Life Of Pi (Film)-Review

It's been quite awhile since I treated my mom to a movie. This show, Life of Pi was highly recommend by Top Critic to go see it. I went to this show with a open mind today, don't know what to expect. I certainly did not disappointed.

Back in the old days, people of all races in Malaysia would enjoy the latest Bollywood movie. This is something more special and bring out just like the good old days atmosphere.

Why something special? First of all the writer, a Canadian author,  starring mainly Indian Bollywood stars. The character Pi- played by Suraj Sharma, an unknown Indian teenage actor made his acting debut.  Director is Ang Lee is a Taiwanese-born American film director- needs no introduction to cinephiles.


"'Life of Pi" is based on the novel told from two alternating points of view, the main character Pi as he recounts his unbelievable adventure story. His 227-days journey on a lifeboat with a few of his zoo companions when his boat sinks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean during a voyage to North America.
The novel's author Yann Martel from this movie, played the writer interviewing middle-aged Pi, many years later want to write a biography book about Pi fascinating adventure.

Life of Pi is divided into three parts. In the first part the narrator, it starts off with Pi tells writer about his childhood growing up in Pondicherry, India.

He was named Piscine Molitor Patel after a famous swimming pool in France. When he embark secondary schooling he was often teased and mock by his classmates with the nickname "Pissing Patel". Subsequently he decided to shortens his name as “Pi”short for Piscine, nevertheless some of his classmates still not give up taunting him says, “Nice try, 'Pissing'”

His father owns a zoo in Pondicherry (former French Colonial India), providing Pi with a well education and affluent living but his father compelled to sell the Zoo after a row over a land dispute with the government. He intends to sell the animals to a zoo in Canada before migrating.

Pi is raised a Hindu, but drawn to 3 of the world's major religions, went to explores issues on spiritual practise. When he was a fourteen-year-old he is being attracted to Christianity and later Islam.
His father disapproved his way of accepting 3 religions at one time. One has to be faithful to only one God, just like a man should have only one wife. Pi intention is that he wants to learn from each religion to picks up the best of those religions.

Pi acquire some knowledge on animals behaviour at his father Zoo but was reprimand when he over confidently tries to hand feed meat to the zoo Bengal Tiger by the name of Richard Parker.
His father manages to stop him from foolish act at the nick of time.

Pi was forced to accept the fact of life, the simple fact that wild animals are meant to be wild nature, whether it is a zoo, a circus, a stage show or a sanctuary, it will always be untamed and unpredictable.

His father instruct a worker to tie a goat outside the tiger cage bars and let him see how the tiger maul a goat  in front of his two sons. This lesson is to teach them to never let their guard down with wild animals.

Santosh Patel: You think tiger is your friend, he is an animal, not a playmate.
Pi Patel: Animals have souls... I have seen it in their eyes.

Goofs: The scene where the tiger dragging the goat inside the cage is a little  unrealistic as it would have left behind some evidence of blood and flesh on the steel cage bar?


Why does his father name the tiger as Richard Parker? His actual name is Thirsty. He got Richard Parker, because his hunter (Richard Parker) filled a paperwork mix-up and the file clerk switched their names on the sheet. When the tiger arrived at the Pondicherry Zoo, Pi's father fond of the wrongly given name and from then on out it stuck.

Pi's father gives up the zoo, keeping some animals to sell when they arrive in Canada. Enthusiastically, he announced to his family members,

We are going to Canada, North America as Columbus did..

Pi: But Columbus was looking for India.

FYI :Christopher Columbus was actually looking for India rather than America. He has mistaken thought at first that he was in India, and therefore he called the natives where he landed 'Indians.'

In the second part of the story, Pi’s family boarded on a Japanese freighter to Canada along with Zoo animals. Pi now a young man (16 years old) was upset as he has to leaves his sweetheart behind but determined, one day to come home and marry her.

After a few days on the sea. While sailing through rough seas, during a night time storm, the ship hit by giant waves and capsizes in storm.
Pi is awakened by a noisy noise. He arises from his sleeping quarters, wanted to invite his brother to have a look but he ignored him.  Later Pi find out that the cargo ship is sinking.

He ran back and saw the level that his family quarters had water all filled up but unable to do anything. He was thrown overboard the escape boat by the ship crew and found himself regains consciousness in a small lifeboat, the next morning.

A query on how Pi got into the escape boat? 

The Chinese crew probably tossed Pi overboard because they thought they were saving Pi life or there is a more sinister reason. In order to save their own lives, because they knew what wild animals were escape on the boat, the crew were using Pi as bait which would allow them time to escape using the life boat.

After a shipwreck, Pi finds himself adrift in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat in the company with a injured zebra, a hyena, an orangutan and Bengal tiger, all fighting for survival.

Just like Darwin’s theory of the natural selection, the phrase ‘survival of the fittest’ in which the strong thrive and the weak perish.

The tension mounts on Pi who strives to survive among his fellow animals companion. When feelings of hunger may begin to creep in, the hyena started attacking the zebra, followed by the orang-utan much to Pi’s anguish.

Pi out of anger wanted to revenge against the Hyena, not even considering the dangerous risk and consequences. A face off set up between Pi’s and hyena, suddenly the tiger hiding under the boat's tarp dash towards and  pounces on the hyena, killing and eating the hyena.

Now Pi was left with little option and has zero chances of survival if stays on the board with Richard Parker. In order to avoid being attack, he builds a raft using the available material gather from the boat such as oars, life jackets and rope.

Pi throws his raft overboard and watch it floats on. Using a rope tie to the boat, he kept a safety distance between, tethers it to the boat.

Richard Parker jumps into the water to chase a fish. He is swimming after Pi and he jumps onto the boat and is able to pull the raft on board. Richard Parker struggle to get onboard the boat. Pi could have left the tiger in the ocean but his conscience will prevent him from doing so, eventually helps the tiger get back into the boat.

He pondered the possibility that Richard Parker will likely swim to the raft and ate him should he gets hungry enough. Left by the uncertainty, he decided he should start fishing to feed the tiger from becoming his next meal. As Richard Parker stares at Pi direction, he replied, “Patience!”

Adult Pi Patel: Hunger can change everything you thought you knew yourself!

Hunger will change a person stance over time. Pi a Hindu, is vegetarian, but to survive he has to change his character of innocent and timid young man; especially if he's facing a life-threatening situation from a feline animal stranded on a lifeboat with him.

He kills a (three-foot-long dorado) fish for the first time,feel the remorse and cried when apologising saying,“I'm sorry”. Later he shares the raw fish and feed himself and Richard Parker.

He has come to terms with the necessity, he has to kill for food in order to stay alive.

By coincidence?
To stay alive, one had no choice but to eat the flesh of those that had died.

In 1884, a shipwreck were similar to those in his movie. After the sinking of their yacht Mignonette on the way to Australia, Captain Tom Dudley and three sailors were stranded in a small boat in the Pacific Ocean. In a desperate circumstances, they left with no choice but to eat one of the party to survive. The victim was a 17-year-old cabin boy named Richard Parker.

Taming Of Richard Parker

With no escape and no land in sight either, Pi must tame the tiger, if they can work out their ways for truce and co-existence in the deep ocean.

Here, kitty kitty

Pi tried behavioural conditioning, Pavlov used in the studies of Pavlov's dogs to associate the sound of a whistle with sea-sickness. In Pavlov classic conditioning experiment, he presented dogs with a ringing bell followed by food and after repeated bell-food pairings the bell associated caused the dogs to stimulate saliva at the sound of a bell.

He used Pavlov technique to conditioning Richard Parker not to threaten him by rocking the boat and to cause seasickness while blowing a whistle.

Next he tried to use urine territory marking, the way male tiger mark his territory. Pi by urinating or pissing on the boat in attempt to mark his own territory but backfire as the tiger response, sprays Pi with a urine blast of his own.

Face off, round 1 winner Richard Parker

(Goofs :For those who did not know this is not the way how a male tiger do their urinating, only female does this way)

One day, while a school of flying fish is jumping over the boat, Pi manages to catch a dorado, and faces off with Richard Parker over it, eventually Richard backs down. He is able to stare down the tiger, proving that he has actually tame the tiger in full.

What do you see Richard Parker? Tell me what do you see

Step back! The Dorado fish is Mine!

Eventually, Richard Parker accepted Pi's presence and they both live in the boat. See what happens if we can to tolerate each other, there will be no fighting in the world, so we all can live together in peace.

 Pi on the bio luminescent sea under the moonlight

A whale jumping out of the water and flying through the air 

If Pi able to talk to Richard Parker, this is where he can use the expression,

we must work together when we're in the same boat, any fighting will sink the  boat, we truly are all in the same boat. And that now matter what our differences, we sink or swim together.

Slowly, all their food supplies supplies start to dwindle. They are losing weight and becoming more and more dehydrated. The part on Pi  thinks they are both dying, he places the tiger's head on his lap and  cradles the tiger's head in his lap.

Ah, What a Touching Moment!

Chances of survival were dwindling down due to starvation or dehydration. Another storm appeared, he was close to given up, his life can’t last much longer in anguish, Pi shrieks leading him to question God's plan for him. “I've lost everything! I surrender! What more do you want?


While adrift, he encountered a mysterious floating island coming from nowhere, an island of carnivorous algae inhabited by thousands of meerkats.

 the island is home to a carnivorous algae

After he has recovered from dehydration, he refurbished  his food supplies with a plentiful supply of food from the surrounding and plenty of fresh water.


A nice moment of friendship, as before he left he yelled out, “Richard Parker!”, to inform it’s time to leave the island. Almost like a relationship between a man and dog. Just like Lassie, Richard Parker jump on board the boat.They have develop a special bond between them.

It is just me or my imagination as I remember the island when Pi departed was in the shape of a large human, who could be a Sleeping Buddha figure?
Somehow I found the island was strange looking but couldn’t pause like a DVD player to take a better look.

Like the beginning of the movie it started with this saying, “I have a story that will make you believe in God "was a very bold statement. The young man who has much faith in GOD was tested, he would not made it through the journey at sea should he is without a strong belief in GOD. I believe GOD provide a temporary shelter for Pi to recovered and continue his journey back home.

One thing bother me is unlike Cast Away, Tom Hanks hair and facial hair would be overgrown but this Indian version of Cast Away only required a haircut. Does the emergency survival kit in the life boat also provide a shaver?

Pi recollection memories of various events while adrift, including discovering an island of carnivorous algae inhabited by meerkats. After 227 days hardship on the high sea ordeal, the lifeboat washes up onto the coast of Mexico where Pi with the last effort of his strength pulls the boat lands in Mexico shore. Richard Parker jumps outboard to escapes into the nearby jungle, while villages take Pi to a hospital.

Gosh, Richard Parker did not turn around to say goodbye, unlike "Born Free lion". Kinda wish in the last scene, what a lovely lasting sweet moment to carry with Pi, if Richard does turn around, hiding in to peeked through the bushes and gives a loud roar? (Goodbye..)

Pi manages to survive with him for so long, but does, in the end, disappointed because he expects a human-like goodbye from the tiger.

The fact that without Richard Parker, he would not have survived, and this is very true, the tiger was basically Pi's “Wilson” while he was casted away adrift in the ocean. Pi need Richard like a mismatched buddies after losing his family to keep his sanity.

We shared Pi frustration when Richard Parker would not budge from turning his head to look behind. Arrrgh! 

Adult Pi Patel: All of life is an act of letting go but what hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.

Richard Parker in the end did not ever fully tame by Pi, after all he is still a wild animals and cannot changed his nature just alike story of the scorpion and the frog.

In the final part of the tale, two officials from the Japanese Ministry of Transport speak to Pi to find out how did the ship sink?
Naturally they find his true story a little hard to swallow, alternatively he tells them a story of cannibalism, in which Pi was adrift on a lifeboat together with others survivors ,his mother, a sailor with a broken leg, and the cook.

The Japanese officials understood Pi alternative story is the same storyline except the cast name being parallels replaced. The orangutan represents his mother, the zebra represents the sailor, the hyena represents the cook, and Richard Parker is Pi himself.

After providing all the necessary information, Pi asks which of the two stories they like. Since the officials unable to prove neither story provides relevant reasons behind the shipwreck. They stick with the story with the animals.

Pi thanks them and says, "and so it goes with God".

His spiritual journey of life is almost like a test of Faith given by God in which he was given several task. At the end of the movie, it leaves the audience feeling a bit doubt, whether he'd make up his entire the story and raises all manner of questions.

Life of Pi begins of the movie with an old man in Pondicherry who tells the narrator, "I have a story that will make you believe in God."


The question is not whether the audience believe God is real or not. God is real.
It exists in the minds of believers.

I have been through some worst experience of my lives and those will not believe my story if I tell them. I do believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.


One thing we know for sure is Life of Pi will be a strong contender in sweeping most of next year's Oscar Awards,

To say the least this brilliant movie has my vote for the best picture!

The Life of Pi is a movie that should not be missed, combining stunning film's cinematography,
 visual effects and packed with jaw-dropping CGI.
Watch this  in the big cinema screen experience to achieve maximum visual and audio effect.

 Hats off, bravo and well done to everyone involved in this
Ang Lee's masterpiece film!

Witness Insecurity(TV Drama) - Reviewed

Witness Insecurity, it’s a Chinese version of The Bodyguard where WPU- Witness Protection Unit Senior Inspector HUI Wai Sam (Bosco Wong), is being assigned to protect Kiu Chi Lam (Linda Chung) after her live in danger for witness an attempted assassination.

The Witness Protection Unit (WPU) set up in the police force for the protection of certain witnesses and persons protection of a threatened witness or any person involved in the justice system, including defendants and other clients, before, during and after a trial.

WPU was ordered to protect  Chi Lam, a key witness from hired killer due to her witnessing a failed assassination attempt on her uncle Kong Ho (Ram Tseung).


She depends very much emotionally and financially on her rich father, Kiu Kong San (played by Paul Chun). Not many people know she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder due to a childhood incident where she blames herself for causing the death of her older brother to whom she was very close. Before his death, her father has to go regularly on a business trip to mainland China. Her brother was expected to take care of her.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to experienced a traumatic event that results in psychological trauma.

Her sudden changes in personality or temperament gives the false impression to many people that she was a rich and arrogant spoilt brat. She was constantly diagnosed and treated by Kelly, a psychiatrist (played by Queenie Chu Wai Man) who was a close friend of the family.

This illness has caused her with few friends and almost no social life. From the list of hand phone contact number was probably her Dad, stepmother (played by Rachel Kan), uncle Kong Ho, Kelly, a few friends and latest addition -Sam and his cousin Lee Hau Yan/Jojo (played by Cilla Kung).

It was love at first sight but only way, one sided, she was smitten by the dashing inspector Hui Wai Sam. Sam still has not forgotten his deceased girlfriend therefore will not display any affection for Chi Lam.

Reminiscent of The Bodyguard, here we have Sam carrying Hailey in his arms after she had been shot

He does not have any confidence in wooing her especially she comes from a wealthy family.
How to buy her present when she's got everything money can buy?
The main reason why Sam has no courage to make the first step was because Chi Lam overprotective father would will look down on him. Chi Lam dad don't like her daughter's choice of partner, he thinks Sam not good enough for her daughter.

No green light from Hailey father to woo her daughter!

Some of the sweet moment remembered by Hailey

Chi Lam has a strong stubbornness character; she will not give up her targets so easily. She would behave normally, as if has given up on Sam but deep inside she has determined not to "throw in the towel."
When asked by Sam, she should forget him. She replies, she will never give up on him. If it takes 5 years to accept her, she’ll wait and if that’s not enough time then give another 10years.

What is love? My answers are what makes you can't eat, you can't sleep and can't think. You truly,madly turning psyco either you're in love or heartbroken!

One morning Chi Lam goes hiking alone. In an unexpected weather turns a drizzle rain into a HK typhoon warning Category 8.

As there is no phone reception in a hilly area, Chi Lam was unable to contact her father. Why can't she get a satellite phone, I'm sure sure can afford one?

This has cause Kiu Kong San very worried after getting his wife, Tina to call all her friends but no one know her whereabouts. In desperation Chi Lam uncle called Inspector Sam for help, he knows which hill she was hiking cause he did not turn up for the hill hiking appointment.

Despite he was quite familiar with the trails and  surrounding area, he was facing difficulty to locate her as it was dark and raining till early morning. When she was found, her body was facing downwards, apparently she has slipped and fallen off a cliff and fortunately landed on a big rock that save her from falling of a cliff.

Wake Up! Wake Up! Hailey

With only a minor scratch on her forehead and broken wrist, she seems to escape with minor injury. She did not remember who saves or found her as her last memory appearing as nothing more than a blurred image.


After recovering at the hospital, she wanted to personally thank the people who found her assuming it was the rescue team unit member.


Her father hesitate to inform her it was Sam who saves her. When being told reluctantly the actual person who rescued her is her dream lover, she was dumbstruck but also very happy. Prior to this, his father disapproved her relationship with Sam. He has come to term with accepting Sam as he is ready to let Hailey choose whoever she loves.

Kong San has realise it was fate that brought them together, no matter how hard he tried to keep them apart. So he decided, he will not stop her from seeing Sam.

A sudden appearance of wealthy Indonesian Sapura or LAI SHU-FUNG (Lee Kwok Lun) whom Kiu Kong San has not seen for over 30years has changed his mind.

Not every rich man was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Kong San and his brother was a poor person in the past before striking it rich with an ill-gotten gain. Together with Sapura, they have kidnapped a rich man before compelled to kill the victim due to fear being identified.

The reason of the killing was the blindfold cloth has loosened which enable him to see his kidnapper. After splitting the ransom money, Sapura has fled to Indonesia where he become a rich person till a business venture has gone wrong. The desperate Sapura forced to blackmail the Kong brothers into ‘loaning’ a substantial amount of money by investing in his business group holding.

After he has survived this turmoil, Sapura has been thinking what if the next time the Kong brothers used back the same technique of blackmailing him should they have the same business problems? To ensure that is not happening, he attempted to kill both of them to keep his secret safe.

Fortunately Kiu Kong San most trusted right hand man(played by Henry Lee) rescued him from Sapura, he shot Sapura on the chest before Sapura made his escape to an uninhabited island
where he was hunted down and shot dead.

Knowing his secret past is in his danger of being found out, Kong San gave Inspector Sam an ultimate decision to quit become a Police officer and became his son in law. This is to stopped him from investigating the killing of Sapura case. There's an easy way to say this, "Either you're with me or against me!"


Before leaving overseas, Hailey request "Hui Sir" to wear the blue motorcycle helmet brought from Germany to meet her, when comes the day he is ready to accept her love.

Wear this helmet to meet me when you're
ready to accept me

Sam chooses to ignore Hailey father warning by continuing with the case which annoyed Kong San into ordering the killing of Sam through his underworld connection.

He escape from being killed with the help of Shawn (played by Eric Li) who was some sort of adopted relative of the Kiu family. Kong San takes under his wing and regularly takes care of him due to both Kiu brothers feel guilty about killing his father although the killing was not part of the plan and was done by Sapura himself.

When Sam discovers a dark secret from Sapura and the Kiu brothers past, he was put in a dilemma. For righteousness and justice or for the love of Chi Lam.

After Shawn had another latest failed ventures, this time in Malaysia gambling business. He was abandoned by "Big Mr. Kiu" from getting any more help as he thinks he has already done what he can to repay his debt. Shawn being not the right frame of mind due to his drug addiction.(well acted like a drug addict)

He found out that he was deceived and finally he knows why Kiu brothers were so nice to him all this time even he is not blood related.Shawn started plotting a plan for revenge after he found out Kiu brothers were among the mastermind in the killing of his father.

Shawn the son of the deceased kidnapped millionaire

Kiu brothers planned their escape bid after realising the police has gathered enough evidence to arrest them. Shawn trailed Kong San around town till he finally drove his car to a private jetty.

Shawn informed Sam, who in turn relay the information to his former superior on Kiu brothers getaway intention.

When Kong San got down from his car, Shawn tried to killed him with a pocket knife.

In the nick of time, Inspector Sam managed to save Kong San from the vengeful Shawn. As a final word for Sam from Kong San is to request him to take good care of his precious daughter before his arrest.

Please Take Good Care Of My Daughter

I know this is the part which most viewers hate the ending scene.



Shawn has not give up on killing Kong San, he accelerated his car towards Kong San with the intention of killing him. For the second time, Sam was able to save Kong San by pushing him away from danger but this has put his life in danger as the car hit him. The impact flung him into the air before hard landing on the road.



Ouch! I prefer the one Sam saves was Hailey maybe a hit man sent by Fudi,
son of Sapura who seeking revenge for the death of his father.

A bit of illogical here as when he landed he seems no external injuries, only dazed! Worst still, Hui Sir still able to get up and rides on his bike to see Hailey. Somebody did not do their homework here. Hey man, you're talking about get knocked down by a car and not slipping on a banana peel!

It should be something more like a nose bleed first followed by a vomit of blood but this is to save for the later dramatic scene.

The Police arrived on the scene .Both of them ( Kong San and Shawn) were arrested. Before Kong San taken away by Police, he requested the officer for a phone call. He called his daughter for informing her he was sorry, he won't be back for dinner, take care of herself.. and Sam was on the way to their old house.

Sam hurried on the way to meet Chi Lam on his motorcycle wearing the blue helmet, a sign he is read to accept Hailey after getting the green light from her father but it was too little, too late.

He rode in an unstable zig-zag movement like a drunken motorist. Sam was able to managed to reach but before reaching to her he vomited blood all over the helmet visor due to the internal bleeding in the head from car impact.

A brain hemorrhage is a particularly dangerous type of stroke that can quickly lead to death,is caused by a blunt traumatic head injury when blood vessels within the brain become damaged, they are more likely to burst.


Sam vomiting blood or tomato ketchup?

My friend Yeo said this scene is so familiar and argh! ... Just remember it from the movie The Story of Ah-Long (1989) starring Chow Yun Fat.

In the tragic moment the song of “The Moon Represent My Heart” sang both by Linda and Bosco which will followed by the crashing of Bosco motorcycle at the final moment of the song.

His last word as he lay on her arms was “I am Sorry for being late,..."

“Hailey, Sorry i came late. Don’t cry, I’ll be Columba (天鸽座) to protect you always. “ 

Not only that, Sam you’re late for hiking date, late for showing affectionate towards her, late even for a hug and what about the most important 3 words? I love you?

I think the most remembering words before dying must be from the Titanic movie.
You must do me this honor, Rose. Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise.” – Jack 
classic words!

Casting review



Bosco Wong (Hui Wai Sam) - For some reason, I feels there is lack of chemistry and there is lack of spark going on between them. For example when she was lost in the hiking hill, he was still able to talk on the phone with a calm manner. I prefer something like, “OH God, she’s lost in hill all alone, I want to help find her……..” or when he found her says, “Please be alright, I’m sorry for ignoring you.. I love you”.

Sam sang badly the song of "The Moon Represent My Heart" but
Hailey was the only one in the KTV room that loves his singing

Funny thing was he was showing more concern on the death of his colleague.. Ba Da than Chi Lam.

Perhaps being a macho and dedicated police officer, do not allowed him to be mellow.

Linda Chung (Kiu Chi Lam/Hailey) – She was the helpless damsel in distress, whom in the beginning of the show has psychological problem due to past incident.

Gradually recover when befriended Sam, her temporary “bodyguard”.She can’t take no for an answer, after being rejected by Sam, time and time again.

She was hoping one day her prince will come to take her away in a white horse but in this case his prince will come wearing a blue helmet on a motorcycle.

This only happen in the movies, you won’t a rich girl doing this patiently waiting in the real world.

Playing the cello, caring for the flowers and reading books are the only hobbies she had.


Paul Chun (Kui Kong San) – Played a Jekyll and Hyde roles, as a father he was so dedicating in caring for her daughter but on the other hand a ruthless businessman.

Best part on Paul: The best time of their life is when he and his brother were poor, when having a fun time of their life in their childhood. (Swimming and playing on river, that’s all?)

Money can't buy happiness

Ram Tseung (Kiu Kong He) – He played a vital role in keeping this show interesting. You don’t call a bad guy, more of the Joker role.

He was kinder in heart than his brother, the only bad or dangerous thing he does was when he drank too much alcohol and he will start talking nonsense.

But everyone wants a happy ending. We would not want to see a sad ending like Rome and Juliet. We prefer to see ending from “Snow White”, with the last word of “And they live happily ever after”.

My imaginary happy ending of this show.



My version ending goes like this...

From the previous show episode, Hailey was sad and confused when every time Sam rejected her love, she would always go inside a church to seek peace and maybe a guidance from God.

Hailey given assurance by God ray of light

I love the way the gospel choir in the church and voice of angelic singer in the background in that show.

God has hear her plight through the angels and heard her cries for God's help. Eveytime there's a light  shinning through the church stained coloured glass panes in the church.

Gods Heard Her Prayer

 While in the funeral of Sam, God had appeared to return life back to Sam. Resuscitated back the life of Sam.

Everyone will sing the song "Moon Represent My Heart" in the church.

Sam living happily ever after with his beloved Hailey.

Or the ending should be otherwise it's left to your imagination. You can take the drama series years ago of Look Back in Anger which provoked a major controversy ending.

How would you interpret the ending of Looking Back in Anger? Who is the mysterious woman that walked into the church and left the note to Ah Kin(Wong Yat Wah)? What is the meaning of this note? Did Carina died or it was Felix's sister? Can anyone from TVB answer this?


I think they should have a contest on how this show should end. The best of the idea will be air in a special Chinese New Year special next year.


Tvb can make a sketch drama play on how another version ending of show should end. Just to satisfy the dissatisfy viewers!

Real life doesn't always have happy endings and doesn’t always go as plan. You might have a big romantic moment with someone, but then a few months later, you break up. Just like Justin.

Being grateful or gratitude

A simple word to describe this is somebody did something good for you, you feel thankful and you’re readiness to return kindness.

Many times people that matter not only did not show gratitude but also will stab you in the back.

Chinese people have a saying, if you're doing good deed you're likely be rewarded one day and if someone do good deed for you, you will feel obligated with a strong sense of gratitude and indebtedness to repay their kindness.

感恩This Chinese characters above for gratitude or in mandarin 'gan en' meaning to express thanks or a strong gratitude for someone.
At the bottom of both Chinese character have the Chinese symbol for the heart at the bottom line. So do remember to give thanks to someone with the bottom of your heart!


Does an animal have the capable of feeling of being grateful or thankful? YES / MAYBE / NO?


Recently I happened to watch this Hong Kong cable TV program about paranormal called The Unbelievable.
It is believe that all this happen in Phuket, Thailand.

Swift birds found new home- home sweet home

Swift birds normally are difficult to find in Phuket as the birds normally live in a cave but this flock of birds live in the temple instead of its natural cave home. These birds make a bird nest on the statue decoration and have no fears of incense smoke, smoke candle prayer, also from people who come to worship.

Once there was an old monk who was very kind to the swift birds in an old and shabby temple. There were some swift birds that fly into the monastery attic to find a new home, one of the little monk chases these birds away.

The old monk found out and reprimands the little monk by telling him to be kind to the swift birds and all living things?

As time passed, the old monk grew old and died. We were told that his body did not decay after his death.

Monk's  body does not decompose after death

On the day of his funeral, millions of swifts came to pay the respect. Some did not return and stayed at the temple.

The temple grew rich and able to built one of grandest temple in Thailand due to revenue earned from selling the raw bird's nest gathered from the temple.

Temple Attic Swifts condominium

For those who did not know- Bird nest is the Chinese name for bird's nest soup, yàn wō (燕窝), translates literally as "swallows nest". When dissolved in water, the birds' nests have a gelatinous texture used for soup or sweet tong sui. Bird nest is purely of swift’s saliva secretion

Bird's nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. It is believed to provide health benefits, such as aiding digestion ands overall benefit to the immune system.

Bird's nest painstakingly cleaning process of
separating  strand
by strand dirt,sand, feathers, egg shell and other impurities.

Some of the earned income will use to fund charitable help for nearby school.

The swift birds indirectly have repaid the debt of gratitude to the late monk by providing a source of income for the temple.

There’s another story regarding swift birds that came from this temple.

Once there was a storm, the fishermen while at sea were lost and helpless, unable to find their way home. Then came a group of swift birds, circling around the boat and as if giving them a gesture…please follow me?

Unbelievable but true, the stranded fishermen were lead back to their fishing village when they followed the flock of swift birds direction home. They were very grateful to the swift birds for saving their lives!


Next, we talk about how animals able to sense a danger or natural disaster coming.

A couple from UK spent their holidays with their daughter in a Phuket resort. They knew how their child likes elephant ride. So they allowed their child to select an elephant. The child (eight-year-old Amber Mason from Milton Keynes, U.K.),somehow picks one particular baby elephant(named Ningnong, a four-year-old elephant).

A day after Christmas, a strong earthquake in Indonesia was followed by a giant Tsunami in 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean including Phuket.

Amber Mason was riding on the elephant on Laguna Beach in Phuket when suddenly the waters receded.


Twenty minutes before Tsunami strike, this elephant screamed and agitated ran for higher ground. When it comes to danger, animals will have a natural early warning system, something human deprived of the sense of natural disaster warning alert.

The elephant somehow instinctive hunches recognises something was wrong and according to the rescued child statement, the elephant ran with her on its back away from the incoming rushing sea.

As the wave swept in and with water up to Ningnong shoulders, Ningnong dashed out of the waves to the top of the beach, carrying Amber to safety and leaving the little miraculously escape girl unharmed. The elephant took the pounding of the wave, if she was with her parents, she would be easily swept away by the waves.

Amber said she felt very fortunate that Ningnong had saved her. If not for the quick action of Ningnong trying to get off the beach she would never have lived.
After the aftermath, seeing the damaged done by destructive force of Tsunami and everyone was running out of the sea had caused her mum started crying because she'd thought lost her precious little girl forever.

Expecting the worse to happen, her mom searched for her daughter and when Amber parents managed to found her, they were dumbstruck. It’s better than striking a Jackpot lottery!

Amber and her parents feel forever indebted to the elephant.
Now, every holiday trip to Phuket, the family will make a pledge to visit the elephant.

There is another interesting part of the story. The elephant somehow formed a strong bond of friendship with the little girl.
When they arrived at the airport, the elephant will feel agitated, like a sixth sense he would know they have arrived to visit him.
Just like a doggy will sense his master's presence have come back from work even before reaches the gate.


I remember you, you're Amy right? An elephant never forget!

There was allegedly a TV documentary film that record on this scene. A team of TV crew cameras was rolling showing the arrival of the family at the airport while the other team will capture the elephant responses.

We all know the saying An Elephant Never Forgets but I don’t know about whether this ESP case is real? It’s Unbelievable right?

The animals know about being grateful but do people know?

I heard this on the radio, a sad story about a dog. A dog owner wanted to get rid of his dog. What he did was he laced the dog's food with poison. Even while dying the dog will bring him the slippers.

How can he be so cruel to his own pet? Why can’t he just give away the dog to someone else or the SPCA?

Some animals can be more human, loyal and display more gratitude than some human’s beings.


I'm sure all have heard of the true story of the faithful dog .... Hachikō.

Each day, when Ueno his owner, a college professor left for work, Hachiko would stand by the door to watch him go. When the professor came home from work at 4 o’clock, Hachiko would go to the Shibuya Train Station to meet him.

The following year, his master died of a heart attack while teaching at the university. Hachiko didn’t realise that he died, and so the dog returned to the train station every single day to await return of his master.

This will continued for the next nine years with Hachikō appearing precisely when the train was due at the station, without fail, rain or shine.

A bronze statue honouring the dog's
 became a national symbol of loyalty

Eventually, Hachikō died of illness and become a national symbol of loyalty. A statue of Hachiko the faithful dog was erected in front of Shibuya Station.

In this movie based on real life Hachiko named “Hachiko , a Dog's story". Hachiko does, everyday 5 o' clock in the evening, for the next 10 years waiting at the train station to greet his beloved master. Hachiko is not aware that his master (Parker,co-star Richard Gere) had passed away.

Hachiko now old and weary, limps to the same spot in front of the railway station where he had waited faithfully every day.
Hachi died in his sleep while dreaming of Parker showed up at the station in the afterlife to get him and bring him home. The movie is a tear jerker, not recommended for macho man like me. Warning! It can cause embarrassment crying openly.

A bit difference as in this movie, Parker will come home regularly from work at 5 o’clock not 4 o'clock, Hachiko would go to the Train Station to meet him.




Hachi died in his sleep dreaming of Parker, bring him home. His long wait for his master finally ended.
Waaaaaaaaahhhhhh! Sob, where is my tissue box?

The Lion knows gratitude



There's a folklore story about a slave in Roman times named Androcles who escape from ill-treatment by his master.

He's lost and alone, wandering around a vast forest searching for any food that can satisfy his hunger. Suddenly he got the fright of his life when he stumbled upon a lion. Oh no! He’s about to become the Lion's Lunch.

He was about to flee when he noticed the lion was in excruciating pain, instead of pouncing upon him, came and fawned upon him, at the same time whining and lifting up his paw as if trying to tell him there is something in his foot. Androcles examined it closely and found a large splinter embedded in the ball of the foot.

Plucking up his courage he seized hold of the thorn and drew it out of the lion's paw, who roared with pain when the splinter came out, but soon after found such relief the ordeal was over. The injured limb was bandaged up as well as he could. The wound was rather a bad one, but good hearted Androcles kept the lion with him and takes good care till he was quite well again.

He bade farewell to the lion and returned to the town but unfortunately his old master recognized him and took him prisoner in chains. The cruel slave master wants to make an example of him, to show others slaves who attempting to escape. He was brought before the local authorities and those days the Roman criminal law required a man's slaves would be hunted down and the punishment was he shall be put to death because he had fled from his master.

Those found guilty of treason, arson, or murder were also forced to fight with lion as part of the games at the amphitheatre. (Modern day refer as stadium)

Those lions were usually unfed or torture making it more frenzy just like today bullfight before release into the amphitheatre.

The emperor and all his court came to see the spectacle. Androcles was one of them led out into the middle of the arena and feared as fatal day awaits them.

Soon the wild beasts were loosed into the arena, and among the rest a lion of huge bulk and ferocious nature running after his victim.



Nobody expect this to happen, as soon as the intimidating roaring, growling and ferocious appearance of a hungry lion came near to Androcles, instead of devouring him up, it fawned upon him, stroked and caressed Androcles like a friendly dog.


Surprise, surprise…guess who showed up? The lion instantly recognized his old friend, the same lion that Andro had helped in the forest! … But for the rest of the audiences ... stood there, dumb folded and the whole area grew silence.

Hello Kitty!

The question on everyone's mind: "What's really going on down there?"

Shocked at this strange behaviour, the emperor demanded an explanation. When Androcles had explained the whole story, the slave was pardoned and freed… and what happened to the lion? Well, the emperor was so touched by the lion ability to express profound gratitude to his saviour and also allow it to let loose to his native forest.

The story is rather unbelievable to some but one thing can be sure, there are times when the human are found to be crueller than the animals. So that doesn’t surprise me when asked, “Do animals feel human emotions?”

They may have human nature feeling ... gratitude.


The Ungrateful


A long time ago, there was a young man who left the village for a better life. Although his mum reluctant to let her only son go but he promised to come back when he has found fortune.

Many years later, now a rich man and has a beautiful wife. When his mother come to greet him, he refuse to recognise she is his elderly mother. He has ignored the sacrifice his mother has done for him.

She did not give up and continued shouting, "I am your mother, I missed you so much, son, come back to me...," He was even more embarrassed. He commanded all his crew members to push her away. She was heart-broken.

The sky suddenly turned dark and the wind became strong.  Thunder struck Si Tanggang ship and GOD punished everyone in the ship -Si Tanggang, his wife, his ship and his crew turned to stone.


Si Tanggang was cursed and he was cast as a rock in a bowed kneeling position
 when begging for his mother forgiveness

Ever heard of the story of frog and scorpion?

One of the fable moral stories being retold is the one about the frog and scorpion.


Once upon a time, the frog meet the scorpion on the bank of a stream and the scorpion request the frog to carry him across a river on its back.

The frog have second thoughts on whether if he can trust the word of scorpion?

What? Do you think I'm a fool? What if I let you on my back and you decide to sting me? Hey Mr.Frog, why would I do that? If I stink, you know I will drown. Don't you know I can't swim?

Frog paused for a while thinking... Yeah, I guess you're right, I'm sorry I ever doubted you.

The frog nod in agreement and begins carrying the scorpion on its back, but halfway through the river the scorpion does indeed go back on ones word and sting the frog.

The frog screams "You fool! Why did you do that?" Now we're both doom!
 Both of us are going to drown!

I am sorry this has happened to you. I can't help it because I am a scorpion, its my nature to sting.

What's the moral of the story?

Some creatures or human is ungovernable, no matter how they are treated and no matter what the consequences.

Just like lions are predators and it is their instinct to hunt and kill for food. Lion is not a domestic big cat, not here kitty,kitty. You can't play with these cats.


To everyone who being big part of my life, my father,mother,sister,brother-in law and friends who were there to made me laugh and cry and you are there when I needed the most....

I am really thankful from the bottom of my heart! xie xie!

A Day In the Dental Clinic

How regularly do you go to the dentist? By right we should visit the dentist twice yearly or every six month. Just like you're required to do a oil change every 3 months when you're using normal engine oil (3,000km),  you'll likely try to stretch your oil changes intervals by keep your car running longer more mileage.

I made a pledge to visit the dentist at least once a year, I'd try to avoid having a toothache especially during long festivals holiday where most of the clinic will be closed.


Most people who do not go for a regular check up think they can just walk in the dentist's office like a regular appointment at a GP doctor. No, it doesn't work that way. You need  to make an appointment with the dentist and state your purpose for visit.

This is to allow the dentist to plan patient appointment scheduling as most of day is already booked for the day.


Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Let's face it, no one will say "I just can't wait to go to the dentist!". When someone says "I like it" then he/she is not the right frame of mind.

While waiting for your turn, it's like waiting to go be executed! It can make grown men tremble, not me as I am used to it. When I was a kid, once a month I have to go the government run Penang dental training college. We're the guinea pig or white mice supplied to dental nurse training in exchange for free dental check up.

The Dentist also provide the services of dentures.
 She will fit you and then she sends out to a lab where they
make them up. Forgot to make an appointment for Mom.

Good look not only goes well with a beautiful natural smile but also need having a good set of teeth.

Naturally it is important to keep good oral hygiene not because of good look; equally important is for general health as well. Poor hygiene can easily lead to all sort of dental problem such as gum disease, infection, heart problems and others.

Dentist poster to keep gums and teeth healthy

Although we play our role on keeping our teeth clean by regularly brushing our teeth, it still required regular check up as dental cleaning  by dentist will ensure you’re maintaining a good oral health by close up visual examination and check your previous history dental check up.

Dental cavity or tooth decay refer to the destruction of tooth structure and can affect both the enamel  (the outer coating of the tooth) and dentin(the softer layer beneath the enamel) of the tooth.
Many bacteria live in the human mouth, they accumulate (along with saliva,food particles and other substances) on the surface called plaque.
Some of the bacteria in plaque turn into acid that will dissolve minerals from the surface of the tooth and over time cause cavity.


If diagnosed early, any gum disease may be treated and reversed before the gum has reached the advanced stage. The dentist will help your teeth back on the right path.


We’ve know gum disease is a major factor that leading to loss of tooth, what do we have to do to prevent gum disease?

1- Dental check up twice yearly.
2- Cleaning your tooth at least twice daily for 2 minutes.
3- Besides brushing, flossing and goggling with mouth wash.
4- Use a tongue cleaner to remove bacteria/stain so helping to eliminate the bad breathe

Tongue Cleaner - Remove Bad Breath cause, not practised by many people 

5- Stop smoking, cut down on alcohol and avoid craving for high diet in carbohydrates sugary food (sugar and starch) which is irresistible. Mmm, tasty cake!
6- Ensure the water you brush your teeth and drink contains fluoridated water. Your water filter must  not remove fluoride from water.
7- Tooth brush need to replace regularly at least every 3 months to avoid germs in it. Do not put a cap on the toothbrush, the moisture that gets trapped under the cap will promotes the growth of bacteria.
8- To detect dental problem early, broken fillings, cavities and gum disease all in early stage so that it can be easily treated before surgery or removal of teeth is the last option treatment available.

Sensitive teeth occur when the underlying layer of your teeth -- the dentin --
becomes exposed as a result of receding gum tissue

Sensodyne toothpaste is the #1 recommended toothpaste for sensitive teeth,
free sample given by the clinic

Everyone knows how to brush their teeth they reckon but are they brushing the right way? When I was a kid, I was always reminded and demonstrated proper brushing method using a dental prop. The nurse will says, first you brush the outer layer of the teeth....

How to brush your teeth correctly poster

What you can do to ensure healthy gums

A Day in the Dental clinic

I make sure I had put if off long enough for a visit at a dentist clinic before I definitely must go for a yearly check up.

Before going to clinic I tried not to ate anything first. If I did I make sure I brush my teeth before my appointment with the dentist. It's a common courtesy.

My dentist is a female doctor. I prefer having a lady doctor as I assume they’re gentler, more observant and understanding. She would always asked me to relax myself as sometimes my tongue will feel stiff when I'm anxiety or stress. Furthermore she constantly remind me to let her know if I feel pain.

I went inside the office and sat in the dental patient chair.  I leaned back and let her look down into my mouth.
She would do a check signs of tooth decay by examining my tooth surface by using a dental instrument tool called an explorer and a mirror, to look for any cavities. Decayed enamel should feel softer when poked compared to healthy enamel.

The stages of periodontal disease

Upon completion of examination she will inform me the result and what treatment is suitable for me.
Good look not only goes well with a beautiful natural smile but also need having a good set of teeth.

Naturally it is important to keep good oral hygiene not because of good look as it is for general health as well. Poor hygiene can easily lead to dental problem such as gum disease, infection, heart problems and others.

Although we play our part in keeping our teeth by regular cleaning , it still required regular dental check up and professional teeth cleaning on all those hard to reach back teeth.

A normal dental cleaning is recommended even there's nothing wrong with your teeth. Only a professional cleaning by your dentist is capable of thoroughly clean up your teeth from plaque (a soft sticky bacteria film and food waste debris) that builds up on teeth.After 24 hours plaque hardens into calculus or better known as tartar. At this stage it does not come off with the brush anymore.

The purpose of the cleaning and polishing is to leave the surfaces of the teeth clean and smooth so that bacteria are unable to stick to them and you have a better chance of keeping the teeth clean during your regular home care

The dental hygienist or dentist uses specialised instruments to gently remove these deposits without harming the teeth.

What happens at a typical dental cleaning?

1 – Teeth Scaling is a treatment to remove plaque and tartar, the dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler to provide deep cleaning above and below the gum line. The scaler tips are curved and rounded and are always movement motion around the teeth. They are by no means sharp tip since their purpose is to knock off tartar loose and will not to cut into the teeth.

It emits a high pitched humming sound, just like using an electric toothbrush in your mouth. With larger deposits that have hardened on, it may take a longer time to remove these, think of it like trying to remove with a scrubbing brush to a soiled pot, the dental tip has to get the areas clean and smooth with a longer time if the stain that has been left over a long time.

Just like when you eat something with a knife and fork, dentist uses scaler and dental mirror while cleaning your teeth. Dental mirrors are used by the dentist to view a mirror image of the teeth in locations of the mouth where visibility is difficult to have a look.


Some patient is absolutely terrified of the sound of ultrasonic high pitched humming while waiting for their turn. Can't they invent  a ultrasonic scaler minus the noise?

Thinking about that sound sends shivers down your spine! You'll imagine the patient in the office being  shackled by a chair like a POW currently being tortured by SS to gain Top Secret information.

2- Polishing — when your teeth have been thoroughly cleaned, they are polished to remove stains on the smooth tooth surface. The polish contains an abrasive substance paste with fluoride, and is polished using a small rotating rubber cup or brush attached to the dental hand piece.

3- Flossing - Floss removes plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, polishes tooth surfaces, and controls bad breath. Dental floss may be made of either plastic (nylon, Teflon or polyethylene) or silk, and can be flavoured or unflavoured, and waxed or unwaxed.

It is safer to floss your teeth than use toothpicks as it leans between teeth and removes plaque without damaging your gums.

4- Last word of dentist - My dentist give some advice before I leave the office. Make sure I brush the hard to reach back teeth.


Ah, so nice after all the torturing treatment has finally ended. Thank you Doc, see you next year TarTar