Manga Fantasies

A mother of 2 once said to me that every girl should know the story of Cinderella. I came from a primary school that believes every girl must watch the Ms Universe pageant at least once. I guess the rationale behind was the same. Evening gowns, coiffed hair and diamond tiaras are probably the cloest things that modernity has to princesses and fairy tales.

I still remember that we skipped maths, chinese and god knows what other lessons there were left in the school timetable to see Ms Chile crowned. As I grew up, I had less patience with such frivolities. But there was always a soft spot for this show.

If you have been following the papers, you would have read about how many have ridiculed Ms Singapore's choice of an evening gown. *shrugs* I wonder why people bother anyway, since we have no fighting chance in the competition. Much as we delude ourselves, we are neither as pretty, tall, graceful as the Chinese in China, the Indians in India, and the Malays in Malaysia. And of course, to be politically correct, the natives of the various lands of the various ethnic group that make up Singapore. Let her wear what she wants and have a good time.

What really surprised me this year was Japan's win for the best national costume. I think all these years, Ms Japan has always showcased the kimono for the national costume competition. To do otherwise, would be unthinkable. So my jaw dropped when I saw Ms Japan come onstage in a hot red ninja outfit complete with samurai sword and killer heels. If looks could kill, I saw many young male fans of manga as victims.

Now THAT is what I call taking a risk and pushing the borders of fashion. Ultimately, she looked like a million billion zillion bucks and not fodder for pantry gossip the next day. There is more to Japan than elaborately emboidered kimonos. Given her height and unJapanese looks, she would look totally ridiculous if she tried the submissive Japanese woman in kimono image. In that red ninja outfit, I could just picture her in a James Bond movie - as Kissy Suzuki in You Only Live Twice. ;)

Lady Luck

A final post on my dodo dad's lucky streak during this WC.

We were discussing what the outcome would be at full time. So I asked how much he bought.

Dad went to rummage through his pocket and finally found his betting slip. Then I heard him go 'oh'. Curious, I enquired why. Turned out that instead of buying an Italy win at full time, he ticked the wrong box and bought a draw. I collaspe in giggles on the sofa, claiming famous last words that it will never be a draw and Italy will most likely win. My dad glared at me, as I rolled around laughing and wondered out loud if he should buy another ticket. In the end, he didnt.

So if you know the scoreline, you will know who had the last laugh.

Phuket

I'm typing this from my Phuket hotel room. And I'll be here till this Sunday.

The hotel is really lovely but more of 'live' from Phuket blog entries later.

Am off to check out the rainshower in the bathroom. Woke up at 4 am this morning to catch the 7 am flight. Zzzzzzzzzzzz

Lovely holidays...... =)

Stupid Reasons Why England Lost

If you were watching last night's encounter between England and Portugal, you would have been wishing you were a wizard and can use one of the unforgivable curses. Unless of course, you were rooting for Portugal.

I pulled my hair and prayed for divine intervention, bit my nails and looked down in desperation. But alas, the English went out due to......

1. Stupid referee

Which coffeeshop you got your referee license from I do not know. Rooney certainly did not deserved to be red-carded. Yellow definitely. But RED?! Which part of what he did looked like he deserved a red card?! The push, or the look of contempt on his face for you? To further compound your mistake, you did not award England with a penalty in extra time when Lenon was brought down. It was a legitimate penalty yet you waved play on.

2. Stupid coach

Look at the formation he played England in - 1 striker up front. Dont you wish you could have hex him with a few jinxes? How to win with 1 striker? He had to bring Peter Crouch for Wayne Rooney, who wasted oxygen just by being on the field. He was totally INEFFECTIVE. So from one striker up front, England was virtually playing with 1/4 of a striker. And my grandmother can tell you that this will not win you matches. In extra-time, he was placidly watching the match in a state of zen. Compare him to Steve McLaren who was gesturing wildly, drawing on the board and frantically thinking of desperate moves.

3. Stupid Carragher, Gerrard and Lampard

For missing their penalty kicks. More so for Carragher who was brought on just for the penalty kicks. They should be made to pay for their own tickets back home.

If only the rest of the team played like Owen Hargreaves .....

And I am looking forward to see the reception Ronaldo will get when EPL season starts. While it is obvious that the man loves Portugal, he appears to have forgotten that his paymasters are English.