Movies I watched in Aug 26

Watched 功夫女足 in cinema. After hearing a lot of negative reviews, I actually enjoyed the movie. Regardless of all the hate towards 星🌟， I will always root for him. I am quite disgusted with people who claimed to be his fan but find every opportunity to criticise him. 迪丽热巴 is gorgeous. Good to see some side characters that appear in Shaolin Soccer in this movie.

Watched The Devil Wears Prada 2 on the plane. The first movie was filmed 20 years ago during an era when magazines were relevant and popular. Twenty years later, so many newspapers and magazines have shut down. Probably in the future, there would not even be human models when robots and AI took over. It’s nostalgic to see the cast from the original film. The storyline was about eh….i don’t know why Andy wanted to help Miranda who was rather mean. Emily’s action are more believable.

Watched 得闲谨制 on the plane. I usually do not like movies about war and I watched the movie solely for 肖战。 Nevertheless, I like the movie. I would not say I enjoy the movie as it feel wrong to describe war, even in movies, as enjoyable. The storyline was tight, with a bit of humour, and subtle romance. While I watched the movie, I am thankful that I was born in a country during a peaceful era. There were thousands years of human history in war. Even in this current time, there are wars going on. My parents were unlucky and went through World War II in their childhood. Felt blessed that I was born in the right place at the right time. May we continue to have peace. I hope that 肖战is recognised for his acting. I think he acted well in this movie.

Another movie I watched in the plane is One Battle after Another. While I enjoy the movie, I don’t sympathise with terrorist organisation, no matter how much they brag about their cause. I have enough of terrorists killing innocents in real life and acting like they are the victims 🙄 Leonardo Dicaprio’s pretty face during the mid 1990s were gone.

Cherishing the good moment in Aug 2026

I attended the National Day Parade on the actual day first time in my life. Enjoyed the parade. Got a goodie bag, currently keeping all my snacks and instant noodles in the bag.

Redeemed a tumblr, recycle bag and notebook from National library. I look forward to writing my travel notes in the notebook after i finish writing on my current journal.

Invested in savings bond and made a housing refund to CPF. Also parked some of my funds in various funds for slightly higher interest rates.

Have lunch with sister and friend. Always happy to meet up.

Visited Vietnam for the first time. Some thoughts about the trip : –

– stressful walking along the roads with all the traffic. Some cars/bikes do not stop at the traffic light.

– Food is good. The beef pho are fantastic with clear broth. Went to a buffet with great varieties in Hanoi – have steamed crab, tom yum crab noodle soup, prawns, sashimi, beef, satay, various kind of desserts. The Hanoi hotels provide buffet breakfast with passion fruits. We stayed in Sapa for 3 nights and absolutely enjoy the breakfast buffet – got to have pho, smoothies, yoghurt, cakes etc. We ate so much for breakfast in Sapa that we skipped lunch.

• Took a bus up the winding road to the mountainous Sapa. We chose Sapa thinking the weather will be cool. But it was hot especially when we were in Moa Na. Took lots of photos in Sapa. Most of it turned out well. Went to a pet farm and read a book in a cafe. Walking along the main street along Sun plaza which were pleasantly decorative.
• It rained when we first arrived in Hanoi, and it rained even more heavily when we took the bus back from Sapa and to Hanoi. I was fully drenched and have to buy a new pair of shoes.
• Enjoyed supermarket shopping in Hanoi.

Going Vietnam made me appreciative of my own country. We are small but we have good walking pavement and roads are easy to cross. I do not have to worry about walking the roads that suddenly has a big hole. Felt sad to see small children having to sell souvenir in Sapa.

Recently Nepal has a flash flood with lots of people missing. Saddened by such disaster.

Haywire July 26

More than half of July are World Cup days with matches from 12 midnight till 12 pm, with erratic starting time. My sleep schedule was affected. Have to remember the match times that started at different hour on different day. Often, I fell asleep during the match especially those involving Spain, Portugal…..

I fell sick during World Cup. It was the first time in many years that I was so sick that I skipped lunch and dinner and walked less than 5000 steps. Felt better the next day but as I was vomiting and having stomach upsets, I went to the doctor. It’s the first time I consulted a doctor for illness since I retired. Luckily, I have now recovered.

I didn’t watch any Netflix or read any book during the World Cup. I squeeze any activity during the rest day. Whilst I wish to sleep immediately after a match in the middle of the night, I have difficulty sleeping after getting excited after the match.

After two days of limited sleep, I finally slept after the sad final. I went for a long walk after the sleep to reduce my fatigue and sadness. I even cleaned my room after neglecting it for more than a month.

Manage to read a book, 阿公講鬼，shortly after the World Cup. I borrowed from library and neglected it for a month.

Attended the first gender reveal party in my life. Grateful that I am invited.

Attended a wake.

Watched 阿嬤的情書，a Teochew movie. I am teochew but only the Ah Ma in the movie speaks the teochew that is familiar to me. This film is a tribute to my grandfather who made the dangerous voyage from China to Singapore. I wish I knew more about his past.

After the hectic visitation of hospitals and care facility in May/June and the World Cup in Jun/July, I feel that I am going back to a more routine life this week.

World Cup 11 Jun – 19 Jul 26

Some memories/thoughts of these World Cup.

Enjoyed seeing smaller nations participating in this year World Cup. Must be very core memories to see your country in the World Cup.

However, the World Cup dragged on for too long. Felt very tired as a spectator, must be exhausting for the players.

This year is the first time that there are 48 nations in the World Cup. However, Italy did not benefited from the expanded format. I missed Italy in World Cup. Manifesting that they make it in 2030.

I am rooting for Argentina because of Messi. I have mixed affections for Argentina over the years.

The first time I watched World Cup was in 1986. Maradona’s spectacular goal against England forever etched in my memory and it’s the first country that I watched raising the World Cup.

In 1990, I hated Argentina because they kicked out my beloved Italy. I was very upset about Italy’s loss.

In 1994, I was prepared to hate Argentina. But when Maradona scored and screamed at the camera, the good memories of 1986 came back and I like them again. I didn’t hate them despite the later scandals.

From 1998 to 2010, my focus was on Italy and I didn’t pay much attention to Argentina. However, I was always low key rooting for them. Love Batistuta.

After Italia was out in 2014 and Argentina made it all the way to the final, I was hoping that Messi finally win the World Cup. My wish did not come true.

I enjoyed 2018 World Cup but I have not much memory of it with Italy not qualifying. Don’t remember much about Argentina.

-The upset of Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia in 2022 World Cup reminded me of the upset of Cameroon in 1990. This time, it is a happy ending for Argentina and Messi. As a corporate worker who struggles throughout the working life, I am so happy that Messi finally won the ultimate prize after so many disappointment. It took 36 years for Argentina to another World Cup. I enjoyed seeing the Argentines being so euphoric.

It saddened me that Italy did not qualify for the 3rd consecutive World Cup. The World Cup is held in USA together with Mexico and Canada. In 1994, Italy beat Norway in the first round. 36 years later, three sons of the 1994 squad Norwegian squad played in 2026 Cup. In 1994, Italy beat Spain in the quarterfinals, in 2026 Spain won the World Cup.

With the absence of Italy, my attention turned to Argentina. Realistically, I knew that the chance that they win the World Cup is low. As the tournament progressed, I am surprised that I care so deeply for them. The more the world is against them, the more I rooted for them. The English media always slyly write negative stuff about Argentine in the guise of the Falkland issues, when deeply they are simply racist and discriminated against Argentina. Been reading the English press calling Argentines ‘Argies’ since 1986. Which of the countries did not have a dark past, but yet all the vitriol is against Argentina. Looked down on Argentina for being poor but yet at the same accused them of having money to rig the World Cup.

This World Cup does not tarnish my affection for Argentina. But it made me despise the influencers that are basically leechers.

Watching the final reminded me of the 1994 Italy vs Brazil final. I was so worried that it will go to penalties and Messi lose the penalty just like Baggio. I cannot bear another of my favourite losing the cup after carrying their team to the final.

I can respect that Spain is the better team, but just like 2010, I don’t care about them. All the risks tika is like AI, precise but can’t connect with them. I prefer the team with lots of human flaws but with even more passion.

Dazzling to the end of June 26

It just occurred to me that June is ending in 2 days time. Approaching half time of 2026.

It’s a daze in June. Spent 2/3 of the month travelling west to hospitals and care facility to visit mum. She was firstly hospitalised for hip pain and then again for lung infection. She is also in interim care facility so that professional caregivers can look after her. I have so many meals in IKEA before visiting her.

I am glad that my helper is back and now my mum is back home. However, mum seems to be disoriented and did not know that she is already home ☹️. We got a hospital bed for her so that it is easier for her to move from the bed. Hope that her mood and health improve.

World Cup 2026 has started. The beginning of the World Cup overlapped with the time my mum was in hospital/care facility. While I watched some of the matches, I wasn’t really focused on them as I didn’t want to be too tired to visit my mum.

Now I have more time to watch World Cup. Age is catching up. I can’t remember most of the matches. I still remembered clearly that a 10 men Italy beat Norway 1-0 in 1994, but I can’t remember what’s the scores of most matches now. 32 years ago, I would not have forseen that Italy would fail to qualify for 3 consecutive world cups. I definitely would not have imagined that 3 current Norwegian players are the sons of the 1994 squad. I definitely was unaware of Haaland in 1994.

I missed Italy in World Cup. While I accept that missing the last two world cups were ‘worth it’ for winning in 2006, missing out the third time was a bit too much. Manifesting that they make it to 2030 World Cup.

I am glad that Bosnia made it to the round of 32. At least, Italy didn’t lose their spot to Bosnia, for them to crash out early.

I wasn’t really fond of the expanded 48 teams before the start of the World Cup. However, I love that smaller nations such as Cape Verde, DR Congo, Bosnia qualified for the next round. And I also love that Curacao, Haiti, Bosnia, Panama, Uzbekustan got to experience seeing their flags on the World Cup field. One of the lasting image will be Curacao players sitting on the field after all their matches.

I love the Norway rowing chants. It reminded me of the Iceland claps that I witnessed in person in Euro 2016. I love the Scotland fans. Loving Messi’s goals. He is having a good time since winning the World Cup in 2022, a heavy load has lifted from his shoulders since the win.

Rooting for Japan. Feeling bad for Iran’s departure after suffering from horrendous logistics and knowing they didn’t qualify after Austria-Algeria last seconds draw. Don’t really feel bad for S Korea although I was rooting for them. Feel bad for the Korean players as they will be facing harsh reaction at home upon reaching home but don’t feel bad for the nation, whom is quite often very mean to their own celebrities, sportsmen and especially sportswomen.

Exhausted in May 26

Went for a one day overseas trip to a mini farm. Enjoyed close encounters with the animals such as capybara, ostriches, rabbits, foxes, ducks, chickens, ponies, goats, peacocks, camels.

Also enjoyed the food during the trip. Bought a lot of stuff.

Been going out to places I seldom visited frequently as I knew I can’t go out much from end of May till June.

The reason that I can’t go out much in end May till June is because my helper went back to her hometown and will only be back in end June. While I expected that it will be tough taking care of my mum, it is more tiring than my expectations. Non stop laundry, boiling water, helping mum shower, feeding her etc – it was tiring. While sleeping, need to be alert to wake up when my mum wake up. She has the tendency to walk to the toilet alone while having the tendency to fall.

Less than one week of caring her, need to send her to the hospital as she totally cannot stand up from the sofa and complained of pains. Tried very hard to carry her but we have no strength.

While there is some respite while she is in hospital, it is still exhausting as have to make daily trip to the hospital to look after her. She keeps asking to go home but yet she has limited mobility.

I am too exhausted to blog about anything else.

四月里的小确幸与小感慨

At the beginning of the month, renewed helper’s contract at embassy. Cab fare to the embassy was more than $40, ouch. Glad that the entire process went smoothly.

Sad that LumiHealth has ended. Appreciated the health points earned over the years. Got to exercise without hurting my joint while the health points allowed me to reduce my grocery bills.

Now that LumiHealth has ended, focused on Healthy 365 app. Have to exercise more vigorously to meet the moderate to vigorous physical activity heart rate. My kneecaps hurt in the beginning. Still learning to meet the target heart rate without hurting my joints. Probably because of the more intense exercises and more steamed low salt diet, my blood pressure has slightly improved.

Read Stephen Fishbach’s Escape!. It gave me some insight on how reality TVs are produced. However, none of the book’s characters were likeable. His writing is okay, it’s just that I prefer more fantasy and less reality in the books I read.

I enjoy The Magicians of Caprona more. Maybe it’s set in Italy, a country I love. And the characters are interesting and likeable. And I love story about magic. Been reading the Chrestomanci series, not in running order. Luckily, most of the books are not sequential.

Got dividends from the shares I owned. Thankful that the share ownership during my employment still contributes to my income during in my retirement.

Been walking a lot. Sometimes alone, sometimes with my sister. Enjoy the rustic beauty of my country.

Enjoy watching Mr Queen. Almost wanted to abandon the show in the beginning, but the show gets better. Enjoy the chemistry of the leads.

For the first time, I lost my phone. Luckily, it’s wasn’t my main phone and I could trace my phone that was lost in the bus. Manage to retrieve back on the same day. Phew. I have lost my wallets in my past too, and I have always got it back in my own country.

Went for eye check up. No major issue. Yeah.

Disappointed that Italy does not qualify for World Cup 2026 for the third time. I hope it hit rock bottom already and the only way is up from now on.

這個月，沒有讀華文書。圖書館好久沒有李碧華與亦舒的新書。兩位低調的作家，希望你們身體健康，別來無恙。

一位grab司機因為要求華人搭客講華語, 結被華人舉報. 司機因此丟了工作。從小到大的華人講華語運動，換來的卻是華人既然覺得被要求講華語是一種冒犯。我感到非常荒謬和悲哀。

World in Chaos in March 26

Here we go again, another meaningless war. USA is bombing Iran. I remember these wars started by USA since the 90s :-

• against Iraq in 1990 because Iraq invaded Kuwait. I was working full time and studying part time at night then. People were snatching up rice from the supermarket then. The days before the internet. My office set up a TV to monitor the war via CNN.

• against Afghanistan after 11 Sep 2001. Watched 11 Sep attack live on various cable TVs and monitor news via various news agencies through the internet. Remembered looking through CNN message board for the reaction. USA launched war against Afghanistan swiftly after 11 Sep 01.

• against Iraq in the early 2000s after its war against Afghanistan. All I can remember is USA suspected that Iraq has weapons of massive destruction. Saddam Hussein was overthrown and executed, but no weapons of massive destruction were found.

• against Iran in Mar 26. Not sure of the reason. Probably wag the dog to remove attention from Epstein file. Sigh, oil prices went up and another round of energy crisis and increasing cost of living. War brought to our eyes via TikTok, instagram etc through smart phones.

Used to believe that USA is the good guy from the 80s to the 90s. At least USA attacked Iraq in 1990 because Iraq started its attack against Kuwait first.

As years go by, I no longer believe that USA and its Western allies are the absolute good guy. Especially when I witnessed how they bullied TikTok to change its ownership to US controlled. US companies can set up businesses all over the world under ‘free trade’, but when foreign companies tried to have ‘free trade’ in USA or other Western countries, all the excuses came up so that these companies cannot operate freely in the West.

While I dislike USA and its counterparts, I did not support countries in the Middle East which oppressed women in the name of religion . I no longer see the world in black and white. I am living in a little red dot surrounded by 5000 shades of grey.

While the world is approaching closer to World War 3, these were some mundane personal stuff in Mar 26 –

• Watched Superstore. I love most of the characters, especially Jonah. Felt bad when he had an interview for a corporate job that headed no way as he did not complete his business degree with huge study debt, and didn’t have the relevant experience as he was in retail for too long. It hit a nerve on me as I used to feel stuck in my corporate job as I did not have the qualifications to venture to another place/sector. Felt bad for Amy when she had to go work after giving birth. Was appalled the way corporate America treat its employees.
• Visited Pa at Mandai.
• Went for a short trip to neighbouring country. First time took a high speed train in my next door country. I downloaded a few shows for the train journey but I look at the greenery during the train ride instead. I didn’t even listen to any music during the passage. Enjoyable serene train journey. It’s also the first time I took a propeller plane. First time landed in Seletar airport. Quite awesome to look at the HDB flats from the plane.
• My weight keeps increasing. Need to control my diet.
• My blood pressure is on a borderline high range. Another reason to control my diet, as the blood pressure would go up with higher salt consumption and increased weight.
• LumiHealth is ending on 31 March 26. I will miss this app as it helps me to exercise at a moderate pace that will not hurt my joints. Have started exercising at higher intensity, but my kneecaps hurt.

Summary of 1st quarter of 2026 : world is in a mess. My weight and health is not in a very good shape. I can’t do anything about the world but hopefully I can control my weight and improve my health.

Galloping to Feb 26 in the Year of Horse

We have galloped to the Year of Horse and February is almost coming to an end.

Horse symbolises speed and I feel that everything happens too fast.

In the beginning of the month, I am busy with cleaning the room. This year, I took it easy and cleaned a bit everyday.

This is the most low key Chinese New Year that I have experienced. It is the first time that we had reunion dinner not on the actual day. Nobody came for visiting on the first few days. Even during Covid, we received visitors. It’s a preview to our Chinese New Years in year to come.

Walked to the temples on the first day of New Year to pray for health and peace. Started to rain after I reach the temple. Weather was rather cool in the first two days of New Year, felt like spring.

Went to feed the horse at nearby stable. Wanted to do this in the year of horse. Feel that horse is a beautiful and magnificent animal. No wonder so many luxury brands use it as logo.

Watched Don’t Look Up. Although a comedy, I felt that it could happen in real life when our planet is controlled by super powerful filthy rich people.

Watched The Big Short. I was working in the financial sector and went through the 2008 financial crisis. I was too busy to figure out what actually happened then. I still don’t really understand all these derivatives products. I remembered that in the late 1990s, our head of department explained to us how a particular financial swap works. I didn’t remember the structure of the swap but I remembered feeling disgusted. There was no actual product but a scheme to fabricate profits . The show bring back some of the vile feeling of all these complicated financial products.

Speaking of vile, I am getting tired of people complaining about my country. Sure it has its flaws, please get out if you don’t like it. I find it double standard when someone speak nastily about my country in the name of freedom of speech, yet they will silent you by calling you defensive if you don’t agree with them. Just leave.

Am currently watching Superstore. I enjoy it tremendously. Like all the characters, especially Jonah. While I like Amy, felt that she’s taking Jonah for granted.

Recently, been following news about Punch, the young monkey, in the Tokyo zoo. It’s endearing that he is holding on to a IKEA soft toy monkey as a mother figure whilst being isolated by the rest of the monkeys. Punch is rather relatable especially for someone who experiences isolation by your classmates, colleagues, friends etc. Wishing him getting fully integrated with his clan in the zoo.

Binged eating a lot of new year cookies. Need to resume watching out for my diet.

Purchases – 2026

Jan 26 – Dental floss, fan spinner, screws, alcohol wipes, cleansing wipes, shower gel, new year decors, new year stickers, horse stamps, Taiwan horse coin

Feb 26 – moisturiser x 2, eye rollers x 2, hair care gummies, omega 3, cough mixture, mosquito repellents, plastics sieve, curtains x 2, new year coin for horse, danzen, cutlery holder, toothbrush cup, heat eye masks, spectacle wipes, brown papers, tray for cups, rain drum, phone cases x 2, mandarin oranges

Mar : indoor shoes, dental brushes, eye washes x 2, spectacles dry sheet x 2, alcohol swap, masking tape, A Tale of Socery, Diary, carabiner, facial wipes, toilet papers, lock, ikea monkey toy

Apr : disposable towels, laniege neo glow cushion and powder, Uniqlo’s UV hoodie, body lotion, steam eye masks, Sleep t shirt, mosquito repellents, ultrasound repellent

May : shampoo, conditioner, argan oil, shampoo wipes, steamed eye masks, facial toner, facial cleanser, facial wipes, alcohol wipes, alcohol spray, aroma scents, charcoals, picnic mat, spectacles wipes, kitchen mesh sheets (Muji), big tote bag

June : eye wash, picnic mats x 2, jasmine green tea, steamed eye masks, washing machine cleansers, peppermint green teas x 3, mosquito repellents, fridge charcoal, kettle, distilled vinegar, statice flower

Jul : face mist, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, facial cleansing wipes, mouthwash, flu satchel, Panadol, gastric pills, sage Uniqlo t shirt, mosquito repellent, steamed eye masks, nescafe, chamomile teas, porridge, spaghetti, iPhone 13 & 13 pro cases, instant rice

Aug ： Steamed eye mask, facial wipes, body wipes, new balance shoes (VND1.5 mio), crab instant noodles, coffee, mango candy, 歲月如歌，俊樂卡