New Breath of Love

I'll start by saying that I watched this series because of the cast, in particular Raymond. Since his hair-do is the same as in Heart of Greed, I assume that the two series were filmed around the same time. After his tragic death in HOG, I just wanted to see him with the one he loves (in the series).

It was very hard for me to rate this series...I can't give it an overall score so I'll attempt to break it into separate parts...

Casting - 5/5 - Though I was only aware of the existence of Raymond and Alex, it was easy to accept those who were new to me. Raymond did an awesome job playing the playful and creative character of 'Tsui Hoi' while Alex's appearance and tone fit the quiet and accountable personality of 'Ming Ging'. Tammy Chen (played Jing Wai) is a pretty girl, she reminds me of one of the 2R HK pop singers (who knows what happened to them). She fits her role as a goodie good girl but with a hidden personality. Perhaps because she is pretty so I would expect her to be more naughty. Every other character was played by fitting actors/actresses.

Setting/Filming - 5/5 - The Shanghai setting was really cool a depart from the HK backdrop common in TVB series. Love of the Aegean Sea and Channel A both take place in Shanghai. I'm planning to go to Shanghai in 2010 after I graduate to go see the Expo. I really liked the reflective camera angles that reveal both side, I think it was used a lot in the fitness center on the mirrors.

WARNING - SPOILERS BELOW!

Storyline - 3.5/5 - I really don't know, it was a nice story but perhaps the pacing threw everything off. There were about 4 couples in total (Ray and Tammy's being the main), so it was interesting but it also made the overall story feel kind of fragmented because it jumped from one to another and you kind of have to wait and you can't guess who's turn is it next (unlike The Seventh Day) so patience is required. The series explored one main underlying problem in each relationship so there is diversity. There were some down times and many 'false alarms', however, when something did finally happen, it was very good. COME ON, it took Jing Wai long enough to accept Tsui Hoi! But I was really happy for them when they stayed together over night :) Though the characters were all related in an almost impossible way, the story still seemed kind of fragmented. The series kept jumping back and forth between too many different stories and failed to really relate them. Also there were times when I expected something bad to happen (like Jing Wai getting fired or Sophia and Lisa going crazy after being dumped). I didn't predict the abduction...that was kind of random...but at least something happened...HOWEVER, I really enjoyed the changes that occurred in people's personality's. I like both mother's role, though I like Jing Wai's mom better, she went from extremely paranoid to approachable. Tsui Hoi and Jing Wai changed for each other and so did Jing Mun and "Ah Gum".

Characters - 4/5 - I liked the range and diversity of each character's role. Ray's role is a cross between La Femme Desparado 'Chai Foon' and Heart of Greed 'Alfred Ching Leung'. It isn't as 'bad' as Heart of Greed but wasn't as 'good' as La Femme Desparado. Though I don't like two-timers, I have to admit they do exist in this world. I appreciated Sing Hung's affection towards Ching Ling (though she betrayed him). There were some that I hated too...namely Richard (the main antagonist) and Jing Wai's two co-workers. One was pissing me off because she was trying to get Tsui Hoi's attention. The other was a wolf in disguise. However, nothing was really done to settle them and it just died off naturally. Even Richard wasn't as 'bad' in the kidnapping as he could have been, no guns or knives. He was also naive to think that they weren't goin to call the cops. I guess it made no sense to rape a girl that you've been been dating already. It was hard for me to know what exactly he was after, love or money? Was he ever in love with her? Did he just want money all along? In the middle, Jing Wai was getting all stressed because of her and Tsui Hoi's relationship but near the end, she seemed pretty calm about it when they 'broke up'. To me it felt kind of awkward that she changed so much in so little time. Though it seems as though the comments I made appear quite negative, I think they are more realistic solutions to problems faced by human beings and though they are not as dramatic, I still appreciate their new approach.

The Ending - 3.75/5 - It was sad that 'Ah Gum' died, he was so young....but at least he will always be in the heart of 'Jing Mun'. Sophia and 'Ming Ging's' relationship developed quite well. I'm glad that Sing Hung found Ching Ling. I actually wasn't quite as satisfied with Tsui Hoi and Jing Wai's relationship. As the MAIN couple of the ENTIRE series, I was expecting a bit more compared to the others. Perhaps an extra 5 minutes of what it happens after the subway scene. How about their wedding?...A resolution to Tsui Hoi's disbelief in marriage or phobia towards driving? Those things were kind of left up in the air. Then perhaps a 5 years later scene with everyone together again.

Aw... how SWEET

Memorable Scenes

• On the Subway (first scene)
  
• On the train to their outing - they were photographed sleeping on each other's shoulder listening to music :)
• The concert
  "Looking for your boyfriend?" "Yes." "Your boyfriend is wrong to keep a girl like you waiting." "How am I as a boyfriend?" "Sure, more importantly, you came at the right time"
  
• The self shot video
  
• Bed scene - the bed wasn't ready when she finally was.
  
• On the Subway (last scene)
  "Looking for your girlfriend?" "Yes." "Your girlfriend is wrong to keep a boy like you waiting." "How am I as a girlfriend?" "Sure, more importantly, you came at the right time"
  

Overall (average) - 4.3/5

After a day of self review, I bumped up two categories by 0.25; storyline and characters bringing the series to average 4.3/5.

Final words - Patience is essential to enjoy this series. Just hang in there, cause the best is still to come...

I'm finally 20

It's my special day today! I went out with a few friends, bowling, pool then a game of ping pong at my friend's house. I got lots of facebook book messages today!

Boxing Day

This morning, Henry and I got up at 6 and went to Futureshop/Best Buy/ Polo Park. I spent $200 at Futureshop. I bought an external 320 GB portable hard drive for $100, a wireless laser mouse for Johnny $15, a 8GB SD Card $10, a 4 GB sony memory stick/card for $25 (for henry's PSP), 2GB Ram for my macbook $25. Best Buy was sold out of a wireless router ($20). It is something I wanted but it isn't something I need cause we already have one but the range isn't all that good, Having said that I am still able to pick up a decent connection from my work station in the basement. I saw the man grab the last one and you know that you can sense when someone else wants what you have. lol After gazing at him for a few seconds (he was indecisive but our presence made his decision), we just walked away. I went to Mexx and Sport Chek at Polo while Henry went to EB Games. The sales at the mall weren't that good, I bought a T-shirt from Mexx. It has been 50% off the entire store for a week and boxing day was no different. I bought 2 dress shirts (really nice), a sweater, and a tie last weekend because of their 50% sale. I also bought a belt 2 weeks ago but it was only 30% off at the time. After discounts, the shirts were $35, the sweater was $22.50, tie was $30, and the belt was $24. It was good to get the belt hen I did because they didn't have my size when it was 50% off. The shirts are black with grey stripes and a the second is a grey and black striped pattern. I can't describe them but they are really nice. I got complements when I wore the first one to work. The second is slim fit and is more for formal occasions. I really like Mexx clothes, though they are expensive, they are my favourite name brand because they fit me well. I like Calvin Klein as well for that reason. I don't like Tommy Hilfiger, because even their small is too large for me. I bought two short sleeve shirts last summer, my friend works at the store, they were 40% off, but they are a bit loose fitting. I prefer slim fitting (not tight) but I like to go for the tailored look. I only buy these clothes because of the sale. I can't afford $70 for a dress shirt, just yet, lol :)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Well, we had turkey last night on Christmas Eve, our 'western celebration', just with my family. Then today, my cousins came over with their little puppy, Zack...it's a black pomeranian, and he was a really nice dog. I'm not a dog fanatic but I really liked him. He just sat in your lap and allowed you to pet him as you pleased and he never barked once which was amazing because it was his first time in my house and the first time he met us. We had spring rolls that night and the dog really wanted one but we didn't give him any cause it is greasy. So when it was time to go Zack didn't want to (the house smelled like spring rolls) and he wanted to stay. Zack would follow them to the door then run back into the living room and then they would call him and he would come but run back into the living room again. My cousins pretended to leave, like open the door, but it just stayed. My dad had to grab him but he struggling to get free. He was really funny!!! Too bad we forgot to take pictures...

Final Presentations

I had my final studio presentations today afternoon...they went quite well and then we went to Red Cactus as a studio group to unwind.

I just had the toughest weekend of the year...After a 3 hour exam on Friday morning (my one and only :D), things just worsened and intensified. I've had basically no real sleep or meals, sleeping over at school on a couch and I had a nasty cold. My other sick friend and I went through 3 boxes of kleenex over three days. I have bloody red eyes.

The studio was so cold that I brought in my own space heater, along with a sleeping bag and a blow dryer to dry glue quicker...Elmers is great modeling glue btw.

I'm not completely off the hook yet, I still have portfolios to make but that isn't stressful, just pricey to print and bind. My final studio project was over $200.