THE HUNGER GAMES – Against all odds

"Those who haven’t read the book are flocking to read it and those who have read it are flocking to go see it". More.

“The Hunger Games” is a movie that was created from a novel by Suzanne Collins. 

After writing the novel, Collins signed a six-figure deal for three books with Scholastic in 2006.  

By February 11, 2010, The Hunger Games had sold 800,000  copies and 26 foreign editions. Rights to the novel have been sold in 38 territories, and there are over 2.9 million copies in print. The book is a USA Today and The New York Times Best Seller.


The film currently holds the record for the third best opening weekend box office sales of any movie ($152.5 million) in North America behind The Dark Knight ($158 million) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 ($169 million) and the biggest for a non-sequel.


Two days after the film was released, it became Lionsgate's highest grossing film ever. More.

THE HUNGER GAMES ADVENTURES

A social network game called The Hunger Games Adventures was released for Facebook to coincide with the film's release. It is a role-playing video game developed by Lionsgate in coalition with Funtactix. 


STORY PLOT
As punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol in which a 13th district was destroyed, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are selected by annual lottery to participate in the Hunger Games, an event in which the participants (or "tributes") must fight in an outdoor arena controlled by the Capitol, until only one remains.

Shocked youngsters 'are walking out of The Hunger Games' as experts demand film's certificate is raised to 15

Psychologists, child health professionals and parents yesterday joined calls for The Hunger Games to have its rating raised to a 15 because of its violent content.


Children who see the controversial film are at risk of having its disturbing scenes ‘hard-wired’ into their brains, one expert warned.




One mother said: ‘The fact that you actually see kids killing other kids is something I would not want a 12-year-old to watch.’ More here.

FRIENDS are FOREVER – Arabic belly dance for fitness

Twenty-eight little 7yr old girls met for the first time on our first day at school and many years on remain as one big family. Coming from different backgrounds, race and religion some later went to different schools and lived in different towns/ overseas during high school and higher studies. 

I can clearly remember the faces and the names of our Principal, Reverend Mother Aloysius and my class teacher, Sister John – such caring, gentle and loving teachers that will forever remain in our hearts. I believe our school and the teachers played a huge role in keeping our beautiful school years’ memories intact, precious and special.

Today we are spread out across the country; some have migrated to Australia, United Kingdom and the United States of America. To keep our memories alive and connections going, every month we organize a get-together, each taking turns to host the gatherings in our homes.  

Food? Delicious and Plentiful… Potluck… 

 

Roasted Turkey, grilled lamb, Mamak fried noodles, Briani rice, Roti Jala/chicken curry, fried buttered prawns, selection of Nyonya desserts, cakes, fruits - well just bring a little of anything where all can share and enjoy our day together. 

SR - had no time to cook so she brought roses and daisies from her garden and distributed to all. At one of the gatherings ZA brought along with her an Arabic Belly Dance instructress to entertain us and teach us belly dancing..........



Uh.. ah..... Ladies, this is one good form of exercise to do in the comfort of your own homes, fun and very relaxing!.

GAME OF THRONES - Season 2 airing 1st April 2012

Game of Thrones is an American medieval fantasy television series based on George R. R. Martin's best-selling A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels. 


The long awaited second season is scheduled to begin airing in the U.S. on HBO on April 1, 2012.

The first season primary locations being the Paint Hall Studio in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the city of Mdina, Malta. 

For the second season, the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, was used instead of Malta for scenes in King's Landing and elsewhere. 


 
Scenes set North of the Wall were filmed in Iceland, on the Vatnajökull glacier, in November 2011.

STORY PLOT

Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue is pervasive. Amidst the war and political confusion, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and icy horrors beyond.

AWARDS : here

Throw Away Your Worries – Breaking Point

I was having breakfast with my friend yesterday at a restaurant (chuckling and laughing at her jokes) when a group sitting next to our table suddenly turned their attention towards me and one of the men casually commented “Ahh... look at Katrina, a person with no worries.. sooooo relax!” 



Eh? Apparently they were having some heated early morning discussion about life in general, fretting and grumbling nonstop.

So this is how people here see me all these while? What else can I say except throw them my usual smile? 


hmmm “”If only they knew!”” that a few years back I was struggling within and was once on anxiety pills - “panic attack” said the doctor. “Try as much to avoid stress, change your ways of life” he advised.

I was given anxiety pills by the doctors; I sadly confided to my best friend over the phone… “Oh oh, that’s a mild dose of medication, doctors usually will give to psychiatric patients a stronger one (Crudely put in Malay - Ubat untuk Orang Gila). This definitely is bad news!”.

She drove all the way from Kulim and we spent the weekend analyzing and discussing my ‘panic attack’ – I had to get an honest outside opinion of what is actually wrong with me.

Many women especially Single Mothers these days have to work full time in high stress jobs plus take care of the house and kids. This is definitely not an easy task, however, sadly to note our society places very uncompassionate demands on us women.

Without realizing, ‘silly we’ unconsciously submit/comply to these expectations hence pushing ourselves unnecessarily – finally, at one point somehow your “sanity” just cannot cope and you will eventually explode.

I am not going to waste any more of my precious time being a slave to my worries. I decided to spring-clean my brain. 

Breaking Point - 
Why Women Fall Apart and 
How They Can Re-create Their Lives  

by Martha Nibley Beck is an interesting read, a real eye opener.

Read more: 

HOMEMAKER – Resume

Basic guidelines of what is expected once you decide to leave your career and become a full-time housewife;

 

1                  Cook – Breakfast-lunch-tea-dinner-snacks-visitors-  parties

2                  Butler – 24hour duty

3                  Gardener

4                  Cleaner – house - cars – laundry/ironing

5                  Driver – kids to schools/tuition/marketing/shopping

6                  Nanny – 24hours  kids (ages ranging 1day old to 24years or more)

7                  Private home tutor – 7day week

8                  Private Nurse – home health care

9                  Plumber

10             Electrician

11             Carpenter

12             Hostess – visitors, parties

13             Clown – 24hour duty

14             Social escort - husband/kids

15      Bookkeeper - Accountant

16      Secretary

And finally, financially in cases where your husband is not able to provide sufficiently for the family, you are expected to again seek either part-time or full-time employment.

Did I leave anything out?

Desperate Housewives

The ABC Television Network announced today that this season will be the final one for the landmark series "Desperate Housewives." 

All good things eventually come to an end, and in the eighth and final season, the stakes for everyone on Wisteria Lane are at an all-time high. 

Season Eight of "Desperate Housewives" will roll out in a way that is accessible even to viewers who may have lapsed in their viewing, and be all the richer and more rewarding to the series' loyal fans. More here.

MENOPAUSE - What your mum n doctor may not tell you?

OBLA DI OBLA DA – Life goes on rah!.. la~la~la~la life goes on. Oh dear, the  lyrics ~~~Molly stays at home and does her pretty face ~~~

How I wish life will go on and on like Molly and her pretty face!

My late mum never discussed the horrible ‘M’ with me. In fact she never complained or had anything to say about this sneaky ‘M’. Well, don’t blame my mum; even Dr John R. Lee M.D. came out with his book titled “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Menopause”. 



Now, now...... why all these silence? hmmmm

This is a phase in our life where not many women are prepared to talk openly? Huh! Menopause typically (but not always) occurs in women in midlife, during their late 40s or early 50s, and signals the end of the fertile phase of a woman's life.

Anyway this is one refreshing and educational book for those about to enter or are now going through menopause – one can learn what to expect and it is always better to be prepared.


I feel husbands/men should also know more about this topic so they can understand their women/mums and help their ladies go through this phase smoothly. I was told even men go through menopause?

Students - the food they survive on.

Students and the food they eat neatly summarised in pictures - picked this clip from my son’s group facebook... 

I had my fair share facing similar situations while I was a student many years ago – instant noodles!

Sad - why can’t the authorities look more closely and help resolve this issue?