Big is Back and Virtual Pit Stops

First and foremost, I'd like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas this holiday season.  For me, I almost didn't have the opportunity to spend my Christmas with my family and friends due to work commitments in China, but I was able to make it back in time.  After I wrapped up the music video shoot for Pepsi in Beijing, I flew back in time to attend the movie premiere of Will Smith's I Am Legend, which was truly worth watching.  There's been a major dearth of good flicks lately so it was nice to actually enjoy making the trip to the theater to watch a well-done movie.  I now know why this movie is the biggest weekend opener for December in U.S. box office history with over $76 million.  Did you know this movie made even more than the previous record holder Lord of the Rings: Return of the King?  Wow.   I Am Legend is basically Big on all fronts...and I'd like to describe it as a 28 Days Later on major steroids like all the ballplayers in Major League Baseball.  Poor Roger Clemens--You always get what you pay to shoot up for!

Last night, I was invited to Fly Entertainment's Christmas party at founder Irene Ang's new abode.  We all had a great time, and I'm so happy and proud to see Irene really take her management/event production company to new heights.

Here's a picture of Irene and Li Lin just getting the party started.

...and it's great to see Mindy Ong from 881 here also back with more and more hair!  Don't forget to watch out for Li Lin's big screen debut in The Leap Yearspremiering next year on February 29, which happens to be a Leap Year.  I can't wait!!

Everyone had a ton o' fun at the party including other Fly artistes (seated from Left to Right) Cheryl Miles, Angela May, Chua EnLai, and Li Lin.

And of course, Mag is showing us all that Big is Back...and Beautiful.  Well, maybe this might be too big for most of us!  Hope you're having as much fun with family and friends this holiday season!

Now, back to TARA business...Japan was a delight to race through in episode five.  We all had a chilling good time in the Ice Bar although I don't think patrons there usually stay that long because it's just too cold.  Most of the customers go in for one or two vodka drinks, and then they're out to another watering hole within half an hour or so.  I insisted on wearing the fur hat even though I think my head was too big for it.  Nothing beats a lid when you don't feel like doing your hair!

Episode Five was also the first virtual pit stop of the season.  I always have a lot of fun telling the teams that "The race is Still On!"  and then see their smiling and relieved faces suddenly turn back to their "Game Face!"  For us in production, virtual pit stops are just as stressful because we have to scurry off to the next location too so don't miss out where we end up in the next episode!  Language will still be a big barrier, and I'm sure you already know which team will be whining "What's wrong with this people??  How come they don't speak no English???"

Before this next episode premieres on Thursday night, I'll be back in Beijing to work on a movie.  At the very least, I was able to stay in Singapore long enough to see Santa drop off some gifts for the little ones who've been naughty...but mostly been nice! 

Merry Christmas to you all and I'll catch up with you back in Beijing!!