The Hunger Games

I learned not to expect too much in film adaptations made from books, especially the ones that I read and loved and become addicted to so as not to get disappointed in the end. But The Hunger Games is different. It is one of those rare occasions that the movie is as close as the story in the book as it could be. Perhaps the fact that Suzanne Collins is one of the screenplay writers helped, since she herself is the author of the book.

Jennifer Lawrence seemed perfect to be Katniss Everdeen. She portrayed her role very well as a good hunter, a provider, a sister and a friend. Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne were well played as well. Though I visualized Haymitch Abernathy as somewhat comical, Woody Harrelson played the part just as well, a drunkard yet with sense and a touch of seriousness and maturity in the role. Elizabeth Banks portrayed the role of Effie Trinket nicely as well though in my mind, I had someone more exaggerated. All in all, I believe the casting for the film was well thought of and the actors and actresses did give justice in their respective roles.

The settings of the scenes in the film were great especially depicting the differences in the most impoverished districts such as District 12 and The Capitol where everything was so lavish and exaggerated. There were obviously several differences between the novel and the film, yet the story in the film still captured it all. As what I've read in other reviews, I also believe that the film adaptation is more serious than what it depicts in the book. It is a story with sense and emotion that will truly capture the hearts of the movie-goers.

I personally rate The Hunger Games 4 stars out of 5. I just hope the next franchise would be shown earlier than the previously announced November 2013.

The First Dragon Boat Experience

I've been dying to try out dragon boating for sometime now and finally, I've come to experience it for the first time. The call time is 1 o'clock and I ran a bit late but we got there just fine. It felt funny that the place is just in Kallang and it was around the area where I used to live and yet I only got around to trying the sport now.

When I got there, I started to prepare. I put some sunblock cream on my face, put on a baseball cap, gloves and life vest. I was then given a wooden paddle, the length of which should be the height of my chest or armpits. We proceeded on the riverbanks where the senior dragon boaters briefed us and gave instructions.

As dragon boating is a serious sport, we did some stretching before proceeding to the boat where they will give instructions simultaneously as we paddle. There may be a lot of dragon boat techniques out there and I've read most of them but I listened and watched intently as the instructors shed them out.

The first command of the captain which sits at the bow or in front of the boat facing the rest of the crew and is usually the "drummer" is STAND-BY. This is where we hold the paddle with both hands, one hand holding the TEE (handle) of the paddle and the other hand holding the shaft three inches away from the blade. We position the paddle in front of us and lean half of the body forward. The captain then shouts PADDLES-UP, where we position the paddle 45 degrees away from the body at the side of the boat. Then we start paddling as the captain instructs and we submerge the blade of the paddle in the water to CATCH and PULL water, then EXIT from the side of the hip forming a "J" and repeat the process until the captain shouts EASY where we stop paddling altogether.

We did the entire paddling process counting by tens as the captain instructs for a fifty, forty or thirty strokes. We also did it by pairs, all the while coaching and instructing us with the correct positions and posture. When we reach the other part of the shore, we got out of the boat and the seniors taught us the techniques one on one. Then we start paddling again until we reach back the docks.


Personally, I find the sport quite enticing. The training is rigorous and a good workout for the body. My entire body will probably ache yet I have no regrets. I will definitely be back for more.