New Moon, my review

November 22, 2009 Ghene Leave a comment

Before I start, I must say that I did not like the adaptation of Twilight at all. Having read the books several times over, some scenes did not come out as I imagined them to be. Yeah, visually – things are great but the story was not what I read, Twilight the movie was another version of Twilight the novel.

I re-read (7th time) the New Moon book before watching the movie and finished it last night so everything is still very clear.  The movie is loyal to the book.. if those who said they read the book but still expected something “smashing” I am sorry you were disappointed. New Moon is full of cheesy lines . The characters are expected to be awkward (except for Jacob) -  Jessica hooks up with Lauren who was anti-Bella, Charlie was dead worried about Bella, Jacob’s dad  about Jacob’s transformation, Alice because she wasn’t allowed to come back…   how else would you portray/show awkward? broken-hearted, nervous, hallucinating? How would you behave when you know that the girl is completely lost to another and you do not even have a slightest chance to have her for yourself? eh?

The flow of the story is good (though not perfect) and the atmosphere is very different from the first film. This one is more “real”,  the saturation toned down a lot more. Although, I would’ve liked to see some atmosphere in the forest when Edward left Bella. Some fog or something to really make that bit memorable. They managed to add some humour which is a great, a welcome surprise. The fight scene is great, I love the way Edward gets tossed around by Felix.

There were slight changes; like Bella’s “kiss me” after the accident and Harry’s heart attack. Also some missing bits like when Alice and Bella took the plane to Italy – that conversation explains a bit somethings or when Alice bribed the police in Italy or their arrival back home – I’ve imagined that arrival from Italy many times and I was disappointed it wasn’t included.  Oh, I was wondering whether they’s include the “bonfire” when the Cullen’s left or Bella’s confrontation with her Dad about Sam or her defense of the pack afterwards. Those were not shown, nor her insistence that her father allow Edward in or Edward telling her about the photos under the floorboard,  and when Jacob remembered Sam’s memory of Bella when he found her in the forest around Edward. They also forgot to mention the Denali, which is important to the fourth movie. Because Laurent formed a bond with one of the Denali vampires and when Laurent was killed that  vamp was left emotionally unwell.

What was often forgotten by some audience is the fact that Bella and Edward are mates – made for each other, one cannot survive without the other.  Like Carlisle  to Esme or Jasper to Alice or James to Victoria.

I really think this movie was done well.  If you consider the general awkwardness of the characters in the book , the portrayal of the characters in the movie is okay.

About the abundance of bare-chested men with rippling muscles. I won’t say I did not like seeing all those muscles… boys you are just jealous!  Boys who complained, don’t watch the next movie… there are a lot more of that in the next movies!

If you were thinking of watching and you’ve read the book, I advise you to re-read the book to remind yourself that this movie is about a broken heart, loyalty and friendship. Nothing romantic at all.

If I were to make a list of things in each book then see below:

Twilight

  • Bella and Edward meet, they are mates, not the Australian word for buddy.
  • Bella get terrorised by another vamp (James)
  • James was killed and his mate victoria want vengeance
  • Bella and Edward were back in Forks

New Moon

  • All goes well until Bella’s b-day.
  • Accident happened.
  • Edward felt he need to get away to keep her safe. So he left
  • Depression (who haven’t thought of suicide after a break-up with a “real love”?).
  • Getting Edwards back.
  • Marriage proposal.

Eclipse

  • Graduation
  • Tense relationship with Jacob and Bella trying to mend it ti keep her best friend
  • Attack by Victoria’s new-born vampire army
  • Their promise to the Volturi.
  • Wedding preps

Breaking of Dawn

  • Jacob sulking,
  • Wedding and honeymoon
  • Pregnancy
  • Childbirth and Bella’s transformation
  • Bella the Vamp and her baby
  • Volturi
Categories: Entertainment, REVIEWS Tags: , , , , , ,

10 Minute Banoffee

November 7, 2009 Ghene Leave a comment

10 minute banoffee

This is a very quick dish with potential of being very photogenic, especially when you use those nice looking  ramekins and small bowls.

What you need:

2 Ginger cookies – broken into small pieces

2 chocolate cookies – broken into small pieces

2 small bananas, sliced

2tbsp toffee sauce

2tbsp muscovado brown sugar

100ml whipped cream

{ One } Divide the the biscuits between two ramekins and lay the sliced bananas on top and drizzle with toffee sauce

{Two } Whip the cream stiff, then spoon over the banana base. Sprinkle with surgar and serve.

Voila! your 10 minute dessert :-) Enjoy!

Categories: Sweets Tags:

My bedside read…

October 30, 2009 Ghene Leave a comment

I am fond of fiction, paranormal and sagas. Autobigraphies are of no interest to me, especially the contemporary ones. Bookwise, my husband knows that if the story is about a woman of strong character, I might be interested. Does not happen often however. Like, when I saw D. Gemmel’s White Wolf, I was instantly attracted .. so bought the whole series (I think).  Also, when I check something out, I always, look at the last pages. if I cannot form the image in my mind, then I will be bored with it or I won’t understand it.

I have a lot of other books I bought between 4-10 years ago which when scanned were not recognised so I leave those out of the list. I still re-read some of them, others are almost completely forgotten. And there is a series which a friend considers my “filthy reading” which I did not add here. I am not shy about them, I am considering some of my “younger readers.

Voice of the Gods Age of the Five ISBN 9781841493886

The High Lord Black Magician Trilogy ISBN 9781905654093

The Magicians Guild by Trudi Canavan

The Novice by Trudi Canavan

Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe Lewis, CS 9780007202287

Lord Of The Rings Tolkien, JRR 9780261103252

Harry Potter The Sorcerer s Stone Paperback Book

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Rowling, JK 9780747551003

Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince Rowling, JK 9780747581109

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Book 7 Adult Edition ISBN 9780747591061

White Wolf Gemmell, David 9780552146777

Stormrider Gemmell, David 9780552146760

Midnight Falcon Gemmell, David 9780552142571

Swords Of Night And Day Gemmell, David 9780552146784

Waylander II David Gemmell 9781857235814 Book

Hero In The Shadows Gemmell, David 9780552146746

Waylander David Gemmell 9781857236217 Book

The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend by David Gemmell

The King Beyond the Gate David Gemmell 9781857236651 Book

Quest for Lost Heroes David Gemmell 9781857236712 Book

Sword In The Storm Gemmell, David 9780552142564

Ravenheart Gemmell, David 9780552146753

Last Sword of Power David Gemmell 9781857237979 Book

The Hawk Eternal David Gemmell 9781857238525 Book

Knights of Dark Renown David Gemmell 9781857236330 Book

Ironhand s Daughter David Gemmell 9781857238518 Book

Legend Of Deathwalker Gemmell, David 9780552150811

Dark Moon Gemmell, David 9780552142533

Ghost King David Gemmell 9781857236422 Book

Winter Warriors Gemmell, David 9780552142540

Morningstar David Gemmell 9781857237856 Book

Wolf in Shadow David Gemmell 9781857237887 Book

When Darkness Falls by M. Lackey

To Light a Candle by James Mallory

Hobbit Tolkien, JRR 9780261102217

Sorcery Rising Bk.1 Of Fools Gold Fisher, Jude 9780743440400

Wild Magic Fisher, Jude 9780743440417

Dragonmaster by Chris Bunch

Eragon Paolini, Christopher 9780552552097

Eldest Christopher Paolini 9780385607902 Book

Brisingr Paolini, Christopher 9780385607919

Keeper of the Heart by Johanna Lindsey

Clicking Her Heels

If You Could See Me Now

Career Girls

The Devil You Know Louise Bagshawe 9780752849843 Book

Everyone Worth Knowing Weisberger, Lauren 9780007182657

Chasing Harry Winston Weisberger, Lauren 9780007262717

Practically Perfect Fforde, Katie 9780099472377

Tuesday s Child

A Loving Scoundrel Johanna Lindsey

Gift Ahern, Cecelia 9780007296583

One with the Shadows

Demon s Hunger

Passages by Connie Willis paper copyright 2001

Darkest Night HQN

The Darkest Whisper Bk. 4 Lords of the Underworld Series MIRA S.

Book Return To Mars Ben Bova

Heart Of The Sea Roberts, Nora 9780749937379

Jewels Of The Sun Roberts, Nora 9780749937331

Man To Call My Own

No Choice But Seduction Lindsey, Johanna 9780552156325

Other Boleyn Girl Gregory, Philippa 9780006514008

Longitude Dava Sobel 9781857025712 Book

The Love Poems of Rumi by Deepak Chopra

Jacob s Room by Virginia Woolf

Short History Of A Prince Hamilton, Jane 9780552998017

Short Stories Paperback

When the Emperor Was Divine

Blue Smoke Roberts, Nora 9780749936662

Red Lily Roberts, Nora 9780749936143

The MacGregors Alan and Grant WITH All the Possibilities AND One Man s Art

Completely Unexpected Tales Dahl, Roald 9780140098204

The MacGregors Serena and Caine

The Villa Nora Roberts 9780749932664 Book

Blue Dahlia Roberts, Nora 9780749935337

Queen Of The Big Time Trigiani, Adriana 9780743462273

Playing Easy to Get by Jaid Black

Labyrinth Mosse, Kate 9780752877327

Gods Behaving Badly Phillips, Marie 9780099513025

Edge of Danger A Novel

Edge of Darkness by Cherry Adair

Darkness Everlasting Ivy, Alexandra 9780821779392

Embrace The Darkness Ivy, Alexandra 9780821779378

Not That Sort of Girl

Flesh and Stone Berkley Sensation

Doomsday Conspiracy Sheldon, Sidney 9780006472087

Tell Me Your Dreams Sheldon, Sidney 9780006512240

Best Laid Plans Sheldon, Sidney 9780006510550

King Of Torts Grisham, John 9780099416173

The Street Lawyer John Grisham 9780099244929 Book

The Darkest Pleasure HQN

The Vampire s Bride by Gena Showalter

Dragonflight Mccaffrey, Anne 9780552084536

Digging To America Tyler, Anne 9780099499398

Bloodline Sheldon, Sidney 9780006175018

Dark Thirst Reinke, Sara 9781420100532

Body Surfing Shreve, Anita 9780349119014

Red Lily Roberts, Nora 9780749936143

The Little Pretender Romantic Times Classics

The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter

Ivanhoe

Dark Desires After Dusk

The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter

No Rest for the Wicked

Wicked Deeds On A Winter s Night

Kiss of a Demon King

A Hunger Like No Other

Dark Needs at Night s Edge

Warlock Smith, Wilbur 9780333761342

One Night With A Prince Jeffries, Sabrina 9780743477727

Paperback Book Bantam List Price 6.99

In The Prince s Bed Jeffries, Sabrina 9780743477703

Seduction in Mind by Susan Johnson

When Someone Loves You by Susan Johnson

Again and Again Brava

Harper Choice Fiction Book PB 5 Digit Extention

Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara

Other Queen Gregory, Philippa 9780007190348

9781904233916 Eclipse. Stephenie Meyer.vampire Romance.

9781904233886 Moon. Stephenie Meyer.vampire.

Outlaw by Susan Johnson

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Poison Study Snyder, Maria V. 9780778301929

Magic Study Snyder, Maria V. 9780778302438

Fire Study Snyder, Maria V. 9780778302650

Tales Of Beedle The Bard Rowling, JK 9780747599876

A Painted House John Grisham 9780712670395 Book

The Last Juror

The Broker by John Grisham

The Accidental American Tony Blair and the Presidency

Water Horse Gregson, Julia 9781409102656

Pillow Talk North, Freya 9780007245925

Under A Blood Red Sky Furnivall, Kate 9780751540444

Three Complete Novels of Courtly Love The Prude and the Prodigal Lies for Love From Hate to Love

Three Novels of Earls and Their Ladies

Three Complete Novels of Marquises and Their Ladies Three Complete Novels of Marquises and Their Ladies Ola and the Sea Wolf, Looking for Love, the Call of the Highlands

Three Complete Novels of Dukes and Their Ladies The Disgraceful Duke Never Laugh at Love A Touch of Love

Three Complete Novels of Royalty and Romance A Witch s Spell A Song of Love Revenge of the Heart

Birds Without Wings De Bernieres, Louis 9780099478980

Blue Smoke Roberts, Nora 9780749936662

The MacGregors Serena and Caine

The MacGregors Alan and Grant WITH All the Possibilities AND One Man s Art

The Villa Nora Roberts 9780749932664 Book

Blue Dahlia Roberts, Nora 9780749935337

City of the Beasts

Categories: Books Tags: , , , ,

Home, Crafts and Photography Books

October 30, 2009 Ghene Leave a comment

There is this Apple app that I downloaded recently that got me to making an inventory of all of my books. The first that I took of the shelves are the home, crafts and photography related books. These are my favourites and I even kept the photography basics which might be useful for my husband and kids later on.

The apple app is called Redlaser, it is a barcode scanner. Unfortunately not all the books with barcodes got recognised. All of my japanese craft books were not found on google and amazon.

Check out the list below.

Collins Complete DIY Manual Albert Jackson,David Day 9780007185238

La decoration Feng Shui Le bien tre dans votre maison

Big Book of Small House Designs

You Can Paint Oils A Step By Step Guide for Absolute Beginners

Petits espaces De 16 60 m2, grandes id es pour mini lieux

Compact Living

Small Spaces by Chris Everard

Small Spaces by Yoshio Shiratori

Complete Book Of The Flower Fairies Barker, Cicely Mary 9780723248392

Woodcarving A Manual of Techniques

Bulbs Geoff Hodge

Figure Drawing for Fashion Design Elisabetta Drudi 9789054960805 Bo

Tout un sac

Bead Fantasies by Takako Samejima

Bracelets by Amanda Walker

 

Doudous et compagnie

Doudous c lins A coudre

Couture avec Charlotte

Last minute Fabric Gifts by Karen Phillipi

Toys to Sew by Claire Garland

The Crafter s Companion by Anna Torborg

Lotta Jansdotter s Simple Sewing Jansdotter, Lotta 9780811852579

20 objets en feutre

Bijoux accessoires en feutre

Sacs de filles

Tendance sacs 22 Mod les faire soi m me

Bags of Style Ellen Kharade

Hip Handbags by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader

Baby Couture

Je d bute la couture

Making Handbags by Ellen Goldstein Lynch

Quilted Bags Purses Hiney, Mary Jo 9781402702013

Id es de sac

Lions, l phants, lapins et canards en tissu

Bags by Caroline Cox

Amy Butler s In Stitches Butler, Amy Mcguire, Colin 9780811851596

Tiaras and Hairpins by Michelle Bungay

Necklaces by Stephanie Burnham

Seaside Style by Angelika Taschen

Fashion DIY by Carrie Blaydes

Baby Costumes by Bettine Roynon

Le grand livre du Scrapbooking

THE ULTIMATE PAPERCRAFT AND ORIGAMI BOOK

Natural Decorating, Sophisticated Simplicity with Natural Materials

Le Livre du mariage

New Inspirations in Wedding Florals by Terry L. Rye

Quick And Clever Instant Cards Hickey, Julie 9780715320907

Photography for Scrapbookers by Tracy White

Painted Pieces In a Weekend

Table Inspirations

Pure Style

Designing Handcrafted Cards by Claire Sunok Choi

Clay Characters for Kids by Maureen Carlson

Fairies Gnomes and Trolls by Maureen Carlson

What Not to Wear Susannah Constantine,Trinny Woodall 9781841882499

The Earth From The Air 365 Days

Gardens At Kew Paterson, Allen 9780711225367

The Art of Close up Photography

Creative Digital Photography

Children

Special Occasion Photography

The Book of Digital Photography

Professional Children s Portrait Photography by Lou Jacobs

Fashion Photography Course Siegel, Eliot L. 9780500287699

The Complete Guide to Professional Wedding Photography

Digital Photography Book Kelby, Scott 9780321474049

Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color by Leatrice Eiseman

Contemporary Wedding Photography

Capture The Portrait How To Create Great Digital Photos

Wedding Photography Now

London by Martin Kunz

Your Wedding Anniversary by Cookie Lee

The Step by Step Guide to Planning Your Wedding 3rd Revised edition

127. Simple Scrapbooks Scrapbooking Made Easy by Leisure Arts

Photocraft Things to Do with the Pictures You Love

The Art of Flower and Garden Photography by Clive Nichols

Annabel Williams Annabel Williams 99 Portrait Photo Ideas

Categories: Craftbooks, HOME, PHOTOGRAPHY Tags: , , ,

Oriental pork steaks with spring onions

September 10, 2009 Ghene Leave a comment

I initially planned to cook salmon fillets but the fish was still partially frozen so I cooked the pork steaks instead. This recipe will only take between 30-45mins to prepare and cook unless of course you decide to marinate the meat a bit longer.

Oriental Pork Steaks with spring onions

Ingredients:

2 pork shoulder steaks

1 tbsp soy sauce

2cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 tsp olive oil

1 bunch spring onions

Griddled pork steak with spring onions

Procedure:

  • Mix the soy sauce, grated ginger and olive oil and marinate the meat for at least 10 minutes. For better flavour, marinate for 3 hours.
  • Heat the griddle pan until smoking, DO NOT brush oil.  Add the meat and cook for 3-4 minutes each side. Longer if necessary.  Remove from the pan and keep warm.
  • Add the spring onions to the pan and brush with any remaining marinade. Cook for 1 minute on each side. Arrange on serving plates and sit the meat on top.  Pour over any juices from the pan and serve with roasted vegetables or crushed new potatoes.

Note:  You may change the meat and use Salmon Fillets instead. Cooking time for the fish is 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Cook skin down first.

Categories: Pork, Recipe Tags: , , , , ,