TOUCHB A S E TOUCHB A S E - The International School Of Penang

Another reflection:Japanese Tea CeremonyThe Japanese tea ceremony was very different; we had to be gentle, and focused. We had to be serious about everything for we hadto serve tea to teachers and students. We were to say a phrase when we handed the tea over and the Japanese sweets over and thenwe had to bow. The tea bowls were beautiful and they were expensive too!We were told that we had to handle them with care and that they were from Japan. The room was set up very nicely and theumbrella and table was very beautiful. The umbrella had very nice flower patterns on it. We had to fold the Japanese napkin in a veryimportant way; if you mess it up you have to start all again. It was very difficult to learn how to fold it.We also got taught how to make the tea. You had to pick up the Japanese tea spoon and gently wipe it in a careful way threetimes but on the last time you must wipe and pull in an upward movement at the end of the spoon.Then you must then place it gently down, then take out the stirrer put it on the side. Then pick up the spoon and take the tea powderpot lid off, take two spoonsful of tea and put it in the tea bowl, then fill it with a quarter full of hot boiling water.Pick the stirrer and in a quick motion move your wrist up and down. Place it back down, then a server will come to get it. The teabowl should have a picture or pattern and it should be facing the person and before placing it on the table but you must turn it twotimes so the picture is facing the drinker. Then step back and bow.By Emilie 9Q and Sharla 9SFrom the TouchBaseWritingECA Club...Movie review: The time traveller’s wifeBased on a best-selling novel, the movie of the same name, “The time traveller’s wife” tellsus the terrific story of Henry (Eric Bana) who since his mother’s death in a car crash has timetravelledwhenever he is under extreme duress due to a genetic disorder. He has no controlover his “trips”, vanishing at exceedingly frequent and lengthy intervals. However, Henryattempts to build a stable future with the beautiful young Clare (Rachel McAdams) who hehas known since he was 6.Clare has been in love with Henry her whole life and despite the fact that she never knowswhen they will be separated, she believes they are destined to be together and desperatelytries to build a life with her one true love.Critics point that the movie as usual, is not nearly as good as the wonderfully writtenAudrey Niffenegger’s novel. However, it gives a different perspective from the novel. Forexample, in the novel one sees Henry’s condition as a sort of epilepsy, whereas the movieportrays it as a terminal illness as the signs of an impending tragedy appear.Furthermore, viewers have pointed out that Bana does a good job in a role where he is notgiven much personality beyond earnestness. On the other hand, McAdams really capturesClare’s quiet pain, enriching the movie with a breath of fresh air.It becomes obvious that the film is edited down from a more detailed and richer novel.However, Robert Schweitzer, the producer does remarkable work tying together the loosethreads and missing scenes. In the end, the film explores the nature of relationships, leavingthose who view it deeply touched. A must watch.By Lidia VieiraY13Page 9