Book Review: A Wallflower Christmas - Lisa Kleypas

I've been reading all four series of Wallflower girls by Lisa Kleypas. And when I saw this on the bookstore oneday before christmas, I just simply can't resist it!
I've been planning to find some books related with christmas, so I could feel the joy and such.. :)
I eventually finish reading this book on the same day.. December 24th..

The Story
It's not about the 4 wallflower girls.. But about Lilian and Daisy's brother, Rafe.
Rafe was the only son of Bowman family, and so the father, Thomas was very hard at him.
Rafe had refuse all his father's will, and he step up, made his own business, and succeed.
But one day, he had to go to England, find a wife, as it is his father's will to have Natalie, a daughter of blue-blood, Blandford family as his daughter-in-law. If Rafe failed to marry her, then he won't get the opportunity to have the Bowman's England business.
On the effort to know Natalie better, Lilian invite Hannah (a poor cousin, who is Natalie's chapperone) for a tea.
During the meal, however, Rafe feels interest in Hannah. In the other hand, Hannah never approve Rafe as Natalie's husband-to-be. She think as an American, his culture are diifferent, he's ungentle, weird and not-appropriate for her beautiful and charming cousin, Natalie. But at the same occasion, Rafe showed how he would treat something that blocks his way.
The kiss between Rafe and Hannah is a changing moment for both of them.
For the Christmas time, Lilian planned to have a party. All the wallflowers are there.. Lilian (and her husband ofcourse), Daisy (and her husband Marcus), Evie, and Anabelle. During the events, Rafe found out more about Hannah, and knew that he couldn't marry anyone but her. Hannah, found out that beside Rafe's outrangeous manner, he's just a simple, lonely man. They soon found they love eachother. The wallflower help Hannah preparing for the dinner, giving her their maid, pearls, gloves, and simply showed their cares for the new addition to the wallflower group. Hannah looks adorable for the dinner, she's decided to tell Rafe how she felt, but the dinner is ready and the Bowman family and Blandford famliy are prepared to tell the happy wedding news to everyone.. The news is brought up, a wedding is set..
Natalie, being broken hearted, run away from the dining hall... and cried out, feeling too late to tell her feelings to Rafe..
Or is it??

My comment
It was a pleasure reading more stories about wallflowers. I do love the appearance of Hunt and Sebastian, kind of remind me to their stories, and make me wanted to re-read it :)
However, the story is a bit classic, so the ending is not so predictable.
I've always love a historical romance, and Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite in this particular topic.
I love the christmas setting, and i could simply imagine how Lilian with her passion being jealous at her husband. How Evie and Annabelle tried to force Lilian away from all the sewing activities.
I'm drawn into the Charles Dicken's christmas ghost stories when Hannah told the story to the kids.
I laugh hardly reading a boy manage to stole Thomas's wig and put it on the christmas tree.
I cried reading Lilian telling Hannah about Rafe's soldier toy story..
I just simply love the characters.
Except for Thomas Bowman's character.. But then, without him as a bad father, the story won't be complete.. :)
I'm ready for my christmas!!

For Sol

I knew how you'ld love to see some sneak peak of singapore..
So I made this short slide-show for you.. Take a look.. :)

enjoy!!

Music: Imagine - David Choi - youtube cover.. http://www.davidchoimusic.com/

P.S. Esplanade theatre is the place that David sings last year, and he also manage to go to the night Safari, and also the Merlion in Sentosa.. Check out more details at his Singapore Video, i think he have 10-11 videos :)

Have a great new year!

Stanford...

This is a photo-slide of stanford university. Stanford is a very good university, and I'm thankful for getting the change to be there..
Hope someday I could go there again.

Photos: by me and my friends
Songs by: David Choi

Wongfu Production: Too fast

Too Fast by Wong Fu Production
Philip Wang, Ted Fu, and Wesley Chan..

These guys started making movies from colleges. They met at UCSD, and made movies with their friends, basically for their school projects... Now, they already graduated, moved to LA, and continue their dream. They have millions subscribers!
They produced two big movies, A moment with you (sorry, no link provided, it's only on dvd, and sold out), and the newest and booming one, Agent of Secret Stuffs (35 minutes), starred by @therealryanhiga..

So today, they upload a new short video, titled Too fast..  Check it out, here!
It's basically made for Subaru..
Starred by Randall Park (a well known comedian in LA) and his wife :)

Storyline

A guy, named Brandon..
Since he was a kid, he done everything fast!!

 When his father explained that after this, his body will start change etc.. He changed!! :D

Before

After

This happen all the times, in friendship, and even in relationship!

This is Kelly, a girl that he likes..

On their first date

He porpose her on the night! And 8 days later, they're married and got kids!

Conclution: too fast is not always good..

My comment:

Hmm.. This is weird.. :)

Okay, the story doesn't make any sense (ups.. sorry..)

Buuuut..

I would still recommend this, if you are bored, and need some laugh..

Because...

Randall's expression was super! And his laugh is contagious!!

 I also loves his wife's expression.. :D

Seeing this 3 minutes clips, made me wonder, did Wongfu put enough effort on the story line.. As written on their blog, they did the shots in 2 days, edited in 1 day.. But for these little and rushed time, it is quite good~~
Seeing from the bloopers, they actually did quite well with the details.. I heard Ted's voice directing the actors on their gestures, and also words.. Guessed all directors are perfectionist :p

Anyway, it's quite entertaining.. At least I laugh a lot during these 3 minutes.. And it was a good laugh :D

Check out others videos by wongfupro, at their youtube channel!

Note: All pictures are courtesy to Wongfu Production

Book Review: Same Kind of Different As Me

I just realize I haven't post the review for this book..
I read this book at August 2010, during my 6 hour trip from SF to LA.
So I thought this book will be a nice one to read.. Guess what..
I CRIED DURING READING IT!!
Oh well.. My friends all were suprised coz of a sudden, i cried.. :(
Story line:

The story is about two man and a woman that changes their life, one white man and his wife, also one black man.. It was described in two point of view, so it's kinda interesting..
Ron Hall is a wealthy international art dealer who travels the world buying and selling rare and expensive works of art. He has grown rich and so also grown selfish and has grown away from his family.
One time Ron Hall reluctantly volunteers at a homeless shelter (at the insistence of his wife).
He soon comes into contact with Denver, a man his wife is convinced is going to change the city.

Denver grew up as a sharecropper in Louisiana, living a life that seemed little different from the life of his ancestors one hundreds years before. He eventually walked away from the cotton fields and found that, while life on the streets of Fort Worth was difficult, it was easier than being a sharecropper.

It was here, in a homeless shelter, that the two men met, one serving food and the other being a reluctant recipient of this charity.
The idea from Deborah, Ron's wife is that Ron could serve the evening meal once a week, and we'd be in and out in three, four hours maximum.
They will minister from behind the rusty steel serving counter, safely separated from the customers.
They will enter and leave through the rear kitchen door, to minimize contact with those likely to hit them up for money. The whole arrangement seemed like a good way for them to fulfill Deborah's desire to help the homeless without our touching them or letting them touch us.
So Ron met Denver, and became interested in this man. In other hand, Denver tried to avoid all kind of cares shown by Deborah and Ron. But at the end, they manage to be good friend.

One thing that I remember is that when Denver said to Ron, if he becomes his friend, it is forever. WOW!
They began to show the respect and admiration to each other, teaches others (also me) about life.. They have different types of life, high class, and lower one.. But it attracts each others! And noted, it's a real story guys!
What made me cried most is when Deborah got sick and eventually died, and Ron thought his friendship with Denver will also died. But how Denver showed that he care, and he do care.. well, it's so warming my heart! :D

In conclution, this is a warm novel, should read it, then you'll feel blessed for what you have. It will change our perspective to live.. :D

The Jubilee Project: The Waiting Game

THE JUBILEE PROJECT

These people loves making videos..
They also loves to make difference..
So.. They made VIDEOS for GOOD CAUSE!



By watching their videos, we're actually taking a part in donating, and ofcourse helping others..
So, share the news, share the links..

Oh, and you can be the donator also.. Just sign up here!


Even the videos which is sort of documenter (reporting the jubilee project, the wedding documentation, etc).. It all came out with a purpose, and you also can participate.. :)

Follow their twitter, @JubileeProject! And also on TheJubileeProject's facebook!!

I previously wrote a review on their Love Language! Check it out!!

Another video from The Jubilee Project which I like is...
The Waiting Game

Check the video at: http://bit.ly/d3JYCP

Story line:

A guy asking her girlfriend to meet up, promised he won't be late again.

She waited him in the park..

And at the time promised,
He didn't showed up..

.........

32 minutes passed the meeting time..

And he's not there!!
Where's the man???

Well he did tried to go there.. But he just realize that he bring no money, so he had to run!!

Is he too late?

She's gone.. He's actually going to propose!!! *hint: I saw a ring :p

......

Did she left??
Check out what happen to them, here, at youtube!

*p.s. you have to watch it till the very end!

  

My personal comment

I love watching their videos actually, coz they have a message in all their videos..

I thought there are two  strange things.. :)

1. When the man first called, it's as if he didn't really rushed into the meeting place.. If lets say I'm having a meeting, I'll tried to go to the place directly, so, I'll probably ended up with talking on the phone and walking :)
2. The meeting place! Is it just me or the girl is already there? Maybe it would be a bit make sense if the first scene is not on a fountain.. Hmm.. probably somewhere else would be better?
3. Whyyy when he late, he didn't text her??? :(

On the contrary, I love this video due to several reasons. The scripts is actually very nice :) I love the small details, like when the man bought flowers, and when he was in hurry, he give a flower to the "sesame street figure" (was it elmo? i forgot the name).. And I love the script because it's unexpected :) At first my heart broke seeing that the man late.. But seeing his running, and tried to manage being there.. Make me melt :D

Also when he finally arrived, but the girl is gone!! Hwaaaa!! I want to shout out loud!! Whyyyy!!!

Seeing that his trying to porpose (at least in my opinion, he's going to do so!).. huhu.. noooo...

But then, I watch till the end.. And the ending :) make me smile.. Totally made my day..

Overall.. This clip is a sweet romance video.. I guess this is The Jubilee Project's style.. Looking forward for their next video :)

Note: All photos are courtesy of The Jubilee Project.

Picture collages of WESley chan from Wongfu Productions

The title says it all..

Wesley Chan is one of the member of WONGFU PRODUCTION..

You can check their website at: http://www.wongfuproductions.com/

Several of his scripts are filmed, and in my personal opinion, the scripts are aWESome..

He also design some of the AREYOUANICEGUY t-shirt.

Not to discredit Philip Wang or Ted Fu, I do think THREE of them did a GREAT job!

Phil has his own role, he's more of the spokeperson of wongfu, and the name wongfu was also based on Phil's nickname :) (source: WongFu's old site)

Ted is the more-mature more-logical guy.. I think He's the tech guy :)

I'll make a collage photos of Phil and Ted next time..

But this week, I wanted to appriciate Wes :) Sorry Phil, Ted.. :)

I'm looking forward for more of Wes's scripts, and ofcourse more WONGFU VIDEOs!!