Day 28 of Circuit Breaker

Hello everyone, in Singapore it’s finally day 28 of the circuit breaker here. This post is really the shortest summary of what has happened lately.

For future people reading this, the circuit breaker is not really a lockdown but not really the same as Malaysia’s Movement Control Order.

We started ours on 7 April 2020 and it was first with the increase of work from home things, cinemas and entertainment places closed.

Continue reading Day 28 of Circuit Breaker

Journaling Festival 2019! It’s back again

Journaling Festival poster

Remember I attended 2018’s journaling festival and got my own kaweco pen and pretty much enjoyed the atmosphere cause it was chill and had lots of fun stuff?

It’s back again this year!

Date: 4th July – 14th Jul 2019, 11:00 – 21:00 hrs daily
Venue: Great Hall, Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard

Click their website link here to know more.

They’ll have a station to get your own custom kaweko pen (I really like it). Attend workshops.

MT Tape trials?!

Leuchturm notebooks with free embossing…

ALSO there’s an instagram contest where you can win $100 shopping voucher.

Yes, all the details on their website so go looksee.

I’m just making sure you all know since their event is just in a week and a half from the day of this post!

Just some reading

A book called Traitor's kiss by Erin Beaty

The objective is to chill.

Well, a balance of ‘chilling’ and work. I have returned to reading my books at a pace where I can do it while things render.

I probably could try knitting too but reading at least gives me some imagination budget too for my own stuff.

Anyway Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty is exciting, lots of misunderstandings, espionage and observation. In all, I enjoyed it. It reminds me of young adult fantasy books by Tamora Pierce and I do like those kinds of books.

Continue reading Just some reading

Shield bash!

Hey remember that I joined Bastion in the early part of the year? It’s Historical European Martial Arts aka HEMA and yes, it’s sword fighting fun.

I graduated basics too then I CONTINUED because it’s fun.

The next basics intake is from 23rd to 30 June 2019! An introduction is just $10 to see if you’d like it and you can join at their website here.

I improved since the basics class just a bit since I don’t stall too long after the first two moves.

 

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Week 3 of sword and buckler. We’ve done steps 1-6 with the 7th position. And now putting it all together. #hema

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My current class is about the sword and buckler and really. It’s a lot of trying to increase arm strength so I can hold the buckler for longer periods of time.

My favourite move so far in the class is the shield grab though.

Technically I think the current favourite moves I like so far have to do with grabbing swords or the shield!

Anyway, this is me jio-ing you guys in case you say I never jio to try this out. Remember to check the dates since classes begin in 12 week cycles for each ‘course’.

If you miss the beginning you might have to wait for the next round. Also if you guys do sign up for basics, FEEL FREE TO CHALLENGE ME for a spar when you ‘graduate’ at the end of 12 weeks.

SELAMAT HARI RAYAAAAA

Hi everyone, I’m back!

I’ve been busy at work and other stuff but now I AM BACK. It’s the return of Monday posts of whatever I like. Meanwhile, advanced selamat hari raya to you guys since it’s in a few days.

I hope it has been a good month for you.

On that note, I’m actually excited this year, we have 3!

3 actual short film/ads in Singapore for hari raya.

FYI, as a minority in Singapore, budget is usually not used for corporates for BIG short film / ads for the festivities.

They will do it but you’ll notice it’s all clear cut ads in the SG way of “Tada this item is available, buy it”. This is a ‘problem’ for SG clients anyway, they like straight cut stuff and don’t have enough budget for long messages.

ANYWHO. FINALLY SOMEONE HAS THE BIG BUCKS to spend on productions and it’s… ok lah it’s the government.

The first one is “Sunyi” for Zakat SG.

It’s about where the zakat money goes or how it helps an individual too.

Starring cik Nurijah Sahat and the song is by Amni Musfirah and Irena Taib. Produced by: Be Sweet , Director/Producer: Khidhir Kassim Writer: Zaidani

Cik Nurijah Sahat really can act so well in this and it’s touching being “on her own” WHILE SET ON JUST the background music to bring the emotions out.

The second is Kinship for Public Utilities Board (PUB).

I know casting is by the Hello Group and this whole production is by Freeflow Productions.

But like thanks. Thanks my dudes. We wasted water by crying instead.

I am actually happy that PUB decided to do this for HARI RAYA. It’s like you guys, thanksss you could have gone with a generic National Day short film for marketing budget but went with HARI RAYA and that’s really touching??

It means there’s a chance other gov bodies might do something for Deepavali too besides the usual Chinese New Year?

ALSO, for those who want a part 2. As a production person, I doubt this is possible for them to suddenly make a part 2 unless it has already been planned due to:

  • Staff approvals
  • It’s right now ramadhan, if they want to do an additional shoot, the cast are either busy at work or need to apply leave
  • Colouring/editing takes time and this video was out last week and hari raya is NEXT WEEK

So yeah, if there was no part 2 planned, I don’t see it happening so soon. Also, it’s “traditional” if you watch hari raya stuff in Singapore and Malaysia, there’s always sad endings somehow.

Or at least a hope. You don’t need to see happy endings but think about it instead.

SUCK IT UP, NOW YOU GET TO WATCH THE SADNESS OF ENDINGS OF HARI RAYA TYPE MOVIES NOW.

And the third video is Hari Raya with #HafandHaf for Gov.sg.

Hafandhaf produced by Papahan Films. This is a STAR STUDDED CAST. You can see there’s so many of them too. The locations and acting and all.

It’s basically a story about the typical question at every year/occasion if you’re single.

With a heavy dose of FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

I can see they tried to balance this with:

  • Star studded cast for relatability (I also like them)
  • Typical question of bila nak kahwin (when you gonna marry?)
  • Blatant messaging by the government about being financially responsible but trying to not to make it too factual and obvious (I don’t know, do you guys think they succeeded? On production POV I think they did their best knowing how clients want their messages to be in your face.)
  • Sweet romance
  • Trying to be hip with a hashtag like #hafandhaf

So what do you think of this? I think it’s a good try on government side since they always want to go for in your face things because they’re scared people won’t understand messages until it’s super basic.

Production for it is awesome though, you can see it!

BONUS:

It’s a Hirzi video! AND AN ACTUAL ONE about hari raya with a message at the end. Go read more General Papers and newspapers if you don’t get what he’s saying.

ALSO, while we don’t have one full corporate short film/ad by ONE client. THIS ONE you can see is by a few and is for one MUSIC VIDEO.

Lots of dancers/cast and a lot of heart. I actually like the song too because it’s funkyyy. I may have also joined the #MollyVogueEid challenge

So what do you think?

Do you think Singapore will have more short film ads like how they do it in Malaysia? Not just for Hari Raya but for all other occasions too. I look forward to it if so.

And maybe one day I could make my own hari raya short film ad if there’s a budget. I always like watching the ones from Malaysia.

EDIT 3 June:

A LAST MINUTE ADDITION BY MCCY!

One of my favourite ‘makciks’ who tend to do side roles, Zinab is leading this!’

AND SITI KHALIJAH? Rapper is Omar Kenobi and percussions are by Sambiesta and Riduan Zalani.

Also yah, tell your parents how many people exactly are going to be your guests.

EDIT 3 June, 9.54pm:

People’s Association did their own video! It may not look as woah in terms of production as the rest but they have a short story and tells the message of the actual clothes collection for people who can’t afford it.

Captain Marvel Fan Event in Singapore!

Ok guys, you can read all the other geek sites to know how the stars Brie Larson, Gemma Chan and Samuel L Jackson fared in Singapore during the fan event. This is your aftermath post because we really want to say that wow, IT WAS GOOD.

Firstly I just want to thank the organizing staff (both Disney & MBS and whoever the ‘official’ people are), the volunteers, the security and crew because woah. It really IS good?

NOT TO FORGET THE HOSTS NIKKI MULLER AND BOBBY TONELLI. Oh mein Gott, thank you for them being the hosts.

Ok, with that said, there are minor details that can be improved on but since people do ask me what happens at these fan events, let’s do a recap for everyone.

Continue reading Captain Marvel Fan Event in Singapore!

State of Sarah: Conserve energy and stab

Hey everyone, yeah this post is me just phoning it in because I know I have two posts lined up about the Japan trip and book reviews from Comic Fiesta. FOR NOW, what have I been up to?

I signed up at Bastion HEMA since I did a poll on which I should learn FIRST. It was sword fighting, diving and horse riding.

Sword fighting won, hurray, I managed to sign up in time too and am now at the time of this post, on lesson 4 of 12 for basics.

It’s pretty enjoyable? I am needing way, way much practice on footwork but once I am in the groove, I can step and slash in the correct procedure.

For those interested, it starts off with warm ups, footwork drills and then the lesson of the day itself including previous lesson’s work to brush up on.

This was the seniors showing us how a duel worked in our first trial lesson. IT IS SO VERY EXCITING.

Also, HEMA stands for historical European martial arts and I’m starting out with a one handed sword, the ‘long knife’ aka langes messer.

Right now, I know at least the top, middle and from the bottom cuts. I need to do more practice in the actual blocking and parrying next…

OK THAT’S IT FROM ME SO FAR.

Comic Fiesta 2018 and tips for 2019

Comic Fiesta 2018 was held at Suria KLCC (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) from 22 to 23 December. That meant we headed our way to the convention on Friday morning using Aeroline! It takes around 5 or 6 hours from Singapore but it’s so convenient since it drops us at Corus hotel which is just a short walk to our own chosen hotel above Suria KLCC.

Knowing people who keep saying they want to go to comic fiesta and then getting all surprised that wow, it’s big or crowded, well.

If you’re reading this then… THIS IS THE COMIC FIESTA SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR YOU.

Continue reading Comic Fiesta 2018 and tips for 2019