Classic Movie Memory - GREASE

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For me GREASE was more than just a movie. It was a significant life event, a phenomenon ... and till today I can vividly remember when and where I watched it. Actually I wasn't even keen to see the movie. I was in my late teens, studying in London and with a bunch of friends. I only agreed to go but reluctantly as I wasn't a fan of James Dean and having scanned the movie posters, I thought that another movie on that era couldn't be very interesting. And set to music? Box office disaster for sure I thought. Boy, was I wrong !

Anyway here are a couple of my favourite scenes from the movie. Turn up the volume on your PC and enjoy.

Automotive enthusiasts among us should like this next one ...





And I urge you to bring your stovepipe pants or tight jeans out of the storeroom and try dancing to this one ...

Yeah, GREASE was a cultural event. I still have the Grease soundtrack on LP, though I haven't figured out how and when I'll be able to play it. I also have the DVD of course.

Finally look at them two decades later ... this came from the reunion party for the cast of GREASE.

Aaaaahhhhh .... N-O-S-T-A-L-G-I-A time ....
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Observing EARTH HOUR ?

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Old Josephian's Reunion Dinner

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Just want to highlight this upcoming event in case some of you have not heard about it ....

More information can be obtained directly from the school.

I suspect this is also related to the St Joe privatization initiative, but I may be wrong.

Anyone with more updated information are encouraged to comment.
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Travel Tips : Alluring Amsterdam (Part 2)

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Today's entry focuses on a more adult and liberal aspect of Amsterdam. Warning: If you are easily offended, please skip this post. But I very much doubt many of you will stop reading. Some of the traits our education at St Joe of the Seventies imbued in us are: open-mindedness, tolerance and a sense of humour.

Also lest you think this site is going for cheap thrills, that is not so. The purpose is simply to reflect the very open nature of the Dutch culture and policies. Some of you might know that in this country, smoking cannabis is legal under certain circumstances and prostitution is also legal in specially demarcated areas. The Dutch have basically taken the pragmatic approach that if a problem is almost impossible to eradicate, it is better to legalise it but keep it under close control.

Guys, you don't know the sacrifices I'm making to bring interesting material for you on this blog .. LOL

I should also stress that by simply reporting on these topics, it does not necessarily mean I approve or support all they are doing. For that personal perspective, you will have to buy me a good dinner first  :)


Amsterdam Coffeeshops

The first thing to note is that there are "coffee shops or cafes" and there are "coffeeshops" (almost always spelt as one word). We are talking about the latter here, and not cafes such as Starbucks and the like.

The rule is that people above the age of 18 are permitted to buy up to 5 grams of cannabis per day from a licensed coffeeshop and also to smoke it within the coffeeshop. I am told that 5 grams is a LOT ... more than what a normal person can smoke even in a few days. I've often been confused about the difference between cannabis, marijuana and hash. Anyway, I've learnt that marijuana (also known as weed, pot, dope, grass, ganja ...) consists of dried flowers or buds from the cannabis sativa or cannabis indica plants. Marijuana looks green and fluffy. Hash (hashish) is a concentrated resin that is extracted from those same plants by a variety of methods. Hash comes in brownish clay-like blocks.


Here's a picture of one of many coffeeshops one can find in the streets of Amsterdam.

All the coffeeshops have special licenses, and I've heard that the authorities are not issuing new licenses any more. I'm also told that such coffeeshops have been decreasing in numbers in recent years, although there are still well over a hundred in Amsterdam.

Before I leave this interesting topic, let me just add the usual caution: KIDS, PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME   :)


De Wallen - Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District

The Red Light District of Amsterdam is located a mere 10 minutes from the city centre (which is generally agreed to be Dam Square). It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike - mostly men but a significant number of curious women too - and "window shopping" takes on a very different meaning in this area. (Mostly) beautiful young ladies, dressed in sexy lingerie, stand behind red lit windows, creating an exciting atmosphere. I read somewhere that there are about 250 windows spread throughout the different lanes in the area.

This area, called De Wallen locally, is actually one of the oldest parts of the city and the old buildings here have been left relatively unchanged. A canal runs through it and there is even a sizeable church (Oude Kerk) right in the centre of the area.

Here are some glimpses of the various lanes of De Wallen ...

And some of the windows and their attractions ...

This area is also home to a bronze statue - unveiled during the Red Light District's "Annual Open Day" in April 2007 - in honour of prostitutes round the world. It is believed that this is the first and only such monument in the world. The tourist guidebook has this description "Titled Belle, it depicts a full-breasted woman who is standing in a doorway at the top of small set of steps and looking self-assuredly into the world."

Here's a clearer view of the words on the plaque.

Well, I reckon that's enough for today. I hope you found that interesting and perhaps even somewhat educational. Views, comments and sharing of your experiences are, as usual, most welcome.

And finally,  the "C" that I was mentioning in my previous post refers to "CULTURE" ... that's what I meant, of course. What were you all thinking?
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Travel Tips : Alluring Amsterdam (Part 1)

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Some of you have been wondering why there haven't been new postings in this blog for a while. Well, I've been travelling a bit further than usual this past fortnight. For instance this week I found myself spending a few days in Amsterdam so let me share with you some interesting aspects of this alluring city and charming country, in case some of you may be planning a holiday soon.

The Dutch have some very interesting cultures, lovely flora and awesome cottage industries. Most of us have seen pictures of wooden clogs, colourful tulip fields and loads of cheese. Also the capital of the Netherlands is well-known as one of the most liberal cities in the world (we will explore this later ... so stay tuned :). It was indeed quite an experience exploring it and the surrounding areas.

If this posting had a sub-title, it might probably be "Clogs, Cheese and Canals". There might be another C but since it is only appropriate for an adult audience, I'm still mulling over what and how to share :-)

CLOGS

Wooden clogs have been popular in the Netherlands for about 700 years. The wearers claim the clogs are warm in winter, cool in summer and provide support for good posture. The wood also absorbs perspiration so that the foot can breathe. Although in modern times, the number of clog wearers has dwindled as other kinds of footwear have been introduced, the wooden clog continues to hold its own as a popular item reflecting Dutch tradition. I visited a workshop where the production of such clogs was demonstrated ... previously the process was manual and time-consuming; now it is much speeded up by machinery.

Pic 1: Sample of the Dutch clogs

Pic 2: Demonstrating the process of clog-making

Pic 3: You don't think my very first clog's a wee bit big, do you?

Pic 4: A sample of the different clogs being produced

CHEESE

The Dutch have been making cheese since 400 AD. Not surprisingly, the Netherlands is the largest exporter of cheese in the world. Its dairy industry as a whole has an annual turnover of about Euro 7 billion. There are different regions producing varied types of cheese. One of the cheeses is Edam, so called because it originated from a small village called Edam, which I visited. It's a really quaint little place with only about 7,000 residents, but its product is world famous..

At the cheese factory I visited, there was a demonstration of how cheeses are made.

Pic 5: Some of the cheesemaking equipment

Pic 6: Standing in front of shelves of cheese being dried out

Pic 7: Free cheese sampling

Pic 7a: Cheeses in a shop in Amsterdam

CANALS

Amsterdam has been called the "Venice of the North" because of the more than one hundred kilometers of canals, 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. Here are some of them ...

Pic 8: One of the canals in Amsterdam

Pic 9: One of the many bridges within Amsterdam

Pic 10: Canals in the countryside

Well, that's it for "Clogs, Cheese and Canals". I had a good time in Amsterdam and its surrounds, and I believe that it is a good location for a relaxing short break.

I mentioned earlier that there may be another "C" I could expound on. I won't tell you what it is, except that you might make some educated guesses from the following photos ...

Pic 11: Self-Explanatory

Pic 12: Self-Explanatory

Maybe there will be a Part 2 ... just maybe ...

Sarawak History Update - Anthony Brooke Dies

[Source: The Star Online]


KUCHING: Former Rajah Muda, Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke, 98, passed away in Wanganui, New Zealand on March 2.

As the heir-apparent, he briefly administered Sarawak from 1939 to 1940 in the absence of his uncle Charles Vyner Brooke, the third and last White Rajah to rule Sarawak.

He is survived by his wife Gita, son James Lionel, daughter Celia and grandchildren Jason, Laurence and Sura.

In an email to Sarawak Tourism Federation’s Heritage Development Committee chairman Lim Kian Hock, Jason wrote that his grandfather passed away with his wife by his side at their home Rumah Brooke.

“His cremation took place yesterday (Thursday) at 3pm in Wanganui, in keeping with his wishes, with a memorial service to follow later this year,” said Jason.

Born in England in 1912 to His Highness the Tuan Muda of Sarawak, Anthony received his education at Eton and Magdalene Cambridge, before pursuing studies in Malay and Mohammedan Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies.

Anthony’s uncle Sir Charles Vyner Brooke was the third Rajah of Sarawak. Sir James Brooke became Rajah in 1841 and the Brooke family ruled Sarawak until the Japanese invasion in 1941.

As Sir Charles had no male heir, Anthony’s father, the co-ruling Tuan Muda was the heir-apparent. He, however, renounced his claim in favour of his son, duly appointed Rajah Muda (Crown Prince) and heir-apparent in his place.

Anthony had one son James (born 1940) and two daughters Celia (1942) and Angela (1944).

Anthony was the last member of the Brooke family to govern Sarawak (1939 to 1940).

After WWII ended, and with Sarawak liberated from Japanese rule, Anthony strongly opposed the annexation of Sarawak as a British colony in 1946, and responded to calls coming from the Malay National Union, Sarawak Dayak Association, Sarawak Youth Movement, Sarawak Women’s Association and other newly formed political groups in Sarawak to lead the independence campaign against British rule.

Campaigning vigorously for five years, he withdrew in 1951 only when the spread of Communism seemed a greater threat to stability in Sarawak.

Anthony then embarked upon a programme of world travel, speaking with groups large and small on the rights, responsibility and power of the individual in helping to bring about a democratic world order.

Co-founding with his wife, a charitable trust, Peace Through Unity, Anthony embarked upon a personal crusade that would span 60 years, meeting world leaders and spiritual thinkers from Chinese premier Chou En Lai to India’s Vinoba Bhave who dubbed him ‘shanty doot’ or Ambassador of Peace.

After Sarawak achieved independence through Malaysia, Anthony returned to the state as a guest on two occasions - in 1964 and 1983 - when he rekindled old friendships from the anti-cession days.


More info on Anthony and the other Brookes can be found in a Daily Mail article HERE.

Sinos Meets Celebrity Politician

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Our buddy Bartholomew Sinos (Form 5 Arts 1, 1976), who is based in Cambodia, happened to be at the VIP Lounge of Phnom Penh International Airport recently. He spotted a familiar face ... Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim was in Phnom Penh for the 5th Asian Renaissance seminar, where he was a keynote speaker. Those interested can read his speech HERE.


So Sinos had the rare opportunity to shake the celebrity politician's hand and also had a small chat with him on general things. 

Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim was a former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia (1993-98), and now de facto leader of the opposition People's Justice Party (or Parti Keadilan Rakyat, PKR).


This blog is non-political, so feel free to submit photos or videoclips of your encounters with politicians (of any party) or movie stars or other celebrities ... 
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The Sleeping Dictionary

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How many of you know that the lovely Jessica Alba was once in Kuching, acting in a major Hollywood film? Written by Guy Jenkin, "The Sleeping Dictionary" was shot mainly in Sarawak and set during the British colonial rule in the 1930s.

Here's the movie poster ...

And here's the trailer ...





I have mixed feelings about this film. What about you?
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