06/24 - yesterday afternoon while driving home after doing an errand, older sis called me up to rent Ringu for her.  Ringu was the Japanese film that inspired the American horror flick The Ring.  i hadn't seen either movies, but i got mixed reviews on them from people i know. also, i thought it was cool  how Hollywood remade an Asian film--you don't hear that happening often.  i've also heard that Hollywood is beginning the production process of remaking some hit Korean films.  well, we'll just have to see if that ever becomes fact.  back to Ringu...@ 1st, i freaked  out during the 1st half of the film, but then it subsided. Ringu wasn't scary visually, but it was psychologically scary.  the storyline was alright; however, there are 2 sequels to it.  i wanna watch them, but they're not available @ Blockbuster.  oh well.  an interesting thing 'bout Ringu was the actress that played the news reporter Reiko Asakawa.  i've seen her in several Japanese dramas that i've watched on the KIKU channel.
Synopsis:  This creepy psychological thriller from Japan inspired the Hollywood film 'The Ring'.  'Ringu' unnervingly brings an urban legend into the digital age w/ overwhelming spookiness.  Exactly 1 week after staying @ a remote cabin in the Izu prefecture, a group of Japanese teenagers all meet sudden inexplicable deaths.  A cousin of 1 of the victims, news reporter Reiko Asakawa, begins an investigation that leads to the discovery of a videotape containing hauntingly bizarre footage.  Upon viewing the tape, Reiko receives a phone call stating that she, too, will die in 1 week.  As the clock ticks away, Reiko enlists the help of her estranged husband, Ryuji, who possesses limited psychic abilities. Together they attempt to discover the meaning behind the cryptic film & break the supernatural curse.  (found & altered from imdb.com & blockbuster.com)


06/23 - i gotta tell you 'bout the romantic/comedy movie i watched last night on the ABC Fox Family channel.  ya ya ya..i know i'm such a couch potato.  gimme a break. it's summer & i was out all afternoon doing the laundry.  the commercial for This Time Around had been playing for weeks, & was anxious to watch it 'cause it looked like a fun/cute movie to watch.  plus, it had Brian Austin Green from Beverly Hills 90210, & Carly Pope from Popular of the WB channel. i really liked both of those actors, but i haven't seen them in any movies or shows lately.  This Time Around is a total chick flick, & soo much fun to watch.  now i wanna watch the next original ABC Fox Family movie Lucky 7--another romantic/comedy .
 Synopsis: Mel & her best friend Gabby were the biggest geeks in jr. high.  When Mel had a crush on the most popular guy, Drew Hesler, & word of it spread; he played a cruel joke pretending to be interested only to turn her down in front of the entire school.  Mel's devastation resulted in her & Gabby's transfer to an all-girl Catholic school.  11 years later, the ugly ducklings are now swans w/ Mel as a stylish & up-&-coming PR executive.  When Mel is assigned to handle the publicity for a new restaurant, she's shocked to discover the owner is handsome, young entrepreneur Drew Hesler.  The friends plan to get Drew to fall in love w/ Mel, & then dump him to get their sweet revenge.  The problem is: Mel begins to fall in love w/ Drew who's no longer that cruel boy from jr. high, but a mature,
sweet guy trying to carve out a fulfilling life.  (found & altered from abcfamily.com)alright, i got some bad news.  the restaurant my parents open 1 1/2 yrs. ago is now officially closed.  they sold the place & will be starting something else soon.  it's a bittersweet moment for me.  i'll miss  the place.


06/22 - i went to Waterfront last night w/ my older sis last night w/ her friends.  i had an okay time.  before i went down there, i was watching Amistad on t.v. i had never seen the movie before, & wow  was it very good .  the actor that played Cinque was amazing.  his performance was so moving & powerful.  scenes in Amistad on the brutal entrapping of Africans & shipping them to the New World as slaves were so horrific  to me.  i cried  watching those scenes to visually finally see the extent of the horrors  of slave trading.
 Synopsis: This fact-based film recounts the trial that followed the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad, & captures the complex political maneuverings set in motion by the event.  The opening scenes are of Cinque and the other Africans in a violent takeover of the Amistad.  When the Africans are captured, they're imprisoned in New England.  There former slave Theodore Joadson, viewing the rebels as "freedom fighters," approaches property lawyer Baldwin in a attempts to prove the Africans were "stolen goods" because they were kidnapped.  Running for re-election, President Martin Van Buren overturns the lower court's decision in favor of the Africans.  Former President John Quincy Adams is reluctant to become involved, but when the case moves on to the Supreme Court, Adams stirs emotions with a powerful defense.  (found & altered from blockbuster.com)



06/21 - today is HRH Prince William's 21st b-day ( <-- my future husband ), so.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING!!!! 



06/17 - what's up w/ my hair today ?  i've been getting compliments left & right from customers 'bout how great & nice  my hair looks today.  maybe it's 'cause i just added some chunks of red streaks in my short, medium/dark brown hair.  however, the red streaks aren't that noticeable. it just blends nicely into the rest of hair--adding some "oomph" to it.  then again, i did get some compliments from customer 'bout my great looking hair the last couple of days, too, but today's compliments were coming one after another.  interesting ya ??  well, there's 1 thing left for me to say 'bout that..... the girl w/ short hair has now been redeemed--having short hair is the coolest !!!  another wonderful thing was my high school teacher Ms. Thuener, her son, & Mr. Sumida came to the restaurant for lunch.  wow , it's been a year or 2 since i last saw her.  thanks to her & Ms. Taniguchi, the Vancouver, Canada trip w/ the Science Club was a blast--the highlight of my high school years.  i'm so glad  i got to see her again.  boy did her son sure grow up.


06/15 - today is my father's day so....happy father's day to my father !!. my family got Papa John's pizza for him . besides that, Jane Eyre aired today on the A&E channel. i've seen the movie before, but it's always fun to watch it again. yesterday i met my San Fran cousins who's on the island for a vacation when they came to the restaurant.  the last time i saw them was when i went to San Fran 'bout 3 yrs. ago.  their kids sure have grown up.  plus, my aunt (their mother) made beautiful bead bracelets for me, my sisters, & my cousin Trang. today my San Fran cousins went on their cruise trip visiting the other Hawaiian islands.  i hope they have lots of fun .  i wish i went on a trip...



06/13 - today is my younger brother's 12th birthday so....



06/12 - 1st off, i watched my 1st "Bollywood" movie today, & it was very good .  i just happened to land on the TCM channel after a lot of channel surfing, & movie was just beginning w/ the credits rolling. i didn't even know it was an Hindi film 'til the sctors began speaking.  so then i jumped to the channel guide to find out what i was watching, which was Dil Chahta Hai [Do Your Thing].  then i jumped back to TCM to continue watching Dil Chahta Hai for a little while longer to see if was worth watching.  but then again, i'd still watch it 'cause i love  foreign films, & have never seen a "Bollywood" movie before.  wow, i can't stop raving 'bout how great  Dil Chahta Hai was.  it had everything you'd want in a movie--love , romance, action, exotic locations, gorgeous actors & actresses , deep friendships, interesting songs & dance routines, &, of course, comedy .  Dil Chahta Hai is a must-see movie--a perfect intro. into "Bollywood" films 'cause there's not too much of a lets-break-out-into-a-song-&-dance mentality. whenever the actors do suddenly start singing along w/ choreographed dance moves during a simple walk in the park or night club, it's in a way that fits the scene quite naturally though the idea sounds a bit ludicrous .  i loved  the scene when the 2 friends "kiss & make up".  it's done quite melodramatically, but i loved it nonetheless 'cause it made me cry .
 Synopsis: It's the story of 3 friends: Akash, Sameer, & Siddharth; their individual relationships, the effect of those relationships on them, & the transformation of their lives by love during 1 summer.  The 3 each has their own view of life, career, & love.  Akash doesn't believe in love, & has a carefree attitude towards life.  Sameer, on the other hand, is in love w/ the idea of being in love, & not willing to hurt the sentiments of the girl in his life. He hasn't quite understood the concept of love, & tends to wear his heart on his sleeve. Siddharth is the most mature, sensitive, & understanding of the 3.  Observing in nature, let's out his emotions in his paintings, & deeply understands the meaning of life & love is Sid.  The women who'll change their lives are Shalini, Pooja, & Tara Jaiswal. (found & altered from turnerclassicmovies.com & imdb.com)then in the evening i had dinner w/ my friends @ Bubba Gump's located @ Ala Moana.  i've never eaten there before, & my charbroiled chicken sandwich was very delicious .  i met Shan's bf for the 1st time @ the dinner, & he's a pretty good guy.  i'm happy  Shan met him.  they make a cute couple.


06/08 - i went to Waterfront Cafe last night w/ Tara, Brandi, & 2 of Brandi's friends.  i had a good  time dancing w/ them.  what was a bit weird  how Quy kept coming up to me asking me if another friend was there.  i kept telling him that i don't think  she was @ Waterfront, but could possibly be down @ Scoozee's.  he'd nod  okay, & then leave to only come back an hour later asking me the same question .  i think  that was a definite sign that he was drunk . after my friend left Waterfront (leaving me sitting @ the stool all by myself), i was stuck trying to find either my older sis or younger sis who were also there. my older sis's sorority sister saw me & lead me to my older sis.  i stayed w/ her for the rest of the night dancing w/ her friends .


06/07 - 5:42 p.m...i just got home.  it was pretty busy  @ the restaurant.  i made my lunch, but didn't get a chance to eat 'til later in the afternoon when it got cold...  halfway home, i got a call from younger sis that i had to pick her up.  i went to pick her up, & dropped by Everblue Casuals so she can use her store credit.  she generously got me a cute top to use up her credit.  my friend Brandi called me while i was @ the store w/ plans of going down to Waterfront Cafe, but i don't know if that'll pan out. now i wanna talk 'bout the German movie Run Lola Run which i watched very early this morning.  i've been wanting  to watch Run Lola Run 'cause i heard it was pretty good, but i never had the chance.  i finally had the chance today 'cause it was airing on the Bravo Channel.  Run Lola Run is an interesting movie which can make you feel tired  watching it 'cause the main character Lola is running through out the entire movie.  Run Lola Run was a pretty good movie.  the incorporation of a running Lola animation in the film was wonderful, & Lola's red hair is so cool . 
 Synopsis: A German thriller 'bout a guy named Manni who's to handle a smuggling job, delivered the loot, & collect the payment.  However, Manni left the bag on the subway in a moment of panic when he sees the police walking towards him.  He now has 20 mins. to gather 100,000 deutsche marks, or confront the wrath of his boss, local criminal Ronnie.  In desperate need of help, Manni phones his girlfriend Lola.  She immediately runs downstairs from her apartment, & through Berlin streets to the bank run by her father.  W/ only 20 mins. to recover or replace the money, the adventure begins.  The entire plot is twisted w/ an offering of 3 different endings.  In between the alternate endings are love scenes of 'what if' conversations Lola & Manni have while laying in bed.  Lola tries her best to come up w/ the money to spare the life of her beloved Manni before time seals his fate w/ death.
(found & altered from imdb.com & blockbuster.com)


06/05 - i haven't done much lately except work & finish watching the Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring dvd i borrowed early this morning 'cause i couldn't sleep .  wow , is the cinematography amazing , & so is the storyline.  i've been hearing so much 'bout the Lord of The Rings movies & books, yet i've never read the book or was a bit interested in going to the theaters to watch the movie.  i'm not a big fan of the science-fiction/
fantasy genre, so i didn't think much 'bout Lord of The Rings triology.  however, i recently began having thoughts of checking out Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring to find out what the big deal is.  i started watching the movie w/ skepticism that i'd like it, & ended up really enjoying  the movie.  now i wanna watch the sequel Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers...
 Synopsis: J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy-epic Lord Of the Rings's movie adaptation begins w/ The fellowship of the Ring.  Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit resident of the Shire village of medieval "Middle-Earth", discovers a ring bequeathed to him by Bilbo, a beloved relative & benefactor, is the ring that'll allow its bearer to manipulate dark powers & enslave the world.  Frodo is charged by wizard Gandalf to return the ring to Mount Doom--the evil site where it was forged millennia ago, & the only place where it can be destroyed.  Accompanying Frodo is a fellowship of 8 others: his Hobbit friends Sam, Merry, & Pippin; Wizard Gandalf; human warriors Aragorn & Boromir; Elf archer Legolas; & Dwarf soldier Gimli.  The odyssey to the dreaded land of Mordor takes them through the Elfish land of Rivendell & the forest of Lothlorien, where they receive aid & comfort from Elf princess Arwen, her father Elrond, & Queen Galadriel.  In pursuit of the fellowship & the ring is Saruman (traitorous wizard & kin to Gandalf) & the Dark Riders--under the control of the evil, mysterious Sauron.  The Fellowship must also battle a troll, flying spies, Orcs, & other deadly obstacles both natural & otherwise as they draw closer to Mordor.  (found & altered from blockbuster.com)then in the afternoon, i finally watched Lilo & Stitch.  i've been wanting to watch it since it came out, but never got the chance.  Disney really captured the hula dancing & fire dancing really well.  it's fun seeing Hawaii as a back-drop for 1 of Disney's animation movie.  Lilo & Stitch was a cute movie--fun  when wanting to revert back to the childhood days.
 Synopsis: Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl, is being raised by her older sister Nani after the unexpected death of their parents in an auto accident.  Lilo is a child w/ unusual interests, & a distinctive sense of humor that makes it hard for her to bond w/ peers & sister.  Nani decides Lilo might be happier if she had a pet, so the sisters adopt a dog.  The critter which catches Lilo's fancy is a fuzzy blue creature she names Stitch.  Nani isn't sure Stitch is really a dog, & it turns out she's right.  Stitch is actually "Genetic Experiment #626"--a mutation created by extraterrestrial mad scientist Dr. Jumba Jookiba to be used a weapon.  Stitch is an intelligent & gleefully destructive little creature w/ superhuman strength who escaped to Earth; crash-landing in the Hawaiian islands.  Lilo sees Stitch as a fellow misfit & attempts to teach him to behave like her fav. American icon, Elvis Presley.  While Nani struggles to keep Lilo & Stitch on their best behavior as stern social worker Cobra Bubbles tries to determine if Nani is fit to raise a child, Dr. Jumba & Pleakley attempt to capture #626 & bring him back home.  (found & altered from blockbuster.com)

06/02 - yesterday was a busy day. i woke up in the morning to find Tess of the d'Urbervilles (A&E ver.) playing on t.v., & rushed to record it on tape.  it was the 1st part--the part i never saw.  just imagine my excitement .  then i headed down to the laundromat to wash the family's clothes. after 'bout 2 hrs. in the hot laundromat, i finally came home.  later on in the evening, i went down to the restaurant w/ my older sis 'cause there was going to be a 1 large group of people dinning @ 7 p.m.. since it was Sun., we close @ 8 p.m., but was going to stay until the large party of people dinning there left. however, 2  large groups of Vietnamese people (regular customers) came to eat 'bout 8:30 p.m..  plus, another had walked in just before them, & there was the take-out people who decided to just eat in.  for some damn reason, all those people didn't stop to think  as to why the neon OPEN sign was off, & the big OPEN sign in the front door was gone.  STUPID PEOPLE !!! i didn't get to go home 'til 10:30 pm.  very early this morning, since i couldn't fall asleep , i began watching the miniseries airing on the Masterpiece Theatre.  the miniseries, The Way We Live Now, just began re-airing the 1st of 4 parts based on Anthony Trollope's late 1880s book.  the 1st part wasn't so bad--quit funny  & entertaining actually.  i think i'm gonna catch the next 3 parts the following Sundays, & possibly read the book.  i've got a long summer w/ no major plans, so i might as well read the book & compare it to the series.