current hit, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)". I'm a big fan of Kelly Clarkson and I love the song as well. As usual, they were amazing and love the all girls power. I was so moved by the song so everytime I hear it, my feet start to make a little tip-tap voice! 

Rachel (Lea) killed it again! It was beautiful. The song, the boys who were in the balcony, then Rachel looked at Finn and he looked back at her. It was all beautiful! I felt so warm like somebody was actually hugging me from the back just to remind me that after everything, a sheer pure happiness will stay with us forever, so let's celebrate the moment before somebody takes it. I'm just being repeatedly polished before I'm prepared for that moment :)

[Lea never fails to make me so overwhelmed with happiness! My body can no longer contain the feeling so I grunted as loud as possible while covering my face with my pillow! She gave me chills especially when she did that amazing modulation. That was probably one of the best that Glee has ever had. Love you, Lea :') I was as proud as Rachel's dads.]

• *drum rolls* NEW DIRECTIONS WIN REGIONALS AGAIN! 

• Before the wedding 

Rachel said she wants to get married right after Regionals (and of course, Finn was so excited). So after all they've been through, they are almost there. Rachel and Finn looked so lovely together. Beautiful and handsome. Perfect together. The sky to its Earth. I couldn't contain the feeling of how happy I am :')

But the Finn's parents and Rachel's dads disagreed and planned to stop them from getting hitched at such young age because they thought they aren't ready for such big commitment. In addition, Rachel is pursuing her dreams while Finn is sort of unsure although he has several plans for his future. Then they weren't married at the end of the episode. Well, yes, another cliffhanger.   

Mr. and Ms. Hudson-Berry

• Sue is pregnant!

Sue wants to have a child (as a single parent, through an artificial insemination) but we haven't known about who is the father. It could be Mr. Schuester, since Sue asked him to be because Sue wants her child to be strong, persistent but also have the good quality she eventually found on Mr. Schue. 

Sue asked Quinn for some advices and she later confessed how much she admires Quinn as a strong woman. So she decided to give Quinn a chance to join the cheerio again after she refused to give it. Nice, Sue. I wish nothing but the best for you and your baby :)

• Quinn was going to the chapel and ....

Quinn asked Rachel whether she still can be her bridesmaids or not and Rachel agreed that Quinn should be, after everything they've been through. Right before the wedding, Quinn hasn't arrived and Rachel worried about her. Everything was in a rush. Finn came to Rachel's room and said the wedding is about to start in few minutes. So Rachel texted Quinn asking where is she, then Quinn got the text, she read and replied "On my way" and bang, everything went dark. Quinn's car got crashed by truck from the left in an intersection because she didn't watch what's ahead. We didn't know what happen to Quinn because that was the very last scene in the episode. Yes, it is another cliffhanger :'(

I was worrying until photos Quinn (Dianna) and Artie (Kevin) on set on wheelchairs. Let's hope that Quinn will be able to walk again, she's in the cheerio again and she's pursuing her dreams to be at the top of her class at Yale University. But, if you compare what happened to Artie with what happened to Quinn, it seems almost impossible to make it. *fingers crossed for Quinn to be able to walk again* *big prayer circle is needed*

By the way, the "Chapel of Love" now officially will freak a gleek out. It was the song played before Quinn got crashed by that car accident.

Lookin' good!

Oh, hello there, seven-weeks of hiatus. I would be so glad if the last day of it came early. 

I would like also to tell you: 

HAPPY BLAINCHEL'S FIRST KISS ANNIVERSARY!

It's been a year since we first saw Blaine kissed Rachel during a bottle game at Rachel's house. They were drunk and so did everyone (except Finn and Kurt). I watched 3x14 "Blame It on the Alcohol" again and phew, I survived the sacred kissing scene for us, Blainchel shippers. I tweeted Blainchel moments on Glee in the morning, and here's all the photos of those moments :')

(coming up soon)

Phantom of the Opera (Ivan Jacobs'.... ngek)

The day I'd been waiting for has finally arrived. But apparently, it wasn't completely "that" day. 

If you look carefully at the pic above, you'll see a pamphlet of the show and you'll be able to see one name. That name is the one who composed all the musics; Ivan Jacobs.

What's the word that comes to your mind when you hear a word "Phantom of the Opera"? I will think of Sarah Brightman, the Phantom's mask, Paris, probably the movie in 2004 and definitely, the creator and composer himself, the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber. I really admire Andrew Lloyd Webber for his amazing works. I've seen Cats' 10th Anniversary (on my laptop), Phantom of the Opera movie in 2004 and I have also listened to his amazing music from Phantom, Cats and few songs from Evita. I want to be like him someday if I really were supposed to take that path. So it was such a huge disappointment when I thought I was almost to see his work just several minutes before the show. I was also upset about letting a half a million rupiah. Because if I had known about it earlier before I decided to buy the ticket, I would have bought ticket Il Divo's second concert in Jakarta (which I unfortunately missed several years ago, when they performed in Ritz-Carlton)

The main plot was the same, but not the entire thing. Christine met her Angel of Music, Raoul got mad, Phantom went crazy if Christine didn't sing and come visit him, Christine was about to marry Phantom in his chamber, then Raoul came to rescue but he got trapped in a cage, then Phantom got mad and crazier than ever. There's the diva talking in different accent too. But there were two funny characters and I had great time watching them more than any other characters. Despite the similarity in the plot, the music wasn't that beautiful as I expected right after I knew that it wasn't Webber's. I barely remember one :( 

But hey, I shared this experience with three great people, who are currently my classmate and one was my classmate. It is my first time to a show like that together with friends so I couldn't ask for a better one. Thank you for the ride and thank you so much for accompanying the great night! I won't forget what we shared during our way back and forth from the theater haha. 

Speech Choir 2012

To honor three of English famous poets, the English department of my school held another choral recital/speech choir as a part of "Festival of Music, Speech and Drama" on the third week of February. The participating levels for the speech choir were level 8, 10 and 11. For grade 10 classes, we were given a poem that set during Crimean War. The poem was written by Lord Alfred Tennyson and it talks about the courage and the loyalty of the Light Brigade. 

The Charge of the Light Brigade

by Alfred Tennyson.

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not,
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

We used several rooms on the 4th floor to practice during lunch, after school and during weekend. We were even late on two classes; we illegally took 20 mins of Chemistry period and 10 mins of Biology period (We're really sorry Ms. Whel and Mr. Jose. I personally feel bad about that) but gladly, everything went well. No hate, no tension and we could precede easily and comfortably *fiuh*

We didn't win the first place but hey, we won two awards:

 3rd Place and Best Costume! 

I was glad that my contribution and effort for my class as the choreographer were actually paid off. I felt so relieved that this time, I took a small but the right step. It took me almost a week to putting myself in the front line to be the choreographer and I finally did. I've always wanted to direct and choreograph something, that's what I did every time I locked myself in my bedroom aside from singing and moving around haha. 

I still thought that we as a whole class and also I, as an individual, could've done better but hey, screw that thoughts, we had fun and no war was started, so I would like to thank everybody for giving me the chance to try as well as to be a bigger part of the class. Congratulations to Dany, as the director,  Justina and Dey who made those cool props, Karina as the conductor, Dwita and Aurel who made us thrived among the other classes because of the costumes, and also the whole class!! Merit point is waiting.