Bandaged Soul...so I can open my heart to you again.

Just finished watching "The Game Plan". Wanted to watch it when the trailer was screened in the cinema but never got down to it. Looked funny. But kinda glad I didn't pay to catch it then. It wasn't funny at all cuz everything was too predictable. Never thought Dywane Johnson could do drama. He's too tough and stiff-faced for the heart stuff, I guess. COMPASS is getting expensive. A tad bit too much and might even kill the hopes of doing more performances at casual platforms like Library Podium. In general, it costs less to do a ticketed indoor concert then one that's free. The copyright fees' gonna cost more than the expenses of 7 Library Podium shows add together. Non-lyrical public performances used to be free with the right terms and conditions adhered to. Apparently the lawyers just changed their mind. Fortunate move for the composers and authors I guess. But maybe less people would use their works eventually. It's an irony, but the less law-abidi...

Matrix has been cubee-fied! Somehow it managed to stay on the little black mat on my dashboard without falling off after a couple of failed attempts. So cute. It's just standing there like a watchman... If you look closely, well for those who know Cubee, you'll see that this one doesn't have the 2 front teeth...it wasn't properly cut out. So it doesn't look as 'toot-toot' as the original. Haha!

It's my first time at the Singapore Flyer today, no rides for me though. $29.50 eh! So expensive. Anyway, no time. Was there for work. Brought my Latinos performer to 'rah-rah' the >60 booth to launch their Fitto Fun product - a PC cam game for the elderly - officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister. Oh ya, it's Grandparents' Day today, in case you're not aware. It was so hot, I tell you, but thank God it didn't rain. Otherwise, it would be quite a sad case for all the booths and certainly the day's programme. By the time we're done with what we were there to do, my cheeks were red like steamed crab - red and shiny. I was so thirsty I down-ed like one Super Big Gulp. Catherine was there to support, as usual. We had our lunch there. Couldn't resist the fried chicken smell from Popeyes'. Managed to eat the biscuit this time. It was more like fluffy scones, really, and it's savoury, too. If I had known it was some sweet pastries, I would ha...

Oh, has it been 2 weeks? Man, time flies when you're occupied. So tired!!! This is the 3rd consecutive week that I've been staying back late at work almost every weekday. Just when I thought that my busy period would end yesterday, I need to go back school to clear the concert logistics with my students at 10 in the morning. Well, at least they are quite responsible to want to do it, ticket money all tally, so I'm quite willing to sacrifice my sleep-in with them. Very pleased that both my Band and Malay Arts Group concerts did really well in their ticket sale. Both events were quite successful, too. Besides the logistics work, I still need to go back again on Sunday at 8am. 8AM eh!!! Wah piang...another of my groups have been engaged to perform for some product launch at the Singapore Flyer. They better don't be late...haha, scally I'm the one who's late! Ahaha! :S

I feel so out of sync lately. Work, church, ministry, family, relationships, money, me - MY LIFE... now, how do I make them all revolve around God? I need grace to balance all these things! Had morning headaches for 5 out of 6 days this week due to, I think, consecutive late nights. Driving home in bright evening sun has become a rarity. This is not good. Anyway, contemplating if I should buy over my colleague's ipod nano. She's willing to part with it for less than $50 and it's a 4gb 2nd generation green nano. There's a bit of a scratch behind. And the apple logo behind is also quite worn out. I haven't tested out the quality, though. But I don't think it should have any problem. Actually, I have my own 4gb first generation ipod nano. It's so pretty I can't bare to sell it. My colleague's is so affordable I was thinking of just buying it and post it to a friend who might need it temporarily. I'm also thinking if I should get a DVD Camcorder. Hmm...

Here In My Life - Hillsong HERE IN MY LIFE Hillsong Live - Saviour King I have never walked on water Felt the waves beneath my feet But at Your word, Lord I'll receive Your faith To walk on oceans deep And I remember how You found me In that very same place All my failings surely would have drowned me And You made a way You are my freedom Jesus, You're the reason I'm kneeling again at Your throne Where would I be without You Here in my life Here in my life You have said That all the heavens sing for joy At one who finds The Way to freedom Truth of Jesus Brought from death into this life And I remember how You saw me Through the eyes of Your grace And though the cost was Your beloved for me Still You made a way "God did not promise days without pain; laughter without sorrow; sun without rain - But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."

What do you do if you see someone you really miss online, but fear that you'd not be given the time of day...again. I waited and waited, contemplating, remembering how a little wound recently was magnified with recollection of past hurts. But at this moment, I know that words from this person is what I need. Conversations from yesterday and today with mom had been rather depressing. I was at the brink of breaking down a few times today at the thought of what a disappointment I have been. I need to knock myself out of it. I need to be strong, I need to make a choice to just do what is right and beneficial. Feeling helpless is not going to help. BUT...now, I'm so void of strength and feel so tired to try. Hopeless to even start. Hence, I'm too weak to face another abrupt ending to conversations. Those that you wait so long for a response. Then while you are typing something, all you get is...gtg, bye. Disconnected. And all I could do was to close the dialogue box reluctantly....

Talk about alcohol, I was introduced to this ice cream place - Island Creamery - at Serene Centre this afternoon. They have local delights (desserts) as flavours for their selections. One of them is Tiger Sorbet and Kahlua something... I was impressed at how beer-like the Tiger Sorbet tasted. We tried others like Pulut Hitam, Fresh Banana, Coconut Swirl, Teh Tarik, Horlick, blah blah blah. Interesting. After the session I decided to get the 500ml tubs, one each for the Horlick and Pulut Hitam flavours to bring to Mui's house as a small contribution at my nephew Keith's birthday. It's a no-fuss, family only dinner and chill-out session. Turns out that my eldest sis bought brownie-like birthday cake so it was a good match with my ice cream. As usual, David and wife are manning their pasta stall so only the 2 boys were there. I miss his pan-fried pasta. Made a few wasted impromptu trips to the stall cuz they were closed, even though those were usual days they were supposed to ...

I think this picture is so pretty...the transparency of it. And I like olives. Though I'm not sure how they'd taste after soaking in martini. Can't seem to make out ever having a good impression of it, actually. I like the shape of the glass. Looks classy and sleek, and so... sophisticated. Haha, that's just my impression of it. What about you?

Ohhh...it's been such a long and tiring work week. Just one stupid trip and fall, and everything seems to turn into 'slow-mo' requiring more effort as usual to do. It's been a week. I'm almost recovered now, but I'm still walking slowly, and down the stairs at half steps. Very thankful, nonetheless. Stayed back in the office last night to finish up the other of my 2 elearning modules. This time, I took 2 hours to complete 'Teamwork and Results Without Authority'. I guess cuz I was anxious to get to the band room before practice ends to tie up a few matters. Content's not bad. In fact, I hope to use what these 2 topics teaches and transfer the knowledge in my next ALI Camp. ALI = Arts Leaders' Induction. See how. Gotta start planning soon. In continuation with the fuss mentioned in my previous post - eliminating the undeserving - the 2nd module has this part about dealing with difficult people. How timely. My previous dilemma was of more extreme m...

My insomnia is back again. Was in school till past midnight as I needed to use my office PC to do some online course due end of the month. At the last stretch of 75% mark I couldn't take it already. My heavy eyelids were making it counter productive so I decided to head home. A couple more nights for me to finish this and another module. I find the subject rather interesting amidst my tiredness. Leadership Without Authority - kinda challenges people to take up leadership position in attitude and action without having authority formally bestowed upon them. Sadly, it reminded me of people who had been officially appointed but not fulfilling their duties. Chest-pounding, blood-vomitting experience. Yet, reviewing the status is easier said than done. But funny how I'm reminded from the module that having integrity would demand that we do what is right, even though it might be unpleasant to have to cut people off. Is there no other way? Yet, it can't be avoided, in the name of f...

My car battery went flat on Friday cuz I forgot to turn off the headlights in the morning...it was on because of a dim rainy morning in case you're asking. Thank God help was quite readily available. Then I went shopping at Giant yesterday evening and tripped over a parking brick at the car park when I was transferring the last item from the trolley to the passenger seat. The trip turned into a fall and so there's a bit of abrasion on both knees. The fall happened so fast I can't even remember how I bruised my left cheek and left arm. So I sprained my right foot and I'm now house-ridden (AGAIN!) moving around in my swivel chair. House-visited by the sinseh a couple of hours ago so now my foot is all wrapped up. I'm surprised how I managed to lug my bag, laptop and the perishables up to my house.,,which is not on lift-landing, by the way. And there were a few occasions on the way home that I had to use my left foot to help step on the brakes. Hope I can at least limp...

Going to a Jazz concert brings back memories of the once upon a very short period where I used to frequent this place - Jazz@Southbridge . A quick google tells me that this place is still up and running. Contemplating perhaps I should visit it again one day. But got to wait for next pay day at least. Now indoors are smoke free, it'll be more enjoyable. The music there's quite decent. Not sure how it's like now, though. Anyway, back to the free Jazz Concert I just went for at Singapore Conference Hall with Cat, Fay, Sheena, Celine and Hon Choo. The featured was a 5-piece band: Lead/Acoustic Guitarist - Isao Miyoshi (Jap), Double Bass/Bass Guitar - Shigeki Ippon (Jap), Drums - Hiroyuki Noritake (Jap), Piano/Keyboard - Tay Cher Siang (M'sian), and Sax - Koh Mr Saxman (Thai). They're named "Unit Asia". According to the programme, the band was formed especially for this project initiated by the 3 Japs, joined by the other 2. Except for one song, the rest of the...

Here's the actual colour of the poster...

Looks like everyone's really blasting TP Band Concert. Guess I shall do the same, since I'm the in-charge...haha! So here it is! Oh...the colours are so different! The orange part has turned blue!... Aiya, nevermind lah. Anyway, the fine prints below supposed to tell you that the tickets are available at One-stop Service Centre on campus. $8. And there's a mystery gift at the door while stock last. So the band kids are going to have their publicity event on 29 Oct 08 at TP Plaza (outside library). There's one more thing that needs to be mentioned here. For the first time, they're going to feature a full section ensemble in the concert, and there's another publicity event on 5 Nov 08 of the clarinet ensemble at TP Library Podium...glad to say that it's also the very first the band has ever done. Both are lunchtime performances, by the way. Speaking of the Podium, I was there yesterday afternoon because T'ang Quartet was performing. It was rather enjoyable...

So I went IKEA yesterday after prison visit to get a frame for a picture of Temasek Polytechnic Band taken with the President and the First Lady after the Istana Open House performance on 1 Oct 08. This one was originally cardboard-framed, and the picture was signed and delivered from the President's Office to mine last Friday. Took me half an hour to get the photo out cos it was slightly glued in the centre. Thank God it came out fine without tearing somebody's face out, and the centre happened to be one of the VIPs. Ta da!!!... Hmmm...put where, put where???

I seem to have lost the momentum to blog and msn nowadays. After an episode of very discouraging conversation, I must say I was quite affected. It left me speechless in more ways than one. There were several things that I wanted to do and say, but I was almost immediately smacked in the face with all the "what's the point?" I wouldn't say that I have resolved it totally, though it's not like I don't want to lay it down. Yes, I've chosen to be hurt, and I allowed myself to dwell in it for awhile, maybe longer than I should. It has been a prolonged period of pain. I've forgiven. I have to. But I think what I'm dealing with is the doubts I have about a friendship in terms of how much, or how little, I am valued (if I'm at all valued). It probably sounds silly, really, and I can imagine that it may even seem insulting if my doubts were unfounded. But I can't help it. I cried about it, prayed about it, and I believe God has brought me through th...

Proverbs 6:1-5 Dangerous Promises 1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 you are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. 3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; plead with your friend. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler. Proverbs 11:15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure. Proverbs 17:18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, and becomes surety for his friend. Proverbs 22:26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts... I met up with 2 friends yesterday who had jointly gotten themselves into being guarantors for a friend's 10K loan. It's a friend they trusted, one wh...

So I was waiting for my dinner date at T2's Fish & Co. yesterday, during which I was looking around at the interior decor when I gazed up and saw this gross-looking lamp hanging from the ceiling right above my table. I do appreciate the fact that the design's quite apt considering that it's a seafood joint. But somehow it gave me the goose bumps. Don't ask me why. Well, other than that, the place was a bit noisy when the bar started blending some beverage...and irritating when the staff did their birthday thing for celebrating customers. 3 times for the duration I was there. It's like the Kuishin-Bo jingle, but done 'live'. Good food and great company made up for the downsides. So me and TP Band went to Istana on Wednesday for their 45-min 'National Service'. Thank God the DV Camera I brought was supposedly unstable which led me call for a back-up. Know why? When the band started playing, I was told that when the President come by to watch the pe...

Only Hope By Switchfoot Sung By Mandy Moore From The Movie - A Walk To Remember Only Hope - Mandy Moore There's a song that's inside of my soul It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again I'm awake in the infinite cold But You sing to me over and over and over again So I lay my head back down And I lift my hands and pray To be only Yours I pray to be only Yours I know now You're my only hope Sing to me the song of the stars Of Your galaxy dancing and laughing And laughing again When it feels like my dreams so far Sing to me of the plans That You have for me over again So I lay my head back down And I lift my hands and pray To be only Yours I pray to be only Yours I know now You're my only hope I give You my destiny I'm giving You all of me I want Your symphony Singing in all that I am At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back So I lay my head back down And I lift my hands and pray To be only Yours I pray to be only Yours I pray to be on...