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Boasting no explosions, CGI robots or vampires, but propelled by good word-of-mouth, this inspirational drama climbed its way into the number ten spot over the Christmas holiday weekend.10. THE BLIND SIDE
Total Gross: $184,387,000

Boasting no explosions, CGI robots or vampires, but propelled by good word-of-mouth, this inspirational drama climbed its way into the number ten spot over the Christmas holiday weekend.

9. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Total Gross: $196,573,705

Not only did the prehistoric critter crew return for their biggest box office outing yet, the third ‘Ice Age’ adventure conquered the number 2 spot at the worldwide box office with a massive $883.7 million.

8. Monsters Vs. Aliens
Total Gross: $198,351,526

In a crowded field of animated titles this year, this monstrous adventure towered over the pack, stepping into the top ten with one of the biggest spring opening weekends ever.

7. AVATAR
Total Gross: $212,268,000

Arguably one of the most anticipated movies of the decade, director James Cameron’s visionary sci-fi epic leaped into the top ten during the final weeks of the year.

6. Star Trek
Total Gross: $257,730,019

Live long and propser! Director J.J. Abrams’ bold re-imagining of the classic sci-fi franchise proved popular with both old and new fans alike, easily grossing more than any previous Star Trek movie.

5. The Hangover
Total Gross: $277,322,503

Easily the surprise breakout hit of the summer, this tawdry tale of the ultimate Vegas bachelor party gone wrong defied all expectations to become the number one R-rated comedy of all time.

4. The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Total Gross: $280,924,000

Hot off the success of 2008’s ‘Twilight,’ the second installment of Stephanie Meyers’ supernatural romance saga wolfed down a record-breaking $72,703,754 for the highest opening day earnings of all time.

3. UP
Total Gross: $293,004,164

The animation wizards at Pixar did it again, soaring to number three, nabbing the studio its second highest grossing movie ever (behind Finding Nemo), and becoming the highest grossing 3D movie of all time.

2. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Total Gross: $301,959,197

The popular teen wizard returned for his sixth year at Hogwarts to grab second place, but cast a powerful spell on the worldwide box office, taking the top spot with a magical $929.4 million.

1. TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
Total Gross: $402,111,870

Autobots battled Decepticons to the top of the box office, not only becoming the top earning movie of the year, but also firmly planting itself at number 9 among the top ten highest domestic grossing films of all time.

Source

Tell me what do you think in the comments below!

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Money? Academic results? Well, four of us came to the same university 3.5 years ago, it was really tough as we have to study in reverse every year (meaning that we have to go through second semester before first semester). Life is even tougher with the allowance we got. Since then, I have made my decision to work part time while study to have a better life and not suffering due to lack of money. I knew it would be hard, no matter how hard it is, no matter how many sleepless nights I have (I lost count of them actually), no matter how tired I am, no matter how sleepy I am, I still keep going as I always remember that “What doesn’t kill you make you stronger”. It has been a very long journey to me. I suffer depression, abuse and pressure from my workplace but still I have to study, do my assignments, attend classes and tutorials, just trying to be professional as a student.

Today three of my friends will be graduating with first class honours while the best I can achieve is second class first division. I know I could have done better if I allocate my working time for my study but I have done my very best to balance between work and study. I do regret of choosing money over academic results in the first place as I know I would have gotten a better result without working. Nevertheless, I am glad that I did because I can buy things I like, I can make someone happy by buying him/her present, I can buy electrical appliances to my family, I can give money to my parents, I can go for movie every week, if not once in fortnight, I can afford to ear out, I can go travelling around, I can go to concert, I can have a better holiday at home, I can have good savings for my future and lots more. So if I chose academic results in the first place, I wouldn’t have got all these! As we know, everything has its own pros and cons, just that which one outweighs another. So the question is, do I regret? Yes, sometimes.

In the end, does academic results really important? It seems like now as it is a passport to secure an interview or even a job but it is not a guarantee for a successful career. So does it make money important as well? Not really. If you have money, you can’t buy the academic results but you can use it for your future such as investment, savings and etc. After all, I am extremely sad today, I am demotivated and I wish I could have done better. Although I still have a semester left with 2 unit of studies to go, it is totally impossible now to achieve first class. I accept it and I am down to earth now. So close yet so far. Full stop.

I’VE often been asked by organisations how to keep their staff motivated, interested and engaged in their work. Many have shared how quickly enthusiasm seems to wane nowadays; how new, young enthusiastic workers become disillusioned, bored ex-employees.

Solutions are numerous, of course. Money, status, praise, recognition, empowerment, a fair reward system, a social support system at work; these are all important elements of work motivation. Put all of them together and chances are you will get a highly motivated work force.

But there is one more important element that, in my humble opinion, creates the drive and momentum that keeps us going – meaning.

There are some organisational psychologists who believe that human beings seek meaning and significance in their work. They argue that we need to feel that we do make a difference. Research has also indicated that workers who have this sense of meaning in their work tend to produce better results and to be more committed to their organisations.

It’s true that most working people say that they work for the money, and no doubt, if their companies stopped paying them, they would stop turning up. But I suspect that for most of us, we want it to be about more than just the money.

When I think of the successful people in the present and the past, what strikes me is how their energy levels were driven by a mission, something greater than themselves.

more…

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PORTO BAY RIO INTERNACIONAL, RIO DE JANEIRO

PORTO BAY RIO INTERNACIONAL, RIO DE JANEIRO

PORTO BAY RIO INTERNACIONAL, RIO DE JANEIRO

Brazil’s Copacabana Beach attracts millions of people of all ages on New Year’s Eve and is Brazil’s second biggest party of the year after Carnival. But if you don’t fancy joining the throng in your Brazilian thong bikini, the Porto Bay Rio International is right on the beach and has fantastic views of the party and the fireworks as the clock strikes midnight.

In fact, some of the best sights of Rio de Janeiro can be experienced from the rooftop pool and bar which is where all the action happens on New Year’s Eve.

If you’re lucky enough to get a room with a view, you may even be able to experience the festivities from the comfort of your own hotel room. On clear days you can see Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Corcovado statue.

HYATT REGENCY SANCTUARY COVE, GOLD COAST

HYATT REGENCY SANCTUARY COVE, GOLD COAST

HYATT REGENCY SANCTUARY COVE, GOLD COAST

If you feel like spending New Year’s Eve by a pool sipping cocktails, playing a round of golf (the hotel is flanked by two golf courses), or maybe experiencing one of the Gold Coast’s renowned theme parks (Dreamworld and Warner Brothers Movie World are both located within 15km from the hotel), the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove is the place for you.

Once the sun begins to set, head to one of the two restaurants for their New Year’s Eve feasts and then dance the night away to the live music on the Verandah Bar. If you are taking the kids, the Hyatt hosts Camp Hyatt for 4-12 years olds where they can bring in the New Year with games, videos and dancing.

HILTON MELBOURNE SOUTH WHARF, MELBOURNE

HILTON MELBOURNE SOUTH WHARF, MELBOURNE

HILTON MELBOURNE SOUTH WHARF, MELBOURNE

The Hilton, located in Melbourne’s newest shopping and dining destination, South Wharf, is offering several enticing New Year’s Eve options. Overlooking the Yarra River, the Hilton guarantees an impressive view of the city’s New Year festivities.

Guests can choose the New Year’s Eve delights with a Spanish tapas feast or a meal prepared by Michelin star chef Ramon Freixa both on offer.

Each room, inspired by the Yarra River, offers views of the river or the city so even if you choose to see in the New Year in your room, you will still have an unforgettable view.

SEBEL PIER ONE, SYDNEY

SEBEL PIER ONE, SYDNEY

SEBEL PIER ONE, SYDNEY

The Sebel Pier One in Sydney, located right in the heart of The Rocks, provides outstanding views of the Harbour Bridge and the harbour – perfect for a New Year’s Eve mini-break.

The Sebel also offers a New Year’s dining experience to make your mouth water. Enjoy a scrumptious fresh seafood buffet with unrivalled views of the festivities and bring in the New Year with a chilled glass of bubbly whilst marvelling at the world famous firework display.

When you want to call it a night, retire to your room where you can relax in your luxurious bath robe.

BANYAN TREE, BANGKOK, THAILAND

BANYAN TREE, BANGKOK, THAILAND

BANYAN TREE, BANGKOK, THAILAND

Thailand has embraced the Western New Year as well as its own Chinese and Thai New Year and Bangkok pulls out all the stops to impress its guests. The city and its vibrant culture offers light and sound shows, live entertainment and of course fireworks.

However, if you want to spend New Year’s Eve in the lap of luxury, look no further than Banyan Tree hotel. Its Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar is an open-air rooftop lounge, 61 floors above the streets of Bangkok, with breathtaking views over the city. If you are afraid of heights try dinner at Pier 59 where guests dine ‘under the sea’ in a recreated underwater chamber.

To relax after the party spend New Year’s Day at the Banyan Tree Spa, which offers a host of appealing treatments.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PRAGUE

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PRAGUE

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, PRAGUE

Prague is an enchanting place to visit, with its ancient castle, 14th century Charles Bridge and intricate cobbled stone streets and on New Year’s Eve the city truly does come alive. The Mandarin Oriental in Prague is housed in a 14th century monastery set on the banks of the Vltava River, 500 metres from the impressive Prague Castle.

This New Year’s Eve the hotel will be hosting a ‘Viva Las Vegas’ themed Gala Buffet Dinner in the Grand Ballroom, which is sure to impress. Guests can also meander down to Charles Bridge for the fireworks display above the castle.

On New Year’s Day visit the Christmas markets for some local mulled wine and fresh, hot doughnuts.

So which one would you prefer? ;)

La Perouse

La Perouse

This is the place that I think I am going to test my device. It is at North Cronulla Beach.

This is the place that I think I am going to test my device. It is at North Cronulla Beach.

Went to a few beaches to search for a strategic place to test my wave device. First off we went to La Perouse, the waves there are too strong and it is kinda rocky so I don’t think it is a suitable place after all. After that, we went to a beach near La Perouse and it seemed like a suitable place for us as there were some man-made rocks which are good in deploying my wave device. It was raining heavily all of a sudden and I was all wet. After that, we went to Cronulla Beach in South Sydney and we found a sewage pipe which runs across to the the sea, it was very quiet, not sure if it was because of the rain but we were very happy with it. The waves are strong enough to generate 1kW of electricity and the water is kinda deep. The frequency of incoming waves is about 6-7 seconds and sometimes even faster than that. The big question will be how are we going to mount or install the device on it?

I am not in the mood yet to start my thesis, still can’t get over my holiday yet after a very hectic semester. Look like I just have to start next week, if not my supervisor will not be happy. There are still so many things to do but thanks to my dad for helping me with the unidirectional gear system, it is like a big step forward for me, I could easily spend months of that! After all, I just have to spend my whole summer on my thesis and working at the same time. My friends are leaving me one by one, either graduating or going back for summer holiday. To add salt to my injury, my love life seems like going nowhere so I am all alone here with no one to be with except for my colleagues. Guess I have to find my own happiness living alone.

Went to my friend’s graduation this evening, hoping that I will graduate with 2nd class upper, I am so close and yet there are so many things to be done to reach my goal. It is solely depending on my honours thesis now. Well, at least I only have 1 unit of study next semester so I can fully concentrate on the thesis. Around this time of the year, I should have been having fun in New Zealand but due to the nature of my work which I will not disclose here, I had to fork out another $230 to change my flight to April next year, during Easter holiday. I have finished touring the South Island of New Zealand so I will finish off the whole New Zealand by travelling around North Island of New Zealand next year. :)

Unfortunately, I just paid ATO (Australian Taxation Office) $2247 today and it hurts me so much. I guess, it will take some time for me to recover the money. In fact, I bought a Wii last week and I spend around $360 for that. Arghhh! Money is not enough! Just gonna work hard this summer and simultaneously curb my spending on food and other expenditures! Money will never be enough, just like sex!

The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying

Tonight after having dinner with my colleagues, we went for a movie called “The Invention of Lying”. Well, just to make it short, the world depicted in this movie is a world which everybody can’t lie to each other. Everyone has to speak out from their mind and honest, it hurts of course. But the message delivered in this movie is – no matter how many times and how much you lie, but u have to be honest with your love ones, this include your parents, good friends and your lifelong partner. You have to spend the rest of your life with them so if you tell a lie, you have to live everyday thinking about the lie that you’ve told, it will not be pleasant at all.

If you are a South Park fan, you would have probably watched the episode named “Butter’s own episode”. A lie is a lie, no matter it is for good purpose or bad purpose but sometimes you have to tell a lie to make someone happy so does it make it ok to lie? Well, it is a very hard question to answer. It depends on the situation and person. So I will let you to be the judge when you are lying, just think about the consequences before you do it. By the way, Eid Mubarak to everyone who celebrate it! Cheers!

Saying good is the hardest thing to do.

Saying good is the hardest thing to do.

Why does it take a minute to say hello and forever to say goodbye?

Yes I love her. I love her more than anything else in this world and there is nothing that I would like better than to hold on to her forever. But I know it’s not for the best. So no matter how much my heart is going to break, I’ve got to let her go so she can know just how much I love her. Maybe if I’m lucky, she’ll come back, but if not, I can make it through this.

True love doesn’t have a happy ending, because true love never ends. Letting go is one way of saying I love you.

If saying goodbye hurts so much, why do we say goodbye? Because it hurts so much more to keep holding on to something that isn’t there. Like you’re hanging off a ledge and someone is jumping up and down on your hands but you still can’t let go. Like when you’re little and you’re being tickled…you shout for it to stop because it’s torture, but then you go back for more, because somehow being tickled makes you feel safe and special. Holding on is like that…but the torture is painful…and it doesn’t make you smile. That’s why we’re supposed to say goodbye. That’s why we’re meant to let go.

Saying goodbye doesn’t mean anything. It’s the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it.

Oftentimes we say goodbye to the person we love without wanting to. Though that doesn’t mean that we’ve stopped loving them or we’ve stopped to care. Sometimes goodbye is a painful way to say I love you.

I knew that this moment would come in time. That I’d have to let go and watch you fly. I know you’re coming back so why am I dying inside? Are you searching for words that you can’t find? Trying to hide your emotions but eyes don’t lie. Guess there’s no easy way to say goodbye.

Don’t want to leave, but we both know sometimes it’s better to go. Somehow I know we’ll meet again, not sure quite where and I don’t know just when you’re in my heart, so until then, smile, don’t want to cry saying goodbye.

I’ve learned that goodbyes will always hurt, pictures never replace having been there, memories, good or bad, will bring tears and words can never replace feelings.

This is our last goodbye…it’s over, just hear this and then I’ll go: you gave me more to live for than you’ll ever know.

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Missing Star

I can never really tell you why
I’ve been missing you a lot
And I just have to take another look of your photo in my wallet
Ad there’s no reason why I keep your tshirt by my side when I sleep
Pretending you were never really gone

Its like a missing star that always ends up in your sky
Its like the rainbow never comes after the rain
Its like the sun never rises in every of your morning
How am I supposed to live without those things
they are all you

Heaven Knows

She’s always on my mind
From the time I wake up,
Till I close my eyes.
She’s everywhere I go
She’s all I know.

And though she’s so far away,
It just keeps getting stronger everyday
And even now she’s gone
I’m still holding on

So tell me, where do I start
‘Coz it’s breakin’ my heart
Don’t wanna let her go

Chorus:

Maybe my love will come back someday
Only heaven knows
And maybe our hearts will find a way
But only heaven knows
And all I can do is hope & pray
‘Coz heaven knows.

My friends keep telling me
That if you really love her,
You’ve gotta set her free
And if she returns in time
I’ll know she’s mine

But tell me, where do I start
‘Coz it’s breakin’ my heart
Don’t wanna let her go

(Repeat Chorus except last line)

Bridge:

‘Coz heaven knows
Why I live in despair
‘Coz wide awake or dreamin’,
I know she’s never there
And all the time I act so brave,
I’m shakin’ inside
Why does it hurt me so?

(Repeat Chorus)

Heaven knows… heaven knows.

KFF

KFF

Well, today is a special day because today is the end of KFF (just in case you don’t know, it’s a brand of us) after almost 4 years. It has been a very long journey and I thought we will make it to the end but sometimes we can’t really get what we wanted. The end is not the end I wanted, it is a sudden end in which I am not prepared off. It is indeed heartbreaking and I am shattered by it but somehow every cloud has a silver lining. Perhaps it is a good thing for her as finally she can move on and once and for all, release all the pressure exerted on her all these while. In fact, I think she will be happier without me as I have been giving her so much misery and trouble ever since we were together. I am not a good person or partner so I am very sure that she will find someone better than me and be happier than before.

While for me, life will not be the same anymore. Going to sleep at night or waking up in the morning will never be the same again. I don’t have to look at my mobile anymore nor message anyone as before because things have changed. It will certainly be a boring and dull life for me especially during holiday now. I am all alone in my room most of the time, even if I go out, I don’t have friends as most of them are going back to their own respective country for good or temporary for summer holiday. I am lonely and blue. I am more like a robot now, doing the same thing everyday. Well, I am devastated, I miss her and I still love her but there is nothing much I can do now. I hate improper goodbye but we promised to end it in a proper way later by meeting up for the last time, doing things together for the last time, enjoying the last moment as much as we can, this is how we started and this is how we are going to end it. At least we will cherish these moments for the rest of our lives. Sorry, I am not good in words especially in describing my feeling now, all I can say is I am real sad. It’s like you lost something very close to you, very valuable and precious to you after 4 years. You miss it so much but there is nothing much you can do to get it back, it is lost forever (figuratively of course). It is a deep cut, like a 5-inch knife stabbed into my heart and it just keeps bleeding, even if you stitch it up, it will take so much time to heal. Time is a good medicine because it is the only medicine that can cure this kind of injury. But it also means that it is going  to take so much time, years after years. Last time, it took me almost 3 years though the relationship was only about a few months but now, it is a 4-year relationship so how long would it take? I will let you do the calculation. :)

Looking back these 4 years making me realize that actually we don’t spend much time together due to the nature of our relationship but somehow I don’t know why we have so many moments, good or bad, sweet or sour, joy or tears, happy or sad, exciting or dull. I think maybe because we don’t meet up a lot but once we do, we really make use of our time to the fullest we can. This is something that I never regret of. Once said, “life is not measured by how long you live but it is measured by how exciting your life is.” In this case, 4 years might be short or long but it doesn’t really matter because we have been through so much together and make use of every moment when we have the chance. Looking back the photos certainly bring back a lot of memory to me, I laughed, smiled and cried. I miss you and you have always been a good life partner of me, I appreciate you now more than ever. Thank you for everything from the bottom of my heart, you are the source of my inspiration, my happiness and my life. Thank you once again. I will never forget you and in future (probably when I am in my 30s) if I have a partner again, I will tell her how great our love is, I don’t care what she will think but I just want her to know that I had a very wonderful partner before and it is a fact that cannot be altered, it is carving in every inch of my heart.

Last but not least, life is never fair and will not be fair. Sometimes no matter how great our love is but in the end, there are things that are more important that love such as family, religion, race, family background and etc. Love can break all the barriers as love is blind but then not in all the situations. True love is hard to find but once you found it, there are so many obstacles which can test the strength of the true love. Well, if it isn’t strong enough, it will fail and bring catastrophic outcomes. For those who have found their true love and live happily ever after, I wish you all the best, may God bless you all and hopefully it will last forever until your last breath. Sometimes I do envy those who have found their true love and being so happy together but in the end I know that I am not a good person myself, that’s why I don’t deserve any of this. I do believe in Karma and I know I am such a bad person and I truly deserve it. I accept it wholeheartedly without any complaint. So from now on, I will try to move on my life and will try to be strong. It is going to be hard but I have to give my best.

With that, I dedicate these 2 songs to you. The first song is about how much I miss you and the second song is about how much I love you. They are my most favorite songs of all time.

p/s If you are reading this and would like to offer any encouragement, advice or opinion, please comment below this post. Thank you.

The big doghnuts in Coles Worldsquare!

The big doghnuts in Coles Worldsquare!

Well, after studying for about 4 days, finally I have finished my exam. Well, the questions are taken from the textbook, not a single word or sentence is changed and I have some of the solutions of the book but somehow I made one big mistake, hopefully it will be alright. This will be the last exam of my uni life as I don’t have anymore final exam next semester as I only left with Honours Thesis B and Professional Engineering 2. Thus, I don’t have to sit for exam anymore! I hate exam coz normally I can’t score in the exam, I only get good marks from assignments, quiz (except for Renewable Energy), presentations and etc. I have no idea why, maybe it is due to my nervousness especially before and during the exam which affect my performance. So no more exam after this! Hooray! Haha! Yes!

But it doesn’t grant me freedom as I still have to work on my Thesis during the whole summer holiday which is about 3 months long. Had a meeting with my supervisor just now, look like I still have so many things to do including measuring the theoretical energy from the sea, finalised my project plan in detail, finish the manufacturing, find a suitable site, figuring how to install it near shore and etc. Can I finish all these in 3 months? Well, I hope so! But thanks to my dad for helping me with the unidirectional gear system, it has certainly made my work easier quite a lot as it is the most important part of the whole device. Just in case if you don’t know, I am doing a device that can extract energy from ocean waves and my aim is to generate 1kW of electricity. The expectation is high so the pressure is mounting on me tremendously.

But for these few days, I will just enjoy myself and tomorrow I am going to watch A Christmas Carol 3D in IMAX Darling Harbour, Sydney. Maybe next week going to watch New Moon though I am not a fan at all. Till then, enjoy your holiday and hope to hear from me again!

P/S   The picture above is taken from Coles Worldsquare, the doughnuts are big, aren’t they? Somebody told me they look like somebody’s ass! Haha.