7th December 2008
It's been a while since i last penned ya...well i've been really really engrossed with my activities...and i guess you guys wouldn't believe it but yes, i'm stuck reading a really really good BOOK! Yes....b.o.o.k.
Well the book is super dooper nice. It's called "The Book Thief" and its setting is in Germany during the Nazi German era. Therefore, if you actually read this book, you'll actually learn a few German words. (Especially very rude ones, because it involves a lot of cursing and swearing haha) But it's a story abt family, love and basically the cruelty faced by the Jews. Also it’s about the importance of ‘words’.
I love to read and watch stuff on war history and stories that touches on human rights. I guess these are the stories that made you feel grateful that you are actually a life that is actually a LIFE. Imagine being a refugee and everyday you live in fear and your purpose in life is just to make it through another day. Sometimes it makes you think, if you live a life like this, wat is the purpose in life anymore? Just to make it through another day for what? So that you can suffer another day? Maybe, because of the believe that there would actually be a better day, i don't know.
Towards the end of the book, when I fought out that no one lives, except the little girl who is the Book Thief…I spent like ½ crying my eyes off. I know it’s stupid but if you actually read the book, you’ll understand that my tears are of reasons okay. I have a few favourite characters, and when I know they die, I just can’t accept it.
Well the book is about this little girl Liesel Merminger and her little brother, who was sent to a foster family – The Hubermanns when she was I think 10 because her mum can’t afford to take care of them. On the train to their new home, Liesel’s brother died. They buried her brother and during the burial, the gravedigger left a book. She then took and kept the book, making it the first book she stole.
Alone she began her adventure in her new home during the World War 2.
My first favourite character is Liesel Merminger’s foster dad, and I actually forgot his name!! Let’s call him Mr. Hubermann…He’s like the greatest father that one can ever have. (Besides my dad of course) He’s gentle and understanding; he loved Liesel so much and had been there for her at night when she had nightmares about her dying brother. In fact, he was the one who had discover that Liesel had stolen a book and he then reads to her every night when she woke up from her nightmare. He also gave her reading lessons in the basement. He got her to write the words she learned on the wall multiple times so that she remembers them. (Exactly how my dad taught me last time. But instead of the wall, we incorporated papers and pens haha)
Besides that, he is a very kind-hearted soul. Later in the book, he hid a Jew in his house basement. He also got wiped by the German soldier for giving bread to a parade of Jews marching to the concentration centre. I also like Mr. Hubermann because I think that during that time of such adversity, Mr. Hubermann was the character that makes everything seemed ok. I think in some ways, he is also similar to my father. When he’s around, everything seemed under control and problems can be resolved and settled.
Mr. Hubermann died in a bombing, together with the every single living object in that town because the raid sirens were too late to warn the people. Only Liesel survived because she was writing in the basement. That was what saved her.
The part where Liesel talks to her father’s motionless dead body…that’s the part that tore me up. Even as I’m writing this, brings back my teary eyes. I think I understand how Liesel felt when she actually saw her father’s dead body that day. If I were her, I think my heart will feel like it is being sliced or crushed into pieces – someone you loved so much, and yesterday was still here, at this moment, is gone. It’s like, what had been the times we had together are now all faded into memories that you have to hold on for life, afraid that you would lose grip. Plus for Liesel, she had to deal with the death of every single one of the people she knew in the town. That’s like even worst.
Another character was Liesel’s best friend/kinda like boyfriend, Rudy Steiner. Rudy is a boy who loves Liesel and deep down inside, Liesel knew she had loved him too. (even though they are just kids). Rudy always tease Liesel, vice versa, but at the end of everyday, they are the closest buddies ever. They tell each other almost anything and they are there for each other, to console each other when one is down. Rudy also died in the bombing. Rudy had always asked Liesel for a kiss whenever he does her a favour, but Liesel had always denied him that pleasure, even though she had wanted to. He finally got his kiss after he died. But this ain’t a fairytale – the prince doesn’t wake up after the princess kissed him. His body was the first Liesel saw and … again… the pain that I felt when I read that part was unbearable. So imagine what Liesel had to go through at that time.
So basically, she had lost everyone that night. I picture myself in her shoes. I think I would have cried myself to death.
The thing I like about this book is, the director actually writes very beautifully and a lot of metaphors are incorporated to make this piece so interesting and a picturesque read. For example, he used phrases like, “Tears fight for room in her eyes” (because she’s trying not to let her tears roll down); “redstripped by thorns”; “Ribbons of snow”, “face decorated with constant fury”…Nice huh?!
The writer, Markus Zuzak also writes his story in a very interesting sequence. So he will tell you that something will happen in the future, then he moves back to the current situation and later only he further elaborates on the things that he told us had happen earlier. Yea, so you really have to pay attention to the storyline to understand it. Overall, this is one book that I’ll give 10/10 stars! MUSSTT RRRREEEAAADDDD!!!......
Anyway since i've been trying to finish the book asap...i have neglected my thesis and most of my other work, but of course i still have to make time for some other things like movies and hanging out with friends haha. That's just how undiscipline i am.
Well let's talk abt the events in my life these few days. Just yesterday was my mum's birthday and a pre-wedding/house-warming party organized by my cousin, Shereen. Yup, finally...my first cousin to wed. I'm happy for her and of course, who doesn't love a wedding rite? haha...yeah...erm...(*think*think*) Well, okay, if you don't believe in wedding, (which is a completely different story) i'm sure you'd enjoy some sort of gathering or celebration rite? I can't wait for the real day. i bought a dress ages ago for her wedding and now, finally i will be able to wear it. FINALLY!
Okay back to movies
Yesterday midnite, i went with my cousins to rewatch Twilight in the cinemas. Yes call me crazy but i have a bunch of crazy cuzzies...we all are watching it for the 2nd time except my bro. is it that good? Well it is good...the first 40 mins was kinda a drag i must admit becz i just dun get the silent eye contact between the two lead characters, especially edward. (the lead guy) Edward is like weird; not becuz he's a vampire, but becuz one min he wanna be close to the girl and another he acts cool and tells the girl to stay away from him, when in fact he was the one who always go to the girl. But then, you hv to watch the front part to understand the movie. And the movie starts to get interesting when they start dating. To tell the truth, i'm more in love with Edward's father, Carlisle n his bro, Emmett. They are sizzling HOT!! My two cousin sisters on the other hand was crazy over edward....especially my cousin shanice...you hear her gasping everytime edward comes out..OMG, embarrassing lol...but when Carlisle came out...you hear the whole cinema gasping....like shocked by his good looks...yes, i'm not kidding! I also contributed ...haha...The thing i love most abt Edward and Bella's love relationship is that they can just sit together and talk to each other all day. They look at each other with that deep affection, that great depth of love. That's so romantic! But then my other cousin Doreen, who, well is not the romantic lovey-dovey kinda girl, had me listened to her harsh criticism for the movie “Twilight” the other, even though she hasn’t watch it. LOL…Well her criticism were quite entertaining though, I must say. She’s very artistic…so maybe that’s why she has weird tastes, I don’t know. Haha...WEIRDO! ;P Only kidding. But then artistic people are always different from the crowd.
I also rewatched "Definitely, Maybe" for the second time. Well, it's a feel good romantic movie. I really love Isla Fisher. She's so beautiful. I also love Rachel Weist, even though in the movie, her character isn't one that many like. I mean, she plays a really strong, flirtatious career driven woman. She is a journalist who wants to expose the truth and becuz of that caused her bf's career. Well, i think i admire some parts of her character. The headstrong and determineness, plus a successful writer image, I really like!
I like Isla Fisher also. But I just don’t like her directionless characteristic during the beginning of the movie. Overall, though, I like her live-life-as-it-goes thinking and I like how she always smiles so sweetly. However, one quote that i remember most from the movie by Isla is:
"It's not the person, but the time"
This is a quote which i have to agree, even though i hope is not true is. So, it's like sometimes, even you love someone with all your heart, if the timing is not right, you won't end up with tat person. You will end up with someone you meet when you feel you're ready. So SAD...I really hope that the person i truly love will appear at the exact time when i'm ready and also when he is ready. If you are in actuarial science, maybe could you be kind enough to tell me the probability of that happening? Lol
Anywayz, 2 days ago, i went to watch "Body of Lies" starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Russell Crowe. I must now say tat Leo Dicaprio is officially my fave actor whom i think is brilliant in acting. I mean, of course i still like Jensen Ackles, James Marsden, but Leo Dicaprio is different. Jensen and James, i'm half biased becuz i was focusing mainly on their good looks, so i dun really pay attention to their acting. They can act but Leo Dicaprio CAN ACT! I find myself drawn to his expressions, his movement and acting, instead of drooling over his hotness. Leo often acted in movies that required him to speak in various accents, for example: African accent in "Blood Diamond" and with a middle east accent in "Body of Lies". And i tell you, he did it perfectly. He's darn good! "Body of Lies" is abt terrorism...abt tracking down a jihad group. and of course it's abt manipulating people in order to achieve your goal. I really like the movie cuz i think it's meaningful and touching. It's also surreal, mainly thanks to Leo Dicaprio's fantastic portrayal of the torture scene at the end. And also, the message delivery was good. And this is one of those movies that don't have a kissing scene. Yes, due to Titanic, many see Leo as a 'salty wet' (translation - pervertic) guy, but Leo is just a pro. In "Body of Lies", Leo's love interest is a sweet Muslim girl and they can't even hold hands. Haha...pathetic i know haha. but wat to do? one have to conform to culture. Overall, i think it is a good movie, if you are those who love more serious and analytical, political movie..i'll give it 3.8/5.. Make sure u bring a clear mind because to understand movies like this, you have to concentrate. it's not like Madagascar 3...haha...But the fun part of this movie is that you can see Russell Crowe as a fatty. He is really FAT in the movie. I have nothing against ahem…larger size people (cuz I’m one myself)…but still…it’s just interesting to watch a man who has a body to star in “Gladiator” and “Cinderellaman” wear an extra extra extra extra extra few pounds.
Anywayz that’s all for now. Til next time…wish me luck in completing the testis…ooopssss….thesis I mean. ;P
