26.1.09
24.1.09
8.1.09
Wushu Vs Muay Thai
Went for my wushu class after a one month break (due to Xmas and New Year all falling on Thurs) and asked my coach whether he watched Ip Man. As I also mentioned another solid kungfu film coming up which is Ong Bak, he shared his thoughts.
First, he said he understands that Tony Jaa is touted as a one in a 100 year talent. I believe so after having watched Ong Bak. I recall as part of the publicity effort, at a press conference, Tony Jaa took a few steps, jumped and walked on top of a few men's heads. The elevation he had was astounding!
Second, Thai boxing or muay thai is deadly primarily because of the frequent use of the elbow. He said during san da (or free fighting) competitions, he is most worried about muay thai and not other forms of martial arts.
Third, another major difference is that unlike Chinese wushu which not only teaches the physical fighting, there is also emphasis on the 'inner strength' part like Qigong and Taiji Quan, muay thai only has the physical part.
He also shared that Donnie Yen, in preparation for his Ip Man role, learnt intensively Wing Chun style fighting for a few months before he was ready for the shoot. Very professional!
First, he said he understands that Tony Jaa is touted as a one in a 100 year talent. I believe so after having watched Ong Bak. I recall as part of the publicity effort, at a press conference, Tony Jaa took a few steps, jumped and walked on top of a few men's heads. The elevation he had was astounding!
Second, Thai boxing or muay thai is deadly primarily because of the frequent use of the elbow. He said during san da (or free fighting) competitions, he is most worried about muay thai and not other forms of martial arts.
Third, another major difference is that unlike Chinese wushu which not only teaches the physical fighting, there is also emphasis on the 'inner strength' part like Qigong and Taiji Quan, muay thai only has the physical part.
He also shared that Donnie Yen, in preparation for his Ip Man role, learnt intensively Wing Chun style fighting for a few months before he was ready for the shoot. Very professional!
7.1.09
Reflections on Ip Man
There is a clear graduation of force in the various fight scenes which illustrates the Confucius element in Chinese wushu which Ip Man pondered upon when he was imprisioned whilst waiting for his imminent fight with the Japanese army general.
1st fight scene: with Master Liew
Ip Man was very respectful and dian dao wei zhi. He was even a little playful, raining light punches on Master Liew even though he could have used his advantage to inflict more serious injury.
2nd fight scene: with Northerner
Although Ip Man wanted to teach the Northerner a lesson, he was still patient and respectful and asked the police to clear the room so as not to make the Northerner lose face. The way Ip man used a feather duster to whack the Northerner's buttocks, it was almost like a teacher teaching a student.
Contrast this to the later fight again with the Northerner, where Ip Man was more vicious. But Ip Man still reined in his blows because the Northerner and his cronies were still Chinese.
3rd fight scene: with 10 Japanese martial arts students
No holds barred after seeing how Master Liew was killed. Ip Man was clinical and attacked the vital organs and the face and eyes. However, one can still observe the pain in his eyes that he has to injure so many people.
Final fight scene: with Japanese General
Out to kill. Even when the General was defeated and slumped against the corner of the ring, Ip Man continued to beat the living daylights out of him. But as a hark to the Confucius mentality, he held back his last thrust to the General's throat.
Wonderful show.
1st fight scene: with Master Liew
Ip Man was very respectful and dian dao wei zhi. He was even a little playful, raining light punches on Master Liew even though he could have used his advantage to inflict more serious injury.
2nd fight scene: with Northerner
Although Ip Man wanted to teach the Northerner a lesson, he was still patient and respectful and asked the police to clear the room so as not to make the Northerner lose face. The way Ip man used a feather duster to whack the Northerner's buttocks, it was almost like a teacher teaching a student.
Contrast this to the later fight again with the Northerner, where Ip Man was more vicious. But Ip Man still reined in his blows because the Northerner and his cronies were still Chinese.
3rd fight scene: with 10 Japanese martial arts students
No holds barred after seeing how Master Liew was killed. Ip Man was clinical and attacked the vital organs and the face and eyes. However, one can still observe the pain in his eyes that he has to injure so many people.
Final fight scene: with Japanese General
Out to kill. Even when the General was defeated and slumped against the corner of the ring, Ip Man continued to beat the living daylights out of him. But as a hark to the Confucius mentality, he held back his last thrust to the General's throat.
Wonderful show.
4.1.09
Watching "Ip Man" (叶问)
Except for Ben and Ling who had already watched the movie, the rest of us went to FilmGarde at Kallang Leisure Park to watch the movie Ip Man, which is based loosely on the Wing Chun master, who incidentally taught Bruce Lee for a period of time.There was a life-sized poster of the movie and we did our best to look the part...
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The movie was very enjoyable particularly for me as the fighting scenes were well choreographed and the Wing Chun style was authentically followed. Admittedly, the storyline was a little overboard on the Chinese pride but really, the storyline was secondary to the wushu.
Note: Dana showered today.
This is for my record, so I can keep track of the interval when Dana takes her shower, which is not very often. haha But anyway, dogs are not supposed to shower too often, reason being they do not sweat through their skin like humans do. In fact, frequent showers can do more harm than good.
3.1.09
Photos: 2009 New Year's Day gathering
Ham (more saltish and hence tastier than the Xmas one) from uncle Kong, Singapore Curry Chicken cooked by Aunt Sherry from 6.20am, carrot cake and achar from Aunt keong and salad from me.
Mum and dad belting out a song together. Definitely needs more practice!
Ben and Ling singing a duet.
Aunts enjoying the jacuzzi.
Uncle Keong having fun.
25.12.08
X'mas Lunch 2008
First, a very big thank you to Aunt Jacq and Uncle Kong for hosting this year's X'mas lunch at their very cosy place. Second, we had lots of great food: pizza, leg of ham, roast turkey, cheesecake (Aunt Jacq and Uncle Kong), otar, chicken wings, satay, fish cake etc (Bro GH), log cake and golden nuggets (Aunt Sherry, Sinclair and Jiajia), achar (Uncle and Aunt Keong), wine (Ben) and salad (GB).
Aunt Jacq personally baked two pizzas and made the cheesecake. The pizzas were tasty and moist with a very light and thin crust. The cheesecake was rich and moist. The log cake was baked by Sinclair and wife and decorated with real gold flakes!
There was so much food that everyone had to 'tabao' turkey and ham back; which contributed to my dinner the day after. Here are the photos.
The party just getting started.
Lots and lots of food!
One of aunt's delectable pizzas.
What a plump turkey...proved difficult to carve.
I always looked forward to the ham. Loved the fatty bits especially. I found out that Cousin Jia also liked the fatty bits!
Ben trying to carve the bird.
My turn to try to carve the bird. No mean task, really. Aunt Jacq was imploring me to 'Love my food' as Charlie Trotter (some famous chef) has taught her.
Aunt Jacq's cheecake in the foreground. Sinclair's golden nuggets at the back.
What a lovely log cake. Delicious too.
It was dad's birthday as well.
Cousin Jing showing off his birthday gift from Bro GH and wife -- the star and stripes necktie.
Cousin Jing's plainly decorated door.
Cousin Alec arrowed to sing a song before he can leave. He chose the Beatles' classic "Yesterday".
Entertaining the teenagers with Uno Stacko.
Dad with my nephew Seth.
Seth with his big present and the X'mas tree.
Seth fiddling with his present from Jing.
Seth dropped by my place to play with the three dogs. 
Mum also managed to meet up with her primary school friend, who happened to be living in the same block as Aunt Jacq.
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