"Not a lot of people get to see a movie where their parents fell in love."

"There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening. I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn't wait to get to work every day? That was really uncool."

Brad Pitt then later came out to say he too fell in love with Angelia during the filming of the movie. Aniston's reply to Brad Pitt? :

Another Jennifer (who almost made it to the list) is Jennifer Hudson. The third season of American Idol alumni has to be one of THE most successful idol to have been churned out from the franchise and this was even though she didn't win the competition. The singing (and acting) sensation has won numerous awards for her role in the 2005 movie, Dreamgirl, and was nominated for 4 Grammy awards. Things seemed to be perfect for this talented diva until October 24, 2008, when Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, and her 29-year-old brother, Jason, were shot to death inside Donerson's home, in Chicago, Illinois. Her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was later found dead after being reported missing for 3 days.

At home, this man shocked the entire nation of Singapore when he jumped into the white tigers' enclosure in the Singapore Zoo on 13th November. Mr Nordin Bin Montong, a contract cleaner from Sarawak, was fatally mauled by the three resident white tigers in front of many shocked onlookers. Two videos surfaced, capturing every second of the man's death, from him wading 'willingly' to where the tigers were and to his final moments when one of the tigers was pulling his limp body into the bushes with its jaws. And not to mention disturbing pictures of the huge tigers looming over the cowering man were splashed on every local newspaper for days.

Last but not least is Sufiah Yusof. She is a former mathematics prodigy from Britain (born of Pakistani and Malaysian descent) who at the age of 13 back in 1997, gained entry into St. Hilda's College, Oxford University. However in March 2008, a reporter working undercover for the News of the World found her advertising as a high profile escort under the name Shilpa Lee, quoting a rate of £130 an hour. She had reportedly been under extreme pressures from her parents since young to perform academically, this is definitely a way of expressing her rebellion. What a shame.

And now lets see who has made it to my list for 2008.

Lucky number 7 goes to unlucky lady Sarah Palin. Lets face it, one of the many (and most obvious) reasons for the Republican John McCain's defeat is her. No one has faith in that Alaskan governor. She is one heart attack away (and that's John McCain's) from becoming the President of the United States (John McCain could have made history too, for being the oldest president to ever be elected at 72). No one wants Sarah Palin to hold that responsibility; I mean she is no Hilary Clinton. She has a tonne of controversies surrounding her; from the conservative Republican candidate's pregnant teenage daughter to ethical questions over her firing of the Alaska public safety commissioner (and other top law officials who were supposedly not loyal to her) to her bumbling interview with Katie Couric to name a few. And not forgetting Tina Fey's impersonation of her as the dumb ex-pageant queen. Simply hilarious and spot-on.

6.
Number 6 on the list is the most-wanted man in Singapore, Mas Selamat. Since his escape from the nation's Internal Security Department's detention centre at Whitely Road on 27th February, the Singaporean government has launched the largest manhunt in the country's history. Why so much hoo-hah? The man is said to be the head of the Singapore branch of militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI). And it was alleged that he had planned to crash seven bomb-filled trucks at various locations around Singapore. Finally he was suspected of plotting to bomb Singapore Changi Airport in 2002 by crashing a plane into it. How could he have escaped so easily if he was such a dangerous man? Try an open toilet air vent window. And oh yeah, the f*cked up security. It has been 10 months since the fugitive's escape and we still have no news of him. Has he fled the country? Probably. But maybe someday someone will find his decomposing body floating down the canal. Maybe...

5.
Next on the list is Heath Ledger. The promising and talented actor passed away early this year on the 22nd January. He has acted in movies like '10 things I hate about you', 'The Patriot' and 'Monster's Ball'. Of course he was one half of the gay duo on 'Brokeback Mountain'. The Australian-born actor's final role as the Joker on 'The Dark Knight' sent shivers down my spine. A pity he never got to see the film, nor would he be in person to collect any of the awards he was nominated for (movie critics are raving about his performance!). On the day of his death, he was found unconscious in his fourth-floor loft apartment at 421 Broome Street in the SoHo neighborhood in Manhattan. Coroner's report showed he died of acute intoxication of a cocktail of drugs. The next joker has huge shoes to fill (OMG, pun totally unintended).

4.
Lo Hwei Yen, 28 year-old-lawyer, wife, daughter and Singapore's first victim in a terrorist attack. Her passing united the nation in mourning. She was one of the 164 killed during a series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai from 26-29 November. She had been in the Indian city to attend a business seminar, when terrorists attacked the Oberoi Hotel where she was staying in and took her hostage. She was shot twice during the 60-hour siege and subsequent rescue operation. While she might have led an ordinary life, her tragic and senseless death shook the nation. While Singapore is generally safe and have been blessed so far to not have this misfortune on our shores, her death is sort of a reminder to us that not everyone can be safe, not in Singapore and certainly not overseas. Terrorism came too close to us Singaporeans in a way, not physically but certainly emotionally and psychologically. She may not have been a martyr, 'giving' her life to terrorism (like what certain people have made her to be), she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I am sure she should be remembered more than just as Singapore's first terror victim, she was also a great wife, daughter and friend to many.

6. Singapore hosted the first-ever night race for the F1 Grand Prix on 29th September with World Champion Fernando Alonso coming out tops after a drama-filled race.5. November 26th-29th - A series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, killed 164 (including one Singaporean), and injures at least 250.

Tied in 5th place is the senseless retaliation by the Israel forces on Gaza Strip. The air strikes on 27th December has killed 360 Palestinians and 1,600 injured. STOP this senseless killing!
4. 56th U.S. Presidential elections. The most historical and definitely memorable presidential election in history. Obama won the presidency over McCain with 53% of the popular vote and a wide electoral college margin on the historic 4th November.
3. The nineteenth deadliest earthquake of all time, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake which measured at 8.0 on the scales occurred on May 12 in Sichuan province of China, killed at least 69,000.

Now back to the top 3 People of 2008.

3.
In third place is Michael Phelps (which ironically I think he was never in third place in his entire life!). The swimming sensation from the United States is MY AGE (gasp!), and that is all for the similarities... He has won 14 career Olympic Gold medals (and me, zero), the most by any Olympian. As of 2008, he also holds seven swimming world records (again, me zero). And at this Beijing Olympics, Phelps made history for winning the most gold medals in a single Olympic Game. With this record of 8, he surpassed American Mark Spitz, who was also a swimmer and had held the previous gold medal total with the seven that he won at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. And me again... zero...which makes me a 23-year-old loser.

2.
I dunno who or what the Lehman Brothers are but they seemed to have started the earth-shattering economic recession. Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. was a global financial-services firm that did business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales, research and trading, investment management, private equity, and private banking (don't ask me what's what, I copied and pasted). On September 15, the firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. Immediately following the bankruptcy filing, an already unstable market began an uncontrollable tailspin. What resulted was what many have called the “Perfect Storm” of economic distress factors, from Wall Street layoffs to a spike in durvexity, and eventually led a $700B bailout package.

1.
The number one spot goes to.... *drumrolls*...
Barrack Hussein Obama II. He is THE MAN of 2008. He will be the first African-American President of the United States of America come 20th January next year. And the 44th President of the U.S.A. I am somewhat pleasantly surprised by the Americans. Surprised because they have not only accepted but embraced change (and such a drastic one at that). Speaking as an outsider, Barrack Obama has the face and the determination to right any wrong and mess that his predecessor has created. He is the best man for the job.

"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes we can."

"Not a lot of people get to see a movie where their parents fell in love."

"There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening. I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss. That stuff about how she couldn't wait to get to work every day? That was really uncool."

Brad Pitt then later came out to say he too fell in love with Angelia during the filming of the movie. Aniston's reply to Brad Pitt? :

Another Jennifer (who almost made it to the list) is Jennifer Hudson. The third season of American Idol alumni has to be one of THE most successful idol to have been churned out from the franchise and this was even though she didn't win the competition. The singing (and acting) sensation has won numerous awards for her role in the 2005 movie, Dreamgirl, and was nominated for 4 Grammy awards. Things seemed to be perfect for this talented diva until October 24, 2008, when Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, and her 29-year-old brother, Jason, were shot to death inside Donerson's home, in Chicago, Illinois. Her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was later found dead after being reported missing for 3 days.

At home, this man shocked the entire nation of Singapore when he jumped into the white tigers' enclosure in the Singapore Zoo on 13th November. Mr Nordin Bin Montong, a contract cleaner from Sarawak, was fatally mauled by the three resident white tigers in front of many shocked onlookers. Two videos surfaced, capturing every second of the man's death, from him wading 'willingly' to where the tigers were and to his final moments when one of the tigers was pulling his limp body into the bushes with its jaws. And not to mention disturbing pictures of the huge tigers looming over the cowering man were splashed on every local newspaper for days.

Last but not least is Sufiah Yusof. She is a former mathematics prodigy from Britain (born of Pakistani and Malaysian descent) who at the age of 13 back in 1997, gained entry into St. Hilda's College, Oxford University. However in March 2008, a reporter working undercover for the News of the World found her advertising as a high profile escort under the name Shilpa Lee, quoting a rate of £130 an hour. She had reportedly been under extreme pressures from her parents since young to perform academically, this is definitely a way of expressing her rebellion. What a shame.

And now lets see who has made it to my list for 2008.

Lucky number 7 goes to unlucky lady Sarah Palin. Lets face it, one of the many (and most obvious) reasons for the Republican John McCain's defeat is her. No one has faith in that Alaskan governor. She is one heart attack away (and that's John McCain's) from becoming the President of the United States (John McCain could have made history too, for being the oldest president to ever be elected at 72). No one wants Sarah Palin to hold that responsibility; I mean she is no Hilary Clinton. She has a tonne of controversies surrounding her; from the conservative Republican candidate's pregnant teenage daughter to ethical questions over her firing of the Alaska public safety commissioner (and other top law officials who were supposedly not loyal to her) to her bumbling interview with Katie Couric to name a few. And not forgetting Tina Fey's impersonation of her as the dumb ex-pageant queen. Simply hilarious and spot-on.

6.
Number 6 on the list is the most-wanted man in Singapore, Mas Selamat. Since his escape from the nation's Internal Security Department's detention centre at Whitely Road on 27th February, the Singaporean government has launched the largest manhunt in the country's history. Why so much hoo-hah? The man is said to be the head of the Singapore branch of militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI). And it was alleged that he had planned to crash seven bomb-filled trucks at various locations around Singapore. Finally he was suspected of plotting to bomb Singapore Changi Airport in 2002 by crashing a plane into it. How could he have escaped so easily if he was such a dangerous man? Try an open toilet air vent window. And oh yeah, the f*cked up security. It has been 10 months since the fugitive's escape and we still have no news of him. Has he fled the country? Probably. But maybe someday someone will find his decomposing body floating down the canal. Maybe...

5.
Next on the list is Heath Ledger. The promising and talented actor passed away early this year on the 22nd January. He has acted in movies like '10 things I hate about you', 'The Patriot' and 'Monster's Ball'. Of course he was one half of the gay duo on 'Brokeback Mountain'. The Australian-born actor's final role as the Joker on 'The Dark Knight' sent shivers down my spine. A pity he never got to see the film, nor would he be in person to collect any of the awards he was nominated for (movie critics are raving about his performance!). On the day of his death, he was found unconscious in his fourth-floor loft apartment at 421 Broome Street in the SoHo neighborhood in Manhattan. Coroner's report showed he died of acute intoxication of a cocktail of drugs. The next joker has huge shoes to fill (OMG, pun totally unintended).

4.
Lo Hwei Yen, 28 year-old-lawyer, wife, daughter and Singapore's first victim in a terrorist attack. Her passing united the nation in mourning. She was one of the 164 killed during a series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai from 26-29 November. She had been in the Indian city to attend a business seminar, when terrorists attacked the Oberoi Hotel where she was staying in and took her hostage. She was shot twice during the 60-hour siege and subsequent rescue operation. While she might have led an ordinary life, her tragic and senseless death shook the nation. While Singapore is generally safe and have been blessed so far to not have this misfortune on our shores, her death is sort of a reminder to us that not everyone can be safe, not in Singapore and certainly not overseas. Terrorism came too close to us Singaporeans in a way, not physically but certainly emotionally and psychologically. She may not have been a martyr, 'giving' her life to terrorism (like what certain people have made her to be), she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I am sure she should be remembered more than just as Singapore's first terror victim, she was also a great wife, daughter and friend to many.

6. Singapore hosted the first-ever night race for the F1 Grand Prix on 29th September with World Champion Fernando Alonso coming out tops after a drama-filled race.5. November 26th-29th - A series of terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, killed 164 (including one Singaporean), and injures at least 250.

Tied in 5th place is the senseless retaliation by the Israel forces on Gaza Strip. The air strikes on 27th December has killed 360 Palestinians and 1,600 injured. STOP this senseless killing!
4. 56th U.S. Presidential elections. The most historical and definitely memorable presidential election in history. Obama won the presidency over McCain with 53% of the popular vote and a wide electoral college margin on the historic 4th November.
3. The nineteenth deadliest earthquake of all time, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake which measured at 8.0 on the scales occurred on May 12 in Sichuan province of China, killed at least 69,000.

Now back to the top 3 People of 2008.

3.
In third place is Michael Phelps (which ironically I think he was never in third place in his entire life!). The swimming sensation from the United States is MY AGE (gasp!), and that is all for the similarities... He has won 14 career Olympic Gold medals (and me, zero), the most by any Olympian. As of 2008, he also holds seven swimming world records (again, me zero). And at this Beijing Olympics, Phelps made history for winning the most gold medals in a single Olympic Game. With this record of 8, he surpassed American Mark Spitz, who was also a swimmer and had held the previous gold medal total with the seven that he won at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. And me again... zero...which makes me a 23-year-old loser.

2.
I dunno who or what the Lehman Brothers are but they seemed to have started the earth-shattering economic recession. Lehman Brothers Holding Inc. was a global financial-services firm that did business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales, research and trading, investment management, private equity, and private banking (don't ask me what's what, I copied and pasted). On September 15, the firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. Immediately following the bankruptcy filing, an already unstable market began an uncontrollable tailspin. What resulted was what many have called the “Perfect Storm” of economic distress factors, from Wall Street layoffs to a spike in durvexity, and eventually led a $700B bailout package.

1.
The number one spot goes to.... *drumrolls*...
Barrack Hussein Obama II. He is THE MAN of 2008. He will be the first African-American President of the United States of America come 20th January next year. And the 44th President of the U.S.A. I am somewhat pleasantly surprised by the Americans. Surprised because they have not only accepted but embraced change (and such a drastic one at that). Speaking as an outsider, Barrack Obama has the face and the determination to right any wrong and mess that his predecessor has created. He is the best man for the job.

"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes we can."

1. 2008.