I love watching anime (Japanese cartoons) because of my fascination for Japanese media and art. I have not seen a live-action movie though, and fate has it that the Singapore airlines media system has heaps of international movies on our flight from New Zealand to Singapore. I am still learning Nihonggo (Japanese language) so I decided what the heck, I will see a Japanese live-action movie. Since I love dogs, an obvious choice would be the movie “10 Promises to My Dog”.I did not regret my decision, the movie proved both moving and heart-warming (yeah right, a moving movie, nice one there). The movie follows the life of the lead protagonist Akari, from as a little kid owing a cute little puppy named “Socks” until growing up as a young woman, 10 years onwards. This is a family movie that touches on topics like responsibility, devotion and even death.
The Japanese actors all gave excellent performances in the movie, and the dog is very cute and endearing. The story is very well crafted and believable. The writer would have to be a dog lover to be able to come up with such a captivating tale. Be warned though, the last few minutes of the movie can cause a medical condition wherein the lacrimal glands secretes fluids (otherwise known as lacrimation).
It is always a treat watching movies that do not come out from Hollywood. You get to see and learn many things, like foreign culture similarities and differences.
This particular film is most recommended not just because the dog is adorable, but most of all, because of the heart-warming story.
After a very long hiatus, I am back again on my nosebleed-inducing hobby of mine – blogging. :)
1. Mr. Fish (Australia) – None can match the sheer energy of this busker from Australia. He is great in making unpredictable witty comments on everything. His acts are varied and original. His props are very ingenious and wacky. He’s fond of making satirical comments on the unsuspecting and unfortunate audiences seated in the front, all to elicit the loudest laughter everyone can muster. He is very gifted in making people laugh, and his acts are highly recommended. Mr. Fish is my vote to win the recognition: THE PRESS PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for 2009, which will be announced on February 1, 2009. 
2. Sam Willis (NZ) – Sam is very creative in making fun of everything. I saw Sam as an emcee for the Christchurch International Airport BUSKER COMEDY CLUB, and he is good. As an emcee for the show, he was able to keep the momentum going in between acts. His tricks are very imaginative and funny. Unfortunate audiences in the front are sometimes ridiculed to perform or be part of his tricks. He can be harsh, but it is good that people do not take it seriously. Some of his tricks are bordering on the gross, but he does it so humorously that you forget it. He is very talented and his acts are a must to see. Proof of his immeasurable talent is he won the most favourite performer, THE PRESS PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD for 2008. 
3. Cirque No Problem (Israel) – The couple, Noa and Uri gives a performance unlike no other. They successfully combined conventional circus with wild antics of humour. They have a mobile trapeze where they get to show their acrobatic talents and most importantly their great sense of humour. Even though Noa has a very thick English accent, his jokes are still spotless and very funny.
Being open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week is a great help for people who are hungry in the oddest times of the day. The place is clean and spacious. Parking is also easy and plentiful. However, unfortunately those are the only positive notes that I can give.
This is not a value-for-money-restaurant. I have no plans on eating there anytime soon.
Denny’s Restaurant is located 382 Moorhouse Ave, Christchurch, New Zealand. Call 03 365 5535 for reservations.
Later tonight, UK and former British colonies New Zealand, Canada and Australia will be celebrating Guy Fawkes Night or sometimes known as Bonfire Night. It commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of November 5, 1605 wherein a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the House of Parliament in London, England. His target was King Janes I of England, his family and most of the Protestant aristocrats. The Parliament at that time persecuted the local Catholics in England. He and other conspirators were caught and consequently tortured before executed.
It became mandatory in the UK to celebrate the night of November 5 every year as Guy Fawkes Night. It became a day of thanksgiving for the failed plot. Lighting bonfires and street festivities mark the events. They would usually make effigies of Fawkes to be burnt on the November 5 bonfire.
While Obama’s race should not be an issue, I am afraid it is. Racists do exist, and many will not vote for Obama just because of his race. There have been rumours of attempts for Obama’s life (reminds me to watch 24 Season 1). This is very unfortunate because the man is very talented and I feel he will bring change. He believes in global cooperation and development, and not dominance through bullying. He wants peace, and he wants to talk to nations that do not agree with the US policies rather than go to war with them.
Today Americans decide on who will be the next president of the United States of America. It is a big responsibility because they elect one of the most powerful men on Earth: the leader of a superpower, the president of the US.
The opinion polls puts Obama ahead of McCain, but it is foolhardy for Obama to be overconfident at this stage. The results of the election will be revealed soon, but in the meantime, the financial crisis is not waiting for the results. Bush still needs to foresee the US until the announcement of the winning candidate. The new president will then have to take the reins of a nation facing difficult times ahead. The alarming rise in unemployment, climate change and the housing slump are a few pressing issues that the new president will face.
I personally prefer Obama to McCain, because I feel McCain will just continue the same government that Bush started (being both Republicans). It was the Bush administration that invaded Iraq in response to the September 11 attack when clearly there is no connection. The Iraq war that continually bleeds millions of dollars that should have been used for the restoration of the economy.
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