Cupcakes

Went over to Charmaine's house this afternoon to help decorate some cupcakes for Caitlin who is celebrating her 4th birthday at her child care centre tomorrow.

Charmaine had baked all these lovely mini cupcakes prior to mum and I coming over and had put the base coating ready.  Out came the pink icing... after 2 failed tries in the piping bag... the bags burst, it was third time lucky with new plastic bags which ended up working really well.  Great to be able to "play" and be creative with the various icing colours (pink, light blue, red, purple and green) and the different tips to create all sorts of designs.  There are some skill involved to achieve the desired result.  Ashleigh was having a great time decorating and eating the icing at the same time.

We finally finished close to about 40 cupcakes, all wonderfully and colourfully decorated.  If I were one of Caitlins friends tomorrow, I will have difficulties picking up which ones I'd like to devour first and once finished I will have to say, "... Please Miss, can I have more...?" 

"Before you can fly, you have to be free"

I can't sleep tonight... just came back from my first red carpet movie premier of Mao's Last Dancer. I didn't know what to expect... is it going to be a good adaptation of Li CunXin's life?  Am I going to be disappointed?

I had met and heard Li speak at a breakfast meeting a few months back and was really encouraged by his strength and determination not to mention courage to leave his family and to start a new life.  When I was told that there was going to be a movie premier, I grabbed the opportunity.

Market Street was a flurry of activity from 6pm.  There was security everywhere and we could only get through with our tickets.  I walked in at 6pm, feeling a bit intimidated with all the flashing lights and the red carpet... uuhh oohhh... will I be photographed?  Alas, I'm no celebrity...  The crowd started to come in and we were served with champagne while waiting for the movie to start. 

The State theatre was the perfect venue for the screening of this movie.  The acoutics was great and what better way to enjoy this movie than at a grand theatre with ornate ceilings and carvings on the doors.

Prior to the movie starting, we were introduced to the cast by the Australian producer, Jane Scott and a few words from Li CunXin.  Must say the casting was done very well and the actor who played the adult Li was a student at Birmingham Ballet.  It is a good thing that he can dance as well as act - they chose well.

The movie was an excellent adaptation of Li's life up until the peak of his career.  It captured the emotions as well as the triumph and spirit that he had to endure in a new country.  The movement from the past to the present also flowed very well.  The dancing and the choreography was beautiful and it was accompanied by a great soundtrack which depicted and captured the essence of the story well.

A great movie which inspired us to appreciate the art of ballet more.  After dinner, we adjourned to the Swissotel for a Chinese banquet.  The policemen were on duty to stop traffic to allow us to cross the road.

We were ushered in to the hotel foyer by sounds of gongs playing and lions heralding our arrival.  The function room was beautifully decked out with lanterns and fans and red tablecloths.  The menu was a Chinese banquet and featured the traditional cuisine.

After Li spoke, there was then an auction to raise funds for the Australian Ballet as well as the Bionic Ear Institute which Li is passionate about as his eldest daughter was born stone deaf.  Incidentally, this part of his life was not portrayed in the film.  Li was sad that his father could not be with him tonight as he passed on about 2 months ago.

All in all, it was a great night...

As the film distributor said in his speech, "... the success of the film depends a lot on word of mouth...", so, I'm recommending all of you who are reading this to go watch the movie.  It is a beautiful movie, very well done and has a great story to tell.  The actor has a great physique and can definitely do the piroutte.  Sigh!!

An you are thinking of buying the book, watch out for the new edition as it has additional chapters bringing readers up to date with the important people in his life and how this movie came about.  The new edition has the picture of the actor (Chengwu Guo) with the Chinese flag behind it.

Awesome, Breathtaking, Emotional...
"BEFORE YOU CAN FLY, YOU HAVE TO BE FREE"

Train antics

It's nearly a month now since I started catching the train to work.  It's definitely a far cry from the new Hills buses with their clean seats.  Most of the time, one is able to get a seat on the Hills bus for the 30 - 45 mins bus ride. 

Paying a cheaper weekly fare though, I now have to scramble to get in to a crowded train, being careful not to fall down between the train and the platform.  Once in the train, I try to make a bee line to head either up or down the carriage rather than to stay directly near the door.  People tend to like to park themselves near the door, a lot of times, making it hard for passengers to move in and out.  

It is quite interesting to watch some of the passengers:

• there are those who are determined to have a seat, squeezing themselves between two people when the seat is meant only for 2, making it uncomfortable for the existing passengers!
• some practice eyelash batting - not batting an eyelid at the poor pregnant lady or even the elderly
• what about those who have their music out loud or speak loudly to their friends on their mobiles?  Hey, we don't want to hear your conversation!
• some of us could make do with some perfume or deodorant... eewwww...
• there is "The Badger" - the person who knocks you about with their bags.  Tough for those seated along the aisle.
• what about those who are intent on giving their "bags" a seat even though they didn't pay for an extra ticket?  Despite the trains being full to capacity, some people still think that their bags deserve a seat...sigh!
• "Excuse me, excuse me...." comes this voice from the back.  Here is "The Impatient" passenger trying desperately to get off but could not as the train has not come to a stop and he / she is unable to move forward as the line is not moving...why the hurry?
• or.. there are those who sit on the stairs doing their makeup and oblivious to those of us who are trying to get off...
• those near the door during peak hour run the risk of being shoved and pushed...

A lot of people use the public transport each day, I think it'll be good if each of us practice some common sense and common courtesy to fellow passengers.