Serein Choo's Blog, page 9
March 3, 2024
Quote of the Day
“The true alchemists do not change lead into gold: they change the world into words.“
William H. Gass (American novelist, short story writer, essayist, critic, and philosophy professor)
I find this quote especially mesmerizing.
#MondayMotivation
Disclaimer: Quote doesn’t belong to me.
February 27, 2024
Auguste Toulmouche, The Reluctant Bride, 1866
Another painting that stood out to me, Auguste Toulmouche, The Reluctant Bride, 1866. It depicts a bride who, as per the title, is reluctant to get married. Relatives or friends, presumably standing by her side, attempt to console her. However, even in her hand gesture, it’s evident that she isn’t heeding any of their consoling or advice.
While the young cousin on the right gazes into a mirror, smiling happily and envisioning a joyful wedding for herself, it highlights the contrast between naivety and innocence. It also reflects on how such innocence can lose its luster as we grow older, as seen in the case of the bride in the middle.
Although not every marriage turns into a happy reunion, I sincerely hope that the girl on the sidelines attains what she wishes for.
A more detailed explanation can be found here. Link:
https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/masterpiece-story-the-reluctant-bride-by-auguste-toulmouche/
February 26, 2024
C Drama Review: Mysterious Lotus Case Book
“It tells the story of Li Xiangyi, the renowned leader of the Sigu School in the martial arts world, who is severely injured in a major battle. He retreats from the martial arts world and becomes a humble physician named Li Lianhua. However, his peaceful life is disrupted when he encounters Fang Duobing, a new friend plagued by illness, and his old enemy Di Feisheng. Li Xiangyi is once again drawn into the world of martial arts.”
Description taken from iQiYi.
What can I say anymore to convince you to watch this. It’s just wonderfully written. All the parts of the story, the introduction (a little funny for me that someone has a van house in Ancient China but I looked past it), the plot, the characters, even the ending I love it all.
Kudos to all the actors, mains (aww so handsome) and supporting, everybody did a good job, there’s wasn’t an awkward moment in the drama which I would complaint. There’s are many mysterious which they solved along the way, for me, it was a bit simply like the clues are very apparent (the ones at the ends where slightly harder to guess, there’s an improvement) but overall everything links up so it was great.
The directors did a great job, one of them, Guo Hu who directed One and Only is part of the team, which was another drama that I love so so much. (If you haven’t watched it, please I beg you, go watch it too Haha).
The fight scenes and the emotional peak of the story was well written and directed, I can feel the pain and hardship suffered by the characters on screen. I also love the dynamic between Li LianHua, Fang DuoBing and Di Feisheng.
DuoBing as the youngest, getting bullied by the two (and even tries to order Di FengSheng around), it was fun to watch their interactions.
The story setting was really great, as it drops little things (like the candy, wedding candy, some old habits which the others would use to recognize him). I love the contrast of the Li XiangYi and Li LianHua as well, and his journey to become who he is today (Li LianHua).
Even the costumes (the red costume on the cover), simple yet matches the characters. Aww love. (And that dog that they added into the story and calling it, Hu Li Jing (Fox spirit/Mistress), had me laughing so hard).
Great job everyone.
Spoiler Alert (Beware turn around if you haven’t watch it yet).
Seriously it’s been a long time since I watched a martial arts/wuxia drama that captivates me completely, everything is just perfect. I have nothing to say but well done.
I understand how Li LianHua came to be, I see the pain he endured and the reason that he would rather stay away from JiangHu and only want to recover his senior’s brother’s corpse. Only he be lied by that cheating liar. I see it coming, how he would be the last boss. But didn’t see how Li LianHu became the final winner (you know if you know) Hehe.
It was a satisfying moment to see all his efforts ruined by Li LianHua and Fang DuoBing.
The first to recognize him was his rival, Di FengSheng which was how he tagged along the journey, and helping him too, I love it. How the villain didn’t turn out to be the villain and the drama prepared another big boss at the end.
When everyone realized who he was and that moment, Omg, seriously I want to cry with them too. Someone they all thought that died in that great battle and coming back so sickly and fragile. The heartache.
How they weren’t able to recognize him as well (Feels like those closest to him was the last to realize added to the heartache). The heartbreaking scenes between Li LianHua and Qiao WanWan made me cried, how she couldn’t let him go and he keeps telling her to go, living her life (the scene where the two of them were all really pretty (the two practicing swords under the flowers) and impactful).
The scene where Li LianHua even wears a wedding dress Haha
I wish there would a season 2 but it’s hard to do since the it ended on such a note.
This story for me – 5/5 ✩
February 25, 2024
Quote of the Day
“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.”
Hearst Owned, Amy Bloom (Writer)
We are not perfect, therefore to find someone who would embrace us despite all our flaws is like a miracle but still we found them, and we should cherished them all the more.
Almost perfect.
#MondayMotivation
Disclaimer: Quote doesn’t belong to me.
February 23, 2024
Mini Love Bites : Extra
When you feel insecure, you feel unloved.
But you have to realize that,
When they never love you, you will never feel secure.
(Serein Choo, 2024)
February 22, 2024
Mini Love Bites : 10.
PROMPT:
Love and Loss: Write about the complexities of love in the face of loss or adversity.Love and loss is two sides of the same coin. One cannot love without risking loss.
For loss makes love precious. And love makes loss, so much more unbearable.
.
(Serein Choo, 2024)
February 21, 2024
Mini Love Bites : 9.
PROMPT:
Love Across Generations: Tell a story about love that transcends age differences and spans across generations, maybe even a span of thousand years.Although this is not something I write myself but I think for this theme, I would like to highlight this poem by Xin Qiji (Chinese Poet and military leader during the Southern Song dynasty).
《青玉案·元夕》
辛弃疾
东风夜放花千树，更吹落、星如雨。宝马雕车香满路。凤箫声动，玉壶光转，一夜鱼龙舞。
蛾儿雪柳黄金缕，笑语盈盈暗香去。众里寻他千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在，灯火阑珊处。
.
Translation in English (by Zhang Zhiheng, (Quote from link)).
The Lantern Festival Night – to the tune of Green Jade Table
by Xin Qiji
One night’s east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers
And blows down stars in showers.
Fine steeds and carved cabs spread fragrance en route;
Music vibrates from the flute;
The moon sheds its full light
While fish and dragon lanterns dance all night.
In gold-thread dress, with moth or willow ornaments,
Giggling, she melts into the throng with trails of scents
But in the crowd once and again
I look for her in vain.
When all at once I turn my head,
I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.
.
I appreciate how poems crafted ages ago continue to resonate profoundly, even though considerable time has passed since their creation. In this poem, we can still feel how the poet was able to find his/her lover despite the crowd.
It feels like the love still lingers on (even after 849 years has passed (2024-1175 year).
Isn’t it romantic?
February 20, 2024
Disclaimer
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not a professional in anyway. The purpose of this blog is to share my experiences/my writing journey and my personal views on certain subjects. If you are seeking a professional opinion, on how you should proceed to achieve your personal goals, please consult a professional. (Feb,2024)
Mini Love Bites : 8.
PROMPT:
Forbidden Love: Explore the challenges and consequences of love that goes against societal norms or expectations.“Ensnared in the intricate threads of societal expectations, our love perpetually stood under the microscope. Watched closely by inquisitive in-laws, probed meticulously by concerned relatives and friends, and even subjected to the hushed gossip of nearby neighbors. Yet shadows concealed stolen glances, as our hearts whispered the truth, defiantly writing a tale of passion.”
(Diary entry 21st Feb 2023, Mary.S).
I want to know everything about you—where you go, the people you meet, where you were born, your parents, your friends.
I stole glances at him in the same lift, curiosity bloomed.
I smell the cologne that he used, tried to find the exact same brand.
I left him letters, disguised as junk mail.
I jotted down the paths that he always go too.
I make sure our paths crossed each other in the morning.
A ‘hello’ whispered in the cold air.
Replacing ‘I love you’ that I wished to tell him.
.
“You embrace me despite our love was frowned upon by others. But our love prove stronger, I melted into you as you tried to push me away. I really love you, I believe you did the same as you held my hands, as we watched the TV.”
(Diary entry 21st Feb 2024, Mary.S).
A knock from the door.
Oh how I wished it was you when I opened the door but I know it wasn’t.
Hmm, it was the police. What a surprise.
“Do you know Adam Keller?”
“Yes. He’s my neighbor. What’s wrong?”
“He was missing since a week ago, and we have a witness that said he came to your house.”
And their eyes were surprised as they looked past me, and saw how the man I love, Adam was sitting there, on the sofa with a knife in his heart.
They apprehended me instantly.
All of it, my love, was reduced to a word, ‘stalker’ and ‘murderer’.
But it’s okay, he held my hand for the longest time.
I was the last person that he had laid his eyes upon.
Surely he must love me too.
February 19, 2024
Mini Love Bites : 7.
PROMPT:
Love and Self-Discovery: Write about how a character’s journey of self-discovery intertwines with their experience of love.Your lover is a reflection of yourself.
When they feel care because you care enough.
When they feel love because you love enough.
When they feel sad because you didn’t care enough.
When they feel disappointed because you didn’t invest enough.
(Serein Choo, 2024)
