Book Review: Horseradish - Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket

Best known for his 13-volume Series of Unfortunate Events series, Lemony Snicket wrote this introspecting yet witty and delightful book with an abundance of sharp intelligence.

Seriously, it's Lemony Snicket, what else can you say besides that he's AWESOME?

Started of with introducing an inquisitive farm woman who went on a journey to look for a wise man, only to find out she had misheard WIDE man(and actually given the cut direct by him at his doorstep), had the most unfruitful journey.

To make things worse, her husband decided to marry her unpleasant 3rd grade teacher. Inquisitive Farm Woman sat dejectedly and ponders about the worth of life.

My favourite quotes in this book:

Morning is an important time of the day, 

because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you're going to have. 

For instance, you wake up to the sound of twittering birds, 

and find yourself in an enormous canopy bed, 

with a butler standing next to you holding a breakfast of freshly made muffins and hand-squeezed orange juice on a silver tray, 

you will know that your day will be a splendid one. 

If you wake up to the sound of church bells, and find yourself in a fairly big regular bed, 

with a butler standing next to you, holding a breakfast of hot tea and a toast on a plate, 

you will know that your day will be O.K. 

And if you wake up to the sound of somebody banging two metal pots together, you find yourself in a small bunk bed, with a nasty foreman standing in the doorway holding no breakfast at all, you will know that your day would be horrid.

pg.132

~*~

The thing you hope will never happen to you

might just happen to someone else instead,

who has been spending their lives

dreading the thing that will

happen to you.

pg.149

~*~

Waiting is

one of life's 

hardships.

pg. 154

Definitely have this book in your collection. Remember when I said I actually prefer collecting books rather than actually reading them? Well, this is one of the few lucky books that got me absorbed.

The Picture That Shamed Italy

I'm sure you have heard of the news about the 2 drowned girls who were left unattended in a beach in Rome. Well, it sparked controversy because a) beach-goers just went about their business not caring there were 2 dead girls in the beach they were frolicking, b) the utter indifference to someone's death made us wonder about the morality of mankind in general and c) what the fuck happened to us that we became so heartless?

While the news highlighted mainly the issue of people slowly losing their compassion I have only a few unanswered question.

a) Where were the lifeguards? b) If there were, and when the girls' corpses were recovered, why the fuck no one took them to a secluded area where they can be away from the public's view? c) Why were the beach-goers criticized when they were probably confused as to what they could do for the poor dead children? What were they expected to do anyway, sing a bereavement hymn? d) Why wasn't there a paramedic available at the beach with their ambulance for emergencies like this? Isn't that one of the required mandatory safety rules for any beaches? I live in Malaysia(notorious for poor customer service and manners) yet I have seen a paramedic tent with a van nearby for situations like this.

It's sad that the girls were left unattended like that for 3 HOURS but as the popular Psychology finding goes "in a crowd, people respond more poorly to emergency situations".

Actors are not Heroes

Indian films have a habit of referring to their actors as 'hero' and 'heroine'. It irks me to no end when none of these men and women have done anything noteworthy(correct me if I'm wrong) other than to have acted in movies. 

From what I know hero/heroines are persons who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model ideal.

Actors are entertainers. They perform to a crowd of audience. Hence, calling them heroes is an insult of actual heroes who are out there - think of soldiers who are fighting for our country, people who are dedicated to serving the poor and less fortunate and most importantly - our parents are also heroes and heroins.

I should think we must start referring to Indian actors who are the main characters of their story(when are they not the main characters of their movies?) as LEADING ACTORS/MAN or for females - LEADING ACTRESSES/LADY.  I strongly and firmly believe this is the correct term that we should all start using. 

I understand, that'll be like asking for pigs to fly.

Book Review: Daddy Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Jerusha Abbot prefers being called Judy. Who wouldn't be, her name was chosen from an abandoned gravestone in the orphanage she lives. An inmate in the John Grier Orphanage. She hates the orphanage. Being the oldest, she is often the recipient of Mrs.Lippet's outbursts. Mrs Lippet is a well-meaning but stern woman.
A naturally humorous and spirited young lass, she wrote an essay entitled Blue Wednesday that highlighted her mundane and lackluster life in the orphanage. Her 'blue' life turned pretty colorful when an eccentric aristocrat read her essay and decided to support her education till college.

A page from the book. 

Judy can't imagine her luck. She gets to leave the orphanage and have an education that'll get her far in life for someone of her station. 

Her benefactor, Daddy Long-Legs is nicknamed thus because of the brief moment she caught sight of him before he left the place. She vividly remembered how he was so tall that his legs towered.

Judy is to write letters to Daddy reporting her progress in studies. In her academic life, she encounters people from various background and how she is part of their lives - adding mischief here and there.

This is absolutely my favourite book of all time. I have read it twice and enjoyed them immensely each time. I am thinking of reading it again. This is one book that never fails to bring delight to my heart. I feel nothing but happiness as I turn the pages in the book. This is by far THE most adorable book ever written, hands down.

Hik hik hik...a little memo I wrote upon purchasing this book. Don't look at me like that - I was REALLY happy when I finally got this in my hands. Im sure you have that one book that relates to you and seem so natural to put yourself in it because there's this special connection - unexplainable but it exists. I feel so at home reading this book.

Types of Relatives ~ A Very Thaipusam Story

It's THAT time of the year again. Not even Deepavali, Thaipusam. Well, scratch that, every other family gathering you can ever think of.

Relatives are an interesting lot. You get to see the difference between the last time you saw them 6 months ago and now. Half a year ago, your aunt Ruth sported an afro, now she's bald. That ugly cousin everyone pokes fun of? Turns out she made quite an impressive makeover and is now the most beautiful of all the girls in your family. Kinda make you regret when you laughed along during all those times she was teased, dontcha? The junkie cousin? He's now a top student in his university. Darn.

No, these are not my relatives, I assure you.

Hearing fun, funny, interesting and defintely baffling stories from my friends with large families I have noticed a consistent pattern in the types of relatives in each of our families. This may not apply to all but take it with a spinch of salt, yeah?

a) The Cheek-Pinchers

The culprits usually being old aunties, grandma's and older cousins who sees you every other family occasion and goes OMG WOT IS THIS IM SEEING SHEELA'S DAUGHTERRR HAVE GROWN SOOOOOO BEEEEGGG!!!". Please bear with them. They mean well it's just that their enthusiasm rubs off on you excessively.

b) The Bragger.

This happens when you have aunties who have children around the same age as you. They would take this opportunity to brag about every little accomplishment their little Laddoo have made so far and not so subtly, they would ask "so, wot have you beeeen do-eeng?". Oh, nothing - I was recruited as a member for my department gazette, scored above C's last semesters, had a lecturer kept a copy of my Human Personality assignment because she seems to taken a liking to it,  started a blog that has 1000 its per day, officially read over 500 books, completed my diploma with distinction, pursuing a well-sought degree in a prestigious university and had a popular article published in The Star newspaper when I was 16 years old, Oh, do you know that aspiring singer who's famous in YouTube now? She's my friend of 10 years. So...your son scored 10A's for SPM? Good for him.

Don't push your luck, lady. I can be malicious if I so choose to be.

c) The Scrooge

When family members visit, it's the hosts' and the rich guy's job to treat everyone at least once with a meal. The scrooge is rich but when it comes to taking out the wallet from his pockets, crocodiles seem to be in them since he's so reluctant to reach for it. But beware! The Scrooge never gives anyone anything, but is the first one to take the dishes on the table.

d) The favourite aunt/uncle

They're the life of the party. Everyone likes their company, everyone listens to what they have to say. You look forward to their company. They're always equipped with stories that lull you to sleep at nghttime. These are also the same relatives that becomes your accomplice in pulling pranks on other members.

e) The Black Sheep

Everyone avoids them. They don't hate them, mind you just that they or you dont want to be seen with such people. They could be a family member who's into drugs or something deviant in the eyes of society. Poor souls but life is like that.


Ah~~~ it was liberating to finally write up this article. I had this in my mind for a long time now. Friendly reminder, this was written sincerely from the heart with no apparent malicious intention to anyone who felt sour after reading this.

Ciao! <3

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