The Last Stand

Watched the preview of The Last Stand yesterday. And for the first time in a couple of years, I actually watched a movie by myself and I felt good. No doubt it was wasteful since I won a pair of tickets on some online draw again, I wished to minimise interaction after these tiring days at work.

I recall that the Life section had tried to compare three action heroes in Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone who have released recent movies in the same genre on our shore. I had the luxury of time to catch two of them.

A Good Day to Die Hard

I think I had fallen asleep at some point in time. The improbability of the plot development had dissipated my interest greatly. The element of a Father-and-Son team was more a liability than an asset and while Looper was alright, I thought that Bruce Willis could reduce his sharing of screen time with younger actors. Sticking to the Expendables might be good.

The Last Stand

Predictable plot, overly bloodied, straight face humour. I enjoyed the show thoroughly. It was funny at one point in time when Arnold, the County Sheriff refused a bribe to let a federal fugitive escape because of honour (and in real life, he cheated his wife with his helper). It was just a fun, brainless joyride with a happy ending. On days when office work had numbed my mind, such a movie is like an elixir of life

Au Revoir Taipei

It was definitely weird when I felt more satisfied after this movie than Inception. It's true.

Although Ren Jie said that it was the company that made the difference, I must say that there was more to it. First of all, I love movies that work on a low budget and this one was certainly one of them. Yet, it didn't feel cheap, every scene was necessary and brought out the humour that could easily be lost.

Anyway, it reminded me of Cape No. 7, I'm beginning to love Taiwanese movies as much as the Japanese ones.

Ip Man

The legend is born - Ip Man.

Since I couldn't find a decent picture for this movie online just yet, I will upload it another day. Anyway, I found this episode even better than the last two in terms of storyline and development. And for an instance, I thought I saw Ip Man receiving the Holy Communion. Hmm...

Movies

Have been a bit lazy with office work and all, and I must admit that SBS homework, etc had taken a lower priority in the recent weeks. As a start in the return to my blog, I will talk about the few movies that I had watched recently.

Shutter Island

A psychological thriller will never go wrong if the film reviewer is someone named Brian Cheung. The twist towards the end was good enough for me, and I could empathise with Andrew Laeddis' decision to "die a good man" rather than to carry on life "as a monster". If there is no purpose in life, why live it at all?

Ironman 2

I have heard mixed reviews but it was a good movie for me. My yandao brother lamented that the final fight scene could be a tad longer but then, we all grew tired of Transformers right? If we know that Ironman will win to save the day, let's get it done and dusted before we get tired of it.

It amazed me too, how some people don't seem to have reached their maximum capacity. Like how Tony Stark could come up with a new element at just one try. Was also amazed at how he demolished his house to build that atomic accelerator (or some form of accelerator), but it is the way we should live life, isn't it? Why hold on to things that don't give us "life", ya Stark needed that element to keep himself alive so well ...

Ip Man 2

Everyone told me that it was good. Ben even told me an hour before the show that it was a guy movie, one that could make a man cry (to that extent), so you could probably guess my disappointment. Yes, I agree that it was a good movie, nonetheless but ... better than the firt? I don't think so.

At $11 ringgit/movie tix on a Saturday, it may become a regular activity for me to spend a day in JB, watching 3 movies at one go.

That aside, it is impossible for someone to make the right decision all the time, isn't it? How apt it was when he chose to confront Master Hung and yet at other time, be gentle, slow-to-anger ... and the perfect timing to challenge the World Champion ... I pity Master Hung, we have to bear with it sometimes to survive, that was why he made the declaration that his conscience was clear. As for the police chief ... his downfall was not entirely due to his corruption, but crossing the imaginary line of going overboard ... anyway, it was supposed to be a feel-good movie and it certainly made me feel good.

Discomfort

Well, I didn't accomplish much today, and didn't attend any meeting. Was telling anais on our way back that I'm probably an overstretched rubber band, such that it's not returning to its original state anymore.

I wonder if I had brought this on myself, taking up this and that, attending this and that, ... It is so tempting to just retreat back into my cave for a moment and I miss the 2-month summer breaks that I had back in university. I can spend an entire day in the swimming pool, just floating around (not swimming)

Basically, I can't/don't want to think anymore. I can still do mundane stuff (such as fire-fighting) but not the strategic stuff, not when things change within days. Weekends don't feel like weekends anymore with activities piled up, perhaps this is why I enjoyed my training runs (time alone to myself).

I wish I am on my way to Washington now, I could have until my boss felt it wasn't necessary. I agree with her but how I wish I could still go and leave things aside for a moment. Just the long flight would have been fantastic. I'm just glad that we are not playing tennis at 7am this week since I can't even wake up for work these days ...

Sorry if I looked stressed, during work and even after work. I just wish I have the time to do things I like. Guess I just need someone's shoulders where I can rest my head on, without having to say anything.

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Boondock Saints

I just love B-grade movies. Especially those that have attained cult status. I wouldn't place this in the same category as Memento, Fight Club, etc but it was a good one to kill time (not that I had a lot of it) - time on the train when I should have used to watch the SBS podcast.

Japan =)

Yes I have tons of work on my table and I'm here trying to escape from reality. But really, it was the most enjoyable work trip that I ever had so far, though I was staffing my bosses, there wasn't much stress: partly because they are nice and easy to travel with and partly because Tokyo is really my homeground.

Boarding the plane, there was this girl pushing her backpack up the luggage compartment and she looked familiar. I settled to my seat behind her and realised that she looked just like our national swimmer whom I read during the last SEA Games, etc. Not to mention that Darryl had commented on her legs before so we took extra notice.

Unable to suppress my curiosity, I confirmed it and yes, I managed to talk to one of our local celebrities (in Economic Class though). I should have taken a picture (I'm sure she'll oblige) but my hair was in a mess that morning. So ... Yes, she was Ms Quah Ting Wen

I started with 20th Century Boys Chapter 3. Ok, I knew the itinerary and my brief well and there was no need to memorise the timetable etc during the flight.

The show was horrible. Chapter One started off very well, with sufficient mystery and cliffhangers and would leave one to pine for the sequel. Chapter 2 was still alright because some questions had remained unanswered and Kenji Endo reappeared just before the credits, thus setting the stage for a grand finale in Chapter 3.

Unfortunately, it was a let-down. The idea of throwing in questions wouldn't work in Chapter 3 and it did a bad job in trying to answer some of those questions. In the end, it was just a mistake committed by Kenji Endo in his younger days which caused the entire destruction of mankind, some 3, 40 years later (Ha ... Ha ... Ha ... Ha ... Ha ...). I thought I had wasted 7+ hours of my life with this trilogy.

Up in the Air

It was refreshing and you can't help but to love George Clooney. I guess the casting was important because the movie needed the audience to love someone who goes around firing people because their bosses do not have the guts to do so.

It dawned upon me that in our Civil Service, presentation and persuasion skills have been undervalued although they are such important assets in the working world outside. Anyway, it is a wonderful movie, highly recommended.

It wasn't easy with the trip planning, because my Director (who did not travel with us) was adamant that we should avoid congestions at all costs because we may end up missing the meetings, and being the former-student of the land, my only mean of transport had been the trains. So when we switched back to hired vehicles, the meetings were already set based on the estimated time needed for taking trains and we ended up early for most of our meetings.

It was therefore good that we ended up 10min late for our last dinner there. We were advised that the trip would take about an hour. Though I had catered for another 30min, we were still late by 10, I guess my boss could see therefore how unpredictable the traffic could be.

Anyway, I was out every night for the 3 evenings. I used to station myself in the hotel room, waiting for calls or sms-es from my boss, asking for this or that data but I didn't bother this time round. For the first night, I went to Akihabara in search for my Pikachu pyjamas lol.

At Donki Joitei (I knew I could buy it there, opening hours 10am - 5am), I found a lot of the others (Pooh, Tiga, Batman, Stitch, etc) but just not Pikachu. Anyway, I wasn't planning to buy there and then so I noted the section of the 4 level store and came back out. I couldn't buy it because over half of my suitcase was filled with gifts and I didn't know if we could give them all out or if we would be receiving anything from the hosts. To play it safe, I didn't make the purchase which I actually regretted.

I had more time for the 2nd evening, the dinner ended before 9 and I was invited by Anna for desserts with her aunt. There were 3 ladies there, with Anna's future sis-in-law. Though it was the first time for me to meet with the aunt, she had heard much about me since the time Anna and I dated. It was a short meet-up with lots of teasing from them. They were trying to sell Anna to me again and we had a good laugh, they must have thought that I was some Todai elite who travels around with my boss, staying in 6-star hotels and meeting with Presidents and Chairmen of companies on govt/companies' expenses although I reassured that all credits go to my boss.

The dinner for the 3rd night ended only at 10. I took a 45min journey to meet with my God-ma at her place. She must have appreciated the efforts to spend 90min of travelling time just to meet for 30min. It was a nice time of catching up, and she must be a very happy mother at this point in time as I'm blogging because Tetsuya is getting married today.

Watched Chinese movies on my flight back:

To Live and Die in Mong Kok

It was not a new genre, portraying someone with split personality. But it managed to infuse it cleverly in the Chinese triad environment. I could understand why the movie won several awards in the East Asia market. Cinematography wasn't spectacular but the portrayal of the good, bad and ugly, with their different agenda was commendable.

Fight Back to School

Don't ask me why but I wanted to watch it. And then, I realised that I couldn't laugh at most of the jokes from the early-90s. I guess the jokes etc had also evolved over the last 20 years and my experience with the quirky Japanese entertainment industry didn't help matters.

Alice in The Hurt Locker

As there is no urgent email to attend to, let me update my blog, yay yay

It's been a long month and I don't feel rested at all. People have been dropping by, asking if I'm ok (I guess the stress is finally taking its toll). What to do ~ the portfolio of a more senior ex-colleague is on my shoulders, not to mention that my name (or Darius') is one of the first to be called when something happens (hope she doesn't have my no. on speed-dial lol).

Yes, I haven't been feeling rested. It could be due to the Amazing Race video, or my weekend 7am tennis, or SBS class, or just simply because I had dived into the planning for family camp ... Nevertheless, I'm planning to see the doctor after my trip, my digestive system is doing well either.

I was talking with Eileen the other day, that I can be rather unsympathetic. I can't help but to wonder if the problem actually lies with the person himself/herself (be it poor attitude or not being good enough) when he/she struggles with work, etc all the time. With that, I started to question if I'm not good enough in terms of capability.

The Performance Bonus news was a timely one yesterday, it gave some assurance that I had prolly did ok for the past year.

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The Hurt Locker

I am a war-movie junkie. When I was studying, there was a period when I had watched ALL the available war-movies in the DVD-rental shop. So you could imagine my high expectations after hearing that it's won the Oscar.

But then ... hmm ...

The portrayal seems real nonetheless but I've watched "heavier" ones before. And even when the Sarge left his family behind to another year of duty ... it didn't hit me at all.

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Alice in Wonderland

Quite a number of people had mentioned that it's not worth watching but if we want to do a skit on it ... then I would have to watch it right? Contrary to what the purists claimed, I kinda enjoyed it tremendously. Probably because I had not really read the original version.

Just like Kaiji - The Ultimate Gambler, I felt the original comic to be more profound and deeper and darker than the movie adaptation. I guess the original is always better.

Alice isn't entirely new to me. I had spent a month playing Kingdom Hearts and so the characters weren't new to me. Even the banquet table of the Mad Hatter, the Red Queen etc. Of course, Sora was the protagonist in Kingdom Hearts so these Alice characters provided only vague memories: much like how Alice couldn't remember that she had been there before ...

I kind of like the Red Queen though. I couldn't help but to feel sorry for her. It wasn't her choice to carry a big head, she was the eldest and should rightfully claim the throne, she might have her warped way of doing things but don't we have weird bosses too (and we are to be submissive)?

Moving Forward

It wasn't easy talking about education, not exactly because I didn't want to recall the entire episode but probably because I had forgotten the negatives that came along with it. I had expected a free dialogue of 'challenges for young persons in Singapore' to be about the rising HDB prices, the rising healthcare costs and implication on us supporting our parents, the nearing of maturity of our economy that pay increment doesn't keep up with inflation, etc etc

But it was fun for me, even if it was boring for others because I'd expect myself to fall asleep if I was to be seated with the crowd. Anyway, I tried to picture my life as a working adult but to be honest, the feeling of inadequacy seldom gets to hit me, not because I feel good about everything that I do but I have that foundation. Yet, what hit me was: so what is the effective way in parenting? Nah, Matt doesn't have the answer, I had checked with him.

Came home, filled up one spreadsheet and didn't bother to write the minutes nor to check emails. I'll just head down to office early to deal with it. I spent some time reading the comics that grew up with me when I was still in school.

It's time consuming but it is also a cheap and simple way to meet with the characters who spent the growing up years with me and it feels good, flipping through the pages, which makes me believe that the kindle and i-pad have their limitations.

Yes Man

Finished this on the train. No we can't just say 'Yes' to anything but an occasional random 'Yes' to something we are not too sure about can work wonders. Although as a responsible civil servant, I should not be taking risks.

Prejudice

I read a recent forum letter by an airline passenger who was rejected his flight because the airline couldn't find 2 available seats for him (due to his size). He felt that he was discriminated.

Then Pastor Rony Tan got into more trouble with another video, this time depicting his harsh words on homosexuals. No I haven't watched the video but from the articles that I had read, those on the receiving end felt it was the kind of humiliation that they had to endure.

While I don't judge people who are obese, I guess taking care of one's responsibility to look after his/her appearance. I understand that there are those who balloon due to health reasons and I feel sorry for them but a large number had to be responsible for their own size, be it due to eating habits or the unwillingness to exercise. Since it is not an overnight change from someone who is of acceptable weight to one who is obese, my point is that one should take some responsibility before crying foul and demand the whole world to treat him/her the same way as others.

Similarly, this is how I will respond on homosexuality, I hope I won't be dealt a Rony Tan because of this.

Astro Boy

I thought it would be sad to be Astro Boy. Given the power and compassion but unable to grow up as a human being but remain as a robot. But it's a movie, and we always love a happy ending =)

The Taking of Pelham 123

An anti hero thriller, which is fast-paced and enjoyable. Just that Garber's reaction towards the end of the movie seemed surreal: shouldn't he still be in a state of shock?

If Only

I realised that I had taken over 2 hours to come up with the minutes this evening, something which I could have completed within 30min in office. Well, I was on ebuddy but I didn't regret the time taken because my friend had brightened up my day.

It wasn't always like this which sort of make us treasure such times more than before.

And her randomness definitely made me laugh on the day when I was given a lot more responsibilities at work and when I had carried over emotional baggage from yesterday. I needed an outlet and the friend was god-send.

If Only

It was such a simple movie. If only we could choose again, we would likely behave in a different way and make a different kind of decision. It is the fact that everyone lives to regret something that I'm pretty sure everybody could dig this one.

Which just made me think to myself, if only ... but then again, I'm glad I am where I am today which would not have been possible if there was indeed an opportunity to turn back time.

The invention of lying

Went over to pastor's house for CNY celebration and couldn't help but to ponder where her words to me came from, it's getting irritating being the point of focus over such stuff, which takes place again at home, etc. Just plain irritating.

Anyway, watched this movie - The Invention of Lying

In an alternate world where everyone tells the truth and everyone trusts one another to the extent that the word 'LIE' isn't found in the dictionary, someone found out how much he could achieve by lying.

Ok, it was a silly movie, and the freshness just got stale after 30min or so. It was a B-grade with Jennifer Garner and that's about it.

9 Law Abiding Citizens

How do we submit to unfair treatment when the enforcing party isn't aware of the damage that is being done? At least the Israelites could grumble among themselves when Pharaoh ill-treated them. My mood is already better now after my sleep but I am staying away from my mum at least. She could apologise to Dad but I need to hear the apology to know that she had really reflected about the incident and many more in the past, till then, I need to protect myself and the best way to do it is to stay away.

Honour's Reward, Submission to Authority, Prosperity Gospel, these are the topics that are so tough to bring across in the correct manner that I applaud the Pastors who try to bring it up. I thought it was appropriate to talk about prosperity on Day 1 of CNY but then again, while the scriptures or other materials were there for his use, the nuance was somewhat different. Not to mention that a Pastor who is overseeing Missions may have a hard time preaching on such topic.

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9

I could remember Karen saying that it must be good since it was a Tim Burton movie. It was nevertheless good but it wasn't that kind of dark genre that I've associated with Tim Burton. Anyway, it was a feel-good movie and fits into CNY atmosphere =)

No I didn't watch it during service

Law Abiding Citizen

Sheldon brought vengeance to a new level when his retaliation was not just on an individual but the entire judicial system. It was captivating, and had the right elements of a suspense movie but thinking a little deeper, you know that it was impossible to happen? I mean, how many guys are really good inventors and have the resources to do all that? Unless if you are Michael Scofield perhaps.

The Lovely Bones

My Dad is such a kid, falling ill for over-eating the CNY goodies. It isn't the first time, whenever there is stock for goodies, he'd tell us to eat in moderation and more often than not, it would be my Dad who ends up having a sore throat, etc. You know, kids lol

Alright, Simon is leaving this Wednesday and I am taking over his Israel portfolio. I don't know the details in the agreements with Technion and Weizsmann and neither am I aware of the proceedings with Hebrew University. Well, I guess I should just be happy that my boss is confident in piling me with more work ... I guess I have to read whatever I can over this 'long weekend' and ask Simon as much as I can on Wednesday.

The Lovely Bones

It is refreshing to see things in a different perspective, becoming Susie Salmon and coming to terms with her own murder while watching the aftermath in 'heaven'. I appreciate the acting but the story was just too sad for me.

Seeing and Hearing things

With regard to the steamboat dinner on Thursday, Chor Ing wrote in the email that read "I have 20 ladles at home ..." and i thought she had 20 ladies at home ...

Anais was ranting "Brian~ it's hard ..." and I heard it as "Brian is hot ..." Talk about one being full of himself, come on, can you beat that.

The Blind Side

I can't help but wonder if I want to be Michael. I doubt so, I think I'd want to be the husband of Lea Ann. I thought the movie had everything that was needed and part of me just wanted to follow to see how Michael fared in NFL.

Kisses

The Arty Farty kind of show screened at the PictureHouse. Though it was just 72min long, I couldn't bear to watch any longer because an extension would have meant something more sinister happening to Dylan and Kylie.

Anyway, I also watched with envy, I mean how often could you spend to the last cent on something you like without thinking if you have any money for the next meal? The kids did, and they didn't need any Plan B, or hope, just closed the eyes and went for it.

Kaiji

Fast & Furious 4

There is nothing new in this genre, just pack in fast cars, good-looking girls, fight scene and crashes, couple with a plot that explains why certain things take place and you earn back enough to create another serial. There is nothing fantastic here, yet I don't know how to describe it.

Ok, I just got back from cell, actually feeling groggy. Guess I should sleep for an hour more tomorrow, a balance of work, gym and social activities is important, yet I'm still trying to figure out what's the right mix.

Alright, I'm not here to sacrifice sleep and blog about Fast & Furious, in fact, it is for another movie that is not out in Singapore just yet. There is this huge advertising board at the City Hall MRT station, and in place of The 20th Century Boys III, there was the poster for Kaiji - The Ultimate Gambler.

The movie came out in Japan in October 2009, I was in Japan then and had wanted to catch it. I am a huge fan of the comic book series of this psychological thriller whereby Kaiji - a 26-yo bum, was caught up with debt when he unwittingly became the guarantor of a loan taken by his friend. To repay the loan, he had to take part in an unusual gambling ship 'Espoir' (1st Series) where fellow debtors pit their 'skills' against one another to clear their debt, the losers will be thrown underground where forced labour is conducted till they can clear their debt. 

The illustration in the comic is horrible but the message behind it is strong, yet dark. Every series is contained within the pre-determined 13 books and at no one can predict whether it is a happy or sad ending. The comic portrays the various aspects in the human life, and in relationships: Trust, Promise, Unity, Greed, Betrayal, Skeptism, etc and as Kaiji participates in each round of unimaginable game, he grows, and there are plenty of theories (unfounded or otherwise) that one is unable to deny its truth in this godless society.

It has left a huge footprint in me and I'm glad I get to catch in soon in March (though I have already read the story). Kaiji is the voice of many in this world - A desperate desire to do a wholesale change in their lives - such resonance that I can imagine as real, a real force in the society, when one doesn't have hope in the Eternal One.

Zombiefied

Ok, the working hours has finally returned to normal, it wasn't fun running around from hotel to office to fusionopolis to office to hotel ... leaving home before my parents wake up and returning after they've gone to sleep but I guess that's what is required of a working adult.

I believe I have chalked up almost $100 on cab fare for this week alone.

I still owe my Director 2 sets of minutes but there is a meeting at the Peter Ho-level tomorrow and since Darius is at the reservist, I will have to present so I was preparing for it today.

Being tired is an understatement, and I actually told people around me that this was a good week to catch the H1N1.

Alright, work aside, I have watched Hachiko - A Dog's Story.

And I will give it ★☆☆☆☆

Cos it's so slow!!! and there was no climax to the movie (I wonder why it was made into a movie in the first place) and I still prefer my Coco

Invictus

Really had a tiring week at work. Got to handle a rival agency and their uncooperative tactics, got to prepare my boss to protect our own turf, got to brief our bosses on the events on the ground, ... sleeping at 1 and waking at 6 this morning, you must be able to imagine my relief when the meeting with Tony ended before lunch ...

I had wanted to gym but due to some interference, I realised that I didn't have the time. Well, let's be positive and conclude that my body still requires an additional day of rest =) The time now is 12.45am and I have tennis at 7am again ...

Am I being too harsh to my body, well, there are too many people/things to get in touch with/do: Work, Church, Tennis, Family, Colleagues, Old Friends, Marathon, Gym, etc that something has got to give, till I drop dead =)

Anyway, I managed to catch Invictus before the screening ends and it was an uplifting movie!! The beginning seemed draggy and slow but the final one hour was an epic. This movie had effectively beatified Nelson Mandela and if the movie was half as accurate as the actual event, then I must say that I could never have dreamt of someone so perfect, humble and forgiving, and his only other rival would be Jesus Christ.

By the way, among all the contact sports, I love rugby. Soccer is The Beautiful Game but rugby is the game that requires more teamwork over star players. And as boys, we always enjoy the crunch and an occasional fight.

Just Knowing

I must agree that ignorance is bliss, but there are things that we will have to find out sooner or later. Looking back, I guess I couldn't have done anything more, and I should be glad that I hadn't really embarrassed myself (smile).

My yandao brother is back, really happy for that. The house is already livelier and I could see that my parents are happier too. I wonder how he felt when I came back for my hols back then.

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Up

It's indeed a feel good movie and some of my friends had really loved it. While I agree that it was funny and all, it's still just another Pixar-istic movie. And for such a kind-hearted old man, I guess everyone would have enjoyed seeing him anywhere, be it in an adventure or making friends in the retirement village.

20th Century Boys Chapter 2 - The Last Hope

Have finally watched this and I'm ready to watch the last one at the cinema. It is a mega-production and an amazing one since it should be classified under the "otaku" genre. I thought I read somewhere that over 300 artistes (actors and singers) were casted and who knows how many calefare they have mobilised.

It's simply a story of good vs evil in a modern setting (think Lord of the Rings and Star Wars but within the present time and added otaku flavour). I wouldn't recommend it because it is likely a cult hit and not the kind of open genre that anyone would enjoy.

Holmes

Not one that I can relate to.

I was expecting Sherlock to use a lot more brains and a lot less brawn but well ...

He's nevertheless observant but there was no story development or character building (probably no need to) and it was 2-hr of mystery after mystery, and movement after movement. You know, the kind when immediately one puzzle has been solved, another conveniently appears - somewhat like The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.

Hanging out

Avatar

Therapeutic

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Was supposed to hang out with Jordan this evening but he was too wasted from last night's partying. Yes, there was also the Raw Party but after the X'mas weekend and all, I thought I would want to be alone for awhile.

Thought of shopping at Paragon but ended up at Fort Canning instead and it was a good time of hanging out with God. Came by the Keramat Iskandar Shah and heard Muslims singing hymns to Allah and when I next came by the Lighthouse, there were other Chinese Christians singing praises to God. I didn't need any company then and quietly walked away but it was refreshing to see these groups co-existing in this secular country.